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Following the release of the beta last week, Football Manager fans have finally been able to get to grips with the new game ahead of the full launch on November 4th, and it has been a long time coming.

The 2025 edition of the game was cancelled, with Sports Interactive studio director Miles Jacobson revealing the problems with the game would’ve done irreversible damage to their reputation if it had been released.

It is full steam ahead for FM26 however, with a number of exciting new additions being made, including official FIFA tournaments, a Premier League license, over 40 new roles and the introduction of women’s football.

However, many of the core principles have stayed the same, and undoubtedly one of the most satisfying parts of FM saves is developing lesser-known talents into world-beating stars.

Goalkeeper Guillaume Restes

Every top side is built from the back, and one of the most exciting up-and-coming goalkeepers is Toulouse’s Guillaume Restes, who has already made 18 appearances for France’s U21 side, indicating the youngster could be the heir to Mike Maignan.

Just 20-years-old, the Frenchman is still in the very early stages of his career, but he has emerged as Toulouse’s first-choice option between the sticks, keeping three Ligue 1 clean sheets this season.

If you aim to emulate Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal by building from the back, Restes will provide a rock-solid foundation, but be sure to snap him up quickly, as the goalkeeper is likely to attract interest from plenty of Europe’s elite clubs.

Hidden gems: Quenten Attigah, Tommaso Martinelli, Alessandro Nunziante

Right-back Givairo Read

Previously an unfashionable position, with Jamie Carragher famously quipping “no one wants to grow up and be a Gary Neville”, Trent Alexander-Arnold showcased just how influential right-backs can be during his time with Liverpool.

It may be difficult to replicate Trent’s stellar assist record, but there are plenty of options to choose from in FM26, although many are already at top clubs, such as FC Barcelona’s Hector Fort and Real Madrid’s Jesus Fortea.

Givairo Read, on the other hand, may be easier to prise away from Feyenoord, despite the 19-year-old breaking out as a first-team player for the Dutch side, chipping in with two assists in nine Eredivisie games this season.

Related World Cup glory and over 40 new roles: 5 changes coming to Football Manager 2026

Anyone for project San Marino?

Posts ByTom Cunningham Oct 19, 2025

Hidden gems: Martim Fernandes, Daniel Banjaqui, Marco Palestra

Centre-back Willy Kambwala

Manchester United may end up ruing the decision to let Willy Kambwala leave in the summer of 2024, with the 21-year-old going on to make an immediate impact for Villarreal last season, making 19 appearances in La Liga.

Kambwala also caught the eye in a United shirt in the very early stages of his career, when called upon against Liverpool near the end of the 2023-24 campaign, at which point he was just 19-years-old.

If you do try to sign the Villarreal star, watch out for United, who retain a buy-back clause which doesn’t expire until 2027.

Hidden gems: Matteo Palma

Left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly

Lewis-Skelly needs very little introduction, given the impact the 18-year-old has made at Arsenal since such a young age, infamously mocking Erling Haaland with his celebration after scoring in the Gunners’ 5-1 rout of Manchester City last season.

The teenager hasn’t featured quite as regularly for Arteta’s side this season, but it is a testament to his ability that he has already amassed six international caps for England, with the youngster’s World Cup debut very much on the cards next summer.

The north Londoners are likely to demand a huge fee for their left-back, however, so it may also be worth taking a look at the more affordable options below…

Hidden gems: Saba Kharebashvili, Davinchi, Tom Rothe

Central midfield Ayyoub Bouaddi

It is no surprise that Ayyoub Bouaddi has already started to attract the attention of some top clubs, with Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal all hatching plans to sign the Lille midfielder.

Boauddi only turned 18 earlier this month, but he has already emerged as a key first-team player for Lille, making 66 appearances for the French club, during which time he’s displayed his versatility by featuring in both defensive and attacking midfield roles.

Having been born just one month too late to be included in the previous edition, FM26 fans should be chomping at the bit to sign the Lille starlet, given that beta players have already discovered he develops into a midfielder with phenomenal physical and mental attributes.

Hidden gems: Tom Bischof, Niccolo Pisili, Kees Smit

Right-wing Lamine Yamal

It would be impossible to compile this list without mentioning Lamine Yamal, who is already regarded as one of the best wingers in world football, currently sitting in second place in the 2026 Ballon d’Or power rankings.

Having established himself as one of the best players in the world, however, signing Yamal is likely to break the bank, which means it may be worth taking a look at some lesser-known prospects, such as Vasco da Gama’s Rayan, who Tottenham Hotspur recently opened talks to sign.

Still, if you choose to start a Barca save or somehow manage to persuade the La Liga giants to cash-in, you can be sure the 18-year-old will remain one of the best right-wingers in the world for a decade to come.

Hidden gems: Rayan, David Martinez, Ian Subiabre

Left-wing Kenan Yildiz

Much like Bouaddi, Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz has already started attracting major interest from the Premier League, with it recently being revealed Man United were preparing an ‘aggressive pitch’ to sign the 20-year-old.

Having initially made his breakthrough in the 2023-24 campaign, it was last season in which Yildiz truly started to flourish, regularly providing goals and assists for Juventus across all competitions.

Competition

Appearances

Goal contributions

Serie A

35

12

Champions League

10

2

Club World Cup

4

5

Italian Cup

2

1

Italian Super Cup

1

1

The Turkish starlet announced himself to the world with his stellar performances at the Club World Cup, and he could make all the difference in your pursuit of European domination on FM26…

Hidden gems: Jeremy Monga, Gabriel Mec

Attacking midfielder Arda Guler

Arda Güler has already gotten his big move to Real Madrid, which means he will no doubt cost a pretty penny on FM26, but the Turk has shown all the signs he is capable of reaching the very top level with his performances under the helm of Xabi Alonso.

Alonso clearly has a lot of faith in the 20-year-old, having played him in every La Liga match this season, and the Turkish youngster has repaid his manager with three goals and four assists.

FM fans will know all about the Real Madrid star, given that he was among the highest-potential players on FM24, and he is once again set to be one of the most exciting young attacking midfielders, although there are some potentially more affordable alternatives.

Hidden gems: Rodrigo Mora, Luca Williams-Barnett

Striker Vitor Roque

South American strikers have helped transform countless struggling sides into European champions in FM saves over the years, and Vitor Roque has the ability to do exactly that.

The 20-year-old Brazilian has been prolific in front of goal for Palmeiras in the 2025 Serie A, picking up 13 goals and three assists in 27 matches, and it no doubt won’t be too long before links with a move to England re-appear, having previously been targeted by Newcastle United.

With the now one-time Brazil international still currently plying his trade in his home country, a deal will not break the bank, at least in comparison to his potential, which is among the highest of any striker in the game, as it has been revealed he is expected to cost around £45m.

Hidden gems: Sami Bouhoudane

MatériaMais Notícias

Técnico campeão da Copa do Brasil com o São Paulo, Dorival Júnior participou do programa “Seleção SporTV” na tarde desta segunda-feira (9) e foi perguntado se é uma surpresa o Botafogo ser líder do Campeonato Brasileiro. O treinador rasgou elogios ao Fogão.

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+Confira a tabela do Brasileirão 2023!

”É surpresa pelo início, quando todos projetaram e jamais colocariam o Botafogo nessa condição. A partir daí, o trabalho vai sendo desenvolvido, vai criando um corpo e é natural que depois de dez, 12 rodadas, já se via outro momento. Aí se colocava que talvez não tivesse fôlego para sustentar, vão e provam o contrário. Por isso discute-se o futebol semanalmente e as lógicas mudam de um detalhe para o outro por situações que fogem muito ao que imaginávamos” – declarou Dorival.

“Credito isso a dedicação, trabalho, comprometimento e qualidade do time. É muito compacto, tem padrão, mas modifica ao longo da partida. Os jogadores têm característica única de retomada em velocidade, mas no campo ofensivo também apresentam soluções interessantes para equipe que no início do ano era questionada. O futebol não tem uma lógica, temos que respeitar todo detalhe, porque qualquer situação que coloquemos na frente será modificada ao longo de uma competição. Você pode ter o time melhor no papel e não se completar ou um time questionado que adquire condição de favorito” – avaliou.

علق عدلي القيعي رئيس شركة الأهلي الأسبق، على الانتقادات التي أطلقت على الفريق بعد الفوز على الزمالك والتتويج بـ لقب كأس السوبر المصري.

وكان الأهلي قد توج ببطولة السوبر المصري للأبطال على حساب غريمه التقليدي الزمالك بهدفين دون رد في المباراة التي جمعت بين الفريقين أمس.

وقال عدلي القيعي في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة الأهلي: “في عالمهم الافتراضي الشكر كل الشكر للكارهين، وهناك من يعيش في عالمٍ افتراضي، اقتنع أن المنطق لن يوصله إلى الحالة التي يتمناها، فأصبح الاعتماد على اللا منطق هو الحل”.

وأردف: “اللا منطق يجعلك تتشرنق داخل عالمٍ خاص، تُكذّب كل شيء، وتنكر كل شيء، وتتهم الآخرين بكل ما يحدث، وإذا لم تفز، تبدأ في الحديث عن مؤامرة أو ظلم أو عدم عدالة”.

وواصل: “ثم يخرج أحدهم ليقول نحن فزنا بثلاث بطولات، وأقول له ما المشكلة إذًا؟، ولقد فزت بالفعل، فأين الاحتكار الذي تتحدث عنه، وبعد المباراة، تجولت قليلًا، وكان من الواضح أن حالة التفاؤل قبل اللقاء تحولت إلى صدمة”.

واستطرد: “الجميع كان يراهن على الفوز، منهم من تساءل (نكسب كام؟)، ومنهم من قال إن الأهلي سينهي الدوري في المركز الرابع، وبل حتى لم يضعوا الزمالك، الذي يحبونه، في حساباتهم”.

وأشار: “هذا دليل على أنهم وصلوا إلى مرحلة لا يفكرون فيها في منطق ما يقولونه، بل وبدأ البعض يتحدث عن ظلمٍ مزعوم لأن الأهلي دائمًا يواجه بيراميدز والزمالك، ويا سيدي الأهلي بطل الدوري، ويلعب أمام بطل كأس الرابطة، هكذا تنص اللائحة”.

خالد مرتجي: زيزو تعرض لإهانة قوية من جمهور الزمالك.. وهذا ما أخبرته به قبل مباراة السوبر

وزاد: “بيراميدز خسر من بطل الكأس ومن بطل الرابطة، بينما الأهلي فاز على كليهما وتوّج بالبطولة، الأمر في غاية المنطق، والتحية كل التحية لفريق سيراميكا كليوباترا الرائع، الذي أبهر الجميع بمستواه، فترتيبه في الجدول ليس صدفة، بل ثمرة عملٍ واجتهادٍ حقيقي، وهذا فريق غيّر جلده بالكامل فنيًا وإداريًا، وفي عام واحد فقط بنى فريقًا محترمًا”.

وأكمل: “أما أولئك العالقون في دائرة المظلومية وإلقاء اللوم، فالموضوع تجاوز الحدود، هناك حملة شرسة على إنجازات الأهلي وعلى النادي نفسه”.

وأضاف: “بعد المباراة رأيت بعض ردود الأفعال الغريبة، وعلى رأسها ما فعله الإعلامي عمرو أديب، الذي بدا في حالة انهيار وتوتر واضح، كنت دائمًا أعتبر تعليقاته السابقة مجرد دعابة، لكن ما قاله هذه المرة يحتاج إلى نقاش جاد، لأنه كان يقول الكلمة ونقيضها في آنٍ واحد، ويبرر بطرقٍ أغرب من الكلام نفسه”.

وأتم: “في النهاية، دعونا نفرح بالأهلي، ونحتفل بانتصاره، فلا أحد يستطيع أن يسرق منا فرحتنا أو يقلل من إنجازنا بكلامٍ لا قيمة له”.

“It is still no excuse for some of the decisions we made with the bat. But this pitch is not up to international standards”

Mohammad Isam20-Jul-2025

One game into the Bangladesh-Pakistan T20I series, the pitch at the Shere Bangla National Stadium has come under the scanner as expected.While Pakistan’s head coach Mike Hesson admitted that his batters hadn’t read the pitch correctly, he branded the surface as “unacceptable” for international cricket, after Pakistan were bowled out for 110.Related

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“I think (the pitch) is not ideal for anybody,” Hesson said. “Teams are trying to prepare for the Asia Cup or the (T20) World Cup. It is not acceptable. It is still no excuse for some of the decisions we made with the bat. But this pitch is not up to international standards.”Pakistan had slipped to 46 for 5 by the eighth over, with most of their batters falling while going for big shots. Pakistan’s cause wasn’t helped by three run-outs either, as they eventually folded in 19.3 overs.”We got off to a little bit of a flyer. Fakhar Zaman played four or five shots. It gave us a false indication about how the surface was playing,” Hesson said. “We didn’t help ourselves through the middle. We chose some poor options. When the ball started to nip through, and bounced steeply, we probably didn’t assess that it was a bit more challenging to play high-risk shots. Couple of run-outs also didn’t help.”Bangladesh opener Parvez Hossain Emon, however, disagreed with Hesson’s assessment of the pitch. Emon said that Bangladesh winning comfortably – by seven wickets and with 27 balls to spare – was an indication that the surface wasn’t all bad.”We didn’t feel (it was a bad pitch) as we chased it down in less than 16 overs,” he said. “We could have scored 150-160 runs if we batted the full 20 overs. It may be so that they couldn’t adjust to the pitch. We adjusted better than them. The Dhaka pitch usually benefits the bowlers. We tried to assess the wicket quickly. It was our first plan.”Hesson, though, felt such pitches wouldn’t help even Bangladesh prepare for sterner tests away from home.”You need good cricket wickets to develop cricketers. There was some good wickets during the BPL, to be fair. It is not up to the standard when international cricket is being played.”I don’t think it helps them when they leave Bangladesh. But I think also batting first in these situations is challenging. When you aren’t quite sure whether 100 or 130 or 150 is good enough. I don’t think (the pitch) is good for anybody. It still doesn’t take away the fact that you have to perform better in any surface. We will look at it as a team.”

West Ham desperately need to strengthen the squad in January, and a new report has now shared the state of their transfer budget heading into winter.

The Hammers’ season has quickly become one to forget, with the club enduring a torrid run of form under both Graham Potter and new manager Nuno Espírito Santo.

As the campaign slowly heads towards the halfway mark, West Ham have managed just a single league victory and are firmly entrenched in the Premier League’s relegation battle.

The statistics paint a grim picture. West Ham have conceded more goals than any other side in the division, shipping 20 goals in their opening nine games.

Defensive frailties have been obvious, with the team also suffering from a chronic vulnerability at set pieces, conceding nine goals as a direct result from dead balls — again more than any other Premier League side (BBC).

Set piece goals conceded — 2025/2026

Total

West Ham

9

Nottingham Forest

7

Liverpool

6

Leeds

6

via Opta

Nuno’s men are leaking goals at a rate of more than two per game, and their goal difference ranks as one of the worst in the league.

Offensively, things have not been much better. West Ham have struggled for creativity and cutting edge, finding the back of the net just seven times in the league, and those attacking struggles have only amplified pressure on their embattled backline.

The mood around the London Stadium has really soured, and Nuno’s frustrations are clear as day.

GiveMeSport reports that the manager has demanded urgent action in the winter window, specifically calling for three major signings: a central defender, a midfielder, and a forward.

This is backed up by major news broadcaster Sky Sports as well, who state that West Ham do indeed want a new recruit in all three of those areas as they look to save their season.

West Ham given transfer budget update ahead of January

After they forked out £131 million in the summer transfer window, registering a net spend of around £76 million when factoring in Mohammed Kudus’ sale to Spurs, the question remains: how much money will the Hammers even have to spend?

Well, according to transfer insider Dean Jones, it isn’t good news.

Speaking to TEAMtalk, the reporter claims that West Ham will have a “restricted budget” to play with in January, dealing a blow to Nuno’s hopes of significantly bolstering the squad.

While money may not be available for a lavish spree, the loan market presents a fruitful opportunity for West Ham.

According to recent reports, West Ham have already worked on a potential loan for Ivan Toney, with the England outcast potentially tempted by the prospect of a Premier League return ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

Meanwhile, it is also believed that West Ham are speaking to Real Madrid about the possibility of a temporary deal for Endrick, but they’ll have to move quickly and convince the player.

Lyon have now made an official approach for Endrick, according to Fabrizio Romano, so time could be running out there.

That being said, Endrick isn’t the only Brazilian who could be available to Nuno’s side at the turn of the year.

West Ham offered two Brazil strikers with 35 goals between them this year

انتقد توني كروس، أسطورة نادي ريال مدريد، زميله السابق في الملكي فينيسيوس جونيور، موضحًا أن سلوك الدولي البرازيلي وتصرفاته المثيرة للجدل تضر النادي الإسباني.

فينيسيوس من المعروف عنه تصرفاته المثيرة للجدل داخل وخارج الملعب، حيث دخل اللاعب في مشاكل عديدة مع الحكام ولاعبي الفريق المنافس وكذلك المدربين.

واستمر فينيسيوس في إثارة الجدل خلال هذا الموسم، بعدما دخل في خلاف مع مدرب ريال مدريد، تشابي ألونسو، عقب استبدال اللاعب خلال مواجهة الميرنجي أمام برشلونة في الكلاسيكو والذي لعب في شهر أكتوبر الماضي.

واعترف كروس في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “ماركا”، أن فينيسيوس عليه أن يهدأ موضحًا أنه قد تحدث مع الجناح البرازيلي كثيرًا خلال فترته مع ريال مدريد.

وقال كروس عن فينيسيوس: “في ذلك الوقت، كنت أقول لفينيسيوس مرارًا وتكرارًا كفى، لأن سلوكه يلحق الضرر بالفريق بأكمله، حاولتُ كثيرًا تهدئته قليلًا في الملعب، ولكن في الغالب لمنعه من فقدان تركيزه، لأن ذلك كان يحدث أحيانًا، كنتُ أقول له كثيرًا: فينيسيوس، أنت جيد جدًا ولا تحتاج إلى ذلك على الإطلاق”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مبابي يثير الجدل بعد مغادرته معسكر منتخب فرنسا

وأضاف: “من المفهوم أن سلوك فينيسيوس قد يكون مزعجًا في بعض الأحيان، سواءً للاعب من الفريق المنافس أو للحكم أو لجمهور الفريق المنافس”.

وعن غضب فينيسيوس لاستبداله في لقاء الكلاسيكو، أوضح كروس: “عندما تلعب مباراة استثنائية وخاصةً في مباراة كهذه، لا تشعر بالسعادة، لم يعجبني استبدالي قط في أي مباراة، ولكن وللإنصاف، لم أذهب مباشرةً إلى غرفة الملابس بعد المباراة”.

وأردف: “يمكنك دائمًا الحكم من الخارج، لكنني أحب أن أضع في اعتباري أنه في الواقع، لا أحد باستثناء من تواجدوا في الكلاسيكو أمام 80 ألف متفرج والنتيجة 2-1، يعلمون أنك تريد أي شيء سوى الاستبدال”.

واختتم: ”هذه المشاعر لا يمكن لأي شخص يحكم عليها بعد المباراة أن يتخيلها أو في كثير من الأحيان، معظم من يحكمون عليه ببساطة لا يستطيعون وضع أنفسهم مكانه”.

MatériaMais Notícias

Principais referências do Palmeiras em 2023, Endrick e Raphael Veiga retornam da última Data Fifa de 2023 buscando esquecer a crise que assola a Seleção Brasileira.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasPalmeiras tem interesse em Caio Alexandre, mas Fortaleza dificulta negócioPalmeiras22/11/2023Futebol InternacionalBorré e Palmeiras, De La Cruz no Flamengo… 15 jogadores das Eliminatórias que podem jogar no BrasilFutebol Internacional23/11/2023PalmeirasDe colegas a rivais: entenda por que Fortaleza pode decidir título para o PalmeirasPalmeiras22/11/2023

➡️ Tudo sobre o Verdão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Palmeiras

Convocados por Fernando Diniz, a dupla participou das derrotas da Canarinho para a Colômbia e Argentina, com a joia de 17 anos atuando nas duas partidas.

Com os resultados negativos, o Brasil terminou o ano apenas na sexta colocação na tabela de classificação das Eliminatórias Sul-Americanas e vive momento anímico oposto ao Palmeiras, que após uma sequência impressionante de vitórias disputa de maneira fervorosa o bicampeonato do Brasileirão.

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O desafio de Endrick e Veiga agora é mostrar que a falta de confiança vivida pelo futebol brasileiro não vai afetá-los no momento mais importante dessa temporada.

O camisa 23 é muito cobrado por parte da torcida alviverde por uma regularidade de rendimento pós Data Fifa, e mesmo com os melhores números de sua carreira em uma temporada, muitos não enxergam que Veiga faz um bom ano.

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Já Endrick precisa esquecer os holofotes que o colocaram como destaque na Granja Comary e voltar a se concentrar em seguir a sua ótima fase vivida no Alviverde.

➡️ Confira a tabela de classificação do Campeonato Brasileiro

A conquista do Brasileirão de 2023 passa muito pelo bom rendimento da dupla, que, apesar da diferença de idade, é parceira dentro e fora dos gramados.

Ambos devem ser titulares do Palmeiras no próximo compromisso da equipe no Brasileirão, no domingo (26), diante do Fortaleza, na Arena Castelão.

CONFIRA OS NÚMEROS DE ENDRICK E VEIGA PELO PALMEIRAS EM 2023

Tudo sobre

EndrickPalmeirasSeleção Brasileira

With 14 needed off the last over, Shamar Springer bowled four dot balls to Kieron Pollard to give Falcons the match, and the No. 1 spot on the points table

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Aug-2025

It came down to 14 runs needed off the last six balls. Nathan Edward took a single on the first ball, bowled by Shamar Springer, putting Kieron Pollard on strike. Game over, you’d think, and two-in-two for Trinbago Knight Riders in CPL 2025. Except that Pollard swung and missed the first two, got enough bat on the fourth ball but chose not to run, and then connected well but not well enough to get the ball to the fence. Four dot balls. He dug a yorker-length ball out for a four off the last, but Springer was the hero for Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, while Pollard had fluffed his lines.Knight Riders came into the game having won their first match, and gave themselves enough chances to earn their first win over Falcons after two losses last season. In the end, though, they let the game slip through their fingers.First, all the bowlers bar Sunil Narine – 4-0-17-0 – got at least wicket, and Falcons looked out of it at 77 for 5, all their premier batters gone, by the 14th over.Fabian Allen scored quick runs towards the end to give Falcons a competitive score•CPL T20 via Getty Images

But Fabian Allen walked out, took off straightaway, and smashed 45 in 20 balls, to go with Imad Wasim’s unbeaten 27-ball 39, to take them to a competitive 167.The second ball Allen faced, off Usman Tariq, went for six over long-on. Then overs 15, 16 and 17 went for 22, 17 and 15, Allen doing most of the hitting, but Imad was slow only by comparison. Knight Riders needed to stop the bleeding, and Narine’s last over was the answer. It went for just four runs, and Narine could have had Imad’s wicket, except the ball was hit with great power back towards him, and though the bowler stuck his hand out, he couldn’t make it stick.Mohammad Amir picked up his 400th T20 wicket in the next over, that of Allen, but Imad and Springer finished strongly, taking Edward for 18 runs for the momentum to well and truly be on Falcons’ side at the break.Kieron Pollard’s innings featured some big hits and plenty of dot balls•CPL T20 via Getty Images

Enter Colin Munro, and the advantage swung Knight Riders’ way quickly. Not instantly, as Imad gave away just three in the first over, and Jayden Seales nine in the second. But in the third, by Imad again, Munro went 4, 4 and 6 off the first three balls, and finished with another four, to put Knight Riders on their way. Fifteen came off Seales’ next – all Munro, with Alex Hales, the other opener, facing just eight balls at that stage and scoring just 4.At 47 for no loss, Knight Riders were on top, but for the second time in the game, Falcons hit right back. This time, through Obed McCoy, who sent back Hales and Munro in the fifth over.That was a proper momentum-breaker, and from the end of the fifth to the end of the tenth, Knight Riders scored just 20 runs, and lost the wicket of Nicholas Pooran. The script didn’t change after the ten-over mark either, with 13 runs coming off the next three, plus the wicket of Darren Bravo. And at 83 for 4 after 13, and the asking rate at 12.14, the chase looked dead in the water.Keacy Carty got some sort of impetus going with a 16-run over, the 14th, but it was back to single-digits after that: 7, 3 and 8. Till it came down to 36 from 12. Pollard, at a-run-a-ball 17 at that stage, finally found his hitting range – he took three sixes and a four off the penultimate over, bowled by McCoy, to put the game in the balance. And then came that last over from Springer.

Williamson, Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert sign casual playing agreements with NZC for 2025-26

Alex Malcolm15-Sep-2025

Kane Williamson will miss the upcoming T20I series against Australia but is committed to playing in the T20 World Cup after signing a casual playing agreement with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) alongside Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert.The five players were not among the 20 centrally contracted New Zealand players announced in June for the 2025-26 season but have signed casual agreements in order to have some flexibility between playing for New Zealand, remaining within the high-performance system, and taking up franchise opportunities overseas.Allen, Seifert and Ferguson have existing BBL contracts that will see them play in Australia while the New Zealand Super Smash is taking place. New Zealand women’s captain Sophie Devine has signed a similar agreement for 2025-26 as she intends to retire from ODI cricket after the upcoming World Cup in India but remains available for T20Is.Related

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Williamson did not play in New Zealand’s most recent Test series against Zimbabwe and also missed the T20I tri-series that preceded it. Instead he played in the T20 Blast for Middlesex, and two County Championship games, as well as the Hundred for London Spirit.NZC stated that to be eligible for the casual playing agreement, players were required to commit themselves to the T20 World Cup campaign which included home series against Australia, England and the West Indies ahead of the tournament in India and Sri Lanka in February and March. It had previously been confirmed that Allen would miss the Australia matches, to be played from October 1-4 in Mount Maunganui, after undergoing foot surgery.An exception has been made for Williamson who has made himself unavailable for the series.NZC CEO Scott Weenink said the casual agreements were sensible arrangements in a T20 World Cup year.”With such a pinnacle event on the horizon we wanted to ensure our best T20 players were ready and available to push for inclusion,” he said. “The casual agreements are a commitment from the players to NZC and the Black Caps, and in return NZC will offer our full support to these players as part of our high-performance system.”The message from the players is that playing for the Black Caps is hugely important to them and I’m pleased we’ve been able to agree terms to have them casually contracted for the coming season.”Rob [Walter] and the team have a massive period of cricket ahead, home and away, and I know myself along with all of our fans can’t wait to follow and support.”New Zealand’s squad to face Australia will be named later this week.

Manchester United and Ruben Amorim could now be without one Red Devils star for their next five Premier League games.

Man Utd injury latest on Martinez, Mainoo, Maguire

The Red Devils have been without Lisandro Martinez for the majority of 2025 due to an ACL injury, however, the Argentine defender appears to be closing in on a return.

Back in full team training, Martinez wanted to travel with the side for the draw against Nottingham Forest and has since been training with his national side during the international break.

Meanwhile, Kobbie Mainoo missed the 2-2 draw with Tottenham last time out, whereas Harry Maguire was replaced with a hamstring issue, however, both could return in time as Man Utd host Everton at Old Trafford on Monday.

Summer signing Benjamin Sesko also joined the injury list prior to the international break after being replaced late on against Spurs. Amorim admitted that he was “concerned” with Sesko’s injury and not his form.

“That [his recent form] is not the biggest concern now. I’m concerned with an injury, because it is in the knee, and I don’t know. We need Ben [Sesko] to be a better team. We have to check. He has something in his knee. Let’s see.”

Now, Amorim has found out how long the Slovenian will be missing for.

Man Utd handed Sesko injury update

As reported by Sky Sports, Sesko has avoided a major knee injury after further scans.

The forward will now undergo a period of rehab running into December and is expected to be sidelined for a month.

Should that prove accurate, Sesko will miss United’s next five Premier League fixtures and could return just before Christmas against Aston Villa on December 21.

Man Utd games Sesko will miss

Date

Man Utd vs Everton

November 24

Crystal Palace vs Man Utd

November 30

Man Utd vs West Ham

December 4

Wolves vs Man Utd

December 8

Man Utd vs Bournemouth

December 15

This will come as a blow to Amorim, who hailed the £160,000-a-week striker following his performance and goal in the 2-0 win over Sunderland.

“He has time, he’s going to stay here for a lot of years. The media puts a lot of pressure on the goals for the striker but for me it’s the effort that is the most important thing. Every time we kick the ball he’s fighting for it, that’s massive for us. To win the second ball and give us time to breathe. I’m really happy with that.”

Now, Amorim will have to find a way to cope without the towering striker, whether that be by bringing back someone like Joshua Zirkzee or using Matheus Cunha as a forward with captain Bruno Fernandes playing in a more advanced midfield role.

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