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Sri Lanka’s batting is a concern, having already come apart at the hands of Shamsi, Maharaj and even Markram

Andrew Fidel Fernando29-Oct-2021

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Over the past week, South Africa have had much more to confront than their opponents on the cricket field. If you haven’t followed closely, here’s a quick recap.Ahead of the first match against Australia last Saturday, South Africa’s players chose different gestures through which to express their support for anti-racism, some kneeling with a raised fist (incl. Rassie van der Dussen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi), some raising a fist while standing (incl. Dwayne Pretorius, Aiden Markram, David Miller), and others simply standing to attention (incl. Anrich Nortje, and Heinrich Klaasen). But although CSA had allowed their players to show their support for the global movement in these three ways, they had decided on the morning of the next match – against West Indies – that everyone must kneel, in order to avoid the appearance of disunity.Quinton de Kock, who seems to have been taken aback by the suddenness of the kneeling mandate (it was only conveyed to the players on the day of the game), chose not to be available for the match. Days later, though, he issued an emotional press statement, apologising for any hurt he may have caused through his withdrawal, stating that he was ready to kneel, and that he has always opposed racism, even if he did not always agree with making such gestures.The good news for South Africa, hopefully, is that they can now put the issue behind them. Difficult conversations have been had. Captain Temba Bavuma, who has always been adamant that the door remained open for de Kock, can now have South Africa’s best batter in his XI. They will hope that the events of the past few days, and that their confronting of their differences, will make the team stronger.They will breathe easier too, that their next opponent is a side they have dominated over the past two years. South Africa whitewashed Sri Lanka in a three-match T20 series in September. In fact they’ve won the last six T20Is against Sri Lanka, and for the majority of that time have seemed by far the better team. In a reversal of much of these teams’ cricketing history, Sri Lanka have struggled substantially against South Africa’s spinners. Against the left-arm wristspin of Shamsi, yes, but also against the left-arm fingerspin of Maharaj, and even the gentle offbreaks of Markram, who took four wickets in six overs in that September series. Less than 48 hours before this match, they had also stumbled against the legspin of Adam Zampa.Sri Lanka’s quicks had a bad outing against Australia too, but where the attack has largely been good over the past few months, the batting has only sporadically clicked, and this remains their area of greatest concern. Even if the top order delivers a good start, as was the case on Thursday, there has been a tendency to lose their way against high-quality spin through the middle overs. That captain Dasun Shanaka is yet to make a substantial score this tournament is also a worry.Dasun Shanaka is yet to fire in the T20 World Cup•Sri Lanka Cricket

Form guide

(completed matches, most recent first)South Africa WLWWW
Sri Lanka LWWWW

In the spotlight

Whatever baggage he brings to this match, Quinton de Kock also brings a good record against Sri Lanka from that September series in which he was highest scorer. Across those three matches, he struck 153 runs and was dismissed only once – a performance for which he was named Player of the Series. That was largely against the same attack he is likely to face on Saturday too (only Lahiru Kumara was missing), and you suspect that nothing would please de Kock and his team more than for him to get runs, and put the week’s controversy behind him, to the extent that such a thing is possible.Dasun Shanaka has drawn acclaim for his leadership (Sri Lanka have arguably already overperformed in this World Cup, relative to expectations), but his own batting has been poor. In domestic cricket, Shanaka is a T20 gun. He finished atop the run charts by a distance in a recent SLC T20 league. But in internationals, his top-score as captain (from 11 innings) is 27 not out. What’s worse, though he’s in the team as a finisher, he has struck at a paltry 102.68 since taking the reins. Lately, Sri Lanka have even taken to promoting Wanindu Hasaranga up the order ahead of him. But if they are to make a deep run in this tournamemnt, they desperately need Shanaka to produce the kinds of innings they see from him in domestic cricket.

Pitch and conditions

Sharjah’s tracks tend to be on the slower side. Though, there is also the chance – depending on the exact strip that will be used – that the ground will be strongly asymmetric again, which is not a situation spinners enjoy. Temperatures are expected to be in the low 30s celsius range.

Team news

Maheesh Theekshana was deemed fit enough to play against Australia, but he did need attention on his side strain during the match. Since there is less than 48 hours between the two games, perhaps Sri Lanka will be tempted to rest him, especially if the strain is likely to impact his performance. Lahiru Kumara was taken apart by the Australia top order, so while Sri Lanka may be tempted to leave him out for left-armer Binura Fernando, they will probably persist with Kumara.Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Perera (wk), 3 Charith Asalanka, 4 Avishka Fernando, 5 Bhanuka Rajapaksa, 6 Dasun Shanaka (capt.), 7 Chamika Karunaratne, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Dushmantha Chameera, 10 Maheesh Theekshana/Akila Dananjaya, 11 Lahiru KumaraWith de Kock returning, Reeza Hendricks will probably drop back down to No. 3. Heinrich Klaasen is likeliest to make way.South Africa (possible): 1 Temba Bavuma (capt), 2 Quinton de Kock (wk) 3 Reeza Hendricks, 4 Aiden Markam, 5 Rassie van der Dussen, 6 David Miller, 7 Dwaine Pretorius, 8 Kagiso Rabada, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Anrich Nortje, 11 Tabraiz Shamsi

Stats and trivia

• South Africa have won two World Cup matches (in 2012, and 2016) to the one they have lost (2014) against Sri Lanka.
• After 50 T20I innings, Shanaka’s overall strike rate is 106.26. He has hit only two fifties.
• Shamsi, the top-ranked T20I bowler in the world, has taken 29 wickets and maintained an economy rate of 5.81 this year. Wanindu Hasaranga, the world No. 2, has arguably been better however, taking one fewer wicket in two fewer outings, with an economy of 5.52.
  

  Quotes

  “I don’t think there’s a weakness against spin. There’s only a problem with the option we take in certain situations. In the previous match we lost four wickets in a short space of time and that made it hard. If we control spin a bit more and figure out when we take the boundary options, that would be better.”

“I got a random thought that if I do something today, it would be for the Orange Army”

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Apr-20252:44

Abhishek’s 141 an all-time great knock?

It took a special innings from Abhishek Sharma for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to snap a four-match losing streak in IPL 2025. Abhishek blazed his way to 141 off 55 balls in Hyderabad, against Punjab Kings (PBKS), an innings that featured remarkably consistent ball-striking and a unique century celebration where he pulled out a note from his pocket that read “This one is for Orange Army [SRH’s fans]”.”I wrote it today itself,” Abhishek said of the note, “because I usually wake up and write something. I got a random thought that if I do something today, that would be for Orange Army. Luckily, today I felt it was my day.”Abhishek hit 14 fours and ten sixes in his innings. While a lot of it was power hitting, there were deft shots in the mix as well. Like when Marco Jansen went around the wicket and bowled with no fielder to the left of deep midwicket in the tenth over, Abhishek went across the line and hit two boundaries through fine leg.Related

• Abhishek Sharma takes T20 hitting out of this world

• Abhishek Sharma's whirlwind 141 leads SRH to second-highest IPL chase

• Stats – Abhishek Sharma smashes the highest IPL score by an Indian

“If you’ve seen me close enough, I never play anything behind the wicket, but I was still trying few shots because they had a pretty good plan for us outside off. So, I wanted to just invent a few shots which I think was very easy on this pitch because of the [even] bounce and the [boundary] size on one side.”Apart from the recent losses that had put them at the bottom of the points table, SRH came into the game with pressure on their batters, especially Abhishek himself and his fellow opener Travis Head, who had misfired in the last four games.But they put on a 171-run stand in 12.2 overs in a 246-run chase that SRH completed with nine balls to spare. Abhishek said that a calm team environment had ensured that both batters and the rest of the group remained positive.”I’d be lying if I say there was no pressure,” he said. “There is pressure if you don’t do well in three or four innings, especially if your team’s losing. But I never felt that we’ve been losing games, nobody in the team had a negative mindset, there was only positivity from everyone. All were waiting for an explosion like this from SRH team. We had to break the four-match streak today to stay in the table.”SRH have moved up two spots and are now at eighth position on the points table. Their next game is against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.

There is no clarity yet if Shepherd will have to exit before the playoffs for West Indies’ ODI series in England

ESPNcricinfo staff14-May-2025 • Updated on 16-May-20256:13

Chopra: RCB were smart in picking players for right slots

Romario Shepherd has returned to India and will rejoin the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) squad for the rescheduled last leg of IPL 2025. Shepherd was accompanied by Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) West Indies duo of Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, and their mentor Dwayne Bravo.Shepherd was part of West Indies’ ODI squad for the series against Ireland (May 21-25) and England, that starts on May 29, the day the IPL 2025 playoffs kick off. He has since been replaced by Jediah Blades and will remain with RCB till the end of the season.Related

• IPL 2025 live updates – Starc and Ferreira opt out

• IPL 2025 scenarios: GT and RCB one win away from playoffs, MI in control of their fate

• Buttler, Bethell and Jacks set to miss IPL playoffs

England allrounder Liam Livingstone has also linked up with RCB while Jacob Bethell has already rejoined the team. Bethell is part of England’s white-ball squads for the home series against West Indies, while Livingstone has been dropped from both the ODI and T20I sides. Bethell will be available for RCB’s next two fixtures – against KKR and Sunrisers Hyderabad – and fly home before the match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).Romario Shepherd scored a 14-ball fifty against Chennai Super Kings•BCCI

RCB are on 16 points from 11 matches and look well-placed to finish in the top four in the IPL 2025 points table and qualify for the playoffs. As reported earlier, Bethell will be among the England players who will miss the playoffs. The ECB granted no-objection certificates (NOCs) to its players until May 25, the original date of the IPL 2025 final. As a result, Bethell was not named in England’s squad for the four-day Test match against Zimbabwe that starts May 29.There is also no clarity yet on the return of Josh Hazlewood and Lungi Ngidi. Hazlewood was likely to miss the remainder of the tournament because of a shoulder niggle had the IPL not been suspended.Ngidi made his RCB debut in place of Hazlewood on May 3 against Chennai Super Kings and is part of South Africa’s squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. The WTC final-bound South Africa players are likely to leave the IPL by May 25, meaning he will likely not be available for RCB’s last league-stage fixture against LSG.Phil Salt, whose illness allowed Bethell to make his IPL debut, is set to be available for the remainder of IPL 2025. He is only part of England’s squad for the T20Is against West Indies that start on June 6, three days after the revised IPL final.

Worcestershire six-down at the close, needing another 110 runs after losing initiative from opening day

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay20-Apr-2025Jamie Porter struck three significant blows to carry Essex to the brink of their first Rothesay County Championship win of the season against Worcestershire.The pace bowler took his tally to 11 wickets in three games so far to leave Essex on the cusp of a victory that had looked a distant prospect when they were dismissed for 179 in their first innings on day one after being put in.However, Porter sent back Gareth Roderick with his second ball of Worcestershire’s run-chase and then added the scalps of Rob Jones and Brett D’Oliveira, who was settling into ominous form. Worcestershire were set 295 in five sessions, or a nominal 165 overs, and were still 110 runs short with four wickets standing when bad light ended play with five overs remaining on the third day.Essex’s second-innings 317 was bolstered by some belligerent tail-end batting from Shane Snater, who hooked Jacob Duffy for six in addition to five fours in a 53-ball 48. At that point it looked to have turned a comparatively small hill into a mountain.That mountain looked even higher when Porter trapped Roderick playing down the wrong line to the second ball of the innings in the only over possible before lunch.The morning sunshine gave way to overcast gloom as Worcestershire slipped to 32 for 3 inside 14 overs. Jake Libby included three fours in a brief cameo before whipping Snater uppishly to midwicket and Rob Jones followed with a thick edge to second slip off Porter. Kashif Ali and Adam Hose settled in for a dozen overs while adding 46 runs with a succession of well-placed boundaries, not least two balls before Hose was adjudged lbw to Noah Thain when he carved the bowler firmly through midwicket for four. But despite his pronounced forward movement Hose was nowhere near the delivery that ended his 42-ball stay for 21.Some of Kashif’s strokes, particularly those that whistled through extra cover, were exquisite gems, though he did survive having his off-stump flattened on 36 when Thain over-stepped.Kashif had just passed fifty when spin was finally introduced on a bland hybrid pitch that showed no signs of natural deterioration and on which the first 34 wickets fell to seam. Simon Harmer had only contributed two unproductive overs in Worcestershire’s first innings, but struck with his 11th delivery in the second, Kashif diverting a catch at shoulder height to slip. Wicket taken, 12 balls bowled, no runs conceded, Harmer retired back to second slip, job done.However, that brought in Matthew Waite to partner O’Oliveira and the sixth-wicket pair dug in while collecting runs off any wayward balls. One such had D’Oliveira swaying on to his backfoot and cutting Kasun Rajitha for four. Another time he rocked on to one leg to pull Porter to the boundary.However, when the stand was worth 44, D’Oliveira tried to give himself room to cut Porter past point and only succeeded in uppercutting the ball into first slip’s hands.In the morning, Essex added 84 valuable runs to their overnight score for the loss of their final four wickets. Thain needed just two balls before he turned Ben Allision off his hip to click over from his overnight 49 to his maiden first-class fifty. When he was out, nine balls later, unable to withdraw his bat in time against Eathan Brookes, his 143-ball vigil was the second longest crease occupancy of the match after centurion Paul Walter.Harmer and Snater put on 41 in 10 overs either side of the new-ball until the introduction of Tom Taylor induced a nick off Harmer’s bat for a seventh caught behind in the game for Roderick. Taylor then accounted for Kasun Rajitha lbw before Snater’s late flourish was ended after one yahoo too many.

Gloucestershire had their opponents 57 for 4 before left-hander countered with a special 141*

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay23-May-2025Northamptonshire 327 for 6 (Zaib 141*, Sales 81, Charlesworth 2 for 41) vs GloucestershireSaif Zaib hit a superbly paced unbeaten 141, his highest first-class score and third century of the season, as Northamptonshire staged a sterling fightback on day one of this Rothesay County Championship match against Gloucestershire at Wantage Road.Zaib combined with James Sales who made 81 in a fifth-wicket stand worth 148 in 44.2 overs after Northamptonshire’s top order slumped to 57 for four before lunch.Gloucestershire’s teenage quick Archie Bailey, 19, bowled with express pace and accounted for two of the first four wickets to fall on his return to the town of his birth.But with little pace or bounce in the wicket to assist a thoroughly disciplined Gloucestershire bowling attack, Sales and Zaib were content to absorb the pressure before pressing the accelerator. Sales played the dominant partner at first before Zaib took over, marching to his ton from 147 balls and going past his previous best of 135 against Sussex in 2021.Amidst an admirably persistent Gloucestershire bowling performance, both Bailey, playing only his third first-class game, and Ben Charlesworth picked up two wickets apiece with Northamptonshire finishing the day handily placed on 327 for 6.Northamptonshire refreshed their batting line-up after last week’s heavy defeat to Glamorgan, bringing in Gus Miller for his first game this season and rewarding promising teenager Aadi Sharma with his senior debut.It was a familiar start though when Tom Price struck in the fifth over, trapping Ricardo Vasconelos lbw. Miller and Luke Procter looked to build a partnership amidst a miserly opening bowling partnership between Price and Matt Taylor before both fell within 10 balls.First Miller chased a wide one from Bailey and edged to second slip. The in-form Procter (20) looked in good touch again, but when Bailey came round the wicket and swung one back in, the Northamptonshire captain was trapped lbw as he moved across his stumps.Sales started to steady the ship, steering one down to third to bring up Northamptonshire’s 50 in the 23rd over, while Sharma, who looked unfazed by the occasion, cut Charlesworth firmly for four. The debutant failed to capitalise on the bowler’s next delivery, a loose short ball, and pulled it straight to square leg.Zaib was fortunate to survive a run out appeal early in his innings on 19. Graeme van Buuren threw down the stumps at the non-strikers’ end with a direct hit, but Zaib was adjudged not out, although his bat appeared short of his crease.Sales and Zaib duly brought up their 50 partnership off 122 balls before Sales went on the offensive. By contrast the next 50 runs came in quick time off just 62 deliveries in the afternoon sunshine.Sales punched Zaman Akhter off the backfoot square for four and reached 50 when he glided Ollie Price down to third. He tucked into the off-spinner’s next over too, helping himself to three further boundaries, smashing Price over mid-on and forcing him out of the attack.Zaib upped the tempo before tea too, hitting Bailey straight down the ground and sweeping van Buuren to the ropes to bring up his half-century off 101 balls, Northamptonshire going into the tea break on 184 for 4.It was van Buuren who finally broke the partnership soon after the resumption when Ollie Price took a sharp tumbling catch at short midwicket as Sales played an attempted pull.But Zaib carried on unabated, taking three boundaries off Bailey, driving and pulling to good effect, although he rode his luck against van Buuren when an edge flew just wide of slip.George Bartlett, moved down the order for this game, fell cheaply when he edged behind to a Charlesworth delivery which was too close to cut.Zaib though continued at pace to bring up his century. By comparison, his first 50 had come off 101 balls, his second off just 46. He treated the crowd to an array of shots all around the ground throughout the evening session.Lewis McManus (33 not out) provided excellent support, driving Taylor for four to take Northamptonshire past 300 and a second batting bonus point.

With Juventus and AC Milan considering a surprise player-exchange, Goal looks back at the most sensational trades in the history of the game

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  Sanchez-Mkhitaryan: Man United-Arsenal

  After almost joining Manchester City on deadline day in the summer of 2017 and then agreeing personal terms ahead of a seemingly inevitable January move to the Etihad, Alexis Sanchez stunned Pep Guardiola & Co. by moving to Old Trafford instead.

  Manchester United’s offer to make the former Arsenal ace the best-paid player in the Premier League proved enough to turn the Chilean’s head, while the Gunners were happy to get a ready-made replacement in Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Ultimately, everybody seems to have got what they want… apart from City.  

  However, Guardiola's side enjoyed the last laugh, winning the Premier League title by a record-breaking 19 points from second-placed United, with Alexis struggling horribly to justify his lofty wage. 

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  Eto’o-Ibrahimovic: Inter-Barcelona

  Barcelona won just about everything it was possible to win in 2009, but Pep Guardiola took the rather strange decision to remove a key component from that all-conquering team by sending Samuel Eto’o to San Siro as part of a €69.5 million (£56m) deal for Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

  Eto’o, who had been bizarrely valued at just €20m, would win a second successive treble in 2010, but this time with the Nerazzurri rather than the Blaugrana, while Ibrahimovic lasted just one season at Camp Nou, after an infamous falling-out with Guardiola.

  Indeed, as he later admitted in his autobiography, Zlatan once told his Catalan coach: "You have no balls!"

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  Matic-Luiz: Benfica-Chelsea

  Having given Nemanja Matic just three senior appearances, Chelsea agreed to let a highly-rated midfielder head to Benfica in January 2011 as part of a €25m (£21m) deal for enigmatic Brazilian defender David Luiz.

  After Jose Mourinho returned as manager, the Blues quickly moved to rectify their mistake, stumping up another €25m (£21m) to bring Matic back to west London in 2014.

  Chelsea have also sold and re-signed Luiz since then, while moving Matic out once more to Manchester United for an estimated £40m in the summer of 2017, much to the bemusement of the club's fans.

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  Gallas-Cole: Arsenal-Chelsea

  Back in the summer of 2006, William Gallas wanted out of Chelsea – amid accusations that he had threatened to score own goals if he was not allowed to leave (something he later refuted) – and Ashley Cole was looking for an upgrade to his bank balance.

  The solution to this problem? A swap deal which would also see Arsenal net £5m for their England international left-back.

  Cole went on to win everything at Stamford Bridge, while Gallas threw the odd strop with the Gunners before crossing north London to join Tottenham.

The five-time champions of Europe have become synonymous with terrible transfers in recent years – Goal picks out their biggest flops

Liverpool are one of the most successful clubs in world football yet the five-time champions of Europe have not won the English title since 1990.

There are several reasons for their infamous league drought but there is no doubt that the Reds' often disastrous dealings in the transfer market have played a massive part.

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Indeed, whereas once Liverpool were renowned for shrewdly strengthening title-winning sides, now the Merseysiders are synonymous with flops and failures.

Below, Goal goes through the 15 worst signings that the Reds have ever made…

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  PEGGUY ARPHEXAD | From Leicester | Free | 2000

  The life of a reserve goalkeeper isn't easy. It's difficult to make an impact. However, even taking that into account, Pegguy Arphexad's time at Anfield was dreadfully underwhelming. Signed on a free transfer in 2000, on the back of one impressive outing against the Reds for Leicester, Arphexad managed just two Premier League appearances in three years on Merseyside.

  His contribution was best summed up by Jamie Carragher's wonderfully sarcastic response to the news that his fellow pundit Gary Neville was quitting his job to take charge at Valencia.

  "Gutted!" the former Reds centre-half tweeted. "This reminds me of when Pegguy Arphexad left for Coventry."

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  IAGO ASPAS | From Celta | £7m | 2013

  Iago Aspas reasons: "In football, you can’t live forever in the past." Unfortunately for him, though, his name has been written into Liverpool folklore for taking the worst corner in the club's history.

  That shocking set-piece against Chelsea at Anfield – which saw him pass the ball straight to Willian while the Reds were pushing for a last-gasp equaliser that would have kept their Premier League title destiny in their own hands – will always be the Reds' fans abiding memory of the Spaniard.

  It was his last ever touch in a Liverpool jersey, with Aspas – who failed to even net once in the Premier League – joining Sevilla on loan just months later before eventually returning to Celta.

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  ALBERTO AQUILANI | From Roma | £17m | 2009

  In 2008, Rafael Benitez thought it would be a good idea to sell Xabi Alonso and replace him with Gareth Barry. It wasn't. But at least it didn't happen. However, Liverpool's horrified fans would have settled for Barry, given Alberto Aquilani turned up at Anfield the following year after Alonso had departed for Real Madrid.

  The injury-prone Italian was plagued by injuries and made just 18 Premier League appearances before joining Fiorentina in 2012. "Maybe I should have stayed,” Aquilani later mused, “but I wanted to come back to Italy for family reasons."

  Liverpool were happy to see him go, though, as underlined by the fact that they let him join Fiorentina for nothing.

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  MARIO BALOTELLI | From AC Milan | £16m | 2014

  No other deal better typifies Liverpool's incompetence in the transfer market than Mario Balotelli's move to Anfield in 2015.

  Having reached the end of the transfer window without having acquired a world-class striker, manager Brendan Rodgers told captain Steven Gerrard at Melwood one day: "I'm basically left with no option but to have a bit of a gamble… The gamble is Mario Balotelli."

  The captain's reaction? "Uh-oh."

  Gerrard's concern was justified, with Balotelli scoring one Premier League goal for the Reds before being loaned to AC Milan and then sold to Nice.

Armenia will play host to some of the continent's most promising youngsters over the next two weeks as the Euros kick into gear

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  Eric Garcia (Spain)

  The leader of Spain's defence is a player that Pep Guardiola has repeatedly heaped praise upon and recently promoted to his first team.

  Garcia came through the ranks of La Masia in Barcelona but moved to England in 2017 and he is now being tipped for a long and successful career at the Etihad.

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  Nicolo Fagioli (Italy)

  "We have a kid, from the 2001 category, and I'll say this: watching him play is a pleasure," gushed former former Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri.

  The "kid" in question is Nicolo Fagioli, who is regarded as one of the Bianconeri's most exciting prospects in years.

  Juventus Primavera's No.10 wears the same number for the Azzurri and excels not just as a playmaker but also playing in midfield or on the wing.

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  Benoit Badiashile (France)

  The Monaco colossus was ranked 22nd in the 2019 NxGn list and is a pillar of the French team coached by Lionel Rouxel. 

  Badiashile made 19 appearances for the Monaco first team in 2018-19 and his physique and anticipation make him a real talent in defence.

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  Goncalo Cardoso (Portugal)

  The Boavista centre-back is being followed by a host of top Italian clubs, including Parma and Lazio, after a fine season in the middle of defence for his current employers.

  Portugal have been strong in youth competition in recent years and if they are to make a splash at the Euros much will depend on Cardoso's talents at the back.

  However, he is also a threat in the other penalty area, scoring twice during the Toulon Tournament earlier this summer.

Have United finally found the right manager to catch Pep & Klopp?

It is the latest Manchester United reboot – and forgive us if you think you’ve heard this one before. It can feel like Groundhog Day at Old Trafford as an ever-fading force desperately tries to restore its former glories.

Now it is the turn of Erik ten Hag to revive United’s fortunes – and the Dutchman faces familiar challenges.

He inherited an unwieldy and imbalanced squad.

His star player wants out.

And he’s struggling to bring in the targets he sees as vital to turning this ship around.

So what will be different this time? The truth is, no-one knows.

In 18 months to two-years’ time, it could be another man in the United hot-seat, charged with the responsibility of guiding them back to the summit of English football.

But in Ten Hag they have gone with a man they believe can challenge Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp. A manager who plays football the right way and is a proven winner with Ajax.

He will give them a defined way of playing to lift the crowds and bring the club into the modern era. Ultimately, they hope he is the man to bring the trophies back to Old Trafford.

It is a risk. He does not know English football. He is up against four titans of the game in Guardiola, Klopp, Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel.

Meanwhile, Arsenal continue to back Mikel Arteta with the money to restore their own fortunes.

United could have gone with the Premier League-proven Mauricio Pochettino – but were convinced Ten Hag was the man to end nine years of misery.

Only time will tell.

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  Squad Goals

  It is the eve of the start of United's season and they are still a long way from getting their summer business done.

  That is a remarkable situation – but one that Ten Hag’s predecessors will know all too well.

  United’s transfer strategy remains an issue, despite numerous reforms and a genuine confidence from the club’s hierarchy that they were months ahead of schedule back in June.

  Regardless of what happens between now and the close of the window, they have jeopardised the start of a crucial campaign and left their manager short-handed.

  Ten Hag wants Frenkie de Jong above all targets. He specifically wants the Netherlands international but the position of holding midfield is even more important, with the new manager believing a top-class addition in that area is fundamental to the football he wants to play.

  If United miss out on De Jong now, it would be a major embarrassment – and also mean they have wasted crucial time trying to get the deal done.

  If he does arrive – which they are still banking on – they can at least say they waited for the right man. Even still – it has taken too long.

  Ten Hag also wants to strengthen in attack. Ajax are trying to price Antony out of a move but injury to Anthony Martial underlines just how light United are up front.

  Cristiano Ronaldo also wants out, so the cutting edge is a pressing issue.

  At least Christian Eriksen, Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martinez have been added.

  Elsewhere, Ten Hag’s plans to offload more than 10 players this summer is going slowly.

  Even after the departures of Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard, Edinson Cavani, Dean Henderson, Alex Telles and Andreas Pereira, there are still a host of names who are surplus to requirements.

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  Hopes

  On the one hand, Ten Hag is in the luxurious position of knowing things surely can’t be worse than last season. On the other, the competition for top four is arguably fiercer than ever, with United far from certain of a return to the Champions League.

  That has to be the minimum requirement – but for a club that hasn’t won a trophy in five years, some silverware would be very welcome.

  Crucially, United fans want to see the team heading in the right direction.

  That doesn’t just mean the odd trophy or two, but without the football to match – as in the cases of Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho. And it doesn’t mean a dose of nostalgia and a few memorable nights – as in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

  United need to see real, tangible progress on the pitch – and they need to see the type of football that suggests they can genuinely challenge Manchester City and Liverpool in the future.

  That is what Ten Hag was brought in to do.

  If he can lead them back into the top four with a brand of modern, attacking football, he will meet expectations in his first season.

  If he can add a trophy as well, he will have United fans believing again.

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  Fears

  The primary fear, put simply, is that this will be yet another false dawn.

  Ten Hag says the right things. He has a record for attractive, exciting football that wins trophies.

  There have been clear signs of what he is trying to do in just a few weeks at the club. But much bigger names than him have been swallowed up by Old Trafford.

  United have tried just about everything.

  David Moyes was Premier League-proven – but proved a spectacular failure.

  Van Gaal had won the lot and managed the very biggest clubs in Barcelona and Bayern Munich – but his brand of football was a major turn-off.

  Mourinho was the guaranteed winner. He won – but still didn’t last.

  And Solskjaer was a return to United’s roots. He lifted spirits – but won nothing.

  There are no guarantees Ten Hag will fare any better.

  It is another step into the unknown for a club that is running out of ideas.

  It is impossible not to fear the worst – but there is every reason to be optimistic.

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  The Hero

  It is a cliché – but Jadon Sancho looks like a new signing.

  It was a bit of a false start for the winger in his first season, which saw him have to cope with the disruption of Solskjaer’s sacking and then the failed interim reign of Ralf Rangnick.

  So it is little wonder he failed to produce the sort of show-stealing displays that were commonplace at Borussia Dortmund.

  But he is the type of player to light up Old Trafford with his mazy runs, goals and assists.

  Sancho was one of the most wanted talents in Europe when United landed him last year – and there have already been signs of him benefiting from a new manager in Ten Hag.

  United fans are looking for a new hero – and he could be primed to take on that mantle.

  If he does, he might just earn himself an England recall in time for the World Cup.

The first-leg of the final was an absolute blowout, essentially ending the tie after 90 minutes.

What was supposed to be a 180-minute tie was, realistically, over within the first 45.

You can argue at which point it truly ended or which goal effectively solidified the result of the tie. But what cannot be argued was Pachuca's dominance. In some ways, that word, "dominance", doesn't feel strong enough.

Tuzos put a historic beatdown on Toluca in the first leg of the Liga MX Apertura final, winning 5-1 on the road to effectively seal the tie. And, as a result, Sunday's second leg, set to be hosted at Tuzo's Estadio Hidalgo, will be little more than a coronation for a champion that has, effectively, already been crowned.

For Pachuca, it was a night that will go down as one of the best in the club's illustrious history on the road to their seventh title. And, for Toluca, it will be a night that will go down in infamy as one of the most embarrassing defeats imaginable in a final.

GOAL breaks down a night to remember in Toluca…

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  WINNER: Romario Ibarra

  Ibarra was as unplayable as the Brazillian legend he shares a name with.

  The Ecuadorian international was on it from the opening whistle, with his eighth-minute golazo setting the tone for his side's dominance. At the time, it seemed like a big moment for the away team, but we all soon found out that it was a sign of things to come.

  He added his second in the 36th minute, with a Gustavo Cabral goal sandwiched in between. Ibarra and Pachuca simply kept going and going, with the Ecuadorian's early salvo the catalyst for their domination.

  By the time he was taken off in the 58th minute in what must have felt like a bit of mercy for the hosts, it was all over. Pachuca was up 5-0 and cruising.

  And it's thanks to Ibarra, a player that has proven to be a player for the big moments. On Thursday, with his team facing another big moment, he shined brightest with what will certainly go down as one of the best, if not the best, performances of his career.

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  LOSER: Everyone on Toluca

  On a night this bad, it feels impossible to single out any one player. If you give up five goals at home in a cup final, it's because everyone was terrible at one point or another.

  And that's what Toluca was: terrible. From the opening whistle, they were second best. They may have even been third-best if you think you could find 11 fans in the crowd to defend better than they did in that opening 45.

  Could Thiago Volpi have done better on the first two goals? Potentially. Did Camilo Sanvezzo miss a golden chance at 2-0, one that could have brought his side back into it and ended Pachuca's avalanche of momentum? Most definitely. Was the defense nothing short of a catastrophe on the biggest stage? You bet.

  It's a shame for the fans in attendance, who were so loud and passionate in the lead-up to and during this game. Even with their side down 5-1, the home crowd could be heard cheering "Si, se puede", or "Yes, we can".

  Can they? Probably not. They now face a mountain that should be too big to climb.

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  WINNER: Mauricio Isais

  What a time to score your first professional goal.

  Isais is a player with a bright future, and, boy, did he have a coming-out party. The young fullback has truly broken out, and now he has a goal to his name in a tournament final.

  With his side up 3-0, Isais got his head to Victor Guzman's cross, heading it toward goal to make it 4-0. You could make the argument that it was the one that ended it all. It's hard to overcome a four-goal lead, after all.

  It caps what has been a spectacular season for Isais, who has been fantastic for Pachuca the whole campaign. It also capped what has been a big week for the fullback, having been called into the training camp squad designed to help Mexico's national team prepare for the World Cup.

  Qatar is a bit too soon for the 21-year-old Texas-born fullback, but it's clear he has a bright future ahead of him for club and country.

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  LOSER: Drama

  You could argue this was a good one for the neutral because let's be honest, who doesn't love goals? This game had plenty of them and goals of plenty of different varieties, too!

  The problem is that they were essentially all scored by one team, and that sucked the life out of this two-legged final.

  One of the best things about two-legged affairs is the hope that comes with a second leg. No matter what happened over the first 90 minutes, there are still 90 to go. No result is locked in and no lead is safe.

  Well, except maybe this one.

  Sunday's finale at Pachuca should be little more than a formality. It'll be a party, a coronation for a team that won so thoroughly that their opponents should have little way back.

  Calling a potential Toluca comeback a miracle would be shortchanging it. Pachuca, to their credit, sucked the life out of this tie with how good they were, and they'll likely be champions as a result.