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Leeds United's hunt for the automatic promotion places is gathering pace.

The Whites have established themselves inside the Championship's top six this season but their next challenge is to dislodge one of Leicester City or Ipswich Town from their perch at the top of the table.

Daniel Farke's side are entering a crucial point in their season and are batting first on Friday night when they travel to Rotherham in a Yorkshire derby clash.

A victory for the visitors in that fixture will close the gap to five points, applying pressure onto the league's early pacesetters while extending their impressive run to seven wins in eight matches.

Nonetheless, it is imperative that Leeds do everything in their power to close the gap, including in the transfer window, as they aim to bolster their rearguard with the capture of Hammarby centre-back Nathaniel Adjei.

Leeds United transfer news – Nathaniel Adjei

At the start of November, Fotboll Direkt reported that Leeds were considering a move for Adjei and were one of several clubs interested, including fellow promotion chasers, Sunderland.

It is claimed that Hammarby are looking to receive approximately £3.5m in order to sanction the sale of their prized asset.

If the Whites were to make a move for the "physical monster" in January – as lauded by Rangers Journal's Kai Watson – it would see them capture someone who boasts an exceptional physical presence, akin to their iconic defender, Pontus Jansson.

Much like Adjei has done, the towering centre-back began plying his trade in Sweden before Leeds captured the defensive titan from Torino in 2017.

Pontus Jansson's Leeds career in numbers

During his three-year stint at Leeds, Jansson became a warrior at the heart of their defence, throwing himself into full-blooded tackles, dominating his opponents in the air and even popping up with crucial goals.

The 6 foot 5 colossus was highly sought after by the enigmatic Marcelo Bielsa, with the Argentine naming him as the club's best player in the 2018/19 season as the Whites narrowly missed out on promotion, losing to Derby in the play-off semi-finals.

Jansson was essentially a striker's worst nightmare to come up against, although he wasn't the quickest off the mark, he was near impossible to beat in the physical battle and would clear everything in his way, including his own teammates, if he had to.

Despite being adored as a fan favourite due to his ferocious defensive displays, he went down in supporters estimations when he sealed a £5.5m move to Championship rivals Brentford in 2019.

Yet, after making 120 appearances and scoring an impressive nine goals, he is still one of the greatest central defenders to grace the Elland Road turf in recent years.

If Leeds do capture Adjei, the early signs suggest he boasts the potential to eclipse the legacy that Jansson crafted in West Yorkshire, especially if he helps them win promotion.

Nathaniel Adjei's style of play

According to Hammarby's former coach, Marti Cifuentes, the Ghanian destroyer possesses all of the ingredients to become a "top-notch" centre-back and given the bags of potential he's got, it's no surprise to see a plethora of clubs queuing up for his signature in January.

Standing at 6 foot 1 and possessing a stocky build, Adjei can provide a similar physical presence akin to Jansson having won an impressive 61% of his total duels, 62% of his aerial duels, averaged 2.7 clearances and recovered 4.3 balls per game in the Allsvenskan in 2023, as per Sofascore.

Statistic

Figure

Clean sheets

5

Balls recovered

4.3

Successful dribbles

0.4 (82%)

Aerial duels won

1.9 (62%)

Accurate passes per game

40.8 (88%)

All stats via Sofascore

Unlike the domineering Swede, however, the 21-year-old is excellent with the ball at his feet and has the ability to split the lines with his passing range, short or long.

In the Hammarby squad, he averaged the third-highest pass completion (88%) and averaged the third most accurate long balls per game (3.5).

With Leeds looking to build from the back under Farke, the calmness Adjei provides in possession would fit into the heart of their back like a glove.

Also, given how difficult a proposition it looks for Leeds to land Joe Rodon on a permanent deal from Tottenham Hotspur – with a staggering £20m asking price having been mooted – the Ghanaian could offer a long-term solution to that problem.

For once Middlesex posted a challenging total but they were consigned to bottom spot as Kent overhauled it with three balls to spare

ECB Reporters Network12-Aug-2018

Alex Blake kept Kent’s last-eight hopes alive•Getty Images

ScorecardHalf-centuries from Alex Blake and Daniel Bell-Drummond helped Kent hold their nerve and land a three-wicket Vitality Blast T20 win over Middlesex with three balls to spare in Beckenham.Local lad Blake clattered five sixes as the run-chase pressure reached its peak as Kent secured a sixth South Group win that maintains their qualification hopes, while consigning Middlesex to the bottom berth.Managing director of cricket for Middlesex, Angus Fraser failed to take many positives from his sides 10th defeat of the campaign. He said: “I’ve just been up in the dressing room and the players are hurting. They’re fed up of losing. They’re not arrogant to think they can go out there expecting to win, but to keep shaking the opposition’s hands and saying ‘well done’ is starting to get a bit thin.”There was huge frustration today because we’d got ourselves into a reasonable position having batted well, but then we didn’t have a great Powerplay with the ball – which has been a problem for us throughout the whole tournament.”Setting out in pursuit of the Middlesex total of 189 for 7 at an asking rate of 9.5 an over, Spitfires lost Joe Denly for four when his attempted pull in Tom Barber’s opening over grazed the bottom edge for John Simpson to hold on to a spectacular low catch.Kent regrouped as Heino Kuhn clubbed their first six with a back-foot force over cover that raised the home 50 after only 4.1 overs. Kuhn laced three boundaries in the next over, but James Harris had his revenge in plucking out the South African’s off stump to make it 61 for 2.Sam Billings and Daniel Bell-Drummond pushed and ran well to keep the board ticking at seven or eight an over without risk to raise their side’s 100 at the mid-point of the reply.The third-wicket pair added 42 before Billings chipped a simple catch to long-on off Patel, but Bell-Drummond went on to post his 12th short-form 50 from 29 balls and with six fours and a six.Alex Blake upped the tempo with a six off Patel, who conceded 14 in his final over, but Harris, the former Kent loanee, returned to dismiss top-scorer Bell-Drummond for 62 as the right-hander backed away aiming to cut.Crawley’s T20 batting debut lasted four balls before he went leg before when reverse sweeping against Paul Stirling as Kent, for the first time, fell behind the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern asking rate after 17 overs.With 40 required off 18 balls, Blake, who played his club cricket in Beckenham, unwound to take a brace of sixes and a couple of fours as Barber’s over cost 22.Sean Dickson gifted Harris a third scalp when he chipped to deep midwicket but Blake clubbed the next ball over the mid-wicket ropes to pots his 23-ball 50 and leave Kent needing nine off the last over from James Fuller.Blake opened the face to clear the ropes over point to reduce the target to three, but was caught at deep mid-wicket next ball up to go for 57 from 27 balls, leaving Haggett to glance the next ball for a victorious boundary.Bowling first after winning the toss in light drizzle, Kent made a sloppy start offering too much width in the opening overs allowing Paul Stirling to crash a trio of fours in Denly’s opening over, while Dawid Malan collected four and the game’s first six off the third from Mitch Claydon.Malan, available and with a point to prove following his exclusion from England’s Test squad, cleared the ropes in the next overs from Adam Milne and Calum Haggett as Middlesex raised their 50 from only 27 balls.By the end of the powerplay Spitfires had leaked 10 fours and three sixes enabling Middlesex to canter to 71 without loss during the Powerplay.The hosts made their first breakthrough after 6.1 overs when Malan chipped a meek return catch to Denly to depart for 36 off only 19 balls then, Imran Qayyum struck in his first over, having Stirling caught at backward point off a mis-timed slash to make it 76 for two.Bell-Drummond’s second delivery in T20 cricket was dispatched over the long-on ropes for six by John Simpson as Middlesex raised their 100 in the 10th over.Qayyum returned to have Eoin Morgan caught off a skier at long on then Simpson departed for 29 in near identical fashion against Denly, who rattled James Fuller’s stumps four balls later to finish with three for 25.Qayyum’s figures were ruined when James Franklin clubbed three sixes in his final over as he and Stevie Eskinazi added 49 for the sixth wicket before Franklin and George Scott departed in Claydon’s final over of the innings.

A video of Jude Bellingham’s heated debate with Aurelien Tchouameni has gone viral, with it now revealed who the Real Madrid stars were talking about.

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• Blancos stars in dressing room debate
• Were considered to be assessing strikers
• Actually talking about Bayern centre-halves

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  With the clip in question bleeping out the names of those at the centre of the discussion, many leapt to the conclusion that Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe were the subjects of a chat between two men that have played alongside the Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain superstars.

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• (C)Getty Images
  

  WHAT TCHOUAMENI SAID

  Tchouameni insists that was not the case, as it was actually two centre-halves on the books at Bayern Munich that saw the England and France internationals argue the cases for their fellow countrymen. Tchouameni has told : “We weren’t talking about Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. We were talking about Eric Dier and Dayot Upamecano. Jude was talking about Dier and I was talking about Dayot. It will sell less but it’s the truth.”

  He added on the debate that never happened with Bellingham: “I prefer Mbappe. Haaland is a great player, but I prefer Mbappe.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Bellingham and Tchouameni may be joined at Santiago Bernabeu this summer by World Cup winner Mbappe, as he runs his contract down at PSG. The 25-year-old has a lot on his plate at present, with Tchouameni saying of some big decisions that await his compatriot: “I can’t say whether he’s talking more about Real Madrid or the Olympics, because I haven’t talked to him about that yet.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  France are hoping to include Mbappe in their squad for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, but it has been suggested that Real Madrid will look to block those plans – with the prolific frontman also set to represent his country at Euro 2024 this summer.

Trailblazing openly-gay footballer Josh Cavallo has announced that he is engaged in a beautiful Instagram post.

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• Cavallo came out in 2021
• First openly-gay footballer in top-flight professional football
• Proposed to his partner on the pitch

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Cavallo became the first openly-gay male footballer when he came out in 2021, inspiring others to follow suit; Blackpool player Jake Daniels credited Cavallo's openness for leading to his own coming out. And Cavallo has now announced that he is engaged to his partner, Leighton Morrell, having proposed on the pitch at Coopers Stadium, where his club Adelaide United play their home games.

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• WHAT CAVALLO SAID

  Cavallo posted a heartfelt Instagram message, reading: "Starting this year with my fiance. Mr and Mr coming soon. Thank you Adelaide United for helping set up this surprise.

  "Your endless support has meant so much to me. You have provided a safe space in football, one that I never in my dreams thought could ever be possible and encouraged me to live every day of my life authentically. It felt right to share this special moment on the pitch, where it all started."

• THE GOSSIP

  While Cavallo is one of the most notable LGBTQIA+ names in Australian sport, his now-fiance has a far more down-to-earth profession: he is an electrician. In inspired fashion, on Instagram, he goes by the name the 'Sparkly Sparky'.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  The happy couple will surely begin planning their wedding, which is likely to be a huge occasion in Australia. Adelaide next play on Friday against Newcastle Jets.

Eight Pakistan Super League matches are set to be played in Pakistan next year, according to the PCB chairman Najam Sethi. It was also confirmed that UAE will continue to be the main venue for the league, where the rest of it be scheduled. The idea of having the entire tournament in Pakistan, ESPNcricinfo understands, is deemed logistically “not feasible” at this stage.Pakistan had concerns as their home season in the UAE runs alongside various other leagues slotted in the UAE, which hurts the PCB’s commercial rights. As a result, a clash has been brewing between the PCB and Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), forcing the former to explore other venues. However, the PCB has reached a deal with the ECB and retained the UAE as the venue for their home season. The ECB will avoid overlapping other tournaments with Pakistan’s home series, and agreed to keep the PSL free of other cricket in the country. In addition, no cricket will be played in the country for at least six weeks before the PSL starts.Pakistan are also due to host New Zealand and Australia later this year. The schedule for the series has been organised in a way it avoids clashing with the Afghanistan T20 league and Emirates T20 league in the season, both of which are scheduled to be held in the UAE. Both the PCB, as well as the six PSL franchise owners, met in Lahore on Tuesday to evaluate the potential threats to their league in UAE, with the Afghan T20, the T10 and Emirates T20 league the major reasons for concern. ESPNcricinfo understands that there is a reluctance to host the PSL in the UAE, but with alternatives in short supply, the PCB has come to a decision. The board has also decided to host eight games in Pakistan across three venues; Lahore and Karachi are confirmed as two of them, with a third yet to be decided on.Pakistan doesn’t yet have the ability to host the entire PSL in Pakistan, what with the resources that extensive security arrangements will likely demand. It will also require enlisting the help of local governments, and all these factors, according to the PCB chairman, rule this out as an option.”Eventually the whole PSL will come back to Pakistan one day, but at this stage it’s not feasible,” Sethi told ESPNcricinfo. “With every passing year, things are improving and, from the first to the third edition, we have continued to have more games in Pakistan. Next year eight or more games will come to Pakistan.”Not all stadiums are fully ready to host PSL matches at present, with several needing extensive renovations. Size of the seating area is also an issue in certain stadiums, particularly Faisalabad and Rawalpindi. Multan is a potentially viable venue, but arrangements to stay overnight in the city aren’t quite up to the mark just yet. In a surprise move, the Muzaffarabad Stadium in Kashmir is being explored as a venue, in which case teams would likely have to be flown in and out via helicopter.In separate proceedings, the PCB is at loggerheads with the franchises over the broadcast bid committee, with Multan Sultans understood to have been demanded representation for the franchises on the broadcast bid committee, which Sethi refused. The PCB is set to sell its broadcasting rights now that the original three-year cycle has come to an end, with the entire commercial and title sponsorship deal to be revised ahead of the fourth edition for a further period of three years.According to the PCB, the franchises, being stakeholders, can only have a “consultative role” in commercial deals such as broadcasting and title sponsorship deals.”The consensus in the PCB is that there could be conflict of interest if franchises were given representation on the broadcast bid committee in view of the other business interests franchises have. There are also issues of disclosure of information since most franchisees have media partnerships,” Sethi said. “It’s our prerogative to safeguard the interest of the PSL to get maximum revenues. Broadcasting deals and bidding processes are extremely confidential and sensitive matters.”One out of six franchises is reportedly in dispute over payments with the PCB. It is understood the PCB was considering terminating the franchise over non-payment, but the Multan Sultans owner came to the rescue, convincing the PCB to allow them another 48 hours to make payment arrangements. The franchise owner, when approached, confirmed that USD 600,000 was owed, but claimed the PCB hadn’t shared revenue fairly, and he believed it was the PCB who owed the franchise money instead.ESPNcricinfo’s investigations suggest all other franchises have cleared any outstanding financial obligations they had to the PCB.

أسفرت قرعة مباريات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز موسم 2024/2025 عن مواجهة ستجمع آرسنال وولفرهامبتون في الجولة الأولى من البطولة.

وتقام مباراة آرسنال وولفرهامبتون يوم السبت 17 أغسطس، على ملعب “الإمارات” في تمام الساعة الخامسة عصرًا بتوقيت “القاهرة”.

بينما سيشهد شهر سبتمبر المقبل مباراتين من العيار الثقيل للجانرز وكتيبة المدرب، ميكل أرتيتا، بمواجهة توتنهام في ديربي لندن يوم 14 ومانشستر سيتي يوم 21 وكلاهما خارج الديار.

وكان آرسنال في الموسم الماضي قد أنهى البطولة في المركز الثاني وخسر اللقب في الجولة الأخيرة أمام مانشستر سيتي بفارق نقطتين فقط.

اقرأ أيضًا.. تعرف على مواعيد وتوقيتات الجولة الأولى من الدوري الإنجليزي

Kicking us off 👊

Our opening 6️⃣ Premier League fixtures — Arsenal (@Arsenal) June 18, 2024

مواعيد مباريات آرسنال في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز 2024/2025

أغسطس

السبت 17 ولفرهامبتون واندررز (الآمارات) – الساعة 5 مساءً بتوقيت “القاهرة”

السبت 24 أستون فيلا (خارج الأرض)

السبت 31 برايتون وهوف ألبيون (الآمارات)

سبتمبر

السبت 14 توتنهام هوتسبر (خارج الأرض)

السبت 21 مانشستر سيتي (خارج الأرض)

السبت 28 ليستر سيتي (الآمارات)

اكتوبر

السبت 5 ساوثهامبتون (الآمارات)

السبت 19 بورنموث (خارج الأرض)

السبت 26 ليفربول (الآمارات)

نوفمبر

السبت 2 نيوكاسل يونايتد (خارج الأرض)

السبت 9 تشيلسي (خارج الأرض)

السبت 23 نوتنجهام فورست (الآمارات)

السبت 30 وست هام يونايتد (خارج الأرض)

ديسمبر

الثلاثاء 3 مانشستر يونايتد (الآمارات)

السبت 7 فولهام (خارج الأرض)

السبت 14 إيفرتون (الآمارات)

السبت 21 كريستال بالاس (خارج الأرض)

الخميس 26 إبسويتش تاون (الآمارات)

الأحد 29 برينتفورد (خارج الأرض)

يناير 2025

السبت 4 برايتون وهوف ألبيون (خارج الأرض)

الثلاثاء 14 توتنهام هوتسبر (الآمارات)

السبت 18 أستون فيلا (الآمارات)

السبت 25 ولفرهامبتون واندررز (خارج الأرض)

فبراير

السبت 1 مانشستر سيتي (الآمارات)

السبت 15 ليستر سيتي (خارج الأرض)

السبت 22 وست هام يونايتد (الآمارات)

الثلاثاء 25 نوتنجهام فورست (خارج الأرض)

مارس

السبت 8 مانشستر يونايتد (خارج الأرض)

السبت 15 تشيلسي (الآمارات)

أبريل

الثلاثاء 1 فولهام (الآمارات)

السبت 5 إيفرتون (خارج الأرض)

السبت 12 برينتفورد (الآمارات)

السبت 19 إبسويتش تاون (خارج الأرض)

السبت 26 كريستال بالاس (الآمارات)

مايو

السبت 3 بورنموث (الآمارات)

السبت 10 ليفربول (خارج الأرض)

الأحد 18 نيوكاسل يونايتد (الآمارات)

الأحد 25 ساوثهامبتون (خارج الأرض)

In a game that Rajasthan Royals had to win to stay in playoff contention, their opener Jos Buttler struck his fourth fifty in a row to seal a four-wicket final-over win against CSK

The Report by Sreshth Shah11-May-20183:57

‘Buttler’s 95, one of the innings of the IPL’

Jos Buttler’s fourth consecutive IPL fifty, and K Gowtham’s decisive four-ball 13 in the 19th over of the chase helped seal Rajasthan Royals’ final-over win against Chennai Super Kings to keep them in contention for the playoffs.Buttler made 95 of Royals’ total of 177, hitting 11 boundaries and two sixes, but the chase got closer than Royals would’ve liked. They needed 38 off the last three overs, but four sixes – one from Stuart Binny (22) and three from Buttler and Gowtham – helped Royals win the match with one ball to spare.The win took Royals to sixth on the points table; they are now tied, on ten points with fourth- and fifth-placed Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders respectively.Raina, Watson rebuild after early wobbleThe early wicket of Super Kings’ top scorer – Ambati Rayudu – could’ve sent CSK into panic, but Suresh Raina made it a productive Powerplay by finding the boundary five times in the 16 balls he played in that phase. That had sent Raina racing to 29, and allowed Shane Watson to find his footing. Both batsmen carefully saw off a couple of post-Powerplay overs, but then struck a six each off Ish Sodhi’s second over to pick up 16 off the ninth. By the time Jofra Archer dismissed Watson in the 12th over, the pair had put up 86 off 56 balls.Raina reached his 45th T20 fifty but perished soon after, trying to accelerate in the 13th. He failed to pick a googly from Sodhi, and his sweep was top-edged to Binny at short fine leg. From 105 for 1, CSK had quickly stuttered to 119 for 3 with two new batsmen at the crease.Royals choke CSK’s batsmen at the deathFrom overs 14 to 19, CSK managed only three shots to the boundary – one each off Ben Stokes, Jaydev Unadkat and Archer – as Royals fought back by either bowling pinpoint yorkers or going full and wide to MS Dhoni and Sam Billings. The Royals’ bowlers couldn’t seem to break the partnership but were economical nonetheless.Despite having seven wickets in hand, CSK managed only 45 runs in the last six overs and were pushing towards a below-par total before Billings and Dhoni managed to eke out 12 off the 20th over to take CSK to 176. Sodhi and Stokes both went for under eight per over.The Buttler did it, againIn the 11-year history of the tournament, only two players – Virat Kohli and Virender Sehwag – had previously struck four fifties in a row. But, Buttler joined that list on Friday by producing his highest-score of the tournament. He came in with another new opening partner, this time Ben Stokes, but Buttler farmed the strike for the first two overs. He found the boundary off six of those 12 balls, and raced away to 27.It was only in the third over that Stokes finally faced his first ball, but was bowled by a slider from Harbhajan Singh after hitting the offspinner for ten off two deliveries. Royals captain Ajinkya Rahane fell for 4 soon after, but Buttler went his way, rotating the strike with the incoming Sanju Samson and finding the odd boundary to reach fifty off just 26 deliveries in the eighth over. And then, as he has done often this season, he pulled back the strike-rate in a bid to anchor the rest of the innings.The dismissals of Samson and debutant Prashant Chopra gave CSK a look-in in the 13th over, but with the aggressive Binny for company, Buttler held back to let his partner play the big shots. Binny was out in the 18th over after hitting a six over long-on, but by then the equation had come down to 31 off 14 deliveries.Royals, however, were still behind the eight-ball with overs from Dwayne Bravo and David Willey still to come. But the incoming Gowtham teed off twice in the space of three legal deliveries to bring the equation down to 12 off seven. Gowtham fell off the final ball of the 19th, but his four-ball blitz had done the job.Needing 12, Buttler took strike off the final over, and finished the game himself. First, he dragged two yorkers into the leg side to pick up four runs, before picking a slower ball and slugging it over midwicket for six. And then with two needed off two, Buttler cut the ball to extra cover and collected the two required – one of them via a needless overthrow from Watson – to complete the job.

Manchester United continued their mixed start to the new Premier League season with a frustrating 3-1 defeat away to rivals Arsenal at the weekend, with Erik ten Hag's men having now picked up just two wins from their opening four games to leave them languishing in mid-table heading into the international break.

Amid the disappointment of slipping up late on against the Gunners, a major cause for concern for United was the makeshift defensive partnership that ended the game at the Emirates, with Ten Hag forced to deploy former skipper Harry Maguire alongside fellow substitute, Jonny Evans for the closing stages.

While that scenario was largely a result of misfortune, it is hardly ideal to have to turn to those experienced, yet perhaps flawed figures, particularly with Evans – who re-joined the club earlier this summer – something of a veteran asset and with Maguire having appeared in line for an exit from Old Trafford last month, after being stripped of the captaincy.

The hope will be that this much-needed halt to proceedings will ensure that the Red Devils' usual starting options are fit to return when play resumes, with that Evans-Maguire axis unlikely to inspire too much confidence if they are to line up together again any time soon.

Who is currently injured for Man United?

Those late substitutions had been forced upon Ten Hag following the loss of Lisandro Martinez late on due to a foot injury, with the World Cup winner having only recently missed the latter stages of the previous campaign due to a fractured metatarsal.

Encouragingly, the 25-year-old has since travelled to link up with his Argentina teammates on international duty, albeit with it not totally certain at present as to whether he will be fit to feature for his country, with the full nature of the injury to be assessed.

With Raphael Varane already sidelined for at least the next few weeks, it was then also a real setback to see his replacement Victor Lindelof withdrawn against Mikel Arteta's side, with the Sweden star believed to have been struggling with illness during that frustrating loss.

To make matters even worse, Ten Hag is also not able to call upon Luke Shaw as a makeshift centre-back option as the Englishman looks set for an extended period on the sidelines, while Tyrell Malacia – who has featured in that role on occasion for his country as part of a back three – is currently on the treatment table.

That raft of issues could well force Ten Hag's hand over the coming weeks and months, with it perhaps wise for the Dutchman to consider turning to the academy ranks to find a possible solution, such as FA Youth Cup-winning captain, Rhys Bennett.

Who is Rhys Bennett?

The 19-year-old is still waiting to make his senior bow for the Red Devils after rising up through the academy ranks, although the teenager has certainly been part of Ten Hag's thinking in recent times, notably featuring in the pre-season friendly win over Leeds United.

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While the centre-back did sustain an injury of his own during that 2-0 triumph – after also being sidelined during the second half of last season – that complaint was believed to be "minor", hence ensuring that he should be in line for selection if Ten Hag is to look his way.

That was not the youngster's first involvement in the first team, however, as he also played his part in the mid-season clash with Real Betis during the World Cup break back in December, with experienced teammate Tom Heaton noting that his young compatriot was "excellent" against the La Liga side.

Hailed as a "natural leader" and a "good character" by journalist Samuel Luckhurst, Bennett held the trophy aloft after scoring in the FA Youth Cup showpiece victory over Nottingham Forest back in May 2022, as United tasted glory in the competition for the first time since 2011.

Having led the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho amid that glorious success, the £730-per-week titan will no doubt be hoping to follow in the footsteps of his former youth colleagues by establishing himself in the first-team sooner rather than later.

What does the future hold for Rhys Bennett?

As stated above, a competitive senior bow has yet to emerge for the Manchester native, although it looks likely that the defender will have an important role to play at the club in the years to come, having only recently signed a new contract, alongside midfielder Dan Gore.

That show of faith would indicate that Bennett is certainly a player who is held in high regard by those at Old Trafford, with it perhaps time that his chance does finally come to impress at the elite level.

While there was perhaps just cause for bringing in a former title winner like Evans to help bolster the squad and offer his experience around the dressing room, it should not be the case that Ten Hag favours an ageing, 35-year-old ahead of what could well be a promising individual such as Bennett.

The Northern Ireland international hardly enjoyed the best of outings in that recent clash in north London after failing to prevent Declan Rice's effort which helped to fire the hosts into the lead, with Luckhurst writing for Manchester Evening News that the former Leicester City man was 'all over the place' for the goal.

It was, of course, a case of needs must as far as Ten Hag was concerned on the day, yet with Bennett seemingly edging his way back from his own injury setback earlier in the summer – having carried out individual training of late – it could be the younger man who establishes himself as the standout reserve option behind the likes of Martinez and Lindelof.

It would likely be a gamble for the former Ajax boss to turn to a figure who is yet to enjoy a taste of life at senior level, although United have a rich history with regard to promoting from within and giving chances to academy assets.

While Evans is a player at the tail-end of an undoubtedly impressive career, it could be the start of an exciting journey for Bennett at the Theatre of Dreams.

Arsenal are considering strengthening their defence before the end of the transfer window, as Mikel Arteta assesses his options following Jurrien Timber’s significant injury blow.

Recent reports have revealed who the Gunners could target as a result, with a host of dazzling names among those that could arrive at the Emirates.

Despite already spending over £200m this summer, Arteta and Edu look poised to re-enter the market to add to the club’s defensive depth, with Timber being the only defender recruited so far.

The Dutchman left the pitch just 50 minutes into his Premier League debut, suffering a knee injury that will see him out of action for a number of months, once again leaving the north Londoners short at the back.

Who could Arsenal sign this summer?

In a report by the Express, names such as Marc Guehi and Edmond Tapsoba arose as potential figures that could be targeted by the Gunners, however, a Bundesliga star that has been also eyed by Manchester United has emerged.

Read the latest Arsenal transfer news HERE…

As reported by renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal, the Red Devils and Inter Milan are interested in Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard, who is said to be valued around the €40m (£34m) mark by the Bavarians.

Romano claimed that the Frenchman “could become an option” for the north Londoners, however added that “no decision” had been made as to whether sporting director Edu Gaspar will make a move for his services.

What is Benjamin Pavard’s style of play?

Deployable at both centre-back and right-back, the World Cup winner would typically suit the versatility that Arteta expects in his backline.

Having been lauded as “outstanding” by Bayern president Uli Hoeness, it’s unsurprising that the 27-year-old has generated interest from the Premier League, with his approach to play fitting the narrative wanted by most managers in the top-flight.

An expectation perfected by Pep Guardiola, both centre-backs and full-backs have greater roles to fulfil than simply defend, with an eye for progressive play being pivotal to succeeding in the modern game.

Pavard fits the mould, as echoed by his numbers last term where he averaged 7.48 progressive passes and 1.37 progressive carries per 90, as well as maintaining an average pass completion rate of 88.3%, via FBref.

Likened to Manchester City star Nathan Ake based on his statistical profile provided by FBref, the 27-year-old machine could be another shrewd example of Arteta taking note of Guardiola’s expertise to great effect.

Last campaign, the squad was bolstered by the Spaniard emulating his former colleagues' exploitation of his full-backs in the inverted role, with the arrival and deployment of Oleksandr Zinchenko a fine example.

A new opportunity is now there for the Arsenal boss to equip his side with his own version of Ake in Pavard.

Like the Frenchman, the 28-year-old can play both on the flank and in central defence, with his versatility used to City’s advantage by adding depth and handing him a position in which he can showcase his defensive and offensive ability.

Within his ranks, Guardiola has a reel of dynamic defensive talent, all of which being first-team quality, which is where the Gunners fell short to City last term.

By signing Pavard, Arteta could bridge the gap on the treble winners in terms of squad quality, as well as having his answer to their reliable Dutchman in a player who is multidimensional in his defensive approach.

Leeds United have endured a tough transfer window, made even more frustrating when sure-thing deals begin to fall through. However, Daniel Farke cannot allow himself to become complacent amidst all the misery…

Who are Leeds United signing this summer?

In what promised to be a summer of vast revolution in Yorkshire, it has instead seen a mass exodus with little recuperation, as ten first-team players have departed with just four having been brought in.

This frustration was exacerbated when, despite seemingly agreeing a deal to sign Max Aarons from Norwich City, late interest from AFC Bournemouth spurred him to make a late change of heart. He would instead join the south coast club for £7m, breaking the hearts of Leeds fans and his former boss in one fell swoop.

Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…

However, journalist Dean Jones has now suggested an alternative that could allow them to speedily move on, with the availability of Djed Spence a fine option for them to explore. Especially given how out of favour he has fallen at Tottenham Hotspur despite joining for £20m back in 2022.

The transfer insider told GIVEMESPORT:

"Yeah, I think in the light of the Max Aarons move not working out it seems like a good idea to explore the situation with Spence.

"There’s huge competition at right-back at Spurs, and while there’s been a resistance to letting him out so far, I think that might have to change at the very end of the window. Both Leeds and Southampton should probably be interested in something like that if it came about."

How good is Djed Spence?

As a couple of young, dynamic, English full-backs, it would be easy for the Elland Road faithful to get behind such a talented ace who could not only help their current situation, but lead them into a brighter future too.

After all, before moving to north London, the former Middlesbrough star had shone in the Championship, particularly on loan with Nottingham Forest.

Yet, as Antonio Conte was guilty of with many players, the 23-year-old saw his chances limited before being forced out to France on loan to reignite a stuttering career.

It is his exploits at the City Ground, which massively aided their Premier League return, that Farke should keep fresh in his memory, as the speedster offered plenty at both ends of the pitch in a way potentially even more potent than Aarons has ever shown.

Spence featured 42 times during that league campaign, posting six goal contributions as he marauded down that right flank. However, despite his one key pass per game he never shirked his defensive responsibilities, also maintaining 1.5 interceptions and 1.4 tackles per game, alongside 15 clean sheets, via Sofascore.

Such form caught the attention of many, with former Forest star Brian Laws leading the praise:

"His rise has been remarkable. He has been the standout player in the Forest side and we are talking about a full-back. Full-backs do not tend to get many headlines. He grabs them by the handful. In every single game, he has a positive impact.

"He has power going forward, he has electric pace, he has an abundance of skill, he can drop his shoulder, step-over, go inside or outside — he is a major threat. I’ve been impressed with his one-to-one defending. He is decent on the back post, he is strong in the air.

"There is nothing I have seen that you could call a weakness.”

Then, to compare those earlier figures with Aarons' most recent full Championship campaign, it is clear that there is little to no comparison to be made. His 2022/23 league term saw him average a 6.78 rating, scoring once, assisting twice and recording just one interception and 1.9 tackles per game, via Sofascore.

He too may have pace, but it seems Spence has already learnt how to harness that into a tangible threat. Perhaps a return to the second tier could help reignite his career, and help fans forget about the former Canaries ace in a heartbeat.