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Lauren Filer’s 3 for 8 backed up by two wickets each for Kathryn Bryce, Mahika Gaur and Sophie Ecclestone

ECB Media13-Aug-2025An astonishing bowling performance from a high-class Manchester Originals attack saw them stroll to a facile seven-wicket win with 19 balls to spare to further their chances of progression as the Hundred women’s competition hots up.With her side having elected to bowl first, England starlet Mahika Gaur backed up her spell against London Spirit, bowling 20 of the first 25 balls to leave Welsh Fire in disarray at 12 for 2. She saw the back of England team-mates Sophia Dunkley and Tammy Beaumont in a spell where she made the ball talk and finished with 2 for 10.Incredibly, Gaur’s figures were not the best on display. Sophie Ecclestone was typically excellent, dismissing the dangerous Hayley Matthews and Georgia Elwiss while conceding just 11 runs from her allocation while the most economical figures of the afternoon went to Lauren Filer, who dismissed Sarah Bryce and Emily Windsor in successive balls to snuff out any chance of Welsh Fire posting a defendable target. She added the wicket of Jess Jonassen in the same set of five to return the remarkable figure of 3 for 8 in her 20 balls.Kathryn Bryce took two wickets in the final set to finish with 2 for 10 as Fire ended with a hugely underwhelming 73 for 9.When Originals batted, it was all about the win, Kathryn Bryce and Seren Smale taking their time to ensure there were no hiccups after the early dismissals of overseas stars Beth Mooney and Melie Kerr. Katherine Bryce was stumped late on by sister Sarah for a studied 45 off 41 with five boundaries but it was too little too late as the Originals made it two from four.Meerkat Match Hero Gaur said: “It feels really good. It was a great effort by the bowlers. The conditions were good and it was swinging early so I’m really happy with that. The last game was so close; it just shows that when we play at our best, we can beat any team in this competition.”

Manchester United are, reportedly, ready to part ways with forward Joshua Zirkzee after an inconsistent stint at Old Trafford.

Impressing across a two-year stint with Bologna in Serie A, helping them qualify for last season’s Champions League, Zirkzee signed for Man United in the 2024 summer transfer window. Getting off to a brilliant start by scoring on his debut against Fulham, Zirkzee has since endured a tough time in the Premier League.

Having become well-known for the brilliance, both on the ball and in his playmaking, he had at Bologna, Zirkzee has struggled to showcase his best form in England.

In his maiden season with the Red Devils, Zirkzee netted just three league goals in 32 appearances. Towards the end of the season, manager Ruben Amorim started sometimes using the 24-year-old as an attacking midfielder in his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation.

Across the 2025/26 campaign, however, Zirkzee has made just four league appearances after 10 matches. In those games, the Dutchman has played less than 90 minutes collectively, something that has sparked rumours about his future at the club.

Zirkzee set to leave Man United

According to James Marshment of TEAMtalk, interest from elsewhere in Zirkzee is “growing” ahead of the January transfer window. Supposedly, as many as nine teams both in the Premier League and around Europe are considering a move for the Dutchman.

Appearances

54

Goals

7

Assists

3

Yellow Cards

4

Zirkzee’s struggles in front of goal may have hampered his chances in the Man United first team anyway, but over the summer the club signed Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo in what was a complete revamp of their attack, pushing Zirkzee further down the pecking order.

The aforementioned trio are now finding form in Manchester. Amorim’s side are on a four-game unbeaten streak in the top flight, having beaten Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion before drawing with Nottingham Forest.

Although Man United would be willing to let Zirkzee leave, it would appear that the Red Devils are not yet ready to take a huge loss like they are with Jadon Sancho. Instead, the club would reportedly prefer to let him leave on loan “with or without an option to buy”, or for a minimum of £35m.

The hope, presumably, is that Zirkzee, who has been called an “absolute imposter” in the past, could find form somewhere else, with that perhaps leading the team who sign him on loan to permanently acquire him for a larger fee. Where Zirkzee ultimately ends up remains to be seen, but it is hard to see a clear path forward for the Dutchman at Old Trafford.

"Monster" is becoming Man United's own Gabriel

Columbus Crew manager Wilfried Nancy is reportedly being considered for the vacant Celtic FC job following Brendan Rodgers’ departure last month. The Scottish club has appointed Martin O’Neill as interim boss but is expected to move quickly to secure a permanent head coach. Nancy, who has led Columbus since 2023, is among the names on their shortlist.

USA Today ImagesNancy to Glasgow?

There would seem to be serious momentum towards Nancy moving to Celtic, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that the Crew manager is among the leading candidates to take the job at the SPL club. The Frenchman has been repeatedly linked with a European move, and was thought to be likely to leave at the end of the 2024 season. But he stuck around for the 2025 campaign. The manager has mentioned in the past he's open to a move in the future. 

"I've been in situations when nobody knew me, nobody was talking about me, and [now they do]," Nancy said to GOAL at MLS Media Day in January. "Now so with my staff, everything for a moment, works well. So I'm happy in Columbus, and after that, we'll see."

AdvertisementGetty ImagesA solid resume

Nancy has been among the best coaches in MLS since he arrived in 2023. He has led the Crew, a small market team, to a MLS Cup win in 2023, and Leagues Cup the year after. He was named the 2024 MLS Coach of the Year. Before that, he was a narrow second place to the coach of the year award after overperforming with a struggling Montreal side in 2022. 

Columbus Crew left back Max Arfsten admitted Nancy might be ready for a European move. 

 "Yeah, I mean obviously it would be tough if he left just because he's a good coach, but he has to do what he wants for his career, and if he wants to go to Europe and test himself out there, I feel like you've got to respect that," he said at Tuesday's USMNT availability. "It would definitely be tough for us at Columbus, but it's one of those things where at the same time, if he decides to go, you've got to be happy for him because that's what he wants to do."

ImagnA disappointing 2025

For all of his success in years prior, 2025 has been slightly underwhelming for the Frenchman. Before the season, the Crew were considered among the favorites for MLS Cup, but rather struggled as the season went on. They turned in a spirited performance against local rivals FC Cincinnati in the playoffs, but were bounced after a 2-1 Game 3 loss in the first round of the MLS Playoffs. 

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Getty Images SportOther candidiates

Nancy may be among the frontrunners, but he is by no means the only name in the mix. Celtic are also reportedly considering Bodo/Glimt head coach Kjetil Knutsen for the vacant position. O'Neill has won three straight in his return to the helm at the club. 

Real Madrid’s preparations for their Champions League showdown with Liverpool have been dealt a blow after teenage sensation Franco Mastantuono has been ruled out indefinitely with pubalgia. The 18-year-old Argentine has been a key rotational player under Xabi Alonso, but his absence comes at a crucial point in Madrid’s campaign, forcing tactical adjustments ahead of their high-stakes European clash this Tuesday.

Real Madrid confirm Mastantuono’s injury

Madrid have officially confirmed that Mastantuono has been diagnosed with pubalgia, commonly known as a sports hernia. In a brief statement, the club said: “Following tests carried out today on our player Franco Mastantuono by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with pubalgia. His recovery will be monitored.”

No recovery timeline was provided, meaning the 18-year-old is sidelined indefinitely. Mastantuono did not train with the squad ahead of the trip to Anfield, working instead inside Valdebebas Sports City under the supervision of the medical team.

The injury is untimely for both the player and Madrid manager Alonso, who has relied on the Argentine teenager as part of his attacking rotations this season. Mastantuono has featured in 12 matches across all competitions, scoring once and assisting once, but has recently found himself in and out of the lineup due to the return of key players like Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportAtheltic Bilbao, Barcelona and now Real Madrid – all hit with pubalgia scare

Pubalgia, also known as sports hernia, is a complex and often stubborn injury affecting the groin and lower abdominal area. It typically develops in athletes involved in high-intensity sports that demand rapid changes in direction, explosive sprints, and repetitive twisting.

Unlike a standard muscle strain, pubalgia involves inflammation and imbalance where the abdominal and adductor muscles meet near the pelvis, making recovery unpredictable. It can take weeks or even months for players to regain full fitness, and recurrence is common if rehabilitation isn’t handled carefully.

Across Europe, several young stars are battling the same issue. Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams, and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer are all facing similar injuries this season. In Williams’ case, the condition limited him to just 530 minutes of football this season and has also ruled him out of Bilbao's upcoming Champions League clash against Newcastle United. Each player’s treatment involves rest, physiotherapy, and strength conditioning, while surgery remains a last resort.

For Mastantuono, Madrid’s medical staff are taking a cautious approach, prioritising long-term fitness over short-term availability.

What adjustments will Alonso make in Mastantuono's absence?

With Mastantuono ruled out, head coach Alonso must reconfigure his options ahead of the Champions League clash against Liverpool. The teenager’s ability to drift between midfield and the right flank provided tactical flexibility that will now need to be compensated for.

Rodrygo is the most natural replacement on the right, offering experience, pace, and a proven record in Europe’s biggest games. Alternatively, Alonso could deploy Arda Guler, another young attacker capable of cutting inside to create central overloads.

Eduardo Camavinga’s versatility also provides tactical depth; the Frenchman could operate in an advanced midfield role if Alonso seeks to maintain pressing intensity and defensive stability. Meanwhile, the absence of defenders Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, and David Alaba who are all recovering from injuries means Los Blancos' overall shape may have to adapt to ensure balance between defense and attack.

Madrid trained at Valdebebas before flying to England, with Alonso opting against a session at Anfield. The manager will address the media upon arrival in Liverpool.

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Getty Images SportMadrid face setback in defining season

For Mastantuono, this injury halts what was shaping into a breakthrough campaign. Since joining from River Plate this summer, he has impressed with his technical skill, vision, and maturity beyond his years as he quickly earned the trust of both fans and coaching staff.

However, pubalgia is notoriously difficult to manage for developing players, especially those adjusting to the physical demands of elite European football. His long-term recovery will depend on how well his body responds to conservative treatment and strengthening programs. Teams have tried to numb down it's effect with players opting for a few games out and then joining full-session, but the issue tends to be chronic in nature and thus limited time off isn't the best solution as have been in the case of Yamal, who faced constant issue yet kept playing and is still managing it, Palmer was given six-weeks off after not able to overcome it in a short-period.

For Los Blancos, the focus now turns to depth and adaptability. Alonso’s squad still boasts elite talent in midfield and attack, but the Argentine’s absence adds another layer of complexity to an already injury-hit roster.

The pair hit aggressive half-centuries to lift India from 31 for 3; England suffer their first T20I defeat at the venue

Alan Gardner01-Jul-2025India 181 for 4 (Rodrigues 63, Amanjot 63*) beat England 157 for 7 (Beaumont 54, Ecclestone 35, Charani 2-28, Amanjot 1-28) by 24 runs
India inflicted a wounding defeat on England for the second match in succession to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Jemimah Rodrigues and Amanjot Kaur dug India out of trouble with vibrant half-centuries, and the bowlers all did their bit to keep England’s chase at bay despite a belligerent fifty from Tammy Beaumont.Coming off the back of a record loss in the series opener at Trent Bridge, England kept faith with the same XI – and the same tactics as Nat Sciver-Brunt put India in. England’s seamers backed that call by reducing India to 31 for 3 in the powerplay, only for a fourth-wicket stand of 93 in 55 balls to emphatically wrest the game from their grasp.Rodrigues recovered from a slow start to reel off a flurry of boundaries, eventually falling for 63 off 41. Amanjot was similarly brimming with energy as she brought up a maiden T20I fifty, adding an unbeaten partnership of 57 with Richa Ghosh as India recorded the second-highest total in women’s T20 internationals at Bristol. In all, the last 10 overs leaked 117 runs – India’s third-highest aggregate for the second half of a women’s T20I innings (where ball-by-ball data is available).Amanjot then claimed the key wicket of Sciver-Brunt as England suffered their own powerplay slump at 17 for 3. Beaumont made her first T20I half-century in almost four years, adding 70 off 49 in partnership with Amy Jones, but she was run out by Sneh Rana’s pinpoint throw as the required rate began to climb.Sophie Ecclestone produced some late hitting, and a reminder of her all-round ability, in making 35 off 23 but it was not enough, leaving Sciver-Brunt – who spent much of India’s innings off the field with a “tight hip” – and England coach, Charlotte Edwards, with much to ponder ahead of Friday’s crucial encounter at the Kia Oval.England’s stumbling startSince beginning the summer with an opening partnership of 51 against West Indies at Canterbury, Sophia Dunkley and Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s stands have since read 0, 0, 9 and 2. That has largely that has been down to Wyatt-Hodge’s struggles – she has made 18 runs in five innings – but here it was Dunkley who was first to go, slapping the ball straight to Deepti Sharma at extra cover and then being sent back after attempting a non-existent single.Wyatt-Hodge managed to end a run of three successive ducks, but her success was relative as she attempted to hit her second ball over the top only to pick out mid-off. Having been dismissed three times in a row by Zaida James’ left-arm spin during the West Indies series, she has now gone two from two against Deepti’s offies.Tammy Beaumont struck her first T20I fifty since 2021•ECB/Getty ImagesBeaumont makes her caseHeather Knight’s injury in the third T20I against West Indies opened the door for Beaumont to make a return in this format – albeit in an unaccustomed spot batting at No. 4. And the carnage suffered by England’s top order meant she was in the middle by the eighth ball of the innings anyway. She would soon set about reaffirming her credentials ahead of next year’s home T20 World Cup.From 11 off 10, she struck Radha Yadav for back-to-back boundaries in a 15-run seventh over. She was dropped on 24, a tough caught-and-bowled chance off Amanjot, before crunching Rana for three consecutive fours as England reached the 10-over mark on 76 for 3, marginally ahead of India’s score at same stage.A cut off N Shree Charani’s left-arm spin followed by a single into the leg side brought up Beaumont’s first T20I fifty since she made 97 against New Zealand in September 2021. However, she only faced two more balls. After cutting Radha firmly to backward point, she paid the price for hesitating as Jones called her through, a brilliant throw from Rana catching Beaumont inches short at the non-striker’s end to leave England needing 95 from 51.When Alice Capsey and Jones fell in the same over from Charani, the equation had become 72 off 30 and there would be no great escape, as England lost a women’s T20 international at Bristol for the first time.India’s stumbling startEngland started poorly with Capsey conceding 11 off the first over, with Smriti Mandhana, fresh off a T20I hundred at Trent Bridge, immediately back into her groove. But Lauren Filer quickly made the breakthrough from the other end, cramping Shafali Verma with one back of a length that flicked the gloves through to Jones.Lauren Bell’s first over cost just two runs, and although Rodrigues picked off a couple more boundaries, there were signs of England’s greater intensity in the field: Ecclestone pulling off a diving stop at mid-off; Dunkley pouncing on a Rodrigues drive to then shy at the non-striker’s end.That was topped by Bell’s flying catch at mid-on to dismiss Mandhana for 13, as Em Arlott claimed the big wicket with her fourth ball. While the shot would have cleared several members of the England team, Bell was able to leap and contort herself in the air to hold on brilliantly.With Filer stooping for a low take in the following over to dismiss India’s returning captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, India were seemingly in trouble on 35 for 3 at the end of the powerplay.Jemimah Rodrigues scored her first fifty against England in white-ball cricket•Andy Kearns/Getty ImagesRodrigues chimes inComing in at No. 3, Rodrigues took some time to get her eye in. She was initially troubled by Filer’s pace when she went short, and was going at just above a run a ball for the first half of her innings, happy to rebuild in partnership with Amanjot.At 64 for 3 after 10 overs, India then needed to kick on, and Rodrigues provided the impetus. She responded to a blow on the helmet from Arlott by creaming the seamer over long-on to start a sequence of 6, 4, 4. She greeted the returning Filer with two impudent scoops over the keeper – the second of which almost went for six – and a slash through third, at which point she had scored 10 of India’s 13 boundaries. In between she brought up a 33-ball half-century, her first against England in 21 limited-overs internationals.Amanjot then picked up the cudgels to take three more boundaries off Ecclestone, cutting and sweeping with elan, as India produced consecutive overs worth 16, 18 and 15. Although Rodrigues was out shortly after, slapping Bell to cover to end a scintillating stand, only one side had the momentum.Amanjot ices the cakeBatting as high as No. 5 for the first time, allrounder Amanjot showed considerable poise throughout her innings. She had one early boundary – chipping Linsey Smith over mid-off to bring cheers from the India supporters in the crowd – and was 18 off 18 balls before tucking into Ecclestone, England’s premier spinner.She then accelerated brilliantly through the back of the innings in partnership with Ghosh, bringing up her maiden international half-century from 35 balls as England’s frailties from the first T20I reemerged. Ghosh thundered six boundaries in a 20-ball cameo, though she had a life on 12 when Beaumont inexplicably made a hash of a top-edged sweep at square leg.While Bell finished with fine figures of 2 for 17 and Ecclestone looked sharper in her second match back, India’s swashbucklers were brutal on the rest.

Russell Martin may be gone, but there is no change in fortunes for Rangers and the Ibrox masses.

On Saturday, the Gers failed to win in the Scottish Premiership yet again, this time held to a 2-2 draw, their sixth of the campaign.

Thelo Aasgaard broke the deadlock in sensational fashion for Rangers, but they required a late equaliser from James Tavernier to pinch a point in Govan.

This means, remarkably, the Light Blues have still only won one of eight Premiership matches to date, currently sixth in the table, a whopping 13 points adrift runaway league-leaders Hearts.

Martin was dismissed following the underwhelming 1-1 draw at Falkirk a fortnight ago, but no permanent successor has yet been found, U19s coach Steven Smith in interim charge for the foreseeable future, but when the new boss does belatedly arrive, could that be bad news for one of Martin’s summer signings in particular?

The latest on Rangers' search for a new manager

During the international break, Rangers were seemingly turned down by their top two managerial targets.

First, Steven Gerrard rejected the opportunity to return to Ibrox, following talks with the club, before former Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Röhl also pulled out of the running.

As a result, Kevin Muscat became the front-runner to take the job; he made 26 appearances for the club during the 2002/03 season as Alex McLeish’s team won the treble.

Since becoming a coach himself, he began at A-League side Melbourne Victory, overseeing 200 matches, winning four major trophies, including two grand final titles.

He then endured a very brief stint in charge of Sint-Truidense, before succeeding a certain Ange Postecoglou as Yokohama F. Marinos manager, winning the J1 League title, as well as the Japanese Super Cup.

Manager Focus

Who are the greatest coaches in the land? Football FanCast’s Manager Focus series aims to reveal all.

Since December 2023, he has been in charge of Shanghai Port, adding a Chinese Super League and FA Cup double to his roll of honours in 2024.

Yet, despite it looking as though a deal had been agreed, it was reported on Sunday evening by journalist Ben Jacobs that the Muscat move “is now off”. Subsequent reports indicate that the aforementioned Rohl has entered the frame again.

Whoever the new manager is, whether it be Rohl or not, one of Russell Martin’s summer signings should be feeling the heat.

Rangers flop on borrowed time under a new manager

Rangers made a whopping 13 new signings this summer, the majority of whom have massively underwhelmed.

Youssef Chermiti, Aasgaard, Joe Rothwell and Emmanuel Fernandez and others have, to date, not justified their transfer fees, while young loanee Jayden Meghoma has appeared out of his depth.

The left-back arrived on a season-long loan from Brentford, having made only four appearances for the Bees, as well as just four for Southampton and 14 in Preston North End colours, underlining his inexperience.

Thus, it should come as no surprise that he has struggled to make an impact in Glasgow.

Minutes

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Starts

7

5th

Tackles per 90

2.6

1st

Interceptions per 90

0.4

10th

Clearances per 90

1.2

5th

Possession lost per 90

14.4

3rd

As outlined, Meghoma has been a regular starter for Rangers this season, named in the lineup for ten of the 11 matches since his debut, the draw with Falkirk, which proved to be Martin’s final match in charge, the sole exception.

Some of his statistics are impressive, most notably tackles, but the possession lost tells the story, with the teenager continuing to be a weak link in the Rangers back line.

He was once again poor in the draw with Dundee United, failing to complete a single tackle, winning only four of his nine duels and losing possession 17 times for good measure.

Thus, if and when a new manager is appointed, he’ll surely prioritise experience at the back, thereby shifting Max Aarons over to the left or asking Derek Cornelius to fill in there, with Meghoma a leading candidate to be cast aside.

Martin once claimed that he has “big potential” but ultimately, we’re yet to see that in Glasgow. Interim manager, Steven Smith, must drop him next time out.

Rangers can prepare for Muscat by playing star with "feet like drumsticks"

Rangers can prepare for life with Kevin Muscat in charge by unleashing this star against Dundee United.

ByDan Emery Oct 18, 2025

Eight-wicket victory settles rivalry between two in-form teams

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay04-Jun-2025Hampshire Hawks won the battle of the two in-form sides in women’s county cricket this summer as three wickets for impressive spinner Bex Tyson set up a commanding Vitality Blast win over Lancashire Thunder at Emirates Old Trafford.Left-armer Tyson returned an excellent season’s best three for 27 from four overs as Thunder scrambled to 122 for eight, including 37 not out off 20 balls for Ailsa Lister. The Hawks then sealed their second successive win at the start of the Blast, this one by eight wickets with one over remaining, as opener Ella McCaughan top-scored with eight fours in an unbeaten career best 68 off 57 balls.Hampshire currently lead the Metro Bank One-Day Cup standings from second-placed Lancashire, both sides having won six from eight in that competition. Thunder also won the Vitality County T20 Cup late last month. Thunder have now won one, lost two in the Blast.McCaughan scored a century in a 50-over win against Lancashire at Southport in April.As one left-arm spinner in Tyson impressed, Lancashire were missing England’s Sophie Ecclestone because of a quad injury.Having been inserted, Thunder were suffocated by some tight Hampshire bowling and excellent fielding, with five of eight wickets falling to spin.They reached only 20 for one after the six-over powerplay.Departing Australian overseas batter Katie Mack – she will be replaced by compatriot leg-spinning all-rounder Alana King from this weekend – was bowled for a five-ball duck as she tried to ramp the seam of Freya Davies.Seren Smale attempted to break free with a couple of boundaries, including one reverse swept off Tyson. But, later in the over, she played on for 20 trying to repeat the dose – 36 for two in the ninth.Opener Tilly Kesteven was run out for 28 and captain Ellie Threlkeld chipped the off-spin of her opposite number Georgia Adams to cover as the hosts stuttered to the 15-over mark at 77 for four.Off-spin struck again as Australian Charli Knott had Fi Morris, for 20, caught at short third attempting a reverse hoick, and Lancashire were in danger of not even reaching 100.They did that, but their total was always unlikely to trouble a Hampshire side who totalled 215 for three in their competition opener against Essex on Friday.Tyson had Tara Norris caught at long-on and bowled Darcey Carter in the 18th over – 99 for seven – before Lister hoisted a couple of late sixes over midwicket. Grace Johnson was then the second home player run out.Maia Bouchier set the tone for a routine chase by clipping the first ball behind square for four, though McCaughan was quickly into her stride as she twice drove the left-arm seam of Norris through the covers in the third over.Grace Potts had Bouchier caught off a top-edge for 12, leaving Hampshire 30 for one in the fourth over. But it already felt like a consolatory strike.Hampshire reached the 10-over mark at 69 for one, with McCaughan on 42.Knott holed out for 21 to Carter’s off-spin shortly before McCaughan, who also hit 68 against Essex last week, reached 50 again. This came off 40 balls.

For too long have Manchester United have tainted their once imperious reputation with poor recruitment, thus putting a stopper in the dreams of progress after the illustrious Sir Alex Ferguson era.

Sir Alex stepped down from his legendary post 12 years ago, and still United have flattered to deceive, still seeking another Premier League or Champions League title, still struggling for consistency on the pitch.

Cautiously and not without hiccups, INEOS and technical director Jason Wilcox are steering the club away from their past inconsistencies, with hefty fees hurled at stars without consideration of consequences, without deeper thought at whether it would be a prudent move.

Take the £70m signing of Real Madrid’s Casemiro in 2022, for example. The 33-year-old Brazilian has had his ups and downs at Old Trafford and does currently ride the crest of one of his larger waves, but there’s little question United haven’t received bang for their buck.

An elite and effective midfielder is the nucleus of a successful team. Roy Keane was a fine example way back when, simply brilliant and all-consuming under Ferguson’s wing.

Where Roy Keane ranks among Man Utd midfielders

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is a controversial figure down the red streets of Manchester, but he revealed to Rio Ferdinand this week that he considers Keane as one of the best midfielders of all time.

Among the toughest and most combative players to ever play in the division, Keane was instrumental in raising the Ferguson era and cementing it as one of the greatest in European history.

Indeed one of the finest central midfielders to have played in the Premier League, there’s a compelling case to be made that Paul Scholes is the only United man across modern top-flight history to have left a greater legacy.

And even then, some might argue Keane is the cream of the crop.

One thing’s clear, the Glazer Family haven’t managed to sign a player to rival the Irishman in the years since they first purchased a stake in Old Trafford, and that needs to change if United are returning to the top.

There is a member of Amorim’s crop who was actually billed as the next version of Keane, but, as Sky Sports’ Gary Neville has intimated, this big-money addition hasn’t been good enough.

Man Utd thought they signed Keane 2.0

Keane may be known now for his gruff and candid punditry for Sky Sports, but he will forever be defined by his performances at Manchester United.

In Casemiro, United may have fancied they landed a midfielder who could have rivalled the one-time Republic of Ireland captain, in terms of ability, but that didn’t prove the case.

Though they felt they may have got second time lucky with Manuel Ugarte, who was considered by British publications to be the new version of the former skipper when leaving Paris Saint-Germain and joining Erik ten Hag’s project for about £50.5m.

A steely enforcer with exceptional tackling statistics across his professional career, Ugarte, 24, was once described as “a younger Kante” by reporter Zach Lowy, before completing a trip to England. However, questions were soon raised about his performances in the Premier League.

Ugarte may be among the most relentless recyclers of possession out there, but he leaves much to be desired on the ball. In fact, FBref record the Uruguayan to rank among the bottom 18% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for progressive passes and the bottom 25% for progressive carries per 90.

Given that his progressiveness on the ball is so shallow, you would expect him to be among the crispest passers out there, but an 85% pass success rate in the league this season perhaps underlines why Amorim has only started the South American twice, especially as he is averaging three fouls every two matches, as per Sofascore.

Bruno Fernandes

36

9.70

Casemiro

24

5.06

Scott McTominay

2

5.00

Mason Mount

17

4.78

Christian Eriksen

23

4.66

Kobbie Mainoo

25

3.55

Manuel Ugarte

29

3.08

Toby Collyer

6

2.50

That’s somewhat grim reading, and Casemiro’s impressive forward distribution accentuates Ugarte’s deficiency.

Many of Man United’s problems have stemmed from the midfield this season, and discordance within Amorim’s tactical set-up is the root of that wider issue.

However, Ugarte certainly hasn’t helped himself when called upon, with Neville slamming him as a “massive problem” after United were thrashed in the Manchester derby last month, continuing to say that the Uruguay international is a “massive problem”.

Toward the start of the current campaign, writer Mohammed Butt even labelled him as “absolutely useless”, and though this is rather scathing, there’s little question that changes will be sought in the future if things do not improve.

But Ugarte’s lack of quality on the ball is an inherent problem; it’s simply not within his wheelhouse of key strengths. With this in mind, how far can he take his Man United career? This is especially pertinent if Amorim strengthens his grip on the reins and makes headway at the helm.

The £120k-per-week talent shouldn’t be quite written off just yet, but the initial excitement that the club had landed their next version of a legend like Keane looks a long way away now.

Not Sesko: Carrington's "machine" is destined to be Man Utd's next No.9

Manchester United have their next number nine brewing at Old Trafford…

ByRobbie Walls Oct 16, 2025

Former USMNT star Eric Wynalda endorsed Cristian Roldan’s place in the USMNT picture, arguing the 30-year-old Seattle Sounders midfielder brings personality, resilience and a veteran attitude. Wynalda said Roldan’s temperament and work ethic indicated he is unlikely to fold under the pressure of the World Cup stage.

Getty Images SportSupport for MLS players on the national team

Roldan earned USMNT callups during the September and October windows after strong club performances for Seattle. That steady availability and the habit of producing at a high level have impressed Wynalda.

“MLS, for all that it is, isn’t the best way to prepare for a World Cup,” Wynalda said on Golz Tv. “Now that leads me to the real question. And it really is personified at the moment by Cristian Roldan. I’ve seen it a couple of times with players that play in the MLS, they get absolutely lambasted by our fanbase. And there’s a bunch of hate out there…

"First lets start with this: nobody pays anybody $1.4 million if they suck at whatever they do. Cristian Roldan is making that much money to play soccer as a professional for Seattle, which all things being equal, MLS with all its flaws is willing to pay that guy handsomely. Because he’s not a bad player, he just isn’t.”

AdvertisementPraise for Roldan’s attitude and personality

Wynalda framed the issue as one of temperament. He said Roldan’s personality and mentality make him less likely to be overwhelmed by the sudden jump in intensity.

“I was reading all the hate and I was like ‘Man this guy’s really catching it. Let’s see how he reacts to that.'" Wynalda said. "But this really was his opportunity. And very seldom have we seen somebody grab their opportunity the way he did… At the end of the day, he’s probably going to make the USMNT roster, and here’s why. He’s a good guy. He’s a really good human being and that may not matter to you as much as you think but it actually does.

"And it matters a lot to that locker room because Mauricio Pochettino knows that if he’s going to build this team, he’s going to have to build it around stars. But you've got to go through the process of thinning this herd. The process is not selecting the best players, it is eliminating the ones that can’t do it and a couple of guys have eliminated themselves from that process. And Cristian Roldan is not one of those people.”

Competition at midfield and forward lines

Roldan’s path into Pochettino’s plans is shaped by a crowded midfield and the coach’s preference for players who combine tactical discipline with physical reliability.

"He doubled down on himself," Wynalda said of Roldan. "That attitude that he brings is priceless. It’s worth a helluva lot more than $1.4 million, let me tell you that. Because the good news with Cristian Roldan is yes, he can handle it. Yes he can handle a World Cup stage, he can. That’s really important to know. There’s been guys in the past who we thought could and then didn’t. Ricardo Clark stands out, he got substituted in the first-half against England, it was that bad.

“That’s not going to happen with Cristian Roldan for all the reasons that I just stated. And he has the confidence in himself that he can do this. And I’ll tell you this, if in the event he does get out on the World Cup stage, 1) it’ll mean the world to him; and 2) his teammates will have his back. Because he has had theirs all this time, waiting for his chance to play.”

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Getty Images SportBroader implications for USMNT development

Roldan’s immediate task is to sustain strong performances for Seattle and to translate those club displays into continued value in national team camps. The Sounders qualified for the MLS playoffs and will face Minnesota United in the first round.

Arsenal have built an outrageously talented squad over the last five years or so, one capable of winning the Premier League and Champions League.

However, for all the incredible stars Mikel Arteta has signed over the seasons, from Declan Rice to David Raya, it would be fair to say his most important player remains Bukayo Saka.

The Hale Ender has transformed from an academy prospect into a world-class forward, and the fact that he produced his 100th league goal involvement on his 200th appearance at the weekend is a testament to that.

So, it’s incredibly exciting to see that the club are producing another academy talent who looks destined to become someone of Saka-level importance in the years to come.

Saka's academy career

Saka joined Arsenal in the Arsenal academy set-up at seven years old, after spending some time with Watford.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

The youngster’s first game for the Gunners’ U18 side came in a 4-1 loss to Fulham’s U18s in August 2017, and while he failed to make much of an impact in that game, he did end that season with eight goals and four assists in 22 games.

The following season started with the “future legend,” as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, continuing to play for the U18s while also making appearances for the U23s.

However, while he was used in the FA Youth Cup at the turn of the year, and the final of the U18s Premier League, it was increasingly clear that the young dynamo was too good to stay in that age group, and so the U21s became where he spent most of his time.

In all, the Ealing-born gem made 24 appearances for the U23s across 18/19, in which he scored six goals and provided nine assists, but something else happened that season: he made his first-team debut.

Former manager Unai Emery gave him a chance off the bench in a Europa League clash with Ukrainian side Vorskla Poltava in November, and then started him at home against Qarabağ FK a month later.

Appearances

28

25

Goals

16

6

Assists

6

9

With him now featuring for the senior side, he would make his final appearances in junior football the following season, playing a single game against Everton in late August for the U23s.

In all, Saka produced 37 goal involvements in 53 appearances for the junior sides before establishing himself as Arsenal’s most important player over the following years, and now it looks like Hale End has produced someone else capable of doing the same.

Arsenal's future Saka

While last season saw Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly make it into the first-team, the Hale Ender set to become as crucial as Saka is someone even younger: Max Dowman.

It feels like the 15-year-old is the most talked-about youth prospect Arsenal have had in a generation or more, and it’s not just coming from supporters.

For example, at the start of last season, respected talent scout Jacek Kulig went as far as to claim the teenager was the “most exciting prospect” he had seen “since Lamine Yamal”, and considering the Spaniard’s absurd ability, that is an astounding thing to say.

As if that wasn’t enough, you also had senior professionals waxing lyrical about the youngster, with Rice labelling him “the best 15-year-old in the country.”

Finally, away from players and scouts, Hale End expert Will Balsam probably had the boldest opinion of the lot, arguing that the Chelmsford-born gem is “one of the greatest footballing brains that’s ever come through Hale End.”

Appearances

23

Minutes

1945′

Goals

19

Assists

5

Goal Involvements per Match

1.04

Minutes per Goal Involvement

81.04′

As if that wasn’t enough, he also claimed that he’s “the biggest talent in England,” a statement supported by his statistics for the youth sides last season.

For example, in just 23 appearances, totalling 1945 minutes, he scored 19 times and provided five assists, which comes out to an average of 1.04 goal involvements per match, or one every 81.04 minutes.

Finally, what makes it really feel like he could become as big a star for the first team as Saka has is that in his few senior appearances, he has looked incredible, most notably against Leeds United at home and Newcastle United in pre-season.

Ultimately, there is still a long way to go for Dowman, but as things stand, he looks destined to become a world-beater for Arsenal.

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