Leading off Tuesday's 15-2 win over the Miami Marlins in the bottom of the first inning, Shohei Ohtani jumped on the first pitch he saw from Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara and belted it over the wall in right field for a home run.

But Ohtani's blast was more than just tone-setting dinger.

It was his first home run since the birth of his daughter, snapping a seven-game drought, which was not lost on the three-time MVP.

"It was a good home run to get back on the board for this game," Ohtani said, speaking through interpreter Will Ireton. "I haven't hit one since being a father, so it's a really nice one to be able to do that."

Ohtani and his wife Mamiko on April 19 announced the birth of a baby girl. The Dodgers superstar was then placed on the paternity list, missing the first two games of Los Angeles's series against the Texas Rangers as he remained in Southern California with his wife and newborn daughter.

After returning from the paternity list on April 20, Ohtani was mired in a 2-for-16 slump with six strikeouts and two walks. But even before Tuesday's home run, there were signs the Dodgers slugger's power outage would soon be coming to an end.

In the three games leading up to Tuesday's victory, Ohtani was 6-for-11 with four extra base hits and an RBI. Now, seemingly back on track at the plate, Ohtani took some time to reflect on both the joys and sleepless nights that come with fatherhood.

"I'm just grateful for the safe delivery," Ohtani said of the life change. "I'm glad that even though I couldn't sleep as much as I wanted to, it's a good kind of not-getting-enough-sleep situation."

"A little change in the routine in terms of, for example today I went to the hospital and came straight to the field," Ohtani continued. "Just being here at home is nice to be able to spend time, but on the road, it's going to be a little bit of a challenge since I won't be here."

After Wednesday's game against the Marlins, Ohtani and the Dodgers will embark on a 10-game road trip, beginning with a May 2 contest vs. the Atlanta Braves.

Nottingham Forest have now joined the race to sign Anderlecht midfielder Nathan De Cat, and the Belgian club’s asking price has been revealed.

Forest have set out to bolster their options in the middle of the park, amid growing doubts over the future of Elliot Anderson, as it was revealed the central midfielder would be “very keen” on a move to Old Trafford, with Manchester United now readying a £60m bid.

Chelsea have also started laying the groundwork to sign the England international, with the Tricky Trees’ current Premier League position potentially putting them in a vulnerable position when it comes to keeping hold of their best players.

Sean Dyche’s side remain in 19th place, despite an uptick in results since the arrival of the former Everton boss, meaning it would not be a surprise if Anderson decides to leave, and it would be a very difficult task to replace the 23-year-old.

However, Forest have now joined the race for another potential future star, who is being targeted by a number of clubs from across Europe.

Nottingham Forest join continental bidding war for Nathan De Cat

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Nottingham Forest have now joined a continental bidding war for Anderlecht midfielder De Cat, alongside Bayern Munich and a whole host of rival Premier League clubs.

Having made a very impressive start to the season, the 17-year-old is also of interest to Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa, meaning the Belgian club believe they are in a position to demand an initial £18m fee, with add-ons seeing the total package rise to around £31m.

There is a suggestion the Tricky Trees believe the youngster could make an immediate impact, despite his age, with the report stating they are ‘seeking a spark to ignite their survival bid.’

Having already emerged as a regular starter for Anderlecht, making 19 appearances in all competitions this season, the teenager may not be too far off Premier League level, and there are signs he could go on to be a top player.

Scout Ben Mattinson was left particularly impressed by the young midfielder last season, providing an overview of his key strengths on X.

That said, an initial £18m fee would be a fair amount to spend on a youngster yet to prove himself in a major league, and it would be a real gamble for Forest to sign De Cat as a potential difference-maker in the relegation battle, so Dyche should probably look at proven Premier League players instead.

Nottingham Forest targeting another exciting youngster alongside De Cat Related Nottingham Forest set sights on 'one of the greatest talents' in his country's history

Marinakis is set to have the final say as The Tricky Trees plot another exciting signing.

Posts BySean Markus Clifford Nov 16, 2025

Xolos, Juárez, Pachuca and Pumas step into the spotlight on Thursday as the Apertura 2025 Play-In round finally unfolds, a mini-bracket that will decide who gets a shot at Tigres and reigning champions Toluca. The format has drawn plenty of criticism, leaving both top seeds staring at nearly 18 days without a competitive minute.

AFPThe play-in format

The Xolos-Juárez winner will move on to face Tigres, while the Pachuca-Pumas victor meets the loser of that matchup to determine Toluca’s opponent. On paper, both Play-In winners will enter the Liguilla as clear underdogs against the season’s two strongest teams.

But there’s a twist.

With Toluca and Tigres staring at nearly three weeks without competitive action, the clubs emerging from these midweek fights could arrive sharper, fitter, and far more in rhythm. That opens the door – at least a crack – for an upset.

Realistically, none of the Play-In sides have the firepower to match two teams widely tipped as finalists. Yet this is exactly where Liga MX chaos tends to thrive. In this league, the last team to slip into the postseason can catch fire overnight and send a favorite home early.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportNo. 7 Tijuana vs No. 8 FC Juárez

Tijuana enter the play-in as the slight favorite thanks to home-field advantage, even though both border teams had nearly identical tournaments. finished just one point above FC Juárez, and each side managed only six wins throughout the Apertura 2025. Neither arrives in great form, either: Sebastián Abreu’s squad closed the regular season with just one win in their final six matches, while Martín Varini’s side also collected only one victory over the same stretch. Both teams dipped in level down the stretch, but they still find themselves one win away from the Liguilla – though the “reward” would be facing Tigres, a team that finished more than 10 points ahead of them.

Xolos – Key to Success:
Tijuana have the stronger roster, a better attack, and a more solid defense than FC Juárez. The formula shouldn’t change at home: score first and protect your goal. If Abreu can contain Juárez’s forwards and break down their defensive block, Xolos should have a real chance to advance. That said, single-elimination games are unpredictable, and Varini won’t hesitate to take this match to penalties if necessary.

Xolos – Player to Watch: Gilberto Mora
It’s still unclear how many minutes Mora will play on Thursday, as he remains with the Mexican national team, and his physical readiness is uncertain. The expectation is that the 17-year-old midfield sensation could come off the bench in the second half, since Javier Aguirre wants to evaluate him for El Tri. Even in limited minutes, Mora could be decisive for Xolos.

FC Juárez – Key to Success:
Juárez need to disrupt Tijuana’s rhythm and keep them uncomfortable. They know they’re visiting a tough venue with artificial turf, so Varini’s team must keep a clean sheet, force Xolos to push higher up the pitch, and look to strike in transition.

FC Juárez – Player to Watch: Óscar Estupiñán
The striker finished the tournament with eight goals in just 13 games, making him Juárez’s primary scoring threat. If FC Juárez hopes to cause damage, Estupiñán will need to deliver.

GOAL Pick:
Xolos take it 2–0 and book their place as the seventh team in the Liguilla.

Getty Images SportNo. 9 Pachuca vs No. 10 Pumas

The matchup between Pachuca and Pumas is expected to draw far more attention than Xolos vs. FC Juárez. , who will host on Thursday thanks to their higher finish in the table, made a drastic move by dismissing former Mexico national team coach Jaime Lozano and bringing in Esteban Solari specifically to guide them through this play-in. On the other sideline is another manager under pressure: Efraín Juárez. His job security has been questioned all season, and although Pumas kept their hopes alive with a crucial win over Cruz Azul in the final week, a loss on Thursday could close the door on his return next tournament.

Pachuca – Key to Success: Pachuca must adjust quickly to Esteban Solari’s ideas. The new coach has already held a tune-up match to evaluate his squad, but the team closed the tournament with a five-game winless streak – a slump that ultimately cost Lozano his job. The Tuzos arrive in shaky form but hope the managerial change injects new energy.

Pachuca – Player to Watch: Enner Valencia

Although the Ecuadorian striker struggled this semester – scoring just three goals in nine matches – he remains a veteran built for knockout-style games. Solari is counting on him to lead the attack in a match where the winner stays alive and the loser’s season ends until next semester.

Pumas – Key to Success: Juárez must keep his composure and somehow guide Pumas to a difficult win at Estadio Hidalgo, leaning on the grit and resilience that have kept them alive this long. The scored seven goals across their last two matches, so maintaining that attacking rhythm will be key to troubling the home side. They will also miss José Juan Macías, who suffered a knee injury and is out until next year.

Pumas – Players to Watch: Jorge Ruvalcaba and Keylor Navas

Both were central to Pumas’ campaign. Ruvalcaba earned a call-up to the Mexican national team after scoring five goals during the Apertura 2025, so his availability remains uncertain – though the club hopes to have him back quickly once El Tri wraps up its camp. Navas is also on international duty with Costa Rica, but as a goalkeeper, he is expected to make it back in time for the match.

GOAL Pick: Pumas will advance either by a narrow scoreline or in a penalty shootout.

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Getty Images SportPlayoffs ahead..

The highly anticipated Apertura 2025 Liguilla will kick off next Wednesday and Thursday, shaping up to be one of the most exciting editions in recent years. With Ángel Correa leading Tigres, Sergio Ramos anchoring Monterrey, and América boasting stars like Alejandro Zendejas and Allan Saint-Maximin, the playoff field is loaded with talent. Cruz Azul, under Nicolás Larcamón, look like a genuine contender, while Toluca – guided by Antonio Mohamed – enter as defending champions after finishing the regular season atop the table, powered by Paulinho’s third straight scoring title.

Only one team will lift the trophy in a tournament filled with heavy investment and sky-high expectations. Chivas, revitalized under Gabriel Milito, hope to extend their impressive form and knock Cruz Azul out of contention. But the full list of eight playoff participants won’t be confirmed until the weekend, as the Play-In winner looks to crash the party and deliver a surprise of its own.

If you were to ask Chelsea fans which position of the team is the weakest, a good number would point to the defence.

After all, Enzo Maresca’s side have scored the second most goals in the Premier League this season, but six teams have conceded fewer goals.

However, to be more specific, the issue is not with the club’s world-class full-back options, but at centre-back, where the likes of Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah have underwhelmed.

It seems the board are also dissatisfied with the work of their centre-backs, as reports have linked Chelsea with an international icon who could outright replace both of them by next season.

Chelsea target Tosin & Chalobah upgrade

With the transfer window starting to come back into view, more and more reports are linking Chelsea with potential signings.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The likes of the in-form Marcus Rashford and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton have been touted for moves to West London in the last week or so.

However, while the pair of them would certainly improve Maresca’s squad, they wouldn’t be upgrades on Tosin or Chalobah, unlike Antonio Rüdiger.

Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, Chelsea are interested in signing their former defender, who left the club for Real Madrid in 2022.

More than that, the report has revealed that the Blues have already made an offer of around €8m, which is about £7m.

However, while Los Blancos are open to the German leaving as soon as January, they have turned down the offer, deeming it to be too low.

Fortunately, as the 32-year-old’s contract is set to expire in the summer, there is a good chance the two sides will be able to come to a reasonable agreement.

It would be a surprising move, but one Chelsea should follow through with, even if Rüdiger’s return would likely be bad news for Tosin and Chalobah.

Why Rüdiger would spell the end for Tosin and Chalobah

So the first thing to say is that neither Tosin nor Chalobah is a bad defender. In fact, the pair of them are more than serviceable Premier League players who have the track record to prove it.

However, while that might make them perfect players for sides like Fulham, Crystal Palace or even Everton, it’s not enough to see them start regularly for a club the size of Chelsea.

Playing for the Blues means every little mistake, misplaced pass, lapse in concentration is magnified tenfold and can be particularly costly in the pursuit of titles and trophies.

This is why Maresca needs a player like Rüdiger in his squad and why he would ultimately spell the end for the pair of them, as he is a centre-back who has been there, done it and won practically all there is to win.

During his time in West London, for example, he started ten of the club’s 12 games in their triumphant Champions League campaign in 20/21, and just a few years before that was just as vital in their FA Cup victory.

Since then, he has won another UCL title with Real, a La Liga title and a Copa Del Rey, while being called “the best defender in the world” by former teammate Mesut Özil.

Moreover, while he’s barely played this season, that is mostly down to injury, as across all competitions last year, he made 55 appearances, totalling 4539 minutes.

The Berlin-born titan is also still an important part of the national team, amassing 81 senior caps, in which he’s even scored three goals and provided five assists.

Finally, another important reason the 6 foot 3 monster would be an excellent signing for the Blues is that he’d be an incredible mentor for both Levi Colwill and Josh Acheampong.

In other words, the former Chelsea star could come back and help create the club’s future centre-back partnership.

Ultimately, if Rüdiger returns to Stamford Bridge in January, it would be brilliant for the club, but it would likely signal the end of both Chalobah and Tosin’s time getting regular minutes.

Chelsea have signed an "alien of a talent" who could usurp Estevao & Palmer

The incredible talent could become a bigger star for Chelsea than Estevao and Palmer.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Nov 19, 2025

Exciting finish with Lancashire could be in prospect after rain wipes out much of day three

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay10-Sep-2025An exciting finish could be in prospect on the final day of the Rothesay County Championship between Kent and Lancashire at Canterbury, after the hosts reached 206 for 5 at stumps, a lead of 215.Although rain wiped out much of day three, with only 38.3 overs bowled, Jaydn Denly hit 74 as Kent built their lead, before Mitch Stanley helped rein them in with 2 for 56.With Ben Compton not expected to bat Kent are effectively six down and the game looks fascinatingly poised going into day four.Kent resumed with a lead of 105, on 96 for 0, with Denly on 55 and Ben Dawkins on 35.Dawkins had added just a single when he edged Will Williams to Keaton Jennings at first slip, but the players went off for rain at 10.56 am and six overs were lost.When play resumed Tom Bailey sent Denly’s off stump flying, but a further downpour resulted in an early lunch, with the score 131 for 2.After a two-and-a-half-hour delay, play resumed and George Balderson, switching to the Pavilion End, had Joey Evison caught behind for 26.Joe Denly, in as a concussion sub for Tawanda Muyeye, cracked Stanley for six over midwicket to take Kent to 170 for 3 at tea, but he rarely looked comfortable and was caught behind for 19 after flashing at the same bowler.Stanley then had Harry Finch lbw for 4 before the rain returned at 5.12 pm. With no prospect of a resumption, play was abandoned for the day, with Ekansh Singh unbeaten on 30 and Mo Rizvi, who’s on a pair, on nought not out.

MatériaMais Notícias

Copa da Ásia, Bundesliga, Série A Calcio, La Liga, Campeonato Paulista, Campeonato Carioca e a Premier League são os principais destaques do futebol neste sábado (20). Confira onde assistir ao vivo e os horários das partidas.

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Kai Rooney is being tipped to emulate the achievements of his record-breaking father Wayne by making a major impact at Manchester United. Former Red Devils striker Fraizer Campbell has told GOAL, during an exclusive interview, that it would be “fantastic for the club” to see another Rooney leading the line at some point in the not too distant future.

• Yamal & Dowman prove to Rooney that anything is possible

  Rooney junior is only 15 years of age, but the hottest of prospects have been making senior breakthroughs at that stage of their respective careers. Lamine Yamal earned his big break at Barcelona while in his mid-teens, while Max Dowman has done likewise at Arsenal.

  There is no suggestion that Kai is knocking on Ruben Amorim’s door at Old Trafford just yet, but he continues to make positive progress down that path. He has been promoted through the age groups in United’s academy system, allowing him to prove his worth to club bosses.

  Big pressure is being lumped onto his young shoulders, with Wayne Rooney still United’s all-time leading scorer with 253 efforts to his name. He won Premier League and Champions League titles with the Red Devils.

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  Will Kai Rooney follow Wayne into the Man Utd team?

  Kai is eager to follow in illustrious footsteps, and has been catching the eye in a fabled academy. Many are suggesting that he is capable of matching his famous father by becoming a talismanic forward for Premier League heavyweights.

  Quizzed on whether that could happen, ex-United star Campbell – speaking in association with – told GOAL: “That would be fantastic. He’s played up for the 18s and the 23s this season, I think. He’s doing really, really well. If he’s anything like his dad, it would be fantastic for the club because Rooney was unbelievable in his playing days – still now, he played in the legends game and he’s still got the technique, that drive and hunger. It would be great for Wayne, Coleen and the family to see another Rooney pulling on the Man United shirt. It would be great for the fans as well.”

• Hot prospect: Kai Rooney exciting those at Old Trafford

  Campbell is not the first former United player to back Kai Rooney for senior opportunities. Wes Brown has previously told GOAL of that family name earning further recognition in Manchester: “I’m pretty sure if you played for a club and your son comes through, and he’s at a stage now where he’s like YTS, going to training everyday, then at any point you could be picked by the manager and told ‘you’re training with us’ or ‘you’re in a game’. It will be a great experience.

  “Kai, knowing the lad he is, he’ll just work very hard. He will have his head down. Obviously, his dad has legendary status, but it’s all about Kai. He will have to work and do everything himself, make sure he puts the graft in and keeps on learning.

  “All you can hope for, even when I was a kid, is getting an opportunity. If you do, can you take it? He’s done really well to get where he is at the moment because I’m guessing at some point, it will have been difficult for him.”

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• Getty Images
  

  Wayne & Coleen helping to keep Kai grounded

  Wayne has tended to stay away from Kai’s matches, in order to avoid becoming a distraction, while mother Coleen is doing her best to ensure that a future away from professional football is also being taken into account.

  A source has told of that process: “All the boys are obsessed with football, so Coleen’s had no choice but to embrace it. She wasn’t sure how good they would be, but there’s no denying that Kai has his dad’s talents, and has the potential to make it big.

  “Kai is very good, and Coleen and Wayne have always drummed into him that he has to train hard and dedicate himself to it if he wants to make it. But Coleen is determined that he’ll stay grounded, whatever happens. She also knows she’ll have to prepare him for the disappointment if it doesn’t work out. The Rooney name will only get him so far.”

  It remains to be seen whether Kai Rooney – who has scored plenty of goals for United at youth level while helping them to trophy wins – will earn first-team opportunities. His dad will always be on hand to offer advice if it is required, with Wayne earning wonderkid status himself when making a senior breakthrough with Everton at the age of 16.

Seamer asked to remain on standby for World Cup despite omission from initial squad

Valkerie Baynes24-Sep-2025

Kate Cross has lost her England contract, capping a difficult month in which she also learned she had been overlooked for the World Cup.Cross revealed that England Women’s head coach Charlotte Edwards and director of cricket Jonathan Finch had told her during a post-season appraisal in August that her central contract wouldn’t be renewed, after playing 102 matches for her country across formats in an international career spanning nearly 12 years.”I had my appraisal with Lot and Finchy, our director of cricket, and they just told me that I’m not going to get my England contract renewed next year,” Cross said in a pre-recorded segment for the latest episode of , the podcast that she co-hosts with best friend and former team-mate Alex Hartley. “So as of October this year, 2025, I will not be a professional cricketer for England anymore.””I was dreading saying that, I feel sick,” Cross added in the episode released on Tuesday.Cross had her appraisal in early August, on the eve of the Hundred, in which she was ultimately part of the Northern Superchargers side that won the title, and learned of her World Cup omission partway through the tournament. She also revealed that Edwards had approached her after the Hundred to be a reserve for the World Cup.”I had a phonecall with Lottie at the end of the Hundred where she was like: ‘Look if you’re willing, can you keep training through October? Because if an injury goes down to one of the seamers, we are going to need you.’ That’s the bit I’m finding tough, because the end point isn’t now for me,” Cross said. “I’m back at Old Trafford next week bowling. It’s not been great. But I also have to think if an injury does go down, I have to go and be ready to play for England in a World Cup.”Cross claimed two wickets in the Hundred final to help power Northern Superchargers to the title•Julian Finney/Getty Images

With England Women’s central contracts due to be announced in December, Cross said she had a bad feeling about her future at the end of England’s home ODI series with India, which the hosts lost 2-1 in late July.”I started the India series opening the bowling for England as vice-captain, and I finished that series not even making the 13 that was named the night before, for the squad to play in that last ODI,” Cross said. “Lottie said to me, in a chat the day before the game, that it was a must-win game and I’m not part of the 13. As a cricketer who’s always prided myself on being a reliable bowler for your captain, who would hopefully stand up in big moments and do what I’ve done for a while for England, that was pretty tough to hear. I felt like a lot of trust had been lost quite quickly.”I’m not daft, I’m old enough and wise enough, and been around the block plenty of times to know that something’s happened there that might mean my future is maybe in a little bit of jeopardy.”When I came out of that India series, I felt a little bit lost and I didn’t feel like Lottie trusted me that much, having started the series where I did. I even said to Lottie, ‘I’m not daft, I know I didn’t bowl great (in the first ODI) at Southampton’. I didn’t feel like it was a droppable offence, but I know that wasn’t me at my best.”Cross wondered whether the back injury that she sustained in South Africa last year meant she had “lost a little bit of something”. Though she remained with the squad for England’s subsequent Ashes campaign in Australia, she didn’t play a match as England were whitewashed by seven matches to none.”That’s the stuff that you come to terms with, I guess, but I don’t quite feel like that’s the case,” she said. “I feel like I still have a lot to give the team and I know everyone that gets pushed out will say that, they’ll say that they always still felt like they’ve got stuff to give.Related

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“I’m so aware that my international career had to come to an end at some point, and it was going to be unlikely that I’d get to do it on my terms, because not many people get the privilege of finishing it on their terms. So I always knew that this would be probably how it was done, that I wouldn’t be ready for it.”But I think it’s just the speed of it. I honestly think in a couple of months’ time, a couple of years’ time, I might look back and be really pleased at how quickly it all happened, so I’ve not had to do that year of getting phased out and doing drinks and stuff like that. But I’m also sat here questioning whether I want to play cricket again.”With all this going on, Cross was also part of the Lancashire side which won the inaugural Metro Bank One Day Cup Women’s title on Sunday. She was unsure whether she would seek out a domestic contract for next year and said she would spend the winter away from the game deciding what she wanted to do.”Lottie has, to be fair to her, kept reaching out saying, ‘can we have a chat?’ and I’m like, there’s no point for me yet because I don’t know what to say,” Cross said. “I don’t have anything to say to you that’s going to make me feel better.”The chat might make her feel better, but I don’t think I’m ready for that yet. That almost feels like something that might happen next year or in two years’ time, or maybe never.”

اعترف مدرب منتخب الأرجنتين السابق، بأنه قد منع الأسطورة ليونيل ميسي من اللعب لمنتخب إسبانيا في بداية مسيرته الكروية، موضحًا أنه تنبأ بأن نجم إنتر ميامي سيصبح واحدًا من بين أفضل اللاعبين في التاريخ.

ميسي بدأ مسيرته بشكل متميز للغاية، حيث كان من بين ناشئي نادي برشلونة ، قبل أن يصبح بعد ذلك واحدًا من بين أفضل اللاعبين في التاريخ ويتوج بلقب كأس العالم مع الأرجنتين وكذلك العديد من الألقاب الأخرى.

وكشف خوسيه بيكرمان، مدرب منتخب الأرجنتين السابق، عن كواليس منع ميسي من اللعب مع منتخب إسبانيا عندما كان صغيرًا في السن.

ميسي يمتلك الجنسيتين الإسبانية والأرجنتينية، حيث أفاد بيكرمان في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “ماركا”، أنه قد اتخذ كافة الإجراءات من أجل منع اللاعب من تمثيل لاروخا.

وقال بيركامان: “في إسبانيا، تلقينا معلومات عن ليو ميسي من بطولة تحت 17 عامًا في فنلندا حيث أقيمت هذه البطولة في إسبانيا. وأخبرنا الجهاز الفني الإسباني أنه لو كان لدينا هذا الشاب لكنا فزنا”.

اقرأ أيضًا .. ألبا: ميسي يمتلك مفتاح “كامب نو”.. وسأعود إلى برشلونة

وأضاف: “أخبرت توكالي أنني مذهول من ميسي وأنه لاعب المستقبل، لم أكن مخطئًا، لقد كان الوجه الجديد لكرة القدم الأرجنتينية. ولكن بما أن الأوراق كانت جاهزة بالفعل لمشاركته في كأس العالم تحت 20 عامًا في إسبانيا، لذلك كان علينا الإسراع لمنعه من اللعب لهم”.

وأوضح: “أخبرني توكالي أنه جهز الفريق لبطولة أمريكا الجنوبية تحت 20 عامًا التي بدأت بعد شهر، سألني كيف تخبرني بوجود لاعب شاب الآن؟ قلت له إنني لا أريده أن يلعب إلا للضرورة، فقط أن يلعب مباراة ودية مع الأرجنتين ويوقع على استمارة التسجيل ويرسلها إلى فيفا وهذا كل شيء”.

وأردف: ”قلت للاتحاد الأرجنتيني إنني لن أعود إلى إسبانيا أبدًا، تحدثت مع رئيس الاتحاد وأخبرته وقلت له إنني أرغب في الحضور في هذا الاجتماع وكان علينا إرسال الدعوة إلى برشلونة لاستدعاء ميسي”.

وتابع: ”كنا خاضعين لقاعدة الفيفا التي تنص على أنه إذا لعب لاعب لمنتخب شباب فلا يحق له اللعب لمنتخب وطني آخر، كانت الأوراق جاهزة لميسي البالغ من العمر 18 عامًا خلال ذلك الوقت ليشارك في كأس العالم تحت 20 عامًا مع إسبانيا، ثم بدأت العملية”.

واختتم: “طلبت من دون خوليو جروندونا البحث عن أي خصم لنا في لقاء ودي وأن توكالي كان على علم بذلك، ولكن بشرط واحد، أن تقام المباراة على ملعب أرجنتينوس جونيورز”.

Manchester United are in the market for reinforcements, and INEOS may now use their negotiation powers to bring a talented midfielder through the door at Old Trafford.

Ruben Amorim will be the first to acknowledge that his side are a work in progress at this moment in time. However, they are now five matches unbeaten in the Premier League after their draw at Tottenham Hotspur yesterday.

From the jaws of defeat, Matthijs De Ligt secured a deserved point for Manchester United in injury time to cap off an enthralling encounter. However, the Red Devils’ Portuguese boss did confirm that Benjamin Sesko could be absent for a period after being hauled off due to an injury.

He stated post-match: “It’s the knee, and we never know. Right now, I’m not thinking about form or selection. I’m more concerned about the injury because it’s in the knee, and I don’t know how serious it is.”

Either way, a minor blot on a credible day at the office won’t distract Manchester United fans from the fact that their side appear to be headed in the right direction, finally, something that is bound to appeal when aiming to secure signings in January.

Looking towards the future, Hertha Berlin youngster Kennet Eichhorn is someone the Red Devils are keen to land, potentially filling a hole in the engine room long-term if they can see off Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona to land his signature.

La Liga is also a market Manchester United are looking to exploit by signing Barcelona winger Raphinha if they secure Champions League qualification.

Nevertheless, he could cost over £100 million. In contrast, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have eyes on a target based in Spain that could arrive in a financially advantageous deal.

Man Utd could land Valencia star Javi Guerra in cheap deal

According to reports in Spain, Manchester United could land Valencia star Javi Guerra for £21.9 million if they can see off competition from both Atletico Madrid and AC Milan for his signature.

The Spain Under-21 international has a release clause valued at £87.8 million, creating a scenario where he could end up at Old Trafford for up to £65 million less than his asking price.

Five similar players to Javi Guerra (FBRef)

Hicham Boudaoui

Nice

Sergi Darder

Mallorca

Oscar Mingueza

Celta Vigo

Sandi Lovric

Udinese

Luis Rioja

Valencia

Starting the campaign off, he has registered two assists in 12 appearances across all competitions for Valencia. However, they view a cut-price sale as an ideal solution for all parties due to what they believe is a drop in form from Guerra over recent months.

No longer guaranteed a starting spot, Carlos Corberan could offload the Valencia-born man, and the January window is set to become a defining point when determining his future.

Man Utd could also sign a proven striker for a bargain figure

It is an open secret that Manchester United want new midfielders, especially with Casemiro coming towards the end of his career, and Guerra could be a cost-effective solution for Amorim should he enter the market in mid-season.