LONDON (AP) — England captain Ben Stokes says any suggestion he and coach Brendon McCullum are not aligned “is a massive overstatement.”
Were there disagreements between them during their Ashes debacle in Australia? Yes.
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Was it any different than normal? No.
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Stokes and McCullum have been in lock step since 2022 and they crashed and burned when they lost to Australia 4-1 last winter. Both men supported the other after being humbled but the Ashes review threw up signs of tension.
Stokes wanted to play more conservatively while McCullum wanted to double down on all-out attack.
Since the Ashes, Stokes has kept a low profile. When he and McCullum kept their jobs last month following the Ashes review, he posted on social media that he was happy to continue working with McCullum and the post-Ashes period had been the hardest period of his captaincy.
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The captain has used an in-house interview with the England and Wales Cricket Board to address his relationship with McCullum.
“Saying we weren’t aligned, I think, is a massive overstatement,” Stokes said.
“When you’re in a position of leadership along with someone else, if anyone thinks that you’re always going to agree on everything then it’s just impossible.
“To me, that isn’t a healthy environment for sport, in particular. You need debate. You need discussions. Then you end up getting to the place you both want to end up getting to.
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“As similar as me and Brendon are, we’re also dissimilar in other areas as well. We agree 95% of the time on things, but those 5% things that we might have different views on, we talk about it between each other and then we end up getting to the place where we want to get to.”
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Stokes hasn’t played in the County Championship since breaking his cheekbone in a freak accident in preseason training with Durham. But he’s set to return in May before New Zealand arrive in June for a test series. Pakistan follow this summer, and Australia come to England in 2027.
As was recommended in the Ashes review, England’s leadership will tweak what it does with the team and Stokes has welcomed it.
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“I’m very confident in mine and Brendon’s ability to be able to work together, because we’ve done it for such a long period of time now, but work together in a slightly different way,” he said.
“The main point of me and Brendon is our alignment towards winning things and making this team as good as they can be. That’s always been the thing since we started. It might just look a little bit different now to how that operates — on the back of four years working together.
“Hopefully we’ll still be together at the end of 2027, winning what we want to win.”
Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz was involved in a terrifying moment during the team’s victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night.
Albernaz was struck by a line drive off the bat of Orioles second baseman Jeremiah Jackson in the fifth inning. The ball hit the manager’s left cheek, and he left to be looked at by the team’s medical staff.
Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz talks to media in the dugout before a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Chicago on April 8, 2026.(Nam Y. Huh/AP)
Albernaz briefly returned to the game after Jackson hit a grand slam to help the Orioles to the 9-7 win.
“He’s doing good. Just as a precaution, he’s going to get it scanned,” Orioles bench coach Donnie Ecker said.
“I hit and then I kind of saw Alby holding his face. My heart kind of dropped,” Jackson said. “I was able to see him afterward and see he was doing OK.”
Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz stands on the field before the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Md., on Apr. 10, 2026.(Mitch Stringer/Imagn Images)
“Knowing he was OK helped. It made me feel a little bit better,” Jackson added. “I’m just happy he’s doing OK and in good spirits.”
Albernaz and Jackson embraced after the infielder hit the big home run in the sixth inning.
“That was awesome,” Jackson said of the impromptu embrace from his manager. “You never want to hurt anybody, and Alby’s awesome. It sucked. But he wore it well and he’s in good spirits so it made me feel better.”
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Albernaz is in his first year as Baltimore’s manager. He served as a bench coach and assistant manager for the Cleveland Guardians in 2024 and 2025.
Baltimore Orioles’ Jeremiah Jackson rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Baltimore on April 13, 2026.(Stephanie Scarbrough/AP)
The Indiana Pacers’ run to the NBA Finals last year came to a screeching halt when the team lost Tyrese Haliburton with a torn Achilles in Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Haliburton missed the entire 2025-26 season as he watched Indiana only win 19 games and fall to 14th in the Eastern Conference. But as he revs up to play in 2026–27, Haliburton admitted that it’s not the physical injury that he’s worried about going into next year.
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton shoots around on the court before an NBA game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Indianapolis on April 7, 2026.(Doug McSchooler/AP)
It’s an illness he’s been battling.
He said Monday he has been dealing with shingles, which has caused him to gain weight, lose part of his right eyebrow and forced him to wear glasses to avoid scratching his swollen eye.
“First of all, I’d tell anybody over 50 years old to get the shot,” Haliburton said. “It’s been miserable. I have good days and bad days, but for the most part it’s been bad days.
“I’ve been taking unbelievable amounts of medication to try to get rid of it. It hasn’t worked. It’s not been fun, and hopefully it goes away soon. It’s hard to really tell with nerve pain, but I’ve been dealing now with nerve pain for two months and in the world of nerve pain, that’s not very long. Hopefully, it goes away soon.”
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Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton reacts after suffering an injury during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on June 22, 2025.(Kyle Terada/Imagn Images)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said about 1 in 3 Americans will get shingles. The illness, if severe enough, can cause vision loss and nerve pain.
Haliburton said he was on a similar recovery timeline as Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who also suffered a torn Achilles in the playoffs last year. Tatum returned to the Celtics in March and has provided the boost Boston needed to be seen as championship contenders.
Haliburton said he has “no worries” about getting back into playing shape once he’s off the medication.
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“I’m out of shape like crazy, like I never have been before,” Haliburton said. “I’ve changed my medication a bunch of times. I’ve gotten a Botox injection I thought would help, it hasn’t really helped. I’ve done everything, it just hasn’t worked yet. But I’m confident it goes away soon.”
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton plays in the second half against the Miami Heat at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on March 29, 2026.(Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)
The Pacers will likely have a top lottery pick in the draft. Adding another young superstar to the Haliburton-led team would be a blessing in disguise for Indiana as they look to get back on top of the conference next season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been linked with the manager’s job at Manchester United over the last few months
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola will reportedly leave the club this summer amid rumours of a potential switch to Manchester United. The Reds are continuing to be linked with several potential candidates to become the club’s manager on a permanent basis from this summer.
Michael Carrick was appointed by United back in January on an interim basis until the end of the season, with the task of guiding the club back into the Champions League.
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Iraola is one of the candidates who has been linked with becoming United’s new manager from the summer, and now a fresh update has emerged about his future.
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The Athletic have reported that Iraola will leave Bournemouth at the end of the season when his contract at the Vitality Stadium comes to an end.
There will be more to follow. We’ll bring you the very latest updates on this breaking news story.
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MLB’s biggest stars showcased their slugging abilities in a tremendous game on Monday night.
The New York Yankees three-time MVP Aaron Judge and the Los Angeles Angels’ three-time MVP Mike Trout teed off on opposing pitchers during their matchup in the Bronx. Judge and Trout each hit two home runs in the duel, which ended with a Yankees 11-10 victory.
New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge celebrates with designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels in New York on April 13, 2026.(Yuki Iwamura/AP)
MLB researcher Sarah Langs relayed the history the two players made.
She wrote on X that it was the fourth time in MLB history in which two players, who have won multiple MVPs at the time of the game, hit at least two home runs each. She added that Judge and Trout joined Roy Campanella and Stan Musial, who did it in June 1956, and Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle, who did it twice in July 1962.
It was also the second time a pair of already three-time MVPs homered twice in the same game, according to STATS Perform.
Judge hit his first home run in the first inning off Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi. His second home run came in the sixth inning off reliever Shaun Anderson. He finished the game 2-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored. He has six home runs on the year.
Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates with third base coach Keith Johnson after hitting a three-run home run during the sixth inning against the New York Yankees on April 13, 2026, in New York.(Yuki Iwamura/AP)
Trout’s first dinger didn’t come until the sixth inning – off Yankees reliever Jake Bird. The second came in the eighth inning off Camilo Doval. The eighth inning dinger put the Angels out in front 10-8 at the time.
New York stormed back in the ninth when Trent Grisham hit a two-run home run to tie the game. Jose Caballero later scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch.
Trout and Judge both marveled at their accomplishments after the game.
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“It was great. That’s baseball for you,” Trout said. “It’s what fans want, and to be able to see something like that, pretty cool.”
Judge joked he was going to trash talk Trout when he hit one to the warning track earlier in the game, but couldn’t say nothing after Trout smacked two homers later.
New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge hits a home run during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels in New York on April 13, 2026.(Yuki Iwamura/AP)
“I was going to talk some smack to him after the one he hit all the way to the warning track,” Judge said, “but I didn’t get a chance to and then he answers right back with two big homers for him. You put that guy in a clutch situation, a big moment and he’s going to show up every single time, so it’s fun going back and forth with a guy like that, especially in New York and the Bronx.”
Judge had high praise for Trout, who has been at the top of baseball since he entered the league, though he has dealt with injuries for much of his career.
“He’s the greatest of all time. It’s been fun to watch his whole career, coming up at such a young age and instantly just putting yourself at the top of the list. It’s special,” Judge said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the teenager currently at the centre of Indian cricket’s spotlight, is set to add another milestone to his resume, with reports suggesting the 15-year-old has been shortlisted to make his senior India debut. Sooryavanshi has reportedly been included in the list of candidates for India’s tour of Ireland, alongside several other prospects. The roster is widely expected to feature a second-string squad, as the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee remains keen to test the team’s bench strength.
“He is in contention for the Ireland tour, and the selectors have shortlisted his name along with those of many other players,” a source in the Indian cricket board told the Indian Express.
According to the newspaper, Vaibhav is set to be selected for the upcoming series in Ireland as well as the tour of Zimbabwe later this year.
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Vaibhav, who has already broken several records in age-group cricket, has started the IPL 2026 season with a bang for Rajasthan Royals. He struck a stunning 26-ball 78 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, a 17-ball 52 against Chennai Super Kings, and a 14-ball 39 against Mumbai Indians, prompting former cricketers and experts to advocate for his selection to the senior national team.
Even IPL chairman Arun Dhumal remarked that Vaibhav deserves the record of becoming India’s youngest debutant, surpassing the records held by Sachin Tendulkar and Shafali Verma.
“What an amazing batting display by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi this @IPL 2026 season. This prodigy certainly deserves to debut for Team India @BCCI as the youngest given his performances. It’s rare you get the chance to pick up someone so talented and sooooo young too. Certainly deserves his name to be recorded as the youngest debutant for India,” IPL chairman Arun Dhumal wrote on X.
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Other retired India internationals, such as Irfan Pathan and Anil Kumble, have also stated that Vaibhav appears ready for promotion to the national side.
At present, Tendulkar remains the youngest men’s player to have represented India at the international level, making his debut at the age of 16 years and 205 days. Overall, Shafali Verma holds the national record, having debuted for the Indian women’s team at the age of 15 years, seven months, and 27 days.
India are also scheduled to tour England after the Ireland series, playing five T20Is and three ODIs starting 1 July. For the England assignment, the BCCI is likely to facilitate a return for senior players.
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The Associated Press began compiling a ranking of the Top 20 college men’s basketball teams during the 1948–1949 season.
It has issued this poll continuously since the 1950–1951 season.
Beginning with the 1989-1990 season, the poll expanded to 25 teams.
Before 2024, the AP released its final Top 25 poll in mid-March before the NCAA Tournament. Since then, the final poll has appeared after the champion has been crowned.
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The table below list the total number of final AP poll appearances for teams in the West, with the most recent appearance and rank, plus the highest-ever rank and the year that ranking was achieved.
In cases where a school has achieved their highest ranking more than once, we have listed the most recent.
Some fans want the Minnesota Vikings to draft a defensive tackle like Peter Woods or Kayden McDonald in Round 1, but the club could wait until the following day by picking “Big Citrus” Domonique Orange.
The Vikings may need a DT, and Orange looks like one of the more realistic paths.
Minnesota met with Orange last week, a man who obviously snagged his moniker from his last name and size.
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Orange Stands Out in Minnesota’s Mid-Round Search
The Vikings’ newest DT could come from Round 2 or 3.
Iowa State Cyclones defensive lineman Domonique Orange (95) celebrates after bringing down the quarterback, delivering a momentum-shifting sack in a high-profile matchup. Dec 7, 2024 captured the play at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, where Orange helped disrupt Arizona State’s offense with pressure in the first half. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images.
Orange Chats with Vikings
Orange made the rounds last week, with the NFL draft upcoming on April 23rd. He’ll have plenty of suitors.
Click2Houston‘s Aaron Wilson wrote, “Iowa State defensive tackle Domonique Orange impressed NFL teams at his campus workout, showing that he has recovered from a quadriceps injury. The Texans attended his Pro Day workout and helped run the drills. Orange, nicknamed “Big Citrus,’ is scheduled to visit the Texans at NRG Stadium, per a league source.”
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“Orange is also set to visit the Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers and the Chicago Bears. He’s regarded by NFL teams as a classic, space-eating anchor in the middle of the defense. Orange (6-foot-2, 322 pounds) was a third-team All-Big 12 Conference selection last season.”
The Cyclone lives at No. 66 on the Consensus Big Board, meaning he’s likely to hear his name called at the end of Round 2 or beginning of Round 3.
The Scouting Report
Orange is 6’2″ and 325 pounds and known for his first-step speed, his anchor, and long arms. A year ago, he earned a spot on Bruce Feldman’s popular “Freaks” list. However, Orange is not known for rushing the passer and doesn’t have many bull-rush tendencies. He’s a nose tackle.
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NFL Draft Buzzon his skill set: “Orange’s value at the next level is straightforward: he can fill a nose tackle role in an odd-front defense and give you honest, dependable reps against the run on early downs. His combination of first-step quickness, anchor strength, and length makes him someone who can eat blocks and hold gaps, which frees up linebackers to flow to the football.”
“The performance against Iowa in 2025, where he held up against one of the best centers in college football, speaks to what he can do against quality competition at the point of attack. The tackling regression in his final college season is also worth watching, as his missed tackle rate jumped well above career norms.”
Orange turned 22 last month. He’s got youth on his side.
TBD added, “His testing numbers suggest limited range and pursuit, meaning he needs to win early in the play or he probably won’t make the stop. In the right scheme, Orange can be a useful early-down nose who absorbs blocks and keeps the interior clean.”
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“A 3-4 defense that values gap control and doesn’t ask its nose to do much as a rusher is the ideal landing spot. He has the frame, the hands, and the anchor to hold up at the pro level in that role. His floor is a capable run-stuffing rotation piece; his ceiling is a starting nose in a defense that can scheme around his limitations on passing downs.”
2 Starting DTs Out This Offseason
The Vikings’ pre-draft meeting with Orange takes on greater significance given the uncertainty at defensive tackle. Currently, Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins are in line for considerable playing time. While this group is intriguing, a rookie could find a role — especially if the Vikings don’t sign a free agent like Christian Wilkins.
And the DT need developed recently. In March, Minnesota released Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, a tandem that played nearly 1,400 defensive snaps in 2025. The duo, former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s major free-agent acquisitions on the defensive line last offseason, failed to meet expectations. To add insult to injury, Allen signed with the Bengals, and Hargrave joined Green Bay.
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Iowa State Cyclones defensive lineman Domonique Orange (95) reacts following a strong defensive play, showing energy and presence along the line of scrimmage. Sep 6, 2025 highlighted the rivalry setting at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, where Orange contributed to Iowa State’s defensive effort against the Hawkeyes in the second half. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images.
Therefore, with Minnesota’s defensive tackle situation rapidly evolving, the meeting with Orange appears particularly important.
The Other DT Options
Suppose for a moment that Minnesota wants to leave the draft with a defensive tackle but not Orange. The list from a mid-April viewpoint looks like this:
Peter Woods (Clemson | R1)
Kayden McDonald (Ohio State | R1-R2)
Caleb Banks (Florida | R2)
Christen Miller (Georgia | R2)
Lee Hunter (Texas Tech | R2)
Gracen Halton (Oklahoma | R3)
Darrell Jackson Jr. (Florida State | R3)
Kaleb Proctor (Southeastern Louisiana | R4)
Chris McClellan (Missouri | R4)
Dontay Corleone (Cincinnati | R4)
Zxavian Harris (Mississippi | R4)
Zane Durant (Penn State | R4-R5)
DeMonte Capehart (Clemson | R5)
Rayshaun Benny (Michigan | R5)
Iowa State defensive lineman Domonique Orange (95) poses during media day, offering a clear look at his build and presence ahead of the upcoming season. Aug 2, 2024 showed the setting at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, where Orange took part in team media availability before fall preparations began. Mandatory Credit: Zach Boyden-Holmes-Imagn Images.
Hunter of Texas Tech is a popular mock-draft favorite among fans, and Minnesota met with Jackson Jr. of Florida State, as well.
The draft is nine days away. The Vikings have two picks to explore Orange in Round 3: Nos. 82 and 97.
New Zealand’s women’s cricket team captain Amelia Kerr has won the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for March after her heroics with both bat and ball against Zimbabwe and South Africa, according to the ICC website. After being handed the captaincy reins of the white-ball sides from Sophie Devine, Kerr performed impressively with both bat and ball. During the ODI series against Zimbabwe at home, she claimed 16 wickets in just three matches, including a career-best spell of 7/34.
She also made a valuable impact with the bat, finishing as the third-highest run-scorer in the ODI series with 140 runs in three matches at an average of 46.67 during the month.
Kerr carried her form into the T20I series against South Africa, playing a key role in the White Ferns’ 4-1 triumph in a five-match series. She amassed 276 runs, with her exceptional performances also earning her the No.1 spot in the ICC Women’s T20I all-rounder rankings.
The all-rounder reflected on her achievement, highlighting how her performances contributed significantly to New Zealand’s strong team effort. Kerr said it was a special month for the White Ferns, expressing that the standout aspect was the team’s selflessness, belief and overall strong performances throughout the month.
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“It’s been a special month for the White Ferns. It’s always nice to be able to contribute to wins for your country but seeing the way the whole team has played, the selflessness and the belief is what has been the highlight for me this past month,” she said as quoted by the ICC website.
Kerr’s contributions, both as a captain and as an all-rounder, will prove pivotal in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England from June 12 as New Zealand brace to defend the title.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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After the Los Angeles Kings locked up the final spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Maple Leafs saw their return from the Scott Laughton trade get sweeter.
As part of the deadline deal, the Maple Leafs received a conditional 2026 third-round pick, which was to become a second-round selection if Los Angeles qualified for the post-season.
To clinch, the Kings had to defeat the Seattle Kraken in any fashion, and the San Jose Sharks had to defeat the Predators in regulation.
With just one game remaining in their season, Toronto has a 32-35-14 record, sitting second-last in the Eastern Conference and 28th in the league overall.
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The Maple Leafs failed to qualify for the playoffs this season for the first time since 2016. They were officially eliminated from contention on April 2 after a loss to the Sharks.
Meanwhile, Toronto also must await the final outcome of another previous trade. The 2026 first-round pick the Maple Leafs dealt in the Brandon Carlo trade last season had a condition: if it turns out to be a top-five selection, Toronto keeps the pick. However, if it is any later, it goes to the Boston Bruins.
Michael Carrick has been making his case to earn the Manchester United manager’s job on a permanent basis
Manchester United have yet to make an official announcement on their new permanent manager. However, former captain Gary Neville has seen signs the club are planning for life with Michael Carrick still at Old Trafford next term.
Carrick has done an impressive job improving results since taking over as interim manager in January. A return of 23 points from 11 matches leaves United third in the league, though they were beaten at home by Leeds United on Monday.
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“It was interesting in his press conference. He was asked about whether he was part of recruitment meetings and planning for next season and Michael said yes he was,” Neville said, before suggesting the stability offered by Carrick during a time of wider upheaval could work in his favour.
“What Michael’s doing right now, not just winning football matches which is critical, he’s settling the club down off the pitch as well which will be important,” he added. “If you’re an owner and the rest of the club trust the manager, like the manager and feel he has a good way about him, that will count as they move towards the end of the season.”
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While Neville’s feedback isn’t the same as confirmation from the club, the involvement of Carrick in forward-planning is notable. Were United to bring in a new manager currently working elsewhere, they would have less time to put their plans in place when it comes to recruitment, tactics and more.
It has also been acknowledged that some international bosses who might have been available after the World Cup have since signed extensions with their respective national teams. Most notably, Carlo Ancelotti has agreed new terms with Brazil while Thomas Tuchel’s England contract will now run until 2028.
With six league games to go, Carrick and United have a seven-point cushion over sixth-place Chelsea. The top five Premier League finishers will make it into next year’s Champions League thanks to all nine English clubs reaching the knockout rounds in Europe this term.
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United face Chelsea next week in a match which could prove pivotal for both teams’ European chances. Both sides are coming off losses, with the Blues losing to Manchester City on Sunday and Carrick’s men coming up short against Leeds.
A first-half brace from Noah Okafor put the visitors in control at Old Trafford on Monday before Lisandro Martinez saw red for a hair pull. Casemiro pulled a goal back for United but it wasn’t enough.
“I have to say, whatever happened tonight, it’s not going to suddenly change my opinion on what we are as a team,” Carrick said after Monday’s defeat. “We’ve built enough of a foundation to kind of understand what we’re good at and what we need to improve on.
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“Moving forward at the end of the season, the games are going to be the games and it’s a big end of the season. There’s no getting away from it. The kind of mentality and the character of the boys wanting to do well and trying to give everything, I’ve never doubted that, and I won’t doubt that.”
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