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Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz was substituted against Manchester City after another torrid performance from both the Germany international and his teammates.

Pep Guardiola celebrated his 1,000th game as a manager with a convincing win over an old rival as Manchester City overpowered Liverpool 3-0 on Sunday. Typically Erling Haaland was on the scoresheet, opening the scoring for a dominant City side at the Etihad Stadium with his 99th Premier League goal after missing an earlier penalty.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk had an equaliser controversially disallowed, but the champions were second best for much of a sodden afternoon and fell further behind to a deflected Nico Gonzalez strike before the break.

The outstanding Jeremy Doku, who tormented Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley, added a sublime third on his 100th appearance for the club. Victory lifted City back up to second in the table and within four points of leaders Arsenal, and condemned Liverpool to yet more soul-searching.

Arne Slot’s side had emerged from a recent slump with impressive back-to-back wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid, but the defeat was their fifth in six league games and left them eight points adrift of the Gunners. During the game, City fans made a point of criticising one particular Liverpool player as he was withdrawn from the match.

Liverpool signing Wirtz was a "waste of money"

Though they would spend more on Alexander Isak just weeks later, Liverpool broke the British transfer record when they signed Florian Wirtz for £116 million in the summer. Much has since been said about the German, who has struggled to swiftly adapt to English football.

Across all competitions, not including the Community Shield, Wirtz has racked up no goals and two assists in 14 games, hardly the return expected by a player who commanded such a transfer fee. Due to his form, questions have been asked about Wirtz’s position in the first team.

Against Man City, Wirtz’s Premier League struggles continued. The German was replaced by Federico Chiesa in the 83rd minute and as per Adam Bate of Sky Sports, was serenaded by the home support.

Florian Wirtz Against Manchester City

Minutes Played

83′

Goals

0

Assists

0

Key Passes

0

Shots on Target

0

Total Shots (Shots Blocked)

2 (2)

Accurate Passes in Opposition Half

11/16 (69%)

(All stats are from SofaScore)

Given the money spent across the summer, there is little excuse for Liverpool’s form throughout the 2025/26 season. Wirtz, however, similar to fellow new arrival Isak, has yet to showcase anything that represents the fee that was paid for him. The German midfielder is still, of course, in the infancy of his Liverpool career, but it is apparent that he needs to quickly find a vein of form on Merseyside.

Liverpool want another Newcastle star after Isak

تحدث قائد فريق ليفربول، فيرجيل فان دايك، لأول مرة عن أزمة النجم المصري محمد صلاح في النادي الإنجليزي، بسبب التصريحات النارية التي أدلى بها يوم السبت الماضي بسبب تهميشه من جانب المدرب آرني سلوت.

وغاب محمد صلاح عن مباراة ليفربول أمس ضد إنتر ميلان على ملعب “سان سيرو” في الجولة السادسة من دوري أبطال أوروبا، مرحلة الدوري، حيث حقق الريدز فوزًا بهدف دون رد.

وقال فان دايك عن محمد صلاح، في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية: “الأمر صعب، لكنه وضع صعب جماعي نمر به جميعًا، الأمور تسير بين مو والنادي، هو ليس هنا اليوم، هذه هي الحقيقة، لا أعتقد أن شيئًا قد تغير في تركيزنا وعزيمتنا”.

وأضاف: “هل يجب على صلاح الاعتذار؟ لست أنا من يقرر ما إذا كان على شخص ما أن يعتذر، لقد كشف عن مشاعره خلال اليومين الماضيين، هذا أمر على النادي التعامل معه، وأنا أيضًا بالطبع، كان التركيز موجودًا، ولم يتغير شيء آخر، لقد تدرب أيضًا”.

وأفاد: “لا جدوى من قولي إن أحدهم خذل شخصًا آخر، هو لم يسافر بناءً على عواقب ما قاله، هذا كل ما في الأمر، تدرب أمس بشكل طبيعي تمامًا، لنرَ ما سيحدث عندما نعود يوم الجمعة”.

وأكد: “تركيزي منصبّ على الفريق، وفي هذه المرحلة، لا يزال محمد صلاح جزءًا من الفريق، سنرى ما سيحدث”.

وواصل: “الحقيقة أيضًا هي أن محمد صلاح سيذهب إلى كأس أمم إفريقيا قريبًا، أنا أعرفه منذ فترة طويلة، نحن أصدقاء جيدون ومررنا بفترات من النجاح والفشل، نتحدث، وهذه الأمور ستبقى خلف الأبواب كما ينبغي أن يكون الأمر، علينا أن نستعد ونواجه الضجيج الخارجي”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. روبرتسون يثير الشكوك حول صحة هدف ليفربول أمام إنتر ميلان.. ويصرّح: مستقبل محمد صلاح لا يخصني

وشدد: “الأهم هو أن نتحدث مع بعضنا البعض، علينا أن نتعافى ونعود إلى مواجهة برايتون فورًا، يجب أن نحتفل باللحظات الجميلة ونستمتع بها، وإلا فما فائدة الفوز؟ سنبيت هنا، وننام جيدًا ونتناول طعامًا جيدًا، نحاول ألا نبالغ في الفرح أو الحزن”.

وعن الفوز، قال: “إنه شعور رائع، خاصة في هذه الفترة التي نمر بها، حيث نسعى لتحقيق الثبات في الأداء والبناء عليه، نأمل أن تكون هذه الليلة من بين تلك العروض المميزة”.

واستكمل: “لطالما كانت المباراة صعبة، لقد تعاملنا معها بشكل جيد، كان من الممكن أن تنتهي بالتعادل السلبي، لكنها انتهت بشكل إيجابي لنا في النهاية، هذا لا يغير شيئًا، من الواضح أن هناك الكثير من الضجيج من العالم الخارجي، وهو أمر طبيعي عندما لا نؤدي بشكل جيد، إنه أمر مستحق أيضًا”.

وشدد: “نريد أن نتحسن، نريد أن نكون ثابتين في الأداء وأن نفوز بالمباريات، لا نفعل ذلك بالقدر الذي نرغب به، علينا أن نتكاتف ونكون متحدين كما كنا دائمًا، هذا ما يجسده ليفربول”.

وفيما يخص قرارات حكم الفيديو المساعد، قال: “كانت سريعة جدًا، لذلك لا أعرف إن كانت الكرة قد اصطدمت بذراعه بالفعل (هدف ليفربول الملغي من جانب كوناتي)، عندما يتخذ الحكم قرارًا كهذا، يجب أن يكون واضحًا وجليًا، لكنهم يبحثون عن شيء قد يكون موجودًا، لا أعتقد أن هذا جيد”.

MatériaMais Notícias

De virada, o Palmeiras venceu o Independiente del Valle por 3 a 2, pela terceira rodada da Libertadores. Kendry Páez e Hoyos abriram o placar para a equipe equatoriana, Endrick e Lázaro conduziram o empate do Verdão, e Luís Guilherme, nos acréscimos, decretou a virada da equipe de Abel Ferreira.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFora de CampoTorcedores do Palmeiras detonam opção de Abel por medalhão: ‘Precisa ir para o banco’Fora de Campo24/04/2024PalmeirasAdministradora do estádio do Palmeiras se posiciona contra torcedor que cuspiu em TitePalmeiras24/04/2024PalmeirasKendry Páez ou Endrick? Palmeiras x Del Valle reserva duelo de joias pela LibertadoresPalmeiras24/04/2024

➡️A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta!

Com o resultado, o Palmeiras chega ao sete pontos e lidera do Grupo F da Libertadores. A próxima partida do Verdão será o clássico Choque-Rei contra o São Paulo, na segunda-feira (29), pelo Brasileirão.

➡️ Siga o Lance! Palmeiras no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Verdão

✅ FICHA TÉCNICA
INDEPENDIENTE DEL VALLE 2 X 3 PALMEIRAS
3ª RODADA – FASE DE GRUPOS DA LIBERTADORES
🗓️ Data e horário: quarta-feira, 24 de abril de 2024, às 21h30 (de Brasília)
📍 Local: Estádio Banco Guayaquil, em Quito(EQU)

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GOLS: Kendry Páez e Hoyos / Endrick, Lázaro e Luís Guilherme

➡️ Veja tabela com datas e horários dos jogos do Brasileirão

⚽ ESCALAÇÕES:

INDEPENDIENTE DEL VALLE (Técnico:Jorge Célico)
Moisés Ramírez; Landázuri, Carabajal, Richard Schunke e Roman Bucaran; Julio Ortiz, Kendry Páez e Cristian Zabala; Ibarra, Sornoza e Michael Hoyos.

PALMEIRAS (Técnico: Abel Ferreira)
Weverton, Marcos Rocha, Gustavo Gómez, Luan e Piquerez; Aníbal Moreno, Richard Ríos e Raphael Veiga; Mayke, Endrick e Rony.

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Arsenal have been handed another blow in their pursuit of the Premier League crown after star defender Gabriel hobbled off with an apparent groin issue for Brazil. The centre-back was playing on home soil at the Emirates, in an international friendly against Senegal. In the second half, he went down in some discomfort and was subsequently taken off, looking furious.

• Gabriel added to Arsenal injury list

  The Gunners already have a lengthy injury list, with the likes of Martin Odegaard, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli all missing in recent weeks. Riccardo Calafiori has reportedly returned to north London after picking up an injury while training with the Italian national team, he will miss their upcoming World Cup qualifier against Norway as a result. 

  Gabriel looks to be the latest player heading for the treatment table, which is terrible news for the north London club ahead of three crucial games after the international break.

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• Arsenal fans react to Gabriel injury

  The sight of their most valuable defender exiting the pitch during an international friendly in their ground inevitably drew fiery reactions from the Arsenal faithful son social media. 

  One non-plussed fan, Jadinho97, wrote on X: "Gabriel getting injured on international duty at the Emirates has sent my head to Mars."

  Edduizy posted: "Gabriel off injured for Brazil in yet another useless friendly." 

  Another X user, @sakamvent asked: "What is the point of international breaks?  Calafiori and Gabriel are now injured, just when we thought we would catch a bit of break with injuries they start to pile up again." 

  LongJeff called the incident, "horrific horrible news." 

  BiancaKG had a more selfish reaction when she posted: "Gabriel getting injured doesn't bode well for my FPL Team."

• Ever-present Gabriel the foundation of Arsenal's success

  The handwringing of angry Arsenal fans is understandable. Gabriel has played every minute of the Gunners' Premier League campaign so far this season, and has appeared in all four of their Champions League fixtures too. When Gabriel has featured this term, Arsenal have conceded just five times, while the Brazilian has also chipped in two goals of his own going forward.  

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  Arsenal's upcoming fixtures — Gabriel out for north London derby?

  The suspected injury could not come at a worse time for Mikel Arteta's side. First up after the international break, the Gunners take on their north London rivals Tottenham on November 23. That hellacious affair is quickly followed by a marquee matchup against Harry Kane's Bayern Munich. The Bavarian giants are undefeated this term, winning sixteen straight games to kick off their 2025/26 term. A massive week for the title hopeful's season concludes with another London derby, this time against third-placed Chelsea away at Stamford Bridge. 

  With a lengthening injury list, no player will be more crucial to these tricky fixtures than the totemic Brazilian. Arsenal fans will be hoping against hope that Gabriel was taken off as a precaution, and that he can feature in this upcoming gauntlet of games. 

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was joined by Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, Will Smith and Kiké Hernandez as guests on Tuesday night's where they were described as "still moist" from their World Series celebration. The quintet of champions answered some questions while remembering just how awesome that all was for Los Angeles fans—your typical late-night fare.

The highlight was Hernandez revealing that he was under the impression his team had lost the World Series after getting trucked by Andy Pages to end the ninth inning of Game 7.

Hernandez shared the story of how he processed the season-saving play after getting teed up by Roberts.

"Bases loaded ninth inning, ball drops we lose, right" he said. "I get a bad jump because the pitch almost bounced, he kind of put the bat on the ball. I broke half a step in and I'm running. And I'm thinking about my entire life as I'm following this ball and I felt like I ran a 400-meter dash and like as I'm finally about to catch the ball I'm like 'the only thing I've got to worry about is the wall, right?'"

Hernandez assured everyone he was in position to catch the ball before he was blindsided from Pages, who had just entered the game as a defensive replacement.

"Out of nowhere I feel like an NBA player because my teammate posterized me," he said. "I go down and in my head everything is quiet, which should have told me he caught it."

Hernandez said he didn't trust his instincts because he thought his brain was protecting him from heartbreak. And that he only found out the Dodgers had fresh life in extra innings after Pages came over to check on him.

It's an awesome story and an extra bit of lore for an already unbelievable World Series.

Some of the best performers from the TNPL, Mumbai T20 League, Baroda Premier League and more

Shashank Kishore and Deivarayan Muthu17-Jul-2025Tushar Raheja – TNPL
A dashing opener who can also keep wicket, Tushar Raheja has been the top run-getter across the past two TNPL seasons. From being a pace-hitter in the powerplay, Raheja has evolved into a more rounded batter. His game against spin has particularly evolved this season; his manner of taking down Varun Chakravarthy and R Ashwin in the competition is ample proof.Raheja may have deflected a question on his IPL prospects cheekily after leading Tiruppur Tamizhans to the title – he also topped the run charts with 488 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 185.55 – but he might not be too far away from breaking into the league.Related

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Akshat Raghuwanshi – Madhya Pradesh Premier League
“At 21, I haven’t seen a more talented player. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Big things are waiting for him in the future.” That’s state senior Venkatesh Iyer on top-order batter Raghuwanshi, who was the standout batter in the tournament even though he didn’t top the run charts.Scouts and coaches believe he could be the next Priyansh Arya-like IPL star. Raghuwanshi had everyone sit up and take notice of him when he smacked 105 off 45 balls against Bhopal Leopards. He hit 239 runs in four innings, striking at 177. Since being part of MP’s Ranji Trophy-winning campaign in 2022, Raghuwanshi’s career has hit a rough patch. But his recent white-ball performances provide hope for a brighter future.Krains Fuletra – Saurashtra Pro T20
Left-arm wristspinners are a rare breed, and at just 21, Fuletra’s combination of skill and temperament has got people in Saurashtra excited. First spotted by Jaydev Unadkat and brought in as a net bowler in Rajkot, Fuletra was fast-tracked into the Vijay Hazare Trophy squad during the 2024-25 season, and debuted against Karnataka. He was later part of Sunrisers Hyderabad as a net bowler at IPL 2025.More recently, he picked up 10 wickets in nine matches for Anmol Kings Halar in the Saurashtra Pro T20 League, where he earned the Emerging Player award. From being on the fringes of the state set-up just over a year ago, Fuletra has already broken into Saurashtra’s Under-23 squad. A call-up to the senior team across formats appears to be a matter of when, not if.Sairaj Patil was named Player of the Tournament in the T20 Mumbai League•T20 Mumbai LeagueSairaj Patil – T20 Mumbai League
A middle-order power-hitter who can also bowl seam-ups, Sairaj Patil’s all-round efforts culminated in him winning the Player-of-the-Tournament award from Rohit Sharma. Patil, 28, hit a chart-topping 16 sixes in six innings and picked up seven wickets in 15.3 overs in Eagle Thane Strikers’ run to the semi-finals.Indian allrounders who can strike big and also bowl are still rare, so Patil has a good chance of being picked in the IPL. He also has the experience of having played the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Mumbai.Atit Sheth – Baroda Premier League
Former India Under-19 star from the batch that produced Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson, Atit Sheth was a one-man wrecking crew in the inaugural Baroda Premier League, winning both the Orange and Purple caps.He has been a key player for Baroda in Ranji Trophy for close to a decade, but has never been picked in the IPL so far. Often deployed in the top order, Sheth delivered boundaries with the bat and breakthroughs with the ball in the Baroda Premier League. He can also float down the order, which may pique the interest of IPL franchises.Adil Ayub Tunda – Pondicherry Premier League
Standing at 6’5″, Adil Ayub Tunda is an imposing presence with the ability to generate steep bounce – a trait that sets him apart. In the death overs, his arsenal of wide yorkers and clever variations has earned praise from coaches and scouts alike.Born and raised in Jammu & Kashmir, Tunda has recently moved south in pursuit of greater opportunities and clearer direction. Six matches into the current season, he sits as the second-highest wicket-taker – a strong follow-up to his stellar 2024 campaign, where he claimed the Purple Cap with 21 wickets.

His story is a complex one, but there was much to admire about Pucovski with bat in hand

Alex Malcolm09-Apr-2025It was not a surprise when Will Pucovski said “I’m not going to be playing cricket again” in a Melbourne radio studio on Tuesday.Those words had been expected for a year. But the inevitability of them doesn’t make them any less sad.Twenty-seven-year-old’s with three first-class double centuries and an average of 45.19 aren’t supposed to retire from the game.Pucovski spoke of wanting to play 100 Tests. “Unfortunately, one Test is where it ends,” he said.Related

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Pucovski announces retirement from cricket due to concussion

It’s heartbreaking to think there is an alternative universe where Pucovski might have already played 41 Test matches without interruption after his debut against India at the SCG in January 2021.An alternative universe where he already has multiple Test centuries and is Australia’s incumbent opener, currently preparing for a stint in county cricket like the one he was set for last year with Leicestershire, ahead of the World Test Championship final.In that universe he would be a pivotal figure in Australia’s aging XI, with he and Cameron Green the two pillars of the next generation as a team full of over 30s hurtles towards transition.But in this universe, the sadness at what might have been is replaced by the grim reality that Pucovski’s retirement is a relief for all concerned.He is still suffering concussion symptoms over a year on from what is hopefully his last blow. He spoke of getting dizzy just looking at things from his left eye. Motion sickness from a train ride last Saturday caused a three-hour afternoon nap. Headaches and fatigue are a daily feature of his life now.An independent medical panel recommended he retire last year. The competitor in him went on a global search to find an alternative solution that might allow him to play again. But the risk of another blow is too great.Will Pucovski takes on the short ball•AFP via Getty ImagesThe number of blows is well into double figures and they even pre-date his cricket career. There were concussions in the field, in the nets, after tripping over while running between the wickets, while playing a game of warm-up soccer, on top of numerous blows facing high quality first-class bowling.Getting hit is an occupational hazard for a professional top-order batter. Even Steven Smith has been felled. But the best rarely get hit more than once or twice in a career. For Pucovski it was a yearly occurrence. He never played more than seven first-class games in a season across eight years as a professional.He also took numerous mental health breaks which he is certain are a side effect of his concussions. His family have noticed a change in him as a person.He knows it’s complicated and hard to understand. He noted that the confusion has been fuelled further by the fact there has been no consensus on how it all knits together amongst the many medical experts he has consulted.

Those who bowled to him at his best said there was an overwhelming feeling of helplessness. His intimidation as a batter wasn’t through powerful ball-striking, it was through the ease of his scoring ability against their best balls

All of that makes his case so complex. Unlike Australia Rules Football, which has made strides in navigating medical retirements due to concussion, Pucovski’s is a test case in cricket. It is hard to know what the game owes him, what his future earnings might have been worth. That is still being determined.There are no guarantees in cricket. Matt Renshaw was once a prodigy who made 184 in a Test for Australia as a 20-year-old. He has just turned 29 and looks a fair way off adding to his 14 Tests right now. Kurtis Patterson, who was selected ahead of Pucovski in January 2019, made an unbeaten century in his last Test innings aged 25. Now 31, he has not played a Test match since and has only this season fought his way back from the first-class wilderness having fallen out of love with the game.Cricket’s top earners are also three-format players. Pucovski played 50 professional matches without a single T20 appearance. He struck at 77.62 in his 14 List A games.But that’s part of what made him unique and potentially a great loss to Australia’s Test team. Growing up in arguably the first generation of Australian batters that developed on more short-form cricket than long-form at underage levels, Pucovski was cut from a different cloth. So many of his cohort have been plagued by hard hands and poor decision-making in first-class cricket. Pucovski was a throwback to a different era.Runs for fun: Will Pucovski so often looked at ease in the middle•Getty ImagesThose who saw him up close at first-class level speak about his exceptional decision-making and problem-solving ability. There was a softness to his play, an economy to his movements. People were in awe of the time he seemed to have.His first double-century in first-class cricket was extraordinary. On a WACA pitch where WA were bowled out for 208 and 251 and only four others in the match passed 42 and none of them batted in the top four, Pucovski peeled off 243 not out from 311 balls at No. 3.Those who bowled to him at his best said there was an overwhelming feeling of helplessness. His intimidation as a batter wasn’t through powerful ball-striking, it was through the ease of his scoring ability against their best balls.That was never more evident than in October 2020. There was precious little cricket being played anywhere due to Covid, but the Sheffield Shield was in a bubble in Adelaide.Pucovski grabbed the world’s attention with back-to-back double centuries against South Australia and Western Australia. His team-mates said he was in such rare form that he had asked them to fling balls at top pace in the nets from five metres infront of the bowling crease to make his practice more challenging.Will Pucovski punches one off the back foot•Getty ImagesHis Test debut only months later – although delayed by another blow to the helmet in a tour match – was also evidence of his gifts. He only struck four boundaries in a 110-ball 62 against an India attack comprising of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. What’s clear from rewatching the highlights in the aftermath of his retirement is how willing he was to let the ball come to him. He played late under his eyes, never once trying to over hit it. He was content just finding gaps and accumulating like he had so often at first-class level.It is a shame that player is now lost to cricket. But it is a positive that Pucovski the person won’t be lost to cricket. He spoke of a keenness to coach and will begin his journey with his beloved Melbourne Cricket Club as head coach next season. He also spoke of potentially getting involved in cricket administration at some point and has already shown his commentary capabilities in brief television stints in Australia.His cerebral nature, his openness to explore different ideas beyond the insularity elite cricket can often cultivate will make him an asset to the game in whatever he chooses to do.That he was grateful for one Test rather than bitter about being denied many more is a window into his character. There will be a future in cricket for Will Pucovski. Just not the one he might have hoped for.

Perhaps to be expected of this modern-day Manchester United team, the recent five-game unbeaten run was merely a false dawn, as Ruben Amorim’s tenure reached another low on Monday evening.

That wet and miserable night at Grimsby is arguably the nadir of the Portuguese’s year in charge, although the latest loss to Everton could well run it close, following what was simply a lifeless performance from the hosts at Old Trafford.

Handed a bizarre advantage following Idrissa Gueye’s slap on ex-United man, Michael Keane, the Red Devils contrived to slip up against their ten-man opponents, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall firing in a deserved lead on the hour mark.

Despite having ample time and opportunity to get back into the game, the Red Devils barely threatened Jordan Pickford’s goal from then on, albeit with the Englishman making one notable save to deny Joshua Zirkzee’s goalbound header.

The Dutchman, to his credit, came as close as anyone to getting the home side level on the night, but that should not overshadow what was another desperate display from United’s number 11.

The 24-year-old wasn’t the only INEOS signing under the microscope against the Toffees – far from it – but his performance certainly warrants further scrutiny.

Joshua Zirkzee's dismal Everton display in numbers

On a different day, the £36.5m man might have been the hero had his well-taken header evaded the sprawling Pickford, with the striker’s last Premier League goals having actually come against the Merseysiders almost a year earlier.

As it is, Amorim is left to reflect upon a largely limp showing from Zirkzee in attack, with the ex-Bologna man’s woes only heightening the frustration regarding Benjamin Sesko’s absence.

Sesko – with just two goals for United to date – hasn’t been perfect, but even amid his struggles at Spurs, he was still a handful, a physical outlet whom Amorim’s side can look to.

Zirkzee might be a self-described ‘nine and a half’, but at 6 foot 4, he should be doing far better, notably losing the ball on 12 occasions from just 35 touches.

Far too frequently, the struggling forward dallied in possession or produced an errant touch or flick, looking distinctly uncomfortable with his back to goal.

The caveat to that, of course, is that he had featured for just 90 minutes in total this season prior to that, with there likely to be an element of ring rust for a player handed just his first league start of 2025/26.

That being said, on a wider focus, this remains a striker who has scored just three top-flight goals since signing back in the summer of 2024, with United again left looking desperately short at the top end of the pitch.

Problems at the other end also persist, however, with the backline looking particularly erratic.

Amorim must bench Man Utd's "best in the world" star

Much of the blame for Monday’s defeat lies at Amorim’s door, with the 40-year-old’s failure to release the handbrake and shuffle his system having been desperately evident, as his side toiled for an equaliser amid their second-half dominance.

In the ex-Sporting CP man’s defence, however, he must have been scratching his head at the laboured showing of those on the pitch, with Leny Yoro notably putting in a tame effort to try and prevent Dewsbury-Hall from converting.

That weak act – which was followed by another weak stop from the previously impressive Senne Lammens – came amid a largely frustrating display from the young Frenchman, with Harry Maguire’s absence felt again in the back three.

Yoro’s pace and recovery speed is a useful tool, although he has the tendency to be bullied up against a physical forward line, winning just two of his five ground duels, as per Sofascore.

Perhaps more frustrating were his woes in possession, losing the ball on ten occasions, while failing to really drive forward from his right-sided role, even with ample time and space afforded to him.

Games (starts)

12 (8)

Goals

0

Assists

0

Key passes*

0.3

Pass accuracy*

88%

Successful dribbles*

0

Tackles*

1.0

Interceptions*

1.0

Total duels won*

58%

Aerial duels won*

72%

Dribbled past*

0.4

Unlike last term, when the 20-year-old was a central figure in United’s Europa League charge, he appeared hesitant to get forward, rarely attempting to burst into space to support the likes of Amad ahead of him.

There is an argument to suggest he may need to shift to a left centre-back role, having thrived there in the second half of last season, although with Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez and Ayden Heaven already in contention there, Amorim surely can’t make that switch.

Currently ranking in the bottom 2% of European centre-backs for blocks, the bottom 9% for clearances and the bottom 27% for aerial duels won per 90, as per FBref, the ex-Lille starlet certainly isn’t thriving as expected, having previously been described as the “best in the world” for his age by Rio Ferdinand.

Options at right centre-back really are quite limited – particularly in the absence of Maguire – although Amorim may have to consider relocating Noussair Mazraoui, and shifting Yoro back to the bench.

Chalkboard

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

As Ferdinand suggested, the France U21 international is a massive talent, but United and Old Trafford are yet to see the best of him.

Worse than Bruno Fernandes vs Everton: Amorim must bin Man Utd's 3/10 flop

This Man Utd star struggled in the 1-0 home defeat to Everton

1 ByJoe Nuttall Nov 25, 2025

Despite a disastrous start to the season under Will Still, Southampton now found themselves only four points off the final playoff position in the early Championship table.

Three wins on the trot – since Still was dismissed – have helped to arrest the worrying slide, as the Saints aim to be in and around the promotion spaces now until the close of the dramatic 46-game campaign, to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

While the Still reign failed spectacularly, his immediate successor in Tonda Eckert looks to be a short-term figure who is now destined for long-term success at St. Mary’s, with the full-time reins perhaps handed to the transformative 32-year-old very shortly.

The latest on Southampton's manager situation

The German, who is used to managing the U21s on the South Coast, really can’t do much more right now to put himself out in front for the running to be the main Saints manager.

As has been mentioned, Eckert has led the once sorry outfit to three straight wins in league action, with a 5-1 win over ex-Southampton boss Nathan Jones last time out versus Charlton Athletic very much the pick of the bunch.

The powers that be at St Mary’s have clearly taken notice now of how much of an impressive turnaround Eckert has managed to mastermind, with Fabrizio Romano reporting – via GIVEMESPORT – that the stand-in manager has a good chance of being handed the reins permanently, amid internal talks behind the scenes at the club.

There had been other rumours suggesting Russell Martin could come back for another shot at promotion glory with the Saints, but instead of walking down memory lane, Southampton could be better off appointing Eckert right now, as he might well be Martin 2.0 for the rejuvenated Saints.

Why Eckert could be Southampton's next Martin

Martin is likely in desperate need of some time away from the pressures of the dug-out after experiencing his own Still-like failures at the helm of Rangers.

On the other hand, Eckert looks hungry and ready for a chance as Southampton’s main boss, having got a taste for it now, after largely settling for roles as an assistant manager and U21 manager during his coaching career to date.

When looking at Martin’s early career as a manager, he never looked back after being handed the MK Dons gig in 2019 at just 33 years of age, which is coincidentally only a year older than Eckert currently is, who boasts some impressive numbers on the South Coast as a U21 boss and as an interim stand-in after Still.

Martin gradually rose the EFL ladder to then take on the Southampton main post and clinch promotion, with 26 wins and 87 goals accumulated over 46 games in the second tier, making the now out-of-work manager a firm fan favourite at St. Mary’s.

Off the back of such a richly successful season, Martin was rightly hailed as a figure who prioritises “exciting attacking football” by analyst John Walker.

Safe to say, the excitement levels have returned to Southampton since Eckert has been given the temporary reins, with the barnstorming 5-1 success over the Addicks also calling back to when Martin was in the hot seat, with Adam Armstrong bagging two, and possession standing in the Saints’ favour at the full-time whistle at 59%.

Moreover, Eckert is willing to give the next generation of talents at Southampton chances to shine, having worked in the U21 ranks, much like Martin showed with the likes of Tyler Dibling before his big Everton switch.

It would be a big risk, but the numbers since Eckert took over from Still are very encouraging, with the German perhaps the man to take Southampton back to the Premier League, much like Martin pulled off during the memorable 2023/24 season.

Praised by Saints midfielder Finn Azaz for being “top level”, everything is pointing in the direction of Eckert being a very promising appointment with lots more to give.

Forget Eckert: Southampton could hire Still upgrade who impressed Arteta

Southampton can hire an upgrade on Will Still by bringing in this manager to replace Tonda Eckert.

1

By
Dan Emery

Nov 22, 2025

Fast bowler to undergo minor surgery as Scotland seamer is added for three matches at Malahide

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Sep-2025

Saqib Mahmood has been ruled out of next week’s T20I series against Ireland, and the upcoming white-ball tour of New Zealand in October, after sustaining a knee injury. His place for the Ireland trip has been taken by the Hampshire and Scotland seamer, Scott Currie.Mahmood, 28, played in the second ODI against South Africa at Lord’s earlier this month, going wicketless in England’s five-run defeat, but had not played a part in either of the first two T20Is against the same opponents.In a statement, the ECB confirmed that Mahmood was set to undergo “minor knee surgery” to correct the issue. It is the latest setback for a seamer who missed nearly two years of action with consecutive stress fractures of the back, but who appeared to have restated his credentials in recent months.His recent England performances included nine wickets at 10.55 on the T20I tour of the Caribbean in November last year, as well as a starring role in the 3-0 ODI series win over the same opponents in June. Most recently, he was part of Oval Invincibles’ three-peat-winning team in the Men’s Hundred, claiming the final wicket of the final against Trent Rockets.Currie’s call-up, at the age of 24, comes 18 months after he featured in three ODIs for Scotland, in the World Cricket League Division 2 in Dubai. However, Scotland’s failure to qualify for this winter’s T20 World Cup would appear to have ended his ambitions of further representing the country of his father’s birth.Speaking to ESPNcricinfo on Friday, he explained the rationale behind those appearances, saying he hadn’t wanted to keep turning down the chance to play international cricket “in the hope that maybe an England cap might come one day”.Scott Currie in T20 Blast action for Hampshire•ECB via Getty Images

“There’s plenty of experience to be had out there,” Currie said. “I’ve obviously got [the possibility] that you can flip between the two, and if an England cap ever came then that would be a massive honour.”But certainly, the pride of representing Scotland in those three games that I did, taking the field with my brother [Brad], knowing what it means to my old man and his side of the family, is something that always puts a smile on my face.”Everyone’s favorite word at the moment is the schedule, but it’s tough with the way the schedule is to find those opportunities. Unfortunately, they didn’t qualify for the T20 World Cup coming this winter. But yeah, I do remain in contact with them.”Currie’s call-up comes less than 24 hours after he featured in T20 Finals Day for Hampshire. He claimed two wickets in both the semi-final victory over Northamptonshire and their eventual six-wicket defeat to Somerset, but his decisive role in the final was arguably a key dropped catch at deep midwicket to reprieve Sean Dickson, early in his unbeaten innings.England are set to play three T20Is at Malahide, on September 17, 19 and 21. The squad, which will be missing several multi-format players ahead of this winter’s Ashes campaign, will be captained for the first time by Jacob Bethell.