Alejandro Garnacho broke his silence on his bitter Manchester United exit after an impressive performance for Chelsea during their Champions League win over Benfica. The Argentine winger shone under the lights of Stamford Bridge as Chelsea edged past Jose Mourinho’s Benfica in the Champions League. His dangerous cross forced Richard Rios into an own goal, sealing a priceless 1-0 win for Enzo Maresca’s side.
The 'bomb squad' fallout
Garnacho’s Chelsea move came after he was lumped together with Marcus Rashford, Antony and others in a so-called 'bomb squad', training away from the first-team picture as Ruben Amorim decided they no longer fit his plans. While his former team-mates scrambled for new clubs, Garnacho eventually landed in London. Four appearances in for Chelsea, with two starts under his belt, it’s looking like a transfer that could haunt United.
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Garnacho eager to move on
Garnacho's attitude was frequently criticised at United and he engaged in a public spat with Amorim, which ultimately led to him being exiled from the United first team. The Argentine has been given a fresh start at Chelsea, though, and is eager to move on from a difficult period in his career. Speaking after the Benfica match, Garnacho chose not to lash out at his old club, despite the bitter split.
“I’ve got nothing bad to say about my old club Manchester United, just bad moments in life," he told . "I’m very happy to be here now, play in this competition and get 3 points today."
Maresca lavishes praise on winger
Chelsea boss Maresca gave a glowing assessment of the young winger. The Chelsea boss highlighted not just Garnacho’s attacking flair, but the dirty work he put in without the ball during the narrow win over Benfica.
"Not only on the ball, I think defensively he was very good, the way he pressed," he said. "In the last third, he has freedom to go one-on-one when he decides. To arrive in the box is important because it’s from there we score goals."
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Liverpool test looms large
As Chelsea gear up to face Liverpool in the Premier League this weekend, the big question is whether Garnacho has done enough to earn his first league start. Handing Garnacho the nod against the champions would be the ultimate vote of confidence, and another chance for the winger to show United exactly what they’ve lost.
Nottingham Forest are probing in their hunt for some late transfer additions and are now preparing a bid to bring a talented midfielder to the City Ground, according to a report.
Nuno Espirito Santo situation still uncertain at Nottingham Forest
Despite a fantastic campaign for all involved last term, Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has come under the microscope in recent days after publically calling for more reinforcements before the window closes.
With the power struggle at the City Ground rumbling on, European football expert Julien Laurens believes the former Tottenham Hotspur boss won’t win a battle of wits with Evangelos Marinakis, but it remains to be seen whether speculation over his future will begin to subside.
He said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “This is a battle that Nuno will lose. We all know that once you start questioning your owner, it’s done. For him to come out with this unprompted – he offered it to the whole world – he knows that it is coming and that he can’t win this battle.”
Either way, Nottingham Forest are pushing for signings and Aston Villa star Matty Cash is a key target to offer competition for Ola Aina at right-back.
Furthermore, the Tricky Trees want to bring in Fenerbahce goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic to battle with Matz Sels and Angus Gunn, given their busy schedule that will involve juggling both domestic football and their Europa League adventure.
Earning a surprise upgrade on European competition at the expense of Crystal Palace has offered greater recognition for Forest’s excellent 2024/25 campaign.
Nevertheless, their Premier League rivals are beginning to make tracks on the recruitment front, so it will come as no surprise to hear that they are now set to make a beeline for a talented midfielder who could be on the move.
Nottingham Forest preparing bid for Mads Bidstrup
According to Salzburger Nachrichten via Nottingham Forest News, Nottingham Forest are preparing a £17 million offer for RB Salzburg star Mads Bidstrup, though his current employers are set to boot out the bid despite being tempted to cash in.
Encouragingly, the Koge-born man is said to be open to a move to the City Ground, meaning that if a higher proposal is submitted, he may edge closer to pitching up on the River Trent ahead of the transfer deadline.
Nottingham Forest now submit higher bid than West Ham for £15m midfielder
The Tricky Trees are looking to move ahead of their Premier League rivals in the race for a midfielder.
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By
Dominic Lund
Aug 24, 2025
Labelled “silky” and “outstanding” by AnalyticsForest, the 24-year-old is Salzburg’s club captain and has made eight appearances already this season, featuring either in central midfield or a deeper-lying role.
Cementing his reputation as a tough tackler, he has won 21 duels on league duty this term, via Fotmob, and has previously spent time at Brentford before joining the Austrian giants.
With some experience of English football already under his belt, Bidstrup will hope he can show his maturity to claim a place in Espirito Santo’s engine room.
Um Alexandre Pato focado, espirituoso e de família. Essa foi a imagem que o atacante de 33 anos quis passar durante sua apresentação oficial para a terceira passagem no São Paulo, na terça-feira (30), no CT da Barra Funda. Sem rodeios, de fato o jogador se disse mais concentrado. E disposto a assumir a função de um exemplo para os mais jovens do elenco tricolor. Tal como seus ídolos de Milan foram com ele quando foi um adolescente de 17 anos, sozinho na Itália. Confira:
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Kylian Mbappe received a Lionel Messi reality check from Leonardo Balerdi ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League opener against Marseille. Balerdi believes that Argentina team-mate Messi "will be the best player in the world until he retires", though he does admit Kylian Mbappe is among the top players in the game right now.
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Messi still ahead of Mbappe in Balerdi's eyes
Ahead of their trip to Santiago Bernabeu, Marseille captain Balerdi has expressed his belief that Messi will continue to remain the best player in the world until he announces his retirement. Balerdi does, however, also admire Mbappe's qualities and has been particularly impressed by his performances in Real Madrid colours this year.
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Mbappe at a 'great level' with Real Madrid
Ahead of the game, Balerdi was asked if Mbappe is the best player in the world, to which he replied: "Until Messi retires, Messi will be the best player in the world. But I’m sure Kylian is one of the best in the world, too. He’s been proving it for years, and this year he’s also at a great level."
Balerdi reveals plan to stop Mbappe
The Marseille skipper also hinted that Roberto De Zerbi's side will have a plan to keep Mbappe and the rest of Madrid's star players under wraps, as he added: "If you look at the names on Real Madrid’s roster, it’s impressive. But we have to work the same way. The players are top quality, but we have to do what we do every weekend: stay focused. Any opportunity can change the course of the match. We’re ready to play against these great players. It’s a challenge, and we have to be smart."
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Crucial week of action for Los Blancos
Following their Champions League opener against Marseille on Tuesday, Mbappe will be back in action for Madrid against Espanyol on September 20 in a La Liga clash. Xabi Alonso's side are currently top of the table with four wins from their opening four games of the new season, but cannot afford any slip-ups with arch-rivals and reigning champions Barcelona only two points behind them in second.
India put on a chasing masterclass in Ahmedabad after their bowlers – led by Deepti Sharma’s 3 for 39 – restricted New Zealand to 232
Ashish Pant29-Oct-20243:55
Mandhana: ‘Team still had half a mind on World Cup, series win will boost confidence’
After scores of 5 and 0 in the first two ODIs, Smriti Mandhana regained her touch in the series decider as she cracked her third ODI century of the year, helping India beat New Zealand by six wickets and take the three-match series 2-1. She was ably supported by first Yastika Bhatia (35) and then Harmanpreet Kaur (59 not out) as India put on a chasing masterclass in Ahmedabad.Batting first, New Zealand rode largely on Brooke Halliday’s career-best 86 off 96 balls as she lifted her side from the depths of 88 for 5 in the 24th over to 232 all out in 49.5 overs. Teams batting first won both ODIs in the series, but India were having none of it as the top order shone through in the chase as they romped home with 34 balls to spare.Mandhana had fallen to the outside-the-off-stump trap twice in two innings in this ODI series. In the first game, she carved Jess Kerr to backward point. Two days later, she did it again, chipping it straight to point for a duck. So, when Mandhana came out in pursuit of New Zealand’s target of 233, she was circumspect to the point that in the first three overs, she shouldered arms to at least five balls. She was ready to be patient and build her innings. The move paid dividends.Mandhana has had a good 2024 in ODIs, having scored two centuries and a half-century in six innings coming into this game. On Tuesday, she played the patient game. She was on 9 off 26 balls at one point, but did not throw it away. She had a slice of luck when she seemingly inside-edged a Lea Tahuhu full-length delivery on to her pad in the third over. Replays later suggested the ball had hit her pad first and had New Zealand reviewed, she would have been out. It was the luck Mandhana needed, and she did not look back.ESPNcricinfo LtdAt the other end, Shafali, though, had no such luck. She got going with two crips fours, but was caught down the leg side after a faint nick in the fourth over.Mandhana was joined by Bhatia in the middle and the two kept their composure in the chase. Mandhana struck her first four in the ninth over, a swivel-pull against Sophie Devine, followed by a chip down the ground off Eden Carson. Bhatia also struck a few smart boundaries. They added 76 runs for the second wicket before Bhatia was caught and bowled by Devine.Harmanpreet walked out at No. 4 and with a platform set, the two went about their innings calmly. Mandhana brought up her half-century with a short-arm jab through midwicket and soon started finding the fence with more regularity. Harmanpreet, too, was wary initially but soon found the measure of the surface and the runs started flowing from both ends. They brought up the 50-run stand for the third wicket in the 31st over.Harmanpreet did go down with cramps not long after, but that was not going to stop her. She unleashed an array of drives and pulls with Mandhana also going after Devine. Harmanpreet reached her half-century off 54 balls while Mandhana got to her century, the eighth of her career, off 121 balls with a push down the ground. She fell without adding another run, cleaned up by Hannah Rowe, but the job was done by then.Jemimah Rodrigues walked out and immediately got four fours away as India could see the finishing line. She fell lbw to Fran Jonas with India needing a run, and Harmanpreet fittingly finished off the chase in the 45th over.Brooke Halliday hit three sixes despite tiring in the heat•BCCIEarlier, Halliday braved the scorching Ahmedabad heat as she strung important stands with Izabella Gaze and Rowe, before Tahuhu smashed an unbeaten 24 off 14 balls to get New Zealand past the 230-run mark.It was a much-improved Indian fielding show on display in the third ODI. They had dropped as many as six catches in the second ODI, to go with multiple misfields, as they went down heavily. But they came out as a unit on a mission on Tuesday, led by the two usual fielding stars, Radha Yadav and Rodrigues, as they frustrated the New Zealand openers, Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer, in the powerplay.Rodrigues was into the act in the third over as she almost effected a run-out after a stunning save at short extra-cover, with Bates having to dive full length to just about make her crease. Rodrigues’ brilliance came to the fore in the seventh over again when there was a spot of miscommunication between the two batters and this time Bates was caught well short of her crease despite the dive.Plimmer had, meanwhile, started to find the hang of the red-soil surface. She got her boundary-counter running with a solid on-drive off Renuka Thakur before piercing the gap between mid-off and cover off the same bowler. Saima Thakor was also driven for two fours in three balls in the sixth over, but she bounced back with the wicket of Lauren Down, removing her with a gentle length ball that tailed away late and caught her outside edge.Devine, the star of the second ODI, looked ominous from the get-go, striking two authoritative fours within her first seven balls. But she was undone by a stunning wrong’un from Priya Mishra as she went back to a delivery that she ideally should have been forward to, and the ball crashed into her middle stump.Deepti Sharma was named the Player of the Series•BCCIHalliday, though, looked the part all the way. She got off the mark with an elegant off drive, but regular wickets at the other end pinned New Zealand down. Plimmer was removed by Mishra, who induced a thick outside edge, with Deepti Sharma taking a sharp catch at slip – she was guilty of dropping three catches in the second ODI.New Zealand then lost half their side when another miscommunication ensued between Maddy Green and Halliday, with the former stuck in the middle of the pitch. Rodrigues was again in the thick of things at point.Halliday had to do the repair job, and she found an ally in Gaze. Halliday struck her first six in the 38th over off Mishra, and soon reached her sixth ODI fifty with a flick in the 40th over.Gaze fell chipping a full toss meekly back to Deepti for her first wicket, but Halliday and Rowe carried on by adding 47 off 41 balls for the seventh wicket. Halliday, who was spent by that time, put her foot on the pedal, even showing off a few innovative reverse hits and paddles. She managed to generate enough power to clear the ropes twice – once off Harmanpreet Kaur and then off Deepti – but fell in the 46th over caught at deep midwicket.Rowe fell soon after but Tahuhu smashed two fours and a six to help New Zealand end on a high. Eventually, they were well below par.
Morkel said he interacted with the players about their goals and was “blown away” by how professional they were
ESPNcricinfo staff14-Sep-2024
The Indian team is having a preparatory camp in Chennai before the Bangladesh Test series•PTI
As India’s new bowling coach, Morne Morkel’s foremost goal is to protect an already well-oiled set-up, and make sure the players “feel at home” despite the weight of expectations.Morkel, who replaced Paras Mhambrey in the role last month, joined the team in Chennai, where it is preparing for the upcoming home Test series against Bangladesh.”Coming here, this is a set-up that operates by itself,” Morkel said on bcci.tv. “To protect that and make it better in small ways is going to be the goal.”When I was sitting in the plane, I reflected that we are so lucky to have quality senior players and they will lead the charge. Our responsibility is to support them and give them the best sort of advice that we can give.Related
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Morne Morkel appointed India's bowling coach
Morkel’s name was recommended by head coach Gautam Gambhir. The two had worked together for Lucknow Super Giants during IPL 2022 and 2023. Morkel said it was important for him to connect with the players and make them feel secure to get the best out of them.”I have played a lot against some of the players, I have seen and connected a little bit with some of the guys during the IPL,” he said. “To be now in the camp and form friendships and relationships is very important.”Today’s goal was to get an understanding of the guys, their strengths and weaknesses, and help them with planting those seeds for goals for the upcoming series. That’s the sort of conversation we had today. And the guys did really well. I was blown away by how they went about things, how professional they were. So that’s a good sign and, hopefully, we can build on that.”It’s one thing to have talent and skill but how can you make those guys feel welcome in an intimidating environment… India playing in the blue shirt is a lot of expectations, so for me, having the experience, going through that, and passing that sort of knowledge and helping them settle in and feel at home [is important].””As soon as a player has that comfort and feel that they belong, that’s when the performance comes. So it’s about looking after that and … from there obviously upskill them and get them up to the standard.Talking about his appointment, Morkel said his dad was the first person he shared the news with.”It [the appointment] was quite a special moment for me. I enjoyed it for about five to seven minutes with myself and then obviously shared it with the family. The first thing did was to phone my dad first. I spoke to him about it. I didn’t go to my wife. Normally, they say go to your wife first. But I spoke to my dad.”I feel ready to take up this challenge. I understand and know that there will always be expectations of winning. Luckily, I have experienced that in my playing days and I can share that knowledge.”
تجرى حاليًا مواجهة برشلونة ضد فالنسيا على ملعب يوهان كرويف، ضمن منافسات الجولة الرابعة من الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم.
وكان فيرمين لوبيز قد افتتح التسجيل في الدقيقة 29 بتسديدة رائعة من داخل منطقة الجزاء، وأضاف رافينها الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 53 بصناعة من ماركوس راشفورد.
وفي الدقيقة 56 عزز فيرمين لوبيز تقدم برشلونة بالهدف الثالث بتسديدة قوية من خارج منطقة الجزاء.
اقرأ أيضاً.. في 3 دقائق.. رافينها وفيرمين لوبيز يسجلان هدفين لـ برشلونة أمام فالنسيا
وعاد البرازيلي رافينها ليضيف الهدف الشخصي الثاني له والرابع لبرشلونة بعد أن استغل ارتباط خط دفاع فالنسيا، ليسدد تسديدة رائعة في شباك حارس الفريق الضيف في الدقيقة 66.
وكان برشلونة قد بدأ حملة الدفاع عن لقب الدوري الإسباني بالفوز ضد ريال مايوركا بثلاثية نظيفة، قبل أن يفوز ضد ليفانتي بثلاث اهداف لهدفين، وتعادل ضد رايو فاليكانو بهدف لمثله في المباراة الماضية.
ويستعد برشلونة لبدء مرحلة الدوري في دوري أبطال أوروبا بعد هذه المباراة، حيث يلتقي نيوكاسل يونايتد على ملعب سانت جيمس بارك يوم الخميس المقبل 18 سبتمبر.
And they said the middle overs in an ODI are dull. India and Sri Lanka are playing a series where all of the action is contained in the exact period where the 50-over format tends to be dull. And that’s largely because they have been playing these games – the first of which ended in a tie – on pitches that challenge a batter, in ways that extend far beyond technique.The Khettarama is asking people to play cricket thinking two overs ahead; to avoid the expansive drive just even if the ball seems to be tossed up, because that juicy half-volley is actually going to dip and turn to go past the middle of the bat and take the edge through to slip.Restraint is the very thing that India have spent the better part of two years beating out of themselves, but now it is the very thing that stands between them and a bit of a black mark on a very proud record. They have lost only five out of 22 bilateral ODI series. They have won the last 10 rubbers against Sri Lanka – a streak that will come to an end regardless of the result on Wednesday – and that is tribute to the way this Sri Lanka side has performed even though it is missing several first-teamers. They are certainly shading the middle-overs battle, averaging 24.7 and losing only 10 wickets to India’s 17.8 and 14 wickets.Related
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India, Sri Lanka throw it back to the '90s in Colombo classic
Throughout the series, the aggression of Rohit Sharma at the top of the order has made Sri Lankan fans wax nostalgic about the days when their line-up was littered with all-time greats too. In the same way perhaps, India fans might be looking at Dunith Wellalage, all of 21 years old, shepherding Sri Lanka through back-to-back collapses like someone who used to do it for them. He is one of two men in this series to strike at better than run a ball and the other one has been playing this format for almost as long as he has been alive.Whether India win and level the series or Sri Lanka win and claim it 2-0, these three games are likely to be an important learning curve for both teams and that is a check in the box next to why bilateral ODI cricket is still worth it (just, does it to be eight hours long?).
Form guide
Sri Lanka WTLWL India LTWLW
In the spotlight – Virat Kohli and Avishka Fernando
Virat Kohli has only one fifty in his last 15 innings for India across formats. But here’s the thing. He doesn’t look out of form. And this is ODI cricket as well. He could probably write five different books about it – and star in their movie adaptations – and still not be done explaining how well he knows it. So a big score is probably on the horizon, and even if it isn’t, he isn’t the sort to be fussed about his numbers, not as long as he feels good in training and doesn’t have to force himself to be involved. That’s when there will be cause for worry.Avishka Fernando is the best of both worlds. He can finesse the ball to the boundary, or if the mood strikes him, inflict that same ball to a whole lot worse. He puts attacking shots together like the rest of us put two and two together. It’s just that natural to him. Except sometimes he might get carried away, which is why 26 of his 40 innings have ended at or before the 30-run mark and 17 of those innings have been single-digits. He’ll be pushing himself to justify the talent he has and take his place as one of Sri Lanka’s mainstays.Sri Lanka have edged the middle-overs battle so far in the series•AFP/Getty Images
Team news – Does Parag have a chance?
Sri Lanka hit a sweet combination packing their side with spinners for the last game, which helped them drag India down from 97 for 0 to 147 for 6.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Avishka Fernando, 3 Kusal Mendis (wk), 4 Sadeera Samarawickrama, 5 Charith Asalanka (capt), 6 Janith Liyanage, 7 Dunith Wellalage, 8 Kamindu Mendis, 9 Jeffrey Vandersay, 10 Akila Dananjaya, 11 Asitha FernandoIndia might weigh up the pros and cons of Shivam Dube and Riyan Parag. Dube is a proven spin-hitter, which is sure to come in handy, but Parag offers them a bowling option that is better suited to the conditions. Or if they’re feeling really funky, they might drop a quick bowler to bring in Parag and hand Dube the new ball.India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Shreyas Iyer, 5 KL Rahul (wk), 6 Shivam Dube/Riyan Parag, 7 Axar Patel, 8 Washington Sundar, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Mohammed Siraj, 11 Arshdeep Singh
Pitch and conditions: Bit of rain around
There are chances of showers in Colombo both leading up to and during the game, but it is unlikely that the whole thing will be washed off. Spinners have bowled twice as many balls (812 vs 351) as the quicks and picked up almost four times as many wickets (29 vs 8). Consider yourself warned.
Stats and trivia
Sri Lanka last beat India in a bilateral ODI series in August 1997.
Rohit has hit 90 of his 122 runs in this series in fours and sixes.
Charith Asalanka has 11 ODI wickets from 61 matches; 10 of them have come against India, six in this series.
Quotes
“We have very good batters. When it comes to their attack they’ve got great variety in legspin, offspin and left-arm spin. We need to find a way to put them under pressure. That’s why a left-hander is in the middle in the middle overs.” Washington Sundar breaks down the importance of a left-hand batter against a quality attack
It may be odd to argue, amid what was a wretched campaign for Manchester United as a whole, although 2024/25 was in many ways a season of redemption in some quarters, with Harry Maguire re-establishing himself as a central figure under the new Ruben Amorim regime.
Thrust into an unorthodox number nine berth during United’s Europa League run, in particular, the England international delivered arguably the greatest Old Trafford moment in recent years, following his last-gasp winner against Lyon.
Once written off under Erik ten Hag, having been stripped of the captaincy amid talk over a move to West Ham United, the 32-year-old, to his credit, fought his way back from the brink, having notably been hailed as “perfect” for the 3-4-3 system by Amorim.
Fittingly too, that heroic winner against the Ligue 1 side had been supplied by another man on a mission, in the form of Casemiro, with the Brazilian having also delivered the assist for Kobbie Mainoo just minutes earlier – alongside winning the prior spot-kick.
Central to that comeback, the 33-year-old is in many ways the comeback kid, having shaken off the disappointment of being left out of the starting lineup for last season’s FA Cup final, to then edging out Manuel Ugarte to get the nod for the Europa League showpiece 12 months later.
Casemiro
That resurgence has been a joy to behold, although the fact remains that his £70m addition was perhaps a costly, long-term mistake. Could something similar soon be repeated?
Latest on Man Utd's transfer search
Speaking of fixing prior mistakes, the Red Devils appear to be searching for a suitable successor to Andre Onana between the sticks, with the 29-year-old facing an uncertain future at the club after just two years in Manchester.
Linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, the £47.2m signing made a catalogue of errors again in 2024/25 – including three leading to a goal in the Premier League – with it no surprise that Amorim is reportedly seeking a replacement.
As noted by journalist Rudy Galetti, United are said to have “renewed interest” in Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen, with the club holding “internal talks” over whether to make a move for the German.
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Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Writing in his attached piece for TEAMtalk, Galetti notes that the 33-year-old has emerged as a ‘leading target’ for the Red Devils, amid their search to replace Onana this summer.
The veteran goalkeeper – who is said to have also been considered by Chelsea – is facing his own uncertainty back in Catalonia, amid the potential arrival of Espanyol’s Joan Garcia.
Why Ter Stegen could be another Casemiro for Man Utd
It is heartwarming that a man who won the lot at Real Madrid – namely five Champions Leagues – appears to simply love life at Manchester United, with Casemiro memorably collapsing to the floor in delight following the wild celebrations after Maguire’s Lyon winner.
The one-time Porto man has looked back to his first season best in recent months, having notably described 2022/23 as the “best” individual campaign of his career, with Erik ten Hag having hailed him as the “cement” in the side at the time.
Frustratingly, however, such performances were not maintained in the following year, with Casemiro described as looking like he’s playing “in Soccer Aid” by pundit Jamie Redknapp, having failed to justify his reported £350k-per-week salary.
Casemiro’s PL record by season
Stat (*per game)
22/23
23/24
24/25
Games (starts)
28 (24)
25 (24)
24 (18)
Goals
4
1
1
Assists
3
2
0
Big chances created
7
2
3
Key passes*
1.0
0.6
0.9
Pass accuracy*
79%
83%
80%
Tackles & interceptions*
4.4
4.0
4.1
Balls recovered*
N/A
5.3
4.3
Dribbled past*
1.6
2.2
1.2
Total duels won*
55%
52%
64%
Stats via Sofascore
Despite his recent renaissance, the decision to plump for the ageing talent remains a costly one then, with the same potentially set to occur with regard to Ter Stegen – a player who takes home £102k-per-week in Barcelona.
Like his former Madrid rival, the 44-cap Germany international could bring a wealth of experience to United, undoubtedly, having racked up 422 appearances for the club to date, while winning a plethora of major honours.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Much like Casemiro too, Ter Stegen has repeatedly delivered the goods at the elite level over a consistent period, having previously been described as “extraordinary” and “among the three best keepers in the world” by former boss Xavi. Former Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Mitchell Langerak also stated that it is “is crazy the way he can make some saves”.
The problem is, however, that at 33, the former Borussia Mönchengladbach man would hardly be a long-term solution, not least considering his unfortunate injury woes of late.
Indeed, last season, the long-serving Barca star made just nine appearances in all competitions, having only recently made his return from a lengthy stint on the sidelines due to a tendon issue.
That spell out of action – which saw Ter Stegen miss 51 games for club and country – follows a previous period of absence in 2023/24, in which he missed a further 19 games with a back injury.
For a club like United who have endured frequent injury setbacks in recent times, that must surely have alarm bells ringing, with Amorim unable to afford further disruption in such a key position.
Yes, like Casemiro, the 6 foot 2 ace – who ranked in the top 7% in LaLiga in 2023/24 for save percentage – can be a quality asset on his day, but those days may prove to be few and far between as his career reaches its climax.
As United found with Casemiro – and Raphael Varane before him – Spain’s elite clubs are rather canny at affloading ageing stars at the right time. United simply can’t prove another victim of that this summer.
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Manchester United haven’t been shy of spending money over recent years, as seen by their window back in the summer of 2022 under former boss Erik ten Hag.
The Dutchman was in charge and spent upwards of £200m in his first window to try and transform the fortunes of the side after numerous years of failure at Old Trafford.
Players such as Casemiro, Lisandro Martínez and Antony all arrived to join the Red Devils, arguably costing too much given their lack of impact since arriving.
The latter is currently spending the rest of the campaign out on loan at Real Betis, registering just one goal for the Red Devils up until January, leading to his subsequent temporary stint elsewhere.
Ruben Amorim will likely have funds available at his disposal this summer to improve their Premier League standing, needing to avoid a repeat of such a window.
The latest on United’s hunt for new additions this summer
With just a couple of weeks remaining until the summer window opens, United will have a huge task to try and right the wrongs of this season and build a competitive squad ahead of 2025/26.
Various players in different positions have all been targeted already, with the likes of Liam Delap, Ederson and Matheus Cunha just three names mentioned with a switch to Manchester.
However, another name has entered the mix, in the form of Monaco’s right-back Vanderson, that’s according to GIVEMESPORT’s latest update on the transfer front.
It confirms that the Red Devils are considering a move for the Brazilian this summer, with the Ligue 1 outfit demanding a fee in the region of £30m to offload the 23-year-old.
It also confirms that options are being considered across all areas of the pitch, with Amorim tempted to land a new right wing-back to help fit his 3-4-2-1 system in which he’s implemented since taking the reins.
Why United’s £30m target could be their own Frimpong
Jeremie Frimpong has been a name massively mentioned across England in recent weeks, appearing to be edging ever closer to a switch to the Premier League.
Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong
It’s been reported that the Dutch international has approved a move to join fellow top-flight outfit Liverpool this summer, with Arne Slot’s side needing to trigger his £29.5m release clause.
The Bayer Leverkusen star would be the direct replacement for the departing Trent Alexander-Arnold, handing the Red Devils’ rivals another impressive option.
However, United will be hoping to close the gap to the Merseyside outfit next campaign, with Vanderson offering Amorim’s men their own version of the full-back.
When comparing their respective figures from the ongoing campaign, the Brazilian has managed to match or better him in numerous key areas – showcasing how much of a superb addition he would be at Old Trafford.
The right-back, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by talent scout Antonio Mango, has registered more progressive passes and completed more of the take-ons he’s attempted – highlighting the impressive nature he possesses with the ball at his feet.
He’s also won more tackles per 90 and made more interceptions per 90 – handing Amorim an excellent option at both ends of the pitch, something which is perfect for a wing-back in his system.
How Vanderson compares to Frimpong in 2024/25
Statistics (per 90)
Vanderson
Frimpong
Games played
28
33
Goals & assists
4
10
Progressive passes
4.5
2
Pass accuracy
78%
76%
Passes into final third
3.3
1.1
Shot-creating actions
2.6
2.5
Tackles won
2.1
0.9
Interceptions made
1.8
0.3
Take-on success
50%
29%
Aerials won
46%
33%
Stats via FBref
His talents don’t stop there, registering more shot-creating actions and winning more aerials than Frimpong – having the tools to be an excellent option should the club pursue a move for his signature.
£30m for Vanderson appears to be a superb price for a star who could easily slot into life in the Premier League, handing Amorim his own version of the soon-to-be Liverpool talent.
If United are to return to their former glory in the coming months, shrewd additions are needed to progress, with the Brazilian having all the tools to be a success at Old Trafford.
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