Champions League Chaos, Saka Injury and Oosthuizen Exit Headline Busy Week in Sport

Oct 22 – A turbulent week in global sport saw Manchester United suffer one of their worst European defeats in three decades, Arsenal's Bukayo Saka pick up a serious injury, South African golf great Louis Oosthuizen depart LIV Golf, and World Rugby make a landmark appointment for the 2031 Rugby World Cup, according to reports from BBC Sport and The Guardian.

Manchester United's struggles deepened on Oct. 21 when they were beaten heavily by Como in the Champions League, with The Guardian reporting it was United's worst defeat in continental football since 1994. The Italian side, managed by former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas, were playing just their third ever Champions League match, according to BBC Sport, yet dismantled United with four goals as Nico Paz starred for the hosts. The result, The Guardian reported, piled further pressure on United manager Michael Carrick and came in sight of Lake Como, near the Alps.

Arsenal fared better in their Champions League outing, with Declan Rice scoring a late equaliser to earn a draw against Bayern Munich, BBC Sport reported. However, the result was overshadowed by a significant injury concern. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the quadriceps injury sustained by forward Bukayo Saka during the match "does not look good at all," according to BBC Sport. The setback raises serious questions about Arsenal's attacking options in the weeks ahead.

In golf, former Open Championship winner Louis Oosthuizen became the latest high-profile player to leave LIV Golf, BBC Sport reported on Oct. 21. No further details about his next move were provided in the available reporting. Separately, the career of England cricket legend James Anderson, 44, appeared to be in doubt after Lancashire opted against offering him a new contract, BBC Sport reported. Anderson is England's all-time leading wicket-taker.

Off the field, World Rugby announced the appointment of Megan Rose as managing director of the 2031 men's Rugby World Cup in the United States, The Guardian reported on Oct. 21. Rose, a former tennis professional who went on to become an executive at the United States Tennis Association, called the role an extraordinary honour. The Guardian noted the tournament will be held on American soil for the first time and is considered by some measures to be the third-biggest global sporting event. In women's rugby, England made notable selection changes ahead of their next fixture, dropping star full-back Ellie Kildunne to the bench following the team's first defeat in four years, BBC Sport reported.