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The Australia allrounder is now confident in his game and focuses on maximising his strengths instead of worrying about proving people wrong

Deivarayan Muthu07-Oct-2023
The extended mix of John Summit and Parachute Youth’s single plays in the background at the Chepauk nets during Australia’s practice session on Friday afternoon as Mitchell Marsh nails a lofted straight drive off head coach Andrew McDonald’s throwdown.Rain had delayed the start of Australia’s training session, but once the weather cleared in Chennai, Marsh got cracking immediately at the nets along with David Warner. Sure, it was just a routine practice session, but this version of Marsh has the clarity and ability to go – and go hard – from ball one across conditions, particularly in white-ball cricket. This is the best version of Marsh so much that Australia has warmed up to him and even fallen in love with him after he had earlier been a lightning rod for criticism. Marsh had also recently captained Australia during their white-ball tour of South Africa and could well be the frontrunner for the role on a permanent basis leading into next year’s T20 World Cup.And in this ODI World Cup, he is among the first names on Australia’s team sheet. With or without Travis Head, his imposing presence at the top of the order will be central to Australia’s success in the tournament. He has also resumed bowling, in the lead-up to the World Cup, which provides Australia’s attack greater balance.Related

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The last time Australia faced India at Chepauk, in March earlier this year, Marsh, the opener, hit a run-a-ball 47 to set up a memorable victory for his side and snap India’s four-year unbeaten streak at home in ODI cricket. Marsh had started that series as an opener only because Warner was injured. Marsh was so brutal with the bat in the first two matches that even when Warner was back for the decider, Australia’s team management decided to keep Marsh at the top and demote Warner to No.4.So, what makes Marsh brutal? His explosive power and clear thinking. Okay, Marsh has always had that natural ball-striking ability but has now stopped worrying about proving people wrong and has shifted his focus towards maximising his strengths: hitting sixes. Free off all the burdens, he has pumped 22 sixes in ten innings in ODI cricket this year. Among players participating in this World Cup, only Rohit Sharma (36), Shubman Gill (29) and Heinrich Klaasen (25) have struck more sixes than Marsh in ODIs this year.Captain Pat Cummins spoke glowingly of Marsh’s six-hitting on Saturday. “I mean first of all his size is huge and he’s always been a power-hitter,” Cummins said. “I think that’s kind of his most natural trait as a batter. He’s super powerful and can clear the ropes easily.”He had an amazing [T20] World Cup in 2021 and over the last couple of years, he’s had a few injuries along the way. But when he has played, he’s been top quality, so he’s one of those guys who is intimidating to bowl to. At the top of the mark, you look at him at the other end, you know he can hit the ball a long way. Hopefully, we will see plenty of that in this series.”1:32

Pat Cummins: Hopefully we can carry on Australia’s history in World Cups

When headline-hungry journalists pressed Cummins further for “spicy quotes” he responded: “Mitchell Marsh is huge! There’s your headline”.Seven months on from that bilateral series decider at Chepauk, Marsh will headline Australia’s batting along with Warner against India in the World Cup at the same venue. With Head still on the sidelines, Marsh could continue to open with Warner for the first half of the tournament. Marsh’s sample size as an opener is fairly small – he has only batted at the top in six innings as opposed to batting at No.5 or No.6 in 50 innings in ODs – but the numbers there are particularly impressive. Three hundred and seventy eight runs, including 21 sixes, at an average of over 75 and strike rate of 125.Marsh relishes pace on the ball and can damage oppositions in the powerplay even on challenging pitches like he demonstrated against India at the Wankhede earlier this year. His game against spin is still a work in progress, but he has learnt to put his ego away, play the slower bowlers out and then line up the quicks.In the 2021 T20 World Cup final against New Zealand in Dubai, Marsh, who batted at No.3, saw off New Zealand’s premier spinner Mitchell Santner and went after their fastest bowler on the night: Adam Milne. Marsh also targetted legspinner Ish Sodhi, but he did so while sticking to his strengths: hitting down the ground and over midwicket. That Player-of-the-Match performance in the final marked the beginning of a golden run for Marsh across formats. It changed perceptions around him, changed his own mindset, and changed his career altogether.Marsh is now so confident in his game that he can turn up from a holiday and Bazball Bisonball his way to a 102-ball century, in his first Test match in almost four years. He is now so confident in his game that he can bat anywhere in the line-up and wallop sixes, but Australia need him at the top right now in this ODI World Cup.That confidence also shone through during his hour-long stint at the nets, two days out of Australia’s World Cup opener against India. He then put in a decent shift with the ball to confirm his World Cup readiness. We could see more of the best version of Marsh over the next four weeks.

The allrounder has come off a breakout domestic summer to land himself a New Zealand central contract. Now he’s got his eye on the big prize – the T20 World Cup

Deivarayan Muthu25-Oct-2021Daryl Mitchell has his first Black Caps jumper framed on his wall at home. It shares space with his dad John Mitchell’s All Black jersey – John is a former New Zealand rugby team player and coach. Now Daryl can soon add his first World Cup jersey to the wall.With his imposing frame, Mitchell Jr wouldn’t have been out of place in the All Blacks side – he played rugby in school during winters. “I’m naturally probably a little gifted in terms of size. I should’ve probably been a rugby player [rather] than a cricketer,” he says. But those traits have served him well in cricket too, where he has built a reputation as a power-hitter.”I use my strong base and size to my advantage,” he says. “Obviously, the power side of it is one of my strengths and I try to utilise it when the opportunity arises. We’re lucky in New Zealand that we play on some pretty good wickets and can hit through the line.”In June 2020, after a decade with Northern Districts, Mitchell moved to Canterbury, and enjoyed a breakout domestic summer, winning the Plunket Shield as well as the 50-over Ford Trophy with his new team. He was also the first player to the double of 300-plus runs and ten-plus wickets in the 2020-21 Super Smash.Related

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“Anytime you move to a new environment, you have a whole new group of players you get to learn from and become best mates with,” Mitchell says. “I was honoured to play for Northern Districts for ten years and grow up alongside Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee and Kane Williamson, and learn off them. But for me to be able to go to Canterbury and to be the main allrounder there, to try to win games and play with the likes of Tom Latham and Matt Henry, it was a really refreshing stage of my career. We were lucky to win two trophies out of three in domestic cricket last year and hopefully we can keep doing that in the future.”It also spurred him to international success across formats. He scored his maiden Test hundred, against Pakistan in Christchurch in January this year, and followed it up with his maiden ODI century against Bangladesh in March. It culminated in his first New Zealand central contract and a spot in the T20 World Cup squad.ESPNcricinfo Ltd”I haven’t focused on anything specifically,” Mitchell says. “I guess just having that dominant allrounder role with Canterbury at the start of the summer, in the Super Smash, Plunket Shield, and then to be able to take it to New Zealand, whether it’s Test cricket or the white-ball stuff. Just being able to have a more dominant role with bat and ball. For me, it’s the most important thing, trying to win games for the team, and that sort of allows my personal ambitions to take care of itself.”Mitchell has built on his reputation of being a power-hitter in the New Zealand team, and more recently in the Vitality T20 Blast he struck at nearly 145 for Middlesex. The slow and low conditions in the UAE at the T20 World Cup, however, could seriously challenge his big-hitting skills. Mitchell says it’s not something he’s worried about, no matter where he slots in the line-up.”I pride my ability to be able to adapt to whatever position that I have to bat at – No. 3-4 or in the middle or late overs,” he says. “Especially in international cricket, you need to be able to adjust to different situations and different scenarios at any batting position from No. 1 to 7. It’s never the same every innings.”He has often fronted up to bowl at the death for both Northern Districts and Canterbury in domestic cricket. His yorkers have been difficult to get away in the Super Smash, and now he is working on adding to his variations.”I didn’t do a hell of a lot [of death bowling] at the start of my career,” Mitchell says. “It’s something I pushed for a few years. It doesn’t come off every day. It’s high-risk, high-reward stuff, but when it comes off, you win games of cricket for your team. It brings out the passionate side of me, which I enjoy.Mitchell picked up ten wickets in the 2020-21 Super Smash, and racked up 374 runs•Getty Images”We have to constantly keep adjusting to different surfaces and conditions. You can’t be a one-trick pony these days in international cricket. All of the boys in New Zealand pride themselves on adjusting to whatever situation we need to, and we make sure we try and practise those to have all the bases covered as much as we can. It doesn’t always come off, but if you prepare well, you give yourself the best chance.”During the England tour earlier this year, Mitchell caught up with his father who was the England rugby team’s defence coach until the Autumn Series. John has now moved to a new role with the Wasps Rugby backroom. Before Mitchell Jr began playing regularly for New Zealand, he also had a stint with Waikato Rugby Union as their assistant strength and conditioning coach, a role that made him understand that there’s life beyond cricket.”I think it’s very important to have interests outside of the game, otherwise you sort of get consumed by cricket the whole time,” he says. “So for me to be able to go to Waikato Rugby for a couple of years as an assistant trainer… It’s potentially a role I sort of want to get into post cricket, so to be able to see how they go about their day-to-day as professional athletes is pretty interesting.”You just can’t take rugby out of the Mitchells, and the son has played much of his cricket in his father’s shadow, but this World Cup is his chance to carve out his own identity. The job at hand won’t be easy, though. New Zealand, and Mitchell, will have to contend with India and Pakistan in Group Two.”Obviously, it will be a challenging pool,” he says, “to get through that and win those games, you give yourself a chance to win the big prize, which is what we are looking forward to. So, anytime you play for New Zealand you want to win games for sure.”

MatériaMais Notícias

O Corinthians foi derrotado pelo Argentinos Juniors por 1 a 0, pela terceira rodada da Copa Sul-Americana. A partida ocorreu no Estádio Diego Armando Maradona, em Buenos Aires, na Argentina. No segundo tempo, o zagueiro Raul Gustavo foi expulso após agredir o bandeirinha.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFora de CampoRaul Gustavo é expulso por agressão ao bandeira em jogo do Corinthians; veja vídeoFora de Campo23/04/2024Fora de CampoMereceu expulsão? Ex-árbitra analisa cartão vermelho para Raul Gustavo, do CorinthiansFora de Campo23/04/2024Fora de CampoTorcedores do Corinthians detonam Cássio por falha contra o Argentinos Juniors e pedem Carlos Miguel titularFora de Campo23/04/2024

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

O gol do jogo foi marcado pelo atacante Verón, após falha da defesa corintiana e de Cássio. Com o resultado, o Timão deixou a liderança do grupo na Sul-Americana e foi ultrapassado pelo próprio Argentinos Juniors. Veja no vídeo abaixo a análise da partida com o repórter Rafael Oliva.

✅FICHA TÉCNICA
Argentinos Juniors 1 x 0 Corinthians
3ª rodada – Fase de grupos Copa Sul-Americana

Data e horário: terça-feira, 23 de abril de 2024, às 21h30 (de Brasília)
Local: Estádio Diego Armando Maradona, em Buenos Aires, Argentina
Árbitro: Piero Maza-CHI
VAR: Jose Cabero-CHI
Assistentes: Claudio Urrutia-CHI e Carlos Poblete-CHI

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⚽ ESCALAÇÕES

ARGENTINOS JUNIORS (Técnico: Pablo Guede)
Diego Rodríguez, Meza, Godoy, Tobías Palacio e Montiel; Viveros, Juan Cardozo e Gamarra; Verón, Heredia e Batallini.

CORINTHIANS (Técnico: António Oliveira)
Cássio; Fagner; Félix Torres, Raul Gustavo e Hugo; Raniele, Fausto Vera e Rodrigo Garro; Pedro Henrique, Romero e Yuri Alberto.

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Root’s first ton in Australia anchored an England first innings that at times showed restraint, but was also marked by reckless dismissals

Tristan Lavalette04-Dec-20257:27

‘Root’s century was the defining performance of the day’

After an interminable break between matches, following 48 hours of mayhem in Perth, the Ashes resumed with England producing a rollercoaster batting performance as Joe Root ended his century jinx on Australian soil in the day-night second Test in Brisbane.In the final hour of an absorbing opening day, Root raised his arms aloft under the lights before taking off his helmet to celebrate his 40th Test century and first in Australia.Root finished unbeaten on 135 from 202 balls and anchored an England first innings that at times showed restraint, but was also marked by reckless dismissals. Four batters fell for ducks with England again tormented by pink ball maestro Mitchell Starc, who finished with 6 for 71 to power past Wasim Akram’s record for most Test wickets by a left-arm quick.Related

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But after the humiliation of batting just 67.3 across two innings in Perth, England batted the whole day – albeit only 74 overs were bowled – as they posted their first score over 300 in a Test in Australia since January 2018.After skipper Ben Stokes elected to bat on a trademark green Gabba surface, another truncated Test match loomed when England slumped to 5 for 2 after the first 15 balls with Starc dismissing Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope for ducks.But Root combined in a third-wicket century stand with Zak Crawley, who bounced back from a pair with 76 off 93 balls, to lead England’s fightback. The tourists tried to curb their aggressive instincts at times, but appeared to fall short of a par total after losing 5 for 54 under the lights.Just when it appeared Australia’s batters would be forced to face a tough stint before stumps, Root found unlikely support through No.11 Jofra Archer as they clubbed an unbroken 61-run partnership.Australia’s attack tired in the backend as the game took a surprising late twist.Australia fielded an all-out pace attack, but one that did not feature skipper Pat Cummins despite intense speculation he would be a surprise late inclusion.Queensland fast bowler Michael Neser, instead, was a bombshell selection at the expense of frontline spinner Nathan Lyon, who missed just his second home Test since his debut.Stokes had no hesitation to bat under sunny skies after the coin again fell in his favour. Openers Crawley and Duckett walked to the crease under pressure after failing to notch a run as a pair in the first Test.Ollie Pope chopped on in the third over•Gareth Copley/Getty Images

The embattled Crawley had not gotten through the first over in either innings in Perth, where he foolishly drove on the up against Starc.Against his nemesis menacingly armed with the pink ball, Crawley played and missed twice in the first three balls in a nervous start. To his relief, Crawley finally scored his first runs of the series when he pounced on a Starc delivery that missed the length and then pinched a single to ensure he survived the first over.But Starc wasn’t quite done and claimed another first over wicket with a superb delivery that angled into off stump and moved away to remove Duckett for a golden duck.No.3 Pope had somewhat quietened the critics after being arguably England’s best batter in Perth. The pressure might once again intensify after he fell tamely, chopping onto his stumps having shuffled back and across in unconvincing fashion.It meant Root had to face the music incredibly early against Starc who bagged him for single-digit scores in Perth. Root got off the mark first ball before his heart was in his mouth moments later when he edged Starc, but Steven Smith could not complete a blinder of a catch diving low to his left.Starc continued to ramp up his speeds into the mid-140kph, but Crawley showcased exquisite timing to underline the good batting conditions. Crawley was particularly aggressive against Neser, the perennial fringe bowler playing just his third Test match and first since December 2022.Crawley unfurled several extraordinary shots in the first hour, but also had luck on his side. On 15 he survived a big appeal for caught behind from Neser as Australia decided not to review although replays later suggested there was a faint line on snicko.Root looked in command and brought up the 50-run partnership in style with a lovely straight drive to the boundary. While unconvincing at times, Crawley was more respectful against good length bowling and aimed to attack fuller deliveries. His 68-ball half-century was marked by superb straight drives to ensure England’s run rate hovered around 4.5 an over.After the frenetic play in Perth, the first lull in the series ensued just before the 40-minute tea break as England showed the type of restraint many critics have called for. But a restless Crawley had enough and broke the shackles by pummelling a drive back that went through Boland in his return and whistled to the boundary.Mitchell Starc celebrates nicking off Will Jacks•Getty Images

With the pink ball showing little signs of swing, the well-set Crawley and Root looked to kick on in a middle session that appeared ideal for batting.Australia resorted to a short-ball tactic and it almost paid immediate dividends when Brendan Doggett, who took all five wickets on Test debut in Perth with shorter deliveries, had Root gloving just past diving wicketkeeper Alex Carey.Crawley had a century for the taking until under-edging a back-of-a-length delivery from Neser to fall in the 70s for the ninth time in his Test career.What then ensued was another chaotic innings from Harry Brook, who started with his foot down on the pedal as he danced down to Doggett and Neser, with Carey keeping up to the stumps, without fear.Having blasted 16 off 10 balls, Brook then attempted an incredibly risky tumbling-over scoop shot which he missed and was almost stumped as Carey whipped off the bails.The game was in somewhat of a resting pattern before Starc returned to the attack having bowled just eight overs for the day. With the natural light dimming, Starc claimed a wicket on his second ball of his new spell when he had Brook flashing to second slip in a rash stroke to end a maddening knock.Stokes survived against Starc, his long-time tormentor, as he dug in with Root before and after the dinner break as the match took on a different complexion under lights.Runs were hard to come by as England’s run rate fell below four an over in a rarity but they moved into a position of strength at 210 for 4. They let slip of the advantage when Stokes needlessly set off for a single only to be sent back by Root as Josh Inglis swooped in from cover to throw down the stump from side on.It was outstanding fielding from the recalled Inglis, who is Australia’s first-choice wicketkeeper in white-ball cricket. The Leeds-born Inglis has replaced Usman Khawaja who was ruled out with a back injury that flared up during the first Test.The momentum swung Australia’s way with Scott Boland clean bowling Jamie Smith with a delivery that snaked back sharply through the gate. Allrounder Will Jacks, England’s only change after replacing injured quick Mark Wood, looked composed amid the tough conditions and ensured Root inched closer to his elusive century.Starc ended Jacks’ resistance and tore through the lower-order to continue his purple patch. Just when it appeared England would be bowled out or that Stokes might declare, Root and Archer scored invaluable runs to complete a topsy-turvy opening day.Players from both teams wore black armbands in honour of former England batter Robin Smith, who passed away this week in Perth.

Manchester United are building for the future under Ruben Amorim, and he now appears to have made key decisions on two of his most high-profile Old Trafford stars.

The Red Devils have made a reasonable start to the Premier League campaign and could well make a push for the European slots if they can maintain momentum, though that is something that will be challenged over the festive period due to the African Cup of Nations.

Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui are set to depart next month, leaving roles to be filled in the squad during a busy schedule that is set to be fraught with intense action.

Still, Premier League sides have known the competition is part and parcel of their squad planning, making it an issue they should be able to handle without the need for mass panic.

Signings in January will be important and there is an obvious need for midfield reinforcements, especially with Casemiro drawing closer to the end of his contract at Old Trafford.

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Joao Gomes is the latest name on Manchester United’s list, and discussions are said to be progressing well over a potential move to work under Amorim’s stewardship in January.

Rob Edwards has signalled his desire to keep the Brazilian at Molineux. Nevertheless, that hasn’t stopped the Red Devils making tracks, even if there could be a twist in the tale regarding the state of play on their engine room, courtesy of Fabrizio Romano.

Fabrizio Romano delivers contract update on Casemiro and Maguire

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano has confirmed that Amorim wants both Casemiro and Harry Maguire to stay at Manchester United, providing they reduce their wages in line with the club’s new salary structure.

He said: “My understanding is that the situation of Casemiro is a really similar situation in terms of strategy to Harry Maguire.

“Casemiro and Harry Maguire are out of contract in the summer of 2026 and for Manchester United, they are two really important players, especially now.

“We have to say congrats to Casemiro. In this video let’s focus on Casemiro, because he’s been able to change his situation at Manchester United.”

Later, he added: “So now the desire is from Man United, obviously, to continue with Casemiro, but in different conditions. So the salary he has right now is a salary that Manchester United don’t want to pay in the future, not because of Casemiro or Maguire, but because they want to change the salary structure.”

Between them, a pay packet of £540,000 per week is a major chunk of the Red Devils’ wage list, and with both edging closer to the twilight of their respective careers, it may be worth looking at younger reinforcements as their contracts look set to expire.

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Conversely, experience is vital and cannot be understated. Over the coming months, it would be a smart decision to tie down both stars if they can agree to a wage reduction.

It’s become a running joke that players who arrive at Manchester United with a notable reputation tend to see their stock plummet, with Old Trafford having been a graveyard for the best and brightest over the last decade or so.

From Angel Di Maria to Alexis Sanchez, the signings of perceived ‘world-class’ talent have spectacularly backfired, with the pursuit of glamour names and marketing opportunities rarely equating to on-field glory.

Thankfully, it does appear that there has been a change in tack under the new INEOS regime, with Jason Wilcox and co having gone for young and hungry figures like Senne Lammens and Benjamin Sesko, alongside Premier League-proven talents in Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.

With potential future captain Matthijs de Ligt now starting to shine at the heart of the defence, while veteran warrior Casemiro is enjoying a midfield renaissance, a strong spine is finally beginning to emerge under Ruben Amorim.

As defeats to the likes of Grimsby and Brentford have showcased this season, however, this new-look United side are far from the finished article, with it likely to take a succession of transfer windows for Amorim to be able to build a title-challenging squad again.

Investment in new recruits is certainly needed, although there is also a sense that there still remains plenty of ‘deadwood’ to be shifted too.

The players Man Utd need to sell in 2026

Whether it is in January or next summer, United face another pivotal year with regard to squad-building, with ruthless decisions needing to yet again be made in order to take this club where it needs to go.

In the most recent window, for instance, Amorim oversaw departures for the likes of Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford, with the Portuguese having taken a particularly strong stance on those latter two names.

When next summer rolls around, it would be no surprise to see further peripheral figures also sent packing, with both Joshua Zirkzee and Manuel Ugarte surely at risk, amid reports that Omar Berrada wishes to implement a two-year rule for new signings.

In essence, those brought in have a maximum of two years to make their mark or face the axe, with Zirkzee – who has played just 90 minutes this season – certainly out in the cold right now, while Ugarte was reportedly the subject of a dressing down from his former Sporting CP boss at the end of last term.

Question marks also remain over the futures of the aforementioned Casemiro and Harry Maguire, amid their expiring contracts, with the Brazilian – for all his importance – regularly unable to last the 90 minutes, having been subbed off on seven occasions in the top-flight this time around.

Long-serving defender Diogo Dalot also appears another player at risk, amid the change to a 3-4-2-1 system, with the orthodox right-back having come under fire this season for his struggles on either flank.

What is clear is that the likes of Amorim and Wilcox aren’t afraid to make the big decisions, a fact that was also evident with the handling of another former world-beater over the summer.

The Man Utd flop who finally needs to be sold

Signed for just £18m, Lammens looks like one of the bargains of the season in Premier League terms, with the Belgian ‘keeper still yet to taste defeat in his new surroundings, following a near faultless five games in the United goal to date.

The 23-year-old Belgian will, as is the fact of life for a goalkeeper, make a mistake at some stage, although his strong early impression has already won over the Old Trafford faithful, with supporters and pundits alike willing him to be the second coming of Peter Schmeichel.

Getting people onside early on is particularly key in a position that Gary Neville regularly describes as the “most difficult position in English football”, with Lammens’ predecessor Andre Onana having failed to do just that upon his arrival in 2023.

Formerly part of Erik ten Hag’s famed Ajax side that reached the Champions League last four in 2019, Onana was reunited with the Dutchman four years later, joining from Inter Milan on a £47.2m deal.

The Cameroon international – who was actually available on a free transfer in 2022 – departed the San Siro having starred amid their surge to the Champions League final in his solitary campaign in Italy, producing an eye-catching display even amid defeat to Manchester City in the showpiece.

Speaking ahead of that eventual 1-0 win for the Etihad side, Pep Guardiola even hailed Onana as “one of the best in the world right now”, with it looking as if United had acquired a perfect replacement for the departed David De Gea.

Frustratingly for all concerned, the erratic ‘keeper looked a poor fit from the off, memorably lobbed from the halfway line on his Old Trafford debut against Lens in July 2023.

The sight of the £120k-per-week stopper tangled in his own goal set the tone for what was to follow, having also escaped punishment for a late punch against Wolverhampton Wanderers on his Premier League bow, before producing a string of blunders during United’s dismal European run.

In that 2023/24 Group stage alone, he made two errors leading to a goal, having followed that up with a further five errors across the 2024/25 season in the Premier League and Europa League, as per Sofascore.

Goals against

1.29

1.10

Save percentage

68.9%

81.3%

Save % (penalties)

25%

66.7%

Clean sheet %

26.5%

20.7%

Touches

40.32

41.59

Launch %

29.7%

32%

Crosses stopped

5.5%

11.2%

Defensive actions (outside area)

0.68

0.72

Perhaps the final straw came away at Lyon last term, with Onana engaging in pre-match verbals with Nemanja Matic, who branded him one of the “worst keepers in Manchester United’s history”.

Desperate to prove him wrong, United’s number 24 went on to play his part in both of Lyon’s goals, the second coming at the death just minutes after he had appeared to rile the home crowd by taking an age over a goal-kick.

The woes of Altay Bayindir did ensure he was subsequently reinstated, but the die was cast, with Amorim shipping out his previous first-choice stopper to Turkish side Trabzonspor late in the window.

With no buy option included as part of that deal, the 29-year-old – who has actually conceded just seven goals in eight Super Lig games in Turkey – will have to return to Manchester next summer, with INEOS swiftly needing to find a buyer for their exiled flop.

The problem is, the Red Devils will likely have to take a sizeable hit on their initial investment, with CIES Football Observatory deeming him to be worth a maximum of just €15m (£13m), even less than what United paid for Lammens.

Getting something for him is better than nothing, however, with the Red Devils needing to try and swiftly move on from this costly transfer mistake.

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He wants out of Old Trafford in the New Year.

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