Milan Rathnayake, who is uncapped in white-ball internationals, also receives a call-up but his involvement depends on fitness
Andrew Fidel Fernando27-Jun-2025
Dilshan Madushanka missed the Australia series in February due to injury•AFP via Getty Images
Left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka has returned to Sri Lanka’s ODI squad for the series against Bangladesh, having been unavailable for the Australia series in February due to injury. He replaces the now-injured Lahiru Kumara in the ODI squad.Also in the 16-member ODI squad is allrounder Milan Rathnayake, who has played five Tests but is uncapped in white-ball internationals. His involvement depends on fitness – he is out of the ongoing second Test against Bangladesh with a side strain, but is expected to have recovered by the time the ODIs begin, on July 2.Making a return on the batting front is wicketkeeper-batter Sadeera Samarawickrama, who last played for Sri Lanka in November 2024, and was dropped due to modest form. He essentially replaces Nuwanidu Fernando in the squad.Seamer Eshan Malinga also keeps his place, having had a good run with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2025. Asitha Fernando is the other fast bowler in the 16-member squad.The remainder of the squad is largely on expected lines. Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana lead the spin contingent, which also features legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay and left-arm spinning allrounder Dunith Wellalage. The likes of Avishka Fernando and Nishan Madushka are also competing for top-order spots, having been named in this squad.The first two ODIs will be played in Colombo, before the series moves to Pallekele on July 8. A three-match T20I series follows, with the first match on July 10 in Pallekele.Sri Lanka’s ODI squadCharith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranaga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Milan Rathnayake, Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando, Eshan Malinga
Se o Boca Juniors tem a temida Bombonera a seu favor para a semifinal da Libertadores 2023, o Palmeiras conta com um dos times mais copeiros do continente nos últimos anos.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasPalmeiras faz ajustes táticos de olho no duelo com o Boca Juniors; veja provável timePalmeiras25/09/2023PalmeirasEconômico no Brasileiro, Palmeiras conta com melhor ataque da Libertadores para bater o BocaPalmeiras25/09/2023PalmeirasPalmeiras inicia trabalhos com foco total no duelo contra o Boca JuniorsPalmeiras24/09/2023
+ Veja tabela e classificação da Libertadores-2023 clicando aqui
Prova disso é o desempenho alviverde como visitante na competição continental nas últimas quatro edições do torneio.
+ Garanta a sua vaga no curso que formou craques como Pet, Dante e Léo Moura! Cupom: LANCE1000
Nos últimos 28 jogos fora de casa na Libertadores (26 como visitante e duas finais em campo neutro), o Palmeiras perdeu apenas duas vezes, somando 20 vitórias e seis empates.
As únicas derrotas como visitante do Palmeiras na maior competição continental nos últimos anos foi para o Bolívar-BOL, em 2023, e para o Athletico-PR, no primeiro jogo da semifinal da edição de 2022.
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+ Econômico no Brasileiro, Palmeiras conta com melhor ataque da Libertadores para bater o Boca
Clube brasileiro com mais vitórias como visitante em Libertadores (51), o Palmeiras construiu entre 2019 e 2022, a maior série invicta como visitante da história da Libertadores, com 20 jogos sem saber o que é derrota.
Nesses 20 duelos, três foram na Argentina, diante de Godoy Cruz, pelas oitavas de 2019, River Plate pela semi de 2020 e Defensa y Justicia, na fase de grupos de 2021.
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Em 2018, o Palmeiras venceu o Boca Juniors por 2 a 0 na Bombonera e se tornou o primeiro clube brasileiro a vencer o Boca por dois gols de diferença no seu temido estádio.
+ Palmeiras faz ajustes táticos de olho no duelo com o Boca Juniors; veja provável time
Relembre as vitórias do Palmeiras como visitante nesta Libertadores 2023:
Cerro Porteño 0 x 3 Palmeiras – Fase de grupos Barcelona-EQU 0 x 2 Palmeiras – Fase de grupos Atlético-MG 0 x 1 Palmeiras – Oitavas Deportivo Pereira 0 x 4 Palmeiras – Quartas
West Ham United have agreed a deal with Nuno Espírito Santo to replace Graham Potter, who was sacked on Saturday morning after just nine months and 25 games in charge.
Nuno Espírito Santo takes over from Graham Potter at West Ham
The 51-year-old, after leaving Nottingham Forest due to a public fallout with Evangelos Marinakis, has wasted absolutely no time getting back to work, replacing Potter at West Ham.
The latter recorded the second-worst win percentage of any West Ham manager in Premier League history, behind only Avram Grant, with the Irons conceding a calamitous seven of their 13 goals from corners so far this season.
Worst West Ham managers in the Premier League
Win percentage
9. Sam Allardyce
30.7%
10. Julen Lopetegui
30%
11. Gianfranco Zola
27.8%
12 Graham Potter
26.1%
13. Avram Grant
18.9%
via StatMuse
It quite simply couldn’t go on, and West Ham shareholders held a very real worry that relegation was staring them in the face (Claret & Hugh), despite senior members of the squad telling close friends that Potter was the right man for the job (The Telegraph).
ExWHUemployee was first to report earlier this week that Nuno was close to agreeing a West Ham deal, and widespread reports suggested that the former Wolves and Tottenham boss was a standout favourite.
Now, those reports have come to fruition, with the tactician poised to take charge of his first game away to Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday.
It is interesting to note that chairman David Sullivan was reportedly in favour of Slaven Bilic’s return on a short-term contract until the end of the season, with some media sources claiming that Nuno was demanding big wages to join West Ham and a longer-term deal.
The driving force behind Nuno Espírito Santo's move to West Ham
Therefore, it is little surprise that he wasn’t the driving force behind Nuno’s move to East London.
Indeed, according to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, vice-chairman Karren Brady was leading West Ham’s charge to appoint Nuno, with the journalist also revealing a disagreement between the official and Sullivan over Potter’s previous contract.
It appears Brady has overruled Sullivan for the second time in a year through Nuno’s arrival, but considering the coach’s obvious credentials, her decision could prove to be the right one.
Why Brady was right to push for Nuno's appointment at West Ham
A succession of other candidates were linked with the post, including Bilic, Gary O’Neil, Scott Parker, Marco Silva, Sean Dyche, Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick.
However, Nuno stands above all the aforementioned names.
Following his appointment at the City Ground, the ex-Al-Ittihad boss – who won a Saudi Pro League title there before leaving just months later – steadied the ship, solidified Forest’s leaky backline, improved their set-piece fragility and gave his former team a clear counter-attacking identity.
What followed was a sensational 2024/2025, where Forest stood out as last season’s major surprise package, and they were justly rewarded via securing a place back in European football for the first time in 30 years.
Nuno eventually got the very best out of his players, despite inheriting what was once a dire situation. West Ham supporters will be hoping he can now replicate that feat down south, with Nuno aiming to end 2025 on a high in very testing circumstances.
Martin Zubimendi is stuck at the centre of a bitter row between former clubs Real Sociedad and Antiguoko. Zubimendi has been an instant hit with the Gunners following his move to Arsenal over the summer as the north London side maintain their title push. However, the off-field issues between the Basque pair threatens to overshadow the midfielder's fine start to life at the Emirates.
Getty Images SportZubimendi shining for Arsenal
Zubimendi has been a first team regular under head coach Mikel Arteta, starting eight of the opening nine league games of the season. It could have been so different for Zubimendi and Arsenal after the player came close to moving to Liverpool last summer before opting to remain at Real Sociedad.
The 26-year-old has been key as the Gunners head into Saturday's trip to Burnley with a four-point lead over second-placed Bournemouth, and seven points clear of defending Premier League champions Liverpool. Arsenal also boast the best defensive record in the division having conceded just three league goals this season, with Zubimendi anchoring the midfield with aplomb.
And having completed his £51 million ($67m) move to the capital over the summer, Antiguoko claim that Real Sociedad now owe them £870,000 owing to an agreement between the two teams.
Advertisement'The relationship with Real Sociedad is very bad'
Antiguoko have gone to court over the unpaid fee, with technical director, Roberto Montiel, stating: "Currently, the relationship with Real Sociedad is very bad on their part. We had an agreement with Real Sociedad until 2020. Since then, we have an agreement with Athletic Bilbao.
"When Zubi signed for Real Sociedad, it was agreed that, in the event of a transfer, we would receive 5 per cent up to one million euros in return. With this behaviour, we decided not to renew the agreement with them because we felt mistreated by them."
Zubimendi spent five years with Antiguoko between 2006 and 2011 before moving to Real Sociedad. The midfielder did return to Antiguoko for a two-year loan spell following his permanent switch to La Real.
Getty Images Sport'They want us to be more and more inferior'
Montiel further laid into Real Sociedad, adding: "They are obsessed with crushing us at all levels. They want us to be more and more inferior. The Provincial Council of Guipúzcoa has put in place a law that is subject to Real Sociedad of ‘territoriality’.
"This means that a boy or girl from a town bordering 5 kilometers from San Sebastián up to under-14 category cannot sign for Antiguoko. In other words, any boy or girl within the entire periphery of San Sebastián and its surroundings cannot sign with us, even though the kids’ parents wanted them to join us.
"This would be translated as explaining that a child from a neighbourhood on the outskirts of London cannot sign for any club in London up to under-14 category. Madness! Real Sociedad collected the transfer fee from the sale of Martin Zubimendi from Arsenal and has not paid us the five per cent that corresponds to us according to the agreement.
"Real Sociedad has not said anything, and we have made the request in court. And we will have an administrative dispute to reach an agreement. They will maintain their position of not paying us. That money is very important to us because we invest it in our academy.
"Another example of the poor relationship with Real Sociedad is last season. We were holding an official event to reward Martín for all the sporting achievements he has achieved, and Real Sociedad did not give him authorisation to collect the award. As a result of that decision, we had to cancel the event.
"We have already agreed with Martín that we will hold the event at the end of this season. Furthermore, I don’t think a former Antiguoko player, Mikel Arteta, will pose any problem."
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Arsenal in flying form
Arsenal booked their spot in the fifth round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday night as they beat Brighton 2-0 at the Emirates, a result that extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches, and winning streak to eight games.
The Gunners should feel confident at extending that run when they take on relegation threatened Burnley this weekend, before meetings with Slavia Prague and Sunderland between now and the international break.
Injuries. The bane of Mikel Arsenal’s life. The bane of Arsenal’s very existence over the last year.
It’s not too preposterous to suggest that without them last season, the Gunners would have secured the title over Liverpool.
Arteta is certainly not one to make excuses when they have players on the treatment table but the fact of the matter is, they missed Gabriel, Kai Havertz and chiefly, Bukayo Saka, to major hamstring injuries.
Combine that with Martin Odegaard’s ankle problem a year ago and they were, if you pardon the pun, severely hamstrung by the events that played out.
Fast forward to the current campaign and, despite injecting nearly £300m into the player squad, adding more depth to Arteta’s ranks, they are feeling the effects of it again.
Havertz has been out since August, William Saliba has also missed a period of a few games and Saka endured another little niggle of his own too. That’s without mentioning Noni Madueke, Saka’s backup, who is also out injured.
So, when Odegaard limped from the field during their 2-0 win over West Ham last weekend, you could hear the drones inside the Emirates Stadium.
The latest on Martin Odegaard's injury
This has been a particularly troubling year for the Arsenal skipper. During an early-season international break last term, he suffered an ankle injury while playing for Norway and he’s arguably not been the same since.
That problem kept the skipper out for a few months and even when he did return, there was a sense that the Arsenal midfielder didn’t feel comfortable. He didn’t trust his ankle enough to strike through the ball cleanly when taking shots. It also impacted his playmaking ability.
The numbers below rubberstamp that fact. From 2023/24 to 2024/25, his base numbers were way down on what you would expect.
Odegaard’s last two PL seasons
Stat
2023/24
2024/25
Games
35
30
Goals
8
3
Assists
10
8
Conversion rate
17.02%
10%
Chances created *
3
2.4
Duels won *
3.7
2.9
* = per 90-minute statistics
It’s typical, therefore, that as soon as Odegaard began to find his form again, he was struck down by another injury.
In the brief glimpses we’ve seen of the former Real Madrid man this season, there have been promising signs, no less so than against Olympiacos in the Champions League.
During Arsenal’s 2-0 win, the Norwegian simply ran the show, supplying the pre-assist for Gabriel Martinelli’s opener and then carving open the defence to assist Saka’s late strike.
It was vintage Odegaard but he was soon injured again, sparking fears that this could be a Jack Wilshere situation all over again.
Indeed, against West Ham last weekend, he hobbled off for the third successive league match, creating a little bit of history in the process. Worryingly, he became the first player in Premier League history to be substituted in the first half of three consecutive fixtures.
So, what’s the problem? Well, he left the Emirates wearing a brace on his knee last week and subsequent scans showed that he had suffered a medial collateral ligament injury. As a result, he pulled out of Norway’s fixtures over the ongoing break.
A suspected timeline of return has not yet been revealed, sparking fears that Odegaard could be out for a number of weeks.
How Arsenal can solve their Odegaard injury blow
The most likely solution for Arsenal will be Eberechi Eze. Signed in the summer, it was widely expected that the mega-money £67.5m arrival would play out on the left-hand side.
After all, Arteta required upgrades on the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard and he thought he’d signed one here.
Yet, Eze’s initial performances on the left lacked a bit of sparkle. They were solid enough but it was clear he was playing in a role he doesn’t enjoy quite as much. Against Bilbao in the Champions League, he produced just one key pass, down on his 2024/25 seasonal average of 1.7 while playing more centrally for Crystal Palace.
It’s in that central role where Eze has featured across Arsenal’s last three games. The difference has been noticeable.
He found the net against Port Vale and then versus Newcastle, he was desperately unlucky not to score a couple, denied by Nick Pope fabulously on two occasions. Against West Ham, supporters were cruelly robbed of seeing him line up alongside Odegaard for very long when the latter went off.
The scorer of 14 goals and the provider of 11 assists last season, the England international is certainly the most obvious candidate to replace Odegaard.
Yet, in two Hale End gems, Arteta has two more luxurious options: Ethan Nwaneri, who played regularly in the Odegaard role during pre-season and the generational Max Dowman.
It’s unlikely that Dowman is given a start but this feels like an ideal opportunity to give the 15-year-old game time in a role where the club envisions his future.
To date, the sparkling teenager has only been seen at first-team level on the right flank, starring in pre-season when he notably won a penalty against Newcastle, before featuring for 27 minutes in Premier League action from that role.
Dowman may not have played many league minutes just yet but he’s still made a big impact, becoming the second-youngest player in the division’s history and winning a penalty in the 5-0 win over Leeds.
As Mikel Merino commented earlier this year, the youngster is already “unbelievable”. Fellow midfielder Declan Rice has also waxed lyrical. “I’ve never seen a 15-year-old so comfortable around the first team, it’s insane.” Quite.
What Dowman is doing is not normal. Not even Nwaneri burst onto the scene in such a way. He was 15 when he debuted but had to wait another few years for regular opportunities. This kid is already getting them. Do we have another Lamine Yamal on our hands?
Youngest players in PL history
Player
Age
1. Ethan Nwaneri
15 years, 5 months
2. Max Dowman
15 years, 7 months
3. Jeremy Monga
15 years, 8 months
4. Harvey Elliott
16 years, 1 month
5. Matthew Briggs
16 years, 2 months
Expectations must be tempered and we must be cautious here. Merino’s next comment was to remind everyone, “he’s only 15, so obviously he has many things to learn.”
But, what makes this young starlet so special? Well, he’s got the ability to score and assist at will, netting 19 in 23 last season and creating five goals. Meanwhile, his ability to glide past players with ease has already made him a target for defenders.
Data analyst Ben Mattinson outlines how the teen is already a “foul magnet” and that’s something Arteta has also picked up on.
Commenting on Dowman’s development earlier this season, the Spaniard said: “He’s so used to it [being kicked by defenders] that now he knows to let the referee deal with it and my teammates probably to defend me, and I will carry on playing.”
So, while the Hale End prodigy is unlikely to start while Odegaard is injured, Arteta must use it as an opportunity to give further minutes to the club’s biggest academy talent.
Not Eze: Arteta can fix Odegaard blow with Arsenal gem who's "like Wilshere"
Martin Odegaard faces another period out injured but Mikel Arteta has a solution lined up at Arsenal.
Manchester City made it five Premier League games unbeaten yesterday, as Pep Guardiola’s men secured a 2-0 triumph over Everton at the Etihad.
The result keeps the Citizens just a couple of points off current leaders Arsenal, even moving ahead of Liverpool ahead of their clash with Manchester United tomorrow.
However, it was yet another superb showing in England’s top-flight, with Guardiola’s men limiting the opposition to minimal chances whilst taking advantage of the ones that fell their way.
Stats such as 71% possession with seven shots on target further highlight the dominance in the North West – something which has been extremely common during the manager’s tenure.
He will certainly have one player to thank for the success against the Toffees, with his performance against David Moyes’ men nothing short of breathtaking.
Erling Haaland’s excellence against Everton
When you think of a clinical goalscorer, the first name that springs to mind is Erling Haaland, with the Norwegian taking his career to new heights after joining Man City in 2022.
He’s now featured 155 times for the Citizens, scoring a staggering 136 times – subsequently adding multiple to his tally during the win at the Etihad yesterday.
The 25-year-old netted his two efforts within just five second-half minutes – taking his tally to 11 despite featuring in just eight league outings throughout 2025/26.
He was also the most fouled player on the pitch during the triumph, whilst also registering 38% of his entire touches in the game within the opposition box.
Haaland also won 75% of the ground duels he entered, along with a staggering four shots on target – once again being Guardiola’s most threatening option in attacking areas.
Despite the showing of the centre-forward, one other first-team member showcased his worth and is rapidly becoming as undroppable as the City talisman.
The City star who’s becoming as undroppable as Haaland
After missing out on the Premier League title last season, Guardiola and City dipped into the transfer market to try and bolster numerous key areas of the squad.
The goalkeeping department has had a huge overhaul in recent times, with James Trafford and Gianluigi Donnarumma both making the move to the Etihad, with Ederson moving on to join Galatasaray.
The latter of the new duo has cemented his place within the starting eleven, already keeping three clean sheets within his first five league outings for the Citizens.
However, it wasn’t the only area of the pitch that was bolstered, with the hierarchy spending big money on Tijjani Reijnders from Serie A side AC Milan.
The Dutchman made an immediate impact on his debut, registering a goal and an assist in the 4-0 battering of Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.
He’s since started every game for the club in the Premier League, with his showing against the Toffees evidence of the quality that he possesses in the middle of the park.
The 27-year-old may have been unable to register a goal or an assist, but his underlying stats from the victory are evidence of the star quality he has in his arsenal.
Minutes played
59
Touches
41
Passes completed
93%
Dribbles completed
100%
Tackles won
100%
Recoveries made
1
Ground duels won
3
Chances created
2
Reijnders may have only featured for 59 minutes at the Etihad, but he still managed to thrive at both ends of the pitch – undoubtedly playing a key role in the triumph.
He completed 93% of the passes he attempted, whilst also achieving a 100% dribble success rate – highlighting the threat he posed when having the ball at his feet.
However, without the ball, the Dutch star also managed to thrive, as seen by his superb tallies of 100% tackles won, one recovery made and three ground duels won.
Other stats, such as two chances created and 100% long balls completed, further showcase his all-round quality – which is rapidly making him one of the club’s most crucial players.
As a result of his performance, Reijnders was handed an impressive 7/10 match rating by One Football – further highlighting his superb showing at the Etihad.
After such a showing, Guardiola simply can’t drop the midfielder from his starting eleven, with his addition already looking like an excellent one just eight games into the campaign.
There’s little disputing that Haaland is the club’s most important player at present, but there’s no reason why Reijnders can’t join him in such a category in the months or years ahead.
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Sunderland’s return to the Premier League has been full of energy, unpredictability, and glimpses of promise.
A raucous Stadium of Light watched as the Black Cats stormed past West Ham with a convincing 3-0 win on the opening day.
Reality soon bit as a 2-0 defeat away at Burnley reminded everyone of the ruthless margins in the top flight.
Momentum was clawed back in dramatic fashion as Brentford were undone 2-1 by a stoppage-time Wilson Isidor strike.
However, the subsequent 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace highlighted the attacking inconsistency of a newly-promoted side still finding its rhythm.
A 1-1 home draw with Aston Villa showcased grit and determination. Sunderland battled for the majority of the match with 10 men and were unlucky not to claim all three points. If they had done so, they would have climbed to fourth in the table – unthinkable for a team promoted via the Championship play-offs only months ago.
Sunderland's Eliezer Mayenda, Chris Rigg and Trai Hume celebrate alongside teammates after winning thechampionshipplay-off final
With the shadow of relegation firmly in the distance for now, Sunderland next face a trip to Nottingham Forest. Ange Postecoglou’s side are still adapting to life under their new coach, and Sunderland will hope to exploit any teething issues.
What is clear, though, is that this squad will need big characters to drag them through the long campaign.
One summer signing in particular has already drawn parallels with a figure who once embodied Sunderland’s fighting spirit.
Henderson is the embodiment of Sunderland’s attitude
When fans think about Sunderland players who gave everything in red and white, Jordon Henderson’s name still comes up.
The midfielder, now 35, began his career at his boyhood club and went on to make 79 appearances, scoring five goals and registering 10 assists, per Transfermarkt.
His £20 million move to Liverpool in 2011 would see him lift the Champions League and the Premier League under Jürgen Klopp.
His 492 appearances for the Reds were defined not just by his technical ability as a defensive midfielder but also his ability to lead.
Named Liverpool captain in 2015, he held the armband for eight years, guiding one of the most successful eras in the club’s modern history.
His leadership extended beyond Anfield.
Henderson earned 85 England caps, scoring three times, including at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, per Transfemarkt.
This summer, he joined Brentford, where he has already made five Premier League appearances
Matches Played
5
Minutes
323
Progressive Carries
3
Progressive Passes
16
Assists
1
For Sunderland, Henderson’s example serves as a reminder: survival is not just about talent, but about attitude and responsibility.
One player in their current squad has stepped forward to assume that mantle.
Granit Xhaka is Sunderland’s modern-day Henderson
In a transfer that underlined the club’s intent, Sunderland secured Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee rising to £17 million.
The Swiss international, now 32, represents exactly the type of big character they need to stabilise themselves in the Premier League.
Xhaka brings enormous experience and has “been valued by so many” around him, per analyst Ben Mattinson.
He made 297 appearances for Arsenal across all competitions, where he won two FA Cups and wore the captain’s armband, per Transfermarkt.
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After leaving North London, he joined Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen project and played a pivotal role in their historic unbeaten Bundesliga title win in 2024.
The German side came agonisingly close to completing an unbeaten treble, only halted by Ademola Lookman’s famous Europa League final hat-trick for Atalanta.
For Sunderland, his decision to return to England is invaluable.
Xhaka has spoken about wanting to experience “solidarity and suffering” in this phase of his career, a mentality that fits perfectly with a club battling against the odds.
Already made captain at the Stadium of Light, he also continues to lead Switzerland, having represented his country at six major tournaments.
Xhaka has wasted no time showing his influence on the pitch.
In the 2-1 win over Brentford, he registered a 7.7 match rating across 90 minutes, contributing one assist.
His 73 touches and 59 passes (49 accurate) underlined his role as the heartbeat of Sunderland’s midfield, while his defensive contribution – three ground duels won and five clearances – provided balance.
That blend of composure in possession and determination without the ball is exactly what Sunderland require.
Just as Henderson once rallied those around him, Xhaka’s leadership and quality make him the modern-day equivalent.
He is a player who elevates those beside him, provides direction in tough moments, and gives fans belief that this squad can survive the Premier League storm.
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With talks continuing over Steven Gerrard’s potential Rangers return, an ex-Ibrox ace is now reportedly open to joining the former Gers boss in Glasgow.
Steven Gerrard has positive talks over Rangers return
It’s a big couple of weeks for the 49ers and the Gers, who were forced to face their first major mistake recently when sacking Russell Martin. The former boss won just one game in seven attempts in the Scottish Premiership and a draw at Falkirk proved to be the final straw in a tenure that was historically disappointing.
So, it’s back to square one for those at Ibrox and this time they must get things right on the manager front. They’re not short on potential options, either, when it comes to Martin replacements.
However, whilst Sean Dyche, Danny Rohl and others have been mentioned in recent reports, it looks as though Gerrard is emerging as the favourite to make his return to Rangers.
The former manager remains the last to dethrone Celtic in the Scottish Premiership and could now return to the dugout four years on from leaving the club for Aston Villa.
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According to reports, Rangers have already held positive talks with Gerrard, who has been out of a job since leaving Saudi Arabia side Al-Ettifaq in January.
Unlike other candidates, Gerrard’s appointment shouldn’t come with major risk factor. He’s been there and done it at Rangers. Even if the current job is arguably tougher than it once was, his experience with the Gers should prove to be invaluable compared to the likes of Rohl and Dyche.
What’s more, the 45-year-old has already been handed a key boost when it comes to his potential coaching staff in Scotland.
Defoe now open to joining Gerrard at Rangers
As reported by TeamTalk, Jermaine Defoe is now open to joining Gerrard at Rangers and reuniting with his former club in the process. The former striker was briefly an assistant manager after Gerrard left the Gers in 2021 and may now have the opportunity to return to the role for the first time in four years.
There’s little doubt that Defoe would say no to any potential Rangers offer, either, having told reporters:
It’s all slowly coming together for Gerrard and Rangers, who could have their replacement for Martin sealed sooner rather than later.
Manchester United are reportedly set to reject any January transfer requests from Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee, despite the duo’s growing frustration over a lack of minutes this season. With key players expected to miss several weeks due to the Africa Cup of Nations, manager Ruben Amorim views both Mainoo and Zirkzee as crucial squad members for the winter period.
Man Utd will not sell Mainoo and Zirkzee in January
Manchester United have made it clear that Mainoo and Zirkzee will not be allowed to leave the club during the upcoming January transfer window, regardless of any personal requests to move, as per . Both players have grown concerned about their limited playing time under Amorim this season. However, the Red Devils’ stance is firm, with the Portuguese coach insisting that “they are our players and we need everyone to have a good season.”
Mainoo, who requested a loan move in the summer, has seen little change in his situation since. The 21-year-old midfielder has featured eight times across all competitions but has yet to start a Premier League game, with his only start coming in the Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town in August. Meanwhile, Zirkzee, who returned from a hamstring injury in late summer, has played just over 80 minutes in total this term and is reportedly frustrated about falling behind Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo in the pecking order.
Amorim has publicly acknowledged that he understands the frustration of players who are not getting minutes but remains adamant about maintaining squad depth through the busy winter schedule.
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Mainoo and Zirkzee needed during AFCON period
Manchester United’s refusal to sanction departures for Mainoo and Zirkzee stems from both strategic and logistical concerns. The club will lose multiple first-team players to international duty during the Africa Cup of Nations, including Mbeumo, Amad, and Noussair Mazraoui, all of whom have been central to Amorim’s system. With AFCON starting before Christmas and concluding on January 18, United expect to be short-handed for at least six domestic fixtures.
Amorim’s tactical setup, a flexible 3-4-2-1 system, relies on adaptability, particularly in attacking and midfield positions. Mbeumo’s absence will create a significant void in the right-sided role, while Amad’s creative influence will be missed in the attacking midfield zone. Mainoo is seen as a potential solution in midfield to complement Bruno Fernandes or provide rest for Manuel Ugarte, while Zirkzee could serve as an auxiliary forward to cover for Sesko or operate in one of the playmaking roles currently occupied by Mbeumo or Amad. As per the report, the manager also views retaining the pair as a way to manage morale within the squad and ensure adequate competition for places.
Both stars want to reintegrate in national teams ahead of World Cup
Mainoo’s development remains a topic of internal debate at Old Trafford. The young midfielder has managed only 228 minutes this season, including one full appearance in the EFL Cup, but Amorim continues to see him as a long-term successor to Fernandes in the creative midfield role. Critics have suggested that the manager has been overly cautious with integrating Mainoo, while some within the club believe his composure and passing range could be vital once fixtures pile up around Christmas.
Zirkzee, on the other hand, is still struggling to regain his form following a lengthy injury layoff that forced him to miss pre-season entirely. The Dutch forward, who cost £36.5 million, has found opportunities limited due to Amorim’s preference for more mobile attackers. Yet, his versatility as a withdrawn forward or link-up player makes him a useful tactical option when United need to alter their attacking shape, particularly with AFCON absences looming.
Internally, both players are aware that consistent performances during the winter months could dramatically alter their prospects. For Mainoo, earning regular minutes could strengthen his case for a spot in England’s 2026 World Cup squad. Zirkzee, meanwhile, knows that proving his worth could reignite his standing in the Netherlands national setup and secure his long-term place at United.
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How much playing time will Zirkzee and Mainoo get?
Manchester United are unlikely to make major moves in the January window, with the focus instead on internal adjustments to weather the upcoming player shortages. Amorim’s emphasis will be on maintaining balance within the squad while giving fringe players like Mainoo and Zirkzee more responsibility during the AFCON period. Both players are expected to feature more heavily in rotation and may find themselves starting in several key matches across December and January.
The club’s hierarchy is confident that retaining depth will prove vital to sustaining their top-four challenge in the Premier League. For now, United’s message to both players, and to potential suitors, is simple: no exits, no exceptions.
تحدث محمد بسام، ومروان عثمان، ثنائي فريق سيراميكا كليوباترا، عن الخسارة أمام الأهلي، في نصف نهائي كأس السوبر المصري بهدفين مقابل هدف.
وقال محمد بسام عبر قناة “أبو ظبي الرياضية”: “الحمد لله على النتيجة والأداء، البداية لم تكن أفضل شيء بالنسبة لنا، وبعد دخول مرمانا هدف استطعنا أن نعود للمباراة”.
طالع.. موعد مباراة الأهلي القادمة بعد الفوز على سيراميكا كليوباترا في السوبر المصري
وتابع: “لدينا لاعبين كبار تمكنوا من العودة للمباراة وفي الشوط الثاني كانت هناك كرة وحيدة جاءت علينا، لكن تقريبًا كنا في وسط ملعب الأهلي طوال الشوط الثاني”.
وأكمل: “مبروك للأهلي، وهارد لك لسيراميكا ونحن قمنا بواجبنا واجتهدنا في الملعب، وإن شاء الله نحصد المركز الثالث في البطولة”.
وأضاف: “كنا ممكن نحرز الهدف الثاني بعدما أحرزنا التعادل، وعلي ماهر طلب منا الهدوء في الشوط الثاني، الأمور كانت أفضل في الشوط الثاني، لكن الكرة الأخيرة شهدت سوء حظ بالنسبة لنا”.
ومن جهته قال مروان عثمان عبر قناة “أبو ظبي الرياضية”: “اللاعبون كلهم قاموا بواجبهم، كنا نتمنى الفوز والوصول إلى النهائي، لكن لم نوفق”.
وأتم: “أغلقنا صفحة الأهلي وسنركز في المواجهة المقبلة لنحصد المركز الثالث، ونظهر بشكل أفضل مقارنة بالبطولتين الماضيتين”.