Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim said he avoids using social media in order to protect himself after he was revealed to be the top target of online abuse in English football. An investigation by the BBC found that Amorim received more abuse than any other figure in the game during the weekend of United's 2-2 draw with Tottenham in November, followed by Liverpool manager Arne Slot.

• Amorim receives most vile abuse according to report

  The BBC investigation showed that Amorim received more than 160 online messages described as 'extremely abusive' on the weekend of November 8-9, bearing the brunt of some 2000 messages flagged by data science company Signify. They included death threats and hate speech, breaking the rules of the platforms they were posted on including X, Instagram and TikTok.

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  Amorim: Social media abuse 'normal' but I don't read it

  Amorim told a press conference: "First of all, nowadays it is normal in any profession, when you are exposed, like we are exposed, it's harder, but I don't read it. I'm not faking it – I don't read it. I protect myself from everything. I don't watch TV when they are talking about Manchester [United], not because I don't agree most of the times. I agree with a lot of things that you guys say. But it is a way of me being healthy because it's enough. When we lose, when we draw, I know that we play bad, my feeling as a coach is enough. I don't need another another [person]'s feelings about around the club. So for me, this is the only way, there is no other way. The only way is protect myself."

• Amorim: Extra money from social media promotion 'not worth it'

  Amorim has no official account on X and the official Instagram page set up in his name has had no updates since 2020. He said he is missing out on extra income from social media endorsements and promotions but said it was a price worth paying to not have to witness all the abuse.

  He added: "Of course, I lose money in sponsors, in Instagram. I could earn a lot of money. But for me, the quality of life, the protection of my family the way I can live a normal life – because I guarantee you, I live a normal life – it is not worth it. Some more dollars or pounds is not worth it. So I protect myself, and no one can be tougher than me when we lose, and when we lose when we don't play well. So that is the only way. But it's normal nowadays. Is really normal to have that abuse. So for me it's the only way to survive in this world."

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  Amorim guarded about injury issues before West Ham

  Amorim revealed that two players were fresh injury doubts ahead of Thursday's game against West Ham, but would not reveal who they were. However, he confirmed that Matheus Cunha is back after missing the last two games with a knock sustained in training, while Benjamin Sesko and Harry Maguire are still out.

  "We have two doubts, I will not tell you today because it will tell you the way we are going to approach, but the rest of the squad is good," said the coach.

  West Ham are 17th in the Premier League and they will be without playmaker Lucas Paqueta after he was sent off for arguing with the referee in their last outing against Liverpool. The game will see Amorim come up against compatriot and new Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo, whose Nottingham Forest side beat United on two occasions last season.

  "I had no doubts that he would have success, no matter what the club," Amorim said of Nuno. "He is really experienced. He knows how to work with different with different squads. He understands really well the league, and that is a plus. He's really smart, preparing the games, understanding the environment of the game. So it's going to be a tough match."

  United earned a vital 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in their last game and will be desperate to make amends for their most recent home game, when they were beaten 1-0 by Everton despite the Toffees playing the majority of the game with 10 men.

U.S. international Walker Zimmerman, a cornerstone of Nashville SC since its inaugural MLS season, is set to leave the club this winter when his contract expires, according to The Athletic. The two-time MLS Defender of the Year and team captain’s departure will close a six-year chapter in Nashville as he heads into free agency.

Getty Images SportClub legend to depart?

Zimmerman’s current deal runs through December 31, 2025, and has reported his status has been flagged as one of the key offseason decisions facing Nashville’s front office. With no extension announced, the outlet reported indicate Zimmerman will test the free-agent market rather than re-sign at the club’s current offer.

AdvertisementDeparture signals transition for Nashville SC

The loss of Zimmerman represents a major shift for Nashville SC’s defensive unit as they prepare for the 2026 MLS season. His consistent performances and accolades, including two MLS Defender of the Year awards, underscore the quality and influence he brought to the team. Nashville now face the challenge of filling the void left by one of MLS’s premier defenders.

Getty Images SportFree agency opens new chapter for Zimmerman

As Zimmerman enters free agency, speculation will mount regarding his next destination. His proven track record and leadership qualities make him a sought-after asset for MLS clubs and potentially overseas teams. At 32, Zimmerman still has several competitive years ahead. Zimmerman is also an established presence on the U.S. Men's National Team, having made 46 caps with the Americans. 

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Getty Images SportLooking ahead

While the club prepares for life without Zimmerman, his legacy remains firmly entrenched in Nashville SC’s history. The defender’s contributions on and off the field have left an indelible mark, and the club will look to build on the foundation he helped lay as they continue their pursuit of success in MLS.

The New York Yankees are once again making some changes in the infield, having decided to put an end to the Jazz Chisholm Jr. experiment at third base.

Chisholm is set to return to his primary position of second base moving forward, leaving some question as to what the team intended to do at third base. Aaron Boone indicated it would be Oswald Peraza handling the bulk of the work over at the hot corner, though it remains possible that the Yankees scour the trade market for an upgrade at the position later this month.

With Chisholm returning to second base, DJ LeMahieu suddenly finds himself as the odd man out in the infield. Boone told reporters that the team does not intend to play the veteran infielder at third base, suggesting it was too much of a physical burden on the 36-year-old. So, instead, LeMahieu will be utilized in a bench role, Boone said, via Chris Kirschner of

When discussing the role change, Boone was asked how LeMahieu received the news.

"Not great, necessarily, but… that's kind of the situation we're in right now," Boone said.

This season, LeMahieu has played in 45 games and has a .266 batting average and a .674 OPS with two home runs and 12 RBIs. He's made all 45 appearances, including 35 starts, at second base.

New Zealand’s fast-bowling allrounder Nathan Smith has been ruled out of the second Test against Zimbabwe due to an abdominal strain. He has been replaced by pace bowling allrounder Zakary Foulkes, who gets his maiden call-up into the Test squad.Smith sustained the abdominal injury on the second day of the first Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo while batting. A subsequent MRI confirmed the strain, which will require a recovery time of approximately two to four weeks.Meanwhile, left-arm fast bowler Ben Lister has also been added to the New Zealand squad as cover for Will O’Rourke, who experienced back stiffness on day three of the first Test. He is being monitored, according to a New Zealand Cricket (NZC) press release. O’Rourke bowled 13 and ten overs respectively in the two innings of the first Test, picking 3 for 28 in the second stint.Related

• Latham-less New Zealand look to extend dominance as Zimbabwe search for Test revival

• O'Rourke ruled out of second Test with back injury

• Latham out of first Test against Zimbabwe, Santner to stand in as NZ captain

Smith returned 3 for 20 in Zimbabwe’s first innings as the hosts were bowled out for 149. He retired hurt at the end of the 93rd over of New Zealand’s innings on 22 off 79 balls and did not return to the field for the remainder of the game.Smith’s replacement Foulkes has played 13 T20Is and a solitary ODI. He most recently turned out for New Zealand in the tri-series involving Zimbabwe and South Africa, which New Zealand won in a pulsating final. Foulkes, 24, has played 19 first-class games and has 57 wickets, along with 544 runs at 19.42.Lister has also not played a Test yet but has turned out in three ODIs and 12 T20Is for New Zealand. He last played an international game more than a year ago in Pakistan.New Zealand registered a comfortable win in Bulawayo by nine wickets, with Matt Henry returning figures of 9 for 90 for the Test. Regular captain Latham had missed the opening game due to a shoulder injury and it remains to be seen whether he gets fit in time for the second Test, which begins on August 7 in Bulawayo

Australian slams 25-ball half-century after Linsey Smith, Lucy Higham tie down Phoenix

ECB Media15-Aug-2025Northern Superchargers soared to the top of the women’s Hundred table with a commanding victory over Birmingham Phoenix at a sun-drenched Headingley.A third win in four matches for Hollie Armitage’s team was built around a miserly performance from their slow bowlers, Lucy Higham and Linsey Smith, who each picked up two wickets to stem the Phoenix’s flow.Their intervention was perfectly timed, after the visitors had begun brightly. On 44 for 1 from 30 balls with Emma Lamb and Marie Kelly going well, Phoenix lost five wickets in 20 deliveries, with captain Ellyse Perry’s unfortunate run out – Annabel Sutherland diverting a straight drive from Kelly onto the stumps at the non-striker’s end – summing up the Phoenix’s misfortune.From 59-6, Em Arlott and Sterre Kalis rebuilt the innings impressively, putting on an unbeaten 57, the highest stand for the seventh wicket in the history of the Hundred’s women’s competition.On a beautiful batting track, it nonetheless felt under par. The Superchargers openers, Davina Perrin and Alice Davidson-Richards, were both dropped early on – Perrin before she had scored when Hannah Baker palmed a pull shot over the rope for six – and their stand of 27 ensured that the home side were always ahead of the game.Australian superstar Phoebe Litchfield, having started this year’s tournament quietly, roared back into form with a stunning assault against Baker in particular, drilling the spinner for a trio of consecutive boundaries to settle any concerns in the home dugout.With her compatriot Sutherland at the other end, the pair cruised to the finish line with only one alarm when Litchfield, on 48, was dropped at deep extra-cover by Baker. Litchfield brought up her second half-century in the competition from just 25 balls, as Superchargers’ overseas stars wrapped things up with a whopping 26 balls to spare.Litchfield was named the Meerkat Match Hero: “That was good fun out there. Every time we play here at Headingley we know it’ll be a good pitch and you saw that even when Davina and ADR came out, and then especially Bellesey [Sutherland] at the end there.”Litchfield was also full of praise for Superchargers’ spinners, Smith and Higham. “They hit their lengths and kept the stumps in play and forced the Birmingham batters to try something else, and we backed them up in the field. Our two little spinners have done wonders for us for a few years now and they showed it again today.”We’ve had this group together for three years now, it hasn’t changed much, and the vibes are good. We had a pretty average game last time out, but we tried to park that and came out with a positive mindset.”

Vote for the best individual Border-Gavaskar Trophy performance by an Indian in Australia since 2000

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Nov-2024Update: This poll has ended. Rahul Dravid’s performance goes into the final. Check the other polls here.ESPNcricinfo LtdRahul Dravid celebrates a famous win at Adelaide Oval in 2003•AFP via Getty Images

Rahul Dravid – 233 and 72* in Adelaide, 2003

India win by four wickets, lead series 1-0Long before Rahul Dravid was immortalised for revealing that he too had the ability to yell his head off, he was immortalised for having the ability to yell his head off and also punch the air. The image of him doing so as he hit the winning runs in Adelaide almost 20 years ago is part of Indian cricket history. It was only the fourth time they had ever won a Test match in Australia – and their first victory since 1981 – and they had to come from behind to do it. From way behind, 556 runs to be exact. But Dravid kept whittling away at it, wearing Australia down not once but twice. Finally, after 12 and a half hours at the crease, scoring more runs than he has ever done or will ever do in a single Test, it made perfect sense that he would be there at the end, soaking in the Adelaide sunshine, teeth gritted, arms up high, the personification of triumph.Dravid’s heroics in that match gave India a 1-0 lead, in a series they went on to draw in Australia for the first time since 1985.Round of 16: Dravid’s 233 & 72* beat R Ashwin’s 3-57 & 3-92.Quarter-final: Dravid’s 233 & 72* beat Sachin Tendulkar’s 241* & 60*.By Alagappan MuthuWatch the highlights of these performances on the Star Sports network at 10am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm IST, from November 5 onwards.

Jasprit Bumrah – 6-33 and 3-53 in Melbourne, 2018

India won by 137 runs, lead series 2-1India had won in Adelaide, lost in Perth, and knew Melbourne would be a hard slog on a slow surface where only 24 wickets had fallen in a drawn Ashes Test the previous year. Time was precious, particularly with rain forecast on days four and five, so they declared seven down with less than 450, recognising they had batted nearly 170 overs.Turns out you don’t need much time if you have a game-breaker who can take the pitch out of the equation. India bowled Australia out twice in 156.2 overs, with nine of their 20 wickets coming from Jasprit Bumrah’s irresistible blend of brain and biomechanical brawn. They wrapped up victory shortly after lunch on day five, with even a washed-out first session powerless to stop them.Bumrah’s first three wickets, all on day three, all from round the wicket to left-hand batters, showcased how dangerous he could be even with minimal swing, seam or pace off the deck. A pinpoint bouncer managed to both rush Marcus Harris and cramp him for room. An unstoppable yorker, with a hint of reverse, burst through Travis Head.In between came the last ball before lunch, a devious, 113kph change-up that would go on to define not just this spell but all of Bumrah’s remarkable career. Shaun Marsh’s movements, tuned to Bumrah’s regular 140 kph rhythm, were entirely out of step with this ball out of a slow-motion nightmare. Fixated on a front leg that moved too far across and far too early, it dipped late to miss the cue end of the bat and pinged the pad on the full, plumb in front.Round of 16: Bumrah’s 6-33 & 3-53 beat Cheteshwar Pujara’s 50 and 77.Quarter-final: Bumrah’s 6-33 & 3-53 beat Pujara’s 123 & 71.By Karthik Krishnaswamy

After being put into administration last week, Sheffield Wednesday have reportedly received first contacts from American billionaire John McEvoy.

Despite all the consequences that come with being put into administration, including a 12-point deduction, the mood has been relatively positive around Sheffield Wednesday. The era of Dejphon Chansiri has finally come to an end and fans flocked to the club shop in support of their side when the news emerged.

The future is finally looking up even if it does immediately start in League One next season and a number of potential owners have already emerged.

Kris Wigfield, joint administrator with insolvency firm Begbies Traynor provided an update about the Owls’ takeover on BBC Five Live’s Wake Up to Money programme.

Among those in the running to buy the club is McEvoy. According to The Telegraph, the American billionaire has asked questions about the club and is one of the early candidates that could yet complete a takeover.

Whilst everything is still at a very early stage, McEvoy is someone to keep an eye on. The interested candidate has made investments in baseball, ice-hockey and music in an impressive portfolio. Now, he could be on his way to Hillsborough.

Who is Sheffield Wednesday candidate John McEvoy?

So, who is McEvoy? Most will know him for his minority stakes in NHL side Nashville Predators and MLB side Colorado Rockies, but any music fans will also be well aware of Various Artists – a talent agency which manages the likes of Mel C and Tom Grennan.

Interestingly enough, that same talent agency manages Reverend and the Makers, who are fronted by famous Sheffield Wednesday fan John McClure – someone that McEvoy has reportedly already spoken to about buying the club.

Sheffield Wednesday administrator reveals "four or five" buyers and "criteria" they must meet

The Owls are rooted to the bottom of the Championship.

ByBen Goodwin Oct 27, 2025

This is also not the first time that the American has shown an interest in English football. In 2022, reports claimed that he was considering a bid for Coventry City and even attended a game before a takeover failed to materialise.

McEvoy made a large share of his billions from founding a San Diego-based mobile device distribution company and could now use those billions to welcome Sheffield Wednesday into a new era.

On paper, he ticks the box for experience in the world of sports investment and the credentials to avoid the same problems that Chansiri handed the Owls.

John Textor makes contact with Sheffield Wednesday

وجه فيرجيل فان دايك قائد ليفربول رسالة لجماهير الفريق بعد الخسارة الثقيلة أمام آيندهوفن برباعية لهدف واحد، على ملعب آنفيلد في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وأكد المدافع الهولندي المخضرم أن فريقه لن يستسلم، وأن ليفربول سيسعى لقلب سلسلة هزائمه الكارثية التي بلغت تسع هزائم من أصل 12 مباراة خاضها الفريق.

ويستعد ليفربول لمواجهة وست هام يونايتد على ملعب لندن يوم الأحد في الدوري الانجليزي الممتاز، وقد اعترف فان دايك أن الفريق يمر بأصعب فترة في مسيرته.

أقرأ أيضاً.. وارنوك: محمد صلاح سيعود لحالته في ليفربول.. ولكن بشرط

وكتب فان دايك عبر “إنستجرام” في رسالة نشرتها صحيفة “ميرور” البريطانية: “نواجه واحدة من أصعب لحظات مسيرتنا”.

وأضاف: “لكننا نرفض أن نسمح لهذا بأن يحدد مسارنا، سننهض من هذه المحنة، أؤمن بهذا الفريق بكل ما أوتيت من قوة”.

واختتم فان دايك: “لن نستسلم، كل تحدي هو فرصة، علينا أن ننمو معاً وندعم بعضنا البعض ونظهر قوتنا، إلى الجماهير استمروا في دعمنا، كلنا بحاجة لبعضنا البعض أكثر من أي وقت مضى”.

Pitcher Steven Matz has reinvented himself in 2025—and the Boston Red Sox appear hopeful he can reinvent their bullpen.

The Red Sox are acquiring Matz from the St. Louis Cardinals for infielder Blaze Jordan, according to a Wednesday night report from ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Matz, 34, is in the first year of a shift to the bullpen after 10 years as a starter. That move has gone fairly well—in 32 games this season, he is 5-2 with a 3.44 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 55 innings pitched. His 2.88 FIP suggests he may be even better than his numbers let on.

Among most baseball fans, Matz remains best known for his stellar—albeit injury-marred—early years with the New York Mets. The Long Island native helped the Mets win the National League pennant in 2015, and went 9-8 in a very good rookie season in 2016.

He reportedly joins a Boston team clinging to the American League's second wild-card spot; it leads the Seattle Mariners by one game.

Celtic are considering appointing Nicky Hayen as their next manager and a new update has now emerged regarding their pursuit of the Belgian.

Hayen has been mentioned as one of the leading contenders to replace Brendan Rodgers at Parkhead, with the Northern Irishman departing last week. The 45-year-old has been very open about potentially leaving his role in charge of Brugge, hinting that he would be keen on coming in as the new Celtic boss.

Hayen is far from the only option for Celtic, however, with Martin O’Neill thought to be open to the idea of staying in charge of the Hoops for the remainder of the 2025/26 season, should the club’s owners like that idea.

The likes of Lee Carsley, Kieran McKenna and Damien Duff have all been linked with the job, too, as the Scottish Premiership champions look to nail their appointment and claw back the deficit on Hearts in the title race.

Celtic willing to offer Hayen big wages

According to Voetbal Nieuws [via Sport Witness], Celtic will try to “lure” Hayen away from Brugge with a high salary, and have knocked on his door. The Hoops are trying to use “money, prestige, and the lure of Glasgow” to bring him to Parkhead, with his current club hesitant to allow him to leave without receiving plenty of compensation.

It is easy to see why Hayen is a leading contender to be Celtic’s next manager, with the Belgian averaging 2.03 points per game across 80 matches in charge of Brugge. He also won the league title with them in 2023/24, and the Belgian Cup last season, showing that the Hoops would be bringing in a manager who knows how to win trophies.

Hayen’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation isn’t dissimilar to Rodgers’ 4-3-3 system, meaning Celtic’s players shouldn’t find it too difficult to make the adjustment, and at 45, he is still a young manager who would bring vibrancy to Parkhead.

Postecoglou 2.0: Celtic looking at hiring "box-office" McKenna alternative

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There may be a temptation to give O’Neill the job until the end of the season, but if Hayen makes himself available very soon, he should be looked at as a great option.

Celtic are looking at hiring "box-office" alternative to Nicky Hayen