World Sports News in Brief

Football: Maguire captaincy latest move in Solskjaer's United project

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer named England defender Harry Maguire as the team's new captain on Friday (Jan 17) – the latest in a series of appointments which indicate the long-term plans the Norwegian has for the rebuilding of the club.

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United v Norwich City - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - January 11, 2020 Manchester United's Harry Maguire applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United v Norwich City - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - January 11, 2020 Manchester United's Harry Maguire applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)

* Tokyo 2020 organisers on Friday began the installation of a giant Olympic rings monument in the shadow of the city's Rainbow Bridge. The five interlocking rings will be installed at Odaiba Marine Park in Tokyo Bay, the site for the marathon swimming and triathlon events at this year's Games.

* Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo continues to be the most influential soccer player online in China, while Barcelona are the most dominant club, according to a report.

* Veteran Spanish driver Carlos Sainz won the Dakar Rally for the third time on Friday (Jan 17), finishing with a comfortable winning margin in Saudi Arabia.

* Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska defeated her third top 20 opponent in a row to make the Adelaide International finals with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) win over Aryna Sabalenka on Friday (Jan 17).

* Unseeded Ugo Humbert toppled big-serving John Isner 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 on Friday (Jan 17) to make his first ATP final and set up an all-French showdown with Benoit Paire at the ATP Auckland Classic.

* World number one Ashleigh Barty will warm up for the Australian Open with a final at the Adelaide International after a 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/5) comeback win over Danielle Collins on Friday (Jan 17).

* Formula One world champions Mercedes have scheduled a Valentine's Day debut for the car Lewis Hamilton would love to take him to a seventh title this season. The team said in a statement on Friday (Jan 17) that an initial shakedown run will take place in private at Silverstone circuit on Feb 14.

* Premier League referees are being instructed by the PGMOL, the body responsible for elite match officials in the English game, to make more use of pitchside monitors for red card decisions.

* Everton forward Richarlison will miss Saturday's Premier League trip to West Ham United with a minor knee injury, manager Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday (Jan 17).

* Inter Milan have signed former England international Ashley Young from Manchester United on a six month contract, the Serie A club said on Friday (Jan 17).

* The Los Angeles Galaxy have signed Mexico striker Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez from Sevilla and will make him the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer, Sports Illustrated reported Friday (Jan 17).

* Michael Gregoritsch scored on his Schalke 04 debut and helped set up the other goal as they beat second-placed Borussia Moenchengladbach 2-0 on Friday as action in the Bundesliga resumed following the winter break.

Reuters, CNA