26/09/2025

SPORTS FRIDAY | SEPT 26, 2025

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Devils backed to sack Amorim before Christmas

‘Without Coleen I’d be dead’

RUBEN AMORIM has been warned that his tenure as Manchester United head coach could be in jeopardy, with Oliver Glasner being touted as a potential replacement. The Portuguese tactician has faced mounting pressure in recent weeks following United’s worst seasonal start since 1992/93. Sunday’s thrilling 2-1 triumph over Chelsea at Old Trafford provided temporary relief as his squad demonstrated remarkable resilience. Nevertheless, former United goalkeeper Ben Foster reckons it’s merely a question of when, not if, Amorim receives his marching orders, arguing his team have failed to click this campaign. He’s also endorsed Crystal Palace chief Glasner as an ideal successor after the Eagles’ remarkable early-season form, despite losing crucial personnel during the summer transfer window. Speaking on his Fozcast podcast, the ex Wrexham shot-stopper remarked: “I think he (Amorim) has got a couple of months left, probably. He’ll go through a bad little run of two or three or

to Portugal to take charge of Benfica amid persistent speculation surrounding his Old Trafford future. However, these whispers were silenced when former United chief Jose Mourinho accepted the role last Friday. After United’s triumph over Chelsea, the former Sporting CP boss was quizzed about Mourinho’s appointment during a post-match discussion. “He’s the best Portuguese manager, and that won’t change,” Amorim told Portuguese channel DAZN . “He’s always been a very special person in our football, but also in the world, and he opened all the doors for us. “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Jose Mourinho. “I think it’s going to be a lot of fun for you all in Portugal, and we’re going to enjoy it.” When pressed about his own prospects, he added: “It’s what it is and we’ll see what happens. But I’m focussed only on Manchester and that will be my only club.” – Express Newspapers

four games in a row where he loses and eventually they’ll go, ‘Right, we’ve had enough now, it’s obviously not working’. “I just watch them, and I don’t really see any kind of cohesion. Somebody who would be good for Man United is Glasner. He’s only got nine months left on his contract at Palace. My only worry about it is that Man United are so sick and tired of playing three at the back. “If they go and get Glasner and he goes, ‘Right, I’m playing three at the back,‘ they’ll go, ‘Nah, come on mate. This isn’t going to work.’ For this guy to have lost five star players though and for Palace still look like they’ve got better. They’re fifth in the league.” Glasner had been among numerous candidates previously identified as potential replacements for Amorim should he face the axe. Bookmakers also listed Andoni Iraola, Gareth Southgate, Marco Silva and Mauricio Pochettino as other likely contenders. Amorim had recently been linked with a return

Ű BY JAMIE BRAIDWOOD

FORMER Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney has opened up on his struggles with alcohol and said he believes his wife Coleen Rooney saved his life by helping him through dark times. Rooney, 39, told former teammate Rio Ferdinand that his drinking would often go “too far” and revealed he once turned up to training at United after binging for “two days straight”. “It got to a point where I went too far, of course it did,” Rooney said on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, where United’s all-time record goalscorer opened up on his insecurities and vulnerabilities during his record-breaking playing career. “That was a moment in my life where I was struggling massively with alcohol. Massively struggling and I didn’t think I could turn to anyone. I didn’t really want to because I didn’t want to put that burden on anyone.” “I remember going into training and putting eyes drops in, chewing gum,” Rooney said of the time he reported to training at United. “I just drank for two days straight, come (into) training and at the weekend I’d scored two goals and then I’d go back and go and drink for two days straight again.” Rooney said his wife Coleen, who he grew up with in Croxteth, Liverpool, needed to “manage” him and revealed that he believes he would be “dead” without her supporting him. “When I was 17 she could see, she knew my mind and she knew I was a bit out there,” Rooney said. “You know, I loved my football, obsessed with football but also I loved a night out or whatever going out. “That was a moment in my life where I was struggling massively with alcohol. Massively struggling and I didn’t think I could turn to anyone. “I didn’t really want to because I didn’t want to put that burden on anyone. “I honestly believe if she (Coleen) weren’t there I’d be dead. I believe that. And what she’s done, how she… And it’s annoying at times and I’m like, what are you doing? And you get annoyed and everything she’s doing is to keep me here and keep me… the best person.” – The Independent

Eze scores for Gunners Arteta says more to come after he opens Arsenal account E BERECHI EZE scored his first goal for Arsenal in their 2-0 League Cup win over Port Vale yesterday and manager Mikel Arteta said the attacking mid fielder will deliver more “magic moments” when he clicks with his new teammates.

determined opposition. Viktor Gyokeres should have killed it off in the 78th minute, played through on goal by Dowman, but he took too long and Cam Humphreys slid in to block. But then, with time running down, William Saliba launched a long ball forward which Trossard controlled neatly as he cut inside to beat Gauci with a low finish as home fans appealed in vain for what would have been a tight offside call. Arteta said Eze had been calm and comfortable in possession against a well organised side. “He played very centrally against a team that’s obviously with a 5-4-1, they are super compact inside, it’s not easy to find spaces but he’s very capable with the ball,” Arteta told reporters. “He still needs a little more time with those guys to understand the timings, especially the things that he needs to do.

After Eze struck just eight minutes into the match this should have turned into a comfortable night for the Gunners against a side who, despite back-to-back wins, sit 19th in the third tier. But they struggled to create clear chances until substitute Leandro Trossard finished it off in the 86th minute. Still, it was enough for Arsenal, semifinalists last season, to progress as they seek to win this competition for only a third time. Roared on by the biggest Vale Park crowd this century, 16,326-strong, Port Vale came charging out of the traps in the opening five minutes, but Arsenal soon got a foothold in the game and led through Eze’s first goal since his move from Crystal Palace. Arsenal made the goal look easy as Bukayo Saka won back possession and switched play to the left. Myles Lewis-Skelly’s dummy wrong footed Jesse Debrah as Gabriel Martinelli’s low ball left Eze with a simple close-range finish. Eze was part of a strong Gunners side featuring nine changes from Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City as Saka returned to the starting XI after a hamstring injury, Christian Norgaard made his first start and there was a debut in goal for Kepa Arrizabalaga. The last time these two sides met 27 years ago Arsenal needed penalties to win an FA Cup third-round replay here, having been held goalless at Highbury, and despite Arsenal taking an early lead here this turned into another tough scrap against

“Then actions like that will be more consistent and better for us. In general, very good - there is still a lot more to give… “At the end, what we want to do with him is to get him in positions, in spaces, that he can create his magic moments and the difference in the team.”

Arsenal, who host Brighton in the next round, visit

Port Vale’s Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel (left) battles for the ball with Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli during the English League Cup match. – AFPPIC

Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday (11.30pm Malaysian time). – Reuters/The Independent Monchi exit ‘changes nothing’ for Emery at Villa

ASTON VILLA manager Unai Emery said the sudden departure of long-time ally Monchi from the Premier League club will not affect his future. Monchi, who previously worked alongside Emery at Sevilla, left his role as Villa’s president of football operations this week and was swiftly replaced by former Real Sociedad sporting director Roberto Olabe. Villa have enjoyed a meteoric rise since Emery took charge in 2022, qualifying for European competition for the past three seasons and reaching the quarterfinals of last season’s Champions League. However, they have made a terrible start to

the new campaign after a frustrating summer transfer window in which they were hampered by financial sustainability rules. “Monchi arrived six months after we arrived here. He was very good, but after two years he needed another chapter in his career,” Emery said. “I am wishing him the best in his new chapter. “We decided with him and the club to do a normal transition. It changes nothing, only changing the man. “We reacted quickly by bringing in one person I know personally. I have a lot of confidence with Roberto and he is coming to

help us.” Villa are 18th in the Premier League with three points and only one goal from their opening five matches. Emery hopes to kick-start his side’s season in the Europa League – a competition he won four times between 2014 and 2021 during spells at Sevilla and Villarreal. “I told the players, for me, Europe is always a dream,” said the Spaniard. “To share it with the supporters – two years ago in the Conference League, Villa Park was always amazing. Last year in the Champions League, the same.

“I think the supporters will be excited about this competition as well, like I am. It is another competition to share special moments.” Emery was unusually scathing of his players’ performance after blowing a lead against 10 man Sunderland in a 1-1 draw on Sunday. But England defender Ezri Konsa said his manager was right to label Villa’s defending as “lazy”. “It’s a fair comment. Everyone saw the picture and the goal,” he said. “When your manager doesn’t speak well of you, it puts a bit of fuel into you to prove everyone wrong.” – AFP