In the end, India got everything they could have wanted out of the opening match of the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. While the result will no doubt be the most important factor – a comfortable 59-run, DLS-adjusted win – they will be pleased that every member of their batting unit was tested and that most of them were up for it. So a middle-order collapse of 4 for 4 became a footnote and questions about their intent without a meaningful contribution from Smriti Mandhana were left for another day.One area India won’t have any qualms with is their allrounders department. Deepti Sharma was the star in Guwahati as her run-a-ball 53 clawed them out of a considerable hole, before her 3 for 54 helped stifle Sri Lanka’s chase.Amanjot Kaur, who shared the new ball, struck a 56-ball 57 in a 103-run seventh-wicket partnership alongside Deepti, which revived India from 124 for 6 at the end of the 27th over.Sneh Rana, meanwhile, showcased her power hitting in a 15-ball 28, before producing the most economical spell of the day, one that was rewarded with a wicket towards the end of the game.It meant that India’s seventh and eighth wickets accounted for 145 runs, collectively more than the six wickets that preceded them. The hosts ended on a fairly imposing 269 for 8 in a rain-reduced 47-over innings.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

And with the ball, the same players involved in those crucial partnerships strangled Sri Lanka’s chase. Chamari Athapaththu looked to be closing in on some of her best form, but Deepti removed her with a yorker for a 47-ball 43. Vishmi Gunaratne has been a reliable run-getter for Sri Lanka, but Amanjot trapped her leg before after a pained 28-ball 11. All the while, Rana was as miserly as ever at the other end, before belatedly halting Nilakshika Silva’s threatening cameo of 35 from 29. At 140 for 6 in the 29th over, Sri Lanka’s task seemed a stretch too far.Wickets were spread around each of India’s five frontline bowling options, with Kranti Goud and Shree Charani also getting in on the action. India will be extremely pleased at having so many players who could impact the game with both bat and ball.Sri Lanka, in their revised chase of 271, kept a steady scoring rate of about five an over, though once Athapaththu fell it seemed fanciful to imagine they would be able to up the scoring to consistently above six an over, let alone the eight per over required-rate that was needed as the game went along.That Sri Lanka had to chase so much from how well-placed they had been midway through India’s innings was largely of their own making, having dropped Amanjot on four different occasions – 18, 37, 50 and 53. Even if a wet ball courtesy the intermittent rains could be cited as a mitigating factor, it was just the sort of fortune India needed after their innings had gone off the rails near the halfway point.Losing Mandhana early is never ideal, after she sliced one to deep point, but the lack of intent shown by the rest of the batting order against a disciplined, but not exactly threatening Sri Lankan seam contingent, might have been alarming. Pratika Rawal and Harleen Deol put on 67 but it came off 96 deliveries.Rawal fell just as she was beginning to accelerate, Inoka Ranaweera breaking the stand with the second delivery of her opening spell. The left-arm spinner was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka, ending with figures of 4 for 46 in nine overs – though she could have had a five-for, if not for being one of the players to drop Amanjot. Ranaweera though is the oldest bowler, at 39, to pick up a four-wicket haul in a Women’s ODI World Cup. Until India’s late onslaught, her intervention had been poised to be the defining moment of the innings.Inoka Ranaweera strruck thrice in an over in the Women’s World Cup opening game•ICC/Getty Images

That intervention occurred in her third over and the 26th of the innings. Harmanpreet Kaur and Deol were in the midst of a momentum-shifting 39-run stand when Deol chipped one gently to extra cover. Ranaweera then spun the next one down the line past Jemimah Rodrigues’ forward defence to peg back the off stump before having having Harmanpreet caught behind. India had gone from 120 for 2 to 121 for 5 in the space of five deliveries. Seven deliveries later, they were 124 for 6 as Richa Ghosh slapped a veritable gimme ball, straight to cover point off Athapaththu.At that point India would have been grateful to reach 200, but such was the quality of the counterattack and Sri Lanka’s lack of quality in the fielding department, that India ended up close to what they might have been aiming for initially, having been put in to bat.Rana’s belligerence at the death will rightly take many of the plaudits. Her 15-ball cameo brought two fours and two sixes, helping India score 34 runs off the final two overs. But it was the sometimes fortune-laden partnership between Amanjot and Deepti that truly changed the complexion of the game.The pair did well to keep the scoreboard ticking at around a run-a-ball, ensuring that a defendable total was first secured before launching into a late assault that pushed the team into imposing territory. Their ability to do so was, however, aided by Sri Lanka’s poor catching, which let them down at crucial moments.Of the many chances Amanjot provided, the first was a skier dropped by Achini Kulasuriya, who never quite settled under it at deep square leg. Had that been taken, India would have been seven down for 162. The second was a slightly tougher opportunity – spilled on the run at long-off by Silva. The third, and arguably the easiest, was a return catch off a leading edge put down by Ranaweera.Only the final missed chance could be classified as genuinely difficult: Gunaratne couldn’t hold on after a desperate forward dive at deep midwicket. The irony was that Gunaratne eventually took a spectacular diving catch at square leg – sprinting to her right – to finally dismiss Amanjot for 57.It was a display in sharp contrast to the discipline Sri Lanka had shown in the first half of the innings, when India’s top order was stifled by tight bowling and sharp fielding. For India, they will be pleased with how they responded in the face of adversity, but will know they have vast space for improvement going forward.

One of the standouts for Manchester City this season has been Phil Foden. Last term wasn’t the easiest for the versatile midfielder, but he has shone under Pep Guardiola in the 2025/26 campaign so far and has seen a real resurgence when it comes to his form.

His newfound role in midfield, operating slightly deeper as a number eight, has really helped him rediscover his best form. That was followed by his deserved recall into the England squad by Thomas Tuchel for the Three Lions’ final two World Cup qualifiers, a testament to his resurgence.

In a season where Foden looks back to his best, it is perhaps no coincidence that Erling Haaland is also firing.

Foden and Haaland’s connection in numbers

The connection between Foden and Haaland has been excellent over the last few seasons. According to Transfermarkt, the Stockport-born star has only linked up for a goal more times with Kevin De Bruyne than Haaland, 18 with the Belgian compared to 14 with the City number nine.

One of those came this season, against Napoli in the Champions League. It was a superb assist from Foden, taking the ball on the half turn and lofting it from close range into the path of his teammate.

Haaland did the rest, heading home inside the box.

The City academy graduate has spoken this season about his relationship with the Premier League’s top goalscorer. Foden said the pair are “definitely building that relationship,” explaining that he is “finding him more in behind and where he needs the ball to score.”

Well, that is certainly an exciting prospect for City fans. They might well be able to look forward to even more assists from their number 47, teeing up Haaland, especially given Foden’s performances are improving week by week.

Incredibly, the Citizens are linked with another attacking midfielder who could replicate Foden’s impact.

Man City now targeting another Foden

The January transfer window is almost upon us, and City are seemingly chasing a particular expensive attacking target. Real Madrid star Arda Guler is said to be a name they are looking at, in a deal which could cost the club upwards of £88m.

Should Guardiola’s side get a deal for the Turkish international over the line, it would represent another wonderful attacking acquisition. The 20-year-old has impressed for Los Blancos this term after being given a key role by new manager Xabi Alonso.

In 16 games across all competitions, the former Fenerbahce star has scored three goals and assisted six. Interestingly, all of those assists have been for Kylian Mbappe, as per Transfermarkt.

He has the creativity to provide goals for the world’s best attackers, which Haaland certainly is.

The 20-year-old has already made a great impression despite being a short way into his career. In fact, analyst Ben Mattinson said he can be a “Ballon d’Or level” player back in 2023, and with the form he is putting up now, it is hard to argue that could one day be the case.

There are certainly similarities between Guler and Foden. One of those, of course, is their playstyles, which mirror each other in many ways. They are both left-footed creative midfielders who excel between the lines and offer a big creative outlet for their sides’ attackers.

The pair are also noted as statistically similar players among their midfield European peers, as per FBref.

That has been seen this season, with Turkey star Guler averaging 3.68 key passes per 90 minutes, compared to the City number 47’s tally of 2.66 key passes each game.

It is easy to see how Foden and Guler are quite similar players. With the creative force they possess in the final third, plus the fact that they excel in central zones, Guardiola could have two exciting creative midfielders to choose from.

If Guler can recreate with Haaland the partnership he has with Mbappe, the Citizens could become even more of a threat in attacking areas than they already are.

As important as Doku: £50m star just had his best ever game for Man City

Manchester City smashed Liverpool 3-0 in the Premier League on Sunday, Jérémy Doku the star of the show, but another player shone for Pep Guardiola.

1

By
Ben Gray

Nov 10, 2025

Ashmini Munisar’s 3 for 21 including a maiden went in vain after she brought back Amazon Warriors into the contest

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Sep-2025

Barbados Royals seemed down and out with 27 needed off 16 balls. With just three wickets in hand, Shreyanka Patil, batting for the first time in WCPL 2025, walked in to face the hat-trick ball. She reverse hit the first two balls she faced to release the pressure. Aaliyah Alleyne then hit a four and a six in the following over that went for 15. And soon after, Royals were rejoicing as they had not just registered a come-from-behind win in the title clash against Guyana Amazon Warriors, but also completed a three-peat in the WCPL.While Royals soaked it all in – team-mates rushing to try and get Alleyne, who was flat on her back after hitting the winning run, up on her feet – Amazon Warriors’ Ashmini Munisar couldn’t contain her tears. She was involved in four of the seven Royals dismissals and picked up 3 for 21 in her four overs that included a maiden.It was Munisar, 21, who turned the game on its head with a wicket-maiden in the 14th over of the chase. She dismissed the set Kycia Knight for 31 off 37 balls to leave Royals needing 56 off 36 balls. In her last over, the 18th of the chase, she got rid of Courtney Webb, who was controlling the chase with her 27-ball 31. With her next ball, Munisar got Afy Fletcher stumped to pick up her eighth wicket in the competition, the joint-highest. She had earlier taken a stunning catch at backward square-leg to remove the dangerous Chinelle Henry, Royals’ captain in Hayley Matthews’ absence. But Patil and Alleyne scored the remaining 27 runs in just 14 balls to etch their names on the trophy again.Ashmini Munisar kept Amazon Warriors’ hopes alive with 3 for 21•Randy Brooks/CPL T20/Getty Images

The start of each innings highlighted the contrast in the batting between the two sides. Chamari Athapaththu hit two fours in the opening over of the 137-run chase, including one on the first ball. Royals hit eight fours in the powerplay whereas Amazon Warriors earlier hit their first on the 20th ball, and just four fours in the first six overs.Opting to field, Royals managed to keep Amazon Warriors in check despite not picking up a lot of wickets. Opener Amy Hunter, who finished second on the run-scorers’ charts, hit just four despite batting till the 13th over. Stafanie Taylor was on 15 off 12 balls when she had to be stretchered off with a leg injury. She did not participate in the game after that.Laura Harris looked Amazon Warriors’ best batter, hitting two fours and a six in her eight-ball 18 before missing the line against Alleyne’s in-ducker. Their total only gained some respectability thanks to the unbroken 56-run partnership between captain Shemaine Campbelle and Dane van Niekerk.Royals were off to a fluent start with Player of the Tournament Athapaththu leading the way. Even after she fell, Knight and Webb kept up with the ask. Unbeaten through the competition, a collapse of 5 for 29 briefly threatened to undo Royals’ good work. Munisar was threatening to make it a happy ending for her. Only for Alleyne and Patil to deny her.

MatériaMais Notícias

O São Paulo está pronto para receber a Portuguesa no Estádio do Morumbis, neste sábado (27), às 18h, pela terceira rodada do Campeonato Paulista. Com Arboleda em campo, o elenco começou a se preparar para mais um embate, no entanto, o meia Lucas Moura ainda é dúvida na escalação.

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+ Dicas de apostas em nosso canal de WhatsApp para apostar com sabedoria!

O meia-atacante sentiu dores na coxa na estreia do time, e foi desfalque no segundo jogo. Agora, Lucas faz trabalhos individuais de controle de carga, assim como Rafinha, Michel Araujo e James, segundo informações do clube.

O atacante Erick, ausente do último jogo devido a dores na região intercostal, fez o trabalho de força ao lado dos demais atletas e foi para o gramado para exercícios físicos individuais.

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Uma provável escalação do Tricolor tem: Rafael, Igor Vinícius, Ferraresi, Alan Franco e Welington; Pablo Maia, Luiz Gustavo, Alisson e Welington Rato; Luciano e Calleri.

O Tricolor tem quatro pontos e está no Grupo D do Campeonato Paulista, enquanto a Lusa tem três pontos e está no Grupo A do torneio. O elenco do Tricolor retorna aos treinos na manhã desta sexta-feira (26) para a encerrar as atividades antes do jogo do Estadual.

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Eddie Howe is a legend on Tyneside. In years to come, his name will be used as the barometer from which managerial success at St. James’ Park is adjudged.

But Newcastle United are in a rut right now, their muscly underbelly having gone soft and their snappy tactical understanding having ebbed away from the level of last season, when a pathway into the Champions League was found and the Carabao Cup was lifted after Liverpool were beaten at Wembley.

Tournament form might be good, but the Magpies languish in 14th place in the Premier League, and after three goalless draws on the road to kick things off, three successive losses have been inflicted on the Toon, all against sides sat alongside them in the bottom half.

While it’s almost unthinkable, this decline has raised conversations relating to Howe’s future at the helm.

The latest on Howe's Newcastle future

PIF have adopted a ‘don’t panic’ approach to the current issues Newcastle are beset by. But improvements will be required over the coming months. The form on the road has been shambolic, and it is having a detrimental impact on what could still be another positive and progressive campaign.

Howe’s achievements are towering, and in this, he is immortal. But United’s drop-off reeks of deeper issues than, say, 2023/24, when injuries clamped down on any scent of progress. This is more than just a tinker job: a comprehensive reset is needed.

The English coach signed a new and long-term contract on Tyneside in 2022, less than one year after being appointed. A second, furtive extension may have since been engineered.

However, he is not untouchable in the dugout, and if PIF and technical director Ross Wilson feel he has taken this club as far as he can, potential avenues will be explored.

One of which could see them focus on one of the most interesting managers on the market, and he’s currently out of work.

Newcastle could hire Howe successor

Newcastle would love nothing more than to continue their journey with Howe in the managerial role, but the side’s form is alarming, and if the situation continues to devolve, hands may be forced before the end of the 2025/26 campaign.

The Mirror have recently compiled a list of candidates to consider, should the club look to head down that path and find a successor, and possibly the most curious name belongs to former Barcelona boss Xavi.

The Spanish legend has been out of work since the end of 2023/24, and Fabrizio Romano said at the start of the season that the 45-year-old was interested in taking the Manchester United job, had INEOS sacked Ruben Amorim. He has, after all, said himself that he “would love to work in the Premier League”.

Xavi’s principles are shaped by slick, Barca-esque (obviously) passing patterns, and the likes of Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes could thrive at the heart of such a system.

But it’s Anthony Gordon who could benefit the most, finding more freedom down the left channel in a system that would see the Magpies soar to the top of the Premier League’s possession charts, maintaining the 4-3-3 tactical shape that Howe has enforced.

Gordon has struggled this year, and no mistake. The 24-year-old looks a pale imitation of his top-class self, with journalist Adam Clery even commenting that he looks “all over the place” at the moment.

Xavi’s sharp tactical mind could help Gordon find a solution, especially on the wing of such a fluent and commanding midfield force.

Comparing Gordon’s performances against his spectacular breakout season of 2023/24, when he posted 21 goal involvements in the league and won United’s Player of the Year award, it’s clear this is a man lacking confidence, currently showing little sign of the development expected as he matures into his left wing berth for club and country.

It is sharpness and polish which must be applied now, because for a player who considers himself among the top brass in England and Europe, zero contributions in the league this term is inexcusable.

Goals scored

0.34

0.00

Assists

0.31

0.00

Shots taken

2.49

2.75

Touches

44.35

45.00

Pass completion (%)

76.1

74.7

Crosses

3.46

2.75

Shot-creating actions

4.45

3.34

Progressive passes

3.15

3.14

Progressive carries

4.30

4.13

Successful take-ons

1.68

1.97

Ball recoveries

3.89

3.54

Tackles + interceptions

1.93

0.98

Injuries and the red card beamed at him during that frustrating defeat to Liverpool at the start of the season have done little to turn the tide for the Three Lions star, but in Xavi, Newcastle could land a progressive manager whose high-possession philosophy could work well for a fast and mobile winger like Gordon.

Would it be unfair to say that it’s all gone a little bit stale under Howe’s wing at Newcastle? The man has done so much for the club and for the city, but he won’t sit in the dugout forever, and if there is a chance to sign a manager of Xavi’s class who could reenergise the ranks, it might be a worthwhile gamble.

He’s proven he has the minerals, having won La Liga in his first year as the Camp Nou boss, leading club president Joan Laporta to call him “the best manager in the world”.

With the boss having celebrated his fourth anniversary in the hot seat several days ago, journalist Andy Sixsmith waxed lyrical, saying, “Eddie Howe should go down as one of the greatest Newcastle United managers in history.”

This is correct, and Tyneside is in concert. However, as the potential to turn the page toward a new chapter, with the idea of an exciting boss like Xavi in charge gathering pace, more may begin to warm to change, should things, as they are, continue to regress.

Neville said Newcastle star was "Shearer-like", but now he's a "nightmare"

Eddie Howe needs to ditch this Newcastle United star who was once likened to Alan Shearer.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 12, 2025

Karun Nair left out of the 15-man squad while Pant remains injured

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Sep-20253:28

What does the squad for the WI Tests tell us?

Ravindra Jadeja has been named the vice-captain of the India Test squad for the two West Indies matches next month – it’s his first time in the position, though he has been vice-captain in ODIs and T20Is in the past.Shubman Gill will lead in his second Test series after debuting in the position in England earlier this year, but the injured Rishabh Pant, who was the vice-captain on the tour of England, hasn’t recovered sufficiently to make the squad. Pant, who had fractured his foot while batting in the fourth Test in England, is currently recovering at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. Dhruv Jurel and N Jagadeesan are the two specialist wicketkeepers in the squad, with Jurel expected to be the first choice to stand behind the stumps.Jasprit Bumrah is also part of the squad, although there is only three day’s gap between the Asia Cup final, on September 28 in Dubai, and the start of the first Test against West Indies from October 2 in Ahmedabad.ESPNcricinfo LtdFrom the expanded squad that toured England, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Arshdeep Singh and Shardul Thakur have missed out, along with Pant. Abhimanyu, Akash Deep and Kamboj have been included in the Rest of India squad for the Irani Cup, which will be played against Vidarbha from October 1 in Nagpur. Of them, Akash Deep had reported to the CoE recently to recover from a niggle he had picked up in England, which kept him out of the Duleep Trophy and recent India A matches.Coming in are Axar Patel, Devdutt Padikkal and Jagadeesan, who had been flown in for the final Test after Pant picked up his injury.On the exclusion of Nair, who had scored 205 runs in eight innings in England with a best of 57, chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar said at a press conference in Dubai while announcing the squad: “We expected more from Karun. Padikkal offers a little bit more at this point. Wish we could give everyone 15-20 Tests, unfortunately it doesn’t work that way. Padikkal was in the Test squad in Australia, played against England in Dharamsala, got a fifty there. He’s shown some decent form. Frankly, we expected a bit more from Karun.”Related

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Meanwhile, one of Nair’s likely replacements, Sarfaraz Khan, is currently recovering from an injury.The rest of the squad wears a familiar look, and with spin expected to play a bigger part at home than pace, India have named Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Axar as the three spin-bowling allrounders, as well as Kuldeep Yadav. Nitish Kumar Reddy is the fast-bowling allrounder, with Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna the frontline quicks.On Bumrah’s availability – it had been confirmed before the five-Test tour of England that he would play only three Tests to manage his workload – Agarkar said, “This team has been picked for both the Tests, so he’s available for both Tests. We’ve had a fair break after England. He didn’t play the fifth Test [at The Oval] either. So there’s been a five-week break. Even this tournament [Asia Cup] has been fairly spaced out till the last week. So no, he’s ready and keen to play both Test matches.”India’s two Tests against West Indies, starting on October 2 in Ahmedabad and October 10 in Delhi, is their second of six series in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle. Their cycle began with the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series in England, where India drew the five-Test series 2-2.Having earned 28 out of the maximum of 60 available points for five Tests, India are third in the WTC points table, with 46.67 percentage points. Australia and Sri Lanka are above them with 100 and 66.67 percentage points respectively. West Indies have zero percentage points, having lost three Tests to Australia in June-July.India’s squad for West Indies TestsShubman Gill (capt), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, B Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja (vice-capt), Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, N Jagadeesan (wk)

حسم نادي فينيزيا الإيطالي موقفه من مستقبل لاعبه المغربي سعد الحداد، بعد الأنباء التي ترددت عن وجود اهتمام من النادي الأهلي بالحصول على خدماته خلال الفترة المقبلة.

وتألق سعد الحداد مع منتخب المغرب تحت 20 عامًا في مونديال الشباب والذي أقيم في تشيلي وحصل أسود الأطلسي على اللقب أمام الأرجنتين.

اقرأ أيضًا.. خاص | بعد اهتمام الأهلي.. ديبورتيفو لاكورونيا يفجر مفاجأة بشأن عقد زكريا الدهشوري

وخلال حديث خاص مع بطولات، قال فيليبو أنطونيلي، المدير الرياضي لنادي فينيزيا: “حتى الآن لم أتلق أي اتصالات، ربما تواصلوا مع وكيله”.

وأضاف أنطونيلي مؤكدًا تمسك ناديه باللاعب: “سعد الحداد أحد مواهبنا، وهو الآن مع الفريق الأول، وسيكون عليه أن يثبت قيمته هنا أيضًا كما فعل مع منتخب المغرب”.

وعن إمكانية رحيل سعد الحداد في يناير أو مع نهاية الموسم، أوضح: “نيتنا هي الإبقاء عليه حتى يونيو، لأننا نؤمن بقدراته، وإذا وصل عرض مهم سنقوم بتقييمه”.

وسُئل المدير الرياضي عن وجود أي عروض للاعب بعد مشاركته في كأس العالم تحت 20 عامًا، ليرد بإيجاز: “لا، حتى الآن لنرى ما سيحدث”.

بهذا التصريح، يضع فينيتزيا حدًا للجدل حول مستقبل الموهبة المغربية، ويؤكد غياب أي مفاوضات رسمية مع الأهلي في الوقت الحالي.

Martin O’Neill has now confirmed that he will “step aside” when Celtic find their next manager and revealed that there has not been any talks with the club about taking a permanent role.

O’Neill insists he has no idea whether he will remain at the helm for Celtic’s next match against St Mirren amid reports that the Hoops have stepped up their search for a new permanent manager.

The 73-year-old has been in caretaker charge of the Scottish champions for the last four games since Brendan Rodgers resigned two and a half weeks ago.

It has been reported this week that the Celtic board have been interviewing candidates, with Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy emerging as the new bookmakers’ favourite.

Other names mentioned includes Kieran McKenna at Ipswich Town and Kjetil Knutsen. Whether the Hoops can lure either of those names away from their current positions at Portmand Road and Bodo/Glimt is the question that everyone’s asking.

Reports have claimed that Knutsen wants to at least complete his side’s Champions League campaign, which could end in January in the earliest scenario. Meanwhile, there have been no signs that McKenna will be leaving Ipswich anytime soon.

As Celtic’s search goes on, O’Neill has continued to roll back the years. In his four matches, the 73-year-old – assisted by Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham – has overseen two Scottish Premiership victories, a Europa League defeat by Midtjylland and an extra-time win over 10-man Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final.

Celtic now tracking Maeda replacement who Jamie Carragher called "special"

The Bhoys are in search of attacking quality.

ByTom Cunningham Nov 14, 2025

The final against St Mirren takes place on December 14 and there are some who would like to see the veteran remain in charge for the Hampden showdown in order to add to his trophy haul from his glittering first spell in charge in the early Noughties.

O'Neill insists no talks with Celtic board

To no surprise, O’Neill has been questioned a number of times about the Celtic job, but his answer remains the same. He will “step aside” as soon as the club no longer need him and, despite rumours, there have been no talks about the permanent job.

The 4-2-3-1 tactician has done a solid job so far and may yet get the chance to continue that job after the international break, but admitted that he’s not bothered whether he’s in charge for the Scottish Cup final in December, saying: “I am a romantic and have been a romantic all my life. I know the history of football and all of those particular things but that doesn’t bother me one jot.”

Celtic hold talks to sign "talented" manager who's like a young O'Neill

Real Madrid have suffered another setback as Dean Huijsen has withdrawn from Spain duty due to muscle discomfort, raising concerns of a relapse of the soleus injury he suffered in October. The defender has been sent back to Madrid for tests, joining Kylian Mbappe and Eduardo Camavinga as the latest Los Blancos players to return early from international duty.

Huijsen’s new setback and return to Madrid

Madrid were dealt an unwelcome blow after Spain confirmed that Huijsen had been released from the national team camp due to renewed muscle discomfort. The defender was unavailable for the match against Georgia earlier in the week, and further assessment by La Roja’s medical staff confirmed he was not fit to continue.

He will now return immediately to Valdebebas, where Madrid’s medical department will run full tests to determine whether this is a fresh issue or a recurrence of the soleus injury he suffered in October. Spain face Turkey next, but Huijsen will take no further part in the international break.

Madrid are relieved he was not risked, but the timing raises concern. Only last month he was sent back from Spain duty with the same calf problem, treated in Madrid, and managed to recover just in time to rejoin the squad for El Clasico. The early fear now is that this latest discomfort may be a relapse of that injury.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportHow the injury began and how Madrid coped last time

Huijsen’s current setback traces back to the soleus muscle tear he suffered during Spain’s October camp. The injury occurred in training, forcing him to withdraw before their World Cup qualifiers. Los Blancos confirmed a minor tear that required rest and a tailored recovery plan, keeping him out of the matches against Getafe and Juventus.

During Huijsen’s absence, Madrid relied heavily on Eder Militao and Raul Asencio to stabilise the back line. His recovery was smooth enough for him to rejoin full training ahead of the season’s first El Clasico on October 26, where he made his return without complications.

This month’s relapse comes during a period in which multiple Madrid players have been recalled early from international duty. Mbappe and Camavinga were also withdrawn from France’s squad earlier in the week.

Mbappe and Camavinga also sent back from France duty

France were forced into late changes when Mbappe and Camavinga were both released before the final World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan. Mbappe continues to manage recurring inflammation in his right ankle, an issue that resurfaced the morning after France’s 4-0 win over Ukraine, where he scored twice and reached 400 career goals.

Although he completed the match, renewed discomfort prompted a joint decision between the French Football Federation (FFF) and Madrid to send him back for further evaluation. The French federation stressed that the decision was precautionary, with no indication of a serious injury, but Madrid preferred immediate testing to avoid aggravation ahead of a heavy schedule.

Camavinga, meanwhile, had not trained all week due to left-hamstring discomfort. With no improvement and Khephren Thuram already brought in as cover, he was deemed unfit for both fixtures and was sent back to Spain. Madrid expect him to recover in time for the La Liga match against Elche on November 23.

Both Mbappe and Camavinga are projected to be available after the break, but their simultaneous withdrawals underline the physical strain Madrid’s core players have been carrying.

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Getty ImagesHow will Xabi Alonso navigates the weeks ahead?

For Xabi Alonso, the coming days will revolve around clarity. Huijsen’s scans at Valdebebas will determine whether he faces a short spell of rest or a longer recovery similar to October. With Mbappé and Camavinga returning early as well, the manager must prepare for three possible absences as Madrid enter a demanding stretch of fixtures.

Madrid resume their season against Elche on November 23, followed by a crucial Champions League match against Olympiacos on November 26 and a top-of-the-table meeting with Girona on November 30. Alonso may turn once again to Militao and Asencio if Huijsen is unavailable, while midfield rotation will depend heavily on Camavinga’s fitness and match readiness.

The next 72 hours of medical evaluations will shape Alonso’s approach, but what is clear is that Madrid enter the post-break period with caution and the need for careful management of their biggest stars.

Manchester United are monitoring AZ Alkmaar sensation Kees Smit as they look to finally address their long-standing midfield issues, but face rival interest from within the Premier League. The 19-year-old Dutch international is attracting interest from multiple elite clubs, with AZ prepared to demand around £25 million for their prized academy graduate.

• Man Utd interested in making move for Kees Smit

  Manchester United have identified Smit as a potential solution to their midfield rebuild, as per CentreDevils, with sources confirming that scouts have been closely monitoring the AZ Alkmaar starlet's development this season. Director of Recruitment Christopher Vivell has already discussed the teenager internally, signalling that United consider him one of the most promising young midfield profiles available on the market. His age, tactical intelligence and technical quality make him an attractive long-term investment for a club beginning to reshape its spine.

  AZ are understood to value the player at roughly £25 million ($33m), a figure widely regarded as modest given his projection and growing international pedigree. The Red Devils are far from alone in their admiration; however, with several clubs across Europe already making enquiries, and domestic rivals in the Premier League expected to intensify their efforts in the coming weeks. Newcastle are pushing hardest alongside United in the race, with their interest described as "gathering serious momentum".

  Despite United's growing desire to strengthen early, a January move looks unlikely at this stage. Instead, the 20-time Premier League champions could position themselves for a summer approach, allowing time for negotiations and squad adjustments. Smit is open to a step up and views a transition to a bigger European club as his natural next step.

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  Man Utd looking to rebuild midfield amid complex issues

  United's midfield issues have been evident for several seasons, arising from a blend of ageing personnel and uneven squad construction. Casemiro will turn 34 next year and has begun to show physical decline, occasionally leaving the defence exposed. Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes has often been forced into unfamiliar roles as cover inside the double pivot.

  Kobbie Mainoo remains the club's most exciting midfield talent, but his limited minutes this campaign underline United's need to protect young players rather than rely on them to paper over structural gaps. With Mainoo potentially heading out on loan for developmental reasons, the squad risks a further drop in depth. The lack of a true, specialist holding midfielder continues to prevent the side from asserting control in big games under Ruben Amorim's philosophy.

  The ambition within the club is clear: evolve the midfield from reactive chaos to proactive dominance. The Red Devils want a player capable of anchoring possession, dictating transitions, and restoring balance between their attacking aggression and defensive stability. Smit fits the ideal profile – and the recruitment team sees him as a long-term cornerstone rather than a short-term patch.

• Smit's meteoric rise at AZ

  Smit is widely regarded as one of the finest midfielders to emerge from AZ's academy, a system that has consistently produced intelligent, technically excellent talents. The Netherlands youth international has captained teams above his age group and earned senior football experience early through Jong AZ in the Eerste Divisie. At just 19, he already demonstrates a level of composure and decision-making beyond many established professionals.

  Operating primarily as a deep-lying midfielder, Smit excels in reading play, shielding the back line and dictating tempo with exceptional passing range. His ability to play both short and progressive long balls makes him the central hub for AZ's build-up phases. Because of this, comparisons have been drawn with fellow Dutch orchestrators such as Frenkie de Jong – though Smit boasts a more naturally defensive instinct.

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  Smit will likely only leave AZ in the summer of 2026

  Manchester United must decide whether to advance negotiations quickly or risk a rival outmanoeuvring them. With Newcastle already stepping up their approach and big European clubs circling, hesitation could prove costly. A summer move currently appears the most realistic scenario, giving United time to free up squad space, resolve outgoing uncertainties and refine their long-term midfield blueprint.

  For Smit, the upcoming months are crucial as he weighs his next destination and prepares for a potential leap into a major league. AZ will hold firm on their valuation, knowing demand continues to rise with every standout performance. Whether he ultimately lands at Old Trafford or elsewhere, the race to secure one of the Netherlands' brightest midfield prospects is only just heating up.