Benjamin Sesko has scored three goals for Michael Carrick but he is yet to start a game under the new Man Utd head coach.

Michael Carrick believes Benjamin Sesko has taken “huge steps” forward at Manchester United recently and insisted his relationship with the striker is strong, despite not yet handing him a start in his time in charge at Old Trafford.

The £73.7million summer signing has scored three goals off the bench for Carrick, winning games against Fulham and Everton and earning a late draw against West Ham. His latest super sub cameo came at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, where he scored the only goal of the game to secure a 1-0 win.

Sesko was pushing for a start having come off the bench to equalise at West Ham nearly two weeks ago, but he remained amongst the substitutes on Merseyside. This time, he was introduced earlier by Carrick and he got on the end of a sweeping break involving fellow summer signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha to score the winner.

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That will lead to further calls for Sesko to start against Crystal Palace this weekend, but Carrick insists his conversations with the 22-year-old have been good and that he is making strides at United.

“I get why everyone’s talking about it and making a bigger deal of it, but I’ve got a really good relationship with Ben,” said the United head coach. “We’ve had some really good conversations and he’s in a really good place and part of us is helping him take his steps in development and growing him as a player.

“Sometimes that’s little steps, sometimes that’s bigger steps, he’s taken some huge steps recently in terms of the goals he scored and the impact and that confidence and that belief that he’s playing with now is great to see. We’ve obviously got to manage that as well and we’ve got some good forwards, so it’s one of those decisions that we’ve got to try and get right.

“I’ve got no problem with Ben and he hasn’t got an issue, he obviously wants to play but I can’t speak highly enough of how he’s been and the work he’s putting in and his attitude to come on and do what he’s done again. I thought he finished with so much confidence and belief, a ruthless finish which kind of sums up where he’s at at the minute which is great to see.”

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Cunha started the move for Sesko’s goal with a sweeping pass out to Mbeumo, and the Brazilian also had to show the defensive side of his game as United showed resolve to get the three points.

“That was kind of where we were tonight,” said Carrick. “I think we had to put a lot into the game and everyone did, and I think credit to Everton who made us dig deep, and it wasn’t the prettiest or the most perfect game football-wise for us.

“But Matheus, the defensive work, you put in the effort, the work rate in the end, he’s got the moment that we know we’ve got in the group to create something. He made the difference for us, but it comes from him defending really well in a deep position to then create that transition.

“He’s a great character, I’ve got to know him. Another big moment for Matheus, he’s had a number of them since the very start, starting at City when he came off the bench and he’s a big impact again today for us and he is in a good place as well.”

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In a late-night NBA showdown, the Utah Jazz take on the Houston Rockets on Monday. Utah is coming off a 123-113 loss against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night, while Houston suffered a two-point loss to the New York Knicks on Saturday. The Jazz (18-39, 7-21 on the road) have lost two in a row and went 0-2 ATS in those games. The Rockets (34-21, 18-7 at home) have alternated wins and losses in their last four games, while going just 1-3 ATS.

Tipoff from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, is set for 9:30 p.m. ET. The Rockets are a 13-point favorite in the latest Rockets vs. Jazz odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 229.5. Before making any Jazz vs. Rockets picks, check out the NBA basketball predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model

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The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past eight-plus seasons. The model entered Week 19 on a sizzling 38-18 roll on top-rated NBA spread picks dating back to last season. Anyone following its NBA betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.

Now, the model has simulated Jazz vs. Rockets 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NBA picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and NBA betting lines for Jazz vs. Rockets:

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Top Jazz vs. Rockets predictions

SportsLine’s model is going Under on the total (229.5 points). The Under between the two teams is 1-1 this season. Both teams are also 1-1 ATS head-to-head against each other this season. Houston, in particular, has trended to the Under this season with 60% of its games hitting that side, while a whopping 72% of its games at home have failed to reach the total.

The model projects the Jazz to have two players score 15 points or more, including Lauri Markkanen, projected to score 19 points. The Rockets are projected to have four players score 15 or more points, led by Kevin Durant, who is projected to score 26.5 points. The teams combine for 227 points as the Under hits in well over 50% of simulations.

How to make Jazz vs. Rockets picks

The model also says one side of the spread hits nearly 70% of the time. You can only see that pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Jazz vs. Rockets, and which side of the spread hits nearly 70% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Jazz vs Rockets spread to back, all from the advanced model that has simulated this game 10,000 times, and find out.

Shoaib Akhtar slams Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar slammed India’s bowling attack after their heavy 76-run loss to South Africa in the T20 World Cup Super 8 match. He said the defeat exposed how fragile India’s bowling unit is, especially against strong batting line-ups like the Proteas.Akhtar was particularly critical of Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube, who gave away 67 runs in six overs for just one wicket. He felt they lacked pace and intimidation, and that using them in the death overs was a tactical mistake.

“Hardik and Shivam Dube were bowling at around 120 kmph. It’s not as if they are Malcolm Marshall — someone who would intimidate a batting line-up of South Africa’s calibre. If you deploy them in the death overs, such a counterattack from the Proteas is inevitable,” he said on Tapmad.He also pointed out that India’s bowling looked vulnerable overall, with South African batters dominating even the team’s key bowlers. Akhtar highlighted Varun Chakaravarthy’s expensive spell, saying his usual pace was down and that he was punished by the batters. “Indian bowling has been exposed. If you look at Varun, whose strength is bowling at 97-98 kmph, he was clocking 94. And when he came into the attack, he was hit for a no-look six by Dewald Brevis,” he added.Akhtar suggested that India should bring Kuldeep Yadav into the team, calling him the “missing link” who can trick batters and take wickets at crucial moments. “The missing link here is Kuldeep Yadav. He is someone who can deceive batters in the air and pick up wickets when needed. He is a proven match-winner.”He also felt that Varun Chakaravarthy and Washington Sundar offer similar skills, making India’s bowling attack predictable and easier for top teams to attack.

The United States women’s ice hockey team, fresh off a gold-medal victory over Canada in the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, declined an invitation from President Donald Trump to attend his State of the Union address on Tuesday. 

“We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal-winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,” USA Hockey told NBC News. “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.

“They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”

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Team United States celebrates after their win over Sweden at the Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Fox News Digital.

The women’s hockey team was dominant in the Olympics, and it came down to the gold medal game against their rival, Team Canada, this past week in a thriller that required overtime after a late goal by Hilary Knight tied the game at one apiece with less than two minutes to play in the third period. 

Knight’s heroics allowed the three-on-three golden-goal overtime period, where Megan Keller received a pass down ice, made a nifty deke on a Canadian defender, and back-handed a shot past the goaltender for the win.

Just days later, the men’s hockey team did the exact same against Canada, as Jack Hughes scored the game-winning goal in overtime on Sunday afternoon to finish the Milan Cortina Games in style for the U.S. 

During a call to the men’s hockey team on Sunday night after their victory, Trump also invited the team to the State of the Union. It’s unclear if they plan to attend it considering the NHL schedule resumes on Wednesday night. 

United States’ Grace Zumwinkle, left, and Taylor Heise celebrate after the victory ceremony for women’s ice hockey at the Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

As Trump was explaining he could “send a military plane or something” for the team, one player cut him off and said, “We’re in.”

Trump, then, brought up FBI Director Kash Patel, who was spotted celebrating with the team in the locker room after the gold-medal win.

“We’ll get Kash, and we’ll get the military to get you guys over,” Trump continued. “You won’t have to worry about the weather or landing. We don’t care if it’s snowing or if it’s the worst blizzard – we’ll be sailing through like you did on the ice.”

Trump also brought up the women’s hockey team on the phone call.

“I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that,” Trump was heard saying over the phone to the men’s team. 

Team United States poses after the medal ceremony following their gold-medal match against Canada at the Winter Olympics at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 19, 2026, in Milan. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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Trump also joked, “I do believe I probably would be impeached,” if he didn’t invite the women’s team as well as the men. 

The Professional Women’s Hockey League also resumes play on Thursday night. 

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President Donald Trump talked to the U.S. men’s hockey team and invited them to his State of the Union address after their gold medal victory over Canada at the Winter Olympics.

American Olympian Matthew Tkachuk reflected on the president’s phone call as he arrived at Miami International Airport a day after the team secured a gold medal.

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United States’ hockey player Matthew Tkachuk signs autographs after arriving at Miami International Airport from the Milan Cortina Olympics, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

“It was super cool,” he told reporters as he walked into the terminal. “It’s an honor hearing from the President of the United States. Hearing that he was supporting us and all the other athletes wanting us to bring home as many gold medals as we can. We’re definitely honored to represent him and the hundreds of millions across the country and to bring a gold medal back.”

The Florida Panthers star was also asked how winning a gold medal compared to winning the Stanley Cup.

United States’ Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrates after the United States defeated Canada in a men’s ice hockey gold medal game between Canada and the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Tkachuk and the Panthers are back-to-back reigning Stanley Cup champions. He pointed out the major difference was what the win meant to the country as a whole.

“It’s almost more meaningful to everybody else in the sense of it’s a way to unite the whole country,” he said. “When you go through the two-month grind and the 82-game grind in the NHL season, you don’t compare that. That’s as hard of a trophy as you’re going to win in sports, the Stanley Cup.

“But when it comes to bringing together Americans, whether they like hockey or not, the Olympics, an Olympic hockey player at that stage against Canada, that’s as high as it’s gonna get.”

United States’ Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrates after the United States defeated Canada in a men’s ice hockey gold medal game between Canada and the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026.  (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

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Tkachuk didn’t confirm whether the team will be at the State of the Union, but suggested that they will party in Miami on Monday night and then head to D.C. on Tuesday.

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ATP 500 and WTA 500 tennis events in Acapulco and Merida, respectively, are currently underway in Mexico. However, the country is experiencing a situation of turmoil with the killing of drug lord Nemesio Cervantes, best known as “El Mencho,” in a military operation that took place in Tapalpa, situated in the state of Jalisco, on February 22.

The 59-year-old was killed along with eight members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which El Mencho led. This incident has triggered acts of violence from members of the cartel. In fact, Omar Garcia Harfuch, Mexico’s Security Secretary, revealed that 25 members of the National Guard have also been killed.

Tennis commentator Brett Haber gave his take on the situation in Mexico. The Tennis Channel host suggested that the ATP and the WTA shift the players from Acapulco and Merida to Indian Wells, where the BNP Paribas Open is scheduled for March.

“Just left Mexico. Police activity at the airport was insane. Polite suggestion to the @atptour & @WTA — and to Larry Ellison: get one plane to Acapulco and one to Merida and get everybody out of there — and put them up for an extra week at Indian Wells to train and be safe. This is not a drill,” Haber wrote on X.

Sports in Mexico have been affected by El Mencho’s death, with the country’s soccer federation postponing four matches, including the women’s fixture between arch-rivals Chivas Guadalajara and Club America. The Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco, however, has issued a no-cancellation notice, stating that the tournament will go on as planned.

Notable tennis players competing in Acapulco and Merida

Emma Navarro and Jasmine Paolini are the top two seeds at the Merida Open, where Sloane Stephens, Marie Bouzkova, Katie Boulter, Yulia Putintseva, and Donna Vekic are also competing. Paolini, Navarro, and Bouzkova are among the top four seeds and have received a walkover into the second round of the WTA 500 tournament.

There are some prominent tennis names competing at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco, with 2021 champion Alexander Zverev being the top seed. Two-time champion Alex de Minaur is seeded second while 2024 runner-up Casper Ruud is the third seed.

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Flavio Cobolli, Valentin Vacherot, Frances Tiafoe, and 2022 runner-up Cameron Norrie are also among the seeded players at this year’s tournament in Acapulco. Sebastian Korda and Brandon Nakashima are also competing in the ATP 500 event.