Shreyanka Patil has been ruled out of the women’s Asia Cup after picking up an injury to her left hand. A press release from the Asian Cricket Council on Saturday said the 21-year old India offspinner “sustained a fracture to the fourth finger of her left hand.”Shreyanka took a full part in the team’s only game of the tournament so far, against Pakistan on Friday, bowling 3.2 overs and picking up 2 for 14. She was not needed to bat with India wrapping up the win in 14.2 overs and with seven wickets to spare. Tanuja Kanwar, the uncapped 26-year-old left-arm spinner who plays for Gujarat Giants in the WPL and Railways in domestic cricket, has been called up as replacement.Shreyanka made her debut for India in December 2023 on the back of impressive performances in the WPL. This year, she went on to become champion with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a season where she took 13 wickets – the most by any bowler – at an average of 12.07 and an economy rate of 7.30. Shreyanka has played 12 T20Is for India and has gone wicketless in only two of those games. She’s also represented her country in three ODIs.Kanwar, born in Himachal Pradesh, also made a big splash in the WPL. She was bought by the Giants in 2023 for INR 50 lakh. A week before that auction she had starred with 3 for 26 for Railways in the One Day Trophy final to finish the tournament with 18 wickets while averaging 11.16 and conceding just 2.43 runs an over. Kanwar finished the 2024 WPL season with 10 wickets from eight matches at an average of 20.70 and an economy rate of 7.13. She is known for a variation where she bowls her left-arm spin from well behind the popping crease.India’s next match at the women’s Asia Cup is on Sunday against the UAE in Dambulla.
Leeds United are “interested” in signing a Premier League striker compared to Erling Haaland, as the 49ers Enterprises’ ramp up the Whites’ summer transfer business.
Leeds making moves with Nmecha and Bijol
With Premier League football to prepare for under Daniel Farke, Leeds are now becoming active in the window, with Lukas Nmecha the first official arrival of the summer.
Joining on July 1 when his Wolfsburg contract expires, Nmecha has agreed to a two-year deal at Elland Road and will actually count as a homegrown player following his time in England with Manchester City.
Talking after sealing a move to Leeds, Nmecha said: “It’s just a great challenge and I’m really excited to get to know the team. I’ve spoken with the manager many times and I’m excited to play that style of football that they played in the Championship, even in the Premier League.
“I saw that there was dominance last season in terms of possession and the goals. I’m an attacking player, so obviously that’s exciting for me. Of course, in the Premier League, there’s some big boys in there where you can’t play like that all the time, but I think the idea of the manager is to play good football, possession football, and that’s what I’m used to and what I love doing.
“I wish we could get going now, but we still have a few weeks of pre-pre-season, getting the runs in and all that! But, I just can’t wait to start training now.”
Bid submitted: Leeds make £8.5m offer to sign "excellent" ace after Bijol
He’s reportedly next on Leeds’ summer wishlist.
ByTom Cunningham Jun 17, 2025
Alongside the German forward, Leeds are also primed to bolster their centre-back ranks with a move for Udinese star Luka Bijol.
A deal has now been agreed for Leeds to sign Bijol from the Serie A side in a transfer that could be worth over £18m with add-ons. It is the 49ers’ first major outlay following the club’s Championship triumph, and by the looks of things, they won’t be stopping there.
Leeds "interested" in signing £35m Rodrigo Muniz
According to Sky Sports senior reporter Rob Dorsett, Leeds are “interested” in signing Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz over the coming months, describing Leeds as “busy” in the window.
Thought to be valued at £50m by those at Craven Cottage, Leeds are willing to pay £35m, as the Whites look to bolster their attacking ranks even further.
Reliable reporter Graham Smyth of The Yorkshire Evening Post added that Leeds would still be in the market for another striker after landing Nmecha, and it looks as if Muniz is a real target.
Still just 24 years of age, Muniz has been a steady performer in the top flight in recent seasons, which have actually been his only campaigns in the Premier League. As per FBref, Muniz is similar to Man City star Haaland based objectively on his statistical profile, and ranks in the top 2% of forwards for aerial duels won over the past 12 months.
Games
26
31
Goals
9
8
Minutes played
1,599
950
As can be seen, Muniz hasn’t exactly been guaranteed game time at Craven Cottage under Marco Silva, so a move to Yorkshire may appeal to him, providing Farke can promise him more action.
The fallout of Manchester United’s Europa League final defeat has largely been centred around the future of manager Ruben Amorim, as well as that of rising star, Alejandro Garnacho.
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Amorim, however, is said to have told his squad that he will still be at the club next season, despite their 15th-place Premier League finish, following a meeting last week.
That same announcement came alongside the revelation that Garnacho is set to be shown the door, with recent reports indicating that the Portuguese coach told the 20-year-old – in front of his teammates – that he will have to “pray” that a new club wants to sign him.
It could be argued that the former Sporting CP boss will also need to ‘pray’ that the Old Trafford side are capable of signing an upgrade on the Argentine winger. Thankfully, that search looks firmly in motion, not least amid Matheus Cunha’s impending switch…
Latest on Cunha's move to Man Utd
It’s been no real secret that United have been chasing a move for the Brazilian in recent weeks, with The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell notably confirming that interest last month, alongside the club’s admiration for Ipswich Town talisman, Liam Delap.
Cunha, Delap, Amorim
Despite signing a new contract at Molineux back in January, Cunha’s exit from the Midlands side has appeared an inevitability over the past few months, having notably outlined his desire to take “the next step” in his career.
Well, that next step appears to be leading him to Manchester, with it having been widely reported that the 25-year-old is set for a medical, after the two clubs agreed terms regarding the payment of his £62.5m release clause.
That move is expected to see the former Atletico Madrid man take on the number ten shirt, thus ousting the exiled Marcus Rashford from that jersey – providing a further hint to where the Englishman’s future lies.
As for Cunha, the 15-goal sensation is expected to line up in one of the two attacking roles behind the striker in Amorim’s 3-4-3 system, having already starred in that set-up under Vitor Pereira.
Wolverhampton Wanderers'MatheusCunhacelebrates
With Garnacho potentially departing – and Amad Diallo able to slot in at right wing-back – the other number ten berth may well be filled by another Premier League talent this summer.
Man Utd's search to replace Garnacho
The deal for Cunha appears to be edging ever closer toward completion, with the INEOS regime seemingly looking to get their business done early, ahead of a summer free of World Cup or European Championship commitments.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to reports in Spain, the move for the Old Gold ace is likely to be followed by the pursuit of Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, with it claimed that United are already ‘moving decisively’ to sign the 25-year-old.
Indeed, while the Cameroon international is set to be courting interest from ‘several clubs’ following a fine campaign at the Gtech, the report indicates that it is those at Old Trafford who have ‘made the first formal move’.
Brentford's BryanMbeumoreacts
The suggestion is that with the former Troyes star having just a year left on his existing deal in west London, he would command a fee of around £50m, representing good value for the perfect Garnacho upgrade.
How Mbeumo compares to Alejandro Garnacho
Garnacho, it must be said, would hardly rank among the first crop of players that supporters would wish to see leave this summer. Indeed, the youngster managed to chalk up 21 goals and assists in 2024/25 – a record bettered only by Bruno Fernandes among his teammates.
Bruno Fernandes
39
19
20
Alejandro Garnacho
21
11
10
Amad Diallo
20
11
9
Rasmus Hojlund
14
10
5
Joshua Zirkzee
10
7
3
Marcus Rashford
10
7
3
Christian Eriksen
10
5
5
Casemiro
8
5
3
Diogo Dalot
8
3
5
Manuel Ugarte
8
2
6
It certainly doesn’t sit well that last season’s FA Cup final goalscorer may be shipped off due to his struggle to fit into Amorim’s system, with that certainly something of a gamble considering the manager could find himself under intense pressure if results don’t improve at the start of next term.
That said, perhaps now is the time for the manager to truly be backed, and if it is Mbeumo whom the 40-year-old has identified as a replacement, then so be it. That would certainly not be a deal to turn your nose up at.
Indeed, the France-born speedster is coming off the back of a simply sensational Premier League season, having scored 20 league goals for Thomas Frank’s side, while operating off the right flank or in a central role.
To put that into perspective, no player back at Old Trafford has hit 20 top-flight goals in a single campaign since Robin van Persie in 2012/13 – the last time that the club claimed the title.
Games (starts)
38 (38)
36 (23)
Goals
20
6
Goal frequency
171min
366min
Big chances missed
9
14
Assists
7
2
Big chances created
17
4
Key passes*
1.8
1.0
Pass accuracy*
74%
83%
Successful dribbles*
1.4
0.7
With seven assists also under his belt, Mbeumo enjoyed a far superior return to what Garnacho achieved in 2024/25, with the Argentina international registering just six goals and only two assists.
The Brentford man’s impressive output goes beyond just goals and assists, however, as indicated by his superior record with regard to key passes, successful dribbles and ‘big chances’ created. With regard to that latter stat, for instance, the aforementioned Fernandes managed to supply ‘just’ 16 big chances.
Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho
It must be said that this is no flash in the pan either, with Mbeumo also shining in 2023/24 with nine goals and six assists to his name in the league. Garnacho, meanwhile, recorded seven goals and four assists, in what was his first full season at senior level.
With the Bees star lauded by analyst Ben Mattinson as “one of the most deadly players on transition” in the division, he can also take on Garnacho’s mantle of being a real outlet on the counterattack – a trait that that United have already been the victim off, as he rounded off Brentford’s 4-0 win over Erik ten Hag’s side back in August 2022.
While a deal for Cunha is enough to get tongues wagging, managing to land Mbeumo to further bolster the attack would represent a potentially even bigger coup for those at Old Trafford.
Yes, the decision to sell Garnacho may well be viewed upon as a real mistake in years to come, although United could hardly have identified a better replacement.
He'll be amazing with Mbeumo: Man Utd agree personal terms to sign £30m ace
Manchester United already appear to be making serious moves for multiple targets this summer.
Liverpool have held discussions for a £50m star who has recently praised both Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.
Liverpool announce new Salah contract with Van Dijk to follow
The Reds officially announced a new contract for Salah on Friday morning, with the Egyptian penning a fresh two-year deal at Anfield.
Talking about staying at the club, Salah said: “Of course I’m very excited – we have a great team now. Before we also had a great team. But I signed because I think we have a chance to win other trophies and enjoy my football.
“I have played eight years here, hopefully it’s going to be 10. I’m enjoying my life here, enjoying my football. I have had the best years of my career here.”
The good news looks set to keep on coming away the pitch for Arne Slot, with Van Dijk to follow suit and extend his Liverpool contract for a further two years like Salah.
The news on Salah and Van Dijk will allow Liverpool to put their focus on preparing for the summer transfer market, and it looks as if they have made a move for an in-demand Premier League target who could end up partnering the Dutch defender.
Liverpool in talks for £50m Bournemouth star Huijsen
According to the reliable David Ornstein for The Athletic, Liverpool have held talks with the representatives of Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen.
Alongside the Reds, Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle and Tottenham have also been in touch for the Spain international who is available for £50m this summer.
“Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle, Tottenham have all met Dean Huijsen representatives ahead of decision being made on 19yo centre-back’s future. Bournemouth & player want swift outcome. Release clause £50m.”
The 19-year-old only made the move to England from Juventus last summer and has been a regular under Andoni Iraola, making 25 top-flight appearances for the Cherries.
Liverpool now in pole position to sign £80m+ star who dominated Bayern
The Reds could make quite the statement.
By
Tom Cunningham
Apr 11, 2025
Huijsen has come up against Liverpool twice this season and the centre-back has actually called Salah his toughest opponent.
“I think Salah because he has the ability to create stuff but he also has the ability to be in the right spot all the time to get an assist, to get a goal.
“Even against us, he scored two goals but out of nowhere. It was a dribble and he’s just curled it into the top corner. Plus a penalty, obviously, and penalty you have to score it still. But the second goal, he’s just dribbled and put it into the top corner and it’s just so easy. Even if he doesn’t manage to play a great game on the eye, he will still provide. He’s always there.”
Huijsen also praised Van Dijk, saying: “Obviously I wasn’t one-vs-one playing against him, but just seeing him on the pitch… he’s so impressive. He has an aura. He just stands there and he’s so tall, so strong. He’s a great player to be honest.”
Royals had a plan against Salt and it went okay for a while but then it all went downhill
Sidharth Monga13-Apr-20251:43
Rapid fire: Is Salt RCB’s best addition at the auction?
Rajasthan Royals (RR) had one of those days against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) where they didn’t seem to be able to get anything right on the field. Catches went down, a bowler disgusted at the fielding wasn’t in place to collect a throw for a run-out, their two big Sri Lankan spinners kept missing their lengths, and they bowled seven wides. Those innocuous down-the-leg-side ones and not the ones where you overcook defensive lines. That, though, is an execution problem. You can count on them to come out with plans that push the batters.One such plan, which was also executed for a while, was for Phil Salt. In particular, his contest against team-mate and friend at England, Sussex and Barbados when they were growing up, Jofra Archer. They had faced each other in the nets for sure, but never in a match. Salt teased some plans that he didn’t want to reveal. Archer’s hand was obvious: both deep fielders on the leg side, and Archer’s natural movement back in for the right-hand batter.Related
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A high-risk plan but one that makes sense for Salt, who loves to stay leg side of the ball and crash it through the off side: Archer’s pace, movement back in, and a 5-4 leg-side field. In the first over, Archer took away moral victories. The first ball nipped back in sharply, brushed the back pad and flew wide of wicketkeeper Sanju Samson. The next ball followed him again and hit him in the body. The fourth flew off the top edge on the hook for a six. The next one hit the pad even before he could react. The last ball of the over nearly had him lbw but Salt had moved across just enough for the umpire to rule the ball hit him outside the line. DRS would have returned an umpire’s call.Phil Salt peppered the leg side•Associated PressIn Archer’s next over, though, Salt took away both runs and moral victories. On air, Ian Bishop said he had never seen Salt do what he did. He said Salt’s coach at The Hundred, Simon Katich, hadn’t seen anything like this from either. Salt started to jump across to well outside off even before Archer released the ball, and kept hitting into the leg side. He kept taking on the two deep leg-side fielders. The first shot evaded deep square leg narrowly. The six, though, was majestic: way into the stands behind square leg.”I gave it a chance early doors, you know, try to hit him through the off side, but he was swinging it quite a long way so I realised there’s only one area of the ground I can try and hit the ball,” Salt said at the presentation. “Me and Jof have had a lot of battles in the nets. He’s bowled at me more than he’s bowled at anyone else and I’ve faced him more than anyone else. So, nice to have the wood on him, but we’ll play him again in a few days’ time.”Now Salt was unstoppable. RR tried to cramp him and make him hit into the leg side, but Salt kept taking the fielders on and kept clearing them. In all, Salt scored 51 runs in the leg side, the second-most he has managed in any IPL innings. When he scored 52 leg-side runs for Delhi Capitals against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2023, it was part of an 87-run innings. Here he scored 51 out of 65 on the leg side, easily the highest percentage of leg-side runs for him in an IPL innings.
By the time he was done, in just the ninth over, Salt had scored 65 runs out of 92. More importantly he had broken the back of the chase that could have got tricky had they not got off to a good start. On ESPNcricinfo’s Total Impact points, this 65 was worth 93.49. As a comparison, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 75 got inflated to just 83.73.The impact his innings made was not lost on Salt. “[The pitch] was a little bit slower and lower than anywhere else we’ve played,” Salt said. “So, I think I had a real opportunity in the powerplay to put a stamp on the game. So pleased I could put the stamp for the lads.”
The two teams will meet for the first time in Tests since infamous 2018 series. Here are the talking points ahead of the series opener
Andrew McGlashan15-Dec-20220:57
South Africa looking to grow Jansen’s all-round ability
Top order vs Top orderOn paper, this doesn’t look like a contest. The biggest question for South Africa is whether they can put enough runs on the board when their captain Dean Elgar has the best record among the batters with an average of 38.83. On the tour of England earlier this year, there was one half-century – from Sarel Erwee – in three matches. It’s a long way off the South African sides that have previously come to Australia and won. Compared to Australia, where two of the top five average over sixty and the others well over 40, there is a huge discrepancy. A glimmer for the visitors is that David Warner has had a lean couple of years in Test cricket and Cameron Green has had very little batting this season and that is showing when he does get to the crease.Don’t forget the spinnersA lot of the talk, and excitement, is around what the two pace attacks in this series could offer. But don’t ignore the role the spinners could play. Nathan Lyon was Australia’s leading wicket-taker against West Indies with 12 at 21.16 including the match-winning haul in Perth and his 450th Test wicket in Adelaide. He is both a priceless attacking and defensive option for the captain.However, Keshav Maharaj’s figures stack up favourably against Lyon aside from the sheer volume of wickets with 154 at 30.61 in 45 Tests. His debut came on the previous tour in 2016-17 where he claimed 3 for 56 in the first innings at Perth (including a controversial lbw against Steven Smith) then churned through 40 overs in the second when South Africa had lost Dale Steyn from the attack. Offspinner Simon Harmer is also in the squad and has an outstanding first-class record (since 2016: 570 wickets at 21.84) although was underwhelming when he faced England at Old Trafford in August.Related
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Bowling depthThree Tests in three weeks will be a big ask for the quicks. Australia have already had to delve into their reserves, having lost Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in Adelaide. Hazlewood will miss the opening Brisbane Test as well and would appear touch-and-go for the second Test in Melbourne. However, they are not looking for back-up. Scott Boland picked up where he left off in the Ashes with a triple-wicket maiden against West Indies and Michael Neser will be unfortunate to lose his spot with Cummins returning.South Africa’s big four is very enticing – Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje and Marco Jansen – but it may be that all four don’t always play together. Beyond that, things are a little more uncertain although Gerald Coetzee claimed a hat-trick in the warm-up match against the CA XI. Lizaad Williams, a late replacement for the injured Glenton Stuurman, is the other quick in the squad.South Africa’s pace attack is undoubtedly their strength, but they will need to be careful in Australian conditions•ICC via GettyHow do South Africa balance their side?Linked to the above is the question of how South Africa pick their best attack. Unlike Australia, who have Green at No. 6, there is not a fully-fledged allrounder available. “We have gone with six [batters] and five [bowlers] before,” bowling coach Charl Langeveldt said. “It is a big decision, but first, we will have to see the conditions at the Gabba and how much grass they leave on it. It is a hard one. You are always looking for an extra batter.”Runs on the board are also important. At the moment, we don’t have that batter who can bowl us a few overs, whereas Australia have Green and that makes a difference.”Jansen has shown some batting ability – interim coach said Malibongwe Maketa said “he has the ability to do something special with the bat” but remained a work in progress – and may have to take the No. 7 spot below wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne but that feels a spot too high, as it would for Maharaj. One option would be to go without Maharaj and play just the four frontline quicks with a bit of Elgar’s left-arm offerings in support, but there is risk attached to that. South Africa are probably going to have to be brave in their selection.
“At the moment, we don’t have that batter who can bowl us a few overs, whereas Australia have Green and that makes a difference.”SA bowling coach Charl Langeveldt
Falling into the trapSouth Africa’s pace attack is undoubtedly their strength, but they will need to be careful not to make the same mistake as many visiting attacks do in Australia, particularly at a venue such as the Gabba, where they bowl too short with the new ball. It is worth going a touch fuller and risk being driven, to bring in a greater chance of finding the outside edge. One of the hallmarks of Australia’s batting against West Indies, especially by Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne, was how they left the ball on the length.”We’ve been quite clear in terms of lengths we want to hit, if you look at the Wanderers it offers the same, more or less, where you can get carried away with the sexy bounce and be ineffective. So we’ve been working hard on making sure we hit the fuller length and making the batter play,” Maketa said.
Lack of clear favourite in South Group promises intriguing quarter-final race
ESPNcricinfo staff08-Jun-2021EssexLast season: 5th in South Group Coach: Anthony McGrath Captain: Simon Harmer Overseas players: Harmer, James NeeshamChampionship contrast: The leading red-ball side in the country over the last few years, Essex have been inconsistent in T20 – perhaps in part because they rely on a similar group of players having to make the switch between formats. The likes of Alastair Cook and Nick Browne will make way, with Varun Chopra coming in to add power at the top of the order, probably alongside Tom Westley. Jimmy Neesham’s all-round ability should help balance the side, while youngsters like Aron Nijjar and Ben Allison could get opportunities.Key man: Ryan ten Doeschate will turn 41 at the end of the month but he continues to show that age is one of the least-significant numbers for the analysts to crunch. Having helped Essex to lift their maiden T20 title in 2019, he had his best campaign in several years last summer, finishing as Essex’s top-scorer and with a strike rate above his career average. Championship form has been middling but the Blast might help free him up.Ryan ten Doeschate is still flying the 40-plus flag•Getty ImagesOne to watch: The latest young Essex seamer to catch the eye is Jack Plom, a neat-and-tidy right-armer who claimed seven wickets in his five appearances last year, to go with an impressive economy of 7.74. The 21-year-old is a former England Under-19 and comes into the competition in wicket-taking form for Essex in the 2nd XI T20 competition.Verdict: Squeeze into the quarter-finals and, like in 2019, who knows what might happen?Bet365: 12/1GlamorganLast season: 5th in Central Group Coach: Matt Maynard Captain: Chris Cooke Overseas players: Marnus Labuschagne, Colin Ingram, Michael NeserChampionship contrast: Colin Ingram is the key addition, while Prem Sisodiya’s left-arm spin should be effective in the Powerplay again, but the core of players is largely the same. Marnus Labuschagne is expected to play ahead of Michael Neser in the second overseas spot.Key man: Colin Ingram, Glamorgan’s all-time leading run-scorer in T20 cricket, returns to Cardiff after missing last year’s Blast. He was not at his best in the Big Bash and the PSL earlier this year and turns 36 towards the end of the group stage but is undoubtedly the key man in their batting line-up, not least with last year’s leading run-scorer, Andy Balbirnie, not returning.Labuschagne has limited T20 experience•Getty ImagesOne to watch: Marnus Labuschagne’s presence brings intrigue: he has played only 16 T20s in his career with a middling record, though was effective as an anchor and leggie in a handful of games for Brisbane Heat in early 2021. He is available throughout after logistical concerns denied him a spot in Australia’s enlarged white-ball squad to tour the Caribbean and has openly targeted a place in the T20 World Cup squad later this year.Verdict: Plenty of spin options but Cardiff tends to favour seamers, where they are lighter. Quarter-final hopes depend heavily on Ingram, Labuschagne and Chris Cooke’s runs from the middle order. Bet365: 33/1GloucestershireLast season: 1st in Central Group, semi-finalists Coach: Ian Harvey Captain: Jack Taylor Overseas players: Glenn Phillips, Graeme van Buuren, Daniel WorrallChampionship contrast: Jack Taylor and Benny Howell come into the side while Ian Cockbain, Tom Smith and George Scott are all better-suited to the shorter format and Daniel Worrall’s new-ball swing bowling should be effective. After consecutive innings defeats in the Championship, a change in formats comes at the right time.Key man: Gloucestershire were dominant last season before losing an 11-over shoot-out in the semi-finals, and Glenn Phillips could be the missing piece in the jigsaw. An ultra-attacking middle-order batter who has cemented his spot in New Zealand’s T20I side, he has honed his game against spin across four seasons playing for Jamaica Tallawahs in the CPL, and is likely to keep wicket with James Bracey on England duty.Dent’s T20 reinvention took everyone by surprise last summer•Getty ImagesOne to watch: Chris Dent had not played a T20 since 2016 and had a dreary record in the format heading into last summer, but teed off at the top of the order, striking at 153.30 and finishing second to Cockbain in Gloucestershire’s run charts. Training using weighted bats with the power-hitting coach Julian Wood appears to have transformed his white-ball game.Verdict: Dark horses no more, after reaching Finals Day for the first time since 2004 last summer. For a squad filled with canny and underestimated T20 operators, anything less than a second visit to Edgbaston in a row would be a failure. Bet365: 16/1HampshireLast season: 6th in South Group Coach: Adi Birrell Captain: James Vince Overseas players: Kyle Abbott, Colin de Grandhomme, D’Arcy ShortChampionship contrast: The core of the team is the same. James Vince is captain in both formats and forms part a strong spine alongside Sam Northeast, Liam Dawson, Lewis McManus and Kyle Abbott, with the likes of James Fuller and Chris Wood adding power and nous. D’Arcy Short was a success at the top of the order for Durham two seasons ago, Colin de Grandhomme can play the finisher’s role and provide useful overs, and Mason Crane’s legspin should be a trump card.James Vince was the second-highest run-scorer in the 2020-21 Big Bash•Getty ImagesKey man: Vince is one of the leading T20 batsmen in the world – over the last two years, only Alex Hales has scored more runs than him in the major domestic leagues, during which time he has twice helped Sydney Sixers to the Big Bash title. A member of the Hampshire golden generation that won the tournament in 2010 and 2012, Vince’s ability to set the tone could be key for the current side.One to watch: Crane was the side’s leading wicket-taker last season and seems forever on the fringes of international selection (when fit). Having spent the winter touring as a reserve with England, the Blast provides an ideal opportunity to press his credentials again after limited opportunities in the early stages of the Championship.Verdict: Serial Finals Day attendees a decade ago, Hampshire only won two games last year. Improving shouldn’t be hard but a return to the glory days seems less straightforward.Bet365: 10/1KentLast season: 3rd in South Group Coach: Matt Walker Captain: Sam Billings Overseas players: Qais Ahmad, Adam Milne, Heino KuhnChampionship contrast: Depleted four-day squad will be bolstered by return of Matt Milnes and Harry Podmore from injury, and Fred Klaassen from international duty. Alex Blake is on a white-ball contract, while Joe Denly and Daniel Bell-Drummond will relish a change in formats. Sam Billings’ availability may be limited by England duty. Will there be room for Darren Stevens, whose last T20 game for Kent was in 2017?Denly will be Kent’s most important allrounder•Getty ImagesKey man: Joe Denly missed two Championship games for personal reasons last month but made a fluent 63 in his return last week. He will likely anchor the innings with Daniel Bell-Drummond – who enjoyed a breakthrough T20 season last summer, with 423 runs at a strike rate of 154.94 – given licence to go hard, and in the absence of the retired Imran Qayyum, his legspin will be relied upon in the middle overs and possibly in the Powerplay too.One to watch: Mohammad Amir’s 11th-hour withdrawal means Adam Milne returns for a fourth Blast season as the spearhead of Kent’s attack, and his record for the club – 38 wickets at 19.10, with an economy rate of 7.34 – is testament to his effectiveness in all three phases of an innings, bowling at speeds in excess of 90mph/145kph. His recent form has won him a T20I recall, but careful management will be required, given his injury history.Verdict: Consistently quarter-final contenders and should challenge again despite Qayyum’s retirement leaving a hole to fill. Bet365: 12/1MiddlesexLast season: 4th in South Group Coach: Stuart Law Captain: Eoin Morgan Overseas players: Chris Green, Daryl Mitchell, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Paul StirlingChampionship contrast: A break from four-day cricket is possibly just what Middlesex need, after six defeats in eight in the Championship. Eoin Morgan is available for the start of the competition and there will be a familiar face donning T20 pink again as Paul Stirling returns to his old county for the first five games as an overseas signing. Steven Finn, having played just two Championship fixtures, is likely to deputise as captain when Morgan is with England, and youngsters such as James Cracknell, Luke Hollman and Blake Cullen will come into contention.Key man: Legspinners are high up the list of must-haves in T20, and Middlesex could field two in Hollman – who also offers with the bat – and Nathan Sowter. The latter is Middlesex’s senior spinner in white-ball cricket, and his T20 record is solid; over the last two Blast seasons, Matt Parkinson and Simon Harmer are the only spinners to have had more success.Max Holden acknowledges his maiden T20 hundred•Getty ImagesOne to watch: Max Holden was dropped from the Championship XI after averaging 14.77 from 10 innings, but he seems set to be given a chance to rediscover his spark in the shortest form. Holden scored a maiden T20 hundred from 59 balls at Chelmsford last year and his opening partnership with Stevie Eskinazi could be key.Verdict: A middle-of-the-pack side on paper but Morgan’s presence and some decent overseas signings could lift them into contention. Bet365: 12/1SomersetLast season: 4th in Central Group Coach: Jason Kerr Captain: Lewis Gregory Overseas players: Devon Conway, Marchant de LangeChampionship contrast: Max Waller brings a wealth of experience with his flat legbreaks, but the core of the squad is the same.Key man: Tom Banton was county cricket’s breakthrough white-ball player in 2019 but has struggled over the last year and opened up about the stress of quarantine and long Covid to ESPNcricinfo last month. He should be freed up by the opportunity to target Taunton’s short boundaries, and with Babar Azam not returning (Devon Conway arrives after the World Test Championship final) there is pressure on him to pile on the runs.Tom Banton will be looking to fire back in a Somerset shirt•Getty ImagesOne to watch: Death bowling has been Somerset’s Achilles heel ever since Alfonso Thomas’ retirement so Marchant de Lange, their full-season overseas signing, has a big role to play. He is best used as a middle-overs enforcer, but has some pedigree bowling at the death for Glamorgan, and a career economy rate in the last four overs of 9.41 is serviceable.Verdict: Conway’s arrival should boost their quarter-final prospects. Bet365: 9/1SurreyLast season: 1st in South Group, finalists Coach: Vikram Solanki Captain: Jade Dernbach Overseas players: Hashim AmlaChampionship contrast: Jason Roy, Sam and Tom Curran return from the IPL and will be available for the start of the competition, while Laurie Evans, Will Jacks, Dan Moriarty and Gareth Batty will play greater roles. Reece Topley, Liam Plunkett and Sean Abbott are all injured.Key man: Laurie Evans is among England’s best uncapped white-ball batters and was vital in Surrey’s run to the final last year, averaging 45.37 and striking at 153.16. He was the second-highest run-scorer in the LPL over the winter, with a remarkable strike rate of 182.35 against spin while playing for Colombo Kings. At 33, he should be at his peak.Evans is among England’s best uncapped white-ball players•Getty ImagesOne to watch: Jamie Overton leaked more than 10 runs an over with the ball in his first Blast season for Surrey but was dubbed “our Andre Russell” by Gareth Batty after striking at 194.33 in his five innings as a finisher. Injury crisis among seamers may see him required to bowl more regularly again but his potential with the bat gives them two finishers in him and Jordan Clark.Verdict: Bowling attack is reliant on triple spin threat of Jacks, Moriarty and Batty but the same formula helped them top the group last summer. Should stay in quarter-final race throughout group stage. Bet365: 13/2SussexLast season: 2nd in South Group Coach: James Kirtley Captain: Luke Wright Overseas players: Travis Head, David Wiese, Rashid KhanChampionship contrast: Significant overhaul, with Luke Wright, David Wiese, Ravi Bopara, Chris Jordan, Will Beer and Tymal Mills added to the group and Phil Salt set to return from injury. James Kirtley, the assistant coach in the Championship, takes the reins from Ian Salisbury for the Blast.David Wiese returns for his sixth Blast season•Getty ImagesKey man: David Wiese returns for his sixth Blast season as an overseas player rather than a Kolpak, and has been in the country for a month preparing. He was the picture of consistency last year in a volatile finishing role, averaging 40.14 while striking at 145.59, and forms part of an imposing engine room from Nos. 3-6 alongside Travis Head, Delray Rawlins and Ravi Bopara. Will play less of a role with the ball this year.One to watch: George Garton was rested from the Championship side last week to prepare for the Blast and warmed up with 30 not out off seven balls in a 2nd XI fixture. He had a breakthrough T20 season in 2020, taking 14 wickets spread across the Powerplay and the death overs, and won a game against Middlesex almost single-handedly from No. 8. Sussex also rate him as the club’s best fielder.Verdict: Bowling attack lighter than usual with Jofra Archer injured and limited availability for Rashid Khan and Jordan – but still very much in contention to top the group. Bet365: 10/1
Is everything finally beginning to click into place for Ruben Amorim at Manchester United?
It feels as if Amorim has constantly been under pressure since taking on the poisoned chalice of the Red Devils gig, but recent results are now pointing in the direction that the Manchester side’s ongoing patience with their ex-Sporting boss is finally paying off, with an emphatic 4-2 win over Brighton and Hove Albion picked up on Saturday pushing the regular Premier League underachievers into a temporary top four position.
While a number of his new flashy summer recruits did stand out against the Seagulls, it was another night where Bruno Fernandes shone in attack, too, with the Portuguese playmaker very rarely falling victim to an off-day.
Why Bruno Fernandes was a standout
The alleged £47m forked out to land the skillful 31-year-old back in 2020 continues to look like a very wise use of cash.
Indeed, although he didn’t get in on the goalscoring act during the impressive 4-2 victory, he still managed to be a driving force for his team centrally to push them up the pitch, with three successful marauds forward tallied up by the much-loved number eight come the full-time whistle.
With nine ground duels won, the ever-present ace is still definitely proving his worth as a livewire, with plenty of credit in his bank for the season overall, as well, having assisted Harry Maguire’s late dramatic winner against Liverpool the match before this jubilant win back at Old Trafford.
With 187 goal contributions now next to his name donning United red, per Transfermarkt, it’s clear that Fernandes is one of the Premier League’s greatest transfer steals in recent memory.
Yet, there is a fresh, emerging hero in Amorim’s ranks who could already be viewed as another Bruno-like swipe, with the ace in question instantly hitting the ground running at the Theatre of Dreams after a statement £65m switch in the summer.
Man Utd have now uncovered their "best signing since Bruno"
Significant changes were needed in the summer in the Old Trafford attacking department, with a goal-shy Rasmus Hojlund not cutting the mustard up top.
Benjamin Sesko has already shown signs of promise as the Red Devils’ new leading marksman with two Premier League strikes next to his name, but it’s his attacking teammate against the Seagulls in Bryan Mbeumo who has been receiving the highest possible praise, having bagged a blistering two goals up against a leaky Bart Verbruggen.
Mbeumo doesn’t look fazed whatsoever by the pressures of being one of United’s main attacking sparks, much like Fernandes, who instantly slotted into the daunting Old Trafford environment all those years ago, with both of his confidently dispatched efforts against Brighton taking his Premier League goal tally to a weighty 46 overall for both Amorim and Co. and Brentford.
Five of those strikes have already come about as United’s flashy new number 19, but it’s his overall attacking game – away from his clinical edge in front of goal – that further places him on the pedestal of being the illustrious club’s “best signing since Bruno” in the eyes of statistician Statman Dave.
Minutes played
90
Goals scored
2
Assists
0
Touches
59
Shots
3
Accurate passes
34/38 (89%)
Key passes
2
Big chances created
2
Successful dribbles
4/5
On another night, the Cameroonian could well have had an assist next to his name, with two big chances created off the back of Mbeumo, constantly wanting to bomb forward and entertain, much like a relentless Fernandes has shown he is capable of across his successful spell in England to date.
Deservedly so, Mbeumo would also be handed a 9/10 post-match rating by the Daily Express’ Archie Griggs, who simply stated that the red-hot 26-year-old was ‘the best player on the pitch’.
Further hailed as a star who has the “hunger to deliver a different level” by Sky Sports’ Gary Neville, it will be intriguing to see if United can keep up this winning sequence of games moving forward, as an Mbeumo-led effort potentially restores the Red Devils to their former glories.
With Matheus Cunha also at Amorim’s disposal, it really does feel like now or never for the Lisbon-born manager to bring successful days back to the red half of Manchester, with Fernandes lurking in the background also a wonderful asset to have on side.
Amorim must boldly bench Mount and unleash Man Utd's "monster"
Manchester United face Brighton & Hove Albion this afternoon looking to extend their current winning run.
انتقد الإعلامي أحمد شوبير الطريقة التي جرى بها التعامل مع لاعب نادي زد أحمد عاطف خلال معسكر منتخب مصر استعدادًا لبطولة كأس العرب في قطر، مؤكدًا أن اللاعب تعرض لموقف غير عادل بعدما تم استبعاده بدعوى الإصابة رغم تأكيده أنه سليم تمامًا.
وقال شوبير في تصريحات عبر برنامجه الإذاعي صباح اليوم الاثنين: “حق الاختيار والاستبعاد هو حق أصيل للمدرب، ولكن عندما أظهر أمام الجمهور ومعي اللاعبين وكل الأمور على ما يرام، أجد اللاعب في غاية السعادة، أسرته تودّعه وتدعو له، والدته تقبّله وتقول له: يا بُني ربنا يوفقك ويكرمك، والبيت كله يدعو له قبل سفره، وهو يقول لهم: ادعوا لي ولا تنسوني من الدعاء. أمور جميلة بالفعل، كلام جميل وكله فرحة”.
وتابع: “ما حدث أنّ أحمد عاطف، وهو أحد المهاجمين المحترمين في نادي زد، وكان قبل ذلك في نادي مودرن، سافر مع بعثة منتخب مصر الثاني إلى قطر، كانت هناك محاولات لضم مروان حمدي، مهاجم بيراميدز، ولكن أحمد عاطف كان موجودًا بالفعل، ولوائح الاتحاد العربي لا تسمح باستبدال لاعب إلا في حالة الإصابة”.
وأضاف: “وعندما فشلت محاولات ضم مروان حمدي، قُدّم تقرير يفيد بأن أحمد عاطف مصاب، فقال لهم اللاعب: والله العظيم لست مصابًا، ولا يمكن أن أكذب في مثل هذه الأمور، لكنهم قالوا له: لا، أنت مصاب، فأكد لهم أنه غير مصاب وأنه سليم تمامًا، لكنهم أصرّوا على موقفهم بدعوى أنهم يعرفون مصلحته أكثر منه”.
طالع أيضًا | أحمد حسن عن أزمة أحمد عاطف: اللاعب أساء لنفسه.. وتصريحاته غير مبرّرة
وواصل: “دخل أحمد عاطف بعد ذلك في أزمة، وفي النهاية بدا وكأنه هو المخطئ! وهذا نوع من الظلم، ضع نفسك مكان اللاعب.. مثلًا الكابتن أحمد حسن، مدير المنتخب: لو كنت مكان أحمد عاطف وتعرضت لمثل هذا الموقف، ماذا ستفعل؟ اللاعب لم يقل شيئًا مسيئًا، لكنه كان يشعر بالظلم وبالألم الكبير في داخله”.
وأضاف: “أنا أيضًا كنت متألمًا جدًّا مما حدث، ومُنع الحديث في الأمر حتى لا تُكتب مذكرة ويتم تحويلها إلى هيئة التحكيم الدولية، رغم أن اللاعب لم يرتكب أي خطأ، هو فقط عبّر عن شعوره، لكن حتى هذا لم يُسمح له به، هناك وجع حقيقي، والموضوع لا يحتاج إلى الكثير من الكلام”.
واختتم: “أنا لست مختلفًا على أن مروان حمدي لاعب مهم وسيُضيف للمنتخب بإذن الله، وهذه وجهة نظر فنية تُحترم، لكن ما حدث مع أحمد عاطف لم يكن جيدًا.. لم يكن لطيفًا على الإطلاق”.
تحدث غنام محمد، لاعب منتخب مصر الثاني، عن استعدادات الفريق للمشاركة في بطولة كأس العرب 2025، وحديث حلمي طولان المدير الفني معه.
وقال غنام محمد، عبر قناة “أون سبورت”: “كابتن حلمي دائما يتحدث معي بشكل إيجابي للغاية، ويؤكد أنني لاعب جيد ولست أقل من أحد، وأنني سأقدم بطولة قوية مع المنتخب إن شاء الله، ويطالبني دائما بالثقة في نفسي وتقديم أفضل ما لدي”.
وأضاف: “محمد النني لاعب كبير جدًا، ودائما يتحدث معي ويوجه لي النصائح، ويطالبني بعدم القلق وأن ألعب بثقة، وإن شاء الله أقدم مستوى مميزًا في البطولة وكذلك عمرو السولية، فهو من اللاعبين الكبار والمؤثرين معنا في المنتخب”.
طالع.. رسائل هاني أبو ريدة لـ منتخب مصر الثاني قبل انطلاق كأس العرب 2025
وتابع: “أنا أتعامل مع الأمر خطوة بخطوة، وتركيزي الآن مع منتخب مصر في البطولة، وإن شاء الله نحقق شيئًا جيدًا وبعد ذلك طموحي بالطبع هو الاحتراف واللعب في مستوى كبير، ولكن من خلال النادي”.
وواصل: “أسمع كلامًا كثيرا عن اهتمام الأهلي والزمالك وبيراميدز، لكن حتى الآن لم يتحدث معي أحد شخصيًا، أنا أركز تمامًا مع فريقي، وأي خطوة ستكون من خلال النادي، وأنا تحت أمر النادي في أي شيء”.
وأشار:”لو جاء لي عرض من الأهلي أو الزمالك، فهما الأفضل بالنسبة لي، وجماهيرهما رقم واحد في مصر، والانضمام لأحدهما يقربك من منتخب مصر ويجعل الناس تتحدث عنك بصورة أفضل”.
وأوضح: “سعيد بارتباط اسمي بالأندية الكبيرة مثل الأهلي وبيراميدز والزمالك، وأتمنى أن تكون خطوتي المقبلة جيدة، ولكن الأهم الآن هو التركيز مع المنتخب”.
وتابع: “أتعامل مع البطولة وكأنها تحدي، ووضعت لنفسي هدفًا فيها، وإن شاء الله أحققه بمساعدة زملائي في المنتخب ونسعى للعودة بالبطولة إلى مصر، ومع نادي مودرن، بإذن الله ننهي الدوري ضمن المراكز السبعة الأولى”.
وأتم: “كل المنتخبات قوية: الجزائر، المغرب، تونس، والسعودية بالطبع، أي منتخب من هؤلاء عندما يواجه مصر يعرف جيدًا أنه يواجه منتخبًا كبيرًا لديه تاريخ وبطولات”.