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Since the summer of 2023, Manchester United have dished out roughly £174.5m on three new centre-forwards, having plumped for youth by bringing in Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee and Benjamin Sesko in successive summers.

The result? Well, that costly trio have since scored just 20 Premier League goals between them across the last two-and-a-half years, with United seemingly repeating their approach in the market, yet expecting a different result.

Turning to relatively unproven young strikers has been the theme of recent times at Old Trafford, representing a clear shift away from a more short-term approach that saw the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo parachuted in to lead the line.

That trend also came amid the search for more left-field, stop-gap striker signings in the mould of Wout Weghorst and Odion Ighalo, with it looking as if the INEOS regime could repeat the trick with their own wildcard move in 2026.

Man Utd discussing personal terms for the new Ighalo

For so long has the lack of a consistent, world-class number nine plagued the Red Devils, with Robin van Persie still the last player to have scored 20 league goals for the club in a single season.

Man Utd’s top PL scorers by season

Season

Top scorer

24/25

Fernandes & Amad – 8

23/24

Fernandes & Hojlund – 10

22/23

Marcus Rashford – 17

21/22

Cristiano Ronaldo – 18

20/21

Bruno Fernandes – 18

19/20

Rashford & Martial – 17

18/19

Paul Pogba – 13

17/18

Romelu Lukaku – 16

16/17

Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 17

15/16

Anthony Martial – 11

14/15

Wayne Rooney – 12

13/14

Wayne Rooney – 17

12/13

Robin van Persie – 26

Stats via WhoScored

Things might have been different had Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Erling Haaland recommendation not been ignored, with the treble winner having also chased his compatriot during his first full season at the club in 2019/20.

As it proved, the Norwegian machine joined Borussia Dortmund ahead of the 2020 January window, with United left scrambling on deadline day, acquiring boyhood fan Odion Ighalo on an initial loan deal from Chinese outfit, Shanghai Shenhua.

That was certainly not a deal that would have been anticipated in advance, with the same perhaps true regarding Auxerre marksman, Lassine Sinayoko, amid reports that INEOS are pushing ahead with a move for the Ligue 1 star.

Indeed, as per Africa Foot, United are discussing personal terms with the 26-year-old, with the two parties believed to be coming close to finalising a €3m (£2m) salary agreement.

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The suggestion is that Ruben Amorim’s side want to secure a deal next month, prior to Sinayoko joining on a free transfer next summer.

Why United could be targeting their new Ighalo

Whether Sinayoko does arrive in January or at the end of the season, he could represent the wildcard addition that Amorim is in need of, not least with the aforementioned Sesko having scored just twice since his summer switch from RB Leipzig.

The Auxerre hitman may not be a glamour, household name, although the example of Ighalo showcases that a left-field swoop can bear fruit, with the experienced Nigerian making a solid impact in his new surroundings in Manchester.

Indeed, the former Watford star ultimately scored five times in his first six months at Old Trafford, namely netting a stunning juggling effort away at LASK Linz in the Europa League.

His stay was certainly brief, and hardly prolific, but Ighalo proved to be a useful tool under Solskjaer, not least as United went deep in both the FA Cup and Europa League.

Like in the case of the 2020 arrival, there is a real joy in seeing something of an unsung talent begin to blossom at United, with the club having far too often been stung by pursuing the high-profile, expensive deals instead.

Should Sinayoko arrive on a free transfer, he might well fit into the Ighalo category, having been a solid, albeit unspectacular performer during his stint in France.

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Currently on AFCON duty with Mali, the 6 foot 1 forward has scored six times this season in Ligue 1, after previously registering 14 goals and assists in France’s top-flight last term.

While not prolific himself, he would – like Ighalo – provide United with a real focal point in attack, with his physical prowess seen in how he ranks in the top 2% of strikers in Europe’s top five leagues for interceptions per 90, as per FBref, as well as in the top 8% for tackles made.

Equally, like Ighalo – who scored 16 times in 37 games for Nigeria – Sinayoko has proven his quality on the international stage, with his two recent strikes at this year’s AFCON ensuring he now boasts nine goals in 27 games for his country.

With Sesko struggling and Zirkzee seemingly on his way to Roma, United are certainly in need of at least one striker heading into 2026, ensuring a bargain swoop for a figure like Sinayoko could be just what is needed.

As Ighalo did before him, he might well just surprise a few.

Related Upgrade on Mount: INEOS make “world-class” star Man Utd's “No.1 target”

Manchester United’s current midfield crop could be under threat if new additions arrive in 2026.

Posts ByRobbie Walls

The England & Wales Cricket Board could be asked to help revive cricket in the Caribbean after moving ever closer to a lucrative tie-in with the Texan billionaire, Allen Stanford, following a further round of talks at Lord’s on Monday.Stanford, whose multimillion-dollar Twenty20 tournament has reinvigorated interest in cricket in the West Indies, has reportedly offered up to $100 million for a series of five 20-over matches between England and a West Indies All-star XI, the first of which could be played as early as November this year.In a press release, the ECB said that the latest meeting between Stanford and David Collier, the CEO, “further developed the constructive and positive discussions” of the previous week. “I would be happy to make a five-year commitment,” Stanford told The Times on Saturday. “I said it could be an annual event, maybe we could come to Lord’s in 2009 and then alternate. The money is real and I think we will get a game.”Also present at Lord’s were the president and chief executive of the West Indies Cricket Board, Dr Julian Hunte and Donald Peters, as proposals were discussed to help provide a legacy to the development and infrastructure of cricket in the Caribbean, in addition to a series of international matches.It was the second meeting in the space of three days between representatives of the English and West Indian boards. On Friday, Hunte, Peters and Collier all met with the chairman of the ECB, Giles Clarke, in Bangalore during the opening match of the IPL.During his trip to Lord’s, Stanford also attended the pre-season lunch of the Lord’s Taverners, which provides support for community cricket – in particular for children with disabilities. During the luncheon Stanford made a donation of £50,000 to the work of the charity which was received by the President of the Lord’s Taverners, Mr Bill Tidy.

The security situation in Glasgow after a car crashed into the main terminal of the city’s airport on July 1 has not worried the Indian board (BCCI) or the team, Niranjan Shah, the BCCI secretary, said. India and Pakistan are to play a one-day game at Glasgow on Tuesday, the proceeds of the match going to the Prince of Wales charity trust.”We are not going to be worried by the situation in Glasgow,” Shah told . “We will leave it to the authorities over there to judge the situation and advise us.”Security is the responsibility of the home board and I’m sure they will take the necessary steps to ensure safety. The match will go on without any problem.”The Pakistan board (PCB) also confirmed that the security arrangements were satisfactory and that the match would go ahead as scheduled. “A match against India of any nature is always keenly anticipated and we are expecting a big crowd in for the match despite the security alert in Glasgow,” Zakir Khan, the PCB director of cricket operations, told cricketnext.com. “We are just keeping our fingers crossed the rains don’t hit the match.”The crash – suspected to be an attempted terrorist attack – has put Britain on its highest state of security alert and Glasgow airport remained closed overnight. But Shah said that the Indian team would fly into the city from Belfast, where they completed a series-win over South Africa on Monday, July 2.

Bangladesh A 214 for 4(Nazmus Sadat 90, Mehrab Hossain*) beat Zimbabwe A 211(Masakadza 45, Farhad Reza 3-29) by six wickets
ScorecardOpener Nazmus Sadat was the hero again after his half-century inspired Bangladesh to a six wicket victory in the third one-day match against Zimbabwe played at Queens Sports Cub. The result means that Bangladesh have secured the five-match series 3-0.Sadat followed his hundred in the opening match with 90 today, sharing in a third-wicket stand of 106 with Mehrab Hossain, who scored an unbeaten 65, as the visitors reached their target for the loss of just four wickets in 46.3 overs after restricting Zimbabwe to 210 in 50 overs.Zimbabwe A made one change, bringing in pace bowler Trevor Garwe for fellow seamer Admire Manyumwa, while Bangladesh named an unchanged XI.Stuart Matsikenyeri won the toss for the second time in a row and again elected to bat.Zimbabwe were in trouble as early as the second over when they lost Chamu Chibhabha. After realising the success that slow bowlers have enjoyed in this series, Bangladesh brought left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak into attack in the second over and he struck with his first ball when Chibhabha shuffled across to be trapped leg before wicket for 5.Hamilton Masakadza joined Mawoyo and the two shared in a stand of 63 which was broken when Mawoyo fell to Farhad Reza, playing a wild hook to be taken at leg gullyby Enamul Haque.Matsikenyeri joined Masakadza and the two most experienced batsmen in the team contributed 51 runs for the third wicket, broken soon after the second drinks break whenMasakadza was given out leg before wicket to Haque for 45. Matsikenyeri made 42 before he was bowled by Tushar Imran and the remaining batsmen only added 62 runs.Bangladesh got off to a fine start with their openers Sadat and Nafees Iqbal putting 71 forthe first wicket. Sadat was give his first life on 28 when he lifted a delivery from Garwe but Sean Williams appeared to have had his vision blocked by the sun as he dropped the catch at backward point.Bangladesh A lost their first wicket when Iqbal was bowled by Matsikenyeri for 28 with the bowler first appealing for leg before wicket before realising that the bails were down.Sadat was again given a let off on 47 off Bradley Staddon, Williams putting down the catch at backward point and the left handed Sadat went on to reach the half century markafter facing up to 50 balls, stroking eight fours in 95 minutes.Williams was introduced into attack and made amends for his poor fielding with a wicket with the third ball of his first over when he had Imran brilliantly taken in the deepby Ryan Higgins for 19 runs. Saqibul Hassan lasted six minutes at the crease before hefell to Staddon, caught by Williams for 1.With the tourists needing two runs to win the match, Sadat lost his leg stump trying to reverse-sweep Staddon, but Hossain drove Garwe four a straight four in the next over to seal the match and the series.

Scotland’s 47-run win over Ireland today in the ICC Trophy final in Ireland confirms the groupings for the first stage of the 2007 World Cup. The fixtures schedule for 2007 can now be finalised and, along with the tournament dates, will be announced on July 19 in Trinidad.Scotland’s reward for winning the ICC Trophy is a place alongside Australia, Holland and South Africa in Pool 1 in St Kitts. Ireland will be in Pool 4 with the host West Indies, Pakistan and Zimbabwe.In Pool 2 Bermuda will take on Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh in Trinidad and Tobago while Canada will be in Pool 3 in St Lucia with New Zealand, England and Kenya.Confirmed World Cup PoolsPool 1 – St Kitts Australia, South Africa, Holland, Scotland
Pool 2 – Trinidad Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Bermuda
Pool 3 – St Lucia New Zealand, England, Kenya, Canada
Pool 4 – Jamaica West Indies, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Ireland

ScorecardNew Zealand A swept to an innings victory on the fourth day against their Sri Lankan counterparts at Village Green in Christchurch, to wrap up a 2-0 series win. Sri Lanka had been up against it ever since a remarkable ninth-wicket stand of 209 between Paul Wiseman and Bruce Martin, but the end when it came was quick and to the point.Ian Daniel and Bathiya Perera could add just three runs between them to their overnight totals, before James Franklin and Kyle Milles tore through the middle order, with all five of the next batsmen recording ducks. Dinusha Fernando and Tharanga Lakshitha salvaged a modicum of pride from 94 for 9, adding 31 for the last wicket, but by then the game was well and truly up.

PAARL, Feb 25: Wasim Akram achieved another milestone in his distinguished career when he became the first bowler in one-day history to take 500 wickets in helping Pakistan earn four precious points against Holland on Tuesday.The victory keeps Pakistan’s faint hopes alive of advancing through to the Super Six stage in the World Cup.On a hot and humid day at Boland Park, Holland never threatened Pakistan’s 253 for nine and inevitably lost this Group ‘A’ fixture by 97 runs. The Dutch still remain without a point after four straight defeats.No one expected Holland to emulate Kenya’s stunning victory over Sri Lanka on Monday despite the fact that there is always a certain amount of expectancy of an upset when Pakistan play, regardless of the opposition’s strength.Pakistan’s four-pronged pace attack, backed up by off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, found Holland’s amateur batsmen easy prey. Holland crumbled for 156 in 39.3 overs.One surprise element was Pakistan’s attitude. They took things easy and never went for the kill against the ICC Trophy champions. Perhaps the heat got to them.Holland made a shaky start with Wasim, who had 499 wickets in 353 previous matches, dispatched opener Nick Statham for a duck with the first ball of his second over.Shoaib Akhtar, bowling within himself, skipper Waqar Younis, Saqlain and Abdul Razzaq proved a handful thereafter as only Daan van Bunge (31) showed some defiance to emerge as the top scorer for Holland.Shoaib (3-26) and Wasim (3-24) shared the bulk of wickets. Wasim now has claimed 12 wickets in the competition, second behind Sri Lanka’s Chaminda Vaas who tops with 13 victims.Earlier, Pakistan once again wasted a golden chance of some useful batting practice. A total of 253 for nine was not convincing enough, especially just before the key clash against India at the Centurion Park on Saturday.Once again, none disappointed more so than Pakistan’s premier batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq, this time going for a second-ball duck when Indian umpire Srinivas Venkataraghavan adjudged him lbw. It was a harsh decision as the TV replays suggested that the tall right-hander may have got a thin inside edge.Not for the first time, Pakistan continued to play musical chairs with their batting order as, for the fourth innings on the trot, a new opening pair was sent, followed by a different No 3.Due to injury to Younis Khan, who needed three stitches on a gash on his leg sustained during the nets, Pakistan were forced to make two changes. Saleem Elahi and Taufiq Umar replaced Younis and Shahid Afridi.Apart from Inzamam, all the top order batsmen scored but none played a big innings. Yousuf Youhana was the top scorer with a 59-ball 58 – only the second Pakistani to cross the fifty mark in the competition – with four boundaries. He was adjudged the Man-of-the-Match by match referee Clive Lloyd.After Saeed Anwar fell in the 20s for the third time in a row, Taufiq (48 off 71 balls, six fours) and Abdul Razzaq (47 off 63 balls, four fours) were out when well set. Taufiq was unluckily run out after a misunderstanding with Razzaq while the latter threw his wicket away to a lazy stroke.There were other useful contributions from Rashid Latif (24) and Shoaib Akhtar, who justified his promotion with an unbeaten 26 off 27 deliveries.Pakistan were on course for a score of around 280 had Youhana not ran out Wasim Akram.

He caught the attention of Bangladesh as a little batsman smashing the ball all around the ground, with batsmen like Akram Khan on the other side. The one-day match was against Commonwealth Bank Academy of Cricket (CBCA) and Ashraful ended up with an unbeaten century.Bangladesh already has good openers, and Ashraful faces tough competition. His international career initially showed a lot of promise. In Asian U-17, he won loud applause for his display. Though Bangladesh had to be content with the runners-up trophy, Ashraful’s 69 against India in the final was action-packed.Surprisingly, he began his career as a specialist leg-spinner who could bat a bit, focussing on his batting later on. His leg-spin does not look hostile at a glance but it is effective nevertheless. So this prodigy is now labelled as an all-rounder who will lead from the front in the future.In Zimbabwe, Ashraful played a single ODI, dispatching the fearsome Andy Flower with his leg-breaks. With the bat he showed courage after a shaky start. He smashed Bryan Strang twice over the fences but got out for nine attempting the third. He had to handle the hostile Zimbabwean pacemen at number four after two wickets had fallen early.His innate quality to go for his shots brings him quick runs, but at times costs his wicket too. In the nets Ashraful looks a bit impatient when he tends to play lofty shots at almost every ball.Javed Omar’s position is consolidated after his stunning performance in Zimbabwe. Mehrab Hossain bats well enough at the other end. So the openers for the Tests are almost certain. If one of them plays poorly or suffers an injury, Al-Sahariar is ready to replace him. Ashraful will only get the option to bat at number 1 or 2 when these are out of the team, which is improbable. So he has little chance of appearing in the Tests. As he is branded a one-day specialist, he will be considered for the ODI and he has to prove himself there.

Karachi, Nov 13: Karachi Whites overwhelmed Sheikhupura by an inningsand 13 runs to record their fifth victory in the Quaid-i-Azam TrophyNational Grade-I Cricket Championship at the UBL Sports Complex hereon Monday.Sheikhupura, who needed to bat throughout the fourth and final day,were bowled out for 218 in their second innings in the 11th mandatoryover.Earlier, Karachi Whites had declared their first innings at theirovernight score of 543 for four. The highlight being the mammothunfinished record fifth-wicket partnership of 361 between skipper AsifMujtaba (202) and Mohammad Masroor (171).Mujtaba’s timely declaration proved decisive in the end as the KarachiWhites bowlers stuck to their task to condemn Sheikhupura to theirfifth defeat in six matches.The only resistance offered was a stubborn stand of 78 in 103 minutesby the third-wicket pair of Mohammad Javed and Usman Akram.The left-handed Javed made exactly 50 off 129 balls in 134 minuteswith the help of 10 boundaries. His partner, Usman contributed 38 in103 minutes off 104 deliveries with four hits to the fence.At one stage, Sheikhupura looked like saving the match when they were137 for four in mid-afternoon. However, fine bowling by pace bowlerAthar Laeeq and the young spin duo of Tahir Khan and Adnan Malik putpaid to that notion.Athar drew the first blood when he clean bowled Majid Majeed, who made88 in the first innings, for a duck in the third over of the innings.Later he claimed two more wickets at crucial moments.Off-spinner Tahir Khan got rid of the other opener, Tahir Usman, withthe very first ball of his opening over.Adnan Malik, the slow left-armer, then dismissed Javed and Usman Akramin quick successions after lunch. The latter was out to a magnificentreturn catch.The last four wickets crashed in the final session after tea was takenwith Sheikhupura on 156 for six. Tahir was was responsible for abrilliant direct hit at the bowler’s end from square leg to run outMohammad Islam.In between, Tahir removed Asif Raza for 35, caught at backward shortleg by Athar Laeeq.The final wicket fell to Adnan Malik who had Sheikhupura captainJaffer Nazir caught behind for the innings’ third duck.Athar Laeeq finished with impressive analysis of three for 28 in 16overs while Tahir claimed three for 67 in 32 overs for a match haul ofseven for 160 in 69 overs.Adnan was at last rewarded for some excellent bowling with figures ofthree for 63 in 26.4 overs.The unbeaten Karachi Whites move out of the city for two matchesbefore the six-week Ramazan and Eid-ul-Fitr break with a tally of 63points. They face Lahore Blues in Lahore from Thursday (Nov 16) andthen take on Sargodha from Nov 22.

	Marlon Samuels’ future is in doubt after he was handed a two-year ban by the WICB © AFP

Having brought Marlon Samuels’ cricket career to a halt for two years, at least, effective from Friday, May 9, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is now offering the player support. WICB chief executive Dr Donald Peters said: “I have written to Mr Samuels and offered him all the help needed to get his life in order.”On Monday, the WICB announced that Samuels, the 27-year-old Jamaica and West Indies middle order batsman, had been found guilty of violating the ICC Rules of Conduct 4 ix, which involves receiving money, benefit or other reward which could bring him or the game of cricket into disrepute. The charge does not refer to match-fixing, which carries a lifetime ban.The judgement by the WICB’s disciplinary committee, headed by Justice Adrian Saunders and including Dr Lloyd Barnett, Prof Aubrey Bishop and former West Indies captain Richie Richardson, came out of an incident on the West Indies tour of India in January 2007, when there were allegations Samuels had passed on match information ahead of the ODI in Nagpur on January 21 and then received payment for a hotel stay in Mumbai at the end of the tour.In handing down their judgement, the disciplinary committee stated that “given the circumstances that attended Mr. Samuels’ commission of the offence and in light of the unchallenged evidence we received as to Mr. Samuels’ character, if we had the power so to recommend, we would have recommended that Mr. Samuels be bound over to be of good behaviour for a period not exceeding two years.”Responding to those comments yesterday, Dr Peters told the Express: “The players know what the penalties are. We are part of the ICC and we gave our word to uphold the code of ethics. Our hands were basically tied.”However, asked whether he felt Samuels had been naive in his actions, Peters replied: “Yes … we in the West Indies have no experience of match-fixing. Players are not exposed to that kind of behaviour. It’s unfortunate that when they travel overseas, they are confronted with the spectre of match-fixing and one out of 15 will most likely get in trouble unless they are trained and counselled.”Peters indicated that he was going to speak last night to the players assembling in Antigua for a training camp ahead of the three-Test series against Australia starting next Thursday, “to remind them of how dangerous it is to be out there”.Commenting further on the banning of one of the region’s most talented batsmen, who was the leading player on last year’s tour of South Africa, Peters was empathetic. “I personally am very moved by it. He is a very young player. He came face to face with very bad people in the match fixing industry, so it’s unfortunate.”In a radio interview with Irie FM in Jamaica, Samuels reportedly said he would still be proceeding to the West Indies training camp. But Peters denied that would be happening. “I have no idea why he would say that,” he said.The ICC also confirmed that Samuels had been banned for two years from May 9. Acting CEO Dave Richardson said: “We are yet to see the whole judgement to put the matter of the punishment into its proper context but we note the WICB disciplinary committee found the player guilty and has imposed an immediate ban. In terms of the punishment handed down, minimum penalties were agreed by the ICC board, including all Full Members, and they reflect the seriousness of the issues at hand.”The ICC also made clear that Samuels’ ban would encompass all forms of cricket, saying it would include official Cricket (Tests, ODIs, T20Is, first-class matches and List A matches organised by or under the auspices of the ICC or its Members) and unofficial cricket (cricket within ICC members not falling into the above categories that is granted approval by either the ICC or the relevant board).The ICC will now take up the matter through an official enquiry by their Code of Conduct Commission headed by Michael Beloff QC and two other ICC Code of Conduct Commissioners. They will review the WICB disciplinary committee findings to ascertain whether the punishment is sufficient and make any recommendation necessary to the ICC board’s July meeting in Dubai.