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Manchester United left it late to secure just their fourth Premier League victory of the season, scoring twice during injury time to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win.

Scott McTominay was the hero on the day at Old Trafford and Erik ten Hag certainly needed the three points in order to ease the pressure that has grown substantially in the previous few weeks.

The international break arrives at precisely the right time for the Dutchman to regroup his players and with their next fixture against Sheffield United, it represents a chance at securing another win.

It's safe to say there were a few underperformers against Brentford while some players haven’t quite replicated their form from last season, with Marcus Rashford being the prime example.

How has Marcus Rashford performed this season?

The Englishman emerged as United’s talisman during Ten Hag’s maiden campaign, registering 41 goal contributions – 30 goals and 11 assists – across all competitions as the Red Devils finished third in the Premier League and won the EFL Cup.

This form suggested he was ready to kick on and become United’s main source of goals this term, yet he hasn’t quite found the blistering form which saw him shine last season.

Indeed, over ten matches so far, Rashford has scored just once while grabbing three assists and against Brentford he failed to score, register an assist or make a key pass during his time on the pitch.

The winger also lost possession 11 times and completed just 17 passes before being substituted for Alejandro Garnacho. Perhaps it is time to give the young Argentinian a decent run in the team to inspire some confidence, as he played well against the Bees during his short cameo.

How did Alejandro Garnacho perform vs Brentford?

The teenager has started only three matches this term but has registered one assist when unleashed in the starting XI and Ten Hag must now give him a proper chance following the international break.

The youngster was lauded as a “game-changer” by journalist Samuel Luckhurst at the start of the year, and he could certainly fulfil that role should he be unleashed against Sheffield United next week.

The £50k-per-week gem managed to squeeze in one successful dribble, three key passes and one shot during his 27 minutes on the pitch after replacing Rashford, clearing showing an eagerness to create chances for others.

Garnacho managed to draw three fouls while also showcasing his physicality by winning four out of his six ground duels, indicating that he isn’t lightweight and is strong in one-on-one battles.

It was a promising display and one which could perhaps give Ten Hag a slight selection headache. The Blades are currently bottom of the table with just one point to their name this season, conceding 22 goals in the process.

Unleashing a talent like Garnacho against such a leaky backline could give him the freedom to utilise his attacking ability while giving Rashford somewhat of a breather. It would be incredibly bold to drop the 25-year-old but he's certainly in need of some competition in order to return to the kind of performances he displayed last season.

If you offered West Ham United seventh place and 14 points after eight games at the start of the Premier League season, then they would likely have run with it and not looked back. It is far from a perfect start, but having added some exciting summer reinforcements to make Declan Rice's exit seem like an eternity ago, the Irons really look like a club on the up.

They won't want to stop here, though – after the international break, they'll want to kick on and ensure that a good start turns into a memorable season, which is where one potential January reinforcement could come into play.

West Ham transfer news: Edmond Tapsoba

Those at the London Stadium welcomed players such as James Ward-Prowse and Mohammed Kudus in the summer transfer window, who have both enjoyed successful starts to life wearing the famous claret and blue. Ward-Prowse's goals and assists total of nine in ten games have made him the current star of the show under David Moyes.

Having enjoyed such a successful summer of recruitment, West Ham sporting director Tim Steidten is now looking ahead to the January transfer window, with the latest Edmond Tapsoba transfer news reporting that the Hammers are interested in making their move. Indeed, according to 90min, Steidten is keeping an eye on the Bayer Leverkusen defender, ahead of a potential January move.

West Ham's pursuit of a central defender was no secret in the summer, of course, as they failed to secure the signature of Harry Maguire when a deal for the out-of-favour Manchester United man collapsed. Now, turning their attention to the winter window, Tapsoba could be the man to end their search for reinforcements for Moyes' backline. If the London club remain in such good form come January, then a move could certainly attract a number of players.

How has Tapsoba performed this season?

Starting in every Bundesliga game for unbeaten table-toppers Bayer Leverkusen, it's fair to say that Tapsoba has enjoyed a solid start to the season. Tapsoba's stats are even outperforming some of West Ham's current defensive options in a number of areas, too, as per FBref.

With that said, it's clear that Tapsoba would be an upgrade at the London Stadium, particularly on the ball, a trait that would only benefit West Ham as they aim to push on and become a side who can dominate matches when needed.

The defender has unsurprisingly received plenty of praise during his time at Leverkusen, including from Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes, who told the club's official website: "Edmond Tapsoba was a regular first choice at Guimaraes at the age of 20 and in addition to his defensive ability, he’s also dangerous in front of goal."

Meanwhile, journalist Antonio Mango took to X to previously post: "Was tweeting all night during the game how good this guy is, he’s a monster. Ball playing defender. Comfortable on the ball. Big, strong. Quick. Position good with a very good footballing IQ. Keeps his head level and he has a big big future."

USMNT fans aired their frustrations at head coach Gregg Berhalter after he almost led his side to a shock CONCACAF Nations League exit to Jamaica.

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• USMNT scrape past Jamaica AET
• Performance against minnows slammed
• Fans call for Berhalter's sacking

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  After Greg Leigh had scored for Jamaica within 60 seconds on Thursday, it took the USMNT until the very last minute of regulation time to find an equaliser. Miles Robinson saw his header clicked on by Cory Burke to send the game at AT&T to extra time, where a Haji Wright brace either side of the break rescued the Stars and Stripes from embarrassment. Naturally, some fans have taken issue with Berhalter for the manner of that win, even despite the USMNT progressing to the final.

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• WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

  X page @MLSMoves reflected that exact sentiment, writing "I still want Berhalter fired no matter what….. he’s a loser and always has been". Another, @HiMyNameIsSeton, put simply: "Please replace Gregg Berhalter".

  Others, such as @Kelvinstar_11, called for the return of Jesse Marsch at the helm, as he wrote: "This is the Golden Generation of US soccer. If this team wants to do anything serious, Gregg Berhalter is not the guy. Hand this team to Jesse Marsch and let him cook. How embarrassing it would be for the team to exit the Copa America in the group stage this summer."

  More playful jibes compared Berhalter's ability to "ruin U.S. soccer" with NBA great LeBron James:

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Not only was a dreadful performance saved by a 96th own-goal from the opposition, but the guy to win it in extra time was originally not even on Berhalter's plans. Michele Giannone reports that Wright was headed on vacation following his FA Cup heroics for Coventry a week ago, before an untimely injury to Josh Sargent opened a spot on the roster. Gio Reyna was on hand to assist both of Wright's goals, and those contributions may make Berhalter start him for the final against Mexico.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR THE USMNT?

  While fan hostility rises following arguably one of the worst matches of Berhalter's tenure, he will be the man to lead the USMNT out against Mexico in the final on Sunday. He may need an impressive display from his players – and the win – if he wants to keep his job going into the Copa America this summer.

Manchester United breathed a collective sigh of relief after yesterday's Champions League result, the Red Devils finally getting their first win of Group A courtesy of a Harry Maguire header to overcome FC Copenhagen by a solitary goal in a 1-0 victory.

It ended up being a nervy and nail-biting finale at Old Trafford, especially when the Danish visitors were awarded a last-minute penalty kick.

Thankfully for Erik Ten Hag's men, Andre Onana's previous woes in goal for United didn't impact the former Ajax shot-stopper in this instance who confidently saved Jordan Larsson's spot-kick to silence his harshest critics and give the hosts a crucial three points.

Maguire and Onana might have managed to pull off a night of redemption by playing pivotal roles in the narrow victory at the Theatre of Dreams, but one Red Devils player continues to have a nightmarish spell in a United strip – Antony having 38 touches all night for Ten Hag's men but continuing to be largely ineffective for his side when it matters.

How did Antony perform against Copenhagen?

Antony could well have stepped up to the mark in this one and spearheaded his side to a comprehensive victory instead of settling for his side hanging on, in the end, to get over the line via Onana's heroics, but the Brazilian was somewhat anonymous in yesterday evening's clash.

From the 63 minutes he was on the Old Trafford turf – replaced by Alejandro Garnacho who is pushing for a spot in Ten Hag's starting eleven more regularly – Antony only registered one shot all evening, an off-target attempt too that didn't threaten the Copenhagen goalkeeper with the game still in the balance at 0-0.

The 23-year-old managed zero key passes from his hour or so on the pitch too, a passenger all evening when United needed their top talents to come into their own to easily fend off their Danish opponents and pick up a confidence-boosting win in Group A.

Compare that to Garnacho's contributions when he was substituted on for the underperforming dud, and Antony will be sweating about his immediate first-team future – the highly regarded Argentine winger hitting his only shot of the evening on target, saved brilliantly by Kamil Grabara in the visitors' net to the dismay of the 19-year-old.

It even led to Samuel Luckhurst, chief Man United writer for the Manchester Evening News, calling the £200k-per-week winger's individual game out.

He noted that it was "mystifying" that the Brazilian had even started this contest and he should be dropped for the Red Devils' next encounter in the Manchester Derby this coming Sunday, leaving Ten Hag with a selection dilemma.

The Dutch head coach could also look to ditch his Moroccan defensive midfielder, Sofyan Amrabat, for this crunch match against their arch-rivals and neighbours, with the on-loan maestro also poor alongside Antony.

How did Amrabat perform against Copenhagen?

Substituted off the pitch at half-time – Antony at least survived longer before being hauled off – the 27-year-old Fiorentina midfielder had a torrid 45 minutes.

Registering an impressive 7.40 Sofascore rating from his four Premier League games to date in a Man United shirt, he didn't play to those same standards against Copenhagen – leaving the pitch with a 6.7 rating overall.

Much like Antony, he was a bystander to the action and didn't take the game by the scruff of the neck whatsoever – bailed out by a late Maguire header saving the contest.

Having lost possession five times, the Moroccan – who 'moved the ball around slowly and sloppily' according to GOAL's Richard Martin – failed to provide a brick wall-like cover to the defenders behind him.

Ten Hag therefore could freshen up his starting lineup when Man City make the short visit to Old Trafford for the contested Derby match this weekend, with both Antony and Amrabat underserving of another inclusion from the off.

Xavi has tipped Barcelona ace Lamine Yamal to go to the very top, praising the teenager's character and maturity as well as his footballing ability.

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• Xavi praises Yamal
• Youngster described as 'humble'
• Potential to be era-defining

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Xavi has spoken glowingly about Yamal, who is still only 16 but arguably one of Barcelona's best and most important players already, suggesting the youngster has everything about him to be an era-defining player.

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  WHAT XAVI SAID

  Xavi said at a recent press conference: "I see him very calm. He is very measured in the sense that he is digesting everything that is happening to him very well, despite his young age. He is a mature person, he is responsible, he is aware of the situation he is experiencing. He's very humble and he's showing us that he's a differential player. He is a player that can mark an era in football, especially at Barcelona. Hopefully we can always enjoy him at this level. He's a teenage boy who's growing up. On a mental level, he is a cheerful, joking boy. He's enjoying himself. He's happy."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Even at his age, Yamal has featured in all but one of Barcelona's 30 La Liga games so far this season. With six goals and seven assists in all competitions, his 13 goal involvements is only marginally less than far more established and experienced players like Joao Felix, Ferran Torres (both 15) and Raphinha (16). Only Felix, Torres and Robert Lewandowski have scored more goals this season.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Prior to becoming an international for Spain and making six senior appearances for to date, Yamal was also eligible to represent Morocco or Equatorial Guinea through his parents.

Sarina Wiegman's side are lacking depth in a few positions, and this particular problem was apparent in games with Sweden and Ireland in April

Lucy Bronze has been a stalwart for the Lionesses for over 10 years now. She's been the star of some of England's most memorable moments and a key component in the team's most successful era, which has resulted in a European Championship title and a World Cup final. But criticism of her performances is undoubtedly growing, and there is no obvious replacement for Sarina Wiegman to turn to.

Regardless of whether or not that scrutiny is justified, it has certainly highlighted the lack of competition England have for Bronze in her right-back role. For a long time, Maya Le Tissier has looked to be the heir to her throne. The versatile defender broke through as a teenager at Brighton and has been one of Manchester United's most impressive performers since making that step up the Women's Super League hierarchy back in 2022.

But despite her continued improvements, Le Tissier wasn't even in the squad this week to provide depth to yet another position – alongside left-back and, following Rachel Daly's retirement, centre-forward – that the Lionesses seriously lack options in.

• Errors creeping in

  The latest criticism of Bronze was sparked by a costly error at Wembley last Friday night, when she failed to check her shoulder and Barcelona team-mate Fridolina Rolfo was able to sneak in, undetected, to net a goal that gave Sweden a point in the opening round of 2025 Women's Euro qualifiers.

  But the questions around her level have been lingering for at least the last 12 months. Part of that is because of the incredibly high standards she has set, with her having laid claim to being the best full-back in the game for a long time, but defensive lapses have started to creep in, most notably in last year's World Cup final but also in the Champions League final with Barcelona.

  Of course, that's not to say Bronze is suddenly a terrible player. As well as providing huge experience and top level know-how, she can still be an asset for the Lionesses and the positives she brings to the table are why Wiegman continues to select her. But it is also because if the coach did want to take her out of the firing line, she is very limited when it comes to replacements.

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• Lack of options

  In England's April squad, Wiegman's other options at right-back were Esme Morgan, Niamh Charles and Jess Carter. Morgan can play any position in the back line, but hasn't started a game for Manchester City since November, while her most recent start for England was actually in the heart of defence. Charles, naturally a winger or an attacking midfielder, has become the go-to left-back for Chelsea and, in turn, England, while Carter has primarily played as a centre-back for the Blues in recent times. None are obvious right-back options, then.

  Meanwhile, Le Tissier, who can play on the right or in the centre, wasn't included in the 23 at all. "The competition in the back is really high, with Leah [Williamson] coming back and finding balance with players who can play as a full-back as well as players who can play centre-back, or to see what's necessary,” Wiegman explained. “What do we need maybe in a scenario when we want to sub? And then we came out that Maya lost the competition on her position."

• Versatility: Blessing and a curse

  The overriding issue for Wiegman appears to be that Le Tissier is a right-back in her thinking, but is exclusively playing as a centre-back at United. She revealed as much last May when explaining the 21-year-old's shock absence from her World Cup squad. “We see her more as a right-back," the coach said. "At club, she plays as a centre-back. She has had a very good season, but this is the choice we made."

  Le Tissier came through as a central option but moved out to the right at Brighton during her third season at the club. "Her athleticism, her levels of fitness, I think really suit that role," manager Hope Powell explained, and she was right.

  "Maya, as an 18-year-old, I don't feel like I'm playing with a kid,” Brighton defender Victoria Williams noted at the time. “I think she's kind of advanced beyond her years in terms of her positional awareness [and] the professional attitude she has. I think Brighton are very fortunate to have her and I personally believe she has a very promising career ahead of her at club and England level."

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• Standard bearer

  It was a switch that went down well with Le Tissier, too. "I can see myself playing right-back," she told . "I've got the strength that a right-back needs and the manager has seen the strength that I can bring and can transfer well into that position, so she's trusted me and I've been playing there and I think I've been doing quite well."

  She even noted Bronze as someone for her to learn from and actually surpass. "You need to look at the best players that play in those positions and try to use bits of their game and put it into your game. You always want to be better than them, so I want to be better than Lucy Bronze. I don't just want to be as good as Lucy Bronze."

In the Premier League this term, Chelsea boast one of the strongest defences in the division and their impressive statistics back this up.

According to Understat, only Manchester City, Newcastle United and Arsenal have conceded more expected goals than the Blues tally of 13.43.

When you marry that figure with the 12 goals Mauricio Pochettino's side have conceded this season, it is crystal clear that their defensive solidity is down to the manager's tactical nouse as opposed to impressive recruitment.

In the transfer window just gone, Chelsea focused on bolstering the goalkeeper department after seeing Edouard Mendy depart permanently and Kepa Arrizabalaga leave on loan, with the Argentine bringing in Serbian, Djordje Petrovic and Brighton & Hove Albion's Robert Sanchez.

While the latter of the two has established himself as the club's number one, he hasn't filled many of those with confidence in between the sticks, especially after the blunders he dropped in the 2-2 draw against Arsenal.

With that said, supporters will be pulling their hair out knowing they could have had a quality goalkeeper commanding their backline instead – and that player surprisingly isn't Thibaut Courtois.

How much Chelsea sold Marcin Bulka for

In the summer of 2016, Chelsea acquired 16-year-old goalkeeper Marcin Bulka from FCB Escola Varsovia, just months after he went on trial with Barcelona.

The youngster featured sparingly across the various underage groups at the club in the years that followed, making just 31 appearances across three seasons.

Despite making a solid five clean sheets in 19 matches for Chelsea's under-21s, he was never given an opportunity to impress in the first-team and subsequently departed the club on a free transfer in 2019, with Paris Saint-Germain snapping up the Polish shot-stopper.

While they wouldn't have known it at the time, the club have been made to regret letting him go for nothing as he's since established himself as one of the most promising young goalkeepers on the planet with OGC Nice.

Marcin Bulka's statistics at Nice

Prior to this campaign, the 24-year-old had only racked up 27 appearances at senior level across spells at PSG, FC Cartegena, LB Chateauroux and now Nice.

Bulka had become accustomed to playing understudy in the early stages of his career and last term, was forced to watch on for most of the season at Nice as Kasper Schmeichel played a starring role in between the sticks, making 11 clean sheets across 35 appearances in Ligue 1 before departing the club for Belgian Pro League side Anderlecht this summer.

The Dane's departure signalled the chance for the former Blues man to grab the number one jersey and he's done so in style. Not only has he kept eight clean sheets and conceded just four times in 11 appearances, but those vital contributions have helped his side gain the edge over his former employers, PSG, at the top of Ligue 1.

Hailed as "absolutely sensational" for his incredible form in France by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Bulka is the latest initiation to the list of players that Chelsea have cursed letting go, particularly in the goalkeeper department, having replaced the world-class Courtois with Arrizabalaga in 2018.

When delving deeper into the statistics and comparing his form this season to Sanchez, it is clear that the 6 foot 6 goliath would have been a huge upgrade on the Blues' current shot-stopper.

As delineated by the above statistics, although Sanchez has made more saves – perhaps because Chelsea are put under sustained pressure – Bulka comes out on top in every other department, with the most telling metric of the lot being how many goals he's prevented, 3.81 to the Spaniard's -0.82.

Aside from smashing Sanchez at the goalkeeping fundaments, impressing with his reflexes and command of area, the Polish international is also better with the ball at his feet, accurately placing more passes than his compatriot.

At the age of 24, Chelsea would have saved themselves millions in the transfer window if they had kept Bulka, who looks seemingly destined to become world-class.

Real Madrid have seen a request to play their Champions League home fixture against Manchester City under a closed roof granted.

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• Madrid to play under closed roof
• UEFA grant permission
• Face Man City in Champions League

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to , Madrid asked UEFA for permission to conduct the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final under a closed roof at Santiago Bernabeu. The club have introduced a retractable roof in their newly renovated home ground and believe closing it will allow for a better atmosphere in the all-important clash against the reigning European champions.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  UEFA have now made a final call on the matter after a pre-match technical meeting that saw designated match referee Francois Letexier consulted. As reports, Real have been granted permission to seal the stadium again, four weeks after playing under a closed roof in the second leg of their last-16 tie against RB Leipzig.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  City have travelled to Madrid for the vital fixture without two of their first-team defenders Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake. The duo have been omitted from the 21-man matchday squad due to injuries.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

  After hosting Pep Guardiola's side at home, Carlo Ancelotti's men will be back in action in La Liga on Saturday as they face Mallorca, where a victory would see them close in on the title.

Liverpool will inevitably target new additions in 2024, having impressed thus far during the 2023/24 season after an industrial midfield rebuild in the summer, though still not quite at full throttle.

Jurgen Klopp's side's midfield issues were exposed against Luton Town last weekend, with a lack of specialist defensive options inhibiting a possible title charge, while Andy Robertson's injury several weeks ago has underscored the need for left-sided reinforcements on the backline.

The frontline is in better shape, but could still welcome some exciting young talent to enrich the ranks and maintain Liverpool's attacking fluency across multiple fronts, and a rising star appears to have been earmarked.

Liverpool transfer news – Assane Diao

According to reports in Spain, via Sport Witness, Real Betis winger Assane Diao is on Liverpool's radar after an impressive start to the season in LaLiga, though the Reds will face stiff competition from Premier League rivals Chelsea and Newcastle United.

The report mentions that the listed suitors have all made separate approaches over the past weeks, with Diao having 'dazzled' the Betis supporters with his electric displays.

Aged just 18, the Spain U21 international is reported to have a €30m (£26m) release clause embedded into his contract, with manager Manuel Pellegrini actively seeking to tie up fresh terms that will elevate that amount to €40m (£35m).

Assane Diao's style of play

Joining the Real Betis academy from Cadiz in 2021, Diao was originally slated for a central midfield role but maintained a level of attacking prowess that simply couldn't go unnoticed, prompting a move toward the left channel.

Having now scored four goals across his first ten professional appearances with his Spanish side, Diao is proving that decision right, possessing a natural eye for goal that has alerted the prestigious English clubs. Indeed, in total this term he has already found the net six times.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals scored, the top 23% for successful take-ons, the top 18% for tackles, the top 11% for interceptions, the top 1% for blocks and the top 6% for aerial wins per 90.

So what does this mean? Diao's natural predatory instinct is highlighted, striking at an age-belying rate so far, and while his goalscoring steals the headlines, he is progressive and tenacious in his application across the park.

Such skills could be a welcome addition to Liverpool's attacking options, with Luis Diaz certainly of a similar mould in his barrelling, breakneck motions toward the byline, having scored four goals from nine starts this term to emphasise his effectiveness.

With his shooting skills, Diao could benefit immensely from a dynamic centre-forward such as Darwin Nunez beside him in the frontline, with the Uruguayan striker hailed as an “agent of chaos” by journalist Theo Squires for the kaleidoscope of offensive tools he brings to the table.

Having posted seven goals and four assists already this season, Nunez ranks among the top 11% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 18% for shot-creating actions and the top 6% for progressive carries per 90, emphasising his surging skills.

The £140k-per-week star is a dream for a rising talent of Diao's ilk to play alongside, and would only serve to enhance his skills on Merseyside.

Diao has been described as "sharp" and "intelligent" by journalist Josh Bunting and certainly looks to be a prospect worth investing in; given the riches Klopp possesses in an attacking regard already, he would find the perfect platform to continue his development at Anfield.

Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney has brought his love of baseball to the club in a hilarious new advert featuring Phil Parkinson and Jimmy Kimmel.

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• McElhenney shares his passion for baseball with Wrexham
• Brings mascots to home game at STōK Cae Ras
• London Series coming to UK in June

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Get MLB London tickets at TicketmasterBuy tickets

  McElhenney has made no secret of his love for both NFL and baseball since taking over Wrexham with Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds back in November 2020. The Wrexham co-owner has now introduced supporters at the Welsh club to a slice of baseball action by bringing a selection of mascots and commentators to the club's home ground ahead of a recent fixture in a new advert to promote the MLB World Tour.

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• WATCH THE CLIP

• WHAT MCELHENNEY SAID

  He said: "The people of Wrexham have shared with me their love of football and I had a great idea to share with them my love of baseball by bringing all the things I love about it to a Wrexham game…literally.

  "It's a childhood dream to partner with Major League Baseball and share my love of America's Favorite Pastime with the world."

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  Wrexham fans were treated to a mascot race between Phillie Phanatic and Mr. and Mrs. Met, while MLB Network commentators Matt Vasgersian and Wrexham's Mark Griffiths joined in the action. Eagle-eyed viewers will even be able to spot Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson and American TV host Jimmy Kimmel in the video. The London Series between the Mets and the Phillies will take place at the London Stadium from June 8-9.