THE owner of a newly-opened restaurant has suddenly shut up shop after going on a rant about ‘unreliable staff’. 

Otterburns opened in Sandymoor, Runcorn, last March after months of planning and construction.

Jameson Whiskey

Otterburns opened in March last year and pitched itself as an all-in-one dining house[/caption]

The restaurant offered breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as boasting a coffee house and bar. 

A full drinks menu was also available, with coffee being served in the day, transitioning to a luxury and premium wine and cocktail menu in the evening.

However, owner David Watson has since decided to temporarily close, blaming staffing and ‘ too critical’ customers. 

In a statement on the restaurant’s Facebook page, Dave revealed that “various problems have plagued us”, leading to him looking for a new owner.

The statement reads: “Historically, a professional general manager has been extremely difficult to find, with unreliable staff constantly adding to the daily operational issues.

“We’ve had a chef consultant, been through seven chefs, five general managers, eight supervisors and goodness knows how many servers – maybe that’s a testament to how difficult it is to run a hospitality business post COVID, or maybe just a comment about generational differences in attitude to real work?”

The owner also blamed ‘critiquing’ customers, writing: “You’ve critiqued us hard and if I’m honest, sometimes too hard, and the online ‘bashing’ has blown our minds.

“You’ve been a tough and fairly unique crowd to please, often rightfully so but sometimes not – grown adults making young servers cry is never acceptable.”

Dave said because of the staffing issues and the ongoing criticism, the restaurant has struggled to keep up with service levels, leading to Otterburns’ reputation suffering.

Over the last year, the restaurant has tried to keep up with the community’s demands, offering live music every month, drink and food offers, Sky Sports and party events. 

As Dave said: “We’ve tried, tirelessly, to meet your expectations.”

But, he added, he doesn’t feel the restaurant has the “support of the community” anymore to continue to keep going. 

He said: “I know from speaking to various regular customers that we got it right an awful lot of the time and I know that the set-up is right for any new owner to come in with a fresh broom and a clear head to make it work.”

Dave has said that when the business eventually gets a new owner and it reopens, he hopes the community will give the new owner ‘a chance and a revisit’.

Ending the announcement with a plea, he said: “Understand that, even your simple coffees/breakfasts take a great deal of effort and planning to get to your table.

“Understand that the UK Government make it extremely hard for businesses, suppliers make it hard, the local council make it hard, but the new owners will be doing it just for your enjoyment.

“Please be kind.”

WITH spring almost here, there’s plenty to look forward to — longer days, warmer temperatures, and, of course, the return of gardening season.  

And March may feel like it can’t come soon enough for those eager to get their hands back in the soil.

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February is the perfect time for gardening three vegetables[/caption]

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Spinach can withstand lower temperatures in February[/caption]

So people may be happy to hear that February is actually the perfect time to kickstart your growing season with three specific vegetables.  

John Collins, nursery manager at Ashridge, says: “These hardy crops can withstand cooler temperatures, making them ideal for early sowing.

“Getting them in the ground now gives you an earlier harvest and helps spread out the workload in the garden.”

First up, John reveals that broad beans are one of the best vegetables to plant in February, as their robust nature allows them to thrive in cooler temperatures.

He adds: “Sowing these national favourites now can lead to an earlier harvest, often by late spring or early summer. 

“Soaking the seeds overnight is a good way to encourage germination, and planting them in a sunny spot with well-drained soil will help them develop.”

The gardening pro recommends planting them about 20cm apart and leaving 60cm between each double row, to allow air circulation and easy access to the crops.  

“As the plants grow, staking or installing nets can provide them with extra support and prevent them from toppling over”, he adds.

“Another great tip is pinching out their tips when they reach about one metre in height, as this will encourage bushier growth and deter pests like aphids.”

Early peas are another excellent choice for February, with varieties such as ‘Kelvedon Wonder’ or ‘Meteor’ being particularly suited to cooler temperatures.   

Planting them now means that you’ll be able to enjoy sweet peas by late spring, bringing a taste of early summer to your dishes.  

Unlike broad beans, early peas should be planted on a sheltered site.

They also don’t require as much space and can be sown 5cm apart, with rows spaced at 60cm intervals. 

You should, however, consider providing them support with sticks or netting, as this will help them climb and grow even more.  

John says: “A great way to ensure your early peas survive and develop is to plant them indoors in biodegradable pots and transplant them later once they’ve grown.

“This will drastically reduce damage from pests like mice and birds.”

Rounding off your February vegetable patch, you should consider spinach.

This veg grows quickly, and hardier varieties such as ‘Perpetual Spinach’ can withstand lower temperatures, allowing gardeners to enjoy fresh greens in early spring.   

John recommends picking a sunny or partially shaded area with rich, moisture-retentive soil, and planting the seeds 30cm apart to give them room to mature.

Another possibility is sowing the seeds in containers for easier management—this can also help if you don’t have as much space. 

But make sure you water your crops regularly to prevent bolting, applying mulch to retain soil moisture. 

“Spinach is a vegetable that keeps on giving”, John says.

“It’s extremely rich in nutrients, and you can prolong the cropping period by harvesting its leaves regularly, always cutting the outer leaves first.

“This encourages new growth, allowing you to enjoy fresh veggies in your meals for longer.” 

A CONCLUSION to the gruelling three-year war in Ukraine is edging closer after today’s historic peace talks between Russia and the US.

Moscow said the conversations “went well” as Washington labelled the crucial meeting “useful” – with both parties already reaching a number of landmark deals.

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US, Russian and Saudi representatives speaking at Riyadh’s Diriyah Palace over peace talks earlier today[/caption]

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov shake hands[/caption]

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The talks are hoping to help bring an end to the gruelling three-year war in Ukraine[/caption]

Earlier today, a team of top diplomats from Russia and the US spoke about negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine out in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The talks – which were quickly drawn up – represent the rapidly growing ties between the two nations under Donald Trump‘s new leadership.

Present at the negotiating table was US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz all sit down in Riyadh’s Diriyah Palace.

They were joined by outspoken Putin cronies Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushako.

Notably missing was any representative from Ukraine.

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All we know from day one of the peace talks

• No new details on when Putin and Trump will meet
• Full embassy staffing agreed
• Both sides agree to create “high level teams”
• Vlad will speak to Zelensky “if necessary”
• Russia won’t allow Ukraine to join Nato
• Kremlin wants to end Western sanctions
• Zelensky postpones Saudi trip as he blasts unfair meeting

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The meeting lasted for almost five hours with Moscow and Washington being joined by Saudi representatives who helped monitor the talks.

Following the peace chats, which mark the first time Russia and US delegates have met in person since the war broke out, both sides said they were hugely beneficial.

Close Putin aide, Yuri Ushakov, said the talks “went well” as he also revealed negotiators have been agreed to talk about the war in Ukraine from either side, IFAX reported.

Russia‘s lead negotiator told reporters after the talks: “It was a very serious conversation on all the questions we wanted to touch upon.”

Secretary of State Rubio said the meeting showed him that the Kremlin is finally “willing to begin to engage in a serious process”.

US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce later said the two sides have agreed to appoint “respective high-level teams to begin working on a path to ending the conflict in Ukraine as soon as possible”.

They added that all talks will be done “in a way that is enduring, sustainable, and acceptable to all sides”.

Trump’s Middle East envoy Witkoff even described the meeting as positive, upbeat and constructive.

Rubio stressed that despite the initial chats being positive, it was just the first of many chats which need to take place in the coming weeks and months.

He added that everyone involved in the war “has to be okay with it” ending with both sides needing to make concessions to make a deal work.

One of the key stumbling blocks which could dampen the negotiations would be from Ukraine’s side.

They were notably excluded from Riyadh today in a move which left both President Zelensky and his European allies annoyed and frustrated.

Brave Zelensky was in Turkey as the US-Russia talks went ahead without him with the comedian turned top politician heavily criticising the talks.

He said any negotiations “should not take place behind our backs” as he reiterated a peace deal will only be agreed if it is fair for all those involved – not just Putin.

Zelensky even announced he has postponed his official visit to the Saudi Arabia until March 10 – despite him initially being scheduled to arrive tomorrow.

The move has been done in order to not give any “legitimacy” to the US-Russia meeting, two sources told Reuters.

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The talks are hoping to help bring an end to the gruelling three-year war in Ukraine[/caption]

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US Secretary Marco Rubio described the talks today as ‘useful’[/caption]

One of the main differences in opinion Kyiv has compared to their counterparts in Moscow is over Ukraine’s Nato membership.

Zelensky has long been campaigning with European leaders to grant Kyiv a spot in the organisation as it would give them protection over Putin’s army in case of any future invasion.

Putin and the Kremlin say this cannot ever be allowed to happen with blocking Ukraine from joining Nato being of the highest priority.

Without promises that Zelensky will never be able to enter the group – headed up by the US and European stalwarts – Putin is unlikely to accept any terms.

Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, who was at the meeting, again made Russia’s stance clear on the matter.

He said after the first peace talk: “We’ve told the US that deployment of Nato troops in Ukraine, even under other flags, is unacceptable for Russia.”

Before adding that expanding the alliance to include their neighbours will be seen as a “direct threat to Russia”.

The focus of the talks was not only to help secure a deal which ends the conflict but to also improve the powerful two nations diplomatic and economic ties.

Russia are hoping to return to the global sphere after being essentially banished from the world stage since they first broke past Ukraine’s borders.

Putin’s struggling country has been constricted by damaging sanctions which have seriously stunted their economic growth.

Moscow expects “progress” will soon come on the economic front to get Western sanctions removed, a negotiator said.

A growing bond with Trump’s new look America could prove to be Vlad’s way back in – despite him still being despised by many across the globe.

PUTIN SPEAKING UP

One of the main goals of the Saudi Arabia peace talks was to open up the door for tyrant Vlad to speak with President Trump in the near future. 

Trump has already said he and Putin will speak in person soon as he offered up Saudi Arabia as a likely first spot.

Putin gleefully responded by offering the US president to come to Moscow as well after their first meet.

But an official date or location is still yet to be agreed with nothing being confirmed during today’s talks.

Kremlin aide Ushakov said conditions for a meeting are being discussed, but they are still undecided on the details.

He added: “We are ready for this, but it is still difficult to talk about a specific date for the meeting of the two leaders.”

Another key takeaway from today saw the Kremlin confirm that Putin is ready to speak to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky to achieve a peace deal “if necessary”.

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Ukraine will not be allowed to join Nato under any agreed teams[/caption]

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Putin and Trump are edging towards a meeting but no more details have emerged today[/caption]

Putin and Zelensky have never spoken directly to one another since Vlad’s illegal invasion three years ago.

But the dictator is now said to be ready to negotiate if he must.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced Putin will talk to Zelensky if a few conditions are met.

Peskov said: “Putin himself said that he would be ready to negotiate with Zelensky if necessary but the legal basis of agreements needs discussion considering the reality that Zelensky’s legitimacy can be questioned.”

Moscow has constantly labelled Ukraine’s heroic leader as an illegitimate president due to Zelensky continuing to be in charge despite his official term ending in 2024.

Ukraine has been trapped under martial law since Putin’s cross-border massacre meaning a fair election hasn’t been able to take place -leaving Zelensky as the president. – annoying a disgruntled Putin.

The Kremlin said the tense presidential sit down between the long term enemies would only take place after the wider issue of European security is addressed by all.

Peskov added: “A lasting and long-term viable resolution is impossible without a comprehensive consideration of security issues on the continent.

“With regard to Ukraine joining the EU, it is the sovereign right of any country… Nobody can dictate to another country and we do not plan on dictating.

“But it is completely different when it comes to security issues and military alliances.

“Here we have a different approach that is well known.”

EUROPEAN TROUBLES

European leaders have tried to muscle their way into the talks to try and make sure stability in the continent can continue even if Putin gets his way in the negotiations.

Europe was also absent from today’s peace talks with Zelensky saying leaders must be present at any upcoming conversations.

He said on Telegram: “Ukraine, Europe – in a broad sense, which includes the European Union, Turkey and Britain – must be involved together with America in the talks and development of the necessary security guarantees that concern the fate of our part of the world.”

Rubio insisted that “nobody” is being frozen out of peace negotiations.

He added the European Union “is going to have to be at the table at some point” and that the time will soon come.

Waltz, the White House’s national security adviser, added: “Our allies are being consulted almost on a daily basis.”

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Keir Starmer has made a rallying cry to Europe urging them to ‘step up’ and deploy peacekeeping troops to Ukraine[/caption]

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The peacekeeping topic even caused German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to storm out of the meeting[/caption]

The conversation comes after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer made a rallying cry to Europe urging them to “step up” and deploy peacekeeping troops to Ukraine.

The PM vowed the UK will “do our bit” to try and enforce a peace deal and pressure Putin.

The bold move put pressure on Britain’s allies to also publicly back the idea of a European peacekeeping force in war-torn Ukraine.

But the idea was dramatically rejected by a number of other fellow leaders.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described Starmer’s pleas as “premature” and “highly inappropriate”.

He then stormed out of the meeting adding that the shear thought of making decisions seemingly on behalf of Ukraine was “irritating”.

Poland, Spain and Italy all joined Germany in scrutinising Starmer’s plan.

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Putin is ready to speak to Zelensky ‘if necessary’ the Kremlin said today[/caption]

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Ukrainian servicemen fire an MRLS BM-21 missile towards the Russian army in the Donetsk region[/caption]

A MAJOR A-road used by thousands of drivers every day has been hit with 12 months worth of closures – sparking travel chaos for commuters.

Significant diversions will extend along the A52 Derby Road in Nottingham.

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Priory Island, on the border of Wollaton and Lenton Abbey, to the Queen‘s Medical Centre island, makes up the affected area – National Highways has announced.

It covers 1.4 miles of road which runs along Wollaton Park.

The 12-month issue of roadworks starts this spring.

A new cycleway and footpath is also set to be created by engineers to allow access from the park to the University of Nottingham.

Plus, improvements to pedestrian lighting-controlled crossings on the popular stretch are in the making.

Along with a new 24/7 one-way system between the two roundabouts to manage traffic.

However, the westbound carriageway is set to close for a whopping four months.

Followed by the eastbound carriageway for a further two months.

Traffic will be diverted from Priory roundabout next to Woodside Road and the University of Boulevard to re-join the A52 at Dunkirk Island.

The works are meant to improve congestion on the A52, engineers say.

As the area currently experiences significant capacity issues at many junctions resulting in queuing and delays.

The agency’s project manager, Sue Chambers said: “This scheme is designed to provide a new modern road that will improve the experience of the road users, cyclists and walkers who use it.

“The work will take around 12 months to complete but by doing all the work together we will reduce long-term disruption to road users, stakeholders and local residents.”

Drainage systems are also set to be improved.

Work will mainly be carried out during the day but traffic management will take place across eight phases.

However, some activities may take place overnight, National Highways warns.

The work will initially take place with ongoing bridge repairs at QMC Roundabout, which has already caused disruption for drivers.

And caused buses to divert.

But the QMC bridge repairs should finish this summer.

Improvements to Nottingham Knight and Wheatcroft junctions, to the south of the country will begin later in the year.

EMMERDALE’S Joe Tate finds himself in serious danger next week as his health takes a terrifying turn for the worse – while being held captive in a barn by Ross Barton.

Emmerdale’s Ross is out for revenge, but as Joe’s mystery condition rapidly worsens, could he have made a deadly mistake?

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Ross grabbed Joe and locked him up in an empty barn[/caption]

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Noah has another flashback… will this one reveal the truth about the night he was spiked?[/caption]

With Noah’s drugging still a mystery – after he was found staggering in the road last week – he struggles to remember what happened.

Meanwhile, Kim checks her surveillance on Joe, but her focus is disrupted when a visitor arrives, voicing their suspicions about him.

Kim remains adamant that Joe is innocent, but a seed of doubt is planted.

Determined to uncover the truth, Kim lures Joe into a false sense of security before confiding in Lydia, tasking her with spying on him.

While Lydia is left bemused, Kim makes it clear she won’t rest until she uncovers Joe’s secret – unaware that one of his biggest secrets is standing right in front of her in the form of Dawn.

Elsewhere, Noah has a flashback to the night of the limo crash that could change everything.

Meanwhile, Joe suffers a dizzy spell, leaving him vulnerable to Ross, who seizes the opportunity to grab and threaten him.

Dragging Joe to a remote barn, Ross keeps him trapped, and as time passes, Joe’s condition worsens.

With Joe locked up and no one aware of his whereabouts, will help arrive in time – or is Ross about to go from kidnapper to killer?

Elsewhere in the Dales, a crisis meeting is held among the co-conspirators over Anthony’s death.

Tensions rise when they learn of Caleb’s attempt to frame Cain for the crime.

As the group argues, one of them suggests going to the police, sparking fear that it could unravel everything they’ve worked to cover up.

Meanwhile, Steph remains resolute in uncovering the truth about what her parents are hiding.

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm or stream from 7am on ITVX.

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Is Kim about to find out that Joe and Dawn are having an affair?[/caption]

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Steph is determined to find out what her parents are hiding[/caption]

SIR Keir Starmer’s pledge to deploy “British boots in Ukraine” has been met with jubilance in Kyiv.

But in Britain it’s raised more questions than answers as to how Europe must respond to the war.

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Sir Keir Starmer’s pledge to deploy ‘British boots in Ukraine’ has been met with jubilance in Kyiv[/caption]

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From the UK they need certainty. Not empty words[/caption]

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Ukrainian troops are continuing to fight against Russia[/caption]

In eerie Kyiv men between 20 – 50 are few and far between on the frozen streets.

Most of them are stationed across the frontline, have been injured or died fighting what they see as not just a battle for Ukraine – but for the West and Europe and democracy.

From the UK they need certainty. Not empty words.

The PM knows he desperately needs to set out a path to spending 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence.

How is it feasible for thousands of troops to come and help desperate Ukrainians when Sir Keir hasn’t even explained how he will fund them?

In an empty restaurant in quiet Lviv, I watched as five Ukrainian security chiefs guzzled a shot of vodka.

It was around their fourth toast of night – easy work for these hard-as-nails military men.

Having drunk to the health of their country and army, this next drink was for Britain.

The chiefs had heard Sir Keir Starmer pledge the possibility of peacekeeping British boots on Ukrainian soil. And for that they were elated.

The promise from the PM came in the wake of US President Donald Trump side-lining Kyiv to kickstart discussions on a deal to end the war with Vladimir Putin.

“Even hearing the words British boots, before anything has happened, is a huge morale boost for my people”, one military top brass told me as he slurped bright red Borscht.

The human tank added: “Many steps in the war are being made first by Britain and then others followed.

“It’s good leadership and this is how it should be. Someone needs to take the lead.”

What he and his top brass colleagues around the table weren’t seeing was the chaos the PM’s announced had sparked.

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Vladimir Putin is ready to speak to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky ‘if necessary’[/caption]

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Ukrainian servicemen fire an MRLS BM-21 missile towards the Russian army in the Donetsk region[/caption]

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Ukrainian soldiers fire a D-30 artillery gun[/caption]

At home, former British Army chief Lord Dannatt warned the UK military is “so run down” it couldn’t lead any future peacekeeping mission to Kyiv.

Other military sources told The Sun’s defence man Jerome Starkey the army will be stretched to breaking point if thousands of troops go to hold the line in Ukraine.

In Paris last night, at an emergency meeting of leaders to strategize Europe’s response to Trump, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz slated Sir Keir’s proposal.

He told reporters: “It is completely premature and the completely wrong time to be having this discussion now.”

While the response went down more like a cup of cold sick than vodka with military leaders I met in Kyiv, Mr Scholz has somewhat of a point.

There are questions Sir Keir must answer – and fast.

But while the war still rages, security chiefs in Ukraine tell me that more than anything they need weapons.

The future of the war is in the air, they say.

Drones, missiles, and air defence capabilities are in short supply but are key to stopping “idiot” Putin’s killing spree.

The war will be far more focused on tech than people in the not too distant future.

Responding to Scholz’s backlash against British peacekeepers, a former Ukrainian SAS man told me: “Germany doesn’t have to be afraid of the Russians. There’s no point in being scared.

“If we have well trained British military here on the second or third line it can be very helpful so we can send our people to the frontline.”

He added: “What I’m hearing from Germany is disappointing. Historically, Germany they are scared of Nazi flashbacks.

“There are people saying Germans can’t be on sovereign Ukrainian soil.

“This is bullshit said by people who support Russian propaganda.”

While Starmer’s offer of peace-keeping troops on the ground was widely welcomed, first, of course, the region needs peace.

In Lviv I received a warning.

“We will fight until the death,” a security chief told me.

“We have nothing to lose. We are not going anywhere.

“But the war is not about Ukraine and it won’t stop in Ukraine.

“Putin is coming to Europe and we can’t stop him forever.”

Sir Keir’s words are welcomed – but it will be his plan of execution that really has any bearing on the devastating war.

So far that is missing.

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Starmer has made a rallying cry to Europe urging them to ‘step up’ and deploy peacekeeping troops to Ukraine[/caption]

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A Ukrainian policeman of special police unit fires a D-30 cannon towards Russian positions near Kreminna, Luhansk region[/caption]

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Damaged buildings in Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia region, eastern Ukraine[/caption]

ANTONY stunned Manchester United fans with his celebration after scoring for Real Betis at the weekend.

The 24-year-old joined Betis on loan until the end of the 2024-25 season last month after a poor spell with United.

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Antony’s celebration after scoring left fans mind-blown[/caption] https://twitter.com/PoojaMedia/status/1891421346803917180

In 14 appearances for the Red Devils this term, Antony scored just one goal and quickly fell out of favour with new manager Ruben Amorim.

But since moving to Spain, the Brazilian has enjoyed a complete resurgence.

In four outings for Real Betis, Antony has managed the same number of goal contributions.

His latest strike came against Real Sociedad on Sunday.

The winger scored a left-footed volley just under 20 yards out from goal, firing the ball into the bottom-left corner.

But it was his celebration that caught the attention of some fans.

Running towards the corner flag, Antony cartwheeled into a backflip.

Man Utd fans took to social media to react, with one person writing: “We didn’t even know that Antony could do backflip!”

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS

Another joked: “It’s amazing what happens once you leave United.”

A third said: “Do you know how surprised I am rn .”

While another simply wrote: “Antony can do backflips?”

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

He impressed them all, but not enough to invest.

Analysts seem to agree on the likely price of the Nintendo Switch 2 and while it's an increase, it should be relatively manageable for UK fans.

'It's not a good image for our sport.'