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Sir Jim Ratcliffe has got this Manchester United decision spot on

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe has broken with recent tradition and made the right decision when it comes to letting Casemiro leave – despite most supporters wanting him to stay

It feels like a crime against football to disagree with Bryan Robson. He is a Manchester United legend after all. One of the greatest midfielder of his generation, a thoroughly decent bloke whose opinions deserve the utmost respect.

But when it comes to his feelings towards Casemiro, Robson is wrong. Robson has called on Michael Carrick to ensure the club does not allow Casemiro to leave.

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“I would encourage Casemiro to stay,” he said, “he’s had a really good season this year. He’s a top player. He’s got a great football brain. He’s a really good passer of the ball. He heads the ball well and when he goes in to tackle, he means it.

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“You don’t stay at Real Madrid for the amount of years he did and win Champions League titles if you’re not an absolute top player and people see what you’re really good at.”

Ever since announcing he would be leaving Old Trafford in the summer, Casemiro has indulged in a long goodbye with United supporters. During United’s crucial 3-1 home win over Aston Villa, the Brazilian was serenaded with pleas to do “one more year”. But what Robson & Co are overlooking, is the fact Casemiro is not the future.

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He is 34 and costing United a small fortune. And it’s the precise reason co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has decided to cut ties with him. When Ratcliffe and his INEOS group purchased a stake in United, one of the first things he did was order an interval review of the squad, including each player’s contract.

And what jumped out at Ratcliffe was the fact Casemiro was earning close to £400,000-a-week. Ratcliffe knew Casemiro was a world class footballer. What he couldn’t get his head around was why United had chosen to invest £70m plus wages in someone who was 30, and had had fitness issues in Madrid.

In short, there was a reason Real were prepared to sell Casemiro. He was costing them too much money and was considered past his best. So Real’s indulgence became United’s. Casemiro has served his purpose at United. He’s been a short term fix, not a long-term solution.

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Questioning the decision to let him leave shows a lack of vision and foresight. Two issues which have haunted the club in recent times. For once, Ratcliffe has got a decision right. United need fresh legs in midfield next season, and have to sign someone who the manager can build his team around.

Someone who will add value to the team for a long time to come. United need to look forward – not back.

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Why Lucas Chevalier is the wrong move for Tottenham

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Tottenham Hotspur are closely monitoring the situation of Lucas Cheavlier, according to Media Foot.

Spurs are reportedly prepared to offer between €30-40 million to acquire the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper.

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Tottenham desperately need a new number one with Guglielmo Vicario and Antonin Kinsky failing to cover themselves in glory this season.

In the Premier League, Vicario’s prevented goal stat line this season is -4.39, and he has made two errors leading to goals.

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His performances led Spurs interim boss Igor Tudor to turn to Kinsky.

Unfortunately, Kinsky made three errors that led to goals in one game, prompting the Croatian tactician to recall Vicario immediately.

Signing a new goalkeeper should be at the top of the transfer priority list at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer.

However, going for Chevalier would be a massive transfer blunder. The Frenchman is an unimposing figure between the sticks.

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The 24-year-old is shaky on corners, set-pieces, and aerial challenges.

Tottenham have seen first-hand how shaky he is in goal. He was atrocious in the UEFA Super Cup and even worse in the Champions League group-stage match.

His handling has been weak, hence why he finds himself down the pecking order at PSG despite joining this summer for big money.

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Chevalier has lost confidence and should be nowhere near Tottenham if the club wants a stable, reliable presence.

Spurs need a tested and trusted goalkeeper like Sunderland’s Robin Roefs. The Dutchman has been one of the best shot-stoppers in the Premier League this season.

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Roefs joined the Black Cats for around £10 million this summer, and he has proven to be worth every penny, keeping eight clean sheets in 28 league appearances.

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The North London giants can snap him up for around the same figure as the one circulating for Chevalier.

He represents a wiser use of funds for Tottenham than any move for Chevalier.

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USMNT unveils 2026 World Cup kit

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USMNT Unveils 2026 World Cup KitThe United States Men’s National Team’s home kit for the 2026 World Cup.

Nike and U.S. Soccer released images Monday of the new kits the U.S. men’s national team will debut in a friendly this month before sporting them at this summer’s FIFA World Cup.

It will become the new look for all U.S. soccer national teams upon its release, marking the first time all American senior and youth squads will don the same home and away kits.

“A national team jersey represents the pride of wearing the crest, not just for players on the field, but also for the fans who support them every step of the way,” said Dave Wright, chief commercial officer of U.S. Soccer. “With the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup coming to the United States, we’re excited to see players across all 27 of our National Teams and supporters across the country wearing this kit as we build toward an incredible moment for the game.”

The home jersey, referred to as the Stripes kit, includes a top with wavy white and red stripes, emulating an American flag waving in the wind.

The away jersey, referred to as the Stars kit, is a more subtle dark color approaching black with metallic stars that are visible as the light hits the jersey.

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Each kit also features an “inner pride” mark on the interior collar, and U.S. Soccer also created bespoke fonts, titled Stars and Stripes, which will be introduced on the jerseys.

“I think between both kits there is something for everybody,” said Ronnie J. Stewart, global product director for Nike. “If you want to be loud and proud and represent the crest, no one’s going to doubt who you’re there for in the light kit. If you’re looking for that lifestyle look that works off the field, the dark is for you.”

After some U.S. players critiqued the design of the 2022 World Cup kits in Qatar, the players were consulted on the design for these kits, along with on the “fit, mobility and breathability” of the uniforms.

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The jerseys will make their debut when the U.S. hosts friendlies against Belgium (March 28) and Portugal (March 31) in Atlanta.

The USMNT then opens the World Cup on June 12 against Paraguay in Los Angeles.

–Field Level Media

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ISL 2025/26: FC Goa hold 10-men Punjab to a 1-1 draw away from home | Football News

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Punjab FC were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against FC Goa at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Monday after a dramatic encounter that saw the hosts dominate the first half before a red card shifted the momentum in favour of the visitors.

 


Punjab began the match on the front foot while Goa appeared content to sit back and defend, struggling to penetrate the home side’s penalty area. The hosts created the first real opportunity inside the opening 15 minutes when a cross from the left flank found striker Luka Majcen Effiong, but the Nigerian forward could not convert the chance.

 

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Punjab’s persistent pressure finally paid off in the 27th minute. Midfielder Kipgen delivered a perfectly weighted through ball into the box for Effiong, who showed great composure to lift the ball over the advancing goalkeeper with his left foot and guide it towards the far post to give the hosts a deserved lead.

 

The remainder of the first half was largely controlled by Punjab as Goa failed to show much attacking intent. The visitors’ only notable opportunity came right at the stroke of halftime when Sandesh Jhingan rose highest to meet a set-piece delivery, but his header drifted wide of the goal. 

 
Red card changed the game for the hosts
 


The game took a dramatic turn shortly after the restart. Punjab suffered a major setback in the 48th minute when Effiong was sent off following a heated altercation with an FC Goa player, leaving the hosts with ten men for the remainder of the match.

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Goa quickly capitalised on the numerical advantage. Their equaliser came through Drazic, who finished off a well-worked move with a clever outside-of-the-boot strike that curled into the left corner to level the score at 1–1.

 


With the momentum now on their side, Goa pushed forward relentlessly and kept Punjab’s defence under constant pressure for the remainder of the match. Despite the late push, neither side could find a winner.

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In the end, it felt like two points dropped for head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis and his men, who would be disappointed not to secure all three points after such a strong start.

 

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NFL fans react to Patriots’ new training facility partnership with New Balance

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New Balance is teaming up with the Patriots, making the brand the official and exclusive athletic footwear and apparel partner of the team and Gillette Stadium.

The partnership includes the development of a new state-of-the-art training center in New England. It will give the company a major presence across performance, facilities and community initiatives.

The Patriots’ new training complex next to Gillette Stadium will be named the New Balance Athletics Center, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday. It will open this spring, while the surrounding practice fields will be known as the New Balance Practice Fields.

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The name announcement sparked reactions from NFL fans on X, with some posting jokes and humorous takes about the facility.

“That’s a brutal name,” one fan said.

“I’m going to predict that most players will not be wearing the ugly ass zero drip cleats and shoes that company makes,” a fan commented.

“It’s weird to be how the only people New Balance used to Sponser were suburban dads,” another fan said.

“Imagine being an NFL player and having to wear New Balance,” one fan wrote.

“First the stadium, now the training facility soon the New England Patriots playbook will be sponsored too,” a fan tweeted.

“Cooper Flagg to the Pats?!?!” another fan wrote.

New Balance maintains a broad global sponsorship portfolio that spans teams, leagues and athletes. Among its notable partnerships are the New York Road Runners and the NBA, along with MLB franchises such as the Red Sox and the Mets.

The brand also released collaborative product lines with prominent athletes, including Dodgers pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani and Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard.

A look at the moves the Patriots have made in free agency

The start of the new league year brought significant roster turnover to the New England Patriots. The team allowed two starters from last season, K’Lavon Chaisson and Jaylinn Hawkins, to leave in free agency, but quickly added new talent.

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One of the headline additions was Kevin Byard, who reunites with Pats coach Mike Vrabel after spending six seasons together with the Titans. The veteran safety signed a one-year, $9 million contract and is expected to take over the starting job previously held by Hawkins.

Here’s the list of every free-agent signing New England has made in 2026.

WR Romeo Doubs – Four years contract ($68 million)

OG Alijah Vera-Tucker – Three years ($42 million)

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DE Dre’Mont Jones – Three yrs ($39.5 million)

TE Julian Hill – Three years ($15 million)

FB Reggie Gilliam – Three years ($12 million)

S Kevin Byard – One year ($9 million)

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LB K.J. Britt – One year, ($1.3 million)

S Mike Brown – One year ($1.3 million)

OLB Jesse Luketa – One year ($1.1 million)

QB Tommy DeVito – Two years ($7.4 million)

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FB Jack Westover – One year ($1.1 million)