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What a fantastic start Manchester United have had to 2025. The Red Devils are yet to lose, with Ruben Amorim’s side getting a huge 2-2 draw away to Liverpool in their first game of the new calendar year.

Next up for the 2023/24 FA Cup winners was the first defence of their crown away to Arsenal, a tough task in North London. However, the Red Devils won on penalties despite playing with ten men for an hour or so.

Most recently came a 3-1 win at Old Trafford against Southampton. Despite being 1-0 down with 81 minutes on the clock, Amad scored a hat-trick in 12 minutes to secure all three points for the home side.

Amorim has rotated his side well so far, and the next player who could be the victim of that is Manuel Ugarte, despite his brilliant performances in the past few months.

Ugarte’s recent performances

To clarify, a situation where Ugarte gets dropped from the starting 11 would not be a reflection of his recent performances. He has been superb in recent weeks, described as a “big game player” by football statistician Statman Dave.

The defensive midfielder is not one to shy away from any challenges, and his stats on FBref from the Premier League highlight his ball-winning ability. He currently averages six tackles and interceptions per game in the top flight this term, ranking him in the top 2% of Premier League midfielders for that metric.

However, against Southampton, the United number 25 struggled. He looked tired and played just over half of the game before being replaced. He received a 5/10 for his performance from the Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst. He explained Ugarte “failed to provide any control” in the middle of the park.

So, despite his brilliant work over the past few weeks, the Uruguayan could fall victim to Amorim’s rotation policy and get some much-needed rest against Brighton and Hove Albion. The man who could replace him is the impressive young midfielder Toby Collyer.

Why Collyer could start against Brighton

At the beginning of the season, Collyer was described as former manager Erik ten Hag’s “next youth project” by football analyst and The Overlap: The Breakdown host H. Well, the Dutchman didn’t survive much of the season, but Collyer has certainly stepped up in recent weeks.

He has played five times this season for the Red Devils, featuring in back-to-back games against Arsenal and Southampton, coming on for Ugarte in the centre of midfield in the most recent game.

He has certainly been a good replacement, with H explaining he has “energy in abundance”, exactly like his Uruguayan teammate. Ugarte showed his appreciation for Collyer’s performance against the Saints on Instagram after the game.

As the stats on Sofascore suggest, Collyer was fantastic against Arsenal and Southampton. He played 39 minutes at the Emirates Stadium, winning four duels, and showing his hard work off the ball. Against the South Coast side, his 37-minute cameo demonstrated his excellent ball-playing ability, as he completed 95% of his passes.

Stat

vs. Arsenal

vs. Southampton

Touches

16

25

Passes completed

4/7

20/21

Pass accuracy

57%

95%

Duels won

4

3

Tackles won

1/1

2/3

Those are encouraging performances where he showed two different sides of the 21-year-old’s game, and what was on show is what Amorim can expect from him. Quality when in possession and hard work to continuously work hard off the ball.

Even though he is far less experienced than Ugarte, there might not be too much of a drop-off in his performance compared to the United number 25. Collyer has already proved he can be an apt replacement for him over the past few weeks.

Starting the former Brighton academy star against his former club not only continues his exposure and increases his opportunities at the highest level, but also allows for some rest for Ugarte.

Having quality squad depth is a crucial thing in football, and with Collyer, United certainly have that. It will be an exciting moment if Amorim chooses to use him on Sunday afternoon.

Memphis Depay believes that football is more enjoyable in South America than Europe since making the switch to Brazil.

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Depay enjoying spell in BrazilBelieves South America play 'pure football'Aims dig at rigidness of European styleFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Depay made the switch from Europe to South America and joined Corinthians in 2024, where he has since come across Neymar in the Brazilian top flight since his return to Santos. During his two seasons in the continent, the former Manchester United man has seen a different style of football, something he has labelled as "pure".

AdvertisementGettyWHAT DEPAY SAID

Speaking recently to France Football, Depay said: "The world is bigger than just Europe. In Europe, there is sometimes a tendency to play too much with the head. There are more and more rules, there are teams that sometimes play defensively, teams that think a lot. Sometimes it kills the game. Here, we have fun and experience pure emotions with real football.

"There are a lot of very strong, very fast players. We play in very high temperatures. Tactically, they can improve, that’s the only thing. But otherwise, it’s very physical. For ninety minutes, you have space and it never stops. It’s pure football. It goes from one side to the other. Sometimes it slows down, then it speeds up again, it’s complicated and even difficult to define. It’s completely different from what we see in Europe."

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Depay has performed in the biggest European leagues, playing for the likes of United, Lyon and Barcelona. He will be well aware of the evolving tactics thanks to the influence of Pep Guardiola and other high-level managers. The Dutch international will have been enjoying the more relaxed approach to the game in Brazil.

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IMAGOWHAT NEXT FOR DEPAY?

The 31-year-old has 100 international caps for the Netherlands and is contracted at Corinthians until 2026. He will have one eye on the World Cup next summer but will need to really stand out playing in South America.

McKiernan seizes the initiative as Essex slump to heavy home defeat

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Aug-2022Brooke Guest anchored Derbyshire to Royal London Cup success against Essex with the highest 50-over score of his increasingly impressive career.Guest, who has four first-class centuries to his name this season, frustrated a sizeable, sun-drenched Chelmsford crowd with a 79-ball 88, entering stage right in the midst of a mini-collapse when three wickets fell in five balls.However, the Derbyshire innings spluttered back into life when the 25-year-old Guest was joined by Mattie McKiernan (72 not out) for a 125-run sixth-wicket stand. It helped Derbyshire reach 318 for 6 and, ultimately, to record only their second Royal London win in two seasons.Related

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Essex were semi-finalists last year but were always second-best despite winning the toss and asking Derbyshire to bat on a benign wicket.Only South African Grant Roelofsen and 18-year Jamal Richards hung around for any length of time, marking their debuts with 43 and 46 respectively, as Essex were bowled out for 226 in 45 overs to fall 92 runs shortUnder the floodlights of a day-night contest, Essex’s chase got off to the worst possible start when Feroze Khushi was trapped on the back foot by Sam Conners without scoring. He was quickly followed by captain Tom Westley, who went in similar fashion to a ball that kept low from Ben Aitchison.Josh Rymell steadied things with Roelofsen, the pair piecing together 53 runs, before edging Luis Reece behind to the irrepressible Guest for 38.Robin Das entertained briefly with 19 from 13 balls, including a straight six, before Mark Watt gained revenge by positioning himself under a steepling catch off his own bowling. Will Buttleman was caught behind off Reece and suddenly Essex were in serious trouble at 99 for 5.Roelofsen had impressed in local club cricket and the 2nd XI this summer, and played himself in quietly but efficiently. He had not looked in any trouble until he was stranded in mid-pitch by Anuj Dal’s throw from mid-on to be run out for 43.Aaron Beard, at the other end then, was on the wrong end of a different type of run-out when McKiernan diverted Aron Nijjar’s drive on to the non-striker’s stumps with Beard out of his ground.Shane Snater ballooned an attempted sweep off Alex Thomson to give Guest, behind the stumps, a comfortable catch. Nijjar and Richards refused to go down without a fight with a hard-hitting ninth-wicket stand worth 51 before Guest took his fourth catch to end Nijjar’s fun.Richards clubbed two sixes over midwicket in his enterprising first knock before falling to a catch just inside the ropes.Earlier in the day, Reece and Billy Godleman overcame a tentative start by targeting Beard for some rough treatment – including inadvertently bundling him over in his follow-through when Derbyshire’s captain scuttled through for a quick single.Beard had conceded just two runs off his first two overs, but was withdrawn after a four-over opening spell with 35 against his name accentuated by successive sixes over his head from Godleman. Godleman departed when he decided to charge Snater and was bowled after a 64-run opening stand.Harry Came joined Reece to add another fifty for the second wicket before chipping the ball back to Nijjar to precipitate the quick clutter of wickets. Tom Wood lasted three deliveries before his middle-stump was pegged back by Nijjar and then Reece tamely patted the ball back to Westley to end a 63-ball stay for 52.Richards claimed his first senior wicket when Dal clipped to midwicket after a fifth-wicket partnership of 52 with Guest that put Derbyshire back on an even keel.Guest and McKiernan kept the scoreboard ticking to the extent that Derbyshire only failed to score from four of the last 68 balls. Guest moved to 88 with a six over mid-on off Snater, but perished the next ball when attempting the same shot but only finding Beard on the fence.

Batter keen to use the series against Zimbabwe and New Zealand to adapt to role with an eye on the 2023 World Cup

Andrew McGlashan23-Aug-20220:34

Warner: ‘Cricket schedule over next five years looks scary’

Marnus Labuschagne is a self-confessed tinkerer when it comes to his batting, sometimes changing things mid-innings, and he is focused on using the upcoming six ODIs against Zimbabwe and New Zealand in northern Australia to continue to adapt his middle-order game with little more than a year to go until the World Cup.Labuschagne now has 21 ODIs under his belt since making his debut shortly before Covid disrupted the game – the opening ODI against Zimbabwe in Townsville on August 28 will be Australia’s first on home soil since November 2020. He scored a century in his fifth innings, an emotional performance against South Africa in the country of his birth, and has also made a couple of sparkling half-centuries either side of Australia’s 13-month absence from the format.Related

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However, he was left frustrated by his returns on the recent tour of Sri Lanka, even knowing there were some tough conditions as the series progressed, having fallen between 18 and 31 in all five innings.”Looking back on it, I certainly wish I’d played a slightly different way,” he told ESPNcricinfo. “I almost started a little too defensively so I’m just reviewing my theories there and wished I’d applied my Test method a little bit more in those conditions; sweeping the ball, using my feet a little more. It was a bit disappointing from my end, that I didn’t really do that until the Test series came. For me, it’s a learning experience.”Part of that learning is to adjust to what could be the No. 5 position on a more regular basis. He twice batted there in Sri Lanka, with Josh Inglis and Travis Head in the slot above, and though neither of those players is part of the current squad, Mitchell Marsh and Steven Smith could both go in ahead of Labuschagne.”I enjoy the different challenges, that’s for sure,” he said. “I always like batting in the top order, I’ve spent my whole life there, but understanding the team make-up, batting at No. 5, I need to continue to get better at that role and through the middle overs understanding when to attack and defend. It’s about really trusting myself. That’s the great thing with the coaching staff, they have full trust in us as players, to take the game on and put pressure back on the opposition.”To be really positive out of the blocks is key for me. Understanding what the situation is. If we are going well it’s about making sure that I’m getting the other batter on strike if he’s really got momentum and starting to build the partnership. Putting the bowler under pressure from ball one and if I can do that it certainly changes the dynamic.”Marnus Labuschagne had fallen between 18 and 31 in all five innings in the recent tour of Sri Lanka•Getty ImagesThere has been some discussion about whether there is room for both Labuschagne and Smith in the ODI middle order with them having career strike rates of 85.80 and 88.43 respectively, but unsurprisingly, Labuschagne is not having a bar of that. Back in November 2020, the pair produced a stand of 136 in 16 overs against India at the SCG which gave a glimpse of how they could work together.”I don’t really see us as similar players, I think we attack the game very differently,” Labuschagne said. “[Steve] goes a lot more straight down the wicket, especially against spin, whereas I attack it quite square with sweeps. Obviously, I think there’s room for both of us. Steve got 100 off 60 balls against India in back-to-back games and feel like we complement each other depending on what the situation is. If it’s a tough wicket, we can control the middle overs, but on the other side, we can put pressure on the opposition at a lower risk and be able to score quickly. The challenge is we’ve just got to continue to push that run rate, especially when we are batting first, and we both understand that.”On the broader theme of the ODI format’s standing in the game at a time of unprecedented schedule crunch, Labuschagne is equally enthusiastic and hopes to add another chapter to Australia’s World Cup legacy next year in India.”I love 50-over cricket, it’s a good mix, you need to show some really good tactical nous, understanding your opposition, getting wickets through the middle overs and trying to score at seven or eight runs an over at low risk, that’s a different challenge in itself. I really enjoy the format, there’s space for all three, it’s just about how we schedule it.”The history that comes with one-day cricket makes it such an amazing format. There’s been so many great World Cup wins over so many years, so to be a part of a World Cup would be an amazing experience and one that I look forward to. Still think it’s the pinnacle of international white-ball events.”

Mic'd Up: The ESPN FC host hails Bayern Munich's improvement, takes stock of Gio Reyna's struggles, and makes Ballon d'Or prediction

Kay Murray is as knowledgeable as anyone when it comes to European football. The English broadcaster and studio host has covered a bit of everything in her time as an on-air and sideline talent. These days, she's in the studio for ESPN FC, covering the madness of soccer on the continent, but focusing on the Bundesliga. It's an interesting year for her, with Bayern Munich returning to the top of the league.

"I find Bayern very interesting, and I feel that there's a lot more calm around them this season," she tells GOAL.

Part of the appeal, Murray says, has been the influence of Vincent Kompany. The manager wasn't among the favorites to take the job last summer, but has got the Bavarians back to winning ways in no time.

"It's crazy that this is somebody who wasn't even on the top five of the wish list to come in as Bayern coach," she says. "But I don't feel like we're really talking about that anymore, and I think that's a testament and credit to him. It kept getting mentioned in the beginning, but everything he's done to essentially steady the ship – because there's been a bit of chaos around Bayern – has put them in that light."

His credentials will be tested this weekend, though, when Bayern take on Borussia Dortmund in the latest iteration of Der Klassiker, with Bayern's Harry Kane continuing his quest for silverware. The match begins at 12:25 p.m. ET on ESPN, ESPN+, Disney+ and ESPN Deportes.

Dortmund are struggling this season, and will hope to rebound after a comprehensive 4-0 defeat at the hands of Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal. They may be playing for pride, but there is no way they will roll over for their biggest rivals.

"I wouldn't say for sure that Bayern will win this one. But then there's part of it that thinks if they do win it, it will be a blowout. That's the thing. It goes back to that Dortmund thing, but I think there might be a little bit of life in the old dog yet with Borussia Dortmund," she says.

Either way, it will make for a fascinating watch. Murray talked German football, Gio Reyna, Ballon d'Or and more in Mic'd Up, a recurring feature in which GOAL US taps into the perspective of broadcasters, analysts, and other pundits on the state of soccer in the U.S. and abroad.

Getty ImagesON BAYERN MUNICH

GOAL: What do you make of Bayern Munich this season?

MURRAY: I find Bayern very interesting, and I feel that there's a lot more calm around them this season, and that has to be because of Vincent Kompany coming in. It's crazy that this is somebody who wasn't even on the top five of the wish list to come in as Bayern coach. But I don't feel like we're really talking about that anymore, and I think that's a testament and credit to him. It kept getting mentioned in the beginning, but everything he's done to essentially steady the ship – because there's been a bit of chaos around Bayern – has put them in that light.

It's a weird thing with Bayern at the moment where you want to give them credit. They've got a six-point advantage at the top of the Bundesliga, but there are still some times this season where you feel as though they've got away with a few things. And there's been some questions and some concerns. I remember the first time they had a big test this season. There was like a run of games where they were going to play Leverkusen, Aston Villa, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Barcelona. It wasn't always convincing in those games, but they still seemed to come through, and they've kept that unity, and you can tell that something's much tighter there than it had been. So it's going to be interesting to see the tests that they've got ahead.

GOAL: Will they get over the line in the Bundesliga?

MURRAY: Without a doubt. I feel that strongly about it. I can still make a case on air if I need to about where it could go wrong, but it would have to go wrong. No team has ever thrown away this big of an advantage in the Bundesliga at this stage of a season. So why would Bayern do it now when they have been steadier and a lot more convincing than Leverkusen behind them? And so I think, if I'm honest, it's pretty much already dead. However, there are some tests still ahead that could derail things a little bit, so we'll see what happens in the Champions League. It's obviously not great all the injuries they've got at the moment, but I do feel, to your point, that they'll have enough to get over the line.

AdvertisementAFPON HARRY KANE

GOAL: It looks like Harry Kane is finally going to break his career long trophy drought. What does that mean for him, do you think?

MURRAY: Everybody loves that narrative. It is interesting with the situations he's been in, but I really hope it happens for him. And this is not a bias of him being an England striker. I think it's hard not to like Harry Kane. He's such a top professional. He's a world-class striker. He does everything that's asked of him as a professional. Last season, it wasn't Bayern's season, and he's still getting the numbers and the individual accolades that would be expected of somebody of his caliber. I think it's hard not to be happy for him, and he's played a huge part in that trophy coming their way, if and when it does.

GOAL: He may as well just win something at this point. It seems it's like one of those cool things.

MURRAY: That first season, he comes and Bayer Leverkusen, against all the odds, win the title that year, and you're thinking, "Oh my goodness, is it going to happen for him?" But I think that if you looked at it and you looked at it properly, you'd think, "Well, if he's in the right place now for it to happen." So, OK, it didn't happen in the first season, but it is going to happen for him now.

GettyON GIO REYNA

GOAL: The American consciousness is fascinated by Gio Reyna. What does Gio need to do? Does he need to go? Is it time? So many managers, injuries. What's your what's your opinion?

MURRAY: It's really hard to know what to say with Gio Reyna, because he's still so young as well that he feels like he's been around forever. The injuries haven't helped him either. And then he went through this period of I remember coming on and making a difference, and then those moments go I just feel like he just needs something to go his way, somewhere, with a manager to really bank on him, and him to bank on himself. The talent is undeniable.

By extension there's this fascination with him and Borussia Dortmund. My co-host Ale Moreno gets so annoyed all the time by Dortmund because he just can't trust them, but there's this fascination around them all the time. It won't go away, because just when you think they're down and out, they'll do something that you think, "Oh, my goodness. How have they done that? Why aren't they showing that all the time?"

We had a bit of back and forth on air about it, because they've got this massive week coming up where they've got Bayern away from home. I can't say for sure that they won't take something away, against Bayern. That's the fascination around Dortmund, we never know what we're going to get from them. That's why you can't trust them. I agree with Ale Marino on that, you can't trust them – but you also can't count them out, because time and time again, they've proved that they'll do something that you're not expecting.

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Getty ImagesON DER KLASSIKER

GOAL: You mentioned you wouldn't be surprised if Dortmund win, but do you have a prediction? Is this the day that Bayern put the nail in the coffin and win the title?

MURRAY: It could be, but I think there might be a little twist, because they held them in the reverse fixture. And granted, Harry Kane goes out injured in that fixture. But Jamal Musiala was the one who salvaged the point in the reverse fixture, and now they don't have him. We're really gonna need to see Serge Gnabry and Thomas Muller, which is so interesting – he's going at the end of the season, and now they might just be heavily relying on him for the last phase. Leroy Sane is really going to have to step up, not just in this game, but in the games that follow without Musiala.

And then they have defensive injuries. It is really not a good time for them. It's this time of the season when you see players dropping like flies, when they've had such a packed schedule. And I just don't know how that's going to factor in. I think they're going to have enough to go over the line, but I wouldn't say for sure that Bayern will win this one. But then there's part of it that thinks if they do win it, it will be a blowout. That's the thing. It goes back to that Dortmund thing, but I think there might be a little bit of life in the old dog yet with Borussia Dortmund this weekend against Bayern.

GOAL: The footballing world always seems drawn to, El Clasico, or in England, Liverpool-United, the Manchester Derby. How significant is Der Klassiker?

MURRAY: It's really significant. And regardless of what's going on, which is what we find ourselves in this season, Dortmund have just found their way back into the top half of the table. That's how bad it's been, and I think it was last season was the first time we saw a Klassiker without at least one of the teams being at the top of the table. So it's a strange time for it. But you just still see that intense rivalry that goes deep, that goes through history over all those years, with some massive name players that have been involved with it.

Regardless of what's going on and how bad or good those teams are doing, it doesn't seem to change how they feel, and it doesn't seem to change the appeal for this game overall. You could be looking at other teams that are in the top four at the moment, and they'll be facing either a Bayern or a Leverkusen. And because we're involved in the Bundesliga, we're like, "OK, this is great. This is going to be an amazing matchup this week, because these two teams are facing each other." But as a whole, if you were to put that out to a broader audience, they're much more interested in seeing a rivalry and a game between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

The last few weeks of the January transfer window have been dominated by exits for Manchester United, with countless players linked with a move away from Old Trafford.

However, it’s what is needed under Ruben Amorim if the 39-year-old is to be a success during his time in charge, subsequently allowing him to make his own mark on the side.

Antony appears to be edging ever closer to a loan move to join Spanish side Real Betis until the end of the season, with Marcus Rashford still constantly touted for a departure from his boyhood club.

The Englishman has been subject to interest from the likes of AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund over the last couple of weeks, but is yet no closer to securing a move after being left out of each of the matchday squads since the start of December.

Such departures could free up wages, allowing the new boss to make his own additions to the squad and potentially end their dismal run of form in the Premier League.

Man Utd set to bid for young talent this month

According to one Spanish outlet, Man United are prepared to make a bid to land Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande before the window closes in a couple of weeks time.

The 21-year-old has featured in all but one Liga Portugal outing throughout 2024/25, breaking into the first team under Amorim during their time together at the club.

The report claims that the Red Devils are preparing an offer in the region of €60m (£51m) for the Ivorian to provide added depth into the backline for Amorim.

Given his tender age, he could be an immediate and long-term option at the heart of the defence for the former Sporting boss, allowing him to work with a player who he knows very well given their previous time together.

However, whilst it may be an expensive addition, it would allow for a superb partnership between Diomande and one other new addition who has been constantly rumoured with a move to Old Trafford.

Why Diomande could form an incredible partnership with Dorgu

Diomande isn’t the only player touted with a switch to the North West in recent days, with United also keen on a move for Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu over a switch this month.

The 20-year-old has been in superb form in Serie A this campaign, scoring three times and registering one assist in his 20 appearances, leading to the rumours over a move to England.

Dorgu, who would be a key addition to Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, fits the bill perfectly with his high energy allowing him to make an impact at both ends of the pitch.

The Denmark international would be able to star in the backline along with Diomande should both complete a transfer, with the Ivorian star having the skill set to improve the options in the defensive department whilst handing Dorgu the opportunities to thrive in attacking areas.

The centre-back, who joined Sporting in January 2023, has been a dominant force at the back, winning three aerial duels per 90 in 2024/25, at a success rate it 72% – showcasing his talents that would undoubtedly improve the current unit in the North West.

Games played

17

Minutes played

1343′

Pass accuracy

94%

Aerials won

3

Aerial success rate

72%

Tackles won

63%

Interceptions made

1.3

He’s also won 63% of the tackles he’s entered, managing to complete 1.3 interceptions per 90, with his attributes hopefully ending the club’s current run which has seen 13 games without a clean sheet.

Diomande, who’s previously been labelled “world-class” by analyst Alex Brice, has completed 94% of his passes, completing an average of 81 per 90, handing Dorgu the chance to make an impact within attacking areas.

Such a transfer would allow the central defender to follow in the footsteps of Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo in moving to Old Trafford from Sporting – with both making themselves fan-favourites in the process.

Whilst a deal would cost the Red Devils a huge transfer fee this month, it’s one that would massively bolster the defensive department, looking to put an immediate halt to the current crisis at the back.

Diomande has the tools to be an immediate impact but also possessing bags of potential to improve further down the line and become one of the leading talents in Europe for many years to come.

Enquiry made: Man Utd chase dream Dorgu alternative who's bullied Amad

Man United are hoping to sign a left wing-back this winter

ByJoe Nuttall Jan 21, 2025

Former Rochdale midfielder Joe Thompson, who started his career at Manchester United, has died at the age of 36.

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Thompson joined Man Utd at nine-years-oldMidfielder made 203 appearances at Rochdale36-year-old diagnosed with cancer for third time in 2024Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

Thompson was diagnosed with cancer for the third time in April 2024. He was found to have stage four lymphona, a type of blood cancer, which had spread to his lungs. In 2019, he'd been forced to retire due to the physical toll of playing professional spot alongside his treatment.

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The Bath-born midfielder joined United's academy at the age of nine, before joining Rochdale in 2005. He made his professional debut with Dale the following year. After leaving the club in 2012, he returned in 2016 making 203 appearances and scoring 19 goals. During his break from Spotland Stadium, he represented Tranmere, Wrexham, Southport and Carlisle.

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

On social media, United said: "A man who epitomised our club's values. We are saddened to share that Joe Thompson has passed away. A warm personality who had a deep connection with our club from a young age, our thoughts are with Joe's family and friends at this difficult time." They also posted a full obituary.

Rochdale's social media message read: "We're devastated to learn of the passing of Dale legend, Joe Thompson. Our thoughts are with Joe’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time. One of our own."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Thompson continued to push forward in raising money for charity, in spite of his illness. In October 2024, he organised a 21-mile fundraising walk from Old Trafford to Rochdale's Spotland Stadium.

Says he “did not how to cope” with missing out for India, but having time off because of injury helped him get into a better bowling rhythm

PTI25-Sep-2022Left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav “did not know how to cope” when he lost his place in the Indian team, but he is not afraid of failure anymore. He said as much after his hat-trick for India A against New Zealand A in Chennai on Sunday helped the hosts wrap up the one-day series with a game to play.Kuldeep faced a setback last year, injuring his knee at the IPL and undergoing surgery in September. That kept him out of action for several months. He also suffered a hairline fracture in his wrist this year, which forced him out of India’s T20I series against South Africa in June, as the white-ball tours of Ireland and England that followed. The time away from the game helped him work on his rhythm, Kuldeep said, and this helped him come back stronger.”I did not know how to cope with not getting enough game time,” he said after today’s match. “After the [knee] injury layoff of four months, I realised that I need to bowl quicker and began working on it. I am not afraid of failures now. When you fail, you learn. When I came back to the Indian side in January, I was not afraid of failure. I wanted to enjoy the game. My focus is to keep hitting the good lengths. [Getting] wickets is not in my hands, I just want to bowl in good areas.”To be honest, when I got injured, coming back from there, understanding my rhythm was very important. I was a little bit slow. After surgery, I have changed that rhythm, bowling with more effort and more control.”After his post-surgery rehabilitation process, Kuldeep was named in the squad in January for the three-match ODI series against West Indies, and then replaced the injured Washington Sundar for the three T20Is against Sri Lanka in February.He featured in just one ODI against West Indies and one T20I against Sri Lanka, though, before the wrist issue dragged him back again. After that, he played white-ball games for India in the West Indies and Zimbabwe in August, before the New Zealand A challenge.”Coming back, I was bowling well in the IPL [this year] before I got hit in the nets and was out for two months.”[Later] in the West Indies, I bowled really well, and in Zimbabwe as well. Accuracy and speed were phenomenal. Then coming back, I’ve played red ball [against New Zealand A]. I’ve [also] played two [one-day] games here, in the first game also the control was beautiful. I am very happy.”Kuldeep said the injuries and subsequent recovery process made him understand himself and his body better. “When you keep playing, you learn. You want to play more games but that could not happen. I actually didn’t know how to cope with it.”The injury was lucky for me. I could understand my body and on the comeback, began thinking about my rhythm. It is challenging but you have to see the other part as well… It is always tough playing for India.”

Manchester City may not make it five Premier League titles in a row this season, but that hasn’t stopped Pep Guardiola from thinking ahead to the future and what lies next.

Despite City’s erratic form – winning just five times since the start of November – the Spaniard penned an extension to his deal at the club before Christmas.

Knowing he had to make a few signings during the January transfer window, Guardiola has even outdone himself, as three new arrivals have made their way to Manchester ahead of the second half of the campaign.

Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Omar Marmoush are the three players who have made the move to the club this month. The key question is, will there be more?

Much will depend on exactly how much Guardiola is willing to spend this month, as his new trio could all make an impression at the Etihad over the next few months.

Market Movers

Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?

Marmoush, in particular, looks like a wonderful signing, and he will take the pressure off Erling Haaland to constantly perform in every single game.

If he hits the ground running, the Egyptian striker could score a bucketload of goals in the Premier League.

Why Omar Marmoush is a good signing for Man City

One of the longest-running transfer sagas of the current window finally came to an end when the deal that brought Marmoush to City was completed.

The club may have splashed out £59m, with a further £4.2m in bonus payments, to secure his signature, yet it was a signing that was urgently required.

For Eintracht Frankfurt during the first half of the 2024/25 campaign, Marmoush played 27 games, scoring 20 goals while registering 14 assists in all competitions, proving that he has wonderful all-round qualities.

It is in the Bundesliga where the centre-forward shone most. Along with his 15 goals, Marmoush also averaged 4.5 shots per game, created 11 big chances, averaged 2.1 key passes, and succeeded with 2.7 dribbles per match, impressive numbers across a range of metrics.

This clearly caught the eye of Guardiola and he now has two strikers available. Haaland may be more of an out-and-out number nine, but with his new arrival showcasing his talents in more ways than one, it could be a match made in heaven.

Spending nearly £60m on a striker this month shows that City mean business. They might not win the league title this term, but will go on one of their usual post-Christmas runs like what they have done in the past?

The three new arrivals will have revitalised the squad slightly, that’s for sure.

Omar Marmoush’s market valuation at Man City

According to Transfermarkt, Marmoush is currently valued at around €60m (£50m), which indicates that City perhaps overpaid slightly, but Frankfurt were keen on securing as high a fee as possible for their prized asset.

His valuation has risen exponentially in the last few months, especially given his stunning form at club level. Once he starts scoring a few goals for the Etihad side, this will only rise further as time goes on.

There are a few players at City who are worth more than Marmoush, however. With one enjoying a decent run of form following a tough start to 2024/25…

Phil Foden has hit form at the right time

During the first 17 matches of the Premier League season, Phil Foden had failed to produce anything near his best level of football.

The Englishman managed to find the back of the net just once during that time, chipping in with an assist, but he, along with everyone else in the squad, appeared to buckle under expectation.

Perhaps this was always going to happen. Foden’s meteoric rise was incredible. Since making his debut during the 2017/18 season to the end of the 2023/24 campaign, Foden had played 270 matches for the club, registering an impressive 140 goal contributions during that spell – 87 goals and 53 assists – which saw the youngster win a plethora of trophies, including the Champions League.

He emerged as one of the finest players in the country and was regularly praised by pundits, managers and even fellow players. Indeed, Lionel Messi was another who lavished praise on Foden, saying: “He will do amazing things in the game. He has huge talent.” Way back in 2020.

Recently, his form has been heading in the right trajectory. The 24-year-old has scored braces in each of the club’s previous two league matches.

Against Ipswich Town recently, Foden was on fire. Not only did he score twice, but he also made two key passes, recorded an assist and registered four total shots during his time on the pitch.

Season

Games

Goals

Assists

2023/24

53

27

12

2022/23

48

5

8

2021/22

45

14

11

2020/21

50

16

10

2019/20

38

8

9

2018/19

26

7

2

2017/18

10

0

1

Via Transfermarkt

If he can maintain this sort of level over the next few months, then he will be key to City attempting to move into the top four of the league table.

Phil Foden’s market value

It speaks volumes that despite Foden enduring a dip in form over the previous few months, his market value is still extremely high.

According to Transfermarkt, the Englishman is now worth €140m (£118m), although this has dropped slightly since his peak last May.

Still, he ranks as the second most valued player throughout the entire squad, only behind Haaland. Not only that, but Foden is worth over twice the value of Marmoush too.

The £225k-per-week superstar will be hoping to form a solid partnership with the new signing, propelling City to new heights.

If so, the next few months could be interesting indeed, with the club aiming to qualify for the Champions League by securing a top-four finish in the top flight.

The scary thing is, Foden is still yet to hit his peak, as he doesn’t turn 25 until May, which suggests he could still get even better.

Far better than Kovacic: Man City keen on signing "world-class" UCL star

Man City need midfield reinforcements, particularly after their devastating Champions League loss.

1 ByJoe Nuttall Jan 23, 2025

If Chelsea are to secure Champions League football this season, manager Enzo Maresca will seemingly have to make do with what he already has at his disposal, following what was a rare quiet window for the Blues.

Aside from the last-gasp capture of teenage midfielder, Mathis Amougou, on a £10m deal from Saint Etienne, the west London side refrained from dipping into the market, having instead focused on overseeing a raft of late outgoings – namely Joao Felix’s loan switch to AC Milan.

Whether it was mere paper talk or not, the Stamford Bridge outfit had been tipped for big things heading into January, with rumours rife regarding a potential surprise swoop for Manchester United starlet, Kobbie Mainoo, in order to bolster their midfield ranks.

That came amid dual interest in Mainoo’s fellow academy sensation, Alejandro Garnacho, with the Red Devils having at one stage seemingly been open to cashing in on the 20-year-old, amid Chelsea’s advances.

A deal, in the end, did not come to fruition, although perhaps Todd Boehly and co were wise to save their millions…

Chelsea's search for a new forward

Rewind to early January, and the speculation surrounding the addition of a new forward at the Bridge was growing, with The Athletic reporting on a potential swap deal involving Christopher Nkunku and Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel.

Despite maintaining an interest in the teenage Frenchman throughout the window, the 19-year-old ultimately opted to seal a loan switch to rivals Tottenham Hotspur, despite having initially turned down Daniel Levy’s advances.

It will then be a curious watch to see if the former Rennes starlet – who is yet to score this season – will ignite at N17, with the Blues’ failure to strengthen the attack having perhaps backfired amid injury concerns surrounding striking duo, Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu.

Meanwhile, in the case of Garnacho, a potential £60m move was mooted – with Serie A side Napoli also circling – yet the Argentine ultimately remained at Old Trafford, with Ruben Amorim instead offloading Marcus Rashford and Antony from his already struggling forward line.

The signings of either Tel or Garnacho would no doubt have been met with real excitement in west London, yet it won’t be long before Maresca can unleash his own attacking sensation, who could even eclipse both…

Chelsea's bigger star than Tel and Garnacho

Chelsea’s transfer business has been mixed to say the least of late, with summer signings such as Felix and Renato Veiga already packing their bags to head to Italy on loan, having found game time hard to come by in 2024/25.

That said, the Blues have somewhat quietly made major moves in the background in recent times, with the decision to look to the long-term, rather than pushing for short-term gains, seemingly set to pay off handsomely.

Gone are the days of splashing the cash on ageing signings like Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly, the clear policy now is youth. As noted this week, Chelsea’s oldest player used this in the Premier League season is Tosin Adarabioyo, who is 27.

Chelsea summer signing Estevao

That youth-centric approach is no more evident than with regard to the previous addition of Brazilian sensation, Estevao Willian, with the 17-year-old set to make the move to England on 1 July later this year, after initially signing on a £29m deal back in May 2024.

That is a hefty sum for a teenage talent, but all the signs point to Chelsea having landed a superstar in the making, with the wing wizard lauded as a “future Ballon d’Or winner” by analyst Ben Mattinson.

Typically deployed on the right flank, cutting in on his favoured left foot, the rising star has already chalked up 27 goals and assists in just 50 first-team games for current side Palmeiras, with 49 of those appearances coming across 2024 and 2025.

Not only is Estevao outperforming his fellow youngsters this season (or in 2024-2025), as shown above, but he also compares favourably with regard to his total career tally. Tel, for instance, has just 23 goal involvements in 83 games for Bayern, while Garnacho boasts 38 goals and assists for United, but from 122 outings.

Of course, Estevao may be operating in his homeland, rather than a top five European league, yet it is difficult to doubt his sky-high potential. Let’s not forget that Real Madrid plucked a certain Vinicius Jr straight from Flamengo as a teenager back in 2017 – now he’s a Ballon d’Or runner-up.

Stat (*per game)

Tel (2023/24)

Garnacho (2023/24)

Estevao (2024)

Games

30

36

31

Goals

7

7

13

Mins per goal

149

370

163

Assists

5

4

9

Big chances missed

2

7

9

Big chances created

6

6

11

Key passes*

0.4

1.3

1.6

Successful dribbles*

1.2

1.3

2.7

Possession lost*

5.9

11.3x

12.5x

As can be seen in the table above, the Palmeiras ace is operating at a level perhaps even beyond Tel and Garnacho, eclipsing the recent Blues targets in a number of key metrics last season, including goals, assists, big chances created and successful dribbles per game.

Having even been lauded as a “better prospect than Endrick” by Mattinson – with Estevao’s compatriot the latest hotly tipped Brazilian at Madrid – it certainly bodes well for those back at Stamford Bridge.

In The Pipeline

And so, while failing to fork out for Tel and Garnacho may be viewed as a disappointment among the Chelsea faithful, it is worth remembering that there is at least one superstar just waiting to be unleashed in the near future.

5/10 Chelsea dud proved why Maresca should have spent big on deadline day

Chelsea secured three vital points against West Ham United last night, taking them back into the top four.

ByEthan Lamb Feb 4, 2025