Sports
Man U need to change something’ after losing 4-2 at Leicester – Pogba
Leicester ended their opponents’ 29-game unbeaten run away from home to increase the pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Manchester United’s Paul Pogba suggested that his side lack maturity and experience as they were beaten 4-2 in the Premier League at Leicester.
Pogba has declared something needs to change at Manchester United following their 4-2 Premier League defeat to Leicester City. “We need to find something, we need to change something.”
The Frenchman played the entirety of United’s latest defeat that ended their 29-game unbeaten run away from home.
The defeat leaves Ole Gunnar Solskjaer under further scrutiny as United’s own winless run extends to three games as they continue to look less than the sum of their expensive parts.
“To be honest, we’ve been having this kind of game for a long time and we haven’t found the problem,” Pogba said.
“We need to find what’s the problem, to concede easy goals, stupid goals, when we know those games where we play on this pitch, the fans are going to push, put pressure on us and everything. We need to be more mature, I think. We need to play with more experience, arrogance in a good way. We have to take the ball and play our football.
“But now we have to find what’s the key of these games that we lose. Because I think we deserved to lose today.
“We need to find something, we need to change something. I don’t know if the mindset of all of us, the players, when we start… we really don’t know. It’s frustrating because it’s something we don’t understand and we have to find that very fast because if you want to compete and you want to win the title, those games you have to win, even though they are very hard and we’re playing away.
“You need to fight their game, you need to find the right mentality, the right tactic to win those games. That’s my thought. We have time to think about it and then all together, we have to stick together and find the problem.”
Ole: I made bad decisions
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted that he “probably made a couple of bad decisions” with his team selection
Harry Maguire made a surprise return against his former club after recovering from injury, while Cristiano Ronaldo returned to the line-up after being rested against Everton. Yet it was the central midfield area where Manchester United struggled as Pogba and Nemanja Matic were badly overrun at times.
Solskjaer admitted he made errors with the way his team set up.
“The four goals we conceded were very poor,” he told Sky Sports.
“When you concede goals like that in the way we did, we don’t deserve to continue that run. Definitely the performance was very below-par and not good enough. We got a very good goal with Mason and we were knocking on the door to get another one; sloppy play and we concede a goal.
“In the second half, it was end-to-end but they created more chances and conceding at set-pieces was disappointing. Conceding seconds after the equaliser shouldn’t happen. I picked the team; Harry showed no reaction. I hold my hand up if it doesn’t work out and sometimes it doesn’t.
“When you concede four, I probably made a couple of bad decisions.”
Merse: Solskjaer in a spot of bother
Paul Merson speaking on Soccer Saturday, said, “I think Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is in a spot of bother.
“I said before the game if that he can get through November still in the job, then they would have every chance of winning the league because they have some shocking fixtures – and this was the start of it and they have been beaten. Leicester thoroughly deserved it too.
“Manchester United are struggling. I’ve said that Arsenal could finish above them in the top four and I haven’t changed my mind.
“They are individuals, they are not a team. They haven’t got legs all around the pitch and because Ronaldo can’t go in behind defences, the other teams are all pushing up on them and that means Pogba doesn’t get time on the ball. For me, Solskjaer is under severe pressure.”
Manchester United’s gruelling run
Manchester United face a formidable set of fixtures in October and November as they look to keep pace in the Premier League and ensure Champions League qualification, with Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and the Manchester derby looming domestically.
Sports
Chaos in Abeokuta as Algerian Fans Attack Coach, Vandalise Stadium After Rangers Defeat
Angry supporters of MC Alger allegedly attacked a member of their club’s technical crew and vandalised stadium facilities after the Algerian side lost 2–0 to Enugu Rangers in the first leg of their CAF Champions League qualifying tie in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The disorder occurred on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, shortly after Rangers secured a crucial victory against the visiting Algerian champions.
Reports said more than 400 travelling supporters expressed their anger following the defeat, with some allegedly destroying seats in the covered stands and damaging other stadium facilities.
The situation reportedly escalated when some supporters followed members of the MC Alger delegation towards the players’ tunnel, where an assistant coach was allegedly assaulted.
Nigerian police officers attached to the Algerian delegation reportedly intervened and rescued the coach from further attacks, while security operatives subsequently restricted movement around the stadium to prevent additional violence.
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Former Super Eagles striker Victor Ikpeba was also reportedly attacked by members of the Algerian delegation in the VVIP section as he attempted to exchange pleasantries after the match. Further details surrounding the reported incident were not immediately available.
The ugly scenes overshadowed an impressive performance by Rangers, who overcame an early setback to secure a two-goal advantage ahead of the return leg in Algeria.
The Nigerian champions were reduced to 10 players in the first half after goalkeeper Lucky Jimoh was sent off. MC Alger also lost a player when defender Oussama Benhaoua received a second yellow card in the second half.
With both sides reduced to 10 players, Rangers capitalised on their opportunities late in the match. Kenneth Igboke converted a penalty to give the hosts the lead before James Emo scored again to seal the 2–0 victory.
The result puts Rangers in a favourable position ahead of the return fixture scheduled for October 23 in Algiers, where they will attempt to protect their advantage and progress in the continental competition.
However, the reported violence has raised concerns about crowd control, stadium security and the conduct of travelling supporters at African club football matches.
Rangers will also be mindful of their history against MC Alger. In 1976, the Nigerian club won the first leg of their African Cup of Champions Clubs encounter 2–0 but lost the return match 3–0, exiting the competition 3–2 on aggregate. MC Alger went on to win the continental title that year.
The Nigerian side will now seek to avoid a repeat of that outcome as it pursues qualification for the 2026/27 CAF Champions League group stage.
Chaos in Abeokuta as Algerian Fans Attack Coach, Vandalise Stadium After Rangers Defeat
Sports
Mbappé Runs Riot as Real Madrid Crush Sevilla 4-1 Ahead of El Clásico
Kylian Mbappé scored twice as Real Madrid defeated Sevilla 4-1 in their La Liga clash at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday, October 18, 2026, boosting their confidence ahead of next weekend’s highly anticipated El Clásico against Barcelona.
The French forward produced a standout performance, scoring from open play before converting a penalty to help Real Madrid secure a convincing victory. Arda Güler and Yan Diomande also found the net for the hosts, while Manu Bueno scored Sevilla’s only goal.
Real Madrid took the lead in the 30th minute when Güler collected a pass from Diomande and unleashed a superb left-footed strike into the top corner.
Mbappé doubled the advantage seven minutes later after combining with Jude Bellingham. The striker controlled a clever backheel pass, evaded his marker and goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, and calmly finished to put the hosts firmly in control.
The Real Madrid forward completed his brace in the 63rd minute, converting a penalty with a cheeky Panenka-style chip after Sevilla defender Andrés Castrín brought him down inside the penalty area.
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Sevilla attempted to fight their way back into the contest when substitute Manu Bueno scored in the 80th minute, capitalising on a mistake by Mbappé.
However, Real Madrid responded almost immediately. Diomande collected the ball and unleashed a powerful strike in the 82nd minute to restore the hosts’ three-goal advantage and seal the 4-1 victory.
The result provided Real Madrid with a timely boost before their meeting with Barcelona in El Clásico on October 25. The Spanish giants will look to carry their attacking momentum into the crucial encounter.
Sevilla, meanwhile, were left to reflect on another disappointing result at the Bernabéu as Real Madrid demonstrated their attacking strength and ability to punish defensive mistakes.
Mbappé Runs Riot as Real Madrid Crush Sevilla 4-1 Ahead of El Clásico
Sports
Lamine Yamal Shines as Barcelona Thrash Real Betis 5-2
Lamine Yamal delivered a dazzling performance as Barcelona defeated Real Betis 5-2 away from home on Saturday, October 17, 2026, extending their perfect start to the Spanish LaLiga season with a ninth consecutive league victory.
The 19-year-old winger opened the scoring with a superb finish and later provided an assist as Barcelona overcame a spirited Betis challenge at the Estadio La Cartuja in Seville.
Rodri, Gabriel Jesus, Eric Garcia and substitute Dani Olmo also scored for Barcelona, while Valentín Gómez and Ez Abde found the net for the hosts.
The victory took Barcelona to 27 points from nine matches, keeping them five points clear at the top of the LaLiga standings. Real Betis remained third with 19 points following the defeat.
Yamal set the tone in the 10th minute with a moment of individual brilliance. Cutting in from the right, the young forward created space before curling a left-footed effort from outside the penalty area into the top corner, leaving the Betis goalkeeper with little chance.
Real Betis responded in the 27th minute when Pablo Fornals delivered a cross into the box and Valentín Gómez rose above the Barcelona defence to head home the equaliser.
Barcelona regained the lead four minutes before half-time. Rodri powered a header into the net from Fermín López’s corner in the 41st minute, restoring the visitors’ advantage.
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Betis appeared to have drawn level again shortly afterwards when Giovani Lo Celso scored with a spectacular volley. However, the goal was disallowed following a video assistant referee (VAR) review that identified a handball by Cucho Hernández earlier in the move.
Barcelona increased their advantage shortly after the restart. In the 51st minute, Yamal drove down the right flank before squaring the ball for Gabriel Jesus, who finished neatly inside the penalty area to make it 3-1.
Betis responded almost immediately, with Ez Abde finishing a counterattack in the 53rd minute to reduce the deficit to 3-2 and revive hopes of a comeback.
However, the contest changed dramatically a minute later when Betis midfielder Facundo Bernal was sent off following an altercation with Yamal. Bernal was dismissed for violent conduct after headbutting the Barcelona winger, while Yamal received a yellow card for his involvement in the incident.
With Betis reduced to 10 players, Barcelona took greater control of the match and exploited the numerical advantage.
Eric Garcia extended the lead in the 62nd minute after Pau Cubarsí helped direct the ball across goal from a set-piece situation, allowing Garcia to finish from close range.
Substitute Dani Olmo completed the scoring in the 81st minute, curling a right-footed effort into the top corner to seal an emphatic 5-2 victory for the visitors.
The result strengthened Barcelona’s position at the summit of LaLiga, with the Catalan side recording nine wins from nine league matches and scoring 39 goals during that run.
Barcelona have also maintained an impressive start across all competitions, having won their first 11 competitive matches of the campaign.
The victory comes ahead of a demanding week for Hansi Flick’s side, with a Champions League meeting against Paris Saint-Germain and the much-anticipated El Clásico against Real Madrid on the horizon.
For Yamal, the performance further underlined his importance to Barcelona’s attack. His opening goal and assist for Gabriel Jesus proved decisive in a match that remained competitive until Bernal’s dismissal.
Real Betis, meanwhile, will look to regroup after a defeat in which their attacking moments offered promise but defensive difficulties and the red card ultimately worked against them.
Lamine Yamal Shines as Barcelona Thrash Real Betis 5-2
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