The India captain says touring teams should know which venues they’re going to play at

Karthik Krishnaswamy in Ranchi22-Oct-2019

Virat Kohli gets ready for the Pune Test•PTI

Virat Kohli wants India to play their home Tests at only five venues. He did not name them but said Test cricket in India should be distributed across “strong Test centres” as they are in other countries.Kohli said this in response to a question about whether India should restrict the home Tests to the traditional big-city venues – Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and Bengaluru.India follow a rotation policy to allot their home games in all formats, and South Africa’s just-concluded tour took place at three venues that were each hosting just their second-ever Test matches: Visakhapatnam, Pune and Ranchi.”We’ve been discussing this for a long time now, and in my opinion we should have five Test centres, period,” Kohli said, after the conclusion of the Ranchi Test. “I mean, I agree [with] state associations and rotation and giving games and all that, that is fine for T20 and one-day cricket, but Test cricket, teams coming to India should know, ‘we’re going to play at these five centres, these are the pitches we’re going to expect, these are the kind of people that will come to watch, crowds’.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

“So that becomes a challenge already, when you’re leaving your shores, because we go to any place, we know we’re having four Test matches in these venues, this is what the pitch is going to offer, it’s going to be a full stadium, the crowd’s behind the [home] team, and look, you want to keep Test cricket alive and exciting. I totally agree with the fact that we need five Test centres at the max.”It can’t be sporadic and spread over so many places where people turn up or they don’t, so in my opinion, absolutely. You should have five strong Test centres that teams coming to India know that this is where they’re going to play.”England play most of their Test matches at their six traditional venues – the two London grounds, Lord’s and The Oval, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Nottingham. Australia play the bulk of their home Tests in six cities too – Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth and Hobart. In both these countries – and in South Africa and New Zealand as well – there is usually a set order to which cities host which Tests; The Oval always hosts the last Test of the English summer for instance. Also, in the Southern Hemisphere, traditional dates are fixed for certain venues to host their Tests, such as Boxing Day at the MCG or Durban, and the New Year’s Tests in Cape Town and the SCG.India, in contrast, spread their Tests all over the country. They’ve played home Tests at 27 venues overall, and 18 grounds since the turn of the millennium. The major venues have usually hosted the most Tests in this period, but, as Kohli said, sporadically. Mumbai and Chennai, for instance, haven’t hosted any Tests since late 2016.Crowds for Test cricket at newer venues in smaller cities and towns has been a talking point for quite a few years, though there isn’t a clear pattern to suggest that Tests at all such venues are poorly attended. The three grounds that hosted the series against South Africa are all located at a fair distance from the city centre, and the facilities at some of the grounds aren’t particularly spectator-friendly – three-fourths of the stands in Pune, for instance, don’t have roofs. Still, though there were no full houses, there was a decent turnout on most days in Visakhapatnam and Ranchi, and over the weekend in Pune.

The veteran wants to inspire the next generation of Sri Lankan bowlers before his final bow in international cricket

Daniel Brettig in Adelaide26-Oct-2019A coach not quite sacked, a raft of player withdrawals, a typically chaotic nexus between cricket administration and government: all scenarios not uncommon when it comes to the endlessly fascinating story of Sri Lankan cricket. And yet amid all these 2019 misadventures there have been remarkable, even transcendent moments: A Test series win in South Africa, a stunning World Cup match win over England at Headingley, and then an even more stupefying Twenty20 clean sweep of Pakistan in Pakistan even after the aforementioned pull out of senior players.Now, with their resilience so vividly demonstrated, the Sri Lankans have arrived in Australia and linked back with their captain. Lasith Malinga added his own personal contribution to a year of memorable moments by not only defending a mere eight runs in the IPL final, but going on to take four wickets in four balls as against New Zealand in Kandy, the second such achievement of his dizzying international career.Malinga’s experience, drawn from well over a decade in the game, will be a more than useful addition to the group, alongside the strong credentials of Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera and Niroshan Dickwella, to name three. “It’s a good opportunity for me to share my knowledge and experience with the young players,” Malinga said.”I can’t play much more cricket, the next few months and maybe in the World Cup. I want to give my best for the young players because they don’t have much experience like me, playing franchise cricket, IPL, Big Bash, everything else. Sri Lanka also are regenerating our cricket team, the young players need experience, they need guidance so that’s why it is important to play this tournament.Recalling his successful shut out of Chennai Super Kings for Mumbai Indians in the IPL final, Malinga said a sequence of five balls slung down at better than 140kph, followed by a closing slower ball to nail an lbw and seal a one-run win, was a good example of the sorts of stratagems he can either deliver himself or advise his team about.”Any bowler who has played 10-15 years they have experience,” he said. “According to that we can use our variation and tactical part, that’s more important than the power. These days I try to use my tactical and variations according to the game situation. In pressure situations we have to get the correct decision and decide what we want to do. That’s the thing with gaining experience over my career.”Asked about Steve Smith and David Warner, returning to international cricket on home soil for the first time since their Newlands bans, Malinga suggested contrasting approaches – patience against Smith, but a more aggressive search for Warner’s wicket. “No particular plan but we know how good he is. I’ve played with him in the IPL and against him,” Malinga said of Smith. “We want to stick with our basics, not think much about the opposition, stick to our basic cricket and that’s very important I feel in the T20 game.”In the IPL, [Warner] was the highest run-getter in thus tournament. We know how good the T20 format is for him and we know in the last couple of months he didn’t get much runs, but still we know he can damage the opposition in any situation. That’s why we are looking forward to him – if we can bowl one good ball for him, that’s the challenge for all our bowlers to get him.”Having been on the losing end of a Sri Lankan steal of a T20I against Australia at Geelong in 2017, Australia’s captain Aaron Finch was wary. “They’ve got some seriously dangerous players. I think when you look at Kusal Perera, Dickwella, these guys, they hit all around the ground and they’re aggressive, they take the game on, so you have to be at your best,” he said. “When you set out you have your really clear plans, but that can change so quick.”Because they’re so inventive, they move around the crease a lot, you have to really think on your feet as a bowler and as a captain. That’s going to be really important in this series to hopefully get some wickets in the Power Play and try to put some pressure on the middle order that probably isn’t as experienced as their top couple. they’re a very dangerous side and they’ve shown they can beat anyone in any conditions when they get it right.”They’re a world class side, and led by Malinga as well, who’s played so much T20 cricket. He’s really structured in the way he wants his bowlers to bowl and brings all his experience and all his guidance to their young tearaway quick attack as well. So it’s going to be an exciting series. Their spinners posed problems to us in the past, particularly in the subcontinent, so hopefully we can start the series off really well.”

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras está próximo de assinar a renovação do contrato de Rony até o final de 2025, com direito a um aumento da multa rescisória do jogador. Até o momento, o contrato estende-se até dezembro de 2024. A informação foi noticiada, inicialmente, pelo portal ‘ge’ e confirmada pelo NOSSO PALESTRA/LANCE!

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>> ATUAÇÕES: Gómez e Felipe Melo vão bem, e sistema defensivo do Palmeiras é destaque na final
>> Confira a tabela da Libertadores e faça sua simulação

As conversas estão em andamento e muito perto de um desfecho ainda nesta semana. A diretoria alviverde entende que o camisa 7 merece um projeto grande dentro do clube e que o primeiro passo para isso é a extensão do vínculo.

O ponta foi contratado na última temporada vindo do Athletico Paranaense por cerca de€ 7 milhões (R$ 28 milhões na cotação da época). Apesar de um início abaixo do esperado com atuações questionadas, Rony recuperou seu futebol que o fez ser destaque no time do Paraná e tornou-se um xodó da torcida palestrina.

Depois de deslanchar sob o comando de Abel Ferreira, ele foi fundamental para a conquista da Libertadores e da Copa do Brasil, tendo sido o jogador com mais participações de gols no torneio continental. Além disso, foi o camisa 7 o responsável por cruzar a bola para o cabeceio de Breno Lopes, que fez com que o Palmeiras voltasse a conquistar a América depois de 22 anos.

Na atual temporada, o jogador é o artilheiro da equipe com seis gols e ainda conta com três assistências. Polivalente, o atacante tem cumprido diferentes funções no ataque alviverde a depender da proposta de jogo do time. Por esse motivo, tem sido muito elogiado por Abel e seu auxiliar nas coletivas.

Para seguir colecionando taças, o Palmeiras, de Rony, vai a campo neste domingo (23) contra o São Paulo às 16h (horário oficial de Brasília) no Morumbi, pelo jogo de volta da final do Paulistão 2021.

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Tottenham and chairman Daniel Levy by extension are planning to make a "top-level" signing for manager Ange Postecoglou this summer.

Spurs back Postecoglou with key January signings

In their race to seal a top four finish and Champions League qualification, it was imperative for Spurs to back Postecoglou with key signings like Timo Werner and Radu Dragusin in the January window.

"World-class" Tottenham star may now consider leaving after developments

He could apparently “reassess his future” this summer.

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Emilio Galantini

Feb 22, 2024

Dragusin, who joined in a £25 million deal from Genoa, came in to provide a much-needed back up centre-back option to Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero. Van de ven's injury absence earlier this season really crippled Postecoglou's side for a period, while Romero appears consistently flirts with suspension.

Werner's addition gifts Tottenham some attacking versatility in the forward areas, and he got off to a good start, bagging two assists in his first two top flight matches.

Tottenham's next league games	Date
Crystal Palace (home)	March 2nd
Aston Villa (away)	March 10th
Fulham (away)	March 16th
Luton Town (home)	March 30th
West Ham (away)	April 2nd

Reports suggest Spurs are already planning for the summer window, and it is believed that another major defensive signing could be in the offing. Everton starlet Jarrad Branthwaite is among the options Levy and co are considering ahead of the summer, among a few others, with Postecoglou seemingly plotting a defensive reshuffle.

Tottenham planning to make "top-level" defender signing

Now, according to journalist Dean Jones, Tottenham are indeed planning to make a "top level" defender signing this summer as the club cast their net far and wide.

“The situation hasn't changed, and Tottenham have always intended to sign two top-level centre-backs across 2024," said Jones.

"They’ve got one through the door, and now, in the summer window, the plan is to go after another. Calafiori and Morato might be mentioned now, but the net is being cast wider than that. They’ve got some interesting options opening up to them. Still, from what I understand, they’re not committing at this stage, even though they want to make early moves in the summer transfer window similar to how they did in the winter market.”

In terms of the players linked, we believe Branthwaite could be the best option for Spurs, albeit a potentially expensive one. Homegrown and playing a starring role for Everton this season, Sky pundit Jamie Carragher is among the 21-year-old's growing list of admirers.

"I think he is [special]. And what is really special as well is the amount of centre-backs we have in the Premier League aged 21 or younger," said Carragher on Sky.

“I remember being a young lad going in myself at Liverpool and it’s an unforgiven position, I had to go to full-back for the next three or four years and then go back to centre-back, so you can see the quality we have.

“Branthwaite has been outstanding, Murillo I think has been outstanding. But I think this lad has been pretty special and he’s a big part of why in my eyes Everton still have a great chance of staying up, him and his partnership with Tarkowski.”

قال سامي قمصان المدرب المساعد للنادي الأهلي، إن التتويج ببطولة كأس السوبر المصري بعد الفوز على الزمالك، هو أكبر رد وتضحية للجماهير بعد خسارة لقب السوبر الإفريقي.

ونجح النادي الأهلي في الفوز ببطولة السوبر المصري للمرة الـ 15 في تاريخه، بالفوز على الزمالك بركلات الترجيح 7-6 بعد انتهاء المباراة في وقتها الأصلي والإضافي بالتعادل السلبي.

وأضاف قمصان خلال تصريحات عبر قناة “أبو ظبي”: “كان مهم أن لا نفرط هذه البطولة خصوصًا بعد الإخفاق في السوبر الإفريقي هذا أكبر رد وتضحية منا وتقدير للجماهير الحاضرة في المباراة”.

وتابع: “الشوط الاول قدمنا أداء جيد جدًا وسيطرنا عليه وأهدرنا فرصا كثيرة وإذا تم استغلال هذه الفرص، المباراة كانت ستكون أفضل من الجانب الفني”.

طالع | إمام عاشور: أشعر أنني نيجيري ولست مصريًا.. ويتحدث عن أزمة ثلاثي الزمالك 

وواصل: “محمود الخطيب رئيس النادي تحدث معنا كجهاز فني ولاعبين وأن لديه ثقة كبيرة بنا، وقال لنا: نمتلك أفضل لاعبين في مصر وإفريقيا والعرب، الجمهور يحتاج منكم الكثير، وثقة جماهيركم أنكم تكملوا وحققتم أشياء كثيرة في تاريخ الأهلي، واللاعبين استطاعو أن يثبتوا أنهم من الأجيال المحترمة”.

واستطرد: “الزمالك لديهم لاعبين خبرات ومهارية في وسط الملعب واستطعنا أن نغلق عليهم مفاتيح لعبهم، وهذا أعطانا أفضلية، قدمنا أداء مميزًا جدًا، كولر تحدث أننا يجب أن نسجل مبكرًا، لأن الزمالك لا يمتلك حلول كثيرة على دكة البدلاء، وإذا سجلنا مبكر سيكون لنا أفضلية والزمالك سيندفع”.

وأتم: “انتهينا من البطولة وأمامنا تحد كبير أمام بطل آسيا وفريق يمتلك إمكانيات كبيرة وإن شاء الله نحقق نتيجة إيجابية وسط جماهيرنا”.

Paul Mullin has already been ruled out of Wrexham’s pre-season tour of North America, with Elliot Lee another to have sparked injury fears.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Star striker sidelined after surgery
• Midfielder picked up knock on friendly
• Countdown on to 2024-25 campaign

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Red Dragons are set to face Bournemouth and Chelsea on the west coast, before then heading to the home town of Hollywood co-owner Ryan Reynolds for a meeting with MLS side the Vancouver Whitecaps. Prolific striker Mullin will play no part in those fixtures after undergoing surgery.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The sight of Lee being forced out of a friendly date with non-league outfit Hanley Town suggested that he may also struggle to make an eagerly-anticipated trip across the Atlantic. The all-action midfielder was left nursing a thigh strain in a convincing 5-1 victory for Phil Parkinson’s side.

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT PARKINSON SAID

  Parkinson has sought to ease those fitness concerns, telling that Lee’s ailment is “nothing serious”. The 29-year-old will be on the plane to the States, along with Tom O'Connor, Lewis Brunt, Will Boyle and Jacob Mendy – who have also been nursing knocks.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

  Wrexham are eager to get minutes into as many players as possible ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, as they prepare for a step up into League One, with Reynolds and Rob McElhenney continuing to make the funds available that allow more forays into the transfer market to be made.

If fans of rival Premier League teams were hoping that Manchester City would slow down after their treble triumph, they could be disappointed to see that Pep Guardiola's side may only get stronger with one of Europe's top talents considering a move to the Etihad.

Man City want decades of dominance

Whilst most teams would be content with the XI that wrapped up three trophies last season, Man City look eager to continue to bolster Guardiola's squad and ensure that their monopoly of English football continues for the foreseeable future.

Related Man City now ready to trigger release clause to sign £150,000-a-week star

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Posts ByZak Anderton Mar 15, 2024

The forward line at the Etihad looks set for the next decade with 23-year-old Erling Haaland on track to break every record imaginable before he hangs up his boots. Joining the Norwegian in the future folklore at the Etihad will be Phil Foden. Also 23, the attacking midfielder is already a legend in the eyes of many in the blue half of Manchester.

One player entering the twilight of his time with the champions will be Kevin de Bruyne. The Belgian has been arguably the best midfielder in the league during his time with City however persistent injuries suggest that his team could be in the market for a new midfielder this summer, with Joshua Kimmich linked with an Etihad move earlier this year.

Kimmich considering Man City move

As first reported on the X account of Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg, it is claimed that Man City are one of five clubs Kimmich is considering joining. The Bayern Munich star is out of contract in 2025 and the Bavarian outfit are willing to cash in this summer if a suitable offer comes in.

Plettenberg names Liverpool, Arsenal, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona as the other suitors for the 29-year-old. However, City may be favourites to seal the deal. A factor that could work in City's favour may be the midfielder's relationship with Guardiola. The Spaniard handed Kimmich his first Bayern Munich start and has been instrumental in the player's progression, calling him "outstanding". Kimmich's former boss also even referred to him as "almost my son" in response to rumours of the 29-year-old leaving Bayern back in 2015.

In the eight years that have passed since Guardiola left Bavaria, he has gone on to develop a style that Kimmich could slot perfectly into. Relying heavily on versatility between defence and midfield, Kimmich's ability to play as both a central midfielder as well as a fullback could make him ideal for the Spaniard's style of play.

Kimmich's versatility was a quality praised by his former boss Julian Nagelsmann who said of the player:

"It's so important to have a No.6 who wants the ball and has the necessary composure in possession. I know he prefers to play in the middle, but I don't need reminding. I've made a note of it"

"The great thing is he's world-class at right-back and in midfield."

The international break couldn't have come at a worse time for Manchester United, with the Red Devils likely to have been keen to build on the momentum following the stunning, last-gasp win at home to Liverpool in the FA Cup.

Two weeks have passed since that 4-3 triumph – a period that Erik ten Hag is likely to have enjoyed with the pressure somewhat lifted from his shoulders – with it yet to be seen if the Old Trafford side can kick on away to Brentford later today.

Ten Hag and his men will feel like they are returning to the scene of the crime in a sense in what is their first visit to the Gtech Community Stadium since the dismal 4-0 thrashing in August 2022, a day in which Cristiano Ronaldo and co simply wilted in fluorescent green.

GK – David De Gea

RB – Diogo Dalot

CB – Harry Maguire

CB – Lisandro Martinez

LB – Luke Shaw

CDM – Christian Eriksen

CM – Fred

CM – Bruno Fernandes

RW – Jadon Sancho

ST – Cristiano Ronaldo

LW – Marcus Rashford

A far different lineup is set to take to the field this time around, however, as United seek to close the gap on those above them, albeit with a handful of selection decisions there for Ten Hag to ponder…

Man Utd team news

In a season that has been a story of one injury blow after another, Ten Hag provided a sense of optimism during Friday's pre-match press conference, having revealed that Lisandro Martinez could be in line to make a welcome return to the matchday squad following an eight-week absence.

After also revealing that Luke Shaw may feature again before the season is out, the Dutchman offered further reason for positivity after revealing that Casemiro could also be in contention for the trip to west London, after making his return to training over the past week or so.

With FA Cup hero Ama Diallo ruled out through suspension – and Harry Maguire also a doubt after sustaining an injury on international duty – the only real fresh and notable concern for United is the news that teen sensation Kobbie Mainoo has been struck down by illness this week.

Ten Hag was, however, hopeful that the 18-year-old – who starred on his first England start against Belgium in the week – would still be involved this evening, ensuring there could be minimal changes from the side that triumphed over Jurgen Klopp and co.

That being said, one potential tweak could see Mason Mount thrust back into the action alongside Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes, with that personnel change coming at the expense of a certain Scott McTominay.

Why Mason Mount should start over McTominay

On the face of it, that may seem like a bold call to make considering McTominay's recent form, with the towering midfielder having netted the opener against the Merseyside outfit last time out, while also providing the assist for Marcus Rashford's extra-time equaliser.

The Scotland star was also the notable hero against the Bees earlier in the campaign, the 27-year-old coming off the bench to net a clinical and crucial brace in stoppage time to send the Theatre of Dreams into a frenzy.

That deadly double came amid what has been a fine goalscoring season for the academy graduate in 2023/24, boasting career-best figures of nine goals in all competitions – a tally only bettered by Rasmus Hojlund.

Despite that 10/10 cameo against Thomas Frank's men – as dished out by GOAL's Richard Martin at the time – there may be wisdom in trialling Mount in that midfield three, with the Englishman making his long-awaited return off the bench against Liverpool.

Absent prior to that since Remembrance Day, the forgotten summer signing needs a run of games to try and get back fit and firing, hoping to return to the levels that saw him reach double figures for goals and assists in the league 2021/22, during his stint at Chelsea.

For all McTominay's merits, he is not the type of talent who can help United control games, instead capitalising on chaos, showcased by the fact that he ranks in just the bottom 47% among his European peers for pass completion, as well as the bottom 10% for progressive passes and the bottom 5% for attempted passes per 90.

Unlike the box-crashing brute, Mount, at his best, can offer a greater controlled and creative presence either as a number eight or as a ten, having previously been described as the "complete midfield player" by Ten Hag back in July.

Unleashing the former Blues man would allow the club to begin to see some return from their £55m investment, with McTominay waiting in reserve to be called upon if more dramatic late heroics are required.

For United's – and Ten Hag's – sake, hopefully it is a smoother ride today than recent meetings with the Bees…

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Tottenham Hotspur now think a "special" member of Ange Postecoglou's squad will miss the rest of this season following an injury.

Spurs suffer injuries throughout Postecoglou's debut campaign

There is a very serious case to be made that Spurs would be higher up the table, if it wasn't for the plague of absences they've had to cope with throughout 2023/2024.

Related "Grafts and grafts" – Young Tottenham star getting rave reviews in training

He’s been putting in extra hours.

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Son Heung-min, Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma travelled for the Asia Cup and AFCON respectively in mid-season, while Postecoglou has been forced to cope without a plethora of other players due to injury at various points.

Micky van de Ven, James Maddison, Manor Solomon, Ivan Perisic, Cristian Romero, Richarlison, Brennan Johnson, Giovani Lo Celso, Ashley Phillips, Ryan Sessegnon and Rodrigo Bentancur have all spent at least a month on the sidelines during Postecoglou's first season in charge, which is pretty ridiculous.

In light of van de Ven's latest injury, which arguably played a part in Tottenham's 3-0 slump away to Fulham, Spurs' head coach has admitted that they will look to sign another centre-back this summer.

Tottenham's next league fixtures

Date

Luton Town (home)

March 30th

West Ham (away)

April 2nd

Nottingham Forest (home)

April 8th

Newcastle United (away)

April 13th

Arsenal (home)

April 28th

“If you’re saying, ‘Is it an area we can strengthen?’, yes it’s an area we will probably look at”, Postecoglou said.

“With all these things, it’s about trying to strengthen the group as much as anything else. If you think about when I first arrived, we had maybe six or seven centre-backs at the club. So it’s not just numbers. It’s more about the ability of those players to play the football we want and to fit in to what we’re trying to build here.

“I think it is an area of the park we will look to strengthen, but I think we’ll look to strengthen all areas of the park come the end of the season. That is planning that’s already underway, and other people are in charge of it at the moment.”

Left-back Sessegnon is already missing the rest of Tottenham's season after another hamstring injury, and now Spurs think the same can be said of 2023 summer signing Solomon.

Tottenham expect Solomon to miss rest of the season after knee surgery

The Isreali international injured his meniscus all the way back in October, which required surgery, but a fresh setback in his recovery prompted minor knee surgery last week.

While he could return to training before the end of 23/24, journalist Wayne Veysey writes for Football Insider that Tottenham do not expect Solomon to play again this season, which comes as a hammer blow for the winger who has had few chances to showcase his quality.

Indeed, Solomon could've been a real asset if it wasn't for his bad luck with fitness issues.

“Manor is a special player; he was excellent at Fulham,” said Avram Grant to Ynet. “I spoke with him, and he’s thrilled to be at Tottenham; he has improved his killer instinct. What sets him apart is his amazing one-on-one ability; he’s among the best."

There’s no two ways about it: This week is absolutely massive for Manchester United’s campaign.

An FA Cup tie at Old Trafford against Liverpool awaits Erik ten Hag’s team, with the competition being the only trophy that the Red Devils can still win this season.

Luckily, the squad has been boosted this week with the return of Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Rasmus Hojlund.

That should be a welcome relief for Ten Hag and Co but they will still be without Anthony Martial who is absent courtesy of a groin problem. That hasn't necessarily been a bad thing for the Red Devils, however.

Anthony Martial’s salary at Man Utd

In short, Martial’s time at Man United has been hindered by injuries more often than not, with the French attacker unable to provide consistent availability.

Nonetheless, the number nine was rewarded with a new contract at the start of 2019, after scoring nine goals prior to that during the 2018/19 campaign.

The contract was for five years, and therefore it’s set to expire in the summer, but his weekly wage is a huge £250k, according to Capology.

This equates to an earning of £13m per year, the joint-fourth highest wage at Man United, with only Casemiro, Raphael Varane, and Marcus Rashford earning more.

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Jack Salveson Holmes

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What Martial earns compared to Hojlund

The contrast between Hojlund’s and Martial’s impact this season is clear to see, with the Dane becoming a vital player in the United rebuild project.

On the other hand, the “invisible” Martial, as called by football creator Liam Canning, has only played 444 minutes in the Premier League, with an illness and groin surgery making him miss 12 matches.

Hojlund has also had his injury problems this season, which has left Ten Hag without a true number nine at times, but as you can see by the table below, his influence when available has been fantastic, particularly in 2024.

Hojlund vs Martial 23/24 Stats
Stats	Hojlund	Martial
Matches Played	30	19
Goals	13	2
Assists	2	2
Games missed	11	12
Weekly wage	£85k	£250k
Via Transfermarkt & Capology

After a tricky start to life in England, the 21-year-old has been one of the most in-form players in the league since scoring against Aston Villa on Boxing Day, netting in all of his last six Premier League games, and winning the February Player of the Month award.

Whereas, the former Monaco star hasn't played since the 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth in December, and that could end up being his last game for the club depending on the extent of his most recent setback.

But, as displayed in the table, Martial still earns around three times more than the number 11, despite scoring 11 goals fewer across all competitions this campaign and clearly offering a lot less than Hojlund when playing.

With Martial being unreliable both in terms of on-field performances and availability, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co simply must let go of the 28-year-old rather than extend his contract by the optional extra year.

As a result, with Hojlund set to be the long-term answer to the striker role, a reliable backup who can take some pressure off the young attacker and act as a rotation option will likely come in for Martial.

Wage Burners

Football FanCast's Wage Burners series explores the salaries of the modern-day game.