As the rain poured down at Old Trafford, the narratives already looked to be, quite literally, flooding in. A leaky Manchester United – down to ten men and level at the break – appeared destined for yet another dismal day in the Premier League. The headline writers were at the ready.

On a night in which rivals Liverpool moved one step closer to the title, the Red Devils trudged off at half-time fearing a new nadir in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, amid the danger of slipping further into the mire.

And yet…

It may not have been vintage – this team certainly isn’t – but it was difficult not to be emboldened by the manner of the second-half display, in particular, with the hosts fighting tooth and nail to cling onto the lead, following Harry Maguire’s brilliant bullet header just after the restart.

This was no Champions League knockout stage showdown, nor a league title shootout, yet the atmosphere suggested otherwise. At a time when the club and its team couldn’t appear more broken, a sense of unity crept in for 90 minutes in Manchester. The United faithful, and the tired bodies on the pitch, rallied together.

And so, with an FA Cup fifth-round tie to come this weekend, followed by the next step in the Red Devils’ Europa League adventure in midweek, could there be life in the old dog yet? Could this grim season still have time to spark into life?

If there is to be a positive finale to 2024/25, decisions may well need to be made for the upcoming games – not least on how to replace the suspended Patrick Dorgu.

Patrick Dorgu's chaotic first-half showing

Anyone not tuning in to witness Wednesday night’s clash may assume that United’s January arrival merely endured a car crash of an evening at the Theatre of Dreams, having gifted the away side the opener in the early exchanges, prior to seeing red on the stroke of half-time for a crunching high challenge on Omari Hutchinson.

Of course, those two moments of madness from the young Dane certainly made life far more difficult for Ruben Amorim’s men, but it does not tell the full story of the 20-year-old’s display.

Indeed, for much of the time in between Ipswich’s first goal and his dismissal, Dorgu – as he was against Everton last time out – was a real bright spark down the left flank, notably powering an effort at goalkeeper Alex Palmer after pouncing on a loose ball inside the area.

The former Lecce man’s power and speed were also on full display as he surged down the wing at one stage, only to be hauled down by the aforementioned Hutchinson, with it perhaps an act of retribution that saw the promising left-footer lunge in on the Tractor Boys’ number 20 soon after.

Those two mistakes should prove a learning curve for United’s new man, in what will hopefully be a long and fruitful career at the club. As for his far more senior colleague Andre Onana, however, this should well be the beginning of the end…

Andre Onana's dismal display in numbers vs Ipswich

Onana – signed from Inter Milan on a £47.2m deal back in the summer of 2023 – will no doubt be thankful that Amorim’s options in the goalkeeping department are limited at present, with both Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton currently sidelined with injury.

Player

Injury

Return date

Lisandro Martinez

Knee

2026

Amad

Ankle/Foot

Out for season

Luke Shaw

Calf/Shin/Heel

N/A

Kobbie Mainoo

Knock

N/A

Toby Collyer

Other

N/A

Mason Mount

Thigh

N/A

Altay Bayindir

Other

N/A

Jonny Evans

Lower Back

N/A

That said, on the evidence of Wednesday night’s showing, few supporters would likely object to the United boss handing a chance to one of his academy reserves instead ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Fulham, with Elyh Harrison and Hubert Graczyk both named on the bench once again against Kieran McKenna’s men.

For too long has Onana – who has made three errors leading to a goal in the Premier League this season – been a cause for concern at Old Trafford, with the 28-year-old again doing himself no favours against the division’s 18th-placed side.

For Jaden Philogene’s opener, the Cameroonian bizarrely raced out of his goal even though Dorgu appeared to have the situation under control, with both men no doubt at fault for the costly lack of communication.

As for Ipswich’s second of the night, the one-time Ajax man was again left red-faced as Philogene’s whipped cross evaded everyone to find the back of the net, with the United stopper having been duped by Liam Delap’s attempt to get on the end of it.

Pointing the finger at Onana for those key moments may appear somewhat harsh, but his all-round performance was also far from good enough, as he enjoyed a pass accuracy of just 35% from his 29 touches, having completed just four of his 20 attempted long balls.

As reporter Gaz Drinkwater stated, it is coming to a point now where the experienced figure simply “needs to go”, with the summer window looming, having too often let the side down over the last 18 months or so.

And so, while Dorgu’s display will be the major headline from that chaotic first half, Onana was, it could be argued, quietly even worse between the sticks. How long can such performances be tolerated?

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ByBarney Lane Feb 26, 2025

Cricket legend Belinda Clark has tipped Meg Lanning to return to her brilliant best now that her five-month hiatus is over.Victoria’s 50-over clash with New South Wales at Junction Oval on Thursday marked national captain Lanning’s first match since she took a break to focus on herself after Australia’s Commonwealth Games gold medal success in August.She made a solid 29 runs from 33 deliveries, belting five fours, before being caught at midwicket off Lauren Smith in the 12th over.Related

• Lanning returns to captain Australia against Pakistan

• World first: Belinda Clark statue adds to cricket greats at the SCG

Her knock helped Victoria to a vital 88-run win over NSW, with Ellyse Perry scoring 147 off 125 balls against her former state.Lanning will face NSW again on Saturday for her final hit-out before Australia’s white-ball series against Pakistan begins on January 16.”It was brave from Meg to step away when she realised that she needed to step away,” Clark told reporters. “You can come back refreshed, and I’m hoping Meg’s got some great cricket in front of her.”Cricket’s a game that requires you to be switched on the whole time, so I think you’ll see some great Meg Lanning highlights in the next couple of years. She’ll be great. I’m really pleased she’s back.”Lanning’s return coincided with a bronze statue of Clark being unveiled at the SCG on Thursday.Considered one of Australia’s greatest ever, Clark is the first female player in the world to be immortalised with a statue at a professional cricket ground.”It has been quite a journey seeing it come to life over the months,” Clark said. “It’s an amazing day to be able to unveil it.”Hopefully young girls and young boys will enjoy their sport, and this is a way for them to see that sport is for everyone, and hopefully they’ll see that, as they walk past this statue and then the others, anything is possible.”

With the January transfer window now closed and plenty of reinforcements ready to make an instant impact, Aston Villa could now reportedly turn their attention towards a South American gem.

Aston Villa transfer news

The Villans entered January with the aim of making improvements all throughout their squad and by the end of the window, they had done just that. Boosting their backline by signing both Axel Disasi and Andres Garcia, those in the Midlands also strengthened in attack with Marcus Rashford, Donyell Malen and Marco Asensio – albeit at the cost of Jhon Duran who left for Al-Nassr.

Of course, time will tell whether their business has been worthwhile, but on paper it certainly looks as though Unai Emery’s squad has been boosted by welcoming much-needed depth. So much so that they’ve got the chance to focus on the addition of future stars when the summer transfer window arrives.

According to The Boot Room, Aston Villa could now join the race to sign Agustin Ruberto alongside the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea, with representatives already in Venezuela for the South American U20 Championship.

Aston Villa may now use contract doubts to land "strong" Duran replacement

He’s a man in demand…

ByTom Cunningham Feb 6, 2025

The 19-year-old striker has already scored twice for Argentina at the tournament, including in a 6-0 thrashing of Brazil in the opening game of the group stage. Now, he will have his sights set on repeating the feat in the final stage and helping Argentina to eventual victory.

Meanwhile, Villa and others will continue to watch on and take notes on a rising South American star who could yet be destined for the Premier League sooner rather than later.

"Electric" Ruberto is one to watch

For any Premier League side, the task for their scouts should be in Venezuela with a wealth of talent on show at the U20 South American Championship, including Ruberto.

The 6’1 teenager has already made his mark and has been earning the praise of Ben Mattinson for some time. The South American football expert even went as far as to describe Ruberto as a “physical” striker with “instinctive finishing” and “electric pace” last April.

The likes of Brighton & Hove Albion have benefitted in the past by jumping ahead of Premier League rivals and discovering the next big South American star. Now, Aston Villa could do the same to replace Duran and welcome the future of Emery’s frontline.

As the U20 Championship continues, Ruberto will remain one of the most exciting prospects to watch as he looks to add to his two-goal tally for Argentina. As for Villa, they’re already thinking about the summer and will be eagerly anticipating their reports from the ongoing tournament.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Brasil se tornava pentacampeão mundial há 20 anos atrás. Na Copa do Mundo de 2002, a Seleção era formada por grandes craques como Ronaldo Fenômeno, Ronaldinho Gaúcho e Rivaldo, e fez uma bela campanha com sete vitórias nas sete partidas da competição. Relembre o título histórico do país em vídeo especial feito pela OneFootball.

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قدم المدير الفني لمنتخب إسبانيا، لويس دي لا فوينتي، آخر التحديثات الخاصة بشأن منتخب بلاده قبل مواجهة فرنسا، خلال منافسات دوري الأمم الأوروبية.

ويلاقي منتخب إسبانيا خصمه منتخب فرنسا، ضمن منافسات نصف نهائي دوري الأمم الأوروبية، غداً الخميس، على ملعب “مرسيدس بنز أرينا” بمدينة شتوتجارت الألمانية.

الفائز من هذه المباراة، سيلاقي المتأهل من مواجهة ألمانيا والبرتغال، في نهائي دوري الأمم الأوروبية، الأحد المقبل، على ملعب “أليانز أرينا”.

اقرأ ايضاً.. ديشامب: ديمبلي يستحق جائزة الكرة الذهبية بنسبة 100%

وقال لويس دي لا فوينتي في المؤتمر الصحفي للمباراة: “أعتقد أنه يجب أن نكون منصفين في هذه المسابقة، علينا أن ندرك حقيقة أننا من أفضل 16 فريقًا في أوروبا، ونسعى للفوز بالبطولة، ليس من العيب أن نتذكر ذلك”.

وعن منتخب فرنسا، أوضح المدرب الإسباني: “ديشامب لديه قائمة من اللاعبين الرائعين، لديه ما يكفي لتشكيل ثلاثة أو أربعة فرق أساسية، لا أحد يستطيع النظر إلى الغيابات”.

وتابع دي لا فوينتي: “العمل الجماعي هو ما سيقوينا، علينا أن نكون قريبين، بدعم مستمر وتغطية جيدة، علينا أن نفوز في المواجهات الثنائية بشراسة وقوة، دعهم يقلقون بشأن أولمو، بيدري، فابيان، ميرينو، يجب احترام أسمائنا أيضًا”.

وبسؤاله عن أن إسبانيا المرشحة الأوفر حظًا للفوز باللقب، أجاب: “في هذه البطولة، لدينا ثلاثة أبطال عالم وبطل أوروبي واحد، لا يوجد مرشحون للفوز هنا، ألمانيا والبرتغال وإسبانيا وفرنسا كأنها مباريات نهائي كأس العالم، ستكون هذه المباريات حاسمة، والنتيجة متقاربة جدًا”.

وعن العودة إلى شتوتغارت وألمانيا، أكد: “نحن سعداء للغاية، ذكرياتنا رائعة بسبب حصد كأس أمم أوروبا العام الماضي، لقد كانت 45 يومًا رائعة، كل شيء إيجابي، نشعر باحترام الجماهير الألمانية، نحن سعداء باللعب هنا مرة أخرى، متحمسون جدًا للاعتماد على القوة الكروية للمنتخب الإسباني”.

وبخصوص التوصيت على جائزة الكرة الذهبية: “سأصوّت لـ لامين يامال للفوز بالكرة الذهبية، وفابيان رويرز، وبيدري، بالنسبة لي، هم الأفضل، جميعهم يمتلكون كل المقومات اللازمة للترشح للكرة الذهبية، صوتي سيكون لهم، أو أي لاعب إسباني مرشح”.

وتابع تصريحاته عن لامين يامال قائلاً: “لديه مسيرة رائعة، لكن مسؤوليتنا هي الاهتمام بأدق التفاصيل، معجب بكرة القدم التي يقدمها لامين، وأتوقع له مستقبلًا باهرًا، إنه شخص مسؤول جداً ورائع، لديه كل شيء، ناديه، عائلته، وسنكون دائمًا إلى جانبه”.

وعن معايير الكرة الذهبية، اختتم حديثه: “أحب لاعبي كرة القدم العظماء، كرويف، مارادونا، بيليه، ميسي، أُعطي الأولوية لقدرات اللاعب وجودته، ولكن كل ذلك يجب أن يُكمّله لقب، أُفضّل اللاعبين الذين يُشكّلون معيارًا في كرة القدم العالمية”.

Leading Bengal in Abhimanyu Easwaran’s absence, Tiwary wants his team to take their game to “the next level” to try and win the Ranji Trophy

Rajan Raj16-Dec-2022

Manoj Tiwary has hinted that the ongoing 2022-23 season of the Ranji Trophy could be his last in first-class cricket, but he wants to make sure “to give Bengal a Ranji Trophy title on my way out”.Tiwary, who is in charge of Bengal because regular captain Abhimanyu Easwaran is away on national duty, led the from the front as the side, chasing 257 for victory against Uttar Pradesh at Eden Gardens, got to the target for the loss of four wickets in their Elite Group A game. Tiwary got in at 156 for 3 and ended with an unbeaten 60.Related

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“We have to play like champions. We won today, but it’s not like we played exceptional cricket,” Tiwary, also a member of the legislative assembly in West Bengal, told reporters after the match. “If we look session-by-session, there were phases when we bowled badly. And our opening batters must score runs. If we want to win the Ranji Trophy, we must take our game to the next level.”Bengal have won the Ranji Trophy only twice in all these years, once way back in 1938-39 and then in 1989-90. Tiwary, who started playing first-class cricket in the 2004-05 season, has played the Ranji final thrice: in 2005-06, 2006-07 and, more recently, in 2019-20.”I am quite relaxed about leading the team,” the 37-year-old Tiwary said. “When I stepped down as the first-class captain of Bengal [during the 2018-19 season], I was told to continue as captain of the one-day and T20 sides, but I had refused, telling them that we need to groom a younger player as captain. But [in Abhimanyu’s absence], I realised I have to take this responsibility because decision-making is such a crucial part of the game.”Though he did ask for more from the bowling unit – which was missing Mukesh Kumar, who was out in Bangladesh with India A – Tiwary had words of praise for his pace spearhead Ishan Porel, who hasn’t played a lot of cricket of late but earned the Player-of-the-Match award against Uttar Pradesh for his match haul of seven wickets, including a five-for in the first innings.”Porel’s comeback has been quite good,” Tiwary said. “He wasn’t available for the Vijay Hazare [50-over] Trophy tournament, but he proved his worth here. I have spoken to him: we are playing at a level where we must forget what has happened in the past; every minute, every second, we must tell the world why I am Ishan Porel, or why I am Manoj Tiwary. That is the mentality that will help him become a champion.”Bengal’s next game is against Himachal Pradesh, also at home at Eden Gardens, from December 20.

Wrexham have been praised for blocking out the "nonsense" of "film stars", with Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney celebrating another promotion.

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• Hollywood co-owners have overseen meteoric rise
• Famous friends are often invited along for the ride
• Readying recruitment plans for the Championship

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  A little over four years since two Hollywood actors completed a stunning takeover at SToK Racecourse, the Red Dragons have gone from being a National League club to a Championship one. History has been made while taking three successive steps up the EFL ladder.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Every twist and turn in that journey has been caught on camera for the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ documentary series, with a window to the world being opened up in North Wales. That could have proved to be a serious distraction, but Phil Parkinson and his players have fared admirably.

• WHAT TONY PULIS SAID

  Tony Pulis knows how hard the management game can be, having worked in the Premier League, and the Welshman has told of goings on at the Racecourse: "Wrexham have done fantastic. Irrespective of all the nonsense that's going on around the place with the film stars and all that stuff, Phil Parkinson has done a fantastic job as manager.

  "Three promotions on the bounce, it's an amazing achievement. Graham Taylor took Watford from the Fourth Division to the First Division. John Toshack took Swansea from the Fourth Division to the First, but to get three consecutive promotions is absolutely fantastic."

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• Getty
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Wrexham are now generating transfer talk once more, with veteran Manchester United defender Jonny Evans said to be a player in their sights. Pulis added on the 37-year-old Northern Irishman: "If I was Manchester United, I would keep Jonny and stick him in the academy as a coach. At West Brom, I don't think any of the lads will argue, he was by far the best player we had there.

  "He suffered with injuries, but you always get cart horses like myself who played who would just plough on, never mind what was going on with you, whether you were injured or not, and then you've got real thoroughbred race horses. Jonny was the thoroughbred and everything had to be right for him to play.

  "We managed to change him a little bit in the end and got him going through a little bit of pain. But as a footballer and as a player, both upstairs and his ability, he's absolutely first class and he's a very fit lad as well. So if Wrexham were going to do it, I'd be saying to them, great signing. But if I was Manchester United, I'd find a place in the academy for him."

After spending the last two summers in America, Wrexham have announced that their pre-season tour in 2025 will take them to Australia and New Zealand.

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Historic run of three successive promotionsCo-owners spreading word around the worldThree fixtures to be taken in Down UnderFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Red Dragons have been heading to the United States and Canada after seeing their fan base grow rapidly in that region. The ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ documentary series has allowed the Welsh outfit to open up a window to the world.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are eager to ensure that Wrexham continue to branch out into new territories. With that in mind, it has been confirmed that Phil Parkinson’s squad will be heading Down Under this summer.

DID YOU KNOW?

Wrexham will face A-League sides Melbourne Victory on July 11 (Marvel Stadium), Sydney FC on July 15 (Allianz Stadium) and Wellington Phoenix on July 19 (Sky Stadium).

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GettyWHAT RYAN REYNOLDS & ROB MCELHENNEY SAID

Reynolds and McElhenney said in a joint statement on Wrexham’s : “From the very beginning, we wanted to help make Wrexham a globally recognised team, town and brand. We could not be more excited to bring the Red Dragons to Australia and New Zealand, and we are particularly proud that this announcement features neither a Men at Work or Hugh Jackman joke. The latter of which took maturity and tremendous restraint. We’re proud of Ryan. Of course, we make no promises going forward.”

Qadir and Chris Green set up the win with the ball before openers took over

Tristan Lavalette27-Dec-2022Sydney Thunder overcame their demons with a belligerent chase on a tricky Sydney Showground Stadium surface to thrash Brisbane Heat by 10 wickets and snap a three-game losing streak.Returning to the ground where they were routed for 15 by Adelaide Strikers, Thunder openers Matthew Gilkes and Alex Hales smashed half-centuries to overhaul the modest target of 122 in the 12th over.Thunder won their first game since the season opener, while Heat slumped to a 1-3 record.Thunder openers exorcise demonsIt only took 11 deliveries for Thunder to pass that infamous total. Gilkes had a duck that night and made just six runs in four innings this season but emerged from his drought by fluently attacking star quicks Michael Neser and Mark Steketee.Gilkes dominated early before Hales took over to ensure Thunder would not waste such an impressive platform. Thunder took the power surge in the 11th over and Gilkes capitalised with three sixes and a four, racking up 25 runs from legspinner Mitchell Swepson to reach his half-century in style.Hales shortly after reached his half-century before smashing the winning boundary to ensure the home fans celebrated with gusto – in a contrast to their mocking celebrations during the Strikers match.Thunder recorded just the fifth 10-wicket victory in BBL history and gave their net run rate a much-needed boost.Heat’s bowlers struggle to fire a shotEven though they had a modest total to defend, Heat would have been confident given their attack and Thunder’s batting fragilities.Neser, who had claimed six wickets in two prior BBL games including a hat-trick, loomed large and there was an expectation he would produce early problems.But he was uncharacteristically loose and so too was his partner in crime Steketee as Heat never recovered. It looked like they were bowling on a different wicket as Heat’s bowlers appeared rattled by Thunder’s aggressive openers.They fell apart towards the end in a lacklustre performance and will have to get back to the drawing board to revive a stuttering season.Qadir impresses on Thunder debutGranted there was assistance, but legspinner Usman Qadir made an impressive Thunder debut with 1 for 19 from four overs. He bowled accurately with his looping deliveries constantly teasing the batters. Perhaps his most impressive feat was not conceding a boundary.The son of legendary Pakistan spinner Abdul Qadir, he was brought into the squad to provide cover for the injured Tanveer Sangha.Qadir, who has played 23 T20Is for Pakistan, last played in the BBL four years ago for Perth Scorchers but only performed modestly.With Heat struggling, he came into the attack in the 10th over and bowled tidily during a period where set batters Colin Munro and Jimmy Peirson looked to put the foot down.Qadir was rewarded with the wicket of Peirson in the 15th over although he had a mixed bag in the field. He took a fine diving catch to dismiss opener Max Bryant in the second over, but couldn’t replicate that effort on the boundary when he reprieved Xavier Bartlett in seventeenth over of the innings.Qadir also dropped a fierce return chance in the penultimate over, but it failed to dampen his strong debut.Peirson’s nasty blow, Bartlett shows batting potentialIt might not have quite been the infamous Gabba pitch of the first Test, but the Showground surface was tough to bat on early.This was evident when Peirson copped a nasty blow on his neck after a rising delivery from quick Nathan McAndrew. He kept batting after receiving medical attention but never looked comfortable.With stalwart Chris Lynn having departed, and Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne on Test duties, Heat’s batting has revolved around recruit Sam Billings but he scored just one run against his old team.Munro, another high-profile recruit, made his best score of the season but the big-hitter was uncharacteristically tied down. He made 43 from 47 balls before falling in the 16th over amid the power surge.Heat appeared like they could barely muster 100 but they were given a late boost from Bartlett, who – 12 months ago – was tipped to become a genuine allrounder before his batting nosedived.The 24-year-old’s cameo of 28 from 17 balls was his highest score this season across formats in a glimpse of his obvious batting talent.

West Ham spent most of the January transfer window chasing a centre-forward for Graham Potter, looking to replace Michail Antonio and Niclas Füllkrug who are out injured.

Eventually, in the final days of the window, a loan deal for Brighton’s Evan Ferguson materialised, reuniting the 20-year-old striker with Potter, who worked with him at Brighton.

However, with such focus on the striker position, the Hammers failed to recruit a midfielder, instead deciding to recall James Ward-Prowse from his Nottingham Forest loan to reinforce the midfield depth.

James Ward-Prowse's return to West Ham

Ward-Prowse joined West Ham in 2023 from Southampton, after Declan Rice left the club, joining for a fee of around £30m. In his first season, the midfielder made 37 Premier League appearances for the Hammers, scoring seven goals and providing seven assists.

But, after David Moyes left the club in the summer, with Julen Lopetegui taking over, it became clear the English midfielder wouldn’t have much of a role under the Spaniard, instead deciding to send him on loan to Nottingham Forest.

The 30-year-old has only made ten Premier League appearances so far this season, providing one assist and totalling 559 minutes to date. So, why bring him back?

Whilst Potter could use certain qualities such as set-piece ability from Ward-Prowse returning, there is perhaps a better option waiting in the academy ranks, who should be given more of a chance in the second half of this campaign.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast's In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

West Ham's very own Carrick and Rice hybrid

West Ham’s 18-year-old midfielder, Lewis Orford, has been given a few chances from the bench since the arrival of Potter and could have been the perfect solution had Ward-Prowse remained at the City Ground.

He’s made two Premier League appearances under Potter already so knows the system. He’s also particularly well thought of with the the English midfielder having made his way through the academy, playing both U18 and U21 football for the club.

John Brewin, speaking to the Guardian, is one rave reviewer, speaking extremely highly of Orford, comparing the midfielder to the likes of Declan Rice and Michael Carrick in terms of his overall ability mixed with his tall and powerful frame.

West Ham clearly need support in this area, after recalling Ward-Prowse, but giving Orford extra minutes wouldn’t hurt at all.

It would prepare him for the future and perhaps even prove he is ready now to contribute at a higher level, fixing a fair few issues the Hammers midfield have had so far this season.

Their answer to Ferguson: West Ham must rue letting "incredible" ace leave

West Ham may have already let go of their own Ferguson in 2024

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