
Erik ten Hag finally within sight of matching a past Manchester United great... no, not that one
For Erik ten Hag, the soundtrack to an afternoon on the touchline consisted of plenty of choruses celebrating a predecessor. And not even his most celebrated predecessor, even though Sir Alex Ferguson watched on from the directors’ box as Ten Hag secured a first victory in three games. But it took Manchester United a step closer to the Champions League, a competition that defines Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. And as Solskjaer made his first return to Old Trafford since his sacking 18 months ago, memories of 1999, of the Nou Camp and of Bayern Munich being beaten in injury time, lingered. His legendary status has not been diminished by his disastrous final few months in the dugout. Ten Hag has rejuvenated and roused United after inheriting a mess and yet, Solskjaer is entitled to argue, he is only on course to emulate him. The Norwegian twice secured Champions League qualification as a manager; Ten Hag only needs two more wins to follow in his footsteps after a victory that stemmed from the inspiration offered by Solskjaer’s finest signing. Anthony Martial, a Louis van Gaal capture, got the first goal to defeat Wolverhampton Wanderers. Antony, Ten Hag’s own biggest buy, earned the assist. But the catalytic contribution, the key pass, came from Bruno Fernandes. The injury-time second, scored on his comeback by Alejandro Garnacho, came after Fernandes released him. Many a Solskjaer favourite has fallen by the wayside – only four of his final starting 11 began for Ten Hag here, while his anointed leader, Harry Maguire, got a late cameo – but Fernandes has retained his prominence. On a day when United were without the injured Marcus Rashford, they required some inspiration. Fernandes obliged when it felt few others could for a goal-shy side. So they recorded a 25th home win of the season, a feat they last achieved under Ferguson. Solskjaer’s past tended to invite comparisons with the great Scot. The post-Ferguson United managers, however, are perhaps best assessed against each other and, with 66 points, Ten Hag’s United have equalled their tally in two seasons when Solskjaer was at the wheel, whether for part or all of it; they could yet top his best total of 75. The Norwegian’s legacy is undeniably mixed – three years offered evidence of progress only for United to regress alarmingly in the autumn of 2021 – and the sense is that the Ten Hag revival is built on sounder foundations, but defeats to Brighton and West Ham threatened the kind of end-of-season slide that would question that analysis. Right now, United could do with the services of Solskjaer; but the potent striker rather than the well-meaning manager. Martial’s goal was their first in three games; in all competitions, Garnacho’s strike was just their fifth in seven. They lack the ability to blow teams away and victory became a grind. They were minus the injured Marcus Rashford, whose absence underlined the need to sign a high-class forward in the summer, but Martial ended an eight-game goal drought with an opportunity he could scarcely miss. It was just his fifth league goal of the season, a statistic explained in part by his frequent absences. It came from an incisive move, with Fernandes dissecting the defence with a pass, Antony showing the unselfishness and awareness to roll the ball into Martial’s path and the striker getting a tap-in. It was a rarity from Antony in various respects; a right-footed assist and, indeed, an assist of any kind. The Brazilian was nevertheless the brightest of the forwards, if also the most profligate. He spurned a glorious early chance after Max Kilman slipped. He headed wastefully wide from Luke Shaw’s cross; somehow, a particularly one-footed footballer even seemed to use the left side of his head. He had a late shot clawed away by Dan Bentley. He was, at least, persistent. But the debutant goalkeeper Bentley, who was deputising for Jose Sa, went untested for too long. Too often United were betrayed by a stray touch here and a moment of indecision there. Their decision-making was faulty at times, their confidence missing. Eventually Bentley made a fine save from Jadon Sancho, who darted in off the left. When Casemiro whipped in a shot, Bentley tipped it away. But he was helpless when, with Wolves pushing forward in their search for an equaliser, Fernandes sent the substitute Garnacho sprinting clear. He marked his recent five-year contract with a fifth goal for the club, and it is likelier that he, and they, will spend next season in the Champions League. Read More ‘Huge talent’ Alejandro Garnacho backed to play key role in Man Utd’s run-in Players really want to come – Erik ten Hag optimistic for transfer window Rashford a Man United injury doubt but Ten Hag handed defender boost Erik ten Hag faces race against time to solve Man Utd’s clear failings ‘It’s in our hands’: Erik Ten Hag not panicking over Man United’s top-four hopes Erik ten Hag reveals David De Gea contract stance after costly mistake at West Ham
1970-01-01 08:00

Wife of longtime Packers player appears to confirm he's leaving team
It's been a long run for Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby, but it could all be over, per his wife Molly.Mason Crosby is 39 years old. He's been in Green Bay for over a decade, but as his leg weakens, it hurts the team as well. Still, Brian Gutekunst's comments at the NFL Comb...
1970-01-01 08:00

Knicks Fans Stomp Julius Randle Poster After Game 6 Loss
Knicks fans are not happy with Julius Randle.
1970-01-01 08:00

3 Za’Darius Smith replacements for the Vikings revamped defense
The Minnesota Vikings could not stop a lot of teams in 2022. Now the search is on for another pass rusher after Za’Darius Smith was dealt to Cleveland.Only the division-rival Detroit Lions allowed more total yards per game, and only the Tennessee Titans surrendered more passing yards per c...
1970-01-01 08:00

Man Utd 2-0 Wolves: Player ratings as Martial & Garnacho boost Champions League hopes
Player ratings from Manchester United's 2-0 win over Wolves in the Premier League.
1970-01-01 08:00

Lakers take down the Warriors in Game 6 to send them home packing
Lakers take down the Warriors in Game 6 to send them home packing
1970-01-01 08:00

MLB Rumors: Top trade targets for the Braves, Cardinals and Cubs
MLB Rumors: Chicago Cubs should trade for Aroldis ChapmanWhat's wrong with a reunion?The Chicago Cubs could use some bullpen help -- as could most contending squads around the MLB trade deadline -- and Aroldis Chapman is very available. In fact, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Kans...
1970-01-01 08:00

Buck Martinez gets weird describing Spencer Strider, but not his 'stache (Video)
Buck Martinez described Spencer Strider in maybe the weirdest, but most fitting way possible.It's not every day the Toronto Blue Jays get to see the Atlanta Braves in person.Our friends north of the border may have fond memories of Atlanta from the 1992 World Series, but with the Braves...
1970-01-01 08:00

Southampton vs Fulham LIVE: Premier League latest score, goals and updates from fixture
Follow live coverage as Southampton face Fulham in the Premier League today. Manchester City are reigning champions after beating Liverpool to the finish line in a neck-and-neck 2021/22 title race where a comeback win on the final day of the season against Aston Villa secured a fourth title in five years for Pep Guardiola's side. Jurgen Klopp's Reds were on course for a quadruple last season but were forced to settle for just an FA Cup and Carabao Cup win and will return trying to win the title again just as they did in 2020. It was a dramatic season for Chelsea a year ago with Roman Abramovich now replaced by Todd Boehly as owner in west London. He will want an instant return on his hefty investment at Stamford Bridge while Tottenham, back in the Champions League, will want to kick on once more too. It's not all about the action at the top though with Fulham, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest promoted to the top tier for 2021/22 and hoping to hold their own against the best English football has to offer and avoid the drop. We will bring you all the action and updates from today's game in the live blog below:
1970-01-01 08:00

Crystal Palace vs AFC Bournemouth LIVE: Premier League latest score, goals and updates from fixture
Follow live coverage as Crystal Palace face AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League today. Manchester City are reigning champions after beating Liverpool to the finish line in a neck-and-neck 2021/22 title race where a comeback win on the final day of the season against Aston Villa secured a fourth title in five years for Pep Guardiola's side. Jurgen Klopp's Reds were on course for a quadruple last season but were forced to settle for just an FA Cup and Carabao Cup win and will return trying to win the title again just as they did in 2020. It was a dramatic season for Chelsea a year ago with Roman Abramovich now replaced by Todd Boehly as owner in west London. He will want an instant return on his hefty investment at Stamford Bridge while Tottenham, back in the Champions League, will want to kick on once more too. It's not all about the action at the top though with Fulham, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest promoted to the top tier for 2021/22 and hoping to hold their own against the best English football has to offer and avoid the drop. We will bring you all the action and updates from today's game in the live blog below:
1970-01-01 08:00

Manchester United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers LIVE: Premier League latest score, goals and updates from fixture
Follow live coverage as Manchester United face Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League today. Manchester City are reigning champions after beating Liverpool to the finish line in a neck-and-neck 2021/22 title race where a comeback win on the final day of the season against Aston Villa secured a fourth title in five years for Pep Guardiola's side. Jurgen Klopp's Reds were on course for a quadruple last season but were forced to settle for just an FA Cup and Carabao Cup win and will return trying to win the title again just as they did in 2020. It was a dramatic season for Chelsea a year ago with Roman Abramovich now replaced by Todd Boehly as owner in west London. He will want an instant return on his hefty investment at Stamford Bridge while Tottenham, back in the Champions League, will want to kick on once more too. It's not all about the action at the top though with Fulham, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest promoted to the top tier for 2021/22 and hoping to hold their own against the best English football has to offer and avoid the drop. We will bring you all the action and updates from today's game in the live blog below:
1970-01-01 08:00

USMNT news: Ferreira to Napoli, Musah rumors, Tillman's switch
In today's USMNT news, Jesus Ferreira has been linked with Napoli, there is morespeculation on Yunus Musah's future and Timothy Tillman is to switch his international allegiance to the United States.USMNT news: Jesus Ferreira to NapoliJesus Ferreira has scored five times in 10 MLS game...
1970-01-01 08:00