FEATURES

An Spanish alternative to Thiago Alcantara for Manchester United

Manchester United are reportedly lining up a bid for highly-rated Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara this summer.

Real Madrid’s 'project' may be bad news for Manchester United, City and Tottenham

Real's summer transfer plans could be bad news for some of the Premier League's top clubs.

LATEST

Uefa to offer Champions League place to Europa League winners

Uefa is set to award a place in the Champions League to the winners of the Europa League from the 2014-15 season, in order to make the competition more attractive, with an announcement expected on Friday.

Alan Pardew faces sack unless Newcastle finish in top 10 next season

Alan Pardew has been warned his job will be under threat should Newcastle United fail to achieve at least a top-10 finish next season. Derek Llambias, the managing director, has made it clear that Pardew requires a strong start to the new campaign to eliminate doubts about his suitability that emerged during Newcastle's recent relegation skirmish.

How Germany went from bust to boom on the talent production line

Robin Dutt has a lovely problem on his hands. Sat in his office in Frankfurt, the man who replaced Matthias Sammer as the sporting director at the German Football Association last August, taking on responsibility for the development of young players and coaches, doubts there is any room for improvement. "We are at the top level and it's difficult to go above that," Dutt says. "If we are in the year 2000 and we are at the bottom it is OK. But nobody sees anything wrong here."

Rory McIlroy struggles with opening 74 in BMW PGA Championship

Rory McIlroy is already battling against 2013 proving to be a year of missed opportunity. The deposed world No1's season was summed up within six Wentworth holes on Thursday; McIlroy dropped five shots in that damaging spell, reducing him to an opening round of 74 in the BMW PGA Championship. How McIlroy must yearn for a time when equipment or management change do not seem as pertinent as his scores on a golf course.

Frankie Dettori expected to get ride in Derby at Epsom next week

The chance that Frankie Dettori will receive a new licence in time to ride in the Derby on 1 June appeared to improve significantly on Thursday evening when Christopher Stewart-Moore, his solicitor, said that he is "hopeful" that a "glitch" preventing Dettori's return from a six-month riding ban has been "ironed out".