The 2023 men’s ODI World Cup will begin on October 5 in Ahmedabad, and matches will be held across ten venues, and culminate in the final – also in Ahmedabad – on November 19. The semi-finals will be held in Mumbai and Kolkata on November 15 and 16.The 45 league matches and the three knockouts will be played in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Dharamsala, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai and Pune over a span of 46 days. The two semi-finals and the final will all have reserve days. There are six day league matches in the tournament, which will start at 10:30 am IST. All other matches will be day-night games starting at 2:00 pm IST.The ICC has confirmed that if India qualify for the semi-finals, that game will be held in Mumbai, unless their opposition is Pakistan, in which case the game will be played in Kolkata.Related

• Pakistan agree to World Cup schedule change, to play India on October 14

• World Cup schedule will undergo changes, confirms Jay Shah

• PCB writes to Pakistan government for travel clearance for ODI World Cup

• Travelling fans left in the lurch by delay

• Pakistan to play nine World Cup league matches at only five venues

The long-awaited, and much-delayed, World Cup schedule was finally released by the ICC and BCCI at an event in Mumbai on Tuesday, just 100 days before the start of the tournament. In comparison, the fixtures for the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales and the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand were released more than 12 months in advance.The format will be the same as it was in 2019, with ten teams playing each other once in the league phase and the top four qualifying for the semi-finals. India qualified for the event as hosts, while Afghanistan, Australia, England, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa made it by finishing in the top eight of the 2020-2023 World Cup Super League. The remaining two teams will be identified at the ongoing World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe, which is being contested by Sri Lanka, West Indies, Ireland, Nepal, Netherlands, Oman, Scotland, UAE, USA and Zimbabwe.Before the tournament begins, the teams will play warm-ups in Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram and Guwahati between September 29 and October 3.

India to play at nine of the ten venues in league stage, Pakistan in five

The 2023 World Cup begins with a rematch between the 2019 finalists – New Zealand taking on England – while hosts India open their campaign against Australia on October 8 in Chennai.India then play Afghanistan in Delhi on October 11; Pakistan in Ahmedabad on October 15; Bangladesh in Pune on October 19; New Zealand in Dharamsala on October 22; England in Lucknow on October 29; a qualifier in Mumbai on November 2; South Africa in Kolkata on November 5; and another qualifier in Bengaluru on November 11, which is the penultimate day of the league stage. India travel the most among the ten teams, playing at nine of the ten venues during the league phase. Their warm-up games are against England in Guwahati on September 30 and against a qualifier in Thiruvananthapuram on October 3.While most other teams play their nine league matches across most of the ten venues – Australia, for example, are playing at eight venues – Pakistan are playing in only five cities: Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata. The league phase concludes on November 12, with England playing Pakistan in Kolkata and Australia taking on Bangladesh in Pune.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

After the tournament opener against England, New Zealand play three matches in the south of India – against a qualifier in Hyderabad on October 9, Bangladesh in Chennai on October 14, and Afghanistan in Chennai on October 18 – before travelling far north to play two matches in Dharamsala, against India on October 22 and Australia on October 28. Their last three league matches are against South Africa in Pune on November 1; Pakistan in Bengaluru on November 4; and the other qualifier in Bengaluru on November 9. New Zealand’s warm-up games are against Pakistan in Hyderabad on September 29 and South Africa in Thiruvananthapuram on October 2.South Africa begin their campaign in the north of India, playing a qualifier in Delhi on October 8, and then play Australia in Lucknow on October 13, and the other qualifier in Dharamsala on October 17. They then travel west to Mumbai to play England on October 21 and Bangladesh on October 24, after which they head south to take on Pakistan in Chennai on October 27. Their last three league games are against New Zealand in Pune (western India) on November 1, against India in Kolkata (eastern India) on November 5, and against Afghanistan in Ahmedabad (western India) on November 10. South Africa’s first warm-up game is against Afghanistan in Thiruvananthapuram on September 29 before playing New Zealand at the same venue on October 2.Bangladesh’s World Cup starts with two games in Dharamsala – against Afghanistan on October 7 and England on October 10. They then play New Zealand in Bangalore on October 14, India in Pune on October 19, South Africa in Mumbai on October 24, before heading east to Kolkata to play a qualifier on October 28 and Pakistan on October 31. Their last two league games are against the other qualifier in Delhi on November 6, and against Australia in Pune on November 12. Bangladesh’s warm-ups are in Guwahati, against a qualifier on September 29 and England on October 2.At their third successive World Cup, Afghanistan start against Bangladesh in Dharamsala on October 7, and stay on it north India to play India and England in Delhi on October 11 and 14, then go south to play New Zealand and Pakistan in Chennai on October 18 and 23, before travelling to Pune to play a qualifier on October 30. Their last three league games are against the other qualifier in Lucknow on November 3, Australia in Mumbai on November 7 and South Africa in Ahmedabad on November 10. Afghanistan’s warm-ups are against South Africa in Thiruvananthapuram on September 29 and a qualifier on October 3 in Guwahati.

It’s been a rough month for Ipswich Town.

Since their win over Coventry City in the FA Cup, Kieran McKenna’s side have failed to win again in five outings, four of which were in the Premier League.

If the Tractor Boys are going to pull themselves out of the relegation zone over the coming weeks, they’ll have to seriously step their performances up, and this afternoon’s game against Nottingham Forest could be the perfect opportunity to do so.

That said, the manager is going to have to make several changes to the starting lineup, changes that see Jaden Philogene drop to the bench.

Why Philogene should be dropped

Truthfully, you could argue why several of Ipswich’s starters against Crystal Palace should be dropped, but when it comes to the attack, Liam Delap is undoubtedly the team’s most dangerous player, and Jack Clarke appears to be slowly growing into his role.

So, unfortunately for Philogene, that leaves him as the most likely to be dropped from the lineup, and given his lacklustre display against the Eagles, he probably should be axed.

The former Aston Villa ace was wholly ineffective against the South Londoners, and the few times he did have the chance to influence the game, he was found lacking.

Unsurprisingly, the East Anglian Daily Times’ Alex Jones was equally unimpressed with the “ridiculous” Englishman, as dubbed by ex-Hull boss Liam Rosenior, giving him a 5/10 match rating and writing that it felt like he ‘hardly had any time in possession’.

The 23-year-old’s statistics do not make for pretty reading either, as in his 67 minutes of action he failed to score from an expected goals figure of 0.65, took just 22 touches, had a pass completion of just 57%, failed in 100% of his dribbles, missed two big chances, lost four of six ground duels and lost the ball six times.

Minutes

67′

Expected Goals

0.65

Goals

0

Big Chances Missed

2

Touches

22

Passing Accuracy

4/7 (57%)

Key Passes

1

Dribbles (Successful)

2 (0)

Ground Duels (Won)

6 (2)

Lost Possession

6

It was a performance to forget from the talented winger and one that should see him replaced for today’s clash.

The Ipswich star who should replace Philogene

Given the injuries McKenna has to contend with and the lacklustre form of several other attacking options, the most likely and best choice to come in for Philogene this afternoon is Omari Hutchinson.

The former Chelsea ace came off the bench against Palace after missing the FA Cup defeat to Forest with a knee injury but will more than likely be fit enough to play from the first whistle today, which will be a big boost.

The Englishman has primarily played down the middle this term but has made five appearances off the right, so he should have no problem stepping in for the former Villa gem.

Moreover, while the “superb” talent, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, hasn’t exactly been prolific this season, he’s been solid, amassing a tally of three goals and two assists in 26 league appearances, and two of those goal involvements have come in the last four outings.

Moreover, the 21-year-old has shown us that he can rise to the occasion and produce something quite spectacular, as he did when scoring his long-range effort at home to Manchester United last year.

Ultimately, there is no surefire way to get Ipswich back on track against Forest this afternoon, but with Philogene failing to take his chances last week, dropping him for Hutchinson seems like a positive step.

Forget Tuanzebe: McKenna can axe Godfrey by unleashing Ipswich "warrior"

Kieran McKenna will hope this Ipswich Town star can replace Axel Tuanzebe effectively.

ByKelan Sarson Mar 8, 2025

Over the years, Manchester United has been the home to countless players who have become fan favourites and made a name for themselves at Old Trafford.

Gary Neville was the club’s number-one right-back for numerous years, with no player able to dislodge the now pundit from his starting role, allowing him to rack up a huge total of appearances.

The Englishman made over 600 appearances over a near-two-decade spell in the first-team, playing a crucial role under Sir Alex Ferguson, helping the Red Devils win various trophies during his reign.

He was part of the infamous Class of 92 which saw players such as Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt join the defender in the senior side, undoubtedly being one of the most successful crop of academy graduates in history.

The talents were also joined at Old Trafford by one other star who endured a phenomenal career as a professional, catching the eye with his superb set-piece ability.

David Beckham’s stats at Manchester United

After retiring from the professional game, David Beckham has taken his fame and notoriety to the next level, but his time in the United first team set him on his path to stardom.

The Englishman stood out from the crowd in that era, with his technique and quality on the ball catching the eye and allowing him to become one of the best midfielder’s during the 1990s.

He became infamous for his set-piece ability, scoring 18 free-kicks during his 265 appearances in the Premier League – the most of any player in the division’s history.

Beckham would go on to make 390 appearances for his boyhood club, scoring 85 times and registering 121 assists – contributing to six league title wins during his spell at the club.

However, he would subsequently leave Old Trafford in July 2003, joining European giants Real Madrid, ending his 11-year spell in the first-team at Old Trafford.

There are very few players who possess the quality Beckham did on the ball, but the Red Devils had one player who was tipped to emulate him before being prematurely offloaded.

The former United ace who could’ve been the next Beckham

Former boss Erik ten Hag ultimately struggled to be a success during his time in charge at the Theatre of Dreams, leading to his sacking earlier this campaign.

The Dutchman spent upwards of £600m on new signings to try and turn the club’s fortunes around, with many of the additions made failing to live up to expectations.

Such dealings led to numerous talents being offloaded to balance the books, including academy graduate James Garner, who left in a £9m deal to join Everton in the summer of 2022.

The now 24-year-old spent 13 years as a player on United’s books, only making seven senior appearances, with loan spells at the likes of Watford and Nottingham Forest before his permanent move.

His spell at the latter of the two clubs highlighted his technical ability, often producing moments of magic similar to those of Beckham with his dipping efforts on goal.

Former Manchester City ace Trevor Sinclair claimed that ‘James Garner’s deliveries remind me of David Beckham’s’ with the whip he’s able to put on the ball creating opportunities for himself or his teammates.

Injuries have halted his progress at Goodison Park this season, restricting him to just 14 appearances across all competitions, but he’s still been able to operate in a box-to-box role, just like Beckham did during his time in Manchester.

His stats produced this campaign are evidence of the talent he possesses, with the Englishman undoubtedly having the tools to be a success in Ruben Amorim’s first-team squad, but unfortunately, he will never get that chance after Ten Hag’s decision to sell him.

£9m fee is an absolute bargain in today’s market, with the 24-year-old undoubtedly slipping through the Red Devils’ net and showcasing his former employer what they’re missing by allowing him to depart.

From coaching badges to Steve Smith bunny memes, seamer reflects on how far he’s come

Matt Roller24-Jul-2023

Josh Tongue would have spent the 2023 summer coaching but for a specialist diagnosing a nerve problem in his shoulder last year. Instead, he has made his England debut, played an Ashes Test and been sent memes depicting Steven Smith as his bunny.”I don’t think it’s really sunk in at the minute,” Tongue said. “Being out for so long with my shoulder, having two operations on it, not knowing what I was going to be doing and maybe retiring, then getting that call-up for the Ireland Test, words can’t really describe how I felt. Now, being in the Ashes squad, it just feels so surreal.”Tongue qualified as a Level 2 coach early in his career and, if the shoulder issue which kept him out of the game for 14 months between June 2021 and August 2022 had not been resolved, he would have quit the professional game and followed a different career path.Related

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“I would have gone into coaching,” he said. “I’d have kept doing my badges.” He suggested he would have tapped into “a few contacts” at his old school, King’s Worcester, or worked with the former Worcestershire batter Gavin Haynes, whose son Jack has played alongside Tongue at the county and for England Lions.”It’s a bit different: doing a bit of coaching or playing for England in an Ashes series. It’s very weird. I don’t think it’s really sunk in at the minute. It’s just crazy: where I was two years ago to now. Obviously as a young kid, I dreamed of being in an Ashes series. Now I’m in one, it’s just an amazing feeling.”Tongue grew up watching James Anderson and Stuart Broad bowling; now, he is in contention to replace one of them in the fifth Test at The Kia Oval, starting on Thursday. “It’s just amazing to be in the training, training with them and learning from them,” he said, speaking before the fourth Test at a #Funds4Runs session organised by LV= Insurance at Stockport Georgians Cricket Club.”The first couple of weeks in the squad, I was trying to find my feet, not asking too many questions as the new kid on the block. I feel like now I’m getting to know everyone, getting a bit more confidence with everyone in the squad, I can ask those questions.”It’s different when you’re in competition. There’s not much training between each Test match, so I try and take as much out of it as I can. Being on the pitch with Jimmy and Broady at Lord’s, them being at mid-on and mid-off, [I tried to] just tap into anything they can offer.”Josh Tongue at a #Funds4Runs session at Stockport Georgians Cricket Club•LV= Insurance/#Funds4Runs

Tongue finished the Lord’s Test with figures of 5 for 151 in the match, bowling a prolonged spell of bouncers on the fourth day and dismissing David Warner and Steven Smith in both innings. “I didn’t think I’d play at Lord’s and that first day, coming through the Long Room and hearing the national anthem, I thought, ‘Wow! I’m actually playing in the Ashes.'”Having earlier trapped him lbw in a County Championship game, Tongue has dismissed Smith in three innings out of three this summer. “I did see a little picture of him in the corner, me, and then a rabbit – something like that,” he said, laughing. “I have seen some funny stuff on Twitter.”The one at Worcester, I did a bit of analyst work against him and tried to mix up the angles. He does draw you in and goes off his stumps. I tried not to play to his strengths which is obviously when you try to bowl straight, he’ll clip you through the leg side.”I feel like bowling that fourth or fifth stump and trying to bore him and force him to do something wrong [is the way to go] and obviously that happened in the first innings. Then, in the second, he was bumped out. It’s just so good to bowl against him, really.”Tongue generally bowls in the mid-80s mph but has touched 90mph/145kph at times this summer, and has enjoyed the novelty of looking up at his speeds on big screens. “I was trying not to look too much but you naturally look sometimes and it was great to get up to that sort of speed,” he said.”It’s a nice feeling. Growing up as a kid, you want to bowl as fast as you can so getting up to 90mph is a nice little achievement. I’m a big rhythm bowler: when I’m bowling at my best, I don’t try too hard. My skills, my height, my bounce, my pace… when I don’t try to bowl too quick, and my attributes kind of sink in.”He has only played at The Oval once before, in a high-scoring draw in 2018, but fresh from a five-wicket haul in Worcestershire’s win against Leicestershire, Tongue is confident that he can make an impact there if selected this week. “From Lord’s, knowing I bowled nicely there, I’ll take confidence for maybe playing at The Oval.”Josh Tongue was speaking on behalf of LV= Insurance, title sponsors of this summer’s LV= Insurance Ashes Series. Head to https://www.lv.com/gi/cricket to find out more

Rodrygo might have dropped potential hints about his future following Xabi Alonso's arrival as head coach, despite interest from Arsenal and Chelsea.

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• Rodrygo reveals his state of mind
• Brazilian linked with a summer departure
• Arsenal and Chelsea keeping tabs

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Winger Rodrygo has been constantly subjected to speculation in the past months, linking him with a summer departure. Premier League giants Arsenal and Chelsea have been credited with serious interest in the 24-year-old. However, he posted photos of himself in training under new head coach Xabi Alonso with a one-word caption: "HAPPY".

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• Getty/GOAL
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Despite reports claiming that Rodrygo is looking to leave Madrid, and that the club are ready to cash in on the player this summer, Rodrygo has maintained a professional attitude and has taken part in all of Alonso's training sessions this week. In fact, Spanish media has suggested that the player wants to stay at the club and fight for his place under Alonso, with whom he is set to hold talks regarding where he fits into the manager's plans.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Alonso hailed Rodrygo as a "spectacular" player during his presentation press conference in May, adding that he is part of his plans. That, though, hasn't stopped other teams from pursuing a potential move for the Brazilian international this summer. In particular, Arsenal and Chelsea are the two teams who have been linked with Rodrygo the most in the past few weeks. If he were to leave this summer, Los Blancos will reportedly demand a figure between €80 million (£67m/$91m) and €100m (£84m/$114m).

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR RODRYGO?

  The former Santos prodigy will be expected to be among the minutes at the Club World Cup that begins on June 14. Madrid will play their first game on June 18 against Al-Hilal.

اقترب نادي الزمالك من حسم صفقة هجومية جديدة خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الجارية، من بطولة الدوري البرتغالي لتدعيم صفوف الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالموسم الجديد.

وبحسب ما أكدته صحيفة “ريكورد” البرتغالية، فإن شيكو بانزا بات هدفًا جادًا لمسؤولي الزمالك، الذين دخلوا في مفاوضات مباشرة مع نادي إستريلا أمادورا خلال الأيام الماضية، تمهيدًا لضمه بشكل نهائي هذا الصيف.

ويبلغ بانزا من العمر 26 عامًا، ويمتلك خبرة دولية معتبرة، حيث شارك في 15 مباراة مع منتخب أنجولا، كما سبق له اللعب في الدوري البرتغالي مع أندية عدة أبرزها بورتيمونينسي قبل انتقاله إلى إستريلا في منتصف الموسم الماضي.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ممدوح عباس يكشف مفاجأة بشأن موقفه من صفقات الزمالك الجديدة

ورغم توقيعه على عقد يمتد حتى صيف 2027، فإن المؤشرات داخل النادي البرتغالي ترجح رحيله في ظل وفرة العناصر الهجومية التي تم التعاقد معها مؤخرًا، حيث ضم إستريلا أربعة مهاجمين جدد هذا الصيف.

ويأتي تحرك الزمالك في ظل سعي الجهاز الفني بقيادة البلجيكي يانيك فيريرا، لدعم الخط الأمامي بصفقات قوية، خاصة بعد ظهور الحاجة إلى تعزيزات هجومية فعالة قادرة على صناعة الفارق في البطولات المحلية والقارية.

وبحسب الصحيفة البرتغالية، فإن بانزا يرحب بفكرة الانتقال إلى الدوري المصري، خصوصًا بعد تجربة جيفرسون إنكادا الذي كان يلعب في نادي فاركو قبل الانتقال إلى أمادورا.

يُذكر أن بانزا شارك في 13 مباراة مع إستريلا منذ انضمامه للفريق، وسجل هدفًا واحدًا، إلا أن إمكانياته البدنية والفنية تجعله من العناصر الواعدة التي يراهن عليها الزمالك في مشروعه الجديد.

It was hard to know what was more of a farce. The poor groundsman seeing his neat pile of sawdust obliterated as he tried unsuccessfully to lift the rope being towed round the Lord’s outfield to soak up moisture left by another rain shower over it, or this season trying to pass itself off as “summer”.For the majority of a 13,000-strong crowd who saw Southern Brave Women defeat their London Spirit opposition and then stayed on through an hour-and-a-half stoppage for persistent drizzle and the subsequent mop-up, there didn’t seem anything farcical about a match reduced to 50 balls per side. The fact they were set to see any more play was testament to the superpowers of drainage at Lord’s and its ground staff, allowing the show to go on – momentarily. That was until rain intervened again, this time for good (or bad, if you’re a cricket fan).Dan Worrall had Devon Conway caught-and-bowled for a three-ball duck on the seventh ball of the match but only five more balls were possible before the rain which had hung around all day and delayed the start of the women’s match by an hour returned, at which point Brave were 11 for 1.At the resumption, the powerplay was revised to 13 balls per side, meaning Brave had just two balls left of theirs and James Vince made the most of them with back-to-back fours behind square leg and through the covers off Jordan Thompson. A short time later, Vince thrashed Matt Critchley over wide long-on for six as the Brave batters set about doing what they could to make up for a start in which they thought they’d have double the time.Liam Dawson slowed things up innings and delivery-wise, conceding just three runs off his first set of five, which included the wicket of Finn Allen, holing out to Zak Crawley, who fell theatrically backwards as he pouched a straightforward catch in the deep. No sooner was Dawson out of the action, he was back in it – taking a sliding catch at full stretch to remove Vince. Immediately the rain started to fall again however, the heaviest it had all day, with Brave having scored 34 runs off 26 balls for the loss of three wickets.At that point, the fans started filing out, credit to them for believing for so long. The match was abandoned shortly afterwards.

Newcastle United are now keen on goalkeeper who’s so good with his feet he’s been described as “Guardiola style,” according to a new report.

Pope good enough for England – Anderson

Despite helping Newcastle United lift the Carabao Cup – their first major trophy in 64 years – earlier this month, Nick Pope wasn’t included in Thomas Tuchel’s first-ever England squad, with the German manager picking Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, Dean Henderson and James Trafford ahead of him.

Former Newcastle defender John Anderson believes he was unlucky to be left out: “Pickford is obviously England’s number one and rightly so, but I would say Nick Pope is definitely better than the rest of them.”

Trafford, meanwhile, has been touted as a potential summer signing for the Magpies after what has been a record-breaking season in goal for Burnley in the Championship. The 22-year-old has kept a record 27 clean sheets in 38 games so far, conceding just 11 goals – an astonishing achievement that has put Scott Parker’s side well in the race for automatic promotion.

Championship Clean Sheets 2024/25

James Trafford (Burnley)

27

Illan Meslier (Leeds United)

21

Michael Cooper (Plymouth Argyle)

19

Aynsley Pears (Blackburn Rovers)

13

Freddie Woodman (Preston North End)

13

Stats via Transfermarkt.

On the potential of Newcastle signing Trafford in the summer, Anderson said: “He is up and coming and has had an exceptional season with Burnley. He is young and can only get better.”

Magpies eyeing Lammens but face stiff competition

Another keeper who is reportedly on Newcastle’s radar ahead of the summer transfer window is Royal Antwerp shot-stopper Senne Lammens. According to a new report from The Sun, the Magpies are one of a number of clubs alongside West Ham United, Manchester City and Manchester United that have got the 22-year-old on their radar.

The newspaper reports that Lammens is rated at around £30 million, and describe him as a “Guardiola-style” keeper because of his ability with his feet – something that be music to the ears of Newcastle fans given Pope’s well-documented struggles in that department.

Described by football scout Nikita Korneev as “one of Europe’s most exciting young keepers”, Lammens has already cemented himself as Antwerp’s first-choice goalkeeper, impressing in this season’s Champions League before they were eliminated.

A regular for Belgium’s U21s, he was also recently called up to Belgium’s national team for the first-ever time and could yet become the long-term successor to Thibaut Courtois for his nation.

Recently, Lammens opened up on being linked with a move to Old Trafford, saying: “The first time I heard it, I thought, ‘Wow, a world team that follows you. That is special.’

“They are still just rumours,” he explained. “Those top clubs have so many scouts and follow so many players. So it doesn’t have to mean anything yet. It will only become clear in the summer whether anything comes of it.”

Legendary Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has urged head coach Ruben Amorim to consider giving Antony another chance at Old Trafford.

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Van Der Sar wants Antony to return to Man UtdAntony was loaned out by Amorim in January Brazilian had stunning loan spell with Real BetisFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Legendary former Manchester United goalkeeper Van Der Sar spoke about the club's transfer plans this summer and had a piece of advice for head coach Amorim, urging the Portuguese to consider giving Antony another lifeline at Old Trafford following his stunning six-month loan stint at Real Betis.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

After being signed for a gigantic £85 million fee back in 2022, the former Ajax prodigy failed to justify his price tag and live up to the demands of the Premier League. Midway through last season, following the sacking of Erik ten Hag, the Red Devils appointed Amorim. However, Antony couldn't break into his starting XI and had to find an exit route, which he found in the form of Real Betis. In Spain, the winger thrived, scoring nine goals and delivering five assists in 26 games as he found his mojo back.

Despite his return to form and proving to be a real game-changer at the Benito Villamarin Stadium, the 25-year-old reportedly has no future at United. In fact, they are even ready to accept a huge loss on their initial £85m investment as they are ready to accept bids worth as low as £30m.

WHAT EDWIN VAN DER SAR SAID

Van Der Sar recently provided his thoughts at an event, stating: "Luckily, I'm not in a position anymore to dictate at a club which kind of players have to come, but they're on the right track by signing a more experienced striker, maybe with another one on the way.

"The two players they signed in the winter break were good, so they should be fine if they give faith to the manager. "Maybe [Alejandro] Garnacho's going to go, I would say bring Antony back, but I'm not sure if that's realistic."

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR ANTONY?

The Brazilian international's future remains up in the air. United are adamant that they do not want to bet on Antony for a second time, while Real Betis are desperate to find solutions to sign him ahead of next season, even if it's on loan again. Reports suggest that he has attracted interest from elsewhere, with Juventus considering a potential move. Bayer Leverkusen, who appointed Ten Hag as Xabi Alonso's successor, are also planning to reunite Antony with his former manager.

Both teams have had setbacks in the recent past and have turned to the next generation to try and fix them

Alagappan Muthu11-Jul-20232:06

Deep Dasgupta picks India’s playing XI for the first Test

Big pictureA Test series begins with both teams hoping for a fresh start. There will be interest as well in some of the new players who are about to take their first steps in red-ball cricket. These may be two low-key matches happening at a time when the biggest market in the cricket world will be fast asleep but there is a chance that the gains made over these next few weeks in the Caribbean could reverberate through the annals of time.India are in transition. West Indies are in shock. Two great cricket nations trying to capture their best form have turned to the upstarts among their number to lead the way forward.Related

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Time to temper expectations as India enter Test transition

Shai Hope: 'We can't just wake up one morning and be a great team'

Yashasvi Jaiswal is 21. He is preparing to open the batting for India on Test debut. Alick Athanaze is 24. He is preparing to live up to the faith that no less than Brian Lara has in him. There are others vying to prove themselves as well. Ajinkya Rahane has the words vice-captain next to his name but he’ll know only consistent runs will keep him in the side. Rahkeem Cornwall comes with all the potential in the world and though he has lived up to some of it with his offspin, a batting average of 18 from nine Test does not tally with just how good he can be.Plenty of focus will be on the kind of pitches that will be used in these games. Windsor Park in Dominica is hosting a Test match for the first time in over six years. And given the discrepancy between the two pace attacks – West Indies can call on quicker, taller and more experienced fast bowlers through the course of this series – they have an excellent opportunity. Not to mention seamer-friendly pitches might also help negate India’s biggest threats with the ball – R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.West Indies haven’t beaten India in a Test series since April 2002. They’ll be hungry to change that.Form guideWest Indies: LLWDL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
India: LDLWWIn the spotlightThis feels like a pivotal year for Rohit Sharma. He already seems to have been phased out in T20 cricket. And the way India perform under his captaincy in the upcoming ODI World Cup may well determine how long he continues in that format. So Tests are, all of a sudden, looking like his most stable source of game time, especially after that bumper tour of England in 2021 where his defence was almost on par with his offence. India take pride in winning away from home and as an opening batter, Rohit has the chance to lay the foundations for that.Tagenarine Chanderpaul began his Test career by staring down the might of the Australian bowling attack on their own turf. It didn’t take a lot of time for him to put the lessons he learned on that tour to good use, scoring a double-century in his third match. The 27-year-old has his father’s stance and more importantly his hunger as well. Now to see if he has Shivnarine’s fondness (seven centuries at an average of 63.85) for Indian bowlers.Tagenarine Chanderpaul converted his maiden Test hundred into a double, against Zimbabwe•Associated PressTeam newsShubman Gill was always destined to slip down into India’s middle order in Test cricket, and this might be the tour where that happens. He’ll own the No. 4 slot eventually but for now No. 3 will do. Jaiswal, who averages 80 from 15 first-class games, with a penchant for converting fifties (2) into hundreds (9), will partner Rohit at the top of the order. Picking the pace attack though is much more of a problem, with only Siraj guaranteed a spot.India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3 Shubman Gill, 4 Virat Kohli, 5 Ajinkya Rahane, 6 Ravindra Jadeja, 7 KS Bharat/Ishan Kishan (wk), 8 R Ashwin, 9 Shardul Thakur, 10 Jaydev Unadkat/Navdeep Saini/Mukesh Kumar, 11 Mohammed SirajWest Indies will have a good mix of orthodox batters at the top and some agenda pushers in the middle order, and if they all click together, they can really make it hard for the opposition. Their bowling, of course, is their biggest strength and all of their frontliners appear fit and ready for battle.West Indies (probable): 1 Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), 2 Tagenarine Chanderpaul, 3 Raymon Reifer, 4 Jermaine Blackwood, 5 Alick Athanaze, 6 Jason Holder, 7 Rahkeem Cornwall, 8 Joshua de Silva (wk), 9 Kemar Roach, 10 Alzarri Joseph, 11 Shannon GabrielPitch and conditionsIt is a long time since West Indies has been a fast bowlers’ paradise. Both venues for this series are more known for producing slow pitches that lead to attritional cricket. Weather wise, there is some rain forecast on the first, second and fifth days of the Test.Stats and trivia India’s pace attack on the Test tour of the West Indies carries a total experience of 88 Test wickets between them; Mohammed Siraj, the leader of the pack, has 52. West Indies have played five Tests at Windsor Park but have won only one of them. Quotes”Looking at the wicket, I think we might go in with two spinners and three seamers. The last Test match played here was in 2017 and the spinners picked a lot of the wickets (18 of 38). Having trained here for days, we noticed there has been a lot of bounce. Think we will play a 3-2 combination.”