Laura Hunter

Oliver Glasner begins his first season as Nottingham Forest manager after a highly successful spell at Crystal Palace. He aims to bring stability following a turbulent period that saw Forest use four managers in 12 months, while reshaping the squad around his structured 3-4-2-1 system. Glasner believes Forest can improve on last season's 16th-place finish but stresses humility, hard work and gradual progress. Owner Evangelos Marinakis expects success, creating pressure for Glasner to show that his tactical expertise can deliver sustained Premier League stability.

Wrexham narrowly missed the Championship play-offs last season despite recording the division’s highest net spend. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have focused on consolidating the squad and expanding the Racecourse Ground, while the club has added Anthony Patterson, Danny Imray and Ben Whiteman this summer. The main remaining need is a fast, high-quality striker, and manager Phil Parkinson acknowledges that further additions are essential. Expanded play-off qualification to eighth place improves Wrexham’s prospects: Opta gives them a 35.8% chance of finishing in the top eight and a 26.2% chance of reaching the top six. Their Premier League ambitions remain plausible but depend heavily on successful recruitment and navigating the Championship’s unpredictability.

Manchester City's 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal exposed major problems in Enzo Maresca's team, including a disconnected structure, passive pressing, an overly high defensive line and a lack of midfield authority. Rodri's impending move to Barcelona compounds the issue, while potential additions such as Enzo Fernández and Ayyoub Bouaddi highlight the squad's imbalance. Although rustiness and limited preseason preparation offer some context, the result suggests Arsenal's advantage may be widening and leaves Maresca with substantial work before the Premier League season develops.

Manchester United drew 1-1 with Leeds at Dublin's Croke Park before winning 5-4 on penalties in a pre-season friendly. Joshua Zirkzee opened the scoring for United, while Brenden Aaronson equalised after an assist from Dan James. Marcus Rashford, recently returned from a loan spell at Barcelona, did not feature, although manager Michael Carrick said he had returned in great spirits and remained part of his plans. Bruno Fernandes, Youri Tielemans and Matheus Cunha improved United's attacking play after coming on, but Leeds ultimately lost the shoot-out after misses from Harry Wilson and James Justin.

Manchester United drew 1-1 with Leeds United in a pre-season friendly at Dublin’s Croke Park before winning 5-4 on penalties. Joshua Zirkzee opened the scoring from Bryan Mbeumo’s cross, while Brenden Aaronson equalised after a Dan James assist. Marcus Rashford did not play despite returning to Manchester United training, with manager Michael Carrick saying he intends to keep the forward involved. Bruno Fernandes, Youri Tielemans and Matheus Cunha improved United’s attacking play after entering as substitutes, while Fernandes had a goal ruled out and hit the crossbar. Leeds goalkeeper James Trafford received strong praise from Daniel Farke after his debut.

Manchester City are working with Lille on a deal for 18-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi after reportedly agreeing personal terms. The Morocco international impressed at the World Cup and has already made almost 100 competitive appearances for Lille, including a standout Champions League performance against Real Madrid. Unlike the more box-to-box Elliot Anderson, Bouaddi is described as a deep-lying controller whose defensive work, ball carrying and passing could suit Enzo Maresca’s possession-based 4-2-3-1 system. City are pursuing him because Rodri, Bernardo Silva and possibly Tijjani Reijnders could leave, creating a need for immediate midfield depth rather than a signing solely for the future.

Brazilian forward Kerolin Nicoli has joined Barcelona from Manchester City for £1.25 million, making her the most expensive export in Women's Super League history and surpassing the previous record for Olivia Smith's move from Liverpool to Arsenal. Kerolin, who helped City win their first WSL title in a decade, made 26 league appearances and scored 12 goals, while ranking among the competition's most effective forwards for goals per 90 minutes and take-ons. Barcelona broke its previous £500,000 transfer ceiling to sign her as a replacement for the departing Salma Paralluelo and as part of Pere Romeu's squad rebuild. The move reflects Barcelona's need to invest more aggressively amid growing European competition, while allowing Manchester City to recoup a significant fee and create opportunities for other wide forwards.

Real Madrid are reportedly pursuing Rodri after his outstanding World Cup, with an offer of roughly £43m–£51m possible despite Manchester City's hopes of renewing his contract. The midfielder is regarded as central to City's possession, tempo and defensive control, making his departure difficult to replace directly. Elliot Anderson could develop into a successor, while Tijjani Reijnders, Nico González and Nico O'Reilly provide alternative options. Manchester City may also target Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi and adapt toward a more proactive, high-pressing style suited to Enzo Maresca's more direct approach. Losing Rodri would weaken City's control and experience, but the club has previously rebuilt successfully after the departures of major stars.

France enter the World Cup semi-final as favourites with a prolific attack led by Kylian Mbappe, but Spain’s possession-heavy structure and midfield superiority, driven by Rodri and Lamine Yamal, offers the clearest blueprint for stopping them. Spain’s control, counter-pressing and dynamic wing play present a tactical challenge that could limit France’s service to their forwards. Despite Spain’s inconsistent creativity in earlier rounds, their balance and structure make them legitimate contenders to reach their first final since 2010, setting up a tightly poised contest in Dallas.

Spain secured a World Cup semi-final place against France with a late winner from substitute Mikel Merino after a mistake by replacement goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring before Charles De Ketelaere equalised for Belgium, but Merino struck in the 88th minute to seal the victory. Spain’s strong performances from key players, including Lamine Yamal and Rodri, underscored their continued unbeaten run and rising confidence heading into the next round.

Spain advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals with a late Mikel Merino goal that sealed a 1-0 win over Portugal after a largely subdued contest in Dallas. Spain’s defensive solidity continued with a sixth consecutive clean sheet, while Portugal created few clear chances, with Cristiano Ronaldo producing their only shot on target in what was his final World Cup appearance. The result ends Portugal’s tournament and sets up Spain for a quarter-final against the winner of USA versus Belgium.