Bayern Munich ready Luis Diaz appeal after receiving 'very harsh' Champions League ban for red card that injured PSG's Achraf Hakimi

Bayern Munich are preparing to appeal the red card picked up by Luis Diaz after he received a 'very harsh' Champions League ban for the foul that injured Paris Saint-Germain's Achraf Hakimi earlier this month. Diaz was slapped with a three-game ban by UEFA, which came as a huge blow for the German giants ahead of their key Champions League clash against Arsenal.

  • Diaz handed ban after Hakimi challenge

    Former Liverpool star Diaz picked up a red card in Bayern's 2-1 win at PSG in a Champions League clash. The Colombia international scored twice in the first half but was then dismissed following a poor tackle on Moroccan right-back Hakimi at the stroke of half-time. The full-back went off with a sprained ankle and is still injured to this day. The challenge was described as "serious rough play" by UEFA, who handed the forward a three-game suspension.

    Bayern held on to secure a precious win and now sit joint-top of the Champions League standings.

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    Bayern set to appeal Diaz suspension

    On Saturday, Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen told : "We've requested the written justification of the verdict from UEFA in order to lodge an appeal. We will see if we can manage to reduce the ban. We assumed it would only be one game after an initial letter from UEFA. So the three-match ban surprised us just as much as everyone else; we couldn't have expected it at all. It was obviously a serious foul, but it wasn't an act of violence, nor was it directed at the referee, nor was there any further offence after the foul. In the past, only such things have resulted in a three-match ban. We believe there shouldn’t be a three-match ban – but realistically, we have to say that such an appeal only succeeds in rare cases."

    Sporting director Max Eberl then added: "I’m not so naive as to say it will only be one match. If we reduce it to two matches, that would be fantastic. Three matches, in my opinion, is very harsh."

  • Kroos slammed referee for Diaz red card

    While the foul did look dangerous at that moment, former Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Germany midfielder Toni Kroos came to Diaz's defence, while slamming the referee as the legendary player felt that the decision was too harsh.

    Speaking on his podcast, Kroos was emphatic in his belief that the referee made the wrong call as he said: "For me, it’s clear: it wasn’t a red card," Kroos said, insisting that the referee "let Hakimi’s injury have too much of an influence on his assessment of the play."

    The German argued that the challenge itself, while forceful, did not indicate malicious intent from Diaz. He added: "If Hakimi had gotten up after the challenge, nobody would have reviewed the play." 

    Kroos also turned his attention toward the role of the VAR team, suggesting that replaying slow-motion angles can distort reality. "In situations like these, the referee should judge the action itself, not the consequences," he concluded.

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    Up next: Bayern face Arsenal in top of the table contest

    Vincent Kompany's side returned to action after the international break on Saturday as they faced Freiburg in a Bundesliga clash. Bayern secured a thumping 6-2 win riding on Michael Olise's brace, while Kane and Nicolas Jackson were also on target.

    They will now aim to build on the dominating performance ahead of facing Premier League leaders Arsenal next in the Champions League in a top-of-the-table contest. Both teams are on a four-game winning streak in Europe. 

Lembra? Última visita de Tite no Allianz Parque teve vitória do Palmeiras em Dérbi

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras encara o Flamengo neste domingo (21), no Allianz Parque, em jogo válido pela 3ª rodada do Brasileirão 2024 e o duelo entre Abel Ferreira e Tite é um dos ingredientes principais da partida.

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➡️ Siga o Lance! Palmeiras no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Verdão

O técnico do Flamengo volta a encarar o Palmeiras no Allianz Parque após oito anos e o torcedor palmeirense espera que Tite saia da casa do Verdão igual após a sua última visita no estádio: derrotado.

Comandando o Corinthians pelo Brasileirão de 2016, Tite perdeu por 1 a 0 para o Palmeiras de Cuca, que terminaria aquele Brasileiro como campeão nacional após 22 anos.

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Aquele foi o último jogo de Tite pelo maior rival do Palmeiras antes do técnico confirmar que seria o novo comandante da Seleção Brasileira, onde ele ficou por seis anos e comandou o Brasil por duas Copas do Mundo.

➡️A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta!

Este será o segundo duelo entre Tite e Abel Ferreira na carreira dos dois treinadores. O primeiro encontro foi pelo Brasileirão de 2023, quando o Flamengo saiu vencedor no Maracanã, por 3 a 0.

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Allianz ParqueFlamengoPalmeirasTite

Astros Prospect's Family, Minor-League Team Had Awesome Reaction to First MLB Homer

Have a debut, Zach Cole.

The Astros called up the outfield prospect Friday to help provide a spark to their offense, according to the . He did just that as he hit eighth and played left field in his first game with the team.

Cole wasted no time recording his first hit and home run as he took the first pitch he saw in the big leagues out of the park against the Braves. He turned on a 93-mph cutter up in the zone from Atlanta starter Hurston Waldrep and took it 423 feet over the right-field wall at Truist Park.

His family was in attendance sitting just beside Houston’s dugout and they couldn’t believe it. Pure bliss:

Cole spent most of his season in Double A Corpus Christi and his teammates went wild for the massive swing as they watched on TV from their locker room:

He was promoted to Triple A Sugar Land just last month and quickly impressed in his 15 games played with a slash line of .353/.459/.745 with five home runs and 16 RBIs. The hot start in his MLB debut didn’t end with the third-inning homer which put the Astros on the board. He ended the night 3-for-4 with four RBIs and the one long ball in an impeccable first showing.

He may just be the offensive spark the Astros needed as they sit with a half-game lead over the Mariners in the AL West with just 14 games left in their regular-season schedule.

Cal Raleigh Passes Mickey Mantle, Ties Ken Griffey Jr. for MLB Records With Home Runs Nos. 55, 56

Cal Raleigh's incredible season continues as he smashed home runs No. 55 and 56 on Tuesday night. And both home runs were historic in their own rights.

With his first homer of the night in the Mariners–Royals game, Raleigh wrote his name in the history books. Raleigh officially passed MLB legend Mickey Mantle by notching the most home runs hit by a switch hitter in a single season. Mantle set the record with 54 homers hit in 1961. Raleigh became just the second switch hitter in MLB history after Mantle to hit at least 50 home runs in a single season.

The Mariners catcher's second home run of the night put him in conversation with Seattle legend Ken Griffey Jr. Raleigh tied Griffey with the most home runs hit in a single season in Mariners history with 56. Griffey notched 56 homers in both the 1997 and '98 seasons while playing for Seattle.

The season isn't over yet. Raleigh can continue breaking records and making history as the Mariners finish out the regular season. Seattle currently leads the AL West with a 82–68 record and are on pace to make the playoffs.

Rashid rested for one-off Test against Zimbabwe, will return for T20Is

The one-off Test starts on October 20, while the three-match T20I series begins October 29

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Oct-2025

With a busy season of cricket ahead for Afghanistan, Rashid has been rested from the one-off Test•ACB

Rashid Khan has been rested for the one-off Test against Zimbabwe as a “precautionary measure to prioritise his well-being and sustained performance for upcoming international events,” according to an ACB statement. He will, however, return to lead the side in the three-match T20I series that follows.With Rashid sitting out of the Test, Afghanistan’s selectors turned to a mix of fresh and familiar names. Right-arm quick Ziaur Rahman, left-arm spinner Sharafuddin Ashraf, and legspinner Khalil Gurbaz, all of whom impressed in the domestic red-ball season, earned call-ups to the Test squad.Shahidullah, the left-arm spin-bowling allrounder, has been rewarded for consistent performances and was included in both the Test and T20I squads. Bashir Ahmad, the left-arm pacer who featured in recent white-ball matches against Bangladesh, retained his place in the Test side. Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead the Test team, which also included Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Bahir Shah, and wicketkeepers Afsar Zazai and Ikram Alikhil.In the T20I squad, Rashid returned as captain with Ibrahim his deputy. Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai made a comeback after debuting earlier in 2024. Experienced players Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad were also part of the T20I side, along with pacers Fareed Malik and Abdullah Ahmadzai.The tour will run from October 20 to November 2, with Harare hosting all games.Afghanistan Test Squad
Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Abdul Malik, Afsar Zazai (wk), Ikram Alikhel (wk), Bahir Shah, Shahidullah, Ismat Alam, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Ziaur Rahman Akbar, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Khalil Gurbaz, and Bashir Ahmad.
Reserves: Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai, Sediqullah Atal, and Shams Ur Rahman.Afghanistan T20I Squad
Rashid Khan (capt), Ibrahim Zadran (vice-capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Shahidullah, Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Bashir Ahmad, Fareed Malik and Abdullah Ahmadzai.
Reserves: AM Ghazanfar and Faridoon Dawoodzai.

Gill walks Kohli's path in flawless display of batting

The new No. 4 for India evoked memories of the old one with his double-hundred at Edgbaston

Sidharth Monga03-Jul-20251:15

Aaron: ‘Gill is an Indian Rolls Royce’

As a boy, Shubman Gill was a cricket nerd. He knew of the website , which is not a place for the casual fan. Back then, it was not behind the paywall that it is now. Gill would visit it because it is a repository of cricket scorecards that goes beyond international and domestic cricket, right down to junior scorecards and local leagues. Gill wanted to measure himself up against great players when they were his age.Gill’s “player oracle” search featured one player more than others. He wanted to know what Virat Kohli’s scores and achievements were when he was his age. At that age did he get ahead of Kohli. The senior man acknowledged as much when he first saw Gill in the nets in New Zealand in 2019-20, famously saying he didn’t have even 10% of the talent when he was Gill’s age.By then, though, Gill knew what a tall order he had chosen to follow. He might have had the skill, but he would need every bit of bloody-mindedness, competitiveness, fitness and drive he could muster to keep measuring up. Remarkably, he kept measuring up: he had his ODI game sorted before any other format, had a tough initiation into Test cricket, and then was named the Test captain at a similar age with similar numbers as batter and a similar transition to carry out. And with the whole world watching, not just the nerds.Related

India's quicks cause damage after Gill's epic 269

Gill makes the highest score by an India batter in England

Stats – All the records Gill broke during his historic 269

Gill won’t need to subscribe to any websites to tell him he is carrying the parallels too far. A century on captaincy debut. Just like Kohli. In a defeat. Just like Kohli. A century in the second Test as captain. Just like Kohli. The same number of centuries as Kohli in England already. Going past Kohli for the highest score by an India captain already. Then getting out for 269, Kohli’s India cap number.More than just the numbers, it is the same inevitability he has carried as Kohli did at his prime whenever a pitch was less than spiteful. Gill barely ever plays a false shot. Even in a high-risk format such as T20 cricket, Gill scored 650 runs in IPL 2025 at a strike rate of 155.87 with a control rate Test batters would be proud of: a false shot every nine balls, or in control of 88.49% of the balls he faced. No batter did better than one false shot every over. Can you imagine what would happen if you gave Gill a flat track and unlimited time to bat?There is no need to imagine. You saw what happens. At Headingley, he played 21 false shots in 227 balls. That last one stuck with him. That was the kind of shot his dad would taunt him for playing when he was at the junior level.Long before that, when he was still living in his village, Lakhwinder Singh, Gill’s father, used to get his farmhands to throw balls at little Shubman. They would be rewarded with Rs 100 if they got him out. It was a little over a pound back then. Much better paid professional bowlers might as well be asking themselves, “What are we, farmers?”2:11

Jadeja: Captaincy pressure not affecting Gill’s batting

“We threw everything at him,” England’s assistant coach Jeetan Patel said afterwards.The skill and muscle memory developed hitting all those balls from the age of four or five teamed up with the resolve that comes from seeing a relaxed shot result in a Test-losing collapse, and England found themselves at the receiving end. Only 25 false shots came about in his 387 balls at the wicket. And he didn’t have to shelve any of his shots: reverse-sweeps, aerial hits, all were a go.Ravindra Jadeja, who spent the most time with Gill at the wicket, summed it up best. “When he has batted, it hasn’t seemed he is the captain or he has any extra responsibility. Today, unluckily that ball went to hand because it never looked like he would even get out.”Gill famously started this series at a Test average of under 36. He stated that his goal was to be the best batter in the series. His average has risen to 40.64 already. It is tempting to imagine where his average would be if he got a few more such pitches in his first 32 Tests.

Nancy could unearth his next Abou Ali in Celtic's "lightning-quick" teen

Celtic look set to finally confirm the appointment of their permanent successor to Brendan Rodgers in the dugout at Parkhead with the arrival of Wilfried Nancy from Columbus Crew.

Rodgers tendered his resignation at the end of October, after a 3-1 loss to Hearts, and experienced manager Martin O’Neill has taken the reins as interim head coach for the past month or so.

The former Celtic boss, as shown in the graphic above, won the Scottish Premiership title in his first two seasons back at Parkhead, and it will be down to Nancy to overcome Hearts to win the division in his first season.

Journalist Graeme Bailey claims that the Hoops are set to confirm the appointment of the MLS boss before the weekend, but that means that it remains to be seen if he will be in the dugout for the weekend’s clash with Hibernian.

Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen and Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna were also said to be in the running for the role, but it is the Frenchman who is poised to replace Rodgers.

Whilst Nancy will have to deal with the players that he inherits for the first month or so of his reign in Glasgow, the incoming boss has already been linked with a move to bring one of his Columbus Crew stars to Scotland.

The Columbus Crew star Wilfried Nancy could bring to Celtic

Earlier this week, it was reported that Celtic are lining up a move to bolster their attack by swooping for one of the French head coach’s key players from the MLS side.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Nancy is reportedly set to swoop for Columbus Crew centre-forward Wessam Abou Ali to provide him with a proven and lethal number nine at Parkhead for the second half of the 2025/26 season.

The Palestine international scored three goals in five MLS games for Nancy towards the end of the 2025 campaign, per Sofascore, after a £5.7m move from Egyptian giants Al Ahly back in July.

Prior to his almost £6m move to the MLS in July, Abou Ali’s form for Al Ahly in Egypt caught the eye, as he showcased his reliability in front of goal in the Egyptian Premier League.

Abou Ali – Egyptian Premier League

23/24

24/25

Appearances

19

16

Goals

18

10

Minutes per goal

76

118

Big chances missed

5

1

Conversion rate

40%

23%

Big chances created

3

2

Assists

4

3

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the 26-year-old frontman scored a staggering 28 goals in 35 appearances in those two seasons, which shows that he can find the back of the net on a regular basis.

However, it remains to be seen how much money Columbus Crew would want for the prolific striker because they paid almost £6m for him earlier this year, and he has already scored three goals in five league games.

If the MLS side demand a hefty fee that Celtic are either unable or unwilling to pay in the January transfer window, Nancy will have to look at alternative ways to bolster his attacking ranks at Parkhead.

For example, the French boss could unearth his next version of Abou Ali by helping young striker Callum Osmand fulfill his potential when he is back fit and available for selection.

Why Osmand could be Celtic's own version of Abou Ali

The Jersey-born star is currently out with a hamstring injury and a timeline has not been given on his return date, so it remains to be seen when he will be available to the incoming Hoops boss.

With Kelechi Iheanacho and Osmand both missing through injury, Ireland international Johnny Kenny is the first-choice number nine at Parkhead. The young forward has had an impressive run under interim boss O’Neill with four goals in five matches, per Sofascore.

However, it may be the former Fulham youngster who is the most likely to emerge as the star goalscorer of the Nancy era when you consider his record at first-team and academy level to date.

The battle to be Celtic’s number nine

Academy + first-team

Kenny

Osmand

Appearances

150

83

Goals

47

49

Games per goal

3.19

1.69

Assists

11

13

Games per assist

13.64

6.38

Stats via Transfermarkt

As you can see in the table above, Osmand has scored and created goals at a much more impressive rate than Kenny has throughout his career to date, with an exceptional haul of 49 goals in 83 matches.

Whilst the majority of those goals have been at youth level, the 20-year-old star also showcased his quality in the first-team with a poacher’s finish against Rangers in the semi-final of the League Cup at Hampden Park earlier this month.

Unfortunately, Osmand then suffered his hamstring injury off the bench against Midtjylland in the Europa League in the very next game, shortly after winning a penalty from which Reo Hatate scored.

The ex-Fulham youngster, who was also hailed as “lightning quick” by Fulham expert Jack Kelly, scored one goal and won a penalty in his first three first-team outings for the Scottish giants, which is an impressive start to senior football for the young attacker.

His exceptional goalscoring record in his career suggests that he has the potential to emerge as a real star for Celtic in the future, once he is back from injury, because he has the quality to deliver goals and assists on a regular basis.

Therefore, the summer signing could be unearthed as Nancy’s next version of Abou Ali, who has been a prolific scorer for his last two teams, as another number nine who can provide a lethal presence in front of goal, if the Hoops are unable to get a deal done for the MLS star.

£1.5m Celtic flop has been an even bigger waste of time than Balikwisha

This Celtic flop has been an even worse signing than Michel-Ange Balikwisha for the Scottish giants.

1

By
Dan Emery

Nov 25, 2025

Fit-again Litton Das returns to lead Bangladesh's T20I squad

The captain returns for the first two T20Is against West Indies after recovering from a side strain

Mohammad Isam23-Oct-2025Bangladesh have their T20I captain back with Litton Das returning to the squad for the first two T20Is against West Indies in Chattogram next week. Litton had missed Bangladesh’s last five T20Is after suffering a side strain during the Asia Cup last month. He missed two matches in that tournament as well as the 3-0 win over Afghanistan in Sharjah, where Jaker Ali led the side in his absence.Litton is back in the squad now at Mohammad Saifuddin’s expense. The 28-year-old allrounder bowled superbly in the third T20I against Afghanistan, taking 3 for 15 in three overs.The Bangladesh selectors also left out Soumya Sarkar, who had technically been part of the squad against Afghanistan but did not get to play since he did not get his visa for the UAE, with Parvez Hossain Emon replacing him. Soumya’s non-selection for the West Indies T20Is comes on a day when he scored an 86-ball 91 in the third ODI in Dhaka.The core of the squad that beat Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Netherlands and Afghanistan in consecutive bilateral series remains in place for Bangladesh. Litton will have Saif Hassan, Parvez and Tanzid Hasan for compant in the top-order, withTowhid Hridoy, Jaker, Shamim Hossain and Nurul Hasan in the middle-order.Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed and Mahedi Hasan will make up the spin attack, with Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam forming the customary four-man pace attack.The three T20Is will be played in Chattogram on October 27, 29 and 31.

Bangladesh squad for first two T20Is against West Indies

Litton Das (capt & wk), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan (wk), Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam.

Man Utd have their own version of Semenyo & he's Amorim's "best player"

A mixed start – and recent injury – for Benjamin Sesko may have put a dampener on things, although it’s hard not to be impressed by Manchester United’s summer recruitment, with it finally looking as if the Red Devils have invested wisely in the transfer market.

It is also worth pondering just how Ruben Amorim’s side might have looked if things had panned out differently at the start of the window, with United notably chasing Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, after wrapping up a £62.5m deal for Matheus Cunha.

The England striker – fresh off scoring 12 times at Portman Road in the Premier League – was an attractive target due to his £30m release clause, although despite lengthy negotiations, he ultimately opted for Chelsea and Champions League football instead.

There is a sense that perhaps United have had the last laugh with regard to the ex-Manchester City man, with Delap yet to score for the Blues this season, although frustration might still linger over the failure to prise Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth.

Ahead of ultimately forking out for Sesko, there were suggestions that the Old Trafford side were leading the race for the Ghanaian, amid the prospect of a potential £70m switch.

Frustratingly, the 25-year-old stayed put on the south coast, and is now flourishing again under Andoni Iraola, sparking hope that a renewed approach from Amorim and co could be in store in the New Year.

Latest on Antoine Semenyo's future

There was a sense over the summer that Amorim and co could put together a completely new-look, Premier League-proven forward line, with Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo potentially set to be joined by Semenyo as the attacking spearhead.

Sesko, ultimately, was recruited instead, although with the Slovenian scoring just twice since his arrival from RB Leipzig, a further forward still appears a necessity, hence potentially turning to Semenyo again in 2026.

The former Bristol City man – who can operate all across the frontline, as well as at wing-back – remains a worthy option amid what has been a stunning season so far in 2025/26, having registered nine goals and assists in just 11 league games.

Arguably the “best winger in the country”, in the view of pundit Chris Waddle, Semenyo is again likely to turn heads in January, with The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealing on Monday that there will be a release clause to activate in the player’s contract in that winter window.

Previously valued at £70m, the in-demand speedster will now cost ‘just’ £65m in January for a specific time period, with that figure then set to reduce again next summer.

As per the report, both United and Tottenham Hotspur are named as the clubs who ‘coveted’ him in the most recent window, although the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool are now also in the equation.

As already suggested, Semenyo’s red-hot form has certainly warranted such admiring glances, although back at Old Trafford, Amorim already has a similar figure to shout about.

Man Utd's own version of Semenyo

It has been remarkable to witness Semenyo’s rise under Iraola in recent times, having previously scored just 21 times in 125 games during his stint at Ashton Gate, as well as enduring a goalless seven-game spell at Sunderland in League One.

In 90 games working with the Basque boss, however, the £65m man has already chalked up 40 goals and assists, as per Transfermarkt, with his devastating brilliance best seen on the opening weekend against Liverpool, having run almost the full length of Anfield before lashing home in that 4-2 defeat.

He does look unstoppable right now, although the same can be said of the aforementioned Mbeumo, with Amorim and INEOS perhaps thanking their lucky stars that the Cameroonian decided to join them over the summer, after initially missing out on Delap.

Protracted negotiations with Brentford did ensure it was something of a waiting game to see if the 26-year-old would actually make the switch from west London, although since arriving in the door, the clinical left-footer has hardly put a foot wrong.

Indeed, since netting his first goal for the club away at Grimsby Town, Mbeumo has gone on to score five times in just 11 Premier League games – just one shy of Semenyo’s record – while also chipping in with a solitary assist thus far.

Fresh off the back of a standout 20-goal season with the Bees, the one-time Troyes starlet has already cemented himself as arguably United’s “best player”, in the words of Wayne Rooney, amid his rampant start to 2025/26.

Like Semenyo, the £71m man can operate on either flank or in a false nine role, having even interchanged nicely with Amad at wing-back of late, with the pair striking up a fruitful partnership down that right-hand side.

Games (starts)

11 (11)

11(11)

Goals

6

5

Big chances missed

5

3

Goal conversion

26%

19%

Assists

3

1

Big chances created

0

3

Key passes*

1.0

1.7

Pass accuracy*

77%

80%

Successful dribbles*

1.9

0.8

That likeness to the Bournemouth talisman in a positional sense is also backed up by their likeness in a statistical and stylistic sense, with the pair deemed to be similar players among those in their position in Europe’s top five leagues, as per FBref.

Two of the most in-form forwards in the Premier League right now, you would be splitting hairs to decide who is the better player between Semenyo and Mbeumo, with the two men so decisive for their respective sides.

In an ideal world, they might even be lining up together at some stage in 2026, although even if Semenyo doesn’t end up in Manchester, at least United have Mbeumo to hang their hat on these days.

The new Ronaldo: Man Utd preparing British-record bid for £200m superstar

Manchester United are looking to make further attacking investments after this summer’s spending.

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Angelo Stiller receives apology after Man Utd target's appearance abhorrently mocked by Go Ahead Eagles forward during Europa League clash

Stuttgart star Angelo Stiller has received an apology after his appearance was mocked by a Go Ahead Eagles player in their Europa League game on Thursday. Second-half substitute Victor Edvardsen was booked shortly after gesturing at the German international's nose during the 4-0 defeat. The Swede was heavily criticised on social media and, after the Dutch club also handed him a fine, he issued an apology.

Uncomfortable scenes in Europa League game

Just three minutes into his cameo, Edvardsen mocked how Stiller, who has been linked with Manchester United and Real Madrid, looked. The incident sparked a clash between the two teams, leading to the former getting booked. After the game, former Inter player Wesley Sneijder said, "I find it sad. Such things are absolutely unacceptable."

Although Stiller was incensed by the incident, Stuttgart sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth chose his words carefully, rather than adding fuel to the fire.

"I saw it, but from a distance it was still difficult for me to assess. It's about Europa League points for Deventer just as it is for us," he said. "So if emotions are running high and then quickly subside, and the referee takes the right measures, then it's not all that big of a deal. Therefore, everything's fine."

Aside from that, the 29-year-old received a huge backlash online for his actions, and subsequently, Go Ahead Eagles have announced he has been fined €500 ($580); along with the player apologising for his very poor behaviour. 

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'I would like to apologise'

A statement from the Eredivisie outfit reads: "Go Ahead Eagles regrets that several incidents have taken place during the duel with VfB Stuttgart. The club therefore renounces this."

And Edvardsen himself announced that he apologised to Stuttgart's players after the contest. 

He said: "I would like to apologise for my behaviour yesterday. Things have been said and done between the two of us that don't belong on a football field. Afterwards, I went to the dressing room in Stuttgart to apologize. I have an exemplary role, and I have to behave accordingly."

Go Ahead Eagles added that the €500 fine will be 'donated to the social branch of the club'. General manager, Jan Willem van Dop, said the Netherlands team were "completely dissatisfied" with how their player conducted himself in the Europa League tie.

He added, "As a club, we are completely dissatisfied with Victor’s behavior and distance ourselves from it. It’s good that he apologised afterward, but it remains a stain on the evening."

Stuttgart fans criticised

In the same media release, Go Ahead Eagles criticized Stuttgart fans for standing in a seated section, despite being warned not to. They added that their behaviour was "unacceptable" and the police had to repeatedly get involved.

It states: "The incident with Edvardsen was not the only incident during Go Ahead Eagles – VfB Stuttgart. Before, during and after the match, unrest arose around the stadium. During Europa League matches, Go Ahead Eagles must make so-called 'Category 1 tickets' available to the opposing team. The German supporters who received these tickets sat in the main stand and were asked several times not to stand during the match. Despite instructions from the security staff, this was not heeded. As a result, the police had to intervene. The behaviour of the German supporters is unacceptable and does not belong in a public stand. As a result, security personnel had to intervene in the home stands as well. Go Ahead Eagles attaches great importance to hospitality, but is disappointed with the disorder in the main stand. It is the responsibility of the opposing team to allocate these cards in a responsible and appropriate manner, which did not happen here. After the match, the police had to intervene again."

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GettyWhat comes next for both Stiller?

Stiller's emergence as one of Europe's best young midfield talents has brought him to the attention of bigger clubs than Stuttgart, which suggests he might soon be playing on a different stage. Manchester United's search for central midfielder who can replace an ageing Casemiro has brought them to his door, but there will be plenty to play ouf over the coming months, especially with a World Cup that could put Stiller even more in the shop window.

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