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Tottenham Hotspur travel to face Leeds United in the Premier League this afternoon, looking to return to winning ways after their draw in the Champions League in midweek.

Thomas Frank will no doubt want to return to league action with a bang, after only managing to secure a 1-1 draw against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers last week.

However, on the whole, it’s been an impressive start to life in North London for the Dane, only suffering one defeat in his first nine matches after taking the reins in the summer.

Whilst Daniel Farke’s side are a newly-promoted outfit, they are still a side to be feared, with the Whites unbeaten in each of their last two top-flight outings.

If the Lilywhites are to have the best chance of avoiding a shock defeat at Elland Road, the manager desperately needs to drop one player who’s been extremely poor as of late.

Richarlison’s poor form in recent weeks

After scoring twice in the Premier League opener of 2025/26, there was a sense of excitement building at Spurs that Richarlison could be the man to lead the line under Frank.

While he’s managed to find the back of the net three times in his first six outings, the Brazilian has become a scapegoat in recent outings, given his lack of impact in the final third.

His recent showing against Bodo Glimt in the Champions League was arguably one of his worst of the campaign, only achieving a total of ten touches in his 90-minute performance.

Richarlison also only managed to complete two passes, whilst also losing possession five times – an average of once every two times he made contact with the ball.

The 28-year-old may have had limited opportunities, but he was also wasteful when the ball fell his way, subsequently missing one big chance and costing the Lilywhites a chance of claiming all three points.

The injury situation in attacking areas has been less than ideal for Frank, but he desperately needs to drop the Brazilian and hand one player the chance to flourish this afternoon in Yorkshire.

The player who needs to replace Richarlison against Leeds

Dominic Solanke has been Spurs’ main talisman over the last 12 months, often providing the goods within the final third before Frank’s arrival during the off-season.

The Englishman cost a club-record £65m last summer from Bournemouth and subsequently endured a solid first campaign in North London – scoring 16 goals across all competitions.

However, he’d found minutes hard to come by, only featuring for a total of 31 minutes in the Premier League, with an ankle injury preventing him from putting a consistent run together.

Another option that Frank must consider against Farke’s men is French star Mathys Tel, with the youngster needing a run of games to showcase his talents in North London.

The 20-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan with the Lilywhites, scoring three goals in his 20 appearances – but often struggled for consistency under Ange Postecoglou.

However, the hierarchy decided to fork out £30m for his signature during the off-season, with the board putting trust in the youngster to thrive in the years ahead.

Tel has only made four appearances in the Premier League this season, only one of which was from a starting position, with added minutes desperately needed to allow him to reach his full potential.

Despite his lack of action, he’s been labelled “Thierry Henry-like” by former fan-favourite Jermaine Defoe, further highlighting the talent he currently possesses.

The Englishman stated about his unbelievable ability to glide past his opponent, something which has been reflected in his tally of 67% dribble success rate in 2025/26.

He’s also averaged 0.9 crosses per 90, along with 6.9 duels per 90 won – further highlighting his impressive all-round nature within attacking areas in North London.

It may be an unpopular call, but it’s one that needs to be done to give Frank the best chance of finding out his best eleven after taking the reins a few months ago.

Such a decision could give Richarlison the time he needs to recapture his form, which in time could create healthy competition for the Lilywhites within attacking areas.

Spurs already have dream Son heir who's yet to play in the Premier League

Tottenham Hotspur could save themselves millions with a Heung-min Son replacement within their ranks.

By
Ethan Lamb

Oct 3, 2025

It's been over a year since sprinter and three-time Olympic medalist Noah Lyles questioned why the winner of a championship in the NBA is called the world champion. But since then, Lyles has faced plenty of backlash from athletes across the NBA, and even from some other leagues.

Now, an MLB player has joined the conversation and fired back at Lyles. Los Angeles Dodgers infielder/outfielder Kiké Hernandez, fresh off of winning the World Series with a 7-6 victory over the New York Yankees, took an unprovoked shot at Lyles in an interview during the team's clubhouse celebration.

Dodgers reporter Blake Harris posted a video of the moment onto his account on X (formerly Twitter).

"World Series champions," Hernandez said. "Suck it, Noah Lyles."

Several high-profile NBA players, most notably two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant and eight-time All-Star Damian Lillard, have since fired back at Lyles. Even the United States men's national basketball team, after winning the gold medal in Paris over the summer, took a jab at Lyles with a tweet.

But if anyone was going to do it from MLB, and specifically from the Dodgers, it would be Hernandez, as this is not his first mic drop moment in an interview.

There’s a lot to like about Manchester United at the moment. Of course, many more improvements are needed before Ruben Amorim’s project hits the desired level, but recent results and, perhaps more importantly, performances, suggest a page may have been turned.

Amorim has stuck to his guns in the Old Trafford hot seat and received more than a measure of criticism and question marks in return. But are the signs of vindication just about appearing for the thought-filled tactician?

A summer well spent has seen first-team outliers cast away and upgrades in the form of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha arrive and work their stuff under the Theatre’s lights.

Benjamin Sesko is a talented striker, but the jury remains out in regard to his potential as the leading man for many years to come.

What Sesko has to prove at Man Utd

Sesko joined Man United from RB Leipzig for a £74m fee this summer, ending a protracted search for a new striker.

So far, the 23-year-old has only scored two goals and provided one assist across 11 matches, but his link-up play and presence in the area offer much promise.

Podcast host Adam Joseph noted that the Slovenian “needed a better touch” during Saturday’s hair-raising draw to Forest, unable to capitalise on the wizardry of Mbeumo. But this will come.

Mbeumo and Cunha, after all, are seasoned Premier League stars, whereas Sesko is only a few months into his career in English football and younger besides.

We know he can score goals. But Man United’s finest strikers in modern times have proved they have many more strings to their bow.

Take Robin Van Persie. The iconic centre-forward was hailed by Sir Alex Ferguson for his “sensational” shooting and for having “an impact as big as anyone” at Old Trafford after joining from Arsenal for £24m in 2012.

His movement and intelligence in the final third set him apart from the masses, and Sesko, tall and well-built, could emulate the Dutchman in that regard.

But there might actually be an up-and-coming Carrington talent with more potential than the summer recruit.

Man Utd's biggest striker talent since RVP

Last week, Amorim acknowledged JJ Gabriel publicly and confirmed he has been paying attention to the 15-year-old forward’s progress, even handing him an opportunity to train with the first team.

Hailed for his “exceptional skillset” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, “combining flair and confidence on the ball”, Gabriel hasn’t yet developed positionally, capable both on the left and in a central striking berth, but there’s so much to like and he could even make his debut in the not-too-distant future.

Already a regular for the U18s, Gabriel has shattered expectations with his prodigious technical ability and fleet-footed work on the ball. He’s too good for the youngsters around him, and journalist Nathan Salt confirmed that “one insider thinks ‘he’s already better than Premier League players'”.

Correspondent Steven Railston has even suggested that Gabriel “the best talent United’s academy has ever seen”.

Sometimes, you can just tell. Gabriel is a one-of-a-kind dribbler and is the top goalscorer in the U18 Premier League this season, with seven goals (and one assist) from just eight matches. Darren Fletcher has predominantly used him centrally, despite being schooled out wide, but the prolific potential of this young star suggests this might be a wise call.

Though he’s not physically developed, nor has he tried his hand on the senior stage, Gabriel has so much potential, and there’s no question that his ceiling reaches higher than Sesko’s.

Could the teenager turn out to be United’s best since Van Persie? It is far too early to tell, but the signs so far are more than promising, to be sure.

Man Utd's "anonymous" flop is rapidly becoming a bigger problem than Dalot

Ruben Amorim has a job on his hands to put one Manchester United player on the right track.

By
Ethan Lamb

Nov 3, 2025

Cristiano Ronaldo has been blasted by Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson for the "silly decision" that led to his historic red card for Portugal in their 2026 World Cup qualifier at the Aviva Stadium. CR7 was sent off for the first time in his international career during that contest, when earning his 226th cap, with his reaction to that dismissal being revealed.

• Ronaldo suspension: Sent off for first time when winning 226th cap

  Portugal headed to Dublin knowing that a positive result would confirm their automatic qualification for next summer’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico. That process will now go down to a final group phase outing against Armenia on Sunday. Ronaldo will sit that game out through suspension.

  A ban must be served after swinging an elbow in the direction of Ireland defender Dara O’Shea. Said incident was the subject of a VAR review, leading to Ronaldo being sent for an early bath. Hallgrimsson had said in the build-up to the game that he felt like CR7 was able to influence the referee during an October contest in Lisbon that delivered a dramatic 1-0 victory for the hosts.

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  Ronaldo fails to deliver on 'good boy' promise

  He said: "It's obviously up to the referee if he takes part in a play. But the thing in Portugal, he was not only controlling the referee, he was controlling the whole stadium, so all the fans supported his actions. The referee just kind of played along. I hope it will be the vice versa now that we are in Aviva. Obviously, a player shouldn't be refereeing. It should be the officials doing the refereeing."

  Ronaldo reacted to those comments by vowing to be on his best behaviour. He told reporters: "I really like the fans here, the support they give to their national team is lovely. For me it's a pleasure to come to play here again, and of course it will be tough. I hope they don't boo me too much, I swear that I'm gonna try to be a good boy!"

• Ronaldo's reaction to red card: Ireland boss reveals what was said

  The five-time Ballon d’Or winner failed to deliver on that promise. He cut a frustrated figure as Portugal conceded twice before half-time. He was then given his marching orders just after the hour mark.

  Hallgrimsson told of that incident: "He lost his focus a little bit, again maybe the fans helped a little bit in that. He was frustrated and reacted in a way that he knows he shouldn't. He said to me walking away, he told me (Hallgrimsson's pre-match remarks were) a clever thing to do and he blamed the referee or whomever, but it was his silly decision to attack our player."

  Hallgrimsson went on to say of his touchline exchange with Ronaldo as the all-time great made his way off the field: "He complimented me for putting pressure on the referee. It was his action on the pitch that cost him the red card. It had nothing to do with me – unless I got into his head."

  Asked if he had spoken to Ronaldo after the game, Ireland’s head coach added: "No, I think we spoke enough when he came off. There was nothing to speak about. This was just a moment of a little silliness from him, I would say."

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  2026 World Cup qualification: Crucial games for Portugal & Ireland

  Two goals from Troy Parrott helped Ireland to a notable win on home soil, meaning that their own qualification hopes now rest on a final showdown with Hungary. Hallgrimsson said of that must-win encounter: "That is what we wanted, it is in our hands and with a performance like this we have a chance. We have to focus and recover, we have tired legs and the staff need to work really hard to get everyone fit and ready because that game is very important now. We won the second game in the last window and rotated players and happy we did that today. Those who played 90 minutes will be tired but hopefully everyone will be ready."

  Portugal will be at the 2026 finals. Ronaldo has admitted that tournament will be his last World Cup – as he graces FIFA’s flagship event for the sixth time at 41 years of age – but is not yet ready to head into retirement as he continues to chase down 1,000 career goals.

Aaron Judge said a lot without speaking a word during a live batting practice session at the New York Yankees' spring training site in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday.

Facing fellow teammate and 2024 American League Rookie of the Year Luis Gil, Judge, the reigning AL MVP, took a patient approach, watching two offerings from the Yankees starting pitcher go by without swinging his bat.

That was not good enough for someone, presumably a fan, watching though, as the individual in question could be heard loudly yelling, "Swing the bat!" before the third pitch.

Well, Judge heard that loud and clear and responded perfectly, as he proceeded to crush the next pitch.

Here's video of the moment, courtesy of Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.

Judge enters the '25 season on the heels of one of the greatest seasons by a right-handed power hitter in MLB history. In 158 games played, Judge posted a .322/.458/.701 slash line with 58 home runs, 144 RBI, 133 walks, and 122 runs scored while helping to lead the Yankees to the club's first AL pennant since '09.

If the above video is any indication, Judge looks to be in midseason form.

Chelsea have built a squad full of brilliant players over the last few years, with the injured Cole Palmer being the jewel in their crown.

The former Manchester City prospect joined the club over two years ago and, since then, has been nothing short of world-class.

In 101 appearances, the Englishman has racked up a monstrous tally of 45 goals and 29 assists.

So, fans should be delighted about reports linking Chelsea to an international star who could be another Palmer-type signing for them.

Chelsea target their next Palmer

Even though the transfer window is still over a month away, Chelsea have already been linked with a host of potentially game-changing signings.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The likes of Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Atlético Madrid’s Julian Alvarez are just some of the names touted for a move to Stamford Bridge.

Yet, while they’re both incredible players, it would be hard to describe them as Palmer-like, which isn’t the case with Marcus Rashford.

Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, Chelsea are interested in signing the England international next summer.

The report has revealed that, while Barcelona are happy with how the 27-year-old is performing on loan this season and have a €30m buy option – £26m – they are also still considering whether he’d be worth the financial outlay, given the club’s position on that front.

Moreover, as the Spanish side have been deliberating on the matter, the report claims that the Blues have already been in contact with the player’s camp, and want to make him a key part of their attack next year.

It’s unclear how much Manchester United would charge the West Londoners, but given their desire to move him on, it could be in the region of his Transfermarkt valuation of €40m, or about £35m.

It could be a complicated deal to get over the line, but given Rashford’s ability and form, it’s one worth pursuing, especially as he could be another Palmer.

Why Rashford would be another Palmer

Now, while there certainly are some differences between the two players, such as their ages, there are still several reasons why Rashford could be another Palmer-type signing for Chelsea.

For example, and this is the most important of them all, while he has had a few down seasons since he broke onto the scene, the 28-year-old has also had more than a few in which he’s been practically unplayable.

In the 22/23 season, before the wheels well and truly fell off at Old Trafford, the Manchester-born monster racked up an utterly sensational tally of 30 goals and 12 assists in 56 games.

A couple of years before that, he scored 21 goals and provided 18 assists in 57 games, and his overall tally of 216 goal involvements in 426 games for the Red Devils is genuinely astounding.

Moreover, he is currently showing that he can reproduce such numbers in another league entirely: in 16 appearances for Barca, totalling 1134 minutes, he’s scored six goals and provided nine assists, which is an average of a goal involvement every 1.06 games, or every 70.87 minutes.

In other words, the dynamic attacker, whom content creator Neal Gardner dubbed one of “the best in the world”, is someone who could have a similar game-changing impact on Enzo Maresca’s side as Palmer has.

Furthermore, it would also be another instance of the West Londoners pouncing on an incredible English player no longer wanted by one of the Manchester clubs.

Finally, just like Pensioners’ talismanic number ten, the 68-capped international is almost certainly going to be heading to the World Cup with England in the summer and will likely play a key role for Thomas Tuchel.

Ultimately, while it might be a complicated transfer to get over the line, Chelsea should do what they can to sign Rashford in the summer, as he could be another Palmer.

Chelsea have signed an "alien of a talent" who could usurp Estevao & Palmer

The incredible talent could become a bigger star for Chelsea than Estevao and Palmer.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Nov 19, 2025

Robert Lewandowski claimed Barcelona are now even 'stronger' after making a long-awaited return to their iconic Camp Nou home with a 4-0 thrashing of Athletic Club. The Polish forward opened the scoring early in the game before Ferran Torres grabbed a brace and Fermin Lopez netted for the Blaugrana as they kept up the defence of their La Liga title.

• Dream return to Camp Nou

  Barcelona returned to Camp Nou on Saturday after a two-year exile due to the renovation of the venue. Hansi Flick's side marked the comeback to the iconic stadium with a memorable 4-0 win over Athletic Club in La Liga. Lewandowski scored the opening goal in the fourth minute before Torres doubled the team's lead at the stroke of half-time.

  Shortly after the break, Lopez added a third goal before Torres completed the demolition with a second strike in the 90th minute to seal important three points for the Blaugrana. 

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  'We're a slightly stronger team'

  Speaking to after the match, Lewandowski said: "We were returning to Camp Nou, and it was a special day for us. We're very happy to be able to play here. From the beginning, we played very well, scoring two goals in the first half and another two in the second. We added three more points, although the most important thing is that we're back here. Simply because it's a different experience when we play here."

  He added: "We were determined to attack from the start. So it felt special to score the first goal. I'm very proud. We have a very good team and now we have to look ahead. When we play at Camp Nou, we're a slightly stronger team."

• Williams faced hostility

  Nico Williams was strongly linked with a move to Barcelona in the summer transfer window until he decided against signing for the Catalan giants at the last moment and signed a new contract at Athletic Club. Thus, Barcelona fans were naturally angry at the Spain international winger as he faced hostility from the home crowd during the game.

  At full-time, Williams' team-mate Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta told reporters: "I was expecting this atmosphere, and I saw him calm. We’re gutted. We knew we had to do everything perfectly and that they had to have an off day. We have to pick ourselves up quickly because we have a game on Tuesday. Any mistake is punished against players of that calibre, even more so. Missing any game is a real bummer, and I’m gutted about it."

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  Why did Rashford miss Athletic Club clash?

  Rashford has reinvented himself under Flick at Barcelona after being frozen out at Manchester United under head coach Ruben Amorim. The England international move to the Catalan side in the summer transfer window on a one-year loan with an option to buy him permanently next season. Rashford has made a dream start to his journey with Barca and has also returned to the national team set-up.

  Unfortunately for Barcelona, he was ruled out of the clash at Camp Nou on Saturday after catching the flu. The official statement from the club read: "Marcus Rashford will miss today’s match against Athletic Club due to [the] flu."

  Flick will now hope that Rashford recovers quickly and is well enough for the trip to Chelsea on Tuesday in the Champions League and for their home La Liga encounter with Alaves next Saturday.

The Colorado Rockies are shaking things up amid their shaky start to the 2025 season.

The team announced on Thursday afternoon that they've relieved hitting coach Hensley Meulens of his duties. Clint Hurdle, special assistant to the GM, will take over for the remainder of the season.

The Rockies have the worst record in baseball through the first month-plus of the season, starting the 2025 campaign just 3-15. They've scored a league-low 52 runs and allowed a league-high 103—resulting in an MLB-worst -51 run differential.

Thursday night’s 8-7 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers—despite being their highest-scoring game in over 10 days—was the straw that broke the camel's back for Meulens. Hurdle, a longtime Rockies coach and their manager from 2002 to '09, will now take over in his place.

Colorado is off on Thursday before returning to the diamond on Friday night, when they welcome the Washington Nationals to Coors Field for an 8:40 p.m. EST first pitch.

First and foremost, Newcastle United have no pressing concerns relating to finances and the ever-ominous profit and sustainability rules in the Premier League.

Furthermore, technical director Ross Wilson is now settled into his chair in the St. James’ Park offices, and have formed a good early relationship with Eddie Howe as they look to tackle key areas of the squad.

Now is the time for action. It’s been a wobbly start to the season after a summer of upheaval, but United are beginning to show green shoots in their bid to cement themselves as Champions League contenders and a multi-trophy-winning outfit.

Defensive positions are being examined, but with Joelinton’s form lacking in stages this season, Howe wants a new midfielder.

The question on everyone’s lips: Will it be Elliot Anderson?

Newcastle chasing elite midfielder

Howe spoke at the start of October about his desire to bring Anderson back home. The 23-year-old was sold to Nottingham Forest in 2024 and he has since become a top-class midfielder. It was not a happy sale for the Magpies, whose hand was forced by PSR.

Now, United want him back. The problem? Manchester City and Manchester United are also keen, and the Tricky Trees have priced their gem in excess of £100m.

This is a superstar in the making. Already, he is ranking favourably against the likes of Sandro Tonali in the Newcastle midfield; the Italian is widely regarded as one of the best in the Premier League.

If Newcastle are fruitless in their bid to sign Anderson, they could do worse than fall back on Scott McTominay, who was named the Serie A MVP last season after leading Napoli to the Scudetto.

As per Chronicle Live, McTominay is reportedly unsettled in Naples and is considering a return to the Premier League. Newcastle would be right there, offering the Scotland star a chance to take his career to the next level.

Valued at £70m, McTominay, 28, will not be short of suitors in 2026, but sources close to the player suggest that he would be open to moving to Tyneside and working under Howe’s stewardship.

What McTominay would offer Newcastle

It’s a testament to McTominay’s meteoric rise in Italy that had Newcastle signed him from Manchester United, it would have been a move met with indifference.

But now, he is revered as a hero for both club and country, 18th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings and regarded as a “true superstar of European and world football”, as said by content creator Adam Joseph.

Ole Gunnar Solskjær, his former boss at Old Trafford, also hailed him as a “physical monster” once, and this is why McTominay could be such an interesting Anderson alternative.

He is capable of show-stopping moments, but the Tartan Army hero also has the athleticism and defensive attributes to dovetail right into Howe’s engine room.

His high duel success bespeaks his tenacity, and his eye for goal makes him an intriguing option to place just ahead of Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, both elegant and combative players with excellent passing ranges, sure to pick out the Napoli star’s surges into the danger area.

Anderson has since raised his level, but McTominay has hardly regressed himself, instrumental in a title-defending Napoli team that trail first-placed AC Milan this season by only a single point.

There is a winning mentality about McTominay that Newcastle need to take their project to the next level, and while the 23-year-old Anderson would be a fantastic addition, this would provide Howe with the instant effect he and his team need.

Newcastle need a new midfielder, and that won’t change. Either of these stars would mark stunning acquisitions.

He wants to leave: PIF must sell Newcastle's "poor man's Haaland"

Newcastle United must cash in on this player who reportedly wants to move on from the club in January.

1

By
Dan Emery

Dec 1, 2025

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed the reason that Carlo Ancelotti never wanted to be Manchester United manager. Solskjaer was United boss between 2018 and 2021, a period in which Ancelotti was head coach of Everton. Solskjaer has admitted why the legendary Italian boss would never take on the United job, explaining what happened in a game between United and the Toffees.

• Ancelotti has managed a number of football's heavyweights

  Ancelotti has enjoyed a distinguished managerial career, and is widely regarded as one of the best managers of all time. Indeed, the Italian has won numerous pieces of silverware across stints with the likes of AC Milan, Chelsea, Real Madrid (twice) PSG and Bayern Munich.

  And Ancelotti is hoping to add a World Cup winners' medal to his collection next summer having taken over the Brazil reins back in May. Brazil may have booked their spot at the 2026 World Cup but they flattered to deceive in qualification, finishing fifth in the CONMEBOL standings, a full 10 points behind defending world champions and rivals Argentina.

  Still, despite taking charge of some of the biggest teams in world football, Ancelotti told Solskjaer when United took on Everton in a Premier League fixture that he couldn't handle the "pressure" of managing the Red Devils.

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  Utd job is 'too much pressure' for Ancelotti

  Speaking to Kelly Somers for , Solskjaer was asked about the pressure that comes with managing one of the biggest clubs in world football, to which the former Norway striker replied: "I remember one game, against Everton. I'm stood there in my technical area, fourth official next to me.

  "Carlo Ancelotti comes across, so he's more or less in my technical area, and the fourth official says: 'Carlo, you need to get back into your technical area unless you want Ole's job.'

  "Carlo, as Carlo is, he's always got a comment and a smile. He said: 'No, no, no. Too much pressure. That job is too much pressure.' So he walked back to his technical area and I thought, 'pressure is a privilege'. He always said that as well."

  Ancelotti lasted just 18 months on Merseyside despite penning a four-and-a-half year contract at Everton in December 2019. Indeed, Ancelotti returned to Real Madrid in the summer of 2021 as he succeeded Zinedine Zidane in the Spanish capital after the Frenchman resigned from his role at the Bernabeu.

• Solskjaer felt 'privileged' to manage United

  Despite his time as United boss ending abruptly in November 2021, Solskjaer insists he was 'privileged' to occupy the Old Trafford hotseat. "I felt privileged to be the manager of Manchester United, but of course it's not the same as playing," the Norwegian said.

  "As a player, you just do your job. Suddenly now you're the manager, you're the face of everyone. You think about all these supporters, players, everything surrounding Manchester United. But that pressure is a privilege because I was allowed to do that and I was allowed to deal with it in my way.

  "And that was having great staff around us, an environment in and around the club that was very positive. But in the end, it doesn't matter if you enjoy coming to work every day, training sessions… you need results and we unfortunately had a very bad six-week spell and that's too long at a club like Manchester United and they made a change, which is fine.

  "Reflecting back on it, it was sad. We lost to Watford of course, and I knew this was more or less the end. I drove my family to the airport, they went back to Norway, and I was going to work.

  "I got a text – 'Ole, I need to see you in my office' – and I knew what was going to happen, so I rang my wife and said: 'I'll catch you up, I'll probably be back home before you!'"

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  United dismissal wasn't 'surprising' states Solskjaer

  And when asked whether his dismissal felt sudden, Solskjaer said: "Sudden but not surprising. If you don't get results, you do make a change, that's football. But I felt we had something going."

  Following Solskjaer's exit, Ralf Rangnick took over in the interim basis from December 2021 until the end of the season. Erik ten Hag was named head coach in 2022, before his exit in October 2024, with Ruben Amorim succeeding the Dutchman at the Old Trafford helm.

  However, Amorim has also struggled since his appointment last November, ultimately guiding United to a 15th-placed finish last season, United's lowest in a Premier League campaign.

  United are next in action on Sunday when they take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.