'Timber is fine'
Preston North End v Arsenal (Wed, 19:45 GMT)
Arsenal
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta on fitness: "Jurrien [Timber] is fine. Obviously very excited, been out for a while, could not continue the game but there is no new injury there."
On Martin Odegaard: "He's been on grass for a few weeks, still a few boxes to tick."
No 'more exciting option' than Amorim
Alex Turk
Man Utd fan writer
Ruud van Nistelrooy will receive a hero's welcome on Wednesday when United host Leicester City in the Carabao Cup. The Dutch legend's Old Trafford return was heralded among excited fans in the summer and he will be passionately backed for as long as his interim tenure lasts.
But that is all it should be. United must retain Van Nistelrooy on the coaching staff while appointing a manager with more established credentials.
The chosen candidate appears to be Ruben Amorim of Sporting. He's won two Liga Portugal titles and two Taca da Ligas across a four-year reign in Lisbon. Established credentials... check.
Only 39, the attack-minded coach, loyal to his 3-4-3 system, already has a taste for silverware and a track record of helping young players thrive while also representing an attractive long-term option.
The concept of snatching him from Manchester City's grasp - amid talk of Amorim replacing Pep Guardiola next summer - is a bonus. But this is about United, and Ineos couldn't currently select a more exciting option.
Rodri's Ballon d'Or 'a win for football'
Freddie Pye
Man City fan writer
The Ballon d'Or was in danger of becoming a glorified popularity contest, as opposed to recognising true football brilliance and performances on the field. With Rodri winning the prize, we can once again talk of this trophy as a salute towards the very best football star in the world.
We are talking about true football excellence and intelligence from Rodri here, while forgetting the human side of a man that is far from the normal modern day professional footballer. This is a success for a global superstar with no social media, no manufactured PR campaign behind him and merely a recognition of an athlete who has mastered his craft by committing his life to the sport he loves.
This is on-field performance combined with exemplary behaviour on and off the pitch, establishing himself as the complete football role model by reinventing the perceptions of a midfield orchestrator.
They are the Rules of Allocation for the Ballon d'Or. This is a win for football. This is justice for the Ballon d'Or itself. A football prize saved by Rodri - the ultimate professional, the ultimate midfielder and history-maker for Manchester City, Spain, and the midfield professional in the game.
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Ballon d'Or 'missed the opportunity' to pay tribute to Vini Jr
Iara Diniz
BBC Monitoring
More on the reaction in Brazil to Vinicius Jr missing out on the Ballon d'Or.
Milly Lacombe, a sports commentator for Brazilâs UOL news website, said, external that the Ballon d'Or "missed the opportunity to pay a heartfelt tribute to the most talked-about player of the season - known for his dribbling, goals, ability to make decisive plays, and social activism."
Following the Ballon d'Or results, Vinicius Jr posted a message on X, external saying, "I will do it 10x if I have to. They are not ready."
His post received more than 100,000 comments, with many Brazilians showing their support. Brazil's minister of racial equality, Anielle Franco, reacted to the message: "You are amazing, Vini! Racism will never stop us. Let's keep making history."
Galvao Bueno, one of the biggest Brazilian sports commentators, posted a video, external on his YouTube channel criticising the selection methods of Ballon d'Or.
"It's not just a matter of football, of who plays better, this award has a European bias," he said, adding that Vini Jr was not awarded the prize due to his attitude against racism and his story. "He causes discomfort."
Ballon d'Or snub 'could harm Real's reputation' - Calderon
BBC Radio 5 Live
Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon believes the club's snubbing of Monday's Ballon d'Or awards is a decision "that they have to explain".
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Calderon said: "I am very glad to know that our compatriot [Rodri] has won that title. Of course Vinicius could have won it, Rodri or Carvajal - but only one can get that trophy and I suppose there are criteria to decide that. The journalists gave the trophy to Rodri - thatâs it. You have to accept it.
"We were awarded the best team of last year and also Ancelotti was awarded as the best coach. This is a team game, so I think it is as much important to win that title that includes all the players, than to win only one of them.
"I canât say we need respect because we were awarded the title of the best club of the year. What more do you want to expect?
âIf I had any hint or evidence that something wrong has been done then maybe I would have done the same but if not, of course I would have gone. We are the greatest club in the world - as recognised by anyone in the football world and we have to behave accordingly. This can harm our reputation unfortunately."
Vinicius Jr not winning Ballon d'Or 'the biggest injustice'
Iara Diniz
BBC Monitoring
Brazilian news commentators have described the decision not to award Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr the Ballon d'Or as an unjust and retaliatory move, with some concluding that it was the most controversial decision in the award's history.
Many claimed the 24-year-old Brazilian was denied the award due to his stance against the racism he has faced in Spain.
"We know that Vinicius Jr. is a target of racism in Spanish football and other parts of Europe, and he actively fights against racism. This leads us to question whether the result that gave Rodri the win was influenced by prejudice and racism against Vinicius Jr," said Guga Chacra, external, a commentator from the leading Brazilian TV news network Globo News.
Gustavo Faldon, sports editor for the Brazilian daily Estadao, external, said: "The [treatment of] Vincius Jr was the biggest injustice in the history of Ballon dâOr."
"The fact that he is Brazilian, plays for Real Madrid, and is a forward should have worked in his favour in the history of the award. It sounds like an injustice to me," said Rodrigo Bueno, a sports commentator for ESPN Brasil, external.
Commentators also strongly disagreed that the award recipient Rodri had performed better than Vinicius last season.
"The fact that Vini Jr wasn't awarded the title of best player in the world at the Ballon d'Or is yet another way to try to penalise the Brazilian for his outspoken stance on racial issues, both on and off the field," wrote Douglas Ceconello, a journalist for Brazilian sports website Globo Esporte., external
Rodri 'deserved' Ballon d'Or win, says Guardiola
Manchester City
A little earlier, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said that Rodri is a worthy winner of the 2024 men's Ballon d'Or award.
City's Spain midfielder saw off competition from Real Madrid duo Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham - who finished second and third respectively.
Rodri was instrumental in City's Premier League title victory in May and was named player of the tournament as Spain won Euro 2024.
Real Madrid were absent from the ceremony after reportedly learning that Vinicius, who was clear favourite for the award, had not won.
"If they [Real Madrid] want to go, it's fine. If they don't, it's fine as well," said former Barcelona manager Guardiola. "If they want to congratulate, it's fine. If they don't want to congratulate, it's fine as well.
"If you are in the first two or three [places] it's exceptional. It means you have done an incredible year and you have to be so satisfied.
"Should it be Vinicius? Maybe. It's [voted by] journalists, you know, not an elite group of people who decide. It's [journalists] all around the world that votes, not just one country. There are different opinions, and that's what makes football nice, no?"
Guardiola added: "I think Rodri perfectly represents City, but also Spanish football and their influence in world football. In the last 10, 15 years it has been massively important - not just winning trophies but the way they play.
"Maybe in that moment Xavi and Iniesta deserved it as well. I think maybe Rodri gets what Spanish football deserves."
'We have to deal with setbacks' - Ten Hag's last comments as Man Utd boss
Man Utd v Leicester (Wed, 19:45 GMT)
As Simon Stone mentioned earlier, quotes from Erik ten Hag that were subject to an embargo until today, have landed.
Speaking before he was sacked by Manchester United yesterday, Ten Hag said: "We have to do better. At the end of the season, we have to get this right, but of course it is not easy when you have so many setbacks at the start of the season to overcome this.
"We have to fight back, but it always helps when you have a good start because it keeps motivation, keeps belief, the confidence will grow. We are now in the process on the other side where we are disappointed and have to deal with setbacks. Now we have to find the fuel from setbacks and disappointments."
I'm sure his former assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy, who is now United's interim boss, would agree.
Carabao Cup: Leicester 'won't overthink' impact of Ten Hag exit
Man Utd v Leicester (Wed, 19:45 GMT)
Leicester City
Leicester City boss Steve Cooper on whether Erik ten Hag's departure changes his game plan: "We won't overthink that. If you do, you can end up going to loads of places that end up being miles away from what it is.
"Being a manager, you want to show how good your ideas are and that's no different tomorrow. It's even more reason tomorrow to focus on ourselves. We've got to make sure we take that opportunity."
I'm sure Ten Hag will bounce back when he is ready - Cooper
Man Utd v Leicester (Wed, 19:45 GMT)
Leicester City
Leicester City boss Steve Cooper onErik ten Hag's departure from Old Trafford: "Whatever level you work at, it's a demanding job. The highs and lows are as extreme as it gets. You applaud managers when they do well and you feel for them when they don't, that's how I feel for Erik and any manager who loses their job. It's a very, very high profile job at a huge club with plenty of scrutiny. It's never nice to see, but I wish him well and I am sure he will bounce back, as and when he is ready."
What pressure will his successor be under? "Like any job, you feel the pressure because you go to a club, you take on the responsibility. Whatever the size of the club, it means the same. It obviously falls into the guys at Manchester United. We're now preparing for a cup game and trying to perform to get through to the next round."
