A saída de Lucas Veríssimo para o Al-Duhail, do Qatar, pegou todos no Corinthians de surpresa. Mesmo sem o seu principal zagueiro, o Timão venceu o Guarani na estreia do Paulistão, e Mano Menezes exaltou a atuação de Félix Torres.
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– O que mais me deixa feliz foi a atuação do Torres, que surpreendeu a todos nós, porque ele tinha acabado de chegar e feito poucos treinos com o grupo. Ele estava num ritmo muito bom e pôde ajudar muito a equipe com a qualidade que tem – disse Mano durante coletiva.
O treinador reiterou o discurso de Augusto Melo, afirmando que a permanência de Veríssimo estava encaminhada, e evitou criticar o zagueiro por escolher o futebol do Qatar.
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– O Veríssimo é um jogador que a gente tinha tudo alinhado. Ele tinha um contrato em vigor (com a gente) até o meio do ano, mas o futebol tem as suas surpresas — e os contratos que precisam ser respeitados da maneira que eles foram aceitos em outros momentos. O Veríssimo achou que deveria seguir a vida dele. Também seguimos em frente – garantiu Mano.
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O Corinthians volta a campo na quarta-feira (24), contra o Ituano, pela segunda rodada do Paulistão.
As far as Arne Slot’s Liverpool are concerned, there hasn’t been much to write home about this season.
It’s been difficult, for a great number of reasons, and the Reds have slumped to five defeats from six matches in the Premier League. They say it’s too early to make such calls at this stage of the campaign, but Liverpool simply cannot be considered as title contenders unless something significant shifts in the coming weeks and months.
Physicality and control. Two central tenets of any Premier League midfield worth their salt, and especially so for Liverpool. However, Slot’s side have lacked both in equally concerning measure for much of the term so far.
And with that in mind, we can’t help but recall the days of Gini Wijnaldum in the middle of the park, for the Dutchman is very much missed right now.
Why Gini Wijnaldum left Liverpool
Wijnaldum has plied his trade away from Anfield for four years now, and it’s perhaps fair to say that Liverpool have not replaced his profile in the years since. The 35-year-old was very distinctive in his style for the Reds.
Liverpool signed Wijnaldum from Newcastle United in 2016 after their relegation from the Premier League. Wijnaldum was among the standout Magpies that year.
He was an attacking midfielder and had put four past Norwich City early in the campaign, a bright flicker in a dark year on Tyneside. However, Jurgen Klopp fashioned the Dutchman into an industrious, press-resistent central midfielder, part of an energetic centre that charged Liverpool’s glittering success of the past decade.
Though Wijnaldum didn’t score often for the Merseysiders, he came up trumps on a few occasions, alright, and scribed his name into the record books when bagging a brace off the bench on that night against Barcelona.
So cool and composed and calm on the ball, Gini was the metronome in the middle. To think that he played in advanced roles with consistency during his days with Newcastle and PSV Eindhoven before that is a marker of Klopp’s tactical brain, successfully reshaping into something that produced fewer show-stopping moments but contributed more greatly to the Liverpool project.
Liverpool miss him, for sure, but there’s a member of Slot’s squad who is beginning to show signs of the Netherlands man’s former qualities.
Liverpool's new version of Wijnaldum
Slot’s own ‘version’ of Wijnaldum might not be stylistically the same, but he’s playing a versatile and yet singular role for the Anfield side this season.
Enter Dominik Szoboszlai, the shining light of Liverpool’s dreary campaign so far.
The Hungarian has been hailed by reporter Lewis Steele as being Liverpool’s “player of the season” so far. Admittedly, the bar isn’t high, but Szoboszlai ranks highly across the whole of Europe in regard to individual efforts, having matured into a leader as well as a tireless source of energy and a technically proficient technician.
To say that he’s come on leaps and bounds would be quite the understatement, and this with Liverpool struggling to muster any kind of form.
Klopp oversaw the £60m signing of RB Leipzig’s talented playmaker in 2023, beating Newcastle to his signature. Szoboszlai has ebbed and flowed in a Liverpool shirt, criticised at times for his lack of end product. At the end of Klopp’s reign, Szoboszlai fell out to the fringes, starting only one of the final six Premier League fixtures of the term, and was hooked at half-time during a miserable home defeat to Crystal Palace before that.
Matches (starts)
36 (29)
11 (11)
Goals
6
1
Assists
6
1
Touches*
46.1
82.6
Accurate passes*
29.6 (86%)
52.1 (87%)
Key passes*
1.6
1.5
Dribble (success)*
0.6 (55%)
0.8 (60%)
Recoveries*
3.7
6.1
Tackles + interceptions*
1.4
2.7
Clearances*
0.4
2.5
Duels (won)*
2.8 (43%)
4.2 (51%)
Since Slot has taken to the dugout, Szoboszlai’s role has changed some, and that has become crystal clear this season, for he has never been more involved, never more entrusted with a starring role in the side, hailed as a “proper leader” and Liverpool’s star man by content creator Jonathan Morley.
Szoboszlai is a player whose skill and tenacity out of possession, his intelligence and vision and ability to do the right thing at the right time, make him a unique and priceless part of a system. Wijnaldum-esque, perhaps.
Gini was, after all, lauded as being “irreplaceable” for Liverpool by correspondent Richard Jolly. He wasn’t a vocal leader on the field, but the former Netherlands international provided a calming presence, redefined once he settled in on Merseyside and then became a central part of one of the glittering outfits of their age.
Jurgen Klopp and Gini Wijnaldum
Liverpool may not be at the races this season, but there’s a long road still ahead, and with Szoboszlai shaping into an all-action midfielder of the highest class, Slot’s own version of Wijnaldum, there will be hope that the rest of these talented players can recover their levels and match Szoboszlai’s commitment and desire.
His free-kick against Arsenal, sealing victory against Mikel Arteta’s title challengers toward the start of the season, his Man of the Match performances on a number of occasions already, Szoboszlai is the real deal, alright, and when Liverpool do return to form, he might just reach even loftier levels under Slot’s wing.
Szoboszlai has been Liverpool’s standout player this season, and though this has been tempered by the otherwise miserable performances, solace can be found in the knowledge that Slot has unearthed the club’s latest superstar.
FSG sold an "incredible" Liverpool talent & it's a bigger mistake than Diaz
Liverpool are already starting to regret this £15m sale.
Manchester United are now eyeing Hertha Berlin’s Kennet Eichhorn, with it being revealed the midfielder has an affordable release clause, but there could be rival interest from some of Europe’s top clubs.
Gary Neville has suggested that Ruben Amorim may need to upgrade the spine of his team, given that his current options are arguably in the latter stages of their career, saying: “You’ve got the midfield, Casemiro and Bruno have got massive experience.
“Up front, they haven’t got the experience. But to me, that spine of Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Maguire and De Ligt is ageing, but should be doing a lot better at holding it all together than they do.”
Casemiro has been proving age is just a number with some of his recent performances, which has led to United contacting his agent about a new contract, but with the Brazilian set to turn 34 in just over three months time, Amorim may need to start thinking about a long-term replacement.
Carlos Baleba was named as the Red Devils’ dream target earlier this week, with Elliot Anderson also of interest, despite Nottingham Forest’s huge asking price, but they have now joined the hectic race for another up-and-coming prospect…
Man Utd eyeing Hertha Berlin's Kennet Eichhorn
According to an update from Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg on X, Man United are now eyeing Hertha Berlin maestro Eichhorn, who recently broke the record to become the youngest player in the history of the 2. Bundesliga.
Lauded as an “exceptional talent” by Plettenberg, the 16-year-old is already a regular starter for the German second tier side, which has led to interest from some of Europe’s top clubs, including RB Leipzig, Ajax, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
The teenager has an affordable release clause of just €10m – €12m (£9m – £11m) included in his contract with the German club, and there are plenty of indications he could be a fantastic long-term addition to Amorim’s squad.
Becoming a first-team regular at just 16 is an achievement in and of itself, with the youngster making ten appearances all competitions this season, and he has put in some impressive performances, given his age, in order to keep his place in the side.
Last month, the Hertha starlet showcased his all-round attributes in a 2-1 win against Munster, creating one big chance, while also making a combined four interceptions and tackles to keep the opposition at bay.
Eichhorn is certainly one for the future, but it is also paramount Man United bring in a midfielder capable of immediately slotting into the starting XI in January, given that Casemiro’s contract is set to expire in the summer, and Kobbie Mainoo’s future is still in major doubt…
Kobbie Mainoo in January exit talks with deal "likely" Amorim wants to keep him: Man Utd star in January exit talks with deal "likely"
Amidst discussions over his future, will Kobbie Mainoo move away from Old Trafford?
Aston Villa have now joined the race for Manchester City’s James Trafford ahead of the January transfer window, amid a new update on the goalkeeper’s future at the Etihad Stadium.
It is well-known that Emiliano Martinez wanted to leave Villa during the summer, with the 33-year-old keen on a deadline day move to Manchester United, but he ultimately ended up staying put, and Unai Emery has reintroduced his first-choice goalkeeper to the starting XI.
Emery has been vindicated for his decision to start the Argentinian ahead of Marco Bizot, as he has started to show signs he could be getting back to his best, having kept three clean sheets in the Villans’ last four matches in all competitions.
Most recently, the former Arsenal man put in a top performance in the 4-0 victory against AFC Bournemouth, saving Antoine Semenyo’s penalty and receiving a 8.2 SofaScore match rating for his overall display.
However, given the World Cup-winning goalkeeper’s age, and his previous desire to leave, Emery may have one eye on a replacement, and the Europa League side have now joined the race for a Premier League shot-stopper ahead of the January transfer window.
Aston Villa join race to sign James Trafford
According to a report from Football Insider, Aston Villa have now joined the race to sign Man City’s Trafford, with the Englishman’s future at the Etihad Stadium now in doubt, given Gianluigi Donnarumma’s emergence as Pep Guardiola’s first-choice goalkeeper.
It is now looking increasingly likely the 23-year-old will leave the Blues this winter, with an initial loan move potentially on the cards, and he is viewed as a ‘strong alternative’ to Martinez, possessing the ability to replace the Villa goalkeeper between the sticks.
The 6 foot 6 colossus, who is represented by the same agent as Ezri Konsa, has been unable to establish himself as City’s number one, but his performances for the Clarets last season indicate he could be a fantastic signing for the Villans, keeping 29 clean sheets in the Championship alone.
Scott Parker was clearly happy with his goalkeeper’s performances too, describing him as “world-class”, while Statman Dave has revealed the Carlisle-born shot-stopper prevented the second-highest number of goals of any under 23 goalkeeper in Europe’s top 20 leagues last term.
Trafford isn’t the finished article and has yet to prove himself over a sustained period at Premier League level, making an error leading to a goal in City’s 2-0 home defeat against Tottenham Hotspur earlier this season, but he is still very young for a goalkeeper, and has a lot of potential.
Emiliano Martinez has been named among the best goalkeepers in the Premier League Every 2025/26 Premier League goalkeeper ranked from best to worst
قدّم نادي ريال مدريد الإسباني، اعتذارًا بشأن مقطع فيديو تكريمي لديوجو جوتا لاعب ليفربول الراحل وشقيقه أندريه سيلفا، اللذين توفيا في حادث سيارة في وقت سابق من هذا العام.
وشهد نادي ريال مدريد اليوم الأحد، اجتماعًا سنويًا للجمعية العمومية بحضور رئيس النادي فلورنتينو بيريز.
وخلال الاجتماع السنوي للجمعية العمومية رغب ريال مدريد في تكريم ديوجو جوتا وشقيقه أندريا، لكن بدلاً من ذلك وضع صورة مهاجم إلتشي أندريه دا سيلفا، الذي يحمل نفس اسم شقيق البرتغالي.
وسارع ريال مدريد بتقديم اعتذار عبر حساباته الرسمية على وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي، وأصدر بيانًا أعرب فيه عن أسفه للحادث.
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وجاء في بيان ريال مدريد: “يعتذر نادي ريال مدريد لنادي إلتشي ولاعبه أندريه دا سيلفا عن الخطأ في نشر صورة له في فيديو، بدلاً من صورة أندريه سيلفا، شقيق ديوجو جوتا، لاعب ليفربول، نأسف لهذا الحادث”.
كما أكد فلورنتينو بيريز، رئيس ريال مدريد، هذا الموقف خلال خطابه أمام أعضاء النادي واعتذر عن الخطأ.
ولقى جوتا وشقيقه أندريا سيلفا مصرعهما في حادث سيارة مروع، وذلك في شهر يوليو الماضي، في واقعة أفجعت عالم كرة القدم.
يذكر أن ريال مدريد سيواجه خصمه إلتشي مساء اليوم الأحد، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثالثة عشر لبطولة الدوري الإسباني موسم 2025-2026.
Raphinha has admitted he is partly to blame for the two injury relapses that kept him sidelined for more than two months, but the Barcelona winger says he is finally ready to help the team again. The Brazilian revealed he endured a “very tough time” during his recovery but hopes to feature against Chelsea in a decisive Champions League clash, as he insists the team’s European ambitions remain intact.
Raphinha takes responsibility for relapses
The Brazilian international opened up about the injury setbacks that have kept him out for over two months, conceding that his own decisions contributed to a recovery process that took far longer than expected. The Brazilian forward is now pushing to make his full return against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, a fixture he described as “special” and vital to Barca’s ambition of finishing in the Champions League top eight.
Barcelona will rely heavily on the renewed energy and creativity Raphinha can provide, especially after back-to-back European performances that placed their league-phase ambitions at risk. His target is clear: to contribute immediately and help stabilise a Barça team that has struggled too often in this year’s Champions League.
AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'I take responsibility' – Brazilian explains
The winger explained that eagerness to return too soon ultimately led to complications. "There may have been mistakes… or there may not have been," he told reporters. "The first relapse was partly my fault, and I can take responsibility for the second one as well. I wanted to be back as quickly as possible, and I made a mistake, hence the relapses.
"I can take responsibility for that, because in the end, I do things, and if I think they won't help me, I should be the first to say no. I take responsibility for both relapses because I wanted to be back on the field as soon as possible to help the team. I made a few mistakes, and that's why I had those two relapses.
“It was a difficult time. I'm someone who always wants to be with the team, and spending these two months without being able to play was tough, and I need to get back into match fitness. I hope to return to the form everyone knows."
Brazil star frustrated by lack of recognition
Raphinha also appeared visibly annoyed when discussing his absence from last season’s individual accolades, especially coming in fifth in the Ballon d'Or rankings. “The truth is I think I deserved much more. These are individual awards… I'm satisfied with having a spectacular season. Others are the ones who vote,” he added.
His mission, however, is immediate, to regain the form that made him one of Barca’s most decisive players last season. and to begin that resurgence in the Champions League clash at Stamford Bridge.
Raphinha’s return comes as Barca approach one of their most important matches of the season. Their 3-3 draw at Club Brugge left them in a difficult position in the league phase.
Chelsea, unbeaten in five matches, present a complex tactical challenge under Enzo Maresca. Barca, meanwhile, have shown signs of improvement domestically with three consecutive La Liga wins, but the gap between their league and Champions League performances remains stark. Their defensive instability in Europe has been particularly worrying.
Raphinha said he is ready to help restore belief. “Being able to play again is already something special for me. I've been out for two months. If the manager plays me, I'll give my best.” He also reaffirmed the club’s ambitions: “The main objective of this club is to win the Champions League."
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Getty Images SportChelsea showdown next
Barca travel to London knowing the stakes could not be higher as a win keeps them alive in the race for a top-eight finish. But, with key players still sidelined, including Pedri, Hansi Flick will hope Raphinha can deliver immediate impact off the bench or from the start. The winger is expected to receive more minutes after featuring as a substitute for just nine minutes against Athletic Club.
Following Chelsea, Barca face a demanding run of fixtures across La Liga and Europe as the calendar intensifies in December. Raphinha’s fitness, rhythm, and confidence will be pivotal in determining whether the Catalan side can rediscover the attacking consistency required to navigate this period successfully.
After their batters got only around 20 overs of crease-time across their first two games against UAE and Pakistan, India batted first for the first time in the Asia Cup and posted 188 for 8 against Oman. All their batters got a hit in the middle except their captain Suryakumar Yadav, who did not come out to bat despite India losing eight wickets. Though Oman made a creditable impression with both ball and bat, they could not overcome India’s might and depth.Abhishek Sharma did Abhishek Sharma things, clattering 38 off 15 balls. He was the only India batter with a strike rate of over 200 on an Abu Dhabi pitch that offered grip and turn. Sanju Samson, who slotted in at No.3, was less fluent, but moved to a 41-ball fifty. Cameos from Tilak Varma (29 off 18), Axar Patel (26 off 13), and Harshit Rana (13* off 8) then pushed India up towards 190.India had rested their bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and newly minted No.1 T20I bowler Varun Chakravarthy, but Kuldeep Yadav befuddled Oman’s batters with his variations. Oman openers Aamir Kaleem and Jatinder Singh struck up a 56-run partnership but by the time Kuldeep broke it in the ninth over, the asking rate had shot up to 12. Though Kaleem and No.3 Hammad Mirza made battling half-centuries, they could not find the higher gears that could have hurt India. In pursuit of 189, Oman finished with 167 for 4.Having applied so much scoreboard pressure on Oman, India could afford to experiment with their bowling too. Tilak and Abhishek were among eight bowlers India used on Friday.2:20
Abhinav Mukund: This is how Abhishek should always bat
Abhishek’s opening salvo
Left-arm seamer Shah Faisal dealt India an early blow when he castled Shubman Gill for 5 with a sharp inswinger in the second over. However, that didn’t stop Abhishek from lining up Oman’s bowlers in the powerplay.Abhishek claimed 38 of the 60 runs India had scored in the first six overs. Left-arm fingerspinner Shakeel Ahmed got away with the first ball he bowled to Abhishek, but the batter took him for two fours and a six in the third over. Shakeel tried to drag the ball away from Abhishek’s reach with his sharp angle from left-arm around, but the left-handed opener still found a counter.Oman’s seamers then took pace off, but nobody can take Abhishek’s power away. When Mohammad Nadeem bowled a slower ball into the pitch, Abhishek forayed down the track and scythed it over point. Then, when Jiten Ramanandi dug a 104kph delivery into the pitch, Abhishek pumped it for a straight six.He got a reprieve on 21 when he tickled Nadeem down the leg side, but Vinayak Shukla, the Oman keeper, shelled the catch and umpire Raveendra Wilalasiri eventually deemed it as a wide ball. Abhishek added 17 to his tally before nicking another one behind, Shukla making no mistake this time.2:07
Jaffer: Wasn’t a fluent innings from Samson
Samson’s stop-start innings
After having chalked up two DNBs, Samson had a slow start – he was on 13 off 14 balls at one point – but a six and a four off Madhya-Pradesh-born wristspinner Samay Shrivatsava got him out of first gear. Samson proceeded to crash Zikria Islam for a straight six in the tenth over, but slowed down once again thereafter.Having got to 42 off 32 balls, he took a further nine balls to bring up his half-century. Then, when he looked to turn up the tempo, he holed out to deep midwicket for 56 off 45 balls in the 18th over.India cobbled together 21 off the last three overs and managed to find the boundary just once during this period – off the last ball of the innings when Harshit scythed Faisal for six over point.2:00
Jaffer: Inspired performances from Kaleem and Hammad
Oman’s spirited chase
After bagging the wickets of Axar Patel and Shivam Dube, Kaleem, who will turn 44 in November, stood up to India’s bowlers. He was cagey during the powerplay – he scored only 15 off 13 balls during the period – but then laid into Dube’s medium-pace, taking him for 18 off nine balls.Kaleem’s knock ended on 64 when Hardik held onto a screamer at the long-leg boundary off Harshit, putting a smile on fielding coach T Dilip’s face. Mirza also showed his batting chops with a half-century of his own, giving Oman hope for the T20 World Cup Asia & East-Asia-Pacific Regional Qualifier, a tournament they will host next month, even if they bowed out of their maiden Asia Cup with no wins in three matches.For India, Arshdeep Singh, who was playing his first game of the tournament, picked up his 100th T20I wicket when he had Shukla holing out in the final over. Arshdeep became the first India bowler to the landmark and closed out the game for them, with Bumrah and Varun applauding the effort from the sidelines.
Allrounder also takes two wickets as concerted bowling display helps set up return to Finals Day
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay06-Sep-2025
Liam Livingstone roars after sealing victory•ECB via Getty Images
Lancashire Lightning are through to Finals Day and – 10 years on from their first – will get the chance to win a second Vitality Blast title next Saturday having beaten Kent Spitfires by three wickets chasing 154 in an engaging Emirates Old Trafford quarter-final.England fringe fast bowler Luke Wood struck with the first ball of a contest which saw the Spitfires scramble to 153 all out in 20 overs, the left-armer finishing with an excellent 3 for 29.No Kent batter reached 30 and they were unable to deny a Lightning side also including star man Liam Livingstone, James Anderson and Phil Salt a 10th Finals Day appearance.Like Wood, fellow England international Livingstone was key to Lancashire’s victory in front of a 12,000-plus crowd. Having returned 2 for 21 from four overs of spin, he helped recover their chase from 5 for 2 with a brilliantly destructive 85 not out off 45 balls with seven sixes. The hosts won with nine balls remaining.Livingstone is the only member of this Lancashire team to have won the Blast in 2015.Lightning made the perfect start, as Wood had Tawanda Muyeye caught at mid-off with the first ball of the match. It was the second time he had struck with the first ball of an innings in this campaign.Kent then scored runs at a decent rate but lost wickets at key moments. Daniel Bell-Drummond miscued Anderson to backward point, Zak Crawley was caught behind having gloved a pull at Jack Blatherwick and Livingstone’s first ball ousted a sweeping Sam Billings caught at deep square leg, leaving the score at 71 for 4 in the ninth over.Joe Denly had started nicely, including lofting Blatherwick’s first ball for six over long-off. But he also fell – on 28 – to strengthen Lancashire’s grip at 81 for 5 after 10 overs, miscuing a similar shot to long-off against Tom Hartley’s left-arm spin.The trend continued. Joey Evison muscled sixes off the spinners but fell for 27 to a smart boundary catch at long-off from Wood off Livingstone with the score on 115 in the 15th.Grant Stewart also hit two sixes in a brisk 25 before playing on to Tom Aspinwall, who struck twice with his seamers. And Kent had to try and bat the overs out, which they did. Still, their total had the feeling of being well short after Wood struck twice in the last over to remove Fred Klaassen and Nathan Gilchrist caught at deep midwicket.But visiting hopes were raised as they reduced the Lightning to 5 for 2 inside two overs of the chase as Stewart’s seam had Salt caught at deep backward square leg pulling and Klaassen’s left-armers forced Luke Wells to play on off his thigh pad.Klaassen was superb for 3 for 14 from four overs.Livingstone, on 15, top-edged a pull at Gilchrist into the back of his neck shortly afterwards and underwent a concussion check but carried on.He lost captain Keaton Jennings caught on the scoop against the outstanding pace of Klaassen – 31 for 3 in the fifth over – before taking the sting out of the situation in dynamic fashion.He took on the legspin of former county colleague Matthew Parkinson, three times smashing him over long-on for six in the ninth over as he reached his first fifty of this season’s Blast off 25 balls and took the score to 84 for 3.Experienced Australian Ashton Turner holed out off Evison almost immediately afterwards, but Kent desperately needed Livingstone’s wicket.It didn’t arrive, and even Parkinson getting Michael Jones for 28 off 16 balls and Hartley in the 14th over, leaving Lancashire 118 for 6, wasn’t enough to turn the game.Livingstone hammered Parkinson over long-on – and over The Point conference building – for six more, and his knock confirmed that Lancashire will play Somerset or Birmingham Bears in the semi-final at Edgbaston.
Manchester United’s 2024/25 campaign handed Ruben Amorim and the hierarchy a huge task of winning the fanbase over ahead of the ongoing season.
The Red Devils’ 15th-place finish in the Premier League was nothing short of an embarrassment, with such a standing the club’s lowest since the division’s formation back in 1992.
The Europa League gave the manager a chance to redeem himself, but such a competition brought about more misery – losing the final in Bilbao to fellow English strugglers Tottenham Hotspur.
Manchester United manager RubenAmorimbefore the match
Despite all the failures of Amorim’s debut year at Old Trafford, the hierarchy decided to stick with the 40-year-old for 2025/26 – even handing him over £200m worth of funds to improve the first-team squad.
However, further embarrassing defeats against League Two side Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup once again led to rumours over the manager’s long-term future in the role.
He’s since managed to win three league games in a row for the first time in his tenure, with some of his tactical tweaks finally starting to take effect 12 months on from his appointment.
The impact of Bruno & Mbeumo in Amorim’s system at United
Despite United struggling massively last season, it didn’t stop club captain Bruno Fernandes from impressing and producing some astonishing numbers in the final third.
The 31-year-old ended 2024/25 on a combined 37 goals and assists, by far and away the highest tally of any player in the squad – with his efforts saving the club from a relegation battle.
However, after the recent summer spending spree, the Portuguese international has been forced to operate in a deep-lying central midfield role – but it hasn’t taken away from his incredible ability in attacking areas.
Bruno currently sits on a total of four goal contributions, but his underlying stats highlight the bearing he is still having on creating carnage for the opposition.
In the recent Premier League outing against Nottingham Forest, he registered a total of four chances created – the most of any player on the pitch at the City Ground.
Bruno has also created the most chances of any player in the first-team squad this campaign, with his average of 2.8 per 90 ranking him in the top 3% of all players in the division.
Most of his opportunities have fallen the way of Bryan Mbeumo, with the 26-year-old tasked with the responsibility of transforming the club’s lack of quality in the final third.
The Cameroonian cost a whopping £71m including add-ons from Brentford, but has already made an immediate impact despite the pressure of the price tag looming over him.
He’s scored four times in his first ten outings for the Red Devils, but like Bruno, his underlying figures are the ones that greatly highlight his impact in the Premier League during 2025/26.
Mbeumo’s total of 1.4 shots on target per 90 ranks him in the top 4% of all players in the division, undoubtedly contributing to his impressive goalscoring tally.
He also ranks in the top 4% for crosses completed and the top 10% for successful dribbles – further reaffirming how he’s helped transform the club’s ability to impress in front of goal.
The United star who’s becoming the best in the world
The impact of Bruno and Mbeumo in the final third simply can’t be understated, with the duo playing a key role in United’s recent revival under Amorim this season.
The pair have played a key role in the majority of the club’s goals in the Premier League this campaign, with such a situation night and day from the previous year.
Amorim’s men have already netted 17 league goals in just 10 outings to date, which is already 45% of the efforts registered during the embarrassing 2024/25 campaign.
Such an investment has already been worthwhile, which has certainly set the first team on the right trajectory for success if they can sustain such levels in the years ahead.
As for the defensive department, they have often come under fire for their lack of quality – with the majority of which being directed to goalkeeper Andre Onana.
However, the centre-backs in front of the shot-stopper didn’t cover themselves in glory, resulting in the Red Devils conceding 44 times in just 38 matches.
The hierarchy backed Amorim in the summer, as previously mentioned, even landing a new goalkeeper in the form of Senne Lammens from Belgian outfit Royal Antwerp.
The 23-year-old cost a fee in the region of £18m during the recent window, subsequently being an investment for the immediate and long-term future at Old Trafford.
His arrival has brought a newfound sense of confidence in the defensive department, already keeping a clean sheet and only conceding five times in his four senior outings for the Red Devils.
Amorim’s men currently remain unbeaten during the youngster’s spell in the first-team, which is no coincidence given the struggles of those who have filled the void before him.
His stats from the early stages of his career at Old Trafford no doubt highlight his impressive start to life in England, which has seen the side rise up England’s top-flight.
Senne Lammens – Man Utd stats
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Games played
4
Minutes played
360
Saves made
12
Goals prevented
0.4
Goals conceded
5
Clean sheets
1
High claims
5
Passes completed
48
Stats via FotMob
Lammens has achieved a 71% save percentage to date, whilst making three saves per 90 – tallies which have certainly prevented the side in numerous key moments.
He’s also achieved a goals prevented xG of 0.38, ranking him in the top 8% of all ‘keepers in the league – which has led to one analyst tipping him to become one of the “best in the world”.
The Belgian’s ability to quickly transition the play has also aided Mbeumo and Bruno, with his tally of 8.8 accurate long balls per 90 able to quickly start a counterattack for Amorim’s men.
Given his tender age, it’s certainly frightening how exciting Lammens could be at United, with the 23-year-old able to fill the void between the sticks for at least the next decade.
Should he carry on his current path under Amorim, there’s no reason as to why he can’t play a vital role in any success endured by the Red Devils in the near future.
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At 34, Pierre could make his Test debut in India and he is willing to give 110% as always
ESPNcricinfo staff29-Sep-20251:53
Khary Pierre: ‘Can’t put in words how I feel’
Khary Pierre is on the verge of turning his dream of playing a Test for West Indies into reality. He just needed to wait 34 years. Pierre was picked in West Indies’ squad as the second spinner for their tour to India, which starts this week, and he was over the moon when he found out.”I was actually playing CPL, with St Lucia Kings when I first got the news,” Pierre said. “It’s a great honour, privilege to represent the West Indies, something that I dreamt of when I was young; watching the West Indies play, the likes of Brian Lara and these guys, just watching Test cricket. I was really happy, I couldn’t put together words [to describe] the feeling at that moment.”A part of the youth-cricket system in Trinidad, Pierre had to wait till he was 25 to make his first-class debut. It’s taken him nine years to graduate from that level up to Test cricket but through it all he never lost hope. The left-arm spinner has played 35 red-ball matches and taken 111 wickets at an average of 22.81. He also has a first-class century to his name.Related
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“There’s the youth level,” Pierre said, “Going up from under-15, under-17, under-19, and I was in all these things. I made my debut for Trinidad. It was tough, but I never gave up, just putting in the extra work. I always tend to want to do more. Even after practice, [I want to] bowl more balls, hit more balls. As I always say, ‘hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.’ I always take that and put it towards my game.”Earlier this year, with 41 wickets in seven games at an average of 13.56, Pierre topped the bowling charts in the West Indies Championship, the regional first-class competition. He attributed this success to his “trademark” quality built around not sparing effort.”I was just trying to enjoy my cricket. I think that was the key to my success this season in the Championship. I was taking the outcome out of it and [focusing on] giving a 110%. I’m a cricketer that will always give 110% when I enter the cricket field, I leave everything in the cricket field – blood, sweat, tears – and that was my trademark this season and it paid off. So, I’m really happy.”When asked about his strengths, Pierre’s response echoed what CWI’s senior talent manager Jamal Smith said about him last week.”I would say control, consistency, just trying to stay full at the batsman as much as possible. Variations, using the crease, just trying to outfox the batsman – I think that is the aim of any spinner – use angles and stuff like that.”