Major League Baseball could never admit it but they would be bad business people if they weren't rooting for a New York Yankees-Los Angeles Dodgers World Series. The C-Suites at FOX were certainly not crushed when chips landed that way. No one can blame anyone for reaping the occasional dream matchup.
The part about this renewal of ancient October hostilities that gets a bit annoying is when people who have nothing to gain and don't particularly care about baseball act like every team in flyover country is an afterthought. And I'll be honest, my first impulse was to push back against this perceived coastal elitism and resist embracing Yankees-Dodgers with open arms.
It was helpful, then, to hear the message delivered by Jeff Passan on Ryen Russillo's latest podcast (12:20 mark).
"I've been waiting my whole life for this," ESPN's baseball insider said. "And this coming from somebody who grew up in Cleveland, who lives in Kansas City, who appreciates the plight of small markets. Who understands that baseball is not like basketball or football or hockey in that there is a gap among all of these teams and sometimes not just like a regular gap, sometimes two or three standard deviation gap when it comes to payroll. I think I'm supposed to be the person who looks at this World Series and says f— that, I don't want to see that, this says everything that's wrong about baseball. But to me it's just the opposite of that. This is everything that can be right about sports. Behemoths don't equal bad. Large markets don't equal problematic for someone who desires a level-playing field for some of the smaller-market teams. What I love is good baseball and stars being put in position to do things that we're going to talk about for years down the road."
Like Stefon describing the hottest New York City club, this World Series really does have everything. The biggest markets. Cash falling out of pockets. East Coast vs. West Coast. The largest player to ever play the game and perhaps the best. It's Aaron Judge vs. Shohei Ohtani but it's so much more. What American is giving up in the plucky underdog department they are gaining 10-fold in legacy and, most importantly, the highest-quality baseball on the planet.
If Passan can stop wearing his heartland on this sleeve and embrace it with open arms then everyone else who feels some type of way about the World Series can as well.
Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Freddie Freeman is on fire.
Freeman belted his fourth home run of the World Series in the first inning of Game 4 on Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium to give the Dodgers a 2–0 lead—and break an MLB record in the process.
After his latest 343-foot blast, Freeman now is the only player in MLB history to homer in six consecutive World Series games.
The only other player to mash a home run in at least five straight World Series games was former Houston Astros outfielder George Springer, who hit homers in five consecutive Fall Classic contests in 2017 and '19. Reggie Jackson (1977, '78) and Lou Gehrig (1928, '32) round out the leaderboard for hitting homers in four straight World Series games.
Freeman entered Tuesday's game batting 4-for-13 with one triple, three homers and seven RBIs over the first three games of the World Series. If the Dodgers hang on to win Game 4 and complete the four-game sweep over the Yankees, Freeman likely will be named the World Series MVP in a landslide.
Ruben Amorim has been subjected to plenty of criticism across his reign as Manchester United manager, and the Portuguese coach is not afraid to dish some out himself. It has been revealed that he gave Manuel Ugarte – a player that he previously worked with at Sporting – a serious dressing down following defeat to Tottenham in the 2025 Europa League final.
Amorim pulls no punches in Man Utd team meetings
United suffered a 1-0 defeat to domestic rivals that day, denying them major silverware and qualification for continental competition in 2025-26. Uruguay international Ugarte was an unused substitute against Spurs, but still attracted unwelcome attention from his manager ahead of a Premier League season closer at home to Aston Villa.
Amorim called a meeting, attended by the entire Red Devils squad, a day prior to facing the Villans at Old Trafford. It was during that discussion that he informed Argentina international winger Alejandro Garnacho that he would need a “good agent” during the summer transfer window, with the 21-year-old winger eventually being offloaded to Chelsea.
AdvertisementGettyWhat Amorim said to Man Utd midfielder Ugarte
According to , Amorim also took aim at Ugarte. They know each other well from their time in Lisbon, but familiarity does not spare anybody from incurring the wrath of Amorim. He is said to have called Ugarte’s work rate into question.
It is claimed that Amorim told Ugarte that he has “gotten comfortable”, with the Portuguese tactician saying that he does “not recognise him as the same player from their first stint together”. Said comments “caused a ripple of reaction among those in the squad” as it was made abundantly clear that 100 per cent commitment to the collective cause is required at all times. Amorim’s approach is considered to be “hard, but broadly fair”.
United’s boss prefers to address any issues in his camp within group settings, rather than one-on-one, with that system reported to be “the cause of conversations among players”. Several United stars are said to have discussed the methods of their manager during a post-season trip to Kuala Lumpur, with some preferring “more tailored instructions”.
Why Amorim does his business face-to-face
Amorim will not be bowing to those demands and wants those on the fringes of his first-team squad to prove their worth in training, not through “face-to-face meetings”. He has made a point of staying away from any player-based social activities in a bid to “maintain a sense of authority”.
Another all-staff meeting was called ahead of the 2025-26 season, at which Amorim reiterated the need for standards to be improved when it comes to professionalism and commitment. He is said to have “cited players going out and being late for training as examples of bad discipline”.
While some of those on the playing staff may not always appreciate his approach to coaching, those behind the scenes have embraced his “candour and passion” – with Amorim a regular presence at United’s company summits.
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GettyNew signings & leadership group: Red Devils a work in progress
The Red Devils remain a work in progress, having made more efforts during the last transfer window to remove those that are considered problematic – such as Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony – while bringing in players that have a “love for football”. Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha are considered to tick that box, while also boasting useful Premier League experience from their spells at Brentford and Wolves respectively.
They are said to have “lifted the mood and the quality of sessions significantly”. Amorim has also appointed a six-man leadership group in his dressing room – with club captain Bruno Fernandes being supported by Harry Maguire, Tom Heaton, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot. They are trusted with building discipline and keeping everybody in line.
United have enjoyed an improvement of late, going unbeaten through their last five games, and have entered the latest international break sat seventh in the Premier League table. They will return to action on November 24 in a home date with Everton and former manager David Moyes.
Ben Kellaway shines with the ball and in the field on Hundred debut as Phoenix stumble
ECB Media22-Aug-2025Steven Smith steered Welsh Fire to a comfortable eight-wicket victory at Edgbaston to leave Birmingham Phoenix with a mountain to climb to qualify for the Eliminator and keep their own slim hopes alive.Set 139 for victory, Fire, who started the evening bottom of the table, reached their target with 11 balls to spare, Steve Eskinazi breaking the back of the chase with a 29-ball 42 before Smith (47 not out from 36) scripted a comprehensive win.The Australian legend has struggled for form in his first season of the Hundred, making a top score of 29 in his first five knocks, but he played sensibly while Eskinazi and Jonny Bairstow (35 from 21) provided the pyrotechnics at the other end.Bairstow dispatched Adam Milne into the Hollies Stand with an almighty six, only to be bowled by the Kiwi’s next delivery, but skipper Tom Abell took his side over the line with plenty to spare.Phoenix’s innings was a disjointed affair, with several batters making starts but no one able to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. After Aussie quick Riley Meredith cleaned up Ben Duckett for 5 via an inside edge, Will Smeed (23 from 17), Joe Clarke (24 from 12) and Liam Livingstone (16 from 9) all played eye-catching strokes but failed to kick on.Jacob Bethell hit three sixes in his stylish knock of 38 from 28 but Fire’s fingerspinners never let Phoenix cut loose, Chris Green taking 3 for 27 including the scalp of Bethell, caught at long-on in the final set, while Ben Kellaway returned figures of 2 for 10 from 15 deliveries, also taking three catches and effecting a run-out on a memorable debut in the Hundred.Phoenix’s final total of 138 for 9 felt under par and so it proved as Fire went on to claim their second win of the campaign and move up to seventh in the table, eight points behind third with two matches still to play. Phoenix remain in fifth, ahead of Fire on net run rate.
O Vasco conquistou uma grande vitória sobre o Botafogo por 1 a 0 em São Januário, nesta segunda-feira (6), pelo Campeonato Brasileiro. Paulo Henrique foi o autor do gol da vitória da equipe de Ramón Díaz aos 28 minutos da etapa inicial.
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Com o resultado, o Cruz-Maltino chegou aos 37 pontos, alcançou a 15ª colocação e deixou a zona de rebaixamento. Por outro lado, o time de Lúcio Flávio segue estacionado nos 59 pontos, mas permanece na liderança da competição.
+ Confira a classificação do Brasileirão
⚫ Cinco lances que marcaram a partida
1️⃣ DE CANHOTA! Aos 28 minutos, Paulo Henrique fez grande jogada individual e bateu da entrada da área de canhota para abrir o placar para o Vasco
2️⃣ NÃO VALEU! Nos acréscimos, a equipe de Ramon Díaz chegou a ampliar o marcador com Pec, mas Paulinho, que havia dado a assistência, estava impedido
3️⃣ MAU HÁLITO? Após confusão entre Diego Costa e Medel, o zagueiro chileno afirmou que o centroavante do Botafogo estaria com bafo durante a discussão
4️⃣ DESFALQUE DE PESO! Tiquinho Soares recebeu seu 3º cartão amarelo e não enfrenta o Grêmio na próxima rodada do Brasileirão
5️⃣ FUROU! Na reta final da partida, Tiquinho Soares teve a oportunidade de empatar o jogo ao ver uma bola quicando em sua frente na área, mas o centroavante errou o chute
⏱Como foi o primeiro tempo?
Apesar do início melhor do Botafogo, a equipe de Lúcio Flávio não conseguia ser eficiente. Já o Vasco conseguiu chegar ao gol em sua primeira boa chegada com Paulo Henrique fazendo grande jogada individual e finalizando no cantinho para abrir o placar. Os mandantes ainda chegaram duas vezes com perigo no fim, mas Pec anotou um gol que foi anulado, enquanto Paulinho recebeu um cruzamento na área e cabeceou para fora.
⏱E a etapa final?
O Vasco voltou melhor na segunda etapa com Gabriel Pec obrigando Perri a fazer uma boa defesa, mas o confronto foi muito mais brigado do que cheio de oportunidades. As mudanças de Lúcio Flávio no Botafogo não surtiram efeito esperado, e o líder do Brasileirão não conseguiu assustar o gol defendido por Leo Jardim.
+ Clique aqui e confira mais detalhes da partida
✅O que vem por aí?
O Botafogo volta a jogar contra o Grêmio, em São Januário, na quinta-feira (9), pelo Campeonato Brasileiro. Por outro lado, o Vasco recebe o América-MG no domingo (12), pelo Brasileirão.
⚫FICHA TÉCNICA Campeonato Brasileiro – 32ª rodada Vasco 1 x 0 Botafogo
Local:São Januário, Rio de Janeiro (RJ) Data:6 de novembro Árbitro:Leandro Pedro Vuaden (RS) Assistentes:Danilo Ricardo Simon Manis (Fifa/SP) e Marcelo Carvalho Van Gasse (SP) Árbitro de vídeo (VAR):Wagner Reway (Fifa/PB) Público e renda:-
Cartões amarelos: Marçal, Danilo, Diego Costa e Tiquinho Soares (BOT); Medel e Paulinho (VAS) Cartões vermelhos: –
GOLS: Paulo Henrique, 28’/1ºT
VASCO Leo Jardim; Paulo Henrique, Maicon, Medel e Piton; Zé Gabriel, Praxedes e Paulinho (Jair, 40’/2ºT); Gabriel Pec (Léo, 44’/2ºT), Vegetti e Erick Marcus (Alex Teixeira, 5’/2ºT). Técnico: Ramón Díaz.
BOTAFOGO Lucas Perri; Di Plácido (Carlos Alberto, 40’/2ºT), Philipe Sampaio, Bastos (Diego Costa, 12’/2ºT) e Marçal (Hugo, 12/’ºT); Danilo, Tchê Tchê e Eduardo; Junior Santos (Matías Segovia, 20’/2ºT), Tiquinho Soares e Victor Sá (Luis Henrique, 40’/2ºT). Técnico: Lúcio Flávio.
“Leave the football before the football leaves you.” That was the sentence Jamie Carragher reserved for a certain Manchester United player by the name of Casemiro back in May 2024.
It’s safe to say that the Brazilian, once a football legend, a serial winner at Real Madrid, had seen his powers wane.
He was making countless mistakes, looked like he was running through treacle and was the shadow of a player who had featured on 336 occasions for Madrid.
18 months on and Casemiro looks like a legandary player again. He may not be capable of featuring for a period of 90 minutes but the 2025/26 campaign has arguably been his best since moving to Old Trafford.
The 33-year-old is making a huge impact, notably scoring on three occasions and registering an assist. He’s finally come good in United colours.
However, the fact that he can’t last 90 minutes is the problem. His backup in the shape of Manuel Ugarte continues to struggle.
Why it's time for Ugarte to leave Man Utd
In the summer of 2024, INEOS spent a great deal on bringing the bullish Uruguayan to Old Trafford, as much as £42m.
He was seen as the heir to Casemiro, someone who could fix their lack of energy and tenacity in the middle of the park.
The big Brazilian was floundering and the more minute Ugarte was here to fix the problem. Yet, he has been more of a hindrance, particularly as Casemiro has returned to form.
So far this term, the midfield veteran has only completed one 90 minutes in the Premier League and in a bid to see out the game, Ruben Amorim has usually tried to rely on Ugarte. However, the South American has been anything but reliable.
Casemiro in the PL this season
Fixture
Minute subbed
Arsenal
65
Fulham
53
Burnley
72
Man City
Did not start
Chelsea
45
Brentford
Suspended
Sunderland
85
Liverpool
58
Brighton
70
Nott’m Forest
Was not subbed
Spurs
72
With the 24-year-old out of the team, the Red Devils have scored 15 goals at a rate of twice per 90 and have conceded eight times, once per 90 minutes.
However, with Ugarte in the team, Amorim’s side have scored just four times, 1.3 per 90 minutes and have shipped ten goals, a whopping 3.2 per 90.
The data is clear; United are a poorer side when the big-money midfielder is in the team. While he has come on and helped his teammates to victories over Chelsea, Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton, he has also come on and been a hindrance.
When he entered the action at the weekend in the 2-2 draw with Spurs, it was 1-0 to United at the time. In the 3-1 defeat to Brentford, he came on at 2-1. During the 1-1 draw with Fulham, Amorim’s charges were leading 1-0 when Ugarte was brought off the bench. To make matters worse, he also started the 3-0 loss to rivals Manchester City.
So, why do things go so wrong when he’s on the field? Well, his inability to break up the play and anticipate what happens on the field is a huge issue. That was seen during the draw with Spurs on Saturday when Ugarte simply let Wilson Odobert breeze past him in the build-up to Mathys Tel’s equaliser.
With Kobbie Mainoo on the bench, it does beg the question, why Ugarte? While the Uruguay international is the more traditional holding midfielder, they need more energy and legs when Casemiro heads to the bench. Mainoo would bring that in abundance.
Saying that, the academy graduate isn’t the only Ugarte solution up Amorim’s sleeve. Another future superstar at Carrington is getting ready to make an impact.
Man United's surprise Ugarte replacement
Cutting their losses on the former PSG player would be disastrous from a business point of view but it really does feel as though United need a refresh in midfield.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Casemiro has made great improvements this term but he is not getting any younger and if INEOS are planning to spend big in the future then it must be in a central area.
Players like Brighton superstar Carlos Baleba and Nottingham Forest’s Geordie midfielder, Elliot Anderson, have both been linked with a move. They would be fabulous signings too.
Yet, a ready-made solution could present itself at Carrington. In the form of 19-year-old Sekou Kone, United may well have already signed their dream replacement for Ugarte.
Kone arrived at Man United in the summer of 2024. He was not a marquee arrival, far from it. There was very little fanfare for a teenager who had signed in a £1m deal from Malian side Guidars FC.
An exciting midfield player, the youngster had attracted the attention of United scouts during Mali’s run to the semi-finals of the U17 World Cup in 2023. Since then, he has failed to earn any senior game time under Amorim but he looks like a mighty fine prospect.
Kone featured on 14 occasions for the U21s last season but his prospects of football in 2025/26 have so far been dampened by a fractured eye socket. He has played just one match in the opening exchanges of the ongoing campaign but he is now back in training and first-team training at that. Amorim has already shelved plans of a loan spell, such is the potential in this young midfield player.
So, what’s he all about? Well, a defensive midfielder by trade, he is “uber composed on the ball and so press resistant” in the words of Como scout, Ben Mattinson.
Mattinson continued: “He’s got a tight turn radius and rides challenges well when carrying the ball.” On that evidence, he certainly sounds more promising than Ugarte.
He possesses an exciting ball-winning prowess and has an enormous physical ceiling that Mattinson suggests “is something Manchester United need more of in order for Amorim’s man-to-man press to work effectively.”
On that evidence, it’s hardly a surprise that fellow scout, Antonio Mango, has explained that Kone has “the skillset to be a beast under Amorim.”
This is a player who doesn’t just look capable of ending Ugarte’s career at Old Trafford, but potentially also Casemiro’s.
وجّه الإعلامي خالد الغندور رسالة مؤثرة طالب فيها إدارة نادي الزمالك ورجال الأعمال خاصة بالراحل محمد صبري، نجم الفريق الأسبق.
وأكد الغندور أن محمد صبري كان مثالًا للاعب المحترم والمخلص، مشيرًا إلى أن راتبه في قناة النادي كان محدودًا مقارنة بقيمته ومكانته.
وكتب الغندور عبر صفحته الشخصية بموقع “فيس بوك”: “رسالة إلى نادي الزمالك ورجال الأعمال.. صبري كان إنسانًا محترمًا، وكان مصدر الرزق الوحيد لأبنائه، وراتبه كان ضعيفًا جدًا مقارنة بقيمته كمقدّم برامج وكاسم كبير مثل صبري”.
طالع أيضًا | حازم إمام: وفاة محمد صبري “درس”.. وأشكر إدارة الأهلي
وتابع: “ويجب، قبل أن تهدأ الأمور، أن يتم التواصل مع أولاده أو مع أشخاص مسؤولين عن تعليمهم، مع توفير راتب شهري وتبرع كبير يساعد أسرته على تحمل نفقات المعيشة”.
واختتم: “ولأن صبري لديه خمسة أبناء، فمن الضروري أن تكون هناك وقفة من كل اللاعبين القدامى مع أسرته وأولاده، فهذا واجب.. لأنه نجم تاريخي لنادي الزمالك وجماهيره. ويجب أن نرى أفعالًا لا مجرد كلام. وأتمنى أن تكون رسالتي قد وصلت”.
وفي سياق متصل، أعلن مجلس إدارة نادي الزمالك إقامة عزاء الراحل يوم الأحد المقبل بمقر النادي، كما اعتمد المجلس صرف معاش شهري لأسرة محمد صبري تقديرًا لمسيرته الحافلة وعطائه الكبير للنادي، سواء كلاعب أو مدرب أو من خلال عمله في قناة الزمالك، وسيتم التنسيق مع إدارة القناة لضمان صرف راتبه حتى نهاية مدة تعاقده.
Imam-ul-Haq notches fifty as Yorkshire wrap up comfortable win in Scarborough
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay05-Aug-2025
Ben Cliff claimed a maiden five-for• Allan McKenzie/SWPIx.com
Ben Cliff’s maiden five-wicket haul in first-team cricket – a superb 5 for 46 from 8.3 overs – set Yorkshire up for an opening day Metro Bank One-Day Cup win over last year’s semi-finalists Warwickshire at Scarborough, by five wickets chasing 138.New-ball quick Cliff, aged 22, was playing his first first-team game since the summer’s opening week following a side injury, and he was the chief tormenter as the Bears were bowled out for 137 inside 37 overs at the start of Group B.Cliff struck four times in a devastating opening spell, with Warwickshire slipping to 38 for 7 before Vaansh Jani’s brilliant 82 off 92 balls. It was the 20-year-old’s maiden first-team fifty in his second game.Yorkshire, for whom Adam Lyth took four catches in the slips – equalling a club record for outfield catches in a List A innings – didn’t chase with ease on a tricky pitch. But Pakistani international opener Imam-ul-Haq held things together with 55 off 83 balls.Cliff struck twice in three balls in his opening over and four times in all as the Bears crumbled to 24 for 5 in the 10th having been inserted. He had both Rob Yates and Zen Malik caught at cover by James Wharton in the second over, the former via a leading edge as he looked to play to leg and the latter off a miscued drive.Cliff’s new-ball partner Jack White clipped Warwickshire captain Ed Barnard’s off bail with a beauty before Cliff struck again to get a driving Hamza Shaikh caught at second slip by Lyth. And when extra bounce forced Kai Smith to loop a catch to backward point, the Bears were five down and in serious strife.Things got worse before getting better. Alex Davies fell to Matthew Revis’s first ball for 15, the seam-bowling allrounder getting him and Jake Lintott caught by Lyth at slip. When Lintott fell to the third ball of the 14th over, Warwickshire were 38 for 7.Batting at No. 7, Jani’s first of six boundaries was a lovely on-drive against George Hill as Warwickshire strove for respectability.Hill’s seam accounted for Michael Booth caught at slip by Lyth – 63 for 8 in the 21st. Hill added a second wicket when Ethan Bamber drilled to mid-off, though Jani counterattacked.He hoisted Hill over long-on and scooped White over fine-leg for his first two of five sixes, reaching a 67-ball fifty, by which time the visitors were 101 for 9 in the 31st over.Right-handed Jani smashed Revis out of the ground over long-on before miscuing Cliff to mid-on to end the innings.Jani and Oliver Hannon-Dalby added 64, a Warwickshire List A record stand for the 10th wicket and comfortably the best of the innings. Last man Hannon-Dalby contributed one run.Yorkshire were cautious in reply. They lost Lyth and Will Luxton, the latter for 25, to the seam of Hannon-Dalby and Bamber – 47 for 2 in the 14th over.Booth’s pace then accounted for James Wharton and Revis in successive deliveries, caught behind off the inside-edge and caught low down at second slip, as the score fell to 72 for four in the 21st.But left-handed Imam anchored things. His first five scoring shots were boundaries, strong on the pull and drive, and he shared a calming fifth-wicket stand of 56 with Hill, 20 not out. Imam fell caught at deep square-leg with 10 to win, but it was a consolatory third wicket for Booth. Yorkshire won with 17.1 overs remaining.
Daniel Farke’s reputation as a ropey Premier League manager is back under the spotlight at Leeds United.
The under-fire German has now lost a colossal 40 matches at the intimidating level from the 59 games he’s taken charge of, as the Whites worryingly looked like relegation fodder last time out in a 3-0 loss at Brighton and Hove Albion.
It’s not quite as bad as his Norwich City end days just yet, with Farke’s Canaries falling to an embarrassing 7-0 defeat at the hands of Chelsea all the way back in 2021.
But, his dismal record in the division just doesn’t make for pretty reading, as he now attempts to guide Leeds up the table.
Games
59
Wins
9
Draws
10
Losses
40
Goals scored
40
Goals conceded
118
Points accumulated
37
He could have to think outside of the box, soon, if he feels he’s being let down consistently by his senior personnel, as a whole host of exciting U21 talents are coming through currently in West Yorkshire…
The biggest stars in Leeds' academy
Throughout his time in the Elland dug-out to date, Farke has often chucked young talents into the first team mix when he’s deemed them to be ready, having once kick-started Archie Gray’s ascent to stardom.
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin misfiring as of late, he might well be tempted to look at another Gray and launch Harry Gray into the senior side, with the 17-year-old already up to 15 goals for the U18s and U21s, despite recent injury setbacks.
Moreover, Alfie Cresswell could soon fancy his own chances, having captained the U21s this season from defensive midfield, with the 18-year-old – who can also play in defence – also collecting three goals for his troubles.
But, it could be down the right wing where Farke is looking to bring in some youthful reinforcements, having had to rely on a hot-and-cold Brenden Aaronson in his spot on the pitch for most of the season so far.
That has resulted in the versatile American only collecting one meagre goal for his efforts, with Farke having to persist with the up-and-down 25-year-old, owing to both Daniel James and Wilfried Gnonto being unfortunate with injuries.
Yet, there could be an in-house replacement now staring Farke in the face. Like Cresswell and Gray, he’s a hotly-tipped teenage sensation.
Leeds' surprise Aaronson replacement
All the young starlets over the years who have been generously handed a first-team opportunity at Leeds must dream that they can become the next homegrown ace to make it.
Only a select few do, unfortunately, but Connor Douglas will back himself that he can be a success story in the senior ranks down the line, having already been branded as a “joy to watch” by PureFootball Trent Gaffney for his previous heroics on the youth pitches in West Yorkshire.
Games played
66
Minutes played
4,519
Goals scored
12
Assists
9
Yet, despite receiving such glowing praise and collecting an impressive 12 goals and nine assists from 66 appearances in youth circles to date, the 20-year-old is still without a Leeds first-team chance.
That could soon change, however, particularly if Farke wants to look more left-field for an Aaronson replacement, with the adaptable number 52 collecting ten of his 21 goal contributions for the U21s from the right wing spot, an area of the pitch that isn’t best suited to the ex-Union Berlin man.
With Douglas’ senior contract also only in play until next summer, it does feel as if it’s make-or-break time for the young Englishman, if he wants to make an impression in the senior game.
Even lining up as a right-back and as a striker on occasion for the U21s, it’s clear that Douglas is a jack of all trades.
But, in the here and now, with a goal and an assist next to his name in the Premier League 2 this season when playing predominantly down the right flank, he could be a shock replacement for Aaronson.
Leeds have a "wrecking ball" out on loan who can put DCL on borrowed time
Leeds United have an impressive star out on loan who can put Dominic Calvert-Lewin on borrowed time already at Elland Road.
Mumbai batter Ayush Mhatre will lead India Under-19 in a multi-format tour of Australia, which begins on September 21 at Ian Healy Oval in Brisbane. The 17-member side includes 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who had lit up IPL 2025 with his power-packed batting.India will play five matches on the tour, beginning with three one-day games, all at the same venue, on September 21, 24 and 26. That will be followed by two four-day matches, the first one also at Ian Healy Stadium from September 30 and the second in Mackay from October 7.From the U-19 side that recently toured England for a similar multi-format series, the players missing are Maulyarajsinh Chavda, Yudhajit Guha (now among the stand-bys), Pranav Raghavendra and Mohammed Enaan. In come Vedant Trivedi, Khilan Patel, Udhav Mohan and Aman Chauhan.Khilan, who was ruled out of the England tour due to a stress reaction in his right leg, has recovered and is included in the 17-member squad. Top-order Punjab batter Vihaan Malhotra, who excelled in both the four-dayers and 50-over leg of the England tour, has been rewarded with the vice-captaincy for the Australia tour.Mhatre was the leading run-scorer (340 in four innings) in the youth Tests in England, a high-scoring series which ended 0-0 with both matches severely curtailed by rain. India had earlier taken the one-day series 3-2, with Suryavanshi topping the run-charts with 355 runs in five innings. Offspinner Kanishk Chouhan led the wickets column for India in the one-day series, while fast bowler RS Ambrish impressed with six wickets in the youth Tests.The squad also includes wicketkeeper-batter Harvansh Singh Pangalia and offspinner Anmoljeet Singh, while Naman Pushpak and D Deepesh also retain their places. Apart from Guha, Laxman, B K Kishore, Alankrith Rapole and Arnav Bugga are the standby players.India had earlier clean swept the Australia U-19 side in both the one-day and four-day series at home in September-October last year.India Under-19 squad: Ayush Mhatre (capt), Vihaan Malhotra (vice-capt), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Vedant Trivedi, Rahul Kumar, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), Harvansh Singh (WK), R S Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Naman Pushpak, Henil Patel, D Deepesh, Kishan Kumar, Anmoljeet Singh, Khilan Patel, Udhav Mohan, Aman Chauhan