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Manchester United fell heavily by the wayside under Erik ten Hag, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before him; Jose Mourinho, previously, left hot under the collar after his progress unravelled like a spool of string in the wind.

Ruben Amorim has suffered a turbulent time at Old Trafford since replacing his hard-pressed predecessor, but he’s starting to turn a corner. His tactics are sinking in.

Just imagine how high the Portuguese tactician could reach should INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe equip him with a perfect spread of new signings this summer.

However, United have their financial difficulties and will need to sell in order to buy. Signing a striker is among the priorities for the Red Devils, but luckily, neither of Amorim’s recognised centre-forwards have proved they deserve a star role in the years to come at the Theatre of Dreams.

Man United's striking woes

United claimed a point in Sunday’s Manchester derby, which was very much emblematic of the issues presented to both neighbours right now.

Chiefly, the stalemate highlighted glaring deficiencies in attack, especially for the hosts’ part. Rasmus Hojlund toiled once again, replaced by Joshua Zirkzee in the second half. The Dutchman, who was signed from Bologna last summer for £36.5m, “offers a lot more” than his teammate, according to The United Stand’s Beth Tucker.

Even so, he’s not the long-term solution as the star focal frontman.

Hojlund & Zirkzee vs Man City (0-0)
Match Stats	Hojlund	Zirkzee
Minutes played	71′	19′
Goals	0	0
Assists	0	0
Touches	15	11
Shots (on target)	0 (0)	2 (1)
Accurate passes	7/9 (78%)	4/6 (67%)
Key passes	0	0
Dribbles	0/0	0/0
Duels won	1/4	1/2
Data via Sofascore

Hojlund, Man United’s £72m number nine, was a non-entity once again. At least Zirkzee, replacing him with just under 20 minutes left to play, sought to make things happen, sought to take some initiative.

With just three goals from 26 Premier League appearances this season, Hojlund, who is 22, is apt for sale this summer, especially when considering that he’s averaging 0.8 shots per game.

How much Man United could recoup for a player like Hojlund, who is clearly talented but has endured a torrid time of it this year, remains to be seen.

However, the Dane will need to part with his red shirt if things are going to improve. United, for that matter, have identified the perfect replacement for Hojlund, and only by selling him will they be able to pounce.

INEOS make bid for new striker

As per Spanish sources, Man United are very much in the running for Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres, who has been one of the most prolific players in Europe over the past couple of years.

The Athletic confirmed last week that Arsenal have bumped him up to the top of their wish-list given Newcastle United are staying firm on their £150m valuation of Alexander Isak, but INEOS will hope that Amorim’s connection with the Portugal champions could see a bid from United hold sway.

Gyokeres, 25, is the gold standard, and the Red Devils know it. In fact, the report suggests that they have already offered a €75m (£64m) figure to take him off Sporting’s hands and reunite him with his former gaffer, albeit with Chelsea in the same boat.

Why Man United should sign Viktor Gyokeres

For what it’s worth, former Tottenham star Rafael van der Vaart remarked that Gyokeres is “a better version of Haaland,” owing to his more complete and dynamic skill set.

The data, in fairness, takes a step toward backing such an audacious claim up. As per FBref, Gyokeres ranks among the top 2% of forwards across Europe over the past year for goals scored, the top 5% for pass completion and shot-creating actions and the top 4% for progressive carries per 90.

So then, you see why he’s such a covetous man right now. Given that he fronted Amorim’s system at Sporting, posted 66 goals and 23 assists across just 68 matches for the young manager, you begin to see why INEOS are so desperate to bring him over to Manchester this year.

Such a powerful, precise and imposing number nine must leave Bruno Fernandes giddy at the thought of playing with him. Man United’s skipper, the all-inspiring talisman and all-embracing leader, has been the brightest light to emerge from a dreary campaign, popping up with big moments and providing creative support and defensive relief in nearly every fixture he competes in.

The 30-year-old is so many things for his team, but his chance creation is quite literally second to none, surely something that may tempt Gyokeres to move to Old Trafford and lead the line for Amorim’s side, charged as he would be by Fernandes’ consistent playmaking.

Premier League 24/25 – Most Chances Created
	Player	Apps	CC
1.	Bruno Fernandes	30	74
2.	Cole Palmer	30	71
3.	Mohamed Salah	31	70
4.	Dejan Kulusevski	27	62
5.	Enzo Fernandez	29	60
Data via StatMuse

While he wouldn’t come cheap, Gyokeres is the perfect profile for United and if signing a striker is neglected this summer, it’s hard to see how Amorim is going to close the huge gap between his team and their rivals.

There’s all the Sweden international’s clinical nature to consider. Sofascore record that he has missed 22 big chances across Liga Portugal and Champions League campaigns this season, scoring 36 goals across the two competitions.

That’s an insane level of composure and success in the ball-striking department. Truly, if such prowess can be translated to the Premier League, United could return to the forefront of the division, especially with Fernandes pulling the strings from behind.

Make no mistake, this is a player of greatness, a player who, in different circumstances, would be heralded with more effusive praises. Instead, he has remained committed to the United cause.

Fernandes has tasted a few pieces of silverware since walking through the gates, but if partnered with Gyokeres in a purring Amorim system, there’s no telling how high this club might reach.

Not just Bruno: Amorim's "key" Man Utd star just showed he’s undroppable

Man Utd played out a 0-0 draw against Man City

By
Joe Nuttall

Apr 7, 2025

Having endured two difficult IPL seasons after rushing back into action following back surgery, the legspinner took two months off and has returned rejuvenated

Nagraj Gollapudi09-Aug-20254:23

Rashid: ‘Made a mistake’ by rushing back after back surgery

Afghanistan’s bowling allrounder Rashid Khan says he committed a “mistake” by rushing back to play cricket just a few months after a back surgery that immediately followed the 2023 World Cup. The long-term impact, Rashid said, told on him during his last two IPL seasons for Gujarat Titans (GT), especially in 2025, his worst IPL ever.Rashid conceded 33 sixes, the most by a bowler in a single IPL season, as batters both capped and uncapped dominated him. Post-surgery, Rashid’s speed, the backbone of his bowling, depleted considerably, in addition to a loss of accuracy. However, after a two-month post-IPL break, Rashid has returned rejuvenated, and showed that on Tuesday in the opening contest of the Hundred 2025, with a match-wining 3 for 11 in defending champions Oval Invincibles’ victory over London Spirit at Lord’s.In a chat with ESPNcricinfo organised by Red Bull, which unveiled the Afghanistan great as an ambassador on Saturday, Rashid said he had failed to grasp the advice the doctors had given him after his surgery.Related

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“After IPL, I needed the kind of break where my body gets back to normal,” Rashid said. “I worked a little bit on my strength. And especially coming back from back surgery, I hadn’t had much time to rehab properly. That’s where I did a bit of mistake to restart my cricket so quickly at that time. And I feel like I didn’t let myself properly recover, and I pushed it a little bit at that time, and I can see the disadvantage of that now. But after IPL [2025], I felt like I needed that kind of two months off where I can just focus on my fitness.”And when I came yesterday [on Tuesday], I felt so good, in a good rhythm, and the ball was coming nicely out of my hand, and [my] body was allowing me to go through. So these things matter a lot – sometimes you don’t think about that a lot; you just try your best to push yourself. But I feel to be out of the game for some time and focus on my fitness – and also [focus] mentally and physically – that really played a huge role.”On a sluggish Lord’s surface, Rashid bowled between 94 and 98kph, speeds he feels more comfortable with, and in control. The absence of zip in his deliveries, Rashid felt, was a key reason behind his failing to dictate terms in the last two IPL seasons.”On Tuesday, I was bowling at 94-98 kph – that’s my pace, [and the] speeds I am known to bowl at. I feel I was missing that before because my body was not allowing me to go through [my action] with that full energy. Last night, [against Spirit], when I came to bowl, I was getting that good feeling, and I was touching that speed with which I could put the batsman in trouble, and also not allow him much time to read from the surface.”Rashid conceded 33 sixes in IPL 2025•BCCIBarely a few months after the back surgery, despite medical experts warning him to pay careful attention to his rehab, Rashid resumed playing, though mostly T20 cricket. He started with the series against Ireland in March 2024, followed by the IPL and the T20 World Cup, where he led Afghanistan into the semi-finals. Soon after, back and hamstring niggles surfaced, forcing Rashid to skip the BBL and PSL. In early January 2025, Rashid played the second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, and finished as the Player of the Match, bowling 55 overs (27.3 in each innings) and picking up 11 wickets to enter the record books. But the toll exacted by those marathon spells was evident during the Champions Trophy, and then IPL 2025.”When I came back to cricket after surgery, I was told not to rush back in the longer formats [Tests and ODIs] that quickly as that was not going to help me,” Rashid said. “About eight to nine months after I had started to play post surgery, I bowled 65 [55] overs in the Bulawayo Test. That really pushed my back a little bit, and I felt it at that time. I shouldn’t have been in whites [to play Tests].”In T20s, it’s fine – you can manage yourself – but for the longer formats, I was advised that you should be away from that format for some time. That is the kind of mistake I have made. But the team needed that. At that time, we had lost a few games in Test cricket, but that’s something where I rushed myself a little bit, and I didn’t give myself time and I felt it later on. Yes, I think I have done a mistake where my body was not allowing me that and I’m facing a problem. The thing is the stiffness in your back doesn’t allow you to go with full rhythm.”From the time he entered the IPL in 2017, Rashid maintained an economy rate of just over six runs an over until 2022. But since 2023, batters, especially right-handers, have played him with a lot more freedom. In 2022, Rashid’s economy rate against right-hand batters was 5.95. Over the next three seasons, it increased to 8.57 (2023), 8.84 (2024) and 9.69 (2025). If a few seasons ago his balls-per-six ratio in the IPL was 43, by 2025, it had plunged to 10. Rashid is aware of the numbers, but not overly concerned.”Before, when I was bowling 24 balls [over an innings], I was missing pitching [them] on length [for] like four or five balls. But then the number went [up] to eight or nine balls. And in those eight to nine [balls], they are scoring those extra couple of sixes and couple of big boundaries. I just needed to decrease that. Nothing else. It’s not like of the 24 balls, I was bowling every ball badly, [or] I was bowling wides and full tosses. [I knew] it’s going to be fine.”The realisation that his body was not allowing him to go with what he calls “the full flow” forced Rashid to have a chat with his coaches, who felt that he needed to take time off. Rashid duly pulled out of the MLC, where he plays for MI New York. During the break, he did a lot of strength training, especially in his lower back, and spot bowling two or three times a week, along with a bit of batting. But the focus was more on gym work. Outside of that, Rashid, who got married last October, spent a relaxed time with his family, which he says has now left him refreshed.”After IPL finished, for three weeks, I didn’t touch the ball. I spent most of my time with my family, [and] my nephews – going around with them, [and] had fun – just to take all those memories and stuff and bad days out of my mind, and then restart with the cricket. That’s what I did just to be refreshed, and then got back on track and got back bowling in the right spot.”At the SA20 this year, Rashid overtook Dwayne Bravo to become the highest wicket-taker in all T20s•SA20The break seems to have had a positive impact on Rashid. Before coming to the Hundred, he played four matches in the Shpageeza Cricket League, Afghanistan’s domestic T20 tournament, where he led Speen Ghar Tigers, and picked up 4 for 19, including three wickets in his final over, in their last match. Having made a strong start to the Hundred, Rashid will now hope to carry forward the momentum as Invincibles look for a three-peat, having won the title in the last two seasons.This February, while playing in the SA20, Rashid, who plays for MI Cape Town, overtook Dwayne Bravo to become the highest wicket-taker in all T20s. He recently became the first bowler to cross the 650-wicket mark, and is three wickets behind the retired Tim Southee on the all-time leading-wicket-takers chart in T20Is. Rashid was also ranked No. 1 among ESPNcricinfo’s 25 Greatest T20 players. He chuckled when asked whether he had read that story, and said he had, and that it made him just as proud as being chosen as the ICC’s T20I Cricketer of the Decade (2011-20) despite playing just four years of international cricket in that period.”People don’t just give it to you. It means like you have done something special, [and] you have done something unbelievable – and at different stages, in different countries. And that’s how you get that kind of appreciation. So it gives me so much energy, [and] it gives me so much positivity, and that for me is more important. And it does allow you to work harder, and to be number one again.”Rashid is the latest player to join Red Bull which also has on its roster Ben Stokes, KL Rahul, Kagiso Rabada and Riyan Parag. Rashid said it was a “huge and proud moment” to be the first Afghanistan player on the list and is “excited” to visit the Red Bull Athlete Performance Centre in Salzburg later this year.

Mixed messaging in selection, and catastrophic call at the toss, pushes champions past point of no return

Matt Roller21-Oct-2023Jos Buttler sat on his own in the row of seats outside England’s dressing room, above the sightscreen at the southern end of the Wankhede Stadium. He wore the thousand-yard stare of a man who knew that, while his side are mathematically still alive in this World Cup, there is surely no way back from here.As Buttler contemplated what had gone before, Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson had a swing, thrashing 70 runs off 5.3 overs. But even that partnership was not enough to save England from the ignominy of their biggest-ever defeat in men’s ODIs – that too on a night that they had earmarked as the game that would turn their World Cup around.This was their third defeat out of four at this tournament, and all three have stung. They were swept aside by New Zealand in Ahmedabad and dealt with by Afghanistan in Delhi, but this was an utter meltdown in Mumbai. South Africa did not just beat England’s world champions: they made them look like a broken team.It had the sense of the night when England’s title defence fell apart. They placed their hopes in the core of players who have underpinned their white-ball revolution and their rise from also-rans to double world champions; collectively, they have simply not performed.England’s hopes effectively ended with Dawid Malan’s leg-side dismissal in the sixth over•ICC/Getty ImagesThere was a short passage towards the end of South Africa’s innings in which England exerted a brief sense of control. After 41 overs, South Africa were 264 for 5 and had not scored a boundary for 29 balls; Marco Jansen, their No. 7, had 11 off 19. “We could have looked like restricting them to 340 or 350,” Buttler reflected.Instead, they managed 399. Heinrich Klaasen’s hitting was as crisp as it was clean as he swung his way to a 61-ball hundred, while Jansen pummelled 64 off his final 23 balls. “It spiralled out of control,” said Matthew Mott, England’s coach. “We were under siege for a while: Jos was looking around to see who was fit to bowl.”England were simply exhausted, and not for a lack of basic fitness. “It certainly looked a bit like a warzone there at times,” Mott said. The problem stemmed from Buttler’s choice to bowl first when he won the toss, a decision he explained by saying: “[This is] generally a good ground for chasing, so that’s the reason behind it.”But like so many decisions England have made in this World Cup, the explanation relied more on the past than the present and the future. England wandered out to field at 2pm, when Mumbai’s heat and humidity were at their most oppressive. It was a simple recipe for disaster: 11 Englishmen, left in the pan for four hours until fried to a crisp.The evidence underlying Buttler’s assertion was scant. Chasing teams had a 75% win record in men’s ODIs at the Wankhede over the past decade, but the sample size was all of four matches. There is a strong chasing bias in the IPL, but the physical requirements of 90 minutes in the field in the evening are hardly comparable to a full afternoon in the blazing sun.Heinrich Klaasen described the conditions as “brutal” after his outstanding century•Associated PressAnd if England were once a chasing team, they are no longer that side. This was their seventh loss in their last eight completed ODI run-chases; the only target they have hauled in was 210 on a turning pitch in Mirpur. England used to make light of scoreboard pressure; now, it inhibits them.The conditions were brutal, not least for an XI which featured only three players under the age of 32. There was a revolving door of players coming on and off the field due to niggles, cramps or illness, to change their sweat-drenched shirts or simply for a moment’s respite. England’s medical staff became the busiest men in Mumbai.Reece Topley was struck on his index finger in his fourth over, a suspected fracture which looks likely to rule him out of the tournament. Adil Rashid battled an upset stomach, which left him doubled over on the boundary. If it could have gone wrong for England, it did.Related

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David Willey, one of the fittest men in their squad, described himself as England’s “donkey” last month due to his workhorse qualities; by the start of his ninth over, he was cramping so badly that he had to pull out of his run-up, before sending down a waist-high no-ball that Klaasen sliced for six.And barely 90 minutes after walking off the field, Willey was back out in the middle. Four days after Mott had insisted England would not make “wholesale changes”, they made three: Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone and Chris Woakes were replaced by Willey, Gus Atkinson and Ben Stokes.It left them relying on their top six to score the bulk of their runs, instead they managed 55 between them. Chasing 400, England “needed everything to go perfectly”, in Buttler’s words. Nothing did: it was game over after the first ball of the sixth over, when Marco Jansen had Dawid Malan strangled down the leg side to leave them 24 for 3.England have not officially been eliminated from this World Cup, but the manner of this defeat was so painful that it is hard to see how they can turn things around. They talked a good game in Mumbai this week but, as they prepare to play Sri Lanka in Bengaluru on Thursday, the same messaging will have little effect.Teams are likely to need six wins out of nine in the group stage to reach the semi-finals: England will need five in a row to reach that point, and do not look like they know where even one is coming from. “We’ll keep the belief,” Buttler insisted, but few outside of their dressing-room will join them – and those doubts must be seeping inside it.

Fall-out at county is bound to be painful, but necessary, after seismic few weeks for cricket

George Dobell08-Nov-2021Sometimes you have to tear things down to rebuild.That is the stage we are in with Yorkshire County Cricket Club. It will pain many to hear the club they love – and some of the players they have admired – criticised over the next few weeks.But it is a necessary phase. The first step towards rebuilding was acknowledging there was a problem. After many months of denials, Yorkshire – or at least their new chairman – has done that.There is still much to admire in this great cricket club: it still produces fine players; it still plays admirable cricket. A cancer has long existed within it, though. And instead of cutting it out years ago, it has been allowed to grow. There is, no doubt, a racism and inclusion problem across society and within the sport of cricket which reflects it. But the situation in Yorkshire, at club and county level, seems far worse than elsewhere.The evidence for this? Copious first-hand testimony. Testimony that would have been given to cricket’s authorities if only the complainants had any confidence in them. Instead they turned to the media.Remember, it has been reported in recent months that four Yorkshire players of Asian heritage – Adil Rashid, Ismail Dawood, Azeem Rafiq and Rana Naved – have made complaints of racism at some stage. We know, too, that several other players of the same heritage have made complaints in private. Until now, they have largely been ignored.Most of all, there has been Rafiq. Partly because he was a man with nothing left to lose – never forget, he lost a child in the midst of this saga – he wouldn’t give up. Not when the club refused to listen, not when his union told him he didn’t have a case and not when all the people who told him he would have their support melted away. He might turn out to be the most stubborn man in Yorkshire. And that’s a competitive field.At every stage, his story shows up a grim culture. For a start, he should never have faced the abuse he did. He should never have been called ‘Rafa the Kaffir’; he should never have been called a ‘P**i’; he should never have felt he had to drink alcohol to fit in.More than that, though, he deserved to have his complaints taken seriously. He should never have been driven, in despair and frustration, to the brink of suicide. And, even after it took the media’s intervention to ensure there was an investigation, he deserved better than the sham of a report which concluded that use of the ‘P**i’ word was “banter”. At every stage, the game let him down.Azeem Rafiq refused to give up in his bid for vindication at Yorkshire•Getty ImagesLord Patel spoke well on Monday. In acknowledging a “flawed investigation” and “the need for change” he came as close as he could at this stage to admitting institutional racism at Yorkshire. In the end he stopped just short of that conclusion, but it may well follow in the coming days. It’s impossible to reach any other conclusion, really.Patel and Rafiq have much in common. Both were born overseas but grew up in Bradford and Barnsley respectively where the scourge of racism was a daily threat. Both have had their fair share of turning blind eyes and deaf ears to such behaviour. And both are now in a position where they will not do so any more.There is a word of warning required here, though. Roger Hutton, the former Yorkshire chairman who resigned last week, held many of the same views as Lord Patel. He attempted to settle Rafiq’s legal action in April and, initially at least, felt he could bring the club’s executives with him “on a journey” of education and improvement; words Patel also used on Monday. In the end, that reasonable attitude counted against Hutton. Patel must know that some journeys are best made without baggage. There are those at the club who have had every chance to educated themselves and change. Now is the time to cut them loose.Let’s be clear: there is no way Yorkshire can repair its tattered reputation with the same executive team in place. Equally, there’s no way most of the current coaching team can remain; they have presided over the most shameful episode in the club’s history. There has to be a new start at Yorkshire.There will, no doubt, be more uncomfortable moments in the days ahead. Neither Rafiq nor Hutton, the chair who stepped down last week, look set to hold back when they speak to the DCMS (the Department of Culture, Media and Sport) hearing next week. Equally, in the coming days, it seems inevitable that more of Yorkshire’s report into his allegations will leak out. There are other prominent players – including prominent former England players – mentioned in the report. In the case of at least two of them, whom ESPNcricinfo has chosen not to name, Rafiq’s complaints against them were upheld. Given that his complaint against the player who called him a P**i was not upheld on the grounds that it constituted “banter”, those ‘upheld’ verdicts look damning.It’s not just Yorkshire who will be embarrassed, either. The Professional Cricketers’ Association also have things they can learn from the episode. Their representative in this case admitted taking no notes from the meeting in which Rafiq made his complaints and then not recalling a specific complaint on the issue of racism. As a former Yorkshire player who had colleagues who were accused in the meeting he was, no doubt, in a difficult position. But the process failed Rafiq and the PCA know they have to find better ways to act in such conditions. It may be relevant that every one of their staff – and they have 24 full-time members of staff – is white. The representative who worked on this case, whom ESPNcricinfo has chosen not to name, has left the organisation in recent days.An anti-racism banner hangs outside Yorkshire’s Headingley Stadium in Leeds•AFP/Getty ImagesAnd then there’s the ECB. They have, in recent days, done all the right things. And, to most reasonable judges, they handled the Ollie Robinson affair pretty well, too. But they were aware of this case many months ago (Tom Harrison first spoke to Rafiq in August 2020; they received his statement in November 2020) and, for all the warm words they have uttered, we are still awaiting tangible action. Perhaps it is inevitable that the wheels of progress in such a bureaucratic organisation move slowly and there will be, no doubt, much benefit in the establishment of a “Commission for Equity in Cricket”. But sometimes we need to see sanctions and suspensions to know there are bites behind the barking. In short: words are easy. Now it’s time to shut up and show us.It’s going to take a long time for each of these organisations to win back the trust of non-white communities. In recent months, those of us working on such stories have been inundated with the testimony of those who have suffered similar experiences. Often, they do not want those stories publicising; they just want to be heard and for Rafiq to know he has their support. In almost every case – and we are talking several dozen – they feel they tried to alert the authorities and were ignored. In other cases, they felt that there was simply no point trying. They key point is that Rafiq’s experiences are anything but aberrational.In the short term, the ECB will set up a confidential hotline which will field such calls. The hope is this will at least enable the sport to understand the extent of the problem. In time, it might also build more trust. Surrey have already released a statement asking any “Surrey player, coach, official or employee at any level of representation” to contact them if they “feel they have ever suffered racism or prejudice on any occasion during their time at Surrey CCC”. Other clubs need to follow. Some of the results of this “truth and reconciliation” process, as Lord Patel termed it, may be painful, but it’s the only way to progress.Related

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Yorkshire settle employment tribunal with Azeem Rafiq as Lord Patel takes the helm

In the long term, all cricket lovers – even those Yorkshire supporters who currently resent the disruption they may feel he is causing – may come to reflect they owe Rafiq plenty. Like English cricket’s other whistle-blowers in recent years – the likes of Tony Palladino, Don Topley and Ian Pont – he has endured his share of abuse and isolation. But when they tried to buy his silence, he shouted louder. He wouldn’t be bought or bullied or broken. He has persisted and he has prevailed. We may well look back on this as a watershed moment for the game.There will be some – you know the sort – who claim a pay-off was always Rafiq’s aim. But, by declining to sign a non-disclosure agreement, he limited his options in this regard long ago. Instead, his aim has always been change. He simply doesn’t want anyone else to suffer as he has.ESPNcricinfo understands Yorkshire’s settlement with him (which includes his legal costs) also includes the creation of a bursary, in Rafiq’s name, to enable cricketers from Asian backgrounds to enjoy more opportunities within Yorkshire cricket. It was perhaps more telling, though, that moments after agreeing the settlement, Rafiq committed himself to contributing to another bursary. In recognition of the role the cricket media played in bringing his case to wider attention, he will contribute to the Bethan James bursary; a scheme set up by the Cricket Writers’ Club in the name of Bethan, a 21-year-old journalism student who died suddenly and aimed at helping aspiring cricket journalists from working-class backgrounds. Bethan was also the daughter of former England and Glamorgan top-order batter, Steve James.So, where does all this leave us? With a mess, no doubt. Construction sites often look that way. And things may look uglier before they look prettier at Yorkshire. We’re in for a bumpy few weeks.But we also have an opportunity. For far too long, our professional game been growing more exclusive and less reflective of those playing it at recreational level. We have, thanks to Rafiq’s determination and bravery, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get to grips with this issue. We have to seize the chance. And, if we do, we’ll have a sport – and a Yorkshire – of which everyone can feel proud.

In a list of best baseball ideas of the past 50 years, the Home Run Derby has to rank near the top.

What once was a mere sideshow to the All-Star Game's festivities has come to exist on the same plane as the event itself. The Derby submits for fans' consideration something that was true in the 1920s, 1950s and 1990s, and something that continues to be true in modern times: the majesty of the home run is like nothing else in North American sports.

It has created superstars—New York Yankees right fielder and designated hitter Aaron Judge's 2017 performance, for instance, put him on the pop-culture map. It has driven ratings in a barren portion of the sports calendar. It has done, consistently, for MLB what the Slam Dunk Contest once did for the NBA.

Styles of play are temporary, but since Cleveland Forest Citys third baseman Ezra Sutton hit the first big-league one on May 8, 1871, home runs have proven immortal.

Here's a look at the Home Run Derby's single-event and all-time record-holders for home runs.

Who has the most home runs in a single Home Run Derby?

That record is held by rookie Toronto Blue Jays third baseman and designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr. during his 2019 coming-out party in Cleveland. Amazingly, in a quirk of the competition's bracketed format, Guerrero did not win—he would have to wait until 2023 to do that.

HOME RUNS

PLAYER

TEAM

YEAR

91

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Toronto Blue Jays

2019

82

Randy Arozarena

Tampa Bay Rays

2023

81

Julio Rodríguez

Seattle Mariners

2022

74

Pete Alonso

New York Mets

2021

72

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Toronto Blue Jays

2023

61

Julio Rodríguez

Seattle Mariners

2023

Giancarlo Stanton

Miami Marlins

2016

60

Joc Pederson

Los Angeles Dodgers

2019

59

Trey Mancini

Baltimore Orioles

2021

57

Pete Alonso

New York Mets

2019

Who has the most home runs in the Home Run Derby all-time?

No player in the 21st century has embraced the Home Run Derby quite like New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso. Alonso bested Guerrero in that epic 2019 Derby and went on to win it again in the summer of 2021. Additional Derby trips in 2022 and 2023 have made him the most prolific home-run hitter in its history.

HOME RUNS

PLAYER

TEAM(S)

YEAR(S)

207

Pete Alonso

New York Mets

2019, ’21 to ’24

163

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Toronto Blue Jays

2019, ’23

142

Julio Rodríguez

Seattle Mariners

2022 to ’23

106

Albert Pujols

St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Angels

2003, ’07, ’09, ’15, ’22

99

Joc Pederson

Los Angeles Dodgers

2015, ’19

Juan Soto

Washington Nationals

2021 to ’22

91

Todd Frazier

Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox

2014 to ’16

83

Giancarlo Stanton

Miami Marlins

2014, ’16 to ’17

82

Randy Arozarena

Tampa Bay Rays

2023

81

Prince Fielder

Milwaukee Brewers and Detroit Tigers

2009, ’12

So far, two participants have been announced for the 2025 Home Run Derby: Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. and Seattle Mariners catcher and designated hitter Cal Raleigh. Each will need to bash at least 57 home runs to crack the top 10 in a single derby, and two-time Derby participant Acuna needs at least 18 to break into the career top 10.

Manchester United’s midfield pivot has been something that Ruben Amorim has seemingly found a formula he likes. The Portuguese manager has caused lots of debate with his infamous 3-4-2-1, with the wing-backs being one thing to spark such conversation.

However, the makeup of his pivot has been interesting to see, too. This season, it seems as though the former Sporting boss has landed on captain Bruno Fernandes and the experienced Casemiro as his ideal duo in midfield.

It is a new role for Fernandes, who has played most of his career as a number ten.

As for Casemiro, he has done well this season. Yet, against Crystal Palace at the weekend, he looked exposed at times.

Why Casemiro can struggle in the pivot

Brazil legend Casemiro has certainly adapted well to playing in Amorim’s system.

Not too long ago, he was told to “leave the football before the football leaves you” by Jamie Carragher. Now, he is a regular starter for United at almost 34 years of age.

Indeed, Amorim has put a lot of trust in the former Real Madrid star this season. He’s played in 12 Premier League games, missing one due to a suspension.

Since the middle of September, he’s started every game in the league he’s been available for, and has even scored three times.

However, there are struggles that the United number 18 can experience in midfield.

Physically, Casemiro is a little behind the eight ball at times and can get exposed, often being left in the dust and opposition midfielders coasting past him.

Coming up against the Eagles last Sunday, it was an issue in the first half for the 82-cap Brazil international. As Goal journalist Calum Preston Kelly pointed out, he “struggled to prevent Palace dictating play in the first half.”

The energetic duo of Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada found it all too easy and were able to breeze past him countless times, having looked “haunted” up against the Englishman, in particular.

Perhaps this is an issue Amorim would like to nip in the bud before long. It might well make a change of personnel in the pivot to have a true impact.

United’s ready-made Casemiro alternative

There are options if Amorim wants to switch things up in midfield.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Mason Mount briefly played next to Bruno Fernandes away to Fulham at the start of the season, and Manuel Ugarte is another player who could slot into the side.

Yet, the obvious answer is Kobbie Mainoo. Amorim continues to ignore his obvious talent, despite being called a “future £100m+ footballer” by Alex Turk and starting in the final of Euro 2024 just 18 months ago.

It has been a tough campaign for the Stockport-born midfielder. He’s only played nine times in the Premier League, and is yet to start a game.

He’s featured for just 171 minutes, averaging 20 per game that he has played in.

Let’s not forget, though, the skill Mainoo possesses. He is a master in small spaces, able to break the press with his carrying ability and drive forward.

He’s also intelligent off the ball and is a strong dueller. Those were all on show on his Premier League debut against Everton, where he had 61 touches and won five duels.

Touches

61

Pass accuracy

83%

Passes completed

38/46

Ground duels won

3/5

Aerial duels won

2/3

Ball recoveries

3

Dribbles completed

2/3

The skills Mainoo could bring to United’s pivot would surely only benefit Amorim’s side. He is more physically up to speed than Casemiro and is less likely to get outrun.

On top of that, he brings different qualities on the ball which could add a new dynamic to midfield.

Plus, he still has an eye for goal like his fellow midfielder.

Mainoo has seven goals in a United shirt, with the most important one coming in the 2023/24 FA Cup final, which turned out to be the winner against Manchester City.

Mainoo has to get his chance in the United midfield soon enough. Their number 37 simply must be playing football every week, to continue on the path he was on just one year ago.

Don’t forget, he was trusted to start England’s biggest game in years.

With Casemiro’s occasional struggles out of possession, the starlet could be the Red Devils’ answer to their issues in midfield.

Bruno upgrade: Man Utd make £70m bid for "most complete player in football"

Manchester United could acquire a perfect upgrade in the midfield department in 2026…

ByRobbie Walls Dec 3, 2025

This season is shaping up very nicely for Chelsea indeed.

On the domestic front, Enzo Maresca’s side managed to keep Arsenal within touching distance by holding them to a 1-1 draw on Sunday despite Moises Caicedo being sent off in the first half.

Then, in the Champions League, their thumping 3-0 win against Barcelona last week has stood them in good stead to qualify for the next round.

Moreover, and especially in that game, Estevao has started to really show what he is capable of, so fans should be excited about reports linking Chelsea to another star winger who has been compared to the Brazilian.

Chelsea target an Estevao-type winger

Even though there were pretty high expectations for Estevao coming into this season, few would have predicted him to have started as well as he has.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

For example, in the Premier League, he provided an assist on his first start against West Ham United and then scored the winner against Liverpool.

In the Champions League, he has been even better, racking up three goals in five appearances, of which only three have been starts.

So, with how well he has been performing, it’s less surprising to hear that the club are now interested in a player who has been compared to him: Harvey Barnes.

Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, Chelsea are said to be incredibly keen on the Englishman.

In fact, the report goes further, revealing that the Blues have already submitted an offer of around €60m for the player, which is about £53m.

However, there are two problems: Manchester United have made the same offer, and the Toon do not want to sell.

It could therefore be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Barnes’ ability and output, one Chelsea should fight for, especially as he has been compared to Estevao.

How Barnes compares to Estevao

Now, while they are both wingers plying their trade for huge clubs in the toughest league in the world, fans might find it hard to see why Barnes would be comparable to Estevao.

After all, last season he didn’t do all that much for Newcastle, and so far this season the Brazilian has been a breath of fresh air for the Blues.

However, while he is not getting as much attention as he perhaps should, the English “menace,” as dubbed by journalist Mikey Stafford, has been on fire for the Toon this year.

For example, in 20 appearances across all competitions, totalling 996 minutes, he has scored seven goals and provided two assists, which comes out to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 2.22 games, or every 110.66 minutes.

Moreover, his close control and technical ability are far better than most think, as his sensational goal against Brentford demonstrates.

Finally, FBref also lists the Blues’ Brazilian gem as the eighth-most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the former Leicester City star in the Champions League this season.

The best way to understand how that conclusion was reached is to look at some of the underlying metrics where the pair ranks closely.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.73

0.70

Progressive Carries

5.17

5.59

Crosses into the Penalty Area

0.34

0.29

Shot-Creating Actions

3.44

3.79

Goals per Shot on Target

These include things like non-penalty expected goals plus assists, shot-creating actions, crosses into the penalty area, progressive carries and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, while they certainly have their differences, Barnes is showing shades of Estevao in his game this season and on top of that, has rediscovered his goalscoring ability.

Therefore, so long as the price does not get ridiculous, Chelsea should do what they can to sign him once the window opens.

Chelsea star who saved Caicedo is their "most underappreciated player"

The underrated Chelsea ace made sure Caicedo’s red card didn’t cost Enzo Maresca’s men against Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 30, 2025

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has admitted that he found it strange how Queens Park Rangers played the final moments of their historic game against Manchester City in May 2012, adding fuel to a longstanding conspiracy theory peddled by Wayne Rooney that Manchester United were done out of the title. Sergio Aguero's last-ditch winner famously secured the title for City instead.

Rooney questions QPR's approach

Rooney has always openly questioned whether QPR allowed City to win the game in question at the Etihad Stadium a little too easily. Roberto Mancini's team, who had hauled Manchester United back in during a rollercoaster title race up to that point, needed three points in their final match of the season to be sure of a first English league championship in 44 years. But QPR, who were fighting relegation, led 2-1 going into the final stages.

It meant that because United won their own fixture away at Sunderland, they finished their season as champions. But City were still playing and had enough time to turn things around, through Edin Dzeko and then Aguero. What has always rankled with Rooney is that QPR survived relegation, even in defeat, because of Bolton’s 1-1 draw with Stoke. He has implied that they may have already before the end of the game they were safe, although that has always been unclear.

"Paddy Kenny should have done better for a couple of the goals," Rooney said in 2022. "City get the second goal and QPR kick it straight back to them and that's never been questioned – I find that strange. Djibril Cisse celebrating after the game with the City players, but yeah listen it's a historic moment in the Premier League so I'm sure that, if you are not involved as a Manchester United player, that's probably one of the greatest moments in the league."

AdvertisementAFPDean adds weight to Rooney's claims

Speaking on, brought to you by , Mike Dean gave his opinion on what happened that day. He was the referee for the game and considered it odd the way QPR surrendered possession so easily after City had got back level at 2-2 through Dzeko's equaliser.

"[City] make it 2-2, and [QPR] just kick it back and give it to them. And we [the match officials] were like, 'What's going on, why are they giving the ball back straightaway?' I said [that] in the ear piece. To kick off and give the ball straight back to them. Neil Swarbrick, the fourth official, said, 'Keep switched on, something is going to happen.'

"You just knew something was going to happen. You could just tell. What was strange about it, once QPR found out they were safe, Jamie Mackie was on the pitch celebrating while the game was still going on."

Rooney was also appearing on the show and cheekily added: "They had loads of ex-City players in there as well," referencing Shaun Wright-Phillips, Nedum Onuoha and Joey Barton in the QPR side – Barton had earlier been sent off for violent conduct.

Cisse denies foul play

QPR and former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse was seen celebrating with City players afterwards, but recently denied that had anything to do with wanting the club to win the title over United. He told this year that it was only because close friend Samir Nasri was in the City team, combined with QPR's own survival.

"I was celebrating with Samir Nasri," he said. "I didn't celebrate with Mario Balotelli, Sergio Aguero or anybody else. I celebrated with my brother, Samir, who had been a friend of mine for 15 years.

"Manchester United lost the Premier League title because they dropped points throughout the season. It was nothing to do with me or QPR. What Rooney said isn't cool. He took out his frustrations on me. It's not my fault. If we had wanted Man City to win the league, would it not have been a little risky to have waited until the very last minute to let them score? We could have let them win 4–0 or 5–0 and gone home. But we played a strong team, the manager wanted to win that game. It wasn't our reserve team."

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AFPMan City still await Premier League charges verdict

Theoretically, United could still be retrospectively awarded the 2011-12 Premier League title. The season falls within the period of time for which City face at least 115 charges for alleged financial rule breaches between 2009 and 2018.

A verdict is still to be given on the case that has dragged on for years, with the long-awaited hearing concluding almost 12 months ago without any further updates. Nobody really knows what sanctions and punishments could be applied if City, who fiercely deny wrongdoing, are deemed guilty. But nothing, including titles being stripped, is off the table at this stage.

One of the most sought-after players in free agency this year did not play in MLB last year.

Twenty-three-year-old Roki Sasaki plied his trade in 2024 for the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball, winning 10 of 15 decisions with a 2.35 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 111 innings. These numbers have stateside executives salivating—and allow Sasaki to express considerable discretion in how his free agency plays out.

On Monday evening, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that Sasaki has a special request for the teams he's meeting with: he does not want them to bring any of their players to the meetings.

That tracks with Sasaki's unconventional approach to free agency, which agent Joel Wolfe said via Nightengale is driven by his desire to be great.

"‘He's a guy that wants to be great. He's not coming here just to be rich. He wants to be one of the greatest, ever," Wolfe said.

Per the rules governing player transfers between NPB and MLB, Sasaki is required to sign between Jan. 15 and 23 if he wants to play this season.

Worcestershire quarter-final prospects dented after falling well short in chase of 234

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay04-Jul-2025Superb scores in the 80s for third-wicket pair Will Luxton and James Wharton helped Yorkshire maintain their slim quarter-final hopes in the Vitality Blast with a dominant 41-run win over fellow strugglers Worcestershire Rapids at Headingley.Wharton, a T20 centurion against the Rapids here in 2023, top-scored with 88 in Yorkshire’s 233 for 6. He shared 134 inside 12 overs with Luxton, whose 81 represented a career best score. Both faced 47 balls.All seven bowlers used by Worcestershire captain Brett D’Oliveira went at nine or more runs an over before their night got worse. New Zealand overseas fast bowler Will O’Rourke struck twice in two balls twice en route to his his maiden five-wicket haul, 5 for 22, in a 192 all out reply.Yorkshire have now won three of nine North Group games, drawing level on 12 points with Worcestershire. They suffered their sixth defeat in nine, with D’Oliveira’s opening 56 off 33 unrewarded.Jonny Bairstow, opening for the first time in this season’s Blast, miscued the contest’s fourth ball from new-ball seamer Tom Taylor to mid-off, falling for 4. Yorkshire’s other big gun, Dawid Malan, followed for 8 at the start of the fifth over when he pulled Ben Allison’s seam out to deep square-leg with the score on 42.Luxton lofted Australian overseas quick Ben Dwarshuis over cover for the first of two early sixes and Wharton hit the left-armer for four fours to end the powerplay at 67 for 2.Four times in the previous three games at Headingley this season had sides topped 200.Luxton and Wharton ploughed on and brought up their century stand in the 13th over of the innings, Yorkshire 142 for 2. Both had just reached quickfire fifties, and the visitors will rue two Allison drops in the deep with Luxton on 9 and 74.Allison did remove him caught at deep cover shortly after the second drop before Wharton and Jordan Thompson – he hit three sixes in the last over in 22 off 8 – were run out at the death.The Rapids needed to posted their highest ever T20 total to win this game. England Under-19 opener Isaac Mohammed made a breezy start with 17. But when he miscued a slower ball from O’Rourke behind to Bairstow, it was 24 for 1 at the start of the third over.Worcestershire needed everything to go their way to have a chance of overhauling this target. And hardly anything did on a true pitch with a lightning outfield.Kashif Ali clothed O’Rourke’s second ball to mid-off before the big Kiwi took a stunning one-handed catch diving to his left at short third off Matt Milnes. At 37 for 3 in the fourth over, the visitors had a mountain to climb.D’Oliveira and Ethan Brookes at least helped them reach base camp with an 83-run stand, the former hitting a trio of sixes all around the ground. But just when hopes started to increase, with D’Oliveira reaching 50 off 33 balls, Brookes was lbw on the reverse against Jafer Chohan’s legspin – 120 for 4 in the 12th.And when D’Oliveira dragged O’Rourke out to deep midwicket in the next, at 132 for 5, it was game over.Dwarshuis clattered a consolatory 42 not out, but Milnes bowled a wicket maiden in the 17th and O’Rourke had both Matthew Waite and Taylor caught at deep midwicket and cover as Yorkshire’s win was secured.