Manchester United’s pre-season is underway, and the club’s young players are desperate to make their mark this summer.

Michael Carrick gave plenty of opportunities to academy players against Wrexham in Finland, and he is expected to take a similar approach for the second pre-season friendly of the summer against Rosenborg on Friday.

This week’s edition of the Manchester Evening News’ Academy Notebook includes updates on Chido Obi’s future, JJ Gabriel, and an injury update on a player who excelled on loan last season.

Decision to come on Obi

Chido Obi didn’t get off the bench against Wrexham last weekend. Carrick made wholesale changes at half-time to field a team of academy players for the second half, but Obi was an unused substitute.

United academy striker Ethan Wheatley played the full second half, and most fans presumed that suggested Obi was about to leave on loan. However, it’s understood United are still weighing up his future.

The decision on Obi’s future will be made over the coming weeks. A few months ago, well-placed sources discussed the importance of Obi performing well in pre-season if he wanted to break into the first team again, so it was interesting that Wheatley was selected ahead of him in Helsinki.

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The chances of Obi leaving on loan are already high and they will increase the longer he does not get minutes in pre-season. It was suggested last month that FC Koln were in talks to sign Obi on loan, but sources said there had been no contact at that stage.

Gabriel’s potential debut

JJ Gabriel is expected to travel with the squad to face Rosenborg in Norway. The youngster was not in contention for last weekend’s trip to Finland due to his later return date to training, but he has been in first-team training this week.

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That means United fans at the Lerkendal Stadion could get a chance to see Gabriel in action for the first team for the first time on Friday evening.

Gabriel could not make his Premier League debut for United last season because he was too young. He was eligible to be given a chance in the FA Cup, but United were knocked out of that competition by Brighton at the first hurdle.

Darren Fletcher was asked whether Gabriel would be involved against Brighton two days before that game. While Fletcher lavished the youngster with praise, he preached patience and said it was too soon for him to be involved.

It has been seven months since Fletcher made those comments. The 15-year-old has continued to develop physically, as is normal for a player so young, and the feeling is that he will be handed his proper debut in the new campaign.

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This summer is the first step to making a competitive first-team debut for Gabriel. It will be a big moment if he gets minutes from the bench against Rosenborg on Friday, but even bigger milestones lie ahead in the near future.

Small setback for Ennis

Luck is a bigger thing in football than some may realise. There is no good time to pick up an injury, but it’s particularly bad timing when a player is at a crossroads in their career and trying to make an impression on a coach.

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Ethan Ennis would have been involved in United’s first pre-season friendly against Wrexham last weekend if not for picking up a small injury in training that will take a few weeks to recover from.

Ennis enjoyed an outstanding loan with Fleetwood Town last season. United activated their option to extend his contract by 12 months, and talks over a new deal are heading in the right direction.

He demonstrated his durability with 45 appearances in League Two last term and will return stronger from his minor setback. It’s just a small injury, but the timing of it is nevertheless frustrating for the talented winger.

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Plan for the new arrival

On Monday, United announced the signing of winger Tynan Thompson from Tottenham after agreeing a deal worth £4million, with a further £4 million in add-ons. Thompson wanted to relocate primarily for family reasons, but a move to United promises a clearer pathway to first-team football.

The 18-year-old is a similar signing to Ayden Heaven, who arrived from Arsenal last year. United will be patient with Thompson as he settles into his new surroundings, and he’s done individual work this week.

He had not taken part in a first-team training session at the time of writing, so it would be a surprise to see him make the trip to Norway with the squad.

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Confusion about a loan departure

The vast majority of United fans won’t know who Solomon Honor is, but a few readers of the Academy Notebook will have seen his loan departure announced by the club earlier in the week.

Honor was signed by United from Blackburn Rovers in the winter window. He was signed as a ‘training goalkeeper’, meaning he supplemented sessions in between the sticks in the second half of last season.

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That is why it was slightly confusing to see Honor sent on loan to Southport for the season, but sources have clarified that he will continue to train at Carrington, alongside sessions with the non-league club.

An opportunity came up to give Honor regular game time in men’s football and United want their young players to play as many games as possible to help their development.

The way United have structured the agreement means Honor can continue to work as a training goalkeeper at Carrington when needed, while also getting matches under his belt.

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Twitter founder Jack Dorsey has launched a rival to workplace messaging app Slack that treats AI agents like colleagues.

Built by Mr Dorsey’s fintech company Block, Buzz has similar functionality to the hugely popular workspace app, featuring channels, threads and direct messages.

It also supports voice, media sharing and code repositories, with the main difference being that it welcomes AI models built by companies like Anthropic and OpenAI.

Artificial intelligence agents operating on Buzz act as an “equal member of the team”, according to Mr Dorsey, allowing them to carry out tasks and collaborate on projects.

“We built it to reduce our dependency on Slack and GitHub, and we’re sharing it so anyone can do the same,” Mr Dorsey wrote in an article on X (formerly Twitter).

“We believe Buzz is truly social AI. The category so far has meant people chatting with AI companions, AI filling human feeds or chats, or agents talking to each other while people watch.

“People and agents as equal members of the same network doing work together feels like the first interesting and durable version.”

Buzz is open-source and decentralised, meaning users have more control over how they use the app, and it is more resistant to censorship, control or outages.

It is one of several decentralised projects that Mr Dorsey has launched since stepping down as the head of Twitter, having helped found Twitter rival Bluesky, crypto platform TBDex, and the peer-to-peer messaging app Bitchat.

The latest venture is the first to integrate AI as a core part of the platform, with agents getting their own profiles, channel memberships and permissions that allow them to work autonomously with other agents.

“Earlier today I watched several agents collaborate on a project in real time and work toward a solution together,” said Matt Ross, head of investor relations at Blocks.

“This work product was then available to everyone on my team instantly to iterate on further. This is going to completely transform how we work.”

Another early user described it as a “Slack killer”, though it remains in the early stages of development and is untested at scale.

A number of river users continue to breach licence conditions, according to Cambridge City Council

Cambridge City Council is considering potential enforcement action over river users breaching licence conditions. In February, the city council confirmed there were nine boats believed to be mooring without permission on the River Cam.

Two boats were believed to be in breach of licence conditions at that time. As of late July, the council confirmed that the number of boats thought to be mooring without permission, or potentially in breach of licence conditions, remains the same.

An email from the chief executive of the council, seen by CambridgeshireLive earlier this year, said the council was aware of ‘some’ boats mooring without permission or in breach of licence conditions. A council spokesperson later confirmed the exact figures.

The waiting list for permanent residential moorings in central Cambridge has been closed since 2022. It had around 25 applicants in February, and is now expected to reopen in early August. The council previously stated the waiting list for permanent residential moorings was expected to reopen in the spring.

Since February, officers have continued to monitor the situation through regular inspections and river patrols, the council claimed. Potential enforcement action is being considered for those who breach licencing conditions.

However, before any further action is taken, Cambridge City Council needs to ensure the enforcement is supported by the “appropriate evidence and legal process”.

A statement by Cambridge City Council said in full: “The number of boats thought to be mooring without permission, or potentially in breach of licence conditions, remains unchanged from those provided in February. The waiting list for moorings is due to reopen in early August 2026 as it was decided to align reopening with the annual renewal process for applicants already on the list.

“Since February, officers have continued to monitor the situation through regular inspections and river patrols, and discussions have continued with Legal and Enforcement colleagues regarding potential enforcement action.

“A further meeting with Legal and Enforcement is being scheduled to review the current position and agree next steps. Before any further action is taken the council needs to ensure any enforcement action is supported by the appropriate evidence and legal process.”

Many of us will be making the most of the summer with outdoor activities where our diet is a little more relaxed

Thousands of Brits are expected to enjoy summer barbecues, holidays and outdoor meals this year. However, a hair expert has warned that some seasonal favourites could be affecting hair health.

While many people focus on protecting their skin from the sun and staying hydrated during warmer months, experts say diet can also play a role in the condition of your hair. Studies published by PubMed have found that nutritional deficiencies, including low levels of key vitamins and minerals, can affect the hair growth cycle and contribute to increased shedding.

Dr Emrah Cinik, founder of Dr Cinik Hair Clinic, says some popular summer foods and drinks could be making hair weaker when they regularly replace nutrient-rich options.

Dr Cinik said, “Summer is a time when people often change their eating habits. More barbecues, sugary treats and alcohol can become part of a weekly routine.

“Your hair follicles need a consistent supply of nutrients to produce strong, healthy strands. When the diet lacks important vitamins, minerals and protein, it can affect the strength and quality of your hair.”

Five summer foods which could be affecting your hair

1. Ice cream

A summer staple on holidays and hot days, ice cream may be a favourite treat, but Dr Cinik warns that regularly consuming high-sugar foods could affect hair health.

“When you eat large amounts of sugar regularly, it can increase inflammation in the body,” explains Dr Cinik. “Inflammation can affect the environment around the hair follicles, making it harder for them to produce strong and healthy strands.”

He adds that frequent sugar spikes may also affect circulation.

He said, “When blood sugar levels are repeatedly raised, it can impact how efficiently nutrients reach the scalp. Over time, this may contribute to weaker hair and increased shedding.”

Dr Cinik recommends swapping some sugary treats for options that contain more nutrients.

“Summer fruits such as berries are a better choice because they provide vitamins and antioxidants that support overall health, including the scalp.”

2. Sausages

From garden barbecues to summer picnics, sausages are a popular warm-weather food, but Dr Cinik says that eating too much processed meat could affect hair quality.

“Processed meats can contain high levels of unhealthy fats and fewer nutrients that support hair growth. Hair follicles need a steady supply of vitamins, minerals and protein. A diet dominated by processed foods can make it harder for the body to provide what the hair needs,” he said.

He suggests balancing barbecue meals with healthier options. “Adding foods like grilled chicken, eggs, vegetables or fish alongside barbecue favourites can help provide the nutrients needed for stronger hair.”

3. Cocktails

Summer holidays and outdoor events often mean more cocktails and alcoholic drinks, but Dr Cinik warns that excessive alcohol consumption can affect the scalp.

“Alcohol can contribute to dehydration, and hydration plays an important role in maintaining a healthy scalp. It can also affect the body’s ability to absorb important nutrients such as zinc, iron and B vitamins, which are all linked to healthy hair growth,” he explains.

He advises being careful during periods of increased drinking.

“Having water alongside alcoholic drinks and maintaining a balanced diet can help reduce the impact on your hair and overall health.”

4. Chips

Whether it is a beachside meal or a holiday takeaway, chips are a common summer comfort food. Dr Cinik says regularly eating fried foods may contribute to poorer hair condition.

“Foods that are high in unhealthy fats can increase inflammation and may affect the scalp environment. This can leave hair feeling dry, greasy or more prone to breakage depending on the person, he said.

He recommends choosing healthier fats instead.

“Foods like avocado, olive oil, nuts and oily fish contain fats that support scalp health and help maintain stronger hair.”

5. Ice lollies

Another summer favourite, ice lollies can be packed with added sugar but offer little nutritional value, according to Dr Cinik.

“Hair growth requires a range of nutrients, and foods that provide mainly sugar without vitamins or minerals do not support the needs of the hair follicles. When these foods replace more nutritious options, the hair may not receive the nutrients it needs to stay strong,” he explains.

Dr Cinik recommends making simple swaps. “Choosing snacks such as yoghurt, nuts or fruit can provide more of the vitamins and minerals needed to support healthy hair.”

A man in his 20s suffered serious injuries after being shot

Five people charged in connection with an attempted murder have appeared in court. A man in his 20s suffered serious injuries after he was shot in Leverington Common in Gorefield, near Wisbech, at around 1.55am on May 31.

The man remains in a critical, but stable condition, Cambridgeshire Police said. Five people were arrested and later charged in connection with the attempted murder. These were:

• Jesse Hughes, 31, of St Thomas’ Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a firearm, and perverting the course of justice;
• Billy Cameron, 21, of Grosvenor Road, Basildon, Essex, has been charged with conspiracy to murder and perverting the course of justice;
• Brandon Walsh, 29, of Long Riding, Basildon, Essex, has been charged with conspiracy to murder and perverting the course of justice;
• Eleanor Warren, 30, of Willingham Gardens, Flitton, Bedfordshire, has been charged with perverting the course of justice;
• Leah Foley, 34, of Byrd Court, Basildon, with assisting an offender.

All five appeared at Luton Magistrates Court on Wednesday, July 22. The five defendants will next appear at Cambridge Crown Court on Wednesday, August 19, for a trial and custody hearing.

All defendants, except Eleanor Warren, have been remanded in custody. Warren has been granted conditional bail, with conditions including a curfew and no contact to be made with the other defendants.

Cambridgeshire Police also arrested a 35-year-old man from March on suspicion of attempted murder. He was released on police bail and is due to return to Thorpe Wood Police Station in Peterborough on August 31.

Free pullouts and reader offers every day of the Goodwood Festival with your favourite racing paper

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Anticipation is already building around several standout contenders. In the Qatar Sussex Stakes, all eyes are on City of Troy, the mercurial colt seeking redemption after an uneven three‑year‑old campaign. His expected clash with the French star Metropolitan sets up a compelling cross‑Channel duel, while Irish hopes rest on Opera Singer, whose late‑season surge in 2025 marked her as a dangerous miler.

The Goodwood Cup could be the festival’s defining storyline. Veteran stayer Kyprios aims to reclaim dominance, but rising challenger Tower of London has shown the kind of relentless staying power that unsettles even the most seasoned rivals. On the riding front, Ryan Moore, Oisin Murphy, and Tom Marquand are poised to shape the narrative, each arriving with strong stables and festival‑tested instincts. Their tactical battles — especially on Goodwood’s undulating, momentum‑sensitive track — will be as riveting as the horses beneath them.

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An inquest has been unable to determine how a 33-year-old man came to be found dead in the Cardiff Bay barrage. Amanuel Kessete had been reported missing a week before his body was discovered on June 15 last year floating in the water.

Pontypridd coroners’ court heard Mr Kessete, originally from Eritrea in east Africa, had been living at the Etap hotel in Tyndall Street, central Cardiff, before his disappearance. He was last seen at 8.50am on June 8 at the budget hotel, wearing a black coat and hoodie.

Coroner Patricia Morgan said: “Amanuel Kessete had a history of mental health issues and psychosis and had been under the care of mental health services in recent years.

“Mr Kessete had been reported missing in the days leading up to his passing, having not been seen at his place of residence.”

After a passer-by discovered his body in the barrage, he was declared dead at the scene.

Read the full story here

Iain Robertson was convicted of five offences, including domestic abuse

A former soap actor has been jailed for nine years for raping a woman and assaulting two others. Iain Robertson, 45, who played Stevie O’Hara in the BBC’s Scottish soap River City, was convicted of five offences, including domestic abuse, against the women between 2004 and 2019.

Richardson was found guilty last month of a total of five offences against three women between 2004 and 2019.

He raped one of the women some time between 2018 and 2019, and also sexually assaulted her on a separate occasion, reports the Daily Record.

At Edinburgh High Court on Thursday judge Lady Drummond sentenced the 45-year-old to nine years in prison, plus an additional three-year supervision period.

READ MORE: River Cam users breaching licence conditions could face legal enforcement

READ MORE: Five appear in court after man shot and seriously injured in Cambridgeshire

He was also added to the sex offenders’ register indefinitely, and made subject to indefinite non-harassment orders.

Robertson, who was attending via videolink from prison dressed in a blue top, showed no reaction as the sentence was handed down.

According to a new survey of 2,000 Brits, 83% stick rigidly to a morning routine, with 42% preferring a shower to start the day.

As part of Holiday Inn Express by IHG Hotels & Resorts’ The Great Wake-up Debate, comedian Rob Beckett is helping kick off a national discussion about how people start their mornings.

Mr Beckett said: “People will argue about absolutely anything, but morning routines are right up there with the best of them.

“You’ve got the annoyingly cheerful lot who are up, showered and chatting away before 7am — and then the rest of us, who need a bit of peace before we’re feeling properly human.

“What surprised me most is how seriously people take it — tea or coffee can divide a room faster than you can make either.”

Generational differences also surfaced, with 21% of Gen Z adults admitting they might re-wear less-than-fresh clothes if pressed for time, compared with 16% of Gen X and 14% of baby boomers.

Almost a third of respondents said breakfast is the best part of a hotel stay, and one in five said they would book a hotel room if they knew there was a comfortable bed waiting.

John Wright, VP Mainstream Brands at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “The Great Wake Up Debate proves that everyone has their own morning habits and rituals.

“But what unites us is wanting to start the day feeling our best.

A poll of 2,000 Brits revealed some very set opinions on the best way to start the day (Image: Holiday Inn)

“That’s why we focus on the essentials that matter most to our guests — comfortable beds with a choice of pillows, blackout curtains, bedside charging, and our free hot breakfast.

“It’s all about making mornings feel a little easier and helping guests wake up refreshed, recharged, and ready for whatever the day brings.”

Other key findings reveal more of the nation’s early-hour habits.

34% of people get up as soon as the alarm rings, but 26% admit to hitting snooze once or twice before rising.

Coffee is the preferred morning drink for 36%, edging out tea at 32%.

For many Brits, tea etiquette remains a sticking point, with one in four saying it’s wrong to add milk before the tea bag.

Still, 9% confess to making their tea this way.

Nearly half (47%) check their phone within five minutes of waking up, while only 3% manage to resist altogether.

The age-old debate over dental hygiene timing remains divided, with 45% brushing before breakfast and another 45% brushing after.

Other quirks include 20% who spend several minutes sitting on the edge of the bed “processing reality” before getting up.

Rob Beckett said: “For me, it all comes down to a good night’s sleep and a good brekkie to start the day.

“I’m a two-soft-pillows kind of guy and, while I’m usually up with the first alarm at home, I’m firmly “team lie-in” when I’m away.

“Even better when there’s free breakfast waiting, like at Holiday Inn Express – you’ll find me parked by the bacon and eggs!”

When it comes to breakfast preferences, 18% have eaten eggs with ketchup, but 13% of respondents have tried eggs with salad cream.

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Baked beans sparked even more debate, with 32% finding the idea of beans with mayonnaise “controversial” and 33% saying the same about serving beans on a croissant.

More than a third (35%) consider pouring juice over cereal instead of milk a breakfast “crimes.”

A quarter of Brits insist milk should never go in the bowl before cereal, though 8% admit to doing just that.

And while 15% are put off by drinking leftover cereal milk, 26% say they’re happy to do so.

What’s in your morning routine? Let us know in the comments.

Jo Whiley broke down in tears as she detailed how she guided her younger sister Frances through grief following the death of their father Martin.

Frances, 53, lives with a rare genetic disorder called Cri du Chat, a condition which causes severe learning disabilities and developmental delays. She also lives with diabetes.

The radio and TV presenter, 61, shared the devastating news that her father died on Wednesday just weeks after sharing an update on his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis. 

Only a day after announcing his passing, Jo appeared on her Dig It podcast with Zoe Ball and discussed how the family has been coping with their grief.

Explaining how she told Frances, Jo said: ‘Frances has been extraordinary and she completely understands what is going on, she knows that he’s not going to get better, she just keeps saying “Not going to die?” and instead of sugarcoating it you just have to say “Well, he is not going to come home”.

‘And she kind of pauses and she’s like “Okay, where is he going?” And my mum is a really, really devout Christian and she says “Well, he’s going to Jesus and that’s where we all go.”

Frances, 53, lives with a rare genetic disorder called Cri du Chat, a condition which causes severe learning disabilities and developmental delays (pictured together in 1998)

‘Frances is like “Okay, how old is he?” He’s 86 and she goes “87?” And we’re like “No, he is not going to be 87” and she thinks about it and she’s like “Okay”.

‘She’s just been so tender with him, it’s been beautiful to watch, I’ve talked about her accepting grief before and coming to terms with things.’

Jo added: ‘And then there was this really lovely moment when she was leaving the other day and it was when he was on the cusp of consciousness and she was going “Say my name, say my name!” And he actually said the word Frances.

‘Oh wow,’ Zoe said as she teared up.

Feeling mixed emotions, Jo added: ‘It was lovely, it was really good. She keeps saying “Daddy said my name!” It couldn’t have been better.’

Taking to Instagram on Wednesday to announce her father’s passing, Jo posted a series of happy snaps and clips of her dad throughout the years.

Alongside the post, she penned: ‘My lovely Dad died today. He was the kindest man, who lived solely to make others happy. He was supremely selfless and loved nothing more than caring for others and making people laugh.

‘I’ve had so many messages today saying that ‘Martin was a character’ and that sums him up completely. Everyone knew Martin Whiley – in the Pub, in his Village and at the school gates when he picked up my children (he was the BEST Manny EVER long before they became trendy).’

She went on to thank her dad for her love of music, saying he would walk around the building site where he worked as an electrician with a huge ghetto blaster.

The star called him the ‘OG DJ’ and applauded him for his passion for music.

Only a day after announcing his passing, Jo appeared on her Dig It podcast with Zoe Ball and discussed how the family has been coping with their grief

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The radio and TV presenter, 61, shared the devastating news that her father died on Wednesday just weeks after sharing an update on his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis 

She shared this alongside a gallery of images of her father 

Jo continued: ‘His childhood was as sad as it gets. When he was a boy he had TB and was sent alone to a sanitarium in London for 2 years which is why we’re all Spurs fans! From a young age he had no parents and was brought up by a family friend, his beloved Pap. 

‘Meeting my Mum meant that Dad got a family of his own and finally got to experience love. Knowing how it felt not to be cared for, he devoted his life to caring for others.

‘Being the father of someone with Learning Disabilities in the 70’s [Jo’s younger sister, Frances, has cri du chat syndrome, a genetic disorder], meant that life has had its challenges but Dad has been such a force for good in the LD world simply by embracing & loving everyone with a difference. 

‘So many great singalongs at the Rockin’ Roadrunner with Dad on the mic.

‘He may have had the saddest childhood but he triumphed by giving me, Frances, and his grandchildren the happiest childhoods anyone could have dreamt of. He was the greatest Dad and he was everybody’s favourite Grandad, but especially to India , Jude, Cass and Coco who adored him.

‘Ps. From Frances – thanks for the endless stories, night after night, all night long. We’re going to miss you so very much. You absolute legend xx.’

Jo’s post was also flooded with condolences from her celebrity pals.

Fearne Cotton wrote: ‘Love and strength to you today Jo. We are all here for you. Love you.’

Davina McCall said: ‘Oh Jo x sending you all love,’ while Denise Van Outen added: ‘Sorry for your loss.’ 

Taking to Instagram, Jo posted a series of happy snaps and clips of her dad throughout the years

His passing comes just days after Jo admitted she’s been ‘just trying to get through each day’ as she opened up about her family’s ongoing health struggles.

The BBC Radio 2 presenter continues to enjoy a hugely successful career, juggling her radio show alongside two popular podcasts.

But away from the spotlight, Jo has been dealing with difficult personal challenges as her family face a series of health issues.

In the September issue of Woman & Home, she revealed that ‘things have been hard on a personal level lately’, but are ‘better than they were’.

She explained: ‘My mum had a back operation over Christmas, and for a long time, all I was doing was going to the hospital and sitting with Mum and Dad. That became my whole world. Dad has Parkinson’s, and it was just about getting through each day and being there for them.’

Jo also shared an update on her father’s battle with Parkinson’s disease, saying that ‘everyday is like Groundhog Day’.

Speaking about her father’s condition on her Dig It podcast, she said that her father had recently been reluctant to take his medication.

‘I just don’t feel I need to take them.’ And a whole room full of us were going, ‘No, Dad, you really do. You’ve got Parkinson’s.’ You do. And then he went, ‘But doesn’t Parkinson’s just go away?’

She described it as a ‘heartbreaking moment’, as she told her father that the disease is incurable.

‘Every day it’s like Groundhog Day. You have the same conversations over and over again.’