Kuhnemann took 5 for 49 as Tasmania ended NSW’s hopes of appearing in the Sheffield Shield final
AAP18-Mar-2025New South Wales’ dreams of securing a spot in the Sheffield Shield final have been crushed by a superb five wicket haul from Tasmania spinner Matthew Kuhnemann.The Blues began day four in Hobart at 71 for 0, chasing 529 for an unlikely victory and a spot in next week’s decider against South Australia at Karen Rolton Oval and that total soon swelled to 112 for 0 thanks to half-centuries from Sam Konstas and Blake Nikitaras.But seamer Gabe Bell struck twice in the same over around an hour after the resumption to break the promising opening partnership and then dispatch the in-form Kurtis Patterson without scoring.NSW’s innings never got going again after that, with the visitors all out for 202 just after 6.30pm local in the day-night fixture, 327 runs short of their target.Test spinner Kuhnemann was chief destroyer after Bell’s early efforts, removing of his fellow Sri Lanka tourist Konstas to begin his eighth five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.Konstas (68) did his best to provide resistance with a second half-century since being overlooked for game time on the Test tour of Sri Lanka. The teenager showed off his creative side, reverse-scooping Bell to the boundary for four but was out only three overs later.Sam Konstas played a reverse ramp on his way to scoring 68•Getty ImagesBell was again at the centre of the action to remove Konstas, having earlier enticed Nikitaras into edging to flying wicketkeeper Jake Doran. Konstas holed out to Bell on the boundary rope at deep mid-wicket trying to slog sweep Kuhnemann, but still finished as the innings’ top scorer.Bowling allrounder Sean Abbott was the only batter to provide any resistance after that as Kuhnemann wreaked havoc.Kuhnemann decimated the NSW middle-order, clean bowling Josh Philippe through the gate before Ollie Davies skied him to Tim Ward.NSW skipper Jack Edwards played through knee soreness and came in at No.10, though added only one run before offering a return catch to Kuhnemann, who completed his five-wicket haul.
Heading into the final few days of the summer transfer window, Celtic head coach Brendan Rodgers made it clear that he did not want Adam Idah to leave unless he had already been replaced.
The Hoops boss confirmed that he told the board that the Ireland international should not be allowed to move to Swansea unless another striker had been signed.
However, it got to deadline day a couple of days later and the former Norwich City centre-forward completed a £6m move to EFL Championship team Swansea City, despite the fact that Celtic had not signed any strikers.
This meant that the Scottish Premiership giants ended the summer transfer window with Johnny Kenny and Shin Yamada as their only two senior options in the number nine position.
However, Celtic have moved to address their lack of options in that role in the free agent market by swooping to sign Nigeria international Kelechi Iheanacho.
The Hoops were touted with interest in the left-footed forward late in the day on Monday, and Sevilla then ripped up his contract to allow him to sign for the club on Tuesday, after the deadline.
What Kelechi Iheanacho could bring to Celtic
The 28-year-old striker is an intriguing signing for the Scottish giants because he was once a very highly-rated prospect in the Premier League during his time with Manchester City and Leicester.
Iheanacho, who worked with Rodgers during his time with the Foxes, played eight seasons in the English top-flight, and you do not stay in one of the best leagues in the world for that long if you are a bad player.
Kelechi’s Premier League career
Season (appearances)
Goals
Assists
22/23 (28)
5
5
21/22 (26)
4
5
20/21 (25)
12
2
19/20 (20)
5
5
18/19 (30)
1
3
17/18 (21)
3
3
16/17 (20)
4
3
15/16 (26)
8
1
Stats via Transfermarkt
As you can see in the table above, the Nigerian striker even managed an eye-catching haul of 14 goal contributions in the division in the 2020/21 campaign, whilst being managed by the Celtic boss.
However, it is worth noting that he has only scored six goals in 52 matches in all competitions in the last two seasons, mainly playing in the Championship for Leicester and Middlesbrough, per Sofascore.
That run of form included zero goals and zero assists in nine appearances in LaLiga for Sevilla before they opted to terminate his contract earlier this week.
Kelechi Iheanacho at Leicester.
With this and the report that Celtic wanted two strikers on deadline day in mind, it makes sense that the Hoops are now being linked with another free agent forward.
Celtic in talks to sign English forward
According to The Herald, Celtic have made an approach to sign free agent centre-forward Patrick Bamford after his exit from Leeds United earlier this summer.
The former England international was not due to be out of contract at Elland Road, but a mutual agreement was reached after it had been made clear, by Daniel Farke, that he would not be part of their squad for the Premier League season.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
This means that Bamford is available on a free transfer and that the Hoops can snap him up at any point, although it is now too late to register him for the league phase of the Europa League.
Given that Celtic do not have to deal with a club or have to agree a transfer fee to sign the striker, the Premiership champions must now be in talks with the player after making an approach.
It is now down to the club and the player to see if there is a deal that could work for both parties to bring him in as the second striker that they wanted to add to the squad, after the signing of Iheanacho on Tuesday.
Patrick Bamford has shades of Gary Hooper
Bamford could arrive at Parkhead as a player who has shades of former Celtic marksman Gary Hooper, arriving at the club from England with a knack for scoring impressive goals.
The former Leeds marksman has only scored eight goals in the last two seasons in all competitions, but he was still able to showcase his ability to score world-class goals.
Bamford’s strike against Peterborough in the FA Cup last year was a sight to behold, and shows that he does have the quality to score stunning goals when playing regularly.
The 31-year-old striker did not start a single league game in the 2024/25 campaign, and only started 15 times in the 2023/24 season, which means that he did not get too many chances to add to his goal tally.
His ability to score brilliant goals whilst also being a poacher inside the box evokes shades of Hooper during his career, at Celtic and elsewhere, as the English forward was no stranger to a world-class finish.
Hooper, who scored a Bamford-esque volley during his time in England with Norwich City, scored 82 goals in 138 matches for Celtic in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.
He proved himself to be a prolific goalscorer who could find the back of the net consistently, usually from inside the box instead of from range, before his move to Norwich in 2013.
Bamford is at the other end of his career in comparison to Hooper when he first arrived at Parkhead from Scunthorpe United, but he could provide a similar threat at the top end of the pitch.
The left-footed striker, whose finishing quality and work rate were described as “rare” by Jurgen Klopp, has been capped by England and scored 24 goals at Premier League level in his career, which shows that he would arrive in Glasgow with a lot of pedigree.
Move over Kelechi: Celtic already have Idah's replacement & it's not Kenny
Celtic may already have the replacement for Adam Idah in the building at Parkhead.
3 ByDan Emery Sep 3, 2025
Therefore, Bamford could be a shrewd free agent signing to play in the domestic competitions to save Iheanacho for the European matches, and he could give off shades of Hooper as the new English striker in town if the club are able to get a deal done for him.
“The medical team is monitoring him. So we will know whenever the medical team gets back to us,” says Prasidh Krishna when asked if Bumrah will bowl in the final innings
Alagappan Muthu04-Jan-2025There is an injury cloud over India captain Jasprit Bumrah, who left the field after bowling only one over after lunch on the second day of the New Year’s Test in Sydney. Just after 2pm local time, he was seen out of his Test whites, leaving the dressing room with the team doctor and a security officer. After the day’s play, Prasidh Krishna told the media that Bumrah had experienced back spasms.*”Yes, he had a back spasm. He had gone for scans,” Prasidh said. “The medical team is monitoring him. So we will know whenever the medical team gets back to us,” he said when asked if Bumrah would bowl in the final innings of the series.There has been concern around Bumrah’s workload on this tour. He has bowled 152.1 overs in nine innings, picking up 32 wickets at 13.06. He went past Bishan Bedi’s record for most wickets taken by an India bowler on a tour of Australia and was climbing up the all-time list as well.Bumrah had spent three of the last five overs of the morning session off the field. He had come back out for the final two overs and resumed the bowling for India after lunch. He began by beating Alex Carey’s bat with his first ball but his speeds were down, in the early 120s to early 130s (kph). Bumrah left the field immediately after bowling that over and was not seen until there were visuals on the broadcast of him leaving the SCG in a car. He returned to the ground roughly a couple of hours later, around 4.40pm local time.Related
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Rohit on Bumrah's bowling workloads: 'We've been very careful'
At the end of the Melbourne Test, where he bowled 52 overs, his most in a Test match, Rohit Sharma had mentioned that there was a worry of over-bowling him.India do not have a designated vice-captain – Bumrah was actually the vice-captain and stepped up to lead the team when Rohit decided to stand himself down from the final Test match owing to his poor form. It appeared as though Virat Kohli had taken over leading the team for the middle session of day two. India need to win the Sydney Test to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.”If somebody is in such a great form, you want to try and maximise that form how much ever you can,” Rohit had said. “And that is what we’ve been trying to do with Bumrah.”But there comes a time where you need to step back a little bit and give him that little bit of extra breather as well. So, we’ve been very careful.”I’ve been very careful. I talk to him about how he feels and stuff like that. So, yeah. Those things should be managed carefully. And I’m trying to do that on the field.”Bumrah had previously spent a year out of the game in 2022, recovering from a stress fracture of the back.*
Harry Kane explained how Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany has built a team that greatly suits him after starring with a brace in their thumping win over Hamburg on Saturday in the Bundesliga. The England captain scored twice and provided an assist, while Luis Diaz, Serge Gnabry and Aleksandar Pavlovic scored the other goals on the night.
Kane praises Bayern's squad building for his style
Kane spoke highly of Bayern's squad construction and explained how manager Vincent Kompany has built a perfect team around him, which enables him to score a lot of goals for the German champions. Since Kompany took charge last season, Kane has scored 49 goals across all competitions, including eight in the 2025-26 campaign.
AdvertisementAFPKane leads German champions to huge win
On Saturday, the English forward starred with two goals and an assist as Bayern Munich beat Hamburg 5-0 at Allianz Arena and maintained their 100 percent win record in the Bundesliga this season. Kane has also provided three assists in the league thus far.
Kane explained how Bayern have built perfect attack
Speaking to the media, Kane said: "This team suits me a lot: the way we play, the way we press, it gives me space and it gives me chances to get on the ball; I have runners in behind."
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Bayern and Kane will be back in action on Wednesday as they take on Premier League giants Chelsea in their Champions League opener at the Allianz Arena.
ينتظر متابعو كرة القدم الإنجليزية لقاء قمة بين مانشستر يونايتد وتشيلسي على ملعب أولد ترافورد مساء غد في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
وتحدث روبن أموريم في المؤتمر الصحفي للمباراة في تصريحات نشرتها “مانشستر إيفنينج نيوز” عن جاهزية فريقه للقاء تشيلسي قائلاً: “دالوت خارج التشكيل وماونت وكونيا متواجدان، ولا يزال ليساندرو خارج القائمة، هذا كل شيء ومالاسيا سيعود للمشاركة مع منتخب تحت 21 عاماً وسنرى بعد ذلك”.
وحول مواجهة أليخاندرو جارناتشو لاعب مانشستر يونايتد السابق ذكر أموريم: “جارناتشو ليس لاعبنا، أنا مركز على لاعبينا، أنا سعيد جداً بعودة ماونت وكونيا، أما البقية فعليهم التحدث مع مدرب تشيلسي”.
وقال أموريم عن جاهزية مارتينيز: “من المهم جداً أن يكون ليساندرو على وشك العودة، عندما تصاب بتلك الإصابة، ستتعافى بسرعة كبيرة ثم سيأتي وقت تشعر فيه بالملل وكأنك لا تحرز تقدماً، نفتقد ليساندرو كثيراً وحماسه في كل ما يفعله، لكنه دائماً حاضراً في كل لقاء، حتى في التدريبات يبقى ليتابع التدريبات، نحن بحاجة إلى ليساندرو في هذا الفريق”.
أقرأ أيضاً.. ماريسكا: خسارة تشيلسي أمام بايرن ميونخ عادية.. ونتائج مباريات مانشستر يونايتد ليست مستحقة
وكشف أموريم تفاصيل لقائه مع المالك راتكليف ليرد: “لقد عرض علي عقد جديد، كان أمر طبيعي ليظهر دعمه وأن المشروع طويل الأمد، وأن هذا الموسم هو موسمي الأول، وكان هناك حديث عن جميع البيانات المتعلقة بالفريق، كان اجتماعاً عادياً وعقدنا عدة اجتماعات، ومن الطبيعي أن يكون هناك اهتماما لذلك”.
وسئل أموريم عن حاجة مانشستر يونايتد للانتصارات: “هذه هي كرة القدم وربما يكون هذا النادي الأكثر ضغطاً في العالم، نريد الفوز ومرة أخرى يمكنك قول ما تشاء، أعتقد أنني انتقدت بشدة طريقة لعبنا العام الماضي، أعتقد أننا نلعب بشكل جيد حتى منطقة الجزاء، دفاعاً وهجوماً، نحتاج لنكون أكثر هجومية داخل منطقة الجزاء وأكثر دقة، أما الباقي فإعتقد أننا نتحسن وبالمقارنة مع العام الماضي، نحن في وضع أفضل لكننا بحاجة للفوز وقد خسرنا أمام آرسنال ومانشستر سيتي، الخسارة هنا وفي البداية وخاصة بعد الموسم الماضي تمثل مشكلة”.
واختتم حول استعدادات مانشستر يونايتد لمواجهة تشيلسي: “لقد قمنا بتحليل آخر مباراة والتحضير لأشياء مختلفة، نحن نلعب بشكل جيد حتى نصل لمنطقة الجزاء، نحتاج لنكون أكثر دقة، إذا رأيت عدد التسديدات ونسبة تسجيل الأهداف المتوقعة، هذه أشياء جيدة ولكن إذا لم تسجل أو تفز فإن ذلك غير مهم، ثم أننا ساذجون ونحتاج لنكون أكثر عدوانية ويمكننا تجنب استقبال الأهداف، نحتاج للحفاظ على طريقة لعبنا والتحسن في منطقة جزاء الخصم ومنطقتنا، تشيلسي فريق ممرر ولديه مزيد من اللاعبين في منطقة الجزاء، لذلك هناك دورة حياة أن تحلل وتحسن أداءك للمباراة القادمة”.
Some of Arsenal’s business in the transfer market has been questioned over the last couple of days, especially considering the big money spent by some of their rivals.
Christian Norgaard and Noni Madueke are the latest names in the mix, with the Dane already moving to the Emirates whilst the latter appears to be moving closer to a switch across the capital.
The Gunners agreed a £52m deal with Chelsea for the Englishman’s signature, in a move which is expected to see the 23-year-old be a backup to Bukayo Saka.
Noni Madueke for Chelsea
Such dealings are expected to just be squad additions, with various other key areas of Mikel Arteta’s side in desperate need of investment over the coming weeks.
Various targets have been on their radar in recent times, but it appears as though they could be edging closer to landing a star who could make the difference in their Premier League title charge.
The latest on Arsenal’s hunt for new additions this summer
The attacking third has been the area of most attention this window, with Eberechi Eze one player who could still move to the club given his £68m release clause.
Real Madrid star Rodrygo remains a key option, with the Brazilian expected to be allowed to depart the LaLiga outfit this window, which could aid the Gunners’ quest for his signature.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
However, work has been done for additions elsewhere, with Sporting CP forward Viktor Gyokeres now at long last set to become an Arsenal player.
The news was reported by a number of sources on Sunday evening, firstly by The Athletic’s David Ornstein who revealed that an agreement in principle has been reached for the Swede to move from the Portuguese side to the Emirates Stadium.
It’s revealed that a deal worth €63.5m guaranteed + €10m in add-ons has now been agreed.
Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg has shared that a “very good phone call with Mikel Arteta” has left the deal “on the verge” of being completed, with Gunners insider Hand of Arsenal revealing that a medical has now been planned.
Why Arsenal’s latest target could be Arteta’s answer to Salah
Mohamed Salah is a player who has caused countless problems to numerous backlines within the Premier League, with every side wishing they had a talent of his quality.
Liverpool's MohamedSalahreacts after conceding their second goal
The Egyptian has registered 186 goals in England’s top-flight, with his tally of 29 in his 38 outings last campaign firing Arne Slot’s outfit to the title and losing just four matches.
He’s scored 11 times in his 18 outings against the Gunners, including the equaliser in the 2-2 draw between the sides in North London back in October last year.
His two-year contract extension will see him continue to offer a constant threat to Arteta’s side once again in the near future, but the Gunners could land their answer to the forward this window.
Gyokeres could be just that man, offering the club the clinical and consistent presence in front of goal that they have desperately been lacking over recent seasons.
Sporting CP's ViktorGyokereskisses the trophy as he celebrate after winning the Taca de Portugal
Their highest league goalscorer last season was Kai Havertz, who only registered nine goals, with no player managing to achieve double figures in England’s top-flight.
The Swede could be about to change that, given his record for Sporting in the 2024/25 campaign, managing to find the net on 54 occasions in his 52 outings across all competitions.
Viktor Gyokeres
Sporting CP
33
39
Kylian Mbappé
Real Madrid
34
31
Mohamed Salah
Liverpool
38
29
Robert Lewandowski
Barcelona
34
27
Harry Kane
Bayern Munich
31
26
Victor Osimhen
Galatsaray
30
26
Mateo Retegui
Atalanta
36
25
Gyokeres, who’s been labelled a “monster” by one analyst, has managed to register 2.2 shots on target per 90, getting 52% of his efforts on target – with such a record handing Arteta the quality he craves in front of goal.
Doubts have been raised about his all-round ability, but he’s showcased his all-round ability, creating 2.1 chances per 90, whilst winning 51% of the aerials he’s contested – subsequently offering that focal point the side need this summer.
£70m may appear to be a massive sum of money for an unproven talent, but his goalscoring record in recent seasons is certainly worth taking a risk on, with the positives outweighing the negatives.
If he can move to England and have a similar impact to Salah, he would be a sensational addition and one that could transform the club’s ambitions of ending their title drought.
Instant Norgaard upgrade: Arsenal make contact for "spectacular" £43m star
Following the signings of both Christian Nørgaard and Martín Zubimendi, Arsenal are now targeting a midfielder who is at a “spectacular level”.
Central Sparks 123 for 7 (E Jones 43, Corteen-Coleman 3-14) beat South East Stars 122 for 8 (Dunkley 58, Arlott 4-21) by three wicketsEmily Arlott took a hat-trick and then hit the winning runs as the Central Sparks beat the South East Stars by three wickets in a Charlotte Edwards Cup thriller at Canterbury.Arlott took four for 21 and Katie George two for 31 as the Stars were limited to 122 for eight, Sophia Dunkley, the top scorer with 58 from 49 balls.16-year-old spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman then took three for 14 for the Stars, but Sparks skipper Eve Jones looked to have taken the game away from the Stars with a crucial stand of 59 with Courtney Webb.Two late wickets from Ryana MacDonald-Gay left the Sparks needing eight from the last over, but Arlott hit Tash Farrant’s first two balls for fours to seal the win with four balls to spare, the Sparks finishing on 123 for seven.It was a poignant occasion for a crowd of 1,277, with six Kent-raised players representing the Stars in their final scheduled appearance at the Spitfire Ground.The hosts chose to bat but struggled to score early on and collapsed late in the innings when five wickets fell for four runs in the space of nine balls.Bryony Smith was run out for seven, when Katie George deflected a violent drive from Sophia Dunkley on to the stumps at the non-strikers end.Paige Scholfield had made a run-a-ball 27 when she tried to pull Charis Pavely and was brilliantly caught by a forward diving George at deep-midwicket.Dunkley, who might have been run out for four, played the anchor role, pulling Arlott through cow corner to reach her 50 and bring up the Stars 100 in the 16th over.It was 107 for two at the end of the 17th, but Arlott’s treble dashed any hopes of a surge in the death overs. Dunkley was caught at mid-off by Courtney Webb, Tash Farrant snared by Jones at mid-on and she completed the hat-trick when she bowled Ryana McDonald-Gay.George then twisted the knife with two wickets in as many balls, bowling Phoebe Franklin for 12 and then bowling Chloe Hill for a golden duck.Arlott claimed her fourth wicket when she had Alexa Stonehouse caught for three by Davina Perrin off the final ball of the innings.The target looked low, but 16-year-old Corteen-Coleman, playing at the ground next door to the hospital she was born in, removed both openers in the third over, bowling Perrin for one and Abigail Baker middle stump for 12 four balls later.Farrant removed Abbey Freeborn for three, caught by Corteen-Coleman and George was stumped by Chloe Hill off Kalea Moore for six, when she mistakenly thought the keeper hadn’t gathered the ball and charged down the wicket.At 41 for four the Stars were well in the game, but Jones was dropped on 17 and with the run rate never rising above eight she and Webb were able to play cautiously.Corteen-Coleman revived the Stars when she bowled Webb for 31 and although her final delivery, to Jones was dropped by Stonehouse, the batter went at the start of the 19th, caught by Scholfield off MacDonald-Gay for 43. When MacDonald-Gay then bowled Pavely for a duck the Sparks were left needing eight off the final over, but Arlott drove Farrant’s first ball for four and then brilliantly scooped the second over Hill’s head to clinch the victory and finish on 19 not out.
Yet to complete their first move of the summer, Leeds United and the 49ers are now reportedly lining up a deal to sign a relegated Premier League defender for Daniel Farke.
Leeds set to commence summer business
Whilst those at Elland Road are yet to welcome their first summer arrival, it’s not been for the want of trying. Several fresh names have been linked with a move to the Yorkshire club in recent weeks, but it remains to be seen just who arrives. Among those names is Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope, who would be an instant upgrade on Illan Meslier this summer.
The veteran shot-stopper is an England international and the type of arrival that Farke desperately needs if he is to navigate survival at the first time of asking. Pope is not the only one on Leeds’ reported radar, however.
Gustavo Hamer has also found himself in the headlines as of late. The Sheffield United star suffered playoff heartbreak courtesy of Sunderland at the end of the season, but could yet step into the Premier League without the Blades.
Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe had his say on the club’s potential transfer activity this summer when speaking to reporters last month, saying: “I’m not really ready to go into that, but yes, your speculation is probably right.
“It’s going to be a mix of seeing if there are inbounds along with outbounds. And that’s probably, that’s probably accurate, but really not ready to go into more detail than that. But we are looking at maximizing what we can do, and so that involves the whole bag, ins and outs.”
Of course, one market that the Whites could take full advantage of is relegated stars who will be desperate to regain their Premier League place, and that could yet include one impressive defender.
Leeds lining up Dara O'Shea move
According to The Sun, Leeds and the 49ers are now lining up a summer swoop to sign Dara O’Shea from Ipswich Town. The relegated Tractor Boys have already lost Liam Delap, but could still be picked apart even further.
Despite his side’s relegation, O’Shea still impressed at Portman Road and may have done enough to keep hold of his place in the top flight. If that does prove to be the case courtesy of Leeds, then Farke would instantly have impressive defensive depth to choose from in Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk and the Ipswich star.
Leeds looking to sign "unbelievable" £15m star who'd be Bogle 2.0
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Kieran McKenna will be desperate to keep hold of the 26-year-old, however, having told reporters earlier in the season: “His character and his nature is always going to be beneficial in times of struggle and challenge because he’s a resilient person, he’s a fighter and he’s got character.
“I haven’t had many conversations with him about his experiences (of relegation) with Burnley and West Brom. But I’m sure those experiences have really helped him with us.”
With former club Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers also reportedly interested in a move to sign O’Shea, Leeds should make their move as soon as possible and get their summer business underway.
A recent report suggested that there are just four players deemed to be unsellable this summer at Manchester United, with almost the entire squad at risk of being shown the door, should a suitable offer arrive.
Unsurprisingly – despite recent interest from Saudi Arabia – talismanic captain, Bruno Fernandes is among that select quartet, with the 30-year-old only recently lauded as “one of the top players in the world” by compatriot, Ruben Amorim.
20-year-old wing-back Patrick Dorgu was also named, having only joined the club from Lecce in January, while man of the moment Harry Maguire appears to be another set to stay put, having been described as “perfect” for the 3-4-3 system by his manager.
The final name mentioned on that list was a player who only recently signed a new bumper contract extension, with Amad Diallo committing his future to the club until the summer of 2030.
Previously something of a bit-part player in previous regimes, the returning Ivorian now looks set to be front and centre under Amorim – and deservedly so.
Amad's record under Ten Hag vs under Amorim
There was a feeling that Amad’s chance would never come at Old Trafford, with the former Atalanta wonderkid having actually signed as far back as October 2020, before eventually arriving just a few months.
An inventive header against AC Milan on debut showcased a mere glimpse of why United had forked out an initial fee of £19m, albeit with the then-teenager going on to play just eight games under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s watch.
Sent out on loan to Rangers and then Sunderland, Amad’s subsequent return to the first-team squad was halted by injury on the pre-season tour in 2023, with Erik ten Hag seemingly hesitant to unleash the forward even when he was back to full fitness for the start of 2024.
While last season ended on a high with his first Premier League goal against Newcastle United, having netted the winner in the FA Cup thriller against Liverpool, he never seemingly earned the faith of the Dutchman, having again slipped behind Antony in the attacking pecking order prior to Ten Hag’s dismissal.
Reinvigorated during Ruud van Nistelrooy’s interim spell, which yielded two goals, the £120k-per-week winger has also been a shining light following Amorim’s arrival, having chalked up an assist from wing-back for the first goal of the Portuguese’s tenure against Ipswich Town.
Amad’s Man Utd record by coach
Manager
Games
Goals
Assists
Erik ten Hag
24
3
3
Ruben Amorim
22
7
6
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
8
1
1
Ruud van Nistelrooy
4
2
1
Ralf Rangnick
1
0
0
Michael Carrick
0
0
0
Total
59
13
10
Stats via Transfermarkt
High-profile goals have since followed against the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool, alongside a blistering hat-trick against Southampton, with Sunday’s consolation strike against Brentford marking his 13th goal involvement in just 22 outings under the new boss.
Injury had hampered his progress between February and April, but fit and firing again, Amad will be crucial over the coming weeks, and potentially years.
That said, it is exciting to suggest that an even bigger attacking talent could be on their way to Manchester this summer…
Man Utd could sign an even bigger talent than Amad
The last year or so has marked a real rise for Amad in a United shirt, having stepped into the limelight and stayed there, seemingly unburdened by the pressures that have shackled far too many before him.
Amad Diallo
A refreshingly positive and front-foot player, the diminutive wideman is a talent that gets the crowd off their feet. The next challenge, however, is to find real consistency, particularly on the Premier League front.
That is a quality that reported summer target, Bryan Mbeumo has showcased in abundance, with the Cameroon international having enjoyed a simply stunning campaign for the Bees in 2024/25.
Recent reports have claimed that the Red Devils are eyeing a potential move for the £60m-rated sensation this summer, with interest also being shown in another shining top-flight talent, Matheus Cunha.
It is Mbeumo, however, who has eclipsed both Cunha and Amad – as indicated below – with the France-born speedster racking up 18 goals and six assists in the league this season. To put that into perspective, not even Marcus Rashford has reached 18 goals in a Premier League campaign in his career so far.
Amad vs Cunha vs Mbeumo – 24/25 PL stats
Stat (*per game)
Amad
Cunha
Mbeumo
Games
23
30
35
Goals
7
15
18
Assists
6
6
6
Big chances created
5
12
16
Key passes*
1.7
1.8
1.8
Pass accuracy*
85%
79%
74%
Successful dribbles*
1.7
1.9
1.3
Possession lost*
10.8
15.7
17.0
Fouls won*
1.0
2.3
1.2
Stats via Sofascore
That record of 16 ‘big chances’ created also outlines just what a weapon Mbeumo has been under Thomas Frank, with not even United’s creative hub, Fernandes, able to better that tally (14), as per Sofascore.
There’s no denying that this has been by far Mbeumo’s best season since Brentford’s promotion, although that’s not to say he hasn’t impressed previously, having registered 67 goals and assists in 140 appearances in the competition – including 18 goals in 2022/23 and 2023/24 combined.
Amad, meanwhile, has just eight goals and eight assists in the Premier League to date – albeit from only 35 games – with Mbeumo something of the benchmark when it comes to the very best that the division has to offer.
Simply “unplayable” on his day, in the words of Frank, the former Troyes man would be a worthy option as a number nine, a number ten or even in a wing-back berth, with the potential there for him to emerge as United’s new attacking figurehead.
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Everton are believed to have made contact with a “very dangerous” player’s representatives, as they eye a move for him in the summer transfer window.
Everton contact defender and eye further signings
The Blues know the importance of a big summer, as they prepare for life in their new stadium and hopefully an exciting second spell under David Moyes.
Everton have reportedly already made contact with Feyenoord centre-back David Hancko over a switch to the club at the end of the season, amid doubts over Jarrad Branthwaite’s long-term future. The 27-year-old has averaged 3.3 clearances per game for the Dutch side this season, also completing 90.4% of his passes, outlining his all-round quality.
Sweden's Viktor Gyokeres in action with Slovakia'sDavidHanckoand Milan Skriniar Jakob Akersten Brode
Hancko isn’t the only central defender being looked at by the Blues, however, with Burnley key man Maxime Esteve also seen as an option. He has played a huge role in the Clarets remarkably only conceding 12 goals in the Championship this season, and at 22, he is still early in his career.
Elsewhere, Everton have been backed to sign Liverpool winger Ben Doak this summer, which would cause plenty of controversy. The 19-year-old has been out on loan at Middlesbrough in 2024/25 and there is no guarantee that he has a long-term future at Anfield.
Everton make contact with versatile ace's agents
According to a fresh update from Kicker [via Sport Witness], Everton have contacted Merlin Rohl’s representatives over a move to Merseyside, as they look to get a summer deal over the line.
The SC Freiburg star has been linked with a move to the Blues in the past and Moyes knows him well, having come up against him four times during his spell in charge of West Ham. The 22-year-old only signed a new deal last year, but his current club are aware of the interest in him.
Rohl is a young player with plenty of long-term potential, with Christian Streich calling him a “difference-maker” and Antonio Di Salo saying of him: “He fought his way into [Freiburg’s] team. That’s not easy. He focused on defensive work and also came into his own offensively. He’s very quick and determined. He’s very dangerous.”
In truth, Rohl’s 2024/25 season hasn’t been his most productive, with only 11 starts coming his way in the Bundesliga due to injury problems, and no goals and one assist recorded.
That doesn’t change the fact that he could be a real asset for Everton, however, not least because of the versatility that he possesses in his game. The German is predominantly a central midfielder, but he can also thrive in more of an attacking midfield role, on the right wing and even as a second striker. This would immediately give Moyes more options.
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The fact that the Blues manager has seen him up close as many as four times also means he knows his qualities as a footballer well, so the positives easily outweigh the negatives when it comes to Everton signing him.