JESSE LINGARD has opened up on his relationship with Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.

Lingard, 32, had his most successful years at United playing for the Special One, who now works as the boss of Fenerbahce.

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Jesse Lingard has opened up on his relationship with Jose Mourinho at Man Utd[/caption]

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He revealed an incredible gesture which boosted his confidence[/caption]

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Lingard, who now plays for Seoul FC, revealed how emotional he was after his last training session at Man Utd[/caption]

The attacking midfielder contributed to 20 goals (13 goals and seven assists) in all competitions in the 2017/18 season which saw him book a spot in Gareth Southgate‘s England squad for the 2018 World Cup.

Lingard, who now plays for Seoul FC in South Korea, revealed how “chill” Mourinho used to be with him.

In an interview with The Independent, Lingard said: “Mourinho was so chilled sometimes.

“He used to FaceTime me from his room in the Lowry [hotel], ask me what I’m doing. I thought that was a real confidence boost.

“During that season, leading up to the 2018 World Cup, Jose played me most games… it was a big season.”

Lingard – who had just 12 caps for the Three Lions before the tournament – thanked Southgate for the faith he showed in him by giving him a starting berth in Russia.

He started all but two games there – dead-rubbers against Belgium at the end of the group stage and in the third-place play-off respectively – while scoring once and setting up two goals.

Lingard continued: “And you know, going to the World Cup, you’re not expecting to start.

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“But Gareth Southgate had a lot of faith in me from a young age, and I played every game.”

The 2018 World Cup was England‘s best performance in a World Cup finals since 1966 and restored pride in the national team.

However, Lingard still believes it was a case of “what might have been” saying he thinks he and his team-mates should have beaten Croatia in the semi-final.

Lingard’s career arguably peaked that summer and that season, with his attacking returns the following season dipping to only eight goals and assists.

A loan spell to West Ham where he scored nine goals in 16 games looked set to be the career revival he was after stuttering at Old Trafford under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

But he would return to Old Trafford at the end of the spell only to spend his time as a highly-paid benchwarmer.

Lingard explained: “Being in the same environment for a long time… it kind of stifles you.In football, you’ve always got ups and downs. You’ve got to be mentally strong.

“And, you know, sometimes at United, I wasn’t. Things happen off the pitch that you can’t really control… it affects you on the pitch.

“I spoke to Ole and a couple of staff members and they understood, because they’re human as well.

“It comes to a certain point where, when you’re not playing regularly, you’re not just going to sit there for the money.”

Lingard added: “I was really dialled in and locked in at that time. The way I played, when you come back to your home club, you’re expecting to play. Obviously, that didn’t happen.

“You get frustrated. My application in training each day was always 100 per cent, you know… But, you come to a certain time where you need to leave.

“The last day, I was crying on the way home… to leave was obviously emotional but it was what I needed to do...

“Playing for that badge week in, week out is one of the best feelings I’ve had.”

He eventually left his boyhood club in 2022 to join Nottingham Forest on a one-year deal, though a lack of playing time there, which Lingard puts down to injury, saw him leave the City Ground after one season.

Lingard then spent half a year without a club as he was hit by an 18-month driving ban after being found guilty of drink-driving before tragically losing his grandmother in November.

On the tough period, he said: “I was home with my family and my nan wasn’t well.

“I felt at the time it was just God saying, ‘Be with your family, enjoy the family time’.

“Then, going to Dubai for a training camp in December and getting ready for January. Just being strict with that. I feel like it all just played a part.”

Lingard eventually signed for Seoul FC in February 2024.

He had a tough start to life in Asia before undergoing knee surgery but found form following his return, scoring six goals and adding three assists to end the campaign.

Lingard is said to be enjoying life in South Korea, telling a fan on social media “Korea is lit”, during a bizarre response to a “shambolic accusation” that he, Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford had “ruined Man Utd’s culture”.

The attacking midfielder’s second season with the club started last Saturday, ending in a 2-0 defeat to Jeju SK.

MAILMAISON is part of Birmingham’s upmarket shopping and eating complex, The Mailbox.

Read on to find out more about the rooms, the food and what there is to do nearby the hotel.

Ki Price / Emulsion London LTD 2016

Malmaison is really well located for shoppers[/caption]

Ryan Phillips

The hotel is close to trendy Digbeth, with its arts venues[/caption]

Where is it?

Sat within The Mailbox, the hotel is very close to the city centre.

For shoppers, it is so well placed that you couldn’t get any closer to the retail action, without setting up camp inside Harvey Nichols.

What is it like?

It has a fascinating history.

The site used to be the location of the Royal Mail’s main sorting office for Birmingham.

What is there to do at the hotel?

This hotel is foodie central.

Stay for breakfast (one of the best I’ve ever had) with dishes such as Earl Grey poached fruits, fresh pastries and homemade granola.

Or opt for the cooked-to-order hot choices – I had tasty eggs Benedict.

And when you tire of the chic shops in The Mailbox, trendy Digbeth, with its arts venues, independent shops and funky open-air bars, is only 20 minutes away.

What is there to eat and drink there?

Definitely eat at the Malmaison Bar & Grill.

For years to come I will be telling people about the truffle and Parmesan fries and chocolate molten pudding with peanut butter centre.

Do not leave without getting stuck into the extensive cocktail list – the smoked pineapple margarita took centre stage for me.

What are the rooms like?

There are 193 rooms, spread over seven floors. We enjoyed a plush standard room with a super king-size bed.

Every detail in the room was well thought out, from the industrial-looking fittings to the neon Pop Art on the walls – and it had a Nespresso coffee machine.

Is the hotel family friendly and accessible?

If you’re visiting with kids you could book an interconnecting room.

And there are accessible rooms, ramps at the entrance and a lift.

How much is Malmaison Birmingham?

Rooms from £139 per night. Click here to book.

Looking for a place to stay? For more hotel inspiration click here.

Ki Price / Emulsion London LTD 2016

The site used to be the location of the Royal Mail’s main sorting office[/caption]

Ki Price / Emulsion London LTD 2016

Rooms have industrial-looking fittings and neon Pop Art on the walls[/caption]

A HUGE soap will make its debut in the UK for the first time today after 33 years on air.

One of the stars from Coronation Street has also teamed up with one of the actors from the show to officially launch the serial drama.

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Shortland Street will make its debut in the UK[/caption]

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The show will be available to stream on STV player[/caption]

Shortland Street is the longest-running drama in New Zealand and it will be available for UK viewers to watch from today on STV Player.

The streaming service is the first in the UK to air brand new episodes of the soap in line with the down under broadcast.

It first made its debut on television screens in 1992 and has aired continuously on New Zealand’s state broadcaster, TVNZ ever since.

Michael Galvin, 57, is the longest serving actor on the show, playing the role of Dr Chris Warner.

He appeared as the character in the first episode of the show and has celebrated the launch in a unique way.

He teamed up with Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney for an exciting new interview.

Claire – who plays Cassie Plummer on the cobbles – is also known for her role as Lindsey Corkhill in Brookside.

The Liverpool soap was revived by STV Player in 2023, with five classic episodes added to the service every Wednesday.

In their chat, Michael explained how the long-running drama has become so popular down under due to its issue based storylines.

“Our writers, over the decades, have always taken very seriously the idea of trying to keep it current, so they’re always on the lookout for the issues that people are concerned about,” he told Claire.

The star continued: “The other thing about Shortland Street is that, unlike the UK, it’s kind of the only drama that’s always there.

“Sometimes, depending on our industry, it’s literally the only TV show being made in New Zealand, so I think the writers feel a responsibility and obligation to make sure that everything is reflected.”

Shortland Street is focused on the staff who work at the eponymous hospital in the fictional Auckland suburb of Ferndale.

The show follows all the drama they come to face on a day-to-day basis, both in their professional and their personal lives.

Dozens of stars who have gone onto international success have used the show as a training ground.

This includes Jojo Rabbit star Thomasin McKenzie, Riverdale‘s KJ Apa and Star Trek personality Karl Urban.

Well established stars have also popped into the hospital for a cameo such as Ed Sheeran in 2014 and US talk show host Conan O’Brien last year.

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A special interview was conducted to celebrate the UK launch of the show[/caption]

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Michael Galvin has starred in Shortland Street since the very first episode[/caption]

Three new episodes of Shortland Street land on STV Player every Monday.

CURTIS Pritchard’s ex has delivered a brutal warning to Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu as questions are raised around the timing of their relationship status.

The Love Islander asked Ekin-Su to be his girlfriend in the final week of the All Stars series.

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Sophie Sheridan with her ex Curtis[/caption]

Ronnie – who was dumped one day before the finale with Harriett Blackmore – brutally claimed Ekin-Su and Curtis had played a game.

Speaking to The Sun last month about her former relationship, Sophie Sheridan warned Ekin-Su: “He’s really charming, really charming.

“But just don’t trust everything he says.

“He’s acting like the good guy, but as we’ve all seen in the past — he’s not that good an actor.”

Sophie accused 28-year-old dancer Curtis of causing her “psychological trauma” and “treating me like a doormat” in his obsession with stardom.

Since leaving the villa, Ronnie has now suggested Curtis played a game in order to remain on the show.

Asked who shouldn’t have made the final, Ronnie said with Harriett agreeing: “I would have gone Ekin and Curtis.”

When asked why, he explained: “Just for like, the whole journey and like, the last week or so, you’ve just made her your girlfriend. I just didn’t think that was the time to do it.

“Like we’ve seen the whole thing, they’d have to be my vote, because I think the other couples are stronger.”

After a public vote, the three lowest scoring couples – including Harriett and Ronnie – were left vulnerable for a dumping, and it was up to this year’s previous Love Island All Stars to decide who to boot.

Ronnie and Harriett received the most votes – and were furious at former islanders Montel and Marcel over their decision.

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Harriett and Ronnie said they would’ve voted Ekin-Su and Curtis out[/caption]

A 32-YEAR-OLD mum has welcomed her third baby in just a year, bringing the total number of kids to a happy dozen.

Yalancia Rosario shared the wonderful news to her 150k Instagram followers earlier today, almost a year after welcoming her twins.

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The mum-of-12 shared the wonderful news to her 150k Instagram followers[/caption]

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Yalancia, 32, began spotting just three months after having her twins[/caption]

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In the post, the mum-of-two uploaded sweet snaps of the little baby girl who joined the family just a day before her twin siblings’ birthday.

According to Yalancia, who began spotting just three months after having her twins, she was rushed to the hospital after experiencing the first signs of labour ”for a bit”.

However, the second the mum-of-12 was hurried into her room to give birth surrounded by doctors, the little baby ”flew out”.

Posting the adorable photos of the little girl – who Yalancia named after herself – the mum said: ”Welcome little miss Yalancia Born the day before her twin siblings birthday.

”Weighing 6lbs 3oz and nursing nonstop (whew my uterus) we laboured at home a bit then went in and as soon as I got my room she flew out, dr [doctor] didn’t make it in,” she joked in the caption.

Yalancia and her husband Michael, 37, are already parents to Jamel, 15, Michael Jr, 11, Angelo, 10, Gimani, seven, Armani, five, Sincere, three, Khaza, two, Kairo, one, and twins Angelita and Azari.

Their fourth son, also named Armani, was stillborn and would have turned eight this year. 

Yalancia previously revealed that she was “nervous about her late cycle” despite being on the pill.

And this isn’t the first time she has fallen pregnant while she was on birth control.

She has openly discussed her decision to go without contraception over the years.

According to Yalancia, various forms of birth control have failed her and her husband.

“I have two birth control babies – of course I’ll always be dependent on the Lord himself,” she previously said.

“I’m starting to think my journey’s not over.”

Hundreds of social media users flooded to comments to congratulate Yalancia and the family with the latest addition to the mega brood.

One wrote: ”That’s so beautiful, congratulations Mama! You’re super strong & I am praying for fast healing on your uterus.”

Another chimed in: ”Congratulations!!! I think she looks just like you! So pretty! God Bless.”

”She is so beautiful, just like all of your babies. You are so blessed,” a third wrote.

While most of us would feel a little stressed with some many kids, Yalancia insists she always wanted a large family.

“I’ve always wanted a big family of ten because I grew up as the oldest of seven and wanted to have my own big family to create memories with,” she previously told Fabulous.

ANT Middleton has been forced to sell his family home after business debts worth £1.2 million left him facing bankruptcy.

The former SAS star, 44, purchased the sprawling five bed property in Essex back in 2019 for £1.16 million.

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Ant Middleton and wife Emilie are selling their family home[/caption]

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Ant quit the UK last year after his axe from SAS[/caption]

Ant often showed off the rural retreat on social media as he posted snaps of his five children, who he shares with wife Emilie.

It is described as an ‘exceptional residence’ and an ‘exquisite home’ – the floor plans detailing the property layout with Ant’s standalone gym.

The particulars also report that the couple had secured planning permission for a rear extension.

It is now on the marked for £1.5m and the forced sale of his ‘matrimonial’ home has been reported in a liquidation update for his company Sway and Starting.

Filed at Companies House, a Progress Report, states: “During the period a settlement was entered into with the director whereby he would pay £300,000 in full and final settlement of his overdrawn Directors Loan Account.

“The director failed to adhere to the payment plan and only one instalment was received.

“A statutory demand was served on the Director with a view to petitioning for his bankruptcy. He subsequently agreed to sell his matrimonial home and provide the remainer of the amount owed under the settlement agreement.”

Sway and Starting went into liquidation in December 2022, the progress report filed by liquidators Begbies Traynor the third insolvency document to be drawn up.

A Statement of Affairs signed off by Middleton at liquidation reported monies owed by directors to the firm at £2.7 million.

Also reported were £1.2 million in tax debts – comprising £342,792 in VAT, £907,191 in corporation tax and £6,370 in employee taxes.

As well as reporting the sale of the family home, the progress report also reveals an ‘asset trace’ was undertaken into ‘the assets of the director.’

The Middletons set up Sway and Starting in 2014, and it traded as Middleton Global until September 2022.

The pair owned through Middleton Global Group, and it traded modestly for its first four years. Its net worth reported at £1 in 2015, £91 in 2016, £114 in 2017 and £1,644 in 2018.

Its money making years coming in 2020 and 2021, with a £821,629 profit reported for 2020, as well as dividend pay at £1,089,980. With the firm holding £807,887 in its last accounts.

The upturn in profits was accompanied by an increase in the firm’s tax debt and significant loans from the business to Ant and his wife.

Sway and Starting owing £807,887 in tax as at the last accounts, the couple borrowing almost £1.7 million during the trading year and owing £1.5 million as at the date of the accounts.

Ant left the UK to move to Dubai last year he was axed from SAS: Who Dares Wins in 2021, heading off to Australia to do a foreign format of the programme.

Ant’s rep has been contacted for comment.

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.

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Spurs are eyeing up an audacious summer move for Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens[/caption]

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.

FORMER EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison has announced her ‘return to the BBC’ – over a decade on from being axed.

Cheryl, 60, played Heather Trott for five years, leaving in 2012 when the character was killed off.

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EastEnders’ Cheryl Fergison has revealed her ‘return to the BBC’[/caption]

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Cheryl played soap favourite Heather Trott for five years[/caption]

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Cheryl shared her upcoming work in an online update[/caption]

Posting on TikTok, the actress revealed her upcoming projects – including filming for the BBC.

Cheryl shared to her followers: “I’ve been packing, getting ready for London next week. Going to be doing a little secret project.

“Then, I will be filming for the BBC. And then I will be going to The Groove Chorus, working with the beautiful Groove Chorus at The Clapham Ground on the 21st and 22nd.”

It comes as Cheryl flogged tickets to fans to see her perform at a Chinese takeaway’s opening earlier this month.

Posting on social media, the former soap actress said she’d sing for diners at the The Dragon Lounge in Blackpool.

She serenaded customers at the establishment across February 1 and February 2, kicking off at 7pm.

Last year, meanwhile, Cheryl opened up about her money struggles.

Revealing she had been conned out of a “humongous” amount of money, the actress told how she was forced to claim benefits and turn to a food bank for help.

She said on ITV‘s This Morning: “There is a circumstance that started this, which I can’t talk about at this moment in time, but it started to spiral.

“The only way I can say it is I was conned out of a humongous amount of money.

“That led to the cancer thing and everything spiralled. I was robbing Peter to pay Paul.

“I ended up having to sell my house. Now I am living up north and renting.”

Cheryl made her first appearance as Heather Trott, sidekick to Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) in June 2007, initially as a guest character.

Owing to her popularity, Heather later became a full-time part of the BBC soap.

However, her time in Walford ended in tragedy after she was bludgeoned by Ben Mitchell (then Joshua Pascoe) in early 2012.

After Cheryl posted a cryptic message on Instagram last year, fans hoped it meant a return for Heather – despite the character’s death.

At the top of a snap, the star wrote the telling line: “Are you still watching this space?”

In her image caption she added: “Soon all will be revealed,” followed by a red Emoji love heart.

One fan wrote: “Come on Heather dig your way out of that grave.”

Another added: “So hoping you are coming back to EE with Shirley.”

EastEnders airs on BBC One and iPlayer.

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Cheryl has previously opened up about her money struggles[/caption]

NASA has completed the engine ground tests on its supersonic jet, which is expected to take to skies later this year.

The X-59 jet is Nasa and Lockheed Martin’s joint offering, which the pair hope will retire the deafening sonic boom that is usually associated with supersonic aircraft.

Lockheed Martin / Gary Tice

When planes exceed the speed of sound at Mach 1 – or about 767mph – they produce a thunderous boom[/caption]

Lockheed Martin / Gary Tice

The sonic thump will be about 75 decibels, according to Nasa – which roughly as loud as a toilet flushing[/caption]

Lockheed Martin / Gary Tice

The X-59 is designed to hit speeds of 924mph, at an altitude of roughly 55,000ft[/caption]

“We have successfully progressed through our engine ground tests as we planned,” said Raymond Castner, X-59 propulsion lead at NASA’s Glenn Research Center, in an agency release.

“We were getting smooth and steady airflow as predicted from wind tunnel testing.

“We didn’t have any structural or excessive vibration issues. And parts of the engine and aircraft that needed cooling were getting it.”

When planes exceed the speed of sound at Mach 1 – or about 767mph – they produce a thunderous boom.

The explosion-like noise was part of the reason supersonic aircraft were banned in the US more than 50 years ago.

These aircrafts were so loud they made people’s windows rattle, and scared livestock.

It was caused by air pressure waves combining to form a shock wave produced by the plane’s extreme speed.

The X-59 is designed to hit speeds of 924mph, at an altitude of roughly 55,000ft.

But Nasa and Lockheed say the research jet won’t have a troublesome sonic boom when it eventually flies.

The 30m-long and 9m-wide plane has a sharp, stiletto-style nose that engineers believe will quieten the noise – demoting it from a sonic boom to a “sonic thump”.

“We expect the X-59 sonic thump to be as low as about 75 perceived loudness decibels,” Larry Cliatt, sub-project manager for the Quesst acoustic validation phase, said in an update last year.

“That is a lot quieter than the Concorde, which was over 100 perceived loudness decibels.”

75 decibels is about as loud as a toilet flushing – and half as loud as a balloon popping.

The jet’s F414-GE-100 engine is also mounted on top of the aircraft, in an effort to reduce the amount of noise that reaches the ground.

It’s unclear when the X-59 will take to the skies for the first time.

The jet was supposed to make its inaugural flight last year, but it was postponed.

Nasa has yet to issue an updated timeline on its flight schedule, though the first flight is expected to occur in 2025.

Once the X-59 flies for the first time, the space agency will put the plane through a series of tests to see how the sonic thump is experienced at ground-level.

These demonstrations are expected to run through 2027, although they depend on when the jet eventually flies.

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The 30m-long and 9m-wide plane has a sharp, stiletto-style nose that engineers believe will quieten the noise – demoting it from a sonic boom to a “sonic thump”[/caption]

Lockheed Martin / Gary Tice

The jet’s F414-GE-100 engine is also mounted on top of the aircraft, in an effort to reduce the amount of noise that reaches the ground[/caption]

Ssssscary!