Tottenham Hotspur have made a decent start to the campaign under Thomas Frank and could now be set to make a play for one of the world’s most renowned attackers to bolster their forward line, according to ex-Everton CEO Keith Wyness.

Admittedly, striking a balance has proved tricky for Spurs this season when it comes to maintaining Premier League consistency. Five victories, three losses and three draws have led to a respectable return now that the international break is here.

Still, there is an acknowledgment that Tottenham are struggling to put together free-flowing attacking moves, as evidenced by the fact they have kept the ball for a modest 53.7% of the time in top-flight action.

In attack, Randal Kolo Muani’s struggles and Dominic Solanke’s injury problems have left Frank without a prolific goalscorer to rely on, with Joao Palhinha, Richarlison, and Brennan Johnson tied as their best contributors on four strikes apiece.

Wales international Johnson divides some segments of the Spurs support and doesn’t always set the heather alight, though his knack of scoring crucial goals is something to take real encouragement from.

Regardless, Athletic correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke told the BBC that he believes the former Nottingham Forest man is stuck between a rock and a hard place in North London.

With that in mind, Spurs could well now turn to a high-profile alternative to bolster the wide areas, per Wyness.

Wyness: Tottenham could sign Real Madrid star Rodrygo

According to the former Premier League official, in conversation with Football Insider, Tottenham could make a move for Real Madrid winger Rodrygo despite Liverpool also being in the hunt to sign the Brazil international.

Wyness even moots the possibility of a sensational Liverpool swap deal involving Florian Wirtz after hearing ‘whispers’, but believes that, if any Premier League side are going to win the race, then Spurs are most likely and will pay the money required.

This campaign, Rodrygo has completed ten dribbles on league duty and also directed five of his ten shots on target, proving that he is a livewire despite having to contend with premium talent such as Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Jr.

At 24 years of age, it is suspected that he may consider a move to the Premier League after falling out of contention as an automatic starter, and Spurs may be at the front of the queue given he would likely step straight in as a key member of their squad.

Inigo Perez, who currently manages La Liga side Rayo Vallecano, is the latest name “under consideration” by Wolverhampton Wanderers to fill their current vacancy in the dugout.

After picking up just two points from an available 30 in their opening 10 Premier League games, Vitor Pereira was dismissed from his post as manager. Wolves have determined who will take interim charge of the club against Chelsea on Saturday, but will no doubt hope for a swift appointment as James Collins took press conference duties on Friday.

Unsurprisingly, a number of managers have been linked with Wolves and it will take a gargantuan effort to lift the Old Gold out of their current slump. Middlesbrough manager Rob Edwards appears to be their preferred choice, although Boro are hesitant to let go of the head coach who, hired last summer, has made a strong start at the Riverside Stadium.

Reports from Spain, however, have indicated that Wolves were looking to options from abroad to replace Pereira.

Wolves keen on Perez of Rayo Vallecano

Radio Marca, as per Sport Witness, have stated that Inigo Perez has “received calls from Wolves” about becoming their next manager. A former midfielder, Perez spent a season as Rayo Vallecano’s assistant manager under Andoni Iraola, who is now doing brilliant things with Bournemouth.

Returning to the club in 2024 as manager, Perez guided Vallecano to Conference League football through their eighth-placed finish in La Liga last season. The club are unbeaten in Europe after three matches and with 11 league games played, are 10th in the table.

Perez has since acknowledged that he understands comparisons between Iraola, himself and the way their teams play, a brand of football that is clearly effective.

Interest in Perez is understandable, though Diario de Navarra, once again as per Sport Witness, have claimed that Perez “wants to stay at Rayo Vallecano until the end of this season.” As such, he has “rejected the offers” he has received from Wolves and other interested parties.

It feels imperative that Wolves, who are still without a league win this season, soon find a replacement for Pereira, given the predicament they find themselves in. Perez, however, will seemingly not be that man.

If Perez continues to impress as he has done during his reign so far, then he may soon follow Iraola to the Premier League. It would appear that, for now, Wolves will have to turn to an alternative target.

Ex Man Utd manager would be open to talks with Wolves

Despite losing five wickets inside 15 overs, India’s reluctance to send in Samson raised questions

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Sep-20252:57

Chopra questions India’s batting order logic

India’s continuous shuffle to their batting order came under the scanner after they were restricted to 168 for 6 in their Super Four match against Bangladesh in Asia Cup 2025. After being inserted, India were 72 for 0 in the powerplay, and 112 for 2 after 11, but could score only 56 for 4 in the last nine overs.On ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out, Aakash Chopra called India’s batting order “inexplicable”, while Varun Aaron was left “perplexed” by Sanju Samson not coming out to bat at all. After Rishad Hossain dismissed Shubman Gill in the seventh over, Shivam Dube came in at No. 3 and holed out to long-off in the same over for 2 off three balls.”When Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma were batting, it looked like a very good batting surface – you can play through the line. You could actually hit wherever you wanted. But then a wicket falls, and then the batting order is inexplicable,” Chopra said. “What India were trying to do with the batting order is baffling to say the least. [Bangladesh] bowled alright but we [India] just compounded our problems with a very weird batting line-up. I cannot wrap my head around it.”Related

Kotak on India's flexible batting line-up

Abhishek Sharma is on his way to becoming an elite six-hitter

Sloppy but unbeaten India storm into Asia Cup final

Aaron echoed those thoughts: “They thought they could get Dube on to take down the spinners. But Sanju Samson is another option; he could have been slotted in early today. We know how he enjoys [batting] slightly up top.”At the post-match presentation, Suryakumar explained the logic behind the move. “Looking at their bowling line-up – they had a left-arm spinner [Nasum Ahmed], they had a legspinner [Rishad] – Dube was a perfect match-up at that moment. And his entry point was perfect – seven to 15 overs. So we took that chance. It did not go well, but in the games ahead, we might try doing that [again].”India have been flexible with their batting order throughout the tournament, with their batting coach Sitanshu Kotak saying “everyone is prepared to bat at any number”. A reason behind that is to maintain a left-right combination at the crease. When Samson opened the innings before the Asia Cup, the No. 3 position was taken by Suryakumar Yadav or Tilak Varma, depending on whether Samson or Abhishek fell.Rishad Hossain picked up two wickets•AFP/Getty Images

Since Gill’s return to the top of the order, Samson has batted only once at No. 3 in five games – against Oman. Against Bangladesh, even after Gill got out, a left-hand batter, Dube, came in. Even at the fall of the fifth wicket in the 15th over, India held back Samson and sent in Axar Patel, who made 10 not out off 15 balls.”Axar ahead of Samson? I do not understand it,” Aaron said. “The man [Samson] got three T20I centuries last year, you’ve got to cut him some slack.”There’s not much difference in the strike rates of the Indian batters. It is not like we have four batters who strike above 150 and have a couple who can only play run a ball. Every batter in that top eight can bat at a very high strike rate. I don’t see any motive behind so much chopping and changing in the batting line-up.”Dube’s spin-hitting prowess also has been on the wane, raising questions about the move to send him to take on Rishad. While he averaged 73.4 and struck at 166.1 against spin in T20 cricket from January 2023 to April 2024, since then those numbers read 21.1 and 121.8.”I am also thinking, can you actually take a bowler down and throw him out of the attack in the seventh over?” Chopra said. “You can maintain left-right combination but the game still has 13 overs to go. Dube is the guy [to bat] if Rishad and Nasum are bowling in the 14th-15th over. You can then say, ‘This is the game.’ That will change everything that would unfold, because the options [for a bowling captain] are either exhausted or ones you can’t use. So he would be searching for answers. But in the seventh over, they are not falling behind.”

While India are the most recent winners of the tournament in 2023, it was played in ODI format

Andrew Fidel Fernando12-Sep-20252:05

Jaffer: Hasaranga’s return big boost for SL

As far as Sri Lanka are concerned, they are defending champions at this year’s Asia Cup. The case they are making is that the ODI version of the Asia Cup – which India last won in 2023 – is a different tournament entirely.The tournament alternates between the two white-ball formats based on which World Cup is around the corner. In 2023, it was the 50-over World Cup. In 2025, it is the T20 World Cup. And as far as the T20I version of the Asia Cup goes, Sri Lanka are the most-recent victors, having taken the title in 2022.”Mentally, the fact that we are defending champions is a really good thing,” Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka said ahead of his team’s first Asia Cup game, against Bangladesh on Saturday. “It was a lot of these players that played in that last tournament here [in UAE] as well. We know that because we are champions we can go far. The players are using that as motivation.”Related

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Hridoy hits back at critics as Bangladesh opt for safety over speed

Why are Sri Lanka and Bangladesh so poor at T20I batting?

Hasaranga fit for Sri Lanka's Asia Cup campaign

At home, both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh tend to play on slower tracks not especially suited to batting. But Asalanka expected the Abu Dhabi surface to be different.”When you’re rating these conditions with other venues in the UAE, I think Abu Dhabi is the best pitch for batters. Once the ball gets softer it’s much easier to bat here, and the outfield is very nice. Every batsman wants to play in Abu Dhabi.”Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are very familiar with each other, having played three T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests since the start of the year. Sri Lanka won the ODI and the Test series but Bangladesh took the T20I series.

Pat Cummins has led his team to more success but there could be some further tough selection calls to come this year

Alex Malcolm06-Jan-20251:19

Manjerkar: Cummins tactically brilliant, led by example

How long can Khawaja play?Usman Khawaja has bristled at the thought of retirement any time it has been raised publicly. Despite turning 38 during the series he has declared age is just a number and he has no timeline on when he will finish. His series on the whole was not good. He scored 184 runs at 20.44, passing 20 just four times with one half-century in Melbourne and an important 41 in Sydney. It was a difficult series for top-order batters. But Yashasvi Jaiswal was the second leading scorer for the series with 391 at 43.44, KL Rahul averaged 30.66 and Sam Konstas averaged 28.25 in four innings. Marnus Labuschagne was under pressure throughout but averaged 25.77 with three half-centuries.Related

India and Australia will have to make tough selection calls to future-proof their Test sides

Ankle problem makes Cummins a doubt for Champions Trophy

Smith, Labuschagne, Khawaja on BBL restrictions; bowlers and Head ruled out

Konstas, Webster and Boland, the unusual suspects in Australia's moment of glory

Cummins likely to miss Sri Lanka tour but no end in sight for captaincy

Australia’s hierarchy will argue that Khawaja had one problem, which was Bumrah. He fell to him six times for 33 runs from 112 deliveries faced. He was 3 for 93 off 141 against Mohammed Siraj, falling twice to the pull shot against him. He scored 58 off 124 without losing his wicket to the five other India bowlers he faced. Some of the deliveries he got from Bumrah were unplayable, but the last one that got him on the first night in Sydney was not one of them, where he played back to a very full ball that did not appear to deviate off the seam.To say he only has a Bumrah problem also masks the fact that he has averaged 28.68 in his last 24 Test innings. But his captain Pat Cummins believes Khawaja is playing as well as ever and can continue as long as he wants while he’s still contributing.”I felt very comfortable when he was out there batting,” Cummins said after the win Sydney. “He looked so assured. We said it with Nathan McSweeney as well, it doesn’t get any harder than opening batting on these pitches against a quality bowling attack. It’s the hardest job in cricket, and I thought he looked really good at times. Sometimes he got some really good balls. He looks like he’s batting as well as any other time. So probably, overall, [he] didn’t get the runs he would have liked but you get an innings like today where he just shows his maturity and experience is so valuable. He took some good catches in the field as well. Still moving all right. No end date from our end. We’ll see as long as he’s still scoring some runs.”He did take some good slip catches late in the series but also dropped a couple in Perth. He was long thought to be needed in Sri Lanka given he was far and away Australia’s best batter across the three tours to Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India in 2022 and 2023. He was also Australia’s leading run-scorer in the 2023 Ashes in England and his experience in those conditions would suggest he will be valuable for the WTC final.Beyond that, Australia have three Tests in the West Indies in June-July at the start of a new WTC cycle before the home 2025-26 Ashes where Khawaja will turn 39 during the third Test in Adelaide. Time will tell whether age is just a number for him.Webster and Green in the same XI?Beau Webster brought up his debut half-century off 92 balls•Getty ImagesBeau Webster’s performance in Sydney was significant. He looked the most assured batter on both sides in difficult conditions. He bowled 17 overs including 13 in the first innings, which is more than Mitchell Marsh has bowled in a Test innings since 2019. He only took one wicket but he had three catches spilled in the cordon. He also took two very sharp catches in the slips.It is hard to see how Marsh plays in front of Webster again in the short term. He is also two years younger, without physical issues and can bowl offspin on top of his medium pace. Cameron Green is recovering well from his back surgery and there is an outside chance he could play Test cricket as a batter only in the winter before being cleared to bowl later in the year. In that scenario there is almost certainly a chance the two could feature in the same side. And even when Green returns to bowl, both men could continue to play together given Green’s success at No. 4 in the four Tests he played there last year. It would be an incredible luxury for Cummins to have, as it was having Green and Marsh in the same team for a period of time.”If they’re in the best six batters, but also they can contribute a little bit with the ball, both amazing gully, second, third slip fielders as well,” Cummins said. “Absolutely, just because [Webster is] an allrounder doesn’t mean that you can’t have two of them.”But the question would be how to reshape the top six to accommodate both given the issues Australia faced last year with the same conundrum. Webster is a true No. 6 as he showed in his debut and in his recent Sheffield Shield success. Steven Smith’s successful return to No. 4 and Travis Head’s brilliance at No. 5 creates a headache for the selectors.It is very unlikely Smith will open again after his brief experiment and Head will likely only ever open in the subcontinent. Smith could move back up to No. 3 given Labuschagne’s form and his record there as a short-term option. Australia’s selectors will only make a decision when they need to. That moment could come as soon as June.Boland’s bid to be first-choiceAustralia’s bowling quartet – Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Pat Cummins – walk back after India’s innings•Getty ImagesScott Boland has 56 Test wickets at 17.66. Yet, when Josh Hazlewood returns to full fitness he could well be left out of the best XI as he has been many times before. Boland played the last WTC final in 2023 when the selectors opted not to risk Hazlewood after injury, but the only time he has played when the big three were all officially available was the Edgbaston Ashes Test which followed when Mitchell Starc was left out.”He’s so good, Scotty. I love him,” Cummins said. “Whenever he comes in you just know he’s a seasoned pro. He’s been doing it for years for Victoria, and he’s well and truly good enough in Test cricket. He proves it time, time again. As a captain he’s a dream, because he just loves bowling. He bowls uphill into the wind a lot of time as well so his figures are probably better than what they show. But you just know what you’re going to get from Scotty and it’s class every day.”What Australia’s selectors can learn from this series is they can be more calculated and less biased towards incumbency in the immediate future, especially for next year’s Ashes. Boland’s contribution in Melbourne and Sydney especially, combined with Hazlewood’s injuries and Starc’s soreness by the end, showed the value of fresh legs late in a five-Test series. England proved that in 2023 when they brought in Mark Wood and Chris Woakes for the final three Tests and the pair dominated Australia.The concern for Australia is that Boland is 35 and managing a long-term knee issue. Starc turns 35 this month. Hazlewood is 34 on Wednesday and has mounting injury concerns. Australia’s other favoured back-up quick Michael Neser turns 35 in March and has missed two months this summer with a significant hamstring injury. Sean Abbott (32), Brendan Doggett (30), and Nathan McAndrew (31) are the next most durable trio.Jhye Richardson (28), Lance Morris (26), Xavier Bartlett (26), and Spencer Johnson (29), are viewed as Australia’s next generation of red-ball quicks but none have anywhere near the durability of Cummins, Boland and Starc at the moment. Fergus O’Neill is 23, and has dominated Shield cricket without any injury concerns. But his average speeds are under 130kph, meaning any opportunity at Test level, rightly or wrongly, would likely be conditions based.Looking to the futureSam Konstas attempts the reverse ramp•Getty ImagesAustralia only fielded two players under 30 for the entire series against India but neither of them featured together with 19-year-old Konstas replacing McSweeney, 25, after three Tests. But despite concerns about the age of the side and when a transition should occur, it seems it may already be underway.Konstas’ debut was a breath of fresh air despite some of the reactions to it. McSweeney will likely get another opportunity at some point and showed signs of being capable at Test level despite getting Bumrah’d. Green will return with a reinforced spine, aged 26. Todd Murphy is likely to return in Sri Lanka and is only 24. Josh Inglis, 29, is being looked at as a batting option for Sri Lanka and is four years younger than Alex Carey. Webster is 31 but has a lot of good cricket ahead of him. Richardson’s return to fitness is promising and the selectors have confidence he can play sooner rather than later, although his injury history will always cast a shadow.The selectors have not shown a desire to retire anyone early in order to hasten the transition. Cummins said the future is constantly being discussed and believes it will happen organically.”We’ve had three debutants this series,” Cummins said. “You’re always balancing between kind of the here and now, but also you’ve got a bit of an idea to the future. So they’re conversations that we always have. I don’t think there’s any point in doing things just for the sake of it. So those can play out over the next couple of years. But of course, we’re always thinking about that.”

At Manchester United, there is a newfound sense of hope and optimism. Much has changed in recent weeks for Ruben Amorim, who has overseen a five-match unbeaten run in the Premier League and is knocking on the top four door.

The Red Devils have strengthened their spine, core players reborn in an alliance of security and stability stretching down the Old Trafford pitch.

But something is still lacking, and it’s clear that the Old Trafford side need a centre-midfielder to take their resurgence to the next level.

Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton is among those at the top of INEOS’s shopping list.

Man Utd's interest in Adam Wharton

The engine room bears one of the most glaring holes in Amorim’s Manchester United squad. Casemiro has been resurgent this season, but the Brazilian is 33 and new deep-lying midfielders must be signed.

That’s where Wharton comes in.

It has been felt for a number of months that the 21-year-old Three Lions star ranks high on United’s list of targets, and he would certainly open up avenues in the middle of the park, ranked among the top 10% of midfielders across Europe for shot-creating actions and the top 5% for through balls per 90, as per FBref.

This is an up-and-coming superstar who is never content with where he is. By completing a transfer to the Theatre of Dreams, he could at least take a giant step toward the very top of the European game.

However, Palace will not let their prized prospect leave easily, and have actually priced him at around £100m as interest continues to swell.

While Wharton would be a credit to the Red Devils project, Amorim actually has his own version of the England international, and he must start unleashing him.

Amorim must unleash his "future £100m" star

If it’s not clear already who the man in question is here, Kobbie Mainoo will no doubt feel that he has what it takes to nail down a regular starting role in Amorim’s Man United project. But he’s got a long way to go.

While the thought of adding Wharton to the ranks is exciting, United might have their own version in Mainoo, with the 20-year-old out of favour right now but having been hailed by former teammate Rasmus Hojlund after winning the FA Cup – and scoring against City in the final – as being a “generational” talent.

Paul Scholes noted that watching the powerful star on the ball and in his groove was “poetry in motion”.

But there’s no question that he has regressed since Amorim took to the dugout, left out in the cold all too often by a manager who has not been won over by his skillset.

Matches (starts)

24 (24)

25 (19)

Goals

3

0

Assists

1

0

Touches*

49.0

46.0

Pass completion

87%

87%

Big chances created

0

4

Key passes*

0.6

0.6

Dribbles*

1.3

0.9

Ball recoveries*

4.0

3.5

Tackles + interceptions*

2.9

2.6

Duels (won)*

5.0 (52%)

4.4 (45%)

This season, the England international’s statistics are not worth collating, having been reduced to seven cameos in the Premier League, averaging out at 22 minutes per match.

Amorim does not have a vendetta against Mainoo, and rather, harbours concerns over the Carrington graduate’s intensity and tactical suitability within the system.

But he’s shown that he has what it takes, and with a little fine-tuning over the coming months, Mainoo’s technical quality and natural athleticism could see him win the head coach over and cement a position of prominence under the Theatre’s spotlights.

After all, the homegrown hero has been hailed as a “future £100m+ footballer”, and so the last thing United want is for him to slip through their fingers.

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

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

2 ByAngus Sinclair Nov 17, 2025

Manchester United have been told that they should not ignore any “stupid“ transfer offers from the Saudi Pro League for Bruno Fernandes. Interest from that part of the world was shown in the Portuguese midfielder over the summer of 2025 and could be rekindled 12 months on, with the Red Devils needing to decide whether or not to cash in on a player that is now 31 years of age.

• Fernandes contract: Terms of deal at Old Trafford

  Interest in Fernandes was fended off in the last window, with United’s club captain making no push for the exits at Old Trafford. He is tied to a contract through to 2027 that includes the option for a further 12-month extension.

  Fernandes remains a talismanic figure for the Red Devils, and his presence would be missed were a sale to be sanctioned. United do, however, have some big decisions to make on his future – with his market value set to decrease the older he gets and the shorter his current terms become.

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• Getty
  

  Man Utd sale: Should Red Devils listen to offers for Fernandes?

  Quizzed on whether Fernandes will still be a United player at the start of the 2026-27 season, former Red Devils defender Wes Brown – speaking in association with – told GOAL: “I think he will be. Regardless of what happens with Bruno, I know that he would really love to stay. At the same time, if stupid offers get brought in, what can you do?

  “He’s getting to that age now where he still wants to be part of it, but you can’t just dismiss everything because that’s not how the world works. I don’t think anyone would take it too personally if that did happen. He’s done everything he can to try and help the team. At some point it will come to that crunch if someone comes in – probably talking Saudi with that money. If that happens again, whatever happens you can’t blame Bruno. You have to accept that he did right by what he needed to do and then move on again.

  “You need a player with that same energy. That’s what people don’t get – the same energy. Sometimes my mates say ‘he does this, he does that’, which is because sometimes nobody else is doing anything! He’s trying to do something. People don’t understand that and get it, which is fine. But he is definitely a player that you need, or need someone like that. Not necessarily to replace, but in the same category. If he was to go, it would be a big miss.”

• How close did Fernandes come to leaving Man Utd in 2025?

  Fernandes said of the transfer saga that he became caught up in during the summer of 2025: “I had the conversations with Al-Hilal. Everyone is aware of that. Everyone knows that. There were also other clubs that tried after Al-Hilal, but obviously my answer wouldn't change.

  “From Europe, I had some people talking to me, but we never got into the place where we would be offering on the table or not. Because it's all very nice and people want you, but then they need to put the money on the table for the club. If not, the club won't allow me to go.”

  He added on talks with United bosses, including head coach Ruben Amorim: “He wanted me to stay. The club said the same. And I always said that if the club was like ‘Bruno, we want to cash in, you are 30 years old. We want to make some money. We don't think you can be part of the future project’, or whatever, I would be like, OK, I have to find a solution for myself, whatever is best for me and my family. And I will leave.

  “But obviously that wasn't the case. I felt that I was still part of the plan, that I could still help the club to achieve whatever was our aims. And that's what made me stay. Obviously, I have a big connection with the fans, with the club, also the country. My family feels very well here.”

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  When will Fernandes make a decision on Man Utd future?

  Fernandes is now shelving any talks regarding his future until after the 2026 World Cup. He went on to say: “As I've always said, I feel good here. I want to achieve my dreams still. But obviously I can't talk by the side of the club. I've seen a lot of news. I've seen a lot of people talking that I had an agreement to go already next season. If the club has done that agreement, it wasn't made with me.

  “So I haven't spoken with anyone. I could tell you that there are still people talking to me and saying that they will be very eager to have me next year, of course. But from my side, that's not talked about. Because my agent also knows how I work, so if he wants to talk to me, it will be after the World Cup. Because until then, I won't speak to anyone.”

  Fernandes joined United from Sporting in January 2020. He has taken in 302 appearances for the club, scoring 100 goals. FA Cup and Carabao Cup successes have been savoured with the Red Devils, while suffering final heartache in two Europa League finals.

Manchester United supporters have for so long been used to countless levels of success and trophies – often having the bragging rights over the supporters of their rivals.

However, over recent years, the Red Devils faithful have often been disappointed, with only a handful of FA Cups and Carabao Cups to show for their efforts.

The club have also gone an unthinkable 12 years without a Premier League triumph, with no manager able to win the title since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.

Ruben Amorim is the latest manager to try his luck at Old Trafford, with the hierarchy already handing the 40-year-old over £200m worth of additions since his arrival 12 months ago.

However, despite his spending spree in the summer transfer window, he could be about to be handed another significant backing from the board to aid his quest for success in the role.

United’s hunt for a new midfielder in the January window

The recent additions may have massively improved the options in the final third, but neglected the central midfield department, which desperately needs addressing in the winter.

Jobe Bellingham has been one name mentioned with a potential move to Old Trafford in recent weeks, after failing to nail down his side in Borussia Dortmund’s starting eleven.

The 20-year-old has started just two Bundesliga games in 2025/26, which could see the Englishman being tempted to return to his homeland to reignite his once-promising career.

However, he’s not the only player currently in their sights, with Nottingham Forest sensation Elliot Anderson another midfielder the Red Devils hierarchy are targeting.

According to one Spanish outlet, Amorim’s side are currently preparing a bid in the region of £100m for the England international – a deal that would be a club-record, surpassing the fee paid for Paul Pogba.

The report also states that the hierarchy have been closely monitoring the 23-year-old in recent months and are preparing a move before his value soars further amid his recent international success.

Why United’s latest target would be perfect for Bruno

Bruno Fernandes has for so long been a shining light within the United ranks, but he’s had to take on a new responsibility within the first-team side in recent weeks.

As a result of the big-money additions in the final third, he’s had to drop into a slightly deeper number eight role – a position which is a slightly unfamiliar one to him.

Given his previous attacking midfield role, the 31-year-old still likes to get forward and impress – as seen by his tally of four chances created against Forest – the most of any player on the pitch.

However, if Bruno is to continue to do so during Amorim’s spell, he desperately needs a deep-lying option alongside him to regain possession and allow him to reach the heights he achieved last season.

Casemiro has recently partnered the Portuguese international, but at 33, he’s coming to the back end of his career – with a long-term replacement needed in January.

Anderson could provide Amorim with just that, with the 23-year-old having the talents to be an immediate fan-favourite whilst having the potential to improve further in the years ahead.

He’s developed into an elite-level number six in 2025/26, with the Englishman ranking at the top of 13 different categories for all midfielders in the Premier League this season.

Numbers such as 2.6 tackles won and 7.7 duels won per 90 showcase his ball-winning capabilities, which have led to one commentator labelling him as “world-class.”

Such numbers would allow Bruno to operate in his slightly more advanced role, taking the defensive responsibility away from him and reach his peak levels – as seen in 2024/25.

Elliot Anderson – PL stats (25/26)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

10

Goals & assists

1

Pass accuracy

87%

Progressive passes

8.9

Passes into final third

8.8

Take-ons completed

2.5

Ball recoveries

8.5

Tackles made

2.6

Duels won

7.7

Stats via FBref

Anderson has also thrived with the ball at his feet, subsequently registering 8.9 progressive passes and 8.8 passes into the final third per 90 – figures which would hand Bruno the ammunition he needs to create chances in attacking areas.

Other numbers, such as 2.5 take-ons attempted and 8.5 ball recoveries made, further highlight his phenomenal all-round quality – with the younger certainly one of the country’s hottest properties.

A deal for his signature would certainly cost the hierarchy a pretty penny, but it would allow the club to land the deep-lying option they have been craving for many months.

The prospect of Anderson partnering with Bruno at the heart of the side is one for the fanbase to get excited about, with such a duo potentially leading Amorim to new heights during his tenure at Old Trafford.

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Posts 1 ByEthan Lamb Nov 7, 2025

Although Major League Baseball did release new uniforms for All-Star weekend in Atlanta, the league thrilled fans when they announced the jerseys would be worn for everything but the All-Star Game.

The MLB decided to revert its All-Star Game dress code back to a previous format where players would wear the uniforms of their respective teams, rather than donning the ASG-specific attire. Players wore the All-Star jerseys at other events over the festivities in Atlanta, including Monday night's Home Run Derby.

For the All-Star Game on Tuesday, National League players wore their home white uniforms at Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves, while American League players wore their road jerseys. Both squads did rock All-Star specific hats, though. With the traditional threads back in action for the Midsummer Classic, fans were thrilled at the league's aesthetically pleasing decision:

Tradition is back—and hopefully it's here to stay.

Costa Rica’s World Cup hopes have taken a severe hit. A 1–0 loss to Haiti has left Miguel Herrera’s side on the brink in the CONCACAF qualifiers, with their direct path now hanging by a thread. Pressure around Herrera grew louder after the match as Los Ticos have a difficult path to next year's tournament.

AFPCosta Rica drop to third in Group C

Herrera’s team entered the match with a chance to seize control of the group, especially after Nicaragua stunned Honduras earlier in the day. Instead, slipped to third place, and their fate now depends on a combination of unlikely results.

Haiti struck the decisive blow just before halftime. Josué Casimir slipped a pass into the box for Ruben Providence, whose low cross found Frantzdy Pierrot for the opener. Keylor Navas immediately expressed his frustration, shouting toward a back line that reacted far too slowly. Despite pushing forward in the second half, Costa Rica never found the equalizer.

AdvertisementAFPLos Ticos must beat Honduras

The math is now unforgiving for Herrera. Costa Rica must defeat Honduras in San José next week and hope Haiti fail to beat Nicaragua. Anything less than a victory eliminates them entirely from direct qualification and could even shut the door on the playoff route.

AFPHerrera faces growing pressure

Pressure around Herrera grew louder after the match, including a tense exchange during his arrival to the postgame press conference. Asked whether he still believed he should lead the team for the decisive match, he didn’t hesitate.
“It’s not my decision. If we don’t qualify, then we’ll have to consider what comes next. I’m committed to this project.”

Herrera took full responsibility for the team’s poor return – one win, one loss, and three draws in the final round – but emphasized that decisions about his future lie with federation president Osael Maroto.

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AFPNavas and Costa Rica now need a miracle

Costa Rica will now carry their fading World Cup hopes into a must-win showdown against Honduras – the group leader, but one that also arrives under significant pressure after a 2–0 defeat on the road to Nicaragua.