Ritabrata Banerjee

Julian Alvarez has been left out of Atletico Madrid's squad to face Liverpool in their Champions League opener, with USMNT midfielder Johnny Cardoso also missing due to an injury. Alvarez has been a mainstay in Diego Simeone's side since completing his move to the Spanish club from Manchester City in 2024, and has two goal contributions to his name from four appearances so far this season.

Nuno Espirito Santo is in line for an instant return to the Premier League, with a surprise club reportedly ready to swoop for the ex-Nottingham Forest boss. A breakdown in his working relationship with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis led to Nuno being relieved of his managerial duties at the City Ground last week, with Ange Postecoglou swiftly drafted in as his replacement.

Carlo Ancelotti has revealed he's been in contact with Thiago Silva over a sensational recall to the Brazil squad, with the defender still delivering stellar performances for Fluminense at the age of 40. Silva, who has won 113 caps for the Selecao to date, has not played for his country since their 2022 World Cup quarter-final defeat against Croatia in 2022.

Kylian Mbappe received a Lionel Messi reality check from Leonardo Balerdi ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League opener against Marseille. Balerdi believes that Argentina team-mate Messi "will be the best player in the world until he retires", though he does admit Kylian Mbappe is among the top players in the game right now.

Unai Emery explained why he kept Jadon Sancho on the bench against Everton last Saturday as the Manchester United loanee is forced to wait on his Aston Villa debut. After being shunned from the first team and included in Ruben Amorim's "bomb squad", Sancho was destined to leave Old Trafford during the transfer window and he eventually managed to secure a loan move to Villa Park on deadline day.

Manchester United legend Roy Keane pointed out a key concern in the wake of the Red Devils' abysmal derby defeat against Manchester City on Sunday. Erling Haaland scored a brace, while Jeremy Doku provided two assists as Pep Guardiola's side returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a morale-boosting 3-0 victory over their rivals at home.

Chris Wilder is all set for his third stint in charge of Sheffield United as the English manager is likely to take charge at Bramall Lane just three months after his most recent sacking. The Blades parted ways with Ruben Selles after they lost five back-to-back Championship matches at the start of the 2025-26 campaign and are currently rock bottom.

Russell Martin has been torn to shreds by furious Rangers fans who have demanded his sacking following the Scottish Premiership loss to Hearts on Saturday. Rangers are winless in their first five matches of the 2025-26 campaign and are currently placed 10th in the table. After leaving Southampton last year, Martin remained without a job for six months before accepting Rangers' offer.

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso led tributes as Liverpool legend John Toshack made a rare public appearance in Spain during Real Sociedad's La Liga clash against Los Blancos on Saturday. Toshack spent eight years as a player at Anfield and later managed several clubs across Europe, including Real Sociedad and Madrid, where he even won a La Liga title in the 1989-90 season.

Jack Grealish joined Wayne Rooney in paying emotional tribute to British boxing legend Ricky Hatton who passed away aged just 46. Former world champion Hatton was found dead at his home in Hyde in Tameside, Greater Manchester on Sunday morning by the police. Hatton was a life-long City fan and he used the club's Blue Moon song to walk out for bouts.

Wayne Rooney highlighted a "powerful" bad omen for Ruben Amorim after Manchester United's humiliating defeat in the derby against Manchester City on Sunday. As the Cityzens dominated the game, a section of the visiting United fans were spotted leaving the Etihad Stadium in disappointment. The Red Devils have now lost two out of their first four matches and are 14th in the Premier League.

Matthijs de Ligt has been backed to recover from his shaky Manchester United spell by Red Devils legend Jaap Stam, amid Ruben Amorim's struggle at Old Trafford. De Ligt, who joined United from Bayern Munich last summer, has yet to live up to the expectations. In the current season, the Dutch centre-back has appeared in each one of Red Devils' matches across all competitions.

Manchester City were forced to take action after a worker was spotted wearing a Manchester United shirt while serving pints at the Etihad Stadium on derby day. A fan on social media shared the image of the member of staff and brought it to the club's attention, and City swiftly 'removed' the person from their position. On the pitch, the Cityzens demolished their rivals 3-0 courtesy of a brace from Erling Haaland.

Manchester City are "devastated" by the death of Ricky Hatton as tributes flood in for British boxing legend. Former world champion Hatton was pronounced dead on Sunday at the age of just 46. The sporting icon was found at his home in Hyde in Tameside, Greater Manchester. Hatton was a life-long City fan and he used the club's Blue Moon song to walk out for bouts.

Thomas Frank claimed that Micky van de Ven's goal against West Ham did not count as he explained what he really demands from the Dutch defender. Tottenham outclassed West Ham 3-0 in the Premier League on Saturday to move up to the second position in the table, tied on nine points with rivals Arsenal, who are ahead on goal difference.

An FA Cup second qualifying round clash was called off over alleged racial abuse as players and managers of both clubs walked off the pitch in protest. The clash between Sporting Khalsa and Hereford was stopped in the 67th minute after Sporting Khalsa goalkeeper Ravan Constable was racially abused. The game paused for a bit before the referee calling it off.

Alexander Isak's debut has been delayed as Liverpool left the new signing out of their matchday squad to face Burnley on Sunday amid the striker's fitness concerns. Isak, who joined Liverpool for a British record £125m fee on deadline day, hardly trained during pre-season with Newcastle. Arne Slot named the same starting lineup that beat Arsenal in their last game.

Harry Kane explained how Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany has built a team that greatly suits him after starring with a brace in their thumping win over Hamburg on Saturday in the Bundesliga. The England captain scored twice and provided an assist, while Luis Diaz, Serge Gnabry and Aleksandar Pavlovic scored the other goals on the night.