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Harry Kane has explained why he was surprisingly named as a substitute before scoring a hat-trick in Bayern Munich’s thumping 5-0 win over Stuttgart on Saturday. The England captain continued his rich vein of goalscoring form in his side’s latest Bundesliga victory, but he admits he was as shocked as anybody that he had to emerge from the bench to do so.

Eyebrows raised as Kompany starts Jackson ahead of Kane

Returning to league action following Wednesday’s triumph over Union Berlin in the last 16 of the DFB-Pokal, Bayern travelled to sixth-placed Stuttgart for what looked to be a tricky test on paper. One of the strongest teams in German football, Sebastian Hoeness’ hosts were also victorious in midweek, downing VFL Bochum 2-0 to book their place in the quarter-finals of the domestic cup.

However, one or two eyebrows were raised before kick-off when the news emerged that Bayern star Kane would start the match on the bench. After scoring in the victory over Union, the former Tottenham forward took his goal tally to 25 in just 21 fixtures in all competitions for Vincent Kompany’s side, who opted to field Chelsea loanee Nicolas Jackson up top.

AdvertisementAFPFormer Tottenham striker shows class with stunning hat-trick

Ever the consummate professional, though, Kane showed no signs of frustration after being introduced on the hour mark, replacing fellow striker Jackson who was unable to find the back of the net for Bayern.

Already in front thanks to midfielder Konrad Laimer’s opener, Kane doubled Bayern’s lead just six minutes after being brought on, before going on to grab his second of the game from the penalty spot.

And to cap off a remarkable 30-minute display, Kane followed up Josip Stanisic scoring Bayern’s fourth by completing his hat-trick on the 88th-minute mark. The win saw Kompany’s side move 11 points clear at the top of the league table ahead of second-placed RB Leipzig’s clash with Eintracht Frankfurt later in the day.

Bayern star man Kane reveals why he started on the bench

When asked about starting the match among the substitutes, Kane lifted the lid on manager Kompany’s thinking, saying the Bayern head coach wanted to keep him “fresh” ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Portuguese giants Sporting CP at the Allianz Arena.

Speaking after the full-time whistle, Kane said: “It's something I'm not used to, but I did it a couple of times this season. The boss wanted to keep me fresh and save energy. 

“I came on after 60 minutes with a couple of other guys and we were able to exploit the space and get the goals. 

“We had a tough battle in the cup midweek and today we faced one of the best teams in the league away, but we looked stronger in the last half an hour and punished them.”

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Getty Images SportManager Kompany also opens up about his gutsy decision

And when Kompany was asked about the gutsy decision to rest Kane, the former Burnley manager revealed the plan was to always introduce the talisman around the hour mark.

“I had this change in mind before the game started,” said Kompany. “We have 4 games in 11 days. If I start Harry every game and he plays 90 minutes, I'll get questions about why he always plays. 

“Every time we played Stuttgart we've always grown stronger as the game progressed. I felt the spaces would be bigger when Harry came on, it was a good moment for him to come on. And he did what he does.”

The South Africa Test captain talks about taking inspiration from those less fortunate than him

Leonard Solms15-Aug-20251:33

‘It’s a source of inspiration you are looking for’

South Africa’s World Test Championship-winning captain Temba Bavuma is defining his legacy not only with his runs and cricketing intelligence, but also by the way he is extending help to others, on and off the field.He hopes to be remembered as a captain who helped others express their individuality, a recent instance of which came when he supported batter Wiaan Mulder in his decision to not break Brian Lara’s Test score record.Off the field, Bavuma is trying to make sure that young South Africans in vulnerable positions have a local cricketing hero they can relate to – which he himself took some time to find in his own youth.One of the key ways he’s giving back is through non-profit organisation DKMS Africa – a donor recruitment centre and registry – to raise awareness about the importance of registering as a stem cell donor, which helps save the lives of blood-cancer and blood-disorder patients.Bavuma told ESPN about his motivation to join DKMS as an ambassador: “My late grandma passed away via leukemia and that was something that was never spoken about in the household. I guess for them to see me getting behind a cause like this allowed them to somewhat heal – at least to speak about it, but also heal from what was traumatic for them.”Apart from his grandmother, Bavuma was inspired by the story of an aplastic anemia patient – a 14-year-old fan named Iminathi. DKMS Africa told Bavuma Iminathi’s story, and he hosted the boy at the Wanderers alongside Lions, Bavuma’s domestic team.Bavuma was the toast of South Africa after their World Test Championship win. He made 36 and 66 in the low-scoring Lord’s final in June•Phil Magakoe/AFP/Getty ImagesBavuma said: “I think in life we all need heroes. We all need people to look up to. I guess we all grow up with our own dreams and aspirations and ambitions and those easily come to life – or at least become reachable – when you see people like you who are doing it.”For an individual like Iminathi – [he] also was a source of inspiration that I could draw from. I’m quite privileged in a lot of ways within my life. The pressures and struggles that I go through are nothing compared to what Iminathi does and he is still able to do it with a smile on his face.”DKMS Africa was established in 2021, following the amalgamation of international organisation DKMS and the South African Sunflower Fund. Although they have made some progress reaching South Africans of all ethnicities, they still face challenges building diversity among their donor base.South Africans are classified by the government according to four main racial groups: black, coloured, Asian/Indian and white. Among DKMS Africa’s 125,000 registered donors, 45% are white, 38% black, 9% coloured and 8% Asian. White South Africans make up 7.3% of the country’s total population, as per the 2022 national census, and are therefore disproportionately represented among donors. As a result, it may be easier for white South Africans in need of a stem cell donor to find a match than for their black counterparts, who make up 81.4% of the total population.Apart from disparities in access to information, Bavuma attributes the relative shortage of black stem cell donors to the importance of blood in some African cultures, and the fact that most stem cell donations are collected from the bloodstream.At a Unicef event in Lucknow during the 2023 ODI World Cup. “I think in life, we all need heroes. We all need people to look up to”•Matthew Lewis/Getty Images”I think there’s a lot of stigmas that exist among people of my [ethnicity] when it comes to blood and giving blood. I think that can only be challenged by educating people, and also people seeing someone similar to them going out and supporting these kinds of causes,” said Bavuma.In the Xhosa culture he grew up in, blood is viewed as the essence of life and a conduit for connection with the ancestors. “Black culture is a bit interesting if you haven’t grown up with it,” Bavuma said, “especially if you look at it from a Western type of lens. Blood is quite sacred within our culture. The sacrifice of blood, the use of blood and the exchange of blood – those things have a certain significance.”To challenge that, you need the right education. You need the right type of people as well, to be able to speak the language that those types of people understand.”In his youth Bavuma had a taste of both the hardship that many South Africans face and the privilege reserved for a few, of whom a disproportionate number are white. Born and raised in Langa Township in Cape Town, Bavuma quickly gained attention for his prodigious cricketing talent.This afforded him scholarships at two of South Africa’s most prestigious schools – first the South African College School in Cape Town during his junior schooling, and then later St David’s Marist Inanda in Johannesburg after his family relocated during his high school career.When there has been division in the South Africa side, Bavuma has been able to draw upon his experience of both worlds to ensure unity prevailed. One notable example was in 2021, when Quinton de Kock withdrew from a T20 World Cup game against West Indies over a hasty directive from Cricket South Africa to the players five hours before the game to take a knee against racial discrimination.De Kock later apologised and credited Bavuma for being a “flipping amazing leader” for maintaining unity among those who played that match in de Kock’s absence without ostracising him for following his convictions.That was a period Bavuma acknowledged at the time as being one of his hardest as a leader. However, more recently, he has witnessed his conviction that no player under his watch should be afraid to make a bold decision – as exemplified by Mulder, under much happier circumstances.”That, for me, shows what the team is about,” Bavuma said about team-mate Wiaan Mulder’s decision to not go for Brian Lara’s Test innings run-scoring record against Zimbabwe in July•Zimbabwe CricketMulder – serving as stand-in captain in a Test against Zimbabwe in July for the then-injured Bavuma – declared despite being on 367 not out himself, only 33 runs shy of Brian Lara’s world record. The decision drew praise in some quarters and criticism in others.Regardless of whether it was the right call, the sheer bravery of the decision was a sign in itself that Bavuma’s values are likely to be upheld in the South Africa set-up beyond the end of his captaincy.”People always ask: ‘What is it about this team?’ We’re not a team of superstars, but there are always moments or snippets that give you a real shot or preview into what the team is about,” Bavuma said.”That moment there – Wiaan Mulder – a young guy making his mark in international cricket, in his first game as a stand-in captain, has an opportunity to break the world record and is able to make a decision like that. That, for me, shows what the team is about,” Bavuma said.”I was actually there in Zimbabwe when Wiaan and the coach [Shukri Conrad] made that decision. I think he would have earned a lot of respect not just from us as players but from the cricketing world.”It’s easy to say that you’re going to put the team first and all of that, but the important thing is: when it’s in front of you, what do you exactly do?”Whether it relates to his work building a winning cricket culture within the South Africa side or a culture of awareness regarding people with blood disorders through his work with DKMS Africa, Bavuma is looking to ensure that actions do the talking.

Erling Haaland reportedly has an “escape route” out of Manchester City to Real Madrid, in a hugely concerning development for Pep Guardiola.

On current form, Haaland is arguably best player in the world, with the Norwegian in genuine unstoppable form so far this season, scoring 11 goals in just nine Premier League appearances.

He is a priceless figure for City, holding the key to Guardiola’s side’s title challenge, and at just 25, he is still such a young player, despite already achieving so much in his career.

Incredibly, Haaland is contracted at City until the summer of 2034, having committed his long-term future to the club, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a threat of losing him at some point.

Madrid have been linked with a move for the City superstar, with the Spanish giants so often eyeing up the best footballers on the planet, and now a worrying update has dropped regarding their pursuit of him.

Haaland has "escape route" out of Man City

According to journalist Jorge Picon [via Sport Witness], Haaland has an “escape route” to Madrid in a release clause at Manchester City, and is keen on making a move there.

It goes without saying that City losing Haaland would be the biggest blow imaginable, with the striker an irreplaceable figure who has been lauded as a “phenomenon” by Pat Nevin, with Guardiola saying he is in the form of his life back in September.

“Erling has been incredible. This season, he is better than ever. I would say it’s better than the treble season. Very dynamic. We want him to score goals and to help us.”

The lure of Madrid is great for so many players, and it is only natural that Haaland may like the idea of playing alongside the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior at the Santiago Bernabeu, but he appears to be loving life at City, and has committed his future to the club.

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Players in the modern game often don’t see out their contracts, so there will always be a risk of Haaland moving on, but it would be a shock if he suddenly stressed a desire to leave for Madrid so soon after signing such a long contract extension at the Etihad.

Where does Erling Haaland rank among Man City's highest-earning players?

There could be significant ramifications for an ageing side if the Adelaide Test doesn’t go well

Andrew McGlashan02-Dec-20241:57

Ferguson: A breather would do Labuschagne a world of good

A couple of weeks ago Australia were talking of cementing a legacy. They can still do that, but it’s become a lot harder after being demolished in Perth. For now, those lofty ambitions may come down to what happens over the next nine days in Adelaide.Australia were 1-0 down in the 2018-19 series against India but the defeat was narrower (31 runs in Adelaide) and expectations were lower with the side missing David Warner and Steven Smith. They levelled it in Perth but India pulled away in the third Test in Melbourne with Jasprit Bumrah taking 6 for 33 before the fourth Test in Sydney was drawn. Few reminders are needed that it was India who came from 1-0 down in 2020-21.It remains too early to suggest Australia can’t fight back – both India and Pakistan have come from 1-0 down to win series this year – but mentions of previous rare home calamities are beginning. One is the 2016-17 series against South Africa, when defeat in the second Test in Hobart led to mass changes in the team. Before that, in the 2010-11 Ashes they were trailing 0-1 after the second Test in Adelaide, briefly rose off the canvas in Perth, then came crashing down in Melbourne and Sydney. Reviews, sackings and recriminations followed.Related

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Australia need a better mental approach to their batting

The team that crumbled in Hobart did not have the standing of this current squad, while in 2010-11 there were concerns around the bowling. It is also worth remembering Australia have suffered consecutive home defeats after West Indies’ Shamar Joseph-inspired victory at the Gabba earlier in the year. The last time Australia lost three home Tests in a row was 1988.All this is to say, Australia have not faced a home Test of such significance in a long time. Win it and the bad week in Perth will look a little less severe (and sets up a potentially classic series) but lose, be 2-0 down with three to play, and the prospect of a third-consecutive home loss to India would loom large. That could have significant ramifications.3:43

Moody: ‘There is frustration in the Australia dressing room’

They will have to do it against an India side strengthened by the return of captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. Washington Sundar did his job in Perth, but it’s difficult to believe that R Ashwin or Ravindra Jadeja wouldn’t add further potency to the attack. Australia have never lost a pink-ball Test in Adelaide, but they were also unbeaten at Optus Stadium until this series. The number 36 will likely be mentioned a lot in the coming days, but it’s unlikely to have left many scars for the visitors, especially as they came back to win that series.Amid the concerns Australia had after Perth, they have increased with the loss of Josh Hazlewood for at least Adelaide due to a side strain and doubts over Mitchell Marsh’s fitness – who it has been conceded was underdone heading into the first Test. After such a carefully curated build-up to lose two players after one Test would raise some questions. The depth of both squads could be tested over the next phase of the series with only three days between the upcoming two games.

In Adelaide, the city of churches, there may be a few prayers being said that it’s not Bumrah who has the ball in his hands as night falls

There is no secret that this is a mature Australia side. Nathan McSweeney is the only player under 30 – effectively replacing Cameron Green as the one in that age bracket – although the selectors have insisted that isn’t a factor in selection. Beau Webster has fully earned his call-up but has just turned 31 while Scott Boland, likely to be Hazlewood’s replacement, is 35. It doesn’t have to be an issue when things are trucking along nicely but it can quickly become a focal point when problems start to emerge. For those closer to the end of a career than the start, time can catch up rapidly and rather unexpectedly.Another performance like the one at Perth would sharpen the focus. Smith has now gone longer than ever without a Test century, reaching 23 innings compared to the 22 it took from his debut to maiden hundred. He did look promising for his 17 in the second innings at Perth (the ball to remove him by Mohammed Siraj was a beauty) but the fact that was worthy of comment highlights the problem. Marnus Labuschagne has come under most scrutiny but of the incumbent batters, Alex Carey is now the only one to be averaging over 30 in Test cricket this year.Writing in his ESPNcricinfo column, Ian Chappell said: “If Australia do lose the second Test, the batting will come under the microscope. That’s when the paucity of potential batting talent in Australia will cause some selection headaches.”Steven Smith and Co have little room for error in Adelaide•AFP/Getty ImagesAs you would expect him to do, Cricket Australia’s head of high performance, Ben Oliver, defended the depth in the domestic game last week. To bring some encouragement about emerging players, Sam Konstas’ free-flowing century in Canberra was timely even if the circumstances were a little odd. It follows the impressive 73 not out he made in the second innings against India A at the MCG.While Australia’s hopes went south in Perth, analysis turned many commentators into body-language experts while a Hazlewood press conference when the match was effectively over has been picked apart for what it could mean about rifts in the dressing room. Whether there’s any truth or not, those types of things will only grow louder if there is not a swift response on the field.This week will also throw in the added jeopardy of the day-night element. Timing can be everything in these matches: face a new ball under lights and things can move quickly. That applies to both teams, but Australia don’t have much room left for poor sessions, let alone days. In Adelaide, the city of churches, there may be a few prayers being said that it’s not Bumrah who has the ball in his hands as night falls.

Gannon took 5 for 47 but Macdonald made 79 and Short 62 to give Victoria a crucial lead

AAP05-Dec-2025Victoria’s Sheffield Shield dominance is continuing, taking a stranglehold of their clash with Western Australia at the MCG.Holding a 61-run first-innings lead after making 255 in reply to WA’s 194, Victoria delivered another blow just before stumps on day two on Friday.Mitchell Perry trapped former Australia opener Cameron Bancroft on the final ball of the third over to leave WA reeling at 4 for 1. Instead of Australia’s white-ball star Mitch Marsh arriving at the crease, spinner Corey Rocchiccioli was sent in as a nightwatcher.Rocchiccioli survived five overs with captain Sam Whiteman to get WA to stumps at 5 for 1, still trailing Victoria by 56 runs. Whiteman made just two from 24 balls, but did his job by getting to the end of the day without falling to the charging Victorian attack.On a tricky wicket, opener Blake Macdonald thrived for Victoria with 79, while Matthew Short compiled 62.Victoria took their time building a lead, going at a run-rate of just 2.68 and batting for 96 overs. WA veteran Cameron Gannon bowled tirelessly, sending down 23 overs for figures of 5 for 47.Rocchiccioli ended Victoria’s innings with his second wicket, finishing with 2 for 61.Despite struggling in the One-Day Cup and suffering a heavy loss to WA on Tuesday, Victoria have been dominating the Shield this season. Another win here would take them into the Big Bash League break with five wins from six matches, putting them in the box seat to host this season’s final. WA are on the bottom of the Shield table, having secured just one win this campaign.

After England threaten in powerplay, Australia’s middle-order answer SOS with 180-run stand

S Sudarshanan22-Oct-2025

Ash Gardner reached a 69-ball hundred as she and Annabel Sutherland sealed a dominant win•Getty Images

Ashleigh Gardner played out three dot-balls after completing her century. One of those was a full toss. But there were cheers from the 8,531-strong crowd at the Holkar Stadium, and laughs and high-fives in the Australia dugout. Australia were four runs away from handing England their first defeat at the Women’s World Cup 2025. Annabel Sutherland was five away from what would have been a well-deserved century.Sutherland couldn’t get to her hundred in the next over despite a dropped catch. Gardner then finished off the chase by lofting Sophie Ecclestone over mid-off to maintain Australia’s clean slate in this competition.Sutherland and Gardner came together when Australia were 68 for 4 in their 245-run chase. They conjured an unbroken 180 for the fifth wicket and, in the process, gave plenty of lessons to England’s batters. Here’s an example.Sutherland had just laced Lauren Bell, England’s fastest bowler on the park, through extra cover for a four using her long stride. So wicketkeeper Amy Jones came up to the stumps. It did not bog Sutherland down as she was swiftly off strike and Gardner, with the keeper still up, picked up a second four of the over with a slash through backward point.Related

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A score of 68 for 4 is dire enough to opt for a cautious approach. More so with England pressing their spinners into service. But playing out a dot was the last option in Australia’s operating manual. In their entire innings, England faced 169 dot-balls – that is about 28 overs’ worth. Australia played out only 107 dots (fewer than 18 overs) and finished their chase with 57 balls to spare. The Sutherland-Gardner partnership lasted 148 balls: only 51 of those were without a run.The black-soil pitch in Indore had started to slow down a little and the ball held up just a touch, as evidenced by Ellyse Perry’s wicket. She was early into her flick and popped a catch back to left-arm spinner Linsey Smith. This was in contrast with how Australia’s left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux had dismissed Heather Knight lbw earlier in the afternoon, getting one to skid in with the arm from a similar length, beating her for pace on the inside edge.Sutherland realised quickly that hanging back in her crease, especially against spin, was fraught with danger. She had almost paid the price for it by punching the ball aerially back towards Ecclestone in the 14th over. Ecclestone’s weight was on the right foot and she couldn’t take that half-chance, and had her right hand on mouth in disbelief.Sutherland knew that she would have to create pace on the ball. She used her feet very well, either to come down the track to intercept the ball early or to just shuffle across her crease to nudge the ball into the outfield. The intention was not always to take the aerial route but rely on ones and twos. When she did choose to go big, there were no half-measures. Such as the moment when she put Smith away over deep square leg for Australia’s only six of the innings.Tammy Beaumont produced a good innings but chewed up dot-balls between her boundaries•ICC/Getty ImagesGardner was more happy to use her feet against spin. She was unafraid to take the aerial route, too. With a maximum of only four fielders allowed outside the inner circle from the 11th over to the end, it is actually tough to restrict boundaries against a high-intent batter like Gardner. And she hit 16 off them on the way to a 69-ball century, her second at this World Cup. Only Karen Rolton (57 balls) and Belinda Clark (64 balls) have a century quicker than Gardner in ODI World Cups. Together, they ran 67 singles, six twos and a three.Now Sutherland and Gardner were able to do this despite Australia not having a strong platform. Which points towards a missed opportunity for England. Their openers had added a second successive half-century partnership. England were 55 for 0 in just eight overs, already their best powerplay performance of the tournament. They had a plethora of boundaries by then, with Tammy Beaumont leading the charge. But what she, and by extension England, did between those boundary hits is what hampered them.Beaumont sped to a 59-ball half-century. A perfectly acceptable pace in this era of ODI cricket. But 39 of those were dot balls. It was a pattern that extended throughout her stay. Beaumont scored 78, her first fifty-plus score since June, and fell when Sutherland pre-empted her attack by having her caught at long-on with a slower ball.It was a welcome return to runs for Beaumont, but by chewing up 66 dots of the 105 balls she faced (close to 63%), England were denied the momentum from the early overs on a flat track. It was imperative for a set batter to make up for those dot-balls, given that – prior to this game – England’s Nos. 5, 6 and 7 had an average of 9.25, the lowest among all teams this World Cup.There can be an argument that legspinner Alana King made runs hard to come by for England. She had the ball on a string and, on visual evidence, extracted the most turn from the black-soil surface. Nat Sciver-Brunt tried to take her on and paid the price. England’s reluctance to use the sweep against her was surprising, too. That meant England were in the mire before Alice Capsey, one of the under-fire batters, and Charlie Dean pushed England towards some respectability.”When you come up against Alana King in the middle overs, she had it on a piece of string,” Sciver-Brunt said. “She bowled really well and challenged us a lot. She obviously made it very difficult for us to accelerate through those middle overs. But it’s a balance, isn’t it? In 50-over cricket, going too early and then being all out for 160-180 versus trying to stay in the game for as long as possible.”Sutherland’s unbeaten 98 followed up her three-for as she took home the Player-of-the-Match honours. In the process, she laid down a template for England’s batters to ponder.

“Leave the football before the football leaves you” was the message that Jamie Carragher handed to Manchester United midfielder Casemiro in early 2024.

It was one of the aggressive forms of criticism we’ve seen on Sky Sports in recent years and it was arguably deserved.

The Brazilian was one of the best midfielders in the world at Real Madrid. He was a serial winner, a Champions League legend.

At Old Trafford, however, his career has started to wane. Who could forget Casemiro’s tired and laboured display against Crystal Palace at the back end of 2023/24?

He was dribbled past a remarkable eight times during that game. For no context, no player in the whole of that Premier League campaign was dribbled past on more occasions in one match.

Since then, however, Casemiro has enjoyed something of a revival under Ruben Amorim in 2025/26. Long gone are the days of Erik ten Hag fielding the veteran at centre-half. He looks like a proper midfielder again.

The Brazil international has been one of United’s most consistent players this term, scoring three goals and supplying an assist. Yet, that should not distract supporters from the fact that he is still a problem.

He’s now 33 years of age and cannot be trusted to play for 90 minutes. Because of that, the transfer chiefs at United are considering launching a big-money move for a new midfielder in 2026.

The search for a Casemiro heir at Man United

While many problems linger in the air at Old Trafford, the biggest arguably lies at wing-back and in the centre of midfield.

United bolstered their attacking line significantly in the summer with the additions of Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha but the midfield went untouched. That needs to change in January or next summer.

There are three players who appear to be at the forefront of their minds. Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson would appear to be the dream target but he is also being chased by rivals Manchester City and could cost a fortune.

Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton is another long-term target and could finally make his big move in 2026. He gave Casemiro the runaround during United’s 2-1 win on Sunday. Samuel Luckhurst noted that the Brazilian looked “haunted” by his experience at Selhurst Park just a couple of years ago.

The other target is Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba but his form has taken a downturn in 2025/26 and he doesn’t look like a player worthy of a previous £100m price tag.

Wharton vs Man Utd on Sunday

Touches

48

Accurate passes

23/29 (79%)

Key passes

1

Accurate crosses

1/3

Shots

1

Tackles won

3/3

Interceptions

1

Clearances

2

Recoveries

7

Duels won

5/7

Stats via Sofascore.

Anderson and Wharton would be the ideal solution to United’s woes and according to the numbers, it’s the former who should be the priority target.

He’s a bigger threat in the final third but he doesn’t shirk his defensive duties. He’s won more duels and made more ball recoveries per 90 minutes this season than his England colleague. According to Thomas Tuchel, he’s “one of the best midfielders in the Premier League”.

Yet, what if United had already signed their answer to Wharton and Baleba?

Man United have found their own Wharton and Baleba

United have taken a vested interest in improving their youth ranks since INEOS completed their takeover of the club.

Towards the beginning of 2025 they signed young Malian midfielder Sekou Kone in a bargain deal and while he is yet to appear for the first-team just yet, he has endured an injury-hit first few months at Carrington and looks a real superstar in the making.

There is also left wing-back Diego Leon, the young defender who looks well set to replace either Patrick Dorgu or Diogo Dalot in that position before too long.

The latest talent who looks set to arrive is a 17-year-old midfielder by the name of Cristian Orozco.

It was reported last week that United were set to complete a move to sign the teenager, with Orozco flying to the UK over the weekend to formalise a $1m move from Colombian side Fortaleza.

So, who is the budding youngster? Well, he’s notably been compared to both Casemiro and Moises Caicedo. Already it’s clear to see why comparisons are also being made to Baleba, the man Brighton actually tasked with replacing Caicedo at the Amex.

Having captained Colombia at U17 level, he already boasts natural leadership skills but it’s his skillset in and out of possession that makes him so exciting.

Como scout Ben Mattinson has outlined that Orozco is capable of ‘controlling the game from deep in midfield’. His best attributes are his press resistance and footwork to turn past defenders, while he’s ‘so composed under pressure’ and is capable of ‘recycling possession’ superbly well.

On that evidence, it’s easy to see why comparisons to Wharton are being made. The Palace midfielder is one of the most press-resistant midfielders in the English top-flight and that was clear for all to see when he supplied the pass that led to Palace’s penalty on Sunday. He evaded his marker with ease and then picked out a punchy forward pass.

Orozco, however, isn’t just about making things look pretty. Further labelled as “a midfield destroyer with leadership maturity far beyond his age” by one analyst on social media, he also brings the best of Baleba who is more defensively minded than Wharton.

United’s new signing is unlikely to provide them with too much threat in the final third but like Wharton he’ll evade the press and manoeuvre the ball nicely. Like Baleba, he’s also capable of sitting in front of the defence and breaking up play.

The teenager certainly isn’t ready for first-team football just yet but INEOS could well save themselves a fortune in the transfer market here.

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Posts 1 ByJoe Nuttall Nov 30, 2025

يستعد فريق ليفربول، بقيادة المدرب آرني سلوت، لخوض مباراة مساء السبت في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، وذلك ضد نظيره ليدز يونايتد.

ويستضيف ملعب “إيلاند رود” مباراة ليفربول وليدز يونايتد، في إطار منافسات الجولة الخامسة عشر من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي، موسم 2025/26.

ويحتل ليفربول المركز التاسع في جدول الدوري الإنجليزي برصيد 22 نقطة، في حين أن ليدز يونايتد لديه 14 نقطة في المركز السابع عشر.

ويسعى ليفربول إلى تحقيق الفوز في مباراة اليوم بعدما سقط في فخ التعادل الإيجابي مع سندرلاند، في الجولة الماضية من الدوري الإنجليزي، بهدف لمثله. موعد مباراة ليفربول وليدز يونايتد اليوم في الدوري الإنجليزي

تنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة 7:30 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، 8:30 بتوقيت السعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة ليفربول وليدز يونايتد اليوم في الدوري الإنجليزي

تُذاع المباراة عبر قناة beIN SPORTS 1. معلق مباراة ليفربول وليدز يونايتد اليوم في الدوري الإنجليزي

سيعلق حسن العيدروس على أحداث مباراة اليوم.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.

تحدث فابيان ديلف، لاعب مانشستر سيتي السابق عن بيب جوارديولا، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي السماوي واصفًا إياه أنه شخصية فريدة من نوعها.

ديلف على مدار مسيرته قدم 323 مباراة لأربعة فرق في جميع المسابقات، كما خاض لاعب خط الوسط 20 مباراة دولية مع إنجلترا كلاعب.

جاءت المباراة النهائية للاعب البالغ من العمر 32 عامًا كجزء من تعادل إيفرتون 0-0 مع واتفورد في نهاية موسم 2021/2022، حيث لعب 81 دقيقة، قبل أن يخسر الفريق في المباريات الثلاث الأخيرة للموسم.

وقال ديلف، في تصريحات عقب صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو”: “بيب شخصية فريدة من نوعها، أستطيع أن أقول لكم بصراحة إنه لو لم يكن لديه هذا الشغف والحافز، لما كان هنا”.

اقرأ أيضًا | تشكيل مانشستر سيتي أمام ليدز يونايتد في الدوري الإنجليزي.. موقف عمر مرموش

وأكمل: “بالنسبة له، إما كل شيء أو لا شيء، حقيقة أنه لا يزال هنا بعد تسع أو عشر سنوات وحقق كل هذا النجاح”.

وعن قيادة جوارديولا لمانشستر سيتي فترة أطول: “ربما ينظر إلى الفريق ويعتقد أنهم ما زالوا صغارًا بما يكفي لمواصلة التقدم والفوز بالمزيد من الألقاب”.

وأتم: “ربما يفكر في البقاء هنا لثلاث أو أربع سنوات أخرى، إنه متحمس بالتأكيد ويقدم كل ما لديه ويمكنك أن ترى ذلك في لغة جسده، لم يتغير شيء، بيب سيبقى بيب، سيفوز، وسيقود الفريق إلى الأمام”.

Gill was run out for his first score past 20 and under 100 since arriving in England

ESPNcricinfo staff31-Jul-2025Shubman Gill has been the man all through this tour and once again he was able to tick off a record – most runs by an India captain in a Test series – but his poor luck with the toss continued. And just as he was helping get his team past that disadvantage he was run out for his first score past 20 and under 100 since arriving in England, meaning he had gotten a start and, against the odds, gave it away. Ten balls later, the rain came and swept everyone back into the dressing room. It was as untimely as a wicket could ever be, leaving India at 85 for 3.B Sai Sudharsan was the batter at the other end, and although he took a step forward, there was no way he was going to make it across for a single. Of all the ways to get out on a pitch with 8mm of grass and consistent sideways movement – both swing and seam. India were negotiating all that well for the most part. Gus Atkinson, returning to the fold after just a second XIs game to judge his fitness, was the single biggest threat from England. He took down Yashasvi Jaiswal in the fourth over and had a part to play in the Gill run-out as well – quick to spot the opportunity in his follow-through and nailing a direct hit at the keeper’s end.England went into the Oval Test with a vastly changed bowling attack, Chris Woakes the unlikely survivor despite playing all five matches. Ben Stokes was out with injury. Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse were rested and the replacements didn’t seem quite up for it. Josh Tongue gave away 11 runs in wides in his first over and Jamie Overton’s first three overs cost more than five runs apiece. Atkinson was keeping them in it, his first spell a wonderful example of how to keep it simple and reap the rewards on offer. He pitched the ball up, kept a tight line around off stump and walked away with figures of 6-1-7-1.India, though, were recovering from that. Sai Sudharsan was leaving the ball well – a marked improvement from the last Test where he was out for a duck leaving the ball to second slip – and seemed better equipped to handle balls aimed at his body as well. He is 28 off 84, having played some gorgeous drives down the ground. There were only six overs bowled in the middle session due to rain interruptions but that was still enough to cause a significant dent to India, whose hopes now lie with one batter who made his debut on this tour and another on the comeback trail which might not have a lot of trail left. Karun Nair, brought back in place of Shardul Thakur, was unbeaten on 0 off 8 at tea.