WHAT’S HOT WHAT’S NOT

HOT BUSY BEES

MANCHESTER UNITED’S Europa League victory will forever be associated with the horror of the terrorist attack that preceded it by two days. It is fitting then that both Manchester clubs will carry the city’s worker bee on their shirts when they meet for an otherwise meaningless game in America later this month. It’s a touching tribute and proof that football can, when it tries, strike exactly the right tone.

HERO GOLF

BRITAIN’S ailing private golf clubs need more members and the recruitment drive must start at the top. Events like the short, sharp Hero Golf competition staged before the Scottish Open can only help. There were 3,000 present to see tour players and celebrities take part in what was effectively a Par 3 challenge live on Sky. Some people think golf without Tiger is boring. It doesn’t have to be.

BEAUDEN BARRETT

THE half-back has taken some flak as his placekicking undermined the All Blacks’ efforts against the Lions. But his play with ball in hand was a highlight of the series and more than compensated for the occasional missed penalty. Union can lack grace and intelligence but Barrett has both.

NOT PAUL POGBA

I AM not sure what Pogba’s decision to push a fully clothed ESPN reporter into a swimming pool at the conclusion of an interview in California says about him. But whatever it is, it’s not good.

THE RIGGED DRAW

THE EFL have done a good job of rejigging the Checkatrade Trophy after last season’s teething problems and many who care about the development of young players feel it can work in the long term. However, the decision to ensure Portsmouth and Southampton couldn’t play each other in the early stages for fear of crowd trouble felt wrong at every level and sets a dangerous precedent. What, for example, will happen if the two clubs are drawn together in the EFL’s flagship tournament, the League Cup?

GYLFI SIGURDSSON

THE Icelander is a fine player but to say he is not in the right frame of mind to travel on tour with Swansea does not make him sound particularly attractive to a club thinking of buying him. Unless that club, in this case Everton, anticipated that this is how he would react.