ding champions Fiji looked the team to beat at the Hong Kong Sevens,

Plenty of misery stares Arsene Wenger and Arsenal in the face as he renews hostilities with Jose Mourinho on Saturday, this time at venerable Old Trafford against Manchester United in this early season crunch match of top-six teams in the Premier League table.Wengers inability to defeat Mourinho at any point in his 20-year career at any venue in league and cup play continues to be the main storyline any time these two managers meet, and the pressure to end the spell ratchets higher as time passes. The incessant sniping between the two only adds to the drama, with Mourinho content to wear the black hat and antagonise the Frenchman seemingly to no end.Almost always, Mourinho is the first to add spice -- or vinegar depending on ones fan allegiances -- but hes also backed up all his pithiness with a 7-6-0 mark against Wenger.The one match he did lose, the 2015 Community Shield at Wembley Stadium, Mourinho made the defeat secondary by throwing his medal into the stands for a fan as he walked into the tunnel following the final whistle and claimed Arsenal lost their philosophy by playing that match in a defensive style similar to how he coached Chelsea.And after he took the Manchester United job this summer, he fired a not-so-subtle volley at Wenger, saying: There are some managers, the last time they won a title was 10 years ago, the last time I won was a year ago. If I have something to prove, imagine the others. To finish fourth is not the aim.For this match at least, Wenger is trying to downplay the animosity between the two and instead focusing on the fact Arsenal (7-3-1) -- fourth and trailing the other Manchester side on goal difference but only two points behind front-runners Liverpool -- have a chance to not only put more distance between themselves and United (5-3-3) but also keep themselves in the thick of the title race.Look, I dont think I have to describe our relationship, the manager said at his pre-match news conference Thursday. He will fight for his team and I will fight for my team and I think that is completely normal.You know, we didnt lose always. We have beaten them and there were many draws as well. I think I have won against every manager in the world during my 20 years here and I do not make this game a competition between two managers … I think I can understand that people want to create controversy, but its not that that makes the audience. What will make the audience is the quality of the game.Yet one can point to that quote with Wenger hanging onto that Community Shield win to claim Mourinho is still in his head. And its just not that Mourinho wins these matches, its the fact he completely flummoxes Wenger and Arsenal, one of the most flowing sides in all of Europe.The Gunners have only five goals in those 13 matches, failing to score on a Mourinho-coached team in a league or cup match since Gilberto Silva converted a penalty kick in the 43rd minute of a 1-1 draw on May 6, 2007, a span of 587 minutes.To take it one step further, that drought extends to 708 minutes in the run of play while Mourinho has been on the touchline, dating to Theo Walcotts goal in the 12th minute of the 2007 League Cup final, a match Chelsea rallied to win 2-1.And as the 14th clash between Mourinho and Wenger dominates the storylines while Arsenal look to extend their unbeaten streak in all competitions to 17 matches (12-4-0), there is also the matter of overcoming their struggles at Old Trafford.The Gunners woes there extend back to Mourinhos predecessors Sir Alex Ferguson, David Moyes and the man he replaced, Louis Van Gaal. The lone win in their last 10 trips (1-2-7) was a 2-1 victory in the 2015 FA Cup quarterfinals, and Arsenal have been outscored 20-8 in those nine league matches. The streak is highlighted by Uniteds 8-2 thumping on Aug. 28, 2011.Wenger will have almost all of his first-choice players available except for right back Hector Bellerin, who is expected to miss a month due to a knee injury suffered in the north London derby versus Tottenham Hotspur. There was worry striker Alexis Sanchez would not be available after picking up a leg injury in training for Chile, but the teams joint-leading scorer with eight goals put that to rest by bagging a brace in a World Cup qualifier win over Uruguay on Tuesday.I think were even more determined to achieve something and win the Premier League, but you have to take it slow, said Sanchez, who has two goals in five lifetime matches versus the Red Devils. We have a great team, our ambitions are high and we want to win the league.Wengers top two options to replace Bellerin on the backline are Mathieu Debuchy and Carl Jenkinson, though Debuchy has yet to appear in a match this season and Jenkinson has played just two games. Danny Welbeck, who scored the FA Cup winner against his former team, is sidelined with a long-term injury.Amazingly, Mourinho does not have a stranglehold on the Manchester United storylines. Captain Wayne Rooney, a forgotten figure of sorts having started just once in the clubs last six matches, made headlines for all the wrong reasons this week when tabloids splashed front-page pictures of him appearing inebriated at a wedding reception being held at the national teams hotel following Englands World Cup qualifier win over Scotland.Rooney opted to stay at the teams headquarters rather than venture out with teammates, but the pictures showed he had a good time all the same. He released a statement saying he apologised to both the England FA and interim manager Gareth Southgate -- soon expected to be named the full-time boss of the Three Lions -- but the incident puts more scrutiny on whether the 31-year-old Rooneys days with the national team are numbered both as captain and even as a player.Yet there could be a spot Saturday for Rooney, who has 13 goals and five assists in 30 lifetime matches versus Arsenal, because Zlatan Ibrahimovic is suspended due to a yellow card accumulation. And this match seemed tailor-made for Ibrahimovic, the teams leading scorer with seven goals in all competitions, given how he relishes both the spotlight and the villains role in these high-profile matches.Im sorry I am suspended, the Swedish forward told MUTV. I wish I wasnt as its a game I really wanted to play in. But I have trust in my teammates and the team. I know they can do fine without me.Mourinhos other options are the kiddie corps of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial. Rashford, of course, burst onto the scene in last seasons fixture at Old Trafford -- scoring two goals in a three-minute span of the first half to power Manchester United to a 3-2 victory.The Red Devils have not won back-to-back games since three victories on the trot at the end of September, and given how this seasons race appears to be more traditional in that all six perennial Premier League sides and neighbours Manchester City occupy the top seven spots in the table, this is shaping up to be a contest United must pick up points to maintain their European aspirations.The team is eager to find a good streak and after defeating Swansea we are looking forward to playing Arsenal at the weekend, midfielder Juan Mata wrote on his blog. The top end of the Premier League table is very tight and we are going to work hard to keep a good streak and approach those top spots.This will be the 224th meeting between the sides in a rivalry that dates back to 1894. United hold the upper hand with 94 victories to Arsenals 80, and the teams have split the points on 49 occasions. Adidas Nmd Herre Danmark . Canada is now down to its 22-player limit, although but players wont be registered until Christmas Day. Changes could still be made as a result of a suspension or injury. Adidas Nmd Dame Udsalg .ca NBA Power Rankings, ahead of the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs. http://www.dknmdskotilbud.com/ . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations. Adidas Nmd Herre Udsalg . -- Aaron Murray threw for 408 yards and three touchdowns, ran for another score, and led No. Adidas Nmd Dame Udsalg . -- In a span of seven Washington Redskins offensive plays, Justin Tuck sacked Robert Griffin III four times. CHICAGO -- Robin Ventura has decided the success-starved South Siders need a new leader.Ventura announced Sunday he will not return as Chicago White Sox manager next season, insisting it was his decision and he wasnt pushed out due to a fourth consecutive losing season. Ventura was in the last year of his contract.I enjoy this place, I love this place, a stoic Ventura said after Chicagos season-ending 6-3 loss to the Minnesota Twins. At the end, it probably needs a new voice.The Chicago Sun-Times reported Saturday that bench coach and former Cubs manager Rick Renteria will likely take over, but the team did not immediately announce a replacement. White Sox general manager Rick Hahn is scheduled to address reporters Monday.Ventura said he initiated the departure.You just realize right now is the right time to do it and you need somebody else, Ventura said.Ventura went 375-435 in five seasons with the White Sox. After an 85-77 debut in 2012 that wasnt good enough for the playoffs, Venturas teams regressed.The White Sox finished 78-84 this year despite a 23-10 start that gave them a six-game lead in the AL Central on May 9.Thanks to injuries, a slumping offense and a shaky bullpen, the White Sox stumbled to a 55-74 mark the rest of the way and a fourth-place finish amid a couple of bizarre off-field incidents.Executive vice president Ken Williams, whose future is also uncertain, banned DH Adam LaRoches son from the clubhouse in spring training. LaRoche responded by abruptly retiring, and ace Chris Sale ripped Williams.In July, Sale was suspended five days for cutting up collared throwback jerseys he didnt want to wear for his start. Sale later criticized Ventura for not sticking up for him in his dispute with the marketing staff.You have moments -- I dont know if theyre disagreements -- but there are some terse conversations that you have, Ventura said. Thats just part of being together and part of a lot of competitive people being in a room. That just happens. But at the end of the day I know they went out and competed. And thats the biggest thing.Sale allowed an inside-the-park home run to the speedy Byron Buxton on the first pitch Sunday. Miguel Sano added a three-run shot in the third as Sale was denied his career-best 18th win after allowing five runs and six hits over five innings.Sale, who finished with a 3.34 ERA and 233 strikeouts, denied there was any trouble with his manager.What did we have, a couple things that made it in the news? Sale said. That doesnt mean I dont like him or he didnt like me. We always had the same goal, the same vision. The same passion.You get a bunch of guys in the same room and the testosterone is pumping. This is a competitive game, sports are competitive. Things happen, but that doesnt change what I think of him personally. Hes as good as they get.The easygoing, friendly Ventura had fans in the clubhouse. Right-hander James Shields called him one of the better managers Ive been around. Third baseman Toddd Frazier said I love him to death and outfielder Adam Eaton praised the 49-year-olds demeanor and communication skills.ddddddddddddHe hasnt had an easy road while hes been here, Ill tell you that much, Eaton said. For me, in the three years Ive been here, you put it on the players. Players havent played up to expectations. Its our fault.Ventura was a fan favorite as a slick-fielding third baseman on Chicagos South Side. The 10th overall pick of the 1988 draft won six Gold Gloves and was a two-time All-Star over a 16-year career, mostly with the White Sox and Mets.Ventura had no managerial experience and was a surprise hire of then-GM Williams after the 2011 season following Ozzie Guillens messy exit.The White Sox have tried to contend in recent seasons by bringing in high profile players such as Adam Dunn, Jeff Samardzija, David Robertson, Melky Cabrera, Eaton, Frazier and LaRoche. But the White Sox didnt improve under Ventura, and the teams recent struggles have coincided with the resurgence of the crosstown Cubs, who have the majors best record and have drawn over three million fans. The White Sox drew under 1.75 million this season.You look throughout sports, not only baseball, when teams that are supposed to do well dont do well, changes are made, catcher Alex Avila said. Not only with coaching staffs and personnel off the field but on the field as well.The White Sox may be turning to a former manager of their rival. Renteria went 73-89 with the Cubs in 2014, only to be let go after one season when Joe Maddon became available.The 54-year-old Renteria just finished his first season as bench coach with the White Sox.I think hes got a lot of qualities that Robin has. Maybe a little more vocal, Eaton said. He definitely will get his point across a little more, vocally. Not that he has more passion than Robin or anything like that, but hes a little more upbeat, a little more bouncy. Hes kind of a bundle of baseball joy.Renterias bilingual skills and history of working well with younger players would be strengths for a team potentially heading for a rebuild with many Spanish-speaking players.It would be a little bit more comfortable or make communication easier but I was good with Robin, Cuban slugger Jose Abreu said through an interpreter. I didnt have any kind of trouble with Robin to communicate.Hahn earlier this season called the team mired in mediocrity and hinted at tearing down the roster, something 80-year-old chairman Jerry Reinsdorf has resisted in the past. Since winning the World Series in 2005, the White Sox have just one playoff appearance, in 2008.Sale, who has a team-friendly contract, could bring in a large haul of prospects. So could fellow lefty Jose Quintana.This is sports. Anything can happen, Sale said. I dont anticipate that happening or necessarily really want that to happen, but it could. ' ' '