Breetzke and de Zorzi have been added to the T20I squad; Baartman has been included in the ODI squad
ESPNcricinfo staff23-Oct-2025
David Miller has been sidelined by a hamstring injury•Associated Press
David Miller has been ruled out of South Africa’s T20I series in Pakistan, while fast bowler Gerald Coetzee will miss the entire white-ball leg of the tour due to injuries.Miller was named stand-in captain for the T20I series with regular captain Aiden Markram rested, but he has been sidelined after scans conducted on Wednesday confirmed he had suffered a grade-1 right hamstring strain during training in the build-up to the tour. “He will now begin a phased rehabilitation program,” CSA said.Allrounder Donovan Ferreira will captain the side in the three-match T20I series, which begins on October 28 in Rawalpindi. Ferreira had recently led South Africa in a one-off T20I against Namibia, which South Africa lost by four wickets.Coetzee was ruled out of both the T20I and ODIs in Pakistan due to a pectoral muscle injury. The 25-year-old sustained the injury during the T20I against Namibia. He bowled 1.3 overs in that game before he left the field and did not return.”Subsequent scans revealed the extent of the injury and following specialist consultation, he has commenced a structured rehabilitation program under the supervision of the Cricket South Africa High Performance and Momentum Multiply Titans medical teams,” CSA said.Left-arm seamer Kwena Maphaka had also been ruled out of the Pakistan tour with a hamstring strain, which he sustained while playing in a domestic first-class match in early October.South Africa have included batters Matthew Breetzke and uncapped Tony de Zorzi in the T20I squad, while fast bowler Ottneil Bartman was named as Coetzee’s replacement in the ODI squad. Breetzke had earlier also been named captain of the ODI side. The three-match ODI series begins right after the T20I leg, on November 4 in Faisalabad. The T20I squad will depart for Islamabad on October 23.South Africa’s squad for Pakistan T20IsCorbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Quinton de Kock, Donovan Ferreira (capt), Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Lizaad Williams, Ottneil BaartmanSouth Africa’s squad for Pakistan ODIsMatthew Breetzke (capt), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile, Ottneil Baartman
Manchester United find themselves fighting to climb into the Champions League slots and now appear to be closing in on the signing of a midfielder to help their aspirations of competing with their rivals.
The Red Devils have taken time to get going this season, and Ruben Amorim has needed to face his fair share of criticism amid scrutiny when results haven’t gone in the favour of the Old Trafford outfit.
Still, a run of five Premier League matches unbeaten before the international break has been enough to restore confidence among an expectant fanbase, who appreciate that the former Sporting boss is trying to implement a complex system that will take time to fully perfect.
With Lisandro Martinez nearing a return to full fitness, Amorim was asked before his side’s clash with Everton whether the Argentinian defender could be an unlikely solution to step into the breach. However, he moved to play down any notion that he could fill the vacant hole in the engine room.
He said: “A smart, intelligent football player can play in a lot of positions, but it is not the right position for him. I feel Licha is becoming close to be ready able to play. We need to be careful, but he is clearly in a better position.”
Come January, it feels likely that Manchester United will look to find a long-term solution with Casemiro coming towards the twilight years of his career.
Brighton & Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba is a long-term Red Devils’ target, albeit his £115 million valuation is likely to put their pursuit of the Cameroon international to bed.
That being said, Manchester United and INEOS could now be willing to go in a different direction as they close in on the arrival of another talent from the English top-flight.
Man Utd in advanced talks to sign Joao Gomes from Wolves
According to Trivela, Manchester United’s discussions to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers star Joao Gomes have progressed to advance stages in recent days as they look to complete a deal in January that could be worth in the region of £44 million.
The Brazilian star could put the cat among the pigeons regarding Kobbie Mainoo’s long-term future at the club if he were to come in after registering a solitary assist in 15 appearances this campaign.
Five similar players to Joao Gomes (FBRef)
Djaoui Cisse
Rennes
Thomas Partey
Villarreal
Ilaix Moriba
Celta Vigo
Junior Mwanga
Nantes
Kevin Danois
Auxerre
Rob Edwards is keen for the 24-year-old to stay in the West Midlands despite Wolves staring down the barrel at relegation to the Championship, something that a move to Old Trafford could alleviate if he were to seek a new career challenge.
Dubbed as someone who gives “everything” by Vitor Pereira, he would represent a younger upgrade on some of Amorim’s current crop in midfield, albeit it remains to be seen whether they can push a deal over the line once the window opens.
Man Utd now make approach to sign exciting gem who shone at U17 World Cup
Over the years, Manchester United has been the home to numerous elite-level centre-forwards, with Robin van Persie one who captured the hearts of the fanbase.
The Dutchman joined in a controversial deal from Premier League rivals Arsenal for a reported £24m back in August 2012 – a deal that proved to be an absolute bargain.
He ended up making 105 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring a total of 58 goals, with his total of 26 league goals in 2012/13 helping Sir Alex Ferguson win his final top-flight title.
Former Manchester United forward Robin van Persie.
Van Persie also managed to notch 16 assists during such a period, taking his total goal contributions to 74, resulting in an average of 0.7 goals or assists per game over a three-year period.
Such a record has undoubtedly cemented his place in the Red Devils history, but numerous managers have been unable to rely upon similar talents at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim is the latest manager to try and unearth his own version of the talisman, subsequently spending big on a new centre-forward during the recent summer window.
The reasons behind Benjamin Sesko’s struggles at United
After taking the reins back in November last year, Amorim had to rely upon the likes of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee to provide the goods at the top end of the pitch.
However, the duo’s tally of just seven combined goals in the Premier League last season highlighted the need for reinforcements during the summer transfer window.
The board handed the manager over £200m worth of funds to make the desired changes, which resulted in three huge names making the move to Old Trafford.
Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were just two of the additions made by the hierarchy, with Benjamin Sesko the player brought in to operate alongside the pair in the final third.
The latter of the trio cost a reported £74m from RB Leipzig during the summer, with real hope generated by the fans that he would be the man to solve their issues.
However, his start to life in Manchester has been far from plain sailing, as seen by his tally of just two goals in his first 11 league outings – even going four games without a goal.
His early struggles will no doubt present cause for concern, with his underlying numbers also highlighting his lack of impact in recent months after his big-money switch.
He’s only registered a total of 3.6 touches in the opposition box per 90, which has ranked him in the bottom 20% of all other centre forwards in England’s top-flight.
Such a figure showcases that he’s either unable to get himself into the right positions, or he’s not being provided the goods – which could explain his lowly goalscoring tally.
However, Sesko has been hugely reliant upon players around him, with his tally of 0.2 dribbles completed showcasing that he’s unlikely to create a chance on his own.
Like the aforementioned tally, it has placed him in the bottom 20% of other strikers in the league, which could also be contributing to his lack of goals at present.
The United star who could end Sesko’s Man Utd career
There’s no doubt that Sesko will need added time to flourish in England, with his big-money transfer to United in the summer presenting a huge culture change for the 22-year-old.
He’s had to move to a new country, league and surroundings, which is certainly a daunting task for a young talent – which too could be having an effect on his lack of output.
But the lack of quality in such a department has no doubt ramped up the pressure on the Slovenian international to provide the goods in front of goal at Old Trafford.
Amorim will no doubt have to manage Sesko personally to get the best out of the centre-forward, but it’s unclear how much patience the manager will present to the new addition.
The fans, too, will need to cut him some slack, but it will no doubt be tricky, especially given the form of the previous talents in such a role – including the likes of Van Persie.
However, the club may have their next talisman in the form of Chido Obi, with the young star already matching the Dutchman in making the move to Old Trafford from rivals Arsenal.
At just 17, the fans will have to be patient with the Dane, but there’s no doubt excitement has been generated by his incredible goalscoring record in the youth setup.
He scored 13 times in just 11 appearances for the U18 outfit last campaign, living up to the billing he is a “goalscoring machine” in the words of scout Jacek Kulig. Such form has seen him make the step-up to the U21 squad over the last couple of months.
Obi has now made 22 appearances at such a level, scoring nine times and registering four assists in the process – even managing to thrive at an age group four years above his own.
Given the lack of quality in the centre-forward department last season, Amorim even handed the teenager his first taste of senior football in an attempt to improve the situation.
The Dane made a total of eight first-team appearances in 2024/25, but failed to find the back of the net once – however, it didn’t stop the youngster from receiving huge praise.
Teammate Leny Yoro previously waxed lyrical about the youngster, even claiming that he could become “one of the world’s best” in the years to come should he continue on his current path.
After returning to youth level, Obi has backed up Yoro’s statement, averaging a goal every 100 minutes and registering a staggering total of 2.2 shots on target per 90 this season.
Chido Obi – U21 stats in 2025/26
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Games played
8
Games started
3
Goals scored
3
Mins per goal
100
Shots on target
2.2
Dribbles completed
68%
Touches in opposition box
6.6
Fouls won
1.7
Stats via FotMob
He’s even completed 68% of the dribbles he’s attempted, massively starring in such an area, something which Sesko has been unable to do over the last few months.
Obi has also dominated countless backlines lately, as seen by his tally of 4.7 duels won, with his physical presence potentially perfect for Amorim’s current side.
Whilst he’s just 17, the future is massively bright for the Dane at Old Trafford, with the club desperately needing to streamline his progress into the senior ranks.
Sesko’s inability to impress could certainly hand the manager the perfect chance to allow him to stake his claim and nail down the position as his very own for many years to come.
If he can match Van Persie’s level during his own time with the Red Devils, he will certainly be a fan-favourite and a player who can take the first-team back to their former glory.
An Mbeumo repeat: Man Utd to make £52m bid for "best winger in the country"
Manchester United look set to make another huge bid for a new attacker for Ruben Amorim.
O São Paulo está em uma encruzilhada em relação à situação do técnico Thiago Carpini. Sem paciência alguma, os torcedores se cansaram do treinador, que não deve ter vida fácil se permanecer no comando do Tricolor.
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➡️ Tudo sobre o Tricolor agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! São Paulo
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Mais de 35 mil pessoas compareceram ao Morumbis para apoiar o time na estreia do Brasileirão. Apesar do número ser abaixo da média tricolor, as condições eram desfavoráveis, como o horário e o momento do time. Mesmo assim, a torcida não deixou de apoiar e preencheu boas partes da casa são-paulina.
Durante a apresentação da escalação do São Paulo para enfrentar o Fortaleza, o único nome vaiado por parte dos presentes no Morumbis foi o de Carpini. Referências, figuras como Luciano e Calleri acabaram muito aplaudidas, e até jogadores menos “midiáticos” receberam apoio.
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Após o segundo gol do Leão do Pici, torcedores começaram a chamar o treinador de “burro” e apostaram em outros xingamentos incisivos.
➡️ Xingado de ‘burro’, Carpini comenta impaciência da torcida do São Paulo
Ao final da partida, que terminou em 2 a 1 para o Fortaleza, os jogadores do São Paulo deixaram o campo juntos com o Carpini. Neste momento, as vaias aconteceram por grande parte do estádio. Quando não havia mais integrantes da delegação no gramado, são-paulinos mantinham os xingamentos direcionados ao treinador.
Definitivamente, Carpini perdeu um dos pilares de sustentação do trabalho de técnicos no Brasil: as arquibancadas. Publicamente, ele e integrantes da diretoria reforçam que ainda há respaldo, mas os torcedores não devem mudar a postura sem uma drástica alteração de rota nos resultados.
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➡️ O QUE VEM POR AÍ?
O próximo desafio do São Paulo, de Thiago Carpini, é contra o Flamengo, na quarta-feira (17). A partida acontece no Maracanã.
شارك المصري محمد صلاح كبديل في مباراة فريقه ليفربول أمام سندرلاند ببطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، التي جمعت الفريقين مساء الأربعاء.
واستقبل ليفربول خصمه سندرلاند على ملعب “آنفيلد” في مواجهة ضمن مباريات الجولة الرابعة عشر للدوري الإنجليزي “البريميرليج”.
ودفع المدرب الهولندي آرني سلوت بمحمد صلاح كبديل مع بداية الشوط الثاني، وقد شارك بدلاً من كودي جاكبو، وحسمت المباراة بالتعادل الإيجابي بهدف لمثله.
وحصل محمد صلاح على تقييم 6.6 من 10 بحسب شبكة “سوفا سكور”، وسدد تسديدتين، ومرر 4 تمريرات مفتاحية، ولعب كرة عرضية دقيقة من أصل 5.
ولعب محمد صلاح 25 تمريرة دقيقة من أصل 30 بنسبة بلغت 83%، ولمس الكرة 48 مرة، وفقد الاستحواذ 16 مرة، ولم ينجح في 3 محاولات للمراوغة، وخسر 4 التحامات للكرات الأرضية.
وتعد تلك المرة الثانية على التوالي التي لا يشارك فيها صلاح أساسيًا مع ليفربول بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز في الموسم الجاري، عقب المواجهة الماضية أمام وست هام.
وأصبح رصيد ليفربول 22 نقطة في المركز الثامن بجدول الترتيب، وسندرلاند يملك 23 نقطة في المركز السادس، ويتصدر آرسنال بـ 33 نقطة.
Seamers share eight wickets as table-toppers face awkward final day at Grace Road
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay10-Sep-2025
Matt Taylor claimed five wickets to secure a sizeable lead•Getty Images
If Leicestershire’s vision was to clinch promotion to Division One with a resounding victory, it looks unlikely to come to pass this week after a truncated third day of their Rothesay County Championship match left them trailing Gloucestershire by 150 runs.Shan Masood compiled a typically elegant 111 to mark his first-class debut for the county with the 30th hundred of his career but Leicestershire then lost their last six wickets for 22 to trail by 140 on first innings, bowled out for 342 as Gloucestershire seamer Matt Taylor finished with five for 70, backed up by new-ball partner Ajeet Singh Dale’s three for 78.Gloucestershire – who need a victory to keep their outside chance of promotion alive – were eight without loss from four overs in their second innings before a three-hour interruption due to rain, adding just two runs before a resumption at 5.30pm was curtailed after just 13 deliveries due to bad light. With earlier rain having delayed the start by 70 minutes, just 30 overs and one ball were bowled in all.Even if a win eludes them, Leicestershire’s lead in the division is so large that a top-two finish can still be confirmed this week if this match ends in a draw and the clash between third-placed Derbyshire and fourth-placed Middlesex at Lord’s is also drawn.Masood faced 176 balls and hit 13 fours on the way to his eighth first-class hundred in county cricket, having previously made them for Derbyshire and Yorkshire. The left-hander will be 36 next month but retains the capacity to produce moments of sublime skill at the crease, which he underlined with some beautiful strokeplay in this innings.After his 152-run partnership with Lewis Hill on Tuesday had seemed to set up Leicestershire for a substantial reply, there seemed little to suggest that would not happen as a second batting bonus point was secured in a morning session reduced to 50 minutes with Masood and Steve Eskinazi, also making his Championship debut for a new county, having added 82.But that all changed with the last delivery of the session, which resulted in Masood being given out leg before, the former Pakistan Test captain’s body language leaving no doubt that the decision did not meet with his approval.Masood’s dismissal was the catalyst for an unseemly collapse from 320 for four to 342 all out, with the follow-on only just avoided.Having put off taking the second new ball until after lunch, Gloucestershire took it immediately after the break and needed only 10 overs’ use of it to claim the remaining five Leicestershire wickets.Taylor, who had three wickets overnight, beat Ben Cox for pace and had Ben Mike nicking behind to complete his first five-wicket haul in two years.New-ball partner Singh Dale, bound for Lancashire at the end of the season, gained deserved rewards as ex-Middlesex batter Eskinazi’s county debut innings ended on 34 with a catch at second slip. Logan van Beek and Chris Wright became the fourth and fifth batters in the innings to fall leg before, Wright having at least hung around long enough to ensure that the visitors would bat again after the ninth wicket had gone with still one run needed.
كشفت تقارير صحفية تطورات برشلونة من أجل التعاقد مع الدولي الإنجليزي هاري كين، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي بايرن ميونخ.
ويريد النادي الإسباني التعاقد مع هاري كين خلال الفترة المقبلة لتدعيم خط هجوم الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بعد رحيل البولندي روبرت ليفاندوفسكي.
وكشفت تقارير صحفية مختلفة في الآونة الأخيرة أن برشلونة لديه رغبة قوية في الحصول على خدمات هاري كين لتدعيم الهجوم، خاصة مع احتمالية رحيل روبرت ليفاندوفسكي مجانًا الصيف القادم.
وكشفت صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية أن إدارة برشلونة تعلم بكل التفاصيل المتعلقة بالمهاجم الدولي الإنجليزي مع بايرن ميونخ وسيخوضوا ملف التعاقد معه بدءً من شهر يناير.
اقرأ أيضًا | هاري كين يوجه ضربة قاسية لـ برشلونة
وأفادت أن كين لديه وقت حتى 31 من شهر نوفمبر الجاري لتفعيل بند خروجه في الصيف مقابل 65 مليون يورو، برغم من ثقة إدارة بايرن في استمرار كين إلا أن برشلونة لن يستسلم لأن اللاعب يبحث عن عقد طويل الأمد وحتى الآن لم يقُم بايرن بأي خطوة.
كين الآن يعطي الأولوية لاستمراريته في بايرن لكن وكلاء لاعب توتنهام هوتسبير السابق يبحثون عن عروض مناسبة له في المستقبل تحسبًا لأي تغير في الأمور، ويعبتر برشلونة هو أبرز نادي يلبي طموحات كين من حيث الفوز بالألقاب.
وأكدت الصحيفة الإسبانية أن المفتاح الرئيسي للمسألة كلها يكمن في مدة العقد إذ أن كين يبلغ من العمر 32 عامًا ويبحث عن الاستقرار، لن يرضَ بعقد أقل من عامين أي حتى عام 2029.
إذا لم يفعل كين بند عقده برشلونة سيحذف اسمه من القائمة وسيتم العمل على خيارات أخرى ولعل أبرز تلك الخيارات هو الأرجنتيني جوليان ألفاريز مهاجم أتلتيكو مدريد.
O volante colombiano do Palmeiras, Richard Rios, foi um dos grandes destaques da importante vitória da sua seleção sobre a Espanha, nesta última sexta-feira (22), em Londres.
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➡️ Tudo sobre o Verdão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Palmeiras
Após entrar no segundo tempo, o jogador que foi titular do Palmeiras durante toda primeira fase do Paulista foi importante para que a Colômbia conseguisse o gol da vitória com Daniel Muñoz, após belíssima jogada de Luís Diaz.
Na internet, diversos colombianos se renderam ao jogador do Palmeiras e inclusive chamaram ele de presente e futuro da Seleção Colombiana, que busca voltar a disputar uma Copa do Mundo após ficar de fora da última edição.
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A Colômbia agora enfrenta a Romênia na próxima terça-feira (26), a partir das 16h30 (horário de Brasília).
Richard Rios pegará carona com Leila Pereira e junto de Endrick e Murilo, deve estar à disposição de Abel Ferreira para o duelo diante do Novorizontino, pela semifinal do Paulistão 2024.
Confere aí o que alguns colombianos falaram de Richard Rios após a vitória sobre a Espanha:
The Sun Group’s first payments for the Northern Superchargers franchise will be made on Thursday after which Yorkshire will clear their debts
Matt Roller31-Jul-2025
Sanjay Patel, club chief executive, said paying off the debts is Yorkshire’s ‘first priority’•Getty Images
Yorkshire will start to clear debts of £25 million on Thursday when the first payments from the sale of Northern Superchargers are made by the Sun Group. Yorkshire were the only host county to sell the whole of their 51% interest in their Hundred team onto external investors due to the club’s perilous financial position, and the deal is one of six that has now been completed.The Sun Group, an Indian media conglomerate who also own Sunrisers Hyderabad (IPL) and Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SA20), bid just over £100 million to buy the Superchargers earlier this year. Their first payments, worth around £50m, will be made on Thursday, with the remainder due later this year once they have assumed operational control of the franchise.Yorkshire’s accounts state that the club received loans worth a combined £5.8m from “a group of committed individuals” – including chairman Colin Graves – in the last financial year, while loans worth a combined £14.9m from the Graves Trusts are due to be repaid by October. Sanjay Patel, the club chief executive, said that clearing those debts is Yorkshire’s “first priority”.Related
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Sun Group secures 100% stake in Northern Superchargers
“The deal puts the club in a strong financial position, which has been far from the case for many years here, and we can start looking towards a very bright future,” Patel said on Wednesday. “The first priority is clearing our debts. We will then be looking at how we can invest the surplus funds to not only safeguard the future, but enable us to flourish.”Yorkshire last month incorporated a new subsidiary called Headingley Investment Limited, which is intended to generate profits that will then be reinvested. Patel added: “Yorkshire Cricket now has an opportunity to thrive, from the recreational game all the way through to our professional teams, and we will be focused on planning the next chapter in the club’s long history over the coming months.”The Sun Group have already told the ECB that they intend to change the name of the franchise next year and ESPNcricinfo has learned that ‘Sunrisers Leeds’ and ‘Northern Super Sunrisers’ are being considered. Two other teams are also likely to be renamed, with Manchester Originals becoming ‘Manchester Super Giants’ and Oval Invincibles becoming either ‘MI Oval’ or ‘MI London’.Yorkshire will receive 80% of the money raised from their decision to sell their 51% stake in the franchise, with the rest shared between the other first-class counties (10%) and the recreational game (10%). They will also receive their share of the funds raised from the sale of the ECB’s minority stakes in the other seven franchises.Lancashire (21%) and Glamorgan (1%) also opted to sell part of their shares in their franchises – Manchester Originals and Welsh Fire respectively – and each county will receive around £400,000 on Thursday of “unfettered” funds linked to those sales. The ECB will control the way in which funds from the sale of their stakes are spent with “guardrails” designed to ensure “sustainability”.The ECB held a board meeting on Wednesday to clear the first payments to counties, and chief executive Richard Gould said that Yorkshire would receive a “very significant” sum this week. “Often when something is sold, the money gets taken and it’s put into a yacht that’s parked off the Bahamas,” Gould said. “Here, all of this – every single penny – is going back into the game.”Gould also attempted to dissuade non-host counties from expanding their stadiums specifically in the hope of hosting a franchise if the Hundred expands, saying that minimum capacity requirements would be around 7-8,000. “We’re not looking to see investment going into creating white elephants,” he said. “What we don’t want is a load of empty plastic seats.”Vikram Banerjee, the Hundred’s managing director, also revealed that there are still minor details to resolve in Surrey’s deal with Reliance Industries Limited for Oval Invincibles, though all parties are confident that it will be signed by early October. Nottinghamshire’s deal with Cain International and Ares Management is the other that is yet to be completed, but Banerjee said the deal is “fully there”.”We offered all the investors the opportunity to sign and close immediately, whenever the legals were all done… or close formally at the end of the season,” Banerjee said. “Those two chose that months ago.”Trent Rockets, they’re all there bar the singing (sic). The documents are all signed and all the rest of it is fully there. With the Oval Invincibles, there are, I think, three things left on their venue-hire stuff that they’re working through. They’re small things. It’ll be a matter of weeks, and that’ll get signed out.”Banerjee will lead a meeting on Thursday afternoon to discuss the Hundred’s regulations around player recruitment for 2026, with some teams pushing for a shift to an auction rather than the existing draft. Rashid Khan and Steven Smith have already signed for teams where they have affiliations with incoming investors for the 2025 season, which starts on August 5.
Manchester United certainly raised eyebrows during the summer transfer window, especially after dropping over £200m on new additions to bolster their first-team ranks.
Such spending may have come as a surprise to many, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe previously stating before the summer that no massive deals would be conducted.
The vast majority of their efforts were directed to the final third, as Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko were all added to Ruben Amorim’s attacking department.
However, the trio have all made an immediate impact at Old Trafford, scoring seven times between them in the first nine Premier League outings of 2025/26.
As a result of their shopping spree, it would be a surprise to no one that other players will need to be offloaded during the January window to try and balance the books.
The United players who could leave the club in January
Over the last couple of days, United forward Joshua Zirkzee has been strongly touted with an exit from Old Trafford – no doubt due to the form of the aforementioned trio.
It was reported earlier this week that the Dutch international is keen on a temporary or permanent move away from the Red Devils in January, with Aston Villa interested in his signature.
Manuel Ugarte is another first-team member who could be shown the exit door in the next few months, with his move to the Premier League failing to deliver at present.
The Uruguayan international cost a staggering £50m from Ligue 1 outfit PSG last summer, but his move has failed to hit the heights – as seen by his lack of game time under Amorim in 2025/26.
He’s only made two starts in England’s top-flight this season, even dropping behind 33-year-old Casemiro in the club’s pecking order during the early stages of the campaign.
One other first-team member in the form of Diogo Dalot could also find himself one step closer to the exit door after failing to impress over the last couple of months.
Despite making six league appearances under Amorim this season, the Portuguese international has fallen way below the standards expected of him – as seen by his tallies compared to the other options at the manager’s disposal.
The 26-year-old has only completed 75% of the passes he’s attempted in the Premier League, the lowest of any defender in the Red Devils squad – showcasing his lack of impact in recent weeks.
The United star now on borrowed time
The Erik ten Hag era at United was a period largely full of disappointment, with the Dutchman unable to take the club back to their former glory during his tenure in charge.
The 55-year-old spent a little over two years in the role at Old Trafford, achieving a 56% win record and also winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup during such a period.
However, the eighth-place finish in 2023/24 was disappointing to many fans, with the start to last season ultimately spelling the end of his time in England.
Ten Hag was responsible for bringing Zirkzee and Ugarte both to the Theatre of Dreams, further highlighting how disappointing his work in the transfer market at the helm.
Despite the failures in the window, the Dutchman deserves huge credit for his work in the development of midfielder Kobbie Mainoo – subsequently handing the youngster the chance to cement his place in the first team.
He would have been an unknown quantity to many supporters, but the 20-year-old amassed a total of 32 appearances in 2023/24, even scoring on five separate occasions.
Many of his efforts were crucial ones, from last-minute winners against Wolverhampton Wanderers and efforts against Manchester City in the FA Cup final – it truly was a season to remember for the academy graduate.
Such performances led to journalist Liam Canning labelling Mainoo as United’s “best player” in March 2024, but it’s safe to say it’s not been plain sailing for the youngster since Amorim’s arrival.
In the Premier League in 2025/26, the Englishman has failed to start a single outing, subsequently being restricted to just seven substitute appearances – totalling just 138 minutes in the process.
Kobbie Mainoo – PL stats (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Games played
25
Minutes played
1656
Pass accuracy
87%
Chances created
1.7
Successful dribbles
1.3
Tackles won
63%
Duels won
5.9
Interceptions made
1.2
Recoveries made
4.8
Stats via FotMob
Mainoo has previously voiced his displeasure at the lack of action since the 40-year-old’s appointment – even requesting a temporary loan move away this summer to gain valuable game time.
However, such a request was swiftly rejected by the manager and the board, but he still remains behind the likes of Ugarte and Casemiro in the current pecking order.
Given the lack of faith shown in him by the manager, it’s safe to say the youngster will be on borrowed time at Old Trafford, and the club could look to cash in on him – with a £70m price tag previously mooted.
Ten Hag may have struggled in the role, but one of the best things he did in Manchester was show the needed faith in Mainoo to allow him to flourish in the professional game.
Amorim could learn a thing or two from the Dutchman, as the Red Devils potentially risk offloading yet another top talent far too prematurely.
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