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Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed in his Southampton pre-match press conference that Marcus Rashford will “probably start” on Saturday, and the news will leave Jannik Vestergaard sweating.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the England international picked up a knock against Liverpool last weekend but given they made three first-half substitutions against the Merseyside outfit, the 21-year-old still stayed on the pitch for the entirety.

He was unable to start against Crystal Palace in midweek but was in the 18-man squad and did feature from the bench for the final 13 minutes of the 3-1 win.

Ahead of the Red Devils’ clash with Saints at Old Trafford, Solskjaer says the explosive attacker is ready to take his place on the team-sheet.

The Norwegian told manutd.com: “Rashford is fully fit now. I’ll probably start him.”

Bad news for Vestergaard?

It certainly might be, as he would have been looking forward to potentially only having to deal with Romelu Lukaku, who he is perfectly suited to given his height and lack of pace.

While the Denmark international has improved significantly since manager Ralph Hasenhuttl arrived at St Mary’s in December, there is no doubt that his lack of speed and agility means he can suffer against players like Rashford.

In the reverse fixture in December which proved to be Mark Hughes’ final one at the helm, the 26-year-old struggled as the young forward ran rings around the south coast outfit’s defence, providing two assists as well as being clattered by the giant centre-back on the right-hand side in the 51st minute.

Given Romelu Lukaku scored twice in the 3-1 win against the Eagles the likelihood is that Rashford will either replace Diogo Dalot on the right of a 4-3-3 system with Alexis Sanchez on the left, or he will partner the Belgium international up top.

Whichever happens Vestergaard will be sweating to come up against an unpredictable and quick player he simply isn’t built to effectively defend against, and he will need help from the likes of left wing-back Ryan Bertrand.

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Miguel Almiron insists he has the ability to adapt to the Premier League after moving to Newcastle United from Atlanta United, according to the BBC’s live blog on Thursday (3:47pm).

The playmaker became the club’s record signing in the January transfer window, as the Magpies paid £20million to secure his signature.

What’s the word?

Almiron could make his debut for Newcastle on Monday when the club take on Wolves at Molineux.

The 24-year-old made 70 appearances for Atlanta United in the MLS, scoring 22 goals and laying on 21 assists, and has also won 13 caps for Paraguay.

His move to Newcastle marks his first foray into Europe, having previously played for Cerro Porteno, in his homeland, Lanus in Argentina as well as Atlanta in the United States.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

And he is confident that he can make a significant impact in the English top-flight.

Almiron said, per BBC (15:47): “I think for some time now the MLS has been improving.

“Every year you see more and more quality players come in. I think it’s a good sign and a positive thing for that league.

“There are big differences between the two leagues… and [the Premier League] is a tougher league to play in. But I think with the help of my team-mates in training and the manager, it’s something I think I’ll cope with, and they’ll help me along the way.”

Wake-up call

Almiron is in for something of a rude awakening.

He has acknowledged that the Premier League is a “tougher league” and he could not be more accurate.

Almiron is a slight playmaker and does not appear to have the physicality required to make an instant impact at St James’ Park.

He will need time, and patience from the club’s vociferous support, if he is to deliver on his potential.

Of course, he has that in spades, but he cannot expect to simply jump in at the deep end and start swimming.

The 18-year-old scored either side of half-time as the tournament favorites laid down an early marker

American soccer has been waiting for Olivia Moultrie's U.S. women's national team arrival. If it didn't come in her senior debut in 2023, it surely came on Tuesday with what can only be regarded as a true breakout performance.

The teenage starlet scored two of the USWNT's five goals in a 5-0 win over the Dominican Republic to open the W Gold Cup in style. She was joined on the scoresheet by Lynn Williams, Jenna Nighswonger and Alex Morgan, with the latter pair scoring late penalties to put the result beyond all doubt.

It was a match loaded with storylines: Morgan's return to the goals, Jaedyn Shaw's continued development, and Nighswonger's evolution with the USWNT. No story was bigger than Moultrie, though, a player who has been on the scene for some time, but is really just getting started.

GOAL rates the USWNT's players from Dignity Health Sports Park…

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  Goalkeeper & Defense

  Alyssa Naeher (6/10):

  Did she even play? There were no attacks to fend off and no saves to make. A quiet day for the goalkeeper.

  Jenna Nighswonger (8/10):

  Should have had an assist early, but saw it ruled back for an offside call. To make up for it, she went out and got her first USWNT goal from the penalty spot. Overall, a really good performance for a player who is proving she can do a little bit of everything.

  Becky Sauerbrunn (6/10):

  Another one that didn't have much to do, although she's done plenty during her USNWT career already, so we can let it slide!

  Abby Dahlkemper (6/10):

  Anchored the defense with Sauerbrunn, which felt like old times.

  Emily Sonnett (7/10):

  Played as something of an inverted rightback, which is something she can do given her versatility. Drifted centrally plenty and offered a lot in the midfield, putting in a solid 45.

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  Midfield

  Olivia Moultrie (9/10):

  Welcome to the big time! Her first two goals in a USNWT shirt, and it feels like they won't be the last as the 18-year-old starlet is here to stay.

  Sam Coffey (7/10):

  So, so calm. More evidence that she should be in the race for a midfield spot going forward.

  Korbin Albert (8/10):

  Got so close to her first international goal. Was active and very noticeable. Overall, a good second impression for the U.S.

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  Attack

  Lynn Williams (8/10):

  Got one goal. Could have had two if not for an offside call. The Gotham FC chemistry with Purce was on full display as Williams put in a strong shift.

  Sophia Smith (7/10):

  Teed up Moultrie's first goal. Was otherwise a bit overshadowed by the other two attackers, which makes sense given how good they were.

  Midge Purce (9/10):

  Was absolutely unplayable. Did whatever she wanted all game long, running circles around the Dominican Republic defense from the opening whistle.

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  Subs & Manager

  Emily Fox (7/10):

  Replaced Sonnett at the half. Work-rate was incredible as she almost pressed her way to a goal.

  Jaedyn Shaw (7/10):

  Plenty of confidence. Almost scored a ridiculous karate kick and provided some good service while also drawing a penalty for the fourth goal. Very encouraging.

  Trinity Rodman (8/10):

  Came on and immediately started trying to snatch souls with nutmegs. Absolutely electric as she earned a late penalty.

  Alex Morgan (7/10):

  So, so weird to see her in a number other than 13. Had some solid moments in her second-half cameo, most notably her first USWNT goal in about a year with her penalty finish.

  Rose Lavelle (6/10):

  Was given the chance to run around a little bit with the game long over.

  Twila Kilgore (7/10):

  Shook things up with the XI, but it turned out to be pretty fun! A good start to the tournament and a big moment for several future stars.

The England midfielder scored one and provided a superb assist for another as Carlo Ancelotti's side won 3-0

Real Madrid made an early statement in the La Liga title race, resoundingly beating surprise leaders Girona, 3-0 on Saturday. Jude Bellingham was, once again, at the heart of Madrid's win, assisting the first and scoring the crucial third as he returned to the line-up.

Girona caused problems for Madrid early as Yangel Herrera and Viktor Tsygankov both missed clear headers within the first five minutes. Carlo Ancelotti's side struggled going the other way, too, as Joselu and Vinicius Jr failed to assert themselves on the game, and were admittedly loose in the final third.

But not for the first time this season, Bellingham changed things. The England midfielder picked up the ball in space, and provided a trivela pass to the advancing Joselu, who couldn't miss from close range. Los Blancos added a second soon after, as a defensive lapse from a corner allowed Aurelien Tchouameni a free header to power home his first goal for the club.

Girona worked their way back into the contest after the break, forcing an athletic stop from Kepa Arrizabalaga, before missing a duo of chances from corners. Madrid should have put the game away at the other end, but Bellingham fluffed his lines under pressure.

He made no mistake at the second time of asking, though, latching onto a rebound and finding the bottom corner to seal yet another win in his burgeoning Madrid career. The match ended in controversy, meanwhile, as Madrid captain Nacho was sent off for a horrendous challenge in stoppage-time.

GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Montilivi…

Goalkeeper & Defence

Kepa Arrizabalaga (7/10):

Made an excellent save early in the second half. Will be happy with the clean sheet.

Dani Carvajal (5/10):

Given problems by the in-form Savinho early on. Really vulnerable when the ball was in the air, too.

Antonio Rudiger (7/10):

Won a few headers, composed on the ball. Could've linked up with Madrid's midfielders more effectively, though.

Nacho (3/10):

Lacking in legs, but was bailed out by his centre-back partner. Sent off for a horrific challenge in stoppage time.

Eduardo Camavinga (7/10):

Back at left-back, which says a lot about where Ancelotti stands on Fran Garcia. Turned in a classy performance.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield

Aurelien Tchouameni (7/10):

Solid at the base of midfield once again. Took his goal well, too.

Federico Valverde (7/10):

Full of legs as usual. A vital shift in the middle of the park.

Toni Kroos (7/10):

As reliable as ever in his passing, and more impactful defensively than in prior weeks. Looked tired midway through the second half, though.

Jude Bellingham (8/10):

A lovely trivela pass helped give Madrid the lead. Should have made it 3-0 early in the second half. Made no mistake when given an opportunity with 20 minutes to go.

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Joselu (6/10):

A surprise inclusion over Rodrygo. Scored the opener after turning in a poor opening 15 minutes. Might lose his spot, but he's done his part.

Vinicius Jr (6/10):

Lacking in sharpness after spending nearly a month on the sidelines. Removed in the second half. He will need more minutes.

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Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Rodrygo (6/10):

Covered for the tired Vinicius and didn't offer much.

Dani Ceballos (7/10):

Gave Madrid vital midfield control late on. He's been impressive in two cameos so far.

Lucas Vazquez (N/A):

No time to make an impact

Brahim Diaz (N/A):

No time to make an impact.

Carlo Ancelotti (7/10):

Made the bold call to start Joselu over Rodrygo, and moved Camavinga to left-back. Madrid were shaky in the opening minutes, but grabbed control of the game after. Will be concerned by a potential suspension for Nacho given his lack of fit defenders, though.

MatériaMais Notícias

O atacante Léo Pereira, Sub-20 do Corinthians, detalhou ao LANCE! como vem sendo sua rotina de treinamentos fora do CT, em razão do coronavírus. O jovem, que vem seguindo à risca a rotina de treinamentos que o clube passa semanalmente, contou como vem passando os dias de quarentena em São Paulo, com os familiares.

– O clube nos passa uma rotina de treinos semanal e estamos sempre seguindo, buscando estar 100% para o retorno das competições. É um momento de conscientização onde devemos ficar em casa, mas o trabalho não pode parar – disse Léo.

O jovem conta que os atletas da categoria seguem em contato frequente com a comissão e a equipe de análise de desempenho do clube.

– Recebemos também diversos vídeos de jogos nossos e de adversários, acertos e erros. Aproveitamos o tempo livre para seguir estudando e evoluindo cada vez mais, é importante nos mantermos focados também psicologicamente para o retorno – afirmou.

Porém, não é só de estudos e treinos que Léo Pereira vem passando a quarentena. O jovem contou também que vem assistindo filmes e jogando videogame para passar o tempo.

– No videogame jogo muito futebol, né? (Risos). Também gosto muito de assistir filmes de comédia, ação e terror – detalhou

Léo Pereira foi um dos destaques do Corinthians na boa participação na Copinha 2020, quando o Timão chegou à semifinal da competição. Em 2019, já havia sido relacionado para jogos da equipe principal com o técnico Dyego Coelho no comando.

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MatériaMais Notícias

Um número considerável de torcedores do Fortaleza terão o privilégio de ver o clube atuar pela primeira vez fora do país por competições continentais.

Segundo conteúdo veiculado pelo jornalista Fernando Graziani do jornal O Povo, a previsão de público visitante para o embate na Sul-Americana contra o Independiente será de mais de duas mil pessoas.

RelacionadasFutebol NacionalBahia e Fortaleza estreiam na Copa Sul-AmericanaFutebol Nacional12/02/2020DAZNFortaleza, Bahia e Goiás em campo pela Sula. Veja pelo DAZN!DAZN11/02/2020Futebol NacionalNo duelo dos tricolores, Fortaleza derrota o Santa Cruz e conquista primeira vitória na Copa do NordesteFutebol Nacional08/02/2020

A ideia inicial era da comercializar 1,5 mil ingressos, mas a procura do torcedor foi tamanha que a diretoria buscou e conseguiu uma carga extra demais mil entradas onde 70% delas acabou vendida, totalizando a negociação de 2,2 mil entradas.

Para se ter uma ideia do tamanho da representatividade que tem esse número, nem mesmo o finalista Flamengo em 2017, jogando também em Avellaneda no primeiro jogo contra o Rojo, chegou a esse patamar. Segundo fontes diferentes, os números chegam a variar de 600 a 1500 torcedores do time do Rio de Janeiro.

A partida em questão ocorrerá na próxima quinta-feira (13) no estádio Libertadores de América às 21h30 (horário de Brasília) com o duelo de volta agendado para a Arena Castelão no dia 27 de fevereiro também às 21h30.

BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur has said that Ravi Shastri’s contract as India’s team director has ended, but can be renewed if the Cricket Advisory Committee deem fit

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Apr-2016BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur has said that Ravi Shastri’s contract as India’s team director has ended, but can be renewed if the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), comprising Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly, deem fit. Shastri, whose contract expired after India’s exit from the World T20, can only be reinstated as full-time coach as Thakur has stated there will be no position of team director.The CAC, which was formed in June 2015 for all major cricket-related decisions, has been tasked with picking a coach and the committee is likely to meet after the World T20.”Ravi Shastri’s contract has ended. We are looking at a full-time coach and the decision will be taken by the Cricket Advisory Committee. There won’t be a Team Director and a full-time coach. It will be only one post and even Ravi’s contract can come up for renewal,” Thakur told . “It will be the post of a full-time coach. CAC has been asked to shortlist the names of the possible candidates for the post. The meeting of the CAC is expected to happen post April 3. It can happen before the start of the IPL also. We will have to decide on the date.”Under Shastri, who had taken over as director in 2014, India made it to successive semi-finals of global events – the 2015 World Cup and the 2016 World T20, and also climbed to No. 1 on the Test rankings for a period of eight weeks until Australia took over in February 2016. In this period, India also won their first limited-overs bilateral series in Australia, after beating the hosts 3-0 in a three-match T20 series.

In the end it was as simple as this. The West Indies selectors decided their team were a greater chance of beating Australia without Shiv Chanderpaul than with him.That realisation arrived in discussions following the drawn series against England, but also as a result of broader examinations of Chanderpaul’s record, which had recently begun to trend drastically down from his illustrious record.For Clive Lloyd, a fellow Guyanese, the decision to jettison a player as respected as Chanderpaul was a difficult one, but ultimately a matter of cricketing logic. In the loose collective of islands that make up the Caribbean it was bound to have created plenty of debate in circles both sporting and political, but Lloyd and the coach Phil Simmons were able to present a united and uncompromising front when explaining their choice of players to face Australia.”Over a period of time we’ve noticed a decline in form … over the last 11 innings he’s averaging 16, so we thought the time has come to look towards younger players,” Lloyd said in Barbados.”I don’t think there’s any bitterness. I think he realised that at 40 years old he’s not going to be in the same shape he was at 20. We just thought that here it is, we must make a decision. We have a lot of good young cricketers and we think it’s time we inject the youth into our cricket.”Simmons said that while they had considered the possibility of allowing Chanderpaul one final curtain call against Australia, it would not have been for reasons of sentiment. Once the selectors decided to move on, there was no thought of a farewell tour.”He’s had a long and illustrious career, and we know he’s done a lot for West Indies cricket, but at the same time we sit down to select a team against Australia,” Simmons said. “When you go through that process he didn’t fit in.”It’s not about giving someone two Tests to finish their career, it’s about picking the right team to play the next game.”There are plans in the works for an appropriate acknowledgement of Chanderpaul’s career, a journey so long that it commenced in 1994, when Simmons was still part of the Test team and West Indies were still proudly in possession of an unbeaten streak that had begun in 1980. While Chanderpaul did not play in the 1995 series that saw Australia finally end that run, he was for most of the intervening years the most stubborn defender of a team in decline.”I don’t think there’s anybody here who can have admired Shivnarine Chanderpaul more than I have,” Lloyd said. “You’re in awe of the man, he’s given yeoman service. But there comes a time.”It will be some time before Chanderpaul comes to terms with the decision. The aforementioned stubbornness was evident in his refusal to concede that his career was on the wane, leaving Lloyd and Simmons with the difficult task of talking him through their judgment.”He still thinks he’s good enough to compete,” Lloyd said. “We had a discussion, but the point is that we made up our mind about what we wanted to do.”We do have a lot of exciting young cricketers and it is an exciting time for our cricket. We are hoping that these guys come through, and show their mettle.”The training squad of 12 assembled in Barbados will be swelled to 14 following the conclusion of the tour match between the Australians and a WICB President’s XI in Antigua, in which numerous young hopefuls will attempt to prove themselves worthy of a Test berth.It also appears likely that Chanderpaul will be joined in his newfound state of spectatorship for this Test series by the West Indies’ IPL collective, as Lloyd and Simmons made it clear the Test team would be composed entirely of those players either training in Barbados or playing the Australians in Antigua.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Sport confirmou, nesta quinta, que irá participar da primeira edição da Conferência de Futebol do Nordeste, marcada para os dias 07 e 08 de novembro, em Recife. O clube rubro-negro vai expor um stand de negócios com o objetivo de colocar a sua marca em evidência no mercado.

– Com o stand, nós visamos aproximar o clube de novos parceiros e patrocinadores. A Confut Nordeste vai reunir os grandes clubes e empresas do país e mostrar a nível nacional as boas práticas de gestão. Nós, sem dúvidas, não poderíamos ficar de fora – afirmou o diretor de marketing do Sport, Diogo Noronha.

Diretor da ALsports, empresa realizadora do evento, Arthur Lobo comentou sobre o acerto com o Leão.

– É um prazer ter um clube do tamanho do Sport inserido na Confut Nordeste. Com certeza vão agregar e muito ao evento – disse.

Além da exposição do stand, o Sport vai contar com três representantes no palco do evento. O presidente Milton Bivar, o executivo de futebol Lucas Drubscky e o executivo financeiro Ricardo Veloso confirmaram presença na Conferência.

O Confut tem como objetivo fomentar o debate acerca da profissionalização do esporte na região, a Confut Nordeste vai reunir, na capital pernambucana, mais de 35 especialistas do mercado do futebol, além de contar com a presença dos principais clubes e entidades esportivas da região.

India medium-pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is a soft-spoken and shy person but he could not hide his excitement after receiving the Polly Umrigar Trophy for the Cricketer of the Year award at the annual BCCI awards function in Mumbai on Friday.”This reminds me that when Virender Sehwag was awarded the Cricketer of the Year trophy in 2007-08 and I was the Under-19 cricketer of the year, I walked up to him and asked him if I could see from close how the big Cricketer of the Year trophy is,” Bhuvneshwar told the audience. “It feels really special to hold this trophy today.”Over the last two years, Bhuvneshwar has established himself as a key member of the Indian team in all three formats. While he cemented his place in the side with accurate swing bowling, his batting flourished during India’s tour to England earlier this year. Bhuvneshwar finished with 263 runs and 22 wickets in seven Tests, 17 wickets from 22 ODIs, and seven wickets from as many T20 internationals during the period considered for the award.”I would like to thank all my team-mates today,” Bhuvneshwar said. “Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to hold this trophy.”While all of Bhuvneshwar’s team-mates applauded his achievement, the gathering stood in unison when former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar was presented the Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award by his former team-mate and BCCI interim president Shivlal Yadav.”I was going through the list of the previous award winners and it’s an immensely honourable feeling to have joined such a special league. I thank the BCCI for honouring me with this prestigious award,” Vengsarkar said. Two of the previous 21 recipients – Chandu Borde and Ajit Wadekar – also gave Vengsarkar a standing ovation.While several top BCCI officials attended the function, N Srinivasan and Sundar Raman skipped the event. The ICC chairman and the IPL chief operating officer have been under investigation by the Supreme Court for their alleged involvement in the 2013 IPL corruption scandal.