Surrey began their belated move up the CricInfo Championship Division One table today at Guildford thanks to a devastating burst of 5-3 off 31 balls by England discard Alex Tudor.Seven Northants wickets fell for five runs as they capitulated to the bounce and seam of the 23-year-old ex-England paceman. Suddenly a comfortable 115-3 became 120 all out as win-less Northants’ decision to bat backfired in the hour after lunch.Tudor told CricInfo: “The wicket helped me and I put the ball in the right areas so I’m delighted. The big three – me, Giddins and Bicknell – led by example.”He continued: “I try not to think too far ahead but if I can perform for Surrey and that gives me England recognition then so be it.”Surrey, minus five Enmgland players, capitalised reaching 209-5 at stumps with 20-year-old stand-in Michael Carberry stroking a career-best 46 with six fours off 102 balls.Northants had begun promisingly with 6ft 5in Adrian Rollins pulling 6ft 4in Tudor for two powerful sixes but Ed Giddins, who took 3-18 off 17 overs, removed Mike Hussey and Russell Warren as well as catching Rollins before lunch.After the post-interval havoc Surrey settled down to reach 76-0 at tea. This was extended by 133 runs at the 7.10 finish, mainly thanks to Adam Hollioake (47 off 58 balls) and Ally Brown (55no including 50 off 53 balls).Mike Strong took three of the five wickets to fall bowling from the Railway End where Tudor had earlier done the damage.
The summer transfer window may be closed but that doesn’t necessarily mean business is finished for the Premier League’s top clubs.
Indeed, until the Emergency Loan window closes on November 25th, they have the opportunity to offload some of their fringe players to the Football League; a privilege the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United usually reserve for youngsters desperate to gain some vital first team experience in the lower tiers of English football.
It worked wonders for Arsenal’s Francis Coquelin last season, who has emerged as an integral element in the Gunners’ starting Xi since returning from a temporary stint with Charlton Athletic.
So with that in mind, Football Fancast takes a look at FIVE of the Red Devils’ most exciting prospects who need the chance to earn their stripes out on loan, in the hope it will dramatically improve their first team chances upon returning to Old Trafford…
JAMES WILSON
Despite Manchester United’s lack of firepower, Louis van Gaal has already revealed his plans to send James Wilson out on loan, fearing another year as the Red Devils’ last-choice centre-forward could severely impact the youngster’s development.
There’s already plenty of interest in the 19 year-old, who boasts three goals in 14 appearances for United, with Championship outfits Bolton Wanderers, Cardiff City and Hull City all baying for his signature – according to Mirror Football.
Knowing full well that his striking options will be limited until January at the earliest, however, Louis van Gaal has insisted any loan agreement must include an ‘instant release clause’.
SAM JOHNSTONE
Amid huge uncertainty over the fates of Victor Valdes and David De Gea, Manchester United decided to keep hold of prodigious goalkeeper Sam Johnstone this summer – allegedly rejecting several loan offers from the Championship in the process.
Indeed, had the Spain internationals left Old Trafford during the transfer window as widely expected, the 22 year-old would be United’s second-choice ‘keeper right now after bosman signing Sergio Romeo.
But with De Gea and Valdes staying put, Johnston is now fourth in the pecking order and resultantly unlikely to feature in even the auxiliary tournaments this term.
The situation has reportedly left the England U20 rather frustrated and rightly so; he’s desperate to continue the impressive progress shown during loan spells with Scunthorpe, Doncaster Rovers and Preston North End over the last few seasons.
PADDY MCNAIR
With Daley Blind already proving to be an incredibly shrewd selection at the heart of defence, Manchester United might not be as reliant upon Paddy McNair as they once thought.
Indeed, Louis van Gaal was forced call upon on the 20 year-old regularly last season as the Red Devils were hit by a serious injury crisis.
But the Dutchman appears to have given up on his three-at-the-back formation whilst Phil Jones is expected to return from the sidelines by the end of the month, so barring a few token appearances in the Capital One Cup, McNair’s first team opportunities will be severely restricted until at least the new year.
Hull City were linked during the summer and could well decide to revive their interest in the coming weeks following Jones’ return to fitness.
With the England international and few defender Marcos Rojo both rather injury prone however, this might be another case that calls for an ‘instant release clause’.
ANDREAS PEREIRA
Andreas Pereira is widely regarded as Manchester United’s most exciting youth product, having claimed last term’s Reserve Player of the Year award and scored an equalising goal for Brazil during the summer’s U20 World Cup in New Zealand.
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Louis van Gaal clearly has high hopes for the teenage midfielder, issuing him a Premier League debut and an extended contract at the end of last season, but following summer swoops for Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger, there’s just no room for him in United’s engine room.
Clearly superior to U21 level, Pereira needs to get some first team football under his belt. The Express reported interest from Eredivisie outfit PSV last month, but the trail has gone cold since.
JESSE LINGARD
Jesse Lingard was one of the brightest sparks during Manchester United’s pre-season tour and the England U21s’ abysmal European Championship campaign, but any outside hope of first team football the attacking midfielder held have almost certainly been obliterated by the £36million arrival of Anthony Martial.
The Frenchman and Lingard aren’t exactly like-for-like but they will predominantly be competing for the same positions this term – the flanks – and Martial’s transfer fee is an enormous disadvantage. His presence also bumps the Junior Lion further down the pecking order, behind the likes of Memphis Depay, Ashley Young and Juan Mata.
The 22 year-old has already previously impressed in the Championship with loan spells at Birmingham City, Brighton and Derby County, so you’d expect a cohort of the second tier’s top clubs to come calling once again before the loan window closes.
The action may have shifted from Panchkula to Gurgaon, but the Lahore Badshahs extended their domination, posting a massive eight-wicket win over the Delhi Giants.Gurgaon would surely be considered home territory for a team named the Delhi Giants, but a total of 103 after captain Marvan Atapattu chose to bat meant the Giants had little hopes of defending their home turf, with less than 15 overs needed by the Badshahs to hunt down their target.The Giants weren’t off to an explosive start, but at 53 for 1 after 8.1 overs, they seemed to be going along smoothly. However, Mushtaq Ahmed triggered a collapse; the legspinner scalped three as the Giants crumbled to 80 for 7.Nic Pothas and Shane Bond played out the last four overs, but 103 never looked a score that could threaten the Badshahs’ batting line-up.Imran Farhat fell cheaply, but his partner Imran Nazir scored an unbeaten 60 off 47 to steer the Badshahs to their fifth consecutive win of the tournament.The Badshahs have a four-day break before their next game against the Kolkata Tigers on Friday, while the Giants, currently placed sixth in the points table, face the Hyderabad Heroes on Monday.
Ricky Ponting is hopeful Shane Watson, the injured allrounder, will be available for Australia’s final Super Eights game against New Zealand next Friday. Watson has returned to batting in the nets after hurting a calf against Bangladesh and his importance to the side is one of the reasons why the team management has been patient in monitoring his progress.Without Watson Australia become batsman heavy – Brad Hodge was the No. 7 against England and they picked only four specialist bowlers – but Ponting is not concerned if his return is delayed until the second-last stage. “He is such a crucial part of our set-up and the balance of our side that maybe bringing him back in for a semi-final is not such a big deal after all,” Ponting said in The Age.Watson is expected to begin bowling after Australia’s game with Ireland on Friday and he has started to jog. “He was telling me that all the weight-bearing stuff he is doing he has no issues with,” Ponting said in The Australian. “It looks like he is coming along very well.”Ponting said they would need to decide whether to impose a cut-off time for him to regain fitness. “We have said for the last two weeks that it’s going to be before that New Zealand game,” he said. “Hopefully he is right for that.”
New Zealand 119 and 214 for 6 (Oram 19*, Vettori 21*) lead South Africa 186 (Smith 63, Amla 56, Martin 5-37) by 147 runs Scorecard and ball-by-ball details How they were out
A rapidly fluctuating Test has been left intriguingly poised as New Zealand fought back strongly through Chris Martin and a scrapping performance from their batsmen. Martin bagged five as South Africa’s lead was restricted to 67, the last six wickets falling in 11 overs of the morning session, then battling contributions from Nathan Astle and Scott Styris edged the lead towards 150. However, Dale Steyn struck three crucial blows as South Africa kept proceedings under control.The second day began by following a similar manic pace to yesterday as wickets tumbled, including eight before lunch. But only one batsman slipped during the afternoon session as New Zealand edged in front, before the final portion of the day included three scalps for a relieved Graeme Smith, who won’t want to chase much more than 200 in the last innings.When Jamie How and Michael Papps fell before lunch, New Zealand were 40 for 2, still 27 behind, and a two-day finish was a distinct possibility. Stephen Fleming weathered the early passage of the afternoon session, after taking a painful blow on the hip at the start of his innings, but fell to a flashy drive against Jacques Kallis.For Kallis it was a special moment, joining Sir Garfield Sobers as only the second man to score 8000 runs and take 200 wickets in Tests. Kallis’s celebration of the wicket was more exuberant than usual as he crossed another milestone in his career.South Africa, though, found wickets harder to come by as Styris and Astle mixed authentic strokes with a fair amount of wafting. The slips cordon was always on its toes, but Smith was forced into a slightly more defensive mode as edges flew wide of fielders rather than to hand. Astle refused to shelve his attacking instincts and it was a high-risk strategy, but for over an hour he flourished. Styris was more circumspect, and was regularly beaten by late away movement, but hung during a vital stand of 76, by far New Zealand’s best of the match.
With the lead approaching three figures, Smith was searching hard for a wicket and Steyn delivered as Astle finally edged a pitched-up away swinger. It turned into a double-breakthrough when Styris played one pull to many and Steyn held on – something he’d earlier failed to do, at long-leg, off Papps. South Africa dropped three other hard chances and, although none proved hugely costly, this could yet be a match decided by the small marginsBoth sides have had their share of rough decisions in recent times and New Zealand suffered again when Brendon McCullum was sent on his way by Asoka de Silva, with Pollock squeezing a delivery between bat and pad. Jacob Oram and Daniel Vettori managed to negotiate the remaining time, before an impending thunderstorm halted play, and they showed that batting is slightly easier against an older ball.South Africa’s first-innings demise had been caused by incisive spells from Martin and James Franklin during an action-packed first hour. Franklin dispatched de Villiers and Mark Boucher – a rough lbw decision – while Martin clocked up impressive speed and extracted extravagant lift off the pitch.Martin pinned Ashwell Prince back in the crease before sending a delivery slightly wider, which Prince pushed at with little footwork, and Andrew Hall was also far from happy when he was adjudged in front. At 145 for 8, Pollock realised there was not much point in hanging around and signalled his intent by charging down the track and planting Franklin onto the grass bank. Ntini helped to add 25 runs – worth at least twice as many in the conditions – and Pollock hooked Franklin over deep square-leg in an over that cost 15.The significance of Pollock’s 20-ball cameo grew as New Zealand’s openers again fell cheaply. Steyn trapped How with a peach of a delivery that straightened onto middle and Papps joined the procession of batsmen edging behind the wicket. Four sessions had brought 22 wickets and South Africa were sensing a quick kill. However, both sides then traded equal blows and the outcome of this series is still up for grabs.How they were out South Africa – overnight 133 for 4 AB de Villiers c Styris b Franklin 2 (139 for 5) Mark Boucher lbw b Franklin 0 (139 for 6) Ashwell Prince c McCullum b Martin 4 (139 for 7) Andrew Hall lbw b Martin 5 (145 for 8) Dale Steyn b Martin 0 (161 for 9) Makhaya Ntini c McCullum b Mills (186 all out) New ZealandJamie How lbw b Steyn 4 (9 for 1) Michael Papps c Hall b Kallis 15 (40 for 2) Stephen Fleming c de Villiers b Kallis 37 (82 for 3) Nathan Astle c Boucher b Steyn 45 (158 for 4) Scott Styris c and b Steyn 42 (177 for 5) Brendon McCullum c Boucher b Pollock 5 (190 for 6)
The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced a 13-man Pakistan XI to play a World XI in a charity day-night match at Lahore this Wednesday (Oct 15). The match is being organised by the Zindagi Trust, and all income from the game will go to the Trust.The World XI players will arrive in Lahore over the next 24 hours.World XI (from) Sanath Jayasuriya, Romesh Kaluwitharana (Sri Lanka), Venkatesh Prasad, Robin Singh (India), Courtney Walsh, Jimmy Adams, Franklyn Rose (West Indies), Steve Tikolo (Kenya), Travis Friend (Zimbabwe), Neil Fairbrother (England), Dean Jones (Australia), plus two South African players to be named.Pakistan XI (from) Imran Farhat, Taufiq Umar, Imran Nazir, Yasir Hameed, Misbah-ul-Haq, Abdul Razzaq, Moin Khan, Shoaib Malik, Wasim Akram, Saqlain Mushtaq, Mushtaq Ahmed, Shoaib Akhtar, Junaid Zia.
Scorecard Australia’s stroll through the Plate Championship continued as they eased to a nine-wicket win over Papua New Guinea at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium, a result which all-but-guarantees their progress into the semi-finals.Australia won the toss and opted for a quick result rather than quick runs. PNG struggled from the off but battled for 35 overs to reach 83 all out, Vivian Kila top-scoring with a 62-ball 32. Left-armer Josh Mangan was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 31. Set a modest target, Australia were brisk and professional and they completed the win in 18.2 overs for the loss of just one wicket.PNG coach Paul Joseph said that his players would benefit from the experience of facing such strong opposition.”You know that you cannot win a match like this but it will help us in the future,” said Joseph. “It was a good experience for the players and I have no doubt that it will help them improve.”Australia need to beat Nepal on Thursday (February 26) to guarantee their semi-final berth. Scorecard Allrounder Moneeb Iqbal scored 62 and took two wickets as Scotland overcame a determined effort from Nepal to record their first victory of the tournament. But it was far closer than Scotland would have liked.Coming into the game on the back of hammerings from India, Bangladesh, New Zealand and Australia, Scotland did not expect to be taken to the wire by Nepal, but the game ended in a tense last-over finish as Sean Weeraratna smacked 34 from 26 balls to thwart Nepal.Scotland won the toss and did well to restrict Nepal to 200 for 9, but then themselves struggled against tight spin bowling and with 15 overs remaining the run-rate was creeping towards eight an over. It took the late onslaught from Weeraratna to get them out of jail with one ball to spare.”It was a very tense win,” said Alistair Scott, Scotland’s team manager. “Our bowlers did very well to put us in a winning position but our batsmen looked nervous and I was very relieved when they made it. We are now in a good position to qualify for the semi-finals and a win against Papua New Guinea should see us through.”
IN MEMORIAM -Maureen Boller – dear wife of Kevin Boller-CCA PRO/Historian.The CCA Board and Executive extend heartfelt condolences to Kevin Boller, ourlong-standing PRO and Historian, on the loss of his beloved wife andcompanion, Maureen on Sunday 16th February at Mt. Sinai Hospital Toronto.Maureen had been hospitalized for some months after having been ill over thepast year.A memorial service will be held for Maureen Boller next Saturday 22 February 2003 at 1:00p.m at the Humphrey Funeral Home-A. W. Miles Chapel, 1403 BayviewAve. Toronto, ON. Tel: (416) 487-4523.In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Canadian Cancer Society, 20Holly Street, Suite 101, Toronto, M4S 3B1.We ask for your prayers and support of Kevin in this tragic loss.Dr. Geoff Edwards
As expected England have recalled Mark Ramprakash and Graham Thorpe into the squad for the Second Test against Australia at Lord’s starting on Thursday.The Surrey pair were named in a 14-man squad today. Ramprakash was recalled for the First Test at Edgbaston but had to pull out with a hamstring strain while Graham Thorpe has been out of action for six weeks with a damaged calf.He started training again on Thursday and is desperately trying to achieve match fitness before the start of the Lord’s Test. However, he will not have raised a bat in anger since the beginning of June.Yorkshire fast bowler Chris Silverwood also returns, 18 months aftermaking the last of his five Test appearances against South Africa at CenturionPark.He replaces Yorkshire colleague Matthew Hoggard, who has sustained a suspected stress fracture of his left foot. Spinner Robert Croft, who was included in the squad for the First Test, drops out to accommodate England’s mainly pace attack.Silverwood fought off competition from Surrey’s Martin Bicknell and AlexTudor, who was ruled out this morning after consultations with his county because he has only just returned from injury.It was the talks over Tudor which resulted in an hour’s delay in the announcement of the squad.”The reason for the delay in the announcement this morning was that we neededto check on the fitness of Alex Tudor,” revealed chairman of selectors DavidGraveney.”Having discussed the situation with Surrey, our view is that as he has onlyjust returned from injury and bowled only ten overs in the last ten days it would be unwise to risk him in a Test Match.”We’ll need to check on the pitch and local weather conditions at Lord’s, butthe likelihood is that we will need four seam bowlers.”We considered Martin Bicknell, but we felt Chris Silverwood has had a goodseason and fully merits a place in the squad on current form.”Graveney said England would make additional checks on the fitness ofThorpe and Ramprakash, but added: “Graham has reported no adverse reactionto his injury since returning and is keen to play.”We are also encouraged by Mark coming through the Benson and Hedges Cupfinal yesterday without any adverse reaction.”Silverwood, meanwhile, was looking forward to get back into action at the toplevel after returning to form this summer.”Everybody is desperate to play for their country, but my form wasindifferent and I can understand why I did not get picked,” he said.”I have got wickets this year and pushed for my place and thankfully I havegot it back.”It’s great to get back into it and pick up from where I left off in SouthAfrica.”Speaking about his injured Yorkshire team-mate Hoggard, Silverwood told Sky Sports News: “It is unfortunate that Matthew is out, but I havegot to go down there and do well and hopefully retain my place.”I know I can do it, but it is a case of being able to do it on the day. Theyare great opposition and to do it against the Australians would be a great boostfor my confidence.”We have got to play well – it is as simple as that. If we can play the typeof cricket we know we are capable of then there is no reason why we cannot levelthe series.”The England squad:MA Atherton (Lancashire, capt) Age 33 Tests 111, ME Trescothick (Somerset)25/12, MA Butcher (Surrey) 28/28, MR Ramprakash (Surrey) 31/42, IJ Ward (Surrey)28/3, AJ Stewart (Surrey, wkt) 38/111, U Afzaal (Nottinghamshire) 24/1, GPThorpe (Surrey) 31/68, C White (Yorkshire) 31/19, DG Cork (Derbyshire) 29/33, DGough (Yorkshire) 30/52, AR Caddick (Somerset) 32/46, CEW Silverwood (Yorkshire)26/5, AF Giles (Warwickshire) 28/8.
“I think he is underrated”. Those were the words of James Maddison, speaking on Monday Night Football last week, in reference to Manchester United’s ever-reliable skipper, Bruno Fernandes.
It is almost a crime that there are those who will still overlook the Portuguese’s quality, with Maddison championing just what a genius he truly is, as was evident at Old Trafford last time out.
From his brace and delightful assist at Molineux, the 31-year-old followed that up with another goal and assist in the 4-4 draw with Bournemouth, ensuring only Erling Haaland (20) has registered more goal involvements than his 12 in the Premier League this season.
The playmaker’s best moment of the campaign arguably came in that madcap encounter with the Cherries, rifling home a picture-perfect free-kick into the roof of the net to wrestle the home side level.
If it wasn’t already clear, Monday showcased how, even while not in perhaps his preferred position, Fernandes remains a figure United should be building around, rather than looking to move on from.
Indeed, as Ruben Amorim seemingly would like to do, the Red Devils simply need to find a suitable, long-term partner for whom in that midfield duo.
Amorim leading Man Utd pursuit of ex-Premier League star
Midfield. Midfield. Midfield. There appears to be little doubt over United’s priority heading into 2026, even with links persisting regarding the club’s interest in Cherries star, Antoine Semenyo.
Kobbie Mainoo, yet to start a Premier League game this season, looks to be closer to a departure than staying put, while Manuel Ugarte – who didn’t even make it off the bench last time out – is also already on borrowed time at the Theatre of Dreams.
Fernandes’ current partner, Casemiro, is approaching the final six months of his contract, hence why a suitable successor is being touted, in the form of Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson and co.
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Clearly, there is a desire to invest in a long-term, high-potential talent, although according to reports, Amorim would like to go down the experienced route, by acquiring a more left-field, Premier League proven figure.
As per reports in Spain, the Portuguese is said to be leading the club’s interest in ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers captain, Ruben Neves, with the 28-year-old’s own current contract with Al-Hilal set to expire next summer.
While the Saudi side are in no hurry to sell, that expiring deal could allow Amorim and co to strike a deal in January, or secure a pre-contract agreement for the summer.
Why Man Utd could be targeting another Fernandes
Had things panned out differently, Fernandes might well have been lining up alongside his Portugal colleague, Neves, at Al Hilal, with the United captain speaking openly regarding his summer talks with the Pro League outfit.
Heading into January, the compatriots could well form a fresh midfield duo back in Manchester, should Amorim get his wish, with the chance to sign Neves for a knockdown price seemingly too good an opportunity to turn down.
A potential partner to Fernandes, the one-time Wolves hero could well be something of a replica of his international colleague, having been a talismanic figure himself back at Molineux.
Signed from Porto ahead of Wolves’ promotion-winning season in 2017/18, the all-action star enjoyed six fruitful years with the Old Gold, scoring 30 goals in 253 games for the club in all competitions.
While not prolific, like Fernandes, he has a real knack for the spectacular, regularly rifling home from range in what almost became trademark style. Indeed, 12 of his first 15 efforts came from outside the 18-year box.
Fernandes, as was evident on Monday night, is a master himself from range, sharing the spoils with new teammate Matheus Cunha last term with regards to goals scored by Premier League players outside the box.
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Like Fernandes too, Neves’ quality hasn’t perhaps always led to rave reviews or glowing praise, with analyst Raj Chohan even suggesting last November that he has been the “most underrated player in world football” over the last few years.
Neves – Last two PL seasons
Stat (*per game)
22/23
21/22
Games
35
33
Goals
6
4
Assists
1
2
Big chances created
1
3
Key passes*
0.9
0.8
Pass accuracy*
84%
84%
Total duels won*
53%
48%
Dribbled past*
1.2
1.9
Possession lost*
12.0
12.6
Stats via Sofascore
Of course, that might have been caused by his move away from the limelight after heading to Saudi Arabia in 2023, although still a firm fixture under Roberto Martinez in the national team, the 63-cap sensation shouldn’t be written off or disregarded.
In his final Premier League season too (2022/23), Neves notably ranked in the top 20% of midfielders for progressive passes, the top 16% for total shots and the top 14% for interceptions, as per FBref, with two of the five most statistically similar players to him deemed to be Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo.
He might not be a signing for the real long-term, although like Fernandes before him, the 5 foot 11 ace could hit the ground running at Old Trafford, proving the midfield solution that United have long needed.
Dalot upgrade: Man Utd looking to sign "the best right wing back in the PL"
INEOS are ready to add some quality to Man United’s ranks this January.