Tag Futebol

Leeds: Orta must move for Rudoni

by z3u9t.icu Uncategorized

Having been linked with a move to Leeds United earlier this year, Victor Orta appears to have been given a boost in his potential pursuit of the central midfielder this summer by AFC Wimbledon manager Mark Bowen.

Following the Dons’ relegation to League Two, Bowen admitted that it will be difficult for his side to keep hold of some of their more talented prospects, stating in a recent interview with the South London Press:

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“I am under no illusions that the club have got to do things that they need to do to financially survive – I am aware of that. If it comes to a situation where certain individuals have to leave, then what is most important is that it’s right for the club in terms of the money that we get and if we can replace them to the right level.

“It’s not an exact science, but I am certainly very much aware of where AFC Wimbledon are in terms of being able to keep players who are maybe getting offers from bigger clubs in higher leagues – it’s a difficult situation to try and fight against.”

And, while the 20-year-old is not specifically mentioned by the 58-year-old coach, it is clear from Rudoni’s displays this season that he is very much a player who could be on the move this summer.

Indeed, over his 41 League One appearances this term, the £910-per-week youngster was one of the Dons’ standout performers, scoring 12 goals, registering five assists and creating three big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of two shots, making 0.9 key passes and completing 0.8 dribbles per game.

The midfielder also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 0.9 interceptions, 1.7 tackles, 1.1 clearances and winning five duels per fixture.

These returns saw the Wimbledon academy graduate who Mark Robinson dubbed a “complete” talent and Dan Marsh labelled a “cracking player” average a quite remarkable SofaScore match rating of 6.96, ranking him as Bowen’s fourth-best player in the third-tier of English football – a rather extraordinary feat considering his tender age and his club’s relegation from the division.

As such, it is clear to see that, should Leeds indeed reignite their interest in Rudoni this summer, they could “pick up a real gem” in the shape of the 20-year-old – who undoubtedly looks to have an exciting future in the professional game.

And, with Orta having landed the likes of Lewis Bate from Chelsea, Joe Gelhardt from Wigan Athletic and Sam Greenwood from Arsenal in recent seasons, all of whom have gone on to feature in the Whites’ first team in the current campaign, considering the sheer amount of potential it is clear Rudoni possesses, the Wimbledon youngster could quite easily become the Spaniard’s next diamond in the rough.

AND in other news: Orta must now axe £13.5m-rated Leeds dud on “silly money”, he’s a “problem” for Marsch

Rory Burns reaps the benefit as Surrey set sights on four in a row

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Captain immersed in challenge of firing county to rare heights, with England days long behind him

Vithushan Ehantharajah16-Mar-2025Does Rory Burns feel old? The laugh in response to the question suggests he probably does. Not because he turns 35 in August, but more the fact 2025 will be Burns’ benefit season.At Surrey, the decision to award benefit years to celebrate a player’s service is not taken lightly. Two members independent of the club management must write in to formally request one for a player, before that request is subsequently approved at board and general counsel level. That being said, commemorating an academy product who debuted in 2011 and is currently plotting a fifth County Championship as captain, feels like a no-brainer.”It’s something that I’m delighted to be awarded with,” Burns tells ESPNcricinfo. “I’d say it’s certainly making me level up my admin game, which, if you ask anyone that knows me, is fairly poor what with the dinners, golf days and matches.”Those that watch Burns operate will have a different take on his logistical skills. The batting, for instance, requires a great deal of organisation. The twitch of arms, canting of head and trigger-shift of feet are idiosyncrasies that require order to function effectively, which they did for 1,073 runs at 53.65 last term. It was the eighth time in the last 11 summers the left-handed opener’s first-class haul has breached four figures. And, really, how much of a scatterbrain can someone really be if they have marshalled a hat-trick of successive Division One titles?Indeed, as thoughts turn to going four in a row this summer, the computing wheels of Burns the cricketer are clearly in good order. Certainly, when it comes to history and ambition.”It is as cold now as it was when I lifted that trophy in September,” he recalls. “Big coats and beanies.Burns was a reassuring presence at the top of England’s order for much of his 32-cap tenure•Getty Images”In the immediate moment, with the trophy lift, you take stock of what you achieved and know you’ve done something pretty special,” referencing the fact Surrey became the first team since Yorkshire, 56 years ago, to win three back-to-back.”But then you look at Yorkshire; they won eight out of 10 (through the 1930s and after the Second World War). Or when we went seven in a row (1952-58). I think if you get the chance to go four in four, you want your next piece of history, I suppose.”Pursuit of another Championship – Surrey’s 34th – comes with change in the air at the Kia Oval. Alec Stewart is no longer director of cricket, but remains in a part-time high-performance cricket advisor role. New Zealand’s impressive bowling allrounder Nathan Smith will join the squad from May, while tall quick Matthew Fisher has moved down south from Yorkshire. Yet again, it is hard to look beyond the south London strutters as favourites.That Burns can be so open about chasing history speaks to what many at Surrey have known about him. He was always destined to lead, in part because of a level personality that seems to allow him the knack of compartmentalising his game and responsibilities.A diligent notetaker, he would constantly be scribbling in a pad during his early years, particularly when it came to details on opposition bowlers. When he was appointed Surrey captain at the end of 2017, it happened to coincide with a book he had on the go – “The Obstacle Is The Way” by Ryan Holiday, which Burns describes as “stoic philosophy”.During his time with England, he undertook a sports leadership and directorship course at the University of Liverpool, via a link-up between the Team England Player Partnership and football’s League Managers Association. He passed with distinction.”You have to write an essay on yourself at certain points – of how you see your leadership and what’s important to you. And realistically, the most important thing that comes across about leadership I think I’ve learned is you’ve got to be yourself.”I place an emphasis on the team and basically how I can do my bit – by leading from the front in my way. As an opening batter, I was focussing on that before captaincy, and I’ve tried to keep doing that. Because I suppose in leadership, when you’re looking for the first thing to do, it’s, the easiest thing to do is making sure you get your bit right. Being yourself.”Taking those learnings and applying them to what is to come in 2025 casts minds back to a time when Burns’ priorities were split between club and country. Surrey’s push for greatness runs parallel with a seismic year for England’s Test side, with an India series this summer followed by an Ashes tour. It is a carbon copy of the schedule from 2021 into the start of 2022. Those happened to be Burns’ last engagements as a Test cricketer.Out of context, Burns’ international record is modest; three centuries and 11 fifties across 59 innings, with a 30.32 average. But for most of his 32 caps, the first coming at the start of the 2018 winter in the immediate aftermath of Alastair Cook’s retirement, he was something of a banker. A rare point of a reliability in an inconsistent era.From Burns’ debut to the beginning of Brendon McCullum’s and Ben Stokes’ leadership at the start of the 2022 summer, England won just 17 of 44 Tests played, with 18 defeats. When opening batters were first on the block when things went wrong, Burns carried a degree of stoicism, to the point of being ear-marked as a future England captain.Burns endured a harrowing experience in Australia in 2021-22, and hasn’t featured for England since•Getty ImagesHe would eventually become part of that collateral. As ever, the final throes were the toughest. A dispiriting Ashes for all involved, a 4-0 loss exacerbated by Covid-19, began with Burns bowled leg stump by Mitchell Starc with the first delivery of the series. He was dropped after the first two Tests, then back for the last in Hobart, on hand to see Australia confirm a 4-0 shellacking, before missing out for the pre-Bazball tour of the Caribbean – Joe Root’s last as Test captain.Dropping straight back into the Kia Oval to plot the first of those hat-trick of titles helped ease the angst. Three years on, however, Burns has still not quite come to terms with his England career.”I don’t think I’ve actually fully taken stock of it,” he says. “I was so fortunate to keep jumping back in with Surrey and captaincy, I never had to overthink it. Where it had gone, where it had not gone.”It led me to some technical changes during that period. Thinking about it now, if I was exposed at a younger age to different conditions, some Lions stuff when I was growing up and scoring a lot of runs, would I have changed my technique rather than just churning out a load of runs in county cricket and got in that way? Would that have helped? I think I’m a better batter now than I was when I was playing Test cricket. But I’m going to think that because I’ve made some changes, and I’ve seen that they’ve worked.”The disappointing thing is it ended with just a 30-second phone call telling you that you’re back-up go on the tour to the West Indies instead of taking you. That was probably one thing that hurt the most. It wasn’t the last dropping (in Australia).”Related

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The Test team have since moved in an altogether different direction. The days of grinding your way into the XI off domestic performances, as Burns had done, are long gone, with McCullum and Stokes, governed by men’s managing director Rob Key, keener on raw talent rather than seasoned pros, and high ceilings over high domestic output.As far as Test cricket is concerned, the success rate of this policy has actually been pretty good, with Burns’ Surrey teammates Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson among the players who have settled into the squad with instant results. But his measured take from his own experiences at the sharp end of the world game is that experience is a vital crutch to lean upon when the going gets tough.”I think when you’re just trying to cherry-pick or find another bolter, it might work and they might have good series. But in the long run, I think the churn of your players in your team will probably become more and more, and it’ll be less settled as it goes on. That’s just my opinion, and the guys in charge are making the decisions that they think are right.”Tom Banton’s a great example. I know it was white-ball, but how he got there (England) was, domestically, doing his thing, improving. Because he’s had that, he’s got more resilience about him and he understands his game that bit more. He also understands the ebbs or flows of when things don’t go right.”In terms of international cricket, it’s pretty tough up there. You need players who have somewhere to go when it doesn’t go right. And for that I think it helps massively to have those experiences first, before you can go and fly at international level.”Burns makes clear he would never say no to a recall, but acknowledges his nuggety, 50-strike-rate ways are not getting a look-in: “The profile of player they’re looking for probably isn’t, well… it isn’t my profile at the minute!”It is not time or distance that underpins Burns’ phlegmatic outlook, rather comfort given the situation he finds himself in at this stage of his career. Purpose and hunger undimmed, another legacy-enhancing summer awaits for Surrey and one of a storied county’s most revered leaders.

Switch Hit: 99 problems but the Hundred ain't one?

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Alan Gardner is joined by Andrew Miller and Osman Samiuddin to catch up on the latest from the English season

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Aug-2023After the conclusion of the Hundred, focus switches back to England and preparation for the men’s 50-over World Cup, with New Zealand in town for T20I and ODI series. In the pod, Alan Gardner is joined by Andrew Miller and Osman Samiuddin to dig into the third season of 100-ball cricket and the tournament’s significance for the English game. They also discuss the ongoing World Cup organisation shambles, Ben Stokes’ not-so-surprise ODI comeback and selection questions for England Women as they face Sri Lanka.

Is it possible to enjoy the County Championship and the IPL together? They're so similar, no?

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

For one thing, they’re both cool

Alan Gardner16-Apr-2021It’s that time of year again, when cricket’s alpha and omega go head to head to win hearts and minds. On the one hand, a 130-year-old first-class period piece, steeped in history and tradition (actual market value: negligible); on the other, a plucky T20 tamasha entering its teenage years and desperately seeking any gulp of publicity it can get. If you see Lalit Modi, please tell him to get in touch.Currently, both the County Championship and the IPL are being played out in echoing stadiums to an audience of two security men and a sniffer dog – a situation, it’s fair to say, they are more used to at Wantage Road than the Wankhede. But while we might tend to focus on the obvious differences between the competitions, and the types of fan they each attract, there are actually plenty of endearing similarities in the familiar rituals and rhythms that accompany the start of each new season.Related

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Where will Australian cricketers be playing this winter? IPL, County cricket, the Hundred

The IPL may have all the street cred, but county cricket is so cool, it actively disdains popularity. So cool it’s ice-cold, in fact – the Championship in April is almost comically inhospitable to players, never mind fans (when they are allowed in). Two games in last week’s opening round were snowed off, which is a concept so farcical it needs no further embellishment for inclusion in a semi-humorous monthly column. But for many of us, there’s nothing so warming as the sight of professional sportsmen standing shivering in a field, bobble hats on heads, hands thrust into pockets, hoping the ball doesn’t come their way.Franchise T20 is more needy but no less predictable. Nothing tells you that another IPL is in the offing more surely than videos of gormless, grinning white blokes doing the lightbulb dance, the shoulder wiggle, and sundry other Bollywood-inspired acts of cultural misappropriation. The blizzard in this case is one of #content (don’t forget the hashtag), be it lavish kit unboxings, inspirational Insta montages, candid nets footage, even promos for branded face masks.But just when you’re considering a spot of social-media distancing, up pops Ricky Ponting giving a team talk like he’s rehearsing for Al Pacino’s role in the remake of , or Rahul Dravid coming over all Michael Douglas in to promote some app or other, and suddenly the chills are back – and not just because you left a window open while watching the county livestream earlier.Society would tell you that you have to pick a side, join the jocks or the nerds (you can decide among yourselves which is which). But like peanut butter and jelly, or Richie and Greigy, the Light Roller thinks they can and should be enjoyed at the same time. And if high school movies have taught us anything, it’s that tribal loyalties are only worthwhile if they can be transcended for the greater good. (Besides, cricket fans are clearly mathletes at heart, so we should therefore all stick together.)

****

Continuing with the theme, there’s a new kid in class and once again the rumours are flying. “Every generation is afraid of the music that comes from the next,” says Lindsay in , and it turns out the same, pretty much, holds true of cricket formats. No, genuinely, we’re all terrified of the Hundred. The latest flash of Loads-o-Balls inspiration is that “wickets” could be replaced by “outs” in order to broaden the game’s appeal. But why stop there? With just a subtle tweak of the size and configuration of the stumps, you could just as easily call them “goals”. Shorten the game a bit more, say, to around 90 minutes. Maybe increase the size of the ball, so that it’s easier to see from the stands, do away with bats (an expensive “barrier” to entry) and encourage more kicking. Before long, the ECB will be running the most popular sport in the country.

****

Fakhar Zaman said, “The fault was mine as I was too busy looking out for Haris Rauf.” Temba Bavuma said, “It was very clever from Quinny.” The MCC said, “It’s up to the umpires to decide.” Various others weighed in on “the obvious deception” that was “completely against the spirit of the game”. Having observed Quinton de Kock’s supervillain smirk at the run-out of Zaman during the second Johannesburg ODI, it’s easy to see why people started asking questions. But was it fake fielding or fake news? The Light Roller can’t help feeling the obvious answer is being overlooked. Let’s put it this way: de Kock might be viewed as a genius in certain regards, but he’s not exactly Niccolo Machiavelli, is he? No further questions, your honour.

West Ham now join AC Milan in race to sign "extraordinary" Man City star

by z3u9t.icu Uncategorized

With Nuno Espirito Santo aiming to make his mark on the current squad, West Ham United have reportedly joined the race to sign a Manchester City star at a bargain price in January.

Jamie Carragher blasts "shocking" West Ham

Whether it’s been under Graham Potter or now Nuno, West Ham have not been good enough this season. Sat as low as 19th in the Premier League with one win to their name, the Hammers enter their game against Leeds United on Friday in desperate need of a positive result.

After being eased aside by Brentford on Monday, their relegation fears were exposed at the London Stadium. Former Liverpool star and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher didn’t hold back after the game either, blasting West Ham as “shocking”.

The numbers also don’t make for pretty reading. Only Chelsea have covered less distance than the Hammers in the Premier League this season and that’s not simply because they’ve held the majority of possession. In fact, only four teams have held less possession than the London side – sparking serious concerns.

Sky Sports also revealed that the only distance metric that West Ham are ranked high in is distance walked. For a side struggling near the bottom, that simply can’t be accepted.

There’s plenty of work for Nuno to do, but he must also ensure that he gets the players he needs when the January transfer window swings open.

West Ham now racing to sign Mateo Kovacic

As reported by Caught Offside, West Ham are now racing to sign Mateo Kovacic from Manchester City, who have made the Croatian available at a bargain price amid rumours that he won’t be getting a new contract at the Etihad.

Nuno can supercharge Summerville by unleashing West Ham's "explosive" star

The international game-changer could help make Summerville and West Ham United far more dangerous.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 23, 2025

The Hammers aren’t the only ones interested, however. Aston Villa and AC Milan are also chasing the midfielder’s signature and the latter may be tempted to join compatriot and good friend Luka Modric at the San Siro.

Whilst Kovacic is beginning to become surplus to requirements at Man City, he would be an excellent coup for West Ham. A multiple-time Premier League winner, Champions League winner and former Real Madrid player, the 31-year-old would be a major upgrade on the likes of Tomas Soucek.

Minutes

2,198

2,567

Progressive Carries

56

9

Progressive Passes

164

74

Goals

6

9

Previously described as “extraordinary” by Man City boss Pep Guardiola, Kovacic is still more than capable of starring in the Premier League. With just over a year remaining on his current deal, the Croatian should look towards the likes of West Ham as the perfect chance to stay put in England’s top flight.

Marsh misfires again as rain stalls Victoria's charge

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

Marsh fell for 4 as WA slumped to 98 for 4 on a day when only 30 overs were bowled due to rain

AAP06-Dec-2025

Mitchell Marsh fell cheaply for the second time in the game•Getty Images

Mitchell Marsh’s Test audition has failed, dismissed cheaply for the second time in Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria at the MCG.In his first red-ball game since being dropped by Australia following last year’s Boxing Day Test, Marsh made just 4 in WA’s second innings on Saturday after managing 9 on day one.Related

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He lasted just six balls as he fell to Victorian seamer Sam Elliott, who is enjoying one of the best games of his first-class career.Marsh, who last played a Shield match in October 2024, had been touted as a potential shock factor at the top of Australia’s order in this summer’s Ashes.But another Test call-up seems unlikely with Travis Head and Jake Weatherald making a promising start to their opening combination for Australia.Marsh had to wait more than half a day on Saturday to get an opportunity to bat, with no play possible until midway through the second session due to rain in Melbourne.With WA starting day three on 5 for 1, Marsh was quickly in the game after nightwatchman Corey Rocchiccioli was trapped lbw by Elliott.The visitors crumbled to 17 for 3 when Marsh exited, before captain Sam Whitemanand fellow veteran Hilton Cartwright rallied.The pair got WA to 75 for 4, a lead of 14, when bad light stopped play midway through the final session. But play was able to resume again, with WA getting to 98 for 4 at stumps and Whiteman unbeaten on 56.With the weather likely to be fine on Sunday, Victoria will still fancy their chances of running through WA and securing an outright win.

'Absolutely rapid' Wood pushes for first Test selection after injury scare

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

The fast bowler hit his stride in the Perth nets three days from the start of the Ashes

Vithushan Ehantharajah18-Nov-20257:21

Can Ollie Pope reward England’s faith?

Mark Wood’s chances of playing the first Test against Australia took a positive step forward on Tuesday with a 40-minute spell in the nets at Perth’s Optus Stadium, where the Ashes begins on Friday.Returning from a hamstring scare during the warm-up match against England Lions last week, Wood, left leg heavily strapped, watched on initially as England returned to training after a couple of days off. However, he was soon into meaningful work with the ball, with Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum taking a closer look at their prized asset from the standing umpire’s point-of-view.Related

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“He was absolutely rapid today, I can tell you that firsthand,” said Jamie Smith, who was one of the batters facing Wood. “He’s definitely one to avoid on the list. He’s near enough full tilt so it’s good signs for us.”England are expected to opt for an all-pace attack on a pitch regarded as one of the fastest in the world. They had their first look at the surface, which was watered yesterday, ahead of training.Wood is a key component of their plan, not just as the quickest in the touring party – and, perhaps, the circuit – but also as the only specialist bowler with previous Ashes tour experience. Wood was the standout quick during the 2021-22 series, taking 17 wickets at 26.64, with a number of batters he troubled still part of the current Australia side.Mark Wood steams in at training•Getty Images

Much will depend on how Wood pulls up on Wednesday, and whether he can get through another session later in the day. He has not played competitive cricket since February, spending the last nine months recovering from left knee surgery, having suffered a stress fracture of the right elbow in September 2024.Selecting Wood remains a risk, albeit one that will be cushioned among four other quicks, including Stokes, and with Jofra Archer able to provide further support on the express pace front. It is also a risk England are more than willing to take.The management were not overly worried when Wood left the field against the Lions with a tight hamstring after two four-over spells. The soft outfield at Lilac Hills contributed to that discomfort in what was Wood’s first bowl since England’s penultimate Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan, on February 26. And given the investment in Wood, which includes a three-year central contract with this Ashes in mind, there is a sense now is the time to cash in.Josh Tongue, the likely beneficiary if Wood is deemed unfit for selection, reiterated that sentiment: “It feels like if he’s good to go and the management feels he’s good to go, I don’t see why not.”

"Really great coach" in pole position to be named permanent Southampton manager

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Southampton have found their feet again in the Championship and could now be drawing closer to securing a permanent replacement for Will Still.

Southampton look to enter hunt for promotion

Despite a rocky start to the campaign that saw Still relieved of his duties on the South Coast, Southampton have since bounced back under Tonda Eckert and have recorded four straight victories in the second-tier, placing them narrowly outside the playoff slots.

Ultimately, the 32-year-old is only in caretaker charge at the moment. Still, Taylor Harwood-Bellis is enjoying working under his tutelage and praised his attention to detail after Saints’ consecutive victories over Charlton Athletic and Leicester City.

He said via BBC Sport: “I think he (Eckert) has given us everything. The meetings are so detailed with what he wants. There is detail in there that you wouldn’t even think about when you’re on the pitch. That’s a big thing about Tonda, he wants to help you. Against Charlton, the goals we scored were walked through the day before.

“We knew there would be space on the break if we sat off a little bit deeper [against Leicester] and that happened. Obviously there are going to be bumps in the road, we know that. It’s not only going to be plain sailing, but it’s down to us to keep the level now.”

Several names have been mentioned in connection with the post, including former boss Russell Martin, who is available after an ill-fated spell with Rangers.

Either way, the search for a new boss is now seemingly coming to an end, and Southampton supporters may soon know the identity of the head coach tasked with leading the club forward at St Mary’s.

Southampton could appoint Tonda Eckert permanently

According to Football Insider, Eckert is in pole position to be appointed as Southampton’s permanent manager following his successful caretaker stint on the South Coast, and there is now a growing clamour from fans to see the 32-year-old remain on a full-time basis.

Now the clear favourite after guiding Saints to four league wins on the trot, the German is the leading candidate to land the role, even if several other managers have been identified as a long-term successor to Still.

Tonda Eckert in charge of Southampton

Will Still in charge of Southampton

Matches: 4

Matches: 16

Wins: 4

Wins: 4

Draws: 0

Draws: 6

Losses: 0

Losses: 6

Momentum is critical when it comes to influencing public opinion, and it appears that may have seeped into Sport Republic’s way of thinking as they look to map out a path to earning promotion after a rocky few months.

Labelled a “really great coach” by Caspar Jander, Eckert clearly retains the backing of his group and appears to have the trust of figures both inside and outside of the club to lead Saints into positive new beginnings following an acrimonious start to the season for all involved.

Not Mainoo: Amorim can replace Casemiro with "Pogba-esque" star at Man Utd

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Casemiro wasn’t just on the brink at Manchester United, he looked to have gone over the cliff.

Who can forget that night at Selhurst Park in May 2024, with the Brazilian – albeit deployed in an unorthodox centre-back role – looking all at sea as Crystal Palace ran riot to romp to a 4-0 victory.

Jamie Carragher’s infamous “leave the football before the football leaves you” quotes appeared to hint that the end was nigh for the ageing midfielder, a fact only heightened amid the former Real Madrid man’s dismal start to the following campaign, having been hooked at the break following a disastrous 3-0 loss at home to Liverpool in September.

The arrival of Ruben Amorim, and the shift to a midfield pairing, looked like the final nail in the coffin for his Old Trafford career, with all eyes on the January window and a potential Saudi exit.

Fast forward almost 12 months, however, and the 33-year-old – as he was back in his debut campaign in Manchester – is the glue in this side again, with Saturday’s 2-2 draw away at Tottenham Hotspur outlining the stark drop off that occurs when the five-time Champions League winner is withdrawn.

Manuel Ugarte seemingly can’t cut it, while Kobbie Mainoo is being groomed as Bruno Fernandes’ successor, ensuring a long-term replacement for Casemiro still needs to be found.

Man Utd's record with & without Casemiro this season

It is telling – and rather frustrating – that even in a season of largely just one game a week for the Red Devils, Casemiro still appears unable to complete a full 90 minutes, having been substituted off in seven of his nine Premier League starts this term.

Indeed, the solitary 90 minutes that he has played came recently against Nottingham Forest, in which the £350k-per-week star opened the scoring, with the veteran destroyer far too often withdrawn in the closing stages.

Against Brighton, for instance, United were coasting at 3-0 when the one-time Porto man was replaced on the 70-minute mark, before the Seagulls swiftly staged a stirring comeback in his absence.

A similar scenario occurred last time out, with the away side’s 1-0 lead in north London quickly flipped on its head after Ugarte slotted in alongside Fernandes instead, rubber-stamping Casemiro’s status as arguably one of the most important players in Amorim’s lineup.

That importance is emphasised most notably by the fact of the 20 goals the Old Trafford side have conceded in all competitions this season – including the grim night at Grimsby – 15 of those came when the Brazil skipper wasn’t on the pitch.

Ugarte, a ball-winner and workman-like midfielder by trade, looked to be the perfect successor to his fellow South American upon arrival in Manchester, although now well into his second season, the 24-year-old remains a polarising figure, with Amorim reportedly telling the Uruguayan he no longer recognised the player he had previously coached at Sporting CP.

Hope remains that the aforementioned Mainoo could still thrive alongside Fernandes, rather than act as his deputy, although whether the young Englishman has the defensive nous remains to be seen, with United crumbling when the changes were made in that 4-2 thriller against Brighton.

Casemiro vs European midfielders

Stat

Rank

Non-penalty goals

Top 10%

Total shots

Top 15%

Assists

Top 34%

Pass completion

Top 29%

Progressive passes

Bottom 29%

Progressive carries

Top 35%

Successful take-ons

Bottom 1%

Touches (att pen)

Top 15%

Tackles

Top 1%

Interceptions

Bottom 47%

Aerials won

Top 5%

Clearances

Top 10%

Stats via FBref

With options limited beyond that in the midfield department, Amorim might have to get creative to find a perfect replacement for Casemiro moving forward.

Man Utd's wildcard Casemiro replacement

Ugarte – unused in the Europa League final – looks destined for an exit before too long. Mainoo, meanwhile, is facing his own uncertainty, having yet to start a Premier League game in 2025/26.

Neither has taken their chance when introduced off the bench, ensuring Amorim could look elsewhere to fill that midfield void, with a potential solution already in-house in the form of ex-Arsenal starlet, Ayden Heaven.

Still just 19, the England youth star has quietly impressed since his arrival from the capital back in January on a £1m deal, with only a cruel injury sustained against Leicester City cutting short his early progress in the first-team ranks.

A powerful, athletic presence, the 6 foot 2 teenager has thus far been deployed in a left-sided centre-back role under Amorim, albeit with his hopes of game time having been hampered this term by the form of Luke Shaw in that starting berth.

With Lisandro Martinez also nearing a return from injury, Heaven could then be nudged into third choice, with a player of his talent and potential arguably far too good to simply be pushed into the periphery.

That is why shifting the Hale End graduate back into midfield could be the answer, with the rangy left-footer having largely featured as a number six or number eight in the Gunners youth ranks in the past.

In the view of respected analyst Ben Mattinson – now a scout for Serie A side Como – the Islington-born sensation “is a midfielder, not a centre-back”, highlighting “his ability to receive the ball under pressure”.

So calm and composed during his early United outings thus far, Heaven has that ability to drive forward from deep with the ball at his feet with ease, with comparisons to a certain Paul Pogba having previously been made by his grassroots football coach Terry Bobie:

The type of player who can dominate a midfield, like Pogba, it would certainly be worth giving Heaven a chance to shine in a more advanced role, having largely passed every test so far in a United shirt.

Indeed, his solitary Europa League start against Real Sociedad saw him win 100% of his duels, while not being dribbled past once, as per Sofascore, producing a performance that simply belied his youth.

With the physical prowess that United appear to be in need of in the absence of Casemiro, the £1m man might just be a bargain solution to Amorim’s longstanding midfield problem.

Man Utd teen who was "beating Yamal" could now replace Amad during AFCON

Man Utd will lose Amad, Mbeumo and Mazraoui just before Christmas due to their AFCON commitments.

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By
Joe Nuttall

Nov 12, 2025

Yankees Release Statement Banning Fans Who Interfered With Mookie Betts in Game 4

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

The New York Yankees fans who interfered with Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts during Game 4 of the World Series have officially been banned from Yankee Stadium.

On Wednesday, the Yankees issued a statement announcing the two fans, identified as Austin Capobianco and John Peter, will not be allowed to attend Game 5 despite having tickets.

The incident came as Betts jumped at the wall in foul territory to catch a popup hit by Gleyber Torres. Capobianco grabbed Betts's glove and pried the ball out with both hands. Peter also grabbed Betts. The All-Star outfielder was furious and Torres was immediately ruled out by right-field umpire Mark Carlson.

The Yankees' statement reads, in part:

"Last night two fans were ejected form Yankee Stadium for egregious and unacceptable physical contact with Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts. The safety and security of players, fans and Stadium staff is the foundational element of every even held at Yankee Stadium, and it cannot be compromised.

"Tonight marks the final home game of (the) year, and we want every ounce of our fans' passion on display. Yankee Stadium is known for its energy and intensity, however the exuberance of supporting one's team can never cross the line into intentionally putting players at physical risk.

"The Yankees and Major League Baseball maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward the type of behavior displayed last night. These fans will not be permitted to attend tonight's game in any capacity."

Capobianco is a season ticket holder and was planning to attend Game 5. He and Peter now will not be allowed to attend. There is no word if they are banned for future games after the World Series.

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