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Manchester United winger Amad Diallo has sent a modest target for the Red Devils ahead of the start of the new Premier League campaign.

Red Devils endured nightmare campaign last seasonAiming for better in Amorim's first full campaign in chargeHave brought in Matheus Cunha and hope to land Bryan MbeumoFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Amorim's side finished last season down in 15th place in the Premier League table and without a trophy, after losing to Tottenham in the Europa League final. As a result, the Red Devils will not play European football next season and will instead focus on trying to rise up the table and claim glory in the domestic cups.

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Manchester United kicked off their pre-season campaign with a drab goalless draw against Leeds United on Saturday in a game that saw new signings Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon debut. Bryan Mbeumo is also set to strengthem Amorim's side this summer, leaving Amad to look ahead and predict where his side might finish.

WHAT AMAD SAID

He told reporters: “A good season will be top five. I hope we can achieve that top five at the end of the season because I think we would deserve it. I think the fans have to be patient with us. There’s a new manager, with new players and new tactics, so we know last season wasn’t really good for the team. But I think this season we will win a lot with him and I hope we are going to achieve a lot of good things by the end of the season.”

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Manchester United's next pre-season fixture is on Saturday when they take on Premier League rivals West Ham United at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

David de Gea, the former Manchester United goalkeeper, has addressed the saga of his failed transfer to Real Madrid back in 2015. While still choosing to keep many of the details under wraps, the Spaniard hinted that he will eventually share the full story, but only after he hangs up his gloves for good.

De Gea was supposed to join Real MadridTransfer fee and personal terms were agreedFax machine delay broke off dealFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

De Gea was on the verge of returning to Spain after a successful stint at Old Trafford, but fate intervened in the form of a failed fax. The deal, which was expected to be finalised in the final hours of the 2015 summer transfer window, ultimately collapsed.

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Speaking in an interview with Italian outlet , De Gea said, "I will speak about all of that when my career is over. When things don't happen, it's for a reason. It was close but the transfer wasn't completed… Personally, it went well because Manchester is my home."

DID YOU KNOW?

Having arrived at Old Trafford from Atletico Madrid in 2011, De Gea carved out an exceptional career with the Red Devils. Under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson, he quickly matured into one of the world’s best goalkeepers. His time at United included a Premier League title in the 2012–13 season, along with further silverware in the FA Cup (2016), Europa League (2017), and two Carabao Cup triumphs (2017 and 2023).

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In 2024, De Gea signed with Serie A side Fiorentina as a free agent, refusing to join another team in England. Since joining the Viola, he has been a reliable presence in goal, registering 11 clean sheets across 42 appearances in all competitions during his debut season. His consistent form has earned him a new contract, which will keep him in Florence until June 2028.

Qiana Joseph and Chedean Nation return to the mix after missing the Australia tour

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Mar-2024Kate Wilmott has earned her maiden West Indies call-up, while Qiana Joseph and Chedean Nation have been recalled into the 15-member squad for their white-ball tour to Pakistan.Joseph took eight wickets in her five appearances in the Women’s Super50 Cup, which took place in March. Chedean Nation took six wickets in five games in the Women’s T20 Blaze.Djenaba Joseph, Ashmini Munisar, and Shabika Gajnab are the ones to miss out after being part of the squad for the Australia tour last year.”The upcoming series against is extremely important for the team as they return to international competition after almost six months, the last series being against Australia,” Ann Browne-John, Lead Selector for West Indies’ Women’s cricket said. “Apart from the three ODIs, the team will get some much-needed T20 matches as they prepare to participate in the T20 World Cup later this year.”The players will assemble in Dubai for a one-week training camp from April 6 and will play five three ODIs – which are part of the ODI Women’s Championship – followed by five T20Is. All the games will be played at the National Stadium in Karachi.West Indies women squad: Hayley Matthews (capt), Shemaine Campbelle (vice-captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Afy Fletcher, Cherry Ann Fraser, Jannillea Glasgow, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Stafanie Taylor, Rashada Williams, Kate Wilmott

Liga MX coaches could face sanctions for publicly criticizing the tournament’s format

Tigres face LAFC TuesdayAiming to finish the group stage unbeatenLead all Liga MX clubs with six pointsGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games now@TigresOficialWHAT HAPPENED?

The Leagues Cup has stirred up all kinds of opinions – and not all of them good. From fan backlash to criticism from coaches and players, the tournament’s format has been under fire since day one. But not everyone’s against it. For Tigres head coach Guido Pizarro, this competition is more opportunity than an obstacle.

Speaking ahead of Tigres’ final group-stage match, Pizarro made it clear he’s in favor of the tournament – not just for his team, but for the overall growth of both Liga MX and MLS. 

“I like coming to play these kinds of tournaments,” he said. “They help both leagues grow. And honestly, punishing coaches for voicing their opinions? That feels a bit over the top.”

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While some coaches like Domènec Torrent and Antonio Mohamed have raised concerns about the tournament’s structure, Pizarro prefers to focus on the positives. And so far, that mindset is paying off.

Tigres have looked like one of the most complete teams in this year’s Leagues Cup. Backed by strong performances and the firepower of new signing Ángel Correa,  who already has four goals in the tournament, the northern Mexican side is quickly emerging as one of the favorites to lift the trophy.

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While others have complained about the travel, Pizarro shrugged it off, pointing out that the conditions have been more than adequate for competing at a high level.

“Thinking about a draw or penalties would be a mistake,” he said. “We’re here to win, keep building momentum, and finish this phase strong.”

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Tigres go into Tuesday night’s clash with LAFC at BMO Stadium as the top-ranked Liga MX team in the tournament, with six points and a perfect record so far. 

England’s decision to deploy him at No. 4 “a compliment” from team management, Bairstow says

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Jun-2024Jonny Bairstow has described England’s decision to deploy him at No. 4 for their T20 World Cup defence as “a compliment”, acknowledging his versatility. Bairstow missed England’s 2022 triumph in Australia after suffering a career-threatening ankle break and has only played six T20Is since, but it set to play a key role in England’s middle order.Bairstow had been earmarked to open the batting at the last T20 World Cup, before an injury sustained on the golf course ruled him out. He opened in four T20Is against New Zealand last summer, a role he also performs for his IPL franchise, Punjab Kings; but the irresistible rise of Phil Salt, who scored back-to-back hundreds as opener in the Caribbean over the winter and played a big role in Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2024 title win, means Bairstow will slot in lower down.The 34-year-old has plenty of experience at No. 4, the spot where he has batted most frequently outside of opening, and scored a career-best 90 against South Africa two summers ago.Related

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“I’ve batted all over,” Bairstow said after England’s victory over Pakistan at The Oval on Thursday. “It doesn’t really matter to me where I bat. It’s actually a compliment that Jos [Buttler] and Motty [Matthew Mott] think I’ve got the skillset to bat at four. I’ve done it a lot. Whether it’s opening the batting or batting at four, to be able to recall your skills even in Test cricket is exactly what you have to do through the middle.”Bairstow made 21 off 18 at Edgbaston, in the first of two outings during the rain-affected series with Pakistan, before helping finish off England’s chase at The Oval with an unbroken stand of 46 off 27 balls alongside Harry Brook. How the two Yorkshiremen dovetail in the middle order could be key for England in the Caribbean.”It’s important to get into the rhythm of finishing games off,” Bairstow said. “Harry and I are batting four and five at the moment and we want to see games through till the end. It’s about carrying on with the style that we want to keep playing in. We took the right options and it worked out.”Bairstow heads into the T20 World Cup after a gruelling winter programme, during which he was the only England player to feature in the 50-over World Cup, the Test tour of India and the IPL. He achieved two significant milestones, playing both his 100th ODI and 100th Test in Dharamsala, but endured mixed form as England surrendered their ODI title and then went down 4-1 in the Tests.

“You’re under pressure all the time to perform and that’s how you want to play your cricket because when the pressure overs are on, you’re able to go back to those days when you might have got 20 off 15 but you got over the line”Jonny Bairstow on the IPL 2024 experience

However, after being dropped by Punjab Kings partway through the IPL, he roared back into form with a scintillating 108 not out from 48 balls, helping his side to pull off the highest successful chase in T20 history. He finished the tournament with 298 runs at a strike rate of 152.82.”I was happy with the IPL,” he said. “We were at a new ground. It was a good experience playing against world-class players all the time. You’re under pressure all the time to perform and that’s how you want to play your cricket because when the pressure overs are on, you’re able to go back to those days when you might have got 20 off 15 but you got over the line. Or you’re playing against Jasprit Bumrah or the guys that we’re going to come up against the World Cup. It’s then about going back on those experiences, which hopefully carry you over the line.”He also played down the significance of England’s failed World Cup campaign in India last year, where a side led by Buttler and featuring a number of the same players crashed out ignominiously during the round-robin group stage.”Completely different format. Different conditions. Different group. So yeah, we’re going to the T20 World Cup very hopeful of putting on a good performance”

With time running out before the new La Liga season, Barcelona scramble to ensure key players are registered and eligible for competitive action.

Five players remain unregistered ahead of new seasonFFP and revenue measures critical to completing registrationsBarcelona avoid relying on Ter Stegen’s injury  Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Barcelona now have a fifth player who needs to be registered to Hansi Flick's side ahead of their La Liga opener on August 16. As well as Marcus Rashford, Joan Garcia, Roony Bardghji and Wojciech Szczesny, Gerard Martin is also unregistered. The left-back recently renewed his contract and moved from the reserve team to the first team, meaning he requires registration under La Liga rules. The club’s squad is nearly set aside from finalising the departures of Inaki Pena and Oriol Romeu. Barcelona are under pressure to complete all registrations ahead of the season start, according to a report from .

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Barcelona’s registration issues reflect ongoing financial and administrative constraints. The club waits on new revenue streams including a sponsorship deal with the Democratic Republic of Congo and the approval of VIP seating to ease financial fair play pressures. Using Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s long-term injury as a registration relief method remains an option but is deemed undesirable by club president Joan Laporta, as it would create a future liability. Bardghji's registration is less problematic due to his reserve team status but he would require a first-team contract if he features regularly for the senior side. Hansi Flick’s preference to have Martin as Alejandro Balde’s backup for the start of the season makes completing these registrations urgent. Moreover, Rashford is confident about his registration.

DID YOU KNOW?

Barcelona's La Liga season kicks off on August 16 against Mallorca, a fixture that now carries additional pressure as the club works to finalise player registrations. Players moving from reserve to first team mid-cycle, like Martin, trigger mandatory registration requirements, complicating squad management.

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Barcelona must expedite the sale or departure of unregistered players and leverage financial solutions to comply with La Liga rules. Before they kick off the league campaign, they will take on Como in the Joan Gamper Trophy this week.

West Indian fast bowler in formidable form as Derbyshire lose in three days

ECB Reporters Network05-May-2024Sussex 479 (Pujara 113, Coles 72, Alsop 64, Haines 58) beat Derbyshire 246 (Tickner 47) and 109 (Seales 5-29) by an innings and 124 runsAn electric spell of reverse swing bowling from Jayden Seales inspired Sussex to a crushing victory over Derbyshire inside three days in the Vitality County Championship match at Derby.The 22-year old West Indian fast bowler took a career-best 5 for 29 and was twice on a hat-trick as Derbyshire crumbled to 109 for 9, with Blair Tickner absent hurt, to lose by an innings and 124 runs.Danny Lamb opened the way for Seales’s devastating burst by taking 2 for 10 after he scored 37 in the morning before the visitors were bowled out for 479, a lead of 233.Any chance Derbyshire had of avoiding an innings defeat vanished when they collapsed from 71 for 2 and the match ended with Derbyshire’s New Zealand fast bowler Tickner unable to bat after he revealed on social media that his wife has been diagnosed with a serious illness.Sussex already had a healthy lead of 111 going into what became the last day and although Cheteshwar Pujara added only nine runs to his overnight 104, the lower order ensured they secured maximum batting points.Derbyshire at least had the incentive of a new ball that was only three overs old and Daryn Dupavillon made full use of it by removing the overnight pair.Jack Carson was tempted into cutting at a wide ball and was caught behind before Pujara was lured into an indecisive shot by a ball that moved away enough to take the edge.But Finn Hudson Prentice and Lamb added 49 to stretch the lead towards 200 before Lamb gave Morley the charge and was stumped.After Ollie Robinson drove Morley for six, he chipped the spinner to short midwicket and when Hudson-Prentice holed out to long on, Derbyshire had five overs to negotiate before lunch.David Lloyd and Luis Reece survived with few alarms but it was a different story after the interval once Seales made the first breakthrough.Lloyd tried to pull a ball which struck him on the thigh pad and was lbw before Reece aimed a big drive at Hudson- Prentice and played on.The collapse gathered momentum with Wayne Madsen lbw to Lamb aiming to work through midwicket and Brooke Guest edging a drive into his stumps.Seales then returned at the City End to make the ball reverse at pace and keep low which was too much for a team already sliding towards defeat.His first ball bowled Aneurin Donald and the next pinned Anuj Dal in front. Zak Chappell survived the hat-trick ball but more mayhem followed in his next over.Matt Lamb was beaten by rapid swing and Jack Morley yorked although Seales was denied another chance of a hat-trick when Sussex turned to spin to improve their over rate.Chappell struck a few defiant blows before he was caught at wide long on and with Tickner, who chose to play in the game, absent the match was over.It was Sussex’s second win of the season but they were deducted a point from their haul of 24 for a slow over rate while Derbyshire finished with three bowling points.

Liverpool missed out on three 'elite' centre-backs before pulling the trigger on a €35 million (£30m/$40m) deal to sign Giovanni Leoni from Parma.

Leoni signed by Reds Liverpool have been hunting for elite, young centre-backDefender hunt finally overFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Per The Times, Liverpool have long been on the hunt for an elite young centre-back to strengthen their squad. They had been interested in Leny Yoro before he joined Manchester United, as well as Levi Colwill at Chelsea and Dean Huijsen at Bournemouth, before he moved to Real Madrid. Colwill was not for sale, Yoro wanted assurances of first-team football that United offered and the Reds could not, and Huijsen wanted a move to Madrid instead of to Anfield. 

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Now, Leoni has signed a six-year deal at Anfield, with the Reds beating off competition from Inter Milan to secure the youngster's signature. Signed from Parma, he has just 17 first-team appearances under his belt, and was also of interest to Newcastle, but the Reds have laid out a pathway to the first-team for Leoni, swaying his decision. 

DID YOU KNOW?

Leoni is an Italy youth international, playing for both the Under-18s and the Under-19s, and is now out to make a serious impression on Merseyside. 

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Liverpool play Bournemouth in their first game of the Premier League season on Friday evening. Leoni is likely to be on the bench. 

Patrice Evra backed Cristiano Ronaldo to make a sensational return to European football as he labelled his former Manchester United team-mate as a 'machine'. Ronaldo left Europe in November 2022 and joined Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr. The Portugal icon, who turned 40 earlier this year, recently signed a new lucrative two-year contract.

Evra backed Ronaldo to return to EuropeSigned a new two-year deal at Al-NassrEvra called Ronaldo a 'machine' Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Ronaldo cut his ties with United in November 2022 and left Europe after more than two decades as he signed for Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr. In the Middle East, Ronaldo has achieved success personally, breaking multiple scoring records, however, the Portugal legend is yet to win a major trophy.   

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Towards the end of the 2024-25 campaign, rumours floated related to Ronaldo's future at Al-Nassr as he was nearing the end of his previous deal, however, in June this year, he finally penned a new two-year contract, which would see him earn more than half a billion pounds in the next two seasons.   

WHAT EVRA SAID

Speaking to , Evra said: "Cristiano is a machine. [Saudi Arabia] is just a new chapter, not the end. Never say never about Europe." 

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Ronaldo and his team-mates will next take on the winner of Al-Qadisiyah vs Al-Ahli in the Saudi Super Cup final on August 23.  

Kai Havertz managed just half an hour in Arsenal’s narrow 1-0 victory against Manchester United on the first weekend of the new Premier League season before picking up a knee injury. It was previously expected that the Germany international would be absent for a longer period, but the forward is set to return to action soon after he decided to undergo surgery.

Havertz to undergo surgeryWill speed up his return to actionArsenal face Liverpool on SundayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to , Havertz has decided to undergo surgery on his knee and this will speed up his recovery from the injury. It was earlier reported that the German forward might remain out of action for a prolonged period, but he is likely to return to action much sooner.

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This was Havertz's second major injury in less than a year's time. In February earlier this year, Havertz picked up a hamstring blow during the club's warm-weather training in Dubai. He remained out of action for several months and only returned to the field in the club's final two matches of the 2024-25 campaign.

DID YOU KNOW?

Due to his latest knee injury, Havertz was forced to pull out of the Germany squad for their upcoming international matches in September. Havertz's last appearance for the national team came in November 2024 during a 1-1 draw with Hungary.

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The Gunners will be back in action in the Premier League this Sunday when they take on reigning champions Liverpool. New signing Eberechi Eze is expected to finally make his debut for the north London side at Anfield.