
THE Manchester derby is usually a battle between an underdog and an overwhelming favourite.
Whether this was the force of Manchester United in the early years of the Premier League under Sir Alex Ferguson, or Manchester City in more recent times under Pep Guardiola, there is usually one dominant, outstanding team, but the dynamic going into Sunday’s derby is fairly unusual in that neither team are currently very good.

The captain’s emotional performance in Argentina’s win over Venezuela had all the markings of a farewell. But if history is any guide, the legend may not be done just yet, writes JAMES NALTON

As football grapples with overloaded calendars and commercial pressure, the Mariners’ triumph reminds us why the game’s soul lives far from the spotlight, writes JAMES NALTON

JAMES NALTON takes a look at the German league’s move to grow its audience in Britain, and around the future of football on TV in general