Sports
Ferdinand’s Persuasive Powers Seal Man Utd’s Yoro Deal
Manchester United received a significant boost from legendary defender Rio Ferdinand in securing the highly-rated Leny Yoro. Yoro, who was highly sought after by many of Europe’s elite clubs, including Real Madrid, ultimately chose United, signing a five-year contract following a £52 million transfer from French club Lille.
Ferdinand played a key role in Yoro’s decision, using his influence and experience to persuade the young talent. The former England star welcomed Yoro to Old Trafford through a social media message and even took a more direct approach by personally calling the 18-year-old.
“Two weeks ago, he called me,” Yoro shared. “We spoke for 10 minutes about Man United, so he helped me a lot to make my choice. He mainly spoke about the club and what it’s like. This is a historic club with a big story, and if I go there, I need to fight for the club, to be ready, because this is the biggest club in the world. It was really good to speak about this.”
Yoro made an impressive debut in the pre-season victory over Rangers at Murrayfield, showcasing his potential and the similarities between his style and that of Ferdinand, who joined United for £29.1 million from Leeds 22 years ago.
Reflecting on his own abilities, Yoro emphasized the importance of game intelligence and ball skills in modern football. “The football of today, you need to read the game,” he explained. “You need to understand the opponent, and I try really to be focused on that. After that, I’m really comfortable with the ball. You know, I’m not afraid to play.”
Sports
Jack Draper Advances to Japan Open Last 16 with Win Over Bellucci
British tennis player Jack Draper has secured a spot in the Japan Open last 16 after defeating Italy’s Mattia Bellucci in straight sets. Draper, ranked world number 20, claimed a 6-4, 6-2 victory, marking his first win since his US Open semi-final loss to Jannik Sinner earlier this month.
The 22-year-old’s triumph in Tokyo comes as a welcome return to form following a challenging Davis Cup in Manchester, where he lost both of his singles matches to Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo and Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, contributing to Great Britain’s failure to reach the knockout stages.
After a tightly contested first set against world number 103 Bellucci, Draper dominated the second set, building a 5-1 lead before closing out the match. He will face Polish second seed Hubert Hurkacz in the next round on Friday.
Sports
Wolves Defender Yerson Mosquera Likely Out for Season with Knee Injury
Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Yerson Mosquera is expected to miss the remainder of the season following a serious knee injury sustained in Wolves’ 3-1 loss to Aston Villa. The 23-year-old Colombian twisted his knee after a collision with Villa’s Morgan Rogers in the 82nd minute and was stretchered off the pitch.
Scans confirmed that Mosquera suffered damage to both the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which will require surgery. Wolves’ head of high performance, Phil Hayward, said, “We will be visiting specialists to finalise the plan for surgery, and it’s highly unlikely he will feature again this season.”
Mosquera had been a key part of Wolves’ defense this season, starting all five Premier League games after returning from a loan spell at Villarreal. His absence further deepens Wolves’ defensive issues, as they did not secure a replacement for Max Kilman following his £40m move to West Ham.
Wolves, currently winless and sitting at the bottom of the Premier League, face Liverpool at home in their next match.
Sports
Ex-Real Madrid & Manchester United Defender Raphael Varane Retires at 31
Raphael Varane, former defender for Real Madrid, Manchester United, and the French national team, has retired from professional football at the age of 31. Varane, who joined Italian side Como in July, sustained a knee injury on his debut, prompting his decision to step away from playing. He will remain at Como in a non-playing capacity.
In an emotional Instagram post, Varane wrote, “It takes a big dose of courage to listen to your heart and your instinct,” explaining his desire to leave the sport on his own terms.
Varane began his career at Lens before a decade-long stint at Real Madrid, where he won 18 major trophies, including three La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns. He later joined Manchester United in 2021, making 95 appearances and winning the Carabao Cup in 2022.
Internationally, Varane earned 93 caps for France, winning the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 Nations League. Reflecting on his career, Varane expressed pride in both his achievements and staying true to his values.
He hinted at future projects with Como, adding, “Something I am looking forward to sharing more about soon.” Varane has also been vocal about the dangers of head injuries in football, having played through concussions during his career, and he has called for better protection for players.
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