Islamabad United won the toss, and, yes, Islamabad United won the game. While that continues to be the story of this year’s Pakistan Super League, reducing the contest to that dynamic would take away from a spellbinding performance from a side racked by off-field complications, with Covid-related absences meaning the two-time champions could field only two overseas players.One of them was Paul Stirling, whose knock in the powerplay blew the Quetta Gladiators away before they had a chance to try and defend a below-par 156. Stirling brought up his half-century in just the fifth over of the chase – off just 21 balls – with his side plundering 76 off the powerplay. That left the chasing side with less than a run-a-ball for the remainder of the innings, and despite slowing down, Shadab Khan’s side got there with three overs to spare.The longer sides batting first remain winless, the greater the psychological burden becomes. For the Gladiators, who have yet to win a toss, the mental hurdles are particularly heavy, but losing four wickets in the powerplay is unlikely to put a side in a strong position in any league. Hasan Ali and Faheem Ashraf both struck in the powerplay, before returning at the death to stifle the scoring and rip through the lower order. The only resistance came in the form of Sarfaraz Ahmed whose 41-ball 54 helped ensure that the Gladiators could get to a total they’d have a flickering hope of defending.Two overs through the middle saw Ahmed at his best power-hitting ability for years. Against Khan, who looked especially dangerous as he flighted a ball that gripped on the surface, he would manipulate the field to pick up three boundaries that kept the scoreboard ticking, before taking Iftikhar Ahmed to the cleaners the following over. The allrounder was smashed for four successive sixes, all through the offside, with the United missing a trick and playing into Ahmed’s strength: right-arm off spin. When pace was introduced, the scoring dried up again, and the Gladiators ended up with a total that looked significantly below par.Related

• Stirling named Ireland men's player of the decade

• Islamabad-Quetta game postponed

• After Fawad, two overseas players test positive for Covid-19

• Steyn: PSL, LPL more rewarding than IPL

Ashraf’s bowling form
Ashraf has been in scrutiny of late over his indifferent performances with the ball, even as he has sizzled with the bat, both for the national side and his franchise. But the man who recently said he would consider himself a bowling allrounder “till the day I retire” demonstrated today why he retains such self-belief in that discipline. Relentlessly accurate when he went for the yorkers and judicious in the way he mixed up his length and pace, he prised out Cameron Delport with his first ball, before a short delivery brought the priceless scalp of Azam Khan.With Ahmed threatening to help the Gladiators post closer to 180, Khan turned once more to Ashraf, who promptly brought the scoring rate down, and even trapped the Gladiators captain with his penultimate delivery. Figures of 4-0-11-3 are tribute enough, but the impact of each wicket demonstrated his enduring value as a bowler for his side.Sarfaraz Ahmed hit three fours and four sixes•PSL

Nawaz’s nightmare
Mohammad Nawaz hasn’t missed a game for Quetta Gladiators in the best part of half-a-decade, and several priceless contributions explain why he’s such a nailed-on player for the side. As recently as last week, it was his cameo with the bat that took Quetta to 178 against Lahore Qalandars. But when his side needed a huge contribution with both bat and ball after a poor start on Tuesday, Nawaz struggled to effectively complement his captain through a 63-run sixth wicket partnership, contributing just 18 to it himself. The whole innings was a stop-start, constrained affair; in the final four overs, while he was the senior batsman, only a single boundary was hit. Nawaz himself would finish with 31 off 29.And it was about to get worse. Unwilling to give Alex Hales and Stirling pace on the ball, he was tasked with opening the bowling. He would catch Stirling in sizzling form, though, being smashed for three boundaries in the first over in which he leaked 17, and the tone for a thumping United victory was set. Two further overs produced 24 more runs against him, and if this was a forgettable day for the Gladiators in general, Nawaz in particular would want to put it out of his mind.How things stand
United joined Peshawar Zalmi and Qalandars at the top of the points table with just the net run-rate separating the three teams. The Gladiators, meanwhile, remained pointless and winless, having lost all their four matches.

AC Milan could consider bringing back fan favourite Brahim Diaz to Italy amid his struggle for minutes at Santiago Bernabeu.

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Milan eyeing move DiazStruggling for minutes under AncelottiSerie A side face Juventus on SaturdayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

After spending three memorable seasons on loan at San Siro, Diaz headed back to Real Madrid in the summer of 2023. Upon his return to Santiago Bernabeu, the Spaniard had a successful campaign in the 2023-24 season having recorded 12 goals and nine assists in 44 appearances as Los Blancos bagged Champions League and La Liga titles. However, in the 2024-25 campaign, Diaz has struggled for minutes and has started in just two La Liga matches.

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Per , Milan are monitoring Diaz's situation at the Spanish capital and might consider bringing their ex-player back to the club. The Rossoneri, however, are in no hurry to complete a transfer for the 25-year-old. Under Paulo Fonseca's tutelage, Milan's attack of Rafael Leao, Christian Pulisic and Samuel Chukwueze has performed consistently in the current season, although, they might consider bringing in a cover for the trio.

DID YOU KNOW?

In the three years he spent in Milan, Diaz appeared in 124 matches across all competitions for the club where he scored 18 times and was integral part of the team that lifted Serie A title in the 2021-22 season.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR AC MILAN?

Fonseca's side will be back in action after the international break on Saturday as they take on Juventus in a mega Serie A clash at San Siro.

It's been an interesting summer for Arsenal so far this year, as with some impressive preseason wins against the likes of Manchester United, Lyon and Bayer Leverkusen, there is much to be cheerful and hopeful about heading into a campaign with so much on the line.

However, as things stand, the only signing made that has changed the first team remains Riccardo Calafiori, and while he looks to be a quality addition, it doesn't feel enough in the face of the unstoppable Manchester City.

Moreover, while the club managed to get an impressive fee for Emile Smith Rowe earlier in the window, they have struggled to sell several other players who, if they stay, are set to remain on the periphery this year.

One of those players is Eddie Nketiah, and while he's a good striker, the Gunners have already been linked with another centre-forward this summer who'd be an ideal upgrade.

The latest on Eddie Nketiah

Nketiah only made 37 appearances for Arsenal across all competitions last season, amounting to 1393 minutes, and so it was always quite clear that the plan this summer was going to be to sell him.

It appeared that would happen late last month when French giants Marseille made a concerted effort to bring him to the French Riviera, although the potential fee was a significant sticking point for both teams.

The Gunners demanded a fee of up to €30m, which is about £26m, while the Ligue 1 side wanted to pay closer to €20m, which is just £17m.

It looked like a deal had been reached late last week for a loan with an obligation to buy closer to Arsenal's valuation. However, transfers expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed yesterday afternoon that the deal was dead.

This situation suits neither the player nor the club, but Arteta and Co could still bring in a dream replacement for the Englishman this summer, which may see him banished from the squad altogether.

Why Jonathan David could banish Nketiah from the team

Yes, the player in question is LOSC Lille ace Jonathan David, who was touted for a move to the Emirates earlier this summer, and for a fee as low as £20m.

This reasonable fee, primarily due to his contract expiring next summer, is one of the key reasons that the Gunners could still sign him despite missing out on the money that the sale Nketiah would've brought in, which could be bad news for the Englishman.

The Canadian international would be an instant upgrade on the North Londoners' number 14, and his output over the last four years is a testament to that.

David's recent club career

Season

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

Appearances

48

48

40

47

Goals

13

19

26

26

Assists

5

0

4

9

Goal Involvements per Match

0.37

0.39

0.75

0.74

All Stats via Transfermarkt

For example, since the start of the 2020/21 campaign, the Brooklyn-born marksman, whom journalist Tony Marinaro described as "one of the best strikers in the world," has scored 84 goals and provided 18 assists in 183 appearances. This means he's averaged a goal involvement every 1.79 games – a level of consistency that should excite fans.

In this same period, the striker he could replace in Arteta's squad has scored 31 goals and provided seven assists in 132 appearances, which equates to a less impressive average of a goal involvement every 3.47 games.

Nketiah's recent club career

Season

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

Appearances

29

27

39

37

Goals

6

10

9

6

Assists

1

1

2

3

Goal Involvements per Match

0.24

0.40

0.28

0.24

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Moreover, according to FBref, which compares players in similar positions across Europe's top five leagues, the Champions League and the Europa League, the 54-capped international sits in the top 14% of strikers for non-penalty expected goals and actual non-penalty goals, suggesting he's excellent at getting himself into goalscoring positions and just as good at finishing them off.

Ultimately, if failing to sell Nketiah impacts Arsenal's plans to sign more expensive targets this summer, bringing David to replace him in the squad wouldn't be a bad idea. In fact, even if he is sold, the Canadian's impressive goal record would make him a brilliant addition to Arteta's squad.

Related He'd revive Martinelli: Arsenal in the race to sign world-class £109m star

The incredible goal scorer would be a game-changer for the Gunners.

Posts 6 ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 12, 2024

Head coach says, “bowlers could not be consistent. But there is no blaming them at all, because it was expected”

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Mar-20213:45

WV Raman: Not easy to retain focus after 15-month break

India Women’s head coach WV Raman has pointed out that the team “lacked game time” and were “short” in terms of “mental stamina and cricketing fitness” that led to their 4-1 ODI series loss to South Africa Women in Lucknow. Already down 3-1 in the series, India were unable to defend a low score of 188 in the final game on Wednesday which the visitors crossed with five wickets and 10 balls remaining.India’s women team was playing an ODI series after nearly 15 months, and international cricket after a year since losing the T20 World Cup final at the MCG in March 2020, whereas South Africa were coming on the back of a 2-1 T20I series win and a 3-0 blanking of Pakistan Women at home in January-February this year. It showed in India’s performance in almost all aspects – batting first, they were bowled out for under 200 twice out of four times, on the other two occasions their bowling couldn’t defend totals of 248 and 266, and they also dropped more catches and missed at least two stumpings.”In terms of what transpired in this series, it’s very simple: the girls lacked the game time and they are obviously short in terms of the mental stamina and cricketing fitness,” Raman said at the post-match press conference. “By that, I mean it’s not easy to come back after 15 months and play a one-day series and retain the focus and the intensity that is required to put the opposition under pressure.”Yes, these things do happen; it happens to the best of players and the best of teams, and I am sure the girls would have realised what was not really happening, and they will work on it. I have seen them do it in the past and I have no doubts they will do it in the future as well.”Raman said the bowlers would find their rhythm as they got more game time.”…The bowlers didn’t get into the groove, as they play more and get more game time. The fact that Rajeshwari (Gayakwad, 10-4-3-13) has managed to do that coming into this game is a positive. That’s what I meant earlier when I said the bowlers need to get into their groove as far as bowling is concerned. That’ll only happen as they play more and more.”Yes, this is definitely something the girls will work on, quite a lot of activities going forward which will also help them to achieve that. I’m sure it won’t be too long before all of them get into their rhythm and perform as well as they can. The other fact is that we also wanted to play on flat tracks because that is something that might come up when we go abroad. So it’s all a part of having to adapt and adjust to conditions that they may get when they go abroad.”WV Raman: “What probably didn’t go in our favour was that the bowlers could not be consistent”•BCCI

India’s spinners flattered to deceive this series until Gayakwad’s stifling figures on Wednesday. Legspinner Poonam Yadav went wicketless in her 35 overs from four games, offspinner Deepti Sharma got just one scalp from her 28 overs, and left-arm spinner Radha Yadav leaked 68 runs in her 9.4 overs in the fourth ODI, the only game she played. Overall, India could take more than five South Africa wickets only once, in the second ODI when the visitors were bowled out for 157.India’s batting was also no match for South Africa’s. The runs mainly came from Punam Raut (one century and two half-centuries) and Mithali Raj (two fifties) who ended the series with strike rates of 71.66 and 67.74 respectively. The visitors, meanwhile, saw consistency from Lizelle Lee (a century and two half-centuries), Mignon du Preez (two fifties) and Laura Wolvaardt (two fifties) of which Lee and du Preez struck at 86.22 and 75.11 respectively in the series.Raman said it wasn’t easy to just look at the opposition and “imitate” them even if they were doing much better in the same conditions.”…The batting unit is getting into its groove, it’s gotten into its groove – despite the fact that not all of them got big scores, we managed scores in excess of 250 or around 250,” he said. “What probably didn’t go in our favour was that the bowlers could not be consistent. But there is no blaming them at all, because it was expected.”The other part is that you cannot really think of something that is done well by the other sides and try to imitate them. We need to try and get into the groove and then see how the entire unit is in terms of form, and then see what we need to do. And then we have to assess and see at what times we need to try and step on the pedal.”It (setting targets) depends on the conditions, it depends on the kind of attacks that we bat against. It’s very difficult to set a target mentally… see, it’s very easy to lose a game in the first 15 overs. You may not win it. But in trying to be greedy and posting a huge score, you might suddenly lose a few early wickets and start looking down the barrel too early in the game. So you’ve got to take this particular thing as it unfolds out on the field, and maybe take stock of the situation after two-thirds of the 50-overs quota of the innings is finished, and then see what needs to be done.”The two teams will now play three T20Is on March 20, 21 and 23 at the same ground in Lucknow.

Leeds United appear to have made an offer to sign a "brilliant" Premier League gem on loan and have had a quick reply.

Leeds want at least three signings before deadline day

Ahead of this weekend’s Championship opener against Portsmouth, the Whites are still active in the transfer market, looking to bolster Daniel Farke’s squad after some key departures.

From last season, Leeds have lost the likes of Archie Gray, Glen Kamara and last season’s Championship Player of the Year, Crysencio Summerville.

"It's true" – Fabrizio Romano shares what he's been told on Leeds and Rowe

There’s been talk of a verbal £7m offer.

1 ByCharlie Smith Aug 8, 2024

Joe Rodon, Jayden Bogle and Alex Cairns have signed on permanent transfers, whereas Joe Rothwell has arrived on a season-long loan. More could be on the way, though, with a new winger to replace Summerville appearing to be at the top of the wishlist.

Norwich City’s Jonathan Rowe seems to be the top target out wide, with a verbal £7m offer being made, whereas The Athletic claims that another midfielder and full-back are wanted at Elland Road before August 30.

An attacking target before Rowe has been Crystal Palace’s Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, with Leeds battling second-tier rivals Burnley and Sheffield United for his services. A loan move away from Selhurst Park appears to be on the cards, with a new update now emerging.

Rak-Sakyi receives offer from Leeds but agrees Sheffield United move

Football Insider shared the latest regarding Rak-Sakyi on Wednesday, claiming that the Palace gem has now reached a full agreement to join rivals Sheffield United for the upcoming campaign.

This will come as a blow to Leeds, with the report adding that the Whites held talks over a move and even appeared to offer Rak-Sakyi a deal, however, he has seemingly turned that down in favour of the Blades.

A loan move to the Championship for the 21-year-old appears to be the perfect next step after impressing in League One with Charlton Athletic in 2022/23, scoring 15 goals and registering eight assists in 43 games.

Former Charlton boss Dean Holden was clearly impressed with what he saw from Rak-Sakyi during his loan spell at The Valley, saying:

“There’s a great relationship there. Jes has done brilliant. He had a really good season last season in U21s football – he got a high number of goals and assists in that. He’s had the confidence to come out of his comfort zone and come into men’s football for the first time.

“To be involved in so many goals is a wonderful achievement. He fully deserves to be in the reckoning for the Young Player of the Year. But there is still some more for him to do this season, I’ve spoken to him about that. There are more goals and assists in him, along with general play.”

Rak-Sakyi could have been a shrewd option for Leeds to replace Summerville, but with the player on course to head to Bramall Lane, a deal to sign Rowe may become even more important for the Whites.

Celtic have been working on completing the signing of a "fantastic" Premier League youngster throughout the summer transfer window, according to journalist Mark Guidi.

Celtic transfer news

The Hoops are still being linked with new signings, despite picking up maximum points from their opening two Scottish Premiership matches this season, with contact reportedly made with Crystal Palace midfielder Jeffrey Schlupp over a move to Parkhead.

Celtic are also believed to be keen on sealing the double signing of Liverpool duo Bobby Clark and Ben Doak, both of whom may be allowed to leave Anfield on loan during the current transfer window. The former is wanted by RB Salzburg, however, so there is strong competition for him, with the Austrian outfit submitting a third bid of close to £10m this week.

Manchester United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri is wanted by the Hoops this summer, too, with rivals Rangers also mentioned as potential suitors for him in the past. The Tunisian is keen to leave the Red Devils before the end of this month.

Meanwhile, Matt O'Riley continues to be a major summer target for reigning Europa League winners Atalanta, with Celtic now turning down four different offers for the 23-year-old, and a fifth bid could soon be heading their way.

Celtic backed to move for "fantastic" youngster

Speaking to The Go Radio Football Show [via 67 Hail Hail], Guidi revealed Celtic remain keen on signing Liverpool youngster Clark and have been working on a deal for several months.

"From what I know, that is a genuine interest. It’s (a) real interest. It’s something that’s been on the radar for four or five months, from what I can gather. Again, from what I can gather, the boy is certainly interested to learn more if Liverpool are willing to let him go.

"But I think Arne Slot likes him, but he’s willing to listen to more in terms of what Celtic would have to offer. It would be a loan deal because I think the minimum fee is £12m for him. Obviously, Celtic can’t go to that kind of level, but if they could get young Bobby Clark on loan, could play along the midfield, could play up front, quite dynamic, then I think that would be a really good signing for Celtic if they could get that one over the line.

"But I think at the moment, Arne Slot hasn’t made up his mind whether he wants to keep the boy and integrate him to his first-team squad, or let him go out on loan and gain first-team experience elsewhere."

Clark represents such a strong option for Celtic this summer, with the 19-year-old a talented young footballer who could benefit so much from a year on loan away from Liverpool. Last season, the attacking midfielder impressed when given the chance, making 10 appearances in all competitions, and none other than Jurgen Klopp has showered him with praise, describing him as "fantastic".

Rodgers must ruthlessly replace Celtic man who left Kyogo "frustrated"

The Hoops have been linked with new signings in his position during the summer window.

1 ByDan Emery Aug 11, 2024

Clark could come in and immediately give Brendan Rodgers added depth in attacking midfield areas, and if O'Riley does end up moving on, he could help fill the void left by him. To already have experience of playing for a huge club can only stand him in good stead, so it is hard to see many negatives to the Hoops signing him.

Allrounder smashes the record for best figures in the WPL, before producing a vital unbeaten 40 to snuff out Warriorz and Giants’ top-three hopes

Ashish Pant12-Mar-20242:23

Takeaways: Mandhana’s brave call at the toss pays off

Coming into Royal Challengers Bangalore’s final group game of WPL 2024, Ellyse Perry had not picked up a single wicket in six outings. She more than made up for that by returning the best-ever figures in the WPL, and propelling RCB into the playoffs. It was a sensational display of swing bowling from Perry, who finished with 6 for 15 to help bowl Mumbai Indians out for a mere 113.And Perry wasn’t done yet. With RCB losing their top three quickly, she then carried the chase with an unbeaten 38-ball 40. She had an ally in Richa Ghosh, who remained not out on 36 off 28 as RCB sealed a seven-wicket win in Delhi.RCB’s win snuffed out Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz’s playoff hopes.Mandhana’s decision at the toss bears fruitIt takes a brave captain to go against the tide, especially in a game that could make or break the team’s season. Six of the seven games in the Delhi-leg of the WPL before today had been won by the sides batting first. Even the one that Mumbai won chasing required a Harmanpreet Kaur special. Despite that, Mandhana elected to field, citing the match being played on a fresh surface as the reason. And her decision paid off.With Yastika Bhatia out due to illness, Mumbai had a new opening pair in S Sajana and Hayley Matthews. The duo added 43 for the opening wicket, but once Matthews fell, it was all one-way traffic.Perry magic leaves Mumbai dumbfoundedIt started with a catch, it ended with the poles being hit four times – interspersed by two lbws – as Perry ripped through Mumbai in a sensational display of swing and seam bowling. She was involved in each of the first seven Mumbai wickets to fall and by the time she was done, RCB had one foot in the playoffs.ESPNcricinfo LtdSophie Devine struck first removing Matthews with Perry taking an excellent catch diving forward at deep midwicket. Perry started well with the ball conceding only a run in her first over, but Mumbai were still motoring along at close to eight runs an over.From no wickets off her first nine balls, she picked up six off her next 15 as Mumbai collapsed from 61 for 1 in 8.3 overs to 82 for 7 in 13.It was the good length ball that brought about Mumbai’s undoing. Perry first got through Sajana’s defences with a sharp in-ducker that clattered into her off stump. The very next ball, Perry went away from Harmanpreet who drove at it half-heartedly only to manage a thick inside-edge back onto her stumps.The first ball of her next over, Perry got another good length ball to deviate sharply back into Amelia Kerr, who was rapped on the pads and a loud appeal ensued. RCB challenged the on-field umpire’s not-out decision and were proven right. Amanjot Kaur pulled Perry first ball but was sent back immediately after with another booming inswinger that cut her in half.Perry picked her fifth wicket by cleaning up Pooja Vastrakar and then claimed the WPL record for the best figures off the final ball of her spell trapping Nat-Sciver Brunt in front. In all, Perry bowled 18 dot balls in her four-over spell, leaving Mumbai clueless.Priyanka Bala, on WPL debut, remained unbeaten on 19 to take Mumbai past the 100-mark.Richa Ghosh produced a vital, unbeaten 36 off 28•BCCIPerry, Ghosh take RCB into the playoffsIf six wickets weren’t enough, Perry also starred with the bat after RCB lost their top three quickly. Sophie Molineux, opening the batting for the second game running, had a life on 4 when Sciver-Brunt spilt a simple catch at extra cover. She couldn’t last long though with Matthews getting her stumped for 9. Sciver-Brunt then saw the back of Mandhana the next over before Shabnam Ismail beat Devine for pace.At 39 for 3 after 6.1 overs there would have been some nerves in the RCB camp. Perry settled some of them by hitting Saika Ishaque for a four and six. Ghosh then had a big reprieve when Sciver-Brunt again shelled a simple catch at midwicket off Ismail. And unlike Molineux, Ghosh made Mumbai pay.Both batters paced their innings well and once they got a hang of the surface, they opened up their shoulders. It was fitting that Perry got RCB over the line lofting Vastrakar over mid-on to seal the deal in 15 overs.

Pulisic, McKennie, Musah and Weah all play, but none could break the deadlock in the scoreless Serie A draw

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• Milan and Juve draw 0-0
• McKennie, Musah start
• Pulisic, Weah come off bench

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Two of the four USMNT stars were in their clubs' starting XIs, with Weston McKennie starting for Juventus and Yunus Musah in the AC Milan lineup. Christian Pulisic was named to the bench, reportedly due to fatigue, while Tim Weah, too, was among the substitutes.

  Both Pulisic and Weah were tossed into the fray in the second half as both teams searched for an attacking threat. While there was plenty of hype leading up to the match, particularly in the U.S., the actual game itself never got particularly close, as both teams failed to score in a dull 0-0 draw in Milan.

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• Getty Images
  

  USMNT IMPACT

  The match comes just days after the four USMNT players returned from national team duty, with all four shining particularly in the second leg of the CONCACAF Nation's League quarterfinal against Jamaica. Pulisic scored a goal and created an own goal, while Weah got a goal of his own. McKennie, meanwhile, assisted Pulisic's opener and Musah, ironically, teed up Weah for his second-half finish.

  Under new coach Mauricio Pochettino, all four are expected to be key players. Pulisic is, of course, the USMNT's best player, with his form in Milan this season further confirming that. McKennie and Musah, meanwhile, are carving out roles in midfield, with the latter serving as a versatile weapon under Pochettino.

  As for Weah, he made his first appearance under the Argentine in the USMNT's second leg against Jamaica, and his goal served as a good example of what he can bring to the team with the new boss at the helm.

• AFP
  

  GOAL'S RATINGS

  Weston McKennie (5/10):

  Was chucked into a newer role, playing much higher due to the absence of Dusan Vlahovic. That often left a bit of a hole up top without that regular striker, although McKennie did have a few good runs in there.

  Yunus Musah (5/10):

  Much like he has with the USMNT, started on the right-wing opposite Rafael Leao on the other side. Didn't really add much to the attack, but did help right-back Emerson Royal contain Juve wonderkid Kenan Yildiz for most of the match.

  Christian Pulisic (6/10):

  Brought in to replace Ruben Loftus-Cheek as Milan turned to their best attacker so far this season. Unfortunately for them, Pulisic couldn't quite turn the tide. He had a few tidy moments on the ball, but nothing particularly decisive.

  Tim Weah (6/10):

  With no recognized striker in the starting XI, Thiago Motta turned to Weah late to give the team a designated attacking player up top. Given only 10-ish minutes to work, though, Weah only had a handful of touches.

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  Neither side will be particularly happy with the draw given the tight race at the top of Serie A. Inter, for the moment, sit atop the league with 28 points, with Napoli, Atalanta, Fiorentina, Lazio and Juve all within three points at the moment. Milan, meanwhile, are now nine points back in the Scudetto race, although the Rossoneri do have a game in hand.

Manchester City threw away a three-goal lead to draw against Feyenoord and set an unwanted Champions League record in the process.

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Man City blow 3-0 lead in UCLHancko scores 89th-minute equaliserGuardiola's side winless in sixFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Guardiola's side were all set to end their five-match winless streak when Erling Haaland's brace and Ilkay Gundogan's effort gave them a 3-0 lead at home to Feyenoord. But City suffered a stunning late collapse, conceding three goals in the final 15 minutes and extending their nightmare run.

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City had lost five matches in a row before Tuesday evening and while that run is now over, this result may be the worst of the lot. They were in cruise control, en route to a comfortable win that would have gone some way to restoring the confidence at the Etihad Stadium ahead of Sunday's all-important clash with Liverpool. But that's all gone after goals from Anis Hadj Moussa, Santiago Gimenez and David Hancko gave the Dutch side a remarkable point.

DID YOU KNOW?

The collapse means City are the first team in Champions League history to fail to win a match that they led by three goals as late as the 75th minute, per Opta.

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TELL ME MORE

In addition, City have now conceded two or more goals in six consecutive matches for the first time since May 1963. They were relegated from the top-flight that season and currently have such a threat looming over them if they are found guilty in their battle against 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial rules.

Manchester United have not had bang for their buck with the kind of regularity nor incisiveness befitting an outfit of their stature and ambition, but INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are striving to change Old Trafford for the better.

Joshua Zirkzee, signed: 23 years old and awarded Serie A Young Player of the Year for 2023/24, was instrumental up front as Bologna belied expectations to qualify for the Champions League.

Leny Yoro? Real Madrid, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain make up a list of lucrative suitors that bowed out of the race for one of Europe's hottest prospects. All three will be plying their trade in Europe's elite club competition next year; Man United will not. But it was the Red Devils who won the race for the 18-year-old centre-back, signing him for £59m from LOSC Lille.

Much of the flotsam has been cleared. Anthony Martial and Raphael Varane have been shown the door after their contracts expired, freeing up some collective £590k-per-week earnings from the wage bill. United will not magically turn into a unit of Manchester City's efficacy and machine-like coherence overnight, as if by wishful metamorphosis, but INEOS are striving to turn the tide.

The Theatre, once a place of dreams, has presented a nightmare for players, supporters and management over the past interminable years, with pockets of silver-laden success unable to change the narrative of a prestigious outfit having fallen by the wayside.

Things are changing. United, whisper it quietly, are back.

Man United pushing to complete midfield signing

Casemiro, pocketing £350k-per-week, received scathing criticism last season as he suffered at the epicentre of some calamitous performances, and so it's no surprise that Man United are pushing to sign a new specialist No. 6.

Paris Saint-Germain's Manuel Ugarte has been the No. 1 target, and with the Ligue 1 champions turning their transfer lens toward Benfica to sign Joao Neves, the route seemed clear, only for PSG's €70m (£59m) asking price for the Uruguayan slowing negotiations down.

As such, Correio da Manha – via Sport Witness – are reporting that focus might be shifted to Sporting Lisbon's Morten Hjulmand, Ugarte's thriving successor in Ruben Amorim's team.

Hjulmand has an €80m (£68m) release clause in his contract but it's believed that United will seek to present a more affordable package to the Liga Portugal champions.

What Morten Hjulmand would bring to Old Trafford

Hjulmand likely silenced Man United supporters across England after his thunderous goal spoiled the Three Lions' lead in their Euro 2024 group game against Denmark.

The 25-year-old is known as a tough-tackling titan but averaged 1.2 key passes per game in Germany this summer, also completing 90% of his passes for the Danes.

Journalist Zach Lowy said that Hjulmand would "be an upgrade on Casemiro at United" one year ago, and he has since continued to go from strength to strength, having triumphed in the Portuguese top flight following his €20m (£17m) plus bonuses transfer from Lecce in Serie A last summer.

A confident and progressive passer, as per FBref, Hjulmand ranked among the top 17% of midfielders in Liga Portugal last season for pass completion, the top 18% for passes attempted and the top 14% for carries per 90, highlighting the kind of ball-playing sharpness that would enhance Erik Ten Hag's United team.

His mix of tactical intelligence, composure and combativeness makes him a tailor-made fit for life in the Premier League, and he might even prove to be a better fit than Ugarte.

How Hjulmand compares to Ugarte

Casemiro is unlikely to restore himself to a level that reflects his salary, and INEOS would be wise to ship him on this summer, especially when considering the damage it might do to an exciting talent such as Kobbie Mainoo.

Kobbie Mainoo: Premier League Stats (23/24)
Statistics	#
Matches played	24
Matches started	24
Goals	3
Assists	1
Pass completion	87%
Touches per game	49.0
Key passes per game	0.6
Ball recoveries per game	4.0
Dribbles per game	1.3
Tackles per game	2.0
Duels won per game	5.2
Stats via Sofascore

Mainoo, hailed as a "world-class player in the making" by content creator Liam Canning, triumphed in cementing himself as a first-team regular last season, crowning his wonderful breakout campaign with a goal in the FA Cup final victory over Pep Guardiola's City.

An athletic and technically sound midfielder, the 19-year-old's movement and decision-making as he prowls through the midfield suggest he has a rich future up ahead, but he does need a steely anchor to partner up with, and Hjulmand could be that man.

Ugarte might be the preferred pick but Ten Hag and his transfer team must seriously consider opting for the alternative, for he has been described as a more composed and considered option than Ugarte by Lowy, boasting a more complete skillset besides.

Speaking of Sporting's (then) new recruit, the journalist said: "He's an absolute monster when it comes to recovering possession, but he's far less reckless than Ugarte was."

Ugarte's tough-tackling nature is one of his glowing attributes but also led to his somewhat insignificant role under Luis Enrique last season, benched for each of PSG's four knockout matches and hooked at the hour mark during group stage games against Newcastle United and AC Milan after collecting a first-half yellow card.

Given that he won only 32% of his contested duels in the Champions League, perhaps it's not surprising that he was untrusted on the biggest stage – not least after having previously shown his 'reckless' nature after needlessly crunching into Bukayo Saka during his days at Sporting…

Hjulmand, in contrast, was instrumental in Sporting toppling the Benfica/FC Porto monopoly in Portugal for the second time in four years, winning 56% of his ground duels and averaging 1.4 fouls per game.

Ugarte fared better on the domestic front but still saw himself pipped by his Danish counterpart, winning 53% of his duels and averaging 1.8 fouls per match.

Ten Hag will be confident that he can find success with either anchor added to his team, but Hjulmand might be the one to sway the odds further in United's favour and must be signed.

Talks held: Man Utd moving for "monster" who'd make Amad unplayable

The incredible talent would help the youngster become even more dangerous.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jul 26, 2024