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• Galaxy dedicate record-extending MLS Cup triumph to 'special' Puig

  The LA Galaxy won a record-extending sixth MLS Cup title with a 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, with their triumph motivated by Riqui Puig's injury. 

  The Galaxy found themselves two goals in front after 13 minutes thanks to strikes from Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljic before Sean Nealis reduced the deficit. 

  Greg Vanney's side were able to hang on to seal the victory after the break, with many of the Galaxy players paying tribute to the absent Puig. 

  The Spaniard missed Saturday's showpiece after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in their Western Conference final victory over the Seattle Sounders. 

  Puig had been instrumental for the Galaxy this season, registering 31 goal involvements (17 goals, 14 assists) across all competitions. 

  He also created more chances (70) than any of his Galaxy team-mates, who dedicated their victory to Puig. 

  "It’s really special," said Mark Delgado. “When Riqui went down in the last game, and that final whistle blew, we were all happy. But to see him go down, we all felt so sad for him.

  "It was just more of a motivation and another reason to step out there and win. A brother of ours went down, and we got to win this thing. We’re so happy to win this for him.”

  After opening the scoring in the ninth minute, Paintsil was swarmed by his team-mates after tucking his shot past the onrushing Carlos Coronel.

  But among the madness, the Ghanaian looked to the bench to grab Puig’s jersey and raise it toward the Galaxy faithful, with Joveljic following suit after his strike. 

  “This guy is unbelievable. One of the best players in the league, Riqui," added Diego Fagundez. “And today showed, even though he wasn’t on the field, we’re a family in here.

  "We’re with each other so much that we’re like brothers. And it doesn’t matter if someone goes down, we’re all together. And today, we did it for him, and we did it for ourselves.”

  “The first message that he said before we were in the huddle was ‘don’t do it for me, do it for each other,’ and that’s the right kind of mentality we want to have. 

  "He, as a player, he deserves everything. I know this is what he wanted.”

  Puig was in the stands to support his side during the match, and despite not being able to help on the pitch, the Spaniard expressed his gratitude to his team-mates. 

  “Honestly, I’m very happy," Puig told MLS El Resumen. “It’s been a very complicated week for me, but people are giving me a lot of support, sending me messages.

  "I apologise for not being able to respond to almost anybody because it’s been really complicated for me to face this type of injury. 

  "I was very afraid of it, even more so for nine months, to wait for this match. And I think today the team played spectacularly.”

• Sporting director Ashworth leaves Manchester United

  Dan Ashworth has left his role as Manchester United's sporting director just five months after joining the club.

  United pushed hard for the highly rated Ashworth, who was in place at Newcastle United, and spent five months on gardening leave before officially starting with the Red Devils, who reportedly paid significant compensation to his former club.

  His first day on the job came on July 1, but now just five months later, he has left Old Trafford by mutual agreement.

  "We would like to thank Dan for his work and support during a transitional period for the club and wish him well for the future," a statement from the club read.

  Ashworth led United's recruitment drive over the summer as the club aimed to back Erik ten Hag, who they subsequently dismissed at the end of October.

  Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte were all brought in to boost United's senior squad.

  United lost 3-2 to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, as new boss Ruben Amorim suffered a second straight defeat, and his first at Old Trafford.

  That loss left United in 13th in the Premier League.

• Ancelotti confident Real Madrid are nearing their best

  Carlo Ancelotti is confident Real Madrid are making their way back to their best after their 3-0 victory over Girona.

  Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler and Kylian Mbappe were on target on Saturday, moving to within two points of LaLiga leaders Barcelona.

  Since losing 4-0 to Barca at the end of October, Madrid have won four of their last five LaLiga matches, with their sole defeat coming against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.

  But Ancelotti feels his team are rediscovering their best form.

  "Bellingham has scored his fifth goal in a row. He's back and in good form. Mbappe scored too," he said.

  "We have to hang in there, little by little we're coming back.

  "We had to hold on at the beginning because Girona pushed hard. We did a good job collectively, and then we handled the advantage well. The team had more clarity and more ideas. I think the second half went very well."

  The Italian also praised Guler's performance after the Turkish youngster scored Madrid's second goal.

  "He wasn't good in the first half but in the second half he scored a fantastic goal," Ancelotti said.

  "What I want to highlight is his work. He runs a lot and helps the team. His goal takes a bit of pressure off him.

  "He's a young player with a lot of pressure around him and it's good for him to take a bit of pressure off."

  An injury to Bellingham was a cause for concern for Madrid, but Ancelotti allayed any major fears.

  "[Bellingham] is fine, he is available," said the Italian. "We've had the muscle injury to [Benjamin] Mendy but the rest of it is just knocks, nothing more,"

  Mbappe's goal brought up his 200th in the top five leagues, while Bellingham has scored in five consecutive league games in a single season for the first time.