Wolverhampton Wanderers have found life without their former star man, Matheus Cunha, to be torture so far this season.

Vitor Pereira’s Old Gold remain winless at the very foot of the Premier League, with just five goals next to their name from seven dismal matches, further reinforcing the hole left behind by the enigmatic Brazilian.

While Cunha tries to get up to speed with proceedings at his new club, Manchester United, Pereira will be tearing his hair out about how to kickstart Wolves’ season.

He does have Jorgen Strand Larsen, whom he can call upon in attack, with the Nordic centre-forward showing that he can score goals for fun when in the right mood at Molineux.

What makes Strand Larsen Wolves' best Cunha replacement

The 25-year-old striker impressed so much last season when firing home goals regularly that he penned a new long-term Old Gold contract in the summer, which keeps him at the West Midlands club until 2029.

As a result, it kept at bay suitors in the form of Newcastle who lodged what felt like several bids to tempt the hulking forward to St James’ Park.

It’s very clear why they wanted to tie him down to such a long-term contract, considering Cunha sadly exited the building, with Larsen helping himself to a clinical 14 goals in the last campaign to ensure Wolves stayed afloat for another season in the big time.

Yet, even as he began to adopt the tag of being Wolves’ main spark up top heading into the 2025/26 season, the ex-Celta Vigo striker has struggled to get going, largely because of injuries, leaving his team stuck at the foot of the tough league.

Larsen might well have two strikes next to his name in the EFL Cup, but he’s currently going through a barren streak in the bread and butter of league action, with no goals from five games, having amassed just 23.8 touches on average per clash.

Pereira could well be tempted to spruce things up in attack moving forward, with the Portuguese boss perhaps looking to the next generation coming through at Molineux to unearth a new Cunha in the making.

Wolves academy star could be the new Cunha

Pereira won’t want to just ditch the 22-time Norway international for good. Rather, he could be tempted to switch up the formation to bring in a partner for Larsen to bounce off

That player could be summer recruit Tolu Arokodare but if Pereira was thinking more outside of the box, he might also be tempted to experiment.

That’s where Wolves U21 sensation Mateus Mane comes into the equation. The Wolves boss labelled the rising talent as “special” back in May, long before his red-hot vein of form in the Premier League 2 this season.

Just one glance at the England U18 international’s numbers this campaign shows you why he’s so highly regarded in Wolves circles, with a sublime four goals and four assists coming his way from just nine outings in all competitions.

While Cunha was more well-known for his lethal edge in front of goal at Molineux, he did also have an eye for an assist, with 15 collected from 92 Wolves first-team appearances.

Evidently, Mane also possesses a similar hunger for creativity, away from finishing off chances confidently as an “instinctive” forward presence, as he was once labelled by analyst Ben Mattinson.

Mane at Wolves by position

Position

Games

Goals + Assists

CF

16

7 + 5

AM

6

3 + 2

RW

3

2 + 2

Sourced by Transfermarkt

The similarities to the former Wolves’ fan favourite don’t end there, either, with the teenage sensation also capable of playing all across the forward positions, away from just causing panic to the defenders solely in the centre-forward position.

While the South American superstar did shine as a lone striker, too, he also didn’t look out of place when lining up as a number ten or as a winger if needed, with a remarkable four goals coming his way from just four games as a left winger option for the Old Gold.

For the time being, considering their lowly status, it might be deemed a step too far to push Mane into the senior fold.

But, at some point, Pereira will surely be tempted to gamble with the 18-year-old ace – considering he already has one men’s appearance to his name – as he attempts to fill the Cunha-shaped void.

Related Vitor Pereira has personally asked Wolves to sign 15-goal ace who they once bid for

The Old Gold are plotting a move for a new centre-forward…

Posts BySean Markus Clifford Oct 12, 2025

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes could depart Old Trafford at the end of this season for a cut-price fee with a supposed 'secret release clause' offering him an escape. The Portuguese midfielder has long been linked with a move away from the Red Devils and, this summer, had been the target of a series of unsuccessful approaches by clubs in the Saudi Pro League.

• Fernandes to become available on the cheap

  With United continuing to struggle for consistency in the Premier League this season, Fernandes may start to believe he is better off seeing out the latter end of his career elsewhere – and he could be presented that opportunity via a release clause. According to , from next summer, Fernandes can be bought for just £57 million ($75.9m/€65.6m) by clubs outside of England.

  The suggested fee is remarkably lower than what some Saudi clubs were floating United’s way earlier this year and could prove to be quite the coup for a side looking to bring in the excellent, albeit ageing, midfielder.

  The Red Devils will be desperate to keep their captain who, despite his mixed start to the season, is still one of their most important players. Finding a replacement who can produce for Ruben Amorim’s side immediately, for a similar fee to the release clause, may prove a very difficult task for United’s scouting department.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  Fernandes reveals stance on Saudi switch

  Fernandes turned down a move away from Manchester last summer, choosing to remain at the struggling Red Devils. He explained that, because he loves the club and wants it to be successful, he never wanted to depart Old Trafford for Saudi Arabia.

  Fernandes previously quashed the idea that he turned the lucrative move to the Middle East down because he wanted to remain in contention for Portugal's World Cup squad, but he did leave the door open to a move away.

  “I didn't close the door on moving to Saudi Arabia because of the World Cup. That was never in my mind. I wanted to stay at Manchester United, and the club wanted me to stay. That's all there is to it,” he explained.

  Fernandes was speaking ahead of Portugal’s win over Ireland two weeks ago and hinted that his time at Old Trafford could come to an end soon. “I like to enjoy the moment, and the most important thing for me now is representing the national team,” he said. “It's a source of enormous pride to be able to play, and I still don't know if I'll play, let alone if I'll leave Manchester United in a year.”

• United at make or break point

  After two consecutive wins in the Premier League for the first time under Amorim, Fernandes and his team-mates will be determined to keep their momentum going. The Red Devils followed up their 2-0 victory over Sunderland at home with a surprise 2-1 victory away at Anfield last weekend to fire them back up the table.

  With 13 points from eight games, United sit in ninth place but just three points off second-placed Manchester City. It marks quite the turnaround for Amorim’s side, who looked in crisis after a disappointing loss to Brentford at the end of last month.

  Despite their uptick in performance levels, Fernandes is still not playing his best football in a Manchester United shirt. The captain has had to take on a deeper role to accommodate the new, flashy attacking signings and has seen his output drop.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Bogeymen Brighton come to Manchester

  United will have to overcome bogey team Brighton if they are to keep their winning streak going. The Red Devils have a shocking record against their upcoming opponents, losing six of their last seven games in the Premier League against the Seagulls.

  Brighton are also just one point behind Amorim’s men and can climb into the European qualification spots with a win. They will be hopeful that former United striker Danny Welbeck can also add to his recent goal-scoring form.

سجل تريسولدي لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي كلوب بروج، الهدف الأول في مرمى برشلونة، فيما تمكن الدولي الإسباني فيران توريس من إحراز التعادل لصالح الفريق الكتالوني، سريعًا، في أول 10 دقائق من المباراة التي تجمعهما الآن.

ويحل برشلونة ضيفًا ثقيلًا على كلوب بروج اليوم الأربعاء، وذلك ضمن منافسات الجولة الرابعة من مرحلة الدوري في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويسعى برشلونة إلى تحقيق الانتصار على كلوب بروج، بعد التراجع الذي شهده الفريق الكتالوني على مدار الأسابيع الماضية.

اقرا أيضًا.. فيديو | اشتعال نيران في حافلة جماهير برشلونة.. وسب جماعي لـ ريال مدريد

وجاء هدف تريسولدي في الدقيقة السادسة من انفراد تام بحارس المرمى البولندي فوتشيك تشيزني بعد عمل جماعي أكثر من رائع.

فيما سجل فيران توريس الهدف الأول لبرشلونة “التعادل” سريعًا في الدقيقة 8 من انفراد أيضًا بمرمى حارس الفريق البلجيكي.

MatériaMais Notícias

O técnico Mano Menezes está de volta ao Corinthians! Um dia após demitir Vanderlei Luxemburgo, a diretoria do Timão confirmou a chegada de Mano até dezembro de 2025. Sua comissão técnica será composta pelo auxiliar Sidnei Lobo.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansCorinthians acerta retorno de Mano Menezes, e técnico já comandará treinamentoCorinthians28/09/2023CorinthiansAlém de Tite e Mano, entenda os motivos que levaram à demissão de Luxemburgo no CorinthiansCorinthians28/09/2023Fora de CampoAlvo de Flamengo e Corinthians, Tite é ‘anunciado’ por clube gaúchoFora de Campo28/09/2023

+ Renove o seu estoque de camisas do Timão com o cupom LANCEFUT 10% OFF

Mano está no CT Joaquim Grava e irá comandar o treino da equipe nesta quinta-feira (28). Caso o nome do treinador seja publicado no BID da CBF até 19h de sexta-feira (29), ele estará apto para comandar o Corinthians no Majestoso de sábado (30), contra o São Paulo, no Morumbi.

A diretoria alvinegra iniciou contatos com Mano depois de ouvir que Tite, plano A no Timão e em negociações com o Flamengo, estava indeciso sobre assumir um clube brasileiro em 2023. Após ser demitido pelo Internacional, Mano não cogitava trabalhar nesta temporada, recusando propostas da seleção paraguaia e de um clube árabe, mas a identificação com o Corinthians foi fundamental para ele aceitar a proposta.

continua após a publicidade

Segundo apurou o Lance!, o salário de Mano será superior ao de Luxemburgo, e também em relação ao que ele ganhava no Internacional, seu último trabalho. A quantia, no entanto, é inferior à que foi acertada com treinadores recentes do Timão, como Cuca e Vítor Pereira.

O presidente Duílio Monteiro Alves procurou Mano Menezes em abril, após Cuca deixar o comando da equipe com apenas dois jogos. À época, Mano recusou o interesse alvinegro pois gostaria de permanecer no Internacional e se sentia respaldado pela diretoria colorada.

continua após a publicidade

+ Já pensou em ser um gestor de futebol? Participe da nossa Masterclass com Felipe Ximenes e descubra oportunidades

Mano Menezes chega para sua terceira passagem pelo Timão com o objetivo de ser campeão da Sul-Americana e afastar a equipe da zona do rebaixamento. O Alvinegro empatou por 1 a 1 o confronto de ida da semifinal da competição continental, contra o Fortaleza, e possui cinco pontos de distância para o Bahia, primeiro time dentro do Z4 no Brasileirão.

Com 248 jogos, Mano é o terceiro técnico com mais jogos no Corinthians, atrás de Tite (378) e Oswaldo Brandão (435). Ele conquistou a Série B, em 2008, além da Copa do Brasil e Paulistão, em 2009.

Carse and Stokes picked the two wickets while Jaiswal remained unbeaten on 42

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Jun-2025

Yashasvi Jaiswal looked fluent in his first Test outing in England•Getty Images

Lunch England took two wickets in six balls on the stroke of lunch to change the complexion of the first session of the newly-minted Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. India’s openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, had been largely untroubled throughout their 91-run opening stand after being put in by Ben Stokes. But, Rahul and debutant Sai Sudharsan fell just before the interval.Jaiswal batted through the first session of his first Test in England unscathed and traded crisply-struck boundaries with Rahul. The pair shared 16 fours, all through the off side, as England’s seamers tried and failed to induce outside edges, and did not offer a catching chance for the first 114 minutes of the day.Related

'Wanted to keep Pataudi legacy alive' – how Tendulkar helped in creating Pataudi medal

New era, no aura? Gill and Pant have other things to worry about

Shubman Gill: the next big thing is king

The only scare for Jaiswal came when he was struck on the ribs by Brydon Carse, who shared the new ball with Chris Woakes in his first home Test. He otherwise scored fluently and batted with the same freedom he had shown in the most recent series between these teams, when he piled on 712 runs in five matches.England were so desperate for a wicket that they burned an lbw review on a ball from around the wicket which pitched outside leg stump. Josh Tongue bowled with good pace and his inswinger trapped Jaiswal on the pad in his second over, but the decision to review was hugely optimistic and reflected their frustrations.But Carse struck with a full, wide outswinger, which Rahul edged straight to Joe Root at slip for 42, and debutant Sudharsan strangled his fourth ball in Test cricket down the leg side to Jamie Smith off Stokes. England’s double-strike left the game in the balance, and took some of the scrutiny off Stokes’ decision to bowl first at the toss.

Tazmin Brits slammed a career-best 98 not out, off just 63 balls, to lead South Africa to a 50-run win in the opening T20I against West Indies in Cave Hill on Friday. There was little resistance from West Indies with either the ball or the bat, though two individual efforts stood out: Jahzara Claxton’s three top-order wickets and Jannillea Glasgow’s 53 not out from 44 balls in the second half of the chase, but it was far too little.Asked to bat, South Africa lost captain Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp to Claxton inside five overs, and finished the powerplay on 44 for 2, but Brits and Nadine de Klerk were already starting to go fast. The two brought up a 71-run stand for the third wicket in just over six overs, Brits very much the aggressor, scoring 42 of the runs in that partnership.De Klerk fell in the 11th over for 21, Claxton again the bowler with the wicket, and though there was no major contribution from the rest of the batters bar Chloe Tryon’s 16 in nine balls before she was run out, Brits batted through the innings, hitting nine fours and four sixes.Faced with a target of 184, West Indies started quickly, but lost wickets quickly too. They got 47 in the powerplay, more than South Africa had, but they lost an additional wicket, including the big one of captain Hayley Matthews. And by the end of the eighth over, they were five down and gasping.The fight came from Chinelle Henry and Glasgow in their 81-run stand for the sixth wicket, but West Indies had fallen too far behind for the partnership to have an effect on the outcome. In any case, Henry and Glasgow couldn’t quite get going, even though they batted together for 11-and-a-half overs. Henry’s 26 took 32 balls, and Glasgow went at a rate of 120.45, remaining unbeaten at the close, having hit five fours in her innings.

Half-centuries for senior pair ensure Somerset cannot capitalise on morning declaration

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay 25-Jun-2025Warwickshire and Somerset harvested the predictable Rothesay County Championship draw as a forgettable match finally petered out on the final day at Edgbaston.Set a notional victory target of 377 in 69 overs, Warwickshire plodded to 161 for four as Tom Latham (52 from 103 balls) and Sam Hain (68 not out, 157) escorted their team to safety and the match to stalemate.Somerset had extended their second innings in the morning to 229 for eight (James Rew 61, 81) but not as quickly as they hoped due to interference from Australian off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli who took five for 67 on debut.It had always appeared that a bland pitch would blunt the victory aspirations of either side and so it proved. Both shored up their positions in the middle of Division One with a solid points haul from a match which offered less than vivid entertainment. The deployment of two short mid-wickets and two short extras for Latham off Migael Pretorius was about as exciting as it got for the slumbering Edgbaston faithful.Somerset resumed on the final morning on 116 for three, 283 ahead overall, and started purposefully. Rew completed a 66-ball half-century but two wickets for Rocchoccioli slowed the momentum and changed the plan. The spinner unfurled a lovely turning delivery which Rew edged to wicketkeeper Kai Smith. Tom Banton missed a sweep and was lbw.Bowling coach Steve Kirby had suggested after day three that Somerset would need 80 overs to try to bowl Warwickshire out, but that point arrived with the lead only 317. That would have been a very attractive target on a pitch still good for batting.Tom Abell (42, 63) and Archie Vaughan (38 not out, 59) batted watchfully to prevent a collapse then expanded to add 65 in 14 overs before Abell charged and missed at Rocchoccioli. Pretorious had his off-stump rendered askew by Ethan Bamber and Rocchoccioli’s five-for was complete when Craig Overton missed a reverse sweep and was lbw, triggering lunch and the declaration.To challenge the target – 377 in two sessions – Warwickshire needed a strong platform but they lost soon both openers. Alex Davies fell to the fourth ball, lbw, trapped in the crease by Matt Henry. Rob Yates left a gap between bat and pad and Jack Leach, who opened the bowling, turned the ball through it.That scuppered any chance of a Warwickshire win. Somerset’s hopes were ground away over the next two hours by Latham and Hain. There are few batters better-equipped than those to steer a side to safety and they duly quietened the excited fielding side with resolute, solid and watchful work.They declined to pursue a target of 276 from 34 overs after tea. Latham drove a return catch to Overton and Jacob Bethell top-edged a pull at Pretorius but the implacable Hain reached 50 for the 58th time in first-class cricket to see the job through in a soporific, slumbering, sparsely-populated stadium as far-removed as can be from the passionate cauldron it will be when England meet India there next week.

Former Premier League striker Alan Shearer has backed Arsenal to end their 22-year wait for a Premier League title this season, claiming that he cannot see a weakness within Mikel Arteta's side after the Gunners extended their lead at the top with victory at Burnley. Their ninth successive victory and seventh successive clean sheet in all competitions has only furthered the belief amongst many that this is the best chance Arsenal have had to end their hunt for title glory.

Arsenal Premier League favourites after Burnley win continues strong start

Arsenal went seven points clear after goals by Viktor Gyokeres and Declan Rice secured victory at Turf Moor. The Gunners’ continued impenetrable defence remains a key facet of their strong success, as they equalled a club record for consecutive clean sheets and remain on course to give a good go at challenging Chelsea’s imperious record of just 15 goals conceded in 2004/05.

Premier League all-time top goalscorer Shearer sung the praises of the Gunners’ strength all over the pitch and claimed he does not see a weakness in Arteta’s side as they dominate from set-pieces while offering “so much more than that” in their overall performance.

"I can't see a weakness," former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer told BBC Sport.

"They've scored again from a set-piece but there's been so much more than that in the performance. I like the way they're using [Riccardo] Calafiori and [Jurrien] Timber in advanced positions to create overloads and win set-piece opportunities."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportOnouha and Neville agree as Gunners go marching on

Shearer was not the only pundit to sing the Gunners’ praises after the result, as former Manchester City defender Nedum Onouha cited their previous tendency to be “soft-centred” as something which Arteta’s side have developed beyond and removed from their game.

"When I first started doing punditry in 2021, Arsenal's biggest failing was they are a bit soft-centered, you could almost bully them,” said Onouha.

"Now you look at the way they can play. If it needs to be a fight, it will be a fight. If it needs to be a footballing game it can be a footballing game.

"People don't want to be classed as favourites for anything at this part of the season. There is a lot of pressure that comes with that. For the Arsenal side, three years in a row they have finished second, why not have the belief they can finish first?

"The depth that they have, if somebody drops out it's the next person up," added Onuoha. “Ultimately, this is why they are being classed as favourites because they are in a great position."

Sky Sports’ former Manchester United full-back Gary Neville added: "Arsenal are reliable, you can trust them. This is your title, Arsenal. I've never really felt that sure before, it's so early in the season, but it really is [yours].

"That's not being overconfident, or placing pressure. Arsenal must feel it themselves. This is the moment Arsenal can get back to [winning the title]. The chance is there for them; they have to take it."

'We were exceptional' – Arteta

Arsenal manager Arteta said at full-time: “Especially the way we started the game, I think in the first half we were exceptional. Scored two goals, probably should have scored another two or three. 

“We gave nothing away, and that was the platform to win it because in the second half, it’s true that we weren’t that precise, especially with the ball, we had to make a few changes and didn’t have that much control of the game. But defensively, again, we were exceptional to maintain the clean sheet.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportContinue as they are, and Arsenal glory awaits

After three years of agonising second-placed finishes, Arsenal look like the team to beat at present and have already amounted a handsome advantage over title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, still the only two sides against whom the Gunners have dropped points so far this season.

If they can continue their immaculate record against the rest of the division and continue to prevent opponents from even having a shot on target – their last four opponents have managed one between them – then this could be the season Arsenal and Arteta finally reach the top of the mountain and win the Premier League title.

A “world-class” manager has now emerged as a shock candidate to replace Ange Postecoglou as Nottingham Forest manager, following the Australian’s dismissal on Saturday.

Forest set out to appoint new manager following Ange exit

Ange only lasted a little over a month as Forest manager, which has sparked debate over whether he was given enough time, having replaced Nuno Espirito Santo at the beginning of September, before going on to implement a more attacking style.

Former defender John Curtis has since claimed it was the wrong decision to appoint the former Tottenham Hotspur boss in the first place, with Nuno enjoying a successful 2024-25 campaign, overseeing the Tricky Trees’ return to Europe.

With Ange gone, Evangelos Marinakis is now tasked with bringing in a replacement, and it could make sense to bring in a more pragmatic manager, given that the attacking philosophy didn’t produce the desired results.

The Aussie failed to win any of his eight matches in charge, which leaves the Europa League side in a precarious position, falling into the Premier League relegation zone after the 3-0 defeat at home against Chelsea on Saturday.

As such, getting the next appointment will be crucial for Marinakis, and it has now been revealed that Sean Dyche, who has a track record of guiding teams to safety, is in advanced talks about taking over as manager.

According to a report from Football Insider, however, there is an alternative option on the shortlist, with Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers emerging as a ‘shock’ new candidate for the Nottingham Forest job.

Rodgers is set to be sounded out by Forest about a move to the City Ground, with the Celtic boss out of contract at the end of the season, and the Scottish club have thus far failed to make any progress in talks about an extension.

Dyche remains the frontrunner for the job, but former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini and Fulham manager Marco Silva are also in contention.

Nottingham Forest chiefs want Marinakis to replace Postecoglou with "master" tactician

The Greek billionaire has finally called time on Ange’s nightmare stint.

By
Emilio Galantini

Oct 18, 2025

"World-class" Rodgers could be savvy appointment for Forest

The 52-year-old is vastly experienced in the Premier League, taking charge of 204 matches as Leicester City manager, during which time he led the Foxes to victory in the 2020-21 FA Cup final, with Gabriel Agbonlahor lauding him as “world-class”.

The Northern Irishman, who won the FA Cup with Leicester, has since gone on to have another very impressive stint with Celtic, winning the Scottish Premiership and League Cup last season, meaning he has now lifted 13 trophies across a successful managerial career.

Dyche would perhaps be the safer option, having developed a reputation as a manager capable of leading relegation-threatened sides to safety, but Rodgers could be a more exciting long-term appointment, given his track record of winning trophies.

يستعد منتخب مصر لخوض مباراة هامة أمام سويسرًا، في إطار لقاءات دور الـ32 من بطولة كأس العالم تحت 17 عامًا.

وخطف منتخب مصر بطاقة التأهل إلى دور الـ32 من بطولة كأس العالم تحت 17 عامًا، بعدما جمع 4 نقاط وصعد ضمن أفضل 8 منتخبات احتلت المركز الثالث في المجموعات الـ12.

طالع | موعد مباراة مصر وسويسرا في دور الـ 32 من كأس العالم تحت 17 عامًا

منتخب مصر كان قد حقق الفوز في لقاء الجولة الأولى على هايتي بنتيجة 4-1، وتعادل في مباراة الجولة الثانية مع فنزويلا 1-1، قبل أن يخسر من إنجلترا 0-3.

ويأمل منتخب مصر تحت 17 عامًا أن يواصل عروضه القوية في البطولة ويكتب تاريخًا جديدًا للكرة المصرية في بطولة العالم. طريق منتخب مصر في كأس العالم تحت 17 عامًا حتى النهائي

وفي حال تأهل منتخب مصر من دور الـ32، سيواجه الفائز من مباراة أيرلندا وكندا في دور الـ16.

أما في دور ربع النهائي، فقد يصطدم المنتخب المصري بالفائز من المواجهة التي تضم المتأهل من لقاء الأرجنتين والمكسيك، والمنتصر من لقاء البرتغال وبلجيكا.

وفي حال استمرار المشوار بنجاح حتى نصف النهائي، سيكون طريق مصر متجهًا لملاقاة أحد المنتخبات المتأهلة من بين “الولايات المتحدة الامريكية أو المغرب”، “زامبيا أو مالي”، و”البرازيل أو باراجواي”، و “فرنسا أو كولومبيا”.، من أجل الوصول إلى النهائي.