Italian club, history of triumphs and rivalry
United have spent around £85m on three midfielders plus a backup keeper this summer. Carrick says the business is strong but more players are needed to compete with rivals, as Rashford returns from loan and the club faces a busy season.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has named a 26-man World Cup squad that has omitted Manchester United defender Harry Maguire and several high-profile players including Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luke Shaw, while Ivan Toney and younger players have been selected; Tuchel has defended the choices as team-focused. (As of 28 May 2026.)
England has opened its World Cup campaign with a 4-2 win over Croatia in Arlington, Texas. Harry Kane has scored twice in the first half, Jude Bellingham has put England ahead just after half-time and Marcus Rashford has sealed the win late on. Elsewhere Portugal were held 1-1 by DR Congo and Ghana beat Panama 1-0.
Sandro Tonali has completed a record transfer from Newcastle to Tottenham for an initial 92.5m pounds, with potential to rise to 100m based on Champions League qualifications. The move follows heavy recruiting at Spurs and includes comments from Tonali on the club, manager Roberto De Zerbi, and Newcastle fans. The transfer signals a midfield revamp for Tottenham.
Portugal has beaten Croatia 2-1 after Gonçalo Ramos scored a stoppage-time header to win the last-32 tie. Cristiano Ronaldo has converted a penalty — his first World Cup knockout goal — after Ivan Perišić had opened the scoring. Croatia thought they had equalised late, but VAR used ball-sensor "snicko" data to rule the goal out for offside.
Christian Pulisic has a microfracture and a bone bruise in his right tibia/fibula. He is set to miss multiple weeks after the World Cup defeat to Belgium, with AC Milan and US Soccer coordinating a rehab plan. His return timeline is uncertain but he is expected to resume training ahead of Milan’s Serie A opener.
Milan prosecutors have requested the dismissal of a sports fraud case against Gianluca Rocchi, the former head of referees, while a two-year inquiry has found no evidence of a structured system to interfere with appointments. Rocchi had been investigated over incidents in the 2024-25 season, including alleged referee changes in Inter Milan’s favour; Inter were not implicated.
Apollo Global Management is in talks to back the Yankees with a debt-heavy financing package worth about $3 billion, as the franchise seeks to refinance obligations and fund expansion. The deal would mark Apollo’s largest US sports investment and underscores the growing financial heft of professional sports.
Celtic have signed Camilo Duran and face recruitment constraints as they lose Kelechi Iheanacho to Bursaspor. O’Neill says progress on other targets is possible, while Celtic’s summer activity remains limited amid competition from bigger clubs.
The Fox pregame show for the World Cup final is marked by fast travel through a ferry, a helicopter, and a police-escorted car ride, with Zlatan Ibrahimović sweating over the flight. The crew faced delays but reached MetLife Stadium in time as viewership broke records.
United have already signed two midfielders this window and face injuries and departures that heighten the need for further reinforcements. Several targets are in play, with attention turning to a potential homegrown option as pre-season shows rising balance in midfield.
The Italian Football Federation has been exploring Pep Guardiola’s potential appointment as Italy head coach. While discussions have continued, officials say salary exceptions could be considered, though the final decision remains uncertain. Mancini and Pirlo are among other candidates amid Italy’s World Cup qualification crisis and short-term coaching search.
Celtic are pursuing Mika Baur for a reported 4m fee as Daizen Maeda edges toward a move to Ipswich Town. Personal terms have been agreed with Baur, while Ipswich are negotiating for Maeda and other Celtic targets attract interest across Europe.
Italy has appointed Roberto Mancini as head coach after a chaotic recruitment process following World Cup qualification failure. Maldini and Leonardo have departed amid leadership shifts while the federation pursues a long-term overhaul and considers other candidates.
Andrea Pirlo has announced he is no longer a candidate for Italy’s national team head coach, following political concerns over his sponsorship deal with Russian bookmaker Fonbet. Maldini’s backing for Pirlo is under scrutiny as Italy’s football federation reshuffles its leadership after missing a third World Cup.
Littler has defended his Betfred World Matchplay title with an 18-9 victory over Gerwyn Price in Blackpool. He has set a final average of 111.53 and a tournament average of 111.04, breaking Phil Taylor’s previous marks. The 19-year-old remains on track for a calendar-year haul of major titles, while Netflix has announced a reality darts show launching later this year.
Italy has reappointed Roberto Mancini as men’s national coach and named Claudio Ranieri technical director after a chaotic selection that prompted Paolo Maldini and adviser Leonardo to resign. Mancini will lead a team still reeling from a third consecutive World Cup failure and will begin with Nations League fixtures in September.
Franco Baresi has died at 66. The AC Milan legend spent 20 seasons with the club, captained Milan for 15 years, and led a era-defining defence that helped win six Serie A titles and three European Cups. Tributes have poured in from Milan, former teammates and world leaders.
A wave of new football kit designs is hitting top Scottish and European clubs as the 2026-27 season approaches. BBC Business collects notable releases from AC Milan to Celtic and Wales, with reactions ranging from praise for heritage-inspired designs to criticism of bold, modern looks.
Unai Emery leads Aston Villa into the UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg, chasing a first European trophy since 1982. PSG enter as holders; Villa face a deficit in squad stability amid talks of signings and injuries ahead of the clash.
Manchester United have lost 4-2 to AC Milan in a pre-season friendly in Wroclaw, with Rashford, Mainoo and Martinez making returns. Carrick faces decisions on squad selection and transfer plans as the season nears.
Everton has confirmed a four-year deal for Johnson, with McNeil moving to Crystal Palace in a swap that mirrors a rocky June, when paperwork delays delayed a February near-miss. The move signals Palace’s continued rebuild under pressure to qualify for European competition; Johnson seeks top-flight form again after an underwhelming Palace spell.
Paris Saint-Germain has beaten Aston Villa 2-1 in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened, Villa teenager Brian Madjo levelled, and Desire Doue scored the winner after a VAR review awarded the goal. Somali referee Omar Artan, controversially denied a US World Cup visa, officiated the match.
Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans has apologised to Aston Villa fans after hinting that Manchester United are a bigger club. United triggered a 35m release clause to sign him from Villa this summer, and Tielemans says his comments were not intended to offend Villa but he is now apologising and focusing on United’s season.