Manchester United have an exciting squad to choose from as they look to drum up a run of form this season, but many supporters will also be wondering when Lisandro Martinez is expected to return from injury.
Lisandro Martinez and his Man Utd absence
Argentina international Martinez has become a fan favourite since joining from Ajax back in 2022, registering three goals and three assists in 91 appearances.
However, injury problems have limited his scope for an even greater impact at Old Trafford, none more so than his ACL tear in a 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace back in February.
In what was a season-ending blow for Martinez, Ruben Amorim has since been forced back to the drawing board for defensive solutions and the former Sporting boss has maintained a heavy reliance on Harry Maguire, Mathijs De Ligt and Leny Yoro to fill the void.
Nevertheless, Martinez’s capabilities in possession are difficult to replicate. The World Cup winner averaged a 90% pass accuracy in the Premier League last term, while he also made 32 interceptions, per Fotmob, sparing nobody on his way to stopping dangerous attacking moves.
Ayden Heaven has emerged as a naturally left-sided alternative and has impressed supporters. Still, the former Arsenal youth may be one for the longer term, given he is only 18 years of age. Luke Shaw has also featured centrally.
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Updates on Martinez’s status have been few and far between, even if Fabrizio Romano recently claimed on his YouTube channel that the World Cup winner may be offered a new contract once he returns from injury.
When will that be? It may be sooner than alot of Manchester United fans believe if recent developments are anything to go by.
Lisandro Martinez's Manchester United return timeframe
Per BBC Sport chief reporter Simon Stone, Martinez could be back in contention after the October international break for Manchester United, providing his rehab has gone to schedule, albeit Amorim is likely to take a cautious approach in light of the recovery process he will have to adhere to.
He later went on to suggest that it would be a surprise to see Martinez back before the conclusion of the October break, pointing out that it may take longer for him to actually get back into a flow of starting matches.
Ultimately, the delicate nature of cruciate-related injuries require specialist care and management, so it may be a little while yet before he starts to get up to speed at Old Trafford.
Gary Stead has stepped down as New Zealand men’s white-ball coach and will decide in the coming weeks if he wishes to reapply to lead the Test team as New Zealand Cricket (NZC) considers having split head coaches for the men’s program.Stead, 53, has been New Zealand men’s all-format coach since 2018 but his contract is set to expire in June of this year. The NZC issued a release on Tuesday where Stead confirmed he would step away from the white-ball role after leading New Zealand to the 2019 World Cup final, the 2021 T20 World Cup final and the 2024 Champions Trophy final.The news comes after Rob Walter was linked to a role with New Zealand’s team after he resigned as South Africa’s white-ball coach.Related
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Stead will take some time over the coming weeks to decide if he wishes to reapply for the Test coaching role as advertising for the roles will commence over the next week.”I’m looking forward to getting away from touring life for a while and having a think about my future,” Stead said. “My focus has been on finishing the season strongly with a lesser experienced team.”The past six to seven months has been particularly busy with relatively non-stop cricket action since September.”I now want to evaluate my options but still feel I have coaching left in me, albeit not as head coach across all formats.”The next month will give me the opportunity to discuss the situation more with my wife, family and others.”I’ll be in a better position to know whether I want to reapply for the Test coaching position after this time of reflection.”Stead has had great success with New Zealand’s Test team leading them to the 2021 World Test Championship and the recent 3-0 series victory in India last year. He has managed his coaching duties across the three formats in recent years with the likes of his assistant Luke Ronchi taking charge for various white-ball assignments to give Stead a break.New Zealand’s chief high performance officer Bryan Stronach said Stead had earned the right to take his time with his decision and confirmed that the NZC were open to all possibilities as far as the head coaching role moving forward.”Gary’s results have been very impressive over a long period and we’re very comfortable giving him some time to collect his thoughts and mull things over,” Stronach said.”At the moment we haven’t any strong preference for either a split-coaching role or a sole appointment who covers all three formats, and we’re unlikely to be clearer on that until we see who’s putting their name forward.”
It is fair to say that Celtic’s actions on deadline day at the end of the summer transfer window did not go down very well amongst a large section of the fanbase.
Such was the reaction to the club’s work on deadline day, the Scottish Premiership champions felt they needed to release a statement explaining their processes and why they failed to bring in any strikers before the window slammed shut.
One interesting line to pick out from the statement is the following: “The Club plans our recruitment and player trading strategy responsibly and consistently, ensuring the squad can be strengthened for the short, medium and long term, while also seeking to ensure the development and progression of our Academy players. Our objective is to create Champions League players.”
This is an interesting line to pick out because the Hoops opted to cash in on Adam Idah on deadline day, despite the fact that they had failed to sign a high-calibre number nine to that point.
Celtic then had to dip into the free agent market to sign Kelechi Iheanacho the day after deadline day because they were unable to sign a replacement for Idah before the window closed.
These decisions have left the Hoops in a position where their squad looks much weaker in the short-term than it did at this point last summer, which brings the aforementioned part of the statement into question.
Why Celtic have a problem in the number nine position
Celtic have sold Idah and Kyogo Furuhashi in 2025, raking in up to £17m in the process, but have only spent £1.5m on striker signings in that time.
Shin Yamada was brought in from Kawasaki Frontale for a fee of £1.5m this summer as the only senior striker who was not signed on a free transfer by the club in 2025.
The Japanese centre-forward scored two goals in 21 matches in the J1 League in 2025 before his move to Celtic, which shows that the club did not sign a player who was in form and ready to hit the ground running.
That has proven to be the case. Yamada has failed to score in five appearances for the Scottish giants in all competitions so far this season, per Sofascore.
League football in 2025
Iheanacho
Yamada
Kenny
Appearances
16
23
10
Goals
2
2
2
Big chances missed
2
10
3
Big chances created
0
2
1
Assists
2
1
1
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, all three of Celtic’s natural number nine options have struggled for league goals in 2025, as all of them have failed to score more than two goals and missed more ‘big chances’ than they have scored goals.
These statistics show that the Hoops have a clear problem in the centre-forward position in the short-term, at least, after they allowed Kyogo and Idah to depart without replacing them with ‘Champions League players’.
Kenny, who scored his first goal for the club against Aberdeen, has shown promise with two goals in ten appearances and one start in the Premiership to date, but he was an unused substitute in both games against Kairat, which suggests that Brendan Rodgers does not fully trust him yet.
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Looking back, therefore, Celtic may regret their decision to sell Hyeon-gyu Oh to Genk in the summer of 2024, because his current form suggests that he would have been an upgrade on Idah and could have solved their attacking woes at Parkhead.
Why Celtic should have kept Hyeon-gyu Oh
Rodgers sanctioned a deal to sell the number nine to Genk for a fee of £2.3m in order to facilitate the permanent signing of Idah from Norwich City for £9.5m.
As you can see in the graphic above, the Ireland international was unable to replicate his prolific loan spell during his time as a permanent player at Parkhead, which led to him being sold to Swansea for a deal that could reach £7m.
That immediately suggests that Rodgers and Celtic made the wrong call to sign Idah on a permanent deal, particularly for the finances involved, because they were then willing to take a loss on him after just 12 months.
Oh’s form since moving on from the Hoops last summer only adds further evidence to that case, as he has been a huge success in Belgium with Genk, and caught the eye for his country.
The 24-year-old marksman delivered a goal and an assist for South Korea in a 2-2 draw with Mexico during the international break. That led to Korean football account Fighting Stripes Football claiming that Oh “has the potential to be Korea’s best ever striker” because of his technical qualities and his top-class mentality.
It is now down to the striker to go on and fulfill that potential, but a goal and an assist against a very respectable footballing nation in Mexico is a good way to start.
Oh’s form in Belgium for Genk also shows that the striker has been on fire since his move away from Celtic, and that he could have been an upgrade on Idah if the Hoops had kept him in Glasgow.
24/25 season per 90
Oh (Pro League)
Idah (Premiership)
xG
1.03
0.71
xG on target
1.31
0.86
Goals
1.33
0.68
Shots on target
3.10
1.90
xA
0.18
0.14
Assists
0.30
0.00
Stats via FotMob
As you can see in the table above, the South Korea international delivered more goals, more shots on target, more xA, and more assists per 90 than Idah at league level in the 2024/25 campaign.
Oh scored nine goals from 6.95 xG in 684 minutes of football for Genk in the Pro League, per Sofascore, which shows that he was incredibly clinical in front of goal and more than made the most of the minutes that he got on the pitch.
Such was the impressive nature of his performances for Genk, Stuttgart were reportedly set to clinch a £24m deal for the striker, before they backed out of a move after the medical brought up a red flag over an old ACL injury.
Whilst the move did not go through, the fact that Stuttgart were willing to pay £24m for a player who was let go by Celtic for £2.3m last year shows that the club made a mistake when they cashed in on him in 2024.
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Therefore, Celtic messed up by selling Oh last year because he could have offered more to the team than Idah and been the striker that Rodgers is now sorely lacking.
Champions League nights are now back on the menu at St James’ Park.
The last time Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United participated in the illustrious competition, the Tyneside outfit hosted some unbelievable contests, with the Toon’s triumphant 4-1 victory over Paris St. Germain still a match that’s fondly remembered in the history books to this day.
Unfortunately, Howe can’t call upon Alexander Isak tomorrow evening as Barcelona come to town, with the Swedish superstar leading the line heroically that night for his now former side, before moving to Liverpool.
But, the much-loved Magpies manager can still spring a surprise on Barca in the forward positions, with Anthony Elanga perhaps given the nod to start, alongside the likes of Nick Woltemade, who has arguably filled the hole left behind by Isak already.
How Elanga can trouble Barca
While toppling Hansi Flick’s La Liga giants will, of course, be no easy feat, there will be a belief coursing through Newcastle’s veins that they can cause an immediate upset back in the Champions League, having pulled off just that versus PSG.
To help in their bid to try and unsettle the visitors from Spain from minute one, Howe might well be prepared to launch Elanga into first-team action, despite him picking up zero goals or assists from his opening four Premier League contests donning Newcastle black and white.
Yet, when you remove his lacklustre numbers in the top-flight so far, it could well be that adding his trademark burst of pace – that he showed time after time for Nottingham Forest – into what will be a nervy contest could catch Flick’s side off-guard, with Elanga also often boasting end product when bursting forward, having collected 11 goals and 21 assists in total at the City Ground.
Moreover, Elanga already has a Champions League goal next to his name for Manchester United, with a clear eagerness to prove himself in a competition that once saw him just gain some reduced minutes here or there.
Howe starting some tricky and hard to contain wingers could be a huge advantage, considering Lamine Yamal – who is similarly quick and easy on the eye – is ruled out for this mid-week affair for Barca through injury.
Yet, it’s not just Elanga that can gift the Toon a difference-maker out on the flanks, with one of the Swede’s teammates arguably Howe’s own version of Yamal.
Howe's own version of Yamal
Flick will be gutted that he can’t call upon his 18-year-old ace for this showdown on English soil, with the Spaniard already up two goals and three assists this season in league action.
That’s before you even delve deeper into his overall Champions League numbers, with five goals and eight assists already tallied up by the teenage sensation on Europe’s grandest stage, despite his career still being in its infancy.
Therefore, it might be wild to state that Newcastle possesses its own version of the “ridiculous” attacker – as former Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger once labelled him – but Anthony Gordon has found himself consistently in the spotlight from a very early age, like Yamal.
Indeed, Gordon first made waves in the first-team picture at Everton when he was just 18 years of age – which is the same age Yamal currently is – with his career only going from strength to strength when departing the Toffees for an opportunity at Newcastle.
LW
125
26 + 29
RW
53
8 + 8
AM
21
13 + 2
CF
17
5 + 1
SS
1
0
When looking at the table above, it’s clear that the 14-time England international has taken to terrorising Premier League defences for the Magpies like a duck to water, with a tally of 22 goals and 23 assists coming his way when lining up in a whole host of different positions.
Amazingly, despite being touted to have a crazy £173m market value next to his name in Spain, Yamal can only boast 19 more goal contributions at the Camp Nou, with Gordon hopeful he can steal all the headlines as Newcastle pick up a victory, knowing Barca’s number ten is sidelined.
Having also been lauded as “unplayable” when at the peak of his powers by Statman Dave, it will be a welcome return to the starting XI for Gordon if he is selected after being suspended from Premier League action.
In a dream reality, he will be able to combine effortlessly with Woltemade and Elanga to guide the Toon to another famous victory in Europe’s standout competition. In the absence of Isak, he can be Newcastle’s new attacking talisman – just like Yamal is in Catalonia.
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Former Arsenal academy chief Adries Jonker has claimed that he has the capability to work with Jose Mourinho. Having worked as a deputy to top coaches like Arsene Wenger, Louis Van Gaal and Jupp Heynckes, Jonker might be brought on board after the elections at Benfica if Martim Mayer, the presidential candidate, wins this year's vote.
Jonker eyeing Mourinho partnership at Benfica
After working in Arsenal and later on with Netherlands women's team, Jonker is aiming for a new role in football. Mayer, who will be fighting against current president Rui Costa and other candidates for the presidency, has announced the Dutchman's name as his choice to take on a background role after submitting his candidacy for the election, as he believes Jonker will be the right man to work alongside Mourinho and current general director of football Mario Branco.
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What did Jonker say?
Jonker has endorsed the idea, saying his history at the Arsenal academy alongside his experiences as an assistant at Bayern Munich and Barcelona show he can deal with a coach like Mourinho.
"If I worked with Louis van Gaal, Arsene Wenger and Jupp Heynckes I can also work with Jose Mourinho. Benfica hasn't won enough in recent years, and if we look at Jose Mourinho's record, we see that he's been extremely successful. Therefore, what we need to do is support him. Let's hope he can win, become champion, win the Portuguese Cup, and perform well in European competitions," he said.
Potential new Benfica supremo has faith on Jonker
Jonker has a vast resume, boasting big clubs like Arsenal, Barcelona, and Bayern on his CV, as well as spells as a head coach at Wolfsburg and Willem II. At Bayern, he even worked as the interim manager after Van Gaal's departure. Mayer, whose fate depends on the elections on October 25, said: "They are coaches with different profiles, with different characteristics. We have to know how to adjust the team. This is the right person to work with Jose Mourinho and Mario Branco. What is behind us was part of another coach. And, therefore, that had to be left behind. [Jonker] is someone I'm sure will bring this project, this support to Benfica's football, which has been lacking. We can't just be behind the coach, just organised. We need more than that. Andries is that person who will bring a lot of value to the first team."
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Can Jonker bring lost glory back to Benfica?
A club that boasts of Eusebio's legacy, Benfica have never won a Champions League title after it was rebranded in 1992. The club, however, won it as the European Cup in two successive seasons back in 1960-61 and 1961-62. Their latest achievement, meanwhile, was the domestic Super Cup, and the most recent league title came in 2023. Jonker, aiming for an important role at the Lisbon-based outfit, will be expected to help bring back the glorious years at the club if he ultimately signs for them.
You could forgive Liverpool supporters for having been concerned that Jurgen Klopp’s departure in the summer of 2024 would lead to a period of decline at Anfield.
The German led the club back to glory during his spell that lasted more than nine years, winning the Premier League and the Champions League during his tenure.
You only have to look at Arsenal and Manchester United since the departures of Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson to see how an exit like that can be tough to recover from, as neither of those clubs have won a Premier League title without Wenger or Ferguson.
However, Arne Slot arrived from Feyenoord to replace Klopp in the dugout and hit the ground running by winning the league title in his first year at Anfield.
The Dutch head coach was a breath of fresh air in the Premier League last season with his side’s gung-ho approach to matches. They were incredibly fun to watch.
One of the players who has benefitted the most from the managerial change from Klopp to Slot is defensive midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, who has been transformed over the past 18 months or so.
How Arne Slot saved Ryan Gravenberch's Liverpool career
Liverpool signed the Netherlands international from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023 to bolster their options in the middle of the park, but he endured a frustrating first season at Anfield.
Gravenberch only started 12 of his 26 appearances in the Premier League under Klopp and mainly played as the left-sided central midfielder, tasked with getting forward to support the attack.
It was a role that did not suit the Dutch midfielder and his performances in that position led to his future at Anfield being thrown into doubt. Turkish giants Galatasaray were even linked with a move for his services in April 2024.
However, Slot’s arrival at the club later that summer saved Gravenberch’s career at the club, because the head coach correctly profiled where he would be best, at the base of the midfield as a number six.
Ryan Gravenberch (Premier League)
23/24
24/25
Appearances (starts)
26 (12)
37 (37)
Pass accuracy
83%
89%
Assists
0
4
Tackles + interceptions per game
1.5
3.4
Clearances per game
0.4
1.5
Ground duel success rate
47%
56%
Aerial duel success rate
42%
65%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the Dutchman started all 37 of his appearances in the Premier League after being moved to a defensive midfield role, and his statistics show that it was a tactical move that paid off in a big way.
Gravenberch started all 49 of his appearances in the 2024/25 campaign for the Reds and earned a place in the PFA Team of the Year for his performances as a number six.
The 23-year-old star looks set to be a key player for Slot and Liverpool for many more years to come, after a strong start to the 2025/26 campaign with two goals and two assists so far, per Sofascore.
As well as having the man himself, Liverpool also have an impressive teenage central midfielder who has the potential to be a homegrown version of Gravenberch in the future.
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Trey Nyoni started in the middle of the park for the Reds against Championship side Southampton on Tuesday night and the contrast in his performance in the first half to the second half was akin to Gravenberch’s development throughout his career at Anfield.
Why Trey Nyoni may be Liverpool's next number eight
As an academy graduate who plays in central midfield, the 18-year-old star may have his eyes set on grabbing the number eight shirt from Dominik Szoboszlai in the future.
The Hungary international is the star who currently wears it, but it was academy graduate Steven Gerrard who really gave it meaning with his 186 goals in 710 matches for the club in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.
Nyoni has mainly donned the number eight shirt at youth level for Liverpool, which suggests that he is a fan of the number, and as a homegrown talent from the academy, he may want to emulate even a small percentage of what Gerrard achieved with the number eight shirt at Anfield.
Despite this, it is the number six position where Nyoni’s future may lie after what he showed on the pitch against Southampton in the League Cup on Tuesday night.
The England U19 international started the game as a number ten behind Alexander Isak, but did not look suited to playing that position. However, when Curtis Jones came off for Conor Bradley after 57 minutes, Nyoni dropped deeper and took control of the game.
Vs Southampton
Trey Nyoni
Minutes
90
Pass accuracy
96%
Passes completed
43/45
Key passes
0
Duels won
2/4
Clearances
3
Blocks
1
Tackles + interceptions
3
Dribbled past per game
0x
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, his statistics looked much more like what you would expect from a defensive midfielder than a number ten, playmaker, type.
Nyoni did not register any shots on target or create any chances for his team whilst playing as a number ten, but his defensive contributions and reliability as a passer when dropped into a deep-lying role proved that he has a future as a number six.
As Liverpool-focused writer Lewis Bower noted after the match, the 18-year-old talent looked far more “influential” when he dropped into a deeper midfield position, rather than as an attacking midfielder.
His metronomic passing in the middle of the park coupled with his defensive strength suggests that he may have the potential to develop into the next Gravenberch in the future, as he is five years younger than the Dutchman.
Gravenberch’s Liverpool career took lift-off after being moved from an attacking or central midfield position to being a number six. Nyoni’s attributes suggest that a similar positional change could forge a future for him in the first-team at Anfield.
That could, therefore, set him on his path to earn the number eight shirt at Liverpool, as he looks to follow in Gerrard’s footsteps from the academy to first-team fame.
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After three consecutive home defeats featuring underwhelming batting displays, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally posted a total north of 200 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium to set up a thrilling win over Rajasthan Royals (RR). Virat Kohli, who top-scored with 70, said the batting unit had discussed what they needed to do differently, and on Thursday they were able to apply themselves and find a template that worked.”We’ve had three pretty average games at home and we discussed a few things in the batting unit that we need to get right and I think we applied ourselves well enough today to get that total on the board,” Kohli told the host broadcaster after RCB’s first home win of IPL 2025. “We felt like the pitch wasn’t as flat as the score displayed on the scoreboard.”Unlike in their previous three home games, where they lost at least three wickets in the powerplay trying to take on the bowlers, RCB got through the first six overs against RR with all their wickets intact. And after Phil Salt became the first batter to be dismissed in the seventh over, Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal put on a 95-run stand to set up a grand finish.Related
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“I think the template is simple, you know, one of the guys to kind of bat through and the others to kind of attack around him,” Kohli said. “So I have that responsibility. I know this pitch very well, so does Devdutt. So yeah, that was basically the plan. Let Salty do his thing and then once we have a couple of wickets down, then really capitalise and rebuild and yeah, today it paid off.”On the eve of the match, RCB captain Rajat Patidar had called on the batters to focus on their shot selection, and Kohli underlined the change in approach that helped them on Thursday.”There’s pace and bounce in the first three-four overs with the new ball, especially in the first innings. So I think we were trying to force the shots a bit too much in the last three games.”Today, we kind of let the ball come to us and, you know, really time the ball into the gaps and I think that was the adjustment and the application that I spoke about to assess the pitch and then find our options and then hopefully put enough pressure on the opposition for them to keep giving us boundary balls, which was the case today and we were able to capitalise on those.”Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli put on a 95-run stand•Associated Press
RCB posted 205 for 5, a total that RR fell 11 runs short of despite looking comfortable for large parts of their chase. That RCB prevailed was thanks largely to Josh Hazlewood’s excellent spell at the death.”[205] was enough in the end, but at one stage, I thought maybe [we needed] a few more,” Kohli said. “That’s the tricky part right now. We’ve figured out a way to bat now, so [the batters] have more confidence.”So heading into the last three more home games, I think we should be in a better position to try and get those 25-30 extra runs.”Kohli highlighted the importance of the toss in Bengaluru, citing dew as an important factor helping chasing teams. For the fourth home game in a row, Patidar lost the toss on Thursday.”I think the first challenge is to win the toss, to be honest, because the first half and second half … the second half you kind of have a look at the pitch,” Kohli said. “Also, the dew comes in, so it becomes a bit of an advantage. So we’ve been fighting hard to kind of get the total on the board in the first innings. We’ve fallen short by 25-30.”Today, we were able to get past 200, so that always kept us in the game.”
Manchester United delivered a much-needed victory over Chelsea at the weekend and one of their stars has now delivered his response in the wake of some fierce criticism from club icon Roy Keane.
Manchester United hope to turn corner after defeating Chelsea
Truthfully, it has been hard not to be critical of Manchester United and Ruben Amorim at times this term after a turbulent start and mixed results, albeit they may now have started to turn a corner after consigning Chelsea to defeat at Old Trafford.
Admittedly, the Red Devils never make it easy for themselves, but they have been entertaining to watch in recent times and the former Sporting boss refused to blame goalscorer Casemiro after his sending off put their lead in jeopardy.
He stated post-match: “It’s because Casemiro cares – we scored one and then he has that tackle. Then they have maybe one time that they passed the half of the pitch and we want to win the ball right away. So I think sometimes it’s a little bit, not the pressure, they want it too much in that moment. That is not a bad thing.”
Plenty of criticism has been thrown at his group over the time Amorim has been in the Manchester United dugout, so it is only fair his players earn their fair share of credit for winning a pivotal fixture that has greatly enhanced their Premier League prospects.
Before their victory over Chelsea, Luke Shaw was heavily criticised by Roy Keane for his display against Manchester City after the England international failed to prevent Phil Foden’s opener in the 3-0 derby loss.
Now, the England international has delivered an honest response to the Irishman’s words as the mood begins to lighten a little at Old Trafford.
Luke Shaw responds to Roy Keane criticism
Making a surprise admission, Shaw expressed his agreement with Keane’s comments and vowed to keep his consistency moving forward at Manchester United.
He told BBC Sport: “Sometimes you just have to take it on the chin. Of course it hurts. He was one of the best captains ever for Manchester United. I think he was right. Last week, I wasn’t at my level at all. I don’t need Roy Keane to tell me.
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Later, he added: “I’m always in the team and I’m always playing, so there must be something the managers believe in. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs, but for me now, it’s about keeping that consistency at a high level. I know I can do that. That’s why last week hurt me a lot.”
Manchester United is a club that demands accountability and Shaw has been gracious in his assessment, taking ownership and looking to improve his performance rather than hiding away from critique. Fotmob show that the Three Lions star took Keane’s advice on board against Chelsea, winning three tackles, making three blocks and completing 34 of his 38 attempted passes.
Given he is playing on the left-hand side of a back three, which isn’t his natural position, Shaw performed admirably over the piece and will hope to strike up a convincing run of displays that coincides with Manchester United getting points on the board.
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Julio Furch foi apresentado como novo reforço do Santos na quarta-feira (26), na Vila Belmiro. O ex-atacante do Atlas, do México, é idolatrado no país e possui o apelido de ‘Imperador’. O argentino assinou vínculo por duas temporadas com o Peixe.
+ Veja situação do Santos e simule os jogos do Peixe no Brasileirão
Furch escolheu a camisa 11 santista. O número já foi utilizado por Neymar no Peixe e recentemente era de Ângelo, que deixou o clube e rumou para o Chelsea, da Inglaterra.
O centroavante foi revelado pelo Olimpo, da Argentina, e sua característica de jogo utiliza bem a estatura de 1,88m. Na terra dos ‘hermanos’, o jogador ainda passou por San Lorenzo, Arsenal de Sarandí e Belgrano. Furch chega para brigar por posição com Marcos Leonardo, Deivid e Bruno Mezenga.
Batter unbeaten on 65 with 105 still needed and four wickets standing
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay04-May-2025
James Rew en route to fifty•Getty Images
An injury to centurion Jordan Cox marred a strong Essex display on the third day of the County Championship Division One match with Somerset at the Cooper Associates Ground, Taunton.Fresh from his recall to the England squad, Cox extended his overnight score of 61 to an unbeaten 103 as his side stretched their second innings total from 163 for four to 259 all out. But he retired hurt immediately on reaching three figures, having collapsed clutching his lower left side after taking the single that put him on 99.Cox took no further part in the Essex innings and was replaced in the field when Somerset began their quest for 321 to win on a pitch still offering assistance to seam and spin. They closed on 216 for six, Lewis Gregory making 57 and James Rew 65 not out.The first hour’s play saw Cox and Michael Pepper build rapidly on the Essex overnight advantage of 224.Cox reverse swept Jack Leach for boundaries off successive deliveries before greeting the introduction of Craig Overton with a glorious extra cover drive for four. Pepper leant good support and the pair had taken the total to 234 for four when misfortune struck.Cox had been in some discomfort and the quick single off Leach on the cusp of his ton ended with him prostrate the bowler’s end. After several minutes of treatment, he was helped to his feet, but he continued only long enough to slog-sweep Leach for four and complete a 155-ball hundred.Pepper glanced a four off Overton to take the lead past 300, but on 36 became the first of three victims in quick succession for Migael Pretorius, leg before on the back foot.Noah Thain edged to wicketkeeper Rew, while Sam Cook top-edged a pull shot to be caught at fine leg. Leach weighed in with the wickets of Kasun Rajitha and Simon Harmer as Essex plunged from 252 for four to 259 all out.A lead of 321 still looked secure enough on a pitch which had aided bowlers from the first morning. So it appeared, as Somerset’s fragile top order misfired again, leaving the 91 for five at tea.Andy Umeed edged a catch to second slip off Jamie Porter to depart without a run on the board and soon it was eight for two as Archie Vaughan top-edged a shot to leg off Cook to give a simple catch to mid-wicket.Harmer was introduced from eighth over and struck first with the total on 54, Tom Lammonby falling lbw for 30 to a ball that turned past the left-hander’s forward defensive shot and struck his back pad.Tom Abell played well to reach 29 before a sharply turning delivery from Harmer nipped back to clip his off stump and make it 71 for five. With only seven runs added, Tom Banton, on 13, went to reverse sweep the spinner and was judged to have got a touch on the way to the ball reaching Dean Elgar at slip, a decision which clearly frustrated the Somerset player.Skipper Gregory and Rew were unbeaten at the tea interval and both came out for the final session in positive mood.Anything remotely loose was punished mercilessly with boundaries in a counter-attacking partnership that only served to highlight previous batting inadequacies. Gregory raced to a half-century off 80 balls, with 7 fours.Rew was equally impressive and was unbeaten on 37 when his captain brought up the 100 stand with a flashing cut for four off Rajitha. But the same over saw Gregory attempt another back-foot forcing shot only to get a thick inside edge onto his stumps.Rew’s 10th four, guided to third-man off Cook, brought up a fluent fifty off 91 balls and the Somerset 200. He was still there at the close with a further 105 needed against a refreshed attack and the second new ball tomorrow.