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Manchester United’s interest in a new midfielder this winter seems to be hotting up. The Red Devils could move on a couple of players in the middle of the park, if recent reports are to be believed.

Ruben Amorim seems happy to get rid of Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte over the coming weeks.

It has not been an easy season for either of those players. Despite his obvious talent, Amorim continues to ignore Mainoo, and the Englishman has yet to start a Premier League game this term.

As for Ugarte, he is merely a squad player at Old Trafford, starting just two league games himself in 2025/26.

Whatever the future of the two midfielders, United seemingly have a few replacements identified.

Man Utd pursuing midfield target

There are a few names that keep popping up when it comes to United’s midfield targets. Two of those are England internationals Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton, both of whom United are interested in signing.

Of course, another player United are constantly linked with is Brighton and Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba.

The 21-year-old was a target over the summer for the Red Devils, and it has been confirmed by The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell that the club had actually ‘agreed personal terms’ with the Cameroonian midfielder at the time, albeit while opting against actually lodging a bid.

Transfer Focus

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

As was the case then, this is not a deal that will come cheap for the 13-time Premier League champions.

They will have to smash their transfer record to sign the midfielder, paying £100m as per a report at the start of December.

However, Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in Baleba and could make a move of their own despite the hefty price tag.

Why Baleba would be an upgrade on Ugarte

It has not actually been the best season for Brighton’s key man in midfield, Baleba. The 21-year-old has featured in all 13 Premier League games, but has struggled for consistency and has not really found his best form.

Indeed, the former Lille star has mustered only 701 minutes in the top flight this term, and has only completed 90 minutes on one occasion.

So far this term, he averages just 7.7 full 90-minute games.

Yet, his importance to the Brighton side when at his best cannot be understated. Described as a “beast” by Matt O’Riley, he played 34 times under Fabian Hurzeler last term, even chipping in with three goals and one assist.

Perhaps the pick of the bunch was this strike against West Ham United, which won him the goal of the month award.

Should United bring Baleba to Old Trafford, he would be a huge upgrade on Ugarte. Since his £50.5m move from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, the Uruguayan international has been underwhelming.

Indeed, once a key player at Sporting under Amorim, Ugarte has struggled to get into the side. He’s only played nine times in the top flight this season, racking up only 301 minutes.

Last term, he was more of a regular, playing 39 times across the Premier League and Europa League, and even chipped in with two goals, but he has fallen firmly out of favour in 2025/26.

After United were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Grimsby Town this season, Red Devils content creator Alex Turk described Ugarte as “embarrassing.”

Indeed, his lack of physicality and progression on the ball is far worse than that of Baleba.

There are stats which back that theory up, too. The Red Devils transfer target averaged 1.34 progressive carries and 6.41 ball recoveries per 90 minutes, compared to Ugarte’s 0.86 progressive carries and 6.12 ball recoveries each game.

Progressive passes

3.54

3.49

Progressive carries

1.34

0.86

Ball recoveries

6.41

6.12

Interceptions

1.55

1.34

Clearances

1.58

1.21

Of course, £100m is a huge investment, but for a player of Baleba’s quality, it might well be worth it.

He is far better than Ugarte in and out of possession, and would bring more of a physical presence to Amorim’s pivot.

This certainly feels like a deal United should try and get over the line, if they want to add better quality in the middle of the park.

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There was a pause in play while Pakistan sought clarification from the umpires

Andrew Fidel Fernando05-Oct-2025

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana chats with the fourth umpire after Muneeba Ali’s run-out•Associated Press

Confusion over whether opening batter Muneeba Ali was actually deemed run-out caused a brief stoppage in the fourth over of Pakistan’s chase against India in their World Cup match in Colombo, with Pakistan querying the decision on the edge of the boundary while the dismissed batter Muneeba remained on the edge of the field of play.The sequence of events that led to the confusion was unusual. First, Muneeba had not been attempting a run – she had been batting out of her crease (presumably to counter swing) as India appealed for an lbw off the bowling of Kranti Goud. As that appeal went up, Muneeba had promptly grounded her bat behind the crease before the throw from Deepti Sharma came in from the slip cordon. However, she had very briefly raised her bat off the ground again without having grounded any other part of the body behind the line, and it was in the moments her bat was slightly raised that Deepti’s throw hit the stumps and dislodged the bails.ICC Playing Condition 30.1.2 does allow for a batter to lose contact with the ground beyond the crease and not be given out, but that exception is only granted to a batter who is “running or diving towards her ground”. Muneeba was merely stepping back into the crease, and there was no momentum that would have necessitated her bat leaving the crease.The playing condition states: “However, a batter shall not be considered to be out of her ground if, in running or diving towards her ground and beyond, and having grounded some part of her person or bat beyond the popping crease, there is subsequent loss of contact between the ground and any part of her person or bat, or between the bat and person.”Related

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The confusion was partially caused by conflicting third-umpire decisions being flashed on the big screen. Muneeba was initially given “not out” on the screen and even the India players had returned to their places. But that decision was soon changed to “out”, prompting celebrations from the India players and a puzzled expression from Muneeba, who animatedly sought clarification from the on-field umpires.It is possible third umpire Kerrin Klaaste had first given Muneeba not out before having seen the footage beyond Muneeba’s initial grounding of the bat. It is likely that after seeing the full set of replays – where Muneeba raised her bat again – Klaaste changed her decision.Once the on-field umpires confirmed she was out, Muneeba began to leave the field, but a flurry of activity near the Pakistan dugout gave her pause. She seemed to be getting instructions from her team-mates to remain on the field while they queried the decision again, this time from fourth-umpire Kim Cotton, who was at her station in between the two team dugouts. Muneeba was seen to be in further discussion with her team-mates – captain Fatima Sana in particular – as next batter Sidra Amin stood on the edge of the boundary without entering the playing area.Eventually, Sana appeared to signal to Muneeba that she may leave the field, likely having received further clarification surrounding the dismissal. Amin entered the field and went on to take strike. The incident caused a stoppage that went for several minutes longer than a regular run-out would take.Muneeba would also have been given out lbw off that delivery had India reviewed the on-field umpire’s not out decision. Her dismissal left Pakistan 6 for 1 in four overs in their chase of 248.

Rangers were certainly busy in the transfer market last summer, but supporters will be demanding more new recruits come January.

13 new additions were made in July and August, but this team has got significantly worse, leading to sporting director Kevin Thelwell feeling the need to do an interview with the club’s in-house TV channel during the international break.

Having sacked Russell Martin after only 15 games in charge and appointed Danny Röhl, the German will surely demand new recruits when the winter window opens in just 41 days time, so could Rangers bring in some much-needed defensive reinforcements?

Rangers' need for defensive depth

After taking a couple of matches to figure things out, new coach Röhl has settled on a back three, notably deploying this shape against Hibs, Roma and Celtic.

As a result, centre-back will surely be a key position he’ll seek to strengthen in January, given the Light Blues’ lack of depth and quality in this position.

Summer signing Nasser Djiga has regularly proved himself to be an unreliable figure, making a high-profile error against Club Brugge, having been sent off on his home Premiership debut against Dundee, thereby losing his place in the side (video below).

Meantime, John Souttar has been Rangers’ most impressive centre-back so far, starting 23 of 24 fixtures to date, albeit he can unfortunately never be relied upon to remain fit for a long period of time.

He withdrew from Scotland’s starting lineup mere minutes before Tuesday’s historic World Cup qualifying win over Denmark after suffering an injury in the warm-up and was at fault in the game against Greece, with James McFadden stating that he had a “nightmare” in that clash.

So, right now, even when everyone is fit, Röhl has just four senior centre-backs for three starting positions, one of which is Emmanuel Fernandez, who has not started a match since August.

Perhaps an addition in January would do the trick.

Rangers targeting a new centre-back

According to reports in Belgium earlier this month, Rangers have “made enquiries” as they aim to sign defender Mujaid Sadick from Genk.

Well, Football Transfers believes the 25-year-old is worth around £8m, which would make him one of Rangers’ most-expensive signings of all-time, so would he be worth the investment?

Mujaid began his senior career at Deportivo La Coruña in Spain, making 55 appearances for the fallen Spanish giants, before moving to Belgium in 2021, appearing 136 times for current employers Genk, who finished third in last season’s Jupiler Pro League.

This season, he has been a near ever-present for the Smurfs, including starting all four of their Europa League matches, the first of which was a 1-0 victory at Ibrox, with former Celtic striker Oh Hyeon-gyu the match-winner.

The Spaniard’s statistics certainly make for impressive reading, as outlined below.

Mujaid Sadick stats 25/26
Stats	Mujaid	League rank
Minutes	1,203	33rd
Completed passes	848	5th
Pass completion %	94.4%	1st
Tackles	28	20th
Clearances	75	15th
Aerials duels won	25	34th
Total duels won	61	40th
Stats via FBref and SofaScore

As the table highlights, Mujaid’s statistics in Belgium’s top-flight this season are generally pretty imperious.

No players boast a higher pass completion %, while he is also in the top 20 when it comes to tackles and clearances.

The Rangers Journal described the Spaniard as “physical, athletic, good on the ball and aggressive”, while his “versatility” has also been praised, which would certainly enhance his reputation with Röhl, who regularly tinkers with his shape and formation both from one game to the next but also within a match.

Thus, what is clear is that Rangers really need to sign another centre-back in January to avoid having to play stop-gaps as part of Röhl’s back three.

Mujaid’s statistics and potential, still only 25 years and playing in the sixth-strongest league on the planet, according to Global Football Rankings, all suggest he would represent an upgrade on Djiga and Souttar, the latter has been in good form, but is injury prone and whether or not his performances as sustainable remains a question mark.

The Spaniard would be an expensive investment, but one Rangers may have to make to correct the errors made in the summer.

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Manchester United’s main priority during the summer transfer window was to bolster the club’s frontline – something which was achieved as seen by their £200m investment in such an area.

Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko all made the move to Old Trafford, forming a new deadly trio for Ruben Amorim to work with during his tenure at the helm.

However, after completing such deals, the hierarchy turned their attention to a new number six to help bolster the strength and quality within the midfield department.

Carlos Baleba was identified as the Red Devils’ primary target during the summer, but they were unable to strike a deal, with Brighton & Hove Albion demanding over £100m for his signature.

No doubt, Amorim’s men will still hold a keen interest in his signature this January, but another Premier League option has since emerged on their radar over the last few weeks.

How Anderson compares to Man Utd’s CMs in 2025/26 so far

In an attempt to bolster the midfield ranks, United have been hugely touted with a move for Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson in the upcoming January window.

It’s been reported that Amorim’s side have already made contact with Sean Dyche’s men over a deal for his signature this winter, but it could cost a fee in the region of £100m.

Such a deal would be a mammoth backing from the board, but how does the 23-year-old compare to current starters Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro?

Both the current Red Devils are experienced options, with both now over 30, but it hasn’t stopped Anderson from massively dominating the pair in such key areas.

The Englishman has topped 13 separate metrics in the Premier League this campaign, with many showcasing his talents with and without the ball at his feet.

He’s completed 113 passes into the final third, with his tally of 706 passes completed, the most of any player in the division – subsequently showcasing his fantastic ability in possession.

Without the ball, the youngster has also dominated, with such a skillset potentially putting an end to Casemiro’s career at Old Trafford at the end of the campaign.

Anderson has entered the most defensive duels of any player in the division, whilst also winning the most duels – potentially making him the perfect deep-lying option for Amorim’s side.

At just 23, the Forest star has all the tools to transform into an elite-level talent, but it remains to be seen if the hierarchy would be prepared to fork out £100m for his signature.

The United star who’s their homegrown version of Anderson

Given the rumoured price tag for Anderson’s signature, it shows the importance of being able to identify talent at a young age, or even produce your own versions from the academy setup.

United have no doubt shifted their recruitment focus over the last couple of months, as seen by their deals to land Diego Leon and Senne Lammens – with both talented youngsters with huge potential.

However, the academy ranks have also proven fruitful in recent years, as seen by the emergence of the Class of 92, with the graduates playing a huge role in Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure.

The likes of David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt have all operated at the heart of the side throughout their respective careers – helping the club win 13 separate Premier League titles.

The fans will no doubt be hoping that Anderson can add himself to such a list in the near future, but Amorim could save himself and the club millions by unleashing Kobbie Mainoo.

Like the aforementioned academy stars, the 20-year-old burst on the scene as a teenager, making an immediate impact and becoming a key member of the United squad.

His major breakthrough came in 2023/24, where the youngster racked up 32 appearances across all competitions, scoring on five separate occasions – many of which proved to be crucial efforts.

Mainoo scored a last-minute victory in a close clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers, whilst also scoring against bitter rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final triumph.

However, he’s been unable to reach such heights over the last 12 months, with current boss Amorim preferring the likes of Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte ahead of him.

Such a decision may come as a surprise to the fanbase, especially given his stats from last season, which saw him outperform Anderson in numerous key areas – that’s despite making just 25 league appearances.

Mainoo completed more of the passes he attempted, whilst also completing more of the crosses he attempted – leading to Alex Turk dubbing him a “future £100m+ footballer”.

How Mainoo & Anderson compared in the PL (24/25)
Statistics (per 90)	Mainoo	Anderson
Games played	25	37
Goals & assists	0	8
Pass accuracy	87%	82%
Crosses completed	29%	26%
Dribbles completed	1.3	1.1
Dispossessed	1.9	2.6
Dribbled past	0.8	2.1
Interceptions made	1.1	0.9
Stats via FotMob

He also completed more of the dribbles he attempted, whilst also being dispossessed on fewer occasions, subsequently showcasing his incredible ability in possession.

However, without the ball, Mainoo was dribbled past on fewer occasions, along with more interceptions made – highlighting he’s able to beat the £100m star when given the chance.

It’s evident that Mainoo is still a player with bags of talent, but the manager desperately needs to swallow his pride and hand the 20-year-old the chance to stake his claim as a first-team regular.

He’s for so often had to settle for minutes off the substitutes’ bench, which has no doubt hindered his chances of continuing his progression and building on his incredible start to his career in 2023/24.

Upon his return from injury in the near future, the 40-year-old needs to hand the youngster the opportunity to have a consistent run as a regular starter to allow him to reach his full potential at the Theatre of Dreams.

Such a decision would save the club millions of pounds, with the academy graduate having the chance to lead the Red Devils to new heights in the years ahead.

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Coming into the 2025/26 campaign, expectations were all over the place for Tottenham Hotspur supporters after the hot and cold season prior under Ange Postecoglou.

The Lilywhites finished 17th in the Premier League but won the Europa League, but it wasn’t enough for the Aussie to keep his job – with such responsibility falling into the hands of Thomas Frank.

He’s been tasked with the responsibility of leading the club back up England’s top-flight, whilst also being competitive in the Champions League after their recent European triumph.

The Dane has already made an immediate impact in North London, losing only three of his first 14 games at the helm and subsequently achieving a 50% win rate to date.

Numerous players have already managed to impress during the current campaign, with one first-team member in particular catching the eye after his summer transfer.

How Kudus compares to other PL wingers in 25/26

In an attempt to hit the ground running as Spurs manager, Frank spent big to land the signature of winger Mohammed Kudus – forking out £55m for his signature from West Ham United.

The Ghanaian international arrived with huge excitement, understandably so given the nature of the fee, but it’s safe to say he’s already delivered the goods in North London.

The 25-year-old has already netted his first goal for the Lilywhites, whilst laying on four assists for his teammates – the joint most of any player in the division.

However, Kudus’ underlying stats are just as impressive, with his figures further highlighting how big of an impact he’s already had during the early days of his time at the club.

He’s completed the most take-ons of any player in Europe’s top-five leagues across 2025/26, with his tally of 30 successful take-ons over three times higher than Arsenal star Bukayo Saka.

The Ghanaian also ranks in the 98th percentile for take-ons completed per 90 in the Premier League (3.7) – further showcasing his incredible ability at beating the opposition.

Getting past a defender is one thing, but the former West Ham star has also highlighted his ability to produce the end product at the end of his mazy runs.

Kudus has achieved an average of 7.6 crosses per 90, a tally that ranks him in the top 2% of all attackers in the Premier League, with 1.9 of his efforts finding a teammate in the 18-yard box.

Such a feat has allowed him to register 0.5 assists per 90, which also ranks him in the top 3% of all players in England’s top-flight – with his £55m fee now looking like a real bargain.

The Spurs player who’s now becoming world-class

Despite Kudus’ success in the Premier League, numerous other Spurs players have managed to impress under Frank – helping the side currently sit in 3rd place.

Micky Van de Ven has been a huge presence at the back for the Lilywhites, helping the first-team keep a total of four clean sheets in the first nine league outings of 2025/26.

However, he’s also demonstrated his talents at the other end of the pitch, scoring three times in England’s top-flight and sitting as the club’s joint-top scorer.

Such a feat has also been replicated by midfielder Joao Palhinha, with the Portuguese international making an immediate impact in North London after his summer transfer.

The Lilywhites board secured the 30-year-old’s services on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich, but it was a deal that didn’t satisfy a portion of the fanbase.

However, a couple of months on, the deal is now looking like a phenomenal piece of business, with the former Fulham star undoubtedly one of the best additions in the Premier League this campaign.

Palhinha, who earns £135k-per-week, has featured in every league game to date, subsequently producing numerous incredible figures – the most impressive of which is his tally of 39 tackles won.

Such a figure is the highest of any player in the division at present, with only one other player managing to register 30 or more successful regains of possession in the Premier League.

As a result, he’s currently averaging 5.1 tackles made per 90, whilst also coming out on top in 8.6 duels per 90 – with both tallies ranking him within the top 3% of all players in England’s top-flight.

Joao Palhinha – PL stats (2025/26)
Statistics (per 90)	Tally
Games played	9
Goals & assists	3
Pass accuracy	83%
Touches per 90	60.5
Tackles made	5.1
Duels won	8.6
Aerials won	58%
Dribbled past	0.6
Stats via FotMob

However, like Van de Ven, he’s also managed to thrive within forward areas, already scoring twice and registering an assist – with his latest strike securing a late point against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

As previously mentioned, it’s his ball-winning ability that has caught the eye most in North London, leading to one analyst labelling him as the “best in the world” for regaining possession for his side.

His current deal has a £30m option to buy next summer, with Frank and the hierarchy desperately needing to trigger such a clause amid his recent form with Spurs.

A dominant number six has been firmly on the club’s agenda over the last few years, with Palhinha finally providing such a quality – but it’s crucial the club don’t let the loanee slip through their grasp.

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Memories of Watson abound as Australia’s allrounder holds the key to team balance

Alex Malcolm18-Nov-20252:26

Will Australia hand Jake Weatherald his Test debut in Perth?

It is easy to think of Cameron Green as the baby of Australia’s team. In relative terms he is, given he is the only squad member under 30 and a full four years younger than the second youngest player in “Dad’s Army”.But he’s no longer a baby in professional cricket. He’s 26, a full five years into his Test career, and eight-and-a-half years into his first-class career.Eighteen months ago, Steven Smith volunteered to open the batting to settle Green at No.4 after David Warner’s retirement and he delivered with what appeared to be a career-shaping 174 not out in Wellington to win a Test for Australia. He has batted at No.4 only twice since.In June, Pat Cummins declared that Green could be Australia’s long-term No.3 after returning from injury as a specialist batter for the WTC final. It appeared to be a poisoned chalice, having batted there once prior in first-class cricket.After two tough Tests on two tough pitches, he was arguably Australia’s best batter in their most recent Tests in Grenada and Jamaica with match-defining scores of 26, 52, 46 and 42 in two more low-scoring Tests.But three days out from Australia’s next Test, the first against England at home in the most anticipated Ashes in his lifetime, Green does not know where he will bat despite being the unwitting kingmaker in Australia’s XI, given he is finally available to bowl again.”No, not yet. I think the people in charge met last night,” Green said on Tuesday. “I’ll probably get told later today. Whichever way they go, I think we’ve got a really great squad, a lot of great combinations to go with. So I’m pretty easy either way.”It appears highly likely that Green will be sent back to No.6, with Marnus Labuschagne reinstated at No.3 and Jake Weatherald making his Test debut as Usman Khawaja’s seventh opening partner in Australia’s last 16 Tests.Green was asked how he felt about bouncing around the order and where he might settle long-term.”I think I’m just so grateful that they see me as someone who could do all those positions,” Green said. “I’ve moved around quite a bit in the Test team especially. But I think it’s probably how good the coaching staff is that they make you feel really secure, regardless of where you’re playing, and regardless if you get moved around.Any more questions? Cameron Green speaks ahead of his home Test•Getty Images”I’m very fortunate that they think that way about me, but happy to bat anywhere.”While Green is secure, Beau Webster is not. That Webster could be squeezed out of the XI, having done very little wrong in the No.6 role as the allrounder across his seven Tests to date will not sit well at all with Australian fans.Green is saddled with the burden of being the golden boy, for whom all must be accommodated. That is making him unpopular with home fans, much in the same way Shane Watson was during his career.There are eerie similarities. Highly gifted, with incredible physical attributes and a stunning Sheffield Shield record from a young age. But neither have quite lived up to the expectation to date, in part because of injury interruptions, in part because it’s been a struggle to find the best way to deploy their talents.But the similarities end when you dig into their records. Watson after 32 Tests was averaging 38.12 with the bat with two centuries, having hit a career high watermark of 42.11 during the 2010-11 Ashes when he was in the middle of his successful run as a Test opener. He also averaged a career low of 28.01 with the ball with three five-wicket hauls.Green also has two centuries but averages 34.02 with the bat and 35.31 with the ball. Webster’s numbers of 34.63 and 23.25 only enrage those Green skeptics further. Green hasn’t helped himself. His Test batting record overseas, when most Australia fans are asleep, is better than both Travis Head and Labuschagne. But his record at home, when most casual Australian fans watch, is poor. He has also hardly played. This week will be just his second Test on his home ground at Perth Stadium, and he didn’t get a bat in his first.Related

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But Green and Webster are apples and oranges. No active Australian player averages more than Green’s 52.47 in Sheffield Shield cricket (20 innings minimum), including Smith. Last week, Webster nibbled eight South Australian batters out on a green seamer in Hobart but missed out with the bat in both innings, while Green sent down 16 overs of 140kph thunderbolts on a good pitch in Perth without any signs of issues with his surgically repaired back. He also crunched 94 against a Queensland attack that had five bowlers with international wickets to their name.Green’s ceiling as a player is something even the 200cm Webster could never reach. But it is time he raised his floor in Test cricket. Green is both a victim and a beneficiary of insane expectations, just as Watson was. There is an argument too that he hasn’t been set up for long-term success by the selectors through a variety of different circumstances.But he is pivotal to Australia’s success, both in the immediate term but also with the looming transition, not just as an allrounder, but as the best batter under the age of 30 in Australia.Green’s prospective move back to No.6 presents an opportunity. It is a spot he has previously said he hasn’t enjoyed due to the long waits, having had all his first-class success at Nos. 4 and 5.But like Smith’s move to the top and then back to No.4, Green’s time at Nos. 3-4 provides perspective of how much easier batting can be further down the order. It is understood the team hierarchy would like him to bring the same intent he has shown recently in T20I and ODI cricket to his Test batting. Green believes he can learn from his previous life at No.6.”Certainly,” Green said. “I think that’s the beauty of a bit of experience. I think [the coaches] have gone through that, seeing what worked, what didn’t, and if there’s a different way that they might want me to approach the game.”While Watson regressed in the latter stages of his Test career to finish with respectable averages of 35.19 and 33.68. Ben Stokes, England’s talisman and captain, is feted despite a career record that is only marginally better at 35.69 and 31.64.Green is about to hit his peak years as a cricketer. This Ashes looms as a key launching pad if he is to somehow meet the lofty expectations.

The two wins so far haven’t masked their issues with left-arm spin, top-order inconsistency and bowling options

Vishal Dikshit11-Oct-20251:14

Rana: India’s batting ‘not a major concern’

Are India a bowler short? Why are India losing so many wickets to left-arm spinners? Are India using spin too much in the death overs? How does the team regroup and move on from the loss against South Africa?The way allrounder Sneh Rana was grilled at the press conference ahead of the match against Australia, it would create the impression that India weren’t winning anything at the women’s ODI World Cup . That’s not the case at all.But it’s true that though India have won two of their three games and came close to winning the third, they have been far from convincing. There have been batting collapses in all three outings with low scores from their senior batters Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues. Their fielding hasn’t been up to the mark either, and they have mostly had to complete their 50 overs with five bowlers.Related

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• Epic contest awaits as bruised India come up against mighty Australia

• Healy: Batting collapses 'not a worry' but it's 'something we'd like to rectify'

After seeing the ease with which boundaries were being scored in the death overs by both India and South Africa in Visakhapatnam, where India next play Australia on Sunday, the hosts would love the comfort of a sixth bowler, especially some added experience in the pace attack that currently features Kranti Gaud and Amanjot Kaur, who have all of 21 ODIs between them.Their options on the bench could tempt them. Either Renuka Singh, who was at the 2022 ODI World Cup as a squad member, or Arundhati Reddy, who has 49 internationals under her belt, are waiting for a chance. But such is the balance of this team that a bowler would have to come in at the cost of a batter because replacing an allrounder would again cut down a bowling option.”I think that call is for the management to take, and I can’t comment much on it,” Rana said about the make-up of the XI. “But we already have good bowlers, and even Pratika [Rawal] and Harman bowl, so it won’t make a big difference at this stage.”Harmanpreet and Rawal have been rolling their arms over in the nets but how many overs can they send down in batting-friendly conditions, that too against a top side like Australia? Harmanpreet has bowled all of 15 overs in the last three years and last picked up a wicket over three years ago.The other option is to drop a batter, but doing so early in the tournament is also unlikely, even though the dot-ball percentage of Rawal and Harleen Deol has come under scrutiny, and Rodrigues has bagged two ducks in three innings. Leaving out a batter would again make it tricky for a line-up that’s not been up to the mark at this World Cup.Pratika Rawal and Harleen Deol’s dot-ball percentage has come under scrutiny•SLC

Replacing one batter with another in the XI later in the tournament – whether for form or a niggle – would also, possibly, not be an option for India because their only batting reserve in the squad of 15 is wicketkeeper-batter Uma Chetry, who hasn’t received her ODI cap yet.”See, I don’t think it’s a major concern because our batters have handled these situations very well in the past,” Rana said. “Ups and downs are part and parcel of the game, they can happen anytime. But we have some of the best batters in the world on our side. It’s just a matter of one good knock, and I’m hopeful they’ll bounce back very soon.”All the batters are working on their strengths, and everyone knows where they need to improve. Each player is taking individual training for that. If we talk about strike rate, whatever has been lacking in the past few months, everyone is aware of it and, as a team, we discuss it, regroup, and work towards improving it.”India will hope for a big batting effort against Australia on Sunday, which they got in the three-ODI series preceding the World Cup. There, India scored 369 chasing 412, won by 102 runs after scoring 292, and went down by eight wickets after scoring 281. The series was lost, but they put up good scores. Here, another loss will push them down towards the middle of the table, with their next game against England, the current table-toppers, and the one after that against New Zealand, who have returned to winning ways recently. Whatever they do, they must do it quick.

Unlike some of their rivals, Arsenal have not had too much trouble integrating their summer signings so far this season.

The standout addition has probably been Martin Zubimendi, but despite the criticism he received a few weeks ago, Viktor Gyokeres isn’t too far behind.

After all, before his recent injury, the Swedish international had scored six goals in 14 appearances, which makes him the club’s joint top scorer.

With that said, Arsenal still appear to be looking for someone who could one day replace him, and who better than someone compared to both Erling Haaland and Jean-Philippe Mateta?

Arsenal target Haaland & Mateta hybrid

While Gyokeres is having a decent season with Arsenal so far, he is being outscored by both Haaland and Mateta.

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The former, for example, has already amassed a frankly ridiculous tally of 19 goals and one assist in 15 appearances for Manchester City, while the latter has a tally of eight goals and nine assists in 19 games for Crystal Palace.

With numbers like these, it’s easy to see why Arsenal would be interested in signing a young striker who has been compared to both international superstars.

According to a recent report from Spain, the young striker in question is Etta Eyong.

In fact, the report has revealed that the Gunners are more than just interested in the Levante gem, and have now decided to activate the youngster’s £40m release clause.

The story claims that, should everything go as planned, an announcement will be made in the coming weeks.

It’s a lot of money to spend on a young player, but Eyong could be the ideal heir to Gyokeres, especially as he’s won comparisons to both Haaland and Mateta.

How Eyong compares to Haaland & Mateta

The first thing to note is that, given he only turned 22 last month, Eyong is still a work in progress.

However, even in his short career, he has demonstrated a remarkable ability to score, and that is just one of the qualities he shares with Haaland and Mateta.

For example, in 30 appearances for Villarreal B last season, the Cameroon international scored 19 goals and provided six assists, which is an average of a goal involvement every 1.15 games.

Then this season, upon taking the step-up to La Liga, the exciting forward has racked up a tally of five goals and one assist in nine appearances for Levante.

Moreover, one of those goals came against Real Madrid – and he nabbed one against Arsenal in pre-season – so he cannot be accused of simply being a flat-track bully.

However, while his output is hugely encouraging, the comparisons to Haaland and Mateta primarily come from elsewhere, from FBref.

They have compared the 22-year-old to every forward across Europe’s top five leagues and have determined that the Frenchman is the most similar, and the Norwegian is the eighth.

Eyong & Mateta

Statistics per 90

Eyong

Mateta

Non-Penalty G+As

0.63

0.63

Progressive Carries

0.73

0.56

Progressive Passes Received

4.04

4.39

Shot-Creating Actions

1.74

1.50

Live Passes

12.8

12.7

All Stats via FBref for the 25/26 League season

You can gain a better understanding of how these comparisons were made by examining the underlying numbers in which the Cameroonian has ranked closely to the two internationals.

In the Palace star’s case, these metrics included non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive carries, shot-creating actions, live passes, and more, all per 90.

Eyong & Haaland

Statistics per 90

Eyong

Haaland

Goals per Shot

0.22

0.32

Goals per Shot on Target

0.46

0.54

Expected Assists

0.07

0.09

Shot-Creating Actions

1.74

1.72

All Stats via FBref for the 25/26 League season

In the case of the City monster, the underlying numbers included metrics such as shot-creating actions, expected assists, and most interestingly, goals per shot and goals per shot on target, all per 90 minutes.

These last two statistics are particularly encouraging, as they suggest that when the “incredible” Levante star, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, is in a dangerous situation, he is almost as clinical as the Norwegian goal machine.

Ultimately, it is still early in Eyong’s career, but as things stand, he looks to be an excellent young striker and someone who could be the perfect Gyokeres heir for Arsenal.

Related Major injury update now emerges on Arsenal star Gabriel before Tottenham

The centre-back suffered an injury on international duty with Brazil.

Posts ByDominic Lund Nov 17, 2025

Pakistan haven’t won consecutive games in this tournament but their win over Sri Lanka could spur them on

Mohammad Isam24-Sep-20251:49

Chopra: A travesty that Rishad didn’t finish his quota of overs

Big picture: Mercurial Pakistan v hungry BangladeshPakistan’s hot-and-cold campaign meets Bangladesh’s hunger in a virtual semi-final to book their spot against India in the Asia Cup 2025 final. Pakistan haven’t won two matches in a row in the tournament but despite the hiding against India, they bounced back against Sri Lanka. Bangladesh haven’t done too badly in the tournament despite their T20I misgivings in recent years. They have emerged as a young team in transition, now playing with more confidence. But they have a quick turnaround after their defeat to India on Wednesday.Pakistan would take heart from their batting comeback against Sri Lanka. They lost four wickets for just 12 runs, slipping to 57 for four chasing 134. Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz were the unlikely batting heroes, taking Pakistan home comfortably in the end. They had earlier bowled well to restrict Sri Lanka, who were the favourites going into the game following their group-stage performance.Talat and Nawaz showed the advantage of being underrated batters in the team, as Sri Lanka took their foot off the gas after removing the more heralded Mohammad Haris. Nawaz has had an interesting tournament, having been unused as a bowler in Pakistan’s last two games. This, despite coach Mike Hesson calling him the best spinner in the world. Nawaz, however, has bailed out Pakistan with the bat a couple of times in the tournament. Talat too did well against Sri Lanka, picking up two wickets in an over to go with his rescue act with the bat.Related

Mohammad Nawaz reinvents himself

Unlike Pakistan, Bangladesh would want to quickly forget how they fared in their last match against India. They would bank on the confidence they gained from beating Sri Lanka and Afghanistan earlier in the tournament. They also beat Pakistan 2-1 at home in July, one of their three consecutive T20I series wins coming into the Asia Cup.To be fair, Bangladesh’s bowlers came back well against India after Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill got off to an electrifying start. Legspinner Rishad Hossain took the first two wickets before Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Mustafizur Rahman put the brakes on the scoring rate. Saif Hassan’s back-to-back fifties will also give him reason to believe he can add a third against Pakistan. Bangladesh will also hope that Taskin Ahmed and Litton Das, reported to return for this game, can use their experience to get Bangladesh to the final.2:14

Why did Bangladesh make four changes against India?

Form guideBangladesh LWWLW (last five T20Is, most recent first)
Pakistan WLWLWIn the spotlight: Rishad Hossain and Shaheen Shah AfridiRishad Hossain has answered the big question about legspinners in Bangladesh – whether he can deliver under pressure. After his 14 wickets in last year’s T20 World Cup, he has impressed in the Asia Cup as well with six strikes in four games, including a spirited show against India. He took the first two wickets and then ran out the marauding Abhishek. He is growing in his stature as a legspinner and has the most wickets for Bangladesh since his T20I debut.It is crucial for Pakistan that Shaheen Shah Afridi gets them the early breakthroughs in the Asia Cup. It not only gives them an early advantage but also helps Afridi maintain his rhythm in the match. He has had a decent tournament so far despite his wicketless outings against India. He dismissed both the Sri Lankan openers, Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka, early to set the tone. And his batting lower down the order is also helping him add value to the team.Saim Ayub has found runs hard to come by in this Asia Cup•AFP/Getty Images

Team news: Will Pakistan leave Saim Ayub out?Litton Das and Taskin Ahmed are likely to return. Parvez Hossain Emon and Mohammad Saifuddin could make way for them.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Saif Hassan, 3 Litton Das (capt & wk), 4 Towhid Hridoy, 5 Shamim Hossain, 6 Jaker Ali, 7 Rishad Hossain, 8 Tanzim Hasan Sakib, 9 Nasum Ahmed, 10 Taskin Ahmed, 11 Mustafizur RahmanPakistan could bring back Hasan Nawaz or play Khushdil Shah for Saim Ayub, who has tallied only 23 runs in five games in the tournament.Pakistan (probable): 1 Sahibzada Farhan, 2 Fakhar Zaman, 3 Saim Ayub, 4 Salman Agha (capt), 5 Hussain Talat, 6 Mohammad Haris (wk), 7 Mohammad Nawaz, 8 Faheem Ashraf, 9 Shaheen Shah Afridi, 10 Haris Rauf, 11 Abrar AhmedPitch and conditions: Win toss, bowl first the Dubai mantraThe pitch in Dubai continues to be slow and slightly difficult for the side batting first, even though India won batting first against Bangladesh. Teams are likely to field first given the heat as well.Stats and trivia For the first time in his T20I career, Nawaz hasn’t bowled for Pakistan in consecutive innings. Mustafizur became the fourth bowler to take 150 wickets in T20Is, behind Rashid Khan, Tim Southee and Ish Sodhi. Jaker Ali leading Bangladesh in their last match was a first for him in all competitive cricket.

The Chicago Cubs are in the market for a starting pitcher ahead of the July 31 MLB trade deadline, and the club has a specific target in mind. The Cubs are interested in Washington Nationals lefthander MacKenzie Gore, a first-time All-Star in 2025, according to Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of . Gore, who has pitched to a 3.52 ERA in 117 2/3 innings pitched, has racked up 144 strikeouts, tied for the sixth-most in MLB. He's a sensible trade target for the Cubs, given that the club's rotation has recorded just a 20.2 percent strikeout rate, which ranks 23rd out of 30 teams.

Only the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres' starters have recorded worse ERAs than Chicago's rotation among National League playoff contenders. Gore would bring a much-needed swing-and-miss element to the Cubs rotation, and would immediately slot in as the club's third starter behind Shota Imanaga and Matthew Boyd.

But there are a couple of caveats. Number one, the Nationals, with an interim manager and general manager in place, may not be keen on parting ways with their 26-year-old starter, who is seen as one of the building blocks of the club's current young core. Plus, should they decide to trade Gore, the Nationals' asking price is believed to be "sky-high," according to .

Keep an eye on the Cubs and Gore, but it's possible Chicago's quest to import starting pitching may take them elsewhere in the lead-up to the deadline. The Cubs (62–43) are currently tied for first place in the NL Central with the Milwaukee Brewers.