JOE BERNSTEIN: Sir Alex Ferguson will wave and smile as he makes an emotional return to the Old Trafford dug-out on Sunday afternoon for a match to mark the 20th anniversary of his finest hour as Manchester United manager — the 1999 Champions League final victory against Bayern Munich which completed a historic Treble. But behind the backslaps and bonhomie, those closest to arguably the greatest figure ever seen in British football will know the 77-year-old's appearance will be tinged with sadness and a sense of hurt that the club he helped to establish no longer calls on his counsel. The general perception is that after six years of decline since Ferguson's retirement in 2013, Manchester United's decision to appoint '99 hero Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as manager had the hand of Fergie all over it, and that the knight of the realm is once again a strategic player at Old Trafford.
Sarri 'agrees to become new Juventus manager on £6m-a-year deal' after City boss Guardiola rejected chance to take over
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has reportedly agreed terms to take over at Juventus after Pep Guardiola rejected the Italians' advances. The Serie A side are looking for a new manager following the announcement that Massimiliano Allegri will depart at the end of the season. Manchester City's Guardiola was earmarked as their No 1 target, but the Spaniard is not interested in leaving his current job.
'I speak Spanish to my kids every day': Riveting interview with Milner... a player who never stops surprising even at the age of 33
OLIVER HOLT - MAIL ON SUNDAY CHIEF SPORTS WRITER: In the garden of the hotel on the Costa del Sol where Liverpool are preparing for Saturday’s Champions League final against Spurs, James Milner sits in the shade of a tall tree. He prefers it to bright sunlight just as he prefers providing assists to scoring goals, just as he prefers small print to headlines and just as he prefers team to self. It is part of the reason why he has aged well in the public mind.
Barcelona's hopes of claiming domestic Treble are shattered as La Liga champions are stunned by Valencia in cup final
BARCELONA 1-2 VALENCIA - PETE JENSON: Kevin Gameiro and Rodrigo struck as Valencia shocked Barcelona with a 2-1 victory in the final of the Copa Del Rey. Barcelona were aiming to win the competition for the fifth season in succession and were also looking to complete the domestic treble. However, despite Lionel Messi's strike, they were beaten by a spirited Valencia side, with Barcelona suffering further frustration after their Champions League exit against Liverpool.
Dean's wild celebrations are captured by Sky Sports AGAIN as Premier League referee sees Tranmere earn promotion
Mike Dean enjoyed his trip to Wembley on Saturday as his beloved Tranmere Rovers beat Newport County after extra time in the League Two play-off final. Premier League referee Dean made headlines earlier this month when Sky Sports cameras captured live footage of him whooping, cheering and standing on a rail in the away end at Forest Green, where Tranmere drew 1-1 to earn their trip to Wembley. After that incident, hundreds of Tranmere fans decided to wear masks with Dean's face on them as they made their way to London for Saturday's final.
20 YEARS ON FROM UNITED'S TREBLE
Piglets, pancakes, protests... and victory parades: How Man United's historic Treble season unfolded on and off the field 20 years on from Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League triumphs
May 26th marks the 20th anniversary of Manchester United's dramatic stoppage-time victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League final to complete their historic Treble success. Having already won the Premier League and the FA Cup, Alex Ferguson's side appeared to be heading for heartbreak as they trailed Bayern entering stoppage time. But goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer transformed the course of history and completed a feat no English team has emulated since. We tell the story of United's extraordinary Treble campaign both on and off the pitch here in our picture special.
Started from the bottom, now we're here! Toronto Raptors fan Drake goes wild as his team reach NBA Finals for first time EVER
Kawhi Leonard had 27 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Toronto Raptors into the NBA Finals for the first time with a 100-94 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night. The Raptors overcame a 15-point deficit to win the series in six games and will host the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night. Pascal Siakam scored 18 points, Kyle Lowry had 17 and Fred VanVleet 14 for the Raptors, who used a 26-3 run late in the third quarter and early in the fourth to turn the game in their favor.
'My highest earning season: £67k for the Treble': DANNY MURPHY talks to Liverpool and Tottenham heroes from 1984, Alan Kennedy and Tony Galvin
The last time Champions League finalists Liverpool and Tottenham dominated Europe was 1984 when the European Cup went to Anfield and Spurs lifted the UEFA Cup. Mail on Sunday columnist DANNY MURPHY, who played for both clubs, met up with two heroes of ’84, ALAN KENNEDY and TONY GALVIN, to reflect on a golden era and what lies ahead in Madrid next weekend. DANNY MURPHY: Liverpool winning the European Cup in Roma’s back yard is legendary, Al, and you scored the decisive penalty in the shootout.
Sunderland fans turn London red as they take over Trafalgar Square on the eve of their League One play-off final with Charlton
Sunderland supporters have painted the capital a shade of red after taking London's famous Trafalgar Square as their own on the eve of the League One play-off final. Thousands of dedicated fans have made the 270-mile trip from Wearside to the Big Smoke, in preparation for Sunday's showpiece final against Charlton Athletic. Both clubs will go head to head for a place in the Championship, and the party atmosphere reached fever pitch on Saturday evening as fans of the north east club made the most of bank holiday.
Bayern at the double again as Lewandowski hits brace in cup final win to ensure Robben and Ribery sign off with another trophy
RB LEIPZIG 0-3 BAYERN MUNICH: Bayern Munich greats Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben bowed out on a high as the Bundesliga champions won the German Cup to secure a 12th domestic double - and their ninth in 19 years. The pair, both late substitutes, played little part in the actual result which owed everything to two goals from Robert Lewandowski either side of Kingsley Coman's individual effort. Lewandowski, the competition's highest scorer this season with seven, also took his individual tally in German Cup finals to seven as Bayern won it for the 19th time in their history.
England's X-Factor: He began by rolling out his own wicket in a humble park, he's not driven by money, but Archer could be England's player of a generation
SPECIAL REPORT: When Jofra Archer tore in to bowl against Pakistan at the Oval earlier this month, he instantly crossed one of those cricketing thresholds that sets tongues wagging and pulses racing. And that wasn’t all he did. By passing 90mph, he announced himself to those unfamiliar with his work as that rarest of breeds: an England bowler whose main weapon is pace, not swing or seam. By doing it repeatedly, he produced what was reckoned to be the quickest one-day spell for England in a decade. It was cricket in the raw — and a shame rain limited him to figures of 4-2-6-1.
Stars of sport
- Bayern at the double again as Lewandowski hits brace in cup final win to ensure Robben and Ribery sign off with another trophy 12th domestic double
- Barcelona's hopes of claiming domestic Treble are shattered as La Liga champions are stunned by Valencia in cup final PETE JENSON
- 'I speak Spanish to my kids every day': Riveting interview with Milner... a player who never stops surprising even at the age of 33 OLIVER HOLT
- Rooney takes heavy hit from New England keeper... before netting last gasp penalty His spot-kick earned draw and sent DC United top of the table
- Raptors book debut NBA Finals spot as pop star fan Drake celebrates famous win from courtside seat Overcame a 15-point deficit to win the series
more stars of sport
- Dean's wild celebrations are captured by Sky Sports AGAIN Premier League referee sees Tranmere earn promotion
- 'My players did not care about playing in the Europa League!': Emery claims stars preferred Premier League Gunners arrive in Baku
- Dutch courage! Kuyt and Heitinga embroiled in fan violence as fight breaks out between Dutch ultras during U19 title-deciding clash Ajax and Feyenoord
- 'Merci Lyon': Liverpool target Depay appears to confirm summer exit as he boards bright red private jet in a matching tracksuit But where's he off to?
- Look Mou's back! Smiling Jose stops off for a £60 shave back in Chelsea... and bumps into an old colleague Has been linked with the vacant Juve job
- 'You're a cheat!': Smith and Warner BOOED by crowd on first appearance in England since 12-month bans for ball tampering Smith scored a hundred
- Southgate gives England players permission to go on holiday during mini-break from Nations League training camp Given some time off
- Rabiot is frozen out at PSG after contract war but could be the best free signing this summer Manchester United set to take advantage
- Valencia's Parejo insists Barcelona will be fully motivated for the Copa del Rey final as they gear up for Seville showpiece Aiming for an upset
- Terry's all gold for Mings: Aston Villa defender is learning from Chelsea legend as he targets play-off glory EXCLUSIVE BY LAURIE WHITWELL
- Mendonca broke Mackem hearts in THAT play-off final - now he's working at the Nissan plant in Sunderland! EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY CRAIG HOPE
- Messi admits 'it was really difficult to pick ourselves up' following Barcelona's Champions League semi-final defeat by Liverpool Ahead of cup final
- 'Wilder is my main objective. Simple as that': Joshua insists he wants to take on the Bronze Bomber next Claims Whyte 'had his opportunity'
-
Inside the controversial £472m Baku stadium that's hosting the Europa League final... but will any fans make it there?
A long way to travel
- Costa plays hilarious trick on mascot as Atletico striker plays first match following eight-game ban for verbally abusing referee Always a prankster
- Fergie throwing a fork at Butt and mountain biking with bacon sandwiches... the inside story of how United won three cups in 11 days JACK GAUGHAN
- Juventus 'mission' to get Sarri: Italian champions plot swoop for Chelsea boss after Europa League final The Chelsea boss is very much in demand
- PSG's power struggle: Both Neymar and Mbappe have been linked with Real, so which star should the La Liga giants go for this summer?
- Van Gerwen crowned Premier League champion as fellow Dutchman van Persie watches on in a Peaky Blinders outfit! Night at the darts
- 'I was told I had schizophrenia... it shocked me massively': Panesar opens up on battling his demons EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY NASSER HUSSAIN
- 'I can bring England that extra bit of luck': Archer could be the missing ingredient in World Cup recipe EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY LUKE AUGUSTUS
- 'Err... seven managers? Did I miss one?': Luiz has seen plenty of Chelsea change but is happy under Sarri EXCLUSIVE
- Hazard and co continue to count down the days until Baku as Sarri prepares his Chelsea stars for the Europa League final Against Arsenal
- Klopp reveals Firmino should return to full training TODAY as Liverpool star battles back ahead of Champions League final 'Bobby looks really good'
- Alvarez clocks over 200mph as middleweight champion takes part in 'The Run To Monaco' ahead of this weekend's GP Driving his Lamborghini
- Ronaldo enjoying life in the fast lane as he greets Hamilton ahead of Monaco Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton getting set for the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend
- Lingard deletes commemoration for Manchester bombings after criticism of his use of 'JLingz' branding Lingard has deleted an Instagram post
- 'Honestly people is there anyone better than Lionel Messi?': Fans go mad over video showing Barca star dribbling past opponents in 18-19 Montage of his season
- Mbappe puts uncertain future to one side as PSG star and Wenger play games with disabled children Part of a charity day outside Stade de France
- 'Dreams are made of maybe having some part to play in Madrid': Ox hoping to feature in Champions League final after injury nightmare Missed last year's final
- Too keen to impress? Redmond takes tumble on his return to England training as Lingard pokes fun at star Winger returning to England squad
- 'We'll be funding our transfer budget with kit sales!': Arsenal fans go wild for stunning new home and away strips But which former pro leaked pictures of the kit?
- 'So where's the new kit?': Roma release new home shirt with lightning bolts on the collar... but fans left unimpressed Similar to last season's
- Cipriani caps outstanding campaign by being named Premiership player of the season Gloucester star completes awards double
- 'What a gentleman': Beckham salutes Pochettino after watching Tottenham prepare for the Champions League final A very special visitor
- City duo Jesus and Fernandinho join up with Brazil team-mates as they turn attentions to the Copa America days after FA Cup glory Hungry for more success
- Delph hooks up with England squad early as Southgate's men begin preparations for Nations League semi-final against Holland No rest for the City player
- 'I think he will be able to play the final': Sarri confident Kante will be fit for Europa League decider as Frenchman returns to training A boost for the Blues
- Promising omen? Liverpool play six-a-side tournament in Marbella... and captain Henderson's team win! Preparing for the Champions League final
- Pogba enjoys downtime in Dubai with girlfriend Maria Salaues as doubts remain over his future at Manchester United Looks happy and relaxed
- Dortmund sign Hazard (no, not that one!): Eden's brother Thorgan seals £30m move to German giants He's an attacking midfielder too
- It's Little Big Sam! Allardyce's grandson signs for League One club Oxford You won't be surprised to hear he is a centre half - just like his grandad
- 'Did they use the same guy that did the Ronaldo statue?': Fans mock new sculpture of George Best It has been erected outside Windsor Park
- Sterling wants to meet with FA and Premier League to discuss efforts to fight racism in football Outlined his plan at a conference in New York
- 'This is just terrible': Inter Milan fans not happy with club's new home kit as they complain over bizarre use of both straight AND diagonal stripes
- England stars lap up sun in first session back as Rice, Redmond and Rashford begin preparations ahead of Nations League finals Hard work starts here
- Pulisic poses in Chelsea shirt at Stamford Bridge after completing £58m move from Dortmund He's signing for the Blues this summer
- England unveil new kit Morgan, Ali and Co will wear as they bid to become world champions at home And the light blue colour is a throwback to 1992!
- 'No one misses the Liverpool weather!': Mane pokes fun at English rain as Klopp's side lap up the sun at Marbella training camp Getting ready for Madrid
- Ozil surprises seriously ill Arsenal-mad youngster by inviting him to his house for a tour and kickabout Nice touch
- 'One of the players I should come here': Is this the moment Mourinho revealed he has spoken with Ronaldo about Juve move?
- 'Absolute disgrace!!': Arsenal legend Wright slams UEFA as club confirm Mkhitaryan will miss Europa League final due to safety concerns
- REVEALED: Jorginho ran FURTHER than Chelsea team-mate Kante this season ... And who was the Premier League's marathon man?
- Liverpool touch down in Marbella as Klopp's side plot Tottenham's downfall in Champions League final Stepping up their preparations
- 'My blood is blue now': Chelsea striker Giroud would love to haunt old club Arsenal in Europa League final INTERVIEW BY MATT BARLOW
- Manchester City celebrate historic domestic Treble as captain Kompany says goodbye to fans during open-top bus parade Treble-winning stars
- Fiorentina in disarray: Stars wanting out and uninterested owners led to winless streak of 13 games that could cost them relegation Fallen giants
- Joshua insists he will not underestimate fleshy foe Ruiz and 'it's what inside that counts' Meet in New York on June 1 for a heavyweight title clash
- Kroos will 'fight' for his place if Pogba joins Real Madrid... as Man United star does his best Kill Bill impression 'I like this player but nothing changes for me'
- Williams FIT for French Open as American star puts practice in on redeveloped Philippe-Chatrier court Pulled out of Italian Open
- Pakistan cricketer Ali leaves team camp as two-year-old daughter dies of cancer before Cricket World Cup 'My angel returned to Allah last night'
- NOT the Real deal! Madrid fans vote against signing Paul Pogba this summer... but they want Hazard The fans have had their say on transfers
- That's got to hurt! Clumsy Ronaldo loses grip of Serie A trophy as it hits son in the face! And he bumps into girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez too!
- He can Bale out Utd: Real Madrid misfit Bale 'can make the difference' to Solskjaer, says Redknapp EXCLUSIVE BY GLEN WILLIAMS
- 'Everton? Don't do it! What a s*** club!' Ex-Toffees winger Andy van der Meyde urges Anwar El Ghazi against joining his old club He didn't hold back!
- Mbappe does the double! PSG star scoops Ligue 1 Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards in Paris But no sign of Neymar
- Northcutt reveals shocking injuries after brutal 29-second knockout in ONE Championship debut Underwent nine hours of surgery
- Praying the Wilder fight gets made, AJ? Joshua relaxes in Miami as he prepares for Andy Ruiz Jnr bout with yoga British heavyweight star kicked back and relaxed
- Flares, masks and immortalised boot prints: Partizan Belgrade give incredible send off to 41-year-old club legend Ilic Club captain is retiring
- Adebayor shoved over in touchline fracas during Istanbul derby title decider Chaos reigned in Turkey between Galatasaray and Istanbul Basaksehir
- Ciao Rambo! Juventus welcome Ramsey to Turin as he watches new side in their final Serie A home match The Arsenal midfielder will join club in summer
- Bale storms down the tunnel after being denied Real Madrid farewell The Welshman was an unused substitute in a 2-0 home defeat to Real Betis
FOOTBALL NEWS
'My players did not care about playing in the Europa League!': Emery claims stars preferred Premier League as Gunners arrive in Baku for all-English European cup final
As Arsenal sit one game away from their first European silverware in 25 years and a return to the Champions League, manager Unai Emery has revealed some of his players did not consider the Europa League an important competition at the beginning of the season. For a team that has won just two trophies across the continent in their history — the Uefa Cup Winners' Cup in 1994 to follow their Fairs Cup triumph in 1970 — one might think there would be a desire to add Europe's second-most prestigious trophy to a perennially dusty cabinet, especially having reached the semi-finals last term. Especially under a new manager who values the competition so highly. No manager in history has won the competition, in either its Europa League or Uefa Cup guises, more than Emery.
Tranmere do it again! Rovers seal back-to-back promotions as Jennings scores 119th-minute winner against Newport to send Mellon's men into League One
TOM FARMERY AT WEMBLEY: They say winning at Wembley in a play-off final is the best way to get promoted. You get the trip to the national stadium and the big celebration afterwards before a night in the capital. But few victories can be as sweet as the one witnessed here. And indeed, there can't be many defeats that feel as cruel and gutting as this one. For those who had travelled from the Wirral, the sight of Connor Jennings's header nestling in the back of the Newport net with just seconds of extra-time to play was euphoric. Tranmere promoted for the second consecutive season. Not just that, but a second consecutive play-off final win and the first time any side had won the National League and League Two play-off final back-to-back. What a job Micky Mellon, who his critics have always said couldn't manage any higher than non-League, has done.
Arriving in style! Neymar takes helicopter to Brazil's Copa America training camp as PSG star joins rest of squad before Qatar clash
Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar has linked up with the Brazil squad as they commence their preparations for the Copa America. The winger was seen arriving by helicopter at Brazil's training centre in Granja Comary, Rio de Janeiro. While the majority of the Brazil squad have been training for the past six days, it was anticipated that Neymar wouldn't be in attendance until next week.
'Merci Lyon': Liverpool target Depay hints at summer exit as he boards red private jet in matching tracksuit... but where is he off to?
Memphis Depay has sparked suggestions that he could be leaving Lyon this summer. The Netherlands international posted a video on Instagram of him boarding a private jet with the caption 'Merci Lyon'. The ex-Manchester United winger boarded the red plane in a full matching suit.
OTHER SPORTS NEWS
Na takes two shot lead into final round of the Charles Schwab Challenge as Spieth looks to end winless run at Colonial
Kevin Na overcame a double-bogey seven to take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Charles Schwab Challenge. The 35-year-old, looking for his third PGA Tour title, carded a one-under 69 to go clear on nine under at Colonial Country Club near Fort Worth after overnight leader Jonas Blixt slipped back after a 74. However, Na's round would have been better had he not thinned a bunker shot from the greenside sand at the 11th after being distracted by a spectators' phone ringing and then duffed his chip back.
Make mine a double! Can relentless Djokovic seal his place in history with a second sweep of Slams?
MIKE DICKSON IN PARIS: To have held all four Grand Slams at once in the era of Nadal and Federer — not to mention Murray — is remarkable enough. For Novak Djokovic to achieve that twice would be truly ‘extraordinaire’, as they say in these parts. Just turned 32, this is what the Serb is attempting again over the next fortnight, a year after he stormed off court following a quarter-final defeat and questioned whether he would even attempt to play during the ensuing grass-court season.
RACING
THE BEST WRITING IN SPORT
How a 10p coin decided the shootout, a brilliant hat-trick and one of the greatest finals EVER... as Sunderland meet Charlton in another play-off showdown, here's the inside story of their epic clash in 1998
AMITAI WINEHOUSE: When Tommy Rowe's penalty flew past the post at the Valley and all eyes turned to Wembley, memories immediately came flooding back. A Charlton-Sunderland play-off final has special meaning. Over two decades on from 1998, there has probably never been a finer clash at the national stadium than the one those two sides put together since. It was an incredible game, one that swung this way and that, featured a late dramatic equaliser, a brilliant hat-trick and finished 4-4 after extra-time.