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Liverpool star Luis Diaz’s father has been freed, 13 days after was kidnapped by gunmen in Colombia. Colombia’s National Liberation Army (ELN), the guerrilla group behind the armed capture of Luis Manuel Diaz nearly two weeks ago, have released the Liverpool forward’s father, Colombia’s government confirmed. Local media reported that Diaz Sr was in a good state of health, with no signs of mistreatment. A post from Liverpool on the platform X said: “We are delighted by the news of Luis Diaz’s father’s safe return and we thank all those involved in securing his release.” Diaz Sr was seized at gunpoint by the ELN on 28 October along with his wife, Cilenis Marulanda, who was freed by police within hours. After a major military search, the government said in a statement that it had held peace talks with the ELN and was now celebrating Diaz’s release. A statement from the Colombian Football Federation said: “We appreciate the national government, the military and the national police, as well as all the institutes and individuals which made possible the freedom of Luis Manuel Diaz, father of our footballer Luis Diaz.” Diaz made an emotional appeal for his father’s release after scoring a late equaliser for Liverpool in their 1-1 draw against Luton on Sunday. The 26-year-old marked the goal by revealing a T-shirt bearing a message reading ‘Freedom for Dad’ and then made a statement calling for his “prompt release”. The Colombia international was named in Liverpool’s starting line-up for their Europa League clash against Toulouse on Thursday evening, which kicks off an hour after Diaz’s father’s release was confirmed. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said Diaz was “happy” to play. The ELN said they would release Diaz as long as they received security guarantees from the Colombian government, and claimed they informed the Colombian authorities on 2 November of their intention to release Diaz Sr. On Thursday, local media in Colombia showed Diaz’s father at an airstrip in the city of Valledupar after he descended from a helicopter. Reports said Diaz Sr he would undergo a medical examination before being returned to his family. The kidnapping of Diaz’s father disrupted the Colombian government's peace talks with the rebel group ELN, which restarted last year in hopes of ending the group's part in Colombia's 60-year conflict, which has killed at least 450,000 people. The two sides began a six-month ceasefire in August. The government's negotiating delegation at peace talks with ELN said in a statement it celebrated the liberation and that Diaz was safe and sound, but that the kidnapping "should never have happened." "The current process with the ELN has advanced like no other until today. Regardless, our delegation considers that the kidnapping of Luis Manuel Diaz has placed our dialogue in a critical situation and because of it, the time has come to take decisions to eliminate kidnapping," the statement said. The statement added that all people being held by the ELN must be liberated, though it did not give a figure for remaining hostages. Guerrilla groups in Colombia have historically used kidnapping as a fundraising and pressure tactic. The ELN said a week ago it would free Diaz but his liberation was delayed amid a back-and-forth between the group and the government. The rebels said military operations were impeding liberation efforts, which the army denied. Diaz and his wife Cilenis Marulanda were taken by armed men as they were driving in La Guajira province, near their home town of Barrancas. Cilenis Marulanda, was rescued within hours by police who set up roadblocks around the town of 40,000 people, which is near Colombia’s border with Venezuela. The Colombia Football Federation’s statement continued: “Football as a sporting discipline symbolises talent, dedication, teamwork and the intrinsic values of human beings. “In Colombia it must continue to be a benchmark for entertainment, healthy competition, unity and joy. Therefore, we insist on the need to maintain this activity, as well as those who are involved in it, in the sporting and administrative part and their families, outside of any scenario other than sports. “Behind a ball, the dreams and illusions of boys and girls, young people, women, men and adult soccer players, their loved ones and an entire country roll. Football is passion in peace. Let no one ever think of attacking that reality again.” Includes reporting from Reuters Read More What is VAR, how does it work and what are the biggest problems? Jarell Quansah could fill in for Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk in Toulouse John Obi Mikel recalls Abramovich offering to ‘send people’ to rescue kidnapped dad Klopp and Diaz share emotional moment as player calls for father’s release Being among team-mates feels like a ‘safe place’ for Luis Diaz – Virgil van Dijk Luis Diaz’s father to be released by guerrilla group if ‘guarantees’ are met

Gareth Southgate has revealed his latest England squad with Bukayo Saka and Callum Wilson coming in for John Stones and Eddie Nketiah in the only changes from October’s internationals, which means Raheem Sterling has once again been left out. England continue their preparations ahead of Euro 2024 with qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia later this month but Southgate insisted the door is “100 per cent open” for Sterling to make the European Championships, despite the Chelsea winger now missing the last five international camps since the World Cup last year. There are just four games to go before Southgate announces his 23-player squad for next summer’s tournament, which England qualified for last month thanks to a 3-1 win over Italy at Wembley. Stones drops out after picking up an injury while playing for Manchester City this week, while Arsenal striker Nketiah is also sidelined. Saka has been passed fit despite picking up a knock in Arsenal’s win over Sevilla on Wednesday, while James Maddison is also included after limping off Tottenham’s defeat to Chelsea on Monday. There is no place for the fit-again Reece James, while Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips retain their places. Follow live updates from Wembley below as the England squad is revealed Read More Gareth Southgate makes two changes to England squad for final Euro 2024 qualifiers England reveal March friendlies against two top-five opponents England’s Euro 2024 squad: Who’s on the plane, who’s in contention and who has work to do?

Worse than a defeat that could decide Manchester United’s Champions League season, this was almost multiple losses in one as Erik ten Hag’s hapless side found new ways to just collapse. Twice. An evening that had almost everything left United with nothing, and looking so unconvincing. It wasn’t quite defeat from the jaws of victory but farce from the semblance of competence. United somehow lost 4-3 in Copenhagen to leave themselves in danger of going out at the group stage for the third time in eight years. They are currently bottom of the group, but that only comes after they just bottomed out. United had been leading mere minutes from the end of normal time in both halves and, incredibly, twice went in behind. The second was of course the one that mattered, as Ten Hag’s side disappeared from view to the soundtrack of raucously celebrating Copenhagen fans. This was one of the greatest nights of their history. It was one of United’s most miserable recent results, which is saying something. There were mitigating factors, such as Marcus Rashford’s contentious red card, but they don’t fully explain this. It is why the word “somehow” does a lot of the heavy lifting here, in the way United’s ponderous midfield didn’t. The blunt truth was that this brought together many of the problems Ten Hag has been enduring from this season. Above anything, beyond the lack of tactical idea, there was the lack of conviction. That’s where the biggest issue lies. It just should never have got to this in the modern Champions League against a club as moderately resourced as Copenhagen. It should never be the case that a serial Champions League winner like Raphael Varane offers up a late pass like that. It said so much about the game, and what was wrong. The manner of their final two match-winning goals were so easy, and the most damning aspect of that was they almost represented a mirror of how the game started. The defeat was all the more galling because of how good it looked. United were through and ahead without even doing too much. Aaron Wan-Bissaka was presented with a route down the right that saw Scott McTominay free right by the goal. He so easily squared for Rasmus Hojlund to just slot in. The young Dane was back where he grew up and making himself at home again. The second was an even easier finish, although did admittedly require more graft to get there. It had also come out of a situation where there was a warning for United. Copenhagen were beginning to get at their defence more. Openings were appearing. Through that, though, a massive opening appeared behind them. From one defensive clearance, Alejandro Garnacho just surged forward to force a save from Kamil Grabara but there was Hojlund to just tap it in again. It looked so easy but of course came from a pounding run as the rest of the Copenhagen defence was concentrating on Garnacho. That was an admittedly rare burst, though. It was conspicuous even before that goal that United were trying to cautiously control the game. It was like Ten Hag was trying to build confidence in the gameplan again. They were so studiously keeping possession and looking to construct moves, but without too many strides. That made what followed all the more ironic. The game quickly went out of all control. Perhaps the two are connected. It might not have got to that had they seized the initiative. But they were 2-0 ahead. It should have been safe. It ended up coming down to an interpretation over Marcus Rashford’s level of control. Either way, the referee judged it was a red card, and off the forward went. That happened at 42 minutes, which might have been time enough for United to just see it to half-time. There were instead a massive 13 minutes of stoppage time, although two of those were admittedly for moments unrelated to play. One was when a supporter ran on with a Palestinian flag. Another, shortly afterwards, was when a different fan had to be tended to by medics. The stadium announcer mercifully stated soon afterwards that he was awake and well. All of that still meant there were more than 20 minutes for United to play through until the break, but they began to fold with alarming speed. Diogo Goncalves had already hit the bar with a free-kick. On exactly 45 minutes, he squared for Mohamed Elyounoussi to finish. The Copenhagen crowd had already been buoyant, especially behind that goal, but they were by now electric. There was that sense of opportunity. It was far from the last time that was to happen. It was also a moment that brought another debatable decision - although this admittedly the least of them. The ball struck Harry Maguire’s hand in the area, and Goncalves struck his penalty well. There were a mere 10 minutes between Rashford’s red and the penalty decision. Making the result even worse, they were then granted a reprieve through a decision that was far more debatable. There was another handball that can only be described as a “Champions League decision”. Bruno Fernandes at least ensured the penalty was beyond doubt, smashing it into the top corner. This, with 10 men, was when Ten Hag’s more cautious control might have been warranted. They should have just seen the game out in a professional and tactical manner. That’s just now how you can describe United at the moment, though. They have persistently been playing with the fear that it can all suddenly go wrong, as if one bad moment can lead to an entire bad game. So it was. There was another lightning quick collapse, the goals even easier than those Hojlund had plundered in the first half. On 83 minutes, Rasmus Falk crossed for Lukas Lerager to finish from close range. On 87, substitute Roony Bardghji smashed home a deserved goal that saw the Parken Stadion erupt. The game ended with Copenhagen, and their budget that is a fraction of United’s, just playing the ball around with ease. The next game away to Galatasaray now might be one the entire season - and potentially Ten Hag’s future - hinges on. Read More Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli dazzle to lead Arsenal towards Champions League last-16 Man Utd throw away lead twice after Rashford red in damaging Copenhagen defeat Copenhagen vs Man Utd LIVE: Champions League result and reaction Rumours: Chelsea and Man Utd want £43m full-back as Arsenal delay Toney chase Jacob Neestrup: Parken atmosphere is 100 times more intense than Old Trafford

Manchester United travel to Denmark to face Copenhagen in the Champions League group stages tonight in a must-win fixture in Group A. The Red Devils come into the match sitting third in the table behind leaders Bayern Munich and second-placed Galatasaray. Those clubs face each other in this evening’s other Group A clash. Harry Maguire’s header and Andre Onana’s last ditch penalty save ensured Erik ten Hag’s men defeated Copenhagen last time out in the Champions League but United have dipped in form since. Two embarrassing 3-0 defeats to Manchester City and Newcastle mounted pressure on the manager but the ended that poor run with a fortunate 1-0 victory over Fulham on Saturday. Should United pick up anything less than three points this evening they will face an uphill battle to progress through the group. Beating Copenhagen would be a big step in settling the side into a winning mindset but defeat would raise more questions about the leadership group. Follow all the Champions League action below plus get the latest odds and tips for the match right here:

Over the last few weeks, in what has been a highly pressurised period in games, the Manchester United squad have noted a shift in training. Erik ten Hag has been doing a conspicuous amount of fitness work. Some players feel this has been more of a focus than tactical sessions. Critics and opposition analysts might well say that’s obvious, given that even FC Copenhagen dominated the ball for long periods of that Champions League-saving win at Old Trafford. One of the themes of the season has been how United just haven’t played anything close to Ten Hag’s supposed tactical ideal. Many of the recent games have actually been reminiscent of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s time, especially in how individual inspiration has brought wins out of unconvincing collective displays. That’s also why their fitness work may be important. Durability has been one of the few current qualities keeping United going, and may well prevent Ten Hag from emulating Solskjaer in another way. It may stop them from going out in the group stage again, just as they did in 2020-21. Early elmination isn’t just something that should be put at Solskjaer’s feet, though, nor is it the sole motivation for Wednesday’s game in the Danish capital. United are in some way playing for their modern Champions League legacy. The club’s dismal recent record in the world’s elite competition is as telling a measure as any other of their recent malaise. They may have never dropped out of thhe Deloitte Football Money League top five in terms of revenue, but they barely trouble the Champions League last eight. United haven’t even been to the last four since 2011, which was also the last time they reached the final. In the time since, United have qualified for the competition eight times and gone out at the group stage three times. That is more than they’ve reached the quarter-finals, which has been just twice. Among the clubs to finish above them in their groups since then are Benfica, Basel, PSV Eindhoven, Wolfsburg, Leipzig and Paris Saint-Germain. One of a few ambitions for Copenhagen here is to become another name on a fairly moderate list. They’re well aware they can claim a potentially decisive result, as performance in the 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford showed. Copenhagen got significant confidence from it, despite is ending. They know they should have claimed at least a draw, only for Andre Onana to stop Jordan Larsson’s penalty in what could yet prove to be a hinge moment in the campaign. For the moment, the feeling in Copenhagen is one of huge excitement. It can be sensed in all of their pre-match talk, and how they consider themselves favourites. Ten Hag was diplomatic there. “They are entitled to feel like they are favourites,” the United coach said, before playing all that down. “We’ll go into the game with confidence and aiming to win as well.” That latter point may have raised more eyebrows than Copenhagen’s proclamation since United just do not look like a confident side right now. They instead seem to be playing with the knowledge that one thing going wrong can lead to everything going wrong. A relatively fortuitous late 1-0 win at Fulham doesn’t wave away what happened against Manchester City and Newcastle United. A second victory in a row would admittedly help a bit more, especially one so important for their Champions League future. That sums up where United are right now. It’s like they’re constantly just trying to just get through it, to get to the next step in order to give themselves, the many injured players and their manager some breathing space. Bigger ideas about tactical philosophies can wait. Ten Hag referenced this when he discussed how to improve performance. “By getting more to our best 11 and getting routines in the team. So far, we’ve had to change a lot. The midfield balance is also not there. I'm sure once we get there, we’ll play better.” This is one match when they can’t afford to wait. Otherwise, it will be more of the same in the Champions League, while making that record worse. Ten Hag badly needs to avoid defeat. Physical form can be decisive there, since United do just have higher quality than Copenhagen. That might make it another of those where superior execution late on proves decisive. It shouldn’t really be coming down to games like this, though, when the financial gap between the two clubs is so vast. You just wouldn’t guess it from United’s Champions League record. Read More Rumours: Chelsea and Man Utd want £43m full-back as Arsenal delay Toney chase Jacob Neestrup: Parken atmosphere is 100 times more intense than Old Trafford Manchester United receive devastating Casemiro injury update Alejandro Garnacho to face no punishment over Andre Onana gorilla emoji post What do Arsenal, Man City, Man United and Newcastle need to reach last UCL 16? Christian Eriksen’s trip to Copenhagen is a homecoming with a difference

A farce that sums up a lot of modern football, or one of the games of the season? It maybe sums up how confusing and contradictory this game was that it could genuinely be both. Chelsea’s eventual 4-1 victory at Tottenham Hotspur could have huge effects for both of their seasons too. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have got the win it feels like they have been waiting for, and that at the stadium that still means more to him than any other in football. Ange Postecoglou’s scarcely believable high line with nine men and no main centre-halves did make it borderline for some time. Such a creditable approach earned the applause of the home crowd when it finally went wrong for Nicolas Jackson’s decisive second goal, but there was that unsettling feeling of momentum being undone. Spurs have not just lost their first league game under Postecoglou but also Destiny Udogie and Cristian Romero to suspensions and possibly James Maddison and Micky van de Ven to injury. That all has the feeling of bringing down a flight that had been improbably soaring for some time. Postecoglou could of course tell his players it was a freak game. That’s one way of putting it. It was almost several different events in one, as we saw a spell akin to the infamous Battle of the Bridge as well as Saturday’s Copa Libertadores final, a grand staging for every debate about VAR over and over and then what amounted to a bizarre but brave training session, where Postecoglou seemingly set up the irrepressible Guglielmo Vicario against the entirety of Chelsea’s young attack. To top it off, and turn everything on its head, the previously misfiring Jackson got a hat-trick late on. It wasn’t quite an exhibition of finishing but there was enough to show the potential that is there. Whatever about this evening exhibiting various types of football events in one, mind, there were alternating periods that looked like it could have come from completely different matches. It was incredible to contemplate this by even the half-hour mark, but the first 18 minutes looked like it would be a comprehensive and confident Spurs win to continue their early-season surge. They were shredding Chelsea, especially on the wings. Both sides were being targeted, something inevitable given all the space, and the first real attack brought a goal. Dejan Kulusevski shot and the ball cannoned off Levi Colwell and past Robert Sanchez. Reece James was even more exposed on the other side, allowing Brennan Johnson to just saunter through and square for Son Heung-Min to slide the ball in. It was all so easy that Spurs were getting ahead of themselves, as the Korean’s wayward foot saw the goal ruled out for offside. That was what made what happened next all the more inexplicable, as Udogie went in with a dismally reckless challenge on Raheem Sterling. He didn’t get sent off – yet – but it was like the entire tone changed. It was also a bit of Chekov’s foul, as Udogie would go for similar later on. That itself was influenced by what the match briefly became, which was somewhere between an old storyline from this fixture like the Battle of the Bridge and the Libertadores final. Cristian Romero was at the centre of it, with two challenges of his own that each could have received red cards. He was eventually sent off as part of the same sequence that saw a second Chelsea goal chalked off, to bring a penalty. It was almost difficult to keep up, the sense of dislocation added to by how the match was played at a frenetic pace and yet also frequently stopped for long VAR checks. Cole Palmer’s ensuing penalty consequently may not have been as pure as he’d have liked but it did make its way in. For Pochettino’s part, Udogie’s challenge wasn’t the only big change. He altered Chelsea’s formation to ensure they had taken tactical control of the game even before Romero’s red card. It probably shouldn’t have got to that for Spurs, though. It was going to get worse. Both Maddison and Van de Ven had to go off injured before Udogie eventually got his red card. What happened next was perhaps the most unexpected development of all, though. Postecoglou refused to back down. He doubled down. Despite nine-man Spurs losing two of their leading players to injury, with both of their main centre-halves off the pitch, Postecoglou seemed to go even higher with his line. Spurs basically offered up the entirety of their half to Chelsea’s attack. It was bold, to say the least. It immediately led to Chelsea setting up a series of one-on-ones, the game almost becoming a training exercise between their forwards and Guglielmo Vicario, with some vague use of the offside trap in between. And yet this might well have been where there was a clear logic. Given how inexperienced this Chelsea squad is, many of them seemed to keep making the bad choices when such good chances were offered. There was rarely a third-man run. Mykhailo Mudryk and Nicolas Jackson kept going outside when they should have gone inside, or vice versa. Vicario, for his part, was brilliant. Every unlikely stop amplified the atmosphere. It was as if every wasted one-on-one – and they were becoming countless – was further eroding their confidence. This could have been a hugely embarrassing game for Chelsea, rather than the humiliation for Spurs it was almost set up for. Except, the risk was just too great. A team with someone as experienced as Sterling was eventually going to get one right. It was duly his pass that set up Jackson. At 2-1, Spurs had no choice but to go for it even more. Jackson claimed even more, twice scoring in stoppage time. That may be a turning point for him as well as Spurs, but only after a night that really did the rounds. You can try to make sense of it – but maybe it’s just best to be experienced. Read More Ange Postecoglou reacts to VAR calls as Spurs earn two red cards in defeat to Chelsea Ange Postecoglou’s high line epitomised Tottenham’s optimism - and their downfall Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg: Spurs went down with flag held high but loss hurts a lot

Manchester United will hope to quickly sweep aside the disappointment of losing the Manchester derby by knocking Newcastle out of the Carabao Cup when the teams meet, in a repeat of the 2022 final, at Old Trafford tonight. Erik ten Hag’s men were soundly beaten 3-0 by Manchester City on Sunday putting an end to their fortuitous run of victories. United have been unconvincing of late, despite three wins from their last four games, and desperately need their forward line to kick into gear and deliver some goals. The League Cup is usually an opportunity to rest and rotate players but Ten Hag, who will want to regain the trophy his team won last season, may decide to name a strong team in the hopes his players will discover some form. Newcastle, in contrast, are playing rather well. A 1-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League is their only defeat in 10 games and they eliminated Man City from this competition in the previous round. However, Eddie Howe‘s options for tonight’s clash are limited due to injuries and he will no doubt want to add the red side of Manchester to his list of defeat opponents this season. Follow all the action from Old Trafford below plus get the latest odds and tips right here: Read More What time is the Carabao Cup draw? Date, time and how to watch Carabao Cup extra time rules: What happens if fourth-round matches end in a draw? The eight-month gap that sums up Manchester United’s alarming decline

West Ham host Arsenal in the Carabao Cup fourth round tonight as the two Premier League sides attempt to reach the quarter-final stage of the competition and Declan Rice returns to the London Stadium. Despite their Premier League opposition, Hammers boss David Moyes is expected to make sweeping changes to his team as he tries to halt a serious downturn in form. West Ham have gone four matches without a win and their most recent result, a 1-0 loss to Everton in the league, did not sit well with the fans. Their displeasure will evaporate overnight though should the Irons defeat Arsenal at the London Stadium. That won’t be an easy task though. Rotation is likely for Mikel Arteta’s side too as they must prepare for a tough league clash with Newcastle this weekend. That said, the Gunners are unbeaten in four games and put five goals past Sheffield United last time out, with Eddie Nketiah netting his first league hat-trick for the club, meaning they are in top form. With Manchester City already out of the league cup, this will be a competition Arteta will have his sights set on winning. Follow along for all the action from the London Stadium plus get the latest odds and tips right here: Read More What time is the Carabao Cup draw? Date, time and how to watch Carabao Cup extra time rules: What happens if fourth-round matches end in a draw? Why Declan Rice returns to West Ham as Arsenal’s ‘Van Dijk’ signing

The Carabao Cup fourth round continues tonight with the remaining teams competing for a place in the quarter-finals. The draw will take place following the conclusion of Manchester United’s match against Newcastle tonight which is a repeat of last year’s final. Eddie Howe’s men knocked out Manchester City in the third round and will want to triumph over another Manchester team as they target the latter stages. League One’s Port Vale were the first team to reach the last eight of the League Cup, for the first time in their history, after defeating Mansfield Town on Tuesday evening, while an 83rd-minute penalty earned Middlesbrough a 3-2 victory away at Exeter. There are plenty of Premier League sides in action tonight as Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea all attempt to reach the quarter-finals. The draw for the last eight is expected to take place at the conclusion of Man Utd vs Newcastle so here’s everything you need to know: When is the quarter-final draw? The Carabao Cup quarter-final draw takes place on the November 1 after the match between Newcastle and Manchester United at Old Trafford. The match is due to kick off at 8pm, and the draw will follow after full time, starting between 10-10:10pm. How to watch on TV and online Sky Sports will broadcast both the match before and the draw. The draw will also be live streamed for free on the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel. When will the quarter-final fixtures be played? The quarter-final stage of the Carabao Cup will be played in the week commencing Monday 18 December. When is the Carabao Cup final? The Carabao Cup final is scheduled for 25 February 2024 at Wembley Stadium. Which teams are in the draw? 1. Port Vale 2. Middlesbrough 3. West Ham or Arsenal 4. Everton or Burnley 5. Chelsea or Blackburn 6. Ipswich or Fulham 7. Bournemouth or Liverpool 8. Manchester United or Newcastle United Read More Is West Ham vs Arsenal on TV? Channel, time and how to watch Carabao Cup The eight-month gap that sums up Manchester United’s alarming decline Why Declan Rice returns to West Ham as Arsenal’s ‘Van Dijk’ signing Is Manchester United vs Newcastle on TV? Channel, time and how to watch Carabao Cup Eddie Howe backs Saudi Arabia to throw ‘really good’ 2034 World Cup Manchester United ‘have got to move on’ from humbling derby experience

Manchester United will look to bounce back from their defeat in the derby when they host Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night at Old Trafford. Erik ten Hag’s side were resoundingly beaten 3-0 at the hands of Manchester City on Sunday, but will want to put that behind them against Newcastle. The teams met in the final of last year’s competition, where the Magpies were outclassed in their first final since 1999, with Manchester United winning the match 2-0 to lift the League Cup trophy. Newcastle have improved since then, while United have slid further down the table. So far this season, Eddie Howe’s side have got the better of Paris Saint-Germain in a tough Champions League group and have two more points than Manchester United in the Premier League as well. Here’s everything you need to know about the match and you can find tips and a betting preview for the game here. When is it? The Carabao Cup round-of-16 clash takes place on Wednesday 1 November at Old Trafford with a kick-off time of 8.15pm GMT. How can I watch it? The match will be shown on Sky Sports Football on TV and can also be streamed on the Sky Go app with coverage starting at 7 pm. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get great deals on the best VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider. Team news Jadon Sancho remains on the sidelines after a disagreement with the manager that played out in public. Jonny Evans could be called up into the side again, with Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Raphael Varane having all suffered recently with injury issues. Tyrell Malacia, Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are the other absentees. For Newcastle, Alexander Isak is expected to be out until after the November international break with Sven Botman still being assessed. Predicted line-ups Man Utd XI: Onana; Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, Reguilon; Eriksen, McTominay; Pellestri, Fernandes; Garnacho; Martial Newcastle XI: Pope; Livramento, Lascelles, Dummett, Targett; Longstaff, Miley, Joelinton; Almiron, Wilson, Hall Odds Manchester United 11/10 Draw 12/5 Newcastle 12/5 Prediction It will not be one for the ages, with Newcastle battling with limited squad depth and a Champions League campaign and United with well-publicised struggles. Manchester United 1-2 Newcastle Read More Erik ten Hag says ‘only a matter of time’ until Manchester United form improves What time is the Carabao Cup draw? Date, time and how to watch Sir Bobby Charlton funeral announced for November 13 The eight-month gap that sums up Manchester United’s alarming decline Erik ten Hag tells Manchester United players not to feel sorry for themselves Reporter challenges Ten Hag on not starting Varane: ‘Did you actually say why?’

Fifa have claimed a significant victory in their attempt to regulate the world’s top football agents, as the European Commission has backed the governing body’s move to bring in strict new rules including a cap on fees. Although it will be a hearing at the European Court of Justice that ultimately settles the issue, the Commission’s written submission to judges carry significant weight. It is seen by sources involved as a “huge development” and being hailed as a win for Fifa in what had been developing into a highly fractious conflict. Agents argue that the global body is attempting to unfairly affect their earning potential through a labour negotiation issue that actually has nothing to do with football, and goes against European Union antitrust laws. One strident position has been that setting a price cap would essentially represent a price-fixing cartel by the clubs, which top agents had been putting a lot of focus on. The European Commission have instead argued that a cap is entirely justified in order to protect players and contractual stability, as well as limiting conflicts of interest while protecting players who lack experience or information about the transfer system. An additional note was that agents’ fees are actually excessive and out of kilter with any normal fees for a service. The Commission’s observations also pointed to the “degree of discretion” which EU law generally affords sporting associations in order to fairly govern. Of the cap, it was stated “the defendant has plausibly pointed out that very high agency commissions, which are completely decoupled from the cost of the consideration, create a strong incentive to exert massive influence on players in particular in order to force an early transfer.” A further issue the new rules are set to tackle is on representing various parties on the same deal. The Commission has also backed restriction of this, arguing it “appears suitable” to mitigate against potential conflict of interest. A date for the hearing at the court in Luxembourg has not yet been set. Read More Fifa must secure Saudi promise over World Cup human rights, Amnesty warns Saudi Arabian World Cup in 2034 sparks ‘significant concern’ from major leagues Saudi Arabia set to host World Cup 2034 as Australia opts against bid

Sarina Wiegman’s England travel to Leuven for their second Women’s Nations League match against Belgium in just five days. At Leicester’s King Power Stadium on Friday night, the Lionesses secured all three points following an early strike from Lauren Hemp. The held on to their slender lead for the rest of the game to run out 1-0 winners but it was far from a convincing peformance from the World Cup runners-up. A 2-1 loss back in September to the Netherlands means England are second in Group A1 and they will be determined to back up last week’s win with another victory tonight. The group winners will move into the Nations League semi-finals and the Lionesses must remain in touch with their Dutch counterparts if they hope to reach the knockout stages. A place in the Olympics is also at stake as the four group winners in League A meet in the semi-finals before the two finalists join France as the 2024 Olympic Games’ European representatives. Follow all the action from Belgium vs England below plus get the latest odds and tips right here: