List of All Articles with Tag 'f'

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes Chelsea’s struggles this season are a warning sign of how difficult life can be after a takeover. As the Glazers continue to consider a full or partial sale of United, a process which has been rumbling on since November, Chelsea will visit Old Trafford on Thursday limping to the end of a hugely disappointing first campaign since a group headed by Todd Boehly bought the club last summer. There has been no lack of funding as the London club have spent almost £600million in the last two transfer windows, but the investment is yet to pay off with one of the Premier League’s so-called ‘Big Six’ stuck down in 12th place, a top-half finish now beyond them. Frank Lampard, Chelsea’s third manager this term following the early-season dismissal of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter’s ill-fated seven-month spell at the helm, has taken only four points from nine games in interim charge. Chelsea have been criticised for a scattergun approach in the market, at one point signing so many players they could not all fit in the changing room of their Cobham training ground, and Ten Hag said their experience showed money is not the answer if not spent wisely. “In this moment a centralisation of good players, of the best managers, also the money is all here in the UK, that makes a great competition but also a tough and a hard competition,” he said. “You have to do the right things, you can have money but you have to do it and spend it in a smart way and you need to have a strategy behind it, otherwise the money doesn’t work.” United have hardly been stingy themselves in recent transfer windows. Ed Woodward, who spent nine years as executive vice-chairman before stepping down early last year, tore through £1billion in signings, but United only twice finished runners-up in the Premier League during that time. Woodward is long gone, replaced by Richard Arnold in January 2022. Although United are yet to shift all of the surplus players that date from Woodward’s time, Ten Hag believes the club is now operating much more smartly – something that would need to continue if new ownership arrives. “I think we are in a good direction but also we can also learn from this season,” he said. “We have to evaluate that after the season, make the right conclusions for the future and that is what we will definitely do that after the season.” United will be sure of a Champions League place with a match to spare if they take at least a point against Chelsea. With the League Cup already in the trophy cabinet and the FA Cup final against Manchester City still to come, Ten Hag can point to progress in his first season but these are only markers on the road to where United want to be. You can have money but you have to do it and spend it in a smart way and you need to have a strategy behind it, otherwise the money doesn’t work Erik ten Hag Since United were last top of the tree fresh challenges to the old order have emerged. Newcastle will be in the Champions League next season for the first time in 20 years, while Brighton have qualified for Europe for the first time in their history. The notion of a ‘Big Six’ in the Premier League feels increasingly outdated. “I think there are many more teams in the Premier League who are really strong,” Ten Hag added. “Talking about Aston Villa, Brighton, Brentford, I think there are many more teams who are really strong and tough and it is not only those top six clubs.” Asked if the top-four battle would be even harder next term, he said: “It could be, but there is a summer in between so in the summer a lot of things can happen. In this moment, we know the balance in the league but over the summer things can change.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Frank Lampard not surprised contract talks with Mason Mount are taking time Craig Overton stars as Somerset begin Blast by thrashing Hampshire Cameron Norrie starts Lyon Open title defence with win over David Goffin

Events to mark the 80th anniversary of a town's wartime links with Norway were put on hold by Covid.

By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Chrysler-parent Stellantis said on Wednesday it may limit shipments of gasoline-powered vehicles to dealers in

Verizon Communications Inc held a meeting with customer service employees to notify them of upcoming "restructuring" and "streamlining"

Za'Darius Smith has made three Pro Bowls without playing his natural position

The House on Wednesday failed to override President Joe Biden's veto of a measure related to solar panel import tariffs. A successful veto override would have required a two-thirds vote in the House and the Senate -- a high threshold that was not expected to be reached.

Champions Manchester City’s 12-match winning streak in the Premier League came to an end as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Brighton , who secured Europa League football for next season. Treble-chasing City, who wrapped up a fifth title in six seasons at the weekend, lacked their usual intensity but took the lead when Phil Foden slotted home in the 25th minute. Brighton have sealed sixth-place and the club’s first venture into Europe, and showed why with some vibrant football and Julio Enciso equalised for the hosts with a stunning long-range effort in the 38th minute. Danny Welbeck had a goal ruled out before halftime for Brighton and Erling Haaland thought he had put City ahead late on but was penalised for shirt-pulling after a VAR check. It was the first time since February that City had dropped points and with one league game left at Brentford on Sunday they have 89 points, eight more than Arsenal. Follow all the action as Brighton host Man City in the Premier League: Read More Roberto De Zerbi takes Brighton to new heights with thrilling draw against Man City Man City’s quest for legitimacy is a battle they may never win What next for treble-chasing Man City after sealing Premier League title?

Mets' Pete Alonso dropped an F-bomb in a post-game interview last week, and Buck Showalter isn't too happy about it.Uh oh -- looks like New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso may have to put some money in the swear jar.Yes, he's an adult, but he's an adult playing for Buck Sho...

Engineers who operate trains for Union Pacific will soon have much more predictable schedules that will allow them to plan when they are going to be off

The man who was infamously photographed with his feet on a desk in Rep. Nancy Pelosi's office during the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol was sentenced Wednesday to four and a half years in prison.

Moscow says it repelled the raid and vowed a harsh response to further infiltration of its border.

The AFC is widely considered the superior NFL conference -- and this graphic is the perfect illustration.The Kansas City Chiefs and the AFC reigned supreme in the 2023 Super Bowl. The Philadelphia Eagles, meanwhile, were sent home empty-handed after a heartbreaking defeat. It set the stage perfe...