The 2023/24 season has been a disappointing campaign for Manchester United. Erik ten Hag’s side currently sit seventh in the Premier League table, 13 points off a top-four spot and having lost 12 games so far.

They also crashed out of the Champions League in the group stages, and the 15 goals they conceded in the competition was the most by a Premier League team in a single campaign in the group stages, as per Opta Joe.

Of course, these numbers are nowhere near good enough for a club of United’s stature, and it has seen manager Ten Hag, who is into his second season at the club, face plenty of criticism. However the club have denied several times that they have been talking to other managers, and it remains unclear at this time as to whether or not they will part ways with Ten Hag this summer.

The finger of blame has been pointed in a few different directions by United fans this season. Aside from the criticism that Ten Hag has faced, United fans have also directed blame at certain players, including Casemiro, who has struggled for form this season, and has looked nothing like his usual self – dubbed a "Soccer Aid" player by pundit Jamie Redknapp.

Naturally, United’s way to fix the problem has been to look into the transfer market, although not just in midfield. They have looked at Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite as the man to sure up the defence, but with a £75m price tag, according to GiveMeSport, the Red Devils may have to find an alternative option, and they have identified one of the best defenders in Serie A as that player.

Manchester United's Branthwaite Alternative

The man in question here is Juventus centre-back Gleison Bremer, who has recently emerged as United’s ideal alternative target to 21-year-old Branthwaite. According to The Mirror, Bremer has a £43m release clause in his contract, which would save United £32m should they sign the Brazilian over Branthwaite.

27-year-old Brazil international Bremer, who played one minute at Wembley against England last month, has been a key man for the Turin side this season. He has started 32 games in Serie A, playing every minute of each.

According to journalist Rudy Galetti, interest in Bremer from the Old Trafford club “is becoming increasingly insistent”, with Juve targeting Mario Hermoso of Atletico Madrid as a potential replacement should Bremer move to United.

How Bremer compares to Branthwaite

Described by football analyst Ben Mattinson on X as a “monster” at the heart of Juve’s defence, Bremer is certainly one of the most highly-rated centre-backs in Europe. The 27-year-old has helped to keep 15 clean sheets for Juve this season, the joint-third most in Serie A, as per Sofascore. That is almost double the amount Manchester United have managed to keep this season, with eight, according to Sofascore.

The most notable difference between Branthwaite and Bremer is the fact that the Everton man is left-footed, and Juve’s number three is right-footed. However, this is not necessarily a cause for concern for United, who aren’t specifically targeting a left-sided centre-back, and Braithwaite is equally strong on each foot. Indeed, both are capable of playing central centre-back in a back three in possession, which is likely where they would both slot in at United if they joined the club next summer.

Bremer is a very aggressive centre-back, who likes to step up and get close to attackers; he is not afraid to contest duels on the ground or in the air. Branthwaite is a wonderful defender, quick along the ground despite his frame, and superb at defending wide spaces.

Aerially, Bremer ranks highly, according to Fbref. He averages 2.88 aerial duels won per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the top 15% of centre-backs in Serie A. In comparison, Branthwaite averages 2.69 aerial duels won per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season, which ranks him in the top 21% of defenders in the competition, as per Fbref.

However, with this in mind, it is worth considering that Brantwahite is quite a bit taller than Bremer, with the former standing at 6 foot 5, and the latter smaller at 6 foot 2.

Another place where Bremer’s numbers stack up favourably against Branthwaite’s is on the ball. Whilst still not elite, the Juve defender averages 3.32 progressive passes per 90 minutes, whereas Branthwaite averages just 2.06 progressive passes per 90.

Take this with a pinch of salt, however, because Branthwaite is playing in an Everton side with far less possession and a different way of playing than Juve. In actual fact, Branthwaite is superb on the ball, despite what the numbers suggest.

Both defenders read the game excellently, and this is reflected in their interception numbers. Branthwaite excels here, with his 1.61 interceptions per 90 minutes ranking him in the top 9% in the Premier League. On the other hand, Bremer makes just 1.22 per 90 minutes, placing him as low as the 65th percentile.

No doubt, signing Bremer could help fix the struggles that Casemiro has faced this season. The Brazilian midfielder has looked like a shadow of his former self – being dribbled past 2.2 times per game in the league – although having Bremer behind him to cover for him if he loses a challenge could well be vital for the 32-year-old veteran.

It is certainly sad to see such a decline, yet bringing in a player like Bremer, who can help in duels and by sweeping up loose balls, might well prove to be helpful to the former Real Madrid man – who has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford, as per the Daily Mail.

Should Manchester United deem Branthwaite unattainable this season, Bremer offers a wonderful alternative. He is aggressive and good in the air, although does leave a lot to be desired in possession.

For just £43m, he could be a great choice should the Red Devils wish to strengthen at the back, and provide more support to his compatriot Casemiro ahead of him.

Man Utd could unleash the real Bruno by signing “unreal” ace for £0

The Man United target has been described as a “concrete option.”

ByTom Lever Apr 20, 2024

South Africa’s tour to Pakistan in March will come with logistical challenges for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). South Africa end their tour to India on March 18 and PCB intend to make them stay in Dubai – until the Pakistan Super League (PSL) ends on March 22 – and then fly them directly to Islamabad for a three-match T20 series in Rawalpindi.Cricket South Africa (CSA), meanwhile, is set to send a security delegation headed by security expert Rory Steyn to Pakistan next month during the PSL, to assess the security arrangements. The reconnaissance, ESPNcricinfo understands, comes because CSA is intent to go through a process of physically checking security before formally approving the tour. It is a players association requirement as well.”The tour of South Africa is very much a waiting game now and by the end of the month we should have a clear position,” Wasim Khan, PCB’s CEO, said. “Their head of security is expected in Pakistan during the initial games of the Pakistan Super League. He has all the security plans for each of the different venues.”He and the board of South Africa are very comfortable with touring. We have to make it work logistically as South Africa finish the tour of India on 18 March and we don’t finish the PSL till March 22. For them to go back and come again won’t be possible so we will have to see whether we can have them sit in the UAE […] and provide them the support and practice facilities, or we fly them straight in here and provide all that here.”South Africa last toured Pakistan in 2007 and have since have played Pakistan twice in bilateral series, in 2010 and 2013, in the UAE. The next full tour Pakistan is scheduled to host is next year, in January-February, with two ICC Test championship games alongside five ODI and three T20s. The March T20s are extra fixtures that the PCB has arranged as a part of their ongoing drive to bring as many teams as possible to the country to normalise international cricket again.Lahore and Karachi have been actively hosting international cricket since 2017 and PCB is gradually expanding to more venues in the country. Cricket South Africa’s assessment across all available venues is pending, though PCB suggested Rawalpindi for the fixtures.”Lahore and Karachi venues have been diluted because we have been playing our entire cricket here and because of that the wickets here are also suffering,” said Khan.”We now have Rawalpindi as a venue available. For me, it makes sense to go there and play the three matches. I have suggested Rawalpindi as a venue to South Africa and they are comfortable with the suggestion.”

A 3-4-3 coach "would love to be Sunderland manager", having admitted that he has previously spoken to Tony Mowbray about the current situation at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland manager latest

The Black Cats have had Mike Dodds in as caretaker manager since the dismissal of Michael Beale earlier in the year, with their season petering out disappointingly. Having looked like genuine Championship playoff contenders at one point, Sunderland have slipped to 13th place in the table, with Dodds averaging just 0.82 points per game in his 11 matches in charge since coming in, winning only twice in that time.

The hunt is now on to find a proper successor to Beale, however, and plenty of names have been thrown into the mix in recent months, as the club look to nail a hugely important decision.

Reims manager Will Still has been linked with the Sunderland job numerous times, with the 31-year-old an exciting young boss who has shone in France, but it remains to be seen if he will be the man who comes in. Former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper has also emerged as an option for the Black Cats, in what would represent an audacious appointment, considering he has only recently been managing in the Premier League.

Now, it appears as though another individual has thrown his name into the hat to take over from Dodds.

3-4-3 manager keen on Sunderland job

Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast [via The Sunderland Echo], John O'Shea admitted that he is keen on being Sunderland's next manager at some point, having enjoyed a lengthy stint at the Stadium of Light as a player:

"When you think I was there for six, seven years. I had an amazing time there and it's an amazing club, it really is. We had an amazing time there and yeah, ultimately I would love to be Sunderland manager. It's a tricky one, I spoke to Tony Mowbray when he came into Birmingham about the model they have there with young players."

In truth, O'Shea remains a very inexperienced figure in management, even though he is the Republic of Ireland's current caretaker boss. For that reason, Sunderland hiring him this summer could be a risk, at a time when they need to hire more of a surefire bet.

The Irishman prefers a 3-4-3 formation, suggesting he has a modern way of thinking, in terms of utilising the wing-backs effectively, but his only two games in his current role saw a 1-0 loss to Switzerland and 0-0 draw against Belgium come his way. Neither are particularly bad results, in fairness, but there simply isn't enough evidence to suggest that Sunderland should take a punt on him.

Related Sunderland now eyeing move to sign former Arsenal gem

He has no weak foot.

Posts ByTom Cunningham Apr 18, 2024

O'Shea has enjoyed plenty of assistant manager roles, including at Birmingham City and Stoke City, but until he is a manager for a sustained period of time, the Black Cats shouldn't consider him a front-runner to come in.

كشف أشرف عبد العزيز محامي جناح النادي الأهلي، محمود كهربا، تطورات أزمة اللاعب مع الزمالك بشأن القيمة المتبقية للقلعة البيضاء من الحكم الصادر ضد موكله.

وكان نادي الزمالك، قد حرر محضرًا رسميًا ضد لاعب الأهلي محمود عبد المنعم كهربا، بسبب شيك بدون رصيد.

طالع | “أتعجب مما فعلوه”.. أول تعليق من كهربا بعد اتخاذ الزمالك إجراء قضائي ضده

وقال عبد العزيز خلال تصريحات عبر قناة “إم بي سي” لبرنامج “الكورة مع فايق”: “سنحدد موعدًا الأسبوع المقبل ونرى التسوية كيف ستكون مع نادي الزمالك بشأن شيك كهربا”.

وأضاف: “إدارة الزمالك حررت محضرًا ضد كهربا وسنضطلع عليه، وسأقوم بعقد جلسة مع كهربا وعلى أساس ذلك، نحدد طريقة السداد وسيتم التواصل مع إدارة الزمالك ونحل الأزمة، ولكن لا أقدر أن أتحدث في أوراق ليست أمامي”.

وتابع: “سمعت حسام المندوه أمين صندوق الزمالك، يقول لا يوجد تقسيط لشيك كهربا وأقول له نجلس ونرى، سنصل لتسوية”.

وعن أزمة أحمد فتوح، أوضح: “يجب أن نقرأ حيثيات الحكم وسنقرر بعد ذلك ما إذا كنا سنقدم استئنافًا”.

وكانت محكمة جنايات مرسى مطروح، قررت يوم السبت، حبس أحمد فتوح لمدة سنة مع إيقاف التنفيذ (لمدة 3 سنوات)، بالإضافة لتوقيع غرامة مالية عليه تُقدر بـ 20 ألف جنيه، ذلك على أزمة حادث السير الذي ارتكبه في طريق الساحل الشمالي، 11 أغسطس الماضي، وقتل المجني عليه السيد الشبكي عن طريق الخطأ.

طالع | المحكمة تصدر قرارها في قضية أحمد فتوح

وأردف: “أحمد فتوح منذ الحادثة لم يقم بقيادة السيارة نهائيًا، وهو ممنوع من القيادة لمدة ثلاثة سنوات، ليس لديه رخصة”.

وأستكمل: “أحمد فتوح قادر على المشاركة في المباريات الإفريقية مع الزمالك ويسافر وينضم لمنتخب مصر مرة أخرى”.

وعن قضية محمد الشيبي وحسين الشحات، أتم حديثه: “الثنائي ظهر أمام الجماهير وتصالحا، ونتنظر عودة الشيبي من المغرب إذا أراد التصالح ورقيًا”.

A vintage Kamran Akmal century made light work of a modest target of 149 set by Quetta Gladiators.

The Report by Peter Della Penna22-Feb-2020
A vintage Kamran Akmal century made light work of a modest target set by Quetta Gladiators, chasing down 149 with nine balls to spare. Jason Roy paced the Gladiators’ innings with a 40-ball half-century, but struggled to get into third gear in the waning overs in the face of some excellent death bowling led by Wahab Riaz.Roy’s half-century looked pedestrian by the time Kamran got going in the Zalmi Powerplay. Whereas Roy finally reached his fifty in the 15th over with a two off Darren Sammy, Kamran needed just 20 balls, reaching the milestone two deliveries into the fifth over of the Powerplay when he drove Mohammad Hasnain through mid-on for his eighth four. That matched the number of dot balls he had faced while he’d also driven two sixes over wide long-off and swept another over square leg.By the end of the Powerplay, the required rate was already under a run a ball. Kamran adjusted in kind, waltzing his way to three figures off a subsequent 34 deliveries as he brought up the landmark top-edging a sweep to deep fine leg. He fell next ball middling another sweep to Roy at deep midwicket in the 17th over to gift Fawad Ahmed his second wicket in the space of three balls, but by that stage the target was down to single digits. The scorecard might show that Zalmi only reached the target halfway through the 19th over, but that flattered Gladiators’ limp effort in the field in what was a very one-sided contest.Kamran Akmal whacked 13 fours and four sixes during his 55-ball 101•Pakistan Super LeagueTurning pointJonty Rhodes remarked on TV commentary that Tom Banton played the best shot of the opening over of the chase, taking a single first ball to get off strike so that Kamran could run wild on Mohammad Nawaz. Kamran charged the left-arm spinner immediately to clear him over mid-off for six, then followed with a sweep over the man at deep square leg. After a dot, he drove him again over mid-off for a one-bounce four before ending the first over pulling a half-tracker over midwicket. Gladiators were left shellshocked and never recovered.Star of the dayIt was Kamran’s day virtually from the moment he walked out. He slowed down after crossing fifty mainly because he could afford to. His confidence and aggression sucked the life out of the Gladiators, who were always going to struggle to defend when taking into consideration that a target of 203 on the same ground a day earlier went down to the penultimate ball. He ended with 13 fours and four sixes, having done the bulk of the dirty work in the first six overs.The big missNawaz had a chance to exact revenge on Kamran after being victimised in that 21-run first over. After Kamran had pulled Sohail Khan over square leg midway through the second over for another four, the batsman punched Sohail to extra cover off his next ball, where Nawaz made a brilliant diving stop as Kamran took off impetuously for a single. Banton stayed at the non-striker’s end with Kamran stuck halfway down the pitch on 24.But Nawaz rushed a throw from his knees rather than take an extra moment to gather himself. The throw to the striker’s end bounced over the stumps with Kamran six yards short. Nawaz also had another chance to make amends in the 14th when Kamran cut Sohail to him at backward point on 94, but he spilled a knee-height chance.Where the teams standGladiators stay on two points after having won their opener while Zalmi bounced back after being on the wrong end of their first match of the season. Both teams are behind Multan Sultans and Karachi Kings on net run rate despite equal points.

Going into the International break off the back of two defeats to high-flying Leeds United and Ipswich Town – with the 6-0 loss at Portman Road obviously stinging more – Danny Rohl will now hope his Sheffield Wednesday players are re-energised and refocused for the task of attempting to stay up in the Championship once more.

There'll be some obvious pride from an Owls perspective at the number of players who played for their countries over the time off too, including hot prospect Bailey Cadamarteri who scored for the England U19s.

Rohl and Co will be delighted at the constant progression they're seeing from the teenage striker, who has four goals in the senior fold this season for the relegation-threatened Owls also.

The success story of Cadamarteri could well impact Wednesday's transfer business therefore, with the South Yorkshire giants taking a shining to his young trialist who could be signed permanently down the line.

Sheffield Wednesday transfer news

According to a report from Sheffield Star journalist Joe Crann late last week, the Owls are very much keen on 19-year-old trialist James Collins who had been making a splash in the youth circles at Watford before being taken on at Hillsborough.

Only joining the youth set-up at the Hornets last year from non-league Hertford Town, a move for the highly regarded striker could see Wednesday sign yet another young and fresh centre-forward in the mould of Cadamarteri.

Scoring goals regularly for Watford at both U18 and U21 level – with his last flurry of goals coming against Ipswich Town just this month – Collins was even gifted a spot on the Hertfordshire side's bench against Stoke City earlier this campaign when Valerien Ismael was still present in the Vicarage Road hot-seat.

With Lee Gregory's contract expiring this summer, and the Owls man being 35 years of age, it could well be a case of out with the old and in with the new if Collins impresses enough to be rewarded with a permanent deal at Hillsborough.

James Collins could be Lee Gregory's replacement

Gregory has barely featured under Rohl since the German manager took over the reins last October, making just one brief appearance to date under the current Wednesday boss against Cardiff City in December.

Therefore, with this development emerging that a new kid could soon be on the block in a permanent deal, this could give Rohl grounds to get rid of the former Millwall man for good after failing to ever really utilise him since coming into the Owls.

Gregory won't be the only ageing member of the Wednesday squad who will be fearing for their future in South Yorkshire, with the likes of Will Vaulks and Liam Palmer's contracts also up for discussion at the conclusion of the campaign.

Wednesday could well view the breakout success of Cadamarteri as the starting point that leads to a new direction at the club, helped further by young trialist Collins potentially going on to have a far more important role in the Owls team soon if he is kept around past his trial period at the expense of Watford.

أكد كايل ووكر، قائد فريق مانشستر سيتي، ضرورة استيقاظهم وتحسين أدائهم قبل مباراتهم المقبلة المرتقبة ضد ليفربول، في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ويستضيف ملعب “الأنفيلد” مباراة الفريقين في قمة منافسات الجولة الثالثة عشر من الدوري الإنجليزي، يوم الأحد القادم.

ويتصدر ليفربول جدول الدوري الإنجليزي برصيد 31 نقطة، بفارق 8 نقاط عن مانشستر سيتي صاحب المركز الثاني.

ويعاني مانشستر سيتي من فترة لا يُحسد عليها، حيث تعرض لخمس هزائم متتالية في مختلف المسابقات، كان آخرها السقوط أمس في عقر داره أمام توتنهام برباعية نظيفة.

وقال كايل ووكر، في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “مترو” الإنجليزية: “إنها مباراة رائعة لقلب الأمور وحصد ثلاث نقاط من الفريق الذي يتصدر عليك”.

وأضاف: “لكن لا يمكننا تقديم أداء مثل هذا وإلا سنخسر، لدينا مباراة في دوري أبطال أوروبا (ضد فينورد) للتحضير لتلك المباراة الضخمة يوم الأحد والبقاء على مسافة قريبة من ليفربول”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. جوارديولا يحذر ليفربول بعد سقوط مانشستر سيتي أمام توتنهام.. ويؤكد: لن أفقد الثقة في اللاعبين

وعندما سُئل عما إذا كان أداء الفريق السيء قد جعلهم يفقدون الثقة، أجاب: “لا أستطيع أن أقول إننا فقدنا الثقة معًا، لقد أمضيت ثماني سنوات مع هذه المجموعة، تفقد الثقة كفريق ولكن يتعين علينا أن نتذكر ما حققناه معًا،

وأكد: “ما حققناه في الماضي لا يعني شيئًا، إنه تاريخ، لدينا فريق يتصدر علينا (ليفربول) ويعمل بشكل جيد حقًا، سنواصل القتال حتى النهاية كما نفعل دائمًا”.

واسترسل: “أفضل طريقة لقلب هذه الحالة هي يوم الثلاثاء، نأمل أن يعود السحر ونرى النسخة الطبيعية من مانشستر سيتي مثلما شاهدنا في السنوات الثمانية الماضية”.

وتابع: “إنها كرة القدم، لا يمكننا أن نشعر بالأسف على أنفسنا، علينا أن نبذل قصارى جهدنا الآن ونتطلع إلى المباراة يوم الثلاثاء، إنها مجرد فترة من كرة القدم لم نشهدها في المواسم الثمانية منذ أن كنت هنا”.

وشدد: “لقد حان الوقت لإظهار الشخصية وسنستمر في القتال كما فعلنا دائمًا، حتى النهاية، من الواضح أننا نحاول، يبذل اللاعبون قصارى جهدهم، يبذل اللاعبون المصابون كل ما في وسعهم للعودة واللعب في الفريق”.

Dani Dyer has revealed that her son, Santi, has been singing Jarrod Bowen's chant, albeit the "PG version", at nursery.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Bowen has an X-rated chant Dani confirms son knows of the songSanti is just threeWHAT HAPPENED?

Bowen has an X-rated chant that has been sung all over Europe by West Ham fans. The lyrics include the line: 'Bowen's on fire and he's sh*gging Dani Dyer". Now, she has revealed that her three-year old toddler is well aware of the song.

AdvertisementWHAT DYER SAID

Dani posted a picture of Santi on Instagram revealing he has been singing the song in nursery, writing: "Honestly he is so cheeky. He has been singing it in nursery. Thank god it's the PG version."

Instagram @danidyerxxTHE GOSSIP

Bowen is back playing Premier League football for West Ham after heading to Euro 2024 with England, but he did find time to relax with his family on holiday during the summer. During their time away, thec couple announced their engagement.

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GettyWHAT NEXT?

West Ham face Crystal Palace in a London derby this weekend. Santi and Dani will hope that Bowen is indeed on fire.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Internacional tem novo lateral-esquerdo. Na tarde da última sexta-feira, Paulo Victor, que estava no Botafogo, foi apresentado como novo reforço do time para a disputa do Brasileirão.Animado com a oportunidade de vestir o manto do Colorado, o jovem de 20 anos se apresentou ao torcedor com as características de jogo.

+ CR7 perto de se isolar no topo! Confira os maiores artilheiros de seleções de todos os tempos

– Podem esperar um Paulo Victor que dá a vida em todos os jogos. Sou ofensivo, minhas principais características são no apoio, mas vou bem defensivamente também, sei que lateral precisa marcar. Se Deus quiser, serei titular – afirmou.

+ Veja a tabela do Brasileiro e simule os jogos da competição

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Como estava já atuando pelo Botafogo, Paulo Victor diz que chega bem fisicamente. Ele garante que está pronto para estrear já.

– Chego bem fisicamente, foram poucos dias de ficar sem treinar. Hoje (sexta-feira) já treinei, me avalio bem fisicamente. Pronto para estrear.

O contrato de Paulo Victor com o Internacional vai até dezembro de 2024.

Even if Manchester United had beaten Burnley 1-0 in Premier League action, the pressure still wouldn't have been off Erik ten Hag's shoulders.

The Clarets drawing 1-1 in the end at Old Trafford courtesy of a last-gasp penalty kick just adds more fuel to the fire for those who want the Dutchman to be relieved from his duties at the end of the campaign, with a whole host of names being lined up to now replace the ex-Ajax manager.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the powers that be at the Theatre of Dreams could move in a different direction to lead Man United into a potentially more successful new era.

Man United manager news

Even with Ten Hag still clinging onto his job post for the time being, that hasn't stopped the rumour mill at Old Trafford from going into overdrive speculating who could eventually be the unpopular 54-year-old's successor.

Current Borussia Dortmund head coach Edin Terzic was rumoured to be in the running to oust the Dutchman according to a report from TEAMtalk, whilst further rumours suggested Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi was also being talked up to come in after the season is over and done with.

Yet, the new 'favourite' – according to the Guardian – is surprisingly England manager Gareth Southgate.

Who could benefit from Southgate's appointment?

This is a move that would surely be welcomed by ex-Chelsea man Mason Mount who has starred under the former Middlesbrough boss' watchful eye on the international stage in the past.

Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw also wouldn't object to the 53-year-old walking through the door either, as Southgate potentially leaves England behind to return back to the firing line of club football.

Mount was given his senior England debut by Southgate back in 2019, the-then 20-year-old attacking midfielder with the world at his feet after exploding into life at Chelsea.

Now 25, he has since gone on to gain 36 caps for his country, picking up five goals and five assists along the way before being turned away from the England picture in the midst of his Blues career falling by the wayside and a turbulent move to Man United transpiring.

Mount will want to recapture his Chelsea best at Old Trafford, having only made 13 Premier League appearances this season to date under Ten Hag with recurring injury issues stopping him in his tracks.

Southgate could well be the manager Mount desires to put an arm around him to get more out of the forgotten number seven, who has shone brightly in patches this season when fit.

Mount's strike against Brentford back in March found the back of the net despite the ex-Blues midfielder only being on the pitch for ten minutes, breaking his Red Devils duck in the process.

Deployed down the left wing during this impactful cameo from the bench, Mount would benefit from an extended run in the United XI in a more central spot and Southgate could gift him that based on his preference for where he slots the 25-year-old into his past England sides.

The current Three Lions boss – who was praised as being "amazing" by Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham recently – has only ever played Mount down the flanks twice during his 36 caps, with all of his goal contributions coming from a more central position.

Club

Games managed

Wins

Draws

Losses

England

93

59

18

16

England U21s

33

27

3

3

Middlesbrough

151

47

41

63

Sourced by Transfermarkt

It would be an almighty risk appointing Southgate based on his previous managerial record at Middlesbrough (seen in the table above) but the appointment could work wonders for the English personnel already at the Theatre of Dreams who will want to run through brick walls for the 53-year-old at club level if he is seen as the correct fit after ten Hag.

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ByTom Lever Apr 26, 2024