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Tottenham Hotspur has been the home to numerous top-level youth talents over the last couple of years, with attacker Mikey Moore one of the players on their constant conveyor belt.

The 18-year-old has spent the vast majority of his life as a Lilywhite, before making his debut in the first-team last campaign under Ange Postecoglou due to the injury crisis.

Despite his tender age, the youngster racked up a total of 19 senior appearances, ten of which came in the Premier League, with three of his outings coming from a starting role.

Moore even registered his first senior goal for his boyhood club in the Europa League, scoring in the victory over Elfsborg and helping the club end their 17-year wait for a piece of silverware.

However, after Thomas Frank’s appointment during the off-season, he’s been shipped out on loan to Scottish side Rangers in the hope of more consistent game time.

He’s not the only young talent on the books who has caught the eye, with one other youngster set for a huge future in North London during the years ahead.

Luka Vuskovic’s future as a Spurs star

Back in the summer of 2023, Spurs forked out a fee in the region of £12m for the signature of teenage centre-back Luka Vuskovic from Hajduk Split.

However, he’s spent a couple of years out on loan, with his spell on loan at Westerlo catching the eye – but for his attacking quality rather than his talent at the back.

The Croatian scored seven times and registered two assists in his 36 outings, a simply staggering feat for a young defender who is trying to establish himself at the top-level.

Such form led to the sensation being involved in the first-team’s squad pre-season plans, even registering a goal and an assist in the 2-0 victory over League One outfit, Reading.

Many fans were calling for the youngster to be included in the Dane’s Premier League squad for 2025/26, but it wasn’t meant to be, with Vuskovic sent on loan to Bundesliga side Hamburg this summer.

The prospect of top-flight German football to many youngsters may be a daunting one, but the 18-year-old has taken to the task like a duck to water – already netting his first goal despite making just three appearances.

However, his showing against Union Berlin on Sunday was his best to date, winning 18 aerial duels and making 12 clearances – helping his current side keep a needed clean sheet.

There’s no denying that he could be a huge player for Frank in the future, but the new manager already have another hugely promising talent on the books in North London.

The Spurs star who’s a bigger talent than Vuskovic

As previously seen by the aforementioned talents at Spurs, they do have a plethora of upcoming stars who could potentially catapult them to continued success in the years ahead.

Their recruitment strategy has certainly aided their ability to create a strong youth setup, with many taking the jump and already cementing themselves in Frank’s plans for 2025/26.

Lucas Bergvall may only be 19, but he’s already established himself as a regular starter, featuring in all six of the Lilywhites’ Premier League outings to date – even scoring once against West Ham United.

The Swede could be joined by youngster Luca Williams-Barnett for many years to come, with the 16-year-old already making huge waves across various levels despite his tender age.

The attacking midfielder has been starring way above his age group over the last few seasons, with the youngster featuring in the U18s for the majority of 2024/25.

He ended the year with a staggering 23 goals and nine assists in his 24 outings for the Lilywhites, resulting in a jump up once again – now becoming a key member of the U21 side.

Williams-Barnett has once again exceeded expectations, already notching eight goal contributions in his first six appearances of the new campaign.

The 16-year-old has let his age get in the way, subsequently starring five years above his age group – something which has caught the eye of first-team boss Frank in recent weeks.

He was handed his first senior appearance against Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup last week, coming off the bench for three minutes – leading to analyst Ben Mattinson labelling him as a “superstar”.

Given his tender age, there’s no denying that the attacker needs more time in the academy system to develop before being able to make the jump into the first-team squad.

However, that’s not taking away from the fact that Williams-Barnett is a player with mammoth potential, with the club desperately needing to manage him in the right way.

In the years ahead, he could have a huge part to play in the Lilywhites’ hunt for success, with the youngster having the chance to create new history for the club alongside centre-back Vuskovic.

Spurs may already have their new Luka Modric & it's not Palhinha

Tottenham Hotspur have found their next Luka Modric in North London, and it is not Joao Palhinha.

By
Dan Emery

Sep 30, 2025

It was yet another devastating result for Manchester United. The Red Devils slumped to another defeat, this time losing 3-1 away from home to Brentford. Ruben Amorim’s side have now lost three games in the top flight this season, winning just two and drawing the other.

That is merely a continuation of the dismal form shown under their Portuguese manager. United have only won 12 games under Amorim in not far off one year, and are yet to win back-to-back games in the Premier League.

Their trip to the Gtech Community was a chance to do just that. However, two first-half goals from Igor Thiago in the first half, and a late strike from Vitaly Janelt were enough to seal the three points for the Bees.

The only real positive for United was the fact that Benjamin Sesko bagged his first goal for the club. It was a strike that showed lots of fight, scrapping for a ball in the penalty box before finally firing a shot into the back of the net.

It was another disappointing day at the office for Amorim’s side. No one really covered themselves in glory. One player who struggled was defender Luke Shaw.

Shaw’s performance vs. Brentford

One of the Red Devils’ most experienced players, Shaw, once again started as the left centre-back in Amoirm’s infamous back three system. He has certainly had better performances in a United shirt.

The England international, who is normally excellent on the ball, was surprisingly poor in possession in West London. Out of possession, he struggled against the physicality of Brentford’s forwards, including goalscorer Thiago.

In terms of his numbers from the lunchtime kickoff, the 30-year-old had 71 touches, losing the ball 17 times. He only won one duel from four attempted, and made one error, which led to a Brentford shot, per Sofascore.

Goal journalist Richard Martin seemingly agreed that the experienced defender did not put in his best performance against the West Londoners. He gave him a 5/10 for his efforts and highlighted his struggles with the ball at his feet, describing him as “sloppy in possession.”

It was certainly not Shaw’s best day at the office, although he was not United’s worst player at the Gtech Community Stadium.

The United player who worse than Shaw

Shaw was certainly not the only player in a United shirt who struggled against the Bees. Harry Maguire was at fault for the first goal, and goalkeeper Altay Bayindir could have done better for the second strike.

However, Bruno Fernandes put in a surprisingly poor performance. The United captain had his afternoon summed up by Statman Dave, who called the situation a “nightmare.” Indeed, he struggled to get involved creatively and, crucially, missed a penalty.

That effort from 12 yards was certainly not his finest moment of the season. The second penalty he’s missed in West London this season, Fernandes struck his effort low to the goalkeeper’s left, which Caoimhin Kelleher easily managed to tip away.

It was a moment that summed up Fernandes’ afternoon. The Portugal international, once again operating deeper in a pivot, struggled to create a chance, playing just one key pass, and losing the ball 18 times.

Indeed, Martin seemed to agree that the United captain had a day to forget at the Gtech Community Stadium. He gave Fernandes a match rating of 4/10 and, unfortunately, did not have anything positive to discuss from his performance.

United’s number eight certainly was not involved enough creatively, either. Perhaps that is more on Amoirm rather than the reflection of a poor showing. Fernandes would surely be able to create more chances if he were playing further forward, rather than in a pivot. With that being said, perhaps you’d have expected him to create more with United chasing the game.

It was definitely a day to forget for Fernandes. Normally, such a consistent penalty taker, he missed from the spot to make it 2-2 and give United a fighting chance of getting a positive result.

Not just Obi: Man Utd have "dangerous" attacker who can be the next Rooney

Man United fans can get excited about this player’s talent.

By
Joe Nuttall

Sep 26, 2025

Nicklas Bendtner has backed Rasmus Hojlund to thrive under Antonio Conte at Napoli, praising the Italian’s "killer mentality and relentless desire to win". The former Juventus forward believes Conte can unlock his compatriot’s full potential as the young striker rebuilds confidence following a mixed spell at Manchester United.

• Hojlund resurging under Conte at Napoli

  Hojlund’s time at Napoli has quickly become a story of redemption. After a disappointing season at United, where he managed just 10 goals in 52 appearances, the Danish striker’s move to Italy has reignited his career. Joining on loan in the summer, he has already scored four times in six matches, rediscovering the sharp movement and finishing touch that once made him one of Europe’s most exciting prospects.

  The 22-year-old has adapted well to Conte’s high-intensity system, showing better link-up play, sharper pressing, and improved composure in front of goal. His resurgence has impressed the club hierarchy so much that they are now pushing to make his transfer permanent as early as January, despite the original clause that tied the €44 million (£38m/$51m) deal to Champions League qualification.

  Hojlund’s current spell on the sidelines caused by a minor thigh injury has slowed his momentum, but he is expected to return in Napoli’s upcoming clash with Lecce, where fans hope to see him pick up where he left off.

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  Bendtner hails Conte’s ‘killer mentality’ and winning culture

  Few players know Conte’s methods better than Nicklas Bendtner, who played under him at Juventus during the 2012-13 season. The former Arsenal striker, who won his only league title that year, spoke glowingly about the Italian manager’s influence and believes his compatriot Hojlund will benefit enormously from working under him.

  “I immediately thought he was a fantastic coach, very loyal and very honest," ex-Arsenal and Denmark striker Bendtner said in an interview with . "I admired his killer mentality and relentless desire to win. He knew how to get the best out of his players, and I think he can do the same today with my compatriot Rasmus Hojlund.”

  Bendtner also reflected on his own short spell in Turin, admitting he regretted not being able to show more under Conte’s leadership.

  “I really enjoyed my time at Juventus, but unfortunately, I had an injury at a very unfortunate time that kept me out for much of the season. I would have liked to stay longer and prove myself more, because I felt we were a really good fit, Juventus and I.”

• Conte’s system proving a good fit for Hojlund

  The ex-United strikers' athleticism, pressing instinct, and direct approach make him an ideal fit for Conte’s vertical, fast-paced brand of football. Under Conte, Hojlund has looked sharper in transition and more confident attacking space between defenders. His early success alongside Kevin De Bruyne and Scott McTominay reflected how seamlessly he has slotted into Gli Azzurri's dynamic frontline. However, De Bruyne’s recent thigh injury sustained while scoring a penalty against Inter has disrupted that partnership, forcing Conte to rethink his attacking combinations.

  Still, Hojlund’s impact has been enough to convince both clubs to move quickly. The Partenopeiand the Red Devils are already in talks to finalise a permanent deal in January, a move that would allow the Premier League side to move on and the Serie A outfit to secure their long-term striker.

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  What’s next for Hojlund and Napoli

  Hojlund has already resumed training and is expected to be back in action soon, with Serie A leaders Napoli carefully managing his return. His comeback will be crucial as the team navigates a busy run of fixtures in the Italian top flight and the Champions League, where they hope to cement their place among the continent’s elite.

  Conte’s belief in structure, mentality, and tactical discipline could prove invaluable for Hojlund’s development. The Italian has a history of moulding forwards into complete players from Diego Costa and Romelu Lukaku to Lautaro Martínez and his track record suggests Hojlund could be next in line.

Last season Tottenham Hotspur may have won the Europa League but there is no hiding behind the fact that domestically, things were a complete write-off.

Former boss Ange Postecoglou proclaimed that things are always better in season three, but sadly for the craggy-faced Aussie, he didn’t see in his third campaign at the helm.

The writing had been on the wall for a while, really. Spurs were a mess at the back. It’s “who we are, mate” Ange also exclaimed when asked about his philosophy and high line. Yet, those who fail to adapt and change…ahem, Ruben Amorim, often fail.

The truth is that Postecoglou did not change his ways, leading to the concession of 65 Premier League goals, the fifth-worst record in the division last term.

With Thomas Frank now at the helm, he made an immediate attempt to improve the backline before anything else and that decision has been vindicated.

Spurs look like a different outfit now. They are more organised, more structured, and the numbers showcase that. They have kept five clean sheets already in 2025/26 across all competitions and have shipped just five goals. Only Arsenal (3) have let in fewer.

While Frank will take a lot of the plaudits, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero’s partnership has looked like one of the best in the division.

Why Van de Ven and Romero complement each other so well at Spurs

Since arriving in north London, Romero has attracted his fair share of criticism.

He’s too hot-headed, too rash, too ill-disciplined to ever be a competent defender. Those were the cries from certain sections of the media and fanbase. Alas, there is a reason that he is captaining the side and there is a reason that Real Madrid have reportedly courted him.

The Argentine is a typical South American defender. He’s brutish, has a never-say-die attitude and when faced with a striker, it’s not often they get the better of him.

Indeed, he’s only been dribbled past 0.3 times per match under Frank so far, winning 65% of his ground duels and another 65% of his aerial duels.

To put those numbers into context, he’s winning more aerial battles than Arsenal’s imperious Brazilian, Gabriel (60%) and a similar number of ground duels to William Saliba (66%).

Romero is the more aggressive of he and Van de Ven, but the Dutchman’s recovery speed and ability to sweep in behind his defensive colleague is why they work so well.

Last term, no player was quicker in the English top-flight than Spurs’ number 37.

Yet despite all of that, the club have a defender in their ranks who stands an excellent chance of disrupting this fine partnership. Step forward Spurs’ new Mousa Dembele.

Spurs have found the defensive version of Dembele

What a player Dembele was in his prime. Part of a very special Spurs team including the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen, the Belgian was the glue that held everything together.

In the words of Kyle Walker, “Dembele was probably the best player I’ve ever seen play football” while Eric Dier, now of Monaco, stated that he was “a freak of nature”.

An all-action machine, it was nigh on impossible to get the ball off Dembele. He was a fine dribbler but he was also a duel monster.

From 2012 to 2019, no player in the Premier League had a better success rate for dribbles than Dembele’s tally of 77.9%. The next best during that time frame was Nemanja Matic on 73.1%.

As for winning duels, during the 2015/16 season, only three players, of which one was N’Golo Kante, won more tackles per match. Dembele won 3.6 while Kante topped the charts with 4.7.

Why is this all relevant now? Well, it looks like Spurs have found another duel machine, someone capable of dominating play in a similar manner, albeit from defensive phases of play.

That player is Luka Vuskovic. Spurs first reached an agreement to sign the centre-back in 2023 for £12m from Hajduk Split when he was only 16.

They had to wait until 2025 for the young Croatian to finally arrive but it was worth the wait. Vuskovic scored in pre-season against Reading and more than looks the part.

Now 18, the teenager has already made a habit of scoring regular goals. At KVC Westerlo in the Belgian top-flight last season, he scored seven goals in 36 outings.

Now on loan at Hamburg in Germany, he’s already showcasing why he’s so highly rated. The youngster has featured on four occasions, scoring once and breaking a little bit of history along the way.

During Hamburg’s clash against Union Berlin last weekend, he won a mind-blowing 18 aerial duels. To sum up just how incredible that statistic is, no player has won more aerial duels in a Bundesliga game across the last ten seasons and he is the first player to win 18 aerial duels in a single match in Europe’s top five leagues over the last five seasons.

While Dembele may not have been as menacing in the air as that, it demonstrates Vuskovic’s imperious duel-winning ability and his capability to overpower his opponents.

When asked what he thought of his teammate, Hamburg full-back Miro Muheim simply described him as a “monster” after the game. Rather apt if you ask us.

But, as the Athletic’s German Football correspondent, Seb Stafford-Bloor, outlines, the Croat is also “good with the ball at his feet”, emulating Dembele with that area of the game too.

Vuskovic has completed 85% of his passes in the Bundesliga so far and has also been successful with 100% of his dribble attempts, according to Sofascore.

Not just a beast physically, he’s technically brilliant, just as Dembele was from further forward. An exciting player no doubt, and one who could well make this Spurs backline even better.

You bet Frank can’t wait to get him back in the fold next season.

17-year-old Spurs prodigy is their most exciting academy star since Kane

Tottenham Hotspur have been on the look out for the next Harry Kane ever since he left for Bayern Munich.

By
Matt Dawson

Oct 1, 2025

Wrexham chief executive Michael Williamson admitted to being left "exhausted" as Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s side continue to chase their Premier League dream. The man tasked with turning the wild English top-flight ambition into reality has lifted the lid on the relentless pressure of managing one of the world’s most-watched football clubs.

• Wrexham's firestorm behind the fairytale

  Williamson is a former Inter Milan executive who joined the club in the summer of 2024, immediately after Wrexham sealed their rise from League Two. Less than a year later, they made it three promotions in a row, storming into the Championship. Now, as the co-owners set their sights on the Premier League, Williamson has revealed the heavy toll of that meteoric rise.

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  "I Haven’t Slept in Weeks"

  Speaking candidly on with former players Ben Foster and Ben Tozer, Williamson described his 18 months in charge as "like drinking from a fire hose".

  "Probably the best way to describe it is like drinking from a fire hose," he said. "I feel like the last 18 months has just been taking all the momentum that's been built up over the last couple of years, with the documentary and the success on the pitch, and trying to build the foundations around that to make sure it's sustainable in the long term. We ultimately want to keep pushing ourselves and keep trying to move up the pyramid."

  Despite the glitz and glamour surrounding Wrexham’s rise, Williamson painted a picture of intense personal strain.

  "It is an exhausting job," he admitted. "I take things very seriously. I'm constantly thinking, analysing and obviously have worries, but I don't stress. The important part of it is trying to take a step back. It doesn't mean I don't have a problem sleeping at night, I do. I suffer from insomnia and haven't been sleeping in the last three weeks."

  When he first walked through the doors of the Racecourse Ground, Williamson found a club riding the wave of global fame. However, behind the scenes was an overstretched, under-resourced operation waiting to crumble. There were just 40 permanent staff, and since he held the reins, the number has swelled to 120. The scale of the task hit him immediately. The growth had been explosive, which was primarily driven by success on the pitch, the Welcome to Wrexham series, and their growing global fanbase, but their infrastructure was years behind.

  "We previously had people who were doing six, seven or eight jobs at the club, and it's just not sustainable for the speed that we're moving at," Williamson said. 

• Building Wrexham fit for the top flight

  Under Williamson’s direction, Wrexham are now racing to catch up on the field. The construction of a new 7,750-capacity Kop stand has been fast-tracked, while a state-of-the-art academy and a dedicated women’s team facility are also in the pipeline. This summer alone, the club spent a record-breaking £33 million on 13 new signings, which underlines the ambition fuelling the club. 

  "We're trying to build a football club that is a community-based organisation, but to arrive at the Premier League and ultimately stay there," he said.

  He stressed that money alone isn’t enough, and the real challenge is protecting the club’s culture.

  "I think the challenge is making sure everyone understands what the DNA and the values of the club are," he said. "You have to understand when you're coming into a club like Wrexham that you have to be humble to learn what it means to be a part of Wrexham."

  While the short-term focus is on stability in the Championship, Williamson knows the real goal is years away. 

  "We're having to invest in a squad on the pitch because of the consequences of back-to-back-to-back promotions. That's also rooted in the fact that we don't have an academy pipeline historically," he said. 

  "We're starting to see the foundations of what the academy can be, and the type of investment into that is critical for long-term success. But we're talking about five to seven years before some of those things are seen."

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  From Miami to North Wales: A life transformed

  For Williamson, the job has been a personal upheaval as well as a professional one, since he had to relocate his family from Miami to North Wales. 

  "That's one area that took a little time to settle in, all honestly," he said. "As far as the office goes, that was one of those things where I just came in and I sat and I listened. I tried to ask questions and I tried to create a positive environment as I think there were definitely some morale concerns within the club."

  On the pitch, Wrexham’s first few months in the Championship were a wake-up call. The team struggled initially to adapt to the higher tempo and physicality of the division. But under Phil Parkinson, they have steadied the ship, and most recently grinded out a hard-fought draw against Portsmouth away from home. And Williamson insisted the squad is improving with every game.

  He said, "If you look at where we are right now, we are very competitive. We have been competitive in every single match that we've played in the Championship. In fact, if you look back on it, we could be sitting on 10 or 12 more points right now. That's how difficult it gets, and it's a game of moments. There are moments where 13 new players are all kind of feeling each other out a little bit, and it's only going to get better. That's what I'm excited about."

  Wrexham sit 14th in the Championship with 18 points, and their next challenge comes on Saturday against Charlton Athletic at the Racecourse Ground. 

The 2024 MLB playoffs are rapidly approaching. An exciting season that has seen many twists and turns is sure to produce a thrilling postseason. With that in mind, what follows is a look at the postseason schedule—specifically at when the World Series begins.

When does the 2024 World Series begin?

Game 1 of the 2024 World Series is scheduled to begin on Oct. 25, with the time to be determined. Game 2 is set to take place on Oct. 26, Game 3 is set for Oct. 28 and Game 4 will happen on Oct. 29. If necessary, Game 5 is scheduled for Oct. 30, Game 6 will happen on Nov. 1 and Game 7 would take place on Nov. 2.

If the series goes to Game 6, it will mark the ninth time MLB's season has continued into November. The other years that has happened were 2001, 2009, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021 and 2022.

When do the MLB playoffs start?

The MLB playoffs are set to begin on Oct. 1. That day will see four wild card games, all taking place at the higher-seeded team's home park. All four wild card series are best-of-three and will be decided over the next three days, with three games each in that time if necessary.

The third-ranked division winner in each league will host the final wild card team from that league, and the top two wild card teams in each league will face each other with the top seed as the host.

The division series will begin on Oct. 5, with all four of those series playing on the same day.

Finally, the National League Championship Series is set to begin on Oct. 13, with the American League Championship Series following on Oct. 14.

Who won the World Series last year?

The Texas Rangers won the 2023 World Series, taking home the title with a 4-1 series win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Shortstop Corey Seager earned World Series MVP honors.

The 119th edition of the World Series marked the first championship in Rangers franchise history. Texas had reached the Series two times previously, losing to the San Francisco Giants in 2010 and the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011.

Freddie Freeman's 2024 postseason is one to remember, that's for sure. The Los Angeles Dodgers captured the World Series title on Wednesday night over the New York Yankees, and Freeman expectedly earned the MVP honor.

Freeman hit four home runs in the World Series this year—one in each of the first four games. He broke the MLB record for the most consecutive World Series home runs in history with six, ranging back to his run with the Atlanta Braves in 2021.

His home run in Game 1 happened to be a walkoff grand slam in the 10th inning, and that definitely set the tone for his performances in the rest of the World Series.

Freeman also tied for the most RBIs in a World Series with 12 this year.

It's quite the story for Freeman this postseason as he missed two of the earlier games in the postseason while he nursed an ankle sprain. It was unclear how healthy he would be for the World Series, but he proved any doubters wrong.

It all worked out for Freeman as he ends the 2024 season as a two-time World Series champion.

Former Manchester United winger Antony has become a fan favourite and key figure at Real Betis following his move away from Old Trafford, with centre-back Marc Bartra hailing him as a mixture of Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo. The €25 million signing has rediscovered his confidence and flair in La Liga, earning admiration from those who believe he is now playing the best football of his career.

• Antony enjoying life at Real Betis after Man Utd horror show

  After struggling to make an impact at Manchester United and later falling out of favour under Ruben Amorim, Antony’s future looked uncertain. The Brazilian arrived at Old Trafford as one of the club’s most expensive signings, but inconsistent performances, limited effectiveness in the Premier League’s physically demanding environment, and relentless scrutiny saw him lose confidence rapidly. The collapse of his form became symbolic of United’s broader attacking frustration, leading both the player and club to seek a solution.

  Real Betis provided that opportunity, initially taking him on loan before completing a permanent transfer worth €25 million plus add-ons in the summer window. While he had shown flashes of his old self during his loan spell, returning full-time to La Liga has been transformative. The Spanish style of play, slower tempo, more technical interplay and freedom to take risks, has proven far better suited to his strengths.

  Fans at the Benito Villamarin have embraced Antony as a talismanic winger who can decide matches with pace, trickery and sharp finishing. Inside the dressing room, he has become admired for his work ethic and mental reset, with his attacking contributions helping Manuel Pellegrini’s side push for European qualification.

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  Bartra heaps massive Neymar-Ronaldo praise on Antony

  Bartra has been among the most vocal cheerleaders for Antony’s revival, praising both his mentality and his natural Brazilian flair. The former Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund defender says La Liga is the perfect environment to showcase the winger’s talent.

  Speaking to Mundobetis, Bartra explained why the club is finally showing the Premier League what they expected to see: “It’s a style of football that suits him very well, that’s why we’re seeing the real Antony again, even improved. The first day I spoke with him, I already saw his mentality, with that quality and that Brazilian talent. I always say he’s a mix between Neymar and Cristiano. He has the same mentality as Cristiano, always striving for more and being very focused on the game.”

  Bartra’s comments reflect the belief within the squad that Antony has rediscovered both his joy and edge in attack. His teammates view him as someone who is setting the tone for the rest of the front line.

• Antony's success at Real Betis down to more freedom

  Antony’s rise at Real Betis has been driven by a dramatic improvement in confidence and decision-making compared to his time in Manchester. At United, he was criticized for being too predictable, repeatedly cutting inside onto his left foot without creating clear chances. Defenders learned how to contain him, diminishing his impact and limiting his willingness to take risks in the final third.

  At Betis, Pellegrini’s system encourages him to drive at defenders, rotate positions more fluidly and combine quickly with overlapping full-backs. The winger has shown a renewed ability to go both ways on the dribble, making him far harder to defend against. He is also creating openings with clever passes that seemed absent from his game at Old Trafford.

  He is also benefiting from being a central focus rather than merely one of many rotating forwards. Betis supporters adore his showmanship, but also value how determined he is to deliver the end product, not just tricks.

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  Could Antony have a shot at the 2026 World Cup with Brazil?

  Antony’s challenge now is consistency — maintaining this level across a full season as Betis push to remain in the European qualification race. The club views him not merely as a short-term star but as a long-term leader of the project, justified by the significant transfer fee and continued support from the board. Betis fans believe he can cement himself as a club icon if he keeps delivering decisive performances in big games.

  Meanwhile, his turnaround has not gone unnoticed beyond Spain. Some Premier League watchers wonder if Manchester United will eventually regret allowing him to depart rather than giving him more time to adapt to English football.

  If the Brazilian continues on this trajectory, a return to the Brazil national team picture could also become a realistic ambition again as the Selecao prepare for the 2026 World Cup.

Manchester United have improved drastically in the forward areas this season, though they could now be prepared to offer a platform for Real Madrid star Endrick to shine ahead of the World Cup if circumstances align.

Benjamin Sesko has endured a mixed time since joining the Red Devils. Two goals in 11 matches haven’t exactly set the house on fire, though he has been an impressive presence within build-up play under Ruben Amorim.

Nevertheless, his recent performances have not escaped Gary Neville’s attention, who told NBC Sports that the ‘jury is out’ on whether he will be the right fit through the middle long-term.

He said: “I’m no further forward with him. The jury is out. He’s well off it compared to the other summer signings that Man United made up front in Cunha and Mbeumo.

“He looks awkward, he had a couple of really good opportunities in the first half – when balls got played over the top. And his touch wasn’t quite right.”

Quite clearly, Sesko has the potential to come good. Other than him, Joshua Zirkzee has had limited minutes at Manchester United this season, and he is now reportedly in the sights of Everton with the World Cup taking place next summer.

At this point, it is unclear whether he will be allowed to leave in January. If he is permitted to go, the Red Devils will likely target another forward to pick up the shortfall for the second half of the campaign, even temporarily.

As the transfer window draws closer, Manchester United may now have a plan in place to land a world-renowned talent to bolster their attacking options.

Man Utd target Endrick tells agent he wants loan from Real Madrid

According to The Daily Star, Manchester United target Endrick has told his agents that he will seek a loan move in January, with the only way of that being likely to change if his minutes improve at Real Madrid.

The Brazil international has been frozen out by Xabi Alonso and has played in a single match this season. Aston Villa have also come to the table if uncertainty over his future is set to linger.

West Ham United and Juventus have been mentioned in dispatches as alternative suitors, with the 19-year-old fearful that a lack of games may prohibit his chances of going to next year’s World Cup.

In the scenario where any deal is concluded to send Endrick on loan, Real Madrid want his next club to pay his wages in full for the duration of a spell away from the Spanish capital.

Man Utd are also pushing hard to sign an England international

Mid-season always promised to be an important time of year at Old Trafford, and it now remains to be seen whether they can secure the youngster in a deal that would make headlines across the world.

The Boston Red Sox signed 30-year-old two-time All-Star Alex Bregman ahead of the start of spring training to bolster the team's defense and provide the lineup with another middle-of-the-order bat.

Bregman, who has played third base for most of his career, including when he captured his first Gold Glove last season for the Houston Astros, was asked about Boston's $313 million star Rafael Devers, who made it clear he wants to be the team's starting third baseman in 2025.

Bregman had nothing but good things to say about Devers, and sidestepped any perceived controversy about who will play where on Opening Day and beyond.

"I'm super excited to just be his teammate," Bregman said of Devers on Tuesday in Fort Meyers. "He's a great player. I think everyone in this clubhouse is worried about winning. Whatever it takes to help the team win, that's all I'm focused on. I'll play wherever [Alex Cora] tells me to play."