Marcus Rashford made his first appearance for Man United since December 2024 in Saturday’s pre-season friendly with Ruben Amorim’s AC Milan

Marcus Rashford was cheered by Manchester United fans as his number was shown on the fourth official’s board when he was introduced as a substitute against AC Milan on Saturday.

Rashford was making his first appearance for the club since December 2024 in the friendly. Rashford was cut from the United squad by Amorim and subsequently sent out on loan to Aston Villa.

The academy graduate looked to have played his final game for the club when he was again shipped out on loan last summer, this time to Barcelona, with his temporary move including the option for Barca to make the move permanent for £26m.

With Rashford’s No.10 jersey passed to Matheus Cunha, nobody expected him to make another appearance for the club. Rashford openly admitted he hoped to complete a permanent switch to the Nou Camp, but Barca decided against signing him, and Rashford has instead returned to Old Trafford.

While United are still open to selling Rashford, Michael Carrick has insisted he is happy to welcome him back and stressed he has been in good spirits since his return.

Making his first appearance for United in 20 months, Rashford was cheered as his No.9 – the number he wore on Saturday which is subject to change before the season begins – was displayed on the fourth official’s board, despite some fans still being of the opinion that United should part ways with the forward.

In a poll by the Manchester Evening News earlier this summer, 69% of voters (5,465 votes) said they would rather see the club cut ties. 2,459 voters (31%) said they would be open to the idea of Rashford being handed another chance at Old Trafford.

Follow updates of United’s clash with AC Milan here >>>

Top trainer and former world champion Robert Garcia has considered the outcome of a fantasy showdown between Terence Crawford and Manny Pacquiao.

The two generational greats reportedly came close to squaring off in 2021, back when Crawford was the WBO welterweight champion and ‘Pac Man’ held the WBA title.

Their unification match never materialised, though, as Pacquiao was scheduled to face Errol Spence Jr before ‘The Truth’ pulled out with a torn retina.

Instead, the Filipino legend ended up losing his WBA title to Yordenis Ugas at a stage when, while still serviceable, he was quite clearly past his best.

Crawford, meanwhile, was hitting top form around this time, just a few fights away from producing arguably a career-best performance against Spence.

He did, of course, manage to stop his welterweight rival in nine rounds, before moving up to 168lbs and becoming a three-division undisputed champion by dethroning Canelo Alvarez last September.

Based on those two performances, coach Garcia has told ESNEWS that he would favour ‘Bud’ to defeat even a prime version of Pacquiao.

“The Crawford that beat Spence – and the Crawford that beat Canelo – would probably beat Manny.”

While Crawford’s prime almost certainly came during his run of eight stoppages at welterweight, it is harder to pinpoint when Pacquiao ultimately reached his peak.

In terms of his most destructive performance at world level, however, many will point towards his second-round finish over Ricky Hatton in 2009.

While facing the ‘Hitman’ at 140lbs, Pacquiao would cement himself as a formidable welterweight champion soon after, dethroning Miguel Cotto with a 12th-round stoppage for the WBO title.

Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan have appointed experienced coach Salisu Yusuf as their new Technical Adviser following the departure of head coach Nurudeen Aweroro.

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) club announced the appointment on Friday, August 14, 2026, shortly after confirming that Aweroro, Team Manager Tammy Tamuno and Assistant Coach Shakiru Lawal had left their positions.

The club said the decision to part ways with the trio was reached by mutual agreement after discussions between both parties.

Aweroro joined Shooting Stars in July 2025 and guided the Oluyole Warriors to third place in the 2025/26 NPFL season, their best league finish in 27 years.

The result also secured continental football for the Ibadan club, but Aweroro will not lead the team into the new campaign.

Shooting Stars thanked Aweroro, Tamuno and Lawal for their commitment, professionalism and contribution to the club, while wishing them success in their future careers.

Yusuf, who has more than two decades of coaching experience, began his managerial career with Nasarawa United in 2002. He has since worked with several top Nigerian clubs, including Kano Pillars, Rangers International and Enyimba.

He was most recently in charge of Coton Sport in Benin.

At international level, Yusuf has served as an assistant coach of the Super Eagles and has also handled the Super Eagles B and Nigeria U-23 teams.

In 2018, he led the home-based Super Eagles to the final of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Morocco.

Shooting Stars said Yusuf’s experience, knowledge of Nigerian football and ability to develop homegrown players made him an important addition to the club’s technical team.

The club added that they were confident he would provide strong leadership, tactical knowledge and a winning mentality as they prepare for the new season.

Yusuf’s first major task will be to guide Shooting Stars in their CAF Confederation Cup campaign.

The Oluyole Warriors will face Tunisian giants CS Sfaxien in the first preliminary round, with the first leg set to be played at the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne.

The return leg will take place in Sfax.

The winner on aggregate will advance to the second preliminary round, where they will face either Côte d’Ivoire’s AF Amadou Diallo or Sierra Leone’s East End Lions.

The Ospreys have criticised the WRU plans – stating that they believe a four-team model remains the way forward – and have had a summer of change.

After spending last season in Bridgend, they will play at a revamped St Helen’s in the 2026-27 campaign thanks to a joint redevelopment venture with Swansea Council.

A first fixture at home is scheduled to be against Dragons in the United Rugby Championship (URC) on 24 October, swiftly followed by another derby against Cardiff.

Ospreys have lost Wales captains Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan to Gloucester but head coach Mark Jones has had a busy recruitment drive.

Wales back Tom Rogers has signed from Scarlets and three Australians have arrived in Liam Wright, Lawson Creighton and Lalakai Foketi, with another move lined up for ex-Wallabies wing Marika Koroibete.

Ospreys played amid uncertainty last season when owners Y11 Sports and Media attempted to take over rivals Cardiff, only for the deal to collapse in April.

Devdutt Padikkal plays a shot during day one of the first Test against Sri Lanka. (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak credited Devdutt Padikkal’s preparation and improved back-foot game after the left-hander produced a composed unbeaten 131 to put India in a strong position on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka. Padikkal, batting at No. 3, brought up his maiden international hundred as India reached 288 for two at stumps.Padikkal’s innings was built around calculated shot selection and an ability to adapt to Sri Lanka’s spin-heavy attack. Kotak said the 26-year-old had specifically worked on his back-foot game during his preparations at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, while also developing his options against turning deliveries.“I am so happy for him because he was actually waiting for his opportunity. The way he played here and in the warm-up match, it’s really encouraging,” Kotak said at the post-day press conference.

Back-foot game key to Padikkal’s success

Kotak explained that Padikkal’s preparation had focused on developing multiple ways of putting pressure on spinners, particularly when the pitch offered turn. The batter’s ability to move back and create room, combined with occasional use of the sweep and charge down the track, allowed him to keep Sri Lanka’s bowlers from settling into a rhythm.“Preparation, I would say, overall the way Devdutt, was preparing and I saw it in the NCA (BCCI CoE)…he was working on his back foot game. We try that when we expect a turn from a pitch.“We also tried to work on step-out, sweep besides the back foot game. So, a lot of credit goes to him, the way he has prepared himself for the last couple of years,” he added.Padikkal’s innings reflected that preparation. He was predominantly comfortable playing off the back foot but was also willing to step out when he needed to dominate the spinners.

No. 3 debate remains open

Padikkal’s century could also add another dimension to India’s selection decisions once regular No. 3 Sai Sudharsan returns from his toe injury. Kotak, however, suggested the team is less concerned about rigid batting positions and more focused on how players adapt to match situations.“I think Devdutt batted really well. So Sai also has been batting really well at that number. But the thing is they all are new ball batsmen. So they open, they go number three, so, we are very flexible.“But I would look at the way they bat, how they are adapting to conditions, how they are dealing with the different stages of a match, and that is very important for me rather than number three or four or five,” he added.

Sri Lanka also impressed by Padikkal

Padikkal’s performance drew praise from Sri Lanka’s spin and fielding coach Jordan Gregory, who felt the Indian batter and KL Rahul had successfully put pressure back on the hosts. Rahul also made a significant contribution before retiring hurt.“I think firstly, credit to Padikkal. I think that he batted superbly today and so did KL. Unfortunate for him to get injured,” Gregory said.Gregory also praised debutant off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha for the way he handled the challenge of bowling against India’s batters.“It’s very encouraging to see that Kesh on his debut had asked a lot of questions and created a lot of opportunities.“So credit to him. I could imagine there may have been a couple of nerves from his side. But I’m very proud of him and the way he bowled on his debut,” he added.

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