Football

Manchester United's interim manager, Ruud van Nistelrooy, ended his brief tenure with a resounding 3-0 victory over Leicester City on Sunday. The win marked United's fourth consecutive unbeaten match under Van Nistelrooy, who took over after the dismissal of Erik ten Hag.Bruno Fernandes, celebrating his 250th appearance for United, opened the scoring with a powerful strike after a clever exchange with Amad Diallo. Fernandes's involvement continued in the second goal, as his touch deflected off Leicester defender Victor Kristiansen and into the net for an own goal.Diallo, who impressed with a brace in United's Europa League victory over PAOK, earned a starting berth ahead of Alejandro Garnacho. The Argentine substitute made an immediate impact, scoring a stunning goal into the top corner to seal the win.United's victory lifted them to 13th in the Premier League standings, just three points behind fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur. However, Spurs suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at home to newly promoted Ipswich Town.Ipswich's victory was their first in the Premier League since their return to the top flight after a 22-year absence. Sammie Szmodics and Liam Delap scored the goals for the visitors, while Rodrigo Bentancur's late header proved to be a mere consolation for Spurs.Nottingham Forest's impressive run came to an end with a 3-1 home defeat to Newcastle United. Murillo's early header gave Forest the lead, but Newcastle fought back with goals from Alexander Isak, Joelinton, and Harvey Barnes.Arsenal and Chelsea, both 10 points behind leaders Liverpool, will be desperate for victories when they face off later on Sunday. Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard will make his first start in two months as the Gunners aim to end their three-game winless streak in the Premier League.

Son Heung-min's inclusion in the South Korean squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers has sparked concerns over his fitness, with coach Hong Myung-bo vowing to prioritize the Tottenham Hotspur star's health.Son missed several weeks of action with a hamstring injury and was substituted off in Tottenham's recent 4-1 victory over Aston Villa as a precautionary measure. Despite his return to action, Hong emphasized the need to manage Son's playing time carefully."We will monitor his playing time in the next two matches for Spurs and use that information to prepare for the November games," Hong said. "It's not appropriate to push him too hard on the national team just because he's back for his club."Hong acknowledged Son's desire to represent his country but stressed the importance of protecting his well-being. "I understand he wants to play for the national team, but our priority is his health," Hong added.South Korea currently leads their group in the third round of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, with three wins and a draw. Son's inclusion in the squad for the upcoming matches against Kuwait and Palestine is a testament to his importance to the team.However, Hong's cautious approach suggests that Son's playing time may be limited in these qualifiers. The coach's decision is likely influenced by the fact that Son has a history of hamstring injuries and is approaching the latter stages of his career.By managing Son's workload, Hong aims to ensure that the forward remains fit and available for both Tottenham and South Korea in the long run.

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur embark on their Europa League campaigns this week, seeking solace from disappointing Premier League starts.Erik ten Hag's United have struggled to improve upon last season's dismal performance, languishing outside the top 10 with just seven points from five matches. Despite heavy spending in the transfer market, the expected resurgence has yet to materialize.United's Europa League opener against Twente on Wednesday is crucial, as anything less than a victory would intensify pressure on Ten Hag. The Dutch club, returning to the competition for the first time since 2012, poses a significant challenge.Tottenham, under Ange Postecoglou, have also faced growing discontent among fans. After a blistering start to the season, successive Premier League defeats have dampened spirits. The Europa League, now without teams dropping down from the Champions League, presents a golden opportunity for Spurs to end their trophy drought.They host Qarabag on Thursday, hoping to build on their recent 3-1 victory over Brentford. Postecoglou remains optimistic, emphasizing the importance of perseverance in achieving success.Elsewhere, crisis-hit Roma welcome Athletic Bilbao to the Stadio Olimpico. The Serie A club has enjoyed recent success in Europe, reaching the Europa League semi-finals three times in the past four seasons. However, the sacking of coach Daniele De Rossi has sparked fury among supporters, who have expressed their anger towards management and players.Other notable Europa League fixtures include 2022 winners Eintracht Frankfurt hosting Viktoria Plzen, while four-time European champions Ajax take on Besiktas in Amsterdam.

Jamie Vardy, the 37-year-old striker, proved that age is just a number as he rescued a point for Leicester City in their Premier League return against Tottenham Hotspur. Vardy's second-half header canceled out Pedro Porro's early goal for Spurs, who had dominated the first half but failed to capitalize on their chances.Tottenham started the match with a flurry of attacks, but their profligacy in front of goal allowed Leicester to stay in the game. Dominic Solanke, the new signing from Bournemouth, was among those guilty of missing clear-cut opportunities. It was Porro, the Spanish defender, who finally broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, heading home James Maddison's cross.However, Leicester refused to be disheartened and came out with renewed vigor in the second half. Vardy, who has been a key figure in Leicester's success over the years, was left unmarked and headed home an equalizer in the 60th minute. The goal changed the momentum of the game, and both teams had chances to win in a thrilling last half hour.Vardy had a golden opportunity to put Leicester ahead in the 70th minute, but his shot was saved by Guglielmo Vicario. At the other end, Richarlison sent a header wide deep into injury time, with the last chance of the match.Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou expressed disappointment with his team's performance, saying, "We need to be more ruthless in front of goal. We were that dominant, we should have been well away from the opposition."Leicester manager Steve Cooper praised his team's resilience, saying, "Tottenham are a really good team, but we gave them too much respect. We started getting after them and it changed the momentum."The game was halted for eight minutes late in the second half after Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur sustained a head injury. The Uruguayan received oxygen and was taken off on a stretcher, but Postecoglou said he was "conscious and communicating."

Manchester City took a commanding step towards an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday. Erling Haaland's clinical finishing proved decisive, as the Norwegian striker netted twice to secure the crucial three points.The match began with a tense atmosphere, with Tottenham fans torn between supporting their own team and potentially aiding City's title charge. However, the home crowd made their feelings clear with chants of "Stand up if you hate Arsenal," their bitter local rivals.Despite Tottenham's early pressure, City gradually asserted their dominance. Kevin De Bruyne's pinpoint cross found Haaland unmarked in the box, and the Norwegian tapped home to break the deadlock in the 51st minute.Tottenham pushed for an equalizer, but City's defense held firm. Substitute goalkeeper Stefan Ortega made a brilliant save to deny Son Heung-min, and the visitors were awarded a penalty in the dying minutes when Pedro Porro brought down Jeremy Doku. Haaland stepped up to convert the spot-kick, sealing the victory for City.The win puts Pep Guardiola's team two points clear of Arsenal at the top of the table with just one game remaining. A victory at home against West Ham on Sunday will secure the title for City, regardless of Arsenal's result against Everton.Guardiola praised his team's resilience and urged the fans to create a raucous atmosphere for the final match. "We know what we're playing for," he said. "The tension is there, the rival is so good. It's why it is difficult, we know that."Tottenham's defeat guarantees Aston Villa a place in the Champions League next season, joining City, Arsenal, and Liverpool in Europe's top-tier competition.

Aston Villa's resurgence under Unai Emery has propelled them to the cusp of Champions League qualification, a feat that would evoke memories of their European triumph in 1982. Emery's tactical acumen and motivational prowess have instilled a newfound belief and purpose in the Villa squad, propelling them to fourth place in the Premier League standings.However, the race for the coveted fourth spot remains fiercely contested, with Tottenham Hotspur lurking just behind. With only three matches remaining in the season, Villa face a daunting task to maintain their position. Their upcoming fixtures against Brighton, Liverpool, and Crystal Palace will serve as a litmus test for their maturity and resilience.Villa's 2-2 draw with Chelsea on Saturday was a minor setback, but it did not significantly damage their position. Tottenham's subsequent 2-3 loss to Arsenal has given Villa a seven-point cushion. However, the remaining schedule poses significant challenges.Tottenham, despite having two games in hand, face an equally daunting task. They must navigate encounters with Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City. While Villa's quality and determination have been evident throughout the season, the race for fourth place remains tantalizingly close.Emery's tactical innovations have been instrumental in Villa's success. His emphasis on ball control, innovation, and mental fortitude has transformed the team into a formidable force. The return of European football to Villa Park would be a fitting reward for their remarkable resurgence.

Manchester City ascended to the Premier League summit with a comfortable 5-1 victory over Luton Town at the Etihad Stadium, while Newcastle United stunned Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 on Saturday.Amidst a demanding schedule, Pep Guardiola's City side welcomed a relatively straightforward fixture between the two legs of their Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid. Guardiola made six alterations from the thrilling 3-3 draw in Madrid, and City seized control from the outset.Erling Haaland's shot deflected off Daiki Hashioka into his own net after just two minutes, giving City an early advantage. However, the floodgates did not open immediately, and the English champions had to wait until after the hour mark to secure the points. Mateo Kovacic converted Julian Alvarez's cross from the edge of the box, putting City firmly in control.Haaland, who scored five goals when the teams met in the FA Cup in February, added to his tally with a penalty, marking his 20th Premier League goal of the season. Ross Barkley netted a late consolation for Luton, but their hopes of Premier League survival remain slim with just five games remaining.Jeremy Doku and Josko Gvardiol also found the net for City, who now hold a two-point lead over Arsenal and Liverpool, both of whom have a game in hand. Liverpool host Crystal Palace on Sunday, aiming to recover from their Europa League defeat to Atalanta. Arsenal face Aston Villa, who moved back into the top four without playing on Saturday due to Tottenham's heavy loss at St. James' Park.Newcastle's victory was inspired by Alexander Isak's brace, with Anthony Gordon and Fabian Schar also contributing goals. The Magpies moved up to sixth place, keeping their faint hopes of Champions League qualification alive.At the bottom of the table, Nottingham Forest moved one point clear of the relegation zone with a thrilling 2-2 draw against Wolves. Brentford's first win in 10 games lifted them seven points clear of the drop zone, while Burnley's survival chances dwindled after a 1-1 draw at home to Brighton.

Eric Dier's loan move from Tottenham Hotspur to Bayern Munich has been made permanent after he completed the required number of appearances mentioned in his contract, the German Bundesliga club announced on Saturday. The 30-year-old England midfielder joined Bayern on loan in January in a deal to the end of the season after spending a decade with Spurs, reuniting with former team mate Harry Kane.Bayern confirmed that Dier's contract has been extended until June 2025. Max Eberl, Bayern's board member for sport, praised Dier's contributions, stating that the 30-year-old England international provided "valuable support" in defense.Dier has made seven appearances for Bayern in the Bundesliga, including five starts. He has impressed with his versatility, playing both as a center-back and a defensive midfielder."I'm happy in Munich," Dier said. "Now my future is sorted and I can focus on playing well for the club and trying to help the club to win games, win competitions, even though it's been a difficult period for us."Bayern, who have won the Bundesliga 11 years in a row, are currently second in the standings this season, seven points behind unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen who have a game in hand. Bayern will host Lazio on Tuesday in the Champions League last 16 with the German side trailing 1-0 from the first leg.Dier's permanent move to Bayern Munich is a significant development for both the player and the club. Dier brings experience and leadership to a Bayern team that is looking to regain its dominance in the Bundesliga and make a deep run in the Champions League.