The I, J and K stands are likely to opened to public, up to a 50% capacity
Varun Shetty and Nagraj Gollapudi01-Feb-2021
The second Test could well see spectators present at the MA Chidambaram Stadium•ICC via Getty
The second India-England Test in Chennai will not be played behind closed doors as the BCCI has informally given permission to the Tamil Nadu Cricket Assocation (TNCA) to open its gates for spectators, up to a 50% capacity. The I,J, and K stands of the MA Chidambaram Stadium will likely be opened to public, pending Tamil Nadu government clearance, for the second Test starting February 13. The ticket details and standard operating procedures for crowds will be released when formal approval arrives.The development came in the wake of the Indian government revising its guidelines pertaining to spectators at outdoor sport in the country last weekend. “For outdoor sports events spectators will be allowed to full seating capacity,” was what Indian ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports said in a circular updated on January 29. The circular, titled ‘Standard Operating Procedures for opening up of Stadia for sports events’, revised the ministry’s previous guidelines issued on December 26 which had stated spectators can be allowed at 50% capacity for outdoor sports.*Related
First day, no show – Chennai braces itself for a closed-doors first Test
No neutral umpires for India vs England Tests
Chepauk's accidental curator set to roll out pitch with 'English look'
Moeen Ali urges people to take Covid-19 vaccine
Chopra: Bess and Leach have their work cut out in India
It is understood that TNCA had approached the BCCI to allow fans up 50% of the ground’s capacity during the second Test. Media personnel are also likely to be allowed at the stadium, albeit from the first Test itself, should the BCCI approve these measures formally. Neither spectators nor media personnel were allowed at the seven venues where India’s only domestic tournament so far this season – the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy – was held.If spectators are indeed allowed, it would signal a change in course for both the BCCI and the TNCA, who had recently informed its members that the MA Chidambaram Stadium would not allow crowds for the two Tests. Nothing official has been communicated on the subject yet. “We are not going to comment on speculation. We are still waiting to hear from the BCCI in terms of their protocols for the forthcoming Test series,” a representative of the England touring party said.Meanwhile, all members of the India and England Test squads have returned negative Covid-19 tests and have been cleared to exit their bio-secure bubbles for training in the lead up to the first Test, which starts February 5. The two teams had been in mandatory six-day quarantines after arriving in Chennai. While England will train, as per schedule, from Tuesday afternoon, India will begin their preparations on Monday evening. A team statement on Monday confirmed: “The Indian Cricket Team completed their quarantine period today in Chennai. Three RT-PCR tests for Covid-19 were conducted at regular intervals and all tests have returned negative results. The team will have their first outdoor session today from 5:00 PM and nets sessions will begin from tomorrow.”
Juventude, Cuiabá, Fluminense e Atlético-MG: as próximas quatro partidas do Flamengo no Campeonato Brasileiro serão no Maracanã. A sequência “em casa” – o Rubro-Negro é o visitante no clássico carioca – é vista como uma chance de diminuir a vantagem para o líder Galo, rival que encerra a série de jogos no Rio de Janeiro. O primeiro será nesta quarta, às 19h, pela 26ª rodada do Brasileirão.
RelacionadasFlamengoDiego Alves se recupera e deve voltar contra o Juventude; Flamengo pode ter mais dois retornosFlamengo11/10/2021FlamengoMais problemas! Flamengo informa lesão de Bruno Henrique e atualiza a situação de ArrascaetaFlamengo11/10/2021FlamengoFlamengo inicia troca de ingressos para jogo contra o Juventude; veja preços, pontos e mais informaçõesFlamengo11/10/2021
-Cada jogo é uma final para gente, não é diferente para esse. Vamos respeitar o rival, mas procurar a vitória. Entrar com a mentalidade de vencer, mas com respeito ao adversário – afirmou o atacante Pedro, à “FlaTV”, nesta segunda.
A torcida é o diferencial paramelhorar o aproveitamento em casa, de 63,64% dos pontos, e o Flamengo brigar pelo Tri do Brasileirão. Até o momento, são 11 partidas disputadas como mandante, com sete vitórias e quatro derrotas. No Brasileirão, Atlético-MG (84,85%) e Palmeiras (63,89%) superam o Rubro-Negro.
O Galo, por sua vez, enfrenta o Santos (C), o Atlético-GO (F) e o Cuiabá (C) antes de visitar o Flamengo no Maracanã, em 30 de outubro. Assim como Renato Gaúcho fará com o Rubro-Negro, o técnico Cuca também comandará o Atlético-MG nas semifinais da Copa do Brasil neste período, nos dia 20 e 27 de outubro.
No confronto entre os principais candidatos ao título nacional, a tabela do Brasileirão ainda terá um asterisco por conta dos jogos adiados do Flamengo.
Pela quarta rodada do Brasileiro, o duelo com o Athletico, na Arena da Baixada, está marcado para o dia 2 de novembro. Já a partida contra o Grêmio, válida pela segunda rodada na Arena, em Porto Alegre, permanece sem data definida.
O caminho de Flamengo e Atlético-MG até o encontro pelo Brasileirão:
26ª rodada do Brasileirão Atlético-MG x Santos, no Mineirão, em 13/10 Flamengo x Juventude, no Maracanã, em 13/10
27ª rodada do Brasileirão Atlético-GO x Atlético-MG, no Antônio Accioly, em 17/10 Flamengo x Cuiabá, no Maracanã, em 17/10
Semifinal da Copa do Brasil Atlético-MG x Fortaleza, no Mineirão, em 20/10 Athletico x Flamengo, na Arena da Baixada, em 20/10
28ª rodada do Brasileirão Fluminense x Flamengo, no Maracanã, em 23/10 Atlético-MG x Cuiabá, no Mineirão, em 24/10
Semifinal da Copa do Brasil Fortaleza x Atlético-MG, no Castelão, em 27/10 Flamengo x Athletico, no Maracanã, em 27/10
29ª rodada do Brasileirão Flamengo x Atlético-MG, no Maracanã, em 30/10
أسفرت قرعة دور الثمانية من بطولة كأس ملك إسبانيا 2024/2025 عن مواجهة متوازنة لنادي برشلونة وسهلة من أجل الغريم التقليدي والتاريخي ريال مدريد.
واكتمل عدد الفرق المتأهلة إلى تلك المرحلة يوم الخميس الماضي بعد فوز ريال مدريد على سيلتا فيجو بنتيجة 5-2 وسبقه تفوق برشلونة على ريال بيتيس بنتيجة 5-1.
وفاز أتلتيكو مدريد أمام إلتشي بنتيجة كبيرة 4-0، في حين أن أتلتيك بلباو صاحب اللقب غادر أمام أوساسونا بعد الخسارة 3-2.
وصعد ريال سوسيداد على حساب رايو فاليكانو بعد الفوز بنتيجة 3-1، مع تأهل ليجانيس أمام ألميريا عقب التغلب عليه بنتيجة 3-2.
وصعد خيتافي إلى تلك المرحلة عقب الفوز على بونتيفيدرا بنتيجة 1-0، وأخيرًا فالنسيا تأهل إلى ربع النهائي بفوز على أورينسي بنتيجة 2-0.
وتقام مباريات دور الثمانية من البطولة في أحد أيام 4، 5 و6 فبراير المقبل من جولة واحدة.
ووضعت القرعة ريال مدريد في مواجهة سهلة أمام ليجانيس في ملعب “بوتاركي” بينما برشلونة سيكون عليه زيارة ملعب “ميتسايا” لمواجهة فالنسيا.
اقرأ أيضًا | بعد تصريحات سيميوني النارية.. قناة ريال مدريد: أتلتيكو مدريد سبق وفاز بـ الدوري الإسباني بالتحكيم الفرق المتأهلة إلى ربع نهائي كأس ملك إسبانيا 2025
ريال مدريد
برشلونة
فالنسيا
ليجانيس
خيتافي
أتلتيكو مدريد
أوساسونا
ريال سوسيداد مباريات دور الثمانية من كأس ملك إسبانيا
فالنسيا ضد برشلونة – في ملعب “ميستايا”.
ليجانيس ضد ريال مدريد – في ملعب “بوتاركي”.
أتلتيكو مدريد ضد خيتافي – في ملعب “ميتروبوليتانو”.
After Philippe Clement declared that Rangers will have to sell before they can buy this summer, a European side look eager to take advantage of this financial uncertainty and sign one of the Gers' top players.
Rangers ready for numerous exits this summer
The early passages of the summer have seen multiple players call time on their Rangers careers and depart Ibrox. These recent exits follow the likes of Ryan Jack, Jon McLaughlin and Kemar Roofe who all left the club as free agents upon the expiration of their contracts with the Scottish Premiership runners-up.
Clement working flat out to bring 31 y/o free agent to Rangers this summer
The Gers have still got work to do in the transfer market.
ByTom Coates Aug 1, 2024
Rangers departures summer 2024
Club joined
Fee paid
Sam Lammers
Twente FC
€2.0million (£1.7million)
Connor Goldson
Aris Limassol
€1.78million (£1.5million)
John Lundstram
Trabzonspor
Free transfer
Borna Barisic
Trabzonspor
Free transfer
Robby McCrorie
Kilmarnock
Undisclosed
Kieran Wright
Airdrieonians
Loan transfer
Despite the numerous departures that have already taken place, Clement could lose even more big names before the season starts. One man whose future still hangs in the balance is club captain James Tavernier, who has been linked with moves away from Ibrox for most of the summer.
Whilst a report last week suggested that the defender could be about to follow his former teammates to Turkish outfit Trabzonspor, there have also been rumours that the 32-year-old could be plying his trade in Saudi Arabia next term.
With former Gers manager Steven Gerrard now in the dugout at Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, there is some talk that Tavernier could be tempted to reunite with his old boss and pick up a hefty pay increase in the process.
Glasgow Rangers defender James Tavernier.
As no Rangers players appear off limits this summer, it appears that one of the Gers' top scorers last season has caught the eye of a European club with the player eager to leave.
Greek outfit want a deal for Dessers
As first reported in the African media and relayed by Give Me Sport, Cyriel Dessers has emerged as a target for PAOK. The outlet claims that the Greek side are eager to take advantage of Rangers' current financial worries and could submit a bid for the player in the coming days.
Rangers forward Cyriel Dessers.
PAOK are interested in agreeing a loan-to-buy deal for Dessers that would see an initial loan deal with an option to buy worth £3 million. With the Nigerian striker arriving at Ibrox in a £4 million move from Cremonese last summer, the Gers' head of recruitment Nils Koppen will likely want to negotiate a higher fee for the player.
The report by Give Me Sport claims that PAOK had "fallen under the spell" of Dessers and are impressed by his "exceptional" finishing ability in front of goal.
There is no doubt that Rangers will be looking for a return on their initial investment after the 29-year-old scored 22 goals in all competitions last season, so while Dessers is said to be open to leaving Rangers this summer if an offer for him is accepted, the onus will still be on Koppen to secure a good deal for the player.
Manchester United have been put through the wringer over the past decade, claiming silverware throughout but always languishing below the desired position.
It's been 11 years since the Premier League title was brought back to Old Trafford; 16 years have drifted by since glory was clinched in the Champions League, at the height of the continental game.
But with INEOS working with gritty determination to wipe away the dirt and repackage the Red Devils as bona fide contenders, there's a growing sense that exciting times lie ahead.
INEOS' Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Last season's glut of injuries prevented Erik ten Hag from implementing his vision – though he still bagged the FA Cup with victory over Manchester City – but now moves are being made to ensure growth, and there's a potential incoming that might just complete the set.
Man United transfer news
Ten Hag demands a fresh face to sit in the holding midfield position and influence play for Man United while protecting the rear with steely conviction. Manuel Ugarte is the top target and Burnley's Sander Berge has been earmarked as an alternative, but the Premier League giants could actually drive down a different road.
It's a path well trodden over recent years, a rumour that surfaces every year. According to journalist Jack van Gelder – talking on Dutch television programme De Oranjezomer – United could move to sign Frenkie De Jong from Barcelona.
He said that "negotiations are ongoing", with several bids for the Netherlands international rejected in the past but an increasingly fractious relationship perhaps swaying the odds.
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong
Man United reached an agreement for the £63m transfer of De Jong two years ago following Ten Hag's appointment, but it didn't reach completion. Now, things could be different; the Theatre of Dreams is on the up.
What Frenkie De Jong would bring to Man United
One thing's for certain, Man United have done their homework with this one. De Jong has been profiled and pinned to the transfer board and would be an immense addition to an outfit requiring a player of his strengths.
Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong
He suffered an injury-hit 2023/24 campaign but still showcased his technical qualities, ranking among the top 1% of centre-midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion and the top 4% for passes attempted, progressive passes and progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.
Last season, De Jong proved that he has the properties to survive the rigours of the Engish game – for a player of his ability, this is hardly a revelation but nonetheless leaves an air of excitement as rumours rise once again.
23/24 Stats: Frenkie De Jong vs MUFC DM Targets
Statistic (*per game)
Frenkie De Jong
Sander Berge
Manuel Ugarte
Matches (starts)
20 (20)
37 (34)
25 (21)
Goals
2
1
0
Assists
0
2
2
Touches*
94.8
53.1
67.6
Pass completion
93%
89%
91%
Key passes*
1.1
0.8
0.6
Dribbles*
0.7 (62%)
0.5 (56%)
0.8 (58%)
Ball recoveries*
5.9
5.5
7.2
Tackles*
2.2
2.1
3.9
Total duels won*
5.1 (58%)
4.8 (54%)
6.4 (53%)
Stats via Sofascore
As the table above shows, De Jong is more rounded than his fellow United anchor targets, with his elite ball-playing skill allowing him to star at the centre of the system and influence and dictate.
It's no surprise that the 27-year-old has been dubbed “one of the best players in the world” by former boss Xavi: his accolades are many.
While Paris Saint-Germain's Ugarte is a more tough-tackling and tenacious defensive member, he's not as creative and nor is he the kind of smooth distributor to properly charge Ten Hag's team, enhance the attack.
Indeed, the Uruguayan ranks among the bottom 28% of midfielders for progressive passes per 90, and while few offer greater tackling success, the polarity in technical acumen is stark.
frenkie-de-jong-barcelona-ajax
It's a signing that will have a great impact on the season(s) ahead for Manchester United, and it's one that must be chosen wisely, especially when considering the kind of partnership that De Jong could forge with Bruno Fernandes.
Imagine him & Bruno Fernandes
Man United signed Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon for an initial fee of £47m in January 2020, having scored 79 goals and supplied 66 assists over 233 fixtures, being instrumental in winning the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup.
The club captain has recently extended his contract at Old Trafford until 2027, speaking of his eagerness to jump into the new era, feeling his best days wearing the shirt are yet to come.
An elite-level playmaker, Fernandes embodies the creativity, tenacity and drive fitting for one donning the armband at one of Europe's pre-eminent outfits, with Paul Scholes praising him for seeing "everything on the pitch".
He's not infallible though, and he was hindered by the woes of his teammates throughout the previous term, with Casemiro notably disappointing on more than a couple of occasions in the No. 6 role – Wayne Rooney even called him "lazy" at one stage.
De Jong would go a long way toward rectifying that wrong, slotting into the centre of the field and placing passes into Fernandes' vicinity, allowing him to latch on and score, assist, create.
Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes
The Portuguese Magnifico, indeed, created 21 big chances in the Premier League last season and averaged 3.3 key passes per game, as per Sofascore, but he also chipped in with 1.9 tackles per game, emphasising the complete skillset that would allow De Jong to dovetail into the system.
In turn, Barcelona's maestro in the middle would prove to return the favour and add a layer of stability to the engine room that would allow Fernandes to perform with greater fluency and freedom.
Manchester United star Casemiro
Casemiro, one of the finest midfielders of his generation, is on the decline. The 32-year-old still offers shades of the iron-clad strength in dispossessing and overpowering his opponents, but his decision-making and control have waned. He ranked only among the top 35% of midfielders in the English top flight last year for progressive passes per 90 and the bottom 46% for pass completion.
This is all evidence that De Jong would represent the multi-skilled upgrade that Man United need to make Fernandes positively unplayable.
The club might just ascend to the next level this year, not only fighting for a place in the Champions League and pushing for silverware but going somewhere that the Theatre has not across the past decade – restoring glory of the highest calibre, at the top of the English pyramid.
Move over Ugarte: Man Utd could sign dream £30m Casemiro upgrade
Switch expected after Perera’s apparent central role in the contracts standoff between the players and board
Andrew Fidel Fernando08-Jul-2021
Dasun Shanaka was among the first to agree to sign Sri Lanka Cricket’s tour contracts for India series•PA Images via Getty Images
Dasun Shanaka is set to be named Sri Lanka’s new men’s limited-overs captain, replacing Kusal Perera who himself had only had the job since May .The captaincy switch is only partly a consequence of on-field performance. Although Sri Lanka have comfortably lost all three series that they played under Perera, the board and selectors have replaced him after he was deemed to have played a central role in the contracts standoff between the players and board, over the past few months.Related
Sri Lanka-India series to begin on July 18; new fixtures announced
SL batting coach Grant Flower tests positive for Covid-19 after returning from England
SLC forms five-member panel to probe Durham bubble breach
Disillusioned Angelo Mathews considers international retirement
So what's going on with Sri Lankan cricket?
While Perera is believed to have encouraged the group to continue holding out, Shanaka it seems had been among the first to agree to sign Sri Lanka Cricket’s tour contracts for the series against India – the move that essentially ended the dispute. Several players have voiced concerns that the events that led up to the tour contracts being signed, and the within-group discussions that have followed, have created substantial disunity within the Sri Lanka team.The board had said it would field a second-string squad against India if the first-string players didn’t sign the tour contracts. According to some players, the group had decided early on Tuesday to continue defying the board. However, some players – Shanaka included – had signed the contracts soon after.The expected sacking of Perera, by the same selectors who installed him, will come days after coach Mickey Arthur praised Perera’s leadership. “Kusal led the team very well in very trying times,” he had said on talkSport’s podcast. The decision to replace Perera is not believed to have come from Arthur.If his appointment is confirmed, Shanaka will become Sri Lanka’s sixth captain in less than four years, with Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Lasith Malinga, Dimuth Karunaratne and Perera having all held the role since the start of 2018.Shanaka has only one previous experience with leading the national team – when Sri Lanka whitewashed Pakistan in a three-match T20I series in 2019.
سجل آليو ديانج لاعب فريق الخلود، هدف فوز ناديه أمام الرائد، في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما مساء اليوم السبت، ضمن منافسات الدوري السعودي.
وتمكن الخلود من الفوز على الرائد بنتيجة 2-1، اليوم السبت، في إطار لقاءات الجولة السابعة عشر من المسابقة السعودية، وذلك على أرضية ملعب نادي الحزم.
طالع | إسماعيل يوسف: بغداد بو نجاح لن ينضم إلى الأهلي.. و6 لاعبين “ضربوا” الفريق
ويتواجد ديانج مع فريق الخلود السعودي، قادمًا من النادي الأهلي، على سبيل الإعارة لمدة موسم واحد.
وأحرز ديانج هدف الخلود الثاني في الدقيقة 87، بعدما استلم الكرة من الجبهة اليسرى وتوغل في منطقة الجزاء مصوبًا الكرة في المرمى مباشرة.
وبهذه النتيجة، وصل فريق الخلود للنقطة 19 في رصيده، وذلك بعد الفوز في 5 لقاءات والتعادل 4 مرات وتلقي 8 هزائم.
بينما تجمد رصيد الرائد عند 14 نقطة، محتلاً المركز الخامس عشر في جدول الدوري السعودي، وذلك من الفوز في 4 لقاءات والتعادل مباراتين وتلقي 11 هزيمة. هدف ديانج مع الخلود في الدوري السعودي
A terça-feira (26) de esportes reserva muitos bons jogos, com diversas estrelas presentes para agradar a todos os fãs. A Seleção Brasileira Feminina disputa amistoso com a Austrália, além da Série B, La Liga, Copa da Liga Inglesa, Campeonato Italiano, início da World Series na MLB, NBA, NBB e muito mais!
RelacionadasFora de CampoGlobo se entende com Conmebol na Suíça e entra na briga para voltar a ter a Copa LibertadoresFora de Campo25/10/2021Fora de CampoJornal europeu se confunde e usa foto de elenco do São Paulo para falar sobre polêmica do CorinthiansFora de Campo25/10/2021VídeoVÍDEO: Nas alturas! Ítalo Ferreira pega onda gigante em Nazaré; veja!Vídeo25/10/2021
Confira abaixo os principais confrontos do dia e a programação de transmissão:
AMISTOSO INTERNACIONAL DE FUTEBOL FEMININO 5h30 -Austrália x Brasil Onde assistir: SporTV
CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO SÉRIE B 19h – CRB x Coritiba Onde assistir: SporTV e Premiere
21h30 – Goiás x Botafogo Onde assistir: SporTV e Premiere
COPA DA LIGA INGLESA 15h45 – Arsenalx Leeds United Onde assistir: ESPN Brasil e Star+
15h45 -Chelsea x Southampton Onde assistir: Star+
LA LIGA – CAMPEONATO ESPANHOL 14h30 – Alavés x Elche Onde assistir: Star+
16h -Espanyol x Athletic Bilbao Onde assistir: Star+
16h30 – Villareal x Cadiz Onde assistir: ESPN 2 e Star+
SERIE A – CAMPEONATO ITALIANO 13h30 – Spezia x Genoa Onde assistir: Star+
13h30 – Venezia x Salernitana Onde assistir: Star+
15h45 – Milan x Torino Onde assistir: ESPN e Star+
COPA DA ALEMANHA 13h30 -SV Babelsberg 03 x Leeds United Onde assistir: ESPNe Star+
15h -Borussia Dortmund x Ingolstadt 04 Onde assistir: Fox Sports
TAÇA DA LIGA DE PORTUGAL 17h15 – Sporting x Famalicão Onde assistir: Fox Sports
COPA DO NORDESTE 21h30 – Botafogo-PB x Vitória Onde assistir: Fox Sports
MLB 21h -Houston Astros x Atlanta Braves – World Series – Jogo 1 Onde assistir: ESPNe Star+
NBA 21h30 – San Antonio Spurs x Los Angeles Lakers Onde assistir: SporTV 2
NHL 21h -Colorado Avalanche x Vegas Golden Knights Onde assistir: ESPN 2e Star+
NBB – NOVO BASQUETE BRASIL 18h50 – Bauru x Franca Onde assistir: ESPNe Star+
BRASILEIRÃO SUB-20 15h -Flamengo x Vasco – Quartas De Final – Volta Onde assistir: SporTV
MLS – CAMPEONATO AMERICANO 23h30 -Los Angeles FC x Seattle Sounders Onde assistir: DAZN e Fox Sports
TÊNIS 12h30 – ATP 500 – Viena Onde assistir: Star+
ELIMINATÓRIAS DA COPA DO MUNDO – FEMININO 11h – Alemanha x Israel Onde assistir: Fox Sports
SUPERCOPA DE VÔLEI MASCULINO 19h15 -Natal x Cruzeiro – Final Onde assistir: Sportv 2
FUTSAL FEMININO 8h – Sumoy-CE x Barateiro-SC Onde assistir: BandSports
EUROLIGA DE BASQUETE 14h45 -Fenerbahçe x Barcelona Onde assistir: BandSports
15h45 -Bayern de Munique x Olimpia Milano Onde assistir: DAZN
Manchester United’s season began with three points last Friday after they ran out 1-0 winners over Fulham. The Red Devils had some good periods of the game, although the Cottagers had more than their fair share of chances, which they failed to take. It took a debut goal from Joshua Zirkzee to seal all three points, but Erik ten Hag’s side got there in the end.
Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee scores vs Fulham
One area United seem determined to improve this summer is the midfield. It has been a summer in which the Red Devils have drastically overhauled their defence, making three signings, and adding Zirkzee to strengthen up front, but so far the midfield remains untouched.
There has been plenty of rumoured changes in the middle of the park for the Red Devils, with Christian Eriksen and Casemiro linked with a move away, although transfers for the pair have yet to materialise at this stage. Sofyan Amarbat’s loan from Fiorentina also expired at the end of last season, and they are yet to move back in for him.
Ten Hag’s side have been heavily linked with a move for Manuel Ugarte all summer, and although it has taken a while, there seems to be a fair amount of optimism that it will get done. However, there is another midfield deal that now seems incredibly unlikely.
Sander Berge’s proposed summer transfer
The player in question here is Burnley and Norwegian international midfielder Sander Berge. The 26-year-old has been touted for a move to Old Trafford in recent weeks, but that deal now seems in jeopardy and it appears as though he could join Fulham instead.
On Monday evening, it was reported by The Athletic's Laurie Whitwell that a bid from the West London outfit for the Norway international had been accepted by Scott Parker’s Burnley. The Clarets are believed to have accepted a deal worth £20m with £5m of add-ons.
Sander Berge for Burnley.
The 26-year-old was viewed as an alternative to Ugarte this summer, with Fabrizio Romano confirming to GiveMeSport that the Red Devils spoke to the player’s entourage to try and sound out a potential deal.
During the 2023/24 season, Berge was a crucial player for the Clarets, although could not help them survive immediate relegation from the Premier League. He played 37 times for Burnley in the top flight, and whilst he impressed in the middle of the park, was not able to help his side stay in the Premier League.
As per the Daily Mail, the Red Devils had a bid rejected for the Norway international, although it did not match Fulham’s valuation. In order to afford a deal for a midfielder, they may well have to sell players this summer, and one man who could depart the club is academy graduate Scott McTomimay.
McTominay’s value in 2024
27-year-old midfielder McTominay has been heavily rumoured to leave Old Trafford this summer, after an impressive campaign in 2023/24. He was a key source of goals for Ten Hag last term, and enjoyed his best goalscoring season in the Premier League, scoring seven times.
McTominay goalscoring record by PL season
Season
Games
Goals
2016/17
2
0
2017/18
13
0
2018/19
16
2
2019/20
27
4
2020/21
32
4
2021/22
30
1
2022/23
24
1
2023/24
32
7
2024/25
1
0
Stats from Transfermarkt
The Scotland international is a master at crashing the box late, getting onto crosses and firing home from close range. He offers a unique profile to United’s squad and was described as an “absolute monster” by football analyst H over on X.
He often dug Ten Hag and his side out of a hole. Out of those seven top-flight goals, one was an equaliser, one was a winner and on two occasions the Scot scored a brace, getting both the equaliser and winner, as per Transfermarkt. He was hugely effective.
However, with United needing to sell players over the summer to raise funds for a midfielder, he could be on the chopping block before the deadline on the 30th of August. McTominay is certainly of interest to a couple of clubs across Europe.
One of those was, ironically Fulham, who have since moved on to signing Berge, and Italian side Napoli, now managed by Antonio Conte. Indeed, interested clubs will have to meet United’s £30m valuation if they want to sign him, money they can then go and invest into a deal for Ugarte.
That would give the Old Trafford club pure profit, given he is an academy graduate for whom the paid nothing – with that £30m price tag also ahead of the initial £20m fee that Fulham are set to dish out on Berge.
The Red Devils missed the boat on signing Berge this summer, but the opportunity to bring Ugarte to the club remains, and selling McTominay on could be a huge turning point, as Ten Hag looks to reshape the midfield and push his side further up the table.
Better than Berge: Man Utd could sign Casemiro upgrade who's like Pogba
Five SA players will leave for the IPL after the second match
Firdose Moonda01-Apr-2021
Temba Bavuma will take charge of South Africa’s white-ball sides on Friday•Getty Images
Big picture Christmas in July? No, it’s cricket in April, which is still somewhat of a rarity for South Africa as the country approaches autumn.Three years ago, a Test series against Australia finished on April 3, but we have to go back more than a decade for anything that started in this month. South Africa hosted Australia for five ODIs between April 3 and 17 in 2009. The current visit from Pakistan will be longer in match terms, with three ODIs and four T20s scheduled, but shorter in days, as all seven matches will take place in two weeks.The full tour will take place on the Highveld, between Centurion’s SuperSport Park and Johannesburg’s Wanderers, necessitated by bubble conditions, which means we won’t get to see coastal wickets and can expect conditions to suit seam bowlers. While that could mean a feast for fast-bowling aficionados with both teams known for the pace prowess except that five first-choice South Africa players will leave after two matches.The IPL is the other reason we don’t often see cricket in April in this country. A standing agreement between Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the BCCI has meant that South Africa keeps the April-May window reasonably empty even as the number of their players at the IPL has reduced. This season Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, David Miller and Quinton de Kock will leave the national squad to link up with the franchises in India which may take some of the gloss off this series.South Africa’s new white-ball captain Temba Bavuma is unlikely to see it that way, though. He will be around for all of it and will want to use these matches to establish a style of leadership to take South Africa through the next three World Cups, after being appointed until 2023. Ultimately, that’s what the three ODIs are about. South Africa have yet to begin collecting points on the World Cup Super League after last year’s matches against England were postponed when the visitors left early and questioned the integrity of the bio-secure environment. Pakistan are currently eighth on the table (remember only eight teams qualify for the World Cup) after playing three matches and dropped points when they lost in a Super Over to Zimbabwe late last year. That, and a series against Sri Lanka, are the only ODI cricket Pakistan have played since the 2019 World Cup and they too need to start building towards the next tournament.Pakistan have travelled with a big, youthful squad for this trip to Southern Africa (they will also head to Zimbabwe for three T20s and two Tests later in the month) with six of their 18 ODI players under the age of 23 and three uncapped players. This is an opportunity for Pakistan to find combinations and consistency against an opposition who have not known either of those things for some time.South Africa have not played an ODI series in a year and have been through another cycle of administrative upheaval and on-field slumps. They beat a depleted Sri Lanka at home but lost soundly in Pakistan. All while the boardroom shenanigans rumble on. This series will be played under threat from the sports minister to intervene in CSA’s affairs unless the Members’ Council – the body made up of 14 provincial presidents- and interim board agree on a Memorandum of Incorporation to usher in a new board by next week.Form guide (last five completed matches, most recent first) South Africa WWWLWPakistan TWWWWDanish Aziz is set to become Pakistan’s 229th ODI player after a successful run in domestic cricket•PCB
In the spotlight Even though he is no longer the captain, there will still be plenty of eyes on Quinton de Kock who was stripped of the leadership in all formats last month and has recently returned from a mental-health break. De Kock has played just one competitive match in almost two months since returning from South Africa’s Test series defeat to Pakistan – a fairly low-key first-class match for his domestic team, the Titans. Now, back and freed from the burden of captaincy, it is hoped he will return to being the destructively carefree cricketer who set the international alight.Danish Aziz is expected to become Pakistan’s 229th ODI player after a successful run in the domestic fifty-over competition in January. Aziz scored 297 runs in seven matches, which included a century and two fifties at an average of 74.25, finishing as the fourth-highest scorer in the competition. In the absence of Imad Wasim and Haris Sohail, Aziz has the opportunity to make the No.5 position in the batting his own on this tour.Team news With World Cup Super League points up for grabs and five players leaving after the second game to the IPL, South Africa will want to field their strongest XI. That’s likely to include the full India-bound quintet. There’s a bun fight at the top of the order with four opening candidates in the squad. Coach Mark Boucher said Bavuma “will probably” bat at No.3 which means Aiden Markram may have to wait his turn after the departure of the IPL players. A middle order of Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen may leave no room for Kyle Verreynne with Andile Phehlukwayo likely to slot in as the allrounderSouth Africa (possible): 1 Quinton de Kock (wk) 2 Janneman Malan 3 Temba Bavuma (capt) 4 Rassie van der Dussen 5 David Miller, 6 Heinrich Klaasen, 7 Andile Phehlukwayo 8 Kagiso Rabada, 9 Anrich Nortje 10 Lungi Ngidi 11 Tabraiz ShamsiMiddle-order batsman Aziz is expected to slot into an important role behind the top four with Asif Ali and Shadab Khan to follow. Pakistan will want their seamers to make a strong statement early on but may not be able to play their first-choice attack. Although Babar Azam declared Hasan Ali “100%” fit after his recovery from Covid-19, it is expected that he will be given more time to prepare and 20-year-old fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain could be given the opportunity to add to his 10 ODI wickets.Pakistan (possible): 1 Imam-ul-Haq, 2 Fakhar Zaman, 3 Babar Azam (capt), 4 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 5 Danish Aziz, 6 Asif Ali, 7 Shadab Khan, 8 Faheem Ashraf, 9 Mohammad Hasnain, 10 Shaheen Shah Afridi, 11 Haris RaufPitch and conditions Late-summer pitches may be unpredictable with Bavuma expecting a little more for the bowlers and Mark Boucher thinking it may get slower as the weather cools off. That could mean matches are not as high-scoring as modern-day matches can be. The storm season has just about ended with summer and conditions in Centurion are set to be warm and sunny, with a light breeze.Stats and trivia Temba Bavuma has only played six ODIs but that does not make him South Africa’s least experienced captain. Clive Rice debuted in his first match in charge on South Africa’s return to international cricket in 1991 and Kepler Wessels had only played three ODIs for Australia before turning out as South Africa’s captain in 1992. Aiden Markram was made temporary ODI captain after two matches and Graeme Smith had played 22 ODIs before being given the job.Pakistan were the first team from the subcontinent to beat South Africa in an ODI series at home. They won a three-match series in 2013-14 2-1, and have lost two series before and after that by close margins of 3-2.Fakhar Zaman needs 40 runs to reach 2,000 ODI runs.Quotes “Unfortunately we won’t have some guys available for selection after the second ODI. It’s not ideal for preparation in a World Cup year. At least those guys are going to go and play in a good, strong competition against strong opposition. They are going to be getting first-hand information about the different venues in India and playing against players they are going to meet up against in the T20 World Cup. It would be a different story if they were going on holiday.”