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Manchester United are now seriously considering a move for an “incredible” former player, as they are starting to realise it was a mistake to let him leave, according to a report.

Summer of change needed at Old Trafford

A slight improvement in form, coupled with the announcement of the new stadium plans, gave Man United fans cause for some excitement prior to the international break, but they were immediately brought back down to earth after the 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night.

The loss against the Tricky Trees once again underlined the need for Ruben Amorim to strengthen his squad during his first summer transfer window as United boss, and the manager has set out to replace a number of underperforming players.

With Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggling, the Red Devils are looking to bring in a new striker, with the likes of Sporting CP’s VIktor Gyokeres and FC Porto’s Samu Aghehowa among the potential targets, alongside Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.

Man Utd battling to sign "magnificent" 19y/o after scouts sent rave reviews

He’s a future star.

ByTom Cunningham Apr 2, 2025

There have also been suggestions Andre Onana could be replaced in the summer, and talks over a deal for AC Milan’s Mike Maignan are believed to be progressing, with the Frenchman said to be Amorim’s top target.

However, a new report from Spain has thrown another interesting name into the mix, stating Man United are seriously considering a move for former goalkeeper David De Gea, given the Spaniard’s return to form since signing for Fiorentina.

The United hierarchy are said to have acknowledged they made a mistake by letting De Gea leave at the end of the 2022-23 campaign, and they are now aiming to bring him back to Old Trafford, which could lead to negotiations over a deal.

With Onana costing Amorim’s side valuable points this season, it is looking increasingly likely a replacement will be brought in this summer.

"Incredible" De Gea reigniting career at Fiorentina

The Spanish goalkeeper spent 12 seasons at Old Trafford, winning the Premier League Golden Glove award two times, including during his final season with United, but he was ultimately replaced with Onana, given the Cameroonian’s ability with his feet.

However, the 29-year-old has struggled this season, making three errors leading to goals in the Premier League, while De Gea has started to reignite his career in Italy, putting in a number of impressive performances for Fiorentina.

Journalist Josh Bunting lauded the £36k-per-week former United man for his “incredible goalkeeping” earlier this season, and he has outperformed Onana on a number of key goalkeeping metrics over the past year.

Average per 90

David De Gea

Andre Onana

Goals against

1.0

1.47

Save percentage

75.2%

71.2%

Clean sheet percentage

37%

21.3%

That said, given that De Gea is now 34-years-old, and Man United have already cut ties with him on one occasion, it is probably wise to move for a younger goalkeeper to replace Onana, and Maignan could be available at a 50% discount this summer.

Virat Kohli is set to play his first Ranji Trophy game since 2012, and was at the Delhi stadium on Tuesday to prepare for this

Daya Sagar28-Jan-20251:02

Watch: Kohli’s nets session with Delhi ahead of his Ranji comeback

A larger-than-usual crowd had gathered outside the gate of the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Word had spread that Virat Kohli was going to join the Delhi team to train ahead of their next Ranji Trophy game, which he will be playing from Thursday. Even some TV and YouTube journalists were in attendance, which usually doesn’t happen ahead of a Ranji match.But then this is Kohli and he is returning to domestic cricket after more than 12 years; he last played in the Ranji Trophy in November 2012. Seeing the crowd that had already gathered in anticipation, two days before the game, the sub-inspector stationed at the gate remarked to his colleague that they would have to beef up the security in the coming days.Around 9.30am, Kohli emerged from a black Porsche, the last among the Delhi players to enter the ground, with around 10 others buzzing around him, including Delhi’s head coach Sarandeep Singh. He joined his Delhi team-mates for football drills, bouts of laughter, and 100-metre sprints, before it was time to hit the batting nets.Kohli padded up, donned his helmet and took out an unusual-looking bat to face a throwdown session. The blade of this bat was much thinner than his usual bats, probably a change forced by the outside edges that led to all eight of his dismissals in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. For about 15 minutes he took throwdowns, delivered from the middle of the pitch; five minutes were spent on front-foot strokes and the rest went on facing back-of-length balls off the back foot. This session was a mix of defensive and aggressive strokes; he was beaten a couple of times outside off but otherwise middled some along-the-ground pulls and short-arm jabs.Virat Kohli tried out a few different bats in the Delhi nets•PTI Now it was time to move to the other nets to face some spin. Here he switched to his normal bat and for nearly 20 minutes faced left-arm spinners Harsh Tyagi and Sumit Mathur and offspinner Sumit Sharma. He cut short balls from all of them. Tyagi beat Kohli’s outside edge a couple of times and some deliveries bounced extra, meeting Kohli’s bat on the sticker. Once when Kohli went after a full delivery from Tyagi, attempting a lofted stroke, he managed only a leading-edge. Sarandeep praised the bowler but it was a session in which Kohli was largely steady and in control.Next, he went to face the fast bowlers for another 20 minutes; the line-up included Navdeep Saini among a bunch of right-arm quicks and a lone left-armer in Siddhant Sharma. When Siddhant beat Kohli’s bat twice, with the angle taking the ball away from him, it was time for Sarandeep to step in. He advised Kohli in Punjabi to switch to a middle and off-stump guard, and Kohli did so. He beautifully middled some of the deliveries that followed, drawing applause from the coach.Saini, the highest-profile of the bowlers, also beat Kohli once but otherwise he looked steady and calm, leaving plenty of deliveries outside off. He transferred his weight on the back foot for the shorter balls, punched some of them through off and nudged and jabbed others towards midwicket.Virat Kohli was happy to take questions from a young one•PTI While Kohli went through the drills, an eight-year-old fan, Kabir, closely watched all his movements, his father telling him to observe how Kohli’s head remained still while he played his shots. It turned out that the father was former Delhi player Shawej Khan who had played with Kohli in age-group cricket. Once the nets session ended, Kohli gave Shawej a bear-hug, autographed his son’s bat and imparted some advice.Kohli finished his day with some slip fielding and outfield catching, which he did for about half an hour before posing for some pictures – first alone, and then with some Delhi & District Cricket Association officials – in front of the pavilion named after him.

Over the years, Dhoni has passed on his wisdom to Hardik. Can he use the same to trump the old master on Friday?

Shashank Kishore30-Mar-2023The nets arena at Motera’s practice ground is quite a walk from the main practice square of the Narendra Modi Stadium. On Thursday evening, shortly before 5pm, security personnel had been stationed around the perimeter of the nets area as venue managers readied a yellow carpet at the entrance of the Chennai Super Kings dressing room.Within minutes of the Super Kings team bus arriving, there was chaos as the news spread. In the middle of the main stadium, lensmen who were trying to capture the lighting of the grand stage set up for a glitzy opening ceremony, with sunlight filtering through one of the gaps in the stands, could have given track-and-field aspirants a run for their money at that very moment.The reason behind their dash? They all wanted to get a perfect shot of MS Dhoni getting out of the team bus and walking into the nets area. What followed next was the whirr of a few hundred shutter clicks to capture Dhoni’s entry. Except Dhoni wasn’t on the team bus. He had arrived an hour earlier for the captains’ meeting and photoshoot, and was already done with some light warm-ups indoors.Related

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After the crowd had dispersed, he casually sauntered into the nets area and put his arm around Gary Kirsten, the Gujarat Giants’ mentor. Ashish Nehra soon joined them for some laughs. A few handshakes and high-fives later, Dhoni quietly went towards the main ground, where Hardik Pandya was seated beside Shivam Mavi, Rahul Tewatia, Abhinav Manohar, Shubman Gill and Alzarri Joseph, and was having a long chat.Then as they dispersed to their respective nets on either side of the centre wicket, Hardik and Dhoni briefly crossed paths again.On one side was the fierce intensity of a captain who had led his side to the title in their very first season. On the other was the calmness of the grand old veteran, who will turn 42 in three months. His side had finished ninth last season but he was resonating vibes of someone who has seen it all but is fully comfortable in the space he is in, ahead of possibly one last dance.As Dhoni stood in the middle, crouching low and doing some lower-body drills, Hardik ran in and bowled, took outfield catches, and offered words of advice to his younger team-mates. Later, he played the role of an umpire to have a ringside view of his bowlers.Youngsters have often turned to Dhoni for advice and he too has always been there for them•PTI Then as the rain started to come down, Dhoni yelped from afar towards Hardik as they started to walk off. Watching all this from the outside, you couldn’t help but think of how Hardik has gradually stepped into Dhoni’s footsteps.When a raw Hardik made his debut in 2016, Dhoni was at the front and centre of Indian cricket. He had stood with Hardik at the top of his bowling mark to give instructions and advice ahead of that final over against Bangladesh during the 2016 T20 World Cup game in Bangalore. Just like Hardik does for his young Indian bowlers now.Dhoni was always there for his younger players, who would invariably turn to him for guidance. Ask Kuldeep Yadav or Ravindra Jadeja. Or an unheralded Mohit Sharma, who burst through to have the IPL of his life in 2013. Or Mukesh Choudhary last year.Somewhere along the way, with Hardik, this mentor-mentee relationship evolved into one between an elder and younger brothers. To the extent that Hardik would often be seeking life lessons from Dhoni. It’s said when Hardik found himself in a soup over comments made on a TV chat show, it was Dhoni who told Hardik to not become a recluse and switch off from all forms of social media.The Hardik we see today is a calmer version of the person that burst onto the scene. And it isn’t just the off-field attributes of Dhoni that he seems to be embodied. On the field, Hardik has been instinctive. But at the same time, he has also been calculative and has thrown himself into tough situations to shield younger players and give them a little bit of cushion.Like when he opened the bowling against New Zealand to allow a slightly off-rhythm Arshdeep Singh to settle in. Or promoting himself to No. 4 and doing the bulk of the heavy lifting, even if it meant having to go against his natural game of hitting sixes.0:46

Pandya: I took all the tips from Dhoni when we played together

Last year, for example, Hardik’s strike rate of 152.54 in the last four overs was the third-lowest for him in any IPL season. But that was because he was playing the role of an anchor, allowing the likes of Tewatia and David Miller to do the finishing.”I don’t mind playing the role that, somewhere down the line, Mahi used to play,” Hardik had said in February, during the white-ball series against New Zealand. “When he was around, I was young and hitting all around the park. But since he is gone, all of a sudden, that responsibility is on me. I don’t mind that. We are getting the results. It’s okay if I have to play a little slow.”I’ve always enjoyed hitting sixes. But that’s life; I’ve to evolve. I’ve believed in partnerships and want to give my batting partner and team some assurance and calmness that I’m there. I’ve played more games than any of these guys; I’ve learned how to accept and swallow pressure and make sure everything is calm.”It’s this calmness from their captain that Titans are feeding off. “Hardik isn’t closed-off, available to all the players at all times during the season,” Vikram Solanki, Titans’ team director, said. “He was a very mature captain last year, he took to captaincy very naturally. It was apparent he is a deep thinker of the game. You think of him as a character and personality, it plays through in the way he plays. He led with a lot of positivity and energy, and had a lot of time for people.”When Hardik steps onto the field to lead Titans in the opening game, he will know Dhoni will have a trick or two up his sleeve. The Hardik of a few years ago may have been consumed by that very thought. This version of Hardik is likely to soak it in with a smile and simply make plans on the fly to give Dhoni the slip, just like Dhoni did to the big crowd and lensmen who had made a beeline for him earlier in the evening.

At 34, the now-veteran is the benchmark in highlighting the benefits of hard work and perseverance

Madushka Balasuriya31-Mar-2021Suranga Lakmal is having a moment.Or is he?It’s really quite hard to tell. Sure, he just rolled off six straight maidens to start off the second Test against the West Indies. And yes, he picked up two wickets in that period. And okay, it probably could’ve been more had Oshada Fernando held on to a tough chance at third slip to dismiss Kraigg Brathwaite on 37 – quite some way away from the century he would eventually reach. But having said all that, are we really taking it all in as we should?There’s no question that those in Antigua were enjoying the show; I mean, you must be doing something right if Ian Bishop and Curtley Ambrose are waxing lyrical on-air about your fast bowling exploits.Related

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“On a flat deck, with Brathwaite unbeaten on 107, Lakmal produces that,” Bishop gushed at one point on the second day, as Lakmal squared up the set Brathwaite with one that spat past his outside edge from a length. This, though, is what Lakmal had been producing all game to be fair, starting with that sublime opening burst.Really, you can’t overstate just how impressive an opening spell it was; six overs, six maidens, two wickets, zero runs – a man at the peak of his powers. On a pitch that offered adequate seam movement and swing early on, before flattening out as the day wore on, Lakmal was positively obnoxious in his lines and lengths, the ball seemingly tethered on the end of a string as he relentlessly probed that space just outside off stump. And he would persist with this strategy even as the pitch slowed up and batting became considerably easier.This would in the end bring him figures of 4 for 94, just one shy of what would have been the fifth five-wicket haul of his career. But even then, there remains the sense that many don’t quite realise how good this man really is.For example, did you know that Lakmal’s Test bowling average away from home is 32.09, bettering the 32.34 of a certain Chaminda Vaas? In fact, his away average among Sri Lankan bowlers is only bettered by Muttiah Muralitharan (27.73). This stat becomes all the more impressive when you realise that Lakmal has only really started producing world-class numbers in the last three years or so. Since turning 31, Lakmal has picked up 57 Test wickets at 23.83; in contrast, his previous 102 Test scalps had come at 43.56. His yearly averages since 2018: 27.70, 23.28, 15.10, 15.85.So why then is Lakmal so overlooked? Well much of it could come down to the fact that his career renaissance occurred just as Sri Lanka’s terminal decline had set in. But in general, Lakmal’s lot in life seems to be that of perennially flying under the radar.In a career blighted by injuries, even when he does turn up it’s a fascinating quirk of his time with the national side that his best work seems to come away from the expecting gaze of a home crowd. Of his 160 Test scalps, a staggering 128 have come away from home (18 in neutral venues). Christchurch, Port Elizabeth, Brisbane and Antigua have each witnessed five-fors, but the best fans at home have been treated to was a four-wicket haul against New Zealand in Galle.

Lakmal’s successes are borne out of sheer consistency; there’s no magic bullet, just subtle adjustments, that ever so gently unsettle those facing him

It also probably doesn’t do the perception of Lakmal much good that his output doesn’t possess the same ‘oomph’ factor of his fast-bowling forebears. While Lakmal is undoubtedly top dog now, before him there was Lasith Malinga and the aforementioned Vaas, both of whom are responsible for some of Sri Lanka cricket’s most devastating highlight reels.Lakmal, though, is different. Even when he has removed your top order, he never gives the impression of a man that’s going to tear through your team. His successes are borne out of sheer consistency; there’s no magic bullet, just subtle adjustments, that ever so gently unsettle those facing him. That’s probably why he prefers grounds and surfaces more suited to amplifying the natural variances he yearns for; on home pitches, his diligence more often than not leads to economical figures but not as many wickets – even if that haul against New Zealand did show he could deliver on the more docile surfaces.So in many ways, this relatively slow track in Antigua was nothing new for Lakmal, and so he proceeded to do what he does best. Which would have been particularly frustrating for his opponents because this was a wicket that was supposed to favour the batsmen.On a surface not doing too much, aside from some early movement, Lakmal was patient and inquiring. Both John Campbell and Jermaine Blackwood would edge behind to the keeper in due course – fairly textbook wickets as far as Lakmal is concerned – though it’s the removals of Nkrumah Bonner and, later on, Rakheem Cornwall, that would have provided him the most assured validation of his approach.Lakmal’s Test bowling average away from home is 32.09, bettering the 32.34 of a certain Chaminda Vaas•Associated PressHaving delivered five consecutive full-length deliveries to Bonner, off the final ball of his fifth over Lakmal went a little shorter – not so short that you could cut it, but short enough to make the batsman think that he could. By the time Bonner realised his mistake, the ball had moved back in and knocked back his stumps via the underside of his bat.That would be the last of Lakmal’s wickets until much later in the innings, as Brathwaite would put together successive key partnerships, including a 103-run stand with Cornwall for the eighth wicket. It was this partnership that would have been the most threatening from a Sri Lankan perspective, with Cornwall taking it upon himself to singlehandedly boost the scoring rate, and the visitors aware that anything over 400 would be considerably harder to claw back.But Lakmal would intervene, not with anything special per se, but just what was needed in the moment. With Cornwall looking to force the issue, all it took was Lakmal continuing to place the ball in hard-to-score zones, goading the batsman to force the issue and make a mistake – in this case, it was a simple length ball on off stump that Cornwall was unable to clear over mid-off.That is what Lakmal brings to the table – consistency, reliability and, most importantly, efficacy. He may not have the edge-of-your-seat theatrics of Malinga, or the memorability of being a key cog in a successful outfit like Vaas, but at 34, the now-veteran is the benchmark in highlighting the benefits of hard work and perseverance. For any young quicks looking on, Lakmal’s tireless enterprise should be required viewing.

MatériaMais Notícias

Gabigol está liberado para atuar pelo Flamengo, foi relacionado e tem presença confirmada junto à delegação rubro-negra para enfrentar o Amazonas nesta quarta-feira (1). O jogo vale pela terceira fase da Copa do Brasil.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Mengão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Flamengo

➡️ Vai ter gol do Gabigol? Aposte R$ 100 e fature R$ 263 se Flamengo e Amazonas balançarem as redes na Copa do Brasil!

Contudo, a presença do camisa 10 entre os titulares é improvável. Isso se deve ao período de “inatividade” do atacante no decorrer dos dias de afastamento, em razão da suspensão por tentativa de fraude em exame antidoping.

Durante o tempo ausente, Gabigol sequer estava liberado para treinar nas dependências do Flamengo. A suspensão determinava que ele não poderia praticar nenhuma atividade relacionada ao clube.

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Mesmo assim, o jogador manteve uma rotina de treinos por conta própria. O Lance! soube que Gabigol está bem fisicamente, mas para ficar no ritmo dos companheiros de Flamengo ainda é preciso tempo de readaptação e mais treinamentos. Desde quando o efeito suspensivo foi conquistado, o atacante estava à disposição, e o clube optou por relacioná-lo.

Uma possível escalação do time treinado por Tite para jogar a Copa do Brasil conta com os seguintes nomes: Rossi, Varela, Fabrício Bruno, Léo Pereira e Viña; Allan, Gerson e De la Cruz; Lorran, Bruno Henrique e Pedro.

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Com Gabigol entre os relacionados, o Flamengo recebe o Amazonas às 21h30, no Maracanã.

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FlamengoGabigolTite

Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy got off to the worst possible start with a 2-1 defeat to Hearts at Parkhead in the Scottish Premiership in his first match in charge.

The Hoops head coach was thrown in at the deep end, after Martin O’Neill’s interim tenure, and failed to oversee a positive result in his debut in the dugout.

A late goal from Kieran Tierney in stoppage time was too little too late for the hosts, who created three ‘big chances’ in the match (Sofascore), as the Jam Tarts held out for all three points.

Nancy will have learned a lot about his squad in his 3-4-2-1 shape, which was immediately implemented, and one thing that he should have learned is that Daizen Maeda should not play as the striker.

Why Daizen Maeda should not play up front

The Japan international was selected to lead the line for the Scottish giants with Hyun-jun Yang and Sebastian Tounekti as the wing-backs, with Reo Hatate and Benjamin Nygren as the two attacking midfielders.

Maeda missed two ‘big chances’ early on in the game, per Sofascore, scuffing both efforts in presentable situations, and then struggled with the physicality of the match.

Per Sofascore, the Japanese attacker lost all five of his ground duels and three of his four duels in the air, which shows that it was too easy for the Hearts defenders to get the better of him more often than not.

Chalkboard

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

However, to his credit, it was his challenged header at the end of the game that created Kieran Tierney’s goal, so some good did come from his physical output.

His overall struggles physically, though, are why the new Celtic boss should use Kelechi Iheanacho or Johnny Kenny, natural number nines, in that position moving forward, with Maeda in one of the roles behind the striker to take some of the physical burden off him.

Maeda was not the only poor performer on the day for the Scottish giants, though, as Arne Engels is the first player who should be ruthlessly dropped from the starting XI by Nancy.

Why Nancy must drop Engels for Celtic

The new Celtic boss must drop the Belgium international from the starting line-up because he was even worse than Maeda in the defeat to Hearts on Sunday.

Like the Japanese striker in the first half, Engels was guilty of missing a huge opportunity in front of goal in the game, as he could only guide his close-range header straight at Alexander Schwolow.

The £11m signing from Augsburg was also incredibly sloppy with his use of the ball throughout the game. Per Sofascore, the central midfielder lost possession a staggering 23 times, whilst Maeda only gave the ball away seven times in total.

Engels was criticised for his “wayward” passes by Sky Sports pundit Chris Sutton during the live coverage of the first half, after a couple of sloppy balls forward that went straight back to the away side.

Minutes

90

90

Touches

86

31

Possession lost

23x

7x

Key passes

2

3

Assists

0

1

Shots

3

2

Big chances missed

1

2

Pass accuracy

76%

85%

As you can see in the table above, Engels had 55 more touches and gave the ball away 16 more times than Maeda across the 90 minutes, yet created fewer chances for the team than the Japan international.

These statistics illustrate just how sloppy the Belgian flop was in the middle of the park for the Scottish giants, and why he should be the first player who is ruthlessly dropped from the team by the manager.

Their respective performances tie into how Nancy could drop him because Maeda moving back into one of the attacking midfield positions would allow Reo Hatate to drop deeper into midfield, with Iheanacho or Kenny essentially replacing Engels in the line-up.

The former Bundesliga talent should not be completely written off under Nancy already, of course, but this period of matches is about the new manager learning about his squad, which means that he needs to look at other players and see who is best suited to his style of play.

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Engels was not good enough against Hearts on Sunday, unfortunately, but he will get more chances to prove himself to the French tactician in the future.

Glasgow Rangers head coach Danny Rohl only has to wait a few weeks before he can start to bring in his first signings in the January transfer window.

The former Sheffield Wednesday tactician will be looking to bolster his squad in key areas, despite all of the work that was done by former sporting director Kevin Thelwell in the summer.

Thelwell, along with CEO Patrick Stewart, was recently let go by the Gers and is yet to be replaced, which could mean that Rohl is given a large say in what happens in January.

The key areas Rangers need to strengthen in January

A new centre-forward should be on the agenda for Rangers, despite Bojan Miovski’s brace against Kilmarnock on Saturday, because their strikers have not offered enough in front of goal this season.

Per Transfermarkt, no Rangers number nine has scored more than Miovski’s four goals, with Danilo on three goals, and Youssef Chermiti on one goal, which is why Rohl may want a new marksman to provide goals on a regular basis.

The caveat to this, of course, is that things could change in the next few weeks and if Chermiti, Miovski, or Danilo hit a hot streak and look primed to be the main man up front, then a new striker could fall down the list of priorities.

A creative midfielder should also be on their list. No attacking midfielder or winger in the squad has provided more than one assist or created more than two ‘big chances’ in the Scottish Premiership, per FotMob, which points to a lack of creativity in those areas.

Along with a striker and a creative midfielder or winger, Rohl also needs to push the Light Blues to bring a senior and experienced left-back to Ibrox to replace Jayden Meghoma.

Why Rangers need to sign a left-back.

The Brentford loanee, 19, is the only natural left-back at the club at this moment in time, after Thelwell sold Ridvan Yilmaz and Jefte in the summer window.

He has shown some positive signs in possession in recent weeks, though, with a stunning goal against Dundee United and an assist for Mikey Moore against Kilmarnock in the last two league games.

In quotes sourced by PA Media prior to the clash with Kilmarnock, Meghoma reviewed his time at Ibrox so far and said: “The expectation here is really, really high.

“To be honest, I don’t blame the fans either because of the history. We know that as a team, we have to improve. That’s why we were chasing the game so hard. We know that we need to get more positive results. The loan has been amazing. Every experience you have is another learning curve. That’s what I always say. For me, it’s all an experience and I’m learning new things as I’ve been here. For me, it’s a fantastic experience.

“I think you mould quite well here as a player. Every experience I get here, I wouldn’t gain anywhere else. The experience alone is invaluable and it’s one of the best places to play in football at my age, especially.”

As the full-back said himself, he is gaining vital experience in his development by playing regular football at Ibrox, but Rangers have suffered at times as a result of his learning process, and it is Brentford who will benefit from it in the long run, not the Gers.

Meghoma

Premiership

Europa League

Appearances

12

5

Goals

1

0

Key passes per game

0.8

0.4

Assists

2

0

Ground duel success rate

61%

64%

Aerial duel success rate

19%

40%

Error led to shot

2

0

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Meghoma has particularly struggled in the air as a defender, which is a problem for Rangers when defending set-pieces and crosses into the back post from open play.

It was most evident for Jacob Lungi Sorensen’s goal for Brann in Rohl’s first match. TNT Sports commentator and former Rangers striker Ally McCoist said it was “remarkable” that the teenage defender allowed the Dane to get his head to the ball almost completely unchallenged to score.

Max Aarons has played at left-back, but is a natural right-sider and stunts the progression down that flank, which is why it is so important for the Gers to bring in a natural left-back in January.

The Light Blues need an experienced defender who can be relied upon to deliver consistent performances, without being a defensive liability, so that Rohl has some stability in his backline in the second half of the season.

Signing a proven performer at left-back would also provide Meghoma with a mentor who can help him to continue his development, even if this proposed signing could severely restrict his minutes on the pitch moving forward.

The Brentford loanee may be having an “amazing” time at Ibrox so far, but Rohl must be ruthless to build a squad that can compete for trophies, which is why he must brutally replace the teenager as a starter when the January transfer window opens for business.

Related Bid already submitted: Rangers could sign a "very pacy" Gassama replacement

Rangers could replace Djeidi Gassama on the wing by signing this reported target in the January window.

Posts ByDan Emery 6 days ago

Throughout his contract negotiations with the Toronto Blue Jays, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. remained steadfast about one thing: he wanted to remain in Toronto for the rest of his career.

Well, he and the Blue Jays on Monday took a big step towards making that a reality, as the four-time All-Star officially signed his $500 million contract that will keep him in Toronto through the 2039 season.

During a press conference to announce the deal, Guerrero was asked what he liked about Toronto that made him want to sign a longterm contract with the Blue Jays.

"I'd say the fans," Guerrero said. "I always say the fans. How they treat us. How they respect my family and they always come here to give you support. Another thing is the organization. I don't see this like an organization, I see this like I'm a family.

"I've been with this organization since 2015—10 years. This organization is part of my family."

During negotiations, Guerrero said he consulted with members of his family, particularly his father—Baseball Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero—and his daughter. She was steadfast about Guerrero remaining with the Blue Jays longterm, so it was an emotional moment when she found out that was likely going to be the case.

"She asked me two weeks ago if we were gonna stay here and I think that moment was a little bit emotional for me. . . . When I called her and told her that we're gonna spend 14 more years in Toronto, she just went off and started crying. She made me cry with that," Guerrero said with a smile before pointing out his daughter among the news conference's attendees.

With the lucrative—and unique—contract extension, Guerrero and his family both got their wish.

"I would think about this, always," Guerrero said when asked what the 20-year-old version of himself would say right now. "Thank God we did it and I'm going to be a Blue Jay forever."

Inter president Beppe Marotta has candidly admitted that while a return for former Manchester United and Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho was "mentioned," as the club searched for a new manager, he would have ultimately "regretted hiring him." Marotta praised the "courageous" decision to appoint Christian Chivu instead, highlighting the club's commitment to different values and a forward-thinking approach over relying on big-name managers.

Marotta discusses Chivu appointment over Mourinho speculation

Marotta has revealed that Mourinho's name was among those considered for the coaching role before the "courageous" decision was made to appoint Chivu. Speaking at the executive master's program in "Sports Management" organized by the RCS Academy Business School, Marotta explained why he ultimately favored Chivu, despite Mourinho's illustrious past with the Nerazzurri.

According to Gazzetta.it, Marotta stated: "I'm surprised people were surprised by Cristian's skill. We chose him because he represents important values; he had the courage to go against the grain, even in the media. Some even mentioned Mourinho, who, with all due respect… If I hadn't had the courage, I would have regretted it."

Mourinho, who famously led Inter to a historic treble in 2010, was reportedly a name floated by "some" stakeholders, indicating a natural inclination among some to revisit a successful past. However, Marotta's comments suggest a deliberate decision to move in a different direction, prioritizing new leadership and values.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesChivu's impressive start and tactical philosophy

Chivu, who took over from Simone Inzaghi, has navigated a challenging start to his tenure at Inter, ultimately guiding the team to the top of Serie A and a perfect record in the Champions League. His initial period included three defeats in Serie A, but the team has since recovered impressively.

Under Chivu, Inter are currently in first place in Serie A alongside Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma, demonstrating a rapid turnaround in league form. In the Champions League, their performance has been particularly strong, boasting four wins out of four matches played and conceding only one goal. This triumphant march in Europe contrasts sharply with the earlier domestic stumbles, showcasing Chivu's ability to adapt and motivate his squad.

Marotta's praise for Chivu's "skill" and "courage" aligns with the team's visible progress. Chivu has been credited with introducing a "different football philosophy," which Marotta believes aligns with the club's evolving values. This new approach appears to be focused on developing talent and fostering a collective spirit rather than relying solely on individual star power.

Inter's evolving philosophy: sustainability over big names

Marotta used the platform to discuss the significant changes in modern football, particularly the shift from a "patronage model" to one demanding "sustainability" and "financial balance." He emphasised that the equation "if I spend, I win" is no longer valid, citing PSG as an example of a club that has changed its model from "huge names" to investing in "young talent."

This philosophical shift is directly linked to the decision to back Chivu over a high-profile manager like Mourinho. Marotta highlighted the importance of "motivation multiplied by competence" as the new formula for success. His career path, starting as a "mascot" for Varese and learning to "negotiate" for a tracksuit, underscores his belief in hard work and organic growth, values he sees in Chivu.

Marotta also touched on the increasing complexity of football management, which now involves "criminal, civil, and sports justice codes," and requires "industrial and financial expertise" alongside traditional sporting knowledge. He stressed the importance of leadership that is "courageous, persevering, and must listen," attributes he clearly sees in Chivu.

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Marotta's personal reflections on a long career and San Siro's future and modern stadium concepts

During his address, Marotta shared personal anecdotes from his extensive career in football. He recalled a pivotal moment in 1983 when then-Inter president Pellegrini offered him a junior manager role, an offer he declined. "If I had accepted, I wouldn't be president today," he mused, emphasising the importance of timing and managing career progression calmly.

He also recounted a difficult decision during his time at Sampdoria where he had to fire a "very dear friend," Gianfranco Bellotto, to bring the club back to Serie A. This story illustrates the tough choices leaders often face, prioritising the club's objectives over personal relationships.

Marotta concluded his speech by addressing the contentious issue of San Siro's future. While acknowledging the "bitterness and nostalgia" for old romantics, he stressed the necessity of a new, modern stadium for Inter's future. He entered San Siro for the first time in 1966 and described it as a "vessel of enormous emotions," but argued that innovation and modernity are paramount.

"Renovation was unthinkable, and so it ended up being demolished. But it must be done," he asserted. Marotta highlighted the need for a stadium that prioritizes "security, which is lacking; hospitality, so you can be there all day with entertainment of all kinds; and a sense of belonging. Having your own home." He projected the financial benefits of a new stadium, contrasting Inter's current €80 million (£68m/$88m) per year from matchdays with Real Madrid's goal of exceeding half a billion.

Mohammed Kudus’ second-half strike earned Tottenham a 2-1 win at Elland Road as Leeds lost a home league game for the first time in over a year.

Ghana forward Kudus fired the winner shortly before the hour-mark after Leeds winger Noah Okafor had cancelled out Mathys Tel’s opener for Tottenham before the break.

It was Leeds’ first home league loss since a 1-0 defeat to Burnley in September 2024 and their third in the top flight this season, while Tottenham notched their fourth Premier League win under Thomas Frank.

The Londoners, who began the day in fifth place, have lost only one of their 11 matches in all competitions since Frank replaced Ange Postecoglou in June, while they have won on their last three visits to LS11.

And Tottenham reporter Alasdair Gold spotted an emotional scene at the full time whistle, as former Elland Road wonderkid Archie Gray finally got the chance to wave goodbye to his boyhood club in person, where he was met with applause from the home support.

Leeds 1-2 Tottenham: As it happened

Leeds, unchanged for four successive matches, quickly showed their intent through Sean Longstaff’s crunching tackle before Joe Rodon’s header from Anton Stach’s free-kick hit a post.

Joao Palhinha was wayward with a first chance for Spurs, who made five changes after Tuesday’s 2-2 Europa League draw against Bodo/Glimt in Norway.

The visitors threatened again as Destiny Udogie’s angled shot was blocked by Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow and more incisive play saw them take the lead in the 24th minute.

Kudus slipped Tel away down Leeds’ left channel and after racing to the edge of the box, the French winger unleashed a powerful shot into the top corner via a deflection off Pascal Struijk.

Kudus should have doubled Tottenham’s lead soon after when he fired wide from inside the penalty area as Leeds began to look ragged.

But Farke’s side regrouped. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was wayward after creating space inside the area and 10 minutes after falling behind they hauled themselves level.

Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was only able to parry Brenden Aaronson’s deflected low effort and summer signing Okafor turned home the rebound for his second goal of the season.

Longstaff lashed over from the edge of the box as Tottenham began to creak, but in a see-saw encounter, the visitors went close to a second when Tel’s header from Wilson Odobert’s cross struck the crossbar before half-time.

The two sides resumed in pouring rain and half-chances continued to flow.

Darlow blocked Pedro Porro’s cross and at the other end Vicario was at full stretch to keep out Calvert-Lewin’s low strike.

A slip by Leeds defender Gabriel Gudmundsson helped Tottenham regain the lead in the 57th minute.

The Sweden left-back was dispossessed near the penalty are by Kudus, who darted inside and arrowed a low left-footed inside Darlow’s near post, via another deflection off Struijk.

But after edging back in front, Tottenham were unable to dictate the tempo and Leeds went close when Longstaff thundered a low shot narrowly wide.

Leeds swept forward in the closing stages, but substitute Joel Piroe was foiled by Vicario’s low save and Struijk’s header was deflected narrowly over.