Dan Ashworth has left his position as Manchester United’s sporting director after only five months at the club. United recruited Ashworth from Newcastle to much fanfare and expense but they have come to a mutual agreement to part ways. Talks were held between Ashworth and the chief executive Omar Berrada last night and minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe signed off on the 53-year-old’s departure.
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West Ham forward Michail Antonio is in a stable condition following a road traffic accident, the Premier League club have announced. The 34-year-old is conscious after being taken to hospital in London following the incident in Essex on Saturday afternoon. The update was issued after images of a heavily-damaged Ferrari began to circulate online.
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Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg has been handed with a three-place grid drop for failing to follow the race director’s instructions by overtaking two cars on the pit exit road. The German had qualified in P4, setting him up for a strong start to the 58-lap race at the Yas Marina Circuit, but he will now be demoted to seventh on the grid behind Pierre Gasly and George Russell.
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Lando Norris took pole position at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ahead of team-mate Oscar Piastri as McLaren put themselves in a perfect position to clinch their first constructors’ title since 1998. Norris headed Piastri by 0.209 seconds at the end of a gripping, topsy-turvy qualifying session at the final race of the season. Carlos Sainz took third place for Ferrari, who trail McLaren by 21 points heading into Sunday’s race with a maximum of 44 available.
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West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui insists he has not been distracted by speculation he is facing a must-win match on Monday, instead saying his focus is simply on beating Wolves, rather than worrying about his job. West Ham board members met this week to discuss the future of their head coach after the midweek 3-1 loss at relegation-threatened Leicester which followed on from the 5-2 defeat at home to Arsenal.
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