Lionel Messi is yet to be joined at Inter Miami by fellow Argentine Marcelo Weigandt, with there a million dollar reason for the transfer delay.
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Defender ready to move to Florida
Will become a free agent in the summer
Herons refusing to part with transfer fee
WHAT HAPPENED?
Boca Juniors right-back Weigandt is said to have agreed a four-year contract with the Herons and has paperwork ready to be signed. He is, however, being prevented from completing a switch from South to North America.
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Boca had hoped to agree fresh terms with Weigandt, as he approaches free agency in the summer, but talks broke down once it emerged that Inter Miami were interested. The MLS outfit, who have parted company with USMNT star DeAndre Yedlin, want to get a deal done before their recruitment deadline on April 24.
DID YOU KNOW?
Weigandt’s father has questioned why the Argentine outfit are making life difficult, posting on social media: “I don't understand how they don't let a player grow who would be free in two months. In other words, they prefer to lose money and say the easiest thing, always blaming the player who is a mercenary. Same as always.”
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WHAT NEXT?
Boca are playing hard ball and now requesting a $1 million fee, with Inter Miami unwilling to part with such a figure. report the Florida-based outfit are “far” from bowing to Boca’s demands. The player wants the move, on an increased salary, but it remains to be seen whether a compromise can be reached that suits all parties.
No Beira-Rio, o América-MG surpreendeu o Internacional e venceu por 1 a 0. Com o placar, o Coelho joga pelo empate para avançar. Cabe ao Colorado ganhar por dois gols. Se devolver a vantagem mínima, a vaga será decidida nos pênaltis.
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O jogo da volta entre América-MG e Internacional se enfrentam na próxima quarta-feira, no Independência.
O jogo
Os primeiros minutos foram do América-MG. Com intensidade, o Coelho criou ao menos duas chances claras onde exigiu defesas de Marcelo Lomba. Na terceira oportunidade não teve jeito. Após cruzamento da direita, Rodolfo subiu e cabeceou para dentro da rede, 1 a 0.
Com a necessidade de buscar o placar, o Inter tentou envolver a zaga do América-MG, mas sem sucesso. O jeito foi explorar a bola aérea e Abel Hernández mandou a cabeçada para fora.
Na etapa final o Internacional veio disposto a pressionar o Coelho, porém, o sistema ofensivo não parecia nos seus melhores dias e pouco produzia.
Por outro lado, o América-MG era mais perigoso e chegou perto de ampliar com Ademir. Na bomba de dentro da área, Zé Gabriel salvou quase em cima da linha.
Sem participar muito do jogo, Thiago Galhardo apareceu com perigo apenas aos 32 minutos. No cruzamento de Cuesta, o atacante cabeceou e a bola passou perto da trave.
Na chance derradeira do Inter, Galhardo arriscou em chute colocado e viu novamente a bola sair pela linha de fundo para desespero do jogador.
INTERNACIONAL 0 X 1 AMÉRICA-MG Local: Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre (RS) Data-Hora: 11/11/2020 – 21h30 Árbitro: Caio Max Augusto Vieira (RN) Auxiliares: Jean Márcio dos Santos (RN) e Vinícius Melo de Lima (RN) VAR: Gilberto Rodrigues Castro Júnior (PE) Público/renda: pagantes/R$ Cartões amarelos: Zé Gabriel (INT), Geovane, Ademir(AME) Cartões vermelhos: – Gol: Rodolfo (12’/1ºT)
INTERNACIONAL: Marcelo Lomba; Heitor (Nonato, aos 26/2ºT), Zé Gabriel, Victor Cuesta e Uendel; Rodrigo Lindoso (Yuri Alberto, aos 32/2ºT), Marcos Guilherme, Edenilson, Patrick (Peglow, aos 24/1ºT) (D’Alessandro, aos 26/2ºT); Thiago Galhardo e Abel Hernández. Técnico: Abel Braga. AMÉRICA-MG: Matheus Cavichioli; Diego Ferreira, Messias, Anderson Jesus e João Paulo; Zé Ricardo, Juninho e Geovane (Calyson, aos 29/2ºT); Ademir (Neto Berola, aos 46/2ºT), Rodolfo (Vitão, aos 23/2ºT) e Felipe Azevedo (Marcelo Toscano, aos 29/2ºT). Técnico: Lisca.
It is fair to say that Sheffield Wednesday have had a less-than-ideal start to their Championship season as they sit winless heading into the second half of October.
The Owls won the play-offs to earn promotion to the second tier from League One last season and have not enjoyed the step up in quality so far.
Xisco Munoz was brought in to replace Darren Moore after his exit over the summer and the former Watford head coach lasted just ten matches as he picked up two points in the club's worst-ever start to a league campaign.
He was relieved of his duties after ten games and German tactician Danny Rohl has been appointed as his successor. The ex-Bayern Munich assistant now has the unenviable task of turning the ship around to avoid relegation.
Club
Tenure
RB Leipzig
July 2016 – June 2018
Southampton
December 2018 – August 2019
Bayern Munich
August 2019 – June 2021
Germany
August 2021 – September 2023
Danny Rohl's assistant managerial career (via Transfermarkt)
Sheffield Wednesday have only scored five goals in their 11 Championship matches and have failed to score in five of their last six, which shows that goalscoring has been a significant issue for them.
The Owls have had some impressive attackers at this level over the years and one player they may wish they had now is forward Michail Antonio, who the club ended up having a mare with back in 2014.
When did Sheffield Wednesday sign Michail Antonio?
They swooped to sign the English-born whiz on loan from Reading in February 2012 before completing a permanent deal for his services that summer.
At that point, Antonio had yet to prove himself at first-team level after a smattering of appearances for the Royals and for Colchester, on loan, over the previous 18 months.
He had scored one goal and assisted one in 21 Championship games for Reading during the 2010/11 campaign and then produced four goals and three assists in 15 League One outings for Colchester throughout the first half of the 2011/12 season.
Former Sheffield Wednesday forward Michail Antonio.
These statistics show that Gary Megson, who left the club later that month, took a gamble when he signed Antonio on loan in 2012 but it was one that ultimately paid off for the Owls.
The impressive dynamo went on to score five goals and produce two assists in 14 League One matches for the club, which helped to earn them promotion back to the second tier.
This convinced Megson's replacement, Dave Jones, to complete a permanent deal to sign Antonio for an undisclosed fee from Reading ahead of the 2012/13 campaign, following on from their success in the third division.
Jones stated that the signing showcased the club's ambition and said that the former Southampton attacker had plenty of development left to go through, as he was far from being the finished article at that point in his career.
How many Championship goals did Antonio score for Wednesday?
Their move to sign him on a permanent basis turned out to be an outstanding piece of business as the marksman went on to plunder 11 goals in two Championship seasons at Hillsborough.
Antonio proved himself to be a consistent threat at the top end of the pitch in his first full season with the Owls as he displayed his talent as a scorer and a creator of goals.
Former Sheffield Wednesday forward Michail Antonio.
The Jamaica international went on to produce seven goals and 11 assists in 37 league outings for the club, which showed that the former Reading ace was capable of making a big impact in the final third at that level.
However, his form took a dip during the 2013/14 campaign as Antonio went on to score four goals and provide six assists in 27 Championship clashes in his second full year with Wednesday.
How much did Forest pay for Antonio?
Despite his output dropping, Nottingham Forest swooped to sign him from the Owls for a reported fee of £1.5m in 2014 as then-boss Stuart Gray opted to cash in on the creative forward.
Antonio stated that he got too "comfortable" at Hillsborough and felt that he needed to push himself with a move to the City Ground, which suggests that the club and Gray did not do enough to help his development in Yorkshire.
Forest, on the other hand, were able to help him explode throughout the 2014/15 campaign as they unlocked his full potential as a scorer and a creator.
The impressive ace racked up a stunning 14 goals and 14 assists across 46 Championship outings for the Tricky Trees, which was his best tally for goals and assists in a single season in his career at that point.
They clearly saw his talent and believed that he was able to show more than the four goals and six assists the Owls attacker managed throughout the 2013/14 campaign and it paid off for them.
How much did West Ham pay for Antonio?
His sublime form for Forest led to Premier League interest in his services as West Ham United secured a deal to sign him for a reported fee of £7m.
This means that his value shot up by a staggering £5.5m in one year after his £1.5m exit from Sheffield Wednesday, which suggests that Gray had a mare by selling him in 2014.
The former Owls boss seemingly did not do enough to help Antonio's development or to convince him to remain at Hillsborough and that cost the club millions, which Forest then profited from as they unleashed his potential and earned a big payday within a year.
Since his move to the Hammers, the 33-year-old has proven himself to be a reliable, if unspectacular, performer at Premier League level.
Antonio, who was once dubbed a "rapid powerhouse" by former academy scout Andy Clarke, has scored 77 goals and produced 44 assists in 285 matches in all competitions for West Ham to date.
The experienced attacker has hit double figures for goals in three Premier League seasons and caught the eye as his side won the Europa Conference League last term.
Antonio scored six goals and provided one assist in seven starts in the competition as the Hammers secured a European trophy and qualification for the Europa League earlier this year.
Leigh Kasperek takes five wickets to finish campaign on a high at Grace Road
ESPNcricinfo staff13-Jul-2018New Zealand 224 for 6 (Devine 117*) beat England 219 (Jones 78, Beaumont 53, Kasperek 5-39) by four wickets ScorecardA brilliant century from Sophie Devine secured New Zealand a consolation victory in the third and final ODI at Grace Road, as England were outgunned in a low-scoring contest, after a five-wicket haul from the spinner Leigh Kasperek had derailed their ambitions of a clean sweep.Devine made light of the early loss of her new opening partner, Jess Watkin, as well as a steady drip of mid-innings wickets, to steer her side to a four-wicket victory with 117 not out from 116 balls, sealing the deal with a massive six over square leg. Alongside her at the end of an intermittently anxious chase was the 17-year-old Amelia Kerr, whose mature 12 not out completed a memorable campaign that of course had earlier included a world-record 232 not out against Ireland.After winning the toss and batting first, England might have had ambitions of 300-plus while Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones were in harness. The pair compiled their second century stand of the summer, inside the first 20 overs, as New Zealand’s seamers were once again neutered as they ploughed a wide line and relied on errors that did not materialise.Pace off the ball, however, would prove to be a different challenge for England, and having reached 104 for no loss, they proceeded to lose all ten of their wickets for a further 115, with no-one outside of the openers managing more than Danni Wyatt’s 18 from 22 balls.The wrecker of the innings was Kasperek, who had Beaumont caught behind, somewhat carelessly, on the reverse sweep for 53, before adding the scalp of Lauren Winfield for 5 soon afterwards. Winfield, back in the side as Sarah Taylor took a break, holed out to deep midwicket where Maddy Green took a fine low catch.Jones, looking good for her elusive maiden ODI hundred, once again gave her innings away when she charged at Watkin to be stumped for 78, while Hayley Jensen produced a superb spell of full-length inswingers, bowling Heather Knight with a slower ball.Nat Sciver was then unluckily run out at the non-striker’s end, as Kasperek brushed her fingers on a straight drive from Wyatt, and England’s usual turbo-charged finish petered out. Kasperek deservedly bagged the final two wickets to complete her maiden five-wicket haul.In reply, Katherine Brunt pinned Watkin lbw for a duck in her first over to lift England’s spirits, but Devine was not to be put off her game. She rattled along at more than a run a ball to break the back of the chase in partnership with the steadfast Green, who rather surprisingly galloped down the track straight after the drinks break to be bowled for 23 from 52 balls.Suzie Bates, lurking down the order for a change, came and went cheaply for once, as Laura Marsh bowled her for 1. But Devine eased past her fifty from 54 balls, then brought up her hundred from 101 with a drive back past the bowler.England’s spinners lacked their usual impact, but even with Ecclestone off the boil, her team weren’t quite finished. When Brunt returned to bowl Amy Satterthwaite for 25 and overtake Jenny Gunn as England’s leading wicket-taker in ODIs, there was a chance of a late twist. However, Katey Martin provided sturdy support until she ran herself out for 23, and thereafter Devine would not be denied.
A former France teammate of Paul Pogba has asserted that the Juventus midfielder was 'tricked" into taking a banned substance.
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Pogab found guilty of taking a banned substance Might have been deceived into taking the substance Rabiot revealed how Juventus dressing room was devastated WHAT HAPPENED?
Pogba failed a drug test in August after he tested positive for DHEA, a banned substance known to enhance testosterone levels. Subsequently, the footballer was handed a four-year ban. However, Pogba's legal team has vehemently denied any intentional wrongdoing, claiming that he inadvertently ingested the substance and have pledged to challenge the ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
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However, Rio Mavuba, a former member of the French national team, has made an explosive claim that the midfielder might have been deceived into taking the banned substance. Mavuba, who played alongside Pogba during the 2014 World Cup, voiced his belief in Pogba's innocence and even hinted at possible manipulation in the doping scandal.
WHAT MAVUBA SAID
Speaking to Telefoot via Get French Football News, Mavuba said: "(I am) in no doubt about Paul’s sincerity and I think he may have been somewhat tricked too."
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JUVENTUS DRESSING ROOM WAS 'DEVASTATED'
Pogba has received an outpouring of support from his peers, with Adrien Rabiot, his team-mate at Juventus, expressing the devastating impact of the news on the dressing room. "We’re talking to Paul. He’s trying to keep his head up even when everything is falling on him. I hope he will come out of this as best he can because having all of this to deal with at once is a lot," he said.
Whereas, Adil Rami, a former French international, believes that Pogba has the potential to return even at 35. "I even think that he is capable of training by himself for four years and coming back. If he does that, it’ll be one of the best stories that a champion is capable of creating," he stated.
Burnley have been handed a boost as one of their first-team players is set to return for tonight’s game vs Luton Town in the Premier League.
What's the latest team news at Burnley?
This evening, Vincent Kompany’s side are set to travel to Kenilworth Road to take on Rob Edwards’ outfit, with kick-off scheduled for 7:30pm UK time, but the boss could be without two of his senior stars due to injury.
At Turf Moor, Johann Berg Gudmundsson missed the previous 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United alongside Manuel Benson who has a swollen ankle, and it’s been reported that Nathan Redmond isn’t expected to return to action until after the international break later this month, as per BBC Sport.
The Clarets have also been without the services of Lyle Foster but due to suspension rather than fitness problems having received a straight red card during the 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest last month, meaning that he had to serve a three-match ban.
In Lancashire, the striker has been the boss’ top-performing offensive player so far this season which shows just how much of an integral role he has in the starting line-up, hence why it’s hugely positive news that the 23-year-old can once again return to the pitch.
What has Vincent Kompany said about Lyle Foster?
Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Monday, Kompany was asked to comment on Foster being able to stage his comeback vs Luton. As quoted by The Morning Star, he said:
“It’s massive. Zeki [Amdouni] and Jay Rodriguez have done well with the time they’ve had up top and in every game we’ve had at least two or three big chances. We’re not lacking goals for the lack of creating chances, we just don’t put them away. We have to believe performances are good and we keep creating chances but playing top sides is difficult. But we have to believe we’re on the right track to get results.”
Burnley striker Lyle Foster.
How much does Lyle Foster earn at Burnley?
At Burnley, Foster currently pockets £25k-per-week which he has more than earned since joining back in January from KVC Westerlo, and especially considering the positive impact he’s had so far this season, it will be a massive boost for Kompany to have him back at his disposal to face Luton.
The South Africa international has three contributions (two goals and one assist) to his name in four appearances this term, form which has seen him hailed a “quality” centre-forward by his teammate Josh Brownhill, and he also provides a different type of threat up top.
The Soweto native was averaging two aerial wins per game in the top flight prior to his absence, displaying the excellent physical presence he brings to the final third and the handful he is for the opposition’s defence to deal with.
Furthermore, Foster has the ability to operate out wide on both the left and right flanks alongside his usual role leading the line through the middle, so his versatility makes it easy for him to adapt to the boss’ demands when it comes to formation and team selection.
Sri Lanka will field a weakened bowling attack in the Board XI game against South Africa, but Angelo Mathews and Roshen Silva will play as part of a strong batting lineup
Andrew Fidel Fernando05-Jul-2018
Angelo Mathews plays a one-handed shot•AFP
Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva and Roshen Silva – all incumbents in the Sri Lanka Test top order – will play the two-day warm-up game against South Africa in Colombo.Essentially, this is an attempt to get the three batsmen into form, and perhaps give them a sighting of the South Africa attack before the Test series begins. Mathews had to leave last month’s tour of West Indies after the first Test to attend the birth of his second child, while Roshen and Dhananjaya were short of runs in the Caribbean, having each averaged below 15.The match may also be an audition for Danushka Gunathilaka, with Sri Lanka mulling their options as to who might open the innings alongside Dimuth Karunaratne. Gunathilaka has been named in the Test squad but does not have a steady place in the XI, having failed to impress on the occasions he has played.The bowling talent in the Board XI, meanwhile, is decidedly second string, with Sri Lanka reserving their frontliners for the Tests. The match will be played on Saturday and Sunday at the P Sara Oval in Colombo.Sri Lanka Board XI: Angelo Mathews (capt), Dhananjaya De Silva, Kaushal Silva, Danushka Gunathilaka, Roshen Silva, Minod Bhanuka (wk), Avishka Fernando, Kasun Madushanka, Lasith Ambuldeniya, Vimukthi Perera, Asitha Fernando
Leeds United should be aiming for an automatic return to the top-flight of English football after they were relegated from the Premier League last season.
The Whites spent three seasons at the top table and are now back in the Championship and vying for promotion alongside the likes of Leicester, Ipswich, and Sunderland.
German boss Daniel Farke was snapped up, after his exit from Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach, to lead the charge and he arrived with a proven track record at this level.
Points
94
97
Goals for
93
75
Goals against
57
36
Games won
27
29
Farke's Championship title-winning seasons with Norwich (via Sky Sports):
As shown in the table above, the former Norwich City head coach has won this division in impressive fashion twice before and, therefore, knows what it takes to succeed in the Championship.
He was able to call upon the supremely talented Emiliano Buendia, now of Aston Villa, in both of those seasons and the ex-Borussia Dortmund youth coach could find his next version of the Argentina international by dipping into the market in January to sign Matt O'Riley.
Were Leeds interested in Matt O'Riley?
The Scottish Sun reported over the summer that the Whites had an offer turned down by Celtic for the central midfielder during the last transfer window.
Leeds reportedly offered a fee of around £10m for the Denmark U21 international but were unable to convince the Scottish giants to part ways with their midfield maestro.
Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers later revealed that he was determined to keep hold of O'Riley after the club had already cashed in on Jota and Carl Starfelt, and the ex-Liverpool manager was not keen on losing another one of his key players.
The Northern Irish head coach did, however, go on to say that he could never rule out a move if the player decided that they would like to move on, although that was not the case with the Danish gem this summer.
This suggests that there is scope for Farke to attempt to convince O'Riley that a switch to Elland Road is the best next step in his career, and Leeds challenging for automatic promotion when the January window opens could help to do that.
Former Norwich star Emi Buendia.
O'Riley's exceptional performances as an attacking threat from midfield for Celtic suggest that the potential is there for him to develop into a Buendia-esque player for the Whites boss, albeit in a slightly different role.
How many assists did Buendia produce for Norwich?
The Argentine wizard produced an eye-catching 42 assists in 121 matches in all competitions for the Canaries under Farke's management between 2018 and 2021.
Buendia recorded 29 assists in 77 Championship outings for Norwich and consistently proved himself to be a significant threat to opposition defences with his ability to carve them open at will in possession.
His passing range and invention on the ball allowed him to regularly create huge opportunities in front of goal for his teammates, which resulted in his impressive assist record in East Anglia.
The former Getafe youngster managed 2.4 key passes per clash and assisted 12 goals in 38 Championship games during his first season at Norwich. He followed that up with 3.1 key passes per match and 16 assists in 39 second-tier starts during the 2020/21 campaign.
Buendia, who created 25 'big chances' across those two seasons, also chipped in with 23 league goals at that level for Farke as he showcased his ability to score and assist goals at an excellent rate.
O'Riley, who plays in a central midfield role rather than out wide, has been in staggering form for the Hoops this season and is showing similar qualities as a scorer and a creator of goals.
How many goals has O'Riley scored this season?
The 22-year-old, who was once hailed as a "magician" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has found the back of the net five times in eight Scottish Premiership encounters this term.
He has added goalscoring to his arsenal of attacking qualities after only three goals in 38 league matches for Celtic throughout the 2022/23 campaign.
The former Fulham prospect has taken it upon himself to be the difference-maker for the Hoops by scoring the goals himself, rather than just being the creator. This has added a different dimension to his game and one that makes him a complete midfielder, in an attacking sense.
However, this has not stopped his creative flow as the left-footed talent has produced 3.1 key passes per game and recorded two assists to go along with his five goals. He has also assisted one goal and created six chances in two Champions League clashes for the club so far.
This comes after the central midfield general assisted 12 goals and created 16 'big chances' in his 38 Premiership appearances last season.
Should Leeds sign O'Riley?
Farke should reignite his interest in O'Riley and convince the midfielder, in spite of his new contract with Celtic, to sign for the English side in January to further bolster their promotion chances.
The Denmark U21 international could improve the side with his ability to provide a regular stream of goals and chances created from a midfield position.
His form for the Hoops this term suggests that he has the potential to offer more attacking quality than the head coach's current options across the pitch.
Celtic midfielder Matt O'Riley.
No Leeds player has managed more than 2.5 key passes per game, in comparison to O'Riley's 3.1, and this indicates that the ex-MK Dons star could be Leeds' outstanding creative threat at the top end of the pitch.
He could regularly provide the likes of Georginio Rutter and Joel Piroe with the opportunities that they need at the top end of the pitch to find the back of the net week-in-week-out.
O'Riley's goalscoring form this term would also make him a strong addition to the squad as only Piroe (five) has managed more than two Championship strikes this season.
The Celtic star could come in as an outstanding goalscorer and creator from a midfield position and, therefore, become Farke's next version of Buendia, who provided a similar level of attacking efficiency at this level for the manager during their time together at Norwich.
It is now down to Leeds to secure a deal for the 6 foot 2 maestro to bolster their squad if the opportunity arises during the next window.
Manchester United have agreed terms to make an off-field appointment, according to one new report.
Latest Man Utd news…
The Red Devils have had a busy few months both on and off the pitch, with a takeover saga at Old Trafford potentially nearing a conclusion. The latest Man Utd takeover news has claimed that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is expected to purchase a 25% stake in the club for £1.3bn and wants control of football operations. Ratcliffe is proposing himself, Joel Glazer and Sir Dave Brailsford as a new football committee, and a decision may soon be needed on manager Erik ten Hag.
The club’s form so far this season has been frustrating, with four Premier League defeats from eight and two losses in the Champions League. Recent Man Utd manager updates have even claimed that the Red Devils have made an offer to Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, although the Italian isn’t interested in a return to England.
In regards to transfer news, a number of players have been linked with moves to Manchester recently with the January window around the corner, including Benfica midfielder Joao Neves, Inter Milan full-back Federico Dimarco and Real Betis attacker Assane Diao.
Man Utd agree terms with target
It could be a new-look club on the sporting side of things under Ratcliffe, if a deal goes through, and that may result in changes all the way down to youth-level recruitment. Football Insider shared an update in the last 48 hours regarding one target who is set to take an Old Trafford recruitment role.
The report revealed that Cardiff City’s Ben Clarke, who has impressed with the Championship side, has agreed terms with Man Utd. It is added that Clarke has been a target for United to ‘head up their academy recruitment as they look to bring the best young talent in the country and across the world to Old Trafford’.
The Red Devils are known for placing their trust in their academy all the way up to senior level, with a number of youngsters progressing through the system to become first-team stars, such as Marcus Rashford. However, Clarke’s role will seemingly be to secure deals for a number of exciting youngsters to move to Carrington, who could then go on and follow in the footsteps of Rashford and co on the first-team stage.
Therefore, the agreement with Clarke could prove to be a smart move by those at Old Trafford, and by the look of things, a deal may well become official soon following this update.
ScorecardThe international class of Mohammad Abbas was too much for Derbyshire despite a rousing innings from Matt Critchley as Leicestershire celebrated a six-wicket victory on day three of the floodlit Division Two match at Derby.The Pakistan pace bowler took 6 for 54, including the wicket of Critchley who was last to go for 86 from 124 balls as Derbyshire were bowled out for 184.That left Leicestershire with a modest target of 133 and 58 from Colin Ackermann backed up by 48 from skipper Paul Horton sealed a 21 point win with more than 23 overs to spare.Horton said of the Foxes’ third win in five: “We’re really happy to get over the line. We’ve played a lot of solid first-class cricket this season and the two games we lost we should have won so to come back after dominating but sadly losing a fixture and step up a day later was a great effort.”Leicestershire’s two defeats in this sequence were astonishing. They enforced the follow-on against Durham at Chester-le-Street and lost – then chose not to enforce it again against Middlesex at Grace Road and lost that one too.Derbyshire had gone into another hot day nine runs behind and they lost skipper Billy Godleman to the third delivery as Abbas swung one in to shatter his stumps.Alex Hughes was badly missed by Lewis Hill off Ben Raine but the wicketkeeper made amends by taking a diving catch to remove him when he drove at a wide ball from Abbas who then saw Mark Cosgrove put down Daryn Smit at second slip in the same over.Smit survived for another 10 overs before he got an inside edge off Raine into his stumps and after Critchley completed a deserved 50 from 71 balls, Hardus Viljoen swung Callum Parkinson to long-on with Derbyshire only 79 ahead.Tony Palladino demonstrated the application Derbyshire required by batting for 10 overs until Raine bowled him off an inside edge but Critchley made sure they would have something to defend by driving consecutive balls from Raine for a four and a six.Abbas bowled Olivier with a full-length ball and Critchley’s excellent innings ended when he miscued a pull trying to keep the strike and lobbed a catch to mid-on.That left Leicestershire with 53 overs to chase down the runs but they lost Sam Evans in the second over when he edged Viljoen to second slip with three on the board.Another couple of wickets then would have set nerves jangling in the visiting dressing room but Horton again batted soundly while Ackermann unleashed some powerful drives to cut the target to 46 at tea.Ackermann was caught behind driving at Duanne Olivier, Cosgrove edged a cut at Viljoen and although Horton was lbw with four needed, he had done enough to seal a third win in four matches.