Tottenham Hotspur are now leading the race to sign an “intelligent” midfielder from a Champions League club, having overtaken a number of their Premier League rivals in the race for his signature.

Spurs urged to reshuffle midfield amid lack of forward passes

Sky Sports analyst Nick Wright has recently called for Tottenham to reshuffle their midfield, off the back of the poor team performance in the 0-0 draw against AS Monaco in the Champions League, as well as the 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa.

Against the French side, Spurs’ midfield duo of Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha directed just seven of their 58 combined passes forward, picking out Richarlison on three occasions and failing to provide substitute Randal Kolo Muani with the ball once.

The creativity problems were also on display against Villa, with the duo directing 15 of 79 passes forward, which indicates Thomas Frank needs to either reshuffle his midfield options or bring in a new player in January or the summer.

Tottenham join hectic race to sign £75k-p/w star who Redknapp called "tremendous"

The Lilywhites could beat Chelsea to the deal…

ByTom Cunningham Oct 26, 2025

According to a report from Record (via Sport Witness), Tottenham are now leading the race for Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand, who has attracted widespread interest from the Premier League, with the likes of Man United and Manchester City also keen.

Sporting are expecting offers for Hjulmand in the January transfer window, but it may take a huge offer to get a deal over the line, given that the Portugal club plan to stick to the €80m (£70m) release clause included in his current contract.

It is unclear whether the north Londoners are willing to make an approach this winter, and Sporting remain in a strong negotiating position, considering the midfielder is contracted until 2028, but there are plenty of signs he could be worth pursuing…

"Intelligent" Hjulmand could be exactly what Frank needs

As previously mentioned, Tottenham are having a hard time progressing the ball up the pitch, but the Sporting star is an extremely impressive passer of the ball, who has a tendency to advance the ball into more advanced areas.

Statistic

Average per 90 (past year)

Passes attempted

62.70 (87th percentile)

Pass completion %

90% (95th percentile)

Progressive passes

6.51 (83rd percentile)

The pass-master has also started to prove himself at the top level this season, receiving a 7.6 SofaScore match rating in his side’s 2-1 defeat against Marseille in the Champions League earlier this month, the highest of any Sporting player.

Not only does the Denmark international excel in possession of the ball, but he is also solid from a defensive point of view, according to scout Ben Mattinson, who said: “Hjulmand is a defensively intelligent midfielder who reads the game to a high level. He has great anticipation which allows him to read the oppositions next attacking moves.”

As such, Hjulmand could be the ideal addition to Frank’s squad, with the Tottenham manager clearly in need of different options in the engine room.

حسم نادي العربي القطري موقفه النهائي من العروض التي تلقاها خلال الفترة الماضية بشأن لاعبه عمر الفولي.

وكشف عبدالحميد الويس، رئيس جهاز كرة اليد بالنادي العربي، في تصريحات صحفية، أن إدارة النادي رفضت رسميًا العروض المقدمة من أندية الخليج السعودي، وكذلك الزمالك، والأهلي للتعاقد مع اللاعب، مشددًا على أن الفولي يُعد أحد الركائز الأساسية في مشروع الفريق للمواسم المقبلة.

وقال الويس: “العربي متمسك بعمر الفولي، ولن نسمح برحيله في الوقت الحالي، لما يمثله من قيمة فنية كبيرة داخل الفريق، نقدر رغبة الأندية التي تفاوضت لضمه، لكن مصلحة النادي واستقراره الفني تأتي في المقام الأول”.

طالع أيضًا | خاص | الاتحاد الإفريقي يُعاقب يد الزمالك بالإيقاف عن المشاركة القارية وتغريمه ماليًا

وأوضح المسؤول أن عقد اللاعب مع العربي يمتد حتى صيف 2028، مشيرًا إلى أن الفولي يخوض حاليًا تجربة إعارة مع نادي الزمالك المصري حتى 31 ديسمبر 2025، على أن يعود بعدها لاستكمال مشواره مع الفريق القطري.

واختتم الويس تصريحاته بالتأكيد على احترام إدارة العربي الكامل لجميع الأندية التي أبدت اهتمامها بالتعاقد مع اللاعب، مشيرًا إلى أن النادي يرحب بالعلاقات الرياضية الطيبة، لكنه في الوقت ذاته يحرص على الحفاظ على استقرار الفريق وعناصره الأساسية.

Manchester United legend and pundit Gary Neville named the 'only team' that can challenge favourites Arsenal for the Premier League title this year as he has ruled Pep Guardiola's Manchester City out of the title race. The Gunners have won eight out of their first 10 league matches and are safely placed at the top of the Premier League table, seven points ahead of second-placed Bournemouth.

• Neville still considers Gunners to win title

  The former England defender once again claimed that he still believes that Arsenal are the team to beat this year, as he considers them the favourites to win the league title due to a strong squad at Mikel Arteta's disposal. Neville had earlier revealed how many points the Gunners would need to secure to seal the title, as he said on the Gary Neville Podcast: "This has got to be them, hasn't it? This has got to be their year. This is the fourth season on the bounce that I've had them to win the league, but they're not necessarily miles better, they're repeating their levels of consistency, and that's all they're going to have to do this year to win the league. They're not going to have to go and get 100 points, they're not going to have to get even 90 or 95 points to win the league, mid-80s, high 80s will win them this title, and they can do that. 

  "I mentioned before about the other teams [being] inconsistent and unreliable, that's not this Arsenal team. They're very reliable. You can trust them. The way in which they defend is fantastic. They're all around each other. They don't concede goals. They've got a threat up front in multiple areas. They've not got a sensational centre-forward, but they've got a battering ram up there as honest as a day's long, and that can work for them. They've got [Eberechi] Eze, they've got so they've got [Noni] Madueke, [Gabriel] Martinelli, [Leandro] Trossard, lots of players who can contribute goals. They've got [Declan] Rice who can obviously deliver in set-pieces. They've got four fantastic full-backs and three excellent centre-backs."

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  '‘Liverpool are the only team'

  Speaking to , the United icon said: "Look, Arsenal can lose the title from here. I understand why Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal players and even the fans will play down the idea that they have to win it this season. But they’re the most consistent team and they’ve been building up to this now for three or four seasons. I actually tipped them for the title for the past three seasons and they’ve obviously fallen short. I thought they should have been there last season when Liverpool won it because I thought if Man City dropped off, Arsenal had to be the team to do it. There won’t be many people making excuses for Arsenal this season and that’s not me applying pressure to Arsenal, I just think they’re the best team in the league and they’ve got the right squad. It’s only November so it’s crazy to suggest you should win the league from here – but they should and if you’re not Mikel Arteta or an Arsenal player you can say that quite confidently.

  "The reason I say I’m confident Arsenal will win the league is because you always think about what can stop a team. If Liverpool lost Virgil van Dijk or Mohamed Salah in previous seasons they would be in trouble. But I can’t think of any player Arsenal might lose now and it would mean they would lose the title… even the two centre-backs because of the summer signings. Every position is covered. Bukayo Saka was that player in the past but Noni Madueke came in when he was injured. Everywhere, they are properly doubled up with the same level of quality or only a small drop-off. So who’s going to take it off them? Arsenal would have to beat themselves not to win it. ‘I don’t think Man City are going to get back to a level they’ve been at previously and come back at Arsenal. Pep Guardiola is a genius but he hasn’t got the players or the team playing at the level needed. Liverpool are the only team but they would have to get back on track very quickly."

• Liverpool back to winning ways

  The Reds finally ended their torrid four-game losing streak in the Premier League on Saturday as they beat Aston Villa at home 2-0 to secure crucial three points and climbed up to the third position on the league table for now. Mohamed Salah finally found his scoring boots as he broke the deadlock before Ryan Gravenberch to sealed the win for the reigning English champions. 

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  Can Arsenal finally bring the Premier League home

  After enduring heartbreaks towards the end of the season in the last few campaigns, Arsenal are finally looking like a well-oiled side that are ready to go all the way and lift the coveted Premier League title. On Saturday, they registered their ninth consecutive win across all competitions against Burnley in the league and are seven points clear at the summit. 

  They next face Slavia Praha in a Champions League away fixture on Tuesday, before travelling to Sunderland for a Premier League clash on November 8.

MatériaMais Notícias

Na noite desta quarta-feira (11), a Seleção Brasileira encerrou sua preparação para enfrentar a Venezuela, em jogo que acontece nesta quinta (12), às 21h30, na Arena Pantanal, em Cuiabá-MT. Como era esperado, Fernando Diniz será obrigado a fazer duas alterações no time titular que venceu Bolívia e Peru na última Data Fifa, mantendo a base que colocou o time na liderança das Eliminatórias.

RelacionadasSeleção BrasileiraBrasil x Venezuela: onde assistir ao vivo, horário e escalações do jogo pelas Eliminatórias da CopaSeleção Brasileira12/10/2023Seleção BrasileiraTreinador Phelipe Leal anuncia a convocação da Seleção Brasileira para a Copa do Mundo Sub-17Seleção Brasileira11/10/2023Futebol InternacionalDurante homenagem, reitor de universidade crava acerto de Carlo Ancelotti com a Seleção BrasileiraFutebol Internacional11/10/2023

+ Garanta o churrasco do feriado! Aposte R$500 e ganhe R$2000 com o Brasil!

+ Aposte R$100 e ganhe R$375 com o Brasil e Neymar contra a Venezuela nas Eliminatórias

Em mais um treino no palco da partida, a imprensa pôde acompanhar apenas parte do aquecimento dos jogadores. Lembrando que foi apenas a segunda atividade que a comissão técnica teve em campo com elenco completo.

+ Garanta a sua vaga no curso que formou craques como Pet, Dante e Léo Moura! Cupom: LANCE1000

No entanto, sabe-se que Diniz fará duas alterações na equipe: as entradas de Vini Jr e Guilherme Arana, que substituem Raphinha e Renan Lodi, titulares nos últimos dois jogos, mas que foram cortados da convocação por lesão.

+ Brasil x Venezuela: onde assistir ao vivo, escalações e horário do jogo pelas Eliminatórias da Copa

Tanto nesta quarta (11), quanto na terça (10), o treinador procurou já testar a formação pelo pouco tempo que teve de treino com o grupo. Richarlison, que foi cotado a ir para o banco de reservas e dar lugar a Gabriel Jesus, deve permanecer entre os titulares.

A provável escalação do Brasil para enfrentar a Venezuela é: Ederson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães e Guilherme Arana; Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães e Neymar; Rodrygo, Vini Jr e Richarlison.

+ Durante homenagem, reitor de universidade crava acerto de Carlo Ancelotti com a Seleção Brasileira

Depois de pegar a Vinotinto, a Seleção vai até Montevidéu para encarar o Uruguai, na terça-feira (17), pela quarta rodada das Eliminatórias. O time de Fernando Diniz lidera a classificação com seis pontos.

Hain, Davies also make half-centuries as contest peters out at Hove

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay02-Jul-2025

Warwickshire 415 (Yates 93, Hain 87, Barnard 66, Crocombe 3-82) and 260 for 4 dec (Latham 69, Davies 58, Hain 53) drew with Sussex 533 (Hughes 151, Coles 150, Rocchiccioli 6-173)Warwickshire batted through a rain-affected final day to draw their Rothesay County Championship match with Sussex at Hove.Tom Latham led the way with 69 and there were half-centuries for skipper Alex Davies and Sam Hain with Warwickshire on 260 for four, a lead of 142, when the players shook hands at 4.50pm. Sussex took 14 points, Warwickshire 13.After only 21 wickets had fallen on the first three days there was little likelihood of a clatter on day four, and the already slim odds on Sussex forcing a victory lengthened when 18 overs were lost to rain and bad light before lunch.Sussex employed spin for most of the day with Ollie Robinson even bowling two overs of off-breaks to support the efforts of off-spinner Jack Carson and slow left-armer James Coles, who bowled 53.3 overs between them.There was some occasionally sharp turn out of the rough and with men clustered around the bat Warwickshire’s batters needed to be diligent and they were. The only disappointment was that neither Davies nor Latham, who were well set, could convert their hard work into a century. Hain’s unbeaten 53 came off 170 balls and he didn’t hit a single boundary.Warwickshire began on 88 for one, still 30 runs behind, and they knocked off 20 of that deficit in the 25 minutes before bad light followed by rain forced the players off.When they returned Coles struck with his third ball, which spun a little and Davies edged it to slip where Tom Haines held a reflex catch to his left. Davies’ 58 – his fifth fifty of the season – included nine fours.Carson had been expected to bowl from the sea end, where Warwickshire’s off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli had taken his six wickets, but it was Coles who settled into a long spell up the slope instead. Robinson, hoping his higher release point might disconcert the batters, gave him a brief respite before Coles returned in the 58th over to pick up a second wicket with his third ball back.Latham, having played well for 69, clipped a ball to short leg and Dan Ibrahim clung on to the ball at chest height. The New Zealander had batted for more than three hours and looked good for a few more.At one stage Coles bowled to a ring of four fielders 15 yards from the bat on the off side before going off halfway through his 21st over. Carson, meanwhile, was into his 31st over before getting a belated reward for his efforts when Zen Malik (44) was caught at leg slip off bat and pad.When Carson came off Fynn Hudson-Prentice bowled some off breaks of his own and even opener Dan Hughes turned his arm over before a halt was called.

Derbyshire resist on final day but England legspinner’s seven-for confirms inevitable

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay25-Jul-2025Leicestershire 398 (Hill 151, Rehan 115, Handscomb 101, Reece 6-56) and 236 for 9 dec (Holland 90, Reece 5-64, Thomson 4-81) beat Derbyshire 189 (Came 56, Jewell 54, Rehan 6-51) and 256 (Thomson 55, Chappell 50, Rehan 7-93) by 189 runsLeicestershire took another big stride towards promotion when they finally overcame stubborn Derbyshire by 189 runs in the Rothesay County Championship Division Two match at the Central Co-op County Ground Derby.Once again England allrounder Rehan Ahmed enjoyed another memorable day, taking three wickets to end with 7 for 93 and match figures of 13 for 144 to become the first Leicestershire player to take more than 12 wickets and score a century in the same game since Fred Geeson in 1901 at Glossop.Leicestershire’s sixth win of the season takes them 34 points clear of second-placed Glamorgan with Derbyshire dropping down to third.Derbyshire can take consolation from the way they made the visitors work hard for the win before they were bowled out for 256. After Zak Chappell made 50, the last pair of Alex Thomson, who scored 55, and Jack Morley with 12, resisted for 156 balls before Ian Holland clinched victory with 23 overs remaining.The previous evening Derbyshire captain Wayne Madsen had spoken about the importance of showing resilience and his team certainly did that starting with the overnight pair of Brooke Guest and Aneurin Donald.Rehan continued to bowl from the City End while England pace bowler Josh Hull peppered the pair with short-pitched deliveries. Guest was struck on the hand and Donald took a couple of blows to the body along with one to the helmet but the visitors were frustrated until a change of bowling did the trick.Ben Green took over from Rehan and in his second over he brought one back to beat the forward defensive push of Donald.Rehan switched ends and he celebrated his fifth wicket of the innings and 11th of the match by having Guest caught at short leg for 32.Another bowling change brought the next wicket with Louis Kimber taking over from Rehan and trapping Luis Reece lbw with one that straightened to hit him in front.Derbyshire got to lunch without further setbacks and when Leicestershire took the new ball, Chappell took three fours from a Liam Trevaskis over. The entertainment continued with Chappell reverse sweeping Rehan for his 10th four to reach 50 from 78 balls but when he went for another big shot against the legspinner he was caught at wide long-on.When Rehan bowled Blair Tickner in his next over, it seemed only a matter of time but Thomson and Morley dug in to delay the tea interval.Thomson edged Logan van Beek past a diving Peter Hanscomb to reach 50 but when Holland was brought on for the first time, his third ball was edged by Thomson and Rishi Patel took a one-handed catch at slip to end a compelling contest.

Tea The shockwaves of one mistake – virtually the only one India made on the third morning – reverberated through the rest of play as India slipped from a commanding position. Rishabh Pant was run-out looking to get KL Rahul on strike for his century before lunch. Rahul fell for exactly 100 after lunch. Jofra Archer produced a hair-raising spell of fast bowling. England were desperate to break through but it was not to be. India now trail them by 72 runs. Both teams could’ve made their situations better.India lost both their set batters in the space of 11 balls. The two who replaced them at the crease looked like they were incompatible. Ravindra Jadeja tried to sneak a single in the middle of an lbw appeal and Nitish Kumar Reddy wasn’t alert to it. He could’ve been run out on 0, twice. He saw the ball fly past his edge. He got hit on the helmet. But he wouldn’t succumb. And neither would Jadeja.England sensed an opportunity dragging India from 248 for 3 to 254 for 5. Stokes gambled with a four-over spell from Archer with the new ball just around the corner. Lord’s lived every ball, most of them sent down at 90mph, causing the crowd to ooooh and aaah. Stokes gambled again, bringing Archer back with only half an hour between spells to maximise that new ball. But this time he was wayward. Jadeja and Reddy could leave 11 of the first 24 balls with the second new ball and bit by bit their nerves settled. In the end, they were able to put on a fifty partnership.Rahul carried India’s batting, and secured a new high for them. They’ve made eight hundreds on this tour, a record for an away series. Repeatedly, he talks about the discrepancy between effort and reward. When he does so, it is almost tempting to extrapolate that he’d learned that lesson the hardest way possible. Obsessing about his lack of success and doubling down on his prep work in desperate search for a change.At some point though, he realised he needed to let go, which is funny because one time, in South Africa, he started speaking about how letting go of the ball was where his joy was. Bit by bit, his focus turned from scoring runs to just being the best batter he can be. Well, in this series, he’s made two hundreds in three Tests. Shoaib Bashir produced a beauty to get rid of him, an offbreak that drifted away at the last second to snag the outside edge. Bashir’s participation in the game was curtailed after that with the offspinner picking up a finger injury when Jadeja hit the ball back at him.Pant looked good as well, batting through an injury to his left hand, putting aside his discomfort to produce moments only he can. Reverse scoops. Fall away scoops. Sixes to the first ball of spin. He needed help from the physio to stay out there but for the most part he was good, until the last over before lunch when he thought he was helping his team-mate by sneaking a single to cover. Ben Stokes was aware of the situation, and as he ran in from cover, he had an easier throw at the keeper’s end, but chose to go the other way and sent Pant packing. The celebrations that followed were almost angry. A sign that England hadn’t enjoyed being second best this morning, though not for a lack of effort.

Aston Villa scouts are being put through their paces ahead of the January window and may now have found a player worth pursuing in PSV Eindhoven midfielder Ismael Saibari.

The Villans struggled for goals in the early part of the campaign, and it is fair to say that their efforts to hit the target need to improve, given they are one of the lowest-scoring sides in the Premier League table.

Yet to hit double figures on that front, at the time of writing, much has been made of Ollie Watkins’ poor form at Aston Villa this season. The England international has hit the target in just one of 13 this campaign, failing to repeat the stellar form he showed in 2024/25.

Undoubtedly, January will be a time where finding potency will be prioritised. Hoffenheim striker Fisnik Asllani is on the Villans’ radar and may be pursued, with Unai Emery set on achieving even loftier goals than the accomplishments he has met during his three years in the West Midlands.

He said before the clash with Liverpool: “Still work to do, still objectives to set and work hard to achieve those objectives – collectively and myself as well, individually.

“One of them is some titles, but of course the title only is winning one, Premier League, the cups in England, and Europe, is the target we can set through to achieve some titles, and we are in this way.”

PSR may force Aston Villa’s hand as Liverpool plot a move for Ezri Konsa. Even then, there will be room to recruit more additions to offer Emery a greater sense of potency in his side’s hunt for continental qualification, something he may now find in his latest target.

Aston Villa scouts blown away by Ismael Saibari

According to TBR in conversation with Graeme Bailey, Aston Villa scouts were blown away by PSV midfielder Ismael Saibari after watching him in action against Feyenoord last weekend, where he scored a hat-trick.

Bailey said: “Saibari is attracting a lot of attention and his treble last week was special. He is one to keep an eye on for January, getting goals in January is something Premier League clubs especially are looking for and he could offer that.”

With ten goals and an assist to his name this term, the engine room operator is also wanted by Leeds United, West Ham United, Everton, Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion.

Aston Villa eyeing Joshua Zirkzee to fill attacking void

Versatility is a key part of his game, something that could potentially signal several arrivals are imminent, given Saibari can feature as a ten, in central midfield or in a role shielding the back four.

Nevertheless, PSV hold the cards in negotiations due to having the Morocco international under contract until 2029. Aston Villa may need to shell out a premium to land his services, though could now be tempted by the prospect of a January bid.

It would be fair to say that, at West Ham United, Nuno Espírito Santo has one of the most challenging jobs in the Premier League.

The Portuguese manager has to drag a massive club out of the relegation zone, but unlike in seasons past, the promoted sides are actually putting up a fight.

However, the win over Newcastle United showed two things: the squad are behind him, and it has more than a handful of quality players in it.

There is one in particular who could end up becoming Nuno’s new Morgan Gibbs-White, and no, it’s not Freddie Potts.

The West Ham players vital to Nuno this season

While it is a simplification, Nuno was able to get the most out of Nottingham Forest by playing a direct brand of football that saw his side defend well and then counter-attack effectively.

Chalkboard

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

Therefore, while they’ve hardly impressed this season, the manager’s success at the London Stadium could rest heavily on the form of Max Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo and Konstantinos Mavropanos.

Fortunately, the first two finally looked like the players the Hammers signed against Newcastle, as between them, they made 16 clearances, won five of seven duels, and were dribbled past just once.

If they can replicate that display more often, then there is every chance the Hammers could start climbing the league.

Another player who was crucial for the Tricky Trees last time out was Elliot Anderson, and while it is still early days, Potts could be the Irons version.

The academy graduate was unreal against the Toon, demonstrating everything that could make him an excellent all-action midfielder, from crunching tackles to crisp passing and an ability to win aerial duels.

Now, while solidity is going to be important for the East Londoners, they are also going to need to be explosive on the counter, and with a left-hand side of El Hadji Malick Diouf and Crysencio Summerville, they’ll have just that.

The former has already shown himself to be a powerhouse of a left-back with a sensational cross on him, while the latter’s speed and close control could give opposition defenders nightmares.

With all that said, Nuno will also need a talismanic Gibbs-White-esque figure in his squad, and the good news is that he already does.

Nuno's new Gibbs-White at West Ham

Now, when talking about a West Ham player who could become Nuno’s new Gibbs-White, plenty of people will think of Lucas Paqueta.

After all, the Brazilian is an attacking midfielder who plays with flair and can grab a goal or provide an assist.

However, in this instance, it’s not really about position, but more stature, personality and importance to the club, which is why it has to be Jarrod Bowen.

Like the Forest ace, the former Hull City star is the Hammers’ captain and really is Mr West Ham.

For example, it was his goal that delivered the club their first piece of European silverware, and he is the player the rest of the team turns to when they are in desperate need of a goal.

Since joining the East Londoners in January 2020, the 28-year-old has scored 77 goals and provided 53 assists in 249 appearances, totalling 19881 minutes.

That comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.91 games, or every 152.93 minutes.

On top of simply being world-class, such a return truly justifies Jamie Carragher’s claim that he is “one of the greatest players to have ever played for the club.”

Ultimately, Nuno has a handful of genuinely impressive players in his West Ham squad, but the most important, and the one who could become his new Gibbs-White, is Bowen.

West Ham flop now looks totally finished under Nuno after Potts' emergence

Following Potts’ brilliant performance, it might be the end of the line for the West Ham dud.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Nov 4, 2025

October was certainly a month to remember for Manchester United, with Ruben Amorim enjoying the best month of his tenure after taking the reins 12 months ago.

His Red Devils side won all three of their Premier League outings, even beating defending champions Liverpool at Anfield for the first time in just under a decade.

As a result, Amorim has been handed the Premier League Manager of the Month award, with the 40-year-old claiming the trophy for the first time at Old Trafford.

Such a record has catapulted the club up England’s top-flight in 2025/26, with the first-team finally heading in the right direction after getting to grips with the 3-4-2-1 system.

The success of the team is certainly credit to the manager and his tactics, but there’s no denying that he has one player to thank for the recent upturn in league form.

Why Mbeumo won October’s Premier League Player of the Month

As part of the £200m summer spending spree, United landed the signature of Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford – forking out a staggering £71m for his services.

The Cameroonian arrived with huge expectations after scoring 20 league goals last season, with the attacker already starting to come good after his big-money transfer.

He scored his first top-flight goal in the win against Burnley back in August, but his career at Old Trafford has ignited after his form over the last month.

The 26-year-old played three times in October, scoring three times and registering one assist – subsequently achieving a goal contribution in every game he played – helping him win the division’s Player of the Month award.

He scored within the first two minutes of the victory over Arne Slot’s side on Merseyside, undoubtedly playing a vital role in the triumph and making himself a fan-favourite.

Mbeumo’s goalscoring tally for the month ended with a double against Brighton and Hove Albion, helping Amorim’s side make it three wins in a row for the first time in his tenure.

The United star who should have won Player of the Month

During the last few weeks, numerous United players have managed to catch the eye and are deserving of more credit for their impact in the Premier League.

Senne Lammens made his Red Devils debut in the first triumph over Sunderland at the start of October, with the Belgian since cementing his place as a regular starter between the sticks.

The 23-year-old has already kept a clean sheet in the Premier League, whilst also playing a vital role in the historic victory at Anfield – as he made a total of five saves.

He’s not been alone in impressing, with Amad Diallo also massively thriving despite operating in a somewhat unnatural right-wing-back during the recent run.

However, central midfielder Casemiro has gone somewhat under the radar, especially after his poor form at the start of the campaign, which led to fans questioning his future at the club.

The Brazilian international has since resurrected his career at Old Trafford, with Amorim starting the experienced star in all of the victories during October.

Such a period has allowed the 33-year-old to prove some incredible numbers, many of which should have seen him being named the Player of the Month over Mbeumo.

Casemiro, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by one analyst, has registered two goals and assists in as his three matches – with both of his efforts coming against Brighton.

However, other numbers such as 90 passes completed and 148 touches showcase his ability to dictate the play despite his deep-lying midfield position.

Games played

3

Goals & assists

2

Minutes played

213

Passes completed

90

Touches

148

Defensive contributions

31

Tackles won

9

Recoveries made

13

Duels won

16

Out of possession, he’s been just as impressive, as seen by his tally of 13 recoveries and 16 duels won, with such numbers allowing Bruno Fernandes to operate in a more advanced role.

The revival of Casemiro over recent weeks is nothing short of sensational, with huge credit needing to be directed his way after his recent performances.

Mbeumo has also done superbly well to win the award, but his teammate will no doubt feel aggrieved that he wasn’t able to get his hands on the trophy.

Not Bruno or Mbeumo: Man Utd star is becoming one of the "best in the world"

Manchester United have already unearthed a new world-class under Ruben Amorim.

1 ByEthan Lamb Nov 7, 2025