PORTO, Portugal: Erik ten Hag pleaded to be given until the end of the season as Manchester United boss after needing a late Harry Maguire equalizer to salvage a 3-3 draw at Porto in the Europa League on Thursday.
Ten Hag was under major pressure before the trip to Portugal after just two wins from United’s first six Premier League fixtures of the season left them languishing in 13th place in the table.
The Red Devils have also drawn their opening two Europa League games to sit 21st in the 36-team table.
“We will get there, don’t judge us in this moment,” said Ten Hag.
“Judge us in the end of the season. We will improve, we have two seasons where we achieved finals. Just wait, we will develop and progress this team.”
Ten Hag has fiercely defended his record after winning the League Cup and FA Cup in his first two seasons in charge at Old Trafford — ending United’s six-year trophy drought in the process.
A shock victory over Manchester City in last season’s FA Cup final was widely credited with saving his job despite finishing eighth in the Premier League.
But the United hierarchy could be forced to act in the upcoming international break after they travel to face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday.
Ten Hag could not have asked for a better start in Porto as goals from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund put United 2-0 up inside 20 minutes
However, the English giants have failed to win any of their last four away European games despite scoring three times in each of them.
Last season they crashed out of the Champions League at the group stages after losing 4-3 at Bayern Munich and FC Copenhagen plus a 3-3 draw at Galatasaray.
Another six-goal thriller took place at the Estadio do Dragao as Pepe and Samu Omorodion brought Porto level before half-time.
Omorodion smashed the home side in front early in the second half before United captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off for the second consecutive game.
But Maguire’s header from a corner at least salvaged a point for Ten Hag.
“When you get 2-0 away from home you have to be a little bit more solid and there were far too many gaps,” said Maguire.
“Too many crosses were coming into the box for sure and they ultimately punished us for it.”
The England international has lost his regular starting spot in the side to Matthijs de Ligt, who previously worked under Ten Hag at Ajax.
Maguire said the pressure his manager was facing is what comes with the “privilege” of being in the spotlight at one of the world’s biggest clubs.
“I’ve played for this club for six years, I know how it works. When you go on a bad spell players come under pressure and also the manager does,” added Maguire.
“He’s experienced enough and been at this club long enough so I’m sure he knows how to deal with it. It’s part of the privilege you have playing for this club.”
Judge me at the end of the season, says under-fire Man Utd boss Ten Hag
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Judge me at the end of the season, says under-fire Man Utd boss Ten Hag
Clippers upset Warriors, Lillard saves Bucks
- Franz Wagner poured in 32 points to help the Orlando Magic claim a 109-99 win over the depleted Suns
- Jimmy Butler finished with 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists as the Miami Heat pummeled the struggling Philadelphia 76ers 106-89
LOS ANGELES: The Los Angeles Clippers held off a furious late rally to upset the pace-setting Golden State Warriors 102-99 in the NBA on Monday.
Norman Powell led the Clippers scoring with 23 points including five three-pointers as the Los Angeles club improved to 8-7 for the season after downing the Western Conference leaders.
The Clippers led by 15 points late in the second quarter only to see the Warriors chip away at the lead to narrow the margin to three points at the end of the third quarter.
The Clippers dug deep to hold off Golden State in the fourth quarter, and the Warriors missed a three-point attempt from Gary Payton II on the buzzer that would have tied it to force overtime.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors scorers with 26 points, with Andrew Wiggins adding 22.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said he had rallied his team at the end of the third quarter.
“I told them ‘they’re the number one team in the West for a reason’ — but we’re still up by three points, at home,” Lue said.
“But I’m proud of the team. They made a big run like they always do, and we were able to keep our composure and come away with the win.”
Elsewhere on Monday, Damian Lillard returned from a three-game concussion layoff to score a driving layup with 3.9 seconds remaining and give the Milwaukee Bucks a much-needed 101-100 victory over the in-form Houston Rockets.
Houston had gone into the game on the back of a five-game winning streak and looked ready to extend that run after racing into an early 13-point lead in the first quarter.
But Milwaukee, who are four places off the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 5-9 record after Monday’s win, responded superbly to lead by 12 points at half-time.
Houston regained the initiative in the fourth quarter to grab the lead, but a late run by Milwaukee culminating in Lillard’s winner settled an enthralling battle.
Lillard, who finished with 18 points and 10 assists, admitted that his enforced layoff due to concussion had been a challenge.
“Normally when something is wrong with me I feel like I can will myself through it — but this was probably one of the first times in my life and definitely in my NBA career where I was like ‘something is off,’” Lillard said Monday’s win.
“It was a little frustrating. I just didn’t like not being with the team.”
Brook Lopez led the Bucks scoring with 27 points while Giannis Antetokounmpo added 20.
In Phoenix, Franz Wagner poured in 32 points to help the Orlando Magic claim a 109-99 win over the depleted Suns.
Wagner was boosted by 20 points off the bench from Anthony Black while Goga Bitadze added 17.
Phoenix, missing the injured Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic, slumped to their fourth straight loss. Phoenix, who made a blistering 8-1 start to the season, fell to 9-6 after the defeat.
Phoenix coach Mike Budenholzer called on his team to rally around each other as they weathered the injury-driven dip in form.
“Just stay together,” Budenholzer said. “You’ve got to keep going, keep doing the work and keep your head up. This group will do that. They’re very resilient.”
Elsewhere on Monday, Jimmy Butler finished with 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists as the Miami Heat pummeled the struggling Philadelphia 76ers 106-89. Tyler Herro added 18 for Miami as the Sixers once again stumbled despite leading by 19 points early in the second quarter.
Philadelphia are now bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 2-11 record. Sixers star Joel Embiid once again struggled with just 11 points.
Messi’s Argentina could move a step nearer World Cup spot by beating Peru
- Victory would give defending champions Argentina 25 points from 12 matches
- Brazil and Uruguay will meet in Salvador, and both coaches expect to finish the year better than they started
RIO DE JANEIRO: Lionel Messi’s Argentina will be on the verge of confirming a 2026 World Cup spot if they beat Peru in Buenos Aires in South American qualifying on Tuesday.
Victory would give defending champions Argentina 25 points from 12 matches, historically good enough for at least sixth place in the 10-team standings. South America have six entries into the World Cup.
But Argentina will be without five injured players after losing to Paraguay 2-1 last Thursday when they host Peru, who are second to last.
Meanwhile, Brazil and Uruguay will meet in Salvador, and both coaches expect to finish the year better than they started.
Dorival Junior, in charge of Brazil since January and still struggling to convince fans he’s the right choice, could move to second place with a win.
Marcelo Bielsa, who was recently under fire by Uruguay great Luis Suarez, will seek to add at least one point to the team’s tally to prove Friday’s last minute 3-2 victory against Colombia was no fluke.
Uruguay and Colombia are three points behind Argentina. Brazil are fourth. Ecuador are a point behind in fifth.
Argentina’s defense
Argentina left behind defenders Lisandro Martinez and German Pezzella when they traveled to Paraguay. Another three were injured out of the home match against Peru: Cristian Romero, Nahuel Molina and Nicolas Tagliafico. The trio started against Paraguay.
Argentina left a poor image against Paraguay in Asuncion from their third loss in qualifying. Veteran Messi had a quiet performance, and strikers Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez were no better. Observers wondered whether the team’s magic was running out.
“I don’t know whether (rival coaches) they found an antidote (to Argentina),” coach Luis Scaloni said. “We hope to go back on a positive patch.”
Scalopni is expected to field Gonzalo Montiel in Molina’s place; Leonardo Balerdi in Romero’s; and Facundo Medina replacing Tagliafico.
Derby
Brazil summoned right back Danilo in the only change to the team that drew with Venezuela 1-1 on Thursday. Danilo replaced Vanderson, who was suspended. Dorival Junior was already under pressure to bring in the experienced right back and avoid testing too many new players.
Brazil’s unimpressive form this year has caused many fans to openly say they won’t be watching the national team until performances improve. But that narrative has prompted a plea from captain Marquinhos.
“I am asking you not to abandon the national team. Don’t leave us, no,” he said in a news conference. “This is my third cycle here, I can say 100 percent sure that everyone here has pride, faith and hope. And dignity. We are living this moment as if it was the last in our life. Unique.”
Brazil have lost four matches in qualifying and won some others in unconvincing fashion. Plus, their biggest available star, Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior, has so far not delivered a good performance.
Uruguay’s Nahitan Nández and Santiago Bueno are not playing in Salvador but Bielsa has yet to say who will replace them.
Many Uruguay players also need to be extra careful on Tuesday so they don’t miss the following clash against Argentina in March. Manuel Ugarte, Jose Maria Gimenez, Brian Rodriguez, Darwin Nuñez, Nicolas Fonseca, Rodrigo Bentancur and Rodrigo Aguirre will be out if they get a second yellow.
Croatia, Denmark qualify for Nations League quarterfinals with draws
- They joined France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands in the last eight
- In Warsaw, Liverpool fullback Andy Robertson scored an injury time header to give Scotland a 2-1 win over Poland
MADRID: Denmark and Croatia completed the Nations League quarterfinals lineup after both sides secured draws on Monday.
Denmark went 0-0 in Serbia, and Croatia came from behind to share 1-1 with visiting Portugal.
They joined France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands in the last eight.
The quarterfinals will be held from March 20-23.
In Warsaw, Liverpool fullback Andy Robertson scored an injury time header to give Scotland a 2-1 win over Poland and send the host down into League B. Scotland has a playoff to secure its League A status.
Northern Ireland will step up to League B after topping its group. Northern Ireland let slip a two-goal lead but drew in Luxembourg 2-2. Romania hammered Cyprus 4-1.
San Marino will jump into Group C after beating Lichtenstein 3-1.
Scotland wins again
After going nine matches without a win, Scotland appeared rejuvenated as they condemned a Robert Lewandowski-less Poland to League B.
Scotland took just one point from their first four games in Group A1 but beat Croatia at home on Friday and were 1-0 up after three minutes in Warsaw.
Billy Gilmour’s threaded pass found Ben Doak, who rolled the ball to John McGinn to score his second goal in four days.
Scotland hit the woodwork twice in the first half and its inability to open a greater lead almost cost it when Kamil Piątkowski lashed a stunning strike into the top corner of the net to equalize 14 minutes into the second period.
However, Scotland pushed forward for a winner and Robertson headed the decider in the third minute of stoppage time.
Croatia struggle
Croatia needed only a draw to secure qualification but they made the home fans in Split sweat before getting the point they needed against group winners Portugal.
With 32 minutes gone, Joao Felix brought down a superb 45-yard pass from Vitinha and slipped the ball under the advancing keeper to give the visitors the lead. When Andrej Kramaric hit the post and Josko Gvardiol had a 62nd minute goal ruled out for offside it looked like it might not be Croatia’s night.
Bu Manchester City’s Gvardiol got the equalizer just a few minutes later and Croatia held on to take the second quarterfinal spot from Group A1.
Spain beat Switzerland
There was little to play for in Tenerife, where Spain, top of Group A4, took on the already relegated Switzerland.
Coach Luis de la Fuente offered a first start to Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado and gave debuts to Samu and Aitor Paredes in a much-changed Spain side.
But it was the two Bryans, Gil and Zaragoza, who got the goals that mattered for the European champions.
Pedri’s first half penalty was saved but Yeremi Pino converted to put Spain ahead.
Joel Monteiro equalized for Switzerland after 63 minutes but Bryan Gil got Spain back in front five minutes later. Andi Zeqiri equalized again from the penalty spot with five minutes remaining but a stoppage time penalty from Bryan Zaragoza at the other end gave Spain all three points.
Denmark draw in Serbia
In Leskovac, Serbia controlled most of the game against Denmark but could not get the goal they needed to progress from Group A4. Dusan Vlahovic was in fine form for the home side but the Danes held out to take second spot, eight points behind winner Spain but two ahead of the Serbs, for which Strahinja Pavlovic was sent off near the end.
Northern Ireland step up
Northern Ireland finished on top of Group C3 even though it blew a 2-0 lead in Luxembourg.
Isaac Price opened the scoring after 19 minutes and the Standard Liege midfielder set up Conor Bradley for the second five minutes into the second half. The opener was Northern Ireland’s 100th under coach Michael O’Neill.
However, even though the home side scored twice in the last 18 minutes, Northern Ireland ended its campaign with 11 points, two ahead of Bulgaria, who drew at home with Belarus 1-1. Luxembourg finished last.
Romania and Kosovo win
Romania finished on top of Group C2 with a 4-1 win over Cyprus. Daniel Bîrligea put Romania ahead after two minutes and Razvan Marin scored twice before Florinel Coman made it four.
Ioannis Pittas got Cyprus’ goal and the Cypriots’ Konstantinos Laifis was sent off 13 minutes from time.
Kosovo beat Lithuania 1-0 with an early goal from Muharrem Jashari, who was also sent off on the stroke of halftime.
Kosovo finished second, three points behind Romania, but an asterisk remains over the final placings following the abandonment of Friday’s match between the teams in Bucharest.
The Kosovo players alleged they were victims of pro-Serbian chants by the home fans and walked off the field in the final minute. UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings.
San Marino advance
San Marino will go into Group C at the expense of Gibraltar after beating Lichtenstein 3-1. Gibraltar started the day in pole position with six points but San Marino recovered from being 1-0 down at halftime to score three times in the second half.
Victory also lifted San Marino within reach of a place in the World Cup qualifying playoffs.
Holders Spain strike late to beat Switzerland in Nations League
TENERIFE, Spain: Bryan Zaragoza won and converted a late penalty to help Euro 2024 winners Spain beat Switzerland 3-2 in a Nations League dead rubber on Monday.
The Nations League holders, already guaranteed top spot in Group A4, twice took the lead but were pegged back by the already-relegated Swiss in Tenerife.
It was the first Spain match on the island in 28 years and fans were able to celebrate a win after Bayern Munich winger Zaragoza’s late spot-kick settled the game.
Coach Luis de la Fuente changed his whole line-up from the win over Denmark on Friday, handing Athletic Bilbao center-back Aitor Paredes his debut in defense.
Yeremi Pino, a Canary Islander, sent Spain ahead on home territory after 32 minutes after Pedri’s penalty was saved.
Captain Alvaro Morata won the penalty and handed Pedri, born in Tenerife, the ball to take the spot kick, but Yvon Mvogo saved the Barcelona midfielder’s effort.
“Here at home with a goal, the win... I can’t ask for more,” Pino told TVE.
“It was a very special game... full marks to the fans.”
De la Fuente sent on another Spain debutant at half-time in Porto striker Samu Aghehowa.
Joel Monteiro levelled for Switzerland but a few minutes later Bryan Gil stole the ball back to restore Spain’s lead.
Andi Zeqiri fired home from the spot after a foul by Fabian Ruiz in the 85th minute but Zaragoza ensured Spain could finish a spectacular year on a high.
The winger, on loan at Osasuna from Bayern, burst into the box and was brought crashing down by Vincent Sierro.
Zaragoza clinically dispatched the resulting penalty to spark jubilant celebrations in Tenerife.
Marcus Stoinis lets rip as Australia crush Pakistan for T20 series whitewash
- After opting to bat, Pakistan raced to 62-1 before crumbling to 117 all out in the 19th over
- Stoinis slammed five sixes and five fours in his 27-ball masterclass, staying unbeaten at 61
HOBART: Marcus Stoinis slammed five huge sixes in an unbeaten 61 as Australia crushed Pakistan by seven wickets in Hobart on Monday to secure a 3-0 T20 series whitewash.
Chasing a meagre 118, the hosts hit the target in the 12th over to hand Pakistan a reality check after the visitors won the preceding ODI series 2-1.
Stoinis was unstoppable once he got going, also blasting five fours in his 27-ball masterclass.
“It’s really nice to get another win and go 3-0 up,” said Australia skipper Josh Inglis.
“When he’s going like that, it’s really hard to stop,” he added of Stoinis. “One of those sixes was probably the biggest I’ve seen.”
The match at Bellerive Oval was a dead rubber after Australia won a rain-hit match in Brisbane by 29 runs and then in Sydney by 13 runs.
After opting to bat, Pakistan raced to 62-1 before crumbling to 117 all out in the 19th over with Babar Azam top-scoring on 41 and Aaron Hardie taking 3-21.
Jake Fraser-McGurk began the run chase with consecutive boundaries from Shaheen Shah Afridi before the speedster dismissed Matt Short for two, caught at mid-on by Irfan Khan.
Fraser-McGurk (18) followed next over, undone by the sheer pace of Jahandad Khan in another mis-fire by the 22-year-old.
But Inglis kept the scoreboard ticking over alongside Stoinis, who let rip in the ninth over, punishing Haris Rauf for 20, including a massive six that landed on the stadium roof.
Their 55-run partnership ended when Inglis scooped Abbas Afridi to Rauf on 27, which brought Tim David to the crease.
He was bystander to Stoinis, who brought up his fifth T20 half-century with another giant six before seeing them home.
“There’s lots of positives, the way some of the players batted and bowled, these youngsters will come good,” said Salman Agha, Pakistan’s skipper for the night with Mohammad Rizwan rested.
“It’s a big achievement for us to win a one-day series here after 22 years, we could have done better in the T20 series but we’ll come back stronger.”
Sahibzada Farhan opened the Pakistan batting with Azam in the absence of Rizwan.
But on a chilly evening, he lasted just seven balls before top-edging a short one from Spencer Johnson — fresh from taking five wickets in Sydney — to Xavier Bartlett.
Azam produced a series of elegant strokes as he and Haseebullah Khan put on a quickfire 44 for the second wicket.
But Kahn was no match for Adam Zampa’s spin, collecting an outside edge on 24 to Short.
Pakistan’s woes mounted with Usman Khan (3) caught on the ropes after slogging Hardie and Agha trapped lbw by the same bowler for one.
It left them reeling on 72-4 at the halfway mark and when Zampa bowled Azam and Khan (10) was needlessly run out they were in deep trouble.
Shaheen Shah Afridi blasted only six of the innings but didn’t last as the tailenders were mopped up.
