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Netherlands overcame a maiden century by Hong Kong’s Anshy Rath and a 197-run WCL Championship-record partnership between Rath and Babar Hayat to secure a tense five-run win at Tin Kwong Road

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Feb-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsAnshuman Rath’s maiden List A ton, which included 13 fours and two sixes, was in vain•Panda Man

With victory in sight of what would have been the highest successful chase in WCL Championship history, Hong Kong stumbled in the last six overs as Netherlands pulled off a tense five-run win at Mong Kok to take sole possession of first place on the WCL Championship table.Hong Kong were 285 for 3 at the start of the 45th over chasing a target of 331 with Anshy Rath on 134 and Nizakat Khan on 22 but both men were caught on the boundary off the bowling of left-arm wristspinner Michael Rippon to give Netherlands hope. Rippon was eventually named Man of the Match for his game-changing spell of 4 for 67 after having been out for a duck, shouldering arms to an inswinger to open the match.In spite of the double blow, Ehsan Khan again established control for Hong Kong by striking two fours and a six to bring the equation to 23 off 21 balls. However, momentum swung again when Ehsan was given out leg before to Roelof van der Merwe for the sixth wicket, though replays indicated the ball had come off Ehsan’s glove rather than his pad.Hong Kong still had two recognized batsmen in Waqas Khan and allrounder Aizaz Khan at the crease to begin the 48th over with 20 needed off 18 balls but Paul van Meekeren had both men caught on the boundary in the space of four balls. Waqas top-edged a flick to a ball that would have been called a leg-side wide had it been left alone but he was instead caught at deep square leg, while Aizaz was bounced out pulling to deep midwicket. Hong Kong coach Simon Cook admitted afterwards that his side succumbed due to “very poor thinking under pressure.”Ehsan Nawaz was bowled by Ahsan Malik in the 49th and Hong Kong began the final over needing ten to win with No. 10 Nadeem Ahmed and No. 11 Tanveer Ahmed at the crease. Nadeem curiously turned down singles off the first three legal balls of the over but van Meekeren then bowled two wides to keep Hong Kong afloat. Nadeem finally opted to take a single off the fourth ball and another single by Tanveer put him back on strike, but with a six needed off the final ball to win, all he could do was splice the ball to long-off to end the game.Rath and captain Babar Hayat had put Hong Kong on the path for what seemed to be a record-setting chase with a record-breaking partnership earlier in the innings. The pair came together at 53 for 2 in the ninth after Jamie Atkinson was stumped down the leg side off Rippon. They then proceeded to add 197 for the third wicket, a record List A partnership for Hong Kong and a record partnership for any wicket in the WCL Championship. It broke the previous mark of 191 set by Namibia’s Sarel Burger and Craig Williams against Scotland in 2011. Both men had their share of good fortune with Rath spilled on 3 in the slips off Peter Borren in the third over while Hayat was spilled on 64 at short midwicket off Rippon in the 32nd.Rath’s batting was impressive throughout and he brought up his maiden century for Hong Kong off 93 balls after having fallen agonizingly short of a hundred in both innings of the Intercontinental Cup encounter between the two sides that preceded this match. The stand ended when Hayat was stumped down the leg side by Wesley Barresi standing up to Borren’s medium pace for 83. Crucially, a wide was not signaled for Atkinson’s nor Hayat’s dismissal, something which may have impacted the Hong Kong approach at the end if the two runs had been credited to their total.Netherlands total of 330 for 7 after opting to bat was underpinned by half-centuries from Stephan Myburgh, van der Merwe and Pieter Seelaar. Myburgh overcame the loss of Rippon in the second over to blast 88 from 98 balls, including nine fours and five sixes, before he was caught off Nadeem Ahmed in the 30th over to end a 71-run stand with van der Merwe.At 183 for 4, Borren and van der Merwe then added a rapid 60 for the fifth wicket as Borren fired 40 off 37 balls and van der Merwe 62 off 54 including four sixes. Borren fell in the 38th and van der Merwe in the 44th to disrupt a Netherlands surge. Seelaar ended unbeaten on 50 off 43 balls, having run consecutive twos to end the innings.Hong Kong’s death bowling was brilliant though – they conceded just one six and two fours in their final six overs – to hold Netherlands to what Borren admitted after the match was an under-par total on a ground with short boundaries. Thanks to the late intervention by Rippon and van Meekeren, it wound up being just enough.

Tottenham Hotspur superstar Harry Kane has given the "OK" for Real Madrid to attempt his signing this summer, according to reports out of Spain.

Who could leave Spurs this summer?

A lot has been made of which players new manager Ange Postecoglou could sign for Spurs, especially since a rebuild is arguably required after an underwhelming 2022/2023 Premier League campaign.

The north Londoners failed to qualify for Europe and won't benefit from all the riches that go with it, while Tottenham also went another campaign trophyless.

Spurs haven't clinched silverware since 2008, when they beat Chelsea in the League Cup final, and Postecoglou has an almighty job on his hands to get them contending again.

There is currently a plethora of deadwood in the squad, with The Telegraph recently revealing that a huge player clear out is planned.

Hugo Lloris, Ivan Perisic, Davinson Sanchez, Ryan Sessegnon, Clement Lenglet, Eric Dier and Ben Davies have all been mentioned as possible exit nominees – while Spurs are also expected to try and sell Giovani Lo Celso, Sergio Reguilon and Harry Winks.

Kane, who is wanted by Real Madrid, has also been linked with a move away but chairman Daniel Levy is tipped to dig his heels in.

Now, as per a report by Spanish outlet Marca, there has been an update on the 29-year-old's future and it could be a worry for Postecoglou. Indeed, Kane himself apparently "gives the OK" to Madrid and their attempts to sign him this summer.

The Galacticos' transfer "operation" for Kane could cost them around £60m, according to Marca, and they claim many different factors play into Ancelotti's favour – such as his dwindling contract, Levy's refusal to let him join Man City or Man United and Spurs' European absence next season.

Who is Harry Kane?

Despite Kane entering the final 12 months of his contract, we believe it will cost far, far more than £60m to convince Spurs to sell.

The Three Lions star, called a "genius" by ex-Premier League player Matt Holland, finished 22/23 as Tottenham's standout player by some distance – scoring a seismic 30 goals in 38 league games for the Lilywhites.

You can see why Madrid have earmarked the striker as a top target to replace Karim Benzema, as he has proven season-after-season that there are few marksmen in the world as prolific.

The main obstacle standing in their way is Levy, and it's highly doubtful he'll be so willing to let Tottenham's poster boy depart, barring a truly irresistible offer.

Leeds United are staring down the barrel of what could promise to be another devastating relegation, with the late appointment of Sam Allardyce only emphasising the precarious nature of their plight.

To welcome such an experienced firefighter is for the hierarchy to admit all their mistakes that have led to this moment, many of which have come in this one season.

Trusting in Jesse Marsch was a decision they essentially had to make after he saved them the season prior, but keeping him in charge for as long as they did was far from a necessity.

Then, in appointing Javi Gracia, they afforded the Spaniard just two months before then replacing him with the affectionately known 'Big Sam'.

It has been a year of poor decisions made too late, and with three tough fixtures looming, things do not look good.

With much of this current squad underperforming, hence their league position, whether they survive or not this summer must mark a turning point. With Victor Orta having left and the future of the club's ownership still up in the air, this team must be gutted and an identity reclaimed for the club.

No longer can they afford the panic acquisitions of big names akin to Weston McKennie's January arrival, when the academy boasts such readymade talent.

Should the American return to Juventus this summer, it could allow an opportunity to open up for young Charlie Allen to step into; someone hungry, full of desire, and actually deserving of a first-team spot.

Who is Charlie Allen?

Upon joining, McKennie described himself in his first interview as someone with: "physicality, able to run, I can get box-to-box". More crucially, when questioned by teammate and compatriot Tyler Adams, he agreed to the claim: "I've got goals."

The hope was that an attacking impetus from deep would be crucial in bolstering their survival bid, yet the 24-year-old is yet to score or assist since moving to England.

Meanwhile, for the U21s, the 19-year-old maestro has six goal contributions in 18 Premier League 2 games despite operating all across the pitch. His versatility lends to his preparedness for senior football, as such fluidity in-game could prove imperative.

It is impressive that the teenager has managed to amass such numbers from defensive midfield, and often a deeper right midfield role.

However, it likely comes as no surprise to journalist Patrick Van Dort, who once claimed:

"Charlie is one of those boys that you throw him on to the park and go and ask him to play. [He’ll] play anywhere with the same attitude and enthusiasm. Technically very good and physically can handle it – he is quick enough and he has a real chance

"People say he's a dream to coach, a good listener and ticks the boxes you'd expect of someone so highly rated."

Given he sits there for free, biding his time, whilst McKennie would likely cost a king's ransom for what little he has offered thus far, no matter their division at the end of the season, Allen deserves to play over the 24-year-old flop.

Hilton Cartwright starred with bat and ball to deliver National Performance Squad (NPS) a 12-run win (D/L method) over Australia A in a rain-affected match at the Tony Ireland Stadium in Townsville

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Aug-2016
ScorecardFile photo – Western Australia allrounder Hilton Cartwright delivered with bat and ball for NPS•BCCIHilton Cartwright starred with bat and ball to deliver National Performance Squad (NPS) a 12-run win (Duckworth-Lewis method) over Australia A in a rain-affected match at the Tony Ireland Stadium in Townsville.Rain had reduced the match to 49 overs a side before Cartwright scored 81 off 92 to lay the platform in the NPS total of 231. He then took 3 for 26 to ensure that Australia A fell 13 runs short of the D/L-adjusted target of 190 from 28 overs.Put in to bat, NPS lost opener Caleb Jewell after a laborious opening partnership of 19 off 52 balls. Cartwright then shared half-century stands with Sam Heazlett and Sam Harper to carry NPS to 2 for 143 in 35 overs. Fast bowler Chris Tremain dismissed Cartwright and Harper in the 36th over, to precipitate a passage of play in which NPS lost 4 for 15 in 26 balls.However, handy lower-order cameos from Sean Abbott (44 off 28) and Michael Neser (31 off 32) helped NPS make good use of their last few overs to register 9 for 231. Tremain ended up with 5 for 47, having dismissed four of the five batsmen to have reached double figures. This was his second successive five-for, following on from returns of 5 for 25 against India A in the previous match.Australia A’s run chase was complicated by the early loss of Kurtis Patterson – trapped lbw by Abbott for a third-ball duck – and the rain interruptions, which ultimately left them with a target of 190 from 28 overs. Captain Chris Lynn, batting at No. 3, did his best to set up the chase with 42 off 21, and was ably complemented by opener Marcus Stoinis, who also scored 42, albeit at a more stately pace.But Abbott and Cartwright continued to strike for NPS, reducing Australia A to 7 for 138, at which point the batting side needed 52 off 28. Cameron Bancroft (37* off 32) and Tremain (26* off 16) did their best to make a match of it, but could not provide enough firepower to get Australia A past the line.

Arsenal dropped yet more points in the Premier League title race with a 3-3 draw against Southampton last night, meaning they have just a five-point lead over Manchester City, who have two games in hand.

Mikel Arteta’s men will realistically need to beat City in midweek in order to win a first league title in 19 years, and considering the reigning champions haven’t lost a match since February, it’s an extreme challenge.

The Gunners are masters of their own downfall, however, falling 2-0 and 3-1 behind in a nervy evening at the Emirates, with only some salvation secured through two late goals rescuing a point that looked so unlikely after 80 minutes.

Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli were among the few players who performed to their high standards, with both grabbing a goal and making 11 key passes between them; it’s just a pity the other players weren’t at the races.

Oleksandr Zinchenko was uncharacteristically poor, winning just two duels and failing to even attempt a dribble during the tie, averaging a Sofascore rating of 6/10 for his troubles.

But it was another consistent performer who failed to build on some excellent performances of late who really let Arteta down in Thomas Partey.

How did Thomas Partey perform against Southampton?

The Ghanaian will have been expected to assert his authority in matches like this, controlling possession so Arsenal could dictate the play and create plenty of chances, yet he struggled against the Saints last night.

Arsenal correspondent Charles Watts stated that Partey was “so poor” and that several big players such as Martin Odegaard and Zinchenko “underperformed”, and this is in line with the performance they put in against the team that was sitting at the bottom of the league table before the match started.

Statistically, Partey took 100 touches and completed 91% of his attempted passes, though this was all in vain as the Gunners struggled throughout and couldn’t quite find their rhythm.

The Ghanaian won just 50% of his duels, was dribbled past four times and committed two fouls during the match, while also losing possession eight times throughout.

Considering on average this term he has only been dribbled past once per game and wins 58% of his duels, his display last night was way below his usual standards, and just when Arteta needed his key men to step up and take control of the title race following dropped points against Liverpool and West Ham United, they pretty much blew it.

Leeds United are reportedly interested in signing Italy sensation Mateo Retegui this summer and his potential arrival at Elland Road could see Patrick Bamford finally leave.

Could Leeds sign Mateo Retegui?

According to Italian news outlet Area Napoli, Leeds are one of the sides showing an interest in the 23-year-old ahead of the summer transfer window but could face competition from both Milan clubs and Eintracht Frankfurt for his signature.

The Argentine-born striker, who qualifies for Italy through his maternal grandfather, has enjoyed an impressive campaign at club level, contributing seven goals in just nine league appearances for Tigre, having joined them on loan from Boca Juniors for the season.

This has led to him earning a strong 7.11 rating from WhoScored for his performances in Argentina's top flight, while he has a 7.07 rating in the European Championship after scoring in both of Italy's games in the recent international break, including once in the 2-1 defeat against England.

The forward also spent the 2022 season on loan with Tigre, crashing in 23 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions, so it is easy to see why he earned the call-up to Roberto Mancini's side recently, which has clearly attracted the interest of clubs across Europe.

2006 World Cup-winning manager Marcelo Lippi was full of praise for the Boca Juniors star on Super Deportivo Radio after his performances during the international break, outlining attributes that should come as music to the ears of everyone associated with Leeds.

He said (via FC Inter News): "He’s the classic centre-forward who scores. He has a strong header. I like how he plays in the box, that’s why I think he’s a good striker.”

It does seem that Retegui's future lies away from Argentina and if Leeds do sign him this summer, it would surely see one of the strikers at Elland Road leave, with Bamford a prime candidate given he has just two goals in the Premier League so far this term.

How has Bamford played this season?

This campaign has been an extremely underwhelming one for Bamford, with the former Chelsea man once again failing to live up to the performances he showed under Marcelo Bielsa in the top-flight, when he managed 17 goals.

Not only has the 29-year-old only bagged twice in 2022/23, but he has massively underperformed his xG by nearly five, and that could be the difference between safety and relegation in what is an extremely tight battle to avoid the drop.

Considering Bamford is ranked as the 22nd-best performer in Javi Gracia's squad with a 6.34 average rating according to WhoScored, it seems clear that he cannot be considered a reliable long-term option at Elland Road.

Retegui has also averaged more shots (3.9 vs 1.7), key passes (0.6 vs 0.5) and dribbles (0.4 vs 0.2) per game than Bamford, outlining him as a better all-rounder in attack.

As such, it is evident that the Italy star could be a big upgrade on the struggling Leeds star this summer.

West Ham are reportedly considering a move for Stade de Reims manager Will Still as they look for a long-term successor for David Moyes at the London Stadium.

The 30-year-old’s incredible start to life as a manager with the Ligue 1 side has seen him attract attention from across Europe and he could be the ideal man to replace Moyes given the Hammers’ woeful Premier League performances so far this campaign, which leave them in the relegation places with just 12 games to play.

Could West Ham appoint Will Still?

According to French news outlet Foot Mercato, the Hammers appreciate Still’s profile for next season and the young Belgian could be tempted by a switch to the London Stadium, given he has already admitted to being a West Ham fan.

The 30-year-old has progressed through various roles in football, starting out as an academy manager for Preston North End, before spending time working as a video analyst under Yannick Ferrera with Sint-Truiden and Standard Liege in Belgium.

Another analyst role with Lierse SK would follow before he became assistant manager, and then manager for eight games, winning seven during his brief time in charge, which saw him change tact and take on more coaching roles with his future clubs.

Still was assistant manager with Beerschot, Stade Reims and Standard Liege, before he returned to France with Les rouges et blancs again in 2022.

After just over 100 days as assistant manager to Oscar Garcia, the Belgian was appointed first-team manager in October of last year and has taken Stade de Reims to ninth in the French top flight.

Still would take the French side on a 19-game unbeaten run in Ligue 1, which included an away draw at PSG and an impressive away win at Monaco, before the run was finally brought to an end with a 2-1 home defeat by Marseille last weekend.

Journalist Robin Bairner labelled the unbeaten period an “incredible achievement” by Still and Reims, and it seems as if the 30-year-old will only continue to win plaudits as a manager, with a long career ahead of him.

Although he doesn’t currently have a professional UEFA coaching license, which sees Reims fined every time he takes charge of game, he has proven himself to be more than adequate in the dugout, averaging 1.95 points per game so far this season.

Considering Moyes has managed just 0.92 points per game in the top flight so far this term, the Scottish manager clearly needs replacing, and who better to succeed him than an exciting young manager in Still who already holds the club close to his heart? It would be a gamble, but perhaps one worth taking for David Sullivan and co.

علّق جمال حمزة، نجم الزمالك السابق، على وضع نجم الفريق أحمد سيد زيزو ومفاوضات تجديد عقده، بالإضافة إلى غضب جماهير الأهلي وهتافهم ضد اللاعبين قبل مباراة شباب بلوزداد في دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وقال جمال حمزة في تصريحات لبرنامج “لعبة والتانية”، عبر إذاعة “ميجا إف إم”: “أتمنى أن يُجدد زيزو مع الزمالك، لكن الوضع الحالي غير مُطمئن”.

وبسؤاله عن غضب جماهير الأهلي وهتافهم ضد اللاعبين قبل مباراة شباب بلوزداد بدوري أبطال إفريقيا، قال : “مشهد غير لطيف، لا أرى أن الوضع ومكاسب الأهلي والجهاز الفني واللاعبين والإدارة تحتاج هذا الكم من الهجوم، النقد أمر طبيعي، لكن للأسف نحن وصلنا لمرحلة من التجريح”.

طالع أيضًا | شادي محمد عن واقعة لاعبي الأهلي مع الجماهير: حُزنهم “مضاعف”.. ولن يقتنعوا بأي مبررات

وأضاف: “أرى إن العلاقة مع الجمهور تأثرت لأن الجمهور ظل فترة طويلة بعيدًا عن المدرجات، ولم يكن يفرغ شحنة الغضب، الآن ينتظرون المباريات لتفريغ تلك الشحنة، وهذا غير صحيح، لأن الفريق يحتاج إلى المساندة والدعم في المباريات وليس التجريح”.

واختتم: “أرى أن جمهور الأهلي زاد في رد فعله، خاصة أن الأهلي يسير بشكل جيد، وليس مطلوبًا من الفريق أن يفوز بأي بطولة يشارك فيها، لأن هذا ليس في كرة القدم، الطبيعي سواء الأهلي أو الزمالك عندما يشاركان في أي بطولة يُنافسان عليها، لكن لا أفهم من الذي زرع فكرة إن الفريق الأحمر لا بد أن يفوز بكل البطولات وإلا تحدث كارثة”.

يذكر، أن الأهلي فاز على شباب بلوزداد بسداسية مُقابل هدف، في المباراة التي جمعت الفريقين على ملعب استاد القاهرة، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثالثة من دور المجموعات لدوري أبطال إفريقيا.

Manchester United have been boosted by the news that an "amazing" transfer target looks highly likely to leave his current club in the near future, according to a new transfer report.

Man United eyeing defensive signing

The Red Devils have had a taxing start to the season, and while four wins in their last five Premier League games may suggest otherwise, big improvements are needed under Erik ten Hag.

In fairness to United, however, they have experienced some terrible luck with injuries throughout the campaign so far, with a host of key men missing all over the pitch.

Defensively, the Reds Devils have been hit particularly hard, with Lisandro Martinez a huge loss at the heart of the back-line, and the likes of Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka also among those who have been absent for large chunks.

For that reason, it could be that Ten Hag aims to bring in a new defender when the January transfer window opens, bolstering his squad in the process and giving them the best possible chance to achieve success across various competitions this season.

A new update that has emerged will certainly be seen as a positive one by anyone associated with the club, as they look to secure the services of a highly-rated player.

Man Utd given Goncalo Inacio boost

According to a fresh claim from AS [via Sport Witness], Manchester United have been boosted in their quest to sign Goncalo Inacio, with an exit from Sporting CP looking on the cards from sources who know him "perfectly".

The Red Devils are described in the report as the "first option" for the 22-year-old, who has arguably emerged as one of Europe's most exciting defenders at the moment.

United are "very interested" in Inacio, who is also wanted by La Liga giants Real Madrid – they are described as a "great rival" to the Spaniards in the race to sign him – and there is a 99% chance that he will move on in one of the upcoming transfer windows.

For that reason, it remains to be seen if a January move to Old Trafford could happen, but either way, Ten Hag's look right in the mix to sign the Portuguese when he does become available.

Inacio could be a fantastic signing by United, with his performances for Sporting already so impressive, and Inacio's stats showing that he has averaged 2.5 aerial duel wins per game in the Europa League season, also enjoying an 89.6% pass completion rate in the competition. Journalist Fabrizio Romano has heaped praise on the young centre-back in the past, too, saying of him:

"I think he’d be an amazing option for any club, Liverpool or United in particular; left footed players at that level are very rare to find."

Granted, Inacio is a left-sided central defender like Martinez, so it could be hard to fit both into the team, but squad depth is vital and the Sporting ace can also play at left-back, making him a great versatile addition. Whether they can fend off competition from Madrid remains to be seen, but it is encouraging that they are among the favourites to sign him.

As Manchester United crashed to defeat away to rivals Arsenal in their last Premier League outing, it was yet another day in which the Red Devils' attacking unit simply failed to click, having been reliant on a rare breakaway from Marcus Rashford to eventually get on the scoresheet.

Remarkably, the Englishman's first-half strike was the first by any member of the forward line so far this term, with the club's top-flight goals prior to that having come from Raphael Varane, Christian Eriksen, Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes.

While there is nothing wrong with sharing the goalscoring burden, it represents a sorry state of affairs for those at the top end of the pitch, with manager Erik ten Hag likely hoping that summer signing Rasmus Hojlund – who made a late cameo debut appearance at the weekend – can begin to catch fire following the international break.

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One man who has particularly underwhelmed over an extended period of time is £73m man, Jadon Sancho, with it difficult to see a way back for the Englishman amid what has been another turbulent week at Old Trafford.

What has happened to Jadon Sancho at Man United?

While treble winner Dwight Yorke previously suggested that the 23-year-old was on "borrowed time" at the Theatre of Dreams, that has only been exacerbated by his recent outburst following the loss to the Gunners, with the former Borussia Dortmund man firing back at his manager on Twitter amid criticism of his training performance by the Dutchman.

In truth, however, the fact that the one-time Manchester City man had not been selected in the squad for the trip to the Emirates was of little note initially such is his lowly standing at present, with rumours having suggested that the club were even open to selling the winger during the summer window.

That marks a stark decline for a figure who was hailed as someone who "has got everything" by ex-United defender Rio Ferdinand during his time at Dortmund, for whom he scored 50 goals and provided 64 assists in 137 games.

Now with just 12 goals and six assists in 82 appearances for the Manchester giants, Sancho has simply not delivered what was expected upon his arrival two years ago, with Ten Hag rightly said to be growing 'increasingly impatient' with the player.

As pundit Tim Sherwood noted last season, the £350k-per-week dud simply looks desperately low on "confidence" at present, having seemingly not benefitted from a spell away from the first team earlier this year.

Those longstanding woes – as well as his public jab at Ten Hag – will likely ensure that Sancho's hopes of a regular and prominent role in the side are only set to suffer even further, with it wise to consider who could replace him in the attacking ranks move forward.

Who could replace Sancho at Man United?

It has been hard for the London-born enigma to find a settled home in Ten Hag's side with both Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho the favoured options on the left flank, while Antony has been the regular pick on the opposite wing.

Sancho was even trialled as an unorthodox centre-forward option in pre-season, yet the £72m capture of Hojlund has ensured that such an experiment is unlikely to continue, hence leaving the Englishman as something of a spare part.

Equally, Ten Hag does already boast some exciting attacking talents who can step up to the plate such as Facundo Pellistri, while Amad Diallo is another who is likely hoping to find a role for himself either on the flanks or through the middle.

The Ivorian starlet was particularly impressive last season after scoring 14 goals in the second tier for Championship side, Sunderland, having helped to propel the Black Cats into the playoffs – where they were ultimately seen off by Luton Town.

That impressive campaign likely sparked excitement back at his parent club at the prospect of finally making his mark in the red jersey this season, albeit with injury having cruelly curtailed his involvement so far.

With the 21-year-old – who has scored once in nine appearances for the club to date – having also still yet to truly convince in a United shirt since his arrival from Atalanta back in 2021, it is worth considering alternative options from the academy ranks who can also take Sancho's place.

One such talent who has notably caught the eye of late is Colombian "wonderkid" – as previously hailed by journalist Bolarinwa Olajide – Mateo Mejia…

Who is Mateo Mejia?

While not a name likely familiar to most of a United persuasion, the 20-year-old – who signed from Spanish outfit Real Zaragoza back in 2019 – has enjoyed an impressive start to the new campaign, with such a promising run of form coming just in time amid Sancho's woes.

The versatile right-winger – who can also operate in a centre-forward berth – already has three goals and one assist to his name in just four appearances in all competitions so far this term, including a brace in the remarkable 10-1 demolition of Stoke City at U21 level.

That brutal rout saw the promising marksman net the game's second goal with a somewhat fortunate deflected effort from the right flank, while United's number seven on the day then bagged his second – and the home side's seventh – after calmly taking the ball around the onrushing goalkeeper and firing home.

Such composure in the final third is likely to have captured the attention of Ten Hag and his staff, with Mejia evidently a player that the club are keen to keep hold of after handing him a new deal at the end of last season, having seen his previous contract ebb towards its expiry.

The Colombia U20 international was hampered by injury last term which restricted him to just 15 appearances in total, albeit while still contributing two goals and four assists, taking his overall tally in the U21 set-up to five goals and five assists in only 22 games.

That is a far more impressive return than Sancho has achieved during his time at Old Trafford – albeit while operating at senior level – suggesting that there is a chance that Mejia could represent an upgrade in those wide berths, particularly with the current United first-teamer performing so poorly at present.

The likes of Amad and Pellistri may be the names on everybody's lips, yet it could be Mejia who emerges as one to watch this season.