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Bangladesh prevailed by four wickets in the first T20I despite Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan’s mid-innings burst of four wickets. Nurul Hasan and Rishad Hossain took Bangladesh home with eight balls remaining. Bangladesh had lost six wickets for nine runs in the space of 25 balls, that too after their openers got them 109 runs in 11.3 overs.Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan both struck fifties, dominating the Afghanistan bowling as they chased 152. Rashid, though, struck four times in two overs, while Fareed Ahmad and Noor Ahmad took a wicket each, as Bangladesh looked down and out at one stage.

Rashid rips through Bangladesh

Fareed had dropped Emon on 27 but he made amends by removing him for 54 off 37 balls in the 12th over. However, Afghanistan barely celebrated the wicket, given the start the Bangladesh openers had provided.Rashid then got the googly zipping through Saif Hassan, whose front-foot prod was not enough to save him. Rashid ended the over with Tanzid’s wicket as the left-hand batter edged the legspinner for 51.Rashid removed both Jaker Ali and Shamim Hossain in his next over, both falling lbw. Jaker missed a sweep, while Shamim went back into the crease to turn the ball around the corner. When Noor also had Tanzim Hasan lbw in the next over, Bangladesh looked out of the contest.

Nurul saves Bangladesh’s blushes

Nurul and Rishad were Bangladesh’s last recognised batters. Rishad, though, had not been in good form while Nurul was reeling from his strange knock against Pakistan in the Asia Cup. But they bounced back with the match-winning stand. Nurul struck two sixes in his unbeaten 23, while Rishad struck the winning runs with his third boundary, as Bangladesh won with eight balls remaining.Rashid Khan picked up four wickets•Afghanistan Cricket Board

Bangladesh strike early with the ball

Bangladesh didn’t lose shape when they bowled during the powerplay, despite Taskin Ahmed going for three fours in the first over. Nasum Ahmed bowled Ibrahim Zadran as the batter went for a slog. Tanzim Hasan got on to rear towards Sediqullah Atal’s chest, for the batter to give a tame catch to Emon at slip.Darwish Rasooli was a victim of a huge mix-up with Rahmanullah Gurbaz when Mustafizur Rahman stopped the ball off his own bowling, with both batters next to each other at the non-striker’s end. Rasooli sacrificed his wicket, as Afghanistan lost three wickets in the powerplay. There was no respite after the powerplay either, as Mohammad Ishaq holed out to deep square leg in Rishad’s first over.

Emon, Tanzid make merry

Bangladesh’s innings kicked off when Emon struck Mohammad Nabi for 16 runs in the fifth over. Rubbing salt into the wounds were two dropped catches in the over. Emon slammed a six off the first ball, before being dropped by Gurbaz on the fourth ball. The batter launched the next ball over midwicket for another six, before Fareed dropped a straightforward catch off the last ball.Tanzid, who returned after being dropped for the last two games, got into the act soon afterwards. He hammered a huge six off Nabi in the seventh over, followed by a second one off Noor in the following over. Both openers hit a six each off Sharafuddin Ashraf in the tenth over before bringing up Bangladesh’s first century stand for any wicket against Afghanistan. Afghanistan did make a comeback from there but could not convert it into a win.

The India allrounder has ambitions of playing in the 2027 ODI World Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Oct-20259:02

Chopra on Iyer vice-captain, Axar over Jadeja and more

Ravindra Jadeja has said that he isn’t surprised by his non-selection for India’s upcoming ODI series in Australia and that the communication from the team management has been smooth. Jadeja, who will turn 37 this December, had retired from T20Is after winning the World Cup last year, but has ambitions of playing in the 2027 ODI World Cup.”[Selection] is not in my hands. I want to play, for sure,” Jadeja said at his press conference after the second day’s play against West Indies in the Delhi Test. “[At the] end of the day, team management, selectors, coach and captain have their thoughts and they will have their reasons for not selecting me for this series. They have talked to me, it was not a surprise for me after the squad was announced.Related

Kohli and Rohit selected in India's ODI squad for Australia

“It is a good thing that they communicated the reason behind my omission. I am happy about that. But whenever I get a chance next, I will try and do what I have done all these years. If I get a chance in the World Cup and there are many ODIs before and if I do well there, it will be a good thing for Indian cricket. Winning a World Cup is everyone’s dream. We had narrowly missed out the last time, the next time we will try and make up for it.2:56

Jadeja: ‘I don’t think about captaincy and vice-captaincy anymore’

Jadeja’s omission was among five changes from the ODI squad that had won the Champions Trophy in the UAE in March. After announcing the squads, Ajit Agarkar, India’s chief selector, however, suggested that Jadeja is still part of their future plans in ODI cricket.”With regards to Jaddu [Jadeja], I mean look, at the moment to take two left-arm spinners to Australia is not possible. He is clearly in the scheme of things with how good he is, but there will be some competition for places,” Agarkar said at the time. “Of course he was there in the Champions Trophy squad, because we took those extra spinners with the conditions there [in UAE].”At the moment we could only carry one and get some balance in the team with Washy [Washington Sundar] and Kuldeep there as well. I don’t think we are going to need more than that in Australia. It’s a short series, you can’t accommodate everyone and unfortunately at the moment he is missing out, but it’s nothing more than that.”Jadeja has played 204 ODIs so far, taking 231 wickets to go with 2806 runs. In his most recent ODI assignment, the Champions Trophy, he came away with five wickets in five innings at an economy rate of 4.35.India will play three ODIs in Australia on October 19, 23 and 25, followed by five T20Is between October 29 and November 8.

Newcastle United defender Sven Botman was dubbed “utterly embarrassing” after the role he played in Brentford’s third goal on another afternoon to forget for the Magpies on their travels.

Tierney took centre-stage, the former denying Brentford what looked a clear penalty for a foul by Dan Burn – instead booking Dango Ouattara for a dive – and the latter surprisingly agreeing.

But, lo and behold, a few minutes later when Ouattara went down again under Burn’s challenge, Attwell this time pointed to the spot and showed the hapless Burn a second yellow card.

Igor Thiago rolled in the penalty and added a third in stoppage time to condemn Newcastle to more misery on their travels on the fourth anniversary of Eddie Howe’s appointment as manager.

The big controversy erupted when Ouattara tumbled, Burn protested his innocence and Attwell waved away Brentford claims for a spot-kick and flashed the yellow card instead.

Replays showed Burn had clearly made contact with Ouattara’s foot before he went down but Tierney upheld Attwell’s decision, “minimal contact” was the official explanation.

Then came the reprise; Ouattara brought down again by Burn. This one was maybe less convincing, but Attwell pointed to the spot.

Sven Botman dubbed "utterly embarrassing" in Newcastle defeat

A lot of the blame will be put on Burn for his second yellow card and the penalty that he conceded as a result, but the rest of the Newcastle squad didn’t exactly enjoy excellent outings, either. Nick Woltemade came away with an assist, but largely struggled to make the ball stick for the Magpies going forward and Sven Botman looked a shadow of his best self.

At the centre of criticism, Sky Sports’ commentary team took aim at Botman after Thiago scored his second of the afternoon, saying: “Sven Botman, I don’t think he knows that Thiago is behind him, he thinks Ramsdale is coming, he stops running, it’s going to end a sorry afternoon this for the Geordies.”

The criticism didn’t end there, either. Newcastle reporter Joel Bland dubbed Botman “utterly embarrassing” for Brentford’s third and final goal – a verdict that is hard to dispute.

The Dutchman was all too casual before Thiago took full advantage to leave Newcastle on just three Premier League wins in their opening 10 games. Alan Shearer accused the Newcastle squad of being “lazy” when they lost 3-1 against West Ham United last week. Now, a week later, Botman has been accused of not running.

Real Madrid prepared to make Tonali move as Newcastle star reveals exit stance

The Italian’s new deal was just announced.

3

By
Tom Cunningham

Nov 8, 2025

Whilst they continue to thrive in the Champions League, Newcastle remain in the bottom-half of England’s top tier following a disastrous start.

Newcastle have "one of the best teen prospects" & he can surpass Woltemade

Manchester City picked up another Champions League win to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign. Pep Guardiola’s side overcame Borussia Dortmund, convincingly beating the German outfit 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

City were at their clinical best against Dortmund, bagging two goals in each half. Phil Foden, operating in the right half-space, opened the scoring. He fired his effort home from outside the penalty area on his left foot.

Erling Haaland was next to get on the scoresheet, just before the half-hour mark. The City number nine, who was their captain on the night, scored his 27th goal of the season for club and country. It was an easy goal for someone as dangerous as Haaland, who pulled away into acres of space and fired home.

After the halftime break, Foden scored his second of the night. It was a carbon copy of his first goal, too.

Once again, the England international picked the ball up in the right half-space and bent his strike into the bottom left corner.

Dortmund did pull one back to give them a fighting chance, but Rayan Cherki added a fourth to cap off a good night’s work. Indeed, the Frenchman must be in contention for a start in City’s next game.

Changes Guardiola could make after Dortmund

It was certainly a good performance from the Citizens, with their two standout players, Haaland and Foden, really putting their Bundesliga opposition to the sword.

They are players who have surely locked down their starting spot, although Guardiola could tinker with his lineup based on Wednesday night.

Indeed, Cherki is one of the players who could slot into the side.

He had a superb impact off the bench, scoring a well-taken goal which saw him carry the ball 30 yards or so, into the Dortmund penalty area and unleash his shot past Gregor Kobel.

In his ten-minute cameo, the former Olympique Lyon attacker completed one out of one dribble and won two ground duels. It was a busy night, continuing his good form and surely putting himself in contention to start City’s next game against Liverpool.

Nico Gonzalez also impressed in midfield, and with Rodri still not fully fit, there is a case to suggest he is City’s first-choice number six. Simon Bajkowski, City writer for the Manchester Evening News, gave the Spaniard a 7/10 for his efforts against Dortmund.

There is one player against Dortmund who disappointed, and it will be interesting to see if Guardiola keeps him in the lineup.

The Man City player who struggled vs. Dortmund

It is certainly hard to pick holes in a 4-1 home win in the Champions League. However, there were a few moments against the Bundesliga giants where City struggled to keep a firm grip on the game, particularly towards the end when they conceded.

Indeed, one of the players who struggled more than others was right-back Matheus Nunes. The Portuguese international, who is a midfielder by trade, had a couple of lapses in concentration which could have cost his side late on.

One of those came in the 80th minute, when a sliced pass from Josko Gvardiol went right across the City backline. The right-back was caught napping, and Carney Chukwuemeka pounced on the loose ball.

Luckily for Nunes and City, Gianluigi Donnarumma got there first.

Despite the good performance from his side, it was a disappointing showing from the former Wolves man. Nunes lost the ball 11 times and only managed to win one out of his five attempted duels.

Touches

78

Pass accuracy

86%

Possession lost

11

Recoveries

5

Clearances

3

Ground duels won

1/3

Aeiral duels won

0/2

It was certainly a frustrating night’s work from Nunes. Bajkowski gave him a 6/10 and criticised his defensive awareness, explaining that ‘he abandoned his post too often’. It was a performance that left a lot to be desired.

With a huge game against Liverpool next up, it will be interesting to see if Guardiola keeps Nunes in the side, or chooses to rotate him out of the lineup. Of course, he will be coming up against Cody Gakpo, who has been Arne Slot’s first-choice left winger this season.

The Dutchman is in excellent form, with five goals and assists in ten Premier League games. Nunes certainly can’t afford to switch off like he did against Dortmund, because City will be punished.

It is a big call for Guardiola, who has the likes of Rico Lewis and Abdukodir Khusanov as options at right-back waiting in the wings. The City boss might well decide to rotate Nunes in the crunch clash this weekend.

Forget Haaland & Foden: 41-touch star had "his best game in a Man City shirt"

Man City beat Borussia Dortmund 4-1 and this player starred

ByJoe Nuttall Nov 6, 2025

Top-quality fast bowling always helps when you’re trying to win a series in Australia, and the history of the Ashes bears that out

Greg Chappell04-Oct-2025It was Douglas Jardine who said in , “Cricket is a game of skill, but it is also a game of war. You must find a way to win or you are lost.”As the shadows lengthen over the Australian summer, the 2025-26 Ashes series looms in Perth on 21 November, a mere six weeks away. For England, under the audacious stewardship of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes, the mantra is clear: speed thrills.Their squad, boasting a “cartel” of express pacemen led by the enigmatic Jofra Archer and the thunderous Mark Wood, offers echoes of history’s lessons. To understand this bold gambit, we must rewind to the summer of 1932-33, when Jardine faced a Hobson’s Choice – take the only option on offer or face certain defeat. Bodyline, that infamous tactic, was not born of malice but necessity, a desperate counter to Donald Bradman’s otherworldly batting. It reminds us that cricket, for all its genteel veneer, can ignite passions that spill beyond civil norms, turning gentlemen into gladiators and crowds into cauldrons of fury.Related

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Jardine’s predicament was the stuff of captaincy nightmares. Bradman had just dismantled England in their own backyard during the 1930 Ashes, amassing 974 runs at an average of 139.14 – a record that still beggars belief. His triple-century at Headingley was a symphony of dominance, reducing England’s attack to rubble. Jardine, a steely Oxford-educated amateur with a disdain for defeat, knew that accepting Bradman’s supremacy fatalistically was tantamount to surrender. As England’s captain, his remit was unequivocal: find a way, within the laws, to curb this prolific scoring machine. But what options did he have? Conventional bowling had proved futile; spin was neutralised on Australia’s true pitches; and seamers like Hedley Verity offered control but not terror.Herein lies the essence of Jardine’s Hobson’s Choice – the illusion of alternatives masking a singular path. He turned to “fast leg theory”, a tactic not invented by him but refined to lethal precision. Precedents abounded in the 1920s. Australian fast bowlers like Jack Gregory and Ted McDonald had employed similar short-pitched barrages with packed leg-side fields during the 1920-21 Ashes, unsettling English batters on lively surfaces. Jardine, ever the tactician, drew from this example, consulting Nottinghamshire’s Arthur Carr and Percy Fender, who had trialled it domestically. He came upon the idea observing Bradman flinch against Harold Larwood’s bouncer at The Oval in 1930. “I’ve got it! He’s vulnerable!” Jardine exclaimed. Secret sessions in London honed the plan: short balls at the body, a ring of leg-side fielders to snare deflections. It was legal, innovative, and crucially, the only sensible option against a batter averaging over 100.Critics vilified Jardine as unsportsmanlike, but as a former captain, I see his dilemma plainly. Every leader, amateur or professional, bears the responsibility of solving the game’s riddles. To let Bradman score at will would betray Jardine’s team, his nation, and the competitive spirit of cricket. Bradman averaged 56.57 in the Bodyline series – still formidable, but mortal. The series’ flashpoints, like the Adelaide riot after Bert Oldfield’s skull fracture, evoked raw emotions: Australian crowds baying for blood, diplomatic cables flying between boards, threats of trade boycotts (and this during the Great Depression). Sport, in such moments, transcends civility, tapping into tribal loyalties that can fracture empires. Jardine became the scapegoat, retiring from Tests thereafter, but his choice delivered a 4-1 victory. Without it, England would have been lambs to Bradman’s slaughter.This theme – pace as the great equaliser in Australia – threads through every English Ashes win down under since Bodyline. History is unequivocal: to win in these vast, sun-baked arenas, you need express bowlers who can intimidate, extract bounce, and shatter partnerships on pitches that reward raw speed over subtle swing.Top bowling, old boy: Chris Tremlett is mobbed by his team-mates after England make it 3-1 in Sydney early in 2011•Associated PressConsider the 1954-55 series, which England won 3-1 win under Len Hutton. Frank Tyson, called “Typhoon” for his 95mph thunderbolts, claimed 28 wickets at 20.82, terrorising batters with sheer velocity on firm tracks. Brian Statham’s accurate outswing complemented him, but it was Tyson’s pace that broke Australia’s spirit, reducing legends like Neil Harvey to caution. Emotions ran high; Tyson’s ferocity evoked Bodyline, with crowds murmuring about “intimidation”, but in the end it was the key to victory.Fast-forward to 1970-71, Ray Illingworth’s 2-0 triumph. John Snow, lanky and lethal at 90mph, snared 31 wickets, his bounce and skid exploiting Australian frailties. Bob Willis, on debut, added fire. The series boiled over in the last Test, in Sydney, where a Snow bouncer felled Terry Jenner, sparking a bottle-throwing melee and Illingworth leading his team off the field in protest. Again, pace stirred primal reactions, but it secured the urn.Mike Brearley’s 5-1 rout in 1978-79 leaned on Willis’ speed and bounce (20 wickets) and Ian Botham’s deceptive pace and all-round skill (23 wickets). Willis’ hostility on Perth’s bouncy deck set the tone, evoking crowd hostility that bordered on the uncivil – boos, jeers, even objects hurled. Again, without this pace edge, England’s win would have evaporated.England’s 2-1 upset in the 1986-87 series under Mike Gatting, saw Graham Dilley take 16 wickets with his sharp pace. Botham chipped in again with nine wickets, his medium-fast swing and bounce augmented by Gladstone Small’s (12 wickets) awkward speed. Emotions peaked in Melbourne, where Botham’s heroics fused triumph with controversy, his off-field antics amplifying the drama.Most recently, the 3-1 masterclass under Andrew Strauss in 2010-11 rested on James Anderson’s 24 wickets (late swing at 88-92mph), Chris Tremlett and Steven Finn’s towering bounce (31 wickets between them). Their cartel overwhelmed Australia, with Mitchell Johnson’s waywardness contrasting with England’s precision. The Gabba draw turned on pace pressure, and the series’ intensity – verbal sledging, crowd taunts – underscored how speed ignites passions that push boundaries.In each case England’s victories hinged on one or more express bowlers. Spin played cameos but pace was the protagonist, exploiting Australia’s pace-friendly conditions: Perth’s steepling bounce; Brisbane’s humidity, which aids swing; Melbourne’s variable decks. Without it, touring sides wilt under home dominance – think Australia’s Lillee-Thomson terror in the 1970s or McGrath-Gillespie’s relentlessness in the 2000s.England’s 1932-33 series was indubitably secured by fast bowling•JA Hampton/Getty ImagesNow to the present. McCullum and Stokes have done their homework. They have prioritised the fitness of Archer and Wood, assembling a sextet of quicks – including Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, and Josh Tongue – apart from Stokes himself, to launch an assault. “We need that cartel fit and firing,” McCullum declared, echoing Jardine’s resolve. Archer’s X-factor swing and Wood’s 95mph heat are statements of intent; the two have been managed meticulously after injuries to peak in Perth. With only Shoaib Bashir as spinner, they’ve put nearly all eggs in the speed basket, betting on rotation to sustain pressure across five Tests.Australia lack a Bradman, but curbing Steve Smith, Travis Head, and Cameron Green to mortal outputs will be pivotal. The openers will be important to Australia’s success, but it is the middle order that will need to make big runs if Australia are to win the series. If England’s attack delivers and dismantles Australia’s middle order, McCullum and Stokes will join the list of successful England leaders in Australia.Batting-wise, England appear settled, with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett’s aggressiveness as openers, Ollie Pope’s flair, Joe Root’s mastery, Jamie Smith’s precociousness, and Harry Brook’s prodigious talent – the latter averages 57.55 in Tests, a comet streaking across world cricket. Australia’s line-up will look more settled before the first Test on the back of early-season form, but vulnerabilities persist in the wake of David Warner’s retirement.Yet, batters will be critical only insofar as they withstand the barrage. This series, like its forebears, will be decided by the superior bowling side. England’s pace gamble could evoke Bodyline’s emotions – imagine a bouncer from Archer felling a key bat, crowds erupting, words flying. Sport’s power lies here: it distils human drama, where triumph and controversy collide, pushing participants and spectators beyond civil norms into realms of raw passion.Jardine took the only sensible option. History affirms pace’s primacy in Australia, and in 2025-26 too, bowling will crown the victor. As the urn beckons, let the need for speed reignite cricket’s eternal fire.

There is a feeling that Manchester United’s recruitment has turned a corner this season, even with Ruben Amorim’s side still languishing in mid-table in the Premier League.

Bryan Mbeumo, for instance, has already scored six times for the club, while Senne Lammens has tasted defeat just once in his first six games in the sticks.

More is expected of both Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko – who have scored only three goals between them – yet there have certainly been reasons for encouragement, not least the Brazilian’s stellar showing away at Anfield.

That almost £250m quartet have made an impact, no doubt about it, with the INEOS regime looking to have learned from the mistakes of the previous summer – and those that came before them.

Sancho vs Antony: Who was the worst signing?

The beauty of Mbeumo is that the former Brentford man – signed for around £71m – has hit the ground running. He is delivering what supporters would have hoped for, and more.

That certainly hasn’t been the case for United forwards of the recent past, with far too many expensive gambles having backfired, not least in the case of Jadon Sancho and Antony.

Starting with Sancho, the £73m man was courted for over a year before arriving in the summer of 2021 for what looked like a knockdown price at the time, having chalked up 107 goals and assists in 137 appearances during his first spell at Borussia Dortmund.

Hampered by an ear infection, the Englishman never really got going right from the off, in truth, overshadowed too by the subsequent capture of Cristiano Ronaldo.

After such a drawn-out saga, there was a muted excitement when Sancho did arrive, while he subsequently produced mere moments of quality, including the opener in Erik ten Hag’s first win against Liverpool.

The 25-year-old – now on loan at Aston Villa – has been truly forgettable, while Antony’s 2022 signing remains regrettable, with United forking out £86m on a player who was valued at around £25m just a year or so earlier.

A Ten Hag favourite at Ajax, the mercurial Brazilian did score in his first three league games, but that was about as good as it got in Manchester for the much-maligned left-footer.

Two statement goals did follow that season against Real Betis and Barcelona in the Europa League, albeit with that only heightening the belief that he is more suited to a league like LaLiga, where he is currently thriving.

He did at least have those moments, alongside his FA Cup strike against Liverpool, perhaps giving him the edge in the wooden spoon battle with Sancho – not least with expectations having been quite so high for the ex-England international.

Cost

£86m

£73m

Games

96

83

Goals

12

12

Assists

5

6

PL Games

62

58

PL Goals

5

9

PL Assists

3

6

Miserable marquee moves have, of course, followed since, but INEOS might well have made the worst of them.

Man Utd's biggest waste since Antony and Sancho

£70m might have been spent on Casemiro in that same summer as Antony’s arrival, but for all his flaws, the ageing midfielder is still an important figure for Amorim.

Rasmus Hojlund, at £72m, is another questionable, costly deal of recent times, although the Dane did at least finish his first season as the club’s top scorer in all competitions.

Looking back to last summer, too, the investment in Matthijs de Ligt is beginning to bear fruit, while, despite a shaky showing against Everton, Leny Yoro still looks destined to be a star of the future.

The same, unfortunately, cannot be said of another high-profile capture from that INEOS-led window, in the form of £50m man, Manuel Ugarte.

Now, the merits of selling Scott McTominay can continue to be debated, although the real issue is that having sold the Scotland star for £26m, the club then spent almost double on what only looks to be a downgrade in the midfield ranks.

Indeed, while McTominay has gone to secure Ballon d’Or nods and Scudetto triumphs, Ugarte has remained a polarising presence at Old Trafford, having struggled right from the off following his arrival from Paris Saint-Germain.

Neglected by Ten Hag, the reunion with Amorim initially looked set to be a fruitful one for the Uruguayan, having memorably put in a standout showing at Anfield in January.

Just four months later, however, the 24-year-old was merely an unused substitute in the Europa League final, having reportedly been given a dressing down by Amorim at Carrington in the wake of that defeat.

Like Donny van de Beek before him, even linking up with a former manager hasn’t helped to spark his United career into life, with Ugarte again notably overlooked during Monday’s defeat to Everton.

In the words of his manager, the £120k-per-week flop is “struggling” right now, with his woes on the ball particularly evident.

Among midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues this season, he ranks in just the bottom 15% for progressive passes and the bottom 20% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.

The £50m man – who has two goals and six assists in 55 games for the club to date – has only actually started two league games this season, with Amorim favouring the experience of Casemiro ahead of him in that midfield two.

Entering what is a pivotal second season for Ugarte, he is showing no signs of being a player for the long term at Old Trafford, with midfield improvements drastically needed in 2026.

To have forked out such a substantial fee for a truly limited player – one described as “embarrassing” earlier this season by journalist Alex Turk – reflects poorly on the INEOS regime, with the ‘struggling’ asset already heading the way of Antony and Sancho as a notable transfer misfire.

Not Lammens: Man Utd flop is becoming their biggest liability since Onana

Manchester United have a player who has massively failed to deliver at Old Trafford since his transfer.

1 ByEthan Lamb Nov 27, 2025

Marco Verratti could be set for a stunning reunion with former Paris Saint-Germain teammates Edinson Cavani, Ander Herrera and Leandro Paredes, with Boca Juniors exploring an ambitious move for the Italian midfielder. With the 33-year-old looking to leave Al Duhail and Boca preparing for a high-profile Libertadores return in 2026, president Juan Roman Riquelme has quietly opened the door to a sensational transfer.

• Boca open talks as Verratti considers next move

  Boca Juniors have begun planning their 2026 Copa Libertadores return, and head honcho Riquelme is already targeting elite reinforcements. According to , one name at the top of the list is Verratti, who left PSG in 2023 for a new chapter in Qatar but is now looking for a fresh challenge after a difficult campaign marked by injury and limited minutes.

  The Italian midfielder joined Al Duhail this summer after two seasons at Al Arabi, yet spent much of November recovering from a muscle injury. Despite signing a contract through June 2026, the Italian has privately explored the possibility of leaving early, speaking with clubs in Italy including Inter, AC Milan and Juventus as he weighs his next step.

  Those conversations led to a new idea, sparked by discussions with former PSG teammates Cavani, Herrera and Paredes. The trio encouraged him to consider Argentina and the possibility of joining Boca, prompting Riquelme to step in. The club chief has already made direct contact with Verratti and even started wooing his wife, Jessica Aidi, by introducing opportunities in Buenos Aires – a clear signal of Boca’s intent.

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• AFP
  

  A reunion years in the making and a Libertadores vision

  This potential move reflects Boca’s broader strategy ahead of the 2026 Libertadores campaign. Riquelme is determined to assemble a veteran core with international pedigree, and Verratti fits the blueprint perfectly: a Champions League-proven midfielder, a former Italy international, and a player who has spent a decade competing at the top of European football. It also underlines Boca’s ongoing effort to build a squad capable of dominating South America, much like their “Euro Boca” phase in past years. 

  Cavani, signed in 2023, was the first major piece, followed by Herrera and Paredes, who helped advocate for Verratti. The possibility of a PSG-style midfield reunion in Buenos Aires signals just how far Boca are willing to go to regain continental supremacy. Meanwhile, Verratti’s desire to return to high-level competition works in Boca’s favour. After exploring Serie A interest and considering a return to Italy, a Libertadores challenge offers both prestige and a new kind of sporting motivation, one he appears increasingly open to.

• Contract status, departure dynamics & a Dybala twist

  Despite the excitement surrounding the move, the deal is complicated. As Verratti is still under contract with Al Duhail, Boca must either negotiate an early exit or hope the midfielder presses for a release. For now, the player’s camp has begun sounding out exit options, and the Qatari club are aware of his desire to leave.

  Beyond Verratti, Boca fans have also been buzzing over a separate rumour involving Paulo Dybala. The Roma star has been loosely linked with the club due to his contract situation in Italy and past comments about Argentine football. While the Dybala talk remains speculative, his name adds even more intrigue to Boca’s 2026 project. If both moves somehow materialised, Boca would suddenly boast a squad filled with some of the biggest names to ever play in South America.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Negotiations underway as Boca push for a blockbuster signing

  Verratti is Boca’s clearest target, and Riquelme has already activated the early steps of his recruitment strategy. The midfielder’s openness to leaving Qatar combined with encouragement from Cavani, Herrera and Paredes makes this more than just a dream. Progress now depends on whether Boca can strike an agreement with Al Duhail or find a creative exit route before mid-2026. With the Libertadores return looming, the Argentine giants want the deal done well before the continental campaign begins.

  One thing is certain, if Verratti completes the move, Boca’s ambition for 2026 becomes unmistakable. And with Cavani, Herrera and Paredes already in the dressing room, the stage is set for one of the most surprising South American reunions in recent memory.

Marseille striker Mason Greenwood has won the Ligue 1 Player of the Month award for October, marking the second time he has received the accolade since his transfer from Manchester United in the summer of 2024. The 24-year-old England international scored five Ligue 1 goals last month, including a remarkable four-goal haul during Marseille’s dominant 6-2 victory against Le Havre.

• Greenwood's dominant October performance

  The English international has been named Ligue 1 Player of the Month for October, as announced by the UNFP (Union Nationale des Footballeurs Professionnels), the players' union, on Sunday. This marks a significant achievement for Greenwood, who has continued to rebuild his career in France following his move from Manchester United.

  Greenwood's exceptional form in October saw him net five goals in Ligue 1. A standout performance included scoring four goals during Marseille's emphatic 6-2 win against Le Havre. He also contributed a goal in a narrow 2-1 loss against Lens, demonstrating his consistent attacking threat. This impressive tally of goals and overall contribution saw him beat out competition from Strasbourg's Joaquin Panichelli and OGC Nice's Sofiane Diop for the individual honour, securing 38% of the vote.

  This is the second time Greenwood has received the Ligue 1 Player of the Month award since joining Marseille in the summer of 2024. His consistent recognition underscores his impact on the French top flight.

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  Impressive season statistics and previous achievements

  Greenwood's current season statistics highlight his ongoing influence at Marseille. So far this season, he has scored nine goals and provided four assists across 15 appearances in all competitions. This follows a highly successful debut campaign in 2024-25, where he made an immediate impact after his permanent transfer from Manchester United.

  In his first season in Ligue 1, Greenwood scored an impressive 21 league goals in 34 matches, tying with PSG's Ousmane Dembele for the French Golden Boot. Marseille finished second behind Paris Saint-Germain in that campaign, a testament to Greenwood's vital contribution to their league challenge. His overall record with OM stands at 31 goals and ten assists in 51 games played across all competitions, as reported by AFP.

  Marseille are currently in a close contest for the Ligue 1 title, trailing league leaders PSG by just two points. Greenwood's prolific scoring and creative play are central to their ambitions.

• International aspirations: England or Jamaica?

  Despite his strong club form, Greenwood's international future remains a significant talking point. He made his only senior international appearance for England in 2020 in a Nations League clash against Iceland. Following serious criminal allegations, which were later dropped, his journey with the Three Lions appeared to end, leading to him being "blacklisted by the FA and head coach Thomas Tuchel from selection," according to the Daily Mail.

  Earlier this year, Greenwood acquired Jamaican citizenship through his lineage, making him eligible to represent the Jamaican national team. Jamaica's manager, former England boss Steve McClaren, even called him up for World Cup qualifiers in September. However, Greenwood did not commit at that time.

  McClaren explained in September: "We acquired a passport and we expected him to be coming to this camp but on a conversation with his family, he's not going to commit at this time to anybody. So he's taking his time over that." He added: "We will keep pursuing him because I know from my conversations with Mason that he loves Jamaica, he respects Jamaica. He wants to concentrate on club football and not commit to an international team at the moment."

  Despite this, reports suggest Greenwood is "obsessed" with the idea of returning to St George’s Park and still believes he can play for England again, even with the FA and Tuchel's current stance. With the 2026 World Cup approaching, a comeback for England appears improbable, yet Greenwood's ambition persists.

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• Potential Premier League return and European interest

  Greenwood's impressive performances in France have inevitably sparked speculation about a potential return to the Premier League. While a return to English top-flight football is considered "extremely unlikely" in the short term due to the significant public scrutiny an English club would face, reports suggest interest from Premier League sides.

  TEAMtalk reported interest from Tottenham and West Ham in signing Greenwood in 2026. Spurs are reportedly seeking a "dynamic, energetic player," while West Ham see him as a "potential game-changer." However, the report also indicates strong interest from other European clubs, with Atletico Madrid, impressed by his loan spell at Getafe, keen to bring him back to La Liga. Saudi Pro League clubs like Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr are also reportedly preparing lucrative offers, though Greenwood's current preference is to remain in Europe and compete in the Champions League.

Harry Kane has been offered “is it the same” advice as a 2026 transfer for the prolific England international striker continues to be mooted. Ex-Tottenham star Stephen Carr has been discussing future plans for the Bayern Munich talisman, with GOAL being told why a stunning return to Spurs is unlikely but a switch to “somewhere else in Europe” could happen.

• Transfer clause: Fee that will trigger exit talks

  It has been revealed that Kane has a clause in his contract at the Allianz Arena which can be triggered in upcoming windows. If a bid of £57 million ($76m) is tabled, then the 32-year-old frontman will be allowed to enter into talks with interested parties.

  Tottenham have the option of matching any offers, having stipulated as much when sanctioning the sale of their all-time leading goalscorer in 2023, and would love to welcome a home-grown icon back to familiar surroundings in north London after seeing him break his trophy duck in Germany.

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  Spurs return: Will Kane head home?

  Kane is, however, happy at Bayern and has been linked with other heavyweight outfits such as Barcelona and Real Madrid. With that in mind, a retracing of steps to the Premier League is not considered to be a top priority.

  Quizzed on whether Kane will ever don a Spurs jersey again, Carr – speaking with Casino.org, where you can review online gambling – told GOAL: “I’m not sure. He’s having unbelievable success in Germany. He’s a goalscorer and will score goals wherever he goes.

  “I’m sure he will have other offers. He has the buyout and do Tottenham have first refusal? Is it ever the same when a player comes back again? Not really. The team he left, he had a great relationship with him and [Heung-min] Son playing together – that worked really well. It would be a completely different team that he came back to if that evolved. I think he will have offers from big clubs if he wants to move on. He has proven that he just scores goals. He’s phenomenal.”

• Never go back: Kane remains a legend at Tottenham

  Football folklore dictates that you should “never go back”, with Kane aware that a return to Tottenham – if things did not work out as planned – could lead to his legacy being tarnished somewhat. That will be factored into his thinking.

  He will also be turning 33 next summer, with Spurs likely favouring more long-term solutions. Carr added on what happens next for a fan favourite at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: “He left and even the fans in the end understood that he needed to leave in order to win something. He deserved to win something, which he has now. I’m sure he will win more this year.

  “He had unbelievable success there [Spurs], is a legend there, and I think he is still looked at like that. He scores goals regardless but whether he would have that same success, I don’t know. It would be great if he did go back, but I think he will be looking at it differently. After leaving Tottenham, giving up on the English goal record – he would have caught [Alan] Shearer the way he was going – he’s not going to get younger, he does adjust his game, but I get the feeling he will stay there or go somewhere else in Europe. He might want another challenge, rather than going back to Tottenham.”

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  Kane contract: New challenge or extension at Bayern?

  Kane has offered no indication that he is considering a change of scenery, having spoken on a regular basis of how happy he and his family – including wife Kate – are in Bavaria. He is tied to a contract through to 2027 that may yet be extended.

  Bayern are understandably reluctant to part with their free-scoring No.9. They have seen Kane register 110 goals through 117 appearances – winning back-to-back Golden Boots. He became a Bundesliga title winner last season and is ready to chase down more major honours in 2026 – including the World Cup crown as captain and record-shattering all-time leading marksman of the England national team.

From comebacks to spin questions, Litton Das and Scott Edwards eye answers before bigger competitions around the corner

Abhijato Sensarma29-Aug-2025

Litmus test for skipper Litton

While the T20 World Cup early next year remains a focus for Bangladesh, it is some way down the horizon. They will be looking at this series to tighten their own line-up for the more immediate T20 Asia Cup, set to begin on September 9 in the UAE.That tournament will be the first major assignment for captain Litton Das, in charge of the T20I side since earlier this year. He has already shepherded them to their maiden T20I series wins against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and will be expected to extend the winning streak before the Asia Cup.Nurul Hasan has been in the middle of a purple patch in T20s•GSL/Getty Images

Bangladesh’s comeback men

The series is also a storyof comebacks on both sides. Bangladesh have recalled wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan and top-order batter Saif Hassan, both of whom last played for Bangladesh over two years ago.Nurul has accumulated 514 runs in the 2024-25 season across T20 leagues, and also led Rangpur Riders to the inaugural Global Super League title in 2024. Saif, meanwhile, struck a couple of impressive half-centuries at the recent Top End T20s in Australia. They will be looking to push for spots in the first XI.Scott Edwards will be without two of his key allrounders from the Europe qualifiers•Matthew Lewis/ICC/Getty Images

Unfamiliar territory for Netherlands

They won the Europe qualifier for the 2026 T20 World Cup earlier this year, but were set to play in subcontinental conditions only when they landed in India for the World Cup next year. Game time in the region has been rare for them. In Bangladesh, too, they have only ever played once before, way back in the 2014 T20 World Cup.The pitches in Bangladesh have made for lower-scoring encounters than the ones in India in the recent past. Nonetheless, this tour will allow Netherlands to start figuring out their best combination on surfaces quite different to the ones they played on to win the Europe qualifiers.Bas de Leede misses this tour but should be back for the World Cup•AFP/Getty Images

Netherlands are without their stars

A couple of spots in Netherlands’ eventual World Cup squad might be reserved for two of their top allrounders – Bas de Leede and Roelof van der Merwe – who could not make it to this tour because of their County commitments. Both played major roles in the Europe qualifiers. But left-hand opener Vikramjit Singh (dropped for the qualifiers), right-arm quick Sebastiaan Braat (last played in 2021), and allrounder Sikander Zulfiqar (in 2019) will be looking to back up their recent domestic numbers as they fill up the vacant spots.In unfamiliar conditions, a lot of the responsibility for leading the side might fall on the shoulders of their captain and middle-order lynchpin, Scott Edwards.Rishad Hossain’s form has dipped of late•AFP/Getty Images

Spin headache for Bangladesh

Bangladesh will be less than thrilled with their incumbents in the spin department. While their pacers have been impressive on their way to 51 wickets in T20Is in 2025 – 60.71% of all wickets they have taken this year – their spinners have had uneven returns.After a spell out of the XI, Mahedi Hasan made a comeback in the final T20I against Sri Lanka, and took 4 for 11 to bowl them to victory. His numbers were less remarkable in the series against Pakistan, where he took just three wickets at an average of 32.66 and an economy of 8.90.Rishad Hossain, the legspinner who is also a handy bat, has not been as potent either in 2025 with an average of 32.70 and an economy of 8.75.With the only other bowler who bowls spin in the side being Nasum Ahmed, who hasn’t played T20Is this year, Bangladesh will be hoping the spinners up their game if they are to mount a serious title challenge in the Asia Cup or next year’s T20 World Cup.