Major League Soccer announced its top 10 player jersey sales for 2025, with Lionel Messi leading the rankings for a third straight year. Newcomers Son Heung-min, Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, and Marco Reus joined MLS veterans such as Jordan Morris and Darlington Nagbe among the top sellers – a blend of global stars and established domestic names.
It has been nearly ten years since Manchester United last won a game of football at Anfield. You have to travel back in time to 2016 when a sole goal from the great Wayne Rooney won them the match.
A lot is different since then. As Ruben Amorim’s men defeated Arne Slot’s charges 2-1 on Sunday, it signified the first back-to-back league wins of the Portuguese’s rather dreary tenure in charge.
Perhaps the winds of change are among us. Is this the beginning of Amorim’s charge towards glory? Remarkably, United are now just two points shy of fourth place. They are only six points off the Premier League leaders.
For all of the negativity, for all of the criticism, this was a mammoth win. They deserve their plaudits this time around.
So, how did it happen?
This was as far from an Amorim performance as one can imagine. Yes, it’s a good time to play Liverpool, but arguably it’s always a good time to face Man United right now.
They changed the narrative around them on Sunday, however, and they did it in dramatic fashion.
The Red Devils came out of the gates firing when, with barely a minute on the clock, Bryan Mbeumo fired the visitors in front. It was poor defending from Virgil van Dijk who failed to track the winger and he then fired past the goalkeeper at the near post.
Mbeumo hasn’t been his rip-roaring best since trading London for Manchester, leaving Brentford behind in the summer, but he is a talisman United can build their team around. He was hailed as “one of the best in the world” during the game by BBC Sport’s Umir Irfan.
The big-money summer arrival wasn’t the only player Amorim had to thank. New goalkeeper Senne Lammens – an understated and quiet figure – looks an instant upgrade on Andre Onana. He claims crosses, looks assured and simply goes about his business without making a fuss. What a world of difference that makes.
However, the most telling story from a Man United persuasion was the way in which they responded to Cody Gakpo’s late equaliser.
When that goal went in, the game could have changed. Liverpool have made a habit of scoring late winners this term and they had the wind in their sails during that part of the clash.
United have usually wilted under pressure during the Amorim era and could have done here. This time it was different. Liverpool wilted instead and the visitors, in a big test of their mental resolve, stood up to the test.
Bruno Fernandes, always the main talisman of the club, hooked a ball into the box and there was man of the hour, Mr Harry Maguire, rolling back the clock and firing a bullet header into the net. Gary Neville cried tears of joy on commentary, Peter Drury roared and Jamie Carragher sat in silence. It was an iconic moment and one that could turn the tide of Amorim’s tenureship.
Yet, while Lammens, Mbeumo, Fernandes and Maguire came up with big moments, an ounce of praise should be fired in the direction of United’s new Carlos Tevez.
While the Argentine ultimately left United in controversial circumstances, heading to rivals Manchester City, his time at Old Trafford was something to savour.
A South American maverick, a player who’d run himself into the ground and, principally, a player who knew where the back of the net was, he was a workhorse for United.
A slender figure at 5 feet 7, his game was certainly bigger than that. He ultimately won two Premier League titles during the Sir Alex Ferguson era, played 99 games and scored 34 goals in the process. Tevez also registered 14 assists. He was a genuine all-rounder.
Well, in the present day, summer arrival Matheus Cunha looks like he’s cut from a similar cloth.
Another South American and a maverick sort of player, it’s easy to see where the comparisons stem from but, pivotally, he is actually yet to score in United colours.
His contributions have been first-class, however, and that was in evidence against Liverpool on Sunday. Like Tevez, he ran himself into the ground with a dogged performance on the road.
Scouted Football’s Jake Entwistle encapsulated things perfectly, writing on social media: The fitness of Cunha to scrap for that many duels throughout the game and drag a team up the pitch consistently is absurd. He should be absolutely gassed but he still looks able to do 90 yards with five hand-offs along the way.”
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That certainly sounds Tevez-esque, doesn’t it? During the game, the lively Brazilian only had two shots but he was also able to win four of his nine ground duels, making an interception and two clearances along the way. He also completed both of his dribble attempts and was fouled twice. Talk about offering a lot to the team.
|
Cunha vs Liverpool |
|
|---|---|
|
Minutes played |
90 |
|
Touches |
55 |
|
Unsuccessful touches |
4 |
|
Accurate passes |
24/29 (83%) |
|
Dribbles |
2/2 |
|
Fouled |
2x |
|
Shots |
2 |
|
Key passes |
0 |
|
Interceptions |
1 |
|
Clearances |
2 |
|
Duels won |
5/10 |
|
Stats via Sofascore. |
|
A goal or assist did not come the 26-year-old’s way but journalist Chris Winterburn suggested that “once Cunha starts finding the net, he’s going to be as popular as Tevez.”
Football writer for Forbes and FourFourTwo, Sam Pilger, was equally as impressed with Cunha, noting that he looks like an “incredible signing.” Quite.
United invested heavily in the frontline over the summer and while things didn’t click immediately, they certainly look as though they are now. Mbeumo is in form, Benjamin Sesko has scored twice in his last three outings and Cunha looks just as spritely.
Positives for United? What a shock. Pigs will fly next.
Lothar Matthaus has downplayed Paris Saint-Germain’s chances against Bayern Munich ahead of their Champions League showdown in Paris. The German legend insists PSG lack a difference-maker like Harry Kane and claims Bayern’s unbeaten run under Vincent Kompany makes them the true favourites to win the heavyweight clash at the Parc des Princes.
History was made on Thursday, as Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani enjoyed a monster evening against the Miami Marlins, stealing two bases and launching two home runs in order to set himself apart in MLB lore.
Ohtani became the first player ever to record 50 home runs and 50 steals in a single season, and he reached the half-century mark in both categories during Thursday's beatdown of the Marlins.
It's a feat that fans have been waiting for as the season inched closer towards its end. Ohtani nipped the suspense in the bud by getting it done Thursday with nine games left in the regular season. Now, he'll have some time to pad those record-setting stats.
And what better way to make history than during a 6-for-6 day at the plate? Ohtani reached base every time he stepped into the batter's box, launching three home runs, lacing two doubles and driving in 10 RBIs while also swiping two bases. Have yourself a day!
Such a degree of dominance both at the plate and on the base paths has never before been achieved, and his accomplishment left baseball fans bewildered, as they saluted his greatness on social media.
Aston Villa have successfully tied down star attacker Morgan Rogers to a new contract as they ward off Chelsea's transfer interest. Rogers, who moved to Villa Park at the start of 2024 and won the PFA Young Player of the Season this August, has put pen to paper on a new long-term deal. Rogers had attracted interest from the Blues, while Spurs were also urged to sign the youngster at one point in the summer.
In a frustrating blow, Arsenal have now discovered the extent of the injury that Viktor Gyokeres picked up in a 2-0 victory over Burnley last weekend.
It would’ve been the perfect afternoon for the Gunners if it wasn’t for the forward’s injury blow. The league leaders once again kept a clean sheet and extended an extraordinary defensive record which has seen them concede just three goals in 10 Premier League games.
With Liverpool only just getting back to winning ways after losing four-straight Premier League games and Manchester City still not at their absolute best in a new era under Pep Guardiola, those in North London have taken full advantage.
Mikel Arteta’s side sit as many as six points clear of closest challengers City and seven clear of champions Liverpool. Even this early, this looks like Arsenal’s title to lose.
That’s not to say they haven’t had to overcome their own obstacles, however. At times this season, they’ve already been without Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka and others. Alas, unlike in previous campaigns, they’ve had the squad depth to cope.
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Their latest concern is Gyokeres, who was forced off through injury against Burnley. Sharing his early worry, Arteta told reporters: “I am concerned. Because he hasn’t had many muscular issues, and he needed to leave the pitch and he was feeling something.
“It’s never a good sign for a player who is explosive. We are digging in a little bit more to understand the extent and where we are in terms of the injury.”
Now, a fresh report has revealed just how long the Gunners will be without one of their most expensive ever players.
As reported by The Athletic’s James McNicholas, Arsenal will be without Gyokeres until after the international break, but are hopeful that he’ll make a return in time to face Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby on November 23.
If that is to be the case, then Arsenal will be without the Swede against Sunderland on Saturday before possibly welcoming him back to the side after the international break.
It’s then that their fixtures begin to heat up too, with Arteta’s side squaring off against Spurs, Bayern Munich and then Chelsea in a crucial seven-day period.
Although Gyokeres hasn’t made the most clinical start – scoring six goals in 16 appearances – there’s no doubt that Arsenal are a better side with his presence than without it and Arteta has already been full of praise for his forward.
Without him, Arsenal will have to fall back on their incredible defensive record as they look to at least maintain their lead at the top this weekend.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays were unable to agree on a contract extension and the slugger will become a free agent after the 2025 MLB season.
The two sides had set Monday as a deadline to get a deal done. Guerrero had a very simple explanation for why they weren't able to agree on an extension: "They had their numbers, I had my numbers."
The 25-year-old first baseman played in 159 games last season and hit .323 with 199 hits, 30 home runs and 103 RBI.
Fulham are now considering a move for Brendan Rodgers as a replacement for Marco Silva, with their current manager being heavily tipped to join a rival Premier League club.
Silva is under pressure at Craven Cottage, as a result of his side’s poor start to the Premier League season, now sitting in 15th place and just one point above the relegation zone after the 2-0 defeat against Everton at the weekend.
The 48-year-old is the third longest-serving manager in the top flight, behind only Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola, having been in charge since July 2021, but his future is now in doubt, having been unwilling to commit to a contract extension.
Consequently, the club hierarchy may need to start thinking about replacements, and they are weighing up a move for a former Premier League manager…
According to 67 Hail Hail’s transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey, Fulham are now considering Rodgers as a replacement for Silva, with the Northern Irishman available after resigning from his role as Celtic manager last month.
Not only is the Portuguese manager at risk of being sacked, but he has also been heavily tipped to take over at Nottingham Forest in the future, given his relationship with controversial owner Evangelos Marinakis.
It is unclear whether the 52-year-old would be willing to make the move to Craven Cottage, but there are plenty of indications that he would be a solid long-term replacement for Silva.
In his most recent Premier League job, the Carnlough-born manager impressed considerably, with Gabriel Agbonlahor describing him as “world-class” courtesy of the work he did at Leicester City.
The ex-Leicester boss led the Foxes to FA Cup glory in the 2020-21 campaign, which he followed up with a victory in the Community Shield ahead of the following season.
|
Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester record |
|
|---|---|
|
Games |
204 |
|
Wins |
96 |
|
Draws |
37 |
|
Losses |
71 |
|
Points per game |
1.59 |
The former Celtic manager also knows what it takes to win, having led the Hoops to 11 trophies during his two stints at Parkhead, winning two trebles on the spin across the 2016-17 and 2017-18 campaigns.
Silva has arguably taken Fulham as far as he can, given their performances this season, and Rodgers has proven he could be an excellent replacement.
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With the 2026 World Cup fast approaching, dual-national midfielder Richard Ledezma has made his intentions clear: he wants to represent Mexico. The Chivas playmaker, who has featured for the U.S. at both youth and senior level, says wearing El Tri’s colors on home soil would fulfill a lifelong dream – one he believes is within reach if he performs in Liga MX.
The New York Yankees belted 15 home runs and scored 36 runs in a three-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2025 season’s opening week—a power display that tied an MLB record for the most home runs in the first three games of a season. The home run rally came thanks in part to the team’s newest tool: torpedo bats.
Over the course of the series, the Yankees' torpedo bats, created by a one-time MIT physicist and former employee on the team, generated quite a bit of attention. But Brewers manager Pat Murphy isn't buying the notion that the unusual bats contributed to the home run derby against his club.
"My old a– will tell you this for sure—It ain’t the wand, it’s the magician," Murphy told Sunday. "So if the bats help, I’m sure every guy in the league will be using them within a week. But I’m telling you, it’s the hitter, not the bat."
Murphy's comments are certainly interesting, given that the voice most critical of the torpedo bat was one of his pitchers, Trevor Megill, who called the innovative lumber "terrible.”
Five Yankees hitters used the torpedo bats in the season-opening series against the Brewers: catcher Austin Wells, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., shortstop Anthony Volpe and outfielder Cody Bellinger. And opinions as to the bat's impact on hitting vary among each Yankees player.
Bellinger told reporters the bat, which features a slightly bigger barrel where hitters tend to make contact, felt "lighter" in his hands and provided more "margin for error." Chisholm, while not fully dismissing the bat's potential impact, likened the feeling it gives to something of a placebo effect, or a "feeling" that the bat gives a hitter more to work with.
Whether the bat really does lend itself to better hitting or it's just the illusion that it does, teams are buying in. The Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies have already made moves to acquire such bats, while the Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays already employ a player—or players—who utilize the lumber.