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• Al-Ittihad 2-1 Al-Nassr: Bergwijn nets last-gasp winner for leaders

  Steven Bergwijn's last-gasp winner earned Al-Ittihad a huge victory in their quest for the Saudi Pro League title, beating Al-Nassr 2-1 at King Abdullah Sports City on Friday. 

  Karim Benzema had given the hosts a 55th-minute lead before Cristiano Ronaldo levelled two minutes later, but Bergwijn struck the decisive blow in second half stoppage time. 

  In a tepid opening 45 minutes, clear-cut chances were hard to come by, with Bergwijn and Benzema going closest for the hosts, but unable to trouble Bento. 

  However, Al-Ittihad got themselves in front shortly after the break when Muhannad Al Shanqiti picked out Benzema, with the Frenchman on hand to tuck the ball home.

  But the hosts' joy was short-lived after Angelo saw his effort cleared off the line by Danilo Pereira, before the Brazilian laid the ball back to Ronaldo to level the scoring. 

  With the game looking to end all square, Al-Ittihad stole the three points at the death as Bergwijn cut inside before curling a right-footed effort into the far-left corner. 

  The result moved Al-Ittihad three points clear at the summit, though Al-Hilal can go level with them with a win over Al-Raed on Saturday. Al-Nassr, meanwhile, stayed in fourth. 

  Data Debrief: Bergwijn bursts Ronaldo's bubble

  Al-Ittihad have often been second best in their encounters with Al-Nassr, but they earned an impressive victory against Ronaldo's side, though it may not have been deserved. 

  They managed an expected goals (xG) total of just 0.66 from their 11 shots compared to Al-Nassr's 1.2 from the same number of attempts. 

  Benzema also ended his goal drought against Al-Nassr, having failed to score against them in his previous game against them. The former Madrid striker ended the game with a team-high xG of 0.36, while also having more shots (seven) and touches in the opposition box (four) than any of his team-mates. 

  Al-Ittihad have now won their last nine league matches, their second-longest streak in the competition after 10 wins between October 2021 and February 2022, while also triumphing in their eighth-straight home match in the Pro League. 

• Nuno expects tough test versus Amorim's Man Utd

  While Nuno Espirito Santo remains uncertain how Ruben Amorim will set Manchester United up on Saturday, he expects Nottingham Forest to face a tough test at Old Trafford.

  Forest were beaten 3-0 by Premier League champions Manchester City on Wednesday, their third defeat in their last four games.

  However, they remain within touching distance of the top five ahead of a second successive away game in Manchester, where they will face Ruben Amorim's United. 

  United suffered their first defeat under the former Sporting CP coach on Wednesday, going down 2-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. 

  With Amorim still getting to grips with his new squad, Nuno does not know what tactical challenges to expect but is certain United will present a major challenge.

  The former Wolves boss said: "Their results are difficult to predict because Ruben in this moment is changing a lot. 

  "I think he is trying to get to know players better. The idea is there, we don't know exactly who is going to play, but for sure they have quality players.

  "They are quality and have talented players. The shape is there. The personnel and the players... we cannot identify who is going to start, but our approach is always the same. 

  "Let's focus on the things they have been doing but also let's look at getting the advantage. It is always a tough place to go but let's focus on being positive on the game."

  United conceded two goals from corners in their midweek defeat to the Gunners, prompting defender Matthijs de Ligt to demand improvements.

  "In the end, we are Manchester United," De Ligt told MUTV. "We lost again and, yeah, it's easy, it's not good enough.

  "So, we know that, we will work hard. We have to improve, and in two days or three days is the next game, so that will be a really important one again for us, to show again what we learned from this game and get the three points."

  PLAYERS TO WATCH 

  Manchester United – Bruno Fernandes 

  Fernandes has been involved in 11 goals in his last 10 appearances at Old Trafford (four goals, seven assists), having a hand in six goals in his last four in the Premier League (two goals, four assists). 

  He's never scored or assisted in five in a row in the league at Old Trafford, while Marcus Rashford was the last United player to do so overall (seven in 2022-23).

  Nottingham Forest – Chris Wood 

  Wood has scored 12 goals in his last 14 away Premier League starts for Nottingham Forest, netting in three in a row before Wednesday's defeat at the Etihad. 

  He missed a glorious chance while Forest were a goal down last time out and will be determined to atone here.

  MATCH PREDICTION – MANCHESTER UNITED WIN

  Man United have won six of their seven Premier League home games against Forest, with the exception being a 2-1 loss in December 1994.

  They have also scored in all 14 of their Premier League games against Forest, their joint-best 100% scoring record against an opponent in the competition along with Swansea City.

  The Red Devils have won 3-0 against Leicester City and 4-0 against Everton in their last two Premier League home games. 

  They have not scored three or more goals in three consecutive home league games since February 2021, while they last did so while winning each time in December 2018.

  With United also beating Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League, Amorim has won both of his home games in charge of the side so far – only five managers have won their first three at home with the Red Devils, most recently Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2018-19.

  OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

  Manchester United – 55.9%

  Nottingham Forest – 21.4%

  Draw – 22.7%

• Yorke to keep eye on overseas talent as TTFA works on friendlies

  While the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) continues its efforts to arrange friendly matches for the national senior team, Head coach Dwight Yorke will focus on assessing overseas-based players, including those already in the squad and potential recruits eligible to represent the country.

  Yorke, who was appointed last month, has already conducted a one-week training camp with locally-based players, but TTFA President Kieron Edwards explained that the former Manchester United striker and his coaching staff would be alternating between local and international duties.

  “He’s also doing his due diligence to get up to speed with the international players... He’s carded to go and see Levi (Garcia) and have some discussions with Levi and those guys in Europe shortly,” Edwards said in an interview on local TV station WESN.

  Current immigration laws restrict the number of players with Trinidad and Tobago roots that can be recruited, but Edwards remains hopeful that these laws may eventually change.

  In the meantime, the TTFA is pressing forward with its search for new talent.

  “We are in discussions with several persons with heritage from the diaspora, not just on the senior level but Under-17 level as well, and the Under-20 level to bolster those teams because we have an important World Cup Under-17 qualifier coming up in Costa Rica shortly,” Edwards said.

  Though reluctant to say which players they have been in contact with, when asked about the possibility of recruiting winger Jadon Sancho, currently on loan at Chelsea from Manchester United, Edwards acknowledged the potential impact of securing such a high-profile player.

  Sancho, who has Trinidadian heritage through his mother, has been capped 23 times by the England senior team.

  “If we do get the likes of Jadon Sancho in our outfit, it would only help Trinidad and Tobago football,” Edwards said.

  Meanwhile, Edwards revealed that efforts to organize warm-up games are progressing.

  “We are in final discussions with Saudi Arabia in terms of having that game played, but there is interest from other countries in terms of having games played outside of the (FIFA match-day) window, and I think that’s important for the local group,” he shared.

  “It’s important that we have games for the local group as well as the guys that are playing in the USA and Canada... They would be in their off-season as well... so that we can ensure these guys really stay match fit at that intensity and at that level,” Edwards added.

  Finally, Edwards praised Yorke’s early impact on the programme thus far.

  “I think with coach Dwight Yorke coming in...and having the camp with the local guys, I think that has re-energized the local players and given them the confidence to push on and really represent and be part of this World Cup campaign,” he ended.