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Daily Mail
21 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Exiled Alejandro Garnacho spotted for the first time after being forced to train alone as his Man United exit looms
Manchester United outcast Alejandro Garnacho took a trip to the barbers on Monday as he was spotted in public in England for the first time since the end of last season. Garnacho posed for selfies with fans outside of Pure Fades in Altrincham, before hot-footing it towards his car. After spotting the paparazzi, Garnacho — who was dressed in a black Nike T-shirt, Palm Angels shorts and white sliders — playfully covered his face before smiling as he entered his vehicle. Garnacho — who spent his summer holidays in Japan, Spain and then Portugal — is said to be keen to stay in England, although his future may lie away from Old Trafford. The 21-year-old is one of a number of players expected to leave United before the transfer deadline on September 1, with Ruben Amorim keen to sell him. Garnacho is one of five United players not involved in team pre-season training, with the group aiming to find moves away from the Red Devils. Mail Sport reported earlier this week that Garnacho had rejected an approach from Al-Nassr as he wants to remain in the Premier League. United are believed to be holding out for more than £50million, having turned down a bid of £40m from Napoli in January. Garnacho featured in 36 of United's 38 Premier League games last season. However, he was regularly used as a substitute by Amorim, including in the Europa League final defeat by Tottenham in May, when he got just 20 minutes of game time. Speaking after the final, Garnacho said: 'Up until the final I played every round helping the team, and today I play 20 minutes, I don't know. 'The final will influence [my decision] but the whole season, the situation of the club. I'm going to try to enjoy the summer and see what happens afterwards.'
ITV News
30 minutes ago
- ITV News
World's top golfers descend on Portrush as The Open practice gets underway
Golf's Open championship is finally back in Northern Ireland as the world's top golfers descended on Royal Portrush before the 153rd edition of the tournament tees off on Thursday. One of the biggest events in the golf calendar is back in the seaside town after just six years. Normally a venue has to wait 10 years before the competition returns. Portrush has hosted the Open three times - the first in 1951. The first of four official practice days got underway on Sunday. Around 270,000 people are expected to hit the famous fairways of Portrush to get close to the action. The competition draws golf's greatest stars. All local hopes will be pinned on Holywood's Rory McIlroy. His first public appearance on a NI golf course since his historic Masters triumph which saw him complete golf's career grand slam. Rory's feat was the first time in 25 years someone had won all four of golf's majors and made him just the sixth man to complete the set. The Grand Slam winner said: "After the 18th and seeing all the kids and signing autographs, it's really really nice and I'm sure that will just build and build as the week goes on". The excitement around the fairways has boosted the numbers of domestic and international tourists, who in turn are spending money in local shops and the hospitality sector. The 2019 Open at Royal Portrush generated over £100million in economic benefits for Northern Ireland. Six years on, the Causeway Coast and Glens area and beyond looks set for another boost. More than a quarter of a million golf fans are expected to flock to the north coast for the championship. The head of Tourism Northern Ireland, John McGrillen, said: "The people who come here they don't just play golf, they visit all of the visitor attractions and they spend their money in local bars and restaurants. They make a huge contribution". All roads may lead to Portrush this week, but with tens of thousands of spectators imminent, organisers have recommended the use of public transport. Extra buses and trains are in place, but an industrial dispute at Translink could lead to services being suspended on Friday and Saturday. The transport network is expected to be "very busy" but it is hoped that the provision of 115,000 additional seats will ease pressures. There is a dedicated walking route set out for passengers from the course to Portrush station. For those with sea legs, water taxis will be on hand to ferry fans to the fairways, making upwards of 40 crossings daily from Greencastle. The Open Championship first took place at Royal Portrush in 1951. Brian Twite, 98, is believed to be one of the last surviving players. Now, 74 years later, he is reflecting on the magic of The Open. From his home in Australia, he told UTV that Royal Portrush is the 'most magnificent' course he has ever seen. Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.
Daily Mail
34 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Welsh Rugby Union confirms plan for 'radical strategy' - one likely to end with cutting of teams from four to two
The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed its intention to finalise a 'radical strategy' to improve the country's ailing game by October – one which is likely to result in the governing body cutting its number of domestic teams from four to two. Last week, MailSport reported that uncertainty over how Welsh rugby would look moving forward has left the game's stakeholders, headed up by the players, frustrated. On Monday, the WRU admitted: 'Welsh rugby has experienced a deterioration in performance on and off the field and, statistically, has just had its worst ever season in its senior men's game.' It added: 'The current rugby system in Wales isn't currently financially sustainable given the likely investment required, even with the recent actions taken to increase financial resources. Based on its extensive work over the past 18 months, including ongoing consultation with the four professional men's clubs, the WRU is therefore considering a more radical strategy focused on maximising investment and reforming the whole structure of professional rugby in Wales (amongst other options).' Wales currently has four club sides – Dragons, Cardiff, Ospreys and Scarlets. But, while the WRU hasn't explicitly said so, the direction of travel is for that to be cut to two moving forward. The WRU has said formal consultation with its existing clubs, the players and other relevant bodies will take place during August and September. They will then officially confirm its next steps in October following board approval. As such, the next three months represent the most significant period in the history of Welsh rugby since the game went professional in 1995 and Wales soon abolished its traditional clubs to move to a regional structure. The upcoming consultation is sure to be complex, with WRU chief executive Abi Tierney and chair Richard Collier-Keywood driving it. Both the Newport-based Dragons and Cardiff signed up to the WRU's contract proposal of how Welsh rugby would be run moving forwards. The Ospreys, in Swansea, and the Scarlets, in Llanelli, did not do so. They say that decision was based on concerns over equal and fair funding in the future after the WRU took over Cardiff following their fall into administration. The WRU responded by saying there would not be equal funding for four regions in the future, placing the future of the Ospreys and Scarlets into doubt. With all four regions and the Welsh Rugby Players Association set to be involved in the discussions, it is unlikely a swift resolution will be found. No professional team, which is an independent business, would support them being put out of existence. After all, turkeys don't vote for Christmas. It is likely any side at risk may launch legal action against the WRU in response. Cutting two teams would almost certainly result in not only player, but backroom staff job losses. However, the WRU is right in saying drastic change is needed. The proposed shake-up comes after Wales' senior men's side suffered nine defeats in 10 games this season, a run that included a record losing sequence of 18 Test matches. That sequence only ended at the weekend with a 31-22 victory over Japan. Wales' senior women's team has also struggled badly, following their male compatriots by finishing bottom of the 2025 Six Nations without a win. The WRU's proposed changes also include significant alterations to how the men's and women's games will be run as well as at the semi-professional and academy levels. But the proposed reduction in the number of clubs is, understandably, the headline news. The WRU said the consultation will be 'comprehensive and transparent' and 'will lead to a restructure in the domestic professional game by season 2027/28.' Cutting a team or two before that time cannot happen due to contractual reasons. Meanwhile, MailSport understands that former Cardiff chief executive Richard Holland has taken up a role with the WRU. Holland was in charge of Cardiff when the club entered administration in April. The WRU immediately took over, taking on Cardiff's debt and employing all its staff and players. Holland stepped away from his role then. He won't be returning to his past job but during what is understood to be a long notice period, he will be 'supporting the WRU where he is working on a number of projects.' Alongside the future of its clubs, the WRU continues to search for a new permanent men's senior coach with an announcement on that front expected soon. The first meeting of the WRU and the regions since Monday's announcement is set to take place on Wednesday when Welsh rugby's Professional Rugby Board sits down.
