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Glasgow Rangers head coach Danny Rohl was pictured holding up a shirt with Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell little more than a month ago, and now he is the only one of those three men remaining at Ibrox.

The Light Blues announced on Monday that they have parted ways with their sporting director and CEO after the club’s dismal start to the season, and the failure of Russell Martin’s appointment.

Despite coming in after Martin won five of his 17 matches in all competitions, Rohl has won all four of his Scottish Premiership matches in the dugout so far, which is no mean feat.

The Gers had only won one league game before the German’s arrival at Ibrox, and goals from Emmanuel Fernandez and Mohamed Diomande against Livingston claimed a fourth straight victory for Rohl on Saturday.

Despite those four wins in four games for the former Sheffield Wednesday head coach, there is still plenty of work for the tactician to do to make sure that the Light Blues are competing for silverware moving forward.

For example, summer signing Oliver Antman failed to deliver once again in the win over Livingston and should be dropped from the starting line-up.

Why Danny Rohl must drop Oliver Antman for Rangers

Thelwell swooped to sign the Finland international for a fee of up to £4m from Go Ahead Eagles in the summer in an attempt to bolster Martin’s options on the flanks.

Unfortunately, the 24-year-old flanker has failed to deliver much in the way of quality at the top end of the pitch since his move to Ibrox in the summer, with no goals and three assists in 18 matches, per Transfermarkt.

In fact, Antman has no goals and one assist in 17 games since his two assists on his debut against Viktoria Plzen, which illustrates just how much he has struggled in front of goal in recent weeks and months.

The Finnish forward, as shown in the graphic above, scored for his country during the recent international break, to go along with an assist, which means that he has been more productive for his national side than for Rangers this season.

Rohl provided the former Eredivisie star with a chance to shine from the start on the right wing against Livingston on Saturday, possibly due to his international form, but he did not reward the manager with a strong performance to justify his inclusion.

Vs Livingston

Oliver Antman

Minutes

64

Shots

0

Key passes

1

Big chances created

0

Crosses completed

0/3

Dribbles completed

3/7

Duels won

5/13

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Antman made little impact at the top end of the pitch for the Light Blues, whilst he was also dominated by the Livingston defenders in physical contests.

With games against Braga in the Europa League and Falkirk in the Premiership coming up this week, Rohl must ruthlessly ditch the Finland international from the starting line-up to provide other players with an opportunity to impress.

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Antman has simply not done enough in the final third to suggest that he deserves a continued run of games in the team, as he has gone seven matches without a goal contribution in all competitions for the Gers.

With this in mind, the German head coach should finally unleash Nedim Bajrami from the start against Falkirk at the weekend, whilst he is unable to feature against Braga because Martin did not add him to the Europa League squad list.

Why Danny Rohl should finally unleash Nedim Bajrami for Rangers

Former sporting director Thelwell attempted to bolster the club’s options at the top end of the pitch with the signings of Djeidi Gassama, Thelo Aasgaard, Antman, Youssef Chermiti, Mikey Moore, and Bojan Miovski in the summer.

This shows that he attempted to replace Bajrami, who played in the attacking midfield and wide areas for Philippe Clement, as four of those players play in the Albania international’s main positions.

Per Transfermarkt, the £3.5m signing from Sassuolo has only played 196 minutes in all competitions. 24 players have played more minutes for the club, including players like Jeft and Cyriel Dessers, who left in the summer.

Bajrami was described as “anonymous” in a game last season by content creator Stevie Clifford, which now perfectly sums up his situation at Ibrox this season, as he has been so rarely used.

Now, though, Rohl should unleash the Albanian flop from the start in the Premiership because he has the potential to be an upgrade on Antman at the top end of the pitch, based on his form at times for Clement last season.

Whilst it would be disingenuous to suggest that Bajrami had an amazing debut campaign with Rangers, there were some promising signs in his performances domestically and in Europe that suggest that he has more to offer to the team.

Bajrami – 24/25

Premiership

Europa League

Starts

15

8

Goals

2

1

Big chances missed

2

0

Key passes per game

1.0

1.3

Big chances created

4

6

Assists

1

0

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the versatile attacker was not fairly rewarded for his creativity in the 2024/25 campaign, as his teammates only scored one of the ten ‘big chances’ that he created.

This season, Antman has only created two ‘big chances’ and delivered one assist in 12 appearances in the Premiership and the Europa League combined, per Sofascore, which suggests that Bajrami could provide more creativity than the Finnish flop.

Thelwell attempted to replace the former Serie B playmaker in the summer with a host of new signings, but these statistics suggest that the former Rangers chief failed to do so successfully.

This is why Rohl should ditch Antman to unleash Bajrami, who could offer more quality in the final third, when the Gers face Falkirk in the Premiership on Sunday, to see if he can ignite his Ibrox career under the German boss.

Related Better than any Thelwell transfer: Rangers submit bid for "incredible" star

Rangers are reportedly the frontrunners to sign this star who would be a better addition than any Kevin Thelwell signing.

Posts ByDan Emery Nov 25, 2025

Arsenal are set to be minus an “underrated” star for their looming North London derby against Tottenham and far beyond that, following some injury news out of the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta’s side host Spurs on Sunday in imperious form, but the manager is being made to sweat over several key players. The Gunners remain in pole position at the top of the Premier League table after a fantastic start to the campaign, which is made all the more impressive by the absences of numerous big-name attackers lately.

Arsenal currently sit top with eight wins, two draws and one loss from their opening 11 matches, boasting a phenomenal defensive record. They’ve conceded just five goals all season, the best of any team in Europe’s top five leagues, which has formed the backbone of their title challenge.

Arsenal’s unbeaten run in all competitions since defeat to Liverpool
Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 1-1 Man City
Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal
Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
Arsenal 2-0 Brighton
Burnley 0-2 Arsenal
Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal
Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal

However, the international break has brought fresh concerns.

Left-back Riccardo Calafiori returned early from Italy duty due to hip pain, but encouragingly, Fabrizio Romano revealed that Arsenal’s medical checks confirmed that Calafiori will be available for the derby with no injury issues, just overload.

Calafiori has become an undisputed starter this term, chipping in with one goal and two assists from 11 games, even thwarting Myles Lewis-Skelly for a consistent place in the starting eleven.

Meanwhile, captain Martin Odegaard is continuing his recovery from a knee injury that has plagued him since October. The Norwegian, before his country’s 4-1 win over Italy, told TV2 that his recovery is progressing and he “will hopefully be back soon” — though it remains to be seen whether that could be against Tottenham.

His creativity has been sorely missed in Arsenal’s midfield, and elsewhere in the squad, Viktor Gyokeres has been struggling with a hamstring injury sustained at Burnley. He’s missed their last two matches against Slavia Prague and Sunderland, as a result, with Gyokeres believed to remain a doubt ahead of Spurs.

Noni Madueke is approaching a comeback after being sidelined for almost two months due to a knee problem, while Kai Havertz continues his recovery from knee surgery with a potential return on the cards “towards the end of the year”, according to Julian Nagelsmann.

Gabriel Martinelli is racing to be fit for this weekend, but the game comes too soon for his compatriot, Gabriel Jesus, who’s expected to be the last to return after his ACL injury at the start of 2025 (Simon Collings).

Amid this wave of Arsenal team news, it is another Gabriel who’s been making the headlines recently.

Indeed, star defender Gabriel Magalhaes, who’s been equally vital going forward as well as at the back, was taken off with a thigh problem during Brazil’s 2-0 friendly win over Senegal at the Emirates, and the early signs aren’t exactly cause for celebration.

Arsenal star Gabriel to miss "minimum four weeks" after thigh injury

According to journalist Sami Mokbel of The BBC, Gabriel could now miss a “minimum four weeks”, and some sources suggest that he could be out until January as the club wait for further scan results.

Gabriel has been the linchpin of Europe’s most water-tight defence, partnering both William Saliba and Cristhian Mosquera to devastating effect and making him irreplaceable in Arteta’s system.

The timing couldn’t be worse. Arsenal face a crucial run of fixtures beyond just Tottenham, with Bayern Munich in the Champions League and Chelsea awaiting them right afterwards.

Beyond defensive stability, Gabriel already boasts five goal involvements in all competitions this season, including a vital late winner away to Newcastle in September, highlighting his importance at both ends of the pitch. The 27-year-old gifts Arsenal a major outlet, and has been a significant part of their outstanding set piece record this season.

With Gabriel set to miss this weekend, Mosquera or Piero Hincapie will likely come in to replace him, with the summer signings now given a baptism of fire.

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Luiz Gustavo, Bobadilla, Erick, Ferreirinha e André Silva. Todos os reforços contratados pelo São Paulo no mercado tem em comum algo que a diretoria vem pregando na contratação de novos jogadores: a vontade de vestir o manto tricolor.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Tricolor agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! São Paulo

Desde a temporada passada o recado é claro. Para jogar no São Paulo, precisa querer estar no Tricolor. É necessário dar tudo de si dentro de campo e se mostrar incomodado com a reserva.

O elenco criou um espírito de luta e identificação muito forte, e a diretoria foi atrás de jogadores com os mesmos valores. Além disso, reforçou setores carentes no elenco, como volantes, pontas e um reserva para Calleri.

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A lateral-esquerda foi a única lacuna não preenchida, já que Wellington está com a renovação travada e o reserva, Patrick Lanza, é jovem e oscilou no profissional.

Mesmo assim, a diretoria do São Paulo qualificou o elenco de Carpini, e o Tricolor possui armas para bater de frente com Atlético-MG, Flamengo e Palmeiras, brigando em todas as frentes do futebol brasileiro.

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Futebol NacionalMercadoSão Paulo

On Saturday lunchtime, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had a big decision to make. Play Martin Odegaard or Eberechi Eze in the number 10 position?

Well, the Spaniard chose his club captain Odegaard. It was a successive start for the Norwegian who is now back from injury and ready to make an impact.

What that meant was that the Gunners’ November Player of the Month was selected on the left flank.

It wasn’t a decision that went well for Eze. The scorer of that famous hat-trick in the north London derby just a few weeks ago, his influence from the left, rather than in a central area, was severely lacking.

It was Eze who switched off at the back post for Matty Cash’s opener and despite having a goal ruled out for offside, he was anonymous in the final third.

The summer signing was subsequently withdrawn at the half time interval having registered just 13 touches of the ball and amassed just seven passes.

Why Arsenal must pick Eze over Odegaard in the number 10 role

Before Emiliano Buendia’s late winner at Villa Park on Saturday, TNT Sports’ Martin Keown had named Martin Odegaard as the player of the match.

The club captain drifted in and out of the game, but left the field with three key passes and three shots to his name. He also ensured Bukayo Saka looked like a constant threat in the game. Indeed, in the words of the Telegraph’s Sam Dean, he noted that “it can’t be a coincidence that Saka has been so dangerous today, on the day he is reunited with Odegaard,” suggesting that as a pairing, they remain one of Arsenal’s “great weapons.”

That they may well be, but the skipper arguably held Arteta’s team back. While Eze has looked like such a big goal threat over the last few weeks, a dynamic and silky player who can produce a moment of magic out of nowhere, Odegaard was sluggish and timid in possession.

His biggest problem is that unlike Eze, he takes too many touches and he’s slow in possession. The 26-year-old is one of the best midfielders in the world on his day. He’s supremely creative but Arsenal’s summer recruit from Crystal Palace has taken them to the next level in recent weeks.

Mins played

90

45

Touches

80

13

Key passes

3

0

Shots

3

0

Successful dribbles

1/4

1/1

Duels won

3/10

2/5

Possession lost

15x

3x

It was surely no coincidence that two of their finest wins of 2025, the victories against Spurs and Bayern, came with Eze in the team over Odegaard.

It feels incredibly unlikely that Arteta will drop the latter but he must explore what this team could be like without their captain.

That said, Eze isn’t the only threat to Odegaard’s long-term future at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal's next Odegaard and Eze

Eze’s arrival has coincided with a lack of game time for Ethan Nwaneri. Last season he was compared to Lionel Messi by Joe Cole and described as “the most exciting footballer in England.” How times change.

While the 18-year-old is still up there as one of the finest young talents in the country, scoring nine goals last term, regular senior football has eluded him in 2025/26. He has played just 165 minutes of Premier League football this term and only 20 minutes since the start of November.

Nwaneri will no doubt come good but he will also have to rival the great Max Dowman for a place in the team over the forthcoming years. Odegaard, beware.

The two exciting teenagers are not the only threats to Odegaard’s long-term future, however. Enter Holger Quintero.

At the end of last week, Arsenal announced the signings of a set of twins, Holger and Edwin Quintero from Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle.

They have become one of the finest exponents of young talent in world football in recent years. Part of their alumni include Moises Caicedo, Piero Hincapie and PSG’s brute of a central defender William Pacho.

Well, the Quintero twins look like the next cabs of the rank and while they will not be seen in Arsenal colours until they turn 18, the 16-year-old’s have signed an agreement to join the club, something that was announced last Thursday.

Edwin is a left-footed right winger and, alongside Dowman, has been labelled as a “10/10 talent” by scout Jacek Kulig. As for his brother, Holger, he is an attacking midfielder by trade and an exciting one at that.

Described as a “top talent” by Como scout Felix Johnston, he possesses a glittering array of skills, outlined by Kulig.

The scout notes that he has “superb close control, flair and creativity” while hailing the youngster’s “low centre of gravity and excellent agility, acceleration and coordination.”

Close control and creativity are two areas in which Odegaard also thrives in but it’s arguably that lack of acceleration and ability to carry the ball forward with pace that holds him back. That’s where Quintero could trump him in the years to come.

Further described as a young kid with “elite dribbling skills with futsal-like ball control”, there is a reason Arsenal have decided to invest in these two young attacking sensations.

To predict they could become world beaters might be a stretch at this stage, but there is huge excitement about them both. As Kulig put it, Holger is “one of the most exciting U17s in South America.”

Watch out, Odegaard, it might not only be Dowman coming for your place.

4/10 star had his worst game in an Arsenal shirt vs Aston Villa

Arsenal suffered their second defeat of the season against Aston Villa at Villa Park.

ByAngus Sinclair 5 days ago

GOAL spoke to a number of former NCFC players, who outlined the harsh realities of a volatile league after being made redundant four days before a playoff game

The day North Carolina FC announced they would be halting operations at the end of the season hit one player’s family particularly hard. 

Upon learning from her husband that everything their family had built in Cary, N.C., would come crashing to an end, the player’s wife was immediately rushed to the hospital. She had terrible breakouts on her face and body. It was so bad that a doctor determined she needed steroids to remedy her symptoms.

This is the side of football that many don’t get to see. And it was one of many reactions to the news that NCFC would, come the end of the season, no longer exist. On Nov. 3, the United Soccer League Players Association informed all 26 roster members of the club that they would not have an employer within a month. The news, officially announced by the team itself on Nov. 4 – four days before a home playoff game – made waves on social media. 

Yet more important than the debate over USL’s future and its grandiose ambitions was the impact that this news had on real human lives. A club closing down might seem a minor casualty in a much wider soccer sphere, in which news cycles last minutes – at most. And USL franchises are smaller and more volatile than those in more well-off leagues. 

But for the players, staff members, and those on the inside, such an event is life-changing and potentially catastrophic for a football career. 

“The reaction was anger. Having a two-year deal gave balance and a belief of certainty. Then, we had that ripped out from under us so late in the season,” one NCFC player told GOAL.

It isn’t fair to the thousands of paying fans who show up to games week in, week out – the season ticket holders who will suffer after watching their team fold. But there is also a devastating human cost of redundancy for the 26 on the roster. 

A handful of NCFC’s players, speaking on the condition of anonymity, talked about their reactions to seeing their contracts voided. Some were on multi-year deals, while others were due to see their contract expire at the end of the season. But all have had their lives turned upside down in recent weeks, with few apparent solutions.

Getty'It’s embarrassing'

NCFC are not the first USL team to halt operations in recent years – 12 franchises have folded in the last decade. As the league expanded, this has become something of an unfortunate trend. Ownership groups have often gambled on markets without success. And due to a lack of long-term sustainability, some simply pull the plug. 

It’s common for players to see this happening in real time. One player, who was part of Memphis 1901 before it folded in December 2024, admitted that he could see the news coming. 

“You don’t wake up one morning to a press release,” he said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to have his identity protected. “It starts slowly with whispers in the locker room, uncertainty in staff meetings, small signs that something isn’t right.” 

NCFC said their reason for ceasing operations was the franchise agreement ending, as well as an application to USL’s new Division One league, set to come to USL in either 2027 or 2028. They were, in effect, closing their doors now to set themselves up for the future. 

The club itself reiterated that sentiment in an email. 

“We had a great 20 years, but we're aiming to make professional soccer sustainable here for the next 20 and beyond. There’s an incredible soccer community in the Triangle, and this reset will give us the time and resources to connect better, understand more deeply, and best represent them when we kick off again in the future,” a club spokesperson told GOAL. 

The club has already applied for Division One status, and its application, like many, is under review. 

When asked about the club’s decision, the USL declined to offer a comment. According to sources, there isn’t an expectation that other clubs hoping to play USL Division One will make similar moves. The club, when asked about communications with the league itself, said they were unable to comment on behalf of the USL. 

The general sentiment from club executives around the league is one of anger and disappointment. The president of another USL Championship club, speaking anonymously, characterized NCFC’s decision as a “betrayal of trust” and made clear that they don’t wish for the club to be let back into the league. 

“It’s embarrassing for NCFC to capitalize on Division One the way they have, especially before the playoffs,” they said. 

That same president also acknowledged that the decision comes at an inopportune time, given the league’s recent success and big ambitions for the future. “It’s disappointing at a time when there is so much happening around the league,” they added. 

The USL Players Association expressed similar frustration. 

“When a professional club shuts down, the players are always the ones left holding the bag. North Carolina FC is the 12th USL Championship club in the past decade to fold, and each time it happens, players are left with only two months of salary, immediate housing instability, and, for international players, real uncertainty over their immigration status,” Connor Tobin, Executive Director of the USLPA, said in a statement to GOAL.

AdvertisementIMAGN'Shocked and disappointed'

One squad member, who has a wife and son, was ‘shocked and disappointed’ to hear the news. He was supposed to be under contract for at least one more year – on a guaranteed salary. That deal, expected to sustain him for at least another season, has been shortened to just two months of compensation. He declined to answer if he felt optimistic about the chances of signing a new contract elsewhere. 

A second player who had spoken with GOAL took the news poorly, but wasn’t entirely surprised. 

“I felt hurt, but honestly, I could see it happening beforehand,” he said. 

Another suggested that NCFC had been hinting that it would shut its doors for some time. The club’s franchise agreement was due to expire at the end of the 2025 season, and a few players noticed that the lack of marketing from club leadership – which also owns the NWSL’s North Carolina Courage – indicated that things might change. 

“I wasn’t extremely shocked because of the lack of effort from the front office when it came to marketing the team,” he said. 

But more generally, the reality for those who put their trust in a club can be devastating. 

“A few had relocated their families just months earlier and signed year-long leases. Breaking those leases meant paying thousands of dollars they didn’t have and forcing many to stay in a city without a team simply because leaving was financially impossible,” a former squad member of a different USL club told GOAL.

ImagnDirectly impacting a playoff match

Part of the shock for the players was the timing of the announcement. 

The club revealed its decision four days before an Eastern Conference semifinal clash with Rhode Island FC – a game which NCFC hosted at WakeMed Soccer Park. Head coach and sporting director John Bradford was looped in on discussions around the timing of the announcement. 

The players, however, were baffled that the club chose a date so close to a crucial fixture. 

“I was more surprised and annoyed with the timing right before a home playoff game,” one said. 

Some players admitted that the news impacted their performance, or certainly the vibe around the team in the days before the game. 

“It affected the training in the week leading up. Time that could have been spent preparing was spent on HR meetings and other meetings,” one player said. 

One player who spoke with GOAL acknowledged that “team spirit took a hit,” but one insisted that they “focused valiantly on doing their best” given the circumstances. 

The club, meanwhile, praised the players’ attitude in the week leading up to the game. “The players and staff were utmost professionals during the training sessions and the playoff match that followed the announcement, and we are incredibly proud of the effort and heart they showed in the conference semifinal,” an NCFC spokesperson told GOAL. 

They lost 2-0.

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GettyFinding a new club

Yet the effects of that Nov. 4 decision extend far beyond the result itself. USL contracts are typically shorter than those in MLS or other leagues, leading to significant roster turnover. In the USL, it’s common for players to be on one-year or two-year deals, creating constant movement from season to season. 

But finding work so late into the season, when most teams have already formulated their roster plans for the following year, can be immensely difficult. 

“The worst part is you’re late to the free agent game. Most teams have spent a good chunk of their budget and roster spots already. You lose all the leverage that you may have had if you knew you’d be a free agent six months ago. And as a result, you have to take a bad deal or a deal you don’t believe matches market value,” one player said. 

Another, previously employed by a different club that folded, acknowledged the same. 

“Contract status shapes the fallout,” they said. “Players out of contract can move on more quickly, but those with ‘guaranteed’ deals often discover the guarantee is limited. In a league with modest wages, that adds up to four paychecks and a public signal that players from a folded club can now be acquired at a steep discount.”

The sentiment about finding a new club was generally pessimistic. Only one of the players GOAL spoke to said they were confident that they would seal a new deal with a new team. The club insisted they have worked with players to find new clubs. 

“As soon as the team’s immediate future direction was finalized, our priority was to provide players and staff with timely, transparent information so they could prepare for 2026 and beyond,” a spokesperson said.

Pick between three Tests, with each of them having thrilling moments to offer

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Jun-2025Update: This poll has ended. The ENG-AUS 2019 Leeds Test moves into the final.

Dravid conquers Australia and Adelaide, 2003

It was Kolkata 2001 all over again, except the support act took over the lead role this time.Instead of 445, Australia scored 556 batting first here, with Ricky Ponting hitting 242 at a strike rate of 68.75. But unlike their 171 in Kolkata, India scored 523, keeping the match on an even keel, more or less, and it was the Rahul Dravid-VVS Laxman partnership for the fifth wicket, worth 303 runs, that made it possible. Here, Dravid scored 233 from No. 3, and Laxman 148 from No. 6.Like in Kolkata, Australia’s second innings was a letdown; all they got was 196, setting India 230 to win, and the star of the show, which gave India the upper hand, was Ajit Agarkar, whose 6 for 41 thwarted Australia as they were looking to put the game beyond India.Dravid had scored that many in the first innings alone, but this time he only had to make 72, hitting the winning runs when he cut Stuart MacGill through the off side. It remains one of India’s great victories in Australia, achieved at a time when they didn’t come as thick and fast as they do now.Kusal Perera’s one-man show in Durban, 2019
Sri Lanka were coming off a 2-0 pummeling in Australia, their captain had just been sacked, and an inexperienced team, led by Dimuth Karunaratne, landed in South Africa.Then, in what was one of the most dramatic Tests in history, Sri Lanka emerged victorious, chasing down 304 with one wicket to spare. They had lost their ninth wicket while still 78 runs off their target. Kusal Perera then scored 67 of the the remaining 78 runs in an incredible finale on the fourth afternoon, along with the No. 11 Vishwa Fernando, as they saw their team home. Towards the end, you knew where this was going, even if it was just a matter of one good delivery.At lunch on the day, Sri Lanka were 166 for 5, still 138 runs away, after which Keshav Maharaj ripped through the lower-middle order, leaving them at 226 for 9. That brought Fernando to the middle, and he was entirely focused on survival. He faced 22 balls before he got off the mark.As Fernando clung on at one end, Perera defended with unreal calm, and even took several blows to his body on his way to the target. Batting for 309 minutes, he farmed the strike, and picked his opportunities to attack and push the score forward. Along the way, he also made his career-best Test score of 153*.

The Stokes show at Headingley, 2019

A Test that might not have otherwise stayed for too long in the memory, it was the unbroken 76-run stand for the last wicket between Ben Stokes and Jack Leach that lifted it to where the greatest Test matches in history are clubbed together.And, of course, the fact that in those 76 runs, one batter scored 74 (in 45 balls) and the other 1 (in 17 balls)! Not to forget that the winners had scored 67 in their first innings and then hit 362 for 9 in a Test where 246 was the next-best total.Australia won the first Test, and the second was drawn, so England wanted to win this one at Headingley to stay in the Ashes contest. But after Australia were bowled out for 179 in the first innings, all England could put up was 67, with Joe Denly top-scoring with 12. Back to Australia, and this time they put up 246.Was the pitch getting better for batting? It didn’t seem so when England were 15 for 2 in their chase of 359, and then 159 for 4 with Joe Root gone, and then 286 for 9. Stokes, the No. 5, was on 61 at the time. Off 174 balls.But with last-man Leach for company, Stokes switched something on. He hit four fours and seven sixes from that point, keeping Leach away from the strike as much as possible, before finishing it off with a flay through the covers off Pat Cummins. Done and dusted!

Manchester United’s spell under Ruben Amorim has been largely unsuccessful, with the 40-year-old’s job even coming into question before his one-year anniversary in the role.

From 15th-placed Premier League finishes to Carabao Cup exits against League Two opposition, his tenure at Old Trafford has been far from what many supporters expected.

However, over the last couple of weeks, the 40-year-old has finally started to show glimpses of being a success in the role in the immediate and long-term future.

His men have now won three league games in a row, with Saturday’s match against Nottingham Forest presenting the manager with the chance to extend such a run.

Some of the recent success has been down to the impact of the new summer additions, but also the transformation of numerous players already on the books prior to his appointment.

Man Utd players who have had a resurgence under Amorim

Amad Diallo was a player with a huge future at United after they forked out a reported £36m for his signature back in January 2021, but the early days of his stint in England were limited to say the least.

He was often utilised as a bench player under the guidance of former manager Erik ten Hag, but Amorim’s arrival sparked a newfound sense of belief in the Ivorian.

Since the manager’s arrival, the 23-year-old has operated in an unnatural wing-back role, but it’s allowed for consistent first-team minutes and a total of 20 combined goals and assists in his last 52 outings.

He’s not alone in turning his career at Old Trafford around, with centre-back Matthijs de Ligt often struggling to make the immediate impact many hoped for after his switch from Bayern Munich last summer.

The Dutch international was often called into question for his lack of defensive dominance, but he’s been a key component of Amorim’s side this campaign – subsequently playing every minute in the Premier League to date.

He’s made 1.7 tackles per 90 so far this campaign, along with 3.1 aerial duels won, tallies which have provided the side with the steel they were missing at the back last campaign.

Other players such as Luke Shaw and Mason Mount have also been regular starters throughout the early days of the season – potentially a surprise after being hounded by fans in 2024/25.

Such situations highlight the manager’s individual management with the players at his disposal, which has allowed for the Red Devils to endure a somewhat unfamiliar winning feeling as of late.

The United player who’s becoming one of their best in 2025/26

When you think of some of United’s best players in the current campaign, the imagination no doubt goes directly towards the £200m attacking trio who arrived this summer.

Bryan Mbeumo is just one of the attacking stars who has made an immediate impact at Old Trafford, as seen by his tally of five goals in his first ten outings for the club.

Bruno Fernandes is no doubt another that springs to mind, and understandably so, especially after the club captain registered 37 combined goals and assists last season.

However, the Portuguese international has since dropped into a deeper role, subsequently allowing the likes of Mbeumo to operate in the number ten role in the 3-4-2-1 system.

As a result, Amorim has had to find a dominant ball-winner to operate alongside Bruno, with the 40-year-old decided to utilise the experienced Casemiro in such a role.

The 33-year-old joined in a £60m deal from Real Madrid back in the summer of 2022, with real hope of handing the Red Devils the top-level star they craved in the middle of the park.

However, his stint in England has been largely topsy-turvy, with his disciplinary record of four red cards often holding him back from being a reliable option.

Former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher even called the Brazilian “terrible” back in September 2023 – before his infamous ‘leave the football’ quotes in May 2024 – with many expecting the player to depart the Theatre of Dreams during the recent window.

Despite such criticism, Casemiro has managed to transform his career in the Premier League, now appearing in all but one league outing of the 2025/26 campaign.

Games played

8

Goals & assists

3

Pass accuracy

83%

Tackles made

3.1

Ball recoveries

5.3

Duels won

60%

Aerials won

1.6

Fouls won

1.2

Whilst working out of possession is largely his responsibility, he’s managed to star with the ball at his feet – scoring twice and notching one assist in his eight appearances.

He’s also managed to make 3.1 tackles and 5.3 ball recoveries per 90 – highlighting his defensive talent, which has so often been called into question in recent years.

Other tallies, such as 60% duels won and 1.6 aerials won per 9,0 further showcase his dominant ability – making him the perfect partner alongside Bruno at present.

Casemiro deserves huge credit for his recent revival under Amorim, subsequently going from a certain exit to now being one of the club’s most important players.

The duo’s partnership at the heart of the side could allow for a successful 2025/26 campaign and kickstart the manager’s tenure at Old Trafford.

Not Cunha or Mbeumo: Man Utd gem is becoming one of the "best in the world"

Manchester United have yet another world-class star on their hands under Ruben Amorim.

2 ByEthan Lamb Oct 30, 2025

Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan has revealed that he had been bowling with an illegal action “a little bit intentionally” when he was reported for a suspect action and subsequently suspended after his county stint with Surrey in 2024.Shakib had been suspended from bowling in all competitions organised by the ECB after his action was found illegal at an independent testing at Loughborough University in December last year. As per the ICC’s regulations, his suspension was automatically enforced in international cricket.”I think I was doing it a little bit intentionally because I bowled more than 70 overs [in one match],” Shakib told the podcast. “I never bowled 70 overs in my career in a Test match. I was playing that four-day match for Surrey against Somerset in Taunton. I was so tired.Related

• 'I am officially not retired from all formats' – Shakib reverses Test and T20I retirement

• Shakib suspended from bowling in all top-level cricket

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“I played back-to-back Test matches in Pakistan. We won that series and then I went to play those four-day matches. The only thing I was thinking the umpire could have done was just warn me first, at least. But it is in the rules, so they had the right. I didn’t complain.”I went to do the test, I failed. And then I saw my test. I was like, ‘okay, so these things are happening’. Then I had to train for a couple of weeks so I went back to Surrey again and they were kind enough to help me. I did two sessions and I was back to normal. I was like, ‘it’s so easy’.”Shakib played just one game for Surrey last season and bowled 63.2 overs, split into 33.5 and 29.3 overs across the two innings. He was later cleared to bowl earlier this year after he gave his third bowling assessment test at Loughborough University in the UK. In the meantime he had failed a second bowling test in Chennai, after which the BCB selectors didn’t pick him for the Champions Trophy, even the board had clarified he was available to play as a batter in all forms of domestic and international cricket.

Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Adil Rashid made gains in white-ball rankings

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Oct-2025Pakistan left-arm spinner Noman Ali has rocketed up four places to No. 2 in the ICC Men’s Test bowling rankings after his ten-wicket haul in the first Test against South Africa in Lahore, which included a first-innings six-for. His 853 rating points are also a career-best for the spinner.South Africa quick Kagiso Rabada, who earlier occupied that second position, slipped down three positions to fifth after picking up just two wickets in Lahore.Allrounder Marco Jansen also saw a drop in his ranking, as he slid out of the top ten after he was left out of the South Africa XI in Lahore.

Full rankings tables

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Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi moved up three places to 19th after his second-innings 4 for 33 helped Pakistan seal a 93-run win.Ryan Rickelton, who made 71 in the first innings against Pakistan, moved into the top 50 for the first time in the batting rankings.Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood moved up six spots to 10th in the ODI bowling charts after Australia’s win over India in a rain-affected game in Perth. Mitchell Starc moved up four spots as well, to 21st.Adil Rashid, meanwhile, claimed figures of 4 for 32 in England’s win over New Zealand in Christchurch and shot up three spots to third among T20I bowlers.

كشف أحمد حسن مدير منتخب مصر الثاني، حقيقة رحيل محمد شريف عن صفوف الفراعنة المشاركين في بطولة كأس العرب الحالية في قطر.

وتواجه منتخبا مصر والكويت، في الجولة الأولى من منافسات دور المجموعات لبطولة كأس العرب، على ملعب استاد لوسيل، بالمباراة التي انتهت بالتعادل الإيجابي 1-1.

طالع | محمد عواد: تصدي بسام نقطة تحول أمام الكويت.. وهدفنا صدارة المجموعة

ونشر أحمد حسن عبر صفحته الرسمية على موقع التواصل الاجتماعي “فيس بوك”: “محمد شريف مستمر بشكل طبيعي في معسكر المنتخب الوطني في قطر ولا صحة للشائعات المتداولة بشأن استبعاده”.

واختتم: “ولا أدري لماذا تثار تلك الشائعات في ذلك التوقيت بدلًا من دعم المنتخب في البطولة”.

وكان محمد شريف أبدى اعتراضه أثناء استبداله في مباراة مصر والكويت، حيث وجه بعض الكلمات إلى حلمي طولان المدير الفني.