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Lea Tahuhu, Georgia Plimmer named in T20I squad only; Hannah Rowe, Molly Penfold picked just for ODIs

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Nov-2022New Zealand are set to hand a debut to Wellington wicketkeeper-batter Jess McFadyen in the upcoming home series against Bangladesh, after she was named in the 15-member squad for the three T20Is and ODIs. McFadyen’s selection in place of fellow wicketkeeper Izzy Gaze, who is India with the Under-19 team, was the only change to the squad that had recently toured the West Indies.Coach Ben Sawyer said playing Bangladesh would be a great opportunity for McFadyen, especially with the T20 World Cup to be held next year.”Debuting for your country is always a special moment, so we’re delighted to be welcoming Jess into the side for what will be an exciting series,” Sawyer said. “Jess brings great energy – when we worked together at the Commonwealth Games, I was really impressed with what she brought to the team environment – and she has good experience with the bat, especially in that middle order.”McFadyen, 31, had been picked in the New Zealand squads earlier for last year’s tour of England and the Commonwealth Games this year but didn’t get to play.”We used the recent series in the West Indies to try different combinations with bat and ball and we also want to do that with the wicketkeepers; we want to see what Jess can bring to the team,” Sawyer said. “We’re also in a fortunate position that we have a New Zealand Development team touring India, which Izzy (Gaze) is involved in, so we’re able to give both players experience in different conditions and against different opposition.”McFadyen herself was eyeing a spot for the T20 World Cup, looking to “put her name forward” for the big tournament after missing out on a debut in the Commonwealth Games in England.”Ben was there as well… to be in that environment, see how he wanted to run things and to spend time with the established players – they are world class,” McFadyen said. “I am lucky to be playing for [Wellington] Blaze, and have a dozen of them around me for training. [I am] super lucky to have those experiences.”Both the T20I and ODI sides will be led by Sophie Devine, with pace bowler Lea Tahuhu and batter Georgia Plimmer named in the T20I squad only, while seamers Hannah Rowe and Molly Penfold picked just for the ODIs.It will be New Zealand’s last official series before the T20 World Cup next year in South Africa.”Over the last couple of months we’ve put together a blueprint of how we want to play, particularly in the T20 format, with an eye on the World Cup next year,” Sawyer said. “This tour will be a great opportunity to continue working and refining those plans and making any necessary adjustments.The series against Bangladesh begins with the first T20I on December 2 in Christchurch, with Dunedin and Queenstown to host the other T20Is. The ODIs begin on December 11 in Wellington, before Napier and Hamilton stage the last two matches of the tour. The series will be the first time Bangladesh play a bilateral series in New Zealand but will be their second visit this year, following the World Cup in March.Squad: Sophie Devine (capt), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Jess McFadyen, Molly Penfold (ODIs only), Hannah Rowe (ODIs only), Georgia Plimmer (T20Is only), Lea Tahuhu (T20Is only)

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Aug-2015Kumar Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews then added 87 runs to guide Sri Lanka out of a tricky position•AFPR Ashwin sent the crowd into silence when Sangakkara’s edge found a diving Ajinkya Rahane who took a one-handed catch•AFPMathews was then dismissed by Amit Mishra in the next over before Lahiru Thirimanne and Dinesh Chandimal steadied things, adding 125 for the sixth wicket. Ashwin and Rahane combined again to get rid of Thirimanne for 44•AFPJehan Mubarak brought up his highest Test score – 49 – striking four fours and two sixes before edging Harbhajan Singh to Rahane at slip, as Sri Lanka took the lead past 100•AFPChandimal on the other side was proving to be the thorn in India’s flesh, racing to his fourth Test hundred at run-a-ball•AFPChandimal eventually finished on 162* not before helping Sri Lanka turn the tables and setting India a target of 176•AFPR Ashwin capped off his six-for from the first innings with four wickets in the second and ended with match figures of 10 for 160•AFPRangana Herath trapped KL Rahul lbw for 5 as Shikhar Dhawan and nightwatchman Ishant Sharma helped India finish on 23 for 1 at stumps on day three•Associated Press

Also, who has the most international hat-tricks? And is Misbah the oldest Test captain ever?

Steven Lynch11-Apr-2017Has anyone hit his first ball in Test cricket for six? And how about his last ball? asked Julian Metcalfe from England
The only player so far to hit the first ball he received in Test cricket for six was the New Zealand offspinner Mark Craig, who cracked Sulieman Benn of West Indies over the long-off boundary in Kingston in June 2014. In the field that day, probably nodding approvingly, was Chris Gayle, who remains the only man to hit the very first ball of a Test match for six – from the debutant Sohag Gazi of Bangladesh in Mirpur in 2012. The only man known to have hit his last ball in Test cricket for six was another West Indian, Wayne Daniel, against Australia in Port-of-Spain in 1984.Lasith Malinga took a T20 hat-trick the other day, to go with three in ODIs. Does he hold the record for international hat-tricks? asked Mahinda Villarayan from Sri Lanka
Lasith Malinga’s hat-trick against Bangladesh in Colombo last week was only the fifth in T20 internationals so far. Malinga has also taken three hat-tricks in one-day internationals – against South Africa in Providence during the 2007 World Cup (when he uniquely claimed four wickets in four balls), against Kenya in Colombo during the 2011 World Cup, and against Australia in Colombo later in 2011. The only other man to take four international hat-tricks is Wasim Akram – two in Tests (in successive matches against Sri Lanka in 1998-99), and two in ODIs (both in Sharjah in 1989-90).I noticed that India’s openers Gavaskar and Srikkanth were both out for ducks against England in 1981-82. How often has this happened in ODIs? asked Harshad Patel from India
That match in Ahmedabad in 1981 was actually the first case of both openers being out for a duck in a one-day international innings. It happened again to Sunil Gavaskar and Kris Srikkanth not long afterwards, against Zimbabwe in Tunbridge Wells during the 1983 World Cup, in the match in which Kapil Dev’s stunning 175 not out rescued his side from 17 for 5. There have been a total of 38 such instances now, the most recent by Peter Moor and Chamu Chibhabha for Zimbabwe against Afghanistan in Sharjah in 2015-16.Hats off: Misbah-ul-Haq is poised to become the fifth-oldest Test captain of all time•AFPI was sorry to see that Misbah-ul-Haq is going to retire. Will he be the oldest Test captain of all? asked Khalid Iftikhar Ahmed from Pakistan
Assuming Misbah-ul-Haq leads Pakistan in the Tests in West Indies as planned, he will become – at almost 43 years of age – the fifth-oldest Test captain of all time, and the oldest for nearly 70 years. The top three are all English: WG Grace was 50 in 1899, Gubby Allen 45 in 1947-48, and Wally Hammond 43 in 1946-47, while Warren Bardsley was also 43 when he stood in as Australia’s captain in some of the Tests in England in 1926. Misbah also has the chance to move up from sixth to fourth on the list of oldest Test century-makers. He’s already the oldest captain to make a hundred, doing so against England at Lord’s last year.Has anyone umpired Tests in all ten possible countries, plus the UAE? asked James Armstrong from England
I think there are four men who fit the bill here. Steve Bucknor’s record 128 Tests included appearances in all ten Test-playing countries, plus two matches in Sharjah, while Billy Bowden (84 Tests), Asoka de Silva (49) and Daryl Harper (95) all stood in the ten traditional countries and the UAE as well. Note that for these purposes I’m considering the West Indies as one country: if you count the Caribbean nations separately, then Bowden stood in Tests in 17 different countries.Which Test player was nicknamed “Mystery”? asked Brian Hanagan from Australia
I think there may have been more than one player who acquired this nickname, but the one I first thought of was the former New Zealand batsman John Morrison, who later became a TV commentator. He played 17 Tests between 1973-74 and 1981-82, his 656 runs including 117 against Australia at the SCG in his second match, in 1973-74. Morrison had a mysterious grey streak in his hair when he was playing, but the nickname owed more to his slow left-arm bowling, which looked innocuous from the boundary but which nonetheless claimed a few victims – only two in Tests, but 51 in all first-class games. “There was also a bit of a mystery as to my whereabouts after play was over,” admitted Morrison with a smile.Post your questions in the comments below

Jos Buttler to take charge amid ongoing fitness doubts over England white-ball captain

Matt Roller22-Jun-2022Eoin Morgan will sit out of England’s third ODI against the Netherlands on Wednesday due to a “tight groin” as concerns over his form and fitness continue to dominate the narrative around England’s white-ball sides. Jos Buttler will take over as captain.Morgan finishes the series with no runs and two dismissals from the eight balls he faced and while it is hardly unprecedented for him to rest himself for part of a series, his fitness has become a mounting issue this year.He said at the start of this tour that he would rest himself for at least some of England’s international fixtures this summer due to his concerns about playing games on consecutive days, something he has made a point of avoiding in the T20 Blast for Middlesex after suffering a thigh injury during the T20I series in Barbados earlier this year after playing back-to-back games.Morgan also said that he hoped to play all three games in the series “if possible” but his right groin, which he tweaked while playing for Middlesex last month and felt during Sunday’s second ODI, has left him unable to do so. He missed their optional training session on Tuesday and was ruled out of the third ODI on the morning of the game.England did not pick a spare batter in their squad so one of their allrounders – Moeen Ali or Sam Curran – will bat in the top six. David Payne, the Gloucestershire left-arm seamer, also makes his international debut.Morgan has hit a single half-century – against Sri Lanka in July 2021 – in the last 18 months across both international and domestic cricket in both 50-over and T20 cricket and his back-to-back ducks have furthered the impression that his latest form slump could be terminal.He insisted that he can “still contribute to a World Cup win” and intends to lead the side in the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year but has admitted that leading England’s defence of their 50-over title in India in 2023 feels “a long way away”.Buttler, his heir apparent, will be captaining in his ninth ODI having regularly deputised in Morgan’s absence over the past six years.

Michael Jones sets tone for hosts in comfortable 48-run victory at Riverside

ECB Reporters Network01-Jun-2022Durham 186 for 7 (Jones 44) beat Worcestershire 138 for 9 (Raine 3-23, Tye 3-27) by 48 runsDurham bounced back from successive defeats to get back to winning ways in the Vitality Blast with a comfortable 48-run victory over Worcestershire Rapids at Seat Unique Riverside.Michael Jones set the tone for the home side with a brisk 44 from 25 balls, notching five boundaries and three sixes. Ollie Robinson and Graham Clark provided useful knocks to allow Durham to post a competitive total of 186 for seven from their 20 overs.The Rapids were behind the rate from the off after losing Ed Pollock and Jack Haynes in the first nine balls of the innings. The visitors struggled to find the fence amid tight bowling from the Durham attack led by three wickets apiece from Ben Raine and debutant Andrew Tye, resulting in a dominant victory for the hosts.Worcestershire captain Ben Cox won the toss and elected to field in the bright sunshine at the Riverside. Clark and Jones continued their bright start to the Blast campaign by racing to fifty inside five overs. Jones was particularly destructive for the home side, smashing 15 off Pat Brown’s first over before taking a further 18 off spinner Josh Baker, including two sixes straight down the ground.Jones was pegged back going for one heave too many as Charlie Morris bowled the opener, while the visitors worked their way back into the game as Clark fell victim to a good delivery from Brett D’Oliveira.Robinson used the dimensions of the Riverside to great effect in his innings of 35 from 23 balls, but D’Oliveira turned one through the gate to send the wicket-keeper on his way. D’Oliveira’s fine evening with the ball continued when Paul Coughlin was stumped off a wide, earning revenge after being struck for a maximum from the previous ball. The Rapids skipper finished as pick of the bowlers with impressive figures of three for 24 from his four overs.David Bedingham, Brydon Carse and Ned Eckersley played vital cameos for the hosts in the latter stages of the innings, propelling them towards a competitive total of 186.Pollock scored six runs from the first two balls of Worcestershire’s reply, but Coughlin removed him with the third as Bedingham produced a brilliant diving catch at cover. Carse continued Durham’s strong start with the ball by bowling Jack Haynes for one, reducing the visitors to nine for two in the second over.D’Oliveira and Munro played within themselves after the early wickets, which resulted in the run rate ascending over 10 per over. As a result, the pressure was on the duo to accelerate, but D’Oliveira was pinned lbw by Raine before Munro was caught on the fence from a Scott Borthwick loosener.Tye marked his Durham debut with three late wickets amid a Worcestershire lower-order collapse, removing Ed Barnard, Cox and Matthew Waite, allowing the hosts to ease over the line.

Manchester United are now reportedly making a move to sign a new left-back for Ruben Amorim as the new Old Trafford head coach plots his path to success in Manchester.

Amorim's first games show problems and promise

A draw in his opening Premier League clash with Ipswich Town was followed up by a hard-fought 3-2 win over Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League, with both games showing how Amorim could improve the players at his disposal and how much work still needed to be done ahead of a tough fixture list.

Opponent

Competition

Everton (Home)

Premier League

Arsenal (Away)

Premier League

Nottingham Forest (Home)

Premier League

Viktoria Plzen (Away)

Europa League

Manchester City (Away)

Premier League

The Red Devils scored early in both games before throwing leads away, and in the case of their clash with Bodo, fell behind in shock fashion. However, they resuced all three points against the Norwegian side to move up to nine points from their opening five games in the Europa League, with a strong chance of securing an automatic last-16 slot should their unbeaten campaign continue.

There were positives to take from the game, too; Rasmus Hojlund rediscovered his goalscoring touch with a quickfire brace, with his relentless pressing also contributing to the opening goal that Alejandro Garnacho scored.

Elsewhere, Tyrell Malacia returned to action for the first time in 18 months, and though he was understandably rusty, United fans will have been pleased to have seen him back in action. Equally, Luke Shaw managed another half-hour from the bench as he rebuilds his fitness, while Noussair Mazraoui looked more assured in his new role in central defence.

But new signings and departures are inevitable at Old Trafford, and now the club have been tipped to be advancing in a move to sign a rising star.

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ByHenry Jackson Nov 30, 2024 Manchester United "advance" for teenage defender

According to reports in Argentina, as relayed by Sport Witness, Manchester United and Liverpool have made “advances” to Lanus in a bid to sign promising full-back Julio Soler.

It is claimed that “both of the Premier League sides have made moves for the 19-year-old”, while Argentinian giants River Plate are also thought to be interested in the youngster.

The defender has just 18 months left on his contract with Lanus, but it is added that the club have “high demands” to part ways with him any time soon. For Manchester United, a left-back is a crucial addition.

Though both Shaw and Malacia are both fit now, history suggests that it will not be long before either player is sidelined for a significant period again, with Shaw managing just 12 Premier League games in Erik ten Hag’s final full season in charge.

Soler, who has been called up to the Argentina senior setup (but is yet to be capped), has been described as an “explosive” full-back who is “technically secure” and “one of the best LB prospects in South America” by football analyst Ben Mattinson on X.

Could he be the long-term solution to Manchester United’s left-back issues?

Ex-Brentford striker Philipp Hofmann was hospitalised with a collapsed lung and a broken rib after a Bundesliga clash between Bochum and Heidenheim.

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Two players hospitalised after Bundesliga matchHofmann suffered 'potentially life-threatening injury'Goalkeeper Kevin Muller sustains concussionFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Friday's relegation battle between the two sides saw Hofmann and goalkeeper Kevin Muller both hospitalised after some nasty collisions. Hofmann crashed into Marvin Pieringer and was taken to hospital where it emerged he had suffered a broken rib and a collapsed lung. Bochum admitted the injury was "potentially life-threatening." Muller was also seriously injured and taken to hospital after being stretchered off. The goalkeeper was knocked unconscious after colliding with Ibrahima Sissoko and suffered a concussion.

AdvertisementWHAT BOCHUM SAID

The club offered more detail on Hoffman in a statement: "Philipp Hofmann suffered a serious injury during VfL Bochum 1848's away game in Heidenheim. The VfL striker suffered a broken rib after a collision with his opponent Marvin Pieringer, with the rib piercing the pleura and causing a collapsed lung – a potentially life-threatening injury. Hofmann owes it only to the careful first aid and immediate examinations and actions at the local hospital that nothing more serious happened. A minor operation using chest drainage relieved the injury, restoring lung function. 'Hoffi' will remain in the hospital for observation and treatment until he is fit to be transported. VfL Managing Director Dirk Dufner visited him in the hospital this morning and conveyed the team's best wishes for a speedy recovery, which has since begun its journey home. For Philipp Hofmann, the injury means he will no longer be able to support the team on the pitch this season. We wish our number 33 all the best – 'Hoffi', you are a fighter, you can do it!"

Getty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Hofmann has spent the majority of his career in the Bundesliga but did enjoy two years with Brentford between 2015 and 2017. He joined Bochum on a free transfer in 2022 and has been a regular this season for Dieter Hecking's side. Friday's game ended in a 0-0 draw which leaves Bochum bottom of the table and looking destined for relegation. Heidenheim sit four points above Bochum and currently occupy the relegation playoff spot.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT

Hofmann will not play any further part in Bochum's season and will instead focus on his recovery. It's not clear yet when Muller will be ready to play again after sustaining a concussion and spending the night in hospital.

Welsh Fire hit rock-bottom after slipping to sixth consecutive defeat

Harshini Mehta24-Aug-2022Dan Lawrence starred with bat and ball as London Spirit recorded their fifth victory out of six in their Hundred campaign, beating winless Welsh Fire by 18 runs.The England international top-scored for his side with an impressive 43 off 26 and with Adam Rossington and Ben McDermott weighing in with 32 apiece, Spirit set a challenging target of 157 despite Ish Sodhi’s tight spell on debut.Lawrence made sure that total was never seriously challenged as he decimated Fire’s top order with 4 for 20, and despite some explosive hitting from the middle order, Fire came up short.Related

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After Fire won the toss and chose to field, Spirit opener Rossington produced the early pyrotechnics with a flurry of boundaries off Dwaine Pretorius and David Payne. His partner Daniel Bell-Drummond was undone by a beauty from Jake Ball, but Rossington’s brutal striking brought the hosts to 41 for one at the end of the powerplay.Sodhi, Fire’s replacement for Adam Zampa, applied the brakes, only giving away two runs in his first five and pressure told when Rossington slog-swept the New Zealand legspinner straight down Ben Duckett’s throat in the deep. Eoin Morgan went without scoring but McDermott picked up where Rossington had left off, smashing his second six over long-on.McDermott too though fell to Sodhi’s wizardry at which point he had 2 for 6 in 14 deliveries. But Lawrence caused a dent in his bowling figures, twice planting him into the Grandstand.A third six to the long side followed as he endangered the cameras beyond the longer square boundary and with Kieron Pollard also clearing the ropes in his last appearance before making his way back to the Caribbean Premier League, Spirit posted a competitive 156.Dan Lawrence gets down to slog-sweep•ECB/Getty ImagesFire struggled for momentum from the off, taking 17 balls to find the boundary and the out-of-form Joe Clarke holed out soon afterwards off the bowling of Thompson trying to go the aerial route.Thereafter Lawrence returned to centre stage – his delivery to captain Josh Cobb caused him to skew his effort and he was comfortably caught by Bell-Drummond; two balls later, he yorked Bethell with a beauty and David Miller’s effort was seized by Pollard on the boundary edge.Pretorius and Duckett briefly raised Fire’s hopes with a partnership of 52 off 28, the latter striking two big sixes, but Lawrence returned to castle Duckett with the last ball of his spell.Leus du Plooy took up the challenge clubbing consecutive sixes and Matt Critchley blazed 21 from six balls, but Chris Wood dismissed both in the final set of five to finish with 4 for 28 as Spirit clinched victory.

Manchester United are still hoping to complete one final deal in the coming hours as they look to finalise their squad for the second part of the Premier League campaign, it has been reported.

Manchester United's January signings

Ruben Amorim’s first transfer window as Manchester United manager ended with just two new faces added to his squad despite the Red Devils languishing in 13th place in the Premier League and with a less than good record since the former Sporting manager arrived, which was compounded by their most recent defeat to Crystal Palace.

Ruben Amorim’s Premier League record

Games

13

Wins

4

Goals scored per game

1.2

Goals conceded per game

1.7

Points per game

1.08

The major addition was Patrick Dorgu, with the wing-back arriving from Lecce in a deal believed to be worth around 35m euros (£29m) with add-ons included.

“I am incredibly proud to be able to call myself a Manchester United player – this is a very special day for my whole family,” said Dorgu upon being unveiled at Old Trafford.

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“I cannot wait to work with Ruben Amorim. His vision for this team and the future of the club is incredibly exciting. There is a clear plan set out for my development, and I feel that Manchester United is the perfect place to fulfil my potential and complete my huge ambitions.”

Though still just 20-years-old, Dorgu is expected to be an instant starter at the Theatre of Dreams and will add some much needed firepower and dynamism on the left hand-side for Amorim, while he is also versatile enough to play elsewhere should he be required. A long-term option at fullback, his arrival means that United are now pursuing a late exit.

United aiming to finalise exit for stricken star

That is according to The Athletic, who report that the Red Devils are still aiming to complete a late loan move for Tyrell Malacia. Despite the English transfer window closing at 11pm on Monday, the Dutch transfer window remains open for another 24 hours and it is there that INEOS are looking to finalise a deal.

Malacia, who has seen much of his time since arriving at Old Trafford marred by injuries, has caught the eye of PSV Eindhoven after a move to Italy or Portugal broke down “over the club’s desired loan fee and the level of a future option to buy”.

Indeed, he has “travelled to the Netherlands to undergo a medical” in a move that will see at least some part of his £75,000 a week wages taken off the books for the remainder of the campaign, adding to the significant savings that both Marcus Rashford and Antony’s loan moves this month have provided.

Malacia won plenty of praise during his early tenure at Old Trafford, including from former Red Devil great Rio Ferdinand, who hailed him for his performance against Mohamed Salah back in 2022.

“He reminds me of Patrice Evra in many ways,” said Ferdinand “He’s athletic, he looks like a pound-for-pound strong kid”.

However, the 25-year-old has failed to kick on from that early promise thanks to injury, and his career now appears to lie away from Old Trafford both in the short term and likely the long term too.

Manchester United’s need for a new striker has become even more evident after the last few outings, none more so than the meeting with Arsenal in the FA Cup on Sunday evening.

Although the Red Devils managed to get through on penalties in the clash at the Emirates, their lack of threat in the final third was notable, only managing to register four shots on target in 120 minutes of football.

Rasmus Hojlund was the man chosen to lead the line but failed to register a single effort on goal, also losing 100% of his duels, before being replaced in the 80th minute.

The Dane has now failed to score a single goal in seven matches across all competitions, undoubtedly contributing to the club’s lowly tally of just 23 goals in the first 20 matches of the Premier League campaign.

His subsequent run could see the hierarchy delve into the transfer market to try and improve the current situation, including one player who could prove to be a bargain down the line.

Man Utd target move for £30m star this January

According to one Spanish outlet, United have been credited with an interest in landing Sporting CP striker Conrad Harder before the end of the January window.

The 19-year-old only joined the Portuguese side in September but has wasted no time in impressing, scoring seven times in 23 appearances since his move.

The report states that the Liga Portugal side don’t want to lose the youngster, but could entertain offers in the region of €35m (£30m), potentially opening the door to a move to Old Trafford.

It would be a surprise to see Ruben Amorim raid his former club after his comments upon taking the reins at United, but Harder could provide an option in the short and long term in forward areas.

He would also provide an upgrade on another player who’s been touted with a move to the club in recent days, with the hierarchy needing to chase the Dane over a move for a big-money talent.

How Harder compares to Kolo Muani

PSG forward Randal Kolo Muani has been a name constantly touted with a move to join United this month, but the Old Trafford side face serious competition from the likes of Juventus and Spurs for his signature.

The Frenchman, who cost the Parisians £76m in the summer of 2023, has only started two Ligue 1 outings during the ongoing campaign, opening the door for a potential exit.

Amorim’s side have constantly been linked, but given the recent rumours over a move for youngster Harder, the club should put their focus into a move for the Sporting ace, who would be a better fit, whilst also having the potential to improve further.

Games played

19

10

Goals & assists

10

3

Progressive carries

2.1

2

Progressive passes

1.7

1.2

Shots taken

4.6

3.8

Carries into the final third

1.7

1

Goals per shot-on-target

0.4

0.2

The Danish international, who’s already been dubbed “the new Gyokeres” by one analyst, has outscored the PSG man, whilst also averaging a higher goal per shot on target rate – demonstrating his clinical edge in the final third.

Harder has also managed more progressive carries and passes per 90 in 2024/25, having the all-round attributes to star as a superb leading talisman for Amorim for many years to come.

£30m may seem like a hefty sum for a player who’s in the very early stages of his professional career, but his talent is there for all to see, already outperforming one of France’s leading attackers.

It would be a shrewd investment for the present and the future, handing the new boss with all of the tools to build on his impressive start to life as manager in Manchester.

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