JP Duminy would welcome an ODI league and the addition of two extra Test teams, as proposed by the ICC’s Chief Executives Committee (CEC) at the latest round of board meetings last week
Firdose Moonda06-Feb-2017
South Africa have met Afghanistan twice in World T20 matches•Associated Press
JP Duminy would welcome an ODI league and the addition of two extra Test teams, as proposed by the ICC’s Chief Executives Committee (CEC) at the latest round of board meetings last week. If approved, international cricket could run on a new schedule with a two-year Test league, a three-year, 13-team ODI league, culminating in qualification for the 50-over World Cup, and regional tournaments to determine places for a World T20. That will mean all limited-overs series will carry some weight and that is something Duminy is in favour of.”The best way to answer that is something that Russell [Domingo, South Africa’s coach] harps on quite a lot. Every game that you play for your country is of importance,” Duminy said. “If that [the new system] is in place, that puts a lot more emphasis on that. If we are focusing on that, that means we are giving our best throughout the series and for every game so that’s a big bonus.”The current series between South Africa and Sri Lanka is an example of why an ODI league would be a good idea. South Africa’s dominance in the three matches played so far has meant interest in the series has dwindled, although the prospect of a whitewash and South Africa ascending to No.1 on the rankings has provided some narrative.”The end result is definitely about 5-nil. Tomorrow is the most important game for us but we’ve always had one eye on 5-nil,” Duminy said. “It’s always a nice thing to be ranked No.1 and that will be an added bonus for us but for now it’s about making sure we focus on what’s important for us and that is the preparation leading up to the Champions Trophy.”Asked if he would be keen to play Tests against the likes of Ireland and Afghanistan, Duminy said he was eager for the chance to take on different opposition. “If that’s the situation, we would be up for it,” he said. “No matter who we are playing against, it’s an opportunity to represent your country and we don’t take that for granted. Whatever comes our way, we will be up for it.”And what about touring Afghanistan? “Why not? They’ve got some good players and we’ve played against them in the shorter formats and they’ve definitely given us a run for our money so why not?”South Africa have played two T20s against Afghanistan, at World T20s in 2010 and 2016. They won both matches, by 59 and 37 runs respectively. This summer, South Africa also hosted Ireland for the first time. Ireland played two ODIs in the country, one against South Africa and one against Australia. CSA have also begun the process of putting together working groups with neighbours Zimbabwe to see how they can assist them with everything from corporate governance to on-field cricket activities.
Glasgow Rangers have endured one of their worst seasons in recent memory.
The Ibrox outfit will end the campaign trophyless while they have also sacked a manager and even managed to secure the record for the worst ever Champions League group stage performance, losing all six matches and scoring just twice.
Michael Beale will be aiming to put 2022/2023 firmly in the rearview mirror once their finally match has been played and turn his attention to the summer transfer window, with the squad badly needing to be overhauled.
It could be the Gers busiest transfer window in recent memory, especially with seven first team players out of contract and the Englishman will be eyeing up a fair few arrivals too.
Could the 42-year-old turn to the academy to save the club some money?
With plenty of young talent impressing for both the B team and U18s, next season could have a very different feel to it.
One player that Beale may consider giving more opportunities to is defender Lewis MacKinnon and the Ibrox side could certainly their repeat their Leon King masterclass.
Who is Lewis MacKinnon?
The 20-year-old centre-back plays in the same position as King, and he could follow in his footsteps by making the leap to the first team next term.
King is a stunning prospect, making his debut for the club under Steven Gerrard in 2020 aged just 16, he has since gone on to feature for the Light Blues on 28 occasions, gaining valuable Champions League experience along the way.
MacKinnon may not have made his senior bow yet, but there is no doubt the ability is there and with the club having nothing to play for across the final five matches of the season, there may be an opportunity to impress.
He offers a rare attacking threat from central defence having scored three times this term while the Northern Irishman has even stated that he aims to be “solid” in his own box, also admitting that he has improved while speaking to the media earlier this season, saying:
"The Lowland League has been more of a physical test, but when we play these top European teams you’re coming across a different challenge, it’s probably more technical playing against these teams. Ultimately, it will help us improve as a player, everyone’s enjoying it.
Leon King for Rangers
“If you look at the boys who got a start against Queen of the South, it just shows you that the pathway is there, and you just have to keep striving each day."
King has proven that there is indeed a clear pathway from academy to the senior side, and Beale could well unleash him either in the final few matches of this season, or bring him into the first team squad ahead of 2023/2024.
Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan Test captain, urged the cricketing world to embrace the concept of day-night Test ‘quickly’
Umar Farooq26-Sep-2016Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan Test captain, has urged the cricketing world to embrace the concept of day-night Test “quickly”. Pakistan are set to play their first-ever pink-ball Test in Dubai against West Indies next month, from October 13 to 17. Pakistan have also agreed to a day-night Test against Australia in Brisbane in December.The debate around the pink ball and day-night Tests has been on for more than five years, and the PCB was perhaps the first board to show a keenness to host a day-night Test; it proposed to play one against Sri Lanka in the UAE in 2013. The proposal, however, was declined, citing lack of practice with the pink ball. Misbah said the only way to iron out all the issues with format was to play it more often.”Future belongs to night Tests and this should be played frequently,” Misbah said. “It’s a good thing that PCB increased the number of [first-class] day-night games in domestic cricket, and each team will be getting two games or so this season. If future is with day-night Tests, then we have to play it more often and we have to start embracing it quickly. Like we play one-day cricket with white ball, and this pattern had been adapted everywhere in domestic and even in club cricket…”Meanwhile, there are problems, whether it’s a pink or orange ball, for batsmen and fielders so far. These issues can only sorted by playing more cricket under lights with pink balls. Since the game is played for the fans and for the audience, this night cricket is the future and it’s definitely good for cricket. The more frequently we play under lights, it will give more exposure and allow players to get used to it.”The ICC permitted member boards to play day-night Tests from October 2012, but the onus remained on individual boards to decide on the feasibility of these matches in their bilateral agreements, and the precise brand, type and colour of ball to be used for the match. The PCB has been experimenting with day-night first-class cricket for the last six years, though it did not extend the experiment beyond a few games.In 2010-11, the final of the domestic first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy was played with an orange ball in Karachi, and the 2011-12 final was played with a pink ball. This year’s final, between Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, who were led by Misbah, and United Bank, captained by Younis Khan, received mixed reactions relating to the visibility of the pink ball under floodlights. The PCB has also scheduled 10 day-night matches to be played with the pink ball in the forthcoming first-class season, which begins next week.Regarding Pakistan’s first day-night Test, Misbah said: “We will have six to seven days before the first Test, so we have to train maximum under lights with pink ball, and try to understand the conditions. We have to adjust to the timing of the sessions, understand how the ball will travel under lights, how much the ball will swing under lights, and how much the dew factor will be affecting it. If you see, the major chunk of the Test is in night, so it basically isn’t really a day-night Test. So we have to start working from scratch.”
Northants Steelbacks confounded the sceptics yet again with a third Finals Day appearance in four years as Adam Rossington led them to victory against Middlesex
Vithushan Ehantharajah09-Aug-2016 ScorecardAdam Rossington saw Northants to Finals Day•Getty Images
Northamptonshire Steelbacks sealed the second Finals Day spot with a commanding seven-wicket win over Middlesex. “No one likes us and we don’t care” rang out from a few in the Ken Turner Stand, as they rose to embrace more Twenty20 success.While the sentiment seems a tad forced, there is a feeling in this part of the world that many take delight in shedding light on their faults, while applying the dimmer when success comes their way. For the third time in four years, they will command the Edgbaston spotlight.It was a game that boiled down to how both sides operated outside the Powerplay overs. And even that can be caveated by the fact that the Steelbacks, who were all for chasing before Dawid Malan won the toss and opted to set a target, knew they didn’t have to break sweat.That Northants were led to victory by a measured and unbeaten 67 from Adam Rossington will have stung Middlesex supporters. Rossington used to be theirs: a plunderer of runs in the Middlesex second team while the first XI stuttered, hammering away at a door that, ultimately, never fully opened for him.Opportunities came with the white ball, but Middlesex’s ambivalence to limited overs cricket at the time, coupled with John Simpson’s desire to play all forms, meant he was beginning to exist in a void. The cheers of six-and-a-half thousand filled every bit of air above Wantage Road when he helped the final ball of the match around the corner for four.So much of the occasion spoke of being Northants’ night. Two hours before the start, Abington Avenue was at a standstill as members were turned away from the car park as Sky set-up their various trailers across most of the Wantage Road car park behind the Pavilion. “That’s why we don’t invite ’em round,” snarled an attendant.Sky’s cameras, or rather their absence, has been a point of contention in these parts. Despite reaching Finals Day twice in the previous three seasons and starting the 2016 campaign with a bang, this quarter-final was only their third televised match of the season.Originally scheduled for just one – at home against Birmingham Bears – a second came due to a last minute switch, when Yorkshire Vikings needed a win to guarantee a quarter-final spot (or at least that was the Northants slant). It did not take long in this broadcast for viewers to figure out what happens next.Malan, who rattled off an unbeaten 185 off 126 balls for the England Lions in his last innings at Wantage Road, was dismissed for a two-ball duck by Rory Kleinveldt, before Nick Gubbins followed in a similar manner to Richard Gleeson to reduce Middlesex to 10 for 2 in the second over. As a pair, it Kleinveldt and Gleeson’s opening spell, hitting just back of a length with all they could, that scuppered Middlesex’s chances of posting a competitive total.Paul Stirling’s natural instincts were reined in and, when he departed, thoughts turned to George Bailey, who they restricted to a run-a-ball 46, for Gleeson’s second wicket of the innings. Legspinner Seekkuge Prasanna’s 2 for 20 from his four in the middle of the innings – accounting for Stirling and the destructive John Simpson for eight – and regular bowling changes eventually saw Middlesex stumble to 132.It meant that when pressure was built during the opening six overs of Northants’ innings, through dot balls and a packed and expectant off side, it was easily relieved with a six over midwicket from Richard Levi, an exquisite swing into the stand at extra cover from Rossington or consecutive fours muscled down the ground by Josh Cobb.If there was one moment that might have turned the game, it was when Ben Duckett, Northants’ leading T20 Blast run-scorer, was dropped on three after driving aerially to Gubbins stationed at cover to Nathan Sowter, at the end of the eighth over. It was hit low and hard to Gubbins’ right and, given the measly target, the quality of the batsman and the importance of the match, it simply had to be taken.With the first ball of the very next over, Duckett stepped down and flicked James Franklin over midwicket for four to bring up 2,000 runs in all competitions. He would go on to make 29 in a 58-run partnership with Rossington that effectively sealed Northants’ passage to their fourth Finals Day.Given the uncertainty that exists at the club, that is a remarkable feat. Middlesex were shorn of Brendon McCullum, Eoin Morgan and James Fuller through injury. But Northants, too, have had a plethora of ailments to such an extent that they have spent as much time at a nearby sports therapy clinic as they have in the nets recently. That they have only used 16 players this season is remarkable. “We don’t have any more than that,” remarked Northants skipper Alex Wakely.No doubt some will insist on labelling them as “outsiders” in the lead-up to Edgbaston. But this will be their third appearance at Finals Day in the last four years, winning the competition in 2013 and finishing runners-up in last year’s showpiece. That is far beyond the work of “underdogs”. That’s what you call pedigree.
Tottenham Hotspur have Oliver Glasner on their managerial shortlist, but he would not be willing to leave Eintracht Frankfurt before the end of the season.
Who will take over from Conte?
It does seem as if Spurs are set to part ways with their Italian manager in the coming days with reports suggesting the club are now discussing a compensation package for his early departure.
This will leave Spurs with 10 Premier League games remaining until the end of the campaign which may prove problematic in finding a manager who is willing to jump straight into the job.
Some reports would suggest Daniel Levy may look to Ryan Mason and a makeshift backroom staff for the remaining games before bringing in their long-term option for the summer.
One manager who would not be open to joining in the next week or two is Glasner, according to Fabrizio Romano, who does, however, believe the 48-year-old would be open to a Premier League move in the summer:
"I wanted to clarify on Glasner, that from what I understand, at the moment for the immediate situation, March/April, there is no way. So Glasner is not leaving Eintracht during the season.
"This is the feeling around the [Austrian] coach. At the end of the season, he will explore the options also in the Premier League."
Would Glasner be a good appointment?
There are certainly two ways of looking at the potential appointment of Glasner in north London if they are to seriously target him as Conte's successor.
This season may feel slightly underwhelming on the back of last season with Frankfurt currently six points off the Champions League spots in the Bundesliga table.
And their recent form has been incredibly underwhelming with no win to their name in their last six games across all competitions which included a 5-0 aggregate thumping in the Champions League (via Transfermarkt).
Son Heung-min greets Oliver Glasner as Tottenham Hotspur face Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.
Like some of the other managers believed to be on Fabio Paratici's shortlist, Glasner does typically use a similar set-up to Conte with the use of wing-backs.
So in that sense, he could be viewed as someone to come in and keep the identity of the current side but potentially bring some fresh ideas.
Something which may also prove to be an attractive bonus for Spurs is his achievement of winning the Europa League last year with the German side.
Spurs are obviously in the middle of a trophy drought which will not be ended this season having recently been knocked out of the FA Cup and Champions League.
And given the north London club's issues this season, they could well find themselves playing in the second-string European competition next season – a competition in which Glasner has a good pedigree.
Arsenal are interested in a summer swoop for Brighton & Hove Albion's World Cup-winning attacking midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, who has been exquisite in his trade this term.
Having clinched the great game's ultimate triumph in December, Mac Allister was swiftly linked with a move away from the Seagulls following his starring role in Qatar, with Arsenal indeed among the prospective suitors.
And now, according to journalist Graeme Bailey, the 24-year-old is pushing for a summer exit with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur all set to 'come calling' for the midfielder.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has crafted a team of title-winning capability, and with cementing the club's newfound stature at the front of the pack now the onus in north London, swooping for the £60m-rated South American could be the perfect investment.
Should Arsenal sign Mac Allister?
Having signed for Albion from homeland outfit Argentinos Juniors in 2019, Mac Allister has gone from strength to strength in his few years in English football, now flourishing as one of Europe's most touted stars.
In total, the £50k-per-week gem has scored 17 goals and served eight assists from 98 outings, making increments to his game each term.
This season, he has plundered nine goals and two assists from 26 appearances in the Premier League and FA Cup, with the outfit reaching the semi-finals of the latter and awaiting Manchester United.
Ranking among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe's top five leagues for pass completion, the top 13% for progressive passes and the top 1% for tackles per 90, as per FBref, Mac Allister is a truly dynamic force capable of flourishing across a multitude of roles, and it is this assured flexibility that has caught the eye of Arteta and his contingency.
Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister on World Cup duty with Argentina.
Retired compatriot Sergio Aguero has even waxed lyrical over the gem, saying: “He is young and intelligent with great ball handling and he knows how to find spaces very well in a football where there are fewer and fewer spaces.”
Should Arsenal complete a swoop, Mac Allister could form a deadly partnership with West Ham United's Declan Rice, who has been heavily linked with a move away from east London this term, seeing the Gunners rise to the top of the pecking order.
Valued at £70m, Rice has been superlative in his anchoring role since rising from the youth ranks, making 229 appearances for his solitary senior outfit and earning praise as a "destroyer" by former Premier League star Paul Robinson.
As per FBref, the 39-cap England international ranks among the top 9% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues for pass completion, the top 4% for interceptions, the top 16% for progressive passes and the top 14% for progressive carries per 90, illustrating both the composure and iron-clad resolve to his approach but also his emphasis on seeking forward-thinking manoeuvres.
With the "golden boy" that is Mac Allister – as heralded by content creator Ryan Adsett – flourishing when running into channels and taking the opposing back-line on with his transitional central approach, having someone of Rice's ilk behind him to sweep up lurking danger and assist his feats, Arsenal could be in very good stead indeed to secure sustained success.
Southampton are eyeing a move to bring Hertha Berlin gem Teoman Gunduz to St Mary’s Stadium, according to reports.
The Lowdown: Saints youth transfer policy…
In the summer of 2022, owners Sport Republic and the Saints board made their youth transfer policy well and truly known.
The south coast side didn’t sign a player over the age of 25 that window with many promising teenagers like Sekou Mara, Samuel Edozie and Romeo Lavia joining them.
Since then, highly-rated Ghanaian starlet Kamaldeen Sulemana has also joined the Premier League relegation-battlers, with news coming to light on another prodigy Southampton are targeting.
The Latest: Southampton eye Gunduz…
According to The Daily Mail, they’re now eyeing a move for midfielder Gunduz from Hertha Berlin’s youth set up, with scouts from England’s top flight taking real note.
It’s claimed the 18-year-old is ‘wanted’ by both Ruben Selles’ side and Brighton, with Gunduz said to be amassing quite a reputation in Germany.
The Verdict: Promising…
The Turkey Under-18 international has already been likened to both Man City star Ilkay Gundogan and German football icon Lothar Matthäus.
Gunduz is described as an ‘athletic’ and ‘aggressive’ box-to-box midfield player who is already a hit on TikTok and social media.
To add further evidence of his quality, the teenage talent is also a real goal scorer, having racked up 14 from 11 games in midfield for Hertha Berlin’s Under-19s.
Southampton’s scouting department appear to have identified yet another exciting prospect, but as his stock rises, they must be wary of other clubs potentially entering the mix.
Shoaib Akhtar v Virender Sehwag
The last time the two met in a Test series, there was little doubt who came out on top. With both teams straining to strike the early blow, Sehwag delivered a statement as emphatic as they come, with his triple-century. Of those 309 runs, 62 came off Shoaib, from 77 balls; in the entire series, Sehwag scored 124 runs off Shoaib at an average of 62. As the table below shows, Shoaib failed to make an impression on most of the Indian batsmen. However, now apparently in the form of his life, this could well be the chance for him to settle old scores.In his last seven Tests, Shoaib has nailed 36 wickets at 25.75, suggesting that he has finally learnt to match performance with pre-match bluster. More than just those stats, though, it’s the manner in which he has applied himself that has been so impressive – the 118 overs he bowled against England was the first time he bowled more than 100 overs in a series, while with the bat he was resoluteness personified. Sehwag, meanwhile, is struggling for form, with just one half-century in his last eight Test innings, and two in his last 25 ODIs. This might well be Shoaib’s best opportunity to even accounts.
Irfan Pathan versus Mohammad Yousuf
Mohammad Yousuf’s tendency to waft into his lazy drives outside off was exploited superbly by Irfan Pathan in the previous series in Pakistan: after keeping him quiet with well-directed balls swinging back in, Pathan often delivered the sucker ball, wide of off, and drew an indiscrete stroke. In 119 balls, Pathan conceded just 35 and dismissed Yousuf twice. However, Yousuf learned from his mistakes and handled Pathan much better on the tour to India, scoring 42 off 64 for once out. Yousuf is coming off an excellent series against England, and unlike in 2003-04, he will know what to expect from Pathan. However, in his short career Pathan has shown an inclination to learn new tricks and experiment, and you can be sure he’ll have a few ideas to deal with Yousuf this time around as well.
Pathan v Pakistan batsmen in last two series
Batsman
Runs/ Balls
Dismissals
Average
Yasir Hameed
76/ 113
3
25.33
Mohammad Yousuf
77/ 183
3
25.67
Inzamam-ul-Haq
125/ 232
2
62.50
Younis Khan
93/ 159
0
–
Inzamam-ul-Haq versus Anil Kumble
After the initial opening acts from both teams, this pair could be at the forefront of their teams’ fortunes – Inzamam has been in the form of his life this season, playing with an assurance that has made him an immovable object, while Kumble has shown remarkable improvement – at least in Test cricket – with age, adding more weapons to his armoury.
Inzamam’s tendency to shuffle across his stumps is a flaw Kumble has exploited more than once. In fact, no bowler has nailed Inzamam more than Kumble (seven times), but it has hardly been one-way traffic: in the last two series, Inzamam has fallen to Kumble four times, but has also scored 188 runs off him for a handy average of 47. In fact, Pakistan’s top batsmen have a reasonably good record against Kumble over the last two series.
Rahul Dravid versus Danish Kaneria
One can bat seemingly interminably, the other loves to wheel away at the batsmen, over after over, with relentless accuracy. While Shoaib may be the prime strike bowler for Pakistan, Kaneria, with his ability to bowl wicket-taking deliveries and keep it tight, will play a critical role. He proved just how lethal he could be in that matchwinning effort at Bangalore last year, and the Indians, despite their impressive overall record against him, will do well to be wary.If Kaneria is Pakistan’s Duracell with the ball, then Dravid will be expected to play a similar role with the bat for India. As the table below shows, Dravid has played 411 deliveries from Kaneria in the last two series – how many more he adds to that number could provide an indication of India’s batting fortunes in the series.
Kaneria versus Indian batsmen in last two series
Batsmen
Runs/ Balls
Dismissals
Average
Gautam Gambhir
26/ 53
2
13.00
Sourav Ganguly
37/ 87
2
18.50
VVS Laxman
54/ 167
2
27.00
Yuvraj Singh
55/ 104
1
55.00
Rahul Dravid
230/ 411
3
76.67
Virender Sehwag
144/ 199
1
144.00
Sachin Tendulkar
101/ 193
0
–
While the results of these battles could determine which way the series goes, Pakistan will also want a much better performance from their fast bowlers, especially since they’ve announced that they’re putting their faith in pace. The table below shows just how badly Pakistan were let down by their fast bowlers in their last two series – their spinners gave away nearly 23 fewer runs per wicket, while the relatively less renowned Indian pace attack comfortably outdid them too.
How the fast bowlers/ spinners fared in the last two series
Wickets
Average
Strike rate
Pakistan pace
39
58.15
95.13
India pace
50
40.54
72.56
Pakistan spin
41
35.58
65.34
India spin
48
34.15
68.29
The key culprit for Pakistan was Mohammad Sami, who, apart from the odd testing spell, did precious little, taking 17 wickets at 54.60. His stats against the Indian top order indicates just how ineffective he was. Shoaib may be in top form, but he will still want better support from the rest of the cast.
For a brief moment it looked as if Manchester United had snatched victory at the death away to rivals Arsenal, as teenage starlet Alejandro Garnacho stepped off the bench to produce a simply clinical finish to quieten the home crowd.
Wearing the boots that his idol Cristiano Ronaldo had worn when terrorising the Gunners in that Champions League semi-final triumph in north London back in 2009, the 19-year-old appeared to have emulated his former teammate by stealing the headlines this time around, clinching what would have been a much-needed win for the Red Devils.
Alas, the tightest of offside calls ultimately cut the Argentine's celebrations short as Erik ten Hag and co were left to reflect on what might have been had Casemiro's pass been made a fraction earlier, or had the winger begun his run a split-second later.
Alejandro Garnacho
As it is, that composed finish counted for nothing in the end, albeit while having yet again illustrated to those at Old Trafford just what a talent they have on their hands, with the club having truly hit the jackpot when signing the Madrid native back in the summer of 2020.
How much did Man United pay for Alejandro Garnacho?
The teen superstar was snapped up during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's time in charge just under three years ago, with the then-Atletico Madrid youngster arriving alongside two other Spanish talents in the form of Real Madrid's Alvaro Fernandez and Barcelona's Marc Jurado.
Among that trio of deals, the latter man is no longer on the books at the Theatre of Dreams after signing for Espanyol this summer on a permanent deal, with elegant left-back, Fernandez has been sent out on loan to Granada, despite the injury crisis involving Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
As for Garnacho, the wing wizard – who cost a measly £420k at the time – has already established himself as a prominent figure in Ten Hag's first team ranks, having chalked up 39 senior appearances since making his debut as a stoppage-time substitute at home to Chelsea back in April 2022.
It is fair to say that since making that move under Solskjaer's watch the forward's valuation has soared dramatically, with it hard to underestimate just what a bargain capture he was for the Red Devils.
What is Garnacho's market value?
Not only was 5 foot 11 gem signed alongside Fernandez and Jurado, but he was also part of a summer influx that included the acquisitions of both Amad Diallo and Facundo Pellistri, with the pair joining from Atalanta and Penarol, respectively.
In the case of Amad, the Ivorian gem – who didn't actually arrive in Manchester until January 2021 – has gone on to make just nine appearances for United following his £37m switch, with the 21-year-old currently valued at just €15m (£13m), according to CIES Football Observatory.
As for Pellistri, the diminutive winger was snapped up by Solskjaer and co from his native Uruguay on a £9m deal, although like the man above the 21-year-old's impact has also been rather limited, having been restricted to just 12 first-team outings over the past three years.
Goal vs Real Sociedad (Europa League – 03/11/2022)
Assist vs Aston Villa (Carabao Cup – 10/11/2022)
Assist vs Aston Villa (Carabao Cup – 10/11/2022)
Goal vs Fulham (Premier League – 13/11/2022)
Assist vs Bournemouth (Premier League – 03/01/2023)
Assist vs Everton (FA Cup – 06/01/2023)
Assist vs Manchester City (Premier League – 14/03/2023)
Goal vs Leeds United (Premier League – 12/02/2023)
Goal vs West Ham (FA Cup – 01/03/2023)
Goal vs Wolves (Premier League – 13/05/2023)
Stats via Transfermarkt
That has ensured that the Montevideo-born speedster is now worth as little as €5m (£4m), with those two rather costly deals having paled in comparison to the low-cost addition of the sparkling Garnacho, who is now said to be worth €50m (£43m) – as per CIES.
Such a stellar figure represents an increase of roughly 10,138% since his move from Atleti, with that signing seemingly one of the few astute transfer moves that United have made in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Why is Garnacho worth that much?
There may even be those of a United persuasion who believed that the £50k-per-week talent is worth even more than that £43m figure, particularly with the fleet-footed dynamo having only recently signed a new contract extension until the summer of 2028.
That bumper new deal had come amid reports that Real Madrid were sniffing around in the hope of prising the in-form ace from Old Trafford, with Los Blancos having previously captured Ronaldo from the club back in 2009.
Such interest in Garnacho's talents has emerged due to his apparent likeness to the Portuguese icon, having been described as being like a "young Cristiano" by treble winner Paul Scholes after being handed his full senior debut against FC Sheriff in the Europa League last season.
That competitive first-team bow had come after the player had shone in academy ranks during the 2021/22 campaign, notably firing the club to a first success in the FA Youth Cup since 2011, after scoring seven times and providing just three assists in just six games in the competition.
The two-cap international was particularly instrumental in the showpiece victory over Nottingham Forest after scoring twice on the day in front of a record-breaking home crowd, having proved just why he is seemingly a man for the big occasion.
How many goals has Garnacho scored for Man United?
Described as a "full-back's nightmare" by MUTV pundit Febian Brandy, Garnacho soon kicked on from that FA Youth Cup success despite enjoying little involvement during last season's pre-season tour, having been punished by Ten Hag for being late to team meetings.
A stunning winner at the death in the EFL Trophy win over Barrow early last season seemingly illustrated that the dynamic menace was destined for a more a prominent role in the first-team, with that chance soon coming against the aforementioned Sheriff.
The teenager truly announced his arrival to the wider world just prior to the World Cup break back in November, however, having clinched victory for Ten Hag's side in added time away to Fulham, latching onto Christian Eriksen's threaded pass before calmly slotting home
That eye-catching burst and finish remains one of just five goals that Garnacho has scored to date, albeit with those efforts notably including a late winner in the FA Cup against West Ham United, as well as away to bitter rivals Leeds United at Elland Road.
The emerging Red Devils poster boy also provided the assist for Marcus Rashford's clincher in the Manchester derby victory back in January and he currently has five assists in total from his 39 outings so far, indicating just what a weapon he can be from the flanks.
Of course, the next step is for Garnacho to establish himself as regular fixture in the starting XI, although it would be no surprise if that promotion was to occur sooner rather than later, thus helping to bolster his already sizeable market value.
The Real Madrid dressing room has reportedly prepared for the arrival of Kylian Mbappe with the forward set to make a long-awaited La Liga switch
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Mbappe said to want to join Madrid
Will waive PSG loyalty bonus to make the switch
Los Blancos will offer Mbappe pay cut to leave
WHAT HAPPENED?
Mbappe is set to make a long-expected move to Madrid, two years after making a shock u-turn, and spurning the opportunity to move to the Spanish club. This time, the club have real confidence that the France captain will play at the Santiago Bernabeu next season, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
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WHAT FABRIZIO ROMANO SAID
The Madrid dressing room is eagerly awaiting Mbappe's arrival: "In the dressing room of Real Madrid, important players have the feeling that yes, this time, the club is going to make it happen… every single day they speak about Kylian Mbappe, and the feeling they have this time is that it's really, really close."
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Mbappe may have expressed his interest in joining Madrid, but there are still a number of roadblocks to be navigated. PSG will reportedly want to collect some kind of fee for his departure, while Los Blancos are expected to pay a hefty signing bonus to make the deal happen.
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WHAT NEXT FOR MBAPPE AND MADRID
Despite the talk, Mbappe has pledged to play out the rest of the season for the Parisians. They are currently top of Ligue 1, and are set to play Real Sociedad in the Champions League last 16 in mid-February. Los Blancos, meanwhile, are La Liga favourites, and could open up a convincing lead atop the table with a win over Girona this week.