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Sheffield Wednesday are reportedly closing in on completing the signing of a Manchester United youngster in the final few hours of deadline day.

Horrible summer to forget for Sheffield Wednesday

This summer has been a horrible experience for anyone of an Owls persuasion, with the ownership issue surrounding Dejphon Chansiri threatening the entire future of the club.

Wednesday have found themselves in financial turmoil and under threat of long transfer bans, with supporters protesting against Chansiri, calling for him to sell up. Staff members have continually not been paid on time, including the players, with the problems showing no real sign of being resolved fully yet.

Unsurprisingly, the Owls’ off-field struggles have led to a domino effect on the pitch, with Henrik Pedersen’s side without a win in their opening four Championship matches this season, losing three of them and looking like relegation fodder.

Despite this, there is hope that Wednesday are set to agree a deal for one target before the summer transfer window slams shut on Monday evening, with a positive update emerging.

Sheffield Wednesday set to sign Man Utd player

According to journalist Andy Giddings on X, Sheffield Wednesday are set to sign Manchester United youngster Harry Amass on loan for the remainder of the 2025/26 season. The 18-year-old left-back has travelled to undergo a medical, but there is no guarantee that the move will be sanctioned yet, prompting the reporter to call the situation “madness” and perhaps symbolic of the type of decision making Owls fans are unfortunately getting used to.

This will be a welcome boost if they can get it over the line however, as they desperately look to see their side being given some hope of avoiding relegation this season.

Depth is needed in the squad to likely be able to compete as the campaign goes on, and Amass is a talented young player who can excel as both a left-back and left winger, being lauded by Ruben Amorim despite a 4-1 defeat at Newcastle earlier this year.

“I think he did quite well. He caught a player that is really fast, he made his debut in maybe one of the hardest stadiums with a team that is really in a good moment. I think he did really well so he needs to continue and we need to help all these young kids to perform in a higher level.”

Amass has made seven senior appearances for United, which is hugely impressive, even amid their own current struggles, and if a move to Wednesday does go through on deadline day, it could be a great piece of business between now and the end of the season.

Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha has expressed his and his side's disappointment at losing 3-1 away to Brentford as the Red Devils slip to their third Premier League defeat of the season. The Brazilian explained how much these losses are affecting him and the rest of the squad, but is determined to turn these lacklustre performances around quickly.

United fall to yet another defeat at the Gtech

United’s record away at Brentford is not a glowing one. The Red Devils have produced some of their most pitiful displays in west London in recent seasons and Saturday’s defeat notches yet another loss to the tally. Brentford have won three of their last four home fixtures against United, including a 4-0 rout of Erik ten Hag’s side in one of the Dutch manager’s earliest games. The Bees, even with new boss Keith Andrews in charge instead of Thomas Frank, seem to have United’s number and Ruben Amorim’s side never looked like upsetting the apple cart this weekend. Last weekend’s victory over Chelsea had suggested the Red Devils possessed a small ounce of steel, but finding themselves 2-0 down against Brentford after just 20 minutes offered a stark reminder of the sorry state United remain in. Cunha, who joined the club in the summer from Wolves, is yet to showcase why he cost the club such a significant fee and was frustrated to be on the losing side once again.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportCunha shares the pain of defeat

Speaking to after the game, Cunha was asked about the mood in the dressing room. He explained: "[The mood] is horrible. Honestly, horrible. I always say the same, we know how important it is to play for a club like this one and we go for every game to win. For it not to end like that, it is a horrible feeling. Everyone wanted to do more, everyone needs to do more. Of course, we need to go again, that's only the way.

"Honestly, trying to find excuses, I don't think is the way. We know what you need to do. I don't think we did well. They were more fit, they arrived and scored goals, but like I say, that is not an excuse. We know what they proposed to play and they play what they want."

Cunha added that he felt the referee had not had the best game. The Brazilian, who was knocked off the ball in the build up to Brentford's first goal, felt he had been robbed of the ball unfairly and should have been awarded a free kick. He said that he felt "someone pushed me", but the forward could have few complaints and should have been stronger when on the attack. The Bees, having nicked the ball, sent a long pass over the top to Cunha's compatriot Igor Thiago who fired home a spectacular effort to open the scoring.

Cunha had further grievances with the referee, claiming that Nathan Collins should have been shown a red card. The Irish defender brought down Bryan Mbeumo in the penalty area and appeared to have denied an obvious goal scoring opportunity, but the Premier League explained the Cameroonian did not have control of the ball and therefore Collins was just given a caution. On the incident, Cunha said: "I think it needs to be a red card, but everyone can make mistakes. We understand. Even I don't know if it is a mistake or not.

"After the game we always think something [could have went] for us, but you need to know the truth."

Cunha and United's attack continue to stutter

Saturday’s defeat marks yet another disappointment in the Amorim era. The Portuguese coach is yet to win consecutive games in the Premier League and their spot in mid-table is beginning to feel more of a familiarity, rather than an anomaly. The Red Devils can take heart from Benjamin Sesko finally getting of the mark for the club, even if the Slovenian’s goal came in scrappy fashion. Despite showing bright moments, Sesko, Cunha and Mbeumo are yet to truly click and offer a semblance of a potent attacking trio. There is still time for the new signings to gel, but the clock is ticking on Amorim to make it work.

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Getty Images SportXhaka's Black Cats come to Old Trafford

United’s next fixture comes at Old Trafford as Sunderland arrive in Manchester looking to continue their strong form. The Black Cats will be hoping to seize upon the Red Devils’ many vulnerabilities and their captain Granit Xhaka will also be looking forward to facing a side he has scored three times against – he has not scored against any other side more frequently.

Sarwate’s 66 not out steered Kerala to 131 for 3 at stumps

Ekanth27-Feb-2025Kerala’s pace trio of Nedumankuzhy Basil, MD Nidheesh and Eden Apple Tom ensured that Vidarbha did not run away with the advantage on day two of the Ranji Trophy final in Nagpur. Aditya Sarwate, who is a bowling allrounder otherwise, was promoted to No. 3. The move came off as he finished the day unbeaten on 66 to carry Kerala to 131 for 3.Vidarbha, finalists from the previous edition, did post a challenging total, though. Nachiket Bhute, who came in at No. 11, scored a crucial 32 off 38 balls. The 44-run stand between Bhute and Harsh Dubey for the tenth wicket extended the first session from its scheduled two-and-a-half-hour duration to three hours and took Vidarbha to 379.Darshan Nalkande then took out both Kerala openers in his first two overs. They recovered, thanks to a 93-run stand between Sarwate and Ahammed Imran. The latter fell to a Yash Thakur bouncer close to stumps, but Sarwate and Sachin Baby ensured that Imran’s was the last wicket to fall on the day.The day started with Vidarbha on 254 for 4 and runs flew early on. Thakur flicked the first ball of the day to the midwicket boundary and the fifth ball of the next over to the square-leg boundary. Nidheesh found some swing and adjusted his lengths to keep the batters in check, but Apple Tom’s lines were inconsistent and he was driven when he bowled full.An attempted bumper to Danish Malewar was pulled behind square for the first six of the day. It brought up his 150, and reduced Apple Tom’s opening spell to a two-over stint, in which he went for 18 runs.Danish Malewar puts one away during his 153•PTI Vidarbha slowed down after the introduction of Basil as he offered Nidheesh support and his team control. The latter induced an outside edge off Thakur in the 95th over but it didn’t carry to gully. In the next one, Basil got one to nip back and smash Malewar’s stumps to end his innings on 153.Bassil removed the other set batter, Thakur. He angled in a full ball from wide of the crease to beat Thakur on the flick and pin him lbw.Apple Tom’s return in the next over was rewarded with the wicket of Yash Rathod, who is Vidarbha’s highest run-getter this season so far. A length ball from around the wicket straightened off the pitch, took the edge, and was caught at first slip as Vidarbha slumped to 297 for 7.The Yashes were gone, but the two Akshays – Wadkar and Karnewar – kept the innings afloat with a 36-run stand for the eighth wicket. Wadkar punched Basil through the covers off the back foot, and Karnewar picked up a streaky boundary each off Apple Tom and Basil. Wadkar carved a six just over deep-backward point off Nidheesh before a streaky boundary came in the form of leg-byes.The stand was broken when Rohan Kunnummal took a sharp, low catch at cover to dismiss Karnewar. In what was supposed to be the final over before lunch, Wadkar went for a powerful cut but the length ball from Apple Tom seamed away, took the edge and led to a caught behind.Bhute smashed two sixes off Jalaj Saxena, the first of which took Vidarbha past 350. Dubey, his partner, was comfortable as he rotated strike and swept Saxena for four. The stand went past the 35-over session, which yielded 119 runs and five wickets, but ended 13 balls later as Bhute was out caught behind off Nidheesh while trying to run a back-of–good-length ball to deep third.Aditya Sarwate brings up his half-century•PTI Nalkande speared in a yorker on off stump in the first over to catch Kunnummal by surprise. The ball dribbled onto the stumps off the bat and Vidarbha were rolling. From the other end, Thakur missed his line and went for three boundaries. That didn’t stop Nalkande, though, as he swung in a full ball to catch the inside edge of Akshay Chandran’s drive that clattered onto the stumps.Thakur overpitched again and Sarwate cover drove his way from 0 to 8. In his next over, he bowled a short ball that was cut past cover for four more. Kerala were 30 for 2 off six overs, with 28 runs coming off Thakur.A double-change nearly worked for Vidarbha after that as Bhute drew an edge off Imran’s bat but Atharva Taide, the substitute fielder, dropped the chance at second slip. Sarwate picked up two more boundaries through the off side as Kerala breezed through to tea on 57 for 2.The batters looked assured in the final session that began with spin. Parth Rekhade was replaced by Nalkande after being swept for two fours in consecutive overs. Dubey, the highest wicket-taker in the tournament by a distance, found turn and stacked back-to-back maidens with Nalkande. While Nalkande created two near chances in the 24th over, the batters were safe.Sarwate hit Nalkande for two fours in his next over and ended his spell. He brought up fifty and Kerala’s hundred in the 30th over. Thakur tried out the bouncer which cost him a boundary but earned Imran’s wicket soon after as the batter miscued a pull to midwicket. Sarwate picked up a couple more boundaries with Baby holding fort at the other end as Kerala finished the day trailing Vidarbha by 248.

An “incredible” star turned down a late move to Aston Villa after they expressed a willingness to fork out £43m, it has been revealed.

Villa in need of fresh injection of quality

Emery has undoubtedly done a fantastic job at Villa, turning around the club’s fortunes by leading them to the Champions League and the Europa League, but the manager clearly needs a fresh injection of quality in his squad.

It has been a slow start to the season for the Villans, losing two and drawing one of their opening three Premier League games, during which time they failed to score a single goal, which meant it was a busy deadline day for Emery.

Perhaps in light of his side’s attacking issues in the first three matches, the Spaniard opted to bring in two new attackers, with winger Jadon Sancho arriving on loan from Manchester United, alongside Liverpool attacking midfielder Harvey Elliott.

However, one position in which Aston Villa were unable to strengthen was between the sticks, and in the end they didn’t need to, with Emiliano Martinez remaining at the club.

It has since been widely reported that Martinez was actively seeking a deadline day move to Manchester United, phoning international teammate Lisandro Martinez to advocate for him, but the Red Devils ended up signing Senne Lammens instead.

With the Argentinian seeking a departure, Villa were looking to bring in a replacement, and a report from Record (via Sport Witness) has revealed they agreed to shell out €50m (£43m) for FC Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

Aston Villa struck gold on "machine" who's worth more than Elliott & Sancho

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ByKelan Sarson Sep 2, 2025

Costa was being targeted as a replacement for Martinez, but Emery’s side were unable to get a deal over the line, with the Portuguese shot-stopper rejecting a move to Villa Park in the final days of the window.

"Incredible" Costa could have been ideal Martinez replacement

Ultimately, Emery didn’t need to bring in an immediate replacement for Martinez, with a move to United failing to transpire, but it remains to be seen whether the Argentina international has a long-term future at the club.

The 33-year-old was clearly agitating for a move on deadline day, and in some ways it is disappointing that a deal didn’t go through, given that there is little point keeping a wantaway player on the books.

Not only that, but missing out on the Porto goalkeeper is a blow for Emery, given that the 25-year-old has put in some top-quality performances during his time with his boyhood club.

Having also amassed 36 caps for national side Portugal, and been described as “incredible” by compatriot Diogo Dalot, Costa could’ve been an ideal long-term replacement for Martinez, but Aston Villa will now have to wait until January at the earliest to pursue a deal.

Monaco coach Adi Hutter believes Paul Pogba is getting closer to full fitness and is progressing well with the training regimen put in place. The Austrian coach reported that Pogba is doing well both physically and mentally, but he will not rush him into the squad merely to bolster numbers, despite the club facing an injury crisis.

Pogba's move to Monaco and his physical condition

Pogba last played a competitive game in September 2023 as a Juventus player and joined Monaco in the summer of 2025 after his doping ban was lifted. The World Cup winner has been training with the club since July, but Monaco coach Hutter confirmed at the start of the season that both Pogba and Ansu Fati were far from match fitness and not ready for playing time.

However, a spate of injuries in midfield, including captain Dennis Zakaria, could prompt Hutter to accelerate Pogba’s integration. The coach believes that with his current progress, Pogba should be ready to feature after the October break.

AdvertisementHutter's update

In the pre-match press conference, Hutter addressed Pogba’s condition, saying: “We can't compare Paul Pogba's situation [with Ansu Fati's]. Fati is much younger than Paul. Ansu has been training for a long time. Today, Paul is being used more and more.” He added: “We're in our process. We've given ourselves three months. He's getting closer to the group. He's physically and mentally well.”

However, Hutter emphasised that he does not want to rush Pogba’s integration into the squad due to his injury history, explaining: “It's a consideration. With the injured, we have a look at that, but it makes no sense to bring someone in just to say we have someone.”

AFPFati's hilarious incident with Pogba

Introduced as a substitute in Monaco’s league match against Metz, Fati scored within a minute of coming on before adding a second later in the game. After the match, Pogba met him in the tunnel and, in a lighthearted exchange, told Fati he had predicted both his introduction and two goals, prompting Fati to call Pogba a wizard.

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Getty ImagesPogba and Monaco's challenges up ahead

Pogba will hope to make a full recovery and return to peak fitness. Monaco, meanwhile, will be eager to see him rediscover the same quality that helped him win trophies with France.

A century stand between Josh Philippe and Jack Edwards threatened to rescue the visitors but they were bowled out with 10 overs remaining

AAP11-Feb-2025Queensland’s quicks were made to toil for a much-needed 188-run Sheffield Shield victory that appeared inevitable before some New South Wales resistance at the Gabba.Set a 418-run victory target, a successful chase was never on the radar as NSW sunk to 89 for 6 thanks to more disciplined pace bowling from the hosts. But they showed fight, wicketkeeper Josh Philippe (80) and allrounder Jack Edwards (53) backing up his first-innings century to keep alive hopes of a draw with a stand of 125 in 44 overs.Related

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Opening pair Xavier Bartlett and Michael Neser would not be denied though. The duo struck in quick succession – Bartlett trapping Philippe lbw and Edwards edging Neser to slip – to leave them plenty of time to mop up the tail midway through the final session with 10 overs remaining when Liam Hatcher nicked Bartlett to Jimmy Peirson.Earlier Sam Konstas tried all of his tricks to outwit the Queensland’s new-ball pair, only to edge one of the first deliveries he faced from good mate and second-change quick Tom Straker.Straker did the early damage before Mark Steketee and captain Mitchell Swepson ran through the middle order to leave NSW in disarray.Matt Renshaw made 125 on Monday while Jack Clayton scored a first-inning century but was forced to retire hurt with a hamstring injury on 76 in his second dig that will rule him out in the short term.Sam Konstas brings out the scoop•Getty Images”It was just an all-round performance,” Swepson said. “Too many names to mention really…[I could] pretty much name the whole 11. We were a bit worried with the batting firepower they had that something around that 350 mark they could have chased down.”Taking early wickets really helped then every time I asked someone to come on…they locked in. It was so easy to captain that bowling attack.”It was Queensland’s second Shield win, the side keeping pace on a stacked ladder with three matches still to play.”This game was massive for our season, even going back to the game before the Big Bash,” Swepson said. “Two in a row has set us up…we’re right in the hunt.”Edwards lamented the loss of early wickets in both innings.”They’re a class bowling attack and we started well against that second new ball, but to lose me and Philippe in successive overs was tough,” the captain said. Both innings [being] five for not many, makes it tough.”

Queensland captain confirms Khawaja will play in the Sheffield Shield final after last week’s fitness saga

Alex Malcolm25-Mar-2025Captain Marnus Labuschagne has confirmed that Usman Khawaja will play for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield final and believes last week’s public spat will high performance manager Joe Dawes will “improve his performance” rather than distract him.Khawaja, 38, has been the subject of an unusual media drama in the lead-up to the final after missing the last match of the regular season against South Australia at Karen Rolton Oval.Related

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Dawes spoke last Wednesday claiming Khawaja did not have any hamstring issues that they were aware of and said, “it’s just disappointing he didn’t play a game for Queensland when he had an opportunity to.”Queensland Cricket board member Ian Healy had also made strong comments on his SEN radio show saying, “It’s just this pick and choose mentality that has been evident in his later years that Queensland haven’t been happy with.”Khawaja fired back in an emotional and lengthy press conference, saying the accusations of him not having an injury were “categorically untrue” and that he was disappointed and disheartened by claims that he didn’t want to play for Queensland despite spending five days in Melbourne at the Australian Formula One Grand Prix while the Shield game was going on.Labuschagne confirmed that Khawaja would definitely play in the final at Karen Rolton Oval on Wednesday and was confident that Australia’s Test opener wouldn’t be distracted after a turbulent week.”No, not at all,” Labuschagne said at the captains’ pre-game press conference. “If anything, it’ll probably improve his performance. He just loves the big moments. He’s been an amazing player for a long time, so I don’t think he’s going to have any issues with going out there and performing at his best.”Queensland captain Marnus Labuschagne and South Australia captain Nathan McSweeney pose with the Sheffield Shield trophy•Getty ImagesSouth Australia captain Nathan McSweeney, who was Khawaja’s opening partner for the first three Tests of the Border-Gavaskar series and is a former Queensland team-mate, said he had spoken to Khawaja in the lead-up to the final and expected him to perform well.”He wanted to see if he could get a tee time at Kooyonga,” McSweeney said. “So I did send him a cheeky text. But he’s all good. “He’s a professional player, has been for a long time now, and I think he’ll be definitely ready here tomorrow, and he’ll be a massive wicket for us.”Queensland’s staff put together a video of former Shield winning players sending their well wishes to the current team, which the squad watched on the big screen at Karen Rolton Oval before training on Tuesday.Labuschagne would not confirm Queensland’s final XI, but they will need to make at least one change from the side that drew with South Australia to accommodate Khawaja’s return. The concern for Queensland will be trying to take 20 wickets after claiming just 12 in four days last week, with Labuschagne taking four of them with his part-time medium pace.How a drawn final is decided

In the event the Sheffield Shield final ends in a draw, the title will be decided on first-innings bonus points which are accrued across the first 100 overs.

Batting teams earn 0.01 of a bonus point for every run scored over 200 in the initial 100 overs; bowling sides get 0.1 of a bonus point for every wicket in the first 100 overs. For example, the batting side scores 350 all out in 90 overs they earn 1.5 points and the bowling side 1 point.

Should bonus points be tied and the match drawn, SA will win the Shield given they finished top of the ladder and earned hosting rights for the final.

“The wicket is probably not as hard as it was for last week’s game here,” he said. “I think there’s probably a little bit more moisture in it. The grass is probably a fraction longer. But obviously [curator] Trent [Kelly] hasn’t cut it yet, so we’ll have to wait and see whether that gets cut in the morning.”I think, all in all, last week would have been a really good cricket wicket for a five-day game. South Australia had us in a position where if they really wanted to try and win the game, they probably could have pushed down that route.”Even last week, on that wicket that was quite flat, there could have been a result. So I don’t think there’s going to be any problem with trying to get a result this game.”South Australia squad: Nathan McSweeney (capt), Jordan Buckingham, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Henry Hunt, Jake Lehmann, Ben Manenti, Nathan McAndrew, Conor McInerney, Harry Nielsen, Lloyd Pope, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Henry ThorntonQueensland squad: Marnus Labuschagne (capt), Jack Clayton, Lachlan Hearne, Usman Khawaja, Angus Lovell, Ben McDermott, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Tom Straker, Mitchell Swepson, Callum Vidler, Jack Wildermuth

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola believes Phil Foden is "the best player we have in small spaces by far" while explaining how big a boost the Englishman's return to form is for his team. The 25-year-old has been deployed in a new-look No.10 role, which sees him operate closer to the box, and the change in how his position has provided highly positive results immediately.

Foden back to his best

Foden has started the 2025-26 season with a bang, regaining confidence and showing the sort of form which earned him the Premier League Player of the Year award at the end of the 2023-24 season. City are unbeaten in their previous six games, with Foden starting in all six. Not just that, but he has already produced four direct goal contributions in seven games, a drastic improvement from the last 18 league outings of the last season, where he recorded a solitary goal involvement.  

AdvertisementGetty Images SportGuardiola hails Foden's 'desire'

A reporter asked Guardiola, "When Phil's playing at the standard he is now, how much more does he give this unit as a team?" 

"A lot," said Guardiola in response, before praising Foden and explaining what makes him such a threat. "He’s one of the best players we have in small spaces in the final third, by far,” the City coach claimed. “In terms of assists and in terms of goals in small spaces, how he times an attack and the desire to score a goal is the best we have.”  

Foden overlooked for England by Thomas Tuchel

"He plays a little bit free and close to the box, he can do something that is unique," said the former Barcelona manager last week. Indeed, the City starboy is thriving in his new-look No.10 role, but his exploits have been overlooked by England boss Tuchel. In a squad that is bereft of the other No.10s, such as Jude Bellingham and the injured Cole Palmer, Foden must have felt heartbreaking to not have received the call-up. He hasn't played a game for England since March.    

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(C)Getty ImagesWho will Man City face next?

City recorded their worst-ever start to a season in two decades, but their fortunes have turned around without any surprises. Foden has been a key player in helping City wake up from their early slumber, and Guardiola will hope for more exploits from his star man on Sunday against Brentford.