Leaving it late to welcome a second January arrival, Brighton & Hove Albion are now reportedly expected to sign a Championship defender after reaching an agreement ahead of Monday’s deadline.
Brighton transfer news
After signing Diego Gomez from Inter Miami, it looked as though the Seagulls were in for a quiet end to the transfer window until rumours sparked their month to life once again.
Before news of any potential incomings arrived, however, it was Karou Mitoma’s name in the headlines having reportedly been the subject of interest from Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, who are preparing a stunning £90m offer as per CBS Sports’ James Benge.
At this stage, it looks as though any such offer will be turned down by those at The Amex with the winger also keen to stay put in Sussex and end any speculation of what would have been one of the most surprising moves of the window.
On the incomings front, meanwhile, the Seagulls looks set to swoop in once more. According to Sky Sports’ Elliot Cook, Brighton are now expected to sign Eiran Cashin from Derby County this month after reaching an agreement with the Rams.
Brighton now in pole position to sign £20m+ star who's spoken to Hurzeler
He’s enjoying a clinical campaign…
ByTom Cunningham Jan 30, 2025
The 23-year-old centre-back has impressed at Pride Park and looks set to earn a move into the Premier League as a result this month. It’s there that he should hand Fabian Hurzeler an instant boost in pursuit of turning his side back towards a European place following a recent slump.
So late on in the window, Cashin could yet be Brighton’s final arrival in what has otherwise been a fairly quiet month.
"Colossal" Cashin is on the rise
Still just 23 years old, Cashin is seemingly set to go from League One to the Premier League in the space of three years in senior football, representing quite the rise. In just his second season out of Derby’s academy last year, the defender earned the praise of manager Paul Warne following an impressive performance against Wigan Athletic on his side’s way to promotion.
Derby County defenderEiran Cashin.
Warne told the club’s official website following the 1-0 victory: “It’s difficult to play against Wigan, so I liked how the lads took on the detail. I liked our energy and our confidence on the ball and I liked when called upon we could do the ugly stuff. It would have taken some goal to beat Cash and Nels today as I thought they were colossal at the back.”
It’s the type of form that Cashin has continued in the current campaign to deservedly earn the interest of Brighton ahead of Monday’s deadline, where he could continue to flourish.
Progressive Passes
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Tackles Won
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10
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It must be said that Cashin would also match up well next to Lewis Dunk, perhaps completing the ugly side of defending whilst the Brighton captain continues his excellent work on the ball.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca must serve a one-match touchline ban following his wild celebrations during the Blues’ win over Fulham.
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Victory secured in derby date with FulhamMaresca collected third caution of the seasonWill be absent from the touchline vs EvertonFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The Italian tactician saw his side claim a dramatic derby victory over their west London neighbours at Craven Cottage. Chelsea trailed the contest heading into the final seven minutes, but Tyrique George restored parity before Pedro Neto grabbed a 93rd-minute winner.
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That vital success has lifted the Blues into fifth spot in the Premier League table and kept them on course for Champions League qualification. They will, however, be without their head coach when playing host to Everton on Saturday.
DID YOU KNOW?
That is because Maresca was booked by referee Anthony Taylor during the celebrations which accompanied Neto’s late effort at Fulham. The Chelsea bench erupted after seeing the Portuguese forward hit the net, leading to them spilling onto the field.
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Getty Images SportWHAT ENZO MARESCA SAID
Maresca told reporters afterwards of the emotional scenes: “I was very happy, first of all because it's a nice feeling to win the game at the end but I think it was a moment for the players because they deserve to share that moment with the fans. So this is the reason why I left the pitch immediately and then when we scored the second one I celebrated and this is the reason why they gave me a yellow card.”
Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan have been named captains of the other two teams
ESPNcricinfo staff01-Sep-2022Former India players Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan have been named captains of the franchises at Legend League Cricket (LLC). Sehwag will lead Gujarat Giants and Gambhir will take charge of India Capitals, while Pathan and Harbhajan will captain Bhilwara Kings and Manipal Tigers respectively.The upcoming edition of LLC will feature four teams contesting 16 matches across six cities. It starts on September 16 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata followed by games in Lucknow, New Delhi, Cuttack and Jodhpur.Related
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“I am excited to get back to the cricket ground again,” Sehwag said on his appointment. “I have personally always believed in playing fearless cricket and I will continue to propagate the same brand of cricket here too. We are extremely excited and eagerly waiting for the draft to pick our team.”Gambhir said: “I have always believed cricket is a team game and a captain is as good as his team. While I will be leading the India Capitals team, I will be pushing for a spirited team who are passionate and eager to go out and win as a team.”Harbhajan was quoted as saying: “Playing alongside all great players over the years, I have picked the nuances of the game which has made me a better cricketer. I love leading from the front and I hope I can do justice to the responsibility and faith shown on me.”Pathan, who played the inaugural edition earlier this year, said, “You need to enjoy what you are doing and giving 100% to that effort is all that matters. This opportunity is unique but am confident we as a team will make some heads turn.”LLC had also announced that former India captain and current BCCI president Sourav Ganguly will lead India Maharajas in a curtain-raiser exhibition match against a World Giants team, led by former England captain Eoin Morgan, on September 16.In all, 53 former players have been signed by the league, including Muthiah Muralidaran, Misbah-ul-Haq, Jonty Rhodes, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Shane Watson, Ross Taylor and Dale Steyn.The squads for the exhibition match are as follows:India Maharajas: Sourav Ganguly (capt), Virender Sehwag, Mohammad Kaif, Yusuf Pathan, S Badrinath, Irfan Pathan, Parthiv Patel (wk), Stuart Binny, Sreesanth, Harbhajan Singh, Naman Ojha (wk), Ashok Dinda, Pragyan Ojha, Ajay Jadeja, RP Singh, Joginder Sharma, Reetinder Singh SodhiWorld Giants: Eoin Morgan (capt), Lendl Simmons, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Sanath Jayasuriya, Matt Prior (wk), Nathan McCullum, Jonty Rhodes, Muthiah Muralidaran, Dale Steyn, Hamilton Masakadza, Mashrafe Mortaza, Asghar Afghan, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Kevin O’Brien, Denesh Ramdin (wk)Tendulkar to lead India legends in Road Safety World Series Sachin Tendulkar, meanwhile, will captain defending champions India Legends in the second edition of the Road Safety World Series (RSWS).The tournament, aimed at creating awareness on road safety, also features teams from Australia, Sri Lanka, West Indies, South Africa, Bangladesh, England and, for the first time, New Zealand. It starts on September 10 in Kanpur, with other games set to be played in Indore, Dehradun and Raipur, where the final will be played on October 1.
Everything you need to know about one of the most popular formations in the beautiful game
The 4-3-3 formation has graced football pitches worldwide, becoming synonymous with attacking flair and tactical flexibility.
From Pep Guardiola's Barcelona to Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, its implementation has yielded trophies and thrilled fans.
But is the 4-3-3 all attacking swagger, or does its inherent vulnerability leave teams exposed at the back? Let's delve into the dynamism and potential pitfalls of this iconic system.
Understanding the 4-3-3: A Midfield Maestro's Dream
The 4-3-3's allure begins in midfield. The three-man structure allows for numerical superiority against opponents deploying a two-man midfield. This empowers teams to dominate possession, dictating the tempo and flow of the game.
Flexibility reigns supreme. A deep-lying playmaker can orchestrate attacks from deep, while box-to-box midfielders provide dynamism and drive. Further forward, an attacking midfielder can exploit space between the lines, linking midfield and attack. This adaptability makes the 4-3-3 a manager's dream, allowing tactical tweaks to exploit any opposition weakness.
The 4-3-3 thrives in attack. The formation naturally creates triangles across the pitch, facilitating quick, intricate passing sequences that bamboozle opponents and create goal-scoring opportunities.
With three forwards, the 4-3-3 offers a constant attacking threat. The wide forwards can stretch the opposition defence, creating space centrally for the striker or onrushing midfielders. Alternatively, the wingers can cut inside, utilising their pace and trickery to wreak havoc.
Full-backs often transform into auxiliary wingers in possession, adding further width and attacking impetus. This fluidity and interchangeability of positions make the 4-3-3 a nightmare for defenders to track.
Defensive Dilemmas: Vulnerability on the flanks
However, the 4-3-3 is not without its flaws. One significant weakness lies in the wide areas. The space between the centre-back and full-back can be exploited, especially during transitions.
Opposition wingers can find themselves in acres of space if the full-back is caught high up the pitch. Similarly, quick counter-attacks can expose this channel if the midfield fails to track back effectively.
This defensive fragility necessitates meticulous organisation, communication, and work rate from the entire team. Players must be disciplined in their positioning and quick to react to danger. Failure to do so can leave the team susceptible to conceding goals.
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Mastering the 4-3-3: A Question of Balance
Another potential issue arises when the lone striker becomes isolated. Without adequate support from midfielders and wingers, the lone frontman can struggle against a packed defence.
Teams employing a 4-3-3 must ensure their attacking play involves swift movement, interchanging positions, and runners from midfield. This creates passing options for the striker and prevents them from becoming isolated and ineffective.
The 4-3-3 formation represents a captivating tactical battle between attacking potency and defensive vulnerability. When executed correctly, it can be a thing of beauty, producing free-flowing, high-scoring encounters. However, its flaws can be ruthlessly exposed if teams lack defensive discipline and organisation.
Ultimately, the success of the 4-3-3 hinges on the balance a team strikes between its attacking ambition and defensive solidity. Finding this equilibrium is the key to unlocking the full potential of this iconic formation.
Celtic have only made one addition to their first-team squad during the January transfer window so far, and they only have a matter of hours left to do further business.
Last week, the Hoops completed a deal to sign Jota on a permanent transfer from Ligue 1 side Rennes, 18 months on from his exit from Parkhead to sign for Al Ittihad.
The Portuguese forward made a terrific return to life with the Scottish Premiership giants by scoring the third goal in the 3-1 win over Motherwell on Sunday.
Celtic are, now, reportedly on the verge of signing another player to bolster their squad before the deadline, and he could form a partnership with Jota down the left flank.
Celtic closing in on Premier League ace
According to Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph, Celtic have made an offer to sign Crystal Palace full-back Jeffrey Schlupp on loan until the end of the season.
Transfer Focus
The reporter claims that a deal is close to being agreed between the two sides and it will see the versatile star make the move to Parkhead for the second half of the 2024/25 campaign, before returning to Selhurst Park in the summer.
Joseph reported that the Hoops also made an enquiry about a potential deal to sign the 32-year-old ace in the summer transfer window last year, which suggests that he is a long-term target for Brendan Rodgers.
Kieran Tierney is due to sign on a free transfer in the summer and it appears as though Schlupp has been targeted as a stop-gap until the Scotland international’s deal with Arsenal expires at the end of the season.
Why Jeffrey Schlupp could be a good signing
Firstly, the Ghana international has the versatility to play in a plethora of positions, as he has been deployed at centre-back, left-back, defensive midfield, central midfield, and left wing, among other roles, throughout his career.
This means that Rodgers could use him to fill gaps in the team in various areas, if needed, due to injuries or suspensions in the second half of the campaign.
Left-back could be his main position for the Hoops, however, after Alex Valle’s loan was cut short, and he will have to fight with Greg Taylor for a starting spot.
Schlupp, who was hailed as “fantastic” by Eagles boss Oliver Glasner, is a vastly experienced player who could be a great asset to Jota on the left wing this season.
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12
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As you can see in the table above, the Premier League veteran has made 41 appearances in the English top-flight since the start of last season, which shows that he has still played semi-regularly at the top level in the past 18 months.
He could provide a solid option at left-back when required and a great presence in the dressing room and on the pitch, given his 280 Premier League appearances, to help Jota, who is settling back into life at Parkhead after struggles at Al Ittihad and Renes, to get back to his best.
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Celtic have been linked with an interest in the Premier League centre-forward.
Godleman steps down after seven seasons in charge of club’s fortunes
ESPNcricinfo staff11-Oct-2022Derbyshire have appointed Leus du Plooy as club captain after Billy Godleman stepped down from the role.Godleman, 33, had led Derbyshire since taking over from Wayne Madsen ahead of the 2016 season, although he was not involved in the Blast side last season, Shan Masood taking over the captaincy with du Plooy as his deputy.Godleman endured a tough summer with the bat in the Championship, failing to pass 50 until the final innings of the campaign – his 158 against Leicestershire represented more than a third of his season’s runs – and agreed to the change after chatting to Derbyshire’s coach, Mickey Arthur.”I sat down with Mickey and we had a good catch-up about the season and my thoughts about captaincy, future leadership and my seven seasons as captain,” he said.”I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as captain but reflecting on this season I think that with Mickey coming in and giving the club new impetus, the time is now right for me to hand over the reins to a new leadership group as Wayne Madsen did to me in 2016.”Seven seasons as a captain is a long time and the highlights for me will always be the strong personal relationships I’ve built with players past and present both on and off the field, while I am particularly proud to have led the club to their first T20 Finals Day in 2019.”I very much hope that I can continue to be successful with Derbyshire, scoring lots of runs in all formats, and look forward to providing any support and insight I can to Leus.”Du Plooy, 27, joined Derbyshire in 2019 and is a regular in the side across formats, although involvement in the Hundred might limit his availability for the one-day cup. He was born in South Africa but qualifies as a local through a Hungarian passport.Arthur said: “Billy has led the team with great purpose and will continue to be a senior figure within our squad, but we both feel the time is right to make this change and restructure the leadership team ahead of the 2023 season.”For more than half-a-decade, Billy has been a dedicated Derbyshire captain, however now we have the opportunity for a new voice, in Leus, to lead the team and bring a fresh approach.”Billy can now focus on what he does best, scoring runs for Derbyshire, without having the pressure of captaincy. His record is one that most sides would love to have in their ranks, and I hope we can see more of his quality next season.”
Leeds United are in transfer talks to sell a “League One” player to a European club for £5 million, according to a recent report.
Leeds United news
On Tuesday night, Daniel Farke’s men put in a very impressive display as they beat Watford 4-0 at Vicarage Road to continue their lead over Sheffield United and Burnley. The win kept Leeds five points clear of the Clarets in third place but Farke is keen for his side to guard against complacency.
“It is so far so good. After 32 game days, to be there with 59 points is outstanding, but judgement is in May when we have played 46 games.
“We know we have a good momentum and are in great shape, but we have to use and ride this moment and keep going. For that, we want to keep this momentum, stay awake, and stay on it. We have to stay focused and professional,” Farke told BBC Radio Leeds after the win over Watford.
Leeds flop who left after just 20 games is now similar to a £92m star
Leeds United were fortunate to possess such a talent who’s starred away from Elland Road.
ByEthan Lamb Feb 12, 2025
Away from matters on the pitch, Leeds are already putting plans in place for the summer, as a report has stated that internal talks have been held over the possibility of signing James McAtee from Manchester City. The Whites could look to make a move in the summer, but only if they are promoted to the Premier League.
Leeds in transfer talks to sell "League One" player for just £5m
But it is not just arrivals that Leeds are discussing, as according to Bild, relayed by Sport Witness, Leeds are in talks with Eintracht Frankfurt over the sale of Rasmus Kristensen.
The 27-year-old joined the Bundesliga outfit on loan from Leeds during the summer transfer window. As well as the loan, there was a €15 million buy option included in the deal. Kristensen has been an important player for Frankfurt, so they are keen to sign him on a permanent basis, but they are now looking to pay under €10 million.
In fact, they want to pay around €6 million (£5 million) and are in negotiations with Leeds over completing the transfer.
Kristensen has played 18 times for Frankfurt in the Bundesliga, starting all but one of those, and in that time has scored one goal and recorded two assists. This is the defender’s second loan spell away from Elland Road, as he spent last season on loan at Italian side AS Roma.
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Kristensen has played just 30 times for the Whites, and they all came in the 2022/23 campaign, where Leeds were relegated to the Championship. His time at Elland Road has been very disappointing, with Leeds content creator Conor McGilligan labelling him as a “League One” standard player.
Therefore, Leeds will probably be happy to see Kristensen leave on a permanent basis, even for a lower fee than they originally agreed.
England became the first side to score 500 runs on day one of a Test
Valkerie Baynes01-Dec-2022A quartet of centuries helped England plunder a record 506 for 4 on the opening day to put the tourists in command of their first Test appearance in Pakistan for 17 years.Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, who put on a 233-run opening stand, were joined by Ollie Pope and Harry Brook – the latter playing just his second Test – in posting hundreds on a remarkable day in which England’s run rate scarcely dipped below a run a ball as they became the first side to score 500 runs on day one of a Test.No sooner had Brook brought up his maiden Test fifty, and he surged towards his century by whipping Saud Shakeel for six fours in one over to almost all quarters of the ground. Brook reached his ton off just 80 balls after he and Pope had added 176 runs for the fourth wicket and, when bad light ended play, he remained not out on 101 with Ben Stokes unbeaten on 34.Crawley had threatened to become the first Englishman to score a hundred before lunch on the first day of a Test as he and Duckett set a solid foundation for their side, which had been laid low by a sickness bug just 24 hours earlier.Stokes was among the worst affected but fronted up for, and won, an all-important toss after England were only able to confirm that they had a fit XI two-and-a-half hours before the start. They were forced into just one change to their intended team, handing Will Jacks his Test debut for a still-recovering Ben Foakes, with Pope to take the wicketkeeping gloves.ESPNcricinfo LtdThe last time Crawley had played against Pakistan, he struck 267 to deliver on the promise of three half-centuries in 11 previous innings. A tumultuous stretch followed that knock in August 2020, with just a brace of fifties in 21 innings which followed 10 single-figure scores and two ducks among them bringing his place under increasing scrutiny.That was until his century in the drawn first Test against West Indies in Antigua in March this year, which seemed to set him up for the English summer, only for another unspectacular spell to ensue until his rapid unbeaten 69 off just 57 balls in September’s third and final Test against South Africa.Crawley’s latest innings was next-level speed-wise, however, as he perfectly merged England’s assertive approach under Brendon McCullum with the need to make the most of his time in the middle while some of his team-mates regained their strength.One of only four players in England’s original XI named on Tuesday to take part in an optional training session on match eve, Crawley opened with three fours off Naseem Shah so that England were 14 without loss in the most expensive first over of a Test in two decades.Haris Rauf, making his Test debut after 57 T20Is and 15 ODIs, entered the attack in the eighth over, but Crawley continued to find the boundary with back-to-back fours either side of the pitch in Rauf’s second over and, after 10 overs, the tourists had motored to 63 for 0.The last time Duckett played a Test, he fell for 5 and 0 at the hands of a rampant R Ashwin as England suffered a heavy defeat to India in November 2016 and he admitted thinking his Test career was over.Making his return six years later after an excellent Championship season for Nottinghamshire, Duckett looked assured, his fortuitous slash through third to bring up England’s fifty notwithstanding, as he reverse-swept then ramped Zahid Mahmood to the fence.Crawley brought up his half-century off just 38 balls, sweeping Zahid through fine leg for four, while England brought up their 100 in 13.5 overs and Duckett reached a run-a-ball fifty in the second hour.Save for a hearty appeal for lbw, which looked to be high with no functioning DRS in the third over to test the on-field not-out decision, and a slash off Rauf which went just wide of a slow-moving Mohammad Ali at mid-on to move into the 90s, Crawley’s innings was domineering. He had scored 17 fours by the end of the morning session as he and Duckett took England to lunch unscathed with 174 runs on the board.ESPNcricinfo LtdPakistan, missing the injured Shaheen Shah Afridi and fielding three other debutants alongside Haris, in right-arm seamer Ali, legspinner Zahid and middle-order batter Shakeel, looked toothless and needed a breakthrough. They eventually got there through Zahid and Rauf in the space of nine balls.On 99, Crawley managed to overturn his lbw dismissal playing around Naseem’s full delivery which rapped him low on the front pad but was shown to be heading down the leg side. Two balls later, Crawley’s deft punch through the covers brought up an 86-ball century, the fastest by an England Test opener and joint fifth-fastest overall.Duckett brought up his maiden Test ton with a pulled four off Rauf, a beaming smile spreading across Duckett’s face as he soaked up the applause. His stay was shortlived thereafter when he missed his reverse sweep of Zahid and was struck on the pad in line with off stump, although Pakistan had to review Joel Wilson’s not-out decision.So ended England’s highest Test opening stand against Pakistan and they went from 233 without loss to 235 for 2 when Crawley followed a short time later, done by Rauf’s reverse swing as the ball slid through the gate and took a deflection on to middle stump.Joe Root fell lbw to Mahmood for just 23, burning a review in a bid to overturn his dismissal before Pope and Brook forged on.Brook, who had pulled Zahid for six on the stroke of tea, helped himself to another six in the evening session when he muscled Rauf over deep midwicket. He brought up his fifty with a single in the next over moments before Pope raised his century working Agha Salman off his toes for one to reach the mark in 90 balls.Even when Pope fell to Ali, lbw on review to give Pakistan something to smile faintly about in the fast-fading light, Brook surged ahead with England’s quickest Test hundred now in his sights. He fell short of Gilbert Jessop’s 76-ball mark set in 1902, but slotted in at No. 3 behind Jonny Bairstow when he struck Naseem for a gorgeous cover drive for four.The fact that England still have the firepower of Jacks and fellow debutant Liam Livingstone to come on a batter-friendly pitch gave the hosts ever more to worry about overnight.
Fans on social media reacted angrily to Alejandro Garnacho's handball being overlooked in the lead up to Man Utd's second goal against Athletic Club.
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Man Utd beat Bilbao 3-0 in Europa League semi first legVAR didn't give a potential handball against GarnachoFans claim decision could've been a turning pointFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Football fans were left fuming on Thursday night after VAR failed to spot what appeared to be a blatant handball by Garnacho in the build-up to Manchester United's controversial penalty during their Europa League semi-final first leg against Athletic Club. Bruno Fernandes converted the spot-kick to make it 2-0, and their opponents were reduced to 10 men with Dani Vivian being shown a red card, sparking a storm of outrage online as supporters slammed the officials and accused the system of "corruption" in one of the most hotly debated VAR calls of the season.
AdvertisementWHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING
Manchester City fan @DxBruyneSZN wrote on X: "Athletic Club have been robbed. It’s a shambles really"
User @FlorianFocus added: "I'm sorry but why is that a red card?"
User @valverdismo888 tore apart the referees, writing: "Probably the worst decision i've ever seen and that's not an exaggeration. Handball on Garnacho, never a penalty and the ridiculous red card to top it off. Disgusting ref."
@blaSkalda claimed that the referee should never be allowed to officiate another game in Europe: "Espen Eskas should be nowhere near European football. That's absolutely unbelievable stuff from him, he blocked Athletic players twice and intercept their pass twice… not even talking about the Garnacho handball before the goal, disgusting."
WHAT INAKI WILLIAMS SAID
Following the game, Bilbao striker Inaki Williams was criticial of referee Eskas. "There are some plays that raise doubts," Williams told reporters (h/t United In Focus). "The play before the penalty comes from a handball by Garnacho, which the referee doesn’t see.
“It’s a struggle between Vivian and him. All the slightest contact, he goes down, and it’s unfortunate that he called it.”
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United and Bilbao were going toe-to-toe in the opening 25 minutes of the game, until Casemiro's header broke the deadlock at San Mames. After that, captain Fernandes struck twice in eight minutes before half-time. Garnacho's potential handball not being given, and Vivian subsequently being sent off, allowed Ruben Amorim's men to take control, given them a healthy lead ahead of the second leg.
Manchester United have several glaring issues that need urgent attention.
The Red Devils are in desperate need of a new striker, with current options Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee managing just five Premier League goals between them in 47 appearances this season.
Reinforcements at centre-back are also a must as Ruben Amorim’s side continue to struggle with injuries and a lack of quality, leading to cheap goals being conceded week after week.
However, perhaps their biggest concern is in goal, with André Onana failing to convince since his move from Inter in the summer of 2023.
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While the Cameroon international has shown flashes of strong shot-stopping ability, he has also been prone to costly errors – often at the worst moments, including in defeats to Bayern Munich, Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Additionally, his distribution has not been as effective as it was at Inter, and he looks increasingly shaky when dealing with high balls.
United will have to wait until the summer to find a long-term replacement for Onana, but until they do, here are eight goalkeepers who could step in and solve their problems between the sticks.
1 David de Gea Fiorentina
David de Gea was, of course, the man Onana replaced at Old Trafford, departing as a free agent just days before the Cameroonian’s arrival.
The Spaniard left United seventh in their list of all-time appearances, featuring in 545 games across all competitions, and as a four-time winner of the club’s Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award.
After spending a season without a club, De Gea joined Fiorentina last summer and has quickly re-established himself as a top goalkeeper in Serie A. He has kept seven clean sheets and ranks highly for saves made and goals-against per game, playing a key role in Fiorentina’s push for European football.
According to The Athletic, before joining La Viola, De Gea told close friends he would be open to a return to United – provided that Erik ten Hag and John Murtough were no longer at the club. Now both are gone, maybe this has paved the way for a potential return.
2 Juan Musso Atletico Madrid/Atalanta
Juan Musso for Atletico Madrid.
Juan Musso is among the latest goalkeepers to be linked with a move to Manchester United.
According to reports in Spain, the Argentinian has emerged as a potential option as concerns grow over Onana’s inconsistent displays this season.
Musso, currently on loan at Atlético Madrid from Atalanta, has struggled for regular minutes behind Jan Oblak. With his future in Spain uncertain, a switch to Old Trafford could give him the opportunity for a more established role.
Though not a high-profile solution, the 30-year-old – who ranks in the 99th percentile for save percentage among goalkeepers in Europe’s top five leagues – could provide much-needed stability in the short term at the very least.
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ByBrett Worthington Jan 29, 2025 3 Mike Maignan Milan
AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
If Manchester United fans could choose Onana’s replacement, chances are Milan’s Mike Maignan would be high on most wishlists.
Since joining Milan in 2021, the France international – praised as “incredible” by national team boss Didier Deschamps – has cemented his status as one of Europe’s top goalkeepers. He has kept 55 clean sheets in 148 appearances for the Rossoneri, including 17 in his debut season to help secure the 2021/22 Serie A title.
Maignan has also earned a spot in Serie A’s Team of the Season twice and was named in the Team of the Tournament at Euro 2024, where France reached the semi-finals.
His excellent reflexes, commanding presence in the box, and consistency have made him a crucial figure for Milan and the national team, and that could yet make him a perfect fit for United, who need a reliable leader between the sticks.
4 Illan Meslier Leeds United
Leeds United’s Illan Meslier was on Man Utd’s radar in the summer of 2023, but the club ultimately opted for Onana instead.
According to reports from late last year, United have since rekindled their interest in the Frenchman, with goalkeeping scout Tony Coton reportedly a long-time admirer.
Coton has closely monitored the 24-year-old, who has made over 240 appearances for Leeds since joining from Lorient in 2019.
This season, Meslier has kept an impressive 20 clean sheets in 33 Championship games – the second-most in the division, only behind Burnley’s James Trafford.
However, despite his shot-stopping ability, he has been prone to costly errors, including a high-profile blunder against Sunderland when he let the ball slip through his legs in the final moments, gifting the opposition a draw.
If he can iron out those mistakes, he could be a strong addition for United. If not, replacing Onana with him might feel like a case of swapping one inconsistent ‘keeper for another.
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ByRoss Kilvington Jan 24, 2025 5 James Trafford Burnley
England'sJamesTraffordduring the warm up before the match
Speaking of James Trafford, the Burnley shot-stopper is someone United should seriously consider as a potential replacement for Onana.
The Englishman has been outstanding in the Championship this season, keeping 24 clean sheets in 33 games while conceding just nine goals – the fewest in the division by a significant margin.
Last summer, Trafford reportedly agreed to a £16m move to Newcastle before the deal collapsed, but the Magpies are expected to reignite their interest in him this year.
While his price tag has likely risen, he could still represent a bargain, and United should have the financial muscle to compete with Newcastle for his signature.
However, the real challenge would be convincing him that Old Trafford is the right destination. With Newcastle seemingly on course for Champions League qualification while United languish in mid-table, that could prove a tough sell.
6 Senne Lammens Royal Antwerp
Senne Lammens for Royal Antwerp.
Royal Antwerp’s Senne Lammens has emerged as a potential option to strengthen Manchester United’s goalkeeping ranks.
At just 22, he’d be more of a long-term investment, but the Belgian has already cemented himself as Antwerp’s first-choice goalkeeper and is a regular for Belgium’s U21s, and could yet become the long-term successor to Thibaut Courtois for his nation.
Recently, he admitted that a move to Old Trafford would be difficult to turn down if the opportunity presented itself.
“I’ve only played one full season at Antwerp,” Lammens told Belgian outlet Gazet Van Antwerpen, per Sports Mole. “If something comes along that I can hardly say no to and that will benefit the club, I’ll have to think about it seriously. But if I’m the first ‘keeper here for another year, that’s no problem.”
The Antwerp star also expressed how honoured he felt to be linked with United.
“The first time I heard it, I thought, ‘Wow, a world team that follows you. That is special,'” he explained. “They are still just rumours. Those top clubs have so many scouts and follow so many players. So it doesn’t have to mean anything yet. It will only become clear in the summer whether anything comes of it.”
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1 ByCharlie Smith Oct 3, 2025 7 Gregor Kobel Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
Gregor Kobel has firmly established himself as one of the standout goalkeepers in the German Bundesliga since joining Borussia Dortmund in 2021.
The Switzerland international has kept 49 clean sheets in 149 appearances for BVB, including an impressive 14 in all competitions last season as the German side made it to the Champions League final.
According to reports in Spain, Kobel is now firmly on United’s radar, with the Red Devils eyeing a move for the 27-year-old in the summer.
However, the club will reportedly face competition from Chelsea for his signature, who are looking to replace a mistake-prone goalkeeper of their own in Robert Sanchez.
Boasting impressive passing numbers, and perhaps most importantly, a lack of errors, Kobel would be a massive upgrade on Onana and could provide some much-needed stability to Amorim’s backline.
Whether Dortmund would allow him to leave is another question, especially given the praise of sporting director Sebastian Kehl, who said via the Bundesliga’s official website: “In Dortmund, Gregor has developed into a goalkeeper of world-class calibre who has attracted the interest of many top clubs in Europe. We’re proud that we were able to inspire him to continue at BVB.”
8 Altay Bayindir Manchester United
If United can’t afford to wait until the summer for a new No 1, they may have to turn to an in-house solution – specifically Onana’s current backup, Altay Bayindir.
The Turkey international, who arrived from Fenerbahçe in 2023, has had limited opportunities but has shown he’s more than capable of stepping up as Ruben Amorim’s first-choice goalkeeper, even if only temporarily.
His standout moment came in January when he played a key role in knocking Arsenal out of the FA Cup.
Bayindir not only saved a penalty from Martin Ødegaard in regular time, but also made a crucial close-range stop to deny Kai Havertz late in extra time, forcing a shootout, where he saved Havertz’s penalty, earning himself the Player of the Match award.
After Onana’s costly error in a 3-1 loss to Brighton later that month, Amorim hinted at a possible change in goal, but Bayindir has yet to be given a sustained chance.
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