“Leave the football before the football leaves you” was the message that Jamie Carragher handed to Manchester United midfielder Casemiro in early 2024.

It was one of the aggressive forms of criticism we’ve seen on Sky Sports in recent years and it was arguably deserved.

The Brazilian was one of the best midfielders in the world at Real Madrid. He was a serial winner, a Champions League legend.

At Old Trafford, however, his career has started to wane. Who could forget Casemiro’s tired and laboured display against Crystal Palace at the back end of 2023/24?

He was dribbled past a remarkable eight times during that game. For no context, no player in the whole of that Premier League campaign was dribbled past on more occasions in one match.

Since then, however, Casemiro has enjoyed something of a revival under Ruben Amorim in 2025/26. Long gone are the days of Erik ten Hag fielding the veteran at centre-half. He looks like a proper midfielder again.

The Brazil international has been one of United’s most consistent players this term, scoring three goals and supplying an assist. Yet, that should not distract supporters from the fact that he is still a problem.

He’s now 33 years of age and cannot be trusted to play for 90 minutes. Because of that, the transfer chiefs at United are considering launching a big-money move for a new midfielder in 2026.

The search for a Casemiro heir at Man United

While many problems linger in the air at Old Trafford, the biggest arguably lies at wing-back and in the centre of midfield.

United bolstered their attacking line significantly in the summer with the additions of Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha but the midfield went untouched. That needs to change in January or next summer.

There are three players who appear to be at the forefront of their minds. Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson would appear to be the dream target but he is also being chased by rivals Manchester City and could cost a fortune.

Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton is another long-term target and could finally make his big move in 2026. He gave Casemiro the runaround during United’s 2-1 win on Sunday. Samuel Luckhurst noted that the Brazilian looked “haunted” by his experience at Selhurst Park just a couple of years ago.

The other target is Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba but his form has taken a downturn in 2025/26 and he doesn’t look like a player worthy of a previous £100m price tag.

Touches

48

Accurate passes

23/29 (79%)

Key passes

1

Accurate crosses

1/3

Shots

1

Tackles won

3/3

Interceptions

1

Clearances

2

Recoveries

7

Duels won

5/7

Anderson and Wharton would be the ideal solution to United’s woes and according to the numbers, it’s the former who should be the priority target.

He’s a bigger threat in the final third but he doesn’t shirk his defensive duties. He’s won more duels and made more ball recoveries per 90 minutes this season than his England colleague. According to Thomas Tuchel, he’s “one of the best midfielders in the Premier League”.

Yet, what if United had already signed their answer to Wharton and Baleba?

Man United have found their own Wharton and Baleba

United have taken a vested interest in improving their youth ranks since INEOS completed their takeover of the club.

Towards the beginning of 2025 they signed young Malian midfielder Sekou Kone in a bargain deal and while he is yet to appear for the first-team just yet, he has endured an injury-hit first few months at Carrington and looks a real superstar in the making.

There is also left wing-back Diego Leon, the young defender who looks well set to replace either Patrick Dorgu or Diogo Dalot in that position before too long.

The latest talent who looks set to arrive is a 17-year-old midfielder by the name of Cristian Orozco.

It was reported last week that United were set to complete a move to sign the teenager, with Orozco flying to the UK over the weekend to formalise a $1m move from Colombian side Fortaleza.

So, who is the budding youngster? Well, he’s notably been compared to both Casemiro and Moises Caicedo. Already it’s clear to see why comparisons are also being made to Baleba, the man Brighton actually tasked with replacing Caicedo at the Amex.

Having captained Colombia at U17 level, he already boasts natural leadership skills but it’s his skillset in and out of possession that makes him so exciting.

Como scout Ben Mattinson has outlined that Orozco is capable of ‘controlling the game from deep in midfield’. His best attributes are his press resistance and footwork to turn past defenders, while he’s ‘so composed under pressure’ and is capable of ‘recycling possession’ superbly well.

On that evidence, it’s easy to see why comparisons to Wharton are being made. The Palace midfielder is one of the most press-resistant midfielders in the English top-flight and that was clear for all to see when he supplied the pass that led to Palace’s penalty on Sunday. He evaded his marker with ease and then picked out a punchy forward pass.

Orozco, however, isn’t just about making things look pretty. Further labelled as “a midfield destroyer with leadership maturity far beyond his age” by one analyst on social media, he also brings the best of Baleba who is more defensively minded than Wharton.

United’s new signing is unlikely to provide them with too much threat in the final third but like Wharton he’ll evade the press and manoeuvre the ball nicely. Like Baleba, he’s also capable of sitting in front of the defence and breaking up play.

The teenager certainly isn’t ready for first-team football just yet but INEOS could well save themselves a fortune in the transfer market here.

Not just Zirkzee: Man Utd star who was a "waste of time" is now undroppable

This Man Utd player starred in their 2-1 win away to Crystal Palace

1 ByJoe Nuttall Nov 30, 2025

Arsenal beat German champions Bayern Munich 3-1 on a night to remember in Europe, and one Gunners star absolutely stole the show with his performance.

Mikel Arteta’s side were handed one of their toughest tests on paper tonight against a Bayern side who are still unbeaten in the Bundesliga and one of the favourites to win the Champions League, but they were no match for the Premier League frontrunners in north London.

Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich – best performers	Match Rating
Jurrien Timber	7.7
Bukayo Saka	7.4
Riccardo Calafiori	7.4
Lennart Karl	7.4
Declan Rice	7.3
via WhoScored

Bayern had also won all but one of their matches in all competitions this season heading into their trip to the Emirates, with Arsenal handing Vincent Kompany’s side their first defeat of 2025/2026.

Second-half goals from Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli ended up firing Arsenal to victory in their heavyweight clash. Madueke, back after two months out with a knee injury, scored his first Gunners goal before fellow sub Martinelli pounced on a mistake from Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer to stretch Arsenal’s perfect record in the competition to five victories from five matches.

Earlier, Jurrien Timber had headed Arsenal into the lead and, with former Tottenham striker Harry Kane unable to add to the six goals he has scored at the Emirates, it was left to Bayern’s 17-year-old star Lennart Karl to grab the first goal Arsenal have conceded in the competition this season.

This glamour tie was arguably the least important of Premier League leaders Arsenal’s three matches this week, sandwiched between the 4-1 derby demolition of Spurs and Sunday’s trip to second-placed Chelsea.

Nevertheless, it is still one to revel in, and the result perhaps hands Arsenal the status of Europe’s best team right now.

While Timber, Madueke and Martinelli were the heroes on paper, it was a complete midfield performance by club-record signing Declan Rice, who absolutely bossed proceedings in the middle of the park with one of his best ever displays in red and white.

Ally McCoist hails 'out of this world' Declan Rice in Arsenal win

Covering the game for TNT Sports, commentator Ally McCoist repeatedly waxed lyrical about the England international — branding him Man of the Match for his “first class” outing against the Bavarians.

Rice was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet as well on 60 minutes, with the former West Ham captain storming down the left only for veteran keeper Manuel Neuer to deny him just reward for his imperious showing.

McCoist called Rice “magnificent” and “out of this world” for the run, which just about summed up what was a possessed performance from one of Arsenal’s leaders.

Tonight was a massive statement from Arsenal, who not only showed they can cut it against Europe’s toughest opponents, but also sent a very clear message that they’ve got absolutely zero intention of letting up.

Next up, a fierce London derby awaits against Chelsea this weekend — a match which could send Arteta’s side nine points clear at the top of the table and cement their status as overwhelming title favourites.

Rice will be a massive part of that, and tonight shows just how vital he is in Arteta’s quest to end the club’s 22-year wait for a Premier League trophy.

Glasgow Rangers head coach Danny Rohl made it four wins from four in the Scottish Premiership since his move to Ibrox to replace Russell Martin in the dugout with a 2-1 win over Livingston on Saturday.

Goals from Emmanuel Fernandez and Mohamed Diomande scored the goals for the Light Blues at Ibrox to secure all three points for the German manager.

It was a game that was packed with controversial incidents, though, as Livingston’s equaliser and Diomande’s winner were both tight offside calls that were ultimately deemed to be legal.

The most contentious moment of the game came when Fernandez appeared to block a goal-bound shot with his arm, but his arm was in a natural position and VAR opted not to intervene.

That caused the official Livingston account to post on X that the officials did not get “a penalty for a blatant handball to the Lions” in their full-time post after the match.

Rohl, however, will be more concerned with the performances of some of his players, rather than the officials, and Thelo Aasgaard was one of the players who failed to deliver on Saturday.

Why Thelo Aasgaard must be dropped

The Norway international was given the nod to start the match in the number ten position, with Nico Raskin and Diomande behind him in midfield, but he was unable to justify his inclusion in the side with a strong performance.

Instead, the summer signing from Luton Town produced a dismal first-half display that caused Rohl to withdraw him from the match at half-time to bring Bojan Miovski into the game.

Per Sofascore, Aasgaard did not register a single shot on goal and created one chance, which was not a ‘big chance’, in 45 minutes on the pitch before being placed on the bench.

Thelo Aasgaard’s Premiership season

Opponent

Manager

Goals + key passes

Livingston

Danny Rohl

0 + 1

Dundee

Danny Rohl

0 + 1

Hibernian

Danny Rohl

0 + 1

Kilmarnock

Danny Rohl

0 + 0

Dundee United

Stevie Smith

1 + 4

Falkirk

Russell Martin

0 + 0

Livingston

Russell Martin

0 + 0

Hearts

Russell Martin

0 + 1

Celtic

Russell Martin

0 + 0

St Mirren

Russell Martin

0 + 0

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the English-born midfield flop is yet to score a goal or create more than one chance in a game for any permanent Rangers head coach in the Premiership this season.

He has provided one assist in the league under Rohl, against Dundee, but that was a fairly simple pass from the halfway line that Djeidi Gassama turned into a wonderful goal, as shown in the clip below.

These statistics, including his poor display against Livingston, show why Rohl should ruthlessly drop the attacking midfielder from the starting line-up for the Europa League clash with Braga at Ibrox on Thursday night.

Unfortunately, the 23-year-old summer signing has not done enough with his opportunities on the pitch to prove to the former Sheffield Wednesday head coach that he deserves to keep his place in the starting XI moving forward.

Aasgaard was far from the only Rangers player who failed to deliver a good enough performance against Livingston, though, and is not the only flop who should drop out of the side for the upcoming clash with Braga.

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Rohl must also ruthlessly ditch right-sided attacker Oliver Antman from the starting line-up for that meeting with the Portuguese outfit after his struggles in a Gers shirt of late.

Why Rangers should drop Oliver Antman against Braga

The German head coach may have hoped that the winger’s international performances for Finland during the international would provide him with confidence and positive momentum for the game against Livingston.

Antman scored, as shown in the clip above, and provided an assist for former Celtic striker Teemu Pukki in a 4-0 win for his country against Andorra on Monday.

Unfortunately, though, the summer signing from Go Ahead Eagles was unable to transfer his form for Finland over to his time on the pitch with Rangers on Saturday, as he failed to deliver an impressive display.

Vs Livingston

Thelo Aasgaard

Oliver Antman

Minutes

45

64

Shots

0

0

Key passes

1

1

Big chances created

0

0

Crosses completed

0/0

0/5

Duels won

2/4

5/13

Possession lost

4x

14x

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Antman was just as bad as Aasgaard against Livingston. They both failed to register a shot on goal and only created one chance for the team, without creating any ‘big chances’.

Rangers signed the Finland international to provide creativity on the right flank after he produced an eye-catching return of 17 assists in all competitions at club level during the 2024/25 campaign, to go along with seven goals.

Antman, though, has no goals and one assist in nine Premiership outings for the Scottish giants so far this season, and that assist came in the away clash with Livingston back in September.

Since he provided two assists against Viktoria Plzen in a 3-0 win on his debut for the club, the forward has no goals and one assist in 17 appearances in all competitions for the Gers, per Transfermarkt, and writer Kai Watson noted that Rangers “need more from” him.

Antman has not been able to carry his form for Go Ahead Eagles from last season over to Scottish football, yet, and his performance against Livingston on Saturday was another ineffective outing for the Light Blues.

On top of that, the 24-year-old flop has no goals and no assists in three matches in the league phase of the Europa League this term, which does not suggest that he is likely to have much of a positive impact against Braga on Thursday.

Related Philippe Clement tried to sign Scotland's World Cup hero for Rangers

Rangers missed out…

Posts ByTom Cunningham Nov 22, 2025

Therefore, Rohl must ruthlessly ditch both Antman and Aasgaard from the starting line-up for the clash with the Liga Portugal outfit after their underwhelming performances against Livingston.

A mixed start – and recent injury – for Benjamin Sesko may have put a dampener on things, although it’s hard not to be impressed by Manchester United’s summer recruitment, with it finally looking as if the Red Devils have invested wisely in the transfer market.

It is also worth pondering just how Ruben Amorim’s side might have looked if things had panned out differently at the start of the window, with United notably chasing Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, after wrapping up a £62.5m deal for Matheus Cunha.

The England striker – fresh off scoring 12 times at Portman Road in the Premier League – was an attractive target due to his £30m release clause, although despite lengthy negotiations, he ultimately opted for Chelsea and Champions League football instead.

There is a sense that perhaps United have had the last laugh with regard to the ex-Manchester City man, with Delap yet to score for the Blues this season, although frustration might still linger over the failure to prise Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth.

Ahead of ultimately forking out for Sesko, there were suggestions that the Old Trafford side were leading the race for the Ghanaian, amid the prospect of a potential £70m switch.

Frustratingly, the 25-year-old stayed put on the south coast, and is now flourishing again under Andoni Iraola, sparking hope that a renewed approach from Amorim and co could be in store in the New Year.

Latest on Antoine Semenyo's future

There was a sense over the summer that Amorim and co could put together a completely new-look, Premier League-proven forward line, with Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo potentially set to be joined by Semenyo as the attacking spearhead.

Sesko, ultimately, was recruited instead, although with the Slovenian scoring just twice since his arrival from RB Leipzig, a further forward still appears a necessity, hence potentially turning to Semenyo again in 2026.

The former Bristol City man – who can operate all across the frontline, as well as at wing-back – remains a worthy option amid what has been a stunning season so far in 2025/26, having registered nine goals and assists in just 11 league games.

Arguably the “best winger in the country”, in the view of pundit Chris Waddle, Semenyo is again likely to turn heads in January, with The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealing on Monday that there will be a release clause to activate in the player’s contract in that winter window.

Previously valued at £70m, the in-demand speedster will now cost ‘just’ £65m in January for a specific time period, with that figure then set to reduce again next summer.

As per the report, both United and Tottenham Hotspur are named as the clubs who ‘coveted’ him in the most recent window, although the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool are now also in the equation.

As already suggested, Semenyo’s red-hot form has certainly warranted such admiring glances, although back at Old Trafford, Amorim already has a similar figure to shout about.

Man Utd's own version of Semenyo

It has been remarkable to witness Semenyo’s rise under Iraola in recent times, having previously scored just 21 times in 125 games during his stint at Ashton Gate, as well as enduring a goalless seven-game spell at Sunderland in League One.

In 90 games working with the Basque boss, however, the £65m man has already chalked up 40 goals and assists, as per Transfermarkt, with his devastating brilliance best seen on the opening weekend against Liverpool, having run almost the full length of Anfield before lashing home in that 4-2 defeat.

He does look unstoppable right now, although the same can be said of the aforementioned Mbeumo, with Amorim and INEOS perhaps thanking their lucky stars that the Cameroonian decided to join them over the summer, after initially missing out on Delap.

Protracted negotiations with Brentford did ensure it was something of a waiting game to see if the 26-year-old would actually make the switch from west London, although since arriving in the door, the clinical left-footer has hardly put a foot wrong.

Indeed, since netting his first goal for the club away at Grimsby Town, Mbeumo has gone on to score five times in just 11 Premier League games – just one shy of Semenyo’s record – while also chipping in with a solitary assist thus far.

Fresh off the back of a standout 20-goal season with the Bees, the one-time Troyes starlet has already cemented himself as arguably United’s “best player”, in the words of Wayne Rooney, amid his rampant start to 2025/26.

Like Semenyo, the £71m man can operate on either flank or in a false nine role, having even interchanged nicely with Amad at wing-back of late, with the pair striking up a fruitful partnership down that right-hand side.

Games (starts)

11 (11)

11(11)

Goals

6

5

Big chances missed

5

3

Goal conversion

26%

19%

Assists

3

1

Big chances created

0

3

Key passes*

1.0

1.7

Pass accuracy*

77%

80%

Successful dribbles*

1.9

0.8

That likeness to the Bournemouth talisman in a positional sense is also backed up by their likeness in a statistical and stylistic sense, with the pair deemed to be similar players among those in their position in Europe’s top five leagues, as per FBref.

Two of the most in-form forwards in the Premier League right now, you would be splitting hairs to decide who is the better player between Semenyo and Mbeumo, with the two men so decisive for their respective sides.

In an ideal world, they might even be lining up together at some stage in 2026, although even if Semenyo doesn’t end up in Manchester, at least United have Mbeumo to hang their hat on these days.

The new Ronaldo: Man Utd preparing British-record bid for £200m superstar

Manchester United are looking to make further attacking investments after this summer’s spending.

2 ByAngus Sinclair Nov 17, 2025

Sunderland have laughed off the doom mongers who pointed out the fact that the last six teams to earn promotion to the Premier League have all been instantly relegated.

The Black Cats are, remarkably, sixth in the top-flight after 13 games, ahead of Man United and Liverpool, after a 3-2 win over Bournemouth at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

Summer signing Granit Xhaka was, once again, vital with an impressive assist for Bertrand Traore’s goal, in what has been a phenomenal season for the Swiss star so far.

Where Granit Xhaka ranks among Sunderland's summer signings

Sunderland paid £13m to sign the experienced midfielder from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, and they have got their money’s worth from the left-footed star in the Premier League.

With 297 games for Arsenal under his belt, per Transfermarkt, the Black Cats knew what they were going to get from Xhaka as a proven performer in the top-flight.

The 33-year-old star has delivered one goal and four assists, per Sofascore, whilst winning 63% of his defensive duels across 13 appearances in the Premier League this season, which shows that he has made an impact in and out of possession.

1

Robin Roefs

2

Granit Xhaka

3

Nordi Mukiele

4

Noah Sadiki

5

Omar Alderete

As you can see in the table above, we have ranked him as the second-best signing made by the Black Cats in the summer, only behind the incredibly impressive Robin Roefs, who leads the league in goals prevented (3.28), per Sofascore.

Xhaka has stepped straight into the team as a regular starter and shown that he can be relied upon week-in-week-out, like Roefs has, which is why he has been one of the best signings made for Regis Le Bris’ team.

Whilst Sunderland should be delighted with their current position and the signing of Xhaka, they once had a star on loan who is now even more exciting than the Swiss ace and is one of the best players in the Premier League.

The Sunderland loanee who is now one of the Premier League's best

In January 2020, Antoine Semenyo signed for the club on loan from Bristol City for the second half of the season, and manager Phil Parkinson cited his “pace and power” as two of his main attributes.

Appearances

7

Starts

1

Goals

0

Key passes per game

0.4

Big chances created

1

Assists

0

Unfortunately, as shown in the table above, the Black Cats loanee was unable to use his pace and power to cause many problems for opposition defences, as he ended his time on Wearside without a single goal contribution.

After that, Semenyo went on to establish himself at Bristol City in the Championship before a permanent move in January 2023 to Bournemouth, which is where he has flourished in the Premier League.

The same player who struggled in League One with Sunderland has now scored 17 goals and provided nine assists in the top-flight for the Cherries since the start of last season, per Transfermarkt, which shows that he has been effective as both a scorer and a creator of goals.

In the Premier League this season, only Erling Haaland (15) and Igor Thiago (11) have more combined goals and assists than Semenyo (nine), per FotMob, which is an impressive statistic when you consider that he plays out wide.

Earlier this term, former Spurs and England star Chris Waddle dubbed Semenyo “the best winger in the country (England) right now”, and that still rings true, as he has at least two more goal contributions than any other winger in the top-flight, per FotMob.

This is why he is currently an even better and more exciting player than Xhaka, because the Ghana international has, statistically, been one of the most impactful players in the league with goals and assists to earn his team points.

Sunderland star who Speakman was "excited" to sign is the new Jeremain Lens

This summer signing by Sunderland is on his way to becoming the new Jeremain Lens.

ByDan Emery Nov 30, 2025

He may not have shown his potential during his brief time at the Stadium of Light, but it is clear to see, now, that Semenyo would be the club’s best player on current form.

Manchester United have been told that a sensational January swoop for Brazilian superstar Neymar could offer them a “boost”. Questions are, however, being asked of whether the Santos playmaker is cut out for life in the Premier League at Old Trafford after reaching 33 years of age and suffering a number of injury issues over the last couple of seasons.

• Neymar landing spots: England or MLS?

  Neymar, who is his country’s all-time leading goalscorer at international level, is currently playing through pain and ignoring the advice of doctors at Santos. He is doing his best to steer his boyhood club away from relegation danger.

  He headed home in January after seeing his contract at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal terminated – with a long road to recovery taken in on the back of knee ligament damage. Neymar has spent more time on the treatment table this term.

  Another change of scenery may be sought early in 2026, as Neymar sees his contract run down towards free agency, and various landing spots are being speculated on – from England to MLS. United have been credited with interest in the not too distant past.

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• Getty
  

  Man Utd move: Should Red Devils approach Neymar?

  Quizzed on whether a deal would appeal at this stage, former Red Devils striker Louis Saha told : “If you asked me six months ago, I’d have loved Neymar at Manchester United. But right now, he seems fragile, or injured. Maybe he’s lost his spark.

  “It’s sad, because I love Neymar. I thought a couple of years ago it’d have been a perfect move because he can still be an amazing player. He could really boost United with his inventiveness and talent.

  “I think perhaps the way he has had his career guided needed to be challenged in the past. I don’t know how he can set about putting things right and rebuilding anymore. United need players who will sacrifice themselves for the team, who are in love with the club. I’m not sure Neymar is the man to offer that to United at this point in his career.”

• Alternative options: MSN to reform in MLS?

  It has been suggested that Neymar could reunite with former Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Inter Miami, allowing the fabled ‘MSN’ attacking unit to be reformed.

  Ex-USMNT and MLS star Brad Friedel has told GOAL of whether that switch makes sense: “If Neymar is fit, then I think it works, I really do because he’s still a huge name in certain parts of the US. The trouble is if he’s not fit and he’s injured a lot, then it becomes a negative media-driven reality. I can understand arguments on both sides for sure.

  “I would assume, and these are smart guys, it would be a tiered contract based on performances and being fit. Having spent some time in Miami, before Messi came you wouldn’t have really known that Miami had a team. From the time that he came, there are pink and black shirts everywhere. If Neymar came, it would add to that.”

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  Best business: Top Premier League deals in 2025

  While Saha doubts that Neymar is the right option for United, he believes that the Red Devils completed one of the Premier League’s best deals during the summer of 2025 – with a proven performer being lured away from domestic rivals Brentford.

  He added when picking out the shrewdest business done in the last window: “For me, the best signing is between Hugo Ekitike and Bryan Mbeumo. I think [Nick] Woltemade has been brilliant too, I love him.

  “I think those three have been the standout players so far, but I think that Mbeumo has probably been the very best of the three. He’s playing for a side that is in transition. Ekitike is playing for the league champions, and Woltemade arrived at a team that is in the Champions League. They both have their problems, of course, but I think United were in the toughest place at the start of the season. I’ve seen United struggle, and how hard it was for Mbeumo, and he’s done brilliantly to raise standards at the club and keep his own standards up.”

  United will be piecing together plans for January, with it possible that further reinforcements will be drafted in alongside Mbeumo. Ruben Amorim’s side, who are still scratching around for consistency in 2025-26, sit seventh in the Premier League table through 13 rounds of fixtures and will be back in action on Thursday at home to West Ham.

The WPL has decided to have an auction purse of INR 15 crore for the auction, with deductions based on the number of players retained

Nagraj Gollapudi09-Oct-2025Franchises can retain a maximum of five players ahead of the mega auction for the 2026 season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL). ESPNcricinfo has learned that the deadline for announcing retentions is November 5, which has been communicated to the teams, and the auction window will be between November 25 and 29.In an email to franchises on Thursday, the WPL said a maximum of three capped Indian players, a maximum of two overseas players, and a maximum of two uncapped Indian players can be retained by each team. And if a franchise opts to retain five players, then at least one should be an uncapped Indian player. The WPL has also for the first time decided to allow franchises to activate the right-to-match (RTM) option at the auction to buy back a player that was part of their squad in 2025.The WPL has decided to have an auction purse of INR 15 crore for the auction and has listed the guideline prices for the retention slabs (check graphic below). The slabs listed are: INR 3.5 crore (Player 1), INR 2.5 crore (Player 2), INR 1.75 crore (Player 3), INR 1 crore (Player 4) and INR 50 lakh (Player 5).If a franchise opts to retain five players, INR 9.25 crore would be deducted from its purse, while for four, the deduction would be INR 8.75 crore; for three it would be INR 7.75 crore; four two INR 6 crore; and for one INR 3.5 crore. A franchise can use a maximum of five RTMs, but in case it retains five players, then the RTM option would be lost. In case a franchise retains four players, it will be left with one RTM; for three, there will be two RTMs; for two, three RTMs; and for one, four RTMs.ESPNcricinfo LtdThe WPL has said franchises can negotiate a different amount to the guideline price listed in the retention slabs, but if the actual amount paid is higher than the slab, then that amount would be deducted from the auction purse. A minimum of INR 50 lakh has been set for an uncapped India player, but that could be higher based on the agreed amount between the franchise and player.The WPL has also announced the timelines for various steps in the lead-up to the auction. The player retention list must be submitted by November 5. The franchises must then share their lists for the players at the auction by November 7. The last date for player registration is November 18. And November 20 is when the BCCI will share the list of players at the mega auction.

وصل رباعي النادي الأهلي، محمد مجدي أفشة، محمد شريف، كريم فؤاد، وياسين مرعي إلى مقر بعثة منتخب مصر الثاني، المشارك في كأس العرب في العاصمة القطرية الدوحة، للانضمام للمعسكر قبل انطلاق البطولة، والمقررة إقامتها خلال الفترة من 1 إلى 18 ديسمبر المقبل.

ويشارك منتخب مصر في بطولة كأس العرب، بقيادة جهاز فني يضم حلمي طولان مدير فني ومعه أحمد حسن مديرًا للمنتخب وعصام الحضري مدربًا للحراس، وذلك بقرار من اتحاد الكرة المصري.

طالع|بيراميدز يوافق على انضمام لاعبه إلى منتخب مصر في كأس العرب

وكان في استقبال اللاعبين عند وصولهم، إداري المنتخب، أيمن حافظ، الذي أنهى كل إجراءات انضمامهم للبعثة.

وأسفرت قرعة بطولة كأس العرب عن تواجد منتخب مصر في المجموعة الثالثة مع الأردن والإمارات والكويت.

ويستعد منتخبنا الوطني لافتتاح مشواره في البطولة بمواجهة منتخب الكويت، يوم الثلاثاء المقبل، في المباراة الأولى بدور المجموعات.

وستنطلق بطولة كأس العرب، يوم الإثنين 1 ديسمبر، بمواجهتي تونس أمام سوريا والمباراة الثانية تجمع بين قطر صاحب الأرض مع فلسطين.

 

Phil Foden spared Manchester City's blushes as he struck late to snatch a 3-2 win after his side had chucked away a two-goal advantage at half-time. Foden scored in the very first and last minutes of the game, rescuing all three points for Pep Guardiola's side which could prove vital at the end of the season. Josko Gvardiol bundled in a second goal in a dominant first half from the hosts.

But everything changed after the break as relegation-threatened Leeds put up a fight for their under-pressure boss Daniel Farke. They produced a spirited comeback and even believed in victory themselves but Foden diminished that, deciding the game with a brilliant finish from outside the area in the first of the 10 minutes of additional time. 

The England forward scored the fastest Premier League goal of the season to give City the lead after 59 seconds, firing in first time after a cross from Matheus Nunes. The midfielder was denied a second goal by a brave block from James Justin, who threw himself in front of the ball from close range, and then by a super save from Lucas Perri. 

Leeds could only resist the City dominance for so long, though, and the second eventually arrived from a corner, Gvardiol sliding in to stab home following Nico O'Reilly's knockdown, helped by some abject goalkeeping from Perri.

City had the bit between their teeth and pushed for a third before half-time but to no avail, with Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders having shots blocked and Perri repelling a strike from Nico Gonzalez, while O'Reilly headed wide.

Leeds came out for the second half with a double substitution and a totally different mindset and they immediately pegged City back. They fired out a warning minutes after the restart when Donnarumma patted a free-kick away only for it to land at the feet of Ethan Ampadu, with Reijnders making the block. One minute later Dominic Calvert-Lewin halved the deficit, losing the ball on the turn then snaffling it back off Nunes to strike. City's nerves began to set in and Leeds then won a penalty when Gvardiol rushed into a tackle on Calvert-Lewin and sent him flying.

Donnarumma guessed right to parry Nmecha's penalty but the rebound fell straight back to the German forward for him to tap in the leveller. The Etihad fell silent but when Foden buried the ball in the bottom corner after dribbling across the outside of the box, the stadium erupted and secured a valuable three points for Guardiola and his troops.

GOAL rates Man City's players from the Etihad Stadium…

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Gianluigi Donnarumma (5/10):

After a placid first half he didn't transmit much confidence under pressure. Flapped at a free-kick, did the hard part saving the penalty but sent the ball to the worst place possible.

Matheus Nunes (4/10):

His bright forward play which led to the lightning-quick opening goal was cancelled out by his clumsy defending gifting Calvert-Lewin the goal that made Leeds believe. His botched clearance gave Leeds possession again and then after tackling Calvert-Lewin he surrendered the ball to him.

Ruben Dias (5/10):

Had a flawless first-half display but couldn't show the necessary leadership when Leeds grew in confidence.

Josko Gvardiol (4/10):

Like Nunes, his poor defending undid his good work in doubling the lead. Couldn't communicate with Nunes for the first goal and then produced an awful tackle for the penalty.

Nico O'Reilly (6/10):

A strong physical display, showing his hunger by attacking Perri from the corner and setting up Gvardiol. 

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Bernardo Silva (5/10):

Didn't really put his usual stamp on the game.

Nico Gonzalez (6/10):

Dominated the first half, barely giving Leeds any glimpses behind him. Struggled to adapt to the visitors' changes.

Tijjani Reijnders (6/10):

Contributed his share in defence and attack although was the first to come off when Guardiola wanted a reaction.

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Phil Foden (9/10):

Dangerous and decisive from start to finish. Could have had a hat-trick in the first half and when everyone else had lost belief he grabbed the game by the scruff of its neck and won it.

Erling Haaland (5/10):

Failed to score for the third game in a row, barely getting a chance in front of goal. He obediently did his defensive work, though, and was a useful presence nullifying Leeds' ariel threat.

Jeremy Doku (5/10):

Couldn't do his useful damage and struggled to prise Leeds' defence open down his left flank.

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Rayan Cherki (6/10):

Gave City a bit more guile going forward and gave the ball to Foden for the crucial strike.

Omar Marmoush (N/A):

Saw a header saved by Perri one minute after coming on.

John Stones (N/A):

Brought on in the 95th minute to run the clock down.

Pep Guardiola (6/10):

A very strange game for the coach to digest, pure dominance followed by a loss of composure and belief. To his credit, his changes helped swing the game back in City's favour, even though he owes Foden a massive pat on the back for digging him out of the hole.

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A Federação Paulista de Futebol alterou a data do jogo do Palmeiras contra o Botafogo-SP, em jogo válido pela última rodada do Paulistão 2024.

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➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

A partida que estava marcada para o domingo, 10, foi adiantada para o sábado, 9, uma vez que o jogo não irá afetar muito a rodada final do Paulista, já que o Palmeiras já está classificado para a fase final e o Botafogo não briga mais por nada na competição.

O jogo será realizado na Arena Barueri, uma vez que o Palmeiras segue sem poder utilizar o Allianz Parque por conta da reforma do gramado que está sendo feita na casa oficial do Verdão.

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O Palmeiras precisa de um empate para garantir a primeira colocação geral da primeira fase do Paulistão.

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A partida está marcada para começar às 18h (horário de Brasília) e o jogo será transmitido pelo Paulistão Play e pela Cazé TV.