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Sheffield United supporters will be eagerly counting down the days now until Championship football gets back underway for the Blades as Frank Lampard’s in-form Coventry City travel to South Yorkshire on Friday night.

The red-hot Sky Blues have picked up nine points from a possible 12 so far in March but Chris Wilder will still feel confident that his troops can turn over the visitors regardless, knowing that a victory could momentarily put his high-flying side up to top position in the ever-changing second tier table.

Whether the Blades are playing Premier League football or Championship football next term, this summer will be an intriguing one to watch unfold at Bramall Lane, with a number of loanees returning back to their parent clubs, alongside a whole host of high earners remaining on the wage bill.

The state of Sheffield United's wage bill in 2024/25

Despite blowing hot and cold throughout his stay in South Yorkshire to date, United are reportedly looking to tie Rhian Brewster down to a new deal past this summer, even as the ex-Liverpool starlet rakes in a handsome £35k-per-week salary.

That makes him the club’s joint third-highest earner behind £50k-per-week Hamza Choudhury, £45k-per-week Rob Holding and fellow £35k-per-week earner Ben Brereton-Diaz.

Likewise, it also wouldn’t be a great shock if United attempted to tie down the likes of Jack Robinson and Michael Cooper to extensions in the near future, with Cooper, in particular, proving to be invaluable in-between the sticks at points this season with a stunning 19 clean sheets in league action.

Both players in question earn a more modest £25k-per-week and £17.5k-per-week respectively, with promotion perhaps seeing Cooper’s wage be boosted.

Wilder will want more from Tom Cannon whatever happens, with the £10m centre-forward yet to find the back of the net for the Blades since his January move which makes his weekly salary of £25k look even steeper.

Patience will likely be exercised on the end of Wilder and Co when it comes to Cannon, but that same restraint might not be applied to this injury-prone figure…

Sheffield United must forget about "outstanding" star

Difficult decisions will have to be made by the Blades boss with new signings aplenty likely needed if United jump back up to the Premier League or disastrously stay put in the EFL.

Therefore, Wilder might well decide to get rid of midfielder Tom Davies in order to balance the books appropriately, with the former Everton man a high earner in the current camp despite often finding himself sidelined through injury.

Davies has shone in spurts for his side this season, especially when he hammered home a fine effort versus Sunderland back in November, with Wilder even heralding the injury-prone number 22 as “outstanding” during this run in the first team.

But, 2025 to date has seen the Liverpool-born midfielder line up just five times for the promotion-chasers, leaving his manager second guessing as to whether the 26-year-old is someone he can rely on in the long term.

Games played

12

Goals scored

1

Assists

1

Games missed through injury

17

Wage cost per week

£30k-per-week

Wage costs over a year

£1.3m

Amazingly, Davies earns £30k-per-week, which means he pockets the same bumper salary as the likes of first-team regulars Gustavo Hamer, Vinicius Souza and Anel Ahmedhodzic, despite being absent from action for 17 Championship games across 2024/25.

Whilst he does also boast some significant Premier League experience – with 164 top-flight contests under his belt – there’s no guarantee he’d be able to adjust back to the level swimmingly, considering he has tallied up just two goal contributions from his last 59 outings in the unforgiving division.

Therefore, the kindest final outcome here might well be to part ways, with both Cooper and Cannon perhaps growing into their tough new environment, whilst Davies’ best could now be behind him.

Sheffield United have found their new Sharp & it's not Brereton or Cannon

Chris Wilder will continue to select this star as Sheffield United’s main marksman.

ByKelan Sarson Mar 24, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras venceu mais uma partida no Brasileirão-2022 e manteve sua vantagem de quatro pontos na liderança em relação ao segundo colocado, o Corinthians. Apesar de o rival ser o principal adversário nesta briga atualmente, os grandes favoritos do início do campeonato eram Atlético-MG e Flamengo. Depois de 20 rodadas completadas, o Verdão abriu grande margem para os dois.

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GALERIA
> Confira os públicos do Palmeiras no Allianz Parque em 2022

TABELA
> Veja classificação e simulador do Brasileirão-2022 clicando aqui

> Conheça o aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!

Neste momento, o Rubro-Negro está mais perto do Alviverde do que o Galo. São nove pontos atrás da equipe de Abel Ferreira, vantagem que foi mantida pois ambos venceram na 20ª rodada. Ceará e Atlético-GO foram as vítimas da dupla no fim de semana. Essa diferença de pontos indica que o Fla (33 pontos) precisaria de três rodadas para alcançar o Palmeiras (42 pontos) na tabela.

O Flamengo atualmente ocupa a quinta posição na classificação e vem arrancando para os primeiros lugares depois de um péssimo início de campeonato. O Verdão aproveitou e conseguiu abrir essa margem, que poderia ser ainda maior caso não tivesse tropeçado durante esse período (derrota em casa para o Athletico e empate com o Fortaleza – então lanterna – fora).

Já o Atlético-MG vem ficando bem para trás, na sétima colocação, com 32 pontos em 20 rodadas, ou seja, dez pontos atrás do Palmeiras. A diferença acabou aumentando no fim de semana, pois enquanto o Alviverde bateu o Ceará e somou três pontos, o Galo foi derrotado e ficou sem somar pontos. Dessa forma, viu sua desvantagem subir de sete para dez pontos na classificação.

+Quais são os 20 jogadores mais valiosos das quartas de final da Libertadores 2022? Saiba aqui!

Com isso, a equipe de Cuca precisaria de no mínimo quatro rodadas para poder superar o Palmeiras na tabela. Isso se o time de Abel Ferreira perder três jogos seguidos e não vencer o quarto, além do Atlético-MG ganhar quatro partidas de forma consecutivas. Detalhe: o Verdão perdeu apenas quatro vezes em toda a temporada 2022.

A comparação com Atlético-MG e Flamengo se dá por terem sido apontados, junto com o Palmeiras, como os grandes favoritos ao título do Brasileirão-2022. Mas até aqui, após 20 rodadas, outras equipes assumiram esse posto de principais adversários do Alviverde pela taça nacional, como Corinthians, Fluminense e Athletico-PR.

Os três, apesar de estarem mais próximos, também estão com uma desvantagem considerável para o líder. O Furacão está oito pontos atrás, assim como o Flu, que joga nesta segunda-feira contra o Santos e pode diminuir a diferença para cinco. Por fim, o Timão, que está quatro pontos atrás e vem na perseguição para derrubar o rival.

Confira a diferença de pontos do Palmeiras para o G8:

1) Palmeiras – 42 pontos
2) Corinthians – 4 pontos atrás
3) Fluminense – 8 pontos atrás (pode diminuir para 5 nesta noite)
4) Athletico-PR – 8 pontos atrás
5) Flamengo – 9 pontos atrás
6) Internacional – 9 pontos atrás
7) Atlético-MG – 10 pontos atrás
8) Red Bull Bragantino – 12 pontos atrás

قال الكابتن مصطفى يونس، نجم الأهلي ومنتخب مصر السابق، إن تقييم الجهاز الفني الحالي للفريق الأول بالنادي الأهلي لا يجب أن يتم بشكل متسرع، مشيرًا إلى أن هناك عوامل عديدة وراء تراجع الأداء، لا تتعلق فقط بالمدرب البرتغالي خوسيه ريبيرو، بل تتجاوز ذلك لتشمل حالة اللاعبين وقرارات داخلية في الجهاز الفني.

وقال مصطفى يونس في تصريحات عبر برنامج “اللعيب”، على قناة “mbc masr”: “المشكلة ليست في ريبيرو، نحن عندنا لاعبين ليسوا في قمة لياقتهم البدنية، وأنا لا أتخيل كيف للاعبين كبار لا يعرفون كيفية توزيع مجهودهم خلال المباراة”.

وتابع: “بالتأكيد الروح مطلوبة والإصرار، لكن هناك نقطة مهمة جدًا، أعتقد إن اختيارات اللاعبين ليست من المدير الفني خوسيه ريبيرو، ولكن من عماد النحاس المدرب العام، لأنني متأكد إن المدرب الإسباني حتى الآن لا يعرف أسماء اللاعبين”.

طالع أيضًا | مصطفى يونس ينتقد ريبيرو بسبب لاعب الأهلي

وأضاف: “نحن نقيم المدير الفني بسبب المكسب والخسارة، وليس الأداء والفكر الجديد، الشيء الوحيد الذي فعله ريبيرو جديدًا من خلال مشاهدتي لبعض التدريبات، أنه يُشرك حارس المرمى في اللعب ويُعطي الثقة لخط الدفاع وأن يبدأ الهجمة من الخلف، لكن الباقي عشوائي”.

واستكمل: “لو كان الأهلي بدأ وسجل هدف وإثنين في شباك إنتر ميامي، كان الأمر فرق بشكل كبير مع اللاعبين، لكن إهدار الفرص صنع إحباطًا عند اللاعبين (كشوا وخافوا) والأهم من كل ذلك إن بدأ كل لاعب يريد أنا هنا، لم نر أداء جماعي، كل لاعب يريد أن يقول أنا النجم (وعايز يأخذ اللقطة زي تريزيجيه)”.

واختتم: “نحن لن نحكم على المدرب بعد مباراة أو إثنين أو 10، ولكن بعد أن ينتهي الدور الأول من الدوري المصري في الموسم المُقبل، والنقطة الأهم إن النادي الأهلي هو من يصنع نجومية المدرب واللاعبين وأي أحد ينتمي إليه”.

ومن المقرر أن يلتقي الأهلي مع بالميراس، غدًا الأربعاء، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثانية من المجموعة الأولى، في كأس العالم للأندية 2025.

INEOS are now willing to offer a one-year deal to sign a “strong” player on a free transfer for Manchester United, according to a recent report.

Man Utd transfer news

There are still three months of the season left to play for the Red Devils, and while concentration will be on climbing the league table and going far in the FA Cup and Europa League, the club’s board will soon be turning their attentions to the summer if they have not already.

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Ruben Amorim is expected to be backed in the summer in terms of getting players out of Old Trafford and bringing in signings he approves of. Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven were the two players United brought in during January, but with injuries in defence and the lack of goals at the top of the pitch, there is an expectation that there could be a few arrivals in numerous positions.

It emerged over the weekend that United are interested in signing Heung-min Son from Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs have just triggered the forward’s contract, meaning it runs until 2026, but given how that is only 12 months from the summer, United are prepared to make a significant offer to secure his services.

Meanwhile, reports in Spain have stated that United are advancing their efforts to sign Jonathan David and Angel Gomes on free transfers in the summer. The pair are expected to leave Lille at the end of the campaign, and with interest high in both, the Red Devils are looking to get ahead of the queue and secure their services, as Amorim has demanded their arrivals.

Man Utd willing to offer one-year deal to sign "strong" player

But there could be a new arrival at Old Trafford way before the summer transfer window opens, as according to a report from Spain, Manchester United are ‘willing’ to offer a one-year deal to free agent Paul Pogba.

The 31-year-old French international has yet to find a new club after leaving Italian giants Juventus in December last year following his doping ban. That ban is set to expire on the 10th of March, and with him looking to join a new team, United have shown an interest in bringing him back to England.

The Red Devils are willing to offer the midfielder a one-year deal, with them looking to offer a lower package than he had previously; it would now be a bonus-based structure, which could increase his wage depending on his performances.

However, United are not the only team willing to make an offer to Pogba, as clubs from the MLS have held talks with the Frenchman – United will hope the opportunity to return to a club he knows well and back in Europe puts them ahead of teams from the United States.

Apps

233

Goals

39

Assists

48

Pogba, who has been dubbed “strong” by Pep Guardiola in the past, left United in July 2022 to join Juventus once again on a free transfer. The midfielder has played over 200 games for the club and while he was a favourite among the squad, there was always a mixed reaction from the supporters as to how they felt towards him.

Signing a midfielder isn’t a top priority for Amorim and United, as they do have options there for the remainder of the season, but if the United boss believes Pogba’s arrival can help them in terms of going forward, by creating and scoring more goals, then it is probably a low-risk signing on a one-year deal.

أكد مروان عطية، لاعب وسط النادي الأهلي، أنه رفض عروضًا مالية أكبر من أندية محلية وخارجية، من أجل تحقيق حلمه بالانضمام إلى القلعة الحمراء، مشيرًا إلى أن الانتماء والرغبة في صناعة تاريخ شخصي كانا الحافز الأكبر له.

وقال مروان عطية، في تصريحات عبر برنامج “يا مساء الأنوار” على قناة “MBC مصر”: “تلقيت عروضًا من الزمالك وبيراميدز وفيوتشر، وكان هناك حديث قوي أنني سأوقع للزمالك، لكن بمجرد أن تواصل معي الأهلي، لم أتردد، خاصة أنني أنتمي لهذا النادي، وكذلك عائلتي بالكامل، فعرفت وقتها أن هذه هي وجهتي”.

وأضاف: “عرض الأهلي كان الأقل من الناحية المالية، لكني فضلت الانتقال له، لأنني كنت أفكر في تحقيق شيء لنفسي، وليس فقط في الأموال، الزمالك نادٍ كبير وكذلك بيراميدز، لكن الأهلي (حاجة تانية)، وبمجرد أن تلقيت العرض ذهبت لأمير توفيق، مدير التعاقدات وقتها، ووقّعت في 5 دقائق فقط”.

وعن اللاعبين الأكثر حصولًا على الأموال من الإعلانات، قال مروان عطية: “لا أعرف من الأعلى أجرًا، ولا أسأل عن ذلك، كل لاعب يحدد قيمته بنفسه، ولا يصح أن تسأل عن قيمة زميلك، بل تطلب ما يتناسب مع قيمتك أنت، قد أرى نفسي بقيمة 50 مليونًا، بينما يرى آخر نفسه بـ100 أو 200 مليون”.

طالع أيضًا | مروان عطية يكشف كواليس اللقاء الأول مع ريفيرو.. ورسالة للاعبين الراحلين عن الأهلي

وعن المواجهة المرتقبة بين الأهلي وإنتر ميامي الأمريكي في افتتاح كأس العالم للأندية 2025، قال مروان عطية: “إيقاف ميسي؟ هذا سؤال صعب، في الواقع الأمور داخل الملعب تختلف تمامًا عن التخطيط المسبق، بالتأكيد سأكون في كامل تركيزي، وإذا كانت الكرة معه سأتعامل بهدوء، ولن أندفع عليه، لأنه لاعب لا يجب أن تهاجمه باندفاع، سأحاول الوقوف على مسافة وأجبره على التمرير للخلف”.

وفي تعليق ساخر حول إمكانية مواجهة لويس سواريز، قال ضاحكًا: “أذني صغيرة، لن تنفعه.. عليه أن يبحث عن لاعب أذنه كبيرة”.

وأوضح لاعب وسط الأهلي أنه تلقى عروضًا من أندية داخل مصر وخارجها، لكنه متمسك بالاستمرار داخل القلعة الحمراء، قائلاً: “الأهلي رقم واحد، وأي نادٍ يتواصل معي أخبره بأنني مستمر مع الأهلي حتى 2028، حتى عندما تواصل معي نادي الفتح السعودي بقيادة المدرب جوزيه جوميز، رفضت العرض، لأن وجودي في الأهلي يمنحني فرصًا كبيرة للعب في كأس العالم للأندية والانضمام المستمر للمنتخب”.

واختتم تصريحاته قائلاً: “اللعب للنادي الأهلي شرف لأي لاعب، ولذلك لا أفكر حاليًا إلا في الاستمرار هنا وتحقيق المزيد من البطولات”.

Travis Head and Alex Carey will provide an early-season boost as the team look to build on a drought-breaking win late last summer

Andrew McGlashan05-Oct-2022

Henry Hunt is one of the emerging batters in Australia•Getty Images

Captain Travis Head
Coach Jason GillespieSquad
R=Rookie, CA=Australia contract
Wes Agar, Jordan Buckingham, Kyle Brazell (R), Aiden Cahill (R), Alex Carey (CA), Bailey Capel (R), Jake Carder, Harry Conway, Brendan Doggett, Daniel Drew, David Grant, Travis Head (CA), Isaac Higgins (R), Henry Hunt, Spencer Johnson, Thomas Kelly, Ryan King (R), Jake Lehmann, Nathan McAndrew, Nathan McSweeney, Ben Manenti, Harry Mathias (R), Harry Nielsen, Lloyd Pope, Liam Scott, Henry Thornton, Jake Weatherald, Nick WinterWinter moves
Harry Conway has some big shoes to fill, effectively replacing Dan Worrall who now plays for Surrey as a local and won’t return to Australian state cricket. Sam Kerber, Corey Kelly and Ryan Gibson were released. It will be interesting to watch Henry Thornton who earned a contract after impressing for Adelaide Strikers in the BBL then in a handful of Marsh Cup outings for Victoria while Ben Manenti started well in the Marsh Cup.Related

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Last season
At last. The final game of the competition saw South Australia win their first Shield match in over two years when they chased down 326 on the final day against New South Wales. Until then it had been a season of small games amid defeats against Western Australia and Queensland. After making 492 in the opening match – a high-scoring draw against WA – they only crossed 300 once in their remaining first innings.South Australia Shield fixtures

October 6-9: vs Victoria, Karen Rolton Oval
October 16-19: vs Tasmania, Adelaide Oval
October 31-November 3: vs New South Wales, Wollongong
November 11-14: vs Western Australia, WACA
November 20-23: vs Queensland, Adelaide Oval
December 1-4: vs Tasmania, Hobart
February 10-13: vs Western Australia, Adelaide Oval
February 20-23: vs Victoria, Junction Oval
March 2-5: vs Queensland, Gabba
March 14-17: vs New South Wales, Karen Rolton Oval

Player to watch
Henry Hunt marked himself out as one of rising stars in Australian batting with 610 runs at 42.92 including three centuries last season, which he followed with another hundred for Australia A in Sri Lanka. It won’t be too long before the Test sides needs at least one new opener and another strong summer should keep Hunt firmly in the frame. Two years after his Shield debut, Daniel Drew earned another opportunity and marked it with a maiden century against Victoria. Liam Scott continues to have the makings of a promising allrounder: the batting is yet to kick on, but he took 13 wickets at 20.15 last season.Australia radar
Travis Head and Alex Carey should be available until at least mid-November which will add significant strength to the batting line-up. However, both will be in India when the competition resumes in February, unless Head’s poor returns in Sri Lanka cost him a spot but falling out of the squad entirely seems unlikely. Head averaged 44.00 in his six matches last season, but Carey only managed 19.88 in his six appearances. South Australia are unlikely to have anyone else pushing for international contention unless a batting-injury crisis strikes and brings Hunt further into the equation or Nathan McAndrew is elevated further from Australia A.

Newcastle United are now showing interest in signing “one of the best goalkeepers in the world”, according to reports from France.

Magpies keen on a goalkeeper

Although Nick Pope’s contract is not due to expire until the summer of 2026, Newcastle appear to be interested in signing a long-term replacement for the 32-year-old, and Burnley’s James Trafford is their priority target.

The 22-year-old’s impressive form in the Championship has caught the eye, although he is not the Magpies’ only target, having also shortlisted Wolfsburg’s Kamil Grabara as a potential option.

Signing a new goalkeeper may become even more of a priority if Martin Dubravka exits St. James’ Park, amid interest from the Saudi Pro League, however, Eddie Howe has made it clear he wants the 35-year-old to stay.

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Howe said: “I’m hopeful everything will die down and that he’s part of our future. We hope he may agree a new contract and stay.”

With Dubravka’s future far from certain, however, Newcastle continue to look at options from across Europe, and one goalkeeper who has attracted the interest of a number of Premier League clubs is Lille’s Lucas Chevalier.

French news outlet Sports Zone, relayed by Get Football News France has since gone on to state that Newcastle are “showing interest” in Chevalier, alongside the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City.

Sports Zone indicate that a deal is more likely to happen in the summer than January, at which point a number of top clubs are set to battle it out for the 23-year-old’s signature.

Chevalier impressing in Ligue 1

The goalkeeper has enjoyed a very impressive first half of the season in Ligue 1, with former Newcastle man Remy Cabella describing him as “one of the best goalkeepers in the world right now.”

There is every sign the Frenchman could be a better addition to the squad than Grabara, given that he has outperformed the Pole on a number of key metrics over the past year.

Statistic per 90

Lucas Chevalier

Kamil Grabara

Goals against

1.05 (86th percentile)

1.89 (11th percentile)

Save percentage

76.6% (89th percentile)

65.3% (15th percentile)

Clean sheet percentage

36.8% (84th percentile)

22.2% (42nd percentile)

However, Trafford has also been solid between the sticks for Burnley during that time period, and the Magpies have confidence that a deal to sign the Burnley keeper could be possible this month.

As such, with clubs from across Europe queuing up for Chevalier, it may be difficult to get a deal done this summer, and Newcastle may be better off pursuing a deal for Trafford.

Manchester City are ready to make a January move for a 21-year-old who is seen as a replacement for Kyle Walker, according to a new report.

Man City transfer news

It is now back-to-back wins for the Blues, as they sailed past West Ham United 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. Pep Guardiola’s side still have a lot to do to have a chance of winning the Premier League, and with lots of work to do in the Champions League as well, it could mean City are busy in what remains of this transfer window.

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ByTom Cunningham Jan 4, 2025

Signing a new midfielder is likely to remain high on the list of priorities for the Premier League champions due to Rodri’s absence. It was reported last month that City are ready to go all out and sign Martin Zubimendi this month after holding internal talks about the midfielder. Zubimendi was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool in the summer, but a move didn’t work out, and now City look keen to land the player but will have to trigger his £52 million release clause.

Meanwhile, it has been reported by an Egyptian outlet that Omar Marmoush may well be close to signing for Man City. The forward currently plays for Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt, but it is being reported that a deal has already been completed with City in which they agreed to pay £50 million.

Man City ready to make January move for 21 y/o defender

As the Blues continue to put their transfer plans in place, according to TBR Football, Man City are ready to make a move for Juventus defender Nicolo Savona this month.

The 21-year-old came through the academy at the Italian giants and this season has found himself a consistent fixture in the Juventus first-team squad. Savona, who is predominantly a right-back but can also play at centre-back, has started a combined 15 times in the league and Champions League this season.

Savona started for Juventus in their game against City, and now, according to TBR Football, the Blues are looking to make a move for the defender this month. The Blues are ready to part ways with Walker this year, as teams from Saudi Arabia continue to keep an eye on his situation.

Apps

16

Starts

11

Minutes per game

64

Goals

2

Big chances created

2

Clean sheets

2

Interceptions per game

0.4

Tackles per game

1.1

Balls recovered per 90

3.0

Clearances per 90

0.5

City have been looking at several potential replacements for the England defender, and Savona is one that has stood out to them and left them impressed. Scouts at City feel the Italian is ready-made for Guardiola’s system, as he can also play at centre-back. Savona is under contract until 2029, but Juventus’ resolve could be tested this month, as City eye reinforcements in defence. It is not clear how City value the defender or how much Juventus would want to part ways with Savona, but the Blues will hope the lure of Premier League football and working under Guardiola will help them get a deal over the line.

With the New Year on the horizon, those of a Manchester United persuasion will no doubt be looking to forget 2024 in a hurry, with it having been a simply miserable 12 months at Old Trafford on the whole.

The notable high point came at Wembley back in May, yet that shock FA Cup final triumph has been quickly forgotten amid the club’s woes both prior and since, with manager Erik ten Hag shown the door just a matter of months after lifting the trophy.

New boss Ruben Amorim has arrived with bold new ideas and an engaging personality, although as recent results have shown, it has largely been more of the same for a side that still languishes in 13th in the Premier League table.

Just a month or so into the Portuguese’s tenure, the Red Devils reached their latest nadir following Sunday’s grim 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth, with that result laying bare just where the three-time European champions are at present.

Seven goals conceded across their last two games in all competitions may point to worrying issues defensively, although it is the attacking unit which remains a “major problem” – as noted by journalist Liam Canning.

Man Utd's attacking woes

It says a lot that the Old Trafford side meekly capitulating on home soil no longer sends shockwaves across the game. In truth, defeats like the one to the Cherries have simply become the norm over the last 18 months or so.

This season alone, the Red Devils have now lost 3-0 on three occasions at the Theatre of Dreams, having also wilted up against Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur to mark the beginning of the end for Ten Hag.

Again, the defence will cop much of the blame for those dismal results, but the lack of goals has become a real concern of late. Indeed, United have scored just 21 league goals thus far, leaving them level with the likes of Leicester City, while even behind relegation strugglers, Wolverhampton Wanderers (27).

Those woes were even evident at the weekend, with the hosts registering 23 shots in total and finishing with an xG of 2.28. Bournemouth, meanwhile, had just ten shots and finished with an xG of only 1.63, as per Sofascore.

As Amorim lamented after the defeat to Spurs in the Carabao Cup, his side simply just aren’t “clinical” enough, with the lack of a reliable number nine still a significant issue.

Indeed, while young Rasmus Hojlund has scored seven goals in 20 appearances in 2024/24 thus far, only two of those have come in his 12 league outings.

As for summer signing Joshua Zirkzee, the Dutchman has had an even worse time of it, netting only four times in 25 appearances since his arrival from Bologna.

Man Utd – Top scorer by season
Season	Player	Goals
2024/25*	Alejandro Garnacho	8
2023/24	Rasmus Hojlund	16
2022/23	Marcus Rashford	30
2021/22	Cristiano Ronaldo	24
2020/21	Bruno Fernandes	28
2019/20	Anthony Martial	23
2018/19	Paul Pogba	16
2017/18	Romelu Lukaku	27
2016/17	Zlatan Ibrahimovic	28
2015/16	Anthony Martial	17
2014/15	Wayne Rooney	14
2013/14	Wayne Rooney	19
Stats via Transfermarkt

The return of the latter man, in particular, simply isn’t good enough, with a swift upgrade needing to be found to resolve what has long been a problem position at Old Trafford.

Man Utd's search for a striker

Back at Sporting CP, Amorim’s success was built on the strength of his leading goalscorer, with Viktor Gyokeres scoring 66 goals in just 68 games during their time together in Lisbon.

Transfer Focus

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As a result of that fruitful partnership, there will be clamour for a reunion to occur between the pair in Manchester, although according to recent reports, United could well look elsewhere to make a dream first signing of the Amorim era.

Indeed, there have been claims that the Red Devils are among the clubs keen to sign Nigerian sensation, Victor Osimhen, with the 26-year-old currently on loan at Galatasaray from parent club, Napoli.

Reportedly valued at around £62m, the former Chelsea target could make a belated move to the Premier League after a Stamford Bridge switch broke down over the summer, with the striker’s capture likely to be just what United are craving to end their goalscoring woes.

Why Osimhen would be a dream signing for Man Utd

The former Lille man may now be operating outside of Europe’s top five leagues in Turkey, yet it is hard to overlook his goalscoring prowess, having already bagged 12 goals in just 15 games during his time in Istanbul.

That haul ensures he has scored more times than Zirkzee and Hojlund combined in 2024/25 thus far, with the young pair netting just 11 goals between them across all competitions.

This red-hot form follows a prolific spell back in Naples for Osimhen, with the in-demand hotshot having netted 76 times in just 133 games for the Serie A side. In total across his career, the £62m man has scored 126 goals from 238 senior appearances.

To put that into context, Hojlund has scored just 50 senior goals in his career thus far, while Zirkzee’s record is even worse, having scored just 40 times (not including his stint with Bayern Munich’s second team).

Zirkzee vs Osimhen – 2023/24 Serie A stats
Stat (*per game)	Zirkzee	Osimhen
Games (starts)	34 (32)	25 (22)
Goals	11	15
Minutes per goal	252	133
Big chances missed	4	15
Assists	4	3
Big chances created	11	5
Key passes*	1.3	0.9
Total duels won*	40%	43%
Aerial duels won*	43%	44%
Stats via Sofascore

The difference in quality between Zirkzee and Osimhen is stark indeed, as evidenced by their respective statistics in Italy’s top-flight last term, with Osimhen simply far more clinical, even if Zirkzee offers a greater creative influence. Amorim needs to ensure this deal gets done as a matter of urgency.

There will no doubt be fears over whether the Napoli man can make the transition to life in the Premier League, although any concerns should be eased by his likeness to a certain Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with that comparison having been made by his former Charleroi manager Felice Mazzu:

While Ibrahimovic’s time at Old Trafford was fleeting, the veteran certainly made his mark under Jose Mourinho, having ended the 2016/17 campaign with 28 goals to his name in 46 appearances.

As that short but sweet stint proved, players of that ilk can score goals anywhere without the need for a period of adjustment, with United – and Amorim – in need of a repeat scenario with the capture of Osimhen.

For too long, since the days of ‘Ibra’ and Robin van Persie before him, have the Red Devils been seeking a genuine world-beater to lead the line. Now is the time to go out and get one.

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By
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After 5-1 thumping of London rivals Crystal Palace was clouded by Bukayo Saka’s injury, Mikel Arteta has revealed a second Arsenal blow ahead of their next game against Ipswich Town.

Arsenal injury news

Perhaps silencing a few doubters, Arsenal were in a free-scoring mood from the off against Palace with the revived Gabriel Jesus stealing the show for the second time in a week against Palace. Scoring twice, the Brazilian has suddenly burst into life at the perfect time for the Gunners and was joined by Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli on the scoresheet.

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ByMatt Dawson Dec 22, 2024

Arsenal’s day was far from perfect, however, with Saka limping off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury before he was then pictured leaving Selhurst Park on crutches in worrying scenes for Arteta in the middle of such a hectic schedule.

Speaking about the injury, Arteta told reporters as relayed by Fabrizio Romano: “We are pretty worried about Saka’s injury. He grabbed his hamstring and couldn’t continue. He will have to be assessed but we are pretty worried, yes.”

He’s not the only one that the Spaniard is concerned about, however. As confirmed by Arteta, Raheem Sterling has handed Arsenal another injury scare and could now miss the Ipswich game, meaning that they’ll also be without their potential replacement for Saka.

Arteta told reporters via Connor Humm: “We lost Raheem [Sterling] yesterday, we don’t know how long for as well.”

Already struggling in open play at times this season, Arsenal will have quite the battle on their hands if they’re forced to go ahead without Saka and without an ideal replacement in Sterling. That said, the latter’s injury almost sums up his struggle to make an impact since arriving on loan from Chelsea in the summer.

"Great" Sterling has struggled at Arsenal

Whilst a loan deal to sign the £163,000-a-week winger was relatively risk-free, some in North London may have believed that Sterling would have made his mark by now. The Gunners are crying out for a world-class left-winger, but it’s become clearer than ever that Sterling is no longer the player capable of providing that despite stealing the headlines for so many years in the Premier League.

With his best days arguably behind him, Sterling has started just two Premier League games with his only Arsenal goal coming in a 5-1 mauling of Bolton Wanderers. With Saka injured, an opportunity would have arguably been there for the former Manchester City star to prove any doubters wrong, only for Sterling to suffer an ill-timed blow of his own.

Among those who may have been expecting slightly more is Arteta. The Spaniard praised Sterling back in September, telling reporters as relayed by Arsenal Insider: “He looks great. First of all, because he’s got a big smile on his face, a lot of energy, he’s at it and wants to prove a point.

“When someone’s got that in his belly, you sense it straight away. Obviously I don’t need to discover anything about his quality and what he can bring to the team.”