Marc Marquez believes he is not the fastest MotoGP rider in this weekend’s Thailand Grand Prix despite topping Friday practice with a new lap record.

Returning to the scene of his sixth and most recent MotoGP World Championship title victory in 2019, Marquez was in slick form throughout the day en route to the overall top spot in Friday afternoon’s P2 session.

Stopping the clock at 1m29.165s on the Gresini Ducati, his effort was enough for him to edge out championship Jorge Martin by just over a tenth of a second and lower the erstwhile lap record.

Coming after he notched up his third victory of the season in Phillip Island less than a week ago, a buoyant Marquez is keen to make that precursor to achieving his objective of improving his qualifying performances.

However, Marquez suggested that practice results did not provide a true picture of the pecking order, insisting that riders like Pramac’s Martin again hesitated from showing their true pace on Friday.

“I’m happy to have started the weekend in this way, which is important,” he said. “It’s true that the pace is good, it’s not the fastest one like in Australia.

“I think Martin is faster than us and [Enea] Bastianini, when he is fast on Friday it means that he will be super fast all weekend, but let’s see what we can do.”

Jorge Martin, Pramac Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

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The positive opener leaves Marquez optimistic of a similar challenge towards the sharp end in qualifying, an area where the Spaniard has struggled for consistency in his first season racing Ducati machinery.

The 31-year-old has qualified on the front row only three time since the summer break, with an average starting position of 6.25 during this period.

“I have the potential that from the initial moment I am riding very fast,” he added. “In the first part of the season I was always struggling on the Friday and I’d improve a lot over the weekend.

“Now I am starting Friday with a good pace so the way to improve is safe. Already the lap record, so if I can do a 1m 29.1s [in qualifying] I will sign up for it.”

Marquez is keeping a lid on his expectations for Saturday’s qualifying session, saying he will be happy as long as he is able to qualify inside the first two rows on the grid.

“Here everyone is pushing and trying to get the maximum,” he said. “Both Martín and Pecco Bagnaia are raising the bar very high, but we also have our personal battle between me and Enea Bastianini and that, for my part at least, leads me to take quite a few risks to try to be there with them.

“I had a very good lap and it’s really positive to start a Friday like this. But tomorrow is the day we have to set a clear and realistic goal, which is to try to be on the second row.”

Marquez remains the only rider to score a grand prix victory on last year’s Ducati GP23 bike in a season that has been dominated by the latest iteration of the Desmosedici.

While a fouth victory would make 2024 his most successful season his last title-winning campaign in 2019, he reiterated that his goal is to build on his recent results and put himself in the best possible position for his year with the factory Ducati team.

“Obviously the more victories the better, but it is an irrelevant fact, which you remember now because I am there, but otherwise nobody remembers [in the future],” he said.

“Obviously if I can win four races it is better than three, but the important thing is to continue with this consistency that I am showing, since Austria I have taken a small step and I am confirming it in all the circuits I go to.”

ERIK TEN HAG has been slammed by a Manchester United legend for not improving the club’s performances.

The Red Devils were held to a 1-1 draw by Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday night.

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It leaves United winless from their opening three matches and 21st in the league phase standings.

Meanwhile, Ten Hag’s side are also in the bottom half of the Premier League eight games into his third season as manager.

Following their draw in Turkey, Paul Scholes was asked if he has seen any improvement in style or performances so far this term.

The 11-time Premier League winner told TNT Sports: “No, not yet.

“I think they have played in spells where they’ve looked okay. They have missed a lot of chances as well.

“But I think league position tells you everything. And I’m talking about both leagues, 11th in the Premier League, 21st in the Europa League.

“There’s been no improvement. I think that’s the biggest disappointment with two and a little bit years in, a lot of money has been spent and we’re not seeing improvement.

“You’d like to think by now they’re up there challenging them. The top three teams I know Liverpool, City and Arsenal are ahead of most other teams.

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“You’d like to see them getting even a little bit closer to that, but it doesn’t feel like it.

“I do actually think on Saturday they got closer to having the best team out, which has been a while.

“I think Luke Shaw still needs to come into that. They’ve got the young lad Leny Yoro who will probably come into that.

“Mainoo back into midfield and I thought there were signs, second half especially, that they scored two really good goals which excited you. So look fingers crossed they can go on and improve.”

United were pegged back during the second half in Istanbul after Christian Eriksen’s early opener.

They also had Andre Onana to thank after a pair of stunning saves to deny the hosts.

Sitting in 21st, United are only in the play-off places on goal difference and could drop out of the Europa League altogether.

They are next in European action at home to PAOK on November 7.

Meanwhile, Ten Hag takes his side to London to face West Ham this Sunday, with the club 12th after three defeats already this term.

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Man Utd ratings vs Fenerbahce: Onana saves the day for Red Devils as Lindelof has a stinker

MANCHESTER UNITED were held to a 1-1 draw by Fenerbahce on a disappointing night in Turkey.

Christian Eriksen broke the deadlock for Erik ten Hag’s side in the first half before En-Nesyri levelled soon after the break.

Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho was sent to the stands in the second half after a touchline tantrum.

But the Red Devils could find a much-needed winner for Erik ten Hag.

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SunSport’s Emillia Hawkins rates the performances…

Andre Onana – 7

Made an outstanding double save in the 37th minute to keep two attempts from Youssef En-Nesyri out.

His defenders could’ve done much better to prevent Fenerbahce’s goal.

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Diogo Dalot – 5

Failed to track back at times and had his blushes saved in the first half by Ugarte, who made a crucial tackle on Dusan Tadic to prevent a goal.

Matthijs de Ligt – 6

Made some good blocks during the first half to keep Fenerbahce at bay.

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Missed a few chances from set-pieces after the break.

Victor Lindelof – 4

Failed to follow En-Nesyri for Fenerbahce’s opening goal and made no attempt to win the ball.

Hauled off in the 54th minute.

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Lisandro Martinez – 5

Like Lindelof, he did not apply any pressure to En-Nesyri for the hosts’ first goal. Poor communication from both.

Christian Eriksen – 7

Broke the deadlock for United with a great strike into the top-left corner from the edge of the box.

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Manuel Ugarte – 6

Won the ball in the build-up to the first goal and saved Man Utd from conceding with a fantastic last-ditch tackle in front of goal in the 22nd minute.

Was lucky to avoid giving away a penalty after the break.

Noussair Mazraoui – 6

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Didn’t look too out of place starting in the No10 position. Played a role in the build-up to the goal, passing the ball to Zirkzee who got the assist.

Eventually moved into left-back, allowing Martinez to move central.

Marcus Rashford – 5

Played out of preferred position and started on the right as opposed to the left.

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Didn’t make too much of an impact on the game.

Alejandro Garnacho – 6

Played a key role in the build-up to Erikson’s goal by making a direct run into the box.

Challenged Dominik Livakovic a few times and looked lively.

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Joshua Zirkzee – 5

A poor overall performance from the striker despite providing the assist for Eriksen’s opener.

Failed to make much of an impact and was hauled off in the 54th minute.

Francis Ngannou almost didn’t come back to fighting.

This past weekend, Ngannou made his long-awaited return to MMA, fighting Renan Ferreira in the main event of PFL Superfights: Battle of the Giants. But Ngannou’s return was far from a certainty. Earlier this year “The Predator” suffered a terrible tragedy when his 15-month-old son Kobe died due to a medical issue, and speaking with TMZ Sports, the lineal heavyweight champion admits after it happened, he wasn’t sure if he’d ever fight again.

“Yes, there was a point that I didn’t know anything,” Ngannou said when asked if he thought he might never fight again after his son’s passing. “Everything seemed so fragile. You didn’t know if maybe if it would not happen to you to, if it’s not some sort of genetic pandemic, genetic disease, I don’t know, a curse. If it was just bad luck that was going to keep happening. A lot of stuff happens in your head that you don’t usually think about, or you never think about.”

Ultimately, Ngannou did decide to fight on and returned in good form, finishing Ferreira with strikes in the first round. But though he made the performance look easy, Ngannou says the preparation was anything but.

“By far. It was by far the toughest [training camp of my life],” Ngannou said. “When I thought about retiring, it wasn’t an option, because retiring … was to put the responsibility on my son again, which is not his responsibility. Then I said maybe I should wait for a little while before going back to fighting but I didn’t know when exactly. I didn’t know when there would be a time that it’s going to go away, it’s going to be OK. It’s just one of those things you just realize at the beginning you better learn how to roll with it because it will always be there. …

“It was a way for me not only to have something to focus on but maybe do something to honor him, seeing as I didn’t have a chance to fight for him.”

The win was Ngannou’s first fight in the PFL, after taking the previous year and a half to pursue his interests in boxing. But given everything that’s happened to him this year, Ngannou doesn’t have any concrete plans about what comes next, be it boxing or MMA.

“I haven’t really thought about what’s next,” Ngannou said. “I have no idea. Not only will I take some time to rest, because I had a feeling that I took this fight too early. There were too many emotions, I was in a different space. …

“I’ll take some time, see what’s out there, what is offering itself. Then I will consider something if there is something good.”

Promotion. Dana White revealed he almost cut Francis Ngannou from the UFC in 2018.

Stand and deliver. Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway got into a heated exchange about the “stand and point” maneuver ahead of UFC 308.

Beef. Dana White had harsh words for PFL CEO Donn Davis as they continue to spar.

Champ. Belal Muhammad laughs off Ilia Topuria saying he wants to become a three-division champion.

Rules. New York State Athletic Commission set to adopt new MMA rules ahead of UFC 309.

PowerSlap. Paige VanZant penalized for illegal strike in her second PowerSlap outing.

Between the Links.

UFC 308 press conference.

UFC 308 Open Workout highlights.

Dana White scrum.

UFC 308 Embedded, episode 4.

Jake Paul.

Jon Fitch.

Merab Dvalishvili really trying to book a fight no one wants.

Good decision.

Adrian Yanez.

People will underrate it because of a lack of interest in the PFL, and the lack of respect for Renan Ferreira, but Ngannou coming back like he did under these circumstances was incredibly, incredibly impressive.

Now, just one more sleep to the big event this weekend.

If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKlee or @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let us know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and like us on Facebook.

Moore’s contract announcement was met with relief and excitement by supporters.

The England Under-19 international had just two first-team appearances to his name at that point but the buzz around Moore has been bubbling for a number of years, despite his age.

Moore was a standout performer during Spurs’ pre-season tour, scoring twice and featuring in all six matches.

With so much anticipation for the youngster’s development, some supporters feared losing Moore before he had even started a match for the first team.

Moore is now pushing to become a first-team regular.

“He’s ready to start any game, I just feel, especially with younger players, you’ve just got to be really careful about their introduction into senior football,” said Postecoglou.

“He’s still physically growing, you have to take that into account so I think he’s ready to play, start a Premier League game for sure but for me it’s about making sure, for us, that we develop Mikey in the right way.”

Postecoglou added that Tottenham captain Son-Heung-min was unlikely to play in Sunday’s Premier League trip to Crystal Palace.

“Sonny’s still not right, he’s still not feeling 100%,” the Australian said.

“He won’t train today, so he’s unlikely for this weekend and we’ll see after that.”

Liverpool manager Arne Slot says forward Diogo Jota will miss their Premier League game at Arsenal on Sunday.

Jota was substituted in the victory against Chelsea last Sunday after suffering a chest injury when Blues defender Tosin Adarabioyo fell on top of him during a challenge.

The Portugal international missed Liverpool’s Champions League win at RB Leipzig on Wednesday and will be absent for the trip to the face the Gunners on Sunday (16:30 GMT), along with winger Federico Chiesa. Right-back Conor Bradley could also miss out.

“They feel good but not when it comes to playing for us during the weekend,” said Slot.

“Federico might train with us today or tomorrow, Diogo definitely not and let’s see if Conor Bradley can be with us tomorrow.”

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker remains out with a hamstring injury suffered in a win at Crystal Palace on 5 October and is expected to be sidelined until at least the next international break during mid-November.

“He’s progressing well like we expect but it’s not a short-term recovery, so always difficult to judge him,” added Slot.

“I think the best way to judge an injury is in the end of an injury, the end phase of his rehab, and he’s not there yet.”

Liverpool are top of the table going into the game at Arsenal and have a four-point lead over the third-placed Gunners, who Slot said had been “far ahead” of the Reds for the past two seasons.

“Nobody knows at this early stage who will be your biggest competitor but we all know that Arsenal will be one of them, so dropping or winning points against them is always important,” said the Dutchman.

“It’s difficult to win an away game at Arsenal or Manchester City, or all the other ones, but it’s something we are trying on Sunday, definitely.”

Aprilia Racing has revealed new technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini will make his first appearance with the team at the penultimate round of the 2024 MotoGP season in Malaysia.

The Italian manufacturer confirmed Sterlacchini’s appointment earlier this month following the news that its current technical chief Romano Albesiano will exit in favour of a move to Honda next season.

Though Albesiano will remain with Aprilia to see out the 2024 MotoGP before departing for pastures new, Aprilia told Motorsport.com that he has agreed to step aside from his role to allow Sterlacchini to get up to speed in Sepang and then the Valencia finale.

“Fabiano will be with us in Malaysia in an observer role, to take notes and start working for the future, [Albesiano] will remain in the Aprilia garage until Sunday in Valencia,” a spokesperson exclusively told Motorsport.com.

The confirmation comes following a decision for Albesiano to not join Aprilia in making the trip to Buriram for this weekend’s Thailand Grand Prix. Despite his absence, Aprilia Racing rider Maverick Vinales says it is business as usual all the same.

“The truth is that I haven’t noticed anything strange,” he responded when asked about Albesiano’s absence. “We are always looking for every last screw to make the bike work at 120 per cent. 

Maverick Vinales, Aprilia Racing, Aleix Espargaro, Aprilia Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

“Albesiano continues working as always. I don’t know when Sterlacchini will come, I can only say that since it was announced in Japan that he will leave next year, Romano’s commitment has remained intact. He hasn’t gone any further with the bike, but everything is normal.” 

Sterlacchini’s arrival for Sepang gives him the opportunity to set the groundwork for a fresh era at the factory Aprilia team next season when it welcomes an all-new line-up comprising current MotoGP championship leader Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi, both of whom join from the Ducati stable.

Vinales will switch to the Tech3 KTM squad, with current team-mate Aleix Espargaro due to join Honda as a test rider following his retirement from racing.

Sterlacchini moves to Aprilia after a short stint with KTM, having joined the Austrian marque in June 2021 to lead its engineering department.

In July this year, the Austrian marque announced it had been unable to reach an agreement to renew Sterlacchini’s contract and he will leave the brand this year.

Prior to KTM, he spent 17 years at Ducati, rising to the role of MotoGP technical director.