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Man United could sell 5 players to raise £170m for shock double Nottingham Forest swoop

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Manchester United could be in for a busy summer and reports suggest they’ve set their sights on raiding relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest

Manchester United are reportedly interested in Nottingham Forest duo Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson. And some sales might have to be sanctioned to afford this blockbuster double deal.

With Michael Carrick at the helm, United have made significant improvements over the last month. Having supplanted Ruben Amorim, the English manager is yet to lose any of his first six matches in charge during this spell.

Yet, bolstering the squad when the summer window opens must still be on the club’s agenda and they have reportedly singled out both Gibbs-White and Anderson. The former was the subject of a £60million bid from Tottenham over the summer, though this was rebuffed and he shortly thereafter signed a new three-year deal at the City Ground.

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Anderson is one of the Premier League’s hottest properties and whispers of a £100m price tag continue to swirl. Irrespective of whether Forest survive the drop, it appears United may launch an assault on this pair and the Manchester Evening News looks at sales the club could sanction to fund it.

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There are two obvious moves that United are expected to make come the summer: offloading both Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund, who are currently away on loan.

Rashford joined Barcelona last year and despite the potential roadblock of a renegotiation, he has a £26m purchase option that the Catalan club are expected to exercise.

Hojlund is thriving at Napoli and he too has a buy-out obligation. This £38m clause is activated if Napoli qualify for next season’s Champions League and even if they don’t, it is still expected they’d attempt to purchase him.

If both of these exits go smoothly then they may generate £64m, with Rashford’s sale acting as pure profit. Next, should the dynamic Gibbs-White arrive, he would surely take the place of Bruno Fernandes in the first team.

The club captain has been a loyal servant to United, but at 31, he is only going to regress. Speculation has already begun over a potential summer departure after a Saudi Pro League saga last year.

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He is only under contract until 2027 and would likely demand astronomical wages to renew. The Daily Mail reports that he has a £56.6m release clause in his contract for clubs outside of England.

Two other squad players could join Fernandes out the exit door, Mason Mount and Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutch forward was linked with a move away in January and appears out of the first-team picture.

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Mount has struggled with injuries since his £60m move from Chelsea in 2023 and he would free up space if Anderson is to sign. January rumours placed Zirkzee’s price at around the £20m mark, with Mount valued at £28m as per Transfermarkt.

Altogether, selling these five players could raise roughly £170m. Forest may demand near £100m for Anderson and there is a release clause in the new deal Gibbs-White penned last summer which prevents a bidding war.

Nevertheless, a combined £170m, not to mention the wages that United may have been able to get off their books with these sales, would surely be enough to secure this potentially game-changing double transfer if personal terms can be agreed.

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ICC Men’s T20 World Cup: New Zealand’s Matt Henry bowls Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka for a golden duck

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Matt Henry gets New Zealand off to a blistering start as Pathum Nissanka is dismissed with the first delivery of Sri Lanka’s innings in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super 8s match.

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What the Vikings Revealed at the Start of the NFL Combine

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Minnesota Vikings helmet sits on the sideline during a game at Ford Field.
A Minnesota Vikings helmet rests along the sideline during third-quarter action in a divisional matchup against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. The equipment sat near the bench area as Minnesota battled on the road in NFC North play. Nov 2, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA: A helmet remained positioned near the Vikings sideline during game action. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images.

The Minnesota Vikings are off and running at the NFL Combine, speaking to media on Tuesday and not holding back as they reveal their offseason plans. The club has an interim general manager after firing Kwesi Adofo-Mensah four weeks ago, at least nine draft picks to spend, and all-in stakes to win in 2026. Thanks to head coach Kevin O’Connell and interim GM Rob Brzezinski, a few items became clear this week.

O’Connell spoke, Brzezinski clarified authority, and Minnesota’s next roster moves began to come into focus.

The developments were especially helpful as free agency gets off the ground in 12 days.

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The Vikings-Themed Items to Know at the Start of the Combine

O’Connell attends his fifth NFL Combine. Here’s what we learned so far.

Rob Brzezinski speaks during a Vikings.com interview about team leadership and roster strategy. Vikings NFL Combine takeaways.
Feb. 17, 2022 — Minnesota Vikings executive Rob Brzezinski speaks with Vikings.com’s Gabe Henderson during a recorded interview about roster construction, contract strategy, and the organization’s leadership framework. Brzezinski outlined the club’s long-range football operations approach and discussed the arrival of head coach Kevin O’Connell as part of Minnesota’s evolving front-office structure. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.

1. The Power Structure Is Collaborative

Remember the Vikings’ “triangle of authority” from the Brad Childress days? That’s back.

Asked about the front office structure, Brzezinski replied, “We have to have protocol in place, and so the owners have asked me to handle that responsibility if that would occur. But our intent is to have complete and total collaboration, and I think the decisions are going to be pretty easy to make.”

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Brzezinski also said, “It’s an awesome responsibility. I’ve been here a long time. I know what this franchise means to our fans, and I just want to be a small part of one day delivering that championship.”

It sounds like O’Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores will be very much in charge of personnel, with Brzezinski possibly playing a tiebreaker role if necessary.

Meanwhile, Minnesota’s ownership group stated last month that it would hire a full-time general manager after the draft in April. Perhaps Brzezinski will impress enough to keep the job.

2. Josh McCown Has Been Promoted

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The Vikings announced a new coaching organizational chart, complete with new names, after losing seven coaches in the last two months. Among them, quarterbacks coach Josh McCown earned a new title: offensive passing game coordinator.

Some fans criticized McCown for not empowering J.J. McCarthy to the fullest in the last two seasons, but O’Connell clearly doesn’t agree.

McCown is now in charge of the passing offense, working with offensive coordinator Wes Phillips, who is also often an object of fans’ scorn.

3. Insider Says DT Javon Hargrave Is on the Trade Block

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Since the start of the offseason, Vikings loyalists have speculated about players who might be traded, including big names like McCarthy and wide receiver Jordan Addison.

But as of Tuesday, there’s officially a tangible trade rumor — involving defensive tackle Javon Hargrave.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz tweeted Tuesday, “Sources: The Vikings have had trade talks with teams regarding 2x Pro Bowl DT Javon Hargrave. Hargrave started 15 games last year and had 3.5 sacks in his first season with Minnesota.”

Minnesota is likely shopping Hargrave for a late-round draft pick, a last recourse before his release.

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4. The Vikings’ Timeline for J.J. McCarthy Has Changed

Media members asked O’Connell if he still considers McCarthy as a franchise quarterback, a slogan he’s never been afraid to attach to McCarthy.

J.J. McCarthy gets ready on the field before a Vikings preseason game at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Aug. 10, 2024 — Minneapolis, Minnesota — Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) participates in pregame stretching and warmup throws ahead of a preseason matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium. The rookie passer worked on timing and mechanics as coaches evaluated offensive cohesion and depth entering exhibition play under the stadium lights. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

O’Connell said yes but added a caveat, “It’s just the timeline is in a different place for all of us than it was in the summer of 2024. And I have a responsibility — we have a responsibility collectively as we put together this team — to make sure that we use the data that we have at this time and the experiences we have.”

This basically means that O’Connell classified McCarthy as his franchise quarterback in the summer of 2024 when he first answered the question; now, the timeline has changed. The Vikings need a McCarthy alternative in case injuries arise in 2026, a familiar theme for McCarthy.

5. All QB Options Will Be Examined

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At the start of the offseason, O’Connell and former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah proclaimed a deep quarterback room as the foremost priority.

That mindset remains, even after Adofo-Mensah left the Vikings.

Brzezinski said, “We’re exploring every option that can be out there. What we do know is we need a level of baseline quarterback play for us to be effective.”

“A lot of this has been J.J. in unfortunate situations with some of the injuries and things that he’s dealt with, but we’re going to explore every opportunity, and I don’t think there’s anything specifically we’re looking for. We can’t manufacture anything that’s not there. So, No. 1, what are the options? Is it reciprocal? Is it financially doable? All those things. There’s just a lot of factors that go into it.”

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Need a level of baseline quarterback play is the smoking gun that suggests a quarterback signing or trade is imminent.

6. Nothing But Love for Kwesi

Some claimed that an O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah rift may have caused Adofo-Mensah’s termination at the end of January. That is categorically false.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah stands on the sideline at a college football game while scouting players.
Oct. 7, 2023 — Minneapolis, Minnesota — Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah watches from the sideline during the Minnesota Golden Gophers’ game against the Michigan Wolverines at Huntington Bank Stadium. The Vikings executive attended the in-state contest as part of ongoing scouting work while continuing to shape the team’s roster planning and long-term draft outlook. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

O’Connell on Adofo-Mensah: “From the standpoint of my relationship, personally and professionally, with Kwesi was and will always continue to be strong. Any thoughts or noise to the contrary of that is not accurate in any way, shape or form. Speaking to the timing of it, I just know that our ownership is, I think they’re the best owners in sports.”

“I think they’re very thorough in their postseason evaluation. They made a decision, an ownership decision at that level. We will press onward, but obviously really, really thankful for my time to work with Kwes’ and what we were able to build together here and some of the success that we’ve had together and obviously the learning moments. I know he’s going to continue to go on to great things in his career.”

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Brzezinski, Adofo-Mensah’s direct replacement, called his predecessor a “fabulous human being.”


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5 lower order batters who have scored more runs than Abhishek Sharma in T20 World Cup 2026 so far

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Team India opener Abhishek Sharma was expected to the Men in Blue’s X-factor in the T20 World Cup 2026. He had been in terrific form with the willow in the build-up to the ICC event. Expectations were so high from the southpaw that a number of critics had backed him to finish as the leading run-getter into the tournament. However, the script that has played out has been a completely opposite one.

After four innings in the T20 World Cup 2026, Abhishek has scored 15 runs at a paltry average of 3.75 and a strike rate of 75. He has struck two fours and a six in the ICC event so far. The left-handed batter began the T20 World Cup with three successive ducks. In India’s first Super 8 match against South Africa, he got off the mark, but ended up being dismissed for 15 off 12 balls.

Abhishek will be desperate to find form in India’s second Super 8 match against Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday, February 26. Ahead of the game, we look at five lower order batters who have scored more runs than the Indian opener in the T20 World Cup 2026 so far.


#1 Brad Evans (Zimbabwe) – 43 runs

Zimbabwe fast bowler and lower order batter got a chance to bat in the T20 World Cup 2026 for the first time in the Group 1 Super 8 match against the West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Even as Zimbabwe crumbled in a chase of 255, Evans gave a good account of himself, smashing 43 off just 21 balls. Coming into bat at No. 8, Evans slammed two fours and five sixes.

The Zimbabwe batter was looking good for a half-century when he was caught at short third man off Matthew Forde’s bowling. Evans was the last man out as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 147 in 17.4 overs. In his T20I career, the 28-year-old has played 29 matches and has scored 131 runs at a strike rate of 119.09.


#2 Sompal Kami (Nepal) – 26 runs

Nepal’s right-arm pacer Sompal Kami scored an unbeaten 26 runs off 15 balls in the T20 World Cup 2026 Group C match against the West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Sent into bat, Nepal were held to 133-8. Coming into bat at No. 8, he struck four fours in a handy cameo.

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Kami (30) has the experience of 88 T20I matches. In 52 innings, he has scored 391 runs at an average of 11.50 and a strike rate of 114.32, with a best of 40.


#3 Noah Croes (Netherlands) – 25 runs

Netherlands’ Noah Croes featured in the T20 World Cup 2026 Group A match against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This was the same match in which Abhishek was cleaned up for a three-ball duck by off-spinner Aryan Dutt. India recovered to post 193-6 in their 20 overs.

In the chase, Netherlands responded with a commendable 176-7. There were handy contributions all round. Coming in at No. 8, Croes hammered an unbeaten 25 off 12 balls. His knock featured five fours. Croes has played 21 T20Is in which he has scored 228 runs at an average of 22.80 and a strike rate of 131.79.


#4 Nadeem Khan (Oman) – 22 runs

Oman left-arm spinner Nadeem Khan played three matches in the T20 World Cup 2026, scoring 22 runs at an average of 7.33 and a strike rate of 95.65. Nadeem’s best of 20 came off 18 balls against Zimbabwe in Colombo (SSC) in a Group B match. Batting at No. 9, he struck one four and one six.

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Nadeem was dismissed for two against Sri Lanka in Pallekele and registered a duck in the game against Ireland in Colombo (SSC). In 11 T20Is matches (eight innings), the 24-year-old has scored 84 runs at a an average of 16.80 and a strike rate of 123.52, with a best of 30*.


# 5 Oliver Davidson (Scotland) – 21 runs

Scotland’s bowling all-rounder Oliver Davidson played four matches in the T20 World Cup 2026, making his T20I debut during the tournament. In four matches (three innings), the left-arm spinner scored 21 runs at a strike rate of 123.52. Davidson’s best of 20* came off 15 balls against England in Kolkata. Batting at No. 9, he struck two fours and a six in his cameo.