Manchester United striker Anthony Martial could have played his last game for the club after undergoing groin surgery that will keep him out for 10 weeks.

The Frenchman is out of contract at the end of the season with United highly unlikely to trigger a 12-month extension.

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The club released a statement, which read: “Manchester United striker Anthony Martial has completed successful surgery to address a groin complaint and will be out of action for about 10 weeks as he rehabilitates.

“We wish Anthony a speedy recovery and look forward to his return.”

Martial has not played for United since the 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth in December and reports have suggested he has been training away from the first-team squad after being ordered to improve his fitness by boss Erik ten Hag.

The 28-year-old joined United from Monaco for £36million in 2015 when he was rated one of the brightest young talents in Europe. However, he has struggled for form and fitness throughout his time at Old Trafford, scoring 90 goals in 317 appearances.

🚨 @ANTHONYMARTIAL has completed successful surgery to address a groin complaint.

We wish Anthony a speedy recovery and look forward to his return ❤️#MUFC

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) JANUARY 24, 2024

Despite his indifferent record, he did present an option for Ten Hag who is left with Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford as his only outright strikers. Both men have also struggled this season, scoring a combined six league goals.

That will increase speculation that United will dip into the transfer market this month to secure a striker – perhaps on a short-term deal – with both Karim Benzema and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting linked.

Benzema is believed to be unhappy in Saudi Arabia while Choupo-Moting’s playing time at Bayern Munich has decreased following the summer arrival of Harry Kane.

England spinner Shoaib Bashir is due to link up with his team-mates in India this weekend after solving the visa issues which prevented him from travelling to Hyderabad.

Bashir – who is of Pakistani descent – was forced to remain in Abu Dhabi after a training camp when England’s red-ball party travelled to India ahead of the first of five Tests, which begins on Thursday.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) enlisted the aid of the Board of Control for Cricket in India as they attempted to secure approval for Bashir to travel to the country, but he was forced to return to the Indian embassy in London to get the green light.

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Captain Ben Stokes was frustrated by the treatment of Bashir, saying on Tuesday: “Especially for a young lad, I’m devastated for him.

“As captain I find it particularly frustrating. We announced the squad in mid-December and now Bash finds himself without a visa to get here.”

Shoaib Bashir has now received his visa, and is due to travel to join up with the team in India this weekend.

We’re glad the situation has now been resolved.#INDVENG | #ENGLANDCRICKET PIC.TWITTER.COM/VTHDCHIOII

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) JANUARY 24, 2024

However, on Wednesday it was confirmed that Bashir had received his visa and would be able to travel to India this weekend, ahead of the second Test starting on February 2.

In a statement confirming Bashir was free to travel to India, the ECB said: “We’re glad the situation has now been resolved.”

A spokesperson for the Indian Foreign Office insisted Bashir’s treatment was no different to that received by any other visa applicant, saying: “The visa has been issued by London.

“There are rules and regulations governing the issuance of an Indian visa. The same were being applied in this case.”

Nick Kyrgios has described reports that he is considering retirement as “absolute nonsense”, just hours after appearing to suggest he was approaching the end of his tennis career.

Kyrgios was forced to withdraw from the 2023 edition of the Australian Open due to a knee injury, which required surgery and also caused him to miss the rest of last year’s majors.

The 2022 Wimbledon runner-up was also unable to appear at his home grand slam this month and has instead been commentating on the event for ESPN and Eurosport.

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Writing in a column which appeared in The Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday, Kyrgios said he was approaching the end of his time in tennis and was excited about his future outside the sport.

“I sat down with my agent, Stuart Duguid, a couple of days ago to talk about my future. The reality is, there is a part of me that knows my time in the sport may be over, and I’m okay with that,” Kyrgios said.

“It’s a conversation that needed to be had. I’m at a crossroads in my career and have reached a point where life after tennis is a prospect that excites me.

That’s the one! @NICKKYRGIOS#AUSOPEN • #AO2024 PIC.TWITTER.COM/V8O4VLGBOV

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) JANUARY 23, 2024

“I could travel the world making really good money commentating on the sport, doing things like I am now with my talk show, interviewing guys like Gordon Ramsay and Mike Tyson.

“Other players’ entire world revolves around playing tennis, and that’s never been me.”

However, just hours after those comments surfaced, Kyrgios shot down suggestions that his career was over in a video posted to his Instagram story.

“I have woken up today and realised there are some articles going around, saying that I am retired and that I’m not going to play anymore,” the 28-year-old said. “I just want to just clear it up, it’s absolute nonsense.

“Yes, the last year has been tough with injuries, my knee, my wrist… but I’m hungry as ever, constantly rehabbing in the gym.

“Part of the reason why I am commentating and doing all these things around the AO is to still feel that fire and still be a part of it. I still wanted to let everyone know I’m coming back, stay tuned, but there’s plenty left in the tank. Don’t stress.”

Incredible first day at espn and Eurosport. Called some really dope matches. Prizmic got GAME. This guy gonna be good for a long time. Fritz survived. This gonna be a couple fun weeks. PIC.TWITTER.COM/CNNFYGEIZI

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) JANUARY 14, 2024

In the original column, Kyrgios did rule out an appearance at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, saying he no longer had any interest in representing Australia following his exclusion from the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro.

“One thing I will guarantee, I won’t be making myself available for the Olympics. I wanted to play for my country… I can’t say that I still have that desire,” Kyrgios wrote.

“Let’s be honest, I haven’t exactly felt like Australia has wanted me to represent it either. I’ve said before, I often feel more at home away from home.

“For them to forbid me from representing my country for behavioural reasons is something that I just can’t forget.”

The AlphaTauri Formula 1 team will be known as Visa Cash App RB after undergoing a major rebrand ahead of the 2024 season.

Red Bull’s sister outfit have run under the name of the company’s fashion brand since the 2020 season, having formerly competed as Toro Rosso after being purchased by the energy-drink giant in 2006.

The team had committed to a wholesale rebrand and change of senior management after finishing ninth and eighth in the constructors’ standings in the past two seasons respectively.

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Visa has agreed a long-term deal as a partner of both Red Bull teams and features – alongside payment service provider Cash App – in the team’s new name, which was revealed on Wednesday.

Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda will return as drivers for Visa Cash App RB in the coming season, with the team’s new livery set to be revealed in early February.

Forget everything you know about AlphaTauri 👀

The team announce a new name for the 2024 season 👇#F1HTTPS://T.CO/BKX1ZXEA4A

— Formula 1 (@F1) JANUARY 24, 2024

Upon the reveal of the new name, the team’s chief executive Peter Bayer said: “It’s fantastic to reveal the new identity and to welcome new partners as we embark on the next phase of the team’s Formula 1 story.

“Faenza is entering a new era of racing, staying true to our roots as a hothouse for talent but now with an even greater focus on competing for the biggest prizes in F1.

“We have a bold vision for the team led by myself and team principal Laurent Mekies, and having future-focused partners such as Visa and Cash App alongside us on that journey is hugely exciting.”

The team is set to launch its 2024 car on February 8, ahead of the season opening with the Bahrain Grand Prix on the first weekend of March.

India will not be distracted by the relentless talk of ‘Bazball’ when the Test series against England starts tomorrow, according to captain Rohit Sharma.

England, as they often do, have talked up their all-out attacking approach, led by coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, but Sharma says India won’t get caught up in trying to copy the tourists and will instead play their own brand of cricket.

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He said: “We look to play our cricket, and I am not interested in looking at how the opposition is going to play. It’s important that we look into our cricket, focus on what we need to do as a team, and take it from there.

“You need to have a game plan, and you need to back your game plan. Whether tight defence, sweep, reverse sweep whatever it is just be clear. Don’t be in two minds, as that is where you can get yourself in trouble and then understand your own strengths. 

“We have grown up playing in these conditions, and it is all about handling the pressure of playing a Test match. We all play Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, Irani Trophy but the pressure of playing a Test match is different.”

England announced their XI today and sprung a surprise by naming three frontline spinners with Tom Hartley included at the expense of veteran paceman Jimmy Anderson.

India are likely to replicate that approach with certain starters Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja to be backed up by either Kuldeep Yadav or Axar Patel.

Rohit Sharma said, “I’m not interested in how the opposition is going to play. We will look to play our cricket”. PIC.TWITTER.COM/RKXEK8ZILR

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) JANUARY 24, 2024

Sharma knows who will play but was not willing to reveal his choice.

“It was a bit of a headache to decide who it would be,” he added. 

“I am not going to say who it is, and it was a challenge for us to decide as to who it is. Kuldeep gives you a certain X factor with his bowling especially if the wicket gives bounce or not he still becomes a factor because he has got superb variations and he is a very mature bowler now. He has not played much cricket in India because of Ashwin and Jadeja and that’s what has even happened in the past also.

“Lot of us got our chances late but that’s how it is and that’s the reality it is, and you can’t hide away from it. Kuldeep is a much better bowler, and it’s a very tempting option. Axar with his all-round ability, gives us the batting depth and the consistency he has shown. We have quality around our spin bowling department and it’s a good headache.”

Rajat Patidar has been added to the India squad as the replacement for Virat Kohli, who will miss the first two Tests due to a personal matter.

India were expected to recall the more experienced Cheteshwar Pujara but Sharma was eager to give youth a chance.

He said: “We did actually think about it [picking Pujara] but all these younger players, when are they going to get their opportunity? That’s something we thought about as well. 

“Leaving out an experienced player and not considering them is very hard because of the amount of runs they have scored and the kind of experience they have had, and the number of games they have won for us. It is very hard to ignore all of that. But you need to bring certain players into your set-up and give them favourable conditions. You don’t want to expose them on foreign tours where they have not played before.”

Manchester United great Gary Neville believes the arrival of new chief executive Omar Berrada could herald the start of a “more serious football project” at Old Trafford.

On Saturday, United confirmed Berrada would leave his role as chief football operations officer with the City Football Group to succeed Richard Arnold as the Red Devils’ chief executive.

Berrada – who made his name in a variety of positions with Barcelona and Manchester City – is set to begin his new role at the end of this season.

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His appointment has been hailed as a major coup for United, who are set to embark on a rebuild after INEOS chairman Jim Ratcliffe agreed to purchase a 25 per cent stake in the club, in a deal which will see him handed full control of United’s football operations when Premier League approval is granted.

Neville, who has been a steadfast critic of United’s direction under the Glazer family, is encouraged by the appointment and sees it as a solid start to the Ratcliffe era.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Omar Berrada as our new Chief Executive Officer.#MUFC

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) JANUARY 20, 2024

“This looks like the start of what should be a much more serious football project at the club, whereby the football side gets treated equally to the business side,” he said on The Gary Neville Podcast for Sky Sports.

“If he can get the people right, the culture right, and get those two other appointments underneath him right – the sporting director and head of recruitment – they are the main exposure points for the owner of a football club.

“They need to get these three appointments right, and it looks like a very solid start.

“They’ve not had someone who has operated in football for a long time, and that’s really important, but it’s a big task, and all eyes are going to be on him.

“It looks like United are making more sound decisions and are on the right track and that can only be a positive. Jim Ratcliffe was not going to come in and not disrupt things. The disruption has started pretty quickly.”

With United being criticised over a series of expensive, ineffective signings in recent years, Neville says getting other football appointments right will be key if the Ratcliffe regime is to succeed.

“They hadn’t got a CEO, because Richard Arnold stepped down. They haven’t got a sporting director, and they haven’t got a notable head of recruitment,” Neville said.

“Those are three roles where owners are most exposed, with the money that gets spent on players, the revenues that get driven. It’s part of what I would imagine is a triangle of appointments I’d expect to see in the next few months.”

💼 Back to business. #MUFC PIC.TWITTER.COM/QA6MAA1L1M

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) JANUARY 23, 2024

Neville was particularly pleased with the way in which the appointment came about, with reports that Berrada was leaving the City Football Group emerging mere hours before United made his move across Manchester official.

“We don’t quite know what’s gone on at City. He’s probably two or three down the chain at City and wanted to see a pathway to the top, and maybe that wasn’t there,” Neville said of Berrada.

“It’s a very good signing by Manchester United. What I did like about it is that it was stealth, in the sense it wasn’t a massive build-up over a few months, it just happened quickly. I like that.”

The Headliners

Aryna Sabalenka has made no secret of her desire to gain revenge over Coco Gauff following her defeat in the 2023 US Open final.

She will get her chance in Melbourne tomorrow when the pair clash in the last four of the Australian Open.

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“I love it. I love it,” Sabalenka said of the match-up.

“After the US Open, I really wanted that revenge, and, I mean, that’s a great match. It’s always great battles against Coco, with really great fights.

“I’m happy to play her, and I’m super excited to play that semi-final match.”

Defending champion Sabalenka is in great form having not dropped a set – she’s lost just 16 games – on her run to the semis. She has not lost a match at the Australian Open since going down to Kaia Kanepi in the fourth round in 2022.

The Belarusian has now reached the semi-finals or better in six successive grand slam events, an achievement she attributes to a calmer on-court demeanour.

“I’m not getting crazy on court, I’m not rushing things,” Sabalenka said. 

“I’m just playing point by point, fighting for every point without overthinking about my dreams, about what I want to do, about how many slams I want to win and all that stuff.”

Standing in her way of another Melbourne Park final is a player who has not lost a match in 2024. Gauff may have not sparkled the way Sabalenka has over the past 10 days but the fact remains she has only been taken to three sets once, by Marta Kostyuk in a scrappy quarter-final.

The American has won 34 of her last 38 matches and won’t be overawed at facing Sabalenka’s all-power game.

She said: “The goal is to stay here as long as possible and keep going upwards. I mean, I’m not at the top but I’m up there.

“I think definitely being in [grand slam] semis a couple of times before, you don’t feel like it’s your last time ever reaching this. You want to play like it’s your last time, I guess, because you don’t want to take advantage of the moment, but also just feel like you can do it again.

“It does give me confidence knowing that in that stage of a grand slam my nerves are usually settled. 

“Hopefully I can go out there and be settled.”

It’s arguably the final before the final. Two juggernauts going head to head. Something has to give.

The subplot

If one semi-final is between two of the game’s biggest stars, the other is between two players trying desperately to elevate themselves into the upper echelons.

And for Dayana Yastremska it presents another opportunity to get her once-promising career back on track.

YAStremska! 🎉@D_YASTREMSKA books her place in the #AO2024 semifinals defeating Linda Noskova 6-3 6-4.

She’s the first qualifier to reach the #AUSOPEN final four since 1978!

Congratulations, Dayana 💙@WWOS • @ESPN • @EUROSPORT • @WOWOWTENNIS PIC.TWITTER.COM/8C8PT8XBW4

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2024

The Ukrainian was ranked inside the top 25 at 19 years of age when she was handed a provisional ban for a failed doping test. She appealed and the suspension was lifted after six months with an independent tribunal ruling the positive test was due to contamination.

It has been a long road back but her 6-3 6-4 win over Linda Noskova in the quarter-final meant she is the first qualifier since Christine Dorey in 1978 to reach the last four of the Australian Open.

She said: “It’s nice to make history. It’s something new for me and for my generation because the last time it happened it was a long time ago. I wasn’t born yet.

“It’s nice. I’m really happy to be in my first semi-finals. I was a little bit nervous, but at the same time tired.”

Yastremska will face 12th seed Qinwen Zheng following her 6-7 (4/7) 6-3 6-1 victory over Anna Kalinskaya.

Order of Play – selected matches

Night session (from 08:30 UK time)

Coco Gauff v Aryna Sabalenka

Dayana Yastremska v Qinwen Zheng

When and how to watch

The Australian Open is available to watch live on Discovery+ and Eurosport in the United Kingdom, with the day’s singles action getting under way from 0830 UK time on Thursday.

Predictions

Gauff v Sabalenka ought to be a cracker. Sabalenka’s added power – and her desire for revenge for the defeat at Flushing Meadows – should just give her the edge.

In the other semi, look for Yastremska’s remarkable return to prominence to gain traction with a win over Zheng.

Tom Hartley was the surprise inclusion in the England team to face India in the first Test with the tourists opting to go with three spinners.

Hartley will make his Test debut in Hyderabad despite an underwhelming record of 40 wickets in 20 first-class matches for Lancashire. His county team-mate Jimmy Anderson will watch from the slidelines with England going in with just one seamer in Durham’s Mark Wood.

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Rehan Ahmed and Jack Leach will complement Hartley in a line-up that captain Ben Stokes believes gives England the best chance of claiming an early lead in the five-match series.

He told BBC Sport: “Looking at past tours, you can see how spin may give us a better opportunity.

“We feel having the three out-and-out spinners will give us the best chance.

“The decision was on looking at the pitch and thinking who we are going to get more out of.

“Would we play two seamers, or an extra spinner? It is no disrespect to the seamers we have out. Pitches and conditions might change as the tour goes on, then we might have to look at a different dynamic.

“Tom is someone who’s obviously very tall. He bowls at a very difficult pace to be able to handle out here and he’s someone who gets a lot of natural variation which, in India, is sometimes the hardest thing to face where you’ve got two of the same ball, ball after ball, and one turns square and the one could skid on and pick up pace. 

“So it’s just trying to give ourselves the best chance of being able to exploit conditions.”

🚨🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 @TOMHARTLEY100 has been named in @ENGLANDCRICKET‘s XI for the first test against India in Hyderabad tomorrow and is set to make his test debut!

Congratulations and go well, Tommy! 👏

🌹 #REDROSETOGETHER | #ENGVSIND HTTPS://T.CO/RJSBFBKTGZ PIC.TWITTER.COM/P2PSMTNCXY

— Lancashire Cricket (@lancscricket) JANUARY 24, 2024

It is the first time since 1962 that England will go into a Test match with just one recognised pace bowler and Stokes explained why Wood got the nod over Anderson.

“When you go with one seamer, you look at the impact you want out of that seamer,” he added. 

“What Woody brings with his high pace, he is a real impact bowler. If we can get the ball swinging, him bowling in the 90s-mph with a reverse-swinging ball will be very difficult to play against.

“He’s a weapon we can use in short, sharp spells. We’ve already said that to him. Bowl as fast as you can in short periods. There’s no worries about thinking about long spells. You never know, things might change and he might have to bowl a few long spells. That’s how I envision using Woody before we’ve bowled a ball.”