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Manchester United are searching for a Ruben Amorim replacement and could now be set to announce his successor before the end of the week amid recent developments.

Manchester United look for caretaker boss until summer

Despite being firmly in the picture to secure European qualification, the Red Devils and Amorim parted ways after the Red Devils’ draw with Leeds United last weekend after a breakdown in communication between the former Sporting boss and Jason Wilcox.

While his formation wasn’t universally loved, there was also friction at the club due to the 40-year-old’s approach to academy products who have either come through from Carrington or were brought in before reaching first-team level.

Kobbie Mainoo’s lack of involvement in this campaign is an obvious point to raise now Amorim has departed, while the club are also reportedly angry at the treatment of Chido Obi and Harry Amass.

On the flipside, Ayden Heaven has been a success story since his move to the Red Devils from Arsenal. Utilising academy talents who can develop into stars of the future is part of the mantra at Old Trafford, even if there is a process of trial and error involved in that practice.

Darren Fletcher’s interim charge will provide stability for the time being, and his involvement with their Under-18 side may signal that a couple of prospects could make their senior debuts under his stewardship if circumstances align.

Either way, there is a need for clarity at Old Trafford, and supporters will hope that can come sooner rather than later as Manchester United continue their charge towards a successful season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could sign Man Utd contract on Friday

According to a report from Norwegian outlet VG on Wednesday morning, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be set to return to Manchester United as soon as Friday by signing a contract to become caretaker boss until the end of the season.

With the 52-year-old scheduled to attend Åge Hareide’s funeral on Thursday, he could put pen to paper soon after to provide a temporary figure of authority in the dugout after a turbulent period under Amorim.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first spell at Man Utd

Matches

168

Wins

92

Draws

35

Losses

41

Enjoying a successful spell in charge between 2018 and 2021, Solskjaer helped Manchester United to produce some of their best football of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era and also led the Red Devils to the Europa League final in 2021, losing on penalties to Villarreal.

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However, his reign ended abruptly a few months later, and it will come as a surprise to many that events over the last few days have put an emotional return on the cards.

Commanding buy-in from the players, he has previously been labelled a “fantastic man-manager” by Harry Maguire and earned praise from legendary figure Ferguson for his trust in youth players, something that is a staple in the role.

With the club now hopeful of moving in the right direction, it is looking more likely that Solskjaer will be the man to steady the ship after Amorim’s departure following the Red Devils’ stalemate at Elland Road.

Manchester United are now reportedly desperate to reinforce Ruben Amorim’s midfield and have sent officials to make checks on one of their key targets.

INEOS desperate for midfield breakthrough

It’s a new year and a new opportunity for Man United to turn a corner under Amorim, who could be in for a make-or-break 12 months at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils look destined to back their man once again in the transfer market this year, having splashed out to transform his frontline in the summer.

This time, INEOS are reportedly putting their full focus on welcoming midfield reinforcements after watching the likes of Manuel Ugarte struggle and Kobbie Mainoo fall out of favour.

Injuries haven’t exactly helped, with Lisandro Martinez forced to step out of position and into central midfield in recent weeks, but there’s no denying that United need upgrades even at full strength.

As such, a number of targets have already reportedly emerged. Names like Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson have all been mentioned in recent weeks ahead of what could be another chaotic transfer window in Manchester.

January is rarely the time to spend big, but reports have claimed that Man United are ‘determined to make a breakthrough’ in pursuit of a midfield star and that could force INEOS’ hand.

Given how tough it is to seal major deals in the winter window, it may yet be an alternative option to the likes of Baleba, Wharton and Anderson who arrive.

Man Utd send officials for Ederson

According to TeamTalk, Man United have now sent officials to make checks on Ederson at Atalanta. The Brazilian is among the Red Devils’ midfield targets and with his price dropping below €40m (£35m), they could make their move this month.

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Among all the Premier League names, Ederson is still one to watch. The 26-year-old is a talent in his own right and would instantly end Ugarte’s time at the heart of Amorim’s midfield.

League stats 25/26

Ederson

Ugarte

Minutes

950

554

Progressive Passes

70

32

Tackles Won

13

17

Ball Recoveries

64

32

For less than £35m, Man United could reportedly sign a player who would be an instant upgrade on Ugarte in a number of departments. The former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder struggles most in possession. Ederson, by some contrast, has thrived when asked to progress play this season.

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Dubbed “out of this world” by former England manager Fabio Capello, the Atalanta man ticks several boxes for Man United as they continue their search for a midfield addition this month. Compared to Wharton and Anderson, the Brazilian represents an undeniable bargain.

Scorecard

	David Hussey contributed 38 for Victoria and then picked up two wickets to help secure the title © Getty Images

Victoria remained the Twenty20 kings with a third consecutive title as Western Australia were hit by a Blizzard and a Cyclone at the WACA. Aiden Blizzard’s blitz of 47 from 20 balls helped the Bushrangers reach 203 and despite an exciting 86 from Shaun Marsh, the Warriors fell 32 short in their chase.The major problem for Western Australia, apart from the hefty target, was the fast, accurate bowling from Dirk Nannes. The nickname on his back read “Cyclone” and he lived up to the moniker, sweeping up four wickets and pushing into the high 140kph region as the Warriors spiralled to defeat.He struck two early blows to derail the chase and returned at the end for two more, including Marsh, who had combined with Theo Doropoulos to give the Warriors a sniff after they had crashed to 5 for 59. Marsh belted four sixes in his 55-ball innings but was running out of time when he cracked a Nannes full toss to Cameron White at midwicket.He had already lost his key partner, Doropoulos, who was on 43 when he chipped back to the bowler David Hussey. Victoria’s spinners Hussey and Bryce McGain troubled the middle order but it was Nannes’ early strikes that set the scene.In what Perth fans will hope is not an omen for the WACA Test, which starts on Wednesday, the home side’s reply began with a contentious catch first ball. Luke Ronchi tried to evade a shortish Nannes delivery that flicked his gloves and might have fallen just short of the wicketkeeper Adam Crosthwaite, who claimed the take.It was a disappointing start to a challenging chase after Victoria worked their way to 8 for 203. They started brilliantly, reaching 0 for 65 from five overs, an effort that was largely thanks to Blizzard, who took 28 off one Danny McLauchlan over. Four sixes featured in those six balls, and one was flat-batted wide of midwicket so lethally that it ended up in the practice nets adjacent to the ground.Twice in their innings Victoria lost 3 for 5 but around those mini-collapses they were able to build a healthy score. Hussey added 38 and finished the tournament as the second leading run scorer behind only Marsh. One of the few Victorians who did not contribute was Rob Quiney, who fell to one of the most remarkable catches in recent memory.Quiney pulled Ben Edmondson to deep midwicket and David Bandy, hard up on the rope and with the sun in his eyes, jumped, stretched his right-hand above his head and pulled in the grab with both feet off the ground, baseball-style. He then had the challenge of landing back in the field of play and managed the feat with the grace of an Olympic gymnast, finishing with a pivot and swivel to acknowledge the crowd’s cheers.But his team-mates could not match his perfect ten and the title slipped away from Western Australia. Victoria, who have lost only one match in the three seasons of the domestic Twenty20 tournament, will head to the Champions Twenty20 league in October as arguably the world’s most in-form side in the shortest format.

Scorecard

Brad Hodge was a central figure in Victoria’s chase with a vital 84 © Getty Images

Brad Hodge justified his bold day-three declaration by setting up another chasing win for Victoria as they moved to the top of the Pura Cup table. Hodge closed the Bushrangers’ innings 117 runs behind South Australia on Sunday and his gamble paid off as he and Michael Klinger were the key contributors in running down the target of 322 for a three-wicket win.Klinger was unbeaten on 87 after steering the final stages of the chase and the home side ended the game with three overs to spare. While Klinger applied the finishing touches, Hodge kept the Bushrangers in sight of the result with 84 from 124 balls, including 11 fours and a six.The dismissal of Nick Jewell, who crawled to 36 off 111 deliveries, allowed Hodge and David Hussey, the first-innings century-makers, to accelerate and they produced a crucial stand of 79 in 71 balls. Hussey fell to a reflex take by Tom Plant at short leg and Hodge left with his side at 4 for 225, edging to first slip off Cullen Bailey.Bailey, the legspinner, was the most successful of South Australia’s bowlers with 4 for 103, but he was unable to stop Klinger. The Redbacks, who kept their two points, reached 5 for 204 before their first-session declaration, with Ben Cameron unbeaten on 51.

Johan Botha’s action has been reported after his debut Test © Getty Images

Johan Botha, the South African offspinner, has been reported for having a suspect action following his Test debut at Sydney.Chris Broad, the ICC match referee, said: “Concerns have been raised by the match officials over the general legality of his bowling action and, in particular, his ‘doosra’ and quicker deliveries when viewed with the naked eye. We are therefore requesting the ICC to commission a biomechanical report into the bowler’s action in accordance with the process introduced last year.”Botha will be allowed to bowl for South Africa in this month’s triangular one-day series against Australia and Sri Lanka and until the biomechanical report has been completed. He took 1 for 26 and 1 for 77 at the SCG as Australia won by eight wickets.The report will be handled under the ICC’s standard bowling review process. Botha will now undergo independent analysis of his action by a member of the ICC’s panel of human movement specialists.Gerald Majola, chief executive officer of Cricket South Africa, expressed his disappointment at the decision to report Botha. “He has bowled at first class domestic professional level for two seasons without once being reported for an unfair action by our leading umpires, match referees and players. We hope that Johan’s promising career will continue to progress at a time when everybody in world cricket is trying to encourage the art of spin bowling in South Africa and elsewhere.”Meanwhile a South Africa team spokesman said Jacques Kallis would remain with the squad in Australia for the one-day series after checks on his elbow injury, while Nicky Boje, the left-arm spinner, and AB de Villiers, the opening batsman, will return home.The South African team was also fined by Broad for a slow over-rate on the final day of the Sydney Test, with the players docked five percent of their match fees and Graeme Smith 10 percent.

Shoaib’s hamstring gave way early in the VB Series© Getty Images

Imran Khan has admitted that he talked Shoaib Akhtar out of making himself available for the Indian tour. Shoaib pulled out with a hamstring injury, and Imran said that he had been consulted before the decision was taken.Speaking to Times News Network, Imran said, “Shoaib was willing to make himself available for the selection but I advised him against doing so. He was confused whether to tour or not. He was in two minds when he came to me for advice. He didn’t know how to respond to the hamstring niggle. I told him if it’s a hamstring rupture then he shouldn’t tour at all. As it turned out, Shoaib had a big rupture.”Shoaib performed exceptionally in the first Test against Australia at Perth, and also bowled with real zeal in the first innings of the second Test before losing his zip and fitness. Thereafter, he was a convenient whipping-boy for Pakistan’s poor displays on tour – but Imran suggested that others were just as much to blame. “Shoaib is slightly difficult to handle and the PCB likes to pass the buck,” he said. “They all need soul-searching.”Imran edded: “It’s sad that in Pakistan everyone, even President Musharraf, is unwilling to accept his mistakes. I say that because it is President Musharraf who formed the PCB which in turn appointed Inzamam-ul-Haq as captain. None of them realise that our poor performance is due to them also.”According to Imran, there was little point in Shoaib rushing back into the fray. “Realistically, I don’t see him playing the Test series, but if he stretches himself too far then maybe he can play the third Test,” he said. “But for me, he shouldn’t play before the third or the fourth one-dayer. He should first play a first-class game and then think of international cricket. Shoaib also realises that if he plays and fails then he’ll again be made a scapegoat.”Shoaib himself ruled out any half-baked comeback bid. “I don’t want to rush back,” he said, perhaps aware of how poorly he had performed under the weight of expectation against India last year. “I want to be away from media attention. It’s a question of my career and I don’t want to compromise on it. But yes, I don’t rule myself out from coming back for the one-day series.”

Brett Lee will undergo surgery to his left ankle at St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Sydney on Thursday afternoon in an attempt to relieve him from pain in the back of his ankle. He will also use the enforced break to correct an ongoing posterior impingement problem.Errol Alcott, Australia’s physiotherapist, explained Lee had been troubled by the condition for some time. "Due to the increased workload during the first 3 Test match against Zimbabwe in Perth, Brett felt pain in his ankle that he has had on and off during the past season," he said. "With the injury to his stomach muscle we were presented with a window of opportunity to also correct this problem while Brett takes a break from competition."Brett will be reviewed again towards the end of November following an intensive rehabilitation program."

Bangladesh’s frontline bowlers may not match Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie or Glenn McGrath in speed and experience, but New Zealand opener Mark Richardson found he was more nervous in the first Test today against Bangladesh, than he ever was in Australia.He finished the day on his highest Test score of 124 not out, with New Zealand 306/5, but said the first hour, in which New Zealand plummeted to 51/4, was very hard.”It doesn’t matter that they were not the Australians, they all hit the seam, they had very good wrists and they all swung the ball.”They bowled pretty well and their tails were up,” he said.Richardson was battling the ‘flu all day and he felt the innings wasn’t one of his better ones.Last summer’s maiden Test century in the final Test against Pakistan and today’s century completed a turnaround of fortunes for Richardson here.”I was desperate to get a total. I went about my work okay in Australia, I just didn’t get a century,” he said.Meanwhile, Craig McMillan said he had been conscious of his dismissal for 98 in the Pakistan Test last year, when he got into the 90s.”I was very determined to push through. From a personal point of view I just love playing here because it is one of only two pure cricket grounds in New Zealand, the other is the Basin Reserve.”It was a sign of the confidence in the batsmen in the team now that despite getting into a tricky position they were able to extricate themselves.”There wasn’t any panic,” he said.The frustrations with the weather and the limited chances for cricket had been a concern.”But I’m really happy today. I played my natural game.”We are in a very satisfying position and we are very happy with the day’s play. It was a good day’s cricket,” he said.The accident he had on Tuesday had also caused him to reflect and realise how lucky he was to be able to play cricket, and that had made the innings all the more satisfying, he said.

Chris Silverwood – batting blitz puts Somerset under pressure Photo © Paul McGregor

Yorkshire have every chance of improving on their third position in theFirst Division of the championship as they took a 218 runs first inningslead over Somerset and then had their guests at 12-2 in their second inningsat Scarborough.
Both of Somerset’s opening batsmen, Jamie Cox and Mark Lathwell, are already out and Yorkshire are on course to win within three days. The home county’s total was built around a 130 runs partnership in 49 overs between Darren Lehmann and David Byas.The Australian showed why he is the country’s leading run-scorer as he bit a six and 10 fours in 77 runs made from 152 deliveries. Lehmann struck Ian Blackwell for a six and two fours in over and was caught at mid-off trying to hit a third.Byas attained his first half-century of the season before he was l.b.w to Steffan Jones for 84 with 10 fours from 249 deliveries. Richard Blakey’s painstaking innings of 24 runs in 145 minutes could have prevented Yorkshire from taking the full bonus points.Chris Silverwood saved the situation with an onslaught on the bowling or Rose and Trego in which he hammered three sixes and five fours in making 48 in three less balls. He helped Yorkshire to top 400. The apparently tired West Countrymen were still 206 runs from forcing their hosts to bat again when the day ended.

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After battling the threat of relegation and eventually fighting back to finish in 16th in the Premier League last season, this summer transfer window was always going to be a big one for Southampton.

Despite the end of the season being barely a month in the rear-view mirror, the Saints announced their first signing with Mali winger Moussa Djenepo joining from Standard Liege.

After confirmation of his move, the 20-year-old took to

/ByqNM86ISdP/” data-lasso->Instagram to share a snap of him wearing his new Southampton kit and expressed his delight to be joining the Premier League side.

Djenepo scored 11 times across all competitions last season to help his former team to a very respectable third in the Belgian top-flight and is a part of the Mali squad that will take part in the Africa Cup of Nations starting next week.

Having signed the winger, Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl said via BBC Sport: “He is an exciting player, with tremendous pace and good finishing. We have been impressed with how he has adapted to football in Europe and the impact he has had in many games, and we had an interest in him as recently as January, so I am pleased we are able to bring him into the club.”