Man United suffered a shock 2-1 loss at Midtjylland in the Europa League. Things started going wrong for Louis van Gaal’s men even before the first leg of their last-32 clash got under way, with goalkeeper David de Gea getting injured in the warm-up. His replacement, Romero, was man-of the match, as the hosts produced the best chances. Memphis Depay opened the scoring for United in the 37th minute, but the lead lasted just seven minutes before Pione Sisto levelled the score. Paul Onuachu then struck the winner with just over ten minutes remaining. In Italy, Tottenham secured a 1-1 draw at Fiorentina, with Nacer Chadli getting an important away goal from the penalty spot, after Ben Davies was fouled. Federico Bernardeschi gave La Viola a draw on the night, and hopes of repeating last year’s defeat of Spurs in the competition. Meanwhile, Liverpool will be disappointed with their goalless draw at struggling German side, Augsburg. Daniel Sturridge had the Reds best chance, but fluffed his effort from six yards out. Valencia, and Gary Neville in particular, will be delighted with their performance, as the La Liga side put recent travails to one side in a 6-0 thumping of Rapid Vienna. Elsewhere, holders Sevilla eased to a 3-0 win over Molde, Villarreal beat Napoli 1-0, St Etienne claimed an exciting 3-2 win over Basel, Dortmund overcame Porto 2-0, Galatasaray and Lazio shared a 1-1 draw, and Marseille suffered a 1-0 home loss against Athletic Bilbao.
Carlos Alcaraz will miss the Madrid Open for the second consecutive year after withdrawing on Friday with a wrist injury, dealing another blow to the world number two's clay court preparations ahead of his French Open title defence.
Novak Djokovic is still working through the injury problems that forced him to miss recent tournaments in Miami and Monte Carlo and said on Friday that he will not feature at next week's Madrid Open, one of the last stops before the French Open.
Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene has defended Jasprit Bumrah after the struggling pace spearhead went a fifth Indian Premier League match without a wicket in Thursday's seven-wicket defeat by Punjab Kings.
Iranian women's football players Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh thanked the Australian government on Friday for offering a "safe haven" and said they wished to resume their sporting careers after rebuilding their lives.
Ollie Watkins still has hope of making England's World Cup squad despite being dropped for last month's friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, with the Aston Villa forward saying all he can do in the last few weeks of the season is score goals.
Dubai Police, in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Interior, have arrested an Irish fugitive accused of involvement in an organised criminal group linked to international crimes in his home country.
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has met with His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, to discuss national priorities and the country’s continued development.