Ten Hag Says Garnacho Must Push for Man Utd Starting Role

Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho reacts after the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford in Manchester, Britain, 13 May 2023. (EPA)
Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho reacts after the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford in Manchester, Britain, 13 May 2023. (EPA)
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Ten Hag Says Garnacho Must Push for Man Utd Starting Role

Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho reacts after the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford in Manchester, Britain, 13 May 2023. (EPA)
Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho reacts after the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford in Manchester, Britain, 13 May 2023. (EPA)

Manchester United's Argentine winger Alejandro Garnacho must push for a starting spot in the Premier League side after an impressive debut season in which the 18-year-old has scored five goals, manager Erik ten Hag said.

Garnacho, who has also made four assists, marked his return from an ankle injury by coming off the bench to score in added time and seal a 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

"He came in and did almost everything good and scored a great goal that will give him belief. It's good for us for the rest of the season that he's back and can have an impact," Ten Hag told reporters.

"I'm happy we can bring in young players and, hopefully he will progress so quickly that he can compete for a starting position. Because that is his next challenge."

Asked what Garnacho needed to do to start for United, Ten Hag said: "Making decisions, being aware, scanning situations, when to go one-on-one, get behind, when to go for goal or make an extra pass.

"Decisions like that are what makes a good player a top player - that is the difference. But when you see it overall, he's a huge talent and very brave."

Ten Hag said the pathway into the starting side was open for young players such as Garnacho, who signed a new deal to stay at United until 2028.

"But, in the end, it's about the player - he has to invest and have a plan to do it," the manager added.

United are fourth in the league with 66 points, four ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool with three games to go.



Europe's Top Leagues Add to Pressure on Infantino by Calling for FIFA Reform

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup - Group A - Poland v Argentina - Arena Katowice, Katowice, Poland - September 5, 2026 FIFA President Gianni Infantino reacts inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup - Group A - Poland v Argentina - Arena Katowice, Katowice, Poland - September 5, 2026 FIFA President Gianni Infantino reacts inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File Photo
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Europe's Top Leagues Add to Pressure on Infantino by Calling for FIFA Reform

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup - Group A - Poland v Argentina - Arena Katowice, Katowice, Poland - September 5, 2026 FIFA President Gianni Infantino reacts inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup - Group A - Poland v Argentina - Arena Katowice, Katowice, Poland - September 5, 2026 FIFA President Gianni Infantino reacts inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File Photo

The Premier League and three other top European leagues have called for governance reform of FIFA following Gianni Infantino's failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup.

A joint statement with leagues from Spain, Italy and Germany accused FIFA's president of actively promoting “exploitative ideas rather than safeguarding against them.”

The Premier League is soccer's richest and most popular league. Its collaboration with Europe's other leading leagues adds to the growing pressure on Infantino, who plans for stand for re-election despite losing the support of many national federation over his controversial plan to sell profits in the World Cup through a commercial subsidiary.

“Football’s longstanding foundations have, in recent years, been threatened by a fundamental governance problem,” the statement said.


Alcaraz Calls for End to Late-night Finishes at Grand Slams

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz poses on the black carpet upon arrival to attend the Laver Cup opening night gala, in Greenwich, east London on September 24, 2026. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP)
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz poses on the black carpet upon arrival to attend the Laver Cup opening night gala, in Greenwich, east London on September 24, 2026. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP)
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Alcaraz Calls for End to Late-night Finishes at Grand Slams

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz poses on the black carpet upon arrival to attend the Laver Cup opening night gala, in Greenwich, east London on September 24, 2026. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP)
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz poses on the black carpet upon arrival to attend the Laver Cup opening night gala, in Greenwich, east London on September 24, 2026. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP)

Carlos Alcaraz has had enough of pulling all-nighters at Grand Slams, urging organizers to finish play by 11 p.m. after his US Open title defense came to an end in a grueling 3:33 a.m. finish earlier this month.

Ben Shelton beat Alcaraz in the quarter-finals of the US Open in the latest-ever finish at the year's final Grand Slam.

Prior to that, three matches ended after 2 a.m. during the tournament's opening week, while two more ran well beyond midnight and Venus Williams was involved in the latest-starting clash that began at 12:13 a.m.

"I think it's too much," seven-times Grand Slam champion Alcaraz told reporters in London on Thursday ahead of the Laver Cup.

"The last match people stayed but if ⁠that match was ⁠played earlier, the court could have been packed.

"I would like to change the schedule a little with a maximum finish at 11 p.m., or whatever would be better."

The United States Tennis Association, which organizes the US Open, did not immediately respond to a Reuters emailed request for comment outside regular business hours, but the body has said it will evaluate scheduling options in ⁠the future.

Other Grand Slams have taken action to curb late finishes, with Wimbledon halting play under an 11 p.m. local curfew and the French Open limiting night sessions to one match.

The issue has gained traction amid a broader pushback by top players over working conditions, including a packed competitive calendar.

Andre Agassi, captain of Team World at the Laver Cup, stressed the need for guaranteed downtime at the end of the season.

"It would be my hope (for) an off-season of some relative form of security for both the players, but also for the fans so that ⁠they look ⁠forward to the game," the eight-times Grand Slam champion told reporters.

"I think in a lot of cases, tennis would benefit from that."

Asked about where the Laver Cup, which is named after Australian great Rod Laver and borders on being an exhibition event, fits into the tennis schedule, Agassi replied: "I think this is a fantastic event.

"I'd hate to see the compromise ever come on an event like this that is hosted under such a magnificent name and person that none of us would be here today without in this game.

"So this wouldn't be the place I would choose to cut some edges. But I would like to see these awesome athletes always be at their best. I think everybody wins with that."


Scaloni Says he Did his Best to Convince Messi to Return for Argentina Farewell

Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni speaks with the press after a training session at the Argentine Football Association (AFA) training camp in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires Province, on September 24, 2026, ahead of the friendly matches against Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Benin. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)
Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni speaks with the press after a training session at the Argentine Football Association (AFA) training camp in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires Province, on September 24, 2026, ahead of the friendly matches against Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Benin. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)
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Scaloni Says he Did his Best to Convince Messi to Return for Argentina Farewell

Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni speaks with the press after a training session at the Argentine Football Association (AFA) training camp in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires Province, on September 24, 2026, ahead of the friendly matches against Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Benin. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)
Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni speaks with the press after a training session at the Argentine Football Association (AFA) training camp in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires Province, on September 24, 2026, ahead of the friendly matches against Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Benin. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he "pushed hard" to ensure Lionel Messi would return to the national team for a farewell match soon after announcing his retirement because he was not sure he would be in charge to orchestrate it later.

Messi announced his retirement from international football in August, just over a month after Argentina were beaten 1-0 by Spain in the World Cup final.

However, the former Barcelona and Paris St Germain forward was called up weeks later by Scaloni to make a final appearance in a home ⁠friendly against Benin ⁠at Buenos Aires' Monumental Stadium on October 6.

"I believe that a player like him deserves this. Personally, I did my part because I wanted to be at his farewell," Scaloni told reporters on Thursday.

"Since I don't know if I would be here later, we ⁠pushed hard so that he could be in this match.

We knew everything he was going through and even so, he put in the desire and effort to want to come and be able to say goodbye with his people, with the people who love him so much.

"If we have to pay tribute, we have to do it at this moment. With him, it will never stop, but later, the magic might not be ⁠the same."

Scaloni, ⁠who guided Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title and two Copa America triumphs, will be out of his contract in December.

Asked if he had received an update on his future, Scaloni said he would meet with Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia in the coming days.

"It is a dream come true, but that doesn't mean I have to cling to the job forever," AFP quoted the 48-year-old as saying.

"There are certain conditions we need to discuss with the president and we'll see if we can reach an agreement."