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TWO rivals claim it’s “obvious” Luke Littler gets preferential treatment.

Dutch stars Vincent van der Voort and Gian van Veen spoke out following the Nuke‘s debut glory in the Grand Slam of Darts.

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Luke Littler has shattered all sorts of records on his amazing 12 months[/caption]

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Gian van Veen says it’s ‘not strange the ‘absolute top’ gets special treatment[/caption]

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Littler, 17, has risen from No164 to No5 as only the fourth player ever to win ten titles in a PDC calendar year.

But before his 16-3 triumph over Martin Lukeman in the Slam final, there was controversy in his last-16 success over Mike De Decker.

The Netherlands ace was upset by whistling from the crowd at key moments.

And he was even more frustrated that referee Kirk Bevins declined his request to tell fans to curb such behaviour.

There’s no suggestion Bevins’ decision not to intervene was anything to do with Littler.

Indeed, the official insisted warning the crowd might have whipped up their antics even more.

However, Van der Voort and Van Veen believe it’s “of course true” that Littler is handled extra well by darts chiefs.

VDV told the podcast Darts Draait Door: “If you look at what that boy brings in in terms of extra sponsorship and money, you’re treated differently.”

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Van Veen, 22, agreed, saying: “I don’t find that so strange either – that the absolute top is treated differently than the rest.”

The Grand Slam quarter-finalist also believes he himself has benefited from better treatment – but in the second tier of darts, for players aged 16-23. 

He said: “On the Pro Tour I didn’t, but on the Development Tour I noticed it. 

“If, with all due respect, a nobody is late to his job, he gets taken out of the tournament before I do. 

“They’re going to look for me one more time, that way. I could get more done on the Development Tour, other darters probably won’t.”

Littler was a “nobody” in terms of public profile 12 months ago – now he’s one of the most famous sporting teenagers in the world.

Whether that means he gets special handling – and whether that would be right – are entirely different questions.

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RUBEN AMORIM can not only solve Marcus Rashford’s form struggles but turn him into one of the Premier League’s best again.

Yet Rashford must first buy into a fresh 3-4-3 philosophy, accept a subtle positional change and desert his love for the left-wing.

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Amorim is expected to quickly instil the same coaching philosophy that earned him two Primeira Liga titles at Sporting[/caption]

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Marcus Rashford is set to flourish in a new role under Amorim[/caption]

With many United players spending time away on international duty, including Rasmus Hojlund, Rashford would be wise to make use of the extra time spent on the training ground with new boss Amorim.

The 27-year-old has endured some topsy-turvy years after he burst onto the scene in 2016, failing to hit the heights of his 2022-23 season where he scored 30 goals in all competition.

Amorim, 39, is tasked with bringing Rashford’s magic touch back, with the forward scoring just once in 12 Prem games this season.

But how will the new manager, with the confidence of Jose Mourinho and the flare of Pep Guardiola, bring the best of out of Rashford?

Marcus Rashford’s resurrection

A player of Rashford’s quality shouldn’t be written off, but the United academy star must open his heart up to a 3-4-3 formation.

Rashford must let go of his hopes of hanging out on the left-hand side, as Amorim will NOT use two out-and-out wingers, but will instead play with an attacking left-wing back.

Amorim looks set to build two differently profiled so-called No 10s – and Rashford must become one alongside captain Bruno Fernandes.

Fernandes‘ talents mean he’ll pick up the ball-playing No 10 role, leaving Rashford as the driving central player, who runs off the No 9.

Meanwhile, Rashford could also be reinvented as a central striker with two close 10s to support him, but Hojlund is more likely to thrive in this role.

The England star is used to playing in a 4-3-2-1 formation or as a striker in counter attacking side, so things will have to change.

But if Rashford buys into it early, and focuses on more assists than goals, the United will have a Carrington graduate playing an important role in the club’s future.

Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation

Amorim has a clear identity. And it seems almost certain that the Portuguese tactician will bring in his winning 3-4-3 structure to M16.

He likes his teams to play through the thirds and to dominate possession when moving the ball out from the back.

Hojlund, a player United haven’t made the best use of, will likely be deployed at No 9.

At Sporting, the formation and style has been built around a mobile, big, physical runner Viktor Gyokeres – and Hojlund can ease into that role.

Fernandes, Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt, Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte all slot into their respective roles.

And £52million summer signing Leny Yoro has been spotted training at the right hand side of the back three in training clips this week.

What is more constant is that in his 3-4-3 formation, attacking wing-backs are key in all thirds of the pitch.

Amorim has used two defensive midfielders to cover for his wing-backs – who push high up the pitch and stay wide to form a 3-4-2-1.

This also allows his two attacking midfielders to drop into pockets behind a lone striker while still stretching the opposition’s backline.

Wing and a prayer

Amorim places his wing-backs right up in the attacking areas of the pitch, giving them full freedom of in the flanks.

It will become a 3-2-5 in attack, where the wing-backs are expected to push up in different profiles.

Alejandro Garnacho, Amad Diallo and even Antony could be eased into a wing-back role, as all three have the ability to take on their man in a 1 v 1.

Amorim likes his teams to play through the thirds and to dominate possession when moving the ball out from the back.

For the non-byline running full-backs, Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui can invert to play in the inside channel when attacking.

Andre Onana’s game

Erik ten Hag bought Andre Onana for £43.7m on the basis of his ability to play out of the back, but the Dutchman couldn’t find a way to utilise David de Gea’s replacement.

Onana will be asked to play into the midfield’s feet, who are expected to take the ball on the half-turn and push up the pitch.

In training this week, there were no long balls to be seen.

It looks like the out-field players will be limited to only two touches before passing it in a zig-zag if they can’t turn, until a channel of space opens up.

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Much has been made of Andre Onana’s ability to play it out from the back with his feet[/caption]

Mainoo main man

Kobbie Mainoo has the ability to be United’s main ball-playing central midfielder.

With the Red Devils looking to start from defence, Mainoo’s role as a deep playmaker has become even more important.

Just 18 months after his first run-out against Charlton Athletic in the League Cup, he was starting the final of Euro 2024. The 19-year-old has the ability to dip his shoulder.

Mainoo fits in nicely next to all-action Manuel Ugarte, who prefers to be tasked with breaking up play.

Ugarte will be well aware of the system used by Amorim having played 85 times under the Portuguese coach in Lisbon, where he started 61 matches.

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Kobbie Mainoo returned to training this week[/caption]

Amorim appears to have taken an immediate shine to Mainoo in training his week, with the pair spotted chatting on several occasions.

But all players will expected to get up and down quickly and bust a gut to get back, which has not been witnessed in United games of late.

But the amount of sprinting required could spell the end for Casemiro, who at 32 years old seems to have lost his legs.

Nonetheless, the Real Madrid legend has stepped up in his dressing room role in recent week.

AS we head towards Christmas, parents will be preparing by heading out to stores to buy decorations, presents, and gift wrapping. 

Also on their list will be end-of-year presents for their child’s teacher.

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With Christmas approaching, teachers have got together to reveal the best present to buy them[/caption]

However, this can often leave parents wondering if their gift is appropriate or sufficient, adding another stress to the festive season.

According to a Mumsnet survey, 45 per cent of parents buy gifts for their children’s teachers at Christmas, despite many teachers not expecting presents. 

Whether it’s a bottle of wine, chocolates, or a ‘my favourite teacher’ mug, parents can be torn between what won’t be a waste of money.

But luckily, some teachers have set the record straight to make it easier for other parents. 

One mum took to the Facebook group Family lowdown tips and ideas to ask for help. 

She wrote: “If there are any teachers here that would be a massive bonus as my question is…

“What do you buy for a teacher for Xmas gifts (Women Teacher!)

“What do teachers like and don’t like for Xmas presents please.
“Thankyou in advance xx.”

Many teachers raced to the comments section to share their thoughts. 

“I would much prefer a card with a heartfelt message or something homemade than my class spending money on me honestly,” one teacher wrote.

A second commented: “Firstly, it is genuinely true that a card with a nice message is the most special thing (I keep all mine and read them when having a tough time to remind me of my ‘why’). 

“That being said, if you do want to get a present, anything is really appreciated. 

“I’m one of those odd teachers that loves mugs, candles etc that others say never to buy teachers (much to my husband’s horror). 

“I also had a lovely afternoon tea out at the weekend that some of my parents clubbed together and got me in the summer. 

Some people don’t but I struggle with mugs and keepsakes – I want to keep them but have no space

Teacher comment

“Teachers will really appreciate anything.” 

And if any parent was pulling their hair out over whether or not a bottle of wine is appropriate to buy a teacher, these teachers have set the record straight. 

One wrote: “Wine. Always wine.”

A second said: “Prosecco. You cannot tell me there’s a teacher who wouldn’t appreciate Prosecco.”

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There are presents that many teachers have all agreed that they don’t want[/caption]

Whilst someone else also suggested similar, but warned against the presents to try and avoid. 

She wrote: “Love a bottle of wine, bar of chocolate, biscuits, anything like that. 

“Some people don’t but I struggle with mugs and keepsakes – I want to keep them but have no space. 

“I’ve got a husband and four kids so anything that can be eaten or drunk is fabulous. 

I really don’t like mugs or anything personalised

Teacher comment

“Cards are lovely too, a nice message or nothing, it’s all fine.”

A second also agreed and said: “I’d steer clear of mugs and that kind of thing – in the primary, they get a lot of that sort of thing. A card is more than enough. 

“A card and some choc, decent. A wee voucher, even better. We usually do a whip round and get our primary teachers a bigger voucher (for Markies).”

Whilst someone else said: “I’m a teacher.

“I’m happy with a nice thank you note but I know some parents like to get something. 

“Go with something useful! I like pens and stationery. Preferably pens that have green ink as that is the colour I mark in.

“I really don’t like mugs or anything personalised (I’m allergic to tea and coffee and the last personalised set I got had my name spelled wrong so I felt bad they’d spent money on it) but I did get a costa gift card last year that took me and hubby out for cake.

“Chocolate and wine is always welcome but again, these things cost money that parents don’t always have so a nice card or picture drawn by the child is lovely.”

However, for those who have allergies, then parents are urged to opt for a gift card. 

A teacher explained: “I’d avoid drink and food because of allergies. I’m a teacher and while any gift is nice, I cannot use most of the gifts I get because of allergies!

“I’d prefer a gift card! Supermarkets, Boots, Amazon etc.”

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