MANCHESTER, England: Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has defended captain Bruno Fernandes after the midfielder’s lackluster start to the season, saying it is only a matter of time before the Portugal international returns to his best form.

Fernandes has completed just one assist and is yet to score a goal this season and the midfielder has been criticized for his performances in United’s last two games in draws with Crystal Palace and Twente Enschede.

Ten Hag was asked if the 30-year-old was tired after a difficult last season when he played more than 4,000 minutes for United before representing his country at Euro 2024.

“I think the team put him in a situation. I think he can and has proven it, many times in the Premier League, he can create many chances,” Ten Hag told reporters yesterday ahead of Sunday’s home game against Tottenham Hotspur.

“I’m sure he won’t do it any differently. He’ll get back to his best form.

“He has created chances but he will make the last pass, he will score 100 per cent. Only time will tell.”

United have conceded just five goals in the league this season and sit 11th in the table.

“We have players in the team who are capable of scoring goals. But it’s clear when you look at all the chances we create, we don’t score enough goals,” said Ten Hag.

United have failed to beat Spurs for two years and are in a clash that has traditionally produced plenty of goals.

Ten Hag said he expects a tough match against Ange Postecoglou’s men who have collected seven points and are 10th on goal difference.

MILAN: Liverpool celebrated their return to the Champions League after a year away with a 3-1 win over AC Milan at the San Siro.

Despite a slow start, Arne Slot’s squad secured the three points with goals from Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai.

The clash between the two European giants saw Milan punish Liverpool’s defense with Christian Pulisic’s third-minute goal.

But the visitors began to dominate the game and both Liverpool centre-backs found the target before the break, with Szoboszlai securing victory in the second half.

“A great way to celebrate my birthday. You wouldn’t be able to say this after five minutes, but after that we played well,” said Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who turned 46 yesterday.

Pulisic opened the scoring by sprinting down the right unchallenged and scoring from a difficult angle.

The joy of the home fans did not last long as Liverpool began to dominate the game until the end.

“A shaky start with a goal conceded. But after that, with calmness shown, keep playing, try to find answers, I think it’s very good to see,” said Van Dijk.

Konate equalized in the 23rd minute when he leapt high to head home Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick – his first goal in two-and-a-half years.

Captain Van Dijk put Liverpool in front after he headed home Kostas Tsimikas’ corner before the break.

Szoboszlai confirmed the win in the 67th minute by completing Cody Gakpo’s pass.

It was Slot’s first Champions League game with Liverpool since he replaced Jurgen Klopp.

They also managed to make up for the disappointment of the English Premier League after being surprised 1-0 by Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday.

The last time the visiting team came from behind to win the Champions League at San Siro was Liverpool in December 2021.

MIAMI: Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed as the new manager of the United States (US) national squad, announced the governing body of US soccer.

The former Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Espanyol manager replaces Gregg Berhalter who was sacked in July after a disappointing Copa America campaign.

Pochettino is the biggest name in charge of the squad and the first foreign coach since German football legend Jurgen Klinsmann, who was sacked in 2016.

Pochettino, 52, has been unemployed since leaving Chelsea in May after just one season in charge of the Premier League club.

Details of his contract have not been disclosed, but Pochettino will lead the US to the 2026 World Cup which the country is co-hosting with Mexico and Canada.

The Argentinian manager, who managed big names such as Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe while at Paris Saint-Germain, is looking forward to getting started with his new team.

“The decision to join the US is not only about football for me; it is about the journey that the team and this country will go through.

“The energy, enthusiasm and determination to achieve something historic here – inspires me. Such an opportunity is hard to turn down.

“I see a group of talented and potential players, together we will build something special and something to be proud of,” said Pochettino.

Pochettino inherits a young squad that reached the last 16 at the Qatar World Cup in 2022, losing to the Netherlands at that stage.

BUENOS AIRES: Lionel Messi will miss Argentina’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia due to injury while Paulo Dybala was recalled to Lionel Scaloni’s squad.

Messi has not played with his club Inter Miami since suffering an ankle injury during Argentina’s 1-0 win over Colombia in the Copa America final in Miami, United States.

Roma forward Dybala has not made an international appearance since March 2023 but could get a chance to make his 38th appearance for the national team in Messi’s absence.

The world champions will also be without the services of Angel Di Maria following the veteran winger’s retirement from international football.

Argentina currently top the South American zone qualifiers for the 2026 finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The top six teams from 10 countries will automatically qualify for the finals.

Scaloni’s side will host Chile on September 6 before facing Colombia in Barranquilla four days later.

MILAN: Napoli manager Antonio Conte apologized to club fans after his squad lost 3-0 at Hellas Verona in Serie A action.

Conte and Napoli got off to a disappointing start as Verona scored three goals in the second half, with the manager saying he took full responsibility for the defeat.

“We allowed Verona to create chances at the start of the second half, and in the blink of an eye we were behind.

“Then we melted like snow under the sun. I think we need to apologize to the Neapolitan supporters, who were loyal to us.

“I as a coach need to take responsibility for this defeat,” said Conte.

Conte said the 2023 champions need to work harder to reach the desired stage.

The 55-year-old also feels he needs to strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes.

“In the market, one, two, three, four may come, no matter how many clubs want to sign. This problem needs to be addressed, and it is not an easy matter,” he said.