The central midfield department is arguably one of the most important areas of the pitch, but it’s often been a struggle for Manchester United over the last couple of months.

Bruno Fernandes has often been called upon to drop into a deeper role and fill the void at the heart of the side – a position that has become his own after the £200m additions in the final third.

A partner for the Portuguese international has been on the agenda for Ruben Amorim in recent months, but their hunt has so far been to no avail, with no new midfield additions made since his arrival 12 months ago.

33-year-old Casemiro has often been the man called upon in the Premier League this season, with the Brazilian making a positive impression – as seen by his tally of three goals to date.

However, given his age and current contract situation, he’s likely to depart Old Trafford at the end of the campaign, which could see the issue at the heart of the side rear its head once again.

As a result, INEOS are currently on the hunt for a new deep-lying option to fill the void for years to come, leading to one player being strongly linked with a move in the near future.

Why United are so keen on signing Anderson in the coming months

Over the last couple of weeks, United have ramped up their interest in a January deal to secure the signature of Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson.

It was reported earlier this week that Amorim’s men have already reached out to the Reds over a potential deal, with discussions taking place over the conditions of the transfer.

However, the 23-year-old would be a hugely expensive signing, with Sean Dyche’s men currently setting the asking price at a staggering £100m for the youngster.

Young English prospects always come at a premium in the modern market, but is the asking price at present a fair price for a player of Anderson’s quality?

His underlying stats from the current Premier League campaign certainly make for good reading, with the former Newcastle United academy graduate ranking top of 13 separate metrics at present.

He’s completed 113 passes into the final third, with his tally of 706 passes completed, the most of any player in the division – subsequently offering Amorim’s men a hugely talented orchestrator.

However, the hierarchy are undoubtedly hunting for a more defensive option at present, with any addition needing to be dominant without the ball to allow Bruno to flourish.

Luckily for United, Anderson has also excelled in such an area, currently entering and coming out on top in more defensive duels of any player in the division in 2025/26.

Other numbers, such as 8.8 progressive passes, with 8.6 of which being into the final third, further highlight the all-round quality the 23-year-old possesses despite his tender age.

Anderson has also transferred his talents onto the international stage, now cementing himself as a key member of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad over the last few months.

He featured for 85 minutes against Serbia on Thursday night, making the most tackles and winning the most duels of any player – further backing up his incredible defensive abilities in the Premier League.

It’s safe to say he ticks all the boxes United are looking for a new midfielder, but it remains to be seen if the hierarchy are willing to sanction such a big-money deal this January.

The United star who’s now worth more than Anderson

Despite their failures on the pitch over the last few years, Old Trafford still remains the home to countless top-level talents who are looking to cement their place in club folklore.

From big-money additions to academy prospects, boss Amorim really does have a hugely exciting squad at his disposal in his hunt for Premier League glory.

Adding quality players like Anderson will no doubt bolster their chances of success, but it shouldn’t take away from the levels previously produced by numerous players already on the books.

There’s little debating that Bruno is the most complete central midfielder currently on the books, but he desperately needs support around him to allow the club to reach the next level.

Kobbie Mainoo once appeared as though he was the perfect player to make the midfield spot his own, but it’s safe to say his career has stagnated since Amorim’s arrival last November.

The 20-year-old catapulted himself to stardom back in the 2023/24 campaign after producing countless moments of magic in the first-team after rising through the academy system.

From last-minute winners against Wolverhampton Wanderers to an FA Cup final goal against Manchester City – it truly was a season to remember for the youngster.

His incredible form for the Red Devils even led to a place in the England Euro 2024 squad, subsequently featuring in six of the seven fixtures during the tournament.

His talents were there for everyone to see, but he’s since struggled for senior minutes under Amorim, with Mainoo only registering 12 league starts in the last 12 months.

Most of his minutes have come off the substitutes bench, with the academy graduate yet to start a single Premier League outing in the 2025/26 campaign.

Games played

25

Minutes played

1656

Pass accuracy

87%

Chances created

1.7

Successful dribbles

1.3

Tackles won

63%

Duels won

5.9

Interceptions made

1.2

Recoveries made

4.8

It was reported in the summer that the player himself requested a temporary move away from Old Trafford to gain minutes to aid his development – but such a request was swiftly denied by the board.

However, despite his lack of action, Mainoo has still received huge praise in the last few months, with former Red Devil Paul Scholes labelling him as the “nearest thing” to the legendary Zinedine Zidane.

Such a comparison is no mean feat, with the now-retired Frenchman being one of the best midfielders of his generation – as seen by his tally of seven major trophies, which includes a World Cup triumph back in 1998.

Mainoo may not have featured as much as he would have liked, but he’s seen a sharp incline in his market value, with FootballTransfers now valuing the 20-year-old at £55.4m.

Such a figure is a remarkable one, given his academy status, subsequently joining for nothing as a youngster, which highlights the work done by countless staff behind the scenes.

However, such a figure is also higher than that of Anderson, with the same site valuing the Forest star at just £45.6m despite his current £100m asking price.

There’s little doubt that a move for Anderson would improve the options at Amorim’s disposal, but it’s clear that the boss needs to give Mainoo another chance to thrive.

The youngster has bags of time to reach the next level in his development, but he’s already achieved so much in such a short period – with such talent currently going to waste under the manager.

Forget Sesko: Man Utd's "terrible" dud is now becoming INEOS' worst signing

Manchester United made a huge mistake in spending big money on one first-team member.

ByEthan Lamb Nov 13, 2025

The relationship between Phillies manager Rob Thomson and outfielder Nick Castellanos doesn't appear to be in a great spot heading into the final stretch of the season.

Castellanos, who once started 236 straight games for Philadelphia, has seen his role diminish into more of a platoon player workload in August and September. Castellanos has started just seven of the Phillies' 17 games this month. But he had a big night Friday, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a two-run homer—his 250th career dinger—in Philadelphia's 8-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

Despite the victory, Castellanos sounded off about Thompson in the cluhouse after the game.

"I don't really talk to Rob all that often. I play whenever he tells me to play," Castellanos said. "And I sit whenever he tells me to sit… Communication over the years has been questionable, at least in my experience. But also, I grew up communicating with someone like my father, which is very blunt, direct and consistent."

The issues between Castellanos and Thomson have been bubbling all season long. Back in June, Castellanos was lifted for a defensive replacement in the ninth inning of the Phillies' 5–2 win over the Marlins. The following day, Castellanos was benched for making an "inappropriate comment" to Thomson, marking an end to his 236-game starting streak.

Castellanos and Philadelphia will return to the field Saturday night to continue their series against the Arizona at Chase Field.

MatériaMais Notícias

Serginho foi apresentado pelo Santos nesta terça-feira (30). O meia chega por empréstimo junto ao Maringá, com opção de compra. O jogador, foi formado nas categorias de base do Peixe, atuou ao lado de André, Alan Patrick e Neymar, que é seu amigo.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasSantosSaiba por que Santos quer marcar amistoso com o Boca JuniorsSantos27/04/2024SantosCarille coloca Santos como ‘candidato fortíssimo’ ao título da Série BSantos26/04/2024Fora de CampoTorcedores do Santos exaltam joia da base na web: ‘Craque’Fora de Campo26/04/2024

➡️ Tudo sobre o Peixe agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Santos

– Sempre tem um carinho especial em poder voltar ao clube que me revelou. Eu cheguei como criança. Não só virei profissional, mas aprendi muito como pessoa, como ser humano. Muito feliz de voltar. De ter passado pelas mãos de pessoas com quem tenho carinho, como o professor Lima. A expectativa de estar com o grupo, de voltar depois de muito tempo é grande. Motivação lá em cima em fazer parte da reconstrução do Santos. Espero ajudar o Santos a voltar para o lugar que não deveria ter saído.

– Nos falamos. Ele deu muito apoio. Ele disse: está voltando para casa, vai ser feliz. A gente veio para cá junto, cresceu junto. Espero fazer o melhor dar alegrias a ele e ao Santos.

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Fábio Carille foi um dos principais responsáveis pelo retorno de Serginho. O técnico pediu a contratação do meia, que ainda não teve contato com o treinador.

– Ele não me ligou, não tivemos contato, mas ele estava acompanhando. Não conversamos ainda. Vamos aos poucos nos treinos. Mas vai chegar o momento certo. Ele me recebeu muito bem, está me ajudando muito. Agradeço toda recepção. Da comissão técnica e jogadores. Espero agradar ao que ele está buscando e ter um bom aproveitamento no campeonato.

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🎙️ MAIS RESPOSTAS DE SERGINHO:

CONCORRÊNCIA COM OUTROS MEIAS
– A concorrência é sadia. Terão bastantes jogos até o fim do ano. Espero que possamos desempenhar ao máximo. Quando um não estiver bem, o outro pode ajudar. Sou um cara de aproximação, que gosta de finalizar. Tenho a bola parada também. Espero ajudar da melhor forma. Não temos nenhuma vaidade de brigar por posição.

POSIÇÃO EM CAMPO
– As pessoas sabem onde venho jogando. O professor Carille comentou sobre essa situação e dependerá dele. Jogo bastante por dentro e extremo pelos dois lados. Tem um tempo que jogo nessas posições. Lá fora joguei mais pelo lado, mas quando precisava vinha por dentro. Onde o professor me colocar espero fazer meu melhor para ajudar o Santos.

EXPERIÊNCIA NO EXTERIOR
– Aprendi muito lá fora sobre a intensidade. Futebol está muito intenso, a Série B pede isso. Intensidade e jogo rápido. Nosso time vem fazendo isso. Foi fácil de me encaixar nos treinos, no estilo de jogo. Espero que possa dar certo, entrosar o mais rápido possível para poder aproveitar e continuar com as vitórias.

MARINGÁ
– É um time inferior, mas com bastante projeção, que compete bastante. Se estivesse numa série C ou B estaria competindo lá em cima. Falamos inferior porque é um time novo, começando. Tem muito para conquistar as divisões e brigar de igual para igual. Já vesti essa camisa, sei como é. Eu fui criado em grandes jogos na base, consegui estrear como profissional. Sei do tamanho da importância, dos jogos que terão. Tenho só a agradecer. Vestir esse manto é maravilhoso. Espero desfrutar ao máximo e, se Deus quiser, conquistar os objetivos.

BOLA PARADA
– É uma coisa positiva. A bola parada é uma coisa que treino bastante, procuro caprichar. Os jogos têm sido definidos assim. Um jogo trucado acaba sendo definido assim. Espero que posso continuar, ajudar nossa equipe. O foco é ir em busca da Série A, espero fazer o meu melhor.

Tudo sobre

Futebol NacionalSantos

Glasgow Rangers head coach Danny Rohl has just over a month to go until he will have the opportunity to make his first signing since arriving at Ibrox to replace Russell Martin.

The German tactician came through the door well after the summer transfer window had been and gone, after sporting director Kevin Thelwell provided Martin with a host of signings.

Rangers, as shown in the graphic above, had a high turnover of players in and out of Ibrox after they failed to win any trophies in the 2024/25 campaign, under Philippe Clement or Barry Ferguson.

Unfortunately, though, Martin was unable to get a tune out of the squad after those changes in the summer and was eventually sacked last month after a run of five wins in 17 games.

With Rohl now in the building, the former Sheffield Wednesday head coach will have time to assess those summer signings and decide where he wants the club to strengthen the squad when the January transfer window opens.

One of those Martin and Thelwell signings whom the manager may deem needs to be replaced in the winter is experienced central midfielder Joe Rothwell.

Why Rangers need to replace Joe Rothwell already

Rangers swooped to sign the 30-year-old midfielder from Premier League side Bournemouth on a permanent deal during the summer window for Martin, who had worked with him on loan at Southampton in the 2023/24 campaign.

Unfortunately, the English lightweight has flopped at Ibrox, on current evidence, and is yet to play a single minute of action in the Scottish Premiership since Rohl came through the door.

He was ill and unavailable for selection against Dundee last time out, but the midfield flop was an unused substitute in the wins over Kilmarnock and Hibernian in the manager’s first two matches in the dugout.

This means that Rangers have now won one of the eight league matches he has played in and won all three of the games that he has not featured in so far this season.

Tackles

7

Bottom 29%

Interceptions

8

Top 29%

Duels won

16

Bottom 27%

Duel success rate

47%

Bottom 37%

Aerial duels won

4

Bottom 29%

Possession won in the final third

1

Bottom 18%

Ball recoveries

22

Bottom 40%

As you can see in the table above, Rothwell has struggled off the ball throughout the Premiership campaign, ranking poorly among his positional peers in the majority of the key defensive metrics, aside from interceptions.

On top of his defensive woes, the Englishman has no goals and one assist in eight appearances in the league, per Sofascore, which shows that he has not offered outstanding quality on the ball to make up for his defensive deficiencies.

This is why Rohl may already be considering replacing Rothwell in the January transfer window, and why the midfielder has been an unused substitute in the last two league games that he has been available for.

Rangers eyeing move for Premiership midfielder

The Scottish Premiership giants may be able to replace the former Bournemouth and Southampton flop amid reported interest in a star who plays in his position.

Transfer Focus

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

According to TEAMtalk, Rangers are one of the clubs exploring the possibility of a deal to snap up Kilmarnock central midfielder David Watson in the January transfer window.

The report claims that the Light Blues are in talks over a possible move for the Scotland U21 international, whose contract is due to expire at the end of the season.

It reveals that Rohl is a big fan of the midfield starlet and wants to add him to his squad in the winter market, with the Gers looking to seal a cut-price deal due to his contract situation.

However, TEAMtalk adds that Hearts, Aberdeen, and unnamed clubs in the English Championship are also keen on signing the £1.5m-rated Kilmarnock star, which means that there is plenty of competition for his signature.

Why Watson would be an upgrade on Rothwell for Rangers

Thelwell could land a huge upgrade on Rothwell for Rohl if he is able to beat the likes of Aberdeen and Hearts to the signing of Watson ahead of the second half of the season.

For a start, the Scotland U21 international is ten years younger than the English flop. He has far more years left ahead of him to develop as a player and offer quality on the pitch for Rangers than Rothwell does.

This also means that there is the potential for his value to grow so that he could be sold on for a profit in the future, like a Hamza Igamane or Calvin Bassey, and that may not be the case with the Bournemouth man, as he is in the latter stages of his career.

In terms of the here and now, Watson could come in as an upgrade on Rothwell from an offensive perspective. The Scottish star has scored three goals in 12 Premiership matches this season, after netting four last term, with the Rangers dud yet to get off the mark at Ibrox.

The Scotland U21 international, who Kilmarnock commentator Andrew Milligan claimed has “no ceiling”, would also come in and offer a huge upgrade on the English flop defensively.

Appearances

12

8

Tackles + interceptions per game

3.1

1.9

Clearances per game

0.9

0.1

Duels won per game

6.0

2.0

Ground duel success rate

51%

46%

Fouls won per game

2.3

0.1

Blocks per game

0.5

0.1

As you can see in the table above, Watson has excelled out of possession in comparison to Rothwell in the 2025/26 campaign, making far more defensive contributions at a more efficient rate.

It is, therefore, easy to understand why Rohl is such a big fan of the Kilmarnock star and why he wants Thelwell to get a deal over the line for him when the January transfer window opens.

Watson’s offensive and defensive statistics suggest that he would arrive at Ibrox as a huge upgrade on Rothwell, who has struggled since his move to the club, and provide the likes of Connor Barron, Nico Raskin, and Mo Diomande with genuine competition for the midfield spots.

Thelwell let Rangers star go for £0, now he'd walk into the XI over Aasgaard

This former Rangers star who was released by Kevin Thelwell would walk into the current team over Thelo Aasgaard.

ByDan Emery Nov 18, 2025

Blades, meanwhile, will miss the ongoing Bangladesh tour and the following NZ tour with a back injury

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Oct-2025West Indies quick Shamar Joseph was in line for a return to international cricket this weekend after missing the Test tour of India, but he has been set back by “some discomfort in his shoulder.” The 26-year-old, who was with the ODI squad in Dhaka, has now been sidelined from the three-match series against Bangladesh as well.Joseph had been picked for the T20I leg of the tour too. A Cricket West Indies (CWI) release on Monday said “he has been recommended for consultation with a specialist in England to start the rehabilitation process.”Before the Bangladesh series, Joseph had missed the two Test matches in India with an unspecified injury. He hasn’t played any cricket since the CPL ended in September. There he represented Guyana Amazon Warriors for five of their 12 matches.Left-arm seamer Jediah Blades also joined Joseph on the sidelines. The 23-year-old, who has played nine white-ball internationals for West Indies, was ruled out of the Bangladesh tour and the following New Zealand tour with a stress fracture of the lower back. Blades will return home for his rehab.Allrounder Akeal Hosein and left-arm seamer Ramon Simmonds have been added to West Indies’ squad for the remaining two ODIs against Bangladesh. Hosein and Simmonds were already scheduled to play the three-match T20I series, which will conclude West Indies’ tour of Bangladesh.West Indies lost the first ODI to Bangladesh by 74 runs on an unusually dark Dhaka pitch on October 18. Their next two ODIs are on October 21 and 23.

“Whenever I go in with a target, I just do very badly. So let’s not keep any target this season,” Ishan Kishan says after rescuing Jharkhand against Tamil Nadu with an uncharacteristic century

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Oct-2025Ishan Kishan is focused on the present, and wants to enjoy every opportunity he gets, irrespective of the level he is playing in.He’s currently captaining Jharkhand in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy, and began with a back-to-the-wall century, his ninth in first-class cricket, to rescue his side after the top order wobbled against Tamil Nadu on a greenish surface in Coimbatore.Kishan ended the opening day unbeaten on 125, having faced 183 deliveries. This helped Jharkhand end strongly on 307 for 6, with the pair of Kishan and Sahil Raj having added an unbroken 150-run stand for the seventh wicket.Related

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“At this stage, I need to be very smart,” he said after the day’s play to . “You need to understand the importance of the Ranji Trophy. You need to understand the importance of these matches when you play against big teams.”Kishan walked out to bat at No. 5, with Jharkhand in trouble at 79 for 3 just after lunch. He buckled down for a better part of the next two sessions, shelving the big hits for a large part. That he hit only two sixes in his innings is some indication of the restraint he showed.”You make so many mistakes initially in your career and then later you realise the real meaning of experience,” he said. “You have to be in the middle and only then you can change the game.”I was checking the wind when the left-arm spinner was bowling. I really wanted to go hard against him. But looking at the scoreboard, six wickets down did not feel right for me. I did it [bat with caution] once in the Irani Cup and here in the Ranji Trophy, where I’m the experienced and the only India player in the team, my job was to ensure we were batting at stumps.”I was actually wanting to go for sixes. But the situation demanded otherwise. This comes with experience. When you play enough matches, you understand sometimes that singles are more important than sixes and over a period of time, your mindset changes. A partnership was important to make their bowlers tired.”Kishan has had a decent build-up to the season. After a short county stint with Nottinghamshire, where he hit 77 and 87 in two innings, he was in line to be recalled to the India squad for the fifth Test against England at The Oval as a cover after Rishabh Pant’s injury.However, Kishan suffered bruises from an e-bike accident in the UK around the same time. Tamil Nadu’s N Jagadeesan was eventually picked as cover, with Dhruv Jurel as the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in Pant’s absence. Upon his full recovery, Kishan featured for Rest of India in the Irani Cup earlier this month, prior to the start of the Ranji season.”Whenever I go in with a target, I just do very badly,” Kishan said. “I just do something which is not important. So let’s not keep any target this season. Just keep on batting. If you are in the middle, you will get as many runs as you want. That’s the only goal for me.”

There is little to suggest that Liverpool are close to turning a corner and sustaining a respectable level of performance any time soon. What is most concerning is that the Reds and their boss, Arne Slot, have shown little sign of finding a solution to any of the many problems plaguing their campaign.

Liverpool’s Premier League title defence lies in tatters. There is a grudging acceptance across the red streets of Merseyside that Arsenal’s grip on top position is out of reach. Certainly, the gulf in quality between the two sides this season suggests that Liverpool will have to settle for a lesser prize on the league front.

Liverpool have been outclassed in successive top-flight fixtures, and change is surely needed now. Indeed, Liverpool languish in 11th place in the Premier League, having scored 18 goals and conceded 20.

Defensively, it’s been a mess, and the noise concerning Ibrahima Konate is only intensifying after the thrashing dealt by Nottingham Forest brought the French defender’s season to its lowest ebb.

Why Konate is becoming a huge problem for Liverpool

Konate, 26, was immense throughout the 2024/25 campaign, a powerful partner for Virgil van Dijk. He, of course, won the Premier League title, settling as a regular starter in Didier Deschamps’ France squad too.

Now, Konate is only offering the vestiges of that former level. What is most frustrating is that he has proven his quality before, but the loss of Trent Alexander-Arnold beside him as exposed Konate’s issues in establishing confident build-up patterns.

But these two versions of Konate are so staggeringly opposed that it is hard to accept this is the same player. Errors and baffling decision-making have been central parts of the £70k-per-week talent’s season, and you can’t help but question whether he is somewhat distracted by outside noise.

Konate is playing out the final year of his contract at Anfield, and though FSG have offered him an extension, there has yet to be a breakthrough as speculation regarding Real Madrid’s interest continues to linger.

The season-ending injury suffered by Giovanni Leoni in his first game for the club after signing from Parma for £27m this summer was a cruel blow. A detrimental blow. The 18-year-old’s absence has been keenly felt, not least because a move for Marc Guehi fell through on deadline day.

With Slot insinuating that Liverpool’s focus this winter might be on areas further upfield (heavy speculation centres on Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo), it might be that the Reds opt to make do at the back.

If this is to be the case, Slot must surely hand one of the club’s most talented young defenders a chance to shine.

Liverpool's academy Konate solution

Slot has shown a willingness to give youth a chance since taking over at Liverpool before the start of last season. Amara Nallo, for example, has been handed a few opportunities at senior level, albeit with those outings on the major stage leaving the up-and-comer beleaguered after red cards in both matches.

However, Nallo isn’t the only teenage centre-back who is playing himself toward senior contention, with 19-year-old Wellity Lucky inching toward a breakthrough after commanding displays for Rob Page’s development side.

The Spain-born defender moved to England aged 11 before joining Liverpool’s academy scene, and he has gone from strength to strength in the years since joining, having now made 60 appearances for the club’s respective youth levels.

Earlier this season, the “highly-rated” defender, as he was described by Reds reporter Ben Bocsak, made his professional debut off the bench as Slot’s side were beaten 3-0 by Crystal Palace at Anfield in the Carabao Cup.

In the process, he was rewarded after being “outstanding this season” in the Premier League 2, as has been said by youth correspondent Jack Lusby.

A commanding and dominant defender with a promising ability to read and then snuff out opposition attacks, Lucky has shown that he can take his power and potential and transfer that over to contests against senior opponents. In the Football League Trophy this term, Lucky has impressed against the bustle of outfits like Crewe Alexandra and Chesterfield for the U21s.

Front-footed and fast, you could even say that he offers shades of a player like Konate, which could make adding him to the mix an attractive prospect from a stylistic standpoint.

Matches (starts)

2 (2)

Touches*

90.5

Accurate passes

61.5 (88%)

Key passes*

0.5

Dribbles*

1.5

Ball recoveries*

6.0

Tackles + interceptions*

3.0

Clearances*

5.5

Duels (won)*

5.0 (83%)

It might not have been against top-level opponents, but for Lucky to have won 83% of his duels across the two fixtures bespeaks his incisiveness in defensive phases. Moreover, his cameo against Palace last month saw him complete all 22 of his attempted passes while making a recovery too. Small factors, but promising nonetheless.

Slot continues to show a reluctance to give Joe Gomez a run of chances, and if Konate continues to flatter to deceive, it’s surely only a matter of time before things change there.

Could that open up an opportunity for a youngster such as Lucky? After all, he has earned Slot’s approval already this year, and Nallo’s struggles under the boss’s wing suggest that Lucky could be set for a promotion sooner rather than later.

To throw Lucky into the deep end would hardly be a propitious move, but if Slot can ease him into life among the big boys, this could add an exciting and fresh dimension to a defence crying out for support.

Read between the lines and you could surmise that Liverpool will prioritise a wide forward this summer. In this, the need for academy support at the rear is significant, and Lucky could be the shrewd solution to thread the connection between the club and the fanbase back together.

Forget Isak: Another Liverpool flop is quickly becoming the new Nunez

Alexander Isak has had a wretched first few months at Liverpool.

ByMatt Dawson Nov 23, 2025

South African’s ability to go hard from ball one has produced eye-popping returns from just 69 balls this tournament

Vithushan Ehantharajah29-Aug-2025Donovan Ferreira has only faced 69 balls in 2025’s Men’s Hundred which, on a £52,000 deal, works out at just over £750 per delivery.Yet speak to anyone at Oval Invincibles and they will tell you the South African batter is a bargain. One they initially acquired last season for the second of their back-to-back titles and who has now played a pivotal role in their quest for a three-peat.In Tom Moody’s finely cultivated Invincibles batting order, Ferreira brings the disorder. He is a finisher by trade; a batter lower down who has to start, as he puts it, “on the heater” to make the most of the few deliveries left in an innings. Of the 69 sent his way this season, he’s managed 169 runs, striking at an absurd 244.92.Only 17 of those runs have been on foot – that’s the same number of sixes he’s managed this competition. He is clearing the boundary once every four balls, broadly in line with his work since the start of the year. Among the 66 batters with 15 or more sixes across the four major leagues Ferreira has graced in 2025 – SA20, IPL, MLC and Hundred – he sits fourth, with one every 6.23 deliveries.The career T20 numbers speak of a man keener on the aerial route, with one more six (145) than fours across 98 innings. And while such feats can blur into one on the T20 treadmill – Ferreira has played 79 short-form games since the start of last year – there is one of those blows for which he can close his eyes and feel it all over again.Donovan Ferreira crashed a 24-ball fifty against Birmingham Phoenix•Getty Images”It’s one in this year’s SA20,” Ferreira tells ESPNcricinfo. “Against Naveen-ul-Haq – I hit him out of The Wanderers. He bowled a slower ball and… well, everyting just clicked. Straight on the roof.” It went 109 metres.”In fact, my next favourite six was three balls after, when I hit him on the other roof on the square leg boundary.” That one sailed 105 metres.It was midway through this season’s SA20 that Ferreira embarked on a remarkable purple patch. In all he managed a relatively modest 163 runs struck at 155.23 for Joburg Super Kings, alongside eight dismissals with his canny offspin (he can keep wicket, too). But that was followed by a brutal 248 runs at 213.79 for Texas Super Kings, while averaging 41.33.He arrived in south London a man in form, and better equipped to deal with the novelty of 20 fewer balls and the increments of 10 from each end.”In the last six months, I think my game has definitely gone to the next level,” Ferreira says. “If you look at SA20, it started getting better. And then MLC, I was fortunate to consistently dominate over there. In this year’s Hundred, be it five-ball, 20 or whatever the case is, my contributions were significant in most of the games.”Playing in the Hundred for the first time last year (122 runs in seven innings), it was a tricky format. I know the ball played a part, with with the ‘H’ on the ball making it swing a lot. But second season, you know the pitches, the grounds, the ins and outs. It makes it a lot easier.”You’re never really out of the game with the bat or the ball. And with the ten balls from one side, you can use that (as a batter). If you’re hitting it well, you don’t need to take a single or change your mindset as often in terms of the dimensions of the ground. Momentum-wise, it just massively favours whoever’s on top. At the back end, if you’re hitting it well, I don’t think many bowlers want to be bowling to you in that second five if you’ve dominated the first five. The bowler’s on the back foot from ball one because you’ve already been going and you’re not gonna slow down.”Ferreira sees no mystery to his craft. Long before these heady days, back at the age of 23 when he had to take on a full-time job as sales rep for cricket brand IXU after being released by Titans, he knew he had the ability to win games on his own. That, he believes, is something he was born with.Ferreira hit some of his biggest sixes of the year at the SA20•SA20″It’s similar to bowling 150kph. You can coach a guy as much as possible to pick up one or two yards, but if he’s got that natural ability, he’s got the natural ability. I think I’m fortunate enough to have that on my side.”Such birthrights seem to come with an ingrained belligerence. Now with Titans full-time, Ferreira left a post-season review two years ago with one point to work on – that his numbers against spin, specifically the ball turning away from him, were poor. Ever since, his strike-rate against spin outright has improved by almost 30 (141.32 pre-2024, to 169.1 post). Last summer, he almost single-handedly pulled Invincibles out of the mire against Northern Superchargers by taking apart Adil Rashid and Mitchell Santner, striking two sixes off each having come in at 59 for 4 in pursuit of 146. He was the penultimate batter to fall, for 49 off 24, with only two of his teammates making it into the teens.His ability to go hard so early is another trait. In five of his six innings for Invincibles this term, he has struck at least one boundary in his opening three deliveries. On three occasions, they have been sixes, including his first ball against Welsh Fire, which was followed by a four. “Funnily enough, I did my side in SA20 doing that,” he laughs when asked if it is as simple as swinging wildly out of the gates.The science, for what it’s worth, happens not just before he steps on the field, but before he leaves his hotel room. Before one MLC match, Ferreira found cleaning his room therapeutic and decided to make that a routine. It is his way of maintaining order, literal decluttering for its figurative benefits, before indulging his own chaos out in the middle.”I’d just wake up and clean my room in the morning. It never really bothers me prior to game-day, but game-day, I just want everything to be… aligned. All of a sudden it feels like I’m OCD, which I’m not at all! But it’s a weird thing.”The role I have, it’s never the same. So, if I can control my environment to be neat and tidy, it… actually, I don’t know psychologically what it does, but I think it just keeps me nice and calm.

I’d just wake up and clean my room in the morning. All of a sudden it feels like I’m OCD, which I’m not at all! But it’s a weird thing

“I also listen to music, maybe for an hour, when I’m getting ready, packing my clothes, before we have to meet. Sometimes it’s some sing-along, some days I listen to some club music. Nothing specific that I listen to, but it’s when I’m getting ready in the hotel. It’s just literally just headphones on, just zoning in. It gets me away from the world, gets me away from distractions.”Strip away the role and there is a 27-year-old who still regards himself as young and is both aware he needs to evolve as a cricketer and that cricket does not define him as a person. He has lost all this once before. Even riding this wave, Ferreira knows it could go in a flash, and he is at peace with that.The one wave Ferreira has yet to truly get on has been with the national team. To date, he has six T20I caps for South Africa. He was omitted from their white-ball tour of Australia but will join up with the Proteas for the T20I series against England next month.Ferreira was told to throw his lot in with the Hundred for August by Rob Walter, South Africa’s white-ball coach before stepping down in April. Invincibles’ penchant for a settled line-up meant they were more than happy to retain him, having released Spencer Johnson, in the expectation that he would be playing for Australia in those matches before back soreness ruled him out.Related

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Nevertheless, Ferreira was a little surprised when he saw the squad picked for that tour, unsure whether the agreement with Walter had been passed on to new all-encompassing head coach Shukri Conrad. He decided against seeking clarification: “It’s not really my position to pick up the phone and ask what’s happening – I’ve only played six games, right? It’s just me knowing my place.”As it happens, his “place” in the current South Africa XI is well-stocked. Even with the retirement of Heinrich Klaasen, the middle order overflows with power – the experience of David Miller and the exciting young duo of Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs. Stubbs is also the reason Ferreira was limited to a supersub cameo for Delhi Capitals in the latest edition of the IPL.What gives, South Africa – why all the finishers? Is it something in the braai?”I’m not sure why it is like that,” Ferreira replies, somewhat miffed. “I reckon we just hit the ball nice and hard. It’s similar to the West Indians, they’ve got that style of play.”I think it is something that we’ve been taught from a younger age, to hit nice and straight. You get private coaching when you’re younger, so it’s very technical. I’m not sure if the school grounds are bigger. I think we’re just blessed as a country to have all these power hitters in that role.”Klass bats a bit higher. Stubbs sometimes in domestic cricket bats a bit higher, but he’s successful at the finishing role as well. When Miller goes back, he bats four. I’ve stuck at six. I just think maybe we get an opportunity at that (finisher) role first. When you get into the team, if you look at all those players, they’re all started at six, seven.”Even with a T20 World Cup at the turn of the year, Ferreira maintains his focus on where he is right now, which is preparing for another Hundred final on Sunday at Lord’s. And then, he affords himself a moment to think ahead.”I would love to go and it would be an amazing experience. I think that’s the ultimate, to win a World Cup. If I get selected or not, it’s, it’s in their hands.”It’s similar in the leagues. All you can do is try and perform so that you hope to get selected the next year. As long as you give the coaches no reason to let you go, or not to come back, that’s all you can control. There’s no straightforward answer to any of selection questions, and I don’t think there’s a right or a wrong answer, you know?”

Sam Elliott had the final say after New South Wales had suffered a middle-order collapse

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Victoria celebrate clinching a nail-biting victory•Getty Images

Charlie Stobo was nearly the hero for New South Wales, as Victoria held on in the last over for their first one-day win of the season.Stobo, batting at No. 8, made 47 from 41 balls in a riveting finish, after NSW had collapsed again at Junction Oval in the wake of last week’s Sheffield Shield loss.Stobo’s impressive knock, which included 19 off the penultimate over from Todd Murphy, brought them to within five runs of a comeback win, before he holed out to Murphy at mid-off off the bowling of seamer Sam Elliott with four balls left.”It was a cracking game in the end … obviously very happy with the result,” said Elliott, who is back from an Australia A white-ball tour of India. “Anyone who says they don’t get nervous is a liar. I was definitely nervous at the end there.”Luckily, we’ve played a lot of cricket together now. Being able to have that clear communication towards the end, that definitely does help.”The game had been shortened to 36 overs per side because of morning rain.The visitors were well on their way at 97 for 3 in the 21st over. Young quick Austin Anlezark then struck twice in three deliveries and part-time spinner Campbell Kellaway took another wicket in the next over to wrest control from NSW.Kellaway starred with 2 for 25 from seven overs with his left-arm spin after anchoring the Victorian innings at No. 3 with 43.Captain Will Sutherland top-scored with 46 from 44 balls after NSW won the toss.Stobo top scored for NSW with four fours and a six in his rearguard knock after taking 3 for 32 to lead their attack.Sam Konstas and Kurtis Patterson gave NSW a solid start with their opening stand of 54, before wickets fell steadily.On Friday, Victorian Test paceman Scott Boland rifled through the NSW tail with five wickets to decide their Sheffield Shield match.”A frustrating week – we were in the game, both games, and we let it slip,” said NSW captain Jack Edwards. He [Stobo] held his nerve, gave us a chance. He showed in the last game as well, what he can do with the bat – he’s a very handy cricketer.”It’s a shame he couldn’t get over the line there. We need to be more ruthless if we want to be a good side. We let them back in the game, they take the opportunity and run with it.”NSW are 2-2 in the One-Day Cup after Monday’s loss, with Victoria 1-3.NSW will regain Test star Steve Smith for their next Shield game from October 28, against Queensland at the Gabba.

Manchester United were deservedly booed off the pitch as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat at home to an Everton side who played the vast majority of the game with 10 men. Idrissa Gueye's bizarre sending off for snapping at his team-mate Michael Keane gave United the perfect advantage but they completely blew it, falling behind to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's stunning long-range hit then failing to react.

Everton had made such a strong start that United barely managed to get out of their own half for the first 10 minutes. But the visitors shot themselves in the foot in a truly remarkable turn of events which saw Gueye sent off in the 13th minute for striking Michael Keane in the face. Gueye vented his fury at Keane just after Casemiro had fired a shot on goal in United's first attack of the game, shoving the defender and twice raising his arms to his face before goalkeeper Jordan Pickford intervened. 

It was a very rare instance of a player being sent off for confronting a team-mate, reminiscent of Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer's infamous scrap in Newcastle's defeat against Aston Villa 20 years ago which saw both players dismissed. And yet, the Toffees responded to the setback in the best way possible, continuing to harry United and taking the lead with a brilliant strike from Kiernan Dewsbury Hall, who beat Fernandes and  Yoro before arrowing into the top corner from outside the area.

United dominated the play but were completely toothless and unimaginative. Patrick Dorgu and Amad each fired wide in the first half while Fernandes' threatening shot was tipped over by Pickford. Ruben Amorim changed things in the second half but United still lacked creativity and, worst of all, belief.

The weekend's results gave them the opportunity to climb into fifth in the Premier League table but instead they are left stranded in 10th and it feels like they are back to square one, all the progress of their positive results in October and early November going out the window.

GOAL rates Man United's players from Old Trafford…

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Senne Lammens (5/10):

Question will be asked of his failure to stop Dewsbury-Hall's shot but it had real power and direction on it. He didn't have to do much else given how Everton sat off once in front.

Matthijs de Ligt (4/10):

Struggled in the early stages amid Everton's bright start. Backed away from Dewsbury-Hall instead of trying to close him down. Was then too cautious, not capitalising on the man-advantage by stepping forward.

Leny Yoro (4/10):

Should have done more to stop Dewsbury-Hall, getting a foot to the ball but then letting his opponent win it back to score. Otherwise defended pretty well and played on the front foot in the second half. 

Luke Shaw (4/10):

Struggled to contain Iliman Ndiaye in the early stages. Tried to support the attack in the second half but his crossing wasn't good enough.

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Noussair Mazraoui (4/10):

Struggled to make much happen at right wing-back, making just one memorable move down the flank before being taken off at half-time.

Casemiro (4/10):

A flat performance, not disrupting Everton's play as he needed to and missing the target with a decent sight of goal. Removed shortly after being booked.

Bruno Fernandes (3/10):

A very poor performance by his usual high standards. Made little effort to stop Dewsbury-Hall in his tracks, another sign of the risks of playing him in the deeper role. His passing was also sloppy and he couldn't inspire United when he needed to, firing a good opportunity over the bar in the second half.

Patrick Dorgu (4/10):

Didn't get at Everton enough and on the one occasion he got in a good position – a brilliant one at that – he fluffed his lines and fired wide of the near post. Taken off for Dalot.

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Bryan Mbeumo (6/10):

He at least looked determined to make a difference and provided some spark but didn't pack his shooting boots, slicing a good opportunity well wide.

Joshua Zirkzee (4/10):

Had the chance to make his mark while Sesko is out but was largely toothless. Took until the 80th minute to have his first shot although he did at least have a flurry of late attempts, twice being denied by Pickford.

Amad Diallo (6/10):

Had a couple of good dribbling moments but was isolated in the first half in the attacking midfield role. Combined better with Mbeumo when restored to wing-back.

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Mason Mount (6/10):

Gave the team some urgency and bite going forward and was unlucky not to equalise.

Kobbie Mainoo (5/10):

Another opportunity wasted to endear himself to Amorim as he made very little happen.

Diogo Dalot (5/10):

Gave the team a bit more balance but rarely looked like making a difference.

Ruben Amorim (4/10):

Playing Mazraoui and Dorgu as wing-backs did not work but the fact that his team lost at home to 10 men speaks of a much bigger malaise.