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It has been a real struggle for Ruben Amorim so far during his time at Manchester United.

Their latest result, a 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers, encapsulated everything that has been wrong with his tenure so far. The Red Devils struggled to create chances and dominate a game against one of the worst sides we’ve seen in the top-flight in recent years.

Indeed, the club’s record in the Premier League in 2025 was below par to say the least. They only won 13 of the 38 games they played, drawing 11 and losing 14, which is far from where United want, or need, to be.

INEOS may have no choice but to sack Amorim if things don’t improve soon, and they could have already identified his replacement.

Man United discussing move for Premier League manager

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the man with the final say at Old Trafford when it comes to decisions like sacking a manager, has shown he has the ruthlessness to do so. Erik ten Hag was removed from his post just over a year ago after a string of bad results.

If he does decide to do the same with Amorim, then Caught Offside are reporting that one of ‘the names being discussed internally’ by United is Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner. The club view him as a ‘safe pair of hands’ after his success with the Eagles.

One of the appealing factors with this deal is the fact that the Austrian is out of contract in the summer, meaning United are not going to need to activate a release clause or negotiate an exit from Selhurst Park.

They won’t get a clear run at his signature, though, with Chelsea also keen after parting company with Enzo Maresca.

Why Glasner would be an upgrade on Amorim

Whilst Amorim’s time at Old Trafford has been nothing short of underwhelming, Glasner has shone at Palace. He guided the club to two trophies, winning the FA Cup at the end of last season and the Community Shield as the curtain raiser for the current campaign.

Described as “one of the best coaches in the world” by journalist Buchi Laba, he’s turned the Eagles into a side that can churn out results in the Premier League effectively, thanks to explosive counter-attacking football.

Their attack has been spearheaded by Jean-Philippe Mateta, and Glasner has adapted well to losing Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze over the last few years.

When comparing the Premier League records of United’s current manager and the Palace boss, it is a stark contrast. Indeed, the Portuguese has a Premier League win rate of just 31.82%, whereas Glasner has won 39.13% of his matches in charge.

Glasner & Amorim PL record compared

Stat

Glasner

Amorim

Matches

69

44

Wins

27

14

Win rate

31.82%

39.13%

Losses

20

19

Goals for

101

63

Goals against

85

70

Points per game

1.49

1.2

Stats from Transfermarkt

One of the real sticking points with Amorim is the lack of opportunity he’s given to Kobbie Mainoo. The 20-year-old is the jewel of United’s academy in recent years, but his manager simply will not give him an opportunity.

Mainoo has played 40 times under the Portuguese manager, but has only played an average of 19 full 90-minute games.

It is especially frustrating when you consider what he has already achieved in his short career so far. The Stockport-born midfielder scored the winning goal in an FA Cup final back in 2024, and started England’s Euro 2024 final. Those are but two examples.

Those fears may be squashed if Glasner takes the role at Old Trafford. He has perfectly platformed a player in a similar situation to Mainoo at Selhurst Park. Adam Wharton has shone under the Austrian since his move to South London, developing a reputation as one of the best young midfielders in the Premier League.

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Glasner has shown full faith in Wharton, operating in the pivot of his 3-4-2-1 system, ironically the same one that Amorim favours at Old Trafford. The ex-Blackburn Rovers star has played 65 times under the Eagles boss, averaging 51 full 90 minutes. That is the perfect example of platforming a young talent and giving him a full opportunity.

According to Sam Matterface, Glasner is a “top quality” manager, and it would not be a surprise to see United move for him. Not only has he got a far better record than Amorim, but it seems like he’d be willing and able to give Mainoo the chance he deserves at Old Trafford.

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Pakistan will try out youngsters for the five one-dayers against Bangladesh next month at home. But though some new players will be given a chance, chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed said Pakistan would not take Bangladesh lightly.”They can be a dangerous team on their day,” Salahuddin told the , a Pakistan daily. “For us the most important task would be to win the series and win comfortably.”After Australia decided to postpone their tour of Pakistan, the PCB searched for a team to replace them for a five-match ODI series. The PCB was keen on India to play the matches but the BCCI could not fit another series in to an already jam-packed itinerary.In their recent ODIs against Zimbabwe, Pakistan tried out opener Nasir Jamshed, bowlers Abdur Rauf, Junaid Zia, Sohail Khan, Wahab Riaz, Khurram Manzoor and Khalid Latif. They also played wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed for the last two games in place of regular keeper Kamran Akmal.But Salahuddin said Pakistan would not take any chances in playing Bangladesh. “Bangladesh proved they are a good one-day side by reaching the last-eight in the World Cup,” he said. Bangladesh beat India and South Africa in the tournament while Pakistan, along with India, made an exit in the first round.The Pakistan selectors will meet members of the junior national selection committee on March 21 for advice on the young talent available in the country and announce the squad by the end of the month.

Shoaib Akhtar is unlikely for the series in Abu Dhabi © AFP

Fitness problems has ruled Shoaib Akhtar out of the preparatory camp in Lahore as Pakistan prepare for the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka at Abu Dhabi next month. The camp will be held at Gaddafi Stadium from April 28 to May 4, before the national selectors announce the squad two days later.The National Selection Committee have short-listed over 35 players, which includes proven performers in the recently concluded domestic season. Younis Khan, who recently declined the captaincy following Inzamam-ul-Haq’s retirement from ODIs, hasn’t been included as yet as the committee is waiting for him to confirm his availability. Younis was recently granted permission from the Pakistan board to play for Yorkshire in the county season.”We have announced more than 30 players for the camp because it is our first series since taking over the new assignment and we wanted to see maximum number of players before making the selection of the final 15.” said Salahuddin Ahmad, the newly appointed chairman of selectors. “The performance of domestic cricket, junior cricket, A teams and international cricket have been considered in their selection.”A notable exclusion is Danish Kaneria, the legspinner, who is currently representing Essex. In his place is Mansoor Amjad, the promising legspinner who has also been signed by Leicestershire for this season. Azhar Mahmood, the allrounder who was recalled for the World Cup, has also been excluded. Fawad Alam, currently captaining the Pakistan Academy team in Bangladesh, is a strong contender for a middle-order position on the back of a prolific domestic season.The inclusion of Sarfraz Ahmed, the U19 world cup winning wicket-keeper, adds pressure on Kamran Akmal to get his act together with the bat as well as gloves. Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, representing Sussex on the county circuit, is another surprise exclusion from the list while Shabbir Ahmed makes a comeback after injury cut short his visit to South Africa.The ODI series begins on May 9.Batsmen Salman Butt, Imran Farhat, Imran Nazir, Khurram Manzoor, Taufeeq Umar, Babar Naeem, Khalid Latif, Mohammad Yousuf, Faisal Iqbal, Misbah-ul-Haq, Asim Kamal, Hasan Raza, Naved Latif, Yasir Hameed, Riffatullah Mohmand, Shahid Yousuf, Adnan RazaAllrounders Shoaib Malik (capt), Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez, Fawad AlamFast bowlers Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Sami, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar Anjum, Shabbir Ahmad, Abdul Rauf, Mohammad Irshad, Najaf Shah, Shahid Nazir, Mohammad KhalilSpinners Abdur Rahman, Tahir Khan, Atif Maqbool, Mansoor AmjadWicketkeepers Kamran Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmad, Zulqarnain Haider

Ricky Ponting will face an ICC disciplinary hearing over his discussion with the umpires regarding Aftab Ahmed’s dismissal © Getty Images

Ricky Ponting has been fined 25% of his match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the second Test against Bangladesh at Chittagong. The offence related to his reaction when Bangladesh batsman Aftab Ahmed was initially given not out following a referral to the third umpire during Sunday’s first day of the Test.Ponting was found guilty of dissent by the match referee, Jeff Crowe, in a hearing after the second day’s play on Monday. He was found to have breached 1.3 of the ICC Code which relates to “Showing dissent at an umpire’s decision by action or verbal abuse.”In explaining his decision, Crowe said: “Although I have sympathy for Ricky I cannot accept his move towards the on-field umpires as they made a move towards resuming play.”He did not ask for the third umpire to be consulted but when he made that move and spoke to the officials I believe his involvement played a part in prompting the referral. That is a breach of the ICC’s Test match playing conditions, which states that players may not appeal to the umpire to use the replay system.”The two umpires – Aleem Dar and Ian Howell – had not raised the issue and it was Bangladesh who took the matter further. Earlier, Crowe had cleared up how the event unfolded: “I think he [Ponting] indicated that the word that came from the Bangladesh dressing-room was that he was out and he was just inquisitive as to what went on,” he was quoted as saying by Fox Sports. “But it was not a direct ask that the umpires should review the decision or go upstairs.”It was a communication problem really,” Crowe added. “In fairness, what we had to say that with the referral upstairs, it should have been highlighted what they really wanted. The number three umpire […] is not the most fluent in English, although he is a very good man and does communicate well, he wasn’t sure really about what they wanted at that point.”That’s why after what was done, when the decision was first given, the umpires down below weren’t sure he got the right information, or understood what was required. Once they found that information out – that the ball had hit the boot – that’s all they needed to confirm what they thought. That’s why it was reversed.”Meanwhile, Crowe also commented on the Australian team’s interactions with Dar, noting that there were a few issues the team needed to sort with the umpire. Lee had an animated conversation with Dar after the umpire apparently asked him to move away in his follow through, while Stuart MacGill too expressed his displeasure after a couple of lbw appeals had been turned down in an over.”The fact that it has been a long tour for everyone and given the fact there is a bit of cabin fever with Aleem Dar having been involved in Australian matches over the last six months, I think they need to sort it out,” Crowe was quoted as saying in . Dar has seen a lot of the Australian side lately, officiating in 13 Tests since July 2004, and in 12 ODIs over the last six months involving the Australians.

Northamptonshire 149 for 5 (Shafayat 76, Hossain 3-67) v Bangladesh
ScorecardBad weather prevented any play on the second day of Bangladesh’s third and final warm-up match, against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road, and so left an inexperienced squad dangerously short of match practice ahead of the first Test at Lord’s, which begins next Thursday.”These practice games were vital in my planning for the Test series,” Dav Whatmore, Bangladesh’s coach, told BBC Sport. “I was keen to check on the form of a few lads but that has not been possible in this game really.”There are still several selection issues yet to be decided for Bangladesh. In this match they have been without their captain, Habibul Bashar, who was felled by a bouncer in the innings defeat against Sussex at Hove, although he is expected to take his place in the middle order. And Whatmore hinted that the pace bowler, Shadahat Hossain, would be making his Test debut, after being rested for this game.”We rested a few players for this game because I was concerned about individual tiredness,” said Whatmore. “Shahadat might get his chance at Lord’s but nothing is decided.” In his absence, the paceman, Anwar Hossain, picked up three Northants wickets to advance his claims, although he is unlikely to feature in the Tests.Northamptonshire 1 Thomas Huggins, 2 Bilal Shafayat, 3 Robert White, 4 Tim Roberts, 5 Usman Afzaal (capt), 6 Riki Wessels (wk), 7 Matt Friedlander, 8 Andrew White, 9 Charl Pietersen, 10 Richard King, 11 John Wolstenholme.Bangladesh 1 Javed Omar, 2 Nafees Iqbal, 3 Rajin Saleh, 4 Mohammad Ashraful, 5 Khaled Mashud (capt, wk), 6 Aftab Ahmed, 7 Mushfiqur Rahim, 8 Mohammad Rafique, 9 Enamul Haque jnr, 10 Anwar Hossain, 11 Tapash Baisya.

“What could be better, when the winter months are upon us, than to curl up by the fire and relive all the action from those long, hot summer days?” asks the book’s preface. There is the warm glow occasioned by memories of The Oval fightback and the lump-in-the-throat moment that accompanies a picture of Nasser’s tearful resignation. There is an appropriately sentimental tribute by Hussain to Alec Stewart, the inaugural winner of the C&G Man of the Year award. For those of a statistical bent there is even, for the first time, a scorecard from every Championship match.It is a comforting read, especially for those who like their tradition vacuum-packed from year to year. Apart from the change of sponsor from B&H to C&G, little about the book has changed in either format or content. Agnew’s regular radio chums – Jim Maxwell, Tony Cozier and Bryan Waddle – bring commentary from overseas. The review of the domestic season retains its stubbornly unique chronology of events, which is great if you want to recreate the ebb and flow of the summer, but pretty frustrating if you want to track down Worcestershire v Glamorgan (look for an index and you’ll be disappointed).The book’s only major drawback is that like an overprotective mother, it is so in love with the game that it smothers it. Jonathan Agnew looks back on 2003 as the year that “the future of county cricket was debated with a vigour that we have not seen in a while”. But as there is little or no two-sided discussion from Agnew or his fellow contributors the C&G sometimes comes across as First Class Forum propaganda. Having grudgingly admitted that the two-tier Championship has shown “evidence of improvement” Agnew nevertheless contends that “increased competition does not necessarily improve the ability of a batsman or a bowler”. Hardly a maxim that many sports administrators or coaches will be lining up to defend. Still, it’s a book to cheer many a fanatical heart this Christmas.

When you win there can often be different kinds of emotion.When we beat Australia in the first VB Series game in Melbourne in the beginning of this period of 15 successive one-day matches there was pure euphoria. Beating South Africa in Brisbane was disbelief and huge joy at a surprising victory.When we won the game on Tuesday night the feeling was relief.Sure there was happiness at what we had achieved but we all knew that the season would be judged on what happened in Dunedin.Wrongly or rightly this happens in sport often.Just ask the All Blacks in last year’s Tri-Nations.If they had won that game in Sydney and not lost it in the last second, would there have been as big a public examination resulting in pressure for the coach to stand down?If we had lost on Tuesday night what would have been the headlines?As it is we won the series and have achieved a satisfactory outcome. But are there things that we need to address even though we have won?Yes there are.Too often we win games through an individual performance. While this may sound strange, to be a complete side capable of winning next year’s World Cup we need to put more performances together as a unit, to get everyone chipping in with their efforts.Then we will still have brilliant individual efforts to win games but hopefully in between these times we can lift our winning percentages with team performances.Before the game in Dunedin, the batters focused their efforts into batting, real batting. Not the traditional hitting over the top stuff normally reserved for the one-day game. No balls were hit in the air at net practice and batsmanship was the goal.This was personified in the match by Craig McMillan. He got in and then played a great supporting role to Nathan Astle.And what an innings from Nathan!He loves playing in Dunedin and after getting a few dodgy decisions in two of the one-dayers, the English felt the full brunt of his talent.Nath is a bloke who doesn’t say too much and prefers to let his batting do the talking. I have played a lot of cricket with him and the innings the other night was just awesome and right up there with his best.The game itself revealed to the English that they have areas to work on.One of them is off-the-field where last week Andy Caddick stated that this English team was better man for man than us and that they would win the series.Now, he may have been trying to get some confidence back in his side by saying these things but to do it publicly can often backfire on you.Maybe he should just focus on getting in the England team first.Now to the Test series and to the whites! I am really looking forward to this series as I think we are playing very good Test cricket.It will be important for the guys to get back into Test mode but having a week or so off, and a game before the Test, will definitely help.

Pakistan’s sensational victory at Old Trafford set the nation alightand cricket-crazy supporters heaped praise on the cricketers. Eyewitnesses said scores of fanatics on motorcycles took to the streetscarrying placards of their favourite players. They chanted slogans andhoped that it was not just a one-match wonder.”We are proud of our players, and particularly for Waqar Younis andRashid Latif. The way they played at Old Trafford, it was amazing,”29-year-old Saad Khan, a Navy officer, said. Rashid, staging acomeback after almost three years, scored a priceless 71 in the firstinnings and then contributed 25 in the second but most importantlyadded 59 runs for the eighth wicket with Wasim Akram in quick time.Aftab Ahmad, 54, said he has been following Pakistan for the last 30years. It was such an wonderful performance and one of the best inrecent times. The last was in the 1992 World Cup but that was acompetition.” Nevertheless, Usman Ghani had a word of caution andadvice to the players. “Hopefully, it will end the losing streak. Butthe players need to keep their feet firmly on the ground. The trination series follows and we haven’t forgotten the 1999 World Cuploss,” he said with reference to defeat in the final to Australia whoare one of the three competitors.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials were not available forcomments. But this win would certainly provide them some breathingspace after a string of disappointing performances by the team.

West Bromwich Albion’s star striker this season, Karlan Grant, registered fewer touches than goalkeeper Sam Johnstone in an extremely poor display against Birmingham City.

Grant, who is the top scorer for the Baggies this season was nowhere to be seen as his side lost 1-0 to their local rivals who pick up their first win in four.

The 24-year-old made the move to The Hawthorns for £15m from Huddersfield when West Brom were in the Premier League, but it appears his celling is at this level.

He was substituted in the 68th minute of the game at St Andrew’s and was replaced by Andy Carroll who offered something different but still couldn’t find the back of the net.

To make matters worse for Grant, as well as the rest of his team, he failed to register a shot on target throughout the game.

When it comes to passing he made only three, with only Carroll who came on for him, the one West Brom player to make fewer or less.

Grant’s accuracy rate was also one of the worst on the whole pitch at a dismal 43%.

These stats come as more of a shock for the £7.2m rated forward who has registered at least one shot on target in each of his last four starts -registering 3+ in two of those games.

Throughout the season his ‘unlikely’ partnership with Callum Robinson has been working for the Baggies who have been making a late push for the play offs.

However, defeat now leaves them five points off sixth place, and with tough fixtures still to come it’s looking unlikely they’ll make it.

Manager Steve Bruce will be disappointed with the team’s performance at St Andrew’s against his former side, and the question is will he try something different in their next game or will he stick with Grant?

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Carroll had the best chance of the game and is now back from injury, so if he can stay fit perhaps Bruce will look to him further.

This may only be a one-off, but West Brom will be hoping that Grant can get his form back on track if they are to see their slim play-off chances come true.

IN other news: Sold at £13m, now worth £49.5m: WBA will have nightmares over 6ft4 “beast of a man”…

	Shane Bond: down and out? © Getty Images

A number of counties face starting the 2008 season without their high-profile overseas players after it was revealed that anyone who has signed with the breakaway Indian Cricket League is unlikely to be given the necessary clearance to play by their own boards.Any non-English player needs a “no objection certificate” (NOC) from their home board before being allowed to play in England, and it is believed that several, including New Zealand Cricket and the Pakistan Cricket Board, are refusing to issue them. It comes as the leading boards adopt a hard line towards unauthorised tournaments.Shane Bond, who signed with the ICL last November, in effect had his career ended by NZC as a result, but earlier this month he signed for Hampshire for the 2008 season. However, without the NOC he will not be allowed to play.Cricinfo has learnt that Rana Naved-ul-Hasan has already been declined an NOC and it seems likely that others, such as Mushtaq Ahmed, will also be left out in the cold.”We’re about to start the season and suddenly some counties will have to reconsider deals struck some time ago,” Paul Millman, Kent’s chief executive, told The Daily Telegraph. “It would have been good if a line could have been drawn, and any agreements made in good faith before that left alone. I don’t think you should abandon contracts on a whim. But this is a complex situation.”Kolpak players, who do not need NOCs to play domestic cricket, will not be affected.