Also: Vijay Shankar returns for Tamil Nadu, and Delhi coach KP Bhaskar urges Rishabh Pant to show match awareness

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Oct-2016

Karnataka squad unchanged for Assam clashKL Rahul will not feature for Karnataka in their fourth-round Ranji Trophy fixture against Assam in Mumbai, starting on Thursday. Rahul, recovering from a hamstring injury he picked up during the first Test against New Zealand in Kanpur, is undergoing rehabilitation and is yet to go through a fitness test, according to the Karnataka State Cricket Association. With the first Test against England starting on November 9 in Rajkot, the fourth round of the Ranji Trophy was seen as an opportunity for all the members of the Test squad to regain match fitness, after a two-week break.Wriddhiman Saha will turn up for Bengal in their clash against Railways in Dharamsala. M Vijay, R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, meanwhile, are all in the midst of a short NCA stint in preparation for the five-Test series against England.Vijay Shankar boost for Tamil NaduAllrounder Vijay Shankar is set to return to competitive cricket after an nine-month layoff. He passed a fitness test and will be available for selection in Tamil Nadu’s fourth match, against Madhya Pradesh in Cuttack. Vijay completed a two-month rehabilitation, following a surgery on his left knee, which he injured in July, before India A’s tour of Australia. He was subsequently withdrawn from both the limited-overs and four-day squads, and was replaced by Hardik Pandya.Delhi coach calls for Pant to temper his gameDelhi coach KP Bhaskar has called for more match awareness from Rishabh Pant, the season’s highest run-scorer so far. Pant, one of three triple centurions this season, made 24 and 9 in Delhi’s innings and 160-run loss to Karnataka last week. “You can’t play the same pattern in every pitch. Sometimes, there will be a pitch which is holding on, there’s a green top, so the shot selection becomes very important,” he said. “That’s the hallmark of a good player. You can’t just play in the same pattern and the same gear, you can’t do that. Sometimes, the situation demands where you need to be a little choosy. As I said, he is a stroke player, that’s the way he plays. Sometimes you connect, and law of averages had to catch up with him.”

Napoli ultras have returned the steering wheel from Luciano Spalletti’s stolen Fiat Panda as a parting gift with the manager set to leave after winning Serie A.

Why was Luciano Spalletti’s car stolen?

It’s been a remarkable season for the Italian club as they won their first Scudetto since 1990 – back when Diego Maradona was dazzling defenders for Gli Azzurri.

Napoli’s recent success is quite remarkable when you consider that the manager had his beloved Fiat Panda stolen during protests in 2021. Not long after, the ultra’s then offered him an ultimatum about returning the car if Spalletti would leave.

The manager quipped back: “First of all we have to see in what condition the Panda will be returned in, how many kilometres it has travelled, whether there are Pino Daniele CDs inside.”

Well, both parties have now stuck to their promise as even the CDs have been returned to the 64-year-old Italian who is set to take a sabbatical in the summer and leave.

As shown in footage circulated on Twitter, the Napoli ultras met Spalletti inside the club’s dressing room before handing him a big blue box. He unwraps the present and breaks into a big smile, having had his property returned at last.

Why is Spalletti leaving Napoli?

Spalletti took charge of Napoli in 2021 and has kept up a remarkable rate of 2.10 points per game since then, which helped deliver a first Serie A title in 33 years.

However, after securing the Scudetto, he immediately spoke about how much it had taken out of him, telling the press:

“I no longer have the energy to be up to the standard of what people love so much, so I have to take two steps back and leave.

“I am not someone who changes idea easily and I decided to leave because I feel that I’ve given all I had.”

Despite still having one year on his contract, President Aurelio De Laurentiis was happy to acquiesce to this demand, telling Italian broadcaster Rai (via Evening Standard): “He’s a free man, now it’s right that he continues to do what he wants. I thank him.”

And so now was the perfect moment for the ultras to finally return those stolen items and allow Spalletti to depart on perfect terms.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details2:43

Compton: India have a slight advantage

Fightback followed fightback during an absorbing final session on the second day in Mohali. India closed within touching distance of a lead after England had revived their prospects on the back of two inspired pieces of fielding which highlighted a stirring post-tea response. India lost 3 for 8 in a frenetic passage and their position worsened when Virat Kohli fell for 62, but R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja prevented an all-out collapse to take India to within 12 of England’s total by the close.India had established a position of strength when Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara added 75 for the third wicket, seemingly putting England’s 283 into context. But, two balls into the final session, Pujara pulled a long hop from Rashid towards deep midwicket where Chris Woakes did remarkably well to make the ground then dive low for the catch. Even better, though, was to follow when Jos Buttler pulled off a stunning stop and shy – from his knees – at backward point to send back debutant Karun Nair.Between those two moments of individual brilliance Ajinkya Rahane had failed to pick a googly from Rashid and Kohli edged Ben Stokes, which led to Stokes intimating silence in his celebration following his ICC fine for his verbals towards Kohli when he was dismissed on the second day. India were 204 for 6 and England had visions of batting before the close with a useful lead, but they were thwarted by Ashwin and Jadeja who picked their moment before the second new ball to take on the spinners.Ashwin, who was not moving comfortably between the wickets, went to his third fifty of the series with his seventh boundary and Jadeja went from 8 off 34 to 31 off 59 as the pair reached stumps with an unbroken stand of 67. England will cling to the fact that they are bowling last on the surface, but it has held together well so far, while India will fancy the vulnerability of England’s batting even if the lead is smaller than they would have wanted.

Hameed finger injury causes concern

Haseeb Hameed will have a scan on a finger injury after the Mohali Test finishes and did not field throughout the second day.
Hameed experienced pain in the little finger of his left hand after taking a number of blows during the series, including his first-innings dismissal in this match.
If he is found to have a significant injury which puts him in doubt for the Mumbai Test, England may need to consider calling up an extra player to the squad from the Lions team currently in Dubai. Nick Gubbins, the Middlesex left hander, or Durham’s Keaton Jennings – who both had prolific Championship seasons – would probably head the queue as like-for-like openers.

England were bowled out within four overs of the resumption this morning and, initially, signs were ominous as the new ball did not swing for James Anderson and Chris Woakes. When M Vijay was dropped at midwicket – Buttler unable to cling on to a flick off Moeen Ali – England needed a pick-me-up and, as so often, it came from Stokes. With his fourth ball he draw Vijay into a flat-footed poke outside off and although the umpire Chris Gaffaney did not raise his finger Vijay walked knowing the replay would confirm the edge.It had been a curious, half-hearted, stay for Vijay who was also involved in an intriguing moment when he defended a delivery back to Anderson, who spotted the batsman had held his pose outside the crease. Anderson shied at the stumps and hit Vijay’s pads, leading to a query for obstructing the field, but it was rightly ruled that Vijay had not moved from his position to block the throw.England thought they had removed Parthiv Patel, caught down the leg side when he had 12, but the DRS showed the ball had only flicked his shirt. In his first Test for eight years, and thrust to the top of the order after KL Rahul’s injury, it was an impressive performance from Parthiv to quickly adjust to the challenge.His dismissal was a very modern lbw. Using his feet to Adil Rashid he was beaten by the turn but, having come down the pitch, the umpire understandably said not out. Jonny Bairstow, though, was convinced of the value of the review and he was vindicated when the ball was shown to be hitting leg stump.And so the Kohli-Pujara double-act was back together. They soaked up the pressure of England’s quicks and the ever-improving Rashid, who bowled consecutive maidens for the first time in his Test career, and began to profit towards the end of the second session when Gareth Batty’s brief, and delayed, entry to the attack proved expensive.There had also been a missed chance – albeit a difficult one – to break the stand when Pujara, on 35, glanced Stokes down the leg side but Bairstow could not hold on, low to his left, with one hand. Pujara went to his fifty from 100 balls to continue a golden run which has included two centuries in this series and, as he and Kohli strode in together at tea, a pivotal final session for England’s series prospects loomed.Sure enough, a momentary misjudgment transformed their prospects. In Vizag, Pujara had reached his century with a six over midwicket – to bring comparisons with Virender Sehwag – but on this occasion he will have wished he had left it to Viru. To be fair, though, the ball was there to whack, but he did not connect cleanly. Woakes’ sprint and dive provided the boost England needed.It also took Rashid’s bowling average below 40 for the first time in his career. It was notable how much faith Alastair Cook put in his legspinner: Batty did not bowl until the 47th over and Moeen bowled only nine overs all day. Partly that will have been because of the right-handers being at the crease, but it was not long ago that even that fact would not have elicited trust from Cook. That faith was rewarded again when Rahane, whose series has not got going, was befuddled by Rashid’s googly.It takes a lot to knock Kohli’s equilibrium at the crease, but a combination of the two quick wickets then Buttler’s reflexes at point led him to sell Nair a dummy came closer than most scenarios. Yet it still needed a brilliant piece of opportunism to throw down the stumps. To Kohli’s credit he refocused and reached a 111-ball fifty as he and Ashwin responded with a counter-attacking stand of 48 in 10 overs.By now, Cook had returned to Stokes and he hung the ball just far enough outside off to tempt Kohli who had profited from the glide to third man. In attempting such a shot, he played away from his body to give England the wicket they craved. As his team-mates hooped and hollered, Stokes silenced himself while Kohli made a swift about-turn.India were in danger of conceding a deficit that was more than just an irritant, but not for the first time the depth of their batting – much like England’s – came to the fore. Ashwin timed the ball beautifully despite having to battle discomfort from what appeared to be a leg problem. Like Stokes for England, a shudder is surely felt whenever Ashwin appears in pain. He and Jadeja have kept India on an even keel at worst: it is unlikely to be their last telling contribution of this match.

Manchester United enjoyed a successful 2022/23 campaign and achieved their goal of securing Champions League football under Erik Ten Hag, which will make them an appealing destination for prospective transfer targets this summer.

The Dutchman also led his side to Carabao Cup glory against Newcastle United alongside an FA Cup final, where the Red Devils were edged out by Manchester City.

Now, the focus for Manchester United will be trying to bring in high-profile stars and Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount is said to have agreed terms over a move to Old Trafford.

One other target who has been linked with a move to the Premier League giants is Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund, who could form a deadly duo with Manchester United starlet Alejandro Garnacho in attack next season.

What's the latest news on Rasmus Hojlund and what could he bring to Old Trafford?

According to talkSPORT, Manchester United are planning to accelerate their pursuit of Hojlund this summer as Ten Hag looks to sign two forward players in the off-season.

The report states that he may cost around £40 million and he has earned comparisons to Manchester City star Erling Haaland due to his goalscoring exploits and ability in the air.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Dean Jones has stated his belief that Hojlund and Garnacho could gel to great effect at Manchester United, saying: "If United sign him, they've got the chance to fully reveal his capabilities under Ten Hag and unleash a frontline that is fit for a bright future. If you've got Garnacho on one wing and you've got Hojlund coming into the middle, you're starting to make a dream partnership here for the future."

Atalanta manager heaped praise on Hojlund earlier this year and compared him to Haaland, as per The Sun, claiming: "The characteristics are very similar, especially in accelerations. He is a very fast player, he does the 100 metres in less than 11 seconds. For his height, he has a low centre of gravity and an incredible stride frequency. I'm convinced he will have a great career. Technically, he always shows different and better things."

It is easy to see why Hojlund, who has been hailed as "better than Vlahovic", has heralded such acclaim in recent times, given that he registered 16 goals and seven assists combined in 2022/23 with Atalanta and former club Sturm Graz, as per Transfermarkt.

WhoScored notes that he has also handled his step up to Serie A football rather well and averaged around 1.7 shots per match this term, demonstrating his ability to be a constant goal threat, something that he could continue to develop under the stewardship of Ten Hag at Manchester United.

FBRef shows that he ranks in the first percentile compared to his positional peers across Europe's top five divisions in the art of progressive passes received, recording an impressive figure of 11 per 90 minutes.

Now, imagine the £9k per week star, was to join Manchester United and play alongside rising star Garnacho, who recorded ten goal contributions in total encompassing all competitions in 2022/23; five goals and five assists, as per Transfermarkt.

Unsurprisingly, Garnacho has earned praise from some high places, including Manchester United icon Paul Scholes, who complemented his capabilities as an attacking force back in January, as cited by The Manchester Evening News, stating: “But this lad [Garnacho] is direct, he doesn’t care, there’s no fear in a young player. He wants to score goals and he wants to make goals and he’s more than capable of doing it.”

Both players are seen as promising talents for the future and Manchester United boss Ten Hag could unearth a dynamic pairing in attack for future years by signing Hojlund this summer.

ووصل وزير الشباب والرياضة أشرف صبحي، اليوم الجمعة، إلى العاصمة السعودية الرياض، من أجل حضور نهائي كأس مصر بين الأهلي والزمالك ونائباً عن رئيس الجمهورية في تسليم الكأس.

ويلتقي الأهلي مع الزمالك، اليوم، على ملعب الأول بارك في الرياض، في المباراة النهائية لـ كأس مصر عن الموسم الماضي 2022-2023.

وتقام بطولة كأس مصر المسابقة الأقدم في تاريخ مصر، للمرة الأولى خارج الأراضي المصرية.

وفور وصول وزير الرياضة أشرف صبحي إلى السعودية لحضور نهائي كأس مصر نيابًة عن رئيس الجمهورية عبد الفتاح السيسي، التقى مع أعضاء مجلسي بعثتي النادي الأهلي والزمالك.

حضر اللقاء من ناديي الأهلي والزمالك، حسين لبيب، خالد مرتجى، مهند مجدى، عبداله جورج، هاني شكري، هانى برزي، حسين السيد، محمد سراج الدين.

طالع | مستشهداً بمباراة 6-1.. وائل جمعة يدعم لاعبي الأهلي قبل مواجهة الزمالك في نهائي كأس مصر

قدم وزير الشباب والرياضة أشرف صبحي، الشكر والتقدير والامتنان، للمملكة العربية السعودية علي استضافة نهائي كأس مصر بين قطبي الكرة المصرية، متمنيًا خروج المباراة بشكل يعكس عراقة وتطور منظومة الرياضة المصرية في عهد فخامة الرئيس عبدالفتاح السيسي.

وأشاد الوزير بالأجواء الرياضية النافسية التي رآها منذ وصوله السعودية، ووجود كل الاحترام والتقدير من كلا الجانبين لبعضهما، وتجسيدًا وتاكيدًا علي المضي قدمًا في ذلك في المراحل القادمة من عمر علاقة الناديين.

It was a wild first season back in the Championship for Sunderland this year and one that almost ended in play-off promotion back to the Premier League.

However, their fairytale was cut short by Luton Town's even more improbable rise up the football league pyramid, and so they've got to prepare for another season in England's second tier.

Even worse for the Black Cats is that one of the players responsible for their great end-of-season form, Amad Diallo, is heading back to his parent club, Manchester United for next season.

One of the players that could potentially replace the Ivorian winger in the northeast is Swansea City's Morgan Whittaker, according to Sunderland Nation.

What's the latest on Morgan Whittaker?

According to the report, the Derby-born winger is also on the radar of fellow Championship outfit Plymouth Argyle, where he enjoyed a fruitful loan spell for the first half of the season, having scored nine times and created seven assists in just 25 League One appearances, via Transfermarkt.

His excellent form for the Devon-based club caused Swansea to cut his loan spell short in January and bring him back to South Wales.

It obviously wasn't a decision the player was too happy with himself as he posted to his Instagram that he was 'devastated' to be leaving the Pilgrims at the time.

His return to Wales has yet to work out for him, however, having started just two games for the club, in which he has scored one goal.

The other team rumoured to be interested in the 6 foot 3 winger is Scottish giants Rangers. Michael Beale has been a longtime admirer of Whittaker after he lauded him as "excellent" back in January this year.

The Glaswegian giants are surely a more likely destination for the player, as Argyle does not have the resources to compete with the stalwart of Scottish football.

Sunderland, on the other hand, do.

Would Morgan Whittaker be a good signing for Sunderland?

Whilst his time back in the Championship hasn't been quite the success he nor Swansea might have been hoping for, he certainly looked impressive in the Southwest.

According to WhoScored, during Whittaker's time with Plymouth, he averaged an impressive match rating of 7.02, earning himself four 'Man of the Match' awards in just 19 starts.

His former boss Steven Schumacher is certainly a big fan of the player, saying in December: "He has a left foot to die for."

With the growing interest of Rangers, Sunderland better get a move on if they want to get this deal done for manager Tony Mowbray before it's too late.

Blackburn Rovers have identified Brighton and Hove Albion prospect Andrew Moran as a target, with the Lancashire side engaged in talks to bring him to Ewood Park on loan this summer, according to TEAMtalk.

Blackburn Rovers transfer news – Andrew Moran identified

Unlike recent years, Rovers have been active early this summer, already bringing two new faces into the club as they look to build on Jon Dahl Tomasson's first season in charge.

Having missed out on the playoffs on the final day of the season through goal difference, the club have got to work early, signing Plymouth Argyle's forward Niall Ennis and Norwegian international Sondre Tronstad on free transfers.

The club has also signed former Tottenham Hotspur youngster Tom Bloxham following the midfielder's release from the North London club.

With Ben Brereton Diaz, Bradley Dack and Daniel Ayala just several names that have departed Ewood Park already, and with a couple of key first-team players like Lewis Travis linked to a move away, the side have plenty of holes to fill and Brighton's young gem is the next name they've identified as a target.

Moran was in blistering form for the Seagulls' U21 side last season and would be an upgrade on Sammie Szmodics, who has been a key player for Tomasson's team since his arrival last summer.

How does Andrew Moran compare to Sammie Szmodics?

While the 19-year-old prodigy didn't enjoy the brightest of starts to life at Rovers, Szmodics really came into his own towards the end of the season and became a vital member of Tomasson's side as they chased a playoff place.

With seven goals and three assists in all competitions, he played a key role in the club's campaign, but replacing him with Moran could actually improve the club's offensive output.

With 11 goals and six assists for Brighton's U21 side last year, including a goal against Blackburn's youth team when the two met in November, the teenager has already shown both a goal-scoring ability and a creative vision that will benefit the side massively.

One of Rovers' biggest issues last season was a lack of firepower up front, so adding Moran, who hit double figures in the Premier League 2, could go a long way to fixing that weakness.

While Szmodics worked best in the no.10 role, Moran has the versatility to play in a number of different positions, including either wing and as an attacking midfielder, so with a long Championship season ahead of them, having a player capable of performing in a variety of areas will benefit Rovers and is just another reason why the 19-year-old is an improvement on the former Peterborough man.

Having been labelled the "Irish Phil Foden" in the past by former Seagulls youth coach Mark Beard, big things are expected of the youngster – who his ex-manager Graham Potter once hailed as a "quality" talent with "huge potential" – going forward and bringing him in on loan would significantly strengthen Rovers' side and offer a big upgrade on the current personnel.

Villarreal defender Pau Torres is on Aston Villa's radar for a potential move this summer according to journalist Dean Jones.

The central defender really kicked on under Unai Emery during the Spaniard's tenure with the Yellow Submarine, helping the side win the Europa League in 2021 and Dean Jones believes that should the player make it clear he wants to join, Villa will make the move.

What is the latest between Pau Torres and Aston Villa?

Torres looks set to leave Villarreal this summer after spending his entire career at the club, making 173 appearances, recording 12 goals and five assists across his seven seasons in the first-team squad.

90min reports that the Spanish side has accepted that the 26-year-old will depart this summer and that in his contract is a release clause of around €50m (£43m). The report also states that should Villa be unable to bring Torres in, compatriot and Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte is also on the clubs shortlist as the two centre-backs share a similar profile as left-footed ball-playing defenders.

A report from Football Insider states that the Midlands club has already submitted a formal offer for the defender as they try to beat out Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United to the signing.

What did Dean Jones say about the situation?

Speaking to FootballFanCast, Dean Jones stated that Torres is a realistic option for the club, and it all depends on whether the player is interested in the move.

Jones told FootballFanCast: "I know that there are other options too, that Villa are looking at that they probably perceive to be a little bit more realistic. You know, people like Pau Torres are on their radar too. It’s all going to come down to gauging from these players whether they're up for it."

Is Pau Torres a smart signing for Aston Villa?

Torres, who has a £57 million release clause and has been hailed as a "wonderful" player, is one of Europe's most progressive central defenders, with his 5.81 progressive passes per 90, 2.24 progressive carries per 90, and 0.77 successful take-ons per 90 ranking him as one of the top five percent of centre-backs across the top five leagues in those stats (FBref). The Spaniard seems to be a fantastic partner for Brazilian defender Diego Carlos who looks set to start for the Villains next season as the right central defender should he have better luck with injuries.

As Villa embarks on its first European campaign since 2011, Torres could be the foundation on which a successful European and domestic campaign is built upon with his experience and quality a welcome addition.

Hampshire believe they are on the verge of securing the services of Kyle Abbott on a long-term deal as a Kolpak registration, despite his recent success at international level with South Africa.Abbott, a member of South Africa’s Test team currently playing Sri Lanka in Cape Town and a key performer in the series victory over Australia, is understood by ESPNcricinfo to have agreed to a three or four-year deal with Hampshire that will realistically end his international career.While Abbott is believed to have agonised over the move for some time – Hampshire remain fearful he could change his mind over a deal agreed some weeks ago having belatedly enjoyed a run in the Test team – he is expected to announce his international retirement later this month. Cricket South Africa are not understood to be aware of the deal.With Simon Harmer and Hardus Viljoen also having agreed similar deals with Essex and Derbyshire respectively, Abbott’s decision might be interpreted as part of a new wave of Kolpak registrations. The UK’s decision to vote for Brexit threatens to close the loophole that permits such signings in the coming months though it is anticipated that all deals made ahead of that time will be honoured. Hampshire are also understood to be in talks with Rilee Rossouw.As recently as last week, during the first Test against Sri Lanka, Abbott spoke about finally earning a run in the South Africa Test team.”Being out of the side and sitting on the sidelines for so long and now getting the opportunity and doing well, is a great feeling. It’s a long period of hard work that is starting to pay off and now I am getting opportunity at this level to showcase my skills,” he said. “The team is in a great space and so am I, and it’s exciting to see what’s going to come. There’s only around 90 of us or so that have played so I count myself incredibly lucky.”The temptation for a player like Abbott is not hard to understand. Aged 29 and only recently established in the South Africa side – he is currently playing his 11th Test – his decision to embrace a long-term county deal offers something approaching financial security. He can expect to earn more than £100,000 a year from the deal, with insurance cover built into the deal, and should still be free to play in some of the T20 leagues around the world.It may be relevant, too, that Abbott was the man to make way for Vernon Philander in the World Cup semi-final a year ago. Whatever the merits and reasons for that decision, it has left some South African cricketers uncertain of their futures.The news will not be entirely welcome in England, either. The ECB has been trying to crack down on Kolpak loopholes for several years in an attempt to provide more opportunities for home-grown players and is understood to have prevented at least one such signing in recent months. The player involved agreed a deal as an overseas registration instead.But the attraction for Hampshire is obvious. They avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth last season (having finished in the bottom two of Division One, they won a reprieve when Durham were punished for their financial problems by relegation) with a key problem their lack of potency with the ball.Ryan McLaren, who has subsequently left for Lancashire, was their top wicket-taker in the Championship with 32 at a cost of 38.81. The addition of Abbott, a bowler of pace, skill and persistence, with recent international experience in all three formats of the game, should be quite an asset. He first played for the county in 2014, helping them win promotion by claiming 36 Championship wickets at a cost of 20.33.

Manchester United have been in hot pursuit of Mason Mount over the last few weeks and now a new update has emerged on their pursuit of the player this summer.

What's the latest on Man United's move for Mason Mount?

According to The Times, the Chelsea midfielder has agreed personal terms to become a Man United player this summer.

As per the report, it is claimed that the Red Devils are closing in on making Mount their first signing of the summer with Erik ten Hag keen to add more creativity into his midfield set up this summer and Chelsea are keen to cash in to ensure they don't lose a huge asset on a free next summer.

Would Mason Mount be a good fit for Man United?

Whilst the most pressing concern for Erik ten Hag will be the centre-forward role this summer, an opportunity to strengthen the quality and attacking perspectives in the centre of the pitch is a chance they cannot afford to pass up on.

Although Man United boast a number of highly-respected talent in midfield it is definitely an area of the squad that is starting to age with Christian Eriksen, Casemiro and Fred all in their 30s at this point and other than Bruno Fernandes, are three of the most experienced first teamers.

As a result, the signing of Mount presents an opportunity for the Dutch coach to continue his rebuild at Old Trafford by injecting not only some youth into the midfield personnel but also maintaining a high level of quality and a winning mentality to match those decorated players who surround him.

The 24-year-old Champions League winner – who has been "unbelievable" in the words of Joe Cole – offers flexibility in his positioning with experience operating in a number of roles over his illustrious career so far, but could be the dream creative outlet that Ten Hag is searching for who can combine with one of his England teammates to make United an unstoppable force.

Marcus Rashford has been one of the standout performers on the red side of Manchester this season – tallying up 30 goals and 11 assists in all competitions with a goal contribution every 104 minutes, an impressive output unmatched by any player in the team as Fernandes came in second scoring less than half (14).

Now, Mount could provide the pacey winger with even more opportunities to convert chances by injecting some consistent creativity into the midfield and breaking the lines of attack to form a dangerous attacking threat.

The Chelsea academy graduate ranks in the top 15% of his positional peers in midfield across the top five European leagues for shot-creating actions, shots on goal, progressive carries, touches and progressive passes received, proving that he could be a key asset in playing that final ball into the box or even taking the goal-scoring opportunities for himself with confidence.

With that being said, it will be interesting to see how Ten Hag will deploy Mount if he joins the Red Devils this summer and whether he can reach the high expectations that will come with his reported £70m price tag next season.