Wayne Rooney believes Michael Carrick has been ‘left short’ by Manchester United’s hierarchy after the summer transfer window.

United focused on bolstering Carrick’s midfield options in the summer window as the club spent around £150 million on the signings of Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba.

A move for Lewis Hall was also considered but United opted not to submit an offer to Newcastle United, who had no interest in selling the 22-year-old left-back.

Rooney feels United needed to sign a left-back to provide support for Luke Shaw and also insists a new striker was required to ease the burden on Benjamin Sesko, who is yet to start a Premier League game this season.

‘I just felt, and the Everton game showed me what I felt as well, they [United] were the better team, had a lot of control in the game, but a lack of a No.9, so for whatever reason Sesko is not fully fit, he missed pre-season,’ Rooney said on Stick to United.

‘Lacking a No.9, full-back position in terms of competition for places.

‘I thought Luke Shaw was really good [against Everton], possibly could have got closer for the first goal but I thought he played really well, and that connection with Rashford was good.

‘But I think with Dalot and Mazraoui coming on, for a team who want to compete and compete at the top end of the Premier League, great getting back in the Champions League but you want to get in the Champions League and try to compete as well. Are we going to win the Champions League? Probably not, you never know but probably not.

‘But you want a squad of players who are going to compete and I think Michael has been left short on that.

‘Luke is not going to play every game, Dalot and Mazraoui coming on at left-back, again, we’re seeing too many players player in unfamiliar positions to them. And I think that’s where the club should have went out and got players to help.

‘You would certainly be asking questions. I know Michael has come out and said he’s happy with the players they’ve got in. I don’t think any manager is happy, you always more more, more players and help for your team on the pitch.

‘The back line I don’t think is the strongest. Harry Maguire is probably the first-choice centre-back, then you’ve got Martinez who has got his injury problems, Heaven, who has got a lot of potential and I really like but it is potential and we’ve not seen enough of him. Full-back area is a big concern.’

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If Ashe can help 23-year-old Shelton earn his first career win over Alcaraz, there is guaranteed to be an American player in the final.

Home stars reaching the men’s semi-finals has not been uncommon this century, but only Taylor Fritz has reached the final – two years ago when he lost to Jannik Sinner – since Roddick was beaten by Roger Federer in the 2006 final.

Tiafoe, who is seeded 11th, lost to Fritz in another all-American semi-final and was also eliminated by Alcaraz at the same stage in 2022.

Now the 28-year-old is aiming for a third opportunity to reach his first Grand Slam final.

Tiafoe reached the Cincinnati final last month and, thriving off the energy of the New York crowd, has maintained his momentum.

On what it is like to receive such support, he said: “It’s an out-of-body experience, no question. No real explaining that type of feeling.

“It’s like you’re not even touching the ground at one point. Energy is so high, and it seems like the level of play matches that.”

While Tiafoe is one of the sport’s great entertainers, 22-year-old Michelsen is more understated.

The world number 46 admits he has been happy to fly “under the radar” at Flushing Meadows while the likes of Tiafoe, Shelton, Fritz and Tommy Paul soak up the attention.

But earning a place in a Grand Slam quarter-final for the first time, and not dropping a set on his way, means Michelsen will find himself under the spotlight on Ashe.

“First, second, third rounds, all matches I’m feeling nerves. It’s a human experience,” he said.

“But it’s just about going out there and managing them to the best of my ability. I feel like I’ve done that very well.”

Man Utd fans are set to protest against the club’s treatment of season-ticket holders amid the ticket-touting operation fiasco

Manchester United fans are set to protest against the club’s controversial operation to tackle ticket touting before facing Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.

United received widespread backlash from some of their most loyal supporters in July following the launch of an investigation into touting, which caught some innocent fans in the crossfire.

The club described their operation to address touting as “successful”, but recognised that “some innocent supporters may have been affected” and apologised for the inconvenience during the process.

The Manchester Evening News spoke to several angry United season ticket holders across the summer following emails from the club alleging they had broken ticketing terms and conditions.

The fiasco brought together the various United fan groups, who took the unprecedented step of releasing a joint statement condemning the operation and demanding transparency from the club.

Now, United supporter group The 1958 have announced they will protest against the ‘season ticket banning crackdown’ before the Manchester derby, declaring that ‘a line has been crossed’.

A spokesman confirmed: “Manchester United supporter groups are being called upon to all stand together following reports of bans and season ticket sanctions without clear and compelling evidence always being presented.

“For generations, match-going Reds have given their time, money and loyalty to Manchester United, home and away. That loyalty deserves to be treated with respect.”

The 1958 have urged supporters to gather peacefully outside The Bishop Blaize pub near Old Trafford in a show of unity from 3pm on Sunday.

The spokesperson added: “This is not about one group or one individual. It is about how Manchester United treats its match-going supporters. It may not affect you today, it may not next time but that day is coming for all of us.

“ALL REDS. ALL GROUPS. ONE VOICE. SHOW THE EVIDENCE. LIFT THE BANS.

“Supporters are now facing serious sanctions which can remove their right to attend matches. We believe nobody should face such action without being told clearly what they are accused of and being shown the evidence used to justify it.

“This goes beyond individual supporters or supporter groups. If this approach is allowed to stand, it should concern every match-going Red.

“Whatever differences have existed between supporter groups in the past, this is a time to put them aside. A call has gone out for Manchester United supporter groups, Fans’ Forum representatives, supporters’ clubs and independent fan organisations to stand together on a simple principle:

“If there is clear, substantive evidence of serious wrongdoing or organised ticket touting, show it. No loyal supporter should be treated as guilty without being given a fair opportunity to understand and challenge the case against them.”

Over the years, I’ve accumulated various Carl Friedrik luggage items, including the carry-on hybrid in silver and tan, the Granville weekender in chestnut, and the compact weekender in nubuck. Durable, stylish and designed for ease while on the go, this trio has travelled with me around the world, from Marrakech to Vietnam and Australia.

Ioan Rhsy Jones general secretary of teaching union UCAC, said: “Whatever your views on Pisa as a way of assessing education, this year’s results are disappointing.

“However, it must be acknowledged that Pisa only provides a quick snapshot of the education system, across a limited range of skills. We must also remember that only a sample of schools participate in these tests every three years.

“Having said that, it is clear that there is a need to plan improvements, and attention should be accorded to basic skills across the country.

We can only hope that the Curriculum for Wales, once fully established, will provide

a solid foundation for learners and that the new Foundation Literacy and Numeracy

Framework will be a means to plan, benchmark, and ensure national improvement in

the years to come.

It is crucial that all improvement plans consider all aspects of education, including

the community and the home. We would welcome robust financial investment in our

schools, therefore leading ultimately to an improvement in standards. The education

workforce is currently working hard under challenging circumstances. Hopefully, we

will see the present government appreciating the importance of investing in

education, thus providing solid and strong foundations for our students, who are our

future.’

Hedgehogs are a beloved symbol of British wildlife and are often welcomed into gardens for their natural pest control abilities — here’s how to encourage them with two simple household items

Many people adore hedgehogs for their endearing appearance, placid temperament and standing as an iconic emblem of British wildlife, with the overwhelming majority of gardeners warmly welcoming them into their outdoor spaces. Long regarded as “the gardener’s friend,” these prickly creatures are highly coveted visitors owing to the natural, environmentally friendly pest control they provide.

Summer tends to be an especially hectic period for hedgehogs as they forage for food, protect their territory and build up reserves ahead of the colder months to come. With this in mind, Hampshire-based Fareham Borough Council has outlined a number of ways you can support hedgehogs during summer and entice them to pay your garden a visit.

Leave out food

The first recommendation is to leave out food. Suitable options include dry cat or dog food, or specialist hedgehog food, which is particularly ideal.

However, the council cautioned against fish-based food, as hedgehogs possess an exceptionally keen sense of smell and experts note they are frequently deterred by the powerful odour of fish.

Fish protein also passes through a hedgehog’s short digestive system remarkably rapidly and, while not harmful, can result in noticeably pungent, fishy-smelling droppings.

The council further advises never to offer hedgehogs milk. Hedgehogs are severely lactose intolerant, lacking the enzyme required to process lactose, meaning that consuming milk triggers acute stomach cramps and severe diarrhoea.

For a small mammal, rapid fluid loss resulting from diarrhoea can cause severe dehydration, which frequently proves fatal.

Provide fresh water

Rather than milk, the council advises leaving out a shallow dish of clean water, which “can be a lifeline” to hedgehogs during warm weather.

Specialists recommend positioning the water bowl close to their food source, particularly during hot summer nights or prolonged dry periods.

Check before you trim or mow your lawn

The post urged people to thoroughly inspect long grass, shrubs and undergrowth prior to operating any garden machinery.

Hedgehogs do not flee from danger; instead, they curl into a tight ball. This instinctive defence mechanism renders them entirely vulnerable to rotating metal blades and nylon lines, resulting in severe, frequently fatal lacerations and wounds.

Given that hedgehogs are nocturnal animals, they spend daylight hours sleeping in precisely the spots people tend to want to clear — such as long grass, dense undergrowth, bramble patches and beneath hedgerows.

Water plants wisely

Watering plants thoughtfully helps maintain moist soil so that earthworms, beetles and insects remain active near the surface. This provides foraging hedgehogs with a crucial food supply during dry spells, when hardened ground makes hunting particularly challenging.

It also serves as a useful reminder to top up any shallow water dishes positioned around the garden.

Prince Harry wants to visit Britain ‘every few months’ over the next year after his reunion with King Charles last month, according to sources close to him.

The Duke of Sussex, 41, is set to return ‘more and more’ to the UK following his visit last month that left him ‘buoyed’, ‘very happy’ and ‘really energised’.

Harry will return in September for around a week, when he will take on a series of engagements for the Invictus Games, which will be held in Birmingham next summer, and WellChild, the charity supporting seriously ill children.

It has not yet been decided whether the Duchess of Sussex, 45, or their children Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, will join Harry next month.

During their visit to the UK last month, King Charles secretly hosted Harry, Meghan and their two children at Highgrove in a long-awaited meeting.

Queen Camilla, 79, was also present at the Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire when father and son exchanged words in what was the first public in-person meeting in four years. 

Charles had not seen his youngest grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet, since 2022, when they were just three and one. 

Meghan posted a photograph online of Harry and their children in Althorp’s gardens carrying bouquets of flowers. They were believed to be making their way to lay the blooms at Diana’s grave.

King Charles and Queen Camilla secretly hosted Harry, Meghan and their two children at Highgrove in July 

Prince Harry pictured with Meghan and their children Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five

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It is understood Harry wants to spend more time in the UK so he can see his father and wider family more often, and as he feels he can support his UK-based charities with more in-person meetings. 

A source close to Harry told The Times: ‘The template for his visits has been working well, so the frequency of trips will increase, especially in the run-up to Invictus which he’s determined to make the best games yet. So he’ll be coming back and forth a lot more, every few months.

‘The way the wind is blowing, he’s going to want to be here more and more. He’s happy these trips can now have more focus on the patronages and be less obscured by the other nonsense. 

‘He wants more of a foothold here, more trips back, less courtroom drama. And he always loves seeing his family.’

It is not known whether the King and Harry will meet when the latter returns next month, as Charles is expected to be at Balmoral in Scotland on his summer break

Sources claim that no decision has been made on whether Harry will reside at Buckingham Palace during the visit.

Harry is also understood to be hoping to return to Ukraine in the coming months, having visited the war-torn country twice in the past two years. 

Earlier this month it was reported that Harry is believed to want his father to stand alongside him at next summer’s Invictus Games.

King Charles has reportedly received an olive branch from his son in the form of an invitation to the multi-sport event, held in Birmingham.

One source told the Mirror: ‘Next year is a big deal for Harry. He is determined the Birmingham Games will be the best ever. It would mean the world to him to have his father there.’

Harry and Meghan, who quit as senior royals in 2020 and moved to California, have also recently spoken about their wish to introduce their children to their British roots.

During a visit to Warwickshire last month, Harry said: ‘I love being here, this is the highlight of my month. 

‘Actually probably the last few months. It’s very easy to sit in your grief, to sit in your stress but, guys, if you are feeling it, share it.’

Pregnant Anne Hathaway stepped out to D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event on Friday wearing another one-of-a-kind ensemble that will surely provide fodder for the fashion critics.

Hathaway, 43, who announced she was expecting her third child in June, was draped in a glaringly red, ribbed halter dress with an asymmetrical ruffled hemline.

Underneath this eye-catching garment were a pair of wide-legged, cream-colored slacks that gave off some neutral relief.

Hathaway wore her long hair bundled in a top knot with side-swept curly bangs.

Her surprise appearance at Friday’s function in Anaheim, California was made in part to accept her induction as an official Disney Legend, but also to provide fans with news that production on The Princess Diaries 3 is moving forward.

However, Julie Andrews recently confirmed she will not be in it after announcing her retirement from acting.

The actress’ glaringly red halter dress with asymmetrical ruffles and wide-legged, cream-colored slacks will surely provide more fodder for the fashion critics

The massive, multi-day event is held every two years in anticipation of new releases, and headliners at this year’s celebration also included Kristen Bell, Josh Gad and Idina Menzel for Frozen 3; Robert Downey Jr and Chris Evans for Marvel projects; Queen Latifah and Denis Leary for Ice Age: Boiling Point; and the Jonas Brothers who were promoting Camp Rock.

But Hathaway and her protruding baby bump were hands down the star attraction.

Fans didn’t take kindly to the ‘ridiculous’ maternity outfit she wore while attending the Los Angeles premiere of her new film The End of Oak Street.

On that occasion, The Devil Wears Prada star was clothed in a sleeveless, baby-blue, red satin-lined cutaway top that showed off her growing bump in all its glory.

She paired the creation with wide-legged jeans and pointed red heels.

Celebrity watchers were quick to share their thoughts on social media and not all of them were favorable, with one expressing that the red-carpet get-up ‘looks ridiculous.’

‘It’s awful. She’s too pretty for this to happen,’ another opined.

‘Please let me UNSEE this,’ someone else begged.

One fan jotted down, ‘This one is so wrong sorry,’ as another fan let fly, ‘Jeans? JEANS?! That dazzling top deserves a better companion,’ while an X user commented, ‘The jeans make it worse.’

Hathaway’s surprise appearance at the Anaheim, California function was made in part to accept her induction as an official Disney Legend; pictured with Dana Walden, President and Chief Creative Officer of The Walt Disney Company

The Oscar winner was clearly thrilled to be the center of attention; pictured with Josh D’Amaro, CEO of The Walk Disney Company

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Hathaway told the crowd that production on The Princess Diaries 3 is actively moving forward

Over on Instagram, a fan sympathetically wrote, ‘I love her. I do not understand why her stylist did this to her.’

‘Ya no to her outfit,’ one penned, and another vented, ‘That’s very tacky.’

An Instagram follower chimed in, ‘Unflattering styling for a beautiful pregnant woman,’ and another said, ‘love her – outfit just No.’

Other fans were more flattering with one sharing on X, ‘She looks radiant…,’ as well as, ‘Anne hathaway [sic] at a world premiere is always a win, she looks stunning.’

Jersey Shore alum JWoww got in her two cents via Instagram, ‘I love her so much omg.’

Meanwhile, Hathaway knows if she’s having a boy or a girl, but she won’t be telling anyone else, as she revealed during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Monday night.

Guest host Anthony Anderson questioned her about the tot’s gender, saying: ‘I consider myself to be a baby whisperer. Now, this is my first time seeing you pregnant and what not. It looks like it’s a boy. Am I correct, or you’re waiting?’ 

‘We know [but] we’re not saying,’ Hathaway replied with a smile.

The star’s choice to show off her growing baby bump in midriff-revealing looks has sparked noisy online backlash; pictured left on August 9 and pictured right on August 10

Julie Andrews recently announced her retirement from acting and confirmed she won’t be returning for Princess Diary 3

The audience met the news with cheers, to which the actress admitted she always ‘feels bad’ for not revealing the baby’s sex when asked.

‘It always feels so rude saying that,’ she admitted.

The baby will be the third child for Hathaway and husband Adam Shulman, who are already parents to Jonathan, 10, and Jack, six.

The star did say that her older kids are more than a little excited to be getting another sibling: ‘[They’re] over the moon. It feels really beautiful. It feels like the family’s having a baby. I mean, it’ll feel like I’m having a baby while it’s happening, but the emotional feeling is that we’re all going to welcome this little one.’

The country singer announced in May that ‘health problems’ barred her from some performances

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Dolly Parton had a touching message for fans after cancelling her appearance at Dollywood theme park due to ongoing “health issues.” Rather than attending in person, the 80-year-old singer made a virtual appearance for the launch ceremony of Dollywood theme park’s latest roller coaster.

DailyStar reports this was the NightFlight Expedition on August 14.

Dolly explained: “I’m still in Nashville, [Tennessee], and I’m sorry about that,” according to footage shared by Knoxville News Sentinel and the Tennessean.

“I’m supposed to be there in person, like we planned,” she continued, “now I’ve told you before, all my fans, that I have had a few little health issues. And sometimes I get a little dizzy, and I get dehydrated.”

This followed Dolly’s revelation that she was planning to head to Broadway following her health scare, reports the Express US.

The Grammy-winning performer went on, explaining that she was “dehydrated” while sporting fairy wings.

“And so my Nashville doctor clipped my wings, saying you ain’t traveling this week,” Dolly revealed.

“So I guess if your doctor tells you you ain’t traveling this week, you ain’t traveling this week.”

Dolly’s most recent public outing was at the launch of her Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop ribbon-cutting ceremony in late June.

During her appearance, the 9-to-5 performer appeared to be in high spirits outside the Cornersville, Tennessee, shop. Her latest public appearance represented the first in months since her health struggles commenced last year, after she endured kidney stones in September 2025.

The Jolene hitmaker was due to attend Dollywood to unveil the newest attraction, but she clarified in a video that she was recuperating.

“Turns out there was an infection, and the doctor said, ‘You don’t need to be traveling around this minute, so you need a few days to get better,’” Dolly told the gathered crowd.

In May, Dolly revealed through a video message released in May that she had chosen to axe her rearranged Las Vegas residency performances because she would require time before being “up to stage performance level.”

She went on to elaborate: “The good news is I’m responding really well to meds and treatments and I’m improving every day.

“I’m doing really well, and they assure me that everything I have is treatable, so I’m going with that, and I just want you to know I thank you for standing by me and that I will always love you.”

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The new eight-part series will be out later this year

Belfast actor Anthony Boyle is set to star in a new Netflix show inspired by one of the biggest scandals in cryptocurrency.

He will appear alongside Julia Garner as Sam Bankman-Fried and Caroline Ellison in eight-episode limited series The Altruists, which chronicles the meteoric rise and disastrous fall of global cryptocurrency exchange, FTX.

The series, created by Graham Moore and co-showrun by Jacqueline Hoyt, will unpack how two hyper-smart, ambitious young idealists tried to remake the global financial system before they were accused of stealing $8 billion.

In 2024, US District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan declared that Caroline Ellison and Sam Bankman-Fried might have committed the “greatest financial fraud ever perpetrated in this country.”

Their wild story will be chronicled in The Altruists, which follows the rise and fall of FTX, a global cryptocurrency exchange, and the two star-crossed lovers who ended the empire.

Boyle and Garner are joined by a cast that includes Alex Lawther, Karan Soni, Naomi Okada, Madison Hu, Matt Rife and Eugene Young.

The Altruists will premiere on Netflix on November 19.

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