Lionel Messi appears to have “fully recovered” from the injury that has disrupted his pre-season, just in time for the start of the 2024 MLS campaign.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Argentine has been nursing a knockGame time limited as a resultRaring to go ahead of 2024 seasonGettyWHAT HAPPENED?
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner saw his fitness generate plenty of headlines during a historic international tour for Inter Miami that took them from El Salvador to Japan via Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong. His absence from one friendly fixture in the Far East sparked a sporting and political storm that continues to rage.
AdvertisementWHAT MARTINO SAID ABOUT MESSI
Messi was, however, able to play an hour of the Herons’ final warm-up game against Newell’s Old Boys – his boyhood club – and is raring to go ahead of the new domestic season in the United States. Tata Martino told reporters when asked for an update on the Argentine icon: “Our plan was for Leo to play 45 to 60 minutes and he played almost 60 and felt good. The way he was playing, the way he accelerated, it looked like he is fully recovered. The idea is for him to be ready for the 21st.”
Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
While Messi has worked his way up to full speed, Inter Miami are still waiting on Luis Suarez to find a spark in the final third. Martino added on the veteran Uruguayan striker, who is having to manage long-standing knee problems: “Physically he looked good, but what impeded his preseason is not enough time working with the group. Leo, (Sergio) Busquets and (Jordi) Alba know him from before but the other players don’t know his tendencies, especially players who will be in the attack with him, like (Julian) Gressel and (Diego) Gomez. They need more time together.”
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
WHAT NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI?
Inter Miami will open their MLS campaign at home to Real Salt Lake on February 21. Martino admits that there may be more movement on the transfer front prior to that game – in and out of DRV PNK Stadium – with a deal said to be close for Argentine midfielder Federico Redondo.
Liverpool have had a transformative summer in the transfer window, with not only a number of fresh faces joining the fold at Anfield but also a large amount of first-team outgoings.
Now, a fresh update has emerged on the club's pursuit of a potential transfer target, as Jurgen Klopp prepares for the potential departure of Mohamed Salah.
Who could replace Mo Salah at Liverpool?
According to Football Transfers, Liverpool are lining up a move for Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix.
As per the report, it is claimed that Felix is being considered as a replacement for Salah should he leave the club over the next few days, as Saudi Pro club Al-Ittihad are set to make a lucrative £100m offer that the Merseysiders may find difficult to refuse.
Is Mo Salah leaving Liverpool?
There is no doubt that the Anfield faithful will be feeling nervous over the dying days of the transfer window, with speculation mounting that their star player could be set to follow Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino to the Saudi Pro League this summer.
Read the latest Liverpool transfer news HERE..
Italian journalist and transfer insider Fabrizio Romano revealed in his daily briefing on Monday morning [28th August] that Liverpool have no intentions to negotiate with any clubs interested in snapping up the services of their Egyptian winger:
"Even though there have been a lot of rumours about Mohamed Salah’s future over the weekend, Liverpool have been clear every day on this story: they have no intention to negotiate.
"Al Ittihad tried by improving their salary proposal to Salah, the bid is huge for the Liverpool star and would tempt any player in the world but Liverpool have no intention of negotiating."
Having said that, the rumours continue to swirl and should Liverpool find themselves in a position where they cannot retain the services of Salah for the season ahead, it would be wise for the club to line up a potential replacement, with Felix an intriguing option for the Reds.
How good is Joao Felix?
The former Chelsea loanee has been one of the hottest prospects in Europe for a long time, with his performances and development at Atletico Madrid pushing him into the spotlight as one of the most exciting forwards in top-level football.
As per FBref, Felix ranks in the top 10% of his positional peers across the top five European leagues for shots in total, shot-creating actions, progressive passes, progressive carries, successful take-ons and tackles per 90 minutes played, boasting Lionel Messi as his most comparable player over the last 12 months. Not bad at all.
Not only that, the 23-year-old – once hailed an "absolute nightmare for defenders" by scout Jacek Kulig – is incredibly versatile in his positioning which has always been an attractive attribute that the Liverpool boss looks for in his players.
Felix has experience playing as a second striker, centre-forward, attacking midfielder and is comfortable operating on both the left and right wing, which makes him not only an ideal replacement for Salah but offers Klopp a player who can provide depth across the attacking threat.
It was reported earlier this year that Atletico Madrid will command a fee of around €100m (£89m) to part ways with their Portuguese talent, but Football Transfers expect a more realistic price tag to sit at £40m. That shouldn't trouble the Merseyside giants should they find themselves agreeing to a £100m departure for their very own goal machine.
With that being said, Salah's situation will be something worth watching closely over the remaining days of the transfer window, and being prepared for the worst-case scenario by lining up a move for Felix would be massively advantageous to Liverpool should disaster strike in the final days and hours.
Summer signing Jurrien Timber sustained a serious injury on his home Arsenal debut and is set to spend a significant spell out on the sidelines and now the Gunners must work out how to replace him – we've got some ideas.
Is Jurrien Timber injured?
Indeed, the Dutch right-back, who arrived from Ajax, was signed in a deal reported to be in the region of £38m but lasted just 50 minutes into his first Premier League appearance – a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest – before coming off with a knee issue.
Sadly, the North London club have since confirmed the severity of the injury, releasing a statement saying: "Further to detailed assessments with consultant specialists since Saturday, we can confirm that Jurrien Timber has sustained an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
"Jurrien will undergo surgery in the coming days and will be out of action for a period of time."
With that in mind, Football Fancast has decided to figure out who will be best suited to take his spot in the team.
Of course, though, it won't just be as simple as trying to find depth at left-back, as Timber was able to cover centre-back and right-back as well; meaning William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Ben White will hope to stay fit or else Rob Holding could soon be straight back into the starting team.
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Zinchenko is obviously the first name that comes to mind as he played left-back for the Gunners 27 times in the league last season.
Still, he had some fitness struggles too and has carried that into the new season, having not been fit enough to be involved against Forest or Manchester City in the Community Shield before that.
The good news, however, is that Zinchenko has been spotted in training this week on Arsenal.com, so he could be nearing a return to full fitness shortly.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Tomiyasu-Arsenal
With Zinchenko recently out, Tomiyasu was the player asked to come on off the bench for Timber against Nottingham Forest last Saturday and may well start there this Monday away at Crystal Palace.
Still, the Japan international has also had some fitness issues in recent times. Having missed 107 days of action last term, he too can't be fully trusted to remain healthy for a full campaign.
What's more, Tomiyasu isn't a natural left-back either, having only played there nine times in his career (via Transfermarkt), as he tends to play right-back or centre-back more frequently.
Of course, the same can be said about Timber – who wasn't signed to be a left-back, having spent very little time (eight games before joining) in that position before – so the Japanese defender may need to cover multiple areas of the pitch, leaving a gap on the left side of the defence.
Jakub Kiwior
Arsenal central defender Jakub Kiwior.
The Polish defender arrived last January and while his first three starts in the Premier League saw him play at centre-back, Arteta moved him to left-back for the final two games of the season.
Such versatility may come in handy now, especially as Kiwior is left-footed and so may be a more natural fit than the right-footed Tomiyasu.
It's interesting to note that Kiwior was trusted to finish the season at left-back last term, despite Kieran Tierney being available – who we'll come onto now.
Kieran Tierney
Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney.
The Scottish left-back would be a first name on the team sheet for many teams across Europe but he just doesn't seem to fit into Mikel Arteta's plans.
After all, having started 22 league games in the 2021/22 season, Tierney started just six last term as he well and truly lost his spot in the team to Zinchenko.
As a result, it seems quite likely that he will be sold this summer. And what's more, as per a report in the Daily Mail, the expectation, despite Timber's injury, is for Tierney to be sold – provided the Gunners receive a suitable fee.
However, if Arsenal don't receive an acceptable offer, perhaps it will make more sense to hang on to the Scot for the time being.
In that same report, Manchester City's Joao Cancelo is named as a known target – although reports in Spain have strongly linked Barcelona with the fullback as well.
In less glamorous news, according to the Daily Express, Arsenal could turn to Southampton full-back Kyle Walker-Peters or Leicester City's Timothy Castagne before the summer transfer window shuts.
Read the latest Arsenal transfer news HERE…
While Tom Canton of football.london has mooted Mohamed Simakan and Benjamin Henrichs, who both play in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig and have been linked with the English club in the past.
There is certainly plenty to consider for Arteta and with the transfer window closing in just a matter of weeks, he may have to make a big decision soon.
The Hyderabad captain was involved in an argument with the umpires following his side’s match against Karnataka in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy earlier this month, after their target had been revised mid-innings
ESPNcricinfo staff31-Jan-2018
AFP
Hyderabad captain Ambati Rayudu has been suspended for the two games in the Vijay Hazare 50-overs tournament after he was found to be guilty of breaching the BCCI code of conduct during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.Rayudu was involved in an argument with the umpires during the Hyderabad-Karnataka match earlier this month after two runs were added to Karnataka’s total at the end of their innings due to a revised boundary call. With Hyderabad eventually falling two runs short in their chase, the team, under Rayudu, stayed back in the middle and urged the umpires to commence the Super Over. Their contention was that they were batting with the target of 204 in mind, before two more runs were added to revise it to 206. The ensuing agreement about the Super Over delayed the start of the next game between Kerala and Andhra. That match was eventually shortened to 13-overs-a side due to the delay.Since Rayudu admitted to the charge levelled by the on-field umpires Abhijit Deshmukh, Ulhas Vithalrao Gandhe and third umpire Anil Dandekar, and accepted the sanction, there was no need for a formal hearing. He had said at the time that his intention wasn’t to delay the start of the next game. “There was some confusion in the middle at the start of our innings,” Rayudu had told reporters after the match. “What I went and told the umpire was ‘sir you cannot change the score, we are batting for 204 as our target’. That is exactly what I told him and he told me ‘we’ll see it at the end, let the match start’. [Karnataka captain] Vinay Kumar had stopped for nine minutes before the second innings. They had no business to stop the match once the target was declared. Then what we said was we were playing for 204, and that was my exact words.”At the end, we went and asked to start the Super Over. That is exactly our point of contention. We never even thought of stopping the second match. That has got nothing to do with us. We were saying that our match was not complete, we still have to play the Super Over. That is exactly why we went to the middle, we were actually going to warm-up then.”The BCCI is also looking into the role of the Hyderabad team manager in the incident.Rayudu has faced code-of-conduct issues previously. In the 2012 edition of the IPL, he was fined 100% of his match fee for using abusive, obscene language towards Harshal Patel of Royal Challengers Bangalore. He was also involved in a tiff with Mumbai Indians team-mate Harbhajan Singh in 2016.
Lucas Vazquez could reportedly leave Real Madrid as Los Blancos are yet to open talks over new contract for versatile ace.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Vazquez starred for Madrid against AlavesHas been impressive in replacing CarvajalClub yet to start contract talks with the SpaniardWHAT HAPPENED?
The 32-year-old emerged as the messiah for Carlo Ancelotti's side in Vitoria with a stoppage-time winner against Alaves on Wednesday. Vazquez's timely strike proved to be key as Los Blancos not only bagged the three points but also headed into the Christmas break at the top of the standings in La Liga.
AdvertisementGetty Images THE BIGGER PICTURE
Vazquez's contract with Real Madrid expires next summer, and as of now, there have been no discussions about a potential extension, according to
While Real Madrid are reportedly pleased with Vazquez's contributions, they are not rushing into contract talks. It is anticipated that discussions may occur later in the season, and if Vazquez continues to deliver, an extension could be on the offing.
DID YOU KNOW?
Despite long-term absentees of key players like Eder Militao and David Alaba, as well as the recent unavailability of Ferland Mendy and Dani Carvajal, Real Madrid have demonstrated immense resilience, conceding only seven goals in their last 10 matches with five clean sheets.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
GettyWHAT NEXT?
Vasquez would hope to make the most of the limited opportunities that he is getting in the absence of Carvajal to secure a contract extension. He will be back in action against Mallorca on January 3 at the Santiago Bernabeu in La Liga.
Aiden Markram’s Test debut, Ottis Gibson’s first match as South Africa coach, Bangladesh’s first Test in South Africa in nine years and the first at Senwes Park since 2002. All of these milestones will fade quickly on Thursday when arguably the best team in home conditions take on talented yet unpredictable visitors.Markram and Gibson are at the start of a busy home season. Gibson, of course, will look to renew his understanding of South Africa cricket, having played for Border, Gauteng and Griqualand West when he used to be a more-than-capable medium-pacer. He has the reliable Faf du Plessis at his side, who has his hands full as captain and one of the batting mainstays.Du Plessis will have to handle a bowling attack that has two high-class performers – Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabada – but also a number of youngsters and newcomers who have to be given confidence. He also has a chance to define his captaincy and set the tone for the home season, either by bolstering the batting with the selection of Theunis de Bruyn or selecting pace-bowling allrounder Andile Phehlukwayo.Some may feel that Bangladesh are the ideal visitors to try new strategies against, but they are far from pushovers. Mentally, this team is different from the ones that traveled to South Africa in 2002 and 2008. Where previous Bangladesh teams wanted to avoid heavy defeats, the current set of players are thinking of ways to beat their opponents. Bangladesh know how different that mental switch can be.The task at hand for seniors Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah and coach Chandika Hathurusingha is immense. Bangladesh are without their lynchpin Shakib Al Hasan who was granted rest by the Bangladesh board earlier this month, which means two players have to replace him.Luckily for Bangladesh, their younger players, like Sabbir Rahman and Mustafizur Rahman, are hungry performers. There is also competition for the second opener’s slot: Soumya Sarkar and Imrul Kayes will be aware that Liton Das is breathing down their neck, so a slip-up in South Africa could be critical for their future.A battle between the two teams used to be uneven until the 2015 ODI series but since then, Bangladesh have realised that beating South Africa, even in their home conditions, is not an impossible task.
Form guide
Bangladesh LWWLL (completed matches, most recent first)South Africa LLWLD
In the spotlight
Of the five pace bowlers in the Bangladesh squad, Mustafizur Rahman is the only automatic choice in the XI. The mystery around him has worn off but even on home pitches, that serve the spinners heavily, his short bursts have become crucial. He will enjoy conditions in South Africa if he can be accurate.Dean Elgar needs another 85 runs to topple Cheteshwar Pujara as the leading run-getter in Tests in 2017. A good start from the experienced opener would immediately put Bangladesh’s young pace attack on the back foot.
Team news
With Shakib rested, Bangladesh will have to pick four specialist bowlers. Taskin Ahmed’s extra pace and Subashis Roy’s relatively accurate seam-bowling could be preferred ahead of Shafiul Islam and Rubel Hossain. Soumya Sarkar’s shoulder niggle means he is not certain to play – a decision on his inclusion will be taken on the morning of the game.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Soumya Sarkar, 3 Imrul Kayes, 4 Mominul Haque, 5 Mahmudullah, 6 Mushfiqur Rahim (capt & wk), 7 Sabbir Rahman, 8 Mehidy Hasan, 9 Taskin Ahmed, 10 Subashis Roy, 11 Mustafizur Rahman.South Africa’s choice is between an extra batsman in Theunis de Bruyn or a seam-bowling option in Andile Phehlukwayo. Aiden Markram will make his international debut, replacing Heino Kuhn. Despite being passed fit, Wayne Parnell is unlikely to play.South Africa (probable): 1 Dean Elgar, 2 Aiden Markram, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Temba Bavuma, 5 Faf du Plessis (capt), 6 Quinton de Kock (wk), 7 Theunis de Bruyn/ Andile Phehlukwayo, 8 Keshav Maharaj, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Duanne Olivier
Pitch and conditions
The pitch looks a bit dry but the home side are hoping for good carry off the track, something Bangladesh are also expecting. While there is a forecast for rain on the last two days of the Test, the weather should mostly be dry.
Stats and trivia
This is only the second Test to be held at Senwes Park after it hosted the South Africa-Bangladesh game in 2002.
Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Imrul Kayes are the only Bangladesh players in the current squad to have played a Test in South Africa, having toured in 2008.
Quotes
“The last two years, their cricket has really improved. They are as tough as any team to play in their own conditions so their standard is on the up. This will be a real opportunity for them to show they can perform outside of their own country.” “We have brought five fast bowlers and three of them will play in the first Test. I think they know all too well that if they don’t perform, there are others to take their place so that should be motivation enough.”
ScorecardImran Tahir tied Yorkshire in knots [file picture]•AFP
Derbyshire Falcons celebrated a second win in 24 hours when they beat Yorkshire Vikings by three runs in a thrilling NatWest Blast T20 match at Chesterfield.The Vikings were chasing 166 but came up short at 162 for 7 needing 18 from the final over despite an excellent 68 from Adam Lyth.Wayne Madsen made 42 from 28 balls and Daryn Smit an unbeaten 30 from 20 to carry the Falcons to 165 for 8 and they bowled and fielded superbly with Imran Tahir taking 3 for 18.The Falcons had won chasing at Northampton the previous day but they elected to bat in front of a sell-out 4,500 crowd at Queen’s Park and were soon in trouble.David Willey squared up Billy Godleman who was caught at point in the third over and after Ben Slater pulled and drove Tim Bresnan for consecutive fours, he was bowled by Steven Patterson for 14.Azeem Rafiq kept up the pressure by striking twice in successive overs from the pavilion end with Luis Reece top edging a reverse sweep before Gary Wilson sliced a drive to point.At 48 for 4, the Vikings were in control but Matt Henry and Madsen revived the Falcons by launching an attack on the spinners that brought 33 from two overs.Henry lifted Rafiq deep into the crowd at midwicket and then drove him into the pavilion while Madsen cut England leg spinner Adil Rashid for consecutive fours.Henry pulled Matthew Waite for another six but next ball sliced a drive to cover and in the following over, Madsen fell to an excellent running catch by Tom Kohler-Cadmore at wide mid-off.Alex Hughes pulled Rashid for six but then failed to clear deep midwicket and it was left to Smit to take the Falcons beyond 150 by sweeping and pulling Willey for two sixes as 19 came from the penultimate over.The Vikings chase started dramatically with Kohler-Cadmore bowled second ball driving at Madsen who delivered a wicket-maiden before Willey pulled Henry for four and six to take 20 from the fourth over.Lyth was dropped on five at cover by Wilson off Madsen who was dispatched for a huge six by Willey in his final over but Tahir struck in the eighth over when Willey skied to cover.Hardus Viljoen claimed a big wicket in his first over when Shaun Marsh miscued a pull to mid on and after 10 overs, the Vikings needed another 101.Lyth injected some momentum by pulling Hughes over a leaping deep midwicket fielder for six and swept Matt Critchley for another before driving the leg spinner for four.The opener was moving through the gears and reached a 42 ball 50 with a four off Viljoen to third man but Tahir defeated Peter Handscomb’s big swing and then trapped Jack Leaning lbw to swing the game towards the Falcons.With 35 needed off three, the Vikings needed a big over and although 12 came off the 18th from Henry with Lyth driving the New Zealander for six, when he failed to clear long off 18 were needed off six balls.Tim Bresnan set up a thrilling finish but only found the hands of Reece at cover trying to hit Henry for what would have been a winning boundary off the last ball.
Sri Lanka have had a difficult time in ODIs of late, and go into this tournament as clear underdogs. But, with this liberating sense of freedom, will they surprise the world?
Andrew Fidel Fernando29-May-20170:58
The wristspinning trump card?
OverviewThe high-intensity training camp has been attended, a foreign bowling coach hired, blessings have been sought, declarations of confidence made, and the press has been conferenced, but will any of that help Sri Lanka leave an impact on the Champions Trophy?Squad
Their reality is stark. Sri Lanka’s first game of the tournament is against South Africa, who whitewashed them 5-0 earlier in the year. Their second match is against India, who have beaten them 12 times in their last 15 meetings. Even Pakistan – Sri Lanka’s third opponent – whose own ODI form has been modest, defeated Sri Lanka at home in the most-recent bilateral series between them. Never in this century, perhaps, has a Sri Lanka side approached a global tournament with expectations so low.Yet, along with the low expectations, comes a sense of freedom, Sri Lanka say. There is the hope someone in their top order will take the tournament by the collar – perhaps Kusal Mendis, who has already made his mark in the Test format, or Niroshan Dickwella, whose heroics so far, have been in T20s. There is the belief someone like Lakshan Sandakan, the left-arm wristspinner, can make his presence felt during the opposition’s middle overs.Most of all, Sri Lanka are desperate for a roaring return to ODIs for their longtime match-winner, Lasith Malinga. Though he hasn’t played an ODI since 2015, largely due to injury, Malinga’s form did appear to improve through the recent IPL. Earlier in the year, Malinga’s return to T20s also showcased just how much his experience can lift the attack – not only is he an expert end-overs operator, even the other bowlers appear to lift their performance when Malinga takes the tough roles off their hands.But even with Malinga, it is as yet unclear whether he will be fit enough to deliver 10 overs at full intensity. Where other teams have form, runs and wickets behind them, Sri Lanka have only hope.Champions Trophy history1998 – Semi-finalists 2000 – Knocked out at first stage 2002 – Joint-champions 2004 – Knocked out at group stage 2006 – Knocked out at group stage 2009 – Knocked out at group stage 2013 – Semi-finalists Form guideThis does not make for pretty reading. Sri Lanka drew a home series 1-1 against Bangladesh this year, but had been pulverized in South Africa, and have been regularly walloped by New Zealand over the past few years. Sri Lanka have not beaten a Champions Trophy side in a bilateral series since late 2014, when they defeated England in a seven-match series at home.ESPNcricinfo LtdStrengthsThe least of Sri Lanka’s weaknesses appears to be their top order. Their likely top six will feature Upul Tharanga, who provides experience, and has prospered in this tournament before. Also on show are Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews – senior men with a history of consistent output, even if the latter is coming back to the side following a long layoff.But perhaps the most-watched players will be Mendis and Dickwella, both of whom are blinding talents, but for whom the most significant hurdle will be the moving ball. Though Mendis had been the player of the tournament in last year’s ODI tri-series in Zimbabwe, and has more recently hit a maiden ODI ton at home, he had made a string of modest scores during Sri Lanka’s tour of South Africa, where the ball behaved roughly the same way it is expected to in England. Dickwella’s game, meanwhile, remains a little raw, and perhaps he is over-reliant on the areas behind square for his runs. If both these batsmen can find form however, Sri Lanka’s totals are likely to be healthy.WeaknessesThere is plenty to choose from here, but it is difficult to look past Sri Lanka’s fielding, which in addition to having cost the team plenty of matches, has also been one of the world’s great recent sources of slapstick comedy. Over the past few years Sri Lankan fielders have routinely dived over the ball, kicked it to the boundary, fist-bumped it, chest-bumped it, groin-bumped it and occasionally used it as a blunt object to hurt themselves with. The quality of Sri Lanka’s fielding has also often been inversely proportional to the temperature, so if London or Cardiff sees an especially cold day, spectators could be in for a few laughs.Key stats Over the past three years, Sri Lanka have lost twice as many matches (36) as they have won (18) against Champions Trophy oppositions Sri Lanka have also conceded an average of 57.9 runs in the last 10 overs of an opposition innings – the worst for any side participating in this Champions Trophy Upul Tharanga has 14 ODI centuries. The remaining batsmen in Sri Lanka’s squad have 10 combined Lasith Malinga last played an ODI on November 7, 2015
Manchester United may lose their spot in the Champions League next season as a result of Sir Jim Ratcliffe acquiring a minority investment.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Man Utd could lose Europe qualification
Need to finish equal or better than Nice
Both clubs owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe
(C)Getty Images
WHAT HAPPENED?
Ratcliffe is anticipated to pay £1.25 billion to acquire his 25% share at Old Trafford in the next few days. This will be immensely appreciated by supporters who want to see the Glazer family lose their position of power. Ratcliffe's ownership of the French team Nice, though, may provide the Red Devils with difficulties as they try to qualify for Europe as per The Sun.
Advertisement
THE EXPLANATION
Nice are presently one point behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain in the Ligue 1 standings. Man United would need to at least tie them in the Premier League standings in order to be eligible for the redesigned Champions League if they manage to finish in the top four at the conclusion of the season.
Man United would also not be eligible to play in the Europa League if Nice were to finish fourth. The only chance Man United has to play any sort of European football is if they finish sixth and hope that either Newcastle or Liverpool win the Carabao Cup, which would give them a straight ticket to the Europa Conference League.
Getty Images
DID YOU KNOW?
Manchester City, United's neighbours, may also be impacted by the FIFA regulations. However, Girona, the City Football Group's Spanish sister club and surprise leaders in La Liga ahead of Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid, may be most affected. Girona would have to do better in the Spanish elite league than Manchester City in the Premier League to stand a chance of making it to the Champions League next season.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD AND NICE?
On the weekend, Nice will face off with Toulouse on Saturday, November 25 before Manchester United take on Everton on Sunday, as the Toffees look to bounce back from their 10-point deduction.
Centuries from Alex Hales and Joe Root powered England to a record victory in the third and final ODI against West Indies in Barbados.The result – the fifth-largest victory in runs terms that England have ever achieved in ODI cricket – means England, who won both the first two ODIs in Antigua, have taken a 3-0 clean-sweep of the series despite losing the toss in every game. It is the first time England have done that since 2003 (in Bangladesh), the first time they have whitewashed West Indies in an ODI series in the Caribbean and the heaviest defeat, in terms of runs, West Indies have ever suffered at home.For a team with such a proud history to be defeated so overwhelmingly at what is generally regarded as their spiritual home will hurt throughout the Caribbean. It will also do West Indies’ chances of qualifying automatically for the 2019 World Cup no good at all. Currently ranked ninth, they must break into the top eight before the end of this September.It was the second-wicket stand between Hales and Root that laid the foundations for this win. The pair added 192 in 30.3 overs with Hales, on his comeback to the side having recovered from a hand injury, recording the fifth century of his ODI career and Root the ninth. Only Marcus Trescothick (with 12) has scored more ODI centuries for England than Root, while Hales (in his 39th innings and 41st match) broke David Gower’s England record (43rd innings and 45th match) as the fastest man to record five ODI centuries.Hales’ century vindicated the England management’s faith in him. Only added to the ODI squad a couple of days ago – he missed out on original selection due to the injury he sustained in India – he was drafted back into the side despite not having batted since January 19, which was hard luck on Sam Billings following his promising performances as his deputy.Not for the first time this series, though, West Indies will rue a couple of missed chances. Root was dropped on 1 and 12, with the first chance – offered to Evin Lewis at midwicket – relatively straightforward by international standards. Lewis was slightly slow to react to the ball and, diving forward late, was unable to cling on to the chance after his elbows crashed onto the turf. Alzarri Joseph was the unfortunate bowler.The second chance was tougher. Ashley Nurse, a solitary slip but positioned about where fourth slip would normally stand, made good ground to his right but again was unable to cling on to the chance as his hit the ground. Jason Holder was the unlucky bowler on that occasion.Batting was not easy for much of the day, but especially in that first hour. Put in on a surface that might have started just a touch damp – it was the third game in succession in which Jason Holder had won the toss – England’s batsmen initially struggled to find their touch on another two-paced pitch offering variable bounce. Jason Roy drove to mid-off and, after 10 overs they had made just 39 for 1.But, as in Antigua, England recognised that conditions would improve and gave themselves time to make up for the slow start. Hales, demonstrating not just his power but his shot selection and temperament, gave himself time to adjust to the conditions and, as they eased and he settled, began to take control.Hales took a particular shine to the legspin of Devendra Bishoo. At one stage, he struck Bishoo for 22 in six balls, a spell that included two fours and two sixes, forcing Holder to withdraw him from the attack and use part-time bowlers such as Kraigg Brathwaite and Jonathan Carter instead.It was a ploy that almost worked. Hales was adjudged to have been leg before to Brathwaite on 93 but called for a review that suggested the ball would have drifted on past the off stump.Root looked far from his best for the first part of his innings. Apart from the two chances, he took 17 balls to score his first three runs and was grateful for a misfield from Kieran Powell, at cover, which gifted him a boundary and helped relieve the pressure upon him. Unable to trust the pace of the ball, though, on another slightly two-paced surface, he picked up all his boundaries with cross-bat strokes – sweeps or pulls generally – with his only two attempts to hit boundaries down the ground resulting in one edge for four and, ultimately, his dismissal, caught at long-on.Once the pair were parted, though – both fell to outfield catches as they tried to accelerate – England’s innings fell away. Joseph, playing in place of the injured Shannon Gabriel, finished with four wickets (albeit for 76 runs) as reward for his pace and persistence, and Holder claimed three as England lost their final nine wickets for 109 runs. They lost their final wicket, a run-out where both batsmen ended up at the same end, from the final ball of the innings. Still, Morgan later suggested a part score might have been “between 220 and 240″ so England were well over.”We came here to win three games, and we’ve won three games,” he said. “I think probably the strongest thing we’ve gained from this trip is adapting to conditions.”I still maintain we can score 300 on most wickets and today has probably proved that. It was probably our best batting performance of the series – simply because I thought conditions were a lot more difficult than we’ve come up against.”We might have defended 200, maybe 220, if we’d bowled as well as we did. When it’s up and down like that, we could easily have lost three wickets early.”I’m not a huge fan of early starts anyway. You can lose the toss and lose early wickets, and in the afternoon it can be beautiful. So it can be quite lop-sided. I’m more of a fan of when conditions are even for both sides.”Not for a moment did West Indies seem likely to chase down their target. Powell fell in the first over, lofting an easy catch to square leg as he mis-timed a turn to leg, before Lewis top-edged an equally simple catch back to the bowler having been beaten for pace as he attempted to pull. Kraigg Brathwaite, pushed down to No. 3, then clipped another simple catch to midwicket.Liam Plunkett, obliged to undergo a fitness test before play to prove he had recovered from the sickness that kept him out of training on Wednesday, all but ended the contest with an opening five-over spell of 3 for 5. He bowled Jason Mohammad with the first ball of his spell and then ended Shai Hope’s patient innings with a slower-ball that was clipped to square leg and, next ball, produced a beauty that nipped in and took the edge of Holder’s on its way to Jos Buttler.Woakes, who finished with 3 for 16 from eight immaculate overs, was named man of the series after another impressive performance.While Carter averted a record-breaking margin of victory, no-one else in the side could contribute even 20 as West Indies were bowled out with 64 deliveries of their innings left unused. It meant they had been bowled out within their 50 overs in every match of the series and represented the biggest defeat (in run terms) of their ODI history against England and their third biggest against anyone, anywhere.