Man United anticipates new owners, fresh era of success
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND >> It has been a week to remember for Manchester United.
After an epic encounter with Barcelona and at least two takeover bids, a 3-0 win against Leicester on Sunday kept Erik ten Hag's team firmly in the race for the Premier League title.
It's fair to say there is a lot happening both on and off the field at a club that is entering the dawn of a new era.
With bids from Qatar and billionaire fan Jim Ratcliffe confirmed after Friday's deadline for initial offers, Old Trafford was already in a celebratory mood, with many fans eagerly anticipating the departure of unpopular current American owners, the Glazer family.
But Ten Hag is also giving them much to cheer with the impact he has had on a team that has gone 10 years since it last won the league title under iconic former manager Alex Ferguson.
FIGHT FOR TOP FOUR >> Newcastle's recent slump is proving costly and Tottenham took full advantage on Sunday by moving up to fourth in the table.
It looks set to be a fierce contest for the last of the Champions League qualifying spots, but Spurs lead the way after Emerson Royal and Son Heung-min scored in a 2-0 win against West Ham.
The Londoners are now one point ahead of Newcastle, having played a game more.
Liverpool can also be considered serious contenders after beating Newcastle 2-0 on Saturday. SON SUBJECT TO ONLINE ABUSE >> Son Heung-min was subjected to “utterly reprehensible” online racist abuse, Tottenham said.
The Premier League club called for social media companies to take action after Son was targeted during the 2-0 win against West Ham.
The forward scored four minutes after coming on as
a second-half substitute.
Women's soccer
U.S. BEATS JAPAN >> Mallory Swanson scored in the 45th minute, and the United States shut out Japan 1-0 to remain undefeated in the SheBelieves Cup.
Swanson got the ball on a pass from Alex Morgan and outraced the defender before beating goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita from the center of the box with a shot off her right foot to the far corner.
The forward in her team-best fourth start this year leads the U.S. in scoring after scoring both goals in Thursday night's 2-0 win over Canada in Orlando to start this annual event.
Golf
OLESEN CRUISES TO VICTORY >> Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark claimed his seventh European tour title with a four-shot victory in the Thailand Classic at the Amata Spring Country Club.
Starting the final round two shots ahead of countryman Nicolai Hojgaard and Yannik Paul of Germany, the Dane never let anyone threaten him as he cruised through the last 18 holes with an error-free 66 to win on 24-under 264, four ahead of the German. KO OPENS WITH WIN >> Lydia Ko began the new year the same way she ended 2022, with a big win and a big check as she closed with a
4-under 68 to win the Aramco Saudi Ladies International.
Ko, the No. 1 player in women's golf, held off Aditi Ashok of India to capture the richest prize among regular Ladies European Tour events. She won $750,000 from the $5 million prize fund at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.
NBA
LOVE PICKS MIAMI >>
Kevin Love says he has picked the Miami Heat.
Love said that he will sign with the Heat for the remainder of the season once he clears waivers, a major add for a Miami team that is looking to move up in the Eastern Conference before the postseason begins.
“Miami it is, yes,” Love said in a text message to The Associated Press.
Also, a person with knowledge of the matter said the Heat are finalizing plans to add another big man in free agent center Cody Zeller, with that deal expected to be completed before the team gathers in Miami to begin practice following the AllStar break. That person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because Zeller's contract has not been signed.
Tennis
ALCARAZ WINS TITLE >> Topseeded Carlos Alcaraz won his first title since his milestone U.S. Open triumph by beating Cameron Norrie in straight sets at the Argentina Open.
The world No. 2 overcame No. 12 Norrie 6-3, 7-5 in the clay-court final.
A right leg injury sidelined Alcaraz from the Australian Open, with Novak Djokovic reclaiming the No. 1 ranking from Alcaraz after winning the title there.
Skiing
GREEK SKIER TAKES SILVER >>
Greek racer A.J. Ginnis finished runner-up to gold medalist Henrik Kristoffersen of Norway in the men's slalom at the Alpine skiing world championships to earn his country its first medal at a worlds in any Olympic sport on snow or ice.
Ginnis was second after the opening run and held on to his position as he finished 0.20 behind Kristoffersen. The Norwegian posted the fastest secondrun time as he improved from 16th position.
It's Kristoffersen's second world title after winning gold in the GS four years ago.
NHL
BLACKHAWKS' TOEWS HAS ILLNESS >>
Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews announced that he is dealing with symptoms of long COVID-19 and chronic immune response syndrome.
Toews hasn't played since Jan. 28. The Blackhawks placed the 34-yearold center on injured reserve on Wednesday with what they said was a nonCOVID-19-related illness.
Toews missed the 202021 season with what he described as chronic immune response syndrome. SENATORS TRADE MOTTE >> Right winger Julien Gauthier was traded to the Ottawa Senators by the New York Rangers for left winger Tyler Motte.
Ottawa also gets a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2023 draft in the deal.