Tag Futebol

With the typically ever-present Bruno Fernandes forced to take on a rare watching brief for Manchester United’s clash with Newcastle United, all eyes were on who would be the man to step up in the Portuguese’s absence.

For much of the first half, it was fellow playmaker Mason Mount who looked like taking on that mantle, with the resurgent Englishman at the centre of everything for the Red Devils, both in and out of possession.

The 26-year-old’s growing importance was none more so evident than when he was ultimately absent after the break, with the hosts simply retreating in that backs-to-the-wall second-half performance.

Frustratingly, it would appear that the ex-Chelsea man’s fitness woes have reared their ugly head again, with Mount simply unable to prove himself as a reliable presence in Ruben Amorim’s side, having lasted the 90 minutes on just two occasions all season.

As was evident with his strike away at Molineux, there is a quality player in there. Unfortunately, with his talents repeatedly overshadowed by injury, Amorim and co are in need of an upgrade.

Man Utd make Premier League midfielder their No.1 target

While Mount – signed for £55m back in the summer of 2023 – has typically been deployed in a left-sided number ten berth in Amorim’s 3-4-3 set-up, the recent tactical reshuffle has seen United’s number seven slot into something of a deeper role, orchestrating proceedings in almost Fernandes fashion.

It was the midfielder’s stunning switch which picked out Patrick Dorgu at Villa Park, in the build-up to Matheus Cunha’s agonising missed header, with there having been promising signs from the Champions League winner in recent weeks.

As already stated, however, Mount is frustratingly unable to remain fit and firing, with the need to continually manage his game time ensuring he has started just 29 of his 63 games for the club in all competitions.

With that in mind, and with the recent change to a back four seemingly set to continue, Mount could be a potential casualty, not least if INEOS are able to land Nottingham Forest sensation, Elliot Anderson.

According to the Daily Mail’s Nathan Salt, the 23-year-old is now the Old Trafford side’s “No.1 target”, with the England international wanted as the centrepiece of United’s midfield overhaul in 2026.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Expand Collapse

As per the report, the ex-Newcastle man is likely to be more of a summer target for Amorim’s side, with the likes of James Garner being considered as more short-term alternatives for the New Year.

As previously indicated, any deal for Anderson – be it next month or next summer – is likely to cost upwards of £100m.

Why Anderson could be the perfect Mount upgrade

It hasn’t been seen enough, yet Mount’s quality is hard to question, with Amorim having singled him out as a “proper footballer” following his appointment back in November 2024.

When fit and firing, the injury-prone talent can be so influential to the current United iteration, notably ranking in the top 11% of attacking midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty goals per 90, as per FBref, as well as ranking in the top 8% for tackles made per 90.

He is an asset then at both sides of the game, although that is certainly also true of Anderson, with the Forest playmaker a master at breaking up play, albeit while having that progressive quality to match in possession.

Now the leading candidate to partner Declan Rice at next year’s World Cup, the youngster’s all-round quality was on full display in the Three Lions’ autumn internationals,

Indeed, he averaged 8.6 ball recoveries per game in World Cup qualifying, while also boasting a stellar 93% pass accuracy, as per Sofascore.

Such standout form has also been replicated even amid a turbulent Premier League campaign at the City Ground, averaging 8.4 ball recoveries, while also recording 1.6 key passes per game from his 17 starts.

Subscribe for transfer insights and player analysis Hungry for clearer context on midfield upgrades, transfer valuations and tactical fit? Subscribe to the newsletter for data-led breakdowns, scouting comparisons and expert takes that cut through transfer noise while covering broader club strategy. Subscribe Subscribe for transfer insights and player analysis Hungry for clearer context on midfield upgrades, transfer valuations and tactical fit? Subscribe to the newsletter for data-led breakdowns, scouting comparisons and expert takes that cut through transfer noise while covering broader club strategy.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

For comparison, Mount averages just 2.7 recoveries per game, even while leading the press under Amorim, having also averaged just 0.8 key passes from his 15 outings, only ten of which have come from the start.

Anderson vs Man Utd (01/11/25)

Stat

Record

Minutes

90

Touches

84

Pass accuracy

75%

Key passes

3

Possession lost

25

Dribbles

2/2

Tackles won

1/1

Recoveries

14

Total duels won

7/14

Stats via Sofascore

It may not seem as if Anderson would be a direct competitor to his compatriot, although it’s fair to say he isn’t just a safe and steady number six, with talkSPORT’s Max Scott even going as far as to suggest that he is like “Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Zinedine Zidane all rolled into one”.

Also lauded as a “world-class” talent by commentator Jamie Martin, the in-demand Geordie has the tools to operate in a more advanced, box-to-box role if required, memorably registering 13 goals and assists in just 21 games on loan at Bristol Rovers a few years ago.

Unlike Mount, who hasn’t featured for his country since the 2022 World Cup, Anderson is now a central figure in the Thomas Tuchel regime, showcasing which of the pair really is the man on the rise right now.

Mount might be Amorim’s man, yet with Friday evening having been the latest in a long line of frustrating setbacks in his stop-start United career, the time might have come for the Portuguese to hang his hat on another classy midfield operator like Anderson.

Related Tevez 2.0: Man Utd "maverick" is looking like a bigger talent than Semenyo

Manchester United may appear set to miss out on Antoine Semenyo, but that isn’t the end of the world.

Posts ByRobbie Walls

	Matthew Hayden failed to make it in time as Virender Sehwag knocked off the bails © Getty Images

Free hit, free hit, and another free hit
Can’t beat this. Three no-balls in a row for Brett Lee. Three free hits for the batsmen. For the first one, Robin Uthappa stepped away, read the short one well and sent it crashing over long-on for six. The second he swatted straight to mid-off for a single, while Gautam Gambhir drove the third straight into the hands of Andrew Symonds at backward point, who took the catch, which, of course, didn’t result in a wicket as the delivery was a free hit.Matter of respect
Harbhajan Singh is used to the customary booing each time he walks out to bat and in fact thrives on the hostile atmosphere. The asking-rate was almost two runs a ball and Harbhajan didn’t buckle under the pressure. Stuart Clark bowled one short, slow and outside off, and Harbhajan slapped it effortlessly over cover. Next one he pushed to the vacant mid-on and scampered back for two but Uthappa had run one short. Clark showed his frustration by bowling wide down the leg side, giving away five runs. A straight delivery that followed was thrashed by Harbhajan over the bowler’s head for four. Another double was stolen and by the time he exited after a delightful cameo of 20, he surely demanded more respect.What the …
He went down on his knees with both hands clasped behind his head. No, it didn’t appear like a tennis champion after having won a Grand Slam, but more akin to the anguish of a footballer who’s just missed the last kick in sudden death. Ricky Ponting had that look of dismay when his brilliant stop and throw from mid-off failed to hit the stumps. Irfan Pathan had taken on one of the best arms on the circuit and was lucky to survive.Gilly scores a try, almost
Gautam Gambhir charged down the wicket to Nathan Bracken and got an inside edge, which sneaked towards the vacant fine-leg region. Adam Gilchrist was in hot pursuit, but when he realised he couldn’t catch up, he threw himself down like a try scorer in rugby about 10 metres from the target. The 37-year-old wicketkeeper’s slide was a little off the mark, but the effort deserved top rating.Powerplays can be confusing
Captains have their hands full trying to figure out Powerplays these days. The third one was nearing its end when Ponting pushed an extra fielder outside the inner circle. Three men are allowed to be positioned in the outfield during the third Powerplay but Australia were taking it a fielder too far. The fact wasn’t lost, fortunately, on the vigilant square-leg umpire – Daryl Harper – who signalled a no-ball.Thump
Gambhir went for a flat six over long-on off Brad Hogg, except it bounced a couple of yards inside the boundary then another bounce before clearing the hoardings. A couple of kids attempted to stop the ball, but deflected it right on to the forehead of the gentleman behind, who smiled gamely despite the rather unexpected blow.Outstretched
Sreesanth was wayward, and Gilchrist cashed in, smashing two successive boundaries. Gilchrist was cramped for room when one came back in to the body, and got an inside edge that raced toward Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s wrong side. Dhoni dived and caught the ball in his fingertips; though it remains to be seen if the illegal piece of webbing had given him an unfair advantage.Wake-up call
Rohit Sharma, who came up with some scintillating saves at point completely misjudged one that came off the leading edge from Ponting. Ishant Sharma once again squared up the Australian captain with one that moved away; Rohit stayed put, at first thinking the ball was coming straight to him, only to find it moving to his left. A late dive was futile, and Ponting, on 15, had been let off early.Too late
Rohit atoned for his previous faux pas by running out Matthew Hayden. Ponting pushed one into the covers off Virender Sewhag and called for a single. Rohit picked the ball with his left hand, switched it to his right while on the turn and threw it straight to the bowler, who triumphantly knocked off the bails. Unfortunately for Hayden, he was stranded mid-pitch as Ponting’s call to ‘wait’ had come too late.Cool down, Ishant
It’s difficult to be a fast bowler when the batsmen get after you. Ishant Sharma got whipped by Hayden and Ponting in his first spell. As the innings neared its end he had Andrew Symonds bowled off a slow ball, and duly let out his frustration by celebrating a wee bit excessively. Symonds didn’t like that, words were exchanged between the two, and it ended with Sharma pointing towards the dressing room repeatedly. Umpire Harper cautioned Dhoni about the 19-year-old, who has been summoned by match referee Jeff Crowe for a disciplinary hearing on Monday.

Scorecard

Luke Butterworth contributed to South Australia’s demise by picking up 4 for 39 © Getty Images

Tasmania experienced a perfect start in their plan to make the Pura Cup final as they captured two points before stumps on the first day against a dreadful South Australia. After a horrible collapse of 9 for 53 dropped the home side for 139, Tasmania, who started the game equal with the leaders New South Wales, eased to 2 for 149 through Michael Di Venuto’s speedy 78.Having won the toss and batted, Darren Lehmann would have been pleased with the Redbacks’ position when he guided them to 1 for 86. However, Jason Borgas was taken at short leg and Lehmann (34) had not added to the score when he slipped against the occasional bowling of Michael Dighton.Callum Ferguson scraped to 29, but the rest of the order could not reach double figures and Luke Butterworth mopped up with 4 for 39. Butterworth finished the innings by taking Dan Cullen and Paul Rofe in consecutive balls while Jason Krejza and Brendan Drew collected two wickets each.South Australia were unable to match their opponents’ productivity and Cullen’s removal of Tim Paine for 26 was their first breakthrough. Di Venuto, who struck nine fours and a six in his 85-ball display, was run-out by the bowler Cullen Bailey’s direct hit from a drive and by the close Tasmania had a 10-run lead.

Sri Lanka are about to find out whether home ground advantage is a blessing or a handicap when they set out on their quest to win the Under-19 World Cup next month.The venues and conditions may be familiar to Angelo Mathews and his side but set against that will be the enormous expectations on the players to do well in their own backyard.And it will be their ability to deal with those expectations that could go a long way to deciding whether or not Sri Lanka achieves the goal of becoming U19 World Champions.History is against the hosts as only one team has ever won the tournament on home soil – and that was Australia way back in 1988 when only eight teams took part.Since then the closest any home side has come to being champions is Sri Lanka, as they finished runners-up in 2000 when they were beaten by six wickets by a powerful Indian line-up.Sri Lanka’s players do, however, have several factors on their side this time around as they bid for glory including, crucially, the draw.The hosts have been included in Group C and although that group also includes tournament favourites India, that is not necessarily a disaster for Sri Lanka.It means that providing they finish as one of the top two sides – and New Zealand and Uganda are also standing in the way – they will not have to face India again until a possible meeting in the final as the two sub-continent sides have different potential paths to that ultimate match.Also in the side’s favour is the fact the core of the squad has been playing together for the past seven months now and during that time they have improved steadily and produced some encouraging results.That seven-month period did not start all that auspiciously with a disappointing tour of England in which they lost the ODI series 2-0 (with one match washed out) before they lost all three Test matches.But since then results have improved as Sri Lanka reached the final of the six-team Afro-Asian U19 Cup in Vishakapatnam in November and then did likewise in a tri-series also involving hosts Bangladesh and England the following month.During that intense period of matches several players produced impressive form and that bodes well for the main event of the World Cup.Chief among those leading performers was the captain Mathews, who is the only remaining member of the squad that took part in the previous tournament in Bangladesh two years ago.Mathews was comfortably Sri Lanka’s leading batsman on the tour of England, scoring an unbeaten 123 in the final Test of the series at Headingley, and he followed that by being the leading run-scorer in the tri-series in Bangladesh with 302 runs in seven matches.He really is the heartbeat of the side as he has also opened the bowling with his medium-pacers and if he hits form then Sri Lanka will be a real threat to any opponent.Mathews’ abilities as a batsman are likely to be complimented by several others, all of them vying for top-order places. Wicketkeeper Sameera de Zoysa and Dimuth Karunaratne have opened together on a regular basis and they are likely to be followed by SachithraSerasinghe and Hans Fernando.Karunaratne is also a capable medium-pacer while Fernando impressed in the tri-series with scores of 119 not out (from only 106 balls) and 70 against England.With the ball, Sri Lanka are expected to rely heavily on the skills of off-spinner Rajeewa Weerasinghe, an exciting talent who performed superbly during both the Afro-Asian Cup and that tri-series in Bangladesh.He took 15 wickets in the latter tournament and he could well be another key figure if Sri Lanka are going to progress in the World Cup.Sachith Pathirana, a 16-year-old left-arm spinner, is another slow bowler that Sri Lanka will look to for both control and penetration while another left-armer, Malinga Pushpakumara, made an impact in the tri-series by taking 4 for 39 in Sri Lanka’s solitary win overBangladesh.The seam attack includes not only allrounders Mathews and Karunaratne but also Shalika Karunanayake (also a capable lower-order hitter) and Chathupama Gunasinghe, both of them veterans of the England tour last year where they showed promise in unfamiliar conditions.Recent results suggest Sri Lanka will be extremely competitive and they have an impressive record to maintain as they are one of only four sides that have always reached the Super League stage.The fact their Group C opponents India and New Zealand are also in that list (along with Pakistan) means that at least one side will lose that proud boast in the next two weeks.Sri Lanka will be hoping it is not them and they will know if they can win some matches early on, build some momentum and generate increasing interest and support then they really can go all the way and lift the trophy on February 19.Sri Lanka squad Angelo Mathews (capt), Sameera de Zoysa,Dilhan Cooray, Hans Fernando, Chathupama Gunasinghe, Shalika Karunanayake, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sachith Pathirana, Prabudha Perera, Thisara Perera, Ashan Priyanjara, Malinga Pushpakumara, Sachithra Serasinghe, Rajeewa Weerasinghe.

Danish Kaneria had another excellent game, taking his second five-for of the series© Getty Images

Danish KaneriaOn comparing his performance here to the effort at Kolkata
The wicket here suited me much more than the Kolkata pitch. I was also suffering because of dehydration at Kolkata and couldn’t get into the right rhythm. Here I found my rhythm early and it worked out well.On whether he had a specific plan for Sourav Ganguly
Nothing was planned for Ganguly. He was dropped of the earlier ball so I thought he would try and come down the track and attack me. I thought he might want to disturb my length and sent down a googly. That’s exactly what happened and he was stumped.On tomorrow
I am confident of giving it my 101% and bowling India out tomorrow. We will surely be trying our best for a win.On the pitch
It has deteriorated day by day. The ball was turning today but it was mainly slow turn. But if a bowler is willing to put in some effort then he can surely get some turn. Considering it will be a fifth-day wicket, it will surely help me. The bowlers haven’t done much in this game so far because of the pitch and also because of some extraordinary innings played. But it depends on the day tomorrow and I am confident of doing well.On the declaration
I think it is a fighting target.On his own performance over the last few months
My confidence has improved after every performance. County cricket definitely helped me because I learnt to bowl on pitches that didn’t suit me.On the key wicket tomorrow
Definitely Rahul Dravid. He is a big player – the Wall as they say – and he is the one batsman who can prevent us from winning. Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag are also very dangerous but Dravid will be the main wicket.VVS Laxman
On the strategy tomorrow
We will definitely go for a win. The start is very important. We have had fantastic starts throughout the series from both Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir. The strategy will be based on the start tomorrow.On his innings today
I was disappointed at not reaching a hundred. It was not my usual type of free-flowing innings but I had to adapt to the situation.On batting with the tail
It’s a different experience at No. 5 or 6. One has to adjust to the situation. It’s also important to have confidence in the tailenders’ batting ability. All our tailenders have done well in the recent past and there is a lot of competition in the lower order now. Lakshmipathy Balaji did well at Mohali. Harbhajan Singh and Kumble had a good partnership at Kolkata. And Irfan Pathan has batted well earlier. I just tell them to hang in there.On a few tailenders throwing away their wickets irresponsibly
It is disappointing but the tailenders can also benefit from going for their shots. So it works both ways.Siddhartha Vaidyanathan is on the staff of Cricinfo.

Scorecard

Daryl Harper checks his light meter as Ashley Giles looks on © Getty Images 2003

England held on for a fighting draw in what was a tense finish to a closely-fought opening Test against Sri Lanka at Galle. After battling efforts from Mark Butcher, Paul Collingwood and the lower order, the umpires offered England the light with four overs to go and nine wickets down.The weather certainly came to their rescue, but England’s draw represented an impressive display of tough concentration and commitment to the cause, especially against Muttiah Muralitharan on a wearing pitch. And as always in these situations, England will feel like champions and take plenty of heart with them to the next Test. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will be ruing their inability to finish the job off, and their slow batting on the fourth day.After Collingwood was out on the stroke of tea for a gutsy 36, England were staring down the barrel at 170 for 7. But Ashley Giles and Gareth Batty made sure the floodgates didn’t open. They scrapped it out together for valuable 50 minutes after the tea break, before Batty threw all his hard work away in a moment of madness to give England the wobbles again. He gifted Murali another wicket when he played a vile heave across the line and was bowled middle stump (204 for 8). Batty stayed on his knees for a few seconds, realising the foolishness of such an irresponsible shot at such a crucial time.The light slowly deteriorated, the umpires continually checked their metres, but the show went on. Richard Johnson curbed his attacking instincts and admirably played one big block for 35 balls. But with seven overs remaining, he played on to Murali trying to leave the ball, and it was all down to Giles and Matthew Hoggard to save the day as the tension mounted.Giles refused to buckle under the pressure, and took the brunt of the strike. The umpires continued to deliberate on the conditions at the end of every over, and after what felt like an eternity for England, they offered the light – and the batsmen were off in a shot. Giles finished with an invaluable 17 not out, and as he looked up to the darkening skies, he knew his side had done enough to escape with a hard-earned and exciting draw.From the moment Dinusha Fernando resumed play with the new ball this morning, England realised they were up against it. Michael Vaughan was never allowed to settle as Fernando worked him over outside off stump. He squirted an attempted leave through third man for four, and after one sweet pull through midwicket, he propped forward to an immaculate full-length outswinger, and Hashan Tillakaratne at first slip grabbed the edge at the second attempt (16 for 1).Marcus Trescothick was in no mood to be dominated. He cracked a half-volley from Chaminda Vaas through the covers, and helped to put a dent in Fernando’s figures with a bullet of a cut shot. But his positive intent proved his downfall, when he danced down the track to Sanath Jayasuriya, failed to make contact and was bowled straight through the gate for 24 (62 for 2).Murali by this stage had barely bothered to warm up, but he was never going to be kept out of the limelight for long. Sure enough, he popped up with the prize scalp of the morning. Graham Thorpe was easing into his stride when he badly misread Murali’s doosra, and top-edged a simple chance to Vaas, who nonetheless made a meal of it as he ran in from mid-off (73 for 3).

Marcus Trescothick is bowled by Sanath Jayasuriya © Getty Images 2003

Butcher and Collingwood provided stern resistance and ate up valuable time. Both batsmen showed good concentration and discipline against accurate bowling, led by Murali and Jayasuriya. But it wasn’t all just blocking. Butcher launched Kumar Dharmasena for six over mid-on, and then stroked an elegant straight drive off Murali to bring up a well-deserved half-century. Collingwood provided good support at the other end, playing with a calm concentration, as the pair put together a valuable fifty partnership.England’s bid for survival was slowly starting to take shape, but back came Vaas to pierce a double dent in their progress. Vaas landed one on a perfect length outside off and Butcher nibbled at the ball as it went through to Kumar Sangakkara (125 for 4). In his next over, Andrew Flintoff drove him loosely to Tillakaratne at point for a duck, and suddenly England were hanging on at 125 for 5.Chris Read refused to lie down and he swept his way to 14, including a six over midwicket. Collingwood continued to stand firm, putting away anything wide or short to the boundary. The clouds began to roll over the ground, but if England had any thoughts of scrambling to safety, that man Murali made them think again. Read propped forward to defend another big offspinner and gloved the ball via the pad to Mahela Jayawardene at short-leg (148 for 6).Batty knuckled down to give Collingwood support, and found time to effortlessly clip Dharmasena over midwicket for six and thwack Murali past midwicket. The rain started to trickle down, but the umpires decided to stay on. It was a big call, as England lost their anchor in Collingwood. He pressed forward to Dharmasena and was superbly caught by Tillakaratne low to his left at silly point (170 for 7). It was a big blow, as shown by the Sri Lankans’ shrieks of delight, and it set up a thrilling final session in which England somehow survived.

Brian Lara was included in the West Indies’ World Cup 15 only after he was given the medical all-clear by a London specialist last week following three months’ recuperation from the illness that struck him down during the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka in September.West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president, Reverend Wes Hall, disclosed Friday he had received the relevant reports from the London doctor who conducted tests on Lara late last month at the board’s behest and expense and instructed the selectors that he was available."Brian has done everything we have asked of him and it is good news that he’s now been cleared to start back playing again," Hall said.He added that he had been in touch with both Lara and the specialist on the matter "on a frequent basis"."Brian is very keen to get back playing," Hall said. "I think he realises that this may be his last chance in a World Cup and he wants to make his mark."Lara’s long history of keeping selectors guessing over his availability prompted suspicion over his latest condition and the lengthy silence that has accompanied it.It was fuelled by his participation in the Barbados Open golf tournament in mid-November and his absence from Trinidad and Tobago’s trial matches for the forthcoming first-class season.It brought an accusation from long-serving board president Alloy Lequay that he had turned his back on Trinidad and Tobago cricket and sceptical media comment.And on Friday, respected veteran cricket writer Tony Becca advised selectors to "bite the bullet" and drop Lara from the squad."In the interest of West Indies cricket, he (Lara) should be out," Becca wrote in his column in the Jamaica Daily Gleaner on Friday, a day before the team was named."There comes a time in the life of every man when he has to take a stand, and for the West Indies selectors the time has come," Becca wrote, calling into question Lara’s commitment to playing for the regional side."As a batsman Lara certainly, when he is fit and ready, is one of the best if not the best batsman in the world, and there is no question that in the West Indies’ bid to win the World Cup he would be an asset to the team," Becca said."Cricket, however, is a team game. No one is bigger than the game, and as brilliant as he has been, as great as he is, Lara is not indispensable."On top of that, he has shown little respect, not only for the game, but for its administrators and for the people of the West Indies."No one with respect for its administrators would treat them (Trinidad selectors) as he has done; and in a region where cricket means so much to the people, no one with respect for the people would treat West Indies cricket as he has done," Becca added."There are other reasons, however, why Lara should not be selected, and although it was due to injury, they include the fact that he has been out of action for some time, that he has not been training and practising, and that no one knows if he is fit enough, physically and mentally, to represent the West Indies or if he is in good form."Becca said the selectors had failed to act in the past despite grumbling about Lara’s attitude and its effect on the team."Hopefully, this set of selectors will stand up and be counted and say to Lara, enough is enough – win, lose or draw," he wrote.RecoveredHall noted that Lara could not return to full-time play until his doctor was certain he was sufficiently recovered from the illness, initially reported as "suspected hepatitis" but never officially identified.He said Lara had started training and practising over the past week under the "watchful eye" of West Indies selector Joey Carew.West Indies captain Carl Hooper had surgery on both knees in Adelaide, Australia, earlier this month. Fast bowler Merv Dillon came home following the tour of India in November with a back strain and Ryan Hinds with a foot injury."Carl wouldn’t be able to play right now but is on the way to recovery and should be back to full fitness well in time for the start of the World Cup (February 9)," Hall said. "Merv and young Hinds have been playing in trial matches."The squad of 15, along with five stand-by players, will participate in a preparatory two-week camp in Antigua prior to departure for South Africa February 1."I expect this will be our best-prepared team for any World Cup," Hall said. "We’ve done well in the One-Day game this year and I’m very optimistic over their chances."

Mumbai were bowled out for 255 in 78.2 overs shortly after the tea interval in the second innings of the West Zone Ranji trophy match at MIG, Bandra, Mumbai against Baroda on Monday.Mumbai set Baroda a target of 464 runs to win the match. Baroda were 75 for one off 22 overs when stumps were drawn on the third day. Earlier in the day, Mumbai resumed the innings at 32 for one lost regular wickets and were in a spot of bother at 117 for five off 44 overs at the lunch interval. With Sachin Tendulkar back in the pavilion for five runs, Baroda medium pacers Rakesh Patel and Zaheer Khan had their tails up. They were kept at bay by a gritty innings from Amol Muzumdar (81) and stumper Sameer Dighe (52). The duo added 91 runs for the sixth wicket off 30.2 overs.Allrounder Ramesh Powar gave the crowd their money’s worth with a swash buckling innings. He scored 36 off 24 balls, hitting seven of them to the fence and one over it. Rakesh Patel was the wrecker-in-chief for Baroda as he bagged a five wicket haul that included the prized wicket of Sachin Tendulkar. Patel had figures of five for 84. Zaheer Khan bagged the solitary wicket of Robin Morris. He bowled 24 overs giving away 57 runs.Baroda needed an improbable 464 for victory. Ajit Agarkar picked up the only wicket to fall on the day and returned figures of 17 for one. Connor Williams was unbeaten on 26 off 65 balls with five hits to the fence he had with him Himanshu Jadhav batting on 11 off 31 balls with two boundaries to his credit. Baroda still need 389 to win in 90 overs on the last day.

ScorecardJames Taylor brought his ODI form back into the Championship although was given three lives•Getty Images

A man doesn’t like to find himself saying “size isn’t everything” too often, but in James Taylor’s case, it seems almost unavoidable.Despite an outstanding domestic record, Taylor has had to be content with a supporting role in international cricket. Even his latest foray into the ODI side – during which he scored his maiden century and captained the side when Eoin Morgan was injured – only came about because Joe Root was rested.But for various reasons – not least a perception that his technique will be exposed by the best bowling attack – Taylor has had to wait a little longer than might be expected for his first Test tour. Kevin Pietersen infamously told Andy Flower that Taylor was built to be a jockey – like his father – and “not up to it” at Test level.But Taylor is the same height as Sachin Tendulkar. He could swap shoes with Murray Goodwin. He could reach up to shelves and pass things down to Alvin Kallicharran. He is plenty tall enough.And while it is true that he has a jockey’s height, it might also be said that he has a jockey’s toughness. County bowlers learned several years ago that it was foolish to equate his size and fresh-face with weakness and have long since given up trying to intimidate him. A first-class average of 47 will do that.This was, in many ways, a typical Taylor innings. It was scrappy at times, dropped on three occasions but, while nobody else in the top six could reach 25 – four of them could not reach 10 – he compiled the 20th first-class century of his career and the second of this campaign. He also recorded his 1000th first-class run of the season.He is wonderfully balanced at the crease. While other players fell to the off side as they attempted to play the inswing of the dangerous Keith Barker, Taylor waited just that fraction longer so that, instead of attempting to play through midwicket, he was able to punch the ball straight down the ground. His on-drives were a delight.But he is not much interested in being pretty. The way he throws himself into cut shots – the full MS Dhoni helicopter was on display here when an out of sorts Boyd Rankin dropped short – the way he scampers his runs with a pace that would leave a greyhound trailing – suggests a man that is utterly committed to the practical business of run scoring and will let others worry about style. Taylor maybe more artisan than artist, but he has a method that he understands and works for him. He doesn’t need to change.He had some fortune here, though. On the few occasions he allowed himself to be expansive, he offered chances. He was put down three times – on 8, 22 and 75 – and also caught off a no-ball. While the chances on 8 and 75 – both to the normally reliable Tim Ambrose – were not straightforward, the catch to Sam Hain, at point, should have been taken. Rankin and Barker were the unfortunate bowlers.Warwickshire were also convinced they had Taylor caught behind off Jonathan Trott on 99. As a result, they declined to applaud his century.”It’s not the batsman’s fault if the fielders keep dropping the ball,” his coach, Mick Newell said afterwards. “I don’t call that good luck, I just call it taking the most of your opportunity.”Ambrose, like the rest of his Warwickshire team, looked a little jaded having played through any number of aches, strains, bruises and bumps. They no longer have much to play for and the combination of a long season and a tinge of disappointment has taken the edge off their performance. There is talk of some discontent, but it looks like nothing a lengthy break from cricket – and maybe from each other – will not solve. There is no reason why both these teams should not challenge for the Championship next year.Warwickshire will be doing it without their second-string keeper, Peter McKay, though. He has been released after struggling with injuries, while 24-year-old Staffordshire keeper Alex Mellor – who made a double-century for Staffordshire a few weeks ago – has been signed in his place. Warwickshire have also released the batsman Tom Lewis, while the seam-bowling allrounder Tom Milnes is likely to join Derbyshire for greater opportunity.The pick of the bowlers here was Barker. He dismissed Alex Hales, set up by two inswingers and then guilty of nibbling at one angled across him that didn’t swing, before Steven Mullaney was caught off the boot at gully after jabbing his bat down on another full swinging ball, and Brendan Taylor’s innings was ended when he played around another inswinger. When Riki Wessels poked at an outswinger from Trott and Samit Patel was bowled round his legs as he attempted to flick into the leg side, Nottinghamshire were in some trouble.But Chris Read helped Taylor add 124 for the sixth-wicket with Taylor. He was savage on the pull, merciless on both sides of the wicket if the ball was over-pitched and very quick to punish Jeetan Patel when he gave the ball a little flight. If Newell’s hopes of overhauling Middlesex for second place in the table look optimistic, it is still possible.”I don’t think we’ll be setting up a chase tomorrow. We want to finish second in the Championship and if we can pick up 12 or 13 points from this game then we will have a strong chance of getting past Middlesex in the last round of matches.”It is to be hoped that the aim does not convince Newell to ask Hales and Taylor to play in their final Championship game. They have long, emotionally draining winters ahead which could define their careers. And in 30 years time, the difference between second and third in the Championship season may not seem terribly important.

Liverpool have not been at their best this season, but Arne Slot will be relieved to have seen signs of progress throughout December, having climbed to fifth in the Premier League and crafted a six-game unbeaten streak.

However, the champions have recovered only the vestiges of their imperious form of last season, so confident and coherent as they stormed through the season and ended Manchester City’s dominance.

Sweeping summer transfer changes have left something to be desired, and it’s clear that Liverpool have joined the jam-packed race for Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo.

Liverpool looking at Semenyo alternative

Liverpool want Semenyo, but he is not the only talented winger on the market. Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Liverpool opened talks with the Ghanaian’s representatives last month, though have since cooled their interest.

But that could now change, with Alexander Isak ruled out for several months after fracturing his fibula against Tottenham last weekend. Moreover, uncertainty lingers over Mohamed Salah and his Anfield future.

But with both Manchester giants thought to be leading the race at this stage, Liverpool always needed to earmark alternatives, and they’ve found one who boasts even more talent than the Cherries star.

According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool have been in talks with the agent of Real Madrid icon Vinicius Junior, who has refused a contract extension at Santiago Bernabeu and is ready to leave next summer, before the final term of his £400k-per-week deal.

Chelsea and Manchester City are also keen, so sporting director Richard Hughes will need to put his negotiating skills to the test as he looks to complete a marquee signing to complete Liverpool’s frontline.

He won’t come cheap, however, with one report suggesting he’s worth a whopping £131m. That would make him the most expensive player ever in the British game.

Why Vinicius Junior would be Liverpool's best left winger since Mane

Vini’s soon-to-expire contract also means he might be available for a cut-price £80m fee, which isn’t too far above Semenyo’s valuation, with his £65m release clause active for the first ten days of the January transfer window.

Hailed as a “superstar” of a forward by former Los Blancos teammate Luka Modric, Vinicius Jr is a rare forward, endowed with strength and speed and an aura in the final third that translates to trophies and significant goal hauls.

He has only scored five goals in La Liga this season – supplying eight assists besides – but notched 41 goal contributions in all competitions last year, when he was on his A-game and feeling the love in the Spanish capital.

And even with the Brazil international finding himself out of form, he still ranks among the top 6% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 1% for progressive carries and the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

He would add directness and danger to Slot’s Liverpool ranks, and his positional dynamism could even see the 25-year-old take the mantle as Liverpool’s new version of Sadio Mane, who was as sharp as a blade for the Reds, principally a left winger but with skills that translated across the frontline.

Vinicius Jr – Career Stats by Position

Position

Apps

Goals + Assists

Left wing

303

90 + 79

Centre-forward

64

29 + 16

Right wing

15

3 + 2

Attacking midfield

2

2 + 1

Data via Transfermarkt

Mane scored 120 goals across 269 Liverpool appearances, and he won the full gamut. Like Vini Jr, he boasted a wide repertoire of skills and he was excellent on the grand stage. Both widemen have starred and scored in Champions League finals.

Subscribe for transfer-market insight and analysis Dig deeper into transfer-market moves – subscribe to the newsletter for expert analysis on targets like Vinicius or Semenyo, valuation breakdowns, tactical fit and what signings reveal about a club’s squad-building strategy. Subscribe Subscribe for transfer-market insight and analysis Dig deeper into transfer-market moves – subscribe to the newsletter for expert analysis on targets like Vinicius or Semenyo, valuation breakdowns, tactical fit and what signings reveal about a club’s squad-building strategy.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Luis Diaz is missed on Merseyside this season, having been sold to Bayern Munich in August, but Mane was a grade above, and he would be born again in the form of not Semenyo, but Vini.

Fleet-footed and invariably sharp in the final third, Mane was a crowd-pleaser, and his personality on the field helped endear him to the Anfield crowds. Vinicius Jr, you would think, would do the same.

Mane was a unique winger, deadly in front of goal and fiery and combative too. Vinicius Jr shares some interesting attributes with Jurgen Klopp’s old superstar, and he would be the perfect talent to improve Liverpool’s ranks in 2026.

Related Liverpool star looked like "the best player in the world", now he's Keita 2.0

One of Liverpool’s superstars has encountered a frustrating number of obstacles on Merseyside.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair