Cristiano Ronaldo sent his best wishes to Al-Nassr team-mates as he misses out on the club's AFC Champions League opener on Monday.
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Ronaldo shares message for team-mates and fansMisses out on AFC Champions League openerAl-Nassr face Al-Shorta in Baghdad on MondayWHAT HAPPENED?
The 39-year-old has been ruled out of the AFC Champions League clash against Iraq's Al-Shorta on Monday after being diagnosed with a viral infection. Ronaldo was advised to rest in Riyadh and as a result, he did not travel with the Al-Nassr squad to Baghdad.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Ahead of the Saudi club's AFC Champions League opener on Monday, the Portuguese icon sent his best wishes to his team-mates and also shared a message for his fans in Iraq who were eager to catch a glimpse of their idol.
WHAT CRISTIANO RONALDO SAID
Taking to Instagram, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star uploaded a team photo on his story and wrote, "Wishing my teammates the best of luck for the game and special message to all my fans in Iraq. Hope to see you all soon."
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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR CRISTIANO RONALDO?
The veteran forward will hope to recover before the club's next Saudi Pro League game which is against Al-Ettifaq on Friday night.
One year on, the coach reflected on the range of emotions thrown up by a crazy day
ESPNcricinfo staff13-Jul-2020On the eve of the one-year anniversary of last year’s extraordinary World Cup final, New Zealand coach Gary Stead has admitted there remains a “numb” feeling about the result which saw England win on boundary countback.The match was tied across the initial 50 overs after Ben Stokes could only manage a single off the final delivery having hauled England to the brink of victory with an innings that included six runs when the ball deflected off the back of his bat to the boundary – which subsequently emerged as an umpiring error – taking England from needing 9 off 3 to 3 off 2 balls.In the Super Over, England scored 15 then Jofra Archer kept New Zealand to the same score when Martin Guptill was run out on the final delivery meaning the title was decided by boundaries.”I do think about it a bit, I think everyone has really different emotions around it,” Stead said. “The thing that stands out for me is that it’s all a bit numb, really, in some ways but enormously proud of the way we played the whole tournament. As a Kiwi and as a supporter of the Blackcaps it was hard to be any more proud of the way they played and fought in that match.”I think there’s a wee bit of hurt from time to time and I guess any Kiwi fan is probably very much in that same boat. There’s no bitterness at all, we understood the rules going into the match. It’s a hard one because there’s some great emotions that came from that tournament as well, but unfortunately it was just that final hurdle we didn’t cross. It’s something I’m sure will drive the players to keep wanting to get better every day.”It’s gone pretty quick although a lot has happened in the world since then. We’ve certainly had some unsettling and difficult times. I think back, sometimes it feels like 10 years ago sometimes it feels like one minute ago. It’s certainly a match that evoked a lot of high and pretty good emotions around it if you take away that last ball or two.”Martin Guptill is inconsolable after being run out going for the second run that would have won New Zealand the match•Getty ImagesAsked if he had watched the match back, Stead said: “I haven’t watched it ball-by-ball. I know what happened, don’t worry. I don’t know if I will. Things like the Super Over comes on highlights now and again, but there’s only so many times you can watch it because you can’t change the result. The close results like that produce the spectacles you want in international cricket and for that you can thank England and the Blackcaps for the way they played that game.”Stead was speaking on the opening day of New Zealand’s first winter training camp as the men’s and women’s teams begin preparations for the new season. New Zealand has so far been successful in their battle against Covid-19 and confidence is high that a full home international season will take place with Stead indicating an early-to-mid November start. “By all accounts, what I’m hearing is that looks highly likely,” he said.Bangladesh, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Australia are all set to visit for men’s series under the Future Tours Programme although how exactly the season is structured could depend on what series are moved when the postponement of the T20 World Cup is confirmed.In February and March New Zealand are due to host the Women’s 50-over World Cup and it is the women’s team who are set to be back in action first with a tour to Australia starting in late September.The New Zealand players based in Wellington and the South Island will have three camps at Lincoln near Christchurch between now and early September while those based in the rest of the North Island will train at Mount Maunganui.
An "incredible" Newcastle United transfer target has informed his current club that he will be leaving this summer, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Newcastle transfer news
The Magpies are working hard on getting some important summer transfer business over the line, ahead of what could be a busy period of ins and outs at St James' Park.
Newcastle have been in talks with sealing the double signing of defensive pair Tosin Adarabioyo and Lloyd Kelly recently, with the pair expected to depart Fulham and Bournemouth on free transfers this summer respectively. Defensive additions are needed after injury woes in that area all season long, and Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles could even miss the rest of 2024 with serious knee issues.
Leicester City youngster Kasey McAteer has also emerged as a rumoured target for Eddie Howe, with the Foxes expected to be forced to sell the 22-year-old amid their financial struggles. The attacker is out of contract next summer, so now is the last chance to earn good money for him.
Then there's Aaron Ramsdale, who continues to be strongly linked with a move to St James' Pak before the start of next season. He wants to bring an end to his time at Arsenal, having warmed the substitutes' bench for much of this season, and a reunion with Howe looks like a good fit, with the pair working together at Bournemouth earlier in their careers.
"Incredible" Newcastle target leaving his club
According to Romano on X, Newcastle target Kelly has now told Bournemouth that he is leaving the club this summer, adding to the likelihood of him moving to the Magpies:
At this point, it would be a surprise if Kelly wasn't a Newcastle player by the time the opening fixture of the 2024/25 campaign rolls around. The 25-year-old's exit on a free is now no great secret, and the Magpies are seemingly focusing hard on getting a deal for him over the line.
While not necessarily the most shiny and high-profile of new signings, the £30,000-a-week defender is now an experienced Premier League player, making 54 appearances in the competition, and his ability to shine as both a centre-back and left-back is key to improved squad depth.
Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly.
Former Bournemouth boss Gary O'Neil has also spoken of his admiration for him in the past, hailing his performance up against Liverpool's Mohamed Salah last season: "I thought Lloyd was incredible. I think he had a 12-week ankle injury followed by a six-week calf injury. Didn't have much time in between, and then came back today having not trained much, to play left back against one of the best wingers in the world. I thought he showed everything, the potential he has to be a top defender."
Appearances
23
Starts
17
Clearances per game
2.6
Aerial duel wins per game
1.2
Tackles per game
1.0
Assists
1
Pass completion rate
77.6%
Kelly could be a shrewd addition who may end up being an effective member of the defence and the fact that he would arrive on a free transfer takes away the risk element of a hefty fee being paid.
Adam Wheater hits fifty as Surrey’s young quicks impress
ECB Reporters Network08-Aug-2020Feroze Khushi suggested Essex’s production line is in no danger of slowing down as the academy product celebrated his maiden first-class half-century on an even opening day against Surrey.Batsman Khushi was one of 10 homegrown talents in the Essex’s Bob Willis Trophy side to face Surrey as he struck 66 on his second appearance for the county.Adam Wheater, who along with Sam Cook was awarded his county cap before play, also reached fifty as Essex reached the close on 253 for seven.Surrey, who picked seven homegrown players of their own in their XI, proved their youth was also prospering as debutant Gus Atkinson, James Taylor and Amar Virdi all claimed wickets.Home skipper Tom Westley won the toss and elected to bat on a wicket which seemed identical to the one which produced a two-wicket thriller against Kent last week. That meant patient batting and accurate bowling was rewarded throughout the day.Availability-plagued Surrey had enjoyed the better of the morning session as two teenagers saw county champions Essex slump to 49 for three.Surrey have 14 players currently unavailable which forced them to add Sussex’s Laurie Evans and Worcestershire bowler Adam Finch on loan for this match. Quick Atkinson was handed a debut, having been at the county since Under-12 level, and it took him just five overs to make his mark on the first team.Nick Browne seemed to expect the ball to angle across him but was cramped as he squeezed the ball to Mark Stoneman at extra cover.James Taylor wasn’t offered a new contract at boyhood club Derbyshire last year, but their oversight has been to Surrey’s benefit. The seamer didn’t take a wicket in the defeat to Middlesex but scythed down Essex’s top order in two successive deliveries.Westley slashed outside off stump to nick behind to keeper Jamie Smith, the batsman distraught at his misjudgement. Varun Chopra then jabbed a beauty to Scott Borthwick at second slip to leave Essex 49 for 3.Khushi joined his boyhood hero Sir Alastair Cook, who had provided a no-thrills backbone to the batting. Cook reached 42, having added 49 with Khushi, but edged Virdi to first slip Rikki Clarke to a ball which turned nicely out the rough – Virdi’s third ball.Khushi then took centre stage with patience mixed with a dabble of strokeplay – specifically picking up whenever Virdi found himself straying a tad short. Khushi made his debut last week, where he scored a vital 45 in the chase of 202, including 86 with Cook.The 21-year-old had been given a life when he was put down by Will Jacks at gully on 16, but strode to an 84-ball fifty with a flick off his hips. But he saved the shots of the day until the next over when he twice whipped Taylor to the leg-side boundary.Khushi departed in a tame fashion which betrayed the rest of his innings, when he placed straight into Ryan Patel’s lap at midwicket off Virdi. Paul Walter, who replaced the injured Ryan ten Doeschate in the side, had put on 67 with Khushi and continued his work with Wheater. They added another 57 runs before Borthwick entered the attack and yorked the allrounder with his third ball.Wheater was unassuming in his run-scoring, especially with a relentlessly precise bowling attack, but reached his half-century in 94 balls. The wicketkeeper has started the Bob Willis Trophy in fine form, following 37 and a match completing 26 not out.He was dismissed attempting an extravagant cut off Clarke, which deflected to Evans at gully. Simon Harmer, Essex’s only non-local, saw out the last seven overs of the day with Aaron Beard.
Nearly three years after Raphael Varane announced himself as a new Manchester United player at Old Trafford, the French defender will be embarking on a new adventure.
The World Cup winner announced this week that he would be leaving the Red Devils at the end of the campaign, posting a video across his social media accounts.
Man United's Raphael Varane
During his time in the Premier League, the centre-back made 93 appearances for United, with 30 of those coming this campaign.
However, because of his never-ending injury cycle, it’s the right time to let the 31-year-old depart, and Sir Jim Ratcliffe is already eyeing up the perfect replacement for Varane.
Man Utd’s search for a Varane replacement
According to a recent report from GiveMeSport, Man United are plotting a move to sign the extremely highly-rated Leny Yoro from Lille.
The youngster has been absolutely immense for the Ligue 1 side this campaign, which has attracted the interest of Real Madrid in particular.
Lille defender Leny Yoro.
The French club have set the defender’s valuation at £52m, which could put the Spanish giant off and hand a window of opportunity to the Red Devils.
Jarrad Branthwaite has become the other notable defensive target for United, but if Madrid do not progress with their approach for Yoro, Ineos’ attention could switch to the French ace.
Yoro would be the perfect Varane replacement
It’s a well-known fact that the centre-back spot at Man United this season has become a problem position for Erik ten Hag.
Despite starting the season with six central defenders, fast forward to the last few weeks, and they’ve had just one fit player who operates in that role by trade – a veteran Jonny Evans.
Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez.
Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, and, of course, Varane, have all been absent due to injuries as of late, which has forced the boss into experimenting with Casemiro at the back.
Therefore, it’s no surprise to see that Ratcliffe is desperate to sign a reliable player like Yoro, who’s only missed one game all campaign.
Matches
31
21
Clean sheets
13
3
Pass accuracy (per game)
92%
89%
Passes completed (per game)
53.9
32.5
Touches (per game)
67.5
45
Tackles (per game)
1.1
0.9
Interceptions (per game)
1.1
0.7
Duels won % (per game)
64%
68%
Dribbled past (per game)
0.4
0.2
Nonetheless, as you can see from the table above, the 18-year-old has truly cemented himself as a key player for Lille and one of the biggest defensive prospects in Europe.
Over his 29 Ligue 1 starts, the number 15 has mainly become known for his fantastic technical ability, as highlighted by his touches, pass accuracy, and passes completed, which are all superior to Varane’s from this season.
Yoro also seems to be slightly more aggressive and proactive than Varane, hence his higher tackles and interceptions, but they both rank similarly in duels won % and dribbled past, which is remarkable considering the former Real Madrid ace has 13 years of extra experience on his side.
Furthermore, although the statistics suggest that he’s very similar to Varane, he’s also been labelled a “young [William] Saliba” by football analyst Ben Mattinson.
The analyst refers to the likeness of the two in regards to his “dominance” and “always being in control," while he further says that he’s an “elite potential CB” who can become “a potential all-timer" – a promising comparison considering that Saliba has formed part of the best defence in the division this season, conceding just 28 goals.
Overall, it’s clear that Man United have to move for Yoro this summer, and even at £52m, he has the potential to be an absolute bargain considering his quality and potential.
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GOAL takes a look at 20 highly-rated wonderkids who could thrive at the 2034 World Cup, which Saudi Arabia is bidding to host
Saudi Arabia has launched a hugely bold and exciting bid for the 2034 FIFA World Cup in 10 years’ time. However, the big question still remains: which young players will sparkle on the world’s grandest stage in 2034?
Here, GOAL takes a look at the young prospects playing now who could be at the very peak of their powers. From Euro 2024’s star boy, Lamine Yamal, to Saudi record-breaker, Talal Haji, this is our NXGN 20 for 2034.
Lamine Yamal might only be 17, but within the corridors of La Masia his name has been whispered for some time already. The talk has long been that Barcelona’s famed academy had done the seemingly impossible by conjuring up a worthy successor to Lionel Messi. At Euro 2024, he was perhaps the best player in the best team, and he will only be 26 when the 2034 World Cup begins.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesWarren Zaire-Emery (PSG, France, 18)
Nominally a defensive midfielder, Zaire-Emery is able to dictate games from a deep position while also showing a willingness to get forward and join in with attacks. His passing ability is already among the best in Europe, and Pep Guardiola is a noted fan, having tried to sign the teenager for Manchester City in the past.
Getty ImagesKobbie Mainoo (Manchester United, England, 19)
Finding reliable central midfielders has been one of Manchester United’s many issues over the past decade of discontent at Old Trafford, but it seems that in Kobbie Mainoo they may finally have produced a player who is capable of controlling games at the very highest level. At Euro 2024, he thrived for England, as they reached the final.
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gettyArda Guler (Real Madrid, Turkiye, 19)
Having emerged from the Fenerbahce academy in 2021, by the end of the 2021-22 campaign he had become the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer while earning comparisons to then team-mate Mesut Ozil. Some even went as far as to christen him ‘the Turkish Messi’ due to his dribbling ability and the way in which Guler was able to pick a pass even when in the tightest of spots, and he was soon snapped up by Spanish giants Real Madrid.
The fast bowler knows the success of the current attack will make it tough to earn a chance
Andrew McGlashan31-Aug-2020Josh Hazlewood is not expecting a starting place in Australia’s T20I side against England but retains the ambition to be a three-format player at international level.Hazlewood only has seven T20I caps to his name, the last of those when Australia were knocked out of the 2016 T20 World Cup by India, but with two back-to-back World Cups coming up, there is plenty of incentive.He showed his effectiveness when he returned to the Sydney Sixers colours in the latter stages of last season’s Big Bash League, claiming five wickets in five matches with an economy rate of 6.22 as the Sixers secured the title, in what was his first T20 cricket since that World Cup almost four years before. There is also an IPL with the Chennai Super Kings on the horizon.”That’s always the goal, to play every game of cricket you can for Australia,” he said. “It’s probably just through opportunity that I haven’t, guess scheduling as well plays a part. But the T20 team has been going really well and as you expect it’s stayed pretty much the same XI, they’ve been winning most of their games and it’s a tough side to get into.”I’ll keep pushing and take the opportunities as I did for the Sixers and hopefully for Chennai and hopefully keep knocking on the door.”Australia have won nine of their last 11 T20Is and in the annual update of the ICC rankings earlier this year went to No. 1 for the first time. Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Kane Richardson have been the frontline pace attack for much of that success playing seven of those 11 matches together and between them have 35 wickets.Josh Hazlewood runs in during Australia’s warm-up match•Getty ImagesDaniel Sams, the Sydney Thunder left-armer, and Hobart Hurricanes fast bowler Riley Meredith have also been included in the 21-man squad on the strength of their Big Bash returns.”I’m pretty aware of where I sit,” Hazlewood said. “The team keep winning and the guys are going well, especially the bowling unit.”Hazlewood is much more likely to feature in the ODIs having returned to that side during the one-day series in India in January after injury forced him to miss the 2019 World Cup. He felt he bowled “pretty well” in the intersquad 50-over match on Sunday as he continued to shake off the rust from five months of downtime.While Australia’s T20I side has enjoyed a strong run of results, Hazlewood knows they will have to overcome England’s enviable depth in white-ball cricket across both formats on the tour.”England are flying, [they have a] couple of new faces we’ve got to look at,” he said. “Tom Banton, I know I’ve seen [Dawid] Malan but he’s in the runs again. Eoin Morgan just runs a really steady ship and everyone knows their roles. They come in and their confidence is always high.”They have all bases covered in white-ball cricket, probably seen a bit more depth from them this year with having to have different players in the squads. They know their roles and the white-ball team is as good as ever.”The T20I series begins on September 4 with all three matches in Southampton followed by the three ODIs in Manchester.
Cristiano Ronaldo is being backed to make a sensational return to Manchester United at some stage, as he looks to “make amends for sour ending”.
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First linked up with Red Devils in 2003Returned in 2021 before being releasedTipped to take in third stint at Old TraffordFollow GOAL's official WhatsApp channel!Join nowWHAT HAPPENED?
The Portuguese superstar was put on a path to superstardom by the Red Devils after first moving to Old Trafford in 2003. It was during that spell in England that the all-time great won his first Champions League and Ballon d’Or honours.
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Ronaldo returned to Manchester in 2021, following memorable spells at Real Madrid and Juventus, but left under a cloud in November 2022 after seeing his contract terminated – following a falling out with Dutch coach Erik ten Hag. He has been in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr since then.
WHAT BROWN SAID
The evergreen 39-year-old has admitted that he still “loves” United and that could lead to another reunion in the future. Wes Brown, a former team-mate of CR7, has – speaking to , who offer the latest Champions League betting – said of a stunning retracing of steps: “When it comes to Cristiano Ronaldo returning to Manchester United in some capacity you can never say never. Obviously when he left the second time we were all disappointed because he had been one of United’s best ever players, it was disappointing how it ended and I think he could return to try and make amends for the sour ending. Even in his first season back at the club he scored over 20 goals. I think the exit was a bit over the top but for him to come back in some way. I’d love it.”
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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?
Ronaldo is into the final year of his contract at Al-Nassr, but has stated a desire to play on for some time yet and reach 1,000 career goals. He is being tipped for a move into coaching once hanging up his boots, which could open up another route back to Old Trafford.
With Anthony Martial's contract up and the Frenchman leaving Old Trafford this summer, Manchester United have reportedly turned their attention to landing an impressive replacement for the forward.
Man Utd transfer rumours
The Red Devils are in for a busy summer as Sir Jim Ratcliffe looks to help the club finally turn a corner and into the direction of success once and for all. The minority owner has quite the task on his hands on that front, however, following United's eight-place finish in the Premier League. That said, a shock victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final highlighted the bright sparks that United have to build from this summer in a transfer window they must get right.
Despite that FA Cup win, which made it two trophies in two seasons under Erik ten Hag, the Dutchman's Old Trafford future is still in doubt, with the likes of Gareth Southgate and Thomas Tuchel, among others, linked with the Manchester United job. And whoever is in charge next season could finally be handed an upgrade on Martial.
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According to Sky Sports' Florian Plettenberg, Manchester United have enquired about Benjamin Sesko and have a concrete interest in the RB Leipzig forward as they look to beat Chelsea and Arsenal to his signature. Any deal won't come cheap, however, given that Sesko's current release clause reportedly sits at as much as €65m (£55m) until the end of June and he earns a reported £58k-a-week.
As many wonder what might have been for Martial though, United may well find themselves splashing the cash once more to land a player who can become the striker they once believed the Frenchman would evolve into.
"Strong" Sesko scored more than Rashford last season
After a frustrating campaign which cost him his place in Southgate's England squad for the Euros this summer, Marcus Rashford will be desperate to return to his best form next season. And that's something Sesko can play a part in given just how clinical he is in front of goal.
Goals
14
7
Assists
2
2
Expected Goals
7.7
7.3
Key Passes
12
23
The Leipzig man already has some fans in the Premier League too with Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic telling Nogomania via The Metro: "I know [about the rumours] and have been following him. He’s having a good half-season, he’s in great scoring form.
RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko
"I read that he’s scored in his last seven matches in a row. He seems to have gained strong momentum for the Euros. He’s a forward who has everything a modern player needs. He’s tall, strong, fast and intelligent."
One of the areas where Manchester United need to add to the depth of their squad this summer is at centre-forward. Rasmus Hojlund is currently the only number nine at Old Trafford, and, despite an impressive debut season for the 21-year-old, has a big burden on his shoulders as United’s chief striker at such a young age.
During his first campaign as a Red Devil, United’s number 11 scored 16 goals and registered two assists in 43 games. That included ten strikes in 30 games in the Premier League, at an average of a goal every three games, and an impressive run of eight goals in seven games in the Premier League between December 2023 and February 2024.
In the Champions League, Hojlund performed well even though United crashed out at the group stages. He netted five times and was outscored by just five players, which is impressive given he was the only player to score five or more goals to get eliminated at the group stages.
The Dane’s first campaign at United was impressive and has given him something to build on next season. However, United still need a number nine this summer and have been linked with one player who could take some of Hojlund’s burden.
Man Utd target Serie A striker
The player in question here is Bologna and Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee. The former Bayern Munich player had an impressive season under Thiago Motta last term and has been linked with a move away from the club during the summer window.
According to a report from Sky in Italy via Sky Sports, the Red Devils are thought to be “keeping a close eye on developments” regarding Zirkzee’s future in Northern Italy, and he is thought to be “among a number of attacking options” that United are looking at.
Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee
However, Erik ten Hag’s side are not believed to be the only club interested in signing the 23-year-old. United’s Premier League rivals Arsenal are also thought to be looking at the Dutchman, but Italian giants AC Milan lead the way. The Rossoneri are thought to “remain in contact with his representatives” as per Sky Sports. Fellow Italian side Juventus are also interested.
A deal for Zirkzee would require interested clubs to activate his release clause, which is a reasonable £34m. He has two years left on his current deal at Bologna, but any offer which meets his exit clause means he will leave the club.
How Zirkzee would benefit Marcus Rashford
Despite missing out on the Netherlands’ 26-man squad for Euro 2024, Zirkzee’s campaign in 2023/24 was very impressive. He played 34 games for Bologna in Serie A, scoring 11 times and registering five assists. He also scored once and assisted two goals in three Italian Cup matches.
Football analyst Ben Mattinson described Zirkzee on X as “one of the most intelligent” strikers in the game right now, explaining how the Dutchman is a “facilitator of build-up play” and has “elite spatial awareness”, two key attributes of the forward's game which have been on show at Bologna all season long.
Indeed, Zirkzee is an excellent link player, able to drop deep to facilitate teammates and help spring passes forwards, before getting into the penalty box on the end of passes. This is reflected in his Fbref stats, with a tally of 2.81 progressive passes per 90 minutes showing just how well he can help progress play forward. It places the attacker in the top 17% of strikers in Europe. He also averages 0.91 passes into the penalty box per 90, which ranks him in the top 20% of strikers. His link-up play is second to very few.
This is certainly something that could benefit Marcus Rashford. The Englishman has played his best football on the left wing, partnered with a striker who is able to drop deeper and facilitate his explosive runs from out to in, driving towards the penalty box.
Manchester United's Marcus Rashford.
This was something on show with Wout Weghorst in 2022/23 but is also the reason Rashford had such a successful partnership with Anthony Martial, who has recently left Old Trafford following the expiration of his contract.
The Frenchman is a master at dropping deeper, pulling defenders away to create space and allowing teammates to bounce the ball off him.
His superb link-up player is a standout feature of his game, something noted in an article by Breaking the Lines in 2020. Rashford and Martial’s joint record shows how well they linked up. The Englishman has combined with Martial for goals more than any other player.
Games
193
Scored by Rashford, assisted by Martial
7
Scored by Martial, assisted by Rashford
14
Total
21
This is something that Zirkzee could bring to Old Trafford once more. He is also superb at dropping deep, pulling defenders away and linking play up. The Dutchman would help vacate space for Rashford to drive into the penalty box and get his shot away, his most effective method of finding the back of the net.
His heatmap, courtesy of SofaScore, from the 2023/24 Serie A season shows just how often he drops deeper, almost into a second-striker role. This would allow Rashford to explode because he can attack the space the 23-year-old has helped to create.
Zirkzee’s 2.28 live ball shot-creating actions per 90 minutes show just how much of a benefit he could be to Rashford. He ranks in the top 17% of strikers in Europe for this last season, a really impressive attribute, largely because of how easily he can help create something out of nothing.
Signing the Bologna star would allow United to get a lot more than a striker who scores goals. He is a different profile to Hojlund, who is a proficient channel runner, and an expert in the penalty box. Zirkzee adds depth and gets the best out of one of United’s best players, Rashford.
For a fee of just £34m, it seems like a very good deal for INEOS to do. Of course, the competition from the likes of Arsenal and Milan would be tough, but the Dutchman is a player who could elevate the United squad to new heights, and help Rashford rediscover his best form.
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