The MLB Draft lottery results are in after the drawing occurred on Tuesday.

The 18 teams that didn’t make the postseason were thrown into the lottery with the chance of earning top picks for the 2026 draft. The White Sox entered Tuesday with the best odds to land the No. 1 pick, and wound up winning the lottery. It’s the first time since 1977, and just the third in franchise history, that the White Sox have secured the top draft pick.

The team entering the lottery with the worst record was of course the Rockies, who went 43–119 this past season. However, since they selected in the top six in each of the past two years, they were not allowed to do so for a third year in a row, per MLB rules. Colorado ended up in the 10th draft spot.

Here’s the full draft order from Tuesday’s lottery.

Draft Position

Team

1

White Sox

2

Rays

3

Twins

4

Giants

5

Pirates

6

Royals

7

Orioles

8

Athletics

9

Braves

10

Rockies

11

Nationals

12

Angels

13

Cardinals

14

Marlins

15

Diamondbacks

16

Rangers

17

Astros

18

Reds

The 2026 MLB Draft will take place in Philadelphia on July 11–12.

يخوض منتخب السودان مباراة مرتقبة ضد نظيره البحرين، مساء اليوم الثلاثاء، ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس العرب 2025 المقامة في قطر.

ويلتقي منتخب السودان مع البحرين، في إطار مواجهات الجولة الثالثة والأخيرة من عمر مواجهات دور المجموعات لبطولة كأس العرب.

ويتواجد منتخب السودان والبحرين، في المجموعة الرابعة من بطولة كأس العرب 2025، مع منتخبات العراق والجزائر.

وكان منتخب السودان تعادل في لقاء الجولة الأولى مع الجزائر سلبيًا، خسر في الجولة الثانية أمام العراق 2-0.

بينما منتخب البحرين، نال الهزيمة في المواجهتين الأولى والثانية أمام العراق والجزائر 2-1 و 5-1 على الترتيب.

وينافس منتخب السودان نظيره الجزائر على خطف بطاقة التأهل الثانية إلى دور ربع النهائي من بطولة كأس العرب من المجموعة الرابعة، بعد أن حسم منتخب العراق البطاقة الأولى، بينما تلاشت حظوط منتخب البحرين في التأهل.

طالع.. بالمواعيد | مواجهات دور الـ 8 من كأس العرب 2025 موعد مباراة السودان والبحرين اليوم في كأس العرب 2025

تقام مباراة السودان والبحرين، اليوم الثلاثاء 9 ديسمبر 2025، في تمام الساعة 7 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسودان، 8 بتوقيت السعودية بتوقيت البحرين. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة السودان والبحرين اليوم في كأس العرب 2025

– قناة بي إن سبورت المفتوحة.

– قناة الكأس 2.

– قناة دبي الرياضية.

– قناة أبو ظبي الرياضية 2.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Vasco recebeu dois dias de folga após a classificação diante do Fortaleza na Copa do Brasil. Apesar do elenco ter tido este descanso, o técnico Álvaro Pacheco seguiu os trabalhos a todo vapor para se preparar para as primeiras atividades com os jogadores.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasVascoAston Villa negocia rescisão amigável com Coutinho, e Vasco pode repatriar cria sem custosVasco23/05/2024Futebol NacionalCorinthians lidera: confira o Top 10 públicos da Copa do Brasil 2024Futebol Nacional23/05/2024VascoVasco pode perder peça importante para as oitavas de final da Copa do BrasilVasco23/05/2024

➡️ Tudo sobre o Gigante agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Vasco

Durante estes dois dias, Álvaro Pacheco esteve no CT Moacyr Barbosa e se reuniu com diversos setores do Vasco. O técnico português também pôde começar a entender os processos internos e conhecer parte da estrutura do clube.

Álém disso, os primeiros dias de Álvaro Pacheco não se resumiram a conhecimentos. O técnico do Vasco aproveitou para ver relatórios e dados sobre o desempenho e questões físicas de cada atleta.

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Os dias de Álvaro Pacheco desde que chegou ao Brasil foram agitados. No domingo (19), o técnico português desembarcou no Rio de Janeiro. Na segunda-feira (20), foi o primeiro contato com os jogadores do Vasco. No entanto, treinador deixou o interino Rafael Paiva terminar a preparação para o duelo da Copa do Brasil.

Álvaro Pacheco sentiu pela primeira vez o calor da torcida do Vasco na terça-feira (22). Isso porque o técnico cruz-maltino esteve presente ao lado de mais de 20 mil vascaínos e viu o que é a atmosfera de São Januário lotado e pulsando.

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A bola só volta a rolar pelo Brasileirão no dia 2 de junho. Este dia será marcado pela estreia de Álvaro Pacheco no comando do Vasco. Enquanto isso, o técnico português tem um pouco mais de uma semana para trabalhar com o grupo.

A primeira partida de Álvaro Pacheco será justamente um clássico. O Vasco vai enfrentar o seu maior rival, o Flamengo, na 7ª rodada do Brasileirão, às 16h, no Maracanã.

Tudo sobre

Álvaro PachecoFutebol NacionalVasco

In Game 7 of the 2025 World Series, Dodgers second baseman Miguel Rojas joined baseball’s history books. Now, it appears he will take a victory lap in 2026.

Rojas is signing a one-year contract worth $5.5 million to play his final season with Los Angeles, according to Wednesday afternoon reports from Daniel Álvarez-Montes of and Alden González of ESPN. Per Álvarez-Montes and González, Rojas will move into the Dodgers’ front office after the season.

The Los Teques, Venezuela native has played 12 Major League Baseball seasons—eight with the Marlins and four with Los Angeles. He has a .260/.314/.362 lifetime slashline with 57 home runs and 363 RBIs.

None of his home runs were bigger than the one he hit on Nov. 1 of this year—with one out in the top of the ninth of Game 7 of the World Series and the Dodgers trailing the Blue Jays 4–3, Rojas launched a solo shot to left field to tie the game. Los Angeles went on to win the game in 11 innings.

The Dodgers are scheduled to raise their banner on March 26 against the Diamondbacks.

Real Madrid's crisis escalated on Sunday as Endrick was sent off from the bench during the defeat to Celta Vigo, sparking a furious reaction from his father. With the Brazilian forward starving for minutes under manager Xabi Alonso, his parent turned to the bible to find encouraging words for the teenager, intensifying rumours of a January loan exit just months before the World Cup.

• Bernabéu boiling point: Red card from the sidelines

  The atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabeu was already toxic as Celta Vigo raced into a 2-0 lead, but the frustration on the Real Madrid bench spilled over in spectacular fashion. Endrick, who had been left out of the starting XI yet again by Xabi Alonso, did not even need to step onto the pitch to make headlines. In the dying moments of the match, the Brazilian teenager was shown a straight red card by the referee for dissent, reportedly launching a verbal tirade at the fourth official as tempers flared.

  It was the third dismissal of the night for Los Blancos, following red cards for Fran Garcia and Alvaro Carreras, but the striker's expulsion is symbolic of a deeper malaise. Having played fewer than 20 minutes of La Liga football under Alonso, the 19-year-old’s discipline snapped. The suspension will likely rule him out of the upcoming clashes, further alienating a player who was supposed to be the future of the club but currently finds himself as a spectator to their implosion.

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  Endrick's father vents his fury

  The fallout from the match was immediate, with the player's father, Douglas Ramos, taking to social media to defend his son and fire a not-so-subtle dig at the Madrid hierarchy. He posted a picture of his son sitting on the Madrid bench and cited a bible verse as encouragement for the 19-year-old. He wrote: "Matthew Chapter 23:12. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted."

  This "poisoned dart" appears squarely aimed at the management. It is not the first time the Brazilian's camp has hinted at dissatisfaction. Previously, he had accused Madrid of trying to "dim" the striker's spark. He wrote on social media: "I know, my son, how hard you work and how much you dedicate every minute of your day. I know everything you're capable of. You're a winner and you're showing everyone that you're a true warrior. Your star will continue to shine, even though some try to dim your light. I believe your future lies right there."

• Frozen out by the manager

  The relationship between the forward and his manager appears to be non-existent. Since taking over the reins, Alonso has largely ignored the Palmeiras academy graduate, preferring to utilise Kylian Mbappe centrally or even turning to academy product Gonzalo García as a backup option. The data is damning: the teenager has not started a single league game under the coach and has often been left warming the bench even when the team is chasing a game.

  Tactically, the manager seems unconvinced by the youngster's discipline and positional play, favouring more versatile forwards who can drop deep. However, with the attack looking blunt against Celta, the decision to leave a prolific goalscorer unused – and then watch him get sent off for frustration – has raised serious questions about Alonso’s man-management. The "dimming of the light" quote suggests that the player believes this exclusion is personal rather than tactical, a dangerous narrative for a coach already under pressure.

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  What comes next?

  With the situation becoming untenable, a January departure now looks inevitable. The red card may have been the final straw for both parties. Reports in France and Italy indicate that Lyon, Juventus, and even Manchester United are monitoring the situation closely, ready to offer a six-month loan deal.

  For the player, a move is essential. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, he cannot afford to spend a season in the shadows. Real Madrid may be reluctant to weaken their squad depth given their injury crisis, but keeping an unhappy, suspended, and vocal teenager in a fracturing dressing room might be a luxury they can no longer afford.

The Saudi Pro League is renowned for its wealth and ability to give players huge wages, but who are the most expensive signings in the competition’s history?

European football remains the dominant force in the modern game, with the likes of the Premier League, La Liga and Bundesliga generally possessing the best players in the world.

In recent years, the Saudi Pro League has increasingly come to the fore, offering footballers eye-watering weekly wages and tempting them away from European clubs in the process.

To some, it is a sub-standard league where players go to earn big money in the twilight of their careers, but others feel it could only continue to grow in the coming years, especially if it continues to attract some of the biggest names in the sport.

There have been plenty of big-money signings to Saudi clubs since its rise to prominence – here are the 15 most expensive to date.

Rank

Player

Transfer

Date

Fee (£)

Neymar

PSG to Al-Hilal

Aug 2023

Jhon Duran

Aston Villa to Al-Nassr

Jan 2025

Mateo Retegui

Atalanta to Al-Qadsiah

July 2025

Darwin Nunez

Liverpool to Al-Hilal

Aug 2025

Malcom

Zenit to Al-Hilal

Jul 2023

Otavio

Porto to Al-Nassr

Aug 2023

Moussa Diaby

Aston Villa to Al-Ittihad

Jul 2024

Ruben Neves

Wolves to Al-Hilal

Jul 2023

Aleksandar Mitrovic

Fulham to Al-Hilal

Aug 2023

Galeno

Porto to Al-Ahli

Jan 2025

Ivan Toney

Brentford to Al-Ahli

Aug 2024

Fabinho

Liverpool to Al-Ittihad

Jul 2023

Mohamed Simakan

RB Leipzig to Al-Nassr

Sep 2024

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

Lazio to Al-Hilal

Jul 2023

Marcos Leonardo

Benfica to Al-Hilal

Sep 2024

15 Marcos Leonardo Benfica to Al-Hilal (£33.7m)

Kicking off the list is Brazilian youngster Marcos Leonardo, who joined Al-Hilal from Benfica earlier this year in a deal worth a reported €40m (£33.7m).

The 21-year-old forward was previously with Santos in his homeland, but he clearly felt that a Saudi move was best for his development at this early stage in his career. Only time will tell if it is the right call, but it has been rare to see such a young footballer head there.

14 Sergej Milinkovic-Savic Lazio to Al-Hilal (£34m)

For a long time, it seemed inevitable that Sergej Milinkovic-Savic would end up at one of the best teams in Europe, having stood out as such a dominant performer for Lazio, combining talent and physicality in midfield.

It came as a huge shock to see him join Al-Hilal last year in a deal reportedly worth £34m, especially as he was still only in his late 20s at that point. Will he return to Europe in the future?

13 Mohamed Simakan RB Leipzig to Al-Nassr (£37.9m)

Mohamed Simakan made the decision to leave RB Leipzig and join Al-Nassr in September 2024, in a move worth €45m (£37.9m), linking up with Cristiano Ronaldo in the process.

Only in his mid 20s, the centre-back’s decision to move away from Europe arguably surprised some, but it is still early days, and the club’s success on the domestic and continental stages may determine whether he’ll come to regret saying goodbye to the Bundesliga.

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the Frenchman will certainly be looking to make an impression as he seeks a first senior international cap.

12 Fabinho Liverpool to Al-Ittihad (£40m)

Liverpool enjoyed a glorious period in their history under Jurgen Klopp, winning plenty of trophies, and Fabinho played a massive role in the Reds’ success.

A world-class No 6 at his peak, the Brazilian’s ability started to wane in the 2022/23 season, with his body no longer allowing him to cover ground like he once did.

A Saudi move felt like the best outcome for all parties, and Fabinho moved to Al-Ittihad for a reported £40m the following summer.

11 Ivan Toney Brentford to Al-Ahli (£40m)

Much like Milinkovic-Savic, Ivan Toney felt like a player who was only on the up at Brentford, with a move to one of the Premier League’s biggest teams often mooted.

Instead, the England international left the Bees to join Al-Ahli in the summer of 2024 in a move that surprised many, even amid his contract issues in west London.

Reports of his eventual transfer fee were mixed, but most appear to indicate Brentford received a sum of around £40m.

10 Galeno Porto to Al-Ahli (£41.6m)

Former Porto star Galeno was one of two major signings in the January 2025 market for the Saudi Pro League, with the winger joining Al-Ahli for €50m (£41.6m).

Galeno had scored eight in 18 appearances for Porto before departing for the Middle East, and has already written his name into the history books, scoring in the AFC Champions League final against Kawasaki Frontale.

His arrival marks Al-Ahli’s most expensive signing, replacing Ivan Toney.

9 Aleksandar Mitrovic Fulham to Al-Hilal (£46m)

Many players who have moved to the Saudi Pro League have been individuals whose peaks have been and gone, but Aleksandar Mitrovic went there while in his prime.

He was just 28 when he opted to trade Fulham for Al-Hilal, but he is no doubt reaping the financial rewards. Mitrovic’s transfer fee was officially undisclosed, with the Cottagers indicating they had received a “club-record” fee. While it was thought to be close to £50m, a sum of £46m appears to be the most widely mentioned.

8 Ruben Neves Wolves to Al-Hilal (£47m)

Ruben Neves’ move to Saudi Arabia has to stand out as one of the biggest surprises having grown into such a key player at Wolves, while still only being in his mid-20s.

It looked like the Portugal star had the pick of his clubs given the natural talent he possesses in midfield, but the race for his signature was won by Al-Hilal, who paid £47m for Neves’ services.

7 Moussa Diaby Aston Villa to Al-Ittihad (£50m)

It looked like Aston Villa had signed themselves a gem of a player in Moussa Diaby, with the winger catching the eye with his quality and end product during his one season at Villa Park.

His campaign did fizzle out a bit as it went on, but few would have expected to see him ditch the Midlands side for Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ittihad, with the Villans receiving around £50m in the process.

It’s hard not to feel as though the Frenchman is wasting the best years of his career in a lesser division, although the financial aspects of the move are undeniably appealing.

6 Otavio Porto to Al-Nassr (£51.1m)

Otavio was always a highly rated figure for Porto, and became a key part of the Portugal setup before opting for a Saudi move instead of a European switch, which cost Al-Nassr €60m (£51.1m) in August 2023.

He’s not set the world alight in the Middle East, scoring just one goal and supplying five assists in 2024/25.

He will be replaced in the squad by Jordan Neill

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Nov-2025Ross Adair, the Ireland opener, has been ruled out of his team’s upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh due to a bone stress in the knee. Jordan Neill will stay on after the upcoming two Tests and replace Adair in the T20I squad.Adair, who scored a memorable 58-ball hundred against South Africa last year, has had to overcome a few injury concerns in recent months. In his three T20Is this year, he had found some form with 48 against West Indies, and 26 and 33 against England. However, his withdrawal from the Bangladesh tour will now likely see him return to the national fold only in time for next year’s T20 World Cup.Related

Test-starved Bangladesh and Ireland ready to dine on red-ball action in Sylhet

Neill was selected as part of the 15-man Test squad for the upcoming Bangladesh tour, and now will stay on to be part of the T20I squad. Neill made his international debut for Ireland in May this year, however suffered an injury in the field and missed a decent part of the home season.”It’s very unfortunate to have lost Ross on the eve of the Bangladesh tour, he really demonstrated his value at the top of the T20I order during the few chances he had in 2025, and we were looking forward to seeing him perform against Bangladesh,” Andrew White, Ireland s national selector, said.”There are a couple of combinations that we are keen to explore as we build up to next year’s T20 World Cup. Jordan Neill will stay on as part of the T20I squad to provide valuable cover to the wider group. We have players that in the past showed they are capable of deputising at the top of the order – this allows us to adjust the batting line-up and create greater flexibility through the middle and late overs.”The left-handed Ben Calitz coming into the middle order will provide us with the variety we have struggled with over recent years – and this tour gives us a much-needed opportunity to see how a number of players adapt to different situations and conditions.”Ireland will kick off their tour of Bangladesh with the first Test in Sylhet on November 11, before moving to Mirpur for the second Test on November 19. The two teams will then play a three-match T20I series starting November 27.

In what might be their last game in Australia, the two Indian greats brought out their greatest hits

Andrew McGlashan25-Oct-20252:03

Chopra: Kohli and Rohit keep adding confidence

There was precisely nothing about events at the SCG that hadn’t been seen before. A crowd with the majority of support for the visiting side, India playing an excellent game of ODI cricket, a century for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli being unbeaten at the end of a run chase.But in some ways, it did feel different. Quite where the final lap of international cricket ends for Rohit and Kohli remains uncertain but, barring remarkable events, this was a final visit to Australia. For Kohli, especially, it is a place that has played a central role in his storied career across formats: the stunning 133 not out against Sri Lanka in 2012, the 2014-15 tour de force, the 2018 Perth century and captaining a series win, and the MCG in 2022 to name a few.Both players looked short of a hit in Perth when Australia’s new-ball excellence did for them in their first matches since the IPL. In Adelaide, Rohit battled his way to 73 as the ball again nipped around, but Kohli was pinned lbw for another duck by a delivery the bowler, Xavier Bartlett, admitted was meant to be another outswinger. Indian fans had packed both grounds, but the most Kohli could offer was a little wave of the glove as he walked off Adelaide, a city close to his heart.India lost both matches, so Sydney had nothing riding on it in terms of the series, but the game had been a sellout days in advance. By the end, the crowd had ticked over 40,000, any late arrivals no doubt hastened as they saw the shape of India’s scoreboard in the run chase and, for the majority, the closing stages felt like a bit of a party.Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli rolled back the years•Cricket Australia/Getty ImagesBut well before Kohli batted, there was a deafening roar in the 23rd over of Australia’s innings. Anyone who might have had their back to the action, perhaps getting a coffee, may have wondered what had happened. Kohli had held a sharp catch at square leg to remove Matt Short.Related

Vintage Ro-Ko masterclass guides India home after Harshit Rana's four

Stats – Kohli goes past Sangakkara, Rohit equals Tendulkar

Rohit's reminder that he can't be written off easily

'Wanted to start fresh' – Rohit and Kohli roll back the years in Sydney

Rohit’s neat take at slip to claim Mitch Owen was also well received, although an even bigger roar was saved for Kohli’s regulation take at long-on in front of a stand where fans held large cut outs of his head and rose to acclaim him whenever he turned to face them. It was nothing like the more hostile reception in the Test series earlier this year when Kohli had, not for the first time, become a villain for squaring up to Sam Konstas.However, it was the runs they really wanted. Or, to start with, a run for Kohli. But more on that shortly.India’s chase was soon up and running. Rohit flicked Mitchell Starc through the leg side and bludgeoned a drive through the covers. He had to be alert to get his head out of the line of a Josh Hazlewood delivery that jumped from a short of a length, a barer patch on the pitch which corresponded to the centre circle for Australian Rules Football.A dismissive pull by Rohit off Hazlewood in the ninth over brought up India’s fifty, but even their supporters seemed conflicted, caught between cheering the boundaries and chanting “Kohli, Kohli.” Quite how they would have greeted a 10-wicket win, we’ll never know.In the 11th over, Shubman Gill, the new captain of the ODI side and slotted on the batting card between these two icons, nicked a good delivery from Hazlewood. The cheers grew as he began his walk, because of who was coming down the steps of the historic SCG away dressing room.Virat Kohli walks out to bat in front of a packed SCG•Cricket Australia via Getty ImagesKohli’s first-ball single towards mid-on was greeted by a deafening roar. Credit to the man himself for playing his part, too, with a smile and a little raise of the glove. A late cut against Adam Zampa followed a top-edged pull against Hazlewood. Then something from the best-of package: a straight drive off Starc.Not long into the stand between Rohit and Kohli, there was a sense of inevitability about the chase. It was a matter of how many each would make. Many opposition teams have had that feeling over the years. Rohit’s fifty came first, then Kohli’s, then Rohit went to his hundred from another 42 deliveries. Acceleration has always been a notable feature of his game.”They’ve been doing this for the past 15 years for us and to be able to watch them play like this and get the team through unbeaten is really a treat to watch,” Gill said. “Seeing the ball fly off their bats and just hearing the sound that comes off their bat is something that tells you how good of a nick they’re both in.”For Rohit, it was his fifth hundred against Australia on their turf in ODIs, but his first in a winning cause. That included an unbeaten 171 at the WACA in 2016 which ended in defeat although, in 2008, he made one of the early marks of his career with 66 at the SCG in the first of the tri-series finals where India would take the tournament. Seventeen years later, he’s still going.Rohit Sharma made his fifth ODI century against Australia in Australia•AFP via Getty Images”I think everyone got what they wanted tonight,” Matt Renshaw said with a hint of a smile in the press conference. “But it was amazing to see them. I’ve never played against them in one-day cricket, and to see the way they went about things tonight, it could have been a tricky chase but they just took the game out of our control.”The way that they got boundaries when they needed, got off strike when they needed to… as someone who’s new to the ODI frame, watching two of the greatest go about it was actually a really good lesson for me to take notes in those middle overs.”When Rohit was here earlier this year, he withdrew himself from the Sydney Test amid a form slump that ultimately ended his career. There was much more at stake on that occasion than however this match played out, and his rather subdued acknowledgment of his century was that of someone not getting carried away.”I don’t know if we’ll be coming back to Australia, but it was fun all these years that we played here,” Rohit said to the host broadcaster. “A lot of good memories, bad memories, but, all in all, I’ll take the cricket that I played here.”As Rohit and Kohli walked off together, they had taken their partnership runs tally to the third-most in ODI history. “I’ve really enjoyed batting with Rohit, and, yeah, good to know we’ve scored a few together,” Kohli said.Whether the pair make the 2027 ODI World Cup no one really knows, perhaps even the players themselves. But for those cheering them on from the stands on Saturday night, and millions more on television, that was a question that could wait for another day.

Australia coach Andrew McDonald has said there will be further investigation into Usman Khawaja’s back issue in the lead-up to the Brisbane Test and admitted the selectors have “a lot to consider” around the batting order after Travis Head’s match-winning performance as a stand-in opener.Australia’s players and staff flew to their home cities on Sunday after the first Ashes Test finished inside two days in Perth.Khawaja’s back spasms have become a major talking point, with the 38-year-old unable to open in both innings and only able to bat once in the game. He also dropped a catch at slip before leaving the field in England’s second innings.Related

• The Khawaja debate: for and against his Test career continuing

• Inglis hammers rapid ton amid Australia batting order debate

• Head adds to career catalogue of mind-blowing knocks on the biggest stage

• Smith stalls talk on Head's permanent role as Ashes opener

• Head: 'It's not going to get much bigger than this'

McDonald confirmed that the medical staff would look into the injury further as Khawaja has never suffered a back spasm of that nature in his lengthy career.”There was discussions around further investigation to whether it was more serious than what we sort of first anticipated,” McDonald said on Monday. “So we’ll work through that. We’ll get a squad together. We’ll step through everything that we normally step through.”We get to camp in six days’ time. It’s a long way out, a lot of information to gather between now and then, and hopefully Usman is fit and available for selection.”I think anytime you spasm, it’s a result of something going on in your back. So I think that further investigation is just due diligence around that. You spasm for a reason. He hasn’t had it before, so that’s what will probably entail a bit more further investigation.”My gut feel is that it should be okay, but as I said, we’ll wait for that information to present.”McDonald dismissed Khawaja’s age as a reason for the back issue flaring up. Khawaja did play 18 holes of golf on each of three days leading into the Test match (54 holes in total), something he had done previously leading into a Test without issue. But McDonald, like CA chief executive Todd Greenberg, reiterated that it had never caused a problem before.”These things can happen,” McDonald said. “And I don’t think you can join the dots to something around his age. I think it’s just one of those things that’s happened.”Travis Head smashed his way to an extraordinary 69-ball century•Getty Images

McDonald was asked whether Head’s extraordinary performance in the second innings, where he made 123 off 83 balls to win the Test match, would cause a rethink about a permanent change at the top of the order.”We’ve got a lot to consider,” McDonald said. “Batting orders are always debated heavily over a period of time. Middle order players haven’t been sort of the ones that have been the popular ones to open the batting. So we’ll discuss and work through what it looks like.”I think it gave us a little bit of a lens potentially to the future in terms of adjusting batting orders in second innings, which is something that we have discussed. To be able to put different people in different positions with the scenario that was presented. So this one happened probably through a bit more chance and obviously the unfortunate injury to Usman. But I think it really probably opens up that discussion more than, more than anything else for us.”Australia’s selectors do not have a history of making a change off a sample size of one innings. Steven Smith made 91 not out in an unsuccessful fourth innings chase in his fourth innings as an opener but the experiment was shelved after he averaged 28 across eight Test innings in the role.The impact Head had on the pink-ball Test in Adelaide last year, where he made a match-winning century at No. 5 in Australia’s first innings having been shielded from batting in a difficult period under lights on the first night, will also be a key factor in any decision to move him permanently to the top for Brisbane. Head had looked reasonably good in the first innings in Perth when he entered in the 16th over before shovelling a pull shot to mid-on.The potential to be flexible with Head looks more appealing to the coach.”We’ve sort of hypothesized around a middle order player going up to the top order if the second innings happened to flatten out,” McDonald said. “In particular, if we needed quick runs, and the wicket was going to deteriorate. So in our strategy and our planning, we have tabled that from time to time.”We’ve had a conversation around Travis opening the batting for a long period of time, and Trav’s has been on the record this week and previously around that also. I suppose, now that it’s out there, yeah, happy to talk about it. Will we do it? If it presents at the right time, potentially.”

Manchester United’s system under Ruben Amorim has led to huge questions being asked about the manager and his ability to lead the side forward in the future.

The 40-year-old has consistently used a 3-4-2-1 system at Old Trafford since his appointment last November, but the formation hasn’t worked as many would have expected.

He could only lead the Red Devils to a 15th-place finish in the Premier League last season, whilst also suffering a defeat in the final of the Europa League to Tottenham Hotspur.

The recent defeat against Everton on home soil led to further questions being directed his way, especially after refusing to move away from his tactics and push more attacking players forward.

However, the manager has desired additions of numerous players ahead of the January transfer window, with the midfield department one that looks set to be bolstered.

Man Utd’s hunt for a new midfielder in January

Over the last couple of weeks, United have ramped up their pursuit of Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson ahead of a potential move in the January window.

It’s been reported that the Red Devils are willing to complete a deal in the coming weeks for the England international after his remarkable start to the current campaign.

However, bitter rivals Manchester City have also now entered the race for the 23-year-old’s signature, which could lead to a huge battle for his services in the months ahead.

He’s not the only Premier League option currently in their sights at present, with Bournemouth star Tyler Adams another player being considered by INEOS ahead of January.

According to the Daily Mail, the hierarchy have held internal talks over a deal to land the American international who has started every Premier League game this season.

It also states that he’s seen as a cheaper option to improve the midfield department, but it remains to be seen if the Cherries would sanction his departure during the winter.

Why United’s latest target would end Mainoo’s stay

Just a couple of years ago, it appeared as though Kobbie Mainoo would be a crucial first-team member for United for many years to come, but it appears as though his time at the club could be coming to an end.

The midfielder has gone from a regular starter and an England international, to now being a player who has been massively restricted to substitute appearances off the bench.

His tally of nine league appearances, none of which were from a starting position, showcases the lack of faith the 40-year-old currently has in the 20-year-old sensation.

Unsurprisingly, the player has grown frustrated at the Red Devils in recent weeks, which has led to the player himself even requesting a move away ahead of January.

If the manager is simply refusing to utilise the youngster, it’s crucial he makes the next step in his career to continue his development and get back onto his recent trajectory.

It remains unclear whether the hierarchy will sanction a move away from Old Trafford for Mainoo, but his career at the club would be all but over with a move for Adams.

Should the American join, it would push him further down the pecking order, with the Bournemouth star producing some incredible numbers over the last couple of months for Andoni Iraola’s side.

Adams, who’s been labelled a “monster” by journalist Tomi Oladipo, has completed 88% of the passes he’s attempted, at an average of 45 per 90 – with both ranking him in the top 25% of all midfielders in the division.

Such numbers showcase his composed nature in possession, but that’s also reaffirmed by his tally of 0.3 times dispossessed per 90, which ranks him in the top 15% in the league.

Games played

14

Goals scored

2

Pass accuracy

88%

Passes per 90

45

Times dispossessed

0.3

Tackles won

2.6

Interceptions made

1.6

Duels won

52%

However, out of possession, he’s been just as impressive, as seen by his phenomenal tallies of 2.6 tackles won and 1.6 interceptions made per 90 to date.

Despite his small frame, the American has also won 52% of the duels he’s entered, whilst completing 48% of the dribbles he’s attempted – further highlighting his all-round talents at the heart of the side.

It’s unclear if his current employers would sanction a departure in the coming weeks, but it’s evident that United would be getting themselves an incredible Premier League talent.

As for Mainoo, it appears to be the end at his boyhood club given his recent lack of action, with the player needing a move to reignite the spark in his professional career.

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