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Manchester United’s hierarchy ensured that Ruben Amorim was well backed in the 2025 summer transfer window. Despite another season filled with inconsistencies under the Portuguese manager, the Red Devils’ owners have backed their manager, highlighted by the amount of money they spent over the summer.

Star forward Bryan Mbeumo has been the biggest success story after his £71m move from Brentford. He was one of three marquee attackers who United signed, along with Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5m, and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko for £74m.

Goalkeeper Senne Lammens rounded out a busy summer where Amorim was well and truly backed.

If recent rumours are to be believed, INEOS are willing to give Amorim even more money to spend.

United’s next marquee signing

It is certainly an exciting time to be a United fan with all the incomings. They have been linked with a few big names from within the Premier League, including Elliot Anderson and Carlos Baleba, in recent days.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Yet, the man who the Red Devils could turn to first in midfield is Real Madrid and France international Aurelien Tchouameni. According to reports in Spain, via Football365, United have ‘put forward an offer’ to sign the former AS Monaco star as soon as January.

This is certainly not a deal that will come cheap for United. The reported bid they have played for the midfielder would see him become Amorim’s most expensive signing, at £79m including add-ons.

However, the report suggests Los Blancos are not open to the move as things stand.

Man Utd's next Casemiro in the making?

At 25 years of age, the 43-cap France international is about to enter the peak years of his career. Since moving to the Bernabeu in 2022 from Monaco, he has become a key player in midfield, helping Madrid win multiple titles, including the Champions League and La Liga.

This season under Madrid’s new head coach, Xabi Alonso, Tchouameni has featured 15 times, in all competitions. Operating at the base of midfield, he’s completed 90 minutes 12 times, racking up 1224 minutes so far.

There are a couple of smaller things in Tchouameni’s game that make him such an appealing addition for Amorim. One of those is his versatility, with the Frenchman able to slot in at centre-back. The other his his knack for goal.

England fans won’t forget this strike in the 2022 World Cup, highlighting how dangerous he can be from range.

If the Red Devils were able to bring the Frenchman to Old Trafford this term, he would, in many ways, be the second coming of Casemiro. United’s number 18 has shone under Amorim this term, playing all ten Premier League games he’s been available for. Indeed, there are a couple of striking similarities between the pair.

Indeed, the fact that Casemiro was also a big money signing from Los Blancos is one of the main ways this deal feels alike. Versatility is also a similarity, with the Brazilian able to operate at centre-back too, as well as his natural role in midfield.

The former Madrid star is also prone to a goal just like Tchouameni, with three to his name already this term.

One of his best strikes in Red came last season in the Carabao Cup, when he hit this long-range screamer against Leicester City.

Tchouameni and Casemiro also share a statistical likeness, as can be seen when looking at their stats this season, as per FBref..

For example, the French star averaged 5.88 progressive passes and 3.3 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes, compared to 4.41 progressive passes and 3.97 tackles and interceptions each game from the Brazil international.

Progressive passes

5.88

4.41

Tackles and interceptions

3.33

3.97

Clearances

1.96

1.76

Progressive carries

1.03

0.15

Ball recoveries

4.23

5.74

It is easy to see how this deal to sign Tchouameni could be the second coming of Casemiro at Old Trafford. They have followed a similar career path and are statistically alike. He could well be the Brazilian’s replacement down the line.

As football analyst Raj Chohan said, Tchouameni is “one of the best defensive midfielders on the planet” and he would certainly add more midfield quality to United.

Garnacho 2.0 at Man Utd: INEOS in talks with agent to sign £70m "monster"

One Garnacho-esque new signing could help add firepower to Man United’s attack.

ByJoe Nuttall Nov 19, 2025

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O Palmeiras recebe o Internacional neste sábado (11), pela 34ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. A bola vai rolar a partir das 21h (de Brasília), na Arena Barueri, em Barueri (SP), com transmissão exclusiva do Premiere (pay-per-view).

RelacionadasDicasPalmeiras x Internacional: estatísticas e informações do jogo pela 34ª rodada do BrasileirãoDicas09/11/2023Fora de CampoFacincani critica jogador após derrota do Palmeiras: ‘Não pode vestir essa camisa’Fora de Campo09/11/2023Fora de CampoEx-Palmeiras vê exagero em expulsão de Gustavo Gómez contra o Flamengo: ‘Daria amarelo’Fora de Campo09/11/2023

+ Confira os próximos jogos do Brasileirão

✅ FICHA TÉCNICA
Palmeiras x Internacional
34ª rodada – Campeonato Brasileiro

Data e horário: sábado, 11 de novembro de 2023, às 21h (de Brasília)
Local: Arena Barueri, em Barueri (SP)
Onde assistir: Premiere e tempo real do Lance!
Arbitragem: Paulo Cesar Zanovelli da Silva (Fifa-MG) (árbitro);  Guilherme Dias Camilo (Fifa-MG) e Felipe Alan Costa de Oliveira (auxiliares); Vinicius Goncalves Dias Araujo (SP) (quarto árbitro);  Marco Aurelio Augusto Fazekas Ferreira (MG) (VAR)

⚽ PROVÁVEIS ESCALAÇÕES
PALMEIRAS (Técnico: Abel Ferreira)
Weverton; Murilo, Luan e Naves; Mayke, Richard Ríos, Zé Rafael, Raphael Veiga e Piquerez; Breno Lopes e Endrick.

Desfalques: Dudu (lesão no joelho), Gabriel Menino (lesão no tornozelo) e Gustavo Gómez (suspenso)

INTERNACIONAL (Técnico: Eduardo Coudet)
Rochet; Bustos, Vitão, Mercado e Nico Hernández (Dalbert); Johnny, Aránguiz (Gabriel), Maurício e Wanderson; Alan Patrick e Enner Valencia.

Desfalques: Bruno Henrique (suspenso)
Dúvida: Aránguiz

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The Herons might miss the Uruguayan when they take on Nashville Saturday night, yet his absence could offer some answers as to how they function going forward

Luis Suarez just had to do it again. In fairness, this is what Luis Suarez does: mayhem, chaos, rule-breaking – and often in rather nasty ways.

His latest act? Kicking Nashville’s Andy Najar in the groin during the second half of Inter Miami’s playoff clash. It was the kind of thing Suarez has probably gotten away with countless times – a ball about to enter the box, Najar holding him, Suarez pushing off and flicking his leg with a quick, snapping motion.

Whether he intended to plant his studs in the defender’s groin isn’t clear – that would require a frightening degree of accuracy, a no-look shot for the ages. But the broader point holds: Suarez made a deliberate act to injure an opponent. Few caught it in real time, and there was no punishment on the pitch, but MLS reviewed the play afterward and handed him a one-match suspension. He’ll now miss Saturday’s elimination game against Nashville – if Miami lose, their season ends, and Suarez won’t be on the pitch to help them.

Perhaps more importantly, though, this is a test for the Herons. They have survived without Suarez in the past. They have, arguably, looked better without him at times. And so, it becomes a strange balancing act. Suarez is a key player, to be sure. But they have shown previously that his absence isn't necessarily damning. And this game – win or lose – might just offer an idea of how a post-Suarez Inter Miami could function, not just in the next few weeks, but also for years to come. 

• Imagn
  

  Sticking to a brand

  Of course, this was bound to happen. Every few months, Suarez reminds the footballing world why he’s one of the game’s great villains – an immense talent, but a truly unlikeable one. This is the Suarez brand: brilliance wrapped in chaos. The contradiction is that what makes him great – the tenacity and relentlessness – also fuels the misdemeanors. In a twisted way, good and evil Suarez must coexist for elite Suarez to thrive.

  At his best, Suarez remains an unrelenting pest of a forward, even in his twilight years. He keeps running, shouting, and scrapping long after his body tells him not to. Everything about his 38-year-old frame – the worn knees, the heavy legs – suggests his career should be over. Yet somehow, he’s still fighting on. That persistence doesn’t justify the occasional kick or outburst; it’s simply part of who he is (and still shouldn’t be condoned).

  These incidents are forgivable when Suarez is fit and firing. But when he's off color? Then they start to seem a real issue. He has already been suspended once this season, that time for spitting at a Seattle Sounders staff member after losing the Leagues Cup final. He was banned for three games and should have been out for longer. And now, Suarez is out again.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Messi at false nine the solution?

  The immediate issue here – beyond that, of course, of having an aging superstar with serious anger issues – is how Miami approach Game 3. Suarez is having a poor season by his standards, with 10 goals and 10 assists in MLS. He is not the goalscoring threat he once was, but remains an influential part of the Miami attack. It's a footballing cliche of sorts, but Suarez makes all of the intelligent runs and occupies all of the right spaces. Strikers of his age are supposed to conserve energy and only move when they absolutely have to. Suarez is hardly ever static. Even when he is less effective in front of goal or slower getting to his spots on the pitch, he remains a nightmare for defenders. 

  Miami don't have the personnel to replace him or his impact. What they will have to do, then, is some tactical tweaking. The silver lining to having a player who gets suspended a lot is that you tend to learn how to operate without him when needed. And Miami have done so on a couple of occasions this season. The most obvious solution is a tried and tested formula that has worked for 15 years: play Lionel Messi as a false nine. It worked wonders for Barcelona, and Argentina have done a similar thing for years.

  That might, in fact, be the only option for. Young striker Allen Obando has hardly played all season. Tadeo Allende is a peripheral option. Messi, who is the team's best attacking player and playmaker, appears to be the most logical choice. 

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Addressing tactical deficiencies

  But there will undoubtedly be a bit of a knock-on effect – at both ends of the pitch. Although they started the season in a 4-3-3, recently, Miami have played in a more recognizable 4-4-2. Suarez operates as a central striker of sorts, with Messi able to roam around in a free role just behind him. That makes perfect sense from an attacking point of view. It allows the outside players to get forward and scamper into good crossing positions, which then opens some space for Messi in the middle. This isn't tactically revolutionary as much as basic soccer.

  When you don't have a central striker, though, things change. The concept of the false nine is inherently reliant on having two attacking outside players who pour forward and sacrifice a little bit defensively. It's almost counterintuitive, but playing without a natural forward tends to be far more offensive of a setup – mostly because it can leave teams frighteningly exposed when they don't have the ball.

  Anyone who has watched Miami at any point this season would tell you that is not a very good idea. They're a pretty simple team to cut through, offering far too much space in the middle of the pitch, and limited pressure on the ball when they don't have it. The appeal of a 4-4-2, rather than a 4-3-3, is that it offers a more reliable defensive structure that is harder to play against. Effectively, then, in losing Suarez, Miami will be forced to leave themselves a little more open going the other way. 

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• Getty
  

  Planning for the future

  Suarez is a real pain, but his presence alone makes Miami better – at least in theory. Without him in August, they were mixed: narrow wins over Seattle and D.C. United, but a 3-0 thrashing by Charlotte that exposed their flaws.

  That game was perhaps more indicative of how Miami can be attacked than the two wins. Charlotte had far less of the ball, and were comfortable in their defensive shape. They kept Messi quiet, and were incredibly direct and opportunistic when they had the ball. They managed four shots on target, and three ended up in the back of the net. That is, perhaps, a bit of a statistical anomaly. But it is indicative of how Miami can be hit when they're without Suarez. That could easily happen against Nashville Saturday night. 

  More broadly, it could offer some indications about Miami's future. Messi’s under contract for multiple years, but Suarez’s deal ends after this season. Despite Jorge Mas’ hints that the Uruguayan could stay, there’s been no public indication of renewal. There is every chance that he has played his last game for Miami. Now, the Herons have to figure out how to move forward without him. 

MatériaMais Notícias

Luxemburgo teve mais de uma semana para preparar o Corinthians contra um adversário que o Timão vai reencontrar em duas semanas, e a sensação ao assistir sua equipe e entrevista coletiva é que o treinador perdeu o controle e não aproveitou em nada a pausa pela Data Fifa. A derrota diante do Fortaleza é o retrato da campanha do Alvinegro no Brasileirão.

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+ Renove o seu estoque de camisas do Timão com o cupom LANCEFUT 10% OFF

Mais uma vez, Luxa tomou decisões questionáveis, desde poupar Fagner, Fábio Santos e Renato Augusto até uma escalação sem Lucas Veríssimo na zaga, claramente o melhor zagueiro do elenco, e Pedro como titular, que não jogava há mais de dois meses.

+ Tem promoção exclusiva de boas-vindas pra você! Aposte a partir de R$10 e receba até R$200 de bônus na Lance! Betting

A única constante do Corinthians neste Brasileirão é a forma como a equipe é desorganizada e sem padrão tático. Luxemburgo já testou diversas formações e jogadores, e a apatia impera no Timão, especialmente quando precisa construir o resultado fora de casa.

continua após a publicidade

O Fortaleza, pelo outro lado, foi intenso e buscou o resultado do começo ao fim. Com força máxima, a equipe de Vojvoda sufocou o Timão na primeira etapa e foi punida pelo azar, já que o gol de Pedro não teve méritos coletivos do Alvinegro, e sim obra do acaso.

Como sempre, a Lance! Betting já preparou aquela combinada para te deixar na cara do gol: a odd para Neymar marcar o primeiro gol da partida e o Al-Hilal vencer mais uma está em 4.30! Se você apostar R$10, o retorno é de R$43!

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As mudanças feitas por Luxa no segundo tempo tiveram ligeira melhora na equipe, que pecou no capricho e perdeu a chance da improvável virada. E quando o coletivo não é organizado, as fragilidades individuais ficam mais nítidas, e Bidu foi exposto por Marinho e Pikachu.

A Lance! Betting já aqueceu os mercados para o jogo. Você acredita que o Verdão mantém a superioridade? Antes 8.00, a odd turbinada para o Palmeiras bater o Goiás por 3×0 está em 8.75! Apostando R$10, seu retorno é de quase R$90!

+ Já pensou em ser um gestor de futebol? Participe da nossa Masterclass com Felipe Ximenes e descubra oportunidades

O alerta para o Corinthians no Brasileirão sempre esteve ligado, e será necessário um crescimento improvável nas próximas semanas para o Timão não seguir lutando até o final contra o rebaixamento, já que o histórico não passa nenhuma confiança ao torcedor.

It felt as if there was an unspoken agreement among Manchester United supporters last season. No matter the on-field turmoil, no matter the new lows reached, the Old Trafford faithful would remain behind manager Ruben Amorim regardless.

Parachuted in mid-way through the campaign, despite his desire to join this summer, the Portuguese coach was almost afforded a free hit last time out, with a notable Europa League run also helping to cloud the club’s Premier League undoings.

That night in Bilbao was drab and disappointing, yet the 40-year-old teased brighter days ahead following the final league clash against Aston Villa. “The good days are coming”, he exclaimed.

Five games into the new season, however, and those ‘good days’ have yet to return. Perhaps the cries for patience need to be heeded, but this all feels very much like more of the same.

There was a willingness to ‘suffer’ in 2024/25, with the proviso that Amorim would get it right after a full summer window, a full pre-season and a full week between games. Four points from four and a Carabao Cup exit would suggest otherwise.

Unsurprisingly, the debate over the ex-Sporting CP man’s future is ramping up – could it be time for a change before too much damage is done?

How Amorim's start to the season compares

The honesty and candour of Amorim’s pre and post-match musings has been to his credit, yet while the one-time Braga boss is able to talk the talk, he has thus far failed to walk the walk.

Steadfast in his refusal to tweak a flawed 3-4-2-1 system, the latest post-Sir Alex Ferguson appointment may well fall on his sword sooner rather than later, having overseen the club’s worst start to a Premier League campaign since 1992.

Of course, that inaugural season in the new-look top-flight saw United clinch the title under Fergie’s watch, but in an era where almost perfection is needed to finish at the summit, the current crop appear so far off the pace.

With the next international break now just three games away, Amorim could be heading for a crucial juncture in his relatively brief Red Devils tenure, with it having been October last year which saw the end of Erik ten Hag.

The Dutchman had actually collected more points this time last year with six from the opening four league games, although with United slumping to 14th in the table, a defeat to West Ham United was the final straw.

Having overseen another extensive summer of investment in the region of £250m, Amorim may also find himself on the chopping block before too long – but just who could replace him?

How Man Utd can replace Ruben Amorim

There is a sense that the INEOS hierarchy have almost jumped the gun with Amorim’s appointment. Rather than taking the approach of employing a safe pair hands in the dugout, while considerable change continues at boardroom level, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co have gambled on the two-time Portuguese title winner and his much-debated back three system.

That risk, so far, has yet to pay off, and while it is still early days in the 2025/26 season, there could well be a desire to nip things in the bud sooner rather than later, instead of simply watching another campaign drift into nothingness.

If a change is to be made in the managerial department, there have been whispers that long-time target Mauricio Pochettino could be in the equation, with the Argentine coach currently at the helm of the United States national team.

A record of seven defeats in 18 games in charge of the upcoming World Cup hosts is certainly nothing to shout about, with the post-Tottenham Hotspur period having been distinctly unkind for the 53-year-old, amid his brutal sackings at both Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.

That being said, while his time at international level may suggest otherwise, the 4-2-3-1 manager is no busted flush. At Stamford Bridge, for instance, he overcame the chaos to steer the Blues to a respectable sixth-place finish. At the Parc des Princes, meanwhile, three domestic honours were claimed for the Ligue 1 giants.

There was a time, too, when he was even deemed by Ferguson to be the “best manager in the league” – as relayed by MP David Lammy – with Pochettino having been a revelation following his appointment at Spurs in 2014.

Formerly of Southampton, the “genius” coach – as hailed by journalist Alex Keble – steered a youthful side in north London to incremental progress, unleashing an exciting brand of football led by the likes of Harry Kane, Heung-min Son and Dele Alli.

In his five full seasons in charge of the Lilywhites, ‘Poch’ finished no lower than fifth, even while largely operating on a shoestring budget, having secured a top-four finish in four successive campaigns.

While a trophy was elusive, the one-time Espanyol boss did defy the odds to take the club to the Champions League final in 2019, having been harshly sacked by Daniel Levy just a matter of months later. As Keble stated, he was arguably “too good” for Spurs, while he was “so above Levy, the chairman didn’t know what to do.”

With Amorim currently ‘boasting’ a Premier League record of just 31 points from 31 games, Pochettino would undoubtedly be an upgrade in that department.

Indeed, the latter man has won 150 games in the competition from 294 outings, with a points per match ratio of 1.77.

Pochettino’s Career Record
Team	Games	Points Per Match
USA	18	1.83
Chelsea	51	1.78
PSG	84	2.15
Spurs	293	1.84
Saints	60	1.45
Espanyol	161	1.22
via Transfermarkt

Still a relatively youthful figure in the coaching world at 53, the experienced coach appears to have missed the boat on numerous occasions when it comes to moving to Manchester, having notably been in the running when both Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were fired.

This move has been a long time coming, with Pochettino able to provide that long-term approach alongside the ability to get results at Premier League level in the short-term.

Amorim, it must be said, is a figure to get behind, but this is a results business, and well, the results simply haven’t been up to scratch.

No Dorgu, new role for Amad: How Amorim can save Man Utd job & keep 3-4-2-1

Ruben Amorim appears intent on sticking with his 3-4-2-1 formation at Man Utd, but could he at least change the personnel within it?

By
Robbie Walls

Sep 17, 2025

أعلن هانز فليك مدرب برشلونة، قائمة فريقه التي تستعد لمواجهة ريال مدريد مساء الغد، ضمن منافسات الدوري الإسباني على ملعب سانتياجو برنابيو.

ويبتعد برشلونة عن ريال مدريد في الصدارة بفارق نقطتين، حيث يحتل المركز الثاني بـ22 نقطة، بينما يتزعم الفريق المضيف الجدول بـ24 نقطة.

ويغيب عن برشلونة في مباراة الغد عدة لاعبين، أهمهم روبرت ليفاندوفسكي ورافينها وخوان جارسيا للإصابة إلى جانب الدنماركي كريستنسن، بينما يستمر تواجد فيران توريس بعد عودته في قائمة مباراة أولمبياكوس وتم استدعاء كوندي بعد مشاركته في تدريبات الفريق بشكل طبيعي صباح اليوم.

اقرأ أيضًا.. بيدري يكشف خطة برشلونة لمواجهة ريال مدريد قائمة برشلونة أمام ريال مدريد في الجولة العاشرة من الدوري الاسباني

في حراسة المرمى: تشيزني – كوشين- ادير آلير

خط الدفاع: بالدي – أراوخو – كوبارسي- جيرارد مارتن- كوندي- إريك جارسيا- جوفري- إسبارت

خط الوسط: بيدري- فيرمين لوبيز- مارك كاسادو – فرينكي دي يونج- مارك بيرنال – درو

خط الهجوم: فيران توريس- لامين يامال- ماركوس راشفورد – روني باردجي- فرنانديز

It is remarkable that an unbeaten domestic season so far for Celtic has almost been overlooked, with supporters rightly nearing breaking point amid what appears a simply disastrous summer of transfer business.

Having failed to replace Kyogo Furuhashi in January, the Hoops have since seen Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah depart without securing adequate replacement, with talisman Daizen Maeda also revealing his own desire to leave, albeit while ultimately staying put.

The Scottish champions remain at the top of the tree in the Premiership, yet after reason for encouragement in the Champions League last term, there are few signs that they are kicking on under Brendan Rodgers.

Things, it must be said, have all gone a little bit stale, with intrigue building over just how late arrival Kelechi Iheanacho will fare in his new surroundings, following his free transfer switch from Sevilla.

Rodgers has got a tune out of the Nigerian marksman in the past at Leicester City. Can he do so again in Glasgow?

Iheanacho's record under Rodgers

As already suggested last week, there is an air of Scott Sinclair about this latest deal, with Rodgers getting out the phonebook to reunite with one of his former stars who has fallen on hard times in recent years.

Sinclair went on to flourish in green and white, and hopefully Iheanacho can do the same, albeit with the 28-year-old enduring a difficult few years that yielded just three goals in 11 games during his stop-start stint in Spain, alongside scoring just once in 14 outings for Middlesbrough.

Even more worringly is that the one-time Manchester City striker hasn’t actually broken double figures for league goals since the 2020/21 campaign, as per Transfermarkt, where he netted 12 times for Leicester in the Premier League.

In fact, that is the only time in his senior career that the mercurial left-footer has reached double figures for league goals full stop, with his previous best coming back in 2015/16, where he scored eight top-flight goals at the Etihad.

And yet, for all that concern, if anyone is to get him fit and firing again, it is Rodgers, with Iheanacho having scored 43 goals and registered 25 assists in 143 games under the Northern Irishman to date – by far the best record of his career under any manager.

Rodgers – Top Scorers

Player

Goals

Games

Scott Sinclair

95

238

Jamie Vardy

70

157

Luis Suarez

61

81

Moussa Dembele

51

94

James Maddison

49

166

James Forrest

46

216

Daizen Maeda

44

94

Kelechi Iheanacho

43

143

Daniel Sturridge

43

70

Stats via Transfermarkt

Still only 28 and “in his peak years”, in the words of the Celtic boss, the 6 foot 1 ace could prove to be a bargain yet for the Premiership side, emulating recent free transfer success stories such as Aaron Mooy and, of course, Kasper Schmeichel.

Iheanacho will be in need of service if he is to shine at Parkhead, however, with Rodgers needing to find a new creative hub in his muted outfit.

Rodgers must now unleash the new Ryan Christie

The best Celtic sides of recent times have been blessed with a difference-maker in that advanced number ten berth, be it Matt O’Riley, Tom Rogic, Ryan Christie or even Kris Commons.

That string of left-footers have all blossomed across the last decade or so, with there perhaps the opportunity there for a certain Luke McCowan to follow in their footsteps, despite having largely played a bit-part role since his switch from Dundee last summer.

Signed for just £1m, the boyhood Celtic fan is yet to truly be given the chance to showcase what he’s all about, having previously recorded 15 goals and assists in his final full season at Dens Park.

47 appearances have since come his way under Rodgers, albeit with only 16 of those actually coming from the start, with the likes of Reo Hatate, Arne Engels and now Benjamin Nygren favoured as part of that midfield trio, alongside the constant pivot of Callum McGregor.

When he has been given an opportunity, however, the Scotsman has typically taken it, chalking up a respectable tally of eight goals and nine assists for the club to date, including the decisive strike off the bench to see off St Mirren on the opening weekend.

Once hailed as the “best midfielder in the league outside the Old Firm” by writer Kai Watson – who also described him as a “creative and tenacious” asset – McCowan is that man who can unlock the door. The man who can create something out of nothing.

Indeed, ex-Celtic star Andy Walker has even made the comparison between the 27-year-old and the aforementioned Christie in the past, having said as much amid his bargain switch last summer:

Signed from Inverness Caledonian Thistle back in 2015, Christie – now of AFC Bournemouth – went on dazzle in green and white, registering 86 goals and assists in just 151 games, operating centrally and off the right flank.

McCowan seemingly has the quality to take on a similar role in this current set-up, with Celtic’s number 14 notably creating nine ‘big chances’ last term in the Premiership, alongside averaging 1.3 key passes per game, as per Sofascore.

Such creative prowess could ensure that McCowan is the man to get the best out of Iheanacho, with the 58-cap Nigerian notably thriving in tandem with ex-Aberdeen star James Maddison at Leicester, after combining for ten goals with the English playmaker, as per Transfermarkt.

Taking on a similar number ten or advanced playmaking berth, McCowan may well be just the solution for both Rodgers and Iheanacho.

Of course, the new man will have to contribute himself, although he certainly can’t do it all on his own.

Related Edouard 2.0: Celtic dud who was sold for £1.4m is now better than Iheanacho

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Posts ByBen Gray Sep 8, 2025

Benfica have publicly backed Jose Mourinho amid his ongoing feud with referees, issuing a furious statement condemning what they called 'double standards' in officiating. The club claimed recent decisions have systematically gone against them and demanded accountability from the Refereeing Council, insisting such performances 'cannot go unpunished'.

Benfica claim 'double standards' in Mourinho's battle with refs

Benfica took to social media to highlight two controversial refereeing calls made within the space of three days. The club pointed to a foul on Antonio Silva that went unpunished before a goal in their game with Gil Vicente, contrasting it with a soft decision that saw their own goal ruled out against Rio Ave. The outburst comes amid heightened scrutiny of referees following Mourinho’s recent criticism of referee Sergio Guelho for having 'no personality'.

AdvertisementAFPBenfica release fiery statement

In a statement released on Saturday, Benfica said: "Sport Lisboa e Benfica is once again challenging the Refereeing Council to standardise the criteria governing refereeing. In the last match against Rio Ave, Benfica had a goal disallowed for a supposedly meaningless foul. Today, Gil Vicente's first goal stemmed from a sole strike on Antonio Silva's Achilles tendon, and nothing was called.

"What conclusions will the Refereeing Council draw from this duality of criteria in just three days? These performances, which have been systematically detrimental to Benfica, cannot continue unpunished."

GettyMourinho under investigation for referee comments

Benfica’s official intervention comes at a time when Mourinho is already under investigation for comments made about referee Sergio Guelho. The Portuguese coach claimed it was his "democratic right" to critique officials’ performances after his side’s controversial draw with Rio Ave. The club’s strong stance signals unified support for Mourinho as he continues to challenge what he perceives as bias against Benfica.

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Special One could face touchline ban for comments

The Portuguese Refereeing Council is expected to review the incidents and could respond publicly to Benfica’s accusations. Mourinho, meanwhile, faces potential sanctions over his previous remarks, with a fine or touchline ban still on the table. If he sees a suspension, Mourinho will miss the chance to face his former side, Porto, at the Dragao.

أعلن تشابي ألونسو مدرب ريال مدريد، تشكيل الفريق لمباراته أمام فياريال، ببطولة الدوري الإسباني لموسم 2025-2026.

ويستقبل ريال مدريد خصمه فياريال على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” ضمن منافسات الجولة الثامنة من الدوري الإسباني للموسم الجاري.

ريال مدريد يتواجد حاليًا في المركز الثاني برصيد 18 نقطة، حيث فقد الصدارة عقب خسارته في الديربي ضد أتلتيكو مدريد، بنتيجة 5/2 في الجولة الماضية، في الوقت الذي فاز فيه برشلونة على ريال سوسيداد، بهدفين لهدف.

والضيف فياريال يتواجد في المركز الثالث بجدول ترتيب الدوري الإسباني، ويملك في رصيده 16 نقطة. تشكيل ريال مدريد أمام فياريال في الدوري الإسباني

حراسة المرمى: تيبو كورتوا.

خط الدفاع: إيدير ميليتاو، دين هويسن، ألفارو كاريراس.

خط الوسط: أردا جولر، داني سيبايوس، تشواميني، فالفيردي.

خط الهجوم: فينيسيوس جونيور، كيليان مبابي، ماستانتونو.

البدلاء: لونين، سيرجيو ميستري، ديفيد ألابا، كامافينجا، بيلينجهام، إندريك، رودريجو، جونزالو، أسينسيو، فران جارسيا، إبراهيم دياز.

Ben Stokes, England’s captain, said he had apologised to his players for his show of frustration on the third evening in Multan, at the point that the second Test against Pakistan began to slip out of his team’s control in a spate of dropped catches and fielding lapses.Stokes, back in the side for the first time in nine weeks after a hamstring tear had ruled him out of their home series against Sri Lanka as well as last week’s first Test, told Sky Sports that he had behaved like a “tired and grumpy old man” when bawling out his players at a critical juncture of Pakistan’s second innings.The flashpoint came in the midst of a wholehearted spell of reverse-swing bowling from Brydon Carse, who had just dismissed Mohammad Rizwan for the third time in the series to raise England’s hopes of restricting Pakistan to a sub-150 second-innings total.Two overs later, however, with Salman Agha in his sights, Carse suffered two drops in the space of three balls – first as Jamie Smith spilled a regulation nick behind the stumps with Salman on 4, and then again on 6 when Joe Root, standing unusually close at first slip, couldn’t close his hands around a fenced edge off the back foot. Salman would go on to make an innings-defining 63 from 89 balls.Then, when Jack Leach fumbled at point to give away an unnecessary single in Carse’s subsequent over, Stokes let out a roar of exasperation – which, while understandable in the circumstances, was out of character for a captain who has extolled a blame-free environment in the course of his two-and-a-half year reign.Related

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“I actually apologised to the group up there last night,” Stokes said afterwards. “It’s the first time in my captaincy that I’ve let my emotions show in my body language, with how I was feeling as the game was unfolding. I owned up to that, and I’m very annoyed at myself for letting that out.”It’s something that I don’t want to do, or be seen to be doing,” he added. “No one means to drop catches, but it just proves how important catches are out in these subcontinent conditions, because they don’t come along that often. So I apologised to the group and said that was poor of me. I was a tired and grumpy old man last night. You won’t see that happen again.”Brendon McCullum, England’s head coach, admitted he had been surprised that Stokes had felt it necessary to speak out on the matter, but put his annoyance down to the passion that epitomises his character. Without it, he said, Stokes could not have driven himself back to full fitness so soon after suffering a serious hamstring tear.”I was a bit surprised, but we all know how passionate Ben is, and how much it means to him to play for England,” McCullum told Sky Sports. “We’ve seen that through his bloody-mindedness to get back from the injury, which was significant, and to do so in a nine-week timeframe, and in extreme conditions of 40 degrees.”I think maybe that’s where some of that frustration led to, certainly it wasn’t directed at any of the players,” he added. “It was more about trying to assess the rhythm of the game and to impact on it. But look, he’ll be better for the run. And I thought in the second innings [where he made 37 from 36 balls] he looked like he had that method where he could put pressure on the opposition. He’s at his best when he’s doing that.”Stokes himself acknowledged that the challenge of getting back to match fitness had been a tough one, having played no competitive cricket since tearing his hamstring while batting in the Hundred in August.”I’ve worked so, so hard to get fit for this Test match, but nothing can prepare you for standing out on the field in hot weather,” he said. “Training doesn’t do that, so it was great to be able to get through this Test match, it fills me up nicely going into next week, and it was nice to get some overs under the belt as well. That was the one thing which I felt like I was lacking. But obviously, when you get into the game, and you feel like it’s on the line, nothing can stop me from doing that.”In a match dominated by spinners, with Pakistan’s Sajid Khan and Noman Ali becoming the first bowling pair to share all 20 wickets since 1972, both Stokes and McCullum agreed that Carse’s luckless display had been one of the outstanding aspects of the contest. He finished with match figures of 5 for 79 across 29 overs, bowling with heart, pace and skill throughout, while also contributing a spirited innings of 27 from 32 balls on the final morning.”He’s been fantastic,” Stokes said. “He’s shown in these two games why we picked him in all formats, not just Test cricket, going forward. He just keeps charging in, ball after ball, spell after spell. Obviously, when the ball starts reverse-swinging, he comes into the game even more. Having his batting ability down the order again is massive for us. He’s been really good, and he’s going to raise his stock even higher than what it was already.”Ben Stokes disappointed after being stumped for 37•Getty Images

McCullum agreed Carse had been the “standout” of England’s attack. “I wouldn’t say he surprised me, because he came with the reputation of someone that could bowl good pace with a big heart, to keep charging in with some steepling bounce,” he said. “To be able to do it in England is one thing, to do it on a surface which didn’t offer a whole lot for fast bowlers is simply outstanding. We’re trying to build a battery of fast bowlers, and Carse has certainly put his name into that.”As a former Test wicketkeeper, McCullum also defended Smith’s display in the wake of his costly lapse on the third evening. After three sharp takes in the first innings, it was a rare blemish in what has been a fine start to Smith’s England career, while his twin scores of 21 and 6 amounted to his smallest contribution with the bat in course of eight Tests.”You will not get a tougher set of conditions to keep wicket on,” McCullum said. “Jamie’s very disappointed about dropping that catch. But you take that out, I thought his keeping was as good as I’ve seen in these conditions, particularly from a foreign wicketkeeper.”He’s just continuing to impress, and obviously in both innings, he’s trying to put pressure on the opposition on that surface, which is very difficult, but that’s his natural game. He’s turning into a really big player for us.”But that’s where you got to have the ability to turn the page pretty quickly as well, because if you ever let your mistakes dictate your attitude and your confidence, then you’re in for a hell of a time. Mistakes in this game are going to be part of it, but 99% of what Jamie has done in this Test match has been absolutely outstanding. And that’ll be the message to him.”