England’s women completed a successful international summer last week, adding a comfortable series win against New Zealand to their earlier victories over South Africa in the ODIs and both teams in the inaugural T20 triangular series.And now attention turns to the domestic front, with the return of an expanded Kia Super League – a competition whose future may be in some doubt as the ECB debates the sport’s post-2020 landscape, but whose importance in the immediate future could hardly be more relevant.After all, England, World Cup winners in the 50-over format last year, have a World T20 to prepare for in November, and for several fringe members of the squad – not to mention the star names who will want to hit the Caribbean with form and confidence brimming over – the events of the coming weeks will be critical to their preparation.The KSL, now in its third season, kicks off on Sunday with a televised opening match between the champions Western Storm and Yorkshire Diamonds at Taunton. On the same day, there is an early meeting of the other two finalists from 2017 when Surrey Stars take on Southern Vipers at Guildford, while at Southport, Lancashire Thunder host Loughborough Lightning.”What an opportunity it is for those on the fringes,” England head coach, Mark Robinson, said. “Every squad is full of world-class players – people you can learn from, look up to in a way and soak up their knowledge. It’s not for me to make a prediction on who’s going to win but I’m really looking forward to the tournament.”In a bid to improve the competitiveness of the six teams, Robinson instigated a rejig ahead of this edition, most notably with Tammy Beaumont switching from Surrey to the Vipers, and Sarah Taylor heading from the Thunder to take her place.”The teams have changed a bit this year and all look as if they’ve got a good chance. We have moved some of our better players around to give them the best opportunity to express themselves. It can be hard for a young batter coming in at seven or eight in a T20 in a team where the top order is full of world-class players to make much of an impression. The same applies to our young bowlers, they need as many opportunities as possible to bowl in pressure situations and more games hopefully allows them that.”One batter in particular who has plenty to prove in the coming contests is the Yorkshire Diamonds captain, Lauren Winfield, a World Cup winner last year, but who has been pushed to the margins in the past few months, with Amy Jones being given the opportunity to partner Beaumont at the top of the order.After a brief innings at No. 7 in the first ODI against New Zealand, Winfield was given a chance to make a mark when she came in at No. 3 in the dead-rubber third game, but made just 5 from nine balls before holing out to deep midwicket. However, the KSL – with its expansion to ten group games instead of five – will give her ample opportunity to find form against quality opposition.”I’ve had a bit of a dry time with runs and opportunity for England,” Winfield said. “This summer I’ve felt I’ve been playing really well, but there’s just no gap to get into that line-up. T20 isn’t something I’ve played a lot of internationally, so 10 games is a fantastic opportunity to expose myself in this format looking ahead to the World Cup in the Caribbean.””I think expanding the competition is such a good idea,” Robinson said. “Western Storm won last year because they played the better cricket at Finals Day but it can be difficult to judge a team over five games, because you might lose a game or two to the weather.”It helps all our England-qualified players, even the experienced ones because if a team doesn’t get going in the first couple of games they still have enough opportunities for their quality to come through. They don’t have to go chasing form if you know what I mean.”Another player who hopes to benefit from the expanded exposure is Kate Cross, the Lancashire Thunder seamer who feared she might never play for England again when she took time away from the game in 2016, a move that affecting her chances of featuring in last year’s World Cup.However, Cross returned to England colours during the New Zealand series – a call-up that she said “felt like I made my debut all over again”.”I’m going into this Super League in a good place,” Cross said. “We’ve also got a World Cup around the corner, and I think I’m going to go back to Australia this winter to play domestic cricket.”There’s a lot for me to look forward to.”With input from ECB Reporters Network

Harry Kane may have been handed another welcome boost at Bayern Munich, with Joshua Kimmich delivering an update on his future.

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• Midfielder under contract until 2025
• Linked with a move elsewhere
• Bundesliga giants eager for him to stay

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Germany international midfielder has seen a move away from the Allianz Arena speculated on. If the 29-year-old were to depart, then his versatility and experience would be a big miss for Bayern. Change is expected in the summer, with Thomas Tuchel definitely moving on, and Bayern will look to freshen up their squad if they endure a first campaign without major honours since 2012.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Bayern will be hoping that Kimmich stays put in a bid to get the club back on the trophy trail – with Kane very much of that mindset as he seeks to bring a barren run on the silverware front to a close – and the proven performer is offering no indication that he is considering a change of scenery.

• WHAT KIMMICH SAID

  Kimmich has said when asked about his future: “Generally, my situation is clear, I still have a contract. For me it’s about showing my performances, that’s the most important thing. And then we’ll see what happens. I still have over a year left on my contract and no one has spoken to me yet. I'm relaxed. It’s not so bad here!”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR BAYERN?

  Kimmich has been with Bayern since 2015, taking in 377 appearances for the Bavarian giants. He has eight Bundesliga titles and a Champions League crown to his name, and will be eager to help Kane land a first trophy of his career in 2024.

Somerset’s game resistance has given them every chance to save the match at Chelmsford and keep their own title challenge bubbling

Dan Norcross27-Jun-20181:57

Kent go top of Division Two

ScorecardThe best days at cricket are comprised of numerous moments. Singular moments, such as a wicket taken or a pleasingly creamed cover drive, and extended, even occasionally tantric moments; a battle royale, for example, between batsman and bowler, such as that enjoyed by Atherton and Donald at Trent Bridge.This match has been graced with too few moments; plenty of runs, plenty of toil, plenty of earnest endeavour but very few moments. The most significant today was a moment to forget; Westley dropping a sharp but eminently gettable chance above his head at slip when James Hildreth had just 16. Harmer, the bowler, would almost certainly have pouched it. He can’t, despite Theoretical Physics’ best efforts, be in two places at once though.Hildreth went on to produce the innings of the day but even his 75 was not garlanded with enough of those trademark Hildreth moments to make it an innings that will stay long in the memory. Neither the pitch nor the ball were conducive to his aesthetic.Running it a close second was the controversial catch that wasn’t. Harmer thought he’d clung on to a low chance at slip when Lewis Gregory had 11, and Somerset, on 322 for 6 still needed 46 to avoid the follow-on. The umpires consulted. The catch was not granted. Ryan ten Doeschate, returning after a two match ban and conscious of not wanting to incur further wrath, remonstrated as politely as any remonstrator has ever remonstrated, but Gregory survived.Neil Wagner produced the most entertaining moments. For the vast bulk of the 22 overs he bowled today (32 overall in the innings) he seemed intent on breaking Anthony Thornton’s record for walking backwards the longest distance in two days as he accompanied every bouncer, which was pretty much every ball, with a glare, a smile and fixed eyes on the batsmen as he made his way slowly back to his mark. The record, incidentally, is 95.4 miles, was set in 1989 in Minneapolis and still stands, but only just.He also produced the ball of the day to remove the most eye catching batsman of the day. Dom Bess arrived with Somerset in a spot of bother on 310 for 6 and five overs to go until tea. The new ball had just been taken and Porter had done for Peter Trego, taking the top of off stump.Bess counter attacked, saw off the new ball and his 35 from 38 balls was threatening to speed his side to the relative of safety of 368 and follow-on avoidance. Wagner bent his back that bit further, got one to rear at Bess’ throat (admittedly not a towering achievement) and caught the outside edge as Bess, fully off the ground, did his best Robin Smith impression of trying to evade a Curtly Ambrose snorter.Briefly the game was alive. Lewis Gregory’s miserable run with the bat (he now has 123 runs in 11 completed innings) continued with a hideous swipe that ended up at Third Man and seven were needed with just two wickets in hand. Wagner, unsurprisingly, peppered Overton with more bouncers. Overton survived, then flung the bat. The follow-on was averted.Eventually the innings was wrapped up in the softest of whimpers when Overton gently offered a catch to Bopara off Westley’s sixth and final ball. All out for 407 conceding a lead of just 110 and with only 9 overs to go on the third day the match looked as good as dead.
But just when we thought we’d have no more moments today, and in all likelihood tomorrow as well, Tom Westley, opening in place of Alastair Cook who is laid low with tonsillitis was trapped by Davey for a duck. The debutant Michael Pepper went next over to Gregory for 1. Suddenly it was 3 for 2. The slip cordon peaked at four. Momentarily nerves jangled but Browne and Bopara survived to the close with Essex leading by 127.The pitch is showing no signs of deterioration and it may require an improbably generous declaration to prevent the very real possibility of Essex slipping 39 points behind the leaders Surrey who have a game in hand. The grip on their title is loosening by the day.

United States Women's National Team star Alex Morgan let rip at the Boston Celtics for an embarrassing mistake on social media.

Boston Celtics guilty of embarrassing mistakeFace backlash on social mediaMorgan joins in with blunt replyWHAT HAPPENED?

The Boston Celtics came under fire for a social media post showing guard Jrue Holiday arriving for their home game against the Philadelphia 76ers in a United States kit wearing the No. 12. Holiday was clearly paying tribute to his wife Lauren, who enjoyed a stellar career winning the World Cup, two Olympic gold medals and the NWSL, and wore the No. 12 for the USWNT. However, the Celtics blundered in spectacular fashion, posting the photo with the caption "Reppin' @USMNT tonight."

AdvertisementWHAT ALEX MORGAN SAID

The post was swiftly met be a fierce backlash by supporters. Morgan also waded in with a terse response to the Celtics. "Let me help you with this – @USWNT," she posted.

Getty/GOALTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The mix-up is all the more embarrassing given the USWNT's incredible success. The Stars and Stripes have been crowned world champions four times, while the USMNT are yet to win a World Cup and have not been past the quarter-finals in over 90 years. The Celtics' post also serves to illustrate the lack of recognition for female athletes, no matter how successful they may have been during their career.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR THE USWNT

The USWNT are due to return to action in April in the SheBelieves Cup. Twila Kilgore's side will face Japan on April 3 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

Everton travel to London to face off against Brentford in the Premier League this weekend, and Sean Dyche's side will understand the importance of avoiding yet another defeat to compound their struggles.

How are Everton playing?

The Toffees survived relegation from the top-flight by the skin of their teeth last year, with Abdoulaye Doucoure's second-half strike against Bournemouth on the final day enough for three points to relegate Leicester City in their stead.

With a lack of formidable goal threat the ostensible crux of the club's woes last year, Dyche pulled his sleeves up and set to work reforming the offensive line over the summer, bringing in several fresh faces to provide Everton with enough firepower to leap away from the danger zone.

This has not happened yet, with four defeats and a draw from the opening five matches of the campaign; alarmingly, each defeat has yielded no goals for the Blues, with parity all to be taken from Bramall Lane against newly-promoted Sheffield United.

What's the Everton team news?

Everton's manager has revealed that Jack Harrison is “looking fit and sharp” but is still not match fit, with the winger joining on loan from Leeds United in the summer but injury thus far preventing him from making his debut.

Forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin and winger Dwight McNeil have both been building their fitness after respective issues this season and are in line for starting appearances.

However, club captain Seamus Coleman, Dele Alli and Andre Gomes all remain sidelined, which means that, in theory, Dyche could field an unchanged line-up from the side that fell to a 1-0 defeat against Arsenal at Goodison Park on Sunday.

Should James Garner start against Brentford?

While Dyche could keep the faith with the crop that battled and toiled against the high-flying Gunners to no avail, it would be wise to shake things up somewhat.

Reporter Joe Thomas claimed that the match was a "tough watch" and that the midfield was "poor", and, as such, the Toffees boss might now deploy James Garner into the centre of the pitch to restore the equilibrium that has melted like snow in the sun.

The £30k-per-week ace joined from Manchester United in a £15m deal last summer, having impressed on loan with Nottingham Forest as they forged a route out of the Championship, hailed for his “set-piece magic” by journalist George Smith.

Starting just seven times in the Premier League last season (though each one after Dyche's January appointment), the 22-year-old has made a fine start to the current campaign, starting four of the opening five games of the 2023/24 league term.

As per Sofascore, he has earned an average match score of 7.00 in an unfamiliar right-midfield role, completing 80% of his passes, winning 68% of his duels, making one key pass per game and making 3.8 ball recoveries per outing.

Pushed back into the centre, the 5 foot 11 ace would provide some steely resistance and could allow the more attack-minded Arnaut Danjuma to thrive in his stead, having also been hailed for his "engine" by Dyche.

While Garner's versatility and dynamism has allowed him to find success on the right flank, his composure and energy are exactly what is needed to ensure the Bees do not take control of the vital midfield battle this evening.

Everton cannot afford to fall to another defeat, and with the erstwhile Red Devils youngster shifted into his natural role, a galvanising result might just be achieved for Dyche's side.

After sleepwalking through to a series win, Pakistan raised the tempo courtesy Fakhar Zaman’s double century. What does Sunday have in store?

Umar Farooq21-Jul-2018Big Picture After sleepwalking to a series win, Pakistan blew life into a dull series courtesy Fakhar Zaman’s record-breaking double-century. This sparked tremendous interest momentarily on Friday afternoon in Pakistan. There’s little to suggest the joyride won’t continue on Sunday, but only a performance of Fakhar’s kind again can elicit the same level of interest.Zimbabwe have shown no fight whatsoever. If 67 all out wasn’t the nadir, they were blown away in the fourth ODI by 244 runs – Pakistan’s second-biggest ODI win in terms of runs. The batsmen have shown little resolve, and the bowlers have lacked consistency or potency. About the fielding? Less said, the better. Whatever can go wrong, has.As such international fixtures are few and far between for Zimbabwe. Finances don’t allow them the luxury of staging multiple home series. That said, this year has been a bumper one, but even so, the hope with which they began the World Cup Qualifiers has long dissipated. The walloping in the T20I tri-series against Australia and Pakistan has spilled over, and there’s a pall of gloom around the state of cricket, as it has been for a better part of the last decade and a half. On Sunday, they can’t erase the pain of the home summer, but at least try and put up a fight and give the 500-odd faithful that turn up every match day whether or not there’s something to cheer about.Form guideZimbabwe LLLLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Pakistan WWWWLIn the spotlightUsman Khan went onto to play the entire tri-nation series and all four straight ODIs without aggravating any injury. This has been a longest streak for him in international cricket since he made his debut in 2013. He had been battling against injury, but every time he bounced back, some part of his body broke down again. He is back to full fitness now, and looks stronger than ever. He is the joint leading wicket taker with 9 at a strike rate of 16 in four games so far. He has made the most of his opportunities while Mohammad Amir and Hasan Ali are being rested, and will have an eye on nailing down a World Cup spot as soon as possible.Usman Khan celebrates a wicket•AFPTarisai Musakanda was tipped to be captain for the tri-series and this bilateral contest against Pakistan. While in the end the job went to the vastly more experienced Hamilton Masakadza, Musakanda has shown glimpses of what he could offer Zimbabwe in the long term. Frustratingly for Zimbabwe, most of his contributions have been in the form of cameos; he has reached double figures in all but one of the last eight innings, but only once crossed 40. You could chalk it down to inexperience, but Zimbabwe desperately need a standout performance to have a chance of pushing Pakistan in this final game, and have something positive to take away from a nightmare series.Team newsZimbabwe don’t have too many options on the bench that are likely to make a difference, or they’d have tried them out by now. They have lost with each combination they tried, evry game more convincingly than the last. They may make one or two changes, but a change in the result would be one of the upsets of the year.Zimbabwe (possible): 1 Hamilton Masakadza (capt) 2 Tinashe Kamunhukamwe 3 Tarisai Musakanda 4 Ryan Murray (wk) 5 Peter Moor 6 Elton Chigumbura 7 Donald Tiripano 8 Liam Roche 9 Wellington Masakadza 10 Blessing Muzarbani 11 Tendai ChisoroPakistan played two combinations across four games, and have played nearly every batting reserve on the bench other than Mohammad Hafeez and Haris Sohail – who had to return home after his daughter’s illness. Mohammad Nawaz is the only bowler unused throughout the ODIs. There is a chance Hafeez and Nawaz could be given a chance, but Pakistan are doing so well anything they do looks like it might come offPakistan (possible): 1 Fakhar Zaman, 2 Imam-ul-Haq, 3 Babar Azam, 4 Shoaib Malik/Mohammad Hafeez, 5 Asif Ali, 6 Sarfraz Ahmed (capt & wk), 7 Shadab Khan, 8 Faheem Ashraf, 9 Yasir Shah, 10 Junaid Khan/Mohammad Amir, 11 Usman KhanPitch and conditionsThe weather remains cool in Bulawayo, but the pitch has dried out since the first game, and another runfest could be on the cards, particularly if Pakistan bat first.Stats and trivia Fakhar Zaman is 20 runs away from becoming fastest to reach 1000 runs in ODIs. If he does so tomorrow, he will have reached there in 18 innings. The fastest at present are five players who got there in 21 innings: Viv Richards, Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott, Quinton de Kock and Babar Azam.Quotes”It’s not like the guys (Pakistan) are bowling anything amazing, it’s about us not applying ourselves,” Donald Tiripano thinks the reasons for his side’s underwhelming batting come from within”It does hurt me quite a lot and it’s very disappointing to see. I see a lot of guys putting in their best efforts but when you lose half of your team, especially with the resources that Zimbabwe have, it’s hard to be competitive against a very good Pakistan side at the moment,” Pakistan coach Grant Flower takes no pleasure from his country’s struggles

Tottenham Hotspur are "willing to shell out a considerable sum" for one club's star player who has become an "important target" for Spurs.

Who have Tottenham signed 2023?

Over the 2023 summer transfer window, new Lilywhites boss Ange Postecoglou and chairman Daniel Levy opted to bring in seven major signings. Indeed, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, young centre-back Ashley Phillips, assured defender Micky van de Ven, England midfielder James Maddison, winger Manor Solomon, exciting striker Alejo Veliz and Wales forward Brennan Johnson all put pen to paper before deadline day.

The results of their business so far have been very fruitful, as Spurs are currently sitting pretty in the Premier League stands and second – just behind last season's treble-winning Man City side. Both van de Ven and Maddison in particular have stood out as a couple of the window's arguable bargains of the summer, especially the latter, who has already endeared himself to the Tottenham fanbase with an array of impressive performances.

Vicario, who came in to succeed long-serving number one Hugo Lloris between the sticks, has also been praised for his start to life at N17 – while Solomon has dazzled on-lookers in parts with some his brilliant one-v-one directness. The likes of Phillips and Veliz are seen more as rising stars for the future, so must wait patiently for game time, but there is already very high hopes at Spurs for Johnson's potential to become important.

What's the latest Spurs transfer news?

As the January transfer window approaches, Tottenham could move to reinforce their squad further, in particular by making a second central defensive signing after van de Ven this year. The north Londoners arguably lack cover in that position if the Dutchman or his partner, Cristian Romero, were to succumb to injury.

This has lead to reports that they could target the likes of Juventus star Gleison Bremer, Bournemouth's Lloyd Kelly and Bayer Leverkusen star Edmond Tapsoba. Now, according to a report from Spain this week, Tottenham have added another name to their list of defensive targets for the winter.

Galatasaray defender Victor Nelsson, who starred for his club in the Turkish Super Lig last term, is apparently that player with the 24-year-old becoming an "important objective". As such, Spurs are apparently "willing to shell out a considerable sum of €30 million (£26m) to secure his services". Postecoglou's side are very interested Nelsson, and this could deal a blow to Sevilla, who are also chasing the centre-back.

The Denmark international stood out as a star defensive player for Galatasaray over 2022/2023; making more blocks per 90 and winning more aerial duels per game than any of his teammates in the league (WhoScored). Nelsson was also an untouchable member of manager Okan Buruk's starting eleven; featuring over more Super Lig minutes than any other outfielder in their squad (WhoScored).

These numbers suggest that he is a pivotal figure for Galatasaray, and it is little surprise Spurs are taking note of his exploits.

Kent beat Somerset for the 11th successive time in a high-scoring affair at Canterbury – a remarkable sequence which put them alongside Somerset in the knockout stages

ECB Reporters Network16-Aug-2018
ScorecardKent Spitfires downed South Group leaders Somerset by five runs in a high-scoring thriller at Canterbury to book their place in the last eight of this year’s Vitality Blast T20.Kent’s seventh south group win inflicted Somerset’s fourth defeat in their final game of the campaign and extended the West Country county’s woeful, winless T20 run against Kent to 11 matches dating back to 2011.Batting first, Kent posted their highest short-form score against Somerset and equalled their best ever T20 total, matching their 231 for 7 scored against Surrey at The Oval in 2015.Somerset chased manfully throughout, and needed a six off the last ball to tie only for Mitch Claydon to send down a near perfect yorker to seal the triumph.Talking T20 podcast

Dan Norcross is joined by editor of Wisden Cricket Monthly, Phil Walker, to discuss the latest Blast happenings, including Durham’s rise from the ashes and the golden touch of Kieran Noema-Barnett
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Kent captain Sam Billings led the run spree with an unbeaten 57 from 35 balls, but Sean Dickson’s cameo 20 from nine balls and a belligerent 42 from 22 deliveries by Alex Blake after a sloppy display in the field by the south group leaders.With their place in the last eight already assured, Somerset elected to bowl after winning the toss, but Jerome Taylor’s second over conceded a brace of boundaries to Daniel Bell-Drummond and 14 in total.Joe Denly, Kent’s leading T20 run-getter, plundered a straight six in Jamie Overton’s first over that ended with a deft late cut for four, as the hosts, aided by six Somerset wides within five overs, raced to 50 after only 4.3 overs.Taylor had Denly caught at short third man for 26 from the penultimate delivery of the powerplay to make it 67 for one then, with 37 off 21 balls to his name, Bell-Drummond pushed inside the line of a Max Waller legspinner that clipped off stump.Waller and Roelof van der Merwe, the slow left-armer, stemmed the flow of Spitfires’ boundaries until Heino Kuhn broke the stranglehold with a reverse sweep for six against Johann Myburgh as Kent reached the mid-point on 99 for 2.Kuhn perished attempting to repeat the shot against a Waller full toss, picking out Corey Anderson at point, but Blake opened his boundary account with a straight six off Waller and greeted Overton’s return with another maximum into the retirement complex adjacent to the ground.Waller finished his stint with 2 for 29 as Kent reached 150 in their 16th over with Blake and Billings posting a 50 stand in 4.4 overs.Billings unfurled his ramps, paddles and pulls to collect three successive boundaries in a Taylor over that cost 25 in total, but the partnership ended for 82 when Blake was superbly caught overhead by Overton at long-off for 42.Kent’s skipper reached his third 50 of the campaign from 31 balls, Taylor was taken out of the attack for his second beamer and the visitors conceded six penalty runs for failing to bowl their overs in the alloted time.Chasing 232 at 11.55 an over, Somerset lost Myburgh after 15 balls to a stunning over-the-shoulder catch by Imran Qayyum that gave T20 debutant Grant Stewart his maiden wicket.Steve Davies and Peter Trego, the former Kent allrounder, clattered a quickfire 59 in five overs before Trego holed out to deep square leg then Davies blotted his copybook by chipping Qayyum’s second ball of the night straight to extra cover.Qayyum conceded a huge leg-side six to James Hildreth as Somerset reached 102 for 3after 10 overs but, with the required rate rising to almost 13, Corey Anderson heaved against Calum Haggett to see Billings cling onto a skier running back towards third man.With 82 needed from 30 balls, James Hildreth hooked a Mitch Claydon bouncer to long leg and despite late clubbing from Gregory and Tom Abell Somerset just fell short.

Jadon Sancho's Manchester United career could come to an end in the near future, and journalist Fabrizio Romano has now suggested a potential replacement at Old Trafford.

Will Jadon Sancho leave Man United?

Sancho made the move to Old Trafford in 2021, with big things expected of him after he completed a big-money transfer from Borussia Dortmund. He was arguably seen as one of the most promising young players in Europe at the time, but he has been a huge disappointment since returning to England.

In total, the 23-year-old has scored just 12 goals and registered six assists in 82 appearances for United, with his performances too often feeling forgettable rather than influential. Not only that, but he now finds himself completely frozen out of the squad by Erik ten Hag, following disciplinary issues in recent weeks, and there is currently only one direction that his Red Devils career is heading in.

Things can change in football, of course, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see Sancho leave United in the January transfer window, should the problems with the manager not be resolved. If that happens, a new attacker would need to come in to aid squad depth, and one potential addition has been name-checked.

Who could replace Sancho at Old Trafford?

Speaking to Caught Offside, Romano claimed that Wolves star Pedro Neto would be a perfect replacement for Sancho at United, should he move on, even though there isn't concrete interest in him at the moment:

"Just one final point on Man United and Jadon Sancho – at the moment there is no significant update to report, and I’m not aware of any decision on a potential new winger signing in January.

"There are many good opportunities around such as Pedro Neto who I’ve already mentioned and who is a fantastic player, but it’s absolutely not sure or guaranteed that Man United will spend big money in January."

Neto could be a wonderful signing for United if they strike a deal for him in January, or next summer for that matter, with the Portuguese speedster clearly a fabulous young player with so much long-term potential.

The 23-year-old has made a superb start to this season for Wolves, already getting four assists in seven Premier League outings, as well as playing a key role in Ruben Dias' own goal for Manchester City on Saturday, as Wanderers ran out surprise 2-1 winners over the champions at Molineux.

Admittedly, Neto has had some serious injury problems in the past, which could make signing him a gamble for United, who already have lots of players unavailable, but he is fit and firing at the moment, and he looks unplayable at times.

Capable of playing on either flank, the Wolves winger is fast, direct and possesses end product, being hailed as a "superstar" by Jamie Carragher in the past, and at just 23 years of age, there is still so much more to come from him.

Put bluntly, he simply looks like a better player than Sancho at this point – they are the same age – and could ultimately be an upgrade on him if he leaves Old Trafford sooner rather than later.

Joe Root, England’s captain, has insisted his decision to bat at No. 4 in the second innings in Southampton was made “for the good of the team”.Root has batted at No. 3 throughout the English summer but, having averaged just 28.54 in that time, said he made a “spur of the moment decision” to move back to the No. 4 position in which he averages 52.45.That meant a promotion for Moeen Ali, who had batted at No. 7 in the first innings. And while he scored only 9, Root described Moeen as “very excited” about the opportunity to bat up the order and suggested the move had “worked very well”. Root made 48, his highest score in six innings.”Ultimately I did it for the good of the team and to try and get the best out of myself,” Root told Sky Sports ahead of the fourth day’s play at the Ageas Bowl. “I know if I score runs we’ve got a great chance of winning the game.”It was a bit of a spur of the moment decision. We’re in a position where Moeen is in great form. He bats at No. 3 for his county, so we thought it was a good opportunity for him to go out there and play in his own manner at No. 3 for England.”I felt batting at No. 4 in this situation and getting the best out of myself would give us a better chance of getting up towards 230-250. It’s worked pretty well.”It might not have been Moeen who got runs but part of being a team is that you all play your part and the fact I’ve come down to No. 4 in this innings worked in a way.”Mo was very excited about it and it wouldn’t have been the case if he hadn’t desperate to do it. He sees himself as a top-order batter. He goes back to Worcester and bats at No. 3. He got a double-hundred last week. He was pleased to have that opportunity. It didn’t work out this time around but there’s no reason he wouldn’t be able to be successful in that position in the future.”Whether Moeen will get another chance to bat at No. 3 remains to be seen with Root declining to confirm that his move back to No. 4 would be permanent.”Whether it’s a long term thing with Mo we’ll have to wait and see,” Root said. “I tried to get the best out of myself in this situation so I put myself at No. 4. I think every situation is different.”Every now and then you might have to change things around. It’s not something that is good to do a lot – especially with your batting – but every now and then, I don’t think it’s a bad thing.”While Root described the decision as “spur of the moment”, it seems it was made ahead of the third day’s play. Earlier in the summer, Root was described as having moved to No. 3 by his own choice by Ed Smith, the national selector.