Orla Prendergast’s 76 underpins Ireland innings but England side featuring five debutants get home
ESPNcricinfo staff07-Sep-2024
Kate Cross picked up 6 for 30 with the ball•ECB via Getty Images
Kate Cross claimed career-best figures with bat and ball on her captaincy debut to lead England to a four-wicket win over Ireland in the first ODI at Stormont.Cross, leading a side featuring five ODI debutants in the absence of most of England’s T20 World Cup squad, was largely responsible for limiting the home side to 210 all out, her haul of 6 for 30 including Ireland’s top-scorer, Orla Prendergast, for 76.She then helped repair the damage after Ireland had reduced the visitors to 156 for 6, hitting an unbeaten 38 that included the winning runs.”There was a lot of nerves out there today,” Cross said. “When you’re captaining one debutant it can be quite hard but to have five on the pitch was a lot to manage so I was just really pleased with the first half in general, how we managed to restrict Ireland to what I thought was a below-par total and then we’ve chased it down.”I’ve been there. When I was running in in Barbados for my debut I remember thinking, ‘just try and land it on the cut strip’ and that does go through your head as a player but sometimes it’s the unknown and a fear when they play on debut because they don’t know how they’ll go in international cricket. I think they coped with the occasion really well.”Ireland opted to bat first in the opening match of the series and were well placed at 151 for 3, with star allrounder Prendergast going well. But Cross returned to break a stand of 77 with Leah Paul, and then mopped up the tail for her second ODI five-wicket haul.Cross had struck in her first over, pinning Una Raymond-Hoey lbw, before Lauren Filer removed Ireland captain Gaby Lewis via a catch at slip. Hannah Baker, the legspinner winning her first cap in any format, then struck in her opening spell as Amy Hunter departed for 37.Prendergast, who scored her maiden ODI hundred last month in Ireland’s series win over Sri Lanka, led the rebuilding effort but the innings folded quickly after her departure. Ryana MacDonald-Gay, another England debutant, bowled Rebecca Stokell, then Paul was run out by a combination of Freya Kemp and Bess Heath – two players who will be going to the World Cup in the UAE.Ireland’s total was their highest in women’s ODIs against England, and they made a good start in its defence. Prendergast opened the bowling and removed Emma Lamb and Tammy Beaumont inside her first four overs to leave England 32 for 2.Two debutants in Hollie Armitage (previously capped in T20Is) and Paige Scholfield steadied the ship with a stand of 62, before they were both dismissed in consecutive overs. Kemp showed her power with 26 off 19, but after she fell Mady Villiers was run out to leave England six down.Heath was joined by Cross, with 55 needed and more than 20 overs in which to get them. The captain did the bulk of the scoring, finishing unbeaten with 38 from 36 balls, as England got home with 91 balls to spare.
The future of an “amazing” Manchester United player now looks set to be resolved, with a new update suggesting he is on the verge of leaving Old Trafford.
Lots of Man Utd departures on the cards
After a dire 2024/25 season at Old Trafford, wholesale changes are expected within Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils squad, with Matheus Cunha already arriving from Wolves.
While United supporters will understandably be focusing on the players who come in, a host of current stars are likely to depart before the new Premier League campaign gets underway, especially in wide attacking areas.
Marcus Rashford’s name immediately springs to mind, with the 27-year-old’s Red Devils career set to reach a sad conclusion after a sustained period of poor form. He continues to be mentioned as an option for Barcelona, with a loan move to the Catalan giants mooted.
He is far from the only United attacker who is expected to move on, though, with the likes of Antony, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho all highly likely to head off to pastures new. Now, an important update has emerged regarding one of those players.
£20m+ agreement reached for Man Utd attacker to leave
According to a fresh update from Corriere dello Sport [via Sport Witness], Manchester United have now reached an agreement over the exit of Sancho to Juventus this summer.
The Englishman looks set to leave in a £20m+ deal, having made it clear that he wants a fresh challenge, and previous claims have said Amorim also doesn’t want him at the club any longer. Sancho has also accepted a contract offer from the Italian giants worth more than £5m a season.
Chelsea's JadonSanchocelebrates scoring their first goal
Selling Sancho this summer is a no-brainer for United, even though the 25-year-old is clearly a player with bags of talent, having been hailed as “amazing” by Ian Wright during his loan spell at Chelsea last season, and lauded by Blues manager Enzo Maresca.
“Jadon is doing well. He needs to continue in the same way; work hard, every day. As I’ve said before, for sure he is going to help us. We really believe that he is a special player. But the only way for him to confirm that is by working hard every day and never be happy and always be ambitious. He needs to want more and more and more.”
Sancho’s move to United simply hasn’t worked out, though, with just 12 goals and six assists to his name in 83 appearances, and it makes complete sense for them to cash in at this point, using the money to find a superior option.
A Hojlund & Osimhen hybrid: Man Utd enter talks for "world-class" £44m CF
Manchester United appear to be making moves to land a key target for Ruben Amorim this summer.
ByEthan Lamb Jul 12, 2025
The fact that Amorim sees no future for the England international is the final nail in the coffin for him, and while he may go to Juventus and excel, as he did abroad with Borussia Dortmund in the past, the United boss will feel he is making the right decision.
أعلنت رابطة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز عن اسم الفائز بجائزة مدرب الشهر خلال أغسطس الماضي من بين عدة مرشحين متنافسين على الجائزة.
وعبر الموقع الرسمي فقد تم الإعلان عن اختيار آرني سلوت مدرب ليفربول كأفضل مدرب في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز لشهر أغسطس بعد قيادته الريدز لبداية مثالية للموسم.
The only side with a 100% record 💯
Arne Slot is @BarclaysFooty Manager of the Month after three wins in three matches in August 🔴 pic.twitter.com/06lE8RpiP4 — Premier League (@premierleague) September 12, 2025
واختير سلوت بعد أن قاد ليفربول لبداية مثالية موسم 2025-2026، وحقق الفريق تحت قيادته ثلاث انتصارات من أصل ثلاث مباريات ليصبح الريدز الفريق الوحيد الذي حقق العلامة الكاملة في الشهر الافتتاحي.
أقرأ أيضاً.. رابطة الدوري الإنجليزي تعلن عن الفائز بجائزة لاعب الشهر في أغسطس
وسجل فريق سلوت أعلى عدد من الأهداف في الدوري بثمانية أهداف خلال مباريات صعبة، حيث بدأ ليفربول المسابقة بفوز مثير ضد بورنموث بأربعة أهداف لهدفين في ملعب أنفيلد.
وحقق ليفربول فوز آخر ضد نيوكاسل يونايتد خارج ملعبه على سانت جيمس بارك بثلاث اهداف لهدفين واختتم الشهر بفوز صعب ضد آرسنال بهدف نظيف ليعزز فرصه في التتويج باللقب في بداية هذا الموسم.
وتعد هذه هي المرة الثانية التي يفوز فيها آرني سلوت بجائزة أفضل مدرب في الشهر بعد أن فاز بها لأول مرة في نوفمبر 2024، خلال موسمه الأول في الدوري.
وحصل آرني سلوت على أعلى أصوات من قائمة تضم أربعة مرشحين وجاءت هذه الأصوات من جانب الجماهير ولجنة من خبراء كرة القدم.
كشفت تقارير صحفية يونانية عن موقف المدرب البرتغالي فرناندو سانتوس، المدير الفني الأسبق لمنتخب البرتغال من تدريب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي.
ورحل الإسباني خوسيه ريبيرو عن تدريب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي بعد الأداء السيء الذي ظهر به الفريق تحت قيادته على مدار بطولة كأس العالم للأندية 2025 والدوري المصري.
ولم يفُز ريبيرو سوى بمباراة واحدة في بطولة الدوري كانت على حساب فريق فاركو برباعية مقابل هدف بالدوري، و6 مباريات أخرى 4 تعادلات وهزيمتين.
ورحل ريبيرو بعد الخسارة أمام بيراميدز في الدوري المصري بثنائية نظيفة، بعد أداء سيء للغاية والكثير من المعاناة التي ظهرت على لاعبي الأهلي.
ووفقًا لصحيفة “OJOGO” البرتغالية، فإن نادي باناثينايكوس يدرس التعاقد مع فرناندو سانتوس لخلافة مواطنه روي فيتوريا، مدرب منتخب مصر السابق.
اقرأ أيضًا | الأهلي يتخذ قرارًا جديدًا في ملف المدرب الأجنبي.. وموقف فايلر وموسيماني
الصحيفة استدلت بما نشرته تقارير يونانية والتي ذكرت أنه عند سؤال سانتوس عن تلقيه عرضًا من النادي الأهلي المصري، أجاب سانتوس بأنه لا يستطيع قبوله لأن أولويته هي العودة إلى اليونان.
صحيفة “أونلي باو” اليونانية، ذكرت أن مدرب منتخب البرتغال السابق رفض بشكل رسمي التعاقد مع الأهلي يوم الإثنين الماضي.
درّب سانتوس ثلاثة من عمالقة اليونان، بالإضافة إلى تدريب المنتخب الوطني، حيث اكتسب شعبية واسعة.
المدرب البالغ من العمر 71 عامًا له شعبية كبيرة في اليونان إذ قام بتدريب الثلاثة الكبار وهم باناثينايكوس، وأيك أثينا وباوك.
سانتوس أيضًا قاد المنتخب البرتغالي لأول لقب في تاريخ المنتخب وهو الفوز ببطولة يورو 2016 على حساب فرنسا وسط جمهورها وأرضها.
The Pakistan Test captain also threw his weight behind Babar stating that the players in the longer formats needed to be given time
Danyal Rasool01-Oct-2024
Shan Masood: “I have never seen a lack of unity or effort by the boys”•Getty Images
Pakistan captain Shan Masood stated that he has seen no signs of a lack of unity from his side during his tenure as captain, saying Pakistan needed to avoid the temptation of chopping and changing regularly. In a press conference ahead of the start of Pakistan’s three-match Test series against England at home, Masood also backed Babar Azam to come good, calling him “among the world’s best batters”.”Every captain has their own style,” Masood said. “I focus on keeping the environment in the dressing room well; that is my primary concern. I have never seen a lack of unity or effort by the boys. There are some cricketing aspects to how we need to improve, but I have no complaints regarding unity.”Masood is hoping to overcome a horror start to his time as captain, with Pakistan following up a 3-0 series defeat in Australia with a home series against Bangladesh that saw the visitors win both Test matches. It has coincided with difficult runs of form for several players, not least Masood himself, who’s scored 286 runs in ten innings during this period, or Babar, who has managed 190.Related
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Masood said players in the longer formats had earned the right to get more time. “Babar Azam is among the world’s best batters. You have to give your players time, not just Babar Azam. Babar doesn’t look out of form, he’s getting starts,” Masood said. “There was a 10-month gap between the Australia and Bangladesh Tests, which doesn’t help us. He played some long innings in the Champions [One-Day] Cup where he absorbed pressure and changed gears. That might help him in Tests now. He’s the team’s number one batter for sure.”We have to give players a consistent chance and if and when we get Kamran Ghulam in the side, he should also get a long run instead of chopping and changing. We want to consistently back our players, and whoever comes in shouldn’t feel their spot is under threat from the first day.”Masood also defended Abdullah Shafique, who has endured a difficult couple of years in the national side, drawing from his own personal experiences to argue against dropping struggling players too quickly.”Saim [Ayub] scored two 50s in the last two Tests, if we’d dropped him after the first Test, I’ve had that happen to me; it’s not nice,” he said. “When I was out of the team for two years, I averaged over 60 in List A cricket, but Imam [ul-Haq-] and Fakhar [Zaman] were consistently performing. I didn’t complain that I wasn’t being selected, because I understood the level of competition was high. If the coach was backing the players, they were doing the right thing.”If I’ve backed a player who ends up becoming a great servant for Pakistan cricket, and he ends up replacing me in the process, I won’t be upset. If I’m backing the right thing, I’ll sleep well at night.”Mohammad Hasnain picked up 17 wickets in the One-Day Cup•PCB
Perhaps the brightest spark for Pakistan in what has been a challenging few months is the form of Mohammad Hasnain in the One-Day Cup. The 24-year-old recently overcame a long-term ankle injury to finish as the player of the tournament, taking 17 wickets – seven more than any other bowler. Crucially, his pace appeared undimmed from his pre-injury days, with his performances also attracting the attention of the Pakistan Test captain.”Hasnain was bowling really well and [was] a personal standout for me,” Masood said. “If I’m selecting a team, my question to him would be you’re bowling really well, how well can you do in red-ball cricket?’ We should appreciate the skill of fast bowling in Test cricket. It’s the hardest skill and you need to be super fit to execute it so we should appreciate it.”Fast bowling exerts a huge amount of stress on the body, and wherever I’ve played Test cricket, fast bowlers’ workload is always managed. Injuries with fast bowlers are common so you have to continue building stocks of fast bowlers. Personally, what I’ve said to fast bowlers is they’ll play a huge role in taking 20 wickets. So we’ve set certain standards and protocols so our fast bowlers are the fittest players in our team. That’s the only way they’ll be able to bowl effective third and fourth spells, so that’s the standard we’re looking to set.”
After defeat in their Premier League Summer Series opener on Saturday night, West Ham United supporters are extra eager to see their side make signings.
At the weekend in East Rutherford, the Hammers were beaten 2-1 by Manchester United at MetLife Stadium, with Jarrod Bowen halving the deficit in the second half, but this failed to spark a full-scale comeback.
Of course, it’s only pre-season, so the results are essentially meaningless, but a front two of Bowen and Niclas Füllkrug, with Luis Guilherme the only attacking player introduced as a substitute, underlines Graham Potter’s need for reinforcements.
With that in mind, are the Irons about to sign a “brilliant talent”?
West Ham's search for a new attacker
The most notable transfer news of West Ham’s summer so far is the departure of Mohammed Kudus, sold to fierce rivals for a reported fee of £55m, which will certainly make the London derby between the two on 13 September an interesting affair.
The departure of Kudus certainly leaves an enormous void in terms of quality in the Hammers’ forward line, so are they about to address this?
Well, according to a report by Julien Laurens of ESPN, West Ham are ‘keen’ to sign Amine Adli from Bayer Leverkusen, with Wolves also interested.
He adds that the 25-year-old is ‘open to a move’ to the Premier League, valued at around £23m by die Werkself.
So, could he soon swap North Rhine-Westphalia for East London?
How Amine Adli would improve West Ham
Adli began his senior career at Toulouse, scoring eight Ligue 1 goals in 2020/21, on top of seven assists, for les Violets, thereby earning a move to Bayer Leverkusen.
Bayer Leverkusen forward Amine Adli.
Since, in 142 appearances for die Schwarzroten, he’s racked up 23 goals and 24 assists, helping Bayer win the Bundesliga title and DFB-Pokal double unbeaten in 2023/24, claiming the club’s first-ever Meisterschale.
Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout labels him a “electric” talent while Fintan O’Reilly of Total Football Analysis describes him as a ‘versatile’ attacker who favours playing on the right, thereby able to cut inside onto hs left foot.
Meantime, Phenom Akpan of Breaking the Lines notes that he is ‘a fantastic ball carrier’ who possesses ‘intelligent movement’ and sublime ‘pace’, all attributes that sound reminiscent of a certain outgoing Kudus, do they not?
So, let’s assess how the duo compared to one another last season.
Adli vs Kudus 2024/25 comparison
Statistics (per 90)
Adli
Kudus
Goals
0.3
0.2
Shots
1.6
1.6
Shots on target
0.9
0.8
Shooting accuracy %
53.85%
47.83%
Chances created
1.4
1.1
Passes attempted
37.6
26.7
Successful dribbles %
48.4%
48.4%
Touches
59.5
52.2
Average SofaScore rating
6.87
6.82
Statistics courtesy of Squawka and SofaScore
As the table outlines, on a per-90 basis, Adli’s statistics last season were more impressive than Kudus’, albeit the Moroccan international did only play 759 minutes in the Bundesliga, starting just six times, hence why he’s seemingly set to be on the move.
The numbers also underline why West Ham may have identified Adli as the ideal Kudus replacement, given how similar their statistics are in terms of shooting, chances created, touches and, most notably, dribbling.
Bayer Leverkusen'sAmineAdliin action
Thus, everything suggests that Adli would be an excellent addition for West Ham, something for their downbeat fan base to get very excited about.
Fullkrug upgrade: West Ham agree personal terms to sign "incredible" star
West Ham have reached an agreement to sign a new number nine…
The incumbent No. 3 has been suggested as an opening candidate although he believes the selectors will opt for a specialist
AAP23-Oct-2024
Marnus Labuschagne’s name has been suggested for a move up to open•Getty Images
Marnus Labuschagne says the race for the vacant Test opening spot is an open field, but insists it is fitting Steven Smith is no longer in that frame after his guaranteed switch back to No. 4 for the India series.Smith, speaking this week about the termination of his opening experiment, said Test opener Usman Khawaja and No. 3 Labuschagne made it clear they preferred him to bat behind them.”They hated me up top…so that was a big part of it,” Smith said. “They call it security behind them – I don’t know, ask them about it. Honestly, I’m not that fussed. They didn’t like it at all…I can understand that.”Labuschagne said Smith’s return to the position he had shone in for most of his career was not rocket science.”One of the best players for Australia batting in the position he has had the most success in is a pretty simple fix,” he said. “Cameron Green is unavailable for the summer. There is no one batting at No. 4 as we currently stand in our team. Why not have the person who has done it best for Australia batting in that position? It just makes sense.”People want to know if there is something more [to it], but that is the reality.”Labuschagne added Smith was naturally suited to the spot.”I think it is his ability to read match scenarios and adapt his game to whatever the game needs,” he said. “At No. 4 you have to be good at playing spin, work on when you need to push, when you need to hold and when you need to get through a tough spell. That has always been his strength.”Labuschagne said he laughed when he read that David Warner had put his hand up to come out of retirement to open, if asked.”I don’t know if he was serious or whether he was joking. It is always hard to tell,” he chuckled. “I don’t know what to make of that.”Warner had also floated the possibility of Labuschagne moving up the order to fill the void, a concept the Test No. 3 answered forthrightly.”I will bat wherever they tell me to bat. Currently I would say that how I have played at No. 3 has been relatively successful,” he said.”Hopefully it should be more successful, but that’s where I have batted. If [selectors] think I should move and that is best for the team that is what will happen, but at this stage I think they have made it clear they are going to look down the opener route. Who that is…is anyone’s guess. It is a very open field.”New South Wales teenager Sam Konstas, Victorian opener Marcus Harris and Western Australia’s suddenly out-of-form Cameron Bancroft are the three specialist openers in contention and all will feature for Australia A against India A next week.
يخوض فريق نادي الزمالك مواجهة جديدة في منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز، عندما يلتقي مع الجونة مساء غد الثلاثاء، على استاد القاهرة.
الزمالك يلاقي الجونة، في إطار مواجهات الجولة الثامنة من عمر مباريات بطولة الدوري المصري للموسم الحالي 2025-2026.
ويدخل الزمالك، المباراة متصدرًا جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري، برصيد 16 نقطة، من الفوز في 5 مباريات والتعادل في لقاء والخسارة في مثله.
بينما فريق الجونة، يتواجد في المركز السادس عشر، في ترتيب الدوري المصري، برصيد 7 نقاط، حيث انتصر في مباراة واحدة وتعادل في 4 وخسر في لقاء وحيد.
طالع | حسين لبيب يتخذ قرارين في اجتماع اليوم مع مجلس إدارة الزمالك
تجدر الإشارة إلى أن مباراة الزمالك والجونة، هي البروفة الأخيرة قبل لقاء القمة المرتقب الذي يجمع الفارس الأبيض أمام الأهلي في الجولة التاسعة المحدد لها يوم 29 سبتمبر.
ويسعى الزمالك للفوز في مباراة الجونة، من أجل مواصلة سلسلة الانتصارات والابتعاد بصدارة الترتيب بعد تعثر المصري صاحب المركز الثاني اليوم أمام فاركو بالتعادل السلبي.
بينما على الجانب الآخر، فريق الجونة، يريد الخروج بنتيجة إيجابية من أجل الابتعاد عن مناطق الهبوط، والاستقرار في المنطقة الآمنة بجدول ترتيب الدوري.
ومن المقرر أن يدير لقاء الزمالك والجونة، حكم ساحة، مصطفى الشهدي، حكم مساعد أول، أحمد حسام طه، حكم مساعد ثانٍ، طارق مصطفى، حكم رابع، هيثم عثمان، وسيكون في غرفة الفار، محمود عاشور ويعاونه أحمد جمال.
The INEOS hierarchy at Manchester United has been hellbent on avoiding the same mistakes as the previous regime, although there does appear to be a real sense of Deja Vu with regard to Jason Wilcox’s pursuit of a new centre-forward.
Rewind two years ago, with then-boss Erik ten Hag having identified Harry Kane as his primary striker target, albeit with United wary of engaging in protracted negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur chairman, Daniel Levy.
The ageing Englishman instead packed his bags for Germany, while the Old Trafford side went down the high-potential route. Despite reportedly being Ten Hag’s fifth-choice option at the time, in came a 20-year-old Rasmus Hojlund for an initial fee of £64m.
Man Utd’s top PL scorer by season
Season
Player
Goals
2024/25
Bruno Fernandes & Amad
8
2023/24
Bruno Fernandes & Rasmus Hojlund
10
2022/23
Marcus Rashford
17
2021/22
Cristiano Ronaldo
18
2020/21
Bruno Fernandes
18
2019/20
Marcus Rashford & Anthony Martial
17
2018/19
Paul Pogba
13
2017/18
Romelu Lukaku
16
2016/17
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
17
2015/16
Anthony Martial
11
2014/15
Wayne Rooney
12
2013/14
Wayne Rooney
17
2012/13
Robin van Persie
26
Stats via Transfermarkt
A player coveted by Paris Saint-Germain at the time, Hojlund had been earning rave reviews amid his promising displays in Atalanta, with then-boss Gian Piero Gasperini highlighting his electric pace that had ripped through Serie A defences.
We’d all seen the clips of the young Dane bursting into the box at breakneck speed. All dreamed of this ‘new Erling Haaland’ proving to be the next Scandinavian striking sensation on Premier League soil.
Overlooked, however, was the mere nine league goals he had scored in his solitary season in Bergamo, with such a gamble having yet to pay off for the Red Devils. The same mistake can’t happen again under Wilcox.
Latest on Man Utd's striker search
Speaking after scoring in the recent 4-1 victory over Bournemouth in the latest Premier League summer series clash, the 22-year-old – who had been linked with a move to Inter Milan earlier in the window – outlined his desire to “stay and fight for his spot, whatever happens”.
A bright start to pre-season has raised hopes that United’s number nine can kick on in 2025/26, although Hojlund might not get his own way, with reports indicating that he could be used as part of a deal to bring in a new striker.
Indeed, it has been claimed – including by The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell – that a swap deal could be on the cards which would see the Denmark starlet head to RB Leipzig, with Benjamin Sesko moving in the opposite direction.
Transfer Focus
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Additional reports, as per journalist Graeme Bailey, having indicated that there is an “internal confidence” at Old Trafford that a deal for Sesko will get over the line amid their ongoing talks, with the club currently going toe-to-toe with Newcastle United for his signature:
Reportedly valued at around £70m, Sesko – who has been the subject of a bid from Newcastle – is hot property amid two solid seasons in Germany. That said, doesn’t this all feel a little familiar?
Why Man Utd are risking a Hojlund repeat
For a brief moment, it looked like United’s decision to plump for Hojlund had paid off, following his destructive debut away to Arsenal in September 2023. Having endured an injury-hit start to life in Manchester, the towering left-footer announced himself in fine fashion, proving a real nuisance for Gabriel and William Saliba in the home defence.
That image of Casemiro grabbing the youngster by the jersey – a mark that he was to be the man to win the game for Ten Hag’s men – evoked that strong early impression, with Hojlund also subsequently making his mark by netting five times in six Champions League group stage outings, including a breathtaking brace at home to Galatasaray.
Such moments have indicated that there is a player in there somewhere, yet with 26 goals to his name in 95 appearances, this is an expensive risk that has yet to pay off, with TNT Sport commentator Darren Fletcher notably describing the misfiring marksman as perhaps the “most unlucky number nine Manchester United have ever had”.
Man Utd strikers
But should his woes be a surprise? His only season in a top-five league had yielded only nine Serie A goals, having previously scored 17 goals in 53 games for Sturm Graz and FC Copenhagen combined. Thrusting him in as the leading striker was perhaps a step too far, too soon.
Sesko’s path has worryingly been rather similar to date, with the 22-year-old – who is actually younger than Hojlund – having spent two seasons in the Bundesliga, after previously scoring 29 times in 79 games for Austria side Red Bull Salzburg.
RB Leipzig's BenjaminSeskocelebrates their second goal scored by Lukas Klostermann
A player whom United turned down for a fee of around £2.5m back in 2019, the Slovenian has reached double figures for league goals in each of the last two campaigns, although he hasn’t exactly ripped it up with 13 and 14 goals, respectively.
Like Hojlund, at 6 foot 4 the in-demand striker is an eye-catching figure, having been described as a “monster” of a striker by analyst Ben Mattinson. His penchant for the spectacular will also have onlookers licking their lips – boasting a highlight reel of goals that any number nine would be proud of.
That said, in the view of The Athletic’s James Horncastle, speaking on the Libero podcast, there is a sense that he merely is a “highlights player”, with the respected journalist even quipping that he is akin to a ‘Slovenian Andy Carroll’ in that regard.
A scorer of great goals, but not exactly a great goalscorer then, with United again at a juncture where they are in need of a proven talent, rather than a player of undoubtedly exciting potential.
Benjamin Sesko 2024-25 stats (timeless)
Like with Ten Hag and Kane two years ago, Ruben Amorim is said to have a preference for signing Premier League menace, Ollie Watkins. Perhaps listening to the Portuguese coach would be the right choice this time around?
Most important deal since Bruno: Man Utd make enquiry for "world-class" gem
Manchester United are set to make another key move within this summer’s transfer window.
Both teams have had similar journeys so far but on Sunday, one will have glory and the other heartbreak
Shashank Kishore19-Oct-20244:55
NZ or SA – who will be crowned first-time T20 world champions?
Big picture: A shot at historySome pictures speak more than words can convey.Like Siya Kolisi looking skywards and roaring into the Parisian sky, before lifting last year’s Rugby World Cup.Like Grant Elliott, a South African by heritage, offering a hand to a crestfallen Dale Steyn after hitting the winning six to seal New Zealand’s final at the 2015 ODI World Cup.Like Katy Perry joining Meg Lanning’s victorious Australian team on the winners’ podium in front of a record 86,174 fans at the MCG in 2020.Or, more recently, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma – standing side by side, like brothers in arms, with the Indian flag, their medals and the World Cup trophy, before walking into the sunset.On Sunday, South Africa and New Zealand will go toe to toe to earn the right to add to the iconic images and moments of the sport, for which one works hard for years, or decades in the case of Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates, and Marizanne Kapp.New Zealand have a shot at glory after 14 years, South Africa their second in two years, having vanquished Australia, the team that broke their hearts on a sparkling Cape Town afternoon last February.Their journeys to the World Cup final have been somewhat similar. Filled with stunning wins that warmed the hearts. And losses that questioned – with a transition looming – the pathway structures that haven’t exactly been able to replicate the benchmarks set by Australia and England. Which is why their appearance in the summit clash holds out hope for the women’s game and the sport’s expansion.Dubai has a massive significance for both teams. South Africa lifted their only ever silverware – senior or junior – at a World Cup here in 2014 under Aiden Markram’s captaincy. For New Zealand, this was the epicentre of their most recent finals heartbreak at the men’s T20 World Cup in 2021.Irrespective of what happens in the grand finale on Sunday, the women’s T20 World Cup will have a new winner.Can New Zealand do it for their old guard, Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine and Lea Tahuhu?•ICC/Getty Images
Form guideNew Zealand WWWLW (last five T20Is, most recent first) South Africa WWWLWIn the spotlight: Sophie Devine and Anneke BoschFourteen years ago in Barbados, Ellyse Perry’s boot intercepted an absolute rocket hit from Sophie Devine to prevent a boundary that would have sent the T20 World Cup final into a Super Over. A generation has come and gone, but Devine has willed herself to fight through the highs and lows. On Sunday, she has a rare opportunity to finish her captaincy career with the ultimate crowning glory.Anneke Bosch’s batting until the semi-final had come in for sharp criticism from several quarters as she was striking below a run a ball. The team management was aware of it but continued to back her as they believed a big knock was around the corner. On Thursday, Bosch batted out of her skin to send Australia packing – her unbeaten 74 was a knock full of enterprise and innovation. After a performance for the ages, she will hope for another impactful innings.Team news: Not many changes expectedThere is little indication that both teams will greatly change with their XIs from the semi-final. South Africa have remained unchanged all tournament.New Zealand (probable): 1 Georgia Plimmer, 2 Suzie Bates, 3 Amelia Kerr, 4 Sophie Devine (capt), 5 Brooke Halliday, 6 Maddy Green, 7 Isabella Gaze (wk), 8 Rosemary Mair, 9 Lea Tahuhu, 10 Eden Carson, 11 Fran JonasSouth Africa (probable): 1 Laura Wolvaardt (capt), 2 Tazmin Brits, 3 Anneke Bosch, 4 Chloe Tryon, 5 Marizanne Kapp, 6 Sune Luus, 6 Annerie Dercksen, 8 Nadine de Klerk, 9 Sinao Jafta (wk), 10 Nonkululeko Mlaba, 11 Ayabonga KhakaAnneke Bosch was innovative during her unbeaten 74 in the semi-final•ICC/Getty Images
Pitch and conditions: Spin to winThe build-up to the last two major ICC finals was dominated by chatter around the pitch and conditions. In Ahmedabad, at last year’s 50-over World Cup, you didn’t know until a day before the final which surface was going to be used. In Barbados, this June, rain had been predicted all day with the threat of a hurricane – which eventually delayed India’s departure – loomed. There is less drama this time around.Pitches in Dubai have taken turn, and taking the pace off has been a ploy captains have often stuck by. Pakistan exploited this quite superbly against New Zealand. India realised the perils of playing three seamers when they conceded 160 in their opening game against New Zealand.The absence of dew has been a reason why spin has been effective. Dew had reduced the toss to a lottery at the 2021 Men’s T20 World Cup in the UAE, but its effect has been minimal this time. While temperatures have considerably dropped in the last two weeks, it will still test players’ fitness, especially because evenings continue to be muggy.Stats and trivia Bates is set to become the most capped player in women’s internationals, surpassing Mithali Raj’s tally of 333 matches. Wolvaardt has overtaken Dane van Niekerk to become South Africa’s highest run-scorer at a T20 World Cup. New Zealand have lost just one wicket in the powerplay in this tournament. Amelia Kerr’s 12 wickets at this T20 World Cup are the third-most by a bowler at a single edition. Two wickets on Sunday will take her past Anya Shrubsole and Megan Schutt’s joint record. Bosch’s 74 not out in the semi-final is the highest individual score of the tournament so far.Quotes”Playing that final, we put ourselves behind the eight ball. In such games, you have to be at 200%, and stay calm. We kind of got flustered, we do get flustered at times. But throughout this tournament, we have been calm and clear about how we want to go about things. It shows the growth of this team.” “We’re the grandmas of this team, still standing. Leah [Tahuhu] with her bionic knees, Sophie having dealt with a lot of stuff as captain, and me keeping on going – it’s really a special moment. There have been tough times, we have been through ups and downs, but that we have made the final is special. We look after each other.”