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Despite yet another season filled with turmoil under Ruben Amorim, Manchester United went into the international break on the back of a win. The Red Devils ran out 2-0 winners over Sunderland last time out, thanks to goals from Mason Mount and Benjamin Sesko.

United supporters will be hoping this can be a catalyst for their season to get underway. Things have still never really got going under Amorim, who has struggled to make an impact in almost a year in charge.

With Liverpool their next opponent after the international break, United will be looking to win back-to-back games under their Portuguese boss for the first time.

As is so often the case, Bruno Fernandes will be someone they will heavily rely on.

Fernandes’ biggest moments under Amorim

As you might expect, United’s talismanic midfielder has been one of Amoirm’s key players during the 11 months or so he’s been at Old Trafford.

Often deploying Fernandes in a pivot in midfield has meant he is further away from goal, causing some controversy, with Paul Scholes claiming “he’s not got the discipline” to play there.

Yet, the United number eight has still managed to put up some impressive goal and assist numbers under his countryman, despite the deeper role.

In 43 games with Amorim as United’s boss, their captain has 17 goals and 12 assists to his name.

It’s hard to pinpoint his best contribution during Amoirm’s tenure. In European football, he scored and assisted ten goals in 11 games as United reached the Europa League final last term.

That included a magnificent hat-trick against Real Sociedad at Old Trafford, to guide United into the quarter-final.

He was one of the best creators in that competition last season, too. Fernandes’ 3.09 key passes and expected assist tally of 0.36xA saw him rank in the top 2% of attacking midfielders in the Europa League.

United will need someone to share that goalscoring and creative burden with Fernandes, but they signed someone of the same ilk this summer.

The new United star who's looking like Fernandes

It was certainly an expensive summer for the Red Devils, with INEOS willing to splash the cash. They spent roughly £200m to improve their front three.

Sesko has already scored twice, and Matheus Cunha has suffered an injury, but impressed when he’s played.

However, the most exciting of United’s new forwards this season would surely have to be Bryan Mbeumo. The Cameroonian star joined the Red Devils from Brentford for a fee reportedly worth £65m up front.

It has been a fast start to life in Red for the attacker. Playing as one of Amorim’s number 10s in the infamous 3-4-2-1 system he deploys, the 26-year-old has scored twice and assisted once in eight appearances so far.

His first Premier League strike for the Red Devils was against Burnley before the last international break.

It is easy to see how the former Brentford star can shoulder the burden of creativity and goals at United and become the new Bruno-style player in Amorim’s side.

As Statman Dave said, he is the “complete package” going forward, and offers so much to the Mancunian giants in attacking areas. Like Fernandes, he is an “output machine”, in the words of content creator Ronaldo Brown.

The other way to tell just how similar Mbeumo will be to his captain is by looking at his underlying stats from the 2024/25 Premier League.

For example, last term he averaged 1.85 key passes for the Bees, which put him in the top 6% of Premier League forwards.

Mbeumo key stats vs. PL forwards 24/25

Stat (per 90)

Number

Percentile vs. PL forwards

Key passes

1.85

94th

Progressive passes

3.72

92nd

Shot-creating actions

3.8

94th

Goal-creating actions

0.53

90th

Carries into penalty area

1.98

97th

Stats from FBref

It has been hugely important for United to assess the lack of attacking prowess in the squad, aside from Fernandes’ contribution.

Loaning Marcus Rashford to Barcelona drastically reduced their threat in the final third, especially with how well he’s performing in La Liga.

Yet, the addition of Mbeumo has been a huge benefit. The United number 19 can help shoulder some of Fernandes’ attacking, and has already hit the ground running in that famous Red shirt.

Related The new Yorke & Cole: Man Utd's "superb double-act" could save Amorim's job

Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke famously scored 53 goals as Manchester United won the treble in 1998/99, but has Rúben Amorim found a new “electric” duo?

Posts ByBen Gray Oct 7, 2025

January 17th 2016 was the last time Liverpool lost a game of football at Anfield to their dear old rivals.

That day it was a Wayne Rooney strike that sealed the win for Manchester United over the Reds. How times have changed since then. Liverpool have won the league on two occasions; their friends across the way have not.

Ruben Amorim came into this clash with slim hopes. Yes, Liverpool were in a rough run of form but United’s own form has been troublesome ever since the Portuguese took over.

Yet, for the first time during his tenure, they were able to secure back-to-back league victories. Perhaps Amorim is the right man for the job?

Regardless of the feeling among the Red Devils, questions may now be emerging about Arne Slot’s position.

This 2-1 defeat was a really tough one to swallow. Liverpool hit the post on a few occasions and registered a higher xG (expected goals) tally but failed to take their opportunities.

Cody Gakpo equalised but a late Harry Maguire header condemned the hosts to a third straight league defeat.

They are now four points behind Arsenal in the race for the Premier League title. It’s worrying, certainly when you consider just how much they spent over the summer.

So, where did it all go wrong?

What went for Liverpool against Manchester United

Well, where to begin? When things aren’t going your way, curious things happen, and that was certainly the case for Slot’s charges on Sunday evening.

Before scoring from close range in the second half, Gakpo hit the woodwork a staggering three times, the most notable came in the opening 45 minutes when Liverpool surged forward on the counter-attack.

The Dutchman found plenty of room to surge towards the penalty area but bent his shot against the post.

Liverpool could and should have equalised sooner. On another day, they win the game, such are the slim margins of Premier League football.

It wasn’t just their lacklustre finishing that cost them, however. Last term, the Reds were resilient and rock solid at the back but they are really paying the price for not investing further in the centre-back pairing.

Milos Kerkez has signed but is still struggling to get going in Liverpool colours with Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo – the scorer of United’s first goal – running rings around him.

Yet, skipper Virgil van Dijk is perhaps the most worrying of the lot, given his experience. Not for the first time in a game this term he was caught out and should have done better for the opening goal.

Mbeumo was allowed to ghost in behind the big Dutchman and he got on the end of Amad’s cute pass to fire home.

Whether Van Dijk has regressed is very much up for debate but perhaps a more pressing matter is the form of the Premier League’s most expensive signing.

Liverpool's biggest problem after Man United defeat

In the summer, Liverpool looked as though they had won the transfer window. £116m for Florian Wirtz? Don’t mind if we do. £125m for Alexander Isak? Yeah, go on then.

The Swede was at the centre of an almighty saga. He refused to go on Newcastle’s pre-season tour and then trained away from the Toon’s first-team squad for a few months before finally getting his move to Anfield.

However, since heading to Merseyside, he has scored just once, ultimately battling with fitness having not featured at all during pre-season.

Well, heading into the game with United, Slot declared that now was the time to judge him. “Fitness-wise he is close to the level he should be and we can judge him in a fair way from now on.”

Judge him is exactly what we shall do. Unfortunately, it was not a great showing from the Premier League’s record man.

For the sixth straight game, the centre forward failed to find the net and arguably, he should have done inside Anfield this weekend.

Isak had two shots and missed one OPTA-defined big chance, one of which he stuck straight at Senne Lammens’ right boot. It was unsurprising he left the game with a 4/10 match rating courtesy of GOAL, who rightfully suggested that the striker will be “hugely disappointed with his performance.”

Isak vs Man United

Minutes played

72

Touches

19

Accurate passes

7/11 (64%)

Key passes

0

Shots

2

Shots on target

1

Expected goals

0.34

Big chances missed

1

Dribbles

0

Possession lost

8x

Stats via Sofascore.

At Newcastle last season, when the goals were flowing, he’d definitely have scored, such is his ruthless nature. You can point to a lack of sharpness but as Slot says, he’s now ready to go.

It’s incredibly difficult to leave your biggest signing of all time on the bench but Isak’s lack of form has had consequences, notably for Hugo Ekitike, arguably Liverpool’s player of the season so far.

He bagged five goals in his first eight games of the season for the Reds and registered an assist as well.

The Frenchman was ruthless in the final third; he was everything Isak has been over the last few seasons and he looked the full package doing it.

It’s perhaps no coincidence that since Ekitike became less of a regular starter Liverpool’s form has dwindled. During Isak’s three Premier League starts, Slot’s side have lost all three. It’s time for Ekitike to get a run from the start instead in the Champions League on Wednesday in Frankfurt.

يبذل الاتحاد المصري لكرة اليد جهودًا مكثفة خلال الوقت الحالي، لحل أزمة سفر لاعبي سموحة، لضمان التحاقهم ببعثة الفريق في الإمارات والمشاركة في نهائي السوبر المصري لكرة اليد أمام الأهلي.

ولم يتمكن حتى الآن سوى 5 لاعبين من أصل 20 لاعبًا في قائمة سموحة من السفر إلى الإمارات، بينما وصل فريق الأهلي صباح اليوم لاستكمال استعداداته للمواجهة.

وعلم بطولات، أنه توجد اقتراحات مع الجهات المنظمة في الإمارات لتأجيل المباراة 24 ساعة، لمنح لاعبي سموحة الوقت الكافي للانضمام إلى البعثة قبل خوض اللقاء.

طالع أيضًا | العربي القطري يحسم موقفه من عروض الأهلي والزمالك لضم لاعبه

ويأتي تأهل سموحة إلى المباراة النهائية بعد فوزه المفاجئ على الزمالك بنتيجة 29-28، ليواجه الأهلي في مباراة مرتقبة تجمع بين بطل إفريقيا والفريق السكندري.

ومن المقرر أن يلتقي الفريقان غدًا الثلاثاء في صالة استاد خليفة بن زايد بمدينة العين الإماراتية، التي تتسع لنحو 2000 مشجع، على أن تنطلق صافرة البداية في الساعة السادسة مساءً بتوقيت مصر.

MatériaMais Notícias

Após a eliminação do Corinthians na Sul-Americana, que aconteceu na noite desta terça-feira (3), o lateral Fábio Santos sinalizou que deve encerrar a carreira no fim da temporada, que é quando termina o seu contrato no Timão. O jogador, no entanto, não pretende deixar o clube e seguir auxiliando em algum departamento relacionado ao futebol. 

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A sequência do atleta na equipe do Parque São Jorge após pendurar as chuteiras, no entanto, vai depender do novo presidente, já que a tendência é que toda a estrutura do departamento de futebol mude, independentemente do candidato que vença a eleição que acontecerá no dia 25 de novembro. 

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Fábio é um profissional muito querido internamente no Corinthians, onde há o entendimento de alguns de que ele poderia exercer a sua liderança e o potencial de gestão de grupo para agregar ao Timão após a sua aposentadoria.

continua após a publicidade

Ainda assim, o jogador ainda não sabe onde pretende atuar após a aposentadoria. Diferentemente de outros atletas mais experientes como Paulinho, por exemplo, que já tem feito alguns cursos de gestão esportiva pensando no pós-carreira, o lateral tenta desfrutar ao máximo os últimos meses. Durante a temporada, inclusive, até mesmo chegou a ser cogitado com o seu estafe a possibilidade de estender por mais um ano. Mas ele não se vê atuando em outro clube a não ser o Timão, além de sentir muitas vezes a parte física comprometida por conta do acúmulo de jogos.

Ainda não saber onde pretende atuar depois do ponto final na carreira como jogador pode ser um problema para Fábio. Por outro lado, um possível convite do Corinthians pode justamente impulsionar uma nova carreira para o jogador.

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Uma possibilidade para Fábio Santos seria aproveitar o conhecimento dele sobre o Timão e o elenco atual em um processo de reestruturação do plantel a partir da próxima temporada, onde deve acontecer um movimento de chegadas e saídas. Ele usaria a capacidade agregadora com os mais jovens e o respeito dos mais experientes para isso.

Caso o candidato da situação André Luiz de Oliveira, o André Negão, vença a eleição, as chances são maiores de Fábio Santos ser agregado ao departamento de futebol corintiano. Muito por conta da influência do ex-presidente Andrés Sanchez que tem ótima relação com o lateral. Ao contrário, em caso de vitória de Augusto Mello, representante da oposição, a tendência do lateral seguir no Timão, mesmo exercendo uma função nova, é muito baixa.

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Recentemente, o clube alvinegro abriu as portas para alguns ex-jogadores importantes. Além de Alessandro, que havia sido coordenador técnico entre 2014 e 2019 e voltou na gestão de Duílio como gerente de futebol, os ex-meias Alex e Danilo foram contratados para trabalhar com as categorias de base durante a atual administração. O primeiro chegou, inclusive, a ser auxiliar técnico do elenco profissional e foi dispensado em fevereiro. Já o segundo, dirigiu a extinta equipe sub-23 e, posteriormente, o sub-20, função que exerce até o momento. 

He says there is freedom in the way they are approaching the game, and the idea of failure in particular

Firdose Moonda19-Jul-2025

Winning this year’s World Test Championship final could free up South Africa to play without fear, according to veteran player Rassie van der Dussen. Although van der Dussen was neither part of the WTC win nor in the most recent T20 World Cup squad, he has been part of the South African system for the last 17 years and can already see the change that winning a major trophy has made.”It feels like there’s a difference. Maybe it’s boiled over from winning the Test Championship because we won that match when it counts, so it’s almost like we can experiment more,” van der Dussen, who is standing in as South Africa’s T20I captain for the Zimbabwe tri-series, said ahead of the team’s next match.”It’s obviously Shukri [Conrad]’s first time in charge of the white-ball sides, but the mindset is different. We are not trying things for the sake of trying it, or guys being chosen for the sake of being chosen. It’s about trying things with the understanding that it’s okay if you get it wrong, but you can only get to the other side if you try it properly and authentically. What Shukri brings in terms of environment, and in terms of a mindset, is that freedom.”Conrad will coach South Africa through the 2025-27 WTC cycle, during which the white-ball teams will also play in the 2026 T20 World Cup and the 2027 ODI World Cup, which they will co-host.Related

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Though there is always pressure on teams to win in the build-up to these events, some of the pressure around the South Africa squad has eased after their WTC victory – their first global trophy since 1998 (when they won the ICC Knockout) and first with the word “World” in it. Winning the trophy reinforced the set-up’s belief in their systems, especially because Conrad is a local coach who has done things his own way.He will likely be cut some slack early in his tenure, though he will know that his predecessor, Rob Walter, was increasingly in the spotlight for the team’s poor bilateral record in ODIs and T20Is. Conrad has already indicated he wants to avoid the same by having his best players available whenever possible.Shukri Conrad is coaching South Africa’s white-ball side for the first time•AFP/Getty Images

Already, this has turned out not to be the case: Aiden Markram, the regular T20I captain, along with Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen (who is recovering from thumb surgery), Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj, have all been rested from the tri-series. As a result, Van der Dussen is leading a side that includes several fringe players but wants them to keep up the winning momentum.”There’s obviously responsibility, and we want to win every match. Shukri has said that many times, and we want to win every match that we play, but we are also encouraged to be our best version, play the way we want to play, and play the way the team wants to play. If we fall short, that’s okay, we fall short on our terms. We’ll try to be better next time. There’s no pressure from a management point of view. We know what’s expected of us.”There is also the added expectation that some players in this squad – Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, George Linde and Gerald Coetzee in particular – could force their way into becoming first-choice picks. The function of a series like this, among other things, is to provide fringe players the platform to show what they can do at the international level.”Lhuan-dre, with what he has done domestically and at the SA20, you could just see that this guy needs to play at this level. And Brevis, through performance over the last six months, is putting guys under pressure,” van der Dussen said. “As a player in a team, that’s the positive pressure you want. You want someone breathing down your neck, because that’s fair. If you don’t perform, there’s a guy that’s going to take your place, and that’s always good in a team environment. It’s not like I can rest on my laurels because there’s no one really pushing me for my spot. In every department – bowling, spin bowling, fielding, keeping, batting, middle-order batting – there are guys putting their hands up and saying I want to be part of this team. That keeps you on your toes.”Even with this context in mind, South Africa will admit they have not been at their best so far, especially when it comes to the top-order’s performances. They were 38 for 3 chasing 142 against Zimbabwe, and 62 for 5 against New Zealand, a match where they finished 21 runs short.Given that Zimbabwe have lost both their matches so far, South Africa still remains favourites to reach the final, along with New Zealand, but there is work to be done. “What we want to see is progress in terms of how we want to play,” van der Dussen said. “We’ve been together for a week now, and we are getting a better understanding going between the guys. If we can start to get it even better, then we can make it to the final and play our best game on Saturday.”

في جلسة حوارية سريعة وممتعة مع “433”، أجاب الأسطورة الأرجنتينية ليونيل ميسي على سلسلة من الأسئلة السريعة التي تناولت كل شيء من طموحاته في كأس العالم المقبل.

وسئل ليونيل ميسي وأجاب في ردود قصيرة، حول إذا كان يفضل الفوز بكأس العالم آخر أو الكرة الذهبية ورد لحساب “433” عبر منصة “إكس”: “الفوز بكأس عالم آخر”.

وأضاف حول إذا كان يرغب في اللعب في مناخ ميامي أم مناخ برشلونة، وقال: “مناخ برشلونة”.

وسئل عن تسجيل هاتريك وخسارة مباراة أو إذا كان يفضل تسجيل هدف الفوز لفريقه، وأجاب: “تسجيل هدف الفوز”.

اقرأ أيضاً.. لابورتا: برشلونة منزل ميسي لأنه فخرنا.. وعلاقتنا مع ريال مدريد متوترة

وسئل أيضًا حول إذا كان يرغب بأن يكون مدربًا أم مالك للنادي، وأجاب :”أن أصبح مالك للنادي”.

وإذا كان يفضل تمرير كرة بين قدميه أم تسجيل هدف في مرماه بالخطأ، وأجاب :”تمريرة بين قدمي”.

كذلك فضل نجم إنتر ميامي ومنتخب الأرجنتين التسجيل من ركلة ركنية على تسجيل هدف من منتصف الملعب، وسئل إذا كان يفضل اللعب كمدافع أم حارس مرمى، واختار: “مدافع”، وأكد تفضيله خطة 4-3-3 على خطة 4-4-2.

وكان ميسي قد قام بزيارة تجديدات ملعب “الكامب نو” في وقت سابق، وقد ترددت عدة تكهنات صحفية حول رغبته في العودة لبرشلونة كلاعب، ولكن وفقاً للصحفي “ألفريدو مارتينيز” فقد أكد أن الأسطورة الأرجنتينية لا يفكر في العودة للبلوجرانا كلاعب على الأقل في الوقت الحالي وأنه أغلق هذه الصفحة من مسيرته ويلتزم تماماً مع إنتر ميامي بعد شعوره بالتأقلم مع الحياة داخل وخارج الملعب.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Internacional anunciou a renovação de contrato do volante Gabriel nesta terça-feira (17). O vínculo anterior do jogador terminaria do fim deste ano. Agora, com o novo acordo, o jogador está comprometido com o Colorado até o final de 2025.

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– Depois de quase dois anos de clube, eu continuo com a mesma mentalidade de ganhar e ser campeão. Muito feliz. Espero continuar escrevendo a história. Tenho certeza que vamos chegar em coisas grandes. O próximo passo são as conquistas. O desejo de continuar da minha parte e desejo do clube de me manter aqui. Saber que eu tive uma temporada passada muito boa e ela foi interrompida por uma lesão que me tirou por nove meses. Isso me deixou muito mal em termos físicos e mentais, mais pelo fato de ficar fora. Fui muito forte e resiliente. Procurei fazer a melhor recuperação. O Inter cuidou muito bem de mim. Hoje, estou me sentindo muito bem. A próxima temporada vai ser ainda melhor – disse Gabriel em entrevista ao canal do Internacional no Youtube.

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Gabriel está no Inter desde fevereiro de 2022 e assumiu rapidamente uma posição de liderançã no time. Em outubro do ano passado, o volante sofreu uma lesão grave no joelho e ficou nove meses afastado dos gramados.

Desde o retorno, Gabriel fez apenas 12 jogos pelo Colorado. O jogador acabou perdendo espaço por conta do excelente momento de Jhonny, com quem disputa posição.

+ Desfalques por conta da Data Fifa viram ‘dor de cabeça’ para Eduardo Coudet no Internacional

A próxima partida do Internacional será nesta quarta-feira (18), contra o Bahia, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro. O Colorado vive momento crucial para se afastar da zona de rebaixamento e ainda sonha com uma classificação para a Libertadores do ano que vem.

Bangladesh have also had the luxury of rotating their fast bowlers, which Litton said helps with workload management

Mohammad Isam25-Jul-2025

Having all their first-choice players available helped Bangladesh turn around their six-match losing streak and seal their maiden T20I series wins against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, captain Litton Das has said.Bangladesh’s 2-1 series win against Pakistan at home came on the back of an away series win in Sri Lanka, with the same margin.”We were facing a [players] crisis in the UAE and Pakistan [in May],” Litton said after winning the recent series against Pakistan. “I didn’t get my best players during those two series. Taskin [Ahmed] wasn’t available. Mustafizur [Rahman] had left for the IPL. We are well aware of Mustafiz’s capability and how dangerous he can be for the opposition. We also had some players unavailable in Pakistan. Those who were there didn’t play up to the mark. I think we had the full set-up against Sri Lanka and Pakistan [this time]. We have to continue playing in such a manner.”Related

Jaker-Mahedi and Shoriful-Tanzim give Bangladesh first T20I series win against Pakistan

Jaker Ali: 'I only count match-winning runs, the rest doesn't register'

Mustafizur was at his miserly best against Pakistan, conceding at just 2.86 in two games. Taskin took a total of six wickets, while spinners Mahedi Hasan and Rishad Hossain were crucial in the wins in Sri Lanka. Mustafizur had missed two matches in the UAE, while Taskin had missed the series against UAE and Pakistan due to an ankle injury.Left-arm quick Shoriful Islam wasn’t available for the series against Pakistan in May due to an injury, while Bangladesh couldn’t field Rishad and Nahid Rana in a game against UAE due to visa issues, and Rana skipped the Pakistan tour on personal grounds.Litton credited his bowlers for the victories against Pakistan, who were bowled out for low totals in the first two games of the series. “The bowlers definitely had a huge role in this series win,” he said. “They bowled out Pakistan for 110 runs [in the first T20I]. Then we defended 133 runs [in the second T20I]. Those were big challenges. We bowled well even today.”In Sri Lanka, Bangladesh lost the first T20I but turned it around to win the last two to seal the series. Litton said that the Bangladesh bowlers corrected their execution in the next game, to go on and win the last two T20Is.Mustafizur Rahman was at his miserly best in the Pakistan series•BCB

“I think we didn’t score enough in that game in Kandy, where 180 was a par score,” Litton said. “Sri Lanka were in attacking mode that day. I think we were behind on the execution of our plans. We didn’t bowl where we wanted to bowl at the Sri Lankan batters. We followed the same plan and came back into the series (against Sri Lanka).”Bangladesh’s pace bowlers have combined to take 51 wickets, which is 60.71% of all wickets Bangladesh have taken this year in T20Is. What has also impressed is the size of the pace attack. They have used eight pace bowlers this year, accommodating injuries, but in the last two series, Bangladesh have also had the luxury of rotating their fast bowlers.Litton said workload management will be considered going forward, but they are also looking at a bowler’s skillset to determine their selection. “We are fortunate to have some more really good bowlers,” he said. “We don’t want to lose them early. We want to give them enough opportunities, but we also want to consider their health.”Taskin is returning to cricket after a long injury break. We all know that he will have a high chance of more injuries if he plays continually. Shoriful is the same. He had a groin injury in Pakistan. He also had a similar problem in Sri Lanka. We have to determine who plays when and where.”

Newcastle United arguably put in their besst performance of the season as they beat Benfica 3-0 to make it back-to-back wins in the Champions League.

Though the Magpies have struggled to get going this season, especially from an offensive standpoint, their success on the continent is evidence of Eddie Howe’s abiding tactical quality, with the cogs sure to start whirring as the new batch of players work toward a continuation of last year’s illustrious success.

That starts now, in the Premier League. Last weekend, United lost on a trip to Brighton, and they languish in 14th place, just nine points from eight games.

But a closer look at the new phase Howe is championing demonstrates exactly why he is valued as “one of the top managers in the country, if not the world” by pundit Jamie Redknapp.

He adapts, and the tactician must showcase that nous yet again on Sunday, when Fulham are welcomed to St. James’ Park. However, that frontline does need some work, even with Nick Woltemade firing on all cylinders.

Newcastle team news

Howe said that Newcastle must produce their best possible performance if they wish to turn over a gritty and well-balanced Fulham side in the Premier League.

The Cottagers claimed three points at St. James’ Park last season, but they have lost three on the bounce in the Premier League and are there for the taking, with Joachim Andersen and Antonee Robinson both sidelined.

A promising update on the injury recoveries of Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall: both full-backs are nearing the end of their rehabilitation and are back on the grass. Anticipate further developments in the coming weeks.

While Howe reported no new injury concerns, he did confirm Sandro Tonali “will be touch and go” after struggling with illness this week.

Meanwhile, summer signing Yoane Wissa’s wait for his debut rages on, still in recovery from the knee injury suffered on international duty. The 29-year-old’s rehabilitation will stretch toward the Christmas period.

More praise was heaped on Woltemade. The German striker continues to deputise as Wissa’s recovery continues, and given the richness of the purple patch he is riding, few will have concerns about his presence at number nine (other than the Fulham defence, that is).

However, while the striker is firing, Howe will hope to see more from his wide forwards. In fairness, Harvey Barnes bagged a brace in midweek, with Anthony Gordon claiming the Man of the Match award in the Champions League.

But Anthony Elanga continues to leave much to be desired down the right, and it’s for this reason that Newcastle’s most underrated star could be the difference-maker on Saturday afternoon.

Howe must unleash Newcastle's "unsung hero"

Has there been a more compelling success story at Newcastle over the past few years than that of Jacob Murphy? The 29-year-old was written off after years as a journeyman, but has pieced together an iconic career on Tyneside.

Last season, in particular, Murphy was in fine fettle, stepping up after Newcastle failed to sign a right-sided forward and posting nine goals and 14 assists across all competitions.

Some return, that. Howe hailed his protege as “the ultimate professional”, and his is a story that up-and-coming hopefuls will use as fuel for many years to come. It’s never too late to turn things around.

The veteran has only featured as a substitute across Newcastle’s past two Premier League matches, and his stability and industriousness could be perfect against Marco Silva’s organised outfit.

That is not to say he’s without his flair and creativity on the ball. As per FBref, Murphy ranks among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists per 90.

He might not have Elanga’s pace or Barnes’ natural eye for goal, but with Gordon clicking into gear and Woltemade undroppable at the front of the ship, this could be the line-up to develop and sustain synergy and fluency across the full 90.

You will need no reminder that the Magpies have only won two of their eight Premier League fixtures so far this season.

It stands as a testament to Murphy’s resilience and unwavering belief in his abilities that he has established himself as one of the key components of Newcastle’s journey since the PIF takeover and subsequent appointment of Howe.

Howe’s Most-used Players at Newcastle

Rank

Player

Apps

1

Bruno Guimaraes

164

2

Fabian Schar

160

3

Dan Burn

159

4

Jacob Murphy

145

5

Joelinton

139

Data via Transfermarkt

He might not be the most prolific player in the mix, but Murphy is unquestionably among England’s most underrated players in modern times, hailed as an “unsung hero” by journalist Scott Wilson for his knack at coming up trumps for the Toon.

And anyway, with three goals and four assists across 13 matches against Fulham, Howe would be restoring the experienced winger to the starting line-up against the side he has chalked up more direct contributions than any other across his career.

While Elanga will be desperate to impress after going without a goal or an assist across his first 12 appearances in black and white, Howe will know the importance of using the midweek Champions League victory as a springboard.

Newcastle simply have to return to winning ways in the Premier League, and with Murphy on the right, fuelling in-form pair Gordon and Woltemade, it might just be the perfect blend.

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Posts ByAngus Sinclair Oct 23, 2025

Clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan supporters had marred a game between the two sides in Sharjah in 2022

Danyal Rasool28-Aug-2025

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan urged fans to avoid a repeat of the ugly scenes that marred Pakistan and Afghanistan’s clash in Sharjah in 2022, saying that cricket brought “people and nations together”. Sharjah will host the opening game of the tri-series between the two sides.The end of the see-sawing game, which Pakistan won by one wicket in the final over, was followed by clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan supporters in the stands, leading to the PCB writing to the ICC in protest, with then-PCB chairman Ramiz Raja calling it “hooliganism”. Several Afghanistan fans were detained by the Sharjah police following the incident. However, no arrests were made.Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have politically soured further since. But this time around, there is heightened awareness about the potential for flashpoints. There are separate sections at the stadium for Pakistan and Afghanistan supporters, and greater alertness to nip potential crowd trouble in the bud.Related

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Pakistan, Afghanistan, UAE gear up for Asia Cup rehearsal

It is, however, not the first time supporters of the sides will be separated in the general stands; that was also the case in 2023 when they played a bilateral series against each other. There are sizeable diaspora populations of both nations in the UAE, particularly Sharjah, and fixtures between the two sides have been historically well attended in the country.”[My] message to everyone who comes and watches the games in the stadium is that cricket brings unity,” Rashid said. “It brings people and nations together. It sends a peaceful message. This game is all about enjoyment. We play this game to enjoy ourselves and give entertainment to the crowd and the fans. It’s just a game of cricket. I ask people to come, enjoy themselves, support their respective teams and enjoy every moment of the game.”Rashid also believed the format, as well as the short nature of the tri-series, meant assigning a favourites tag to any side was difficult. “No team is favourite, especially in T20Is. You have to play good cricket. One or two players can totally change the game. Everyone will be trying to deliver their best performances.”Pakistan play back to back games, taking on UAE on Saturday following their contest against Afghanistan on Friday. The final, after two rounds of fixtures, is on 7 September.