The Minas Gerais state championship final between Cruzeiro Esporte Clube and Clube Atlético Mineiro ended in chaos on Sunday, with a massive on-field brawl. Cruzeiro secured a 1-0 victory, but the match will be remembered for the violent fallout.

Reports from Brazilian media indicate that the referee issued an additional 23 red cards following the melee.

The incident that sparked the conflict occurred in the 97th minute inside Atletico’s penalty area after a collision between Christian of Cruzeiro and home goalkeeper Everson. Everson reacted aggressively, first pushing Christian and then pinning him to the ground with both knees.

Close-range footage of the altercation later surfaced online, showing the intensity of the clash and adding fuel to an already controversial derby.

This extraordinary sequence will likely result in disciplinary action from the league and raises questions about player conduct in high-stakes matches.

Former Brighton & Hove Albion FC boss Roberto De Zerbi is reportedly “keen” on becoming the next manager of Manchester United FC.

The 46-year-old is currently without a club after leaving Olympique de Marseille by mutual agreement last month. Both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur FC have been linked with a summer move for the Italian as they search for a permanent head coach.

According to reports from The Telegraph, De Zerbi would favour the Old Trafford role if given the choice.

His potential appointment could be a setback for interim United boss Michael Carrick, who has largely impressed since taking charge in January.

Carrick suffered his first defeat on Wednesday as United lost to Newcastle United FC, with goals from Anthony Gordon and William Osula sealing the result.

Despite that setback, several United players are believed to support Carrick being given the role permanently. Senior figures such as Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are reportedly impressed by his tactical ideas and deep understanding of the game.

United’s hierarchy have yet to decide whether to stick with the former England international or appoint a new manager. Other names linked with the role include Julian Nagelsmann and Roberto Martínez.

De Zerbi has also been mentioned as a potential candidate at Tottenham. Spurs currently sit 16th in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone.

The club dismissed former head coach Thomas Frank last month and appointed Igor Tudor as interim manager.

Tudor has yet to register a win, but after a recent defeat to Crystal Palace FC he insisted the team is still moving in the right direction.

“Unfortunately this is the moment we pay for everything. One red card changes everything,” Tudor said.

“Maybe it will sound strange, but I believe more after this game than before. I saw something. I need to choose the right players because the boat is going in the direction that I want it to go.

“When the injured players return, I’m sure we will have a good team and the victories will come. It’s not easy to accept where we are now, but it is how it is.”

Patrice Evra has strongly criticised Theo Walcott after the former Arsenal FC star suggested the club’s current team could compete with, and possibly beat, Manchester United FC’s legendary 2007–08 side.

Evra, 44, was part of the iconic United squad that won both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League under the leadership of Alex Ferguson.

That team featured a star-studded lineup, including Edwin van der Sar in goal and the formidable defensive pairing of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidić. In midfield, experienced playmakers like Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs supplied a devastating front line of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez.

However, Walcott, now 36, recently claimed that United’s all-conquering side might struggle to “compete” with the current Arsenal team managed by Mikel Arteta.

Arteta’s side currently sits top of the Premier League table, boasting a strong defence featuring Gabriel Magalhães, William Saliba and Jurriën Timber. Their midfield includes Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Martin Ødegaard, while the attack is spearheaded by Bukayo Saka.

Wayne Rooney was the first former United star to respond, bluntly stating that Ferguson’s 2008 team would “batter” the current Arsenal side.

Evra went even further, suggesting Rooney had actually been generous with his response. Speaking to Stake, the Frenchman criticised Walcott’s comments and questioned his role as a pundit.

“I think Wayne Rooney was being really nice to Theo Walcott, even if he said Man United 07/08 would smash this Arsenal team,” Evra said.

“Walcott is a good friend, I love him, but making those kinds of comments shows he’s a menace on TV. He should stop doing punditry — this is dangerous for the kids, saying things like this.

“Even in the FA Cup in 2008, we beat Arsenal with eight defensive players. Our team is the GOAT of the Premier League, don’t compare them to this Arsenal team.”

Evra even joked that Walcott must have been “drunk” when he made the comparison, insisting that the legendary United side should not be measured against today’s Arsenal team.