West Indian legend also highlights the responsibility of the board to make playing for the team financially attractive

Abhimanyu Bose07-Oct-20255:49

Bishop: Want WI batters to stop being satisfied with 20s and 30s

Former West Indies captain Brian Lara highlighted lack of funds and technology as factors in the team’s recent decline, but also called upon the players to show more passion in order to compete better.After West Indies’ defeat to India in the first Test in Ahmedabad, Test captain Roston Chase highlighted “infrastructure problems” and the continuous “struggle for finances” in the Caribbean. This was touched upon by the cricket strategy and officiating committee of Cricket West Indies, of which Lara and Chase are both a part.”If you want to get things done, you have to have the capital to do it. So that is a major part,” Lara said on the sidelines of the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards in Mumbai on Tuesday. “But at the same time, I would like to ask Roston Chase and the other guys to… do they have the cricket at heart? Do they really want to play for West Indies? And that is the most important thing because you would find a way.Related

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“I mean we did not have better facilities 30-40 years ago. Viv Richards didn’t bat on any better practice pitches or anything. We had to do the same thing, the same grind; but the passion was different. The passion to play for West Indies was different. So I urge the young players to realise that this is a wonderful opportunity. And I am almost sure that every single one of their parents would have had in the back of their mind, their son playing for the West Indies, their son doing well for the West Indies because it meant a lot back in those days.”So I agree with [Chase on West Indies’ struggles for finances], but I still believe there is an onus on each young player to create that love and desire to play for West Indies.”Saying that, Lara also acknowledged that the players should not be blamed for seeking lucrative deals in franchise cricket, and that CWI needed to find a way to make it financially attractive for them to represent the region.”I can’t blame any single player for wanting to pursue cricket as a career outside of the West Indies – because the disparity in what’s happening, playing five or six franchise leagues, compared to playing for the West Indies, is different [in monetary terms],” Lara said. “And you have to have empathy with that player. But you also have to feel that what can we do at home to make sure that that player, or future players, understand that playing for the West Indies is also very important.5:02

Chopra: Gulf between India, West Indies there for everyone to see

“The IPL has carved out a period of time where it’s exclusive to the IPL. But there’s six or seven different leagues that’s popping up around the world, and everybody’s wanting to do it. So I think the onus is on Cricket West Indies to find a way to create, unify the efforts of the young players who want to go out, but also have them playing for us.”And a series against India, we want to play good cricket against the best team in the world. So you want your best players out there. You don’t want your best players in America or somewhere else around the world.”Lara used an example of football legend Lionel Messi, who has spent his entire club career outside of his home country, but has been an integral part of Argentina’s national team.”I mean if you look at Argentina, Messi grew up in Europe, but he plays for Argentina. But he played for Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and he was allowed [to play],” Lara said. “And there’s a lot more South American footballers that do that, and eventually go back and play for their country, and have the pride to do so.”Australia is able to do it. England is able to do it, to keep their players loyal to their country. So we have to find a way to do that and there’s no pointing any fingers at anybody. It’s just that we’ve got to come together as a team, as administrators, as coaches, as players. And really and truly if you have West Indies cricket at heart, you will find a way to move forward.””I am hoping I would like to see a stronger first-class performance before you get into the international scene” – Brian Lara•Associated PressBatting has been one department where West Indies have struggled. The squad touring India don’t have a single batter who averages 30 in Tests. They have had promising talents like Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kavem Hodge and Mikyle Louis break into the team, but none of them has been able to establish themselves as a regular.”I believe that if a player is being picked on potential only and he does not have the stats to go with it, it is very difficult for him now to get to this higher level, and [to] expect so much from him,” Lara said. “I believe that because of that situation, you would find players that are maturing later on. So it is either you stick with them – age 22, 23, 24, 25 hopefully reap the benefit when they get into their late 20s – or you look at players that are seasoned, Jason Holder and the guys who may have matured.”And if you remember, Graham Gooch scored the majority of his runs in his 30s. A guy like Adam Gilchrist, Mike Hussey, all these guys started playing late, and they came out to be some of the best in the world. So you are going to find, once in a lifetime, the Tendulkars. Age 16, 17, Afridi, the Garfield Sobers who were in their teenage, they were able to cope with it immediately. Everybody is not going to be blessed with that sort of talent.”So I am hoping that I would like to see a stronger first-class performance before you get into the international scene. Back in my day, you had to break records. You sat and watched cricket for two years, 20 Test matches, carry the towel, carry the water before you finally got in. And during that period of time, you grew, you matured. And some mature faster than others.”

Manchester United are now in pole position to complete the signing of Ajax youngster Jorthy Mokio, as they look to find a long-term replacement for the ageing Casemiro and exiled Kobbie Mainoo.

The futures of both Casemiro and Mainoo are key talking points at Old Trafford currently, with the Brazilian’s current contract expiring at the end of this season, at which point he will be 34 years of age.

In fairness, the Real Madrid legend has shown improved form this season, but Fabrizio Romano has claimed that a new deal is unlikely, especially on his current £350,000 wages, which make him United’s highest-paid player.

“Casemiro is working hard and is becoming once again in his career a crucial player for the manager. So, in this moment, he is really important for Ruben Amorim, but there will be a conversation about his contract because at the moment, the numbers of his contract, salary is way too high for Manchester United to extend that.

“Or they find a solution on the contract, and this is Casemiro and for Harry Maguire, or the player could leave on a free.

It looks increasingly likely that a replacement for Casemiro will need to be found next summer, especially with Ruben Amorim seemingly not fancying Mainoo in the role.

Man Utd "leading the chase" for Mokio

According to Caught Offside‘s Mark Brus, Manchester United are the front-runners to sign Mokio from Ajax, with the 17-year-old considered a prodigious talent at the heart of midfield.

“Manchester United are leading the chase for Jorthy Mokio. They are already working on a project that could offer Mokio guaranteed minutes and a clear development path.”

Mokio is a huge talent with so much to offer in the coming years, proving to be the latest great youngster to emerge from Ajax’s famous academy recently, and he should be the type of profile United are looking for in a player.

The defensive midfielder has already made 29 appearances for the Eredivisie giants, highlighting his maturity at such a young age, while scout Jacek Kulig has described him as a “special” player.

Mokio has also now been capped once at senior level by Belgium, and will hope to see his star rise further at next summer’s World Cup, but United should be looking to seal a deal for him before them, before the competition increases further for his signature.

Antoine Semenyo chooses between Man Utd and Liverpool

What a signing this could be…

1 ByHenry Jackson Nov 22, 2025 Wildcard Casemiro replacement: Man Utd star can "become a world class DM"

MatériaMais Notícias

O Flamengo encaminhou a venda do zagueiro Fabrício Bruno ao West Ham, da Inglaterra. A equipe londrina ofereceu cerca de 15 milhões de euros (R$ 83,6 milhões, na cotação atual) pelo jogador de 28 anos. As informações foram divulgadas pelo portal “Ge”.

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Aposte R$100 no Lance! Betting e garanta R$288 se o Flamengo vencer o Amazonas nos dois tempos pela Copa do Brasil

O zagueiro, que foi convocado por Dorival júnior para defender a Seleção Brasileira nos amistosos contra Inglaterra e Espanha, está relacionado para o duelo desta quarta-feira (22), contra o Amazonas, pela partida de volta da terceira fase da Copa do Brasil, e iniciará a partida ao lado de Léo Ortiz.

Em fevereiro deste ano, o Flamengo renovou o contrato de Fabrício Bruno, que passou a ser válido até dezembro de 2028.

Contratado junto ao RB Bragantino em 2022, por aproximadamente R$ 15 milhões, o jogador permaneceu no banco de reservas a maior parte da temporada. No ano seguinte, porém, aproveitou as brechas deixadas no setor e se transformou em titular absoluto.

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Caso o jogador acerte sua ida aos Hammers, ele terá a companhia dos brasileiros Lucas Paquetá e Emerson Palmieri. Ao todo, Fabrício Bruno disputou 113 jogos pelo Flamengo, marcou cinco gols e conquistou três títulos, incluindo a Copa Libertadores (2022).

Tudo sobre

FlamengoFutebol NacionalWest Ham

Detroit Tigers ace lefthander Tarik Skubal cemented himself as the best pitcher in the American League by capturing his second consecutive Cy Young Award earlier in November. And yet, Skubal's name is popping up in trade rumors as MLB's hot stove heats up this winter.

Why?

Tigers‘s reported lowball extension offer to Skubal with free agency looming

Skubal, 29, will be a free agent at season‘s end in 2026. The Tigers, undoubtedly aware of the caliber of pitcher they possess and looking to get ahead of things, in November of 2024 made a contract extension offer to Skubal that his representation, bank-breaking agent Scott Boras, deemed "non-competitive." This past month, with Skubal's '26 free agency still looming and his price tag soaring ever higher on the heels of back-to-back Cy Young Award-winning campaigns, the Tigers reportedly made another offer to the ace lefthander, but the two sides weren't close. The apparent negotiations gulf between Skubal and the Tigers has opened the door to a trade.

Why a Skubal trade makes sense for the Tigers

Skubal has posted back-to-back seasons with a sub-3.00 ERA and 220-plus strikeouts with fewer than 40 walks in 190-plus innings. He's one of the last truly dominant aces in baseball in a bullpen-heavy era where the type starter isn't as prevalent as in past years. MLB has never seen a free agent pitcher command a contract at—or north of—$400 million.

There's every reason to believe that Skubal could become the first.

Represented by Boras, it's very likely that Skubal will hit free agency. Boras is fresh off of an offseason in which he helped Juan Soto land the richest contract for a position player in baseball history. For several million reasons, he'd love to see Skubal surpass Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto's $325 million deal next winter, meaning that Boras clients would own the largest contracts among both position players and pitchers.

And while Boras told reporters he's "prepared to listen" to overtures from Tigers principal owner Chris Ilitch and president of baseball operations Scott Harris in terms of a pre-free agency Skubal contract, a deal seems unlikely to materialize before the star pitcher hits the open market, given the way Boras has traditionally done business. When you consider the Tigers‘ resources, it's reasonable to think that Skubal hitting the open market could spell doom for its chances of retaining the ace. Of the 12 teams that made the postseason in 2025, Detroit's payroll ranked ninth. The Tigers again project to have a payroll that ranks in the bottom half of the league's 30 teams. As great as Skubal is, would the Tigers be willing to allocate a hefty chunk of that payroll to one player?

Should Skubal walk in free agency in '26, Detroit would likely recoup a draft pick in terms of compensation.

That's where a trade potentially factors in.

Given how good he is, Skubal could command a massive haul of prospects as part of a trade return. After the 2025 trade deadline, Detroit's farm system checked in as the sixth-best in MLB.com's rankings. The Tigers boast four top-100 prospects, but none of them are pitchers. In fact, of the Tigers's top-10 prospects, just one of them is a pitcher. Perhaps the Tigers, already armed with one of baseball's youngest rosters, lean further into a youth movement, particularly on the pitching side, to capitalize on the potential loss of Skubal?

If so, there's an argument about the best time to trade Skubal would be. This winter, giving contending teams a potential alternative against the backdrop of a solid starting pitching free agent market that lacks a true ace? Or at the '26 trade deadline, giving the (hopefully) contending Tigers a chance to assess how its season is going, and, potentially convince Skubal to remain in Detroit without him testing the open market.

It's a bit of a precarious position for the Tigers front office. Such is the business of baseball.

Former Australia captain Aaron Finch believes Travis Head remains best suited to batting at No. 5 in the day-night Test at the Gabba despite his barnstorming century opening in Perth, while both he and Michael Clarke are convinced that Nathan Lyon has to play as the home side weigh up the best balance of side to face England after their demolition job in the opening match of the Ashes.Usman Khawaja’s spot has come under scrutiny after Head’s spectacular century at the top when he was promoted after Khawaja suffered further back spasms on the second day, having also been unable to take his usual spot in the first innings with England collapsing so quickly he couldn’t make up enough time on the field.Related

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However, Finch said that the pink-ball factor of the second Test adds another layer on how Australia may structure their side and argued that in this case having Head in the middle was the favoured option.”If this wasn’t a pink-ball test match coming up at the Gabba, I would tend to agree and say, you know what, maybe it is time to throw him [Head] up there and you just launch into it from day one of a Test,” Finch told ESPN’s .”But I just feel as though the fact that it is a pink-ball test, the impact that that brand new ball can have and the impact that Travis Head can have batting at No. 5 when the pink ball does go a bit soft and the game can sort of, the wicket can flatten out. I like him at five still, just to be that real explosive player through the middle order.”Khawaja batted at No. 4 on the first day in Perth and gloved a rising delivery from Brydon Carse. His form was a talking point ahead of the Ashes after making one Test century in his last 44 innings prior to the series.Brisbane would be a home Test for Khawaja – where he is the leading run-scorer in day-night first-class cricket at the Gabba with 502 runs at 50.02 – and Clarke does not see Australia shifting from the original plan for now.Usman Khawaja’s position is being debate after Travis Head’s stunning success as an opener•AFP/Getty Images

“I think he plays. I think if he’s fit, they give him another chance,” Clarke said. “I think a few days and Uzzie will be sweet. He hasn’t had this back problem that many times throughout his career, so I think he will be fit.”Meanwhile, both Clarke and Finch agreed that Lyon should be a lock for Brisbane despite only sending down two overs in Perth and having been left out of the day-night Test in Jamaica earlier this year.”He’s in for sure,” Clarke, who was Lyon’s first Test captain, said. “He’s in my XI every Test match. Unless it’s an absolute raging green seamer. Like even Perth, the wicket certainly didn’t look that bad. I’m still picking a spinner in my team.”Finch added: “The impact that Nathan Lyon has in that side is huge. We saw him not selected for the Test in Jamaica…and they were extreme conditions. So Australia decided that they probably weren’t going to use a spinner at all. I can see from that point of view why it happened in Jamaica. At the Gabba, 100%, it should not ever be talked about, Nathan Lyon not being in an Australian XI.”The other decision that will need to be made will be around the fitness of Pat Cummins who is pushing for a return in Brisbane. He bowled with the pink ball in Sydney on Tuesday and speaking during the Perth Test gave himself “half a chance” of being ready for the Gabba.”I think Australia will stick to the plan,” Finch said. “If he’s 100% fit, he plays. If he’s 95% fit, he doesn’t play. I think that’s the way that they’ll go. They’ve been really consistent with how they’ve picked squads, how they’ve picked the XI. And for me, it’s a long series. You don’t want to rush it.”

Manchester United are now in direct negotiations to sell a player Ruben Amorim wants to keep, with a departure on the cards in the January transfer window.

Man Utd could sell first-team star in January

Ahead of the January transfer window, it has now emerged that Benjamin Sesko is making good progress in his recovery from an injury sustained against Tottenham Hotspur, with his agent, Elvis Basanovic saying: “Benjamin is feeling very good, his rehab is going as planned,”

“He’s really eager to return to the pitch; he misses playing. He’s missing games, and he’s a bit impatient, so hopefully he’ll be back soon and be where he feels most comfortable. It’s hard to say exactly [when he will return], that will be more up to the medical team and the coach.”

With Sesko spending time on the treatment table, Joshua Zirkzee started three games on the spin in the Premier League, prior to the 4-1 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out, and scored in the 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace at the end of November.

However, the Dutchman hasn’t exactly been prolific in front of goal, scoring just once in all competitions this season, and AS Roma have now entered direct negotiations with Man United over a January deal for the centre-forward.

That is according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states United are open to offers of around £35m for Zirkzee next month, despite Amorim wanting to retain his services, as he values the former Bologna man’s versatility.

Roma are in pole position in the race for the Netherlands international, but they are not the only club in the race, with Premier League rivals West Ham United, Brighton, Everton and Aston Villa also being named as potential suitors.

Man Utd should cash-in on Zirkzee next month

Given that the Red Devils signed the striker for £36.5m, it would be fantastic if they were able to command a fee of £35m and recoup nearly all their money, considering the 24-year-old has never really managed to find his feet in the Premier League.

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Dominic Lund

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The £105k-a-week forward has just eight goals to his name in 58 appearances for Man United, with Ronald Koeman also criticising him earlier this year, after choosing not to call him up for the Netherlands, saying: “He wasn’t in the preliminary selection because I don’t think he’s good enough at the moment.

“Especially scanning when turning or passing often goes wrong.”

With Sesko due to return from injury soon, and Matheus Cunha also able to play striker, doing so in the rout of Wolves, Man United should offload Zirkee in the January transfer window, despite it emerging that he wants to stay…

Harry Kane and his Bayern Munich team-mates have wished former team-mate Thomas Muller luck ahead of Vancouver Whitecaps' MLS Cup Final against Lionel Messi's Inter Miami. Muller had an immediate impact at his new club after joining the MLS side this summer. He has led the team from the front and helped the Whitecaps to their first-ever MLS Cup final.

• Kane and Bayern stars send message to Muller

  Muller's club mates at Bayern Munich came up with a surprise for the German legend as Kane and Co. sent out good wishes for him ahead of the all-important MLS Cup final against Inter Miami on Saturday. Muller, who served Bayern Munich throughout his career, parted ways with them this summer after his contract expired. The former Germany international followed Messi's footsteps and moved to the US and signed for the Whitecaps.

  In his first season in Vancouver, the 36-year-old scored nine goals in 12 matches across all competitions, including seven goals in as MLS league stage appearances. As he gears up to win his first-ever trophy with his new side, Bayern stars wished him luck. Kane said in the video message: "Congratulations on getting to the final. Wishing you the best of luck. We'll be watching Saturday evening. It'll be late here but we will make the effort for you for sure. All the best. Hope it goes well. I'll see you soon. Stars like Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala and Dayot Upamecano also had some words of support for Muller. 

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• Getty Images
  

  Messi excited to face Muller in MLS Cup final

  Messi, who has faced Muller on multiple occassions in the past during their stints at Barcelona and Bayern respecively, is excited to meet his old rival once again at the grandest stage. Speaking to reporters, the Herons captain said: "First of all, it is very nice that Muller has come to play in MLS and the repercussions that this represents. It’s good that this final came to be and that we can face each other again. We have already faced Vancouver, and we know what kind of team they are. 

  "In fact, they eliminated us in [the CONCACAF Champions Cup]. It was also a very consistent team throughout the year that finished among the top teams and competed in all competitions until the end, just as we did. And well, we know it's going to be a very, very tough game. And the addition of Muller coming to that team, makes them much better still. It brings more awareness to the game, to the team, and it will be a very, very special final, in which we hope it will be in our favour."

• Inter Miami overdependent on Messi?

  Muller earlier claimed that Vancouver Whitecaps are a more balanced until compared to Inter Miami as he felt that their MLS Cup final opponents were overdependent on their captain. Speaking to MLSsoccer.com, the German said: "It's not about Messi against Thomas Müller; it's Miami against the Whitecaps. Maybe they rely a little bit more on him than we do on me, because we are such a good group, you know what I mean?" 

  He went on to call Messi "the greatest player who played our game and is still playing our game" and added that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has brought a new audience to MLS. He added: "If more people are watching, the value also for you as a player, as an individual, also for your team and also for your franchise, is way bigger."

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  Kane and Co. thrash Stuttgart before cheering for Muller

  Bayern faced Stuttgart in the Bundesliga earlier on Saturday. The reigning German champions thrashed their opponents 5-0, courtesy of yet another hat-trick from Kane as they extended their unbeaten run in the league to 13 matches and are now 11 points ahead of second-placed RB Leipzig.

  Vincent Kompany's side next face Sporting CP on December 9 at home in a key Champions League fixture. 

Minus Zian Flemming’s late penalty for Burnley at St James’ Park, Newcastle United’s 2-1 win over the relegation-threatened Clarets on Saturday was rather straightforward.

Scott Parker’s men never gave in, but after Anthony Gordon stroked home his fourth penalty of the season, there was a sense of inevitability that the Magpies were going to secure a sixth Premier League victory of the campaign, especially as the away side had to play all of the second half with just ten men.

It was far from vintage, but Newcastle will be pleased that they now enter into the upcoming Tyne-Wear Derby with a confidence-boosting win under their belt.

Then, it’s a tough encounter with Chelsea in league action, before more and more clashes come their way across the bumper Christmas period.

Before you know it, Eddie Howe’s men will be concerning themselves with matters in the January transfer window, as plenty of new signings are tipped to move to Tyneside.

Newcastle's transfer latest

Away from any new arrivals, though, Yoane Wissa lining up for Howe and Co against Burnley would have felt like a fresh signing in itself, as the injury-plagued striker finally pulled on Toon black and white, after exiting Brentford in the summer.

Still, even with Wissa’s return, Newcastle have been credited as being interested in the services of Bees goal machine Igor Thiago, as Keith Andrews fears another Magpies swoop could be forthcoming.

Of course, there is also constant talk bubbling away that Elliot Anderson might well seal a Tyneside return from Nottingham Forest.

Yet, with a ludicrous £100m price tag above the England international’s head, Newcastle might well be better placed to seek out cheaper alternatives, as Hungarian sensation Alex Tóth is allegedly catching the Premier League side’s eye.

Already garnering a lot of hype in his native country for Robbie Keane’s Ferencváros TC, Football Insider has now revealed that a £13m bid could be accepted down the line for the 20-year-old’s services, with Newcastle and Bundesliga clubs eyeing up the emerging talent.

Newcastle could be tempted to land such a promising midfield gem if he is available at such a cut-price fee, with the lingering disappointment of letting Anderson go prematurely, softened somewhat by the Budapest-born star’s arrival.

How Toth could be Anderson 2.0

Newcastle must still have restless nights about the decision to sell Anderson to Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2024, after the homegrown Toon prodigy had made 55 promising appearances in the first team ranks.

He was only just getting started at St James’ Park, though, with hindsight on side, as the 23-year-old is now a regular in Thomas Tuchel’s England set-up, and for good reason.

He’s made a mind-blowing 8.4 ball recoveries per game this season in Premier League action, and won 7.8 duels per match, gifting him the label of being an “elite” performer at the very top by analyst and social media personality Statman Dave.

Likewise, journalist Bence Bocsak has tipped the Ferencváros number 64 to go to “the top” too, with a new Anderson-style project potentially on Newcastle’s hands if they land Tóth this January.

Games played

17

12

Goals scored

2

1

Assists

7

1

Touches*

65.9

54.5

Accurate passes*

37.6 (84%)

32.8 (87%)

Big chances created

8

4

Ball recoveries*

4.2

2.0

Total duels won*

4.8

4.0

Winning four duels per fixture his season in Fizz Liga action, Tóth isn’t a million miles off the high-octane approach Anderson is known for. He even regularly lines up for Hungary, alongside Liverpool faces Milos Kerkez and Dominik Szoboszlai, off the back of these well-drilled showings, with three ground duels successfully won against the Republic of Ireland, just last month.

But, as per analyst page Football Wonderkids, it’s also his well-rounded ability to chip in with goals and assists and tidily play the ball about the pitch that makes him a “special talent” worthy of a Premier League switch, with a standout 11 goal contributions tallied up across his last two league seasons. Like Anderson, therefore, he’s got a goal involvement from the middle of the park in him too.

This has further led to the aforementioned Bocsak hailing the £13m asset as a “modern day midfielder” who is capable of everything, much like Anderson, who has three goals and seven assists for the Tricky Trees in total, yet is also known as a “warrior” for his defensive grit by Como scout Ben Mattinson.

Of course, if Tóth were to make the move to England, he wouldn’t become an Anderson-like talent overnight in his new, intimidating surroundings.

But, for just £13m, it’s surely worth the gamble that he could morph into Newcastle’s second coming of their departed midfielder in time.

He once cost £38.5m: Newcastle plot concrete move to sign "brilliant" PL star

He desperately needs a move.

ByTom Cunningham 5 days ago

Heading into the 2022/23 campaign, part of the intrigue surrounding Erik ten Hag’s arrival at Manchester United was the potential impact it could have on Donny van de Beek’s Old Trafford career, following a forgettable two seasons at the club prior to that.

Having previously been part of the Ajax side that reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2018/19 under Ten Hag, the hope was that a reunion with his compatriot would bring the best out of United’s £40m Dutchman.

As it would transpire, Van de Beek’s stock would plummet even further, even after the change in the dugout, having gone on to play just 12 times for Ten Hag at United, prior to leaving permanently for Girona for a measly £500k fee in the summer of 2024.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

42

2 (2)

Erik ten Hag

12

0 (0)

Michael Carrick

3

0 (0)

Ralf Rangnick

5

0 (0)

Total

62

2 (2)

The now 28-year-old had endured a frustrating six-month spell on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt before that summer sale, with the club’s latest midfield flop, Manuel Ugarte, perhaps in need of his own January exit heading into 2026.

Latest on Manuel Ugarte's future

Much like Van de Beek before him, it is telling how even reuniting with a former boss has failed to bring the best out of Ugarte, with that prior relationship with Ruben Amorim potentially even working against the Uruguayan of late.

Indeed, reports suggested that the 24-year-old was given a dressing down at Carrington following May’s Europa League final, with Amorim believed to have hinted that he didn’t recognise the player he had once coached at Sporting CP.

Amorim has almost publicly echoed that appraisal since, after suggesting last month that the ex-Paris Saint-Germain man is “struggling”, resulting in him starting just two Premier League games all season.

An unused substitute against both Everton and Crystal Palace, INEOS’ £50m signing is at a critical juncture in his United journey, with recent reports even suggesting that the club will listen to offers for him in January.

Up for sale heading into the winter window, if those reports are to be believed, it’s fair to say that Ugarte hasn’t performed as was expected over the last 18 months or so, having slipped behind the ageing Casemiro in Amorim’s midfield pecking order.

Such was the size of the fee dished out on the midfielder back in 2024, his signing perhaps ranks among the worst of the lot in the INEOS regime, albeit with young Patrick Dorgu perhaps edging him to that title amid his recent performances.

The Man Utd star who's even making Ugarte look good

The writing has been on the wall for Ugarte since his failure to even make it off the bench for the defeat in Bilbao at the end of last term, with even the lack of depth in the midfield ranks having not led to more game time in 2025/26.

Described as “not good enough” by Gary Neville following the Manchester derby defeat, the £120k-per-week talent is no doubt limited, hence why a 2026 exit appears to be inevitable.

That said, he has at least had his moments, racking up two goals and six assists in 55 games for the club, a respectable record for a largely defensive-minded operator in the centre of the park.

The scorer away at Everton and in the 5-4 thriller against Lyon last term, Ugarte has at least shown flashes of the player Amorim deployed in Lisbon, even if that quality has been showcased far too infrequently.

Unfortunately for Dorgu, there has been little to shout about at all in his case, with the ex-Lecce starlet – who signed for £30m back in January – yet to make his mark in a United shirt under Amorim’s watch.

Often the most advanced attacking outlet in this 3-4-2-1 system – having notably made the most touches in the opposition box in the defeat to Manchester City – the young Dane’s forward-thinking approach has frustratingly not been fused with an end product.

Indeed, in 33 appearances for the Red Devils, the left-footer is yet to score, while providing just two assists – a record that actually makes Ugarte’s return look even better.

Described as “dreadful” earlier this season by journalist Samuel Luckhurst, the 21-year-old has even found himself ousted by Diogo Dalot at left wing-back for much of the campaign, despite representing the only real obvious senior option in that left-sided berth.

Of course, his age must be factored in when assessing a difficult start to life at Old Trafford, although Amorim is clearly keen to see more from the youngster, having been critical of his recent displays ahead of the trip to Selhurst Park.

That ‘anxiety’ has been so evident this season, not least by the fact that he ranks in the bottom 8% of Premier League full-backs for pass completion per 90, as per FBref.

Erratic and errant on the ball, Dorgu is simply failing to flourish in a system that looks tailor-made for him, having operated as a winger or full-back during his stint in Italy.

Like with the case of Ugarte, time is already running out for the Denmark international to kick on and improve – this United side can’t afford to carry any passengers.

Forget Dorgu: Man Utd flop is becoming their biggest liability since Onana

Manchester United have a star who is proving to be unreliable under Ruben Amorim in 2025/26.

ByEthan Lamb Dec 3, 2025

Stats highlights from Navi Mumbai, where India completed the highest-ever chase at the Women’s ODI World Cup

Sampath Bandarupalli30-Oct-2025339 The target chased by India against Australia in the semi-final. It is the highest-ever chase in women’s ODI cricket, bettering the 331-run chase by Australia against India earlier in the tournament in Visakhapatnam.India’s previous highest successful chase was 265 against Australia in 2021, and they had never chased a 200-plus target at a World Cup.15 Consecutive wins for Australia at the Women’s ODI World Cup, coming into Thursday’s semi-final. Their previous defeat was also against India, in the semi-final in 2017.Related

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It is the joint-longest winning streak for any team in the Women’s ODI World Cup, equaling Australia’s earlier streak of 15 wins between 1993 and 2000.341 for 5 India’s total in the chase is their highest at the Women’s ODI World Cup, a run more than the 340 for 3 they posted against New Zealand in Navi Mumbai last week.It is also the second-highest total by any team against Australia in women’s ODIs, behind their 369 in Delhi last month. In fact, that is the only total in a women’s ODI chase higher than India’s 341 on Thursday.679 Runs by India and Australia on Thursday in Navi Mumbai, making it the highest aggregate for a Women’s ODI World Cup game. The previous most were 678 runs between England and South Africa at Bristol in 2017.The 679 runs are also the second-most for any women’s ODI, behind the 781 runs in last month’s Delhi ODI, also featuring India and Australia.3 Number of successful chases of 300-plus targets in a knock-out match across men’s and women’s ODIs. The previous two were by India in men’s ODIs, who chased 315 against Pakistan in the third final of the Silver Jubilee Independence Cup in 1998 and 326 against England in the 2002 NatWest tri-series final.127* Jemimah Rodrigues’ score against Australia is the highest for India in an ODI chase, bettering the 125 by Smriti Mandhana, also against Australia last month in Delhi.167 Partnership between Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur for the third wicket – the highest by any pair against Australia at the Women’s ODI World Cup.It is also the third-highest partnership against Australia in all women’s ODIs and the highest for the third wicket.3 Fifty-plus scores for Harmanpreet in the three knockout matches she has played in the Women’s ODI World Cup. Only Belinda Clark, with four, has more fifty-plus scores in World Cup knockouts than Harmanpreet.Harmanpreet aggregated 311 runs across those three games, the second-most in Women’s ODI World Cup knockouts, behind Clark’s 330 runs.Hug it out: Smriti Mandhana congratulated Jemimah Rodrigues after India’s epic chase•ICC/Getty Images77 Balls Phoebe Litchfield needed for her century against India, the fastest in any knockout game in women’s ODIs. The previous quickest was off 90 balls, by Harmanpreet against Australia in the 2017 World Cup semi-final and by Nat Sciver-Brunt against Australia in the 2022 Women’s ODI World Cup final.Litchfield is also the youngest batter to score a hundred in a knockout match in women’s ODIs.23.3 Overs bowled by Australia’s spinners in the semi-final. They also conceded 157 runs without taking a wicket. These are the most overs the spinners have ever bowled in a women’s ODI while being wicketless. The previous highest by Australian spinners was the 23 overs against New Zealand in 2012 at SCG.0 The 2025 edition will be the first Women’s ODI World Cup final to not feature either Australia or England. At least one of the two teams have featured in all the previous editions of the World Cup which have had a final.