The Sun

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR have sensationally asked broadcasters not to refer to them as "Tottenham".

For decades, broadcasters of the north Londoners' matches have referred to the club as "Tottenham".

But in an email to TV rights holders around the world, Spurs have asked to be referred to by their full name.

Broadcasters received the email, details of which have been made public by The Athletic, on February 10.

The communication was titled: "Tottenham Hotspur Naming Update."

An excerpt of it read: "Tottenham Hotspur have provided clarification regarding the club’s name.

"They have requested that the club are primarily known as Tottenham Hotspur, with Spurs being the preferred short version.

"The club have requested that they are not referred to as Tottenham.”

Not being referred to as "Tottenham" has actually been the club's stance since 2011.

And they felt it necessary to remind broadcasters of it following a refresh of their brand guidelines after Christmas.

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Spurs seemingly don't want to be referred to as "Tottenham", the area of London in which they reside, in order to increase the global presence of the Tottenham Hotspur brand.

Broadcasters have started heeding the club's request, with Sky Sports describing Ange Postecoglou as the "Tottenham Hotspur Head Coach" during their coverage of Spurs' 1-0 win over Manchester United last weekend.

Additionally, when the team's starting XI was displayed on the screen it said "Spurs" at the top.

A SUPERCOMPUTER has predicted the outcome of the Europa League - and it doesn't look good for Manchester United.

The Red Devils have endured a miserable season so far.

They currently sit 15th in the Premier League table with just 29 points from 25 games.

And their hopes of a trophy are now pinned on the FA Cup and the Europa League.

Ruben Amorim and Co have been handed a difficult last-16 draw in Europe's second-tier competition.

United will face La Liga side Real Sociedad for a place in the quarter-finals.

However, a supercomputer from Slingo predicts they will suffer a 5-3 defeat on aggregate.

The algorithm - which has given Man Utd an 11 per cent chance of winning the competition - suggests Amorim's side will lose 3-2 away from home and 2-1 at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, Tottenham are predicted to win their last-16 meeting with AZ Alkmaar 2-0 on aggregate.

Spurs are then tipped to face Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals.

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The supercomputer has predicted a thrilling affair between the two teams, with Spurs ultimately winning 5-4 after two legs.

Ange Postecoglou and Co are then expected to face Lazio in the semi-finals.

Should that be the case, they are predicted to win 3-2 on aggregate to secure a spot in the final.

However, that is where the Europa League journey will come to an unfortunate end for Spurs.

According to the supercomputer, Tottenham will lose 2-1 to Athletic Bilbao in the Spain final.

It would mean Bilbao would win the title in their own city - at San Mames Stadium.

The teams expected to miss out on the final are Lazio and Real Sociedad.

Lyon, Fenerbahce, Olympiacos, Rangers, Roma, Bodo/Glimt, Viktoria Plzen and FCSB are also set to fall short of Europa League glory.

Europa League draw complete

There we have it.

Tottenham will need to see off AZ Alkmaar to set up a clash with Ajax or Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals.

Ruben Amorim's Man Utd face Real Sociedad and could then take on either FCSB or Lyon in the last-eight.

And Rangers will go up against Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce, with Roma or Athletic Bilbao the prize in the quarters.

Europa League draw – latest

After a lengthy, confusing video on the format, the first tie is about to be drawn.

Remember, we'll be drawing out the round of 16 and then the quarter-finals...

Europa League draw – latest

Bilbao legend Aritz Aduriz is here to do the draw.

He's asked who is going to lift the trophy, before giving a two-minute answer without naming a single team.

A true TV pundit in the making - he'll go far. We're finally ready to get going.

Europa League draw – latest

A quick set change in Nyon, with Pedro now flanked with a huge Road to Bilbao billboard.

We begin with a recap of the playoffs, before heading into a classic Uefa montage.

Still time to grab a last-minute cuppa...

Europa League draw - latest

We're moments away from the off in Switzerland, with stern-faced reps from each club taking their seats.

Just the three montages in the Champions League draw, you'll be delighted to hear.

That should mean we get the EL draw itself underway pretty soon after midday.

Final countdown

We're just minutes away from the Europa League draw in Nyon, Switzerland.

There's already been plenty of drama with the CL last-16 draw, which saw Real vs Atletico, Liverpool vs PSG and Bayern vs Leverkusen all come out the hat.

Make sure you stick around afterwards - we'll bring you all the ties from the Conference League.

What is the format for the tournament?

Every side will learn their routes to the final today.

It works as such: there will be eight round of 16 games, labelled RO16 one, RO16 two, RO16 three etc... up until RO16 eight.

The quarter final looks like this:

Winner RO16 one vs Winner RO16 two (Quarter-final one)

Winner RO16 three vs Winner RO16 four (Quarter-final two)

Winner RO16 five vs Winner RO16 six (Quarter-final three)

Winner RO16 seven vs Winner RO16 eight (Quarter-final four)

Then, the semi-finals are as follows:

Winner quarter-final one vs Winner quarter-final two

Winner quarter-final three vs Winner quarter-final four

Who can Manchester United and Tottenham face?

Manchester United are the third seed after finishing third in the Europa League group stage.

Ruben Amorim's side will play at home in the second leg, but in their current form, maybe playing home first would have done them a favour.

As a result of finishing third, they will face either AZ Alkmaar or Real Sociedad.

As Spurs finished fourth, they will get whichever side doesn't get drawn against United.

How can I watch the draw?

The draw will be LIVE on TNT Sports 1 and Discovery+.

Action on TNT Sports is set to get underway at 12pm GMT, you can also stream on TNT Sports YouTube channel.

Alternatively, follow along with the draw on SunSport's blog!

Welcome to SunSport's coverage of the Europa League Round of 16 draw

Europa League round of 16 action is set to get underway, with the first leg on Thursday, March 6 and the second leg on Thursday, March 13.

While it has been a struggle for Tottenham and Manchester United in the Premier League, they are set to learn their round of 16 opponents today.

United and Spurs finished third and fourth in the group stage table.

The draw will take place LIVE on TNT Sports YouTube channel for viewers who don't subscribe to TNT Sports.

You can also follow SunSport's coverage of the draw LIVE!

MANCHESTER UNITED, Tottenham and Chelsea are all closer to knowing who they will face in the next round of their respective European competitions.

The Premier League trio all booked their spots in the last 16 of either the Europa League or the Conference League thanks to their efforts in the new fangled league phase.

Man Utd and Spurs both finished in the top eight of the Europa League league phase and, as a result, bypassed the need to participate in a play-off round to reach the last 16 proper.

Instead they have been awaiting their opponents in the next round, with one of the winners from the play-offs set to face off against each side.

Thanks to United and Spurs finishing alongside each other - third and fourth respectively - they will be seeded on opposite sides of Friday's draw.

That means they have known for some time now that they would each take on one of Real Sociedad, Galatasaray, AZ Alkmaar or Midtjylland.

And following the conclusion the play-off round, those four potential opponents have been narrowed down to just two - AZ Alkmaar and Real Sociedad.

Dutch side AZ Alkmaar thrashed Galatasaray 6-3 on aggregate to book their spot in the last 16, while Real Sociedad were pushed hard over two legs against Midtjyland but ultimately ran away with it 7-3.

That means that Spurs and United will each be drawn against one of Sociedad and Alkmaar.

For example, if Spurs draw Sociedad then United will take on AZ Alkmaar. The Prem rivals CANNOT play each other.

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And as a result of finishing third and fourth, Man Utd and Spurs will not meet in this year's competition unless both teams reach the final.

Tottenham have already gotten the better of AZ Alkmaar once this season, beating them 1-0 during the league phase of the competition.

A second half penalty from Richarlison proved to be the difference between the two sides back in October as Alkmaar had a man sent off in the late stages.

Rangers, meanwhile, will face either Bodo/Glimt or Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce.

Whichever team is not drawn against Rangers will take on Olympiacos.

The draw to find out who faces who will take place in Switzerland on Friday.

That's where Chelsea will also learn their fate too, as they await their last 16 opponents after topping the Conference League table with a flawless league phase campaign.

FC Copenhagen's 4-3 aggregate win over Heidenheim and Real Betis' two-legged victory over Gent, means it'll be one of Betis or Copenhagen who face the tough task of taking on the Londoners in the next round.

Whoever isn't drawn to face Chelsea will take on Portuguese side Vitoria de Guimaraes.

A tie with Betis would mean Chelsea would have to deal with in-form Antony, who sealed a loan to the La Liga club in January and has been scoring for fun since.

As the seeded teams, Chelsea, Man Utd and Spurs will contest the away leg of their round of 16 tie on March 6, with the reverse fixtures in England scheduled for March 13.

SIR JIM RATCLIFFE'S Ineos are in talks to cancel their Tottenham sponsorship two years early.

Spurs have a multi-million pound, five-year deal with the petrochemical company, founded by Manchester United chief Ratcliffe, that sees their dugout seats bear the Ineos name.

The deal was signed in December 2022 to promote the Ineos Grenadier car.

It is Tottenham's “official 4x4 vehicle partner” but it seems that link-up could be approaching an end.

Ineos are in discussions with the club over withdrawing from the agreement two years before it expires, report The Telegraph.

It comes amid a strew of cuts at United overseen by Ratcliffe.

SunSport understands the club is set to axe up to 200 more staff in his latest cost-cutting move.

All departments are at risk of seeing their numbers slashed.

A source exclusively told The Sun: "Ultimately, football is a business but there are hundreds of people who work tirelessly behind-the-scenes who contribute to any club's success.

"Morale is already on the floor after last year's job losses. This will come as another big blow."

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It comes after Ratcliffe made 250 of the 1,150 workforce redundant in July.

Ratcliffe is reportedly concerned the club could go bust unless radical cuts are made.

United lost £300m over the past three years - but the United co-owner is confident he can turn things around in two seasons.

Insiders told the outlet United would have "run out of cash" had Ratcliffe not injected £240m last year.

And Ratcliffe is prepared to keep going with his cost-cutting - despite knowing it is hugely unpopular with fans.

SON HEUNG-MIN has told Roy Keane: You are wrong about James Maddison.

Midfielder Maddison made it clear Keane WAS the target of his ‘shush’ celebration after netting the winner against Manchester United on Sunday, with a TikTok video posted later that night.

It came after Red Devils icon Keane, 53, belittled the oche-obsessed star’s ability last week, saying: “Maddison isn’t bad, when he’s not at the darts.”

Now Tottenham skipper Son has leapt to his team-mate’s defence, revealing the pair discussed the stinging criticism and how to prove it to be wide of the mark.

South Korean international forward Son, 32, said: “Everybody has an opinion but I don’t care what they say.

“Madders is one of the best team-mates I’ve played with in my career.

“In big games, he steps up and scores goals, that’s why we’ve missed him.

"Me and Madders had a chat about this because he’s always had a good personality and been able to move on.

“He’s shown people that it’s wrong. He showed great character and put on a great performance.”

Keane’s comments about Maddison went viral — to the point where they even caught the Tottenham midfielder’s attention.

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United’s legendary Treble-winning captain Keane claimed: “If you think he’s going to come back and get Spurs into the top six, you’re in cuckoo land.

“He’s a talented player. But if you’re a player in Spurs’ dressing room and Maddison’s back in the squad, you wouldn’t be looking and going, ‘He’s back, we’re going to be fine’.”

Keane’s dig appeared to fire up Maddison against the Irishman’s old club, as he returned from three weeks out with a calf problem to net the game’s only goal after just 13 minutes.

England star Maddison then hit back with his celebration where he made a ‘talking’ gesture with his hand before his trademark darts-throwing routine and then shushed Keane with his finger.

He did not name who it was aimed at in his post-match interview.

But it became clear later that evening with a video posted on social media platform TikTok.

The footage started with Keane’s criticism, then fellow pundit Ian Wright urging Maddison to “silence” the former midfielder’s damning verdict, before a clip of Maddison’s goal and celebration to the backdrop of amusingly dramatic music.

Maddison, who attended the Bafta Awards after-party on Sunday night, was one of four Spurs players to return from injury against United along with goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and subs Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert.

After a long three months with so many absentees, Spurs’ problems look to be easing with Dominic Solanke, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven hopefully back soon.

Son paid tribute to youngsters like Archie Gray, 18, and 19-year-old Lucas Bergvall for stepping up over the winter in the absence of the injured senior pros.

The Tottenham captain added: “I don’t want to dwell on our dreams or blame anything on us missing our main players.

“In the period of time they have been out, everyone at the club should appreciate the job the young players have done and never forget all the tough moments they have faced in the last two-and-a-half months.

“They didn’t deserve it but they have handled it really well.

"Now it’s the turn of the senior players to step up.”

IT’S not as easy as 3-4-3 for Manchester United.

But there ARE signs Ruben Amorim’s formation can work — even with nine defeats so far.

Against Tottenham, the shape was not the problem, it’s the players’ decision-making.

United had great chances to score and if they had, we would be talking about Ange Postecoglou’s issues.

The back three are getting it and Harry Maguire, Matthijs De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui’s shape was miles better on Sunday.

Patrick Dorgu was a big positive, he’s slotted in easily at left wing-back since joining from Lecce at the start of the month.

But the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes just didn’t give him the ball when he was in position to drive into the area.

The biggest issue is in central midfield where Fernandes had 105 touches but was constantly dragged to the right by James Maddison, who plays on Spurs’ inside left.

The 3-4-3 is designed to provide overloads as the wing-backs provide an extra defender/ midfielder/attacker, so the free man is on the other side for a switch and run forward — yet when United switched it, they had no belief.

Diogo Dalot does not have the legs to get up and down on the right, so United need a specialist right wing-back.

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Forwards Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee aren’t dynamic enough to play in this formation and they missed Amad Diallo.

With the right players, the system works — as Amorim showed when his Sporting stuffed Manchester City 4-1 in the Champions League in November.

But will he get the players needed before Sir Jim Ratcliffe runs out of patience?

TOTTENHAM are eyeing up an audacious summer move for Borussia Dortmund starlet Jamie Gittens.

Winger Gittens, 20, has been a long-term target of Spurs who are keen to bolster the left-side of their attack.

But there is likely to be plenty of competition for the former Manchester City academy player.

Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea also tracking the England Under-21 international.

Gittens has scored 16 goals in 91 appearances for Dortmund, coming on as a late sub in last season’s Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.

This year he has developed into a first-team regular, netting 11 goals in 33 appearances.

He has not scored in eight games though as Dortmund have slid down to 11th in the Bundesliga table, winning just one and losing five of their last seven league games.

Dortmund are eight points off the top four but are still in the Champions League, holding a 3-0 lead going into their play-off second leg against Sporting Lisbon.

Should they miss out on qualification for Europe’s elite club competition for next season, they may be forced to cash in on Gittens, believed to be valued at £80million.

Former Dortmund and Liverpool striker Karl Heinz-Riedle told SunSport in November that Gittens has the potential to emulate ex-team-mates Jude Bellingham and Jadon Sancho.

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The German, 59, said: “Jamie is still not 100 per cent what we expect from a world-class player — but he has all the talent to become one of those.

“He can become the next Sancho, Erling Haaland or Bellingham.”

Gittens has 16 goals for Dortmund in 91 matches - scoring 11 of those this season.

Here's how SunSport's Katherine Walsh rated the Manchester United players against an underachieving Spurs side - who are now three places above them in 12th - in North London.

Andre Onana - 3

United can't do anything with him between the sticks. Can't be trusted to collect anything.

His opposite number Vicario showed him a thing or two after returning for the first time since Spurs thrashed Man City in November.

At fault for the first goal when he palmed out a relatively weak bouncing shot into Maddison's path in the 13th minute.

Noussair Mazraoui - 5

An OK performance. Clever link-up play with Zirkzee but couldn't get hold of Spence down the left-hand side.

Pulled out an excellent cross for the Dutchman's headed chance late-on.

Matthijs de Ligt - 6

His clearance stopped an obvious 2-0 before the half-an-hour mark.

Harry Maguire - 5

A mixed bag. Long ball over the top for Hojlund's chance in opening 10 minutes and went on a few attacking runs himself in the first half.

Did well to stop Dejan Kulusevski from having a go at the edge of the box. But bizarrely stopped in his tracks when a cross came flying into Son later on.

Diogo Dalot - 6

A difficult afternoon for the Portugal international as Son and Djed Spence left him for dead a few times.

Hesitated when asked to shoot from five yards to make it 1-0 but helped Onana out with some clearances too.

Patrick Dorgu - 4

A Prem debut to forget. He was almost invisible from the left-hand side. And lacked quality when asked to get involved more in the second half.

Was stupidly caught offside with Bruno Fernandes offloading a stunning cross pitch pass and booked late-on.

Casemiro - 5

Looked every bit a player that hasn't played Premier League football for two months. Unsurprisingly booked for a late one on Son.

Bizarrely dropped to the turf asking for a free-kick when nobody touched him. Was forced to play 89 minutes with eight teenagers on the bench. A difficult afternoon, indeed.

Bruno Fernandes - 5

Interceptions and breaking up play is not a part of the captain's game. An uncharacteristically poor cross left United open on the counter.

Did get back to stop Son from having a shot at Onana on the hour mark and started ticking in attack in the final 20 minutes.

Alejandro Garnacho - 4

Looked shaky and cut a frustrated figure after blazing over an absolute SITTER from 10 yards to level the scores.

A bit of a shocker and looked a completely different player to the one who got United into the fifth-round of the FA Cup last week.

Woke up a bit in the second half as Vicario kept him at bay with several superb stops. But the 20-year-old is clearly better off the bench.

Joshua Zirkzee - 6

The best of a desperately poor front three. There's a street player in there and he's great with his touches at times.

But curled wide from 23 yards, stuck a header wide in the 70th minute and kicked an air shot in the final five minutes.

Rasmus Hojlund - 3

Is Hojlund the worst No 9 in United's recent history?

The young Dane, who was unlucky to have a chance saved by Vicario, was second best in every loose ball and kept losing possession.

He was even caught offside after a pass from an Onana goal-kick in the first half - how often do you see that happen?

Here's how SunSport's Katherine Walsh rated the Manchester United players against an underachieving Spurs side - who are now three places above them in 12th - in North London.

Andre Onana - 3

United can't do anything with him between the sticks. Can't be trusted to collect anything.

His opposite number Vicario showed him a thing or two after returning for the first time since Spurs thrashed Man City in November.

At fault for the first goal when he palmed out a relatively weak bouncing shot into Maddison's path in the 13th minute.

Noussair Mazraoui - 5

An OK performance. Clever link-up play with Zirkzee but couldn't get hold of Spence down the left-hand side.

Pulled out an excellent cross for the Dutchman's headed chance late-on.

Matthijs de Ligt - 6

His clearance stopped an obvious 2-0 before the half-an-hour mark.

Harry Maguire - 5

A mixed bag. Long ball over the top for Hojlund's chance in opening 10 minutes and went on a few attacking runs himself in the first half.

Did well to stop Dejan Kulusevski from having a go at the edge of the box. But bizarrely stopped in his tracks when a cross came flying into Son later on.

Diogo Dalot - 6

A difficult afternoon for the Portugal international as Son and Djed Spence left him for dead a few times.

Hesitated when asked to shoot from five yards to make it 1-0 but helped Onana out with some clearances too.

Patrick Dorgu - 4

A Prem debut to forget. He was almost invisible from the left-hand side. And lacked quality when asked to get involved more in the second half.

Was stupidly caught offside with Bruno Fernandes offloading a stunning cross pitch pass and booked late-on.

Casemiro - 5

Looked every bit a player that hasn't played Premier League football for two months. Unsurprisingly booked for a late one on Son.

Bizarrely dropped to the turf asking for a free-kick when nobody touched him. Was forced to play 89 minutes with eight teenagers on the bench. A difficult afternoon, indeed.

Bruno Fernandes - 5

Interceptions and breaking up play is not a part of the captain's game. An uncharacteristically poor cross left United open on the counter.

Did get back to stop Son from having a shot at Onana on the hour mark and started ticking in attack in the final 20 minutes.

Alejandro Garnacho - 4

Looked shaky and cut a frustrated figure after blazing over an absolute SITTER from 10 yards to level the scores.

A bit of a shocker and looked a completely different player to the one who got United into the fifth-round of the FA Cup last week.

Woke up a bit in the second half as Vicario kept him at bay with several superb stops. But the 20-year-old is clearly better off the bench.

Joshua Zirkzee - 6

The best of a desperately poor front three. There's a street player in there and he's great with his touches at times.

But curled wide from 23 yards, stuck a header wide in the 70th minute and kicked an air shot in the final five minutes.

Rasmus Hojlund - 3

Is Hojlund the worst No 9 in United's recent history?

The young Dane, who was unlucky to have a chance saved by Vicario, was second best in every loose ball and kept losing possession.

He was even caught offside after a pass from an Onana goal-kick in the first half - how often do you see that happen?