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Elite central midfielders cost a pretty penny in the transfer market in the modern day, but Manchester United are trying to find their next top talent in such an area.

Over the years, the Red Devils have previously been home to numerous incredible talents, with Paul Scholes one of the best midfielders to ever play for the club.

The Englishman made a staggering total of 718 appearances for the club over a 19-year period, subsequently winning every major honour available in the 1990s and 2000s.

He was part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad that often dominated England’s top-flight, subsequently being a part of the squad that managed to win 11 Premier League titles.

However, in the present day, boss Ruben Amorim is yet to taste glory in the division, with the potential moves for numerous players potentially aiding his quest for success.

Man Utd ready big-money bid for new midfielder

Over the last couple of weeks, United have once again been labelled as one of the sides interested in a potential winter deal to land Brighton & Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba.

It’s been reported that Amorim’s men could look to revisit such a move in the months ahead, with Fabian Hurzeler’s side once again expected to demand a fee in the region of £100m.

However, the Red Devils are likely unwilling to fork out such a fee, especially after rejecting a move for the Cameroonian in the summer after a similar price tag was mooted.

He’s not the only midfielder currently in INEOS’ sights, as Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton has once again appeared on their radar over the last couple of days.

According to one Spanish outlet, Amorim’s men are set to make a €100m (£87m) offer to sign the 21-year-old when the winter window opens on January 1st.

It also states that the Eagles don’t want to part ways with their young talent, but could be forced to cash in if a bid of such a nature is to be made in the near future.

How Wharton compares to Caicedo

As previously mentioned, big money is currently being spent in the transfer market on midfield talent – with Moises Caicedo the best example of such a scenario in 2023.

The Ecuadorian international joined Chelsea for a reported £115m two years ago – a then English record – but it has since been broken by striker Alexander Isak.

However, such a deal now appears to be an excellent one despite the mammoth sum forked out for his signature, with the 24-year-old currently one of the best midfielders in Europe.

He was named as the Blues’ Player and Supporters Player of the Season for 2024/25, with clubs like United no doubt wishing they had their own version of the midfielder.

Whilst landing such a player would also cost a pretty penny, the Red Devils fans could get their wish of getting a similar calibre of player if they complete a move for Wharton.

The Englishman has been labelled as a similar player to Caicedo by FBref, with the Palace star even managing to outperform the Blues sensation in numerous key areas.

Wharton has registered more key passes and more passes into the final third per 90 to date, arguably making him a better ball-playing option at the base of the midfield.

Whilst being composed with the ball is key in Amorim’s system, the manager is desperately craving a dominant ball-winner who can sit and conduct the play in front of the backline.

The Palace star has demonstrated just that, even bettering the Chelsea star in that aspect, as seen by his higher tally of tackles won in the middle third of the pitch this campaign.

Wharton’s all-round dominance over the former English record addition is highlighted in his better take-on success rate and higher tally of recoveries made per 90 – which has led to one coach dubbing him the “best English midfielder since Scholes”. It sounds a stretch but given the numbers and clamour from many Three Lions supporters to see him alongside Declan Rice at next summer’s World Cup, it’s easy to see why that assessment has been made.

£87m may seem a mammoth sum for such a young talent, but it’s evident that the Englishman has bags of ability, but not to mention the potential to improve further in the years ahead.

If he can replicate such numbers at Old Trafford, he would certainly become a fan-favourite, potentially emulating Scholes in helping the club create new history in the Premier League.

Cunha & Mbeumo hybrid: Man Utd keen to trigger release clause for PL star

Manchester United could sign another attacker who’s like a hybrid of Cunha and Mbeumo

By
Joe Nuttall

2 days ago

The Blue Jays were inches away from capturing the franchise's first World Series title in 32 years during Game 7 of the World Series—and manager John Schneider still thinks about one play in particular: the play at the plate involving Isiah Kiner-Falefa in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Keeping in mind the instruction of Blue Jays third base coach Carlos Febles, Kiner-Falefa, who had entered the game as a pinch runner and was the lead runner with the bases loaded and one out, took an unusually short lead—8.6 feet off of the bag according to MLB player tracking data—off of third base to protect against the possibility of a line drive double play. But Kiner-Falefa overcorrected, as he was forced out at home plate by mere inches on a ground ball to second, which, despite a stumble upon gloving the ball, was fielded cleanly and delivered to catcher Will Smith in time by infielder Miguel Rojas. Kiner-Falefa may have scored had he had even a slightly bigger lead off of third.

Reflecting on the play while speaking to reporters at the winter meetings, Schneider defended Kiner-Falefa while admitting Toronto could have handled the situation a bit differently.

“For one, I feel so bad for Izzy [Kiner-Falefa] for getting all the blame,” Schneider said. “Izzy's an unbelievable baseball player… Could we have done a better job of getting him off [the bag] a little bit? Yeah. Another step or two. There's been video of Carlos telling him where to go…”

But Schneider also peeled back the curtain into the Blue Jays' thinking, saying they had noticed a tendency with Dodgers catcher Will Smith—one the Dodgers had later said they also talked about if the situation arose—which played into Toronto's strategy to emphasize a shorter lead for Kiner-Falefa.

“What's not talked about enough is the fact that Will Smith likes to back pick to third with left-handed hitters up,” Schneider continued. “It's something we talked about at length before the series. Something that Carlos reminded Izzy of…

“…People have said, 'What are the odds that Varsho is going to line out to third?' Fairly low, right? That's just where he doesn't hit the ball. So could we have done a better job of getting Izzy another step or two down? Yeah for sure.”

Schneider doesn't believe Kiner-Falefa, who slid feet-first, could have done anything different (sliding headfirst, not sliding, etc.) to change the outcome of the play. But he's not alone in his thinking that Toronto could have given Kiner-Falefa a bit of a wider lead.

Former Blue Jays coach Don Mattingly believes Kiner-Falefa play could have been handled differently

During an appearance on , former Blue Jays bench coach Don Mattingly singled out the Kiner-Falefa play as one he'd like to handle differently if given the opportunity.

“The one play, the IKF play—and I think it's played properly because you got the bases loaded, you got one out, the infield's totally drawn in. So you're not in a contact situation there,” Mattingly said. “You've got to at least freeze on a line drive… So I'll say the one thing that we kind of missed—and I'd say it myself, Schneids [Schneider], is that Varsho does not line out to third base. He does not hit line drives on that side of the field really.

“And so you can get a little bit more. But if it was a right-handed hitter, IKF's probably right where he should be…”

Mattingly noted that it was “not IKF's fault, but probbaly all of our faults.”

One thing is for sure. The Blue Jays will be thinking about that play—and the World Series loss— for a long time.

“No I don't think I ever will [get past the loss] to be honest with you,” Schneider said. “I think I'll think about it until the day I leave this earth, unless you get another opportunity to squash that one.”

After India A posted 413, they dismissed Australia A for 242 in 33.1 overs

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Oct-2025
Hundreds from opener Priyansh Arya and captain Shreyas Iyer set up India A’s demolition of Australia A in the first unofficial ODI in Kanpur on Wednesday. After rain allowed no play on Tuesday, the weather cleared for the series to get underway on the reserve day.After being asked to bat, India A posted 413 for 6 on the back of Arya’s 101 and Iyer’s 110. In response, Australia A were dismissed for 242 in 33.1 overs.Each of India’s top six had a strike rate of over 100, and five of their top six scored at least 50. Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, who had combined powerfully for Punjab Kings (PBKS) in IPL 2025, were reunited at the top for India A, putting on 135 for the opening stand in 20.3 overs. Iyer then took charge of the innings, hitting 12 fours and four sixes in his first List A match since the Champions Trophy in March earlier this year.Related

• Iyer to lead India A in one-dayers against Australia A

• BCCI okays Shreyas Iyer's request for six-month break from red-ball cricket

• After years in Chennai heat, Gurjapneet Singh is now in India A spotlight

Rajat Patidar was originally named captain for the 50-over series against Australia A but Iyer replaced him, with Patidar taking charge of the Rest of India side in the ongoing Irani Cup in Nagpur. Iyer is on a break from red-ball cricket due to concerns about his back, but continues to be available for white-ball cricket.Riyan Parag (67) and Ayush Badoni (50) also hit half-centuries to propel India A to a mammoth total. Iyer’s dismissal in the 47th over left India A at 380 for 4, but Badoni and allrounder Nishant Sindhu took them past 400.Australia A used seven bowlers, with only Liam Scott going at less than seven an over.Chasing 414, Australia A had a good start: they were 116 for 1 in the 13th over, but Cooper Connolly’s wicket triggered a slide. They lost their last nine wickets for 126 and left almost 17 overs unused in their chase.Opener McKenzie Harvey top-scored for the visitors with 68 off 62 balls while captain Sutherland made 50 off 33 balls. Spinners Sindhu, Bishnoi and Badoni shared seven wickets among them.Gurjapneet Singh, who was making his List A debut, having been fast-tracked into the India A side, came away with 1 for 40 in five overs.India A will be bolstered by the arrival of Asia Cup hero Tilak Varma for the remaining two one-dayers.

Captain Ronald Araujo has been granted indefinite leave by Barcelona following a request for a period of absence. The Uruguay international's representatives held discussions with club sporting director Deco on Monday after the defender was not part of the matchday squad for Saturday's 3-1 La Liga victory over Alaves at Spotify Camp Nou.

• Araujo was sent off in Barcelona's Champions League loss at Chelsea

  After being sent off in Barcelona’s 3-0 defeat against Chelsea in the Champions League last Tuesday, Araujo was absent as his side secured a victory over Alaves which sent them top of La Liga. 

  A double from Dani Olmo and a strike from Lamine Yamal helped Hansi Flick’s side rise to the summit ahead of Real Madrid, who stayed in second place after drawing 1-1 with Girona on Sunday. With Araujo missing, left-back Gerard Martin had to step into the centre of defence alongside youngster Pau Cubarsi.

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  Report states Spanish giants have granted defender's request for absence

  And according to Araujo has now been allowed to take a break following a request from his agents. The report states Barcelona chief Deco granted the 28-year-old’s wish to step away from football as the club remain committed to giving him the time he needs to recover.

  Spanish publication reported earlier on Monday that Araujo lodged the request because he does not believe he can deliver for Barcelona at the moment. The report added the centre-back feared he would “hurt” the team if he tried to force himself to play.

  While refusing to go into detail as to why Araujo requested a period of absence, Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick said ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Atletico Madrid: “It is a private situation, I don’t want to say more. And please, if you can respect it I’d appreciate it.”

• Barcelona president Laporta says Araujo has been treated unfairly of late

  Flick’s comments came after Barcelona president Joan Laporta said Araujo had been treated unfairly in recent weeks and that the club were “behind him”.

  Speaking at an event in Andorra on Friday, Laporta said: “He has been heavily criticised, and I don’t think that’s fair. He gives his all on the pitch, he’s our captain, and now he needs to get through this difficult period because he’s a very emotional person with strong feelings.

  “He’s had a tough time, and I want to tell him that we’re behind him, that he needs to turn the page because here we all win and we all lose, and no one person is responsible for defeats or victories.”

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  Barcelona boss Flick expecting tough test against 'fantastic' Atletico

  Barcelona are gearing up for a highly-anticipated fixture with Atletico in what will be just their third match at the renovated Camp Nou, following the earlier games against Athletic Club and Alaves. While the reigning champions are hoping to secure a win which would keep them above fierce rivals Real – who travel to Athletic on Wednesday – Diego Simeone’s Atletico should provide a strong test for Flick’s men.

  Currently fourth in the table, Los Rojiblancos could go level on points with Barcelona with a victory at Camp Nou. Simeone’s side have lost just one of their 14 league matches in 2025-26, winning nine and drawing four.

  Previewing the fixture, Barcelona boss Flick said: "We know we are up against a fantastic team with a lot of quality, one of the best in Europe with one of the best coaches. For that reason it will be a tough encounter.

  "We are back at the top and we are happy about that, it's where we want to be but the important thing is to stay there until the end of the season. We have to keep working hard and give our best. We are leaders but at the moment we are not at our best. We need to move forward to to get back playing our best football.

  “I think we are committing too many mistakes, despite having the quality to control matches. It's something we have missed in recent matches but we can do it and we are working towards that.”

The SRH batter smashed 105 not out off 39 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders in Delhi

ESPNcricinfo staff25-May-2025

Chris Gayle – 30 balls

175* vs Pune Warriors, Bengaluru, 2013
It was the day on which Gayle rewrote T20 record books at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. His unbeaten 175 remains the highest individual score in the format, and his 30-ball century is the fastest in IPL history even after 12 years. After a watchful first over, Gayle took 21 off Ishwar Pandey and 28 off Mitchell Marsh to bring up a 17-ball fifty. Aaron Finch’s 29-run over only added to the charge and Gayle brought up his century in the ninth over. Of his first 103 runs, 98 came in boundaries. He finished unbeaten on 175 and later returned to pick up two wickets, capping off a surreal day.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi

– 35 balls
101 vs Gujarat Titans, Jaipur, 2025Walking out to open with Yashasvi Jaiswal in Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) chase of 210, Suryavanshi made history as he hammered a bowling attack comprising Rashid Khan, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna to bring up the second-fastest century in the IPL. By the time Prasidh dislodged him with a yorker, he had hit 11 sixes and seven fours and left RR needing 44 off 49 deliveries. In a phenomenal display of hitting, Suryavanshi took 26 off an Ishant over on the way to a 17-ball half-century, and then hit three sixes and three fours off Karim Janat’s first over in the IPL. He reached his century with a six off Rashid, no less.

Heinrich Klaasen – 37 balls

105* vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Delhi, 2025
In Sunrisers Hyderabad’s final league match of IPL 2025, a dead rubber against Kolkata Knight Riders with both teams out of the playoffs, Heinrich Klaasen played the sort of innings his team had missed from him. He came into bat at No. 3 in the seventh over and smashed nine sixes and seven fours on a flat surface in Delhi. He took down KKR’s spin threat, hitting Sunil Narine for 24 runs off 10 balls and Varun Chakravarthy for 36 off 12. He finished unbeaten on 105 off 39 balls, having taken SRH to 278 for 3, the fourth-highest total in IPL history.

Yusuf Pathan – 37 balls

100 vs Mumbai Indians (MI), Brabourne, 2010
Pathan teed off when Rajasthan Royals (RR) needed 143 off 57 balls to chase down MI’s 212. He hit 54 off his next 11 deliveries, including three successive sixes off Ali Murtaza and 24 in the following over from R Sathish. The carnage continued as he brought up what was then the fastest century in the IPL with a towering six. He was run out the very next ball, leaving RR with 40 to get from 17 balls – a bridge too far in the end. However, his captain, Shane Warne, described it as the best innings he had ever seen.

David Miller – 38 balls

101* vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Mohali, 2013Miller’s 38-ball century rescued Kings XI Punjab (now PBKS) from 64 for 4 and powered them in a jaw-dropping chase of 191, with 99 runs coming in the last five overs. It began with a flurry of boundaries off Vinay Kumar before he tore into RP Singh for 26 in a single over. With three runs needed and Miller on 95, he launched a length ball straight over the sightscreen to bring up his century in style. After the match, Miller shared his father’s advice: “If it’s in the V, it’s in the tree. If it’s in the arc, it’s out of the park.”

Travis Head – 39 balls

102 vs RCB, Bengaluru, 2024Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Head had already signaled their intent with a 277-run blitz earlier in the season. In Bengaluru, they went one better. Head had set the tone with a powerplay assault that saw SRH race to 76 for 0, bringing up his fifty along the way. By the time he was dismissed in the 13th over for a 41-ball 102, SRH had rocketed to 165. They eventually finished on 287 – the highest total in IPL history.

Priyansh Arya – 39 balls

103 vs Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Mullanpur, 2025PBKS picked 24-year-old Delhi opener Arya for INR 3.8 crore after a bidding war at the auction and he’s already showing why. After a 23-ball 47 on debut, Arya delivered on his potential against CSK. He began the innings with a first-ball six and didn’t let the fall of wickets at the other end disrupt his intent. He later smacked Matheesha Pathirana for three consecutive sixes and a four to bring up a stunning maiden IPL century in just the 13th over of the innings.

Como and Switzerland star Alisha Lehmann named a Chelsea star as the toughest-ever opponent she has contested against, while also revealing whether she would rather win the World Cup with the Switzerland national team or the Ballon d'Or. Lehmann left Aston Villa for Italy to join Juventus in the summer of 2024 after spending six years in England and joined Como in the summer.

• Lehmann's journey in the WSL and Serie A

  Lehmann came to England at the age of 19 after making her professional debut at Swiss club BSC YB Frauen. In the WSL, the then-teenager signed for West Ham United and spent three seasons at the club. In between, she was briefly sent out on loan to Everton in 2021. With the Hammers, Lehmann finished as a runner-up in the Women's FA Cup in the 2018-19 campaign

  The Swiss forward then signed for Aston Villa and spent the next three seasons before finally moving away from England and heading to Italy. While personally Lehmann did not have a great season and remained sidelined for quite some time with injuries, as a team, Juventus won the league title – marking the first major trophy of her career. After spending only a season with the Italian giants, the 26-year-old signed for Como on a three-year deal 

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  Lehmann picks her favourite opponent

  In a chat with Dillon Deluxe, Lehmann was asked to pick the toughest opponent she has ever faced, to which she said: "I think Millie Bright". She then picked former Aston Villa team-mate and ex-England star Rachel Daly as the best player she has played with.

  Finally, when asked whether she would prefer to win the World Cup with the Switzerland national team or bag the Ballon d'Or, Lehmann said: "World Cup, 100%".

• Lehmann's house in Italy burgled

  Lehmann recently shared a video on Instagram where she captured the state of her bedroom after seeing intruders rifle through her belongings, with the contents of wardrobes and cabinets being flung everywhere. The Switzerland international was not at home at the time of the incident.

  Despite the burglary, Lehmann tried to stay upbeat, as she posted the video with a sarcastic message: "Next time people rob my house, can you please clean up after, cause I’ve got OCD. As someone that likes organisation and cleanliness, the Swiss now faces confusion and mess."

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  When will Lehmann play next for Como?

  Lehmann recently featured in Como's 1-0 loss against Roma in a Serie A clash on Sunday. She will be back in action for the club on December 7, when they take on Parma. In between her playing commitments, Lehmann frequently visits England after linking up with Love Island presenter and partner of Manchester City defender Ruben Dias, Maya Jama, to become the coach of MVPs United in the UK version of Baller League.

England’s ego-less attack leader found a way to stay relevant but it wasn’t the cut-and-thrust of old

Vithushan Ehantharajah12-Jul-20252:12

Manjrekar: ‘Pretty mediocre how England bowled in first session’

There are a few for fast bowlers. Two of them are bowling with the wicketkeeper up and celebrating wickets down the leg side.Chris Woakes has ticked off both in India’s first innings. On Friday, looking to keep Shubman Gill in his crease, Jamie Smith donned a helmet to intercept Woakes’ deliveries at the earliest point. Here on day three, Smith was sprawled out on the Lord’s turf while Woakes continued in his follow-through, not even bothering with a cursory turn to the umpire for his appeal.Icks are broadly nonsense, of course. Merely an alert that anyone who uses the term sincerely is emotionally stunted and void of empathy. But there’s something to be said for the fact that Woakes – the leader of this England pace attack, for so long a standard-setter on skill, whose aesthetics have evolved with a hint of Captain America with silverfox tints – would be willing to indulge in turn-offs others may seek to avoid.”Sometimes as a bowler, you’ve got to take your ego out of it,” Joe Root said of Saturday’s keeper-up scenario. If ever there was a man willing to park ego for the good of the team, it’s Woakes.A decent wobble-seam delivery to Gill, who was clearly tetchy with Smith breathing down his neck, was nicked. The India captain, leading runscorer in the series by a distance already, was dismissed for just 16, of the back of his twin scores of 269 and 161 at Edgbaston last week.And in the dregs of Saturday, with India 13 behind, on Woakes came with the second new ball 29 overs old. Another attempt at a wobble-seam came out on the wrong line, nipping up the slope and down Ravindra Jadeja’s leg side. Except the left-hander’s lazy flick brought the end of his knock on 72, ending a frustrating 113-ball stand on 50.It would be the first of India’s final four wickets to fall for just 11 runs, a collapse that ensured the first three days of this Test have been, largely, for nothing. Not for Woakes, mind. Another in the cascade – Jasprit Bumrah caught behind – gave him 3 for 84, and a doubling of his dismissals for the series.It was a deserved haul in many ways. Woakes was typically un-shy of doing his bit. No bowler on either side sent down more than his 27 overs in the first innings, and only the spinner Shoaib Bashir has delivered more than the 109 he has so far this series. Bumrah, rested for the second Test, ticked over to 27 in this match with one second-innings over this evening.Related

• 'Disappointing for both of us' – Rahul says rush for century led to Pant run-out

• Big-game Stokes pushes his limits to keep England alive

• No more Mr Nice Guy, as Woakes shows his inner steel

• Gillnetting: Woakes and Smith make England's grand plan work

• Gill loses temper as England run down the clock

When Woakes was not bowling, he was assisting with advice or simply just encouragement from mid-on and mid-off, as well as taking on ball-shining duties. And yet, to watch Woakes operate in India’s first innings was to slowly realise we might be witnessing the beginning of the end.That, primarily, is down to pace. Woakes averaged 81mph on Friday, with the delivery that snared Gill clocking in at 80mph. The awry 79mph ball that brought about Jadeja’s downfall was one of the quickest he sent down on Saturday, during which he averaged 78.9mph.The snap seems to be missing. It was evident in patches over the last two Tests, notably the first morning on his home ground. His misfortune in Birmingham – a solitary wicket in an opening spell worthy of three – proved to be England’s as they eventually fell to defeat. Now, that energy into and off the surface is absent, and it is not squarely on a Lord’s pitch that has been too dry to be sprightly.After Woakes had bowled just six of the opening 20 overs with the first new ball, the second was given to Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse. Both represent a not-too-distant future beyond Woakes. In his first appearance in more than four years, Archer has already shown he has the consistency and zip off the surface to do what Woakes does, allied with high pace.Carse, having impressed with his new-ball skills at Edgbaston, has also offered plenty with the bat. His maiden half-century was a measured and timely knock, and has already eclipsed Woakes’ exploits. Despite a handy 38 at Headingley, Woakes has offered little of the protection he was supposed to bring as the third ‘allrounder’, after Ben Stokes and Smith. A first-innings golden duck reduced Woakes’ series average to 12.50 in the series – No.11 Shoaib Bashir’s is 14.Of course, it is no great leap to suggest a 36-year old may be moving to the end of his career. That a bowler who laughed at the suggestion he might last as long as James Anderson – 41 upon his retirement at the start of last summer – is realising his mortality in front of our eyes.That Anderson was given a swansong on this very ground brings a little more context to all this.It is here at Lord’s that Woakes has adorned all three honours board. His duck ironically put him in even more exclusive company as one of four to register a first-baller, after making it onto all three honours boards, for five-fors, 10-fors and hundreds.A bowling average of 12.90 here coming into this match has now risen to 14.20, which is not all that dramatic. But beyond the context of the series, his career average is trending the wrong way (29.33 at the moment), having forced it down to 27.84 last summer.When Anderson followed Stuart Broad into retirement in back-to-back home Tests spanning the summers of 2023 and 2024, Woakes was handed a double promotion of sorts. The opening-bowler slot came with the job of pack leader. He has been more than worthy of both roles, but he was never truly going to occupy them for more than a couple of years.The Ashes this winter looks increasingly unlikely. His average of 51.68 in Australia tells a story of overseas struggle that the man himself has acknowledged. But the suggestion from the England management was that he could yet provide a valuable role on spicier pitches Down Under, with a “friendlier” Kookaburra ball for English fingers. He seemed to have a role to play.Alas, it might be that Woakes has walked into the sunset before England walk onto the plane for their trip to the other side of the world. He is far too humble to assume any occasion as his own – Anderson did so reluctantly, of course – but that has made these last two days feel like a game occasionally looking at the clock while a career grips its coat. These have been the first hums of a subdued goodbye.Two-and-a-half Tests remain, enough time to bow out on his own terms. Those terms, rather than choosing if or when to announce any goodbye, are primarily geared towards affecting this series in a meaningful way.Even this Test, with runs now at a premium in a second-innings shootout, requires Woakes to provide, especially given the importance of the new ball. The end might be coming, but it’s not here yet.

Major League Baseball's home-run leader, Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, smacked his 43rd homer of the season Friday night in a huge spot.

He stepped up to the plate as the Mariners trailed the Rays 2-0 in the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs and two runners on base. Ahead in the count 2-0, he received an 87-mph sweeper low in the zone from newly acquired Rays relief pitcher Griffin Jax. Raleigh sent the pitch 417 feet and over the fence at T-Mobile Park to give the Mariners the late lead.

After the ball hit Raleigh's bat, Jax raised his arm in the air to direct his defense which became a hilarious moment since it flew far over the center-field fence.

In Jax's defense, it wasn't exactly a no-doubt home run and he didn't appear to put his pointer finger in the air, likely because he quickly realized Raleigh just hit a game-changing homer off him. Still, a funny moment nonetheless. After the three-run shot ended up in a 3-2 loss for the Rays, Jax acknowledged he put himself in a bad spot, getting behind on one of baseball's best hitters.

"There’s a reason he’s having a really good year," Jax said of Raleigh postgame via MLB.com's Daniel Kramer. "He’s a really good hitter. I’ve had a couple at-bats against him this year that have gone my way, so he’s seen me now three or four times. When I put myself in a hole 2-0, good hitters do that."

Raleigh's 43rd homer on the year widened his lead on Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber who has hit 41. In the American League, the next closest players to the "Big Dumper" are his new teammate Eugenio Suárez and Yankees star Aaron Judge, who have 37 homers apiece this season.

Mujeeb had broken the stumps with his towel while Noor had shown dissent when the umpire adjudged one of his deliveries to be a wide

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Sep-2025Afghanistan spinners Noor Ahmad and Mujeeb Ur Rahman have been handed a demerit point each for breaching Level 1 of the ICC code of conduct during the Asia Cup match against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.Noor was found to have breached Article 2.8 which indicated “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during an international match” while Mujeeb was charged with breaching Article 2.2, which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an international match.”Mujeeb had broken the stumps with his towel during the match. Noor had shown dissent in the 16th over of Sri Lanka’s innings when the umpire adjudged one of his deliveries to be a wide.On-field umpires Asif Yaqoob and Virender Sharma, third umpire Faisal Afridi and fourth umpire Rohan Pandit levelled the charge. Both players admitted to their offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Richie Richardson, so there was no need for formal hearings.Afghanistan’s Asia Cup campaign came to an end after they lost to Sri Lanka by six wickets. Both Noor and Mujeeb picked up a wicket each in the game.

Gary Neville has named why Manchester United teammate Nani “frustrated” him the most, but admitted he would still get in any Premier League team right now.

Neville criticises Man Utd’s current "ageing" spine

United appear to have turned a corner in recent weeks, having won three successive matches for the first time under Ruben Amorim before Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest.

However, Neville appeared on The Overlap’s Stick to Cricket show and had some criticism for the team’s “ageing” spine.

He said: “I think your spine of a football team is critical. When I first came into Man United, our spine was (Peter) Schmeichel, (Steve) Bruce, (Gary) Pallister, (Roy) Keane and (Eric) Cantona and so we were all scattered around it.

“I think Maguire and (Matthijs) De Ligt should be doing a lot better than they are. You know, you look at the experience that those two have got. De Ligt’s played a mountain of games at sort of different levels, the highest level. Harry’s played so many times for England. You’ve got the midfield, Casemiro and Bruno have got massive experience.

“Up front, they haven’t got the experience. But to me, that spine of Bruno Fernandes (31), Casemiro (33), Maguire (32) and De Ligt (26) is ageing, but should be doing a lot better at holding it all together than they do.”

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Nov 5, 2025

Neville names Nani most frustrating Man Utd teammate

Neville was also asked by ex-England cricket captain Micheal Vaughan for the player who frustrated him the most during his career.

The former Man Utd right-back chose Nani, saying he was “erratic” but a winger who “could win you games”.

The Portuguese forward made the move to Old Trafford in 2007 and spent eight years in Manchester, making 230 appearances in all competitions in a United shirt.

He contributed to more than 100 goals during that time, winning four Premier League titles and one Champions League.

It isn’t just Neville who found Nani frustrating, with Wayne Rooney also calling the forward his worst Red Devils teammate.

“My worst team-mate – there are a lot more than you’d probably think. On the pitch, the toughest one was Nani. He was frustrating to play with.”

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