Category Uncategorized

Manchester United stunned rivals Manchester City with a late comeback to give United their first win at the Etihad since 2021.

Late strikes from Bruno Fernandes from the spot and an extraordinary last-minute winner from Amad Diallo were enough to hand Ruben Amorim his first three points away from Old Trafford in the Premier League as Man United boss and provide a much-needed morale boost before the busy festive period.

A lot of the pre-match discussions were around the surprise omissions of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho from the Man United matchday squad.

Boss Amorim explained to Sky Sports that the pair missed the game due to ‘selection reasons rather than injury or illness’ sparking doubts over Rashford’s future at the club in particular.

Rashford struggling for form at United

Following his omission from the squad against Man City, Rashford has only started three games under new manager Amorim scoring only four times in the league all season.

It has led to speculation that Man United are searching for a new striker and, according to CaughtOffside, United are showing interest in Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen.

A signing like Osimhen could limit Rashford’s game time even more at the club, as the England international has struggled to replicate his scintillating form from the 22/23 season, where he scored 17 times in the Premier League and was part of England’s World Cup squad.

Since 22/23, Rashford has slowly declined in a lot of key attacking metrics at United, something that new boss Amorim has quickly picked up on.

Goals

0.53

0.28

0.37

Assists

0.16

0.08

0.09

Progressive passes

2.75

2.58

1.93

Shots

3.38

2.38

1.47

Expected goals

15.4

7.4

1.7

Pass completion

76.7%

75.3%

73.8%

Successful take-ons

54

48

9

Not only is the attacker decreasing in goals and assists output, but his creativity from open play seems to be suffering from a lack of confidence too. The England forward has declined in pass completion, successful take ons and the number of shots per 90 minutes.

With the January transfer window being notoriously difficult to get big deals like Osimhen over the line, United may struggle to replace Rashford in the current season. It may force Amorim to look to the academy for fresh impetus.

The Man Utd teen who could replace Rashford

Shea Lacey is a name hot on the lips of many inside Carrington and recently signed his first professional contract at Man United.

The young forward, who can play on either wing or behind the striker, has impressed so far in his appearances for the U18 side and has already been dubbed as the ‘new Phil Foden’ by Planet Sport, such is his huge potential. Why? Well, as talent scout Jacek Kulig alluded to, the teen has “incredible quality in tight spaces.”

Lacey has been struggling with injury at the start of this season but has already registered an assist in his four appearances so far.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast's In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

It was his form last season, however, that really caught the eye of Manchester United followers and sparked hope that he could be the next Carrington arrival bursting into the first-team squad.

U18 Premier League

7

2

3

UEFA Youth League

3

0

1

While it is early days in the career of Lacey, the above statistics prove he has an eye for goal and can create opportunities for his teammates.

If Rashford does make the move away from Old Trafford, his replacement may not have to cost a penny and yet another Carrington superstar could be about to emerge.

Forget Amad: 8/10 Man United star was "monstrous" against Man City

Manchester United secured a famous late win at the Etihad on Sunday.

ByJoe Nuttall Dec 15, 2024

Newcastle United’s success has been wonderful. Supporters could never have dreamt of Champions League nights and consistent attacks toward the uppermost echelon of the Premier League table while languishing under Mike Ashley’s rule.

But the tycoon has been gone from Tyneside for several years now, and the pointers suggest that the Magpies are going to enjoy lofty heights for many years to come.

Eddie Howe has fashioned an outfit that it greater than the sum of its parts. St. James’ Park is home to some top-class players, of course, but the crop has grown as one through these exciting seasons of growth.

Newcastle have burgeoned, and while he’s not the… flashiest player in the squad, Joelinton embodies the development of his side, for he too has reached a level unseen after the dreary early days of his United career.

Joelinton's Newcastle resurgence

You’d have to credit Steve Bruce with the creation of this hybrid form of Joelinton, who was a flop, the floppiest of flops, in the seasons following his club-record £40m transfer from Hoffenheim.

Well-known manager Julian Nagelsmann had heralded the Brazilian as a “beast who is a nightmare to defend against” back in his German days, but he fell by the wayside in the Premier League, unable to adapt to the pace and intensity of the English game.

The striker-turned-roving-number-eight has been a fundamental part of Newcastle’s football under Howe’s wing, bringing a monstrous and unyielding style to charge the midfield and serve as a counterpoint of sorts to the music that Bruno Guimaraes creates with his technical command.

An effective Premier League striker he was not, but the 28-year-old has now completed 107 appearances under his manager across a four-year period, and is patently a midfielder of real importance within the Toon set-up.

His influence is emphasised through the data revealed by FBref. Over the past year, Joelinton ranks among the top 17% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues for goals scored, the top 16% for progressive carries, the top 17% for successful take-ons and the top 19% for tackles per 90.

Effective in front of goal now that it’s not his chief responsibility and capable of bull-like penetrations into the danger area, Joelinton has been hailed for his reshaping by journalist Antonio Mango, who said: “the way he’s transformed himself is extraordinary.”

He’s also a key defensive component, for he has averaged 2.5 tackles and 5.9 successful duels per Premier League match, as per Sofascore, this season.

The complete midfielder? It certainly feels like he has it all in his locker when he’s on his a-game in black and white, and Howe must be chomping at the bit to repeat the club’s feat in sculpting such a player from raw parts.

Though he’s hardly struggling in his current deployment, Lewis Hall could be the next Magpie to bloom into a fresh role down the line.

Lewis Hall could be Howe's own Joelinton

Hall is doing quite the job at left-back for Newcastle, with Alan Shearer even claiming that he was “blown away” by the 20-year-old during his negation of Bukayo Saka’s quality during the 1-0 victory over Arsenal just shy of a month ago.

Sources close to Newcastle suggest that Hall has been told that his immediate Newcastle future will remain at left-back, despite the ace having plied most of his youth trade in central midfield. But he can thrive in the engine room again; it’s something that Howe should consider.

He’s showing that, like Joelinton, he can make the requisite tweaks to become a polished player capable of operating in the centre of the field, with analyst Raj Chohan already noting that the dynamo’s “defensive level is rapidly improving.”

Assists

0.10

Top 32%

Shot-creating actions

2.67

Top 18%

Passes attempted

71.71

Top 8%

Progressive passes

5.96

Top 13%

Progressive carries

1.85

Top 42%

Ball recoveries

5.55

Top 11%

Tackles + interceptions

3.60

Top 35%

Blocks

1.85

Top 4%

Clearances

3.29

Top 25%

Aerial duels won

1.64

Top 13%

His statistical data, pulled from Premier League performances this season, show that Hall is turning into a robust and reliable option down the left channel, not the most active ball carrier but not shy of wading into the deep end when called upon.

The nuts and bolts of his skill set stem from technical quality and creativity, mixed against an ever-improving defensive spread that makes a telling comment on his faculty for success in midfield.

​​

Hall, hailed for his “sensational” showings by content creator Pete Davey, might spend some time on the defensive left flank over the coming campaigns, but he’s still so young and has all the properties required to become a superstar in the centre.

Newcastle’s decision to sign him from Chelsea, who he cut his teeth with as a youth, for a £28m fee in August after he spent the 2023/24 season on loan at St. James’ Park is proving to be a brilliant one, even if it was met with scepticism initially.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

With nine top-flight starts to his name already this term, averaging 1.3 key passes and 4.5 ball recoveries per game, Hall is becoming one of Newcastle’s most important members.

Who’s to say that he couldn’t emulate Joelinton though, and step into midfield down the line to help propel Newcastle even further forward?

Perfect for Gordon: Newcastle can replace Almiron with "insane" £51m winger

Newcastle are looking to replace Miguel Almiron with a new right winger this January.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 27, 2024

Mehidy’s five-for gave the hosts a big chance before the duo patiently took India over the line before lunch break

Vishal Dikshit25-Dec-20223:23

Jaffer: India’s defensive approach in a small chase was disappointing

A fighting and defiant half-century stand between No. 8 Shreyas Iyer and R Ashwin saved India from a lower-order collapse and led them to a thin three-wicket win on a turning and low pitch on the fourth morning in Dhaka. Resuming on 45 for 4, India needed 100 more to win and Bangladesh six wickets. Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s five-for gave the hosts a big chance with quick wickets in the first half hour before Ashwin and Iyer used patience, accounted for the low bounce and also scored at a good clip – at over four an over – to take India over the line before the scheduled lunch break.India strengthened their second spot on the WTC table with the 2-0 series win and have a four-Test series coming up at home against Australia, of which they can afford to lose only one game to not lose out on the final spot.WTC standings as on December 25, 2022•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

India were in deep trouble in the first hour at 74 for 7, still 71 adrift from the target, when Iyer and Ashwin came together. Iyer used his straight bat to play out the spinners patiently and Ashwin used a low stance for the low bounce especially against Mehidy as the Bangladesh spinners stuck to a stump-to-stump line that had fetched them three wickets in the morning.Mehidy even created a chance when Ashwin was on 1 and India on 80, when Ashwin gloved the ball to short leg where Mominul Haque put down a straightforward chance. Just like Bangladesh made India pay for the dropped chances on Saturday, Ashwin cashed in on the life he got and picked up regular boundaries once he moved into double-digits. He collected two in an over off Khaled Ahmed and finished things off in a 16-run over off Mehidy which started with a first-ball six over midwicket and ended with back-to-back fours, taking Ashwin to an unbeaten 42 off 62 while Iyer was on 29 at the other end.Mehidy Hasan Miraz had India in all sorts of trouble on the fourth morning•AFP/Getty Images

Bangladesh had raced ahead with an early advantage in a dramatic first hour that saw a few boundaries, numerous appeals, two reviews, and three wickets.Jaydev Unadkat survived a very marginal lbw call on the third ball of the day and Bangladesh’s review showed the ball was just hitting leg stump, which wasn’t enough to overturn the on-field decision. Unadkat slog-swept the very next ball for six over midwicket but fell in the next over when Shakib Al Hasan slipped in a quick one from around the wicket to trap him right in front on the back foot and Unadkat wasted a review.Mehidy then removed two left-hand batters in consecutive overs for his eighth Test five-for. Rishabh Pant, at No. 7, unleashed a reverse sweep early on against Shakib for four but also looked nervous while either stepping out too often against the spinners or going on the back foot dangerously against sharp turn. Mehidy bowled on the fourth stump line consistently to him from around the wicket and pitched one marginally shorter to trap Pant on the back foot for 9.Seventy-one for 6 quickly became 74 for 7. Axar Patel carried on from his overnight 26 with regular strokes to keep the score ticking whenever he got width or length to work with. But he also became a victim of Mehidy’s stifling line and flat trajectory when a grubber deflected off his pads on the back foot and hit the stumps to send him back for 34.Shakib replaced himself with Taijul Islam to keep the left-arm spin threat going from one end and Iyer and Ashwin kept their bats close to pads and leaned forward to block the ball patiently in a boundary-less spell of 67 balls. With two right-hand batters on now, Mehidy’s magic didn’t look as unplayable now, barring the life Ashwin got. Iyer hit his first four on his 29th ball when Mehidy pitched one wide and then stepped out to drive Shakib inside out for a powerful cover drive followed by a pull for two more fours to quickly take India past 100 and switch the momentum.When India were 34 away, Shakib brought on pace for the first time in the day. After conceding a four down the leg side, Khaled Ahmed nearly created a chance with Ashwin’s thick edge past a diving gully fielder but that also went for four. Taijul came back on, Mehidy tried going around the wicket and Bangladesh hoped maybe lack of bounce would get them an opening, but nothing worked.Ashwin quickly scored 31 off the last 34 runs with the help of four fours and a six and kept Bangladesh still searching for their first Test win against India.

أعلن نادي ليفربول، في بيان رسمي منذ قليل، أولى صفقاته الصيفية لعام 2025 من أجل دعم صفوف الفريق تحت قيادة المدرب آرني سلوت، ومواصلة المشوار الذي وُضع أساسه قبل عام.

وتمكن ليفربول مؤخرًا من التتويج بلقب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، 2024/25، في الموسم الأول للمدرب آرني سلوت في ملعب “الأنفيلد”.

ويسعى ليفربول إلى حسم أكثر من صفقة خلال الصيف من أجل دعم صفوف الفريق قبل منافسات الموسم المقبل.

وأصدر ليفربول بيانًا رسميًا منذ قليل، للإعلان عن أولى صفقاته المتمثلة في اللاعب جيريمي فريمبونج، قادمًا من باير ليفركوزن.

وتشير التقارير الصحفية إلى أن القيمة المالية لتلك الصفقة تبلغ 35 مليون يورو.

Jeremie is a Red. pic.twitter.com/5hhB5QVpZP — Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 30, 2025

وأفاد ليفربول أن اللاعب الهولندي وقع عقدًا طويل الأمد مع النادي، في مركز التدريبات اليوم الجمعة، بعدما اجتاز الفحص الطبي بنجاح.

وقال فريمبونج في تصريحات للموقع الرسمي للنادي: “كان الأمر سهلاً للغاية، جاء ليفربول وأعرب عن اهتمامه، وبالطبع كان الأمر واضحًا بالنسبة لي”.

وأضاف: “كان الأمر بالنسبة لي أشبه بـ(نفذوا ما تريدون)، وكذلك قلت ذلك لوكلائي”، ووجه رسالة حماسية لجماهير ليفربول: “سأبذل قصارى جهدي وسأقدم كل ما لدي، آمل أن نفوز معًا ونحتفل معًا، ونحقق كل شيء”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. الكشف عن القيمة المالية لصفقة انتقال أرنولد من ليفربول إلى ريال مدريد

ووجه رسالة حماسية لجماهير ليفربول، حيث قال: “سأبذل قصارى جهدي وسأقدم كل ما لدي، آمل أن نفوز معًا ونحتفل معًا ونحقق كل شيء”.

وأفاد: “أنا متحمس جدًا لوجودي هنا، شكرًا لكم على استقبالكم لي، ولن أخذلكم، وسأمنحكم الطاقة التي تحتاجونها”.

وأكد: “كلاعب كرة قدم، كطفل، ترغب دائمًا في اللعب مع أفضل الفرق، عندما حاول ليفربول ضمي في سن أصغر، كان الأمر صعبًا بسبب طبيعة التنقل وكل تلك الأمور، اضطررت إلى اتخاذ مسار مختلف”.

وأشار: “انظروا إليّ الآن، لقد نجح الأمر بشكل رائع، أعتقد أن هذا هو أفضل ملعب (الأنفيلد) لعبت فيه عندما كنت مع ليفركوزن، الأجواء، الجماهير، والفريق أيضًا، كل شئ رائع، لا داعِ للحديث كثيرًا عن جودة ليفربول، لقد فازوا بالدوري”.

واختتم: ” بالنسبة لي كان اللعب ضد ليفربول عندما كنت في ليفركوزن صعبًا للغاية، كيف لي أن أقول ذلك؟ من الواضح أن ليفركوزن كان لا يزال جيدًا، ولكن كما ترى، ليفربول في مستوى آخر”.

ويُعد فريمبونج بديل ترينت ألكسندر أرنولد الذي رحل رسميًا عن ليفربول وانضم إلى ريال مدريد، اليوم.

Derbyshire unable to prise out five more wickets for victory after final-day declaration

ECB Reporters Network08-Sep-2022

Derbyshire 306v (du Plooy 82, Came 78, Dal 56, Rushworth 3-60) and 214 for 9 dec (Madsen 58, Raine 5-43, Trevaskis 3-81) drew with Durham 223 (Jones 87, Conners 4-55) and 176 for 5 (Trevaskis 42*)Durham’s Liam Trevaskis and Paul Coughlin denied promotion hopefuls Derbyshire victory in a dramatic end to the LV=Insurance County Championship match at the Incora County Ground.The sixth-wicket pair batted through the final 17 overs to steer Durham to a fighting draw after they had been set 298 in 87 overs. Trevaskis faced 57 balls for an unbeaten 42 and Coughlin was 19 not out off 53 as Durham closed on 176 for 5 from 53 overs.Mark Watt took 2 for 37 in 13 overs but Derbyshire could not force the win that would have taken them to second in Division Two.Durham paceman Ben Raine claimed two more wickets to finish with 5 for 43 in 22 overs before Derbyshire declared on 214 for 9. Derbyshire had batted on for seven overs, adding 29 runs for the loss of Anuj Dal and Nick Potts before the declaration came.With showers forecast in the afternoon, they needed to make early inroads but Michael Jones again started positively, taking three fours from the second over from Nick Potts. Jones had scored 24 out of 26 when he tried to leave a ball from Ben Aitchison and got a bottom edge into his stumps.Aitchison should have had a second when Sean Dickson on 11 edged him low to first slip where Watt spilled the chance at the second attempt. But Derbyshire had a second breakthrough in the next over when Scott Borthwick played across a low dipping full toss from Conners and lost his middle stump.At lunch, Durham required a further 237 in 67 overs but their hopes took another blow when Dal removed Dickson. The allrounder thought he had the opener caught behind earlier and when Dickson missed a big swing and lost his off stump, he gave him a loud and visible send-off.Durham’s chances now rested with Nic Maddinson who drove Watt for consecutive fours before rain stopped play for 20 minutes with the loss of five overs.When play resumed under threatening clouds, Watt broke through in the first over when Maddinson pushed forward at a ball that went on with the arm and was caught behind. Watt struck again in his next over, tempting Jonathan Bushnell into a drive which he edged low to Wayne Madsen at slip.It was now a question of whether the rain would stay away but as the players were leaving the field for bad light, a storm broke over the ground, holding up play for two hours.The umpires decided the match could resume at 4.50pm, which gave Derbyshire 17.1 overs or 103 balls to take five wickets. And there was drama immediately with Coughlin put down at second slip on 1 as he pushed forward at Watt.Trevaskis and Coughlin showed application and good judgement to frustrate Derbyshire who, with seven overs left and the light deteriorating, were unable to use their pace bowlers. With spinners on at both ends, Derbyshire had every fielder in a catching position but the pair stood firm and the home side called off the hunt with one over remaining.There was a touching finale as the players and coaching staff applauded umpire Nick Cook off the field in his last appearance at Derby before he retires at the end of the season.