Manchester United’s Mary Earps: ‘I know I’m not everyone’s cup of tea’

Mary Earps doesn’t want to be misunderstood but Manchester United’s goalkeeper no longer cares if she is.

The 27-year-old has a reputation for being a joker off the pitch. It can influence the way people view her as a footballer but there is a lesser-known seriousness and intelligence to Earps that underpins her bubbly persona.

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“I’d like to think that people can tell that I have football running through me,” says Earps, who has signed a new two-year contract with option of a further year. “I eat, sleep, breathe the game. I dream the game.

“Pretty much everything I do revolves around my f…

Mikel Arteta prepared for ‘best possible’ Bayern in Champions League clash

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is braced for Bayern Munich setting aside their Bundesliga struggles to produce their best possible performance in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The six-time European champions have endured a disappointing domestic campaign and travel to Emirates Stadium for Tuesday’s first leg on the cusp of relinquishing the German title for the first time in 12 years.

Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel is poised to depart his role at the end of the season, with his team currently 16 points adrift of leaders Bayer Leverkusen following four defeats in their last eight league outings.

We have prepared very well, and we have to take our game where we want it. If we do that, we have a chance to win.

Mikel looks forward to the challenge of Bay…

UEFA Super Cup 2018-19: Should Real Madrid cash in on Modric?

Cristiano Ronaldo s €112million transfer to Juventus caused plenty of shock waves but, given the rumours about his growing unhappiness with life at Real Madrid, it was not a monumental surprise.

The same could not be said about Luka Modric. Inter are said to have enquired about the midfielder and, more surprisingly still, it is claimed he is interested in a switch to Serie A.

Florentino Perez has already proclaimed they would need to match Modric s €750m release clause to get him, but it is likely an offer 10 times lower than that figure would tempt Madrid if the player starts agitating for a move.

That might sound unthinkable to some. Modric, after all, has won three consecutive Champions Leagues in the Spanish capital and was just named the best player at …

28-02-2010 Liverpool vs Blackburn Rovers

This match sees two teams finally feeling a little freedom after being under pressure from fans and media alike for months.

Liverpool made progress in the Europa League in midweek and will hope that this form continues through into the weekend. Rafa Benitez seems a different character to that of a month or two ago. After solidifying his team and making them incredibly hard to beat in the last few weeks, the midweek match saw Liverpool score more than two goals for the first time in months. Now that the terrible run of form is behind them we can expect to start seeing a slightly more expansive style of play with more verve and attack. Injuries are few for a change, and the pressure should not be too great with bottom half of the table team Blackburn Rovers the visiting side.

Guardiola ´happy´ Man City hearing begins next week

Pep Guardiola says he is happy Manchester City s hearing into 115 charges for alleged breaches of the Premier League s financial rules begins on Monday.

Following a four-year investigation, the club were charged and referred to an independent commission in February 2023.

Man City strongly deny all charges.

The alleged breaches of the Premier League s financial rules relate to a period between 2009 and 2018, with the trial expected to run for 10 weeks and a verdict likely to come in early 2025.

While some are dubbing it sport s trial of the century , Guardiola is just pleased that it is now close to the start date.

It starts soon and hopefully finishes soon, Guardiola said of the hearing. An independent panel will decide, and I am looking forward …

Barcelona Opta special: Setien struggles and Messi magic in 2019-20

Top of the table, sack your head coach, lose El Clasico, return to the top of the table.

It is hard to argue with where Barcelona stand as LaLIga s season pauses amid the coronavirus pandemic, although their means of staying on course for a ninth title in 12 seasons have often been unconvincing.

Here, we take a look back at the Opta numbers behind a campaign where Quique Setien has replaced Ernesto Valverde in the Camp Nou hot seat and many of the old certainties seem not to exist anymore.

Well, apart from one man s enduring brilliance.

by Leo Messi

VIDEO:

— FC Barcelona (from ) (@FCBarcelona)

WORST BARCA TEAM SINCE BEFORE GUARDIOLA

Barcelona s points haul of 58 from 27 games is enough for a two-point lead o…

On this day in 2013: Michael Owen announces decision to retire at end of season

Former England striker Michael Owen announced he would retire at the end of the season on this day in 2013.

Owen, then 33, had signed a one-year contract with Stoke after leaving Manchester United the previous summer but his time in the Potteries was hampered by a hamstring injury, contributing to his decision to call it a day.

Owen scored 40 goals in 89 England appearances – making him the fourth highest scorer for his country’s men’s team at the time – and played at the top level for Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle and Manchester United.

“It is with an immense amount of pride that I am announcing my intention to retire,” Owen said on March 19, 2013.

“I have been very fortunate in that my career has taken me on a journey I could only have…

Packers vs Chiefs Week 9 Picks and Predictions: Don't Pack It in Yet

So, anything of note to talk about ahead of the game between the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead? 

Jordan Love’s Packers will head to Kansas City as 7.5-point NFL betting underdogs after the series of unfortunate events in Green Bay this week. While the line understandably moved even more in the home Chiefs’ direction, has it swung too far?

Here are our best free picks and predictions for Packers vs. Chiefs, with kickoff on November 7.

Ravens vs Jets Week 1 Picks and Predictions: Lamar and Co. Bully New York in the Trenches

Nothing hits quite like that first Sunday of a brand new NFL season, and the Baltimore Ravens’ trip to face the New York Jets at MetLife is one of the most interesting games on the early slate. There was hope that this was a new start for New York after a brilliant draft, but the injury to Zach Wilson has always curtailed that early enthusiasm.

Find out how much that injury will affect the outcome in our free NFL betting picks and predictions for the Ravens vs. Jets. 

Dolphins vs Jaguars Preseason Picks and Predictions: Jags Devour Dolphins in Preseason Finale

Miami will make the trek up I-95 on Saturday as the Dolphins play their final preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Miami has split their two preseason games thus far, and are coming in off a 28-3 victory at Houston a week ago. Tua Tagovailoa saw limited action and threw a pick in his two drives on the field. For the Jaguars, it’s been a perfect preseason so far, and a win on Saturday would give them just their second flawless preseason in franchise history and first in 26 years.

It’s the final preparation game for two teams with playoff aspirations, and we discuss how you should bet on the NFL odds in our Dolphins vs Jaguars NFL picks and predictions for Saturday, August 26. 

Dolphins vs Jaguars odds