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Leeds United lost valuable depth in the full-back position when they decided to send Djed Spence back to his parent club earlier this month.

The versatile defender had been deployed as a left-back and a right-back in the Championship for the Whites this season and has now returned to Tottenham Hotspur.

This has left Daniel Farke without an abundance of options in the number two and three positions heading into the second half of the campaign.

Journalist Graeme Bailey recently said that he has heard Burnley full-back Charlie Taylor's name mentioned in connection to a possible move back to Leeds this month and stated that he thinks a left-back will arrive at Elland Road.

EFL Championship done deals: Every January 2024 transfer

As the January transfer window closes, FFC has you covered for every in and out involving your club in the EFL Championship.

ByLuke Randall Feb 1, 2024

It was reported by Foot Mercato in November that Real Betis were interested in a deal for Junior Firpo, who they claimed wanted a move away from Yorkshire.

Farke could now ruthlessly ditch the Spanish defender, if that interest is still there, by securing a deal for Taylor to replace him before the end of the window. Whilst it would not solve the depth issue, it could improve the squad.

Firpo's last 18 months in numbers

The former Barcelona left-back has only made six appearances in the Championship so far this season and has been named in the starting XI once.

He has averaged 1.8 tackles and interceptions combined and 1.2 clearances per game for the Whites, to go along with a duel success rate of 55%.

Last season, Firpo made 19 appearances and started 14 of those games in the Premier League as Leeds were relegated from the top-flight.

The 27-year-old dud was dribbled past 1.2 times per game and only won 50% of his duels as opposition players found it far too easy to get the better of him week-in-week-out.

The statistics that show why Leeds should sign Taylor

Farke could allow Firpo to move on by signing Taylor as the Burnley left-back's form over the last 18 months suggests that he has more to offer than the current Leeds defender.

The £30k-per-week battler played 33 times in the Championship last term as his side romped their way to the title and he started 17 of those matches.

Appearances

16

Goals

One

Assists

One

Duel success rate

53%

Tackles per game

1.6

Vincent Kompany hailed the talented gem's versatility, as Taylor was deployed as a left-back and a centre-back, and described him as being "quick and strong".

This means that Farke would bring in a player who can offer him depth in multiple positions, as the Clarets ace could be used at full-back or as cover on the left side of the defence.

In the Championship last term, Taylor was only dribbled past 0.2 times per game and won an impressive 63% of his duels across the campaign.

This shows that the experienced defender was able to dominate opponents in physical contests and did not allow forwards to go past him with ease.

Firpo has struggled with both of those aspects of defending and that is why the Burnley battler could come in as an upgrade on the Leeds number three.

Therefore, if Leeds could convince Taylor to make the drop back down to the Championship to enjoy a second spell at Elland Road then Farke could ditch Firpo in the process.

Manchester United have not made the most successful of starts to the Premier League season, but Erik ten Hag will now hope to use the last-gasp turnaround against Brentford before the international break as a landmark in the club's season.

Having spent considerably over the summer, United recruited with sights set on building upon last season's third-place league finish and triumph in the Carabao Cup.

But inconsistency and various issues have compounded a lack of fluidity that has left the Old Trafford side in tenth place after eight matches, also bottom of their Champions League group after defeats in both games so far.

However, Scott McTominay's stunning brace from the bench against Thomas Frank's resilient Bees two weeks ago harnessed the fabled 'Fergie Time' aura that will linger perpetually at the Theatre of Dreams, no matter the form of the home side.

It does now mean that Manchester United have the chance to clinch their third Premier League win from four outings against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Clinching three points is the absolute minimum, and despite a spate of injury issues in defence, Ten Hag will be certain of his side's ability to get the job done.

What's the Manchester United team news?

Casemiro has been ruled out of contention having picked up a minor issue on international duty with Brazil, though Ten Hag stated that he is "confident" of the midfielder's availability going forward.

It's something of a mixed bag, as far as the rest of the team is concerned, with Raphael Varane and Sergio Reguilon both training this week following injuries; Sofyan Amrabat is also available despite missing both of Morocco's recent matches.

The Red Devils have been hindered by a deluge of defensive setbacks this season, and while Ten Hag is emboldened by greater options today, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Lisandro Martinez remain sidelined.

Amrabat, who signed on a loan worth £8.5m from Serie A side Fiorentina on deadline day in August – with an option to sign on a permanent deal next summer for £21m – has started the past two matches in the Premier League, but Ten Hag must now consider whether starting him in favour of another midfield machine would be the best move today.

How is Sofyan Amrabat performing at Manchester United?

Manchester United's pursuit of Moroccan machine Amrabat was well-documented this summer, and while there were concerns that a deal wouldn't cross the line, Ten Hag succeeded in welcoming his former player (at Dutch side Utrecht) in the dying embers.

The £65k-per-week ace had earned acclaim for his performances over the past few years and was even described as the "best central midfielder in the tournament" by journalist Carlo Garganese after his central role with Morocco at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

He is, undoubtedly, one of the most composed and measured presences in Ten Hag's team, but his particular set of skills. while instilling control, do not quite progress the play as well as certain other phenoms in the Red Devils squad.

Over the past year, Amrabat ranks among the top 12% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues for pass completion, the top 10% for attempted passes and the top 14% for progressive passes per 90, but also ranks among the bottom 34% for assists and 27% for shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref.

FBref likens the 27-year-old to Arsenal's Jorginho, and this is quite an apt assessment of where his talents lie, and while he is "perfectly suited to Ten Hag's Man Utd", according to Statman Dave, the forthcoming match against Paul Heckingbottom's side could be a great opportunity to unleash Christian Eriksen.

Why should Christian Eriksen start vs Sheffield United?

Hailed as a “genius” by Statman Dave, Eriksen has been one of the finest playmakers in the Premier League over the past decade.

Player

No of Assists

Kevin De Bruyne

102

James Milner

87

Christian Eriksen

75

Ashley Young

71

Mohamed Salah

63

Signing for Manchester United from Brentford on a free transfer in 2022, the 31-year-old has now forged 53 displays, scoring three goals and supplying 11 assists.

The £150k-per-week maestro has posted one goal and one assist across seven matches this season, but has only started three times in the English top flight, having started from the bench on the past three occasions.

The Danish midfielder ranks among the top 1% of positional peers for assists, the top 12% for shot-creating actions, the top 10% for attempted passes and the top 7% for progressive passes per 90.

Clearly, Eriksen's talent lies in his ball-playing ability and creativity, and while Amrabat boasts a superlative level of passing, he is more disciplined and metronomic in his carriage.

Against the Blades, who are moored in deep waters already this season, United will ostensibly have little trouble with controlling the flow of the match – after all, today's hosts rank bottom for shots (71) and 19th for passes (2,773) in the division this season.

There is nothing to suggest that Amrabat and Eriksen couldn't thrive together in the middle of the pitch, and with Casemiro ruled out this is certainly a possibility today.

But given McTominay's destructive cameo last time out at Old Trafford, it would make sense to provide him with a starting berth against the Premier League's bottom club.

Ten Hag will want to restore the balance and get United, belatedly, up and running for good this term, and anything other than a victory over Heckingbottom's men will set the vultures circling.

Eriksen has not started any of the past three Premier League matches, but must be unleashed today to pump inventive life into the United squad, which will only benefit from his creativity.

USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie could return to the Premier League with negotiations on a new deal at Juventus reaching a stalemate.

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Midfielder exploring potential return to EnglandContract expires at the end of next year, no extension immediateHas tallied nine assists this season in all competitionsWHAT HAPPENED?

McKennie's contract expires at the end of the 2024-25 campaign, and there has been little movement on a new deal for the 25-year-old. The Italian club might be looking to cash in as a result, as they are willing to accept a €20 million (£17m/$22m) bid for their star midfielder, according to . The reports would seem to counter talk that the Bianconeri are prepared to offer McKennie an extension.

AdvertisementWHAT MCKENNIE SAID

In January, the midfielder asserted that his second spell at Juventus is an opportunity to return to his best: "When I left Leeds, I knew I had a bad showing. I knew I didn’t have the time that I thought I was going to have or that maybe I should have had. It put me in a mindset that when I came back here to Juventus, I was starting brand new. I’m going back to Juventus like it’s my first time. I have to prove myself all over again.”

Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

McKennie has seized a role in central midfield for the Bianconeri, starting 24 Serie A games this season and tallying seven league assists. Juventus are third in the Italian top flight, and seem well positioned to return to the Champions League ahead of the 2024-25 season.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MCKENNIE

The USMNT midfielder seems poised to be a part of the Juventus midfield going forward. He is set to feature on March 17, when his side take on Genoa.

سجل لامين يامال الهدف الثاني لفريق كرة القدم الأول بنادي برشلونة، في شباك أتلتيك بلباو، بنصف نهائي بطولة كأس السوبر الإسباني.

لامين يامال سجل الهدف الثاني ليضاعف النتيجة بعد أن تقدم جافي، بملعب الجوهرة المشعة بمدينة جدة في المملكة العربية السعودية.

طالع أيضًا | “حال تأهل برشلونة”.. موقف داني أولمو وباو فيكتور من المشاركة في نهائي كأس السوبر الإسباني

هدف برشلونة جاء بعد تمريرة رائعة من جافي صاحب الهدف الأول، لينفرد لامين يامال بمرمى أوناي سيمون، ويهز شباك زميله في المنتخب الإسباني عند الدقيقة 52.

وإذا استمرت النتيجة هكذا حتى نهاية المباراة، سيتأهل برشلونة إلى النهائي، في انتظار الفائز غدًا من مواجهة ريال مدريد وريال مايوركا. هدف لامين يامال في مباراة برشلونة وأتلتيك بلباو بـ كأس السوبر الإسباني

Arsenal begin their hunt for a record-extending 15th FA Cup victory as they prepare to face Liverpool this evening.

Mikel Arteta won't be resting on his laurels as he aims to secure his second trophy as manager of the club – four years after winning the same competition against Chelsea.

Over the previous few weeks, however, the Gunners have suffered two defeats in the Premier League, and they have only won one fixture since a 4-3 victory over Luton Town at the start of December.

This signifies that despite the club sitting fourth in the table and just five points behind the Anfield side, Arteta needs to bolster his squad in the January transfer window.

small

They have naturally been linked with a few names so far, yet it is a potential swoop for a current Premier League midfielder which could be one of his most important moves.

Arsenal transfer news – Amadou Onana

It is no secret that Arteta is after some midfield reinforcements – either this month or in the summer – and according to a report from TEAMtalk earlier this week, Arsenal have shown interest in Everton gem Amadou Onana ahead of making a swoop for the player.

Indeed, the report indicates that the Gunners have in fact made an approach for the Belgian as they look to add some more talent into their midfield area.

The club have been linked with a move for Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz in recent months following his impressive start to the season for the Midlands outfit, scoring seven times as Unai Emery’s side have lit up the top flight.

It appears as though Arteta is looking to move on to other targets, with Onana now being targeted.

Any prospective move could come at a huge cost, however, as the Goodison Park outfit are reportedly valuing the midfielder between £70m-£90m and this could prove to be a big stumbling block for Arsenal.

2023

2023

2023

2022

2021

During the summer, the Spaniard splashed out a club record £105m transfer fee to lure Declan Rice from West Ham United and despite the lavish sum, he is certainly shown his worth.

This suggests that a move for Onana could perhaps allow Arteta to replicate his Rice masterclass and sign another midfielder from a fellow Premier League side and give them a platform to continue their development.

Declan Rice’s Arsenal statistics

The Englishman swiftly emerged as one of the most gifted midfielders in the country during his spell at West Ham, progressing from the academy to club captain within just a few years.

He eventually made 245 appearances for the Irons since making his debut during the 2016/17 campaign, and he departed as a hero, leading the club to their first major trophy since the 1980 FA Cup by winning the Europa Conference League in June 2023.

He had been admired by a host of clubs, yet it was a move across London to Arsenal which was the logical option, and he hasn’t disappointed during his first six months at the Emirates.

Indeed, the midfielder currently ranks second among the squad for accurate passes per game in the top flight (62.8) along with ranking second for tackles (2.1) and first for interceptions (1.5), indicating that he has been a positive influence in the Arsenal side, especially from a defensive viewpoint.

The 24-year-old can also contribute in an attacking sense too, as he has scored some vital goals this season.

His first goal for the Gunners came against Manchester United in a thrilling 3-1 victory in September, while the former West Ham starlet netted a wonderful last-minute header against Luton to claim all three points, and he has adapted well to Arteta’s methods and demands.

Onana is in a similar mould to the Arsenal midfielder and there is no doubt he could settle in well at the club should he make a move to the Gunners in the near future.

Amadou Onana’s season in numbers

Frank Lampard may have struggled in his role as Everton manager, but his signing of Onana was among one of his finest pieces of transfer business.

The 22-year-old cost the club £33m from French side Lille in August 2022 and he enjoyed a decent first season for the Toffees, making 35 appearances across all competitions and scoring once.

This has given him a platform to become one of Everton’s best performers this season under Sean Dyche.

His displays this term have seen him garner praise from a wide range of sources. Under 23 scout Antonio Mango was one such admirer, saying: “He’s such a physical specimen, he has all attributes to become a real Midfield Powerhouse.”

Talent scout Jacek Kulig went even further in his praise for the talented Belgian, claiming he was a “complete package” following another excellent performance for the Toffees last month.

Across the whole Everton squad in the top flight this season, Onana ranks first for accurate passes per game (32.7) while also ranking third for big chances created (four) and third for tackles per game (2.6) which demonstrates how effective he is in various performance metrics.

He is without doubt, one of Dyche’s most important players this season, and he could thrive at the heart of the Arsenal midfield, enabling the likes of Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz to utilise their attacking abilities.

The Belgian’s defensive acumen sees him rank in the top 5% in Europe’s big five leagues for aerial duels won per 90 (2.47) along with ranking in the top 25% for tackles won per 90 (2.47) and if there is one player Arteta should target this month, it must be Onana.

Much will depend on how much the Spaniard has to spend in the current transfer window, and he may have to move on some deadwood in order to raise the required funds to sign the Everton gem.

Rice has proved that £105m can go a long way and with the Toffees wanting around £90m for their star man, Arteta could repeat his stroke of genius by luring Onana to the Emirates in the summer.

TalkSPORT pundit Jamie O'Hara has showered a Tottenham target with praise and said "we'll take him" after a Spurs transfer boost this week.

Players tipped to potentially join Spurs

Lilywhites boss Ange Postecoglou has suffered from a real lack of squad depth over this last month, forcing the Australian into some innovative on-field decisions at times.

Spurs "set their sights" on "dominant" centre-back after "weekly" talks

The north Londoners are determined to bring in a centre-back.

ByEmilio Galantini Dec 12, 2023

Micky van de Ven's hamstring injury and a recent suspension for Cristian Romero prompted Postecoglou to use both Emerson Royal and Ben Davies as makeshift centre-backs for a period, highlighting his real lack of faith in Eric Dier.

Previous fringe players Giovani Lo Celso and Bryan Gil are also seeing more match action amid Spurs' recent shortage of cover, but that is an issue which sporting director Johan Lange and chairman Daniel Levy are reportedly looking to rectify in January.

Tottenham are looking to sign a new centre-half as one major priority (Sky Sports), leading to reported interest in Genoa star Radu Dragusin, Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite and other defenders linked with Spurs recently. Lange also holds a keen interest in Samuel Iling-Junior (Juventus), as Postecoglou and co allegedly scour the market for new wide options (Sky).

Amid some doubts over the futures of Lo Celso and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, there are some suggestions that Tottenham could reignite a move for Premier League midfielder Conor Gallagher as well.

The Mail reported this week that Spurs still want to sign the 23-year-old, and could well be boosted in their chase as Chelsea consider a "shock" sale of Gallagher to fund their own transfer plans.

O'Hara thrilled by Gallagher after Spurs transfer update

Following this update, when asked about it live on talkSPORT (via The Boot Room), O'Hara said he'll certainly "take" Gallagher at Spurs.

Praising the "high energy" star, who's now fought his way into becoming a key player for Pochettino, the ex-Tottenham midfielder also concedes that it will be a difficult one to pull off.

“Listen, I really like Conor Gallagher I think he’s got brilliant energy, high energy, he gets around the pitch," said O'Hara. "He lacks a little bit of what [James] Maddison’s got in terms of star quality but he’s got energy and you’ve seen with Ange Postecoglou’s side he likes a bit of fitness, he likes someone with high energy.

“I’d be surprised if Chelsea let him go to be honest, I think he’s been quite a big part of their side this season. In terms of one of their half-decent performers only him, Cole Palmer and [Raheem] Sterling have actually done anything good for them really. I’d be surprised if they let him go but if they want to then yeah we’ll take him.”

The former Crystal Palace star struggled at points last term but is now an important cog in Pochettino's midfield. Previously, his best season came when on loan at Palace, where he managed eight goals and three assists in 34 league appearances in 2021/2022.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly set their sights on an "exciting" new £52 million target, and he could leave his club "immediately".

Spurs transfer targets for January

Ange Postecoglou's sensational beginning to 2023/2024 has seen him make the best start ever by a new manager in the Premier League, with Spurs tasting victory in seven out of their last nine top-flight encounters. Unbeaten in that period, it's the club's best early-season run since they clinched a domestic double in 1961, but that hasn't stopped rumours of potential transfer activity in January.

The north Londoners have been linked with signing a new defender as an alternative to both Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, who've proved pivotal at the heart of Postecoglou's backline. Galatasaray defender Victor Nelsson, Juventus star Gleison Bremer, Bournemouth's Lloyd Kelly, Bayer Leverkusen ace Edmond Tapsoba, Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah and Club America stalwart Sebastien Caceres have all been mooted as Spurs transfer targets for the role.

Elsewhere in the team, Tottenham could sign a striker to replace Harry Kane next year, with the likes of Ivan Toney (Brentford) and Santiago Gimenez (Feyenoord) mentioned most recently. One of Postecoglou's transfer priorities, though, is signing an alternative to left-winger Dejan Kulusevski. The Swede has been in rip-roaring form alongside the likes of Son Heung-min and James Maddison going forward, but Spurs must consider the lack of depth behind him.

As a result, it has been reported in recent weeks that Tottenham are considering both Al-Ittihad winger Jota and Athletic Club starlet Nico Williams. The wide position could be one to watch heading into the winter window, with a report from Italy now sharing some news on a new player Spurs could target.

Tottenham want Chiesa "very much"

According to information from Calciomercato.it this week, Postecoglou's side "very much" want Juventus star Federico Chiesa. The Italy international, who's scored four goals in eight Serie A appearances under Massimiliano Allegri so far this season, is really admired by Spurs amid doubts surrounding his future in Turin.

Both Chiesa and striker Dusan Vlahovic are candidates for the Juve exit door. The former in particular could "immediately say goodbye" as January approaches, with both Tottenham and Newcastle named as contenders to sign him. It is believed both sides have the "right budget at their disposal" to "snatch" Chiesa away from Juve.

Sporting director Cristiano Guintoli, if faced with a figure of £52 million, would apparently sell for that amount. The 26-year-old has been called an "exciting" player by journalist Dean Jones, who commented on his summer links to Arsenal.

Holding on to the ball

Passing

Through balls

Dribbling

Long shots

"I love Chiesa and I've always hoped he would one day land in the Premier League. It will be interesting to see how this summer window pans out for him," Jones told GiveMeSport.

"He's obviously had some injury problems in the not too distant past. He's such an exciting player. You can imagine he would be awesome in that Arsenal attack too. I'm not convinced it'll be that easy to sign him though, I'm really not."

Pep Guardiola says everybody "loves" Bernardo Silva and urged him to stay at Manchester City after his brace against Newcastle United in the FA Cup.

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Man City beat Newcastle 2-0Silva scores brace in FA Cup winGuardiola urges him to extend stayGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

FA Cup holders City advanced to the semi-finals of the competition following their 2-0 victory over Newcastle at the Etihad on Saturday. Two deflected goals from Silva secured their passage into the next round and with the 29-year-old likely to be linked with a summer transfer, manager Guardiola has called on the playmaker to stay put.

AdvertisementWHAT PEP GUARDIOLA SAID

After the match, Guardiola said: "This team, this club, has something special, it's incredible. I know we play to win the finals, but to win it, you have to win the earlier rounds. We won four Carabao Cup finals in a row and now we're in six FA Cup semi-finals in a row. To run and play the way they did is incredible, congratulations to the team, no one has done that before. We played really well, we were so safe with the ball. Mateo (Kovacic), Rodri and Bernardo kept the ball so well. The game was really good. You see us when we come back every three days, three days, three days, three days."

On Silva, he added: "Everybody loves him and we want him. He's really important for him to stay with us."

Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Guardiola's City are aiming for back-to-back trebles after winning the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup last season – and they are in the running to secure that prestigious footballing triumvirate this term, too. If they want to continue to be successful, keeping Silva – whose City contract runs until 2026 – will be key. He has previously been linked with Paris Saint-Germain.

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WHAT NEXT?

Next up for third-placed City is a huge clash with top of the table Arsenal – who are just a point ahead of them – at the Etihad on March 31. They will face their FA Cup semi-final opponent on either April 20 or 21 at Wembley.

There was so much positivity regarding Manchester United heading into the new season.

Erik ten Hag’s feet were now firmly under the desk having guided the Red Devils back into the Champions League and won a trophy in his first season.

This was, therefore, meant to be a campaign that extended on those good vibes, but seven games in and United are staring down the barrel of their worst start to a season in 34 years.

Ten Hag is searching for an answer, yet that aforementioned desk is no longer very organised.

It’s covered in coffee stains, filled with scrunched-up bits of paper and torn-up post-it notes. His best-laid plans and blueprints are out the window and his side resembles a sinking ship.

The Dutchman may well have navigated back-to-back wins over Burnley and then Crystal Palace in the cup in midweek, but their troublesome form prior to those wins reared its ugly head on Saturday afternoon.

A consecutive game with Palace was on the menu, but it did not taste so sweet this time. Rather, Ten Hag and his side were left with a bitter taste in the mouth following Joachim Andersen’s scorching effort that ensured the Eagles left the north west with a 1-0 victory.

The finger of blame could be pointed at many things. Defensive injuries haven’t helped, neither have off-field issues.

Marcus Rashford can’t seem to find his form of last term and Rasmus Hojlund, as energetic and exciting as he has been, is still adjusting to English football.

The former is one man they should be able to count on more often, but the fact of the matter is that United are being let down by their senior players. Case in point; Casemiro.

How is Casemiro playing this season?

Last term it looked as though the Red Devils could not cope when the Brazilian was missing from the side.

Indeed, as of April 2023, Ten Hag’s squad had lost four of the eight games Casemiro was absent from.

When he played, they had only lost three of 19 fixtures. The issue, therefore, was trying to find someone to fill his boots.

A calming influence who could also pack a punch in the middle of the park, United need their £350k-per-week man to rediscover the form that saw him named as the best holding midfielder in the world, according to Fifpro.

The former Real Madrid star stood out against Roy Hodgson’s side only a few days ago, scoring and laying on an assist.

In fact, Casemiro has been a fantastic asset offensively throughout the embryonic stages of 2023/24.

He bagged twice against Bayern Munich in Europe and even found the net against Nottingham Forest. Clearly, there is little to scrutiny when analysing how well the 31-year-old is playing when he gets forward.

However, the abilities that saw him celebrated as one of the best defensive midfielders on the planet are missing.

Last term, Casemiro prevailed in a whopping 81.4% of his duels. His regression this season has been remarkable, winning just 28.1%.

That speaks volumes of a player who simply isn’t offering United enough in the areas they really need.

One United content producer, Casey Evans, perhaps put it best, saying on social media: “It’s hilarious how Casemiro is our only goal threat but he’s also a massive liability doing what should actually be his job on the pitch.”

How did Casemiro play against Palace?

After starring against the Londoners in midweek, he truly let his manager down on this occasion, squandering possession and failing to break up the play adequately.

He was given a horrendous 4/10 player rating by the MEN’s Samuel Luckhurst, who reserved some particularly damning words:

‘Booked early on in the game and seemed to play within himself against a team he was sent off against last season. Played some inexplicable passes.’

That inexplicable and wasteful nature was best summed up by Casemiro’s 18 concessions of the ball.

For a player of his quality and stardom that is a remarkable number. For context, on average this season he is losing the ball 13.3 times per game.

Compare that with his peers across the top-flight and it makes for grim reading. Declan Rice has lost the ball just 6.3 times per match, Rodri 7.7 occasions and Yves Bissouma slightly higher at 11.9.

They have done the dirt work fantastically well this season and it will come as no surprise to see their sides leading the way in the Premier League this season.

When it comes to ball recovery, both Bissouma (6.7 per game) and Rodri (7.5) better Casemiro too, who makes six per match on average.

In that area, he still evidently thrives but in the main, his defensive play this season has left plenty to be desired. He may have made four successful tackles and won seven ground duels at Old Trafford this weekend but he also gave away four fouls.

You may well suggest with such a desire to contest in physical battles, the law of averages dictates you’ll give away plenty of fouls. Yet, last season, he only gave away 1.7 per match. Clearly, something is going wrong for Casemiro this season.

It may well be the overall chaos at the football club right now, but either way, Ten Hag needs his defensive midfielder to do more of what he’s really been signed for. After all, when on song as he was in 2022/23, United are a great deal harder to beat.

Australia outdid themselves by benching Stuart Clark, but Ben Hilfenhaus ensured Australia’s day wasn’t entirely dominated by defensive tactics from Ricky Ponting

Alex Brown at Cardiff08-Jul-2009Most assumed Steve Harmison’s record for earliest Ashes shock would never be bettered after his opening delivery of the 2006-07 series angled its way to an unamused Andrew Flintoff at second slip. But Australia, ever the innovators, went one better on Wednesday, stunning all and sundry before a ball had been bowled by benching Stuart Clark, the leading wicket-taker of the corresponding series two years ago, in favour of a four-man attack with precisely zero Ashes Tests to their name.The move to elevate Ben Hilfenhaus was widely expected, given Brett Lee’s injury and predictions of heavy atmospheric conditions in Cardiff this week. Though omitted from Australia’s final warm-up match against the England Lions in Worcester, Hilfenhaus’s conventional swing and bustling pace were viewed as desirable assets against an England batting line-up yet to establish itself as an international force.Nathan Hauritz, however, was another matter entirely. If, as one theory goes, selectors should pick their best four bowlers irrespective of conditions, then Hauritz’s record of 2-260 from 68.2 overs in Australia’s two tour matches did not compare with Clark’s 5-151 from 50. His lack of penetration in those matches provided selectors with few grounds for optimism, particularly as they were played on slow, holding pitches similar to the current Sophia Gardens strip against opposition inferior to that offered by England.Clark, undoubtedly, is a force subdued on sluggish pitches, where his generally awkward bounce carries at a less threatening height, but his metronomic accuracy can asphyxiate even the most resolute of batsmen. Still, Australia opted to play for balance and conditions, and the first surprise of this series was sealed before a coin had been flipped. A new Ashes record.Hilfenhaus immediately justified the faith of Andrew Hilditch with an energetic opening spell that yielded the wicket of Alastair Cook. His union with the hard-charging Peter Siddle appeared the most threatening of the morning – the latter roughed up Ravi Bopara and troubled right-handers with inward angling deliveries – but it was Mitchell Johnson who proved the most prolific with the scalps of Strauss and Bopara.The dismissal of Strauss to a brutish, tailing bouncer was comfortably the highlight of Johnson’s outing, which was otherwise notable for a low arm action and, on occasion, a lower head. The intimidating, talismanic paceman of South Africa seldom surfaced on Wednesday, replaced by a throwback model whose lack of lateral movement and periods of inaccuracy blunted his effectiveness. Still, Australia’s prevailing mood was one of optimisim entering the lunch break, with England’s top three back in the pavilion and a jittery Kevin Pietersen to resume.It would not last. Twice in as many hours, Australian fans hollered “why, why, why?” into the ether – the first on account of a Welsh warbler’s rendition of “Delilah”, the second due to a numbing session of play in which Hauritz and Michael Clarke were deployed for an extended period to little effect. Commentators, including Ian Chappell, were underwhelmed at Ponting’s tame field settings, while others questioned the defensive mindset of bowling Clarke, a part-timer, for five overs in the second session of an Ashes series.Hauritz was by no means disgraced, but neither was he threatening after lunch. Extracting subtle turn from the first day wicket, Australia’s oft-criticised spinner was treated with more reverence than in the previous two tour games, albeit at a time when the England run-rate ticked along steadily. His judgement will be deferred until the second innings, when footmarks and a loosening surface should suit, but given his recent history, there must be concern among the Australian camp as to whether he can get the job done.Hauritz will at least be buoyed by the wicket of Pietersen, claimed not so much out of spin or flight but rather the lamentable decision-making of the batsman. Scorecards aren’t so judgemental, though, and the wicket of Pietersen, coupled with that of Paul Collingwood to Hilfenhaus five overs early, rekindled Australian confidence at a time when the day appeared to be lurching England’s way.The tourists’ spirits were lifted further in the final hour when Siddle and his internal V8 engine returned for the wickets of Andrew Flintoff and Matt Prior. Guilty of straying onto the pads in his earlier spells, Siddle tightened his line and troubled England’s batsmen with a full length and swing into the right-handers. Such levels of skill and tenacity are generally associated with spearheads, and it would not surprise if Siddle assumed that mantle from Johnson before the series is out. Hilfenhaus might also have something to say on the matter; the old-ball swing generated in his final spell was Alderman-esque on occasion.