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Josh Ball

Famous sporting quotes can take many forms; the inspirational, the perceptive, the downright funny and occasionally – I’m looking at you Cantona – the very weird.
Overnight, muggle Erik Ten Hag put in his bid to be added to the more memorable ones by invoking Harry Potter to explain away Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool. I bet that wasn’t on your Monday morning bingo.
So, along with some Formula One, the Paris Paralympics and a bit of golf, here’s what happened while you were sleeping.
The long goodbye
A hint that Saudi money may have finally won the day, a belief he has no more world’s to conquer, or the first shot fired in a season-long contact negotiation?

Fresh from scoring one and creating two for Luis Diaz in Liverpool’s 3-0 win at Manchester United, Mohamed Salah thought he stole the headlines when he said this would be his “last year with the club and I want to enjoy it”.
Manager Arne Slot didn’t take the bait in his post-match press conference, and hopefully we’ll be spared a season of “emotional goodbyes” and “last evers”. Getting dewy-eyed over departing sports stars is best left to the Americans.
More Moaning Myrtle than Harry Potter
If the bookmakers are still offering odds on Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag being the first manager sacked this season, I’d be amazed.
Outstandingly lucky to have survived Jim Ratcliffe’s summer cull, the Dutchman was on pretty shaky ground even before the latest embarrassing home defeat, which saw Arne Slot become the first Liverpool manager to win at Old Trafford on the first attempt since George Kay in 1936.
“It’s not like I’m Harry Potter, that is what you have to acknowledge,” whinged Ten Hag afterwards, sounding more like a ghost in a bathroom than the boy who lived, or someone who spent US$240 million on players over the summer.
“I don’t think [we make the same mistakes every week], otherwise you wouldn’t win trophies as we did [the FA Cup against a clearly drunk Manchester City team] and to beat big opponents.”
Red Bull’s wings clipped
Speaking of whinging, Max Verstappen was left bemoaning the “undriveable monster” he suddenly seems to have found himself in after another race slipped away.
The Dutchman finished fifth at the Italian Grand Prix, as Charles Leclerc sent Ferrari fans delirious with a home win few dreamed possible.
From coasting to both the drivers’ and constructors championship, Red Bull are in danger of ending the season empty-handed.
“Last year we had a great car, which was the most dominant car ever. And we basically turned it into a monster,” said Verstappen, who won at Monza last year. “So we have to turn it around. At the moment both championships are not realistic.”
Honourable mention

Gus Atkinson continued his Lord’s love affair by taking five wickets as England thrashed Sri Lanka by 190 runs in the second Test on Sunday, to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in a three-match series.
The performance gave the 26-year-old quick his fifth mention on the honours board at Lord’s, to go alongside one he earned for his maiden Test match hundred in England’s first innings.
He also became just the third England cricketer after Tony Greig and Ian Botham to score a century and take five wickets in an innings of the same Test.
Unfortunately, very few people were there to watch, with Lord’s deciding the cheapest adult day ticket for a game that had been over as a contest for at least 24 hours should be £95.
Money, money, money
Speaking of offensive amounts of cash, in the utterly ridiculous and not at all contrived end to the PGA Tour season, Scottie Scheffler trousered US$25 million for winning the FedEx Cup, a tournament where he started with a two-shot lead on 10-under-par.
The American, who there is no denying has had an excellent season, finished on 30-under after a final round 67, leaving him four shots ahead of Collin Morikawa in a week when numbers largely became meaningless.
Morikawa won US$12.5 million for finishing second. Sahith Theegala closed with a 64 and finished third, earning a US$7.5 million bonus.
Ending on a high note
After the slightly grubby feeling that always comes with discussing professional golf and Manchester United at the moment, a little uplift for the soul from the Paris Paralympics.
China’s athletes continue to win at almost every turn, and Yang Yue, who was making her first appearance at a Games since winning silver in Beijing in 2008, took the opportunity to send a message after claiming gold in the women’s F64 discus.
“I want to tell my daughter this: it pays to persevere. If you persevere for long enough, your dreams may just come true,” she said.


Spurs fans turn on Postecoglou, Newcastle down Wolves, US Solheim win, what happened overnight

Haaland strikes twice, Forest stun Liverpool, what happened overnight in world of sport

Livingstone leads England revival, United beat City, what happened overnight in world of sport

Man City charges date set, Wada cleared in China case, what happened overnight in world of sport

While you were sleeping

Erik Ten Hag on Harry Potter, Salah on leaving Liverpool, and Leclerc’s Monza triumph

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reacts during his side’s game against Liverpool at Old Trafford. Photo: EPA-EFE

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring his side’s third against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Photo: DPA

Sri Lanka’s captain Dhananjaya de Silva is bowled by England’s Gus Atkinson. Photo: AFP

Asian Tour: Lewton ends 10-year wait for second win, third time’s a charm at Indonesia Open

Steve Lewton holds the Indonesia Open winner’s trophy at Damai Indah Golf - PIK Course. Photo: Asian Tour

China’s Sampson Zheng chips out of a greenside bunker during the fourth round. Photo: Asian Tour

China athletes dominate at Paris Paralympics, and can anyone stop Erling Haaland?

McLaren driver Lando Norris celebrates qualifying in pole position for the Italian Grand Prix. Photo: AP

Zhao Yuping competes during the women’s javelin throw F13 final. Photo: Xinhua

Erling Haaland holds the match ball after scoring a hat-trick. Photo: EPA-EFE

South Africa’s fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu prepares to convert a try. Photo: AFP

Sport

Hong Kong

Football

The Paris Paralympics continues to inspire, Manchester United’s manager edges closer to the exit, and Red Bull are having a mid-season breakdown


The Paris Paralympics continues to inspire, Manchester United’s manager is edging closer to the exit, and Red Bull are having a mid-season breakdown.


Mohamed Salah

English Premier League