Sport

Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford left out of England squad

There are just three United players in the 28-man squad — and that's only if you include loanee Dean Henderson.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 15th September 2022

Manchester United stars Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho have been left out of Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad ahead of their upcoming Nations League fixtures.

The England manager named his 28-man squad for the games against Italy and Germany later this month and despite both making a decent start to the season, the wingers haven’t managed to break back into the side.

Rashford has three goals and two assists in six appearances and Sancho two goals in seven, with the pair clearly starting to develop a strong relationship in combining for a number of these contributions.

Nevertheless, while it was confirmed that Rashford did not travel with the United squad for tonight’s match against Sheriff Tiraspol after picking up a ‘muscle injury‘, it seems Sancho’s early performances haven’t quite been enough to warrant a place just yet.

The 24-year-old informed fans on Twitter, wishing luck to his United and England colleagues.

The pair were omitted from Southgate’s last squad back in May and Rashford has been in and out of the national team for some time given numerous injury problems.

Southgate remarked that his latest fitness issue obviously confirmed decision but did hint that he could return to the fold in time for the World Cup.

Meanwhile, teammates Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw remain in the team and Dean Henderson (currently loaned out to Nottingham Forest) will be looking to challenge for the number one spot.

Over the other half of Manchester, five city players find themselves in the team, including Stockport’s own Phil Foden. Brentford’s Ivan Toney has also got his first senior call-up following an impressive start to this year’s campaign.

The England squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale.

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben Chilwell, Conor Coady, Eric Dier, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Fikayo Tomori, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker.

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Mason Mount, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse.

Forwards: Tammy Abraham, Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Ivan Toney.

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It seems fairly likely that the pair will return to the squad should the pair stay fit and United‘s form stabilise, with the players still yet to fully find their feet despite four wins on the bounce in the league.

Erik ten Hag’s team didn’t look at the races in their Europa League opener against Real Sociedad last week but they will certainly be hoping to put on a better display against Moldovan side this evening.

Featured image: @IntChampionsCup via Twitter

Sport

Boxing great Ricky Hatton found dead at home, aged 46

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Boxing great Ricky Hatton found dead at home, aged 46

Ricky Hatton has been found dead at his home in Tameside at the age of 46.

The Stockport-born boxing legend, often known as The Hitman, had just recently announced he was returning to the ring.

Ricky Hatton was set to come out of retirement for his first competitive fight in 13 long years this December.

A police cordon is around his home on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross, Hyde.

Greater Manchester Police say his death is not being treated as suspicious.

A GMP spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we have found a body at an address on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross at 6.45am today, Sunday, September 14. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”

Ricky Hatton was one of the sport’s best-loved boxers and one of the greatest sportspeople to come out of Greater Manchester.

Hatton, who held an MBE, had been working as a promoter and trainer since retiring from the sport.

His illustrious boxing career spanned from 1997 to 2012, during which time he held multiple world championships.

Tributes are pouring in, with boxing magazine Boxing News writing: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of British boxing royalty Ricky Hatton.

“A relentless pressure fighter and spiteful body puncher in the ring, Hatton was adored for his charisma and down-to-earth character outside of it.

“He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his loved ones. Rest in peace, Ricky.”

Amir Khan posted: “Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton.

“As fighters, we tell ourselves we’re strong — we train, we sweat, we take hits, we get up. But sometimes the hardest fight happens in silence, in the mind. Mental health isn’t weakness. It’s part of being human. And we must talk about it. We must reach out. We must lean on each other.

“Ricky, thank you for everything. For your fights, your moments of glory, your grit. Thank you for pushing us, showing us what’s possible. To everyone reading this: if you’re hurting or struggling, you are not alone. Talk. Reach out. Because we need more light, more compassion, more understanding.

“Rest well, Ricky. You’ll always have your place in the ring of our memories.”

Sacha Lord shared: “RIP Ricky Hatton. A gentle giant and absolute legend.”

Fellow pro boxer Anthony Fowler wrote: “Feel sick. RIP RICKY HATTON.”

And podcaster James English shared: “RIP Ricky Hatton.

“A true champion inside and outside the ring, Ricky’s grit, passion and courage will never be forgotten.

“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who admired him during this heartbreaking time. Rest in peace, Ricky. Thank you for the memories.”

Read more: Everton are reportedly already hoping to sign Jack Grealish from Manchester City permanently

Featured image: Wikimedia Commons, Aeropixels Photography

Sport

Everton are reportedly already hoping to sign Jack Grealish from Manchester City permanently

Danny Jones Danny Jones Everton want to sign Jack Grealish from Man City on a permanent deal

Everton FC are reportedly already considering signing Jack Grealish on a permanent deal after an impressive start to his spell on loan from Manchester City.

The former Aston Villa talisman has struggled to remain in the starting XI under Pep Guardiola since joining the club in 2021, but since arriving on Merseyside, he’s already been a difference-maker in every match for the Toffees thus far.

Grealish has not only registered four assists in just two starts for Everton but also won the very first player of the month award in the Premier League this season for his contributions.

Safe to say he’s fast made a big impact over in Liverpool – hence why it is now thought that manager David Moyes wants to make his transfer permanent.

Not a bad 30th birthday present.

Becoming just the 10th Toffee to ever win the accolade, the Birmingham-born creator is now thought to be the primary transfer target, despite the summer window having only recently closed.

According to Telegraph Sport‘s Chris Bascombe, Everton are now said to be hoping to turn his temporary deal into a full-time one come the end of the season.

He writes that despite the deal between Everton and Man City already including a £50 million option to buy next summer, that number is “not fixed and is more a consequence of accounting than a set price.”

The England international still has two years on his contract in the blue half of Manchester, but the previous valuation (which is half the amount City paid for him in a then record fee for a British player), so it is believed that he could be signed for an even better cut-price offer as his deal runs down.

Put it this way, it looks like the supporters would do just about anything to keep him at the Hill Dickinson.

Bascombe goes on to explain, however, that his salary considerations could be a significant obstacle. Grealish is estimated to be earning approximately £12m a year, which is almost certainly too rich for Everton’s blood.

Taking that into account, it’d be a case of whether or not the Brummy forward would be willing to accept a much lower wage to depart the Etihad Stadium for Everton long-term; alternatively, waiting for him to become a free agent in a few transfer windows’ time would also be an option.

What about you, Blues: would you like to see Jack Grealish stay and fight for his place under Guardiola, or would you understand/support him making his Everton permanent?

Interestingly, there could be yet more shuffling of the pack in the middle of the park for Pep, as a forgotten man is apparently going to be given another chance to revive his City career…

Kalvin Phillips is reportedly set to be reintegrated into the Manchester City squad
Would you like to see him restored to the side?

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Featured Images — Hameltion (via Wikimedia Commons)/Everton FC/TNT Sports

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