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Canada have slammed Bayern Munich over "grossly negligent" accusations following Alphonso Davies' ACL injury while on international duty.

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Davies tore his ACL during the Nations LeagueBayern fuming with Canada's treatment of the playerCanada FA issues scathing statement in their defenceFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The 24-year-old defender suffered a devastating ACL tear less than 15 minutes into Canada’s CONCACAF Nations League third-place match against the United States. The injury has ruled him out for the remainder of the Bundesliga season, the Champions League campaign and the Club World Cup.

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In the wake of the injury, Davies' agent, Nedal Huoseh, voiced his frustration, claiming that the Canadian federation failed to protect the player. He suggested that the Bayern star was not fully fit ahead of the match and was allegedly pressured into starting by head coach Jesse Marsch. His remarks added fuel to Bayern’s growing anger over the situation, further intensifying tensions between the German club and Canada Soccer.

Bayern have now reportedly threatened to explore legal options against Canada Soccer, citing "grossly negligent" medical care. According to the club, Canada’s medical staff failed to detect the ACL tear, with the full extent of the injury only becoming clear after Davies returned to Germany for further evaluation.

WHAT CANADA FA SAID

In response to Bayern’s allegations, Canada Soccer issued a firm statement defending their handling of Davies’ injury. The federation insisted that their medical team followed all appropriate protocols and maintained continuous communication with Bayern Munich throughout the tournament.

“We further reviewed the circumstances related to the medical care provided to Alphonso Davies," a statement read.

"Medical documentation confirms that proper care protocols were followed, and communication records show that our medical staff provided updates to Bayern Munich throughout the entire tournament. We spoke further with Bayern Munich today to provide them with context and details to address any misunderstandings. We are all focused on supporting Alphonso in the months ahead.”

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR DAVIES?

With the ACL tear confirmed, Davies is expected to be sidelined for several months, forcing him to miss some of the biggest fixtures in Bayern’s calendar. The German club are currently fighting for the Bundesliga title and a potential Champions League final, which will take place at their stadium. His recovery timeline now extends into the 2025-26 season.

Aston Villa fans would have been on cloud nine when you cast your mind back to the start of October, having just toppled Bayern Munich under the Villa Park lights in the Champions League.

That feels a very long time ago now, however, instead of just two months, with the Villans now without a victory in their last eight games in all competitions, having also tasted defeat on Europe’s biggest stage in this run of dire games at the hands of Club Brugge.

If the Premier League underperformers are to turn their form around when Brentford come to town later tonight, they will have to ensure they shackle Bryan Mbeumo for the full 90 minutes, who has been a top star for Thomas Frank’s confident Bees whilst Villa have struggled.

Why Aston Villa need to stop Mbeumo

Whilst the likes of Ollie Watkins have receded into their shells in attack for Emery’s men as of late, Mbeumo has sparkled brightly for his employers, with eight goals and one assist coming his way this season in the Premier League from 13 encounters.

Villa will take some solace in the fact the dangerous Cameroonian has only bagged one of those goals away from home soil, but the top-flight strugglers will have to stay alert all the same, with Mbeumo capable of popping up with a spectacular strike from nothing.

West Ham United found that out the hard way when the 25-year-old struck home this beautifully executed first time effort back in September, with the 5 foot 7 ace no doubt raring for more goals to come his way when looking at how leaky Villa have been defensively.

Still, Unai Emery also has an abundance of exciting attackers to call upon much like his counterpart in the Bees dug-out, with one star capable of being his very own Mbeumo if picked.

Emery can unleash his very own Mbeumo

Jhon Duran could be in line for his first start of the Premier League campaign when Brentford travel to Villa Park, with Watkins perhaps overdue a spot on the substitutes bench after firing consistent blanks recently.

Watkins has only scored one goal in his last seven clashes, with Duran more than capable of taking over goalscoring duties up top in place of the England international to be his team’s own version of Mbeumo.

Similar to the Cameroonian attacker in terms of being more comfortable operating on their left foot, Duran is also capable of firing home a stunning strike for his side out of the blue, with the Colombian tallying up four strikes this season in the league despite zero starting opportunities.

He has been the difference-maker for his team subsequently in high-stakes contests, seen in this instinctive finish that caught out Manuel Neuer during that aforementioned famous night in the West Midlands versus Vincent Kompany’s side.

Labelled as “special” last season by his manager after two late strikes versus Liverpool too, he is more than validating these glowing words with his electric output as an impact substitute, which could lead to a start coming his way in place of a misfiring Watkins.

This change in personnel might well be enough to catch Brentford off-guard, who have only lost once in the league in their last five games, away from Villa’s wins drying up.

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If Duran can reach his early top-flight season best against the Bees – as can be seen in his electric goalscoring record above – a positive result might well be coming the way of Emery’s men come the full-time whistle, instead of another disappointing knock to their confidence.

Aston Villa hit gold on £0 signing who's now similar to a £105m maestro

Aston Villa have hit the jackpot on midfielder who is like a current Premier League star

ByRoss Kilvington Nov 24, 2024

Andrew Strauss calls on game to unite behind changes as the sport’s “tectonic plates” shift

Andrew Miller22-Sep-2022A new-look County Championship comprising a first division of six teams, trials of the Kookaburra red ball, and a reduction of T20 Blast fixtures from 14 to 10, are among the 17 recommendations made in the men’s High-Performance Review, published by the ECB on Thursday.The review, colloquially described as the “red-ball reset”, was commissioned in the wake of England’s crushing defeat in the Ashes in January, and was led by Andrew Strauss – the former England captain who also served as interim director of cricket following the sacking of Ashley Giles earlier in the year.The report’s recommendations are split into four categories, covering the specifics of high-performance, the need to equip players to compete in all conditions around the world, the creation of a domestic structure that is “best for counties, players, fans, and England men’s team”, and the overarching need to inspire future generations to take up the game.Speaking at Lord’s on the eve of the publication, Strauss insisted that the onus was now on the first-class counties to digest his recommendations, in particular those pertaining to the domestic schedule, and embrace them for the greater good of the game. However, at the counties’ request, there will be no change to the existing domestic structure until 2024.ESPNcricinfo LtdStrauss, who captained England to victory in Australia in 2010-11 and whose Test team was the last England side to be ranked No. 1 in the world, said that the changes were necessary both for England to return to the pinnacle of the sport across all formats for a sustained period, but also to safeguard English cricket against what he described as the “shifting tectonic plates” of the global game, amid the current proliferation of T20 franchise leagues.”The game must be united if we are to achieve those ambitions and we must be open-minded to change,” Strauss said. “The most consistent message we have received, from players to fans and coaches, was that the status quo is not an option.”Fifteen of the 17 recommendations can be voted on by the ECB board and implemented without recourse to the counties. The remaining two, however, relating to the T20 Blast and the restructuring of the County Championship, will require a two-thirds majority in a ballot of the 18 counties, and will almost certainly be met with opposition from members who face a reduction in first-class fixtures, and executives who rely on revenues from home Blast matches in particular.The proposal as it stands is for a six-team first division, and a 12-team second division, split into two conferences, the winners of which will face each other in an end-of-season promotion play-off. The first-class season would begin in May, with matches to be held in June, July and September, either side of a window for the Hundred in August.The slips in action during Hampshire’s ongoing Championship match against Kent•Getty ImagesIn a bid to ensure a more broad spread of first-class fixtures at the height of the summer, the review proposes a heightened focus on Lions fixtures in that August window, as well as a series of “festival” games involving local rivals that would be distinct from the County Championship. The One-Day Cup, which this season took place in the Hundred’s shadow, would be moved to April to become a season curtain-raiser.”I encourage people to consider our proposals as a package, and I welcome the opportunity for informed debate on the recommended changes to the men’s domestic structure,” Strauss added.”There are no easy answers on the men’s domestic structure. The recommendations have prioritised a more coherent schedule which is more manageable for overworked players, coaches and groundstaff while providing the quality and quantity of cricket that fans want to watch and which meets our high-performance objectives.”That includes playing first-class cricket in each month from May until September, increasing the standard and intensity of the LV= Insurance County Championship and ensuring more opportunities for the best players to play across all domestic competitions.”Related

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A trial of the Kookaburra ball is also proposed, in place of the Dukes which has a tendency to swing and seam for longer and therefore encourages a proliferation of medium-pacers in county cricket. Combined with a greater focus on pitch preparation – a key consideration this week in light of Glen Chapple’s criticism of the surface during Lancashire’s two-day victory at Chelmsford – Strauss hopes that this will help to mimic overseas conditions and better prepare England’s bowlers for future tours.To that end, the report also recommends a North vs South red-ball competition to be played overseas in the pre-season, featuring the star performers from the previous year’s Championship, and plans for England Under-17 fixtures against international opponents.Amid concerns that, under the new proposal, smaller counties would inevitably become feeder clubs for the more successful Division One teams, the report also calls for more incentive-based payments for counties to produce winning teams, and hence future England cricketers.Richard Thompson, the ECB chair, said that the board and executive unanimously support the review’s recommendations, and urged the counties to put aside their concerns for the greater good.”We are aware of the challenges within many counties over the reduction in red-ball cricket in particular,” Thompson said. “Those concerns have been taken on board and reflected in the recommendations. If there is a reduction in the volume of cricket for a sensible and workable schedule along with seeing the best players more often, I believe that is a good trade-off, particularly as it will improve England’s chances of success in the future.”It is important that heading into next season that the first-class counties are aware of what they are playing for in 2024.”

Jonathan David is among those to have been linked with Manchester United, but the Canadian striker has hinted that his future lies elsewhere.

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Impressive strike rate in Ligue 1Allowing contract to expireLinked with teams across EuropeFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱GettyWHAT HAPPENED?

The 25-year-old forward continues to generate plenty of interest after revealing that he will be severing ties with Lille as a free agent this summer when his contract expires. David has enjoyed five productive seasons in France, but is ready to spread his wings once more.

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The Canada international has hit 23 goals this season, while only Mohamed Salah, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe posted more goal involvements than he managed in 2024. It is that end product that is catching the eye of United and clubs across Europe.

Getty ImagesWHAT JONATHAN DAVID SAID

David is not ruling out a move to the Premier League, but admits that it has always been his dream to play in Spain. He has told the podcast: “To be honest, I think I can adapt to every League. Every league has their differences. I think the Premier League is a lot faster and more physical than all the other leagues.

“But I grew up watching a lot of La Liga. I wouldn’t say that would be my preferred league, but I think that’s a league that I enjoyed watching the most… I think one day, I would like to play there. But will that happen? I don’t know. I’m not opposed to anything, and we’ll just see where the future takes us.”

DID YOU KNOW?

David added on readying himself for another challenge, having already passed several difficult tests in his career to date: “I've had difficult moments, especially my first season and even my first two seasons at Lille. I think I had a dry spell, but now I'm scoring so much. But for me in those situations, it's about putting your focus on the work, so doing extra after training and always working hard, and knowing something will happen.

“Knowing I've put the work in gives me more confidence on the pitch, knowing that I did what I could, so I have no regrets. Normally, I'm more of a reserved, shy guy, but moving to different countries makes you evolve as a person and makes you come out of your shell. You have to get involved. As a player, everywhere you go you have to adapt because the culture is different, the play style is different, the players are different are there are different expectations of you.”

Pollard reiterates demand for another T20 tournament, in addition to the CPL, to “unearth new talent” for West Indies

Deivarayan Muthu31-Aug-2022With Andre Russell joining Trinbago Knight Riders and Nicholas Pooran returning to the line-up, they are dripping with experience and pedigree. With captain Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine and Colin Munro also in the mix, Knight Riders can stake a claim for being the strongest T20 franchise side in the world. Pollard, though, refused to be drawn into comparisons with other T20 teams on the circuit, and pointed out that big names alone can’t guarantee success.”Yes, I’ve played for a lot of teams with a lot of great players, but obviously, when you look at the team on paper, we have world-class players and a lot of guys who have played around the world,” Pollard said. “Again, to say the strongest and go down that route, I don’t think we are looking at that.Related

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“We are looking at what we can achieve as a team and what we can do on the field as individuals, inclusive of what the team requires, and hopefully, with the experience of everyone, we can bind that together and show some sort of results when the time comes.”For the second time in less than a year, Pollard has called for a regional T20 tournament in addition to the CPL for identifying fresh talent. After West Indies had suffered an early exit in the 2021 T20 World Cup, Pollard had said that a domestic T20 tournament would help expand their talent pool.”I’ve been advocating it. I’ve said it after the last World Cup campaign as well. That is how a lot of cricketers have been unearthed in the Caribbean – through the local tournaments,” he said. “There is the CPL, which is great for the Caribbean players and great for the viewership as well and great for everybody, but in terms of the development – five overseas players coming and four can play at a time, which leaves seven locals. I don’t think that is enough to see the emerging talent. But, at the end of the day, the franchise owners and sponsors are putting in a lot of money to see good cricket. I don’t think they are just looking at development; they’re looking to be known on the global scene.”So, I’ve said [it before] and I’m going to say it again, yes, I think we need another tournament so we can continue to bridge the gap of getting our players through. 6ixty was a good start, but it’s only ten-over cricket, so guys have to go from ball one. We want to unearth new talent not only for T20 cricket, but for 50 overs and Test cricket as well, so that we can have longevity in the sport and compete at the highest level on a consistent basis.”St Kitts and Nevis Patriots are the defending CPL champions•Randy Brooks – CPL T20 / GettyBravo: ‘We can also be a dominant force in the CPL’
After winning CPL 2021 and the inaugural men’s 6ixty, St Kitts & Nevis Patriots have now set their sights on defending their CPL title to do a three-peat and establish themselves as a dominant force in the region, their captain Dwayne Bravo said.”Yeah, I’m very excited. Last season I made the decision to leave TKR and try to challenge myself in a different way to keep myself motivated for the game and try and help others develop their game and their cricket,” Bravo said. “I think I made the right decision at the right time and luckily enough, we won the trophy last season, which gave St Kitts & Nevis Patriots their first-ever CPL title. Three days ago, we also won the first ever Universe Boss Trophy.”It’s a good foundation that we started to build, and we started to believe, as a franchise and as a team, that we can also be a dominant force in the CPL and that’s our challenge. That’s our aim and we’re looking forward to defending our title. Not only that, but we also look forward to playing a brand of cricket that entertains fans and makes our franchise owners and the island of St Kitts & Nevis Patriots proud.”Dominic Drakes, who has been Bravo’s project since last season, has grown in leaps and bounds as a T20 allrounder. Bravo is eager to give him the platform to take his game to the next level in the forthcoming CPL and also create a team environment that allows the other players to thrive.Dwayne Bravo played with Dwaine Pretorius in the IPL, and decided to bring him to the Patriots•BCCI”I’m very impressed with him [Drakes] and very happy with his development in the last 12-18 months. It’s my responsibility to make sure that he doesn’t fall back and keep pushing him and encouraging him,” Bravo said. “Not only Dominic, but so many other players who are involved this season – I want to see Sherfane Rutherford be dominant again. I want to see Evin Lewis follow up from his last season – he was our best player with the bat. Young [Dewald] Brevis… want to calm him down a bit because he has so much talent but sometimes, I think, can be reckless.”Looking forward to seeing my brother [Darren Bravo] get back into some good form – it’s a move for him from TKR as well. I think that change might do well for his cricket and for his career.”Bravo also revealed how he played a role in bringing South Africa allrounder Dwaine Pretorius into the CPL after the IPL, where they played together for Chennai Super Kings earlier this year. Pretorius has a collection of slower balls in his repertoire and often fronts up to bowl the tough overs. Does Bravo see a bit of himself in Pretorius?”Yeah, when I was there in the IPL with him, I asked him if he would be interested in playing CPL and he said ‘yes’. And so straightaway I made a phone call and talked to the owners and got on to his agent and now happy to have him here,” Bravo said. “I’m looking forward to his season because he’s someone very experienced and he’s very eager to learn and obviously, he has international experience, so it’s a good combination to have someone like him who has the experience and is still willing to learn.”

With Callum Wilson on course to leave Newcastle United at the end of the season, PIF are reportedly interested in signing a Premier League forward who’s already got a hat-trick to his name against the Magpies.

Newcastle transfer news

Those in Tyneside have struggled to find consistency so far this season, having endured a summer transfer window to forget with Paul Mitchell at the helm for the first time. Spending the majority of the window on a failed pursuit to sign Marc Guehi, Newcastle opted out of turning to alternative options and have struggled to reach their best form ever since under Eddie Howe.

Looking to put things right in 2025, Mitchell has already reportedly set his sights on some fresh attacking options for Newcastle. Names such as Bryan Mbeumo and Antoine Semenyo have recently stolen plenty of headlines and could yet emerge to hand the Magpies a major boost going forward. And they’re not the only Premier League options that they could turn to.

According to Caught Offside, PIF and Newcastle are now interested in signing Evan Ferguson in 2025 amid his struggle to break into Fabian Hurzeler’s strongest side at Brighton & Hove Albion. Still valued at £60m nonetheless, the forward could yet leave the Amex on loan with the likes of West Ham United and Rangers also interested ahead of January.

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He’s lost his starting place…

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Fans at St James’ Park should already be well aware of Ferguson’s quality after he scored a hat-trick against Newcastle at the start of last season, as Brighton sealed a 3-1 victory at the Amex.

A forward who’d be a ready-made replacement for Wilson, Ferguson could yet sharpen what has been a blunt Newcastle attack at times in the current campaign under Howe.

"Amazing" Ferguson needs Brighton exit

As Brighton have grown in quality, it’s players like Ferguson who have suffered from their success, particularly whilst Joao Pedro continues to steal the headlines this season. Still just 20 years old though, there’s no doubt that the Irishman is still a player full of potential, but game time will be key at such an age – game time that Isak’s recent unavailability would have offered him at St James’ Park.

The young forward has earned plenty of praise at The Amex, including from former teammate Alexis Mac Allister, who told reporters as relayed by BBC Sport: “Evan is an amazing player. He was not having his best evening, but he showed his quality. We are really happy for him, we know how important he is.”

Of course, if Newcastle chase Ferguson’s signature on a permanent basis then his £60m price tag may see them fall behind in the race, especially amid previous profit and sustainability concerns. After failing to recruit well enough last summer, however, Mitchell must make a statement in the form of reinforcements when 2025 arrives.

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Nov-2015Zimbabwe then hit back with regular wickets, as both openers were stumped for 73, leaving the hosts at 173 for 2 in the 35th over•Associated PressMushfiqur Rahim promoted himself to no. 3 and was also dismissed in the same fashion, the first time in ODIs that the top three batsmen were stumped•Associated PressBangladesh then stumbled to 236 for 6 before Mahmudullah survived a controversial run-out call amid lots of drama in the 45th over•Associated PressMahmudullah then combined with Mashrafe Mortaza in a 37-run partnership to lift Bangladesh to a total of 276•AFPZimbabwe were off to a rocky start once again as Chamu Chibhabha was bowled off the second delivery of the innings by Mustafizur Rahman•Associated PressCraig Erwine then joined Regis Chakabva and just as they seemed to foster a partnership that Zimbabwe could build their chase on, both batsmen were dismissed within a span of two overs•AFPSean Williams then took control of the chase…•AFP…sharing a 80-run stand and 59-run with Elton Chigumbura and Malcolm Waller respectively•AFPSabbir Rahman broke the threatening Chigumbura-Williams stand with his part-time spin, dismissing Chigumbura for 45•AFPWaller and Williams were dismissed in successive overs with the score at 188 for 6 at the fall of Williams’ wicket•Associated PressMustafizur then came in and ended Zimbabwe’s chase at 215, completing his third five-wicket haul in nine ODIs, handing Bangladesh an ODI series sweep•AFP

The former Australia captain, known for his incisive and forthright views, spent the best part of his commentary years with Channel Nine

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Aug-2022After a celebrated commentary career spanning 45 years, Ian Chappell has decided to put down his mic. The 78-year-old former Australia captain, who is widely admired for his incisive views on the game and his forthright manner of expressing them, told the that he had been contemplating the decision for a while.”I remember the day when I knew I’d had enough of playing cricket,” he said. “I looked at the clock and it was five past 11 on a day of play and I thought, ‘S**t, if you’re clock-watching at that time, I have to go’.Related

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“So when it comes to commentary, I’ve been thinking about it. I had a minor stroke a few years back and I got off lucky. But it just makes everything harder. And I just thought with all the travel and, you know, walking upstairs and things like that, it’s all just going to get harder.”Then I read what Rabbits [legendary rugby league commentator Ray Warren] said with retirement and it really struck home when I read the bit where he said, ‘you’re always one sentence closer to making a mistake’.”Chappell entered the commentary box towards the end of a playing career of 75 Test matches – 30 of them as captain – and became part of a team of distinctive voices that backgrounded Channel Nine’s broadcasts of Australian cricket for more than three decades, alongside Richie Benaud, Bill Lawry and Tony Greig.Channel Nine and Chappell enjoyed a long relationship, but not one without the occasional fraught moment.”Kerry [Packer, the media mogul who owned Channel Nine] wanted to sack me a couple of times,” Chappell said. “He used to get the s***s about one-day cricket, because that was his baby. And I might have said something about one-day cricket. With Kerry it was just like a storm – you’d let it blow over till the next one came.”When asked how he would like to be remembered as a commentator, Chappell replied: “It’s up to other people to decide what they think of me and some will think I’ve been all right. Some will think I’ve been a pr**k. That doesn’t bother me one bit.”Chappell has had to endure health issues in recent years, including a diagnosis of skin cancer, but he remained a sharp and fiercely independent voice on the game, in broadcast and print. He writes a regular column on ESPNcricinfo, where he recently questioned the seeming consensus among the game’s administrators that the future of cricket will inevitably belong to franchise T20 leagues, with Test cricket pushed to the margins.

Aston Villa are plotting a shock transfer swoop for a “highly regarded” defender, according to a new report. The Villans have been very busy in the last few transfer windows, and it appears as though they could be active once again when January arrives, as Unai Emery tries to compete in the Premier League and in the Champions League.

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ByBrett Worthington Nov 13, 2024 Aston Villa transfer news

Emery’s side is currently in a rough patch of form, as they’ve lost their last four games in all competitions, form that has seen them lose ground in the Premier League. Villa will be looking to get back to winning ways after the international break, but this run may have also opened their eyes to what they need to strengthen when January comes.

Villa have always been busy in transfer markets under Emery, and that may not be changing anytime soon, as the Midlands side are interested in signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Chelsea. The midfielder has been with the Blues since the summer, but it has been a frustrating time as he’s struggled for game time, and that has put his future in doubt heading into the New Year.

As well as Dewsbury-Hall, Villa are reportedly prepared to meet the demands of striker Jonathan David. The 24-year-old looks set to leave Lille at the end of the campaign as a free agent, and Villa are among the host of teams interested in signing him. The transfer talk doesn’t stop there for the Villans either, as they also have their eye on a very promising young defender.

Aston Villa plotting swoop for Man Utd gem

According to TEAMtalk, Aston Villa are interested in signing Manchester United defender Harry Amass. The 17-year-old left-back came through the academy at Watford but was picked up by the Red Devils in 2023 after putting in some very impressive displays.

Amass, who is described as being “highly regarded” in this report, played for United’s under-18s last season but has now been promoted to the club’s under-21s. The left-back has yet to make an appearance in the first team, but he has been named in several matchday squads and appeared heavily in their pre-season tour of the USA in the summer.

This report states that Villa are long-term admirers of Amass, as they tried to sign the player from Watford before United did. They have kept an eye on Amass’ development, as he’s tipped for a very bright future.

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The teenager is said to be on the cusp of breaking into the first team but has yet to play for United despite injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia. And while the Red Devils apparently want to keep him, the fact they are in the market for a new left-back could open the door for Villa to swoop in to try and hijack him.

Amass is under contract at United until 2027, and any interest from Villa or elsewhere would not be welcomed by the Red Devils, but Villa are keeping an eye on his situation.