Matej Kovar is on the verge of leaving Manchester United in permanent transfer.

The Women’s World Cup is taking shape with shocks and highlights as it nears the end of the group stage

The Memphis Grizzlies are targeting their deepest postseason run since the 2013 Western Conference finals

Matthew Fitzpatrick seized a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland on Friday, just five days after winning the...

Nick Pope has told Newcastle they have to believe they can win every game if they are to be thought of as a top team. The Magpies head into Tuesday night’s crunch Champions League clash with Paris St Germain knowing their first campaign in two decades could be over if they lose. Memories of October’s 4-1 demolition of the French champions at St James’ Park, which took Eddie Howe’s men to the top of Group F after two rounds of fixtures, have faded after back-to-back defeats by Borussia Dortmund left them at the foot of the table. However, asked what they need at the Parc des Princes, Pope said: “A win would be nice. That’s not going to do any harm in any group at any stage. “It obviously keeps it in our hands as well, which is something that would be nice going into the Milan at home game. But the full focus has got to be on tomorrow night and taking it one game at a time. “Every game we go into, we’ve got to look to win, whether that’s League Cup, Champions League, league. “I believe we’re a top team and top team behaviours and top team attitudes, that’s what it is. Whoever the opponent may be, however good they are, we have to have the belief and the attitude that we want to win the game.” Newcastle managed to keep PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe and his team-mates quiet on Tyneside, but the France international has been in lethal form since, scoring 14 goals in his last 11 games for club and country. Another clean sheet in Paris would do Pope’s chances of winning back a place in the England set-up no harm and, although he insists he has no problem with manager Gareth Southgate’s decision to leave him out of recent squads, he knows what he needs to do to stand a chance of returning. He said: “You can always do more. There’s more clean sheets to be had, more saves, better performances. I’ve got to look inwardly at that. Gareth’s decision to leave me out, I’ve got to make it that he can’t leave me out.” Pope may not be the only Magpie whose form Southgate is monitoring, with Anthony Gordon staking his claim for an elevation from the under-21 ranks with a series of high-octane performances amid a crippling injury crisis. Howe was without 13 senior players for Saturday’s 4-1 league win over Chelsea, in which the former Everton man scored the final goal, and will have to play a key role in the French capital if his side is to prosper. The Magpies head coach, who may have to include 17-year-old midfielder Lewis Miley in his starting line-up once again after a hugely impressive display against the Blues, knows just how high the stakes are, but is not cowed by the pressure. Howe, who put his players through their paces at the Parc des Princes on Monday evening having trained back in Newcastle for the previous two away games, said: “It’s difficult to predict football matches and what the results may be and the permutations of others’ games. We try not to lose energy doing that. “From our side, we prepare to try to win this game, that’s all we can do and then worry about Milan afterwards. “We’re certainly not in a strong position, we’re not in the position that we wanted to be, but we are where we are and we have to just focus on this game, and I think it’s imperative we don’t lose.” Howe confirmed midfielder Joe Willock is to see a specialist on Tuesday over his Achilles injury. Read More Rumours: Sancho and Antony head up Man Utd’s 15-player sale list Newcastle face ‘defining’ clash as Howe demands team ‘play on the edge’ Gvardiol’s reminder of how far he’s come - and what he needs to succeed at City Newcastle face ‘defining’ clash as Howe demands team ‘play on the edge’ Gvardiol’s reminder of how far he’s come - and what he needs to succeed at City Player behaviour towards referees tops agenda at meeting of game’s lawmakers

Both road teams in the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup semifinals found a way to earn a result, setting up the chance for North Carolina Courage to repeat on home turf.

Alexander Volkanovski continued his dominant run atop the UFC featherweight division on Saturday, stopping interim champion Yair Rodriguez to unify the titles. Volkanovski controlled the Mexican on the mat for most of the first two rounds, and just when Rodriguez began to flicker into life in the striking exchanges, Volkanovski fired back with a hard right hook to set up a ground-and-pound finish in Round 3. With the result at Las Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena, the Australian not only retained his featherweight title but bounced back from a narrow loss to Islam Makhachev – Volkanovski’s first defeat in 10 years, and one that occurred when the 34-year-old challenged for the lightweight belt in February. In the co-main event, Alexandre Pantoja won a thrilling, back-and-forth battle with Brandon Moreno, taking the flyweight title from the Mexican with a split-decision win. The victory also saw the Brazilian move to 3-0 against two-time champion Moreno, whom Pantoja also beat in 2016 and 2018. Earlier in the night, South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis stunned Robert Whittaker, beating the ex-middleweight champion via TKO before facing off with reigning title holder Israel Adesanya in a heated exchange. All the while, ex-US president Donald Trump watched on from ringside. Also, former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler won his retirement fight by knocking out Niko Price inside the first minute, Dan Hooker outpointed Jalin Turner despite suffering a broken arm, and Bo Nickal knocked out Val Woodburn to move to 5-0 with a fifth first-round finish. Full UFC 290 results Main card Alexander Volkanovski def. Yair Rodriguez via third-round TKO (4:19) Alexandre Pantoja def. Brandon Moreno via split decision (46-49, 48-47, 48-47) Dricus Du Plessis def. Robert Whittaker via second-round TKO (punches, 2:23) Dan Hooker def. Jalin Turner via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) Bo Nickal def. Val Woodburn via first-round TKO (punches, 0:38) Prelims Robbie Lawler def. Niko Price via first-round KO (punches, 0:38) Tatsuro Taira def. Edgar Chairez via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27) Denise Gomes def. Yazmin Jauregui via first-round TKO (punches, 0:20) Alonzo Menifield def. Jimmy Crute via second-round submission (guillotine choke, 1:55) Early prelims Vitor Petrino def. Marcin Prachnio via third-round submission (arm triangle, 3:42) Cameron Saaiman def. Terrence Mitchell via first-round TKO (3:10) Jesus Aguilar def. Shannon Ross via first-round KO (0:17) Esteban Ribovics def. Kamuela Kirk via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Donald Trump high-fives fans at UFC 290 in Las Vegas Conor McGregor shoves Michael Chandler in the face amid coaching criticism UFC rankings: The Independent’s pound-for-pound fighters list Donald Trump high-fives fans at UFC 290 in Las Vegas Brandon Moreno, piñatas and the promise that inspired UFC supremacy UFC 290 LIVE: Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez updates and results

The Chelsea players in Mauricio Pochettino's squad who are currently injured.

Malik Willis rushed for 91 yards and threw a touchdown pass while playing the entire game for Tennessee, and the Titans dominated at the line of scrimmage during a 24-16 preseason victory over the Minnesota Vikings

Joao Moutinho and Diego Costa are to leave Wolves when their current contracts expire with Adama Traore still in talks over an extension. The Premier League club’s sporting director Matt Hobbs has confirmed that 36-year-old Portuguese midfielder Moutinho and Brazil-born Spanish striker Costa, 34, will officially depart at the end of this month. Hobbs told the club’s official website: “Joao’s going to go down as one of the best players to ever pull on the old gold, in my opinion. “He was an integral part of the team the entire time he was here. Our success over the last four or five years, he’s been instrumental in. So, he now departs with nothing but thanks from the football club. “We thank Joao for all he did at Wolves and wish him the best of luck for the future.” Moutinho joined the club from Monaco in July 2018 and made 212 appearances for Wanderers. On former Atletico Madrid and Chelsea frontman Costa, Hobbs added: “It feels the natural time to part ways because he was on a one-year contract. There was some internal conversations and we felt this was right. “I’ve got no doubt that Diego will get another club off the back of his performances for sure. If a club calls me to ask about the person, he’ll get nothing but praise from me.” Traore, however, could yet have a future at Molineux with manager Julen Lopetegui keen to keep the 27-year-old and discussions are ongoing. Hobbs said: “He’s now out of contract, but it doesn’t mean there’s not an opportunity to still come to an agreement, so conversations will be ongoing. He’s probably earned the right to understand what else is out there. “Sometimes it’s not possible, but we’ll certainly be trying. We hope we can come to an agreement but let’s see what happens over the next few weeks.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Manchester United's troubles since their legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 have been well documented over the years.

What the papers say Liverpool are yet to receive a bid for Thiago Alcantara despite interest from several foreign clubs. The Times says clubs in Saudi Arabia are among those keen on the Spanish midfielder, 32. Southampton full-back Tino Livramento, 20, would prefer a move to Newcastle over a return to Chelsea, according to the Daily Mail. Israel midfielder Oscar Gloukh, 19, is attracting interest from several top clubs, according to the Guardian. Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham are among those keen on the Red Bull Salzburg teenager. AC Milan have joined the race to sign Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, reports the Metro. The England winger, 22, has decided to leave Chelsea during the summer. Social media round-up Players to watch Robert Sanchez: Manchester United have identified Brighton’s Spanish goalkeeper, 25, as a potential target, according to the Daily Mail. Folorin Balogun: Arsenal have placed a value of £50million on the USA striker, says the Daily Mirror. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live