Following Inter Miami’s 3-1 win over Nashville SC in Game 1 of the MLS Cup Playoffs, Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul – Messi’s longtime national team teammate – praised the captain’s influence and form. He added that Messi’s decision to remain with the Herons beyond this season has given the squad an extra spark heading into the postseason.
Manchester United supporters have been starved of huge success for over a decade now, with no manager able to win the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
Countless managers have tried and failed to replicate such feats, with Ruben Amorim the latest to try and end the decade-long drought for league glory.
However, it’s safe to say the 40-year-old has failed miserably at the task, as seen by his record of nine defeats in his last 15 top-flight matches in charge of the Red Devils.
The former Sporting CP boss arrived with huge expectations, but he’s failed to live up to them, with his recent slump on the field potentially spelling the end to his time at Old Trafford.
It would be a surprise to no one around the world that he could be replaced in the near future, potentially opening the door for one man to take the reins at the Theatre of Dreams.
The favourites for the Man Utd manager role
Over the last couple of days, former England boss Gareth Southgate has emerged as a potential candidate to take over as United manager should Amorim lose his job.
It’s been reported that the 55-year-old would be open to the role after previously being linked with the role on various occasions throughout his managerial career.
However, he’s not the only option currently in the hierarchy’s sights, with former Barcelona boss Xavi also under consideration, according to one outlet in Spain.
They claim that the Spaniard is emerging as one of the favourites to take over in Manchester, with the 45-year-old currently without a job after leaving Barcelona back in May 2024.
Despite the interest in his services, they may have to act quickly, with Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad also approaching him about taking over after Laurent Blanc was sacked.
Why United’s latest target would be their own Guardiola
Pep Guardiola has been a boss who has constantly proven his worth against United over recent years, often causing the Red Devils fanbase pain in the Manchester Derby.
In his 30 outings against the club, he’s won 63% of the matches – with his tally of 19 wins the fourth-most he’s achieved against any side in his managerial career to date.
His time at the Etihad has seen him win six Premier League titles since he took the reins back in the summer of 2016 – subsequently dominating England’s top-flight after his appointment.
There’s no doubt the fans of the Red Devils must wish they had themselves a manager of such a calibre, especially given the dismal levels they’ve had to endure over the last couple of seasons.
However, that could all be about to change with the potential appointment of Xavi in the near future, with the Spaniard possessing a very similar route to his compatriot in his managerial career.
Both starred at Barcelona as players before making the jump into management, with both going on to lead the Catalonian outfit in LaLiga and the Champions League.
Guardiola has made the move to England and succeeded, with Xavi having the chance to do the same if he does get offered the United job in the weeks ahead.
His stats during his time in charge of the Spanish giants are nothing short of remarkable, potentially having the quality to take the Red Devils back to their former glory.
The 45-year-old, who’s been labelled “incredible” by Guardiola himself, achieved a 70% win record for Barca, winning 71 of his 102 matches in charge of the club.
Games managed
102
Wins
71
Draws
16
Losses
15
Points gained
229
Points per game
2.3
Win percentage
70%
Goals scored
198
Goals against
87
He also achieved a staggering 2.3 points per game record, conceding just 87 times in the process – highlighting his ability to create a well-drilled and defensive outfit – something which the Red Devils have greatly lacked.
Xavi also managed to win the LaLiga title back in the 2022/23 campaign, potentially making him the perfect man to end United’s extended wait for a league triumph.
It remains unclear how long Amorim will be given to turn things around, but it’s evident that the 40-year-old is on borrowed time given the recent form in the Premier League.
However, there’s no denying that other options are being lined up by the board, with the former Barca boss potentially the perfect boss to fill the void at Old Trafford.
Arteta 2.0: Man Utd now targeting "best coach in the PL" & it's not Glasner
Manchester United appear to be targeting a manager who could replace Ruben Amorim.
ByEthan Lamb Sep 30, 2025
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O plano do Botafogo para apresentar uma novidade no seu setor ofensivo nesta segunda-feira (31) foi frustrado. De acordo com o “ge”, o Alvinegro chegou a encaminhar acordo com João Pedro, do Fenerbahçe. No entanto, o Grêmio entrou na disputa e levou a melhor.
O jogador de 31 anos e o clube chegaram a entrar em acordo quanto a bases salariais e tempo de contrato. O atacante ficaria até o fim de 2024.
+ Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00. Bebida gelada nos 90′ de jogo do Líder!
+ Tchê Tchê elogia Gustavo Sauer, protagonista na vitória do Botafogo sobre o Coritiba: ‘Merecia essa resposta’
João Pedro chamou atenção da diretoria alvinegra por atuar como meia e centroavante. Ele seria um reserva para Eduardo e Tiquinho.
Revelado pelo Atlético-MG, o atleta rodou pelo exterior. No Santos, foi campeão da Recopa em 2012.
O Botafogo contratou até agora duas novidades. O meia Diego Hernández e o lateral Mateo Ponte chegaram ao clube. Ainda faltam um goleiro e um centroavante para esta janela.
Liverpool target Marc Guehi has been told he could join Real Madrid as the Crystal Palace captain prepares to discuss a free transfer away from Selhurst Park. The England defender was set to join Liverpool in the summer before a move collapsed. Instead of sulking, the 25-year-old has delivered his best football yet, spearheading Palace’s record-breaking run under Oliver Glasner.
Guehi central to Palace form
Palace are unrecognisable from the club that once clung to Premier League survival, flying under Glasner. Nineteen games unbeaten in all competitions, the longest run in their history, has brought silverware in both the FA Cup and Community Shield, and now a first taste of European glory. On Thursday, the Eagles marked their continental debut in style, swatting aside Dynamo Kyiv 2-0 away from home in the Conference League.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportHargreaves hails a 'dream' defender
Former England and Manchester United star Owen Hargreaves couldn’t contain his admiration for Guehi while analysing Palace’s latest European triumph on
"He’s a fabulous player but he’s probably even as nice a lad as he is a player," Hargreaves said. "The way he handled that situation, he could’ve thrown his toys out of the pram like some others players did, and got their move but he has been the ultimate professional. He knows he is the captain of the football club, they’ve helped him, and he will get his move probably at the end of the season and he could probably go anywhere…Real Madrid."
He added: "[Guehi is] a dream. On the ball he’s really good, he can defend really well. He’s only 25. He’s the oldest 25-year-old I’ve ever seen because he’s so level-headed. He’s so composed and so reliable."
Guehi puts summer transfer saga behind him
It’s Guehi's maturity, combined with his leadership at Selhurst Park, that has Europe’s elite circling. Liverpool may regret not closing the deal when they had the chance, with Real Madrid potentially ready to pounce when Guehi’s contract winds down. Guehi’s former Palace colleague Joel Ward added his voice, applauding the defender’s mindset.
"What happened in the summer is in the past," Ward said. "I think, for me, one of Marc's biggest strengths is the way in which he handles situations. He’s got such a great support network around him in his family."
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Getty Images SportPalace emerge as surprise package
Palace sit second in the Premier League table, the only unbeaten side left in the division. While Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City grab headlines, Glasner’s team have quietly become the story of the season. With Everton next up on Sunday, the Eagles are out to extend their streak and keep the pressure on the league’s big guns.
يعقد الدنماركي، ييس توروب، المدير الفني للنادي الأهلي، اليوم الجمعة، محاضرة فنية مع اللاعبين قبل انطلاق المران الجماعي للفريق، استعدادًا لمباراة إيجل نوار البوروندي.
ويستعد النادي الأهلي لمواجهة إيجل نوار غدًا السبت، في إطار منافسات ذهاب دور الـ 32 من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.
وسيتحدث ييس توروب، خلال المحاضرة، اليوم، بكافة الجوانب الفنية الخاصة بمباراة ايجل نوار في دوري أبطال إفريقيا.
طالع | الخطيب يوضح دور سيد عبد الحفيظ قبل انتخابات الأهلي: سيكون بديلًا لي
ومن المقرر أن يختتم فريق الأهلي، استعداداته لمباراة إيجل نوار اليوم، على استاد بوجامبروا الدولي، الذي تقام عليه المباراة.
وكان الأهلي قد خاض مرانه الأول في بوروندي أمس الخميس وشهد هطول الأمطار بغزارة شديدة مع دوي أصوات الرعد، وبدأ المران بفترة إعداد بدني قبل الانتقال إلى تنفيذ الجوانب الخططية والتدريبات التخصصية استعدادا للمباراة.
يذكر أن الأهلي يستضيف فريق إيجل نوار، السبت الموافق، 25 أكتوبر، بالقاهرة، في مباراة الإياب لمواجهات دور الـ32 من منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.
Karim Adeyemi scored the winner in Borussia Dortmund's 1-0 victory against Wolfsburg, but it was his act of fair play that earned him public praise from referee Daniel Siebert. The official lauded the forward for stopping a clear attacking opportunity to allow an opponent to receive treatment, calling it a rare moment of sportsmanship in professional football.
Adeyemi hailed for his act of fair play
Referee Siebert has singled out Dortmund's Adeyemi for special praise following a significant act of sportsmanship in his side's 1-0 Bundesliga win over Wolfsburg. Adeyemi, who also scored the game's only goal, was lauded for halting a promising attack after an opponent went down injured.
AdvertisementAFPAdeyemi grabs headlines in more ways than one
Adeyemi was the decisive figure at Signal Iduna Park on Sunday, scoring a powerful strike in the 20th minute to secure all three points for his team in a tightly contested match. However, it was an off-the-ball incident in the first half that drew acclaim. The German international gained possession on the right wing but chose to kick the ball out of play after Wolfsburg's Patrick Wimmer sustained an injury, sacrificing a clear attacking opportunity for his side.
'Not common in professional football' – What Siebert said
Speaking to after the match, referee Siebert highlighted the rarity of the gesture and explained the situation.
"I'd like to take advantage of this opportunity because it's not common in professional football to have such a great fair play move," Siebert said. "Normally, as a player, you could have taken advantage of the opportunity and run towards the goal – and then you would have had a numerical advantage. But he realized why he had won the ball, voluntarily kicked it out of bounds, and said he didn't want to profit from his opponent's injury."
Siebert confirmed the action would be positively mentioned in his official report, adding: "I think that's great. We'll definitely note and praise it in the report. We'd love to see more of this, dear professionals!"
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The bigger picture for Dortmund
The victory was crucial for Dortmund, who controlled the match with 56 per cent possession and registered four shots on target to Wolfsburg's zero. The result keeps Edin Terzic's side in second place in the Bundesliga table with 10 points, ensuring they remain unbeaten after four matches and stay just two points behind league leaders Bayern Munich. The defeat leaves Wolfsburg in 12th position.
Hobart Hurricanes bounced back from their record low in the opening game with a clinical display
AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff21-Dec-2024A breakout BBL century from Hobart Hurricanes opener Mitch Owen powered the home side to a commanding win over powerhouse Perth Scorchers.Just two days after being embarrassed by the Melbourne Renegades, when they posted the lowest score (74) in their history, Hurricanes downed the Scorchers by eight wickets with four balls to spare.Related
Rogers, O'Neill and Sutherland blow Hurricanes away to hand Renegades first win
Lloyd Pope and D'Arcy Short give Strikers first win of the season
Owen and West Indies star Shai Hope feasted on a star-studded bowling attack with a 101-run stand to set up their first win against Scorchers in Hobart since January 1, 2013.Scorchers took the game into the final over with Hurricanes still needing seven runs to win, but Owen secured his century with a boundary off Lance Morris to make a certainty of the result.In 14 previous T20 games, Owen had managed a total of just 89 runs at an average of 12.71, with a highest score of 28. But the 23-year-old delivered a coming-of-age innings, bringing up his ton from 63 balls.Owen’s knock consisted of nine boundaries and five sixes, including one shot that went out of the stadium.Scorchers left out veteran seamer Andrew Tye, but still had an impressive bowling attack of Jhye Richardson, Morris, Jason Behrendorff, Ashton Agar and Cooper Connolly.
Six and out in his first #BBL14 match; Four and out in his second
Not the best of starts for Finn Allen https://t.co/y78vUW4C27 pic.twitter.com/CyLNJs5aIU
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 21, 2024
Hurricanes became the sixth team batting second in seven games during this BBL to win.Opening bowler Riley Meredith was outstanding for Hurricanes, picking up 3 for 27, as well as being involved in a key run-out of Josh Inglis.Australian Test squad member Inglis was powering towards 50, but was caught in a mix-up between the wickets with captain Ashton Turner.Hurricanes were excellent in the field with Ben McDermott taking a fantastic catch behind the stumps to remove Finn Allen second ball and Billy Stanlake somehow clutching a swirling chance running back from short third to stop Connolly in his tracks.Captain Nathan Ellis and the experienced Chris Jordan were exceptional at the death as Scorchers managed just 27 off their last five overs.Hurricanes (1-1) will have a six-day break before they play Strikers at the Adelaide Oval on Friday night, while Scorchers (1-1) face Renegades in Melbourne on Monday.
يستعد فريق برشلونة، بقيادة المدرب هانز فليك، لخوض مباراته في بطولة الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم مساء يوم الأحد وذلك ضد نظيره ريال سوسيداد.
ويستضيف ملعب “مونتجويك” مباراة برشلونة وريال سوسيداد، في خضم منافسات الجولة السابعة من الدوري الإسباني، موسم 2025/26.
ويمتلك برشلونة 16 نقطة في المركز الثاني في جدول الدوري الإسباني، في حين أن ريال سوسيداد لديه 5 نقاط في المركز السابع عشر.
ويسعى برشلونة إلى تحقيق الفوز في مباراة اليوم ومن ثم اعتلاء الصدارة بعد تعثر ريال مدريد في مباراة الديربي أمام أتلتيكو مدريد بخمسة أهداف لهدفين، يوم السبت.
(محدث) مباشر بالفيديو.. مباراة برشلونة وريال سوسيداد في الدوري الإسباني موعد مباراة برشلونة وريال سوسيداد اليوم في الدوري الإسباني
تنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة 7:30 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة برشلونة وريال سوسيداد اليوم في الدوري الإسباني
تُذاع المباراة عبر قناة beIN SPORTS 1. معلق مباراة برشلونة وريال سوسيداد اليوم في الدوري الإسباني
سيعلق عصام الشوالي على أحداث مباراة اليوم.
ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.
Tottenham are in the market for more players amid the ongoing drama surrounding Morgan Gibbs-White, and new manager Thomas Frank is believed to be pretty confident that they can land one of them.
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Daniel Levy is reportedly keen to reinforce Frank’s squad further, after sealing deals for Mathys Tel, Kota Takai and Mohammed Kudus already this summer, and while they wait to find out if Gibbs-White is still possible amid Forest’s threat of legal action, the Lilywhites are moving for different targets.
Alongside Gibbs-White, who Tottenham are still hopeful of signing (Fabrizio Romano), Spurs are believed to hold some interest in Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz.
Son Heung-min
7.00
James Maddison
6.98
Pedro Porro
6.95
Dominic Solanke
6.84
Dejan Kulusevski
6.83
via WhoScored
The Brazilian has reportedly been told that he’s free to find a new club this summer, and it’s been reported that Luiz is pretty keen on a move to Tottenham if Levy decides it’s worthwhile pursuing a deal.
Tottenham apparently want to sign a holding midfielder and new number six before deadline day, which isn’t intertwined with their chase for Gibbs-White (Graeme Bailey), and they remain contenders to sign Brentford striker Yoane Wissa.
The Congolese centre-forward enjoyed the season of his life under Frank at the Gtech Community Stadium last term, scoring 19 Premier League goals, but they face stiff competition from both Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United.
Eddie Howe is now turning his attention towards Wissa after walking away from a deal for Hugo Ekitiké, who’s already in advanced talks to join Liverpool (BBC).
While Spurs now face both Newcastle and Forest in the race for Wissa, Frank is believed to be hopeful that he can reunite with his former star behind-the-scenes.
Thomas Frank confident Tottenham will win Yoane Wissa race
According to journalist Graeme Bailey, speaking to TBR Football, Tottenham are currently speaking to Wissa’s camp over a move, and Frank is personally convinced that the former Lorient sensation would choose to join them ahead of Premier League rivals.
“Yoane Wissa’s camp are speaking to four or five different clubs at the moment,” said Bailey.
“Tottenham and Newcastle are two of them, and both would love to sign him. Thomas Frank, who worked with Wissa at Brentford, is confident that he would choose Spurs if it came down to it.”
Wissa evolved into a proven scorer during his final season working with Frank, even joining the 100 club last campaign in terms of total career goals, and there is every reason to believe he could add to this tally at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
However, Brentford are highly unlikely to let both Bryan Mbeumo and Wissa leave in the same window, so a deal could well hinge on Man United’s attempts to sign his teammate.
The price to sign Wissa, according to reports, is believed to be around £50 million.
Manchester United came straight out of the gates at the start of the summer transfer window, signing Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers to help cushion the fall from grace in 2024/25.
Things were pretty bleak when Ruben Amorim wrapped up the opening chapter of his tenure at Old Trafford, and the road ahead remains long and ominous, but bagging Wolves’ £62.5m man at least demonstrated a willingness from INEOS to turn the page, begin anew.
However, that fast start has slowed to a snail’s pace, with very little else having happened on the transfer front for the desperate Red Devils, who after finishing 15th in the Premier League and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur are in desperate need of an overhaul.
The battle to sign Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo rages on. Viktor Gyokeres will join Arsenal, but United are still set on signing a centre-forward to improve upon the unconvincing Rasmus Hojlund.
However, Amorim also wants to strengthen Man United’s midfield.
Man Utd's search for a midfielder
Man United boss Amorim is looking to rebuild his squad across a number of areas as he prepares to challenge for silverware and a route back into European competition over the next year.
The fact that improvements are needed across so many areas of the field underscores the severity of the situation at the Theatre of Dreams, but while things haven’t moved as quickly as fans would have liked, there is hope that speed will increase over the coming weeks as pre-season starts to swing.
Christian Eriksen’s departure as a free agent at the end of June highlights the need for a central midfielder, though the centre of the park is hardly threadbare.
Amorim wants a midfielder, and perhaps he’ll harbour quiet grievances over his outfit’s decision to part with Scott McTominay one year ago, the Scotland star since becoming the Serie A MVP with Napoli, whom he led toward the Scudetto.
Alas, McTominay plies his trade elsewhere. However, Man United could learn from their mistakes and sign a player of similar proportions – one who is competing over in Italy right now.
INEOS begin talks for Serie A midfielder
As per TBR Football, Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz is keen to return to the Premier League just one year after leaving Aston Villa in a deal worth £42m.
Manchester United are joined by Tottenham in their interest.
Transfer Focus
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In fact, United have held conversations with the Brazil international’s representatives about a summer move, with Juventus having green-lit his prospective departure.
Further suitors both in England and overseas are expected to make their move at some stage, so INEOS will want to get this one over the line pronto.
What Douglas Luiz would bring to Man Utd
Luiz’s frustrating season with Juventus has left him eager to pursue a path back toward the Premier League, his favourite stomping ground, and Man United appear more than happy to oblige.
Once a career hatchling at Manchester City, the Villans signed Luiz for a £15m fee, and he went on to make 204 appearances, posting 22 goals and 24 assists.
He was a fantastic Premier League player, the subject of long-standing efforts from Arsenal to bring him over, before the Gunners eventually conceded defeat and signed Declan Rice instead.
But in spite of his abundant talent, the South American has endured a tough time in Italy, only playing a fringe role for Juventus.
Douglas Luiz – Past Two League Seasons
Stats (* per game)
Prem 23/24
Serie A 24/25
Matches (starts)
35 (35)
19 (3)
Goals
9
0
Assists
5
0
Touches*
70.1
27.3
Pass completion
89%
90%
Big chances created
10
3
Key passes*
1.5
0.8
Dribbles*
0.7
0.6
Ball recoveries*
5.5
1.6
Tackles*
1.7
0.9
Duels (won)*
4.2 (51%)
1.9 (55%)
Data via Sofascore
Were you unacquainted with Luiz as a Premier League player, you would be forgiven for lambasting Man United for their interest in a player who endured such peripheral, uninspiring performances across his campaign in Turin.
But at Aston Villa, he was an absolute “warrior” of a midfielder, as praised by journalist Jack Grimse. Luiz’s sale was forced as a by-product of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules, and Unai Emery was not happy with the outcome, even though it was a necessity.
It’s funny: sometimes a player enters new territory and reaches levels previously unknown to them. Sometimes, an exciting transfer doesn’t go to plan.
The two ends of the spectrum here can be applied respectively to Luiz and McTominay, but given that both are robust and athletic number eights with keen eyes for goal when thriving in their environment, perhaps United could restore the presence of their former Scot by signing Luiz.
McTominay, 28, scored 12 goals and supplied six assists across 34 Serie A matches for Napoli, also averaging 6.1 successful duels and 4.3 ball recoveries per game, as per Sofascore.
You can see the energy and completeness, and how his style literally exuded itself upon Antonio Conte’s side, lifting them higher, dynamising them.
Luiz was hailed as “one of the Premier League’s standout midfielders” by The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell before his move and “one of the best [midfielders] in the world” in the words of Sky Italia, winning Aston Villa’s Player of the Season for the 2022/23 season, thus illustrating that his high-level ability is a sustainable thing, not just a flash-in-the-pan.
His remarkably complete level was something that McTominay has emulated in Italy. Now, the inverse could be true of the Brazilian, who could return to the Premier League and pick up where he left off, playing a talismanic part in guiding Man United back into the big time.
Man Utd open talks to sign Weghorst 2.0 who was "like Cristiano Ronaldo"
Manchester United are still hunting for a new talisman for Ruben Amorim’s side this summer.
ByEthan Lamb Jul 7, 2025