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An up-and-coming prospect at French side Lille, Boubakary Soumare has seen his named linked with a whole host of clubs since bursting onto the scene. Back in January 2018, reports had claimed Manchester City were planning on making a bid for the midfielder, but that potential move failed to materialise.Now, transfer rumours involving the 20-year-old have resurfaced, with ESPN claiming City’s rivals Manchester United are keen on bringing him to Old Trafford. It claims the Red Devils see the Frenchman as a potential long-term successor to Paul Pogba, and that he fits the box of being a young and talented player.After hearing the transfer report linking their club to Soumare, United fans took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on the matter.Watch Manchester United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Many supporters of the Manchester side revealed their excitement at making a move for the 6 foot 2 man, with one fan in particular insisting he is very similar to Pogba.

Some Red Devils fans suggested the news sounds very promising, and another supporter claimed it would be a “wise move” on the part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

Check out some of the reaction of United fans below:

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

Everton suffered yet another Premier League defeat over the weekend, meaning the Blues have now registered six losses so far in the top-flight – the joint-most in the league. This has put further pressure on Marco Silva, with the board giving him just three games after the Burnley defeat to save his job.

However, two of those games have passed and it is one defeat and one win for the former Watford manager since those reports emerged. No doubt the next fixture is an absolute must-win for him.

Despite such dreadful form, an alternative league presented by Understat.com depicts the season in an alternative light, one that indicates a lack of fortune on the road.

The above table shows that, according to the xPTS (expected points) algorithm, Everton were expected to pick up eight points from their away trips this season – the fourth highest in the league after Manchester City, Manchester United and Wolves.

The reality is much bleaker for the Toffees, with Silva’s men collecting just a solitary point on their travels following a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace on the opening day of the campaign.

While no league was ever won and lost based on a series of complicated alogrithims, the stats still offer Everton reason for optimism in the coming weeks. One of football’s most profound and widely accepted adages suggests that, over a longer period of time, things have a peculiar habit of evening themselves out.

By that logic the Toffees have been desperately unlucky thus far – the ludicrous penalty decision that went in Brighton’s favour on Saturday attested to that – and eventually their luck will turn around, particularly on the road where results have been akin to what you’d expect from a firm candidate for relegation.

Up next for the Blues on the road is the trip to St Mary’s, where Southampton recently let in nine against Leicester City. If you take this into account, plus Everton’s expected points tally, supporters should be confident they can get back to winning ways on the road.

However, shortly after this journey down south, the club will travel to Anfield for the Merseyside derby.

In truth, things can’t get much worse for them on the road having picked up just one point in the 2019/20 season, but there is clearly statistical evidence to suggest results haven’t been representative of the standard of their performances.

In a time when Silva’s credentials are being placed under intense scrutiny, there is reason to trust in the Portuguese manager for the time being.

Liverpool will be without teenage defender Ki-Jana Hoever for their next few fixtures after he was called up by his country.

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The 17-year-old right-back has been named in the Netherlands squad for the upcoming FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Brazil, as per onsoranje.nl, the official website of the Dutch national team.

The tournament begins on October 26th, with the final on November 17th, and if the Dutch were to add the world title to the European crown they won earlier this year, it would mean that Hoever will be unavailable for Liverpool’s next seven matches.

On the face of it, Hoever’s absence from club action owing to the Under-17 World Cup should not affect Jurgen Klopp’s side unduly, with the teenager playing just once for the first team this season and being an unused substitute in one other game for the senior side. [via TransferMarkt]

If anything, it is the Reds’ youth and reserve teams who will feel the force of his national team participation, with the defender playing in five Premier League 2 games and both UEFA Youth League matches so far in 2019/20. [via TransferMarkt]

However, if Trent Alexander-Arnold was to become unavailable through injury or suspension over the next month, it would leave Klopp with no natural right-back replacement.

Nathaniel Clyne, the only other senior right-back at the club, remains out of action due to the anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered in pre-season, with the ex-Southampton man not expected back until January at the earliest, according to The Telegraph.

If Alexander-Arnold is ruled out for any reason, the only other conceivable right-back options are Joe Gomez and Fabinho.

The ex-Charlton man has made 52 appearances in the position in his club career, but Klopp has preferred to deploy him at centre-back in recent games.

Fabinho has plenty of experience at right-back, having played there 98 times in his career, but all except one of those came before summer 2016, while his last game at right-back was two and a half years ago. [via TransferMarkt]

If Alexander-Arnold comes through the next month without any injuries or suspensions, Hoever’s absence due to the Under-17 World Cup should not make any real dent in Klopp’s plans.

However, between now and mid-November, every time the England right-back hits the deck clutching at a body part or is approached by a referee after flying into a challenge, the Liverpool manager could be sweating profusely and contemplating the possible need for someone in the squad to plug a major gap in the team.

Liverpool fans, are you worried that Hoever’s national team selection could leave a dearth of right-back cover if anything happens to Alexander-Arnold? Comment below with your views!

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

Leeds United fans are desperate to see Eddie Nketiah given a starting role in the near future.

However, it may not only be the fanbase that wants to see the striker lineup in the starting XI as the introduction of the Arsenal loanee could benefit another of United’s players.

Indeed, Jack Harrison could reap the benefits of the 20-year-old’s introduction into the team as his job may be made a lot easier by playing alongside a striker of Nketiah’s ilk.

The fact of the matter is that he’s a much more advanced forward than Patrick Bamford.

While Bamford’s work rate really can’t be faulted, you have to admit that he’s rarely in a position to receive a cross from the left side as he simply sits too deep.

Watch Leeds United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

A lot has been made of Harrison’s tendency to deliver crosses that simply don’t find their mark, but it’s no coincidence that he was finally able to assist a goal once Nketiah came on against Preston.

The Man City loanee isn’t the only winger that has benefitted from being able to play along with a more advanced striker either.

Helder Costa’s best performances in a Leeds shirt so far have come when Nketiah has been on the pitch.

We mastered the trick in the video below in 8 attempts… could you do better?

The Portuguese winger has only two assists to his name since joining Leeds United, but both of those have been to set up the loanee.

This suggests that a more willing runner and a striker with a canny ability can benefit Leeds’ most creative outlets.

He set him up against Salford City in the League Cup and against Brentford in the league, so it’s clear that Nketiah’s presence is helpful for the way Costa likes to play.

With Harrison putting in so many crosses as of late, it’s hard to see how the striker wouldn’t have the same effect on the former NYCFC man’s game.

After all, he’s improved his ability to cross recently. Via WhoScored, the 22-year-old has registered three assists in three games. He’s also managed six accurate crosses in his last five matches. Before that, he hadn’t managed any in six outings.

Harrison truly is the definition of an inconsistent footballer.

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After getting the nod over Roberto Firmino on Saturday, Divock Origi’s day for Liverpool failed to really kick into gear.

The Belgium international made just five passes in his time on the pitch, and was forced off with less than ten minutes remaining in the first-half after suffering an injury.

Firmino’s introduction galvanised the Reds, and the Brazilian helped Jurgen Klopp’s side register a comfortable 3-1 victory over Newcastle in the end, thus maintaining their perfect start in the Premier League.

Having seen Origi’s ineffectiveness, Liverpool fans took to Twitter to slam the Belgian’s lack of output.

Many supporters of the Merseyside club called him a “waste of space”, whilst a few insisted he is “over-rated” and “useless”.

Some Reds fans even suggested not turning to Origi completely, and pointed to Firmino’s brilliance over the course of the game.

Check out some of the reaction of Liverpool fans below:

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

After seeing all the excitement of an opening-day win over rivals Chelsea fade into a distant memory, Manchester United head to Southampton on Saturday with a lot to prove.

The Red Devils’ creditable 1-1 draw away at Wolves was overshadowed by the infamous penalty saga, and all sense of a good start to the Premier League campaign firmly disappeared with an embarrassing 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace.

Watch Manchester United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Heading into the game at St. Mary’s, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must contend with some serious injury concerns as he looks to kick his side back into gear. Keeping that in mind, here is a look at how United could potentially line up against the Saints.

Despite a costly error in the dying stages last time out, David de Gea will remain United’s number one. In front of him, the majority of the back-four should stay the same, but an injury to Luke Shaw will bring about an enforced change. The much-maligned Ashley Young came on as a substitute for the England international at Old Trafford last weekend, and barring an incredible show of faith in teenager Brandon Williams, will likely get the nod at St Mary’s.

For all the drama surrounding Paul Pogba at the moment, the Frenchman has been one of United’s better players in the opening stages of the campaign. He was imperious against Chelsea, and despite his penalty miss at Molineux, came out of the game with some credit. Alongside him, Scott McTominay should keep out Brazil international Fred once more.

Further forward is where Solskjaer could really ring the changes. Jesse Lingard has become a laughing stock for his lack of contribution to the side, and his anonymous performances could finally see him dropped. That decision could see veteran play-maker Juan Mata enter the fray from the start, whilst Anthony Martial’s injury will force a further reshuffle.

Marcus Rashford will surely get the nod to play as the side’s number nine, whilst Daniel James may switch over from the right-flank to a more familiar role on the left-hand side. As such, it could result in just a second league start for 17-year-old prodigy Mason Greenwood. The teenager stole the show on the club’s pre-season tour this summer and has already made himself a firm fan favourite.

If Solskjaer does make these popular changes for the clash on Saturday, there will be no doubting the travelling faithful will feel confident of getting a positive result.

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Steven Smith and Beau Webster make half-centuries as bowlers dominate at Lord’s

Andrew McGlashan11-Jun-20252:55

Hayden: Australia won day one because of SA batters’ lack of intent

Stumps Australia’s quicks followed what Kagiso Rabada started as the defending champions hit back strongly on the opening day of the World Test Championship final. The contest had been billed as a battle between two attacks and 14 wickets fell on the first day at Lord’s to suggest the destination of the mace could be decided sooner rather than later.Rabada’s 5 for 51, the second time he has got his name on the Lord’s honours board, kept Australia to 212, before Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood struck back in the final session to leave South Africa tottering on 43 for 4 and looking towards their captain, Temba Bavuma, for inspiration.Related

• The best of Rabada wasn't in the balls that got the wickets

• Alex Carey has another eventful outing at Lord's

• South Africa's trial by paralysis epitomises the Bazball fallacy

• Chappell: Smith's new approach is a lesson in how to live life

Australia’s reshaped top three had fallen before lunch after Bavuma was pleased to bowl first under overcast skies. But at 146 for 4, with Steven Smith set despite the flu, and 192 for 5 with Beau Webster having cashed in on a reprieve on 4 when South Africa didn’t review an lbw, they had an opportunity to recalibrate, only to lose their last five wickets for 20. Aiden Markram removing Smith was up there with one of the more unexpected wicket-taking combinations on offer in this match. “I’m still trying to fathom how I’ve done that,” he later said.Australia needed a response and Starc provided it in the first over (again) when Markram dragged on an inswinger. Starc should quickly have had a second, but Alex Carey dropped a regulation outside edge off Wiaan Mulder, although he didn’t have to wait too long when Ryan Rickelton nicked a drive to first slip.Mulder, batting at No. 3 for just the third time in Tests, laboured to 6 off 44 balls before being beaten on the drive by Cummins. South Africa could barely score: between them, Mulder and Bavuma made 8 off 81 deliveries. In the closing moments of a day that was never short on action, Hazlewood, back in the side after an injury, produced a gem of a delivery that nipped back through Tristan Stubbs. Concerns about South Africa’s batting order were ringing true, not that Australia’s had looked convincing.The day ended in bright sunshine but had started under a heavy cloud cover with the floodlights on. After three consecutive maidens to start the Test – the first time by Australia since 2020 – the opening runs off the bat came from the 21st delivery.1:11

Steyn: When Rabada smells a bit of blood, he goes for it

Marnus Labuschagne, starting his life as a Test opener, produced what early scoring there was, but Khawaja couldn’t open his account before edging the 20th ball he faced. Rabada came around the wicket, forced Khawaja to play, and David Bedingham did well to hold on at first slip with Markram nearly distracting him from second. It continued a familiar mode of dismissal for Khawaja, who, since the start of 2024, has averaged 18.63 against quicks from around the wicket compared to 43.80 from over.Cameron Green’s first delivery as a Test No. 3 was a gift on the pads, but his third took the edge and was brilliantly held by Markram who, this time, had to contend with Mulder diving across in front of him at third. It meant that Smith walked out, on what he termed his second-favourite ground in the world, with Australia 16 for 2.Labuschagne nearly fell in the next over, flicking Marco Jansen just short of leg gully, a mode of dismissal he has been vulnerable to before, but he and Smith started to rebuild the innings before Labuschagne edged Jansen from around the wicket the ball after being struck by a short delivery.2:13

Smith: We’re in a pretty good position

Two years ago, against India at The Oval, Smith and Travis Head came together at 76 for 3; this time it was 47 for 3. And there was no match-changing partnership. Instead, Head fell to what became the final ball before lunch when he glanced Jansen down the leg side.On resumption, there was a change in tempo, and a feeling Australia were taking the initiative. Smith took 11 off Rabada’s first over of the afternoon and, shortly after reaching fifty, became the leading overseas batter at Lord’s, surpassing Warren Bardsley. He is also the first visiting batter to face three different Test opposition at the ground: Pakistan (on debut), England ,and now South Africa.It looked like Smith was writing another significant Lord’s story, batting with more ease than anyone else had managed, while Lungi Ngidi was struggling to support the good work of Rabada and Jansen. But out of nowhere Smith drove at Markram’s offspin – only introduced to allow a change of ends – and edged to slip where Jansen made good use of his long reach to hold the catch after two juggles.2:41

Day 1 review – what did Rabada do right?

Webster, meanwhile, had been anything but secure on his first appearance at the ground. He narrowly survived an early lbw appeal against Jansen when he was fractionally outside the line, and then had a huge dose of fortune when, on 8, Bavuma opted not to review an lbw shout off Rabada; Bavuma indicated he thought there was an edge, but it was two pads and hitting halfway up middle.Webster continued to live a charmed life with his inside edge getting a regular working over but he kept his composure and was quick to latch on to any poor deliveries. As if trying to make up for the earlier mistake, South Africa reviewed for another lbw against him only for it to have come off the middle of the bat.Webster brought up the second fifty of his brief career from 69 balls as, either side of tea, he and Carey started to forge what felt like a threatening stand. But South Africa were gift-wrapped another wicket for spin when Carey attempted a reverse-sweep and played over the top of Keshav Maharaj’s delivery.From there, the tail folded and the last five fell in 35 balls. Cummins was cleaned up by a beauty which straightened down the line from Rabada while Webster’s innings ended when he pushed off the back foot and edged to slip. Sadly for South Africa, the wickets didn’t stop coming.

Croft oversees victory in first match as interim coach to soothe county cricket’s crisis club

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay29-May-2025Steven Croft got cricket’s equivalent of the new manager bounce in his first game as Lancashire’s interim head coach as the Lightning beat Worcestershire Rapids by seven runs in their Vitality Blast opener at Emirates Old Trafford.Red Rose legend Croft, a Blast-winning captain in 2015, was elevated from his position on the coaching staff when Dale Benkenstein left the club on Wednesday following a winless first seven Championship matches.Lightning captain Keaton Jennings top-scored with 66 off 38 balls in 176 for eight, while left-arm spinner Fateh Singh impressed with two for 23 from four overs on his career T20 debut for the Rapids.England left-arm seamer Luke Wood, released from the ODI squad to play, then returned two for 39 from his four overs as Worcestershire, needing 15 from the last over, finished on 169 for seven.Jennings and opening partner Luke Wells raced out of the blocks against a Worcestershire attack who failed to settle, sharing 79 inside the first eight overs.Wells pulled New Zealand quick Jacob Duffy for one particularly big six over midwicket in 35 off 22 balls.Jennings cut, pulled and slog-swept his three sixes, two of which came in a 30-ball fifty on a true pitch with sizeable boundaries.Ethan Brookes took a superb catch at deep midwicket to help left-arm spinner Tom Hinley, on T20 debut, remove Jennings as the Lightning fell to 112 for three after 12 overs.Brookes threw the ball up before going over the rope and catching it on the dive once he’d returned to the field.Brookes – one for 26 from four overs – also impressed with his canny medium pacers. But Singh’s spin was to the fore late on.He had Chris Green caught and bowled for a golden duck and Jack Blatherwick caught at long-off in his last over as Lancashire reached 158 for six after 18 overs. Australian overseas Ashton Turner contributed 31 on his Red Rose debut.Ed Pollock then skewed Wood high to cover in the opening over of Worcestershire’s reply before Kashif Ali blasted three sixes in 39 off 21 balls. Two were off Mitch Stanley’s pace, one gloriously arrow straight.Kashif fell when he miscued at pull at the leg-spin of Wells to long-leg.And that was the first of three wickets to fall for 22 inside four overs as the Rapids fell from 71 for one in the seventh over to 93 for four in the 11th. Blatherwick’s pacy short ball had captain Brett O’Oliveira caught behind for 30 before, next ball, Adam Hose miscued a pull at Tom Aspinwall to short fine-leg.From there, the Lightning squeezed.Worcestershire failed to score a boundary between the first ball of the ninth over and the first of the 16th, where they reached at 125 for five, needing 52.Gareth Roderick was smartly run out by a throw to the striker’s end from Josh Bohannon at long-on.Brookes hit the lion’s share of 17 off Blatherwick in the 16th over as the Rapids got going again.But he fell to Wood for 28 in the penultimate before seamer Tom Aspinwall (one for 25 from three overs) brilliantly defended that 15 off the last to boost Lancashire.

[ad_pod ]Some Charlton fans have taken to Twitter to react after it was confirmed that Huddersfield have appointed Danny Cowley as their new manager.Cowley, who joins the Terriers from Lincoln alongside his brother and assistant Nicky, succeeds Jan Siewert at the John Smith’s Stadium after the former Borussia Dortmund II coach was sacked.

Why is this relevant to Charlton, I hear you ask?

Well, the recently-relegated Terriers were linked with Addicks boss Lee Bowyer and reportedly “pushed hard” for the 42-year-old to become their manager, although the former Newcastle midfielder pledged his loyalty to the south Londoners and remained at The Valley.

However, in football anything is possible, so the news that Huddersfield have officially moved on and successfully pursued another appointment should be music to Charlton’s ears – Bowyer is yet to lose a Championship game this term with four wins and two draws in six games.

Let’s take a look at how some of the Addicks fans reacted on Twitter…

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Former Huddersfield Town FC executive credited with transforming team’s fortunes on and off the field

ESPNcricinfo staff08-May-2025Sean Jarvis, the chief executive who has overseen Leicestershire’s renewed fortunes both on and off the field, has announced he will be standing down from his role in October, after five years at the helm.Jarvis joined Leicestershire from Huddersfield Town FC in 2020, with cricket contending with the Covid-19 lockdown, and the club itself at a low ebb. They finished rock-bottom in all three county competitions in 2019, having been unable to sign an overseas player for the T20 Blast due to financial constraints. His predecessor, Karen Rothery, stood down after just 12 months at the helm, with the club recording an operational loss of £132,000 for 2018-19.However, Leicestershire are currently riding a wave of rare success. In 2023, they landed their first List A silverware since 1985 when they won the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, while they are currently top of Division Two of the County Championship after three wins in five games.”I’m delighted to have played my part in the ongoing journey of Leicestershire County Cricket,” Jarvis said. “When I joined in 2020, I set out a five-year plan and I’m pleased to have been able to deliver on that.”I’m proud to have overseen the one-day cup success, which was our first trophy in 14 years, plus the club’s first Boca [Business of Cricket Award] and the club is also currently top of its division. It hasn’t been without challenges, but that’s wider than the club itself and more linked to the game as a whole.”Off the field, Leicestershire is set to receive a significant share of the Hundred equity sale, as and when the Nottinghamshire-based Trent Rockets complete their £40 million negotiations with Todd Boehley’s Cain International group.”I’m proud to be departing with the club in such a great position for the start of a new era,” Jarvis added. “We now have a team that can compete on all fronts. Things are looking extremely positive for the future, both on and off the pitch. I’ll continue to follow the club and wish everyone all the best for the future. I’d particularly like to thank the staff for supporting me during my time at the club.”The club has already begun its search for a replacement, with John Thorpe, the club chairman, praising Jarvis’ role in transforming Leicestershire’s fortunes and strengthening its role in the local community.”Sean has been fantastic from day one,” Thorpe said. “He’s had to contend with a lot, successfully steering the club through the Covid times and carefully managing the operational side of the business. It’s been a challenging time for the whole game in recent years and we’ve come through it with the potential now for an exciting future.”We’re excited to expand our corporate, commercial and partnership opportunities. Leicester is quite a unique sporting city with the prominence of cricket, rugby, basketball and football here and we need to harness that community. We’re really excited for the new era and the opportunities that it will bring.”