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New captain endures tough baptism as whirlwind itinerary leaves England in a spin

Vithushan Ehantharajah25-Jul-2022Jos Buttler had his backpack on when he walked into Sunday’s press conference. Like an exchange student on the London Underground, he was not entirely sure where he needed to be next but knew he had to get there in a hurry.It’s been quite the whirlwind for England’s new white-ball captain. No sooner had he come back from a tour of Amsterdam, he was at Edgbaston during the India Test match at the start of July to perform his first media engagements following Eoin Morgan’s impromptu retirement. Later that week he began the first of 12 white-ball matches in the space of 24 days taking him to Southampton, Birmingham, Nottingham, south London, north London, Manchester, Durham, Manchester again and then, here, Leeds. By this time next week, he’ll have done Bristol, Cardiff and Southampton once more. He’ll have ticked off so many cities, you may as well call him Greyhound.One day he’ll get home, but even when he does take his shoes off and grip his toes into a familiar floor, his mind will be trying to untangle the last month like wire headphones from a pocket of his mind. And among the nagging will be what to make of this ODI side.All told, it’s not a pressing matter, with a T20 World Cup far sooner than the 50-over one exactly a year later, in October 2023. But it’ll be there, dripping like a faulty tap, bearable for now but eventually needing to be addressed, for his own peace of mind at least.It might help that this ODI series with South Africa was a little too abstract. A Proteas-instigated blowout in baking heat in the first, a 29-over haymaker counter in the second, before this third and deciding fixture was washed out inside 28 overs.Throwing back a little further to the 2-1 defeat to India helps add some meat to the bones of any analysis. But not necessarily in a good way. A side whose superpower was big scores only made it past 270 once – in that opening defeat by 62 runs to South Africa. Only Jonny Bairstow averaged more than 27 (27.20) with just three fifty-plus scores shared among him, Joe Root and Buttler.”I don’t want to sound like a broken record,” Buttler began when pushed on what he had learned from the five completed ODIs, seemingly bored with himself when talking about the batting blunders. “But it’s a strength of ours for a long time, and we haven’t quite lived up to the standards that we know we can.”There is some mitigation to that. The pitches, to borrow a phrase Root used after the defeat at Durham, have been “unusual white-ball wickets”. The modern English game has been grooved on flat decks, so it was no surprise to see the tyres struggle when this juggernaut of a top six was taken off-road. “It’s been conducive to a very different kind of cricket,” said Root. “I prefer to face a red ball in the last series [against New Zealand and India] rather than the white ball. They seem to be doing all sorts.”Related

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Good batters can adjust, but England’s good ones couldn’t. And were it not for four blockbuster chases in the Test matches leading into this period, this might have been a line about batters simply not having the wares to tailor their aggression to a bit of sideways movement.The only standout performer has been Reece Topley, and maybe that’s not a coincidence given where he is in his career. A series that was made to feel like an afterthought was only likely to be treated that way subconsciously by some, whether that was those with Test cricket on their mind or others trying to spread their energy levels accordingly.Topley, however, is as strong, hungry and in form as he ever has been. The 11 wickets across five matches – at 12, and an economy rate of 4.28 across 30.5 overs – were mostly prime cuts: notably Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma twice each, including getting them both in the career-best six for 24 at Lord’s.Buttler described Topley as a “great find” before correcting himself given the 28-year-old has been around the set-up since 2015, even making the squad to India for the T20 World Cup six years ago. Topley probably won’t mind if people had forgotten he was part of the 2016 tournament given his collective figures of 4.1 overs, one for 55 across the group matches against West Indies and South Africa. Even given the injuries that followed, it was a period that changed him going forward. He learned not to cloud his mind with too many thoughts or outside noise, and in turn has never been more diligent in his preparation and more believing in his output.Evidently, England are struggling to replicate their pre-2019 form, and don’t even look like a facsimile of the dominant group they were when losing just two one-day series in the four years prior to earning their tag as World Champions. And the real fear is the recent defeats, while often pinpointing weakness and encouraging improvement, are so late in the cycle that only so much can be done.It’s important to say they have not sleepwalked into this position, but rather have been frogmarched by the pandemic. The separate Covid squads in the 2020 summer, then the Pakistan series in 2021 that required a full line-up change after an outbreak in the first-team group could have highlighted some of the issues around a lack of incision in the attack (ergo, pace) and the need for as much of the regular XI as possible to consistently tick over their 50-over work in order to retain muscle memory.No doubt all this reads like a list of excuses, but that does not make it any less relevant to the current uncertainty. The global apathy to the format, in part because of the schedule and some high-profile detractors, has filtered into the changing room. And because of the T20 World Cup taking most of the focus, so much of the last two weeks is, with all due respect, an irrelevance.Perhaps that right there is the only thing Buttler should heed going forward. The tactics, the personnel are likely to work themselves out. His focus should be on reminding his players – even himself – that ODIs remain a format of substance.

When Jaiswal scored his century, he had no idea his coach Jwala Singh was at the stadium

Sreshth Shah in Potchefstroom04-Feb-2020″I made him promise me before he left. I made him promise me that he will finish the World Cup with the most runs. If he gets it, I told him I’ll gift him a car.”That’s Jwala Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s coach, talking to ESPNcricinfo inside Chalet 26 of Potchefstroom’s JB Marks Oval, watching his protege take a big step in fulfilling that promise, with a century against Pakistan in the semi-final on Tuesday.Jaiswal, however, has no idea Singh is in South Africa. Jaiswal had categorically told Singh not to come for the tournament. But Singh couldn’t resist, so he flew to Johannesburg and then drove to Potchefstroom as soon as India’s semi-final spot was confirmed. He stays hidden all day, away from Jaiswal’s line of vision, just in case his student gets distracted seeing his coach.But Singh is more than Jaiswal’s coach. Since Yashasvi’s father handed over his son’s responsibility to Singh in 2013, Yashasvi has lived with his coach in Mumbai. Effectively, Singh is the father figure in Jaiswal’s life. The love is on display as Singh gets up from his deck chair to clap as soon as Jaiswal scores the run that takes him past Sri Lanka’s Ravindu Rasantha as the tournament’s highest run-scorer.The Jaiswal at the Under-19 World Cup, though, is very different from the Jaiswal in domestic cricket. Back in India, the left-hand batsman has built a reputation of being an attacking batsman. He has already struck double-hundreds twice in one-day cricket, once for Mumbai Under-19 and another for the senior Mumbai team. But at the World Cup, he has been restrained. Against Sri Lanka, his 59 came at a strike rate of 79.72. Against New Zealand, his 57 was scored at a strike rate of 74.02. Against Australia in the quarter-final, his strike rate was 75.60 while scoring 62.”In Mumbai, he has senior cricketers around him, so he has the freedom to play his natural game. But here, he knows he’s probably the most crucial part of the team’s batting,” Singh explains. “That’s what makes Jaiswal special – his adaptability.”Fifteen minutes later, Jaiswal guides a short ball down to the fine-leg boundary to inch closer to his fourth fifty in five games. Singh chips in again, giving an insight into the teenager’s brain.”You see that shot? That’s what sets him apart,” he says. “Any other batsman and he would’ve gone for the pull. But Jaiswal knows that’s not the right option when there’s no run-rate pressure.”The reason Singh can analyse Jaiswal so well is because they’ve stayed under the same roof for five years now. Once upon a time, Jaiswal would live in the tents of Azad Maidan in Mumbai while beginning his cricketing journey, selling , a street snack, after practice to stay financially afloat in India’s most expensive city. But since Singh opened his home’s doors for Jaiswal, they have practiced cricket in the daytime and chatted about everything else in the evenings.”We have a rule at home. Every evening, he gives me a massage and tells me how his day went,” Singh says. “Even if I forget to ask him for a massage, he will come to me. Because he’s not had much of a childhood, he can get easily lured into things that teenagers do these days. So we discuss every aspect of his life. Everyday. But he is this headstrong because I’ve never given him anything on a platter. Even on the IPL auction day, I sent him to shop for groceries.Yashasvi Jaiswal hits into the leg side•Getty Images”Once in a generation can someone become a legend. Jaiswal has that in him, which is why it’s so important to stay grounded. There are so many players who have played for India and done well. But legends don’t come by every day. That’s what I have tried to drill into him. He has now come to understand what all he can achieve if he keeps his head in the right place.”This one time, he was the Player of the Series in a local tournament. He got a INR 10,000 voucher. He said he wanted to buy a cricket helmet, so I gave him permission to buy one.”When he came back, he said, ‘I’ve spent INR 3000 extra, can you give me that money please?’ That was the first time I got angry at him. I snatched the helmet from him and said, ‘13000 for a helmet? That’s ridiculous. You will wear this when you really deserve it.'”I put the helmet on top of his almirah after that. So that he could see it every day. The day he made his Ranji debut, I personally handed that helmet over to him. That’s the day I realised that whatever goal you give Jaiswal, he will fulfil it.”Singh, who was also Prithvi Shaw’s coach from 2015 to 2018, says that he feels blessed to have shaped two cricketers who are destined for greatness. At one time, Singh – from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh – had dreams of being an India cricketer. But knee injuries dashed his hopes and so he chose to be a coach. He has recently given permission for a movie to be based on his life story. It’s title is apt: .As Jaiswal reaches his nineties, I probe whether the now-successful Jaiswal – with an IPL contract at hand – has ever given him a gift, Singh’s smile widens.”You see his jersey number? It’s 23 because that’s my birth date,” Singh says. “What more can I ask for?”Before my daughter was born, he was my only child. Now he’s an elder brother to my girl. Even my girl has proven lucky for him. The day she was born, December 6, 2017, he struck the double-hundred for Mumbai Under-19.”He is so mature that when I said I’ll give him a car for being the highest run-scorer, he said he doesn’t want a new one. He wants to take my old Brezza so that I buy myself a new one.”A few moments later, Jaiswal reaches his hundred by slog-sweeping the Pakistan spinner Aamir Ali over deep midwicket. He raises his arms, looked upwards and says a silent prayer. Singh then says, “I think I’ll reveal it to him now. That I’m here.”

They’ve been the best of friends since Under-14 level. Now they’re set to rejoin forces at the top of the order in T20Is

Shashank Kishore09-Sep-2025Batting in adjacent nets on the centre pitches of the ICC Academy in Dubai on Saturday, Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma took turns admiring each other’s strokes. On an occasion, Abhishek wasn’t entirely happy with the sound of bat on ball. He picked up one of Gill’s bats and began easing himself into his shots again.For the rest of the session, Abhishek was all power and connection and Gill poetic timing, until the coaches signalled the last set. Gill then began playing inventive strokes – reverse sweep, ramp, scoop. Abhishek, who by then had already finished his net, waited for Gill, and they walked off together, smiles on their faces.Last year in Zimbabwe, when Gill was T20I captain and Abhishek had earned a maiden India call-up on the back of a stunning IPL season, the two realised their dream of opening together for India. But that was a second-string side. The Asia Cup in the UAE could be even more special for Gill and Abhishek, because they are set to open for the first time for a full-strength India side that’s preparing for a T20 World Cup defence early next year.Related

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The pair’s story goes back over a decade, to the Under-14s camp in Punjab where they first met. From there to the Under-16s and Under-19s, through state-level cricket and the India age-group sides, their journeys have been intertwined.On tours, Gill and Abhishek would often be room-mates, a ritual that continued through much of their age-group days. At some point, they had to be separated only because the coaches wanted them to mingle with the other players in the group.Shivam Mavi, who was part of India’s Under-19 World Cup-winning class of 2018, recalls, “It was always Gill and Abhishek. Whether during team outings, team activities, or lunches and dinners, the two were always together.”Once, Gill and Abhishek along with Mavi’s new-ball partner Kamlesh Nagarkoti planned a birthday surprise for coach Rahul Dravid during that campaign. “They said, ‘let’s do a cake smash on Rahul sir’s face’. And they actually did it,” Mavi laughs.During India’s quarter-final against Bangladesh in Queenstown, tensions ran high. There was some history: Bangladesh had beaten India in a tense warm-up game. Words had been exchanged, to the extent that the umpires had to intervene.In the IPL, Abhishek and Gill are the best of frenemies•AFP/Getty Images”Before our quarter-final, Gill and Abhishek said, ‘we’ll give it back to them’,” Mavi says. They instructed Ishan Porel and Riyan Parag, the team’s Bengali speakers, to be at their chirpiest. “Then our two Punjabi boys would chip in from time to time.”Mavi’s recollections move to the semi-final against Pakistan. “Shaheen Afridi and Co were sledging Gill, saying, ‘our bowling attack is not Bangladesh”. Gill, batting at No. 3, went on to score a century that he celebrated aggressively, with pointed gestures. “Abhishek replied, ‘our batting is not like Pakistan either’.”India went on to beat Australia and win that Under-19 World Cup, and the paths of Gill and Abhishek soon diverged. Gill made his India debut a year later while also establishing himself in the IPL, initially with Kolkata Knight Riders. Abhishek navigated the challenges of proving himself in domestic cricket, unsure whether he was a top-order batter or a finisher.During the Covid-19 pandemic, the two were back together. The man who brought them under one roof, so to say, along with a number of other Punjab players was Yuvraj Singh. This time, there was no space for jokes or banter. Yuvraj was the boss, and Gill and Abhishek had to listen to every single thing he told them. Among his diktats: no phones at night, no parties, regimented sleep-and-wake-up schedules.To ensure the players stuck to their routines, Yuvraj boarded them at his residence for a month, and sought special permissions for training at a time when lockdown rules were strict. Both Abhishek and Gill remember this time fondly, and credit it for toughening them up.A blockbuster maiden tour of England as Test captain has turned Gill into Indian cricket’s all-format poster boy•Getty ImagesToday, Gill is Indian cricket’s all-format poster boy and the darling of brands. A bumper maiden Test tour as captain in England, where he peeled off runs with the consistency of his teenage days, has already thrust him into the conversation for ODI captaincy whenever the selectors look to the future. He’s also the T20I vice-captain now.Gill brings with him a body of work and a transformed game that took shape in 2023 at Gujarat Titans, when he lit up the IPL with a chart-topping 890 runs at a strike rate of 157.80, including three centuries. The most improved aspect of Gill’s game was his six-hitting – he hit 33 of them, the third-highest of all batters that season.It was because Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were locked in as openers that Gill was only picked as a non-travelling reserve for the 2024 T20 World Cup. It has been more than a year since he last played T20Is, but his recent T20 form is compelling: 650 runs at a strike rate of 155.87 in IPL 2025. He reclaims his spot at a time when his T20 stocks are at an all-time high.Abhishek’s journey has been less straightforward. He wasn’t an instant IPL sensation, and for a while he floated between roles: middle-order batter, occasional finisher, part-time spinner. Then came the realisation: his game was built to take bowlers on from the very first ball.

Having converged and diverged so many times over so many years, the journeys of Gill and Abhishek are running together once again, with a stretch of smooth road between now and next year’s T20 World Cup

Days spent training under Yuvraj during lockdowns in Chandigarh reshaped his approach. Yuvraj made him train on marble slabs so the ball would skid, asked the curator in Mullanpur to prepare raging turners to force Abhishek to sharpen his bat speed and footwork. It was bootcamp-style training, and it unlocked something within him.Abhishek emerged a different player. He was physically stronger, more fearless, and not afraid of losing his wicket in the pursuit of risk-taking. Shades of this transformation were visible as far back as in 2022, when he was Sunrisers Hyderabad’s leading run-getter with 320 runs at a strike rate of 133.12. But just when it looked like he had begun to make a mark, 2023 brought a new set of challenges – Abhishek found himself shunted up and down the order.The change in leadership at the franchise in 2024 was a turning point. Out went Brian Lara as coach and Aiden Markram as captain, and in came Daniel Vettori and Pat Cummins in those positions. Impressed by his hitting, they returned him to the top of the order, this time alongside Travis Head. The returns have been spectacular. The last two IPL seasons have brought Abhishek 923 runs at a strike rate of 198.92. No batter in the tournament with a cut-off of 500 runs has scored quicker.An extraordinary willingness to take risks has brought Abhishek extraordinary T20 numbers over the last two years•Associated Press”I stopped worrying about getting out,” Abhishek said in post-match chat last year, and it’s been clear to see whenever he has batted. With a settled role and the license to attack, he has become a destroyer of all kinds of bowling, with especially frightening numbers against spin. In all T20s since the start of 2024, Abhishek has a strike rate of 232.12 against spin. For context, Glenn Maxwell, who sits in second place among those with at least 500 runs against spin in this period (where ball-by-ball data is available), has gone at 173.31.The transition into T20Is has been smooth too: Abhishek’s strike rate of 193.84 is the best of all batters with at least 500 runs since his debut. He got his run in the India side at a time when the senior players were being rested, and now, when India have turned their full attention to T20Is with a World Cup imminent, he’s still there, keeping a batter as good as Yashasvi Jaiswal out of the squad.The moment Abhishek switched to Gill’s bat at training was a poignant one: it was with one of Gill’s bats in Harare that Abhishek had scored his first T20I hundred, in only his second match.Having converged and diverged so many times over so many years, the journeys of Gill and Abhishek are running together again, with a stretch of smooth road between now and next year’s T20 World Cup. If they click together like they did at the nets, or like they did as teenagers, there’s no telling how dangerous this partnership could be.

The New York Yankees are mired in a prolonged skid and the losing ways are starting to put some serious stress on the team's quest to make the postseason. Aaron Boone's side had a golden opportunity to get a much-needed win Monday night in Texas against the Rangers go by the wayside after Devin Williams blew a save opportunity in the ninth, allowing a pinch-hit game-tying home run to Joc Pederson in the ninth inning. Jake Bird surrendered a game-winning blast to Josh Jung in extra innings to prolong the slide.

Every loss is tough when you're struggling and the regular season is rapidly shrinking in size but this one was particularly rough considering Pederson's lack of production this year. There's not much reason to fear a pinch hitter carrying a .126 batting average and .473 OPS to the dish with everything on the line.

Yankees announcers Ryan Ruocco and David Cone tried to convey how much Pederson, a two-time All Star, had fallen off. They also pointed out that his body looks a bit different than it did during his prime.

And a matter of seconds later the Rangers reserve delivered the biggest hit of the game.

Do the two events have anything to do with each other? A logical person would tell you they most certainly do not. But it does make for some compelling footage as a guy who didn't even know his body was being put up for regional discussion enacted some revenge.

Big Picture – South Africa look to extend winning run

It’s been a change of fortunes for both sides since their respective opening games at the Women’s World Cup, 2025. After a crushing defeat in their opener, where they were bowled out for 69 against England, South Africa have turned things around in style, edging past New Zealand before putting themselves back as strong contenders by beating hosts India in an epic chase.Bangladesh began with a statement win over Pakistan but have since faltered. They pushed England close and were thoroughly outplayed by New Zealand, leaving their campaign teetering.Related

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South Africa’s resurgence has been powered by individual brilliance. Tazmin Brits stood tall against New Zealand, while Nadine de Klerk delivered a game-changing performance against India, with Chloe Tryon playing a supporting role. Captain Laura Wolvaardt, too, found form at the top of the order. South Africa will hope their core batters can fire in unison as the tournament enters its crunch phase.It’s not just their batting that South Africa will be pleased with. Nonkululeko Mlaba has been the standout among bowlers, her left-arm spin proving decisive in the middle overs. South Africa’s next fixtures are against Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, teams currently occupying the bottom three spots on the points table. With their net run-rate still in the negative (-0.888), South Africa will want more than just wins to stay in the hunt for the top four berth.For Bangladesh, their bowlers have performed well so far in the tournament, boasting the second-best team average (23.26) behind only England, but the batting remains a concern. While two different players have registered fifties in the tournament, the lack of consistency has held them back. If Bangladesh are to challenge South Africa, they’ll need their top and middle order to click.Nigar Sultana needs to step up with the bat for Bangladesh•ICC/Getty Images

Form Guide

Bangladesh LLWLL (last five matches, most recent first)
South Africa WWLLW

In the spotlight – Chloe Tryon and Nigar Sultana

After a quiet start to the tournament, Chloe Tryon chose the right moment to shine, showcasing her all-round skills against India. She first dented India’s batting with a clinical spell of 3 for 23 by removing key players in Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Amanjot Kaur. Then she walked in with South Africa 81 for 5 in their 252-run chase, and helped script one of their most memorable wins. She managed all of this while nursing a calf niggle.While Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana has led energetically on the field, her form with the bat has been a concern. Scores of 23, 0, and 4 in her last three outings, each ending with a soft dismissal, have left a void in Bangladesh’s top order. She was full of praise for her bowling unit after the loss to New Zealand, but called out the team’s shortcomings with the bat, stressing the need to build partnerships and show composure when chasing targets over 200.

Team news – Tryon fit for Bangladesh clash

With batting being a concern, will Bangladesh look to bring back the experienced Fargana Hoque at the top of the order?Bangladesh (probable): 1 Rubya Haider, 2 Sharmin Akhter, 3 Nigar Sultana (capt & wk), 4 Sobhana Mostary, 5 Sumaiya Akter, 6 Shorna Akter, 7 Fahima Khatun, 8 Nahida Akter, 9 Rabeya Khan, 10 Marufa Akter, 11 Nishita Akter NishiChole Tryon, who batted with a calf niggle against India, is fit and available for South Africa•ICC/Getty Images

South Africa will want to keep their winning XI. Tryon, whose calf required heavy strapping when she was batting against India, is fit and available to play.South Africa (probable): 1 Laura Wolvaardt (capt), 2 Tazmin Brits, 3 Sune Luus, 4 Marizanne Kapp, 5 Anneke Bosch/Annerie Dercksen, 6 Sinalo Jafta (wk), 7 Chloe Tryon, 8 Nadine de Klerk, 9 Tumi Sekhukhune, 10 Ayabonga Khaka, 11 Nonkululeko Mlaba

Pitch and conditions – Rainy and humid in Vizag

Visakhapatnam has been the most batting-friendly venue of this World Cup so far, with a high-scoring pitch laid out during the India-Australia clash. There is a chance of rain on Monday afternoon, but the weather is expected to clear up later in the day. The temperature will peak around 31°C with high humidity. Dew has been a factor in the evening and could influence the toss.

Stats and Trivia

• This will be South Africa’s 50th World Cup game
• Fahima Khatun has 15 wickets this year. She needs to add six more to her tally to have the most for Bangladesh in a year
• Marizanne Kapp is two wickets away from becoming South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in World Cups, going past Shabnim Ismail’s 36.
• Fargana Hoque needs four more runs to complete 500 runs against South Africa. She will become the first Bangladesh player to hit 500 runs against any opponent in women’s ODIs

Quotes

“With a bowling style like mine, what I try to do is bowl my variations as much as possible. Coming to the subcontinental teams, sometimes pace doesn’t work, or rather, go your way. So, I think I try to change up my pace there and then see how that can actually work for me.”
“I agree our batting collapsed [against New Zealand]. We’ve already discussed it with our batting coaches and among the players. We’ve been working on those weaknesses, and hopefully the batters will come back in the next match. We have other capable batters in the team. And our captain, Joty, always plays in a way that inspires us. I believe she’ll do better from the next match.”

Manchester United and Ruben Amorim have been handed a transfer boost, with a La Liga star now open to an Old Trafford move.

Man Utd midfield options heading into 2026

It feels as if Amorim’s midfield is the one area that may need the most work in 2026. The Man Utd boss has gone with Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes more often than not this season, with the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte falling out of favour.

Mainoo has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford, whereas Amorim criticised Ugarte in front of his Man Utd teammates following the Europa League final against Tottenham.

Casemiro is also out of contract in 2026, and it has been suggested that there is a real possibility he will leave for free at the end of the season.

This comes despite the fact Amorim wants to keep the Brazilian, however, INEOS are looking to cut the wage bill and could do just that with the £350,000-a-week top earner.

A number of midfielders have been linked with arriving in Manchester, and one name that won’t go away is Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher.

There was speculation over a deadline day move in the summer, but the English “machine” remained at the Wanda Metropolitano, where he has made just two La Liga starts in 2025/26 under Diego Simeone.

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It has been suggested that Amorim has already given the green light for Man Utd to bring Gallagher back to the Premier League in 2026, and another promising update has now emerged.

Gallagher open to Man Utd move

According to United in Focus and transfer expert Graeme Bailey, Gallagher “has become increasingly frustrated at Atletico” and appears to be open to the idea of moving to Man Utd to improve his chances of making the England squad.

On around £150,000-a-week in Spain, Gallagher has been compared to some impressive midfielders across Europe in 2025, including former Red Devils man Scott McTominay.

Midfielders similar to Conor Gallagher

Club

Gavi

Barcelona

Sandro Tonali

Newcastle

Scott McTominay

Napoli

Bruno Guimaraes

Newcastle

Boubacar Kamara

Aston Villa

Now, United and INEOS need to decide whether or not to firm up their interest in the Englishman, amid rumours of a £44m January offer being lined up.

Man Utd now leading Barcelona & Liverpool in race to sign "absolute beast"

Lancashire have apologised for an incident at the Old Trafford Test between England and India where a fan was ejected from the ground after he refused to cover his Pakistan team t-shirt.Farooq Nazar, the fan in question, posted a video on social media documenting the sequence of events, which started with a request from a member of the security staff that he cover the shirt, a replica of Pakistan’s traditional green limited-overs kit.The security guard, who identified himself as working for Lancashire, said he had been sent by “control” to ask for the shirt to be covered. Nazar refused. He was subsequently escorted away by police officers and, according to a statement from Lancashire, “asked to leave the stadium by stewards and police officers due to unacceptable behaviour directed towards the stewarding team”.In the days since – the incident took place on the last day, a Sunday, of the Test – the club conducted an internal review and apologised for “any upset and offence caused which was not intended and will review its procedures for handling similar situations in the future”.Lancashire, however, explained that a separate incident at the ground between a set of Indian and Pakistani fans on the Saturday of the Test influenced their handling of the situation with Nazar.”Firstly, we wish to make it clear that there was no intention to remove the individual simply for wearing a Pakistan cricket shirt,” the club said in a statement. “The approach taken was informed by an incident on Saturday, during which a group of supporters waved a Pakistan national flag, leading to tensions with nearby Indian fans. In that case, our stewards were able to de-escalate the situation by respectfully asking the individuals to put the flag away, which they did without hesitation.”In light of this context, our team adopted a precautionary, safety-first approach on Sunday. A stand supervisor politely asked the individual to cover his shirt in the interest of his own safety and to avoid any potential escalation. Despite several courteous requests from the supervisor and the response team, the individual repeatedly declined to comply.”Earlier, the ECB CEO Richard Gould had said Nazar was known to the ECB from previous years.”There may well be a context [to what happened] and I know the ground is looking at that, and we’ve also referred it along to the Cricket Regulator to make sure that they’re aware,” Gould said.Relations between India and Pakistan, have been at a low following a brief military skirmish between the two countries in May. Those tensions have filtered into relations between the BCCI and PCB; the two sides have not played a bilateral series since 2012-13 and no Test cricket since 2007-08. Their participation in ICC events hosted by either country has also recently become an issue, with a neutral venue added in to stage their games as part of a hybrid solution to the issue.Earlier this week, an India veterans team refused to play their Pakistan counterparts in two games – including the semi-final, which they forfeited – of a legends tournament in Birmingham.

Wales and Leeds United goalkeeper Karl Darlow hopes to end his Wembley heartache against England – the country he once wanted to represent.

The Leeds stopper has twice been denied playing under the Wembley arch by red tape, at Newport in 2012 and in the 2023 Carabao Cup final for Newcastle.

Darlow was on loan from Nottingham Forest when he missed out on Newport’s FA Trophy final against York. The Exiles had failed to sign the then 21-year-old before the international clearance deadline and subsequently lost an appeal, claiming a paperwork delay was not their fault.

Over a decade later, Newcastle were unable to recall Darlow from a loan spell at Hull after Nick Pope had been ruled out of a Wembley date against Manchester United.

“I’ve been slightly unfortunate and it would be nice to finally tick it (Wembley) off the list.” Darlow said ahead of Wales’ friendly with England on Thursday.

“The Newport one was on the morning of the final. They were still waiting on confirmation and the manager Justin Edinburgh was optimistic it was going to be done.

“In the end I wasn’t even allowed to be part of the matchday squad and I watched the game in the stands. I’m 35 on Wednesday, so it’s been a long time coming.

“It’s one of the biggest and the best stadiums in the world. As a footballer you want to be playing in the biggest stadiums and testing yourself on that level.”

Darlow’s grandfather Ken Leek was a member of the 1958 Wales World Cup squad that reached the quarter-finals of the competition.

Darlow once wanted to represent England over Wales

But Darlow was born in Northampton and grew up with aspirations to represent England, saying in a previous interview there “would be no bigger achievement”.

Having rejected previous attempts from Wales managers to get him on board, Craig Bellamy persuaded him to join up last year and he has since established himself as the number one goalkeeper and won eight caps.

Darlow enters the international break – Wales also play a crucial World Cup qualifier against Belgium in Cardiff on Monday – having started Leeds’ last four Premier League games.

He has taken over the gloves from the injured Lucas Perri and been in fine form, with one of his stops at Fulham nominated for September’s Premier League Save of the Month award.

“If you’re drip-fed a game here and a game there, it’s tough,” said Darlow.

“You like to get into a rhythm of playing week in, week out and knowing you can prepare properly for each and every single game

“It’s a massive plus that I’ve had a run of games now.”

England's record cap holder, Fara Williams, has weighed in with her opinion on Mary Earps, after the former Lionesses No.1 made comments claiming successor Hannah Hampton was rewarded for "bad behaviour" when Sarina Wiegman restored her to the squad. The former midfielder accused Earps, who retired just before Euro 2025, of lacking respect towards her team-mate and manager.

Williams: Earps should have provided detail

Recalling being asked to write a book of her own, Williams explained in a column for that Earps must have known that the comments made about Hampton would have generated headlines, but the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper has hit out at the situation.

Williams called on Earps to be more specific if she was going to bring up Hampton at all: "If Mary is going to be open and honest about the situation, she needs to go into more detail about the supposed bad behaviour rather than leave it up in the air.

"I personally don't know if there was bad behaviour from Hannah, but even if that was the case, she served her punishment after being left out of the squad. If you look at Hannah's career from that moment onwards, I feel she has shown great growth, reflection and development to bounce back."

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'Baffling' to see Earps talk publicly about a team-mate

Earps has admitted wanting to retire upon finding out that Wiegman was planning to make Hampton England's new starting goalkeeper for the Euros. She was initially persuaded to stay, but given the very sudden nature of her eventual decision and announcement, Williams suggested it was inevitable that something would eventually come out about how it happened.

But now that Earps has gone public, Williams said it lacks respect: "I honestly didn't like Mary’s comments about Hannah. It's quite baffling to see Mary come out publicly and talk about a former international team-mate in this way.

"Looking back at the way her retirement played out, I was expecting something to come out eventually. It was bound to happen when you consider a player as popular as Mary to retire on the eve of a major tournament, although I couldn't have predicted Mary to talk about Hannah in the way she did, because you need to respect your team-mates whether you like them or not. The extract from the book has confirmed my initial thoughts because she described that an uncomfortable environment in camp led to her decision."

How can a player question Wiegman?

Williams said that Wiegman even discussing her intention to bring Hampton back to the England squad following a brief spell out of favour was more than she ever got from a manager. The Dutch coach has won three back-to-back European Championships with two different countries and has led to teams to each of the last two World Cup finals. For those achievements and her known player management skills, she commands more respect than most in the game.

"Regarding her comments about Sarina, the fact that the England boss sat her down to explain the reasons why she was bringing Hannah back shows the respect she has for Mary," Williams continued. "I was in the England set-up for around 19 years and not once did a manager tell me that they were thinking about bringing a player back into the fold – it just doesn't happen.

"Sarina is a three-time back-to-back-to-back Euros winner and reached the World Cup finals for the last two tournaments – how can you as a player question her decision-making given her achievements? Mary also revealed that she was unhappy after Sarina didn't watch one of her games for Paris Saint-Germain. Unfortunately for her, the French league isn't as televised as the WSL, so if she wanted Sarina to get a closer look at her performances, maybe it would've been better for her to stay in [England]."

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Getty Images SportEarps needs to 'own' what she wrote

Earps has been accused by Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor of lacking class and Williams rounded back on the idea that Earps, for all her protestation this week, must have known the impact that the book and subsequent comments made in the press while promoting the release, was going to have.

"She will have to deal with the backlash because she decided to put these comments out in public, so there are going to be opinions," the pundit said. "It's time for Mary to own what she wrote in the book because if she tries to backtrack from them, that's not a good look. Mary is a very smart person and, for whatever reason, she must've known that her quotes on Hannah and Sarina would make the headlines.

"I'm sure the book contains more details about her journey in football and the difficulties that she had to overcome to become England No.1, but those comments about her former national team manager and international team-mate have become the biggest story."

Bayern Munich were "absolutely" correct to hand Vincent Kompany a new contract, says club legend Lothar Matthaus. The former Germany star says the positive effect of the Belgian coach's leadership is evident throughout the club, praising Kompany for his influence on team spirit and the positive atmosphere that has returned to the Bundesliga champions.

• Kompany's extension delights legends at Bayern

  The Belgian, who guided Bayern to the Bundesliga title in his first season in charge, has quickly become a symbol of leadership, calm authority, and unity in Bavaria. The announcement comes as Bayern continue their flawless start to the new campaign, winning all 11 competitive matches this season and equalling the best start ever recorded by a German club. Kompany, who arrived from Burnley in the summer of 2024, has already restored a sense of stability and togetherness that many felt had been missing since the era of Hansi Flick.

  “I’m grateful, honoured and would like to thank Bayern for the trust and the working environment they’ve given me from day one,” Kompany said after signing the deal this week. “It feels like I’ve been here a lot longer and that I know the club well. It’s been a great experience so far. We’ve started on a wonderful journey.”

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  'Not just about trophies' – Matthaus praises Kompany's impact

  Matthaus spoke glowingly about the 39-year-old’s impact, likening the current environment at the club to the eras of Jupp Heynckes and Ottmar Hitzfeld. “The contract extension with Vincent Kompany is absolutely the right decision for me,” Matthaus told . “The way Kompany leads the team is reflected throughout the entire club. Since Kompany has been here, that atmosphere has returned, and I think it’s wonderful.”

  Matthaus emphasised that Kompany’s contribution extends beyond just winning titles. “It’s not just about trophies,” he said. “We may have won a few titles under other coaches during the time of Oliver Kahn and Hasan Salihamidzic, but in the long run, the climate at FC Bayern is crucial. The togetherness that was missing for many years seems to be working again.”

  He further praised the synergy between Kompany and Bayern’s leadership trio of Max Eberl, Christoph Freund, and CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen. “If you interact like this every day and create a positive atmosphere, then it also reflects the club to the outside world,” Matthaus added.

• Bayern's top brass united behind the Belgian coach

  Bayern president Herbert Hainer also lauded Kompany’s influence, describing him as a coach who has “brought a breath of fresh air and togetherness” back to the club. “He’s doing an incredibly good job,” Hainer said. “We’re playing very attractive football, scoring lots of goals. There’s an incredible sense of togetherness, that comes from the coach, who does that brilliantly both from a sporting and personal point of view.”

  CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen echoed those sentiments, saying Kompany has “brought the fun back to Bayern, and the spark has really caught on.” Dreesen noted that the Belgian’s style of play and man-management have turned Bayern into “a real team that plays dominant and attractive football.”

  Sporting director Max Eberl went a step further, calling Kompany “a lucky find for FC Bayern.” He added: “He’s made fantastic progress with the team. The togetherness, this energy, this desire to win, the coach has instilled that in the players. We want to keep riding this wave.”

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  Kompany leading from the front as Bayern chase European glory

  Kompany’s Bayern are now characterised by a modern, pressing-heavy philosophy combined with fluid possession play, a hallmark of his tactical vision. Under his guidance, Bayern have scored an astonishing 194 goals in 67 matches, while maintaining defensive discipline and collective energy.

  What truly sets Kompany apart, however, is his empathetic leadership style. Known for open communication and respect for every squad member, he has managed to rebuild the sense of family that once defined Bayern’s most successful eras. “I understand how the club thinks, but also the players,” Kompany said. “We have the same goals. I want to write history together, where people say: ‘This is Bayern.’” When asked about the contract news ahead of Bayern’s Champions League clash with Club Brugge, he replied: “My only request was that it’s not a big topic and we can quickly put the focus back on the next match. I just want to win tomorrow.”

  With 14 wins in 14 matches across all competitions, the Rekordmeister are currently top of both the Bundesliga and their Champions League league phase group. They will host Belgian runners-up Club Brugge next, as Kompany looks to extend the club’s perfect start and further solidify his growing legacy in Munich.