At Manchester United, there is a newfound sense of hope and optimism. Much has changed in recent weeks for Ruben Amorim, who has overseen a five-match unbeaten run in the Premier League and is knocking on the top four door.

The Red Devils have strengthened their spine, core players reborn in an alliance of security and stability stretching down the Old Trafford pitch.

But something is still lacking, and it’s clear that the Old Trafford side need a centre-midfielder to take their resurgence to the next level.

Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton is among those at the top of INEOS’s shopping list.

Man Utd's interest in Adam Wharton

The engine room bears one of the most glaring holes in Amorim’s Manchester United squad. Casemiro has been resurgent this season, but the Brazilian is 33 and new deep-lying midfielders must be signed.

That’s where Wharton comes in.

It has been felt for a number of months that the 21-year-old Three Lions star ranks high on United’s list of targets, and he would certainly open up avenues in the middle of the park, ranked among the top 10% of midfielders across Europe for shot-creating actions and the top 5% for through balls per 90, as per FBref.

This is an up-and-coming superstar who is never content with where he is. By completing a transfer to the Theatre of Dreams, he could at least take a giant step toward the very top of the European game.

However, Palace will not let their prized prospect leave easily, and have actually priced him at around £100m as interest continues to swell.

While Wharton would be a credit to the Red Devils project, Amorim actually has his own version of the England international, and he must start unleashing him.

Amorim must unleash his "future £100m" star

If it’s not clear already who the man in question is here, Kobbie Mainoo will no doubt feel that he has what it takes to nail down a regular starting role in Amorim’s Man United project. But he’s got a long way to go.

While the thought of adding Wharton to the ranks is exciting, United might have their own version in Mainoo, with the 20-year-old out of favour right now but having been hailed by former teammate Rasmus Hojlund after winning the FA Cup – and scoring against City in the final – as being a “generational” talent.

Paul Scholes noted that watching the powerful star on the ball and in his groove was “poetry in motion”.

But there’s no question that he has regressed since Amorim took to the dugout, left out in the cold all too often by a manager who has not been won over by his skillset.

Matches (starts)

24 (24)

25 (19)

Goals

3

0

Assists

1

0

Touches*

49.0

46.0

Pass completion

87%

87%

Big chances created

0

4

Key passes*

0.6

0.6

Dribbles*

1.3

0.9

Ball recoveries*

4.0

3.5

Tackles + interceptions*

2.9

2.6

Duels (won)*

5.0 (52%)

4.4 (45%)

This season, the England international’s statistics are not worth collating, having been reduced to seven cameos in the Premier League, averaging out at 22 minutes per match.

Amorim does not have a vendetta against Mainoo, and rather, harbours concerns over the Carrington graduate’s intensity and tactical suitability within the system.

But he’s shown that he has what it takes, and with a little fine-tuning over the coming months, Mainoo’s technical quality and natural athleticism could see him win the head coach over and cement a position of prominence under the Theatre’s spotlights.

After all, the homegrown hero has been hailed as a “future £100m+ footballer”, and so the last thing United want is for him to slip through their fingers.

The new Ronaldo: Man Utd preparing British-record bid for £200m superstar

Manchester United are looking to make further attacking investments after this summer’s spending.

2 ByAngus Sinclair Nov 17, 2025

Daniel Farke, manager of Leeds United, has provided an update on injuries within his squad ahead of their Sunday clash with Nottingham Forest.

Last season, at the second time of asking, Farke led Leeds back to the Premier League as centurions and winners of the Championship. After 10 games in the top flight, the Whites have picked up 11 points as, alongside Sunderland and Burnley, the newly-promoted teams have enjoyed promising starts to the campaign.

Leeds are certainly at their best when at home, having lost only to Tottenham Hotspur in five games at Elland Road. On the road, however, Leeds have just one win, which came against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Not only have they lost the other four matches, but excluding the win over Wolves, Leeds have not scored away from home.

The Whites are next in action on Sunday when they travel to face Forest, who have not won in the Premier League since their opening day victory against Brentford.

Sean Dyche oversaw a victory against Porto in the Europa League on his debut as Forest manager, having since lost to Bournemouth as well as draws with Man United and Sturm Graz.

Ahead of their visit to the City Ground, Farke has revealed which of his players have faced fitness setbacks.

Farke reveals Leeds pair are struggling with injury

Signed for just over £5 million in the summer from Wolfsburg, Sebastiaan Bornauw was recruited to serve as depth to pre-existing centre-back options Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon, along with fellow summer addition Jaka Bijol.

Yet to make his Premier League debut for the Whites, Bornauw has played just once for the club, when he featured against Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup. Farke has now revealed that the Belgian is struggling with a new injury suffered behind closed doors.

Elsewhere within the team, it will be a “late call” whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin can play against Forest. The former Everton striker has been brilliant for Leeds, giving them a physical outlet up front that has allowed them to compete in the Premier League.

Lukas Nmecha is a serviceable back-up option, but Leeds will hope that both Bornauw and Calvert-Lewin are not absent for too long. Given that, including Joel Piroe, no Leeds striker has been a consistent goal threat this season, it may be that Farke could soon turn to some younger options within his squad.

"Dangerous" striker could be open to Leeds switch in January

Everything you need to know about Division Two in our Rothesay County Championship preview

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Apr-2025DerbyshireLast season: 8th in Division Two
Head of cricket: Mickey Arthur
Captain: Wayne Madsen
Overseas: Caleb Jewell, Blair Tickner
Ins: Martin Andersson (Middlesex)
Outs: Sam Conners (Durham), Matt Lamb (retirement)The good news is Derbyshire’s 2024 season was an improvement (of sorts) on the year before. The bad news is, having gone winless in 2023, their one County Championship victory last summer could not prevent them finishing bottom of Division Two.The lead-in to 2025’s campaign has not been smooth. David Lloyd, handed the captaincy upon joining from Glamorgan last year, relinquished it in March, with a view for better returns after posting sub-par numbers with bat (23.47) and ball (31.00). Club legend Wayne Madsen, 41, steps up to reprise the role he had between 2012 and 2016.A lot of pressure rests on Mickey Arthur. Since his arrival in 2021, there has been little by way of tangible progress. And though this summer is the third of a “four-year project” he set in motion in 2022, there will need to be a big uptick to keep that on track. A public vote of confidence from Derbyshire chief executive Ryan Duckett last July summed up the disgruntlement among the county’s fans towards Arthur, who has since taken a “hands off” role as director of cricket at Northern Superchargers.Related

Keith Dudgeon has Kent stint cut short by knee injury

Leicestershire sign Shan Masood on all-format deal

Shoaib Bashir set for loan spell with Glamorgan

Harry Conway joins Northamptonshire on four-match deal

Kent sign seamers Kashif and Dudgeon to cover for Agar absence

Reinforcements have been made, with Australian Caleb Jewell and Kiwi Blair Tickner on hand for all formats for the entire season, reinforcing the batting and bowling, respectively. Allrounder Martin Andersson has joined permanently from Middlesex, and will need to hit the ground running to supplement the likes of Madsen, Anuj Dal, Luis Reece and Zak Chappell, who shouldered more than their share of responsibility last time out.One to watch: The excitement around 17-year-old Harry Moore can be gauged by his winter, spending both sides of the New Year in South Africa, first training with England Lions and then impressing on an U19 tour, before rejoining the Lions for a bowling camp in the UAE last month. Very much part of England’s fast-bowling future, he was picked up by Birmingham Phoenix for £41,500 in last month’s Hundred draft. At 6ft 7in, with an imposing action that generates exciting bounce and nip off the pitch, Moore has been likened to Morne Morkel. Oh, and he can bat, too. Vithushan EhantharajahBet365: 25/1New Zealand’s Blair Tickner returns for Derbyshire•Getty ImagesGlamorganLast season: 6th in Division Two
Director of cricket: Mark Wallace
Head coach: Richard Dawson (interim)
Captain: Sam Northeast
Overseas: Colin Ingram, Asitha Fernando (April-May)
Ins: Ned Leonard (Somerset), Shoaib Bashir (loan, April)
Outs: Harry Podmore, Prem Sisodiya (both retired)The sacking of head coach Grant Bradburn in January had the potential to rock Glamorgan, particularly given the nature of his dismissal. But the county have worn it well, not least because of their swift dealing with the situation. In the months that followed, they came to an agreement in principle with Washington Freedom owner Sanjay Govil for 50% of Welsh Fire, securing a significant windfall. But perhaps the most beneficial deal for Glamorgan on the field came with the acquisition of Richard Dawson as interim head coach.Dawson is highly regarded, which made it a little odd that the ECB was happy to part ways with the 44-year-old at the end of last year. Nevertheless, England’s loss (for now) is Glamorgan’s gain, and with former England white-ball head coach Matthew Mott returning to the club to work part-time, the Cardiff brains trust is in rude health.As for the squad, it is one of the more peculiar in the Division. For all its mix of experience – led by 39-year-old South African Colin Ingram – seasoned talents and up-and-comers, success has been sporadic, even taking into account 2024’s One-Day Cup win. A solid Welsh core has sated local desire for better attachment to the county, and meaningful success does not feel far off. The acquisition of offspinner Shoaib Bashir for the first three games of the season as cover for the injured Mason Crane brings plenty of English interest, too. There remains uncertainty around how much they will see of Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne.One to watch: A batting allrounder, whose ability to bowl both left-arm and right-arm orthodox is more than just a gimmick, Ben Kellaway will get the chance to establish himself in Glamorgan’s middle-order this season. His 12 wickets in 2024 came at an average of 22.50 from four matches and exceeded his exploits with the bat (80 at 13.33). With the county keen to explore the option of playing two spinners in their XI, he’ll get the chance to improve on the latter. VEBet365: 11/1GloucestershireLast season: 7th in Division Two
Head coach: Mark Alleyne
Captain: Cameron Bancroft
Overseas: Cameron Bancroft, Cameron Green (April-May)
Ins:
Outs: Zafar Gohar (Middlesex)Nothing could take the shine off Gloucestershire’s 2024, as they lifted the domestic T20 trophy for the first time. But while they made progress in Championship cricket, too, it was only incremental – up a place to second from bottom, having finished with the wooden spoon the year before.They showed fight in early season encounters with Yorkshire and Sussex, both of whom eventually won promotion, before winning their first red-ball game since September 2022 when crushing Northants by 256 runs. There was also the drama of salvaging a tie against Glamorgan off the final ball at Cheltenham, just when the visitors seemed poised to pull off a world-record chase of 593. The batting was strong, led by James Bracey’s 1089 runs at 60.50, but draws predominated and their only other victory came in the last month of the season at Lord’s.The man who hit the winning runs that day, Zafar Gohar, has since decamped to Middlesex as a locally registered player, adding to the sense that Gloucestershire are under-resourced with the ball – albeit a pace attack of Ajeet Singh Dale, Zaman Akhter and Marchant de Lange is among the quickest on the circuit (if they can all stay fit).One to watch: The signing of Australia’s Cameron Green, funded by an unnamed benefactor, for a five-game spell at the start of the season was eye-catching, but for local flavour look to loose-limbed seamer Archie Bailey. An academy product, Bailey has only played two first-class games but 4 for 30 on debut helped set up Gloucestershire’s surprise win over promotion-chasing Middlesex. Alan GardnerBet365: 20/1Cameron Green will attempt to push his case for an Australia recall with Gloucestershire•Getty ImagesKentLast season: 10th in Division One
Director of cricket: Simon Cook
Head coach: Adam Hollioake
Captain: Daniel Bell-Drummond
Overseas: Wes Agar (May-July), Kashif Ali, Keith Dudgeon (both April-May)
Ins: Chris Benjamin (Warwickshire)
Outs: Hamidullah Qadri, Arafat Bhuiyan (both released)Adam Hollioake joked that he didn’t know how he’d ended up at Kent, given that the fans all “hated” him during his legendary stint as Surrey captain, but after a self-imposed 20-year exile from English cricket, Kent’s new head coach is back as one of the most fascinating appointments imaginable.He arrives at a club that could hardly be more down on their luck. Last summer’s Championship relegation was compounded by a rock-bottom finish in the T20 Blast South Group, but such is Hollioake’s force of personality, it encourages the belief that he can instil the same sort of mindset shift that Brendon McCullum achieved with England’s Test team.It could prove to be quite the cultural shock at Canterbury, however, with Hollioake’s renowned backstory meaning there’ll be no room for self-pity among his charges – including Zak Crawley, one of Bazball’s ultimate acolytes, whose form across formats has fallen off a cliff this winter, and whose alarmingly plumb second-ball duck against Loughborough UCCE was not the most auspicious of starts to 2025.Already Hollioake has taken aim at basic standards, such as the management of the club’s practice balls, as an example of the one-percenters that he hopes can get the club punching above its perceived weight. “We need to respect ourselves and expect more from the club,” he told ESPNcricinfo last month. “If that message is helping them, then great. If it’s not, then they’ll learn.”One to watch: The sky ought to be the limit for Tawanda Muyeye, a sumptuous strokemaker with a compelling backstory, whose career has just begun to click into a higher gear in recent seasons, including bit-part roles in Oval Invincibles’ two title-winning campaigns. His challenge is to add more substance to his style, and as templates go, his superb 211 against Worcestershire last August is hard to better. Andrew MillerBet365: 9/2LancashireLast season: 9th in Division One
Director of cricket: Mark Chilton
Head coach: Dale Benkenstein
Captain: Keaton Jennings
Overseas: Marcus Harris, Anderson Phillip (April-July), Ashton Turner (May-July)
Ins: Michael Jones (Durham)
Outs: Steven Croft (retired), George Lavelle (released)James Anderson’s highly anticipated career extension beyond the age of 43 hit pause on the eve of the Championship amid news the ex-England stalwart had suffered a calf niggle, expected to keep him sidelined for the first three games. During that time, Lancashire will be looking to start well in their bid to bounce straight back into Division One following their relegation at the end of last season, their fourth demotion since they last won the title in 2011.Captain Keaton Jennings again looks to be key after amassing 1006 runs at 45.72, including an unbeaten 187 in a draw with Nottinghamshire. He and Josh Bohannon are set to be bolstered at the top of the order by Australia’s Marcus Harris. Lancashire’s bowling stocks will be boosted by the return of another Anderson, West Indies quick Anderson Phillip, who is available for the first 11 games after taking 15 wickets from the last three matches of 2024.One to watch: Rocky Flintoff, the son of England legend Andrew who turns 17 on the final day of the opening round, has already drawn attention to himself with four outings for Lancashire last season. With a highest Championship score of 32 so far, a century for England Lions against a Cricket Australia XI in a four-day game in January and a maiden half-century for Lancashire in last year’s One-Day Cup suggest he is ready to build on his considerable pedigree. Valkerie BaynesBet365: 7/4James Anderson is back for another season with Lancashire•Getty ImagesLeicestershireLast season: 5th in Division Two
Director of cricket: Claude Henderson
Head coach: Alfonso Thomas
Captain: Peter Handscomb
Overseas: Peter Handscomb, Logan van Beek, Shan Masood (May-Sept)
Ins: Ian Holland (Hampshire)
Outs: Sam Evans (released)Leicestershire solidified their midtable position in Division Two – the first time they had avoided the wooden spoon across two consecutive seasons of the County Championship since 2007-08 – but it was nevertheless a turgid campaign for the Foxes, with 10 draws and only one win from their 14 games. Notably there was a lack of incision among the bowling, with no one averaging below 30; their best performer was Scott Currie, with 29 at 31.17, but he has returned to Hampshire after a season on loan.Nevertheless, Alfonso Thomas still has credit in the bank after overseeing the club’s feelgood One-Day Cup success in 2023 – a competition in which Leicestershire also reached the semi-finals last year. While Lewis Hill resigned the captaincy after a tough season in which he averaged 20.52, Australia international Peter Handscomb, the club’s leading run-scorer last term, is back to take the reins. He will be supported from the end of May onwards by Shan Masood, who averages 64.27 in the Championship across spells at Derbyshire and Yorkshire.Chris Wright’s availability should provide a lift after the veteran seamer missed most of the 2024 summer serving a doping ban. If Rehan Ahmed and Josh Hull can live up to their billing as England wildcard picks, Leicestershire’s prospects of upward mobility will only increase.One to watch: At 6ft 7in (“and still growing” according to his most recent interview on the Leicestershire website), teenaged fast bowler Alex Green is the latest Foxes academy product to get tongues wagging. He has made rapid strides at age-group level, playing for the Young Lions at 16 and England Under-19s at 17 – bagging a five-for in his second appearance. Green only turned 18 in February but is already on a three-year deal with his county. AGBet365: 10/1MiddlesexLast season: 3rd in Division Two
Director of cricket: Alan Coleman
Head coach: Richard Johnson
Captain: Toby Roland-Jones
Overseas: Kane Williamson (May-Sept), Dane Paterson (April-May), Josh Little (May-Sept)
Ins: Ben Geddes (Surrey), Zafar Gohar (Gloucestershire, UK passport)
Outs: Martin Andersson (Derbyshire), Ethan Bamber (Warwickshire), Mark Stoneman (Hampshire), Thilan Walallawita (released), Robbie White (retired)The existential angst hangs heavy over St John’s Wood, where Middlesex’s stark financial hardships have been an especially awkward look given the vast sums of money that their landlords MCC are about to rake in from the Hundred equity sale. But, even if the club’s long-term future is hard to gauge, the short-term outlook seems unusually upbeat, after a near-miss 2024 in which their third-place finish wasn’t quite enough for an immediate return to the top flight.That mood-boost is thanks, in part, to London Spirit’s largesse. Middlesex forewent an overseas player in 2024, but Kane Williamson will be rocking up this summer for at least five County Championship fixtures ahead of his role in the Hundred, while Dane Paterson’s arrival from Nottinghamshire is a valuable signing too – with South Africa set to play at Lord’s in June’s World Test Championship final, it’s a win-win for all parties as he seeks to get to grips with the ground’s renowned dimensions.Ireland’s Josh Little will take the overseas mantle thereafter, to provide quality seam support to a hard-toiling attack that will led once again by Toby Roland-Jones but has a big hole to fill following Ethan Bamber’s departure to Warwickshire. Zafar Gohar – the former Pakistan spinner who now has a UK passport – has arrived from Gloucestershire too, a big signing that takes pressure off Josh De Caires, who had been the club’s frontline spinner almost by default in recent seasons.One to watch: Middlesex’s batting has been notoriously flaky in recent years, and Mark Stoneman’s departure for Hampshire robs them of further experience. However, Ben Geddes’ arrival from Surrey is a potential coup. At the age of 23, his eight first-class matches to date have been spread across four seasons, but include two hundreds in 2022. The chance for a regular starting berth will be a step-up from his bit-part opportunities at The Oval. AMBet365: 7/2The Middlesex squad line up for their Championship photo-call•Getty ImagesNorthamptonshireLast season: 4th in Division Two
Head coach: Darren Lehmann
Captain: Luke Procter
Overseas: Matthew Breetzke (April-July), Harry Conway (May), Yuzvendra Chahal (June-Sept)
Ins: Dom Leech (Yorkshire), Liam Guthrie (Queensland, UK passport)
Outs: Emilio Gay (Durham), Jack White (Yorkshire), Alex Russell, George Gowler, George Weldon (all released)It is not often a coaching appointment ranks as one of the highest-profile moves ahead of a County Championship season. But the big job at Northamptonshire now belongs to a big name (and personality) in Darren Lehmann.The former Australia head coach has already proclaimed his hatred for draws, which is just as well given his side played out nine of them last term. Without Jack White, converting those into wins will prove harder, but the bowling has been reinforced by an array of acquisitions from beyond these shores, including sprightly left-armer Liam Guthrie who has used his British passport to sign a three-year deal at Wantage Road from Down Under. Factor in Indian legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal for the last four months of the season and South Australian Harry Conway’s four-match stint in May, and there is a well-rounded attack brewing. They have also yet to see the best of George Scrimshaw after injury restricted him to two appearances in 2024 following his move from Derbyshire.As ever, Luke Procter will operate as the lynchpin of the side, the skipper leading the club run-charts last summer while also contributing 21 wickets with his wrong-foot wobblers. Coping for the loss of Emilio Gay will require others to step up with the bat in meaningful ways. That they’ve managed to keep hold of Ricardo Vasconcelos is a huge boost, particularly if Lehmann can liberate the classy left-hander. Likewise James Sales – son of Northants legend David – who is a real talent.One to watch: When Phil Rowe was academy coach at Wantage Road, he regarded a 16-year old Saif Zaib as one of the most gifted batters he had seen at that age. Ten years on – Zaib turns 27 in May – it is fair to say that potential has yet to be fully realised. And yet, while he only has three first-class centuries to his name, there remains a sense of excitement around the left-hander. Classy to watch, tidy with his left-arm orthodox and one of the club’s better fielders, he will need a statement summer. Gay’s depature leaves a vacancy for a reliable stylist that Zaib has the wares to fill. VEBet365: 6/1

The Yankees finished off a two-game sweep of the Rays in style on Wednesday as they blasted two home runs in the top of the 10th and then were able to hold on for a 6-4 win.

They also tied some impressive MLB history in the series as they hit an astounding 14 home runs in the two games. The last team to do that was the Cincinnati Reds back in 1999, which included a home run by current Yankees manager Aaron Boone.

New York hit nine home runs on Tuesday night and then hit five more in the finale. All 19 of their runs in the series came on home runs.

They Yankees have now won four games in a row heading into a key series against the Red Sox, who they lead by 1.5 games in the wild-card race. They are 4.5 games behind the AL East-leading Blue Jays, who lost to the Pirates on Wednesday.

Giancarlo Stanton had a pinch-hit two-run home run in the top of 10th on Wednesday night, after blasting two homers in the series opener. Later in the inning Austin Wells hit his second dinger of the night to give the Yankees a three-run lead.

Blue Jays outfielder George Springer was on the wrong side of a pair of controversial decisions from the umpires during Tuesday's game against the Red Sox. The veteran was left irate after being rung up on a called third strike on a pitch that was outside of the strike zone.

But what truly had Springer irked was the decision from third base umpire Scott Barry, who ruled that his ground ball with the bases loaded was foul. During the second inning with Toronto trailing 1–0, Springer laced a ground ball down the third base line. It touched the ground in the infield before passing over the bag and landing in foul territory.

Barry, without much hesitation, declared it a foul ball, much to the chagrin of Springer. Sprigner looked bewildered at the call, and Blue Jays manager John Schneider came out to ask the officials to review the situation, only to be told it wasn't a play that could be challenged.

Because no review was allowable, Springer was sent back to the batter's box and it was ruled a foul ball. Springer struck out looking on the following pitch.

Springer slammed his bat on the ground and shotued in frustation as he walked back to the dugout following the questionable strike three call.

Having just been denied a potentially bases-clearing base hit, Springer clearly felt as if he'd been wronged twice in a span of two pitches. And for good reason, too.

Rangers’ wait for a first victory in this season’s Europa League goes on.

Prior to Thursday night, the Gers had lost seven successive European matches for the very first time and, while that streak has come to an end, they did not claim a much-needed victory, held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Braga.

James Tavernier broke the deadlock from the penalty spot, equaling Ally McCoist’s tally of 21 European goals for the club, chasing down Alfredo Morelos’ all-time record of 29.

This looked like being the decisive goal on the night, especially when Rodrigo Zalazar was sent off for gently headbutting Nicolas Raskin, only for Gabri Martínez to equalise for the ten-men Arsenalists soon after.

The match would end ten vs ten, Mohamed Diomandé rather softly shown a second yellow card by referee Allard Lindhout in injury time, as Rangers were booed off once again.

So, after five Europa League matches, the Light Blues have just one point on the board, probably needing to win their final three fixtures, against Ferencváros, Ludogorets Razgrad and Porto to avoid an ignominious early elimination, having finished all the way up in eighth in last year’s league phase.

This was only new manager Danny Röhl’s eighth match in charge, and he certainly has a tough job on his hands, so which summer recruits underlined why they cannot be trusted by the German coach during this latest poor result?

Nasser Djiga's poor Rangers form

With both John Souttar and Derek Cornelius suffering long-term injuries on international duty last week, Danny Röhl has no choice but to keep picking Emmanuel Fernandez and Nasser Djiga at centre-back, even though the latter once again let him down.

The Burkinabé international has, fair to say, not impressed since joining on loan from Wolves in the summer, very much at fault for Braga’s equaliser on Thursday, completely misjudging a ball into the box and allowing Martínez to slot the ball past Jack Butland.

Speaking during TNT Sports post-match coverage, former Celtic defender Johan Mjällby asserted that he would expect better from a 12 year old.

This though is not Djiga’s first high-profile error.

He was sent off on his home Premiership debut against Dundee before, later that month, running in the complete opposite direction as Romeo Vermant broke the deadlock just three minutes into the Champions League play-off tie, the first of nine goals Club Brugge would bag across the two legs.

Also speaking during commentary on TNT Sports on Thursday, when asked which position Rangers most urgently need to improve in the January transfer window, McCoist quickly answered centre-back, with Djiga clearly not at the required level, but which other summer recruit did not impress against Braga?

Rangers flop struggles again vs Braga

On Monday, Rangers confirmed that chief executive Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell had both been sacked, the pair widely blamed by supporters for the clubs, how shall we put this diplomatically, puzzling summer recruitment?

The most bewildering of their 13 new signings was the arrival of Youssef Chermiti for £8m, potentially rising to £10m with add-ons, making him the club’s most expensive signing of the post-liquidation era, having scored a grand total of, let’s count them up here, zero goals in two seasons at Everton.

The Portuguese under-21 international has got off the mark north of the border, on target during a 3-1 win over Kilmarnock, Röhl’s first Premiership match in charge, and the German coach has shown Chermiti plenty of faith thus far, making him a regular starter.

However, that could soon change, with the table below underlining that he did not impress against Braga.

Shots on target

Zero

10th

Shots off target

1

1st

Shots blocked

2

1st

Expected goals

0.09

8th

Attempted dribbles

4

5th

Successful dribbles

Zero

10th

Accurate passes

11

21st

Key passes

Zero

10th

Duels contested

15

3rd

Duels won

6

9th

Possession lost

18

4th

Touches

39

16th

SofaScore rating

5.9

28th

The table emphasises Chermiti’s difficult night.

He was successful with none of his four attempted dribbles, completed just 11 passes and lost six of the 15 duels he contested, as well as turning over possession on 18 occasions from 39 touches – essentially losing the ball every 2.2 touches.

Unlike at the back, Röhl does have options for his forward line.

Danilo and Djeidi Gassama were chosen to complete the front three on Thursday, with Oliver Antman, Theo Aasgaard and Bojan Miovski all introduced as substitutes, while Mikey Moore is nursing a knock.

Thus, while Chermiti continues to offer very little, he surely should be left on the bench for Sunday’s clash with Falkirk.

Rangers' £3.5m "colossus" can become the new Connor Goldson under Rohl

As Danny Röhl searches for his best Rangers starting XI, could his “colossus” in defence become the club’s new Connor Goldson, starting against Braga?

ByBen Gray Nov 27, 2025

Mitchell Starc has been included for the ODIs against India but Glenn Maxwell remains sidelined from the T20Is with his wrist injury

Andrew McGlashan07-Oct-20254:12

Was replacing Rohit as captain the right call?

Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from Australia’s ODI squad to face India with his Queensland team-mate Matt Renshaw in line for a debut in the format.Labuschagne’s omission is not a huge surprise as he has a top score of 47 in his last ten ODI innings. He may not have featured against South Africa in August had Matt Short, who is included in this squad, not been ruled out with a side strain. A benefit of his omission is that he can continue to push for a Test recall in the Sheffield Shield, having started the season with 160 against Tasmania.Renshaw’s call-up comes off the back of an impressive run in List A cricket, which included a century for Australia A against Sri Lanka in Darwin during the winter. While he is currently opening in red-ball cricket – and could be an outside contender for the Ashes – he has flourished largely as a No. 3 and No. 4 in the 50-over game. Since November 2021, he has averaged 48.68 with six of his seven career centuries, and has also developed into a very effective middle-order T20 batter.He was previously included in an ODI squad to face Pakistan in 2022 but didn’t get a game.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Mitchell Starc, who hasn’t played ODIs since last November, has also been included in what is a full-strength squad from the players available. Alex Carey will miss the opening game of the series in Perth so he can play the second round of Sheffield Shield for South Australia, having missed the first match after his call-up to the T20I squad in New Zealand.Fellow wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis has recovered from the calf strain that kept him out of that series and is part of both the ODIs and T20Is. The initial squad for the T20Is is only for the first two games of the series with some management of multi-format players likely to happen for the final three games for those involved in the Ashes.Glenn Maxwell remains unavailable for the T20Is due to the broken wrist he suffered ahead of the New Zealand series.Cameron Green has been included for the ODIs but won’t feature in the T20Is as he prepares to face England, and will likely play more Shield games for Western Australia.Matt Renshaw has impressed in white-ball cricket over the last few seasons•Getty Images

“We have named a squad for the ODI series and first two games of the T20 series as there will be some management through the back end of the series as individuals prepare for the summer through Sheffield Shield cricket,” chair of selectors George Bailey said. “The majority of the T20 squad will remain together as it’s an important period in the build towards the World Cup next year, however we are trying to strike a balance to ensure we simultaneously prepare certain individuals for the Test series ahead.”Allrounder Cooper Connolly, who took 5 for 22 against South Africa in Mackay, retained his place in the ODI squad. He has enjoyed a productive tour of India with Australia A, making two half-centuries in the three-match one-day series.Mitchell Owen also has a chance to make an ODI debut having been ruled out of the South Africa series after a concussion.Mitchell Starc will play his first ODIs in nearly a year•Getty Images

Nathan Ellis returned to the T20I squad after missing the New Zealand tour for the birth of his first child. There is no room for Sean Abbott in the ODI group but he has kept his T20 spot.The ODIs against India will take place in Perth (October 19), Adelaide (October 23) and Sydney (October 25). The first two T20Is are in Canberra (October 29) and Melbourne (October 31) before the final three matches in early November.

Australia ODI squad vs India

Mitchell Marsh (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey (wk), Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Mitchell Owen, Matt Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

Australia T20I squad vs India (first two matches)

Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

Rishabh Pant broke a number of records during the course of his century at Headingley

Sampath Bandarupalli21-Jun-2025

Rishabh Pant hit six sixes in his century, the most by a visiting batter in a Test innings in England•Getty Images

7 – Hundreds for Rishabh Pant in Test cricket. He now holds the record for most Test hundreds as a wicketkeeper for India, going past MS Dhoni’s tally of six.3 – Test hundreds for Pant in England. No other visiting wicketkeeper has more than one hundred in the country. England’s Les Ames in the West Indies and Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower in India are the only visiting wicketkeepers to score three Test hundreds in a country apart from Pant.147 – Shubman Gill’s score at Headingley is the second-highest by an India batter on captaincy debut behind Vijay Hazare’s 164* against England in 1951.ESPNcricinfo Ltd5 – Previous instances of three (or more) India batters scoring hundreds in a Test innings away from home. The last of those was back in 2007 against Bangladesh in Mirpur. This is the first time India had three (or more) centurions in a Test innings since 2018.2 – Yashasvi Jaiswal, Gill and Pant became only the second India trio to score hundreds in a Test innings in England. Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly were the first, and that was also at Headingley, in 2002.Related

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6 – Sixes hit by Pant, the most by a visiting batter in a Test innings in England. His six sixes are also the joint-second-highest by an India batter in a Test innings away from home, behind Hardik Pandya’s seven against Sri Lanka in 2017.134 – Pant’s score in this Test match is the second-highest by a wicketkeeper at Headingley, behind Jonny Bairstow’s 140 against Sri Lanka in 2016.3 – Instances of Pant bringing up his hundred with a six in Tests, all against England – against Adil Rashid at The Oval in 2018, Joe Root in Ahmedabad in 2021 and Shoaib Bashir in Leeds. Among Indians, only Sachin Tendulkar (six) and Rohit Sharma (three) have brought up centuries with sixes in Test cricket as many or more times than Pant.Since 2002, no batter has hit a six to complete his hundred more often than Pant. Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum, Kumar Sangakkara, Rohit and Kusal Mendis have also done it three times during this period.

Regular white-ball captain Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra return from injuries

Deivarayan Muthu12-Oct-2025

Kane Williamson will miss the T20I series at home against England, but targets a return for the following ODI series. Williamson, who had returned to New Zealand from overseas on Thursday, had last played international cricket in the Champions Trophy final against India in Dubai in March earlier this year.Williamson, 35, is among a group of players who have a casual contract with New Zealand Cricket (NZC). He had earlier made himself unavailable for the three-match T20I series against Australia and missed the Zimbabwe tour to play county cricket and the Hundred as part of his deal with Middlesex.New Zealand coach Rob Walter said that Williamson was also dealing with a “minor medical issue” in the past month and that it was agreed that he needed more time to recover.”He’s obviously a world class player and we’re hoping these two weeks will ensure he’s ready for the ODIs against England and the following tour by West Indies,” Walter said in a statement.Regular white-ball captain Mitchell Santner returned from an abdominal surgery to take charge of the team while fast bowler Ben Sears was sidelined with a left-hamstring injury, sustained during training last week. An MRI scan revealed a hamstring tear, which will require three-four weeks to recover.Sears’ good friend and Wellington team-mate Rachin Ravindra, though, is set to return to action after being ruled out of the Australia T20Is with a facial injury. The allrounder had collided with the boundary boards during fielding practice at Bay Oval in the lead-up to the first T20I.Finn Allen (foot), Adam Milne (ankle), Will O’Rourke (back), Glenn Phillips (groin), and Lockie Ferguson (hamstring) were all unavailable due to injury.There was no room for wristspinner Ish Sodhi, who became New Zealand’s most-capped T20I player earlier this month. Ravindra will be the third spin-bowling option behind captain Santner and Bracewell. Mark Chapman can also pitch in with left-arm spin, if needed.”It’s great to have Mitch back,” Walter said. “Alongside being our leader, he’s one of the very best white-ball spinners in the world and his skills and experience will be a welcome addition.”Likewise, it’s nice to welcome back Rachin who was unlucky to miss out on Australia and I know is really excited for this series.”Auckland mates Jimmy Neesham and Bevon Jacobs are part of New Zealand’s T20I squad•Zimbabwe Cricket

Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy and Zak Foulkes have all been retained along with allrounder Jimmy Neesham.Neesham had originally been picked as a replacement player for the Australia T20Is after Ravindra had hurt his face, but he was particularly impressive in the third T20I in Mount Maunganui where he cut through Australia’s middle order with figures of 4 for 26.Neesham, who turned 35 last month, has ambitions of playing for New Zealand in the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.”I want to win a World Cup for New Zealand and that’s the reason I’m still playing and I’m still available,” Neesham said at his press conference after the third T20I against Australia. “It’s a very, very clear goal of mine. What happens with selection in the six months leading up to the tournament is up to powers above me. But no, I’ll just stay ready. If I’m in the squads or not leading up to the tournament, I’ll just take that in my stride and try and provide performances as best as I can when I’m selected in most teams.”The T20I series against England will kick off at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on October 18. Hagley Oval will also host the second T20I, on October 20, before the teams will shift to Auckland for the third – and final – T20I. The three-match ODI series will run from October 26 to November 1.Williamson could make his New Zealand return at his home ground, Bay Oval, on October 26.NZ T20I squadMitchell Santner (capt), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Tim Seifert (wk)

There has now been a new update on Manchester United’s interest in AFC Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo, with details of his release clause emerging ahead of the January transfer window.

Semenyo has been one of the breakout stars of the Premier League this season, with Bournemouth teammate Lewis Cook praising the forward for the improvements he’s made to his game, saying: “He’s got a lot better at running back and helping out the team too. He’s a powerful lad and has all the ability in the world. Hopefully he can continue to show that.”

Naturally, given the level of his performances, the 25-year-old has started to attract interest from elsewhere, with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and United being named as potential suitors.

It was previously thought that it may take around £80m to prise the former Bristol City man away from Bournemouth, but there has now been a new update on his future, which suggests a deal could be done for a more reasonable price.

Man Utd line up Semenyo move amid £65m release clause

According to a report from United In Focus, Man United are now considering a January move for Semenyo, whose £65m release clause will become active in January, with transfer expert Graeme Bailey providing a further update.

Bailey said: “Manchester United have been chasing Antoine Semenyo since the summer; they have maintained that interest since. I am told they were fully aware of the clause when he signed his new deal, after known about its validity for January and beyond.

“United like Semenyo, and whilst unlikely, he is an option that would be considered for January. Whilst Semenyo does have a clause, £65m in one hit is a big ask for any club.”

Despite being cheaper than initially expected, £65m would be a huge outlay, but it could be worth INEOS breaking the bank to sign the Ghanaian, who would become one of Man United’s top ten most expensive signings of all time.

Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie recently lauded his teammate as “scary good”, having already racked up nine goal contributions in the Premier League, although he would’ve been frustrated not to add to his tally against Aston Villa last time out, being denied from the penalty spot by Emiliano Martinez.

Still, there have been some very encouraging signs from the London-born forward, with perhaps his best performance coming in the Cherries’ 3-1 win against Fulham, picking up a brace and an assist, which resulted in a 9.5 SofaScore match rating.

Having struggled recruitment-wise in recent years, Man United may have finally found a winning formula, bringing in proven Premier League stars Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha in the summer, and Semenyo would be a similar type of signing.

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Posts 2 ByAngus Sinclair Nov 17, 2025