LiveScore Daily: The latest football news in bite-sized chunks

LiveScore Daily is here to deliver all the big talking points from the world of football throughout the day. Keep refreshing this page for the latest stories in bite-sized chunks.

De Boer: United board must back Ten Hag

Ronald de Boer has reiterated the importance of board backing to ensuring Erik ten Hag is able to succeed at Manchester United.

Ajax legend De Boer has endorsed Ten Hag's managerial credentials and hopes the Old Trafford hierarchy will give the Dutchman time to work his magic in Manchester.

"I think it depends a little bit on how the board stands behind Ten Hag and what he wants," he told the BBC.

"I think he will look for what is needed, what is missing, but he needs the backing of the board, that is the most important thing.

"With the World Cup coming up in November, there is not so much time. It’s a challenging job for him.

"I think [United fans] have to be realistic, but in another sense, I think a fan of Manchester United needs that expectation, needs that desire, because they are one of the biggest clubs in the world and they have to aim for the top.

"That is also what Ten Hag wants of course, but sometimes you have to be realistic. They need to have a little bit of patience."

Verstappen: I thought Lewis was a Gunner

Max Verstappen has labelled Arsenal fan Lewis Hamilton’s involvement in a Chelsea takeover bid "interesting" in a light-hearted exchange with his Formula 1 rival.

It was revealed yesterday that Hamilton and tennis legend Serena Williams were part of Martin Broughton's consortium looking to buy the West London club.

That raised a number of eyebrows given the seven-time world champion’s Arsenal support, something he has never been shy of revealing.

And as they prepare for the Sunday's Grand Prix at Imola, the current world champion had his say.

Verstappen said: "I am a PSV fan and I would never buy Ajax.

"And if I was going to buy a football club I would want to be the full owner and to take the decisions myself, not own just a tiny percentage.

"I thought he was an Arsenal fan? And if you are an Arsenal fan going for Chelsea, that is quite interesting.

"But everyone does what they want with their money so let's see what comes out of it.”

But Hamilton revealed that there are family ties to the Blues, as well as to Arsenal.

He said: "When I was young, I wanted to fit in and all the kids supported different teams. 

"I remember switching between teams and my sister punching me and saying you have to support Arsenal, so then I became a supporter of Arsenal. 

"But my uncle Terry is a big Blues fan and I have been to so many games with him to watch Arsenal and Chelsea play."

Conte surprised by Eriksen form

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte admits he is shocked at the form Christian Eriksen has shown since returning to football at Brentford.

The Dane has been instrumental as the Bees have pulled away from the relegation zone, winning all five of the games he has started.

Eriksen goes up against former side Spurs and former boss Conte, who he played for at Inter Milan, tomorrow.

Conte said: "I'm really surprised but I'm not the only person surprised to see him playing in this way.

"I don't want to remember what happened to him because it makes me very sad. But to see him now playing at this level is incredible. It's amazing.

"Honestly, no-one knew the possibility of Christian coming back to football. It was a surprise for everybody. I think in this respect, Brentford was very good to understand the situation and to go into the situation, and to sign Christian.

"It will be a great joy to see him on the pitch, playing and doing what he likes to do. 

"I'm very happy for him. For sure, he had always great joy in playing football. But if before he was enjoying it 100%, now it's 200%.

"Because to go from a situation where you can't play football for the rest of your life, to playing football again, I think that makes you happy and makes you enjoy this sport, and your passion, much more."

Marsch: Sorry Marcelo

Jesse Marsch has apologised to his predecessor Marcelo Bielsa over comments about the raft of injuries in the Leeds squad. 

In a recent radio interview, the American suggest the Whites’ problems were due to the intense methods of Bielsa.

But Marsch has insisted that was not what he meant by his comments about the departing manager, who is revered by the Elland Road faithful.

Marsch said: "Listen, I want to say this was not intentional to attack Marcelo in any way. It was a little bit careless.

"I can see how it was interpreted in some ways that way, but it was more about the state of the player pool, and what I had observed.

"I think you'd be hard pressed to find any incoming coach that has spoken more positively about the person that he replaced than the way that I've spoken about Marcelo. It's because I have major respect for him."

Leeds travel to Crystal Palace on Monday night still looking for more points to secure their Premier League status.

Zouma gets court date

Kurt Zouma will head to court over his cat-kicking controversy just six days after a potential Europa League final for West Ham.

The 27-year-old was filmed appearing to kick and slap his pet cat in February and will now appear at Barkingside Magistrates Court on May 24, prosecuted under the Animal Welfare Act by the RSPCA.

Should the Hammers successfully navigate their Europa League semi-final with Eintracht Frankfurt, it could prove an unwelcome distraction with the final in Seville on May 18.

Zouma has claimed he was "deeply sorry" after the incident, which was filmed by brother Yoan, who is also a professional footballer at Dagenham and Redbridge.

Both of his pet cats have since been taken into care.