Jose Mourinho has blasted the "scum" who claimed Felix Afena-Gyan was responsible for Georginio Wijnaldum's broken leg.

Wijnaldum fractured the tibia in his right leg during a training session on Sunday, just a fortnight after joining the Serie A club in a season-long loan deal from Paris Saint-Germain.

It has been claimed in certain quarters that teenage Ghana forward Afena-Gyan was to blame for an injury that could rule the Netherlands midfielder out of the World Cup in Qatar.

Roma head coach Mourinho hit back at those accusations in an Instagram post ahead of the Serie A encounter with Cremonese on Monday.

"Sometimes football can be s***. In only two weeks, Gini became one of us because of his human qualities (his football qualities we already knew)," he wrote.

"Sadly, in a very unfortunate accident he had a bad injury that will keep him away from playing for a long time.

"But it's not just football to be s*** sometimes, people can also be… Those who initiated the rumours that a top kid like Felix could be responsible for what happened are real scum.

"Let's all be together tonight: we play for @officialasroma, for gwijnaldum and for @ohenegyanfelix9."

A heavyweight unification bout between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk "will be made", says promoter Frank Warren, who also did not discount the possibility of an all-British bout between Fury and Anthony Joshua.

Usyk retained his WBA, WBO and IBF titles, and also claimed the Ring Magazine belt with a split-decision victory over Joshua on Saturday to take his record to 20 professional bouts undefeated.

WBC champion Fury appeared to reaffirm his retiremenet ahead of the fight, but subsequently suggested promoters and fans "get [their] cheque book out" after the Ukrainian's win.

Warren, who handles Fury's bouts, has suggested the pair could square off next - and finally deliver the division's first undsputed champion since 1999.

"He and Usyk would be a really good fight," Warren told BBC Radio 5 Live. "It's a fight that I think will be made because both teams would like to see that happen."

Britain's Lennox Lewis beat Evander Holyfield to become the last undisputed heavyweight champion over two decades ago, but there has not been a bout with all four belts on the line since the WBO title was included in 2007.

"Usyk said after the fight that it's the only fight he's interested in, and it's certainly the same case with Tyson," Warren added.

"It's just a matter of where it will generate the most income because it's a unique fight, a historic fight.

"It's the first time for God knows how long that the four belts are on the line. Both fighters are undefeated. The whole world of boxing will be captivated by this fight."

Warren has also not ruled out seeing the long-awaited clash between Fury and Joshua, though the likelihood of such a fight following the latter's third defeat in his past five fights seems questionable.

Joshua first lost the WBA, WBO and IBF titles to Andy Ruiz Jr, though despite winning them back in the rematch, subsequently lost them to Usyk again last year.

The prospect of an all-British unification bout between Joshua and Fury was floated at multiple points during their reigns but ultimately never materialised, and Warren said Joshua will have to win some more fights before he can be considered a contender for Fury.

"If AJ manages to get a couple of wins under his belt - and I believe Tyson will beat Usyk - that may be a fight to be made," Warren added. "But AJ's got to re-establish himself before you can even think about fights like that."

Casemiro said the qualities of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric made it "easy" to star in Real Madrid's midfield ahead of his move to Manchester United, as he backed Los Blancos to replace him from within.

The Brazil international is joining United in a deal reportedly worth an initial £60million (€70m), having won an incredible 18 trophies during a nine-year spell with Madrid. 

Casemiro lifted the Champions League on five occasions during his time in the Spanish capital, and produced a masterful performance as Carlo Ancelotti's team clinched their 14th European crown against Liverpool in May.

Modric, Kroos and Casemiro have been key throughout one of the most successful spells in Madrid's history, starting together in four Champions League finals (in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2022), and the 30-year-old admits he will miss the duo.

"All the titles that you win, all the training sessions, the games you play, they make you happy, just realising you are a Real Madrid player," Casemiro said at a news conference on Monday.

"This era, winning five Champions League titles, is a once in a lifetime experience and very special to me, something I'll never forget. 

"Speaking about Kroos and Modric, they're my great friends, and apart from on the pitch I also think about them as two fantastic people and the great friends they've been to me. 

"It's very easy to play alongside them, I don't have much work to do, I will give them all the credit for all the work they have done. Of course, I will miss them a lot.

"It was difficult to talk to them, like it was in my conversation with the president. Toni sent me a message at 4am, asking me if all the rumours were true. 

"I'm really loyal to all of my team-mates, not just these two team-mates, but I have to be sincere with myself. If my time here is over, I have to take a step forward. I'm going to a great club, the biggest in the UK. 

"I will always be a fan, celebrate Real Madrid's goals and titles, which they will continue to win, no doubt about it. Real Madrid players are the best in the world and it's the best club in the world – it will always be like that for me."

With Kroos absent through illness, Madrid fielded a new-look midfield as they made it two wins from two outings in LaLiga by thrashing Celta Vigo 4-1 on Saturday, with Eduardo Camavinga and recent arrival Aurelien Tchouameni joining Modric in the starting line-up.

And Casemiro believes the presence of the two young French talents means Madrid may not need to replace him, adding: "Real Madrid is a club that always signs the best players in the world.

"Aurelien could also do the job, he's the kind of player that Madrid can rely on for many years to come. Toni and Modric will play at this high level but he can be a great asset as well.

"Camavinga already showed us how important he can be as well. Tchouameni is also a player that is very important, in the French national team as well.

"Real Madrid find themselves in a great place right now, they have great players and will continue to win important titles, that's what this club is about."

Cristiano Ronaldo is "one of the best players in history", so says Casemiro, who is thrilled to link up with his former Real Madrid team-mate at Manchester United.

Casemiro is set to join United in a deal reportedly worth £60million (€70m).

The 30-year-old leaves Madrid after nine-and-a-half years at the club. He has won the Champions League five times and collected three LaLiga titles among 18 major trophies in total.

Casemiro played alongside Ronaldo until 2018, when the latter left Madrid for Juventus, having become Los Blancos' record goalscorer with 450 to his name in all competitions.

Ronaldo returned to United last year and scored 18 Premier League goals, though the Red Devils recorded their lowest points tally in the competition's history (58) as they finished a disappointing sixth.

Uncertainty surrounds Ronaldo's future, with the 37-year-old having been keen to leave Old Trafford in search of Champions League football. While manager Erik ten Hag has insisted the forward is not for sale, reports last week suggested United might even agree to release Ronaldo on a free transfer.

Casemiro, however, is hopeful Ronaldo will stay put, as the Brazil international relishes the chance for a reunion.

"I haven't talked to Ronaldo yet but he knows what I think about him and the history he has made," Casemiro said in a news conference in Madrid on Monday.

"I know he will continue to be unique and I can't wait to start playing with him again.

"I hope he decides to stay because he is one of the best players in history, I am really excited to start playing with him and my new team-mates."

While Ronaldo is seemingly unhappy with playing in the Europa League instead of the Champions League, that is not an issue for Casemiro, who is targeting domestic success with United.

He added: "We won't play in the Champions League this year but it's one of the biggest teams in the world. Knowing the level of this team, we will have a great Europa League season."

Asked what he wants to learn at United, and what he wants to achieve, Casemiro said: "What I want is to transmit the way I feel about the club, my respect and everything that I did [at Madrid], I want to do there too.

"I want to show my fighting spirit, my capacity to work hard, my professional attitude and want to work hard every day to show how serious I am. I want to win the league there.

"I'm going through one of the best moments of my career, I feel really fit and mentally I feel great. It's a great moment to take this decision."

United play rivals Liverpool on Monday, but head into the fixture on the back of two defeats to open their Premier League campaign, having gone down 2-1 to Brighton and Hove Albion and 4-0 to Brentford.

Casemiro wishes he was available to play in that match, but as he prepares to settle into a new league, he also has to consider the upcoming World Cup, with the midfielder a key player for Brazil.

"It's a very important year for me," he said. "You always feel privileged to play for Real Madrid but this change is my big challenge right now.

"I spoke to my wife and she said that I look like an 18-year-old kid who is super excited about his new project, and I really do feel so excited about playing in the Premier League. If I could, I would play today against Liverpool.

"I'm really excited, it's a club with a great history and I will have to work hard to make a name for myself with United. I'm ready to work hard in order to face this new challenge.

"I'll make sure to help my new team-mates have a great season. We'll see what happens in the World Cup."

Casemiro believed his time at Real Madrid was coming to a natural end as the midfielder shot down suggestions his move to Manchester United is is financially driven.

The 30-year-old will complete his transfer from LaLiga champions Madrid to the Premier League this week after he was handed a hero's farewell at Santiago Bernabeu.

Casemiro makes the switch to Old Trafford in a transfer thought to be in the region of £60million (€70m), as United splash the cash in the wake of a dismal start to Erik ten Hag's tenure.

It will see Casemiro switch from a team out to defend their Champions League title to one that might be struggling to make Europe by the end of the season.

But he is relishing the challenge, and believes it was the right moment to call time on his Madrid career.

"My cycle here is finished," he stated. "I am looking for new challenges, new goals, [to] experience a new culture, [to] live in a different city.

"I haven't won anything there yet, I will be just another player looking to help the team. The main reason is the new challenges and wanting to do something new in my life.

"I've become a father here, I've spent nine years here. People who know me, know it's not because of money. If it was, I would have left much earlier, but it's not that.

"It's my decision. The club has supported me, but people who think those things are people that don't know me and they are wrong. The last thing I think about [is money]."

During his time at Madrid, Casemiro won 18 major trophies, including three league crowns and five Champions League titles, and his decision to step away was a hard one.

"I'm very happy when I think about everything I've done here," he added. "I feel I did the job that I was expected to. I've always tried to give my all, [and] I'm very happy for everything that I've achieved here.

"It's always difficult to take such a decision, considering how many years I’ve spent here, how much I'm loved and how happy I was here, but I was really sure about my cycle here being over. I've already made history here and achieved everything that I wanted to achieve, and now it’s time for me to think about new challenges."

Casemiro also revealed his decision was a long time in the making.

He explained: "After we played the Champions League final I talked to my agent. I felt that I was finishing my cycle here. I've always been very honest with myself, the president, the fans and I felt that my cycle was coming to an end at Real Madrid.

"I went on holiday, deciding to relax and to see what happened, and when I was back I still had that feeling. I'm extremely happy because of everything I've done here and I feel that I did what I had to do. History was made, and it was made in the right way."

Marcus Rashford believes Manchester United's clash with Liverpool represents the ideal opportunity for the Red Devils to reverse their dismal start to the Premier League season. 

United have lost their first two matches of the campaign after producing calamitous displays against Brighton and Hove Albion and Brentford, leaving new boss Erik ten Hag facing fierce criticism ahead of Liverpool's visit.

They have not won any of their last eight Premier League meetings with Liverpool, conceding nine goals without reply in two games against their rivals last term. Indeed, United last had a longer winless league run against a single opponent between 1983 and 1987 (10 vs Everton).

Another defeat to Jurgen Klopp's side, meanwhile, would see United slip to four consecutive league defeats for the first time since 1972, but Rashford says the hosts must approach Monday's match with confidence. 

"We have a chance to put it right and there's no better game to do that than Liverpool at Old Trafford," Rashford told Sky Sports.

"If we can play well and get a result it will be positive for us and get us going for the season.

"The first thing is you have to go out there and believe you're going to win. That's the biggest thing, belief and confidence in the team and the tactics. We have to have that.

"Football is an unpredictable game. Things can go well, things can go bad but the reaction has to be positive. 

"We've not started the season as we'd have liked to, but we can't let that go against the fact it's early in the season and we're still working and pushing towards something.

"It can be a good season. Early days everyone always over-exaggerates anyone's performances but for us we have to stay concentrated on each individual game.

"We can't look too far ahead and we definitely can't look back. We have to stay positive and look forward to the next game."

United finished a frustrating 2021-22 campaign sixth in the Premier League table, and already look like outsiders to secure a top-four finish. Ten Hag, meanwhile, is hoping to avoid becoming the club's second manager to lose his first three matches in charge, after John Chapman in 1921.

Rashford acknowledged United have fallen short on a consistent basis, adding: "It's been tough. Especially last season, we didn't reach the heights we could have reached. We didn't reach the standard we're capable of.

"But it's something to work towards and definitely right now the team is a work in progress and we have to understand the situation and keep pushing ourselves every day. That's the bare minimum and if we keep doing that, I'm sure we'll get back to winning ways.

"You speak about the next step. Sometimes you can be so close but if you're not there you're not there. 

"That distance can be bigger than what it feels like. At the same time, we can't get away from the fact that two years ago we were up there and competing against the best teams in the league."

On an individual level, Rashford endured a poor 2021-22 campaign, making just 13 Premier League starts and recording a total of six goal contributions (four goals, two assists) after spending several months out with a shoulder injury following Euro 2020.

Asked whether a spate of fitness issues had impacted his form in front of goal, Rashford replied: "Yeah, probably. But at the end of the day a lot of those were decisions I made. 

"I was playing for a long time with these injuries, and they weren't small injuries, they were injuries I probably should have taken time out [with] and rested. If I feel I can be positive for the team, I'll always try and put myself out there.

"For me it's just about repetitions and once I start putting the ball in the net again it will be a feeling that will last for a while."

England will begin their first red-ball tour of Pakistan since 2005 on December 1 in Rawalpindi, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed.

Earlier this month, it was announced that England would travel to Pakistan for the first time in 17 years for a seven-match T20 series in September, and the dates have now been confirmed for the Test team's visit three months later.

Security concerns have prevented England from touring Pakistan since 2005, when Michael Vaughan's Ashes-winning side succumbed to a 3-2 series defeat.

But Brendon McCullum's red-ball side will now face Pakistan in a three-match series before the end of the year, travelling to Multan and Karachi after playing their first ever Test match in Rawalpindi.

The contests will follow on from a camp in Abu Dhabi, which will begin on November 18 and will take in a three-day warm-up match against the Lions at the Zayed Cricket Complex.

Clare Connor, the ECB's interim chief executive officer, said: "The return of our men's Test team to Pakistan for the first time since 2005 will be an historic occasion. 

"The opportunity to play Test cricket in front of passionate cricket-lovers in Pakistan after such a long time is something to be cherished. 

"We have been working closely with the PCB over recent months and I am grateful to them for everything they have done, and continue to do, to make our Test and T20 tours a mouth-watering prospect for all involved."

The PCB's director of international cricket Zakir Kahn added: "We are pleased that the Pakistan and England Test rivalry, which has historically produced close and tight matches, will return to our backyards in December. 

"Both the sides have evolved since they last played in Pakistan in 2005 and have recently been playing entertaining and exciting cricket. 

"I remain confident this series will live up to the expectations of the global cricket fans who want to watch and enjoy competitive and thrilling matches."

Before England can switch their focus to the trip to Pakistan, they must find a way to overturn a 1-0 deficit in their ongoing three-match series against South Africa, having been thrashed within three days at Lord's last week. 

Harry Kane feels Tottenham have shown a steelier resolve under Antonio Conte, with the England captain suggesting his side are ready to handle "high-pressure situations".

The striker became the all-time record goalscorer for a single club in the Premier League this weekend with his 185th goal, which fired Spurs to a 1-0 win over Wolves.

Conte replaced Nuno Espirito Santo last season and ultimately guided Tottenham to Champions League qualification, at the expense of north London rivals Arsenal.

Under the Italian, Tottenham arguably look the best they have been since the Mauricio Pochettino era, and Kane certainly believes they can show their mettle this term in the hunt for success.

"We've definitely strengthened," he said, as reported by The Evening Standard. "The mentality was starting to change towards the back end of last year.

"To get Champions League in the way we did and performing in high-pressure situations at the end of the season was really important.

"We've added to the squad, we've got better, we've improved, we've had a good pre-season with the manager. He demands a lot from us on the pitch, off the pitch, [with the] mentality.

"We're in a good place. We know we need to improve, especially the last two first-halves against Chelsea and [Wolves], we need to better. But I think as the season goes on we'll get stronger and stronger.

"I think that if you want to do something important in the season you have to be able to handle those high-pressure situations.

"In the big games, in the tight games, you have to be able to come out on top and build those points throughout the whole year.

"We've started the season well. Obviously the first game we played really well and the next two we know we can improve but we've got good results."

Spurs travel to Nottingham Forest for their next Premier League outing on Sunday.

Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha has suggested "drastic changes" in the club's ownership structure may be the path forward from their current problems.

The Premier League heavyweights have lost their first two games of the Erik ten Hag era in limp fashion, slipping to an opening defeat against Brighton and Hove Albion before being thrashed 4-0 at Brentford.

That has increased the common refrain for club owners Joel and Avram Glazer to step aside and sell the club, with the pair having drawn the frequent ire of supporters since their arrival at Old Trafford.

Now, Saha - a double title winner during his time with United - has addressed the calls for a switch in ownership, suggesting dramatic action is needed at the bottom as much as the top.

"Any drastic changes, something that can help people and fans, [give] the media other stuff to talk about - no, the problem is still there," Saha told StatsPerform.

"Tomorrow, you give them a billion dollars to get the players [but] if the scouting is wrong, you still have the same problem on the pitch and people will still protest.

"So you have to make the right choices, you have to really be in a position where everything is in harmony. If your commercial part is working but [not] on the field, you will see a protest.

"If the club is not earning money, like Barcelona, people say it is badly managed and all that. Everything needs to work [together at] the same time.

"Sometimes, for that, you need drastic changes. I'd be interest to see what happens."

A fan protest is expected when United host Liverpool on Monday, with Jurgen Klopp's Reds also looking for a first win of the campaign.

Udonis Haslem has confirmed he will be back for another year, and what will be his 20th season in the NBA.

The Miami Heat forward, who is the franchise's all-time leader in rebounds, has agreed a one-year deal worth $2.9million.

Haslem had raised doubts as to whether he would return or retire, with the Heat putting the offer on the table almost two months ago.

The 42-year-old has ultimately chosen to continue, saying at his basketball camp in Miami on Sunday: "I have decided to follow through with what me and my father had talked about, and I will finish what I started and I will play 20 years.

"I will play this year, because I talked about that with my father and that's what we said we would do.

"It won't be the same. Won't be as easy. But the goal still remains the same. Win. Win a championship. Leave it on the line and hold your head high when it's all over."

Haslem has won three NBA championships with Miami, and made 13 appearances last season, averaging 2.5 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is confident he can prove a success at the club, emphasising he knew how much of a challenge it would be.

Ten Hag took over from interim manager Ralf Rangnick at the end of last season, but the former Ajax coach has seen his side lose their opening two Premier League fixtures.

Brighton and Hove Albion claimed a first win at Old Trafford in their history on August 7, before United slumped to a humbling 4-0 defeat at Brentford six days later.

Arch rivals Liverpool travel to Old Trafford on Monday, with Ten Hag looking to avoid becoming the second United manager to lose each of his first three games in charge of the club in all competitions, after John Chapman in 1921.

The Dutchman is sure, however, that he will be a successful United boss.

"I'm not here for myself, I'm here for the club and to restore the club," Ten Hag said in a news conference.

"I knew before this is a challenge and I wanted this challenge.

"I knew before it was going to be hard but I wanted that because in my career, everywhere I started, the start was difficult but I get it done, and I'm convinced I get it done here as well."

Having questioned the attitude of his players following the humiliation at Brentford, Ten Hag stressed that he also counts himself among that crticism. 

"Don't get me wrong, when I talk about players and I want to emphasise that, I'm in the same boat as well," he said.

"When we are not in the right attitude, I'm not as well. We win together, we lose together. That cannot happen. It's a signal, we don't have to make it bigger.

"I think it's now a real big story, but that's not necessary because again, it's the first, the first occasion that it's happened."

United are set to sign Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro, while they are also chasing Brazil forward Antony, who starred under Ten Hag at Ajax.

New York Giants rookie edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux left Sunday night’s 25-22 preseason win against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second quarter after apearing to suffer a knee injury when a blocker took out his legs.

Thibodeaux, the fifth overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, was hurt on a cut block from Bengals tight end Thaddeus Moss on a running play early in the second quarter. The 21-year-old was able to walk off the field under his own power and to the team’s sideline medical tent before being taken to the locker room.

The Giants later announced Thibodeaux would not return to the game, though Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reports the team’s initial belief is that he avoided a major injury. After the game when walking through the tunnels, Thibodeaux responded to reporters saying "I'm good... good news".

New York selected Thibodeaux with the first of two top-10 choices in this year’s draft following a standout three-year career at Oregon. The six-foot-five, 258-pound edge rusher amassed 19 sacks in 32 games for the Ducks, earned 2019 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year honours and was a unanimous All-American in 2021.

Thibodeaux has been running with the first-team defense during training camp and is being counted on to boost a unit that tied for 22nd in the NFL with 34 sacks last season.