Yashasvi Jaiswal in action during IPL 2026© AFP

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is on the verge of signing a new contract at Old Trafford after months of speculation

After agreeing Harry Maguire’s new contract earlier this month, the next big deal to complete was Kobbie Mainoo’s. The Manchester United midfielder has suffered his toughest season to date, even if it will end on a positive note.

Mainoo started the campaign completely out of Ruben Amorim’s plans. In what now looks like a foolish move, the former head coach chose to drop Bruno Fernandes into a deeper position alongside Casemiro to play Amad, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. This left no room for Mainoo, who was forced to bide his time.

Amorim insisted he was a fan of the midfielder, but his actions told a different story. Credit should be given to Mainoo who managed to keep his head down during this tough period. He was not helped by his brother Jordan Mainoo-Hames’ t-shirt stunt against Bournemouth, but eventually, continuing to work hard without reward, paid dividends.

Click here to find out the latest Manchester United news in our daily newsletter

Amorim’s departure at the start of January opened the door for Mainoo, and the midfielder needed no second introduction. The return to 4-2-3-1 allowed Bruno Fernandes to step back into attacking midfield and bring Mainoo back into the pivot alongside Casemiro. Remarkably, the 21-year-old had not missed a beat.

He has since secured his spot in the United first team as the Reds moved to within touching distance of the Champions League. It is understood negotiations are close to being concluded with a five-year contract set to be signed.

The deal will be accompanied by a significant pay rise to reflect his status in the first team squad. Once the contract is signed, it will complete a brilliant turnaround for Mainoo as he went from the brink of being cut adrift to a guaranteed first-team player for years to come.

But as well as that, Mainoo’s new deal also lessens the impact of a major transfer blow. It is no secret this summer will be a big one for the Reds’ midfield.

Casemiro will leave, Manuel Ugarte will probably follow suit and United will need to add at least one, even two, midfielders to their squad. One of the names at the top of the Reds’ list is Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson.

The former Newcastle midfielder has been a revelation for Forest this season and after their difficult campaign, it seems likely he will leave the City Ground. However, a spanner was thrown into the works when Manchester City confirmed Bernardo Silva would be leaving.

Since then, City have become favourites for Anderson, leaving United to re-evaluate their summer targets. But Mainoo’s new deal means Anderson’s arrival is not as pivotal as it might have been.

The two players do very similar jobs in midfield and were Anderson to join, United would still need to sign a Casemiro replacement. They need an anchor in the midfield who can break up play, kickstart attacks and do his fair share of defensive work.

If Anderson becomes off limits, United can then focus their efforts directly on defensive midfielders. That search will not be easy and the Reds will have to broaden their search beyond the Premier League.

But whoever they sign will be partnering Mainoo for the considerable future. That, at least, helps United.

Former India cricketer Vinod Kambli is still recovering from health ailments. There were serious concerns over his health a few days ago when a friend revealed that Kambli has a “clot in his brain,” which has started to affect his memory. However, the retired cricketer’s wife, Andrea Hewitt, has labelled the claims as lies, saying someone is spreading misinformation about his health. “By God’s grace, Vinod is fine. I don’t know who is spreading false information about his health,” Kambli’s wife, Andrea Hewitt, told India Today.

Kambli attended the Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad match in Mumbai on Wednesday. Videos showed that he still needed support to walk.

Vinod Kambli came to support his friend Sachin Tendulkar‘s team Mumbai Indians despite he is struggling with health issues. The passion for cricket in him is so adorable pic.twitter.com/s7IMzYYyzH

Advertisement

— TEJASH (@Tejashyyyyy) April 29, 2026

Vinod Kambli came to Wankhede Stadium today to watch the Mumbai Indians match. There was a time when he was considered an even better batsman than Sachin Tendulkar, but some bad habits ruined his career. Seeing him like this today doesn’t feel good, but it was nice to see that he… pic.twitter.com/AJOMh1FTX3

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) April 29, 2026

It was Kambli’s friend and former first-class umpire, Marcus Couto, who claimed that the former cricketer is battling a serious health crisis.

“Ever since he was hospitalised in Thane about 18 months ago, Kambli has had a clot in his brain. His memory is not good. He remembers things and then forgets them. That’s all due to that clot in his brain,” Couto told The Times of India.

“Kambli has given up drinking, but he tends to smoke at times. Smoking is completely forbidden for him because it puts him at risk of a brain stroke, as per Dr Aadil Chagla (a famous neurosurgeon), who has been monitoring Kambli’s treatment,” he added.

“He (Kambli) seemed to be in decent health. He and his family were in good spirits. Kambli now uses a stick to walk around. His son, Cristiano, wants to become a cricketer. I requested Jatin Paranjape to enrol him at his cricket academy, and he immediately agreed. Of course, Jatin won’t charge Kambli’s son anything,” he said.

It has also been reported that a support system has been put in place for Kambli by close friends, with members of the cricketing fraternity also pitching in to help the former left-handed opening batter financially and emotionally. A WhatsApp group, led by Marcus Couto, has served as a platform to bring Kambli’s well-wishers together and raise funds for his care. Even Sachin Tendulkar, one of Kambli’s oldest friends, is also a part of the group.

Featured Video Of The Day

IPL 2026 News | Shami’s Sensation Leads Lucknow to First Win of Season

Arsenal were frustrated by penalty drama as their Champions League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid ended in a contentious 1-1 draw.

Liverpool expect Mohamed Salah to return to action before he leaves the club in the summer following an injury setback.

Former England defender Millie Bright announced her retirement, while Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk lodged an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport amid reports he has been handed a four-year ban.

Arsenal draw at Atletico after penalty controversy

Arsenal’s bid to reach their first Champions League final in 20 years hangs in the balance following a controversial draw against Atletico Madrid in Spain.

Viktor Gyokeres fired the Gunners into the lead with a 44th-minute penalty after he was fouled by David Hancko.

However, Julian Alvarez equalised from the spot in the 56th minute after Ben White was penalised for handball following a VAR review.

Arsenal were awarded a second penalty when Eberechi Eze was sent tumbling by Hancko’s outstretched right leg but referee Danny Makkelie sparked debate by overturning his initial decision after a trip to the pitchside monitor.

Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool career not over yet

Liverpool are confident Mohamed Salah will be available to play again before the end of the season.

The Egypt forward suffered a hamstring injury during last weekend’s 3-1 Premier League win over Crystal Palace at Anfield.

With only four games remaining this term, it was feared the 33-year-old may not feature again before he leaves the club in the summer.

However, following further tests, Liverpool confirmed Salah had suffered only a “minor muscle injury” and should be able to be involved ahead of the campaign finishing with a home game against Brentford on May 24.

Former England defender Millie Bright announces her retirement

Chelsea captain Millie Bright revealed she had been “playing injured for the last six years” as she announced her immediate retirement from football.

The 32-year-old helped England win the European Championship on home soil in 2022 before captaining her country to the World Cup final the following year.

She made 314 appearances and lifted 20 trophies during her time with Chelsea, having joined from Doncaster Rovers Belles in 2015.

“Representing Chelsea over the last 12 years has been everything to me, but I’m now ready to say goodbye to playing football,” said Bright, who won 88 England caps.

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk appeals to CAS

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk lodged an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) amid reports he has been handed a four-year ban for a breach of anti-doping rules.

Mudryk was charged by the Football Association in June last year, having been provisionally suspended since December 2024.

A statement from CAS, which did not mention what sanction the 25-year-old Ukrainian was appealing against, read: “CAS confirms it has received an appeal by Mykhailo Mudryk against the FA.

“The parties are currently exchanging written submissions, and a hearing is yet to be scheduled.”

What’s on today?

Nottingham Forest host Premier League rivals Aston Villa in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.

Crystal Palace take on Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in Poland at the same stage of the Conference League.

For Rutherford a spell in the Welsh leagues followed but time is now spent split between some coaching, taxi-ing two of his boys to football training and working in a showroom of a hardware store.

All a world away from the millions on the line for the internationals in Parkinson’s squad aiming for the Premier League, one that has been rebuilt season on season with £30m-plus spent last summer alone.

“But even though it’s very different, it’s also the same club,” he says, his middle son part of the club’s academy.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to go back now and then and you see some of the same faces, good people, people who gave up their time for free to keep the club afloat.

“It’s a global brand but the football club is still at the heart of it. It’s kept its soul.”

Rutherford is well-qualified to judge. Although the co-owners never reached out after his release, he was invited to sample the US adulation for his old club as part of an invitational Wrexham side in a tournament in North Carolina alongside the likes of Mark Howard, Lee Trundle and Andy Morrell.

“Honestly, it’s hard to put it into words how big it’s become unless you see it,” he says of Wrexham’s new fanbase. “It was just after the club got into League Two, and I actually said when I was out there that they would be in the Premier League in 11 years.

“I don’t know why I didn’t say 10, but I thought they would land in League One for a few years and then take five or six years to get out of the Championship.

“To think they could do it in four is just phenomenal. I don’t want to say it would be a Hollywood story, it’ll be more like something out of Football Manager.”

Either way, there is a final day to script, with Rutherford a reminder that not every ending is a happy one.

“It’s bittersweet that we couldn’t get that promotion to the league and what happened, but I can look back now and say I was one of those who played a small part in the story and be proud of that,” he says.

“It was difficult at the time but hindsight gives you that context and I hope people keep that context if it doesn’t happen this time.

“It would only be a tiny applying of the brakes on an unbelievable journey – they’re still on their way.”

Eight matches, 180 balls, 2 wickets, strike rate 90 – that’s Jasprit Bumrah‘s numbers in IPL 2026 so far. By the lofty standards that Bumrah has set for himself over the years, this season has been a big struggle. Mumbai Indians’ consistent performances have almost always aligned with Bumrah’s precision bowling. This time, however, both have had to endure difficulties. This is the first time since 2015 that Bumrah’s economy rate has gone above eight runs per over. It currently stands at 8.80. While many bowlers would happily take that number, for a bowling great like Bumrah, the slide may not be to his liking. More importantly, Bumrah’s lack of wickets is hurting MI.

Mumbai Indians batting coach Kieron Pollard admitted that Bumrah “hasn’t been up to the mark” in the post-match press conference after MI’s latest loss against SRH.

“When a cricketer is not doing well, we look at every single aspect as to why he’s not doing well. And there’s no difference when it comes to Jasprit Bumrah. He has done this for years. And as a human being, he is entitled as well to make mistakes, not have a good day, not have a good season, or not have a good couple of months. And I just feel that we need to sometimes remember the good things that he has done. Yes, we try to live in the present, and he hasn’t been up to the mark, but he’s still been a number one bowler for Mumbai Indians and India over a period of time,” Pollard said in the press conference after the loss to SRH.

Pollard was also extremely candid about his side’s inability to put together a “complete game of cricket” so far. But the MI batting coach pointed out that the dressing room is willing to put up a fight and has not yet accepted defeat, despite losing six of their eight games. With six more games to go, MI still have the opportunity to reach a maximum of 16 points if they go on a winning streak from their next game.

“It has not been as consistent as we would have hoped. The results are showing. It is something you cannot shy away from. Collectively, we have not been good enough. We just need to be collectively better as a unit. That is as much as you can ask. You can ask them to execute better in different areas of the game,” he said.

“But we need to play that complete game of cricket to win a match. It is getting difficult with the way cricket is going, but what I can safely say is that in the dressing room, the guys are wanting to fight.

“We have lost games, but we have not accepted defeat. When I said defeat, I didn’t want the headlines to suggest that Mumbai Indians have been eliminated, because mathematically and from a points perspective, we are still very much in the tournament. Yes, we have accepted losses because we lost the last couple of games, but we have not accepted defeat because we are not out of the tournament. We are still looking to go back and see what we can do and how far we can go in this tournament,” he concluded

Featured Video Of The Day

Tushar Deshpande’s Brilliant Final Act Ensures Thrilling Win For RR Over Gujarat Titans

Shubham Dubey (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)

NEW CHANDIGARH: Shubham Dubey has spent most of his cricketing life waiting. Waiting for recognition, for opportunity, for a moment that would demand everything he has quietly built over the years. On Tuesday night, as Rajasthan Royals were drifting towards defeat against an unbeaten Punjab Kings side here, that moment finally arrived. Dubey seized it with both hands.Walking in as an ‘impact substitute’ at No. 6, ahead of established names like Ravindra Jadeja and Dasun Shanaka, the 31-year-old Dubey was handed a situation that could easily have swallowed him.Rajasthan Royals still needed 72 off 36 balls, the chase slipping and the pressure mounting. But Dubey didn’t just hold his nerve. He flipped the game on its head.Dubey finished unbeaten on 31 off just 12 balls, striking at 258.33, and added 77 in just 32 balls with Donovan Ferreira to script a six-wicket win. What had looked like a faltering chase turned into a statement win, ending Punjab’s unbeaten run.