First Ruben Amorim came for Marcus Rashford but Manchester United fans did not speak out because they had also questioned his commitment and performances. Then he came for Alejandro Garnacho and still they did not speak out as the winger’s attitude had become unbearable. But then he came for Kobbie Mainoo and there was total uproar, enough to finally push the patient supporters over the edge.

In Amorim's very first interview as Manchester United manager with the club's website, he said the most important thing was not to get his players to adapt to his new formation but to go back to the basics of what it meant to play for the Red Devils.

"The most important thing is the feeling of belonging of the club. And we have history in that department," Amorim said after his first week working at Carrington.

"I think it's important because a lot of people now talk about the 3-4-3 and the 4-3-3 and all that stuff. But when I think as a player or as a team-mate of Manchester United, it is not a system or formation, it's like the character of the players, the way they see the club. The most important thing for me at this moment is to create the principles, the identity and the character that we had in the past."

Ask any United fan what the club's identity is and two themes will come up: bold, attacking football and young players, particularly homegrown young players. Amorim has given little priority to either principle.

While United fans have been remarkably patient with the coach that presided over their worst campaign in 51 years, continuing to sing that the Portuguese will "turn the Reds around" at matches, his sparse use of Mainoo, who is the only academy graduate in the squad with a first-team appearance to his name, is severely testing their faith…

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Twelve minutes per game

  United’s fans’ feelings towards Mainoo could be seen in the rapturous applause he got when he came off the bench against Wolves on Monday. But the timing of his arrival said all about his lack of importance in the team. It was the 78th minute and United were already 3-1 up against the worst team in the league, perhaps in Premier League history. 

  It was hard not to think back to when Mainoo appeared at Molineux for the first time little more than two years ago, playing the whole game and scoring a last-gasp winner with a jinking run and low curled finish right into the bottom corner. There was tangible excitement about Mainoo then after scoring his first Premier League goal against Wolves, which he followed with a stunning curler against Liverpool and then finished off an incredible team goal which proved to be the winner in the FA Cup final against Manchester City. 

  His rapid ascension into the England team to play six games at Euro 2024 seemed to cement his rise but his career is now at a crossroads as he is still waiting for his first Premier League start of the season. The most he has played was 45 minutes against Burnley in August when Mason Mount got injured. He is averaging 12 minutes per Premier League game.

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• No laughing matter

  Amorim started Mainoo in eight of his first 13 Premier League games, mostly in the double midfield pivot alongside Manuel Ugarte. The most eye-brow-raising moment was when he started him as a false nine against Crystal Palace, a game United lost 2-0. He then suffered an injury in training which kept him out for two months and when he returned Casemiro had re-established his place in the midfield two, with Mainoo only starting when Amorim wanted to rest players for the Europa League knockout rounds. 

  Mainoo’s brilliant goal against Lyon kept United in the competition but he was not rewarded with a bigger role and in the final against Tottenham he was brought on in added time. But it was still a surprise to see him not start any of the team’s first three Premier League games and his continued absence from the line-up four months into the season has led to Amorim, understandably, being frequently asked why he has used Mainoo so little. 

  And when Mainoo’s name was mentioned in a press conference in the aftermath of the limp 1-1 draw at home to West Ham, Amorim let out a snigger, stunning journalists in the room and angering many fans watching online. To the coach, it would seem, Mainoo had become something of a joke.

  "I understand what you are saying – you love Kobbie, he started for England," he said. "But that doesn't mean that I need to put Kobbie [in] when I feel that I shouldn't put Kobbie [in], so it's my decision. I just want to win, I don't look who it is, I don't care about that, I'm just trying to put the best players on the pitch."

• AFP
  

  Academy culture war

  Amorim, though, was missing a crucial point: it does matter that Mainoo is the only academy player left and he is barely part of the team any more. It led to heated conversation between the coach and BBC journalist Simon Stone, who suggested Amorim did not “trust” players from the academy. "Why?" was the coach’s tetchy response, only to be told "because you never pick any players from it". To sum up the dire situation, Amorim mentioned Mainoo as one academy player he does pick.

  Mainoo’s lack of playing time has partly led to a large focus falling on Shea Lacey, the 18-year-old from Liverpool who has been named in the squad for the last four matches.

  The mention of Lacey led to more incredulity from Amorim, who reasonably explained that Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo were more reliable options than the untested teenager. United fans are not really up in arms about Lacey’s lack of minutes. It is the absence of Mainoo, who started a European Championship final and scored in an FA Cup final, and who many believe could make his stop-start team better, that people find hard to understand.

  And for all Amorim talks about wanting to win, his team are not doing it regularly enough.

  In the coach’s defence, he has far fewer games in which to give opportunities to young players than last season, when Chido Obi, Toby Collyer, Tyler Fredricson and Harry Amass all got their chances. Mainoo, though, had already proven himself but is a victim of Amorim’s rigid system and his insistence on playing two midfielders. It means that he is directly competing with Bruno Fernandes, who just happens to be United’s most important player and someone who never gets injured.

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  'Got to get out of there'

  Amorim has been unable to give any assurances that Mainoo will play more when Mbeumo and Amad head to the AFCON. And while an obvious solution is to play Fernandes further forward to replace Mbeumo in attacking midfield and bring Mainoo back in, it is more likely that Mason Mount will get a greater run in the team and the 20-year-old will stay in the shadows.

  For Mainoo to get his career going again, seeking a loan move in January is obligatory. The fact that he does not want to leave permanently, or at least not yet, shows that he is still committed to the club and does not want to jump ship, especially with Amorim’s long-term future at the club far from secure. But now prominent former United players are urging him to leave.

  "If I think about it and put myself in Kobbie Mainoo’s shoes I’m out of there, I’ve got to," said Rio Ferdinand on his Youtube channel. "He has just wasted 18 months of his career now at Manchester United. He’s probably been there six months longer than he should’ve been. He should’ve just gone and I think his agent and more importantly his family around him have to protect him."

England's World Cup 2026 kick-off times and venues have been finally confirmed as Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions are set to face Croatia, Panama and Ghana in the group stage next summer. England learned their opponents during the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, DC, on Friday evening. The European Championship runners-up side will play their three group games in three different cities.

England learn World Cup match venues and kick-off times

A day after England learned that they are clubbed in Group L alongside Croatia, Panama and Ghana, the Three Lions have been informed about their match venues and kick-off times. Thomas Tuchel's side will endure a complicated commute as they are set to play their first match against Croatia at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Dallas on June 17.

Their next match will be six days later against Ghana at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough and their final match will be held at New York's MetLife Stadium on June 27 against Panama. 

The fans, who will watch the matches from back home in the UK, will have to tune in at 9 pm for the first two matches, while the final Panama clash will kick off at 10 pm. 

AdvertisementGettyTuchel shares opinion on England's draw

Speaking about his team's 2026 World Cup draw, Tuchel claimed that it was a tricky one as he told reporters: "We have Croatia and Ghana, two regulars in World Cups, and we have Panama. I don’t know much about Panama, but we will know everything about them when the tournament starts. For me personally, even in the Champions League, you have to focus on the group – the group is always the most difficult, and we want to escape, and we want to win the group. It’s a tough one.

"No one should be underestimated. Of course, Croatia is the standout name [and] the highest-ranked team from Pot 2 that we got into our group. It’s a difficult opener against Croatia. We take it from here." 

The German coach added: "Ghana is always full of talent and can always surprise, and has a big history in World Cup football," he said. "Also, Panama will try to make the most of the underdog role. No one can be underestimated – everyone deserves the fullest respect, and we will show that."

Tuchel's dig at World Cup draw

The Three Lions boss did not appreciate the long draw ceremony which dragged on for a long time. Before the actual draw, the United States President Donald Trump received the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino designating it for a person who has "taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace" and "united people across the world". Trump was given a large gold trophy, a medal, and a certificate, while Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand was also heavily involved in the draw. 

Going by the England boss' comments, he didn't appear to be a fan of the whole affair. He told : "I do not, not like it but we could have done it like, without all of this. I don't need it. But of course, it's a huge stage and it's big entertainment. I was very well aware that it's not about the deep insight of football today."

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Getty Images SportWhich team did Tuchel prefer as possible group opponent?

Further sharing his thoughts on the draw and the opponents England will face, Tuchel added: "I had no preference because why would I worry? I cannot influence. The legends took the draw and this is what we get and what we have to deal with now. We know now our opponents, we know we will start late in the tournament if players are involved in European finals, hopefully. We didn't desire anything we just handled the situation as it is. You get a little more days before and then you get a condensed schedule later in the tournament. Everything comes with in upside and downside."

Over a month after Rafael Devers was traded from the Red Sox to the Giants—in part because he was unwilling to step in at first base—he will now make his debut at first for San Francisco, per Shayna Rubin of .

Before Devers was surprisingly traded to the Giants this season, he was a long-time third baseman for the Red Sox. His position was challenged during spring training when the Red Sox signed Alex Bregman and decided to play him at third base instead. This upset Devers, but he eventually agreed to serve as the team's designated hitter before Opening Day.

In May, Devers was asked to play first base following an injury to first baseman Triston Casas, but Devers refused. When Devers got traded to the Giants a month later, he notably said he was willing to play whatever position the team asked of him. Now, Devers will officially try out first base in Tuesday's game against the Atlanta Braves.

Devers did explain last month after the trade that he did not want to play first base for the Red Sox because he felt he had earned respect for his play with the team, and the request was made in the middle of the season. He maintains that if Boston asked during spring training, he would have been willing to play first base.

"I would say that I had some good numbers over at Boston, and I think that I do feel that I have earned some respect," Devers said in June. "If they would had asked me at the beginning of spring training, yes I would have."

When Devers arrived in San Francisco, the Giants brass spoke to him at the beginning about playing first base. They also did not rush him, and gave him over a month to learn the position and be the team's designated hitter in the meantime. That transparency and time to prepare appear to have been key for Devers now being open to playing first base for the Giants.

فجرت تقارير صحفية مفاجأة حول ريال مدريد بعد خسارته المفاجئة أمام سيلتا فيجو بهدفين نظيفين على ملعب سانتياجو برنابيو في الدوري الاسباني لكرة القدم.

ونجح سيلتا فيجو أن يحقق فوزه في مباراة اليوم بواسطة فيليوت سفيدبيرج الذي أحرز ثنائية في الدقائق 54 و 93 من الوقت بدل الضائع من أحداث الشوط الثاني.

وتتردد الكثير من التكهنات حول المدرب السابق لريال مدريد والأسطورة الفرنسية زين الدين زيدان أنه قد يعود لتولي مسؤولية الفريق خلفاً للمدرب الحالي تشابي ألونسو.

أقرأ أيضاً.. انتكاسة قوية لنجم ريال مدريد بعد إصابته أمام سيلتا فيجو

ووفقاً للصحفي “بيبي ألفاريز”، فإن ريال مدريد سيسمح للأسطورة الفرنسية زين الدين زيدان بالجمع بين دوره المرتقب في تدريب منتخب فرنسا وكذلك الفريق الملكي، حيث سيمنحه صلاحيات كاملة.

وكانت تقارير صحفية إسبانية قد أكدت الشهر الماضي أن زين الدين زيدان يستعد للعودة للتدريب بعد نهائيات كأس العالم 2026 لتحقيق حلمه وقيادة منتخب فرنسا والذي حقق معه كأس العالم 1998.

ويحتل ريال مدريد وصافة جدول ترتيب الدوري الاسباني ب36 نقطة، خلف برشلونة صاحب المركز الأول ب40 نقطة.

Every baseball fan has been there.

In the third inning of Milwaukee's tilt against the Los Angeles Dodgers at American Family Field, Brewers manager Pat Murphy thought a ball was heading out for a home run. It fell just a few feet short.

Appearing on the national TNT broadcast, Murphy was mic'd up from the Brewers' dugout as third baseman Andruw Monasterio lifted a Clayton Kershaw slider 360 feet onto the left field warning track where it was caught by outfielder Michael Conforto.

"Get out of here. Get up. Get out of here. S—," Murphy said on the TNT broadcast.

Too relatable.

The Brewers did plate three runs Tuesday night, which was enough to earn a 3-1 win over the Dodgers. Rookie sensation Jacob Misiorowski dazzled the Dodgers' star-studded lineup, logging 12 strikeouts and allowing just one run over six innings of work.

Tuesday's MLB All-Star Game will feature a change that baseball fans have been longing to see.

The Automated Ball-Strike System will be in place for the Midsummer Classic as the league continues to test the system out before officially bringing it to MLB. And it seems that implementation may be just around the corner.

During a Monday appearance on , MLB commissioner Rob Manfred let slip that Tuesday's use of the ABS system will be a major test ahead of its potential introduction in MLB in 2026.

"This year the emails about bad balls and strike calls have gone up like crazy, because [fans] have now seen that you can do it better, and the sort of theme of the emails is 'What the hell are you waiting for?'" Manfred said.

"We're going to use [the ABS] tonight. It's been used in the minor leagues for several years and we tested it with big league guys in spring training last year. We're in a process directed at bringing it to the big leagues next year," he added.

Manfred made clear that while the league is hoping to implement the ABS in MLB by 2026, it fully intends to "preserve" the roles of umpires in games, and he even denounced the term "robot umpires" when discussing the Automated Ball-Strike System.

MatériaMais Notícias

Em parceira com a Adidas, o Atlético-MG anunciou, na última segunda-feira (25), o novo uniforme principal da equipe para a disputa da temporada 2024.

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Veja todos os lançamentos do Galo e compre a sua camisa AQUI

O novo fardamento faz homenagem aos feitos históricos e pioneiros do Galo. As vendas já foram iniciadas, e o Lance! separou os modelos e preços para você adquirir o seu. Confira detalhes a seguir!

🤔 QUAL A INSPIRAÇÃO PARA O DESIGN DA CAMISA?

Lançada em comemoração aos 116 anos do Atlético-MG, a camisa faz homenagens as conquistas do clube, como o Brasileirão de 1937 (primeiro da história), a Libertadores e Copa do Brasil, além de momentos de pioneirismo, como a entrada de “mascotinhos” com o time em campo.

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🤑 QUAIS OS PRECOS?

Os novos uniformes já estão à venda e custam entre R$ 149,99 (fan jersey infantil) até R$ 349,99 (masculina, feminina e kit infantil). Além dessas opções, o Galo também disponibiliza uma versão torcedor, comercializada por R$ 179,99.

Camisa Adidas Atlético Mineiro I 24/25 Masculina Camisa Adidas Atlético Mineiro I 24/25 Masculina A camisa está disponível nos modelos masculino, feminino e infantil, além da versão “fan jersey”. Garanta a sua! Compre na Adidas

✅ MAIS MODELOS:

▪️ Camisa 1 Atlético Mineiro 24/25 (Feminina)

▪️ Camisa 1 Atlético Mineiro 24/25 (Infantil)

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Manchester City are known for their spending power following their 2008 takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group and have won everything under Pep Guardiola.

Jack Grealish is the club’s biggest ever addition at a cost of £100m, whereas star striker Erling Haaland looks a bargain at just over £50m.

Man City's most expensive signings of all time

The Citizens have spent a lot of money over the years.

By
Barney Lane

Jan 28, 2025

However, those at the Etihad Stadium have also brought in some big fees for some star players in recent years, with Cole Palmer’s move to Chelsea one that City arguably regret.

Here is a list of Man City’s most expensive departures of all time, with a detailed look at the top 10.

10

Kelechi Iheanacho

£25m to Leicester, 2017

Eight years before full-back Yan Couto, Man City sold forward Kelechi Iheanacho for a fee of £25m.

The Nigerian scored 21 goals in 64 games at the Etihad, however, in search of regular game time, signed for the Foxes where he would make more than 230 appearances.

He won the FA Cup for Leicester, whereas City were happy with the money after bringing the forward through their academy.

9

Riyad Mahrez

£30m to Al-Hilal, 2023

After winning the treble with Man City in 2022/23, winger Riyad Mahrez swapped Manchester for Saudi Arabia.

Mahrez was 32 years of age when Al-Hilal came calling, with City recouping half of the £60m they paid Leicester for the right-winger in 2018.

8

Oleksandr Zinchenko

£30m to Arsenal, 2022

Full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko played more than 125 games for Man City after joining in 2016 from FC Ufa.

Zinchenko cost just £1.8m, so would go on to make a huge profit when selling the Ukrainian to Arsenal. It proved to be a wise call, with the left-back struggling to make the same impact at the Emirates.

7

Danilo

£34.1m to Juventus, 2019

Brazilian full-back Danilo arrived from Real Madrid in Guardiola’s first season and would make 60 appearances for Man City.

He left for Juventus in 2019 after winning back-to-back Premier League titles, two EFL Cup trophies and an FA Cup, with City making profit in the process.

6

Cole Palmer

£42.5m to Chelsea, 2023

A sale that Man City look set to regret for a long time is academy graduate Cole Palmer.

When Man City accepted Chelsea’s £42.5m offer for the attacking midfielder in 2023, it appeared as if it was a wise decision and one that would help with FFP.

However, Palmer has gone from strength to strength at Stamford Bridge and is now seen as one of the best creative attackers in world football.

5

Leroy Sane

£44.7m to Bayern, 2020

Arriving at the Etihad in 2016 for an initial £37m, Leroy Sane made a big impact on the wing for Man City, with his lightning speed terrifying full-backs in the Premier League.

The German won two league titles with City and returned to his native country with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich four years later, with the Blues making money on the attacker.

4

Gabriel Jesus

£45m to Arsenal, 2022

Like Zinchenko, Gabriel Jesus also made the move from Man City to Arsenal in 2022, and the Brazilian cost the Gunners more at £45m.

Jesus scored 95 goals in 236 games for City, winning four Premier League titles. He cost the Blues around £27m, meaning those at the Etihad made a tidy profit despite selling to a rival.

3

Ferran Torres

£46.7m to Barcelona, 2021

Ferran Torres’ stay in Manchester was short and sweet, and much of his 18-month stay at the Etihad was during the pandemic and played behind closed doors, so City fans never really got to see the forward up close.

The Spaniard did catch the eye in England, so much so that Barcelona were willing to pay £46.7m for his services at the end of 2021.

2

Raheem Sterling

£47.5m to Chelsea, 2022

Raheem Sterling spent seven years as a Man City player and won four Premier League titles at the Etihad, going down as a club legend.

The winger cost City just under £50m from Liverpool in 2015, so recouping the majority of that fee when Chelsea came in was seen as a shrewd piece of business.

1

Julian Alvarez

£64.4m to Atletico Madrid, 2024

Top of the list as Man City’s most expensive sale of all time is forward Julian Alvarez, who played second fiddle to Haaland for large parts of his Etihad career.

The Argentine did win the World Cup while at City and impressed when given the chance under Guardiola.

However, those at the Etihad couldn’t turn down an initial £64.4m offer from Atletico Madrid, and that could rise to £81.5m with add ons.

Sometimes an MLB pitcher delivers a ball to the plate so good there’s simply nothing a batter can do.

Such was the case on Monday night when Diamondbacks starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt put away Padres first baseman Luis Arraez.

Pfaadt delivered a changeup that dropped so far off the plate that Arraez nearly lost his footing chasing after it. After his swinging third strike, cameras caught Arraez mouthing “Wow,” simply in awe of his opposition.

Arraez is not an easy guy to make look silly at the plate. As the two-time reigning NL batting title champion, Arraez is used to figuring out a way to get on base. But against Pfaadt on Monday night, he was left looking for answers that never came.

The Diamondbacks would go on to win the game, 6–2.

كشفت تقارير إعلامية اليوم الأحد، سبب عدم مشاركة نجم نادي برشلونة، روربرت ليفاندوفسكي، خلال مباراة أوساسونا يوم أمس السبت بالدوري الإسباني.

برشلونة استطاع مواصلة صدارته لبطولة الدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى، وتمكن من تحقيق انتصار جديد وهذه المرة على حساب أوساسونا بهدفين دون رد، ليبتعد البلوجرانا في صدارة الليجا بفارق سبع نقاط عن ريال مدريد الثاني.

لكن مدرب برشلونة، هانز فليك، عول على خدمات فيران توريس كمهاجم صريح، إلى جانب رافينها دياز، وماركوس راشفورد، ولامين يامال في خط الهجوم.

وأشارت صحيفة سبورت بجانب الصحفية ميريرا رويز، إلى أن ليفاندوفسكي كان يعاني من آلام على مستوى أوتار الركبة، وهي مشكلة عضلية دفعت هانز فليك إلى عدم المخاطرة بالدولي البولندي في لقاء الأمس.

اقرأ أيضًا.. بديل ليفاندوفسكي.. برشلونة يتراجع عن ضم نجم يوفنتوس

وأضافت أن ليفاندوفسكي كان بإمكانه اللعب لمدة 15 دقيقة في لقاء الأمس في حال تعقد المباراة، لكن بعد هدف رافينها الأول تم استبعاد دخول اللاعب إلى أرضية الملعب.

وأوضحت أن هذه هي المباراة الخامسة التي يغيب فيها ليفاندوفسكي عن صفوف برشلونة هذا الموسم بسبب مشكلة عضلية، مما أثار قلق النادي الإسباني.

وأردفت أن ليفاندوفسكي شارك خلال 17 مباراة مع برشلونة هذا الموسم وسجل خلالها 8 مباريات فقط وهو معدل غير معتاد في مسيرة اللاعب البولندي.

وتعتبر هذه هي المباراة الثانية على التوالي التي يجلس فيها ليفاندوفسكي في بطولة الدوري الإسباني على مقاعد البدلاء دون أن يشارك دقيقة واحدة، بعدما لم يلعب الدولي البولندي ضد ريال بيتيس الأسبوع الماضي.

وأفادت أن فليك لا يخطط للدفع بـ ليفاندوفسكي في مباراة برشلونة المقبلة أمام جوادالاخارا يوم الثلاثاء المقبل في بطولة كأس ملك إسبانيا، وستعتمد عودة اللاعب على مدى جاهزيته في التدريبات خلال الأيام المقبلة.