Atualmente no ABC, Alemão lamentou uma temporada sem títulos para Botafogo e Internacional, clubes por onde passou e guarda carinho. O atleta citou fatores distintos para explicar o que faltou para ambas as equipes no Brasileirão e Libertadores, respectivamente.
– Para o Botafogo faltou experiência, mental forte, pois nada apagará a bela campanha, mas a frustração de não levar o título depois que veio a má fase na reta final. Se o mental tivesse um pouco melhor, talvez poderia assim sair campeão. Para o Internacional foi um detalhe, caiu para uma grande equipe, desconcentrou uns minutos e foi penalizado por isso, uma pena é um detalhe – comentou.
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Alemão também revelou que conhece jogadores de ambos elencos, mas que optou em não chamar ninguém com receio de atrapalhar. Aproveitando o assunto sobre Bota e Inter, o lateral relembrou com carinho de suas passagens e falou momentos marcantes em cada um dos clubes.
– Conheço alguns jogadores de ambas as equipes, mas não abri diálogo com nenhum, pois nesses momentos o atleta precisa tá focado 100% e preferi não incomodá-los. Sobre jogar nesses dois clubes, foi meu sonho realizado. No Botafogo, ajudei a levar a equipe a Libertadores, e no Internacional peguei a missão de colocá-lo na elite do futebol brasileiro novamente. O mais marcante por essa camisa, foi atravessar o Gigante da Beira Rio de joelhos em minha volta de uma lesão grave – concluiu.
Aos 33 anos, Alemão está no ABC, onde tem contrato até abril de 2024. No entanto, o jogador não conseguiu fazer com que sua equipe escapasse do rebaixamento para a Série C.
Wayne Rooney believes Paul Pogba is among Manchester United's three strangest signings before INEOS bought a stake in the club. The former forward delivered a scathing assessment of the club's transfer strategy before Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co were onboarded, with their recruitment branded as 'horrendous'.
Woodward’s chaotic years under the microscope
Before INEOS’ partial takeover in late 2023, football operations at United were largely overseen by Ed Woodward, who held the executive vice-chairman role from 2012 until his resignation in 2021. His tenure coincided with United’s steady decline from domestic dominance to a club struggling to recapture its identity. Rooney’s comments reflect the frustration felt by fans who watched millions poured into signings that never fully delivered. Pogba’s then-world-record £89 million ($117m) return from Juventus, Romelu Lukaku’s £75m ($99m) switch from Everton, and even the short-term arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain have now been framed as decisions which show a lack of footballing vision.
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Signs of change under INEOS
Things have started to shift under Ratcliffe and his INEOS group, who assumed control of football operations after buying a 25 per cent stake in the club. Unlike the scattergun approach of previous years, United’s recent transfer strategy has focused on players with Premier League experience or emerging talents from abroad. This summer’s arrivals, like Bryan Mbuemo, Matheus Cunha, and Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens, have injected both energy and stability into the side. Each has already cemented a place in Ruben Amorim’s first-team plans, helping United climb to seventh in the Premier League table, unbeaten in their last five matches and sitting on 18 points.
Speaking on , brought to fans by Sky Bet, Rooney said: "The recruitment at Manchester United before last summer was horrendous. They were just bringing big names in – you look at Lukaku, Zlatan, Pogba – they're good players but they were just bringing names in and spending enormous amounts of money. It's going to take a bit of time to get over those mistakes."
Amorim's Red Devils finding form
United’s recent performances suggest a team rediscovering its rhythm. After a shaky start to the 2025–26 campaign, the Red Devils bounced back with three consecutive Premier League wins in October, beating Sunderland, Liverpool, and Brighton. And Rooney believes that the Red Devils could qualify for the Champions League next season.
"If you look at Manchester United over the last ten years, the players have been absolutely battered," he continued. "Now they've got a couple of results and you can see a bit of confidence coming back. You can even say that in the manager. They're gradually getting better, there's definitely been some improvement. It's been really tough for Ruben Amorim and I've been critical of him. We are seeing them improve though and players are getting to know each other a bit better. There's some promising signs and although they're not going to win the league they could possibly sneak into the top four."
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Head coach calls for growth and grit
But as has so often been the case at Old Trafford, progress has been fragile. November brought back-to-back 2-2 draws against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham, exposing lingering defensive frailties. Speaking to after the Tottenham draw, Amorim acknowledged the mixed emotions.
He said: "During the game we felt like the three points were there to take home. But then with everything that happened, Harry Maguire and Casemiro coming off and conceding two goals… we scored again and it's a point. When you cannot win you don't lose, once again we did that. We have so much to grow as a team, because today was our day to win this game.
"We need to look at ourselves, we were not pressing with the same intensity, we felt comfortable but we need to understand that if we had more bravery we kill the game. But sometimes this happens, you have a better first half than second. We believe in our capacity to score goals until the last minute. It's a little frustration, but also pride at the response of the players at the response to second goal of Tottenham. This is the tip of the iceberg, we are at the beginning of becoming a strong team, so we have a lot to do."
United will return from the international break with a crucial clash against Everton on Monday, November 24.
Kai Rooney is being tipped to emulate the achievements of his record-breaking father Wayne by making a major impact at Manchester United. Former Red Devils striker Fraizer Campbell has told GOAL, during an exclusive interview, that it would be “fantastic for the club” to see another Rooney leading the line at some point in the not too distant future.
Yamal & Dowman prove to Rooney that anything is possible
Rooney junior is only 15 years of age, but the hottest of prospects have been making senior breakthroughs at that stage of their respective careers. Lamine Yamal earned his big break at Barcelona while in his mid-teens, while Max Dowman has done likewise at Arsenal.
There is no suggestion that Kai is knocking on Ruben Amorim’s door at Old Trafford just yet, but he continues to make positive progress down that path. He has been promoted through the age groups in United’s academy system, allowing him to prove his worth to club bosses.
Big pressure is being lumped onto his young shoulders, with Wayne Rooney still United’s all-time leading scorer with 253 efforts to his name. He won Premier League and Champions League titles with the Red Devils.
Advertisementsportsphotos.ie InstagramWill Kai Rooney follow Wayne into the Man Utd team?
Kai is eager to follow in illustrious footsteps, and has been catching the eye in a fabled academy. Many are suggesting that he is capable of matching his famous father by becoming a talismanic forward for Premier League heavyweights.
Quizzed on whether that could happen, ex-United star Campbell – speaking in association with – told GOAL: “That would be fantastic. He’s played up for the 18s and the 23s this season, I think. He’s doing really, really well. If he’s anything like his dad, it would be fantastic for the club because Rooney was unbelievable in his playing days – still now, he played in the legends game and he’s still got the technique, that drive and hunger. It would be great for Wayne, Coleen and the family to see another Rooney pulling on the Man United shirt. It would be great for the fans as well.”
Hot prospect: Kai Rooney exciting those at Old Trafford
Campbell is not the first former United player to back Kai Rooney for senior opportunities. Wes Brown has previously told GOAL of that family name earning further recognition in Manchester: “I’m pretty sure if you played for a club and your son comes through, and he’s at a stage now where he’s like YTS, going to training everyday, then at any point you could be picked by the manager and told ‘you’re training with us’ or ‘you’re in a game’. It will be a great experience.
“Kai, knowing the lad he is, he’ll just work very hard. He will have his head down. Obviously, his dad has legendary status, but it’s all about Kai. He will have to work and do everything himself, make sure he puts the graft in and keeps on learning.
“All you can hope for, even when I was a kid, is getting an opportunity. If you do, can you take it? He’s done really well to get where he is at the moment because I’m guessing at some point, it will have been difficult for him.”
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Getty ImagesWayne & Coleen helping to keep Kai grounded
Wayne has tended to stay away from Kai’s matches, in order to avoid becoming a distraction, while mother Coleen is doing her best to ensure that a future away from professional football is also being taken into account.
A source has told of that process: “All the boys are obsessed with football, so Coleen’s had no choice but to embrace it. She wasn’t sure how good they would be, but there’s no denying that Kai has his dad’s talents, and has the potential to make it big.
“Kai is very good, and Coleen and Wayne have always drummed into him that he has to train hard and dedicate himself to it if he wants to make it. But Coleen is determined that he’ll stay grounded, whatever happens. She also knows she’ll have to prepare him for the disappointment if it doesn’t work out. The Rooney name will only get him so far.”
It remains to be seen whether Kai Rooney – who has scored plenty of goals for United at youth level while helping them to trophy wins – will earn first-team opportunities. His dad will always be on hand to offer advice if it is required, with Wayne earning wonderkid status himself when making a senior breakthrough with Everton at the age of 16.
Celtic have two weeks during the last international break of the calendar year to finally find a long-term successor to former head coach Brendan Rodgers.
The Northern Irish manager tendered his resignation after the 3-1 defeat to Hearts in the Scottish Premiership last month, ending his second spell in the dugout at Parkhead.
Rodgers, as shown in the graphic above, enjoyed a largely successful second stint with the Hoops, as he won the Premiership title in both of his full seasons in charge.
Experienced manager Martin O’Neill was brought in to take charge of the Scottish giants for an interim period, having been out of club management since the 2018/19 campaign.
Now, the Hoops need to finalise their search for their long-term successor to Rodgers to lead the team after the international break and, hopefully, into future seasons.
One of the managers who has been linked with a potential move to Parkhead is Wales national team head coach Craig Bellamy, who had a stint as a player in Glasgow.
What Craig Bellamy has said about a move to Celtic
It was reported at the end of last month that the Scottish giants were planning to make contact with the former Manchester City and Liverpool forward about the possibility of taking the job.
Unfortunately, for Celtic, though, Bellamy all-but-quashed speculation over his future by reaffirming his commitment to Wales, ahead of the World Cup next summer.
When asked about a move to Parkhead recently, the Welsh boss said: “I can understand the links. I played there. But to me, I love what I’m doing at the present time. I’m completely focused on what’s set to come. That’s all I’m focused on. It’s cliched but I couldn’t want anything else. It isn’t on my radar and it won’t be on my radar.”
Those comments suggest that Celtic will not be able to persuade him to ditch his country to be Rodgers’ replacement, which is understandable given that he has the chance to lead his country out at the World Cup in America next summer.
That is a possible blow for the Scottish giants because Bellamy could have been an intriguing appointment for the club, as he has done some brilliant work since taking over from Rob Page for Wales.
Wales national team
Rob Page
Craig Bellamy
Games managed
45
14
Goals scored
55
22
Goals scored per game
1.22
1.57
Points per game
1.33
1.57
Games without a goal scored
14
4
Games per goalless game
3.2
3.5
Stats via Transfermarkt
That mentality and way of coaching his team, the former Celtic forward has improved his country’s national team in his time in charge. They are scoring more goals and winning more points than they were before.
Whilst Bellamy may not be available for the Hoops in the international break, the club are reportedly keen on a manager who would be a dream alternative.
Celtic battling English side to land 4-2-3-1 manager
According to journalist Alan Nixon, via his Patreon, Celtic are one of the teams battling it out to land Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy in the coming days or weeks.
The reporter claims that the Hoops have placed the former Manchester City U21 tactician on their shortlist of candidates, as they look to find their replacement for Rodgers.
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Nixon adds that English Championship side Middlesbrough are also eyeing a possible move for the Irish tactician, who typically deploys a 4-2-3-1 formation, as they are in the process of losing Rob Edwards to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The journalist reveals that Celtic use their connections with the City Football Group to do background on possible manager targets, and Barry-Murphy worked with Manchester City’s U21s for several seasons, which may be why they are keen on a move for him.
Whilst it remains to be seen whether or not the Hoops will make contact with Cardiff to discuss a deal for the 47-year-old coach, the League One boss could be a brilliant alternative to Craig Bellamy.
Why Barry-Murphy would be a dream alternative to Bellamy for Celtic
The Cardiff manager would be the dream alternative to the Wales national team manager because he has a similar style of play and way of working, with his 4-2-3-1 formation that sees his team play out from the back and take risks.
In fact, as you can hear in the clip above, Bellamy sees a lot of similarities between the way he wants Wales to play and the way that Barry-Murphy has Cardiff playing in League One, which he believes benefits him with the national side.
The Wales boss says that it is a “dream” for him that the Irishman plays a similar style, which is exactly why he would be a “dream” alternative to Bellamy for the Hoops this month.
On top of being similar to Bellamy in style, Barry-Murphy has done an impressive job at Cardiff. The Bluebirds were relegated from the Championship last season, finishing bottom, and he had to come in and turn the club around.
They are currently fourth in League One after 14 matches. Meanwhile, the two teams that came down from the Championship alongside them are below Cardiff in the table, with Luton in ninth and Plymouth in 24th.
Brian Barry-Murphy’s managerial career since leaving Rochdale
Season
Points per game
League position
25/26 (League One)
1.86
4th
23/24 (Premier League 2)
0.90
23rd
22/23 (Premier League 2)
2.27
1st
21/22 (Premier League 2)
2.08
1st
Stats via Transfermarkt
As you can see in the table above, Barry-Murphy also has experience managing a side to win matches consistently, as he won two Premier League 2 titles in charge of Manchester City’s U21s.
Whilst that was at U21 level, it does show that he is used to playing a style that leads to consistent wins, which has carried over to his time in charge of Cardiff so far, as they sit in the play-off places in League One.
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Therefore, Barry-Murphy would be an intriguing appointment for Celtic as a dream alternative to Bellamy if they decide to press ahead with a move for his services.
Well, that was about as perfect a night of Champions League action as Arsenal could have hoped for.
Mikel Arteta’s side travelled to Czechia to take on Slavia Prague on Tuesday night, and while they were without the likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi, they came away with all three points.
More than that, though, the Gunners scored three goals, fielded the youngest player in the competition in Max Dowman, and most crucially of all, kept another clean sheet.
There were standout performances across the pitch, including one player who’s starting to look like Arsenal’s new Gabriel Magalhães.
Arsenal's standout stars vs Slavia Prague
Starting up top, and while he had a quiet first half, Mikel Merino once again found himself on the scoresheet in the second half. In fact, he ended up there twice.
The Spaniard’s first came just 35 seconds into the second 45 when he got on the end of a wonderful Leandro Trossard cross.
Then, 22 minutes later, he put the game well and truly to bed by heading home another cross from Declan Rice.
However, it wasn’t just the Merino show, as other starters like Jurrien Timber and Gabriel looked exceptional once again.
The former was as sturdy at the back as ever, but also, as he has all season, was a massive threat going forward.
One moment, he was overlapping on the right, and then the next, he was surging through the middle of the park.
Likewise, while he failed to get his customary goal from a corner, Gabriel was as imperious as ever.
In his 95 minutes of action, he made four clearances, blocked two shots, recovered the ball three times and won four of six aerial duels, which is impressive considering the absurd size of Slavia’s centre-forward.
There can be no doubt that the former LOSC Lille monster is now one of Arsenal’s most important players, and so it’s a good thing that another starter on Tuesday is starting to look just like him.
Arsenal's new Gabriel
If he could, Arteta would undoubtedly have a team of 11 Gabriels.
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Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Alas, unfortunately for him, or fortunately for opposition set-piece coaches, cloning is yet to be invented.
However, there is one summer signing who is starting to look more and more like the Brazilian: Piero Hincapie.
Yes, the tough-tackling Ecuadorian “warrior,” as dubbed by one analyst, might still be finding his way in English football, but he’s already looking like another masterful addition to the Gunners’ defensive unit.
The same analyst points out that the 23-year-old shares several similarities with the Gunners’ number six, including his mobility, aggressiveness, aerial threat, and the fact that he’s a left-footer.
With all that in mind, it was hardly a surprise to see him put in such an impressive performance on Tuesday night.
For example, in his 73 minutes of blood-pumping action, he won 100% of his tackles, made one interception, won 100% of his aerial and ground duels, made one clearance, recovered the ball once, took 42 touches and completed 100% of his dribbles.
Minutes
73′
Tackles (Won)
2 (2)
Interceptions
1
Clearances
1
Recoveries
1
Ground Duels (Won)
6 (6)
Aerial Duels (Won)
2 (2)
Long Balls
1
Touches
42
Dribbles Completed
1/1
Ultimately, it truly was as complete a defensive performance from Hincapie as could’ve been asked for, and one that should see him get more minutes.
Moreover, his fiery Gabriel-esque attitude and desire are going to make him a fan favourite very quickly indeed.
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Matthew Breetzke had not been born when South Africa last won a bilateral ODI series in England. By extending a remarkable start to his career in the format, he helped them clinch this one with a match to spare. On his return from a hamstring injury, Breetzke hit 85 to underpin South Africa’s total of 330, before their bowlers closed out a tense win under the floodlights.Breetzke, 26, was born five-and-a-half months after South Africa’s 2-1 triumph in the 1998 Texaco Trophy but will now lift the series trophy in Southampton on Sunday after his team took an unassailable 2-0 lead at Lord’s. Unlike in Leeds, England at least competed but none of their three half-centurions – Joe Root, Jacob Bethell and Jos Buttler – kicked on past 61.The chase went down to the final ball, which Jofra Archer needed to hit for six to take the game into a Super Over. But his inside-edged hoick off Senuran Muthusamy brought only a single and South Africa were deserving winners, backing up the thrashing they inflicted on Tuesday with a clinical, calculated performance.ESPNcricinfo Ltd
This was an eighth defeat in 11 ODIs for England in 2025, and their captain Harry Brook refused to blame fatigue after an exhausting summer. “In my eyes that’s just an excuse,” he said. We’re good enough and fit enough to be able to keep playing for the time being… Chasing 6.5 an over from ball one is a tough task. But that’s exactly why we’ve picked this side: we’ve a long batting order. To get within one blow of that score is a really good effort.”South Africa had been stuttering at 93 for 3 after 19 overs when Tristan Stubbs joined Breetzke, but a fourth-wicket partnership of 147 off 126 balls laid a strong foundation before Dewald Brevis’ cameo launched them towards 300. They fell four runs short of the record ODI total at Lord’s, which has stood since the 1975 World Cup, but this was clearly a fighting effort.Breetzke’s innings was the highest by a South African in an ODI at Lord’s, and he achieved the unprecedented feat of passing 50 in each of his first five innings in the format. By the time he fell 15 runs short of a second hundred, he had taken his ODI aggregate to 463 and executed South Africa’s clear plan to put England’s part-time spinners under severe pressure.England got away with picking only four frontline bowlers in their 3-0 win against West Indies in June, but South Africa were merciless in targeting Bethell and Will Jacks; with Root curiously unused, they returned combined figures of 1 for 112 from their 10 overs. Brevis was particularly severe on Bethell, hitting him for consecutive sixes, while Stubbs laid into Jacks.The margin of victory obscured the fact South Africa were ahead of the game from the moment Nandre Burger had Jamie Smith caught behind off the first ball of the chase. Root dominated the scoring in a second-wicket stand of 66, with Ben Duckett desperately out of form at the other end; his dismissal for 14 off 33, bowled reverse-sweeping Keshav Maharaj, was a mercy kill.Jofra Archer nearly took England over the line•AFP/Getty Images
Where Duckett looked exhausted by his non-stop summer, Bethell had been short on time in the middle and was pushed up to No. 4 to take on South Africa’s two left-arm spinners. Temba Bavuma responded by bringing on Aiden Markram’s offspin, but Bethell slog-swept and pulled sixes as his two overs cost 27 runs.He brought up a 28-ball half-century by launching Burger over mid-on, five balls after Root had cruised to his own off 57. But they fell in quick succession, too: Bethell sliced the relentless Corbin Bosch to backward point, and Root was beaten in the flight by Maharaj to be stumped in an ODI for the first time in a decade.Brook and Buttler added 69 for the fifth wicket, launching sixes off Bosch and Muthusamy respectively. But Muthusamy found extra bounce to have Brook chipping to cover, and despite Buttler’s outrageous reverse-slap for six on his way to 50 – a landmark he celebrated with a look to the skies after his father’s recent passing – the required rate climbed past nine an over.Lungi Ngidi got the big wicket of Jos Buttler at the death•AFP/Getty Images
The game looked as good as won when Lungi Ngidi flummoxed Buttler with a dipping slower ball, and Burger removed Jacks and Brydon Carse in the same over to leave 40 required off the last three. Despite Archer’s best efforts – with two lusty sixes and a pair of reverse-slaps for four – they always looked like falling short.It looked like an important toss when Brook put South Africa into bat, with the start delayed by 15 minutes after a morning of heavy showers. Archer and Saqib Mahmood – recalled at Sonny Baker’s expense – both found extravagant seam movement early on, but Markram and Ryan Rickelton were equal to it, adding 73 for the first wicket.Rickelton fell for 35, top-edging Archer behind to Buttler, before Adil Rashid struck twice in quick succession, with Bavuma done on the outside edge and Markram furious with himself after chipping back a return catch on 49. But that only brought Breetzke and Stubbs together, whose partnership took the game away from England – and they never quite recovered.
يستعد فريق برشلونة للعودة إلى مبارياته عقب فترة التوقف الدولي الحالية في شهر نوفمبر الجاري، حيث يلاقي نظيره أتلتيك بلباو في إطار مباريات الدوري الإسباني، وأوضحت تقارير صحفية حالة اللاعبين المصابين وموقفهم من المشاركة في اللقاء.
ويعود برشلونة إلى ملعبه “سبوتيفاي كامب نو” ويستضيف أتلتيك بلباو، في مباراة بالجولة الثالثة عشر للدوري الإسباني “الليجا” لموسم 2025-2026.
ويشهد برشلونة بعض الإصابات في صفوفه، بما في ذلك بيدري، لامين يامال، رافينها، وحارسي المرمى خوان جارسيا ومارك تير شتيجن، بالإضافة إلى جافي.
وبحسب ما ورد في صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية، تواجد يامال في المدينة الرياضية لمواصلة تعافيه، ومن المتوقع أن يكون جاهزًا لمواجهة برشلونة وأتلتيك بلباو بعد تلقيه العلاج من ألم في منطقة العانة الذي أبعده عن الملاعب خلال فترة التوقف الدولي.
وبالنسبة للبرازيلي رافينها، فقد تعافى جيدًا من إصابة في أوتار الركبة اليمنى، وانضم إلى بقية زملائه في جزء من الحصة التدريبية مع المجموعة، ومتوقع جاهزيته للمباراة أمام أتلتيك بلباو.
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وفيما يتعلق ببيدري، لن يكون لاعب الوسط جاهزًا لمباراة برشلونة وأتلتيك بلباو حيث يحتاج إلى وقت للتعافي من تمزق أوتار الركبة في ساقه اليسرى.
خوان جارسيا تواجد أيضًا في التدريبات، ومرجح حصوله على الموافقة الطبية قريبًا بعد غيابه لما يقارب شهر ونصف بسبب جراحة في الغضروف المفصلي الإنسي لركبته اليسرى.
وتدرب كاسادو دون مشاكل، بعد غيابه عن المباراة الأخيرة ضد سيلتا فيجو بسبب ألم في أوتار الركبة.
والثنائي جافي وتير شتيجن تواجدا أيضًا في المدينة الرياضية، وكلاهما يواصل إعادة التأهيل، حيث خضع الأول لجراحة بالمنظار في الغضروف الهلالي الإنسي لركبته اليمنى في نهاية سبتمبر،وحارس المرمى يتعافى من جراحة الظهر.
Manchester United have now identified VfB Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller as a target, as director of football Jason Wilcox has followed him for years.
Signing a new midfielder appears to be a top priority for Man United ahead of the January transfer window, having identified a range of targets in the middle of the park.
Target
Current club
Potential cost
Morten Hjulmand
Sporting CP
£50m
Jobe Bellingham
Borussia Dortmund
£42m
Elliot Anderson
Nottingham Forest
£120m
Conor Gallagher
Atletico Madrid
£52m
Andrey Santos
Chelsea
£60m+
The desire to bring in a new option comes amid doubts surrounding Kobbie Mainoo’s future, with it being revealed earlier this month that the Englishman was at one stage close to sealing an exit, although there has seemingly been no progress since then.
Mainoo is not the only midfielder attracting attention either, with Manuel Ugarte catching the eye of Galatasaray, having been unable to dislodge Casemiro in the starting XI.
Two midfielders moving on would exacerbate the need for Ruben Amorim to bring in a new option considerably, and United have now identified a Bundesliga star as a target…
Man Utd now targeting Angelo Stiller
According to Fabrizio Romano, in a report for GiveMeSport, Stuttgart midfielder Stiller is one of the names on Man United’s list of targets, given that Wilcox has watched him for years, indicating the director of football is personally an admirer.
The 24-year-old is one of many targets in the middle of the park, with Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba also named as an option, with Amorim making it clear that bringing in a new midfielder is a priority in 2026.
However, a move for the Stuttgart star may have to wait until next summer, rather than January, with a deal expected to amount to around £44m – £53m.
Lauded as “special” by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley, the German maestro has put in some top performances for Stuttgart over the past year, regularly showcasing his ability to create chances for his teammates.
Having averaged 0.30 assists per 90, the Munich-born midfielder ranks in the 98th percentile compared to his positional peers, while he also places in the same percentile for progressive passes, averaging 9.39 per 90 over the same time period.
The former Bayern Munich midfielder’s performances at club level have also earned him a call-up to his national side, having now picked up five caps for Germany, and his displays over the past year suggest he could be capable of collecting many more.
Man United have a plethora of options on the shortlist, with the likes of Gallagher and Anderson already proving themselves in the Premier League, which could give them the edge, but Stiller remains an exciting target nonetheless.
Man Utd hold key advantage in the race for Morten Hjulmand
George Balderson half-century, Arav Shetty three-for help overcome Somerset
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay10-Aug-2025Lancashire 254 for 8 (Harris 95, Balderson 65) beat Somerset 250 for 7 (Goldsworthy 63, Vaughan 59, Hill 57) by two wicketsMarcus Harris led the way with 95 as Lancashire recorded a nerve-jangling two-wicket Metro Bank One-Day Cup victory over Somerset at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton.The home side posted 250 for seven after losing the toss, Lewis Goldsworthy top-scoring with 63, while Archie Vaughan contributed 59 and 19-year-old Devonian Fin Hill 57. Offspinner Arav Shetty marked his List A debut with 3 for 34 from ten overs.In reply, Lancashire reached 254 for eight with 8 balls to spare, Harris making his runs off 99 balls, with 7 fours and 2 sixes. George Balderson hit 65 and shared a match-winning fifth wicket stand of 101 with the former Australia Test player.A crowd of more than 5,000 at Somerset’s annual Family Fun Day saw the hosts suffer an early setback when Tom Lammonby was caught at backward point off George Balderson with the total on five.Goldsworthy and Vaughan had to exercise caution on a pitch lacking pace and were largely content to accumulate in ones and twos. Goldsworthy was first to fifty, off 70 balls, with 5 fours and the hundred partnership occupied 143 deliveries.Vaughan’s 81-ball half-century included only three boundaries and with 30 overs of their innings completed his side were becalmed on 129 for one.Goldsworthy provided 21-year-old Shetty with his maiden List A wicket, driving a catch to mid-off. With onlyten runs added, Vaughan was stumped advancing down the pitch to the graduate of the South Asian Cricket Academy, who quickly followed up by dismissing James Rew in similar fashion.Seamer Luke Hands claimed his maiden List A wicket on debut, Thomas Rew edging through to wicketkeeper George Bell to make the score 146 for five. Sixteen-year-old Hands ended the innings with a creditable one for 32 from eight overs.Somerset required another meaningful partnership and it came from rookies Hill and Josh Thomas, who added 66 in good style before Thomas holed out to deep square off Balderson for 32 at a run a ball. Hill then hit the first two sixes of the innings in the same over from Charlie Barnard, both launched over the leg side.The youngster’s maiden List A fifty came off 49 balls and enabled his side to post what appeared a below par total in bright sunshin.. Lancashire’s reply began with Michael Jones striking a straight six off Josh Davey in the fourth over, Somerset’s experienced seamer taking quick revenge by having him caught at deep cover with the score on 18.It was 42 for two in the ninth over when Bell, on 21, pulled a catch to deep square off Alfie Ogborne and 51 for three as Bohannon was caught and bowled by off-spinner Vaughan attempting a back-foot forcing shot.Harris responded with a six off Somerset 18-year-old Cornish seamer Kian Roberts, a third player making his List A debut, but lost another partner when Harry Singh inside-edged a wide ball from Vaughan onto his stumps.Harris went to fifty off 61 balls and at the halfway point in their innings Lancashire were 111 for four. The Australian looked to be winning the game as he accelerated with a six over long-off off Goldsworthy in a century stand with Balderson that appeared perfectly paced.With a century in sight, Harris fell to the left-arm spin of Goldsworthy, driving a catch to Roberts at mid-off. Lancashire still required 71, but Balderson was going well and moved to a well-crafted half-century off 62 balls, with 4 fours. Shetty gloved a catch behind off JT Langridge with 25 needed and the left-arm seamer struck again when Balderson top-edged a pull shot.Hands was then yorked by Davey to set up a tense finish, which saw Sutton dropped at cover by Vaughan off Davey before seeing side over the line.
The Tampa Bay Rays won't be calling Tropicana Field home during the 2025 MLB season. Hurricane Milton battered the domed stadium in early October, causing significant damage to the roof as well as various other key parts of the field.
Repairs have been scheduled, but they figure to take a lengthy amount of time, leaving the team seeking more immediate solutions as to where they'll play baseball this coming season.
According to Mark Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, a damage assessment of the stadium stated that repairs are expected to cost as much as $55.7 million and won't be complete until 2026. Topkin notes that the roof will account for around $23.6 million of the $55.7 million cost.
That's quite a large bill for a city to cover, considering the team intended to move to a new stadium in 2028. It remains to be seen how much of the cost of the repairs would be covered by insurance, which could play a factor into whether the city would be willing pay such an amount for effectively two more years at Tropicana Field before the move.
The Rays have called the Trop home since their inception in 1998. The stadium first opened in 1990. With their ballpark unavailable for the looming season, it's possible the team plays at the New York Yankees' spring facility, Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, or BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, the Philadelphia Phillies' spring facility.