Any hopes of seeing that clash were nearly ended after AJ was dropped twice in the opening round of the bout, though he was able to recover and claim the second round knockout to come out on top and prevent a stunning shock upset from taking place.
Posting on social media, Paul praised AJ for earning the win, after returning to action following the tragic car crash he was involved in at the end of last year which took the lives of his two close friends.
“Happy for Joshua with that win after all he’s been through. Remembering Sina and Latz with this one.”
Happy for Joshua with that win after all he’s been through.
The win for Joshua should now tee up for meeting with Fury later this year, after ‘The Gypsy King’ held up his end of the bargain by also securing a win in his warm-up bout on Friday, securing a seventh round retirement win against Mariusz Wach.
Despite possessing obvious talent, Prince Tycoon has proven to be a frustrating galloper for trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young.
For this reason, Prince Tycoon will race with blinkers for the first time when he contests the Quayclean Handicap (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Prince Tycoon began his career in fine style at Caulfield in May last year, a performance that earned the then two-year-old a trip to Queensland for the Magic Millions National 2YO Classic (1000m) at the Gold Coast 13 days later, where he finished second.
Those initial two efforts gave the stable considerable encouragement heading into the spring, but Prince Tycoon failed to deliver, finishing out of the top three in two of his three starts.
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After being spelled again, Prince Tycoon resumed with a strong on-pace win at Bendigo. He then returned to metropolitan racing to run third at Caulfield Heath over 1200m before a narrow second in his last start, the Listed A R Creswick Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on July 4.
It was following that run the stable decided to apply blinkers.
“We’re going to add a little bit of headgear to him on Saturday,” Young commented.
“He was in front at Flemington last time and he just floated in and out when that horse (winner, Wise Inlaw) came up inside him.
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“His last two gallops in the headgear have been good, so hopefully that will work on Saturday and as he’s got a bit of weight, we’ve gone with a claimer.”
Ryan Houston will claim 2kg off Prince Tycoon’s weight, bringing his impost to 57.5kg.
Young noted that Prince Tycoon had also been a frustration with his behaviour at the barriers, which led to the gelding spending time with Julien Welsh.
She stated that this ‘education’ had resulted in better performances this campaign.
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“He’s shown plenty, but he’s just been a bit funny in the gates,” Young said.
“He’s taken a bit of work. We had to send him to Julien Welsh and then got him back.
“This preparation, he’s been excellent, he’s behaved himself, he’s filled out and he’s doing everything right.
Hopefully the blinkers do the trick.”
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Prince Tycoon faces the Quayclean Handicap at Caulfield this weekend. Consider the online bookmakers for your wagers.
Dominik Szoboszlai sends clear Liverpool message with stunning Sunderland equaliser
Pre-season can be noisy. Fitness, experiments, half-ready line-ups, inflated takes. Strip all that away and one detail still matters, quality travels. Dominik Szoboszlai reminded everyone of that in Liverpool’s friendly against Sunderland in Nashville.
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Liverpool went 2-1 down and the game had turned messy. Then Szoboszlai stepped in. Lewis Koumas and Milos Kerkez did the hard work, Sunderland only half-cleared, and Liverpool’s number 8 did the rest. From 25 yards, on the volley, he lashed an equaliser past the goalkeeper. Clean contact, no fuss, no chance for anyone in the way. A serious goal.
He has made a habit of these. Last season there were long-range free kicks against Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield. This one came from open play, and in some ways it said more. It was instinctive, technically sharp and struck with complete conviction.
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Szoboszlai goal shows Liverpool quality
That matters because Liverpool need certainty after the wreckage of 2025/26. Szoboszlai was widely viewed as the side’s best player in a dreadful campaign, and that was not due to style points. He ran, carried responsibility and produced when others drifted. His new long-term contract looked sensible when it was signed, and it looks even smarter now.
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There was another detail worth noting. He took the captain’s armband after coming on at half-time for Kostas Tsimikas. That is not decoration. It reflects trust, and it reflects standing inside the squad.
Andoni Iraola is still piecing this squad together in the early weeks of pre-season, with several regular starters unavailable after World Cup duty. Szoboszlai, because Hungary did not reach the finals, has been available from the outset. For a new head coach, that is useful. For Liverpool, it is important.
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Iraola wants players who set the tone properly. Szoboszlai already does that. He plays hard, he plays forward and he affects games. If the vice-captaincy is genuinely open after Andy Robertson’s departure, he has made his case in the most obvious way possible.
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Liverpool do not need vague promises from senior players this summer. They need actions. Szoboszlai provided one with a goal that cut through the usual pre-season clutter.
After the North Wilkesboro race, the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season heads to Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, for the Brickyard 400. The 22nd race of the season will go live on TNT Sports at 2 pm ET on Sunday, July 26.
The IMS race will be contested on a 2.5-mile-long oval track. Thirty-nine drivers will compete over 160 laps to drive down Victory Lane. FOX Sports motorsports reporter Bob Pockrass shared the starting lineup for the 2026 Brickyard 400.
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Who is on pole for 2026 Brickyard 400?
In Saturday’s (July 25) Cup Series qualifying, Spire Motorsports driver Carson Hocevar claimed his second pole of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season with a time of 48.232 seconds and a speed of 186.598 mph. It marked Hocevar’s third pole of his career.
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Hocevar is all set to lead the field to the green flag at the start of the 2026 Indianapolis race, and his teammate Daniel Suarez will share the front row with him after a lap of 186.382 mph.
The pair will be followed by Tyler Reddick, Ty Gibbs, and Denny Hamlin in the top-five. Michael McDowell, Corey Heim, Alex Bowman, A. J. Allmendinger, and the defending NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson completed the top 10.
Bubba Wallace, the defending winner of the event, qualified 29th on Sunday.
2026 Brickyard 400 starting line-up
Below is the complete starting lineup for the 39-car grid at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
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#77 – Carson Hocevar
#7 – Daniel Suárez
#45 – Tyler Reddick
#54 – Ty Gibbs
#11 – Denny Hamlin
#71 – Michael McDowell
#67 – Corey Heim (i)
348 – Alex Bowman
#16 – A. J. Allmendinger
#5 – Kyle Larson
#19 – Chase Briscoe
#41 – Cole Custer
#12 – Ryan Blaney
#43 – Erik Jones
#17 – Chris Buescher
#6 – Brad Keselowski
#42 – John Hunter Nemechek
#35 – Riley Herbst
#22 – Joey Logano
#3 – Austin Dillon
#24 – William Byron
#1 – Ross Chastain
#20 – Christopher Bell
#47 – Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
#97 – Shane van Gisbergen
#21 – Josh Berry
#9 – Chase Elliott
#10 – Ty Dillon
#23 – Bubba Wallace
#38 – Zane Smith
#88 – Connor Zilisch (R)
#33 – Austin Hill (i)
#4 – Noah Gragson
#60 – Ryan Preece
#2 – Austin Cindric
#34 – Todd Gilliland
#51 – Cody Ware
#62 – Casey Mears
#78 – Daniel Dye (i)
Watch all NASCAR Cup Series teams and drivers at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Sunday’s Brickyard 400.
Former India off-spinner R Ashwin has thrown his weight behind Bhuvneshwar Kumar‘s return to the national setup, urging the selectors to consider the veteran fast bowler as India prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup.Ashwin believes India’s current pace attack lacks the experience required for a major ICC tournament and pointed to Bhuvneshwar’s recent success with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League as evidence that the 36-year-old still has plenty to offer.Bhuvneshwar played a key role in RCB’s back-to-back IPL title-winning campaigns, claiming 45 wickets across the last two seasons. His consistent performances helped the franchise end its long wait for a trophy before successfully defending the title.
CJP Jantar Mantar Protest Updates
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin argued that Bhuvneshwar deserves to be in contention for a World Cup berth, especially given his fitness and ability to contribute in multiple phases of the game.“Why not? The way our fast bowling stocks are right now, there is some struggle there. I think it is worth considering Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Why can you not consider him? There is only one difference between Shami and Bhuvneshwar. Bhuvi has been able to put himself on the park for two seasons together for RCB and has been able to keep himself fit. Both teams RCB won the title, and he was also among the top three reasons for that. He looks fit enough. I am not saying to take him straightaway, but at least give him a chance and then decide. He can swing the ball, give you overs at the death and bat a bit as well. He has a lot of batting ability,” said Ashwin.The former spinner also questioned whether India’s relatively inexperienced fast-bowling unit would be ready for the pressures of a World Cup campaign. While acknowledging the promise shown by the younger pacers, he felt a blend of youth and experience would be a more balanced approach.“Just because of the pure inexperience of the bowling attack, you can keep him in consideration. Gurnoor, Prasidh, and Prince – is that the bowling you want to play in a World Cup? I am not too sure. You can have one or two from these. Apart from that, you have Harshit and Bumrah. So with Bhuvneshwar, experience and youth will work well,” he added.Ashwin further stressed that India should now focus on settling their pace attack rather than continuing to experiment, with the World Cup only a year away.According to him, the selectors have already handed opportunities to several fast bowlers and should now narrow down the core group while keeping Bhuvneshwar firmly in the conversation.“It is not the time to develop players now with 12 months to go. You gave Harshit an opportunity, and it is important to know his status now as he bats at eight. Gurnoor and Prasidh got opportunities. But you cannot remove them and bring more bowlers now. It is important to identify who your four or five pacers are, out of which you will take three for the World Cup. That is why you must have someone like Bhuvneshwar Kumar in discussions as well,” he explained.
Apparently, the New England Patriots are ultra serious about locking down Christian Gonzalez for the long haul.
“We love Christian Gonzalez. We love him as a player and as a person. That’s why we’ve made an offer to him that makes him the highest-paid player ever to play that position in the NFL, and, coincidentally, it’s the highest contract in Patriots’ franchise history,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft said on Saturday when asked about Gonzalez, who’s extension-eligible, at team training camp, according to ESPN.
“So, we’re glad we drafted him, and he’s developed here, and we hope he’ll be with us for a long time.”
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Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said that contract talks with Gonzalez were “ongoing” on Friday. The contract to beat for an NFL cornerback in both total money and average annual value is Trent McDuffie’s four-year, $124 million deal with the Los Angeles Rams ($31 million AAV), which also included a record $100 million guaranteed for a cornerback.
Meanwhile, the contract to beat in Patriots history in both total money and average annual value is defensive tackle Milton Williams’ four-year, $104 million deal ($26 million AAV), which he signed with the franchise in March 2025.
Regarding Gonzalez, the soon-to-be fourth-year cornerback is coming off a 2025 campaign where he earned his first career Pro Bowl nod, totaling 10 passes defended, 69 combined tackles and just one missed tackle across 14 regular-season games, according to Pro Football Focus; he missed three games due to a hamstring injury.
Then, across New England’s four postseason games, Gonzalez totaled an NFL-high seven passes defended in the postseason and reeled in an ultimate game-sealing interception against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game with 2:11 remaining in the fourth quarter.
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The year prior (2024), Gonzalez brought down two interceptions and recorded 11 passes defended, which came after his 2023 rookie campaign was cut short after four games due to a shoulder injury. New England selected Gonzalez with the No. 17 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Oregon.
The latest came at a time when every win feels big.
Beavers’ RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted the Orioles over the Atlanta Braves 3-2 on Saturday night, pulling Baltimore within 2 1/2 games of a postseason spot. Beavers, who made his debut last August, also had a walk-off single and a walk-off home run in September.
Only Freddie Freeman of the Dodgers (four) has had more walk-off plate appeareances than Beavers since the start of last season — although several other players have three.
“It’s exciting to help the team win, whether it’s a walk-off or in the fifth inning,” Beavers said. “It’s exciting when your whole team gets behind you and everyone’s fired up.”
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Just more than a week before the trade deadline, the Orioles are one of baseball’s most intriguing teams. Outfielder Taylor Ward and left-hander Trevor Rogers could be worth something on the trade market, but Baltimore is by no means out of contention and could well end up being a buyer.
So each day has the potential to push the Orioles in one direction or another. They lost in 10 innings to the Braves on Friday, then rebounded with Saturday’s win.
“It’s time for us to bear down and win some games here,” said Jackson Holliday, who scored the winning run Saturday. “Obviously we want to make a push for the playoffs, and these wins are really important. We unfortunately got to see what the other side of everything looks like last year (when the Orioles were sellers and missed the postseason.)”
Although the game ended on a happy note, Holliday admitted he could have run harder from first base in the seventh when Pete Alonso’s popup was dropped with two outs. Holliday ended up on third but might have been able to score.
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“I definitely didn’t give the effort to have a chance to score — something that won’t happen again,” he said. “That can’t happen.”
Arsenal’s interest in Vinicius Junior has obvious appeal, but the situation at Real Madrid already looks awkward for anyone hoping this turns into a straightforward summer deal. According to The Telegraph, José Mourinho has returned to Madrid with a simple message for the club hierarchy, he wants his major players kept in place.
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That matters because Arsenal’s interest is described as genuine. It also matters because there have been no talks between the clubs, which tells you plenty about where this stands today. Admiration is one thing, making a deal happen is another. Right now, this feels more like a high-end possibility than an active transfer negotiation.
Vinicius Junior Contract Adds Pressure
Where Arsenal may see an opening is in the contract. Vinicius is due to be out of contract at the end of June next year, and progress on a renewal has been limited. For any elite club, that creates noise. For Real Madrid, it creates risk. For Arsenal, it creates temptation.
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Still, contract uncertainty does not automatically equal availability. Real may have a problem to solve, but Mourinho appears determined that it will be solved without sacrificing one of the club’s biggest attacking names. That closes off the easiest route for Arsenal before it has even opened.
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Real Madrid Transfer Plans Look Firm
The other detail in play is the reported tension around Vinicius and Mourinho following the Gianluca Prestianni episode last season. That may encourage speculation, but it would be a mistake to overstate it. Dressing room friction and contract delays can unsettle a player’s future, but they do not by themselves force a sale, especially when a returning manager has already drawn a line.
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For Arsenal, this leaves a familiar picture. The player is elite, the interest is real, the circumstances are complicated and the selling club are resisting. Unless something shifts dramatically at Real Madrid, this looks like one to watch rather than one to expect.
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Our View
From an Arsenal perspective, this is the sort of report that is exciting for five minutes and then reality kicks in. Vinicius Junior is exactly the calibre of attacker supporters want to hear linked with the club, explosive, proven, decisive in big matches. If Arsenal are serious about winning the biggest prizes, these are the names that should be discussed.
That said, there is no point pretending this sounds advanced. No talks, a resistant Real Madrid manager, and a club that still see the player as core, those are not minor obstacles. They are the deal. Arsenal fans have seen enough windows to know the difference between genuine ambition and a move that is structurally difficult from day one.
The contract angle is the only part that makes this worth monitoring closely. If renewal talks continue to drift, pressure builds on Madrid. That can change the tone quickly. Arsenal should absolutely be alert to that, because elite players rarely become even slightly attainable without some contractual leverage in the background.
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Supporters will also read this through the lens of a quiet or underwhelming window. That creates impatience, and understandably so. A link like this raises expectations. In truth, it may be more useful as a sign of Arsenal’s market ambition than as a likely transfer. If the club can turn that ambition into a more realistic top-level attacking signing, fans will take that very seriously indeed.
His off-field behaviour has been commented on at numerous occasions by United icons who’ll certainly feel vindicated by their remarks as Garnacho’s career hits another bump.
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Paul Parker
Manchester United icon Paul Parker was initially against Garnacho’s move to Stamford Bridge. Parker – who spent five years at Old Trafford – had told the Argentine that a move abroad was best for his career.
He said in June 2025: “I also think it would be a bad decision for both him and Chelsea if he went there. He needs a bit of fresh air. He needs a change of environment, and I think he could benefit from a move to another country.”
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A common criticism of the 22-year-old has been his attitude. Parker claimed that not only does Garnacho lack discipline, but he also doesn’t believe he’ll ever improve that aspect of his game. He added: “He doesn’t have the right attitude and he doesn’t want to put in enough work. I don’t think that ever will change.”
Nicky Butt
Nicky Butt previously worked with Garnacho in United’s youth setup and has since slammed the forward for his behaviour upon his exit from the club. Butt, 50, said he thought Garnacho had gotten too big for his boots at Old Trafford and his departure was the “best thing” his former club had done.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football, he said: “I thought he had an edge about him. And when he got into the first team – I will just say what I think because I was there – he got above his station way too quick. He got superstar status way too quick.
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“And that’s not a former player saying they get paid too much, I hope young players get paid millions, but he got superstar status too quick and he obviously scored the bicycle kick which was phenomenal. Someone in that club or team at the time should have been swatting him down, and they might have been, and he ignored them.
“But the best thing United did was sell him because, forget his ability, and I don’t think he is that great anyway, but I thought his attitude was a disgrace when he was at United. More importantly when he left, and if you completely disrespect your teammates and the football club when you leave, then that’s it.”
Paul Scholes
Butt’s former team-mate and podcast partner Paul Scholes was equally critical of Garnacho’s attitude, especially during his time at Chelsea. The United icon claimed Garnacho was not a team player and only cared about his individual achievements.
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Scholes said on the same show: “Looking in from the outside, and I don’t know him as well as Nicky, but the impression you got was that the only person Garnacho cared about was himself. He’s only 21, someone might take a chance on him.
“Hope that he finally grows up. He was United’s biggest threat for a long time. But it’s my biggest hate in football, only interested in himself. Only cares about himself. If you lost 8-1 and he scored, he’d be happy.
“I don’t think the manager has got the stature in the game to control Garnacho, either. I don’t think the characters are there at Chelsea. He should go to Atletico Madrid. That will be the only place that sorts him out.
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“I think he’s that type of signing for them. They are a £30m, £40m club and they’ll think Diego Simeone can control him. If Diego Simeone can’t, no one can.”
Teddy Sheringham
Another denouncer of Garnacho’s decision to join Chelsea was Teddy Sheringham. The former United and England striker said Garnacho made sure a possible return to Old Trafford was impossible by moving to one of their top rivals.
He told Poker Strategy: “I think Alejandro Garnacho is a very talented player, but only time will tell whether he’s able to be a success at Chelsea. “He will have been disappointed not to get off the bench in the game at Old Trafford.
“He made a big move in leaving Manchester United for Chelsea, and it’s not one I would have advised him to make if I were a part of his team. When you’re at United you have to try your utmost to make it work.
“It is the biggest club in the world, so you won’t be leaving for a better club, and the opportunity to come back won’t be there, especially with the manner in which he left and the way the fans have reacted to it.”
Thousands of Man United fans upgraded their matchday last season. This is how they did it.
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The WNBA continued its 30th-season celebration Saturday night, bringing the All-Star Game back to Chicago for the first time since 2022.
The game itself had plenty of scoring, but Jonquel Jones supplied the all-around performance that helped Caitlin Clark and Team Spoon outlast Marina Mabrey and Team Coop.
Jones finished with 22 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in a 129-122 win and was named the most valuable player of the game.
A general view of Team Spoon playing Team Coop during the 2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game at the United Center on July 25, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois.(Sage Zipeto/Getty Images)
Eight Team Spoon players scored in double figures in a defense-light All-Star Game that featured 127 3-point attempts, with Allisha Gray adding 19 points and Clark finishing with 17.
The annual summer showcase was played before a record crowd of 19,783 at the United Center, the longtime home of the Chicago Bulls. Friday night’s 3-point contest and Shooting Stars competition were held at the smaller Wintrust Arena a few miles away.
Caitlin Clark (22) of Team Spoon dribbles the ball during the 2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game against Team Coop on July 25, 2026, at United Center in Chicago, Illinois.(Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images)
In the second quarter on Saturday night, Dominique Malonga caught a pass from Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese and threw down the milestone dunk.
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Dominique Malonga (14) of Team Coop dunks the ball against Team Spoon during the first half of the 2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on July 25, 2026.(Sage Zipeto/Getty Images)
The 6-foot-6 Seattle Storm center became the seventh player in league history to record a dunk in an All-Star Game, according to the Storm. The WNBA said the 20-year-old is the youngest player to accomplish the feat during the marquee event.
Manchester United’s summer transfer business is far from over
Manchester United have been given the thumbs-up by Bryan Mbeumo to sign Fulham’s Antonee Robinson. The striker is a massive fan of the defender and claims he “can do everything” in the Premier League.
Michael Carrick is said to be monitoring Robinson closely this summer as he aims to strengthen his options at left-back. Currently, Luke Shaw is the only recognised senior star in the position, after Tyrell Malacia departed at the end of his contract.
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Harry Amass is considered as back-up to Shaw but with just seven first-team appearances, it is clear that United are in need of more experienced options. Robinson could be the answer.
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The 28-year-old has 215 appearances for Fulham, making 26 goal contributions across six seasons. He has also earned 58 caps for the United States national team, scoring five goals.
Robinson’s age could be a sticking point for United, according to The Guardian, as he is older than the club’s preferred profile. But one person who is not interested in these negatives is Mbeumo.
The United attacker spoke in 2025 before he joined from Brentford, selecting Robinson as the one defender he didn’t enjoy playing against. During an appearance on the Obi One podcast, the 26-year-old recalled his early battles with the left-back and how much he has progressed in his career.
Mbeumo explained: “I used to play against him when he was at Wigan and (he) changed completely. When he arrived he was really athletic, quick, but with his feet he was like, not so good, you know?
“But throughout the years he improved a lot, and I think now he can do everything. He can attack, he can defend, he’s strong, he’s good with his feet now, and yeah, I think really, really hard to play against him.”
Mbeumo has terrorised the Premier League for years before he joined United so the praise towards Robinson is not something to be sniffed at. He is estimated to be available for around £25million, making him a potential bargain for Carrick as he fleshes out his options in the squad.
With Shaw a dependable defender and Robinson bringing the proven experience, this could be the perfect formula in allowing Amass to progress at a reasonable pace while still having the options to succeed in the short-term.
Thousands of Man United fans upgraded their matchday last season. This is how they did it.
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