Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ripped into his players after the shameful 2-0 home defeat to Cardiff City on the final day of the Premier League, telling them they were an embarrassment to Manchester United and themselves. He's right, but it'll be him that loses his job if things don't change after a wretched 2018-19 season.

Sixth place and finishing 32 points behind the champions was a disgrace for United, but the Norwegian has a very clear idea about which players he wants to stay and which are a problem. He's had six months to figure it out and has given chances to almost all of them -- though several have squandered their opportunities.

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Ed Woodward might have put the most optimistic face on it as possible in an investor call to coincide with the third-quarter financial results, but the words of the Premier League's best-paid executive will barely resonate with fans. When one of the four highlights of the third quarter reads: "Announced global partnership and licensing agreement with Maui Jim eyewear" then don't expect supporters to be in raptures.

Fans want the highlights to come on the field: Words mean nothing when they translate into a failing team. So how do United pick themselves up off the floor?

Some have said that it was a mistake to give the job to Solskjaer full-time in March -- not that it was being said in the aftermath of the win in Paris two months ago in the Champions League. United have been rotten since then, and the manager must take some of the blame, but there's significant credit left for the Norwegian and the fans are still on his side.

One major advantage of that March appointment was that it allowed Solskjaer to plan for next season. He knew that recruitment was a priority and wanted assistant Mike Phelan to be on his permanent staff, too. His employers agreed and Phelan was offered a deal last week.

All along, Solskjaer has enjoyed a good communication with the scouts and the analysts in United's much-maligned recruitment department. Some of the people employed there may not have a public profile, but they have excellent CVs and have worked at some of the best clubs in the world.

Manager, scouts and analysts have collaborated to identify the right targets in terms of talent, attitude and style of play. United maintain that there's no shortage of quality players who want to join the club, though there is concern about the "Alexis Sanchez factor" -- that Old Trafford is attractive because the pay rates are so high. Footballers often go where the money is, but there needs to be more than that if United are to bounce back.

United have a plan of which areas the team needs strengthening and the type of players the club want. And they will stick with that plan. Sources have told ESPN that Solskjaer wants the players in early but fans need a lift from at least one early signing which shows them what else could lie in store. There will disquiet if there are no signings by July and trouble on the terraces if United are 10th come November.

Avoiding the mess of last summer will help. Then, the club were surprised to be told relatively late that another central defender was needed. Players (such as £70 million-rated Harry Maguire) are hard to get from now-wealthy clubs like Leicester City at the last minute. If Solskjaer doesn't get it right, United will be slipping behind the likes of Leicester, Everton and Wolves (that's the impressive Leicester who United beat home and away last season, by the way).

United's recruitment is under close scrutiny because it hasn't convinced. For example: Midfield misfit Fred cost £52 million. It will be fairer to judge the Brazilian this coming season rather than last, but let's not pretend things went any better for him in his first season than they did for Victor Lindelof in his first term at United. The latter was much better in his second, though hardly Virgil van Dijk class, and that's another problem -- United's rivals Liverpool, City and Spurs are at or close to their peak.

Solskjaer wants his players to be fitter, too, and there have been a couple of changes in the fitness staff in recent months.

On the end of his first batch of serious criticism, Solskjaer is not an idiot or a puppet to be dismissed because of his limited body of work at the highest level. He knows the job will eat him if he doesn't get the players performing, knows he has to be bold and to get some of the problem players out of the dressing room. He will make those decisions without hesitation.

When he came in it was all about "my team" and sharing glory with the players when United couldn't stop winning. Now he knows it's about him: He's the boss rather than part of a collective.

He also knows that the next couple of transfer windows are vital. In his very first days, United staff were struck by his attention to detail and constant questions. There's a negative lens over everything United do at the moment because the poor results have seen to that, but it was equally positive only three months ago.

Solskjaer knows his own mind. It was him -- well, him and Roy Keane -- who were most insistent to Sir Alex Ferguson that United sign Cristiano Ronaldo after that friendly against Sporting Lisbon in 2003.

That was then. Now, United are at a low ebb regardless of their impressive financial figures. This is a club whose Player of the Year, Luke Shaw, didn't even make the England squad for the UEFA Nations League finals this summer.

However, United are far from finished. This isn't Ajax, where the club are always trying to work out which players they'll lose every close season and which are talented enough to step up and replace them. United have the money to buy some of the best players in the world.

That money has not been spent well in the last six years. No club have been more profligate than United and you wonder just how much planning went into some signings, but there's a determination to get it right now -- one set against a backdrop of pessimism and fans still livid at how the season ended.

ROME -- Rafael Nadal is right back where he wants to be.

After losing in the semifinals of three straight clay-court tournaments, Nadal dominated for stretches against his longtime rival, Novak Djokovic, in a 6-0, 4-6, 6-1 win Sunday for a record-extending ninth Italian Open title.

It marked the first time in an Open era-record 54 meetings, and in their 142nd set against each other, that Nadal won a set against Djokovic without conceding a game -- otherwise known as a bagel.

The timing for Nadal's return to form could not have been more opportune, as he will seek a record-extending 12th title at the French Open starting next weekend.

"Winning a title is important, but for me the most important thing is feel myself competitive, feel myself healthy," Nadal said. "Then with the feeling that I am improving. I know if I'm able to reach my level you can win, you can lose, but normally I'm going to have my chances, especially on this surface."

Top-ranked Djokovic, meanwhile, appeared exhausted after spending more than 5½ hours on court against Juan Martin del Potro and Diego Schwartzman the previous two days.

Djokovic was also coming off the Madrid Open title last week.

"I don't want to talk about fatigue or things like that," Djokovic said. "Rafa was simply too strong today."

In the women's final earlier, Karolina Pliskova captured the biggest clay-court trophy of her career by beating Johanna Konta 6-3, 6-4.

The Foro Italico crowd continually tried to encourage Djokovic with chants of "Vai Nole!" (Go Nole!), but the top-ranked Serb struggled with his overhead and drop shots.

Midway through the second set, Nadal chased down a lob with an over-the-shoulder shot and Djokovic's ensuing overhead landed in the net to conclude a long point.

Djokovic again netted an overhead in the next game and then kicked the ball in frustration when he missed a drop shot attempt late in the second.

But Djokovic hung around in the second and converted his first set point when a looping forehand from Nadal sailed wide for his first break of the match. As he walked to his chair after winning the second set, Djokovic waved his arms to get the crowd behind him.

However, Djokovic didn't have much left in the tank.

When Nadal pushed Djokovic deep into the corner in the opening game of the third set and Djokovic's desperation lob sailed long to hand Nadal a break, Djokovic smashed his racket to the clay three times in frustration and received a warning from the chair umpire.

Djokovic won only 29 percent of the points on his second serve and committed 39 unforced errors to Nadal's 17. Also, Nadal won 23 of the 31 rallies with nine or more shots.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has said Gareth Bale's attitude "day-to-day" meant he did not get on the pitch in what could have been his final match with the club during the 2-0 defeat to Real Betis.

Los Blancos finished the campaign in disappointing fashion, but Bale was not called upon, despite being named a substitute, and he walked straight down the tunnel at full-time.

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Although Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, told ESPN FC this past week that his client was determined to see out a contract which runs until 2022, Zidane said the Wales international's daily work at training meant he did not deserve a chance to play.

"It is true, I did not [give Bale a chance to say goodbye]," Zidane said. "If I had another substitute to make, I would not have done anything different.

"But I have to look at the day-to-day, and make decisions. And when there is something I do not like, or does not fit for me, I must do what I think best. It might be difficult for the player.

"We cannot forget all he has done here, but I must live in the present, think of the future. We will see [if Bale continues]. I don't know what will happen, truthfully."

Goalkeeper Keylor Navas did get a chance to bid farewell to the Bernabeu before he likely leaves this summer, saluting all four corners of the stadium after making a string of saves to keep the score down.

"I don't know what will happen," Zidane said when asked if Navas would now leave. "I am repeating myself, sorry, but I don't know.

"Keylor played well today, the fans were happy, that's all. Next year, we will see when we come back here."

Madrid finish the season with 68 points -- their lowest total since 2001-02 -- and further behind champions Barcelona than any time in La Liga history. Their 18 defeats in all competitions was their highest total since the 1995-96 campaign.

"We must accept when things go badly," the Frenchman said. "I am responsible for this.

"We had 11 games, we won five, lost four, and in the end that is what it is. At a club like Madrid motivation is difficult when there is nothing to play for. This is not the first bad year in the history of this club.

"And after the bad, comes the good. But we must not forget this season, we must have it very present to prepare the next one."

NEW ORLEANS -- The Pelicans have hired Nets assistant general manager Trajan Langdon to serve as GM under new executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin, according to multiple reports.

The news was first reported by the Athletic.

Langdon, 43, is a former Duke and NBA player who also played professionally in Europe. He has served as the Nets' assistant GM since 2016 and has helped rebuild Brooklyn into a squad that qualified for the Eastern Conference playoffs as a sixth seed this season after finishing last in the East two seasons earlier.

Langdon interviewed with New Orleans for the top basketball operations job that went to Griffin in mid-April.

When Griffin was formally introduced by the Pelicans, he said he'd received a commitment from owner Gayle Benson to build up the management structure of the club. He has begun doing so by bringing in Langdon, and before that, hiring former Suns executive Aaron Nelson away from Phoenix to oversee injury prevention, rehabilitation, performance and recovery programs.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

With a plan to partner him with new coach John Beilein, the Cleveland Cavaliers are hiring J.B. Bickerstaff as associate head coach, league sources told ESPN.

The Cavaliers will make Bickerstaff one of the NBA's top paid assistant coaches, league sources said.

Cleveland is working with Beilein -- a highly successfully 40-year college coach -- to ease his transition to the pro game and targeted Bickerstaff as a key to that education.

Bickerstaff, the Memphis Grizzlies head coach for the past year-plus, had discussed top assistant roles with Boston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Sacramento, but met with Beilein and general manager Koby Altman at the NBA's draft combine in Chicago and began to gravitate toward the Cavaliers recruitment, sources said.

Bickerstaff had interviewed for the Cavaliers head coaching job with Altman before the hiring of Beilein. Bickerstaff's father, Bernie, a longtime NBA coach and executive, works as a consultant for the Cavaliers.

Bickerstaff, 40, had been interim coach with the Houston Rockets (2015-16), leading them to the playoffs, and landed the Grizzlies job after spending most of 2017-18 as the interim after David Fizdale's firing. His career record is 85-131.

Cleveland hired Beilein, 66, on Friday after he coached for 12 seasons at the University of Michigan.

Houston Astros star outfielder George Springer left Sunday's game against the Boston Red Sox in the fifth inning with stiffness in his lower back.

Springer was replaced in right field by Tony Kemp at the start of the bottom of the fifth inning.

Springer appeared to grimace and grab at his back after swings on multiple occasions. He struck out three times against Red Sox starter Chris Sale.

He leads the American League with 17 home runs and 42 RBIs and began the day hitting .318.

The elite orienteer discusses her route into the sport and its crossover with running

Cat Taylor started orienteering at the age of seven and made her GB debut in 2012, going on to achieve results including bronze at the European Championships and a win at a World Cup round.

After seven years of living and training in Sweden, the South Yorkshire Orienteers athlete now lives in Sheffield and combines training with work as a translator. In the spring and summer she is often on the road for camps and competitions and is currently on a training camp in Norway.

Ahead of August’s World Orienteering Championships in Norway and as part of World Orienteering Week, Taylor shares some insight into her sport and its crossover with running.

Athletics Weekly: What was your route into orienteering? Were you a runner, or an orienteer, first?

Cat Taylor: I’ve been orienteering since I was tiny, I was definitely an orienteer first! I did cross country at school, along with lots of other sports, and I was okay but never great. Of course I do a lot of running now but it’s all as training for orienteering. I run a few fell races and have done a couple of 10km on the roads (my best is 35:32) but it’s never been a main focus. I do enjoy racing any kind of running where I can fit it in but I always have quite a packed programme.

AW: What do you love most about orienteering?

CT: I first got hooked when I started running off the paths, just straight through the forest. It’s a great feeling of freedom. I also like that the physical and technical challenge is really different from place to place. A track is the same anywhere but for example a forest near Stockholm is a lot different to one near Madrid and to be consistently good at orienteering you have to be very adaptable.

AW: How do you prepare for major championships? Do you have an ‘average’ training week?

CT: At home I try to do a good mix of running training – a bit of everything on all surfaces – and consistent technique training. It means quite a bit of variety but I do have a consistent week plan. The toughest thing with this sport is that specific preparation for a championship means travelling to terrain and race in similar conditions to those you’ll face on the big day. You’re not allowed to run or even visit the area you will race in before you actually start but can get a good idea of the kind of challenge by training in the forests nearby. So this year I’m spending altogether about five weeks on World Championships training camps (near Oslo, Norway). All the travel can sometimes disrupt training but it’s a necessary compromise.

AW: Can you talk about the crossover between the two sports and the necessary skillsets?

CT: Once you’ve learned the basic navigation techniques you need to orienteer, it’s mainly about managing the balance between running quickly but still concentrating on navigation. The higher your aerobic threshold, the faster you can run without being in the “red zone” (where you need to concentrate hard on the running, meaning you can’t make decisions as well and risk getting lost!). My physical training works towards being as good an all-round runner as possible; you have to be strong up hills, down hills, in rough terrain, through marshes, over rocks and on flatter, fast surfaces.

The biggest difference for me is the feeling on the start line. Even in cross country you know exactly where the course will go, where it’s going to hurt, you can have a pretty exact plan for how to run each bit. In orienteering you can have very little idea of where you’ll be going until the clock starts, you pick up the map and run off. You’re also often alone all the way and have to be very good at pushing yourself and keeping positive, because it’s almost impossible to run completely without technical mistakes.

AW: What are your key 2019 targets in both running and orienteering?

CT: I’ve actually had a pretty rubbish time this last winter. I’ve been injured and doing a lot of alternative training but I’m still aiming to be back in top shape by August to fight for the very highest positions in the World Orienteering Championships (near Oslo, Norway). I’ve frustratingly had to reign in running plans while I recover but am gradually getting back into action. Because all the most important competitions this summer are in soft terrain I’ll not prioritise racing on the road or running much track at all, but I’ll hopefully have time for some local fell races in the coming months.

AW: What are you most proud of having achieved in your elite career so far?

CT: I’ve had a few good international results so far, including a win at a World Cup round and a bronze medal at the European Championships. I’m happy any time I feel like I’ve got the most from myself on an important day, it means that the project I’ve been working on for months or even more has been successful and it’s that feeling that makes all the pain and expense worthwhile!