Browsing: Jack

Manchester United midfielder Jack Fletcher is expected to replace the injured Kobbie Mainoo in the squad for Saturday’s Premier League game at Tottenham, which would keep the club’s 88-year record of having an academy product in every matchday squad in tact.

Mainoo, 20, did not travel to London with Ruben Amorim’s squad and is believed to have sustained a minor injury.

England youth international Jack Fletcher, son of former United midfielder and current Under-18s coach Darren, has travelled with Amorim’s squad.

The 18-year-old is yet to make his first team debut for United, but was on the first team bench on a number of occasions last season.

He and twin Tyler joined United from Manchester City’s academy in 2023.

Jack was picked for England’s Under-19 squad for the forthcoming European Championship qualifiers in Lithuania and could meet Tyler, who is in Scotland’s squad.

For the past four games, Mainoo has been the only academy graduate in United’s squad.

Goalkeeper Tom Heaton is another option who has come through the academy, but the 39-year-old is third choice behind Altay Bayındır and Senne Lammens.

The other academy product to have been in a squad this season is Stockport-born Tyler Fredricson, who started the EFL Cup loss at Grimsby.

United have a proud record of having an academy graduate or what the club refer to as a “homegrown player” in every matchday squad since 1937.

The sequence, which stretches for over 4,000 consecutive games, started on Saturday, 30 October 1937, when Tom Manley and Jack Wassall were involved in an away game at Fulham.

United class a homegrown player, external as one who signed before the age of 21 having not played for another senior team, and played for a junior team at United.

Amorim recently said he would not be the coach who broke that record, although minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has recently criticised the academy, saying standards have “really slipped”.

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SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…

SHOW SUMMARY:In this Dailycast episode of Wrestling Coast to Coast, Chris Maitland and Justin McClelland review the 200th episode of Wrestling Open – one of the best indy shows going – where the promotion attempts to make an ’80s style Babyface Superhero in Eye Black Jack when he faces Steven Stetson, The Shooter Boys defend the Open Tag Titles against Swipe Right in a rematch of one of our favorite tag matches of the year, Bobby Orlando defends the Wrestling Open title against Christian Darling who takes time to bully the ring announcer, plus we discuss the unexpected breakthrough of Bear Bronson, some new WWEID Prospect signings, how a new title in AEW correlates to some existing indy titles, and much more! For VIP Listeners, we break out the leftover Halloween candy for a pair of the spookiest matches from Halloween and Beyond Wrestling – Krule takes on PCO in a zombie vs. Frankenstein match, and the Savage Gnomes and Slade go against the Residency in a casket match.

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Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty declined to opt out of his contract and will return to the team in 2026 on a $20 million salary, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.

While Flaherty could have voided the deal for next year, he would have been subject to a potential qualifying offer from the Tigers and the uncertainty of the free agent market coming off a down season.

Flaherty, 30, posted another stellar strikeout total in 2025 but nonetheless suffered the most losses in the American League with 15. His propensity to give up home runs — he allowed 23 in 161 innings — caused his ERA to balloon to 4.64.

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His return to Detroit helps stabilize the Tigers’ rotation in an offseason of potentially seismic change. While the Tigers have no plans to trade soon-to-be two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, his impending free agency following the 2026 season will prompt teams to pursue potential trades over the winter, sources told ESPN.

Beyond Skubal and Flaherty, the Tigers return right-hander Casey Mize, standout rookie Troy Melton and right-hander Reese Olson, who missed much of 2025 with a shoulder injury. Detroit, which used 36 pitchers and three position players on the mound this season, finished 87-75.

Following a wild card series win over Cleveland — which overtook Detroit in the final month of the season to capture the AL Central crown — the Tigers were ousted in the division series by Seattle.

Flaherty’s first go-around in Detroit in 2024 was a smashing success, with a 2.95 ERA and 133 strikeouts against 19 walks in 106.2 innings. He was traded at the deadline to the Los Angeles Dodgers, for whom he started five postseason games en route to a World Series title.

He returned in free agency to Detroit on a two-year, $35 million contract. The deal paid Flaherty $25 million this year and included a second year for $10 million. When he passed the 15-start mark this season, the salary doubled.

The comfort Flaherty found with manager A.J. Hinch and pitching coaches Chris Fetter and Robin Lund hastened his desire to return. While Flaherty’s fastball velocity has always been average, the growth across the sport rendered his 92.8 mph average in the 26th percentile among pitchers. Nonetheless, Flaherty’s superior off-speed pitches allowed him to strike out 188 with 59 walks.

Over a nine-year career, Flaherty is 63-56 with a 3.80 ERA and 1,130 strikeouts against 351 walks in 990â…” innings.

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Jack Flaherty is staying with the Detroit Tigers.

Flaherty exercised his $20 million contract option to return to the Tigers for the 2026 season on Tuesday.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan first reported the news.

The starting pitcher previously signed with Detroit on a two-year contract worth $35 million before the start of his 2025 campaign. While Flaherty’s 2026 option was initially set at $10 million, it rose to $20 million after he reached 15 starts.

Flaherty’s decision comes as a bit of a surprise, as Passan predicted that he would opt on Sept. 4.

The 30-year-old was projected to serve as a top option behind Tarik Skubal in the Tigers’ 2025 rotation, but failed to exceed expectations.

Flaherty went 8-15 with a 4.64 ERA and a 1.280 WHIP in 31 starts, striking out 188 batters in 161 innings..

He made three appearances during the postseason, going 0-1 while allowing five runs (four eaned on seven hits and eight walks in 10 innings of work, striking out 12.

Still, there are signs that the right-hander can bounce back in 2026. Flaherty racked up 188 strikeouts in161 innings of work despite his disappointing overall production, while his track record should provide some optimism moving forward.

He owned a 3.63 ERA for his career heading into the 2025 season, averaging 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings.

Flaherty was also impressive during his brief stint with the Tigers to open the 2024 season, posting a 6-2 record to go along with a 2.95 ERA in 18 starts. He was eventually traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers to close out the year, winning a World Series title before joining Detroit once again in free agency.

As the Tigers chase their third consecutive postseason appearance in 2026, Flaherty will be part of their rotation once again.

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British number ones Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu could partner each other in mixed doubles after agreeing to play at next year’s United Cup in Australia.

Great Britain, Poland and Australia are the first three teams to be confirmed for the mixed-team event, which will take place in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January the week before the Australian Open.

Draper pulled out of the 2025 event with injury before Britain exited at the quarter-finals, while 2026 will be Raducanu’s United Cup debut.

“To see British [number ones] in Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu line up for the first time will bring new star power to the tournament,” said United Cup director Stephen Farrow.

Eighteen teams – each featuring up to three male and three female players – will be split into six groups of three, with teams playing those in their groups in a round robin format.

Each tie will comprise one men’s singles and one women’s singles match featuring the number one-ranked singles players, and one mixed doubles match.

Draper and Raducanu could partner in the doubles, though it is likely team organisers will select two doubles specialists for the squad.

Ranking points will be on offer and could prove crucial as Raducanu, the current world number 29, tries to qualify as one of the 32 seeds for the Australian Open.

“I’m honoured to be able to make my United Cup debut in January,” Raducanu said.

“Being able to play for Team GB with my team-mates is a unique opportunity and week to enjoy.

“It’s great to be able to experience a new format on the tour, represent my country and spend a couple extra weeks in Australia.”

Poland have confirmed the participation of world number two Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz, while world number six Alex de Minaur and Maya Joint will represent Australia.

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Hughes scored his second goal of the game and team-best eighth of the season to send New Jersey on its longest winning streak since it earned 13 straight victories early in the 2022-23 season.

Defenceman Simon Nemec had three assists for the Devils, who have won eight straight since a season-opening loss at Carolina. Allen improved to 5-0-0. He has been starting since Jacob Markstrom was injured late in a win Columbus on Oct. 13.

Connor Brown put New Jersey ahead at 12:51 of the second, but Coloradoâ€s Brock Nelson tied the game at 13:55 of the third with his second goal of the season.

Brown beat backup Avalanche netminder Trent Miner on a breakaway at 12:51 for his fifth goal. The 31-year-old Brown joined the Devils as a free agent and been a key part of New Jerseyâ€s early success this season.

Rookie Arseny Gritsyuk also scored for New Jersey.

Valeri Nichushkin and Nathan MacKinnon also scored for the Colorado, which dropped its second game in two days after opening the season 5-0-3. The Avalanche lost 3-2 at Boston on Saturday.

Gritsyuk scored his second goal of the season at 9:09 of the opening period. Hughes made it 2-0 at 9:48.

Nichishkin scored his fifth of the season at 12:55 of the first. MacKinnon then scored his seventh at 17:03 to send the teams into the first intermission tied at 2.

Miner made 20 saves in his first start this season. Scott Wedgewood has started Coloradoâ€s other nine games with starter Mackenzie Blackwood injured.

Devils: Visiting Avalanche on Tuesday to complete home and home and start a four-game road trip.

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Oct 21, 2025, 10:49 PM ET

TORONTO — Jack Hughes registered the third hat trick of his NHL career, and the New Jersey Devils defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 on Tuesday night.

Cody Glass and Brenden Dillon also scored for New Jersey, and Jake Allen had 23 saves. Jesper Bratt added three assists for the Devils, who have won five in a row since opening the season with a loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

John Tavares and Matias Maccelli scored for Toronto. Anthony Stolarz stopped 30 shots. William Nylander had two assists for the Maple Leafs, who have lost two in a row and four of six after a season-opening win.

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Toronto led 1-0 after the first period before giving up three goals in the first five minutes of the second much to the dismay of the home crowd at Scotiabank Arena.

Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev left with an upper-body injury during a second-period penalty kill after he collided with Devils center Dawson Mercer.

Toronto challenged New Jersey’s first goal for goaltender interference only to see the call on the ice stand. The Devils went on the power play with the ensuing delay-of-game penalty, and Glass made it 2-1 moments after Tanev skated off to the locker room.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Jack Nicklaus, the 18-time major champion, has won a $50m verdict in a defamation case against his former company, bringing an end to one of golf’s most bitter business feuds.

A jury in Palm Beach County, Florida, found that Nicklaus Companies – the firm he founded and later sold – defamed him by spreading false claims that he had considered a $750m offer to become a public face of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League and that he was no longer mentally fit to manage his business affairs. The six-person jury ruled that the company’s actions damaged the 85-year-old’s reputation and exposed him to “ridicule, hatred, mistrust, distrust or contemptâ€.

The verdict came after four and a half hours of deliberation. Nicklaus quietly embraced family and friends in the courtroom after the decision. “We tremendously appreciate the time that the jury put into this case,†said his attorney, Eugene Stearns. “They were extraordinarily conscientious and dedicated, and we’re happy that Jack’s been vindicated.â€

The dispute dates back nearly two decades. In 2007, Nicklaus sold the rights to his name, image and golf course design business to Nicklaus Companies for $145m in a deal financed by billionaire banker Howard Milstein. After stepping down from an executive role in 2017, Nicklaus was bound by a five-year noncompete clause that prevented him from taking on new design projects. When that restriction expired in 2022, the company sued him in New York, alleging that he had diverted business opportunities and secretly entertained talks with LIV Golf.

Nicklaus responded with a defamation suit of his own, accusing Milstein and other executives of planting false stories that he had “sold out†the PGA Tour – an organization he considered central to his legacy – for Saudi money. According to court documents, a Nicklaus Companies official had arranged for him to meet with Golf Saudi representatives in 2021 to discuss course design work. During that meeting, Nicklaus said, he was asked to take a leadership role with LIV Golf but immediately declined because of the PGA Tour’s opposition to the breakaway league.

The lawsuit also accused the company of circulating rumors that Nicklaus was suffering from dementia and could no longer handle his affairs. “What they said was, ‘You need to have the keys taken away,’†Stearns told ESPN. “It was unfortunate, but Jack’s reputation has now been restored.â€

Lawyers for Nicklaus Companies argued that the case was simply a business dispute and that Nicklaus’s stature in the game remained untarnished. “His reputation is as stellar as it’s always been,†defense attorney Barry Postman told jurors. But the jury sided with Nicklaus, though Milstein and company executive Andrew O’Brien were cleared of personal liability.

The verdict follows a separate court ruling earlier this year in which a New York judge affirmed that Nicklaus is free to use his own name and likeness in future golf ventures, even as the company retains the rights to sell branded apparel and equipment.

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  Mark SchlabachOct 20, 2025, 09:11 PM ET

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  • Senior college football writer
  • Author of seven books on college football
  • Graduate of the University of Georgia

A Florida jury on Monday awarded Jack Nicklaus $50 million in his defamation lawsuit against billionaire banker Howard Milstein and other officials of the company that bears the 18-time major champion’s name.

Nicklaus, 85, filed the lawsuit in response to statements that Milstein and other Nicklaus Companies officials made in a previous lawsuit in a New York court.

In the defamation lawsuit, Nicklaus claimed the defendants suggested that he had considered a $750 million deal to become the face of the Saudi Arabian-financed LIV Golf League and disseminated those false claims to media outlets.

“It’s always hard in a defamation case to prove damages to reputation, because in particular for a guy like Jack, it’s always such a good one,” Nicklaus’ attorney, Eugene Stearns, told ESPN on Monday. “But I think what was important was the dispute that arose 3½ years ago when the company told the world that Jack was selling out the PGA Tour for the Saudi golf, when it was not true. So, we’re happy that Jack’s been vindicated.”

In court documents, the golfer’s attorneys wrote that a Nicklaus Companies official asked him to meet with Golf Saudi representatives in 2021 about designing a golf course in Saudi Arabia. During that meeting, Nicklaus learned that Golf Saudi wanted him to accept a leadership role in LIV Golf.

“According to Nicklaus, he had no interest in the offer and declined because he felt the PGA Tour was an important part of his legacy, and if the PGA was not in favor of a new league, he did not want to be involved,” the court documents said.

Nicklaus claimed the defendants also alleged that Nicklaus wasn’t mentally fit to manage his business affairs and was suffering from dementia.

“What they said was, ‘You need to have the keys taken away,'” Stearns said. “But the combination of all of that was unfortunate, and we’re happy that this is all soon going to be behind Jack, and hopefully the Nicklaus Companies will do fine, as well. But it was an unfortunate incident, and hopefully now it’s over.”

Nicklaus Companies said it paid the legendary golfer $145 million in May 2007 for exclusive rights to his golf course design services and marketing, promotional and branding rights.

Nicklaus resigned from the company in 2017, triggering a five-year noncompete clause in the deal that prevented him from designing golf courses on his own. Nicklaus stepped down from the company’s board in May 2022.

Not long after, Nicklaus Companies sued Nicklaus and his company GBI Investors, alleging tortious interference, breach of contract and breach of judiciary duty against Nicklaus. The complaint alleged that Nicklaus had diverted opportunities away from Nicklaus Companies for his personal benefit.

At the time of that lawsuit, Nicklaus said in a statement: “The claims made by Howard Milstein are untrue. Our relationship has been a difficult one, at best. I have little doubt about the outcome, but I don’t intend to make this a public spectacle, if it can be avoided.”

A Florida arbitrator ruled in July 2024 that Nicklaus was no longer restricted by the noncompete clause and was free to design golf courses.

In April, New York Civil Division Supreme Court Justice Joel M. Cohen ruled that Nicklaus had the right to use his own name, image and likeness, while Nicklaus Companies owned the trademarks it purchased and could continue to sell apparel and equipment with the Nicklaus’ name, “Golden Bear” moniker and logos.

Jack Draper will no longer work with the man who coached him to the Indian Wells title as James Trotman wants to prioritise time with his family.

The British number one has already hired Jamie Delgado as his head coach for next season but had been hoping there would also be a role for the man with whom he has enjoyed much success over the past four years.

Trotman says it has become increasingly difficult to “juggle” Draper’s career with his own family life.

“I’ve made the decision that four years has been a great run,” Trotman told BBC Sport.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it, but it was getting increasingly difficult for me juggling the demands Jack deserves as the player that he is – and also being a father and a husband.

“I need to start to get those energy levels back up and have a little bit more normality – watch my son play football on a Sunday, go on some family holidays, have a bit more of a normal life.”

Trotman says he first spoke to Draper about his future after Wimbledon, having felt mentally and physically tired over the previous year.

The pair have been working together this week, with 23-year-old Draper returning to the practice court after resting the left arm injury that ended his season early.

If the bruising in his arm heals as expected, Trotman will head to San Diego for some warm weather training with Draper and Delgado at the end of November.

But after that, he will return to his job as an LTA men’s national coach.

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