رد فيكتور جيوكيريس، المهاجم الدولي السويدي، لفريق كرة القدم الأول بنادي سبورتينج لشبونة، على أنباء انتقاله إلى مانشستر يونايتد مع المدرب روبن أموريم.
أموريم كان مديرًا فنيًا لـ سبورتينج لشبونة وشهد على تألق جيوكيريس خلال الموسمين الماضي والحالي، وانفجار الموهبة السويدية في تسجيل الأهداف.
بعد رحيل أموريم إلى مانشستر يونايتد، انتشرت أنباء حول انضمام جيوكيريس إلى مدربه البرتغالي، في ميركاتو الشتاء، أو على اقصى تقدير في الصيف المقبل.
طالع أيضًا.. كريستيانو رونالدو يوجه رسالة إلى روبن أموريم قبل مباراته الأولى مع مانشستر يونايتد
جيوكيريس، في تصريحات لوسائل الإعلام السويدية بعد مباراة سلوفاكيا أمس ببطولة دوري الأمم الأوروبية، قال: “ربما لدى أموريم في مانشستر يونايتد عدد من المهاجمين هناك”.
وأضاف: “من المحزن أن نراه يرحل عن سبورتينج لشبونة، لكننا نتفهم قراره بالطبع، ونتمنى له التوفيق والنجاح مع مانشستر يونايتد فيما هو قادم”.
واختتم: “لقد منحني أموريم فرصة للتطور، وساعدني كثيرًا على التحسن في تسجيل الأهداف، كان مفتاحًا بالنسبة لي، بشأن ما أنا عليه الآن، أشكره كثيرًا”.
تحدث بيدري جونزاليس لاعب برشلونة ومنتخب إسبانيا في مؤتمر صحفي قبل المباراة أمام سويسرا، وعلّق على تجديد عقده مع فريقه.
ويخوض منتخب إسبانيا مباراة أمام سويسرا غدًا الإثنين، في إطار مباريات بطولة دوري الأمم الأوروبية.
وقال بيدري عن الخصوم: “من الطبيعي أن يزداد الخوف بعد الفوز ببطولة اليورو، نحن نعرف تمامًا إمكانياتنا”.
وبشأن تقييم موسم 2024: “أعطي نفسي 9، لأنه دائمًا لا يمكن الفوز بكل المباريات”.
وعن اللحظة الحالية، استطرد: “لقد وجدت شيئًا يناسبني جسديًا، ووجدت الاستمرارية، إنه بداية جيدة للموسم، وأتمنى أن تستمر الأمور على هذا النحو”.
اقرأ أيضًا | دي لا فوينتي عن لاعب إسبانيا: لا يحصل على التقدير المستحق وسنكتشف إنجازاته مستقبلاً
وسُئل إذا كان يشعر أكثر بالراحة في المنتخب أم في برشلونة، وأجاب: “في كلا الفريقين أشعر بالراحة، كلا الفريقين يلعبان أسلوب الاستحواذ على الكرة وأنا أشعر بالراحة في هذا النوع من اللعب، في برشلونة كنت أقل استمرارية وبالتالي لم أستطع أن أظهر بأفضل مستوياتي”.
وحول ضغط المباريات والإصابات، أفاد بيدري: “هناك العديد من المباريات، لكن الأهم هو التكيف مع جسدك، عليك أن تجد المفتاح المناسب، لقد اكتشفت ما يناسبني جسديًا وأتمتع بالاستمرارية التي أحبها”.
وبشأن الدفاع الجماعي، علّق: “إذا عمل الـ11 لاعبًا معًا، يصبح الدفاع أسهل، وهذا في المنتخب الإسباني، مع الجودة التي يمتلكها اللاعبون، فقد منحوا الجميع دفعة قوية، وهذا يظهر بوضوح في كيفية الدفاع، عندما تستعيد الكرة من الخصم، فإنك تهيمن على المباراة وتصبح الفرصة أكبر للفوز”.
وحول تجديد عقده مع برشلونة، أوضح بيدري: “لا توجد مستجدات حتى الآن، وكل شيء تحت إشراف وكلائي، الأمور تسير على ما يرام”.
West Ham technical director Tim Steidten has some crucial transfer decisions to make this summer, alongside pitching in over the future of manager David Moyes.
West Ham men out of contract as summer plans take shape
A host of West Ham players will be out of contract, as well as the club's manager, by June 30 – giving the Hammers board and Steidten a number of futures to resolve as we slowly approach the transfer window.
West Ham table out-of-window £13 million bid with transfer stance clear
The east Londoners are moving very early.
ByEmilio Galantini Apr 16, 2024
While West Ham are still in the conversation for Europe next season, sitting just two points behind Man United and Newcastle who hold the remaining Conference League places, some supporters have grown discontented with Moyes' brand of football and yearn for change.
The east Londoners have been difficult to watch at points, losing multiple games by five goals or more in all competitions this season, and have won just once in their last five Premier League games.
The prospect of another European run is also dwindling, as Moyes faces a mountain to climb after their 2-0 defeat to Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.
West Ham's next league fixtures in race for Conference League qualification
Date
Crystal Palace (away)
April 21st
Liverpool (home)
April 27th
Chelsea (away)
May 5th
Luton Town (home)
May 11th
Man City (away)
May 19th
West Ham will make a decision on Moyes at the end of the season, according to reports, but there is also the matter of their squad members. Ben Johnson, Divin Mubama, Angelo Ogbonna and Aaron Cresswell are all out of contract at the end of this season with Moyes.
The latter has served West Ham well since joining from Ipswich Town last decade, but the time is now to replace him. As Steidten draws up his plans for the summer window, it is believed one left-back is attracting the German's attention.
West Ham keen on signing Juan Miranda
According to HITC, that man is Real Betis left-back Juan Miranda, formerly of Barcelona.
The Spaniard, managed by former West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini, has amassed 19 La Liga appearances this season and is still just 24 years old. He's been described as a "quick, agile and very attack-minded" full-back by the report, which will entice a large section of Hammers fans.
West Ham are one of the many clubs keen on signing Miranda as a free agent this summer, and scouts have even been to run the rule over him already. A La Masia academy graduate, Miranda has even earned praise from Lionel Messi.
"They have been training with us for a whole and you see they are different players," said Messi on Miranda and Riqui Puig.
"The club did well in bringing them up to train with us. They will grow more and that's good the club are using people from the youth academy because for a while nobody came. Going back to that model is important for the academy and the club."
With the second Test taking place at the same ground, there is likely to be more help for the spinners
The Preview by Andrew Fidel Fernando26-Jan-2020
Lahiru Kumara is ecstatic after taking a wicket•AFP
Big PictureFor a side playing their first Test in 14 months, Zimbabwe’s defiance was encouraging. Ultimately, however, it was fruitless. They batted 148 overs in the first innings, and 92 overs in the second, but where most batsmen’s defence was in order on a docile Harare surface, they were less adept at scoring runs. You could forgive a scoring rate of 2.41 as they made 358 in the first innings. But in the second dig, where run-scoring was a legitimate means of making Sri Lanka work harder for the victory, a rate of 1.84 was less acceptable. *They’ll need to do better, especially since one of their premier bowlers, Kyle Jarvis, injured his lower back during the series opener and is no longer available to play.Scoring runs while at the crease may become even more vital in the second Test. As this match will also be played at the Harare Sports Club, the groundstaff will have only have had three full days to prepare the surface. And undercooked pitches generally favour bowlers. Occupying the crease for long periods may not be so easy over the next few days.Their bowlers, meanwhile, might be enthused by the prospect of a more sporting pitch, but will need to show more menace. Debutant seamer Victor Nyauchi was their best bowler of the first game, consistently finding movement with the new and old balls, taking 3 for 69 in his 32 overs. But he might have had more wickets, had more experienced bowlers built more pressure from the other end. As it happened, Sri Lanka’s batsmen largely succeeded in playing Nyauchi out, while steadily collecting runs off the other bowlers.For Sri Lanka’s attack, the primary challenge may be to recover from the epic shifts they had put in last week. Lahiru Kumara, Sri Lanka’s fastest bowler, delivered 50 overs. Suranga Lakmal bowled 47, and spinner Lasith Embuldeniya 68. With a rejuvenated Angelo Mathews now among the runs, their batting is beginning to look solid for the first time in many months as well.Form guideZimbabwe LLWLD (completed matches, most recent first) Sri Lanka WLDLWIn the spotlightThat Lahiru Kumara bowled more overs than any other quick is impressive enough, given his pace. But that he saved his best spell of the match for the third session of the fifth day speaks volumes not only of his fitness, but also of his attitude and hunger. When he first arrived at the top level, Kumara had pace and a good inswinger, but also frequently bowled loose deliveries. There is much more discipline about his bowling now, and that has vitally not come at the expense of his pace. Sri Lanka will be desperate for his rhythm to roll on, not just into this Test, but the matches against England, which are coming up in March.Brian Mudzinganyama punches one on the off side•AFP
Zimbabwe’s spinners were particularly ineffective in the first Test. Although Sikandar Raza took three wickets, two of those were of tail-enders. Sean Williams claimed two, but the dismissal of Dinesh Chandimal was incredibly fortunate – the ball popping up off Chandimal’s boot – while the other wicket was that of the No. 11. When Zimabwe pushed Sri Lanka in a Test in Colombo in 2017, it was a spinner – Graeme Cremer – who did much of the heavy lifting. The spinners will need to be much more of a threat to Sri Lanka’s top order, if they are to trouble them again.Team news*Opener Kevin Kasuza has resumed full training after suffering from concussion and a Zimbabwe Cricket press release on Sunday evening said he is expected to play this game. Tinotenda Mutombodzi, the legspinning allrounder, has been added to the squad with Jarvis ruled out though it may be that fellow fast bowler Carl Mumba gets into the XI as a like-for-like replacement. Zimbabwe may also consider replacing left-arm spinner Ainsley Ndlovu – who went wicketless in 28 overs – with legspinning-allrounder Timycen Maruma.Zimbabwe(possible): 1 Kevin Kasuza/ Brian Mudziganyama, 2 Prince Masvaure, 3 Brendan Taylor, 4 Craig Ervine, 5 Sean Williams (capt.), 6 Sikandar Raza, 7 Regis Chakabva (wk), 8 Timycen Maruma, 9 Donald Tiripano, 10 Victor Nyauchi, 11 Carl MumbaIf Sri Lanka make a change to their XI, it may be leaving seamer Kasun Rajitha out of the XI, in favour of a spinner – either Dilruwan Perera or Lakshan Sandakan.Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Dimuth Karunaratne (capt.), 2 Oshada Fernando, 3 Kusal Mendis, 4 Angelo Mathews, 5 Dinesh Chandimal, 6 Dhananjaya de Silva, 7 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 8 Suranga Lakmal, 9 Lasith Embuldeniya, 10 Lakshan Sandakan, 11 Lahiru KumaraPitch and conditionsThis pitch is likely to be more bowler-friendly than the placid strip seen for the first Test. The weather is expected to be largely fine for the duration of the Test.Stats and trivia Brendan Taylor needs 101 runs to complete 2000 in Tests. If he does it in this match, he will become the sixth Zimbabwe batsman to the milestone. Zimbabwe have not won a Test at home since 2013, when they defeated Pakistan in Harare. Angelo Mathews needs 92 more runs to become the fifth Sri Lankan to 6000 Test runs, behind Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Aravinda de Silva and Sanath Jayasuriya.1720 GMT This preview was updated with the news of Kyle Jarvis’ injury and Kevin Kasuza’s recovery
Contratado sob a desconfiança de grande parte da torcida, após passagens apagadas por Cruzeiro e Athletico Paranaense, Marquinhos Gabriel vem reencontrando o seu futebol no Vasco. Atuando como meia-central, muitas vezes se aproximando de Cano quase como um segundo atacante, o jogador tem tido bons números em seu início em São Januário.
Em 13 jogos pelo clube, sendo apenas 10 como titular, Marquinhos já soma quatro gols e três assistências. Totalizando cerca de 970 minutos em campo, o meia tem precisado, em média, de somente 137 para participar diretamente de um gol. Ou seja, aproximadamente uma partida e meia.
Na temporada passada, quando atuou pelo Furacão e pela Raposa, em 21 jogos pelas duas equipes – 1270 minutos -, o apoiador balançou as redes três vezes e deu três passes. Em 2019, quando chegou ao Cruzeiro, esteve em campo 52 vezes – 3480 minutos -, marcando quatro gols e dando oito assistências.
A última vez que Marquinhos Gabriel iniciou sua passagem por um clube com números tão bons foi em 2018/2019, quando defendeu o Al-Nasr, dos Emirados Árabes. Em seus 13 primeiros jogos, deixou sua marca três vezes e serviu seus companheiros em outras quatro.
No Vasco atual, apenas Germán Cano, com 10, e Gabriel Pec, com seis, anotaram mais gols na temporada. Entre os garçons, somente Léo Jabá, com quatro assistências, supera Marquinhos Gabriel. Um bom começo do camisa 31 vascaíno.
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Australia can seal the series in Port Elizabeth and extend South Africa’s painful summer
The Preview by Firdose Moonda22-Feb-2020
Ashton Agar celebrates his dismissal of Dale Steyn•Associated Press
Big pictureFor the first time this summer, South Africa have lost the opening match of a series. Given that they went on to let all three series before this one slip following their early success, the hosts may choose to see their defeat at the Wanderers as a good omen – except that it was not just any defeat. Unlike the T20Is against England, which were competitive, close encounters, the match against Australia was as one-sided as they come. South Africa’s bowling bled, their batting appeared more broken than it has all season, and the depth of their problems is clear for all to see.Unless they win at St George’s Park, South Africa will face the reality of going a full year since their last series triumph (against Sri Lanka in March 2019) and patience in the new regime could start wearing thin. Although Mark Boucher said he knew it would be tough and has asked for time as the team rebuilds, the results suggest they are going backwards. That’s a heavy burden for new captain, Quinton de Kock, to bear, especially since his predecessor is now back in the change-room and was doing a fair amount of mentoring (and also top-scored) on Friday night. De Kock will have to develop a thick skin if he is to keep going in the position.He can’t do it alone, either. He needs his team-mates, especially the seniors to step up. There aren’t too many of them around these days but David Miller and Dale Steyn, in particular, have been involved through the recent white-ball matches and understand how pressing the need is for experienced players to take a lead.Australia have none of those concerns. Bar Glenn Maxwell, they are at full strength and already look like an outfit that has peaked. Steven Smith made a triumphant return to South Africa and punished the hosts for a blunder in the field while Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins showed the advantage of combining pace and control, something South Africa seem to have forgotten. And if South Africa needed more salt rubbed in the wound it came from the opposition spinners. Ashton Agar’s hat-trick and five-for at the Wanderers was a painful reminder of one the hosts’ biggest weaknesses – facing spin – and another sign that Australia are close to the complete package.Form guide(last five completed matches, most recent first)South Africa LLLWW Australia WWWWWIn the spotlightKagiso Rabada was suspended for the final Test against England and given a break for the white-ball series but returned looking out of sorts. He was the most expensive bowler at the Wanderers, where his three overs cost 45 runs. Like most of the attack, he erred on the side of too short and too wide but unlike them, he carries the expectation and the experience to know better. Rabada needs to find his rhythm quickly or risks being overtaken by some of those looking to seal to a spot for the T20 World Cup.After last playing a T20 in 2016, Matthew Wade was recalled to the Australia team on the back of his performances in the BBL. He was one of three centurions and averaged over 50 for the Hobart Hurricanes – where he opened the batting – and continued with an aggressive in his approach after being deployed at No. 4 at the Wanderers. He survived an early chance and was ultimately foxed by a Steyn slower ball but his disgust at his dismissal and his desire to accelerate suggests there’s much more to come.Team newsTemba Bavuma will undergo a fitness test to determine if he has fully recovered from his hamstring injury to take his place at the top of the order. If he does, Rassie van der Dussen will drop down, with Pite van Biljon and Jon-Jon Smuts vulnerable. Heinrich Klaasen remains a doubt after hurting his hip during warm-ups at the Wanderers, and Reeza Hendricks has joined the squad as cover. South Africa may give an opportunity to Anrich Nortje, in place of either Lungi Ngidi or Rabada.South Africa: (possible) 1 Quinton de Kock (capt, wk), 2 Temba Bavuma, 3 Faf du Plessis, 4 Rassie van der Dussen, 5 Jon-Jon Smuts/Heinrich Klaasen, 6 David Miller, 7 Andile Phehlukwayo, 8 Kagiso Rabada, 9 Dale Steyn, 10 Tabraiz Shamsi, 11 Lungi Ngidi/Anrich NortjeAfter the dominance of their performance in the opening game, Australia are likely to try to close out the series with the same XI.Australia: (possible) 1 David Warner, 2 Aaron Finch (capt), 3 Steven Smith, 4 Matt Wade, 5 Mitchell Marsh, 6 Alex Carey (wk), 7 Ashton Agar, 8 Pat Cummins, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Kane RichardsonPitch and conditionsAlthough the Port Elizabeth pitch is known as South Africa’s most spin-friendly, it is unlikely to take too much turn in a T20. After a scorcher on the Highveld, temperatures are set to be cooler on the coast, with the forecast suggesting a day in the early 20s Centigrade and low humidity.Stats and trivia There have been only been two previous T20 internationals played at St George’s Park, a rain-affected affair in 2007 that South Africa lost to West Indies and a full match eight years ago in which the hosts beat New Zealand. Aaron Finch is 80 runs away from becoming the second Australian after David Warner to reach 2,000 T20I runs. Dale Steyn needs one more wicket to take 700 international wickets.Quotes”There’s not so much you can do at practice but it’s a mental thing. As long as the boys come back strong and not too disappointed [from the first game], we have to come and fight.”
نجح منتخب مصر في التأهل لكأس الأمم الإفريقية بدون هزيمة في مرحلة التصفيات تحت قيادة العميد حسام حسن، بعد 4 انتصارات وتعادلين.
المنتخب المصري استقبل هدفين فقط على مدار مشواره في التصفيات، خلال مباراتي كاب فيردي وبوتسوانا.
بعد التأهل لكأس أمم إفريقيا، الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم كشف عن رقم قياسي حققه حسام حسن بأنه أول مدرب يقود الفراعنة للتأهل إلى كأس أمم أفريقيا بدون هزيمة في مرحلة التصفيات، لكنها معلومة خاطئة.
بالنظر للسنوات منذ عام 1992 تحت قيادة المدرب الألماني ديتريش وايز ومحمود سعد، فسنرى عكس ذلك.
البداية كانت في تلك التصفيات، التي تأهل فيها منتخب مصر إلى الكان بدون هزيمة، بعد 3 انتصارات و3 تعادلات، في مجموعة ضمت تونس وتشاد وإثيوبيا.
ثم في تصفيات أمم إفريقيا 2002، مع الجنرال الراحل محمود الجوهري، عندما تأهلت مصر في صدارة مجموعة قوية ضمت ساحل العاج وليبيا والسودان، برصيد 13 نقطة، وخسر الفراعنة أمام ليبيا بهدفين نظيفين.
في تصفيات أمم إفريقيا 2004 تحت قيادة محسن صالح، كانت 13 مجموعة يتأهل أول كل منها، وأفضل 2 من أصحاب المركز الثاني، والبلد المستضيف، حينها منتخب مصر حقق 9 نقاط من أصل 12 في مجموعة ضمت مدغشقر وموريشيوس، وخسر الفراعنة ضد مدغشقر.
في 2006، لم يشارك منتخب مصر في تصفيات إفريقيا، حيث كانت البطولة تقام في أرض الفراعنة، ونحن البلد المستضيف.
في تصفيات أمم إفريقيا 2008، وتحت قيادة حسن شحاتة، تأهل منتخب مصر في صدارة مجموعة ضمت موريتانيا وبوروندي وبوتسوانا، برصيد 12 نقطة، ولم نتلق أي هزيمة.
في 2012، فشل الفراعنة في التأهل مع المعلم حسن شحاتة، وتذيلنا ترتيب المجموعة السابعة خلف النيجر وجنوب إفريقيا وسيراليون، برصيد 5 نقاط.
تكرر الفشل في 2013، حينها بمباراة خروج المغلوب، تحت قيادة بوب برادلي، وخسر الفراعنة على ملعب برج العرب 3-2 أمام إفريقيا الوسطى، بعد التعادل 1-1 خارج ملعبه، ليودع الأمريكي في خروج كارثي.
لم يتوقف الأمر هنا، وفي تصفيات أمم إفريقيا 2015، احتل المنتخب المصري المركز الثالث خلف تونس والسنغال، تحت قيادة شوقي غريب، ولم يحقق سوى انتصارين فقط ضد بوتسوانا.
في أمم إفريقيا 2017، عاد الفراعنة بعد غياب 7 سنوات، وتحت قيادة الأرجنتيني هيكتور كوبر، بصدارة المجموعة التي ضمت نيجيريا وتنزانيا وتشاد، برصيد 10 نقاط، ولم نتلق أي هزيمة أيضًا.
في 2019، تأهل المنتخب المصري قبل أن يحصل على استضافة البطولة، في المركز الثاني خلف تونس متفوقًا على النيجر وإسواتيني تحت قيادة المكسيكي خافيير أجيري، وتلقينا هزيمة ضد تونس بهدف نظيف في رادس.
في 2021، بدأ المنتخب التصفيات مع حسام البدري، قبل أن تتم اقالته ويأتي كارلوس كيروش، ولم يخسر أي مباراة، وتصدر مجموعة ضمت جزر القمر وكينيا توجو، وحصل على 12 نقطة.
في تصفيات أمم إفريقيا 2023، وتحت قيادة روي فيتوريا، خسر منتخب مصر مباراة واحدة أمام إثيوبيا حينها كان المدرب هو الراحل إيهاب جلال، ولكن تأهل الفراعنة برصيد 15 نقطة، متفوقًا على مالاوي وغينيا وإثيوبيا.
Contratado após a saída de Rodrigo Chagas, Ramon Menezes ainda não conseguiu embalar no comando do Vitória.
Na noite da última quarta-feira, o treinador fez o seu sétimo jogo no Leão e apresenta um desempenho preocupante com dois triunfos, dois empates e três derrotas.
Vale lembrar que um dos jogos que Ramon venceu foi pela Copa do Brasil, ou seja, na Série B o treinador apresenta um retrospecto de uma vitória em seis partidas.
Com o cenário preocupante no jogo apresentado e falta de resultado positivo, o Vitória aparece na zona de rebaixamento, com 6 pontos e na 18ª colocação.
O próximo jogo do Leão no torneio nacional será no sábado, quando recebe o Goiás, no Barradão.
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe has quite the task on his hands when it comes to transforming Manchester United, starting with this summer's transfer window and potentially finding the perfect partner for rising star Kobbie Mainoo.
Man Utd transfer news
The Red Devils have gone from top four qualification and a Carabao Cup victory under Erik ten Hag to capitulating in a disappointing second season to leave the Dutchman's future in doubt, even despite another chance to win domestic silverware. That said, it's an important summer for the manager at Old Trafford, who could see several improvements made to his side.
£670k-p/w Man Utd trio could follow Marcus Rashford through the exit door
Man United’s highest earner could be given the boot this summer.
ByJoe Nuttall May 1, 2024
Among those may well be Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, with the Red Devils reportedy willing to offer the centre-back a salary increase in order to lure him into an Old Trafford switch in the coming months. When it comes to solving United's defensive problems, welcoming Araujo would go a long way for Ten Hag.
It's not just the backline that could see summer improvements, either. Recent reports have also linked Frenkie de Jong with a move to the Premier League giants, as United look to finally land a long-term target in a deal for another Barcelona star. De Jong would provide an ideal balance between Mainoo and the future partner Ratcliffe may have lined up.
florian-neuhaus-frenkie-de-jong-west-ham
According to Fussball News, Manchester United sent scouts to watch Assan Ouedraogo ahead of a potential summer move to sign the 17-year-old Schalke midfielder. It remains to be seen just how much the Red Devils would have to splash out, but the prospect of 19-year-old Mainoo sitting alongside another teenage gem in Ouedraogo is certainly enticing enough to meet whatever Schalke's price-tag may be this summer.
They're not alone in their interest, however, with Newcastle United, Manchester City and teams in Germany and Italy also sending scouts to watch the young German in the 2.Bundesliga this season.
"Exciting" Ouedraogo can match Mainoo rise
It's a sign of the positive transformation that Ratcliffe is attempting at United that Ouedraogo is among the names being eyed this summer instead of players who are arguably past their prime in the middle of the park. Thinking about the future rather than players who may hand Ten Hag short-term improvements should be the focus, in planning that will go a long way in helping the Red Devils return to the top of English football for good.
Ouedraogo, at 17 years old, has earned links with teams of such calibre and, in-turn, the praise of Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig, who described the midfielder as "exciting". Largely used as a box to box midfielder or in the number ten role this season, the teenager has scored twice and assisted twice in 15 league matches, and standing at 6 foot 2 should already have the physicality to complement Mainoo's guile.
Mainoo is a similarly exciting player and getting the best out of the England international should be one of the priorities at Old Trafford, which welcoming fellow young gem Ouedraogo would accelerate significantly, rather than falling back on the likes of Scott McTominay and Casemiro.
Championship play-off football is often played on a knife's edge with neither team wanting to mess up or make an error, which doesn't always lend itself to the most free-flowing spectacle for the neutral.
Norwich City versus Leeds United certainly fell into that cagey bracket, with Daniel Farke's Whites the happier of the two sides with the final 0-0 scoreline when the teams trudged off at the end in the Carrow Road sunshine.
The German boss in the Leeds dug-out will hope the sun keeps shining in a second-leg win when the action picks back up at Elland Road this coming Thursday night, knowing that he has one particular member of his squad to thank after giving the Whites a solid platform to strut their stuff on home soil.
Ethan Ampadu's performance vs Norwich in numbers
Leeds will be grateful for the valiant efforts of both Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu in the centre-back spots, helping a previously leaky Whites – who shipped four not too long ago away at Queens Park Rangers – pick up a clean sheet on their travels down to Norfolk.
Ampadu, in particular, shone against David Wagner's hosts with an imperious performance from the ex-Chelsea man nullifying dangerous striker Josh Sargent up top for the Canaries all afternoon.
Amazingly, the imposing centre-back would misplace just one of his 79 passes on the day to finish the stalemate with a 99% pass accuracy alongside winning 100% of his ground duels in the tense affair.
This would result in the aforementioned Sargent only completing 21 touches of the ball trying to give Norwich some impetus going forward up against the brick wall of Rodon and Ampadu, with the 23-year-old Whites captain successfully winning two tackles as well.
Ampadu's performance in numbers
Minutes played
90
Touches
76
Accurate passes
70/71 (99%)
Tackles won
2
Duels won
2/3
Possession lost
2x
Stats by Sofascore
Only squandering possession two times against Wagner's men also, it wasn't a shock to see Ampadu praised after the 0-0 draw was done with Leeds Live's Beren Cross handing out an 8/10 rating to the Welshman who stated that he 'didn't put a foot wrong.'
It was definitely a game for those who love to watch the bravery of defenders come out on top over attacking players causing all sorts of bother, with Crysencio Summerville trying to unlock an equally stern Norwich defence all game but to no avail.
Crysencio Summerville's performance in numbers
Summerville, who was given a generous 6/10 rating post-match by Cross, will know he has more in his locker than what he showed against the Canaries.
With Wilfried Gnonto and Georginio Rutter also unable to grab the game by the scruff of its neck as Summerville's attacking partners, the Dutchman at least troubled the hosts on occasion with one shot on target managed alongside two key passes.
The former Feyenoord winger couldn't produce the goods as he did in the regular campaign in Norfolk, where two late goals from the dynamic 22-year-old won a dramatic contest 3-2, but the second leg being open and more on the front foot should suit the enigmatic attacker's game.
Leeds will just be glad they didn't give themselves a mountain to climb returning back to Elland Road for the second leg, in a clash that Summerville and Co could turn on the style in to seal a nail-biting trip to Wembley.
The Leeds back four will have to be on their A-Game too, however, with the Whites desperate to please their home supporters on the way to promotion being reached.