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With ODI cricket returning to Hambantota for the first time since 2015, the nature of the pitch for the third ODI between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe remains a mystery

Andrew Fidel Fernando05-Jul-2017Match FactsJuly 6, 2017
Start time: 0945 local (0415GMT)Tendai Chatara’s discipline has earned him four of Zimbabwe’s eight wickets in the series so far•AFPBig PictureOne comfortable pursuit of 317 for Zimbabwe, one crushing home victory set up by Sri Lanka’s spinners – not much about this series has been predictable, and the teams are now about to venture into more uncertainty. In the past two years, the ground at Hambantota has probably hosted more elephants than cricket matches, and no one is quite sure how the pitch will play after such a long hiatus. Will it tend to be on the faster, bouncier side, as it had been between 2011 and 2015? Or will it – as the hosts might prefer – take a little extra turn now?Mumba replaces injured W Masakadza

Zimbabwe left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza has been ruled out of the series due to an ankle injury, and has been replaced by seamer Carl Mumba. Masakadza’s last ODI appearance for Zimbabwe was in 2015, and having made a return to the squad, he did not get a game against Sri Lanka. Mumba’s sole ODI match so far came against Sri Lanka in November last year.

There is also often a powerful crosswind to contend with, at the venue, which tends to favour the more adaptable side. In the past, batsmen who have chosen to base their innings around hitting with the wind have prospered in Hambantota: not only do their strokes carry further, the balls they hit into the air have also been notoriously difficult to catch. Sri Lanka, who have dropped no fewer than six chances across the first two games, may be especially vulnerable if the breeze picks up. Bowlers have also had highly contrasting experiences with the wind: it has helped boost the natural swing of some, and put others off their game completely.Whatever the conditions, appropriate use of the sweep shot is likely to have come up in Zimbabwe’s team discussions over the past 48 hours. They had lived by the stroke in the first game, then died by it in the second. They may aim to be more selective in their deployment of the stroke in Hambantota.Form guideSri Lanka WLLWL (completed matches, most recent first)
Zimbabwe LWWLLIn the spotlightAll through the Champions Trophy campaign there was wonderment in Sri Lanka as to why Lakshan Sandakan was not in the XI. Now that he has taken 4 for 52 upon his return, the head scratching has only intensified. For now, Sandakan is not a bowler who offers a lot of control, and perhaps on the less spin-friendly tracks in England, the selectors and team management felt he may become a liability. However, if any bowler has appeared as if he may correct Sri Lanka’s inability to take wickets through the middle overs, it has been Sandakan. The selectors might do well to now provide him with a secure place in the side, in order to determine if he can in fact fulfill that wicket-taking role, in the longer term.A longer run in the ODI side can help determine if Lakshan Sandakan’s potential, seen in his 4 for 52, can be fulfilled•AFPThough batsmen’s handling of spin has dominated the series narrative so far, it is the skillful seam bowling of Tendai Chatara that has brought Zimbabwe half of their eight wickets in the series so far. There is no booming swing or searing pace for Chatara, but so far in the series, there has been a discipline to his bowling, and even on an unresponsive Galle pitch, he was one of the only quicks to glean some movement off the seam. If he can quickly modify his bowling to suit Hambantota’s unique conditions, Zimbabwe could again make an early breakthrough, as they have in each of the first two games.Team newsSpinner Amila Aponso and seam-bowling allrounder Lahiru Madushanka have been dropped from the squad for the last three ODIs, and in their place are seamer Lahiru Kumara and batsman Chamara Kapugedera (Suranga Lakmal was originally slated to be in the squad until he took ill). Unless the flu that has been making its way around the Sri Lanka side incapacitates another player on Thursday, the hosts may not wish to make a change to their winning XI, however.Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 2 Danushka Gunathilaka, 3 Kusal Mendis, 4 Upul Tharanga, 5 Angelo Mathews (capt.), 6 Asela Gunaratne, 7 Wanidu Hasaranga, 8 Dushmantha Chameera, 9 Lakshan Sandakan,10 Lasith Malinga, 11 Nuwan PradeepDespite the loss, Zimbabwe have a fairly settled outfit, and they may stick with the same XI. If any place is under scrutiny, it may be that of seamer Donald Tiripano. Chris Mpofu could potentially replace him.Zimbabwe (possible): 1 Solomon Mire, 2 Hamilton Masakadza, 3 Craig Ervine, 4 Sean Williams, 5 Sikander Raza, 6 Ryan Burl, 7 Peter Moor (wk), 8 Malcolm Waller, 9 Graeme Cremer (capt.), 10 Tendai Chatara, 11 Chris Mpofu/Donald TiripanoPitch and conditionsForecasts for this part of the country are notoriously unreliable, but the weather is expected to be dry and hot, with temperatures in the low thirties. How the pitch will play is anyone’s guess.Stats and trivia Sri Lanka have won seven and lost six of their 17 matches at Hambantota. 2017 is Chatara’s most successful ODI year so far, having taken 15 wickets in nine matches at 24.46.In addition to having become the third bowler to take a hat-trick on ODI debut, on Sunday, Wanidu Hasaranga became the first Sri Lanka spinner to claim a hat-trick in the format.Quotes”Assessing the conditions a little bit better is crucial. When the wicket is flatter like in the first game, you can play all your shots freely and chase down a huge score like that. In the second game it was probably not a wicket where you can go for your shots regularly. We need to do bit of work on that – assess conditions and stick to our plans.””Nuwan Pradeep has been our best bowler in the last three years in Test and ODI cricket, but for some reason he doesn’t pick up many wickets. He has improved his fielding too. He is one of the hardest working cricketers in the side.”

Opening batsman Jeet Raval, allrounder Colin de Grandhomme and batsman Neil Broom have all been added to New Zealand’s list of contracted players for 2017-18

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Jun-2017Opening batsman Jeet Raval, allrounder Colin de Grandhomme and batsman Neil Broom have all been added to New Zealand’s list of contracted players for 2017-18.Fast bowler Doug Bracewell was a notable omission, while offspinner Mark Craig also missed out and wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi was a third absentee from last year’s list, having announced his international retirement this week.Ronchi’s departure means there is only one specialist wicketkeeper – BJ Watling – in the 21-man list, with younger candidates such as Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips and Tim Seifert set to press their claims from outside the contract group.The omission of Craig, who played just a single Test in Kanpur during the past 12 months, was no surprise, while Bracewell was left out after a year in which he played two Tests and one ODI, suffered serious injury problems, and was sentenced to 100 hours of community work for a drink-driving offence.”Doug is still viewed very positively by the selectors and has a big year in front of him in terms of bouncing back from his injury and proving his worth,” New Zealand selector Gavin Larsen said. “It’s been a difficult time for him since the knee injury but we’re all hopeful he’ll make a full and sustainable recovery.”There was also no place on the list for veteran offspinner Jeetan Patel, who played five Tests and four ODIs during the past 12 months. Patel had announced his retirement from international cricket hours after Ronchi had done so.”It was agreed the time was right for Jeetan to focus on Warwickshire, so as to allow plenty of opportunity for others to stake their claims ahead of the 2019 ICC World Cup,” Larsen said. “We enjoyed having Jeetan’s experience and skill over recent times but we’re into a new cycle now; it’s two years out from the ICC CWC, and we’re committed to bringing other players through.”Larsen said de Grandhomme, Raval and Broom were all deserving of their contract offers following productive periods in the New Zealand side.”Colin made a breakthrough last summer and is rated well in all three formats; Jeet’s Test numbers speak for themselves, and Neil, as well as averaging 43 in ODI cricket (with a strike-rate of 90) since his recall, is also seen as viable cover for the Test team’s middle-order,” Larsen said.Contracted players for 2017-18: Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, James Neesham, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson, George Worker.

Glasgow Rangers boss Michael Beale has used the summer transfer window to great effect so far in his efforts to improve the playing squad at Ibrox.

The Gers have already secured four first-team signings ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, despite there still being over two months left of the window, as Dujon Sterling, Jack Butland, Kieran Dowell, and Sam Lammers have all agreed to join.

Whilst the head coach will be looking for players who can come to make an immediate impact in the starting XI, as Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell did in January, the 42-year-old could also be in the market for younger players with potential.

Football League World recently reported that the Light Blues have had an offer rejected by Championship side Leeds United for defender Charlie Cresswell and he would fall into that category, at the age of 20.

Beale is said to be interested in a deal to sign the England U21 international and the talented youngster could be the dream long-term heir to Connor Goldson at Ibrox.

How did Charlie Cresswell perform last season?

The central defender spent the 22/23 campaign on loan at Millwall in the English Championship and enjoyed a strong year at the back in his first full season of first-team football.

Cresswell, whose heading ability was described as "powerful" by journalist Josh Bunting, averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.13 across 28 league appearances and made 2.8 tackles and interceptions per game for the Lions.

He also proved himself to be a dominant enforcer at the heart of the defence with a 60% duel success rate, which shows that the 6 foot 3 English colossus was able to get the better of the opposition attackers more often than not.

The aforementioned Bunting hailed Cresswell as an "excellent defender with a big future ahead of him in the game" last year and the statistics back that up as the youngster produced consistently superb displays and showed strength beyond his age whilst competing against experienced forwards week-in-week-out.

Goldson, meanwhile, averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.29 across 25 Scottish Premiership matches and made 2.3 tackles and interceptions per game for his side, whilst coming out on top in 67% of his battles.

These statistics indicate that the current 6 foot 3 Rangers star is a step ahead of Cresswell in terms of his current performance levels and dominance at the back, but that is to be expected at his age.

The Light Blues enforcer is ten years older than the Leeds prospect and could take the youngster under his wing with a view to him being the dream long-term heir to his position in the team.

Indeed, the former Millwall loanee has shown plenty of promise as a strong and consistent performer in defence during his time in the Championship.

Gary Neville has boldly predicted that Manchester United will finish outside of the Premier League’s top five at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

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• Red Devils still searching for consistency
• Questions being asked of Dutch coach
• Club legend sees little cause for optimism

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Red Devils did secure a top-four finish last season, returning them to the Champions League, while a six-year wait for major silverware was brought to a close in the Carabao Cup. Big money was spent over the summer in an effort to build on those foundations, with the likes of Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund snapped up.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  United have stumbled out of the blocks, though, picking up 12 points from eight games to sit 10th in the table as things stand. Neville does not expect things to get much better, with the Red Devils legend telling his podcast for : “I don’t think Manchester United will finish in the top five this season. I think they are way off it. And I’m surprised because seven or eight weeks ago, I had them third, But honestly from what I see at the moment, I don’t think the goalkeeper is settled in, I think he should have saved the one yesterday so that is a problem. If you’re goalkeeper is not settled in and there is a bit of instability around that, it does create a big problem. I’ve had that at United. So United, not for me.”

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Chelsea are another heavyweight outfit to have struggled for consistency, despite spending £1 billion ($1.2bn) across the last three transfer windows, but Neville believes the future is brighter at Stamford Bridge than it is at Old Trafford. He added: “Chelsea, I think are probably nearer to it if they can go on a run because they have got some really good young talented players. Their age is a lot better than United’s squad.”

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  United did take maximum points from their last Premier League fixture, but needed a stoppage-time brace from Scott McTominay in order to edge out Brentford, and pressure is already building on Erik ten Hag during his second season at the helm – failure to qualify for the Champions League could lead to another change being made in the dugout.

The Netherlands defender has arrived at Arsenal and signed a long-term contract with the Gunners after moving from Ajax.

Arsenal's summer has got off to a busy start. After missing out on the Premier League title to Manchester City last season, it was quickly identified that the first-team squad needed more depth if the Gunners were ever going to return to the summit of English football.

The headlines have largely been dominated by the club's pursuit of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz in recent weeks. However, quietly in the background, Arsenal have been working hard to hammer out a deal to sign Jurrien Timber from Ajax.

That deal has now been agreed, with the Gunners sealing a transfer worth €46 million (£40m/$52m) to bring the Netherlands international to north London and add to Mikel Arteta's options.

The only question now he's officially through the door is how Timber will slot into the Arsenal backline. There are a number of different options, which GOAL takes a look at below…

GettyThe story so far

Timber is not a new face on the scene. Despite being just 22 years old, he has already made well over 100 appearances for Ajax and earned 15 caps for the Netherlands.

Continuing a fine tradition of world-class youth development in the Dutch capital, Timber flew through the age groups at the Johan Cruyff ArenA, before making his senior debut in 2020. He has scarcely been out of the starting XI since, helping Ajax to Eredivisie titles in 2021 and 2022.

While the 2022-23 season was a torrid one for the Amsterdammers, Timber's reputation remains sky high. No one in the Ajax squad made more appearances than him last campaign, and he was picked in various outlets' Eredivisie team of the season.

AdvertisementGettyA blow for Manchester United?

Timber had long been expected to turn up in the Premier League at some point. However, Manchester United had always seemed like his most likely destination. It was under Erik ten Hag at Ajax that Timber developed into a top-class defender, and the United boss made no secret of his desire to bring him to Old Trafford last summer. “I think that all top clubs in Europe have Timber in their sights," he said.

This kickstarted a frantic few months of rumours, but in the end the two clubs could not agree a deal. Louis van Gaal, a huge fan of Timber, might have played a role in the move failing to materialise, as he seemed to warn his golden boy off joining the Red Devils in June.

Regardless of whether Van Gaal influenced proceedings, Ten Hag's hopes of signing Timber have now been extinguished.

GettyThe details of the deal

That's because Arsenal have swooped in to secure Timber's services this summer. Personal terms were not an issue, due to the player's enthusiasm for the move and the Gunners' generous offer.

Reaching an agreement on a transfer fee has been significantly harder, though. Timber has two years left on his deal, so Ajax could feasibly have held onto him for another season before selling him on.

That is likely why they rejected the Gunners' initial bid of £30 million ($38.1m) in June. However, a deal has now been struck, and Timber has now signed a long-term contract in north London.

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Getty ImagesWhat will Timber bring to Arsenal?

So, why exactly have Arsenal been convinced to spend all that money on Timber? His greatest attribute is his zen-like composure on the ball. Following in a long line of Dutch defenders before him, Timber is superb technically, with no Eredivisie player completing more short passes than him during the 2022-23 season.

For a possession-heavy side like Arsenal, this will be a priceless asset. It's worth noting that Timber's 74.7 completed passes per 90 minutes was comfortably higher than what any Arsenal player managed last campaign too, though this should be taken with a pinch of salt, considering how dominant Ajax are in the Netherlands.

In addition, his patience on the ball should suit him well to the Gunners' style of play. As Timber is so confident retaining possession he often waits until the opposition has committed as much as possible before firing his pass through the lines.

Arsenal lit up the Premier League with their lightning-quick transitions last term, and it's easy to see Timber playing a quarterback-like role from the heart of the defence.

Nathan Buck has joined Northants and so has become the fourth player to leave Lancashire since the end of the season as Ashley Giles, their director of cricket, rebuilds the county’s playing staff

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Sep-2016Nathan Buck has become the fourth player to leave Lancashire since the end of the season as Ashley Giles, their director of cricket, rebuilds the county’s playing staff.Buck, who was released from his contract a year early, has joined Northamptonshire, the defending NatWest Blast champions, on a three-year deal.Last month, Lancashire announced seamers George Edwards and Gavin Griffiths along with opening batsman Luis Reece were not having their contracts renewed.Buck’s two years at Lancashire have been largely unproductive. He joined them at the end of the 2014 season from Leicestershire, but suffered an injury-hit first season for the Club, featuring in just two games before spending last winter in Sydney playing grade cricket for Manly.He went on to play a further 17 games for Lancashire this season in all competitions, taking 12 wickets in this year’s NatWest T20 Blast including T20 career best figures of 4 for 26 at Edgbaston against the Birmingham Bears.Buck “It will be a new challenge for me and I’m looking forward to getting back to my best with some exciting cricket.”Northants are a strong, tight-knit side that have done exceptionally well this season. I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

Wolves could sign Liverpool youngster Fabio Carvalho on loan in the summer transfer window, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Is Carvalho having a good season?

Wanderers have had a tough season to date, sitting 14th in the Premier League, but there have been signs of improvements under Julen Lopetegui. Admittedly, Saturday's 2-1 defeat away to Leicester City was a bad result, but it looks as though they are doing enough to remain in the top flight beyond this season.

Once the campaign is over, it is crucial that Lopetegui is backed in the transfer market, as he looks to build his own squad moving forward.

One player who could potentially be available to sign on loan is Carvalho, who has struggled to make an impression in his first season at Liverpool. While he did score a last-gasp winner at home to Newcastle United early in the campaign, he has only started four league games in total.

Could Wolves sign Carvalho?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, transfer expert Jones claimed that the 20-year-old is an option for Wolves to sign on a temporary basis this summer:

"There is uncertainty about what happens with Fabio Carvalho. Firstly, it’s worth pointing out that he will not give up on making it with Liverpool. He’s very driven to ensure the move works out long-term. But this has been a tough season for all involved, and chances could be just as limited for him next season because Liverpool have to bounce back. That is going to mean top-level recruitment.

"I think a loan will be discussed for Carvalho. Fulham hoped it would become an option when he left them, but it never did. Marco Silva helped hugely with his breakthrough, and I’m sure he would welcome him back if the player is open to it. It is difficult to take a decision like that. From Carvalho’s perspective, it may feel like admitting defeat, and I did check out other moves that could be on the table.

"There has been nothing yet, but it sounds to me like Wolves could become an option. They are in an uncertain moment with players like Matheus Nunes and Ruben Neves, and an opportunity to sign someone like Carvalho, who is an adaptable attacking midfield player, would be a good fit."

Carvalho could be an intriguing signing by Wolves at the end of the season, with Lopetegui possibly seeing him as someone he can improve as a project. Granted, it hasn't worked out for him at Liverpool yet, but he remains a young player with a huge amount of potential.

Last season, he scored ten goals and registered eight assists for Fulham, helping them reach the Premier League in the process, and he could be deemed a good squad option who can play both out wide in and a central attacking midfield role.

Jurgen Klopp has hailed Carvalho as a "special" footballer, which highlights what a talent he is, and if the Reds are willing to let him leave for a year, Molineux could be a good fit for him, especially given their Portuguese element.

Arsenal are the 'favourites' to sign West Ham United star Declan Rice and he is 'excited' by the prospect of joining them, according to reports.

What's the latest on Rice to Arsenal?

The north Londoners are reliably believed to be well in contention to sign David Moyes' star man and it has been reported that he is almost certain to leave his current club this summer.

Rice's deal expires in 2024, and while West Ham possess the option to extend his contract by a further year, the player himself has made no secret of his desire to compete at the very highest level.

"Growing up as a kid I’ve seen all these top players win the trophies, win the Premier League, the Champions League," said Rice in an interview with the media last year.

“Me as a football fan and a player I want to win the best stuff, I want to win the Premier League, I want to lift that trophy, I want to win the Champions League, I want to win the FA Cups, League Cups, even with England, I want to win it all."

The England international has been both a star player for Moyes and for Gareth Southgate in a Three Lions jersey, most recently earning rave reviews for his some of his World Cup performances in Qatar. As well as Arsenal, both Chelsea and Man City have been tipped as possible suitors for the midfielder, but it appears Mikel Arteta's side are out in front of them.

According to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook, writing via his transfer column, the Gunners are 'favourites' to sign Rice as they remain in pole position – even despite the outside possibility of an ambitious swoop from Eddie Howe's Newcastle United.

It's reiterated that Rice is 'almost certain' to leave east London this summer with West Ham holding out for a £100 million transfer fee. Chelsea are also still in the hunt, yet Crook claims the 24-year-old firmly has his eyes on a move to Arsenal.

It is believed that Rice is 'excited by the prospect' of joining Arsenal and their interest is 'most advanced'.

Should Arsenal sign Rice?

The homegrown ace has yet again dazzled for West Ham under Moyes, perhaps proving he is ready for a blockbuster move across London to Arsenal. As per WhoScored, Rice stands out as their best-performing player by average match rating, all while making more interceptions per 90 than any of his teammates.

If Arsenal want to reinforce their midfield with real steel, look no further than the 'sensational' Rice, who will most likely be watching their Premier League title race with serious interest.

Durham opener Mark Stoneman was dropped on 19 and never gave the sniff of a chance again as he reached the close on 139 not out

David Hopps at Chester-le-Street25-Apr-2016
ScorecardMark Stoneman recorded his first century of the season•Getty Images

Celebrations might be taking place around the country to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, but if the ghost of the Bard had put in an unexpected appearance at Chester-le-Street there would be little chance of him writing how “proud-pied April, dress’d in all his trim hath put a spirit of youth in every thing.” More likely something about the cold turning county cricketers, and all those of us who religiously watch it, into fools and madmen.It was hardened professionalism, not youthful disposition, that got Middlesex’s fielders through a day of intense cold during which the temperature read 5C at start of play, a stiff Arctic breeze whistled down the ground and hands in pockets was a basic necessity. This was not the sort of day to feel the joy of being alive, not until back in the warmth of a local hostelry at any rate.In such conditions, Mark Stoneman’s dependability must have worn even more heavily on Middlesex’s attack. The Durham opener was dropped at long leg by James Harris on 19, pulling Tim Murtagh down wind, and never gave the sniff of a chance again as he reached the close on 139 not out. Middlesex’s pace attack started loosely and although they upped their standards later, Durham maintained their grip.When the arrival of snow drove the players from the field with two overs left, Middlesex’s fielders stood politely by the outfield gate to applaud Stoneman off. He seemed to take an awfully long time to reach them. Not only had he batted for most of the day, he was now walking as slowly as an Arctic explorer across a glacier. They must have felt like leaving him to it.Stoneman, who batted in a long-sleeve sweater for the first time, symbolises the toughness of Durham cricket. To be fair, quite a few do. He has survived for a decade on challenging pitches and, presented by more encouraging batting conditions this season, he is not about to treat the opportunity lightly. Middlesex’s top seven all flared brightly, but none made a century, and as they set their eyes to the wind it was with the suspicion that their 389 was far from impregnable. Stoneman, with great selectivity of stroke, insisted that was so.Keaton Jennings, against Somerset in the opening round, had become only the third Durham batsman to score two centuries in a match and he looked in good order, driving in spritely fashion before Steven Finn defeated him on the pull – a bottom edge down the leg side. Finn also removed Jack Burnham, lbw to one that came back, and Ben Stokes – a carefully constructed leg trap which worked at the second attempt as Stokes flicked off his pads. One that Sri Lanka and Pakistan might log away for the summer.Finn’s greatest achievement, though, was to field throughout the morning session in a short-sleeved sweater. They would even have been impressed with that in Newcastle’s Bigg Market, where imperviousness to cold comes naturally. “Even pre-season was a lot warmer than this,” he said. “The only time I’ve experienced anything this bad was Delhi in early January.”Burnham, prolific in the recent Under-19 World Cup, impressed greatly for his 61. A skip down the ground against the offspin of Paul Stirling and successive boundaries – a pull and drive – off Toby Roland-Jones to reach his half-century suggested a player of verve capable of holding down his place in Durham’s middle order. Durham’s seam stocks, lower than we have come to expect (although they have given the young South African Brydon Carse a development contract) suggests they may struggle, but that struggle need not end in failure.The sheer willpower of county spectators never fails to amaze on such days. The romantic link between cricket and languid summer days suggests to the non-believer that enjoyment must be in short supply, but beneath the winter overcoats and array of headgear there was a sense of rapt attention. There again, they might have been iced to the seats.This season’s flatter pitches are logically better for the standard of English cricket, but in such conditions whether they are better for the game, rather than The Game, is debatable. Sport also needs to fit well with its environment and at least the unpredictability of a green seamer provides the sort of constant action to warm the cockles of the heart on taxing days like this. It also provides a better chance of a result in matches ravaged by rain. It is a quandary that will never be solved.

TalkSport pundit Carlton Palmer has claimed that he would quit Manchester United if he was Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw was starting ahead of him at centre-back.

What's the latest on Harry Maguire and Manchester United?

It's not been a particularly easy season for the 30-year-old defender, who has fallen down the pecking order behind Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez under Erik ten Hag.

Indeed, Maguire has started just five Premier League games all season. What's more, 27-year-old teammate Shaw has been trusted more as a centre-back of late. Indeed, the full-back has started four of the last 11 league games in that position for the Red Devils.

Maguire was at least trusted to come back in and start for England against Italy, but that ended badly for him as fans took to Twitter to slam his display – while Shaw also got a red card in what was a poor evening for the Man Utd duo.

Regardless of that, while speaking on TalkSport, Palmer claimed that the 30-year-old should threaten to quit if Ten Hag won't play him at centre-back.

The pundit said: "I mean, it would upset me, to be honest with you. Do you know, I'm not playing well, Maguire, but if he's [Shaw] being picked ahead of me at centre-back, I would have gone and knocked on the door and I'd have been away, full stop.

"I'm not bothered about my contract. If you're picking Luke Shaw at centre-back ahead of me, right, I'm gone."

Is Shaw a better centre-back option for Man Utd than Maguire?

To be fair to Ten Hag, Shaw hasn't lost any of those games he's started at centre-back in the league – which includes a derby win over Manchester City.

Maguire, on the other hand, started the first two games of the season in that position and lost on both occasions, so it's easy to see why his manager lost faith early on.

According to reports, the 30-year-old currently earns about £190,000 per week. On top of that, his deal runs until the summer of 2025. With that in mind, it would be a bold move for him to tear up his contract and leave as Palmer suggested.

Even so, it's not hard to see why Maguire might be unhappy with his current role in the team even if he's not gone public with any issues.