Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha paid off sizeable chunks of their big transfer fees with spectacular displays as Manchester United beat Brighton & Hove Albion 4-2 to record three consecutive Premier League wins for the first time in 20 months. Cunha netted his first for the club to open the scoring while Mbeumo struck twice, his last goal seeing off the growing threat of a Brighton comeback.
United had lost their last three home games against Brighton by a combined scoreline of 8-3, with Graham Potter, Roberto de Zerbi and Fabian Hurzeler all enjoying famous wins at Old Trafford. But this game felt different from the start. Fired up by beating Liverpool last week, United flew into their opponents and could have scored early when Fernandes missed the target with a header or when Cunha's rocket which was well saved by Bart Verbruggen.
United had a strong penalty claim turned down when Amad Diallo fell from a challenge from Maxim De Cuyper but they didn't need one as soon after Cunha swept the ball into the bottom corner to finally score his first goal in his ninth appearance in all competitions. Casemiro doubled United's lead with a massive deflected goal. Brighton had a couple of chances on the counter but United seemingly wrapped the game up when Mbeumo scored.
But the game was in fact far from done. United old boy Danny Welbeck fizzed in a free-kick in the 74th minute to give the hosts goosebumps before Charalampos Kostoulas cut the deficit down to one goal early in added time with a thumping header. United weathered the storm though and Mbeumo sealed the win with practically the last kick.
GOAL rates Man United's players from Old Trafford…
Getty Images Sport
Goalkeeper & Defence
Sanne Lammens (6/10):
Another confident performance, taking crosses well and getting plenty of distance with his kicks. Might have done better with Welbeck's free-kick but it was a great strike and he then flew across goal to thwart Ferdi Kadioglu.
Leny Yoro (6/10):
Dealt well with Brighton's counters thanks to his pace and connected well with the midfield.
Matthijs de Ligt (7/10):
Another imposing display from one of United's most consistent but most underrated performers this season.
Luke Shaw (5/10):
Not the most convincing display but got away with his biggest errors. He was beaten by Yankuba Minteh, who then failed to shoot; he had a pass blocked by Kadioglu which went out of play while he grappled with Georginio Rutter just before Mbeumo scored.
Advertisement
Getty Images Sport
Midfield
Amad Diallo (7/10):
Caused Brighton plenty of problems with his trickery but also showed his intelligence, playing clever passes and showing good movement. Should have been awarded a penalty.
Casemiro (8/10):
Another monstrous display from a player who is having a resurgence to rival Maguire's. His physical presence allowed United to win key high balls while his experience is also giving United the edge at the moment. Laid the ball off for Cunha to score and then netted himself, albeit with the biggest deflection ever. Got a thunderous reception when he was taken off and it was fully deserved.
Bruno Fernandes (7/10):
A fine performance to celebrate his 300th game for the club. Drove the team forward with his incisive passing and was desperate to score.
Diogo Dalot (6/10):
Showed why he is getting the nod ahead of Patrick Dorgu with a quietly impressive display, even if his wayward shot was ill-advised.
Getty Images Sport
Attack
Matheus Cunha (8/10):
Showed he meant business with his thunderous early effort before producing a silky finish to score. He showed clever link-up play and a streetwise edge at Anfield but fans really wanted to see his talismanic qualities and he provided them today.
Benjamin Sesko (6/10):
His finishing let him down, particularly when he thrashed Mbeumo's lay-off wide. But he worked his socks off and is continuing to show he is getting on the same wavelength as his team-mates, assisting Mbeumo's first.
Bryan Mbeumo (9/10):
Built on his brilliant display at Anfield with another standout performance. Linked up well with Amad again, created a great chance for Sesko and produced a clinical finish to score the third. Nearly scored again when he hit the post then got United out of jail with his cracking second.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
AFP
Subs & Manager
Ayden Heaven (7/10):
A strong display from the bench, making a crucial tackle and then playing the ball from which Mbeumo killed the game.
Patrick Dorgu (5/10):
Could have been sent off when he clipped Minteh.
Kobbie Mainoo (5/10):
Lacked the powerful presence of Casemiro and when he replaced the Brazilian Brighton got back into it.
Joshua Zirkzee (N/A):
Held the ball up well but didn't create much danger. Beaten at the near post for Brighton's second goal.
Manuel Ugarte (N/A):
Replaced Cunha in the 82nd minute.
Ruben Amorim (7/10):
An even better performance than at Anfield and proof that his project is slowly coming to fruition, even withstanding the nervy finish.
England completed their white-ball rout of West Indies at the Utilita Bowl on Tuesday, underlining their dominance by securing a 37-run victory in the third T20I.Capping off back-to-back 3-0 series wins for Harry Brook’s first assignments as limited-overs captain – England’s first in T20Is since 2021, against Sri Lanka – was a vast margin that began with a mammoth 248 for 3, having been put in to bat by Shai Hope. Ben Duckett’s 84, which began alongside 60 from Jamie Smith – a maiden half-century in the format – set the platform with 120 inside nine overs.With the help of a series of cameos, including an eye-catching 36 not out from Jacob Bethell, England were able to post their second-highest score in the format, and highest at home.In reply, West Indies embarked on an unconvincing pursuit of a record chase. Hope’s presumption at the toss that this pitch would stay consistent throughout did bear out to a point. His side registered 14 sixes to England’s 15, four of them from West Indies’ former T20 captain Rovman Powell, who hit his tenth fifty-plus score with a 45-ball 79 not out.With West Indies reaching 211 for 8, a new aggregate record for a T20I in England was set. The match also put England 19-18 in front on the historical head-to-head between the two sides, the first time they have led that metric.ESPNcricinfo Ltd
Duckett, the multi-format star
Duckett’s third T20I half-century, off 20 deliveries, gave him the neat record of the fourth-fastest by an Englishman. A handy gong for a player who might rank as one of England’s best multi-format openers.That is not too grand a statement. If anything, maybe the “one of” qualifier can be dropped. Duckett’s reliability across codes since re-establishing himself in all three formats is remarkable. This year alone – upon returning to the shortest format in India – he has been a banker, offering varying degrees of intent. Though he did miss out on ticking each century box in the space of ten innings – a sequence beginning with 165 against Australia in the Champions Trophy, along with last month’s Test 140 against Zimbabwe – this new career-best T20I score underlined the calibre of batter he has become.Six deliveries into the match, a reverse-slap-shot over the covers off Akeal Hosein set the tone. The No. 2 T20I bowler in the world did not earn that ranking by doubting himself in the powerplay. But in the very next over, the left-arm spinner, having shifted his field to put two square out of the ring to cope with Duckett’s orthodox and reverse sweeps, was unpicking those plans as the left-hand batter adjusted to strike down the ground and either side of the man out at square leg. That included a remarkable strike for six behind square off a delivery seemingly too full and wide of off stump to be worked in that direction with any malice, never mind over the sponge.Hosein is not the first quality operator to be undone by Duckett’s invention or clarity, and he likely won’t be the last this summer. And in keeping with filling his team-mates with confidence, the 30-year old has clearly helped Smith settle in his new role as a limited-overs opener, with Smith pocketing maiden half-centuries in both formats in the last seven days.Jamie Smith notched his maiden T20I half-century•PA Photos/Getty Images
Green shoots of ruthlessness?
There was a stage in Eoin Morgan’s captaincy when his England teams had developed such a ruthless streak that he could afford to rest himself from time to time. The biggest flex of this confidence came when he sat out a T20I series decider against South Africa in 2017. Amid a flurry of criticism, England won pretty comfortably. As deep as England’s talent was – Alex Hales replaced Morgan in that XI – the machine had learned to win in a variety of situations. Even without their skipper.It’ll take some time for England to rediscover that, well, arrogance or even re-establish that reputation as an imposing white-ball force. But those seeds that flourished during that 2015-19 cycle were sown early by doing as England did here tonight. With cold, calculating talk from their skipper – “we want to start nailing teams down into the ground” – as he revealed an unchanged team, followed by an equally merciless performance.In truth, England did not need to be as good as they were to beat this iteration of West Indies. That they ensured they were, right to the very end, suggests they are on the right track. Not necessarily towards world domination, but to making winning second nature.Rovman Powell fought to the end with an unbeaten 79 from 45 balls•PA Photos/Getty Images
West Indies need quick turnaround
Has there been a more demoralising 48 hours in West Indian cricket? A series defeat confirmed with a game to spare on Sunday, followed by a one-sided defeat in Southampton that bookended this England tour with eye-watering defeats, after a 238-run pasting in the first ODI.It was in between these defeats, on Monday, that Nicholas Pooran announced a shock retirement. One of the game’s leading lights, and a great hope of Caribbean cricket, calling time at the age of 29. A tour that began with the caveat that some of West Indies’ missing stars would be back soon enough has ended with the brightest seemingly gone for good.Even if West Indies had bested England comprehensively, Pooran’s loss would have felt just as bleak ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup. But off the back of these three defeats, it is clear the once kings of this format are losing their domain. The last fortnight has shown West Indies are no longer a progressive T20 outfit. That they out-sixed England 35 to 32 while being dominated highlights a shift in how this format is played.Given the World Cup is only eight months away, starting again is probably not the way to go. But with Pooran no longer around to paper over the cracks, a quick fix is needed.
Aston Villa’s start to the Premier League season has been anything but smooth.
Off-the-field uncertainty dominated their summer, and the hangover has been felt on the pitch.
The club only recorded their first league win of the season against Fulham on Sunday, lifting them out of the bottom three and into 16th place.
Their negative goal difference reflects a side still finding its rhythm, and the early results suggest that pressure is quickly building on Unai Emery’s squad.
The turbulence began with financial concerns. Villa’s transfer activity was clouded by PSR restrictions, which made it unclear whether they could reinforce without significant sales.
Star goalkeeper Emi Martínez came close to leaving for Manchester United, while Ollie Watkins also attracted interest from other top-flight clubs.
Emiliano Martinez in action for Argentina.
Somehow, Villa kept hold of both – as well as their brightest talent, Morgan Rogers – but the distractions were evident.
Rogers himself did little to dampen speculation, hinting in one interview that a move could be on the horizon.
Late in the window, Villa scrambled to bring in reinforcements, completing deals for Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho on deadline day.
It was a clear attempt to steady the ship and add creativity ahead of a campaign that will also see them compete in the Europa League.
A sixth-place finish last season raised expectations, but early form suggests off-field issues have seeped into the squad’s performances.
Why Morgan Rogers is synonymous with the malaise
No player better symbolises Villa’s current struggles than Rogers.
The 23-year-old attacking midfielder enjoyed a breakthrough last season, making 54 appearances across all competitions, including 37 in the Premier League, where he produced eight goals and 11 assists.
That form subseuqently saw him win the PFA Premier League Young Player of the Year award.
His European contribution was also vital: four goals and three assists helped Villa reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
That productivity feels like a distant memory this term. Rogers has looked short on confidence and, crucially, short on decisiveness in possession.
In the defeat to Bologna, he played the full 90 minutes but registered 50 touches, completed just ten of 24 passes, and failed to record a shot on target. He attempted two dribbles and succeeded with neither, while losing possession a staggering 29 times.
For a player once celebrated for his dynamism and flair, those numbers are the starkest evidence yet of his current malaise.
The sense among supporters is that Rogers has become too predictable. Opponents now know his threat and actively look to smother him.
Some Villa fans have called for him to be dropped, suggesting that a spell out of the spotlight might help him rediscover his spark.
His recent form for England, where he registered an assist against Serbia, shows the talent is still there, but he has not been able to translate that into club form.
Aston Villa's Rogers replacement waiting in the wings
Waiting in the wings is Jadon Sancho.
The 25-year-old winger arrived on loan from Manchester United on deadline day, carrying a market value of around £25m.
This is a long way from the £125m peak valuation that this “crazy talent” – in the words of scout Jacek Kulig – held in 2020.
Matches Played
26
Goals
8
Assists
11
Progressive Carries
114
Progressive Passes
178
His fall from grace has been steep.
At Chelsea last season, his loan spell ended so unconvincingly that the club even paid United to release them from the obligation to make the move permanent.
Now at Villa Park, Sancho has featured three times, though he was an unused substitute in the win against Fulham.
This loan could represent the last chance for him in English football.
He will hope to reignite his career under Emery, with the Europa League providing additional opportunities for minutes and form.
His past record shows what he is capable of: a £73m transfer to Manchester United in 2021 was fuelled by dazzling performances at Borussia Dortmund, where his creativity and ball-carrying made him one of Europe’s hottest properties.
Internationally, Sancho still harbours ambitions of returning to the England setup, having already been capped 23 times.
With Thomas Tuchel putting together his squad for the World Cup, a run of form at Villa could put him back in contention.
More immediately, his arrival puts direct pressure on Rogers. If Emery decides to rotate, Sancho could step straight into the starting XI, offering pace, invention, and – if he can recapture even some of his Dortmund-era form – a cutting edge Villa desperately lack.
For now, Emery has been cautious, perhaps waiting for Sancho to fully adjust.
But the contrast between Rogers’ wastefulness and Sancho’s potential upside is difficult to ignore.
In many ways, Sancho embodies Villa’s gamble: if he thrives, he could spark their attack into life; if he fails, it could be another symbol of a club whose questionable off-field decisions continue to cloud their season.
Aston Villa heading for Benteke repeat over "top talent" & it's not Watkins
Aston Villa face echoes of the past as one of Unai Emery’s crop hints at an exit
O Palmeiras está no mercado pensando nos reforços para 2024 e um dos alvos que desponta como preferido da diretoria é Bruno Henrique, do Flamengo. O jogador tem vínculo com o Rubro-Negro somente até o final deste ano e já poderia assinar um pré-contrato com qualquer outro clube. As conversas não passaram de sondagem, mas podem ter um avanço a partir desta segunda-feira (25), após a final da Copa do Brasil.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasQuais são os maiores títulos da história do Palmeiras?Palmeiras22/09/2023PalmeirasAbel Ferreira rasga elogios para Renato Gaúcho após vitória do Grêmio sobre o PalmeirasPalmeiras22/09/2023SantosLeila Pereira alerta presidente do Santos sobre ‘parceria perigosa’ para construção da nova VilaSantos22/09/2023
+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui
+Copa do Brasil: vem com a LIVE da Lance! Betting no YouTube para curtir e faturar em São Paulo x Flamengo!
+Você disse decisão? Se o Flamengo vencer com gols de Bruno Henrique e Gabigol, sua aposta de R$10 volta R$180!
A intenção do Verdão é entender os movimentos de Bruno e seus agentes neste momento de entrave das negociações de renovação com o Fla. Por enquanto, segundo apurou a reportagem, não houve proposta e dificilmente haverá algo do tipo no futuro próximo. Todas as partes adotam a postura de aguardar e entender o cenário.
+ Condição especial para matrícula no curso Gestor de Futebol, aprovado por Dante, Petković, Léo Moura e outros craques. Saiba mais!
Um momento que pode ser crucial nessa equação é a final da Copa do Brasil, que acontece neste domingo (24), entre São Paulo e Flamengo. Todas as atenções do Rubro-Negro e de Bruno Henrique estão voltadas para essa decisão.
continua após a publicidade
Assim, somente haverá um novo passo a partir de segunda (25), seja nas conversas com o Fla ou com outro clube interessado. Além disso, o resultado da final pode sim interferir nesse contexto, apresentando uma situação com o título e outra sem ele.
+ Após dois ‘quases’, Palmeiras deve ir para cima de Bruno Henrique, do Flamengo
O Alviverde acredita que o atacante ainda terá mais uma fase de negociações com o Flamengo, mesmo que as conversas tenham travado há alguns meses. Os dirigentes palmeirenses entendem que é natural que se esgote todas as possibilidade até definir que haverá mesmo uma troca de clube.
continua após a publicidade
Por isso, da parte do Palmeiras não há muito o que fazer no momento, já que o clube aguarda um sinal dos representantes de Bruno Henrique sobre qual será o próximo passo do jogador. Caso a sinalização seja positiva para o Verdão, será preparada uma proposta para que ele vista a camisa alviverde em 2024. Por enquanto, a ideia é mesmo demonstrar interesse e seguir monitorando a situação.
+ Quais são os maiores títulos da história do Palmeiras?
O desejo de contratar Bruno é uma amostra do perfil que o Palmeiras busca no mercado para 2024. Ou seja, reforços pontuais, mas que cheguem prontos, incontestáveis e com peso, especialmente para o ataque e para o meio-campo.
AC Milan owner Gerry Cardinale has opened up about his bold financial vision for the Rossoneri, revealing how he plans to make the club competitive with Premier League giants. The RedBird Capital founder has set an ambitious goal of transforming Serie A’s global standing as he insisted the Italian top-flight is "the most competitive league".
Cardinale’s bold Milan vision: competing with England’s elite
Milan's American owner Cardinale has laid bare his grand ambition to elevate the Rossoneri to the financial level of Premier League clubs. In a candid interview on podcast, the American investor described managing Milan as “the hardest thing I’ve ever done” but confirmed that the project is beginning to yield results.
Since acquiring the club in 2022 through RedBird Capital & Partners, Cardinale has pushed for a model of reinvestment and sustainability rather than profit-making. “It’s probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” he said. “In three years of owning Milan, we’ve been positive in terms of cash flow for the first time in 17 years. And I don’t keep that money for myself, I reinvest it in the team.”
The owner also pointed to Milan’s strong summer transfer window as proof of his commitment. “We spent more than any other Serie A team in the last summer transfer window. We are building a new stadium, not to pocket money, but to transform Milan’s financial profile and bring it up to the level of Premier League teams.”
Cardinale’s message was clear that Milan are not content with being Italy’s biggest traditional powerhouse; they want to be a global economic force capable of competing with the cash-rich English league.
AdvertisementFinancial transformation and the new stadium project
Cardinale underlined that Milan’s ongoing stadium project is central to his long-term financial plan. The proposed new venue will replace the historic but aging San Siro, which Milan currently share with Inter. The move is expected to drastically increase matchday revenue, corporate partnerships, and global visibility.
“The new stadium will transform AC Milan's financial profile and bring it to the level of Premier League clubs,” he said. “Because for us, the real competition is there, in the English league.”
Cardinale’s focus on self-sufficiency echoes his earlier remarks about wanting to innovate like the late Silvio Berlusconi once did. “My PR has gone crazy, but I meant to say that I want to innovate, like he did and like [George] Steinbrenner did with the New York Yankees in their day. But today you can't do it the same way, everything is too expensive, there are billion-dollar funds. We need to find another way.”
The American executive’s approach marks a major cultural shift for Serie A, where clubs often rely on owner funding or player sales rather than sustainable business models. Milan’s steady financial recovery under RedBird is now being viewed as a model for the future.
Premier League comparison and European imbalance
Cardinale also addressed the financial gap between Serie A and the Premier League, which he described as “the biggest challenge in European football today.” “The Premier League has almost four times the TV revenue of other European leagues, which is a problem,” he explained. “However, in Serie A, the last-placed team can beat the first, it's the most competitive league, but it's not paid for that. Distributors only want the best, which is why the idea of the Super League was created.”
His comments highlight a tension between sporting competitiveness and commercial appeal. Cardinale’s frustration reflects a broader sentiment across European football, that Italy’s domestic product is strong on the pitch but undervalued commercially.
By positioning Milan as the face of Serie A’s modernisation, Cardinale is not only aiming to close the gap with England but also to reshape the league’s global brand. The planned new stadium, coupled with a focus on digital innovation and fan engagement, could make Milan the Italian club to fully modernise its infrastructure in the 21st century.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty Images SportWhat’s next for AC Milan?
The Rossoneri have started the Serie A campaign strongly, having lost just one of the 10 matches they have played so far. Milan’s squad, featuring key players like Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Luka Modric, who all hold the experience of the Premier League, embodies Cardinale’s goal of blending European heritage with international appeal. Off the pitch, plans for the new stadium continue to progress, with hopes to begin construction by 2026.
On the field, Milan will travel to Bergamo on Tuesday night to face an unbeaten Atalanta side in a highly anticipated Serie A clash. Milan are eager to return to winning ways after a frustrating 2-2 draw with Pisa that saw Zachary Athekame rescue a late point. With Massimiliano Allegri’s side unbeaten in their last eight matches and Loftus-Cheek back in contention, the Rossoneri will look to reclaim the Serie A top spot and strengthen their title credentials against a disciplined Atalanta outfit.
Crystal Palace are keen on signing an “insane” centre-back who once pocketed Erling Haaland, with it now being revealed he wants to leave his club in 2026.
Parish reveals why Guehi's Liverpool move fell through
Palace were expected to sell Marc Guehi during the summer transfer window, given that it was their last chance to cash-in for a sizeable fee, but the move fell through on deadline day, with Steve Parish recently revealing why he didn’t sanction the move.
The chairman said: “I decided in the end that, based on the advice that I got and with what I think, that we would have a better season if we kept Marc.
“If we were fighting between the difference of 10th and 14th, if that was going to be the difference between keeping Marc and letting Marc go, then probably we would have said right, ‘We should take the money.”
Crystal Palace now rivalling Tottenham for £43m former Real Madrid defender
Palace have joined the race for a new centre-back, with Marc Guehi poised to leave on a free transfer next summer.
ByDominic Lund Oct 15, 2025
With their captain still on the books, however, the Eagles are showing signs they could be capable of pushing for a European spot this season, sitting sixth in the Premier League table, having lost just one of their opening seven matches.
However, Crystal Palace will be powerless to prevent the 25-year-old from leaving on a free transfer next summer, meaning bringing in a new centre-back will be one of the most important tasks, and they are keen on signing Inter Milan’s Yann Bisseck.
That is according to a report from SportsBild (via Sport Witness), which reveals the German wants to move when the January transfer window opens, amid concerns about losing his spot in the World Cup squad next summer.
The 24-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at Inter this season, having failed to impress, which means the Italian club are open to sanctioning a departure for €20m to €25m (£17m – £22m).
"Commanding" Bisseck once pocketed Haaland
Despite struggling at Inter so far this season, the one-time Germany international could be a solid replacement for Guehi, having been lauded by Ben Mattinson last term, with the scout particularly impressed by his ball manipulation.
The Inter defender has also put in some top performances in the Champions League in the past, keeping Haaland quiet in a 0-0 draw at the Etihad Stadium last season, during which the Norwegian was limited to just one shot on target and an xG of 0.33.
Bisseck is vastly experienced at the top level, having made 13 appearances for Inter en-route to their loss in the final last season, which suggests he could be a fantastic signing for Crystal Palace.
The San Francisco Giants (32-24) host the Houston Astros (34-36) tonight at Oracle Park in one of seven games on a shortened Monday night slate.
Here are a couple of plus-money player props to target in tonight’s matchup.
MLB Best Bets TodayYordan Alvarez over 1.5 total bases (+115) at DraftKings
I love this prop in plus money for Yordan Alvarez who has been blistering the ball lately.
Alvarez’s 116.8 max exit velocity ranks sixth in MLB, and he’s hitting .433 with four home runs, 11 RBI, and a 1.495 OPS in June.
Another fun fact about Alvarez? Despite being a lefty himself, Alvarez hits lefties even better than righties. That should spell success for Alvarez vs. lefty Kyle Harrison, whose 34.9% hard-hit rate is the fifth-highest among qualified starters and whose max exit velocity allowed is in the bottom 6% of the league.
Spencer Arighetti over 5.5 K (+115) at DraftKings
Spencer Arighetti’s ERA is not impressive, but his strikeout rate is. Arighetti is striking batters out at nearly 11 per nine innings this season.
Arrighetti was lifted from his last start due to being hit in the calf by a comebacker, but he is expected to be at full strength tonight.
The Astros just used Ryan Pressly, Rafael Montero, and Bryan Abreu on consecutive days (Saturday and Sunday vs. the Angels), and manager Joe Espada will need his rookie to go as deep as possible into this game.
Arrighetti has exceeded this prop in five of his 10 starts this year.
Liverpool are willing to once again break their transfer record in order to sign a player who can “do everything”, and he is seen as a replacement for Mohamed Salah.
Slot assesses another Liverpool defeat
The Premier League champions suffered their third defeat in a week on Saturday, losing 2-1 at Chelsea, with the Reds heading into the international break in worrying form.
Speaking after the game, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot offered an honest verdict, admitting there were still aspects of the performance that he liked.
“Another disappointing loss. That’s clear. Another game similar to the Palace game, although the game was completely different because the playing style of both teams are completely different. But not similar to the Palace game where in the first half I think we played not our best football but still were able to create three big chances.
“They’ve only had one and they’ve immediately scored it, which was completely different to the Palace game, where Palace created a lot of chances in the first half. And the second-half performance, like in Palace, I liked, we’ve created more than enough chances to score more than one goal – last week and today. I think there was a period of the game where I felt, ‘Now we’re going to win it.'”
Salah struggled badly once again, with the Liverpool legend in poor form, and a potential replacement for him has now been linked with a move to Anfield.
Liverpool willing to sign £130m Salah replacement
According to a report from Spain, Liverpool are preparing to pay £130m to sign Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise, breaking their transfer record again in the process, with the Reds seeing him as a replacement for Salah.
The Frenchman has grown into one of the best wingers in Europe currently, and Chelsea and Manchester City are also mentioned as options for him.
Writing Salah off feels far too premature, with the Egyptian simply not playing with his usual confidence, but at 33, it is clear that he can’t go on forever.
Finding a long-term successor to him at Liverpool has to be considered priority transfer business, and in Olise, the Reds could have the perfect option to take on the mantle.
The former Crystal Palace man can be a joy to watch, gliding in off the right wing onto his left foot, and he has been lauded by Bayern teammate Dayot Upamecano: “He’s a magician. His technical level is very high. He can do everything. He can score, set up, and even defend.”
Most importantly, Olise has substance as well as style, which will be needed to replace Salah, with four goals and assists apiece already coming his way for Bayern this season.
Arne Slot risked £70,000-a-week Liverpool star vs Chelsea, he's now injured
It didn’t go to plan for the Reds boss.
By
Charlie Smith
Oct 5, 2025
At 23 years of age, he has so much time to improve, and while £130m is an enormous amount of money, Liverpool signing the Frenchman could be a masterstroke as the years pass.
High-flying Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is wanted by La Liga club Athletic Club, who are plotting a succession plan. Iraola, who moved to the Premier League from LaLiga, could return to his homeland after three years next season if he agrees to take charge at Athletic Club as their new manager to replace Ernesto Valverde at the helm.
Iraola's success as Bournemouth boss
After spending just two-and-a-half years in Bournemouth, Iraola has already become a crowd favourite for the success he has attained at the Cherries. His stock has only risen after the Cherries' consistent performances in his first two seasons, where they finished 12th and ninth in the Premier League.
After finishing among the top 10 teams in the Premier League last season, Bournemouth dealt with a setback as three out of their four first team defenders departed the club in the summer transfer window, including star centre-back Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid and full-back Milos Kerkez to Liverpool. However, despite losing a host of their stars, Iraola has guided Bournemouth to a strong start in the 2025-26 campaign as they are occupying the second position in the league table with 18 points from the first nine matches, where they have won five and lost just one game.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesIraola could head back to Spain
According to , La Liga side Athletic Club are plotting a succession plan as veteran coach Ernesto Valverde is all set to exit the team next summer. Valverde, 61, is in the final year of his current contract and has yet to hold talks over a new deal with the club. Accordingly, the Basque club have started their search for Valverde's replacement and their sporting director is considering making a move for the Bournemouth head coach.
The club also have Rayo Vallecano manager Inigo Perez and Elche’s Eder Sarabia on their shortlist, although Perez is likely to put pen to paper on a new Vallecano contract and stay back at the club on a long-term basis.
Iraola's managerial journey so far
Iraola, who graduated from Athletic Club's youth academy in 2000, spent 12 seasons as a player with the club's senior side from 2003 to 2015, where he finished runners-up in the Copa del Rey thrice and once in the Europa League during the 2011-12 campaign. In the final two years of his stay at San Mames, he played under Valverde's tutelage, a manager he could replace next year.
The Spaniard began his managerial career at the age of just 36 after retiring from professional football, as he took charge of top division Cypriot side AEK Larnaca and guided them to the league title in his maiden season as a senior head coach. He moved back to Spain a year later, in 2019 and briefly managed Mirandes before joining Rayo Vallecano. Since his move to England in 2023, Iraola has won the Premier League Manager of the Month award twice, in March 2024 and January 2025.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Iraola was linked with Spurs job
After Spurs sacked Ange Postecoglou in the summer following their Europa League triumph last season, Iraola was strongly linked with the head coach's job. In the last two season's Iraola's Bournemouth have been one of the most entertaining teams to watch in the Premier League, which is also down to his well-thought-out transfer choices. The likes of Evanilson, Dean Huijsen, Justin Kluivert and Milos Kerkez have all been hit signings at the Vitality Stadium, and Iraola's knack for spotting talent held him in good stead to succeed where Postecoglou failed at Spurs.
However, Iraola stayed back at Bournemouth over the summer, while Spurs went ahead and signed Thomas Frank from Bournemouth as their next manager.
Manchester United’s business in the transfer market in the summer of 2025 will potentially be remembered as one of their best windows in recent history.
Ruben Amorim has spent around £200m on new additions within his front three, with such additions already making an immediate impact at Old Trafford.
Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko were the three signings made by the hierarchy, with the latter being the most expensive at a staggering £74m including add-ons.
The trio have already had a say in nine of their 15 Premier League goals in 2025/26 to date, as Mbeumo sits top of the Red Devils’ goalscoring charts with his total of four goals in nine outings.
Such form has led to serious doubt being cast over the futures of numerous players already within Amorim’s ranks, which could lead to numerous exits during the upcoming January window.
Players who look set to leave Man Utd in January
Over the last couple of days, rumours have been swirling over the future of multiple players, with midfielder Manuel Ugarte just one United player who could be edging closer to the exit door.
The Uruguayan international joined in a £50m transfer from PSG last summer, which led to huge expectations being placed on his shoulders to end their hunt for a new ball-winning option.
However, the 24-year-old has fallen down Amorim’s pecking order, only starting two league outings in 2025/26, leading to rumours over a winter move to join Turkish outfit Galatasaray.
He’s not the only player who appears to be moving closer to the exit door, with forward Joshua Zirkzee another Red Devil who has struggled to nail his starting role down this season.
According to CaughtOffside, the Dutchman is now “increasingly likely” to depart Old Trafford after featuring for just 82 minutes this season – only a year on from his £36m transfer to join the club.
The report states that the 24-year-old will allow the former Bologna talisman to depart in the coming months, but will be looking to recruit the majority of their investment back.
It also confirms that the player himself wants to depart to gain valuable first-team minutes to help improve his standing in the national setup ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
However, such a decision could come with a risk, especially given the examples that have unfolded in front of Amorim’s eyes over the last couple of months.
The United star who could become this season’s Rashford
Before Amorim’s arrival at United, attacker Marcus Rashford was seen as a key member of the first-team squad, arguably being one of the most threatening options within the final third.
The England international has racked up 138 goals for the Red Devils during his nine years in the first-team, but it rapidly became apparent the 40-year-old wasn’t keen on the academy graduate.
Despite starting and scoring in the manager’s first game at Ipswich Town, the 27-year-old was excluded from first-team training – subsequently joining Aston Villa on loan for the second half of 2024/25.
Rashford registered four goals and five assists in his 17 appearances before linking up with Spanish giants Barcelona during the recent window – once again producing the goods away from Old Trafford.
He’s already notched 10 combined goals and assists in his 13 appearances, with such a decision arguably one of Amorim’s worst during his near 12-month tenure with the Red Devils.
However, he could be about to make another huge mistake in sanctioning Zirkzee’s exit, especially if the Dutchman can replicate such form before his move to England.
The 24-year-old scored 12 times and registered six assists in his 37 appearances prior to his switch to Old Trafford – even managing to impress in glimpses last campaign.
Zirkzee scored twice in Amorim’s second game in charge of the club back in December 2024, with his contributions in the clash with Everton just one example of the talent he possesses in the final third.
Other outings against Lyon and Real Sociedad in the Europa League showcased his ability to provide the goods in key moments – subsequently helping the Red Devils reach yet another European final.
Games played
32
Goals & assists
4
Pass accuracy
72%
Shots taken
1.8
Chances created
0.8
Dribble success
38%
Aerials won
29%
Times dispossessed
2.8
Whilst it still remains unclear what the attacker’s best position is, even describing himself as a 9.5, he still managed to rank highly in numerous areas during the club’s dismal 2024/25 season.
Zirkzee ranked in the 82nd percentile for possession regained in the final third, whilst also completing the most passes per 90 of any forward in the first-team ranks.
Such numbers showcase his tireless effort out of possession, before firing the killer pass to a teammate – subsequently allowing him to pick up two assists across all competitions.
There’s no doubt his tally of five goals in 49 appearances was way below the expectations of the supporters, but Zirkzee desperately needs to be cut some slack by the manager.
Such a year was his first in England’s top-flight, but it’s evident that the manager has made up his mind with the forward, as seen by his tally of 82 league minutes in 2025/26.
Allowing him to leave could once again come back to bite them, potentially following the same route as Rashford and thriving in Europe after departing the Red Devils.
Watch out Bruno: Man Utd's "best player this season" is a "future captain"
Manchester United’s “best player this season” could be the future captain of the club over Bruno Fernandes.