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Manchester United have been told that they should not ignore any “stupid“ transfer offers from the Saudi Pro League for Bruno Fernandes. Interest from that part of the world was shown in the Portuguese midfielder over the summer of 2025 and could be rekindled 12 months on, with the Red Devils needing to decide whether or not to cash in on a player that is now 31 years of age.

Fernandes contract: Terms of deal at Old Trafford

Interest in Fernandes was fended off in the last window, with United’s club captain making no push for the exits at Old Trafford. He is tied to a contract through to 2027 that includes the option for a further 12-month extension.

Fernandes remains a talismanic figure for the Red Devils, and his presence would be missed were a sale to be sanctioned. United do, however, have some big decisions to make on his future – with his market value set to decrease the older he gets and the shorter his current terms become.

AdvertisementGettyMan Utd sale: Should Red Devils listen to offers for Fernandes?

Quizzed on whether Fernandes will still be a United player at the start of the 2026-27 season, former Red Devils defender Wes Brown – speaking in association with – told GOAL: “I think he will be. Regardless of what happens with Bruno, I know that he would really love to stay. At the same time, if stupid offers get brought in, what can you do?

“He’s getting to that age now where he still wants to be part of it, but you can’t just dismiss everything because that’s not how the world works. I don’t think anyone would take it too personally if that did happen. He’s done everything he can to try and help the team. At some point it will come to that crunch if someone comes in – probably talking Saudi with that money. If that happens again, whatever happens you can’t blame Bruno. You have to accept that he did right by what he needed to do and then move on again.

“You need a player with that same energy. That’s what people don’t get – the same energy. Sometimes my mates say ‘he does this, he does that’, which is because sometimes nobody else is doing anything! He’s trying to do something. People don’t understand that and get it, which is fine. But he is definitely a player that you need, or need someone like that. Not necessarily to replace, but in the same category. If he was to go, it would be a big miss.”

How close did Fernandes come to leaving Man Utd in 2025?

Fernandes said of the transfer saga that he became caught up in during the summer of 2025: “I had the conversations with Al-Hilal. Everyone is aware of that. Everyone knows that. There were also other clubs that tried after Al-Hilal, but obviously my answer wouldn't change.

“From Europe, I had some people talking to me, but we never got into the place where we would be offering on the table or not. Because it's all very nice and people want you, but then they need to put the money on the table for the club. If not, the club won't allow me to go.”

He added on talks with United bosses, including head coach Ruben Amorim: “He wanted me to stay. The club said the same. And I always said that if the club was like ‘Bruno, we want to cash in, you are 30 years old. We want to make some money. We don't think you can be part of the future project’, or whatever, I would be like, OK, I have to find a solution for myself, whatever is best for me and my family. And I will leave.

“But obviously that wasn't the case. I felt that I was still part of the plan, that I could still help the club to achieve whatever was our aims. And that's what made me stay. Obviously, I have a big connection with the fans, with the club, also the country. My family feels very well here.”

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GettyWhen will Fernandes make a decision on Man Utd future?

Fernandes is now shelving any talks regarding his future until after the 2026 World Cup. He went on to say: “As I've always said, I feel good here. I want to achieve my dreams still. But obviously I can't talk by the side of the club. I've seen a lot of news. I've seen a lot of people talking that I had an agreement to go already next season. If the club has done that agreement, it wasn't made with me.

“So I haven't spoken with anyone. I could tell you that there are still people talking to me and saying that they will be very eager to have me next year, of course. But from my side, that's not talked about. Because my agent also knows how I work, so if he wants to talk to me, it will be after the World Cup. Because until then, I won't speak to anyone.”

Fernandes joined United from Sporting in January 2020. He has taken in 302 appearances for the club, scoring 100 goals. FA Cup and Carabao Cup successes have been savoured with the Red Devils, while suffering final heartache in two Europa League finals.

Both UAE and Oman know this is their best chance at getting points on board in the Asia Cup

Andrew Fidel Fernando14-Sep-20255:35

UAE vs Oman, a precursor to EAP Qualifier

Big picture: Contest of evenly matched teamsUp until the end of 2022, these teams had played four T20Is against each other. Ever. In the last three years, though, these teams have played five times, and been fairly evenly matched – UAE winning three times, Oman twice. They had met in the final of the ACC Men’s Premier Cup, which is the feeder tournament for the Asia Cup. On that occasion, a 56-ball 100* from UAE captain Muhammad Waseem had put UAE’s total well out of Oman’s reach. But earlier in the tournament, Oman had handed out a crushing defeat to UAE.They arrive at this encounter licking wounds. UAE arguably had the more traumatic opening encounter, having been shot out for 57 by India before the target was chased down in 4.3 overs. Oman’s brush with Pakistan saw them 67 all out chasing 161. There is the distant possibility that either – or both – of these teams can cause upsets in their last group match. But more than likely, this match is their best chance of getting some points up on the table, on the biggest stage either team will play on this year.In fact, for both teams, it is an opportunity to break losing streaks. UAE have been much more active in T20I cricket this year, but have now lost six matches on the jump – that sequence having been kickstarted by Uganda, who beat them in late July. Oman also have a six-match losing streak going all the way back to December last year. In that time, they have lost to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and USA (three times). Both teams will by now be desperate for a T20I win, but it’s been a much longer wait for Oman.Form guideUAE LLLLL
Oman LLLLLOman will turn to Jatinder Singh to deliver with the bat•Peter Della PennaIn the spotlight: Jatinder Singh and Haider AliOman captain and opening batter Jatinder Singh was undone by an excellent carrom ball against Pakistan, but of all Oman’s batters, he’s the only one with some semblance of recent form going in to this match. In February, he had hit two fifties against USA at home, his 136 runs in that series coming at a strike rate of 147.82.Almost equally unable to impose himself on UAE’s opening game was left-arm spinner Haider Ali, who bowled the first over in a no-hope defence against India, and conceded ten runs. Nevertheless, he has been far and away UAE’s best bowler this year, taking 22 wickets in 14 matches with an economy rate of 5.54. Having made his debut only this year, Haider has never played Oman.Pitch and conditionsThe Abu Dhabi pitch tends to be batting-friendly, though occasionally it will have something for the slower bowlers as well. Rain is not forecast.Team newsDespite the big loss, Oman will likely field the same XI.Oman (possible): 1 Aamir Kaleem, 2 Jatinder Singh (capt), 3 Hammad Mirza, 4 Mohammad Nadeem, 5 Sufyan Mehmood, 6 Vinayak Shukla (wk), 7 Zikria Islam, 8 Shah Faisal, 9 Shakeel Ahmed, 10 Hassnain Shah, 11 Samay ShrivastavaIn the pre-match press conference, UAE didn’t hint at any changes.UAE (possible): 1 Alishan Sharafu, 2 Muhammad Waseem (capt), 3 Muhammad Zohaib, 4 Rahul Chopra (wk), 5 Asif Khan, 6 Harshit Kaushik, 7 Dhruv Parashar, 8 Simranjeet Singh, 9 Haider Ali, 10 Junaid Siddique, 11 Muhammad RohidStats and trivia Haider Ali’s record in the UAE is not quite as good as his overall record. On home decks, he has nine wickets from eight matches, with an economy rate of 6.13. In matches between these teams played in the UAE, the hosts have won twice, including the most recent encounter, in December last year. In five T20I against UAE so far, Jatinder Singh has a high score of 26, and a strike rate of 96.29.Quotes”Our calibre is much better than what we showed in the first game, and we will show that tomorrow.”

Chicago White Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi will be sidelined for four to six weeks with a non-displaced fracture in his right hand, the team announced Thursday. He will likely miss Opening Day.

Benintendi was hit in the right hand by an 87-mph fastball from Cleveland Guardians pitcher Logan Allen in the first inning of spring training action on Thursday. He left the game and did not return.

Benintendi's fractured hand will not require surgery.

The veteran outfielder is in the third year of a five-year, $75 million contract he signed in 2023. He tied a career-high with 20 home runs last season, but hit just .229, which is the worst batting average of his career outside of the COVID-shortened 2020 baseball season.

Manchester United are now believed to be increasing their efforts to complete the signing of Palmeiras and Brazil centre forward Vitor Roque.

The Red Devils made significant additions to their attack in the summer transfer window, with Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko all coming in as big-money signings.

Mbeumo and Cunha have particularly caught the eye, with former Watford striker Troy Deeney heaping praise on the impact they have made for United.

“I wanted to put Matheus Cunha in but Mbeumo got that second goal. You can see he’s found his feet now, he’s comfortable, the shirt is not a problem, playing at Manchester United is not a problem. Him and Cunha are the reason they are going to be able to fly up the league.

“Both of them are talented, both of them are exceptional. The two goals Mbeumo scored were magnificent. When it got a little bit ropey towards the end, that chance fell to him and I don’t think anyone thought he was going to miss. Huge from him, huge for Manchester United.”

Despite this, United still need to be eyeing further attacking signings, especially with doubts surrounding the futures of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, and they have again been linked with a move for Roque.

Man Utd planning fresh £42m bid for Roque

According to a new transfer update relayed by Sport Witness, Manchester United and INEOS are willing to increase their offer for Roque to £42m, having already seen a £29m bid turned down.

He only moved to the Brazilian club from Barcelona in February of this year, but the Red Devils are hoping to entice him back to European football.

It is easy to see why United consider Roque such a strong option, not least the fact that he has been compared to former Liverpool attacker Luis Suarez.

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The Uruguayan is understandably disliked by Red Devils fans, but there is no denying his brilliance as a footballer, and if Roque can reach somewhere close to his level, United would have a gem on their hands.

He has recently been called up to international duty with Brazil, highlighting his good form, and he has been described as “superb” by scout Jacek Kulig.

Still only 20 years of age, Roque would join United as a young striker with huge potential, battling Sesko for playing time and providing healthy competition, with both Hojlund and Zirkzee possibly moving on permanently.

A Real Madrid star has also been linked with Man Utd move

As expected, Juan Soto is commanding the news cycle as winter meetings draw nearer. The superstar, who took up residence with the New York Yankees this past season, is expected to get a massive contract across over a decade.

At just 26 and having helped bring the Yankees to their first World Series in 15 years last season, wants him.

The Boston Red Sox held an informational session with Soto to pitch him on coming to play for the Red Sox in Southern California on Thursday night. The meeting was three hours long and described as productive by Sean McAdam of MassLive. Soto was described as "impressed."

During the meeting, Soto inquired about three things in particular, according to McAdam: The team's commitment to winning, how it evaluates players, and Fenway Park and its facilities.

The last item is particularly noteworthy since it could be viewed as a big advantage or disadvantage to the Red Sox, depending on Soto's perspective. Fenway Park is the oldest stadium in MLB. If you value tradition, that's great. If you want modernity, well, you can only put so many fresh coats of paint on a 110-plus-year-old park. The locker room was revamped ahead of 2023.

It's a factor that also implicates the Chicago Cubs, whose Wrigely Field is just two years younger than Fenway Park. It's unclear how engaged the Cubs will be, if at all, on Soto in free agency, but they haven't appeared in any reports to this point.

Lord’s-based team will stick with Spirit name but new branding expected for 2026 season

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Aug-2025The Lord’s-based Hundred franchise will continue to be known as London Spirit following the sale of a 49% stake to the Silicon Valley consortium known as the “Tech Titans”, with former England performance director Mo Bobat announced as the incoming director of cricket.MCC has been in discussions with its new equity partner for some time and is expected to unveil new team branding – possibly including the club’s famous egg-and-bacon colours – ahead of the 2026 season. But they have opted to keep the name as part of an identity that reflects “the capital’s energy, diversity, and cricketing heritage”.Bobat’s appointment is the first significant move by any of the Hundred teams after six of the eight equity sale deals were signed off by the ECB last month. Bobat, who will retain his role in the IPL as Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s director of cricket, is set to join up with Spirit from October.Related

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“It’s an honour to join London Spirit at such an exciting time,” Bobat said. “The opportunity to shape the cricketing future of this franchise, working with MCC and our new partners, the Tech Titans, is incredibly exciting. I’m looking forward to building something special – on and off the field.”London Spirit chairman, Julian Metherell, said: “Today marks a significant moment for London Spirit. Mo Bobat brings unmatched expertise and vision to the role of Director of Cricket, and we’re thrilled to welcome him. At the same time, retaining the London Spirit name reflects our belief in the identity that’s been built – one that resonates with the capital, our fans, and our values. We now look ahead to a new era, with fresh energy and clear purpose.”London Spirit men, currently coached by Justin Langer, lost their opening game of the 2025 season after being bowled out for 80 in front of their new owners – but bounced back to record victory against Welsh Fire at the weekend.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and those in attendance at loanDepot Park on Thursday night were able to properly celebrate Shohei Ohtani notching an important piece of MLB history—all thanks to veteran umpire Dan Iassonga.

Ohtani, of course, became the first player in MLB history to tally at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season when he blasted his second of three dingers in the seventh inning of the Dodgers' 20–4 win over the Miami Marlins.

As he crossed home plate, crew chief Iassonga dusted off home plate to give Ohtani a few extra moments to celebrate. He also killed some time by chatting with the Marlins' bat boy, and later waved off a pitch clock violation so the Dodgers could have enough time to congratulate their teammate.

Iassonga very well could have called an automatic strike on the next batter, outfielder Kevin Kiermaier, to keep the game moving, but he recognized the situation and let Ohtani have his moment.

Nice job, blue.

Iassonga is in his 22nd year as an MLB umpire. He's been a full-time umpire in the big leagues since 2004 and has worked three World Series over his career in 2012, '17 and '22. And now, the 55-year-old can say he was on the field for one of the biggest baseball milestones of the 21st century.

Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips gave it their best shot, but the Washington Freedom batting didn’t have enough firepower to overhaul MI New York’s 180

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Jul-2025It went down to the last over: 12 to get from six balls for either MI New York or Washington Freedom to win their second MLC title. Rushil Ugarkar, a 22-year-old USA medium pacer who has never played international cricket, had the ball. Across him, Glenn Maxwell, to start with, and Glenn Phillips. Two white-ball superstars. But all Ugarkar conceded was six. And he sent back Maxwell with a slower offcutter, allowed Phillips strike for just one ball, and won MINY the title when everything was stacked against him.Till that over started, the momentum was very much with Freedom and it was chiefly down to Phillips. At the end of the 17th over, in which Trent Boult had conceded just seven runs to Phillips and Maxwell, and Phillips was 25 from 27, the asking rate was upwards of 13 an over. But Phillips targeted Tristan Luus and Boult in back-to-back overs. He took Luus for two sixes in the 17-run 18th over, and Boult for one more in the next, which went for 12, making it a potentially gripping last over. But he got to face just one ball from Ugarkar, who bowled a set of six cutters to spark the celebrations in the MINY camp.The result completed a remarkable turnaround for MINY, who qualified for the playoffs as the fourth-placed team on the league table, with three wins from ten games, and have since beaten San Francisco Unicorns (Eliminator), Texas Super Kings (Qualifier 2) and now Freedom in the final.The chase started with Boult picking up two wickets in the first over of the innings to dent Freedom. However, to be fair, despite opener Rachin Ravindra scoring 70 from 41 balls after early jitters and Jack Edwards chipping in with 33 from 22, the Freedom innings didn’t seem to find the next gear they needed till Phillips got going. Maxwell, not for the first time this tournament – he largely struggled apart from when he scored 106* in a win over Texas Super Kings back on June 17 – couldn’t get the scoreboard moving at the rate required. And three MINY bowlers, including Ugarkar, went at eight an over or fewer, with Tajinder Singh’s three overs costing just 18 runs.

Rushil Ugarkar, you are a hero! He held his nerve against some of the world’s best and delivered when it mattered most. A brilliant performance and well-deserved Stake Player of the Match! @StakeIND x @stakenewsindia pic.twitter.com/GKNUZWdO6Z

— Cognizant Major League Cricket (@MLCricket) July 14, 2025