Cristiano Ronaldo's Manchester United contract should be terminated in the coming days, according to former Red Devils team-mate Gary Neville.

Portugal superstar Ronaldo, who has cut a frustrated figure at Old Trafford this term following an off-season spent reportedly seeking an exit, roundly criticised the club in an interview with broadcaster Piers Morgan this week.

The 37-year-old took aim at boss Erik ten Hag, United's ownership under the Glazer family, and several other members of their hierarchy.

He also lambasted Neville, who he played alongside for United between 2003 and 2009, suggesting his former team-mate was too critical of him in his role as a high-profile pundit.

United are yet to confirm if they will take action against Ronaldo, but Neville is in no doubt his deal at Old Trafford should be torn up.

"l don't think he wants a way back," Neville told Sky Sports. "He wouldn't have done this interview if he wanted a way back. He knew it would bring the headlines it has and be the end of his Manchester United career.

"I'm wondering what Man Utd are doing because the reality of it is they know they have to terminate Cristiano's contract or they basically open up a precedent so any player can criticise them in the future.

"I agree with some of the things Cristiano has said and many Man Utd fans will agree with many things Cristiano has said, but the reality is if you're an employee within a business and say those things your employment has to terminate and Man Utd have to do that in the next few days.

"Cristiano probably wants that as well but it didn't need to end like that. They could have come together a couple of weeks ago and navigated a pathway through what could have potentially been choppy seas to the shore but it's not happened, they've both basically backed themselves into a corner."

One of the most explosive moments in Ronaldo's interview was when he said he had "no respect" for United manager Ten Hag.

Neville, though, says the Dutchman has handled the situation expertly and believes the former Ajax boss has come out of the saga with his reputation enhanced.

"I think Erik ten Hag has handled a very difficult first six months at United perfectly," he added. "I don't think he could have done anything differently.

"Cristiano Ronaldo's a monster of a player, a monster of a character, with a massive reach. He's been in a bit of a difficult position because if he publicly takes him on, he's probably not going to win.

"Cristiano looks like someone who thinks the world's against him; it doesn't have to be like that. The club need to reach out to Cristiano and his advisers and navigate an end to this very quickly. It's becoming more unsavoury by the day and there's no need for it to be like that."

Dawid Malan hopes he can make up for his T20 World Cup Final absence by forcing his way into England's ICC Men's World Cup plans despite defeat against Australia on Thursday.

The top-order batsman was a member of Jos Buttler's title-winning squad earlier this month, but was ruled out of the final through injury.

With several first-choice names rested for the ODI opener against their hosts in Adelaide however, the Yorkshire all-rounder flourished with a score of 134, even as England fell to a six-wicket loss.

Buttler will look to defend England's 50-over World Cup success next year following triumph in 2019, and Malan hopes his emphatic response on his return can help him push his name into the conversation.

"To get to the T20 World Cup final and be ruled out was gutting, so to come here, prove my fitness and score a hundred was extremely satisfying," he stated.

"I think it's always important to score runs. I think 50 overs is probably my strongest format, but it's hard to get into the team with how guys have performed the last couple of years.

"But if I keep doing what I'm doing, I might be part of that squad."

Australia captain Pat Cummins was delighted to see his side bounce back from T20 World Cup disappointment, where the hosts failed to reach the semi-final stage.

"England are always a strong team," he told Test Match Special. "It's nice for us to get back out there and make amends, remind ourselves we are still a very good team despite being disappointed."

The pair meet again on Saturday in the second of three ODIs, before they resume hostilities in The Ashes in the new year.

Owen Farrell and Brodie Retallick will win their 100th caps when England and New Zealand do battle at Twickenham on Saturday.

Retallick returns from a three-week suspension for his red card against Japan last month and will become just the 12th player to hit a century of appearances for the All Blacks.

Farrell will win his 100th cap alongside the returning Manu Tuilagi in England's midfield, while 21-year-old scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet will make his third appearance after an impressive start to his international career.

Vice-captain Jack Nowell will start in England's back three, along with Jonny May and Freddie Steward, after recovering from an injury that forced him out of the comprehensive 52-13 victory over Japan last weekend.

Maro Itoje is moved back into the second row as Sam Simmonds is set to start at blindside flanker, while Billy Vunipola takes the number eight jersey.

For the All Blacks, Retallick's return means he and captain Sam Whitelock will set a new world record of starting 64 Test matches together, previously held by South Africa's Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield.

Mark Telea will hope to follow up his two-try debut as he starts on the wing again, while Retallick's milestone appearance means Scott Barrett will play the blindside flanker role.

England team: Freddie Steward, Jack Nowell, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell (captain), Jonny May, Marcus Smith, Jack van Poortvliet; Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Kyle Sinckler, Maro Itoje, Jonny Hill, Sam Simmonds, Tom Curry, Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: Jamie George, Mako Vunipola, Will Stuart, David Ribbans, Jack Willis, Ben Youngs, Guy Porter, Henry Slade.

New Zealand team: Beauden Barrett, Mark Telea, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith; Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock (captain), Scott Barrett, Dalton Papali'i, Ardie Savea.

Replacements: Samisoni Taukei'aho, George Bower, Nepo Laulala, Shannon Frizell, Hoskins Sotutu, TJ Perenara, David Havili, Anton Lienert-Brown.

The French Football Federation (FFF) has condemned racist messages directed towards Eduardo Camavinga on social media after Christopher Nkunku was injured ahead of the World Cup.

Nkunku was ruled out of the tournament in Qatar after suffering a knee sprain in training on Tuesday and is reportedly facing up to eight weeks on the sidelines.

Video footage circulated on social media purporting to show Nkunku sustaining the injury in a challenge with Camavinga, which led to the Real Madrid midfielder receiving discriminatory messages.

A statement released by the FFF on Thursday read: "Following Christopher Nkunku's injury, Eduardo Camavinga was the victim of racist messages on social media.

"The FFF condemns these attacks in the strongest possible terms and is in full support of Eduardo."

Nkunku also defended Camavinga when addressing his social media followers on Wednesday, saying the 20-year-old had been "unfairly targeted" and calling for unity from supporters.

"Yesterday evening, following the medical examinations, I had to leave Les Bleus and forfeit the World Cup," Nkunku wrote on Twitter.

"Now, let's get to work with one and only objective, to come back even stronger.

"A thought for my team-mate Eduardo Camavinga, who was unfairly targeted. The World Cup must be a moment of togetherness and not of division."

France begin their Group D campaign against Australia on Tuesday, having suffered several injury blows ahead of their bid to become the first team to successfully defend the World Cup since Brazil in 1962.

Midfield duo Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante will both join Nkunku in missing the tournament, as will Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe, who withdrew from their squad on Monday.

The A-League are exploring a shock move for Cristiano Ronaldo with his Manchester United career appearing to be almost certainly over.

The Portugal captain, who made a sensational return to United early last season, looks to have curtailed his second spell at Old Trafford after a fiery interview with Piers Morgan for TalkTV.

Ronaldo criticised Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag and owners the Glazer family, also claiming senior figures had attempted to push him out despite reports he sought an exit before this season started.

The 37-year-old's focus is now on the World Cup in Qatar amid uncertainty over his future.

Australian Professional Leagues CEO Danny Townsend on Thursday revealed he has contacted Ronaldo's representative Jorge Mendes in a bold attempt to bring him to Australia.

Nani is plying his trade at Melbourne Victory, but Townsend says he has not tried to get the winger to help him to lure his former United and Portugal team-mate to the A-League.

"We haven't been in Nani's ear, but we've certainly registered our interest in bringing [Ronaldo] to Australia," he told SportFM.

"It's obviously a long shot, but we certainly have a proposition here in Australia for him to consider. We're in dialogue and we'll see where that goes."

Ronaldo's grandparents live in Australia, which Townsend will no doubt hope might tempt him to move to the A-League.

Costa Rica cancelled their World Cup warm-up match against Iraq due to an issue over passports.

Luis Fernando Suarez's side were set for one final test before they begin their Group E campaign against Spain in Qatar next Wednesday.

Ahead of travelling to the Gulf State on Friday, Costa Rica had been staying in Kuwait, with the intention to cross into Iraq for Thursday's friendly.

But having travelled to the border on Wednesday, a request to have their passports not stamped was not honoured by local authorities, forcing them to return to their camp.

"The match against Iraq was suspended," Costa Rica's Football Federation stated.

"An agreement that was made with the non-stamping of passports was not respected and for this reason it was decided not to enter Iraq and cancel the match."

Costa Rica are competing in their third consecutive tournament, having reached a best-ever finish at Brazil 2014 by progressing to the quarter-finals.

A dismal Russia 2018 campaign saw them eliminated in the group stages, with Suarez's side likely to face a tough test in a group that also contains Japan and Germany.

Kevin Durant lamented the weakness of the Brooklyn Nets' roster after their struggles continued against the Sacramento Kings, saying the team's poor form should surprise no one. 

The Nets sit adrift of the Eastern Conference's Playoff and Play-In Tournament spots with a 6-9 record for the season, having slipped to a demoralising 153-121 defeat against the Kings on Tuesday.

The team have also been plagued by off-court concerns this campaign, with guard Kyrie Irving having been suspended after sharing offensive material on social media.

Durant requested a trade ahead of the campaign, and he remains concerned about the Nets' lack of forward momentum, adding that expectations must be tempered with their current roster.

"I had some complaints in the summer, and my complaints were not about just me; it was about how we are moving as a unit," he told Bleacher Report.

"I want us to be respected out here in the basketball world. I don't want players to look at us and say, 'Oh man, they are full of s***. That's not the type of team I want to be on.

"So when we're all playing like s***, you know the one person they're going to look at. That's why I requested a trade.

"Look at our starting lineup. Edmond Sumner, Royce O'Neale, Joe Harris, [Nic] Claxton and me. It's not disrespect, but what are you expecting from that group?

"You expect us to win because I'm out there. So if you're watching from that lens, you're expecting us to play well because number seven is out there."

The Nets next travel cross-country to face the Portland Trail Blazers, before returning home to host the Memphis Grizzlies.

Haas have opted to part company with Mick Schumacher following a disappointing Formula One campaign, replacing him with fellow German Nico Hulkenberg.

The future of Schumacher – son of seven-time world champion Michael – had been in doubt, with his contract set to expire following this weekend's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Schumacher secured his best race finish of sixth at July's Austrian Grand Prix, but sits 16th in the driver standings with just 12 points to his name.

Haas are eighth in the constructor standings following a troubled season, which began with the team terminating the contract of Nikita Mazepin in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 

In a statement posted on Twitter, Schumacher said: "This is going to be my last race with Haas F1 Team. I don't want to hide the fact that I am very disappointed about the decision not to renew our contract.

"Nevertheless, I would like to thank both Haas F1 and Ferrari for giving me this opportunity. These years together have helped me to mature both technically and personally, and especially when things got difficult, I realised how much I love this sport.

"The subject is anything but closed for me. Setbacks only make you stronger. My fire burns for F1 and I will fight hard to return to the starting grid."

Schumacher's replacement Hulkenberg has made 181 starts in F! and gets another chance after spending two seasons as Aston Martin's reserve driver.

Hulkenberg stood in for Sebastien Vettel in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia this season, and has also raced for Williams, Force India, Sauber and Renault during his 12-year F1 career.

"I'm very happy to move into a full-time race seat with Haas F1 Team in 2023. I feel like I never really left Formula One," the German said.

"We have work ahead of us to be able to compete with all the other teams in the midfield, and I cannot wait to join that battle again."

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr says the defending champions are playing "scattered" basketball after slumping to their eighth straight road loss to open the 2022-23 season.

The Warriors were brushed aside by the Phoenix Suns 130-119 on Wednesday, leaving Golden State with a 6-9 record, and their first 0-8 road record to start since the 1989-90 season.

Golden State's road start is the worst ever by a defending champion in NBA history. The eight-game losing run is also a tie for third for longest road streak by a defending champion in their title-defense season.

"What we have to do is stay with it and find it," Kerr told reporters. "In order to find it, we've got to get everybody on board, on the same page in terms of just worrying about winning and that's it.

"Right now, we're just scattered. It's a pick-up game. It's a pick-up game out there. There's no execution at either end. There's no commitment to the group to get three stops in a row to execute on offense.

"It obviously starts with me. I'm the coach of the team. I have to figure out a way to get that production, that sort of commitment to the team and each other and to winning.

"There's no collective grit. We lack grit right now. When you don't have grit, the game is really easy for the other team... It’s a Drew League game. We’re playing a Drew League game right now.”

The Warriors continue to struggle defensively, having allowed 124.3 points per game on the road this season, which is the worst in the NBA.

Phoenix were the sixth Golden State opponent to score 120 or more points in their 15 games this season.

"I think we're feeling sorry for ourselves and no one is going to feel sorry for us," Kerr added. "Everyone can't wait to play us and kick our a***. We've had a lot of success and a lot of fun and joy beating people over the years and teams don’t forget that."

Stephen Curry was a lone hand on offense, scoring 50 points including making seven-of-11 from beyond the arc, but the Warriors' bench only added 17 points collectively.

"It's not about stats. Steph could probably go and score 75 if he wanted," Kerr said. "I think it's not about numbers. Steph played well, and nobody else did. It's about the team, it's about the commitment. That's what makes basketball special and this team special over the years."

Stephen Curry scored 50 points but could not prevent the Golden State Warriors' winless road run from extending to eight games after a 130-119 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.

The defeat means the Warriors are 0-8 on the road this season, and slump to 6-9 in the 2022-23 campaign, which is a tie for fourth worst 15-game start to a season by an NBA champion.

Golden State's 0-8 road start is the worst ever by a defending champion in NBA history. The eight-defeat run is also a tie for third for longest road losing streak by a defending champion in their title-defense season.

The Warriors' defense was an issue once again, having allowed 124.3 points per game on the road this season which is the worst in the NBA. The Warriors' opponents have scored 120 or more points six times in 15 games this season.

The Suns improved to 9-5, with point guard Cameron Payne top scoring with 29 points including six three-pointers alongside Devin Booker with 27 points. Mikal Bridges added 23 points with five triples along with eight rebounds and nine assists.

Phoenix, who were without Cameron Johnson (knee), Chris Paul (heel) and Jae Crowder, knocked down a season-high 21 three-pointers, which is the most allowed by the Warriors this season, shooting at 52.5 per cent from beyond the arc.

Curry posted 50 points on 17-of-28 field shooting with seven-of-11 from three-point range with nine rebounds and six assists. Klay Thompson added 19 points but the Warriors' bench combined for only 17 points.

Celtics extend winning run to eight games

The short-handed Boston Celtics secured their eighth straight win with a 126-101 victory over the Atlanta Hawks where seven players scored double digits for the winners.

Jayson Tatum had a career-high six assists in the first quarter and finished the game with 19 points, with seven rebounds and eight assists, while Jaylen Brown top scored for Boston with 22 points. Derrick White dished off 10 assists and Al Horford hauled down 11 rebounds.

During the Celtics' eight-game win streak, they have the NBA's best offensive efficiency (123.2), three-point field goals made (16.4) and assists-turnovers ratio (2.3).

SGA comes up clutch again for OKC

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored an equal career-high 42 points, including draining a last-gasp three-pointer to lift the Oklahoma City Thunder past the Washington Wizards 121-120.

Bradley Beal had hit a two-pointer to put the Wizards up 120-118 with 6.1 seconds left, but Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 19 points in the third quarter, had time to hit a step-back triple with 1.1 seconds remaining.

Over the last two seasons, Gilgeous-Alexander has scored four go-ahead or game-tying field goals in the final five seconds, which is more than any other player in the NBA. Nine players have two.

Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper will have surgery on his right elbow next week although the exact operation and recovery timeline is still uncertain.

Harper will have surgery on November 23 to address the tear in the ulnar collateral ligament he suffered back in April.

Phillies president Dave Dombrowski said on Wednesday the surgeons won’t know until surgery begins if they’ll be performing Tommy John surgery or a less intensive repair of the existing UCL.

''We have no prognosis, really, until he goes into the elbow and takes a look at it,'' Dombrowski said of the surgeon. '

'We'll have something at that time with the surgery and the anticipation something will happen. I would think it will slow him down for the season. We'll know more next week.''

If he does have Tommy John surgery, recovery could force him to miss the first few months of the 2023 season. If it’s just a repair, he may only miss the season’s first week or two.

After injuring his elbow in April, Harper switched from right field to designated hitter to avoid the wear and tear of throwing.

He received a platelet-rich plasma injection shot in his elbow in May in an effort to repair it. But on Monday, Harper met with renowned orthopedist Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who determined surgery was necessary because the tear did not heal on its own.

''We always knew that was a possibility,'' Dombrowski said. ''We've known that for months.''

Despite playing in pain and missing two months with a broken thumb sustained when he was hit by a pitch, Harper still excelled in helping the Phillies reach the World Series, where they lost to the Astros.

In 99 games, the two-time NL MVP slashed .286/.364/.514 with 18 home runs, 28 doubles, 65 RBIs and 63 runs. He hit six more homers in 17 playoff games, and was named the NLCS MVP after hitting a dramatic game-winning homer in the series-clinching victory over the Padres.

''You don't ever want to lose Bryce, you really don't,'' Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. ''He's one of the best hitters in baseball, if not the best.

"We spent a lot of time last year without him. Guys responded. It gave opportunities to other people to step up and they did. While we will be missing him, and looking forward to getting him back, it'll give somebody else an opportunity.''

The Phillies open the season March 30 at Texas.

Deshaun Watson returned to practice with the Cleveland Browns for the first time since copping an 11-game ban, but head coach Kevin Stefanski insists preparing quarterback Jacoby Brissett remains the priority.

Watson was suspended for 11 games in August for violating the league's personal conduct policy by committing sexual assault, per the NFL, on massage therapists.

The quarterback, who was traded to the Browns in the offseason, was last week permitted to return to sit in on team meetings and work out at their training facility, but Wednesday marked the first time since August 30 he practiced with the team.

Brissett has started all nine games this season for the Browns, who are 3-6, although it has been slated that Watson will slot straight back in when available in Week 13 against his former franchise, the Houston Texans.

In the meantime, Stefanski insisted that striking the balance in reps between preparing Brissett for the upcoming games, including Sunday's clash with the Buffalo Bills, was a consideration as they re-integrate Watson.

"Deshaun can come back to practice. That's the next step," Stefanski told reporters. "We'll get him out there in practice but Jacoby is starting.

"He's going to put everything in this game, like he does each week, his preparation is not changing. My preparation with him is not changing. It's just a matter of finding the right amount. That's something we need to work through."

Brissett was confident he would be prepared and ready to face the Bills, even if he splits practice reps with Watson.

"That's not my job to balance it. That's the coach's job to balance how he splits things up," Brissett said. "I just have to go out there and prepare how I always prepare, do my job and then control what I can control.

"We've talked about a lot of things going into practice about how things will be split up. I feel confident that I'll be more than fine going into the game."

Brissett has a 63.8 per cent completion rate for 2,074 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions this season.

Lake-effect snowfall is forecast for the western New York region over coming days ahead of the Bills-Browns game at Bills Stadium on Sunday.