أعلنت رابطة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز عن هوية الحكم الذي سيتولى إدارة مباراة فريقي ليفربول وأستون فيلا، مساء يوم السبت، في إطار منافسات البطولة.
ويستضيف ملعب “الأنفيلد” مباراة فريقي ليفربول وأستون فيلا، في الجولة العاشرة من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، موسم 2025/26.
ويسعى ليفربول إلى مصالحة جماهيره بعدما خسر آخر 4 مباريات متتالية في الدوري الإنجليزي، أمام كل من كريستال بالاس، تشيلسي، مانشستر يونايتد وبرينتفورد، حيث تراجع إلى المركز السابع.
وحسبما أعلنت رابطة الدوري الإنجليزي، سيكون الحكم ستيوارت أتويل مسؤولًا عن إدارة مباراة ليفربول وأستون فيلا، وسيساعده نيك هوبتون وكريج تايلور، بينما سيتولى بول تيرني مهام تقنية الفيديو.
اقرأ أيضًا | مواعيد مباريات ليفربول في شهر نوفمبر 2025.. مواجهتان ناريتان
وسبق أن تسبب ستيوارت أتويل في إثارة غضب آرني سلوت خلال مباراة ليفربول وتوتنهام في ذهاب نصف نهائي كأس كاراباو، الموسم الماضي، حيث رأى الهولندي أنه كان يتعين إشهار البطاقة الصفراء الثانية ضد لوكاس بيرجفال قبل تسجيله هدف فوز الديوك.
نجا بيرجفال من بطاقة صفراء ثانية، ومن ثم الطرد، لعرقلته كوستاس تسيميكاس، مما ترك الظهير الأيسر بحاجة إلى العلاج خارج الملعب، قبل أن يسجل الهدف الحاسم ضد ليفربول، مما أثار استياء سلوت.
وقال سلوت في تصريحات صحفية آنذاك: “نعم، كان بيرجفال يستحق البطاقة الصفراء الثانية، لا جدل حول ذلك، يقولون إنه (الحكم) لم يرغب في إيقاف الهجمة المرتدة، وأنا أقول إن كل مدرب يُفضل، عند حدوث عرقلة على بعد 40 ياردة من حارس مرمى فريقه، أن يُمنح اللاعب بطاقة صفراء ثانية بدلًا من مواصلة الهجمة المرتدة بلاعب أقل عددًا”.
وواصل: “متأكد بنسبة 99.9% أنه (الحكم) عندما سجل بيرجفال، فكر (أوه، هل هذا حدث حقًا؟)، لأنه لم يعد بإمكانه تغييره، أعتقد أن الأمر كان بعيدًا عن الصواب بالنسبة له أيضًا”.
On Thursday evening, at a far from full Parkhead, the Hoops were beaten 2-0 by Braga in a wretched Europa League tie.
Despite having earned a respectable 1-1 draw with Crvena zvezda in their league phase opener eight nights earlier, all that good work was undone by a generally lifeless and toothless display against a team who, if reports are to believe, were underperforming to such an extent that manager Carlos Vicens was on the brink of the sack; perhaps that isn’t the case anymore!
For Brendan Rodgers, he has enjoyed unfathomable success in Glasgow and, while no one believes he is to blame, he certainly has a big job on his hands to turn the tide of negativity around.
In summary, his squad is not good enough to compete at this level, but which of the Hoops’ most experienced players were most to blame?
Kasper Schmeichel's miserable night
Braga’s opening goal, scored by Ricardo Horta, was either an absolute screamer or a goalkeeping howler, depending on your point of view.
As Joe Hart, speaking on commentary for TNT Sports, was eager to point out, the ball did dip and swerve viciously, but Kasper Schmeichel in goal will be disappointed that he was unable to keep this one out.
In fairness to the vastly experienced Dane, he could do nothing about the second, Dane Murray’s clearances ricocheting in via Gabri Martínez’s knees, while Schmeichel did make plenty of impressive saves, one in particular denying Florian Grillitsch; without him, the scoreline could have been either worse.
Since arriving from Anderlecht, Schmeichel has been excellent in a Celtic jersey albeit, set to celebrate his 39th birthday next month, there has to be some semblance of succession planning.
However, he was far from the player who put in the worst contribution on the night, with the Celts’ main issues lying at the other end of the park.
Celtic's blunt attack
We have potentially buried the lead, given that this game on Thursday night witnessed, potentially, the worst VAR decision since its introduction, one that former Celtic striker Chris Sutton described as “scandalous”.
Shortly after half-time, following a defensive mix-up from the Archbishops, Kelechi Iheanacho calmly slotted an equaliser past Lukáš Horníček.
However, VAR had other ideas, informing referee Tobias Stieler that the Nigerian striker had handled the ball in the build-up.
Hart on commentary was rightly gobsmacked; you can make up your own mind, but no evidence has yet surfaced that the ball actually made contact with the striker’s hand or arm.
That aside, Iheanacho was generally anonymous, as the table below documents.
Iheanacho vs Braga
Statistics
Iheanacho
Match rank
Shots
0
8th
Shots on target
0
6th
Shots blocked
1
7th
xG
0.04
11th
Duels contested
6
17th
Duels won
1
27th
Possession lost
10
9th
Touches
19
27th
Average SofaScore rating
6.1
30th
Stats via SofaScore
Iheanacho was a peripheral figure, completing just five passes, touching the ball just 19 times and losing the ball on ten occasions. He could also muster only one shot while ending the night with the same expected goals figure as 19-year-old right-back Colby Donovan, who was replaced at half time.
Of course, Iheanacho will believe, and he wouldn’t be the only one, that he scored a perfectly good goal, one that would have reversed the narrative, both for him and the club as a whole.
The Nigerian did score in Belgrade last Wednesday, having converted a penalty on his debut to snatch victory at Rugby Park, but is symbolic of the board’s shambolic summer transfer strategy, arriving after the deadline following the sale of Adam Idah, with no replacement lined up.
Life is also not being made easy for him by Celtic’s general lack of attacking threat, with Sebastian Tounekti the only one looking like scoring a goal against Braga, while fellow new recruit Michel-Ange Balikwisha puzzlingly remained on the bench.
Saturday’s goalless stalemate with Hibernian was the Hoops’ first 0-0 draw in a home Premiership match since 26 August 2023 against St Johnstone, but the fifth time in 12 matches already this season in which they’ve failed to score.
Right now, in the Scottish Premiership, leaders Hearts as well as Hibs, Dundee United, Kilmarnock, Livingston and Motherwell, who will visit Parkhead on Sunday, have all scored more goals than the serial champions’ tally of eight, a mind-boggling statistic.
Rodgers’ side still have to face Sturm Graz, Roma and Utrecht in Glasgow as well as taking on Midtjylland, Feyenoord and Bologna on the road in the Europa League, and Celtic are going to have to exponentially improve, especially in attack, if they’re to avoid an ignominious early exit.
Bigger talent than Donovan: Celtic must rue releasing "complete" star
Celtic must rue releasing this young star who currently looks like an even bigger talent than Colby Donovan.
“I will have to give some time to my body and my bowling to get those speeds back,” the LSG quick said
ESPNcricinfo staff08-May-20251:48
Rayudu: ‘Maybe Mayank Yadav isn’t ready yet’
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) fast bowler Mayank Yadav feels that the drop in his speeds after returning from a long injury layoff “is normal”, asserting that he needs to give his body time to return to the same match intensity and fitness standards.Mayank, who returned to professional cricket only late last month after a gap of close to six months due to multiple injuries, is far from the tearaway speedster that he was in his breakthrough IPL 2024 season. He consistently clocked speeds in excess of 150kph last year, touching a high of 156.7kph. This season, though, his pace has mostly been in the 130kph range, occasionally breaching the 140kph barrier. Mayank, however, is not bothered.”This is normal,” he said ahead of LSG’s crucial league game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Lucknow on Friday. “I had a major injury because of which I was out of cricket for five to six months. The body will adapt and take its own time. I will have to give some time to my body and my bowling to get those speeds back. There have been no changes in my bowling technique.”Related
Mayank Yadav returns from injury a slower bowler
Zaheer: 'Mayank's speeds are going to get better as he plays more'
Mayank was one of the three players retained by LSG ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. He even made his India debut against Bangladesh in October last year, but has missed a chunk of IPL after missing the entire domestic season in 2024-25 with a back injury. His return was later pushed back by a toe injury.”There is no drastic change in my strategy,” Mayank, 22, said. “I will continue to do what I used to. My body is taking a little time. I have not seen the intensity, [and] the match pressure for a while now. So it is very normal that the body is responding a little differently after a major injury. I don’t have a different mindset or intent. That remains the same. But I need to read the wickets and the batsmen quicker.”Mayank has had a lukewarm time in the two games so far this season, picking 2 for 40 against Mumbai Indians, followed by 0 for 60 against Punjab Kings. He has also relied a lot on change of pace and slower balls, which he says is a part of the plan. Despite the slow start, Mayank also wants to be seen as LSG’s “strike bowler” and a “wicket-taking bowler”.”I have been doing this right from the start, the variations, the slower ones,” Mayank said. “I didn’t need it last season. The few matches that I played in the main demand was to bowl quick and hard length deliveries. This time the wickets, wherever I have played using variations have been important.1:30
Mayank Yadav’s variations impress Anil Kumble
“My mindset is to contribute as much as possible for the team. In the last match, my spell was a bit expensive. Whenever I bowl, the team should feel that I am a strike bowler and a wicket-taking bowler. I just try to be positive for my team.”Mayank accepted that LSG have made mistakes in the tournament so far, and find themselves in a must-win situation against RCB. It has not helped that their captain Rishabh Pant has had a poor tournament, where he has managed only 128 runs in 11 innings, and is averaging a mere 12.80. Mayank, however, is backing his captain to bounce back, and is also positive about his team’s playoffs chances.”I have known Rishabh for a while now because we play for the same club in Delhi,” he said. “Whenever I have spoken to him, I have not felt that he is under pressure. He is confidently talking to me about the game, about the situation, [and] about the opposition batsmen.””We have been a little late in assessing the grounds and the wickets. We have made mistakes there; I’ll accept that. But we have three matches, and if we win that, there might be a chance we can make the playoffs.”
O Palmeiras venceu o Atlético-MG, nesta quarta-feira (2), por 1 a 0, e abriu vantagem no confronto de oitavas de final da Libertadores. Com gol de Raphael Veiga, ainda no primeiro tempo, o Verdão saiu do Mineirão com o resultado positivo e com seu terceiro triunfo consecutivo.
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+ Veja tabela da Libertadores-2023 clicando aqui
Com esse resultado, o Alviverde por até empatar no Allianz Parque, na quarta-feira (9), pelo jogo de volta das oitavas, que ainda assim se classificará para as quartas de final da competição. Já o Galo precisa vencer por um gol de diferença para levar a decisão para os pênaltis, mas se quiser levar a vaga no tempo normal, necessita ganhar por dois ou mais gols.
CINCO LANCES QUE MARCARAM O DUELO
> VERDÃO EM CASA! Embora o mando fosse do Galo e com a grande maioria da torcida a favor, foi o Alviverde que tomou conta do jogo no primeiro tempo. Time da casa não se encontrou na etapa inicial e parecia mais o visitante.
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> VEIGA, SEMPRE ELE! Com domínio total das ações, o gol do Palmeiras parecia questão de tempo e ele veio em uma bela trama que fez a bola sobrar na entrada da área para Veiga arrematar de esquerda e abrir o placar.
> PRESSÃO DO GALO! Na volta do intervalo, o Atlético-MG colocou seu time mais dentro do campo do Palmeiras e começou a levar mais pressão para o adversário, que acabou ficando acuado e sem espaço para contra-atacar.
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> WEVERTON! Nas poucas chances que o Atlético-MG conseguiu converter em finalizações no gol, o goleiro do Palmeiras estava lá para mostrar segurança e impedir que os donos da casa empatassem.
> QUASE! Na reta final do jogo, ambos os times quase mexeram no placar. Primeiro o Palmeiras, com Jhon Jhon, que acertou a trave, depois com Pedrinho, que cabeceou ao lado do gol de Weverton.
PRIMEIRO TEMPO
Ao contrário do que se esperava, quem começou o jogo em cima do adversário foi o Palmeiras, que tomou conta da posse de bola e entregou poucas chances ao Atlético-MG. O Verdão criou diversas chances de gol na primeira etapa e poderia ter até saído com o placar mais elástico. O gol de Veiga acabou premiando o melhor time em campo. No entanto, o Galo teve uma boa oportunidade com Hulk, mas a bola foi para fora. Zaracho, com problemas físicos, acabou sendo substituído por Felipão antes do intervalo.
SEGUNDO TEMPO
Se o jogo foi todo do Palmeiras no primeiro tempo, ele foi todo do Atlético-MG no segundo. Com o time mais avançado no campo do adversário, o Galo não deixou o Verdão jogar. Sem contra-ataque e sem saída de trás, a equipe de Abel Ferreira recuou demais e deu algum espaço para os comandados de Felipão tentaram o empate. No entanto, o volume de jogo não foi convertido em chances, e as poucas foram neutralizadas por Weverton. No duelo das alterações, Scolari foi mais feliz do que o português.
O QUE VEM POR AÍ
Com o resultado, o Palmeiras pode até empatar no Allianz Parque, na quarta-feira (9), pela partida de volta das oitavas de final, que estará classificado para a fase de quartas de final. Já o Atlético-MG precisa vencer por um gol de diferença para levar a decisão para os pênaltis, ou por dois gols ou mais para garantir a vaga no tempo normal. Antes disso, pelo Brasileirão, o Verdão visita o Fluminense, no Maracanã, neste sábado (5), enquanto o Galo vai até a capital paulista para encarar o São Paulo, no domingo (6).
FICHA TÉCNICA ATLÉTICO-MG 0 x 1 PALMEIRAS Local: Mineirão, Belo Horizonte (MG) Data e hora: 2/8/2023, às 21h30 (de Brasília) Árbitro: Facundo Tello (ARG) Assistentes: Diego Bonfa (ARG) e Maximiliano Del Yesso (ARG) VAR: German Delfino (ARG) Público: 52.587 torcedores Cartões amarelos: Guilherme Arana (AMG), Jhon Jhon e Gabriel Menino (PAL) Cartões vermelhos: – Gols: Raphael Veiga (28’/1ºT) (0-1)
ATLÉTICO-MG: Everson; Saravia (Mariano, aos 35’/2ºT), Jemerson, Igor Rabello e Guilherme Arana; Otávio (Pedrinho, aos 17’/2ºT), Battaglia e Zaracho (Igor Gomes, aos 36’/2ºT); Pavón (Hyoran, Paulinho (Alan Kardec, aos 35’/2ºT) e Hulk. Técnico: Felipão.
PALMEIRAS: Weverton; Mayke, Gustavo Gómez, Murilo e Piquerez; Zé Rafael, Gabriel Menino (Richard Ríos, aos 18’/2ºT) e Raphael Veiga (Flaco López, aos 45’/2ºT); Artur (Marcos Rocha, aos 31’/2ºT), Dudu (Jhon Jhon, aos 18’/2ºT) e Rony (Breno Lopes, aos 45’/2ºT). Técnico: Abel Ferreira.
With 323 runs in seven innings, Rahul is averaging nearly 65 in IPL 2025 and is the third-highest run-getter among Indians this season
ESPNcricinfo staff23-Apr-20253:37
‘Axar calm and authoritative as a leader’
KL Rahul scored his third half-century in IPL 2025 on Tuesday night in Delhi Capitals’ (DC) win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), taking his tally to 323 runs in seven innings after missing the start of the season for the birth of his child. He is DC’s highest run-getter this season and the latest innings – a match-winning 42-ball 57 – was yet another performance where his skills as one of the most dangerous Indian T20 batters was on display.He is now averaging nearly 65 in his first season with his new franchise, and Cheteshwar Pujara has credited Rahul for leaving last season’s “baggage” – the fallout with LSG – at the door and moving on.”Just move on, don’t carry any baggage from the past,” Pujara said on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut, reflecting on Rahul’s IPL 2025 form. “And that’s a good thing. Look, KL is a mature player. Last couple of years, he’s been batting well across formats. He doesn’t want to think about the past and wants to enjoy his batting and be in his zone, rather than think about what went wrong when he was playing for the LSG team.Related
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“It’s good to move on, which will also help him play well for DC and even for the Indian team. Because, lately, he is someone the India team also relies on, the way he’s batting. Even as a person, he looks a lot more mature now, he understands his game very well. We have seen a different KL Rahul this season. When he started [against LSG], he didn’t look that [fluid], but still he picked it up.”On Tuesday, after LSG had put up 159 for 6, Rahul walked out with DC at 36 for 1 in the fourth over. He took his time to get going, only getting to 19 off 20 balls by the end of the tenth over, but with Abishek Porel scoring quickly at the other end, DC were still placed quite well at 80 for 1. Rahul got going after that with sixes in back-to-back overs, off Ravi Bishnoi and Aiden Markram, the spinners, and, while never frenetic, got to his fifty off 40 balls before finishing the game with his third six.Nick Knight, the former England opener, said Rahul might be thriving because he doesn’t have to shoulder the responsibility of captaincy, like he had to at LSG.”Captaincy can do funny things to you – sometimes you thrive on it, sometimes it’s a burden,” Knight said. “Whether that’s had any impact, of not being captain now, just being free and being able to play the match situation.”We’ve got this obsession in cricket that the best player has to be captain. That’s not always the case, is it? I’m not saying that’s the case with KL Rahul, or even Rishabh Pant, but he’s batting with so much freedom and looks relaxed in the crease.”1:51
Pujara: Mukesh is ‘always looking for a wicket’Pujara liked what he saw of Mukesh Kumar on the night, especially at the back-end of the LSG innings. His 4 for 33 ensured LSG finished with a below-par 159 that DC chased down with 13 balls to spare.”He is more than capable, even within the powerplay. He is someone who can take a couple of wickets in the powerplay, which he hasn’t done, but credit to him on how he came back after being hit in the powerplay,” Pujara said. “That yorker against Mitchell Marsh was probably one of the best [deliveries] in the IPL. He got the ball to reverse swing a bit, he executed his yorkers really well. Look, he is a confidence bowler, and he’s always looking for a wicket.”Knight also gave credit to DC captain Axar Patel for his bowling changes and making the best use of his resources. Axar had taken the new ball himself against the two overseas LSG batters – Marsh and Markram – and bowled four economical overs on the trot.”Axar, actually, had a good game,” Knight said. “I thought it was innovative to open the bowling with him [Axar]. I thought he used Mitchell Starc really well. It wasn’t swinging much up front so he took Starc out. Brought him back in the eighth over [ninth over] to make an impact and he did that with the Nicholas Pooran dismissal [later in the same spell].”Then he had Kuldeep [Yadav], himself and Mitchell Starc bowling in key moments in the middle to block LSG out. I thought it was an impressive performance from the skipper.”
Ryan Mason is now experiencing his first sticky patch of form in the West Bromwich Albion hot seat.
Indeed, after a fast-paced start from the Baggies saw Mason’s new side collect three league wins from a possible four, they have now tasted the bitterness of defeat two games on the spin to fall out of the very early Championship playoff race.
The stars Mason knew he could rely on in the opening few games have suddenly gone quiet, with Isaac Price one notable underperformer across West Brom’s last two games that had shone extremely bright during that patch of promising wins.
Still, the Northern Ireland international has shown more than enough already to appear ready for a promotion run-in, with the former Everton youth product already a favourite among the Hawthorns masses.
How Price compares to past West Brom stars
West Brom were in dire need of a fresh and exciting talent to take over from Tom Fellows after it was announced that the homegrown star was moving to Southampton in the summer.
While Price is nowhere near Fellows’ best just yet, with the rapid 22-year-old collecting a mammoth 14 assists last season, it’s clear that the “outstanding” number 21 – as he has been labelled by scout Jacek Kulig – is cut out for the challenges of the Championship, with a stunning five goal contributions already next to his name this season in all competitions.
Price’s ability to conjure up a moment of magic from nothing could soon see him reach the unbelievable heights of Mateus Pereira, too, if he keeps plugging along, with the beloved Brazilian once collecting an absurd 28 goal contributions at the Hawthorns to seal a passage up to the Premier League.
Of course, at just 21 years of age, the ex-Toffees starlet isn’t the finished product just yet. But, with his heroics for his nation also sticking out, it’s not the wildest shout that Price could soon make waves in the top-flight as well, much like ex-Baggies winger Grady Diangana was capable of before his time in the West Midlands fizzled out.
Arguably, the promotion-chasers once had an asset on their books who was even more talented than Price, but he would – unfortunately – never live up to his immense hype.
The West Brom star who never lived up to his hype
West Brom aren’t strangers when it comes to going after hotly-tipped starlets who have had a previous much-talked-about education.
Of course, in the here and now, Price benefited from an early education at Everton, with Oliver Burke also arriving at the Baggies in 2017, having shone briefly at boyhood club Nottingham Forest.
More impressively than Price on Merseyside, however – who never went on to enter the senior fray for the Toffees – Burke would go on to collect six goals and three assists in the men’s set-up at the City Ground, leading to Tony Pulis declaring that the Scotsman had “enormous” potential to be a top-flight success when arriving at the Premier League outfit in 2017.
In reality, in much the opposing fashion to Price, the 6-foot-2 forward would struggle to live up to his lavish praise, with just a weak one goal and three assists falling into his lap in the West Midlands. Amazingly, his 21-year-old counterpart has already bettered that meagre amount.
Burke’s career after West Brom
Stat
Burke
Games played
192
Clubs
7
Goals scored
22
Assists
13
Value at West Brom
£15m
Value now
£2m
Sourced by Transfermarkt
Since his misstep at the Baggies, which cost the then top-flight club a whopping £15m, the well-travelled attacker has at least managed to repair his playing days, with a recent hat-trick in the Bundesliga for current employers Union Berlin placing his name back in plenty of headlines.
However, having never quite lived up to his potential, Burke’s valuation has now fallen all the way to a meagre £2m, as per Football Transfers.
This will be a cautionary tale for Price to consider, with a big hope on West Brom’s end that the 21-year-old can only get better, even with the daunting Premier League potentially coming his way.
0 duels won, 0 dribbles: West Brom star is now on borrowed time under Mason
This West Bromwich Albion ace could now be on borrowed time under Ryan Mason.
علق أيمن علي حسن رئيس اتحاد الدراجات على إصابة ابتسام زايد لاعبة منتخب مصر خلال مشاركتها في بطولة العالم.
وقال أيمن في مداخلة على ملعب “أون” عن إصابة ابتسام زايد في بطولة العالم: “لاعبة منتخب مصر كانت تشارك في بطولة العالم في تشيلي، وسافروا يوم 18، وبدأوا اللعب يوم 22”.
وتابع: “بدأت يوم 22 سباق النقاط وحصدت المركز الـ15 عالميًا، ثم كان لدينا يوم 24 سباق اسمه الإقصاء بمشاركة 24 لاعبة بعد التصفيات، وكل لفتين بهما سبرينت، واللاعبة الأخيرة تودع المنافسة”.
طالع.. صورة | الاصابة تحرم ابتسام زايد من استكمال بطولة العالم للدراجات
وكشف: “طبعًا في اللفة الثامنة خرج خمسة، وابتسام كانت في موقع ممتاز يؤهلها للمنافسة على الصدارة، لكن حصل تصادم بينها وبين أربع لاعبات، فوقعت، وتعرضت لإغماء مؤقت، وانتقلت على الفور إلى المستشفى”.
وواصل: “عندما استفاقت أخذت حوالي 12 غرزة فوق حاجبها الأيسر، طبعًا حادثة كبيرة جدًا، فالحمد لله اتنقلت على المستشفى، وعملوا لها الإجراءات اللازمة، والحمد لله لا كسور، كلها كدمات والخياطة فوق الحاجب”.
واختتم: “عادت الحمد لله إلى الفندق، وكشف عليها رئيس اللجنة الطبية في الاتحاد الدولي، وقال إن أحسن شيء أن تحصل على راحة أسبوع، وفي التقرير الطبي مكتوب إنها راحة أسبوع، ولا تخوض السباق القادم (الأومنيوم)، وكان سيلعب يوم 26”.
Manchester United have been here before. And they are here again. Ruben Amorim was brought in from Sporting Lisbon to replace the floundering Erik ten Hag but his Red Devils side have sunk to a new low since his appointment.
Sunday’s chastening defeat against Manchester City at the Etihad kept United in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
It is, in fairness, just four matches into the new season, but with Chelsea travelling to Old Trafford next weekend and no European football on the cards, it’s crucial that an upswing is made and quickly.
Already dumped from the Carabao Cup by League Two’s Grimsby Town, United haven’t quite collapsed this term but they do need to right the wrongs, especially since Amorim’s win percentage is the lowest of any manager at the club in 80 years.
After finishing 15th last season and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur, the summer transfer window felt crucial, but much has been left to be desired.
Man United's missed summer targets
Man United did address a series of issues in the summer transfer market, welcoming Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, arguably the Premier League’s two standout forwards beneath the Champions League zone last season.
However, INEOS failed to sign a centre-midfielder, and scrambled to replace Rasmus Hojlund at number nine, eventually landing on Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig, signing him for a £74m fee.
Sesko ghosted throughout United’s recent drubbing by Man City, and while the talent is undeniable, it’s clear there’s much work to be done.
Does Amorim have the time on his side to nurture the Slovenian’s skillset over the coming months, years?
The deadline day signing of goalkeeper Senne Lammens adds further cause for optimism, with Andre Onana now gone, but Altay Bayındır stood between the sticks against Pep Guardiola’s side, still trusted despite his wobbles, two years on from his £4m move from Feyenoord in Turkey.
Lammens and Sesko are both 23, and both first-teamers might bloom into superstars at Old Trafford.
However, Amorim needs a fast turnaround, and he may well be frustrated that his side didn’t manage to sign two of their biggest targets instead of the developing talents.
Amorim wanted his own Donnarumma and Haaland at United
Both of those targets, coincidentally, remain at Aston Villa: Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez.
At the end of the 2024/25 campaign, Martinez bid farewell to Villa Park. Teary-eyed, the distinguished shot-stopper appeared to be gearing up for a move away, and Man United were heavily linked.
But it wasn’t to be, with United opting to settle for Bayindir and sign Lammens instead. Thus, the Argentina hero is staying in the Midlands.
No doubt, Amorim has got his hands on an exciting up-and-comer, but Martinez is “genuinely world-class”, as said by Sky Sports’ Dan Bardell, and has 198 Premier League appearances and a World Cup gold medal to his name.
The 32-year-old’s distribution is good, but it’s his shot-stopping and command in the box that draws the plaudits. With Gigi Donnarumma standing in the opposing box at the weekend – another United summer transfer target – it’s perhaps frustrating to some that an established keeper has not been welcomed to Amorim’s project.
Watkins might also have been a top-class addition. The 29-year-old isn’t on the level of the finest striker in the league, the brace-bagging Erling Haaland, but he’s certainly got the skills to lead the line with confidence at Man United, actually described as “one of the best 9s in the world” by Statman Dave.
The England striker was reportedly really keen on joining Man United this summer, but ultimately, that wasn’t the track INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe headed down.
One that got away
The transfers that nearly happened but never did. This article is part of Football FanCast’s One That Got Away series.
Still, a powerful runner with sharp intelligence and silky link-up play, Watkins could have been an invaluable addition to this United side, certainly bearing the experience and know-how to have made more of himself against City, whereas Sesko let the game pass him by.
Players like Haaland and Donnarumma make up the benchmark for a team like Amorim’s United, chasing something greater than they’ve achieved in recent years.
But it’s easier said than done, and there’s little to suggest that the signings made have what it takes to propel the club back into the ascendancy with the speed that is required.
Gigi Donnarumma and Erling Haaland
Man United’s strategy has been tailored toward a new emphasis on Prem-proven players, and though they haven’t clicked into gear yet, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have both shown flashes of brilliance so far this season; they look well-oiled and comfortable within the English game.
Sesko is a raw striker, and that’s why Jason Wilcox and co may be kicking themselves for failing to sign someone like Watkins. Older the Three Lions star may be, but he knows his game inside and out, and he’s a high-level goalscorer.
Watkins’ Premier League Career
Season
Apps
Goals (assists)
24/25
38
16 (8)
23/24
37
19 (13)
22/23
37
15 (6)
21/22
35
11 (2)
20/21
37
14 (5)
Data via Sofascore
Viktor Gyokeres is the same, and did so well under Amorim’s wing at Sporting Lisbon. You can certainly see why the Portuguese tactician wanted to sign him this summer.
Ultimately, United have to cope with the options at their disposal, and while the likes of Lammens and Sesko have plenty of potential yet untapped, there’s no denying that this was not a season that could afford a transitional period.
Instant results are still expected, and Martinez and Watkins, both so accomplished in the Premier League, might have proved the icing on the cake to achieve that.
Man Utd have two players to blame for Sesko's nightmare first start
Benjamin Sesko was an isolated figure during his first start for Manchester United.
Ruben Amorim declared on the Old Trafford turf, following the final day victory over Aston Villa, that the “good days are coming” for Manchester United – a statement that appeared fanciful considering the club’s 15th place Premier League finish and Europa League final heartbreak.
The Portuguese coach has talked the talk during a turbulent first six months in Manchester, but can he actually walk the walk?
What is clear is that the 40-year-old is in dire need of reinforcements if he is to make a success of it at the club, with that fact having seemingly sparked a hectic and exciting start to the window for the Red Devils.
Much to the fury of rival supporters, United have already poached Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo looking set to follow – two moves that have heightened hope regarding those future ‘good days’.
If a drastic improvement is to be made next season and beyond, however, those deals must surely be the tip of the iceberg. This is the time to rip it up and start again, following a wretched decade of recruitment.
Manchester United co owner JimRatcliffewith technical director Jason Wilcox
With that in mind, here’s a look at how Amorim’s starting lineup could potentially look next season, if all goes to plan on the transfer front for newly crowned director of football, Jason Wilcox…
1 GK – Vanja Milinkovic-Savic
Whether Andre Onana could have done better or not to keep out Brennan Johnson’s deflected effort in Bilbao could be debated long into the night. What is evident is that United reached the showpiece in spite of the Cameroon stopper, not because of him.
Indeed, the 29-year-old – who has been touted for a departure this summer – made five errors leading to a goal in the Premier League and Europa League in total, having hardly inspired any confidence at all since his £47.2m switch from Inter in 2023.
Enter, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic. Once on the books at United as a teenager, before swiftly departing after failing to earn a work permit, the 6 foot 6 Serbian has been heavily linked with a return to Old Trafford. With just a year left on his deal at Torino, reports have suggested he could cost just €20m (£17m).
The 28-year-old conceded just 42 goals in 37 Serie A games last season, while ranking in the top 7% of goalkeepers in Europe’s top five leagues for save percentage. Sign him up.
2 RCB – Leny Yoro
After an injury-hit start to life in England, Leny Yoro truly came into his own in the final months of the season, notably scoring his first goal for the club away in Lyon.
Still only 19 and with a penchant for surging forward from deep, a player Rio Ferdinand dubbed “the best in the world” at that age could well kick on again next term as a mainstay of the backline.
3 CB – Harry Maguire
Stripped of the captaincy by Erik ten Hag in 2023, amid talk of a move to West Ham United, the subsequent redemption arc of Harry Maguire has been a joy to behold – a moment epitomised by his last-gasp winner at home to Lyon.
Described as “perfect” for a back three by Amorim, the 32-year-old – who will soon enter the last year of his contract – deserves to be a consistent figure in the backline once again.
Fitness permitting, of course.
4 LCB – Lisandro Martinez
Speaking of fitness, while Lisandro Martinez remains sidelined with an ACL injury, the World Cup winner is surely a shoo-in to start at left centre-back, having begun to come into his own in 2025, before his cruel setback.
The scorer of crucial goals away to Fulham and Liverpool, the 27-year-old is a ball-playing warrior when fit and firing.
Ayden Heaven may be the long-term solution, although Martinez surely has to start when back in contention again.
5 RWB – Amad
Amad Diallo
Is he a wing-back or a number ten? That much remains to be seen, although if the evolution of Amorim’s 3-4-3 set-up is to occur, a more attack-minded presence, like Amad, is needed in at least one of those wide berths.
The diminutive livewire ranked alongside Bruno Fernandes as the shining light of 2024/25, having ended with 21 goals and assists in all competitions.
Amad’s Man Utd record by coach
Manager
Games
Goals
Assists
Erik ten Hag
24
3
3
Ruben Amorim
27
8
8
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
8
1
1
Ruud van Nistelrooy
4
2
1
Ralf Rangnick
1
0
0
Michael Carrick
0
0
0
Total
64
14
12
Stats via Transfermarkt
Tied down to a contract until 2030, the 22-year-old could be the face of a new era in Manchester – not least with friend and teammate, Alejandro Garnacho, looking set for an exit.
6 CM – Bruno Fernandes (C)
The heart and soul of Manchester United, talismanic skipper Bruno Fernandes has shunned the Saudi riches to stay put next season, having rounded off last term by sweeping the club’s end-of-season awards. And rightly so.
While there is a curiosity over just what this team would look like without him – as well as his actual suitability for a starting berth in this system – the Portugal star simply has to remain the centrepiece of the side.
As Amorim admitted earlier this year, he is “one of the best players in the world”. You don’t find those so easily…
7 CM – Douglas Luiz
Douglas Luiz for Juventus.
The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell has noted that United are seeking an ‘athletic number eight’ this summer. Douglas Luiz – who was linked with a move last month – certainly fits the bill.
A player of proven Premier League quality – having even been hailed as “better than [Declan] Rice” in some quarters – the former Aston Villa man needs rescuing from his Juventus hell, having started just six games last term following his £42m switch last summer.
While it has not been made clear how much the Brazilian would be available for, perhaps an astute loan offer could be in order, as Wilcox and co still seek to comply with PSR restrictions.
8 LWB – Pervis Estupinan
The Red Devils did already prise Patrick Dorgu from Lecce in January, yet at just 20 years old, the Dane is far from the finished article, having notably looked ‘out of his depth’ in the 1-0 loss to Spurs – according to journalist Samuel Luckhurst.
In Brighton’s Pervis Estupinan, United could then find a perfect upgrade in that wing-back role amid links to the 27-year-old, a player whom Fabian Hurzeler has hailed as “one of the best left-backs in the Premier League”.
The need for players of top-flight quality is evident, with the £38m-rated Seagulls defender another who fits the bill.
9 RAM – Bryan Mbeumo
Brentford's BryanMbeumolooks dejected after the match
Speaking of Premier League quality, what a signing it would be if Mbeumo does make his way to Manchester, with the Cameroon international seemingly preferring a move to Old Trafford, despite interest from Champions League sides Arsenal, Newcastle and Spurs.
Fresh off the back of scoring 20 league goals for Brentford, the 25-year-old would surely enhance Amorim’s floundering forward line, with no United player even reaching double figures for goals in the top-flight last season.
While negotiations continue over a potential fee for the versatile winger, if a deal is to be agreed, it would be yet another statement one for the INEOS regime.
10 LAM – Matheus Cunha
Wolverhampton Wanderers' MatheusCunhacelebrates after Rodrigo Gomes scores
Speaking of statements, already in the door is the aforementioned Cunha, with the Brazilian – like the man above – seemingly unperturbed by United’s lack of European football next season.
With 15 league goals of his own in 2024/25 – having scored 12 the previous campaign – the 26-year-old is another proven, albeit maverick talent who could re-energise Amorim’s attack, with echoes of a certain Eric Cantona already emerging.
Much work would need to be done to reach those heights, of course, yet this deal should hopefully prove to be another transformational one.
Going into the final day, it is very much all to play for if you’re an Aston Villa supporter.
Last Friday night, the Villans beat Tottenham 2-0 at Villa Park, thanks to second-half goals from Ezri Konsa and then Boubacar Kamara.
This means, having won eight of their last nine Premier League games, Unai Emery’s team sit sixth, outside the coveted Champions League spots by virtue of goal difference.
Nevertheless, they could still gatecrash the top five with victory over Manchester United on Sunday, if just one of Chelsea fail to win at Nottingham Forest, Newcastle fail to beat Everton or Manchester City lose at Fulham comes to pass simultaneously.
Those bedecked in claret and blue heading to Old Trafford on Sunday will need their transistor radios at the ready, but could this turn out to be a final Villa appearance for one of the club’s most beloved figures?
The latest on Emi Martínez's Villa future
According to widespread reports, including from Mick Brown of Football Insider, goalkeeper Emi Martínez is expected to leave Aston Villa this summer.
Speaking on the Guardian Football Weekly podcast, Dan Bardell says “it looks like he’s going to go”, which he believes will be a “huge loss”, describing the Argentine World Cup winner as “irreplaceable”, while acknowledging that Villa have to sell a key player before 30 June to comply with Profitability and Sustainability Rules.
Numerous clubs are interested in his services.
Jacob Tanswell and Gregg Evans of the Athletic note Saudi Pro League ‘interest’, reports in Argentina note that Manchester United have ‘made an offer’, while Eduardo Burgos Rodríguez of AS claims that Atlético Madrid have begun ‘informal inquiries’.
Since arriving from Arsenal for £20m in 2020, Martínez has made 211 appearances for the Claret and Blue Army, becoming an undisputed fans’ favourite, also picking up back-to-back Yashin Trophies at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, being named the best goalkeeper in the world.
However, with the 32-year-old seemingly set to depart, could Villa actually recruit an upgrade?
Aston Villa's target to replace Martínez
According to a report by Birmingham Live, Aston Villa are ‘interested’ in signing Espanyol goalkeeper Joan García.
James McNicholas and David Ornstein of The Athletic document that Arsenal are also in the running to sign the 24-year-old Spaniard, who has a €25m (around £21m) release clause.
According to a report in Spain, this will plummet down to just £12.6m, if Blanquiazules are relegated on the final day of the La Liga season come Saturday evening.
How García could actually improve Aston Villa
Given this interest, could García actually be an upgrade on Martínez? Well, let’s assess the numbers to find out.
Emi Martínez vs Joan García 2024/25 comparison
Statistics
Martínez
García
Appearances
52
37
Minutes
4,590
3,330
Clean sheets
15
7
Goals conceded
61
51
Saves
146
136
Save %
71.6%
75%
Penalty saved %
33.3%
33.3%
Post-shot xG – goals conceded
+4
+7.1
Opposition crosses faced
605
655
% of crosses stopped
11.2%
9.3%
Pass completion %
79.3%
71.5%
Errors leading to an opposition shot
8
4
Average Sofascore Rating
7.25
7.37
Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt, FBref.com and SofaScore
As the table outlines, Martínez and García’s statistics are broadly very similar this season, which is certainly impressive from the Spaniard’s point-of-view, considering his team are hovering just above the La Liga relegation zone.
García’s save percentage is impressive, but the statistic that stands out the most is his post-shot xG – goals allowed figure of +7.1, which means he ranks tenth across all of Europe’s top five leagues, or fourth if you remove Ligue 1 from the equation, behind only Nikola Vasilj (St. Pauli), Mile Svilar (Roma) and Finn Dahmen (Augsburg).
For context, Martínez is down in 104th when it comes to the same metric.
Analyst Ben Mattinson labels García “one of the highest potential goalkeepers in the world right now”, elsewhere praising his “cross claiming” and “composure on the ball”, assertions that are supported by the data.
Meantime, Sive Vishwa of Breaking the Lines backs him to become ‘one of the best goalkeepers’ of his generation, while Fintan O’Reilly of Total Football Analysis believes García has been the ‘all-round best performing young goalkeeper’ across Europe this season.
So, as much as Villa supporters adore Martínez, if they’re able to replace him with a highly-rated shot-stopper, who is six years his junior, for a bargain fee, from a business point of view, this does make sense doesn’t it?
Aston Villa in pole position after talks to sign "powerful" 18 y/o sensation