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Parvez Rasool (TOI Photo) MUMBAI: Parvez Rasool, the first player from Jammu & Kashmir to represent India in international cricket and also the first from the region to feature in the IPL, on Saturday retired from all formats of the game.In an epic 17-year career, during which he played first-class cricket for 15 seasons (he was out of the J&K team for the last two seasons), Rasool, an off-spinning all-rounder, claimed 352 wickets at 27.21 in 95 matches and amassed 5,648 runs at 38.95, with 16 hundreds and 22 fifties. The 36-year-old, who hails from Bijbehara in Kashmir, was one of the most consistent performers at the domestic level, though his international career did not last beyond two games for India — a solitary T20I (vs England in Kanpur in January 2017) and one ODI (against Bangladesh in June 2014).

Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, R Ashwin, Cheteshwar Pujara retire… who next?

“Yes, I’ve retired from cricket. Obviously, playing for India was the proudest moment of my life. Coming from J&K, which wasn’t known much for cricket, I went on to win the Lala Amarnath Trophy for the best all-rounder in the Ranji Trophy on two occasions (in 2013-14 and 2017-18), and became the first from my region to play for India and in the IPL. I feel nice to have contributed to the game,” Rasool told TOI.He is now serious about pursuing a career in cricket coaching. “Moving forward, I’ve cleared my Level-II (coaching certificate from the BCCI Centre of Excellence). I want to do full-time coaching, contribute to Indian cricket and pass on what Iâ€ve learnt from my experience to young cricketers. I want the youngsters to get a chance. You have to retire at some point,” he said.Talking about how he made a difference in inspiring J&K cricketers — their team beat Mumbai last season in the Ranji Trophy and recently lost to the domestic giants by just 35 runs — Rasool said, “When I started playing cricket, no one knew about J&K cricket. Thanks to the Almighty, we qualified twice for the quarterfinals of the Ranji Trophy under my captaincy. In fact, I captained J&K for six consecutive years. I’m so happy to see that today, our boys look to compete in domestic cricket, while earlier they would just come to participate,” Rasool said.He doesnâ€t regret the fact that he couldnâ€t play for J&K in the last two seasons. “All these things happen. Going forward, I’m looking to contribute by coaching and playing a bit of cricket (in overseas T20 leagues).â€During his T20I debut, Rasool was at the centre of a controversy when a video grab showed him chewing gum while the national anthem was being played before the match. Clarifying the incident, Rasool said: “I was part of the India squad for eight matches before that — five games in Zimbabwe and three against Bangladesh. I didn’t do that deliberately. Someone who comes from a relatively smaller cricketing region knows how much hard work it takes to play for India one day. Why would anyone do that kind of thing intentionally to destroy his career? That would be madness.â€Back in 2012-13, Rasool was the standout performer for J&K as he ended the season with 594 runs and 33 wickets, which earned him a place in the Indian team and a contract with the now-defunct IPL franchise Pune Warriors, led by former India captain Sourav Ganguly.Rasool regrets that he couldnâ€t play more for India. “Definitely, that regret is there. I played two white-ball matches for India, but I wanted to play Test cricket, especially after I took seven for 45 for Board Presidentâ€s XI against Australia (in Chennai, February 2013). However, this is destiny. You try hard to do well. Thanks to the Almighty, I have a tremendous record for J&K with bat and ball. I’ve scored 10,470 runs and taken more than 623 wickets across all formats in my career. As I said, I’m now looking forward to my new role in coaching,” Rasool concluded.Will he want to coach J&K? “If I get a chance, definitely,†he said.

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When Brazilian winger Denilson made his world record £21.5million move from Sao Paulo to Real Betis shortly before his 21st birthday in 1998, he was heralded as the Selecao’s next superstar.

And while Denilson would go on to win 61 Brazilian caps and make more than 500 career appearances, he never quite reached his potential, with FourFourTwo ranking him at No.1 in a 2015 rundown of disappointing club record signings.

But a 17-year professional career that took in six major tournaments is not bad going for a player who learned his trade on the streets, as he recalls to FourFourTwo.

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“Beyond the street kickabouts, I grew up in the varzea – the gritty, uneven dirt pitches of Sao Paulo’s amateur football scene. It’s where I learned two priceless lessons. The first was losing any fear.

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World number 11 Holger Rune became the latest high-profile tennis player to have his season ended prematurely after suffering an injury at the Nordic Open in Stockholm.

The Danish 22-year-old, set to return to the top 10 after reaching the semi-finals at the ATP 250 event, was forced to retire when leading Frenchman Ugo Humbert by a set.

His mother, Aneke Rune, later told Danish newspaper BT that she had been informed by medical staff that her son’s injury was “very bad”.

She said: “They are completely sure that it is a torn Achilles tendon, so it’s of course very bad. Holger is, of course, completely devastated.

“They say they can see it with the naked eye.”

Rune, nursing a hamstring issue coming into the match, appeared instantly aware of the severity of his injury and was emotional as he received treatment after hobbling to his chair.

He had pulled up in pain after jumping to hit a ball at the back of the court, with the game level at 40-40 on Humbert’s serve and Rune leading 6-4 2-2.

Humbert said: “It was not the way I wanted to win. I’m super disappointed for Holger, I hope he is going to be OK.

“I wish him a speedy recovery. It was a great match, he was playing a little bit better than me, but I’m really sorry for Holger.”

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In late August of this past summer, Canadaâ€s menâ€s hockey program gathered 42 NHL players for an orientation camp preparing for the Milan/Cortina Olympics in 2026. Those games are sneaking up on us, and though lists havenâ€t leaked, the teams have recently had to file a preliminary roster of — not so coincidentally — 42 players and five goalies that they have on their radar to bring.Â

Using those 42 names they had at camp (and a half-dozen others who didnâ€t get included for various reasons), I took my first stab at the shape of Canadaâ€s upcoming menâ€s Olympic hockey team. Itâ€s not as simple as just sending back the Four Nations squad, as a lot can change over a full calendar year, and you want to get better.

Iâ€ve sorted those names below (with some additional ones peppered in) into six tiers as I see them just a couple weeks into October, with most teams having about five games under their belts.

The fun part: when you pile together the “locks†with my “very likelys†and “probables,†you get one goalie, seven D, and 12 forwards. You donâ€t need much more than that, though Iâ€m sure Iâ€ve missed a couple, and thereâ€ll be a few injuries along the way. Letâ€s take a look.Â

My internal debates were as follows:

Does Colton Parayko have enough left in the tank to be as valuable as he was to Canada at the Four Nations Face-Off? (I self answered “very likely.â€)Â

Is Mark Scheifele really beyond “probable†all the way into “very likelyâ€? I concluded yes, as this guy shouldâ€ve been there at the Four Nations. With a few other forwards struggling for traction, the door is wide open for them to right that wrong. Heâ€s a proud Canadian, an elite offensive creator and a furious competitor, so while maybe itâ€s a lot of my own opinion on that one, he still gets listed way up here.

Reinhart and Marner have to handle new environments this season, what with the Panthers sniper having to carry a team with massive injuries, and the former Leaf trying to fit into a new situation in Vegas. But both are plenty capable and were significant parts of the win just a year ago. Theyâ€ll be there.Â

Bennett checks every conceivable “intangibles†box, scored the massive tying goal against the USA in the Four Nations, won yet another Cup, and so yeah — heâ€s somewhere between probable and very likely. But heâ€s still only a 40-45 point offensive producer typically, and happens to be off to an atrocious start in his first six games, at least statistically. Heâ€s got just one point and is an NHL-worst minus-nine at the time of writing, so Iâ€m just a little less bullish on him than a few others.Â

Sanheim and Theodore made it the last time, and it’s tough to see why theyâ€d fall out of favour this time. Sanheim showed well at the Four Nations, and while Theodoreâ€s injury there was a bummer, it doesnâ€t hurt him at all. Heâ€ll be quarterbacking a great team there in Vegas and will grade out well again this year.Â

The only new addition to the list here is Nick Suzuki, who caught red-hot fire after the Four Nations last season, scoring nothing but big goals for the Habs, leading them to the playoffs. At 26 years old, after an 89-point season, heâ€s closer to “very likely†than the list below.Â

Oh boy. I mentioned the numbers of the above lists combined, well, they leave maybe two to three forward spots and one to two D spots. As for goalies, well, thatâ€s a free-for-all.Â

So, itâ€s kinda Royal Rumble from here.

Noteworthy is the Connor Bedard vs. Macklin Celebrini battle. Both had similar stat lines last year, both are super young, and both could take the types of crazy leaps this year that force Canadaâ€s hand. Bedard, in particular, looks far, far better so far this season (particularly in puck battle-related stats). Youâ€d hate to leave him off right as heâ€s found an elite game, and all without playing with other elite players. If he had top-quality linemates, would he unlock the best version of himself ever, at the exact right time?

Brad Marchand is on the list, as he was Canadaâ€s least-used forward at the Four Nations (11:35 per game), and one assumes another year of aging hasnâ€t made him faster. But some people are just winners, as evidenced by his 20-point playoff run en route to his second Stanley Cup. Heâ€s off to a good start so far, too, and just isnâ€t a guy you ever want to bet against. Heâ€s got leadership and heart and keeps things light. If itâ€s between him and some of these other guys, itâ€s probably him.Â

Does Mark Stone stay healthy and have enough in the tank? Same question for Zach Hyman, whoâ€s not far removed from tallying huge goal totals. I know Robert Thomas is a favourite of Doug Armstrong. Would a good run get him a spot? Would they bring Tom Wilson to provide a different element? Â

This is your “prove it†class.

I donâ€t feel the need to say much about the goalies, as past Binnington and the whole “heart of a champion†thing he seems to have, itâ€s really anyoneâ€s ballgame. Play well and you get to go, simple as that.

This group needs a lot to break right, namely: a red-hot start to the season, a couple of injuries, and perhaps a need that aligns perfectly with their particular skill set. Konecny may deserve better than this tier after making the team last year, but itâ€s just a matter of numbers and the surrounding talent. He was their least-used forward at Four Nations, and look at the “maybe†list above of guys vying for the final spots. Heâ€s maybe closer to that group than this one, but heâ€s in tough, and it just feels like the momentum belongs to others right now.Â

Iâ€ll reiterate the above: the below is not a list of “guys I donâ€t think are good.†This is a list of guys — great players! — where itâ€s just tough to see how they leapfrog what are about 10 potential names ahead of them, for in most cases, just a spot or two. Â

At the bottom, youâ€ll notice a goalie tacked on. That would be Logan Thompson, whom it seems the brass of Team Canada just doesnâ€t believe in as a fit for whatever reason, no matter how he plays. I canâ€t explain that, but I get the sense they donâ€t trust him.

The only outlier on the list may be Noah Dobson, whoâ€s still young enough to get better and climb in Canadaâ€s eyes. But as of right now, heâ€s not taking the offensive opportunities from the elite offensive D (like Cale Makar), and isnâ€t good enough at the D-side yet to handle that role, so the fit doesnâ€t work. If you wanted a guy like him, youâ€d take Evan Bouchard first anyway.

All told, here are the players when you smack together the top three tiers:

Cale Makar 
Thomas Harley 
Josh Morrissey 
Colton Parayko 
Devon Toews 
Travis Sanheim 
Shea TheodoreÂ

Sidney Crosby 
Nathan MacKinnon 
Connor McDavid 
Brayden Point 
Sam Reinhart 
Brandon Hagel 
Mitch Marner 
Mark Scheifele 
Sam Bennett 
Seth Jarvis 
Nick Suzuki 
Anthony CirelliÂ

Weâ€ve seen a very similar group have success recently, and itâ€s tough to see this same one as any less capable of doing the same. Now, time to sit back and see how the next couple of months of NHL action impact what, for now, looks like an awfully stacked roster.Â

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Indian Cricket Team opener Abhishek Sharma has won the ICC Player of the Month Men award for September 2025. Meanwhile, Indian Womenâ€s Cricket Team star batter Smriti Mandhana has lifted the ICC Womenâ€s Player of the Month award.

Since January 2021, ICC has been awarding the menâ€s and womenâ€s player of the month award to players who have performed exceptionally on the international level in the span of a month. Three players are nominated from both categories.

The nominees and winners are determined by an ICC panel of ex-cricketers and journalists. The public also has a 10% contribution in the process.

Abhishek Sharma and Smriti Mandhana Win ICC POTM

The ICC Player of the Month menâ€s category for September had three nominations, two of which were Indian. The nominees were Abhishek Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav of India, and Zimbabwean batter Brian Bennett.

Bennett had a fantastic month. First, he was his teamâ€s highest run scorer in a T20I series against Sri Lanka, and then he was the Player of the Series against Namibia. Lastly, in three 2026 T20I World Cup qualifying matches, he made two half-centuries.

The other nominee was Kuldeep Yadav, who played seven matches in the ACC Asia Cup 2025 for the Indian Cricket Team. He was the highest-wicket taker in the tournament, taking 17 in seven games at an amazing average of 9.29 and an economy of just over six.

But it was Abhishek Sharma, the Player of the Tournament in the 2025 Asia Cup, that took home the award. He made the most runs in a T20I Asia Cup, making 314 in seven games at an average of 44.85, making three half-centuries and six games where he scored 30 or over.

But it was his strike rate of 200 across the competition that made him the Player of the Tournament and now the ICC Men Player of the Month for September 2025.Â

An Indian player has won this menâ€s award for three months running. In July 2025, Indiaâ€s Test captain Shubman Gill lifted the award for making 567 runs in three Tests that month at an average of 94.50. Then, in August, Mohammed Siraj, who was named the Player of the Match for the last India vs England Test, was named the ICC Player of the Month.

On the other hand, Smriti Mandhana won the ICC Women Player of the Month for September 2025. This category had a lot more competition among the three nominees, who were Mandha, South Africaâ€s Tazmin Brits, and Pakistanâ€s Sidra Ameen.

Ameen had a solid month on an individual level, making 293 runs in three ODIs against the Proteas, which involved a 150-ball 121* in a losing effort. 110 balls for 122 in a losing effort, and then an unbeaten 50 in the last match of the series, where Sidra took her team to victory.

The other nominee was Tazmin Brits from South Africa, who played in only the first two ODIs against Pakistan but made 272 runs. In the first, she scored 101*, and in the second, she scored a whopping 171*.

But it was Smriti Mandhana who was named the Player of the Month. She too scored many runs, but did so against the best team in the world, Australia.

In three ODIs against the Aussies, Smriti made 58 runs as India lost the game. The Women in Blue won the second game as Mandhana made 117 runs. In the last match of the series, India lost again, but that was despite the veteran batterâ€s 125 in just 63 balls. She was naturally named the Player of the Series and is now the ICC Womenâ€s Player of the Month.

This monthâ€s awards are exceptional for the Indian Cricket Team fans. While 12 different Indians have won this award on 17 different occasions across both categories, it has never happened that an Indian won in the same month in both categories.

FAQs –

Q) Who was the Menâ€s ICC Player of the Month for August 2025?

A) The last monthâ€s award went to the Indian Cricket Team pacer Mohammad Siraj. In August 2025, Siraj played only one Test match, the final game of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England. In that match, he took nine wickets at an average of 21.11. On the womenâ€s side, it was Irelandâ€s Orla Prendergast.

Q) How Many Indians Have Won The ICC Player Of The Month Award?

A) Since the inception of this award in January 2021 in January 2021, 12 different Indians have won the Player of the Month award on 17 occasions in the Menâ€s and Womenâ€s categories. While Indian women have won the award thrice, men have won it 14 times.

Q) Which Indian player has won the most ICC Player of the Month awards?

A) The Indian with the most ICC Player of the Month awards is Shubman Gill, who has won the award on four occasions, the last time of which was in July 2025, a month in which he scored 567 runs in three tests at an average of 94.50.

Get the Latest Cricket Updates at IceCric.News. Also, Follow Our Social Media for live updates on Facebook and Instagram.

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Say you don’t have the technology.

None of that sweet 3D tech. None of those cool pressure sensors.

Just old-fashioned, mid-80s player you.

But say little ole, mid-80s shooter you wants to improve.

What’s a techless, hopeful, mid-80s shooter to do?

As part of an answer, a GOLF Top 100 Teacher had a story. Occasionally, Tony Ruggiero will watch players hit range balls. And, for the most part, the swings are consistent.

But a couple other items are off.

“You’ll see golfers hitting balls,” Ruggiero said, “and every shot, their feet are angled a little different, ball’s in a little different place, and the swing really doesn’t change very much.

“But they’re very haphazard in how they approach it.”

And that’s part of how he would advise the hypothetical subject who started this story. It’s a fun subject. Speaking on a recent episode of “The Smylie Show” — which you can watch in full here — Ruggiero had been asked by host Smylie Kaufman what he’d say to that player.

The coach said there were a few things, all of them being part of what happens before the shot.

– “I think the first thing you ought to do,” Ruggiero said on the podcast, “is if you could learn to get balanced at address and set up correctly.”

– “Then just monitor the things you can control.”

– “And wherever the ball is when you hit it good — whatever that place is — like figure that out and practice that. …

“I would tell, say, somebody that shoots mid- to low 80s, you’ve probably already got some pretty good stuff in there. If you figured out how to get to that point, especially the folks that get where they shoot low 80s and every now and then throw in a 78 or 9. I would say figure out what you do and what you’re doing when you hit it good.”

Ruggiero did say one piece of tech would help.

But you probably have one.

“Like we all have these phones now,” Ruggiero said on the podcast, “so you can film yourself when you’re hitting it good. And figure out what do you look like at address. Get balanced at address, get the ball in the same spot, fix your aim, those types of things.

“I think just taking care of the details that happen before you swing are the biggest things for golfers that are in that range you’re talking about.”

Editor’s note: To watch the complete Smylie Show episode with Ruggiero, please clickhere.

Whether youâ€re a stick-flexing sniper or a third-pair defender, nobody wants to wait long for the weight to come off.

Bagging your first goal of a new season is always a delight.

Last year, every player who skated in 65 or more NHL games managed to find the net at least one time, and only two players — defencemen Adam Pelech and Josh Mahura — who suited up in at least 55 contests failed to score a goal.

Only four NHL teams have played five games so far, so unless you entered the year with legit Rocket Richard hopes, itâ€s not exactly time to panic if youâ€ve failed to get off the goal-scoring schneid.

That said, grips get tight quickly when you canâ€t get one to fall.

With that in mind, weâ€ve decided to use this weekâ€s power rankings as a way to highlight a player or two from each team whoâ€s probably only thinking about one thing when his head hits the pillow: “When is that first goal gonna come?â€

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1. Dallas Stars (3-0-0): Knee surgery wiped out February, March, April and half of May for Miro Heiskanen last year. The Stars†No. 1 defenceman hasnâ€t scored a regular-season goal since Jan. 9, so you know heâ€s itching to get one.

2. Carolina Hurricanes (3-0-0): Nikolaj Ehlers hasnâ€t potted one yet for his new team, but the Dane has 13 shots on goal in three outings. Something should fall soon.

3. Colorado Avalanche (3-0-1) Gabriel Landeskogâ€s most recent regular-season tally came three-and-a-half years ago on March 1, 2022. Itâ€s going to be quite a fist pump when he buries his next one.

4. Edmonton Oilers (2-0-1): Connor McDavid talked about wanting to score more coming into the season, but No. 97 has yet to hit the back of the net so far.

5. Washington Capitals (3-1-0): Alex Ovechkin will move to within two goals of career tally No. 900 when he breaks through for the first time this fall.

6. Winnipeg Jets (2-1-0): Jonathan Toews actually scored in his final game with the Chicago Blackhawks on April 13, 2023. Heâ€s already picked up his first apple with the Jets; all thatâ€s left to do now is bend that twine.

7. Vegas Golden Knights (2-0-2): Nine of Vegas†14 goals this year have come courtesy of Pavel Dorofeyev (five) and Jack Eichel (four). That means there are a few guys on this club whoâ€d like to find the range, including newcomer Mitch Marner.

8. Florida Panthers (3-2-0): Ten Panthers already have a goal this season, but Seth Jones is not one of them.

9. Toronto Maple Leafs (2-2-0): You know Nick Robertson wanted to find one quickly this season, but it hasnâ€t happened yet in four games. Only three forwards — Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies and Bobby McMann — have more shots on goal this year than Robertsonâ€s eight.

10. New Jersey Devils (2-1-0): Neither Jack Hughes nor Luke Hughes has lit the lamp this season. You know Luke — after signing that massive new contract — is dying to slip one home.

11. Montreal Canadiens (3-1-0): Nick Suzuki leads the team with six points, but theyâ€re all assists. Suzuki has hit the 30-goal barrier each of the past two seasons.

12. Minnesota Wild (2-2-0): Newcomer Vladimir Tarasenko has been seeing over 16 minutes per night so far, but that has yet to result in his first score as a Wild.

13. Los Angeles Kings (1-2-1): Every goal will be a special one for Anze Kopitar in this, his final NHL campaign. Heâ€s still trying to break the goose egg in his 20th season.

14. Tampa Bay Lightning (1-2-1): Brandon Hagel registered a career-high 35 goals last season, so you know heâ€d like to get the ball rolling on this year very soon.

15. Detroit Red Wings (3-1-0): Alex DeBrincat has a half-dozen apples so far, but the 39-goal scorer from last year has not been the finisher on a play yet.

16. St. Louis Blues (2-2-0): Jordan Kyrou scored 104 goals for St. Louis in three seasons from 2022-23 through 2024-25. The next highest Blue in that time is Pavel Buchnevich with 73. Kyrou needs to get going soon.

17. New York Rangers (2-3-0): Well, we know absolutely every Ranger is looking to break through at home, where New York has mind-blowingly failed to find the net in three outings at Madison Square Garden. Pending-UFA Artemi Panarin has just two points in five games this year, and neither of them are goals.

18. Utah Mammoth (2-2-0): Just one point and zero goals through four games is not how captain Clayton Keller wanted to begin the Mammoth chapter of his career.

19. Boston Bruins (3-1-0): Viktor Arvidsson is getting a chance to show heâ€s still got some scoring touch in Boston. As such, heâ€d surely like to get his first as a Bruin before too long.

20. Seattle Kraken (2-0-1): Shane Wright came within a single tally of scoring 20 goals last year. The fourth-overall pick from 2022 is still looking for his first goal of this campaign, while also trying to show he can be a real top-six offensive presence in the NHL.

21. Anaheim Ducks (2-1-0): Two guys who inked big deals with Anaheim in the off-season — Mikael Granlund, who came over as a UFA, and Mason McTavish, who re-upped as an RFA — have yet to celebrate with a tally.

22. Columbus Blue Jackets (1-2-0): Kent Johnson had a nice 24-goal breakout last year, so you can bet the talented winger is dying to get one soon.

23. Nashville Predators (2-1-1): Year 1 in Nashville was a bit of a nightmare all around for Steven Stamkos, so itâ€s got to be killing him to be 0-for after four outings this season.

24. Vancouver Canucks (1-2-0): First off, only one Canuck — Jonathan Lekkerimaki — has exactly one goal this year. Kiefer Sherwood (3), Brock Boeser (2) and Filip Chytil (2) all have more than one, and everybody else is sitting on zero. Youâ€ve got to think the guy who would most like to move off zero immediately is Elias Pettersson.

25. Ottawa Senators (1-3-0): Really, the big concern here is how long it will be before Brady Tkachuk has a chance to pop his first of the year. The hand injury he sustained in Ottawaâ€s home opener is going to keep him out “a significant amount of time,†according to coach Travis Green, and thatâ€s awful news for the Sens.

26. Chicago Blackhawks (2-2-1): A league-high 12 Blackhawks have already hit paydirt this year, which is a great sign for the young squad. That certainly takes some pressure off 2024 second-overall pick Artyom Levshunov, who has not popped one yet and has been a healthy scratch.

27. Philadelphia Flyers (1-1-1): 0-0-0 is not the line sophomore Matvei Michkov wanted after three outings.

28. Pittsburgh Penguins (2-2-0): Evgeni Malkin may not have a goal yet, but his six assists are sure attention-catching in the big manâ€s 20th NHL season.

29. New York Islanders (0-3-0): The winless Islanders wonâ€t be going anywhere without some goals from Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal, both of whom have yet to break through this season.

30. Buffalo Sabres (1-3-0): Rasmus Dahlin is averaging over 26 minutes a night, so the Sabres need a goal out of him soon.

31. Calgary Flames (1-4-0): Yegor Sharangovichâ€s 31-goal showing two years ago — his first year in Calgary — is starting to feel like a distant memory. He had 17 last year and is stuck on zero so far through five contests this fall.

32. San Jose Sharks (0-1-2): Macklin Celebrini is averaging nearly 21 minutes per night — most of any Sharks player — but he hasnâ€t been able to find the range just yet.

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Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United are seeking back-to-back league wins for the first time in the Portuguese head coach’s Old Trafford tenure.

Tasks don’t come much harder than the one before the Red Devils this weekend as they make the short journey to Merseyside where they will meet Arne Slot’s Liverpool.

The Premier League champions have hit a bit of a rough patch of late, relinquishing their grip on top spot to Arsenal, who have taken 16 points from their opening seven games.

Liverpool’s early season form has waned in recent weeks, losing 2-1 to Crystal Palace and Chelsea in the Premier League, either side of a 1-0 defeat on the road to Galatasaray.

Perhaps the biggest potential miss for Man United is Bruno Fernandes who was also granted additional leave by the club following Portugal’s international fixtures.

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Tight Ends

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In each of the past two seasons, the No. 1 tight end in fantasy has been a rookie: Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions in 2023 and Brock Bowers of the Las Vegas Raiders a year ago.

With players such as Bowers and Trey McBride of the Arizona Cardinals atop fantasy draft boards this summer, a three-peat appeared unlikely.

Someone forgot to tell Tyler Warren of the Indianapolis Colts, though.

After catching six passes for 63 yards and a touchdown last week against the Arizona Cardinals, the 23-year-old sits second in PPR points among tight ends. He has been held under 10 PPR points just once in six games.

Look out, Jake Ferguson. There’s a youngster hot on your tail.

Week 7 Tight End Rankings

2025 Fantasy Football Rankings powered by FantasyProsECR â„¢ – Expert Consensus Rankings

Players to Watch in Week 7

Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns (vs. MIA) [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,900]

The Browns are poor. However, the Dolphins have allowed the eighth-most PPR points per game to tight ends, David Njoku has a knee injury, and Dillon Gabriel has shown zero ability to push the ball down the field vertically.

Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers (at ARI) [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,900]

In terms of PPR points per game, Kraft is seventh among tight ends at this point in the season. Now the 24-year-old faces an Arizona Cardinals team giving up the sixth-most PPR points per game to the position in 2025.

Players to Avoid in Week 7

Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (at TEN) [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,100]

Henry came roaring out of the gate this year, but he has slowed down considerably the past two weeks. A matchup with a Titans defense surrendering the ninth-fewest PPR points per game to tight ends isn’t likely to be a slump-buster.

George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers (vs. ATL) [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,400]

From all indications, Kittle is trending toward a return from injured reserve in Week 7. But his snaps could be limited in his first game back, and the Falcons are dead-last in PPR points per game allowed to the position this season.

Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans (vs. NE) [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,300]

Okonkwo had six catches for 46 yards last week—his second game of the season with over 10 PPR points. The Patriots have been kind to opposing tight ends in 2025, being 10th in PPR points per game given up this year.

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Chicago Cubs: OF Pete Crow-Armstrong (Age: 23)

Crow-Armstrong is still searching for consistency at the plate, but it’s hard to poke holes in a 23-year-old posting a 118 OPS+ with 37 doubles, 31 home runs, 95 RBI, 91 runs scored and 35 steals in a 6.0-WAR season. He is also a lock to take home his first Gold Glove in center field, and could be the NL Platinum Glove winner.

Honorable Mentions:SP Cade Horton (24), 3B Matt Shaw (23)

Cincinnati Reds: SS Elly De La Cruz (Age: 23)

Whether it was the grind of playing every day, pitchers making adjustments or something else entirely, De La Cruz went from an All-Star in the first half (.854 OPS, 39 XBH, 18 HR, 25 SB) to a non-factor in the second half (.666 OPS, 21 XBH, 4 HR, 12 SB). The tools are there for him to be a face of the franchise player, but the 2026 season will be an important one in his development.

Honorable Mentions:OF Noelvi Marté (23)

Milwaukee Brewers: OF Jackson Chourio (Age: 21)

Chourio was the youngest player to make an Opening Day roster in 2025, and only four younger players appeared in the big leagues this year, yet he already has two 20/20 seasons under his belt. At an age when most prospects are still in the lower levels of the minors or playing college ball, he was one of the best players on a team that finished with 97 wins and a division title.

Honorable Mentions:SP Jacob Misiorowski (23)

Pittsburgh Pirates: SP Paul Skenes (Age: 23)

The term “generational talent” gets thrown around a lot when talking about young stars, but Skenes truly is that on the mound. Over his first 55 starts in the big leagues, he has a 1.96 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 386 strikeouts in 320.2 innings, and he is the favorite to take home NL Cy Young honors after leading the NL in ERA (1.97) and WHIP (0.95) while racking up 216 strikeouts in 187.2 innings.

Honorable Mentions:SP Bubba Chandler (23)

St. Louis Cardinals: SS Masyn Winn (Age: 23)

The Cardinals are at a crossroads, looking to get younger this offseason and expected to aggressively shop veterans such as Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray and others, which leaves Winn as the foundational piece of their upcoming rebuilding efforts. The slick-fielding shortstop provides a valuable mix of defense, speed, extra-base pop and contact skills, and he is still capable of taking his game to another level.

Honorable Mentions:OF Victor Scott II (24)

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