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Group B team-by-team guide on England, India, Pakistan, West Indies and Ireland

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Feb-2023EnglandOverviewEngland have a long-awaited second shot at this after their semi-final was washed out in 2020 and India advanced as group winners to the final. They’ll be acutely aware of the need to maintain control of their destiny – a first-up defeat to South Africa ultimately cost them on that occasion. Two easy match-ups, on paper at least, against West Indies and Ireland to begin this edition offer the chance to get on a roll. Captain Heather Knight has returned from the hip injury which kept her out of a disappointing campaign for the Commonwealth Games hosts and exciting young allrounder Alice Capsey has made a timely recovery from a broken collarbone. Gallant runners-up at last year’s ODI World Cup, they’ll likely need to get past India, whom they edged 2-1 at home in September, if they are to have a chance of going one better.SquadHeather Knight (capt), Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones (wk), Katherine Sciver-Brunt, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni WyattPlayer to WatchNat Sciver-Brunt was England’s most influential player throughout 2022, perhaps most memorably with her 148* in the 50-over World Cup final which was one of two defiant centuries she produced against the Australians at the tournament. She has made a seamless return from a three-month mental health break after a season which left her “emotionally fatigued” and recently resumed her vice-captaincy role, suggesting her comeback is complete in ominous signs for the opposition.Predicted finish: Runners-upIndiaOverviewThe winds of change are here, having first started blowing in 2017 after their soul-stirring runners-up finish at the 50-over World Cup. Fresh off an inaugural Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup triumph, of which two key members of the current squad – Richa Ghosh and Shafali Verma – were a part, India will look to draw inspiration from that campaign with a team that has several world beaters, and is far different to the nervy group that played the previous final at a heaving MCG. India are coming into the tournament on the back of exhaustive preparation. Having played Australia in an intense five-match series in December, they underwent a skill-based camp prior to their tri-series campaign in South Africa, where they ended runners-up. Gone are the times where India rocked up at a big tournament undercooked. This team means business.Squad:Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Richa Ghosh (wk), Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Devika Vaidya, Radha Yadav, Renuka Thakur, Anjali Sarvani, Pooja Vastrakar, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Shikha PandeyPlayer to watchAmong the most elegant players in the world, Smriti Mandhana has over time added an X-factor to her batting with a power game comparable to the best. Her destructive presence married with consistency lends an air of superiority to India’s top order. Mandhana, among the most marketable female athletes in India already as per estimates, is also a key part of the think-tank, with her cricketing smarts likely to be called upon often during the tournament as vice-captain.Predicted finish: Bridesmaids no more, expect India to make a serious pitch to enter the grand finale. There’s class, experience of heartbreak and lessons they can draw upon. They’re acclimatised, having arrived in South Africa three weeks ahead, making them even more dangerous.IrelandOverviewIreland are making their first appearance at the tournament since 2018. They defeated Pakistan 2-1 in a series in Lahore in November but lost twice in qualifying to Bangladesh. The camp has been hit by illness and injury in South Africa, where they’ve still managed to defeat Bangladesh and push Sri Lanka to the wire in warm-up fixtures. Despite an average squad age of just 24, they have some vastly experienced players and that’s not just among the 30-somethings like Mary Waldron, Eimear Richardson and Laura Delany. The gap to the more established nations remains pretty vast, however, and as qualifiers they’ll likely be delighted with winning a game or two.SquadLaura Delany (capt), Rachel Delaney, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Shauna Kavanagh, Arlene Kelly, Gaby Lewis, Louise Little, Sophie MacMahon, Jane Maguire, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Eimear Richardson, Mary Waldron (wk).Player to watchGaby Lewis epitomises Ireland’s experienced youth. Still only 21, their vice-captain has represented her country for more than eight years. She was Player of the Series against Pakistan, scoring 144 runs at 72.00 with a strike rate of 130.90. The hard-hitting top-order batter has a career-best of 105 not out from 64 T20Is and is unlikely to be unaffected by big-game nerves after a handful of appearances in the Women’s Hundred and the World T20 in 2016 and 2018.Predicted finish: Group StagePakistanOverviewCricket’s favourite mother-and-baby pair will make a return to the international stage when Bismah Maroof and her daughter Fatima arrive in South Africa with more than just hearts to win. Their major tournament record is poor: they have only won a quarter of the matches they have played at T20 World Cups and never made it out of the group stage, and they come into this edition on the back of some chastening results. Pakistan have only won one of their last five T20I series, but have lost their last two, to Australia and Ireland. They are without seamer Diana Baig but they still have a good mix of talent and experience. Javeria Khan, Nida Dar and Aliya Riaz have almost four decades of international experience combined. Add to that the potential of Fatima Sana and Ayesha Naseem and Pakistan may not be overreaching to hope they have their best World Cup yet. They kick off with a marquee clash against India, which will put them under early pressure, and have other tough opposition to see off after that.SquadBismah Maroof (capt), Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Sadaf Shamas, Fatima Sana, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Tuba HassanPlayer to watchEighteen-year old Ayesha Naseem is among the biggest hitters around and has a power game that could set the tournament alight. In Pakistan’s recent T20 series against Australia, Naseem struck an 83-metre six off Darcie Brown in an innings where she breached the boundary three times. If Pakistan are to get the best out of her, they may want to consider batting her higher than No.7.Predicted finish: Group stage. Pakistan have never advanced to the knockouts and with India and England in their group, it will be tough to change that.Fatima, daughter of Bismah Maroof, sits with her mum’s team-mates•ICC via Getty ImagesWest IndiesOverviewHow the mighty have fallen. Their T20 World Cup win in 2016 should’ve spurred a revolution for the women’s game in the Caribbean. Instead, it has slipped into an abyss with no signs of healing even though from time to time, they’ve produced players capable of dominating on their day. West Indies haven’t come close to winning the title since that heady evening in Kolkata. Adding to their woes is the fact that one of their best players, Deandra Dottin, isn’t part of the squad anymore having retired after a tiff with the WICB. Trying to emerge from the Taylor-Dottin era was always going to be challenging enough, but they may have not imagined it to have come this quickly. Stafanie Taylor is still part of the group but has struggled with injury. She will need immense support from Hayley Matthews. Batting has been an Achilles heel for a while, and unless things turn around dramatically, they’re unlikely to cause a major shake-up.Player to watchDon’t go by Shabika Gajnabi’s career numbers just yet. Below average as they may be, she’s the kind of player who could deliver big returns if she’s persisted with and given confidence. Someone who can bat in the middle order and deliver two or three overs of seam-ups, Gajnabi will strive for consistency to try and become a regular in the XI.SquadHayley Matthews (captain), Shemaine Campbelle (vice-captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Afy Fletcher, Shabika Gajnabi, Chinelle Henry, Trishan Holder, Zaida James, Djenaba Joseph, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Shakera Selman, Stafanie Taylor and Rashada Williams.Predicted finish: They’re in the easier group but that doesn’t necessarily mean a semi-final berth is a done deal. West Indies will do well to remain in contention to take the second spot from the group.

Who cares about cricket when life is changing forever? The answer is everyone who cared in the first place

Madiha Athar Khan20-Dec-2020Choice of game
When the world was reeling from a pandemic and lives were on the line because of a vicious virus, among other things I was forced to question the importance of sport. Who cares about cricket (or any other sport for that matter) when life is changing forever, when social injustices and global problems are bubbling to the surface? The answer – everyone. Everyone who cared about the sport in the first place, that is.The truth is, as the glorious frontline workers continue to fight the noblest battle, the majority of the world has mostly remained cooped up in our houses, waiting anxiously for life to resume. While the standards of that particular resumption are yet to be defined, part of a modified return to normalcy includes being able, once again, to do the things we have always loved doing without fear. All of this is to say that when I found out that a limited number of spectators were being allowed into the stadium, attending the Bangabandhu T20 Cup final – between Gemcon Khulna and Gazi Group Chattogram – was a no-brainer for me. There was some cricket played in Bangladesh earlier this year but it was not as widely broadcast and with much less fanfare.Team supported
At the core of my passion for cricket probably lies my unwavering love for the first cricketer I felt awe-inspired by: Shakib Al Hasan. His return to the field was a much-awaited event for his fans after the year-long ban he faced. Even though he did not play in the final, he was the reason I had supported Khulna throughout the tournament. On top of that, the team was captained by Mahmudullah – an excellent timer of the ball, a hard-hitter when necessary and possibly the most dependable choice for a middle-order batsman to finish a T20 innings with a flair. However, as a player, the side of him that is currently most intriguing to me is his personality as a captain. He is expressive and his body language seems to appropriately inspire his team-mates. Yet, he is calm under pressure and almost always capable of making the right decisions at the right moments. If that was not enough, everybody’s favourite and the man who just can’t stop playing cricket, Mashrafe Mortaza also joined the Khulna team a few days ahead of the final. The inclusion of some other handy players like Imrul Kayes and Al-Amin Hossain ensured that Khulna was a force to be reckoned with.Key performers
There were two key performers in the final. Mahmudullah amassed 70 not out in 48 balls on a pitch that did not look the most comfortable for any batsman. Khulna’s total of 155 had seemed at least 10 to 15 runs short at the halfway mark but their bowling attack coupled with a decent fielding effort led them to a five-run victory. Key performer No. 2 was Hossain, who bowled at a sparse economy rate of 4.75 and picked up the important wicket of Mohammad Mithun. His performance ensured that the Chattogram batsmen never found their rhythm.Entertainment
Even though only the upper tier of the western stand was opened to the public, the spectators in attendance knew how to make their presence felt. The crowds neatly divided in the middle with each team’s fans choosing to sit near their respective team’s dugout. The DJ played festive tunes that reminded me of the not-so-distant past when hosting international tournaments was a norm for Bangladesh.Wow factor
After coming home, I got to know that the man who had been tasked to defend 16 runs in the final over of the game for Khulna, Shohidul Islam, had just lost his father on Sunday. In that over he picked up two wickets, which turned out to be crucial as Chattogram had managed to pick up the run rate in the last few overs. To handle a pressure situation while dealing with an inconceivable loss and taking your team to victory is an inspiring feat.What I would have changed about the game
This tournament had already seen some high-run-chase encounters and matches that went down to the last ball. Some mind-blowing catches were also taken which are always a treat to watch in real time. Kayes nearly gave us another one of those moments when he ran backwards and placed himself directly underneath the ball but ended up making a mess of it. Had that catch been taken, it would have surely been a moment to remember this match by. There are a couple of other things that I also wish were different. For one, I would have loved to see a more aggressive batting display from both sides. Lastly, even though Khulna won by a mere five runs, I never found myself unsure of who the victors would be. So, in that regard, I would have appreciated a more fighting response from Chattogram during their chase.Overall experience
A complete picture of the final match would not be painted if I did not talk about Chattogram’s comprehensive performance throughout the tournament. Arguably devoid of any star players, Chattogram benefitted from the chemistry between their best batsmen – Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das and Mithun – and came together as a unit to give their best in each match. Mustafizur Rahman, who was named the Player of the Tournament for being the highest wicket-taker, ensured that Chattagrom were a team to be taken seriously.As far as the atmosphere of the ground was concerned, every time my eyes wandered towards the abandoned and boarded-up stands, I was served with a reminder of how exhausting and terrifying the year 2020 has been. On the one hand, there was joy to be felt and triumphs to be celebrated – both on the ground and in real life – but on the other, we are perhaps permanently moulded by the events of this year and the circumstances of the world.

Tottenham Hotspur are a team in transition. But this passage of action, during which Spurs will fully embrace Thomas Frank’s tactics after summer spending and a divorce with Ange Postecoglou, doesn’t have to be unsuccessful.

Because Tottenham won the Europa League last season, Ange making good on a promise, and now they are Champions League competitors once again. In the Premier League, Spurs have had a few hiccups but boast 14 points from seven fixtures, just two points and places behind pace-setters Arsenal.

This speaks of progress, Tottenham making inroads as they look to cement themselves at the front of the English top flight and ensure last season’s triumph does not prove to be a flash in the pan.

Impressive though the Londoners’ start has been, they sit 13th in the xG (expected goals) charts after seven matches. Though 13 goals have been scored, the xG total is just 7.4, which can be used to highlight the need for more fluent and incisive attacking play.

That is to say, Spurs could still do with another top-class striker.

Why Spurs still need a striker

Just one year ago, Tottenham broke their transfer record to bring over Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth for a £65m fee, add-ons included.

Last year was a struggle for Tottenham, and Solanke suffered on an individual level too, scoring only nine times in the Premier League as knee issues disrupted his year.

This term, the 27-year-old featured twice off the bench at the start of the league term before suffering an ankle injury.

Richarlison has been in red-hot form so far this season, but the Brazil international is notorious for his ebb and flow from form and confidence, and his fitness record leaves something to be desired too.

Heung-min Son’s summer departure has taken something from Tottenham; Frank lacks a goalscorer of the highest standard. Even so, Spurs are growing by the game, and when this final piece of the puzzle is found, it could be scary stuff for the rest of the Premier League.

Of course, this doesn’t necessarily have to come in the form of a big-money signing. Harry Kane graduated from the Tottenham academy before going on to become one of the deadliest goalscorers in English football history, after all.

Tottenham’s All-time Record Scorers
Player	Apps	Goals
Harry Kane	435	280
Jimmy Greaves	376	266
Bobby Smith	316	211
Heung-min Son	454	173
Martin Chivers	350	167
Data via Transfermarkt

Kane was sold to Bayern Munich two years ago, and perhaps there is still a search down N17 for the England skipper’s successor.

That said, though, some privy to Tottenham’s deadlings at youth level would suggest maybe that signature has already been penned.

Spurs have already signed the next Kane

Kane has been incredible for Bayern Munich, ending his trophy-chasing hoodoo and consolidating his position as one of the best players of his generation. This season, the 32-year-old has scored 18 goals across just ten matches in all competitions.

Replacing him has proved a tough ask, but since Kane originated from the Tottenham academy, some coaches at the club might be excited at the thought of repeating the trick with new signing Mason Melia.

Melia, 18, will join Tottenham in a deal rising to £3m in January 2026, with St Patrick’s Athletic confirming it is the record sale for an Irish Premiership side.

Not technically a part of Spurs’ youth set-up, Melia is sure to cut his teeth at development level before breaking onto the senior stage. But the early readings are promising indeed, with 94 appearances for St. Pat’s and 24 goals and eight assists to his name.

Described as “the Irish Alexander Isak” for his effortless strike of the ball and his ball-carrying ability, there’s no question that Melia has the base qualities to become a success as Frank’s frontman, with Liverpool’s new talisman widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the world.

Melia made his first-team debut in his homeland when he was only 15, and the fact that he is approaching centurion status just three years later, 18 years old, tells much of the high regard he is held in.

Twinkle-toed and innately comfortable in the final third, the Irishman has the potential to be a star. The next Kane? That’s a tough one, but his progress thus far as a professional and the likeness to Isak confirm his potential.

It is just as exciting to note that this is not a transfer target, admired and considered against the backdrop of rival interest, but a Tottenham player in all but his shirt, with the completion date now on the horizon. Melia will touch down in London and establish his craft, developing the skills which have been marked as Premier League-worthy.

And Tottenham, after all, have made landing elite-level prospects their business over the past few years. The academy scouts know when they have sighted a star in the making.

It is too soon to pass judgement on Melia, who has not even officially left his homeland to join the Lilywhites. But the talent is there, with his ranginess, movement and presence in the final third indeed leading to comparisons against Isak, the British record man.

While the Lewis family will be wary about a knee-jerk reaction, spending big on another number nine, it may be that another signing must be made to tide things over.

But, looking through a longer lens, Melia might just prove to be the next superstar in north London.

Forget Richarlison: Spurs flop is their biggest waste of money since Ndombele

Tottenham Hotspur have a player who has struggled to make the desired impact in North London.

1

By
Ethan Lamb

Oct 8, 2025

A draw with ten men aside, this has been a phenomenal little period for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.

Following an intense week in which they faced Spurs, Bayern Munich and Chelsea, they didn’t lose any of those fixtures. Subsequently, they top the Premier League and Champions League heading into the early stages of December.

They’ve managed to do so all with injuries plaguing the squad again. Ben White and Bukayo Saka were asked after the 2-0 win over Brentford on Wednesday if they have the best squad depth in the league.

White, ever the joker, simply replied, “I dunno.” Well, Ben, we’ll answer it for you. Arsenal’s depth is elite and it could well win them the league.

Andrea Berta worked hard to bolster the squad over the summer and it’s just as well considering the fitness issues that have ravaged Arteta’s team again throughout 2025/26.

At the moment they are missing their senior leaders at the back in Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba.

Before last week they were also missing all three strikers. Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyokeres are now back in the matchday squad but it means that emergency centre-forward, Mikel Merino, has had to lead the line again. He’s done it superbly well.

Mikel Merino: Arsenal's elite number 9

Nearly a year ago, all of the chatter as the January transfer window opened was about Arsenal’s need for a new striker.

While Kai Havertz’s importance was being elevated and Jesus had enjoyed a fabulous festive period, scoring that hat-trick against Crystal Palace, there was a sense that for the Gunners to win the league, they needed an elite goalscorer.

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Jesus then suffered an ACL injury and Arsenal’s need for a new forward was exacerbated. They did not sign one. What happened next? Havertz suffered a hamstring injury. Of course, he did.

As a result, Arteta sought a solution that was outside of the box. Could Merino become the emergency number 9 that Arsenal craved?

Remarkably, he could. It all started with that brace against Leicester City. The Londoners were struggling to find a goal but the Spaniard appeared from the bench to rescue his side.

Since then, he’s not looked back. He ended 2024/25 with nine goals, scoring against Real Madrid, Chelsea and Liverpool along the way. While we jest, he genuinely looks like an elite striker now.

The arrival of Gyokeres should have ensured Merino was never needed as a striker again but when the Swede hobbled off against Burnley last month, the former Real Sociedad was back in the limelight.

Well, is he now the number one option to lead the line? Quite possibly. Some of Arsenal’s best displays of the season, chiefly those wins over Spurs and Bayern, have come with Merino up top.

While he didn’t net in those contests, he’s knitted the play together beautifully, linking up with teammates and improving Arsenal’s all-around attacking play.

He has still been around the goals, scoring twice in Europe against Slavia Prague, while finding the net in back-to-back Premier League games, the wins over Chelsea and Brentford. Both of those goals were excellent headers.

So, with Gyokeres and Jesus back on the bench, who deserves the role as Arsenal’s leading man?

What Merino's form means for Gyokeres and Jesus

Arsenal’s big-money summer signing has been electric over the last two campaigns. During 2024/25, Gyokeres bagged 54 goals in 52 games for Sporting but hasn’t hit similar heights after his move back to England.

The Swede has been improving all the time and it was typical that he suffered an injury blow against Burnley, a game he actually scored in.

Gyokeres was beginning to find his feet in the top-flight but it would be a lie if we said Arsenal weren’t a better team at the moment with Merino in it.

So, for the time being, it’s likely the former Coventry City man will have to be patient as he searches for a way back into the side.

The same could be said for £45m man, Jesus, although his time in red and white sadly looks pretty bleak.

The Brazilian has been missing since picking up that ACL injury in the FA Cup 11 months ago and it’s a delight to see him back. Prior to that injury, he was arguably in the form of his Arsenal career, scoring six goals in six games across the festive period.

That injury meant that Arsenal simply had to strengthen in the summer. Gyokeres was a necessity. Jesus has been bumped down the picking order already because of that.

However, the emergence of Merino as a striker and the fact he’s now a genuine option in that position means that Jesus’ Arsenal career looks done.

Havertz is not miles away from returning to the fold and with Merino, Gyokeres and the German all set to battle it out for a place as the central forward, Jesus is unlikely to start another game for the club.

Jesus’ injury record

Season

Days out

Games missed

24/25

335 days

48

23/24

89 days

17

22/23

100 days

17

20/21

60 days

14

19/20

34 days

5

18/19

26 days

6

17/18

76 days

13

16/17

68 days

15

All Stats via Transfermarkt

There are plenty of games to comes over the forthcoming weeks but such is the strength of Arsenal’s depth that the former Manchester City striker looks set to pay the ultimate price of leaving the Emirates Stadium.

It’s not the way he or the supporters will have wanted his career in England to end. He’s a cult hero, a joyful player to watch when he’s at his peak. However, Arsenal simply have better options now and options who are in form.

Merino’s impact has only rubbed further salt into the wounds. At the moment, he looks like Arsenal’s best centre-forward. How remarkable is that?

Related £50m Arsenal star who was becoming the new Zinchenko now looks undroppable

Arsenal’s £50m man has revived his career at the Emirates Stadium this week.

Posts 1 ByMatt Dawson Dec 4, 2025

Enzo Maresca admits that the return of Cole Palmer from injury was “the only good news” for Chelsea during their dismal defeat at Leeds. The Blues suffered a shock 3-1 reversal against relegation-threatened opposition at Elland Road, with Maresca’s side always playing catch up. They did, however, welcome England international Palmer back from an untimely absence.

• Welcome back: Palmer's first appearance since September

  Palmer’s last appearance for the Blues came against Manchester United on September 20, when he was forced off early on. His return to action was delayed when suffering a freak accident at home which left him nursing a toe complaint.

  The 23-year-old was named among the substitutes against Leeds, allowing him to be introduced just past the hour mark. Chelsea had found a way back into that game at that point, with Pedro Neto halving their deficit, but Palmer was unable to inspire a revival.

  The hosts went on to net a third in the 72nd minute, through Dominic Calvin-Lewin, as Chelsea were left to reflect on a surprisingly abject performance that brought a seven-match unbeaten run to a shuddering halt.

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  Blues boost: Maresca pleased to have Palmer back

  Palmer is not yet ready for 90 minutes, but Maresca said of having his No.10 back: “Probably it’s the only good news of the night. I’m happy for him, he’s back, now he needs to build a little bit the physical condition and he will be important for us, for sure. He’s getting better, but he needs to play minutes. Last night he had more-or-less half-an-hour, hopefully we can give him more in the next game.”

  Former Premier League title-winning Chelsea star Joe Cole has told of how important Palmer’s return to the fold could be: “He can elevate them, and his return will give the lads a boost. What I will say is that the players who stepped up in his absence have been superb. They have spread the goals around the team, and the performances have been great. If you played against Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Cole Palmer in the 10 role, it’s as good as anything in world football.”

• Neto form: Winger matches best Premier League tally

  The Blues’ performance at Leeds was far from “great”, but Neto did net his fifth top-flight goal of the season. Alongside two assists, he has matched his best Premier League return from 2020-21 – during his time at Wolves.

  Maresca added on the Portugal international winger: “Pedro, compared to last season, he is doing many things better. It’s also normal now this season that he is scoring goals and getting assists.”

  Chelsea will be back in action on Saturday when taking in a trip to Bournemouth. Maresca said of recovering quickly ahead of that contest: “Now we need to reset, we need to prepare for Saturday’s game. Saturday will be very similar to last night’s game with the environment, the intensity, and we need to reset and prepare to win the game.”

  Palmer will expect to see more game time against the Cherries, as he works on recovering full match fitness and sharpness. He has two goals to his name this season – registered against Brentford and Bayern Munich in Premier League and Champions League competition – and has a crucial role to play in Maresca’s plans.

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  World Cup target: Long-term goals for Palmer

  He will be desperate to avoid any more setbacks, with international ambition also being factored into the equation. Having missed out on selection under Thomas Tuchel this season, Palmer must prove his worth to England’s demanding head coach ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

  Regular outings at club level, in domestic and continental fixtures, will aid that cause – with Tuchel often favouring those that are competing on the grandest of stages. There is, however, fierce competition for places when it comes to playmaking berths in the Three Lions’ ranks.

  England – who are waiting to discover who the 2026 World Cup draw will pit them against on Friday – will not be in action again until March. That is allowing Palmer to focus on matters at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea sat fourth in the Premier League table – nine points adrift of leaders Arsenal.

Inter manager Christian Chivu refused to blame goalkeeper Yann Sommer following a disappointing derby defeat to AC Milan, instead praising his team's overall performance and spirit. The Romanian coach also strongly defended his decision to substitute captain Lautaro Martinez early in the second half of the 1-0 loss, insisting the call was tactical and within his rights as manager. Inter now sit fourth in Serie A after their fourth defeat of the season.

• Chivu praises Inter spirit despite Milan defeat

  Chivu's first Derby della Madonnina as Inter coach ended in a narrow defeat to city rivals AC Milan, courtesy of a Christian Pulisic goal in the 54th minute. Despite the disappointing result, Chivu expressed satisfaction with his team's effort and application. 

  "The performance and focus were there, we didn't suffer any counterattacks," he said. "The only time we went for a long ball, Milan scored. But I'll take credit for the good performance from the lads who tried in every way. That's the spirit I want to see."

  Inter dominated possession with 64% and managed 16 shots to Milan's eight, with five on target compared to Milan's three. They also won nine corners to Milan's one, highlighting their territorial advantage. However, wasteful finishing, including two shots hitting the woodwork and a missed penalty, ultimately cost them the points.

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  Chivu refuses to blame Sommer for Milan goal

  Milan's goal came after Inter goalkeeper Sommer got low to stop a shot from Alexis Saelemaekers, knocking it into the path of Pulisic for an easy finish less than 10 minutes into the second half. Despite the spill, Chivu held off of criticising the shot stopper.

  "I'm not talking about individuals, that's not fair. For me, my players are the best, and I could never point the finger at anyone because when you do that, it smells like failure," he said. "We're all in this situation: we could have unlocked it, done better, managed it, but the statistics are what they are. We just have the duty to get back up."

• Why was Lautaro Martinez taken off?

  A key talking point from the match was Chivu's decision to substitute captain Martinez in the 64th minute, just 10 minutes after Milan took the lead. The Argentine forward has been a pivotal player for Inter, and his early withdrawal drew questions.

  Chivu, however, was defiant in his defence of the decision, emphasising it was a tactical choice and not due to injury or poor performance, saying: "Lautaro is fine, it was my decision. He's fine, I took him off for my own technical reasons: can't I change players? Even those on the bench deserve to contribute. It was my decision."

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  What next for Inter

  The defeat leaves Inter in fourth place in Serie A with 24 points from 12 matches, three points behind league leaders Roma. Chivu acknowledged that the number of defeats is a concern for a club with title ambitions.

  "It's clear that four defeats in 12 games is too many. The table is tight, we need to let go of disappointments and overcome frustration, which can leave its mark. I know how much we create and how much we concede," he added.

  "Due to my team's characteristics, we attack with many men, and that exposes you to counterattacks. But today we only conceded one, which was fatal. We need to work, improve, better perceive danger, and earn a few more yellow cards."

  Inter have now lost three of their last five Serie A matches, a run of form that will need to be addressed quickly to stay in contention for the Scudetto.

  Following this derby defeat, Inter will look to bounce back in their next Serie A fixture against Pisa which comes right after their Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid. Chivu's side will need to translate their dominance in possession and chance creation into goals and wins to climb back up the standings. The manager will also be looking for a reaction from his players, particularly in terms of defensive solidity and finishing, to avoid further slip-ups.

For too long have Manchester United have tainted their once imperious reputation with poor recruitment, thus putting a stopper in the dreams of progress after the illustrious Sir Alex Ferguson era.

Sir Alex stepped down from his legendary post 12 years ago, and still United have flattered to deceive, still seeking another Premier League or Champions League title, still struggling for consistency on the pitch.

Cautiously and not without hiccups, INEOS and technical director Jason Wilcox are steering the club away from their past inconsistencies, with hefty fees hurled at stars without consideration of consequences, without deeper thought at whether it would be a prudent move.

Take the £70m signing of Real Madrid’s Casemiro in 2022, for example. The 33-year-old Brazilian has had his ups and downs at Old Trafford and does currently ride the crest of one of his larger waves, but there’s little question United haven’t received bang for their buck.

An elite and effective midfielder is the nucleus of a successful team. Roy Keane was a fine example way back when, simply brilliant and all-consuming under Ferguson’s wing.

Where Roy Keane ranks among Man Utd midfielders

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is a controversial figure down the red streets of Manchester, but he revealed to Rio Ferdinand this week that he considers Keane as one of the best midfielders of all time.

Among the toughest and most combative players to ever play in the division, Keane was instrumental in raising the Ferguson era and cementing it as one of the greatest in European history.

Indeed one of the finest central midfielders to have played in the Premier League, there’s a compelling case to be made that Paul Scholes is the only United man across modern top-flight history to have left a greater legacy.

And even then, some might argue Keane is the cream of the crop.

One thing’s clear, the Glazer Family haven’t managed to sign a player to rival the Irishman in the years since they first purchased a stake in Old Trafford, and that needs to change if United are returning to the top.

There is a member of Amorim’s crop who was actually billed as the next version of Keane, but, as Sky Sports’ Gary Neville has intimated, this big-money addition hasn’t been good enough.

Man Utd thought they signed Keane 2.0

Keane may be known now for his gruff and candid punditry for Sky Sports, but he will forever be defined by his performances at Manchester United.

In Casemiro, United may have fancied they landed a midfielder who could have rivalled the one-time Republic of Ireland captain, in terms of ability, but that didn’t prove the case.

Though they felt they may have got second time lucky with Manuel Ugarte, who was considered by British publications to be the new version of the former skipper when leaving Paris Saint-Germain and joining Erik ten Hag’s project for about £50.5m.

A steely enforcer with exceptional tackling statistics across his professional career, Ugarte, 24, was once described as “a younger Kante” by reporter Zach Lowy, before completing a trip to England. However, questions were soon raised about his performances in the Premier League.

Ugarte may be among the most relentless recyclers of possession out there, but he leaves much to be desired on the ball. In fact, FBref record the Uruguayan to rank among the bottom 18% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for progressive passes and the bottom 25% for progressive carries per 90.

Given that his progressiveness on the ball is so shallow, you would expect him to be among the crispest passers out there, but an 85% pass success rate in the league this season perhaps underlines why Amorim has only started the South American twice, especially as he is averaging three fouls every two matches, as per Sofascore.

Bruno Fernandes

36

9.70

Casemiro

24

5.06

Scott McTominay

2

5.00

Mason Mount

17

4.78

Christian Eriksen

23

4.66

Kobbie Mainoo

25

3.55

Manuel Ugarte

29

3.08

Toby Collyer

6

2.50

That’s somewhat grim reading, and Casemiro’s impressive forward distribution accentuates Ugarte’s deficiency.

Many of Man United’s problems have stemmed from the midfield this season, and discordance within Amorim’s tactical set-up is the root of that wider issue.

However, Ugarte certainly hasn’t helped himself when called upon, with Neville slamming him as a “massive problem” after United were thrashed in the Manchester derby last month, continuing to say that the Uruguay international is a “massive problem”.

Toward the start of the current campaign, writer Mohammed Butt even labelled him as “absolutely useless”, and though this is rather scathing, there’s little question that changes will be sought in the future if things do not improve.

But Ugarte’s lack of quality on the ball is an inherent problem; it’s simply not within his wheelhouse of key strengths. With this in mind, how far can he take his Man United career? This is especially pertinent if Amorim strengthens his grip on the reins and makes headway at the helm.

The £120k-per-week talent shouldn’t be quite written off just yet, but the initial excitement that the club had landed their next version of a legend like Keane looks a long way away now.

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