Manchester United resume their Premier League campaign against Tottenham in London tonight in a key battle for Champions League qualification. Ole Gunnar Solskjær is confident Paul Pogba can finally show his "world-class" ability after an injury-blighted season: "I can see his mentality and focus now that he is fit and training and available. He is one of the best midfielders in the world so hopefully we can get that going as soon as possible." While Spurs manager José Mourinho has accused the football authorities of double standards over the decision to ban Dele Alli for an ill-judged social media post about coronavirus but ignore much worse behaviour from others in the game during the pandemic. United v Tottenham kicks off at 8.15pm on Sky Sports and follows Norwich v Southampton at 6pm (free to air on Sky). Malachy Clerkin asks in his column this morning, could sport without fans actually be better? "It is an entirely pleasant change not to have to listen to braying crowds boo the referee after every 50/50 tackle. Players seem to be getting up and getting on with things a bit quicker too, now that there's no crowd noise to milk." Click here for Emmet Malone's interview with the FAI's interim chief executive Gary Owens about working his way through the association's problems and resuming the Airtricity league.
Stradivarius confounded fears soft ground might scupper his chances of a Gold Cup hat-trick with a spectacular romp around a behind closed doors Ascot. The John Gosden trained star joined Sagaro as a hat-trick hero in the historic stayers championship and is as low as 13-8 to match Aidan O'Brien's ultimate Gold Cup champion, Yeats, by winning a fourth in 2021. Jessica Harrington turns to Tom Marquand, the rising star of the British jockeys room, for Millisle in Ascot's Group One feature today (3.35pm). Millisle drops back to six furlongs for the Commonwealth Cup after failing to fulfil classic ambitions in the 1,000 Guineas.
In his latest lockdown diary entry, Leinster prop Andrew Porter says that now rugby is nearly back, he's as excited as a kid again: "I now have a better appreciation that I won't always be a rugby player and I am learning about the importance of planning and goal-setting outside the game". Satying with rugby and Cormac Izuchukwu tells his story to John O'Sullivan - one that can inspire those whose starting point is a little more left field. The 20-year-old recently joined the Ulster Academy while retaining his place in the Ireland Sevens programme. His dad is Nigerian, and he grew up in London before moving back to Offaly where his mum's family are hurling royalty.
Meanwhile Ian Poulter's near-flawless play - which earned him a share of the clubhouse lead alongside American Mark Hubbard - was in some contrast to that of world number one Rory McIlroy at RBC Heritage, in Hilton Head, South Carolina. After an opening round 72, one-over-par, the Irishman admitted it was all a bit of a "struggle," but sought to find a remedy on the range in his attempt to survive into the weekend. Shane Lowry, who finished third behind CT Pan in last year's tournament, finished his first round three-over-par while Graeme McDowell hit a double bogey on the fourth hole on his way to a disappointing four-over-par 75. McIlroy's second round is underway at 6.05pm (Irish time), Lowry tees off at 12.40pm and McDowell is on the course at 12.51pm.
