There are many things that Manchester City and Manchester United have in common - but one thing decisively separates them this season.
Based just five miles apart and united by a shared desire to return to the top of the Premier League, their gameplans are almost diametrically opposed.
The best teams in the world often play in similar ways, as demonstrated in last season's Champions League final between between Paris St-Germain and ******* nal - teams who use similar shapes, look to dominate the ball, and encourage rotations into fixed positions.
But looking ahead to Sunday's Manchester derby, expect to see City boss Enzo Maresca and his United counterpart Michael Carrick field teams teams that play in a totally different way to each other.
In short, City use a rigid structure with players precisely positioned, while United have a more fluid approach that has some positional guidelines but allows players the freedom to roam - here is how it works in detail.

#league #similar

Manchester United host Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday in the first Manchester derby of the season, with Enzo Maresca's league leaders looking to maintain a perfect start to the campaign against a United side sitting 11th on four points.
Both clubs arrive on the back of Champions League wins in midweek, City beating Porto 2-0 and United thrashing debutants Sabah 4-0. Michael Carrick, who took permanent charge of United since first winning this exact fixture as interim boss in January, has won nine of his 10 Premier League home matches in his second spell at the club and is looking to become the first United manager in 113 years to win both of his opening derbies in the league.
City, meanwhile, have won their first three league games this season and would set an outright record for most consecutive opening-day wins to a Premier League campaign with victory on Sunday. The match kicks off at 16:30 and will be shown live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.
Date: Sunday, 13 September 2026
Kick-off: 16:30 BST

#premier #sports

Ron Galella, Ltd. / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Michael Loccisano / Getty Images
Ron Galella, Ltd. / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images, Michael Loccisano / Getty Images
Ron Galella, Ltd. / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Taylor Hill / FilmMagic / Getty Images

#michael #filmmagic

The Atlanta Falcons' quarterback situation has somehow become even more complicated ahead of their Week 1 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The team announced on Saturday that quarterback Cooper Rush is dealing with back spasms. Despite the issue though, Rush remains on track to start against Pittsburgh.
Rush had already been pushed into the starting role after Tua Tagovailoa suffered an oblique injury during Thursday's practice and was ruled out for Week 1. Michael Penix Jr. is also unavailable as he continues his recovery from the torn ACL he suffered last season.
That leaves rookie Jack Strand as Atlanta's primary backup behind Rush. The undrafted quarterback has drawn plenty of interest from Falcons fans, with many hoping to eventually see what Strand can do in regular-season action. Rush remains the clear starter for now, but his back issues could make Strand's status worth monitoring throughout Sunday's game.

#quarterback #week #pittsburgh #back

ATLANTA (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. homered to spark an eight-run fourth inning and Tyler Mahle turned in another stellar outing to lead the Atlanta Braves to their second straight victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, 12-2 on Saturday night.
The Braves had to rally three times in 11 innings to win the series opener between the two top NL East teams. This one was a lot easier.
Acuña hit a towering shot that barely cleared the wall in front of the Phillies bullpen off Brooks Raley (5-7), who took the loss for the second straight night. Acuña tacked on a run-scoring single to close out the big inning.
Philadelphia was one out from escaping the inning with no further damage. Ozzie Albies walked and Michael Harris II singled before the Phillies, going with a bullpen game after Jesús Luzardo was scratched with a tight shoulder, called in Grant Holman for his first big league appearance of the season.
Mauricio Dubón had a two-run single, Drake Baldwin brought in two more runs with a double off the wall, and some sloppy play by the Phillies led to five unearned runs in the fourth. Bryson Stott had a throwing error on a routine play that would've ended the inning, and another run scored on a wild pitch.

#philadelphia #fourth #night #wall

It doesn't look like Jacksonville Jaguars' wide receiver Parker Washington will have a new contract prior to the regular season starting.
According to Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network, it is "unlikely" that a new deal will get done by the start of the season.
Washington is set to enter the final year of his rookie deal, and he is currently slated to be a free agent during the 2027 offseason.
Wolfe added that the Jaguars explored a deal in the Michael Wilson's range after he signed a three-year, $75 million extension with Arizona recently. However, Jacksonville and Washington could not come to terms.
It’s “unlikely” Jaguars & WR Parker Washington agree to a contract extension by start of season, per source.

I’m told Jags explored deal in Cardinals’ Michael Wilson range (3-year, $75M) but no deal for now.

Washington, coming off career year, betting on himself in pivotal 2026 pic.twitter.com/85WccmFtWe

#deal #year #michael

Rafael Devers' recent tear, especially when the San Francisco Giants slugger is driving ****** out to right at Oracle Park, makes it impossible not to think of Barry Bonds.
The at-bats share that don't-go-to-concessions-yet vibe. Opposing pitchers are handling Devers as carefully as they can - All-Star closer Mason Miller walked him in the ninth inning Friday - and there's a general buzz when Devers is up with men on base. Saturday, he lasered a low 1-1 sweeper from Michael King out in the first, a two-run shot in the Giants' 7-6 loss to the Padres.
San Francisco again demonstrated some mettle with a late push after Devers' grand slam the previous night cut the deficit to two and the Giants mounted a two-out rally against Miller that came up just short. Saturday, power was the key: rookie catcher Drew Cavanaugh went deep to right in the eighth, the first of his career, 50 games in. Two batters later, Drew Gilbert crushed a two-run shot to cut the deficit to one before lefty Adrian Morejon entered and struck out Devers and Bryce Eldridge.
Earlier in the day, Shay Whitcomb also went deep for San Francisco, which recorded all its runs via homers.
With 13 games remaining, Devers has 37 homers, one shy of his career high. He has a realistic shot at 40, something no Giants hitter has done since Bonds belted 45 in 2004. Devers has 98 RBIs, too, so 100 is well within reach. The last San Francisco player with 100 RBIs was Buster Posey, the man who traded for Devers last year; Posey recorded 103 RBIs in 2012.

#francisco #rbis #shot #drew

A horse named Coach Pope, after Kentucky basketball head coach Mark Pope, picked up his first win in a Maiden Special Weight race at Churchill Downs during the first weekend of the track's September Meet.
The 2-year-old colt, who entered the race as a 1/1 favorite, pulled away to win by 1½ lengths. Coach Pope completed the one-mile race on a fast track in 1:35.77.
Ridden by Jose Ortiz — who won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes aboard Golden Tempo, as well as the Kentucky Oaks with Always a Runner — Coach Pope broke well and raced close before breaking away after the final turn, passing Fullback and Justification.
Congrats to KennyMcPeek & jose93_ortiz & Coach Pope sired by the legendary Tapit on a massive 12.5 length victory ChurchillDowns today!
AND CATS up by 4 at half! Let's Go! pic.twitter.com/lG7GxRomh9
The colt is trained by Kenny McPeek and owned by Gainsway Stable, Shamrock Stables and Michael J. Mackin.

#coach #race

James Madison rolled to a bit of history on Saturday with a dominant win over Wagner: The Dukes' 87-3 victory over the Seahawks tied a record for the most points ever scored by an FBS team in a game.
The previous 87-point record was set exactly two years ago, as South Alabama dropped a 87-10 victory over Northwestern State on Sept. 12, 2024. JMU's win, though, came with an even larger margin of victory, beating Wagner by a whopping 84 points.
The Dukes, who are in their first season under former Florida head coach Billy Napier, dropped absolutely insane numbers in the beatdown: 12 touchdowns in total, off 588 total offensive yards (near-evenly split between passing and rushing). Three of JMU's touchdowns came off punt returns, starting with a blocked punt on Wagner's first drive of the game and later followed by two returns from Michael Scott.
Ouch 😳 pic.twitter.com/CojLEhzjur
In all, the Dukes scored touchdowns off all but two of their drives — one of which ended with a fumble (in the second quarter), and another that ended with a field goal (in the third quarter).

#victory

Britain Covey will be available to handle punt-return duties when the Philadelphia Eagles open their season against the Washington Commanders. Philadelphia elevated Covey from the practice squad Saturday after placing rookie tight end Eli Stowers on injured reserve. The standard elevation allows Covey to play Sunday before reverting to the practice squad after the game.
Covey was listed as Philadelphia's primary punt returner on its first unofficial depth chart, but he needed to be elevated because he was not on the 53-man roster.
Rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon worked extensively as a punt returner during training camp, even while recovering from a hamstring injury. Special teams coordinator Michael Clay expressed confidence in Lemon's development while acknowledging the Eagles had other options available.
We have downgraded TE Eli Stowers to out for tomorrow’s game with quadriceps and hamstring injuries. He has been placed on the Injured Reserve List. We have also elevated WR Britain Covey for the game. pic.twitter.com/4hGlWIiBY6
Covey gives Philadelphia an experienced and dependable alternative.

#philadelphia #game #stowers

Lady Gaga and Michael Polansky recently welcomed their first baby
A source tells PEOPLE exclusively that they "both beam when they talk about being parents"
The insider adds that the singer and her tech entrepreneur fiancé "both took time off of work this summer to be with [the] baby"
Lady Gaga and Michael Polansky are loving parenthood.
The singer, 40, and the tech entrepreneur, 42, recently welcomed their first baby, and a source tells PEOPLE exclusively that they "both beam when they talk about being parents."

#polansky #people #recently #first

Las Vegas Raiders TE Michael Mayer signed a three-year contract extension with the Raiders Saturday, Sept. 12, worth $45 million. The extension includes $30 million in guaranteed money.
SOURCE: Ian Rapoport – NFL Network
Why It Matters: Mayer will be joining the starting lineup while Brock Bowers is sidelined, so he will have fantasy value over the next few weeks. He should see a decent amount of targets in Week 1 and can be a low-end No. 1 tight end in deeper leagues.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Extension for Michael Mayer

#rapoport

The Las Vegas Raiders have inked Michael Mayer to a three-year, $45 million extension that comes with $30 million guaranteed, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Saturday.
This story is being updated.

#vegas #raiders #saturday

Lady Gaga spent years saying motherhood was the role she wanted most. She has now become a parent without making a public announcement.
The 40-year-old singer and her fiancé, Michael Polansky, have welcomed their first child together, according to TMZ. The news emerged after Gaga and Polansky were photographed in Northern California with a newborn.
No name, **** or exact date of birth has been made public. Gaga and Polansky also have not shared their own announcement about becoming parents, and representatives for the singer did not comment when contacted by reporters.
Keeping the milestone private follows a pattern for the couple. Polansky proposed in April 2024, but the engagement remained out of public view until Gaga introduced him as her fiancé during the Paris Olympics several months later.
Page Six obtained photographs of Gaga and Polansky with the baby during an outing in Northern California. Gaga carried the infant against her chest while Polansky walked beside her.

#public #fianc

Lady Gaga may have kept her baby news under wraps, but looking back, the pop star quietly left a trail of clues that suddenly seem a lot more revealing.
On September 11, Page Six confirmed the news that Gaga, aka Stefanie Germanotta, and her fiancé Michael Polansky welcomed their first child together. The couple was spotted in Northern California with the baby wrapped tightly around Gaga's chest. The news has the 40-year-old singer's fans excited for her motherhood chapter, but — if they've been paying attention — she's been telling the Little Monsters for quite some time.
More from SheKnows
Sandra Bullock Reveals How Her Rarely-Seen Kids Are Featured In Practical Magic 2
In October 2025, Stephen Colbert asked her on The Late Show if she wanted to do Broadway. Her answer was very telling — Gaga's personal life was the priority.

#baby #lady

UPDATE: 9:38 a.m. Saturday
A lot has happened since our early posting this week. The biggest injury news is the meniscus tear suffered by the No. 1 tight end, the Raiders' Brock Bowers. He will miss Week 1, and at least a couple of weeks after that.
The season-opening game proved painful for New England star receiver A.J. Brown. He's now on injured reserve.with a high-ankle sprain that will sideline him at least a month.
Several questionable players are more likely to play this week. Arizona rookie RB Jeremiyah Love and Las Vegas sophomore Ashton Jeanty are now expected to start, as is Chicago wideout Rome Odunze. And while Giants WR Malik Nabers is playing it coy, he should be on the field tomorrow night against Dallas.
Cooper Rush will now quarterback Atlanta thanks to injuries to Michael Penix and Tua Tagovailoa. That might turn out to be good news for top Falcons performers Drake London, Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts.

#raiders

Lady Gaga and her fiancé Michael Polansky have welcomed their first baby together, according to multiple reports.
Earlier this week, the singer and Polansky were spotted strolling in northern California, with Gaga toting a baby in a front sling. Page 6, who published the photos of Gaga with the baby, first reported that Mother Monster was now a mother, with People also confirming the news Friday night.
More from Rolling Stone
Alex Lifeson Quit Weed for Rush's Tour. These 10 Musicians Gave It Up Too (Or at Least Tried)
A Complicated Case for Perez Hilton

#polansky #earlier

Sourav Ganguly is widely regarded as one of the most influential captains in Indian cricket history. During his career, "Dada" was known for several memorable moments on and off the field, from making Steve Waugh wait at the toss and celebrating shirtless on the Lord's balcony to clashes with coaches Greg Chappell and John Buchanan, arguments with Shane Warne, and refusing to walk after Graeme Smith claimed a catch.

But former Australia captain Michael Clarke has shared another story that shows a lighter side of Ganguly.

In his book Eleven Gods and a Billion Indians, author Boria Majumdar quotes Clarke recalling an incident involving Ganguly and Ricky Ponting during a toss in India, although Clarke admits he does not remember which match it was.

"One of Clarke's favourite anecdotes goes thus: Ganguly and Ricky Ponting were out at the toss during one of the matches in India — Clarke doesn't specifically remember which one — and Ponting had the coin in hand. Just as he flipped the coin, Ganguly, if Clarke is to be believed, said, 'Head-Tail'.

"'Trust me, mate, that's what Ricky told me,' Clarke says, cracking up. 'Ricky said he couldn't fathom what had happened with Dada having said Head-Tail. [And, apparently it was said at the speed of lightning.] It had taken Ricky a second or two to come to grips with the situation and by that time the coin had come down. Ganguly just picked it up and said to Ricky, "We'll bat" and walked off. India had won the toss and were batting. Ricky did not really know what to do or say and all he did was tell us in the dressing room exactly what happened at the toss," Clarke was quoted as saying in the book.

Clarke is not sure which match the incident took place in.

According to available records, Ganguly won five tosses against Ricky Ponting, and all of those came outside India; twice during the 2003 World Cup and three times in the 2003-04 VB Series. That means Clarke may have mixed up the venue while recalling the story, as Ponting would have been the one calling the toss if the match had been played in India.

Clarke, however, clearly states that he does not remember the exact match in which the incident happened.

#clarke #ponting

The Cleveland Browns will sport a new defensive look when they take the field on Sunday for their Week 1 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Some of those changes are by design: defensive end Jared Verse replaces Myles Garrett, linebacker Quincy Williams replaces Devin Bush, and defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg takes over for Jim Schwartz.
There were some unexpected changes, however, most notably along the defensive line, after defensive end Alex Wright, who was expected to be a starter, was lost for the season to a torn Achilles tendon.
That led general manager Andrew Berry to bring in veterans Sam Williams and Derek Barnett, and Rutenberg to experiment with Michael Hall Jr. at defensive end.
Rutenberg had his weekly press conference on Thursday and addressed several topics. Here are four takeaways from what he had to say.

#jacksonville

Sept. 12 (UPI) -- Pop music star Lady Gaga has given birth to her first child with her fiance, entrepreneur Michael Polansky, according to multiple media reports.
Page Six, People.com and EW.com confirmed the news Friday as photos of the singer carrying the baby in a sling across her chest, as she walked in California, circulated online.
The child's ******* , date of birth and name have not been disclosed to the public.
The couple have been dating since 2019 and engaged since March 2024.
They have not commented on the baby news.

#gaga

Jannik Schuster is in line for his first league start, having come off the bench to replace the injured Nathan Collins last weekend.
Aaron Hickey joins him in the backline this afternoon, with Michael Kayode named on the bench.
Yehor Yarmoliuk and Jaidon Anthony also start, with the latter facing his former club, while Gustavo Nunes is included in a first-team matchday squad for the first time this term.
Vitaly Janelt will captain the west Londoners on Saturday afternoon.
Brentford (4-3-3): Kelleher; Hickey, Ajer, Schuster, Lewis-Potter; Sangaré, Janelt, Yarmoliuk; Anthony, Thiago, Schade

#start #afternoon

As the conversation continues on the Rams' apparent misfire regarding the decision to barnstorm into and out of Melbourne, there's another question that needs to be asked about Week 1 international games played a long way away from the U.S.
Michael Holley mentioned the concept on Friday's PFT Live. And it's a good idea — the league should treat the Week 1 international game like the Super Bowl and require the teams to arrive early.
If the goal is to export the game to the countries, the effort needs to be more comprehensive. Get there early. Make local appearances. Have multiple press conferences in the place where the game will be played.
It takes the travel strategy out of the teams' hands and makes the issue part of the overall obligation.
Yes, the rest of the story regarding the 49ers-Rams travel adventure will unfold in Week 2, and possibly beyond. But the 49ers seemed to be far more prepared to play given their decision to go to Australia a week early. Having both teams arrive on the same day avoids the possibility that one team will be acclimated and one won't.

#teams #Rams #international #played

If you think Army is going to run over, around and through the South Florida defense the way the Black Knights did against Bryant in week one, think again.
There were a lot of positives to draw from as Army rolled up a school-record 648 yards of total offense and 569 rushing yards on the way to a 59-3 victory over Bryant. With a rout in progress, Army went deep into its bench and utilized 16 different ball carries, including three quarterbacks.
South Florida is not Bryant. The Bulls feature a defensive front that averages 6-foot-3, 293 pounds per man (Major Dillard is 330 pounds at nose, Asani Redwood is 300 at tackle and Michael Williams is 250 at end), compared to the Bryant squad that averaged 30 pounds less. Jump to the linebackers, and USF features a group that averages 6-3, 233 pounds, more than a dozen pounds heavier than the similar Bryant unit. You can also expect South Florida's defenders will be quicker to close off the edges, perhaps cutting off Army's success on the perimeter.
The Bulls held Florida International to 80 yards on 25 carries in a 19-9 win on the evening of Sept 5. FIU did roll up 301 yards of passing, on 62% of completed throws, but run-dominant Army has not been a passing threat for many years.
Based off last week's starting lineup (the Bulls do not release depth charts to the media), the South Florida defense fields nine starters who transferred in from other Division I schools. Linebackers C.J. Hicks (Ohio State), Grayson Howard (South Carolina and Florida) and Sam Robinson (Rutgers) played Power 4 ball, as did Redwood (West Virginia) up front. Corner Teddy Foster (Florida) and 'Star' Amanio Fortenberry (Kansas State) help anchor the secondary.

#south #Bulls #linebackers

Metcalf sits 34th among wide receivers in PFN's Week 1 rankings, which is what happens after the worst season of your career. The Falcons allowed seven receivers to clear 20 PPR points last season, so the setup is there, and so is the Michael Pittman theory. I'm going to be a week or two late to this party rather than early.
Let's call a spade a spade: Metcalf is coming off of the worst season of his career. His 850 yards were a new low-water mark and even that was inflated by two games where he had superhero singular plays that lifted his stat line (274 yards in games against the Ravens and Vikings, 576 in his other 13, good for just 44.3 yards per contest).
Aaron Rodgers is back at the helm and the team added Michael Pittman this offseason, a receiver who has effectively made a career off of what the Steelers asked of Metcalf in his first season with the franchise: short targets and hope.
SET YOUR LINEUPS: PFN's Free Fantasy Football Start/Sit Optimizer
Metcalf's 11.3 aDOT was, you guessed it, the lowest of his career, and featured just 24.2% of his looks coming deep downfield (15 or more yards), a rate that stood at 43.5% in 2024 with Seattle.

#season #week #receivers

Bayern Munich defended forward Michael Olise after he caused a stir this week due to a post-match interview, in which he only replied with extremely monosyllabic answers.
"Michael Olise is someone who wants to play football, and off the pitch is not his forte. It's a big thing in the media, but on other channels he's being celebrated just as much for his conduct. What's most important to us is that he shows his ability on the pitch," Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl said in a news conference on Saturday.
"And the kids and teenagers can identify with it a bit more than perhaps we can," he added.
Following the 5-0 win over Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League on Thursday, Olise was named "Player of the Match" and appeared in an interview with broadcaster DAZN.
"I don't know," Olise said when asked how it felt to score a stunning goal. The reporter then asked how moments like that happen and the France international replied: "I shoot. Then it goes in, or it doesn't."

#match #pitch #asked

Jeremiah Smith wasted no time throwing his hat in the ring for the Heisman Trophy and the Biletnikoff Award.
In Ohio State's season-opening win over Ball State, the Buckeyes' star receiver totaled 151 yards and two touchdowns on eight catches, turning in a performance that put him alongside Miami's Malachi Toney among the nation's top wide receiver standouts in Week 1.
It marked the 12th time in his career that Smith recorded at least 100 receiving yards, which is the third-most all-time by an Ohio State wide receiver.
College Football Watchability Tiers: Ranking Week 2's schedule, best games to watch
The 6-foot-4 receiver is now just seven touchdown catches shy of breaking Chris Olave's program record and 189 receiving yards away from surpassing Michael Jenkins as Ohio State's all-time career receiving yards leader.

#ohio #receiver #receiving #wide

Sophie Cunningham reveals what she truly thinks of former NBA players Enes Kanter and Royce White declaring for the WNBA Draft.
Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham stirred up one of the biggest debates in the WNBA when she stated that the W should only allow female athletes.
For some reason, this statement had fans divided, and the likes of Enes Kanter and Royce White took advantage of this.
How? Well, they claimed that if the WNBA didn't have a clear transgender athlete policy, they'd like to enter the league next season.
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

#fever

Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha tips his teammate and compatriot Andrey Santos to turn heads this season.
The defensive midfielder was the club's first summer signing, completing a transfer from Chelsea for £48 million.
The Brazilian was later followed by another two midfielders in the shape Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba, as the Red Devils completely revamped the department.
(Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
Thanks to his relatively early arrival, Santos was a mainstay in Michael Carrick's starting lineup in pre-season, forming a solid partnership with Mason Mount prior to the latter's injury.

#matheus

Liverpool have made a lot of changes to their squad this summer.
Some players such as Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones have been moved on, while others, such as Victor Munoz and Jeremy Jacquet have been brought in.
It's not just their playing staff what have changed either with a decent chunk of the Reds' backroom staff also being re-jigged.
Richard Hughes is now Al-Hilal's sporting director and Michael Edwards just decided to quit after Fenway Sports Group's multi-club model was thrown in the bin.
Even though all these changes have been made, it still feels like more needs to be done before Liverpool are ready to be seen as genuine contenders for the Premier League ******* le again.

#Liverpool #jones #victor

Lanier senior running back Nicholas Torres rushedfor 131 yards and a touchdown in the first half as the Voks defeated Jefferson 31-14 on Friday at the San Antonio ISD Athletic Complex in the two teams' District 14-5A-II opener.
"What I saw on the field was what we went over at practice," Torres said. "We just kept trying to pound the rock and run up the score."
Torres' efforts and a 1-yard rushing touchdown early in the second half from sophomore QB Erick Esparza propelled the Voks to a 17-6 advantage with just under two minutes to play in the third quarter.
After an early score, not much was going for Jefferson on offense, but the Mustangs kept plugging away on the ground, eventually punching in a 6-yard rushing touchdown from senior running back Michael Bejar.
The Mustangs lined up to attempt a 2-point conversion that would cut the deficit down to three, but Mother Nature had other plans as players and coaches were forced off the field due to a lightning delay.

#voks #running