Jose Mourinho refuses to offer guarantees over Wayne Rooney’s Manchester United future February 21, 2017 Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has fuelled speculation that Wayne Rooney’s 13 years at Old Trafford are drawing to a close by admitting his captain could leave before next season. Rooney, 31, has lost his status as a certain starter for club and country in an injury-hit campaign, leading to suggestions he could be tempted [...]
Indian Premier League record-breaker Ben Stokes given permission to miss England one-day series February 21, 2017 Record-breaking all-rounder Ben Stokes has been given clearance to miss England’s one-day series with Ireland in May in order to feature for the Rising Pune Supergiants in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Stokes became the most expensive overseas player in IPL history on Monday after joining the Pune outfit for £1.7m, but faced the prospect of [...]
Gold Cup favourite Thistlecrack joins list of Cheltenham Festival absentees after being ruled out for season February 21, 2017 Deflated owner John Snook has expressed his disappointment after Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Thistlecrack was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a tendon injury. The Colin Tizzard-trained nine-year-old had led the Gold Cup betting after triumphing in his first four starts over fences this season, including victory at the King George VI [...]
Jose Mourinho is on course to meet his targets at Manchester United and winning the EFL Cup can help him focus on his biggest goal February 21, 2017 He may not always look the happiest but, as he approaches a potentially landmark few days, Jose Mourinho must be very content with how his time in charge at Manchester United is now panning out. When he succeeded Louis van Gaal last summer, Mourinho and the club would have considered a par score for his [...]
Prop Joe Marler set to retain place and face Italy despite Mako Vunipola’s return to fitness February 21, 2017 Harlequins prop Joe Marler is set to start ahead of Mako Vunipola in England’s Six Nations clash with Italy at Twickenham on Sunday despite the Saracens loosehead’s return to fitness. British and Irish Lion Vunipola only made his return to action for the Allianz Park club on Friday night, having been sidelined since December with [...]
Sutton goalkeeper Wayne Shaw resigns after pie stunt placed under investigation by FA and Gambling Commission February 21, 2017 Sutton United reserve goalkeeper Wayne Shaw has resigned from the club after coming under fire for eating a pie during Monday's FA Cup loss to Arsenal. Shaw is under investigation by the Football Association (FA) and the Gambling Commission after he potentially broke betting rules with the stunt. "Wayne himself has offered his resignation to the chairman [...]
Sutton United 0, Arsenal 2: Arsene Wenger relieved as Gunners end part-timers’ fairytale February 21, 2017 Relieved Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits his team flirted with one of the biggest shocks in FA Cup history before they ended fifth-tier Sutton’s fairytale run last night. Goals in each half from Lucas Perez and Theo Walcott – his 100th for the Gunners – saw them through a nervy contest and into a quarter [...]
Pep Guardiola fearful of Monaco “killers” and Manchester City’s chances of reaching Champions League quarter-finals February 21, 2017 Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admits he is fearful of facing Monaco – and his side’s chances of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals. City host Ligue 1 leaders Monaco in their last-16 first leg clash on Tuesday. The visitors have eclipsed Paris Saint-Germain, who ruthlessly thrashed the mighty Barcelona last week, domestically this season. Les [...]
Badminton chiefs fume after UK Sport reject funding appeal February 20, 2017 Great Britain badminton chiefs have declared themselves “staggered” after UK Sport rejected their appeal against the funding cut imposed for the four years leading up to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Six other sports – archery, fencing, goal ball, table tennis, weightlifting and wheelchair rugby – also failed to convince the governing body to reinstate their [...]
Ben Stokes ready to prove his worth after securing lucrative, life-changing Indian Premier League deal February 20, 2017 England's Test vice-captain Ben Stokes has backed himself to live up to the price tag after becoming the most expensive foreigner in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. Stokes attracted multiple bids from rival IPL franchises during Monday’s auction before the gavel came down in the final round following a bid of 145 million rupees (£1.74m) by [...]