Manchester United teenager Alejandro Garnacho is set to win his first cap for Argentina as the world champions named their squad for their first matches since the Qatar success.

Lionel Scaloni's men beat France 4-2 on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw in the World Cup final in December as Lionel Messi won international football's premier tournament for the first time in his decorated career.

The Paris Saint-Germain star is set to add to his 172 appearances for Argentina after he was named in Scaloni's squad for the friendlies with Panama and Curacao later this month.

But a fellow forward looks likely to play for La Albiceleste for the first time, with Garnacho's excellent form since breaking into the United squad this season earning him a maiden call-up.

The 18-year-old has registered eight goal involvements in 27 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils this term, becoming an important part of their squad as they enjoy a successful first season under Erik ten Hag.

Angel Di Maria is named in the 35-man squad after scoring Argentina's second in the World Cup final, while shoot-out hero Emiliano Martinez also features.

Martinez's Aston Villa team-mate Emiliano Buendia is included while Enzo Fernandez, who joined Chelsea from Benfica in the January window for a British-record £106.8million (€120.6m), retains his place.

Argentina squad: Franco Armani (River Plate), Geronimo Rulli (Ajax), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa); Juan Foyth (Villarreal), Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Nehuen Perez (Udinese), German Pezzella (Real Betis), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon), Marcos Acuna (Sevilla), Lautaro Blanco (Elche); Leandro Paredes (Juventus), Guido Rodriguez (Real Betis), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Maximo Perrone (Manchester City), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid), Facundo Buonanotte (Brighton and Hove Albion), Thiago Almada (Atlanta United), Giovani Lo Celso (Villarreal), Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton and Hove Albion), Valentin Carboni (Inter); Angel Di Maria (Juventus), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid), Emiliano Buendia (Aston Villa), Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain), Paulo Dybala (Roma), Lautaro Martinez (Inter), Julian Alvarez (Manchester City), Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina), Alejandro Gomez (Sevilla).

Jonathan Quick was reported to be unhappy with the trade that took him away from the Los Angeles Kings this week, but he was soon back at the top of the Pacific Division.

Goaltender Quick was included in a trade deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets as the Kings moved for Joonas Korpisalo.

A two-time Stanley Cup champion in LA, Quick paid the price for a difficult season but was said to have remained in the city amid frustration at his departure.

Rather than heading to Columbus, he will instead make the shorter trip to Las Vegas after the Golden Knights agreed their own trade with the Blue Jackets.

Starting Golden Knights netminder Logan Thompson is out injured, potentially presenting the opportunity for Quick to come straight into the team.

The veteran's new Golden Knights team-mates are tied with the Kings at the top of the division.

Vegas will play the Kings once more this season, on April 6.

Stefano Pioli credited Zlatan Ibrahimovic for his influence on Milan's squad as he suggested the fit-again striker will soon be able to make his first start of the season.

Having undergone anterior cruciate ligament surgery shortly after helping Milan end an 11-year wait to win the Scudetto last May, Ibrahimovic made his first appearance of the campaign last week.

Ibrahimovic entered the fray as a substitute as Milan beat fellow top-four contenders Atalanta 2-0 at San Siro, recording their fourth consecutive victory without conceding across all competitions.

Asked what kind of involvement Ibrahimovic may have when Milan visit Fiorentina on Saturday, Pioli said: "Not full playing time, but he will soon be able to start. 

"Zlatan is Zlatan, it's his strength, his return is important. In training with him or without him, there's definitely a difference."

 

Milan are looking to win five successive games without conceding for just the fifth time in their history on Saturday, having last done so in 2018 under Gennaro Gattuso.

The Rossoneri's run represents a remarkable turnaround after they went seven matches without winning shortly after the World Cup, a downturn which saw them drop out of Serie A's top four and exit the Coppa Italia.

The more positive mood emerging at San Siro has been helped by the returns of Ibrahimovic and goalkeeper Mike Maignan, but Pioli puts their recent improvement down to others stepping up.

"There's more to it [than the returns of Ibrahimovic and Maignan]" Pioli said. "There's the work and the quality of the players. Then we're talking about players who raise the level of the team.

"It's time to give continuity. We are the ones who can influence our performances to achieve positive results, we must play with great attention and great determination. 

"With more players we are stronger, tomorrow [Ismael] Bennacer, [Davide] Calabria and [Alessandro] Florenzi will return."

Antoine Davis hopes to get another shot at Pete Maravich's college scoring record after falling three points short on Thursday.

Maravich's 3,667 points in three years at LSU represented an NCAA Division I record many thought would never be broken.

But Detroit Mercy star Davis had the opportunity to pass that mark by scoring 26 points against Youngstown State.

He finished with 22 points, however, and his college exited the Horizon League tournament at the quarter-final stage.

That defeat potentially ends Detroit Mercy's season and Davis' career, but there remains the possibility of an invite to a postseason tournament.

"The NCAA tournament is the goal," Davis said.

"I wouldn't have a problem with [the College Basketball Invitational]. I'm sure none of my team-mates would have a problem with it."

Davis played five years at college due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, averaging 25.4 points per game.

Maravich, playing without a three-point line between 1967 and 1970, scored 44.2 points per game.

Mike Davis, Antoine's father and head coach, said: "People would have put an asterisk by his name if he would've broken [the record].

"Pistol Pete was in a world of his own, and there will never be another Pistol Pete in college basketball.

"I think there will never be another Antoine the way he scored in 144 consecutive games."

Antoine added: "I'm thankful to even be in the same boat as Pistol Pete."

Bryce Young understands the questions that are being asked about his size ahead of the NFL Draft but remains confident in his ability.

The former Alabama quarterback is one of the most highly rated prospects heading into April's draft and is one of the most decorated players available.

Winner of the Heisman Trophy and SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2021, Young threw 79 touchdowns and had just 12 interceptions in his two seasons as a starter for the Crimson Tide.

His stellar performances include 321 yards and five TD's in his final game for Alabama, a 45-20 victory over Kansas State in December's Sugar Bowl.

Despite those impressive numbers, questions have been asked about Young's frame heading into the NFL, having been listed at six-foot and 194 pounds at Alabama.

While Young is aware of those potential concerns, it is not something that fazes him.

"I've been this size, respectfully, my whole life. I know who I am, I know what I can do," he said on Friday at the NFL Combine.

"For me, it's fair, everyone can speculate, ask me every question. I'm going to continue to control what I can control, continue to keep working my hardest. I'm confident in myself. I know what I can do.

"To be honest, I don't really know too much about what's said about me. I'm grateful for everyone's opinion, I respect everyone's opinion, but I focus on what I can control.

"I take the advice and the direction of the people that I trust."

Young also confirmed that he had met formally with the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans at the combine, who hold the first two picks of April's draft.

A potential trade for the Bears' number one pick is widely reported to be on the cards.

Graham Potter will not hide behind the support he has been given by Chelsea's owners and is not listening to the noise over his future ahead of a clash with Leeds United.

Blues head coach Potter was only appointed last September, but is under huge pressure following a run of just one win in 11 games.

A 2-0 London derby defeat at Tottenham last Sunday was Chelsea's third loss in a row without scoring a goal and they sit down in 10th spot in the Premier League.

Potter has been backed by the Blues hierarchy, but knows his side must stop the rot when relegation-threatened Leeds come to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Asked if he still has support from the owners, Potter said: "There is support and I've spoken to them. But I'm not going to hide behind that. The results haven't been good enough."

He added: "My position is that I need to focus on the next game. Whatever the discussions are, that's not for me."

The former Brighton and Hove Albion boss is not paying much attention to speculation over his job during such a challenging period.

Asked how he copes with the noise, he replied: "By not listening too much to it is the honest answer. I take it step by step, focus on the next thing. You get through the days and the week.

"We're fighting for improvement. Talking is one thing, we have to do it on the pitch."

Potter has no issue with fans voicing their disapproval, as they did following a 1-0 home defeat to Southampton last month.

He said: "Supporters care and how that comes out is understandable. They're hurting and we are too. We thank them for their support – and when you lose to the team that are bottom you expect a negative response.

"We've not given them enough to give them a reason to be excited about the team."

Potter revealed Thiago Silva is expected to be out for around six weeks after suffering a knee injury, while Mason Mount will miss the game against Leeds due to an abdominal issue and Reece James is a doubt because of a tight hamstring.

N'Golo Kante (hamstring) came through a first full training session on Friday but needs time to step up his fitness, while Edouard Mendy (finger) is making progress.

Gabriel Jesus is closing in on an Arsenal return after four months on the sidelines, but the Premier League leaders will not have the striker available for Saturday's meeting with Bournemouth.

Jesus made an immediate impact upon his arrival from Manchester City last year, but he has not played since suffering a knee injury while representing Brazil at the World Cup in December. 

The 25-year-old returned to light training last month, and while his first club outing since November is not imminent, Arsenal fans will not have to wait much longer to see him in action.

Manager Mikel Arteta said of Jesus at Friday's pre-Bournemouth press conference: "He's not far now. I don't want to give a timeline – he's not very close, but he's not far at all, and he's feeling better every day. 

"The doctors are confident with the way the injury is evolving and we are in a good place with him, I think.

"It's been pretty straightforward. Obviously at the start we were really concerned about the extent of the injury. Thankfully it was not that bad, but it was a long-term injury and required surgery.

"Knowing Gabi, he's gone through this before. His mentality is just incredible and I think the team has done a good job to put him in the position he's in today."

Asked if Jesus could play before the international break later this month, Arteta added: "We don't know. We're not far away but he needs to do much more with the team.

"Lets see how the next week or 10 days develop, then we'll have a much better picture."

Despite Jesus' absence, Arsenal are five points clear at the summit after winning seven of their 11 Premier League games since the World Cup.

Arteta is proud of his players' reaction to Jesus' injury, with Eddie Nketiah among those to have stepped up to fill the void up top.

"That was a huge blow for the team. We knew the importance of Gabi and the way he transformed this period and the belief," Arteta said.

"But to be fair, the team made a step forward and players took more responsibility individually. They were keen to maintain the level and we have done it so far.

"What he was producing for the team was phenomenal. But it's true that we now need to see what level he comes back at, how we are going to fit him in. 

"Like everybody else he will have to earn his place, but we know what Gabi can give to the team, that's for sure."

Meanwhile, two other stars of Arsenal's bid for a first league title since 2004 – Bukayo Saka and William Saliba – have entered the final 18 months of their contracts with the Gunners, who are keen to tie them down to long-term deals.

Arteta, however, is unwilling to publicly discuss their futures until Arsenal's title charge is concluded.  

"Every player is very important. Obviously there are players with special circumstances contractually, and we are trying to deal with them," he said.

"But I don't want to cause any distractions in this moment with those conversations. When something is done and it's good news, we will announce it."

Pep Guardiola backed Vincent Kompany to become Manchester City manager after the Premier League champions were drawn against their former captain in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Kompany will face City for the first time as a coach when Burnley visit the Etihad Stadium in the last eight.

The former centre-back spent 11 years at City as a player, captaining the club four Premier League titles.

Kompany has similarly impressed with Burnley, who were relegated from the top flight last season but are clear at the top of the Championship, 19 points clear of third place with promotion almost assured.

To Guardiola, it is clear his ex-skipper is cut out for the top job at the Etihad Stadium.

"I'm impressed with the consistency. The Championship is so difficult for the amount of games," Guardiola said. "The consistency so far is unbelievable.

"They are close to being promoted again to the Premier League next season. Personally, I'm delighted with his success, what he is doing in Burnley. I think all of us, our fans are happy he'll be back.

"He will be back sooner or later. So, I think his destiny to become the manager of Manchester City is already written in the stars. It's going to happen. I don't know when, but it's going to happen."

Asked if Kompany could be his direct successor, Guardiola replied: "Sooner or later, he will be manager for Manchester City. When? I don't know, but I'm pretty sure."

It is not a topic Guardiola has discussed with Kompany as he added: "No, it's my feeling.

"Maybe I'm wrong, but he has all the attributes – work ethic, knowledge of the game, well respected, experienced. Doing what he has done is so difficult, and he's doing really, really well.

"He knows the club, knows the environment, knows our fans, knows what our people need. The destiny is there."

Manchester City watched rivals Manchester United win their first trophy in six years last weekend, but that EFL Cup final success had no impact on Pep Guardiola's men.

Man United defeated Newcastle United – City's Premier League opponents on Saturday – 2-0 at Wembley to mark a new high point in Erik ten Hag's impressive debut season at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag's side are still in the FA Cup, like City, and the Europa League, while their form has encouraged talk of an unlikely Premier League title bid.

City will hope to stand in their neighbours' path, but Guardiola had a short response when asked if Man United's victory meant anything for his team.

"No, nothing," he replied.

Guardiola was similarly terse in swatting away questions on comments from Erling Haaland's agent and LaLiga chief Javier Tebas.

Rafaela Pimenta, Haaland's representative, had described Real Madrid as a "dreamland" for players, while City critic Tebas has weighed in on the Premier League investigation into the club's alleged financial breaches.

Guardiola was more interested in discussing Newcastle, who are winless in four in the league and suffered Wembley heartbreak but remain in Champions League contention in fifth place.

Having been battling relegation last season, Guardiola said: "[The progress] is incredible. What happened last season and this season making the step forward, it looks like they came to stay here.

"From what I've seen lately, even the final against United, and what they have done all season, it is one of the toughest opponents we have until the end of the season for their quality.

"They can do everything – experience, the threats, the transitions, [at] set-pieces the best team in the league. There are many, many things. That's why they are there for a long time this season."

Sam Curran starred with bat and ball as England made far lighter work of the second ODI against Bangladesh to clinch the three-match series with a 132-run victory.

The opening match of England's tour had gone down to the penultimate over as Jos Buttler's side chased down a modest Bangladesh total, but the hosts put them in to bat first this time and were scarcely in the contest thereafter.

Opener Jason Roy scored 132 and Buttler weighed in with 76 to help England finish on 326-7 and set Bangladesh a target it quickly became clear they would not reach.

Indeed, Curran had two wickets inside the first over, accounting for Litton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto from consecutive balls, and added a third soon after as Mushfiqur Rahim was caught behind.

Opener Tamim Iqbal (35) finally found a partner in the form of Shakib Al Hasan (58), yet Moeen Ali ended that stand, and Bangladesh could not keep Curran out of the game as he took the catch which removed Shakib.

While that gave Adil Rashid the first of four wickets, Curran of course completed the job with the dismissal of Mustafizur Rahman to finish with 4-29 – Bangladesh all out for 194 with just over five overs remaining.

Curran had also contributed with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 33 off 19 balls, although the partnership of Roy and Buttler did much of the heavy lifting.

England were 96-3 when Buttler joined Roy in the middle, but the pair put on 109 for the fourth wicket to take the game away from Bangladesh.

Although Roy was eventually trapped lbw by Shakib attempting to sweep, Buttler ploughed on for a time and Moeen Ali's 42 kept up the scoring.

Curran hit three sixes in a fast finish, and he was the headline act thereafter.

Roy among England ODI royalty

Although Curran later stole some of the limelight, Roy's 132 – the exact difference between the two teams – put England firmly in control.

It was his fourth-highest ODI score and his 12th century in the format. Only Joe Root (16) and Eoin Morgan (13) have more – not bad company to be keeping.

Streak ended with Bangladesh repeat

Arriving in Bangladesh, England had been winless in their past four 50-over series, but a hard-fought victory in the opening match set the stage for that sequence to be ended in convincing fashion in Mirpur.

England have now won five straight ODIs against Bangladesh, who suffered their first home series defeat since 2016-17 – also against England.

Erik ten Hag challenged Manchester United to "make it our game" and take a significant step in their development by beating Liverpool at Anfield.

The United manager is certain his players will be undaunted by a fiery atmosphere, a week on from winning the EFL Cup and ending a near six-year trophy drought.

Liverpool's Premier League form is improving, after a dismal start to the year, and United's hosts have a top-four finish in their sights again.

That is the bare minimum target for United though, given they are in with an outside chance of the title.

Results at Old Trafford have been outstanding, with United dropping just four points there since a season-opening defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion, but on the road, against the elite clubs, wins have been hard to come by.

United lost 6-3 at Manchester City in October, went down 3-2 at Arsenal in January, and were held 1-1 at Chelsea prior to the Blues hitting the skids and falling away from the top-four battle

Now comes the Liverpool test, and Ten Hag said: "That is the next step we have to make then."

He took Ajax to Anfield in September 2020 for a behind-closed-doors Champions League game, at the height of the pandemic, but a full house awaits on Sunday.

"I'm looking forward [to it], I know the ambience, the atmosphere will be great. It will be hostile against us, and we like it," Ten Hag said.

"It is, of course, a test. But we're facing Liverpool and we're really looking forward [to it], I know these players, my squad, my team will be prepared to go and fight, to go with confidence, but we know it's going to be difficult.

"We know we have to suffer, we have to sacrifice to get a good result."

United beat Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford in August, a result that got them back on track after Ten Hag's sketchy start, and the Dutchman said his team have advanced to "a different process" since that game.

They have scored two or more goals in each of their last 12 matches, one game short of matching a club record in that regard.

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last six home league games against United (W3 D3) since a 1-0 loss in January 2016, but they face a resurgent team this weekend.

Despite this season's travails, Ten Hag expects Liverpool to remain a force, but United are a pace ahead of them for now and will be fancied by many to come away with the points.

"I think we are in a good direction with our philosophy, strategy and culture, and we have to keep getting progress, it's all about that," Ten Hag told a press conference.

"We face a fantastic opponent. It's all about us getting the right preparation to be ready for that game. We have to play and to make it our game."

United came from behind to beat West Ham 3-1 in the FA Cup on Wednesday, improving after a first-half display that displeased Ten Hag.

"Every day I demand the performance and I don't accept when it's low," he said. "I will criticise them and tell them what I expect, and I have to give the team solutions how to win the game, and the performance second half was much better."

There is a possibility of a quadruple, with United also still going in the Europa League, and Ten Hag sees no problem with his players lasting the distance.

"We like to play. We have energy from playing every third or fourth day, and we want to keep that going, but think about it game by game," he said.

"I think our mentality in general is very good. I think we have many leaders who set the mentality, who set the standards, who control the standards, who correct if necessary. 

"I think we are happy with this process, but we can always be better and that has to be the approach."

Neymar is expected to miss the second leg of Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League last-16 tie with Bayern Munich as a result of his ankle injury, head coach Christophe Galtier has revealed.

Neymar was taken off on a stretcher during PSG's thrilling 4-3 win against Lille on February 19, with scans subsequently revealing he had suffered ankle ligament damage.

The Brazil international's injury immediately threw his participation against Bayern into doubt, with PSG needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit after losing the first leg at the Parc des Princes – a game that saw fellow attacking star Kylian Mbappe reduced to the role of substitute through injury.  

PSG's fears were confirmed as Galtier previewed Saturday's Ligue 1 meeting with Nantes, saying: "In the next two games, we won't have Neymar available. 

"I think he will miss out against Bayern Munich."

A medical update issued by the club, meanwhile, said Neymar was continuing his rehabilitation and would be reassessed on Monday – two days before PSG's trip to Germany.

Neymar's absence did not hamper PSG last time out, as Mbappe and Lionel Messi starred in a 3-0 thrashing of Marseille to move the Ligue 1 leaders eight points clear at the summit.

That win saw Mbappe move level with PSG's all-time record scorer Edinson Cavani with 200 goals for the club, while Messi claimed the 700th senior goal of his club career.

Having exchanged assists for all three goals, Messi and Mbappe have now combined for 10 goals in Ligue 1 this season, which is the most in the division and four more than Neymar and Mbappe.

However, Galtier dismissed suggestions PSG were a more balanced side with Neymar sidelined, saying: "Our block is much more compact, denser. 

"With the absence of Neymar, instead of having two midfielders, we will be with three midfielders and two attackers.

"To tell you that Neymar's absence is trivial… no. It's a detrimental absence for us."

While Wednesday's trip to Bayern is viewed as make-or-break for PSG's season, Galtier knows Nantes – who have won two of their last four league games against the Parisians – will provide a stern test.

"The most important game is the one that's coming. Our squad is weakened by suspensions and injuries, we have to make our way in the league," he said.

"I hope the players don't have the game against Bayern on Wednesday in a corner of their heads. It's important to have a third consecutive victory in the league." 

Eddie Howe had no issue with Newcastle United co-owner Amanda Staveley promising the club would win the Champions League, although he hopes they will have patience with him along the way.

Newcastle played their first major final in 24 years on Sunday but were beaten 2-0 by Manchester United in the EFL Cup showpiece at Wembley.

Staveley's response was a strong one, inspired by the experience of the defeat as she told talkSPORT: "We will win the Carabao Cup, we will win the FA Cup, we will win the Champions League, and we will win the Premier League."

Those comments were relayed to Howe on Friday ahead of a trip to Manchester City, where Newcastle will attempt to get their Premier League campaign back on track.

"I love Amanda's positivity, I love her outlook," Howe said. "I've got no issue with the statements.

"All I'd say is, from my perspective, there's no time limit on that. If we set targets that are maybe too short-term, that can have a negative effect and build external pressure that the players don't need.

"We want the players to play free and not really think too much about the consequences. It's my job to take the pressure off them, so that's what I'll try to do."

Newcastle were in a relegation battle last season but now sit fifth even after a four-match winless run in the top flight, with Champions League qualification still in their hands.

"The leap is harder, and time is something that is a very small commodity, really, when you're sat in my shoes here," Howe added.

"Lowering expectation and controlling that environment is so important.

"I don't think we created a problem for ourselves, but the speed with which the team has improved has been so quick that I think people naturally assume that will continue. If it was that easy... it's not that easy.

"So, to continue on a forward trajectory is harder and harder. The better you get, the harder it is to get better.

"We have big challenges ahead, and we need to be smart at what we do. My work will be judged on that evolution of the team."

Julian Nagelsmann knows Bayern Munich could slip up if they are not at full throttle when they face Stuttgart due to having one eye on a showdown with Paris Saint-Germain next week.

Borussia Dortmund can replace Bayern at the top of the Bundesliga table if they avoid defeat against RB Leipzig on Friday.

Bayern will be looking for a 13th consecutive away victory over Stuttgart and go into Saturday's game on the back of a 3-0 win over third-placed Union Berlin.

The Bavarian giants will then take on PSG in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie next Wednesday and hold a 1-0 lead courtesy of Kingsley Coman's goal at the Parc des Princes.

Bayern head coach Nagelsmann says there is no chance the reigning champions will take Stuttgart lightly as they battle to retain the title.

He said: "Of course it's an important game [against PSG]. We're in a good position and want to go through. Now Stuttgart is important because we don't have a 10-point lead. The next game is always the most important."

Nagelsmann added: "It doesn't make much sense to slow down tomorrow because we have an important game on Wednesday. Unfortunately, our situation in the Bundesliga doesn't allow us to give anything away. We'll give it our all tomorrow."

Sadio Mane returned from a knee injury as a substitute in the win over Union Berlin and Nagelsmann plans to give the former Liverpool forward another run-out this weekend.

He said: "He's making a good impression. We will try and give him more minutes. It was a serious injury, but his fitness levels are good. Sadio is part of the usual battle for places."

Bayern will check on Leroy Sane's fitness as the winger has been struggling with an ankle injury.

Stuttgart boss Bruno Labbadia has lost all 16 competitive matches against Bayern in his coaching career, but his side have won four of their last six home games in the Bundesliga.

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