Manchester United win, Spurs stunned, Medvedev meltdown, Springboks beat Scots

Van Nistelrooy ends brief reign on high, Ipswich out of drop zone following shock victory, try-less Scots beaten at home, Medvedev unravels

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Bruno Fernandes celebrates opening the scoring against Leicester City on his 250th Manchester United appearance. Photo: Reuters

Published: 7:30am, 11 Nov 2024Updated: 9:25am, 11 Nov 2024

So long to the era when Sunday was a day of rest, in the sporting world at least. The knock-on effect of Thursday night European football is a busy Premier League programme three days later.

Rugby, meanwhile, stretches its Autumn internationals across entire weekends to satisfy television audiences around the globe. In tennis, administrators have belatedly cottoned on to the fact that beginning tournaments on a Sunday, rather than waiting for the working week to start, is a recipe for both getting more punters through the gates and increasing TV viewing figures. As for cricket, we swear they never stop.

All of which means Monday’s newsletter is a busy one, as we detail all the action that unfolded while you were sleeping.

Shrewd van Nistelrooy

For the second time in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s ephemeral reign, Manchester United gave Leicester City a hiding at Old Trafford. Bruno Fernandes marked his 250th United appearance with the opener, before an own goal from Victor Kristiansen and Alejandro Garnacho’s late strike wrapped up a 3-0 win for the hosts.

United remain 13th but only four points behind the coveted Champions League qualifying spots, after the teams in third and fourth, respectively Chelsea and out-of-form Arsenal, drew 1-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Handed a favourable run of fixtures, all at home, following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal, Van Nistelrooy oversaw a 5-2 walloping of Leicester in the Carabao Cup and a 2-0 Europa League victory over PAOK of Greece, either side of drawing 1-1 with Chelsea.

Van Nistelrooy will step aside with his reputation enhanced, then, as incoming boss Ruben Amorim braces himself for a start to Premier League life that quickly brings games against Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Manchester City.