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South Africa captain says he’s blocking out the noise from outside on his form and role

Firdose Moonda23-Oct-20224:19

O’Brien: Zimbabwe will be quietly confident facing South Africa

If South Africa learnt anything from the last Men’s T20 World Cup, it’s that speed matters. Speed of run scoring, that is.

They missed out on a semi-final spot at last year’s event, despite winning four out of five matches (the same number as losing semi-finalists England, losing finalists New Zealand and eventual champions Australia) because their net run rate (NRR) was the third-lowest in their six-team group, and only had themselves to blame.South Africa bowled Bangladesh out for 84 in their fourth match but took 13.3 overs to chase the target down. Had they scored the runs quicker, they would have given themselves a better chance of advancing. A year later, they’re aware that they have to keep an eye on more than just their number of wins, but also the margins of victory.”You want to try and perform as well as you can but make sure you keep a pulse on that [net] run rate. If there’s an opportunity to really win well, [you have to] make sure that you do so,” Temba Bavuma, South Africa’s captain, said. “We don’t want to ease ourselves into the tournament. There’s really no time to do that.”Related

• SA start T20 World Cup campaign on the right foot

• Jansen replaces Pretorius in T20 World Cup squad

• How much have the teams changed since the last T20 WC?

Ironically, Bavuma is the player around whom this discussion is most relevant. He is not known for being quick off the blocks and has had a particularly poor 2022. He was injured for three months after hurting his elbow against India and missed South Africa’s entire tour of the UK – where they played matches against England and Ireland in preparation for the T20 World Cup – and then was ill in the build-up to this tournament.As a result, Bavuma has only played seven T20Is this year and scored 64 runs at an average of 10.2 and a strike rate of 82, making it his worst year in the format. In those matches, he has been dismissed in the powerplay five times. Among batters in the top ten teams, Bavuma’s strike rate in the powerplay is the second-worst (96) and he is second on the list of most balls faced per boundary (8.8). Only Sri Lanka’s Avishka Fernando has worse numbers (powerplay strike rate of 92, ball-per-boundary ratio of 9).Those numbers look even worse when one considers that Bavuma is not South Africa’s only opening option. Reeza Hendricks, who batted in his place on the England tour, has had his best year in T20Is. Hendricks has scored 323 runs in seven innings, including four successive fifties, at 46.14 with a strike rate of 139.82. But there is only room for one of Bavuma or Hendricks in the XI, with the other top-three spots occupied by Quinton de Kock and Rilee Rossouw. Bavuma, by virtue of being captain, is always going to play ahead of Hendricks and, therefore, the expectation on him to perform is ever greater.Some believe that Hendricks would’ve been in the XI if Bavuma was not captain•ICC via Getty ImagesAsked if he is aware of the discussions around himself and Hendricks and the debates on team combination, Bavuma indicated he has distanced himself from opinion outside the team environment and is concentrating on his own game.”I’m aware of conversations that are happening in my head, regarding my game plan and how I am going to go about leading the team. I’m not aware of what’s happening outside,” Bavuma said. “In terms of the team, there won’t be any surprises – at least to the guys in the team. We know what we’re going to do, we know how we’re going to do it and we’re all quite comfortable around all of that. That’s where my focus is with the guys in the team. Anything else, that’s for other ears.”Still, the pressure on Bavuma is ever present and he acknowledged that in his dual role as captain and opening batter – there’s nowhere to hide. “The element of pressure is something that is not really unique to me as a player. All players have to deal with that pressure but it comes in different forms. Being the captain, it’s a lot more blown up,” he said. “All eyes are on you. There’s a lot more critique regarding your performances and just how you are as a leader. With the title of being captain comes that responsibility. It’s not something that one can really shy away from.”And in true Bavuma style, he said he is ready to meet the challenge head on and humbly. “With all the pressure that is upon me, I will face up to it as honourably and with as much gratitude as I can. The element of pressure is something all players have to face.”Bavuma can take heart from coach Mark Boucher’s expectation that Australian conditions will be more suited to his game than what he faced in India. The ball comes onto the bat quicker in Australia than India, seamers have concentrated on hard lengths in the opening round and Bavuma is confident and comfortable against the short ball, which should all work in his favour.From the matches already played in Hobart, it’s been clear that run-scoring in the powerplay can be difficult as seamers deliver what Jason Holder called “Test-match lengths”, and Bavuma believes he has the game to match the situation. “We’ve seen it has been challenging upfront. We’ve seen bowlers trying to challenge that off stump. So we want to be as circumspect as we can be, but with the right intensity, in order to put pressure on the bowlers,” Bavuma said. “We understand it’s going to be challenging. Looking at our batting blueprint, it works in our favour.”

From using a No. 11 to stop a collapse to bowling a match-winning spell, how Unadkat steered Saurashtra into the Ranji Trophy final

Hemant Brar in Rajkot04-Mar-2020Jaydev Unadkat is rushing to the dressing room.After taking a 52-run lead against Gujarat in the semi-final of the Ranji Trophy, Saurashtra are in the middle of a collapse. Chintan Gaja, who had smashed a career-best 61 moments ago, is now doing it with the ball. He has dismissed Saurashtra’s top three with just four runs on the board, Avi Barot being the latest victim and the reason behind Unadkat’s dash from the players’ gallery to the dressing room.Moments later, to everyone’s surprise, Chetan Sakariya walks out in the middle. Sakariya is no mug with the bat but in this Saurashtra side he bats at No. 11. Here he will be batting ahead of their regular No. 5, and centurion of the first innings, Sheldon Jackson.The logic behind the move is Sakariya being a left-hand batsman will be better equipped to handle Gaja, who was predominantly taking the ball away from the right-handers.Even though Saurashtra are reduced to 15 for 5 soon after, Sakariya and Arpit Vasavada, another left-hander, bail the side out with a 90-run stand for the sixth wicket. Their partnership eventually comes to an end when Sakariya is run out for 45.The move to promote Sakariya up the batting order has worked. And that’s one decision Unadkat is not going to forget any soon.”One thing that I am really, really proud of in this game, and going to remember forever in my captaincy career, is my decision to send Chetan Sakariya in,” Unadkat tells after the game. “He is our No. 11 batsman but after the third wicket fell, I just rushed inside and told him you have to go in next. In fact, I helped him pad up, got him ready in just two minutes and sent him in. I think that’s one decision that I am gonna be proud of for the rest of my career. That was the turning point of the game. The way Chetan played, it gave belief to the team that we can come back from that situation.”

****

Jaydev Unadkat is feeling the heat.Parthiv Patel and Chirag Gandhi have added 158 for the sixth wicket and are threatening to run away with the game. Earlier, Unadkat’s three wickets had left Gujarat reeling at 18 for 3 in a chase of 327. It became 63 for 5 shortly afterwards when Prerak Mankad and Chirag Jani chipped in with a wicket apiece.

“I knew that those 61-62 wickets I have taken won’t matter if I don’t take this one wicket for the team”Unadkat on the importance of dismissing Parthiv Patel

But now, Gujarat have moved to 204 for 5 at tea, needing 121 more for a ticket to the final, and the second new ball is another 16 overs away. Last season, Saurashtra had lost to Vidarbha in the final but this time, it’s looking like their journey will stop at the semis.”We had discussed in the morning that they have a long batting line up and if there is a partnership or two, we won’t be bogged down,” Unadkat says. “But when you are on the field and such a partnership takes place, there are some nerves.”Cheteshwar Pujara has been Saurashtra’s 12th man in New Zealand, liaisoning with Unadkat about the pitch, strategy and team composition over the course of the tournament.”I have been in touch with him throughout this game as well,” Unadkat says. “We talked before he boarded the flight back from New Zealand yesterday. He said to me if there is something, you can leave a message and I would be talking from the flight, via the in-flight Wi-Fi if it’s urgent.”However, an SOS doesn’t go out despite Saurashtra being on the back foot.

****

Jaydev Unadkat is pumped up.He has changed the complexion of the game in just two balls. The 66-over-old ball has given up against Unadkat’s will as he gets rid of Parthiv. The ball pitches just outside off and moves away from Parthiv to take the outside edge. Next ball he takes a low return catch to send Axar Patel back.”I think I started putting something more into the ball in the last session. I knew that those 61-62 wickets I have taken won’t matter if I don’t take this one wicket for the team. That’s what I said before the ball I got Parthiv out that I can give away those 62 [61] wickets for this one wicket. I think that gave me some energy from somewhere and it’s because of that the ball got some zip from the pitch. I think I am going to remember Parthiv’s wicket throughout my career.Jaydev Unadkat roars after taking Saurashtra into the final•Hemant Brar/ESPNcricinfo”The new ball was far away and I think we would have lost the game by the time the new ball would have come into play. The only thing that we were talking about was we needed one breakthrough. We knew how this game was turning and twisting every single session, so I just wanted tea to happen because they were playing really good and I wanted that break somehow. I knew if I had to do it for the team, it would have to be after tea when they are not sure how to go about in the last session.”After Parthiv’s wicket, Gujarat’s innings doesn’t last long.

****

Jaydev Unadkat is ecstatic.He ends up with a seven-wicket haul including the final wicket, and the victory that was drifting away from Saurashtra with every passing moment is now theirs to savour.”I am so happy that I cannot express it,” he says after orchestrating the win. “Not only because we won the match but more so of the manner in which we did so. The way the game was oscillating from one side to the other, it cannot get better than this. I am really happy that whenever we were in trouble, someone put his hand up. The way we came back from being 15 for 5 yesterday was absolutely unbelievable. I think Arpit played the knock of his career.”But what about his own performance? He is having a dream season with the ball. Those 65 wickets would mean at least something.”It means a lot, not in the sense that I have this many wickets, but it just means a lot because I have been able to win at least three-four games for my team on my own in this season. That’s what I have been aiming for. If I have to be right up there in the bowling group we have in our country at the moment, I will have to do something which no one else has been able to do. I think I am right up there now in terms of confidence, in terms of skills.”Physically, it has been challenging for sure. It has been a long, long season and I was feeling a lot of that thing today. I was drained but as it’s just one game more and I am gonna push myself till the end. About this being a dream season, I think I would like to answer that question probably after the final. If I am able to win that game for my team, after that I would say that it was a dream season but not before that.”

Manchester United’s failings in the Premier League over the last couple of years have been there for all to see, with the fans undoubtedly growing frustrated by the lack of success.

The side have now failed to win the league in each of the last 12 campaigns, with Sir Alex Ferguson the last manager in charge to lift the league title at Old Trafford.

However, Ruben Amorim will be hoping that he can be the man to end such a drought, but it’s safe to say his time in the role to date has failed to lift off in recent months.

He was only able to secure a 15th-place finish in England’s top-flight last time around, with the hierarchy already spending over £200m on new additions since his arrival.

The manager has already made some bold calls on the future of some players at the Theatre of Dreams, including one player who massively failed to deliver in 2024/25.

The stats behind Andre Onana’s struggles in 2024/25

During the 2024/25 campaign, numerous players have failed to deliver in the Premier League – but none more so than goalkeeper Andre Onana, with the shot-stopper costing the side in key moments.

The Cameroonian joined the Red Devils in a £47.2m deal back in the summer of 2023, with such a move potentially going down as one of the worst in the club’s history.

He maintained the number one shirt for the majority of the campaign, but Amorim made the decision to offload him during the recent summer transfer window.

Onana left to join Turkish side Trabzonspor on a season-long loan after the arrival of Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp, a decision that proved to be the right one given his struggles in 2024/25.

The 29-year-old featured 50 times across all competitions last campaign, but made nine direct errors that led to goals, many of which came in key moments.

He could only muster a 67% save percentage in England’s top-flight last season, whilst also failing to impress in possession – as seen by his pass accuracy of just 68%.

However, one player within the current side has taken over from the goalkeeper in terms of failing to deliver, which could leave the manager with a huge call to make in the months ahead.

Man Utd's biggest liability since Onana

Patrick Dorgu has certainly been a player who has left fans frustrated at United over the last couple of months, especially after the excitement generated around his move 11 months ago.

The Danish international arrived in a £30m deal from Italian side Lecce, with real promise that the youngster could provide a long-term solution to their left-back issues.

However, in 2025/26 alone, he’s massively struggled with the demands of the Premier League, as seen by his tally of just seven league starts out of a possible 13.

His underlying stats in and out of possession this season showcase his struggles, with the manager taking the right call to drop him from his starting eleven in recent weeks.

Dorgu has completed just 72% of passes in 2025/26, whilst also making just 3.4 ball recoveries – with both stats ranking him in the bottom 20% of players in the division.

However, despite the Dane’s struggles, fellow full-back Diogo Dalot has also been under fire as of late and rightfully so given his poor form under Amorim for the Red Devils.

The Portuguese international, who’s usually a right-sided full-back, has often been called upon to feature in a left-wing-back role, which has no doubt affected his performances.

During his seven-year stint at Old Trafford, he’s been known to be more dominant out of possession rather than with the ball at his feet – with Amorim needing to take responsibility for his continued selection.

The recent victory over Crystal Palace may have been an impressive win for the side, but it didn’t stop Dalot from being able to fall below the standards expected of him once again.

Minutes played

90

Touches

68

Passes completed

71%

Dribbles completed

0

Crosses completed

0

Long balls completed

0

Shots on target

0

Tackles won

1

He featured for the entirety of the victory at Selhurst Park, but was unable to complete any of his attempted dribbles, whilst also failing to find a teammate with any of his crosses.

Dalot’s struggles continued in attacking areas, subsequently being unable to direct any of his two shots on target – something which he’s been unable to do all season long.

However, he also failed to deliver when trying to stop the opposition, as seen by just one tackle won and one interception made – resulting in Adam Joseph labelling him “toothless”.

It’s evident that the 26-year-old is massively unsuited to his current wing-back role, but Amorim has made no efforts to try and resolve the current situation at hand.

The first team have massively struggled for quality in wide areas since the manager’s arrival 12 months ago, with such an issue rearing its head right before the January window.

As for Dalot, he’s constantly proving to be an unreliable figure, with the defender potentially emulating Onana’s failures if no change is made in the near future.

Better than Dorgu: Man Utd plot move to sign 'the world's most coveted LB'

Manchester United look set to make yet another big-money move in the defensive department.

ByEthan Lamb Dec 2, 2025

Wasn’t that all a little inevitable? Time and again, this Manchester United side proceeds to fluff their lines, having failed to take advantage of the chance to move fifth in the Premier League following Thursday’s draw with West Ham United.

Much like a week ago in the dismal defeat to ten-man Everton, there was a real lack of energy and urgency about the hosts at Old Trafford this time around, with Ruben Amorim’s side merely letting the game drift for much of the first half.

Even after Diogo Dalot had nudged the home side ahead just before the hour mark, there was a distinct lack of a killer instinct, with Amorim’s raft of pragmatic changes ultimately backfiring in the closing stages.

Up against a team firmly in the relegation mix, the Red Devils – after failing to push for a second – were served up arguably what they deserved, with Soungouto Magassa poking home for his first goal for the Hammers to draw things level.

Despite two late attempts from skipper Bruno Fernandes, there was to be no stirring finale in front of the Stretford End, with the stop-start nature of United’s campaign showing no sign of ending.

Man Utd's worst performers vs West Ham

Two moments of quality aside in Sunday’s narrow win over Crystal Palace, it’s fair to say that it’s not been a good week for United’s captain, with Fernandes again rather erratic on Thursday evening.

He may, as usual, have been in the thick of the action with six total shots and five key passes registered, but the Portuguese notably regressed as the game progressed, squandering the ball meekly far too frequently.

Indeed, the 31-year-old lost the ball 22 times in all, as per Sofascore, while his delivery from wide areas was also unusually off the mark, having successfully completed just two of his eight attempted crosses.

The former Sporting CP star wasn’t alone in struggling on a difficult, turgid night for the hosts, however, with surprise inclusion Ayden Heaven hooked at the break, following a shaky first Premier League start of the season up against the experienced Callum Wilson.

Far more will have been expected of those operating at the opposite end of the pitch for United too, with the returning Matheus Cunha somewhat anonymous in his number ten berth, before being withdrawn late on, while Joshua Zirkzee failed to build on his weekend heroics after producing another limp showing through the middle.

Rounding off that trio was emerging talisman, Bryan Mbeumo, with the usually dynamic winger putting in arguably his worst performance for the club to date, following his £71m switch from Brentford.

Man Utd star produced his worst performance under Amorim

Right from the off, during the opening weekend defeat to Arsenal, Mbeumo has provided the spark in United’s attacking ranks, netting six times already across league and cup, including in key away performances against both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

Chalkboard

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

The Premier League’s Player of the Month for October has been riding high even amid a turbulent season for the club, although – with AFCON looming – his form appears to have stagnated, having failed to record a goal or assist in each of his last three outings.

That may be a case of a lack of service, although the Cameroonian was hardly able to create much for himself either on Thursday evening, registering just one key pass and attempting just two shots in all – albeit while forcing Alphonse Areola into a sprawling, clawing save early on.

Touches

52

48.8

Pass accuracy

78%

79%

Key passes

1

1.5

Successful crosses

0/1

1.5

Successful dribbles

1/1

0.8

Ground duels won

3/4

2.6

Aerial duels won

0/5

0.3

Possession lost

15

15.5

Sofascore rating

6.3

7.00

The 26-year-old, like many of his teammates, was particularly ineffective as the game developed, looking weary late on as he failed to make things stick after moving into a central role, following the withdrawal of both Cunha and Zirkzee.

Like Fernandes, the left-footer regularly squandered potential openings after losing the ball on 15 occasions from just 52 touches, while failing to win a single aerial duel up against a physical visiting backline.

Such has been his impact in recent months, Mbeumo has set a high bar and raised expectation levels regarding his performances, although this was certainly not him at his best.

Typically the outlet for United when the going gets tough, the one-time Troyes man appeared to go missing late on, looking leggy and lethargic as Amorim’s men allowed the visitors back into the game.

With just over a week to go until the £150k-per-week star is set to head to international duty, Amorim needs him to find his best level again.

Let’s face it, while Mbeumo may have looked distinctly off it last night, even on his worst day, he still appears United’s biggest attacking threat.

Bad news for Mainoo: INEOS readying £30m Man Utd offer to sign "monster" CM

There appears to only be one outcome in the future of Kobbie Mainoo at Manchester United.

1 ByRobbie Walls Dec 4, 2025

Everton are in the race to sign James Ward-Prowse from West Ham in January, with the midfielder “almost certain” to leave the London Stadium in the new year.

Ward-Prowse has enjoyed an impressive career, spending many years at Southampton and being renowned for being one of the best set-piece specialists in Premier League history.

Ward-Prowse has struggled to be a regular for West Ham this season however, and with his current deal expiring in the summer of 2027, the Hammers are set to listen to offers for him in January.

“There’s no way he’s getting back into the plans at West Ham. Nuno just doesn’t want him in the team; he is not open to the idea of this turning around,” reported Dean Jones earlier this month, claiming a move is “almost certain”.

“I don’t see any possibility that West Ham try to stop him from leaving. I think they will treat him with respect and allow him the chance to move.”

Everton are the team most strongly linked with the 11-cap England international, and now a new update has emerged regarding a possible move for the 31-year-old.

Everton ready to offer Ward-Prowse exit route

Speaking to Football Insider, former scout Mick Brown talked up Everton’s interest in Ward-Prowse due to his connection with David Moyes, confirming the Blues are “willing” to offer him a fresh start.

At 31, Ward-Prowse is now in the autumn of his career, so Everton wouldn’t be signing him as a long-term prospect with lots of sell-on value.

That said, he could be a shrewd signing in terms of his experience and enduring quality, not necessarily being a key starter but adding depth to the Blues’ squad at a relatively low cost given his contract situation.

Friedkin now plotting 2026 move to sign "sensational" boyhood Everton fan

He recently scored a hat-trick.

ByTom Cunningham Nov 21, 2025

The fact that Moyes knows him well can only be a positive – he wouldn’t want him if he didn’t value him as a player and a character – so the positives outweigh the negatives.

Only three players earn more than James Ward-Prowse at West Ham

The Juan Soto sweepstakes are crawling along, with the star outfielder having fielded initial offers from five teams recently. There is no indication that Soto is even close to making a decision on where he'll play out his next contract, and it's been reported that multiple rounds of bids are expected.

It also was revealed recently that Soto prefers a 15-year deal, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

"While a very short deal at super high annual salary could make some sense since he would still become a free agent again in his 20s, word is out that that doesn’t interest him, especially since he’s expected to receive opt-outs in any long deal," Heyman wrote.

Scaling the deal, the highest-paid player in terms of AAV is his 2024 Yankees teammate Aaron Judge. Judge earns $40 million per year. At that rate, Soto's contract would be worth $600 million. Presuming Soto expects to become the highest-paid non-pitcher, he could eye a $650-700 million deal at 15 years.

Last offseason, Shohei Ohtani signed a $700 million contract for 10 years with the Dodgers, however the cash payouts are largely deferred. Additionally, Ohtani is a two-way player that bats pitches at a high level. Soto is one of the best in MLB at the plate, but most experts expect him to field a smaller contract in AAV than Ohtani since he doesn't bring the same two-way impact.

With so many big market teams interested, if a 15-year deal is a deal-breaker for Soto, there's reason to think there is a strong chance he'll get it. Already, competition among interested teams has led to initial offers being improved and tweaked in Soto's favor.

A win at Anfield is as sweet as they come for those of a Manchester United persuasion, with Sunday’s deserved 2-1 victory over struggling champions Liverpool having been almost ten years in the making.

In previous seasons, Cody Gakpo’s late strike may have seen the visitors crumble to a late defeat, or hold on for what would have been seen as a ‘creditable’ but frustrating draw – but not this time.

Up stepped the previously maligned Harry Maguire to deliver the goods yet again, with United’s resurgent centre-back now at the centre of calls for an England recall ahead of next year’s World Cup. So too is back three colleague, Luke Shaw.

It is worth remembering, such is the turbulent nature of the Old Trafford side, that it was just a matter of weeks ago that both men were under the microscope for their performance in the Manchester derby, having been left scrambling at the sight of the surging Erling Haaland.

These players are built up to such heights, before being reduced to such lows, with even the weekend win needing to come with a sense of calm. Such peaks and troughs, such extremes, are no good to anyone.

One man who knows all about navigating the United rollercoaster is Paul Pogba, with the marmite Frenchman having defined the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era more than most.

How Paul Pogba would fit into Amorim's 3-4-3 system

The tale of Pogba’s time in Manchester has been discussed chapter and verse. He came. He left. He came back again. He won the League Cup and Europa League, yet appeared to angle for an exit every summer after. Then he left again in 2022.

Now back in his native France with Monaco, after serving an 18-month suspension at Juventus following a doping ban, Pogba remains among the most polarising United players of modern times.

The sight of the World Cup winner trudging off for his final outing, at Anfield ironically, was fitting for an £89m move that simply didn’t pay off as expected, with the noise that surrounded him – his doing or not – having been frankly tiring.

It wasn’t seen enough, although when actually in his pomp, the fleet-footed midfield could be such a menace, memorably picking up four assists in the opening weekend win over Leeds United in August 2021.

Operating almost as a left-sided midfielder, the maverick playmaker appeared to relish the freedom of being able to get forward and attack, safe in the knowledge that there was ample cover behind him.

In that regard, he may well have been perfect as a number ten in Ruben Amorim’s current set-up, with that role seeing the likes of Mason Mount or Matheus Cunha act as a connector between the midfield and forward line.

Being nudged into a more advanced berth briefly brought the best out of Pogba following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s arrival to replace Jose Mourinho, with the 6 foot 3 machine ending 2018/19 with 27 goals and assists to his name in all competitions, as per Transfermarkt – his best return for United.

Perhaps ill-utilised at Old Trafford, or also not capable of taking on the talismanic role that was expected of him, the now 32-year-old will forever remain a quandary for the Red Devils.

Hopefully, the newest Pogba-type figure can be far more effective under Amorim’s watch.

Man Utd's new Paul Pogba under Amorim

Pogba’s time in United will, rightly, be lost to history before too long. A player who promised so much upon his return in 2016 ultimately delivered so little.

That is in stark contrast to his former teammate, Bruno Fernandes, with the Portuguese truly emerging as the main man in midfield, his record of 100 goals and 87 assists for the club in 299 games proving as much.

Unlike the Frenchman, even when shifted into a less-suited role the United skipper can still flourish, with Sunday seeing him deliver the crucial assist to Maguire, amid an influential showing in his deep-lying berth.

That decision to drop Fernandes deeper has been in order to accommodate the likes of Mount and Cunha in attack, with the latter man particularly impressing against Arne Slot’s side.

A wait for a goal or assist continues for the £62.5m Brazilian, yet – as noted by journalist Sam Pilger – he already looks to be an “incredible signing”, having led the line superbly last time out.

Described as a “maverick” by ex-MEN correspondent Samuel Luckhurst, there are shades of Pogba about the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man, having already proven himself to be a powerful ball carrier in his left-sided – or central – role.

Against the Merseysiders, the 26-year-old completed 100% of his dribbles, as per Sofascore, while winning two fouls for his side, representing a particular outlet late on when United needed to retain possession.

Minutes played

90+

Touches

55

Successful dribbles

2/2

Total shots

2

Fouls won

2

Possession lost

14

Pass accuracy

83%

Ground duels

4/9

Aerial duels

1/4

Not blessed with blistering pace, much like Pogba, Cunha has that knack for being able to fend off his opposite man, while also boasting the quality to be able to slalom his way up the pitch.

Indeed, among forwards in Europe’s top five leagues, he currently ranks in the top 3% for progressive carries – and the top 1% for progressive passes – as per FBref. Pogba, for instance, ranked in the top 19% and top 4% of midfielders for those two metrics, respectively, during his 2018/19 pomp.

Powerful but with the poise to match, Cunha appears to boast the very best attributes of Pogba, acting as a figure who sucks defenders towards him, yet can easily manoeuvre space for himself with a delightful turn or dribble.

The telling difference between him and the Frenchman, however, is that he is also a “workhorse” – as noted by Luckhurst – with there simply so many facets to his game to enjoy.

He’s not perfect, having been given a four-game ban last season at Molineux, but he does certainly look to be the new ‘maverick’ figure at Old Trafford. That sort of status may not have been worn well by Pogba, yet hopefully Cunha’s addition will prove to be far more fruitful.

The early signs are no doubt promising.

£62m Man Utd star looks like their best player "since Fergie retired"

Manchester United might just have turned a corner under Ruben Amorim’s wing.

2 ByAngus Sinclair Oct 20, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

O Superior Federal de Justiça Desportiva (STJD) abriu denúncia contra mais um jogador do Botafogo. O atacante Diego Costa pode se tornar baixa para o técnico Lúcio Flávio em virtude de suas declarações ao fim do jogo no qual o Alvinegro perdeu por 1 a 0 para o Atlético-MG.

O camisa 19 pode receber até seis jogos de suspensão por ter criticado a conduta da arbitragem. Seu julgamento acontecerá no dia 19, uma quinta-feira.

+ A sua carreira no futebol pode começar hoje. Garanta a sua vaga no curso Gestor de Futebol e capacite-se!

Diego Costa foi enquadrado no inciso 1 do Artigo 243-F: “Ofender alguém em sua honra, por fato relacionado diretamente ao desporto”, mas com foco “contra árbitros, assistentes ou demais membros de equipe de arbitragem”. A punição pode variar entre quatro e seis jogos.

O atacante criticou a arbitragem por ter anulado seu gol na partida realizada na Arena MRV. Ao fim da partida, Diego Costa afirmou.

– Está claríssimo que foi gol legal. Acho que eles aí meteram a mão na questão da interpretação. Nem pensou, nem olhou muito. Sabemos que para a competição ficar mais atrativa tem que deixar o Botafogo mais próximo dos adversários – disse.

O técnico Lúcio Flávio pode ter mais dores de cabeça na reta final. Além do atacante, o lateral-esquerdo Marçal também será julgado no STJD.

Opening stand with Smith puts contest beyond doubt despite Armitage anchoring visitors’ innings

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay08-Jun-2025

Surrey 143 for 1 (Wyatt-Hodge 74*, Smith 44) beat Durham 141 for 5 (Armitage 50) by nine wickets Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s blistering 26-ball half-century set Surrey on their way to a thumping nine-wicket win over Durham at the Oval.The England opener struck two sixes and 11 fours in her unbeaten 74 (36), sharing a stand of 94 for the first wicket with skipper Bryony Smith (44 from 28) as the hosts chased down a target of 142 with 43 balls to spare to return to the top of the table.The onslaught came after Durham fought back from 29 for 3 to total 141 for 5, Hollie Armitage anchoring the effort with 50 (49) while Bess Heath (27 from 18) and Mia Rogers (25 from 20) played eye-catching cameos.There were two wickets apiece for Ryana MacDonald-Gay (2 for 16) and Tash Farrant (2 for 25).Durham were soon in trouble, MacDonald-Gay uprooting Suzie Bates’ middle stump after the New Zealand international gave her the charge.MacDonald-Gay was at it again in her next over, spreadeagling Mady Villiers’s stumps and when Emma Marlow chipped one from Tash Farrant into the hands of Paige Scholfield, the visitors were 29 for 3.Durham fought back with Armitage playing the anchor role and Heath and Rogers providing the impetus. Heath twice drove powerfully over cover and then mid-off for four in racing to 27 before Smith clung on to a good catch at mid-off to cut her charge short.Rogers should have been stumped on 12 off the bowling of Dani Gregory, but celebrated the reprieve with some good straight hitting until she too didn’t get enough onto another drive, Scholfield again showing safe hands on the boundary.Armitage ran hard throughout and finally found the fence twice late on while Katherine Fraser hit the last ball of the innings for six to set the target.Smith was quick to take up the challenge clubbing Grace Thompson to the fence four times in her opening over and when spinner Katie Levick came on for the third over she was driven and pulled with equal disdain by the Surrey skipper.Wyatt-Hodge caught the mood, cutting and driving Trudy Johnson to the fence to raise the 50-partnership in 22 balls.Things got worse for Durham when Phoebe Turner dropped Smith a mid-off on 34, but brilliant fielding on the fence at backward square saved a six from the next ball, the England all-rounder parrying the ball back into play and keeping the hosts down to one.Wyatt Hodge produced the first six, hammering Levick over the mid-wicket rope, but with the hundred partnership in sight Smith pulled one from Turner into the hands of Villiers to end the stand at 94.Wyatt-Hodge though continued to brutalize the Durham bowling adding a second straight six to her boundary count as Surrey galloped home.

For the second successive game in the Premier League, Chelsea have been defeated. After last week’s defeat against Manchester United, Enzo Maresca’s side lost 3-1 at Stamford Bridge to South Coast outfit Brighton and Hove Albion.

The first half went the way of the home side. After plenty of early pressure, the Blues finally found the back of the net. Enzo Fernandes was the man to break the deadlock, firing his side into the lead with a header from inside the six-yard box.

However, things started to go wrong for Chelsea in the second half. Just eight minutes into the second 45 minutes, Trevoh Chalobah saw red. He was sent off for the denial of a goalscoring opportunity after he brought down Brighton attacker Diego Gomez.

Down to ten men for the second time in as many games in the top flight, the Blues needed to try and hold onto their lead. Unfortunately for Maresca’s side, they failed to do that. It was Danny Welbeck who equalised, also scoring a header from close range.

Maxim De Cuyper fired the Seagulls ahead in the 2nd minute of stoppage time, yet again heading home from inside the six-yard box. To cap it off, Welbeck slotted home from close range in the 100th minute.

It was a calamitous collapse from the Blues, with Chalobah one of the men who put in a disappointing performance.

Why Chalobah was one of Chelsea's worst performers

Normally one of Chelsea’s most consistent players, it was a day to forget for centre-back Chalobah. The England international made a costly mistake, which led to his side being reduced to ten men once again.

In terms of the foul, it was not great defending from Chalobah. The Cobham academy graduate brought down Gomez on the edge of the penalty box, which, after a review by the VAR officials, was deemed to be a denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity.

What is most frustrating is the fact that the centre-back had played well up until his sending off. Chalobah had once again shown great quality on the ball and had a 92% passing accuracy, completing 36 out of 39 attempted passes.

Yet, the red card put his side in trouble. Football London journalist Bobby Vincent gave the defender a 3/10 rating for his efforts, and admitted that it was a ‘clear foul’ by the Blues number 23.

However, the defender is not solely to blame for the defeat. There was another Chelsea player who performed below the level you might expect.

The Chelsea player who was as bad as Chalobah

Overall, Chelsea’s afternoon at Stamford Bridge was one to forget. Despite the control they had in the first half, largely thanks to Fernandez’s header, the Blues let things slip, and, from the 53rd minute, always had an uphill battle to hold onto their lead.

Well, another player who struggled against the Seagulls was 21-year-old Brazil international Andrey Santos. The former Strasbourg loanee was making his first start in the Premier League, but played a part in the red card.

Unfortunately, it was Santos’ poor pass back to Chalobah, which meant the England star was chasing Gomez back towards his own goal. Santos, under pressure, looked to play the ball back in the direction of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, but misplaced it and put Gomez in on goal, putting Chalobah in a position where he could only foul the attacker.

Like the Chelsea number 23, it was not the worst performance overall from the Brazilian wonderkid. He completed 94% of his passes, created one chance, and won 100% of both his duels and tackles.

Touches

22

Pass accuracy

94%

Passes completed

16/17

Ground duels won

2/2

Tackles won

2/2

Number of times ball lost

2

Key passes

1

Vincent highlighted that good performance early on from Santos. Although he gave him a rating of 4/10 for his efforts, he said he “played well in the first half”, but did point out the “costly mistake” he made for the red card.

That moment showed his inexperience and perhaps suggests he is not ready to start in the top flight. There is no doubt that Santos is a wonderful talent, but perhaps the intensity of the Premier League got to him. Over time, he will surely become a key player at Stamford Bridge, but that may not be just yet.

Maresca has a bigger talent than George who's "the future of Chelsea"

The sensational youngster looks the real deal for Chelsea.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 26, 2025