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Manchester United’s stance on hiring a young British manager whose fans “worship” him has now been revealed after they made the decision to sack Ruben Amorim.

Man Utd sack Amorim with Southgate among favourites to come in

For a manager who finished in the bottom half last season, lost the Europa League final and welcomed £200m in investment in the summer, Amorim was certainly vocal in recent days.

The former Sporting CP boss hinted at an issue before the Leeds United game and then didn’t hesitate to rant after watching his Man United side draw 1-1 for the second game on the bounce.

Leaving no stone unturned, Amorim told reporters: “In every department – the scouting department, the sporting director – needs to do their job. I will do mine for 18 months and then we move on.”

Amorim played with fire and has since been burned by INEOS, who have made the decision to sack their manager following just 14 months in charge.

In the end, it was not the results that got the manager sacked, it was his words. The first appointment of the INEOS reign will now be looked back on as the ultimate failure.

So, what next for Man United?

Related Man Utd next manager: The 6 most likely Ruben Amorim replacements

The Portuguese boss was sacked after a 1-1 draw at Leeds.

Posts 3 ByBen Goodwin

Previous reports have shared INEOS’ admiration for Sir Gareth Southgate and he could now emerge as a candidate again.

With Dan Ashworth long gone at Old Trafford, the former England boss no longer has that close link at Old Trafford, but has been named amongst the favourites to be United’s next manager.

Rank

Manager

Odds

5

Xavi Hernandez

12/1

4

Gareth Southgate

10/1

3

Darren Fletcher

5/1

2

Oliver Glasner

5/1

1

Enzo Maresca

7/2

Currently a free agent, Southgate represents a cheap option and has already worked with the likes of Harry Maguire and Mason Mount in the past. Alas, what he doesn’t have much of is Premier League experience and that could force the Red Devils to turn elsewhere.

Man Utd big fans of Kieran McKenna

As it would happen, Southgate isn’t the only British manager who has admirers in Manchester. According to talkSPORT’s chief correspondent Alex Crook, Man United really like Kieran McKenna and viewed the Ipswich manager as a “strong contender” to take the job before they appointed Amorim.

Unlike Southgate, McKenna has recent Premier League experience, albeit one he’d rather forget after suffering relegation with Ipswich. Meanwhile, in terms of system, the former Man United coach would have no trouble slotting straight into INESO’ vision, given that he prefers to play with a 4-2-3-1 formation.

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Brenner Woolley, Ipswich commentater for BBC Radio Suffolk, said last season “the vast majority (of Ipswich fans) worship him”, and that positive relationship between dugout and stands has been missing at Old Trafford.

So, although previous reports have mentioned Southgate, McKenna could be the leading British candidate on Man United’s shortlist if both make the cut.

He knows the club well and would take the Red Devils away from the dreaded back three that they were playing under Amorim.

Everton are now reportedly keen to sign an AFCON star in the January transfer window who could finally replace veteran defender Seamus Coleman.

Moyes believes Garner is on par with best in the Premier League

Whilst it’s been a mixed, yet improved season for the Toffees, it’s been one to remember for James Garner. The former Manchester United man has enjoyed his best campaign yet in an Everton shirt, just as he enters the final six months of his contract, and David Moyes believes he’s up there with the best midfielders in the Premier League.

Everyone involved at the Hill Dickinson Stadium should be desperate to tie Garner down to a new, long-term contract rather than watching him leave in the summer. It should be among the Friedkin Group’s top priorities amid rumours that he could yet make a shocking return to Man United.

Alas, if his exit is on the cards then Everton must act. To that end, reports have already suggested that they could be busy in the January transfer market, with targets such as Ivan Toney and Leeds United’s Jayden Bogle emerging.

Related Everton plotting move to sign one of the best players in the Championship

He’s blown away scouts who have been left hugely impressed…

Posts BySean Markus Clifford

The latter would particularly make sense, given the fact that Seamus Coleman is not getting any younger and Nathan Patterson could do with competition.

That said, it seems unlikely that Bogle would leave Elland Road midway through the campaign – opening the door for Everton to welcome an alternative target.

Everton keen to sign Ryan Alebiosu

According to ESPN, Everton are now keen to sign Ryan Alebiosu from Blackburn Rovers in the January transfer window in a move that would fend off interest from Wolfsburg.

Valued at around £4m at Blackburn, Everton won’t have to break the bank to welcome the 24-year-old right-back, who’d add key depth to Moyes’ side this month.

If Everton were to sign Alebiosu, however, then they could have to wait until the end of AFCON to see him in action. As things stand, the full-back is with Nigeria at the competition and has topped Group C.

It speaks volumes that Nigeria teammate Victor Osimhen heaped such high praise on Alebiosu, telling reporters: “When he came to us, with his training, he’s an exceptional player.”

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All signs point towards what would be a solid signing for Everton to get their January business well and truly underway.

Paul Collingwood’s shoulder injury won’t stop him leading England’s quest for a series win © Getty Images

England are one win away from their first one-day series success in the sub-continent for 20 years and another notable inclusion in Paul Collingwood’s young captaincy CV. From a limited-overs shambles only a few months ago, the team is developing into a competitive unit.There have been hiccups along the way – notably the World Twenty20 and their opening-match defeat in this series – but those reversals make the subsequent performances even more impressive although their work in Sri Lanka is far from complete.”At the moment it feels good to have won the first two games, but if we lose the next two games I’ll be absolutely devastated because I know how much hard work and effort we’ve put into it,” said Collingwood. “It would be massive, but the good thing is that the lads are still going really hard at it.”Collingwood, who will play through his shoulder “niggle” which required a precautionary scan, is delighted with the way his team have adapted to the conditions. “It’s a different challenge to back home because you don’t have to do as much as it’s the same English style of playing, but when you come over here you have to learn and adapt quickly.”That first game was a real eye-opener for us and it’s brilliant that everyone went away and said ‘we’ve got well beaten, what can we do about it?’ After the first game, when we were beaten fair and square, to adapt so quickly after that and learn the length to bowl and the changes of pace needed was a good effort.”England’s victories have come despite the top order not firing in any of the matches. Alastair Cook’s 46, made in the defeat, is the highest score from the top four and changes haven’t been ruled out. Luke Wright would be an option, although he went through a slump in the Twenty20, but the side has looked well balanced with Graeme Swann filling an allrounder’s role at No. 8.In terms of interest back home, the tour of Sri Lanka isn’t registering very high alongside the Rugby World Cup and European football qualifiers. But that doesn’t bother Collingwood one little bit. “I couldn’t give a monkey’s whether they’re watching or not,” he said. “For these 15 players here and the management, to win out here would be a massive thing.”England (probable) Alastair Cook, Phil Mustard (wk), Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood (capt), Owais Shah, Ravi Bopara, Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad, Ryan Sidebottom, James Anderson

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Zaheer Khan worked hard, and the results came, as India won with a day to spare © Getty Images

Zaheer Khan once again led the way with the ball as the Indians wrapped up a comprehensive 96-run victory over Rest of South Africa in the tour game at Sedgars Park in Potchefstroom. Set 321 for victory in a little over five sessions, Rest of South Africa were bowled out for 224, with only a thrilling century partnership between Vaughn van Jaarsveld and Justin Kemp lending respectability to the scoreline. But once Sreesanth engineered therun-out of Van Jaarsveld, the innings unravelled pretty quickly, and the game was sewn up with more than a day to spare.Having struck with his first ball of the innings, a beautiful swinging delivery that darted back off the pitch to clip Jacques Rudolph’s off stump, Zaheer came back after lunch to see off the dangerous Jean Paul Duminy. And Laxman turned to him again as Kemp threatened to make a match of it, and he duly delivered, inducing a top-edged pull that was brilliantly taken on the run by Mahendra Singh Dhoni.Van Jaarsveld, who looks and bats a lot like Mark Cosgrove, had resumed where he left off in the first innings, accumulating runs at a rapid clip with some crisp drives and meaty pulls. After Duminy’s dismissal, Alviro Petersen was much more circumspect, adding 39 with Van Jaarsveld before VRV Singh struck twice in two balls. Petersen was beaten for pace and trapped in front, while Morne van Wyk was hustled into chopping one ontothe stumps, via the pads. Kemp squirted the hat-trick delivery through cover for two, and the runs flowed thereafter.Irfan Pathan was taken for three fours in an over, including one fortuitous inside edge to fine leg, and VRV Singh was pummelled down the ground and through point. But Van Jaarsveld eclipsed his senior partner with some stunning shots, a straight six off Harbhajan Singh and an emphatic pull for four off VRV Singh being especially noteworthy. Atop-edged sweep off Harbhajan was put down by Sachin Tendulkar, running back from slip, when he had made 47, and he then raced to 50 from 44 balls.He had struck 10 fours and a six by the time Sreesanth’s arm caught him short, and the thrilling 100-run partnership had taken just 94 balls. But as is so often the case, the exit of one man spelt doom for the other, and when Kemp followed three overs later, the game was as good as in the bag.Harbhajan Singh, who didn’t get a bowl in the first innings and who is unlikely to feature in the opening Test, dismissed Paul Adams for 0, but there was a late show of defiance from Morne Morkel and Alfonso Thomas, who flayed the bat around with a freedom that suggested they knew the cause was hopelessly lost. They added 35 before Harbhajan had Thomas caught at short fine leg, and the new man, Friedel de Wet, lasted all of one ball. And when Morkel’s attempted hoick at Virender Sehwag went only as far as silly point, it was all over.

‘The Indians had added a further 49 runs in the morning, with Irfan Pathanadding an unbeaten 40 to his first-innings century’ © Getty Images

Earlier, the Indians, resuming at 93 for 7, had ground out a further 49 runs, with Pathan adding an unbeaten 40 to his first-innings century. Zaheer departed early, caught by Van Wyk behind the stumps, but Sreesanth combined some stout defence with some zany strokeplay to help Pathan add 37 for the ninth wicket. de Wet finally had him edging one behind, and when VRV Singh failed to clear cover with a slog, the Indian secondinnings was wrapped up in just 53.3 overs.Thomas had sensational figures of 7 for 56 and with the first Test less than a week away; the omens weren’t good for the Indians. A strong bowling performance once again glossed over the batting frailties, but drastic improvement is required if the firm of Pollock, Ntini, Steyn and Nel aren’t to have field days at the Wanderers.

Duncan Fletcher has warned Pietersen that trying to develop into an allrounder may be asking too much © Getty Images

Duncan Fletcher has warned Kevin Pietersen to keep concentrating on his batting and not get carried away by his stunning first year in international cricket.Pietersen, who burst onto the international scene with three hundreds in seven one-day internationals against South Africa last year, became one of the biggest stars in the game after sealing England’s first Ashes victory in 18 years with a brilliant 158 at The Oval. Last month he capped his season by scooping two awards at the ICC Awards in Australia: Emerging Player of the Year, and One-Day Player of the Year.But, following reports that Pietersen was hoping to re-develop his offspin – an aspect of his game that was once his strongest suit – and become a genuine allrounder, Fletcher issued a wary response. “Obviously it would be useful for anyone to have an extra string to his bow, but Kevin’s got to be careful. He’s a top-four batter now, and when you’re up there in the front line, it’s very difficult to do two things at once.””That’s why we want to keep Andrew Flintoff at No. 6,” Fletcher added. “I’ve spoken to Jacques Kallis about this on numerous occasions, and you just can’t keep on doing both while still being the top batter in the side. Kevin is going to have to make a decision about what he wants to focus on.”Fletcher claimed that his earlier comments about Pietersen being “in for a shock” had been taken out of context, but he nonetheless re-iterated the pitfalls of international cricket. “He has come onto the scene quickly, and he just has to be careful that, when certain situations arise, he is ready to handle them. We are talking about basic cricket situations on the field. When your form drops off a bit, which can happen, and when luck runs against you a little bit, that can be a shock.”Ian Bell, added Fletcher, was one such player suffering from that situation. “Bell did very very well at the start, but now his form’s dropped off. There isn’t a cricketer that it hasn’t happened to, so it’s all about how you handle that situation. Good cricketers who come out of those slumps are the ones who go on to greater things.”

Namibia 336 for 4 (Keulder 90, Snyman 58*, Kotze 53*, L Burger 50) v Kenya
Scorecard

Daniel Keulder: top scored with 90© Getty Images

Namibia ended the first day of their Intercontinental Cup match against Kenya at Nairobi’s Aga Khan Club in a strong position. After being put in on a cloudy day by Hitesh Modi, Kenya’s new captain, they closed on 336 for 4, with Gerrie Snyman and Deon Kotze both unbeaten with half-centuries.Kenya’s new-look side performed admirably considering that three days ago many of them were not expecting to be playing. The arrival of several of the players who had chosen to boycott the fixture after lunch was surprising, and the fielders were hardly helped by the incessant taunting of a group of about 30 spectators who blew whistles, jeered mistakes and, in between, called for the resignation of Sharad Ghai, the Kenyan board’s chairman.The morning belonged to Namibia who lost only one wicket – JB Burger trapped leg-before by Rageb Aga for 34 – in taking their score to 107, although the Kenyan bowlers stuck to a steady line and length.Shortly after the break Lameck Onyango removed Stefaan Swanepoel for 26, courtesy of a superb diving catch by the wicketkeeper Abeed Janmohamed (115 for 2). Janmohamed, making his debut, had only arrived in Nairobi at 6.30am after an overnight flight from London.Namibia took control of almost all the remainder of the session, with Daniel Keulder (90) and Louis Burger (50) putting on 96 for the third wicket. But Kenya hit back as tea approached with two strikes in as many overs. Janmohamed completed a neat leg-side stumping off Rajesh Bhudia to remove Keulder, and then Burger was caught by Onyango off Kalpesh Patel.But in the final session Kenya flagged, and Snyman and Kotze batted Namibia into a strong position.

The off-field behaviour of champion Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne’s has again been thrust into the spotlight, with allegations arising from a South African newspaper that he has sent suggestive mobile phone messages to a Johannesburg woman.The Sunday Times quoted Helen Cohen Alon, 45, who claimed, among other things, she met Warne during the Australian tour of South Africa in 2002 and dated him several times.In a statement issued through his management, Warne refused to comment further.”We regard the allegations of the South African woman, Helen Cohen Alon, as a personal issue between Shane, Simone [Warne’s wife] and the relevant parties,” the statement said.Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said at this stage the issues raised rest between the individuals involved.”Cricket Australia is aware that international cricketers attract more public and media scrutiny than private individuals,” Mr Sutherland said.”There are obligations and standards incumbent on players, but there is also a boundary between their public lives and their lives as private citizens.”

Sat 13 Apr to Mon 15 Apr UCCE Cardiff UCCE (TAUNTON) (3 days)Wed 24 Apr to Sat 27 Apr CCH Sussex (Hove) (4 days)Sun 28 Apr BHC Warwicks (Edgbaston) (1 day)Tue 30 Apr BHC Glamorgan (TAUNTON) (1 day)Fri 3 May BHC Northants (TAUNTON) (1 day)Sun 5 May BHC Gloucester (Bristol) (1 day)Mon 6 May BHC Worcester (TAUNTON) (1 day)Wed 8 May to Sat 11 May CCH Yorkshire (TAUNTON) (4 days)Sun 12 May NUL Yorkshire (TAUNTON) (1 day)Wed 15 May to Sat 18 May CCH Leicester (TAUNTON) (4 days)Sun 19 May NUL Worcester (New Road) (1 day)Tue 21 May OR Wed 22 May P BHC ** Benson & Hedges ** (1 day)Fri 24 May to Mon 27 May CCH Surrey (AMP Oval) (4 days)Wed 29 May CGT Yorks CB (Scarborough) (1 day)Thu 6 Jun OR Fri 7 Jun P BHC ** Benson & Hedges ** (1 day)Sun 9 Jun NUL Warwicks (Edgbaston) (1 day)Wed 12 Jun to Sat 15 Jun CCH Hampshire (BATH) (4 days)Sun 16 Jun NUL Leicester (BATH) (1 day)Tue 18 Jun OR Wed 19 Jun P CGT *** CGT Trophy *** (1 day)Fri 21 Jun P Sri Lanka (TAUNTON) (1 day)Sat 22 Jun P BHC ** Benson & Hedges ** (1 day)Sun 23 Jun P Sri Lanka (TAUNTON) (1 day)Wed 26 Jun to Sat 29 Jun CCH Warwicks (Edgbaston) (4 days)Sun 30 Jun NUL Glamorgan (TAUNTON) (1 day)Wed 3 Jul to Sat 6 Jul CCH Surrey (TAUNTON) (4 days)Sun 7 Jul NUL Worcester (TAUNTON) (1 day)Wed 10 Jul to Sat 13 Jul CCH Yorkshire (Scarborough) (4 days)Sun 14 Jul NUL Yorkshire (Scarborough) (1 day)Tue 16 Jul OR Wed 17 Jul P CGT *** CGT Trophy *** (1 day)Fri 19 Jul to Mon 22 Jul CCH Sussex (TAUNTON) (4 days)Wed 24 Jul to Sat 27 Jul W. Indies ‘A’ (TAUNTON) (4 days)Wed 31 Jul OR Thu 1 Aug P CGT *** CGT Trophy *** (1 day)Sat 3 Aug NUL Glamorgan (Cardiff) (1 day)Wed 7 Aug to Sat 10 Aug CCH Kent (Canterbury) (4 days)Sun 11 Aug NUL Kent (Canterbury) (1 day)Wed 14 Aug to Sat 17 Aug WOMEN’S TEST Eng v Ind (TAUNTON) (4 days)Wed 14 Aug to Sat 17 Aug CCH Hampshire (Rose Bowl) (4 days)Sun 18 Aug NUL Notts (Trentbridge) (1 day)Mon 19 Aug F NUL Notts (TAUNTON) (1 day)Wed 21 Aug to Sat 24 Aug CCH Warwicks (TAUNTON) (4 days)Sun 25 Aug NUL Warwicks (TAUNTON) (1 day)Tue 27 Aug to Fri 30 Aug CCH Lancashire (tbc) (4 days)Thu 29 Aug U19 ODI Eng v India (TAUNTON) (1 day)Fri 30 Aug U19 ODI Eng v India (TAUNTON) (1 day)Sat 31 Aug P CGT *** CGT Trophy *** (1 day)Sun 1 Sep or Mon 2 Sep NUL Durham (Riverside) (1 day)Wed 4 Sep to Sat 7 Sep CCH Kent (TAUNTON) (4 days)Sun 8 Sep NUL Kent (TAUNTON) (1 day)Wed 11 Sep F NUL Leicester (Grace Road) (1 day)Thu 12 Sep to Sun 15 Sep CCH Leicester (Grace Road) (4 days)Wed 18 Sep to Sat 21 Sep CCH Lancashire (TAUNTON) (4 days)Sun 22 Sep NUL Durham (TAUNTON) (1 day)F = Floodlit matchP = Possible match

Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur side face a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday night, with the Italian manager undoubtedly hoping his side can quickly bounce back from their 3-2 defeat at Manchester United last Saturday.

However, despite Spurs’ hosts this evening being in an extremely poor run of form at present, the Seagulls are nevertheless a much better side than their last five defeats on the spin would suggest – with a win against Tottenham potentially seeing Graham Potter’s side go level on points with Aston Villa in ninth place.

As such, Conte must ensure that his team selection is spot on at the Amex if he wishes to give his side the best possible chance of returning to north London with all three points – a result that could see Spurs close the gap to fourth-placed Arsenal to just three points, with the Gunners facing Liverpool tonight.

So, will the 52-year-old make any changes to the side that started the defeat at Old Trafford last weekend? Here’s how we think Tottenham could line up against Brighton, as well as the latest team and injury news…

With Conte recently revealing that all three of Oliver Skipp, Japhet Tanganga and Ryan Sessegnon remain sidelined due to injury, we predict the Italian will make just two changes to the team that lined up against United on Saturday.

The back four remains untouched, with Hugo Lloris starting between the sticks, and Ben Davies, Eric Dier and Cristian Romero making up Spurs’ three-man defence.

At wing-back, Matt Doherty once again gets the nod ahead of Emerson Royal on the right, while the disappointing display of the £34m-rated Sergio Reguilon – who Alasdair Gold claimed “everyone loves” – sees the 25-year-old drop to the bench, with Steven Bergwijn – who appears a perfect candidate at left wing-back – being given a chance to impress in a new role.

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In the middle of the park, both Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur retain their starting berths, while, in the front three, Dejan Kulusevski makes way for Lucas Moura – a player dubbed a “nightmare” by Dier – while Son Heung-min and Harry Kane remain unchanged.

AND in other news: Sold at £47m, now worth £100m: Levy will “cry every night” over his worst THFC mistake

Had Inzamam-ul-Haq remained in Pakistan rather than play county cricket, the tribunal would not have had the power to call him © Getty Images

Inzamam-ul-Haq, the former Pakistan captain, has been summoned as a witness by a London tribunal that will hear umpire Darrell Hair’s suit against the ICC. Hair is suing for alleged racial discrimination in the aftermath of the Oval controversy.Inzamam was the Pakistan captain in that Test, which saw his side charged with ball-tampering. The team refused to take the field in protest against that decision, following which the match was awarded to England.Hearing of the case begins on October 1 at the Central Office of London Tribunals and is expected to last two weeks.A report in the said the summons would compel Inzamam’s attendance for cross-examination. Had Inzamam been in Pakistan rather than in England – playing county cricket for Yorkshire – the tribunal would not have had the power to call him, the report said.Hair’s lawyers, Finers Stephens Innocent, wrote to Inzamam requesting his attendance, but did not receive a reply. The summons, the said, was served in the presence of Stewart Regan, the chief executive of Yorkshire CCC.Inzamam now has to decide whether to fly back to Pakistan and return to England before the hearing commences or stay in London.Hair is to be represented by Robert Griffiths QC, an MCC cricket and general committee member, and will be opposed by Michael Beloff QC.He is likely to call on fellow umpire Billy Doctrove, with whom he stood at The Oval. Also expected to appear on Hair’s behalf are John Jameson, a former assistant secretary of the MCC, and Jimmy Adams, the former West Indies captain.Hair, who remains on the ICC’s Elite panel, was restricted to officiating Associate matches in the aftermath of the Oval saga.