Manchester City's Claudio Echeverri is a surprise inclusion in the Argentina squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil.
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Echeverri called up by Lionel Scaloni
Yet to make Man City debut
Shone at U20 South American Championship
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WHAT HAPPENED?
The 19-year-old starlet has been called up to Lionel Scaloni's preliminary senior squad for the clashes later this month alongside the likes of Lionel Messi, Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez – despite the fact he is yet to make his City debut.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Echeverri's City bow has been delayed by his involvement in the Under-20 South American Championship in Venezuela, and his call-up seems to be reward for his stellar performances there. The teenage attacking midfielder racked up nine goal involvements in nine games, including six strikes of his own, although Argentina's arch-rivals Brazil ultimately triumphed.
DID YOU KNOW?
City signed Echeverri from River Plate in January 2024 for a reported fee of £12.5 million ($15.7m) plus add-ons before sending him back on loan to the Argentine giants for the rest of the year. He has now finally joined up with his new club ahead of the run-in and has been handed the No.30 shirt at the Etihad Stadium.
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WHAT NEXT FOR ECHEVERRI?
It remains to be seen when Echeverri will be deemed ready to make his debut for his new club, but it is feasible that he makes his first senior international appearance before that. City travel to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, while Argentina continue their World Cup qualifying campaign against Uruguay on March 22.
England lose all ten wickets for 56 in final collapse after Mark Wood six-for raises hopes
Valkerie Baynes16-Jan-2022Australia’s seamers, sparked by an electric Cameron Green spell, ran through England to win the fifth and final Test in Hobart by 146 runs inside three days and seal the Ashes 4-0.Despite Mark Wood’s best efforts to keep his side in the contest with a six-wicket haul that contained England’s target to 271, the tourist were found sorely wanting as they lost 10 wickets for 56 runs in 22.5 overs.Rory Burns and Zak Crawley started the chase brightly enough, but once Green dismissed Burns on the stroke of tea, they collapsed to be all out for 124. Green finished with 3 for 21, while Scott Boland and Pat Cummins also took three wickets apiece in a dominant display by Australia.Wood did everything in his power to give England a chance with a relentless short-ball barrage that began with a vicious bouncer that removed Usman Khawaja, caught behind off the glove as he took evasive action late on the second evening, and which yielded five more wickets on Sunday to give him career-best figures of 6 for 37 as Australia were bundled out in their second innings for 155.That it fell to England’s brittle batting line-up to finish the job was beyond his control, although in keeping the target under the 300-mark which the tourists had failed to reach all series he gave a glimmer of hope. That their failure to even threaten came as no surprise at all rammed home the running theme of this Ashes.In truth, Wood had switched to a short-ball tactic earlier, after tea on the opening day, to snatch three first-innings wickets after toiling long and hard for no reward. His effort all series has been beyond question but so too has the feeling that he deserved a greater return. He finally got it.Related
Wood gets his rewards to give England victory shot
The curious case of Steven Smith
Going into this match, Wood had taken eight wickets at 37.62, but after his stellar display in Hobart he increased his haul to 17 at an average of 26.64.Wood’s extra pace and bounce did for nightwatchman Boland, who feathered a catch to wicketkeeper Sam Billings and first-innings centurion Travis Head, caught down the leg side. When he sucked Steve Smith into a hook which careered off the top edge to Dawid Malan at long leg, Wood had removed yet another dangerous Australian batter.Stuart Broad re-entered the attack with immediate effect, removing Green lbw on review for 23 before Wood sealed his five-wicket haul with the scalp of Mitchell Starc, caught by Ollie Pope at short leg. Wood almost had two in two when his next ball – a swift yorker – struck Cummins on the boot to be given out lbw, but Cummins had the decision overturned with replays showing the ball was missing off stump.Adding to the drama on a pulsating day, Alex Carey was the beneficiary of two technology-led decisions that saw him reprieved on 19 and 30. On the first occasion, Carey dragged a Chris Woakes delivery onto his stumps and began making his way off the field only to return when it was deemed that Woakes had over-stepped with replays showing no definitive images of any part of his foot behind the line. Carey then had an lbw decision off Broad overturned when the DRS confirmed that the ball had pitched outside leg stump.Carey went on to top-score for the innings, falling one run shy of his fifty when Broad had him caught behind. Wood then claimed his sixth, with a length ball that was bang on target as Cummins played and missed.ESPNcricinfo Ltd
Burns was back in the side for the first time since he was dropped after the second Test in Adelaide, sporting an untethered hairstyle as he and Crawley played with some freedom to take England to 68 without loss at more than four runs an over.It was the highest opening stand by either side in the series but when Green had Burns out chopping on to a delivery that angled in from around the wicket on what turned out to be the last ball before tea, there was danger in the air.With Crawley looking in decent touch and the likes of Malan, Joe Root and Ben Stokes to come, there should have been more cause for optimism but England’s performances throughout their tour of Australia had long ago curbed any enthusiasm for their chances.Struck a nasty blow to the side of the helmet from Green, Malan lasted 13 more deliveries before he edged on to his stumps and when Green removed Crawley, edging behind to Carey with the second ball of his next over, he had figures of 3 for 17 from 4.2 overs.Stokes fell hooking a Starc short ball to deep square leg, where Nathan Lyon took a strong catch running in from the boundary, and when Root copped an unplayable delivery from Boland – who was excellent again in just his third Test – that kept low and crashed into off stump, an England procession looked inevitable. And so it proved, with Cummins dismissing Ollie Pope, Wood and last man Ollie Robinson to finish as the leading wicket-taker for the series with 21 at an average of 18.04. Boland was third-highest behind Starc with 18 at 9.55.
Everton had an extra-man advantage for almost an hour on Saturday. Brentford had been reduced to ten after Christian Nørgaard was dismissed for a high challenge on Jordan Pickford.
Three Premier League games have come and gone since Everton last scored a goal, albeit Sean Dyche’s side have kept clean sheets across their past two matches too.
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford complaining
Things need to change, and with The Friedkin Group looking to take over the Merseyside outfit, change is certainly going to be afoot. What, though, needs to happen for positive growth?
The things TFG need to change at Everton
While Everton’s defence is largely up to scratch, the frontline has flattered to deceive all season. Dwight McNeil is the shining light in terms of potency, and the electric Iliman Ndiaye has proved to be a promising signing, but still, the Toffees fail to bring it all together.
Dwight McNeil
The tactics and attacking intent (or lack thereof) have led to an incensed fanbase that demand change. The board will point toward a steelier recent record that has bred just one defeat from eight matches, but the discerning supporters will reject any notion of tangible progress, and rightly so.
The manager, then. Dyche is losing more of Goodison Park each match, and you have to wonder how much more bland football needs to be played out before the bullet is bitten and the wheel is turned.
Premier League: Least Goals Scored (24/25)
Rank
Team
Position
Goals Scored
15.
Newcastle
10th
13
15=
Man United
12th
13
17=
Ipswich Town
18th
13
18.
Everton
16th
10
18=
Crystal Palace
19th
10
20.
Southampton
20th
9
Stats via BBC Sport
The goals are not coming, and while Dyche must take the responsibility, he’s being let down by his star centre-forward. Indeed, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is struggling, and though he’s out of contract next summer, perhaps it would be wise to get rid of him this winter.
Why Everton need to get rid of Calvert-Lewin
Everton have enjoyed Calvert-Lewin’s talents for many years, joining as he did from Sheffield United for just £1.5m in 2016. The 27-year-old striker has had his share of injury troubles but has spent most of the past two seasons fit, albeit lacking a clinical edge.
This season, his inefficacy at number nine has been emblematic of Everton’s struggle, of Dyche’s rust-spreading system. He’s started each of the Blues’ 12 Premier League fixtures but has now blanked across eight games, failing to assist too, having missed seven big chances and completed a rather shocking 59% of his passes, as per Sofascore.
It would appear his head is elsewhere.
It’s time for Everton to get rid. As per Football Insider, Everton are getting ready to peruse the market for a striker this January, and this might mean that the England international needs to be sold for a small sum before he can leave on a free.
AS Roma and Juventus are interested in a potential January deal, according to sources relayed by Sport Witness, and he’s clearly not going to hit his erstwhile heights again at Everton this season.
First Impressions
What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast's 'First Impressions' series has everything you need.
It was once so different. Talent scout Jacek Kulig had hailed Calvert-Lewin as an “absolute monster” during his free-scoring exploits of the past, with his former teammate, Richarlison, even heralding him with the loftiest of praise.
Having been called up to the Three Lions squad in 2020, Calvert-Lewin’s efforts led Richarlison to make quite the declaration: “He must be a nightmare to play against and he has an incredible leap on him like Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Cristiano Ronaldo
Transfermarkt record that Ronaldo has scored 120 headed goals at club level, which makes up about 15% of his career total (excluding Portugal). Calvert-Lewin, conversely, has only scored 22 headed goals at club level but then has bagged far less than one of the greatest forwards of all time, with his own headed strike rate equating to a rate of 0.25.
Oh, look at that. Stay in line, Cristiano.
Just kidding. But it does show why Richarlison made that remark once. Unfortunately, Calvert-Lewin has lost his way on Merseyside, and must be sold promptly to help TFG rewrite the narrative at Everton.
Their own Palmer: Everton have struck gold with a special £20m signing
Everton’s key man is producing performances that have likened him to Cole Palmer this season.
West Australian has been on the road for months but wants to keep playing as he eyes his first Test tour to Pakistan
Alex Malcolm14-Feb-2022Josh Inglis has looked so at home in his first two games of international cricket that his toughest challenge has been to get on the same page as his new team-mates when running between the wickets.Inglis top-scored for Australia in their Super Over win over Sri Lanka on Sunday, with 48 off 32 balls. That came after he made 23 from 18 on T20I debut batting at No. 3 on Friday.The 26-year-old reverse-swept his fourth ball in international cricket for four off the world’s No. 1-ranked T20I bowler, Wanindu Hasaranga, and has looked every bit an international cricketer in his two innings so far. He was left frustrated that he couldn’t convert last night’s 48 into a bigger score to give Australia more to defend.Related
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McDonald yet to look beyond interim role in Australia's future
Smith suffers concussion, to miss the rest of SL T20I series
Agar named third spinner in Australia's squad for Pakistan
“I felt pretty good again,” Inglis said. “It was a bit of a tough wicket. It wasn’t going to be one that you could blast a 60 off 30. It was one you had to sort of hit the gaps, run hard, and just play good cricket shots. I played okay. I’m disappointed to get out when I did. It was probably a couple of hours away from really going hard there at the back end, and it’s probably where you get those 180-plus scores. So disappointed with my dismissal but on the whole the way I started my innings I’m pretty happy.”Inglis was involved in two mix-ups, with Glenn Maxwell and Steven Smith. Neither was his fault and neither ended in a wicket. Australia’s middle-order partnerships have stalled in the first two matches of the series and Inglis noted they need to gel as quickly as possible.”Obviously you’re starting new relationships with different players,” he said. “You’ve got to build those on the spot and you’ve got to do it pretty quickly. I think if we’re communicating well, it will happen quicker than not. I’m looking forward to that happening in the near future hopefully.”Smith has been ruled out of the rest of the series after suffering concussion while fielding. Moises Henriques looks likely to replace him in the middle-order.”He’s very, very experienced,” Inglis said of Henriques. “He’s a very good player of spin. We’ve seen him do it in the IPL as well and a lot of tournaments. He’s a very good player. Powerful hitter. And he brings valuable overs as well in the field. So I’m sure if he was to get a go do a very good job.”
“It’s been a long year for me. It’s been tough. I haven’t been home in a while and very much looking forward to that. But it’s so exciting. I’ve only just started playing international cricket so absolutely pumped and I’m showing plenty of energy at the minute”Josh Inglis
Inglis said he was grateful for the opportunity to get a start in the coveted No. 3 position after Western Australia and Perth Scorchers team-mate Mitchell Marsh opted out of the series to have a rest at home in Perth ahead of the tour of Pakistan and the IPL.Inglis, like Marsh, has hardly spent any time at home since the T20 World Cup because of WA’s hard border. Inglis said each player needed to be treated differently depending on their situation, but he was happy to stay on the road and keep playing.”I think it’s very individual,” Inglis said. “I think people take it differently. Some blokes have had a break, others haven’t. I think you’ve just got to find a way just to refresh yourself where you can.”It’s been a long year for me. It’s been tough. I haven’t been home in a while and very much looking forward to that. But it’s so exciting. I’ve only just started playing international cricket so absolutely pumped and I’m showing plenty of energy at the minute.”Inglis is unlikely to get home until after the Pakistan tour where he has been included in his first Test touring squad as the reserve wicketkeeper behind Alex Carey.”I’m really happy about that,” Inglis said. “I think there’s three Tests, three ODIs and a T20. So hopefully at some stage, I get my chance to play some games over there.”
Nottingham Forest dropped out of the top four in the Premier League on Sunday after they were beaten 3-1 by Newcastle United at the City Ground.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side did take the lead in the match, though, as Murillo powered a header in from Anthony Elanga’s set-piece on the right flank in the 22nd minute.
However, goals from Alexander Isak, Joelinton, and Harvey Barnes in the second half secured all three points for Eddie Howe’s side ahead of the last international break of the year.
There were a number of underwhelming performers on the pitch for the Tricky Trees and Matz Sels ended the match with a save success rate of just 50%.
Matz Sels' performance against Newcastle
The Belgian titan, who had 34 touches of the ball, may have only saved three of the six shots against him in the match, but it was not a dreadful showing from the shot-stopper by any means.
There was nothing he could have done to stop the equaliser from Isak at the start of the second half, as the Swedish marksman lashed a shot in off the post from close range.
Similarly, Sels could do little to stop Joelinton from putting the Magpies 2-1 up. The Brazil international fired in a left-footed shot off the post and in from the edge of the box.
You could, however, question his reactions for the third goal. Barnes reverses his shot into the near post and Sels is too slow to stick a leg out to the shot and it squirms past his boot, putting the game to bed.
There was a player whose performance was disappointing, though, and that was winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, who let Santo down with his showing.
Callum Hudson-Odoi's performance in numbers
The former Chelsea forward came into this match off the back of two impressive performances against West Ham United and Leicester City, providing five key passes, completing six dribbles, and scoring one goal.
Hudson-Odoi, who won ten of his 12 duels against the Foxes, started on the left flank against Newcastle on Sunday and failed to continue his fine run of form.
Unfortunately, the 24-year-old whiz was unable to provide any spark or creativity on the wing, whilst he had fewer touches than his goalkeeper Sels – with just 26.
Minutes
59
Shots
0
Key passes
0
Duels won
0/4
Error led to shot
1
As you can see in the table above, Hudson-Odoi was a lightweight out of possession for Nottingham Forest, losing 100% of his physical contests.
The English attacker also ended his time on the pitch with zero shots and zero chances created for his team. In fact, his error that directly led to a shot for Newcastle meant that he, essentially, created more chances for the Magpies than he did for Forest.
Therefore, the left winger let Nuno down with his poor showing in and out of possession and the manager will be hoping that his electric whiz can return to his best after the international break, as his previous two performances were mightily impressive in comparison.
Transfer expert drops Nottingham Forest update on links to Bayern Munich gem
Graeme Bailey has been speaking about the Tricky Trees’ transfer business.
Ao entrar em campo na vitória do Palmeiras por 1 a 0 sobre o Santo André no último sábado (19), Marcos Rocha se tornou o décimo lateral com mais atuações pelo clube, com 186 partidas disputadas e ultrapassou Roberto Carlos, que tem 185. Em entrevista à TV Palmeiras/FAM, o camisa 2 falou sobre a marca atingida.
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– É gratificante. É importante ter identidade e consegui. Vou buscar jogar o maior número de jogos possíveis. Queria chegar aos 100 e agora falta pouco para os 200, que é um dos meus objetivos para este ano. Se puder jogar 250, vou deixar essa marca registrada vestindo essa camisa. Hoje, tenho 186 jogos e sei que posso alcançar algo a mais. Continuo buscando essas metas individuais para quando parar falar que fiz o meu melhor e que valeu a pena – declarou o jogador.
O lateral chegou ao clube alviverde em 2018 e, logo em sua primeira temporada, conquistou o decacampeonato brasileiro. Desde então, acumula duas Libertadores, um Campeonato Paulista e uma Copa do Brasil pela equipe.
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Além disso, Rocha foi um dos únicos seis jogadores que foram titulares nas três partidas decisivas da temporada 2020, a chamada Tríplice Coroa (Paulista, Copa do Brasil e Libertadores), ao lado de Weverton, Gustavo Gómez, Matías Viña, Zé Rafael e Luiz Adriano.
– Estou muito feliz de vestir essa camisa e por tudo que conquistei com ela. Continuo sendo o Marcos Rocha que começou lá de baixo, com uma base familiar muito forte. Vestir essa camisa é muito especial para mim. Tenho certeza de que temos muita coisa para colher neste ano – comentou.
TABELA
> Clique e simule todos os resultados do Paulistão 2022!
Em 2022, o jogador disputará sua décima edição consecutiva da Copa Libertadores, tornando-se o único brasileiro a alcançar a marca em toda a história. Em 2013, venceu a competição enquanto ainda vestia a camisa do Atlético-MG e, em 2020 e 2021, voltou a repetir o feito com o Palmeiras.
– Sinal que o meu trabalho é bem feito, com muito respeito aos meus companheiros. Fico muito feliz por estar jogando a minha décima Libertadores consecutiva”. A experiência também trouxe reconhecimento dentro do campo: “Vou jogar fora (de casa) e os árbitros me chamam pelo nome, os jogadores me reconhecem e, para mim, que sou tímido, é muito importante – concluiu.
Vale lembrar que, no elenco atual, Marcos Rocha é o terceiro atleta que mais vestiu o manto alviverde, atrás apenas de Weverton (210) e Dudu (339).
أدلى المدير الفني لفريق ليفربول آرني سلوت، بتصريحات صحفية عقب فوز فريقه أمام إيفرتون في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
وفاز ليفربول على نظيره إيفرتون بهدف دون رد، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثلاثين من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، على ملعب “أنفيلد”.
وبهذه النتيجة، ارتفع رصيد ليفربول إلى النقطة 73 في المركز الأول في ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، بينما تجمد رصيد إيفرتون عند النقطة 34 في المركز الخامس عشر.
اقرأ أيضاً.. ردود أفعال جماهير ليفربول على أداء محمد صلاح أمام إيفرتون
وقال آرني سلوت في تصريحات لـ”SKY SPORTS”: “إيفرتون لديهم مدرب جيد، أعادهم للحياة، ودفاعيًا هم فريق لا يُصدق”.
وأشار: “انا غير مستغرب من صعوبة المباراة، 9 مباريات بلا هزيمة، ويدافعون بعشرة لاعبين. وأيضًا يهددون من خلال المرتدات”.
وأضاف: “رأيت أشياء أعجبتني في مباراة اليوم، نعلم أنك إذا أردت الفوز بهذه المباراة ضد إيفرتون فعليك الحفاظ على نظافة شباكك لأن تسجيل أكثر من هدف كان صعبًا للغاية”.
وأوضح: “نحن نسعى لإنهاء الموسم بأفضل طريقة ممكنة، ومباراة اليوم دليل على صعوبة الفوز بالمباراة في البريميرليج”.
وعن تدخل تاركوفسكي، أفاد: “الجميع تحدثوا عن ذلك، لماذا عليّ أن أضيف شيئًا؟ الأمر واضح جدًا لدرجة أنني لست بحاجة للتعليق، حتى الناس التي تكره ليفربول قامت بالتعليق على الحادثة، وجميعنا نعرف ما هو القرار الذي كان يجب أن يكون”.
وعن ديوجو جوتا: “انا سعيد لديوجو، وهذا شيء جميل له ولنا كفريق وطاقم فني وجماهير.”
وعن مشاركة جونز كظهير أيمن: “هذا ليس شيئًا جديدًا، تحدث معه مسبقًا حول هذا الأمر، لأنني أعتقد أنه يستطيع القيام بذلك، لدينا 3 أظهرة يمين مصابين؛ برادلي، ترينت، جوميز”.
Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho has not ruled out managing Celtic or Rangers in the future after talking up the 'passion' in Scottish football.
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Mourinho talks up Scottish footballLoves the "passion" for footballOn managing Celtic or Rangers: "Why not?"Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Mourinho takes charge of Fenerbahce against Rangers in a Europa League last-16 first-leg clash on Thursday night and insists he is happy with the Turkish club for now. But the Portuguese boss said he is a big fan of Scottish football and would not close the door on a move in the future.
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Mourinho said at a pre-match press conference when quizzed on the possibility of managing Celtic or Rangers: "Why not in the future? People say that the Scottish league is a league of two teams, but it is a league of passion and passion in football is everything for me. To play in empty stadiums or where there is not that fire of the passion, for me that does not make any sense. Celtic and Rangers are big clubs with big fanbases, big emotions, big responsibilities and big expectations, so why not?"
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Mourinho is on a contract with Fenerbahce that runs until the summer of 2026 but has previously said he would be open to a return to the Premier League. He won three Premier League titles with Chelsea and has also coached Manchester United and Tottenham.
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Fenerbahce host Rangers on Thursday and play the return leg in Glasgow on March 13 in what is sure to be a tasty atmosphere inside both stadiums. They sit four points behind Galatasaray in the Super Lig and are next in action domestically against Samsunspor on Sunday 16 March.
How the match played out A day after announcing his break from T20Is, Tamim Iqbal played one of his most destructive innings. It led to Minister Group Dhaka’s nine-wicket win over Sylhet Sunrisers with three overs to spare. A smiling Tamim finished things off with his umpteenth cover-driven boundary as he and Mohammad Shahzad made a mockery of the 176-run chase.The Dhaka opening pair brought up the first century stand of the BBL 2022, which ended at 173 when Shahzad got out with the target three runs away. Tamim’s century upended Lendl Simmons’ 65-ball 116, which was the first hundred of the season.The win lifted Dhaka from the bottom of the points table to fourth position, while Sylhet lost their second game in three outings.Big hit Tamim was dropped on nought when Mohammad Mithun failed to latch on to a tough chance at slip off Taskin Ahmed. After the reprieve, the opener didn’t let the Sylhet bowlers settle. He hammered the ball through the covers, both from the crease and while charging the bowlers. He also scored runs down the ground, but his most productive area was behind square on the leg side, where he hit six fours and one six.Shahzad, for once, was the quieter of the two openers. When Tamim reached his fifty, Shahzad was on 14. The Afghan marauder did get his boundaries eventually, with well-timed cuts and wristy flicks, but he mostly played a supportive role.Earlier in the day, Simmons provided entertainment as well. He struck all five of his sixes down the ground, two over long-off and the other three towards long-on or wide long-on. During his stay, Simmons also hit 14 fours, most of which were through the off side.Andre Russell bore the brunt of Simmons’ big-hitting, conceding 42 runs off 14 balls against him, including seven fours and two sixes.Big miss Simmons made 116, but the rest of the Sylhet batters combined to score only 52 runs off 55 balls, hitting just four fours and two sixes between them. This is where Sylhet fell behind in the match. They also missed the left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam, who took seven wickets in the last two matches including 4 for18 in their previous match against Dhaka. In the same match, however, Nazmul injured his right hand and was ruled out of this game.
Manchester United travel to face Arsenal at the Emirates this evening, looking to maintain their unbeaten record since the appointment of Ruben Amorim.
The Red Devils come into the clash on the back of a 4-0 thumping over Everton at Old Trafford last weekend, after doubles from Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee.
As for Mikel Arteta’s men, they come into the clash in North London following a huge 5-2 win away at city rivals West Ham United, with the Gunners going four goals ahead after just 36 minutes.
The two clubs have put on some memorable displays against one another in recent years, with tonight no exception as they prepare to battle once more.
However, a huge task awaits Amorim, as he looks to stop an unwanted record for United in their recent clashes with the Gunners.
Manchester United’s recent record vs Arsenal at the Emirates
In recent visits, the Emirates has been an unhappy hunting ground for supporters, especially when it comes to the Premier League.
Last year, the Red Devils thought they had claimed all three points right at the death, as Alejandro Garnacho ran through and slotted home, but was adjudged to have been offside after a review by VAR.
Alejandro Garnacho
The hosts then snatched two late goals in stoppage time with Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus on the scoresheet as Arteta’s side claimed all three points back in September last year.
However, the last five visits to their home ground have been a complete disappointment, losing four and drawing one – simply unable to get the better of the Gunners at the Emirates.
03/09/2023
3-1
Loss
22/01/2023
3-2
Loss
22/04/2022
3-1
Loss
30/01/2021
0-0
Draw
01/01/2020
2-0
Loss
United’s last league victory against Arsenal in North London came way back in December 2017, when goals from Antonio Valencia and a double from Jesse Lingard secured all three points.
If Amorim is to increase the good feeling around the club after his impressive start to life as boss, a victory over their rivals would certainly do the trick.
However, if he is to have the greatest chance of achieving a rare win at the home of Arsenal, he must continue to unleash one player who could be his own version of a star who has catapulted the hosts into a title battle once again.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
The Man United star who’s their own Bukayo Saka
England international Bukayo Saka has established himself as one of the leading attackers in the Premier League in recent years, producing some impressive numbers that led to his sensational rise to stardom.
This season alone, the 23-year-old has registered five goals and ten assists in his 12 league outings, with only Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah contributing with more goals.
However, Amorim could have his own version of the youngster in the form of the left-footed Amad Diallo, who has starred in his new wing-back role since the appointment of the 39-year-old.
The “unbelievable” Ivorian, as dubbed by Statman Dave, has already registered three assists in his two league starts under the new gaffer, taking to his new position like a duck to water – nailing it down as his own.
Many expected the defensive responsibility to take away the attacking side of the 22-year-old’s game, but he’s currently in the best form of his career at Old Trafford, hugely benefiting from the managerial switch.
Minutes played
90
Touches
71
Passes completed
42/49 (86%)
Assists
2
Duels won
12/17 (71%)
Tackles won
4/4 (100%)
Big chances created
2
Diallo has shown that he is capable of having an impact at both ends of the pitch, registering two assists on Sunday, whilst also winning all four tackles as a Saka-like presence, cutting inside from the right-hand side.
With Arteta’s men operating with an inverted full-back down the left-hand side, it could give licence for Amad to take advantage and inflict yet more pain on an English top-flight side.
It will be a battle of the right-wingers with the United supporters hoping that Diallo can outperform Saka and secure a second successive league win under Amorim’s leadership.
Amad 2.0: Amorim could unleash Man Utd teen who's outscoring Obi-Martin
Manchester United have yet another exciting star within their academy ranks.