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The opening of the January transfer window presents the first opportunity for Ruben Amorim to make his own mark on the Manchester United squad to try and transform their recent fortunes.

Such dealings could result in new additions as well as potential outgoings, as the club desperately needs to improve their current output, which sees them lie 13th in the Premier League table.

As of the first 20 matches in the league, United’s top scorer is Marcus Rashford – something which speaks volumes about their current situation given the fact the 27-year-old has missed the last six matches.

However, such a run could see him depart Old Trafford in the coming weeks, with numerous European sides interested in making a move for the Englishman.

Such a departure could allow for needed incomings, with various players already touted with a move to the North West just a week into the transfer window.

Man Utd’s move to sign a new attacker in January

Victor Osimhen is a player who has been relentlessly linked with a move to join the Amorim revolution at United, offering that focal point that has often been lacking this season.

The Nigerian is currently spending the season on loan at Turkish side Galatasaray, but it does include an exit clause should any side trigger the release fee in his current deal.

However, competition will undoubtedly be high in the 26-year-old, with Chelsea just one side who tried to win the race for his signature in the summer.

Randal Kolo Muani is another name that has been thrown into the mix in recent days after PSG made him available for a potential loan deal to gain needed first-team minutes.

The Frenchman has only started four times in Ligue 1 to date, with his availability reportedly prompting interest from the Red Devils along with Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus.

However, the club should opt to steer clear of the aforementioned options and put all of their focus on another one of their attacking transfer targets.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Man United could sign their own Mo Salah

Mohamed Salah has been a player who has torn numerous sides apart during his time in England, but none more so than United, scoring 16 times in 17 appearances against the Red Devils.

Manchester United

17

16

1.05

Spurs

21

14

1.5

West Ham United

17

13

1.3

Manchester City

22

12

1.8

Arsenal

17

11

1.5

Brighton & Hove Albion

17

10

1.7

The Egyptian has continued his good form, scoring 18 times in 19 outings during Arne Slot’s debut campaign, including in both fixtures against United during 2024/25.

However, they had previously held an interest in AC Milan forward Rafael Leao, who could prove to be their very own version of the world-class attacker, holding very similar traits to the Liverpool talisman.

The report from the end of December claimed that the 25-year-old’s future was up in the air at the San Siro, with PSG also in the race to secure a deal for the Portugal international.

Whilst he’s predominantly a left-sided attacker with Salah being a right-sided forward, he loves to cut inside onto his stronger foot – similar to that of the 32-year-old.

As a result of Leao’s displays in Italy, FBref have listed him as a similar player to Salah, producing some figures comparable to the Premier League top scorer – highlighting the attacking threat he possesses.

Leao, who’s previously been dubbed a “world-beater” by analyst Ben Mattinson, may have registered significantly fewer goal contributions this season but has averaged more shot-creating actions – showcasing the talent he has in creating opportunities for himself and his teammates.

Games played

15

19

Goals & assists

7

31

Progressive carries

4.9

4.3

Progressive carries

4

3.8

Pass accuracy

77%

71%

Shot-creating actions

5.3

4.6

Take-ons completed

3.2

1.8

Take-on success

54%

50%

He’s also completed nearly double the number of successful take-ons per 90, whilst averaging more progressive carries, demonstrating the forward-thinking play he possesses, something which United have desperately lacked this campaign.

It’s unclear how much any deal would cost the club’s hierarchy for the Portuguese ace’s signature, but there’s no denying that he could prove to be a superb addition if it was completed.

His stats demonstrate how much attacking prowess he is capable of producing, potentially providing the difference-maker for Amorim in the attacking third of the pitch. What’s more is that he looks a far greater threat than Kolo Muani too, having registered 25 goal involvements to the Frenchman’s tally of 15 across the last two seasons.

As seen for Liverpool, Salah has single-handedly won them numerous matches this season, with Leao arguably being United’s very own version of the Egyptian if he were to move to Old Trafford this window. There is, however, quite a big obstacle in the way. His release clause sits at an eye-watering £145m.

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Man United need a free-scoring striker to elevate Ruben Amorim’s vision.

ByAngus Sinclair Jan 6, 2025

The January transfer window has almost been open for three weeks and Celtic are yet to make their first addition of the month to bolster their squad.

Brendan Rodgers is reportedly looking to bolster his options ahead of the second half of the season, though, and has been linked with an interest in Lille forward Mohamed Bayo and Aston Villa winger Louie Barry, among others.

The Scottish Premiership giants are also attempting to bring Kieran Tierney back to the club, as it was recently reported by the Daily Record that they hope to sign him on loan from Arsenal before a free transfer in the summer.

It would be a second spell at Parkhead for the Scotland international, who came through the ranks at Parkhead before joining the Gunners in the summer of 2019.

Kieran Tierney's declining market value

Arsenal signed Tierney for a Scottish record fee of £25m ahead of the 2019/20 campaign, after a return of 37 assists in 170 matches for Celtic.

The Scotland international’s time with the Premier League giants has, unfortunately, been defined by a string of injury issues that have prevented him from becoming a regular for Mikel Arteta’s side.

July 2020

£24m

October 2020

£27m

March 2023

£21m

December 2023

£15m

March 2024

£10m

January 2025

£8m

As you can see in the table above, Tierney’s market value has plummeted in recent years due to his lack of minutes on the pitch for the Gunners.

He has missed 94 competitive matches for club and country through injury since his move to Arsenal in 2019, which has played a part in Celtic now have the opportunity to bring him back for a second spell.

Once a club-record sale for £25m, the Hoops now have players in their squad who are worth even more than the £8m Tierney is currently worth, including defender Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Celtic hit the jackpot with Cameron Carter-Vickers

The Hoops hit the jackpot when they signed the USA international on a permanent deal, reported to be worth £6m, from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2022 after he spent the 2021/22 campaign on loan at Parkhead.

Market Movers

Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?

Carter-Vickers has been a rock at the heart of the Celtic defence in recent seasons and has been a phenomenal signing by the club, particularly for a fee of just £6m.

The American titan was named in the Scottish Premiership Team of the Year for the 2022/23 campaign and the 2023/24 season, making 54 appearances in those two terms, and this shows that he has been one of the best, if not the best, defenders in the league since joining on a permanent deal.

His impressive form in the top-flight in recent years has seen his value soar. Football Insider reported earlier this month that Celtic value the defender at a fee of at least £20m, amid interest from several unnamed clubs.

This means that Carter-Vickers has seen his value soar by £14m, from the £6m paid for his services in 2022, and that he is now worth more than Tierney (£8m) at this moment in time.

Big Kyogo upgrade: Celtic chasing 'one of the best players in Africa'

Celtic have been linked with an interested in the centre-forward in the January window.

1 ByDan Emery Jan 19, 2025

Therefore, the Hoops have hit the jackpot with the former Spurs man as he has produced consistently impressive performances on the pitch and has become an incredibly valuable asset, who is worth even more than a player who was once a club-record sale for Celtic.

Bayern Munich are reportedly keen on signing Kenan Yildiz and Dean Huijsen this summer, with the former having spent a decade in Bayern's youth setup.

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Bayern want to sign former youth star YildizTurkish gem spent a decade in Bayern's academyGerman giants also keen on Bournemouth's HuijsenFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to a report from Tuttosport, Bayern Munich are determined to sign Juventus starlet Yildiz – who spent 10 years in their youth academy before leaving for Serie A in 2022 – as well as highly-rated Bournemouth centre-back Huijsen, this summer.

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The Bavarians are keen on reuniting with Yildiz three years after the young Turkish international parted ways with the club to join Juventus. As per the report, Yildiz would ideally like to prolong his career in Turin, with the Old Lady also against the idea of selling one of their most talented players. Things could change if the Bianconeri fail to qualify for next season's Champions League, as they may be forced to offset the financial loss from missing out on a spot in Europe's premier club competition by selling some key players.

DID YOU KNOW?

Another player that Bayern could sign this summer is Bournemouth sensation Huijsen, who has attracted interest from Real Madrid as well as some of the biggest Premier League clubs. However, Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany admires the former Juventus youngster and wants to work with him next season. The Spanish defender has a £50m (€60m/$66m) release clause in his contract.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR BAYERN MUNICH?

After drawing against rivals Borussia Dortmund last weekend in the Bundesliga, Die Roten will visit San Siro on Wednesday evening as they look to reverse the 2-1 deficit from the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Inter.

Allrounder takes 3 for 17 in 10 overs as Ed Barnard’s 85 not out goes in vain

ECB Reporters Network05-Aug-2022Ian Holland ripped through Worcestershire Rapids’ top order as Hampshire began their Royal London Cup campaign with a 44-run victory.Australian-born USA international Holland picked up 3 for 17 to leave Rapids 37 for 5 after Hampshire had scored 236 thanks to 40s from Ben Brown, Fletcha Middleton and Scott Currie.A Worcestershire List A record sixth-wicket partnership between Warwickshire-bound Ed Barnard – who ended with a brave unbeaten 85 – and Taylor Cornall helped the hosts recover, but Felix Organ and Currie, who took 3 for 36, tidied up the tail in front of a healthy 3,100 crowd at the Ageas Bowl to bowl Worcestershire out with five overs to spare.Related

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If Hampshire’s start of 51 for 3 was poor, the Rapids; was catastrophic. Holland bulldozed the top order with his nagging line and length: he had Ed Pollock slog sweeping to deep square to his first ball before Gareth Roderick attempted to cut a ball which gained some extra bounce to edge to slip and Jake Libby pushed to the same fielder Prest. Holland’s opening seven-over spell returned 3 for 11 and included two maidens.Currie had pinned Pakistan international Azhar Ali in the third over and John Turner entered the attack to have Kashif Ali also nudging to Prest and leaving his side 37 for 5. Cornall and Barnard went from giving the Rapids respectability to putting the victory back on their radar with an effortless accumulation of runs.Their 130-run stand set a new Worcestershire record in List A cricket, beating the 121 put on between Phil Neale and Steve Rhodes in 1988. To underpin his importance to their middle-order, Barnard has been involved in the record stands for the fifth, sixth and seventh wicket – his fifth format fifty coming in 72 balls.Felix Organ finally broke the partnership after almost 30 overs when Cornall swept to long on and had Leach pinned in front in his following over. Nineteen-year-old debutant Henry Cullen skied straight up in the air, Adam Finch swung to deep square and Ben Gibbon was lbw first ball to end the contest.Earlier, Hampshire’s top order got bogged down and couldn’t build partnerships having been put in on a pitch which offered some decent bounce. Leach, Gibbon and Barnard all picked up a wicket each to leave the hosts floundering – Nick Gubbins chipping to mid-on, Aneurin Donald bowled and Prest nicking off.Brown and Middleton set about the recovery carefully, with the pair only scoring eight boundaries in their 85-run stand. Middleton – whose father Tony made his List A debut against Worcestershire in 1989 – dominated through the midwicket region whether it was on the front foot pull or clip off his legs, while Brown dabbed and pushed to recalibrate the innings.Both looked en route to half-centuries but both fell agonisingly short of the milestone. Middleton tickled behind on 49 before Brown chased a cut shot to point. Organ survived a caught and bowled but not a clip to long on and Holland chip to midwicket, but Currie came in to give it a whack, during a 54-run stand with Toby Albert.The allrounder gave the death overs impetus with seven crushing fours to ease to a professional career-high 43 not out and take Hampshire to an around par 236 – with Albert, Jack Campbell and Turner all departing late on.

With less than a week remaining until the transfer window slams shut, Aston Villa are now reportedly plotting a shock hijack to sign an alternative option to the heavily linked Axel Disasi.

Aston Villa transfer news

For some time, it looked as though Loic Bade would be Aston Villa’s man before those in the Midlands failed to match Sevilla’s valuation. Now, it’s Chelsea’s Disasi who’s threatening to steal the headlines. After falling down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, the Frenchman has reportedly agreed personal terms with Aston Villa and left them to thrash out a deal with Chelsea.

He would instantly replace Diego Carlos, who swapped the Midlands for Turkey and Fenerbahce earlier this month. Following his exit and Tyrone Mings’ recent injury, Aston Villa’s need for another central defender has become increasingly desperate.

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ByTom Cunningham Jan 28, 2025

That’s not to say Unai Emery hasn’t set his sights on other improvements though, with the manager now personally requesting that Aston Villa make their move to sign Chelsea’s Joao Felix if he is available before Monday’s deadline. The Portugal international could yet be part of a double Villa raid on Stamford Bridge this month.

If the Midlands club fail to secure Disasi’s signature, meanwhile, then they could look to upset rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers. According to Ben Jacobs, Aston Villa are now plotting a move to sign Kevin Danso, who has already agreed personal terms with those at Molineux.

However, given that Wolves are yet to meet RC Lens’ €30m (£25m), the door has been left ajar for Aston Villa to swoop in ahead of their rivals if they fail in their pursuit of Disasi this week.

It would certainly steal the headlines and it would, of course, solve Villa’s centre-back problem. Whether they are forced to turn their attention towards the Wolves target remains to be seen though.

"Physical" Danso is a solid Disasi alternative

Aston Villa, one way or another, look like a side destined to welcome a central defender this month and if that centre-back proves to be Danso then the Villans should have no complaints. Still just 26 years old and at the peak of his powers, the Lens star was described as an “excellent progressor” and “physical defender” by analyst Ben Mattinson last summer.

Getting one over on rivals Wolves would also be an added bonus in what could be a final week full of drama for Aston Villa in the January transfer window.

Fast bowler joins on two-year deal with view to playing all formats

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Sep-2022Northamptonshire have signed fast bowler Ollie Sale from Somerset. Sale, 26, has agreed a two-year contract.Northants announced earlier in the week that they had released seamers Nathan Buck and Brandon Glover, with Sale targeted as a player who can strengthen the squad in all three formats.A tall right-armer, Sale came through the Somerset academy but has struggled with injuries. He required surgery on his back in 2015, making his senior T20 debut the following summer, but was then kept on the sidelines until finishing as the club’s leading wicket-taker in the 2020 Vitality Blast.”Ollie has a very, very high potential.” John Sadler, Northants head coach, said. “He brings real pace and he’s had success in white-ball cricket so far. That’s where his immediate strengths lie but we see him playing all formats for us moving forward too.”He’s at the time of his career now where he felt a move would be good. What he offers feels like a great fit for us right now and he’s someone we’re really excited to get to work with.”Sale missed all of the 2021 season after undergoing double shoulder surgery but returned to fitness this summer, making his List A debut during the Royal London Cup. He has also averaged 17.40 with the red ball in the 2nd XI Championship.”I’m hugely excited to be joining Northamptonshire at what seems to be a really promising time for the club,” Sale said. “When I spoke with John Sadler, he talked me through his vision for the club and the role he sees me fulfilling in the squad and I knew it was a brilliant opportunity for me to join an increasingly strong Northamptonshire team on the rise.”I can’t wait to get going with the boys this winter and hopefully build up to a successful season next year.”Northamptonshire are currently fifth in Division One of the Championship and virtually assured of a place in the top tier next season. As well as the departure of Buck and Glover, the club have let go batters Ben Curran and Charlie Thurston.

Frenkie de Jong refused to clarify his future at Barcelona, fuelling speculation that the Dutchman could probably be headed for an exit this summer.

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De Jong on the verge of being offered a new deal by Barca Club yet to reach agreement with the player Dutchman refused to comment on his future Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Frenkie de Jong has cast doubt over his future at Barcelona after offering a vague response when asked about his long-term plans with the club. Despite reports suggesting that the Catalan giants are willing to offer a new contract, the Dutch midfielder stopped short of committing himself to a continued stay at Camp Nou.

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De Jong is currently enjoying some of his best form since joining Barcelona, with recent months highlighting a remarkable resurgence in his performances. Backed by incoming manager Hansi Flick and reinstated as a regular starter, the 27-year-old appears to have re-established himself as a key figure in the squad. In light of his resurgence, Barca have held constant talks over a renewal. However, the club's sporting director, Deco, has maintained an informal policy of not allowing players to enter the final year of their contracts without a renewal in place. With De Jong’s current deal set to expire in 2026, negotiations are expected to intensify in the coming months.

WHAT FRENKIE DE JONG SAID

“I’ve always said it, I’m very happy living and playing in Barcelona,” De Jong told MARCA on Wednesday. "We’re in the final phase of the season, so we’re not focused on that. There will [be] time for all of that.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR FRENKIE DE JONG?

The Netherlands international will be expected to start in Barcelona's upcoming fixture, in which they will take on Celta Vigo on Saturday, April 19. Barca are currently leading LaLiga with a four-point lead over rivals Real Madrid.

He has returned to begin his treatment and rehabilitation at the NCA in Bengaluru

ESPNcricinfo staff and PTI17-Sep-2022Umesh Yadav, who suffered an injury during a game for Middlesex against Gloucestershire in the Royal London One-Day Cup last month, has returned to India for rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.Umesh injured his quad muscles (the group of muscles at the front of the thigh) on August 21. As a result, he will not be available for Middlesex’s last two matches of the County Championship this month, the club said in an official statement.Related

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“Middlesex Cricket regrets to announce that we have been made aware that Umesh Yadav will not be returning to London to finish the season with the Club and will play no further part in Middlesex’s County Championship run in due to an ongoing injury to his quad muscle,” the club statement said. “With two red-ball games remaining in the season, away to Leicestershire next week and away to Worcestershire the following week, Middlesex were hopeful that the Indian international would be returning to the Club to play a part in the push for promotion to the top flight of the Championship structure.”Soon after news of Umesh’s departure from Middlesex, however, came the news that he had been named in India’s squad for their T20I series against Australia, as a replacement for Mohammed Shami, who has tested positive for Covid-19.The extent of Umesh’s injury isn’t clear, and his selection for the Australia series suggests he may be fit to take on the workload of T20 games but not that of four-day Championship matches.Middlesex said Umesh had been assessed by the BCCI medical team and had begun treatment as well as a “bowling programme”.”After sustaining the injury, the right-arm quick travelled back to India for an assessment with the BCCI’s medical team, where he began treatment and rehabilitation on the injury whilst beginning a back to bowling programme under the watchful eye of the Indian national medical team.”Umesh, who has taken 158 wickets in 52 Tests and 106 wickets in 75 ODIs, was scheduled to return to London on Saturday ahead of next week’s trip to Leicester but that has changed.He had joined Middlesex in July to play for the club in both first-class and List-A formats. He picked up four wickets in six bowling innings in the County Championships, at an average of 71.50, but did much better in the Royal London One-Day Cup, picking up 16 wickets – the highest for his team – in seven innings at an average of 20.25.September 18, GMT 0530 The story was updated with news of Umesh’s selection in India’s T20I squad.

The Brazilian is looking to make a step up after realising his 'limitless' potential at Molineux, and he can give United the shake-up they need

Think of all the great Brazilian attacking players to have graced the Premier League and the clubs they played for. Think of Gabriel Jesus or Robinho at Manchester City, Roberto Firmino or Philippe Coutinho's best years for Liverpool, Gabriel Martinelli's recent progress with Arsenal or Willian at Chelsea. Then consider that one player is set to usurp them all as the Brazilian to score the most goals in a single campaign. And he plays for Wolves.

Matheus Cunha is within one strike of equalling Firmino and Martinelli's joint-best tallies of 15 goals in a season after netting against Tottenham earlier this month. And if he had not been suspended for a total of six games, he would likely be way ahead of those other big names.

Cunha has had a rough road to the top, breaking through in the Bundesliga with Hertha Berlin but then flopping after a big-money move to Atletico Madrid before struggling to find his feet with Wolves. But in the last two seasons, he has rediscovered his scoring touch to devastating effect. The 25-year-old has almost single-handedly kept Wolves in the Premier League in the last two seasons and now he is looking for a new challenge.

Arsenal and Chelsea have both been mooted as potential suitors, but a report from on Tuesday revealed that Cunha has held positive talks with Manchester United regarding a potential £62.5 million ($84m) move to Old Trafford. Such a move would be ideal for the Red Devils as they truly begin to rebuild under Ruben Amorim…

Getty Thorn in their side

Cunha has contributed to 37 Premier League goals in the last two seasons, accounting for 38 percent of Wolves' total goals in that time. And despite playing for a team sat 15th in the table – and who finished 14th last year – he has scored more goals (12 last season and 14 this term) and has more goal contributions (seven assists last year, four this) in either season than any United player.

United have first-hand experience of his goal threat, too, as he terrorised the Red Devils in the opening game of last season at Old Trafford, which United ended up winning 1-0 thanks to the hugely controversial decision to not award Wolves a stoppage-time penalty for Andre Onana's assault on Sasa Kalajdzic. Cunha carved his way through the United defence as many as three times, while also firing just wide on a separate occasion as well as hitting the post from close range.

He then set-up Pedro Neto's equaliser in the thrilling 4-3 win at Molineux later in the season, and he was Wolves' talisman in United's 2-0 defeat at the same ground this season on Boxing Day, when he scored an 'Olimpico', fooling Onana directly from a corner.

AdvertisementGettyAmorim's biggest concern

Cunha is one of several attacking targets United are looking at in order to solve their biggest problem of all. Amorim said he was concerned about the team's lack of goals after his first game in charge back in November, and five months later there has been barely any improvement in that department.

The Red Devils have averaged 1.2 goals per Premier League game this season, with only Everton, plus the bottom four of West Ham, Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Southampton, scoring fewer. Amorim was so unimpressed with United's attackers that he sent Antony and Marcus Rashford out on loan in January, while earlier this month he claimed that Harry Maguire was his biggest goal threat after sending the centre-back up front in the final eight minutes against Nottingham Forest. It was not such a crazy statement after all, as in those few moments Maguire created more expected goals (xG) than Rasmus Hojlund had in his previous 15 games – and just look at the impact he had in the dramatic Europa League win over Lyon.

Hojlund, who has only scored two Premier League goals under Amorim, is not the only one who is failing to deliver. Alejandro Garnacho, for example, has only netted twice in the league in that same period. Indeed, it says a lot about United's season that Joshua Zirkzee injuring his hamstring and being ruled out for the rest of the campaign was seen as such a huge blow given the Dutchman has not scored a league goal since December 1.

Getty Images SportSafer bet than Delap

Cunha is among United's main attacking targets along with Ipswich Town's Liam Delap after they decided that Viktor Gyokeres was too expensive at £80 million ($106m). The Brazilian is a slightly cheaper option than the Sporting CP star after signing a new contract with Wolves that contains a release clause, though he would still come at double the price of Delap.

But while Delap has a lot of potential, United need a guarantee of attacking quality rather than just the promise of it. After all, they decided to sign Hojlund over Harry Kane in 2023, against the wishes of Erik ten Hag, and their gamble on the Dane fulfilling his potential has badly backfired. Selling Hojlund to sign Delap could turn out to be a like-for-like swap, replacing one young centre-forward with another, with no guarantee that the young Englishman will handle the burden of being the Red Devils' leading man any better than the Dane. Cunha is a safer bet and could solve two problems for United at the same time.

Although he is Wolves' top source of goals, Cunha is not a No.9 like Delap or Hojlund, but a left-sided No.10, as useful creating chances as he is scoring them. He is not just his club's top scorer, he is their leading creator of chances in open play and has the highest number of expected assists, even though wing-back Rayan Ait-Nouri has more actual assists. Cunha would likely raise United's goal count considerably by scoring plenty himself while also improving his team-mates numbers. Indeed, there is a scenario where he ends up unlocking Hojlund's potential by raising the quality of their attacking play in every sense.

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Getty Ready-made for Amorim's system

Another advantage Cunha has is that he already plays in the same system he would be utilised in under Amorim at United. He has been playing in a 3-4-2-1 since Vitor Pereira succeeded Gary O'Neil at Wolves in December, and having a player who is used to operating as a narrow No.10 must be appealing to Amorim given Garnacho, Rashford and Antony all struggled to adjust to the new role.

While Bruno Fernandes has rediscovered his attacking mojo in recent weeks, the Portuguese sees himself as a deeper-lying playmaker in the future, sitting further back in midfield, and though Amad Diallo is certain to take up one of the two positions behind the centre-forward when he recovers from his ankle injury, there is likely to be a vacant spot on the opposite flank. Who better to take it than Cunha?

The Brazilian played in a 3-4-2-1 on numerous occasions under O'Neil, the man whom he credits with tuning his career around. Cunha told last month: "Gary understood me completely. He came in and said: 'Man, I think you’re an incredible person, but you need affection. And I’m going to give you affection. I’m going to complain when I need to complain, but I’m almost going to be family for you'. When someone sees something in you beyond the player, it touches you. These conversations and these lessons were of great importance in my life."

Well, that wasn’t quite as straightforward as many would’ve been hoping, but then again, it never really is with Tottenham Hotspur.

Ange Postecoglou’s side did their chances of automatically making it through to the next round of the Europa League a world of good with their unnecessarily nervous 3-2 win over Hoffenheim tonight.

However, in terms of individual performances, it was something of a mixed bag for the visitors.

56%

Possession

44%

2.13

Expected Goals

2.12

2

Goals

3

6

Big Chances

3

22

Total Shots

8

6

Corners

4

541

Passes

452

26

Tackles

16

That said, there were two starters who stood out for all the right reasons and now can not be dropped for the weekend, including Son Heung-min.

Son's performance vs Hoffenheim

So, after a few weeks in which he signed a contract extension and received plenty of criticism for some rather lacklustre displays, Son really stepped up tonight.

The South Korean superstar wound back the clock and was a constant threat throughout his time on the pitch, although his most significant contributions to the victory were, of course, his two goals.

Now, while there was an element of good fortune with his first goal, in the way it bounced off of a Hoffenheim player, his second was all down to his sensational finishing.

Moreover, that second strike saved the team from what could have been a disastrous result and yet another game in which they managed to find a way to drop points.

Unsurprisingly, football.london’s Alasdair Gold was suitably impressed by the captain’s performance, giving him an 8/10 match rating and writing that he ‘worked hard’ throughout and was there when his team needed him.

In all, it was a superb showing from the 32-year-old, although he wasn’t the only one to make a real difference, as James Maddison also impressed.

James Maddison's performance vs Hoffenheim

Yes, the other standout starter for Spurs tonight was undoubtedly Maddison, who hasn’t been given too many chances to show what he can do from the start in recent weeks.

Like his captain, the former Leicester City star was everywhere in the first half and was practically running the game at points.

The “world-class” creator, as dubbed by former professional Dean Saunders, got things underway with the opening goal just three minutes into the game, and 19 minutes after that, he provided the assist for Son’s first goal.

Unsurprisingly, Gold was also pleased with what he saw from the Englishman, awarding him an 8/10 match rating as well and simply writing that it was a ‘really good performance from the midfielder.’

Fortunately, the high praise is more than backed up by the 28-year-old’s statistics, as in 89 minutes of action, he produced a combined expected goal and assists figure of 1.23, took 61 touches, maintained a passing accuracy of 92%, played three key passes, created one big chance, completed 100% of his long balls, won six ground duels, made two clearances, won three fouls and made one tackle.

Minutes

89′

Expected Goals

0.54

Goals

1

Expected Assists

0.69

Assists

1

Touches

61

Passing Accuracy

36/39 (92%)

Key Passes

3

Long Balls (Accurate)

3 (3)

Big Chances Created

1

Shots on Target

1

Ground Duels (Won)

12 (6)

Fouls Won

3

Clearances

2

Tackles

1

Ultimately, Maddison put in a seriously impressive performance for Postecoglou tonight, as did Son, and with another must-win game coming up on the weekend, neither player should be taken out of the starting lineup, as without them, tonight would have ended in a draw at best.

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