Sports

Robin van Persie has congratulated Manchester United new boy Tyrell Malacia on his move to Old Trafford, predicting the left-back will build a great connection with his new club.

Malacia became the first signing of the Erik ten Hag era on Tuesday, signing a four-year contract after United agreed a deal reportedly worth an initial £13m (€15.1m).

The 22-year-old starred during Feyenoord s run to the Europa Conference League final last season, also showcasing his attacking quality by creating 1.1 open-play chances per 90 minutes in his last Eredivisie campaign.

Van Persie, who scored 26 times during United s most recent Premier League title triumph in 2012-13, believes the Netherlands international, who he played alongside after returning to Feyenoord in 2018, …

Jurgen Klopp hinted Liverpool are unlikely to make any further signings before the transfer window closes, as he ruled out Naby Keita leaving Anfield.

Liverpool have faced calls to dip into the transfer market after drawing their first two games of the Premier League campaign and suffering a spate of injuries in midfield.

The Reds were without Thiago Alcantara, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Curtis Jones for their 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace last week, as youngster Harvey Elliott joined Fabinho and James Milner in Klopp s line-up.

Liverpool have added striker Darwin Nunez, creative midfielder Fabio Carvalho and young full-back Calvin Ramsay to their squad since winning both domestic cups last season.

Asked whether he was content with Liverpool s midfield o…

With the MLS making its return in the early hours of Sunday, we have another stacked schedule on our hands. So, for those of you that are looking to stick on an MLS accumulator this weekend, we have found a trio of tips that can offer great bang for your bet.

Sunday July 1st
BST 00:30 Toronto vs Real Salt Lake

Mounting a stellar second-half comeback at home against Minnesota last weekend as they eventually snatched an action-packed 2-2 draw, Real Salt Lake should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Only continuing to shine on either side of June’s international break, Sunday’s guests have continued to gain a string of plaudits this season. Tipped as a leading contender to claim another play-off ticket in 2023, Pablo Mastroeni’s men have skyrocketed t…

Gareth Bale is one of the great players in Europe according to Florentino Perez, but the Real Madrid president did not offer any assurances on the Wales international s future.

Bale fell out of favour with Zinedine Zidane at Madrid and spent last season on loan in the Premier League with former club Tottenham.

Zidane s second departure as head coach paved the way for a return to the Santiago Bernabeu for Carlo Ancelotti, who was in charge during Bale s maiden season in the Spanish capital in 2013-14 that culminated in Madrid s 10th Champions League crown.

In an interview with El Transistor on Onda Cero, Perez referenced Bale scoring a key goal during extra time of that final triumph over Atletico Madrid, along with his similarly decisive contributions in the 201…

Jose Mourinho claims Manchester United big boss Alex Ferguson would dismiss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer s theory that cup trophies can be an ego thing for managers.

In almost two and a half years at the Old Trafford helm, Solskjaer has yet to deliver silverware for the club, and he says the team should be judged by their league progress.

United sit second in the Premier League table, which suggests there has been achievement on that front, and they remain in the hunt in the Europa League.

The latter is a tournament that Mourinho won with United, and he also landed an EFL Cup triumph to make it a double in the 2016-17 season.

United lost only five times in the Premier League in that campaign but a league-high 15 draws meant they could only finish sixth, yet in th…

Andriy Shevchenko insists Ukraine have nothing to lose against Sweden as his side aim to reach the European Championship quarter-finals for the first time.

Ukraine s only previous appearance in the knockout stages of a major competition came at the 2006 World Cup when eliminating Switzerland before losing to Italy in the last eight.

The Eastern European nation hardly boast the best of records at the Euros, either, having lost seven of their last eight games.

However, a 2-1 win over North Macedonia, bookended by defeats to the Netherlands and Austria, proved enough for Ukraine to progress as one of the best third-placed sides.

Sweden await at Hampden Park on Tuesday and head coach Shevchenko believes his players can be proud whatever the result in Glasgow.…

Sergio Aguero signed on the dotted line at Barcelona but refused to discuss the possibility of Pep Guardiola following him from Manchester City to Camp Nou.

Barcelona are in a state of upheaval amid doubts over Ronald Koeman s future, with club president Joan Laporta describing the Dutchman as a coach that we did not ask for on Monday.

Laporta has not excluded the possibility of Koeman staying in charge for the second year of his contract, but it appears the club are also looking at alternative options to come in and take charge.

Aguero is also thought of as a potential upgrade on the talent Barcelona have as striking options, besides Lionel Messi, having become Manchester City s record goalscorer during a highly successful decade in England.

The new recr…

Atlanta United interim head coach Rob Valentino expressed the importance of focusing on the present ahead of travelling to DC United at Audi Field on Thursday.

The Five Stripes have won just one of their last 12 league games, dating back to the beginning of April, but will be hoping to return to winning ways against their opponents, who they beat in May to end their last winless run in the MLS.

Atlanta are a point above bottom side New England Revolution, having played a game less, and know a win is a must to build momentum for the rest of the season.

However, Valentino was keen to focus on the future, and insists his side are continuing to push to get points on the board.

“In reality, what I talked about last week was that is the past,” said Vale…

Liverpool must stay grounded on the back of their historical 5-0 thrashing of Manchester United, according to forward Diogo Jota.

The Reds recorded their biggest ever margin of victory against fierce rivals United at Old Trafford thanks to a Mohamed Salah hat-trick and goals from Naby Keita and Jota.

It marked the first time United have lost by five or more goals without scoring since February 1955, when they suffered a 5-0 loss to Manchester City, while only once before – a 7-1 victory at Anfield in October 1895 – have Liverpool won by more goals in this fixture.

Jota, who played a key part in the victory with a tap-in and an assist for the second of Salah s goals, admitted not even he expected Liverpool to dismantle their opponents with such ease.