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Lancashire quick will become cap No. 702 after being inked in for maiden appearance

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Mar-2022Saqib Mahmood will be handed England cap No. 702 on Wednesday morning, after being locked in for his Test debut at Bridgetown in the second Test against West Indies.Mahmood, 25, was named in England’s XI a day in advance of the match, although his involvement had been on the cards since midway through last week’s drawn Test in Antigua, when England’s fastest bowler, Mark Wood, suffered “acute pain” in a right elbow injury that may yet rule him out for next week’s final Test in Grenada too.In a more surprising development, Ollie Robinson has also been omitted, despite appearing to have recovered well from a back spasm that caused him to miss the opening match of the series.Although he returned to the nets this week, a step that had been described as “pretty positive” by Paul Collingwood, the interim coach, England have chosen to hold Robinson back with the series finale looming large on March 24. Seeing as he was hampered by the same problem in the final Ashes Test in Hobart, the management feel that the flare-up has come too recently to risk a repeat in Barbados.Chris Woakes and Craig Overton, who struggled as a new-ball pairing in Antigua, will once again complete the attack alongside Jack Leach and Ben Stokes.For Mahmood, however, the opportunity is one to relish, having been spoken about as a potential Test cricketer ever since bursting onto the scene with Lancashire in 2019. He made his T20I debut in New Zealand that winter, but made his most telling mark to date in last summer’s belated call-up for the ODI series against Pakistan, when he was named Player of the Series for his haul of nine wickets at 13.66 in a 3-0 series win.”He’s a great option to have up our sleeve,” Root said. “He’s very mature for a guy who hasn’t played a huge amount of international cricket. He has a real understanding of how he wants to operate.”Although he does not bowl 90mph as consistently as Wood, Mahmood is the quickest of the remaining options in England’s squad, while his proven ability to bowl reserve swing is likely to come in handy on a surface that Kraigg Brathwaite, West Indies’ captain, said was similar in appearance to the strip used in Antigua last week.”He’s been very impressive, he’s got a slightly different trajectory and will give us a point of difference,” Root added. “He’s done that when he’s played in other formats, he clearly has good control, especially if the ball moves with reverse swing.”Related

Robinson, Overton in line for recalls as Paul Collingwood praises Stokes' return to form

Robinson making progress but Wood 'unlikely' to be risked in Barbados

West Indies docked two World Test Championship points for slow over rate

Fortress Bridgetown beckons after Antiguan appetiser

His selection means that England will be fielding debutants in each of the first two Tests, following Alex Lees’ maiden appearance in Antigua. Lees did not enjoy the same success as many batters in the match, making scores of 6 and 4 in his two innings. But Root – who himself made a second-innings century – backed him to come good.”I think the challenge for any new player coming into the team is to not make any drastic changes,” Root said. “I think being strong on what you know serves you well for such a long period of time.”One of the most challenging things about batting at the top of the order, albeit I only did it for a limited amount of time in Test cricket, is the amount of time you’ve got to think on your dismissals.”It is so easy to overthink and over analyse. So it’s about just making sure you are absolutely clear about how you want to go and play and being as ready for it and as assured as you can be.”

Nuno Espirito Santo was delighted after a hard fought 1-0 win for his Nottingham Forest side over Premier League champions Manchester City

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Forest four points clear of City in the tableHudson-Odoi's late winner the differencePep's men boss possession but can't convertFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Callum Hudson-Odoi's 83rd minute strike was enough to take all three points in a game which could have significant ramifications for Champion's League qualification. The game appeared destined to end in a stalemate until the winger neatly controlled a cross-field pass from Morgan Gibbs-White before cutting inside and beating Ederson at his near post.

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Third-placed Forest now sit four points ahead of City in fourth after Saturday's result. Chelsea can overtake the champions if they beat strugglers Leicester City on Sunday.

AFPWHAT NUNO ESPIRITO SANTO SAID

The Forest boss said: "It was a tough game, everybody saw how good Manchester City are, they had us on the ropes but the boys worked very hard. Of course they were going to have chances, but it was then about us taking ours.

"[Beating City] shows the progress but there is so much football still to be played. Let's focus on the journey and move on to the next one."

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City bossed possession but couldn't find the opening they desperately needed at the City Ground. Pep Guardiola's side enjoyed 69 per cent of the ball, and strung together 603 passes, more than doubling Forest's output of 262.

Centre-backs at full-back, VAR lines, newly promoted teams attempting to play out from the back.

There are several modern tropes that often get the more traditional football fan brandishing their fists in pure anger, and the redesign of club badges have not been exempt from that over the years – looking at you, Leeds United. But occasionally, new designs are rightly welcomed with open arms.

With that said, we’ve taken a look at the redesigns that have gone rather well following the news that Tottenham Hotspur have undergone a change of their own by simply removing the words from underneath their badge.

10 West Ham United (2016)

Now, this one may be a controversial shout – hence its place at number 10 – but West Ham United are one of few clubs to have done simplicity well. They moved on from Upton Park and into the modern London Stadium, which receives mixed reviews in its own right – and took a new badge with them, introducing the change in 2016.

Ditching the crest’s shape and the castle, the Hammers replaced their old badge with a new shape based on the bow of HMS Warrior – the first armour-plated, iron-hulled warship built and launched at Thames Ironworks in 1860. For all the modern touches, it remains a badge decorated with history.

9 Bristol City (2019)

Replacing the heraldic crest with a simple robin in 2019, which showcases their red home shirt, Bristol City stepped into the modern world through simplicity in what was a successful badge change. The new design was chosen to reflect the club’s progressive attitude and to create an identity that the fans could be proud of.

A robin, meanwhile, was picked because of its symbol of hope and rebirth, as well as its place in the club’s history. Modern, simple and effective, City’s redesign was much-needed in 2019. However, whether the Robins are one day reborn in the Premier League remains to be seen.

8 Fiorentina (2022)

Unveiling a club manifesto alongside a new badge in 2022, Fiorentina had the task of redesigning a historic pillar of the Florence community. In the end, like many others, not much change was needed. The Italian club simply changed the size and shape of the badge whilst staying true to the violet colour and removing the gold outline.

Perhaps the gold outline will return one day if Fiorentina find themselves at the top of Italian football, but for now, their redesign remains simpler and more in line with the club’s main colours.

7 Chelsea (2005)

Chelsea’s badge from the early 2000s will be unrecognisable to some. After all, the Blues’ decision to redesign their crest was the beginning of their Premier League success, meaning that many will associate their current badge with the majority of their history, which is certainly ideal for the designers.

A new badge was the right choice, it must be said. Chelsea’s old crest was pretty dated, with a yellow and blue lion in between the CFC letters, creating a very ‘old First Division’ look rather than that of the Premier League’s prestige.

Stepping into the Premier League title race just as the cameras could take a look at their new badge, Chelsea’s crest, which is a modern take on their badge from their previous 50s heyday, is now one of the most recognisable in English football.

6 Arsenal (2002)

Before Chelsea, Arsenal paved the way for the modern badge by swapping their old design, which featured gold, red and the famous cannon that we are all familiar with these days. For over two decades, the Gunners have had the modern design, which kept the gold cannon but changed the main colours to red with a hint of blue.

In the last year, we’ve even seen the cannon alone featured on club kits in what would be the ultimate change. The former crest has plenty of history and remains a favourite, but the current logo has become iconic in its own right.

5 Inter (2021)

There would have been plenty of nerves surrounding Inter’s redesign in 2021 after Juventus had gone too far the other way towards minimalism whilst binning a historic look. But those at the San Siro did not make the same mistake. Rather than ditching the ideas in their previous crest, it seems as though Inter simply updated them into a modern look.

Where Juventus failed, Inter enjoyed success, and that change has ironically been reflected on the pitch ever since, with the former struggling to take back their Serie A crown in a frustrating few years.

4 Deportivo Alaves (2020)

Deportivo Alaves completed the task that several top clubs failed to achieve when they redesigned their badge to such success in 2020. Simplifying the appearance, the sky blue colour was ditched in favour of a blue and white design, whilst the flag now slots straight into the new crest shape.

A badge worthy of a La Liga place, Alaves will now be looking to maintain their status as a top-flight club in style for a third consecutive campaign to represent a new era.

3 Brentford (2016)

Speaking of clubs taking new badges into a new era with them, Brentford redesigned theirs for the first time in 23 years back in 2016 and have not looked back since. Swapping the rather chaotic and classic English design, Brentford decided to focus on the bee alongside the red and white colours to create a far more modern badge now well-recognised in the division.

It’s fitting that those in west London eventually took their new badge into the Premier League rather than their old design, which now represents an era outside of England’s top tier.

2 Man City (2016)

At the time, ditching the classic eagle didn’t seem like a good idea for Manchester City. Many were unsure about their new badge, but time is a great healer and their redesign now has a place among the best we’ve seen in football. A design now associated with such success, Man City took a step back in history to redesign their 1974 look to create the badge that we see today.

As far as redesigns go in the Premier League, not many have done it better than Manchester City, which is proving to be the case for many other achievements.

1 Ajax (2025)

Recency bias can be argued here, but as things stand, Ajax’s redesign is refreshingly classy. A throwback to the crest that they used between 1928 and 1990, Ajax are celebrating their 125th anniversary next year in style. Ditching the red outline, the Dutch giants are set to return to the vintage and bolder look, perhaps in an attempt to return to their best on and off the pitch.

Club CEO Menno Geelen explained the decision, telling reporters (as relayed by FourFourTwo): “Ajax will celebrate its 125th anniversary on March 18. The celebrations will include the announcement of the return of the classic logo.

“We know that the majority of our fans have cherished this wish for years, and we felt that our 125th anniversary was the perfect moment to give back the classic logo to our fans and ourselves.”

Other major stars in the Supernovas and Trailblazers XIs include Ellyse Perry, Suzie Bates, Alyssa Healy, Danielle Wyatt and Megan Schutt

ESPNcricinfo staff17-May-2018Australia captain Meg Lanning, superstar allrounder Ellyse Perry and India ODI captain Mithali Raj are set to be part of the IPL Supernovas team in the Women’s T20 exhibition match in Mumbai. They will face an IPL Trailblazers side that includes Jhulan Goswami, the highest wicket-taker in women’s ODIs, the prolific New Zealand opener Suzie Bates and the England offspinner Danielle Hazell among other big names.ESPNcricinfo LtdIn all, the two squads of 13 announced by the BCCI on Thursday include five Australia players, three from New Zealand and two from England, apart from 16 major Indian stars including Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana, who will captain the Supernovas and Trailblazers respectively.The match will be played ahead of the first IPL Qualifier on May 22 at the Wankhede Stadium. The match will begin at 2pm IST and will be telecast across the world, unlike India women’s most-recent assignment – the ODI series against England – which was limited to a livestream on the BCCI website.

Manchester United and astute transfer dealings are two things that don't appear to belong in the same sentence, with the Red Devils having erratically splashed the cash over the last decade or so.

With Erik ten Hag currently in charge of the most expensively assembled squad in Europe – totalling almost £1bn – the Old Trafford outfit look little closer to closing the gap on treble-winning rivals, Manchester City, with it now ten years since the club last tasted Premier League title glory.

What has perhaps been even more frustrating than the scattergun nature of United's transfer business is the fact that there also a number of figures who the club's hierarchy passed up the chance to sign, only to be forced to watch them blossom elsewhere.

The most blatant example of that fact was the failure to land Erling Haaland for a fee of just £4m during his time at Molde, with the Norwegian powerhouse now spearheading Pep Guardiola's City side to devastating effect, after hitting 52 goals in his debut season last time out.

Those woes were also laid bare with regard to fellow striker, Benjamin Sesko, with United having reportedly deemed the Slovenian's £2.5m fee as 'excessive' back in 2019, albeit with the 20-year-old having only recently sealed a £55m move to RB Leipzig.

Those two cases will likely have supporters tearing their hair out, although perhaps the most infuriating example of a player who got away is World Cup-winning superstar, Kylian Mbappe, with the Red Devils having failed to strike while the iron was out in the recent past.

Did Man United want to sign Kylian Mbappe?

While some reports may at times need to be taken with a pinch of salt, in the case of the dazzling Frenchman it would appear that there was genuine interest from those at the Theatre of Dreams, amid his promising career beginning at AS Monaco.

According to club legend Ryan Giggs, the Welshman had seemingly recommended that United make a move for the the-teenager – as well as current Arsenal man Gabriel Jesus – with the pair likely to have cost just £5m apiece at the time.

As per the Times, the 13-time title winner revealed: "I watched Mbappe play. I was watching him and Gabriel Jesus with the chief scout and it was a no-brainer. It was just like, Get them. It would have cost £5million or something – get them, loan them back and that's where the recruitment could have been better.

"I know what a Manchester United player looks like."

At a time when United notably splashed out an initial £36m on Anthony Martial from the Ligue 1 outfit back in 2016, to have fluffed the potential opportunity to sign the striker's compatriot is a blunder that the Premier League giants will likely never be able to recover from.

Why didn't Man United sign Mbappe?

United's failure to get snap up the promising forward for such a lowly fee was made even more apparent in the summer of 2017, with The Guardian reporting at the time that Jose Mourinho and co had launched a £72m bid in an attempt to prise the then-18-year-old from Stade Louis II.

That ultimately unsuccessful offer had coming following a breakthrough 2016/17 campaign which saw the Paris native score 15 times and register 11 assists in just 29 Ligue 1 outings as Monaco claimed the title.

It was on the European stage that a young Mbappe truly announced himself, however, after scoring six goals in just nine appearances in that season's Champions League, memorably running Man City ragged with a goal both home and away against Guardiola's men in the last-16 stage.

That lightning start to his senior career had ensured that Monaco were able to easily fend off the £72m approach from those in Manchester, with the selling club having been holding out for more than £100m at the time.

As it proved, the fleet-footed speedster did eventually depart in that same window on an initial loan move, joining rivals Paris Saint-Germain on a deal that included an option to make the switch permanent for an eyewatering £165m fee – blowing any rival interest out of the water.

What is Mbappe worth now?

What has followed since that move to the Parc des Princes has been glittering success for the 24-year-old, with the seemingly "unstoppable" talent – as described by compatriot Rio Mavuba – now boasting a haul of 219 goals and 98 assists in just 264 games for his current side.

Arguably the "best player in the world" when in full flow, according to Mavuba, the 5 foot 10 whiz has been a dominant force both domestically and on the international front, despite still longing for that elusive Champions League crown.

2015/16

1

5

2016/17

15

5

2017/18

13

7

2018/19

33

10

2019/20

18

17

2020/21

27

11

2021/22

28

4

2022/23

29

17

2023/24*

7

1

Total

171

77

Now the captain of his country despite his relative youth, the one-time Bondy youth asset already has 40 goals in just 71 appearances for Les Bleus to date, having previously been integral to his nation reaching the final of the last two World Cups.

In 2018 in Russia, the explosive wideman became the youngest player to net in the tournament's showpiece since Brazilian great, Pele back in 1958, memorably scoring in the 4-2 thrashing of Croatia.

The PSG talisman then hit even bigger heights in Qatar last year after scoring eight times in the competition in total, including a breathtaking hat-trick in the final against Lionel Messi's Argentina side to help take the game to extra-time.

While it was ultimately the South American outfit who emerged victorious during the subsequent penalty shoot-out, Mbappe yet again illustrated why he is a possible successor to the likes of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at football's top table.

Such a talent is thus worthy of a sizeable valuation, with the player having only recently been the subject of a £259m offer from Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal – a stunning increase of 5080% in relation the reported £5m fee that United could have signed him for years prior.

While Ten Hag's side may still have lingering hopes of snapping up the £1.1m-per-week asset next summer when his current contract reaches its expiry, a move to Real Madrid looks to be the most obvious scenario, ensuring that Mbappe is likely to remain 'one that got away' for the Red Devils.

Shiv Thakor will not return to cricket in England for at least a year after admitting a charge of bringing the game into disrepute

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Mar-2018Shiv Thakor, the former Leicestershire and Derbyshire cricketer, has been banned by an ECB disciplinary committee from playing cricket for six months – three of them suspended – for bringing the game into disrepute.Thakor pleaded guilty to the charge following his conviction for indecent exposure at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court in November 2017.Although, in theory, he might be free to resume his first-class career next season, it is questionable whether any county would be willing to give him a further opportunity.The ECB panel imposed a suspension of six months from playing cricket in any match under its jurisdiction. Three months of this suspension will take effect from April 1 to June 30 and the balance was suspended “pending satisfactory completion of his court-imposed Community Order including the Community Sex Offender Groupwork Programme.”This suspended sentence will remain in place until completion of the Community Order and, if subsequently imposed, will be served during the English cricket season.The CDC panel recorded that it had taken into account Thakor’s guilty plea to the ECB charge, his undertaking to complete his Community Order, and the period of suspension imposed by Derbyshire before they sacked him in November after the guilty verdict.Thakor, a former England under-19 captain, exposed himself through a “gap” in his jogging bottoms. He was arrested in July after the two offences in Mackworth, Derby, last June.The ECB decision was made following a Cricket Discipline Commission hearing at Lord’s chaired by Ricky Needham, the former Glamorgan cricketer, and also comprising Eddie Slinger and the former England women’s cricketer, Claire Taylor.In reaching its sentencing decision, the panel said that it also took into account that “clear reputational damage had been done to the game due to widespread adverse publicity” as well as the nature of Mr Thakor’s criminal conviction.

Prior to the international break, Leeds United very much bared the look of a side who had just lost key players such as Luis Sinisterra, and Rodrigo, whilst also attempting to get going under a new manager in the form of Daniel Farke.

In four games, they won just once, which came in dramatic fashion against Ipwich Town, with Leeds' form suggesting anything but a side ready to secure promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Using the break to their advantage, however, the Yorkshire club bounced back in style, with pundit Jobi McAnuff singling out one particular impressive player for praise after Leeds defeated Millwall 3-0 at The Den.

What has Jobi McAnuff said?

It may have taken Leeds a while to get going this season, but those at Elland Road will hope that their victory over Millwall will kickstart their campaign. It wasn't as routine as the end score suggests, either, with the visitors facing scares of their own in the opening period, before hitting the London club on the break in clinical style, allowing Joel Piroe to give his side the lead.

Things then got even better late on in the second-half, when Piroe found his second of the afternoon, and Georginio Rutter rounded off an impressive outing from the Whites.

It was Piroe who rightly received plenty of praise from McAnuff, who said, via Leeds United News: “He’s a class apart at this level. I’m actually surprised no Premier League clubs came in for him. Absolutely top drawer.”

The former Crystal Palace player is not wrong, either, as proved further by the fact that no player has scored more goals than Piroe's 44 in the Championship since the start of the 2021/22 season. With that said, it's clear that Leeds have got some player on their hands.

How has Joel Piroe performed this season?

Since making the move from Swansea City during the summer transfer window for a deal reportedly worth over £10m, Piroe has predictably hit the ground running, scoring three goals in as many games for the club.

The Dutchman will be hoping to extend that good start for as long as possible, too, having netted 19 goals for Swansea City in the Championship last season. With his goals, Leeds may just find themselves in the conversation for promotion come the end of the current campaign.

At his best, Piroe has earned plenty of praise, including from former manager Russell Martin, who said, via FourFourTwo:

"I had a chat with Joel after his first week with us because he wasn’t used to the intensity we were asking of him. Since then he has worked really hard to earn his opportunity and took it brilliantly with a great goal. He is good technically and an excellent athlete, so I am sure there is a lot more to come from him."

With that said, Farke has certainly got a much-needed talisman in the form of Piroe, and will now have an eye on the play-off places or, potentially, even more in England's second tier.

Everton's summer was justifiably spent bolstering the offensive ranks, having escaped the claws of relegation from the Premier League last term despite finishing as the second-lowest scorers in the division.

The additions, almost exclusively consisting of forward-minded players, were made during Sean Dyche's first summer transfer window at Goodison Park, having taken the reins in January following the dismissal of Frank Lampard, and now only time will tell whether his efforts will bear fruit.

Arnaut Danjuma and Jack Harrison were signed on loan, while forwards Youssef Chermiti and Beto were clinched to combat the incessant injury woes plaguing talisman Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has only scored seven times across the past two campaigns as a result of his repeated setbacks.

The Merseyside outfit lost creative midfielder Alex Iwobi in a bitter blow to their seasonal hopes, with the Nigeria international completing a £22m move to Fulham.

Despite the closure of the English transfer window last week, Goodison Park could be subject to further exits, with Demarai Gray a possible departee.

Is Demarai Gray leaving Everton?

Speculation regarding Gray's future has been rife all summer, with the Jamaica international attracting attention from Crystal Palace and Saudi Arabian sides.

Murmurings of an exit have been exacerbated following the player's recent declaration of discontent, via Instagram, with the understanding that the Toffees are currently blocking his proposed transfer to Al-Ettifaq.

Gray was central to Everton's plans last season, utilised as a forward in addition to his natural placement on the left wing as Calvert-Lewin's fitness failed and Neal Maupay proved embarrassingly ineffective in the frontal striking role, scoring once all season after joining from Brighton & Hove Albion for £15m and now shipped out on loan to former employers Brentford.

Scoring four goals and supplying one assist in the league, the 27-year-old proved a dynamic presence and averaged 1.1 key passes per game, completing 81% of his passes and averaging one tackle per match.

As per FBref, he ranks inauspiciously among the majority of metrics, with his standout rankings among the top 35% of positional peers in Europe for progressive carries and 22% for clearances per 90 hardly evoking confidence.

The £25k-per-week ace was believed to have been deemed expendable all summer despite the club's desire to enhance their frontline, which is somewhat perplexing given that Director of Football Kevin Thelwell and co purportedly rejected an official deadline day bid totalling £7.5m from Al-Ettifaq for his signature.

Why Gray remains at Goodison Park is somewhat nebulous, though it is likely that Iwobi's sale and the failure to sign a replacement is the definitive factor.

With Gray out of contract next summer, his continued presence at the side almost feels like little more than a stay of execution, and given that he is now discontented with his position in Dyche's squad, plans must be mapped out for a replacement.

Dyche and the powers that be at Everton might feel that the winger should remain on the books for the foreseeable future, but given that a homegrown, custom-made possible heir in Lewis Dobbin has made their introduction already this season, perhaps the five-cap star's sale should be granted, with the Saudi Pro League transfer window remaining open until Thursday.

Who is Lewis Dobbin?

Everton's Finch Farm academy has produced some exciting talents across recent years, with the likes of Ross Barkley and Anthony Gordon a few of the more prominent names of late, the latter joining Newcastle United in a £45m transfer only in January.

Look a little further back, and you will find Wayne Rooney to have graduated from the club's youth ranks, with the former England international completing a £27m transfer to Manchester United as an 18-year-old in 2004, and the rest, as everyone knows, was history.

The latest in this long, inexhaustive line could well be Lewis Dobbin, who has been integrated into the first-team fold after spending the 2022/23 campaign out on loan with League One side Derby County, where he was hailed as a "crowd-lifter" and "relentless" by BBC Radio Derby reporter Dominic Dietrich, who also remarked that he "has all the makings of a top footballer." He also just so happened to score one of the most memorable goals in recent FA Cup history…

The 20-year-old played in Everton's opening three Premier League matches of the term, starting against Wolverhampton Wanderers, while also playing from the opening whistle as the Blues defeated Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup second round.

While he is inexperienced at the highest level, Dobbin looks a real talent, and given that he favours the left flank like Gray, could prove to be the perfect successor to his position at the Merseyside outfit.

How good is Lewis Dobbin?

A prolific presence at youth level, Dobbin plundered 20 goals and 13 assists for Everton's respective youth levels before earning the opportunity to impress within a first-team fold at Derby.

Having earned 27 starting displays during his time with the Rams, Dobbin posted 11 direct contributions and did enough to convince Dyche of his potential at Premier League level, handed match action from the opening day of the club's league campaign.

Praised for his "work-rate" by Derby manager Paul Warne, Dobbin is a veritable bundle of energy and brings exactly the kind of dynamism and directness that Everton were lacking last season, toothless in attack and devoid of inspiration.

Having penned a new long-term deal with the side in January 2022, the Goodison Park hierarchy is seemingly convinced that the next star is within their clutches, and he could now grow into his skin with a regular role in Dyche's plans.

Also praised for his "explosive" presence marauding up and down the left flank by one talent scout, there appears to be a ready-made solution to the conundrum that Dyche has been beset with.

Gray, who was signed for a paltry £1.7m from German side Bayer Leverkusen, is clearly desperate to move away, so why not entrust a talented academy starlet with the chance to impress and earn an important role for his long-time club?

Recuperating a large sum would be beneficial for the Toffees, and perhaps now it is time for the next homegrown prodigy to rise to the fore.

Manchester United are seemingly pressing on in their pursuit of a new left-back with just a few days left in the transfer window, with Erik ten Hag seeking a much-needed solution amid his current injury crisis in that role.

Will Man United sign a left-back?

The Red Devils are currently in desperate need of a new addition on the left side of the defence having only recently lost Luke Shaw to injury for an extended period, with positional rival Tyrell Malacia also currently sidelined and promising asset Alvaro Fernandez in line for a loan departure.

With that in mind, Manchester Evening News journalist Tyrone Marshall has reported that Lyon's Nicolas Tagliafico has 'emerged as an option' of late for the Old Trafford outfit, with the club ready to 'consider a loan move' for the 30-year-old Argentine.

Read the latest Manchester United transfer news HERE…

While have also been claims made that a permanent switch could be in the offing for the former Ajax man – with a £5m fee having been mooted in recent days – Marshall states that a 'short-term deal' is the preferred option for United in their bid to strengthen what has become a problem position.

The news comes amid the Red Devils' plans to sign Sofyan Amrabat in the dying stages of the transfer window, with the Athletic's David Ornstein revealing they are now 'working' on a deal.

How good is Nicolas Tagliafico?

The signing of his former players has been a recurring theme of Ten Hag's time in Manchester thus far, with the Dutchman having previously snapped up the likes of Antony, Lisandro Martinez and Andre Onana over the past 12 months or so.

Whether that manager-led transfer policy is the best route to success remains to be seen, although there have been notable benefits with regard to the 53-year-old's desire to reunite with familiar faces, with Martinez, in particular, having shone for the club to date.

Despite early concerns over the 5 foot 9 warrior's height – with Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher stating last year that the player "can't work" as a centre-back in the Premier League – the 25-year-old went on to prove an "absolute monster" in the 2022/23 campaign, according to Shaw, having been arguably one of the club's "best signings" in "years", as per club legend Patrice Evra.

The diminutive defender could well be aided even further if he is to be joined by former Ajax teammate and international colleague, Tagliafico, on the left of defence, with the pair having lined up together in the past during their time under Ten Hag in Amsterdam.

Prior to leaving for France last summer, the full-back had contributed 39 goal involvements in 169 games while working with the current United boss for the Eredivisie giants, proving just what an attacking outlet he can be from the flanks – with Shaw, for instance, registering just 32 goals and assists in 262 games for the Red Devils.

Not just a dynamic option in the final third, the £75k-per-week gem – who has also chipped in with seven goal contributions in 41 outings for his current side – can also benefit Martinez due to his defensive strength, as he notably ranks in the top 6% among his European peers for interceptions made per 90, as well as in the top 14% for tackles made per 90.

That is in fact again a better record than the aforementioned Shaw, with the stricken Englishman ranking in just the top 27% and the bottom 44% for those same two metrics, respectively, thus indicating the quality of player that Ten Hag could be set to bring to the club.

Having such an all-round "quality" presence like Tagliafico – as described by pundit Kevin Campbell – at left-back would be an exciting prospect alongside Martinez, with the two World Cup-winning compatriots potentially set to shine this season at the Theatre of Dreams if a deal can be agreed.

Travis Head fell short of a hundred but his efforts helped guide Australia to a first victory since September after Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins had filleted England’s top order

The Report by Daniel Brettig26-Jan-2018
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsAlex Hales was bowled for 3 by Pat Cummins•Getty ImagesFor a match that appeared over inside 10 overs, Australia’s first ODI victory since September did not come easy. The new-ball pair of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood filleted England’s top order, but Chris Woakes’ doughty rearguard and Adil Rashid’s variations allowed the Australia Day ODI to creep into floodlit hours while Travis Head guided his team close to home.A slimmer-than-expected Adelaide Oval crowd of 24,329 seemed destined to be filing out of the exits early when Cummins and Hazlewood combined to have Eoin Morgan’s side a sickly 5 for 8 as the new ball swung and seamed, before Woakes delivered his latest outstanding display of a series England had already won.Woakes’ innings ensured that Australia needed at least one score of note to register their first ODI win since last year’s India tour and only their second since January 2017, and it was Head, returning to the top of the order in the absence of the injured Aaron Finch, who provided it. His calm presence, laced with regular boundaries, contrasted with less certain innings from David Warner, Cameron White and the captain Steven Smith. Winners or not, this Australian side is a long way from peak batting performance, meaning Glenn Maxwell is a fair chance to play in the final match of the series in Perth on Sunday.That Australia were not chasing more runs was due to the adroit use of helpful conditions by Hazlewood and Cummins with the new ball, in a display that will be of interest in the context of the looming Test tour to South Africa. Andrew Tye, too, contributed a serviceable spell featuring his first ODI wickets, though Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa were somewhat less dangerous.Damp and humid weather in Adelaide had encouraged Smith to bowl first upon winning the toss, even though the hosts rested Mitchell Starc after he played in the first three matches. England lost Liam Plunkett due to a hamstring injury in the third match in Sydney, with Tom Curran called in.Adelaide Oval’s pitch has become known for its even grass coverage and the prospect of some assistance for bowlers as well as batsmen, but the surface combined with the weather made conditions decidedly awkward for batsmen early on – akin more to the early overs of a Test match than the first innings of a 50-over affair. Combined with England’s hyper-aggressive attitude to the early overs of an ODI innings, the result was a truly rare rush of early wickets.Second ball of the match, Jason Roy sliced an airy drive at Hazlewood and was pouched in the gully by Smith, then in the fourth over Cummins found sharp seam movement to bowl Alex Hales off his pads. At the other end Jonny Bairstow drove eagerly at Hazlewood and edged through to Tim Paine, and in the next over Joe Root’s hook shot flew with some precision into the hands of fine leg.When Jos Buttler was out to one of the balls of the summer, a Hazlewood seamer that pitched on the off stump before prancing away and gifting Paine another catch, England had lost four wickets in as many overs. Only once in ODI history, when Canada were 5 for 7 against the Netherlands in 2013, had the fifth wicket fallen at a lower score, and an exceptionally quick finish seemed in the offing.However, the conditions eased slightly as the ball lost some shine, and Smith seemed content to conserve his bowlers rather than going for the kill. The resultant breathing room allowed Morgan and Moeen Ali to raise a 50 stand, before the return of Cummins and an excellent short ball had Morgan gloving down the leg side. Moeen’s innings ended when he hooked Tye straight at Head, centimetres inside the midwicket boundary on the members’ side, and Rashid soon feathered Cummins’ fourth wicket.Woakes, though, played another excellent innings, in vastly different circumstances to the first three matches, working the ball around and then hitting out powerfully when the bowlers strayed into his scoring zones. Curran offered typically determined support, with the occasional flourish like one terrific pull shot in Hazlewood’s final over. While Woakes fell short of a century, he and the rest of England’s bowlers gave themselves a chance to challenge Australia on a pitch still amenable to the new ball.A year ago Warner and Haed had combined to add a world record 284 against Pakistan, but this time their union was worth a mere 25 when Warner edged a Woakes delivery angled neatly across him. White had said before this match that, not being “stupid”, he knew he needed runs to give himself a chance of figuring in Australia’s further plans, but was defeated by a nip-backer from Curran that pinned him in front of the stumps.Smith’s own underwhelming ODI series was maintained when he sliced a forcing shot at Rashid and was reflexively caught at slip by Root, also the fifth time the wrist spinner had found a way past Australia’s captain in ODIs. Marsh hinted at permanence in a stand with Head that soothed any lingering Australian nerves, but after he hammered a return catch to Rashid, Stoinis misread a top spinner to sky a catch.Tim Paine survived his own share of nervous moments, and Head was mortified to shell a catch to mid-on with only 17 required and four short of his century. Cummins was run out in an awful mix-up with Paine, and it was a nervous Tye who accompanied Paine to the finish, albeit with 13 overs to spare. If winning is a habit, then Australia’s limited overs team still have plenty of forming to do.