All the latest news from Manchester United

Manchester United will be looking on enviously this midweek as the Champions League knockout stages progress. United have been missing from Europe’s elite competition for two seasons – but that appears poised to change in the next campaign thanks to Michael Carrick.

The former Middlesbrough manager has orchestrated a remarkable transformation in the club’s trajectory since taking over from Ruben Amorim in January. Carrick has steered United to seven victories from his nine matches at the helm, including a 3-1 triumph over Aston Villa last Sunday.

That impressive run has propelled the 13-time Premier League winners into the top four, where they now hold a five-point advantage over Liverpool in fifth. Success against Bournemouth on Friday evening would strengthen that standing further before their closest challengers – Chelsea, Villa and Arne Slot’s side – play catch-up over the weekend.

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Ahead of all that, the MEN delivers the latest developments from Old Trafford, including reports surrounding summer transfer strategies and a pair of United players facing uncertain futures.

Summer plans

There’s seldom a quiet summer at Old Trafford. That pattern looks set to persist once the window opens with whomever United opt for in the dugout next season.

According to The Sun, Manchester United have plans to overhaul their midfield once the current season concludes, with the addition of two new central midfielders. United already appear thin in the middle of the pitch, even without considering the impending departure of Casemiro, whose contract is due to expire.

His exit will leave Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte as the squad’s only dedicated central midfielders, which won’t suffice for a campaign that will involve European football in some capacity, barring a disastrous end to the season. Over the past year, United have been linked with numerous players, including Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson and Carlos Baleba.

Only time will tell who the decision-makers at Old Trafford choose to focus on. However, it seems almost certain that United’s midfield will sport a fresh look by the start of the next season.

Double plea

Football fans always have an opinion on who should stay or go, and it appears United’s players are no different. Two members of Carrick’s team have made appeals to the board in recent days, although at least one seems likely to be ignored.

Matheus Cunha, has confessed that he’s persistently urging Casemiro to reconsider his decision to leave the club. Speaking to TNT Sports Brazil, he said: “I’m always asking him, ‘Come on, stay at Manchester United! Just one year with me, let’s go for a second year.’”

Leny Yoro echoed this sentiment, stating: “I think everyone wanted him [Casemiro] to stay. He’s a really important player for us. He showed it again [vs Aston Villa at the weekend].”

Yoro also hopes that one other player, in particular, will remain at Old Trafford. He is particularly fond of Harry Maguire and has encouraged the England international to renew his contract.

Maguire’s current deal expires in the summer, and whilst discussions about a new contract have taken place, it would likely necessitate a reduction in his salary.

Yoro added: “If he can stay next season, it’s really good for us. So I hope he’s going to extend his contract and he can stay with us. We’ll see. We’ll see anyway.”

In the NHL, opting to pluck away restricted free agents can be seen as a controversial move that rankles rival GMs. Is the same true of the NFL? If so, the Vikings tossed a grenade at the Bills.

Consider the basic update that arrived courtesy of Alec Lewis of The Athletic: “The Vikings have signed Bills RFA T Ryan Van Demark to an offer sheet, per source.” Last year’s swing tackle, Justin Skule, hasn’t been brought back, so the move for Van Demark appears to be in an effort to beef up the OT3 spot.

Vikings Toss a Grenade at Bills with OT Contract

As things stand, the Vikings don’t have a pile of cap space, but there’s some money to burn. Combine that (modest) financial freedom alongside a roster need and the marriage makes sense, at least in a general sense.

Buffalo could still swoop in to retain the tackle, as Kevin Seifert notes: “The Vikings have signed OT Ryan Van Demark, a restricted free agent who has started six games for the Bills over the past two seasons, to an offer sheet. The Bills have the right of first refusal, but the Vikings wouldn’t owe the Bills any draft pick compensation if they don’t.”

Tom Pelissero further clarifies that the hourglass has tipped over, giving Buffalo “five days to match.”

Consider some of the basics for Mr. Van Demark.

The blocker is listed as being 6’7″ and 307, a nice build to be an NFL lineman. In a few days, he’ll hit his 28th birthday, meaning he’s basically in the middle of his prime.

Since joining the NFL in 2022 as a Colts UDFA add, Van Demark has played in forty-three games, starting a half dozen. All of his on-field work has taken place in Buffalo.

Check out his career snaps breakdown:

• LT: 180 Career Snaps
• LG: 1 Career Snap
• RT: 375 Career Snaps
• TE: 1 Career Snap

In all likelihood, that tight end snap was about blocking beef and not running a route. Blake Brandel has done that job before.

The 2025 season involved Ryan Van Demark surrendering 2 sacks, 1 quarterback hit, and 9 pressures. He got dinged with committing a trio of penalties. Overall, he performed well, earning a healthy 74.4 grade on PFF.

Right now, the Vikings’ top need among the front five exists at center. What could be occurring, though, is an effort to shore up the OT spot, thereby fortifying the C spot. A two-for-one deal, of sorts. Blake Brandel can play any of the five positions; does signing a strong OT3 in Ryan Van Demark free Brandel to focus on snapping? If so, then there would be an internal domino effect.

So far, the only external additions within free agency have been for QB Kyler Murray and CB James Pierre. Seeing the signing for the backup OT solidify would bring the tally up to three.

Note that Minnesota dropped the same RFA contract onto LB Ivan Pace Jr., who is carrying a $3,520,000 cap charge. Maybe he gets stolen away in a similar fashion.

Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference, PFF, and Over the Cap helped with this piece.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

Make it five. In addition to Daniel Jones, Camryn Bynum, Mekhi Blackmon, and Laquon Treadwell, the Indianapolis Colts have added another ex-Minnesota Vikings player, this time signing defensive tackle Jerry Tillery from free agency’s second wave.

Indianapolis keeps pulling familiar names from Minnesota’s orbit. From Jones to Tillery, it’s a thing.

Tiller will vie for playing time in 2026 and has forged quite the journeyman’s path as of late.

Another Ex-Viking Joins a Colts Team Building Quiet Depth

The Colts hope to reach the postseason for the first time since 2020.

Tillery to IND

It’s another stop — probably a one-year stay — for Tillery. Yahoo Sports‘ Paul Bretl wrote Tuesday, “The Indianapolis Colts are reportedly making another free agent addition at defensive tackle. According to the Indy Star’s Joel Erickson, the Colts are signing defensive tackle Jerry Tillery. A former first-round pick by the Chargers in 2019, Tillery has appeared in 113 NFL games and made 53 starts.”

“After three-plus seasons with the Chargers, Tillery spent time with the Raiders, one year with Minnesota, and this most recent season in Kansas City. The addition of Tillery provides added competition to the defensive tackle rotation behind DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart.”

The stop will mark Tillery’s fifth team since the start of 2022.

Tillery’s Background

While Tillery is a better pass rusher than run stopper, he hasn’t become a quarterback-pressure specialist. His performance in the NFL has been average — to put it optimistically — and he hasn’t met expectations for a former first-round draft pick. Whether Tillery will see significant playing time with the Colts remains to be seen, but the upcoming draft should clarify his future role.

Here’s his Pro Football Focus scorecard through seven seasons:

• 2025: 49.0
• 2024: 51.6
• 2023: 67.7
• 2022: 49.8
• 2021: 46.3
• 2020: 43.9
• 2019: 35.5

So, you know, mediocre-to-bad, especially for a former 1st-Rounder. And Tillery’s NFL destination resume:

• Los Angeles Chargers (2019–2022)
• Las Vegas Raiders (2022–2023)
• Minnesota Vikings (2024)
• Kansas City Chiefs (2025)
• Indianapolis Colts (2026)

Bretl added on the Tillery addition, “What will Jerry Tillery’s role be with the Colts? The addition of Tillery provides added competition to the defensive tackle rotation behind DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart. My guess is that Tillery will not be a lock to make the Colts final 53-man roster. Over the last three seasons, Tillery has appeared in all 51 regular-season games.”

“Throughout his career, which began in 2019, Tillery has never played in fewer than 15 games in a season. What will Jerry Tillery’s role be with the Colts? The addition of Tillery provides added competition to the defensive tackle rotation behind Buckner and Stewart.”

The Colts’ defense ranked 16th in the NFL per EPA/Play in 2025.

Bretl added, “My guess is that Tillery will not be a lock to make the Colts final 53-man roster. Perhaps the hope is that Tillery can provide an added pass rush presence, competing with Adetomiwa Adebawore and Colby Wooden, who won’t be playing nose tackle with the Colts, for playing time.”

“Tillery can add some more versatility to the tackle position as well, able to play up and down the defensive front.”

The New iDL Group for Colts

How does Tillery project on the Colts’ depth chart? These are the current interior defensive linemen in the house for Indianapolis:

• DeForest Buckner
• Grover Stewart
• Colby Wooden
• Adetomiwa Adebawore
• Derrick Nnadi
• Jerry Tillery
• Tim Smith

That situation should put Tillery firmly on the August roster bubble, especially if Colts general manager Chris Ballard drafts a rookie defensive tackle.

Indianapolis’s Free Agency Transactions

So far in free agency, the Colts have fired up these signings:

• Alec Pierce (WR) IND — IND
• Andrew Ogletree (TE) IND — IND
• Arden Key (ED) TEN — IND
• Derrick Nnadi (DT) KC — IND
• Jonathan Owens (S) CHI — IND
• Juanyeh Thomas (S) DAL — IND
• Laquon Treadwell (WR) IND — IND
• Mo Alie-Cox (TE) IND — IND
• Michael Clemons (ED) NYJ — IND

And they’ve lost these men to new teams:

• Braden Smith (T/G) IND — HOU
• Kwity Paye (EDGE) IND — LV
• Neville Gallimore (DT) IND — CHI
• Nick Cross (S) IND — WAS
• Rodney Thomas (S) IND — SEA
• Samson Ebukam (EDGE) IND — ATL

Tillery will turn 30 in October. The Colts don’t have a 1st-Round pick in 2026 or 2027 due to the Sauce Gardner trade, and in Round 2, the consensus suggests they’ll invest in a cornerback or off-ball linebacker. Frequent mock-draft selections include linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. (Texas), linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech), and cornerback Chris Johnson (San Diego State).

In a historic development on Wednesday, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced that Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 champions Senegal have been stripped of their title. The governing body awarded runners-up Morocco a 3-0 victory in the final, officially crowning them champions.

The decision followed an official complaint from the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), which accused Senegal of violating match regulations by walking off the pitch during stoppage time. After reviewing the case, the CAF Appeal Board ruled that the protest constituted a forfeiture.

What happened on the final night?

During the AFCON 2025 final in Rabat, referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a stoppage-time penalty after a VAR review determined that Malick Diouf had fouled Brahim Díaz inside the box. The decision sparked outrage from Senegal coach Pape Thiaw, especially after his team had a late goal disallowed.

In protest, Senegal’s players briefly left the field, causing a 16-minute stoppage. Sadio Mané eventually convinced his teammates to return. However, Morocco failed to capitalise on the penalty, as Díaz’s Panenka was saved by Édouard Mendy.

What did CAF say in its latest ruling?

In its official statement, CAF confirmed that its Appeal Board had overturned the earlier disciplinary decision and ruled in favour of FRMF. It declared that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football had forfeited the final.

CAF stated that Senegal’s actions breached Articles 82 and 84 of the tournament regulations, which govern team conduct and forfeiture. As a result, the match has been officially recorded as a 3-0 win for Morocco, replacing the original result.

The governing body also noted that Morocco’s appeal was admissible and upheld, while all other requests from both sides were dismissed.

Previously, CAF had imposed fines exceeding $1 million and issued bans to players and officials from both Senegal and FRMF, but had not altered the match result at that stage.

What is the forfeit rule in football?

A match is considered forfeited if a team refuses to play, abandons the field, fails to appear, fields an ineligible player, or is reduced to fewer than seven players. In such cases, the opposing team is typically awarded a 3-0 win, unless the scoreline was already higher.

While referees may halt a match, the final decision rests with the competition’s governing authority.

Penalties for forfeiture can include fines, suspensions, points deductions, disqualification, and, in severe cases, additional disciplinary measures from bodies such as FIFA or CAF.

How did Senegal players react?

Senegal defender Moussa Niakhaté reacted on his private Instagram account by posting a photo of himself holding the trophy, along with a caption in French that translated to: “Come and take it, they are crazy.”

Left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf also shared his thoughts on Instagram, saying the outcome was unexpected and suggesting that the trophy would remain with Senegal.

Morocco justifies its appeal

Following the ruling, FRMF clarified that its appeal was not intended to question the sporting merit of either team, but to ensure that tournament regulations were properly applied.

The federation reiterated its commitment to upholding the rules, maintaining clarity in competition structures, and preserving stability in African football. It also praised all participating nations, describing the tournament as a significant moment for the sport on the continent.

Can Senegal appeal?

Senegal still has the option to challenge the decision. Under disciplinary procedures, the Senegalese Football Federation has 10 days from the verdict to file an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

As the highest authority in international sports disputes, CAS delivers binding decisions that cannot be further contested. Until any appeal is lodged and resolved, CAF’s ruling stands, with Morocco officially recognised as AFCON 2025 champions.

Pep Guardiola is one of the greatest managers of all time.

The Spaniard has won 12 domestic league titles during his tenures at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and then Manchester City, along with an abundance of domestic trophies and individual accolades.

In the Champions League, his three titles – two with Barca and one with City – put him among the greats with only five-time winner Carlo Ancelotti having won more.

But a 5-1 aggregate defeat by Real Madrid in the last 16 represents another missed opportunity and leaves many wondering what might have been.

In the 15 years since lifting the Champions League trophy with Barcelona in 2011, his second with the Catalan club having also won it in 2009, Guardiola has only had his hands on the trophy once – a maiden title for City when they did the Treble in 2023.

Guardiola himself would perhaps be disappointed with that yield, having come so close to adding to that tally on several occasions with City.

“We have an extraordinary team and extraordinary group of players, the future is bright,” said the defiant City boss after Tuesday’s exit.

But, given the uncertainty around his future in Manchester beyond this season, questions will be asked around whether this was the 55-year-old’s last chance to win the coveted trophy.

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Roki Sasaki had another up-and-down performance in a spring training game against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday as he tries to solidify his spot in the Los Angeles Dodgers ‘ starting rotation.

The 24-year-old Japanese right-hander got off to a good start, giving up one hit, walking one and striking out two through two scoreless innings. But after fanning Gavin Cross to start the third, he lost command, walking three straight before manager Dave Roberts took him out of the game.

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Roberts said he was encouraged by aspects of Sasaki’s outing, but there needs to be more efficiency.

“You’ve got to be able to take down innings and be able to make adjustments sooner,” Roberts said. “I know there were some things he was working through tonight, but when you’re in the middle of a game, you’ve got to find a way to adjust quicker. That’s something that’s probably part of the learning curve for him.”

Sasaki re-entered in the fourth — a quirk that’s allowed during spring training — and struck out two more while also allowing a two-run homer. He started the fifth, giving up a hard-hit double to veteran Starling Marte before leaving the game for good.

The final line: 3 1/3 innings, four hits, three earned runs, four walks and five strikeouts. Sasaki threw 71 pitches, including 38 strikes.

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“There are a lot of things I need to work on, but it’s just spring training,” he said through an interpreter.

Sasaki’s positives are obvious. He has an electric fastball that touched 99 mph on Tuesday, a great splitter and a newly added cutter that was often effective. But there are also moments when he can’t seem to repeat his pitching delivery, leaving him prone to bouts of wildness.

“When it’s good, it’s really good,” Roberts said. “We’re just trying to get him to be more efficient in the strike zone.”

It was Sasaki’s third Cactus League appearance and first since March 3. He has a 13.50 ERA this spring, giving up 10 runs over 6 2/3 innings.

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He also pitched in a game against White Sox minor leaguers on March 10 and threw four scoreless innings.

Sasaki entered his rookie year in 2025 with a lot of fanfare, but didn’t pitch much in the majors during the regular season, finishing 1-1 with a 4.46 ERA over 36 1/3 erratic innings. He appeared in 10 games, starting eight, and missed more than four months because of a right shoulder impingement.

He returned in September and became a key piece of the bullpen during the postseason, giving up just one earned run over 10 2/3 innings and earning three saves to help the Dodgers win their second straight World Series title.

Sasaki agreed to a minor league contract with a $6.5 million signing bonus last offseason, becoming the 13th Japanese player to join the franchise.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb

Daniel Dye has been suspended by NASCAR and his team, Kaulig Racing, after he mocked a fellow driver’s voice as “gay” during a recent livestream.

Dye, a 22-year-old competitor in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, was speaking on the Whatnot streaming platform when he launched into a mockery of David Malukas, a Team Penske IndyCar driver, using a high-pitched voice.

“He’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, yas, we race Indianapolis, too. Love Indianapolis. And Roger Penske,’” Dye said, according to The Athletic. “As soon as I start doing a David Malukas gay voice, I hit a gold. So let’s keep it going.”

After the video circulated on social media on Tuesday, NASCAR issued a statement saying that Dye had been “indefinitely suspended” over his “insensitive comments.” The racing organization said he “must complete sensitivity training before he may return to competition.”

Kaulig Racing released a similar statement, saying that the Florida-born racer had been indefinitely suspended from the team “after becoming aware today of comments he made on social media.”

open image in gallery

open image in gallery

In a post on X on Tuesday evening, Dye apologized for his remarks, which he described as careless.

“I chose my words poorly, and I understand why it upset people,” he said. “I’m sorry to anyone who was offended. That’s not how I want to represent myself.”

“I have some close friends in the LGBTQ+ community who I would never want to feel less of themselves because of what I said, and that’s exactly why I should hold myself to a higher standard,” he added.

Dye, who is from Daytona Beach, began his career in regional races, including at the New Smyrna Speedway, before moving up to national competition, becoming recognized as one of NASCAR’s promising young talents. He is currently 13th in the Truck Series standings.

This is not the first controversy to affect him.

While in high school in 2022, Dye was arrested after striking a fellow student in the groin, according to The Athletic. He was charged with battery, though the charge was ultimately dismissed.

Malukas, who finished in second place in the 2025 Indianapolis 500, has not publicly commented on Dye’s remarks or suspension.

Legendary India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned whether some players are actively involved in the public amplification of certain narratives in order to raise their brand value. Labelling the growing phenomenon as a “disease”, Ashwin raised eyebrows regarding the narratives that are discussed on social media, particularly questioning the influence of fan armies on the internet. He hinted at this possibly even being a business model. Ashwin – the second-highest wicket-taker for India in international cricket – also criticised the nature of star culture in Indian cricket.

“There’s something of a disease going around at this point. A lot of these opinions that show up on social media through fan armies – I’ve heard them before, first-hand,” Ashwin said, speaking at a RevSportz event.

“Sometimes, I’ve heard these same views at a breakfast table or a lunch table, and later they appear online under some other name. That’s when you wonder-how is this happening?” Ashwin added.

While Ashwin did not specifically accuse players of being involved in such campaigns, he speculated on the possibility of it.

“I’m not saying players themselves are planting these opinions, but it is scary. Is there some sort of espionage going on? I’m not saying that’s exactly what’s happening, but there is surely some business structure involved.

“Today, every player is an entrepreneur, and pushing opinions outside can increase brand value or improve PR. I’m all for that. But speaking ill of another cricketer is something I would never do,” he stated.

Ashwin also revealed his feelings on Indian cricket revolving around superstars.

“Where did all this begin? We started creating narratives around players. We started painting a superhero culture, a cinematic culture. Who even talks about cricket now? Nobody speaks about the game itself.

“Some time ago, I put out a Twitter thread about what Shubman was doing that was leading to his dismissals in a certain way. For me, it is always about the ‘what’ and the ‘why,’ never the ‘whom.’ But immediately it became about comparison-why only Shubman and not someone else? I was like, do you even follow what I do?” Ashwin said.