Jadon Sancho's path to permanent Man Utd exit revealed as Borussia Dortmund set to make £25m summer sale

Jadon Sancho's path to a permanent Manchester United exit could hinge on whether or not a Borussia Dortmund attacker is sold this summer.

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Sancho loaned out to DortmundUnlikely to have Man Utd futureExit could hinge on attacker's saleWHAT HAPPENED?

After being frozen out at United following a falling out with manager Erik ten Hag, the England international joined former side Dortmund on loan in the second half of the season. The Red Devils want to sell the 24-year-old, with reports suggesting they want £50 million ($64m). Now, Gazzetta dello Sport claims if Juventus sign Dortmund winger Karim Adeyemi for around £25m ($32m), that could pave the way for the German team to sign Sancho.

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Sancho joined United from Dortmund in 2021 but the move did not go as planned. He scored just 12 goals and registered a paltry six assists in 82 appearances and his feud with Ten Hag hammered home just how disappointing his time at the Red Devils has been. It is not yet known if Sancho will leave for the Bundesliga outfit and what fee United will be willing to accept for him.

DID YOU KNOW?

The former Manchester City academy product's form at United was in stark contrast to his time with Dortmund. In the 2019-20 season, for instance, Sancho scored 17 goals and bagged 17 assists in 32 Bundesliga games.

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imago imagesWHAT NEXT?

United's players are set to report back for pre-season duty at Carrington. It remains to be seen if Sancho will join the Red Devils squad on that date or if he can be sold before then.

The ups and downs of Khawaja's Test career

What does the future hold for Usman Khawaja after he was dropped for the fourth Test against England?

Andrew McGlashan03-Sep-2019January 2011: Test debutKhawaja’s debut, in the final Test of the 2010-11 Ashes, came with considerable expectation and given his heritage was considered a significant moment for Australian cricket. With the team’s batting in a slump – they had been skittled for 98 in the preceding Boxing Day Test – Khawaja’s first innings 37, on a rain-interrupted day, was lauded for its composure in what became another heavy defeat.November 2011: Guts in JohannesburgDropped two Tests after his debut, Khawaja returned to score his maiden Test fifty in demanding circumstances against South Africa at the Wanderers. His 65 in the second innings spanned nearly three hours and helped lay a platform from where Australia chased down 310 to level the series the match after they had been bowled out for 47 in Cape Town. However, the stop-start nature of Khawaja’s early days in Test cricket saw him out of the team again midway through 2011-12 home season.March 2013: HomeworkgateHe was part of the squad for 2012-13 tour of India but was caught up in the homework controversy that led to him being one of the four players suspended for the Mohali Test. He had not been in the side in the early part of the series and there had been murmurings about his attitude. “This will be the catalyst I think for Usman Khawaja to realise we’re pretty serious in the Australian cricket team,” coach Mickey Arthur said.December 2014: Knee reconstructionArthur was sacked as coach days before the 2013 Ashes began and Khawaja was recalled for the second Test of that series but the comeback lasted just three games. He did not feature in the return Ashes in Australia and during the following summer suffered a bad knee injury preparing for the BBL which required reconstructive surgery, ruling him out for six months and any chance of playing the 2015 Ashes in England.Usman Khawaja celebrates his maiden Test century•Getty ImagesNovember 2015: Prolific comebackHe was recalled for the 2015-16 series against New Zealand and it looked as though he had cracked Test cricket. A maiden century, 174, at the Gabba was followed by 121 in Perth and, though a hamstring injury kept him out for two Tests, further hundreds came against West Indies in Melbourne and New Zealand in Wellington.August 2016: ‘Scapegoat’ in Sri LankaWhen Australia went 2-0 down on their 2016 tour of Sri Lanka, Khawaja was one of the batsmen to pay the price (along with Joe Burns) when he was dropped for the final Test of the series. It was a decision that did not go down well. ”It was disappointing that Joe Burns and I were sort of the scapegoats for not performing,” he said a few months later. ”I just thought that I’d only played two Test matches in the subcontinent and I got dropped. I wasn’t the only person who wasn’t scoring runs.”November 2016: Opening successKhawaja was promptly back in the side for the home season which began with a series against South Africa and he enjoyed a productive return. Australia, however, were 2-0 down following a crushing defeat in Hobart which led to sweeping changes for the final match in Adelaide. Khawaja survived and when Faf du Plessis pulled off a surprise declaration under the floodlights, and with David Warner off the field, he was promoted to open and responded with a superb 145 which helped set up a consolation victory.February 2017: Left out in IndiaThe subcontinent issue reared its head again with Khawaja left out for all four Tests on the 2017 tour of India as Australia tried to find a way of countering the home side’s threat. There was a famous 333-run win in Pune, but India fought back to take a bad-tempered series 2-1. Khawaja returned for the first Test in Bangladesh but twin failures in Australia’s defeat saw him left out again. “It creates a lot of instability in the team I reckon, going in and out for everyone,” he later said. “It is very hard to develop your game and play some consistent cricket if you’re not getting consistent opportunities overseas, which I haven’t been getting.”Usman Khawaja blocks on the front foot•AFPNovember 2017: Ashes returnOnce again, home comforts brought Khawaja back into the side for the 2017-18 Ashes. It was a middling series until the final match in Sydney when he struck 171 – his first century against England.October 2018: UAE epicIn the aftermath of the ball-tampering controversy, Khawaja was now a senior figure in the team. He responded with his finest performance in the opening Test against Pakistan in Dubai with a brilliant match-saving 141 (to follow a first-innings 85) as he opened the batting. His century spanned more than eight and a half hours. A knee injury curtailed his participation in the second Test.December 2018: Home strugglesAgainst a high-class India attack batting was tough and Khawaja had to grind out his runs. A 72 in the second innings at Perth, on a lively pitch at the new ground, was a key part in Australia’s victory but he couldn’t build on that in the final two matches. There was talk about his place in the side against Sri Lanka before he rounded off the series with an unbeaten 101 in the second innings in Canberra. It meant his Ashes place was secure for the start of the series, but that wouldn’t last.

Ellyse Perry powers Sydney Sixers to opening WBBL victory

Sydney Sixers launched the first standalone WBBL with an impressive 49-run victory

Andrew McGlashan18-Oct-2019Ellyse Perry has been a little in the background in Australia colours at the start of the season because of the dominant form of her team-mates, but back with Sydney Sixers she picked up from last season with an agenda-setting all-round performance with 81 off 48 balls and two wickets as the Sixers began the first standalone WBBL with a handsome 49-run victory.Last season Perry scored a WBBL record 777 runs including two centuries. She did not spend much time at the crease against West Indies and Sri Lanka over the last six weeks but made full use of being back at the top of the order with a classy innings with 58 off her 81 runs combing in boundaries.Initially, she took a backseat to Alyssa Healy who carried on from her world record T20I score of 148 not out against Sri Lanka on this ground a couple of weeks ago with 42 off 32 balls, ended when she skied to mid-on as Pakistan allrounder Nida Dar claimed the first wicket of the tournament.The Thunder’s fielding was poor with a number of balls not gathered cleanly while Ash Gardner was dropped on 20 by Alex Blackwell. Dar, the first Pakistan player in the WBBL, was heading for respectable figures until her final went for 21.In the final over of the innings there was what appeared to be a nasty injury when debutant Maddy Darke stumbled attempting her first run and remained down in the middle of the pitch. The Thunder had a chance to run her out but declined yet the run was eventually credited to the Sixers which left captain Rachael Haynes a little perplexed.In the end, however, one run was far from making the difference as the Thunder did not threaten the target with the top order dispatched inside the powerplay.Perry made immediate inroads when she trapped Naomi Stalenberg lbw then had Rachel Priest caught at backward point in the space of three deliveries. Any chances of the Thunder making an impression on the chase disappeared when Haynes skied Marizanne Kapp.However, there was the opportunity for a glimpse at the future as 16-year-old Phoebe Litchfield played a debut innings that showcased the immense promise that has been talked about. Her first boundary was lofted over midwicket, that was followed by a scoop over short fine leg and two more boundaries followed before she was lbw trying to paddle another 16-year-old, Hayley Silver-Holmes.Alongside Blackwell, a player at the other end of her career, they added 68 in eight overs, with Blackwell progressing to a 30-ball fifty, to give the Thunder some encouragement ahead of their match against the defending champions Brisbane Heat on Sunday.The opening match of the tournament was watched by a crowd of 1891 in the ground and there will be a hope that figure grows over the festival weekend.

Chelsea gem who won 9 duels v Leeds was the real hero over Gallagher

Well, that was probably a bit tougher than it should've been.

Nevertheless, Chelsea beat bitter rivals Leeds United in the FA Cup last night, are through to the quarter-finals and have bounced back from their disappointing trip to Wembley.

Mauricio Pochettino's side were undoubtedly up against it at points during the 90 minutes, but the result feels like a fair reflection of the match.

While several players in Blue putting in lacklustre performances, a certain few can be pleased with their showing, including match-winner Conor Gallagher.

Conor Gallagher's performance in numbers

The Blues' hardworking all-action midfielder was named on the bench going into last night's clash, and following his multiple missed chances against Liverpool on Sunday, it was a position some players might've welcomed.

However, with the game locked at 2-2 and Leeds looking dangerous, Pochettino turned to the Englishman and brought him on in place of the underwhelming Noni Madueke in the 61st minute.

The 24-year-old didn't have the luxury of time to bed into the game, but while he misplaced a few passes and through balls early on, it took little time for him to get up to speed with the action.

It was 29 minutes into his cameo, in the 90th minute of the game, that he made the single most important contribution – he scored the winner.

This impact led to the Standard's Dan Kilpatrick awarding the Epsom-born dynamo an 8/10 on the night and claiming that he spared 'Chelsea another 30 minutes of extra-time and potentially their blushes.'

While his strike was undeniably his most tangible impact on the game, Gallagher also came off the pitch with some impressive personal statistics.

Minutes

29'

Goal

1

Shots on Target

1

Touches

17

Accurate Passes

13/14 (93%)

Long Balls (Accurate)

2 (1)

Dribbles (Successful)

1 (1)

Fouls

1

Lost Possession

1

For example, he maintained a passing accuracy of 93%, succeeded in his one dribble, committed a single foul and lost possession just once.

Ultimately, the Blue's "heart", as talent scout Jacek Kulig described him, won the game for his side, but there was another midfield ace who was arguably just as, if not more impressive last night.

Enzo Fernández's performance in numbers

Yes, Argentinian World Cup winner Enzo Fernández was arguably the best Chelsea player on the pitch against Leeds.

The 23-year-old started the game in the middle of the park alongside Moises Caicedo and played the full 94 minutes, contributing in the attacking and defensive phases of play.

It was his driving run and brilliantly placed pass that allowed Gallagher to score the winner in the first place, and while the Standard's Kilpatrick was impressed with his performance, crediting him for being 'tidy in possession', his rating of just 7/10 feels harsh given his influence on proceedings.

That said, he also criticised Fernández for getting 'carelessly booked', meaning he'll miss the quarter-final, which is a fair complaint.

However, the young "phenomenon", as Kulig dubbed him, put up some seriously impressive individual numbers on the night, numbers that make the case for him being the man of the match.

For example, in his 94 minutes, he took 67 touches, maintained a passing accuracy of 94%, played two key passes, was successful in four of his five long balls, had one shot on target, won nine of his 14 duels, lost possession just six times, made two clearances, two interceptions, and five tackles.

Ultimately, Gallagher deserves a lot of credit for his match-winning contribution.

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However, he might not have even been in the position to win the game were it not for Fernández's tireless efforts throughout the 90.

'Super job' – Gareth Southgate jumps to defence of Harry Kane ahead of England's Euro 2024 semi-final with the Netherlands

Harry Kane has not been in top form at Euro 2024, but England boss Gareth Southgate thinks his captain has done a 'super job' for the team.

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Kane struggles for the Three Lions at EurosCalls made to drop the England captainSouthgate backs Kane's performancesGetty WHAT HAPPENED?

England came into the Euros as one of the favourites to win the tournament, and while they have made it to the semi-finals, the team has struggled tactically with players like Kane and Phil Foden having been the main victims in the squad. However, Southgate is not of the same opinion.

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Speaking to the media, Southgate said: "I thought he [Kane] did a super job for the team [against Switzerland]. He is perhaps not flowing, as he is arriving in those deeper areas, but he is still playing an immense part for the group."

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There have been a lot of calls for Southgate to drop the England captain as they approach the semi-finals of the tournament. However, the chances of Kane being left out for either Ivan Toney or Ollie Watkins are slim.

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WHAT NEXT FOR KANE?

With either Watkins or Toney unable to replicate Kane's ability to link up with midfielders to progress the ball, Southgate will almost certainly keep Kane as the starter, regardless of the criticism, when they take on the Netherlands in the semi-final on July 10 at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund.

Jurgen Klopp snubs England! Legendary ex-Liverpool boss won't be replacing Gareth Southgate as Three Lions manager as he sticks to sabbatical plan

Jurgen Klopp won't be replacing Gareth Southgate as England manager, as the ex-Liverpool boss remains committed to a year-long sabbatical.

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Southgate has stepped downKlopp won't become England bossSet to take a year outWHAT HAPPENED?

Per , Klopp remains committed to taking a year out of the game following his Liverpool exit. The German had been touted as a potential contender to replace Southgate, who stepped down after the Three Lions' Euro 2024 final defeat, but the FA will have to look elsewhere.

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Klopp had spent nine years at Anfield before announcing he would be leaving in the summer midway through last season. After such a lengthy spell in the dugout, it makes sense that he would prefer to take some time away from the game. The FA are said to be interested in appointing Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, and have also been linked with Eddie Howe and Graham Potter.

DID YOU KNOW?

Southgate resigns with one of the best records of any England manager. He guided the Three Lions to two successive European Championship finals, a World Cup semi-final, and a World Cup quarter-final. Whoever takes over has big shoes to fill.

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(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

England are next in action on September 7 in the Nations League, against the Republic of Ireland. One would think they would expect to have a new manager in place by then.

Spurs have a thriving prospect out on loan who’s scoring more than Johnson

Last summer, Tottenham Hotspur finishing outside of the European places was rightfully seen as a disaster of a season.

But in reality, the focus on just domestic competitions has handed Ange Postecoglou much more time on the training ground to install his swashbuckling philosophy.

Ange Postecoglou

The former Celtic boss hasn’t only signed plenty of quality, but he’s also improved the players that were already at Spurs, which is a testament to the Australian.

This is a positive sign for all the Lilywhites loanees as well, especially for one player who has been on fire this season in the Netherlands, even scoring more goals than Brennan Johnson.

Brennan Johnson’s 23/24 Premier League statistics

In the summer, Johnson signed for Spurs from Nottingham Forest in a deal worth £47.5m, with his contract lasting for six years.

The Welsh star impressed during his debut campaign in the Premier League last season, scoring eight goals and providing three assists, helping the Tricky Trees avoid relegation.

His start to life at Tottenham wasn’t exactly ideal, with the 22-year-old picking up a hamstring injury that saw him miss four matches.

Brennan Johnson in action for Tottenham.

However, Johnson has really started to show his worth since the turn of the year, developing into a key player for Postecoglou.

The versatile attacker has played 21 matches in the Premier League this campaign, starting 17. But it is his recent performances that have impressed, netting three goals and providing two assists in his last six games.

8/10 Spurs star has been even more impressive than Johnson recently

Ange’s side are clicking into gear as they chase down Champions League qualification.

ByAngus Sinclair Mar 12, 2024

This takes his tally for the season up to four goals and six assists, yet there is one Tottenham loanee who’s found the back of the net more often this season.

Troy Parrott's 23/23 statistics

Troy Parrott is a name that has been mentioned among the Tottenham faithful for years, even since the days of him performing for the U18s.

Since then, the Irish academy graduate has been shipped on loan to numerous clubs over the last few seasons, joining League One outfit MK Dons in 2021 and scoring ten goals in 47 matches.

The Dublin-born star was then sent on loan to Championship side Preston North End, where he netted four goals. However, today, Parrott plays his football for Eredivisie side Excelsior, who are fighting for survival in the Dutch top flight.

The 22-year-old is currently the club’s top scorer in the league with seven goals from 14 starts, which is three more than Johnson and an extremely respectable record considering the team he plays for is far from dominant, sat 15th in the table and one place above the relegation spots.

Starts

14

Goals

7

xG

5.81

Big chances missed

7

Assists

3

Touches (per game)

21.4

Passes completed (per game)

7.8

As you can see by his low pass statistics and touches, the “brilliant” Parrott, as former teammate Scott Twine described him, is often working with scraps, which limits his technical ability.

However, he’s been able to showcase the fact that he’s a pure finisher, overperforming his expected goals. Furthermore, although he’s missed seven big chances, it proves that he’s always in the right position to score, indicating that his movement in the box is difficult to contain.

Overall, it’s been a promising loan spell for Parrott, who will gain valuable experience playing in a relegation scrap. It’s fair to say that Postecoglou will look forward to working with the young striker at the end of the season should they keep him around.

Fit-again Smriti Mandhana to join India squad in the Caribbean

The opener had fractured her right toe while batting in the nets last month

Annesha Ghosh01-Nov-2019Smriti Mandhana has recovered from her toe injury and will join the India women’s squad in the Caribbean ahead of the second ODI against West Indies on November 3.ESPNcricinfo understands that Mandhana, who had sustained a fracture to her right toe while batting in the nets ahead of the ODI series against South Africa at home last month, will be leaving for the Caribbean on November 2. The BCCI confirmed on Friday that Mandhana will be available for selection from the third ODI onwards. The two teams will also play five T20Is as part of their build up to next year’s T20 World Cup.Mandhana spent a part of her recovery at home in Sangli, from where she posted an update via Instagram of her first running session. She subsequently underwent rehab at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru even as the Indian squad left for the Caribbean on October 21. No replacement for Mandhana had been announced at the time.Mandhana, the vice-captain of the T20I side, had been named in both ODI and T20I squads for the tour, which is India’s final assignment this year. With no India players participating in the ongoing fifth edition of the Women’s Big Bash League in Australia, the matches in the West Indies could give Mandhana a chance to regain form ahead of the tour of Australia in January next year, where India will play a T20I tri-series against the hosts and England in the lead-up to the women’s T20 World Cup in February-March in Australia.In her most recent international assignment, the T20I series against South Africa in Surat, Mandhana had scored only 46 runs in four innings. Prior to that, she was below her best in the Women’s Cricket Super League in England too, scoring 268 runs in 11 innings for Western Storm.

Jadon Sancho 'looking lively' on Man Utd pre-season tour as former outcast looks to impress amid transfer uncertainty

Jadon Sancho is making his first steps back into the fray at Manchester United in pre-season as he aims to rebuild his career.

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Sancho impressing in pre-seasonHad been excluded by Erik ten HagTransfer rumours still circleWHAT HAPPENED?

Sancho has been 'looking lively' in pre-season training and could prove to Erik ten Hag that he is ready to be brought back into the fold at Old Trafford, according to James Ducker, who watched an open training session. Sancho, part of a team alongside Casemiro, Hannibal Mejbri and Ethan Wheatley, was apparently sharp and offered a glimmer of hope that he might be kept at the club beyond the summer.

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Sancho was excluded by Ten Hag at the start of last season with the United boss critical of his attitude in training. Sancho managed to escape the purgatory his career had ended up in and moved on loan to former club Borussia Dortmund. The winger impressed in spells, particularly in the Champions League, and may well have done enough to convince Ten Hag to repair their relationship. Despite signs of an improvement in the pair’s understanding, Sancho’s future remains unclear.

DID YOU KNOW?

Sancho has unsurprisingly been linked with moves away from Old Trafford. Both Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus have been chasing his signature, but with United hopeful of recouping as much of their initial outlay for the winger as possible, it remains to be seen if a deal is feasible.

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Sancho can stamp his mark further in pre-season by impressing against Arsenal on Saturday. He played 45 minutes of United’s 2-0 victory against Rangers last weekend, and will want more minutes in the tank against the Gunners, who drew 1-1 with Bournemouth on Wednesday.

Ratcliffe eyeing Man Utd move for "Saka rival" to supercharge Rashford

It’s fair to say that Manchester United’s season has been filled with disruption, with injuries in particular giving Erik ten Hag a headache.

The Red Devils started the campaign with four left-backs in the squad, but as of right now, the boss doesn’t have an available left-back to choose from.

Luke Shaw

Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are injured and set to miss most of the season, if not all of it, while Sergio Reguilon returned to Tottenham Hotspur on loan and Alvaro Fernandez left for Benfica in January.

With that in mind, it’s no surprise to see that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co are looking to sign a new left-back ahead of the summer.

Man Utd’s search for a new left-back

According to a report from FootballTransfers, the Red Devils are tracking Samuel Iling-Junior prior to a potential summer move.

The 20-year-old Englishman currently plays in Italy for Juventus; however, his game time has been limited, starting just twice in Serie A.

Samuel Iling Junior in action for Juventus.

Not only will the lack of minutes play into United’s hands, but also the fact that his contract will expire in 2025.

Iling-Junior’s profile and potential fit the bill of what Ratcliffe will look for in his new signings, and he could be the perfect option to secure the left-back role for the future.

How Iling-Junior can supercharge Marcus Rashford

Last season, Marcus Rashford enjoyed his most productive Premier League campaign to date, netting an impressive 17 goals and registering five assists in 32 starts.

Although Rashford’s 2023/24 campaign hasn’t exactly been anywhere near as productive as last term, he’s still been a huge threat, scoring eight goals and providing six assists across all competitions.

Nevertheless, the potential signing of Iling-Junior could see the United number ten’s numbers skyrocket once again, with his profile and skillset being complimentary.

As already mentioned, the youngster hasn’t been trusted with a role in the starting lineup yet, as shown by his average of 28 minutes per game this season, but he’s certainly impressed when given a chance.

As you can see by the table below showcasing Iling-Junior’s stats from his most recent game against Genoa, the number 17 has the perfect profile for a modern-day full-back, which is having the ability to be strong both going forward and defensively.

Minutes

31

Tackles

2

Duels won

3/3

xA

0.22

Hit woodwork

1

Pass accuracy

88%

Key passes

2

The England U-21 international is the definition of an attacking full-back, which is exactly how he could help get the best out of Rashford.

It certainly seems that Iling-Junior’s first thought is to attack, using his incredible ball-carrying ability to get the team up the pitch quickly while also providing an overlapping run to give the winger room to cut inside.

This suits Rashford’s strengths perfectly, with the England international at his best when given room to either create or strike the ball from range after drifting inwards from out wide.

What will also aid the 26-year-old, is the former Chelsea academy star’s ability to find the back of the net himself and create, as shown by his two goals for the England U21’s in the week, which will without doubt help take the pressure of Rashford to be the only attacking threat from the left.

In fact, the left-footed ace’s attacking ability is so impressive that football analyst Ben Mattinson believes he could become a “[Bukayo] Saka rival” for England – albeit while operating in a more advanced role – while journalist Michele Neri has even noted that he has "shades of Rafael Leao" – the Portuguese ace currently shining at AC Milan.

Such praise indicates just what a coup it could be if Ratcliffe – who is still in the early phase of his United ownership – is able to snap up the young Englishman, with Rashford among those who could certainly benefit from such a capture.

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