Despite their confident pursuit of Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko, Manchester United may have to forego a potential deal for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba due to financial constraints. While United may have the financial power to secure Sesko's signing, they would likely have to offload some players in order to also make a move for Baleba. As their pre-season tour comes to an end and the start of the season looms, United may have to prioritize their targets and make some tough decisions.
After 12 years of playing at Manchester United and winning multiple titles during his time there, Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea received a warm tribute from fans on his return to Old Trafford. His contract ended in 2023 and was not renewed, making him the last remaining player from Sir Alex Ferguson's final team to leave the club. Manager Erik ten Hag opted to bring in Andre Onana from Inter Milan as the new first-choice goalkeeper, marking the end of de Gea's impressive stint at Manchester United.
Rene Meulensteen, a former coach at Manchester United, believes that Conor Gallagher would bring much-needed energy to the Red Devils' midfield. With Casemiro's future uncertain and the need for a replacement looming, Meulensteen has identified the 25-year-old English midfielder as the ideal candidate. Gallagher's former youth coach, Gordon Strachan, has also praised him as a player with "real legs" and "robustness" and believes he would be a good signing for United. Despite a successful debut season with Atletico Madrid, rumors have been circulating about Gallagher's potential transfer to United. With Amorim prioritizing a proven striker, it remains to be seen if United will make a move for Gallagher.
With the highly anticipated Women's Rugby World Cup on the horizon, the start of the Farah Palmer Cup may have slipped under the radar of many. However, the opening round of the women's provincial tournament is set to bring plenty of action and showcase up-and-coming talent as well as veteran players representing their hometowns. The Counties Manukau Heat come into the competition with a strong lineup, including Black Ferns caps and a returning coach with international experience. With some top teams missing key players, the Heat will be looking to make a statement in their match against reigning champions Waikato.
Brighton's young midfielder Moises Caicedo has made a big impression since joining the club in 2021, citing Chelsea's N'Golo Kante as his idol. With Kante rumored to be leaving for Saudi Arabia, Caicedo is set to step into his role at Stamford Bridge. Despite interest from other top clubs, Chelsea are leading the race to sign the Ecuadorian, with GOAL explaining why he is worth breaking the bank for.
Chelsea's first pre-season friendly against Bayer Leverkusen saw tensions rise as England teammates Cole Palmer and Jarell Quansah clashed on the pitch. Palmer, annoyed by Quansah's rough tackle, didn't shy away from expressing his frustration towards his former Liverpool rival. With only two friendlies left before their Premier League opener, the pressure is on for Chelsea to prepare for their upcoming season.
Chelsea secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in their first home game since their Premier League win in May. The match saw the debut of 18-year-old Brazilian winger Estevao, who impressed with a goal and a man of the match performance. Despite being just a pre-season friendly, the game provided a glimpse of Chelsea's potential for the upcoming season.
Chelsea's youngster Estevao impresses in his debut for the team, scoring a goal and forming a solid partnership with teammate Cole Palmer in their pre-season friendly against Bayer Leverkusen. While the intensity of the game dropped off in the second half, new signings Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro added to the win with a late goal. Express Sport gives player ratings from the match, with standout performances from Estevao and Filip Jorgensen.
Former tennis superstar Anna Kournikova was seen out and about with her family in Miami, seemingly recovered from a medical injury that resulted in her being pushed in a wheelchair back in January. Fans have been eagerly checking in on the retired athlete, who hasn't been active on social media since 2024. Kournikova's mother-in-law revealed that the injury was minor, but it's not surprising that the star's body is still feeling the effects of a grueling tennis career that began when she was only five years old.
New Zealand's top order put on a relentless batting display on the second day of the second Test against Zimbabwe, with Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, and Rachin Ravindra all hitting centuries. By the end of the day, New Zealand had scored 601 for three, taking a commanding lead of 476. The hosts struggled to create any chances, and looked resigned to waiting for the day to end. Day 3 of the Test promises to be a challenging one for Zimbabwe as they try to fight back against the dominant Kiwis.
After taking a break from cricket to focus on golf, former Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer has returned to the sport and is in top form for defending champions Takashinga Patriots 1 in the Andhra Premier League 2025. He is reuniting with another comeback player, Brendan Taylor, who had recently been cleared to return after serving a four-year ban for breaching the ICC's anti-corruption code. In their latest match, Cremer took 4 wickets while Taylor scored 61, showing that the duo is a force to be reckoned with and ready for an international comeback.