Neymar has sensationally defied injury advice at Santos to help edge them closer to safety in the Brazilian top-flight. With the threat of relegation hanging over the club, Neymar has decided that he will play through pain in order to aid the collective cause. He was at his talismanic best when netting a hat-trick against Juventude – securing his first match ball in over three years.

Medical advice: Why Neymar is ignoring doctors

Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, who returned to his roots in January after seeing a lucrative contract at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal torn up, has been dragged into a basement battle this season. He is determined to ensure that Santos do not slip through a trapdoor in 2025.

Neymar has, however, found peak form and fitness hard to come by of late. Untimely knocks have seen him spend far too much time on the treatment table. He should be back there at present, with a knee problem being nursed.

Doctors have advised the 33-year-old to take in another enforced break, but he has chosen to ignore those pleas. Neymar is putting his body on the line in a bid to keep Santos in the top tier. They took a huge step towards hitting that target when seeing off Juventude.

AdvertisementFirst hat-trick since 2022: Neymar dazzles for Santos

Neymar inspired them to three points in that contest, with a 17-minute spell determining the outcome of that fixture. Santos saw their talismanic No.10 break the deadlock in the 56th minute. He grabbed his second of the game in the 65th, before completing his hat-trick from the penalty spot eight minutes later. Neymar was substituted with seven minutes left on the clock.

He had done more than enough by that point, with a vital victory being secured. Neymar has figured in Santos’ last two games while working on a conservative treatment programme that is helping to keep him on the field.

According to , Neymar will require arthroscopic surgery at the end of the season, as a meniscus injury in his left knee is addressed. He is having to winch his way through matches at the moment.

Those efforts were rewarded against Juventude, with Neymar registering his first hat-trick since April 2022. Said treble was recorded for Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain during a meeting with Clermont.

Relegation battle: One game left for Neymar & Santos

Santos are now two points clear of the relegation zone with only one fixture left to take in. Said outing will see Neymar and Co face third-placed Cruzeiro on Sunday, with that contest taking place on home soil at Vila Belmiro.

After that match, Neymar has some important decisions to make. It appears although an operation will have to be taken in, which could impact calls on his future. His contract at Santos is running down to free agency.

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Getty ImagesFuture calls: MLS transfer & 2026 World Cup

A fresh start in 2026 has been mooted, with Neymar seeing a reunion with former Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez speculated on. It has been suggested that the fabled ‘MSN’ strike force could be reformed in MLS at Inter Miami.

Such a switch may appeal to Neymar as he looks to find the form that will allow him to nail down a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s plans for the 2026 World Cup. He has not figured for his country since suffering ACL damage in October 2023.

Ancelotti has left the door open for a modern day great to earn a place in his squad, with the Italian tactician saying: “Neymar is on the list of players who could be at the World Cup. Now he has six months to make the final list. We just have to observe him and other players so as not to make mistakes in the final list.”

The enigmatic playmaker has earned 128 caps for his country, scoring 79 goals. He has made no secret of the fact that he wants to take in one more shot at global glory – with Brazil looking to lift the World Cup for the first time since 2002.

The Premier League season is only 15 games old, but it’s already been something of a roller coaster for West Ham United.

For the first couple of months, with Graham Potter in charge, it looked like the East Londoners were destined for relegation and unable to buy a win.

However, over the last few weeks, new boss Nuno Espírito Santo has helped to turn the ship around, and while they’re still in the relegation zone, the Hammers have lost just one of their last six games.

However, there are still problems on and off the pitch, including the fact that they’ll likely have to sell Lucas Paqueta in the summer, but before they do that, West Ham should get rid of someone else in the winter window.

Why West Ham should sell Paqueta

Now, the first thing to say here is that, at his very best, Paqueta has a claim to be one of the most exciting and talented attacking midfielders in the Premier League.

However, the problem is that he hasn’t been at, or really anywhere near, his scintillating best for quite some time.

For example, while he managed a brilliant haul of 15 goal involvements in 23/24, he then followed that up with just five last season, and so far this year, he’s produced just four.

Paqueta’s recent form

Seaon

24/25

25/26

Appearances

36

14

Minutes

2536′

1217′

Goals

5

4

Assists

0

0

All Stats via Transfermarkt

In other words, it’s hard to make a case that his performances over the last year and a half have justified his sizable £150k-per-week wage.

Speaking of his contract, the next reason the Hammers should probably be looking to sell the former Lyon star is the fact that he’ll have just a year left on his deal in the summer.

Therefore, he’ll either need to be handed another bumper contract or be sold to protect his valuation.

Finally, the 28-year-old revealed that he almost forced a move back to Flamengo in the summer. So it’s not impossible to imagine he’ll want to leave sooner or later, which comes back to the idea that the Hammers should be the ones to instigate his departure at the end of the season and protect his value.

With all that said, there is another player, someone far less important to the side, that West Ham should look to move on before Paqeuta.

The West Ham flop Nuno has to sell

With West Ham improving over the last month or so, fewer players are sticking out for the wrong reasons, but one who continues to disappoint is Max Kilman.

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The former Wolverhampton Wanderers star joined the Hammers for a whopping £40m fee in the summer of 2024.

Since then, while there have been the odd moments in which he’s looked like a quality centre-back, the Englishman has largely been a flop and someone who has been more of a hindrance at the back than a help.

For example, in the 2-0 defeat at home to Brentford earlier this season, the 6 foot 4 titan was partly to blame for both goals and looked miles off the pace and, in the words of one content creator, was “shocking.”

Worryingly, his former manager, Gary O’Neil, went into detail about some of his weaknesses and described him as someone who likes to “switch off” during games.

That does not sound like the kind of defender you want in the backline when fighting to stay in the Premier League, and, based on reports, it seems Nuno would agree.

According to a story from earlier this week, the Irons would be willing to part ways with the centre-back should someone make an offer of around £25m, and reports from earlier in the season claimed that Crystal Palace were interested in the defender.

On top of the eye test, another reason the club should perhaps lower their asking price is the fact that his underlying numbers are dire.

According to FBref, the Chelsea-born dud ranks in the bottom 45% of centre-backs in the Premier League for pass completion, the bottom 18% for tackles, the bottom 14% for progressive passes, and the bottom 9% for interceptions, all per 90.

Ultimately, while West Ham will likely need to sell Paqueta in the summer, they must sell Kilman first, as he simply isn’t good enough.

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New Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy has been thrown in at the deep end ahead of a clash with Hearts in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday in his first match.

The Hoops boss has taken over from the vastly-experienced interim Martin O’Neill, who won seven of his eight games in the dugout after coming in to steady the ship after Brendan Rodgers resigned.

Nancy is now tasked with implementing his own ideas and tactics in the coming days, weeks, and months ahead, after his move from Columbus Crew in the MLS.

The formation that Wilfried Nancy could play at Celtic

Many Celtic supporters may already be wondering what formation the new manager will line-up with against Hearts, and for matches in the future, after O’Neill played a 4-2-3-1 and Rodgers played a 4-3-3.

Nancy has only had a couple of days on the training ground, having been announced on Wednesday night, so the game against the Jam Tarts may come too soon for radical changes.

With time on the training pitch, though, the French boss may want to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation, which Transfermarkt notes is his favoured system.

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Per FBref, Nancy played a 3-4-3 or a 3-4-2-1 in 31 of his 43 games in charge of Columbus Crew this year, and played a back three or a back five in 40 of those matches.

This suggests that the Frenchman may line up with three central defenders for the most part with Celtic, which could make Dane Murray the biggest winner of his appointment at Parkhead.

Why Dane Murray could play a key role for Wilfried Nancy

The Scottish youngster’s last start for Celtic came in Rodgers’ final match against Hearts, as he scored a nightmare own goal in a 3-1 defeat.

It was a poor afternoon for Murray and Celtic, as he struggled at the heart of the defence, and he only played 38 minutes across two substitute appearances in O’Neill’s time in interim charge, as the experienced boss favoured Auston Trusty and Liam Scales as a pairing.

With Cameron Carter-Vickers being a long-term absentee with an Achilles injury, though, there could be a place for the academy graduate to come back into the team as part of a back three or back five, if Nancy decides to stick with his trend of using formations with three centre-backs.

Kieran Tierney could be an option to play as a third centre-back, as he has done for Scotland in the past, but then Celtic would have three left-footed defenders across the back, which is not ideal for playing out under pressure.

Bringing a right-footed centre-back like Murray into the fold could be ideal for Nancy, and he would have more protection than he did in a back four under Rodgers, as there would be two senior defenders alongside him, in Trusty and Scales.

Appearances

3

Starts

2

Tackles + interceptions per game

3.0

Clearances

15

Dribbled past

0x

Ground duel success rate

64%

Aerial duel success rate

80%

As you can see in the table above, the 22-year-old colossus has shown some positive signs, despite his own goal against Hearts, in his three league appearances, dominating opposition attackers in physical duels.

Back in August, Rodgers claimed that Murray’s “ceiling is so high” and that he will really grow in the next 12 to 18 months. Whilst it may not happen as he envisaged, as another manager is in the dugout, that could play out with Nancy’s preferred system.

The Scottish prospect has been the only centre-back on the bench in recent games, with Carter-Vickers out, and that suggests that he would be the most logical inclusion for the new manager as part of a back three.

Given that a change in shape from a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 to a 3-4-2-1 or a 3-4-3 would essentially mean that a new centre-back position emerges, it seems like Murray has the most to gain and could be the biggest winner from this appointment for the Hoops.

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However, it is then down to the academy graduate to take his chance when it comes and prove that he has what it takes to be a regular starter for Celtic, and that his game against Hearts was a blip rather than a sign of things to come.

Pakistan’s spinners had Australia struggling at 76 for 7. Enter Mooney

Madushka Balasuriya08-Oct-2025

Playing the ball late was a hallmark of Mooney’s rescue act•AFP/Getty Images

“It’s never going to be everyone’s day on the same day. Quite possibly it might just be one person’s day.”At 76 for 7 in the 22nd over against Pakistan those pre-match words might have been quite far from Ellyse Perry’s mind, but in the end they proved as self-fulfilling as they were prescient, as Australia clawed themselves back into the game to post an eventually match-winning total of 221 for 9.At the forefront of this latest Australian fightback was none other than Beth Mooney, their ever-reliable firefighter. Mooney more than most is accustomed to bailing her sides out of holes; she’s battled through oppressing heat to steer her Brisbane Heat to a BBL title; she’s recovered from a broken jaw to help Australia win the Ashes; and on numerous occasions she’s mitigated collapses to recalibrate an innings.Related

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But on a sticky Khettarama surface, one which Australia were batting on for the first time this tournament, Pakistan’s spinners were in total control of proceedings. Enter Mooney, who once again showcased her ability to navigate the most high-pressure situations as if she has ice in her veins. It was this calm that allowed her to adjust her game and keep her head clear when all those around her were losing their wickets.Pakistan to their credit bowled well, and fielded even better. Nashra Sandhu in particular was at her devastating best, perhaps channeling the echoes of Rangana Herath from within the walls of the R. Premadasa, as she spun and slid deliveries past her foes.Australia’s batters, however, weren’t exactly battening down the hatches.”I think we all go out with the same approach, and that’s to be really positive, but also really adaptable and smart to whatever the game’s presenting, whether that’s conditions or the opposition,” Perry had opined pre-game.Here they had the first part down, but that adaptability was sorely letting them down. Healy chipped one to midwicket; Litchfield skied a leading edge; Perry was deceived by some dip and turn charging down the track; Gardner, another chip to midwicket; McGrath sliced one to cover; Wareham popped one back to the bowler.3:25

Review: Mooney masterclass, seamers down Pakistan

The one thing all of these wickets had in common was a desire to be on the attack, take on the bowling on the front foot. But on a surface where the ball was holding up, that proved to be a sure fire recipe for calamity…until Mooney.Mooney’s was not a counter-attacking charge, like that of Gardner’s against New Zealand a week prior. In fact, if there was a bell curve for Mooney’s impact, it would be inversely proportional to its remarkableness.”Certainly there were moments when I thought I could take the ball on, reverse sweep, ramp, get down the ground, that sort of thing,” revealed Mooney after the game. “They’d pop into my mind, albeit very briefly, and I’d have to park it pretty quickly and play the scenario in front of me basically.”Where others sought to take charge, Mooney allowed proceedings to wash over her. The innings was quintessentially low risk, high percentage. She struck 11 boundaries during her 114-ball 109, but six of those came in the final 10 overs, four of which in the final five.4:40

Mooney: ‘Not much of a gulf between top teams and others’

The rest of those boundaries were less release strokes, more gifts to be gratefully accepted. A tickle down fine leg here, a long hop slapped away there. And on the odd occasion, maybe a glimpse of the flair stirring within, as she drove one through a tightly packed offside field. But never would she get carried away; she didn’t hit back-to-back boundaries until the 47th over.In the process Mooney did what many of those around had failed to do – played the ball late. Australia are not a team that relies on the sweep too heavily – though Litchfield does play a mean reverse – instead opting to use their feet liberally. Mooney however prefers using the depth of the crease, and in Colombo that has long been the among the most effective ways to combat conditions.”So my method in the nets was to really commit if I was going to come out and try and hit down the ground as hard as I could, or to sit deep and still hit it as hard as I could. Thankfully that method works tonight. I might have to adjust and adapt that as we go and play for others on the continent.”It just seemed like the ball, when it was a little bit full, wasn’t coming on as nice when the batters were playing out in front of them. So that method doesn’t always work, and perhaps you’ve got to be a little bit agile with that mindset. But I think just being really clinical with the footwork and really clear and concise with that method works.”Alana King and Beth Mooney added 106 off 97 balls for the ninth wicket•ICC/Getty ImagesIn an innings that Mooney herself touted as one of her best, if there was anything she might have done differently it might have been the stage at which they accelerated towards the death. Her conflict was such that she was seen heading off the field during a DRS review to have a chat with those in the dugout.”[The chat in the dugout was about] trying to find out at what point I could start being a little bit more expansive. I think at that point there was maybe 15 overs left. So just the number of overs that I could start playing a few more shots.”I think there’s always going to be games in those scenarios where you sort of think, ‘we scored pretty freely towards the very end’, and I did wonder if we could have done that a little bit earlier.”In the end though Alana King’s momentum-clinching cameo at the death helped Australia crunch 34 runs in the final two overs to boost them to 221. It also meant that it wasn’t solely Mooney’s day with the bat, but just yet more evidence that when it comes to Australia, more often than not, it will be someone’s.

West Ham United’s unbeaten run was brought to a halt by Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

Now, the good news is that the Premier League champions were miles better than the Hammers, but the bad news is that they are still level on points with 18th-placed Leeds United.

Worse than that, though, at least in the immediate, is the fact that Nuno Espírito Santo is now going to be without Lucas Paqueta for the Hammers’ trip to Manchester United on Thursday night following his sending-off for dissent.

The Brazilian’s absence is undeniably a big problem, but Nuno might have a surprise solution in the shape of a particularly exciting prospect.

The latest West Ham team news

With every game now becoming increasingly crucial for West Ham and Nuno this season, it’s equally important that players are available.

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Fortunately, there are only two first-team players out injured at the moment who will miss Thursday’s game, alongside Paqueta.

Unfortunately, while nobody was expecting Ollie Scarles to be declared fit given his surgery, there was hope, at least among the fanbase, that Crysencio Summerville would be fit enough to play.

However, speaking in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Nuno revealed that “there are still some issues” with the knock that the Dutchman picked up in the game against Bournemouth.

He then added that, while the club “are still assessing” the issue, they believe “Thursday is probably going to be too soon.”

It’s a real blow for the East Londoners, as while the former Leeds United star hasn’t quite delivered in terms of output, he is still one of their most dangerous and electric attackers.

Moreover, with him out and Paqueta out, that left-hand side looks a lot weaker, that is, unless Nuno makes a bold decision and unleashes one of the academy’s most exciting products there.

The academy star who could replace Paqueta

West Ham have a proud history of developing and promoting their best academy gems, and the latest youngster who could join the likes of Declan Rice and Freddie Potts, while also stepping in for Paqueta, is George Earthy.

The 21-year-old first joined the club at the under-6 level and has since worked his way up through the age groups, impressing the right people at every step.

For example, in 60 appearances for the u18s, totalling 4804 minutes, he scored 25 goals and provided 18 assists, which is an average of a goal involvement every 1.39 games, or every 111.72 minutes.

Earthy’s Junior Record
Team	U18s	U21s
Appearances	60	55
Minutes	4804′	3703′
Goals	25	19
Assists	18	15
Goal Involvements per Match	0.71	0.61
Minutes per Goal Involvement	111.72′	108.91′
All Stats via Transfermarkt

And if that’s still not enough, he has scored 19 goals and provided 15 assists in 55 appearances, totalling 3703 minutes, for the U21S, which comes out to a goal involvement every 1.61 games, or every 108.91 minutes.

Last but certainly not least, the “priceless” youngster, as dubbed by coach Steve Potts, also has four first-team appearances under his belt, in which he’s scored one goal.

In other words, the boyhood Hammer is a huge attacking threat, whether scoring goals or assisting.

Now, some might argue that he lacks enough senior experience to be thrown in the deep end by Nuno on Thursday, but they would be mistaken.

Last season saw the Havering-born gem go on loan to Championship side Bristol City, where he not only made 40 appearances but was named the club’s young player of the year.

Finally, while it is undoubtedly true that the youngster is primarily an attacking midfielder, he has spent time out wide, and it’s not uncommon for managers to stick academy products where they are needed in the team.

Moreover, Paqueta is banned for just one game, and Earthy has more than enough talent and mental fortitude to do a job in a newish position for such a brief spell.

Ultimately, losing the Brazilian for Thursday’s game is far from ideal, but if Nuno is bold enough to start him there, Earthy might just be the solution he needs.

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Mitchell Starc ripped through England with a seven-wicket haul but England hit right back thanks to Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse and Ben Stokes

Tristan Lavalette21-Nov-2025

Ben Stokes holds the ball aloft after claiming a five-for•Getty Images

Living up to the hype after such a prolonged build-up, the first Ashes Test started in frenetic fashion with wild momentum swings as pace bowlers from both attacks dominated on a bouncy Perth Stadium surface.By the end of a thoroughly entertaining opening day, England have amazingly finished with the edge after 19 wickets fell in front of 51,531 fans.Stepping up in the absences of fellow quicks Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc had initially given Australia a sensational start to the series with career-best bowling figures of 7 for 58 as England were dismissed for just 172 in their first innings.Related

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Stats – Stokes and Starc lead the charge as wickets tumble in Perth

In the lead-up to the Test, Starc had stated his preference for series-openers to be played in Australia’s traditional fortress of the Gabba, while he was also dubious about a Perth surface dubbed as a “green monster”. Bowling consistently around 145kph/90mph, Starc relished a green-tinged surface he was able to find some extra zing off to tear through England’s batting.Learning from Starc’s efforts, England’s all-out pace attack hit back against a reshuffled Australia batting order after Usman Khawaja was unable to open having spent time off the field during England’s innings with back stiffness.After months of speculation over who would open, Marnus Labuschagne did end up partnering debutant Jake Weatherald, who at the start of the day had received his cap from David Warner.Much like Nathan McSweeney a year ago against India on the same ground, Weatherald faced a baptism of fire and was trapped lbw by quick Jofra Archer to fall for a second-ball duck.Jake Weatherald was blown off his feet by Jofra Archer to fall for a duck•Getty ImagesKhawaja was still not able to bat by this point, meaning Steven Smith walked out at No. 3 for the first time in a Test since 2017. He had a torrid time, smacked on the elbow by a vicious short ball from Gus Atkinson that required medical attention.Bowling at speeds around 150kph, Archer was a handful and he conjured awkward bounce that accounted for Labuschagne, who was also struck on the elbow and bowled.Having copped another painful blow, Smith battled hard with 17 off 49 balls before edging a sharp delivery from Brydon Carse to second slip. Batting at No. 4 for just the second time in his Test career, Khawaja could do little against a rapid short delivery from Carse that grazed the bat handle and he was caught behind.Feeling in much better spirits than he had earlier in the day, Ben Stokes finished with five wickets in his six-over spell, including Travis Head and Cameron Green – who had threatened with a 45-run partnership – in the shadows to cap England’s remarkable rally.There are eerie parallels to the corresponding India Test from 12 months ago when 17 wickets fell on the opening day. This surface did not appear to be quite as challenging, but sharp bounce and pace was evident with a slew of top-order batters falling caught behind the wicket.Harry Brook was the only one to score a half-century•Getty ImagesEngland’s first attempts of unfurling their aggressive batting style on Australian soil did not go to plan after winning the toss. They did score at 5.3 runs per over but were bowled out in just 32.5 overs, capitulating to lose 5 for 12 in 18 deliveries by the drinks break of the second session.It was the shortest innings of an Ashes Test since Trent Bridge 2015 when Australia were routed for 60 on the opening day. Three of England’s top-six batters were caught behind the wicket – by the keeper or in the well-stocked cordon – in a mode of dismissal that has been common in Perth over the years, while the other three were beaten by pace.England’s fightback later in the day has vindicated their decision to go in with an all-out pace attack, with offspinner Shoaib Bashir missing out in a rarity when fit.There had been an expectation that Australia would bat regardless of which side the coin landed, given Stokes’ preference of bowling first. But he opted to follow the brief history of the ground, where batting first had proven advantageous before the surface cracked up later in the match.Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett walked to the crease amid some jeers from Australian fans, who only just outnumbered their English counterparts in the terraces. Given the high drama over first deliveries of several previous Ashes series, there was a swirl of anticipation as Starc charged in with thundering clapping reverberating around the massive ground.Steven Smith grimaces after being struck on the elbow by Gus Atkinson•Getty ImagesCrawley, of course, had famously swatted Cummins for a boundary on the first delivery of the last Ashes series, but he blocked Starc into the off side in an anti-climax.It didn’t take long for drama to ensue with Crawley, who effectively collared Starc in the 2023 series, playing and missing on the third delivery before being unable to see out the opening over after edging to Khawaja at first slip.There had been concerns over Crawley’s ability to drive on a length in Perth and the shorter length from Starc undid him. While Starc was a handful from the jump, a nervous looking Scott Boland struggled with his lengths in his first red-ball match at Perth Stadium as Duckett pounced with several lovely drives down the ground.After a strong hit-out in the Lilac Hill warm-up cemented his No. 3 spot, Ollie Pope underlined his confidence with several crisp punches down the ground, striking the right mix of balance and aggression.The runs flowed despite the outfield being particularly sluggish after a Metallica concert was held on the ground just three weeks ago. Even though he cruised at run-a-ball pace, Duckett was never at ease against Starc and on 21 was beaten by pace to fall lbw after an unsuccessful review.Joe Root arrived at the crease in the ninth over, with a tough task ahead to produce an elusive century in Australia. But Starc was on a roll and had Root turned inside out to nick to third slip with a cracking delivery that pitched on leg and nipped across. It was Starc’s 100th Ashes wicket and his celebration was fitting.To that stage, Starc had the figures of 3 for 10 from five overs, but Harry Brook was undaunted in his first Test innings in Australia as he unfurled trademark cavalier shots, some of which failed to connect.Brook and Pope combined for a brisk 55-run partnership to steady the ship briefly for England. Starc was playing a lone-hand amid Boland’s struggles, while debutant Brendan Doggett, who came on first change just before the drinks break, bowled sharper than his pace in the 130s suggested.Mitchell Starc acknowledges his five-wicket haul•Getty ImagesPope appeared to be cruising to his first half-century in Australia before being trapped by a full delivery on leg stump from Green, who proved his fitness in his return to Test bowling since March 2024.There was the expectation that batting would be easier after the lunch break and Brook wasted no time by flaying a hapless Boland for six over extra cover that had spectators ducking.But Starc’s momentum was not halted by the interval and he rattled the stumps of Stokes with a cracking delivery that nipped back through the gate as Stokes dropped to one knee in disbelief. It was the tenth time Starc has dismissed Stokes in Tests, heightening the burden on Brook who punched his way to a half-century off 58 balls with the Australian bowlers resisting bowling short.But Brook soon walked off after gloving a short delivery from Doggett, who had only appealed half-heartedly before being swamped by his team-mates in a memorable first-Test-wicket celebration.Doggett, who had earlier received his cap from Boland and his former South Australia coach Jason Gillespie, also dismissed Carse with a short ball as England collapsed.Starc claimed the final two wickets in consecutive deliveries, walking off the ground to a loud ovation from the home fans. But just three hours later he trudged off the field after his dismissal as the match took a dramatic turn.

Bruno Fernandes has been brutally compared to a “one-year-old”, with the Manchester United captain being told that high energy, goals and assists mask his flaws. Ex-Red Devils defender Paul Parker has been discussing the Portuguese playmaker with GOAL and believes that a talismanic presence at Old Trafford can both help and hinder the collective cause.

• Fernandes' Man Utd record: Appearances and goals

  Fernandes has been on United’s books since January 2020, when a transfer from Sporting was completed. He has gone on to make over 300 appearances for the Premier League heavyweights, scoring 102 goals. He has also teed up many more efforts for grateful team-mates.

  The enigmatic 31-year-old has taken plenty of lessons from fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo down the years, with nothing but the best being demanded of himself and those playing by his side. His occasionally petulant character can rub people up the wrong way at times.

  There is, however, no questioning his value to United. He is a leader on and off the field, with the Red Devils and their loyal fan base often looking to the man with the armband for inspiration. He has delivered on countless occasions in times of need.

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• Getty
  

  Too much: Fernandes wants to be everywhere

  Fernandes does, however, stand accused of trying to do too much. Speaking in association with gambling portal British Gambler, former Red Devils star Parker told GOAL when asked about United’s engine room: “When you look in the middle, Casemiro does a great job. He is about the players around him. You put him in more consistent sides in the Premier League, he would look a different player. He would be respected and sort the tempo out.

  “At Manchester United he is playing next to someone that doesn’t stand still. He [Fernandes] is like my one-year-old, you leave them somewhere but they are not going to stay there, you put your head down and he’s gone. When he’s gone, he doesn’t leave you a note behind about where he’s going to be. That’s the thing with Bruno, he is going to score a goal or do an assist and the rest is all forgotten.”

• Captain material: Fernandes fills Man Utd armband

  Parker is not the first ex-United full-back to deliver that assessment of Fernandes. Patrice Evra, another title winner with the Red Devils, has also told GOAL: “It’s always sensitive to talk about Bruno. It depends what people call a real captain. With a captain, sometimes you can have someone like Roy Keane or a different one. Bruno is giving assists and scoring goals, this has never been the issue. The issue for me is for him to control the team and the tempo when he gets the ball.

  “You couldn't tell me where he's playing because he's everywhere. So sometimes maybe as a captain, you want to do extra, you want to do too much. And at the end, you're not even at your right position. But United wouldn't be where they are in the table if Bruno wasn't playing.”

  Evra added on Fernandes’ role as skipper: “I don't question the fact about Bruno being a captain – he deserves to be captain because [Ruben] Amorim has chosen him. Look at what's happening to [Harry] Maguire. They got rid of the armband and he now plays like a United player. You saw how people were bullying him on social media or whatever. But he said, I'm staying here.”

• Getty
  

  Transfer talk: Move being mooted for 2026

  While commanding centre-half Maguire has stayed put, it remains to be seen whether Fernandes will do likewise. Questions are being asked of his future heading towards 2026 – when he will have just one year remaining on his contract, as United retain a 12-month extension option.

  Leading teams across Europe, including reigning La Liga champions Barcelona, have been credited with interest. Rumours of admiring glances from the Saudi Pro League are never far away either, with it being suggested on a regular basis that Fernandes could follow five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo – who is still going strong with Al-Nassr at 40 years of age – to the Middle East.

“The skill level exists in our team too, but we lack experience and the ability to execute our plans consistently,” UAE captain says

Danyal Rasool09-Sep-2025What are your big picture goals for UAE in the foreseeable future?
My goal as captain is to make UAE a Full Member. The more we play against Test nations and beat them, that will help all our numbers as well as the team ranking. I believe we have a shot at this and I want to make this happen while I’m still around. We’ve got Afghanistan’s example to follow. I want the same for us, and that’s my goal.Related

• Will UAE punch above their weight in Group A?

• Asia Cup: Politics, passion and a stage for new rivalries

At 31 and in your current form, do you believe you’re in the prime of your career?
You could say that. I’ve been performing for my team for the past three years. If I hang around the team for the next five to seven years, then I hope to achieve the goals I mentioned earlier while I’m with the team.How did the captaincy come to you?
I did very well in domestic cricket here, such that I was offered a national contract before I had even made my debut for UAE. My career started well; I scored a hundred in my first series in a T20I. I continued to perform well, and that was a time the UAE side was in transition. We didn’t have many senior players and the team was quite new.Perhaps the selectors thought I had what it took to be captain, because I was also captain for my domestic side for the previous four to five years. In that time, my team won the D10 and D20 tournaments [ECB domestic tournaments] a number of times. Maybe that record of mine made them think I could do this, and they decided to give me the captaincy.Alishan Sharafu is one of the other big-hitters in the UAE line-up•Getty ImagesYou’ve opened in all but one match in your T20I career, but you attack a lot more in the powerplay than your team-mate at the other end. Is that strategic or just your natural game?
It is a bit of a strategic move for me to attack in the powerplay. For example, when Muhammad Zohaib opens with me, I take the bowler on while the other opener tries to preserve their wicket. In modern cricket, when one of the top four plays most of the innings, the team tends to score 170 or more. When I attack, Zohaib is more circumspect and waits for loose deliveries to put away.UAE got themselves into some really good positions in the tri-nation series, but couldn’t see them through to the finish. Why was that?
It comes down to lack of experience. If we had experience, then in the two games against Afghanistan, and if I hadn’t lost my wicket and Asif [Khan] hadn’t fallen the next over in the first game against them, the story might have been different. Even if we needed 50-55 in the last five overs, we could have chased it down.

“We see each other all the time, and the boys get along very well. So it isn’t much of an issue managing this group. I know now how to use our bowlers, because I know this team so well given the time I’ve spent with them and captained them”

The side relies quite heavily on two or three power-hitters. Do you need more firepower with the bat?
The combination we have now is the best combination. Alishan Sharafu, Asif Khan and myself are among the bigger hitters. We’ve spaced our team’s batting order such that one person who’s at the crease attacks while the other holds up an end or rotates the strike. So I open, Alishan is in the middle and Asif lower down the order. The idea is that we’ve always got someone who can charge a bowler.What would success look like at the Asia Cup for the UAE?
We’ve been working very hard for the past two to three months and can beat anyone in this format. It comes down to what kind of cricket we play on the day, and whether we apply ourselves the way we’ve planned it. We can absolutely inflict an upset on one of India or Pakistan. We could beat Oman and we’ll target one of these two and eye a run to the Super Four.UAE won a series against Bangladesh but then finished second to Uganda in a multi-team tournament in Entebbe. How large is the gap between the more established sides and yourselves?
The skill level exists in our team too, but we lack experience and the ability to execute our plans consistently. When it all clicks, we can give anyone a tough time. In Uganda, I have to be honest, we couldn’t perform to the best of our abilities. We appeared a bit too casual there, and I would like us to forget about that one and not repeat our mistakes from then.

“Five years ago, only your mates and your parents came to watch you here. Now, we see crowds coming to watch and support us. In the matches coming up, we can expect some support, and I’d like to call on cricket fans here to come out and support us during the Asia Cup”

Sharjah saw the ball favour spin quite a bit in the tri-series. What do you expect from the conditions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
In Dubai, there will be assistance for spinners, especially in the middle overs. Not so much in Abu Dhabi. The conditions remain the same in both innings. Maybe in the afternoon game, there is a difference, because you get some swing early on under natural light. It also tends to stick in the wicket. But under lights, the ball comes onto the bat beautifully.In the UAE squad, there are plenty of expats who come to watch games, but they’re usually there to support the visiting team, be it India, Pakistan, or Afghanistan? If UAE cricket gets to a higher level, do you think you’ll also find home support?
It’ll take time. Five years ago, only your mates and your parents came to watch you here. Now, we see crowds coming to watch and support us. In the matches coming up, we can expect some support, and I’d like to call on cricket fans here to come out and support us during the Asia Cup.Haider Ali is UAE’s major strike bowler•Emirates Cricket BoardBat first or chase?
Outside the UAE, we can bat first and defend totals because we bowl well. But in the UAE, you get dew in the second innings, and the high humidity makes it difficult to grip the ball. In my opinion, chasing in the UAE is a little bit easier than batting first. That’s why we aim to chase. In that first game against Afghanistan, if we’d applied ourselves just a little bit more and used our experience, we could have won that game easily.Is Haider Ali your prime wicket-taking bowler? Who else should we be aware of?
Haider’s played first-class cricket in Pakistan and has been bowling well here for the past four or five years. Dhruv Parashar, too, bowls very well here. We suffered a real blow when one of our spinners, Zuhaib Zubair, got injured; he was our second-highest wicket-taker behind Haider in Entebbe. He’s out of the Asia Cup with a shoulder injury unfortunately, and that puts the onus even more on Haider to continue to step up.What’s your experience of captaining a side with different cultures, like is the case with the UAE team?
It’s not much of a challenge because we play together every other day. We see each other all the time, and the boys get along very well. So it isn’t much of an issue managing this group. I know now how to use our bowlers, because I know this team so well given the time I’ve spent with them and captained them.15:43

Can Afghanistan make the final of the Asia Cup?

To take you back a bit, you were born in Central Punjab in Pakistan. How did you end up in the UAE?
I began playing cricket in Pakistan. I used to play for Multan Region. I didn’t get much of a chance, though, and I moved here in 2016-17. I had a friend who played for a team here. They used to play local cricket, not quite at the level of formal domestic cricket, more like club cricket.Ramadan is cricket season, and he invited me here at that time. I started then, and I did well. From there, I got involved with the equivalent of the first-class cricket structure in the UAE. I started playing that, and after a few years of success, I made my debut for UAE in 2021.What is the pathway to international cricket in the UAE? How do you make your way into the system?
The way to get in, first of all, is to have a visa, job or a first-class-level team that is willing to give you an employment contract. They sort out a job for you as well as accommodation. But the ICC rule is you have to maintain residency in the country for three years. The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) follows your performances and how you’ve been doing, and you get called up a few months ahead of the time you become eligible if they have a mind to select you for the national team. That’s what happened to me.In the four years since you’ve started playing international cricket, how has UAE cricket evolved?
We were struggling at the start, but in the last two or three years, we’ve been playing very good cricket. The last three years, the ILT20 has been a huge help to the players. Because there are a lot of big-name players in there. It places you in a different kind of pressurised learning environment that help you learn things which prove useful in international cricket.

There’s no denying that Chelsea employed a scattergun spending approach in the early days of BlueCo’s ownership, but that has since been streamlined over the past few years, with Enzo Maresca proving the perfect man for the job.

Sunday’s Premier League clash is a big one, with Stamford Bridge playing host to a top-of-the-table clash between Chelsea and Arsenal. The second-place Blues will narrow the deficit to just three points with a win.

This is a team building toward a period of sustained success, and the tactical readings suggest that Chelsea are already one of the most exciting attacking outfits in the division, even if there is a sense that there are several levels still to be scaled.

Chelsea

2nd

22.1

Man City

3rd

21.8

Arsenal

1st

20.7

Crystal Palace

5th

20.2

Man Utd

10th

19.9

However, a question mark lingers over number nine, with Liam Delap yet to prove he is the answer. Could Chelsea be looking to sign an upgrade?

Why Chelsea are searching for a striker

In fairness, Delap has spent a sizeable portion of his first months in west London in the infirmary. Still, since returning from a hamstring injury that has kept him out for much of the autumn, the English striker has started twice in the Premier League and failed to break his duck on both counts.

That said, he did net his first goal of the campaign for the Blues against Barcelona in midweek, coming off the bench and coolly converting to seal the 3-0 win after neat interplay between Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez.

However, the £30m summer signing from Ipswich Town has yet to prove he has what it takes to nail down a berth at the front of Maresca’s system, and co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart are searching for a potential upgrade.

They may have found one. According to Sky Germany, Chelsea are among the outfits to have been informed that Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy is worth about €50m (£44m), applicable for a number of top European outfits.

Chelsea are in the mix, and though Delap and Joao Pedro make up a dynamic central strike force in west London, Guirassy’s clinical record suggests he could add an interesting dimension to a title-challenging side.

What Guirassy would bring to Chelsea

Guirassy, 29, might not fit the age profile Chelsea have focused on targeting in recent years, but his experience and maturity in the final third would serve as a neat counterpoint to the younger generation.

Delap caught the eye for Ipswich last season, a shining light as he scored 12 goals across 37 Premier League outings. Kieran McKenna’s side were relegated, but so many teams swarmed for Delap’s signature, and Chelsea won the race.

The 22-year-old has a future at Stamford Bridge, but Maresca’s side need someone in the now who can maintain a fight against Arsenal, while pushing deep into the Champions League too.

Guirassy is “one of the best strikers in Europe”, according to German legend Lothar Matthaus, and he ranks among the top 11% of strikers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored per 90, as per FBref.

25/26

10

5 + 1

24/25

30

21 + 2

23/24

28

28 + 2

22/23

22

11 + 0

He’s hardly just a mindless poacher, with silky footwork and intelligent positioning that allows him to roam around the attacking half and link up with teammates.

But, at his core, Guirassy is indeed a goalscorer, and Chelsea may find that Delap earns fewer minutes with the Guinean striker in the mix.

It’s a tough one, but given the promising position Maresca’s side have placed themselves into, it might just be the move to make.

Maresca must finally sell Chelsea "passenger" who was like Estevao at 18

The international superstar may have once played like Estevao, but he’s now a problem for Chelsea.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 28, 2025

Kagiso Rabada will remain with the team for the Guwahati Test but return home immediately after and miss the white-ball series

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Nov-2025Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the second India vs South Africa Test match, in Guwahati from Saturday, after not recovering sufficiently from the rib bone stress injury that had kept him out of the opening Test of the series in Kolkata.”The injury has been closely monitored by the Proteas medical team, and due to ongoing discomfort in the affected area, Rabada has been withdrawn from the remainder of the tour,” Cricket South Africa said in a statement on Friday morning, a day off from the start of the game. “He will continue the initial phase of his four-week rehabilitation program with the Proteas medical team before returning to South Africa at the conclusion of the second Test.”This will put him out of the white-ball series in India that will follow the Tests.As reported by ESPNcricinfo, Rabada had not bowled since sustaining the injury in training last Tuesday in Kolkata and did not train on Wednesday in Guwahati.Simon Harmer, with an eight-wicket match haul, was South Africa’s bowling star in Kolkata, and they had Keshav Maharaj as the second spinner there with Marco Jansen the fast-bowling frontman and Wiaan Mulder and Corbin Bosch chipping in. Mulder, though, bowled just five overs in the Test, and while Bosch bowled more, he had just the one wicket – of Rishabh Pant in the first innings – to show for his efforts. Bosch made a valuable contribution of 25 runs from No. 9 in South Africa’s second innings, though.Lungi Ngidi is the other fast bowler in South Africa’s line-up.