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CSK’s win over the Knight Riders has opened the playoff qualification scenarios wide open

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Oct-2020ESPNcricinfo LtdKolkata Knight Riders: Played 13, Points 12, NRR -0.467
Losing to the Super Kings means the Knight Riders can only reach 14 points. They can still make the top four without net run rates coming into play, but for that to happen, many other results will have to work in their favour. Kings XI Punjab should lose both their matches, while Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad should win no more than one. In that case, Knight Riders can make it as the fourth team with 14 points.If it does come down to NRR, the only team they can compete with are the Royals, who are currently on -0.505 compared to Knight Riders’ -0.467. However, Royals are currently on 10 points – their NRR will improve if they win two matches.Kings XI Punjab: Played 12, Points 12, NRR -0.049
The Knight Riders’ loss has given some wriggle room to several teams, and Kings XI are among them. While two wins will definitely take them into the playoffs – they could even finish among the top two – even with 14 points they now have a better chance of making the cut because their NRR of -0.049 is much better than that of the Knight Riders and the Royals – two of the other teams which can finish on 14.Even if they lose to the Royals on Friday, Kings XI can still qualify if they win their last game and if other results go their way. Currently, Sunrisers have a much better NRR, so Kings XI wouldn’t want them to win their last two games and get to 14.Rajasthan Royals: Played 12, Points 10, NRR -0.505
The Royals have a poor NRR of -0.505, so their best bet for qualification will be if they don’t get into a run-rate tussle with the other teams. For that to happen, they will have to win both their remaining matches, and hope that Super Kings continue their late-season form and beat the Kings XI. If the Sunrisers win no more than one more game, then the Royals will be through without NRR coming into play.Mumbai Indians: Played 12, Points 16, NRR 1.186
The Knight Riders’ defeat means that Mumbai Indians have qualified, as a maximum of four teams can now get to 16. Also, thanks to their excellent NRR, it is almost certain that they will also finish in the top two. That is because only one of the Capitals or the Royal Challengers can finish on 18, and in a battle among teams tied on 16, Mumbai are too far ahead on NRR.Royal Challengers Bangalore: Played 12, Points 14, NRR 0.048
Royal Challengers will qualify if they win one of their two remaining matches. Even if they lose both matches and stay on 14 they can still qualify without NRR coming into play, but for that to happen several other results will have to go their way.However, losing both games will affect their NRR, which could result in their elimination if other teams on 14 have higher run rates.Delhi Capitals: Played 12, Points 14, NRR 0.030
Like the Royal Challengers, the Capitals too need a win to seal their playoff place, but their last two games are against the top two teams on the table, and the Capitals will go into Saturday’s game against Mumbai Indians on a three-match losing streak.Capitals can ill-afford another meltdown like the one they had against Sunrisers: if they lose their last two, it is entirely possible that Kings XI will go past them on NRR even if they finish on 14 points. In that scenario, Capitals could find themselves eliminated if other teams on 14 finish on a higher NRR.Sunrisers Hyderabad: Played 12, Points 10, NRR 0.396
For the Sunrisers, the equation is simple: win their two remaining games, and hope that at least one out of Royal Challengers, Delhi Capitals and Kings XI don’t reach 16. In that case, the Sunrisers will surely progress to the playoffs because their NRR is superior to all the teams which can finish on 14 points.

Leeds United secured a sensational win in the Premier League on Wednesday night. Daniel Farke’s side beat title challengers Chelsea 3-1 at Elland Road, to pick up a huge three points in their quest for top-flight survival.

The game started in perfect fashion for the West Yorkshire outfit.

Defender Jaka Bijol rose highest from a corner to head home, after making a darting run from the edge of the 18-yard box to the corner of the six-yard box before unleashing his powerful header.

Chelsea did not really threaten despite dominating possession, having 71% across the game. Leeds were able to double their lead on the stroke of half-time, thanks to a sublime effort from Ao Tanaka.

The ball broke to Jayden Bogle on the edge of the box, who laid it off to Tanaka. The midfielder smashed it in from range to put his side 2-0 up.

Enzo Maresca’s men were able to pull a goal back just five minutes after the restart through Pedro Neto. However, Leeds resisted their pressure and managed to get a third goal after a calamitous mistake from Chelsea allowed Dominic Calvert-Lewin to score.

It was a superb win for Leeds, with some standout performances across the pitch.

Leeds’ best players vs. Chelsea

One of the most impressive things about this Leeds victory was how hard everyone worked. That was certainly the case for captain Ethan Ampadu. Playing against his former club, the Welshman was the dominant force in midfield.

His stats from the game reflect how well he performed, both on and off the ball. Ampadu had 54 touches of the ball and had an 86% pass accuracy. He also won six duels and made six ball recoveries.

It was an all-action showing from the Wales international.

Another player who shone for the Whites was right wing-back Bogle. He was a real handful for Chelsea going forward, with his performance earning him an 8/10 rating from Graham Smyth, journalist for the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Smyth praised the fact that he ‘drove Leeds forward’, with the defender a real threat in attack.

That all came to a head with his assist for Tanaka, where he pounced on a loose ball before a Chelsea player could reach it, and quickly found his teammate with a first-time pass.

Ampadu and Bogle played well, but they were arguably outshone by one of their teammates.

Leeds’ best signing since Raphinha

It seemed to be a good night for wing-backs at Elland Road. Bogle was not the only one who stood out, with left wing-back Gabriel Gudmundsson one of the best players in a White shirt against Chelsea.

He enjoyed plenty of success defensively, coming up directly against the electric Estevao, and offered a threat going forward.

Gudmundsson won an exceptional 12 from 19 duels and five from eight tackles, as well as creating two chances.

The excellent performance from the Swede was noticed by Smyth, who gave him a 9/10 for his efforts. The journalist praised him for how well he got forward, and credited him for the fact that he ‘got back in to defend and do his bit’.

As far back as September, the left-back was being called “the best” player in the Premier League in his position by journalist James Marshment.

The 26-year-old has made a brilliant start to life at Elland Road, featuring in all 14 of their top-flight games so far, and playing 90 minutes nine times.

There is a case to be made that the defender is Leeds’ best signing since Raphinha. The Brazilian was exceptional for the West Yorkshire side, and really hit the ground running in the Premier League. He managed 15 goals and assists in his first top-flight season.

Chalkboard

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

Well, Gudmundsson is making an equally fast start. To be branded as one of the best players in the league so soon is a testament to how well he has performed.

There haven’t really been any Leeds players who have started this fast, especially on the top-flight since Raphinha, with several of the players they have signed in previous Premier League campaigns now having left the club.

Farke will be desperate for this form to continue, and for Gudmundsson to prove he is one of their best signings since Raphinha.

Better than Calvert-Lewin: 9/10 hero had his best game for Leeds vs Chelsea

This Leeds star shone in their 3-1 win over Chelsea

By
Joe Nuttall

Dec 4, 2025

Football is a fickle game, with October’s Premier League Manager of the Month, Ruben Amorim, now again facing scrutiny regarding his position at Manchester United.

Three draws, one defeat and a solitary win from the last five league outings has sparked concern that this United side is drifting back into old habits, fresh from a worst-ever Premier League campaign last time out.

Boos rang out at the full-time whistle following the 1-1 draw with relegation strugglers West Ham United in midweek, just ten days on from another abject Old Trafford display up against ten-man Everton.

A creditable comeback win against Crystal Palace may have been sandwiched in between those two frustrating results, although even at Selhurst Park, the performance was drab and dour, with club legend Roy Keane noting that the displays have been “desperate” across the last three or four games.

Still in the mix for European contention in eighth, it isn’t time to panic just yet – but could more drop points against bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday change the situation?

Why Ruben Amorim's future at Man Utd remains uncertain

Even amid the depths of the defeat to Grimsby Town, INEOS have appeared to back their man to the hilt, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe even suggesting earlier this season that Amorim would be given three years to make his mark in Manchester.

There has been gradual improvement this year – while the lack of attacking quality and depth must also be factored in to any criticism – although the Portuguese’s stubborn 3-4-2-1 system continues to grate on supporters.

Unwilling to take the handbrake off, even at home to both Everton and West Ham, the 40-year-old notably made four defensive-minded changes last time out, overlooking the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Shea Lacey on the home bench.

The treatment of Mainoo, in particular, has riled up the United faithful no end, a fact only enhanced by Amorim choosing to laugh off suggestions that the Englishman could have been an attacking change against the Hammers.

Yet to start a single league game in 2025/26, the 20-year-old is believed to be itching for a loan move in January, with his standing under the new boss having perhaps been evident right from the off, as Amorim selected Casemiro and Christian Eriksen ahead of him on that November night at Portman Road.

Quite what INEOS make of the handling of Mainoo remains to be seen, although there are whispers that the United hierarchy are plotting potential replacements, with reports this week indicating that the club are monitoring Palace boss, Oliver Glasner.

Also being eyed as a possible successor to under-fire title winner, Arne Slot at Liverpool, Glasner is a man in demand. Could the “incredible” coach – as hailed by Pep Guardiola – be the man to get United back on track, while reviving Mainoo in the process?

Why Glasner's appointment could be perfect for Mainoo

It would be somewhat ironic if United were to turn to one of the few managers Amorim has actually bettered this season, although the caveat to that result was the Eagles’ Conference League involvement just days earlier, having visibly tired as the game progressed.

Initially indeed, there looked like being only one winner in south London, with Jean-Philippe Mateta squandering a handful of chances, while Eddie Nketiah saw his one-on-one attempt denied by Luke Shaw.

Adam Wharton, too, could only fire his effort straight into the gloves of Senne Lammens, with the promising Englishman having run the show in that opening 45, amid suggestions that Casemiro looked “haunted” up against the elegant left-footer.

Minutes

78

Touches

48

Pass accuracy

79%

Key passes

1

Big chances created

0

Total shots

1

Total duels won

5/7

Balls recovered

7

Tackles

3/3

Wharton ranks highly among the biggest success stories of Glasner’s fruitful, FA Cup-winning tenure to date, having arrived as a player of potential from Blackburn Rovers in January 2024, prior to now solidifying himself as a £100m-rated asset and a leading target for those at United.

While a reunion might be in order if Glasner does take charge at Old Trafford, perhaps a cheaper outcome might be for the German to work his magic on United’s own England sensation, Mainoo, with the Red Devils still waiting to see their academy graduate thrive in that Wharton role in a midfield pairing.

In the case of both Three Lions starlets, when looking at their respective 2024/25 Premier League seasons, the statistics don’t jump off the page, with neither man an elite ball winner, nor necessarily a goal or assist machine.

What they are both adept at is providing that forward-thinking approach in midfield, albeit in slightly different ways.

Indeed, Wharton ranked in the top 7% of midfielders last term for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref, while Mainoo ranked in the top 16% for successful take-ons per 90.

Wharton looks to thread the pass, while Mainoo has the magic to drive himself up the pitch. Either way, both are “generational” rising stars – as Mainoo has been lauded by Rasmus Hojlund – who should be the centre of the Premier League and England across the next decade.

And so, having helped his own midfield sensation blossom at Selhurst Park, could Glasner repeat the trick again at Old Trafford?

Not Mainoo: Amorim's use of Man Utd's "best player" is a sackable offence

Ruben Amorim’s questionable decisions as Manchester United boss could land him in hot water with INEOS.

ByEthan Lamb Dec 6, 2025

Take it from Kameron Misner, dreams do come true.

Misner, a 27-year-old outfielder with one career hit to his name entering the Tampa Bay Rays' first game of the season against the Colorado Rockies at a new home in George M. Steinbrenner Field on Friday, ended up delivering in the game's biggest moment.

With the game tied at 2 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Misner stepped up to the plate as the leadoff batter, and wasted no time in leaving his mark on the game. The Poplar Bluff, Mo., native swung at the first pitch he saw and sent it over the right field wall for his second career hit, first career home run, and a walk-off for Tampa Bay.

Making the moment even more impressive is the fact that Misner didn't start the game; he entered as a defensive replacement in the eighth inning. Misner is a former first-round pick in the 2019 MLB draft who first made his big-league debut in an eight-game stint with the Rays in '24. Friday's game represented his first taste of Opening Day, as he made the Rays' roster after he was optioned to Triple-A during the spring.

"I mean, it's everything," Misner said of making the Rays' roster in a postgame interview with MLB Network. "It's everything you work for since you were a kid. It's what you look forward to. I mean, today is a dream come true so I'm fortunate enough to help the team win."

After a strong spring, Misner is likely to get more opportunities to help the Rays win moving forward.

MatériaMais Notícias

Os sócios do Vitória participaram de uma votação no domingo (10) sobre dois temas relacionados ao futuro Leão da Barra. Na primeira decisão, rejeitaram a proposta de mudança do nome do clube para “Fatal Model Vitória”, pelo valor de R$ 200 milhões. Na seguinte, aprovaram a abertura de negociação para a venda do naming rights do Estádio Barradão, por R$ 100 milhões.

O pleito foi realizado em um site exclusivo para os associados do rubro-negro baiano. Dos cerca de 33 mil sócios-torcedores, mais de 15 mil votaram.

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➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

Em suas redes sociais, o clube informou que a partir de 2024 haverá uma negociação com os interessados em adquirir o direito de nome do Barradão para “chegar no melhor para o futuro do clube”.

— A partir de 2024 negociaremos juntos para chegar no melhor para o futuro do clube. Como numa boa conversa, escutamos tudo o que vocês tinham a dizer e estamos aqui para afirmar o nosso respeito pela opinião dos torcedores rubro-negros — informou o Vitória.

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FOI AQUI QUE PEDIRAM A ARENA FATAL MODEL BARRADÃO?

Nas últimas semanas, o @FatalModel, ofereceu duas propostas para aquisição de Naming Rights do Vitória. Como a nossa parceria sempre foi pautada no respeito de ambas as partes, nada mais justo do que pedir a opinião dos… pic.twitter.com/iC8SXn7qbv

— EC Vitória (@ECVitoria) December 11, 2023

Em relação à modificação no nome do Vitória, essa alteração não dependia apenas da aprovação dos sócios do clube, mas também envolvia debate no Conselho Deliberativo e nova votação, desta vez em Assembleia Geral Extraordinária (AGE).

No caso da venda de naming rights do Barradão, a discussão é mais tranquila, já que conta apenas com a decisão da diretoria rubro-negra, que atualmente está apta para abrir negociações.

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Fatal Model

The New York Yankees have a big decision looming in regards to the contract of manager Aaron Boone.

Boone signed a three-year extension in 2021 that included a team option for the 2025 season. General manager Brian Cashman hinted Tuesday that the team was leaning towards picking up the option and bringing back their manager for the upcoming campaign, and possibly beyond.

Cashman had plenty of praise for Boone, calling him a "really good" manager and complimenting what he's achieved in his seven seasons with the Yankees.

"The manager's job is so impossible, so you can play the game of second-guessing because you're either going to make a move and it'll be right, you make a move and it'll be wrong and then have at it, right? So I think he's a really, really good manager. I think that we're lucky to have him. He's done a great job," Cashman said of Boone.

After a disappointing 2023 season that saw New York finish with its worst winning percentage since 1992, Cashman stuck by Boone as the team's manager, and the Yankees rebounded and went on to win the American League pennant in 2024. Despite falling short in the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cashman made clear he's pleased with how Boone has fared as manager.

New York is still seeking its first World Series title since 2009, but it seems the front office thinks they already have the right manager in place to lead the team toward that goal.

تحدث نيكو أوريلي، لاعب فريق مانشستر سيتي، عن تألقه في مباراة اليوم ضد ليفربول، في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، حيث قدم أداءً مميزًا ضد النجم المصري محمد صلاح.

واستضاف ملعب “الاتحاد” قمة منافسات الجولة الحادية عشر من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي، موسم 2025/26، حيث حقق مانشستر سيتي فوزًا بثلاثة أهداف دون رد.

وسيطر نيكو أوريلي على محمد صلاح طوال المباراة، حيث نجح في إحجام خطورة النجم المصري.

وقال نيكو أوريلي، في تصريحات للموقع الرسمي للنادي: “لقد كان فوزًا رائعًا، كان من المهم حصد النقاط الثلاث أمام منافس قوي، كنا نعلم أنه يتعين علينا تقديم مباراة صعبة على حامل اللقب في ملعبنا، وفعلنا ذلك”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. جوارديولا: تلقيت هدية مميزة من لاعبي مانشستر سيتي.. وأتطلع لمعارك أخرى ضد محمد صلاح

وأضاف: “جميعنا متحمسون للفوز بالنقاط الثلاث، أعتقد أننا كنا متماسكين من الخلف إلى الأمام، دفاعيًا وهجوميًا، في جميع أنحاء الملعب، أعتقد أن كل لاعب سيطر على خصمه، لا يمكن أن تخطئ في ذلك”.

وعن عدم منحه الكثير لـ محمد صلاح، قال في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “سيتي إكسترا” الإنجليزية: “دخلت المباراة وأنا أعلم ما سأواجهه، أعرف مدى جودته، لكنني درست أسلوب لعبه وما يريد فعله”.

واختتم نيكو أوريلي تصريحاته قائلًا: “كنت أعرف مدى قوة محمد صلاح بالفعل، لكن إبقاؤه هادئًا سيساعد الفريق دائمًا”.

Left-arm spinner Dinusha, Vishwa Fernando and Asitha Fernando got two wickets each on opening day

Madushka Balasuriya25-Jun-2025

Sri Lanka dropped five catches, had a couple of edges fall short, and missed a run-out chance. But such was their dominance with the ball on day one of the second Test against Bangladesh that they still managed to pick up eight wickets.It meant that at stumps, on a rain-affected day, Bangladesh, who had won the toss in the hope of setting an imposing first-innings total on what was supposed to be a generally batter-friendly SSC track in Colombo, were left picking up the pieces on 220 for 8. Taijul Islam and Ebadot Hossain were at the crease for the visitors.Sri Lanka’s spinners and seamers proved impactful in equal measure, with wickets spread among five out of the six bowlers. Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando picked up two apiece, as did debutant left-arm spinner Sonal Dinusha. The offspin of Dhananjaya de Silva and Tharindu Rathnayake shared a wicket each. Only Prabath Jayasuriya, who plays his club cricket at SSC, went wicketless, as his lean spell in Tests continued.Jayasuriya’s woes were brought into sharper contrast by Dinusha, the other left-arm spinner in Sri Lanka’s arsenal, who made a dream Test debut by picking up the wickets of Litton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim in his opening spell. Dinusha’s first three overs, meanwhile, were maidens and included a wicket, this becoming just the fourth player to achieve the unique feat on debut since ESPNcricinfo began collecting ball-by-ball data.Bangladesh, meanwhile, had several middling partnerships, but none which they were able to utilise to truly impose themselves on the Sri Lanka attack. It was only during a brief period in the prolonged post-lunch session, which included a one-and-a-half hour rain interval, that Sri Lanka may have been concerned. Mushfiqur and Litton put on a stand of 67 off 113 balls – though, at times, they were going at comfortably above four runs an over.Vishwa Fernando was rewarded for his patience by having Najmul Hossain Shanto edging behind•Associated Press

Sri Lanka’s frustrations would, no doubt, have been exacerbated by the fact that both batters ought to have been back in the pavilion far earlier. Litton had been dropped at deep midwicket after Jayasuriya went with just his left hand instead of both hands, while Lahiru Udara spilled an even simpler chance – also at deep midwicket – by misjudging a fairly regulation overhead catch.But either side of tea, Dinusha changed Sri Lanka’s fortunes definitively. First, he removed Litton in just his second over, with the Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter attempting to cut one that was a little too close to his body. It was edged to through to Kusal Mendis, who juggled the ball a couple of times before eventually holding on.Then, in his fifth over, Dinusha got the prized wicket, as Mushfiqur holed out to deep midwicket while attempting a slog sweep – the same shot that had seen him reprieved earlier in the day. That those catches stuck would have brought Sri Lanka a modicum of relief, having dropped so many prior.Overall, there were five missed catching opportunities in the innings total, though the first – of Anamul Haque – didn’t prove costly, as he was dismissed a short while later without getting off the mark. Sri Lanka also had a couple of edges go safely through the slip cordon, most notably off Mushfiqur, while they also missed a run-out chance of Shadman Islam.Shadman had eventually fallen in the 40 minutes of play between lunch and the rain break, four runs short of his second straight half-century. More than the delivery itself from Rathnayake, which was tossed up full and wide, it was the catch – travelling quickly at head height above the right shoulder – from Dhananjaya that made the wicket.Six Bangladesh batters reached at least 20, but then threw their wickets away•Getty Images

It was Rathnayake’s first wicket of the innings to cap an improved showing after lunch following a fairly inconsistent period in the morning session. He may have had a couple more, with both Mushfiqur and Litton dropped off his bowling.An over prior to that, Vishwa was rewarded for his patient lines outside off, getting Najmul Hossain Shanto to push out at one around a fifth-stump line. Shanto got an outside edge, and Kusal behind the stumps did the rest.The final dropped chance came towards the close of play, as Kusal failed to hold on to a gloved chance down leg off Asitha. But Asitha’s wounds would be salved two balls later, when he dismissed Nayeem Hasan with one that straightened just enough to beat the outside edge and clip off stump.Nayeem’s 25 off 51 deliveries had been a fighting knock, but like so many batters before him, he was unable to carry on. Sri Lanka, to their credit, rarely made it easy for the Bangladesh batters, keeping their lines and lengths consistent throughout the day. It meant that Bangladesh proceeded cautiously, though the visitors were content to wait for the bad deliveries.The problem for Bangladesh was that the bad deliveries were few and far between, and the surfeit of dot balls owing to poor strike rotation allowed Sri Lanka to build pressure effectively. And on the occasions that a batter might have persevered through such a period – no less than six batters reached at least 20 – they tended to throw their wicket away.Mominul Haque chipped a nothing delivery to cover, Shadman went chasing a wide one, and Mushfiqur took a needless risk with a player set on the boundary for just such a stroke. With the pitch expected to ease up over the next day or two, Bangladesh may well rue not having applied themselves better.

Manchester United have now agreed personal terms with a 109 career-goal striker, with Jason Wilcox driving a move that could transpire in January.

Man Utd searching for striker with jury still out on Sesko

It was always going to take Benjamin Sesko time to adapt to the Premier League after making the move from RB Leipzig, and the Slovenian is yet to make a real impact, failing to score in his first four outings in all competitions.

However, United legend Roy Keane has defended the 22-year-old’s slow start to life at Old Trafford, saying: “When there’s a lot of speculation, some of these lads miss training over pre-season and it maybe just looks like he’s not up to speed yet, but yeah undecided yet, give the kid a chance.”

That said, having joined for the huge fee of £74m, Sesko will need to start scoring soon, especially given that Rasmus Hojlund has now joined Napoli on loan, while Joshua Zirkzee isn’t exactly primed to provide much support, scoring just three league goals in 2024-25.

According to a report from Football Transfers, Man United have already set their sights on a new striker, who could join in the January transfer window, as personal terms have been agreed with Brighton & Hove Albion striker Danny Welbeck.

Welbeck is open to completing what would be a remarkable return to Old Trafford at the age of 34, and he has been identified as a low-cost addition to Ruben Amorim’s frontline, with Wilcox said to be the driving force behind the deal.

Man Utd already eyeing "elite" Baleba alternative as soon as window closed

The Red Devils are already looking at January.

ByTom Cunningham Sep 2, 2025

The Englishman’s name was brought up when the Red Devils enquired about Brighton teammate Carlos Baleba, and he is now seemingly being considered as a serious option, with the Seagulls willing to sanction a January departure.

"Amazing" Welbeck could be Zirkzee upgrade

The signing of the Brighton striker is unlikely to get too many fans excited, and in all honesty it is the type of business United should be avoiding, given that he will be 35 by the time a move to Old Trafford is feasible.

However, the 42-time England international, who has amassed 109 career goals at club level, is vastly experienced in the Premier League, and would probably be an upgrade on Zirkzee, having scored 10 league goals last season.

Lauded as “amazing” by former Brighton boss Graham Potter, the veteran striker has also outperformed Zirkzee across a range of key attacking metrics over the course of the past year.

Average per 90

Danny Welbeck

Joshua Zirkzee

Non-penalty goals

0.31

0.20

Assists

0.13

0.10

Shots total

2.39

2.26

That said, outperforming the Dutchman isn’t exactly the hallmark of being a top striker, and United need to be thinking about the future, rather than signing a former player who is arguably in the twilight years of his career.

Barcelona sporting director Deco has lifted the lid on contract renewal discussions between the club and key midfielder Frenkie de Jong. The Netherlands international’s current deal expires next summer but the Blaugrana hierarchy have now revealed they are confident fresh terms will be agreed soon as negotiations are set to continue between both parties.

• Speculation has been swirling around De Jong's future

  Speculation has been rife regarding De Jong’s future at Barcelona. In a recent report from Spanish publication , talks between De Jong and the Spanish champions were back on track after initially hitting the buffers when the 28-year-old switched to a new agent.

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• Earlier reports claimed De Jong had agreed a deal until 2029

  Another report from the same outlet then claimed that De Jong was close to putting pen to paper on a contract extension which would tie him to Barcelona until 2029. The report stated that the former Ajax star had even agreed to take a pay cut in order to remain with Hansi Flick’s side.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Revealed: Deco opens up about the contract talks with De Jong

  And now Barcelona chief Deco has had his say on where things stand with De Jong. In an interview with , the 48-year-old has revealed that while an agreement is yet to be found, discussions are going well between both parties and there is belief that a deal can be concluded in the near future.

  In quotes carried by , Deco said: “We are talking. Frenkie is really enjoying being here. He has matured on all levels, with his family, in the team.

  “If you are a player with character, you don’t just want to stay because you are in Barcelona, but because you want to compete for titles, and he sees that he can compete for titles. He sees this and wants to stay here.

  “At the club, we see him as a key player for the current project and the coming years, so I think we’ll get him to continue.”

  And when pressed on whether he believes De Jong will ink fresh terms, Deco added: “Yes, I do.”

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• Barca president Laporta remains confident De Jong will stay

  In a separate interview earlier this month, Barcelona president Joan Laporta also expressed his belief that De Jong would remain at the club, telling "The renewal with De Jong is being worked on. De Jong has done an extraordinary job. We said we didn't want any player whose contract expires this year, but we made an exception for De Jong because he changed agents. He's motivated; he even says he's sleeping despite having recently become a father. We expect good news soon.”