His three wickets in four balls extends tally in this year’s competition to 17

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay11-Jun-2025

Ben Sanderson sealed an historic, unprecedented sixth straight Vitality Blast victory for Northamptonshire Steelbacks with three wickets in the penultimate over against Birmingham Bears at Wantage Road. Sanderson finished with figures of 3 for 31 as the hosts wrapped up a dramatic 10-run victory.With Moeen Ali well set on 31, the Bears needed 24 off the last two overs before Sanderson broke through, collecting three wickets in four balls, including the dangerous Moeen, to extend his tally in this year’s competition to 17.Justin Broad had smashed 60 off 35 balls to help propel Northamptonshire Steelbacks to 184 for 6. Matthew Breetzke also struck 53 off 36 balls, his first half-century of the season, during a partnership of 59 in six overs with skipper David Willey (34).Birmingham’s Pakistan international Hassan Ali finished with figures of 3 for 42 including two wickets off consecutive deliveries in the Steelbacks’ final over.Dan Mousley led the charge for the Bears with a brilliant 68 off 42 balls, with Tom Latham contributing 34. George Scrimshaw backed up career-best figures at Derby with 2 for 25, while Willey also claimed two.The Steelbacks reached 52 for 1 in the powerplay, losing Ricardo Vasconcelos early, bowled by Hassan before Breetzke went on the charge against George Garton, hitting consecutive boundaries and pulling square for a huge six.Breetzke reached his half-century by swinging Moeen for four and six off consecutive balls but skied another attempted pull off Moeen’s next delivery, Kai Smith running in from deep midwicket to take the catch.At first Willey and Broad found it difficult to force the ball away before Broad broke the shackles, sweeping Moeen for four before Willey swung high over deep midwicket for six. Broad then took three consecutive boundaries off Danny Briggs on both sides of the wicket.Garton finally accounted for Willey who was brilliantly caught by a tumbling Jake Lintott at fine- leg, but Broad continued to play shots before ramping Hassan to bring up his half-century.Saif Zaib (15) smashed a slower ball from Hassan down the ground for six but was caught and bowled by Mousley soon afterwards.Broad pummelled Hassan over deep midwicket but was bowled attempting another big shot. Lewis McManus top-edged Hassan’s next delivery, keeper Alex Davies taking the catch before Luke Procter sent the final ball to the boundary.Chasing, Birmingham lost Davies in the third over off a top-edge against Willey, Scrimshaw holding a diving catch at fine leg.Mousley used his feet well, coming down the wicket to hit boundaries off the seamers and continued to accumulate against the slower bowlers, reverse sweeping Lloyd Pope for six.Latham fell to a well-judged boundary catch by Zaib when he clipped a Scrimshaw delivery off his legs, before Sam Hain gloved the fast man through to the keeper as he backed away.Moeen hooked Scrimshaw high over fine leg for six, but the pacer responded brilliantly, conceding just three runs off his next over.Mousley garnered two boundaries off Procter and with the Bears needing just 53 off the last five, the momentum looked firmly in their favour. But Northamptonshire skipper Willey made the vital breakthrough when he had Mousley caught behind off an attempted hook.Broad was pulled over fine leg for six by Moeen, but he removed Barnard through a dazzling boundary catch from Willey running backwards at long-off.The ever-dependable Sanderson then bowled Garton, trapped Moeen lbw and had Hassan caught at long-on to all but seal victory.

West Indies coach Daren Sammy believes Nicholas Pooran’s shock retirement from international cricket underlines his challenge to “keep our players motivated to play for the crest”, even as he predicts that more players will follow Pooran’s lead.Pooran announced his decision to quit the international game on Monday, at the age of just 29. He never played a Test, and his last ODI was two years ago. But Pooran is West Indies’ all-time leading run-scorer in T20Is, and the timing of his retirement – eight months before a T20 World Cup – came as a surprise to many, not least because he is already a top earner in the franchise circuit.But Sammy, who captained West Indies to the 2012 and 2016 T20 World Cups in his playing days, said he had already started planning for life after Pooran before he had announced his decision. “My instincts told me something like that would happen,” Sammy said on Tuesday night, after West Indies’ sixth consecutive defeat on their white-ball tour to England.Related

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• MLC 2025: Pooran and Maxwell to lead MI New York and Washington Freedom respectively

• Pooran makes shock retirement from international cricket at 29

“Nicholas sent me a text message, and so did I have a conversation with his agent as well… When we first spoke about the UK tour and the conversation I had with him, I did ask him, ‘Are you unavailable for the UK tour only, or indefinite?’ And from that response, I just knew I had to start preparing for the worst case.”Ideally, a talent like that, I would love to have him in the team. But I don’t control nor could I control anybody’s careers… I wished him well, he wished the team well. It is [about] trying to move on now from planning a gameplan without Nicholas Pooran. With a World Cup coming ahead, I respect the fact that he told us early enough so we have more time to plan without him.”Sammy revealed, when asked about Pooran’s decision, that he had spoken to his players in their team meeting before Tuesday’s T20I in Southampton about his own pride in playing for the West Indies crest.”Surprised? No, I’m not surprised,” Sammy said. “I said something to the guys in the team meeting today: we don’t have control. It’s up to each individual. I made my debut in 2004 right at this ground, and I see here today in the stands the same people from 2004 – 21 years ago – the same fans: loyal, coming, bringing food, and everything they’ve been doing that way before I started, for Sir Viv [Richards] and these guys.”The passion they have travelling from London, all over, coming to watch us playing – not because we are great, [but] because of the love they have for the game and for West Indies cricket; what it meant to them when West Indies came here back in the 80s with Sir Viv and Clive [Lloyd], and they won games; the feeling it gave them during that era, walking down the streets, going to work the following day.”It is up to us, each individual, to understand what the brand and the crest means, and come out and play a brand that those people come and travel three hours to watch you play because of what the crest means to them. It is up to each player to go out and put in that type of passion out there. I could only speak about it, but I can’t force anybody to do it, just like I can’t tell anybody when to call time on their career.”Sammy also predicted that other players will follow Pooran’s lead relatively early in their careers, citing the recent examples of two South Africa players who have retired from international cricket in their early 30s.”I’m pretty sure more will follow in that mood, in that direction,” Sammy said. “That’s the way T20 cricket is now, and especially coming from the West Indies, with the challenges that we face trying to keep our players motivated to play for the crest, so I wouldn’t be surprised. You saw everybody talk about Heinrich Klaasen, Quinton de Kock, these guys who’ve retired. It’s out of our control.”Nicholas Pooran is West Indies’ all-time leading run-scorer in T20Is•Getty Images

West Indies struggled badly in Pooran’s absence in England, losing 3-0 in both the ODI and T20I series, and will now return to Ireland for a three-match T20I series which starts on Thursday. Sammy said that his main concern was around his team’s bowling attack, after they leaked 628 runs in 58.3 overs in the T20I series, including a total of 248 in Southampton.”It’s a question of skills,” Sammy said. “When being put under pressure, do we have the skillset to be disciplined with our plans? Do we back our ability long enough? Especially from a bowling point of view, we’ve been trying to search: how do we restrict things when they put us under the pump? […] It’s a conversation with a World Cup in less than eight months: how do we get our bowling right?”I think the batting will be more consistent. They have been over the last two years, but we can’t keep asking our batters to chase down high-200s, and then when we set 190 or 200, our bowling has yet to defend it. But I’m a very positive guy… We have enough time and games to put a combination together that could help us be successful.”

Visitors recover from 160 for 6 thanks to maiden hundred from wicketkeeper-batter

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay 22-Jun-2025Joe Cracknell scored an unbeaten 106, his maiden first-class century, while Leus du Plooy struck 66 as Middlesex staged a spirited fightback against Northamptonshire on day one of this Rothesay County Championship match at Wantage Road.Keeper-batter Cracknell, whose previous first-class best was just 33, having largely played white-ball cricket to date, played a superbly-paced innings, facing 164 balls and striking 11 fours and a six to take the visitors to 397 for 8 at stumps. It was Cracknell’s third century of the week after tons in each innings of Middlesex’s Second XI game against Glamorgan at Radlett.Middlesex bounced back after Liam Guthrie, who took 6 for 87 with the Kookaburra ball, his first five-wicket haul for Northamptonshire, had the Seaxes reeling on 33 for 3 inside the first half an hour, removing the visitors top order.But du Plooy started to revive Middlesex’s fortunes, sharing two 60-run stands, first with Ryan Higgins and then with Ben Geddes. When they fell, Middlesex were still in a precarious position at 160 for 6 before Cracknell and Luke Hollman (51) combined to add 103 for the seventh wicket. Cracknell was then joined by Zafar Gohar and Toby Roland-Jones in stands of 81 and 53 at the end of a satisfactory first day in charge for Middlesex’s new men’s first-team coach Dane Vilas.Earlier left-armer Guthrie struck in the second over, coming round the wicket. Josh de Caires fell into the leg-side trap as he worked one off his hip straight to leg gully. Then Max Holden was trapped lbw by a Guthrie delivery that moved in and straightened. When Sam Robson became Guthrie’s third wicket, edging low to Harrison at second slip, the visitors were in real trouble.Leus du Plooy and Higgins rebuilt positively, keeping the scoreboard ticking as they put on 62. Du Plooy garnered boundaries off back-foot punches off the seamers and played Guthrie down the leg side for four to take Middlesex past 50 in the 12th over before driving him sweetly through cover.Higgins was proactive, strong on the reverse sweep against the spinners, but was adjudged lbw to a Justin Broad delivery that looked a little high as he stepped down the wicket aiming to play to leg.Du Plooy joined forces in another confident stand worth 60 with Geddes who started positively, Middlesex passing 100 in the 23rd over before powering Broad through extra cover. Du Plooy meanwhile punched Guthrie off the backfoot through cover point and then pulled legspinner Calvin Harrison for four to reach his half-century just before lunch.Runs flowed quickly against the seamers after the interval. Geddes punched Guthrie off the back foot, while du Plooy drove Luke Procter for four before coming down the wicket and pulling him dismissively through mid-on. He had a rush of blood though, attempting to repeat the shot, failing to control it and instead top-edging to long-on where Rob Keogh took an excellent diving catch running back.Liam Guthrie caused havoc with the new ball•Getty ImagesGeddes drove Procter handsomely through extra cover but departed soon afterwards, edging behind off a Broad delivery which held its line.That brought together Cracknell and Hollman who started briskly, Cracknell pulling and driving Broad for consecutive boundaries. Northamptonshire fielded four spinners and both batters took a liking to them with the ball offering little turn. Hollman hit Harrison back over his head, smashed him through the covers and swept behind square. He swept Lloyd Pope to the boundary too and drove his next ball through cover point.Cracknell also tucked into the spinners, muscling Keogh down the ground before dispatching his next ball, a half-tracker, over midwicket for six to go past his previous highest score.After tea, both batters reached their fifties and brought up the 100 partnership, but were parted next over when Hollman skied an attempted hook off Guthrie, Pope taking a good catch at deep-backward square leg.Cracknell continued to locate the boundary, driving Broad through extra, pulling a Pope half-tracker through midwicket and pummelling Guthrie through extra cover. Gohar (34) offered strong support as Cracknell neared three figures, taking consecutive boundaries off Procter with the new ball before Guthrie got one to lift, Gohar fending it to Vasconcelos at slip.Cracknell smashed Guthrie through extra cover and then worked Broad into the off-side to take him to three figures and a well-deserved celebration before some Toby Roland-Jones fireworks ensured Middlesex rounded off the day positively.

Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele has picked up another injury and was forced off early in Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich. The French winger, who was crowned the best male player in the world only weeks ago, lasted barely 25 minutes before limping off in visible distress, just moments after seeing what he thought was an equaliser ruled out by VAR.

The goal that wasn’t

In the 23rd minute, Dembele thought he had given PSG hope. A lofted cross from Achraf Hakimi was met by the 28-year-old’s chest before he poked it into the Bayern net. But celebrations turned to disappointment within seconds as VAR intervened. After a lengthy review, the replays showed Dembele had strayed fractionally offside in the build-up. The goal was chalked off, and Bayern’s lead, earned earlier through Luis Díaz’s tidy finish, remained intact, as the mood inside the stadium turned sour. Only two minutes later, the situation worsened as Demele, grimacing and clutching his thigh, signalled to the bench. Luis Enrique immediately called for a substitution, replacing him with Bradley Barcola. He strode straight down the tunnel, visibly frustrated, as the Parc des Princes fell into a stunned silence.

AdvertisementAFPA familiar and frightening sight

For PSG fans, this was a painful case of deja vu as just days earlier, Dembele had sparked injury fears during PSG’s 1-0 league win over OGC Nice. Having come off the bench in that game, cameras caught the winger in conversation with Achraf Hakimi during stoppage time, clearly distressed. "It hurts, it hurts so bad," he was caught saying as he pointed to his right hamstring. "I'm hurting in my hamstring…I’m hurting too much." The comments immediately set alarm bells ringing in Paris. Dembele has battled hamstring problems throughout his career, right from his Barcelona days, and it appeared another setback was looming just as he was rediscovering top form.

Luis Enrique’s reassurance proves hollow

PSG manager Luis Enrique had tried to ease fears before the Bayern clash, insisting that his star man was "fully fit". 

He said: “There’s no risk, he’s fully fit. He’s completed all training sessions over the last two weeks and played the last two matches. His physical condition is improving.”

But within half an hour, that optimism crumbled. Dembele's sprint down the tunnel told its story of frustration and a player who knows his body all too well. It was his fourth appearance since recovering from the hamstring injury suffered while on international duty with France in September, but now there’s genuine concern that the Ballon d’Or winner faces yet another long spell on the sidelines. 

Speaking to Canal+ after the match, Luis Enrique said: "I don't know. I think it has nothing to do with the previous injury. It's something new. We need to be very careful, we're looking to improve the players' condition."

With Dembele gone, PSG’s attacking spark dimmed. Bayern, ruthless as ever, wasted little time pressing their advantage. Diaz doubled his tally seven minutes later, punishing a disjointed PSG backline with a thunderous strike. However, just before half-time, Diaz launched into a reckless tackle on Hakimi, catching the Moroccan full-back’s ankle with a high, late challenge from behind. Hakimi screamed in agony, rolling on the turf as medics rushed in. Referee Maurizio Mariani initially showed a yellow card but was summoned to the monitor. After reviewing the tackle, the official had no choice but to brandish a straight red. He was carried off, tears streaming down his face, as team-mates gathered around him. The timing could not be worse with Hakimi expected to captain Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations next month on home soil. Now, it remains to be seen if the injury rules him out of the tournament, which will be a devastating blow for the country.

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AFPPSG left counting the cost

With Hakimi injured, Dembele out, and tempers fraying, Paris looked like a team unravelling. By full-time, PSG’s night had gone from frustrating to disastrous. Joao Neves managed to pull one back in the 74th minute, but Bayern held firm to seal a 2-1 victory. For Luis Enrique, the defeat is about more than lost points, as it’s about mounting injuries that plague the reigning champions. Vincent Kompany’s side now sit firmly at the summit of the Champions League group stage table with 12 points from four matches. They must already have their eyes on the next challenge, which is a heavyweight clash against Arsenal at the Emirates on November 26. It will be a titanic clash with the top two going at each other for top spot.

Manchester City are now preparing a £52m opening offer for a “complete” midfielder, with manager Pep Guardiola personally keen.

Man City keen to sign new midfielder amid Rodri woes

After missing the vast majority of the 2024-25 campaign due to an ACL injury, Rodri has continued to struggle to get back to full fitness this season, with the Spaniard missing the recent 2-0 victory over Villarreal in the Champions League.

Guardiola has also confirmed the central midfielder is expected to miss this weekend’s Premier League fixture, saying: “Aston Villa I don’t think so either. It’s not long but it’s muscular.

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“We have to be careful. We tried many times to prevent another injury but we have not been able to do that so we will see.”

Last month, it emerged the Blues are now starting to look at long-term replacements for the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, with Bayern Munich’s Aleksandar Pavlovic on the shortlist, having established himself as an important player for Vincent Kompany’s side.

However, a midfielder with a little more experience is also in Manchester City’s sights, according to a report from Spain, which reveals they are now preparing an opening offer of €60m (£52m) for Sporting CP star Morten Hjulmand.

Pep is personally keen on signing Hjulmand, having identified him as an ideal fit in City’s system, while the manager also values his versatility, with the Denmark international capable of operating in both defensive and supporting midfield roles.

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are also credited with an interest in the midfielder, however, having submitted enquiries of their own, so the Blues may be forced to battle it out for his signature.

"Unbelievable" Hjulmand could be perfect for Pep

It is a given that any midfielder playing in a Pep system must be assured in possession of the ball, and the Sporting maestro fits the bill, as displayed by his performance across some key metrics over the past year.

Statistic

Average per 90 (past year)

Passes attempted

62.70 (88th percentile)

Pass completion %

90% (95th percentile)

Progressive passes

6.51 (84th percentile)

Scout Ben Mattinson has insisted the Dane is a well-rounded midfielder, describing him as “complete”, while also praising the former Lecce man for his tenacity, anticipation and ball-striking abilities.

CBS’ Marco Messina also believes the Sporting midfielder is destined to play at the top level, having waxed lyrical about him earlier this season.

All being well, Rodri will be able to put his injuries in the rear-view mirror, but given that he continues to have fitness issues, it may be wise to bring in a new midfielder, and Hjulmand has earned a move to a top club.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank and CEO Vinai Venkatesham are in agreement over Spurs’ latest new deal, with another player penning a new contract with the club.

Tottenham sealing contract extensions for key players and prospects

This week, highly-rated young attacking midfielder Luca Williams-Barnett became the latest player to commit his future to Spurs, signing his first professional contract with the club soon after making his senior debut against Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup.

The teenager has been a standout in Spurs’ youth set up over the last 12 months, specifically for their Under-18s, and even won the Under-18 Premier League Goal of the Season award for an outstanding strike against Leicester City.

Williams-Barnett joins Tynan Thompson, Dante Cassanova, George Abbott, Yusuf Akhamrich and Callum Olusesi on the list of exciting Lilywhites prospects to pen extensions this year, while senior players are also being rewarded.

Indeed, Mikey Moore, Djed Spence and Cristian Romero agreed fresh terms to remain at Spurs in the last few months, with the latter’s deal proving to be a major boost for Frank after he was repeatedly linked to Atletico Madrid in the summer.

Reports suggest that Tottenham are prepared to double Micky van de Ven’s wages in a bid to agree an extension for Romero’s centre-back partner too, amid rumoured interest from Real Madrid and even Chelsea.

The Dutchman’s deal expires in 2029 as things stand, so there is no great rush there with Spurs still in a very strong position, but the same couldn’t be said for mainstay midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur.

The former Juventus star has impressed alongside summer signing Joao Palhinha in the middle of the park, and those within the club believe they’ve formed a stellar partnership since Frank’s arrival at N17 (Ben Jacobs).

Bentancur has started four out of Tottenham’s first six Premier League games this season, not to mention every cup game.

As such, Tottenham have been in talks with Bentancur over extending his stay.

Tottenham agree new Rodrigo Bentancur deal

Barcelona were believed to be keen on Bentancur earlier this year, going as far as to hold talks with the South American’s camp (The Boy Hotspur), but Hansi Flick’s side, alongside other suitors, have been dealt a blow.

Graeme Bailey, speaking to TBR Football, reported that Bentancur was close to signing a Tottenham contract extension after Frank and CEO Venkatesham reached an agreement with eachother that he should remain in North London.

Now, Spurs have announced the deal is complete, with the Uruguayan signing a “long term” contract and Frank “extremely happy” after his previous deal was due to expire in 2026.

Last season, he played a key role as Tottenham reached the Europa League final and ended their 17-year wait for a major trophy, and Bentancur has been equally useful to Frank this term.

The Dane, speaking to media in September, made his feelings about the former Serie A star crystal clear.

Bentancur also averaged more interceptions per 90 than any other Tottenham player in the Premier League last season (WhoScored), with his tenacity and robustness in the middle set to be pivotal for Frank over the coming years.

عبر روبرت ليفاندوفسكي مهاجم برشلونة، عن سعادته بعد تسجيله هاتريك ومساهمته في فوز البارسا برباعية لهدفين ضد سيلتا فيجو في الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم.

وحل برشلونة ضيفًا على سيلتا فيجو في ختام منافسات الجولة الثانية عشر من الدوري الإسباني، مساء يوم الأحد، موسم 2025/26.

وتمكن برشلونة من تحقيق فوز صعب ومثير على سيلتا فيجو بأربعة أهداف مقابل هدفين، في مباراة شهدت تألقاً كبيراً من ليفاندوفسكي، الذي سجل هاتريك.

وقال ليفاندوفسكي في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية: “نحن سعداء للغاية، الفوز هنا مهم دائمًا، فيجو ملعب صعب لنا، قلصنا الفارق مع ريال مدريد لنقطتين”.

وأضاف :”في الشوط الثاني سيطرنا على المباراة، سجل سيلتا بسهولة في الشوط الأول، بين الشوطين تحدثنا حول ما يجب أن نقوم بتحسينه، كان الهدف الرابع مهمًا جدًا لنا، لنشعر براحة أكبر، الآن سنتوجه للمنتخب ونعود بعد ذلك”.

اقرأ أيضاً.. فيديو | برشلونة “ليفاندوفسكي” يستغل تعثر ريال مدريد ويتخطى سيلتا فيجو برباعية مثيرة في الدوري الإسباني

وواصل: “تحدثنا عما شاهدناه في الشوط الأول، حاصر سيلتا مدافعينا وتجنبوا مصيدة التسلل، أمامنا أسبوعان للراحة وآمل أن نلعب بشكل أفضل عند عودتنا، إنه وقت مناسب لتغيير الأمور التي لا تسير على ما يرام”.

وختم عن شعوره في مباراة اليوم ضد سيلتا فيجو: “لقد تلقيت سؤالاً إن كنت بحاجة للراحة لكني اليوم شعرت بحال جيد جداً من الناحية البدنية، أنا سعيد جداً”.

Upon his £30m transfer back in the summer of 2004, no Manchester United supporter could have imagined the huge impact Wayne Rooney would have on the club.

The Englishman spent 13 years at Old Trafford, subsequently appearing in 559 outings in the process – currently sitting on the list for the club’s all-time appearance makers.

Such a time frame allowed the forward to reach phenomenal levels with the Red Devils, racking up a total of 253 goals at an average of one strike every 2.2 matches.

Rooney’s subsequent tally has made him their record goalscorer, with such a record still standing to this day and putting him ahead of the legendary Sir Bobby Charlton.

His phenomenal tallies catapulted Sir Alex Ferguson’s side to five Premier League titles during his stint in the North West, helping make the club one of the most successful in English history.

Fast-forward to the present day, current boss Ruben Amorim has found his own version of the fan-favourite, but it’s not in the form of one player who many would expect.

Benjamin Sesko’s start to life at United

After scoring just 44 times in England’s top-flight last season, it was crucial United invested in landing a new talisman – with Benjamin Sesko the man chosen by the hierarchy to lead the line.

The Slovenian cost a reported £74m including add-ons from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, but it’s safe to say his start in England has been a slow burner and taken time to explode into life.

He failed to score in any of his first six outings for the Red Devils, but the 22-year-old has managed to produce the goods in each of the last couple of outings.

Sesko has scored in each of his last two Premier League outings for Amorim’s side, with his latest strike helping them claim a needed victory against newly-promoted Sunderland at the Theatre of Dreams.

It may be early days into his career in England, but he’s already shown glimpses of quality that could make him a fan-favourite for many years to come – potentially even catapulting them to new levels of success.

However, he’s not the player who could emulate Rooney at Old Trafford, with one other first-team member closer to being similar to the Englishman in the future.

Man United's new Rooney

In their attempts to land top-level talents, United have spent over £800m on new signings in the last four years to try and catapult themselves back up the Premier League table.

Most of such funds have been wasted on players that, unfortunately, aren’t at the level required for success, as seen by the club’s 15th-placed standing last campaign.

Amorim was unable to extract the most out of the squad, which undoubtedly led to Sesko’s addition during the summer to prevent such a scenario from happening once again in the future.

However, he has already featured alongside Bruno Fernandes, with the Portuguese international a player who massively starred despite the struggles on the pitch in 2024/25.

The 31-year-old scored 19 times and registered 18 assists across all competitions, with such a tally being by far and away the highest of any player in the first-team squad.

Such numbers make him similar to Rooney in terms of being the Red Devils’ main talisman, but it’s another aspect of his game which has seen him emulate the Englishman.

After the hierarchy’s £200m spending spree in the summer, it saw three attacking-minded players enter the club, which has seen Bruno have to shift roles as a result.

Fernandes, who’s been labelled “world-class” by United writer Liam Canning, has since been forced to operate in a deeper midfield role, something which Rooney did during the latter stages of his career at Old Trafford.

Whilst such a decision saw the Englishman net fewer goals in his final years, his passing ability made him a phenomenal option in that area – with Bruno emulating such levels, as seen by his tally of 82% of passes completed in 2025/26.

Games played

7

Goals & assists

2

Pass accuracy

82%

Shots taken

2.3

Chances created

2.7

Dribble success

57%

Tackles won

2.1

Recoveries made

6.2

The Portuguese international may have to suffer in terms of his goalscoring tallies, but his ability to dictate the play could be a huge asset for Amorim’s side in the years ahead.

His passing ability could be crucial for Sesko if the Slovenian is to be a success at Old Trafford, with huge pressure being placed on the youngster to provide the goods in the Premier League.

However, neither player will likely reach the cult hero status of Rooney at the Theatre of Dreams, with the manager undoubtedly wishing he could call upon such a player in the present day.

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A rising star who has been called a “young Xabi Alonso” is “one to watch” in the upcoming transfer windows as Manchester United seek to reinforce their midfield.

Man Utd set to replace Casemiro in 2026

Casemiro has enjoyed some improved form of late, rolling back the years and playing an important role in the 2-1 win away to Liverpool. It looks almost certain that the Brazilian will depart United at the end of this season, however, with the 33-year-old out of contract at that point and unlikely to be offered an extension.

Despite showing flashes of his former self, the Real Madrid legend has been criticised heavily throughout his time at United, including by Jamie Carragher, who famously told him to “leave the football before the football leaves you”.

Assuming Casemiro does move on for a new challenge, a top-quality younger replacement will be needed, in terms of someone who can provide a similar level of expertise in front of the defence and give Ruben Amorim midfield balance, allowing Bruno Fernandes to shine.

Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos has been linked with a move to United, with the 21-year-old reportedly wanting to emulate Casemiro’s career, while Benfica ace Florentino Luis has also been backed to come in once his loan spell at Burnley reaches its conclusion next summer.

Man Utd eyeing move for Bayern Munich star

According to Caught Offside‘s Mark Brus, Bayern Munich midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic will be “one to watch” at Manchester United and Sir Jim Ratcliffe next summer, as they do not believe Manuel Ugarte is good enough to succeed Casemiro.

“United see Pavlovic as one option to replace Casemiro. Manuel Ugarte is also not seen as a long-term option. A move in January is unlikely, but he’ll be one to watch next summer.”

Ugarte makes £6,240,000-a-year at United, but this would certainly be a worthy upgrade – Pavlovic is an enormous talent who has already become a key man for one of the best teams in Europe at the age of just 21, already making 65 appearances for Bayern.

The German has even been compared to former Liverpool and Real Madrid star Alonso by Bayern president Herbert Hainer, which is high praise.

Whether Bayern are willing to let such a prized asset in Pavlovic leave the club in 2026 is certainly up for debate, though, so it won’t be easy for United to entice him to the club.

A return to Champions League football arguably feels like a must if the Red Devils are to have any chance of signing him, but it is clear why he would be a leading target to replace Casemiro.

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Pavlovic already plays with a level of maturity beyond his years, both in and out of possession, averaging 1.5 tackles per game and completing 95.2% of his passes in the Bundesliga so far this season.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Vasco venceu o Fortaleza, em São Januário, por 1 a 0, e dorme fora da zona de rebaixamento. O gol foi marcado por Payet, o primeiro do francês com a camisa vascaína, aos 13 minutos do segundo tempo. Agora o Cruz-Maltino precisa secar o Santos, que enfrenta o Red Bull Bragantino, quinta-feira (19), na Vila Belmiro.

FICHA TÉCNICA
Campeonato Brasileiro 2023 – 27ª rodada
Vasco 1 x 0 Fortaleza

Local:São Januário, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Data e horário:Quarta-feira (18/10), às 21h30 (Brasília)
Árbitro:Leandro Pedro Vuaden (RS)
Assistentes:Bruno Boschilia (Fifa-PR) e Maira Mastella Moreira (RS)
Árbitro de Vídeo (VAR):Rodrigo Guarizo Ferreira do Amaral (Fifa-SP)

Público e renda:19.830 (pagantes); 20.255 (presentes); R$ 985.816,00

Cartões amarelos:Gabriel Pec, Marlon Gomes, Matheus Carvalho (Vasco); Escobar (Fortaleza)
Cartão vermelho:-

GOL: Payet (13′ do 2ºT)

VASCO (Técnico: Ramon Díaz)
Léo Jardim; Paulo Henrique (Puma Rodríguez/40′ do 2ºT), Maicon (Miranda/35′ do 2ºT), Léo e Lucas Piton; Zé Gabriel, Marlon Gomes (Rossi/intervalo) e Praxedes (Jair/18′ do 2ºT); Gabriel Pec, Payet (Matheus Carvalho/30′ do 2ºT) e Vegetti.

FORTALEZA (Técnico: Juan Pablo Vojvoda)
João Ricardo; Tinga, Marcelo Benevenuto, Titi e Escobar; Zé Welison (Thiago Galhardo/22′ do 2ºT), Caio Alexandre (Pedro Augusto/33′ do 2ºT) e Pochettino (Marinho/33′ do 2ºT); Yago Pikachu (Calebe/22′ do 2ºT), Machuca e Lucero.