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Adam Wheater hits fifty as Surrey’s young quicks impress

ECB Reporters Network08-Aug-2020Feroze Khushi suggested Essex’s production line is in no danger of slowing down as the academy product celebrated his maiden first-class half-century on an even opening day against Surrey.Batsman Khushi was one of 10 homegrown talents in the Essex’s Bob Willis Trophy side to face Surrey as he struck 66 on his second appearance for the county.Adam Wheater, who along with Sam Cook was awarded his county cap before play, also reached fifty as Essex reached the close on 253 for seven.Surrey, who picked seven homegrown players of their own in their XI, proved their youth was also prospering as debutant Gus Atkinson, James Taylor and Amar Virdi all claimed wickets.Home skipper Tom Westley won the toss and elected to bat on a wicket which seemed identical to the one which produced a two-wicket thriller against Kent last week. That meant patient batting and accurate bowling was rewarded throughout the day.Availability-plagued Surrey had enjoyed the better of the morning session as two teenagers saw county champions Essex slump to 49 for three.Surrey have 14 players currently unavailable which forced them to add Sussex’s Laurie Evans and Worcestershire bowler Adam Finch on loan for this match. Quick Atkinson was handed a debut, having been at the county since Under-12 level, and it took him just five overs to make his mark on the first team.Nick Browne seemed to expect the ball to angle across him but was cramped as he squeezed the ball to Mark Stoneman at extra cover.James Taylor wasn’t offered a new contract at boyhood club Derbyshire last year, but their oversight has been to Surrey’s benefit. The seamer didn’t take a wicket in the defeat to Middlesex but scythed down Essex’s top order in two successive deliveries.Westley slashed outside off stump to nick behind to keeper Jamie Smith, the batsman distraught at his misjudgement. Varun Chopra then jabbed a beauty to Scott Borthwick at second slip to leave Essex 49 for 3.Khushi joined his boyhood hero Sir Alastair Cook, who had provided a no-thrills backbone to the batting. Cook reached 42, having added 49 with Khushi, but edged Virdi to first slip Rikki Clarke to a ball which turned nicely out the rough – Virdi’s third ball.Khushi then took centre stage with patience mixed with a dabble of strokeplay – specifically picking up whenever Virdi found himself straying a tad short. Khushi made his debut last week, where he scored a vital 45 in the chase of 202, including 86 with Cook.The 21-year-old had been given a life when he was put down by Will Jacks at gully on 16, but strode to an 84-ball fifty with a flick off his hips. But he saved the shots of the day until the next over when he twice whipped Taylor to the leg-side boundary.Khushi departed in a tame fashion which betrayed the rest of his innings, when he placed straight into Ryan Patel’s lap at midwicket off Virdi. Paul Walter, who replaced the injured Ryan ten Doeschate in the side, had put on 67 with Khushi and continued his work with Wheater. They added another 57 runs before Borthwick entered the attack and yorked the allrounder with his third ball.Wheater was unassuming in his run-scoring, especially with a relentlessly precise bowling attack, but reached his half-century in 94 balls. The wicketkeeper has started the Bob Willis Trophy in fine form, following 37 and a match completing 26 not out.He was dismissed attempting an extravagant cut off Clarke, which deflected to Evans at gully. Simon Harmer, Essex’s only non-local, saw out the last seven overs of the day with Aaron Beard.

Mikel Arteta set an outrageous Arsenal target of securing 114 points as they look to dethrone Premier League champions Manchester City.

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Man City pipped the Gunners to the title in 2023-24Arteta set an insane invincible target for ArsenalDetermined to stop City's juggernautWHAT HAPPENED?

After being edged out by City to the Premier League title on the final matchday of the 2023-24 campaign, Arteta looked more determined than ever to stop Pep Guardiolla's troops from conquering England for a record fifth successive time. He emphasised the need for everyone at Arsenal, including himself, to elevate their standards and acknowledged that to win the Premier League, he must introduce elements to the team that have been missing so far.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT ARTETA SAID

Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s friendly against Manchester United in Los Angeles at the SoFi Stadium, Arteta said: "The message is clear – we need more from everybody. More from everybody including me. I need to raise the standards, I need to bring something I haven’t brought yet. Individually and collectively the same. The more we do that, the better the chance it’s going to be to win the Premier League. This is what we want basically. Just work every day with that excitement and understanding of the difficulty. And when those difficulties come, stay together and go through them efficiently."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

When Arteta was asked what it would take to beat City to the title, the Arsenal manager revealed that he is targeting perfection.

"114 points"! he claimed. "If we do that, we win the league for sure. This is the objective, from there we’ll see what we get. Earn the right to win it and have the biggest probability over the opponent. When we have difficulties that we are still better than the opponents. That’s really the objective."

If Arteta's troops indeed go on to achieve the target, then they will break several records in the process and would also become the second Arsenal side to remain invincible after Arsene Wenger's squad in the 2003-04 season.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

Arsenal have commenced their pre-season preparations in the United States and will next face Manchester United in Los Angeles on Saturday. Following this, the Gunners will play against Liverpool at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on July 31, 2024.

Newcastle United could be ready to rival Real Madrid for a Premier League star this summer, it has emerged.

Magpies with money to spend

There have been plenty of fears on Tyneside that it will need to be a quiet summer for Newcastle United as they look to avoid retribution for breaching the Premier League's financial fair play regulations, having already seen Everton and Nottingham Forest punished for it.

There has even been speculation that they will have to sell one of their stars to fund any summer business, with European football and the windfall that accompanies it looking unlikely as things stand.

Club fully expect Newcastle to bid for their "fantastic" star this summer

The Magpies have already identified him ahead of a summer move.

ByBen Browning Mar 27, 2024

However, recent reports have suggested that Newcastle do indeed have the money to spend this summer despite FFP concerns, and that they have been scouting a whole host of expensive names as they look to hand Eddie Howe further reinforcements ahead of the new season.

They could even be set to go head to head with Spanish giants Real Madrid for one of the Premier League's breakout stars this season, according to the latest transfer information.

Newcastle in race for Branthwaite

That comes in the form of a move for Everton talent Jarrad Branthwaite, who has risen to prominence at Goodison Park this season after impressing at PSV Eindhoven last campaign.

Though the Toffees have struggled, Branthwaite has been a rare glimmer of hope in an otherwise dire season, and the left-footed centre-back has become one of the Premier League's hottest properties.

Jarrad Branthwaite vs Newcastle centre-backs Premier League stats 23/24

Jarrad Branthwaite

Sven Botman

Fabian Schar

Jamaal Lascelles

Appearances

25

17

28

15

Pass accuracy

79.1%

90.6%

83.6%

86.6%

Tackles (per 90)

2

1.31

1.11

1.19

Interceptions (per 90)

1.64

0.59

0.92

0.34

Aerial duels won %

65.3%

66.7%

50.5%

66.2%

He has garnered praise from all corners, with Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher dubbing him outstanding earlier in the season: “Branthwaite has been outstanding", he told Monday Night Football. “I remember being a young lad going in myself at Liverpool and it’s an unforgiving position, I had to go to full-back for the next three or four years and then go back to centre-back, so you can see the quality we have.”

Branthwaite was even called up to the latest England squad, and harbours hopes of making the Three Lions squad for EURO 2024, though he is yet to make his debut under Gareth Southgate.

Now, football transfers have revealed that Newcastle have 'emerged as contenders' for his signature, with Everton demanding around £75m to let him leave this summer. They will face competition, however, from both Manchester Clubs and also Real Madrid, all of whom are showing an interest in the talented Englishman.

It is the Red Devils that are leading the race, with United ready to go "all in" to secure his services this summer. Meanwhile, it is added that at this stage Newcastle are rank outsiders, and that it would 'be unlikely that the centre-back opts to make a move to St James' Park'.

The Magpies are searching for a defender to succeed the impressive but ageing Fabian Schar and provide a long-term partner to Sven Botman, but with less financial muscle than those they are competing with, trying to tempt Branthwaite to follow Anthony Gordon's path to Tyneside may be a tough ask.

Four-wicket haul for back-up spinner hands Hampshire modest target in fourth innings

ECB Reporters Network10-Aug-2020Felix Organ stepped into the breach to bowl injury-hit Hampshire into a winning position with a four-wicket haul against Middlesex at Radlett.Organ was called on to send down 13 overs of offbreaks during Middlesex’s second innings after a second freak injury in as many days, to seamer Ryan Stevenson, deprived the visitors of two frontline bowlers. But the 21-year-old responded with figures of 4 for 42 – his second-best return in red-ball cricket – as the home side were dismissed for 201 to leave Hampshire chasing a victory target of 158.Although they lost two wickets – and will probably have just nine fit batsmen – Sam Northeast’s side advanced to 60 for 2 at stumps and go into the final day as clear favourites to clinch their first victory in the Bob Willis Trophy.The visitors had resumed their first innings in the morning with a 27-run advantage – which they extended by another 17 before Tim Murtagh claimed the last two wickets inside the first half-hour.Middlesex quickly wiped out their 44-run deficit, with Max Holden playing some attacking shots before Keith Barker had him caught behind. But play was held up soon afterwards when Stevenson, chasing Sam Robson’s leg-side drive to the boundary, skidded into a pitchside marquee and gashed his shin on one of the supporting poles.Even without both Stevenson and spinner Liam Dawson – who had sustained an Achilles tendon injury while batting the previous day – Hampshire’s remaining bowlers were able to peg their hosts back.Ian Holland picked up the wicket of Robson just before lunch, but Nick Gubbins and Middlesex captain Stephen Eskinazi threatened to seize control of the game as they put together a partnership of 54. Gubbins was progressing nicely, with 46 from 65 deliveries, until he was given out leg before to former team-mate James Fuller – although it appeared the ball might have taken the left-hander’s inside edge before hitting the pad.However, his dismissal prompted a clatter of wickets, with Eskinazi top-edging a sweep into the hands of deep square leg in Organ’s next over and Martin Andersson neatly yorked by Fuller.A blinding catch at cover by substitute Brad Wheal removed Nathan Sowter to reward Holland for his tidy spell, while Organ also trapped John Simpson lbw for 23 before returning to take two more wickets post-tea. Murtagh registered a couple of boundaries off Barker to lift the Middlesex total above 200 before edging the left-armer to second slip, leaving Hampshire to face 26 overs ahead of stumps.Organ and Joe Weatherley – who top scored with 98 in Hampshire’s first innings – made steady progress until James Harris produced the breakthrough in his first over, tempting Organ to prod at an outswinger.Left-arm spinner Thilan Wallalawita matched that feat by having Tom Alsop, who had just survived a sharp chance to short leg, caught at first slip with his fifth delivery to leave Hampshire 48 for 2. But Weatherley and Northeast batted sensibly until the close, bringing the target down to just 98 going into day four.

Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney has questions for Ryan Reynolds after watching the Deadpool and Wolverine movie.

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McElhenney shares Deadpool & Wolverine photoJokes about cameo being cut from the movieCo-owns Wrexham with Deadpool star ReynoldsGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Reynolds' upcoming comic book movie flick 'Deadpool & Wolverine' has been the talk of the town as the superhero duo share the screen for the first time since Reynolds and Hugh Jackman appeared together in 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' in 2009. McElhenney, who co-owns Wrexham together with Reynolds, has shared a picture dressed as Wolverine alongside Jackman.

AdvertisementWHAT MCELHENNEY POSTED

McElhenney shared the photo and joked about his cameo being cut from the movie and said: "I traveled 6 thousand miles to shoot my cameo. I hope you enjoyed it because the theater I was watching in had mistakenly cut it out. Since I KNOW Ryan wouldn’t do me like that, I look forward to catching the movie and my cameo again today!"

Instagram @paulmullin12THE BIGGER PICTURE

McElhenney and Reynolds had never been together before the duo decided to acquire the dwindling Wrexham, who plied their trade in the Vanarama National League. Since the takeover in 2021, the duo have done a number on the Red Dragons' fate as since the acquisition they have achieved promotion and are currently in the third tier of English football, League One.

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WHAT NEXT?

With Deadpool & Wolverine having been a hit with critics and fans alike, Reynolds will be hoping that Wrexham's season in League One will achieve similar success this season as the Red Dragons continue their dreams of reaching the Premier League.

Chelsea are reportedly one of a number of Premier League sides who have made contact to sign a talented new attacking midfielder this summer.

Chelsea eyeing new attacker

The Blues, under Mauricio Pochettino, have struggled in front of goal at times this season, despite chairman Todd Boehly once again splashing the cash last summer.

Only three players have scored more than five league goals as we enter the business stage of the campaign, with Chelsea’s only hope for success now in the FA Cup, where they will take on Manchester City in the semi-final.

Cole Palmer

11

Nicolas Jackson

9

Raheem Sterling

6

Mykhailo Mudryk

4

Enzo Fernandez

3

Once the season is over, attention will once again be on the transfer market, and it looks as if a new marquee attacker could be on the to-do list for Boehly, Pochettino and Chelsea.

Recently, Tammy Abraham has been linked with a return to Stamford Bridge in a potential swap deal involving Romelu Lukaku, although the top target looks to be Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.

The Blues are already thought to be preparing a huge contract for the Nigeria international which could be worth over £90m in a seven-year deal.

However, another attacking addition to play behind Osimhen could also be of interest to Chelsea, something where Shakhtar Donetsk’s Georgiy Sudakov may come in.

Chelsea make contact over Georgiy Sudakov move

According to reporter Mirko Di Natale on X, Chelsea are one of the clubs “that have requested information” over a deal for Sudakov this summer.

Alongside the Blues, top-flight rivals Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle have done the same, with Sudakov having a €100m (£85.46m) clause in his current contract.

Sudakov is 21 years of age and appears to be at the peak of his powers with a career-high Transfermarkt valuation. Primarily an attacking midfielder who can also play deeper or out on the left, Sudakov has progressed through Shakhtar Donetsk’s youth system.

A Ukraine international, the two-footed attacker has been a regular in recent years and is now approaching 100 senior appearances for his current employers, contributing to 29 goals in the process.

Chelsea eye World Cup winner to replace Pochettino with internal talks held

He’s been out of work since September.

ByCharlie Smith Mar 20, 2024

Sudakov has also come in for praise during that time, with coach Marino Pusic recently saying: "He is an exceptionally talented footballer. Talent comes from nature or God, but you have to do something with it to develop it.

"As we always say, hard work beats talent. Sudakov is a player who can and wants to work hard, develops every day, is a smart footballer, and can learn very quickly. All these are characteristics that will make him better."

As we know, Chelsea have a recent history when it comes to a big deal for a talented Shakhtar Donetsk attacker, with Mykhailo Mudryk joining last year, so who knows, Sudakov could follow in his national teammate’s footsteps.

On the mend after an ankle surgery, the West Indies quick wants to lead the attack in England

ESPNcricinfo staff25-May-2020Even as Cricket West Indies continues to figure out whether the three-Test series in England – in a bio-secure environment – can take place or not, few people are more eager for a bit of on-field action than Shannon Gabriel. The 32-year-old quick underwent a surgery on his right ankle in November last year, and has just completed a six-month rehabilitation programme, and is now hoping to get on that flight to England.”It’s a good feeling always to represent West Indies. It’s good to be back out on the park,” he told . “The plan is right now to try to make it to the tour to England – hopefully that comes off. I’m just trying my best to stay positive and I hope everything goes well.”It has been a long journey since November when I did the surgery on my ankle. Everything is going well, it has been a long process in terms of getting back to running and bowling and stuff like that.”Gabriel’s last international appearance was in September 2019, against India, in a two-Test series in which he picked up just four wickets at an average of 56.90. Then his short county stint with Gloucestershire was unimpressive too, as he picked up two wickets in three innings. This was around the time the right ankle started troubling him.Now, having eased himself back in slowly, Gabriel hopes to be fully ready by July, when the tour is slated to happen. As things stand, the West Indies players are scheduled to leave the Caribbean in the first week of June for a preparatory camp.”I am trying my best to be as fit as possible so I’m really working hard in terms of my fitness and managing my weight, trying not to get too heavy to put too much strain on my ankle,” Gabriel said of his fitness sessions. “So I know once I put in the hard work everything will be ok in the end. I just want to stay positive.”There has been no high-intensity work, I’m just taking my body back into it easy, taking it one day at a time and not trying to push too hard but it’s still long while before the first Test in England and by that time I’m sure I’ll be fit and ready.”The process of becoming match ready has also involved reworking his action and run-up to ease pressure on his ankles. “My run-up has probably just tweaked a bit, in terms of my running technique and stuff like that, but I don’t think there are many changes,” he explained. “Obviously that ankle was getting most of the pressure and obviously I don’t want that type of injury to happen again, so I’m trying my best to stay fit so I can stay on the park [longer].”With the ICC having introduced guidelines with regards to shining the ball and several other physical-distancing measures, Gabriel also expects things to be “mentally taxing” when they return to cricket in the post-Covid-19 era.”It’s going to take a lot. It’s going to be mentally taxing on the brain but you have to stay positive. Keep your mind fresh,” he said. “I know they [England] are going to be coming at us all guns [blazing] at us, but I know the guys”Plus plenty of the guys haven’t been playing any cricket, so it is going to take us a while to get back there. On the positive side, you’re still getting the opportunity to play cricket and represent your country so that in itself should be enough motivation.”

One Rangers player who only touched the ball 18 times against Benfica will "never" be good enough to be a regular, according to journalist Jonny McFarlane.

Rangers crash out of Europa League

Philippe Clement's side suffered a hugely dispiriting loss on Thursday night, as Benfica came to Ibrox and sealed a 1-0 victory, sending them into the quarter-finals in the process.

Having drawn 2-2 in the first leg in Portugal last week, there was genuine optimism that Rangers would progress, but they failed to hit top gear on the night and were ultimately beaten by a superior side.

It means that the Gers' attention can now return to the priority of the Scottish Premiership the title race, ahead of Sunday's crucial trip to Dundee. They could be one point behind Celtic in the table at that point, assuming their rivals win at home to St Johnstone on Saturday, and another negative result would raise some alarm bells.

The Benfica game saw too many players fall below their usual level, picking a bad match in which to do it, and one individual has come under scrutiny.

Rangers star slammed for anonymous display

Taking to X, McFarlane didn't hold back in his criticism of Cyriel Dessers, saying he can't ever see him being the answer leading the line at Ibrox:

"Rangers go out. Not sharp enough at the top end of the pitch. I will say it again – Dessers not, and never will be a Rangers no.9. That said, very little between the two teams over the ties. Parochialism alert: might not be the worst result for Ibrox club’s domestic ambitions."

According to Sofascore, the 29-year-old only had 18 touches of the ball at Ibrox, highlighting his lack of involvement, and he also didn't register a single shot in the game. For a player leading the line and arguably his team's main goal threat, that isn't good enough.

Minutes played

77

Shots on target

0

Shots off target

0

Touches

18

Aerial duels won

1/5

Ground duels won

3/6

In fairness to Dessers, a tally of 12 goals in 26 Scottish Premiership appearances this season is still perfectly reasonable, but when the level goes up in a big European game, his limitations are exposed, as was the case against Benfica.

Thursday night showed the need to bring in a new striker during the summer transfer window, with recent reports suggesting that Rangers are keen on making Abdallah Sima and Fabio Silva's loan moves permanent. Both represent good options, so it would be a shame not to see at least one stay on beyond the end of the season.

Wow: Rangers now planning exciting summer transfer alongside Silva

The club’s owners could be eyeing a bold transfer window.

ByHenry Jackson Mar 15, 2024

A separate update has also suggested that the Gers will be willing to go big on a striker even if Silva's switch is made permanent, further showing the desire to add attacking firepower to the squad this summer.

Wrexham were welcomed back to the United States in style as the club's co-owner put on a fancy party for the men's and women's team this week.

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Wrexham getting ready for pre-season USA & Canada tourCo-owner McElhenney threw a big party in Beverly HillsWill face Bournemouth, Chelsea & Vancouver WhitecapsWHAT HAPPENED?

The Red Dragons arrived in Beverly Hills, California for their pre-season tour of the USA and Canada and enjoyed a launch party together before their opening game. Manager Phil Parkinson was in attendance as his players enjoyed the festivities alongside the women's side.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Hollywood actor McElhenney rolled out the red carpet to welcome his players to the shindig and enjoyed a laugh as he posed directly in front of the squad while photographers took pictures.

DID YOU KNOW?

Parkinson's team are gearing up for their first season back in League One after earning a second consecutive promotion, finishing second in League Two last season. The Welsh club are looking to pull off a sensational third straight promotion to reach the Championship.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

Wrexham will kick their pre-season tour off in California with a match against Premier League team Bournemouth this weekend before they come up against Chelsea. Their tour will end with a trip to the home of their Canadian co-owner Ryan Reynolds to take on the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Manchester United have had an abundance of players come through the doors at Old Trafford over the last decade, with it fair to say that while some have worked out for the better, others have seemingly flopped.

A recent example of this is that of Jadon Sancho, the winger signed from Borussia Dortmund for a fee in the region of £73m back in 2021.

Although for his first couple of seasons, the Englishman put in solid numbers by being involved in eight goals during the 2021/22 campaign and then a further ten in the following term, he was hardly a pivotal player within the Red Devils' squad.

Those woes culminated in his decline during the early stages of 2023/24, as the wideman was isolated from Erik ten Hag's squad and shipped back to Dortmund in January on a loan move until the end of the season, where, in just seven games, he has managed to assist his teammates twice.

Another of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's signings who can be included in the same sort of category as Sancho is that of Daniel James. The one-time Swansea City attacker joined the club in 2019 for a fee worth up to £18m after add-ons, before leaving just two years later.

Despite the Welshman's mixed fortunes at Old Trafford, he certainly had his moments at the club, with his strengths making him the type of player who could have thrived in tomorrow's eagerly-awaited Manchester derby.

Dan James' stats whilst at Man Utd

Whilst he only spent a couple of years in Manchester before joining Leeds for £25m, James certainly wasn't a complete disaster as he played in a total of 74 games and managed to contribute to 18 goals and assists.

That record holds up well in contrast to current flop, Antony, for instance, with the Brazilian having contributed just 13 goals and assists in 71 games in all competitions for the club to date, following his arrival on a mammoth £86m deal.

With the trip to the Etihad on the horizon, Ten Hag may wish he had a figure like James to call upon instead of the struggling Antony, with the Leeds man having that willing work ethic to be a useful asset in a one-off game like the derby.

Man Utd's Solskjaer signing with “no desire” is now worth less than Antony

The star has been unable to live up to his huge price tag.

ByTom Lever Mar 1, 2024

That can also be seen in his potential likeness to a certain, Park Ji-Sung, with South American journalist Leo Escudeiro making that comparison between the pair due to James being "technically limited, mega-fast and very dedicated".

Park, of course, may not have been the most high-profile of players, but he cemented cult hero status at United due to his hard-working nature and ability to deliver the goods on the big occasion, with former teammate Wayne Rooney stating that the South Korean was "almost as important to our success" as the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and 'Wazza' himself.

In moments, James could offer something similar, with Solskjaer previously saying of his talents: "Dan with the energy he has, the X-factor and the pace, he gives us something that must be hard to play against if you are a defender."

This level of praise from the treble-winner outlines how well the Wales international played whilst at the club and shows that he could've given the Red Devils something extra to offer against the reigning Premier League champions on Sunday.

Dan James' record against Man City

As aforementioned, United are set to face Manchester City tomorrow afternoon and will be looking to try and get one over their imperious arch-rivals.

The club currently find themselves residing outside the top four after winning four of their last five top-flight games, albeit while slipping to a meek defeat at home to Fulham a week ago.

Blast from the Past

Football FanCast's Blast from the Past series takes a trip down memory lane. Do any of your classic icons of days gone by fit into a modern-day starting XI?

With Rasmus Hojlund currently sidelined, Ten Hag may have to select a forward line of Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and the aforementioned Antony, although there may be a sense that a talent like James would've been far more useful.

The 26-year-old's ability to hurt the Cityzens was notably laid bare following United's 2-1 triumph away from home back in December 2019, with James playing so well that United legend, Peter Schmeichel described his performance as "unbelievable".

As Gary Neville stated in commentary at the time, the hosts were simply "battered" on the counter-attack with the speedy winger central to that game plan, with journalist Samuel Luckhurst writing for Manchester Evening News that 'City could not keep up with his blistering pace' while awarding him an 8/10 match rating.

While James has played against City a total of ten times in his career and only managed one goal involvement – that assist coming in that 2-1 triumph in 2019 – he certainly provided Solskjaer's side with a real outlet that Ten Hag is currently lacking.

One thing is for sure, most United supporters would rather see James lining up on the right flank, ahead of the hapless Antony…