Marcus Rashford's "unbelievable focus" is key to a Manchester United full of "bright, happy people", believes manager Erik ten Hag.
The England international endured a difficult 2021-22 campaign but is a forward reborn under the Dutchman at Old Trafford this term.
Rashford was on hand to rescue a point in Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Leeds United, scoring his 11th Premier League goal of the season.
Ten Hag credits his turnaround with an increased attention to detail on and off the pitch, and suggests it has had a knock-on effect for his team-mates.
"He has unbelievable focus in this moment," Ten Hag told Sky Sports about Rashford.
"He is aware of it. If he makes the right movements, he or his team will bring him in the right position to score goals.
"In this moment, he sets the flow. He brings it every game on the pitch. If he has that energy and those levels, he will score goals.
"The only thing the team has to do is get him in that position."
Ten Hag added: "We see bright, happy people, I think [we must continue to] be positive. You have to approach the game in the positive mindset.
"If the whole squad bring it home, you have magnificent results, which is what we are going for."
Rashford is United's top scorer this season, helping to fill the void left behind by Cristiano Ronaldo's acrimonious mid-season exit from the club.
He will hope to be on target once again when the club make the short trip to Leeds for a rapid-fire return fixture at Elland Road on Sunday.
Javier Tebas accused European Super League organisers on Thursday of prowling like a cunning wolf and trying "to fool" those at the heart of football.
The president of Spain's LaLiga scoffed at newly announced plans for a competition featuring 60 to 80 teams spread across several divisions, guaranteeing clubs 14 games per season.
He had predicted in November that such a proposal was coming and was scornful then.
Now Tebas says the European Super League is only interested in how it might serve to benefit the rich clubs, with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus the three teams who remain subscribed to the proposed new competition.
A similar proposal to the latest Super League concept was put forward in 2019, on that occasion by UEFA and the European Club Association, when it appeared the Champions League may become more of a closed shop.
However, that did not get off the ground, and if Tebas has his way, nor will this.
"The Super League is the wolf, who today disguises himself as a granny to try to fool European football," Tebas wrote on Twitter, "but HIS nose and HIS teeth are very big.
"Four divisions in Europe? Of course the first for them, as in the 2019 reform. Government of the clubs? Of course only the big ones."
A similarly dismissive statement posted to the LaLiga Corporativo Twitter account read: "The Super League is the wolf in the story of Little Red Riding Hood.
"It is disguising itself as an open and meritocratic competition, but underneath there is still the same selfish, elitist and greed driven project. Don't let their tales fool you."
The European Super League venture is being driven by the A22 group, led by CEO Bernd Reichart, after its previous April 2021 launch ended in calamity and humiliation, with nine of the 12 clubs pulling out almost immediately after a thunderous backlash.
Those were Premier League giants Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal, LaLiga's Atletico Madrid, and Serie A clubs Milan and Inter.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta continues to back the controversial plans, which many in the game claim will cause lasting damage to domestic competitions.
Laporta said on Thursday: "It is progressing. It will be an attractive, sustainable competition, respectful of the health of the players.
"What we want is for the dialogue with UEFA not to break, and to harmonise with the national leagues. We must establish a deeper debate to coexist with the domestic leagues, as the Champions League coexists with the leagues.
"All to the point that the promoters of the Super League will have the right to organise competitions. It evolves. It is in progress.
"We are committed to the Super League project and to the sustainability of European football. We cannot compete with domestic clubs, nor with the Premier League, which allocates seven billion to the competition... there are comparative grievances.
"What commits us is the sustainability of football. We are three big clubs and we don't want to leave UEFA aside. It will be done in agreement with UEFA. We are not going through the path of rupture, we are going through the path of dialogue."
The Football Supporters Association, representing fans in England and Wales, accused European Super League backers of wilful ignorance towards fans.
It said: "The walking corpse that is the European Super League twitches again with all the self-awareness one associates with a zombie.
"They say 'dialogue with fans and independent fan groups is essential' yet the European Zombie League marches on – wilfully ignorant to the contempt supporters across the continent have for it."
Antonio Conte has returned to work with Tottenham after undergoing surgery last week to remove his gallbladder.
Spurs announced last Wednesday the Italian coach had to go under the knife after complaining of "severe abdominal pain" linked with cholecystitis.
Conte missed Tottenham's 1-0 Premier League win over Manchester City last weekend, with assistant Cristian Stellini filling in.
The 53-year-old flew back from Italy to England earlier this week and oversaw training on Thursday ahead of this weekend's trip to Leicester City.
However, it has not yet been confirmed by Tottenham whether Conte will be in the dugout at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
According to the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS), the procedure Conte underwent can take roughly a month to "return to your normal activities".
Tottenham, who are fifth in the Premier League, follow up their game against Leicester with a trip to Milan for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday.
Lionel Messi's relationship with Barcelona is unaffected by comments made by the legendary forward's brother, according to club president Joan Laporta.
Matias Messi suggested in a question and answer session on streaming platform Twitch that "no one knew" Barca prior to his younger sibling's trophy-laden spell at Camp Nou.
The 40-year-old also said he would make sure to "kick out Laporta" as part of a "good cleaning" in the boardroom if his brother ever returned to the Catalan heavyweights.
He posted an apology on his Instagram account on Wednesday, stating he "was just joking with my son and friends", but the comments did not go down well at Barca.
However, speaking at a press conference on Thursday to discuss Barca's latest accounts, Laporta insisted those remarks will not impact Messi's status at the club.
"I take away the importance of anything said by his brother," Laporta said. "He has since apologised. I don't think about it any more.
"It doesn't affect the relationship [between Messi and Barcelona] at all.
"I don't want to comment on a player from another team any further out of respect.
"Leo Messi is forever part of Barcelona and we are proud of that. He is the best in the world and the best in history."
Messi scored a club record 672 goals in 778 appearances for Barcelona across 17 seasons as a first-team player, during which time he won 35 trophies.
The Argentina international departed for Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021 and his famed number 10 shirt has since been inherited by fellow academy player Ansu Fati.
Fati has been linked with a move away from Barca in recent weeks, with Manchester United reportedly interested, but Laporta ruled out an exit in the next transfer window.
"Right now we are not considering it," he said. "I cannot predict the future, but Ansu Fati is a player with whom we have great hopes.
"It all depends on whether he remains useful for the club and for [head coach] Xavi. He has a lot of expectations on him and we are not willing to sell the player at this time.
"We have no news that the player wants to leave, and we will continue to do what suits the club."
Laporta also confirmed Ousmane Dembele is not for sale, while captain Sergio Busquets's future beyond the end of this season when his contract expires is still unknown.
Barcelona, who are eight points clear of Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga, are back in action on Sunday with a trip to Villarreal.
Former Barcelona and Spain winger Marcos Alonso Pena, the father of current club left-back Marcos Alonso, has died aged 63.
Known as Marcos during his playing days, the former Blaugrana man played over a hundred games for the Camp Nou club between 1982 and 1987.
He also enjoyed spells with Racing Santander and Atletico Madrid either side of his time with Barca, and was a full Spain international, like his son.
In a statement, Barca expressed sadness at Marcos' death and passed on their support to their defender and his family.
"FC Barcelona would like to express its deepest condolences for the passing of former Barca player Marcos Alonso Pena," they wrote.
"All of our strength to Marcos Alonso and his entire family. Rest in peace."
Making his debut with Racing 1977, Marcos followed in the footsteps of his own father Marquitos, a former Real Madrid defender, in turning to football.
A move to Atletico followed before he first arrived at Barcelona in 1982, where he amassed multiple honours, including LaLiga and Copa del Rey success in a five-year spell.
He later returned to the Rojiblancos, before a brief spell at Logrones and a final return to Racing.
At international level, Marcos won 22 caps for Spain and was an unused squad member at Euro 1984, when La Roja finished as runners-up.
To mark his passing, a minute of silence was held at Barca president Joan Laporta's press conference on Wednesday.
United States forward Alex Morgan says it would be "bizarre" for the Women's World Cup to have a major sponsor from Saudi Arabia.
A possible move to see this year's FIFA tournament in Australia and New Zealand sponsored in part by tourism authority Visit Saudi has been revealed in recent weeks.
The move has generated significant backlash from both host countries, with focus on Saudi Arabia's human rights record, particularly in regard to women and LGBTQ people.
Morgan, a two-time World Cup winner with the USWNT, feels any partnership between the sport's governing body and Saudi Arabia would send a poor message to the tournament's players.
"I think it's bizarre that FIFA has looked to have a Visit Saudi sponsorship for the Women's World Cup," Morgan said.
"I, myself, Alex Morgan, would not even be supported and accepted in that country, so I just don't understand it.
"I think that what Saudi Arabia can do is put efforts into their women’s team that was just formed only a couple of years ago and doesn’t even have a current ranking within the FIFA ranking system because of the few games that they’ve played.
"So that would be my advice to them. And I really hope that FIFA does the right thing. Pretty much everyone has spoken out against [the proposed sponsorship] because morally it just doesn't make sense."
The United States step up their preparation for the World Cup this month with the SheBelieves Cup, as they prepare to face Canada, Brazil and Japan.
They will start their title defence against Vietnam at Auckland's Eden Park on July 22.
Ravindra Jadeja marked his comeback with a five-wicket haul as Australia were bowled out cheaply by India on day one of the Test series at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium.
Much of the talk ahead of the match in Nagpur was over the condition of the pitch and Jadeja took centre stage with the ball, where the tourists collapsed to 177 all out after Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat.
Jadeja, playing his first international since August after undergoing knee surgery, took 5-47 and Ravichandran Ashwin (3-42) reached the 450 Test-wicket milestone in fewer matches than any other India bowler as Australia folded from 84-2.
India were 77-1 at stumps in reply as part of a great start to their quest to lift the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Rohit Sharma unbeaten on 56 as both sides bid to secure a place in the World Test Championship final at The Oval in June.
Australia were reduced to 2-2 with Mohammed Siraj trapping Usman Khawaja leg before wicket with an outswinger before Mohammed Shami sent David Warner's off stump flying.
Marnus Labuschagne (49) and Steve Smith (37) put on 82 for the third wicket, but Jadeja had the number three stumped and was on a hat-trick after getting Matt Renshaw lbw early in the afternoon session.
Spinning all-rounder Jadeja struck a huge blow by bowling Smith through the gate, but Peter Handscomb – preferred to Travis Head – and Alex Carey briefly steadied the ship with a stand of 53.
Ashwin then came to the fore to join the 450 club, cleaning up Carey (36) and sending Cummins on his way before Jadeja got rid of debutant Todd Murphy without scoring and Handscomb (31).
Tweaker Ashwin saw the back of Scott Boland to end Australia's innings in the 64th over, and although Murphy had KL Rahul caught and bowled late in the day, Rohit was still there at stumps along with nightwatchman Ashwin.
Jadeja has his day in the sun
As he prepared to make his comeback this week, Jadeja said he "hadn't felt the sun for about five months" during his recovery.
Australia felt the heat as the left-armer shone on day one of the four-match series, claiming his 11th five-wicket Test haul.
This was his fourth five-wicket Test haul against Australia, the most he has claimed against any nation. Since the 34-year-old's debut in December 2012, only Stuart Broad (six) and Ashwin (five) have picked up more against Australia.
Ashwin second-fastest to 450
It was another day to remember for Ashwin, who took his tally of wickets in the longest format to 450 in his 89th match.
That beat the previous India record held by Anil Kumble, who reached that incredible tally in 93 contests. Only Muttiah Muralitharan got to the landmark in fewer matches, the Sri Lanka spinner achieving the feat in his 80th Test.
Sherfane Rutherford’s heroics played a significant role in helping the Desert Vipers make their first-ever appearance in an ILT20 final on Wednesday.
After suffering a painful hamstring injury that forced him to leave the field, the Guyanese batsman returned to rescue his team smashing 37 off 19 deliveries including three consecutive sixes off David Wiese.
His heroics would help propel Desert Vipers to 178-7, which proved to be enough as the Vipers dismissed Gulf Giants for 159 in 19.4 overs.
During an interview on the Vipers Voices Podcast afterwards, Rutherford said he knew it was going to be his last game but he wanted to make an impact on the game and help his team.
“It was my idea (to go back out and bat). When I went in (after being injured), I asked my physio if I could go back and bat. He said no and that it was better I just relax,” he explained.
“I told him I could do it, and then he said he was going to discuss it with the coach. At that time Tom Moody was passing by and he said, ‘If he (Rutherford) wants to bat, let us trust him.’ I also knew it was going to be my last game (in the tournament) and I wanted to give it my all, and hopefully I could make an impact for the team.”
After arriving at the crease, he revealed his intentions to Tom Curran, his partner with whom he put on 52 runs which ultimately changed the direction of the match.
“I knew I could not run, so I said (to Tom Curran) that I was going to try and get boundaries. So, I think that’s where we won the game,” Rutherford said.
The Desert Vipers are through to the first-ever final of the DP World ILT20 after a sensational 19-run win over the Gulf Giants at the Dubai International Stadium on Wednesday. This was the Vipers’ first victory over the Giants in the tournament, having lost their two previous contests.
Batting first Desert Vipers made 178-7 from their 20 overs before restricting the Gulf Giants to 159 all out off 19.4 overs.
Put into bat, the Vipers had a shaky start, losing their first three wickets for just 33 runs but they recovered to post a winning score in large part due to the heroics of Sherfane Rutherford, who returned to the field despite a painful hamstring injury to score 37 off 19 deliveries including three consecutive sixes off David Wiese.
Tom Curran shared a 52-run partnership with Rutherford, contributing a valuable 29 runs, and he took four wickets as well, earning him the Player of the Match award.
“Rutherford is in a bit of pain with his injury. Not sure how long he will be out for with his injury. I didn’t expect him to come back on the field like he did to be honest. But he showed great courage, and I think it is the environment we have created within the Desert Vipers, that (makes) people want to go out and perform for the team,” said team captain Colin Munro.
“The courage he showed to come out and bat on one leg was the turning point of the game. He hit the ball beautifully and changed the whole momentum of the game and put us in the driver’s seat. That was a great knock from him.”
Munro also praised Curran and Wanindu Hasaranga for the impact they had on the match.
“I think Tom Curran is a genuine all-rounder now. He used to be a bowler who could also bat at around number eight, but since coming into the Vipers he has been given the chance to go in at six and seven and show what he can do,” Munro said.
“Hasaranga is a world class player, and he is up (the top) in the ICC T20 rankings, and he was in the (ICC T20 Men’s) Team of the Year. He was outstanding and to get those three wickets, (they) really put inroads in (the Gulf Giants batting line-up).
“They (Gulf Giants) got off to a really good start in the power play through James Vince and Chris Lynn. I think the way Hasaranga came out and got a wicket in his first over put them under pressure, while also getting the run rate going up. This allowed our bowlers to settle in and use what the pitch had to offer.
“We came here to qualify, number one, and once we got into the finals, it was about putting our best foot forward to make it to the final. Now we are there, and our next goal is to lift that trophy.”
Naturally, Head Coach James Foster was delighted with the performance and the outcome.
“I am really chuffed for the whole team. I think they fought really hard throughout this campaign. I thought we had to show a lot of fight today, and a lot of character,” he said while speaking on the Vipers Voices podcast.
“After a positive start, we were three down for not too many (runs), and I thought Ronnie (Rohan Mustafa) got us off to a flyer but the brakes were put on us, and then we had to absorb a lot of pressure.
“The partnership between Sam Billings and Wanindu Hasaranga was huge in the context of the game. They had to rebuild, but also had to show intent and keep that scoreboard ticking.”
He, too, was full of praise for Rutherford.
“When Rutherford came out and then pulled up with that hamstring injury, you thought the worst. But the fact that he was happy to go back out there (was great for the team). It was his idea and his thought, and he was really keen,” he said.
“So at the drop of the next wicket he went out there and that was some unbelievable ball-striking, bearing in mind he was on one leg. To hit the ball in the areas that he did, with the power that he possesses, which we have seen throughout this campaign, came to fruition tonight.
“What a platform the ILT20 is to showcase what Rutherford can do. I am really pleased for him, he is such a top man, such a nice guy and so humble. In the same breath (I am) devastated for him, about picking up an injury.”
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin appeared in Phoenix on Wednesday to collect an honour for his charitable work just over a month after collapsing against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The 2021 NFL draft pick was rushed to hospital after he suffered a cardiac arrest during the January 2 regular season game, but has since shown remarkable progress in his recovery.
In the wake of his collapse, which led to the cancellation of the game, donations totalling more than $9million (£7.4m) were raised for the Chasing M's Foundation, for which Hamlin had backed a toy drive in 2020.
Taking to the stage at the Phoenix Convention Center with his parents in a surprise appearance during Super Bowl week, he was named the winner of the NFLPA Alan Page Community Award.
The 24-year-old vowed to continue making a difference.
"Giving back to my community has always been a big part of who I am," Hamlin said.
"I'm thankful to my father, who's right here behind me.
"Growing up, just watching him do community days in our community, and I just always was waiting on my time when it came. One of my favourite quotes is that it's a blessing to be a blessing.
"With that being said, I plan to never take this position for granted and always have an urgent approach in making a difference in the community where I come from and also communities across the world."
Hamlin's foundation received a $100,000 donation for his further work.
The Bills saw their season ultimately come to an end in the playoffs against the Bengals after they were eliminated in the Divisional round in a 27-10 loss.
LeBron James deserves to be acknowledged as one of the NBA's all-time greats, according to Kyrie Irving as he paid tribute to his former team-mate's achievements.
The Los Angeles Lakers veteran overhauled Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's all-time scoring record during a 133-130 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder this week.
Having needed 36 to break the figure, the 38-year-old posted 38 to end the game with 38,390 career points to his name, further underlining his status as one of the sport's giants.
Irving, who was recently traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Dallas Mavericks, played with James at the Cleveland Cavaliers, and was effusive in his admiration for his latest record.
"I just enjoy seeing him celebrate himself, in those moments where a lot of hard work that doesn't necessarily get talked about or seen by others is on full display," he said.
"I got a chance to play three special years with him. It's a celebration to witness history like that, within the game that's so special to all of us.
"We should acknowledge when greatness is in front of us.
"I know we've all [these] superlatives for LeBron. You've got the stans on one side, you've got the real supporters on one side.
"I think it's just great for the game that we can all come together collectively to celebrating somebody and his accomplishments like that."
A four-time NBA champion and four-time MVP pick, James is also a two-time Olympic Gold Medallist after success at Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
Irving made his Mavericks debut during a 110-104 win against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, scoring a team-high 24 points.
Dallas Stars coach Peter DeBoer hailed his side's willingness to be unbowed physically by the Minnesota Wild after taking a 4-1 win on Wednesday.
A superb performance between the posts from Jake Oettinger, in which the goaltender made 38 saves, helped the hosts to a first regulation win since January 21.
Roope Hintz scored a goal and proided an assist, while there were also scores from Jamie Benn, Radek Faksa and Jani Hakanpaa as the Stars extended their point streak to seven games.
Having furthered their lead atop the Western Conference, DeBoer was delighted to see his side square up to the physical challenge offered by the Wild.
"[It was a] a good win," he said at American Airlines Center. "They made it difficult. They're a big, physical team that came in here and tried to impose that game on us.
"I loved our response. I thought we didn't back down. Physically, [we] didn't take a step back. I thought we played exactly how you have to play against a team like that."
After a goalless first period, the Stars took charge in the second with three scores and never looked likely to relinquish their lead.
Wild coach Dean Evason felt his side lack a cutting edge, with Joel Eriksson Ek the only man to find the back of the net.
"We just didn't find a way to score a goal," he said. "We''e doing a lot of real good things.
"[There are] a lot of positives in this hockey game. We have to obviously stay as positive as we can. We play tomorrow night."
The Wild next face the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday, while the Stars are not back in action until they face the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.
Zion Williamson will miss the All-Star Game due to a hamstring injury that has kept the New Orleans Pelicans forward out for over a month.
Williamson has not played since doing damage when facing the Philadelphia 76ers on January 2.
The 22-year-old will also miss the Pelicans' next three games and will not be ready for the All-Star Game at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on February 19.
Williamson's fitness will be assessed after the All-Star break.
Looking at his absence, Pelicans coach Willie Green said: "Not before the All-Star break, we're probably not going to see the starting five we started the season with, no."
Williamson had been due to feature with LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic on Team LeBron.
The Pelicans are 29-27 in the Western Conference, sitting seventh following three consecutive wins.
Williamson's continued absence is a big blow for New Orleans, as he has averaged 26.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 29 games this season.
The top overall pick from the 2019 NBA Draft has been unfortunate with injuries early in his career.
He managed only 24 games in his rookie season, and after appearing back on track with a spectacular 2020-21 campaign where he played 61 games and earned an All-Star appearance, he then went on to miss the entire 2021-22 season.
Kyrie Irving described his Dallas Mavericks debut as an "incredible" experience after playing a lead role in victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
An NBA champion alongside LeBron James seven years ago with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Irving joined the Mavericks this week after a stint with the Brooklyn Nets.
The Mavs scored a 110-104 road win against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday and Irving shot a team-high 24 points.
Asked at courtside how his debut felt, Irving told ESPN: "Incredible. I had natural nerves out here, so I was just trying to play well, but it feels good to get acclimated.
"It's been a long 96 hours to say the least, but I'm just grateful I got to play the game I love with some guys that were selfless out there, and it just feels good."
Luka Doncic is sidelined for now due to a heel problem but is expected back within days, with Dallas now sitting fourth in the Western Conference.
The prospect of linking up with Doncic excites the new arrival, who spoke of what could be expected.
"Just some high-level, high-IQ basketball," Irving said. "It's simple when you play with guys that are selfless and do the little things, and they don't mind other guys being aggressive out there. That's the way the game should be played, a very fast pace, and just doing the little things, details to win.
"We'll take it from day to day. We're trying to get everybody healthy and see where we go from there."
Irving saw lots that pleased him about his new team-mates, saying in a post-game press conference: "I was telling the guys in the locker room I liked how we didn't panic in the last four minutes. We stayed poised. They made their runs, but we made everything tough.
"It just felt good to get this debut out of the way. It's been a long 96 hours, barely any sleep sometimes and just packing my stuff. It was the first time I ever got traded in the middle of the season, so it was new for me.
"But I'm excited that I'm here, and just keep things rolling now."
Tim Hardaway Jr. had 19 points, six assists and five rebounds, and the 30-year-old believes Irving is settling in well.
"It felt like when he came to practice yesterday and came to shoot this morning, you could just tell his energy was great," Hardaway Jr. said.
"He talked to all the guys out there and told us to 'keep doing what you guys are doing, have fun; don't look for me, I'll find a way'.
"He just gave us that confidence. It felt like he'd been here for a while, while he was on the floor with us, so it was great."
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