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Manchester United have endured a season to forget in 2024/25, losing yet another Premier League game against Wolverhampton Wanderers yesterday afternoon.

Ruben Amorim has been unable to transform the side over the last couple of months, with the summer window absolutely pivotal if he is to be a success at Old Trafford.

With survival secured for the next campaign, all focus now will undoubtedly be on the Europa League, with such a competition their only chance of ending the season with a trophy.

Should they go all the way in Europe, it would secure Champions League football for the club, undoubtedly saving what has been a truly dismal year for the Red Devils.

Despite the defeat on Sunday afternoon, numerous players managed to impress, looking to build up their form ahead of the European clash in just over a week’s time.

Man Utd’s star performers against Wolves

Noussair Mazraoui has been one of the club’s best additions in recent years, looking to be a bargain after his £12.8m move from Bayern Munich in the summer.

The Moroccan featured for the entirety of the defeat, winning 10 duels, whilst also completing 92% of the passes he attempted – showcasing his talents with and without the ball.

He wasn’t alone in impressing, with youngster Harry Amass taking advantage of another start that was handed his way in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system.

The 18-year-old operated in a left wing-back role, winning two tackles and making three clearances, whilst completing 100% of the dribbles he attempted, looking a threat at both ends of the pitch.

However, despite the showings of the pair, one other United star managed to impress, with the manager simply unable to drop him from the side after such a display.

The United star who now looks undroppable after Wolves

With just a handful of games to go in the Premier League, Amorim has the perfect opportunity to experiment with his side to work out what he wants to do this summer.

There’s no denying that additions and sales need to be made to the squad if they are to return to their former glory, with a repeat of the ongoing campaign nothing short of unacceptable.

It remains to be seen who could be sold or brought in, but the hierarchy need to trust the 40-year-old’s judgement if he is to succeed in the role at Old Trafford.

However, centre-back Tyler Fredricson was handed his first senior start in the clash with Wolves yesterday, taking his opportunity in the first-team with both hands.

The 20-year-old was part of a back three alongside Mazraoui and Victor Lindelof, arguably outshining the pair with his own showing in the North West.

Fredricson featured for all 90 minutes, completing 93% of the passes he attempted, whilst completing 100% of his dribbles, showcasing his impressive showing in possession – leading to Statman Dave labelling him “outstanding”.

However, out of possession, the youngster was also just as impressive, winning 12 duels and making four tackles – not looking out of place whatsoever despite his tender age.

As a result of his showing, the centre-back was handed an 8/10 match rating by The Express’ Alex Turk, further indicating what a sensational showing he produced on his debut.

After such a display, Amorim simply can’t drop the 20-year-old from his starting eleven, potentially saving the club millions of pounds in the summer transfer market.

He evidently has huge potential, needing vital minutes under the manager’s guidance next season to continue his excellent development, having the ability to be a key player throughout 2025/26.

Man Utd leading race to sign "powerful" £70m star who Ruben Amorim loves

Ruben Amorim is a huge admirer.

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Apr 19, 2025

“One of the best coaches ever” is now a front-runner to replace Ivan Juric at Southampton, who have already identified a number of managers as potential targets, according to a report.

Southampton part ways with Juric after relegation

The Saints’ relegation from the Premier League was finally confirmed on Sunday, following a 3-1 loss at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur, although in truth the writing has been on the wall for quite some time, after a disastrous campaign.

Juric inherited a difficult situation at St. Mary’s, with Russell Martin being sacked in December, at which point his side were already nine points from safety, but there were very few signs of improvement after the 49-year-old’s arrival.

With just seven games left to go, the soon-to-be Championship side need to collect two more points to avoid breaking an unwanted record, with Derby County’s 11 points in the 2007-08 campaign currently the lowest total in Premier League history.

With Dibling: Southampton could sell "top" £15m gem as Euro giants circle

Their scouts are impressed.

By
Charlie Smith

Mar 28, 2025

Next season, the aim will undoubtedly be to bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt, and the board have now started to identify managers who could give them a very good chance of doing exactly that.

According to a report from The Boot Room, Southampton have a number of options in mind, including Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, but Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior is believed to be one of the front-runners.

BlueCo may not make it easy for the Saints to snap Rosenior up, however, as they are determined to keep hold of the up-and-coming manager, with Strasbourg faring very well in their pursuit of qualification for the Champions League.

As such, Sheffield Wednesday’s Danny Rohl could be a more attainable target, given that the German coach has a relatively affordable £5m release clause included in his contract with the Owls.

Rosenior impressing in Ligue 1 with Strasbourg

It is little wonder Southampton are keen on appointing the Englishman, given the job he has done at Strasbourg this season, with his side currently in fourth place, just three points behind second-placed Marseille.

The 40-year-old has orchestrated a phenomenal turnaround, with Strasbourg finishing 13th under the helm of Patrick Vieira last season, and he has previously been hailed for his ability on the training ground.

Clinton Morrison praised the work the Strasbourg boss did during his time as Derby County’s caretaker manager, saying: “I actually think he’s a top manager,”

“I spoke to a few people at Derby. He was unlucky to lose his job, the players respected him. He’s one of the best coaches ever.”

However, with Strasbourg on course to qualify for the Champions League, it seems unlikely that Rosenior would be willing to manage a Championship side next season, particularly with BlueCo so eager to keep hold of him, so Rohl could be a more realistic appointment for the Saints.

Manchester United’s squad at present is full of top-level talent in numerous areas of the pitch, but Ruben Amorim has so far struggled to make use of the players at his disposal.

The hierarchy have constantly splashed the cash in recent years, with over £200m being spent on new attacking talents during the recent summer transfer window.

The likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha all made the move to Old Trafford, but they have only posted a total of eight Premier League goals combined in 2025/26.

Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system has seen Mbeumo operate in a somewhat unnatural central attacking midfield role, no doubt taking away his best asset – cutting inside off the right-hand side – away from him.

As a result, one player has indirectly suffered this campaign, with the manager recently coming under fire for his lack of faith shown in the player over recent months.

The latest on Kobbie Mainoo’s Man Utd future

Just a couple of years ago, Kobbie Mainoo was a key member of the United first-team squad, with the midfielder often starting at the heart of Erik ten Hag’s side.

He emerged out of the club’s academy setup, often popping up with key moments, as seen by his incredible achievements during the 2023/24 campaign.

The 20-year-old scored a late winner in the clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers, whilst also netting in the FA Cup final against Manchester City – resulting in a place in the England squad for Euro 2024.

However, his career has taken a nosedive over the last 12 months, with Amorim evidently not seeing the academy graduate as part of his long-term plans at Old Trafford.

Mainoo has featured in nine league matches to date, none of which have come from a starting role, leading to one journalist questioning the manager over the midfielder after yesterday’s draw.

The 40-year-old simply laughed when asked about bringing the youngster on to try and win the game at the Theatre of Dreams, which sums up the faith he currently has in him at present.

However, an escape route could well be on the cards for Mainoo ahead of the January transfer window, with Napoli constantly tracking the Englishman over a potential transfer.

The Man Utd player that Amorim is misusing in 2025/26

The reluctance to utilise Mainoo in 2025/26 is just one of Amorim’s biggest failures to date, with the youngster massively deserving the chance to thrive under his guidance.

However, his recent spell on the substitutes bench highlights the lack of faith shown in him by the manager, with a solution desperately needed in the coming months.

The same could also be said about numerous other players, as seen by the struggles endured within the final third of the pitch over the last couple of matches in the Premier League.

Mbeumo has now failed to find the back of the net in each of his last three outings, but the forward is set to go to AFCON throughout January, which could leave a huge hole in the Red Devils’ attack.

His month-long spell away from Manchester could open up the door for Bruno Fernandes to once again feature in the number ten position – a role that is no doubt his best.

The Portuguese international operated in an attacking midfield role during 2024/25, resulting in the 31-year-old registering 37 combined goals and assists across all competitions.

However, the £200m spending spree in attacking areas has resulted in the United captain dropping into a deep-lying number eight position, which has taken away his creative nature in recent months.

He still currently has a total of five assists in his 14 appearances this campaign, but there’s little denying he’s endured a drop-off from his form last season.

Bruno, who’s been dubbed United’s “best player post Fergie” by writer Kaustubh Pandey, has now had to contribute more defensively, as seen by his increased tally of tackles won per 90 compared to last season.

However, whilst he’s still managed to play a part in winning the ball back for his side, it’s come with an adverse effect – subsequently resulting in a lack of creativity in attacking areas.

He’s only scored twice in the Premier League to date, one of which was a penalty, highlighting his lack of impact in terms of goal contributions in 2025/26.

It’s clear to everyone but Amorim that the Portuguese star is better in an attacking role, which means one of the £200m additions may need to be sacrificed.

Such a move could open up a free role at the heart of the Red Devils side, which could allow Mainoo to have the run of games he needs to save his United career

However, if Amorim is unable to make such changes in the near future, it could result in the 40-year-old losing his job at Old Trafford in the near future – with such a decision an easy one for him to make.

Fewer touches than Lammens & 100% duels lost: Man Utd flop must be dropped

Ruben Amorim has multiple changes to make after his side’s 1-1 draw with West Ham United.

By
Ethan Lamb

7 days ago

From going unsold at the IPL auction to becoming Punjab Kings’ designated finisher, he has seen heartbreak and redemption, and come out on the other side with renewed belief

Ashish Pant10-Oct-2025The night of June 3 still haunts Shashank Singh. Punjab Kings had done most things right in IPL 2025. They topped the group stages, qualified for their first IPL final in 11 years, and looked set for a maiden title. But they fell short in the final.Shashank was a central figure in the team’s run to the final. He was their fifth-highest run-getter, with 350 runs in 17 innings and a strike rate of 153.50. More importantly, he was their designated finisher.When he came in to bat in the final, PBKS were four down, with the required rate close to 12 an over. Quickly running out of partners, Shashank got a few boundaries away, and while he finished unbeaten on 61 off 30, it wasn’t enough. PBKS lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru by six runs.”It still hurts,” Shashank says. “Sometimes, when I recall what could have happened… it is very easy to say that I have moved on. But these things take time.Related

• Shashank Singh 'confusion' a case of mistaken identity, say Punjab Kings

• How Shashank Singh stopped overthinking and being hard on himself

• Shashank Singh: 'I'll tell you we are at the top of the world on June 3'

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“You say things [like] the sun will rise tomorrow, there will be another day. These things are nice to say and hear. It is very important to move on in cricket, but sometimes it doesn’t happen. The next ten to 14 days were very tough for me.”Every ball. I remember every ball even now. Where could I have been better? Should I have attacked Krunal Pandya? Should I have gone after Romario Shepherd a little early? Should we have done better [in] the field? What could I have done differently? I have moved on, obviously, and there are lots of things to look forward to. But yeah, sometimes it still hurts.”Since the start of IPL 2024, only Prabhsimran Singh has more runs than Shashank’s 704 in 28 innings for PBKS. Shashank averages nearly 47 across these two seasons, while striking at 158.91. While things are on the up now, it was very different three years ago, when he was left devastated after going unsold at the auction for the 2023 IPL. Having been on the IPL circuit since 2017 with Delhi Daredevils (2017), Rajasthan Royals (2019-21) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (2022) and still only having played ten games, Shashank, 31 at the time, was left contemplating his future.Shashank was the top scorer for PBKS in the 2025 final, but his unbeaten 61 couldn’t stave off defeat while the rest of the batting collapsed around him•Getty ImagesHis PBKS signing for the 2024 season was mired in confusion after a mix-up during the auction where for a while it seemed that Punjab Kings wanted to rescind their winning bid for him. It led to plenty of trolling on social media for months. But now, with the worst behind him, Shashank firmly believes it was all for the best.”Whatever I am today is because of that IPL auction where I did not get picked on December 23, 2022. I am what I am today because of that date,” Shashank says. “If someone tells me that I am gradually improving, it is because of that year – it keeps me in check. I get reminded about it sometimes, once a year, sometimes once a month, but I do get reminded of it. And then suddenly I start getting scared. And then you realise, no one is bigger than the sport and can never be. So I start again. It was an eye-opener for me. Whenever I slack [off] or get laid back, I immediately snap out of it, recalling that time.”If that wouldn’t have happened, I probably wouldn’t have loved this sport as much, nor would I have been working so hard. Till two years back, I used to say that cricket is a part of your life, not your life. But I’ve realised lately that cricket is my life. I don’t know what I will do without this sport. If someone asks me my plans after five-six years, I get scared because this sport has become my life.”Over the last few years he has transformed himself from a middle-order batter to a death-overs specialist. It didn’t come naturally, but he took the plunge to give himself a chance to stand out from the competition. He first explored the finisher’s role at the DY Patil tournament in February 2023 in Mumbai and realised he had the “calmness and maturity” required to play in the position. For the rest of the year he practised batting with the tail and worked on his power-hitting. It gave him a fresh lease of life when he was picked up by PBKS.In this year’s IPL, no batter had more runs than Shashank’s 242 in the last five overs of an innings. Across the last two IPL seasons, only Tristan Stubbs (360) has more runs in the death overs than Shashank’s 318 at a strike rate of 213.42.”Surya [Suryakumar Yadav] once told me that the player who bats at No. 6 and 7 gets judged the most,” Shashank says. “There are more times that you will fail, because the level of risk you take is the highest.ESPNcricinfo Ltd”See, I want to be a superstar for my team. That role of a hero, I want to be that. And I feel that the best time to become a hero is by batting at No. 5 and 6. I enjoy taking responsibility, I like it when the odds are against me. When the team needs 12 runs off two balls, I want to be the batter to hit the two sixes.”Sometimes I feel I would have got more visibility if I had batted up the order. I have batted there all my life, I have scored runs also. But I feel I am the best as a finisher and that’s why the team has selected me in that position.”Shashank is also a handy medium-pacer, and while he hasn’t bowled much in the IPL, he has picked up 37 wickets in List A cricket and 20 in T20s. In the 2023-24 domestic season, he became the first Indian to make over 150 runs and pick up five wickets in the same List A match, against Manipur.Earlier this year he won the BCCI’s Lala Amarnath award for the best allrounder in domestic limited-overs competitions for the 2023-24 season.Despite all that and his decently consistent run with the bat, Shashank hasn’t received an India, or even an India A, call-up yet. “I won’t say that I don’t feel bad [at not getting a national call-up],” he says. “There is disappointment. But again, can I do anything about that? Yes, keep on performing and keep on asking what else I can do better.”I don’t want to just play for India; I want to win matches for the country. I visualise and think the same way. Even today, when I’m training, power-hitting, I think about what I need to do to win matches. If I’m playing in Australia, I’ll be facing conditions where there is extra bounce, so I need to improve my pulls and cuts. If I’m playing in India, I’ll need power-hitting so that I can clear the ropes easily.”See, my job is to tick the boxes, to work hard. I can only control the things which are in my hand. That national call, that India A call-up, how that will happen, when it will happen, I don’t know. But one thing is that I still have a dream. That dream of winning matches for India. It will happen. The belief is still there.”Some might think that at 34 Shashank is past his prime, but he feels his best years are ahead of him. He draws inspiration from an illustrious former Mumbai team-mate who made his T20I debut at 30. “Surya hit Jofra [Archer] for six in his first match [innings] and now he’s the captain of the Indian team,” he says.”Then there’s Pravin Tambe. He didn’t play for India, but at the age of 41, he debuted in IPL. Can you imagine that!ESPNcricinfo Ltd”Sometimes, when you are disappointed about not seeing your name [among those picked], then these examples come to mind. These players had that belief and that’s why they are there.”In our sport, there is no criteria for age. It all depends on the performance of an individual and the team’s needs. I think age is unnecessarily categorised as an important thing. I just feel it is an excuse. If I am a liability for the team, if I can’t run quickly between the wickets, if I can’t field in the outfield, then yes, surely the age factor comes into play. But when you are proactive, you are an asset to the team. Then age is just another number.”IPL 2025 was the first time PBKS made it to the final since 2014, and Shashank attributes the team’s success to the captain and coach, Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting.”Shreyas is at a different level altogether,” Shashank says. “He has his own aura, a different mindset altogether. Won’t talk rubbish, won’t tolerate rubbish. When he bats in the nets, he knows what he is doing. If someone asks me: who is the best captain you have played under? Hands down, Shreyas Iyer.”And then Ricky sir, he has made the game very simple. Cricket can be a complicated sport at times. If you ask a batsman, the leg shouldn’t go across, the head shouldn’t fall, but Ricky sir has simplified the game brilliantly.”You know why he is a great coach? It’s because he knows what a player wants. I’ll give you an example. I did not bat in the nets a single day throughout the IPL. Once the matches began, for two-and-a-half months, from the first match against Gujarat Titans till the final, I did not bat in the nets even once. Even Shreyas sometimes used to say, ‘Bro, what are you doing?'”Everyone has their own rhythm. After so many years, I now know my game. IPL is a high-pressure tournament. Even on non-match days there is a little pressure on everyone involved. Sometimes when batting in the nets, if you miss a few balls, if you mistime a few shots, there is added pressure on yourself. If I play a bad shot in the nets, I start thinking about that one shot rather than the other good shots I played. And I don’t know how but Ricky sir understood this.”Ahead of the last IPL season, Shashank had just one goal in mind: to not be a one-season wonder. Having ticked that box, he now wishes to manifest two things in the next year.”If you ask me about the team, then Punjab is lifting next year’s IPL for sure,” he says “And one more prediction I have, and that is in the upcoming [T20] World Cup in India, I’ll be playing, and I’ll be winning games for the team. I don’t know how that will happen, but I surely believe that it will happen.”

The Dodgers just thinned out an already weak bullpen.

On Thursday, Los Angeles removed struggling closer Tanner Scott from their National League Division Series roster and replaced him with Justin Wrobleski. Scott was away from the team on Wednesday night during Game 3 of the NLDS against the Phillies.

's Fabian Ardaya is reporting Scott had a "lower body abscess procedure" that was unexpected and developed during a workout day. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn't rule out Scott's availability for the World Series, but removing him from the roster made the 31-year-old ineligible for the NLCS if L.A. reaches it.

While Scott struggled in 2025, his absence thins out a Dodgers bullpen that was a problem all year. During the regular season, L.A.'s bullpen ranked 21st in ERA (4.27) and 22nd in WHIP (1.33). The unit also ranked 23rd in home runs allowed (81). Things haven't improved in the postseason, as L.A.'s bullpen is carrying a 7.04 ERA, a 2.22 WHIP, and opposing batters are hitting .323 against the team's relievers.

Scott signed a four-year, $72 million deal in the offseason to take over as the Dodgers' closer. The marriage has been rocky. He was one of MLB's most dominant relievers in 2023 and '24, but was awful during the 2025 campaign. In 61 appearances, Scott went 1-4 with a 4.74 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP, and 60 strikeouts against 18 walks in 57 innings. He saved 23 games, but had an MLB-high 10 blown saves.

Perhaps even more concerning for the Dodgers, more than any other deal, his massive contract may have pushed MLB closer to a salary cap than any other.

Scott had yet to pitch in the postseason, and Roki Sasaki has seemingly taken over as the team's closer, but a struggling unit just lost a high-end arm.

He starred with the ball and in the field, and last-minute theatrics on the third day could set the stage for a special with the bat

Matt Roller12-Jul-2025

Ben Stokes toiled in a long spell after tea•Getty Images

“Tell him,” Brendon McCullum shouted down to Tim Southee from the dressing-room balcony, gesturing towards Ben Stokes at long off. Stokes had just bowled his seventh consecutive over since the tea interval, prompting McCullum to dispatch Southee down to the boundary edge, in front of the Allen Stand. England’s coach had decided that enough was enough.As India’s batters plugged away, Stokes seemed desperate to become the protagonist of the third day at Lord’s. He charged in for 14 overs, his most in a day since the opening day of this series, hitting a top speed of 90mph; he hit Nitish Kumar Reddy on the helmet, then nicked him off; and he produced a moment of magic in the field to run Rishabh Pant out.Stokes’ final figures – 2 for 63 from 20 overs – were nondescript, and only counted for so much with the teams emerging exactly level after their first innings. But these were promising signs for Stokes and for England, not least after an apparent right groin issue on the first evening threatened to prevent him from bowling at all.Related

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• Rahul, Pant and Jadeja star as Lord's Test turns into second-innings shootout

• India left to play catch-up despite superior show

• Rahul says rush for century led to Pant run-out

• India's 350-plus streak in Tests, and a rare first-innings tie

“I was just seeing how he’s going,” Southee, England’s bowling coach, said of his conversation with Stokes. “He’s a tough man to get the ball out of his hand, certainly when he’s got rhythm like that. [I was] just down there to check and see how he was getting on. It’s been hot, but he’s a guy that loves those times of the game when the game is in the balance.”It was during a five-over burst in the second hour of the day that Stokes hit the 90mph mark, troubling Pant with a short ball that left him taking evasive action. His average speed in that spell was 85mph/136kph as he charged in, determined to break Pant’s partnership with KL Rahul – which he did on the stroke of the lunch interval.Pant opted to drop-and-run, seemingly to get Rahul back on strike so he could reach his hundred, but Stokes ran in from cover and picked the ball up cleanly. He was far closer to the striker’s end, but saw Pant struggling to make his ground and pinged the ball at the bowler’s end instead. His direct hit caught him well short, and Stokes roared in celebration.

"You tell him!" pic.twitter.com/k3wEzz5IHQ

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 12, 2025