Category Uncategorized

While Manchester United came from behind to defeat a stubborn Crystal Palace side last weekend, Ruben Amorim’s side could not follow that up with another victory.

This time, they dropped points at the hands of lowly West Ham. Diogo Dalot scored a rare goal but Soungoutou Magassa scored from a corner late on to rescue a share of the points for Nuno Santo’s men.

Unsurprisingly, the 1-1 result did not go down well with Amorim.

Amorim speaks out following West Ham draw

Amorim made his anger and frustration clear after his team drew with the Hammers on Thursday evening.

“It’s frustrating, it’s angry, that’s it,” he said.

“It’s not going backwards. The results are going backwards. We had some moments. That can happen. You were talking about when we had that run that team was really perfect and saying we are not that far from being in the perfect moment. We are really inconsistent. But if you look at the goal, 83 minutes, we have a long ball, we have everything under control and we need to do better.”

Amorim plans to debrief his players on Friday when he has cooled down, rather than hit a giant television in the dressing room like he did after the 3-1 loss to Brighton in January.

The Portuguese mentioned that incident after this latest setback. “In that regard, I’m almost always consistent,” he said. “I had one [outburst] and you know. Brighton last year. I will talk to them tomorrow. I always have the feeling – I think everyone has the feeling – that we need to score more goals. Even with Brighton (in October) we were 3-0 (up) and then suddenly (we conceded twice). We suffer with that, we are inconsistent and we need to improve.”

United return to action against a winless Wolves side next Monday but cannot take things for granted after failing to beat the team 18th at Old Trafford.

For that game, it’s likely that young central defender Ayden Heaven won’t be in the team again

Heaven disappoints in first half cameo

Signed from Arsenal nearly ago, the centre-back has made a promising start to life in United colours but this was perhaps his worst senior performance to date.

The 19-year-old was handed his first Premier League start of the campaign and sadly did not do too much to warrant being given a role in the team.

Heaven’s performance lasted just 45 minutes before Amorim decided to withdraw him at the break.

Despite being so young, it was a performance that took criticism, chiefly from journalist Samuel Luckhurst who took to social media in the first half to say that the Englishman had a “pretty torrid opening 11 minutes” at the back.

Luckhurst said in full: “Pretty torrid opening 11 minutes from Heaven. Got too tight against Wilson, booked and even that back pass did Lammens no favours. Big call pitting him against Wilson.”

The teenager’s numbers did not make for pretty reading either. He failed to make a single tackle, make an interception or win any of his duels. He also completed just six passes and had fewer touches (17) and Senne Lammens.

While Heaven is still young, he clearly has a lot of improving and maturing to do before he’s ready to start regular games at his level.

Bad news for Mainoo: INEOS readying £30m Man Utd offer to sign "monster" CM

There appears to only be one outcome in the future of Kobbie Mainoo at Manchester United.

1

By
Robbie Walls

Dec 4, 2025

Sunderland are now reportedly in pole position to sign a midfield star who Regis Le Bris already knows well ahead of rivals Newcastle United.

Le Bris eyes Sunderland reaction vs Bournemouth

It’s not often that Sunderland have been handed setbacks this season, but defeat against Fulham last time out was exactly that for Le Bris’ side.

Whilst it was just their third loss of the season and there’s no reason to think that last week’s result could derail their strong start, the Black Cats will be eyeing a reaction against Bournemouth.

Three points could take the Black Cats to as high as third if other results also go their way and after 13 games that would simply be remarkable. In many ways, those at the Stadium of Light are replicating the impressive work that Bournemouth have gradually enjoyed since their own promotion.

Le Bris admitted his admiration for the Cherries, saying: “Bournemouth are a good model for us. They way they have built in the last four seasons in the league is really interesting for us.”

An Isidor repeat: Sunderland line up move to sign "special" £4.7m star

Sunderland could win their next Wilson Isidor by going after this star in January.

By
Kelan Sarson

Nov 24, 2025

It must be said, however, that Sunderland’s model has so featured more investment and the type of investment that could see them land Matteo Guendouzi ahead of Newcastle in January.

Sunderland leading Newcastle in Guendouzi race

According to TeamTalk, Sunderland are now ahead of Newcastle in the race to sign Guendouzi in 2026 in a deal that could be worth up to £26m. Le Bris knows the Lazio midfielder well from their time together at Lorient and admitted that he’s still in contact with his former midfielder a few weeks ago.

It would be a statement move if the Black Cats landed a transfer target ahead of their rivals, who are backed by the extensive riches of PIF. But that’s the position they find themselves in after such an impressive start to the Premier League campaign.

It’s easy to see why Sunderland are chasing a reunion between Le Bris and Guendouzi, given how the Frenchman has compared to star man Granit Xhaka so far this season. The transfer report even states that the Black Cats view Guendouzi ‘as the perfect midfield partner for Xhaka, adding experience and bite to their engine room’.

Previously dubbed a “great professional” by former Hertha Berlin sporting director Arne Friedrich, Guendouzi also has unfinished business in the Premier League after leaving Arsenal under a dark cloud in 2021 and could earn redemption at Sunderland.

Isidor upgrade: Sunderland open talks to sign "unstoppable" £26m striker

Arsenal are well equipped to go all the way in their battle for the Premier League title this season, having brushed up their squad after three successive second-place finishes.

But while the likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze have all established themselves as star members after big-money summer transfers, Mikel Arteta has ensured the Hale End academy has remained as important and influential as it has ever been, with some talented teenagers intermingled with the senior squad in north London.

Under Arteta’s wing, Arsenal have made incremental progress, with silverware the only thing missing since the Spanish coach replaced Unai Emery in 2019 and took his squad to the FA Cup final and won the trophy.

He has maintained his upward trajectory by entrusting Arsenal’s academy with regular opportunities.

Ethan Nwaneri

Brentford

15 years, 5 months, 28 days

Max Dowman

Leeds

15 years, 7 months, 23 days

Myles Lewis-Skelly

Man City

17 years, 11 months, 27 days

Marquinhos

Brentford

19 years, 5 months, 11 days

Folarin Balogun

Brentford

20 years, 1 month, 10 days

Arsenal have so many exciting stars looking to establish themselves as the next Bukayo Saka or the new Declan Rice. The latter might not have cut his teeth with the Gunners, but they are certainly reaping the rewards.

Declan Rice's journey to superstardom

Rice is one of the best midfielders in the world. He is one of the first names on the team sheet for both club and country, and, aged 26, he has matured into a leader as well as a technical and athletic phenomenon.

It all started at West Ham United.

David Moyes nurtured his young protege to the fore and shaped him into the player he is today. Arsenal paid £105m for the Hammers man’s signature in 2023, with Rice having led his side to the Conference League title a month before.

Once a member of Chelsea’s Cobham academy, Rice is unquestionably one of the most talented Englishmen to have emerged in recent years, having evolved from a defender to a six to a first-class all-rounder.

The north London club are well stocked in the engine room, but with the likes of Myles Lewis-Skelly, Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri all emerging from Hale End in recent years, it might be nice to see an all-action midfielder burst onto the scene and help continue Arteta’s remarkable rise.

After all, who better to learn from than Rice?

Jack Wilshere’s declaration that Rice is a one-of-a-kind player and an inspiration and teacher for someone like Dowman is right on the money, but there’s actually an exciting Hale End midfielder who could more beneficially absorb the fruits of the Three Lions star’s labours over the coming months and years.

Arsenal's new version of Rice

Rice is one of the best English midfielders of his generation, and it’s for this reason that teenager Ife Ibrahim will be keen to take a leaf or two from the 26-year-old’s book as he looks to make his way from the Emirates academy into Arteta’s senior squad.

The London-born prospect has attracted praise for his performances at youth level this season and has enjoyed his first two caps for England U18s, having made his bow only a few weeks ago.

With the right moves over the next few years, Ibrahim could be just the player to learn from Rice and develop into a similarly special midfielder at the highest level, with the 17-year-old having already edged his way into U21 action at Arsenal despite his youth an inexperience.

Said to have a bit of “Vieira and Diaby” about him by analyst Harvey Diamonds, the rangy midfielder is adept at breaking up play and keeping things ticking from the base of the centre. He might not be the flashiest, but this is the kid of counterpoint you need against, say, someone like Nwaneri up ahead, creating and adding to the attack.

Whether Ibrahim even scratches the same ballpark as Rice in the future is, of course, another question entirely, but he has the physicality and progressive nature to succeed in the Premier League and learn some tricks from the superstar’s trade.

Having featured 54 times for Arsenal’s various development levels, Ibrahim has plenty of experience under his belt and has even featured three times against senior oppposition, in the EFL Trophy, this season, with data from Sofascore showing us that he won 59% of his duels across those three outings, averaging two interceptions per game and completing 87% of his passes. The teenager’s heat map suggests he covered plenty of ground across the midfield, stretching back to cover his defenders and barrelling forward when the chance presented itself.

This is all to say that Arsenal have a gem on their hands, one of many glittering underneath the surface level of Arteta’s squad. Given the need for a physical profile at number six to contrast with the elegance of Zubimendi, it might just be that Arteta strikes the jackpot once again with a talented academy star, free to grow into their skin and feeling the trust from the boss.

As with Rice (and Vieira, for that matter), Ibrahim appears to have a propensity for using his muscular frame and sharp bursts of pace to hold off opponents and dart upfield.

Arsenal youth correspondent Jeorge Bird has already confirmed that Arteta has welcomed the youngster into some senior training sessions over the past year, clearly with a view toward full integration down the line.

It wouldn’t be the first time Arteta has done such a thing.

After Saka & Rice: Arsenal can hand Tuchel the "biggest talent in England"

The incredible Arsenal gem could become a bigger star for England than Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 14, 2025

Is Wilfried Nancy going to become the new Celtic manager?

Well, it was reported last week that Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney will remain in interim charge for Saturday night’s short trip to St Mirren, but for how much longer will that remain the case?

Other reports suggest that the Hoops are close to agreeing a £2m compensation package with Nancy’s current club Columbus Crew, with the aim for the Frenchman to take charge for the first time when the Celts visit Easter Road to take on Hibernian at Easter Road on Sunday 30 November.

Should Nancy swap Ohio for Glasgow, he would have plenty of work to do and numerous issues to solve, but ensuring Daizen Maeda stays in Scotland will no doubt be of great importance.

The latest on Daizen Maeda's future

Back in September, after the transfer window had closed, Maeda revealed that he had requested to leave Celtic this summer.

However, with the club struggling to replace Nicolas Kühn and Adam Idah, who were both sold, the Japan international was informed that he would not be allowed to depart.

Well, potentially as a result of this uncertainty, Maeda has not been at his blistering best so far this season, bagging just four goals to date, having netted 33 times across all competitions last season, four of which came in the Champions League.

After adding to his goal tally against Kilmarnock last time out, the 28-year-old started at left-wing-back as Japan beat Bolivia 3-0 in an international friendly on Tuesday, so could he push for a January move to help increase his chances of being included in Hajime Moriyasu’s World Cup squad?

Well, according to Fabrizio Romano, it is a “possibility” that the forward will be on the move in January, with Brentford, Everton, Leeds and two other Premier League clubs purportedly interested.

Considering that, since netting four minutes into his debut against Hibs in January 2022, Maeda has scored 66 goals in 175 appearances in hoops, he would be a massive loss, but could the incoming boss, Nancy, fill this void by bringing with him a star he knows rather well?

Celtic's potential Maeda replacement

When Ange Postecoglou arrived from Yokohama F. Marinos, he utilised his knowledge of the J League, an undervalued market, to sign gems for a cut-price, bringing in Kyōgo Furuhashi, Reo Hatate and Maeda himself.

Well, with Major League Soccer in a similar position, could Nancy follow this blueprint?

According to a report by the Daily Record, should Nancy arrive, his number one transfer target would be Columbus Crew star Diego Rossi, who has previously hinted that he would like to return to European football.

After beginning his career at Peñarol, Rossi really burst onto the scene at LAFC, scoring 59 goals in 121 appearances for the Black and Gold, picking up the 2020 MLS Golden Boot, form that earned him a £4.5m move to Fenerbahçe.

However, after a pretty underwhelming stint in İstanbul, he returned to Major League Soccer in the summer of 2023, and has taken his game to a whole new level under Nancy in Columbus.

To date, the Uruguayan international has scored 45 goals in 101 appearances for the Crew, bagging 16 MLS goals in 2025, comparing favourably to other players across the league.

Worth reiterating that MLS is a gigantic league with 30 teams, while 882 players made an appearance in the competition this year, so to be in the top ten or even top 20 for the attacking metrics included is impressive.

His tally of 16 goals is noteworthy, albeit it could’ve been even better had he not missed 13 Opta-defined big chances, something that has also been a tendency of Maeda’s game, so perhaps he would be a ready-made replacement.

According to Football Transfers, Rossi’s estimated market value is around £7m, having increased again in recent months after it plateaued in 2024, following his exploits in, according to Global Football Rankings, the tenth-strongest league in the world, a humongous 23 places above the Scottish Premiership.

Speaking ahead of MLS Cup Final in 2023, Carlos Vela, who was Rossi’s teammate in California, labelled the Uruguayan a “really good finisher”, adding that he’s “fast” and “technically good”, while Bob Bradley, his coach at LAFC, adds that the forward is “deceptive” and “such a good player to have” as part of your attack.

Now 27, in a similar way to Maeda, now may well be the time for Rossi to take the next step in his career, aiming to get into Uruguay’s World Cup squad, having not featured for los Charrúas since June 2023.

Unlike in European leagues, MLS’ primary transfer window is in the winter, something that will change in 2027, meaning January moves are a lot more common.

Thus, with Rossi into the final year of his contract in Columbus, he appears to be the perfect fit for a Celtic side lacking attacking firepower, irrespective of whether Maeda departs or not.

Palma 2.0: Celtic's £5m star is going to be on borrowed time under Nancy

With Wilfried Nancy poised to become the new Celtic manager, which “terrific talent” could be on borrowed time and may well become the new Luis Palma?

By
Ben Gray

Nov 17, 2025

Manchester City are constantly on the lookout for top talent and could now be set to pursue another exciting star who could arrive at the Etihad Stadium.

Man City looking to build Premier League title challenge

Despite Arsenal’s bold start to the season, Premier League fans would be naive to rule out the notion of Pep Guardiola taking his side to another title, and their tendency to kick on once the second period of the campaign kicks off will linger in the memory of their rivals.

Ultimately, January will be a decisive month as clubs look to recruit the missing pieces of their respective jigsaws to make the difference. Last year, the likes of Omar Marmoush were brought in to aid a top-four finish, and few would bet against another few shrewd additions to sharpen up their bid for silverware.

Peaks and troughs will happen between now and that point, meaning signings are needed to pick up the slack, and Manchester City are reportedly making enquiries to sign FC Koln winger Said El Mana, deemed to be one of Europe’s most direct wingers at this moment in time.

Guardiola is also personally keen on a move for Sporting midfielder Morten Hjulmand, though his side will need to fight off competition from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur for the Denmark international.

Bernardo Silva and company have delivered countlessly over the years, though they will one day need to move on, leaving the Citizens with work to do in identifying long-term successors across key positions.

While that won’t be easy, their recruitment team are up there with the best around, and they may now be plotting a dramatic 2026 move for a star who could be a future dime at the Etihad Stadium.

Man City plot Lennart Karl move after scouting mission

According to CaughtOffside, Manchester City are plotting a potential move for Bayern Munich sensation Lennart Karl after sending scouts to watch him in action for the German giants.

The 17-year-old has shot to prominence and could command a transfer fee of just under £70 million, albeit Arsenal and Chelsea are also keeping close tabs on his situation.

Making 11 appearances this season, he has scored twice and delivered an assist against Hoffenheim and he appears to be thriving under the stewardship of Vincent Kompany, with Fotmob showing he has completed four dribbles so far in the German top-flight.

Earlier this year, Karl signed a new contract until the summer of 2028, meaning Bayern have leverage over his situation and could utilise their position to block any incoming offers.

With the summer looking the most likely time for a bidding war, the notion of ‘serious approaches’ from England could begin to take place, leaving the youngster with a huge decision in weighing up where best to continue his development.

Ultimately, his choice may boil down to game time. Manchester City are a breeding ground for elite talent, but they face stiff competition to push this one over the line.

MatériaMais Notícias

A Série C do Brasileirão teve sua quarta rodada da segunda fase nesta sábado (23) e não faltou teor decisivo nos quatro jogos. O Brusque se tornou o primeiro time a garantir vaga na Série B de 2024 ao bater o Operário por 2 a 1, de virada. Além disso, os catarinenses sabem que vão disputar a final da terceira divisão. Enquanto o Paysandu venceu o Botafogo-PB por 3 a 2 e ficou perto do acesso

RelacionadasFutebol NacionalCeará arranca empate da Chape, e CRB quebra invencibilidade do Guarani; veja resultados da rodada da Série BFutebol Nacional23/09/2023BotafogoConvocação da Seleção pode fazer Lucas Perri desfalcar o Botafogo em uma rodada do BrasileirãoBotafogo23/09/2023Seleção BrasileiraDo soco à Seleção: Gerson ganha chance com Diniz em meio ao momento ruim do FlamengoSeleção Brasileira23/09/2023

+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Líder com folga do Grupo A, o Brusque precisava vencer para garantir o acesso para a Série B e a vaga na final da Série C. No entanto, foi surpreendido pelo Operário-PR com um gol de Tréllez logo no início. No fim do jogo, com dois pênaltis marcados a seu favor, o time catarinense virou a partida com dois gols de Olávio.

Assim, o Brusque foi a 12 pontos e abriu oito do segundo e do terceiro colocados no grupo, que têm apenas quatro. Como os dois primeiros vão para a Série B, uma vaga já está garantida. Além disso, o primeiro colocado disputa a final. Como os catarinenses não podem ser alcançados na ponta, também têm vaga certa na decisão. Agora espera o líder do Grupo B para saber quem será o campeão.

+ Condição especial para matrícula no curso Gestor de Futebol, aprovado por Dante, Petković, Léo Moura e outros craques. Saiba mais!

Ainda Pelo Grupo A, o São José-RS bateu o São Bernardo-SP, de virada, por 2 a 1. Matheus Oliveira abriu o placar para a equipe paulista, mas o goleiro Fábio, de pênalti, empatou. No fim do jogo, Gilvan virou e decretou a vitória do time gaúcho, que agora vai a quatro pontos e ocupa a terceira posição.

+ Ceará arranca empate da Chape, e CRB quebra invencibilidade do Guarani; veja resultados da rodada da Série B

Pelo Grupo B, o Paysandu foi até o Almeidão para enfrentar o Botafogo-PB e venceu a equipe da casa por 3 a 2. Os gols da vitória foram marcados por Edilson, Vinícius Leite e Robinho. Pipico, duas vezes, foi o autor das bolas na rede da equipe paraibana. Com o resultado, o Papão foi a dez pontos e depende de apenas um empate nas próximas duas rodadas para voltar para a Série B após seis anos.

No mesmo grupo, o Amazonas venceu o Volta Redonda-RJ por 2 a 0 e assumiu a segunda posição. Sassá e Gustavo Ermel garantiram os três pontos para o time amazonense, que agora vira o adversário direto do Paysandu por uma vaga na final do campeonato.

The last 12 months have been nothing short of a disaster for Manchester United, with the club falling way below the high standards it has set for itself in years prior.

Ruben Amorim led the side to a measly 15th-place finish in 2024/25, with such a position their lowest since the Premier League’s formation way back in 1992.

Despite such a disappointing year last time around, the hierarchy maintained confidence in the 40-year-old to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford.

He was subsequently handed a £200m injection into the first-team squad by the board in an attempt to help transform the situation and catapult the side up the table.

However, one player who has so often produced the goods for the Red Devils has fallen way below his own high standards during the early stages of 2025/26.

Bruno Fernandes’ struggles in 2025/26 for United

Last season, Bruno Fernandes was undoubtedly United’s biggest threat within attacking areas, with his contributions saving the club in countless key moments.

The Portuguese international popped up with 37 combined goals and assists across all competitions, undoubtedly preventing the side from an even lower top-flight finish.

However, he was subject to interest from Saudi Arabia during the summer, but he rejected the eye-watering contract in favour of remaining in Manchester.

The 30-year-old has struggled to replicate such form in the last couple of weeks, with the club captain only registering two combined goals and assists in his first outings.

He’s also missed two spot kicks to date, one against Brentford and the other against Fulham – with both misses undoubtedly costing the Red Devils key points.

Amid the big spending in the final third, Fernandes has had to drop into a slightly deeper role, which will have no doubt restricted him from making the desired impact.

As a result, the 30-year-old could well find himself further down the pecking order in the years ahead, with one player potentially inheriting his current squad number.

The Man United player who could steal the #8 from Bruno

A new midfielder was on the agenda for United during the summer transfer window, but they struggled to identify the key fit needed to improve the squad.

Carlos Baleba was one player hugely touted with a switch to Old Trafford, but his £100m asking price saw the Red Devils withdraw from negotiations, subsequently unable to identify an alternative.

Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte are just two players who still remain as options at Amorim’s disposal, but are seen by many as players not good enough to take the side back up the table.

However, another option currently on their books is Kobbie Mainoo, but the Englishman has struggled to make a huge impact since Amorim was appointed last November.

The academy graduate managed just 20 starts in the Premier League last campaign, often being selected behind the aforementioned duo and Fernandes.

However, such a decision may come as a surprise, with the youngster enjoying a phenomenal 2023/24 season, scoring in the FA Cup final triumph against Manchester City in his breakthrough season. It was during that term that he was labelled as a future “£100m-plus footballer” by United writer Alex Turk

This campaign has been just as tricky for the midfielder, making five league appearances – all of which were off the bench, and only featuring for a total of 113 minutes.

The “incredible” star, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has previously managed to impress, even being compared to Declan Rice by FBref for his performances in the league last campaign.

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

He managed to outperform his compatriot in numerous key areas, further highlighting the talent he possesses when given the chance to star on a regular basis.

The Arsenal star cost a staggering £105m back in the summer of 2023, with such a fee being one of the highest in English history – but United could well have their own gem on their hands in Mainoo.

At just 20, he has bags of time to develop further and become a world-class talent, but he desperately needs the manager to put faith in him and give him the game time he needs.

With Bruno’s lack of impact as of late, the manager needs to give him an opportunity to stake his claim, with Mainoo having the tools to replace the Portuguese midfielder long term – subsequently taking his number in the process.

Fewer touches than Lammens: Man Utd star is on borrowed time under Amorim

Manchester United got back to winning ways with a vital win over Sunderland on Saturday afternoon

ByRobbie Walls Oct 5, 2025

Their dazzling knocks had CSK finishing with 230 for 5, their highest total in IPL 2025. In response, GT folded for 147

Deivarayan Muthu25-May-20251:39

Kumble: Brevis, Mhatre set the tone for CSK

Dewald Brevis, Ayush Mhatre and Urvil Patel were not even part of Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) squad at the start of IPL 2025. Picked as mid-season replacements, the trio played bright knocks in CSK’s final game of the season, offering hope that the future could be just as bright.After the 17-year-old Mhatre and local boy Urvil set the platform with blazing 30s, Brevis cracked a 19-ball half-century on a hot afternoon in Ahmedabad. The upshot was CSK finishing with 230 for 5, their highest total in IPL 2025, and signing off with a win.Chasing a steep target, Gujarat Titans lost three wickets in the powerplay for the first time this season, which exposed their soft underbelly. CSK cut through it to hand them an 83-run drubbing. Sunday’s defeat now leaves GT vulnerable to being overtaken by two of the other three teams in the playoffs.Related

Three games, 664 runs conceded – GT bowlers 'losing form at the wrong time'

Mhatre and Urvil show up CSK's old-school auction

Dhoni on his IPL future: I have four-five months to decide

The opening salvoMhatre, CSK’s youngest player ever, is an intent machine. When Mohammed Siraj bowled a blameless back-of-a-length delivery on top of the stumps in the first over, he pumped him straight of mid-on for four.In the next over, he clattered left-arm seamer Arshad Khan for a sequence of 6, 6, 4, 4, 6. By the end of that over, Mhatre had charged to 33 off 12 balls. Prasidh Krishna, however, cut Mhatre’s innings short on 34 off 17 balls in the fourth over with a slower variation.CSK were not short of attacking enterprise, though. Urvil got cracking with an M Vijay-esque six off Siraj and, along with Devon Conway, took CSK to 68 for 1, their joint-highest powerplay score this season.Ayush Mhatre played a belligerent little innings•BCCIHaving come into the IPL with the reputation of being a pace-hitter in domestic cricket, Urvil took on the spin of R Sai Kishore and Rashid Khan as well. He moved to 37 off 19 balls before Sai Kishore changed his angle to over the wicket and drew a mis-hit.Conway, becalmed in the early exchanges, exploded when he carted Rashid for two sixes before the wristspinner had him bowled for 52 off 35 balls in the 14th over. By then, Shivam Dube had already been dismissed by the part-time offspin of M Shahrukh Khan.Brevis’ blitzBrevis started in fifth gear when he drilled Shahrukh down the ground for four and stayed in that top gear. In all, he faced 23 balls and sent nine of those to or over the boundary with a rare mix of explosive power and T20 invention, which CSK were lacking earlier in the season.When Rashid tossed one up wide of off, Brevis used his reach and tonked the ball over his head for six. He then left jaws on the floor when he reverse-lapped Arshad for four, damaging his figures even further. In the penultimate over of the innings, he crashed Siraj for two sixes and a four on his way to a 19-ball fifty. By the time he was dismissed off the last ball of the innings, CSK had touched 230.Brevis finished the season with 225 runs in six innings at an average of 37.50 and a strike rate of 180.00.Shubman Gill walks back after a rare low score•AFP/Getty ImagesGT’s powerplay malfunctionIn 12 of 13 matches before Sunday, GT had lost either one or no wicket in the powerplay. Against CSK in Ahmedabad, they lost all of Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler and Sherfane Rutherford in the first five overs. GT’s middle order then crumbled under scoreboard pressure. When Shahrukh and B Sai Sudharsan fell in the 11th over, GT were 86 for 5.Gill had thrown the first punch at Anshul Kamboj when he charged at the bowler and crunched him over his head for six. Kamboj, though, hit back the next ball when he dragged his length back and had an advancing Gill nicking off to slip for 13 off nine balls. In the next over, Buttler charged at Khaleel Ahmed only to be caught in the deep by Kamboj. When Kamboj hit a hard length and had Rutherford flapping a catch to mid-on, GT were 30 for 3.Shahrukh and Sai Sudharsan flickered briefly in a 55-run partnership for the fourth wicket, but the powerplay damage was irreparable.Had CSK limited GT to 121 or fewer, they could have avoided the wooden spoon. But it was not to be. A difficult season, however, ended on a happy note for CSK, with MS Dhoni taking the winning catch and celebrating with his team-mates.

تلقى جهاز منتخب مصر، بقيادة حسام حسن، دعوة من رابطة المحترفين الإماراتية، لحضور مباريات كأس السوبر المصري، المقرر إقامته في الإمارات.

ومن المقرر أن تقام بطولة كأس السوبر المصري 2025، خلال الفترة من 6 حتى 9 نوفمبر 2025، بمشاركة 4 أندية، الأهلي والزمالك وسيراميكا كليوباترا وبيراميدز.

وعلم بطولات، أن رابطة المحترفين الإماراتية أرسلت دعوة للجهاز الفني لمنتخب مصر، من أجل حضور مباريات السوبر المصري المرتقبة في الإمارات. مواعيد مباريات كأس السوبر المصري

وستلعب مواجهات نصف النهائي، على النحو التالي، الأهلي يلاقي سيراميكا كليوباترا يوم الخميس 6 نوفمبر، في تمام الساعة 4:15 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، بينما يلتقي الزمالك وبيراميدز في اليوم ذاته عند 7:15 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة.

طالع | أسعار تذاكر مباراتي الأهلي أمام سيراميكا كليوباترا والزمالك ضد بيراميدز في السوبر المصري

والفائز من مباراة الأهلي وسيراميكا كليوباترا، سيلاقي الفائز من الزمالك وبيراميدز، في المباراة النهائية المحدد لها يوم 9 من شهر نوفمبر.

On statistics alone, it might look like Bryan Mbeumo has made a slow start to life with Manchester United. He has one goal in his five matches since his £71 million ($95m) move from Brentford, contrasting with four goals at the same stage of last season with the Bees. But ask any fan who has been their best player so far in this stop-start season and they will most likely name the Cameroon forward.

Mbeumo has lit up United's previously dull forward line, injecting pace and power and a deft first touch. He and Matheus Cunha gave Arsenal the fright of their lives in the first game of the season, while he was the main danger man in the frantic win over Burnley. It was no surprise when he was named the club's player of the month for August.

He was United's most active attacker in the otherwise grim derby defeat at Manchester City and would have scored with a venomous volley had it not been for a tremendous save from Gianluigi Donnarumma. His performance in the 2-1 win over Chelsea was his best yet, even without scoring or assisting. 

And yet for all the encouraging early signs, Mbeumo needs to start raising his game and start to replicate the goalscoring touch that United paid so much for. And where better to do that than on Saturday back at his old club Brentford, who find themselves in dire straits early in the season…

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Stretching the opposition

  Mbeumo may only have one league goal so far but it has not been for a lack of trying. He is averaging three shots per game, and that's including him having zero attempts in a surprisingly shy performance against Fulham. In every other game he has played on the front foot, living up to his reputation as a workhorse forward who fights for every ball.

  His long-running Brentford boss Thomas Frank highlighted this trait in 2023, saying: "His work rate for the team is incredible. You don't see many wingers who work so hard and mean so much. He's become the key man saying, 'Give me the ball, I'll take this.'"

  Ruben Amorim has also seen the benefits of the forward's relentless energy. "It's impressive how he stretches the team, the quality that he has in his first touch," the coach said after beating Burnley on August 30, when Mbeumo scored his only league goal. "You can feel that we are a different team, because when we win the ball we have one guy stretching the team. Last season we struggled a bit with that."

  Mbeumo's enthusiasm is also infectious and Amorim has noticed how his eagerness to fight for the ball livens up his team-mates and by extension the Old Trafford crowd. He added: "You can see the first minutes of the game and you can feel it, it's not about playing well, it's the sound of the fans when we are pressing, winning balls, corners, we sprint to get the corner."

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Relentless running

  Mbeumo's stretching of the opposition was plain to see against Chelsea, when he latched on to a Benjamin Sesko flick-on to provoke the early sending off of Robert Sanchez which turned the game in United's favour. 

  Mbeumo had forced a save from Sanchez moments earlier with a stooping header and his relentless running powered the team's dominant first-half performance, ensuring they made the most of their man advantage until Casemiro got sent off. He got a standing ovation when he was substituted and a high five from a delighted Amorim.

  He also earned some praise from Bruno Fernandes. "We got the red card because our mentality was starting the game so strong," the captain said. "The players have to run behind whenever Ben goes for the ball and that’s what Bryan did."

  While Sesko is still getting up to speed with the pace of the new league and adapting to his team-mates, his role in the moment of the game against Chelsea offers hope that he can form a partnership with Mbeumo. 

  And while the Slovenian will be judged by the goals he scores himself, he will do his team a lot of favours if he can support Mbeumo's ambition to replicate his 20 goals for Brentford last season – a mark no United player has managed since Robin van Persie in Sir Alex Ferguson's final season.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  He needs support

  At Brentford, Mbeumo had an excellent supporting cast. In his first season following his move from French side Troyes he played off Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma. He then formed a ferocious front two with Ivan Toney, the pair firing Brentford to promotion to the Premier League and then maintaining an impressive partnership in the top flight, including a 4-0 shellacking of United in Erik ten Hag's second game in charge. 

  That pairing was stopped in its tracks by Toney's eight-month ban for gambling but it led to Mbeumo striking up his most profitable and most enjoyable partnership yet, with Yoane Wissa.

  Mbeumo and Wissa contributed to a combined 80 goals in their two seasons together. As well as scoring 20 times across the 2024-25 campaign, Mbeumo also racked up seven assists, with Wissa close behind on 19 goals and four assists. The pair were also close off the pitch, moving next door to each other.

  "I'm someone who needs support and love to give my best performances," Mbeumo told Brentford's official media last year in a joint-interview with Wissa. "I'm really lucky to have someone like Wissa, who always wants the best for me. 

  "I always want to give 100 percent, but there are some times when I'm feeling down, so having someone like him who will help and push you in the right direction is brilliant to have."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  'Very powerful'

  Mbeumo has lost one ally at United after his Cameroon team-mate Andre Onana left on loan for Trabzonspor, although he knew Leny Yoro before coming after meeting him on holiday. 

  His team-mates used words such as "humble" and "quiet" to describe him, which is perhaps understandable for a player known for being cerebral. For exmaple, his two main hobbies outside football are playing chess and the piano.

  Mostly, though, his team-mates are simply left in awe of his quality. 

  "Really good guy. Once you get to know him he's a bit louder than everyone makes out, funny as well," said Kobbie Mainoo. "Seeing what he’s done over the last few seasons, the amount of goals he scores and the quality he has, to bring him here I was always excited to see that. Really quick, really strong and with a great touch as well."

  "Very powerful, very powerful," was Manuel Ugarte's description. "For him it's easy to score." Not that easy, as it turns out. 

  For all of the positivity Mbeumo has given United, he needs to start scoring to ensure he does not meet the same fate as United's other expensive forwards who struggled to find the net soon after joining.