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Ruben Amorim has revealed that he is confident that the Manchester United will be able to make top signings despite their dismal season.

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United looking to overhaul their squadPotential signings may demand CL footballAmorim believes players want to joinFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

United have suffered possibly their worst season in a long time, having been on a slow downward spiral since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure from Old Trafford in 2013. Amorim's side are currently all the way down in 14th in the Premier League standings, and are now keen on making big signings this summer to turn around their ever-dwindling fortunes.

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United have been linked with a move for Wolves' Matheus Cunha, Ipswich Town's Liam Delap, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Kaua Santos and Lille’s Lucas Chevalier, however, they know that those moves could depend on whether the Red Devils qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League. However, Amorim believes that his side will be able to make their necessary signings regardless of how their season ends.

WHAT AMORIM SAID

Speaking to the media, Amorim said: "It’s Manchester United. What I feel is there are a lot of players that want to play for our club. I know that if you look at our club at the moment with all the problems, the staff going, results and changing coach, it looks a little bit of a problem but we have a clear idea – and that’s the easiest part to explain to a player. And then it’s Manchester United and every player wants to play for Manchester United."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

Regardless of what Amorim believes, the hard truth is that United will only be able to entice their shortlisted players into moving to Old Trafford by offering them a treasure chest of gold alongside the promise of playing the Champions League. As such, they will have to hope that they can handle the task in front of them: Ernesto Valverde's Athletic Club in the Europa League semi-final.

Gambhir will mentor the Lucknow (IPL) and Durban (SA20) franchises, both of which are part of the RPSG group

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Oct-2022After mentoring Lucknow Super Giants to a top-four finish in the IPL in their maiden outing, former India batter Gautam Gambhir has been elevated to the role of “global mentor” by the Sanjiv Goenka-led RPSG Group. That means Gambhir will also mentor the Durban Super Giants franchise in the new SA20 competition – a team that the RPSG Group acquired in July 2022 – in addition to his role with the Lucknow franchise.”He is one of the sharpest cricketing minds going around,” a statement from the RPSG Group read. “The group feels he can not only add value in Indian conditions but across the cricketing map as well.”Gambhir, a two-time IPL winning captain, was present in the dug out for all of Super Giants’ games in the IPL, and was a key member of the Lucknow franchise’s think-tank at the auction too. He was visible in the field during strategic time outs and regularly addressed the team in post-match dressing room debriefs as well.”In my ideology of a team sport, designations don’t play much role,” Gambhir was quoted as saying in the statement. “At best, they are there to facilitate a process to make a team win. As a global mentor of Super Giants I look forward to some added responsibility.”My intensity and passion to win have just got international wings. It will be a proud moment to see the Super Giants family leave a global imprint. I thank Super Giants family for showing that faith in me. Guess it’s time for some more sleepless nights.”Gambhir will now also be working closely with the Durban franchise’s head coach Lance Klusener. On Friday, Klusener stepped down as batting coach of the Zimbabwe men’s team to “pursue professional engagements around the globe.”The Durban franchise has a few other crossovers from the Lucknow team, with Quinton de Kock, Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers part of both teams. Those three were among five players signed up by the franchise ahead the SA20 auction, while the likes of Reece Topley, Dwaine Pretorius, Heinrich Klaasen, Keemo Paul, Keshav Maharaj, Kyle Abbott, Dilshan Madushanka and Wiaan Mulder were added during the auction.The inaugural edition of the SA20 competition starts on January 10 next year and will be a 33-match competition featuring sides representing Durban, Johannesburg, Paarl, Cape Town, Pretoria and Gqeberha. All six teams have been bought by owners of IPL teams.

Turning their attention towards the summer, Manchester City have now reportedly joined the race to sign a bargain World Cup winner who could replace Kevin de Bruyne.

Man City transfer news

The Blues weren’t afraid to splash the cash during the January transfer window, welcoming as many as five fresh faces in Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov, Juma Bah and Nico Gonzalez. And they’ll likely approach without fear once again in the summer transfer window as they look to rebuild a side which has been a shadow of its historic best.

Even with victory in their grasp against Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League tie, it was Ederson’s turn to endure an out-of-character moment by sending his pass straight back towards the La Liga giants, who instantly profited to level things up before Jude Bellingham netted a late winner. Within the space of 12 minutes, City had gone from leading to taking a 3-2 defeat to the Bernabeu.

With plenty of work to do, Pep Guardiola and those above him at The Etihad look destined to endure a busy summer transfer window which could yet end in the arrival of a World Cup winner.

According to reports in Spain, Manchester City are now entering the race to sign Paulo Dybala, who has a release clause as cheap as €12m (£10m) this summer. The Argentine attacking midfielder, at that price, would be an undeniable bargain and could yet see the Cityzens replace De Bruyne in intelligent fashion.

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As things stand, the Belgian is set to bow out as a free agent at The Etihad at the end of the season, bringing to an end an iconic tenure at the Manchester club. Leaving a gaping hole in the middle of the park, Dybala could quickly emerge to ease any of Manchester City’s concerns.

"Phenomenon" Dybala would be surprising option

If De Bruyne really is to bow out of Manchester City at 33 years old, then Dybala would be a surprising option for the Citizens to turn to. At 31 years old, the Argentine wouldn’t solve Guardiola’s problem for long and instead add another ageing midfielder to a side full of stars at the back end of their peaks.

Even if Dybala is yet to show signs of following in the footsteps of the likes of Ilkay Gundogan, who has struggled this season, City wouldn’t have the chance to enjoy the peak of his powers for long enough to make any deal worthwhile this summer. Instead, they should set their sights on rising stars such as Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz.

The AS Roma man could still have a decision to make this summer, however, and could yet bow out as a hero at his own club in the coming months. Once described as a “phenomenon” by Roma legend Francesco Totti, Dybala certainly has plenty of fans in Italy.

Tom Brady’s role at Birmingham City has been explained by Tom Wagner, with the NFL legend “engaged with the club 365 days a year”.

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Became a minority stakeholder in 2023Experienced relegation during first seasonHistory made in League One title triumphFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Eyebrows were raised back in August 2023 when it was revealed that seven-time Super Bowl winner Brady had acquired a minority stake in the Blues and would take up a role on their board.

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Plenty of questions have been asked since then of how involved he is with the West Midlands-based club and precisely what he has to offer – having forged his GOAT reputation while playing an altogether different kind of football.

DID YOU KNOW?

Birmingham suffered relegation during the debut campaign of Brady’s involvement, with the appointment of Wayne Rooney as manager one of several questionable decisions that were made, but they are heading back to the Championship in record-breaking style.

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Getty Images/GoalWHAT TOM WAGNER SAID

Co-owner Wagner has told of Brady’s role in a much bigger picture: “Tom is engaged with the club 365 days a year. Not a day goes by where he and I don’t FaceTime or talk or message about Birmingham.

“I consider myself to be a pretty competitive person. Tom’s on a whole other level. His philosophy around winning and the culture of winning is extremely well developed. When I talked about creating the right processes at the club to provide a foundation for success, Tom is the one really driving that.”

Trevor Griffin invited to re-apply for job after seventh-placed finish in 2022

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Nov-2022The MCC have advertised for a new London Spirit coach in the women’s Hundred after missing out on the knockout stages in the tournament’s first two seasons.Trevor Griffin, the Western Storm and Sydney Thunder coach, took charge of Spirit in the last two seasons but has been invited to re-apply for his job as part of an open recruitment process. Hundred coaches are appointed on one-year contracts which can be extended by mutual agreement.Spirit missed out on the play-offs on net run-rate in 2021 but struggled in 2022, losing four of their six games and finishing second-bottom in the group stages.Related

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“London Spirit has recently opened the process to recruit a head coach for its women’s team in the 2023 edition of the Hundred,” an MCC spokesperson said.”This open recruitment process is designed to find the best possible head coach for London Spirit women for 2023, with all candidates who meet the criteria, including the head coach from 2022, invited to apply.”London Spirit, in conjunction with the England and Wales Cricket Board, will announce the outcome of the recruitment process at a later date.”Dates for the Hundred’s 2023 season have not been officially announced but the tournament is expected to run from the first week of August until the weekend of August 26. Applications for Spirit’s vacancy close on November 21.

Vinicius Junior could miss Real Madrid's upcoming game after suffering an ankle injury in Sunday's El Clasico.

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Vini Jr. doubtful for Mallorca clashSuffered ankle injury during El ClasicoMadrid's title hopes hang by a threadFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Barcelona moved closer to the La Liga title after a 4-3 win over rivals Real Madrid in Sunday's El Clásico. Raphinha scored a brace, while Eric Garcia and Lamine Yamal scored a goal each as the Catalan giants almost ended Los Blancos' title hopes.

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To make things worse for Carlo Ancelotti's side, whose title hopes now hang by a thread, star winger Vinicius Jr picked up an ankle injury and had to be substituted in the 88th minute as Victor Munoz replaced the Brazilian. Now, journalist reports that the 24-year-old underwent the first set of tests on his injured ankle, and it showed a Grade 2 sprain. Martin further claimed that it is unlikely that the star player would make it to the club's matchday squad against Mallorca on Wednesday.

GettyDID YOU KNOW?

Kylian Mbappe's first-ever El Clasico hat-trick on Sunday took his season's goals tally to 38, the most a Real Madrid player has scored in his debut campaign at Santiago Bernabeu.

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While the Mallorca clash remains a must-win for Ancelotti's men to remain in the hunt for the title, the Blaugrana could seal the fate of the league with a win over Espanyol a day later.

Hurricanes in sixth place with three wins from eight games after six-wicket defeat

AAP07-Jan-2023Sam Harper made a stunning return to form with a career-best innings to lead Melbourne Renegades to a six-wicket BBL win over Hobart Hurricanes.Harper had struggled in five previous digs this BBL season, averaging 5.40 with three ducks to his name. His latest effort got off to an inauspicious start when his indecision led to returning Test squad member Marcus Harris being run out.But he quickly refocused and settled into a groove at Marvel Stadium, blasting 89 off 48 deliveries. The innings included seven sixes before Harper was eventually out caught by Tim David off Nathan Ellis.Jon Wells and Will Sutherland guided Renegades home with 11 balls to spare.The result lifted Renegades into the top half of the ladder as they chase a finals berth after three consecutive wooden spoons, while Hurricanes are slipping further away.Harper was given a lifeline on 59 through Riley Meredith’s dropped catch – Hurricanes’ 15th in eight matches. They were made to pay as Renegades took the power surge the next over, in which Harper whacked 26 off Joel Paris.Finch left baffled as ball-tracking goes missingEarlier, there was drama in the second over of the match when Renegades thought they had Hurricanes opener Caleb Jewell trapped lbw by Mujeeb Ur Rahman.They went upstairs for a review when the batter was given not out and snicko confirmed there was no bat involved. But the third umpire said ball tracking was not available, meaning the on-field call stood.Jewell, who was on 1 at the time, survived and Renegades stand-in captain Aaron Finch was left bewildered. “It just doesn’t make any sense, does it? I don’t know how to explain that,” Finch said during the Fox Sports broadcast.Two balls later, Jewell rubbed salt in Renegades’ wound when he smacked Mujeeb for six.Jewell eventually fell to Tom Rogers, top-scoring with fellow opener Ben McDermott. Rogers was also damaging in the field, running out the dangerous Matthew Wade and Tim David with direct hits, while Kane Richardson bowled superbly.Hurricanes suffered a pre-match blow when they lost left-arm spinner Patrick Dooley to a finger injury during warm up. Dooley – Hurricanes’ leading wicket-taker and most economical bowler this season – was sent for an X-ray. Paris was called in as his replacement.

Manchester United owners INEOS are now prepared to sanction a big-money move to sign an “unstoppable” forward, who could cost around £83m this summer, according to a report.

New forwards needed at Old Trafford

Ruben Amorim commenced the process of reshaping the squad he inherited in January, with the likes of Marcus Rashford and Antony being shown the exit door, albeit only on loan to begin with.

However, Man United didn’t bring in any replacements for the two wide forwards, and there is a feeling Amorim could be keen on strengthening his entire forward line, given that strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have struggled in front of goal.

In terms of out-and-out strikers, the Red Devils have been linked with the likes of Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyokeres, with Amorim well-aware of the latter’s ability, given the time he spent working with him at Sporting CP.

Man Utd "hopeful" about signing "astonishing" £50m forward; talks advancing

The Red Devils are now negotiating a summer move for an exciting young forward.

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With Rashford and Antony seemingly likely to depart on a permanent basis this summer, Man United are also eyeing new wide players, and a report from Spain has now revealed they want to sign AC Milan’s Rafael Leao.

Leao is set to be put up for sale for a fee of around €100m (£83m) in the summer, and the 20-time English champions have joined the race for his signature, following Amorim’s request of a new top-level left-winger.

INEOS are prepared to listen to the 40-year-old’s demands and spend big in the summer transfer window, but there may be competition for the Portuguese winger’s signature, with Manchester City and Al-Hilal also being named as potential suitors.

Man Utd’s upcoming fixtures

Date

Ipswich Town (h)

February 26th

Fulham (h)

March 2nd

Real Sociedad (a)

March 6th

Arsenal (h)

March 9th

Real Sociedad (h)

March 13th

"Unstoppable" Leao could be a huge upgrade in attack

Alejandro Garnacho has received regular game time since Rashford’s departure, but it would be fair to say the 20-year-old has been largely ineffective, failing to register a goal or assist in his last 14 Premier League outings.

Garnacho received interest from Chelsea and Napoli during the January transfer window, and there have been suggestions the youngster could move on this summer, with United targeting Matheus Cunha as a potential replacement.

However, there are indications Leao could be more of a like-for-like replacement, given that he specialises at left-wing, having picked up 57 goals and 46 assists in 190 appearances from that area of the pitch throughout his career.

The 25-year-old has been lauded as “unstoppable” in the past, and he has continued to display a keen eye for goal this season, scoring three times for Milan in the Champions League.

Given Zirkzee and Hojlund’s struggles, United need to bring in forwards who guarantee goals in the summer, and Leao certainly fits the bill in that regard, so it is promising news that a summer move could be on the cards.

They have chosen to play in SA20 and ILT20 instead, but will play the ODIs in Zimbabwe

Matt Roller13-Dec-2022Josh Little and Paul Stirling will miss Ireland’s T20I series in Zimbabwe next month in order to play in the SA20 and ILT20 respectively, in the latest example of franchise leagues’ growing impact on the primacy of bilateral international cricket.Ireland’s tour to Zimbabwe starts with three T20Is from January 12-15, followed by three ODIs – which are not part of the Super League – from January 18-23, with all fixtures staged at the Harare Sports Club. Little and Stirling will miss a handful of early group games for Pretoria Capitals and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders respectively, but will return to their respective franchises straight after the ODI series.Fixtures

1st T20I – January 12

2nd T20I – January 14

3rd T20I – January 15

1st ODI – January 18

2nd ODI – January 20

3rd ODI – January 23

All matches at Harare Sports Club

Ireland have a busy schedule in 2023 which features spring tours to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, a home series against Bangladesh, a Test and three ODIs in England and the European qualifying tournament for the 2024 T20 World Cup, plus the possibility of the 2023 50-over World Cup in India if they qualify, either through the Super League or the global qualifiers.Andrew White, Ireland’s national selector, said the volume of cricket meant they would have to develop “a broader pool of ‘international-ready players’ to meet the challenges ahead” and will use Little and Stirling’s involvement in overseas leagues as an opportunity to give fringe players a chance to impress.”2023 will be the year when we return to playing all three formats,” White said. “However, with a T20 World Cup Qualifier in July and a possible 50-over Cricket World Cup in October – if we can qualify – the importance of this white-ball series is obvious. The volume of cricket next year demands that we will need a broader pool of ‘international-ready’ players to meet the challenges ahead, and the Zimbabwe tour will be the start of that process.”While the squads selected reflect the new dynamism and positive philosophy that Heinrich [Malan, head coach] and his staff have been instilling in our white-ball squads, we have taken advantage of the decision to allow a couple of our players the opportunity to participate in franchise tournaments.”As a result, Stephen Doheny looks set to make his full international debut after he was an unused squad member at the recent T20 World Cup in Australia, while bowling allrounder Tyrone Kane returns to the fold and could make his first appearance for Ireland since July 2019.Little and Stirling’s absences have created space for Neil Rock, the young wicketkeeper-batter, and Ben White, the legspinner who played one game at the 2021 T20 World Cup, in the T20I squad. “Ben has benefited from spending time with spin-bowling coach Nathan Hauritz in the nets and is continuing to develop his legspin, and Neil will come into the squad in largely a batting capacity,” White said.Curtis Campher is included in both squads despite holding a contract with Chattogram Challengers in the Bangladesh Premier League which, like the ILT20 and SA20, clashes directly with the tour. Simi Singh, the offspinning allrounder, has been left out of both squads, while Craig Young is sidelined with an injury suffered at the T20 World Cup and Conor Olphert is also absent through injury.T20I squad: Andy Balbirnie (capt), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Fionn Hand, Graham Hume, Tyrone Kane, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben WhiteODI squad: Andy Balbirnie (capt), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Graham Hume, Tyrone Kane, Josh Little, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker

Everton are thought to be ready to make a move for a Premier League player at the end of the season, according to a fresh transfer claim.

Everton transfer news

With the Blues now feeling safe from relegation this season, there will be plenty of focus on potential summer signings to help bolster David Moyes’ squad.

That said, there are also some players who could depart when the campaign reaches its conclusion, with one report claiming that Jack Harrison’s loan switch won’t be made permanent. The winger is in his second temporary spell at Goodison Park from Leeds, but it looks like his time at the club will come to an end.

Meanwhile, Everton have a battle on their hands to retain the services of Jarrad Branthwaite, with the England international such an impressive performer at the heart of the Blues’ defence over the past year or so. Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing him, summing up the level he has reached.

In terms of possible incoming signings, Tottenham ace Manor Solomon has been linked with a move to the Merseysiders, once his loan stint at Leeds comes to an end this summer.

Everton pushing to sign Premier League ace

According to The Boot Room‘s Graeme Bailey, Everton and the Friedkin Group are ready to make an approach for Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard ahead of the summer transfer window.

Fellow Premier League pair Fulham and Bournemouth are also believed to be eyeing up the 30-year-old, who right now, could be available on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of the season, assuming he doesn’t sign a new deal.

Norgaard could be a really astute signing by Everton, not necessarily coming in as a flair player who lights up games, but bringing plenty of experience and industry in the middle of the park.

The Brentford captain has enjoyed another good season in west London, starting 23 Premier League games and registering five goal contributions (three goals and two assists), while manager Thomas Frank has shown how much he appreciates him as a player, saying:

“So pleasing, so pleased, he’s a key player for us. Every team has one or two players that is the glue, makes the team tick, or better just by stepping on pitch. Norgaard is one of the players that does that for us. The amount of interceptions, second balls he wins, his ability to keep the ball and play the pass forward is key.”

Norgaard is a player who could thrive under Moyes, with the Scot no doubt admiring his midfield attributes, and while he isn’t getting any younger, he could do an excellent job for several years.

Appearances

23

Starts

23

Minutes played

1841

Goals

3

Assists

2

Tackles per game

2.7

Clearances per game

2.0

Pass completion rate

82.9%

Hopefully, Abdoulaye Doucoure doesn’t leave Everton at the end of the season, but if he does, the Brentford ace would help fill the void in a key area of the pitch, making this one to watch.