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Manchester United have a crucial couple of weeks ahead of them, with the hierarchy now tasked with making the right appointment to lead the club forward.

Ruben Amorim was handed his marching orders on Monday morning, subsequently leaving the role after spending 14 months at the helm and winning just 40% of his matches.

A lack of positive results will no doubt have played into the minds of the board, but his outburst and breakdown in relationship with members behind the scenes appears to be the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Whilst Darren Fletcher has been appointed on an interim basis ahead of Wednesday’s Premier League clash with Burnley, a long-term solution is needed at Old Trafford.

Numerous managers have already been massively linked with the role in recent hours, with a couple of whom already standing out as some of the hierarchy’s favourites.

Man Utd now in talks to appoint new manager

After Amorim was handed his marching orders yesterday, Roberto De Zerbi was named as a surprise option to take the reins, but he could well prove to be an excellent addition.

The Italian, who currently manages Marseille in France, has previously been interviewed by INEOS for the role, but they decided to move forward with Amorim instead.

However, it remains unclear if he would be open to a Premier League return after previously managing Brighton and Hove Albion for a two-year period in 2022 and 2024.

He’s not the only option currently being considered by the Red Devils board, with former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca now emerging as another key target for the role.

According to TEAMtalk’s latest report, the Italian’s agent has already been in contact with United chiefs about taking over, after he was also sacked from his role within the last week.

It also states that the 45-year-old would be keen to fill the role at Old Trafford, but the club will wait to interview other candidates before moving forward with any appointment.

Why Maresca would be a better appointment than Glasner

As previously mentioned, United are also keeping an open mind with other potential candidates, which has resulted in Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner also being considered at present.

The Austrian has been on their radar for some time, but a deal could be on the cards, especially considering he has just six months left on his deal at Selhurst Park.

It’s been reported that he’s unwilling to negotiate a new deal with the Eagles and is expected to depart and move onto pastures new at the end of his current contract.

Such a situation could certainly make the 51-year-old a top target to replace Amorim, but as previously mentioned, no rush is happening to make the next appointment.

However, given the options currently available, the Red Devils should look to pursue a move for Maresca in the week ahead, especially given his previous work at Stamford Bridge.

When comparing his Premier League stats to those of Glasner, the Italian has dominated in numerous key areas, which highlight why he’d be such an impressive appointment.

The former Chelsea boss, who’s been dubbed “one of the best managers in the world” by Pep Guardiola, has won more games whilst managing 14 fewer games in England than Glasner.

Maresca vs Glasner in Premier League

Statistics

Maresca

Glasner

Games managed

57

71

Wins

28

27

Draws

15

23

Losses

14

21

Goals scored

96

102

Goals conceded

64

88

Points per game

1.74

1.46

Stats via Transfermarkt

Such a record showcases his incredible ability to galvanise results and push for success in the Premier League – something which United have struggled with in recent years.

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During his time at Chelsea, his sides managed to achieve a better goal per game record, whilst also posting a better defensive record – highlighting the impressive work at both ends.

The Italian’s points per game record also showcases his ability to get needed results alongside impressive appearances, which again is desperately needed at Old Trafford.

Given his interest in taking over from Amorim at United, a deal should be an easy one to complete, but the hierarchy need to act swiftly if he’s to make the move.

As previously mentioned, the board are trying to keep an open mind over who takes the reins, but one of the best options is currently available in Maresca.

However, it looks unlikely that a move in the immediate future will be completed, which could lead the Red Devils to miss out on a potential incredible manager.

Related Man Utd can forget Glasner by hiring the "best young coach in Europe"

Manchester United could make a move for one top coach alongside Oliver Glasner after Ruben Amorim’s departure.

Posts ByEthan Lamb

After more than a year in charge at Manchester United, Ruben Amorim finally showed signs of flexibility and changed his system against Newcastle United.

He has played an infamous 3-4-2-1 for the majority of his tenure at Old Trafford, but fielded a 4-3-3 during the first half against the Magpies.

If this becomes a regular occurrence for Amoirm’s United side, then it opens up a plethora of new opportunities for spots in the side. One man who could be in luck is Kobbie Mainoo, who has not been given an opportunity this season, or in 2025 in general, despite his obvious talent.

Yet, there is hope that Mainoo might get his chance, and it is clear to see what he can bring to United’s midfield.

Why Mainoo still has a future at Man Utd

It has been quite the start to Mainoo’s short career so far. Despite the struggles he’s experienced this term with the lack of opportunity, he’s achieved a lot, including the winning goal in the 2023/24 FA Cup final, and starting for England in the Euro 2024 showpiece.

The 20-year-old has made 84 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring seven goals, including that one against Manchester City at Wembley, and assisting four.

However, this season has been very different.

This term, the Stockport-born sensation has only played 12 times, accumulating a little over 300 minutes. But the quality he brings on the ball is surely something Amorim must utilise more. Mainoo is a brilliant ball carrier, especially in small spaces, and can break lines with surges forward.

That is captured perfectly by some of his underlying numbers. In the last 365 days, the United academy graduate has ranked in the top 13% of midfielders in Europe for successful take-ons per 90 minutes, with 1.09.

It is clear that Amorim should give Mainoo more opportunities. But the Red Devils are targeting a midfielder who could reduce his chances even more.

Man Utd could land the new Paul Scholes

A report from The Athletic last week named United as one of the clubs ‘that have shown interest’ in signing AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit.

INEOS will face plenty of competition for the £52m star, though, with Barcelona, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle United also keen on the 19-year-old.

Despite his inexperience, it has been an impressive campaign for Smit in the middle of midfield for AZ. He has made 27 appearances across all competitions, scoring two goals and assisting a further five times.

He made a name for himself as a good box-crasher in youth football, too.

One of the best things about the Dutch under-21 international is the versatility he possesses. This term, Smit has tended to play as a number eight, but can operate deeper, at the base of midfield, and in a more advanced number 10 role.

One of the real standout skills in the young Dutchman’s game is his passing ability, especially in the final third. Smit is silky on the ball and “dominant” in possession, according to football analyst Ben Mattinson.

That is personified in his underlying numbers over the last year.

The 19-year-old has averaged 6.35 progressive passes and an impressive 1.93 key passes per 90 minutes, which places him in the top 19% and 8% of midfielders.

Smit key stats in last 365 days

Stat (per 90)

Number

Percentile

Progressive passes

6.35

81st

Key passes

1.93

92nd

Passes into penalty area

1.56

93rd

Progressive carries

2.38

94th

Take-ons completed

1.19

90th

Stats from FBref

With those passing stats in mind, it’s easy to compare the midfielder to United legend Paul Scholes. Few, if any, in Premier League history have been a better passer of the football than the Class of ‘92 member.

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Scholes was a true controller in midfield and impactful in the box. He bagged 155 goals for his boyhood club.

Arsenal great Thierry Henry once said, “the way he plays: one touch, arriving late into the box, the way he strikes the ball, his vision, his passing. Incredible.”

That is certainly reminiscent of Smit. The vision he possesses is eerily similar to Scholes, and the fact that he is such an effective player in the box. The similarities are clear to see, and that must be exciting as a United fan.

As for Mainoo, however, at a time when his game time has already been limited, the addition of another midfielder could well spell bad news for his future role under Amorim and INEOS.

Related The new Pogba: INEOS holding Man Utd talks to sign £100m “beast”

This player could improve Man Utd’s depth in midfield

Posts ByJoe Nuttall

Prithvi Shaw’s struck his third-first class hundred in only his fourth game as Mumbai went to stumps on 314 for 7 against Tamil Nadu at the Bandra Kurla Complex. Shreyas Iyer, picked in India’s T20 squad for the New Zealand series on Monday, made a counter-attacking 57.Electing to bat, Mumbai lost opener Akhil Herwadkar in the second over to seamer Yo Mahesh, playing his first game for Tamil Nadu in over three years. Mumbai, however, counterattacked through Shaw and Iyer; the pair added 98 off 118 balls. Shaw continued to score briskly even after Iyer’s dismissal – first in the company of Suryakumar Yadav, who made a run-a-ball 39, and then Siddesh Lad – and raised stands of 63 and 51 respectively for the third and fourth wickets.Tamil Nadu slowed down the scoring-rate by chipping away. After Yo Mahesh had Suryakumar lbw, India offspinner R Ashwin removed Lad and Shaw, who finished with 123 off 155 balls, including 17 fours and two sixes. Captain Aditya Tare (53) and Abhishek Nayar repaired the innings with a 63-run stand for the sixth wicket, but Vijay Shankar returned to dismiss Tare and Vijay Gohil to even things out. Ashwin (29-5-77-2) was the most economical bowler on the day.Tamil Nadu had an injury scare when allrounder Vijay Shankar landed awkwardly on his left ankle while celebrating a dismissal in the penultimate over of the day. Coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar said ice was applied on Shankar’s ankle that was subsequently strapped. “We need to wait and see how he holds up tomorrow,” Kanitkar told ESPNcricinfo. Shankar was Tamil Nadu’s most successful bowler on the day, taking three wickets.Centuries from captain Hanuma Vihari (143*) and opener DB Prasanth (127) and put Andhra in a commanding position as they finished on 278 for 2 against Odisha in Vizianagaram. This was Vihari’s second hundred in as many innings after he smashed 150 against Baroda in the previous round.Andhra’s decision to bat first received an early setback after KS Bharat was bowled by seamer Suryakant Pradhan in the sixth over. Prasanth and Vihari, though, put on 270 runs for the second wicket to frustrate Odisha. Both players scored 17 fours and Prasanth hit two sixes to Vihari’s one. It wasn’t until the penultimate over that Odisha achieved a breakthrough, as Basant Mohanty bowled Prasanth.Madhya Pradesh seamer Ishwar Pandey’s triple-strike reduced Tripura to 88 for 6 in Agartala on a day when only 40 overs were possible. Opting to bat, Tripura was immediately on the backfoot after opener Udiyan Bose was removed by Pandey. It triggered the fall of batsmen at regular intervals and from 53 for 2 Tripura slumped to 81 for 5. Only opener Bishal Ghosh (42*) resisted. Left-arm spinner Ankit Sharma complemented Ishwar’s spell with two wickets.

Former fast bowler Pramodya Wickramasinghe will head Sri Lanka’s new national selection committee, which picks both men’s and women’s senior squads. Also in the committee are former cricketers Vinothen John, Indika de Saram, Rasanjali de Alwis (nee Silva), and Tharanga Paranavitana.While the committee headed by Upul Tharanga is now defunct, there is some continuity for this fresh committee, with Paranavitana and de Saram also having served under Tharanga. Wickramasinghe has been chief selector before – between 2021 and 2023 – with Sri Lanka men’s poor performance in the 2023 World Cup prompting his removal. He was also part of a selection committee headed by Sanath Jayasuriya – now head coach – between 2013 and 2015.The change in selectors was announced by Sri Lanka’s sports ministry. SLC chief executive Ashley de Silva said the board had been involved in the process. Sri Lanka’s Sports Law dictates that such appointments go through the sports ministry.”Sri Lanka Cricket sends a list of about ten names to the ministry, and they have chosen from that,” de Silva told ESPNcricinfo. “There is no term as such. The appointment is until further notice.”De Silva also said that the Tharanga-led committee had simply come to the end of its term. Internally, there had been no push towards extending their term until the end of the men’s T20 World Cup in February and March. In fact, it had been a little over three weeks ago that Tharanga suggested captain Charith Asalanka may be replaced in the coming weeks. That decision now passes to the new committee, whose first major assignment will be to select the World Cup squad.All five members of this new committee have represented Sri Lanka at the highest level. Both Paranavitana and de Saram played domestic cricket into this decade. John is the oldest selector among them, having played his last match for Sri Lanka in 1987.

Delhi 196 for 4 (Chopra 85*, Bhatia 81*) trail Uttar Pradesh 342 (Shukla 96, Sangwan 4-80, Narwal 4-81) by 146 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
A triple-strike from Praveen Kumar took Uttar Pradesh to the brink of controlling this game before Delhi rallied through an unbroken 160-run partnership between Aakash Chopra and Rajat Bhatia to reduce the deficit to 146 runs, with six wickets intact, at stumps on a rollercoaster second day at the Wankhede Stadium. The game is still in the balance; an early wicket on Friday will allow UP to get stuck in to the out-of-form lower order while Delhi will back their chances if this pair can stay at the crease for a couple more hours.Kumar swung out the three in-form top-order batsmen, including Gautam Gambhir for a duck, to reduce Delhi to 21 for 3 after UP were dismissed for 342 in the first session. But Chopra and Bhatia stood firm to prevent UP from running away with the game. After toughing out through the rough phase – he took 19 balls to score his first run – when Kumar was causing havoc, Chopra took charge in the post-lunch session with a fluent innings. He showed impeccable judgement outside the off stump and hit several delightful drives through the off side. There was a caressed square drive off Sudeep Tyagi and a couple of inside-out drives off Piyush Chawla that caught the eye. In the last session, he drove the seamers repeatedly through the off-side cordon as Delhi muscled their way back into the game.Mohammad Kaif had set his field carefully for Chopra. There was a short square leg and a slightly deep short leg for Tyagi, who got the ball to cut in from a length. Chopra played with soft hands, making sure nothing reached the waiting palms. Kaif, then, placed a leg gully but again Chopra kept his tucks and glances to the ground.Giving him able support was the feisty Bhatia. Though not as assured as Chopra early in his knock, he saw off the seamers before unleashing his strokes against Chawla. A six over long-on and a swung boundary saw him gain in confidence and he even hit Kumar for a couple of boundaries. He pulled Chawla and Praveen Gupta for two more sixes and drove the seamers with authority but the highlight of the knock was an attractive pull off Bhubaneshwar Kumar.Kaif’s field settings were creative – there were two short covers at times, a leg slip and a man breathing down on the batsman close on the off side on another occasion – but failed to get the breakthrough. He then asked Kumar to bowl a series of bouncers in the last session but Chopra swayed away from a majority, kept the ones aimed at the body down in front to leave the bowler muttering under his breath about the futility of bouncers as a strategy.Kumar must have wondered where the magic had gone; he had just ripped apart the Delhi top order with his ability to swing the cherry. With a packed slip cordon, he kept it full and moved the ball both ways to trouble the batsmen. He started the collapse with his third delivery, which was full and swinging outside off. With just one fielder in the covers, Gambhir took the bait but ended up edging an expansive drive to third slip. Shikhar Dhawan, who started off with a fierce cut and a cover drive, was set up nicely. Kumar bowled a couple of deliveries away before swinging one back in to take the fatal inside edge. Mithun Manhas was done in by a ball that curved in to trap him in front.Chopra played only nine balls from Kumar in the first spell before lunch and was reduced to being a witness to the damage. However, in the second half of the day, he took control with an assured knock and kept Delhi in the hunt.

Northamptonshire have signed two players to complete their winter player dealings. Niall O’Brien, a 25-year-old wicketkeeper/batsman who has played for Kent, and David Lucas, a 28-year-old left arm seamer, will both join the club ahead of next summer.O’Brien, who will provide cover for Riki Wessels, has signed a one-year deal and will join after the World Cup, where he is representing Ireland. He was born in Dublin but will become English qualified during 2007 and the head coach David Capel believes he has first-class qualities and is delighted to have found him “after much consideration and searching”.Lucas has had spells with Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire and will join for a trial period of three months. “David’s left arm style of bowling will add the necessary variety to our squad of seam bowlers that we require,” said Capel. And he hinted that Lucas could have a Championship future if he impresses at this stage. “Providing things develop as expected he could fit well into our game plans especially in the longer form of the game.”

Peshawar will host the first ODI on 6th February © Getty Images

Barely three days before India arrive for a six-week tour encompassing three Tests and five ODIs the itinerary has belatedly been finalised. The venues for the first two one-day internationals have been switched again, now back to their original locations but a larger gap has been created between the first two matches. Peshawar will now host the first game on February 6 and Rawalpindi the second on February 11.The original itinerary suggested by the PCB had Peshawar scheduled for February 6 and Rawalpindi, February 8. Following a request by authorities in Rawalpindi, however, the venues were switched. But switching Peshawar to February 8 was also problematic and the provincial government wrote to the PCB saying they could not provide adequate security on the day. A PCB official told Cricinfo the problem was the date, February 8., a day of religious significance on the tenth day of the Islamic month of Muharram is likely to fall either on February 7, 8 or 9. Traditionally, extra security is deployed in cities during the period and so, said the official, “we have avoided that date altogether. Peshawar was always ok with the 6th, as was Rawalpindi. That day is a problem for both cities so we have taken it out of the equation and instead put in a larger gap before the second ODI.”The dates for the third and fourth matches, at Lahore and Multan, have also been altered with the games now taking place on February 13 and 16. The BCCI have also agreed to this itinerary change, one which the PCB official was quick to confirm, would be the final one. “There will be no more changes now, this has finally been agreed upon and we are set to go.”The Test matches remain untouched which means after weeks of the PCB strongly hinting but the BCCI not actually confirming it, Karachi’s place as a Test venue – with even more security – has been secured. Since 9/11 this will be only the third Test to be held at the National Stadium, but by far the most significant, given that the other two opponents were Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Scorecard

Clinton Perren, the opener, looked in good touch but fell 14 short of a hundred© Getty Images

James Hopes made an aggressive century to lift Queensland from a moderate position to a strong one in the the Pura Cup match against Victoria at the Gabba. Hopes, who hit 14 fours and two sixes from 126 balls, turned the day the Bulls’ way after they were slipping at 5 for 186 before tea.Chris Hartley, the wicketkeeper, shared a 111-run partnership with Hopes before he was lbw to Cameron White for 50. Hopes, 26, departed with his second century and Queensland in good health after being caught by Peter Roach off Matthew Innes.Allan Wise grabbed four of the top five wickets as Victoria, who won the ING Cup match between the teams on Saturday, made regular indents, but he missed the wicket of Clinton Perren, who held the top-order together with 89.

Frizzell County Championship Division OneNottinghamshire v Essex at Nottingham
ScorecardAfter the extraordinary events of yesterday, Aftab Habib restored some sort of normality to proceedings at Trent Bridge with a dashing 152 to put Essex firmly on top. Habib came to the crease with Essex in some trouble at 47 for 4 – not quite as bad as 7 for 4 though – but he and Andy Flower, who’s slowly blooming back to his best – started the rescue-act. And when Flower was out for 32, James Foster continued the good work for Essex, as he and Habib added 178 for the sixth wicket. Foster, who is developing into a handy wicketkeeper-batsman – England selectors take note – blasted 14 fours and one six before he fell 15 short of what would have been a second first-class century. But Habib had no troubles notching up the 19th ton of his career, including 26 fours, before being trapped lbw to the part-time offspin of Kevin Pietersen. And then the more recognisable bowler, Stuart MacGill, wrapped up the tail as Essex ended their second innings with a lead of 483. Jon Dakin and Scott Brant then didn’t find things so easy second time round, as Notts put their first innings nightmare behind them to reach a far more respectable 58 for 1, but still 425 behind.Kent v Lancashire at Canterbury
ScorecardGary Keedy spun Lancashire into a strong position against Kent at Canterbury by taking 5 for 99. Four of those wickets were bowled, including Greg Blewett for a duck, and when he dismissed Matthew Walker for 11, Kent were reeling at 91 for 5. However, another young wicketkeeper enjoying a good season with the batting gloves, Geraint Jones, came to rescue with a quickfire 92, and with the help of Mark Ealham (43), Kent recovered to 267 all out – just 80 behind Lancashire. And then Kent threatened to finish the day in pole position when Ben Trott and Martin Saggers struck early to remove both openers with only 19 on the board, but Mal Loye (52*) and Stuart Law (28*) weathered the early storm to make sure Lancashire took the day’s honours.

Mushtaq Ahmed hits out against Surrey at The Oval

Surrey v Sussex at The Oval
ScorecardAnother impressive display from the Surrey bowlers in the sun at The Oval today, plus yet another wag from their tail – well, if you can call it that – put Surrey firmly in control over Sussex. Resuming on 401 for 8, Ian Salisbury and Saqlain Mushtaq added a further 78 runs between them as Surrey were eventually all out for 480 – the sixth time they have passed 350 this season. And after James Ormond (who finished with 4 for 81) struck twice early in Sussex’s reply, another bullying display from Surrey was on the cards. However, Sussex did show some resistance as Murray Goodwin (60), Tim Ambrose (75) and Robin Martin-Jenkins (61) all rolled up their sleeves and showed they weren’t scared of Adam Hollioake and his gang by giving them a taste of their own medicine. And with the help of a cameo 41 from 43 balls from Mushtaq Ahmed, Sussex clambered to 307 all out. But Hollioake then chose not to enforce the follow-on as Surrey reached 22 for 0 from the last 10 overs of the day to lead by 195 runs.Frizzell County Championship Division TwoDerbyshire v Worcestershire at Derby
ScorecardWorcestershire’s South African contingent helped to set up a likely second consecutive win after a day of bowling domination over Derbyshire. When Michael Di Venuto and Andrew Gait were cruising along at 83 for no loss in reply to Worcestershire’s 374, no-one in the Derbyshire camp could have been expecting what was follow. It wasn’t quite on the same scale as the avalanche at Trent Bridge yesterday, but losing 16 wickets in one day is still a disaster. After Matthew Mason picked up the first three Derbyshire wickets, Nantie Hayward (4 for 53) and Andrew Hall (3 for 28) then ripped through the middle-order and tail, as Derbyshire crashed to 179 all out. Ben Smith then duly enforced the follow-on, and it didn’t get much better for them second time around. This time Kabir Ali was the hero with the ball, taking 3 for 60 as Derbyshire finished a day they’ll want to forget on 185 for 6 – still 10 behind.Yorkshire v Durham at Leeds
ScorecardAfter Chris Silverwood promptly wrapped up the Durham innings this morning – including Jonathan Lewis for 124 – his mind must have been on watching the rest of the day from the comfort of the Yorkshire balcony, admiring his fellow team-mates’ batting prowess – but it didn’t quite work out that way, thanks to Durham’s Liam Plunkett. After a steady start to Yorkshire’s innings, in which Michael Lumb starred with a patient 105 and Yuvraj Singh scored his first Championship fifty, Plunkett blew away the middle-order (including four England internationals) at an alarmingly quick rate. Indeed, if it wasn’t for Lumb, who was last man out, Yorkshire would have been in deeper trouble than their 220 all out. With a lead of 60, it was Lewis again who led the way in Durham’s second innings with 43 not out, as they finished the day on top at 99 for 3.Northamptonshire v Glamorgan at Northampton
ScorecardTwo late wickets from Ben Phillips tilted the match in Northamptonshire’s favour in an otherwise closely-fought battle. Rob White and Mark Powell earlier top-scored with 55 each as Northants were bowled out for 262 – only seven runs behind Glamorgan’s first innings. Michael Kasprowicz took 3 for 77, including dangerman Phil Jaques for a duck and Jeffrey Cook for a golden duck, and David Harrison also starred with 4 for 64. But it was Phillips who finished the day with a smile as he removed Mike Powell and Dean Cosker near the close to leave Glamorgan needing a big day with the bat tomorrow on 71 for 4.

Shaun Udal Hampshire’s all-rounder, won the counties Players, player of the season 2001. Adi Aymes won the fielder of the season award.Jimmy Cook coach presented the awards at the teams end of season fancy dress party. He said of Shaun Udal “He has been 100% professional this season, his bowling has been a large contributary factor to the teams promotion, and he also batted better than ever, coming in at awkward situations to recover the innings.Shaun Udal was delighted with the award – “It is a great honour” he replied on receiving the shield “to be voted by your own colleagues to be the players player brings a lump to your throat, and I will treasure the memory”.”Adi Aymes“, Jimmy Cook said, “has not only been a great wicket-keeper for his side, and a great contributer with the bat, but he also inspired players around him. His fielding, was as always exemplary and deserves he the accolade”.