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Man United Hasn’t Learned How to Close Out Games, Ten Hag Says

Manchester United's head coach Erik ten Hag gestures during the English Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United in London, Britain, 04 April 2024. (EPA/)
Manchester United's head coach Erik ten Hag gestures during the English Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United in London, Britain, 04 April 2024. (EPA/)
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Man United Hasn’t Learned How to Close Out Games, Ten Hag Says

Manchester United's head coach Erik ten Hag gestures during the English Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United in London, Britain, 04 April 2024. (EPA/)
Manchester United's head coach Erik ten Hag gestures during the English Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United in London, Britain, 04 April 2024. (EPA/)

Blowing late leads has become a hallmark of Manchester United’s season.

Erik ten Hag hopes that changes when Liverpool comes to Old Trafford on Sunday. United is still clinging to hopes of a Champions League spot, despite a stunning 4-3 loss to Chelsea on Thursday night.

United first gave away the lead in the 10th minute of stoppage time at Stamford Bridge and then the game a minute later — both goals coming from Cole Palmer.

That followed a blown lead in a 1-1 draw at Brentford last Saturday. United had just recovered from celebrating Mason Mount’s goal in the 96th when Kristoffer Ajer tied it three minutes later.

“We can beat the best teams in the Premier League,” Ten Hag said. “When you beat them in the Premier League, you can do it across Europe, but we need to learn how you win games ... how you bring games over the line and get the three points. We have to step up.”

Dropping five points in the past two games is “very expensive,” he added.

“Games are running out. We know that and we have to catch up and we are now many points behind,” Ten Hag said. “It will be difficult. We will keep fighting.”

With eight games remaining, United is nine points behind fifth-place Tottenham and 11 points back of fourth-place Aston Villa. Because of a format change to the Champions League next season, the Premier League might get a fifth spot in Europe’s elite club competition.

Blowing leads is not a new problem.

United exited the Champions League at the group stage — in last place. They gave away second-half leads in three of those games: a 3-2 home loss to Galatasaray; a 4-3 defeat at Copenhagen; and a 3-3 draw at Galatasaray.

The good news? United has actually closed out a big win recently — over Liverpool 4-3 after extra time in a thrilling FA Cup quarterfinal match. Marcus Rashford tied it at 3-3 before Amad Diallo’s winner at Old Trafford.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp pointed to uncharacteristic errors that they’ll need to avoid this time.

“We were really good that day but didn’t finish the situations off in extra time,” Klopp said. “We made mistakes we didn’t make before at all. We better play a really good football game to be honest, if we want something there.”

First-place Liverpool holds a two-point lead over Arsenal heading into the weekend.

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Sports

Ukraine’s Kostyuk Defends ‘Conscious Choice’ to Speak Out About War

Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine speaks after defeat in the women's singles final against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on January 11, 2026. (AFP)
Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine speaks after defeat in the women's singles final against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on January 11, 2026. (AFP)
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Ukraine’s Kostyuk Defends ‘Conscious Choice’ to Speak Out About War

Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine speaks after defeat in the women's singles final against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on January 11, 2026. (AFP)
Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine speaks after defeat in the women's singles final against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on January 11, 2026. (AFP)

Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk has defended her "conscious choice" to address the plight of her country during the trophy presentation of a pre-Australian Open event in Brisbane.

The world number 20 did not shake hands with top-ranked Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka after being beaten in Sunday's final in straight sets.

Like many Ukraine players, Kostyuk refuses to shake hands with Russians or Belarusians following Moscow's invasion of her homeland.

In her speech at the trophy presentation, the 23-year-old Kostyuk said: "I want to say a few words about Ukraine.

"I play every day with a pain in my heart and there are thousands of people who are without light and warm water right now.

"It's minus 20 degrees outside and it's very painful to live this reality every day," she said, her voice cracking with emotion.

Post-final ceremonies usually involve players congratulating their opponents.

Kostyuk did however thank "all the opponents I've played this week".

Sabalenka, who has said in the past that she does not support the war, congratulated Kostyuk on reaching the final in her on-court speech.

Writing on Instagram, where some users accused Kostyuk of poor sportsmanship, she wrote: "The words I shared after the match sparked a lot of reaction.

"For me, it's a conscious choice to keep reminding people of what Ukraine and its citizens are going through.

"Thank you to everyone who showed support. And thank you to all the players I faced on the other side of the net this week."

Both players will be at the Australian Open starting on Sunday, where Sabalenka is favorite to win the title for the third time in four years.

Sports

Swiatek Avoids Setting Goals for 2026 Ahead of Australian Open

Iga Swiatek of Poland reacts during her singles match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland during the 2026 United Cup final between Poland and Switzerland at Ken Rosewall Arena in in Sydney, Australia, 11 January 2026. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) EPA
Iga Swiatek of Poland reacts during her singles match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland during the 2026 United Cup final between Poland and Switzerland at Ken Rosewall Arena in in Sydney, Australia, 11 January 2026. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) EPA
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Swiatek Avoids Setting Goals for 2026 Ahead of Australian Open

Iga Swiatek of Poland reacts during her singles match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland during the 2026 United Cup final between Poland and Switzerland at Ken Rosewall Arena in in Sydney, Australia, 11 January 2026. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) EPA
Iga Swiatek of Poland reacts during her singles match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland during the 2026 United Cup final between Poland and Switzerland at Ken Rosewall Arena in in Sydney, Australia, 11 January 2026. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) EPA

Iga Swiatek heads into Melbourne Park with the Australian Open title the only gap on her Grand Slam resume, but the world number two is keen to avoid setting herself targets for the new season and says her main goal ​is to improve her game.

The 24-year-old Pole has won majors on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows, the Paris clay and the grass of Wimbledon but has never managed to reach the final at the year's opening Grand Slam, going out twice in the semi-finals.

"For now I'm not setting results goals," she told Polish sports news website Sportowy24 last month.

"I am focusing on developing technically and in terms of my tennis game itself."

Swiatek is renowned for her grit and intensity on tour but the former world number ‌one was forced ‌to revaluate her approach after failing to secure a ‌semi-final ⁠spot ​at the ‌season-ending WTA Finals for a second straight year in November.

She has spoken about the physical and mental toll the punishing tour schedule takes on players and said in Beijing in September that the season was too long and too intense.

Just before Christmas she told Sportowy24 that she felt refreshed after spending more time at home than usual.

She has also worked with sports psychologist Daria Abramowicz, often crediting with helping shape her preparation and routines and publicly defending their ⁠work together amid questions about the partnership.

"I hope the preparation period will mean that in the new season I ‌will play well, solidly, and that I will learn something ‍new," said Swiatek, who suffered a heartbreaking ‍semi-final loss to eventual champion Madison Keys last year in Australia.

After the peace ‍of Poland, Swiatek will be plunged into the maelstrom of the Grand Slam at Melbourne Park, which kicks off on January 18 and crowns a women's champion after two punishing weeks of summer heat.

The disappointment of a 3-6 6-0 6-3 loss to Swiss Belinda Bencic in the final of the ​United Cup on a similarly fast Sydney surface on Sunday was tempered by the fact that Poland ultimately won the trophy.

"I'm still here, nothing crazy ⁠happened," Swiatek reassured her fans.

"Everything is fine, just super sore. I guess, first tournament of the year it costs everybody a bit differently than during the season."

The Australian Open boasts 11 Grand Slam champions with top seed Aryna Sabalenka among the title favorites, and Swiatek will have little time to ease herself back into elite competition mode.

While Swiatek will be keen to avoid discussing it, the Pole could complete the career Grand Slam if she walks away with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.

The claycourt specialist has won four of her majors at Roland Garros and showed a different side to her game by winning on the hard courts of the US Open in 2022.

Her 6-0 6-0 thrashing of Amanda Anisimova in the Wimbledon ‌final last July showed she can adapt and it would be no surprise if she finally gets to grips with the Melbourne Park surface this time around.

Sports

FC Barcelona President Praises Saudi Arabia’s Sports Infrastructure

Laporta thanked Saudi fans for their strong support of FC Barcelona - SPA
Laporta thanked Saudi fans for their strong support of FC Barcelona - SPA
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FC Barcelona President Praises Saudi Arabia’s Sports Infrastructure

Laporta thanked Saudi fans for their strong support of FC Barcelona - SPA
Laporta thanked Saudi fans for their strong support of FC Barcelona - SPA

FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has established itself on the global sporting stage by hosting major events, most notably the Spanish Super Cup.

In a press statement, he praised the Kingdom’s advanced sporting facilities and infrastructure, noting that coaches and players found the training grounds to be of the highest quality, the pitches excellent, and the overall organization exemplary, SPA reported.

“We are delighted to be in Jeddah,” Laporta said, adding that the high standard of facilities is essential for teams competing over several days, and thanking the organizers for their efforts.

Commenting on Saudi Arabia hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup, Laporta predicted a highly successful tournament, citing the country’s safety, outstanding football infrastructure, and passionate fan base. He noted that while the culture is different, cultural diversity always enriches the experience, and a World Cup held in such an atmosphere is bound to be exceptional.

Laporta also thanked Saudi fans for their strong support of FC Barcelona and expressed hope of winning the Spanish Super Cup final to bring joy to supporters in the Kingdom and around the world.