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Mic'd Up: The Apple TV analyst breaks down Inter Miami’s MLS Cup win, explains why Messi still decides everything, backs MLS’s move to a fall-spring calendar, and tips LA Galaxy to rebound in 2026.

Bradley Wright-Phillips got it wrong. He will be the first to admit it. The New York Red Bulls legend tried to get clever with the MLS Cup. He saw the Vancouver Whitecaps throughout the season and said they would beat Inter Miami in the final. 

"Vancouver are probably, on their day, the best team in the league. I'm talking about every position. They're so flipping good, man. I actually had them as favorites to win, like an idiot," the former New York Red Bulls star says to GOAL, before pausing.

"But it doesn't matter against Miami."

That turned out to be a pretty succinct summary of the final, which Miami won 3-1. Vancouver played better. But Lionel Messi is Lionel Messi, and he makes a difference pretty much every time. 

"Watching him play the last two games of the season, that's the quietest I've seen him still. He still had a very big impact. That is the difference between him and the rest of us mere mortals. He can quickly go by two players, get his head up, and play the perfect ball in for an assist," he says

But for Wright Phillips, who works for Apple TV as an analyst and has been a stalwart of the American soccer scene for nearly 15 years, there's more to think about. Most of it is in the future. MLS announced a switch to a fall-spring calendar. He loves it. 

"It just makes sense. I think we're going to hear what the rest of the world is saying in terms of the transfer window. It gives us here in America the chance to get those big players, to compete with the rest of Europe and the rest of the world," he adds.

And then there's next season to think about – already. Every year, MLS shifts. Sure, Miami and Vancouver will be around. But LA Galaxy, he thinks, will be back to their best after a rotten campaign. 

Wright-Phillips looked back at the MLS Cup final and made some far-too-early predictions for the 2026 season in another edition of Mic'd Up, GOAL’s recurring feature that brings the perspective of analysts, announcers, and other voices on the state of soccer in the U.S. and beyond. 

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  ON MLS CUP

  GOAL: What'd you think of the MLS Cup final?

  WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: The final was a spectacle. It was brilliant, the setup, the occasion, the two teams. The potential of it was unbelievable, to be the biggest game in MLS Cup history. Yeah, just what was surrounding. I thought both teams deserved to get to the final. Normally, when you get an MLS Cup, it's one team that's kind of stumbled through the playoffs, played really defensively. They could have finished ninth in the East and got to the final [through their defense]. Both teams, for me, were good and strong and deserved to be there. 

  And it's obviously Alba and Busquets' last game. You get Messi versus Muller. So that part was amazing. I thought the actual match itself wasn't great. You're in the final. You don't want to lose. MLS Cup is on the line. So I thought that showed on the pitch, and it just turned into a fight, almost. But I enjoyed it. It was good to see Messi and Co. roll their sleeves up and really see the nasty side of them. I think it became a game of whoever could take their chances. I always say when you play against Inter Miami, it doesn't matter what they're playing like, if you don't score two or more goals, you're probably not winning that game. Vancouver had some chances and didn't take them. When you're playing against Messi and these superstars, they're gonna punish you.

  GOAL: Is it fair to say that Vancouver might have been better on the day?

  WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: Vancouver were a better team. They were a better football team than [Inter Miami]. I said this on the shows before the final. They're a better football team. Vancouver are probably, on their day, the best team in the league. I'm talking about every position. They're so flipping good, man. I actually had them as favorites to win, like an idiot. For an hour, in the middle of that game. But it doesn't matter against Miami. 

  GOAL: Javier Mascherano talked about the "efficiency" of Leo Messi to win it. What did you make of his performance?

  WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: I think that's quite a nice way of summing it up. The perfect word is efficiency. Messi, for the last two games, wasn't that good. But he has an impact on the game. He needs to get the ball in a certain area. He'll do a bit of magic, play a ball in, and end up leaving the game with two assists. Watching him play the last two games of the season, that's the quietest I've seen him still. He still had a very big impact. That is the difference between him and the rest of us mere mortals. He can quickly go by two players, get his head up, and play the perfect ball in for an assist. I don't think he was good in terms of, like, a whole 90-minute game.

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  ON CHANGES IN MLS

  GOAL:  Looking ahead, though. Fall-Spring calendar: what do you make of that? Is that the kind of thing you wish you'd had? Or did you not think about it?

  WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: No, I wish we did have that. Coming from England and playing in England last part of my career, I always enjoyed, like, a summer break. When I would go home through MLS seasons, I would have to go at Christmas. It was cold. Family members are still working or quite busy, you know? But for summer, it's a better time, especially for my kids as well. They're off school. They can hang out for a bit longer. 

  And for the league, it just makes sense. I think we're going to hear what the rest of the world is saying in terms of the transfer window. It gives us here in America the chance to get those big players to compete with the rest of Europe and the rest of the world. It makes sense. And also international breaks. We're losing players due to FIFA windows. It doesn't make sense. In big games in the season, you need your best players. There are a lot of advantages to it, and I definitely welcome it.

  GOAL: What other changes would you like to see?

  WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: I think when I first came over, the salary cap. But I'm so used to all of this stuff. The league is improving all the time, and I don't think there needs to be a rush in anything. I think it's going at a great pace. I've said before, the league is 30 years old. How quick has this thing moved? It's probably a top 10 league in the world. Some people would argue higher. So I think it's going in the right direction. I just think you have to keep developing the players in the academies. But just as important are the coaches. Yeah, this year, we saw some first-time MLS coaches in the MLS Cup. 

  I think we've got to get away from just reverting to legends all the time. And respect, there are still some legends that will do a great coaching job. But I think MLS has gone away from just saying, "Okay, let's just go and get him. Let's just go and get him." I don't want to name names, because still, some of them are very good, but I think we know where I'm going. You need to see Jesper Sorensens get into a final, even Javier Mascherano. He's got a super team, but it's not easy to coach those players. 

  I remember Inter Miami just looking like the Harlem Globetrotters during the first quarter of the season. They were fun to watch, but they were terrible defensively. They had no structure, just heavily reliant on Leo Messi and Luis Suarez. But when you watch them towards the end of the season, they almost sacrifice some football, drop Suarez, and they were a team that looked structured, difficult to beat. The final was a perfect example of that. It wasn't pretty, but they're hard to beat. They're going to fight, and then they have those game changers when they need them. The coaching for me is levels above where it's ever been.

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  ON WHO WILL TAKE A STEP FORWARD NEXT SEASON

  GOAL: Who's the team that's going to take the biggest step forward next year?

  WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: I'm leaving out all the teams that I think are good. So the teams that you saw end the season well: the San Diegos, Inter Miamis, LAFC, I'm leaving those out. But I'll say LA Galaxy. I think LA Galaxy was terrible last year, under the level that we're used to seeing them at. But I think they'll have a good transfer window. They got Riqui Puig coming back. I think we see them competing again.

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  ON WHO WILL TAKE A STEP BACK

  GOAL: So who goes the opposite way? Or who overperformed a little?

  WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: I always worry about, and they never live up to expectations, is Austin. They came into the league with a bang, and because of that, there's always a big expectation. But I still don't think they figured out a true identity over there. I don't think they figured out what they really want to be yet. I don't think they've got the right DPs in to me. They just don't convince me. And I thought last year they just a bit, they kind of just about figured it out towards the end of the season, but it wasn't good enough. 

Melbourne Renegades paid for giving the former Australia captain a life in what became a one-sided derby

AAP29-Nov-2025Meg Lanning made Melbourne Renegades pay dearly for a dropped catch, spearheading Stars to a massive WBBL derby win.Lanning carried her bat through Stars’ innings, scoring 73, and was player of the match as they dominated for a 45-run win on Saturday in bleak, late-spring conditions at Junction Oval.Related

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Stars’ first win in four Melbourne derbies gave them top spot, one point ahead of Hobart Hurricanes, who were to host Perth Scorchers on Saturday night. It sets up a pivotal clash on Monday, when Hurricanes host Stars.While Stars posted their fourth-straight win, Renegades were well off the form that took them to last season’s title.Renegades’ fielding in particular let them down, most glaringly when Lanning was on 27 and cut Sarah Coyte to Deandra Dottin at backward point. Dottin grassed the straightforward chance and it proved a pivotal moment in the game.The previous ball, excellent glovework from Nicole Faltum had Amy Jones stumped off Georgia Wareham for 43 to break a dangerous stand of 62 with Lanning.Lanning hit seven fours and a six in her 58-ball knock. Captain Annabel Sutherland whacked two sixes off consecutive balls from Coyte on her way to a quickfire 27.In the same over, Alice Capsey and Naomi Stalenberg collided when chasing a ball and Lanning contributed a third six off the hapless Coyte.Stars’ Georgia Prestwidge caught Renegades’ malaise, dropping an easy chance from Dottin on the first ball of the innings. But fellow opener Courtney Webb spooned the easiest of return catches to Marizanne Kapp soon after and Renegades lost wickets steadily.Sasha Moloney took a scorching catch at backward point to claim the crucial wicket of Wareham for a first-ball duck off Maisy Gibson. Dottin and Faltum made 23 and Gibson claimed 3 for 17 from 2.3 overs.The undoubtable shining light for Renegades in the dreary conditions was Milly Illingworth, who snared 3 for 19 from four overs.Stars will now lose Kapp to South African international duties, while Sophie Molineux was a key absentee for Renegades.

The former England quick, who will be a pundit in Australia, has joined those making some feisty pre-series comments

AAP15-Oct-20252:00

Why Miller is willing to bet on an England Ashes win

Stuart Broad has lit the fuse for a fiery summer, declaring Australia’s team is the worst they have rolled out for an Ashes series in 15 years.Almost six weeks out from the first Test in Perth, Broad joined the chorus of English voices talking up the tourists’ chances. In the past fortnight, Zak Crawley has claimed the term Bazball “winds” Australia up, while Joe Root has suggested this is his best chance to win Down Under.Former England captain Michael Atherton has suggested Australia are panicking with Pat Cummins’ injury, and Scott Boland no longer creates fear for the tourists.Related

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But amidst all the bravado coming out of England, Broad’s comments will grab the most attention, given he spent 15 years as Australia’s arch-nemesis before retiring after the 2023 Ashes.In the last 20 years, in home series Australia have swept England 5-0 in 2006-07 and 2013-14, as well as claiming 4-0 victories in 2017-18 and 2021-22.The 2010-11 summer is the only blemish on that home record over the past two decades, beaten 3-1 at a time when the Australian team was in a state of transition.Broad claimed the current Australian squad appeared to be in a similar state, having played in the 2010-11 series as well as England’s three series defeats in Australia since then.”It’s probably the worst Australian team since 2010 when England last won, and it’s the best English team since 2010,” Broad, who is now working as a pundit, said on his BBC Podcast hosted with Jos Buttler.”It’s actually not an opinion, it’s fact. So those things match up to the fact it’s going to be a brilliant Ashes series.”Broad’s comments came in response to David Warner claiming Australia would win 4-0, because they were playing for the Ashes while England are “playing for a moral victory”.Broad pointed to questions over the make up of Australia’s batting line-up. He also pointed to perceived lack of bowling depth, with Cummins having conceded he is unlikely to play in the first Test.Stuart Broad had a legendary Ashes career•Getty Images

“When have we ever, since 2010, been discussing who is going to bat No.1, 2, 3, 6, 8 and who is going to be the spare bowler for Australia,” Broad said. “You’re always go in there going: ‘well,the Aussies, they’re really strong. They’ve just got the same bowlers, the same team’.”But in 2010, when they were trying to replace [Glenn] McGrath, [Shane] Warne, [Matthew] Hayden, [Justin] Langer, they didn’t have a spinner. They changed the seamers all the time, and they had a bit of a mixed match of batters.”So I don’t think anyone could argue that it’s their weakest team since 2010.”Australian players have said England’s team is the best they have sent out in some time, with the high-octane pace duo of Mark Wood and Jofra Archer both fit.Questions do remain over how England will manage that pair, who have spent long stints on the sideline with injuries.Root also arrives as the No.1-ranked batter in the world, but he is yet to score a century or win a Test in Australia across three visits.Harry Brook headlines a list of younger England talents, after scoring 10 hundreds in his first 50 Test innings at a strike-rate of 87.52.

“Leave the football before the football leaves you.” That was the sentence Jamie Carragher reserved for a certain Manchester United player by the name of Casemiro back in May 2024.

It’s safe to say that the Brazilian, once a football legend, a serial winner at Real Madrid, had seen his powers wane.

He was making countless mistakes, looked like he was running through treacle and was the shadow of a player who had featured on 336 occasions for Madrid.

18 months on and Casemiro looks like a legandary player again. He may not be capable of featuring for a period of 90 minutes but the 2025/26 campaign has arguably been his best since moving to Old Trafford.

The 33-year-old is making a huge impact, notably scoring on three occasions and registering an assist. He’s finally come good in United colours.

However, the fact that he can’t last 90 minutes is the problem. His backup in the shape of Manuel Ugarte continues to struggle.

Why it's time for Ugarte to leave Man Utd

In the summer of 2024, INEOS spent a great deal on bringing the bullish Uruguayan to Old Trafford, as much as £42m.

He was seen as the heir to Casemiro, someone who could fix their lack of energy and tenacity in the middle of the park.

The big Brazilian was floundering and the more minute Ugarte was here to fix the problem. Yet, he has been more of a hindrance, particularly as Casemiro has returned to form.

So far this term, the midfield veteran has only completed one 90 minutes in the Premier League and in a bid to see out the game, Ruben Amorim has usually tried to rely on Ugarte. However, the South American has been anything but reliable.

With the 24-year-old out of the team, the Red Devils have scored 15 goals at a rate of twice per 90 and have conceded eight times, once per 90 minutes.

However, with Ugarte in the team, Amorim’s side have scored just four times, 1.3 per 90 minutes and have shipped ten goals, a whopping 3.2 per 90.

The data is clear; United are a poorer side when the big-money midfielder is in the team. While he has come on and helped his teammates to victories over Chelsea, Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton, he has also come on and been a hindrance.

When he entered the action at the weekend in the 2-2 draw with Spurs, it was 1-0 to United at the time. In the 3-1 defeat to Brentford, he came on at 2-1. During the 1-1 draw with Fulham, Amorim’s charges were leading 1-0 when Ugarte was brought off the bench. To make matters worse, he also started the 3-0 loss to rivals Manchester City.

So, why do things go so wrong when he’s on the field? Well, his inability to break up the play and anticipate what happens on the field is a huge issue. That was seen during the draw with Spurs on Saturday when Ugarte simply let Wilson Odobert breeze past him in the build-up to Mathys Tel’s equaliser.

With Kobbie Mainoo on the bench, it does beg the question, why Ugarte? While the Uruguay international is the more traditional holding midfielder, they need more energy and legs when Casemiro heads to the bench. Mainoo would bring that in abundance.

Saying that, the academy graduate isn’t the only Ugarte solution up Amorim’s sleeve. Another future superstar at Carrington is getting ready to make an impact.

Man United's surprise Ugarte replacement

Cutting their losses on the former PSG player would be disastrous from a business point of view but it really does feel as though United need a refresh in midfield.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Casemiro has made great improvements this term but he is not getting any younger and if INEOS are planning to spend big in the future then it must be in a central area.

Players like Brighton superstar Carlos Baleba and Nottingham Forest’s Geordie midfielder, Elliot Anderson, have both been linked with a move. They would be fabulous signings too.

Yet, a ready-made solution could present itself at Carrington. In the form of 19-year-old Sekou Kone, United may well have already signed their dream replacement for Ugarte.

Kone arrived at Man United in the summer of 2024. He was not a marquee arrival, far from it. There was very little fanfare for a teenager who had signed in a £1m deal from Malian side Guidars FC.

An exciting midfield player, the youngster had attracted the attention of United scouts during Mali’s run to the semi-finals of the U17 World Cup in 2023. Since then, he has failed to earn any senior game time under Amorim but he looks like a mighty fine prospect.

Kone featured on 14 occasions for the U21s last season but his prospects of football in 2025/26 have so far been dampened by a fractured eye socket. He has played just one match in the opening exchanges of the ongoing campaign but he is now back in training and first-team training at that. Amorim has already shelved plans of a loan spell, such is the potential in this young midfield player.

So, what’s he all about? Well, a defensive midfielder by trade, he is “uber composed on the ball and so press resistant” in the words of Como scout, Ben Mattinson.

Mattinson continued: “He’s got a tight turn radius and rides challenges well when carrying the ball.” On that evidence, he certainly sounds more promising than Ugarte.

He possesses an exciting ball-winning prowess and has an enormous physical ceiling that Mattinson suggests “is something Manchester United need more of in order for Amorim’s man-to-man press to work effectively.”

On that evidence, it’s hardly a surprise that fellow scout, Antonio Mango, has explained that Kone has “the skillset to be a beast under Amorim.”

This is a player who doesn’t just look capable of ending Ugarte’s career at Old Trafford, but potentially also Casemiro’s.

MatériaMais Notícias

Com a Vila Belmiro emprestada, o São Paulo venceu o Red Bull Bragantino por 1 a 0. Um resultado positivo para a equipe de Bragança seria essencial para o time disparar na briga pelo título do Campeonato Brasileiro, mas o pênalti convertido por Erison atrapalhou o caminho de Pedro Caixinha. Com o resultado, o Tricolor soma os tão sonhados 45 pontos na tabela e está na 9ª colocação. O Bragantino, por sua vez, segue com 59, em terceiro lugar.

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CINCO LANCES QUE MARCARAM A PARTIDA

>SEGURA, RAFAEL! A partida começou agitada. Logo no primeiro minuto de jogo, a lei do ex quase foi posta em prática. Mosquera começou com uma jogada pela esquerda e Helinho chutou de primeira. O ex-São Paulo só não abriu o placar graças a grande defesa de Rafael.

>QUE PANCADA! Ainda no primeiro tempo, Luciano assustou a defesa do Bragantino. O camisa 10 soltou a bomba após receber um belo passe de Juan. Para a sorte da equipe de Bragança, Cleiton defendeu.

>COMO PERDEU ESSA? Michel Araujo perdeu uma chance inacreditável. O jogador teve o caminho limpo por Arboleda e ficou cara a cara com o gol. Porém, o uruguaio se atrapalhou e desperdiçou a oportunidade de abrir o placar.

>QUE PRESSÃO! No segundo tempo, o Bragantino chegou muito perto de balançar as redes depois de uma forte pressão em cima do Tricolor. Sasha tentou um voleio, que parou na marcação são-paulina.

>CAIU NA ÁREA, É PÊNALTI! Se o jogo pouco prometia, ao apagar das luzes tudo mudou. Praticamente no final do confronto, Caio Paulista foi derrubado na área por Thalisson. A arbitragem assinalou pênalti para o Tricolor e Erison converteu com sucesso, garantindo os três pontos.

COMO FOI O PRIMEIRO TEMPO?

Mesmo que o Red Bull Bragantino tenha assustado ainda no primeiro minuto da partida, com uma finalização perigosa de Helinho, que foi muito bem defendida por Rafael, o primeiro tempo pertenceu totalmente ao São Paulo. Luciano quase marcou após receber um bom passe de Juan, mas Cleiton defendeu. Aos 22 minutos, Alisson aproveitou uma sobra deixada após uma cobrança de falta de Wellington Rato, tentou um chute com a direita, mas a bola foi para fora.

Mas a melhor chance pertenceu a Michel Araujo, que perdeu um gol praticamente ‘feito’. Quase no final do primeiro tempo, Arboleda venceu uma disputa com Juninho Capixaba e Cleiton. Livre, Michel Araujo se atrapalhou e perdeu a dividida com o defensor do Bragantino.

Embora o Tricolor tenha criado as melhores chances da partida, não conseguiu converter nenhuma em gol. Assim, a primeira etapa terminou em 0 a 0.

E A ETAPA FINAL?

O Bragantino voltou do intervalo com outra postura para a partida. Pressionando mais o São Paulo, arriscou algumas finalizações logo no começo do segundo tempo, mas todas salvas por Rafael. Sasha chegou a arriscar um voleio, mas parou na marcação do Tricolor. Com o passar do tempo, o jogo foi perdendo um pouco a intensidade. Erison até tentou uma finalização após uma arrancada em busca do primeiro gol do São Paulo no confronto, mas nem ameaçou.

A emoção começou quase no final do jogo. Aos 45 minutos, Caio Paulista foi derrubado na área por Thalisson. A arbitragem de vídeo analisou e marcou a penalidade máxima para o Tricolor. Erison ficou responsável pela cobrança e garantiu a vitória da equipe.

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OS NÚMEROS DA PARTIDA

O QUE VEM POR AÍ?

O São Paulo chegou aos 45 pontos na tabela e agora respira tranquilo no Brasileiro. A equipe joga no domingo (12), contra o Santos, mais uma vez na Vila Belmiro. Já o Bragantino se frustra após desperdiçar a chance de disparar na luta pelo título do Brasileiro. O time joga no domingo (12), contra o Botafogo, em confronto direto por esta luta. A partida será em Bragança, no Nabizão.

FICHA TÉCNICA
SÃO PAULO 1 x 0 BRAGANTINO

Local: Vila Belmiro, em Santos (SP)
Data e hora: 08/11/2023 (quarta-feira), às 20h (de Brasília)
Árbitro: Flavio Rodrigues de Souza (SP-Fifa)
Assistentes: Danilo Ricardo Simon Manis (SP-Fifa) e Miguel Cataneo Ribeiro da Costa (SP)
VAR: Rodrigo Guarizo Ferreira do Amaral (SP-VAR-Fifa)
Público e renda: 11.948 torcedores e R$ 1.135.233,00
Cartões amarelos: Juan, Gabriel Neves (SAO), Helinho, Lucas Evangelista (RBB)
Cartões vermelhos: –
Gols: Erison (1-0)

SÃO PAULO
Rafael; Rafinha, Arboleda, Beraldo e Welington (Caio Paulista, 1´/2ºT); Pablo Maia, Alisson, Wellington Rato (David, aos 22´/2ºT)e Michel Araujo (Gabriel Neves, aos 25´/2ºT); Luciano (Nathan, aos 33´/2ºT) e Juan (Erison, 25´/2ºT).

RED BULL BRAGANTINO
Cleiton; Aderlan, Léo Realpe, Léo Ortiz; Juninho Capixaba, Matheus (Thiago Borbas, ao 1´/2ºT), Jadsom, Lucas Evangelista; Henry Mosquera (Vitinho, ao 1´/2ºT), Sasha e Helinho (Talisson, aos 25´/2ºT).

The pace bowler continued his remarkable Test career with a hat-trick but when his next appearance will be remains unclear

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff15-Jul-2025Scott Boland could lay claim to being Australia’s unluckiest ever cricketer, after adding a Test hat-trick to a magical late-career surge since his famous 2021 Boxing Day debut.Statistically the best Test bowler in more than 100 years, Boland became just the 10th Australian man to take a hat-trick on Monday in Jamaica.His haul came on a record-breaking day for the tourists, who bowled West Indies out for just 27 to wrap up a 176-run win and 3-0 sweep of the Frank Worrell Trophy.Related

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Mitchell Starc was the chief destroyer with 6 for 9 up front, but Boland again vindicated the selectors’ call to go with four quicks and leave out a fit Nathan Lyon for the first time in 12 years.Boland later joked about who might get the match ball. “There was talk of cutting it in half,” he told reporters. “100 Tests and 400 wickets. He can have it.”Boland’s inclusion also allowed him to join Glenn McGrath as the only paceman to play for Australia after his 36th birthday in the last 60 years.In Australia’s 39 Tests since his 2021 debut, Boland has played just 14 of them for a hat-trick, 6 for 7 on debut in 2021 and 10-wicket match haul in Sydney last summer. All of it prompting Starc to label the seamer one of the unluckiest men to ever wear the Baggy Green”He would have played so many more Test matches in another team,” Starc said. “But every time he comes in he is on the money, like we saw this week. He is never far from the perfect length.”He is preparing all the time to play, and this week he got his opportunity and showed what a wonderful Test bowler he is.”When Boland’s next Test will come remains unclear. Selectors have repeatedly shown that Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins maintain top billing in Australia’s squad, with Boland only picked ahead of any of them once.The final three Tests of this summer’s Ashes will be played over a 23-day window, potentially opening door for Boland to come in if one of the big three are rested.Otherwise he could be forced to wait again, despite having the sixth-best bowling average in Test history (minimum 50 wickets) with 16.53, and the best of any bowler in the past 100 years.Boland has been close to hat-tricks before, but nailed his execution in Kingston when he took the top of Jomel Warrican’s off stump.Peter Siddle was the last Australian to do it in Tests and quickly sent Boland a message. “Welcome to the club.”He had previously discarded Justin Greaves and Shamar Joseph, edging the former off before having Joseph trapped lbw on review.”Today was three classic Scotty Boland wickets,” Cummins said. “Three right at the stumps or not far away. Really happy for him. He has spent a lot of time running the drinks in the past year or two when the other guys are fit, but he is always quality when he comes in.”

Manchester United are in a perilous position with Ruben Amorim in charge, and it is no surprise that they are considering alternative bosses at Old Trafford.

Manchester United's potential alternatives to Ruben Amorim

Inconsistent results have led the Red Devils to a lowly plight in the bottom half of the Premier League, and club chiefs are now casting an eye to alternatives should Amorim be relieved of his duties.

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has been earmarked by Manchester United, and Steve Parish is doing all he can to see the German coach remain in the capital.

Nevertheless, Paul Merson believes the Red Devils should go in a different direction, claiming the 51-year-old’s preferred formation wouldn’t align with the squad available at Old Trafford.

He stated via The Express: “Let’s say Ruben Amorim was manager at Palace now, he’d have half a chance of being a success. Palace have the players to play three at the back. They have the attributes in their squad to play in that system. For me, that’s why I’d be concerned about Glasner going to Man United.

“He’s a three-at-the-back man, and it is being proven that it is a system that just doesn’t fit the players at Man United. Glasner is not a good fit for Man United. Of course, I’m sure he’d be adaptable, and he’s proven with how he handles the players, but the system he uses is just all wrong for United. Amorim can tell you that.”

Michael Carrick has been mentioned in media circles, albeit he is probably one for the future, though one of his compatriots is now believed to be firmly in the running should Amorim be discarded over the coming weeks.

Gareth Southgate makes two demands to Man Utd

According to The Sun, former England manager Gareth Southgate has asked Manchester United for two key demands as he becomes a potential candidate to succeed Amorim.

First off, the 55-year-old, who was hailed for his underappreciated “ruthless” streak by John Stones, has made it clear he wants time to piece together a long-term roadmap to success, something he believes could take four years to master before the Red Devils are Champions League regulars once again.

Amorim forced into Man Utd changes v Sunderland as Wilcox and Berrada feelings shared

Amorim could make some big changes.

By
Callum Kemp

Oct 3, 2025

Reticent to commit before his guarantees are fulfilled, he also wants INEOS to back him through all phases of his plan without fail, creating a sense of unity among all parties as Manchester United look to establish themselves among the elite once again.

The ex-Three Lions coach hasn’t managed at club level since his spell at Middlesbrough between 2006 and 2009. However, his time in charge of England was largely successful, reaching back-to-back European Championship finals and finishing fourth in the World Cup in 2018.

Given his ability to build sides capable of deep runs involving some of the world’s best talent, he may be the ideal man to get more out of Manchester United’s faltering players.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras venceu o Vasco por 1 a 0, neste domingo (27), no Allianz Parque, mas um dos assuntos do dia foi uma possível proposta do Al-Ittihad-SAU por Gustavo Gómez. No entanto, mesmo com a negativa da presidente Leila Pereira sobre vender o zagueiro nesta janela, a notícia foi repercutida na coletiva de Abel Ferreira, que admitiu a oferta gigantesca financeiramente, mas aproveitou para rasgar elogios ao seu jogador.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasVÍDEO: Assista aos melhores momentos da vitória do Palmeiras sobre o Vasco no BrasileirãoPalmeiras27/08/2023PalmeirasATUAÇÕES: Em noite apática do Palmeiras, Raphael Veiga tira ‘coelho da cartola’ para dar vitória contra o VascoPalmeiras27/08/2023PalmeirasAbel Ferreira fala em entrevista coletiva, após vitória do Palmeiras no BrasileirãoPalmeiras27/08/2023

+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

No papo com os jornalistas após o jogo, o técnico do Verdão comentou os valores “absurdos” da proposta que seu capitão teria recebido do mercado saudita. No entanto, fez questão de destacar o comportamento dele após essa montanha de dinheiro.

+ Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00. Bebida gelada nos 90′ de jogo do Verdão!

– Como digo aquilo que penso, são números absurdos para o jogador e para o clube. mas temos uma líder que toma decisões. O que posso dizer do Gómez, é que nunca tive um profissional como ele, de caráter como ele. Fico feliz que o resto do grupo reconheça essa liderança. Se fosse outro jogador, teria outro comportamento.

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– Minha admiração já era grande por ele, quando eu cheguei ele já era capitão. Posso dizer aos nosso torcedores, que escolheram o melhor capitão que poderiam ter. Tenho uma admiração muito profunda por ele, que jogou hoje como se fosse a primeira vez. É um exemplo pra mim, para os mais jovens e para os outros colegas – completou.

+ ATUAÇÕES: Em noite apática do Palmeiras, Raphael Veiga tira ‘coelho da cartola’ para dar vitória contra o Vasco

Abel ainda falou do quanto Gustavo Gómez trabalha diariamente e chegou a compará-lo com Cristiano Ronaldo pelas renúncias que faz para estar sempre em alto nível.

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– Se um dia quiser ver o que é trabalhar a sério, eu nunca vi como nada parecido na minha carreira de treinador, nem de jogador. Não digo que os outros não façam, mas o que ele renuncia, eu nunca vi na minha vida. Não conheço o Cristiano Ronaldo, mas conheço o Gómez e sei o que ele faz. Merece todo esse dinheiro, porque é fora de série – concluiu o treinador.

Opener’s stand of 143 with Toby Albert gave visitors a shot at their 377 target before bad light intervened

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay14-Apr-2025 Hampshire 219 (Prest 44, Gubbins 43, Worrall 3-37) and 300 for 5 (Gubbins 117, Albert 78*, Clark 2-39) drew with Surrey 253 (Sibley 100*, Wheal 4-65) and 342 for 9 dec (Sibley 105, Smith 84, Pope 65) Nick Gubbins and Toby Albert were Hampshire’s heroes as they denied Surrey’s last day attempt to force a first victory of the new Rothesay County Championship season at the Kia Oval.Gubbins scored a five-hour 117 and Albert an equally defiant 78 not out as Hampshire, starting the day on 35 for 3 in their second innings in pursuit of a 377-run win target, finished on 300 for 5.Bad light actually had the final say, forcing the players from the field for what turned out to be the loss of four overs, when 10 overs were left and Hampshire were still 78 short of what would have been a remarkable triumph against the 2022, 2023 and 2024 champions.With just six overs left when the players returned, Jordan Clark sent down two balls – one of which was hit for a single by Albert – and then the players shook hands on the draw.In truth, however, and despite Tom Prest being unbeaten on 32 alongside Albert, it had seemed increasingly unlikely that Hampshire could have scored the remaining runs anyway against a testing Surrey seam attack in gloomy conditions and with the floodlights on.In 22.2 overs with the second new ball, Surrey had restricted Hampshire to 80 runs for the loss of Gubbins and run-scoring was difficult against a high-class pace quartet in which Matt Fisher and Clark were especially impressive.Earlier, it took Surrey almost an hour and a half to claim their only wicket of the morning session, Fletcha Middleton pinned leg-before by Matt Fisher after advancing steadily from his overnight 11 to 42.Middleton’s fourth wicket stand with Gubbins had been worth 74 and provided Hampshire with much-needed stability following the chaotic slide to 30 for 3 in the murk of the third evening, when Kemar Roach had removed opener Mark Stoneman and both nightwatchers, Brad Wheal and Sonny Baker, had fallen to Jordan Clark.Better was to come for Hampshire, with Albert – who had laboured through 27 balls for just one run before lunch, and was caught off a Roach no ball 17 deliveries in – joining Gubbins in a partnership that eventually realised 143 in 52 overs and which grew in authority during an afternoon session in which Surrey went wicketless.From 121 for 4 at lunch the fifth wicket pair combined watchfulness with sensible accumulation and the odd flash of aggression, such as when Gubbins went to 83 with a superb square cut four off Fisher and Albert reached 44 by reverse-sweeping Dan Lawrence’s off spin to the ropes.By tea Gubbins, three short of his hundred, and Albert, who had gone to his half-century from 111 balls, looked in total control as Hampshire contemplated the final session of the game at 216 for four, but with the second new ball due in two overs’ time.This was duly taken by Clark and Dan Worrall, although by then Gubbins had reached his 20th first-class century from 215 balls in what was a chanceless, superlative performance after coming in on a Clark hat-trick.Only 27 runs came from the first nine overs with the second new ball, with Clark particulary miserly, and then Fisher replacing Worrall at the Vauxhall End brought an almost immediate reward.Looking to whip a ball from around the wicket that appeared to keep a little lower than expected, Gubbins was trapped lbw after facing 247 balls and hitting 12 fours, perhaps the best of them a magnificent on drive off Worrall that took him to 114.

Real Oviedo captain Santi Cazorla has been forced to defend his reputation following the sacking of coach Veljko Paunovic. Amid social media accusations, the ex-Arsenal star strongly denies any involvement in the decision, revealing the squad was shocked by the news as the club struggles at the bottom of La Liga and turns to a controversial replacement.

Cazorla denies involvement in Paunovic sacking

The former Arsenal star responded to accusations on social media by defending his professional integrity, stating he could not allow his reputation to be damaged by such claims. Cazorla revealed the news of Paunovic's dismissal came as a complete shock to the squad, who only found out just before a training session on Thursday.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWhat Cazorla said about the dismissal and his reputation

The 40-year-old midfielder was quick to defend his character and highlight his long, unblemished career record. 

"I've been a professional for 22 years, and you can ask all the presidents, sporting directors, and coaches I've worked with. I've never had anything to do with a club's decisions to let go of a coach," Cazorla insisted at a press conference. "I can't allow my image to be tarnished, because I've always tried to contribute in every way." 

He also expressed his gratitude to the departing manager, adding: "I'd like to thank Paunovic for his work, with whom I have a great relationship and was able to speak with him yesterday personally. I want to thank him and his coaching staff for everything we've achieved; they've become part of this club's history forever."

Oviedo's poor start and controversial Carrion return

The decision to dismiss Paunovic follows a difficult start to the La Liga season, which sees Real Oviedo sitting 17th in the table, level on six points with the relegation places after just two wins and six losses from their opening eight games. The club moved to reappoint Luis Carrion, a move that has been met with a mixed reception from the fanbase. Cazorla addressed the potential for division and issued a stark warning to the supporters. "There are two options: Kill each other or die together. I'm clear about that, and nothing is above Real Oviedo," he said.

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Getty Images SportWhat next for Real Oviedo?

Under the returning management of Luis Carrion, Real Oviedo's immediate task is to prepare for a challenging home fixture against Espanyol on Friday evening. Their opponents currently sit ninth in La Liga on 12 points, making the match at the Carlos Tartiere a significant test for a struggling Oviedo side desperate to pull away from the relegation zone and find stability after a turbulent week.