Press conference news — SportsCatch

Rooney warns Man United squad is 'weak' and Carrick was let down in transfer window

Wayne Rooney has backed Michael Carrick to turn around Manchester United's fortunes but believes the club failed their manager by leaving the squad short in key areas during the summer transfer window.

Football Sep 23

Lancaster dismisses Leinster links and signals commitment to Connacht project

Stuart Lancaster has denied any contact with Leinster over their vacant head coach role, insisting he and his wife are settled in Galway and keen to continue building at Connacht, where his contract expires at the end of the season.

Rugby Sep 23

Williams pinpoints set-piece battle as Wallabies plot Springbok upset in Perth

Wallabies lock Jeremy Williams has outlined Australia's game plan for Sunday's Test against world-ranked number one South Africa in Perth, with the set-piece battle and maul defence identified as the critical battlegrounds.

Rugby Sep 23

Shearer reverses top-six prediction for Tottenham after £300m summer leaves them bottom

Alan Shearer has admitted his pre-season top-six forecast for Tottenham is already looking badly wrong, with Roberto De Zerbi's side winless and bottom of the Premier League after five games despite a summer outlay exceeding £300 million.

Football Sep 23

Slegers admits psychological block behind Arsenal's scoring struggles after Caldentey penalty rescues Champions League opener

Mariona Caldentey's stoppage-time penalty gave Arsenal a narrow 1-0 win over HB Koge at Meadow Park, but manager Renee Slegers acknowledged the Gunners' chronic lack of goals may stem from a psychological block as much as a technical one.

Football Sep 23

Zidane reveals his intentions: eight likely starters for France in Nations League

For his debut as France manager, Zinédine Zidane has called up 23 players for four Nations League matches in eleven days. The manager's press conference statements already allow us to sketch out a likely starting eleven.

Football Sep 23

Nicky Butt warns Carrick that playing Cunha as a false nine is 'killing' the Brazilian

Manchester United legend Nicky Butt has publicly criticised Michael Carrick's decision to use Matheus Cunha as a false nine, arguing the £62.5m forward is far more effective on the flank. United have managed just five points from their opening Premier League games this season.

Football Sep 23

Manchester United Muslim Supporters' Club declares no confidence in Ratcliffe and Glazers amid wider ownership frustration

The Manchester United Muslim Supporters' Club has issued a formal statement of no confidence in Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family, citing years of decline, wasteful spending, and deteriorating conditions at Old Trafford — not solely Ratcliffe's recent immigration comments.

Football Sep 23

Gaethje's manager shuts down Topuria rematch push: 'He doesn't call the shots'

Ali Abdelaziz, manager of UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, has dismissed Ilia Topuria's push for an immediate rematch, insisting the former champion holds no power to demand one after losing his title at UFC Freedom 250 in June.

MMA Sep 23

Dana White insists UFC has offered Costa fights as 'Borrachinha' demands release

Dana White has pushed back against Paulo Costa's public frustration with the UFC, revealing the Brazilian has turned down multiple fight offers while still on the final bout of his contract.

MMA Sep 23

UFC champion Van credits Petr Yan as his primary model after second title defence

Joshua Van, fresh from his second successful title defence at UFC 331, has revealed he mirrors his striking game on fellow champion Petr Yan — and used to flip Dustin Poirier footage to account for their stance difference.

MMA Sep 23

Dvalishvili admits fighting Yan's game cost him UFC bantamweight title in rematch

Merab Dvalishvili has pinpointed his critical error in losing the UFC bantamweight title to Petr Yan last December — standing and trading with an elite boxer rather than imposing his own grappling-heavy style. The two meet again at UFC 333 on October 24 in Abu Dhabi.

MMA Sep 23

Campos wants third consecutive Champions League title for PSG

Despite a mixed start to the season, PSG sporting adviser Luis Campos displays undiminished ambition: to secure a third consecutive European title after the two already won.

Football Sep 22

Scaloni's Argentina future unresolved as players urge their World Cup-winning coach to stay

Lionel Scaloni has yet to commit to Argentina beyond his December contract expiry, but his squad has spoken clearly: from Nicolas Paz to Cristian Romero, players are united in wanting the 2022 World Cup-winning coach to continue.

Football Sep 22

Fleury accuses Muradov of ducking rematch after Oktagon title loss in August

Will Fleury has publicly called out Makhmud Muradov for backing away from an agreed light heavyweight rematch, claiming the Oktagon promotion is shielding the champion from a return fight after their controversial August finish.

MMA Sep 22

Mbappé urges Real Madrid to earn trophies rather than blame derby officials

Kylian Mbappé has acknowledged that officiating mistakes were made in the Madrid derby but refused to elaborate, instead calling on Real Madrid's players to work harder and bring trophies back to the club.

Football Sep 22

Marco Silva hints he may quit Benfica after furious rant over referee culture in Portugal

Marco Silva has cast doubt over his future at Benfica just months into the job, suggesting he may be unable to continue after a 3-1 derby defeat to Porto left his side five points adrift at the top of the Primeira Liga.

Football Sep 22

Dvalishvili vows to abandon Yan's game plan and reclaim bantamweight title at UFC 333

Merab Dvalishvili has identified his key error in the UFC 323 rematch loss to Petr Yan — standing and trading punches — and promises to return to his wrestling-heavy style when the pair meet in a trilogy bout at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi on October 24.

MMA Sep 22

Mbappé absent from training, his status uncertain for Zidane's France debut in Turkey

Hit by flu-like symptoms, Kylian Mbappé missed Tuesday's group training session at Clairefontaine and could miss the start of Friday's Nations League match against Turkey, Zinédine Zidane's first game in charge of France.

Football Sep 22

Zebo backs Leinster for third straight URC title but warns Munster faces a tough start without Crowley

Simon Zebo has named Leinster as URC favourites to complete a hat-trick of titles under outgoing coach Leo Cullen, while cautioning that Munster face a difficult opening run of fixtures without injured fly-half Jack Crowley.

Rugby Sep 22