‘Footballers lack mental strength,’ says Manchester United interim coach Fletcher after FA Cup exit
Manchester United interim manager Darren Fletcher said Sunday’s FA Cup defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford exposed the fragile nature of the squad. Near silence greeted the final whistle as the 1-2 third-round loss ended United’s hopes of silverware, while some boos rang out as the players trudged off the pitch. Former United midfielder Fletcher stepped up from his role as the club’s Under-18s coach to take charge of the first team after the sacking of Ruben Amorim last week. But after a 2-2 draw away to Burnley in the Premier League, his hopes of providing a boost at Old Trafford were frustrated as former United player Danny Welbeck scored for the visiting side after Brajan Gruda put it in front early on. “It was mixed, really. We started okay, but the goal knocked the stuffing out of us,” Fletcher said. “Our passing was quite slow, so I challenged them at halftime. It was similar to the game in the week; we needed to move the ball with more tempo. “When we got back to 2-1, I thought here we go, the crowd was up, the energy was up, but ultimately we couldn’t get the equalizer. I think you can see the players are fragile and need to build themselves up. It’s up to them to respond.” United is expected to announce a caretaker manager for the rest of the season next week, but Fletcher said that whoever that is, it is up to the players to dig deep. “Confidence is the most powerful thing in football, but when you don’t have it, you have to dig deep, battle, grind, and work and work to win games, then the confidence comes back.” United has failed to survive a round in either of the domestic cup competitions for the first time since 1981-82, and with no European football, the season threatens to fizzle out. It is seventh in the Premier League, however, and only a point behind fifth place, which is likely to be a Champions League qualification spot. “They are experienced players. They’ve got to make sure they have a lot to play for this season,” he said. “This team is still good enough to achieve success this season, but they have to dig deep.”
Churchill Brothers does not want to play the I-League! Waits for entry in the ISL
Sudeep Pakrashi: Churchill Brothers will not play in the I-League this season, says the club’s founder and president, Churchill Alemao. When asked about their preparation for the I-League this season, Alemao told Parallel Sports, No, we will not play in the I-League. Why should we play? We are already the I-League champions. Our team is now playing in the Goa Professional League. We are busy with that.” When asked whether the club has been asked to make a debut in the ISL this season, Alemao commented, “We have not yet received any such intimation. So, if we get the intimation, then we can take part. But to date, we have not made any preparation for the ISL.” Odisha FC had given two days to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) about the team’s confirmation in the ISL this season. It is believed that the AIFF has selected the Goan team for the ISL if Odisha FC finally pulls out of the League. But at the same time, the reality shows a different scenario, in which not only Odisha FC, but six more clubs have not yet confirmed their team’s participation in the country’s top-tier league. They have adopted a delaying tactic by raising three fresh queries. Those are the relaxation of the participation fee, confirmation of the promotion-relegation issue, and the cost of respective stadiums while staging the home matches.
Fans excited with Kylian Mbappe’s arrival in Saudi Arabia before the El Clásico Super Cup final
Kylian Mbappe has arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of the Spanish Super Cup final. Mbappe made a brief post on the social media platform X, greeting fans with a “Salam Alaikoum” as Madrid landed in Jeddah for the Spanish Super Cup final, scheduled for 12th January at King Abdullah Sports City. While the French forward has been nursing a knee injury for several weeks, his presence in Saudi Arabia has fuelled speculation that he could still play a role in the final. The football fans are excited with Mbappe’s arrival as millions revelled in welcoming him for the El Clásico final and requested him to play the match. The Real Madrid forward’s fitness has been a major issue as the forward has been sidelined since late December after suffering a ligament sprain in his left knee, an injury confirmed by the club on the final day of 2025. He subsequently missed Madrid’s recent competitive fixtures, including the semi-final against Atletico, as he followed a carefully managed recovery programme in the Spanish capital. However, Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso struck an optimistic note after the derby win, revealing that Mbappe has trained and is responding well. Alonso suggested that the forward will be assessed like any other squad member ahead of the final, leaving the door open for a potential return on the biggest stage. “He is much better, he has trained, and the sensations are good. The options for him to play are the same as everyone else who is available,” Xabi said. In Mbappe’s absence against Atletico, Madrid found inspiration elsewhere. Federico Valverde delivered the decisive moment, unleashing a thunderous strike just two minutes into the match to break the deadlock. His energy, intensity and all-round influence proved vital in a contest decided by narrow margins, earning high praise from Alonso afterwards. Whether Mbappe features or not, his arrival has already added an extra layer of intrigue to the Super Cup final. With silverware at stake and El Clásico bragging rights on the line, all eyes will now be on Madrid’s final team call, and on whether their star forward is ready to make his return.
Shanto lambasts BCB for calling Tamim ‘Indian agent’! Feels uncertainty will affect the team’s performance
Bangladesh Test captain Najimul Hossain Shanto lambasted Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Director M Najmul Islam for calling former captain Tamim Iqbal an agent of India after Iqbal urged for a restrained and pragmatic approach to resolve the current impasse. Shanto also feels the uncertainty surrounding his team’s participation in next month’s T20 World Cup in India is affecting the players’ psychological well-being, but they are “acting” as if “everything is ok”. Bangladesh’s involvement in the showpiece has been clouded by controversy after the BCB asked the ICC to move the team’s matches out of India, citing security concerns. “First of all, if you look at our World Cup results, we’ve never really played consistently good cricket. Last year, we did play well, but there were even better opportunities, and we couldn’t capitalise on them. “But you’ll see that something always happens before every World Cup. I can say this from my experience of three World Cups – it does have an effect,” Shanto told reporters on Friday. “Now, we act as if nothing affects us, that we are fully professional cricketers. You guys also understand that we are acting – it’s not easy,” he added. Shanto said the players try to keep these distractions aside and perform for the team. “Of course, it would be better if these things didn’t happen, but this is partly beyond our control,” he said. The World Cup gets underway on 7th February, and Bangladesh are scheduled to play four matches (three in Kolkata and one in Mumbai) in India. They demanded that these matches be moved to Sri Lanka after Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was released from the IPL on instructions of the BCCI, which cited unspecified “developments all around” to justify the decision. “I don’t know the details of how it happened, or how it could have been controlled. Still, I’d say that even acting in such circumstances (is difficult),” Shanto said. “With the right mindset, if we go to the World Cup and play anywhere, we should focus on how to do our best for the team,” he said.
Boxers and coaches dislodged from their accommodation! BFI has no answers
In a bizarre incident, the boxers, coaches, and support staff were evicted from their respective hostels and lodges where they were accommodated for the ongoing Boxing National Championship on Friday night! All the participants, who came from several states, were asked to vacate their accommodation after returning from the penultimate day of the elite National Boxing Championships, being held at Greater Noida. According to a report from The Indian Express, several teams reported that their bags were put outside their rooms, and they were asked to vacate their accommodation at the hostels and lodges. The hostels and lodges were booked for them till Friday. The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) is in an embarrassing situation. But without any specific explanation, an official statement said that some remedial measures had been taken. Immediate steps have been taken to ensure that the affected athletes have been accommodated at the nearest facility at GB University, where suitable sleeping arrangements have been made for the night. The Federation is closely monitoring the situation,” the statement said. However, the solution was made after many contingents had to spend several hours in the bitter cold on an evening when temperatures hovered around 6-7 degrees Celsius. Some teams hadn’t got accommodation by the time of going to print. The participating teams at the Nationals, taking place at Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida, had been lodged at various hostels and lodges but found themselves looking for other options after returning from the tournament venue in the evening. Telangana, Kerala, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Chhattisgarh were some of the states that faced the accommodation problem.
Spirited Sribhumi FC lose to NITA; Kickstart FC beat Sesa Goa
Sribhumi FC, despite a spirited show, lost to NITA FA in their concluding group league match of the first phase of the Indian Women’s League (IWL) at Kalyani Stadium on Friday morning. The scoreline was 3-2 in NITA FA’s favor. Karishma Shirvoikar scored a sameside goal for Sribhunmi FC in the 25th minute. Then India international Pyari Xaxa struck twice after the break in the 55th and 90th minutes. Sribhumi, despite trailing by a first-half suicide goal, leveled the score line in the 47th minute when Anju Tamang scored for the Kolkata side. Karishma Shirvoikar compensated for her suicide goal, equalizing the scoreline again with a strike in the 67th minute. However, in another match on the day, Kickstart FC of Karnataka defeated debutant Sesa FA by 3-1 at the NCE. Emem Pis Esien scored a hat-trick for the winners while Aniela Bareto scored for Sesa FA.
Vinicius Jr and Simeone exchange ‘heat’ during Super Cup semi-final!
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr and Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone were involved in a heated exchange during the closing stages of the Super Cup semi-final on Thursday night. As the Brazilian was being substituted off in the 81st minute, Simeone appeared to gesture boos coming from the crowd towards Vinicius. The duo were then involved in a war of words that saw even Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso get involved, while Vinicius had to be held back by teammate Antonio Rudiger. “Vini, Florentino Perez will kick you out,” Simeone had said to the player during the match, according to multiple reports from Spanish outlets. When Vinicius was being substituted, Simeone appeared to refer to the same thing, whilst also pointing out the whistles being made by certain fans towards Real Madrid’s No. 7. Simeone defended his actions in the media later on, stating that “what happens on the pitch, stays on the pitch. “I have nothing to say. Ever since my playing career, I’ve said that what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch,” he said. On the other hand, Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso wasn’t best pleased with Simeone’s actions. “I heard what Simeone said to Vini, and I didn’t like it. You can’t talk like that. Some things cross the line,” Alonso stated after the game. Meanwhile, Vinicius took to social media to take another pop at Diego Simeone after Real Madrid defeated Atletico 2-1. “He has lost another qualifier match,” commented Vinicius on an Instagram post after the match. Real Madrid will take on arch-rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday.
New promise in Kiwi cricket Aditya Ashok: Excited to play against his birth country with Rajanikanth-inspired tattoo!
Aditya Ashok is the new-kid-on-the block in New Zealand cricket. Before his debut in the forthcoming ODI series against India, his birth country, the 23-year-old Tamil Nadu cricketer is being hailed as the future of New Zealand spin-attack. Ashoke was born in Vellore and brought up in Auckland. He got early training at the Chennai Super Kings Academy. Undoubtedly, he seems excited ahead of his debut against India. “I am very excited to potentially represent my country and also represent the people who have helped me along my journey,” Adithya commented on Thursday after New Zealand’s first training session ahead of Sunday’s ODI series opener against India at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium. Significantly, Ashok is a fan of South Indian film star Rajinikanth. He has a tattoo on his right arm. A famous Rajinikanth dialogue, ‘En vazhi thani vazhi’(My way is a unique way) from the superstar’s film Padayappa. Adithya said the phrase holds personal meaning from a conversation with his late grandfather. “We discussed values and morals at home while a Rajini film played in the background,” he recalled. “That’s how it started. People ask, but it’s personal. That conversation meant much to me. My grandfather passed soon after, so it’s a lasting memory. I’m very grateful for that moment.” As he prepares for his first taste of international cricket in India, Adithya carries with him not just ambition, but a journey shaped across cultures, continents, and deeply held personal values.
Careless RFYS: Jangalmahal Academy forced to pull out in the midway!
Sudeep Pakrashi: Following utmost carelessness from the organisers of Reliance Foundation Youth Sports (RFYS), a debutant football academy from Jangalmahal, Purulia, has been forced to withdraw in the middle of the ongoing RFYS youth league across West Bengal. It is Manbazar Vibekananda Sports Academy, which has been running for the last five years at Bandowan, Purulia district. The academy returned to Bari village, Manbajar travelling for almost 7-8 hours after taking part in their last group league match on 7th January. The academy president, Prashanta Mahato, when asked about the issue, explained, “I received a WhatsApp message from the organisers on 7th late night and then around 11 in the morning on the 8th January afternoon, despite the fact that these boys had travelled almost eight hours by bus and returned home at around 11 in the night on the day before! So, how could it be possible? I requested them to spare at least a day for us. In reply, they asked me to give a walkover in our first group league match on 9th January!” More importantly, the academy had already spent nearly Rs 1 lakh to participate in their last round matches. According to Mahato, it would not have been easy to accommodate the hotels for around 25 boys within 24 hours. RFYS people were not available for their reaction. Signioficantly, Vibekananda Sports Academy had an excellent performance in their outing in the last group league matches. In their seven matches, the academy won in five, drew in one, and lost in one each.
Sabalenka raises voice against negligence on players’ protection!
World number one Aryna Sabalenka terms the tennis authorities ‘selfish’ by trying to follow their interest only, rather than caring about the players’ interest, considering the calendar. Players have been raising concerns about the schedule in recent months, saying it is too long and intense. Leading players on the women’s tour are expected to play at least 20 mandatory events – four Grand Slams, 10 WTA 1000s, and six 500s. Belarusian Sabalenka said she would skip some events this year to protect her body. “The season is definitely impractical, and you see so many players getting injured,” Sabalenka said after her 6-3, 6-3 victory over Sorana Cirstea at the Brisbane International. She added, “The balls are quite heavy, so it’s a lot of struggle for all of us.” Sabalenka and world number two Iga Swiatek were deducted ranking points for not playing enough WTA 500 events last season. “I am skipping a couple of events to protect my body because I struggled a lot last season,” the 27-year-old tennis star revealed. Sabalenka divulged that despite having participated in a few tournaments and being consistent in terms of performance, she was forced to play with sickness and exhaustion. The WTA Tour has said player welfare will ‘always remain a top priority’. Four-time major singles winner Sabalenka says she is ‘definitely not at her peak’ as she builds up to the Australian Open, where she is targeting a third title in four years. Sabalenka lost to Madison Keys in last year’s Melbourne final.
