Simon Stone

Manchester United have agreed to pay Brighton up to £70m for Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba, comprising £65m upfront and £5m in potential add-ons, with a sell-on clause also included. Baleba is expected to undergo a medical after recovering from an ankle injury. The transfer would raise United’s summer spending to £153m and follows the arrivals of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, while addressing midfield changes after Casemiro’s departure and Manuel Ugarte’s injury. United may still seek a left-back, although Baleba, Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui could provide cover for Luke Shaw.

Michael Carrick rejects the suggestion that Manchester United have been given an easy Premier League start, arguing that fixtures against newly promoted Hull and Ipswich will be difficult. He acknowledges supporter frustration over the lack of further signings, while talks continue with Brighton for Carlos Baleba and the club seeks to strengthen at left-back. Manchester United’s history of late transfer-window deals and inconsistent opening results is presented as a reason to temper expectations. Carrick remains confident that the team can improve on last season and compete for major achievements, although the club faces a significant step up in performance and a heavier fixture schedule.

West Bromwich Albion is in early-stage talks with Manchester United midfielder Toby Collyer over a permanent return to the club. Collyer spent part of last season on loan at West Brom before returning to United, then joined Hull City, where injuries limited him to five appearances. Hull had reportedly been interested in re-signing him after promotion to the Premier League, but no agreement has been reached.

Michael Carrick enters his first full season as Manchester United's permanent head coach with a calm public manner and a squad showing considerable pre-season promise. New signings Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans impressed, while Bryan Mbeumo, Mason Mount, Leny Yoro and academy player Shea Lacey also provided encouragement. However, unresolved issues remain: Benjamin Sesko and Karl Darlow have yet to feature, several players may leave, Marcus Rashford's future is unclear, and the club urgently needs competition at left-back and possibly another central midfielder. Manchester United's limited player sales are restricting further transfer activity, while relying on inexperienced goalkeeper Senne Lammens carries risk. An initially favourable fixture schedule against Hull and Ipswich could offer momentum but also presents the danger of complacency.

Manchester United ended pre-season with a 4-2 defeat by AC Milan in Wroclaw despite taking the lead twice. Marcus Rashford made his first appearance for the club since December 2024, while Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez also returned, but Rashford’s future remains uncertain ahead of the 1 September transfer deadline. AC Milan repeatedly exposed gaps between United’s defence and midfield, with three goals coming from close range. Michael Carrick acknowledged that United had played poorly and must resolve the tactical and squad-selection issues before opening their Premier League campaign at Hull City.

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick says the club must continue pursuing signings despite spending £83m on Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans and adding Karl Darlow. With weaknesses at left-back and in central midfield ahead of a return to the Champions League, Carrick says the club must balance ambition with financial caution after missing out on targets including Elliot Anderson and Matheus Fernandes. He also declines to guarantee Marcus Rashford will remain at United beyond the transfer deadline, while insisting Rashford will be treated like any other player. Carrick remains encouraged by Rashford's return and has supported Kobbie Mainoo after the midfielder was omitted from England's World Cup squad.

Myles Lewis-Skelly’s future at Arsenal is uncertain after a difficult season in which he fell behind Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie at left-back, although a strong resurgence in central midfield and impressive pre-season performances could restore his first-team prospects. Manchester United and Chelsea have reportedly been offered the 19-year-old, but Arsenal deny actively making him available. United need left-back cover, while Chelsea are unlikely to add another player in the position without sales. Lewis-Skelly wants to remain at Arsenal, whose significant spending and need to reduce the squad could nevertheless make him a potential sale before the transfer deadline. A transfer would historically represent pure profit for Arsenal’s accounts, though new Squad Cost Ratio rules would spread the financial benefit over three seasons.

Manchester United and Leeds United will become the first two English soccer clubs to play each other at Dublin's 82,300-capacity Croke Park. The fixture highlights how the stadium has moved beyond its history as a symbol of Irish nationalism and the GAA's former ban on English football and rugby. Rule 42 was relaxed in 2007 during redevelopment of Lansdowne Road and the policy became permanent after the Aviva Stadium opened in 2010. Earlier rugby matches, Queen Elizabeth II's 2011 visit and strong Irish links to both clubs helped demonstrate the changing relationship between Ireland and sports associated with Britain.

Mason Mount is expected to miss Manchester United’s pre-season friendly against Leeds at Dublin’s Croke Park after suffering a foot injury in Saturday’s draw with Paris Saint-Germain. Although Michael Carrick initially described his substitution as precautionary, Mount has not trained since and may also miss the final pre-season match against AC Milan. Lisandro Martinez, Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo have returned to training, but their availability for the Leeds game remains uncertain.

Youri Tielemans made a promising 26-minute debut for Manchester United in a 1-1 pre-season draw with Paris Saint-Germain, impressing club officials through his composure, passing and combinations with Bruno Fernandes. His £35m move from Aston Villa is presented as an attempt to add creativity and leadership while easing pressure on Fernandes. Manager Michael Carrick also confirmed that Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez will rejoin the squad in Ireland, with Rashford returning after Barcelona declined to activate its purchase option and his previous loan and relationship with the club remaining unresolved.

Chris Smalling reflects on his close relationships with Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson, explaining how both managers built his confidence and shaped his career. The 36-year-old, who has made 580 club appearances, won trophies with Manchester United and Roma, and earned 31 England caps, is now seeking a new club after an ever-present season with Saudi side Al-Fayha. He discusses fitness, recovery and genetics testing as factors in extending his career, while also developing education projects for young players and ruling out a future in coaching for now.

Manchester United are set to appoint former Hearts manager Eva Olid as their new women's manager after Marc Skinner left by mutual consent. Olid, 40, guided Hearts to their first Scottish Women's Premier League title last season and is expected to meet the United squad before her appointment is finalised. Skinner leaves after five years, during which he delivered the club's first major trophy in the 2024 Women's FA Cup and led United to their first Women's Champions League group-stage appearance. The club has changed its recruitment strategy to focus on younger players and wants a successor with a strong record of player development ahead of the new WSL season.

Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium has sharply increased matchday income and commercial revenue through larger crowds, premium facilities, concerts, NFL games and boxing. Under the Premier League’s incoming squad-cost ratio rules, stadium infrastructure spending is excluded from the calculation, allowing clubs to invest in facilities without directly reducing their permitted playing-squad expenditure. Manchester United, Newcastle United and several other clubs are considering new builds or redevelopments, but high construction costs, temporary relocation challenges and the risk of weakening supporters’ attachment to historic grounds remain significant obstacles. The financial benefits are likely to be greatest for clubs with large global fanbases and strong tourism markets, making Tottenham’s model harder to replicate elsewhere.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino withdrew a controversial plan to create a commercial subsidiary, Fifa Forward Enterprise, allowing private investors to acquire minority stakes in major competitions including the men's and women's World Cups. The proposal faced strong opposition from UEFA, Concacaf and the AFC, with UEFA members threatening to boycott the World Cup and FIFA's own officials criticizing the lack of consultation. Strategic adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned, while director general Kevin Lamour said the administration had been misled. The withdrawal averts an immediate governance crisis but leaves Infantino under significant pressure ahead of his bid for a fourth presidential term, with FIFA now expected to rebuild trust and review its decision-making processes.

FIFA says it will continue consulting members on the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, which would allow private investors to acquire limited, non-controlling stakes in a new company managing major competitions including the World Cup. UEFA and Concacaf oppose the plan, arguing that the World Cup is not an investment product, while AFC has also raised concerns about FIFA’s unilateral process and lack of detail. FIFA says member associations could receive up to $40 million, and Thrive Eternal is expected to lead the investor group. FIFA president Gianni Infantino needs 106 of FIFA’s 211 votes, but UEFA and Concacaf together control 96. Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso also criticized the proposal and urged that football remain a sport belonging to everyone.

Gianni Infantino faces mounting opposition after FIFA abandoned a controversial plan to sell stakes in competitions to private investors. UEFA says it has lost confidence in his leadership, while the AFC and Concacaf have criticized FIFA’s consultation and decision-making. Although Infantino is expected to seek another term and may still retain enough national-association support, his allies are weakening. Potential successors include Concacaf president Victor Montagliani, AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, PSG and European Football Clubs chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi, and FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom, though several appear unlikely or unwilling to run. FIFA’s next president will be confirmed at its March 2027 Congress in Morocco, with candidates required to declare by 18 November.

UEFA and all 55 of its member associations have voted to boycott FIFA competitions, including the men’s and women’s World Cups and the Club World Cup, if FIFA approves a plan to sell minority stakes in a new commercial company managing its major tournaments. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has offered each member association up to $40 million to support the proposal, with a September 19 deadline for initial approval. UEFA says the plan was prepared secretly, threatens football’s independence, and amounts to coercive governance. FIFA expects the US investment firm Thrive Eternal, founded by Joshua Kushner, to lead the investor group. The proposed boycott could first affect the Under-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers in October, although UEFA officials hope a boycott can ultimately be avoided.

UEFA's 55 member associations have voted to boycott all FIFA competitions, including the men's and women's World Cups and the Club World Cup, if FIFA proceeds with Gianni Infantino's proposal to sell minority stakes in a new commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise, to private investors. Concacaf's 41 associations have also rejected the plan, while Asian and African football bodies have raised concerns about the lack of consultation and due process. FIFA says the investment would provide member associations with up to $40m, with Thrive Eternal expected to lead the investor group, but critics argue the World Cup should not be treated as an investment product. The dispute could threaten FIFA's governance structure and the participation of European teams, although officials and analysts believe a permanent split remains unlikely.

FIFA plans to invite minority private investment into FIFA Forward Enterprise, a new subsidiary intended to consolidate commercial and event operations and help expand football development funding beyond $10bn. Thrive Eternal, founded by Joshua Kushner, is expected to lead the investor group, while FIFA says it will retain control over governance and sporting decisions. UEFA and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham strongly oppose the proposal, warning that football's governing bodies and competitions should not be treated as tradable assets. Critics also fear investor demands could lead to a 64-team World Cup, more frequent tournaments and further pressure on an already congested football calendar. The plan requires approval from FIFA's 211 member associations, potentially at a Congress in Morocco in March.

Marcus Rashford faces an uncertain club future despite a positive World Cup showing and a productive season on loan at Barcelona. Manchester United are unwilling to renegotiate terms with Barcelona or permit another loan, while limited market interest and his high wages reduce transfer options. With new signings at Barcelona and few clubs able to afford him, he is likely to return to United under manager Michael Carrick, whose relationship with him is reportedly positive. United’s emphasis on financial discipline and data-driven recruitment further narrows options, making a reconciliation increasingly probable despite mixed opinions about his future at Old Trafford.

Tom Heaton expresses support for Senne Lammens following the young goalkeeper’s costly error during Belgium’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to Spain, emphasising that the setback will strengthen him. Manchester United maintain confidence in Lammens as he begins a pre-season break, with Karl Darlow recently signed as additional cover. Heaton highlights the mental demands of goalkeeping and believes Lammens’ strong personality will help him recover from criticism in Belgium.

Ederson has extended his contract with Atalanta after Manchester United abandoned a £35m move when medical tests raised concerns. The midfielder’s examination was delayed by his late World Cup call-up before specialists confirmed an issue that led United to withdraw. Although a revived deal had been considered possible, Atalanta have now secured his future on undisclosed terms, while United focus on recent signings including Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Karl Darlow.

Manchester United’s pre-season will feature several academy players as senior squad members return gradually from World Cup duties. Shea Lacey, Jack Fletcher, Harry Amass, Radek Vitek, Tyler Fletcher, JJ Gabriel and Jacob Devaney are among the standout prospects expected to receive opportunities, each entering pre-season with differing levels of first-team exposure, loan experience or youth accolades. Their performances in friendlies against Wrexham and Rosenborg will help determine roles and potential loan moves ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Manchester United’s planned £35m signing of Ederson from Atalanta is uncertain after medical tests reportedly revealed an issue, though both clubs deny the deal is off. The midfielder’s late World Cup call-up delayed his medical, and despite other transfers progressing, no update has emerged on his move. The impasse adds to a difficult transfer window for United after unsuccessful pursuits of Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes, leaving supporters awaiting clarity on whether the Ederson transfer will be completed.

Lord Coe highlights the wider regeneration potential of the Old Trafford redevelopment, emphasising plans for thousands of new homes, tens of thousands of jobs and improved community outcomes alongside a new Manchester United stadium. The masterplan, led by the Mayoral Development Corporation, is due for council approval before an eight‑week consultation. Coe cites successful Olympic‑driven transformations in Barcelona and London as models for the project, with detailed stadium designs expected in 2026 or 2027 and hopes of hosting Women’s World Cup matches in 2035.

Manchester United are close to signing Wales goalkeeper Karl Darlow on a free transfer after his departure from Leeds United, where he finished last season as first choice. The move is expected to prompt the exit of Altay Bayindir as the club restructures its goalkeeping options, with Radek Vitek also set to move on after a successful loan at Bristol City. Michael Carrick seeks experienced backup with Tom Heaton having been sidelined since early 2023. Darlow is set to join the club’s pre-season tour beginning with a match against Wrexham on 18 July.

Fenerbahce are optimistic about completing a deal of about 45 million euros to sign Mason Greenwood from Marseille, who are open to a transfer. The move would trigger a substantial sell‑on fee for Manchester United, which previously decided against Greenwood’s return after charges against him were dropped. Greenwood’s strong scoring record in France has maintained interest from several clubs, including Roma, while Fenerbahce aim to strengthen after finishing second again and preparing for Champions League qualification.

Manchester United agreed a £50m deal to sign Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos from Chelsea as part of efforts to strengthen their midfield ahead of pre-season. The move follows injuries and failed pursuits of other targets, while Santos seeks regular first‑team football amid Chelsea’s plans to reshape their midfield and raise funds. Additional squad changes continue at both clubs as they manage departures and prepare for the upcoming season.

Burnley are in advanced discussions with Genk head coach Nicky Hayen to fill their managerial vacancy following Scott Parker’s departure. The club has not yet reached an agreement with Genk, but Hayen has emerged as the leading candidate. Earlier approaches for Craig Bellamy fell through, while Rob Edwards declined the role. Hayen, previously with Haverfordwest County and Club Brugge, guided Genk to seventh place last season. Burnley prepare for a pre-season trip to the United States after being relegated to the Championship.

Manchester United face significant midfield shortages after Casemiro’s exit and a serious injury to Manuel Ugarte, leaving Mason Mount as the only senior midfielder available for early pre-season. Transfer attempts for Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes failed due to high competition and rising fees, while an agreed £35m deal for Ederson is delayed by his World Cup commitments. United are evaluating several targets, including Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Tyler Adams, Chelsea’s Andrey Santos, and Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha, though many face obstacles such as competition, club reluctance to sell, or high valuations. The club aims to resolve the issue before their high‑profile pre‑season fixtures begin.

Fourteen players still competing in the 2026 World Cup are out of contract, giving them added incentive to impress potential clubs while risking injury. The analysis highlights notable free agents including John Stones, Casemiro, David Alaba, Fabinho, Mohamed Salah, James Rodriguez and Luka Modric, outlining their recent club situations and likely next moves. A full list of all out‑of‑contract players remaining in the tournament is provided, reflecting a mix of high‑profile veterans and less prominent squad members.

Brighton agreed a club‑record £46m fee with Tottenham for 19‑year‑old Croatia defender Luka Vuskovic, with add‑ons potentially raising the total to £50m. Vuskovic, who impressed on loan at Hamburg, will join after Croatia’s World Cup run ends and is expected to replace Jan Paul van Hecke, who is set to move to Tottenham for £52m.

Manchester United have failed to secure key midfield targets Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes due to high valuations as the club maintains a cautious transfer strategy. With several players departing at the end of their contracts and few confirmed arrivals, United have agreed a deal for Atalanta’s Ederson but must wait for the midfielder’s World Cup involvement to end before completing the move. The club is exploring additional midfield options including Alex Scott, Tyler Adams and Carlos Baleba while continuing to monitor Aurelien Tchouameni. Marcus Rashford’s future remains uncertain after Barcelona declined a transfer, though United are unwilling to sanction another loan. Club officials project calm, insisting signings will come, though supporter anxiety grows amid the lack of transfer activity.

Tottenham reached an £85m agreement to sign Portugal midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham after surpassing Manchester United’s offer. The deal follows Tottenham’s rapid transfer activity, including signings of Martin Dubravka, Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and Jan Paul van Hecke. Manchester United withdrew from pursuing Fernandes due to valuation concerns and questions over the player’s interest, shifting focus to their £35m signing of Ederson from Atalanta. Squad plans at Old Trafford are affected by Manuel Ugarte’s serious injury and ongoing uncertainty around departures, while Tottenham continue strengthening ahead of the new season.

Boyle Sports will continue as West Ham United’s front‑of‑shirt sponsor despite recent allegations against former co-chair David Sullivan and the club’s relegation to the Championship. The company had expressed concern following a BBC and Times investigation but was encouraged by Sullivan’s resignation and new investment from Daniel Kretinsky. Boyle Sports views the rapid leadership changes as a positive shift and remains committed to the partnership. The deal is permitted only because the club is outside the Premier League, where front‑of‑shirt gambling sponsors will be banned from 2026. West Ham has already sold 45,000 season tickets ahead of the new campaign.

Everton are nearing a deal worth at least £16m to sign Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, who played a key role in Boro’s recent promotion bid and has one year remaining on his contract. Despite interest from Crystal Palace, Hackney is understood to prefer working with David Moyes, positioning him to become Everton’s first signing of the summer.