Sportorn is Designed to Keep You Up-to-Date with Everything You Need to Know About the World of Sport.
⎯ 《 Sportorn • Com 》

List of All Articles with Tag 'eppersons'

Keep or sell? The deadwood Manchester United must offload this summer
Keep or sell? The deadwood Manchester United must offload this summer
Harry Maguire wore a hangdog look, though some would say he has for much of the last two years. Wout Weghorst did not score, but then he has not in 93 per cent of his appearances for Manchester United. With an equaliser required in the FA Cup final and three substitutions still available to Erik ten Hag, he opted for a solitary roll of the dice. That was bringing on Scott McTominay. In Ten Hag’s defence, an aerial assault aimed at Weghorst and McTominay, the big lads in the box, almost yielded a leveller. But the FA Cup final could be framed as a victory for the extreme talent in Manchester City’s starting 11, given Ilkay Gundogan’s talismanic role and the reality that, for much of the season, he has been overshadowed by Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne. Yet it also highlighted a difference in strength in depth: City left two match-winners unused, in Julian Alvarez and Riyad Mahrez, and while the precocious Alejandro Garnacho threatened to be a game-changer for United, the reality is he has 11 senior starts to his name. There is a difference in pedigree and, even if United’s options were reduced by the injuries that sidelined Antony, Anthony Martial, Lisandro Martinez, Donny van de Beek and Marcel Sabitzer, the supporting cast felt weak. A year into his reign, Ten Hag pronounced it a “fantastic season”. If the aim now is for evolution, not revolution, the FA Cup final offered a mandate for further change. For some, it represented the end. One of Saturday’s starters was first to admit it could be his farewell. “I have to talk with my family, I still have one year left in my contract here,” Fred told TNT Sports. “Now it’s holiday time and a good opportunity to rest. I’ll talk to my staff, to the club and see what’s everyone’s decision.” Fulham have expressed an interest. Ten Hag’s midfield upgrade, which should continue this summer, could mean his days are numbered. But there was also the sense that this would be a smaller summer than last year, with fewer arrivals, without a mass clearout. In both the middle of midfield and defence, the idea was that one back-up could leave, but if both did, it could create problems. McTominay has admirers at Newcastle: younger and, as an academy product, with the proceeds of a sale counting as pure profit in the books, he could bring a bigger fee. Yet Newcastle may now be able to target higher-calibre players. And if Fred goes, it is likely McTominay stays. McTominay and Fred are different players who may be on a par in other respects. Not their defensive counterparts. Victor Lindelof has proved a fine deputy to Raphael Varane and Martinez. Maguire has had two traumatic seasons, first with his form, then his falling status. He needs a move but the last two years offer precious few reasons for anyone to sign a player on £200,000 a week. Ten Hag is likely to stick with his four main full-backs, with Diogo Dalot signing a new contract this week, Aaron Wan-Bissaka improving under his coaching and Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia the incumbents on the left. United hope to bring in funds from full-backs Brandon Williams and Alex Telles and centre-back Eric Bailly, but it is pertinent that they have struggled to sell in recent seasons; otherwise, each might already have left. Meanwhile, with Garnacho’s development and the potential return of Amad Diallo from a loan, they should try and cash in on Anthony Elanga. Dean Henderson is a rarity, a player who looks sellable for a sizeable amount and who, in Nottingham Forest, has a potential buyer. David de Gea’s 545th United game is the last of his current contract; while he could go on a free transfer, he is likely to remain. But his season lends itself to different conclusions, with plenty of clean sheets and some terrific saves but too many errors, some costly; both Europa League and FA Cup defeats were attributable to him and United require competition. Ten Hag has a balancing act. The mismanagement of the Glazers, failing to complete a takeover, could limit his budget. United overspent last summer – the cost of Antony is not just the £86m fee but the knock-on effect elsewhere – and Ten Hag has had to compromise, both in his idea of a goalkeeper and in January. Weghorst’s loan ends with the ridiculous statistic that he scored two goals in 31 games; United’s infamous previous non-scoring strikers, whether Alan Brazil, Garry Birtles or Diego Forlan, were positively Haaland-esque in comparison. The summer targets now – a striker, a midfielder, a goalkeeper – may not come cheap but there is a clear need for another scorer to relieve the burden on Marcus Rashford and for someone to offer ballast alongside Casemiro, with United’s poor away record against the top nine, plus defeats at Wembley and in Seville showing that, for all Christian Eriksen’s class in possession, he lacks the physicality sometimes required. Buying depends in part on selling. United are aware of their difficulties in offloading players in recent years. It is a reason why too many have lingered too long at Old Trafford. Now there are some, such as Jadon Sancho and the ever-injured Martial, who represent unfulfilled potential but who are unlikely to attract big offers and who could do with being consistently excellent and consistently fit. There are others, such as Fred and McTominay, who can be useful squad players but might be sacrificed. There are those, like Maguire, Van de Beek, Williams, Telles and Bailly, who really have to go, for their sake as well as the club’s. And there is Weghorst, who will and who would represent an indictment if United bring him back next season. Because if the first priority is to give Ten Hag a stronger starting 11 next year, it is evident he needs a better bench as well. And, as with every summer at Old Trafford in recent years, United must end it with less deadwood than they began it. Read More Man charged over ‘offensive Hillsborough T-shirt’ at FA Cup final FA Cup final reveals key summer questions for Manchester United This FA Cup was more important than most – but Man City still need more Football rumours: Manchester City look to tie down Erling Haaland to new deal Zlatan Ibrahimovic retires aged 41: ‘The time has come to say goodbye’ The sporting weekend in pictures
2023-06-05 14:47
Reigning NCAA champion Rose Zhang becomes 1st LPGA golfer to win tournament in pro debut since 1951
Reigning NCAA champion Rose Zhang becomes 1st LPGA golfer to win tournament in pro debut since 1951
Twenty-year-old golf phenom Rose Zhang etched her name in the history books yet again on Sunday, edging Jennifer Kupcho in a sudden death playoff at the Mizuho Americas Open to become the first player to win an LPGA tournament in her professional debut in 72 years.
2023-06-05 14:47
Football rumours: Manchester City look to tie down Erling Haaland to new deal
Football rumours: Manchester City look to tie down Erling Haaland to new deal
What the papers say Manchester City are looking to fend off Real Madrid to keep hold of striker Erling Haaland, according to The Daily Telegraph. The double winners – who aim to complete the treble in Saturday’s Champions League final – are hoping the 22-year-old Norwegian signs a new deal. City’s rivals Manchester United believe landing Tottenham striker Harry Kane is “unlikely”, says The Daily Telegraph. But they are on the brink of a £50million offer to Chelsea for midfielder Mason Mount. Chelsea, meanwhile, have edged ahead of Paris St Germain in the pursuit of midfielder Manuel Ugarte from Sporting. The Daily Mirror says the proposed deal for the 22-year-old Uruguayan would include buying a minority stake in the Portuguese club. Crystal Palace have offered Wilfried Zaha, 30, a fresh contract but they face competition from Al Sadd for the forward, according to The Sun. The deal is worth around £150,000 a week, which falls short of the offer from the Qatari side. Social media round-up Players to watch Habib Diallo: West Ham and Burnley are keen on the 27-year-old Senegal striker from Strasbourg. Jack Butland: The former England goalkeeper, 30, is wanted by Rangers after Crystal Palace opted not to extend his contract following a loan spell at Manchester United. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-06-05 14:15
No. 1 Wake Forest dominant, joins Oral Roberts and 4 others moving on in NCAA Tournament
No. 1 Wake Forest dominant, joins Oral Roberts and 4 others moving on in NCAA Tournament
No. 1 national seed Wake Forest completed one of the most dominant runs through an NCAA Tournament regional and joined six other teams advancing to super regionals
2023-06-05 13:21
King rules with 1st ODI ton as West Indies beat UAE by 7 wickets in series opener
King rules with 1st ODI ton as West Indies beat UAE by 7 wickets in series opener
West Indies had 88 balls to spare as the visitors won the ODI opener against United Arab Emirates by seven wickets in their first bilateral series
2023-06-05 12:57
French Open day 9: Three matches to watch
French Open day 9: Three matches to watch
Iga Swiatek targets a place in the French Open quarter-finals on Monday as she closes in on becoming the first woman in 16 years to...
2023-06-05 12:55
'Don't give a damn' Heat pull level against Nuggets in NBA Finals
'Don't give a damn' Heat pull level against Nuggets in NBA Finals
The Miami Heat have become masters of tuning out the naysayers' noise in their bid to become the first eighth-seeded team...
2023-06-05 12:54
Soccer authorities move toward tougher sanctions for racial abuse over last decade
Soccer authorities move toward tougher sanctions for racial abuse over last decade
Kevin-Prince Boateng set soccer on a path toward tougher sanctions in cases of discrimination when he walked off the field to protest racial abuse by an opposing team’s fans a decade ago
2023-06-05 12:29
Cardinals ‘pissed’ after Pirates sweep sets new low
Cardinals ‘pissed’ after Pirates sweep sets new low
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright says the team is "pissed," not concerned, after they got swept by the rival Pittsburgh Pirates.The St. Louis Cardinals were expected to be one of the top teams in the National League entering the 2023 season. They had the star power, a new su...
2023-06-05 12:28
Furious Malone blasts Nuggets, questions effort and discipline
Furious Malone blasts Nuggets, questions effort and discipline
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone blasted his team's attitude after their 111-108 loss to the Miami Heat in game two of...
2023-06-05 12:20
'Time to say goodbye': Swedish legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic announces retirement from soccer at 41
'Time to say goodbye': Swedish legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic announces retirement from soccer at 41
Swedish legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic has announced his retirement from a glittering soccer career at the age of 41, leaving Italy's Serie A as the league's oldest-ever goal scorer.
2023-06-05 12:15
Racism on the soccer field took a toll on Black players in England
Racism on the soccer field took a toll on Black players in England
Black players were only just beginning to integrate into some of England's biggest soccer teams in the 1980s when racism was rife and hooliganism was on the rise
2023-06-05 12:15
«1205120612071208»