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The Saudi PIF takeover at Newcastle United in recent years has allowed a new generation of supporters to witness unthinkable levels of success on the pitch.

Eddie Howe has led the Magpies to multiple seasons competing in the Champions League, something which was a far-fetched dream under the ownership of Mike Ashley.

The hierarchy has invested serious money into the first-team squad over the last couple of years, which has allowed for numerous high/profile international names to move to St James’ Park.

Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes are just two players who are Brazilian internationals but also operating at the heart of the Magpies squad – something which was once an unthinkable sentence.

However, one other player could be set for a spell in the national team in the months ahead, especially if he keeps up his tremendous form in the Premier League.

Why Barnes could start at the World Cup

Over the last couple of weeks, winger Harvey Barnes has hit a tremendous run of form that has seen him nail down the left-wing role in Newcastle’s starting eleven.

The 27-year-old has started seven matches in the Premier League this campaign, already netting on three occasions, with his showing against Manchester City his best to date.

He scored a double against Pep Guardiola’s men at St James’ Park at the end of last month, subsequently securing a vital win for the Magpies on Tyneside.

Barnes has also thrived on the European stage, as seen by his tally of four Champions League goals in just five appearances – with two of which coming in just 27 minutes against Benfica.

As a result, rumours have been circulating over a potential call-up to the Scotland national team, with the winger potentially able to represent the nation through his grandparents.

He could feature at the World Cup in 2026, but he may even do so for England, with Barnes currently keeping international star Anthony Gordon out of the Magpies’ starting eleven at present.

It will certainly be a key few months for the winger, but it’s an exciting one for sure, which could see him reap the rewards of his recent success for Howe’s men.

The Newcastle star who has to start at the World Cup

As previously mentioned, the current Newcastle squad is littered with international stars, many of whom have taken their careers to the next level since their moves to the North East.

Dan Burn arrived in a fairytale return to St James’ after growing up in the area as a boy, but his move to the Magpies from Brighton in 2022 has seen the 33-year-old reach unimaginable heights.

The centre-back has been a regular in Thomas Tuchel’s England international setup, as seen by his tally of five appearances to date – with his debut coming back in March of this year.

It remains to be seen if he will have done enough to go to the World Cup in around six months’ time, but the defender has certainly done his chances no harm in recent times.

There is also a huge argument that Lewis Hall should be England’s starting left-back in the USA next summer and rightfully so given his recent form in the Premier League.

The 21-year-old has struggled with injuries at times in 2025/26, but it’s not stopped him from starring when handed the chance to start within Howe’s first-team squad.

The £28m man been selected to play in seven league games to date, with Hall making his comeback from an injury layoff during the Champions League victory over Athletic Bilbao back in November.

Hall has since started all four league games for the Magpies and has subsequently produced some incredible numbers, which could solve England’s long-standing left-back issue.

The £45k-per-week full-back, who’s been dubbed an “absolute baller” by scout Antonio Mango, has completed 2.1 dribbles per 90 whilst achieving a success rate of 69% to date – showcasing the incredible ability he possesses in possession.

He’s also completed 85% of his passes to date, even registering his first assist of the season against Everton, which magnifies his ability to cause chaos to the opposition.

However, without the ball, Hall has been just as impressive, as seen by his tally of 3.4 tackles made and 7.8 duels won per 90 – subsequently offering a huge threat at both ends of the pitch.

Such a skillset would be perfect for Tuchel’s current squad, with the youngster needing to continue on the same trajectory over the next few months if he is to go to the World Cup.

If he manages to continue his recent success, there’s no reason why Hall and Barnes could be starting alongside one another down the left-flank for their country, with the younger man already regarded as “one of the best” in the Premier League in his position.

There is certainly a long way to go until the tournament commences, but the duo’s recent success at St James’ could certainly hand the German a huge decision to make.

Eddie Howe has already found a bigger talent than Anderson at Newcastle

Howe’s Newcastle side are showing green shoots after a difficult start to the season.

By
Angus Sinclair

Dec 5, 2025

As a Real Madrid stalwart who was fiercely loyal to Jose Mourinho, Xabi Alonso did not seem like an obvious signing for Pep Guardiola, and yet the pair got on famously during their two years together at Bayern Munich. Alonso’s experience helped Guardiola win two Bundesliga titles while the veteran player sought to tap into the Catalan’s knowledge as he prepared for his own career on the touchline.

Alonso’s playing career was just about the perfect apprenticeship for moving into coaching as he worked under some of the biggest names in the game, each with their own unique style. His five years at Liverpool were spent with Rafa Benitez, the arch strategist. His long spell at Madrid saw him work with three vastly different coaches in Manuel Pellegrini, Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti. He ended his career working under the master of modern positional play in Guardiola for two years, before one final year reunited with Ancelotti.

Guardiola could instantly see that Alonso was cut out for a successful career in the dugout, remarking: "Every single coach who ever had the marvellous pleasure of training Xabi as a player knew without any doubt that he'd become a coach," and working alongside Guardiola was clearly an insightful time for Alonso.

“I learned a lot in three years in Bayern,” he said. “I was 32, I had made a lot of my career but in two or three years, I learned so, so much.”

Alonso’s time with Guardiola evidently helped him succeed at Bayer Leverkusen, where he ended Bayern’s 11-year stranglehold on the Bundesliga title and lifted the DFB-Pokal during an unbeaten domestic campaign. But it did not necessarily set him up well for life at Madrid, and as he prepares to meet his former mentor in the dugout for the first time when Los Blancos face Manchester City on Wednesday amid a run of just two wins in seven matches, there is a feeling that defeat could spell the end of Alonso’s time at the Bernabeu.

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  Downward spiral

  Guardiola’s coaching mentor was Johan Cruyff, and in his very first season as a coach with Barcelona’s B team he approached the legendary Dutchman about a dilemma: His best two players were undermining him. Cruyff’s message was clear: “Get rid of them.” Guardiola did as Cruyff advised and his team overcame a slippery start to storm to the title.

  Alonso has been confronted with a similar dilemma in the form of Vinicius Jr. According to , Alonso’s dispute with the Brazil forward began during the Club World Cup, when Vinicius was furious with his coach for playing him on his less favoured right side in the 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint Germain in the semi-final. 

  The tension between player and coach then came to a head in October after the player’s furious reaction to being substituted towards the end of the Clasico win over Barcelona. Vinicius released a grovelling apology on to “all Madridistas, my team–mates, the club and the president“. Tellingly, he did not apologise to Alonso. Nonetheless, Vinicius was in the line up for Madrid’s next outing against Valencia. 

  They won that game easily 4-0, but then their problems began. They lost at Liverpool, drew three consecutive league games at Rayo Vallecano, Elche and Girona, and then scraped past Olympiacos. They did easily beat Athletic Club 3-0 in their best performance of the season, only to follow it up with Sunday’s ill-tempered defeat at home to Celta Vigo.

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  Unrelenting questions

  Alonso’s lenient treatment of Vinicius, which contrasted with Arne Slot dropping Mohamed Slot from the Liverpool squad following his rant about being "thrown under the bus", was twice mentioned during his press conference on Tuesday ahead of facing City. Despite the coach taking no action against Vinicius, the player is still apparently furious with his coach, and has decided to delay talks regarding a contract renewal until the summer, by which time Alonso could be gone.

  Alonso looked surprised when he was asked on Tuesday if he regretted taking Vinicius off in El Clasico. “I don’t know what the question is getting at. It was a decision in the moment and now we’re in another moment.”

  It was far from the only uncomfortable question he was asked, either, as queries from the assembled media ranged from, “Do you have the support of the whole squad?” to, “Do you feel alone?” and, “How do you cope with all these rumours about your future?”

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  'Thinks he's Guardiola'

  The rift with Vinicius is believed to just be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Alonso’s relationship with the players. Another report in recounted how Alonso told his squad soon after taking charge that they would have to run more and work harder. Alonso’s staff had spoken of “many bad habits” setting in under Ancelotti and the new coach established a new set of rules for the squad, emphasising the importance of punctuality and maintaining intensity in training. 

  Alonso’s hands-on approach was in total contrast to that of Ancelotti, who was barely involved in training sessions, delegating them to other members of staff. And it rubbed players, many of whom had won multiple La Liga titles and Champions League crowns, up the wrong way. 

  The most damning quote in the report came from a source close to a senior player, which read: “He thinks he’s Pep Guardiola, but for now he’s just Xabi.”

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  Not a safe haven for coaches

  The truth is that even Guardiola, leaving aside his past as a Barcelona player and coach for a second, would struggle to succeed at Madrid. The club has never been a safe haven for coaches. This is a club that has repeatedly sacked managers who have won La Liga or the Champions League, sometimes the very next day.

  While Barcelona venerated Cruyff and Guardiola and, for a couple of years, Frank Rijkaard, Madrid prefer their coaches to be lower key. It is why Mourinho, the ultimate rockstar of the management world, was such a divisive figure in the Spanish capital. By the end of his chaotic tenure, Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa were the only allies the Portuguese had left after he fell out with Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas and Cristiano Ronaldo. 

  While Mourinho and Guardiola were sworn enemies when they were in charge of Spain’s biggest clubs for three years and are often painted as polar opposites, Alonso thought they were not so different after all, saying in 2016: “They are both very similar in that they are hard workers and extremely ambitious. On the football side, they have different approaches and style. What you get with both is huge charisma and leadership.”

LOS ANGELES — In a star-studded World Series, attended by royalty and played by baseball royalty, with a pair of rosters that combine to cost $876 million, in which the faces of two or three nations compete nightly for camera time, it was a young man who basically lives out of his Toyota Tundra who sent the Dodgers’ season to the brink. 

The Blue Jays’ Trey Yesavage baffled the Los Angeles lineup in a 6–1 victory in Game 5 of the World Series to send his team back to Toronto one win from glory. He produced seven sparkling, 12-strikeout innings; allowed one run; and broke the hearts of the 52,175 in attendance who by the end were all but silent despite the exhortations of the preposterously loud speaker system. As he trotted from the bullpen to the mound to begin the game, he thought about how he had opened his season pitching in front of 327 people against the Jupiter Hammerheads. He hoped to send this crowd home upset. 

“It’s a crazy world,” Yesavage said. “Hollywood couldn’t have made it this good.”

It would be hard to cast the first return to the World Series by a defending champion since the Phillies did it in 2009 as a failure, but the level of talent on this roster—and the money spent on it—means anything short of a dynasty will be a disappointment. 

Blake Snell falls short

The Dodgers felt well equipped to leave Los Angeles with a series lead. Game 5 marked a rematch of Game 1, between the Dodgers’ Blake Snell, a two-time Cy Young winner pitching in his 10th season and second World Series, and the Blue Jays’ Trey Yesavage, a 22-year-old who began the year at Single A and has three regular-season major league appearances to his name. Yesavage took the first matchup, going only four innings but allowing only two runs; Snell, who had opened the National League Championship Series against the Brewers with eight one-hit, scoreless innings, allowed five runs in five frames and took the loss. 

Recently, his agent, Scott Boras, sent him a study he’d commissioned about October at Dodger Stadium. Boras’s team found that hitters struggle to see breaking balls during the first four or so innings of the 5 p.m. postseason starts. 

Perhaps Snell should have studied it more closely: His first pitch was a 97-mph fastball that Davis Schneider whacked over the left field wall.

Two pitches later, Snell threw Vladimir Guerrero Jr. a 96-mph fastball, and Guerrero did the same thing.

It marked the first back-to-back leadoff home runs in World Series history, and the first time in this one that the Blue Jays scored first.

Dodgers’ offense has disappointed in October

In April or June, two runs would not have been insurmountable for the vaunted Dodgers’ offense, the best in the National League in most metrics. But the bats have largely gone cold in October. 

The Dodgers had a .768 regular-season OPS; in the first four games of the World Series, that figure was .693. Only DH Shohei Ohtani and first baseman Freddie Freeman had an OPS over .800. L.A. was 5-for-29 with runners in scoring position.

So after running out the same lineup for most of the postseason, Roberts finally made a change Wednesday. He moved shortstop Mookie Betts from second to third in the batting order and Freeman from third to fourth, slotting catcher Will Smith in second. Roberts also swapped in outfielder Alex Call for Andy Pages in the nine hole. 

Betts had not batted lower than second in the Dodgers’ order since September 2021, but he entered the night hitting .147 with one extra-base hit over his last eight games. With Pages going 4-for-October, Ohtani, leading off, did not really have anyone to drive in or anyone to drive him in. 

Roberts, often expansive in his scouting reports on his own players, said simply, “I feel that that’s the best way to win the game tonight.”

Thomas Frank needs consistency at Tottenham Hotspur, having blown hot and cold in the months since replacing Ange Postecoglou in the dugout.

Postecoglou won the Europa League last season, but he was dismissed from his duties – some would call it Daniel Levy’s final act – and a new era has been ushered in, with Frank making a series of signings and reworking the Spurs set-up.

Room for one more? The Londoners’ attacking efforts have left something to be desired this season, and with so much on the line this term, ENIC Group have a dream of signing Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth during the January transfer window.

The latest on Spurs' interest in Semenyo

Bournemouth supposedly rejected an offer from Tottenham for Semenyo’s signature during the off-season. But the Lilywhites are back in the running, ready to contest Liverpool and Manchester City for the Ghana winger’s services, with his £65m release clause going live in January.

It’s going to be difficult, luring the 25-year-old to north London next month. While all the pointers suggest Semenyo will leave the Vitality Stadium, he has a range of elite outfits to pick from, and Liverpool and City often get their way in the transfer market.

But Tottenham do need a talismanic force on the left flank. After all, Heung-min Son left for Los Angeles after lifting the Europa League trophy, and his presence and influence have been keenly missed.

Patience, though, is so often a virtue in football, and while Spurs don’t have a frontline firing on all cylinders right now, Frank leads a number of players who could become real stars down the line.

And there’s one in particular who has fired himself into form over the past week, with his market value a reflection of just how talented he is.

The Spurs star who's overtaken Semenyo

This summer, Tottenham completed a series of signings, and when we look back on that window, we might view Xavi Simons as being the pick of the bunch. The Netherlands star, 21 years old, moved from RB Leipzig for about £51m in August, having been pursued by Chelsea.

He hadn’t hit the ground running this season – far from it – but Simons is starting to grow into his skin, and his silky, combative style of play suggests he could have been perfect for the Mauricio Pochettino era.

Yes, Simons’ natural playmaking qualities make him a tailor-made fit for that thrilling chapter of the previous decade. He has been flagged for a lack of physicality amid early-season struggles, but Simons is beginning to put those to rest, settling into life in London.

This is a show-stopper of a midfielder, boasting something special, something different to his teammates. When Frank gets his squad playing to his tune from a creative vantage, you can bet that Simons will be smack-bang in the middle of the success.

Already he ranks among the top 8% of positional peers in the Premier League this season for passes attempted and ball recoveries, as well as the top 3% for ball recoveries per 90 (data via FBref).

And he’s beginning to showcase an aptitude for the defensive side of the game, working hard in recovery and getting stuck in when against the ball.

Hailed by statistician Statman Dave for his ability to create “magic” on the ball, Simons suffered a tough start to his Tottenham career, but he has shown flashes of elite quality throughout the campaign, and now, with two goals from as many games, there’s a sense that the Dutchman could be about to kick on.

Could we be set to return to the halycon days of Poch’s reign? Tottenham didn’t win a trophy then, but the football was good, envied, and Simons looks like he could be an architect of such a revival of creativity and sharpness in the final third.

He has just started to earn some recognition, having already proven himself on the financial front, with CIES Football Observatory suggesting his value has already skyrocketed to £95m since his summer move, above Semenyo’s maximum market value of £67m.

Semenyo would be a terrific addition, and there’s no question that offensive signings will be made in 2026, but Tottenham fans must remember that their club have signed one of the most exciting playmakers in the business, and after seeing his market value skyrocket, he’s only going to keep getting better.

Frank's answer to Declan Rice: Spurs have found a "future £100m" superstar

Tottenham’s long-term vision is among the most ambitious in all of Europe.

By
Angus Sinclair

4 days ago

Khadija Shaw surpassed a century of goals for Manchester City as she scored four times to inspire her side to their 10th successive Women’s Super League victory in a thumping 6-1 win over Aston Villa. The Jamaica international took her tally to 103 goals in just 120 appearances in all competitions for the Cityzens, who are now six points clear at the top of the league table.

With both teams taking to the field for their final league fixture of 2025, it was Villa who started the better as Rachel Daly threatened to connect with the in-form Kirsty Hanson’s low cross, but the captain narrowly missed the ball as she slid into the six-yard box. 

However, City were soon able to bypass the visitors’ impressive high press, taking the lead when Shaw converted Vivianne Miedema’s first-time cross for her 100th goal. And the 28-year-old scored her 101st just moments later when she raced into the penalty area, before cutting onto her favoured right foot to find the far corner.

Showing no signs of complacency in the second half, City pushed hard for a third and they thought they had it when Miedema bundled home after Shaw hit the woodwork, but the goal was chalked off after Kerstin Casparij was adjudged to have been offside in the build-up. 

However, the Blues eventually made it 3-0 when Netherlands international Miedema’s wonderful through ball found Aoba Fujino, who was emphatic with her finish past Villa goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo. So often a threat on the road, having drawn at Arsenal and won at Manchester United, Natalia Arroyo's Villans were rewarded for their consistent pressure when defender Lucy Parker headed home from substitute Missy Bo Kearns’ corner.

But City – who were able to bring on captain Alex Greenwood for her first appearance since October – soon restored their three-goal cushion when Miedema capped off a brilliant performance with a goal – the forward tapping home from Fujino’s neat cross. And for the icing on the cake, Shaw then scored her third and fourth goals of the afternoon as Andree Jeglertz's side secured their 13th straight victory in all competitions. They will now finish the year six points ahead of second-placed Chelsea and eight clear of third-placed Arsenal.

GOAL rates City's players from Joie Stadium…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Ayaka Yamashita (5/10):

  The 'keeper almost gave a goal away with a careless pass into City team-mate Yui Hasegawa, which – fortunately for both players – came to nothing.

  Kerstin Casparij (7/10):

  On her 100th appearance in all competitions for City, the Netherlands right-back was a threat going forward, forcing a good second-half save from Villa's D'Angelo.

  Jade Rose (6/10):

  The defender made an important block late on to prevent Villa striker Daly from finding the back of the net.

  Rebecca Knaak (5/10):

  Fresh from signing a new two-year contract extension in midweek, the centre-back was cautioned for a mistimed tackle on Villa's Daly.

  Leila Ouahabi (5/10):

  The left-back was up against inspired Villa wing-back Chasity Grant, who won the battle between the two players.

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  Midfield

  Laura Blindkilde Brown (6/10):

  Neat and tidy on the ball, the England international supplied City's forward line well enough, watching on as Miedema and Shaw did the damage.

  Yui Hasegawa (7/10):

  The midfielder played a key role in City's second, winning possession in the middle of the park before setting Shaw on her way.

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  Attack

  Aoba Fujino (8/10):

  One of City's best performers this season, the Japan international was electric down the right flank, netting her side's third with a superb finish before assisting Miedema.

  Vivianne Miedema (9/10):

  Displaying plenty of guile between the lines, the WSL's all-time top goalscorer showcased her all-round game by recording assists for Shaw and Fujino, before netting herself.

  Lauren Hemp (7/10):

  The scourge of Villa, having previously scored seven WSL goals against them, the winger registered the pre-assist in the build up to Shaw's opener.

  Khadija Shaw (10/10):

  Reaching and then surpassing a century of goals in City colours, the striker was simply remarkable inside the penalty area. She has now scored 12 WSL goals in just 11 games this term.

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  Subs & Manager

  Alex Greenwood (6/10):

  Returning to the City fold for the first time since October following a period on the sidelines, the captain helped her side see out their victory.

  Grace Clinton (6/10):

  Replacing Laura Blindkilde Brown after the hour mark, the midfielder thought she scored City's sixth, but it actually deflected in off player-of-the-match Shaw.

  Kerolin (5/10):

  A second-half substitute, the winger replaced Lauren Hemp and was unable to make an impact on the match.

  Iman Beney (N/A):

  Emerging from the bench late on, the Switzerland international was not on the pitch long enough to influence things.

  Sydney Lohmann (N/A):

  Like Iman Beney, she didn't receive enough minutes in order to star.

  Andree Jeglertz (8/10):

  In what felt like a key moment in the game, considering Villa were spirited in the opening 45 minutes, the manager got his half-time team talk spot on as City were ruthless in the second half.

No matter where they decide to stop off on their baseball-playing tour around the U.S., the Savannah Bananas always put on a show. This weekend in Philadelphia, Pa., that was no different.

While delivering a pitch to the Texas Tailgaters on Sunday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park, Bananas infielders Correlle Prime and DR Meadows decided to pay homage to Eagles running back Saquon Barkley by mimicking the signature backwards hurdle that he pulled off this past season against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Take a look:

Meadows unfortunately plunked the Tailgaters batter and allowed him to reach first base. Thankfully, these exhibition games are all in good fun.

As for Barkley, his hurdle has taken on a life of its own—first becoming the cover photo for the upcoming video game, and now being portrayed by one of the country's most famous baseball teams.

It'll be fascinating to see if he tries to pull it off again in 2025.

From Dhoni and Jadeja’s CSK highs to Bumrah’s Mumbai record, all the numbers to keep an eye on

Namooh Shah21-Mar-20259:55

Runorder: What is your wishlist for the IPL 2025 season?

19 – Runs MS Dhoni needs to become Chennai Super Kings’ highest run-scorer in the IPL. Suresh Raina with 4687 runs, currently holds the record.6 – Bumrah needs six more wickets to become Mumbai Indians’ highest wicket-taker in the IPL. If he gets there, he will dethrone Lasith Malinga (170 wickets), who has been leading the list for over a decade.Related

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• IPL 2025 FAQs: What's new this season? Any changes in format?

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• IPL to allow one ball change on demand to counter dew

8 – Jadeja is eight short of becoming the leading wicket-taker for CSK in the IPL and will surpass Dwayne Bravo who heads the list with 140 wickets for the franchise.4 – Four more fifty-plus scores this season will take Kohli to the top of the list for most fifty-plus scores in the IPL. The record is currently with David Warner who has 66 fifty-plus scores in the league.6 – Currently on 194, six more dismissals for Dhoni this season, will take his tally to 200. He is already at the top of the list, with Dinesh Karthik at 182 placed second.2 – Rohit will become IPL’s second-most capped player when he takes the field in Mumbai Indians’ first match against CSK. Rohit is also just a boundary away from completing 600 fours and be the fourth player to do so.Rohit Sharma will become IPL’s second-most capped player in Mumbai’s opening match against CSK•Associated Press142 – The runs Rohit requires in IPL 2025 to go past Shikhar Dhawan (6769) and become the second-highest run-scorer in the league. Kohli with 8004 runs heads the list.1 – Jadeja after scoring 41 runs this season will become the first player in IPL to complete the double of 3000 runs and 100 wickets.5 – Jadeja, if he plays at least five games this season, will become the second-most capped player for CSK in the IPL. He is currently third on the list, with Dhoni (234) and Raina (176) ahead of him. He is also ten matches away from becoming the fifth player in IPL to play 250 matches.3 – Kohli will become IPL’s third-most capped player if he plays six matches in the season. He will go past former RCB team-mate Dinesh Karthik who played 257 IPL games.3 – Wickets needed by Bhuvneshwar Kumar to become the third-highest wicket-taker in IPL. Yuzvendra Chahal (205) heads the list, while Piyush Chawla (192) and Bravo (183) are second and third. Sunil Narine (180) and R Ashwin (180) are also not far behind.

Athletics outfielder Lawrence Butler broke his team's game against the Houston Astros wide open on Saturday night thanks to a three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning. You wouldn't know that, however, if you were simply listening to the broadcast.

As Butler's bomb off Houston reliever Hector Neris soared into straightaway center field, A's broadcaster Chris Caray somehow saw it differently—and announced that the ball had gone foul.

"High in the air deep to right," he exclaimed. "That ball is foul … Or gone?"

Luckily, Caray's broadcast partner saw where the ball landed and was able to pick up the slack for the booth.

Take a listen to the botched call:

After the game, Caray admitted to his mistake, posting on X (formerly Twitter), that he "totally lost [the ball] in the lights."

"No excuses," he continued. "Unfair to Butler and our fans that I messed it up as badly as I did. This is completely and totally on me! Wish I could have it back but that’s baseball. I apologize and will be better tomorrow."

Good on him for admitting his mistake.

The A's eventual 5-1 win over the Astros brings them to a measly 45-62 on the season. Houston, meanwhile, falls to 60-45 while still maintaining a 4.5 game lead in the American League West.

Despite Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s call for patience, Old Trafford legend Roy Keane has now named his dream replacement for Ruben Amorim at Manchester United.

Ratcliffe drops update on Amorim's Man Utd future

Whilst he did reiterate that improvement at Man United will take time, Ratcliffe also admitted Amorim has not had the best of seasons at Old Trafford. The former Sporting Club boss is yet to reach 10 Premier League wins in charge of the Red Devils and has overseen just three wins in seven league games so far this season.

As many begin to call for the boot, however, INEOS and Ratcliffe have urged for patience – claiming that the manager will be judged after three years in charge of the club.

Amorim will be relieved to hear public backing from his boss, but has not received the same patience from the likes of Gary Neville.

The former right-back took aim at the Man United manager after he put his side’s struggles in his system down to criticism from pundits, saying: “If pundits are getting into your head then you shouldn’t be playing for the club.”

Man Utd now battling Atletico Madrid to sign £20m+ La Liga defender for Amorim

He’s one to watch…

By
Tom Cunningham

Oct 9, 2025

Victory over Sunderland bought Amorim time, but that hasn’t stood in the way of Neville’s verdict or in the way of Keane, who has now gone as far as naming his dream replacement for the current Man United boss.

Keane names dream Amorim replacement

Speaking on the latest episode of The Overlap, Keane named Diego Simeone as his dream replacement for Amorim at Man United. The former Old Trafford midfielder was full of praise for the Atletico Madrid player and claimed his “big personality” was a major factor in his selection.

Keane said: “I’ve said it for years … I’d like to see Diego Simeone going there. I think he’d create havoc, but good havoc. I’d like to see his personality and his track record. They beat Real Madrid, they scored five … yes he likes his teams a bit defensive, but they have that fighting spirit. I like a big personality.”

Simeone would certainly turn United into fighters again, as more of a throwback manager. As things stand, however, he very much remains a dream option. No one has been able to lure the Argentine away from Spain. He is Mr Atletico Madrid as far as the rest of European football are concerned and that may not change with a call from Manchester.

Given their defensive frailties, though, it’s easy to imagine the transformative job that Simeone would complete at Man United, who desperately need Amorim to turn things around.

Game 7 of the World Series between the Blue Jays and Dodgers had sports fans across two countries biting their nails into the wee hours of the night.

Some of those baseball fans happened to still be enjoying other sports while keeping an eye on the game. Such was the case for fans of the Edmonton Oilers, who were watching their team take on the Blackhawks while also, presumably, tracking Game 7 on their phones and across in-arena televisions.

But this split attention can lead to some extremely difficult moments, especially when the game you’re watching on mute in the background in tied in the ninth inning with a championship on the line. Across the arena at Rogers Place—a four-hour flight or 32-hour drive away from the Rogers Centre in Toronto—a swell of cheering fans took to their feet after a close play at home in the bottom of the ninth inning briefly looked like it might have brought a championship to Canadian baseball for the first time since 1993.

The cheer was so great that the announcers calling the game on television called the Blue Jays champions, before quickly needing to rescind the title.

In a heartbreaking turn of events, not only was that not the championship-winning play, but the Blue Jays would ultimately fall to the Dodgers in extra innings.

Baseball fans will never forget where they were watching the Dodgers win the 2025 World Series. For a select few Oilers fans, they’ll never forget when the Blue Jays briefly won the 2025 World Series too.