Man Utd have conceded six goals in three games this season and Michael Carrick knows that is a pattern that cannot continue.

Michael Carrick accepted that Manchester United have to improve defensively after seeing his side concede twice for the third game in a row at the start of the Premier League season.

United have shipped two goals to each of Hull, Ipswich and Everton at the start of the season and that is a concern given the quality of opposition is about to rise considerably.

They hit five against Ipswich last week to mask their defensive issues, but they were beaten at newly-promoted Hull on the opening day and twice threw away a lead against a mediocre Everton side at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

United have now conceded twice in half of Carrick’s 20 Premier League games in charge and while the 45-year-old insists that isn’t a mentality issue, he knows improvements have to be forthcoming.

“The mentality is there, I think,” he said. “There’s obviously things we need to get better at as a team. That’s two strikes from a distance really that are two really good strikes from their point of view. Sometimes they fly in the top corner, and more often than not, they probably don’t.

“So there’s a little bit of that. But we obviously can’t ignore it. We need to concede less goals to give us a better chance of winning games, but we’ll certainly look at that and keep improving.”

United conceded a first equaliser to Tyrique George after 83 minutes, only for Benjamin Sesko to restore their lead five minutes later. But United failed to see the game out and invited pressure before Ainsley Maitland-Niles struck from distance in the last minute of added time.

“I think that one strike from there, that goes in the top corner, obviously changes the whole feeling of that few minutes,” said Carrick.

“When you look back, there’ll be loads of little things that you can do a little bit differently, of course. But he’s put it in the top corner from well outside the box, so sometimes it’s one of those things.”

EST Cola’s Papatchaya Phontam tries to score against Ho Chi Minh City in the PVL Invitational Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

EST Cola of Thailand eyes the PVL Invitational Conference crown, riding the brilliance of Papatchaya Phontham once again in a 25-19, 26-24, 26-24 sweep of also-ran Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The left-handed attacker led EST Cola with 21 points on 19 kills and two blocks as this batch of Thais—a far better version of what played in the last edition of this tournament—won a fourth straight game after opening up with a loss to PLDT to make the championship match sated on Tuesday also at the fabled Big Dome in Cubao.

“I feel good, but I have to give credit to everyone on the team,” said Phontham through an interpreter. “If we didn’t have our receivers and our setter, I wouldn’t have been able to attack and score. Everyone contributes to the team. It’s all about teamwork.”

EST Cola completed its turnaround from fourth-place in 2024 to a finalist—the fourth guest team to reach the final after silver medalist King Whale Taipei in 2022, 2023 champion Kurashiki Ablaze of Japan, and last year’s runner-up Kobe Shiwa University, also from Japan.

Phontham, who was part of the Volleyball Nations League lineup of the Thai national team this year, is eager to apply her international experience and continue to work on the same page as her teammates in two days.

“I have experience from playing with the senior national team, and I’ll try to use whatever experience I gained there to help the team, whether I can contribute a lot or a little,” she said.

Nannaphat Moonjakham backstopped Phontham with 18 points and 17 excellent receptions.

EST Cola could face Creamline or Nxled—teams it took down during its impressive run—in the title match.

Creamline can make the finals with a win over PLDT at press time. If the Cool Smashers lose, Nxled will take the other finals berth after finishing the elimination round at 3-2 with 10 points and the tiebreak advantage.

Nxled did its part. Now, the Chameleons can only wait and hope for a breakthrough Finals appearance.

MJ Phillips erupted for 25 points, as Nxled secured a spot in at least the bronze medal match after fending off Farm Fresh, 25-20, 25-21, 18-25, 25-22, earlier.

Regardless if they play in the championship or bronze medal game, Nxled coach Ettore Guidetti is already proud of their run amid missing three-time MVP Brooke Van Sickle.

Ho Chi Minh City finished the elimination round at 1-4 and will face Farm Fresh in the battle for fifth place on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. Dang Thi Kim Thanh led the Vietnamese with 14 points. INQ

The 2026 NFL regular season begins in three days with a Super Bowl rematch, so 2026 Fantasy football draft season has hit its peak on Labor Day weekend. Nailing a few 2026 Fantasy football sleepers is a must, no matter what type of league you’re in, and that means finding those diamonds in the rough that others bypass with Fantasy football picks. Bo Nix, Alec Pierce and Javonte Williams are examples of players who significantly outperformed their ADP expectations last year. 

Who will be the top 2026 Fantasy football sleepers who give Fantasy players a big edge this season? Before finalizing your 2026 Fantasy football draft strategy, be sure to check out the 2026 Fantasy football rankings and cheat sheets from the proven computer model at SportsLine.

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Last year, the model accurately predicted that Dolphins running back De’Von Achane would comfortably outperform his ADP (RB12). The result: Achane produced 1,838 scrimmage yards — sixth most in the NFL — to go along with 12 touchdowns. SportsLine’s model slotted Achane as the RB6, and that’s precisely what he finished as, ranking sixth among RBs in Fantasy points in CBS Sports PPR leagues.

The same model has a proven track record providing Fantasy football tips, identifying A.J. Brown as a sleeper in 2020, nailing Jonathan Taylor’s monstrous season in 2021, correctly predicting C.J. Stroud would take a step back in 2024 and calling Daniel Jones’ breakout season in 2025. Additionally, it’s called past Fantasy football sleepers like Derrick Henry in 2019, Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara in 2018, and Davante Adams in 2017. Anybody who banked on players like those made a run at their league title.

Now, SportsLine has simulated the entire NFL season 10,000 times and released its latest Fantasy football rankings 2026, along with plenty of sleepers, breakouts and busts. Head to SportsLine now to see them. 

Top 2026 Fantasy football sleepers

One of the 2026 Fantasy football sleepers the model is predicting: New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely, who followed coach John Harbaugh from the Ravens to the Giants this offseason. Likely, who has an ADP of 92 this year, showed big-play capability in Baltimore, but always battled Mark Andrews for targets. 

Now the clear-cut No. 1 tight end, Likely has reportedly been a favorite target of quarterback Jaxson Dart, especially with Nabers (knee) limited in camp. He had two catches for 11 yards in the preseason opener. SportsLine’s model has Likely as TE9 in its Fantasy football rankings, ahead of players such as Sam LaPorta and Travis Kelce.

Another sleeper that SportsLine’s Fantasy football rankings 2026 have identified: Titans running back Tony Pollard. The 29-year-old has now cleared 1,000 rushing yards in four straight seasons — two of those with the Cowboys and two with the Titans. Backs approaching age 30 often fall out of favor in Fantasy, but Pollard actually surged late in 2025, averaging 100 yards per game and scoring three total times in the last five weeks of the season.

With upgraded receivers, the Titans could take a step forward in the passing game this year, possibly opening up more room for Pollard. He’s going off the board around pick No. 77, but SportsLine’s model has him in the same tier as backs being picked earlier like TreVeyon Henderson and Rico Dowdle. See which other Fantasy football sleepers 2026 to pick here.

How to find proven 2026 Fantasy football rankings

SportsLine is also extremely high on a receiver who is going off the board in the third or fourth round of most drafts. The model says this wideout is a shocking top-10 option ahead of stars like CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson and A.J. Brown. You can only see who it is, and the 2026 Fantasy football rankings for every player, at SportsLine.

So which 2026 Fantasy Football sleepers should you target, and which wide receiver shocks the NFL with a top-10 performance? Visit SportsLine now to get 2026 Fantasy Football cheat sheets for every single position, all from the model that called De’Von Achane’s huge season, and find out.

2026 Fantasy football ADP

(PPR, via CBS)
Get Fantasy football cheat sheets at SportsLine.

1. Jahmyr Gibbs (1.10)
2. Bijan Robinson (2.09)
3. Ja’Marr Chase (4.01)
4. Puka Nacua (5.19)
5. Jonathan Taylor (5.37)
6. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (6.38)
7. Christian McCaffrey (7.77)
8. Amon-Ra St. Brown (8.29)
9. James Cook (9.08)
10. Chase Brown (11.93)
11. De’Von Achane (12.43)
12. CeeDee Lamb (13.74)
13. Derrick Henry (13.96)
14. Saquon Barkley (13.98)
15. Justin Jefferson (15.80)  

Manchester United were forced to settle for a point away to Everton with numerous verdicts issued on the Premier League game’s controversial incidents

Manchester United have been handed verdicts on four controversial incidents from their thrilling Premier League draw against Everton. Ainsley Maitland-Niles smashed home a stunning last-minute equaliser but things could have played out differently had a penalty been given earlier in the half for a foul on Matheus Cunha.

That was arguably the biggest talking point in terms of decisions needing to be made by John Brooks but he deemed James Tarkowski got the ball despite it being quite a risky challenge from behind. And Sky Sports co-commentator Lee Hendrie was of the belief the referee got that one right.

“What an unbelievable run from Marcus Rashford. This is outstanding, Rashford at his best. Positive drive, stands on his feet in cleverness just to try to put the ball into the path of Cunha. Was it a penalty?

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“Tarkowski gets enough on the ball, and he does…just. The penalty has been checked, and it’s cleared. It’s a brilliant tackle.

“This angle shows more, he just gets complete purchase on the ball. Is Cunha looking for it? Tell you what, it is a risky one but it’s well worth it. It’s outstanding defending from Tarkowski.”

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Ultimately it did not look set to matter for United as second-half substitute Benjamin Sesko headed home what looked to be the winner after Tyrique George’s thumping 83rd minute strike cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s opener.

Despite the late drama, VAR was not required for the closing stages but there were two yellow card incidents that ex-Premier League referee Keith Hackett believes Brooks got wrong. The first of those involved Thierno Barry appealing for a penalty with Brooks not interested but told he should have booked him.

“John Brooks got this one spot on,” he told Goodison News. “The player, Barry, went to ground far too easily and he is lucky that he did not receive a yellow card for his clear act of simulation.”

The ex-PGMOL chief also stated that Diogo Dalot should have been shown a yellow card for pulling George’s shirt. He was later cautioned for that exact offence on Jack Grealish.

He said: “Dalot pulled his opponent’s shirt stopping a promising attack. John Brooks really should at that point issue a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.”

Hackett did, however, agree with Brooks’ yellow card decision for Harrison Armstrong’s foul on Bruno Fernandes. He said: “The yellow card to Everton midfielder Armstrong is correct. The player wrapped his arm around his opponent’s neck.”

El-Kanemi Warriors head coach, King Emmanuel, says his team still has a lot to improve despite their impressive 3-0 win over UDIB of Guinea-Bissau in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round.

The Warriors secured a comfortable victory in Ikenne to put themselves in a strong position ahead of the return leg.

However, Coach Emmanuel King believes the team is still developing, noting that the current squad has been together for only about four weeks.

“We have not arrived at that point. We are still participating. But at the right time, when we get there, you will see,” Emmanuel said when asked about his satisfaction with the team’s performance.

The coach praised his players for their hard work since the squad was formed, especially their improvement in physical fitness.

He admitted that there is still plenty of work to do, despite the three-goal advantage.

Emmanuel King said the result has increased his confidence that El-Kanemi Warriors can reach the next round.

He described the victory as giving him “higher hopes” and said the team now has the “key” to qualifying for the second round.

The coach also thanked Borno State Governor, Babagana Umar Zulum, for his support for the club.

He equally praised the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Poverty Alleviation and Youth Empowerment for his efforts towards the development of the team.

With three goals separating the two sides, Emmanuel warned his players not to lose focus in the second leg.

He said the Warriors must finish the job and make their supporters happy after seeing what they achieved in the first meeting.

“We have seen what happened in the first leg, so we have no option but to go there and make our supporters happy,” he added.

Omarion Hampton is the starting running back for the Los Angeles Chargers. The North Carolina Tar Heels product is fresh off a solid but unspectacular rookie season and will look to contribute more to the team’s Super Bowl aspirations.

In a recent episode of her show, Kay Adams revealed her lofty expectations for Hampton as the Chargers have improved their previously makeshift offensive line.

“Give me Omarion Hampton, okay? He is huge,” said Adams on Sunday.

“I actually had never met him in person, and I did. And he is so fast for how big he is, and he has the run game designs of Mike McDaniel in his absolute favor now, doesn’t he?

“Let’s not forget he averaged 82 yards per game last year in what was an injury-ridden season behind an O-line that I’d describe as makeshift

“I just feel like this is a better situation, better O-line situation, better all the situations than any of those guys. He’s healthy. That’s what matters. I would easily say 1500 plus total yards this year for him.”

The Los Angeles Chargers revamped their offensive line for the 2026 season with numerous key free agents and rookies. It’s an improved unit on paper, with a fresh, athletic, zone-blocking scheme.

Tyler Biadasz was brought in to anchor the interior, Cole Strange was added to improve the guard position, and Kayode Awosika steps in as a versatile option and projected starter on the interior. Furthermore, rookie Jake Slaughter was selected to compete and fit the agile blocking scheme. Trevor Penning and Alex Harkey are on the roster as depth pieces.

What’s next for Omarion Hampton?

The Los Angeles Chargers selected Omarion Hampton in the first round of last year’s draft. The versatile running back had an impressive collegiate career at North Carolina and was tipped to take the big leagues by storm.

However, injuries limited Hampton to a mere nine games (six starts) as a rookie. He did record a stat line of 124 carries for 545 rushing yards and four ground touchdowns, along with 32 receptions for 192 receiving yards and one touchdown.

Jim Harbaugh is known for running a heavy, physical, power-backfield system. Hampton, Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal tick those boxes ahead of a crucial campaign for the one-time NFL Coach of the Year. His philosophy aims to wear down defenses through dense blocking schemes, downhill running and high efficiency.

Omarion Hampton enters his sophomore season healthy. He’ll look to put up a statement performance in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, September 13.