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Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Ruben Amorim plans brutal pre-season with Man Utd flops quizzed on holidays and told to hit personal bests or face axe
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RUBEN AMORIM is ready to get tough with his Manchester United flops as he chases a flying start next season. The Red Devils boss wants to take a hardline pre-season approach in his quest to turn his 'chokers' into Champions League material, with jobs — including his own — on the line. 3 Ruben Amorim is preparing for a complete reset at Manchester United And the Portuguese is determined that a lack of fitness will not be an excuse for his squad, in the wake of a disastrous campaign last time out — the club's worst since the relegation season of 1973-74. SunSport understands Amorim has delivered a list of instructions to ensure United are in top shape for the new Prem season, which starts on the weekend of August 16. It is believed non-international players could return to the club's Carrington HQ earlier than normal, with a suggestion some may be back training by the end of THIS month. Amorim wants fitness levels to be sky high, demanding that players hit personal bests by mid-July. READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS NO WORRIES Man Utd identify £70m ex-Prem star as Bruno replacement if captain leaves And if they fail to achieve those targets then they face being sidelined from his United revolution. Boss Amorim has also told his squad they need to be fitter than ever because he wants them to be all over their opponents 'like white on rice' from day one next season. It is understood Amorim has even quizzed his players on where they are going on holiday as he looks to shake up his failing squad and leave nothing to chance. United finished 15th in the Prem and also lost in the Europa League final to Tottenham — meaning there will be no European football at Old Trafford next season. Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford Amorim — who initially did not want to join United from Sporting last November as he feared mid- season turbulence — needs an upturn in results and performance quickly, so he is focusing on an intense pre-season programme to get his men up to speed from the kick-off. He is also keen to capitalise on rivals Manchester City and Chelsea having a disrupted start to the new Prem season should they go deep into the revamped Club World Cup this summer, with the final on July 13. Ruben Amorim vows 'good days are coming' after 'disaster season' as Man Utd flops give him daggers during public apology A club source said: 'Amorim needs a good pre-season. He's not shied away from the pressure he's under. 'He would have always preferred to have arrived at United ahead of a new season rather than in the middle of it. 'He has to get this right. He's told the players there are no more excuses. His job is on the line — and so too is theirs. 'The club can't accept any more failures.' Amorim is well aware of the pressure building and the scrutiny on his own position, never mind his players. His side suffered an embarrassing 1-0 loss to the ASEAN All-Stars before a 3-1 win over Hong Kong on their two-game post-season tour to Asia. Amorim slammed his players after the first game as "chokers" after they were booed off by Far East fans. 3 United face a big summer of transfer activity Following the second game on Friday, Amorim was asked if he had a summer message for his players — and hinted he feared for the condition of his stars during their time away from the club. He replied: 'I was a player and you can disconnect. They know that we under-performed badly this season. 'The important thing for me is the body composition, the weight and the training — they need to be ready. 'We have to use every minute in every week of the pre-season. So we need to arrive in shape. 'These small things, they have all the measures. We had a briefing about that. It's the only way to take action to be better next season. 'They know, everyone knows that the next year is going to be massive for everybody. 'I have been sending messages every week and they know next year, it is clear that we need to be so much better.' United face a big summer of transfer activity. 3 Bruno Fernandes could leave for Saudi Arabia this summer Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans have all left on free transfers, while the future of captain Bruno Fernandes hangs in the balance. Amorim is closing in on a £62.5million deal for Wolves forward Matheus Cunha, while he has lined up Sporting's Pedro Goncalves as a potential replacement for Fernandes if he takes the £100m offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal. Argentine winger Alejandro Garnacho is not in Amorim's plans next season and is free to leave. United begin their preparations with a friendly against Prem new boys Leeds in Stockholm on July 19. Then the Red Devils are heading over to the USA for matches against West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton, before finishing a punishing pre-season schedule against Italian side Fiorentina at Old Trafford on August 9.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Alejandro Garnacho told ‘don't come back' as Man Utd outcast takes parting shot in one-word Instagram post
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ALEJANDRO GARNACHO was told 'don't come back' after the Manchester United outcast took a parting shot in a one-word Instagram. Garnacho's Old Trafford days appear to be numbered after Ruben Amorim warned him to find a new club this summer. 3 Alejandro Garnacho fired out a message after being axed by Man Utd Credit: Getty The winger is now being linked with Serie A champions Napoli. And Chelsea could be interested again after making an enquiry in January. But Garnacho showed he is not going to go quietly. The Argentine, who was a late sub in the Europa League final defeat to Spurs, saw a bit more action in United's disastrous post-season tour of the Far East. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL NO WORRIES Man Utd identify £70m ex-Prem star as Bruno replacement if captain leaves They lost their first match to a Malaysian All-Stars XI before narrowly beating Hong Kong. Afterwards, United's players jetted off on their separate ways for their summer holidays. And Garnacho made no secret of his joy to finally be heading into a new era. Posting emojis of a tropical island, praying hands and a crying face, he said on Instagram Stories: 'Finally.' BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS However, this saw Garnacho receive a flurry of messages from angry United fans. One said: 'Don't come back.' Ruben Amorim bursts out laughing when asked about Man Utd star's future 3 Fans responded angrily to Garnacho's post Another declared: 'Bro thinks he is CR7.' One noted: 'He's going to regret this when he is older.' Another added: 'Worst attitude ever.'
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Kevin De Bruyne ‘to join Napoli within days with Serie A winners to snap up Man City legend in stunning free transfer'
Napoli are already celebrating one major decision after landing title BRUTIFUL GAME Kevin De Bruyne 'to join Napoli within days with Serie A winners to snap up Man City legend in stunning free transfer' KEVIN DE BRUYNE is reportedly on the brink of joining Italian champions Napoli. The Belgian midfielder is a free agent after his Manchester City contract came to an end. 1 Kevin De Bruyne is on the verge of a free transfer to Napoli Credit: Getty De Bruyne bid farewell to fans after a decade of silverware at the Etihad. But reports claims he has already found a new club just days after leaving the Premier League. According to Di Marzio, De Bruyne has struck a deal to join newly-crowned Serie A kings Napoli. Antonio Conte's men pipped Champions League finalists Inter Milan to Italian football's greatest prize by a single point. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL NO WORRIES Man Utd identify £70m ex-Prem star as Bruno replacement if captain leaves And to celebrate, Napoli are now looking to quickly wrap up a move for De Bruyne on Sunday. Negotiations are said to be a formality, with paperwork expected to be finalised tomorrow. De Bruyne will then undergo a medical before penning a contract, with an official announcement to follow afterwards. And the transfer will see him link up with striker Romelu Lukaku, with the pair already enjoying a fine partnership together for Belgium. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Man Utd title winner didn't want to leave house after being mocked for his looks and got apology from Gary Lineker
The midfielder won a Prem title but admits he was never happy at United FACE VALUE Man Utd title winner didn't want to leave house after being mocked for his looks and got apology from Gary Lineker LUKE CHADWICK has revealed he was left battling depression and anxiety after being mocked for his appearance. The former Manchester United midfielder was on the books at Old Trafford between 1997 and 2004. 3 Luke Chadwick (middle) has admitted he suffered from depression and anxiety during his time at Manchester United Credit: PA 3 The former midfielder was ridiculed for his looks Credit: PA 3 Now 44, the ex-MK Dons and Stoke midfielder has opened up his experience Credit: Getty Chadwick came through the United youth system, winning the Premier League in 2001. He would go to play for West Ham, Stoke and MK Dons in a near two-decade career. Ahead of releasing his autobiography Not Just a Pretty Face, the 44-year-old has opened up about abuse he suffered as a young pro. Chadwick admits cruel comments about his appearance made him want to hide away in his house in the early stages of his career. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL NO WORRIES Man Utd identify £70m ex-Prem star as Bruno replacement if captain leaves He told BBC Sport: "As a 19, 20-year-old it should have been the best time of my life but for a period of time. "I didn't want to go to the shops, I didn't want to go out with my friends. "I would just want to stay at home because I was so scared that people would talk about the way that I looked. "I wasn't able to speak about it to anyone – not even my family, my friends – it was something that I kept so deep inside. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK "I probably felt helpless, in a way, because I just didn't know how to deal with it. And I just wanted it to stop, really." Chadwick's anxiety improved after moving away from Old Trafford to join the Hammers in 2004. Ex-Man Utd player Luke Chadwick claims his 'stomach twisted' whenever he appeared on TV as he battled depression He continued: "It wasn't until I came away from Manchester United, and the spotlight's not on you as much. "I was able to rebuild my confidence and live a really happy life. "Football was always the place I felt free - the place where I didn't think about anything else." Chadwick also received an apology from Gary Lineker for comments made on the BBC show They Think It's All Over. Lineker was a team captain on the panel show, which regularly poked fun at Chadwick over his looks. The England legend wrote on X in 2020: "I was part of that show, therefore, I too would like to apologise to Luke Chadwick for any hurt caused."
The Sun
04-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Forgotten England striker sends Thomas Tuchel selection headache after becoming Champions League winner
IVAN TONEY handed Thomas Tuchel a new selection headache by adding 'Champions League winner' to his CV. England striker Toney helped Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ahli defeat Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 to lift Asia's elite club trophy. 6 6 Tuchel picked Tottenham 's Dominic Solanke ahead of Toney for his first Three Lions squad two months ago. This was Toney's first major trophy win — and was Al-Ahli's debut Champions League final success after near misses in 1986 and 2012. Toney, 29, left Brentford in a £40million switch last summer having played three games for Gareth Southgate at Euro 2024. And he was not the only ex-Prem star to pick up medals as Al-Ahli triumphed in Jeddah. Former Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez and ex- Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino had both won Uefa's Champions League with their former clubs. Whil Edouard Mendy helped Chelsea prevail in the competition four years ago. Firmino set up both goals, teeing up fellow Brazilian Galeno for a 35th-minute opener and crossing for Franck Kessie seven minutes later. Toney — who has bagged 26 goals in 39 Al-Ahli appearances — might have netted early on but was denied by keeper Louis Yamaguchi. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 6 6 6 Firmino, who left Anfield in 2023, said: 'This title win shows we have a monster mentality. "We believed we could be champions and we've done it.'
