Interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy thinks an extended stint on the bench acted as motivation for Manchester United’s two-goal Europa League hero Amad Diallo.

Amad had been named as substitute in six successive games before being given a start against Greek side PAOK at Old Trafford.

In Van Nistelrooy’s words, the 22-year-old responded by being “our best player in the first half”, before “winning us the game in the second”.

Asked if being a substitute so often had been a motivating factor, Van Nistelrooy said: “Apparently so.”

The Ivory Coast international was by far United’s biggest threat against limited opposition – he was prepared to run at the PAOK defence and carried on doing so, even when he did not get immediate reward.

Van Nistelrooy accepted a first half in which United made “many technical mistakes” and had one shot on goal “wasn’t good”, but Amad made the difference after the interval.

“The second goal had everything in it that is Diallo,” said Van Nistelrooy. “He fought to win the ball off the defender, then pushed through to take the shot and had the quality to bend it around the goalkeeper.

“He is a great character and a hard worker. He shows that attitude in every training session. Every day in he comes to me and wants to do extra finishing, crossing, one v ones. He is asking how can I improve his shot, and his heading.

“He is constantly focused on learning and getting better. He is motivated to get the most from his career.”

Amad’s present contract expires next June, although United do have the option to extend it by an additional year.

Next week, he will have a new boss to impress as Ruben Amorim takes charge.

Van Nistelrooy said he would have to “check his phone” to see if he had received a message from the Portuguese although, for now, he seems happy both parties are concentrating on their current clubs.

“I think that Ruben focuses on [Sporting at] Braga and I focus on Leicester [in the Premier League on Sunday],” he said.

Great Britain earned a comfortable victory over Denmark in their Women’s EuroBasket 2025 qualifier in Manchester.

Savannah Wilkinson led the scoring for Britain with 14 points as the home side secured a 75-62 victory.

The win put Britain in a good position to qualify for the final round, which takes place in June.

They sit on five points – one behind Group D leaders Sweden, with Denmark third on four points and fourth-placed Estonia on three.

Each side has three games left to play, with Britain next facing Sweden in Malmo on Sunday.

The winners of Groups A-H qualify for the final round alongside the four best-ranked runners-up.

The Czech Republic, Germany, Greece and Italy make up Group I, with the four nations automatically qualifying as hosts.

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones knows Tom Aspinall holds a piece of the division’s title, but isn’t interested in a unification bout.

Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) returns to action Nov. 16 to face Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York. It could be the last fight for “Bones” as he has teased a potential retirement.

At 37, with a bonafide Hall of Fame legacy Jones has created as a two-division UFC champion, stepping away from the sport if he defeats Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC), who many view as the best heavyweight champion of all time, would be understandable.

If Jones continues to fight, a title unification bout against current interim heavyweight champion Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) appears to be the public’s popular wish. However, Jones doesn’t share the same desire to make that fight happen.

“More than likely not,” Jones told Kevin Iole when asked if he would fight Aspinall after UFC 309. “I feel like Tom Aspinall is, I don’t want to say nobody, but he just hasn’t proven anything. He hasn’t done anything. I understand he won his belt against Sergei, and Sergei just got slaughtered by someone else, so it’s like, I’m not here to gamble someone else making a name off of me.”

Aspinall became the interim heavyweight champion by beating Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295, the original date for Jones to face Miocic before his pectoral injury. The UFC created an interim title in Jones’ absence, which Aspinall claimed with a first-round knockout.

Aspinall only has one loss in the UFC, which came due to injury 15 seconds into his first meeting with Curtis Blaydes. In a rematch at UFC 304, Aspinall recorded a rare interim title defense by stopping Blaydes with punches in the opening round.

He’s finished every opponent in the UFC, only reaching the second round once. Despite Aspinall’s feats in the heavyweight division, Jones remains unimpressed.

“I’m here to compete against the guys where when we look back, you know, 10 years from now, you’ll be like, ‘Jon Jones fought this guy and that guy, this legend, and that champion and this champion,’” Jones said.

If Jones continues his career after UFC 309, only one fighter on the roster piques his interest.

“If there were to be a fight of a guy that’s still on our UFC roster that would be not only financially worth it, but legacy worth it, it would be Alex Pereira,” Jones said. “We’re both 37 years old. Right now, I weigh about 235. I’m an incredibly light heavyweight. I think Pereira walks around at 240. I think that fight would go much farther on my legacy than a young man who’s cool today, and may be gone tomorrow.

“I remember a time when the whole world thought Johnny Walker was going to be the guy to beat me. No disrespect to Johnny Walker, but we all seen how his career has played out. I’ve just been here too long to get all excited about someone who is hot today. I’m here for legacy. I’ve been gambling way too long just to take random fights.”

TEMPLEGATE tackles Friday’s racing confident of firing in some winners.

Back a horse by clicking their odds.

THE SUN RACING MEMBERS ENCLOSURE

The only place to get Templegate’s tips first – and at the best prices – is by joining Sun Racing’s brilliant Members Enclosure.

Sign up now for just £1* to be part of racing’s best winning team and get…

Advertisement

• Four free racing tickets, four times a year – worth £300
• Templegate’s daily tips at the BEST prices before anyone else
• Tomorrow’s copy of The Favourite at 9pm today
• Exclusive insights from top trainer Ben Pauling
• VIP competitions from Racing Breaks each month
• New customer offer with Coral

Become a member today for just £1*

*For the first month then £3 per month thereafter.

SIGN UP NOW

18+ Ts and Cs apply. First month membership £1, then £3 per month unless you cancel at least 7 days before your next billing date. For more information contact help@thesun.co.uk

ETALON (2.25 Exeter, nap)

He did plenty of improving last season with a couple of hot handicap wins. He looks on a fair mark with more to come this term.

BRENDAS ASKING (3.00 Exeter, nb)

She dug deep to score at Ludlow last time and this longer trip should be ideal.

LAURENS BAY (12.50 Fontwell, treble)

She won a bumper on debut and showed plenty of promise when going close on hurdles debut at Stratford last time out.

Templegate’s Tips

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS

Marcus Buchecha finally re-enters the ONE Championship ring on Friday to face Amir Aliakbari in Bangkok in what could be his last walk to the ring in Asia

Speaking with MMA Fighting ahead of ONE 169, the jiu-jitsu legend said the winner of his clash with Aliakbari could determine who’s next in line for the heavyweight belt—on the line later that night between Anatoly Malykhin and “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane. However, as it is the final bout of Buchecha’s contract with the organization, he might not stick around to find out.

“This fight will give me leverage,” Buchecha said, “So I’ll focus 100 percent on this fight and then discuss better terms. This is the goal.”

Buchecha publicly complained about a lack of fights in early September, saying “I’ve been out waiting for a fight for almost one year.” The Brazilian heavyweight has been inactive since August of 2023, when he suffered his first loss in the sport against “Reug Reug.” ONE booked him versus Aliakbari shortly after his post.

Asked if his long layoff will be taken into consideration when he has to decide whether or not re-sign with ONE, Buchecha said “you can’t cry over spilled milk,” noting he is fully focused on the task ahead of him.

“I hope to talk to you again on Saturday and definitely talk about the future, but my goal right now is Friday,” Buchecha said. “It obviously wasn’t my decision [to stay out for over a year] but I was in the gym, training and evolving in every aspect as an athlete on the feet, in wrestling, in jiu-jitsu. I feel a much better fighter now than I was last time I entered the ring.

“The actual fight [with Kane] was a great experience. I won’t be a hypocrite and say it was the result I wanted, of course not, but it turned out to be great experience. After that fight, plus the 15 months [of training], it added a lot to my career as a MMA athlete. I learned a lot about a Buchecha I didn’t know. It was good to learn to control my emotions in bad and good situations.”

For now, all Buchecha wants is to stop Aliakbari’s four-fight winning streak and enter free agency on a high note.

“He has a good background in Greco-Roman wrestling and he’s one of the two heavyweights I haven’t fought yet, him and Anatoly,” Buchecha said. “I think it’s going to be a very interesting fight to watch, a clash of grapplers.

“He has heavy hands, but his background is in wrestling. If the fight goes to the ground, I’m ready. If it stays on the feet, I’m ready. I don’t care what he wants to do, I’m focused on my goal and my plan.”

Earlier this week, NASCAR issued substantial penalties to the three teams involved in what series officials deemed to be a form of race manipulation — the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet of Ross Chastain, and the No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota of Bubba Wallace. Crew chiefs, spotters, and key executives were suspended for one week. Each team and driver were docked 50 points, and fined $200,000 (100k for the team and 100k for the driver).

Initially, all three teams made it clear that they intended to appeal the penalties. 23XI, who is also fighting for the Cup title this weekend with Tyler Reddick, quickly decided to withdraw their appeal. But both Chevrolet teams involved moved forward. However, after Trackhouse lost their appeal on Thursday evening, RCR lost their own.

Those who heard the case from Trackhouse: Kelly Housby, Lyn St. James, and Steve York. Trackhouse will not appeal the penalty any further.

In a statement released from the panel, they explained the decision: “We feel in the best interest of racing and to protect the integrity of the sport, it was appropriate to uphold and affirm NASCAR’s decision with regard to the NASCAR rule 4.4, attempting to manipulate the outcome of the race.”