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Stats highlights from the third ODI between India and South Africa in Rajkot

Shiva Jayaraman18-Oct-20150:55

Quinton de Kock quickest to 500 runs against India

7 Number of ODI innings Quinton de Kock took to make four hundreds against India, equalling the fewest innings taken by any batsman to make four hundreds against a team. Sachin Tendulkar had four hundreds in his first seven innings against Kenya. De Kock has scores of 135, 106, 101, 7, 29, 34 and 103 against India.4-39 Morne Morkel’s bowling returns in this match – his best figures against India in ODIs and only his second four-for against them. It was also Morkel’s first four-wicket haul (or better) in 18 ODIs. Before this, he had taken a five-for against Australia in Perth in 2014.3.60 India’s scoring rate in overs between No. 30 and 39. Kohli and Dhoni played 35 dots between them and hit only two boundaries in those 60 balls. The required run-rate jumped up from 6.14 to 8.45 during this period.2011 The last time India failed to successfully chase a target between 260 and 275 in ODIs before this match. Out of the last ten instances when they have been set a target in this range, this is their third loss.7 Number of 50-plus scores by Rohit Sharma in ODIs in 2015. Only two other openers – Martin Guptill (10) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (8) – have more fifties this year. Rohit has 767 runs at an average of 59.00 with three hundreds and four fifties in 2015.2 Number of ODI captains who had made more runs than MS Dhoni before this match. Dhoni passed Stephen Fleming to move to No. 2 on this list during his innings of 47 in this match. Dhoni has 6313 runs at an average of 57.39 as captain. Ricky Ponting is well ahead with 8497.8 Number of innings Gary Kirsten took to complete 500 ODI runs against India, the least by any batsman before de Kock, who has taken seven innings. De Kock has made 515 runs against them at an average of 73.57. The fewest innings taken by a batsman to make 500 runs against any team in ODIs is six – Virat Kohli and Salman Butt against Bangladesh, and Viv Richards against England.2000 The last time a South Africa batsman made three 50-plus scores in a bilateral ODI series in India, before Faf du Plessis in this one. Gary Kirsten had a hundred and two fifties on that occasion. Before Kirsten, Kepler Wessels hit three fifties in the series played between the teams on South Africa’s return to international cricket. Overall, du Plessis’ is the seventh instance of a South Africa batsman making three 50-plus scores in any bilateral series against India.7.80 Suresh Raina’s batting average from five innings in this series. In two T20Is and three ODIs, he has scored only 39 runs. He has been dismissed for ducks in his last two innings of this series.10.62 South Africa’s scoring rate in the last 15 overs in ODIs in 2015 when they have batted first and have lost three or fewer wickets in the first 35 overs. They scored only 87 in this match at a rate of 5.80 runs per over and lost four wickets.12 Number of successive ODI innings in which Virat Kohli hadn’t touched 50, before his 77 today. Since his century against Pakistan in the 2015 World Cup and before today’s game, he had scored 270 runs in 12 innings at an average of 27.4.10 Harbhajan Singh’s economy in this match. Among the 90 bowlers who have sent in 50 or more overs in ODIs in 2015, his economy of 4.04 this year is third best behind Afghanistan’s Mirwais Ashraf and Josh Hazlewood, and the best among spinners.

The Porbunder All Rounder at the CCI in Mumbai is a throwback to old-school English-style clubs. But it’s not only about cricket

Firdose Moonda02-Nov-2015Just the description should be enough to put you off a gentlemen’s club. Then, when you consider that the establishment in question actually stands for what can essentially be categorised as elitism, it may drive you to campaign to turn the place into a public square so it can be redeemed. I know I do. And it’s why I am a little embarrassed when I have to admit that I find old-school English-style gentlemen’s clubs quite quaint. I could not escape the charms of Mumbai’s Cricket Club of India (CCI), though it did its best to convince me otherwise.It is a place that was born of racial discrimination, when the Maharaja of Patiala was aggrieved he could not sit with the Europeans at the Bombay Gymkhana and decided to build a place of his own. It has since evolved into a place of class difference. The CCI carries the weight of old money. You can see it in the clubhouse. Spiral staircases, thick columns, heavy curtaining, lots of wood. And then there are the people.All straight backs, swift strides and stiff suits: the mercury has no impact on the dress code. These people need to look the part and they do. They also have the unique ability to see through anyone who doesn’t. An unfamiliar face is not even met with a curious side-eye to try and see if there is the possibility of a stranger dropping in. All the members know each other without needing to look; maybe they communicate by the sound of their footfalls.They’re usually headed in the same direction – to one of the dining rooms, which looked inviting, but as a non-member, I was uninvited. The only one I really wanted to get inside was the Porbunder All Rounder, admittedly because of the name. My family traces its history back to Porbunder, in Gujarat, and I was intrigued that there would be a reference to the place in the middle of Mumbai.Restricted: the entrance to the Porbunder All Rounder•Firdose Moonda/ESPNcricinfoAt the first opportunity I got to ask someone about the name, I did. One of the senior administrative staff, a middle-aged lady, who said she wanted to be a journalist when she was younger but was told by her father it was “not a profession for women”, told me the Maharajah of Porbunder had been one of the many funders of the club, and so had had a room named after him. The All Rounder bit was just a random cricket reference.In fact, cricket can seem secondary to the club overall. There are stories of members complaining that when a match is on it prevents them from taking their walks. On some match days if play overflows past the scheduled time, the members line up at the boundary rope with their cane chairs, agitatedly waiting for play to end so they can set up for their bridge games.Even if they wanted to forget about cricket, they couldn’t. The club exists because of it and if the walls could talk, the only language they would speak is cricket. Every one of them tells a different story, with pictures of Indian teams of the 1930s, to a history of Don Bradman, to a photographic display of all ten wickets Anil Kumble took against Pakistan in 1999. Kumble himself is only in two of the pictures. When I see him, I’m going to ask him what he thinks of gentlemen’s clubs.

Bangladesh were in a difficult position when the third day of their 100th Test, against Sri Lanka, began but with Shakib Al Hasan’s century and debutant Mosaddek Hossain’s 75, they were able to recover

The Report by Mohammad Isam17-Mar-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details3:33

Isam: Bangladesh did many things right on day three

Bangladesh made a memorable comeback in their 100th Test as their last five wickets nearly batted through the entire day. Shakib Al Hasan was at the centre of it all, making his fifth century in the format and ensuring his team took the first-innings lead for only the second time while batting second away from home.When they were bowled out for 467, Bangladesh had pulled ahead by 129 runs and had just enough time for a quick burst at Sri Lanka’s openers too. Dimuth Karunaratne and Upul Tharanga, though, were able to withstand the hostility and reach stumps at 54 for 0. That the hosts were forced to play catch up in Colombo – they were still 75 runs behind – was largely because of Shakib.With Bangladesh starting the day 214 for 5 and 124 runs away from parity, they needed a senior batsman to show them the way. Shakib took the responsibility and the most striking aspect of his innings was that though he didn’t necessarily bat slowly, he didn’t play too many reckless shots. He persevered through the quiet periods to make a substantial contribution, one that he might remember for a long time considering the landmark occasion.Sri Lanka might remember it too, much to their chagrin, because they had dropped him on 11 and 67 and missed a run-out attempt when he was on 40.Mushfiqur Rahim also made an important contribution, hitting a half-century of his own and sharing in a 92-run partnership with Shakib. It was broken by Suranga Lakmal, who armed with the second new ball, induced a false shot and bowled the Bangladesh captain through the gate. If Sri Lanka had thought they might roll the rest of the batting line-up over, considering it was just a debutant and the tail to follow, they were in for an unpleasant surprise.The 21-year old Mosaddek Hossain showed great application to make 75 off 155 balls in his first Test innings to propel the total past 450. With plenty of their batsmen stepping up, Bangladesh added 102 runs in the first session, a further 112 in the middle session and each time they lost only one wicket.Galle 2013 was the first time in Bangladesh’s history that they had taken a first-innings lead batting second in an away Test but with Shakib and Mosaddek’s 131-run stand for the seventh wicket, they were able to emulate that feat in Colombo.Sri Lanka had an entry into the record books as well. Rangana Herath became only the second man from his country to take 1000 first-class wickets. He claimed the record by trapping Mustafizur Rahman lbw and finished with 4 for 82 in 24.1 overs. Left-arm wristspinner Lakshan Sandakan also finished with a four-for.Given the slowness of the P Sara pitch so far, the fate of the Test now depends on which team can hold their nerve better. Sri Lanka had done well to get through to the end of play without any mishaps – although Karunaratne did give a chance, tickling Subashis Roy down the leg side only for the wicketkeeper Mushfiqur to fumble a very difficult catch – but if Bangladesh’s bowlers can match the discipline shown by their batsmen they can look forward to causing some damage on the fourth day.

Celtic are reportedly leading the race to sign Watford forward Jack Grieves this summer.

What’s the latest Celtic transfer news?

The Hoops have made a head start on their transfer business, with two players already through the door at Parkhead ahead of Brendan Rodgers' second tenure in charge following his return.

The club have confirmed the arrivals of midfielder Odin Thiago Holm and winger Marco Tilio from Valerenga and Melbourne City, with the pair seemingly long-term signings after penning five-year deals.

There have been some departures, though, with star winger Jota signing for Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad in a deal worth £25m. That looks set to boost the club’s finances even further, with reports prior to Jota’s exit claiming Rodgers has been given a £30m transfer kitty this summer.

As a result, a new attacker appears to be on the radar for Celtic in Gangwon FC forward Yang Hyun-jun. The 21-year-old is keen on making the move to Glasgow and a £2.1m fee had been agreed between the two clubs.

Gangwon did want to keep the forward until January when the K League 1 season finishes, but it looks as if a summer swoop could now be on the cards. There has recently been a transfer ‘breakthrough’, with reports suggesting that Gangwon are now ready to allow the forward to leave immediately.

Yang could be about to move to Scotland, and it looks as if Celtic also want another forward in Grieves.

According to Football League World, highly-rated teenage forward Grieves is wanted by a number of clubs this summer. The report states that Celtic and Premier League side Brentford are leading the race for his services and are trying to get a deal done over the coming weeks.

Grieves had been offered a contract by Watford, as the Championship side look to keep hold of the attacker, who is a Hornets fan, but it seems as if he is weighing up his future due to interest from a number of sides.

Who is Jack Grieves?

Grieves has been described as a versatile forward and is the great-great-grandson of former Watford goalkeeper Reginald 'Skilly' Williams, who made close to 400 appearances for the club.

He made it four generations of his family to play for Watford following his debut last season. The 18-year-old made three senior appearances for the Hornets, two in the Championship and one in the FA Cup.

Should he make the move to Scotland, you’d expect he could initially ply his trade in the Scottish lowland league with Celtic’s B team, looking to progress through into the first team. Celtic have enjoyed recent success in bringing young players from England to Scotland and transforming them into first-team stars, most notably Jeremie Frimpong.

The full-back arrived from Manchester City without any real first-team experience and went on to star for the Hoops before leaving for Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth £11.5m in 2021, so who knows, Grieves could be the next future star to head north, and by the looks of things, a move is one to keep an eye on.

Allrounder has been laid low with a bad back since October last year, and will turn out as a specialist batter for Surrey next week

Matt Roller30-Mar-20221:14

What Were You Thinking – Sam Curran

When Sam Curran felt pain in his back after Chennai Super Kings’ defeat to Rajasthan Royals in October, he expected it would be nothing to worry about. Six months later, he is looking out on The Oval on a brisk spring morning reflecting on the most frustrating period of his fledgling career.An initial scan discovered an injury bad enough to rule him out of the T20 World Cup before a second scan confirmed the worst: he had suffered a stress fracture of the lower back, his first serious injury, and would miss the Ashes as well. He had hoped to make his return in the IPL but was advised against entering his name in the auction and instead finds himself with “itchy feet” ahead of Surrey’s County Championship opener against Warwickshire at Edgbaston next week, where he is expected to play as a specialist batter.Related

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“It’s been a long winter,” he reflected, speaking to ESPNcricinfo at Surrey’s pre-season press day. “I’d never really experienced an injury before and missing out on what I have has been pretty hard. They’re probably the two biggest series or tournaments as a player: a World Cup for your country and an Ashes series down under.”The first couple of months I couldn’t really do much training because of the back. I just had to rest. I managed a few holidays – I went to Mexico with my girlfriend – and it was just about trying to get away from the game. I hadn’t really had a chance to reflect on the last six years since leaving school, so it’s been very nice. These last two months or so, I’ve had very itchy feet, wanting to get going again. It’s weird to think the first game’s a week away – especially when the weather’s freezing.”Curran had planned to put himself in the mix for February’s IPL mega auction, but discussions with the ECB’s medical staff did not go as he would have liked. Instead, he has been covering the early stages of the tournament as a pundit on ESPNcricinfo’s video show T20 Time Out, and keeping a keen eye on Chennai’s progress after two years with the franchise.

“The Test matches in June are my initial goal and the end goal is probably the World Cup. Having missed last year’s, I’m quite eager to get into one and see what it’s like and experience that in Australia”Sam Curran

“I’m gutted not to be there,” he admitted. “It’s a frustration watching from home. I wanted to go [into the auction] but I didn’t in the end – which was probably the best decision. Looking back, IPL probably came a little bit too soon.”I could have probably rolled the dice and said ‘let’s go’. I’m back bowling in the nets now, so if you work it out, I could probably have been bowling out there. But I’m still quite young, so I didn’t want to overdo it with the match intensity and big crowds out there and risk another injury from coming back too early.”At the time, I was really frustrated that I didn’t go into the auction, but looking back at how the last couple of months have gone – I haven’t been part of Surrey’s winter for a long time, so it has been nice to be part of it again. I definitely want to go back [to the IPL] at some stage because you learn so much about your T20 game there: it’s a tournament when you live and breathe cricket. You go down for breakfast every day and you’re sitting with superstars, sitting down and chatting about the game.”Curran has been England’s forgotten man over the winter. Jofra Archer has understandably been highlighted as the main absentee, but Curran’s left-arm angle, lower-order hitting and versatility would have come in useful at most junctures; he had hoped to be one of the few players to appear in the T20 World Cup, the Ashes and the recent series in the Caribbean.”I definitely want to go back [to the IPL] at some stage because you learn so much about your T20 game there”•BCCIInstead, he has had to contend with watching from home, exchanging messages with downcast team-mates and feeling frustrated at his lack of control over the team’s fortunes. Now, his focus is on winning back his place for the first Test series of the summer against New Zealand in June, with October’s T20 World Cup in Australia the stand-out feature of a packed schedule for 2022.”Not being in the squad and watching it [last year’s T20 World Cup] was hard,” he said, “because we were two weeks away from it and then I got injured. That was hard to take. It’s one of those things – it was s*** timing but you live and learn.”I’ve had a good training block at Surrey to groove lots of different things. When you play so many different games across white-ball and red-ball cricket, different things can creep into your game. It was about understanding my batting a bit better, and there’s some areas in my bowling action I’d wanted to work on, so I’m sure people may see a few minor changes when I come back.”England stuff is always in my mind but for now, it’s about starting these first six Championship games, trying to put in performances for myself and for Surrey. The Test matches in June are my initial goal and the end goal is probably the World Cup. Having missed last year’s, I’m quite eager to get into one and see what it’s like and experience that in Australia. I just want to get back on the pitch, stay fit and, hopefully, have a really good season.”

She has been out of the national frame after a bright international debut, and is gung-ho about making the latest chance count

Annesha Ghosh09-Mar-2022A ripping legbreak to Tammy Beaumont in the 2017 Ashes made Amanda-Jade Wellington an instant cricketing sensation.It was the final day of the first day-night Test in the women’s game and Wellington, then 20, hit the top of Beaumont’s off stump with a delivery that drew comparisons with Shane Warne’s Ball of The Century.Nearly five years later, after playing only her first match for Australia since March 2018 – during the World Cup match against Pakistan on Tuesday – Wellington found herself jogging her memory back to the time her path last crossed with Warne’s, as she reflected on his sudden passing.Related

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“Back in the Hundred [last year], he came out to watch a practice match, which was really special to me,” Wellington said after Australia’s seven-wicket victory in Mount Maunganui. “To actually get Warnie to witness me bowling was quite special. Every time I think of him now, I just quite tear up. It’s quite emotional, because I look up to him so much.”I didn’t get to work with him. I wish I did. But it [his impact on me] was just more so [through] watching his highlights, watching him bowl. Every spinner looks up to him and he’s someone you want to be, so I think he had a real contribution to every spinner’s game and especially my game as well.”Wellington had documented her emotions after Warne’s death in the form of a video she posted on her YouTube channel just hours after Warne’s death.”I still remember the first time I got compared to Shane Warne,” she said. “It was Big Bash 01. I think I was bowling against Perth Scorchers and ended up getting a three-fer. And then [commentator] Adam Gilchrist compared me to Shane Warne while the men were playing. He said, ‘This is Shane Warne finesse’ as well. He just said it reminded him of Shane Warne.”

“Obviously, it’s been three years since I’ve put on the Australian jersey before. Just a lot of nerves, a lot of excitement.”Wellington on her comeback to the national side

Wellington relived the disbelief that took over her when her 2017 Ashes stunner to Beaumont became part of cricketing lore.”I still remember growing up watching him [Warne], watching his highlights clips… Even to this day, I still watch his highlights on YouTube,” she said. “And then in the 2017 Ashes for the women, bowling that ball that gets compared to his ball of the century is… And then to get voted the No. 1 Ashes memory as well – like, it’s bizarre, it’s honestly bizarre.”Wellington had remained on the fringes of the national team since 2018, and when she returned to the XI, a second wristspinner – Alana King – was in it, and both legspinners impressed in something of a timely tribute to Warne.”To play two legspinners in a game is quite special,” she said. “For me and King to be so different, it works out really well from both ends, working in great partnerships. It was so different; we could be so attacking. Hopefully, it comes again.”Following a bright start to her international career – she took a wicket with her first ball in Australia colours, in November 2016 – Wellington’s performances went down, and the emergence of Georgia Wareham then saw her drop down in Australia’s legspinning pecking order.Wellington claimed Tammy Beaumont as her maiden Test wicket•Getty ImagesMore recently, despite a breakout season at the Hundred and a memorable campaign with Adelaide Strikers at the WBBL, including a record 5 for 8 in the Eliminator, she was pipped by King to a spot in the Ashes squad. But Wellington stayed in the selectors’ scheme of things.That meant when a foot injury ruled left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux out of the 2022 ODI World Cup, Wellington was handed a second shot at representing Australia.”I got a phone call, and the night before [the game] from [head coach] Matthew Mott, the bearer of good news, which was nice,” Wellington said. “Luckily, I am a room-mate with Tahlia McGrath. She had heard the good news, so was so excited for me. [I] quickly rang mum and dad. They were so excited. I think they watched the whole game as well with my partner. So, just emotions falling through the body… and yeah, just a lot of nerves.”Wellington came into the attack in the 13th over of the match against Pakistan, and it only took Wellington five balls to make an impact. With a deftly flighted delivery, she drew No. 6 Nida Dar, a former WBBL opponent, forward and had her edge to first-slip Meg Lanning for her 16th ODI wicket. Bowling across two spells of four overs each, Wellington finished with 1 for 25.”I sort of felt at home once again,” she said. “Getting on the field, nerves went away, and then as soon Meg gave me the ball, the nerves came back. And then once I got through the first over, I think I was pretty good,” she said. “It was pretty special. It’s funny – before the game, I had a lot of nerves coming to the ground. Obviously, it’s been three years since I’ve put on the Australian jersey before. Just a lot of nerves, a lot of excitement, and [I’m] just really excited to be part of the team once again.”

A Harry Kane-inspired Bayern Munich eased into the Champions League quarter-finals winning 2-0 at Bayer Leverkusen, prevailing 5-0 on aggregate.

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Bayern beat Leverkusen 2-0Kane makes history with goalInto Champions League last eightFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱TELL ME MORE

After winning the first-leg 3-0, Bayern could afford to sit on their lead but they looked the more likely to break the deadlock in the first half.

Kane felt he should have been awarded an early penalty after tangling with Leverkusen's Jonathan Tah, before the England striker forced a smart stop from goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky.

Michael Olise whistled a shot just past the post and then Kingsley Coman went close as the Bavarians enjoyed a bright opening 30. Conversely, Patrik Schick saw two headers fly narrowly wide as it was honours even at the break.

Seven minutes after the interval, Kane was on hand to tuck home Joshua Kimmich's free-kick as the striker capitalised on some dreadful defending. Schick spurned a glorious opportunity 22 minutes from time but he could only fire straight at keeper Jonas Urbig from close range.

The tie was well and truly dead when the former Tottenham striker neatly set up Alphonso Davies, who doubled Bayern's lead from 12 yards out in the 71st minute.

Jamal Musiala then fizzed an effort off the crossbar late on but it made little difference as Vincent Kompany's side won 5-0 on aggregate to see off their rivals at the last-16 stage on Tuesday at BayArena. Bayern will face Inter in the quarter-finals next month after the Italian champions saw off Feyenoord elsewhere on Tuesday.

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Kane once again proved his worth for Bayern as he showed his poacher's instincts to put his team ahead. The 31-year-old also became the first English player to score 10 or more goals in a single Champions League campaign with his 10th strike in 2024/25. He also beautifully set up Davies to make it 2-0.

THE BIG LOSER

Leverkusen shot themselves in the foot, both in the first and second legs against Bayern. The German giants' task was made a whole lost easier as they gifted them goals both home and away and now they exit the Champions League at the last-16 stage.

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AFPWHAT COMES NEXT?

Table-toppers Bayern return to Bundesliga action on Saturday when they travel to Union Berlin as they seek to put more daylight between them and second-placed Leverkusen.

Chelsea are expected to offload a player who head coach Enzo Maresca publicly praised for his role in the team recently, with there being many current squad members tipped to leave in 2025.

Players most likely to leave Chelsea

According to recent reports, the players who are most likely to quit Stamford Bridge, either in January or next summer, are left-back Ben Chilwell, midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka, Cesare Casadei and forward Christopher Nkunku.

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Numerous clubs have spoken to regarding Chilwell’s availability, as per reliable journalist Simon Phillips, with Chelsea fielding interest from clubs in England, Italy and Spain, as the 27-year-old lingers on the fringes of Maresca’s squad.

Meanwhile, Chukwuemeka is attracting interest from Barcelona, with Hansi Flick’s side looking to bolster their options in the middle of the park and Chelsea’s out-of-favour ace on the transfer list for January (Simon Phillips).

Aston Villa (home)

December 1

Southampton (away)

December 4

Tottenham (home)

December 8

Brentford (home)

December 15

Everton (away)

December 22

Serie A heavyweights AC Milan and Juventus are interested in signing Cesare Casadei as well, according to reports out of Italy, and Nkunku could ask to leave Chelsea on loan in January, as both Man United and Borussia Dortmund circle.

The noises coming out of Stamford Bridge have tipped the aforementioned quartet of players for new surroundings, with all four players struggling to establish themselves as firm favourites in Maresca’s starting eleven.

Nkunku has impressed when given the opportunity, bagging 10 goals in all competitions, so the £195,000-per-week France international will be bitterly disappointed over his lack of Premier League match action.

Another player who’s barely featured, with his summer capture looking more and more questionable by the week, is £30 million midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

The Englishman starred under Maresca at Leicester last season, playing a major role in their push for the Championship title and promotion, but Dewsbury-Hall has found opportunities severely limited in his new surroundings at Chelsea.

Reports in the last few weeks have even claimed that Dewsbury-Hall could leave on loan in January, with Tottenham, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Fulham, Brighton, Man United and Brentford all in the mix for such a deal.

Chelsea expected to sell Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall outright in 2025

Speaking to The Chelsea Chronicle, journalist Graeme Bailey expects that Dewsbury-Hall will leave Chelsea entirely by the beginning of next season.

“Maresca knew about him and knew he was a quality player,” said Bailey.

“It was a very strange deal. I don’t think he’s going to be at Chelsea at the start of next season. It is what it is. He’s not the only one it will happen to. Chelsea are well set in that department.”

Despite his limited chances, Maresca praised the 26-year-old’s role in the squad and stated earlier this month that he’s “very happy” with Dewsbury-Hall’s contribution.

“Probably at the beginning, you struggle to accept that,” said Maresca on Dewsbury-Hall.

“Now it’s getting better. I am very happy with him.”

Lifting the trophy would save Ruben Amorim's blushes and earn the Red Devils a ticket to the Champions League – here's how they can pull it off

Here's the thing about Manchester United. Even when they are out of both domestic cups, heading for their worst league finish since they were last relegated and supporters groups are urging people to wear black to mourn the club's death, there is still hope.

Everything might seem lost for Ruben Amorim's side amid dismal results, an injury crisis and fan discontent with both of their ownership groups, yet there is still the possibility that this historically awful season can end on a high by winning the Europa League.

Europe's second-tier competition has become the one thing left for United to fight for after Sunday's frustrating exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Fulham and a Premier League campaign that has yielded more defeats than wins and a goal difference of minus six. And despite their general malaise, the Red Devils have reason to be confident of going all the way to the final in Bilbao and lifting their first European trophy in eight years.

The Red Devils finished third in the 36-team League Phase and were the only team to remain unbeaten. Their path to the final is by no means easy, but nor is it a daunting one. It begins with Thursday's last-16 first leg at Real Sociedad, who are ninth in La Liga and reeling from a 4-0 thrashing by Barcelona. If they can get past the Basque side, they would likely face Lyon (sixth in Ligue 1) in the quarter-finals, with Athletic Club, Fenerbahce, Rangers or Roma lying in wait in the semis.

So forget the doom and gloom, as there is still a good chance of United tasting European glory in May and earning a ticket back into the Champions League, relieving their deep financial problems in the process. Here, then, is GOAL's six-point plan for United to lift the Europa League and save their season…

Getty Be pragmatic, not idealistic

United last won the Europa League in 2017, a season in which they also struggled in the Premier League as they finished sixth. Their path to the trophy was not exactly one to remember, as the Red Devils won every knockout tie from the last-16 to the semi-finals by a single goal, needing extra-time to overcome Anderlecht in the quarters and a frantic defensive display against Celta Vigo in the last four before beating Ajax 2-0 in the final.

Jose Mourinho boasted of his pragmatic approach throughout the competition after his side over-powered an exciting but youthful Ajax in the final, proudly declaring: "We knew where they were better than us, we knew where we were better than them. We tried to kill their good qualities, we tried to exploit their weaknesses."

And Amorim sure could take a leaf out of the book of Mourinho, who he spent a week shadowing at United while he was doing his coaching diploma. The Red Devils' boss has tried to make his dogmatic tactical style a virtue, but he has not won any admirers by losing 10 of his 24 matches in charge. Compromise is allowed in knockout football, and if he can guide United to win the Europa League, no one will quibble about how he did it.

Real Sociedad is a great opponent to begin taking a more pragmatic approach against. The Basques play attractive, positional football, but United destroyed them 5-1 on aggregate in the 2020-21 season by being defensive and picking them off on the counter. It is a tactic worth repeating both on Thursday and in next week's second leg at Old Trafford.

AdvertisementGettyUnleash Euro-Hojlund

Rasmus Hojlund cannot catch a break at the moment, and his goal-drought stretched to 18 games when he drew another blank against Fulham. Fans got so frustrated with him that huge cheers were heard when he was taken off for Chido Obi, something that had also happened against Everton the previous week. But Hojlund in European competition is a very different beast from the player he has shown himself to be in domestic competition, and he can get firing again against a less physical defence than the ones he faces each week in England.

Hojlund has scored five times in eight Europa League appearances this season, four of which were starts. He produced match-winning displays against Bodo/Glimt and Viktoria Plzen, scoring twice in each game. And he was lethal in the Champions League last season, scoring five times in six group-stage games despite failing to find the net in the Premier League until December.

Hojlund tends to waste valuable energy on taking on physical defenders in the league, but in Europe he has had much more success running in behind and pressing from the front. The difference between his strike rate at European and domestic level is remarkable: he has scored 10 times in 14 games for United in continental competition, but he has only 13 goals in 64 appearances across the Premier League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup.

If the Denmark international can try and forget about his poor record in England and instead remember how prolific he has been in Europe, then he may just end his long wait to score in San Sebastian and fire United into the quarter-finals, and eventually to the trophy.

Getty Images SportPlay to Garnacho's strengths

Alejandro Garnacho has struggled to adapt to Amorim's way of playing, only scoring once since the Portuguese took charge (and it was an open goal). He has also had two run-ins with the United boss already, having been dropped against Manchester City and given a dressing down for his stroppy reaction to being substituted against Ipswich.

Despite his attitude problems and a three-month goal drought, Garnacho remains crucial to United's hopes of progressing in the Europa League, and so Amorim must try and get the best out of him. He should try and make the most of his strengths, which are running in behind and zipping past defenders down the flank, rather than getting Garnacho to try and play a possession game which does not suit him.

With Rashford and Antony gone and Amad Diallo out for the rest of the season, Garnacho is the only wide forward Amorim has left, and the coach must try and make the most of the ex-Atletico Madrid trainee as he still holds the key to United succeeding in Europe.

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Getty Make Old Trafford intimidating again

The Fulham game proved to be a huge disappointment, but one silver lining was the return of some atmosphere to Old Trafford. For much of the game, the fans were fired up as they showed their anger with Sir Jim Ratcliffe's recent moves on ticket pricing and axing staff, and were determined to roar their team back to life. The team fed off the energy and had several chances to score in the second half and extra-time before being eliminated on penalties.

The United supporters need to raise the volume even more on European nights. The team's record at Old Trafford this season has been its worst in 131 years, and the general apathy among fans has been a factor, with Amorim saying he can feel the anxiety around the stadium and how it filters down to the players.

But by embracing European nights, especially as they might not have them next season, the supporters can help make Old Trafford intimidating for opponents again and roar the team towards Bilbao.

Tottenham Hotspur have entered pole position for a £50 million defender, who Chelsea hold a “serious” interest in signing, with Ange Postecoglou’s side thought to have an “advantage” in the race for his signature.

Spurs face Fulham in the Premier League after 2-2 draw with Roma

Following their disappointing 2-2 draw with Roma, where they conceded an added-time equaliser courtesy of Mats Hummels, Spurs return to action against London rivals Fulham on Sunday.

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The Lilywhites’ inconsistency has been brought to the forefront yet again this week, with Spurs following up their 4-0 win away at Man City by failing to beat Serie A strugglers Roma, but Postecoglou hasn’t been helped by the plethora of injuries and absentees in his squad right now.

Tottenham are currently without number one goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who had surgery on his right ankle after his fracture against City, alongside Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Mikey Moore, Wilson Odobert, Richarlison and midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur (domestic ban).

Tottenham vs Fulham

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Bournemouth vs Tottenham

December 5

Tottenham vs Chelsea

December 8

Southampton vs Tottenham

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Tottenham vs Liverpool

December 22

In his pre-match press conference this afternoon, Postecoglou did say that Romero is the closest to returning to action for Spurs, refusing to rule him out of contention to play Fulham in a couple of days time.

“So last night, at this stage a clean bill of health,” said Postecoglou on Tottenham team news ahead of Fulham.

“Mind you I thought that last week and we had a guy who needed surgery an hour later. I think everything is alright from last night. Obviously we’ll see when the boys come in. Returns…unlikely. Romero is closer, he’s probably the closest but again probably unlikely, but I’m not ruling him out. He’s got to get through a few things today and then we’ve got a session tomorrow.”

It’s been a desperately unlucky few weeks for Postecoglou and Spurs on that front, perhaps highlighting the need for further reinforcements.

Tottenham’s manager has already brought attention to the fact his squad is being stretched to the bare limits, and there are reportedly a few players who the club’s hierarchy are considering ahead of January and next summer.

Tottenham in pole position to sign Patrick Dorgu from Lecce

According to The Boot Room, Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu is firmly on their agenda as a potential alternative to Destiny Udogie.

The Denmark international, who could cost as much as £50 million, can play further up the field as a winger as well – which could be attractive to the north Londoners. Spurs have already been named as suitors for Dorgu, but now TBR have another promising update.

TBR state that Tottenham are leading the race to sign Dorgu and hold an “advantage” over fellow Premier League suitors like Chelsea, despite Maresca’s side having a “serious” interest in the 20-year-old.

Dorgu has started 12 Serie A games so far this season, netting three goals and averaging an impressive 2.1 shots at goal per 90 according to WhoScored.

“He has already had a lot of playing minutes in Serie A with Lecce, and he has done really, really well,” said Denmark Under-21s coach Steffen Højer to bold.dk.

“What is special about him is that he is a quiet and calm guy, but things are just incredibly natural for him on a football pitch.”