Category: 6. Sports

Manchester United continue to pile stress on their fans, and it was dramatic stuff again Saturday as manager Ruben Amorim saw his side twice give equalizers before defeating Burnley 3-2 at Old Trafford.

Coming on the heels of a loss to Grimsby Town in the League Cup, this is still not going to go down well and Amorim looked anxious on the touch line for most of the second half.

MORE — Burnley vs Man United recap, video highlights

The Red Devils also saw an injury to Matheus Cunha, who left the game in the 31st minute.

United led 1-0 on a Clarets own goal but conceded a Lyle Foster equalizer. Bryan Mbeumo answered almost immediately, but Burnley again went level through Jaidon Anthony.

Fortunately for the Red Devils, Anthony dragged down Amad Diallo in the box deep in stoppage time. A VAR review sent Bruno Fernandes to the spot, and he rolled home his spot kick away from the view of Amorim’s eyes.

Amorim was answering questions Friday about his honest, direct post-match interviews. This should be another one of those.

Ruben Amorim reaction as Manchester United throw away pair of leads, find late winner

What did that feel like? “I don’t know. It’s really important. These three points, if you look at the game, we should solve it in the first half and then control it. We had to fight until the last minute. We overcomplicated it. The most important thing is it didn’t matter what happened, we tried. Sometimes playing too open, but we tried.”

Mbeumo equalizer: “If you look at the first half, we had so many chances to score a goal. That can help us to control the emotions, the game, to help the fans. But we are always doing this. One throw-in, one set piece is really hard for us in that moment. I was shaking my head [in disbelief], but today was fair again.”

A hurdle cleared? “It helps us because we have two weeks with a lot of opportunities. Fulham in the beginning of the game was the same. Arsenal we tried until the final minute. Not to get a win would’ve been hard on the team. It was a game we needed to win, and we did.”

Bruno’s penalty: “I don’t like to see penalties but I like to see the image of the fans. I was just thinking that what has to be, has to be. Sometimes one moment can change a lot of things but in that moment I was thinking it was fair to win this game. I was not expecting Bruno to miss two penalties in a row. In that moment I was confident.”

Doubting future before penalty: “I was just thinking Bruno was not going to miss twice. It was fair for the lads.”

Meetings with ownership this week? “I’m always talking with the board. I understand the context, the feeling. I know sometimes I say some things, and I will say it. To look at the game we should have won in a different way. We should not suffer.”

On Cunha, Mount injuries: “I don’t know, but I am so concerned.”

Gauff raced into an early 3-0 lead in the first set, before she double-faulted on break point in the fifth game as Frech clawed her way back to 3-3.

That wobble could have turned into a nosedive, but Gauff composed herself and won the next three games to wrap up the set in 43 minutes.

After making 79% of her first serves in the opening set, Gauff continued to build confidence in the second.

The two-time Grand Slam champion hit serves of 111mph and 113mph as she continued to improve her speeds from earlier in the tournament, and made just two double faults after making 18 in her first and second-round matches combined.

Gauff broke twice more in the second set to build a commanding lead, before breaking for a third time to secure her place in the next round.

She will face either 15th seed Daria Kasatkina or two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka in the last 16.

Meanwhile, 11th seed Karolina Muchova came from a set down to defeat Linda Noskova 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 6-2.

Back-to-back breaks at the end of the first set resulted in Noskova winning a tie-break, but mistakes cost the Czech player as she committed 15 double faults.

Muchova overpowered her compatriot to set up a last-16 meeting with either Diane Parry or 27th seed Marta Kostyuk.

Bruno Fernandes’ stoppage-time penalty saved Manchester United’s blushes and secured Ruben Amorim’s misfiring men a dramatic, and much-needed, 3-2 win against promoted Burnley.

All eyes were on the Amorim’s side after Wednesday’s Carabao Cup humiliation at the hands of League Two side Grimsby plunged the club into an early-season crisis.

Amorim’s position will remain under scrutiny after Saturday’s hard-fought win against Burnley, but United at least head into the international break on the back of their first win of the season.

The hosts dominated the first half and, having been denied a penalty after the VAR intervened, took the lead when a Casemiro header crashed back off the crossbar and in off Clarets captain Josh Cullen.

But life is rarely straightforward at United and Matheus Cunha almost immediately pulled up hurt, with Lyle Foster levelling for Burnley early in the second half.

Bryan Mbeumo, who missed the key penalty in the shootout loss at Grimsby, instantly put United back ahead, but shaky Altay Bayindir spilled a shot into the path of Jaidon Anthony to equalise for Scott Parker’s side.

United boss Amorim looked drained and out of ideas, but the VAR picked up Anthony’s pull on Amad Diallo in stoppage time and Fernandes kept his cool to score from the spot having missed a penalty at Fulham.

There was a huge sense of relief at Old Trafford, where defiant supporters had belted out Amorim’s song during a bright start.

Martin Dúbravka, who spent a brief spell on loan at United, denied Leny Yoro and Cunha as the hosts flew out of the block, with Mbeumo doing brilliantly to force a strong save.

Daniel Chesterton/Offside/Offside via Getty Images

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Mbeumo struck across the face of goal before Mason Mount went down in the box under pressure from Kyle Walker. Sam Barrott awarded a penalty but VAR Stuart Attwell pointed him to the monitor and the referee overturned his decision.

United were frustrated but continued undeterred, opening the scoring in the 27th minute.

Casemiro was left unmarshalled from a Fernandes free-kick, with his header crashing off the crossbar and ricocheting back towards goal off Cullen. Dúbravka was unable to stop it crossing the line.

The mood soon darkened, though, as Cunha pulled up during a foot race and indicated he needed to come off.

United continued strongly, barring a strike over by their former midfielder Hannibal Mejbri.

Mount met a corner at the near post with a flicked header that clipped the crossbar and Dubravka denied a fizzing Amad volley.

The right-wingback wasted a glorious chance to extend United’s lead in stoppage time and Burnley punished their lack of cutting edge in the 55th minute.

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United were caught napping as Jacob Bruun Larsen’s cross directed home from six yards by Foster. The away corner erupted but it proved the shortest of short-lived celebrations.

The resulting kick off was played back to Bayindir, whose long ball forward was flicked on by Joshua Zirkzee. Diogo Dalot took possession and cut back for Mbeumo to slam home in the 57th minute.

There was a let off for United as Foster had strayed marginally offside before scoring having rounded Bayindir, who was back in goal after Andre Onana’s Cleethorpes calamity.

Fernandes drove wide as the helter-skelter stretch continued, with Burnley hitting back in the 66th minute.

Walker’s long throw-in was twice flicked on and freshly introduced Loum Tchaouna’s shot was parried by Bayindir into the danger zone, where Anthony directed home via a Kobbie Mainoo touch.

Amorim turned to summer signing Benjamin Sesko in a bid to snatch victory and, while he proved a handful and went close with a header, Burnley were holding firm.

United were heading towards a draw but Anthony’s panicked shirt pull on Amad led to a late spot-kick. Amorim could not watch but Fernandes found the net.

KATOWICE (Poland) – France had the last word in a high-scoring encounter that featured 12 lead changes and saw the scores tied on 15 occasions, to bend the resistance of Slovenia, 103-95, extending their perfect start in Group D despite another superb performance by Luka Doncic, who came up with a game-high 39 points.

Turning Point

The two teams were tied at 83-83 with 4:00 to go in the fourth. when France collectively switched gears. Alexandre Sarr, who finished with 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks, decided to deny access to the glass to anyone in a Slovenian jersey, while Guerschon Yabusele and Elie Okobo delivered clutch plays on the offensive end in quick succession, powering a decisive 8-0 run for France to grab a 91-83 lead.

TCL Player of the Game

Before the start of FIBA EuroBasket 2025, concerns were raised around a potential lack of leadership and playmaking skills in the point guard spot for France. After the first two games in Katowice, one can say that Sylvain Francisco has addressed all those concerns convincingly.

Not only did the French #00 dished a team-high 5 assists on Saturday, but he also led all French scorers with 32 points adding 7 rebounds and 2 steals. He’s proving to belong among Europe’s finest.

Despite the loss, Luka Doncic still displayed magic on the court. Slovenia’s icon ended with 36 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds. Once again, he was close to perfection at the free-throw line (19-of-20).

Stats Don’t Lie

From start to finish, France and Slovenia went back and forth, as the 12 lead changes demonstarte. The French side however outscored their opponents 38-20 in the paint.

Slovenia’s game plan for their EuroBasket 2025 debut against Poland hugely relied on three-pointer shooting and they went 13-of-37 from deep. Against France, they opted for attacking the glass more often, and that cleared space to improve their three-point shooting percentage as they shot 9-of-22 from behind the arc.

Bottom Line

Two very different ways of winning for France, first against Belgium and then over Slovenia. The common factor was Frederic Fauthoux’s team’s depth. They are now unbeaten in Group D action, and they wouldn’t mind extending their unbeaten run against Israel on August 31 at 17:00 CET.

Slovenia on the other hand are winless after the first two matches in Katowice. Luka Doncic and his teammates quickly need to react in their next game against Belgium.

They Said

“You can’t score 32 points every day, but it’s the team that made it happen. I’m really thankful to my teammates. I’m happy with this, but we just gotta move forward.” – France’s Sylvain Francisco.

“Sylvain showed the way; he gave the rhythm and aggressiveness. We followed him to bring us on top. We showed resilience throughout the whole game. When we get stops and we can run, we are really tough to guard.” – France’s Isaia Cordinier.

“I think we fought. They are dangerous in fast breaks; we tried to keep them low-paced, but they got a way to win in the last few minutes. We stayed in a close game until the end, I’m proud of my guys.” – Slovenia’s Edo Muric.

For more quotes, tune in to the official post-game press conference!

FIBA

Garnacho’s future at United has been the subject of major conjecture from the moment he was exiled from the squad to face Manchester City last December.

Manager Ruben Amorim felt he was not paying attention to instructions when the Argentina international was about to come on late in a Europa League tie with Viktoria Plzen.

Although, unlike Marcus Rashford, Garnacho’s exile only lasted a single game. But he didn’t start again for another month. By that time interest from Chelsea, which included a visit to Stamford Bridge from the players’ agents for their game against Wolves, was already apparent.

The deal did not go through, but it was close, and Garnacho was disappointed it didn’t happen.

Given Amorim doesn’t use wide forwards, which is where the player feels he is best, compromise was only going to last so long.

The uneasy situation erupted when Garnacho was left out of the Europa League final starting line-up, prompting a critical social media post from his brother Roberto and then a post-match interview from the player, who questioned why he had been omitted by Amorim.

The United coach’s response was to tell Garnacho to find another club.

For weeks, it has been obvious who the forward wanted it to be. Now it is confirmed.

The 18-year-old Davina Perrin made history with a 42-ball century to lift the Northern Superchargers into the final of the Hundred as they defeated London Spirit, the defending champions, by 42 runs in the eliminator. Perrin became only the second woman after Tammy Beaumont in 2023 to reach three figures in the 100-ball tournament with a stunning 101 off 43 balls, which included 15 fours and five sixes at the Oval.

It was the fastest ton in the women’s competition and second quickest overall, with only Harry Brook’s 41-ball hundred for the Superchargers against Welsh Fire in 2023 eclipsing this salvo from Perrin. When that was put to her, Perrin, who was run out at the non-striker’s end, laughed and told Sky Sports: “One ball? Damn, I better hit the gym so I can send those sixes a bit further!

“It felt pretty brilliant. It’s not every day you get to find yourself in that state of flow and in the zone and it’s when you’re there, stay in the present and take every ball as they come.”

Watched on by about 20 family and friends, Perrin clubbed an attack featuring the England players Issy Wong, Charlie Dean and Sarah Glenn to all parts to underpin the Superchargers’ 214 for five. It was the highest total by a woman’s team by far – the previous best was 181 for three by Welsh Fire when Beaumont made a century – and it was too many for the Spirit.

Grace Ballinger and Annabel Sutherland claimed three wickets apiece to leave last year’s winners short on 172 for nine as Superchargers set up a showdown with unbeaten Southern Brave in Sunday’s final.

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NEW YORK — While Coco Gauff’s first two opponents here — Ajla Tomljanovic and Donna Vekic — were big hitters, Magdalena Frech is more of a defensive player. From the beginning on Saturday, Gauff’s strategy was clear: Take a little bit off the service speed, create more shape and margin on the forehand with topspin, rely on quickness and defense.

In a word, patience. The second point of the match featured 28 shots and it proved to be a harbinger of things to come.

In the end, the No. 3-seeded Gauff was a relatively stress-free 6-3, 6-1 winner over Frech to begin Labor Day Weekend at the US Open.

Tellingly, there were 25 extended rallies of nine shots or more in Arthur Ashe Stadium — and Gauff won 18 of them. She also cashed in 10 of 11 points at net.

And so, the 21-year-old is through to the fourth round here for the fourth consecutive year.

The 2023 US Open champion will meet the winner of the later match between No. 15 seed Daria Kasatkina and No. 23 Naomi Osaka in a fourth-round match on Monday.

“It’s been like an emotional week, but I think I needed those tough moments to move forward,” Gauff said in her on-court interview. “Overall, I’m really happy how I played and to be through to the next round.”

Gauff ran out to a 3-0 lead, but the No. 28-seeded Frech steered the match back on serve when Gauff double-faulted on the first break point against her. Saving two break points when Gauff became tentative, Frech leveled it at 3-all.

Trailing 4-3, Frech saved two break points but not the third as a wild forehand sailed wide — leaving Gauff to serve comfortably for the set. 

It was 1-all in the second when Gauff broke Frech at love. It happened again in the fifth game and Gauff was out to a 4-1 lead.

Gauff’s recent struggles with double faults have been well-documented. 

But after hitting 18 double faults and getting broken 10 times in her first two matches, Gauff had only four doubles against Frech — and was broken only once.

When she added biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan to her team just before this US Open, many were skeptical and scrutiny escalated.

In the process of hitting seven double faults in her opening set against Vekic on Thursday, the 21-year-old Gauff teared up. It happened again during her on-court, postmatch interview. Former doubles partner Jessica Pegula, presciently, thought that catharsis might have been a good thing.

“You’re trying to win,” Pegula said of her sometimes doubles partner, “and then you feel like you’re failing, and then you’re crying, and then you still win. Obviously for her she hit a point where she couldn’t hold it in anymore, and it probably helped her that she cried and got it out of her system.

“I think it was probably good that she let it out. Some of us say on tour, when we see a girl crying, they’re probably going to win. She’s probably going to play great now.”

That’s precisely how it played out against Frech, tidy and buttoned-down.

 

Liverpool have made an improved £35m bid, which includes a 10% sell-on clause, for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.

Having held club-to-club talks earlier this month Liverpool made a straight £35m offer to Palace for Guehi, which has remained on the table.

Talks recommenced in recent days and it is understood Liverpool have indicated they are prepared to include a 10% sell-on clause.

Palace have responded by saying they want a deal worth £35m and an added £5m in bonuses. Talks between the clubs are ongoing in an attempt to reach a deal before Monday’s transfer deadline.

During the most recent discussions, the Selhurst Park club made an informal proposal to include Liverpool defender Joe Gomez as a sweetener in the deal for Guehi.

But it became apparent Liverpool would reject any formal offer from Palace to take Gomez on loan, which has left the two clubs negotiating a cash deal.

Palace captain Guehi has made clear he does not intend to sign a new contract at Selhurst Park and the club are reluctant to let him leave for nothing when his deal expires next summer.

While Palace manager Oliver Glasner has publicly spoken of his desire to keep Guehi, the Eagles are reluctant to let the 25-year-old leave on a free transfer when his contract expires next summer. They rejected a £65m deal to sell Guehi to Newcastle last year.

Palace are trying to sign two central defenders before the transfer window closes, which could unlock Guehi’s move to Liverpool.

They are interested in Toulouse’s Jaydee Canvot, 19, and talks over a move for the highly-rated central defender are at an advanced stage.

They are also seeking an experienced centre-half and have made an approach for Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji, but the Switzerland international is said to have reservations about the switch.

Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande has been Palace’s first-choice target, but thus far they have been unable to afford the Ivory Coast international.

Roma’s Evan Ndicka is another defender Palace are understood to be interested in.

Speaking on Friday, Glasner said Guehi “has to” be a Palace player when the window shuts.

“It is not possible to find a Marc Guehi replacement who can play straight in the Premier League as a starter,” he added.

Palace have already lost one of their key players who helped them to FA Cup glory last season, as England forward Eberechi Eze joined Arsenal for £60m .