There’s no denying the last few seasons have been nothing short of an embarrassment for Manchester United – especially considering the glory days achieved under Sir Alex Ferguson.

From Carabao Cup first round exits against League Two opposition, to 15th-placed Premier League finishes, it truly has been a period to forget for the fanbase on the pitch.

However, Ruben Amorim has shown glimpses of transforming the situation over the last couple of outings in the Premier League, with key results starting to arise.

A win against Sunderland saw the Red Devils keep their first clean sheet of the 2025/26 campaign, before claiming a remarkable 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

Such a performance saw Amorim’s side limit the defending league champions to limited opportunities throughout, with goalkeeper Senne Lammens producing the goods between the sticks.

However, it’s safe to say it’s not been a straightforward process for the manager, especially considering the failures his side suffered last campaign.

How bad United were defensively throughout 2024/25

If a side as big as United are finishing 15th in the Premier League table, there are evidently fundamental problems within certain areas of the pitch – many of which needed addressing.

The defensive department came under huge scrutiny throughout 2024/25 and rightly so, given the lack of quality that was on display for prolonged periods of the campaign.

When delving into their underlying figures, the Red Devils’ woes were truly something to behold, as seen by their tally of 46 goals conceded in just 38 outings.

Their average 1.42 goals conceded per 90 was the ninth-worst of any side in the division, with such a tally undoubtedly contributing to their demise in England’s top-flight throughout 2024/25.

Amorim’s men also produced an xG against of 55.1, a figure that was the 8th worst in the league – showcasing that other sides were easily able to create opportunities in front of goal at will.

Whilst Lammens has fixed the situation between the sticks, the manager will likely still want to improve the situation at the back to help his chances of success at Old Trafford.

However, one first-team player should remain crucial to any attempted efforts, especially if his recent showings in the Premier League under his guidance are anything to go by.

The United player who’s becoming Amorim’s best player

Despite £200m worth of new additions during the summer transfer window, very few of the funds were directed to the defensive unit – with the majority being invested into the forward line.

Bryan Mbuemo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha were all brought to Old Trafford, with the former of the trio already proving his worth with his strike at Anfield on Sunday.

Harry Maguire also found himself on the scoresheet in such a triumph, once again popping up with a clutch goal for the Red Devils despite his usual defensive role.

The Englishman appears to have forced himself back into the manager’s plans, but he’s not alone in doing so with the 40-year-old’s preferred three-man backline.

Matthijs de Ligt was originally brought into the club last summer for a reported £42m, with real hope of providing key experience at the back given his time at Bayern Munich and Juventus.

However, the Dutchman endured a season to forget in England, only starting 25 league outings and coming under fire for his lack of positive displays by one well respected player in England’s top-flight.

Former Liverpool defender and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher labelled the 26-year-old as “awful” – further highlighting how disappointing he was during his debut campaign at Old Trafford.

His displays in 2025/26 have been night and day, with De Ligt now becoming a crucial member of Amorim’s squad – subsequently starting all eight league games to date.

Games played

8

Minutes played

720

Pass accuracy

88%

Duels won

5.6

Aerials won

3.3

Interceptions made

1.1

Dribble success

50%

Tackles won

1.9

The centre-back’s underlying stats are just as impressive, subsequently winning 5.6 duels per 90 – a tally that ranks him within the top 20% of all players in the Premier League.

He’s also won 3.3 aerial battles and made 1.1 interceptions per 90, with such numbers undoubtedly handing the side the defensive presence they lacked last season.

De Ligt’s 6”2 stature at the back has allowed him to be a dominant presence within the defensive third, which has led to him undoubtedly being one of the Red Devils’ star performers this season.

There’s a real hope emerging at Old Trafford that he could be a vital player in any success achieved this season – but he desperately needs to stay on his current path.

If the club are to rise up the table, the Dutch international will likely be a key component, with Amorim needing to utilise him on a regular basis throughout the months ahead.

On the brink of a new era at Ibrox, the 49ers have already been handed one request by the next Rangers manager, who is beginning to form his backroom team.

Gerrard on the brink of Rangers return

It’s been an incredibly busy week for Rangers, who called time on Russell Martin’s tenure last week following a disastrous spell in charge. The former Southampton boss lasted just 123 days and picked up just one win in seven Scottish Premiership games. It was a run that simply could not go on, no matter how badly the 49ers wanted their first appointment to work out.

Since then, it has been all hands to the pump in their search for a new manager which is seemingly about to end with Steven Gerrard. The Liverpool legend is reportedly on the brink of returning to Ibrox in his first job in management since leaving Al-Ettifaq in January. Arriving with it all to do, Gerrard will be hoping to achieve the same success as his last tenure, having won Rangers’ 55th league title.

Gerrard, according to former England teammate Rio Ferdinand, is chomping at the bit to get back in the technical area and now has the chance to do exactly that at the club he’s had the most success as a manager.

Rangers have already lined up his backroom staff, with Jermain Defoe, Gary McAllister and Steven Davis set to return to the club with him alongside another previously unnamed coach, who has now been revealed.

Gerrard requests Steve Holland at Rangers

According to The Daily Record, Gerrard now wants Rangers to hire Steve Holland as part of his backroom staff in his first request as manager. The former England coach has been out of a coaching role since managing Yokohama Marinos in Japan in a short spell earlier this year, but could now hand Gerrard a major boost.

Rangers on verge of hiring new manager who shares agent with £100m+ Real Madrid superstar

The Gers are closing in on the appointment.

ByBen Goodwin Oct 10, 2025

Having been the England assistant for four years from 2013 to 2016, Holland is someone that the former Liverpool midfielder should know well and given that Michael Beale’s Rangers return seems unlikely, the Gers should go all out to welcome his preferred choice.

The 45-year-old recently spoke about the importance of leaning on his backroom staff, including Defoe and McAllister.

Whilst they will be important appointments for Gerrard, the experience that a man like Holland would provide is simply invaluable at this stage of his managerial career.

England went to lunch on 83 for 2

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Jul-2025

Jasprit Bumrah in action•Getty Images

Nitish Kumar Reddy removed both England openers in his first over but the hosts escaped the first session only two wickets down after choosing to bat first at Lord’s. Reddy struck twice in four balls after Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley scraped through the first hour unscathed. Ollie Pope and Joe Root then led England’s recovery with an unbroken stand of 39 before lunch.Duckett was repeatedly struck on his body in a probing first spell from Jasprit Bumrah, who replaced Prasidh Krishna in India’s only change from the side that won at Edgbaston last week. But England reached the drinks break at 39 for 0, despite a frenetic start from Crawley which featured four boundaries – one via the outside edge – and several plays-and-misses.Reddy’s double-strike opened up both ends for India. His first wicket was a freebie, a long-hop down the leg side which Duckett under-edged through to Rishabh Pant on the pull, but his second was a beauty. He angled the ball into Crawley, then found late movement away off the seam to take the outside edge, as India sensed an opportunity.Pope was dropped between those two wickets, edging his first ball – a full outswinger – to gully, where Shubman Gill could not hold onto a tough, low chance, diving to his right. But after his early life, he grew in confidence alongside Root, and they saw off Bumrah’s third spell to reach the lunch interval at 83 for 2.Ben Stokes’ decision to bat first on winning the toss – for the third time in a row – was met with cheers at Lord’s, after bowling first had backfired at Edgbaston. Gill admitted he was “a bit confused” about what he would have done but said that he would have leaned towards bowling in the belief that the only assistance from the pitch would come early on the first day.

Tottenham have set a mammoth price tag for star defender Micky van de Ven amid serious interest from Real Madrid and Liverpool, according to a new report.

Micky van de Ven continues to shine at Tottenham

Van de Ven has been an outstanding presence for Spurs in the opening months of 2025/2026, quickly establishing himself as a key figure under Thomas Frank.

The young defender has combined defensive solidity with a remarkable goal-scoring touch, already finding the net five times across all competitions – a striking return for a player primarily tasked with keeping things tight at the back.

Van de Ven has also scored twice as many goals as any other Premier League defender so far this term, including Arsenal’s highly-praised set piece weapon Gabriel, with the Dutchman involved in all but one of Tottenham’s seven clean sheets this season too.

The 24-year-old’s combination of pace, power and goal threat has made him an indispensable member of Frank’s starting eleven, and his ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch gives Spurs a unique edge.

Van de Ven’s importance to the Lilywhites is nothing new, as he bailed Ange Postecoglou’s high line out time and time again when he was fit and available to take part.

With Cristian Romero out injured and steadily working his way back to match fitness, van de Ven and Kevin Danso have helped to fill the Argentine’s shoes to great effect as Spurs now sit third in the Premier League table.

Tottenham absentee list to face Everton

Problem

Estimated return date

Dejan Kulusevski

Knee

22/11/2025

James Maddison

ACL

01/06/2026

Radu Dragusin

Knee

22/11/2025

Ben Davies

Thigh

23/11/2025

Yves Bissouma

Ankle/Foot

08/11/2025

Cristian Romero

Groin

01/11/2025

Destiny Udogie

Knee

08/11/2025

Dominic Solanke

Ankle

08/11/2025

via Premier Injuries

Van de Ven’s brace against Everton, with both goals coming from set plays, sealed a crucial three points for Spurs last Sunday as they became the first away team to claim victory at the brand-new Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Ever since van de Ven’s arrival in north London over two years ago, the Netherlands international has been linked with a high-profile move elsewhere.

Real Madrid have specifically been mentioned as suitors amid their reported search for new centre-backs, so much so that reports suggest Tottenham are prepared to double van de Ven’s salary to keep him away from the Bernabeu.

Spurs are in no immediate danger of losing the centre-half, considering he’s contracted until 2029, and Frank is convinced that he is happy in N17.

That being said, there is always a danger that Real could turn a player’s head, and if they manage to tempt van de Ven, Spurs are apparently clear in their demands.

Tottenham set 'historic' Micky van de Ven price tag as Real Madrid and Liverpool circle

According to reports from Spain, Tottenham have set an ‘historic’ price tag for van de Ven as Real, Liverpool and even Bayern Munich circle for his signature.

It is believed that Spurs want a minimum £88 million for van de Ven, which is described as an ‘historic’ sum and would make him the most expensive defender in football history — eclipsing the £80 million that Man United paid for Harry Maguire in 2019.

Frank’s side are determined to keep hold of him and only a “massive offer” would see him leave, highlighting his growing importance both on and off the pitch.

This valuation could be part of a broader strategy reflecting Tottenham’s ambition and financial muscle, especially following a significant £100 million capital injection by the club’s owners, the Lewis family.

The investment underscores their long-term commitment to strengthening the squad and competing at the highest level, and stopping key stars like van de Ven from leaving will be pivotal as the north Londoners look to kick on from their Europa League triumph in May.

Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana has been spared jail time despite being caught on camera driving dangerously in his Lamborghini. This was the French defender's ninth driving offence, and he is already serving a driving ban until May 2027. Fofana, who has been plagued by injuries in recent years, has appeared in five matches across all competitions for the Blues in the 2025-26 campaign, including three in the league.

• Fofana slapped with fresh driving ban but avoids jail time

  According to , Fofana was caught speeding and weaving through traffic on the A3 Esher Bypass in Hook, Surrey. The incident was caught on a dashcam and the footage was presented in court. While the Blues star was spared jail time for what was his ninth driving offence at the age of 25, he has been ordered to serve 300 hours of unpaid community service. He has also been hit with a fresh 18-month driving ban, although his licence is suspended until May 2027 for previous offences. The Frenchman has also been ordered to pay just £85 in costs and a £114 victim surcharge. The video below was shared by the Crown Prosecution Service.

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• Watch the clip

• Fofana slammed by judge

  District Judge Julie Cooper slammed Fofana inside the courtroom for setting the wrong example for young people who look up to professional footballers like him.

  She said: "You obviously realise there are a lot of young people who look up to you and they would like to be like you and follow you. That’s part of the whole gig. However, they will not be able to afford these expensive cars, with all their additions that keep them safe and you could have some 17-year-old, who has just passed their test, who think they can copy you. They will not be able to handle their car and do some ridiculous driving manoeuvres and they are dead. You need to be much more responsible about your behaviour."

  Prosecutor Rabbi Khan said: "The witness identified the danger and this defendant was driving on the hard shoulder at speed in a 50mph zone. The offence is aggravated by an approaching bend that was signposted and he is not indicating when making these manoeuvres. He refused to abide by the road rules at speed."

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  'There is no explanation or excuse'

  Representing Fofana, his solicitor Imogen Cox told the court: "The video speaks for itself – 15 to 20 seconds of driving that are conceded. There is no explanation or excuse for his driving on that day. He attended voluntarily for an interview at Guildford Police Station and apologised for driving and said he had learned a valuable lesson about his driving and had no explanation for his driving on that day. This offence pre-dates the speeding offences, which were all within a seven-month period and tied-up at Lavender Hill. He is essentially of good character, having no criminal convictions against him. He is fit and healthy and able to carry out community work."

Unbroken 197-run stand with Kane Williamson leaves Northants in the mire

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay22-Jul-2025

Middlesex 319 for 1 (Holden 137*, Williamson 88*, Robson 57) vs NorthamptonshireMiddlesex’s Max Holden plundered an unbeaten century as he and New Zealand star Kane Williamson piled up runs on the opening day of their Rothesay County Championship clash against Northamptonshire.Holden, opening to accommodate Williamson’s red-ball debut for the county at number three, batted right through the day for 137, his third ton of the season, with the pair adding an uninterrupted 197 to reach 319 for one at Merchant Taylors’ School.Sam Robson (57) shared a stand of 122 with Holden before Williamson – sampling his first taste of Championship cricket since he featured for Yorkshire in 2018 – weighed in with an unbeaten 88.It was a testing day for Northamptonshire, with Ben Sanderson their only successful bowler after they inserted the hosts in overcast conditions, while Rob Keogh sustained a serious-looking finger injury attempting to catch Williamson’s ferocious drive.With Northamptonshire skipper Luke Procter absent for personal reasons, Lewis McManus took the reins for the first time in red-ball cricket and fulfilled his first duty by winning the toss.However, his bowlers went through the morning session wicketless, despite a tricky opening spell by Sanderson – with Holden taking his time to settle, facing 20 deliveries before he got off the mark with a single.First change Dom Leech struggled for consistency and Robson took advantage to steer him for successive fours as Middlesex picked up the pace, with Holden also unfurling a couple of classy straight drives to the boundary.Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal entered the attack as early as the 15th over, extracting turn as he began with two maidens, but Holden danced down the wicket to take him on, driving and sweeping with confidence.Having reached lunch with 90 on the board, the Middlesex pair advanced their partnership into three figures and Robson won the race to his half-century, pulling Liam Guthrie for two boundaries in an over.But the opener departed in the next, caught behind leg-glancing Sanderson and that slowed the batting side’s progress, although Williamson opened his account with a sweetly-driven cover boundary off Liam Guthrie.Holden moved on to 50 with a swiped hook that flew to the rope, but soon afterwards the left-hander survived a sharp chance to short leg off Chahal – now operating in an all-spin attack alongside Keogh.Displaying exquisite timing and placement, especially on the off side, Williamson mastered the bowling and progressed to his half-century just three balls ahead of Holden’s hundred, courtesy of a back-foot punch for four off Chahal.The Indian spinner returned for another spell earlier than expected after tea, with Keogh forced from the field after making a valiant but unsuccessful attempt to catch Williamson’s rocket drive off his own bowling.Holden pummelled Leech for another four to lift the partnership beyond 150 and, following the last of the day’s three brief rain stoppages, he and Williamson resumed the Middlesex offensive.Williamson cut Saif Zaib to the fence and then lifted his next ball effortlessly over the top for six but, with the new ball due and the light continuing to worsen, the umpires called a halt to proceedings.

MatériaMais Notícias

Flamengo e Grêmio se enfrentam nesta quarta-feira (25), na Arena do Grêmio, em duelo válido pela 29ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. Este vai ser o quarto confronto entre as equipes no ano de 2023, e o Rubro-Negro venceu todos. No primeiro turno do Brasileirão, o Fla anotou um 3 a 0 sobre o rival. Já pela semifinal da Copa do Brasil, o jogo de ida terminou em 2 a 0, e o de volta em 1 a 0.

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+ Com Bruno Henrique perto de renovar, veja o possível ‘novo Flamengo’ para 2024

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O Flamengo chega para enfrentar o Grêmio após vencer o clássico contra o Vasco por 1 a 0, e segue perseguindo o topo da tabela. O principal objetivo é a classificação direta para a Libertadores 2024, mas como ainda há chances matemáticas de continuar brigando pelo título nacional, o Rubro-Negro não vai abrir mão da disputa. No momento, o Fla é o terceiro colocado, com 50 pontos.

+ Ainda dá? Torcedores do Flamengo comentam chance de título após vitória no clássico

O Grêmio, por sua vez, vem de uma derrota por 3 a 0 para o São Paulo, e não vence no Campeonato Brasileiro há um mês. Com a queda de rendimento, o Tricolor Gaúcho caiu para a sexta posição na classificação geral do torneio, com 44 pontos.

GRÊMIO X FLAMENGO – 29ª RODADA DO BRASILEIRÃO

Data e hora: 25 de outubro de 2023
Estádio: Arena do Grêmio, Porto Alegre (RS)
Árbitro: Rodrigo José Pereira de Lima
Assistentes: Bruno Raphael Pires (FIFA) e Luanderson Lima dos Santos (FIFA)
VAR: Igor Junio Benevenuto de Oliveira (VAR/FIFA)
Onde assistir: Globo/Premiere

GRÊMIO (Técnico: Renato Gaúcho)
Gabriel Grando; Geromel, Bruno Alves e Kannemann; João Pedro, Villasanti, Pepê, Cristaldo e Reinaldo; Nathan Fernandes (Lucas Besozzi) e André Henrique (João Pedro Galvão).

FLAMENGO (Técnico: Tite)
Rossi; Wesley, Pablo (Rodrigo Caio), Léo Pereira e Ayrton Lucas; Pulgar e Thiago Maia; Gerson, Arrascaeta e Everton Cebolinha (Bruno Henrique); Pedro.

Mitchell Starc came in red-hot with the pink-ball in the fourth innings of the Kingston Test between Australia and West Indies.Taking the new ball, he struck in the first ball of the innings, and then proceeded to take two more to leave West Indies 0 for 3 after six deliveries. It was only the second time (since ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball data is available) of a bowler taking three wickets in the first over of an innings. This is how our ball-by-ball commentator described the spell of play.
caught behind first ball! 137kph, perfect length and line, angled into off, it nips away off the seam, John Campbell has to defend on the front foot, gets a thin nick as it veers off the seam and it’s a simple catch for Inglis.
139kph, bouncer way down the leg side. Athletic take from Inglis.
good length, angled way wide of off, 139kph, he leaves
good length, middle and off, he defends on the front foot
plumb lbw! No shot offered and it would have hit middle. Anderson walks. No he doesn’t. He reviews at Louis’ urging. He knows this is out. Full, swinging back into middle, he was early to leave thinking it would veer across and it swerved back into the front shin. Ball-tracking has it hitting the middle of middle. No idea why Mikyle Louis encouraged that review. That was ridiculous. Anderson knew the moment it hit him that the dismissal was plumb.
bowled him! Three in the over! 143kph, swinging back, inside edge onto leg stump! Another beauty right on the money. Perfect length, shaping back into off, he has to play and drives hard at a length that’s not full enough to drive, it swings back sharply, catches the inside edge and crashes into leg.

Chris Sale is enjoying a bounce back season in 2024, having joined the Atlanta Braves to pitch in the National League for the first time in his career.

After struggling with injuries throughout much of the last few seasons and making a total of 31 starts from 2020 to 2023, Sale has been arguably MLB's most dominant pitcher this year. Not only will Sale be a NL Cy Young candidate, but he managed to set Braves' franchise history during his outing on Tuesday.

In the third inning of Atlanta's clash against the Colorado Rockies, Sale sat down Drew Romo for his third strikeout of the evening. In doing so, he reached 200 strikeouts on the year and became the first left-handed pitcher in Braves' history to strike out as many batters in a single season.

It's far from the first time that Sale has struck out 200 batters in a season, but he hasn't achieved the statistical milestone since 2019. Prior to his laundry list of injuries, Sale had racked up 200+ strikeouts in each season from 2013-19, including 308 punch-outs in 2017.

He's returned to his previous form in 2024 with the Braves, and looks better than ever during his age 35 season.

The Los Angeles Dodgers won the 2024 World Series on Wednesday night, beating the New York Yankees 7-6 in Game 5 to clinch the franchise's eighth championship. After recording the final out, the Dodgers all poured onto the field to celebrate. Eventually they moved to the locker room to cover the visitor's clubhouse in beer and champagne.

Sometime in between those two traditional baseball celebration moments, the public address system at Yankee Stadium played Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York," a song usually played after victories by the home team. Here's video of impending free agent Juan Soto watching the Dodgers while the song plays in the background.

Unsurprisingly, this shocked or bothered some people.

The thing is, who cares? The Yankees play the song after losses, too. At this point it's apparently just used as a way to drive people towards the gates so they no longer have to hear a song so old it was released back in the '70s when the Yankees used to actually win World Series. The only people who should have been bothered by "New York, New York" playing was the Dodgers, because it was a reminder that they had a six-hour flight ahead of them.