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Former England spinner admits he needs time to “listen, learn and find my political home” after high-profile unveiling

ESPNcricinfo staff08-May-2024

Monty Panesar has ended his foray into politics after just one week, after announcing that he has stood down as a parliamentary candidate for George Galloway’s Workers Party of Great Britain.Panesar, 42, was unveiled by Mr Galloway at a media event in Westminster last week, and was due to contest the Ealing Southall seat in West London at the next general election, a seat that is currently held by Labour with a majority of 16,084.Writing at the time in the , Panesar declared that he wanted to be “the voice for the workers of this country”, adding that “my aspiration in politics is to one day become Prime Minister”.However, following a series of challenging media interviews, including one with in which he struggled to offer a position on the UK’s continued membership of NATO, he has now decided to withdraw his candidacy.Related

They also played politics

Balls of the century, No. 20: Panesar to Tendulkar

Panesar to stand as parliamentary candidate in UK general election

Panesar handed Middlesex inner-city scouting role

Panesar: Flintoff gave me the belief to play Test cricket

“I’m a proud Brit who has had the honour to represent my country at the highest level of cricket,” Panesar wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “I now want to do my bit to help others but I recognise I am at the beginning of my journey and still learning about how politics can help people.”So today I am withdrawing as a General Election candidate for The Workers Party,” he added. “I realise I need more time to listen, learn and find my political home, one that aligns with my personal and political values.”I wish The Workers Party all the best but look forward to taking some time to mature and find my political feet so I am well prepared to deliver my very best when I next run up to the political wicket.”Panesar, whose full name is Mudhsuden Singh Panesar, became the first practising Sikh to represent England in 2006, when selected at Nagpur in the first Test of that winter’s tour of India.Following his retirement, he undertook a sports journalism course at St Mary’s University, London, and earlier this month leant his support to the Show Racism the Red Card campaign, in which he talked up the benefits of immigration in a video.In 2021, he defended Michael Vaughan, his former England captain, after he was accused of using racist language towards Azeem Rafiq during a match for Yorkshire in 2009.

Carlo Ancelotti admitted that Vinicius Jr is under pressure to perform with Brazil and claimed that the winger will succeed in Selecao colours.

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• Ancelotti hailed Vini Jr as world-class
• Backed the winger to succeed for Brazil
• Brazil take on Ecuador in World Cup qualifier

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ancelotti hailed Vinicius Junior as 'one of the best in the world' as he claimed that the winger is under tremendous pressure to perform for the national team, as he cherishes playing for the Selecao. However, the ex-Real Madrid manager backed the player to bring success to the national team.

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• WHAT CARLO ANCELOTTI SAID

  Speaking to Marca, Ancelotti said: "He's extraordinary, fantastic, hard-working, a fighter. The Brazilian player has a lot of affection for the national team, and that can affect his natural thinking. He's under a lot of pressure to perform well, which prevents him from making mistakes. I'm convinced he'll give his best for the national team. He's one of the best in the world. He's always there."

  He added: "He's a hard worker and a fighter like few others. His best version will soon emerge."

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Vinicius Jr had an impressive outing with Los Blancos in the 2024-25 campaign as he scored 20 goals across all competitions and provided 17 assists. reported last month that the 24-year-old is on the verge of signing a new contract that will be valid until the summer of 2023. The player will earn €100 million (£84.6m) net over the five years.

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR CARLO ANCLELOTTI?

  Ancelotti will manage the five-time world champions for the first time on June 6 as they take on Ecuador in a World Cup qualifying game.

تتنافس 4 أهداف على لقب الأفضل في الجولة الخامسة من بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز، بحسب ما أعلنت عنه رابطة الأندية.

وكشف حساب رابطة الأندية المصرية، على فيسبوك، عن الأهداف الأربعة المرشحة، بنشر فيديو بعنوان: تصويبة رائعة من السولية، رأسية ذهبية من الكرتي، إنهاء مميز من فاروق، صاروخية من دغموم ، اختر أفضل هدف في الجولة الـ5 من دوري نايل.

طالع| علاء عبد العال يفسر تصريح “الأهلي أكبر من ريبيرو”.. ويحذر من حسام البدري

ويتنافس على الجائزة 4 لاعبين، وهم: عمرو السولية لاعب سيراميكا كليوباترا، وليد الكرتي من بيراميدز، أحمد فاروق نجم وادي دجلة، وعبد الرحيم دغموم هداف المصري.

وتعرض الأهلي للهزيمة أمام بيراميدز بهدفين نظيفين، بينما خسر الزمالك من وادي دجلة بهدف مقابل هدفين، فيما فاز المصري على كهرباء الإسماعيلية 4-0، في الجولة الخامسة من الدوري. أفضل 4 أهداف بالجولة 5 من الدوري

هدف عمرو السولية لاعب سيراميكا كليوباترا أمام المقاولون العرب.

هدف وليد الكرتي لاعب بيراميدز الثاني أمام الأهلي.

هدف أحمد فاروق لاعب وادي دجلة أمام الزمالك.

هدف عبد الرحيم دغموم لاعب المصري أمام كهرباء الإسماعيلية.

Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde spoke about the win over Sevilla and highlighted the ambitions for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.

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• Valverde describes the 'strangeness' of the Sevilla game
• Real Madrid earn a clean-sheet after four games
• The Uruguayan outlines Club World Cup ambitions

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  After the 2-0 win over Sevilla in their penultimate clash of La Liga 2024-25, Federico Valverde spoke to expressing his delight at the result and turning focus to the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup. The midfielder emphasised the team's ambition to lift the trophy and bring more joy to the fans.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham found themselves on the scoresheet as Real Madrid defeated Sevilla and earned a clean sheet. Los Blancos midfielder described the atmosphere at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium on Sunday as 'strange'. The Uruguayan also lauded the collective team effort and how they approached the game. Real Madrid underwent a dismal season, where they failed to clinch any silverware, and Valverde highlighted what the team wants to do for the fans in their next assignment.

• WHAT FEDERICO VALVERDE SAID

  Valverde spoke to Real Madrid TV (via SI), about the game: "A great match. The effort was from everyone. It was a strange atmosphere. In this club, you always play with everything on the line, and today we weren’t risking much. But you have to defend this jersey."

  Real Madrid's maiden challenge under new manager Xabi Alonso will be the FIFA Club World Cup. Highlighting the approach for the competition, he added: "As always. With a lot of enthusiasm and excitement. Proud to represent Real Madrid. Just like this club demands. And something the fans deserve to enjoy, another title."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

  Real Madrid will next play Real Sociedad on May 24 in their last game of the season. In June, they will be back in action for the FIFA Club World Cup.

أعلنت رابطة البريميرليج عبر موقعها الرسمي، عن قائمة اللاعبين المرشحين لجائزة الأفضل في الجولة الثانية للدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

واختتمت الجولة الثانية بفوز مثير لفريق ليفربول على نيوكاسل يونايتد بملعب “سانت جيمس بارك”، بثلاثية لهدفين، مساء يوم الإثنين.

شهدت الجولة أيضًا سقوط لمانشستر سيتي أمام توتنهام، بهدفين دون رد، فيما حقق آرسنال فوزًا عريضًا أمام ليدز يونايتد بخماسية نظيفة.

جايدون أنتوني، بيرنلي

قدّم الجناح أنتوني أداءً ممتازًا بتسجيله هدفًا وتمريرة حاسمة، مساهمًا في فوز بيرنلي الأول في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز هذا الموسم أمام سندرلاند بهدفين دون رد.

جاك جريليش، إيفرتون

اللاعب المعار من مانشستر سيتي أثبت نفسه في أول ظهور له أساسيًا مع إيفرتون بأداء رائع، تضمن تمريرتين حاسمتين رائعتين، مساهمًا بفوز فريقه أمام برايتون بهدفين نظيفين.

فيكتور جيوكيريس، آرسنال

افتتح جيوكيريس الوافد الجديد لآرسنال، سجله التهديفي في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز ضد ليدز يونايتد بهدف بمجهود رائع، ثم سجل هدفه الثاني في الوقت بدل الضائع من ضربة جزاء.

اقرأ أيضًا | بتمريرة من محمد صلاح.. نجوموها يروي كواليس هدفه الدرامي أمام نيوكاسل

ريو نجوموها، ليفربول

قدّم اللاعب البالغ من العمر 16 عامًا أداءً لا يُنسى في أول ظهور له في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، وسجل هدف الفوز لليفربول أمام نيوكاسل، في الوقت المحتسب بدلاً من الضائع، بعد دقائق من مشاركته. 

وبهذا الهدف، أصبح أصغر هداف في تاريخ ليفربول، بعمر 16 عامًا و361 يومًا فقط، ورابع أصغر هداف في تاريخ المسابقة، خلف جيمس فوجان وجيمس ميلنر وواين روني.

دانجو واتارا، برينتفورد

سجّل واتارا هدفًا رائعًا ضد أستون فيلا في أول ظهور له مع الفريق، بعد انطلاقة سريعة ثم سدد الكرة في المحاولة الثانية بعد أن تصدى إيميليانو مارتينيز لتسديدته الأولى.

جواو بالينيا، توتنهام

قدم جواو بالينيا أداء رائع في خط الوسط، ليضمن لتوتنهام تحقيق فوزه الثاني على التوالي تحت قيادة توماس فرانك، بفوزٍ تاريخي على مانشستر سيتي، وفاز بثماني مواجهات ثنائية، وقام بأربع تدخلات، وسجّل هدفًا حسم فوز فريقه بثنائية دون رد.

جواو بيدرو، تشيلسي

تألق البرازيلي، وسجل هدف التعادل وساهم في الهدف الثاني لتشيلسي في المباراة التي حسمها فريقه بخماسية لهدف.

تيمبر، آرسنال

قدّم تيمبر أداءً رائعًا ضد ليدز، وسجل هدفين وساهم بتمريرة حاسمة، وحافظ على نظافة شباك الفريق، وقد أصبح ثاني مدافع فقط من أرسنال يُساهم بثلاثة أهداف في مباراة بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، بعد ناتشو مونريال، ويُعد أول مدافع يسجل ويساهم في هدف في مباراة بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز مع آرسنال منذ سيدريك سواريس ضد إيفرتون في مايو 2022.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck Afghanistan’s fastest ODI fifty, but the 269-run target proved a bridge too far

Ashish Pant26-Aug-2023No Naseem Shah, no Haris Rauf, no problem, said Pakistan as they stitched together another splendid bowling performance to secure a clinical 59-run win over Afghanistan to sweep the ODIs 3-0. Crucially, with the win, they also zoomed to the top of the ODI rankings just ahead of the Asia Cup.Batting first on a two-paced Colombo surface, attritional half-centuries from Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan helped them reach 268 for 8. In reply, Afghanistan never really found their bearings on a pitch that seemed to have quickened up under lights. Mujeeb Ur Rahman tried his best to briefly throw a spanner into Pakistan’s works as he struck the fastest fifty by an Afghanistan batter in ODIs – off 26 balls and eventually finishing on a 37-ball 64. But the target proved to be a bridge too far.Eventually, they were bowled out for 209 in 48.4 overs with Shadab Khan being the pick of the bowlers taking 3 for 42.Chasing 269, Afghanistan needed a strong start from their openers which they never got. It did not help that Ibrahim Zadran couldn’t open, because he spent the last few minutes of the first innings off the field and hence had to serve time before walking out. Riaz Hassan and Rahmanullah Gurbaz were all at sea against the Pakistan fast bowlers, with Faheem Ashraf causing the most problems.Mujeeb Ur Rahman registered Afghanistan’s fastest ODI fifty•AFP/Getty ImagesShaheen Shah Afridi got the ball to nip around, but his radar was off initially. Ashraf, however, was exemplary with his lines and lengths. He kept the ball in the channel outside off, back of a length and had the batters guessing. He prised out the key scalp of Gurbaz, who missed a straight ball and was trapped in front of the stumps as he missed a flick. DRS confirmed the ball would have clipped the leg bail. Ashraf then claimed Zadran, who fell for a 11-ball duck. The two batters, who had amassed a collective 231 off 252 in the second ODI, could only muster 5 off 26 in the third.Hashmatullah Shahidi and Riaz added a brief 30-run stand for the third wicket but took 61 balls. There were plays and misses all through as the Pakistan bowlers stuck to a plan and more importantly, delivered.Riaz’s chancy 66-ball 34 was ended by Shadab, who then also sent back Shahidi in the same over as Afghanistan stared down the barrel. From 60 for 2, they slipped to 75 for 6 and then 97 for 7. At that point, it seemed another quick end was certain. But Mujeeb and Shahidullah Kamal held fort.They added 57 off 42 balls for the eighth wicket with Mujeeb doing the bulk of the damage. The only Afghan batter to show intent, he hammered five fours and five sixes during his knock which ended with him being dismissed for hit-wicket. He had his chances, took them on and frustrated the bowlers to no end.Earlier, Pakistan’s was an innings of two halves. The first 30 overs yielded only 103 runs, the last 20 got them 165. At no stage did the batters look comfortable. Babar and Rizwan added 110 runs for the third wicket, but took 145 balls and had 84 dots. As it turned out, it was their innings which formed the cornerstone of Pakistan’s batting.Babar Azam made a solid 60 on a tricky pitch•AFP/Getty ImagesThe under-fire Fakhar Zaman was off the blocks early climbing into Fazalhaq Farooqi, slamming him for five fours in the 20 balls he faced. Imam-ul-Haq, on the other hand, struggled all through. He played back-to-back maidens off Mujeeb and in general lacked timing.Pakistan still managed to get going at a tick over four an over, with Fakhar finding his groove. But a bowling change got the hosts back into the game. Gulbadin Naib, playing his first game of the series, made an immediate impact.A couple of outswingers beat Fakhar’s outstretched blade before he tried a release shot only to miscue a length ball straight up with the catch intercepted well by Riaz. Naib then removed Imam as well. He came dashing down the track to a short-of-a-length ball outside off, but could only manage a thick edge with Gurbaz doing the rest.Babar and Rizwan got together in the 13th over and for the next few overs, run-scoring became a massive task. Only four fours were hit in the next 18 overs, with the run rate dropping to below 3.50.But the duo flicked a switch after drinks. Pakistan collected 85 runs between overs 31 to 40 to up the ante. Rizwan was the one to break the shackles and he reached his tenth ODI fifty off 69 balls while Babar joined him soon taking 77 balls to reach the landmark.Both batters, however, failed to post a three-figure score. While Rashid Khan induced an outside edge off Babar’s blade, Rizwan fell lbw to Fareed Ahmed. In between, Afghanistan also ran out Saud Shakeel as Pakistan lost 3 for 9 in 15 balls. Mohammad Nawaz and Agha Salman, however, made sure to give Pakistan a good end. They stitched a 61-run stand off 47 balls for the seventh wicket. Afghanistan, who were brilliant in the field in the top half of the innings, started to make mistakes. There were a number of misfields and dropped chances with Pakistan going past 250 with ease, smoking 80 runs off the last ten overs.

Ruben Dias' ex-girlfriend has appeared to brand the Manchester City star a "monster" after he went public with TV personality Maya Jama.

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Dias begins dating TV personality JamaCelebrity couple go public with romanceMan City star's ex appears to call him a "monster"Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Mariana Goncalves, aka April Ivy, posted a video of her new song where she sings about an old relationship and calls her former partner a "danger". The singer does not name Dias, while saying in it she had "created a monster", but the Daily Mail claims the timing of it and lyrics used are suspicious, just as Jama and Dias went public with their romance.

AdvertisementGetty/GOALTHE GOSSIP

Dias, 28, was reportedly in a relationship with Portuguese pop star Ivy, 25, between 2018 and 2021 and lived together in Manchester after his £61 million ($81m) transfer from Benfica. They are said to have split over lifestyle differences and now Jama, 30, and Dias are dating.

WHAT IVY SAID

On her Instagram page, she sang: "I saw a picture. You guys look so good together. The both of you, you both look so happy. Just as everyone says, I created a monster. He learned everything with me, then became a danger and left. To give some context, what you see doesn't come from thin air. I know you're going to love what was tiring me. What he wears, I bought. His perfume, I gave. His favourite song, I showed. He is me. Keep him now, he's yours."

Getty WHAT NEXT?

Aside from subtle, or not so subtle, jibes, Dias will hope to lead City to FA Cup glory when they take on Crystal Palace at Wembley on Saturday.

The legendary soccer coach was candid and believes his philosophy was shaped more by Americans than coaches from Europe and South America

• Arena credits American coaches across major sports for his development
• He praises the quality of current MLS coaching landscape
• Arena also predicts elite future for American soccer

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT HAPPENED

  Legendary American coach Bruce Arena believes coaches from the U.S. are underrated – even compared to their peers from soccer powerhouses in Europe and South America.

  "Yes, I don’t doubt that at all," Arena said when asked if he believes American coaches are disrespected or not respected at all, during an appearance on Alexi Lalas’ podcast. "And I tell these stories frequently, when I went abroad and met with coaches and sat down with them, and I was kind of surprised at where they’re at.

  "And I still say to this day, I’ve learned more by talking with a coach in the NFL, the NBA, or Baseball than I have speaking with coaches in Europe or South America. And I think coaching in our country is simply outstanding, it really is."

  Arena also expressed optimism about the future of U.S. soccer, pointing to the growing strength of coaching across the country.

  "Have we trailed a little bit in our sport [Football]? Yes, but today you know, I look around the league and there’s some great American coaches in our league and I know that better than anybody because I’ve been around these guys for a number of years," he said. "We have some simply outstanding coaches in the league, and I think they have a great future, and our sport and our national team programs are going to be elite one day. I have no doubt about that."

  Arena’s comments carry weight given his extensive experience in the American game. The legendary coach spent time with more than half a dozen MLS teams and led the U.S. men’s national team from 1998 to 2006 and again in 2016-17, crossing paths with some of modern football’s top coaching minds along the way. He is still the only U.S. manager to take the team to the World Cup quarterfinals in the modern era.

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• WHAT BRUCE ARENA SAID

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Arena's comments reflect a growing confidence in American soccer's developing tactical and philosophical identity. This is echoed by Jesse Marsch’s success across Europe and Canada among others.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT’S NEXT?

  For Arena and San Jose Earthquakes, they continued their MLS season with a 1-1 draw over the Columbus Crew, which kept them in 10th place in the Western Conference. They have 10 points after as many games and have lost just twice in their last six games, a streak that includes two wins and as many draws. They face Portland Timbers next on May 3 before hosting Sacramento Republic in the Round of 32 in the US Open Cup on May 7.

It’s only ten days now until Birmingham City know their exciting full set of Championship fixtures ahead of the eagerly anticipated 2025/26 campaign.

Chris Davies will be praying that his super-confident Blues side can win on the opening day to get their season off to the best possible footing, with a hope in the air that Birmingham can thrive in the second tier after making League One promotion look like clockwork.

To help make their transition up a league as smooth as possible, Birmingham will be prepared to spend in the transfer market to upgrade their team, with a deal potentially back on the cards for a former star to return to St. Andrew’s.

Birmingham still interested in former ace

As per a new report from Birmingham Live’s Alex Dicken, a spectacular reunion deal for Demarai Gray to return to the West Midlands shouldn’t be written off just yet.

Dicken states that Birmingham are believed to still possess an interest in the entertaining 28-year-old winger, but he also reveals that there are many obstacles in the newly promoted side’s way in trying to get a statement deal over the line.

The obstacles include his lavish £76k-per-week wage at Saudi employers Al-Ettifaq – as per Capology – on top of the fact Dicken states that a number of Premier League clubs are also eyeing up the former Everton attacker.

But, Birmingham – who could seal Gray’s signature for £8m – have been successful in the past when going after outlandish deals deemed too unlikely to happen.

That was seen in Jay Stansfield’s £15m deal last summer – with Gray’s potential arrival onto the scene also perhaps culminating in him striking up an enthralling attacking duo with another target on the Blues’ ever-extending shopping list in Joe Gelhardt.

Why Gray could be brilliant alongside Gelhardt

Both Birmingham targets have shown flashes of their excellence at the very top of the English football pyramid, with Gray’s sublime strike against Arsenal just one of 19 goals the Jamaica international notched up in the Premier League.

Still in the infancy of his career, Gelhardt does still have eight-goal contributions next to his name in the elite division when he was deemed the next big thing coming out of Leeds United’s esteemed academy, meaning the pair together at St. Andrew’s could bring about a sense of class to proceedings, having tasted such lofty heights previously.

Leicester City

169

13

14

Birmingham

78

8

4

Everton

75

12

6

Al-Ettifaq

50

4

5

Bayer Leverkusen

12

1

2

Looking at the table above, Gray could also gift Gelhardt chances galore to score from if the pair are to don Birmingham blue together very soon, with the experienced 28-year-old forward up to 31 assists now from his varied playing days.

Even when he hasn’t been firing on all cylinders at current employers Al-Ettifaq, a frustrated Gray has at least been trying to carve out openings, with a healthy four big chances created by the ex-Blues attacker in Saudi Pro League action last season, despite no assists coming his way.

Whilst his teammates in the Middle East might not be finishing off his moves, Gelhardt could soon be the perfect companion to Gray based on his impressive Championship numbers last campaign with Hull City, with a promising five league strikes picked up from only 19 starts, while also spurning just one big chance.

With the aforementioned Stansfield also close by, both the “electric” winger – as he’s been glowingly labelled in the past by journalist Scott Saunders – and Gelhardt could really enhance Birmingham’s attacking numbers ahead of their second-tier adventure officially kicking off.

Stansfield 2.0: Birmingham now showing interest in “special” forward

Birmingham City could be about to land their next Jay Stansfield by signing this exciting attacker.

ByKelan Sarson Jun 15, 2025

Viktor Gyokeres has been the name on the lips of Manchester United supporters over recent months, with the Sporting CP striker widely linked with a move to Old Trafford.

Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim previously worked with the forward during his time in Portugal, with such a scenario likely to have fuelled the rumours over a potential switch.

Talks have previously been held between the 27-year-old’s representatives and the United hierarchy, but no deal has yet to progress, with Arsenal also in the race for his signature.

Such a move is likely to create excitement within the fanbase, given his record of 54 goals scored in just 52 games across all competitions throughout the 2024/25 campaign.

However, with negotiations seemingly not heading any closer to completion, other targets will likely be considered ahead of next season, with numerous names emerging over recent weeks.

The latest on United’s hunt for a new striker this summer

United’s need for a new striker has become evident over the course of this season, with Amorim’s side only finding the net on 44 occasions in the league – an average of 1.15 goals per game.

Such a record is unacceptable, subsequently leading to links with the likes of Gyokeres and, in the last 24 hours, Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, who is also on the radar of Liverpool and Chelsea.

However, it appears that Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta has once again appeared as an option, according to Football Insider’s latest update.

It’s been claimed that the Red Devils have been in talks with Oliver Glasner’s side over a move for the Frenchman, who managed to find the back of the net on 17 occasions across all competitions.

The report also states that the hierarchy have been keeping a close eye on the 27-year-old’s progress at Selhurst Park, with a £40m price tag previously being mooted.

Why United’s £40m target would be better than Cunha

Over the last couple of days, United confirmed the signing of Brazilian international Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers, forking out a fee in the region of £62.5m for his services.

The 26-year-old has made a huge impact in the Premier League in recent times, managing to register 15 goals and six assists in his 33 appearances in 2024/25 – undoubtedly the shining light of the West Midlands outfit.

Such a tally will massively bolster the options at Amorim’s disposal next season, hopefully looking to catapult the club back to the fringes of the Champions League places.

However, it remains unclear if he will feature as a striker or in one of the number 10 positions, opening the door to another attacking addition like Mateta or Gyokeres.

If the Frenchman is to move to the club this summer, it’s imperative that the manager drops the Brazilian into a deeper role and utilises Mateta at the top end of the pitch.

When comparing their respective figures, the current target has dominated the new United signing in the final third – showcasing why he’s better suited to the centre-forward position.

Mateta, who’s been labelled a “monster” by one analyst, may have registered fewer goals, but has a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate – demonstrating his clinical edge in front of goal.

Games played

37

33

Goals scored

14

15

Shot-on-target accuracy

43%

40%

Goals per shot on target

0.4

0.3

Take-on success

45%

44%

Aerials won

2.2

0.4

Aerial success rate

37%

31%

He’s also managed to complete more of the take-ons he’s attempted, having the ability to beat the opposition with the ball at his feet before firing at goal, something which he’s done countless times this season.

The Palace star has also been dominant in the air, winning over four times more aerials per 90, whilst also posting a higher success rate in such a department – handing the side the focal point they’ve craved.

Such a fee appears to be somewhat of a bargain, with his experience in the Premier League key to the club’s ambitions of returning to their former glory in the coming months.

The prospect of the striker starring alongside Cunha at Old Trafford is one for the fanbase to get excited about, with the pair able to work together to overturn what’s been a dismal period for the Red Devils.

Van Persie 2.0: Man Utd set to be offered "incredible" Gyokeres alternative

Manchester United could be about to make a move for a player who could follow in Robin van Persie’s footsteps.

ByEthan Lamb Jun 12, 2025