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FORMER Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy has revealed why the club signed Rasmus Hojlund over Harry Kane.

Back in the summer of 2023, then-United manager Erik ten Hag made it his priority to sign a new striker.

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Man Utd were set on signing Harry Kane before instead going for Rasmus Hojlund[/caption]

Reuters

The Red Devils quickly became heavily linked with Kane amid ongoing doubts surrounding his future at Tottenham.

However, they could not reach an agreement with Spurs and instead chose to sign Hojlund in a £72million transfer from Atalanta.

Just days later, Kane completed a stunning £104m move to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

Since joining Bayern, the England captain has scored 73 goals and provided 22 assists in 75 appearances.

Meanwhile, Hojlund has amassed just 26 goal contributions in the same number of outings.

Ex-coach McCarthy, who left United in June last year, admitted the club made the wrong decision by focusing on the Dane.

Speaking at the launch of Ladrokes’ Gaffer of all Accas, McCarthy said: “In the summer of 2023, Harry Kane was our No1 target.

“Kane was the prime target, but obviously the price tag was an issue. Because he would have been leaving Spurs for United, a few extra million pounds were added on to the price tag, which, you know, for a 30-year-old wasn’t seen to be wise. 

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Benni McCarthy has revealed why United chose to sign Hojlund[/caption]

“But for £100 million, if you look at it now, you’d say that it would have been well worth it because he’s gone to Bayern and he’s still producing, he’s still scoring.

“We should have just bitten the bullet and got Harry Kane and then also tried to invest in Rasmus Hojlund. That would have been the best thing for Rasmus if he had someone like Harry Kane involved.

“So yeah, Harry Kane was Erik’s No1 target. Erik really wanted him. Randal Kolo Muani was also very high on that list. Victor Osimhen was also on that list.

“But I felt that if you’re going to want to spend that kind of money – £100 million plus – then you want to complete package. And Harry Kane, for me, was the complete package.

“Unfortunately, the club didn’t see it that way. They looked at it as Rasmus Hojlund, in the long run, would be a more prized asset than investing in both Rasmus and Harry Kane.

“So we stopped pursuing Kane, and we ended up getting just Rasmus.”

Man Utd currently sit 15th in the Premier League table with just 27 points from 25 games.

The most recent 2025 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game was star-studded, and it included WWE Superstar Bayley. Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton took a jab at Bayley and her WWE “retirement.” Following the eventful weekend, Bayley posted a collection of photos from her recent adventures. “WHAT A WEEK,” her caption read. “7 flights[,] 3 matches[,] 2 NBA […]

The post WWE’s Bayley fires back at ‘retirement’ jab after NBA All-Star Celebrity Game appeared first on ClutchPoints.

It’s time to continue our College Basketball odds series with a Minnesota-UCLA prediction and pick. Find out how to watch Minnesota-UCLA. This is one of the late-night conference games on the Tuesday slate in college basketball. Weirdly but genuinely, the intrigue in this game is more connected to a Minnesota team which is going nowhere […]

The post Minnesota vs UCLA prediction, pick, college basketball odds appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Two Ligue 1 teams face off in Champions League play as PSG hosts Brest. It is time to continue our Champions League odds series with a PSG-Brest prediction and pick. PSG comes into this game with Breat with a sizeable advantage in the aggregate. In the first leg, Pierre Lees-Melou was said to have committed […]

The post PSG vs. Brest prediction, odds, pick for 2025 Champions League appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The NBA 2K25 Season 5 Release Date arrives soon, with the developers sharing new patch notes for the Season 5 update. Overall, this brand new season brings new content across a variety of modes like MyCAREER and MyTEAM. The update comes with a ton of fixes in gameplay, as well as modes like MyNBA, The […]

The post NBA 2K25 Season 5 Release Date & Patch Notes appeared first on ClutchPoints.

PHIL HELLMUTH has confessed ‘I can’t do it anymore’ and will miss the World Series of Poker Main Event for the first time since 1988.

It comes after WSOP announced their mammoth 2025 schedule – their 56th annual event and first under GGPoker’s ownership.

@phil_hellmuth

Hellmuth addressed his decision on social media[/caption]

Hellmuth stunned the poker community by announcing he wouldn’t be taking part in the summer’s Main Event, saying the schedule is ‘too rough’.

The $10,000 WSOP Main Event gets underway with day 1A on July 2nd and wraps up on July 16.

The all-time bracelet holder turned 60 last year and reckons the WSOP event is now an ‘endurance test’.

That despite the fact he’s not gone the distance and cashed in the tournament since 2015.

Hellmuth, taking to X, posted a video saying: “It’s just too tough.

“People always tell me, ‘Phil, you could play seven days in a row.’ Yeah? Try it. Try getting up and playing from noon to midnight for seven days straight. It’s exhausting.

“It’s turned into an endurance test.

“I don’t think the WSOP Main Event is measuring skill. If you go out there and poll the players on whether or not they should have days off in the Main Event, 80% are going to say yes.

“The 20% who don’t? They’re the guys who are 20, 25, 26, 27 years old, they’re ‘yeah yeah, people get tired, they blow all their chips, of course, we want it to be ten days straight.’

“I hope that in 2026, there are some changes made so that we can restore more skill and less endurance.”

“I love the WSOP. It’s very important to me. But I just can’t play the Main Event anymore.”

It remains to be seen if Hellmuth sticks to his guns with this announcement when the time comes but his public call for change is sure to be a talking point amongst players.

The highly-anticipated schedule was announced this week with Horseshoe and Paris in Las Vegas hosting and the play underway from May 27.

It all gets going with the $1,000 Mystery Millions, with a stunning $1,000,000 mystery bounty prize up for grabs.

The schedule concludes with the Main Event final table on July 16.

Players can win their seats at the tables via international satellites, with 1,100 winning a spot in the Main Event through these qualifiers last year.

It’s the first WSOP tournament since GGPoker’s parent company, NSUS Group acquired the company from Caesars Entertainment for $500 million last year.

Some new games have been added to the schedule as a result of the new ownership though no drastic changes have taken place.

GGPoker global ambassador and long-time table rival of Hellmuth, Daniel Negreanu said: “GGPoker’s Road To Vegas allows poker enthusiasts all over the world to make their way to Las Vegas and follow in the footsteps of their poker heroes by taking aim at WSOP gold. Join us in 2025!”

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A MAJOR search is underway for an AXE that was used in the fatal wounding of a woman, 58, as locals are urged to help search.

Cops are probing into how Rita Lambourne, 58, tragically died at an address in Bexhill on February 12 as two key items remain missing.

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Despite the best efforts of paramedics Rita Lambourne was declared dead at the scene in Bayencourt South.[/caption]

PA

Locals have been asked to check their bins, gardens and any other spaces that could lend itself to these items being hidden[/caption]

The Senior Investigating Officer for the case has urged residents in the area to search for a navy Blue The North Face bag and an axe that is believed to have been used in the attack.

Enquiries remain ongoing as officers urge anyone with information to come forward.

Locals have been asked to check their bins, gardens and any other spaces that could lend itself to these items being hidden.

Donald Excell, 48, of Seabourne Road, was arrested in connection to the incident and has since been charged with murder.

He is due to appear before Brighton Magistrates’ Court later today.

A man, previously arrested on suspicion of murder, and a woman, previously arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, have both been released with no further action.

Cops have released a statement describing the “hugely distressing incident” as impacting the “wider community” as well as Lambourne’s close friends and family.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics, Lambourne was declared dead at the scene in Bayencourt South.

Police have confirmed her family continues to be supported by specialist officers.

Detective Chief Inspector Alex Campbell said: “This has been a hugely distressing incident, not least for the family and friends of Rita but also the wider community.

“I’d like to thank the public for their patience and understanding while our officers have conducted enquiries in the local area.

“Our officers will remain on patrol for reassurance, and in the meantime, I would still urge anyone who can assist us in our investigation to please come forward and contact us.

“We are specifically asking the public for their help in locating two items which we believe are connected to the offence and are currently outstanding.

“One is a navy blue The North Face bag (pictured below) and the second is an axe we believe was used in the attack.

“We are asking all residents in Bexhill to please check your bins, gardens, and other outside spaces where these items may have been hidden.

“If you see anything suspicious, please get in touch – any information, no matter how small, could be crucial.

“You can upload any information directly to our Major Incident Public Portal or by calling 101 quoting Operation Mulberry.”

‘So beautiful’ gush fans as Karen Koster reflects on ‘fabulous’ life chapter and shares major throwback snaps

The Dublin beauty left The Six O’Clock Show after to and a half years in November 2023.

Instagram/@karenkostertv

Instagram/@karenkostertv

Instagram/@karenkostertv

Karen’s co-host Greg O’Shea also exited the show at the same time.

The mum-of-three made the difficult decision so she could spend more time with her family.

The Six O’Clock Show first launched on February 16, 2015, under the name The Seven O’Clock Show after Virgin Media axed Late Lunch Live.

In 2015, the show was helmed by a rotation of hosts, but primarily Martin King, Lucy Kennedy, Simon Delaney and Muireann O’Connell.

The station celebrated the hit programme’s 10th anniversary on Monday.

Karen took to Instagram to reflect on her time hosting.

She posted gorgeous throwback snaps of herself with Greg and Martin.

The 43-year-old captioned her post: “Happy 10th birthday @sixoclockshow! What a fabulous decade! Delighted I got to be in a chapter of it with @martinkingpresenter @gregoshea.

“Congrats team! Loved tonight’s anniversary show!“

Karen’s friends and fans all loved her sweet tribute post and raced to the comment section with compliments.

Greg wrote: “Miss hanging out with you every day.”

Fionnuala said: “Skincare routine NOW you look the same age in every photo!!!!!!”

Another fan commented: “So beautiful.”

Marcella added: “My favourite presenters of ALL time @karenkostertv @gregoshea. Each show was just hilarious, great on screen couple. Please come back together or at least do High Road, Low Road.”

CELEBRATION TIME

Brian Dowling, who is the current host of The Six O’Clock Show alongside Katja Mia, also shared a dedicated Instagram post yesterday.

The dad-of-two shared adorable snaps from his time at the show, the first being a picture of him and Katja enjoying the cake made for the show’s anniversary.

In another photo, the pair looked as happy as ever while they giggled and embraced each other for a quick snap on the show’s set.

One throwback saw a moment where Brian and Katja got their faces covered in cupcake icing gone wrong.

Brian captioned his sweet throwback: “The Six O’Clock Show, a big happy 10th birthday! Katja Mia and I have only been at the helm since 2023, and we are absolutely loving every single minute of it!!! 

“We honestly work with the best team around, captained by the fabulous @tvbrian. To all the amazing hosts who have gone before, thank you!!!”

Instagram/@karenkostertv

EVERTON’S new stadium opened its doors ahead of its scheduled grand unveiling for a few lucky fans.

The Toffees are set to leave their historic Goodison Park ground – England’s first major football stadium – after 132 years.

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Everton’s new stadium opened its doors ahead of its scheduled grand unveiling[/caption]

EPA

Everton invited 10,000 fans with a lucky ballot to attend an Under-18s friendly[/caption]

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Everton are officially moving to Bramley-Moore Dock in the summer[/caption]

And the Merseysiders are moving in to their brand new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium in the summer.

But club chiefs decided to give a few supporters a sneak peek ahead of next season.

About 10,000 fans were successful in a ballot for an Under-18s friendly against Wigan.

The fortunate Everton faithful took a seat at the 52,888-capacity ground, which will be the seventh biggest stadium in the Premier League.

And they watched the incredible venue shine bright as it was fully lit up at night.

The four-year project came at an estimated cost of more than £750million.

Bramley-Moore Dock will also be featured at the world stage soon as it has been selected to host matches at Euro 2028.

It is hoped the project will contribute an estimated £1.3billion to the local economy.

Everton‘s last ever home game at Goodison Park takes place on May 18.

The Toffees will host Southampton in what promises to be an emotional game.

The Merseysiders appear to be securing their place in the Premier League ahead of next season after David Moyes’ return at the helm.

Everton are 14th in the table with 13 points separating them from the relegation zone.