Newcastle United are now reportedly preparing a big-money offer to sign a Champions League star, who finished in the top 10 of the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

Eddie Howe drops Yoane Wissa update

It was such a frantic summer at St James’ Park that it’s sometimes easy to forget that Newcastle still have Yoane Wissa waiting in the wings. The striker is yet to kick a ball for the Magpies after suffering an injury on international duty not long after his £55m move from Brentford.

That could soon change, however. Eddie Howe recently took the chance to provide an update on his summer signing, who would certainly provide his side with a much-needed attacking boost.

The Magpies won’t want to rush Wissa back, but the fact that he is back training with the team is certainly a positive sign. With fixtures set to come thick and fast across the festive period too, they could do with every option possible available.

Whether Wissa’s return changes Newcastle’s January transfer plans is another question. It will potentially allow them to maintain their focus on signing an added midfield star and another winger.

The likes of Manu Kone have already been linked with a move to Tyneside this week and it’s becoming clear that Newcastle are keen to reinforce their midfield in 2026.

They could also land an instant upgrade on the struggling Anthony Elanga. The winger is yet to make his mark at the club, despite becoming one of the most expensive signings in Newcastle history in the summer and could now be replaced by a sensational move for Raphinha.

Newcastle readying big-money Raphinha offer

According to reports in Spain, Newcastle are now readying a big-money offer to sign Raphinha as PIF look to intensify their pursuit. The Barcelona star finished as high as fifth in the 2025 Ballon d’Or and could now be on his way back to the Premier League in sensational fashion.

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The former Leeds United man would transform Newcastle into a consistent Champions League side and the prospect of a partnership between himself and Nick Woltemade is certainly something to get excited about. In Raphina, the Magpies would be signing “one of the best players in the world”, according to Barcelona legend Romario.

Just how willing Barcelona are to sell one of their main men is the question. As usual, it’s worth noting that they could certainly do with the financial boost that a sale would hand them and this may be their final chance to cash in on 28-year-old Raphinha.

Joelinton upgrade: PIF pursuing £44m Newcastle move for "one-man army"

Reunited with RCB director Mo Bobat after making the switch from Trent Rockets

Matt Roller03-Oct-2025

Andy Flower is the new London Spirit coach•MCC

Andy Flower has been appointed men’s coach at London Spirit, reunited with director of cricket Mo Bobat after they took Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their maiden IPL title earlier this year. Flower takes over from Justin Langer after his side finished seventh out of eight in his first – and only – season in charge.Bobat was appointed director of cricket earlier this year by Spirit’s new owners and opted not to renew Langer’s contract. He has instead convinced Flower to leave Trent Rockets after a five-year association – which featured a title-winning season in 2022 – on a multi-year contract ahead of the 2026 season.MCC and the ‘Tech Titans’, a consortium of high net-worth individuals including the chief executives of Google, YouTube, Microsoft and Adobe, took operational control of the Spirit earlier this week. They will run the franchise as a joint-venture, with MCC retaining a controlling 51% stake and four out of seven board seats.”I’m delighted that we’ve been able to secure Andy’s services as our men’s head coach,” Bobat said. “Andy and I have enjoyed a strong working relationship in the past, and I’m looking forward to building something special with him at London Spirit as we enter this new and exciting phase for the franchise.”Related

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Flower said he was “deeply grateful” to have spent the last five years at the Rockets and “hugely excited” to join the Spirit. “It’s a real privilege to be part of such an iconic venue and organisation. I’m also thrilled to be working once again with Mo, and for the first time with both MCC and the Tech Titans.”The Spirit were women’s champions in 2024 but have consistently underperformed in the men’s Hundred. They have won just 12 of their 38 completed matches, with five of those coming in 2022 when Eoin Morgan captained them to the knockout stages for the only time in their short history.Langer brought in Kane Williamson as captain this year and recruited David Warner alongside him at the top of the order, but they only won three out of eight matches to finish second-bottom.MCC have also appointed Donna-Maria Cullen to the Spirit’s board, after she stepped down from her role as an executive director at Tottenham Hotspur FC. Cullen joins Julian Metherell, Rob Lawson and Morgan as MCC’s representatives, with Nikesh Arora (Palo Alto Networks), Satyan Gajwani (Times Internet) and Egon Durban (Silver Lake) taking the Tech Titans’ board seats.The franchise have confirmed that they will play under the same name next year, but are planning a major brand refresh over the winter which could see them incorporate MCC’s egg-and-bacon colours into their kit – most likely as detailing, rather than the primary colour.Six of the eight deals in the Hundred’s new ownership structure were signed off in July, with Nottinghamshire (Cain/Ares) and Surrey (Reliance) expected to confirm their respective deals for Trent Rockets and Oval Invincibles next week ahead of a Hundred board meeting later this month.

Leeds United are currently one point above the relegation zone in the Premier League after picking up 11 points from their first 11 matches of the 2025/26 campaign.

Whilst it has not been a disastrous start for the Championship champions, there are already some eyes wandering to the January transfer window with a view to the club bolstering the squad with new recruits.

Adding more goals to the team may be one of the priorities for the 49ers ahead of the window, as Daniel Farke’s side have only scored 11 goals in their 11 league matches.

Noah Okafor, Joe Rodon, and Lukas Nmecha are all currently tied on two goals in the Premier League this season, making them the club’s joint-top scorers.

25/26

Noah Okafor

Joe Rodon

Lukas Nmecha

2

22/23

Rodrigo

13

21/22

Raphinha

11

20/21

Patrick Bamford

17

As you can see in the table above, Leeds look to be on course for their first top-flight campaign without a player in double figures for goals for the first time since they were promoted under Marcelo Bielsa in 2020.

What the Whites would give to have Raphinha back at Elland Road for a second spell, as the Brazil international was a sensational signing by Victor Orta and Bielsa.

Where Raphinha ranks among Leeds signings since 2020

The left-footed forward was signed from Rennes for a fee of £18m in the summer of 2020 after Leeds had won the Championship title in the 2019/20 campaign.

It is hard to argue against Raphinha being the best signing that the club have made since their promotion in 2020, as he was a superstar for the Whites and earned them a significant profit upon his eventual departure.

The Brazilian phenomenon ranked first in the squad for ‘big chances’ created in both the 2020/21 and 2021/22 campaign, with 12 in the first and ten in the second, per Sofascore, which speaks to how important he was as a creative force.

Appearances

30

35

Goals

6

11

Big chances missed

4

6

Big chances created

12

10

Key passes per game

2.1

1.9

Assists

9

3

Dribbles completed per game

1.9

1.8

Raphinha, as shown in the statistics above, also provided a big threat as a scorer of goals, with a return of 17 strikes in 65 Premier League games for the Whites in total.

Leeds were relegated the season after he left the club and no players in the squad hit double figures for ‘big chances’ created, per Sofascore, which speaks to the impact that his exit had on the team.

His £55m move to Barcelona in 2022 was also a club-record sale for Leeds, which remains the case today, and this is another reason why he must be considered their best signing since 2020, due to his undeniable impact on the pitch and the money that his sale generated.

He was an exciting signing at the time of his arrival in 2020, as a technically brilliant Brazilian forward coming in from Ligue 1, and the club could recapture that level of excitement with one of their targets for the next window.

Leeds lining up move for Premier League star

According to MOTLeedsNews, Leeds United are lining up a potential swoop to sign Manchester United central midfielder Kobbie Mainoo in the upcoming January transfer window.

The report claims that the Whites were interested in a move for the England international in the summer window, but the Red Devils were unwilling to sanction an exit at the time.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

It states that ‘all signs’ point to a January exit from Old Trafford for Mainoo, due to his lack of game time this season, and that Leeds are keeping tabs on his situation with a view to a move for his signature.

However, MOTLeedsNews reveals that the main priority for the Whites is to sign a new number nine to bolster their attack, with any deal for the United midfielder on the back burner until they get that done.

If Leeds do land a new striker and go on to sign Mainoo on loan for the second half of the 2025/26 campaign, the central midfielder could be the most exciting signing since Raphinha.

Why Leeds should sign Kobbie Mainoo

In September, it was reported that a £79m price tag had been placed on the English starlet amid interest from Real Madrid, as United looked to scare teams off an attempt to sign him on a permanent basis.

£79m is £43.5m more than Leeds have ever spent on a player and £24m more than the club have ever sold a player for, which shows that Mainoo may be the most valuable player in the club’s history, even if he only joins on loan.

It would be an incredibly exciting signing for supporters and surely viewed as an ambitious move by neutrals, because the midfield star has made 80 appearances for Manchester United and been capped ten times by England, per Transfermarkt, despite not turning 21 until next April.

Mainoo, as explained by Ruben Amorim in the comments above, is in an unfortunate situation at Old Trafford because he has found himself behind club captain and Portuguese star Bruno Fernandes in his position because of the manager’s 3-4-2-1 system.

Before Amorim’s time at United, the English midfielder excelled in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 system under Erik ten Hag in the 2023/24 campaign, which bodes well for a potential move to Leeds, as they are Farke’s two preferred formations at Elland Road.

Take-ons attempted

2.71

Top 20%

Take-ons completed

1.42

Top 18%

Take-on success rate

53.4%

Top 28%

Goal-creating actions (take-ons)

0.09

Top 4%

Goal-creating actions (shot)

0.09

Top 2%

Goal-creating actions (fouls drawn)

0.05

Top 9%

As you can see in the table above, Mainoo earned his place in the England team and as a regular starter for United thanks to his impressive play in possession under the Dutch coach.

The 20-year-old midfield star, who was dubbed “generational” by teammate Rasmus Hojlund, was among the best midfielders in the Premier League at creating chances and carrying his side up the pitch with his ball control and mobility, which could helpd Leeds to improve their dismal goal tally of 11 goals from 11 games.

Mainoo, as shown in the clips above, also provided quality defensively, tracking back to make vital challenges, and showed potential as a goalscorer with five goals in all competitions, per Sofascore.

Therefore, the England international should not be judged by his failure to get into the current United team, as that is almost purely down to the manager’s preferred tactics.

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Leeds United are interested in signing a striker who could save Daniel Farke’s job at Elland Road.

ByDan Emery Nov 15, 2025

Overall, Leeds fans should be incredibly excited by the prospect of signing the young star, as he could be just as exciting a signing as Raphinha was, for different reasons, despite the fact that it would only be a loan deal.

Everton have now been told that they’ll have to pay a record price to sign an attacking reinforcement, who’s also in the sights of German giants Bayern Munich.

Everton plotting attacking additions

Whilst Thierno Barry certainly did his job against Manchester United, his run for a first Everton goal only continued. The fact that the Toffees were down to 10 men didn’t help his chase for that vital goal, but questions about continuing to arrive as to whether David Moyes should look to January for key reinforcements in the striker’s position.

Ahead of the winter window, several names have already been linked with a move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, including Troy Parrott. The Republic of Ireland striker has been in sensational form for club and country this season and grabbed Everton’s attention by scoring five goals in two games to help Ireland into the World Cup playoffs earlier this month.

The former Tottenham Hotspur youngster would be an excellent addition, but so would Celtic’s Daizen Maeda. The Japan international reportedly wants to leave the Scottish club and could do so for as little as £15m in January – allowing Everton to land a bargain deal.

At his best, Maeda scored 33 goals in all competitions for Celtic last season, before struggling to replicate that in an inconsistent side in the current campaign.

So, Everton certainly have options if they do want to add competition to Barry and Beto this winter. So much so that they may not even need to turn towards Parrott or Maeda. Instead, they could sign Franculino Dju from Midtjylland.

Everton told to pay record fee to sign Franculino Dju

According to Danish outlet Tipsbladet, as relayed by Sport Witness, Everton have been told to pay €35m (£31m) to sign Franculino in January, which would break Midtjylland’s transfer record.

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Joined by Bayern Munich and Manchester United in pursuit of the forward, it remains to be seen whether the Toffees are willing to pay such a price to secure his signature after sending scouts to watch him recently.

The Friedkin Group certainly weren’t afraid of splashing the cash in the summer, having made Tyler Dibling their second most-expensive ever signing at £42m and spent £27m on Barry’s arrival.

Dubbed “unstoppable” by scout Jacek Kulig earlier this month, Franculino is well worth the chase for Everton. The 21-year-old has recently taken his total to 19 games in 28 games for the season and that clinical form makes him someone to watch ahead of January.

Everton ready to replace £120,000-a-week star with key January signing

In a must-win Game 6 on Friday night, manager Dave Roberts and the Dodgers turned to Yoshinobu Yamamoto to make his third career World Series start.

Just like his past two outings on baseball’s biggest stage—including a nine-inning gem in Game 2— Yamamoto dazzled in a Dodgers win.

In six strong innings, Yamamoto allowed just one run on five hits with six strikeouts. He handed the game over to the bullpen in the seventh and watched as relievers Roki Sasaki and Tyler Glasnow survived a Halloween-worthy fright in the ninth inning to close out Los Angeles’s 3–1 victory.

The Dodgers and their $350 million payroll are still alive. For the first time since the Nationals defeated the Astros in 2019, the World Series is heading to a Game 7.

There will be baseball in November. But before we head into Saturday, here are three takeaways from the Dodgers’ 3–1 win:

Mookie gets his moment

Heading into Game 6, Mookie Betts hadn’t done much of anything in the World Series.

Through five games, Betts—hitting at the heart of the Dodgers’ order—was batting 3-for-23 (.130) with five strikeouts in 26 plate appearances. His struggles coincided with Los Angeles’s team-wide slump when it scored a total of three runs in the Game 4 and Game 5 losses.

In Game 6, Betts finally came through. With two outs in the third inning and the bases juiced, Betts laced a ground ball into left field to score Shohei Ohtani and Will Smith for a 3–0 lead. It was all the runs that Yamamoto and company would need.

If Betts can continue to swing a hot bat in Game 7, Toronto might be in trouble.

Kevin Gausman was rolling … until he wasn’t

Gausman, who lost the Game 2 pitcher’s duel to Yamamoto, couldn’t have started off Game 6 much better. He struck out the side in the top of the first inning to get Rogers Centre rocking, becoming the 12th pitcher in World Series history to do so in the opening frame. In his first trip through the Dodgers’ batting order, Gausman allowed one hit and struck out seven batters.

It was the second time through Dave Roberts’s lineup that was the issue. Just like in Game 2, it was Smith getting to Gausman first with an RBI double in the third inning to start a three-run rally.

Gausman battled back to finish six strong innings with three earned runs allowed and eight strikeouts. The Blue Jays lost both games Gausman started in the World Series, but the 34-year-old logged two quality starts and 14 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings. That’s nothing to be ashamed of.

Ninth inning nail-biter

Dodgers rookie starter-turned-closer Roki Sasaki got out of the eighth inning scot-free. But he ran into trouble in the ninth when Alejandro Kirk was hit by a pitch and Addison Barger smacked a ground-rule double to left-center field that got stuck in the bottom of the wall.

Had Barger’s hit not been ruled a ground-rule double, the Blue Jays likely would have scored a run, and Barger might have been standing on third base in a one-run game with no outs. Instead, Tyler Glasnow entered in relief and slammed the door.

Glasnow, the presumed Game 7 starter if the Dodgers kept the series alive, entered the game in relief and immediately got Ernie Clement to pop out to first base. The next batter Andrés Giménez looped a line drive to left field that was caught by Enrique Hernández, who fired a throw to second base to double up Barger.

We’ll see you tomorrow night.

MatériaMais Notícias

A KPMG, empresa contratada para auxiliar o Corinthians na renegociação de dívidas, alegou calote e moveu uma ação na justiça para cobrar R$ 1,5 milhão do clube paulista.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Timão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Corinthians

A dívida foi confessada por Duílio Monteiro Alves, ex-mandatário do Corinthians, em documento firmado no dia 30 de dezembro, antepenúltimo de sua gestão. À época, Duílio assegurou à empresa que o montante seria depositado até o dia 20 de janeiro, em uma única parcela, o que não se confirmou. 

O acordo com a KPMG foi assinado em maio de 2021, no primeiro ano de gestão do agora ex-presidente. Na ocasião, o Corinthians vinha de um aumento exponencial em sua dívida, que beirava R$ 1 bilhão segundo o balanço financeiro da época.

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O objetivo da parceria entre as partes era trabalhar na renegociação das dívidas do clube, além de auxiliar na captação de novos recursos para complementar a renda. No entanto, a défice financeiro do clube cresceu drasticamente desde então e hoje ultrapassa o valor de R$ 2 bilhões. 

Ao assumir a presidência do Corinthians, em janeiro de 2024, Augusto Melo encerrou o contrato com a empresa de consultoria e contratou a Ernst & Young para assumir a função.

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CorinthiansFutebol Nacional

By picking for conditions, not reputations, South Africa engineered a rare and hard-earned run of subcontinent success

Firdose Moonda26-Nov-20253:10

Philander: Takes an ‘epic effort’ to beat India at home

They say what makes South Africans unique is that they prefer it when things are tough. Start your World Test Championship (WTC) title defence with back-to-back tours of the subcontinent? Challenge accepted. Win a series in places you haven’t for 18 years (Pakistan) and 25 (India)? Sure. Do it without your captain in the first instance and your premier seamer in the second? Bring it.And while it’s true that South Africans love the bravado of all this, it also holds that none of it happened without careful planning and meticulous attention to detail as they worked their way back up international cricket’s rankings over the last six years.In that time, one of the key things South Africa have got right is selection. It may sound obvious but they’ve picked squads and XIs based solely on who they think can do a job in a specific location, against a specific team, not on reputation, and sometimes not even on form. It hasn’t always seemed obvious – Lungi Ngidi for the WTC final at Lord’s with no red-ball cricket under his belt for ten months, or Tristan Stubbs at No. 3 – but, to date, it has all worked. Over the last two months, better than ever.Related

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For South Africa’s trips to Pakistan and India, recalling Simon Harmer was a masterstroke. It demonstrated how well South Africa have moved on from the issues of the past to make the best choices for the present.Harmer left the country’s cricket in the Kolpak exodus of 2017, and has since had strong opinions about everything from the application of transformation targets to the security of a career in South Africa. Some of what he said has rankled, but most of what he did impressed. On the county circuit, Harmer has been prolific – he has been among the top ten wicket-takers over nine English summers and the leading bowler in three of those. Going to the subcontinent, a record like that could not be ignored.In the grand tradition of phoning a friend, Harmer called Temba Bavuma and Shukri Conrad after watching them lift the Test mace at Lord’s to make himself available again.”Seeing them win the World Test Championship as a South African was an extremely proud moment, especially knowing a lot of people in the change room and what it meant to them,” Harmer said at the post-match press conference after South Africa beat India by 408 runs in the second Test in Guwahati.”Never in a million years did I think that I would have another shot at international cricket” – Simon Harmer•BCCIWinning that title also showed South Africa that their methods work. The 2023-25 cycle was, on paper, not particularly challenging with no matches against England or Australia, and an India series at home. Instead, it was sparse, with six two-match series, and South Africa effectively forfeited one when they sent an understrength side to New Zealand to accommodate for the SA20. That meant there was huge pressure on every match, but coach Conrad had discovered a way.For New Zealand, he called on resources far and wide as he brought offspinner Dane Piedt back from his new life in the United States, and medium-pacer Dane Paterson back from what looked like the road to retirement on the county circuit. Paterson was key to the rest of South Africa’s success, which included series wins in the West Indies and Bangladesh, and then four matches in a row at home. Essentially, South Africa got to the WTC final by thinking creatively, and that would have given Harmer hope they would continue to do so on other assignments – especially as defending champions.Harmer was right. South Africa immediately knew that to win in the subcontinent, not only did they have to pick their best players of spin – Tony de Zorzi, who now has two Test hundreds, both in Asia, for example – they also had to have good spinners. And one thing Harmer had done was become a bloody good spinner. In England, he learnt how to bowl on sometimes unhelpful tracks, and to vary his pace. Ten years after he debuted and was then dropped in India, Harmer was able to show those skills again.”That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do – to be able to look back at the end of my career and say that I was the best version of Simon Harmer that I could be,” he said. “The steps I took when I was dropped from the national side to try and get better. Never in a million years did I think that I would have another shot at international cricket. Never in a million years did I think that I would come to India again. To be here, to win 2-0, to be Player of the Series, it’s pretty special and quite surreal.”South Africa drew their Test series in Pakistan before winning the one in India•AFP/Getty ImagesHe also probably never in a million years thought that he would be South Africa’s highest wicket-taker in India, or have the best bowling average for them in a Test series. But these once-in-a-lifetime things do happen. And there’s a romance to them and to thinking that may just be one-offs. Left-arm spin-bowling allrounder Senuran Muthusamy, for example, is highly unlikely to be picked as a specialist batter in home Tests when South Africa have Zubayr Hamza, Dewald Brevis and Lhuan-dre Pretorius waiting in the wings. Could he have played his best and last Tests on these subcontinent tours?Harmer will ask the same questions. How will we find his way into the South Africa XI when South Africa next play, 11 months from now at home? There, the surfaces will suit seamers, Kagiso Rabada will be back, and Keshav Maharaj is the first-choice spinner. But this is a South Africa team that say and act like they really are for each other – especially now that they have proven to themselves they can win without either Bavuma or Rabada (but maybe not without both at the same time) – and Harmer seems to have made peace with the uncertainty.”I’m quite happy to come and contribute, and I know it’s going to be a different story when we play in different places around the world,” Harmer said. “For now, I’m very happy to play a supporting role. I want to make South African cricket better. If that means that I only get selected in the subcontinent, I’ve got absolutely no issue with that. I want to contribute. I want this team to do well. I want this team to dominate Test cricket for as long as they possibly can.”South Africa’s series wins in Pakistan in 2007, in Bangladesh in 2008, and the drawn series in India in 2008 marked the start of what became their golden period. They went 15 series unbeaten on the road, and notched up victories in England, Australia and Sri Lanka on the way. This time the sequence is slightly different as victory in Bangladesh last year gave them their first win in the subcontinent in a decade, and they drew in Pakistan but won in India. The last of those is a generational achievement which comes at a time when India have never been more powerful – both as a team and as the game’s economic powerhouse.South Africa have announced their aim to make the SA20 the second-best league, but not to have the second-best national team•SA20Though India were beaten by New Zealand at home last year, that was their first Test series loss on their own soil in 12 years. Either side of that, they won the T20 World Cup in 2024, where they defeated South Africa in the final, and the Champions Trophy early in 2025, while their women’s side also beat South Africa in the ODI World Cup earlier this month.And if South Africa needed any more reminding of who controls the game’s global narrative, they need look no further than their own SA20. All six franchises are linked to IPL teams through ownership. Instead of push back, South Africa have embraced it, happily announcing their aim to have the second-best league in the global game, but not, the second-best national team. It has worked as the league has grown to the point where it is the highlight of the summer, especially this one that will have no home Tests as decided by the Future Tours Programme in 2022.Box South Africans in and tell them to find their way out, and they say the situation brings out the best in them. It allows them to show the full range of their ability to “make a plan”, as the South African-ism goes, which applies to anything that needs to get done and then is. Cricket seemed to stop making plans six years ago, when South Africa lost in India, and the administration imploded.It has taken time and trust in themselves and the people put in charge (and a word here for Enoch Nkwe, the head of National Teams and High Performance, who has created the structures under which the current success grows) to get up again. They have, and now they’re running along the toughest of paths and loving it.

Fiorentina have been forced to implement urgent security measures and involve local authorities after players, staff and their families received threats from sections of their own supporters. The alarming situation erupted in the wake of the club’s latest defeat, which leaves them bottom of Serie A and still without a win this season, deepening the crisis in Tuscany.

• Fiorentina pump up security after threats from fans

  Fiorentina’s 3-1 defeat to Sassuolo has sparked one of the darkest moments of the 2025-26 Serie A campaign, with the Viola bottom of the table after 14 winless matches and tensions boiling over among frustrated supporters. In the hours following the result at Reggio Emilia, several players and staff members reported receiving threats, which escalated concerns within the club and forced officials to take immediate action. With the squad enduring their worst start to a league season in history, the growing anger from certain fans has crossed into alarming territory, prompting Fiorentina to intervene quickly.

  The club has responded by stepping up security protocols and contacting local authorities to guarantee the protection of players and their families. The Viola also reached out directly to all individuals impacted, ensuring they received immediate support while investigations began into the threats made. The incident reflects the intense pressure surrounding the team amid a spiralling on-field crisis that has now evolved into a broader institutional emergency.

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  Fiorentina release crucial statement condemning fan behaviour

  In an official communication, the club stated: "ACF Fiorentina expresses its full solidarity and solidarity with the players and their families following the unacceptable and shameful threats received in the hours following the defeat in Reggio Emilia against Sassuolo.

  "This type of behaviour has no place in football, nor in any part of our society.

  "The Club immediately contacted its members and the relevant authorities to ensure that all necessary measures are taken to ensure the safety and well-being of the players, staff members, their loved ones, and the families affected.

  "ACF Fiorentina, while thanking the many supporters who have already expressed their affection and support following these unfortunate events, reiterates that there will never be room for intimidation, hatred, or violence.

  "Our commitment to protecting our players and their families remains absolute."

• Fiorentina winless in Serie A after 14 games

  This crisis comes during a historically disastrous season for Fiorentina, who sit bottom of Serie A with just six points from 14 matches and remain the only winless side in the league. The collapse has been sudden and dramatic, especially following a sixth-place finish the previous year and expectations of a competitive return to European football. Manager Stefano Pioli was dismissed in early November after four draws and six defeats, but his successor, Paolo Vanoli, has also struggled to ignite any meaningful turnaround.

  The turmoil extends beyond the pitch as sporting director Daniele Prade resigned shortly after Pioli’s dismissal, leaving a leadership vacuum at a time when the club desperately needs stability. Summer signings such as Edin Dzeko and Roberto Piccoli have failed to make an impact, while Vanoli has criticised his squad’s mentality, claiming they “don’t work for each other” during the recent run of defeats. The lack of cohesion, confidence, and direction has created a volatile environment now spilling into dangerous territory.

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  Fiorentina shift focus towards Conference League clash

  Fiorentina now face the complex task of protecting their players while attempting to salvage a season that is rapidly slipping towards disaster. Enhanced security measures will remain in place as authorities investigate the threats, and the club plans to support affected individuals while reinforcing its zero-tolerance stance on violence.

  The immediate focus shifts to Thursday’s Conference League fixture against Dynamo Kyiv, where a positive result could help ease tension. Attention will then turn to Sunday’s crucial Serie A clash against Hellas Verona, a match that could define Fiorentina’s trajectory heading into the new year.

Manchester United’s squad at present is full of top-level talent in numerous areas of the pitch, but Ruben Amorim has so far struggled to make use of the players at his disposal.

The hierarchy have constantly splashed the cash in recent years, with over £200m being spent on new attacking talents during the recent summer transfer window.

The likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha all made the move to Old Trafford, but they have only posted a total of eight Premier League goals combined in 2025/26.

Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system has seen Mbeumo operate in a somewhat unnatural central attacking midfield role, no doubt taking away his best asset – cutting inside off the right-hand side – away from him.

As a result, one player has indirectly suffered this campaign, with the manager recently coming under fire for his lack of faith shown in the player over recent months.

The latest on Kobbie Mainoo’s Man Utd future

Just a couple of years ago, Kobbie Mainoo was a key member of the United first-team squad, with the midfielder often starting at the heart of Erik ten Hag’s side.

He emerged out of the club’s academy setup, often popping up with key moments, as seen by his incredible achievements during the 2023/24 campaign.

The 20-year-old scored a late winner in the clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers, whilst also netting in the FA Cup final against Manchester City – resulting in a place in the England squad for Euro 2024.

However, his career has taken a nosedive over the last 12 months, with Amorim evidently not seeing the academy graduate as part of his long-term plans at Old Trafford.

Mainoo has featured in nine league matches to date, none of which have come from a starting role, leading to one journalist questioning the manager over the midfielder after yesterday’s draw.

The 40-year-old simply laughed when asked about bringing the youngster on to try and win the game at the Theatre of Dreams, which sums up the faith he currently has in him at present.

However, an escape route could well be on the cards for Mainoo ahead of the January transfer window, with Napoli constantly tracking the Englishman over a potential transfer.

The Man Utd player that Amorim is misusing in 2025/26

The reluctance to utilise Mainoo in 2025/26 is just one of Amorim’s biggest failures to date, with the youngster massively deserving the chance to thrive under his guidance.

However, his recent spell on the substitutes bench highlights the lack of faith shown in him by the manager, with a solution desperately needed in the coming months.

The same could also be said about numerous other players, as seen by the struggles endured within the final third of the pitch over the last couple of matches in the Premier League.

Mbeumo has now failed to find the back of the net in each of his last three outings, but the forward is set to go to AFCON throughout January, which could leave a huge hole in the Red Devils’ attack.

His month-long spell away from Manchester could open up the door for Bruno Fernandes to once again feature in the number ten position – a role that is no doubt his best.

The Portuguese international operated in an attacking midfield role during 2024/25, resulting in the 31-year-old registering 37 combined goals and assists across all competitions.

However, the £200m spending spree in attacking areas has resulted in the United captain dropping into a deep-lying number eight position, which has taken away his creative nature in recent months.

He still currently has a total of five assists in his 14 appearances this campaign, but there’s little denying he’s endured a drop-off from his form last season.

Bruno, who’s been dubbed United’s “best player post Fergie” by writer Kaustubh Pandey, has now had to contribute more defensively, as seen by his increased tally of tackles won per 90 compared to last season.

However, whilst he’s still managed to play a part in winning the ball back for his side, it’s come with an adverse effect – subsequently resulting in a lack of creativity in attacking areas.

He’s only scored twice in the Premier League to date, one of which was a penalty, highlighting his lack of impact in terms of goal contributions in 2025/26.

Bruno Fernandes – PL stats (2025/26)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

14

Goals scored

2

Pass accuracy

83%

Shots on target

0.7

Chances created

1.8

Tackles won

1.8

Duels won

4.6

Interceptions made

0.6

Stats via FotMob

It’s clear to everyone but Amorim that the Portuguese star is better in an attacking role, which means one of the £200m additions may need to be sacrificed.

Such a move could open up a free role at the heart of the Red Devils side, which could allow Mainoo to have the run of games he needs to save his United career

However, if Amorim is unable to make such changes in the near future, it could result in the 40-year-old losing his job at Old Trafford in the near future – with such a decision an easy one for him to make.

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Posts ByEthan Lamb 7 days ago

Michael Clarke expects Usman Khawaja to be in the XI for Brisbane providing he is fit

Andrew McGlashan26-Nov-2025Former Australia captain Aaron Finch believes Travis Head remains best suited to batting at No. 5 in the day-night Test at the Gabba despite his barnstorming century opening in Perth, while both he and Michael Clarke are convinced that Nathan Lyon has to play as the home side weigh up the best balance of side to face England after their demolition job in the opening match of the Ashes.Usman Khawaja’s spot has come under scrutiny after Head’s spectacular century at the top when he was promoted after Khawaja suffered further back spasms on the second day, having also been unable to take his usual spot in the first innings with England collapsing so quickly he couldn’t make up enough time on the field.Related

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However, Finch said that the pink-ball factor of the second Test adds another layer on how Australia may structure their side and argued that in this case having Head in the middle was the favoured option.”If this wasn’t a pink-ball test match coming up at the Gabba, I would tend to agree and say, you know what, maybe it is time to throw him [Head] up there and you just launch into it from day one of a Test,” Finch told ESPN’s .”But I just feel as though the fact that it is a pink-ball test, the impact that that brand new ball can have and the impact that Travis Head can have batting at No. 5 when the pink ball does go a bit soft and the game can sort of, the wicket can flatten out. I like him at five still, just to be that real explosive player through the middle order.”Khawaja batted at No. 4 on the first day in Perth and gloved a rising delivery from Brydon Carse. His form was a talking point ahead of the Ashes after making one Test century in his last 44 innings prior to the series.Brisbane would be a home Test for Khawaja – where he is the leading run-scorer in day-night first-class cricket at the Gabba with 502 runs at 50.02 – and Clarke does not see Australia shifting from the original plan for now.Usman Khawaja’s position is being debate after Travis Head’s stunning success as an opener•AFP/Getty Images

“I think he plays. I think if he’s fit, they give him another chance,” Clarke said. “I think a few days and Uzzie will be sweet. He hasn’t had this back problem that many times throughout his career, so I think he will be fit.”Meanwhile, both Clarke and Finch agreed that Lyon should be a lock for Brisbane despite only sending down two overs in Perth and having been left out of the day-night Test in Jamaica earlier this year.”He’s in for sure,” Clarke, who was Lyon’s first Test captain, said. “He’s in my XI every Test match. Unless it’s an absolute raging green seamer. Like even Perth, the wicket certainly didn’t look that bad. I’m still picking a spinner in my team.”Finch added: “The impact that Nathan Lyon has in that side is huge. We saw him not selected for the Test in Jamaica…and they were extreme conditions. So Australia decided that they probably weren’t going to use a spinner at all. I can see from that point of view why it happened in Jamaica. At the Gabba, 100%, it should not ever be talked about, Nathan Lyon not being in an Australian XI.”The other decision that will need to be made will be around the fitness of Pat Cummins who is pushing for a return in Brisbane. He bowled with the pink ball in Sydney on Tuesday and speaking during the Perth Test gave himself “half a chance” of being ready for the Gabba.”I think Australia will stick to the plan,” Finch said. “If he’s 100% fit, he plays. If he’s 95% fit, he doesn’t play. I think that’s the way that they’ll go. They’ve been really consistent with how they’ve picked squads, how they’ve picked the XI. And for me, it’s a long series. You don’t want to rush it.”