One of the biggest, and arguably more surprising transfers of the summer window in 2024 was that of Julian Alvarez from Manchester City to Atletico Madrid. The Argentine World Cup winner departed the Etihad Stadium after just two seasons in an £81m move.

His short time at the eight-time Premier League champions was hugely successful. The 24-year-old pulled on the sky blue shirt 103 times, scoring 36 times and grabbing 18 assists. That included a very impressive 11 goals and nine assists in 36 games last season.

He also has quite an outstanding trophy cabinet to show for his efforts during his time under Pep Guardiola, winning seven. As part of those seven trophies, he won the treble at the Etihad Stadium in 2022/23, which included the Champions League, the Premier League and the FA Cup.

There has been plenty of noise surrounding his replacement this summer, and City did not end up bringing anyone in. However, they may well have had his dream replacement right under their noses but sold him a few years ago. That player is Ferran Torres.

Torres’ record at Barcelona

The Spain international made the move back to his native country in December of 2021, ahead of the 2022 January transfer window. It was a deal that represented a brilliant piece of business for the Cityzens.

They paid the Euro 2024 winner’s former club Valencia just £20.87m to acquire his services in August 2020 and received superb profit. Specifically, that was £46.7m from Barcelona up front and £8.5m in add-ons.

His time at Barca, has, on a personal note, been successful so far. He has played 117 games for the La Liga giants, scoring 26 goals and registering 14 assists. That includes a particularly successful 2023/24 campaign, his best yet in that famous blue and red shirt.

Had the winger still been at the Etihad Stadium nowadays, he could have been a perfect replacement for Alvarez while also providing some fierce competition to one of City’s current stars, Jack Grealish, whom he has begun to outperform.

Jack Grealish’s record at Man City

Since joining City in 2021 for a then-British record £100m, Grealish has certainly struggled to fully settle into a hugely successful side. The Cityzens have dominated English, and for a time, European football whilst the Englishman has been at the club, but he has never really looked like the same player he was at Aston Villa.

In 127 games for Guardiola’s side, the 28-year-old has scored just 14 goals and registered just 18 assists. His most productive campaign so far was in 2022/23, where Grealish scored five goals and assisted seven in 28 Premier League games.

He has certainly struggled to recapture the form he showed as a Villan, which earned him his big move to Manchester. His best season in England’s top flight for his boyhood club brought him six goals and ten assists.

The City number 10 has been outscored by Torres since he departed the club in the winter of 2021/22. This certainly could suggest a miscalculation on City’s part to sell the Spaniard to Barcelona, and he could have given the Englishman some stern competition for his place in the team.

Torres & Grealish record for Barca and Man City

Stat

Torres for Barca

Grealish for Man City

Games

117

127

Minutes

6,172

8,422

Goals

26

14

Assists

14

18

Stats from Transfermarkt

Interestingly, the duo have played six times with each other, and have featured in the same team for a combined 385 minutes. Had Torres stayed at the Etihad Stadium, City fans could well have seen this duo play together more often, and even compete for a direct place in the lineup.

Either way the “special” Torres, as football scout Antonio Mango described him, could have been their ideal replacement for Alvarez this summer, not least due to his flexibility to feature through the middle or on the flanks.

As it is, the versatile star is now shining away from Manchester, with there a question to be asked as to whether he was moved on too soon.

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United suffered a third-straight defeat in all competitions as their captain left them in the lurch at Molineux on Boxing Day

Bruno Fernandes' recklessness and Andre Onana's passivity combined to devastating effect as Manchester United slumped to a 2-0 defeat at Wolves in the latest episode of Ruben Amorim's nightmare start to life as the Red Devils' boss.

Fernandes was sent off for the third time this season for picking up a second yellow card shortly after half-time, and Wolves took full advantage, with the help of a howler from Onana. The goalkeeper had performed well in the first half, but was flummoxed by the flight of Matheus Cunha's corner and let the ball land straight in his net. It was the second time in seven days in which United had conceded directly from a corner following Altay Bayindir's gaffe against Tottenham.

United huffed and puffed with 10 men in search of an equaliser, but inevitably conceded a second right at the death when the livewire Cunha surged forward unchallenged and squared to Hwang Hee-Chan, who sealed a third consecutive defeat in all competitions for Amorim and his fifth loss in 10 matches in charge.

GOAL rates United's players from Molineux…

Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence

Andre Onana (4/10):

Made smart saves from Doherty, Larsen and Cunha, but all that good work was undone by his flapping at the corner.

Leny Yoro (5/10):

Made a good start with solid tackling but did nothing to stop Cunha's corner.

Harry Maguire (5/10):

Anticipated the danger well, making a handful of interceptions to limit the damage.

Lisandro Martinez (5/10):

Defended astutely. His height was not the issue with the goal.

AdvertisementAFPMidfield

Noussair Mazraoui (6/10):

Warming to the role of wing-back thanks to his athleticism and intelligence.

Kobbie Mainoo (5/10):

Gave the ball away too casually and taken off early.

Manuel Ugarte (5/10):

Patchy with the ball. Better at winning tackles, but stupidly got himself booked for timewasting and will miss the Newcastle game.

Diogo Dalot (5/10):

A mixed performance, had to defend a lot due to United going down to 10 men.

Getty Images SportAttack

Bruno Fernandes (3/10):

Couldn't use his head after getting booked and his eagerness to dive into tackles cost his team dear. Even before then he was struggling to cause Wolves many problems, lacking the pace and sharpness for the narrow winger role.

Rasmus Hojlund (4/10):

Got very little joy through the middle and created almost nothing.

Amad Diallo (5/10):

A quiet game by his usual standards and didn't create much.

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Getty Images SportSubs & Manager

Christian Eriksen (5/10):

Not who you want to turn to when you're a man down and need more energy and power.

Casemiro (5/10):

Brought on to give United extra strength after the red card and it had mixed results.

Antony (6/10):

One of the better performers. Had a go with his usual cutting inside move and got closer to making something happen than most of his team-mates.

Joshua Zirkzee (4/10):

Couldn't get involved at all.

Alejandro Garnacho (5/10):

Showed some intent but had no tangible impact.

Ruben Amorim (5/10):

His game plan went out of the window with the red card which was not his fault. But it wasn't exactly a vintage performance before then and he has now lost half of his 10 games in charge.

Erik ten Hag has never been one to make wholesale changes, even after a defeat, but it would be safe to assume that the Manchester United boss will at least make one tweak to his side ahead of Liverpool's visit this weekend, by recalling Alejandro Garnacho to the starting lineup.

The Argentine is yet to start a game this season but has looked electric in each of his three substitute appearances to date, notably scoring the opener in the eventual Community Shield defeat, prior to teeing up Joshua Zirkzee on the opening day to help see off Fulham.

Were it not for a shock miss against the Cottagers – and the presence of a sliding Zirkzee against Brighton and Hove Albion last time out – the 20-year-old would also have two league goals to his name, illustrating just what a pivotal asset he has become under the Dutchman in recent seasons.

With 15 goal involvements across all fronts last term, Garnacho was the shining light of the attacking unit in 2023/24, with it looking as if United could still do with further firepower to help try and replicate the youngster's impact.

Latest Man Utd transfer news

According to Football Insider, the Red Devils could agree to a 'sensational swap deal' that would see Jadon Sancho join rivals Chelsea, with compatriot Raheem Sterling thus moving in the opposite direction.

As per the report, both players are 'surplus to requirements' at their respective clubs and could well move on before the window slams shut, albeit with any deal likely to be 'difficult to negotiate'.

This comes amid parallel claims that Sterling – who joined the Blues on a £47.5m deal back in 2022 – would be open to joining the Old Trafford side this summer, having been cast aside by new boss Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge.

This is echoed by The Telegraph who have suggested that United have even opened talks with the west Londoners over a swap deal involving the pair, with Dan Ashworth having been in contact with his Chelsea counterparts on Tuesday.

Why Man Utd should sign Raheem Sterling

There will no doubt be large sections of the United support who would turn their nose up at such a deal, not least due to Sterling's prior Liverpool and Manchester City connections, with the 29-year-old also boasting a grim record against the Red Devils, having failed to score in 26 career meetings.

But hey, if you can't beat them, join them.

It is hard to deny that it has been an underwhelming stint in west London for the wideman after registering just 31 goals and assists in 81 games in all competitions over the last two seasons, albeit with that return far exceeding many of United's current crop of forwards in their time at the club to date.

Player

Games

Goals

Assists

Total G/A

Alejandro Garnacho

89

16

10

26

Jadon Sancho

83

12

6

18

Antony

83

11

5

16

Amad

24

4

2

6

vs

Sterling (at Chelsea)

81

19

12

31

Equally, this is a player of proven Premier League quality having scored 123 goals in the competition in his career so far, ranking him 19th on the all-time list. This is a man with more league goals than the likes of Marcus Rashford (83), Ryan Giggs (109) and Paul Scholes (107) no less.

Arguably "unplayable" when truly at his best – according to pundit Paul Merson – Sterling also boasts 44 goal involvements in just 82 games in the Champions League, while also scoring 20 times in 82 games for his country, including netting three times en route to the final at Euro 2020.

What should also excite those of United persuasion is the Kingston-born winger's likeness to the aforementioned Garnacho, with the youngster deemed to be his most comparable player in Europe's top five leagues, as per FBref.

As indicated below, the pair come close in a string of attacking metrics, proving that Sterling could perhaps be a perfect fit on the flanks in Ten Hag's system.

Metric (per 90)

Sterling

Garnacho

Goals

0.36

0.25

Assists

0.18

0.14

Progressive carries

5.45

6.25

Progressive passes

3.55

2.18

Shot-creating actions

3.86

4.18

Successful take-ons

34.1

36.6

With Sancho potentially on his way and the likes of Rashford and Antony – who scored just 11 goals between them last season – failing to fire, the addition of a fresh option out wide could be just what is needed to get this goal-shy side clicking into gear.

On the face of it, Sterling would not be a popular arrival at the Theatre of Dreams, but if his affiliation to Anfield and the Etihad can be overlooked, then United could well pull off an astute, last-gasp deal.

Alongside Maguire: Ten Hag must drop 13-pass Man Utd man after 4/10 display

It was a disappointing day out for the Red Devils on Saturday afternoon…

ByJoe Nuttall Aug 24, 2024

Joe Clarke is set to face trial on a charge of affray following an incident in Powys last year. Clarke, the Nottinghamshire and England Lions batter, appeared at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on Thursday where he entered a not guilty plea to the charge.He was granted unconditional bail prior to a direction hearing, which is scheduled to be heard in Mold Crown Court on July 16.According to the , who first reported the story, Clarke appeared in court alongside family members Oliver Clarke, aged 30, Richard Clarke, aged 20, and Robert Clarke, aged 26. All faced the same charge in connection with an incident in Four Crosses in Montgomeryshire on July 5, 2020.Related

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The timing of the news is not ideal for Clarke. He is, on form, arguably England’s best uncapped T20 player – he is averaging in excess of 50 in this year’s Vitality Blast with a strike rate over 200 – and might well have been considered for the current squad in normal circumstances.But with the ECB keen to avoid further negative publicity following the debacle concerning players’ historic social media posts, it may well be that England are unwilling to include Clarke.In July 2019 he pleaded guilty to bringing the game into disrepute after Whatsapp messages he exchanged with team-mates at his former club, Worcestershire, were deemed to demonstrate a disrespectful attitude towards women. He was fined and informed that he would not be considered for England or England Lions selection for a period. While that period will long since have elapsed, it is unlikely he will be selected while this issue is outstanding.”The club is aware of the situation involving Joe Clarke and will await the outcome of those proceedings in due course,” Nottinghamshire said in a statement.

Sunrisers unable to get on the board despite fifties for Noami Dattani, Kelly Castle

ECB Reporters' Network12-Jun-2021A half-century by Michaela Kirk and four wickets for Teresa Graves helped Lightning to a second victory in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy as bottom-of-the-table Sunrisers slumped to a fourth defeat from four matches.Naomi Dattani hit 65 and Kelly Castle 52 as Sunrisers posted 206 for 9 after opting to bat first at Loughborough University’s Haslegrave Ground, seamer Graves taking 4 for 39. But Lightning chased down their target with almost 10 overs to spare with South African-born batter Kirk hitting nine boundaries, sharing partnerships of 57 with Sarah Bryce and 47 with Kathryn Bryce.Abbey Freeborn then struck seven fours in a 48-ball 44, her partnership of 51 with Sonia Odedra effectively sealing the win. Freeborn was caught at midwicket with just two still needed before Graves hit the winning boundary.Always ahead of the required rate, Lightning were 47 without loss in the Powerplay. Sarah Bryce was caught at backward point off Castle’s medium pace but she was Lightning’s only casualty in scoring 100 from the first 20 overs.They suffered a double setback when Kirk and Kathryn Bryce fell in consecutive overs to offspinners Katie Midwood and Alice Macleod, Kirk trapped leg before sweeping before Bryce was bowled. But Freeborn and Lucy Higham added 48 for the fourth wicket, bringing the requirement down to 52 from 20 overs, before Higham was lbw to Castle sweeping.Sunrisers were 31 for 3 after their Powerplay overs. Seamer Sophie Munro bowled Grace Scrivens off an inside edge and had Amara Carr well caught by Freeborn at slip, before left-arm spinner Kirstie Gordon took her ninth wicket of the competition so far, trapping Alice Macleod leg before.Lightning captain Kathryn Bryce conceded only seven runs in her first six overs. Once she took a rest, however, runs came more easily as Dattani and Cordelia Griffith added 60 for the fourth wicket before the latter hit straight to mid-on as Graves made the breakthrough.Dattani and Castle put on 87 in 17 overs for the fifth wicket, Dattani completing her half-century off 82 balls with five fours before clearing the rope off Lucy Higham’s offspin for the only six of the innings. But Dattani was bowled attempting to sweep Yvonne Graves’s offspin, sparking a late collapse as Sunrisers lost five wickets for 18 runs in six overs, three of them to Graves.She dismissed Jo Gardner and had Gayatri Gole in the space of three balls before Castle played round one to be leg before, and Bryce picked up a deserved wicket when Freeborn held a good low catch at mid-on to remove Katherine Speed.

Celtic return to domestic action this weekend with a quarter-final clash with Championship outfit Falkirk at Parkhead in the League Cup on Sunday.

The Hoops come into this match fresh off the back of a stunning 5-1 win in the Champions League over SK Slovan in Glasgow on Wednesday night, in what was their first match of the league phase.

Liam Scales, Kyogo Furuhashi, Arne Engels, Daizen Maeda, and Adam Idah all got their names on the scoresheet to help the Scottish giants to all three points.

It was their seventh win from seven games in all competitions so far this season, having won all five of their Scottish Premiership matches without conceding a goal, and they are now looking to continue their perfect start by securing a place in the semi-finals.

Brendan Rodgers may look to make a host of changes to the starting XI that swept Slovan aside, however, as Celtic are up against a second tier side, which could provide him with a chance to rotate his team and give players a rest from the hectic schedule.

1 GK – Viljami Sinisalo

There could be a Celtic debut for former Aston Villa goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo in this match. He has yet to play a competitive game for the club since his move in the summer, as Kasper Schmeichel has started every game.

This clash with a Championship side could be the perfect opportunity to hand the young shot-stopper a chance to show what he is capable of between the sticks.

2 RB – Anthony Ralston

The second change to the starting XI could come in the right-back position, with Alistair Johnston given a chance to rest so that Anthony Ralston can get some minutes under his belt.

He came off the bench against Slovan and made two tackles and two blocks, whilst winning all three of his duels, to help his side to see out the game.

3 CB – Cameron Carter-Vickers

Cameron Carter-Vickers is one of the players who could keep his place in the line-up to ensure that Celtic have experience in the spine of the team to help those making their debuts, like Sinisalo.

The USA international has played 122 matches for the Hoops in all competitions and won seven domestic trophies, which shows that he has been there and done it and can help his teammates through the game, if needed.

4 CB – Auston Trusty

Auston Trusty could replace Liam Scales to make his full debut for the Scottish giants, having joined from Sheffield United on a permanent deal on deadline day.

The left-footed titan offers a natural alternative to the Irishman on the left side of the defence and having the experience of Carter-Vickers alongside him on Sunday could help to ease him into his first start for the club.

5 LB – Alex Valle

Alex Valle has been an unused substitute in three matches since his season-long loan move from Spanish giants Barcelona and this cup clash presents Rodgers with an opportunity to hand him a debut.

It would also allow Greg Taylor to have a rest as the Scotland international has started all seven of the club’s games in all competitions this season.

6 CDM – Callum McGregor

For the same reason that Carter-Vickers could keep his place at centre-back, captain Callum McGregor should start in the middle of the park for the Hoops.

The Celtic skipper can use his leadership on the pitch to help out the numerous full debutants during the game, whilst his 471 appearances for the club show that he has the experience to be an ideal role model for his teammates.

7 CM – Reo Hatate

Reo Hatate could retain his place in the starting XI because Luke McCowan is ineligible to play, having featured for his former club in an earlier round.

The former Dundee man was an unused substitute in the win over Slovan but did score off the bench against Hearts last time out in the Premiership, with a left-footed shot from range.

McCowan, who was described as a “game winner” by Marvin Bartley, has scored 13 goals in the Premiership since the start of last season and he will not be able to offer his goal threat in this game, as Hatate may keep his place as a result of his enforced absence.

8 CM – Paulo Bernardo

Paulo Bernardo has been unfortunate to have been dropped to the bench since he created one ‘big chance’ and won 12 of his 18 duels in the 3-0 win over Rangers.

However, summer signing Arne Engels has taken his place and produced two goals, one assist, and two ‘big chances’ created for the Hoops, justifying Rodgers’ decision.

This clash against Championship side Falkirk provides the manager with an opportunity to bring the Portugal U21 international back into the XI, by dropping Engels down to the bench, to stake a claim for a starting spot moving forward.

9 RW – Nicolas Kuhn

Nicolas Kuhn is another player who could retain his position in the team after an impressive start to the campaign on the right flank for Celtic.

The German forward has registered three goals, three assists, and five ‘big chances’ created in seven appearances in all competitions so far.

10 ST – Adam Idah

The seventh change to the starting XI could come in the centre-forward position, with Kyogo Furuhashi left out in order to hand Adam Idah a start.

Kyogo did score, from close range, against Slovan but also missed two ‘big chances’, which means that the forward has scored two goals and spurned nine ‘big chances’ in all competitions so far.

Idah came off the bench and scored from his only shot of the game and should now be offered a chance to show what he can do as a starter for the Hoops.

Leeds United confidently put Cardiff City to the sword 2-0 last time out in the Welsh capital, with now ex-Bluebirds boss Erol Bulut relieved of his duties in the aftermath of Daniel Farke’s Whites picking up a straightforward three points.

The away side needed to get back to winning ways after a flat 1-0 loss to Burnley the match before, with the hosts brushed to one side eventually, to allow Leeds to pick up their third win of the early Championship season so far.

Farke would have been pleased with his side’s performance on the road, as Leeds new boy Largie Ramazani opened his account for his new club to get the Whites up and running away from home, before reliable impact substitute Joel Piroe delivered the goods again to make sure of the win.

Ramazani & Piroe's performances vs Cardiff

The 2-0 victory wouldn’t have been possible without the exploits of this attacking duo, with the ex-Almeria man standing out for the majority of the contest down the right channel, before Piroe was drafted in late on to make sure of the three points.

Despite scoring the decisive opener in the first half, the former Manchester United youth product could have even more to shout about from a goalscoring perspective on his first start for his new employers, with one big chance missed on top of a fierce effort thankfully beating Jan Alnwick.

As the game wore on, Farke decided that a change in personnel in the attacking positions was needed, with Piroe known to be a dependable option to throw into games when opposition legs are tiring.

The former Swansea City man only needed 16 minutes of action against Hull City to score at the back-end of August, with only 14 minutes needed in Wales for the Dutchman to leave his impact on yet another Championship tie.

Amazingly, the instinctive 25-year-old would only need to amass four touches of the ball to find the back of the net, with his crucial strike against the Bluebirds taking his Leeds total goal tally to 16 strikes from 56 games.

Both players moving forward will undoubtedly help their side when contests become even more nervy and tense as the season drags on, but both Leeds assets find that their pay packets are lesser when weighed up next to Sam Byram’s – according to Capology – despite the fact the ageing full-back’s own importance has definitely begun to wane in Farke’s camp.

Byram's wage in 2024

As per Capology, Byram currently finds himself earning a healthy £20k-per-week at the West Yorkshire club, despite only averaging ten minutes of action this season when thrown into action four times in the league. His only start came in the EFL Cup defeat to Middlesbrough.

The 31-year-old could still be seen as a useful utility figure to have around, considering the fact that the ex-West Ham United man can play at both left-back and right-back if needed, but his wage still feels extortionate next to other more key first-team presences.

Player

Wage

League games played

Minutes averaged

Largie Ramazani

£17.5k-per-week

3

37

Joel Piroe

£15k-per-week

6

24

Ilia Gruev

£15k-per-week

6

86

Mateo Joseph

£15k-per-week

6

85

Looking at the table above, away from the aforementioned Ramazani and Piroe both earning a lesser £17.5k-per-week and £15k-per-week respectively, both Ilia Gruev and Mateo Joseph – who have been largely everpresent this season under Farke in the league – also both earn £5k-per-week less than the reserve defender.

With Isaac Schmidt now at the German’s disposal in defence too, who can also play in either full-back spot, Byram gaining consistent minutes for his employers on a week in week-out basis looks like it’ll be harder to come by.

Farke will have to have some conversations with the 31-year-old down the line about his immediate Whites future, with his contract up next summer, whilst Ramazani, Piroe and the other named faces aim to play a major part in Leeds finally winning promotion back up to the Premier League.

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ByDan Emery Sep 23, 2024

Since taking over at Manchester United in the summer of 2022, Erik ten Hag has put a heavy focus on signing players from his former club, Ajax.

Over each of the three summers he has been at the helm at Old Trafford, the Dutchman has brought in at least one player he used to manage at the Dutch giants.

In his first summer, he signed Lisandro Martinez and Antony, who cost an eye-watering £81.3m. In 2023, they brought in goalkeeper Andre Onana, before adding defensive pair Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich, who also played under the Dutchman at Ajax.

Have all of these moves gone according to plan? Well, Antony has been a notable dud and Martinez wasn’t received particularly well when he first stepped foot on English shores.

First impressions of Lisandro Martinez

It may seem odd that United’s manager has a strict transfer policy of signing his former players, although there is little argument against him on the face of things, given how successful his side was during his time in Amsterdam.

There was great speculation over a couple of the signings, including Antony, given his extortionate price. However, the player who arguably raised the most question marks was Argentine World Cup winner Martinez.

One of the issues many had about United’s number 6 was his height. Many were unsure if his slender 5 foot 9 frame would mean he’d struggle at centre-back in the Premier League. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher raised this issue on Sky Sports, calling the 26-year-old a “problem” for Ten Hag.

In full, the outspoken pundit noted: ” I’m convinced this can’t work because of the size of him playing in a back four. Maybe he could go left back, maybe he could play in a back three, but in a back four, he cannot play there in the Premier League.”

First Impressions

What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast's 'First Impressions' series has everything you need.

Martinez’s stats for Man United

Despite the criticism the defender has faced, the Argentine has gone on to prove Carragher, and other doubters wrong by his performances in that famous red shirt over the past two seasons.

Despite injury issues that have seen him miss 56 games in his first two seasons at the club, Martinez has proven to be a key part of Ten Hag’s side.

He has now played 64 games for the Red Devils, scoring one goal against Arsenal in 2022/23, and has played an important part in United’s Carabao Cup and FA Cup triumphs.

Although he featured just twice in their FA Cup win last term, he was crucial in the final against Manchester City, in which the 13-time winners of the competition ran out 2-1 victors.

A large reason for this was the fact he played alongside Raphael Varane. The duo formed an iconic pair for the Red Devils, despite playing just 33 times with each other. They managed 21 wins as a partnership – the last one being the victory at Wembley – and just five defeats.

Although their time as a pairing was short, it was one that will no doubt live long in the memory of United fans. United captain Bruno Fernandes was certainly a fan of the duo, once explaining they “complement each other very good”.

Now with a new long-term partner in De Ligt, and his injury problems hopefully behind him, Martinez has made a good start to the 2024/25 campaign. According to Sofascore, the South American averages 2.3 interceptions per game, 3.8 ball recoveries and an impressive 94% pass accuracy.

Pass accuracy

94%

Passes completed

60.8

Interceptions

2.3

Tackles

2.3

Ball recoveries

3.8

Clearances

2.5

Ground duels won

2.8

Despite his injury troubles, Martinez has certainly gone a long way to proving Carragher, and his doubters wrong. The Liverpool legend thought he would be an issue for United in defence, but in fact, he has been the opposite; an undroppable player, an integral reason for winning silverware and a man quickly becoming a cult hero at Old Trafford.

Man Utd thought they had the next CR7, now he's worth even less than Antony

The talented international just could not make it work at United, and now he’s playing outside of Europe entirely.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 18, 2024

Chakabva, Burl and Raza fifties go in vain for Zimbabwe

Mohammad Isam20-Jul-2021Bangladesh 302 for 5 (Iqbal 112, Nurul 45*, Madhevere 2-45) beat Zimbabwe 298 (Chakabva 84, Burl 59, Raza 57, Rahman 3-57, Saifuddin 3-87) by five wicketsTamim Iqbal’s forceful 112 off 97 balls set up Bangladesh’s 299 chase before Nurul Hasan, playing his first ODI in nearly five years, put the finishing touches with his 39-ball unbeaten 45 to give the visitors a five-wicket win. The visitors collected full points for the World Cup Super League from the ODI series by winning 3-0 as Zimbabwe, despite batting well in this game, fell into disarray with the ball, and the chase was completed with two overs to spare.Even after removing a rampant Iqbal and Mahmudullah off consecutive balls, the home side couldn’t stop Nurul and Mohammad Mithun from adding 64 for the fifth wicket, before Nurul and Afif Hossain, unbeaten on a 17-ball 26, finished the job.Iqbal struck his fastest ODI century, his 14th in the format with eight fours and three sixes. His crucial contribution was in the form of three partnerships: he added 88 with Liton Das for the opening stand before adding 59 with Shakib Al Hasan and 57 with Mithun for the next two wickets.Iqbal pushed Bangladesh’s chase into the next gear as early as the eighth over. He struck a six and two fours off Tendai Chatara, who conceded 19 runs in the over. He hammered his second six off a Donald Tiripano free hit, before Das fell top-edging Wessley Madhevere to backward square leg off a sweep, for 32.Shakib couldn’t forgive himself after under-edging Jongwe, having scored a comfortable 30 off 42 balls. Iqbal hardly let go of any scoring opportunities even after Shakib’s dismissal. After sweeping Burl for four, he moved into the nineties with a whip off Jongwe.Iqbal reached his century in the 30th over when his drive off Chatara went through mid-off’s legs for four. But Tiripano removed Iqbal and Mahmudullah off the first two balls following the drinks break, getting both caught behind to loose shots. Two in-form senior batters gone in a matter of minutes must have worried the Bangladesh dressing room, but Nurul didn’t seem too bothered.He opened his account, off the hat-trick ball, with a steered four through point, before hammering Jongwe for two fours – a whip across square leg, and chipped over mid-on. Nurul had another brace of boundaries off Tiripano during his nine-ball over, which ended with wicketkeeper Chakabva dropping Mithun.It didn’t cost Zimbabwe anything as Mithun fell on the same score, 30, by holing out to long-off off Madhevere. Hossain then completed the job by hitting three fours and a six, two of those taking Bangladesh to the target.Zimbabwe’s bowling had fallen apart by then, having conceded 27 extras, apart from missing a few run-out chances and Chakabva dropping a chance. But it was a much improved batting effort from the home side. Chakabva’s career-best 84 kept the Zimbabwe innings together, as he struck seven fours and a six in his 91-ball knock while being promoted to open. He added 71 runs for the third wicket with the rookie Dion Myers, but Zimbabwe were in the middle of a mini-collapse when Chakabva got out.But Raza’s six fours and a six in the next seven overs — sweeping, pulling and driving with class – calmed the home side’s nerves. Burl, who had nurdled 12 runs off 25 balls until the 45th over, then took over with his burst of boundaries.He struck 47 runs off his next 18 balls, that started with two fours off Taskin Ahmed in the 45th over, before flat-batting Mustafizur Rahman for his first six. Next over, he flicked Mohammad Saifuddin for two consecutive sixes on the leg side. When Shakib dropped him at the deep-fine-leg boundary, Burl reached his second ODI fifty, off 38 balls.Rahman stopped the carnage by removing Raza in the 48th over for 57 off 54 balls, with seven fours and a six, before Saifuddin dismissed Burl, Tiripano and Chatara in the following over. This 13-ball phase had a big impact on the game ultimately, as a further 15 runs may have given Zimbabwe a psychological advantage.

Glamorgan 225 for 8 (Carlson 60, Root 50, Bethell 4-39) beat Warwickshire 221 (Burgess 73, Benjamin 50) by two wicketsLukas Carey was the hero at Sophia Gardens for the second time in three days as he once again hit the winning runs to snatch victory for his side.On Tuesday it was his 29 not out that steered the Wales Minor Counties team to victory over Glamorgan in a friendly and two days later he hit successive boundaries to secure a two wicket win for the Welsh county over Warwickshire in the first round of the Royal London Cup with two balls to spare.The visitors were defending a total of 26 runs in the final five overs and some brilliant death bowling by Ryan Sidebottom and Ethan Brookes looked as though it might pull off an unlikely win as they conjured up 11 dot balls in that vital period.A lusty six hit by Roman Walker off Brookes in the penultimate over eased the pressure on the home side, but the game was still in the balance as Sidebottom roared in against Carey with five runs still needed from the last over.Sidebottom had only conceded a single bye in his previous over against the 24-year-old Carey and started with two dot balls to heighten the tension. Then Carey just reached the mid off boundary with a far from convincing drive and then walloped the next ball past the bowler to complete a two wicket triumph to give Glamorgan the perfect start to their Group B campaign.Jacob Bethel’s white ball debut for Warwickshire saw him capture four wickets to keep his side in the hunt. The Barbados-born former Rugby School pupil was caught at the wicket for a mere two runs in Warwickshire’s total of 221, but hit back after coming on as first change to capture 4 for 39 off a terrific spell of 10 overs.Having dismissed opener Nick Selman he then removed home danger man Kiran Carlson for 60 before setting up a hat-trick attempt after removing Callum Taylor and Tom Cullen in successive. He ended with 4 for 36 from his full 10 overs..Warwickshire won the toss and opted to go in first on the same wicket on which Glamorgan had been beaten in a one-day warm-up game against the Wales team earlier in the week.Michael Hogan opened with a maiden, but saw Billy Root drop the dangerous Ed Pollock at first slip in his second over. Pollock reacted positively to his second chance and hammered Carey for a six and two fours in the next over before being caught at point by Joe Cooke for 15.That made it 21 for 1 and by the end of the 10-over Powerplay the visitors had reached a modest 47 runs and had also lost Matt Lamb. South African youngster Chris Benjamin then took up the cudgel and reached his half-century off 55 balls.Two balls later he was on his way to the pavilion have gifted a catch to Nick Sleman a catch at deep mid on off Taylor. The 100 came up with a wide off Carey in the 21st over, but with the very next ball he dismissed Bethell with an equally wide delivery that the left hander tickled into the gloves of the diving Tom Cullen.When Cooke clean bowled Ethan Brookes for two to make it 109 for 5, Glamorgan’s stand-in skipper Kiran Carson must have been licking his lips. But opposing captain Mike Burgess dug in and found a useful ally in the 17-year-old debutant Ashish Chakrapani.Burgess reached his half-century in 73 balls with successive fours off Hogan and by the time Chakrapnai holed out at deep mid wicket for 18 he had helped put on 60 runs. Burgess then went for a career-best 73 in white ball cricket as his side reached 221 before they were bowled out.Glamorgan’s new Kiwi international signing, Hamish Rutherford, lasted only eight balls on his debut and the home side lost two more of their top order batsmen with the score on 41 to tumble to 41 for 3.That brought Billy Root to the crease to partner Carlson and between them they got to grips with the Warwickshire attack. Carlson’s 50 came up in the 31st over off 60 balls, and included five boundaries, and the century partnership arrived after the pair had been together for 21 overs in the 33rd.Offspinner Bethell was then switched to the River Taff end and on his return to the attack he captured the wicket of Carlson for 60 to open the game back up. Glamorgan still needed 80 runs to win in 16 overs, but their talisman had gone.Bethell took two more wickets, Root reached his 50, but was then got caught and Joe Cooke made an important 22. That left Roman Walker and Carey to reach the finish line with a stand of 27.