In a surprising turn of events, Manchester United has sacked their coach and former United striker, Ruud van Nistelrooy, will now serve as their interim coach for their EFL Cup tie against Leicester City. Both teams are struggling in the Premier League and will be looking for a win in this cup match. However, fans will not be able to watch the game live as it will not be televised.
Manchester United Shocks with Ruud van Nistelrooy Interim Appointment
Manchester United has made a stunning announcement, sacking coach Erik ten Hag and appointing former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy as interim coach for their upcoming EFL Cup tie against Leicester City.
Background
United has endured a disappointing season, languishing in mid-table in the Premier League. Ten Hag, who was brought in at the start of the season with high hopes, has struggled to turn the team's fortunes around.
In contrast, Leicester City has also struggled in the Premier League, sitting just above the relegation zone. Brendan Rodgers' side is in desperate need of a positive result to boost their morale.
Van Nistelrooy's Appointment
Van Nistelrooy, a popular figure among United fans, played for the club from 2001 to 2006, scoring 150 goals. He has been working as a coach with United's academy since 2016.
The decision to appoint Van Nistelrooy as interim coach is a surprise, as he has limited experience at the highest level. However, his knowledge of the club and his close relationship with the players could prove to be an advantage.
EFL Cup Tie
United and Leicester will face off in the EFL Cup on Thursday, January 19. The match will not be televised live.
Both teams will be eager to use the cup competition as a chance to gain momentum in their respective league campaigns.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Why was Erik ten Hag sacked? United has been underperforming in the Premier League, and Ten Hag has failed to turn the team's fortunes around.
2. Why was Ruud van Nistelrooy appointed as interim coach? Van Nistelrooy is a popular figure among United fans and has a close relationship with the players. He is also familiar with the club's philosophy.
3. Is Ruud van Nistelrooy qualified for the job? Van Nistelrooy has limited experience at the highest level, but he has been working with United's academy for several years.
4. Will the EFL Cup tie be televised live? No, the EFL Cup tie between Manchester United and Leicester City will not be televised live.
5. What are the chances of United winning the EFL Cup? Manchester United has a strong history in the EFL Cup, having won the competition 11 times. However, they will face a tough challenge against Leicester City, who are also desperate for a win.
Ahead of the last-16 Carabao Cup fixture against Leicester City, Manchester United's Altay Bayindir has shared a graphic on his Instagram story, hinting at a potential start. While not definitive, players have used this method in the past to inform fans and family back home when they are expected to feature in a game. Bayindir has yet to start against a team from the second tier or above, with former manager Ten Hag opting to rarely rotate in cup competitions. However, interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy could be breaking that trend by giving Bayindir the opportunity to impress on the big stage.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is gearing up for its 2025 auction with major changes in the player retention process. Under the new rule, franchises will face larger deductions if they choose to retain marquee players, impacting their financial planning. This has led to speculation among players, with Rishabh Pant hinting at his auction interest and asking about his potential value. Other players like Shreyas Iyer and Kuldeep Yadav could also opt for the auction, hoping for a better deal. This year's auction could see aggressive bidding from teams with larger purses and the Right to Match card system playing a crucial role in retaining players.
Tottenham Hotspur will face a tough challenge as they take on Manchester City in the EFL Cup knockout clash. Despite a comeback win in their previous fixture, Tottenham's chances against Manchester City remain low. The match will be played at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 31 and will be broadcasted on TV channels.
According to sources, there is a possibility that Rishabh Pant will not be retained by the Delhi Capitals at the upcoming IPL 2025 auction, as they are not convinced about his leadership qualities. This decision, however, was not a sudden one and the team may explore other captaincy options at the auction. Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that if Pant is indeed available, he will attract a lot of bids from various teams.
Two Dutch soccer powerhouses, Feyenoord and Ajax, will compete in a highly anticipated matchup on Wednesday. The Amsterdam-based team, Ajax, got off to a strong start with a goal in just five minutes from midfielder, Kenneth Taylor. Fans can expect an electrifying showdown between these fierce rivals in their upcoming match.
In a highly anticipated match, Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Mönchengladbach meet in the second round of the DFB-Pokal. Frankfurt will be looking to continue their winning streak against Gladbach, while the visitors are determined to avenge their defeat from just over a month ago. Both teams have some injured players, adding to the intensity of the match. Despite the challenges, both coaches are confident about their team's chances and fans can expect an exciting battle on Wednesday.
As the Pro Kabaddi League moves into its 13th matchday, Tamil Thalaivas emerges as the new leader after registering a convincing victory over Gujarat in the first match. In the second match, UP takes on Haryana in what promises to be an exciting battle between two strong teams. Follow Sportstar for live updates and highlights from the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad.
Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene has been appointed as the new Head Coach of Mumbai Indians, replacing Mark Boucher. Jayawardene was previously the Head Coach of the franchise from 2017 to 2022, during which MI won three titles. He was serving as the Global Head of Cricket for MI before taking up the role of Head Coach again. Jayawardene's experience and leadership is expected to benefit the team and continue the legacy of the franchise.
The DFB-Pokal tournament heats up as Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Mönchengladbach face each other in a highly anticipated match on Wednesday. The last time these two German Bundesliga teams met, Frankfurt was victorious with 2-0, with goals from Hugo Larsson and Omar Marmoush. Fans can expect another thrilling showdown at the Deutsche Bank Park.