Frank Vatrano and Chris Kreider also scored for the Ducks.
Jack Hughes scored New Jersey’s lone goal in the third period, and Devils goalie Jake Allen had 26 saves.
The Ducks have won three straight and five of their last six to move into a first-place tie with Las Vegas and Edmonton in the Pacific Division, an encouraging start for a team trying to snap a seven-season playoff drought. Their 15 points is the most through 11 games since 2014-2015.
The Ducks took advantage of their second straight game against a road-weary Eastern Conference club, outscoring the Detroit Red Wings and Devils by a combined 9-3.
Anaheim scored three goals within the game’s first 22 minutes and dominated the first two periods before New Jersey came to life in the third.
Moments after Allen stuffed Sennecke at the doorstep, Hughes took a pass from Dawson Mercer on a two-on-one break and one-timed a shot past a sprawling Dostal.
But Dostal and the Ducks held off a furious Devils rally in the final minutes, and Kreider scored on an empty netter with 1:54 left to seal the win.
Anaheim scored on its first shot of the game. Sennecke took a pass from Gauthier as he crossed the blue line, shielded New Jersey defenseman Dennis Cholowski with his body as he charged the net and slipped a lunging shot under Allen’s right armpit.
The Ducks made it 3-0 just 1:54 into the second period when Gauthier scored from an almost impossible angle, snapping a left-handed wrist shot from just inside the right goal line under Allen’s left pad for his team-leading seventh goal of the season.
Up next for the Ducks: vs. the Florida Panthers at Honda Center on Tuesday night.
Rowley spent four years in charge of Leigh between 2012 and 2016 before spending two years as head coach of Toronto Wolfpack.
He initially joined Salford as a coaching consultant in 2019 and stepped up to the top job for the 2022 campaign.
His first three seasons in charge brought two play-off finishes but any hopes of building on those in 2025 were scuppered by a litany of off-field issues.
The Red Devils were beset by financial problems, which led to the vast majority of the senior playing squad leaving and Rowley being forced to pull together sides week to week.
Against that chaotic backdrop they managed three Super League wins and ended with two points deducted for failing to fulfil a fixture against Wakefield.
Before their final game of the season last month he admitted that he was “relieved to have reached the end of the year.”
“I’m pretty proud that I managed to get the team to the finish line,” Rowley told BBC Radio Manchester as he reflected on the 2025 season.
“That’s a bit sad really because you should never want the finish line to come in rugby league where the last game is the most important.
“Everybody at the club, certainly the staff, have been immense. I’m surrounded by good people. My staff have become my best friends and I think the moral compass of the staff at this club is unparalleled.”
RASMUS HOJLUND pointed to the Champions League badge on his Napoli shirt before winning man of the match in Europe’s elite competition.
While the current Manchester United squad watched from their Cheshire sofas, Hojlund and two other Man Utd cast-offs collected individual awards on Wednesday night.
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Rasmus Hojlund was named player of the match as Napoli earned a 2-1 win over SportingCredit: Getty
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Rasmus Hojlund points to Champions League badge on his Napoli shirt after opening the scoringCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
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Hojlund was assisted by former Man City foe Kevin De BruyneCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
United failed to qualify for Europe after losing last season’s Europa League final to Tottenham – but several of their former players proved the doubters wrong this week.
The Red Devils have endured another dismal start, with the club 14th in the Prem after six matches, following three defeats, two wins and a draw.
Hojlund, who was dropped from Ruben Amorim‘s squad after the arrival of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig at the start of the season, continued his impressive start to loan life in Naples.
The Denmarkstriker‘s two goals secured a 2-1 win over Amorim’s former side Sporting Lisbon at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
Hojlund, who joined United for £72m, opened the scoring in the 36th minute after racing onto a through ball from Kevin De Bruyne before calmly slotting home.
After Sporting equalised in the second half from the penalty spot, De Bruyne’s cross again assisted Hojlund’s header to restore Napoli‘s lead.
Ex-City rival De Bruyne praised Hojlund by offering a comparison to his former team-mate Erling Haaland, who is arguably considered the best striker in the world.
De Bruyne, 34, said: “We deserved the win today. I was trying to get into that space for the first goal and was waiting for the right moment to pass it to Rasmus.
“Luckily he did the rest. I think Rasmus is growing a lot and is very similar to Haaland. I think they are very similar because they both like to attack the depth.
“Maybe Hojlund comes to play the ball towards us more, but he needs to attack the space a lot because he can score and give us a big hand.”
‘A bad moment in life’ – Alejandro Garnacho breaks silence on Man Utd exile under Ruben Amorim
Hojlund has now scored three in his first five matches for Antonio Conte’s side since signing an initial loan, which carries an obligation to buy for £38million.
The 22-year-old, who would often become emotional after scoring for United, said: “It was the night you dream of, playing in the Champions League.
“I celebrated touching the Napoli badge because I’m happy to play here and the Champions League badge because I love to score in Europe.”
Hojlund wasn’t the only United reject to shine on Wednesday night.
Elanga has continued his rise since leaving Old Trafford for Nottingham Forest for £15m in 2023, with the winger earning a £55m move to Newcastle.
The Carrington graduate played a key role in the Toon’s first two goals in their 4-0 thrashing of Union Saint-Gilloise.
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Anthony Elanga took home the player award for NewcastleCredit: Instagram / @elanga
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Former United loanee Marcel Sabitzer won man of the match for Borussia DortmundCredit: Getty
His cross to Sandro Tonali led to Newcastle‘s first goal with the Italian’s shot flicked in by former United target Nick Woltemade, before he earned a penalty after being brought down by Fedde Leysen.
Marcus Rashford also continued his superb form for loan club Barcelona to take his goal contributions to six in six games.
The England star’s quick thinking low cross assisted Ferran Torres’s opener against holders Paris Saint-Germain in the 19th minute.
Despite PSG fighting back to win 2-1, with Senny Mayulu and Goncalo Ramos scoring for the French side, Rashford was a constant threat before coming off for Robert Lewandowski with 20 minutes to go.
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Marcus Rashford also continued his superb form for loan club BarcelonaCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Sabitzer, who had a short injury-ravaged loan spell at United in 2023, picked up the gong as Borussia Dortmund earned a 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao.
Alejandro Garnacho, who started on Tuesday night, had played a big hand in Chelsea’s only goal of the game in their 1-0 win over Benfica at Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, SunSport exclusively revealed that United could consider organising midweek friendlies for their players to get more match-playing time.
The pressure is growing on Amorim ahead of their clash against an in-form Sunderland outfit at Old Trafford on Saturday.
But United are unbeaten in their previous 23 Prem meetings with newly- promoted teams – if that run were to end this weekend, it might prove fatal for Amorim.
Since it first premiered in 1926, F.W. Murnau’s “Faust” has been lauded as one of the greatest silent films ever made. And in the century that’s followed, striking a deal with the devil has been one of cinema’s most enduring tropes.
“Him,” the Jordan Peele-produced horror film reaching theaters Friday, is the latest testament to the fact that, in Hollywood at least, the devil’s offer never goes out of style.
It tells the story of an aspiring professional football player, Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers), who gets invited to train at a secluded compound under famed quarterback Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans). But Cade eventually realizes what is meant by the question he keeps getting asked: “What are you willing to sacrifice?”
“People are so fixated with the whole selling your soul to the devil and they really think that it’s a man in a suit who’s like, ‘Sign the dotted line,’” said Julia Fox, who plays White’s wife. “I think that selling your soul to the devil is a metaphor for selling out and doing things that you don’t want to do, compromising your morals and values for a paycheck.”
Like “Him,” Faustian stories in cinema are often billed as horror. Much like the literary and artistic retellings of the German fable, from Marlowe and Goethe to the song “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” film adaptations span place, decade and genre — from the cult Keanu Reeves’ DC Comics adaptation, “Constantine,” to Brendan Fraser’s 2000 rom-com “Bedazzled,” a remake of the 1967 film of the same name that starred Raquel Welch.
The devil can promise money — as in “The Devil and Daniel Webster,” the 1941 post-Great Depression takedown of greed — or fame, a la Jack Black’s 2006 musical comedy, “Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny.”
“It’s pretty much everywhere once you start looking,” said Kirsten Thompson, a professor of film studies at Seattle University. “We all want to have eternal life or youth or power or status. And the various iterations of the myth sometimes emphasize different things.”
“Him” isn’t even the first Faustian film set against the backdrop of sports. “Damn Yankees,” the 1958 adaptation of the Bob Fosse-choreographed Broadway show, tells the story of a diehard baseball fan who makes a devilish pact to help his team.
Murnau’s ‘Faust’ legacy
Although the 1926 “Faust” isn’t the oldest cinematic retelling of the legend — French filmmaker Georges Méliès made a handful of adaptations beginning in the 1890s — Murnau’s movie has the greatest legacy.
“The film has these very striking set pieces that are, visually, enormously iconographic and influential on subsequent silent cinema, including American cinema,” Thompson said.
Speaking with the Associated Press last year to promote his adaptation of “Nosferatu” (the original vampire tale was also made by Murnau, in 1922), Robert Eggers testified to the ways in which “Faust” has influenced him as a director.
“Filmmaking — it didn’t really get better than that,” he said.
Murnau’s “Faust” follows its titular protagonist, a faithful alchemist who despairs over a deadly, seemingly unstoppable plague. He eventually meets the demon Mephisto — legend often refers to him as Mephistopheles — who convinces Faust to do a trial-run pact to renounce God in exchange for the power to help the infirm village.
But Faust’s demonic deal is found out when a crowd realizes he cannot look upon a cross. Despondent, Faust plans to kill himself, but is stopped by Mephisto, who comes back with another offer: The demon will give the elderly alchemist back his youth.
Origins of the devil’s offer
It’s unclear when exactly the idea that humans could strike a deal with the demonic materialized, according to Joseph Laycock, a professor of religion who studies Satanism and demonic belief at Texas State University.
The idea that a powerful supernatural being could grant wishes or help humans exists in pre-Islamic Arabic traditions, but most Western depictions of this kind of myth borrow from Christian theology.
“Humans and demons each have something the other wants. We want this power. We want control over the natural world. The demons have it and we don’t. But the demons want our souls,” Laycock said. “The Faust legend is kind of ready to be told as soon as this Christian demonology emerges.”
One clue into the origins of a Satanic bargain lies within the “Malleus Maleficarum,” often translated as the “Hammer of Witches,” a 15th century German Catholic theological text on demonology.
In it, God has limited Satan’s power, Laycock explained. But, “there’s this loophole. And the loophole is, if a demon makes a pact with a human, the demon gets to do all the stuff it couldn’t normally do.”
This period around the Reformation was a “golden age” for possession, exorcism and witch-hunting in Europe, Laycock said, which sets the stage for the Faust legend to materialize.
In the 1800s, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe adapted the Faust story into a two-part tragic play, converting the German legend into a literary giant that would have tremendous influence on the Western world, Thompson argues.
She compares Goethe’s cinematic influence to works from Shakespeare and stories like “Sherlock Holmes,” which have also been repeatedly retold. “Canonical works of literature in different languages are adapted over and over again,” she said.
Fauria writes for the Associated Press. Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc.
PREMIER LEAGUE football is back after another dreary international break.
And the highlight of this weekend’s action is undoubtedly the mouthwatering Manchester derby on Sunday.
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Man Utd have a big decision to make over whether to give Senne Lammens a debut against Man CityCredit: Getty
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Gianluigi Donnarumma could line up for Pep Guardiola’s side after his deadline day moveCredit: AFP
City vs United is one of the top fixtures of the season.
But there could be some huge changes for both sides, with Pep Guardiola and Ruben Amorim each signing a new goalkeeper on deadline day.
Will Gianluigi Donnarumma and Senne Lammens get their first taste of English football action in one of world football’s biggest games?
SunSport’s tactical expert Dean Scoggins dives into another brilliant analysis…
NEW GOALKEEPER ‘TRAP’ BATTLE
I reckon both teams will be nervous about potential debuts for their goalies! But United fans should be the most nervous about what decision gets made.
City don’t cross it very much so that’s one thing in favour of sticking with Altay Bayindir over Senne Lammens.
Another thing in his favour is United have learned to play out with him, and Amorim may decide to leave Lammens out.
With Gianluigi Donnarumma, City don’t have to worry about mistakes, he will make stacks of saves, he’s absolutely class.
But what they should be nervous about is how they’re going to cope with playing out.
Pep’s hardly going to stop playing out from the back, but Donnarumma is perceived to not be great with his feet, which could give James Trafford a chance.
Andre Onana is mobbed and dances with Trabzonspor fans as Man Utd flop lands in Turkey to end Old Trafford nightmare
Tactically, United will play 3-4-3 and when they’re pressing from the front, they almost slot into a 4-4-2 diamond.
We’ll expect City to drop the centre-backs in and push the full-backs on. You’d then think the goalie plays over the top.
But United will put real pressure on then. The striker will drop on City’s No6 to stop him getting the ball.
They will then press either side with curved runs to block off Donnarumma’s channels.
United want to set a trap by leaving a City player free — they want Donnarumma to play to him.
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Altay Bayindir’s pass success means he could get the nod ahead of Lammens
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United will look to trap Donnarumma into making risky passes with a sneaky set-up
When he hits it, United are going to shuffle across. It’s a trigger for a press. And City fans will be very nervous in that playing-out scenario.
United should be willing to take that risk to make Donnarumma play those passes, and that could mean a lot of joy.
As for Lammens, he looks really confident on the ball. He puts his foot on the ball to bait people in.
But with City’s set-up, they leave United’s 8’s for a trap. That could see them take advantage of United playing out with a new inexperienced goalie.
I’m a bit nervous if Lammens goes straight in, it takes time on the training ground to prepare these things.
They’ve been very brave with Bayindir so far. Lammens is very confident on the ball but it takes time to get used to set-ups in the Premier League.
WHAT SYSTEM WILL PEP USE?
We’ve seen 4-4-2, 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 so far. That’s with 11 injuries.
In attack they want to be in a 3-2-5 shape. But what they’ve done quite a lot this season, not successfully, is get into a 2-3-5 shape with a full-back moving in.
But up against Bryan Mbeumo, and with injuries, I’d be nervous about that shape.
Nathan Ake could come in for a back three, but I think Bernardo Silva will be the key man in this game with his interchanging.
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City will look to squeeze up with three at the back
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This could open the door for United to counter with four attackers
Tottenham and Brighton had loads of joy against City by leaving four up top.
I think City will use Matheus Nunes as a generic right-back with two in midfield like a 4-2-4 shape.
As for United, I think Amad Diallo will play on the left of attack, with Noussair Mazraoui at right wing-back.
There’s a question mark over midfield, is it two or one at the base? It depends on injuries.
HOW WILL MAN UTD ATTACK?
It’s a 3-5-2, but will Amorim start Sesko? United have been the most direct team in the league this season.
They’ve had the most direct chances but haven’t scored one yet.
Mbeumo’s gone close so that’s what they’re going to do.
I think Sesko has to play just for his physicality. Spurs used Richarlison to great effect against City.
If Cunha isn’t fit, you don’t want Mbeumo moved from the right. Don’t make two changes for the sake of one.
If Mount is out too, does Diallo go to the left? You’ve got other options at wing-back.
Diallo turned the game on its head last season and made a fool of Matheus Nunes so can do that job.
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Man Utd love having possession on the left… but they look to break on the right
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They are the most direct team in the Prem but are yet to score from an attack
United will form diamonds and triangles all over the pitch. It gives them options on either side.
But they’ve particularly liked overloading the left side this season.
That leaves Mbeumo to isolate his defender, with the ball going in behind for him to attack the space.
City have been susceptible to balls over the top and have conceded twice from them so far.
United are having more of the ball on the left, but attacking more on the right. That will be the move they want to get.
That’s something for United fans to lick their lips over in attack.
Long passes are back in fashion. City have been more direct and United are now doing it too.
I fancy United to get some joy in this.
DO RODRI AND NICO BOTH PLAY?
I think they should in this game. Reijnders was outstanding against Wolves but got overrun by Spurs physically and caught out against Brighton.
Because City get greedy with position, a midfielder move forward and the other has a lot of space to cover.
Rodri can’t cover that space, especially after his injury.
I think both Rodri and Nico Gonzalez should play as the two, with Bernardo Silva the key on the right as the most flexible player.
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City would be wise to start both Rodri and Nico Gonzalez
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They can’t afford to leave space in the middle of the park with their high line
He can come inside and bring Nunes forward, forcing Dorgu back.
In the direct way of playing and how open they’ve been, it should be a two.
Also, Pep Ljinders. City are pressing more with him as assistant.
It leaves space open for balls over the top, while City have also been playing a very high line.
It’s too much space so two are needed to make it solid. Trust your attackers to break down United.
If they are struggling, take over Nico and bring on a winger. But start with a solid base.
WHEN Rio Ngumoha curled in his historic goal for Liverpool, fans of Chelsea AND Manchester United should have felt a kick in the guts.
Because although the teenage winger left the Blues’ Academy to join the Reds last year, London-born Ngumoha was a childhood United fan who spent time with the Red Devils before opting for Anfield.
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Rio Ngumoha scored a beauty on his Premier League debut for LiverpoolCredit: Getty
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But Chelsea and Man United would have winced as the strike hit the back of the netCredit: Getty
The wonderkid’s sensational winner against Newcastle made him the youngest scorer in Liverpool’s history and the fourth youngest in the Premier League era.
At 16 years and 361 days, Ngumoha was just one day older than Wayne Rooney when he announced himself to the world with an amazing strike against Arsenal in October 2022.
And it left Chelsea supporters in particular wondering how the club let one of English football’s greatest young talents get away.
Stamford Bridge legend John Terry is among those devastated that the club lost Ngumoha to their rivals.
Terry told SunSport: “He is a very ambitious boy that wanted to play first-team football and believed that was his pathway into Liverpool’s first team.
“I’m still in contact with him, but just a fantastic player.
“There’s going to be many more over the years that as an academy you lose, but there’s always one that you think, a bit gutted we missed out on that one.”
Terry has been back at Chelsea for a couple of years as a mentor to players at the club’s Academy and knew Ngumoha was something special.
Terry said: “We had a really good under-14 team and he was a big part of that.
“Just seeing him taking it and driving the defenders, being a defender myself, [I was] thinking I wouldn’t have liked that at all.
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“You don’t see too many players that are exciting like him anymore.
“He was a very confident player, taking the ball on the back foot, lots of personality, very confident in himself.
“Since the likes of [Eden] Hazard and Joe Cole and those types of players that are very confident and get the fans off their seat as well…I think football’s become a little bit stale and a little bit kind of tactical over the last four or five years.
“It’s refreshing to see players like him in the team and I’m sure the Liverpool players are speaking very well of him.
“He will be a top, top player, I’m sure of that.”
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Ngumoha was a star of the Blues’ Cobham academyCredit: Getty
From the moment Ngumoha came on against Newcastle, he showed the same confidence that had seen him grab the headlines in pre-season.
Terry was speaking after the winger had crowned a brilliant run with a fabulous finish in a friendly against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield, following an earlier strike against Yokohama Mariners during the Reds’ Far East tour.
Terry said: “He’s still only 16, which is incredible, but the confidence to kind of shrug people off, well-known established players in the Premier League, and go on and kind of chop inside and then put it in the bottom corner is a very good thing to do.
“But he showed that ability in the academy and unfortunately we’ve lost him.
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on the boy, and I wish him well because he’s a great player.
“He’s also a great little kid as well, someone who wants to learn and wants to get better.”
Chelsea fans will be as gutted as Terry about losing Ngumoha, but United supporters should also wonder what might have been.
Because in one of his few interviews, he revealed that he was a United fan.
In a viral TikTok video promoting Adidas’ F50 boots, in which he was made to choose between David Beckham and Jude Bellingham, Ngumoha admitted: “I’m a Man United fan, I didn’t really watch Beckham, but I have to go with David Beckham”
In June last year Ngumoha spent time with United, who pushed for his signature, but admitted defeat to their rivals who were further ahead in the race to sign the talented youngster.
Mystery surrounds the details of Ngumoha’s move from London to Anfield.
Often when the hottest young talents change club, the saga is played out in public in a bitter row.
In response to losing one of their most talented teenagers, the Stamford Bridge hierarchy reportedly DENIED accreditation requests from Liverpool and Manchester United scouts who would be looking to poach their top players – though those in charge denied having done so.
In Ngumoha’s case there is radio silence, with no confirmation of what compensation Liverpool have had to pay Chelsea to snatch the player who joined the Blues Academy when he was eight.
Compare and contrast what happened when the Reds poached two other youngsters from London clubs.
Fulham were furious when Liverpool moved for Harvey Elliott in 2019 when he was 16.
It was not until February 2021 that the Reds were ordered to pay £1.5m, plus up to £2.8m in performance-related add-ons – a record fee at the time for a player of that age.
Further back, Liverpool caused controversy with their signing of Raheem Sterling.
The QPR youngster was only 15 when the Reds made their move in 2010, joining for an initial fee of £450,000 which would rise to up to £2m.
Ngumoha’s brilliance was no secret to anyone involved in youth development in English football.
He played a key role in Chelsea’s under-16 team being crowned national champions.
Ngumoha’s amazing individual goal for the Blues against Wolves in the Premier League Cup final for Under-17 sides in April 2024 was perhaps the first time a wider public saw his talent up close.
Ngumoha joined Liverpool officially in September last year, a few days after turning 16.
That is the age at which young players can sign two-year scholarship terms at clubs which combine more intensive training with ongoing academic execution.
Only Chelsea know what they offered him to sign scholar’s terms.
Transfer commentator Fabrizio Romano reported that the Reds broke their usual pay structure for young players to sign Ngumoha.
Others, including Terry, say that Ngumoha was impressed by the pathway for young players at Anfield after Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah were fast-tracked into the first team.
But the reality is that clubs poach each other’s top young talent all the time and Chelsea do it as much, if not more, than anyone else.
Tyler Dibling, like Ngumoha, was 16 when he left Southampton for the Blues in 2022, only to return to the Saints later the same year.
Dibling has just joined Everton in a deal worth up to £40m and is regarded by some as a potential superstar.
But Terry is not the only one to believe that in Ngumoha, Chelsea lost a generational talent.
And the young man himself has big dreams.
“I truly believe I can win the Ballon d’Or one day.
“I want to be regarded as one of the best players to ever play football and be a legend of the game.
“The love for football started when I was four or five, I was watching my brother, and I wanted to be like him.
“I was going to academies from a young age, and it was a big thing when so many clubs wanted to sign me.
“I have learned you have to be resilient and believe in yourself, you can have a few bad games, but you have to have that belief that you are the best.”
What Ngumoha did on Monday night at St James’ Park was the first step to fulfilling those dreams.
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TRANSFER NEWS LIVE – KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW
The statement also said that they received positive assurances about an upcoming winding-up petition from His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), which was adjourned earlier this year and is set to take place at the High Court on 3 September.
It has been a tumultuous 12 months for Salford, who have been plagued with financial issues despite a takeover by a consortium led by Dario Berta going through on the eve of the season.
In the past month the situation at the club has worsened, with a mass player exodus, problems with wage payments and their chief operating officer, Claire Bradbury, quitting her role, alleging the club’s ownership suggested she “sleep with someone at the Rugby Football League” to ease their situation.
Salford said they would be “conducting a thorough internal investigation”.
“The club owners also informed us that they’re in the process of arranging a bridging loan to assist in seeing the club through to the end of the season and to enable the club to make progress in clearing debts,” the mayors’ statement continued.
“In light of the bridging loan being pursued, we agreed to work together in hopefully securing an outcome that maintains the club as a going concern.
“We understand how difficult this time is for the club’s fans and loyal supporters and want to assure you, we are doing everything within our power to safeguard the club’s future.”
Mason Greenwood is on course to return to international football – but not with England.
The disgraced former Manchester United winger made his Three Lions debut in a Nations League clash with Iceland back in 2020.
Benjamin Sesko latest as United step up interest
Manchester United are growing confident that Benjamin Sesko wants a switch to Old Trafford, according to the Manchester Evening News.
The Reds have tabled a €75m (£65.3m) bid — with a further €10m (£8.7m) in add-ons — to land the RB Leipzig hotshot.
Newcastle have offered more cash, but the 22-year-old’s preference could prove decisive.
Harry is a man in demand
Manchester United have rejected a stunning FIVE approaches for Harry Maguire this summer.
The future of Maguire, 32, had been uncertain this summer as United eyed a clearout following their worst-ever Premier League season that saw them finish a lowly 15th place.
Sesko gave United what they needed before bid was placed
Manchester United are looking to close the deal for Benjamin Sesko.
But according to reports, the move was only possible after the club confirmed that the RB Leipzig striker wanted them just as much as they wanted him.
Ruben Amorim’s side are determined to bring in players who genuinely want to play for them — which is why they waited to hear directly from Sesko before making their move.
Forgotten Manchester United star linekd to Al Nassr
Al Nassr have made contact with Marseille over a potential move for Mason Greenwood, according to talkSPORT.
The 23-year-old only joined the French side from Manchester United last summer in a £26.6million deal — but is already attracting big-money interest.
Marseille are reluctant to sell, despite re-signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on a free.
But it’s believed an offer of more than £85m could tempt the Ligue 1 club to the table.
The Saudi giants are watching closely.
United dealt Hjulmand setback
According to Italian paper Corriere dello Sport, Juventus have struck a preliminary deal with Morten Hjulmand ahead of a summer move from Sporting.
But the Old Lady are still haggling over the fee after their opening bid was knocked back.
Juve have reportedly offered a player-plus-cash deal — with Douglas Luiz included — to try and sweeten the pot.
David De Gea made over 400 appearances during his time at Manchester United.
This puts him above some of the club’s biggest legends in the Premier League era.
Here are Man United’s ten most capped players since the start of the Prem…
1. Ryan Giggs – 632 2. Paul Scholes – 499 3. David de Gea – 415 4. Gary Neville – 400 5. Wayne Rooney – 393 6. Roy Keane – 326 7. Michael Carrick – 316 8. Rio Ferdinand – 312 9. Denis Irwin – 296 10. Marcus Rashford – 287
De Gea set for return
Former Manchester United star David De Gea is set for an emotional return to Old Trafford.
The goalkeeper left the club in 2023 after 12 years at the club and is now at Fiorentina.
He will likely be in goal for the Italian side for the pre-season friendly match in Manchester on Saturday.
Rube Awakening
Ruben Amorim will use state-of-the-art technology to find out who isn’t pulling their weight at Manchester United.
Amorim has already banished Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia.
And he could be set to add a few more names to his “bomb squad” thanks to the implementation of the most elite fitness apparatus.
Amorim’s troops will this season wear STATSports’ Apex 2.0 GPS performance tracker vests during training and in matches to keep tabs on their respective outputs.
The trackers will provide “real-time kinematics” to the former Sporting Lisbon boss and his staff with a whopping FIVE MILLION data points over a 90-minute period.
The tracker is said to be 100 PER CENT accurate, meaning anyone deemed to be not pulling their weight will have no leg to stand on.
Jackson could leave
Chelsea star and Manchester United target Nicolas Jackson could be on his way out of West London, according to reports.
The Athletic have claimed that the striker is “increasingly likely” to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.
He has seen his competition at the Blues grow with the arrivals of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.
He has been linked with mulitple clubs including Man United, Newcastle and West Ham.
BREAKING: Maguire update
Harry Maguire looks set to stay at Manchester United this summer.
The defender has regularly been linked with an exit from the Red Devils over the last two summers.
The Daily Mail have now claimed that offers from multiple Premier League clubs for him.
It is also added that the likes of Monaco and Marseille are both monitoring the England international.
Maguire is in the final year of his contract at Old Trafford this season.
What is happening elsewhere?
Follow our transfer blog to see all the latest moved that are happening in the transfer window.
It was a torrid season for Man Utd last campaign, finishing a woeful fifteenth in the Premier League table.
Having added two attackers, the elephant in the room is still their lack of striker.
Rasmus Hojlund is certainly not the answer to their problems, try as he might, he is not a natural goalscorer.
This was underpinned by the manager opting to play Matheus Cunha up front but that didn’t seem to work either.
Nobody knows if there is any more money to spend, if you speak to any of the staff laid off last season, they would say no.
One moment Sir Jim Ratcliffe is saying how close the club was to going bankrupt, the next they are building new stadiums and spending £150m on players.
Testing times for manager
David Moyes has been quite vocal about the club’s lack of transfer activity so far this summer.
They have a threadbare squad and could struggle if they get injuries to key players.
It is a concern how few goals they look to have in them in the final third and really need to be active in what remains in this transfer window.
Same problems still there
While the additions of Bryan Mbuemo and Matheus Cunha will add creativity in the final third, there is a lot of work still to do.
With Bruno Fernandes joining them in a front three, their midfield looks weak and was often overpowered by The Toffees.
As a defensive unit, they still look all over the shop.
The lack of cohesion and communication for both Everton goals is just not good enough for the Premier League.
Bruno Fernandes congratulates Mason Mount for his brilliant goalCredit: Getty
Skipper Bruno Fernandes fired the Red Devils into a 19th minute lead from the penalty spot, after James Tarkowski was adjudged to have fouled Amad Diallo in the box.
Iliman Ndiaye levelled for the Toffees before half-time, profiting on a poor mistake by Manuel Ugarte to score.
A brilliant strike by Mason Mount might have won it for United, but for Ayden Heaven‘s freak own goal 15 minutes from time.
Here is how SunSport’s Martin Lipton rated each Red Devil in Atlanta.
Altay Bayindir – 5
Keeper‘s United future is decidedly uncertain and all the reasons for that were again in evidence.
Slow reactions to Garner’s free-kick should have been punished by O’Brien although he could do nothing about Ndiaye’s strike.
United need a reliable back-up to Andre Onana. It’s hard to make a case for the Turk deserving that responsibility.
Leny Yoro – 7
Third start in a row for the French, a clear sign that Amorim has him in mind to be the right-sided defensive starter.
His callowness at times is on display, as you should expect.
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Leny Yoro could have a big season for the Red DevilsCredit: Getty
There are occasional errors but the potential is unquestioned and one tackle on Beto after De Ligt was dumbfounded was crucial. He would surely welcome more help than Amad will ever give him, though.
SunSport’s chief reporter Martin Lipton previews the season ahead for Man Utd… with confidence in the air
Matthijs de Ligt – 5
Had the task of neutering Beto’s threat but looked lumbering at times. Too often, when asked to defend, United stand off their men rather than forcing errors.
The Dutchman is unlikely to ever change at this stage in his career and you can envisage him and Maguire being in and out of the team all season. Strikers with genuine pace might be licking their lips.
Luke Shaw – 6
England veteran will probably be the man in possession on the left of the defensive trio for the start of the season and his emphatic backing for Amorim was a significant pointer of dressing room buy-in.
But Shaw will know this was not one of his more persuasive performances as he seemed ill at ease whenever Everton opted to run at him. Doesn’t help when the midfield is a leaky bathtub.
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Luke Shaw will be desperate for an injury-free campaignCredit: Getty
Amad Diallo – 7
Clearly viewed as a wing-back this season and unleashed his rocket speed well to create Cunha’s opening before winning the penalty converted by Fernandes.
A real threat going forward yet his defensive weaknesses – clear once again in the “Big Peach” – will surely be targeted by opponents as the season wears on. Can you risk him against the top Premier League sides?
Manuel Ugarte – 4
The Uruguayan insists he is now ready for the Premier League. He will have to be better prepared than he was in Atlanta – as he was nowhere near good enough.
Everton appeared to feel they could force errors by putting him under pressure. They were not wrong, catching him in possession for Ndiaye’s equaliser. This system will always see the most defensive midfielder exposed at times.
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Manuel Ugarte endured an evening to forgetCredit: Getty
Kobbie Mainoo – 5
Amorim is adamant the England midfielder can make a genuine first team claim and that he is fitter and more mobile after the pre-season campaign.
Yet it is hard to make the case that Mainoo has progressed over the past 12 months. Still not entirely sure what sort of player he is going to be or if he can fit this United shape..
Diogo Dalot – 6
Portuguese defender, one of the six-man “leadership group”, started on the left – although that would make him Dorgu’s likely understudy.
Did make one really key intervention in front of his own goal as simple centres from Everton left United looking more than vulnerable and happier when moved to the right for the second half.
Bryan Mbeumo – 7
First outing in a United short for the £71m recruit from Brentford, who drifted off the right hand side with purpose and penetration.
Superb instant switch of play led to the penalty and his willingness to forage on either flank was evidence that the Cameroonian will instantly upgrade United’s forward threat. Would have loved to cap his display with a goal but understandably has debut run-out restricted to 45 minutes.
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Bryan Mbeumo made his first outing in Man Utd coloursCredit: AP
Bruno Fernandes – 7
A third goal of the US Tour and second from the spot for the skipper, who is expected to reject the latest Saudi offer and remain at United, although if Sesko is bought he will have to play deeper than he did last night.
Saying that, the way he played in and around Mbeumo and Cunha suggested United might not have to sign the Slovenian to have real attacking threat, with Fernandes showing creativity and enterprise throughout although spat with Ndiaye was utterly needless.
Matheus Cunha 7
The Brazilian was asked to fill the central attacking role, rather than playing off the front man, although the trident gave him the opportunity to roam at times.
Prodded wide of the far post when he might have done better early on but the run in behind was excellent.
The feeling remains he is a scorer of great goals more than a great goal scorer. United surely need someone who can do the ugly stuff in front of the net.
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Matheus Cunha showed flashes of brillianceCredit: Getty
Subs:
Patrick Dorgu (for Mbeumo, 46) 7
One of the stand-out successes of the US Tour and his entrance on the left saw Dalot switch flanks and Amad move further forward. Instantly improved the United left with the ball.
Ayden Heaven (for Yoro, 57) 6
Teenager walked into a defence that was being worryingly stretched and did his best to bring more security. Own goal was not his fault at all.
Harry Maguire (for Shaw, 57) 6
A little bit of calmness is always welcome. Been there, got the tee-shirt. May not have the starting shirt, though.
Mason Mount (for Mainoo, 57) 8
Mount is desperate for an injury-free campaign and goals like he produced to put United back in front win this one will only help his cause. Terrific finish from 16 yards.
Casemiro (for Ugarte, 72) 6
Brazilian cannot lose the pace he never had. And surely he is smarter and more streetwise than Ugarte. 6
Rasmus Hojlund (for Cunha, 72) 6
Dane knows his United days may be numbered, even if that is against his will. All he can do is try to prove Amorim he can do a job.
Tyler Fredricson (for De Ligt, 88) 6
A late run-out for the youngster. Something more for him to remember from his fortnight Stateside
Manchester United have reportedly performed a U-turn on the prospect of selling Kobbie Mainoo to help balance the books.
That’s according to former club scout Mick Brown, who told Football Insider: “There are a number of players Man United want to get rid of.
“From what I understand, Kobbie Mainoo is not one of them after a change of mind.
“The likes of Garnacho, Sancho and the others who have been left out of training in pre-season, that’s who the club are looking to raise money from.
“In my opinion, they should never have been considering letting Kobbie Mainoo go, it was a crazy idea.
“After he didn’t sign that new contract, it looked like he had decided he wanted to leave.
“That interest didn’t really come as heavily as they maybe expected, but I won’t complain about that.
“From what I hear, he’s going to be happy to stay into the new season and hopes he’ll be a bigger part of the team as Amorim is going to use him more regularly.”
MANCHESTER UNITED are in for an absolutely massive summer of transfer business at Old Trafford!
And the Premier League giants have launched an all-out bid to land RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, and it will take €75m guaranteed + add-ons & percentage of future sale, according to David Ornstein.
Elsewhere, the Red Devils and Newcastle are set to be locked in ANOTHER transfer battle to land Stuttgart forward Nick Woltemade, SunSport can exclusively reveal.
Salford Red Devils picked up only their second Super League win of the season by coming from behind to beat Castleford Tigers.
The beleaguered bottom club, who suffered an exodus of 11 senior players after suffering financial troubles related to a takeover, ended a run of 13 straight defeats against a side which had already beaten them twice this season.
Tries from Ethan Ryan, Harvey Wilson, Joe Mellor, Esan Marsters and Chris Hankinson – the first time they have scored more than three in a game this season – were enough against a Tigers side without a head coach following Danny McGuire’s sacking on Monday.
Director of rugby Chris Chester took charge while Cas seek a replacement, but two tries from Daejarn Asi and others from Josh Simm and George Lawler were not enough to prevent them slipping to a fourth consecutive loss.
Victory came at a cost for Salford, however, as they lost key players to injury with Jayden Nikorima going off with a wrist problem, Marsters dislocating his shoulder as he scored the try which re-established the Salford lead in the second half and both Loghan Lewis and Chris Hill needing head injury assessments.
Coach Paul Rowley had talked about seeing “green shoots” as they ran Warrington Wolves close last week, but he then lost half-back Danny Richardson, recalled from loan by Hull Kingston Rovers, and was forced to patch up his squad once more.
Cas have been poor this season and McGuire paid the price for that last week as he was dismissed after less than nine months in charge.
They were off to a bad start at the Salford Community Stadium too, as winger Ryan put the home side ahead after just nine minutes.
It looked like a familiar story for Salford, however, as Simm levelled and then Asi cut back inside the scrambling cover after a scrum in front of the posts to open up a 10-4 lead for the visitors.
Wilson then came up with two big moments at either end of the field, managing to force a knock-on over the line from Jeremiah Simbiken as he was poised to score, and then forcing his way over for a try of his own to level up the match once more.
Salford rediscovered the kind of flair that took them to fourth place last season as Marsters set up Hankinson for a try which put them six points up at half time, but two quick penalties at the start of the second half brought the pressure from which Asi scored a try, with Chris Atkin’s conversion making it 16-16.
Salford might have folded a few weeks ago but they came strong again as Marsters finished after a great break by Jack Ormondroyd and then debutant Olly Russell, brought in on loan from Wakefield Trinity this week, kicked through for Hankinson to score.
Lawler’s late try cast some doubt over the result but Salford fought hard to maintain the lead, sparking celebrations from their support at the end, although they remain bottom of the table.
Manchester United signing Matheus Cunha revealed he has one of Marcus Rashford’s shirts at home.
Cunha made that statement just days after taking Rashford’s No10 shirt at Man Utd.
I always think about this shirt – the one I think about is Wayne Rooney, I grew up watching him play.
Many players, [Ruud] Van Nistelrooy, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic.
I swapped shirts with Marcus Rashford also, I have his shirt in my home
Marcus Rashford
Bryan Mbeumo ‘frustrated’
Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo’s transfer saga continues to drag on.
According to the Evening Standard, Mbeumo is reportedly “frustrated” that he is yet to join United.
Man Utd have seen two bids rejected by the Bees for the forward, with the Red Devils yet to make a third offer.
It’s now been five weeks since the Cameroon international told his club he wants to move to Manchester.
Man Utd eye DCL – EXCLUSIVE
Manchester United are making a shock move to sign free agent Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is available after leaving Everton at the end of his contract last month.
United boss Ruben Amorim wants to snap up Calvert-Lewin as the club juggle their finances and try to build a new forward line.
Insiders have revealed the club reached out to the striker about the possibility of a surprise move from Merseyside to Manchester.
Man Utd have already landed Matheus Cunha for £62.5million from Wolves and also bid the same figure for Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo.
But Amorim is also looking to offload attackers, Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Antony all in the firing line.
If the Red Devils balance the books successfully then it could create a gap in the Portuguese tactician’s squad for a new man who can lead the line but would also be happy to be a back-up forward.
United set for Elanga windfall
Man United will bank a tidy figure from Anthony Elanga’s Newcastle move.
The Nottingham Forest winger looks set to join Toon in a deal worth £60million.
United are entitled to around 15 per cent after selling Elanga to Forest for £15m in 2023.
And it means they are set to pocket around £7m from his north-east switch.
Hojlund keen on staying
Rasmus Hojlund does not want to leave Man United this summer.
But the striker doesn’t appear to have many suitors anyway.
Inter Milan were linked before their purchase of Ange-Yoan Bonny.
And Hojlund now looks set to remain unless there are offers later in the window.
Jadon’s Italian job
Juventus are hoping to sign Jadon Sancho.
But Man United want £15million for the winger.
He is back at Old Trafford after failing to secure a permanent Chelsea move.
Juventus are now lining up an offer but Sancho’s £250,000-a-week wages remain a stumbling block.
I think for Man United it’s best to ship [him] out. If I was the manager I’d be a little bit similar to [Ruben] Amorim in the case of I just want team players.
I want a bunch of lads who are good, honest, hard working team players. And I don’t get that vibe from Garnacho, I don’t get that vibe from a few of the players.
You look at the full-time whistle after the Europa League game. You have Brennan Johnson doing an interview.
He looks like he hasn’t had a haircut for about three months, [hair] horrible all over the place, but his interview was incredible.
You could tell he’s a real nice lad, he’s hard working, he does everything for the team. Then you look at Garnacho. Fresh trim a day ago, dyed blonde ready for the final.
The full-time whistle goes, he’s sat on the pitch sulking by himself, not trying to get behind the other lads, picking them up, saying, ‘Well done we got this far’.
“And I think that there is the big contrast. I just want good lads, honest, hard working lads.
“I know he’s not been great, but he’s a 22-year-old kid who has been asked to play centre-forward for Manchester United on his own for the last two years.
“He’s had to play every week. He’s the only one there, and he’s a 22-year-old kid.
“With the way they play, Man United should have at least three top centre-forwards, and I’d bring him into that group.
“Get [Victor] Osimhen and [Viktor] Gyokeres. Hojlund has struggled – like mad of late especially but he’s not had the chance to sit down and watch.
“If a striker is lacking confidence the manager should sit him down and say, ‘Have a look, get a bit of hunger back, a bit of feeling back for the game’.
“We all know he has centre-forward qualities — we’ve seen it. Not enough, I know that. But if he had experience around him.
“Say he had Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke around him, it would bring him on so much. He’s been absolutely flogged to death.
“People forget how young he is. A lot of it is confidence.”
