Die Macht » operations, and Ed Stefanski, executive

Jose Mourinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba will sprinkle some stardust on Humberside this Saturday when Hull host Manchester United at the KCOM Stadium.United (2-0-0) have enjoyed a perfect start to life under their new manager, dramatically strengthening the squad and fostering a positive atmosphere around the club. A Community Shield win to start the season was followed by back-to-back league victories.Juan Mata has been one of the surprise success stories of that impressive opening to the campaign, featuring in all three matches despite a less than harmonious relationship history with his new manager. And while the Spanish international has done enough to suggest he will be a feature of Uniteds potential title charge, he has spoken of the importance of doing more to get the fans back on-side after the disappointment of the Louis van Gaal era.It is vital if we want to make every game at Old Trafford a special day, Mata said. It is also vital, in my opinion, to generate that chemistry with our fans in order to make our stadium a very tough place for the other teams.Its still August and that means we are still working on a few adjustments. We know theres still room for improvement.That continues this weekend.We have a tough game ahead on Saturday at Hull City, Mata said. Its never easy and they are one of the four teams that have won the first two games this season. They are back in the Premier League this year and are having a surprising start. We will try to win and keep our good streak.Hull (2-0-0) have also enjoyed a terrific start, defying their odds as favourites for relegation to win back-to-back matches. Hull also progressed to the third round of the cup with a routine 3-1 win over Exeter City, but Ahmed Elmohamady -- who captained the Tigers in their midweek victory -- said that the players turned their attention straight to United after the game.Were getting ourselves ready for Manchester United, Elmohamady said. We were straight back into training on Wednesday morning after the cup game and we know it is going to be a tough match, but it is at our home.And there should be a good number of interest.Its live on the television and we have to enjoy occasions like this, Elmohamady said. We have to show everybody how good we are as a team again and we cant wait for the game.The spirit in our group is very high and that is a big thing. Were all very close and weve shown everybody what our character is like in the first two league games. We want to continue that against Manchester United.Hull will be without Alex Bruce and Michael Dawson for the fixture, with the two regular centre-backs still recovering from Achilles and knee injuries, respectively.Uniteds only injury concern is Jesse Lingard, who faces a late fitness test after missing training with an ankle problem.Hull picked up a point in their most recent match against United -- a 0-0 draw on the final weekend of the 2014-15 season. That is the Tigers only positive result in eight Premier League meetings, with United winning the first seven encounters by a combined score of 21-7.That clean sheet was also the only time that Hull have shut out the Manchester club in their eight top-fight games, and one of just two times that they have restricted United to under three goals. Penny Hardaway Magic Jersey .ca NHL Power Rankings for the second straight week, ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Colorado Avalanche. Jerian Grant Jersey . 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Thats not a comment on the suspension that banished the Portland Winterhawks general manager and coach from his Western Hockey League teams bench for most of the 2012-13 season. MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Longtime Memphis Grizzly Marc Gasol carried the team throughout the game. The teams newest member closed out an unexpected win.Gasol scored 36 points, but it was a pair of free throws by reserve guard Toney Douglas with less a second left that closed out Memphis 88-86 comeback victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night.We gave them everything we could. We just threw the kitchen sink at them, said Memphis coach David Fizdale, who watched his team overcome an 11-point deficit in the final 5 minutes. I dont know if we got lucky or what.Douglas last-second free throws gave him 11 points, including the games final six to seal Memphis fifth consecutive victory. The Grizzlies have won 12 straight that either went to overtime or were decided by five points or less.I wish I could tell you, Gasol said when asked about Memphis ability to pull out close games. We just keep fighting. Youve seen it in many games now where we just dont let go of the rope.Gasol was 13 of 24 from the field, including 4 of 6 from outside the arc. But Douglas, signed by Memphis this week because of injuries, took over down the stretch. The guard scored on a 19-footer with 34 seconds left, then converted two pairs of free throws in the last 20 seconds.CJ McCollum led the Trail Blazers with 24 points, and Damian Lillard had 19. Evan Turner had 15 points and 10 rebounds.Portland held a 79-68 lead after Al-Farouq Aminu scored inside with 5:28 left. But Memphis clicked off a 14-2 rally, Gasol collecting nine points in the stretch capped by a 30-footer from Troy Daniels with 1:35 remaining.The game settled into a one-possession contest at that point, including four ties. Portland center Mason Plumlee split a pair of free throws with 7 seconds left, and the Grizzlies pushed the ball down court. Douglas pump fake drew a foul from Lillard with a half-second remaining.Its a tough call, Lillard said. I think at that point of the game, there are some calls youu make, and there are some you just play basketball.dddddddddddd You cant be as technical about it.TIP-INSBlazers: Turner started his first game of the season due to an injury to Maurice Harkless. ... G Allen Crabbe finished with seven points after scoring at least 14 in four straight games. ...Plumlee had four points, ending his streak of seven straight games in double figures.Grizzlies: Fizdale finally said enough about calls and no-calls late in the first half to earn a technical. Lillard missed the ensuing free throw to open the third. ...Gasol also got a tech in the third quarter for arguing a call. .Tony Allen had 15 points and 10 rebounds for Memphis. ... F JaMychal Green had a career-high 18 rebounds. His previous best was 17 this week in a win at New Orleans.EXTENSIONSEarlier Thursday, the Grizzlies announced they have agreed to multi-year extensions with general manager Chris Wallace, John Hollinger, executive vice president of basketball operations, and Ed Stefanski, executive vice president of player personnel. Terms were not disclosed.HARKLESS HURTPortland forward Maurice Harkless did not play because of a left ankle sprain suffered late in Portlands 115-107 loss at Milwaukee on Wednesday night. I remember him wincing. He was on the free throw line, Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. It was late in the game, like the last 2 minutes.HELLO, MR. DOUGLAS:Douglas was signed Monday by the team because of multiple injuries for the Grizzlies. His name isnt even on a locker. But Fizdale recognized the guards importance. We dont win that game without him. Fresh off the street, but thats who he is. .Hes a bulldog.UP NEXTTrail Blazers: Portland hits the middle game of a five-game trip, landing in Indiana on Saturday to face the Pacers.Grizzlies: Memphis continues its homestand Saturday against the Gold State Warriors. ' ' '