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Celtic are believed to be considering a move for an "outstanding" young forward during the summer transfer window, according to a new update from journalist Pete O'Rourke.

Celtic transfer news

The Hoops have made a flying start to the defence of their Scottish Premiership crown, winning their opening two matches, but supporters will still be dreaming of more new signings coming in this month.

Liverpool youngster Bobby Clark has been linked with a move to Celtic a number of times this summer, with the Scottish giants believed to have been tracking him for as long as "four or five months".

Speaking about the situation, journalist Mark Guidi said: "From what I know, that is a genuine interest. It’s (a) real interest. It’s something that’s been on the radar for four or five months, from what I can gather. Again, from what I can gather, the boy is certainly interested to learn more if Liverpool are willing to let him go."

Another report has claimed that the Hoops have made contact with Crystal Palace midfielder Jeffrey Schlupp over a move to Parkhead before the end of August. The 31-year-old is out of contract at Selhurst Park next summer, meaning this is the last chance for the Eagles to receive a fee for him.

Celtic are still fighting to keep hold of Matt O'Riley this summer, with four separate bids rejected from Europa League winners Atalanta. It sounds as though the Serie A side aren't done yet, though, with a fifth offer expected to arrive in the near future.

Celtic considering move for "outstanding" player

Taking to X, O'Rourke claimed that Celtic are showing an interest in signing Norwich City youngster Abu Kamara this summer, with the Hoops "monitoring" the England Under-20 forward.

Kamara has the potential to be an exciting young addition for the Hoops this season, having caught the eye on loan at Portsmouth last season, winning the League One title and sealing promotion to the Championship.

The 21-year-old scored eight goals and registered 10 assists in the league, starting 37 matches and appearing in every single game in the competition, while Pompey assistant manager Jon Harley heaped praise on him.

"Abs’ form recently has been outstanding, he’s such a great lad, he wants to learn and is really humble. The way we play, we want to try to isolate him one-v-one because, as a full-back myself, I would hate to play against him. I am sure every full-back would do in that position."

Appearances

46

Starts

37

Goals

8

Assists

10

Shots per game

1.3

Dribbles per game

1.2

Key passes per game

0.9

Man of the Match awards

3

Whether Norwich are willing to sell Kamara permanently or on loan this summer remains to be seen, but if Celtic were able to bring him in for good, he could mature into a fantastic attacking prospect as the years pass, capable of impressing on both attacking flanks and down the middle.

Vinicius Junior heaped praise on Real Madrid team-mate Jude Bellingham after the England star scored in his side's 2-0 win over Getafe.

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Real Madrid beat Getafe 2-0Bellingham scores in victoryVinicius Jr praises midfielderFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Bellingham and Madrid bounced back from their 2-0 Champions League loss to Liverpool in midweek with a win by the same scoreline over Getafe in La Liga on Sunday. And after the 21-year-old took to social media to toast the three points and his goal, his injured team-mate Vinicius congratulated the Englishman, too.

AdvertisementWHAT VINICIUS JUNIOR SAID

Alongside a host of pictures from Madrid's win, Bellingham wrote on Instagram: "¡Victoria muy importante! (A very important WIN!)".

And Vincius Jr commented on the post: "Q[ue] JUGADOR (What a player)".

THE BIGGER PICTURE

After winning a La Liga and Champions League double in 2023/24, Madrid have not been at their best this season. Bellingham has not been as effective or scored nearly as many goals but despite that, Los Blancos are just one point behind league leaders Barcelona and they have a game in hand. So another successful campaign is very much a possibility.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?

Bellingham's second-placed Madrid side are away to fourth-placed Athletic Club on Wednesday in their next La Liga outing.

Leeds United, likely to miss out on Jonathan Rowe amid interest from Marseille, have turned their attention towards another Championship winger who they're now reportedly in pole position to sign.

Leeds transfer news

It's no surprise that those in the Whites have been linked with attacking additions given how the summer transfer window, and more specifically the Premier League, has torn Daniel Farke's frontline apart. Of course, if Leeds fail to replace both Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter in the next 10 days, then their recent 0-0 draw against West Bromwich Albion could become an all too familiar sight.

Leeds could ruthlessly ditch Bamford in swoop for "powerful" £8.5m star

The Whites have been linked with an interest in signing the striker this month.

1 ByDan Emery Aug 19, 2024

It seems as though the 49ers are well aware of that too, with recent links to the likes of Jack Clarke and Rowe suggesting that the plan is to bolster their attacking options before the window slams shut. Reports have even claimed that Leeds submitted two unsuccessful bids to sign Rowe, with both failing to match Norwich City's £15m valuation and the winger setting his heart on a move to Marseille.

Set to lose out on their target, the Whites have reportedly turned their attention to another option. According to Graeme Bailey for HITC, Leeds are now in pole position to sign Manuel Benson, who wants to complete a move to Elland Road this month with talks open and the idea of selling the winger on a permanent basis one that reportedly appeals to Burnley.

The 27-year-old is yet to make a Championship appearance under Scott Parker, forced to watch on as the Clarets got their campaign underway in fine fashion with nine goals in two games against Luton Town and Cardiff City.

With that said, the option that would suit all parties is a late summer exit, even if it is to promotion rivals Leeds. Desperately hoping to replace Summerville, Leeds could swoop in.

"Important" Benson can rediscover best form at Leeds

After struggling to make an impact in his debut Premier League campaign last time out, which far from helped Burnley in their failed pursuit of survival, Benson needs the chance to rediscover the form that propelled the Clarets to promotion in the first place.

At his best, the 27-year-old scored 13 goals and assisted a further five to earn the praise of former manager Vincent Kompany, who said via The Burnley Express: "There is so much more to come. I know his game and it goes in two ways, one is him getting to know the team, and two is the team getting to know him.

“There were a couple of really good balls he put in that, if you have that 100% understanding, then you have people running onto it, and that wasn’t the case yet. That increases the amount of chances you create.

“And you can see the moments where he goes inside to outside and runs to the touchline, so he is an important profile of player to have, especially if you are able to pin a team back like we were in the second half."

Earning a reported £25k-a-week, the Belgian helped fire Burnley to promotion in the 2022/23 campaign and could now get the chance to help Leeds secure the same achievement at his best.

Batsman has chance to further extend career-best innings after dominating Derbyshire rookies

David Hopps22-Apr-2021Durham 307 for 4 (Bedingham 170*, Burnham 75, Conners 3-54) vs Derbyshire When David Bedingham was unveiled as a Durham player before the start of last season, he abandoned hopes of an international future with South Africa with the conviction that he was about to make his life in England. It caused his coach at Cape Cobras, Ashwell Prince, to complain: “We can’t keep pretending there is nothing wrong.”Brexit might have changed all that, as it has for many South Africans who can no longer use county cricket as such a certain pathway to a life in England – Graeme van Buuren being the latest to get wrapped up in red tape. With the disqualification of Kolpak players from county cricket came the ECB’s pronouncement that they would no longer accept the ancestral visas on which Bedingham hoped to depend. The bar is higher now.Bedingham must now make it in county cricket as an overseas player and, judging by his magnificent start to the season, he is capable of doing just that. A career-best 180 not out against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge in the opening round has now been followed by an unbeaten 170 against Derbyshire on his home turf – and the chance to extend that CB on the second morning. The additional pressure appears to have been the making of him.”I was just happy to have a job at Durham,” he said. “Brexit happening didn’t help my case. Hopefully, I can justify it with more runs.”Derbyshire will view life a little differently. As well as he played, they should have run Bedingham out with only a single to his name. When Alex Lees jabbed Sam Conners into the covers and changed his mind about a single, Bedingham was more than halfway towards him, but Fynn Hudson-Prentice, valued above all for his reliability, sent a throw wildly off target when he should have been run out comfortably at the bowler’s end.From that point on, Bedingham batted with aplomb, picking off Derbyshire’s attack with simplicity. He had a scare on 76 when he edged Luis Reece between wicketkeeper and slip, but it was a rare blemish for a player who has now overtaken Yorkshire’s Adam Lyth as the leading run-maker in the country.This youthful Derbyshire attack is learning on the job this season – the know-how of the veterans Ravi Rampaul and Tony Palladino is no longer available – but there was enough quality to suggest that Bedingham, 27 today, can prosper against better attacks and still might have an international future if he so desires.It will be interesting to see whether the likes of Harmer, in particular, and Bedingham, now their future in county cricket is as overseas players, attempt a reverse-ferret and seek out an international pathway with South Africa. Even allowing for the complexities of diversity quotas, South Africa do have a chance to reverse the drain to England that has debilitated their cricket.Related

From repairing roads to building bridges: Jack Burnham battles back after drugs ban

David Bedingham, Ned Eckersley hundreds give Durham control

Brexit paperwork delay leaves Graeme van Buuren in Gloucestershire limbo

There was another encouraging innings for Durham on this opening day. Jack Burnham has had a thin time since he returned for the 2019 season after a year-long ban for three failed drugs tests in a single season. He had not made a half-century in any format since his 86 against Leicestershire in August 2019, although he batted with resolve in a losing cause against the champions, Essex, last week.And while Burnham was not as accomplished as Bedingham – he can look fidgety at the crease – it is probably a while since he has hit a shot with such authority as when he deposited Matt Critchley’s legspin over midwicket in to the north-west stand. Regrettably for him, he was soon afflicted by a back spasm which was a poor sort of reward.Critchley’s legspin had an unrewarding day after his eight wickets in the match against Worcestershire last week – the most expensive of the Derbyshire attack, he was picked off at will – but he did console himself with Burnham’s wicket, drawing him down the pitch for a catch at the wicket that could just as easily have been a stumping.Perhaps Derbyshire will not be the only county to come to The Riverside this season and conclude that things have changed. The entire square has been relaid – pools of water tended to congregate in the centre of the old one like in a soggy tarpaulin, and the pitches for the Blast were hardly conducive to good entertainment, so the need to upgrade was a pressing one. Blue skies helped give Durham the confidence to bat and it was a wise choice. Until the square beds in, there could be a lot of sedate surfaces like this one and scores could rise substantially as a result.Conners did pilfer a couple of new-ball wickets before the batsmen took control. Will Young’s unrewarding start to the season continued when he fell to a full-length outswinger, Scott Borthwick got a first-baller in his first Riverside innings since his return as captain – lbw to a ball that came back – and Conners, who also had Lees dropped at second slip, cartwheeled Lees’ off stump in his second spell.Conners is the pick of this young Derbyshire attack, a work in progress, but a work progressing along strong lines. He has won praise in the past from Jimmy Anderson and at times he might be a lookalike: one photo of him celebrating a wicket last week could have been of Anderson’s (much) younger twin.There was also a debut for George Scrimshaw, a lanky seam bowler who hails from Burton-on-Trent. Scrimshaw still awaits his first wicket, but he has already been honoured by his first mention from Derbyshire’s statistician David Griffin, a rite of passage. While some of you might have settled for reflecting that “George Scrimshaw” was a Derbyshire-sounding name, Griffin revealed that “George” was the third most common Christian name for Derbyshire players, there had not been one since 1967 and even he was known by his middle name, Bob (Bob Stephenson, since you asked).”It is just the way my head works,” he said.

The franchise is looking at Pollard as their sixth bowling option

Vishal Dikshit12-Apr-2021Hardik Pandya did not bowl in the IPL 2021 opener against the Royal Challengers Bangalore because of his workload management, and Kieron Pollard will be Mumbai Indians’ sixth bowling option, according to their director of cricket operations Zaheer Khan.Hardik’s bowling – or the lack of it – has been a concern since his lower-back injury a couple of years ago. On Friday, he was also seen returning the ball from the deep with under-arm throws while fielding in their first game, which Khan said was because of a “shoulder concern”. However, Khan went on to say “you will very soon see” Hardik bowl.”Hardik as a whole package is of great value,” Khan said ahead of the clash against the Kolkata Knight Riders on Tuesday. “It was a workload related thing in the previous game [that he didn’t bowl]. He bowled in the India-England series, in the last ODI he bowled about nine overs, and that’s why in consultation with the physios, we had to take that approach.”There was a little bit of a shoulder concern. I don’t think it’s worrisome, you will very soon see him bowl. For the timelines, you’ll have to ask the physio but in terms of Hardik the bowler coming in this tournament, we are very confident that he will be chipping in.”Hardik played as a specialist batsman in IPL 2020, and returned to bowling properly against England last month. He bowled in only one of the three ODIs in Pune, and another 17 overs before that across the five T20Is, which included three instances of completing his four-over quota.Mumbai are looking at Pollard as their sixth bowling option•BCCIDuring the Australia tour last year, Hardik had said that his long-term plan was to bowl mainly for the upcoming World Cups and the important series in the coming years. But if he continues to stay away from the ball for Mumbai in the IPL because of workload management, they will turn to Pollard once again, like they had last year, apart from using the four regular bowlers and the left-arm spin of Krunal Pandya.”Pollard is our sixth bowling option,” Khan said. “He’s an experienced campaigner here so he’s definitely going to be our sixth bowling option. And whenever Hardik is available, he’s going to be a bowling option as well. We’re not very concerned in that department. You have to adapt and adjust. This year it’s a different format so we’ll look to have that flexibility around because of not being able to play in the home ground.”In an interview with the before the IPL, Mumbai’s bowling coach Shane Bond had explained that even though Hardik had lost a bit of pace since his back surgery, their aim since the 2020 IPL had been to get the allrounder to start bowling gradually for India.”It’s natural that you will lose a bit of top-end consistent pace after a back injury, but what is important is that he hasn’t lost his aggressive approach,” Bond had said. “He can use the bouncer too, has the skills to swing the ball and can still work up a good pace. Our aim was to get him back in the process of returning as an allrounder for India and he is coming to this IPL having done so against England.”When he was picked for India, he was seen as a genuine allrounder. He can still do both equally well, but it’s his batting that has taken the pressure off his bowling. He knows he is one of the best white-ball batsmen in the world and that has made him more comfortable with his bowling.”I understand that he is a brilliant fourth-pacer option [for India] batting at No. 7 in Tests, but I would think he is better off bowling 10 overs a day even when he is playing red-ball cricket, instead of 15-16. Ben Stokes, too, is doing the same.”Bond also said he had helped Hardik make some technical adjustments in his bowling. “There was a point when I felt he was diving into the crease a little bit too much. He was also mindful of that and got the alignment a little straight and it worked.”

Well, that wasn't really the start fans were hoping for.

After a summer of promising performances in preseason and a flurry of exciting signings, Tottenham Hotspur got their Premier League campaign underway last night with a disappointing 1-1 draw away to Leicester City.

Now, in the first half, Ange Postecoglou's side looked electric and like they could've scored three, but therein lies the biggest issue with their display: they didn't put away their chances.

The North Londoner's wastefulness was punished in the second half by none other than Mr Leicester, Jamie Vardy, who nodded one home in the 57th minute to level the score.

Unfortunately for the Lilywhites, there were several disappointing performances on the night, including debutant Dominic Solanke.

Solanke's performance in numbers

So, while the result can't be solely blamed on Solanke, it's also hard to deny that in his 99 minutes of action, the £65m striker was extremely wasteful in front of goal.

There were several times when the former Bournemouth ace got onto the end of a brilliant piece of play only to snatch at the ball or fire it directly at Mads Hermansen in the Leicester goal.

The 26-year-old didn't impress Express journalist Amos Murphy, who awarded him just a 4/10 on the night, writing that he 'ought to have found the back of the net at least once' and will 'have to be less profligate in the future.'

Minutes

99'

Shots on target

3

Expected Goals

0.36

Goals

0

Big Chances Missed

1

Lost Possession

8

Offsides

1

Passing Accuracy

15/19 (79%)

It may sound like a harsh assessment of the Englishman, but it's one backed up by his statistics. For example, in his 99 minutes on the pitch, he took three shots on target and produced an expected goals figure of 0.36, yet he failed to score a single goal, missed one 'big chance', lost the ball eight times, was offside once, and maintained a passing accuracy of just 79%.

It wasn't an abysmal showing, and fans shouldn't jump on him right away, but the fact he failed to take any of the chances that came his way was disappointing, although there was another starter who was just as bad.

Udogie's performances in numbers

Yes, unfortunately, one of the other disappointing stars from last night's clash was left-back Destiny Udogie.

Again, like the rest of his team, he wasn't dreadful, and at points in the first half, he looked on it, but as the game dragged on, and especially in the second 45, he began to struggle.

The Italian struggled to cope with Abdul Fatawu Issahaku on the Foxes' right, and it was his cross that found Vardy's head for the equaliser.

Like Solanke, the former Udinese ace was given just a 4/10 by Murphy, who wrote that it was not his 'most convincing performance' and that he 'gave up too much space' for Fatawu.

His statistics from the game do not make for pretty reading either, as in his 99 minutes of action, he was dribbled past once, lost nine out of 14 duels, failed in both his crosses, lost the ball 13 times, committed four fouls and failed to complete a single dribble.

Minutes

99'

Dribbled Past

1

Duels (Won)

14 (5)

Crosses (Successful)

2 (0)

Lost Possession

13

Fouls Committed

4

Dribbles Completed

0

Ultimately, playing one of the promoted teams away from home in your season opener is always a potential banana skin, and while some issues need to be addressed, there is plenty of time for Postecoglou and Co to bounce back from this early setback.

Spurs could land Solanke his dream signing in sensational £100kp/w "wizard"

The incredible talent would be unreal with the £65m man.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 19, 2024

Cristiano Ronaldo posted remarkable stats for club and country this year, with his goal in Al-Nassr's final game helping him reach a landmark.

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Ronaldo hits half-century for goals and assistsStill putting up incredible numbers aged 39CR7 wants to score 1,000 goals before retirementFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The 39-year-old scored in Al-Nassr's 2-1 defeat to Al-Ittihad on Friday, his final appearance of 2024. Ronaldo turns 40 in February but he's showing no signs of slowing down after putting up some extraordinary numbers for the year.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

In 51 games for club and country, Ronaldo provided 50 goal contributions: 43 goals and seven assists, per . He finished the year on a tear, scoring eight times and assisting once in his final five outings.

DID YOU KNOW?

Despite the numbers, Ronaldo is still likely to feel a tinge of regret when he reflects on the year after failing to score for Portugal at Euro 2024 – even if he thinks he did find the net at the tournament in Germany.

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?

Ronaldo, who delivered a defiant message after the Al-Ittihad defeat, will now enjoy a well-earned rest. Al-Nassr are back in action on January 9 when they take on Al-Akhdoud in the Saudi Pro League.

Arsenal have started the current campaign imperiously, but then do we expect anything less from Mikel Arteta's side at this point, for he has moulded the Gunners into one of Europe's elite.

It's been quite a low-key transfer window, though, as the north Londoners look to trump Manchester City to the Premier League title after successive seasons of agony.

That elusive free-scoring centre-forward has still not been signed, and while that may not happen today, a deal for a decorated winger is currently being weighed up…

Arsenal weighing up D-day deal

According to the Independent's Miguel Delaney, Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign Raheem Sterling from Chelsea, with the distinguished Englishman surplus to requirements under Enzo Maresca.

Sterling worked with Arteta during his Manchester City days and would offer an injection of depth to aid the north Londoners in the title aspirations.

What Raheem Sterling would bring to Arsenal

Sterling might be 29 now but he has much still to offer in English football, and while he's predominantly a left-sided winger, he can play on the alternate flank and has even operated as a centre-forward on numerous occasions throughout his career.

Left winger

275

92

44

Right winger

178

51

49

Centre-forward

62

25

10

Attacking midfield

35

10

8

He might have lost his awe-inspiring potency at Man City since signing for Chelsea for about £50m in 2022, but then the Blues have fallen by the wayside in recent years and a return of 19 goals and 12 assists over 81 matches isn't a poor haul by any stretch.

And anyway, as per FBref, the diminutive winger ranks among the top 14% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries and the top 6% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90, emphasising the kind of ball-carrying presence Arteta would bring into his robust squad.

Hailed as "unplayable" on his day by pundit Paul Merson, Sterling would be sure to provide competition for Bukayo Saka on the right flank, but then the 23-year-old is immovable in Arteta's starting line-up, one of the Premier League's finest.

Instead, Sterling could find himself competing with Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard for a regular starting berth. Martinelli has fallen off over the past year or so but his Belgian counterpart has proved to be a formidable goalscorer, ranking among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers for goals scored per 90.

Journalist Sam Dean values Trossard over Martinelli, for sure, saying: "He's not as quick as Martinelli, and he doesn't dribble like Saka, but no one finishes at Arsenal like Leandro Trossard. Deadly."

However, Sterling has showcased significant powers of shooting throughout his time at the Etihad, notably scoring 56 goals across the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons. Moreover, he carries the underlying dribbling and drives forward with pace to emulate elements from each of Arsenal's prized wide forwards.

His shooting boots have not deserted him at Stamford Bridge, but Stering will likely feel that he hasn't given the extent of his skill set to the Chelsea fans, though this is principally down to the turbulent conditions.

Turbulence is nowhere to be seen at Arsenal, who could resurrect one of the modern Premier League greats and continue their charge toward titles and glory unseen in many, many years.

Arsenal plot deadline day move for "unbelievable" £34m star who's like Saka

The experienced international would give Arteta more options this season.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 29, 2024

Head coach could not confirm if Trent Boult would be available for second Test of England tour

ESPNcricinfo staff11-May-2021The New Zealand players who left India after the IPL was suspended, and are currently undergoing quarantine in Maldives, may travel to England for their next assignment this weekend. So said their head coach Gary Stead. New Zealand will play a two-match Test series against England starting on June 2 at Lord’s, followed by the World Test Championship final against India from June 18 in Southampton.Stead also said that it is not clear if there will be any form of quarantine for those players upon arrival in England. The Maldives will be on the UK government’s travel “red list” from 4am local time on May 12, meaning no direct flights between the countries and that residents returning have to quarantine in a hotel for 10 days.”I don’t know all the details right now,” Stead said. “My understanding is that they are looking to leave [Maldives] somewhere around the time that we leave – May 15, 16 or 17 – in that time frame. My understanding is that England board is still working through the final details of what it means to come through the Maldives as supposed to New Zealand.”Related

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Jurgensen: 'Boult, Southee, Jamieson and Wagner are similar to the West Indies attack of the '80s'

Australian players set for IPL exodus to the Maldives

The Maldives group which includes Kane Williamson, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, and physio Tommy Simsek were initially told that the quarantine would be only for three or four days, but it has been extended by a week. Though there are no training facilities in the island nation, Stead conceded that “sometimes, a break from cricket can freshen their mind as well.””They can still work on their fitness. So I don’t see it as a bad thing. It’s an adapting world and I think that’s just something we’ve got to keep doing,” Stead said.Trent Boult chose to return home after his IPL commitments and will be missing the first Test against England. It is possible he will be doubtful for the second one too given his bowling workloads. But Stead is confident he will have his left-arm fast bowler back well in time for the World Test Championship final.”Everyone has got their reasons around it,” Stead said. “India changed very, very quickly, over the space of two or three days, and there were options put in front of the guys and he [Boult] felt for him and his mental health, the best thing he could do was get home for a while.”He is a professional, he has been there in the international circuit for a long time now. He will be ready. We are working through what build-up looks like to him and his readiness for the World Test Championship final when he comes back to us.”Tim Seifert, who was part of the Kolkata Knight Riders squad at the curtailed 2021 IPL, had tested positive for Covid-19 in India•Getty ImagesMeanwhile, it is unclear when the wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert, who had tested positive for Covid-19 in India, can get back home. Seifert had failed both his pre-departure PCR tests and has been undergoing isolation in Chennai. He had joined the Kolkata Knight Riders as a replacement for the injured USA bowler Ali Khan during IPL 2020.”He’s in that difficult situation of being over there and sort of isolated a little bit as well.” Stead said. “Obviously, it was distressing early on to get that news but I think he’s in a much better space now that there is a plan around him.”

The Red Devils didn't miss the academy graduate in the derby, and there's no sense prolonging an unhappy marriage for another six months

"It doesn't look good for him," Roy Keane told after seeing Ruben Amorim leave Marcus Rashford out of his squad for Manchester United's trip to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. "I think a move for Marcus would suit the player. He hasn't been great recently. He (Amorim) has obviously seen something he doesn't like."

To make matters worse for Rashford, United pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory over Manchester City without him, as Amad Diallo solidified his status as the best winger at the club. The dazzling Ivorian won the penalty that Bruno Fernandes converted to level the scoreline, before producing a brilliant run and finish to complete a remarkable late comeback for the visitors, who are now within sight of the Champions League places again.

Amorim's ruthless decision to drop Rashford paid off. To say the 27-year-old "hasn't been great recently" is actually a massive understatement, and a transfer away would also "suit" United, ideally at the earliest possible opportunity.

Rashford is not a beloved academy product anymore, he's a waste of space, and doesn't deserve to be part of Amorim's revolution at Old Trafford.

GettyRashford will keep letting Amorim down

When pressed on his reasoning for dropping Rashford, and erratic Argentine forward Alejandro Garnacho, before kick-off at the Etihad, Amorim said to : "I pay attention to everything, the way you eat, the way you put your clothes to go to a game. Everything. I make my evaluation and then I decide."

The suggestion is clear: both men have fallen short of the manager's standards for commitment and general effort in some way. If it was just a tactical call, or based purely on current form, they would have at least taken a place among the substitutes.

Amorim was even stronger on Rashford's case after the game, as he referred to the extreme cost-cutting measures across all levels of the club taken by INEOS chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe over the past few months. "You understand for so long we try something with Rash, it doesn't work," he admitted to the media. "Let's continue to do the same thing or try something different? It's as simple as that. They have to work hard. Today they trained really hard. It was not a disciplinary thing. Next week, next game, new life… When we want to change a lot of things, when people in the club are losing their jobs, they have to fight for their place in the team."

Amorim is not the first coach to demand more "fight" from Rashford. He will continue to let the Portuguese tactician down, just as he did Erik ten Hag, Ralf Rangnick, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jose Mourinho. Rashford has used up all of his nine lives at this point, and the constant speculation over his mentality is just serving as a distracting sideshow.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportStinking attitude

United made a serious mistake by handing Rashford a new five-year contract in July 2023, which reportedly made him the highest earner in the squad on £325,000 per week. He was prematurely rewarded for reaching the 30-goal mark for the first time in his career in 2022-23, and has since completely taken his eye off the ball, scoring just 15 times in 66 appearances across the last two seasons.

The club was forced to discipline Rashford in January as he reported ill for training after being spotted out partying for two nights in Belfast, which should have been a wake-up call, but his attitude has only worsened. Rashford has stopped playing for the United badge, having seemingly forgotten the core institutional values he was taught when making his way through the youth ranks.

He trudges through games with a disinterested look on his face and his shoulders slacked, acting as if perspiring for the collective cause is beneath him. The new manager bounce provided by Amorim briefly sparked Rashford into life as he scored three goals in his first two games under the ex-Sporting CP boss, but he's quickly reverted to his usual ways.

Rashford was hooked after just 56 minutes in his last outing against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League, which was an act of mercy from Amorim. The England international's body language was painful to watch once again; he showed no real inclination to press or make any positive runs in behind the defence and carelessly gave the ball away on 11 occasions, with United improving considerably after his withdrawal.

Getty Images Sport'No place for you in the club'

Gary Neville was among those to back Amorim's decision to drop Rashford and Garnacho, both of whom have failed to heed the manager's "run like mad dogs" warning in recent matches. "He's giving us clues, in fact, emphatic clues, about the last few days that they're moping and not doing their bit around the training ground," the United legend said on . "It's standards in training and he's thought 'no, I'm not having it, I'm not accepting it'. Good on him. For far too long we've seen players mope around that pitch and still continue to get a game or be on the bench. No. It's got to be non-negotiable. I don't care who you are, whether you're Andrei Kanchelskis or Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Nani, whoever you are as a wide player at Manchester United you've got to run this way [forward] as fast as you can and run that way [backwards] as fast as you can. If they don't do that there is no place for you in the club, there is no place for you in the team."

Garnacho isn't a complete lost cause; he's still only 20 and has the potential to be a key player for United once he matures. But Rashford has been stuck in this pattern for the best part of nine years.

Rashford is simply not good enough to get away with this kind of behaviour. And because the Red Devils have let him have his way for so long, even the fans have turned on him. It's a damning indictment of how badly the club has been run over the past decade that Amorim is the first man to really bring the hammer down on Rashford, and the next step is to remove him from the picture entirely.

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Getty Images SportPut to shame by Maguire & Amad

Selling Rashford would free up resources for United to bolster their attacking options in 2025, and tie far more important players down to new contracts. Amad Diallo and Harry Maguire are at the top of that list, with both men fast approaching the final six months of their respective deals.

Amad has quickly become the face of Amorim's project at Old Trafford, which David Beckham alluded to when posting an image of the 22-year-old kissing the United badge after his winning goal on Sunday. “And the rebuild begins, big team win with players who wanna wear this jersey,” the iconic former Red Devils winger wrote on .

Amorim has given Amad the platform to showcase his unique qualities, and he's spectacularly justified the manager's faith with five goal contributions in his last five Premier League appearances. The Ivory Coast international could easily have left when he wasn't getting a look-in under Ten Hag, but he never gave up, and those incredible powers of resolve are now paying dividends.

Maguire is enjoying a similar resurgence, with Amorim describing his performance against City as "perfect". The towering defender had Erling Haaland in his pocket for the full 90 minutes and looked right at home in the middle of United's back three with Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez flanking him.

Just over a year ago, Maguire was stripped of the captaincy and appeared to have no future at the club, but he confirmed after the derby that "positive" extension talks have already taken place. Maguire and Amad's passion and perseverance puts Rashford to shame. They fully understand and embrace the responsibility that comes with being a United player, while Rashford uses it as merely a symbol of status.