Thomas Tuchel is plotting a sensational Premier League return, as he eyes a move to Manchester United when he leaves Bayern Munich in the summer.
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Bangladesh’s batsmen, led by Mushfiqur Rahim, have had their moments, but the bowlers have underwhelmed. So said stand-in coach Courtney Walsh on the eve of his side’s must-win encounter against Sri Lanka. In their previous match, Bangladesh had conceded 79 runs in a definitive six-over period against India. Even in the game they won, they conceded 214.There has been one bright spark in their attack, however, and this time it is not the young left-armer with the magic wrists. It is Rubel Hossain who has been Bangladesh’s best, maintaining an economy of 8.22 in three matches. Along the way, he has picked up four wickets. One of those was the wicket of Shikhar Dhawan, who was bowled by perhaps the ball of the tournament so far: a late-swinging, yorker that zipped past Dhawan’s outside edge and flattened middle stump.”Rubel has been very consistent,” Walsh said. “If the other guys stepped up, it would give us a little more cushion. I would be lying if I said I thought we bowled well. We have bowled okay, but not as well as we can. The improvement is coming, but not as quickly as we would like. If we can put it all together, it will be a big plus for us in Friday’s game.””Spinners also have not been as spot-on as we like them to be. They have had good patches. But if everyone did their bit, it will give us a very good chance.”Among those who have under-performed at the Nidahas Trophy has been Mustafizur Rahman, whose 12 overs have gone at 9.75 runs apiece, though he has also taken four wickets in the competition. His cutters have been only sporadically effective on Khettarama decks that have atypically failed to reward revolutions on the ball.Friday’s virtual semi-final will be played on a fresh pitch, which means that seam and swing may be more reliable fast-bowling weapons than cutters. “Someone like Mustafizur Rahman having a good game will help us tremendously,” Walsh said. “I am hoping he can step up to the plate in this crucial game. I know he can. He had some fantastic games in PSL so it is a case of turning it around here. One game can make a difference. It could be his game, or another bowler’s game, but we’re hoping that he comes good.”The attack would appear to have been bolstered with news that Shakib Al Hasan is joining the team ahead of this game, but Walsh was reluctant to suggest Shakib is a certainty for the playing XI. Though he will be with the team in the approach to the game, Shakib is expected to take a fitness test for his injured finger that has kept him out since mid-January.”He is on his way. Like any other player he will be assessed. If he is fit, someone of his class and calibre will be considered to play.”
Leeds United have targeted a new international midfielder this summer and he appears to be keen on an Elland Road move, according to a promising update from journalist Ben Jacobs.
Will Leeds challenge for promotion?
The Whites found themselves relegated from the Premier League last season, having endured a tough campaign that saw them get through three different managers in Jesse Marsch, Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce.
It meant that they have returned to the Championship for the first time since the 2019/20 season, and they are arguably seen as one of the favourites to secure promotion back to the top flight.
For that to happen, further signings could be needed before the summer transfer window comes to a close, with the addition of Joel Piroe from Swansea City a very exciting piece of business, among others.
Will Leeds sign Glen Kamara?
Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jacobs claimed that Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara, who has allegedly agreed terms with Leeds, prefers the idea of moving to the Whites this summer instead of staying put at Ibrox for another season.
He has been strongly linked with a switch to Elland Road and reports have claimed that a £5.5m deal was close, with Jacobs believing a transfer could be a "very decent deal".
"With Glen Kamara, that one also has some substance to it as well, in the region of £5m, which could be a bargain. I think the player would prefer the move to Leeds over staying at Rangers.
"And from a price point of view, it’s a very decent deal for Leeds who don’t want to spend a ton of money and can get a player that can help them get back up into the Premier League.
"There has been a little bit of interest from Middlesbrough as well, so there are a few Championship clubs in the mix, but at the time of recording this, nothing is necessarily done with Kamara yet."
Bringing in Kamara late on in the transfer window could be great business by Leeds, with the 27-year-old someone who has been such a key man for Rangers down the years.
He has made 193 appearances for the Scottish Premiership giants, anchoring the midfield expertly, and there is also the small matter of winning 52 caps for Finland. He won the league title with the Gers back in 2020/21, and tasted Scottish Cup glory the following campaign, and he would bring a wealth of quality and experience in the middle of the park at Elland Park.
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At 27, Kamara is primed to come in and hit the ground running, not being daunted by playing for such a big club, given Rangers' reputation throughout history, and he could take Leeds' midfield up a level in the same way Piroe will in attack, having enjoyed an 89.4% pass completion rate in the Scottish Premiership last season.
The Finn has also been hailed as both "fantastic" and "excellent" by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard in the past, during their time together at Ibrox as player and manager respectively, which further highlights the pedigree he possesses as a footballer.
The former Australia captain fills the void left by Rahul Dravid’s departure
ESPNcricinfo staff04-Jan-2018Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting will return to the IPL this season, this time as head coach of Delhi Daredevils. Hemant Dua, the chief executive of Daredevils, made the announcement on Twitter.Ponting takes over from Paddy Upton and former India captain Rahul Dravid, who had stepped down after the previous season owing to BCCI’s conflict-of-interest regulations. While Upton’s contract wasn’t renewed, Dravid chose to coach India A and India Under-19 teams over the IPL franchise.Delhi were in contention for a playoff berth last season, only to taper off towards the end of the group stage. They eventually finished the season sixth, with six wins in 14 matches. The franchise is yet to win a title in 10 attempts.Ponting had coached Mumbai Indians to their second IPL title in 2015, but the franchise chose to not renew his two-year contract when it expired in 2016. He had joined the franchise as a player in 2013, but stepped away midway through the tournament due to poor form.Ponting also worked with Mumbai Indians in an advisory capacity in 2014. Prior to that, he was briefly part of Kolkata Knight Riders for the inaugural edition in 2008.
Miguel Almiron was sensational throughout the 90 minutes but Sunderland gifted their age-old rivals all three goals in a dire 3-0 loss.
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After taking Manchester United back into the Premier League's top four last season to qualify for the Champions League, Erik ten Hag will be looking to step things up another level at Old Trafford in the coming campaign.
The Dutchman proved that intent at the very start of the summer, too, as David de Gea left the club as a free agent, making way for Andre Onana, whose ability on the ball should finally welcome the Red Devils into the modern-day era of football.
Ten Hag may not be stopping there, either, with plenty of time left until the transfer window slams shut to turn his side into serious title contenders.
With that said, we've taken a look at how Manchester United could line up next season.
RB: Benjamin Pavard
The right-back spot at Manchester United has never really been filled under Ten Hag, with the Dutchman often switching between Diogo Dalot, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, depending on what he wants from his fullbacks.
The former Ajax boss could end his selection headache with the signing of Bayern Munich's Benjamin Pavard, however.
According to Sky Sports' Florian Plettenberg, the Red Devils have held talks to sign the defender this summer, with an offer expected soon.
CM: Sofyan Amrabat
After already bolstering their midfield options with the arrival of Mason Mount this summer, Manchester United are close to agreeing a £22m fee with Fiorentina to sign Sofyan Amrabat this summer, according to reports in Italy.
The Morrocon left many impressed with his performances at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, with the Red Devils now reportedly interested in bringing him to Old Trafford this summer.
Back in the Champions League, United could certainly do with the added depth in the middle of the park.
ST: Rasmus Hojlund
One name consistently linked with Manchester United this summer is young Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the 20-year-old has agreed personal terms on a five-year deal with the Premier League giants, and the Red Devils are now pushing to get a deal done soon.
Having scored 16 goals, and assisted a further seven in all competitions last season, Hojlund would undoubtedly add extra firepower to United's offensive line next season.
At such a young age, too, the only way is up for the Dane.
ST: Kylian Mbappe
It would feel somewhat fitting, right? If Man United managed to secure the signature of Kylian Mbappe, whilst Erling Haaland stars for local rivals Manchester City. It would be English football's closest answer to Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo when the pair were in La Liga.
According to Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports, United are one of the interested parties in a potential deal for Mbappe this summer.
The Manchester club are, of course, not the only side interested in making a move for the Frenchman in the current window, however, with Al-Hilal leading the way with their eye-watering €300m (£258.19m) offer, which will be accepted by Paris Saint-Germain, according to Romano.
With a long transfer window ahead, anything could happen, though, with United interested in the PSG forward.
With that said, here's how Manchester United could line up next season:
England’s latest No. 3 has had a lean run against West Indies but could have one more shot at earning a place on the Ashes tour
Alan Gardner30-Aug-2017England have retained the same 13-man squad for the third Investec Test against West Indies at Lord’s, meaning Tom Westley could still make a case to retain his place at No. 3.Defeat at Headingley – England’s first at home to West Indies since 2000 – left the series level at 1-1 but the selectors have continued a policy of sticking with players who have underperformed. The shape of the top order has been of particular concern ahead of the winter’s Ashes tour to Australia, while England also dropped six clear chances over both innings as West Indies pulled off a famous chase of 322.England’s problems began in the first innings at Headingley, where their batting let them down again, although they gave an improved showing to post 490 for 8 second time around. Mark Stoneman scored his maiden international half-century and Dawid Malan posted a score in the 60s for the second game running.Westley’s role has been most under scrutiny, however, having so far managed scores of 8, 3 and 8 in the series. In the second innings at Headingley, he was caught playing an expansive drive the over after surviving a running mix-up with Stoneman, as England fought to overturn a 169-run first-innings deficit.Although he made a half-century in his second Test innings, against South Africa at The Oval, his returns have quickly diminished. A strong scorer on the leg side, he was twice dismissed lbw by West Indies bowlers targeting his pads.England could still make changes to the balance of their side at Lord’s, with the legspinner Mason Crane – who pulled off superb catch while on as a substitute to briefly lift the team on the fifth day at Headingley – potentially in line for a Test debut. Chris Woakes had replaced Toby Roland-Jones for the second Test and struggled for consistency on his return although batted impressively. Crane, Woakes and Stuart Broad have been available for NatWest T20 Blast Finals Day on September 2.The coach, Trevor Bayliss, has meanwhile given his support to England captain Joe Root after his declaration on the fourth day allowed West Indies a way back into the series.”I don’t think it will affect him too much,” Bayliss said. “I think there are a few guys in the team behind him that were fully supportive – everyone was fully supportive – of his declaration and I’m sure they’ll be backing him up and suggesting in the future if we need to declare I’m sure they’ll give him a helping hand.”I hope the result doesn’t change the way he thinks about the game. In that situation, more times than not, we’ll win more than we lose. The wicket played pretty well and the West Indies batted even better, so all credit to them, but I’d like to see the same sort of thought process happening in the future.”
Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney jokingly asked Shoehi Ohtani to learn Welsh as the baseball star's free agency continues to dominate American sports.
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David de Gea's future is hanging "in the balance" at Manchester United as Erik ten Hag is yet to make a decision on whether to hand the Spaniard a new contract, according to Dharmesh Sheth.
What's the latest on De Gea?
De Gea endured a somewhat turbulent season with the Red Devils last year.
The 32-year-old won the Premier League Golden Glove award, as well as being nominated for Save of the Season accolade, but made a number of high-profile gaffes throughout the campaign that led to question marks over the shot-stopper's future.
Much of the discourse surrounding De Gea has been due to his inability to play with his feet, certainly in comparison to other goalkeepers in the division, leaving Ten Hag questioning whether a more progressive, modern goalkeeper is needed for his squad.
Despite his contract expiring at the end of June, United left the Spaniard off their retained list at the end of the season, suggesting that contract discussions are taking place.
De Gea has already agreed a pay cut to his £375,000-a-week salary, but talks have seemingly not progressed, even prompting the goalkeeper to post a yawning emoji on his Twitter account.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Dharmesh Sheth admitted that De Gea's future is still very much uncertain at Old Trafford.
"I’ve spoken to him many times about David de Gea, and it looked like it was odds on he was going to stay at Manchester United. Erik ten Hag would make all the right noises in news conferences particularly after high-profile errors David de Gea would make. He would say ‘Look, he’s kept the most clean sheets in the Premier League."
Sheth added: "But the information we’re getting now is that David de Gea’s Manchester United future is in the balance, and that both parties, Manchester United and David de Gea, are considering all of their options."
If De Gea were to leave the club for free, United would need to dip into the market to find a new goalkeeper, leaving even fewer funds to be spread across the rest of the team.
De Gea has enjoyed a fruitful 12-year career at the Theatre of Dreams, appearing 545 times for the Red Devils and winning five major trophies with the club.
Who could United replace De Gea with?
Links with several goalkeepers have already surfaced as United prepare for a potential future without De Gea, the most prominent of which has been rumours of a deal for Inter's Andre Onana.
According to reports, Onana's agent has already met with Manchester United to discuss a move, with Ten Hag being told his side need to cough up over £40m for the recent Champions League finalist.
There have also been strong links with Everton and England stopper Jordan Pickford, as well as Porto's young goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
However, it appears that Onana is the priority should De Gea be pushed out of Old Trafford this summer.
Glasgow Rangers are keen to sign defender Auston Trusty as Michael Beale looks to continue his recruitment drive at the Ibrox side.
What’s the latest on Auston Trusty to Rangers?
According to The Athletic, Rangers are still interested in signing Arsenal centre-back Trusty this summer, having first been linked with him at the start of May.
A fee of around £2m was suggested last month as being enough to tempt him away from the Premier League, and this is a figure that Beale could certainly afford, especially with the Gers looking to move on some deadwood over the coming weeks.
Beale is looking at making his fifth signing of the summer, with Dujon Sterling, Kieran Dowell, Jack Butland and Sam Lammers all arriving in Glasgow since the end of 2022/23.
Could Auston Trusty replace Ben Davies at Rangers?
With the need for a total rejigging of the playing squad this summer, Beale will have to offload some players in order to raise funds for future purchases, and Ben Davies – who was only signed in 2022 – could be someone that might generate a solid transfer fee.
Stoke City are keeping tabs on the centre-back, and although he played more during the second half of the season, as per Sofascore, he only ranked 14th in the squad for overall rating (6.94/10), 16th for tackles per game (0.9) and seventh for interceptions per game (0.8), suggesting that he hasn’t exactly shone across these defensive metrics in relation to his teammates.
Kenny Miller even dubbed him as “very poor” following a mistake during an Old Firm clash back in April, when he failed to clear a simple ball over the top and Trusty may be the man to come in and replace him.
Meanwhile, Trusty enjoyed a solid season out on loan at Birmingham City in 2022/23, ranking third in the squad for rating (6.97/10), second for tackles per game (2.3) and first for interceptions per game (1.5), underlining his importance to the team while also averaging better numbers than Davies across these metrics.
The £13.8k-per-week brute is only 24 years old and has arguably yet to his peak years, which suggests that Beale could get the best out of the American should he make a move to Glasgow in the coming weeks. Having won the fans’ Player of the Year Award for his performances at St Andrew's, it indicates that he is able to settle in well at a club and takes no time in showcasing his ability, which could be a big bonus for the 42-year-old, as a fast start is a must next term.
Trusty was dubbed “incredible” by teammate George Friend back in October while also saying that he took to the Championship “so easily” – which surely bodes well ahead of a potential move to the Premiership.
Making a move for the American could be a shrewd investment by Beale and it looks set to be bad news for Davies if his signing is announced.