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Ivan Toney cut an awkward figure as he nodded along to Al-Ahli fans chanting his name following a £40 million ($53m) move from Brentford.

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Toney leaves Brentford for Al-AhliStriker greeted by Saudi side's fansNods awkwardly to cringe-worthy chantWHAT HAPPENED?

Toney swapped Brentford for Al-Ahli late last month and has since been getting to grips with his new surroundings in Saudi Arabia. Now, a clip of the England international has surfaced, where the 28-year-old rather unenthusiastically reacts to supporters chanting his name during his first visit to an Al-Ahli club shop.

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Toney was reportedly once valued at £100m by Brentford and was coveted by the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea. But as his form dropped off and his contract ticked down, the interest in the 28-year-old waned, before the ex-Peterborough United star made the switch to the Middle East. In a time that is likely to be his peak years of football, he has traded it in for a lucrative two-year deal in a division of a much lower quality.

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Toney could make his Al-Ahli debut when they take on Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr on September 13 in the Saudi Pro League. His new team currently sit eighth in the table following a win and a loss so far this season.

The Dutchman has done a lot of lowering of expectations at Old Trafford, but there can be no excuses if his side do not beat the sorry Saints

Tottenham fans used to sing that Mauricio Pochettino was magic, but Erik ten Hag has been very keen to point out that he is not. "It's not like I'm Harry Potter and that is what you have to acknowledge," the Dutchman said after his side's morale-sucking 3-0 defeat to Liverpool before the international break.

Pochettino was Ten Hag's closest rival for the Manchester United job in 2022 and was briefly considered as a potential successor when the Dutchman's future was in serious doubt last season. The Argentine had a sense of mystique about him and could have offered a more hopeful vision than Ten Hag, but that ship has sailed now as Pochettino has since been named as coach of the United States.

For now, the Red Devils have little choice but to keep faith with Ten Hag and trust that he can turn things around after another dismal start to the season. He has done a lot of lowering of expectations as United manager, such as saying his side could not play like his thrilling Ajax or ruling out their chances of challenging for the title.

Ten Hag's declaration that he is not Harry Potter, no miracle worker, is the latest example. So it is a good thing that United's next opponents are Southampton, the worst team in the Premier League. No magic wand should be required to get three points at St Mary's on Saturday, and thus if United cannot get a win, then really serious questions must be asked of their manager.

GettyIdeal opponents

United do not have the best record at Southampton. Sir Alex Ferguson's great side lost on three consecutive trips to their previous stadium, The Dell, during their heyday of the 1990s, and United have only won five of their last 10 visits to St Mary's. But in their current state, the Saints are ideal next opponents for the Red Devils to kickstart their season.

Southampton gained promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking under manager Russel Martin last season and gained plaudits for their attacking style of play. But, rather like Burnley in 2023-24, they have been given a shock on their return to the top-flight. The Saints have lost all three of their matches and their adventurous style has been ruthlessly exploited.

Four of the five goals they have conceded have come from errors playing out from the back, with the other coming from a long throw. They played with a one-man advantage against Newcastle for 62 minutes after Fabian Schar was sent off, had 78 percent possession and 19 shots, and yet still lost 1-0, to a goal gifted by a clumsy pass from goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportDying by the sword

Two weeks later, Southampton signed Aaron Ramsdale, who immediately took McCarthy's place for the trip to Brentford. But the former Arsenal favourite had a hapless debut, as he was at fault for each of the opening two goals and was weak for the Bees' third strike, too.

In keeping with the Harry Potter theme, boyhood Saints fan Ramsdale dressed up as Hagrid to watch Southampton in the play-off final against Leeds in May, and then wore the same outfit when he was unveiled as a Saints player in August. He and Trent Alexander-Arnold even used to have 'Harry Potter marathons' while rooming together for England youth internationals.

Southampton are certainly not conjuring any magic at the moment, though boss Martin is intent on sticking to his principles. "I will live and die by the sword, I know that," he said after the defeat at Brentford. "But I'd much rather do it this way and actually enjoy some of the moments the team gives me."

GettyLow expectations

At least Martin is aiming high. Ten Hag's lowering of expectations might be understandable from his point of view, and he has been keen to point out that he inherited a real mess when he took charge of United in 2022, talking of "a no-good culture" among the dressing room.

He has had three summer transfer windows to sort it out and been allowed to spend £587 million ($767m) on new recruits, including £250m ($326m) alone on players he has previously worked with at Ajax.

But he still seems unsatisfied with his situation and before the start of the campaign he claimed United were not ready for the campaign to begin. Ten Hag does think that, with time, things will improve and has asked to be judged at the end of the season, pointing to the fact that his side finished third in 2023 after a horror start and ended the last campaign clutching the FA Cup.

"Just the third game in the season, we have to build a new team. I explained this so many times, we will build it, we have young players and players to build in," he said. "We will be fine. It is clear we have to improve, but at the end of the season I am confident we will have a big chance to lift another trophy."

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Getty Ronaldo's rebuke

Ten Hag's low bar, and the fact he ruled United out of the title race for this season as early as last April, has been questioned by Cristiano Ronaldo, who had a fractious relationship with the manager in their four months together at Old Trafford before the Portuguese left United.

"If you are Manchester United coach, you cannot say that you're not going to fight to win the league or Champions League," Ronaldo told his former United team-mate Rio Ferdinand. "You have to say 'listen maybe we do not have that potential' but you cannot say that. You have to try. This club needs time to rebuild because it's still one of the best clubs, but they need to change and they understand that it's the only way."

There was also a little jibe at Ten Hag's biggest achievements with United, the Carabao Cup triumph in his first season and lifting the FA Cup last season, from the Al-Nassr forward, as he added: "They have to rebuild from the bottom. If not, they cannot compete, it will be impossible. They can do good things, yes, they can win the Carabao Cup, but I mean the Champions League, Europa League, Premier League (are) difficult. I wish that I'm wrong, but it will be difficult."

A pundit has claimed that Leeds United could table a "very" quick bid to sign one £10 million player if they achieve Premier League promotion.

Leeds United cruise into Championship play-off final

Daniel Farke's side cruised into the Championship play-off final at the expense of Norwich City, with Leeds hammering the Canaries 4-0 at Elland Road on Thursday evening to the delight of home supporters.

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Goals from Ilia Gruev, Joel Piroe, Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville secured Leeds a place at Wembley on May 26, where they will face off against Southampton to decide who grabs that final English top-flight spot after Ipswich Town and Leicester City.

The result against Norwich cost David Wagner his job, with the Carrow Road side now on the lookout for a new manager after missing out on promotion. Moods are the polar opposite in Yorkshire, though, as Farke suggested to the press afterwards.

Crysencio Summerville

8.6

Georginio Rutter

8.5

Wilfried Gnonto

8.3

Illia Gruev

8.1

Joel Piroe

8.1

"Well done to the boys. It was one of the most complete performances of the season against a really good side," said Farke on Leeds' win over Norwich.

"We were up early and they tried everything to come back at us. But we made sure we came back in with the clean sheet.

"It wasn't a perfect evening, sometimes we were a bit over-excited in possession and in our emotions, because we have a pretty young side. It was a great night for us. But there is more to come and I'm already focused on the next task."

Wales international and Tottenham loanee Joe Rodon assisted Leeds in keeping the clean sheet, as he has done for a lot of the season, barring their poor run towards the end of the normal season.

The Whites have been impressed with the defender and want to sign him permanently from Spurs this summer, as has been widely reported, with some outlets claiming that Leeds chiefs have already held talks over a permanent deal for Rodon.

It is also claimed that Rodon tops Farke's summer transfer wishlist, with Spurs pundit John Wenham sharing how he thinks Leeds will proceed.

Wenham says Leeds will table "very" quick bid for Rodon if promoted

Speaking to Tottenham News, Wenham says Leeds may table a "very" quick bid for Rodon if they achieve promotion, coming after reports he could cost as little as £10 million.

“Rodon’s Tottenham future is dependent on the Championship play-offs,” Wenham said.

“Should Leeds United secure promotion, I imagine they will look to sign Rodon permanently. I imagine a bid will come in very quickly if they secure a return to the Premier League.”

The centre-back has made nearly 50 appearances in all competitions under Farke this season, becoming an indispensable member of his starting XIs each week, and it could be imperative to keep him beyond 23/24.

Championship play-offs 2024: Fixtures, ticket info, prize money & more

FFC looks forward to the 2023/24 Championship play-offs with all you need to know, including updated ticket information.

ByLuke Randall May 20, 2024

England seamer is not ready to call it quits just yet after landmark achievement

George Dobell28-Jul-2020Of course Stuart Broad had the final word. Of course, at the end of a series he has dominated since his spell with the second new ball on the fourth evening of the second Test, it was his wicket that sealed the series.Some might argue that Broad dominated the series even before he was selected. His omission from the side for the first Test so disappointed him that he made the unusual decision to give an interview midway through a game in which he was not involved to express his frustration. He also suggested he was bowling as well as ever.It’s one thing to talk a good game; it’s quite another to back it with performances. And, over the last couple of weeks, Broad has proved his point more eloquently than his words ever could. The upshot is, a campaign that started with him struggling to get into the side has finished with him being named player of the series. The third Test produced his best innings analysis since 2016 and both his best match analysis and highest innings since 2013.Back to his best? Well, maybe. In truth, he is a slightly different bowler to the man who was winning Tests for England a decade ago. Certainly not worse; just different. For while he was once capable of delivering genuinely quick spells and tended to hit just back of a length, he now pitches a yard or so fuller and nags away on off stump like an unpaid bill. He’s not quite as quick but he has just finished his third series out of four (the Ashes and the South Africa tour were the others) as England’s leading wicket-taker.Where once he was inclined to resort to the bouncer just a bit too quickly, it’s almost as if his slightly diminished pace has forced him to find different ways to defeat batsmen. As a result, he’s become a more sophisticated bowler. It’s hardly surprising he has no intention of calling it a day just yet.”You always hear ex-sportsmen saying they knew when it was time to go,” Broad said. “They say they lost that feeling.”Well, I’ve still got it in abundance. A couple of weeks ago I was in a bit of a thinking place. I couldn’t leave a cricket ground where I’d been left out. I thought ‘where am I going here?'”But I’m glad I stayed strong because I’m very happy two weeks later.”I feel I’m bowling as well as I ever have. I’ve done some technical work and changed my run-up in the last 18 months. I’m challenging the stumps and trying to make the batsmen play as much as possible. That’s a tactical thing that’s really taken me to a really exciting level.Stuart Broad claims his 500th Test wicket•Getty Images”I felt like my alignment to the stumps was really good in this game. I had a bit of confidence and match practice from the second Test so my tempo and alignment felt like every time I released the ball I could bring off stump into play.”That’s my go-to: I want to make the batsman play. I don’t like to get left too often. When you come on a pitch with a little bit of wear that’s keeping low, that’s sort of my dream pitch. Most fast bowlers like it flying through, catching the edge and going to slip at chest height but if I can bring the stumps into play, it really suits my style.”If Broad required any inspiration for the pursuit of sporting excellence in his mid-30s, he doesn’t have far to look. James Anderson’s hunger to pick up new skills and his dedication to his fitness have carried him to the brink of 600 Test wickets. Broad doesn’t rule out pushing on to the same milestone.”Jimmy is my idol on that,” Broad said. “He turns 38 during this break we have now. He’s someone I have watched very closely and has been a great friend of mine for many years.”Also, the way he has maintained himself and kept upskilling himself to be able to not just compete but get better at this level. You look at both of our records over the last few years, we are actually improving. Compare my last 18 months to my career record, it’s way better. It’s a great sign.ALSO READ: Stuart Broad, England’s spring-heeled superstar”It is easy to get to 34 and start thinking ‘I’ll do what I have done for the last 13 years and be okay’. But I’m looking for the next step that will improve me as a cricketer. That keeps you moving forward as a cricketer.”If you’d asked me four years ago, ‘at 34 do you think you could play another three or four years?’ I’d have said absolutely not. Now I’m 34 and I feel fit. Post-lockdown my fitness testing was the best it’s ever been. I feel excited.”I’m not someone who sets targets. I never said I really want to get to 500 wickets or 600 wickets. But at the moment I feel fresh, I feel fit. I’m bowling how I want to be bowling. If I keep bowling the way I am for the next few years then I wouldn’t rule anything out.”But his greatest attribute, he says, is not his height, his experience or his seam position.”My defining quality? I never give up,” he said. “It probably comes from my Mum. I feel like we can win from any situation. The most recent time when that came through was in Cape Town at tea. I can’t remember how many wickets we needed but we were slogging away for a long period of time.Stuart Broad, England’s man of the series, braves the rain at Old Trafford•Getty Images”I knew deep down that if we kept applying pressure, South Africa would crack. That’s the mindset which helped us win that Test match.”I’ve never shied away from intimidating moments. I really enjoy moments when the game need changing. I want to be the person to do it. I want to be the person to get thrown the ball or go into bat when we need to change the momentum of the game.”All of which begs the question: why was Broad left out of the side for the first Test?England’s rotation of their seamers was one of the key differences in the series. With each of them bowling in a maximum of two games, they looked fit and fresh right to the end. West Indies’ trio of fast bowlers, by contrast, played in all three matches and looked close to exhaustion some time ago. It was not especially controversial, really. England’s strength in seam-bowling depth is a huge asset, even if it does make for awkward selection meetings at times.It’s also highly likely the same policy will be used in the series against Pakistan. Which means there may be days when other high-profile players – the likes of Anderson and Jofra Archer, included – will be rotated. And yes, there will be days, particularly in the conditions anticipated this winter, when Broad is left out once again. Sometimes the word ‘dropped’ can be a bit emotive.”Let’s be honest, we have so many fast bowlers if you’re not taking wickets you’re probably not going to play,” Broad said. “It keeps the standard high.”There were echoes of Fred Trueman when Broad was asked whether anyone else could achieve the 500 Test wicket milestone. Trueman, on reaching the 300 landmark, famously quipped that if anyone else achieved it they would be “bloody tired”. Broad’s point was more that modern seam bowlers might not have the opportunity to play enough games.While Nathan Lyon, who currently has 390 wickets, would appear to have a chance, the next highest wicket-taker among current seamers is Ishant Sharma who, at 31 years of age, has 297. It is entirely possible Broad will be the last seamer to reach the figure.”You need a lot of Test matches to get 500 wickets,” Broad said. “I think there’ll be people who have the talent to get the numbers, but whether a seamer will be able to play the amount of Test cricket to get that feat remains to be seen. There is a lot of competition out there between different T20 leagues franchises.”There’s talk of thinning the amount of Tests down. I feel very lucky to have played for England in an era where we’ve played a lot of Test cricket.”England have been lucky to have him, too. And only a fool would suggest there aren’t a few pages in the story left to be told.

Liverpool are set for a big summer transfer window following the departure of Jurgen Klopp this season. He will be replaced by Dutchman Arne Slot, who will leave Feyenoord in order to take the reins at Anfield.

Klopp’s farewell season did not quite go to plan in terms of silverware to give him a send-off. The German won just one trophy during the 2023/24 season, the Carabao Cup, as they beat Chelsea at Wembley.

However, in the Premier League, the Reds finished just third in the table, falling out of the title race which included eventual champions Manchester City, and Arsenal. Liverpool finished on 82 points in the end, nine behind Pep Guardiola’s side.

In the other two cup competitions they were in, Liverpool disappointed. They lost 4-3 to Manchester United in one of the most incredible FA Cup ties of all time, and crashed out of the Europa League at the hands of Atalanta. Both of those sides went on to win those respective competitions.

Slot’s first transfer window in charge at Anfield presents him with the chance to build on Klopp’s final squad and rectify the wrongs of last season. Liverpool have already been linked with one transfer target ahead of the summer window.

Liverpool looking to sign Championship winger

The player in question here is Leeds United and Netherlands winger Crysencio Summerville. With Leeds failing to get promoted this season, losing the play-off final to Southampton, Summerville looks destined to depart Elland Road.

According to a report from David Anderson, The Mirror’s football correspondent, the Dutchman is “being targeted by a number of Premier League clubs, including Liverpool and Chelsea”, before going on to explain that the forward is “unlikely” to spend another season in England’s second tier.

The Telegraph explains that Summerville is “expected to cost around £30 million in the current market”, which is a mammoth amount of profit given they signed him for a rumoured £1.3m in 2020.

What Summerville adds to Liverpool

This is certainly a signing that is reminiscent of the deal to bring Diogo Jota to Anfield in 2020 for £41m. Although they signed the Portuguese from then Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers, he honed his craft in the Championship – scoring 17 in 44 – and became one of the deadliest attackers in the Premier League.

A deal to sign Summerville is certainly similar to that of Jota, given his very successful season in the Championship with Leeds in 2023/24.

Whilst their quest for promotion was unsuccessful, he still won Championship Player of the Season for his efforts in 2023/24.

Summerville scored 19 goals and registered nine assists in 43 appearances in the Championship, as well as one in the 4-0 playoff semi-final second-leg thrashing against Norwich City and in the FA Cup, taking his tally to 21.

The tricky winger's combined 28 goals and assists in the Championship were only two players bettered this season. They were Blackburn’s Sammie Szmodics, who registered 31 goal involvements, and Southampton forward Adam Armstrong, who had 34 goal involvements and scored the goal to promote Southampton and condemn Leeds to another season in the second tier of English football.

Player

Games

G/A

Sammie Szmodics

46

34

Adam Armstrong

44

31

Crysencio Summerville

43

28

Summerville was described as a “1 v 1 monster” by football analyst Ben Mattinson over on X, who also explained that the Dutchman is “crazy agile”. Indeed, this is something that is reflected in his Fbref stats.

He is a wonderful ball carrier, averaging 5.04 progressive carries per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the top 6% of positional peers in leagues similar to the Championship. He also averaged 3.01 carries into the final third per 90 minutes, which places him in the top 14%, and 2.57 carries into the penalty area per 90 minutes, ranking him in the top 4%. As the stats show, he is an elite dribbler.

Not only that, but the Anfield target is an excellent creator, which is reflected in more than just his nine assists for Leeds this season. The 22-year-old winger averages 2.88 key passes per 90 minutes, and 0.32 expected assists per 90 minutes, both of which place him in the top 6% of wingers.

There is no doubt that signing Summerville would add great depth to Liverpool’s wide options. It is certainly reminiscent of the signing of Jota, potentially bringing in a Championship-hardened winger to the club. For a reported fee of £30m, he could be an excellent first signing under Slot.

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ByJoe Nuttall May 29, 2024

Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo has not shied away from praising Barcelona's Lamine Yamal as he labelled the 17-year-old as 'one of the best'.

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Ronaldo praises Barcelona wonderkid YamalCalls him 'one of the best of his generation'Yamal leading Barcelona attack at age of 17Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱GettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Yamal has been playing at a very top level over the last few months and as such, the 17-year-old is no longer just being considered one of the best youngsters in the game but is being compared to the best senior players in the world. Ronaldo himself has now praised the Euro 2024 Young Player of the Tournament.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT RONALDO SAID

Speaking to the media, Ronaldo said: "I see a lot of talent in Lamine Yamal.

"I hope he does not have any problems in the future and I think he will be one of the best in this generation, for sure."

Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Yamal came into Barcelona's first-team debut last year at the age of 15 and has thoroughly impressed under all three coaches that he has played under so far: Xavi Hernandez, Luis De La Fuente and Hansi Flick. Through the start of the current season under Flick, Yamal has been sensational and has already become their main outlet alongside Raphinha.

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WHAT NEXT FOR YAMAL?

The 17-year-old will be in action later tonight when Barcelona take on Monaco in the Champions League league stage opener, and Yamal will have the chance to become the tournament's second youngest goalscorer behind teammate Ansu Fati.

Keep track of how all the WBBL clubs are building their squads for the 2020 season

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Aug-2020Adelaide StrikersLast season Runners-upCoach Luke WilliamsSquad Darcie Brown, Suzie Bates (NZ), Sarah Coyte, Ellie Falconer, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Katie Mack, Tegan McPharlin, Tahlia McGrath, Annie O’Neil, Bridget Patterson, Madeline Penna, Alex Price, Megan Schutt, Stafanie Taylor (WI), Laura Wolvaardt (SA)In Madeline Penna (Stars), Laura Wolvaardt
Out Sophie Devine (Scorchers)Brisbane HeatLast season ChampionsCoach Ashley NoffkeSquad Maddy Green (NZ), Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Mikayla Hinkley, Jess Jonassen, Amelia Kerr (NZ), Delissa Kimmince, Nadine de Klerk (SA), Charli Knott, Lilly Mills, Georgia Prestwidge, Georgia Redmayne, Courtney Sippel, Georgia VollIn Nichola Hancock (Stars), Nadine de Klerk, Georgia Redmayne, Georgia Voll
Out Sammy-Jo Johnson (Thunder), Beth Mooney (Scorchers), Kirby Short (retired)Hobart HurricanesLast season 7thCoach Salliann BriggsSquad Nicola Carey, Maisy Gibson (injured), Corinne Hall, Brooke Hepburn, Erica Kershaw, Hayley Matthews (WI), Sasha Moloney, Rachel Priest (NZ), Chloe Rafferty, Amy Smith, Naomi Stalenberg, Emma Thompson, Chloe Tryon (SA), Tayla Vlaeminck (injured), Belinda VakarewaReplacements Hayley Jensen (NZ), Chloe Abel, Nell Bryson Smith, Emily SmithIn Hayley Jensen (NZ), Erica Kershaw (Renegades), Rachel Priest (Thunder), Naomi Stalenberg (Thunder),
Out Erin Fazackerly (Renegades)Melbourne RenegadesLast season Semi-finalCoach Lachlan StevensSquad Makinley Blows, Maitlan Brown, Josie Dooley, Jess Duffin (unavailable), Erin Fazackerley, Ella Hayward, Lizelle Lee (SA), Carly Leeson, Sophie Molineux, Courtney Neale, Amy Satterthwaite (NZ), Molly Strano, Lea Tahuhu (NZ), Georgia Wareham, Courtney WebbIn Erin Fazackerly (Hobart Hurricanes), Ella Hayward, Lizelle Lee, Amy Satterthwaite
Out Tammy Beaumont, Erica Kershaw, Claire Koski, Danni WyattMelbourne StarsLast season 8thCoach Trent WoodhillSquad Katherine Brunt (Eng), Lucy Cripps, Sophie Day, Bhavi Devchand, Nicole Faltum, Holly Ferling, Tess Flintoff, Georgia Gall, Alana King, Meg Lanning, Erin Osborne, Mignon du Preez, Nat Sciver (Eng), Annabel Sutherland, Elyse VillaniIn Katherine Brunt, Bhavi Devchand (Scorchers) Meg Lanning (Scorchers), Nat Sciver
Out Madeline Penna (Strikers)Perth ScorchersLast season Semi-finalCoach Shelley NitschkeSquad Megan Banting, Jemma Barsby, Samantha Betts, Nicole Bolton, Mathilda Carmichael, Piepa Cleary, Sophie Devine (NZ), Sarah Glenn (Eng), Heather Graham, Amy Jones (Eng) Emma King, Beth Mooney, Taneale Peschel, Chloe Piparo, Georgia WyllieIn Sophie Devine (Strikers), Sarah Glenn, Beth Mooney (Brisbane Heat)
Out Meg Lanning (Stars)Sydney SixersLast season 5thCoach Ben SawyerSquad Sarah Aley, Erin Burns, Stella Campbell, Lauren Cheatle, Maddy Darke, Ashleigh Gardner, Lisa Griffith, Alyssa Healy, Jodie Hicks, Emma Hughes, Marizanne Kapp (SA), Ellyse Perry, Angela Reakes, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Dane van Niekerk (SA),In Angela Reakes, Lisa Griffith (Thunder)
Out Lauren Smith (Thunder)Sydney ThunderLast season 6thCoach Trevor GriffinSquad Sam Bates, Tammy Beaumont (Eng), Hannah Darlington, Rachael Haynes, Saskia Horley, Shabnim Ismail (SA) Sammy-Jo Johnson, Anika Learoyd, Phoebe Litchfield, Heather Knight (Eng), Kate Peterson, Olivia Porter, Lauren Smith, Rachel Trenaman, Tahlia WilsonIn Tammy Beaumont, Sammy-Jo Johnson (Heat), Heather Knight, Lauren Smith (Sixers)
Out Lisa Griffith (Sixers), Rachel Priest (Hurricanes)

Bruno Fernandes was shown the first red card of his Manchester United career for a reckless tackle on Tottenham midfielder James Maddison.

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Man Utd fell behind to Johnson strikeFernandes shown red just before breakMainoo then limped off injuredFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Fernandes was sent off for a high challenge on Maddison in Sunday's blockbuster Premier League clash at Old Trafford. The United captain appeared to slip as he went for the ball, but then kicked out needlessly to take out Maddison, who was left writhing in pain on the turf. To compound United's misery, Kobbie Mainoo limped off injured moments later, with Mason Mount coming on to replace him. The hosts went in at the break 1-0 down courtesy of Brennan Johnson's early opener.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The red card was the first of Fernandes' United career, coming after 242 games for the club. It means he will miss upcoming clashes with Aston Villa, Brentford, and West Ham United. It remains to be seen when Mainoo will be fit to return to action after his injury blow.

DID YOU KNOW?

Fernandes is also only the fourth United captain to be sent off in a Premier League game at Old Trafford, joining Roy Keane, Nemanja Vidic and Wayne Rooney in an ignominious club.

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AFPWHAT NEXT?

Fernandes will be available when United play Porto in Portugal on Thursday in the Europa League. However, he will be suspended for the visit to Villa Park next weekend. The Red Devils will anxiously await news on Mainoo's condition in the meantime.

The West Indies allrounder is recovering from a knee injury

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Sep-2020Sam Curran’s “attitude” in pressure moments, his all-round skills, and performance in Chennai Super Kings’ win in the IPL 2020 opener against the Mumbai Indians on Saturday has meant the team doesn’t have to worry about the absence of the injured Dwayne Bravo, coach Stephen Fleming feels. Bravo’s recovery – from a knee injury – is being monitored even as the Super Kings prepare for two matches in the coming week.”Bravo is progressing; we are working closely to get him up to 100 per cent,” Fleming told the team’s website. “We’ve got three quick games in a row [including the opening fixture], so we’ll look at each game and monitor him each time we train.”With Sam’s performance, it takes a bit of pressure off rushing Bravo back, but he’s one of the world’s best and to have him in the selection equation is very important to us.”ALSO SEE: CSK v RR live score 22nd September 2020Curran might not have featured in the playing XI had Bravo been fit – though an additional left-hand batsman is useful in Suresh Raina’s absence – but grabbed his chance when he got it in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. He first returned 1 for 28 from his four overs, Quinton de Kock his victim, and then scored a vital six-ball 18 in the late stages of the Super Kings’ successful chase.”Losing Dwayne was a big loss and Sam went a long way in filling that,” Fleming said. “The things that impressed us with Sam is his attitude first and foremost, almost the harder it gets the better he gets, his all-round skill component and the fact that the captain was able to trust him straightaway to go in at a crucial time and hit the way he did.”Also with the ball, to be a part of it straightaway, almost stepping straight off the plane was a sign of his attitude and what he is going to bring to CSK for the next few years.”Bravo, a long-time member of the Super Kings, became the first to pick up 500 T20 wickets during the CPL recently, but didn’t bowl in the final, which his team the Trinbago Knight Riders won by beating the St Lucia Zouks by eight wickets. Overall, he was in decent form with the ball, picking up nine wickets in ten games at an economy rate of 7.50.

Arsenal have been in direct contact with a £102 million midfielder as they target potential replacements for Thomas Partey, who is widely expected to leave after four years at the Emirates Stadium.

Partey tipped for Arsenal exit this summer

The Ghanaian is viewed by supporters and critics alike as a faithful servant to the club.

£109,000-per-week star may have played last game for Arsenal with exit approved

Mikel Arteta is now against keeping him at the club.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 7, 2024

Signed from Atletico Madrid for around £45 million in 2020, Partey has gone on to amass 115 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions, playing a particularly important role during their 2022/2023 Premier League title challenge.

However, last season, a combination of injury problems and falling down the pecking order resulted in the 30-year-old making just 14 league appearances. Partey has also entered the final 12 months of his contract at Arsenal, meaning sporting director Edu Gaspar will have to sell this summer for the greatest return on a potential transfer.

Appearances

115

Goals

5

Assists

4

Bookings

24

Red cards

1

Minutes played

7,794

The £200,000-per-week midfielder is attracting interest from abroad. Indeed, Partey has been subject to a potential offer from Saudi Arabia, and it is rumoured that Turkish Super Lig sides are keeping a watchful eye on his situation as well.

Fabrizio Romano says Partey is set to leave Arsenal in the next transfer window, so attention will turn to who Mikel Arteta will bring in to replace him. Arsenal are targeting Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi as one option, with Edu also monitoring Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz.

Both are likely to cost a premium, at least £50 million-plus, with Zubimendi's release clause standing at around £52 million. While this could be a draw for the north Londoners, reports suggest Zubimendi has shown no desire to leave Sociedad – making a deal pretty difficult.

Villa are also pretty unlikely to entertain a deal for their talismanic midfield star Luiz, who bagged 10 goals and 10 assists for Unai Emery in all competitions last season on their road to the Champions League.

Arsenal in direct contact with Benfica star Joao Neves

Now, as per HITC and journalist Graeme Bailey, it is believed they've tested the waters over Benfica star Joao Neves as an alternative, with his agents looking to open up offers for him to depart.

The 19-year-old starlet made 33 Primeira Liga appearances for Benfica last season, scoring three goals and registering an assist in that time. According to WhoScored, Neves stood out as one of their best performers going by average match rating per 90, with only Ángel Di María and Rafa managing a higher number than the teenager.

HITC claim Arsenal have been in direct contact with Neves over joining them this summer, but there's a pretty roadblock in the way. His release clause stands at around £102 million, a figure which Edu and co are unwilling to pay as things stand, with Liverpool and Man United adopting the same stance.

Unless things change in this regard, Neves looks set to remain in Portugal.