The right-wing has arguably been Manchester United’s weakest position in the starting XI for the past decade.

Jadon Sancho and Antony are the latest two players that have been signed in an attempt to fill that role, but neither have impressed.

Facundo Pellistri and Amad Diallo were also both signed, with United viewing them as long-term suitors out wide, but Erik ten Hag has sent the Uruguayan on loan, and he is yet to trust the ex-Atalanta wonderkid.

Next summer, the Red Devils will look to address the position once again, with Michael Olise potentially the next star to attempt to break the curse, but should they have stuck with a former attacker instead?

Antony’s time at Man United

Over the last year and a half, Antony has failed to live up to the high standards of being a United player since signing for a huge £82m, especially considering he broke into the side with a debut goal against Arsenal.

The Brazilian has made a further 68 appearances since then, yet he has only added eight goals to his tally and four assists, which is concerning considering he cost such a hefty fee.

Alarmingly, what’s even worse is that he has failed to score or assist at all in the Premier League this season after 19 matches, with his only contributions occurring in an FA Cup tie against League Two opponent Newport County.

Antony's 2023/24 Stats
Competition	Games	Goals	Assists
Premier League	19	0	0
FA Cup	1	1	1
Champions League	4	0	0
EFL Cup	1	0	0
Stats via Transfermarkt

To make matters worse, he's even being outperformed by a player who left in 2021 having net set the world alight in Manchester.

Daniel James’ stats since leaving in 2021

Just like Antony, Daniel James’ United career started with a bang, as the winger scored on his debut against Chelsea in 2019. The Welsh attacker would go on to score in three of his first four games for the club, but his game time became limited.

This ultimately led to his exit in 2021 at the hands of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, two years after being signed for £15m from Swansea City. The speedster moved to one of the Red Devils biggest rivals in Leeds United for £25m, which remarkably saw United actually profit from him.

However, his time at Leeds began slowly, and in 69 games for the club, he has netted 14 goals and registered 12 assists.

A loan move to Fulham failed to be a success, but this season he has developed into one of the most dangerous players in the Championship.

James' 2023/24 Championship Stats
Stats	James
Games	27
Goals	10
Assists	6
Big chances created	11
Key passes (Per game)	1.60
Shots (Per game)	2.30
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see, James has netted ten goals and registered six assists in the league this season over 27 games, which is the seventh-best goal-contribution record in the league.

United could have done with this level of output from Antony this season, with it only being recently that Ten Hag's team have started to find the back of the net consistently.

But it still begs the question: Would United have been better off keeping James over their recent right-wing acquisitions?

Aston Villa, on course to remarkably finish inside the Premier League's top four and qualify for next season's Champions League, will arguably be in a better position than ever to welcome some of Europe's most promising stars. And that could see one particular midfielder arrive this summer.

Aston Villa transfer news

Unai Emery's side put on another impressive show against Nottingham Forest this weekend, as they eventually eased to a 4-2 victory at Villa Park. Now as many as six points clear of Tottenham Hotspur in fifth, albeit having played one more game than the Lilywhites, Villa's chances of securing a top-four place are growing more and more realistic in what has already been an incredible campaign.

Related Aston Villa gem who completed 100% of his passes was Emery's hero over Luiz

Aston Villa consolidated their position in the top four with a win over Forest today

Posts ByRoss Kilvington Feb 24, 2024

With Champions League football to possibly offer, the Villans and NSWE could turn their attention to players at the highest level, including the likes of Exequiel Palacios. The midfielder has played his part in an unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen side under Xabi Alonso this season and is on course to becoming a Bundesliga champion, whilst reportedly attracting the interest of Villa.

Meanwhile, reports suggest that those at Villa Park could turn their attention towards Portugal when it comes to landing a midfield reinforcement. According to Record via The 4th Official, Aston Villa are in a three-way battle to sign Alan Varela from Porto alongside Manchester United and West Ham United. What's more, previous reports linked both Liverpool and Manchester City with the Argentine, who has a release clause of €70m (£60m).

It remains to be seen whether Villa will be willing to spend such money in the summer transfer window, having already seemingly built a squad capable of qualifying for the Champions League. But, should they be in a position to splash the cash, then Varela could be one of the options that they turn to in the coming months.

"Gem" Varela is better than Zaniolo

If Aston Villa replicate Newcastle United's campaign last time out by breaking into the top four, they'll hope that's where the comparisons end with the Magpies crashing out in the Champions League group stage this season. To do what Eddie Howe's side couldn't do, Villa may need to find the right additions in the summer transfer window. And Varela could certainly be that.

The Porto midfielder may well be an instant upgrade on Nicolo Zaniolo, who is currently on loan at Villa Park, and perhaps provide Emery with one of the final pieces needed to continue his side's rise.

Stats (via FBref)

Alan Varela

Nicolo Zaniolo

Progressive Passes

93

20

Tackles Won

11

4

Interceptions

18

1

Blocks

27

12

Varela is also a player who's earned plenty of praise, including in the early stages of his career from Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig, who posted on X:

Potentially better placed than ever to compete with the likes of Manchester United both on and off the pitch in the Premier League, Villa could yet get their man this summer.

Arsenal icon Paul Merson poked fun at Harry Kane during England's dour draw with Slovenia – after the England ace took exception to recent criticism.

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• Kane hits back at Lineker criticism
• England in dour draw with Slovenia
• Merson trolls Three Lions skipper

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Former England striker Gary Lineker described the Three Lions' 1-1 draw with Denmark as "sh*t" earlier this month. This prompted Bayern Munich striker Kane to say ex-internationals, who are now pundits, should "remember what it's like to wear the shirt" and be more "helpful" before they criticise Gareth Southgate's side. Now, ex-Gunners player Merson has aimed a cheeky jibe at the 30-year-old, with England then drawing 0-0 with Slovenia on Tuesday.

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• WHAT PAUL MERSON SAID

  At half-time, where England had more chances and possession but did little with it, Merson tweeted: "Brilliant first half and lots of shots on goal against the best team in Europe…. (Is that okay Harry?) 👍🏼😂⚽️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 #EURo2024."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  For the first time in what seems a long time, England's players and the manager are getting more widely criticised for their performances. While they topped their Euros group and are into the last 16, they do not look like a side that will end their barren run without an international trophy – dating back to the 1966 World Cup.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  England are in last 16 action on Sunday evening, where they may face the Netherlands or whoever finishes third in Group E. After winning just one game so far, they will need to find the winning touch in the knockout stages to progress further.

MatériaMais Notícias

No dia 22 de maio, das 9h às 21h30, acontecerá a segunda edição do Análise Day – Análise de Dados no Futebol. O evento, que será 100% online, tem como objetivo promover conhecimento aos interessados pelo assunto e a arrecadação de fundos para pessoas que encontram- se em estado de vulnerabilidade por conta da pandemia da COVID-19.

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Idealizador do evento, o cientista de dados relacionados ao esporte e autor do livro ‘Dados FC: A Gestão da Informação Aplicada ao Futebol’, Vitor Principe, fala sobre a expectativa para a segunda edição.

– A ideia é levar o máximo de conhecimento possível. Conseguimos juntar um time muito forte, com profissionais de ponta em diversas áreas. Será um dia inteiro recheado com debates relevantes sobre tudo acerca do mundo da bola.

Como aconteceu em 2020, o projeto Craque do Amanhã, localizado em São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro, receberá todo o valor arrecadado através de doações que já podem ser feitas pelo site do evento.

– O projeto Craque do Amanhã é um parceiro fundamental desde o ano passado. Eles são a ponta que de fato faz essa ação acontecer, entregando o que as famílias precisam. Espero este ano bater a arrecadação que tivemos na primeira edição, pois assim podemos ajudar mais famílias que passam dificuldades nesse momento difícil. Quem doar de forma antecipada no nosso site, concorrerá a brindes e receberá o certificado de participação – finalizou Principe.

Durante todo o dia serão debatidos temas como Inovação e Tecnologia, Formação de Atletas, Gestão e Organização de Pessoas; além de palestras de abertura e encerramento.

Saiba mais detalhes no site do evento: https://analiseday.com/

One “outstanding" Tottenham Hotspur player has appeared to suffer a new injury this weekend in another setback.

Tottenham injuries 2023/24

Spurs haven’t had the best of luck with injuries during Ange Postecoglou’s first season in charge, with a plethora of players missing large parts of the campaign.

The Australian has had to make do without star summer signings Micky van de Ven and James Maddison for a number of months, whereas Ryan Sessegnon and Manor Solomon have also been out for long periods of time.

Tottenham could strike similar deal to Maddison as transfer discount mooted

Spurs are expected to make a move.

ByEmilio Galantini Feb 16, 2024

Postecoglou still has Spurs pushing for a top-four finish as the run-in approaches, though, however, Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at home to Wolves leaves them two points behind Aston Villa.

At the beginning of the year, Spurs had a total of 12 separate injuries throughout the season, totalling in 625 days lost. Now, it looks as if one of the unlucky players has suffered another setback.

New Ryan Sessegnon injury

Sessegnon was named in Tottenham’s U21 starting XI for the match against West Ham on Saturday afternoon, however, after bursting into the box, the wide man pulled up and required treatment.

He only managed to last 35 minutes before needing to be replaced, and as per The Spurs Web, the commentator described it as ‘heart-breaking news’.

The 23-year-old, who can play as a left-back, left-midfielder or left-winger, made the move to north London from Fulham back in 2019. During that time, though, he has struggled with injury, with the most Premier League appearances made in a season being just 17.

Hamstring

January 2024 – now

6

Hamstring surgery

June 2023 – January 2024

21

Hamstring

February 2023 – June 2023

22

Hamstring

March 2022 – April 2022

7

Muscle injury

December 2021 – January 2022

5

Bruise

September 2021 – November 2021

18

Sessegnon arrived as a player with so much potential, with pundit Noel Whelan hailing him as “outstanding” and a “£50m player in the making” back in 2020, a price tag he is yet to live up to in a Spurs shirt unfortunately.

“I saw a lot of him at Fulham and he was outstanding for them, probably the best player in the Championship a few years ago.

“He’s young and has time on his side. I expected him to make a quicker impact at Spurs, but you often get these teething troubles with young players, especially when they’re competing with top internationals. “Once he has a run of matches under his belt and gets his confidence, there’s no doubt he’s an outstanding player.

“I think he is a £50million player in the making, and Spurs and Mourinho will, too.”

The Englishman has just under 18 months remaining on his Spurs deal, and if he struggles to remain fit, then Tottenham officials may seriously look into allowing Sessegnon to depart this summer, looking to bring in some funds in the process.

Manchester United are believed to have found a "standout candidate" to replace Erik ten Hag as manager this summer, according to a new update on the Dutchman's future.

Man United manager latest

The Red Devils have had an up-and-down season under Ten Hag, but the negatives outweigh the positives currently, considering they look likely to miss out on a top-four finish in the Premier League.

This has led to pressure growing on the manager, especially since Sir Jim Ratcliffe's influence at Old Trafford has grown so much in recent weeks, with the boyhood United supporter potentially eyeing a change in the dugout.

Ten Hag is contracted with United until the summer of 2025, but if Ratcliffe feels that there are better options out there, he is unlikely to wait until then and risk a poor season next time around, and there have been conflicting reports flying all over the place in recent days.

While Fabrizio Romano said Ten Hag may be granted a chance under INEOS, one report has claimed that the Red Devils have already made contact with former Juventus and Chelsea manager Antonio Conte about taking charge, while former Real Madrid Champions League-winning boss Zinedine Zidane is seen as a strong option by Ratcliffe.

United chiefs identify "standout candidate"

According to Football Insider, Manchester United see Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi as a top candidate to replace Ten Hag at the end of the season. The Italian is now a serious contender, with Football Insider believing the reports indiciating Ten Hag may get some time to prove himself are untrue – Ratcliffe and co determined to make a change.

"A well-placed source has told Football Insider that De Zerbi, 44, is seen by United as a “stand-out candidate” to replace the Dutchman. Club chiefs feel his front-foot, aggressive playing style far better fits the Red Devils’ ethos than that of Ten Hag, while he also has a proven track record of improving and developing players."

De Zerbi represents an intriguing option for United, having done such an impressive job with Brighton since replacing Graham Potter, guiding them into the Europa League and awaiting a last 16 clash with Roma next month.

The 44-year-old has got the Seagulls playing some of the most attractive in the Premier League on their day, with relentless pressing and a ball-playing style standing out. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola is a huge admirer.

De Zerbi would surely jump at the chance to go up a level and manage United, and there is an increasing feeling that Ratcliffe may not think Ten Hag is the right man for the job.

Man Utd eyeing move for "special" manager to replace Ten Hag

The Dutchman appears to be under pressure.

ByCharlie Smith Feb 29, 2024

The next few months may decide the Dutchman's future, but most important is that United's controller of football policy has exactly the right man in place, in order to help resurrect the club.

Half-centuries from Josh Cobb, Adam Rossington and Dwaine Pretorius seal seven-wicket win

ECB Reporters Network30-Aug-2019Josh Cobb, Adam Rossington and Dwaine Pretorius powered Northamptonshire to a consolation victory at Wantage Road to deny Worcestershire a home quarter-final in the Vitality Blast. Northants chased 189 to win by seven wickets with seven balls to spare.Cobb’s 62 in 32 balls, Rossington’s 54 from 30 and an unbeaten 50 in 36 deliveries from Pretorius saw Northants end another disappointing campaign with victory. It forced Worcestershire into an away tie at Sussex in the last eight when a win would have been good enough to secure the match at New Road courtesy of Nottinghamshire’s heavy defeat to Durham.The Northants batting has struggled this tournament but they enjoyed themselves on a true wicket with Cobb playing a fine captain’s innings. The required rate had climbed to 10.7 at the half-way point but Cobb responded with four sixes in an over from Ed Barnard, the best of them a slog-sweep that sailed out of the ground.Rossington’s early striking was just as impressive. He advanced at Dillion Pennington to heave six over square leg before dancing down next ball to swing another maximum over long-on. A third six was sent flat over extra-cover in the fourth over before Rossington flat-batted four more through the off side and pulled Moeen Ali to the fence as Northants made 65 in the Powerplay for the loss of Richard Levi, stumped to Moeen’s first ball for 16.But after the first six overs, Rossington lifted Barnard into the hands of long-on and four overs went for only 16 runs. Cobb’s onslaught then revived the hosts.ESPNcricinfo LtdPretorius completed the chase. He struggled to 8 from 19 balls before picking up the task when 40 were needed from 30 balls. He pulled Daryl Mitchell for a flat six over square leg, repeated the trick against Pat Brown before delicately late cutting Brown for four over short third man in the 19th over as Northants coasted home.Worcestershire’s 188 for 5 was built around brisk innings from Moeen, Riki Wessels and Ben Cox after Hamish Rutherford holed out to deep midwicket for 19 in the third over.Moeen bided his time before pulling Blessing Muzarabani almost for six over midwicket and flicking Pretorius for another boundary past short-fine leg. He skipped down to lift Graeme White’s first ball over extra-cover for four more before finding his six-hitting range.His first was a pull off Nathan Buck that went flat over deep square. A second strike against Buck carried long-on before he took took White for consecutive sixes into the Ken Turner Stand – the second a colossal hit that landed on the roof – as he passed fifty in 28 balls before clipping Pretorius to deep midwicket.Wessels struck his first boundary with forearm jab against Buck before cutting Pretorius for four. Consecutive sixes, picked up over the leg side, off Faheem Ashraf left Worcestershire 119 for 2 after 12 overs. But like Moeen, Wessels holed out to deep midwicket when well set and when Ross Whiteley swept and missed at Rob Keogh to be bowled for just 2, the visitors were 135 for 4 in the 15th.Ben Cox swept two boundaries off White and drove and cut Muzarabani for fours either side of a leg side heave over square leg for six. Barnard then hammered two straight fours from Buck in the penultimate over but Ashraf nailed his yorkers to only concede five from the final set.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have a player at Wrexham with “Premier League written all over him”, and Max Cleworth now faces a transfer dilemma.

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Hollywood co-owners in North WalesWant to develop home-grown starsDefender already attracting attentionWHAT HAPPENED?

The 21-year-old defender is a product of the Red Dragons’ academy system and has shown that, in an era of Hollywood co-owners in North Wales, there is still a pathway to the first team for those stepping out of the club's famous youth system.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Cleworth has taken in 87 senior appearances for Wrexham, helping them to back-to-back promotions, and is considered to boast the potential that could one day see him turning out in the top-flight. He must decide whether that path will be trodden with his current club, or by securing a move elsewhere.

WHAT TOZER SAID

Former Wrexham captain Ben Tozer, who worked alongside Cleworth at SToK Racecourse, has told Ben Foster’s of what the future holds for the hottest of prospects: “Max has got Premier League written all over him. It’s just whether he wants to go now and not play, or does he stay with Wrexham and go all the way up to the Premier League, possibly captain the club and go that route? I don’t know what I’d do if I was him.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT?

Tozer has severed ties with Wrexham after being released as a free agent at the end of the 2023-24 campaign. He will continue to keep a close eye on Cleworth’s development, with the youngster offering no indication as yet that he is looking to sever ties with the club that gave him a big break.

ESPNcricnfo understands the former Pakistan captain has been offered the role despite lacking the necessary experience, but he is yet to make a decision

Umar Farooq22-Aug-2019

Misbah-ul-Haq celebrates a fifty in his final Test•AFP

Six months ago, Misbah-ul-Haq was playing for Peshawar Zalmi, his remarkable career that simply refused to end still going strong. In 2018, he had backtracked on his agreement with Islamabad United to be a mentor, instead going on to play for Zalmi as a gold-category player in the fourth edition of the Pakistan Super League. But now, at age 45, a decisive moment lies ahead for Pakistan’s longest serving Test captain: embrace a coaching career or not?Having brought to an end the tenure of Mickey Arthur and his staff earlier this month, Pakistan are seeking applications for the next head coach, with the plan to appoint one by August 26. Misbah was, ESPNcricinfo understands, formally offered the role after Arthur’s departure, even though he hadn’t applied for the job.”I have clarity now that I will be focusing towards helping players,” he said when asked about his coaching ambitions. “In fact, I have been working with players during my days in SNGPL [Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited], Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi, so I know how to go about it. But it’s not final yet that I am going to apply for the job, so everything that has been reported about me is speculative.”In the absence of the coaching staff, he has agreed on a consultancy role as camp commander to overlook Pakistan’s 20-day training ahead of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka later this year. He has also been involved in the selection process of probable players for the camp, and is part of the PCB independent set-up reviewing and finalising the six domestic association teams comprising 32 players each.Misbah’s increasing role in the new PCB set-up augurs well for his chances of getting the top job, but there are questions about the process should he be the next appointee. He was part of the PCB cricket committee that decided that it was time to look beyond Arthur and the rest of the coaching staff, and were he to replace the previous head coach, it could be construed as conflict of interest.Also, in its advertisement for a new head coach, the PCB sought someone who was at least a Level 2 coach, with relevant experience of at least three years with elite cricketers. Misbah is an ECB Level 2 coach and recently underwent a PCB Level 2 course at the National Cricket Academy – the board is understood to prefer a PCB qualification. The three-year experience the PCB appears to require, however, Misbah does not possess yet. But that may not be a big enough hurdle for the former Pakistan captain to cross if he does want to make the jump.

A report has detailed how Crystal Palace could be without star winger Michael Olise for even longer after his hamstring injury blow, which is set to keep him out for a minimum of two months as things stand.

Palace under pressure amid Hodgson sack rumours

Palace are facing the very real prospect of being relegated from the Premier League for the first time since their promotion around a decade ago.

"10/10" boss favourite to replace Hodgson as Crystal Palace search begins

Chairman Steve Parish is scouring for the Englishman’s successor.

ByEmilio Galantini Feb 6, 2024

Eagles supporters have already been in full voice protesting the club's leadership under chairman Steve Parish, but their dismal 4-1 derby loss away to Brighton has only intensified calls for manager Roy Hodgson to be given his P45.

“It was a bad start. That’s the last thing you really want – to be a goal down against Brighton, who are a very good team at home – but I thought in the first-half they outplayed us. We didn’t really get to grips with them in that half, and they were pretty much in control for that half," said Hodgson on Palace's loss to Brighton.

“The two goals which came in quick succession really made life almost impossible for us at half-time – how are we going to get back from this? – but I thought in the second-half the team did make a good effort to try and get back from it."

Reports suggest that Parish is actively seeking a replacement for Hodgson, and former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper is a firm favourite for the potentially vacant post.

Palace are just four points above the relegation zone heading into next week's clash with Chelsea. Adding insult to injury, only Burnley and Sheffield United, the division's bottom two sides, have managed fewer goals than Hodgson's men.

Nathaniel Clyne

6.37

Chris Richards

6.41

Sam Johnstone

6.44

Will Hughes

6.47

Joel Ward

6.48

There is also now the added complication of absences for key men, with both Olise and defender Marc Guehi set for a spell on the sidelines. The former was taken off after just 11 minutes with a hamstring problem which is expected to keep him out for two months minimum, but journalist Sami Mokbel of The Daily Mail has now explained how it could be even longer.

Rehab could extend Olise injury lay-off at Palace

Indeed, Mokbel claims Palace could be without Olise for longer than two months depending on his rehab, with the thought of that surely coming as a scary prospect for supporters given his injury is already a "huge blow".

The attacking midfielder boasts six goals and three assists in 11 appearances this season, and if wasn't for his various spells out, the numbers would be higher.