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India’s IPL stars have been exposed at the World Twenty20 again. Apart from technical shortcomings, it suggests a shocking lack of respect for the international game and its challenges

Sidharth Monga12-May-2010It was almost farcical. A group of nervous West Indies players was actually hoping an underprepared, lethargic Indian side would keep them alive in the tournament by beating Sri Lanka. As India went about conceding 33 runs in the last two overs – admittedly they didn’t have any interest left in the tournament – the IPL final came to mind.Kieron Pollard seemed like he was pulling off a heist against Chennai Super Kings when MS Dhoni came up with the move of a genius. He placed a mid-off almost behind the umpire, and a long-off almost behind him. The bowler was asked to bowl full and straight, and err, if he had to, on the fuller side. Lo, Pollard was out, caught at the very straight mid-off. Later Dhoni explained how he had not pulled a rabbit out of the hat, and how it had been a rehearsed move, which had worked against such big hitters as Matthew Hayden in the . Yes, Indian cricketers have time to prepare and play warm-up games for the IPL, but not for major international events like the World Twenty20.How impotent India’s batsmen must feel. They knew exactly where they would be hit, they had enough time – about a year – to prepare for it, yet they reacted to balls headed for the ribcage and upwards almost as if it was a hitherto unknown underhand tactic. And there was no devil in the Kensington Oval track either: it just offered pace and true bounce. No sideways movement, no unplayable swing.Unlike Dhoni with his genius move in the IPL final, not many in the batting line-up can be said to have worked endlessly in the nets, at camps, during warm-up matches, to try and eliminate the weakness that was pointed out to them a year ago, by the likes of Luke Wright among others. Between the really important cricket, a number of needless ODI series and tri-series involving Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, (both outside their FTP commitments and both involving the BCCI’s unconditional allies in cricket politics), the IPL (demanding schedule, travel, inane media work, mandatory late-night parties), and the false confidence that the flat pitches and hyperbole during the IPL tend to create, who has the time to think about bouncers? If they had had the time, at least some improvement would have shown. They actually seemed more clueless this time around.For two editions of the World Twenty20 running, India haven’t won a Super Eights game. But it is the manner of the defeats, almost identical to the ones produced any time this line-up bats on a bouncy track, that will hurt them more. To be fair to them, there is hardly any time in Twenty20s to duck under a few bouncers and try to wear the bowlers down. There is a reason, though, why such tactics are not tried against the likes of Mahela Jayawardene, Shane Watson, Kevin Pietersen, et al. The bowlers know those men can hook them for sixes; the Indians’ only scoring shot to well-directed bouncers has been the top edge over the keeper’s head. Their team-mate Virender Sehwag is a perfect man to learn from; bowlers have tried bowling short at him but don’t quite like being upper-cut for six or getting whipped away for four.Suresh Raina has reiterated that if he’s not allowed to plonk the front foot down, all those heaved sixes and slog-sweeps become top edges that go nowhere: against Australia he nearly played on with an edge that could have hit a low-flying aircraft. On a slow and low St Lucia pitch against Sri Lanka, he was back in form, crackling away to a good-looking 63. M Vijay, who had come across as a more solid batsman, doesn’t attack the short ball. Although Gautam Gambhir did most things right, his wrists didn’t drop in time, something he will now have to contend with in the longest version of the game too. Yuvraj Singh managed to keep the pull shots down, but his head kept falling away. After a couple of short ones – not nasty ones mind you – Rohit Sharma stopped moving his feet completely and kept edging slower deliveries floated outside off.India’s fielding standards were below average, and of the quality on display during the IPL•AFPNeither does Yusuf Pathan enjoy the captain’s confidence to bat before the game is almost over, nor has he shown the aptitude to translate his daredevilry from the IPL (“greatest innings” and all that) to the international level. Dhoni felt he needed to pick an extra batsman in back-to-back Twenty20 internationals, going with just three bowlers, much like he invariably did in the IPL, where he picked one of Manpreet Gony, Joginder Sharma, L Balaji or Sudeep Tyagi as a specialist bowler.The bouncers actually did the team a favour. They hid that the captain seemed to have no confidence in the specialist bowlers picked by the selectors (R Vinay Kumar was finally played after Praveen Kumar had returned home, Umesh Yadav was found to have travelled with the wrong visa, and Zaheer Khan had a niggle). That the captain was not only defensive, he was stubborn too. That Gambhir ran between the wickets in a manner that Ravi Shastri called pathetic – and it takes a lot to get Shastri to utter a negative word on air. (Nor does Gambhir usually convert threes into twos.) It hid that India’s fielding continued to match IPL standards – minus the crazy catches pulled off by the likes of David Hussey.It turns out there is a far wider gap between the quality of cricket in IPL and internationals than the Indian team lets on. Their coach is slightly old-fashioned and saner. For last year’s embarrassment, Gary Kirsten blamed IPL fatigue and the sudden shift from that substandard cricket to top-quality international stuff, without sugar-coating his words. He also spoke about how his team had handed Australia their worst Test-series defeat in recent times, and that it followed a gruelling camp was not a coincidence. Only a board as deafened by the sound of money as India’s could have not listened to the man. This time he may as well ask for subtitles.The IPL tragics often cite India’s No. 1 ranking in Tests to make themselves believe the cricket can’t be so bad. Therein lies the major flaw: Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman are too established and too good to let a hit-and-giggle league effect their techniques or work ethic. And it’s because of them, not the IPL stars, that India are No. 1 in Tests.Dhoni admits his side is tired. He says that’s the reality of being an India cricketer. He admits most of his line-up can’t attack the well-directed bouncer. He says his spinners bowled flat and his seamers kept bowling the same pace. He says his side didn’t play to its potential, but he finds nothing wrong in either the IPL or the scheduling. Yet clearer signs of either a tired or unprepared side could not have been cited.While defending the IPL and the scheduling, Dhoni said, “Players need to be smart because IPL is not only about cricket. You have to respect your body, and if you don’t do that, the IPL is draining.” The team and the board will do well to add international cricket to the to-respect list.

Daryl Tuffey cut down on pace, and concentrated on off-stump accuracy to embarrass India on the final day at Mohali

Dileep Premachandran11-Jul-2005When India’s batsmen emerged this morning, they would have expected Daniel Vettori to be the main obstacle between them and the follow-on target of 431. But as it turned out, he was relegated to bit-part status by a magnificent spell of controlled medium-pace from Daryl Tuffey, which pushed India over the edge and into the humiliating situation of following on in a home Test match.Tuffey never attempted to match the pace of Ian Butler, bowling most of his deliveries at around 125kph, but he compensated with an unerringly accurate line that gave the batsmen no room to take liberties. His spell in the morning – straddling two innings – produced 4 for 14 from 10 overs, and was characterised by his ability to put the ball on a spot just on or about off stump, while also obtaining occasional steepling bounce. Of the 60 balls he bowled, 55 pitched on or outside off stump, and all four wickets came courtesy of edges to the wicketkeeper or slip.LineBallsOutside off47off08Middle Off01Leg03Outside Leg01He started off by snipping off India’s excuse of a tail to enforce the follow-on. L Balaji and Zaheer Khan were both undone by deliveries that pitched bang in the corridor of uncertainty outside off stump. Two feathered edges did the rest.But Tuffey wasn’t done. Virender Sehwag, who lashed a cavalier 130 in the first innings, was tempted into slashing at one that was just a mite too close to his body, while Rahul Dravid played a more hesitant stroke to one that was pitched on off stump. Stephen Fleming took both catches, and Tuffey went to lunch well pleased.As if to prove that he wasn’t just a morning person, he came back after the interval to castle Sachin Tendulkar. Medium-pace bowling in Indian conditions doesn’t get much better than that.

It’s a typical afternoon at the National Cricket Academy in Edinburgh, where a small, but fiercely energetic staff, are multi-tasking with a resolve that belies the governing body’s dearth of finance

Neil Drysdale10-Jul-2006

Scotland: lacking finance but not resolve © Getty Images
It’s a typical afternoon at the National Cricket Academy in Edinburgh, where a small, but fiercely energetic staff, are multi-tasking with a resolve that belies the governing body’s dearth of finance.A year ago this week, Craig Wright’s team triumphed in the ICC Trophy, thereby securing World Cup qualification and earning automatic ODI status, whilst climbing to a global ranking of 12th. There were plenty of lofty promises about how the game was poised for all sorts of monetary windfalls, but as it transpired these forecasts sprung from the Wilkins Micawber School of economics.The reality for Wright and the national coach, Peter Drinnen, is that they must keep advancing in spite of a system that is absurdly obsessed with medals, and seemingly designed to deny cricket any of the same advantages afforded to other pursuits.Drinnen shrugs his shoulders when confronted with these issues. As somebody who inherited the job, in controversial circumstances, from Andy Moles, the Australian has stepped up to the plate in stirring fashion, orchestrating a series of victories for the Saltires in the revamped C&G Trophy and watching proudly as his charges rallied from 20 for 4 to push Pakistan hard at The Citylets Grange last month.Elsewhere, concerns have been expressed as to the validity of the ICC’s philosophy of introducing half-a-dozen new countries onto the ODI circuit – and the sceptics’ fears were borne out by Sri Lanka amassing a record-breaking 443 runs in 50 overs against hapless Holland – but Drinnen is unrepentant in his assertion that Scotland has the ability to rise above Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Kenya in the next 18 months. If he was allowed access to a bigger annual budget than £180,000, there is no inherent reason why his personnel can’t be beating anybody in the planet by the start of the next decade.”Of course, we would benefit from extra cash,” says Drinnen, “and I have the plans in place if it happens to create an A team, packed with 18, 19 and 20 year-olds, who would go to Bangladesh, to India and Sri Lanka, and test themselves in high-pressure contests, which would allow a natural progression through to the senior side.”That contrasts starkly with the present situation where we are shoving in guys from the SNCL and expecting them to tackle professional rivals head-on but, to be fair, we have definitely increased our strength in depth in the last 12 months.”Drinnen highlighted the example of Neil McCallum, who made a conscious decision to put himself in the spotlight, thrived at the Grange, and forced himself into the Saltires’ scene through sheer 100% commitment and application. It was he who marched to the crease at 20 for 4 against Pakistan, and proceeded to dig his side out of a huge hole with a gritty 68.”I am always asking questions of players and Neil has responded,” added Drinnen. “What I would ask of some others is: are you equally determined to invest in the hours of practice and demand an opportunity? Even six months ago, there were some individuals who probably imagined they had booked their World Cup berths, but I have told a lot of them to take nothing for granted.”I have 18 or 19 names in my mind for 15 spots, and there is still time for one or two others to stick themselves in the frame, before the squad is announced in September. But if anybody is half-hearted, or believes they have enough talent to sit out net sessions, or doesn’t understand they have to be fit, I am afraid they are in for a disappointment when the party is announced for the most intense period in Scotland’s history.”Drinnen, a reticent character by nature, was disinclined to indulge in specific selection discussions. Nonetheless, he has been significantly impressed with Paul Hoffmann (“the lad has bowled beautifully”), Ryan Watson (“he refuses to stay out of any game”), whilst his warm words for Dewald Nel, Ross Lyons and Gavin Hamilton and for Wright and Dougie Brown’s “innate professionalism” suggest that they can anticipate a winter abroad.That winter could possibly begin with a trip to Bangladesh in November, followed by the inaugural World Cricket League, prior to meeting the UAE in the Intercontinental Cup. Then it’s off to St Kitts for their hat-trick of World Cup assignments with Australia, South Africa and Holland.It is a daunting schedule and one which promises to tax the players’ employers and spouses alike. But if Drinnen is feeling the strain of existing on a shoestring budget, he is keeping it remarkably well-hidden.”I know that some of the lads will have to make sacrifices and tough choices, which isn’t ideal, and although we are grateful for the sponsorship of Lloyds TSB and the funding from Sportscotland, it would clearly be fantastic if we could offer contracts to seven or eight players and progress towards a scenario where they were full-time cricketers.””All the same,” he added, “I’m both pragmatic and excited about our prospects, because I genuinely, 100% reckon that we can have a very good Scottish cricket team for years to come, the foundations have been laid, and an awful lot of development has occurred in a short time. What we need now is the funding to take a big leap, instead of moving forward in short steps.”Drinnen’s ultimate fantasy is for Scotland to take part in the 2014 Commonwealth Games, which could even be held in Glasgow if their bid is successful. “If it is, then Twenty20 cricket could be included on the programme and we could have a pop at chasing a medal. Why not? If we can score 200-plus against Pakistan and have them at 93 for 5, without several of our key performers, why shouldn’t we dare to dream?”Drinnen is currently debating the logistics of sending a couple of players to Australia and two more to India this winter, as part of his fast-track policy. He may speak in measured tones, but this man is on a mission and has no truck with part-timers or pessimists.

Glasgow Rangers have been backed to make a move to sign a new free agent, with a BBC pundit believing he’d be the perfect fit for the Scottish Premiership.

What new players have Rangers signed?

Over the summer, Michael Beale entered the market to secure nine fresh faces, with Danilo, Sam Lammers, Cyriel Dessers and Jose Cifuentes being purchased, whilst the likes of Jack Butland and Dujon Sterling joined for free.

In terms of outgoings, Glen Kamara, Fashion Sakala and Antonio Colak were the three permanent sales to take place, whilst Ryan Kent and Filip Helander led the departures of squad members that had reached the end of their contracts, as per Transfermarkt.

The Light Blues might already be assessing their options ahead of the January window opening, and one star that they could target is Stefan Johansen, who most recently played his football for Queens Park Rangers in the English Championship.

The Norway international, who is naturally a central midfielder, decided to mutually terminate his contract at the end of last season meaning that he is now a free agent on the market and waiting to be snapped up, and the 32-year-old has been mooted to move to Ibrox.

Are Rangers signing Stefan Johansen?

Speaking to Football League World, BBC pundit Carlton Palmer named Rangers as a potential destination for Johansen, who he believes would easily slot into their style of football, especially having previously been coached by Beale during his time at Loftus Road. He said:

"Stefan Johansen is a very, very good footballer. I think maybe Glasgow Rangers might have a little look at him on a free. He is an experienced midfielder that can play really, really well, and play at a high level. Maybe someone like Glasgow Rangers may look at him on a free. He’s available, has experience, and has worked with the previous manager."

What could Stefan Johansen bring to Rangers?

Being 32, Rangers will know that Johansen isn’t getting any younger, but with age comes experience and he’s had plenty of that having been dubbed the “ultimate professional” by journalist Josh Bunting, so he could prove to be a fantastic short-term addition for Beale.

The TP Sport Management client is naturally stronger in the offensive aspect of his game having clocked up 19 contributions (13 assists and six goals) in 88 appearances during his time at QPR, whilst whipping 73 crosses into the opposition’s box last season, which was the fourth-highest total throughout his squad, via FBRef.

The Hoops’ former left-footed ace is also a versatile operator having been deployed in six different positions over the pitch since the start of his career, including everywhere across the midfield and even at centre-forward, so he would be a wonderful option for the boss to have in the building should any unexpected injuries occur in other roles where cover is needed.

Finally, Johansen was the captain of Gareth Ainsworth's side which means he will possess extremely strong leadership qualities, so for all the atrributes that he would add to the boss' ranks, alongside the fact he's available for free, this is a no-brainer of a deal to complete.

Leeds United could be set to lose one of their senior players on a permanent basis next summer, with a fresh report revealing that his loan club are already working to prise him away from the Championship.

Who have Leeds signed recently?

Over the summer, Daniel Farke was busy in the market having secured the services of nine fresh faces, with Joel Piroe, Glen Kamara, Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev joining on a permanent basis, whilst the likes of Djed Spence and Joe Rodon put pen to paper on loan.

In terms of outgoings, Tyler Adams, Rodrigo and Tyler Roberts were the three first-team players to leave for good, alongside stars like Jack Harrison, Luis Sinisterra and Brenden Aaronson who were sent on the road temporarily, but they weren’t the only ones to depart.

Robin Koch also completed a switch away from the second tier to link up with Eintracht Frankfurt until the end of the season, with the 49ers likely wanting to get the centre-back off their wage books following relegation.

However, Germany’s international’s contract is set to expire upon the conclusion of the current term which doesn’t give chiefs much time to cash in should they not want to risk losing him for free, but if the following update is to be believed, he’s already got a potential suitor waiting.

Is Robin Koch leaving Leeds?

According to German outlet SportBILD (via Sport Witness), Eintracht Frankfurt buying Koch on a permanent deal next summer is something that is "already being considered" by the club in the Bundesliga.

Dino Toppmoller's side see "internal transfer profit potential" of €230m (£199m) in their squad and view the defender as part of that. Sporting director Markus Krosche has already heaped public praise on his summer signing and he is therefore "quickly becoming convinced" that he wants to keep him in the building for good.

How much did Leeds buy Robin Koch for?

Back in 2020, Leeds paid a reported £11.3m to sign Koch from SC Freiburg and it’s fair to say that he’s more than been worth that during his 77 senior appearances at the club, so it’s important that the board do everything they can to retain his services by offering him a new deal next year.

The Yorkshire outfit’s 27-year-old is excelling at the Deutsche Bank Park where he’s so far won all five of his tackles made since the start of the season, alongside averaging five clearances per league game, with his similarly commanding performances having previously seen him dubbed a “real leader” by journalist Josh Bunting.

Furthermore, Farke’s £38k-per-week earner is a versatile operator having been deployed in five various positions over the pitch since the start of his career, including everywhere across the backline and even two roles higher up in the midfield.

Should Frankfurt table a respectable permanent offer for Koch in 2024, it will understandably be hard for the hierarchy to turn down because they could use the funds to put towards new signings in the future, but ideally, they need to re-introduce him back into the squad.

Newcastle United's season has not gone off without a hitch, but the quality and potential within Eddie Howe's blooming side is crystal clear, summed up in the recent drubbing of Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

8-0. A record-equalling victory in the top-flight for the Tyneside club (the other match, interestingly, came against the Blades' city rivals Sheffield Wednesday in 1999), Newcastle can delight in the incisiveness and ruthless edge to their efforts, exactly what is needed for a side pushing for Champions League qualification once again.

Indeed, the Magpies defied expectations last season by finishing in fourth place in the Premier League, transferring some fine form from the 2021/22 season – form that ensued from the PIF takeover and Howe's subsequent appointment – and making it something lasting, tangible.

Where once the devout Newcastle faithful hoped for a sustained spot away from the jaws of relegation from the top flight and pushed for a bit more ambition on the transfer front, their stoical support has been duly rewarded with a war chest fit to serve an outfit at the very forefront of the game.

Now within Champions League competition and boasting a squad fit for purpose in Europe's elite club competition, Howe deserves all the plaudits for the work that he has forged at St. James' Park, making good use of supplies and investing in players who would fight for the badge and contribute toward the revival.

Who better to typify this than captain Kieran Trippier, with the veteran right-back joining from the genesis of the creation of this new-look Newcastle side and serving with aplomb, paramount to the rise.

Against Sheffield United, he became the first Magpie to bag a hat-trick of assists since Allan Saint-Maximin against Bournemouth in 2020, but then this is just one – admittedly sensational – performance from a player who has already etched his name into the record books for his role in rebuilding a football club desperate for an escape from obscurity.

How much did Newcastle sign Kieran Trippier for?

In October 2021, Mike Ashley's tyrannical reign of Newcastle came to an end. One month later, Howe was appointed in the managerial role, replacing Steve Bruce.

As the Magpies made merry and the brilliant red of the carpets rolled from St. James' Park, welcoming a new era and a clean slate, glimmering in the Tyneside sunlight after years of hurt, the club still languished at their nadir in the Premier League, but a revitalised strategy and some astute business on the transfer front worked wonders for an outfit targetting a renaissance.

Howe had the plan, but he needed the tools to rebuild the outfit and was granted a significant pool of expenditure to set his idea into motion, and the moves made in January 2022 proved to catalyse Newcastle's hopes for an illustrious new chapter.

Bruno Guimaraes

£40m

Chris Wood

£25m

Dan Burn

£13m

Kieran Trippier

£12m

Matt Targett

Loan

Some standout names in there that play a big role at the club to this day, but none more so than the cheapest permanent signing of that decisive winter transfer market, with diminutive right-back Trippier embodying everything that Howe has striven to achieve since taking the helm at the Toon.

Trippier, a £12m acquisition, had played the lion's share of his career in his English homeland but was actually signed for Newcastle from Spanish side Atletico Madrid.

The dynamo had made 86 appearances across two-and-a-half seasons in LaLiga, registering 11 assists and playing a key role in winning the 2020/21 LaLiga title – his only major honour to date – and was heralded for his "very important" standing in the squad by Atletico manager Diego Simeone.

While there were murmurings from certain segments of rival fanbases that he was moving to Newcastle for a big payday in the later phase of his career, he has quashed such ludicrous claims with a staunch devotion to the rise of this exciting side, and he has arguably been their most important player.

How good is Kieran Trippier?

The 43-cap England international is a distinguished presence down the right flank and a proven force as one of the most creative and influential in his position.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 6% of full-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 1% for shot-creating actions, the top 5% for passes attempted and the top 2% for progressive passes per 90, evidently a playmaker with an "elite output", as praised by Statman Dave on Twitter.

Having now completed 60 matches, scoring three goals and providing 13 assists, the £120k-per-week phenom has been hailed as a "revelation" by talkSPORT's Simon Jordan, and there is no question that the side's ascendancy might not have been quite so profound had he not been signed.

Boasting commanding leadership qualities to blend with his talent and technicality on the pitch, Trippier has been integral and actually earned an impressive average Sofascore rating of 7.61 in the Premier League last term, keeping 14 clean sheets, making 1.9 tackles and two clearances per outing, creating 2.9 key passes per game and succeeding with 60% of his attempted dribbles.

So much so, that perhaps he has had an even greater impact than Bruno Guimaraes, who has recently penned a lucrative new contract with the Tyneside outfit after arriving in the same month as his English peer.

The Brazilian has been a "world-class" addition to Newcastle's squad, as has been said by Dan Burn, and is undoubtedly one of the most technically proficient midfielders in the Premier League.

Having forged 40 displays last term and started every match so far this season, the 25-year-old ranks among the top 20% of midfielders for goals, the top 15% for assists, the top 19% for shot-creating actions, the top 16% for progressive passes and the top 13% for successful take-ons per 90.

He is undoubtedly a starring member of Howe's team, the orchestrator in the middle and the conduit between the thirds, but with Trippier's authority and dynamism, he might not be the man to have made the biggest impact, albeit he has been absolutely sensational.

Trippier is 33-years-old and ostensibly approaching the twilight of his career, but based on the evidence from his dismantling creative display against Sheffield United, he is still every bit the multi-functional phenom Newcastle signed to spearhead a way out of danger at the bottom of the division.

I'd say he's ticked all the boxes, wouldn't you?

The Zimbabwe seamer’s action has been reported again, four matches after he was cleared to resume bowling following a 12-month ban

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Mar-2018Zimbabwe’s left-arm seamer Brian Vitori has been reported for an illegal bowling action for a third time in two years, and suspended from bowling until he undergoes an assessment of his action.Vitori’s woes

Jan 2016 – Reported for the first time
Feb 2016 – Suspended for the first time
Jun 2016 – Bowling action declared legal
Nov 2016 – Reported again
Dec 2016 – Suspended from bowling for 12 months
Jan 2018 – Allowed to resume bowling in internationals
March 2018 – reported and suspended again

Vitori was suspended from bowling for 12 months in December 2016 after tests revealed he flexed his elbow more than the accepted 15 degrees. The ICC cleared him to bowl again in January 2018 but four matches into resuming his international career, he has been pulled up again.The umpires raised doubt over Vitori’s action during Zimbabwe’s game against Nepal in the World Cup Qualifier on Sunday. He was then filmed during the next game – a nail-biter against Afghanistan – on Tuesday, after which two members from the ICC’s panel of human movement specialists (Helen Bayne and Mark King) reviewed the footage and the penalty was subsequently handed out.Vitori had played a defining role in that game, taking 2 for 32 in 9.3 overs, including taking the final wicket in the 50th over to seal a two-run victory. He will no longer be available to bowl for Zimbabwe until he volunteers himself for biomechanical testing again, and as a result he has been replaced in the Zimbabwe squad by left-arm seamer Richard Ngarava.

It would be fair to say that Manchester United’s lacklustre summer took a turn for the worse on Tuesday afternoon.

While the Old Trafford faithful have been crying out for the club to go out and sign some players, fierce rivals Liverpool have been doing precisely that, and now it looks like they are on the hunt for Alexander Isak.

In fact, according to some reporters, they are now preparing a £130m offer for the Newcastle United star, despite already spending around £116m on Florian Wirtz earlier in the window.

However, there might still be some good news for United fans, as reports suggest they are looking to bring in someone who could be their answer to the Swede before next week.

Manchester United's underwhelming summer

While it certainly doesn’t feel like it at the moment, the summer transfer window actually started in a rather positive fashion for United.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

After recovering from their Europa League final defeat, the club went out and activated Matheus Cunha’s £62.5m release clause.

With the Brazilian being Premier League-proven and amassing an impressive haul of 23 goal involvements in 36 games last season, it is undoubtedly a great signing; however, the problem is that the club haven’t made another since.

Fortunately, that might be about to change. At least that is according to a recent report from the Manchester Evening News, which has revealed that United are closing in on Bryan Mbeumo.

In fact, in some much-needed good news, the report claims that the Red Devils are working hard to bring the Brentford man in before they begin their pre-season next week.

The club have already seen two offers rejected, with the latest being around £60m, but according to stories from earlier this week, they’ll need to pay £65m to get this deal over the line.

It’s certainly a lot of money to spend on one player, but given Mbeumo’s ability, it would be worth it, and it could be United’s own Isak-type addition.

Why Mbeumo could be United's Isak

Now, the first thing we’ll say is that, no, we don’t think Mbeumo is as good a player as Isak, but that doesn’t take away from the fact he’s still brilliant, and that isn’t really what we’re trying to say either.

Instead, we’re arguing that the Cameroonian international could have the same sort of impact on United in an attacking sense that the Newcastle ace could have for Liverpool.

That might sound absurd to some, but it’s really not, especially considering the difference a seriously dangerous Premier League goalscorer could have on this Red Devils side is far greater due to their current position, and the Brentford man is most certainly a dangerous goalscorer.

For example, in 38 league appearances last season, totalling 3417 minutes, the Bees’ “mini-Salah,” as dubbed by pundit Jason Cundy, scored 20 goals and provided eight assists.

That comes out to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 1.35 games, or one every 122.03 minutes.

That would have made him comfortably the top scorer and most productive player in Ruben Amorim’s squad last season, ahead of Bruno Fernandes with eight goals and 11 assists in 36 games.

More impressively, however, it wasn’t too far off Isak’s tally.

Appearances

38

34

Minutes

3417′

2774′

Goals

20

23

Assists

8

6

Goal Involvements per Match

0.73

0.85

Minutes per Goal Involvement

122.03′

95.65′

In a far better team, the Swedish striker scored 23 goals and provided six assists in 34 league appearances, totalling 2774 minutes, which comes out to a goal involvement every 1.17 games, or every 95.65 minutes.

Finally, with the “phenomenal” Bees gem, as dubbed by one analyst, being able to play off the right or up top, he’d have even more opportunities to influence proceedings at the Theatre of Dreams next season.

Ultimately, Mbeumo is not as good a player as Isak, and nobody would suggest otherwise, but he is still an incredible attacker, and there is every chance that he could be as game-changing for United as the Swede might be for Liverpool.

Amorim's own Pogba: Man Utd leading race to sign "sensational" £42m star

Manchester United could be about to make a move to land a key target in their plans for the 2025/26 campaign.

ByEthan Lamb Jul 16, 2025

Neal Maupay and James Maddison almost came to blows after the Brentford star mocked the Tottenham player's celebration on Wednesday.

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Maupay scored for Brentford against SpursCopied Maddison's goal celebrationAngry England star confronted opponentWHAT HAPPENED?

Maupay opened the scoring in the Premier League clash against Tottenham and copied Maddison's celebration of miming a darts throw. The England international came up to Maupay and gave him a few pats on the head and the Brentford star reacted with a few slaps back, sparking a tense moment.

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Maddison has been doing the darts-throw celebration ever since his time at Leicester. The 27-year-old, playing his first Premier League game since November, did not appreciate Maupay copying his antics in his own stadium and had a go at him. As a renowned troll, Maupay appeared to get the reaction he wanted out of the English playmaker.

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After the home match against Brentford, Tottenham will hope to boost their hopes of a top-four finish by beating Everton on February 3. Two days later, Brentford will face a huge test as they take on reigning champions Manchester City.

The bid value had reached INR 6032.50 crore (USD 925 million approx) on Wednesday for the category that includes worldwide television and digital rights

Vishal Dikshit in Mumbai04-Apr-20181:19

Indian cricket’s rags-to-riches broadcast rights story

The bidding for the television and digital rights to broadcast Indian cricket from 2018 to 2023 is closing in on the billion-dollar mark, and the e-auction will enter a third day and resume at 11am IST on Thursday.The bid value had reached INR 6032.50 crore (USD 925 million approx) by 6pm on Wednesday – the second day of the e-auction – in the Global Consolidated Rights (GCR) category, which includes worldwide television and digital rights. The figure has already passed the previous cycle’s winning bid of INR 3851 crores (USD $750m approx. at the time) by 56.6%.As things stand, the average cost per match for the Indian cricket rights is about INR 59 cr, which is higher than the average cost per IPL game for the 2018-22 period – INR 54.5 cr – when Star India bought the rights in September 2017.The first day of the auction had ended at 6pm on Tuesday, with the highest bid at INR 4442 crores (USD 680 million approx.). On Wednesday, the bids that were made public were of INR 4517.25 cr, 4565.20 cr, 5488.30 cr, 5748 cr, 6001 cr, 6003.09 cr and 6032.50 crore.Once the process began on Tuesday, participants had an hour to raise after every bid, making the e-auction a multi-day process because proceedings could not go beyond 6pm IST on each day. The process will continue until the participants notify that they do not wish to bid higher.The bidders were narrowed down from six to three – Sony Pictures Network India, Star India and Reliance – after the BCCI’s legal team carried out technical and feasibility checks before the e-auction began. There were three categories of rights on sale: the Indian television rights and rest of the world digital rights (GTVRD), digital rights for the Indian subcontinent alone (ID), and the global consolidated rights (GCR) comprising worldwide TV and digital rights.The successful bidder will get to telecast 102 men’s international matches over the five-year period compared to 96 in the previous six-year cycle from 2012 to 2018. The 102 matches will be split among the home seasons as follows: 18 in 2018-19, 26 in 2019-20, 14 in 2020-21, 23 in 2021-22 and 21 in 2022-23. The rights will also include men’s domestic matches as well as the India women’s international matches.In 2012, Star TV, then owned by Rupert Murdoch, had won the rights to broadcast Indian cricket until 2018. That deal, which also included internet and mobile rights, was valued at INR 3851 cr (approximately USD 750 million at the time). The other bidder that year – at INR 3700 cr (USD 727 million at the time) – was Multi-Screen Media (Sony).The sale of these rights will mean a second huge payday for the BCCI in less than a year. In September 2017, the BCCI had sold the worldwide IPL television and digital rights for the period 2018-22 for INR 16,347.5 cr (US$ 2.55 billion) to Star India.