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Not until the final session of the final day’s play was the identity of the eight quarter-finalists certain. Here are the key facts of each that made it to the knockouts

Saurabh Somani14-Jan-2019The eight quarter-finalists for the Ranji Trophy 2018-19 were decided after a hard-fought league phase that had fortunes swinging for several teams. Not until the final session of the final day’s play was the identity of the eight teams certain. ESPNcricinfo has the key facts of each that made it to the knockouts.
VidarbhaGroups A and B didn’t have any team utterly dominant, but among all sides it was defending champions Vidarbha who showed the most consistent form. They were efficient rather than spectacular, which generally gives better results over a long multi-day tournament. Even so, in Wasim Jaffer, they did have one of the shining stars in Ranji history, showing ageless form once again. Vidarbha have also been served well by Aditya Sarwate’s under-stated all-round brilliance – already the highest wicket-taker for the team this season by a distance, he has also been a doughty lower-order contributor. They’ll be strong favourites against Uttarakhand, but to repeat last year’s triumph, they might need Rajneesh Gurbani to be not only fit, but also rediscovering his spark.
SaurashtraSaurashtra were the embodiment of ‘team effort’ through the season. Their leading run-scorer’s tally is lower than six of the other quarter-finalists’ top men, but along with Sheldon Jackson’s runs, they’ve had four other contribute more than 400, including the now-retired Jaydev Shah. And they’ve also discovered an exciting newcomer in Vishvaraj Jadeja. Add that solidity around a returning Cheteshwar Pujara, and Saurashtra might need to bat only once. Dharmendrasinh Jadeja has been immense, carrying the bowling and having the resourcefulness to score runs at an average of 24.44 down the order. Saurashtra found men to seize the initiative at key moments in the league phase. With Pujara’s inspirational presence now, they just need to continue that against an in-form Uttar Pradesh
KarnatakaOne match, Karnataka have looked like they are worthy successors to the all-conquering sides of 2013-15, and the next, they have stumbled badly. They beat Maharashtra, Railways and Chhattisgarh. But lost to Saurashtra chasing 179 in the fourth innings, and to Baroda by two wickets despite setting them only 110 to win. Nobody has known quite what to make of Karnataka this season, which could work to their advantage in a knockout match. Nothing encapsulates how unpredictable Karnataka have been than the fact that KV Siddharth and D Nischal, the only two men to top 600 runs for them have 20 first-class matches between them – 17 of them in this season. In an unsettled bowling attack that has seen lots of changes, Ronit More has stood out. Against a rampaging Rajasthan, Karnataka will need a more cohesive show.
KeralaUntil the final match, Kerala’s fortunes seemed to revolve around, ‘If Jalaj Saxena does well, so will Kerala’. Ironically, Saxena sat out the last game with injury (otherwise he would likely have been the highest run-getter as well as the highest wicket-taker), and Kerala discovered spunk. A thrilling chase against Himachal Pradesh gave them the win, and six points, needed to qualify. That they won more matches than any other side in Groups A & B, but still finished fourth in the table, paints a picture of how up and down they were. Fortunately for Kerala, their strongest suit has been their bowling. With the batting clicking in the last game, that should give them confidence to take on the 2016-17 champions Gujarat.
GujaratGujarat’s season was typical in many ways. Priyank Panchal got runs, the batsmen prospered, and the team did enough to stay near the top, without quite threatening to run away with it. They will be fortified by the return of Parthiv Patel, and if they face a turning track against Kerala at Wayanad, Siddharth Desai has shown once again that he’s a youngster who can be a threat to match any other tweaker in the country. Meanwhile, the now-veteran Piyush Chawla has continued to churn out good performances for Gujarat. However, the bowlers haven’t really been on fire, though that could well be a function of the pitches, since the batting has been in rude health.
RajasthanJust in terms of pure results, Rajasthan have been the most irresistible team of the league stages. Their pace attack has to be the envy of every other team: despite losing Pankaj Singh, they have Deepak Chahar, Aniket Choudhary and Tanvir-ul-Haq to call on. And that’s without Khaleel Ahmed, who’s away with the Indian team in Australia. Aniket and Tanvir have each taken 47 wickets, though Aniket has done it in one match fewer, having rested for one game. Meanwhile, all three of Robin Bist, captain Mahipal Lomror and opener Amit Gautam have more than 580 runs. When Rajasthan chased down a target of 357 against Services in their second game, it promised something special. That promise has been translated into performance. They’ve won a whopping seven games, three with a bonus point, and in both draws, they took the first-innings lead.
Uttar PradeshUttar Pradesh have ridden on outstanding individual performances to storm into the last eight. Leaving the Plate teams aside, Saurabh Kumar is the highest wicket-taker in the competition. Ankit Rajpoot has sat out two games but still has 38 wickets, and both of them have sub-40 strike-rates. If Saurabh is in contention to be the bowler of the tournament, Rinku Singh is the leading candidate to be the outstanding batsman so far. It’s not just that he has crossed 50 six times in 11 visits to the crease, his runs have often come when UP needed them most, even though he’s batted at No.6 and No.7. And bowlers haven’t found a way past him, as his average suggests.
UttarakhandTo most people in Uttarakhand’s place, making it to the quarter-final and its promised promotion to Group C next year, would be victory enough. They have been easily the best team in the Plate Group, and that has come about because they have relied least on professionals. That will be crucial now with Rajat Bhatia missing from their quarter-final line-up. Six of their batsmen have hit centuries, with four hitting double-centuries. Granted two were Bhatia and Vineet Saxena, but their bowling has been top notch too. Deepak Dhapola’s aggression and impeccable lines have been too good for the Plate Group, while Sunny Rana and Dhanraj Sharma have been good support acts. Just how good Uttarakhand’s home-grown talent is though, will be known when their bowlers come up against Wasim Jaffer and co.

Our writers on the ground answer the pressing questions before the Ashes and make their predictions

ESPNcricinfo staff31-Jul-2019Where should Joe Root bat? Melinda Farrell: It very much depends on how well those around him bat. At the moment, it feels like England are just playing Whack-A-Mole with their key batsman, trying to plug the holes in a fragile top order. It could be turning a strength into a weakness if he bats out of his favoured position and doesn’t perform as well, but then, he has been coming in earlier anyway. Picking a position/mole, whacking him in and hoping he can stem the tide is hardly ideal, so if Rory Burns and Jason Roy can deal with the moving ball early in the series it could give England the confidence to let him bat where he wants. Andrew McGlashan: In a perfect world, England would have found someone happy to bat No. 3 and take this issue away. But in the current situation Root has to go in at first drop – a top order of three of Burns (out of form), Roy (one Test) and Joe Denly (yet to convince) looked horrid. At least now he is in a position to influence an innings before it’s 20 for 2 and Australia have their tail up. George Dobell: Wherever he likes. England need his runs, and he needs to feel comfortable. If he says he feels comfortable at No. 3 then great, but I suspect he is compromising for the benefit of his team and would prefer to be at No. 4. He’s compensating for the failures of the English system to develop decent top-order batsmen. Fiddling with positions isn’t going to fix that. Andrew Miller: It’s all about balance, innit? Root wanted to be at No. 4, to avoid getting dragged into the bottomless well of despair that is England’s top three. But in doing so, he found himself coming to the wicket at 2 for 2 in the second over anyway. Now that he’s relented and moved to No.3, that might at least improve to 1 for 1 in the first. But, as one of only two non-Alastair Cook opening batsmen to have averaged more than 40 since the retirement of Andrew Strauss in 2012, maybe he should go the whole hog and set the agenda from 0 for 0. (Especially as that other 40-plus opener is Jack Leach…) Daniel Brettig: No. 3 is his best spot to balance the inexperience around him, unless England were to do something radical and move Ben Stokes up to first drop, allowing Root to retain No. 4. Where Jason Roy ends up batting by the end of the series will be another area to watch with interest. Pick England’s best bowling line-upFarrell: Jimmy Anderson, Mark Wood (depends on availability), Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali. Except for the Lord’s Test, where it would appear to be crazy to leave out Chris Woakes.McGlashan: From the current squad, and on the proviso everyone is fit and there’s no workload debate: James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali. It’s damn tough on Chris Woakes, but Archer has the x-factor. And Woakes will be needed at some point. It’s been a little surprising to hear the talk about Broad’s position. For me, at home against Australia, he’s a shoo-in. Overseas, well that’s a bit different.Dobell: Anderson, Archer, Wood, Stokes and Moeen.Brettig: Anderson, Woakes, Archer, Sam Curran, Stokes, MoeenMiller: Harmison, Hoggard, Flintoff, Jones, Giles.Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc celebrate Australia’s Ashes win•Getty Images and Cricket Australia This is Australia’s best Ashes bowling unit since… Brettig: The dawn of time. More seriously, since either 2001 (Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, Brett Lee, Shane Warne all near their best) or 1997 (McGrath Gillespie, Paul Reiffel, Warne).Dobell: The last Ashes series. It’s a super attack, but it’s not as good as 2013-14 (Ryan Harris, Mitchell Johnson et al.) and it doesn’t have a Warne or McGrath.McGlashan: The last Ashes series, but so much depends on whether they can harness the Duke ball better than 2015. The only time since England started winning Ashes again, in 2005, that Australia struggled for an attack (certainly in terms of pace bowling) was really the 2010-11 series. And for all the talk of pace, Nathan Lyon is still key if it remains a four-man attack.Farrell: The 2013-14 Ashes. Two members – Nathan Lyon and Peter Siddle – of that ruthless attack are doing the Ashes rounds again, but when they were spearheaded by the brilliant Ryan Harris and the brutal Mitchell Johnson at their peak and rounded off by Shane Watson in Australian conditions… well I’m sure you remember the result.Miller: … 2001, which is coincidentally the last time they won the Ashes on English soil. With the legends Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne backed up by Jason Gillespie in his prime and a tyro Brett Lee, they only needed four bowlers to seal a 4-1 rout – remarkably Mark Waugh (13 overs) and Ricky Ponting (four) were the only other part-timers to turn their arms over in the course of five Tests. They’ve got even greater depth this time around.Getty ImagesHow many runs will Steven Smith score this series?Miller: Depends how flat the pitches turn out to be. In 2015 he was unstoppable at Lord’s and The Oval, and couldn’t get started elsewhere. I suspect it’ll be north of 300, but 150 of those in a single, series-defining innings.Brettig: 450, with a couple of huge scores and a few low ones as well. The key thing will be where in the series the big scores happen. He won’t want to be leaving too much for The Oval, as he did in both 2013 and 2015.Gnasher: More than 400. Although the transition back to Test cricket will be another challenge in his return, it could be quite significant that his two best innings at the World Cup came when Australia were in trouble against West Indies and England, the latter with the ball nibbling at Edgbaston.Farrell: A lot. As long as he can maintain the bubble around him and keep out the inevitable hostile noise, the batting cyborg will not give up his wicket easily. Australia’s chances could hinge on how well he and David Warner bat. Would be surprised if he makes fewer than 400 runs.Dobell: It depends on how much the ball moves. But if he scores fewer than 300, Australia will be in trouble. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t make more than 400.Ben Stokes shows his frustration after playing on•Associated PressMake like the Pidge and predict a) the series scoreline, b) top run-getter, c) top wicket-taker d) Man of the SeriesMiller: a) 4-1 Australia. Well why not? I really don’t think England are a very good Test team, and haven’t been for several years. India would have turned them over last year had they put in the sort of groundwork that the Australians have been doing in recent weeks. Anderson and Broad can’t be expected to carry the attack for yet another Ashes; Chris Woakes’ knee won’t last the course. Mark Wood’s return will be too little too late. A lot depends on Jofra Archer, but are we really expecting him to deliver two miracles in his tyro season? (A: Yes, yes we are…)b) Ben Stokes, if only because he’ll be called upon twice in every Test, at 30 for 3, with Joe Root (and Jason Roy) already scalped by the new ball.
c) James Pattinson. He looks in the mood to make up for lost time.
d) Cameron Bancroft, for his plucky Langer-lite feats of top-order endurance in a bowler-dominated series.McGlashan: a) Australia 3-2 – if they pick the right bowlers, just feel their attack will have the edge and exploit England’s weak batting. Can’t see any draws unless it rains.
b) Ben Stokes
c) Pat Cummins (also Man of the Series)Dobell: a) I’ve really no idea. But I see Australia as favourites. England’stop-order is fragile.b) David Warner. He’s very good and very hungry, and I think he’ll take energy from spectators’ animosity towards him.
c) Nathan Lyon. He’s a good bowler, he’s Australia’s only spinner and, if they go into games with a four-man attack, he’ll get through a lot of overs. I suspect England may try to hit him out of the attack, too. I see Josh Hazlewood as a key man, though. He could have the perfect game for these conditions if he’s fully fit and firing.
d) Ben Stokes. A brilliant player at the peak of his powers and keen to make up for lost time. I was tempted to say Ben Foakes, though. Draw your own conclusions.Farrell: a) 3-1. Take your pick as to who wins three and who wins one.b) David Warner. We’ve already seen the signs during the World Cup that a year out of the national side has only made him a more thoughtful batsman, and he doesn’t appear to be fazed by the crowd hostility.c) Jimmy Anderson. This is surely his final Ashes hurrah, isn’t it? As long as he’s fully fit, he could expose any frailties.d) Ben Stokes. He’s having that kind of summer.Brettig: a) 2-2, Australia retain Ashes. England, while not very accomplished at Test cricket lately, still have the conditions, the experience and the crowds in their favour. Australia, while having a highly impressive bowling attack to choose from, have brittleness in the batting that will not have been eradicated completely by a change of coach. After 18 years, they will be looking primarily to retain the urn.b) David Warner, using a moderated tempo to finally make the big scores that have always eluded him in England.c) Pat Cummins, who should benefit from greater economy at the other end to enjoy the “wickets in clumps” that other high-quality Australian operators such as Ryan Harris, McGrath and Terry Alderman have enjoyed in the past.

The allrounder backed up his swag with performance, and his elevation also showed India were ready to step out of their comfort zone

Deivarayan Muthu09-Dec-2019Two days before the T20I series opener against West Indies in Hyderabad, allrounder Shivam Dube sounded out a warning to West Indies and asked the press and public to not worry about his form. The 26-year-old didn’t have too much to do in Hyderabad, but in the second match in Thiruvananthapuram, he walked the talk and even had his India and Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli excited at the other end.The start, however, wasn’t too rosy for Dube, with the ball not coming on and the left-hand batsman not finding his range. But there was a genuine sign of India breaking away from their safety-first approach.ALSO READ: Swaggering Shivam Dube unfazed by all-round expectationsIn September, in a T20I series decider against South Africa in Bengaluru, Kohli became the first captain to decide against chasing at the venue in T20Is and challenged his side to step out of their comfort zone.Shikhar Dhawan opted to take more risks at the top in that match, but India ended with an underwhelming total, having aimed too high. The experiment tore open the portal to the 2000s, when Rahul Dravid had challenged India to improve their chasing record by opting to bowl first in ODIs whenever he won the toss.On Sunday, India tried another experiment by bumping up Dube to No. 3 on a slow, dry pitch. This, after KL Rahul had holed out for a run-a-ball 11. The capacity crowd waited in anticipation of Kohli’s entry, but Dube walked out instead windmilling his arms. This was also the first time that he was batting at No. 3 in his professional career.

This ground is big but I’ve the capability to clear any ground. You might have seen today also, and that’s the capability I haveShivam Dube

Left-arm fingerspinner Khary Pierre had just removed Rahul and was finding substantial turn with the new ball. At the other end, Jason Holder was bowling a tidy spell and drew a top-edge when Dube threw his hands at a roundhouse swipe across the line. West Indies captain Kieron Pollard then introduced himself into the attack and exploited the grippy track with a variety of cutters and rollers. Dube kept throwing his hands at the ball and kept falling over.Having struggled to 12 off 14 balls, Dube was feeling the pressure. However, he released all of that by backing his strengths: sitting back and clearing the long leg-side boundary. When Holder banged a chest-high short ball, Dube went deeper in the crease and pulled it over square leg for six. The next ball, a full delivery, was stylishly shovelled away between deep midwicket and wide long-on.Pollard’s pace – or the lack of it – soon became too predictable, and Dube clubbed him for three sixes off three legal balls in the ninth over. The pick of them being the second pull off a 112kph cutter that soared over the midwicket boundary and had Kohli punching his fist in the air.Shivam Dube raises his bat after smashing a maiden international fifty•BCCI”I think this ground is big but I’ve the capability to clear any ground,” Dube later said at the post-match press conference. “You might have seen today also, and that’s the capability I have.”In the next over, Dube raised his maiden international fifty off 27 balls and put a little smile on his coach Ravi Shastri’s face in the dugout. From 12 off 14 balls, he had hit his way out of trouble and later credited Rohit Sharma for helping him break out of the early funk.”I was under a bit [of] pressure I think,” Dube said. “I just backed myself and Rohit told me, ‘Don’t worry and just back your strengths’. That’s what you need [from] a senior and that helped motivate me. And he did that and I showed my innings. I think that [hitting the ball] is my strength and I always go like that only.”Dube was reprieved on 50 at long-on, where Pollard lost the ball under lights, but two balls later, he spliced a wrong’un from Hayden Walsh Jr. to extra cover. The lower-middle order couldn’t launch from the platform Dube had set them, but such a flexible approach indicates that India are adapting to the changing T20 landscape. Further proof of that is India’s batting depth – they have had Bhuvneshwar Kumar listed at No. 10 in this series so far.Kohli has also promised a similar flexible approach when it comes to India’s bowling attack. Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, the two wristspinners, haven’t played together after the Edgbaston nightmare. However, on the eve of the series opener against West Indies, the India captain reasoned that it would be difficult for the opposition to hit the two wristspinners for sixes on the bigger grounds in Australia.The past two experiments haven’t yielded the results that India have been looking for, but they may have helped them understand the pulse of T20 cricket better.

Is this to be the end of the second, much shorter Martin O’Neill-era at Celtic?

The interim manager has himself confirmed that Sunday’s clash with Hibernian at Easter Road is likely to be the final match of his return, ahead of Wilfried Nancy’s arrival in Glasgow, having done pretty well, winning five of six fixtures.

On Thursday, O’Neill guided the Hoops to their first European away win in four years, beating Feyenoord 3-1 at De Kuip in the Europa League.

Fair to say, Yang Hyun-jun was a surprise starter in Rotterdam, but he scored the all-important equaliser, firing into a tiny gap between goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther and the post, having been spectacularly set up by Reo Hatate.

Despite this contribution, should Yang be back on the bench in Edinburgh on Sunday, with O’Neill instead starting an attacker reminiscent of one forgotten star.

Latest on Jota's Celtic return

Given everything that has happened since, Brendan Rodgers’ shock resignation, protests against the board, defeat in a Scottish Cup Final on penalties, Champions League elimination and so much more, the excitement that surrounded Jota’s return has been completely forgotten.

During his first stint at the club, the Portuguese winger scored 28 goals in 83 appearances, becoming an undisputed fans’ favourite, before being sold to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad for £25m, which remains the club’s joint-record outgoing transfer.

After enduring a miserable time in the Middle East, followed by a brief stint at Stade Rennais in Ligue 1, Jota returned home in January, marking his second Celtic debut with this goal against Motherwell at Fir Park.

He would also net against Dundee United, Aberdeen, Hearts and then St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup semi-finals at Hampden on Easter Sunday so, despite clearly lacking some match sharpness, it was just like having the old Jota back, as if he’d never been away.

However, at Tannadice in April, on a day of celebration as the Celts mathematically secured the Premiership title, Jota ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, so has been on the sidelines since.

Then-manager Rodgers said at the time he expected the winger to be sidelined for six to nine months, and it’s been seven, or 217 days to be exact, so Celtic supporters should be optimistic of seeing their star attacker soon, possibly in time for the visit of Rangers on 3 January.

For now, which player who possesses a similar “x factor” to Jota should O’Neill start in Leith come Sunday lunchtime?

Celtic star Martin O'Neill must start against Hibs

While many of Celtic’s summer signings have underwhelmed or made little impact to date, looking at you Michel-Ange Balikwisha, Shin Yamada and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, the same cannot be said of Sebastian Tounekti.

After a drawn-out negotiation process with Hammarby, Celtic would not do things any other way, the Tunisian international arrived on deadline day for a reported fee of £5.2m, which could turn out to be an excellent piece of business.

The 23-year-old has only scored twice in hoops to date, netting against Partick Thistle at Firhill and Falkirk at home, but has looked generally excellent, with his talent clear to see.

Following his first appearance against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, then-manager Rodgers heralded his “brilliant debut”, adding “he’s fast, he’s dynamic, and can beat a player… he’s a real Celtic winger.”

Meantime, Anders Lindberg of Fotboll Sthlm stated “he has a little bit of the X Factor”, impressed by the attacker’s “showmanship”.

Well, these all sound like qualities one could use to describe Jota, so let’s assess how the duo compare to one another.

Minutes

571

567

Goals

4

1

Assists

2

Zero

Shots

14

11

Shots on target

9

3

Big chances missed

1

1

Chances created

12

16

Big chances created

3

Zero

Passes complete

198

243

Forward passes

46

55

Completed take-ons

10

15

Take-on success %

36%

35%

Touches per 90

61.7

67.7

Average rating

7.17

6.89

Note: All stats are Premiership only.

As the table documents, in a near-identical number of minutes, Tounekti’s Premiership statistics this season, when compared to those of Jota earlier in the year, are remarkably similar.

The Portuguese player has been more productive in the final third, scoring more goals, registering more assists and mustering more shots.

However, the Tunisian had created more chances, completed more passes and a greater number of take-ons, with the duo’s dribbling numbers uncannily alike.

Once Jota is back fit, it’ll be frightening for opponents to see these two lining up together.

In the meantime, Tounekti is clearly Celtic’s most dangerous available winger, having proved this far more consistently than Yang, so as O’Neill seeks to sign off with a victory over Hibs, it should be a no-brainer who he starts at Easter Road.

​​​​​​​

Nancy will love him: Celtic may have another Callum McGregor in the making

Ahead of Wilfried Nancy’s arrival as the new Celtic manager, did their “outstanding” youngster show he could be the new Callum McGregor vs Feyenoord?

ByBen Gray Nov 29, 2025

INEOS and Manchester United have now reportedly sent scouts to watch one defensive target as they begin to plot a summer swoop to secure his signature and ease their Lisandro Martinez injury woes.

Man Utd still targeting defensive additions

After Anthony Elanga ran the length of the pitch before firing home for Nottingham Forest in midweek, it should come as no surprise that Manchester United are still seeking defensive reinforcements. Now in April, the Red Devils are yet to win back-to-back games in the Premier League and their defensive issues in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system have played a large part in what has been a disastrous campaign.

Nottingham Forest 1-0 Man Utd

01/04/2025

Leicester City 0-3 Man Utd

16/03/2025

Man Utd 1-1 Arsenal

09/03/2025

Man Utd 3-2 Ipswich Town

26/02/2025

Everton 2-2 Man Utd

22/02/2025

It should not go without saying, however, that defeat at the City Ground was United’s first in five league games and Amorim echoed that positivity in his post-match press conference, telling reporters: “It’s more [of] the same since this season began. So I think if you look at the game we are improving the way we play football. We are creating more chances, we are dominating more games.

“But in the end, when you don’t win, you feel that and that is a good thing. So we know that this season is going to be like that, the momentum. So we continue to go to the next [game].”

The former Sporting Club boss may well look at his side’s recent run as something to build on before welcoming some key additions. Among those already linked with a summer switch to Manchester United includes Oumar Solet. The Udinese centre-back has impressed at times this season and now has a queue beginning to form for his signature, with United in that queue.

Solet isn’t the only defender that has caught the eye of those at Old Trafford, however, with another Serie A star emerging on INEOS’ reported radar.

Man Utd plotting move to sign "superb" Comuzzo

According to Caught Offside, INEOS and Manchester United are now plotting a summer swoop to sign Pietro Comuzzo from Fiorentina this summer and have already sent scouts to watch the 20-year-old in action. Valued at around €45m (£38m) by the Italian club, the deal should be within the Red Devils’ range even as their cost-cutting measures continue around the club.

Dubbed “superb” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Comuzzo’s arrival would instantly see the injured Martinez replaced next season, before Amorim is handed the ultimate selection headache when the Argentine completes his eventual return.

It’s never straightforward with Manchester United, is it?

With just seconds remaining, the Red Devils looked to have secured an invaluable first-leg win over Lyon on Thursday evening, with Joshua Zirkzee’s late header steering the visitors into a deserved 2-1 lead on the night. And then…

With almost the last kick of the game, the Ligue 1 side ensured that this Europa League tussle is very much alive heading into next week’s reverse fixture at Old Trafford, with Rayan Cherki pouncing at the death to dink home.

The French outfit had initially taken the lead courtesy of Thiago Almada’s free-kick, albeit with United hitting back in first-half stoppage time, as Leny Yoro netted his first goal for the club with an inventive, glancing header.

Zirkzee’s own bullet header at the backpost looked to have been enough to seal the win, yet as it is, the tie is certainly still finely poised – largely thanks to the impact of one man, Andre Onana…

Andre Onana's costly display

Quite what Onana was thinking prior to the match – when insisting that the Red Devils are “way better” than their opponents – is difficult to fathom, with the Cameroonian ‘keeper engaging in a war of words with ex-Old Trafford star, Nemanja Matic.

"At least I've won trophies": Onana hits back at Matic "worst 'keeper" claim

Matic had sent a brutal dig to Onana ahead of Man Utd’s Europa League clash with Lyon.

ByStephan Georgiou Apr 9, 2025

While the Serbian giant watched on from the substitutes bench, one of the “worst goalkeepers in Man Utd’s history” – as so dubbed by Matic – was very much in the thick of the action. Having talked the talk, the 28-year-old, unfortunately, couldn’t walk the walk.

In almost inevitable fashion, it was Onana’s blunder that allowed Lyon to sneak into the lead in the opening exchanges, with the former Inter man failing to deal with Almada’s relatively routine in-swinging set-piece.

The £47.5m flop – who has now made more errors since the start of last season than any other Premier League goalkeeper in all competitions – looked to have got away with one as both Yoro and Zirkzee nodded home, with the experienced stopper even taking the time to rile up the home crowd even further when taking a typically laboured goal kick late on.

Much to the delight of the hosts, however, it was they who would have the last laugh, with Onana proceeding to spill the ball into the path of the lively Cherki at the death, with the dazzling Frenchman duly converting.

From one horrow show to another then as far as United are concerned, with Ruben Amorim also likely to be deeply frustrated by the performance of a man at the other end of the pitch, in Rasmus Hojlund.

The Man Utd star who now needs to be sold

Talk is already rife that Amorim is seeking a new goalkeeper this summer, with reports also suggesting that Onana has been the subject of interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia, amid the possibility of an end to his two-season stay in Manchester.

Performance in Numbers

Want data and stats? Football FanCast’s Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.

On current evidence, the one-time Ajax star could well be joined through the exit door by young Hojlund, with the 22-year-old looking like a player who “will be up for sale” at the end of the season, in the words of journalist Tom McDermott.

Branded with a 4/10 match rating from MEN correspondent, Samuel Luckhurst, the struggling Dane was again simply lifeless in attack for the away side, having been restricted to just 11 touches, while making just two passes in total on the night.

Minutes played

63′

Touches

11

Shots on target

1

Shots off target

1

Passes completed

2/3

Key passes

2

Ground duels

0/3

Aerial duels

N/A

Possession lost

3x

Fouls

1

While those were both recognised as ‘key passes’, the former Atalanta starlet did little of any note prior to his withdrawal on the hour mark, with the misfiring striker failing to pounce on a rare opening after scuffing his attempt wide following Patrick Dorgu’s pull-back.

The £85k-per-week marksman – who also failed to win a single duel up against the Lyon backline – memorably passed the ball out of play down the right flank at one stage, having also drawn the ire of Bruno Fernandes after failing to read the Portuguese playmaker’s dummy inside the area.

Whether it be failing to beat his man when running in behind, or struggling to keep hold of possession, Hojlund simply looks lost at present, having now scored just once in all competitions since mid-December.

With only eight goals to his name across all fronts this season, United’s number nine – who has been linked with a return to Serie A – appears to be on borrowed time, not least with speculation ramping up regarding the potential addition of Ipswich Town talisman, Liam Delap.

Having seen his replacement, Zirkzee, take little time to make an impact, Hojlund must surely be second fiddle ahead of next week’s meeting at the Theatre of Dreams. Much like Onana too, this Erik ten Hag signing could find himself on the scrap heap this summer.

No longer can the Red Devils accept mediocrity at both ends of the pitch.

Amorim already has his own Matheus Cunha in Man Utd's "sensational" talent

Man Utd have been heavily linked with a summer swoop for the Wolves sensation…

1 ByRobbie Walls Apr 10, 2025

Bramley Moore looms large for those of an Everton persuasion. In fact, David Moyes will lead his troops out just twice more before hallowed Goodison Park will be consigned to history.

Time was when Everton would fail to mark this new era with impactful activity on the transfer front, in the planning room. But this is an exciting new project on Merseyside and Moyes is back to front it.

While the Scottish tactician will expect powers to bring in a wealth of fresh quality this summer, he will of course need to part with a few of the rusted-over parts of the Toffees make-up.

And he won’t be afraid to do it.

Why Moyes will get rid of Everton's deadwood

Everton have no less than 15 players reaching the conclusion of their contracts this summer – some are out on loan or indeed are reaching the end of their loan stints at Goodison Park.

Abdoulaye Doucoure, for example, is expected to leave. Sure, he scored the winning goal at the City Ground last weekend, but the 32-year-old isn’t popping up with such moments with the frequency to justify his £130k-per-week salary, the loftiest at the club.

Moyes isn’t afraid to cut ties with his higher-profile stars, something he’s going to need to enact with another member of the squad, a player shaping up to be the 61-year-old’s next version of James Beattie.

Beattie spent two-and-a-half seasons under Moyes’ management at Everton, signed from Southampton for £6m in January 2005 after rejecting a move to Aston Villa.

Beattie was a talented centre-forward, hard to handle and powerful in the final third. He likely didn’t make too many friends with opposing defenders. He also didn’t make a friend out of Moyes, it would appear…

Across 85 appearances for the Merseysiders, Beattie only managed to score 15 goals, interestingly with 11 of them posted across the 2005/06 season before he provided a woeful product on his final term as a Toffee.

A five-cap England international, Beattie moved on to Sheffield United in 2007, the Blades breaking their transfer record and paying £4m for a player who had fallen by the wayside at Everton.

In fact, Moyes and his number nine had come to blows on numerous occasions, having to discipline his man after a headbutt on William Gallas in 2005 and Beattie later suggesting Everton didn’t treat him with respect while he played there.

His talent and focal presence got him far, but Moyes showed that he’s willing to make a tough decision for his team, and he’s going to have to make a similar one in the weeks ahead, with Everton needing to part ways with their new version of Beattie.

Moyes' new James Beattie

While he’s served at the club for a long time, Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s best days appear to be long past, with The Athletic’s Paddy Boyland noting he has been “struggling” through the 2024/25 season.

Out of contract at the end of the season, Calvert-Lewin – who the Toffees signed from Sheffield United in 2016 – has toiled through what looks to be his final campaign as an Everton player, with a cruel injury picked up in January stunting any budding rebirth hinted at after Moyes’ return.

Still out of action, the 27-year-old surely needs to be axed this summer, with his inconsistencies and past successes suggesting that he is in a similar boat to Beattie way back when, albeit the older man being actively shoved out to sign for the Blades.

24/25

22

3

6.11 (-3.11)

23/24

32

7

12.93 (-5.93)

22/23

17

2

5.84 (-3.84)

Though DCL doesn’t share Beattie’s supposedly volatile temperment, he has been chained down by injuries and consequent issues, with his wasteful finishing and heavy wage rubber-stamping the expected decision to cut ties.

Calvert-Lewin has given Goodison Park so many fond memories. In his pomp, the long-discarded England international was among the most dangerous strikers in the Premier League, leading talent scout Jacek Kulig to remark in 2020 that “Carlo Ancelotti created a monster.”

But the truth is Calvert-Lewin’s finest days are behind him, at least in Evertonian Blue. With Beto looking like twice the player he was since Moyes came along and funding being handed ahead of the summer window, parting with the striker is sure to be the right decision.

Moyes proved before, with Beattie, that he’s not afraid to make a cut for the greater good of the team, and he must maintain this approach now.

He won't start again: Everton's £40k-p/w star looks finished under Moyes

Everton are undergoing a series of changes with David Moyes back at the wheel.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 15, 2025

With promotion to the Premier League confirmed with two games to go, Leeds United can finally turn their attention towards trying to build a side capable of staying in England’s top flight.

Such a feat might be easier said than done, with every promoted side from the Championship in the last two years returning straight back after just one season in the top division.

However, despite the achievements of boss Daniel Farke throughout 2024/25, it emerged yesterday that the hierarchy may consider sacking him to appoint a more proven Premier League manager to aid their ambitions next season.

Undoubtedly, such a decision would be extremely harsh after the German secured promotion, but football is a cutthroat industry with bold decisions needing to be made to avoid relegation in 2025/26.

That being said, bold decisions will need to be made in the market to create a side capable of consolidating next campaign, with money needing to be spent by the hierarchy to aid their attempts.

The latest on Leeds’ pursuit of new signings

There’s no denying that the Whites will likely be linked with a whole host of players after their return to the Premier League, but it’s important that quality over quantity arrives at Elland Road.

One name that has been constantly linked with a summer switch to Yorkshire is Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Julian Weigl, after previously featuring under Farke during their time together in the Bundesliga.

The 29-year-old, who’s made 29 appearances in the league this campaign, has been firmly on the club’s radar, but no deal is currently on the cards, leading to potential moves for other targets.

The hierarchy could subsequently look to pursue a move for West Ham United midfielder Tomas Soucek this summer, with the Czech international reportedly open to a move to Yorkshire.

According to IDNES, the 30-year-old is unhappy after losing his place under Graham Potter, opening the door for a transfer to join Leeds with just 12 months left on his contract.

They revealed that the newly-promoted side a strongly considering a move this summer.

Why Leeds should prioritise a move for a PL star over Weigl

There’s no denying Weigl would be an excellent addition to the Leeds squad, having the quality and experience to make a real difference at the heart of the side.

During his professional career, he’s featured for the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Benfica, often being a key member of the respective sides in the Champions League.

Such experience is key, especially heading into a season which could be a challenge for the Whites – that’s if the last couple of campaigns for newly-promoted sides are anything to go by.

However, given the fact he’s never played in England’s top-flight, such a deal could be seen as a risk, with the right additions needing to be made – potentially seeing them prioritise a move for Soucek as a result.

When comparing the duo’s respective stats from the ongoing season, the West Ham star has massively outperformed him, highlighting why the club should opt for his signature instead.

Games played

30

29

Goals & assists

8

2

Shots taken

1.9

0.6

Key passes

0.6

0.3

Tackles won

0.8

0.7

Clearances made

3.1

2.5

Aerials won

3.6

1.2

The Czech star, who’s been labelled “superb” by EXWHUEmployee, has registered more goals and assists this season, whilst also notching a higher tally of shots per 90 – showcasing the attacking threat he possesses from deep-lying positions.

He’s also managed to complete more key passes per 90, whilst also winning more tackles and aerials – offering Farke an all-round presence at the heart of the midfield next season.

Whilst it’s unclear how much a deal for Soucek would set the club back in the coming months, it would undoubtedly be a worthwhile investment, having the experience to help them in their Premier League quest.

With just 12 months left on his current deal at the London Stadium, it could be worth getting him on the cheap, possibly becoming their first signing back amongst England’s elite.

A dream first deal after promotion: £15m star wants to sign for Leeds

The player is reportedly keen to secure a permanent move to Leeds United this summer.

ByDan Emery Apr 23, 2025

Leeds United could spend up to £90m on three more players alongside a potential deal to sign Everton striker Beto this summer.

Beto linked with move to Leeds this summer

Chairman Paraag Marathe has recently confirmed that Daniel Farke will remain as Leeds United manager following promotion to the Premier League, with the Whites lifting the Championship title on the final days.

After a promotion parade through Leeds city centre, attention will soon be on the summer transfer window and what the 49ers Enterprises will do as they look to make Leeds an established top flight club.

Talking about the summer plans, Marathe recently said: “You’ve got to nail your transfers. You’ve got to nail the players that come in that really fit the style of play that you want to have, that fit the club and and play together cohesively.

“I think that’s really important. Some lessons learned from the three years when I was sitting as a vice chairman, watching us do what we did those three years.”

One player who has been heavily linked with a move to Elland Road in recent days is Beto. Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett shared Leeds’ interest in the Everton forward on Wednesday.

The Yorkshire Evening Post have now added that ‘Leeds could test the Toffees’ resolve with a bid before the June 30 accounting deadline’, and that a sale could be possible ‘if Everton sign a new striker and tie Dominic Calvert-Lewin down to a new deal’.

At this stage, the 27-year-old is Everton’s only senior forward under contract for the 2025/26 season, so a transfer could prove tricky as Leeds look to make their mark early in the window.

Games

68

Goals

14

Assists

2

Minutes played

2,729

Alongside Beto, Sky Sports have shared some further information on where Leeds will look to strengthen ahead of their Premier League return.

Leeds willing to spend £90m on three more players

As per Sky Sports, Leeds are looking to improve the spine of their team by signing a new goalkeeper, centre-back and central midfielder alongside a new forward. The 49ers are also ‘willing’ to spend £30m on each position, meaning a £90m spend on three new players along with a striker.

Those areas of the pitch are seen as ‘priorities’ for the Whites and if they manage to get those in, new full-backs and a right-winger could also be targeted, it is added.

There have been previous claims that Leeds and the 49ers will target players with Premier League experience, a category that Beto falls into.

Leeds now readying £6m bid for star defender who's in talks to join Everton

Leeds will send officials to watch him in action this weekend.

ByBrett Worthington May 7, 2025

It promises to be a busy and crucial first transfer market for new managing director Robbie Evans and sporting director Adam Underwood and one Leeds will have long been preparing for.

Aston Villa have been told by the representatives of a forward that he’d sign for them this summer regardless of their Champions League status, with Unai Emery and NSWE handed a potential transfer boost by this news.

Aston Villa given Champions League hope after win over Tottenham

Emery’s side, depending on results elsewhere, still have a chance to book their place in the Champions League draw for 2025/2026 after a precious win over Tottenham at Villa Park on Friday evening.

Aston Villa add record-breaking forward to shortlist as Monchi plots move

He’s enjoyed an excellent season.

ByTom Cunningham May 14, 2025

Goals from Ezri Konsa and Boubacar Kamara mean the Villans remain in contention for a coveted spot in Europe’s most prestigious competition, coming after they reached the Champions League quarter-finals this term and unluckily bowed out to favourites PSG.

2. Arsenal

68

36

3. Newcastle United

66

36

4. Chelsea

66

37

5. Aston Villa

66

37

6. Man City

65

36

7. Nottingham Forest

62

36

Villa would probably need to beat struggling Man United at Old Trafford while hoping rivals drop key points, with Chelsea set to play fellow European hopefuls, Nottingham Forest, on the final day while Man City have a game in hand.

While the Champions League race could eventually fall out of their grasp, Emery has explained what is really important to him in the grand scheme of things, on Villa’s journey to become an elite-level side.

“The most important thing for us and for me, and how we can really progress, is by being consistent through the Premier League over 38 games, getting the points needed to always be in the European positions,” said Emery before Villa’s win over Spurs, in an interview with Sky.

“We are trying to have a clear identity, trying to connect with our supporters, how we are playing, with our style, our intensity, our skills. This is very important because I think we need to achieve the heart of the supporters to get the energy that we need.”

Aston Villa told that Rashford would re-join regardless of Champions League status

Their European endeavors will have an effect on their recruitment plans, as world-class players are usually more attracted to the possibility of playing Champions League football, as is predictably the case.

They’d also get a transfer boost financially, so the result of Villa’s standings after their final matchday will have a profound effect on their plans for next season off the field.

However, this apparently isn’t the case with £300,000-per-week Man United loanee Marcus Rashford, who’s enjoyed a productive temporary spell in the Midlands with 10 goal contributions in 17 matches (four goals, six assists).

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, writing for The Boot Room, Rashford’s representatives have told Villa that Champions League qualification “isn’t necessarily needed for him to re-sign”.

The England international has refused to rule out staying at Villa beyond this term, even if he does hold a preference for Barcelona, and remains open-minded about his future past 24/25.

Villa possess an option to buy Rashford for £40 million, and according to this report, United will not deviate from that price point – so NSWE know what is required to keep the winger.