Day nine highlights:

A huge 44 gold medals to be won across two sessions of athletics, boxing, track cycling and judo.

All 14 of the men’s and women’s boxing finals take place at the SEC Centre – with seven English fighters seeking gold medals.

The men’s mile is the highlight of the athletics schedule, with Scotland’s world record holder Josh Kerr favourite to take the gold

Plus, 2018 champions England face New Zealand in the netball semi-finals.

Schedule (all times BST and subject to change):

08:30-14:00 – bowls and Para-bowls

09:00-11:00 – netball – England v New Zealand semi-final

10:00-13:30 – track cycling and Para-track cycling

10:00-14:00 – athletics and Para-athletics – eight gold medals

11:00-14:00 – judo – last 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals

11:00-14:30 – boxing – seven gold medals

13:00-15:00 – netball – Australia v Jamaica semi-final

15:00-19:15 – track cycling and Para-track cycling – six gold medals including men’s sprint final

15:00-20:45 – bowls and Para-bowls – semi-finals

16:00-18:45 – judo – five gold and bronze medal contests

16:30-22:00 – boxing – seven gold medals

18:30-22:00 – athletics and Para-athletics – 11 gold medals including 4x100m relay finals from 20:15, men’s 800m final at 20:45, men’s mile at 20:55, mixed 4x400m relay final at 21:20 and the women’s mile at 21:45

Man Utd signed French striker Enzo Kana-Biyik last summer, but he was immediately sent on loan for 2025/2026.

Enzo Kana-Biyik is expected to stay with Manchester United this season amid a mass academy loan operation this summer.

There were 24 players named in the United Under-21 squad for their pre-season friendly against Altrincham on Friday night, and the majority of those players will leave the club before the end of the transfer window.

However, Kana-Biyik is expected to remain with United in the new campaign as he enters the next stage of his development, which means he will play for the U21s and receive first-team exposure in training sessions.

United signed Kana-Biyik on a free transfer from Le Havre last summer before sending him on loan to Ineos-owned FC Lausanne Sport for the season.

The young striker made 26 appearances for Lausanne across all competitions, scoring once in those games, but only six of those were starts.

Kana-Biyik reported to Manchester at the start of July for the beginning of academy pre-season. He was included in the squad for the young Reds’ two friendlies at the Adidas HQ in Germany.

The 19-year-old made his first public appearance in England against Altrincham, coming on at half-time to play on the left wing. Kana-Biyik was replaced after spending 30 minutes on the pitch, as the squad was rotated.

United coaches have been pleased with what they have seen from Kana-Biyik so far.

Kana-Biyik followed in the footsteps of Paul Pogba when he signed for United last year, as Pogba also joined United as a teenager from the renowned Le Havre academy in France.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (ANI Photo)

The East Zone selectors have defended their decision to appoint 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as vice-captain for the upcoming Duleep Trophy, describing the move as part of a long-term leadership plan rather than an indication of the team’s pecking order.While Ishan Kishan‘s appointment as captain was widely expected, the decision to hand the vice-captaincy to Sooryavanshi drew attention, especially with experienced campaigners such as Abhimanyu Easwaran, Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar also part of the squad.Sooryavanshi has featured in only eight first-class matches for Bihar, while Easwaran has played 113 first-class games and previously captained Bengal, India A and other representative sides.Explaining the reasoning behind the decision, Manish Vardhan, Jharkhand’s representative on the East Zone selection committee, said the move was aimed at helping the youngster understand leadership from close quarters.“We are not thinking about the present alone,” Vardhan told Cricinfo. “A vice-captain gets to observe the captain closely and understand how a team is run. We wanted Vaibhav to be more involved with the group because we think it will help him as he develops.“He’s an extremely talented cricketer and is maturing steadily. Giving him this responsibility is another part of that process.”Vardhan also clarified that Sooryavanshi’s appointment does not automatically make him the stand-in captain if Kishan is unavailable. Although the selectors have not discussed that possibility, he suggested that an experienced player would likely take charge while Sooryavanshi continued as vice-captain.According to Vardhan, the committee’s thinking behind appointing Kishan as captain was also based on long-term planning, with both Kishan and Sooryavanshi viewed as players capable of remaining in India’s setup for many years.“The vice-captain’s role isn’t about status,” Vardhan said. “It’s about what a young player can learn while working alongside the captain.”Former Odisha cricketer and current selector-coach Pravanjan Mullick echoed those views, pointing out that Sooryavanshi has already served as Bihar’s vice-captain in first-class cricket.“Ishan is the captain and, as wicketkeeper, he is involved in every phase of the game,” Mullick told Cricinfo. “This gives Vaibhav an opportunity to understand leadership without putting the responsibility of captaining the side on him. We want him to grow, maybe one day he could even captain India. That’s the thought behind giving him the vice-captaincy.”Cricinfo also reported that Easwaran was intentionally not considered for the vice-captain’s role. The selection committee reportedly felt it would not be appropriate for the vastly experienced batter to serve as deputy to the comparatively inexperienced Kishan.

Despite boasting an amateur victory over ‘The Assassin’, top prospect Steven Cairns would gladly offer Adam Azim a shot at revenge in the professional ranks.

The two standout talents collided in 2018, both just 16 years old, with Cairns outpointing his razor-sharp opponent over three rounds.

According to the Irishman, though, the split decision verdict did not quite do his performance justice, as he was told shortly after their match that no other fighter had beaten the red-hot Azim so convincingly.

Only those inside St.Brigids Boxing Club in Edenderry, Ireland, will know the full story, but Cairns tells Boxing News that he received a ringing endorsement from several spectators.

“I think that’s a great fight for the future. When we fought in the amateurs, it was Ireland vs England – and I beat him.

“I remember there were a lot of English dads and coaches saying they’d never seen anyone [perform like that against] Adam Azim before.

“He’s a nice kid, but let’s see what happens in the future.”

With Azim closing in on a world title shot and Cairns progressing at a steadier rate, it could be some time before their second encounter is seriously considered.

In the meantime, Cairns looks to resume his development against Senan Kelly, featuring on the undercard of Pierce O’Leary vs Mark Chamberlain on August 1.

Coming off a ninth-round stoppage over Arnie Dawson, ‘The Irish Takeover’ returns to Dublin’s 3Arena and, this time around, will be travelling up to super-lightweight for an intriguing domestic dustup under Frank Warren’s Queensberry banner.

“[a clash with Kelly] had never really crossed my mind, because I’m a lightweight and he typically fights at 140lbs.

“But, for this event, we wanted a proper all-Irish clash – one that the fans would love – so that’s why I’m fighting at 140lbs. After this fight, I’ll be going back down to 135lbs.”

Like many of his fellow countrymen, Cairns has based himself in the UK since his professional debut, training in Sheffield with head coach Dave Coldwell.

Perhaps best known for his work with former world champion Tony Bellew, Coldwell was already on Cairns’ radar and, after showcasing his skills in the gym, the lightweight prospect was only too happy to remain in Steel City.

“I love Ireland; love all my family, my friends, my people. But being a pro boxer in Ireland is hard. It’s only now that we’re seeing big fights in Ireland.

“So, for me, it was a case of needing to go elsewhere, just to see how far I can really take myself in the sport.

“For an Irish fighter, it’s either the UK or America, and I’d already met Dave Coldwell. He started managing me first and then I asked if I could come over for sparring.

“At the time, it was one of the biggest moments of my life, even after winning national titles and European medals.

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“I was going from sparring kids to sparring fully-grown men, so this was my audition to prove to Dave – a world-class coach – that I could hang with these men.

“It was then a proper buzz when he agreed to train me. My missus was not as buzzing, because she knew it would mean me moving to Sheffield, but it’s all good now – we’ve got a house together.”

Satisfied with his lifestyle – both professionally and personally – the 24-year-old must now focus on improving his record of 14-0 (9 KOs).

Perhaps a few fights down the line, Cairns could then start targeting a world-level rematch with Azim, who would surely be eager to exact his revenge over an old amateur foe.

It wasn’t the World Cup that Germany had hoped for following an early exit in the round of 32, thus stretching its drought of not reaching at least the semifinals to three tournaments. 

The four-time champions weren’t tabbed to win it all, but there’s always expectations of a deep run for this team. Things started off on the right foot with 7-1 win over debut side Curaçao in their Group E opener. That followed a 2-1 win over the Ivory Coast, but then 2-1 loss to Ecuador to close group stage play set the Germans back. Then it was a loss on penalties after a 1-1 draw to Paraguay in the round of 32 that sent the Germans home. 

So what’s next for Germany’s top players after the 2026 World Cup?

Havertz finished with three goals for Germany, including two in the 7-1 victory over Curaçao. He scored the equalizer in the game against Paraguay, but his penalty attempt against Oscar Gill was saved. 

Havertz was key to Arsenal’s Premier League winning campaign and scored in the Champions League final loss to Paris Saint-Germain. He’ll be back in action for the Gunners, who’ll look to defend its league crown.

Things have been rocky lately for Germany’s talented attacking midfielder, who saw his first season at Liverpool fall short of lofty expectations. He scored just five goals in Premier League action amid questions on which position best suited him.

At the World Cup, he finished with three assists but couldn’t find the back of the net. He’ll now head back to Liverpool under new manager Andoni Iraola, where Wirtz will look to get back on track for both club and country.

Undav was Germany’s best player at the tournament despite being used as a substitute for most of it. He finished with three goals and two assists, including bagging a brace in the win over the Ivory Coast. 

A well-traveled veteran at age 30, Undav returns to Stuttgart in the Bundesliga, where he has been one of the team’s most consistent scorers.

Regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers of all-time, Neuer became the oldest Germany player to feature at a major tournament, breaking the record previously held by Lothar Matthäus at 40 years and 79 days. 

Neuer was the sole player on this squad who was part of the 2014 Germany team that won the World Cup. With four editions on his résumé and with the most World Cup games played by a goalkeeper, he’ll go down as a legend of the game.

Neuer retired from international duty after this summer, the second time he did so after initially saying he was done after the 2024 European Championship tournament. He continues to play for Bayern Munich, where he equally holds numerous records. He has a staggering 13 Bundesliga titles and two Champions League titles to his name.

Before North Carolina played its first game under Bill Belichick, off-field headlines largely drowned out the football conversation.

Now, as fall camp ramps up ahead of the former NFL coach’s second season, questions are again swirling about matters away from the field. UNC officials confirmed earlier this week that general manager Michael Lombardi had been placed on leave pending an investigation. School officials announced Thursday that the probe had formally begun.

Details of the investigation remain sparse, and Belichick did little to clarify matters, appearing to sidestep questions about how Lombardi’s indefinite absence could affect the team.

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North Carolina Tar Heels general manager Michael Lombardi talks with head coach Bill Belichick before a college football game against the Richmond Spiders at Kenan Memorial Stadium on Sept. 13, 2025, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Lance King/Getty Images)

During a news conference, Belichick declined to directly address the situation. “We’re working through some things,” he said.

“We’re at a particular time of the year now where there are certain things that are in play, and certain things that are in play that will happen later in the calendar year. So we’re taking it day to day and work through the things that are on the table right now.”

Shortly before Belichick made those comments, UNC issued a statement saying that “as a result of concerns behind allegations that led to the personnel action regarding Michael Lombardi announced on July 27, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, through its Office of University Counsel, is in the process of investigating this matter.”

General manager Michael Lombardi of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on before a game against the Syracuse Orange at JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, New York, on Oct. 31, 2025. (Bryan Bennett/Getty Images)

The investigation is being treated as a human resources matter, with no timeline set for a resolution. Athletic director Steve Newmark acknowledged the need for a thorough process but added that the school hopes to complete it “as quickly as possible.”

“From our perspective, and I think there’s a recognition across the board, that the university counsel’s office is going to have this go as quickly as possible,” Newmark said. “But I think it’s also important they do it the right way and they gather all the information they need.”

Newmark did not say whether the probe involved anyone else in the athletic department and declined to comment on reports of a separate College Sports Commission investigation into the Tar Heels’ football program.

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UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts initially opted against weighing in on Michael Lombardi’s situation after a regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting. But he recently expressed some frustration with the attention surrounding the issue.

“I’m disappointed that we’re talking about this,” Roberts said before a recent media session wrapped up. “We should be focusing on our student-athletes and on their success. … It’s distressing to me and everyone else in the administration entrusted with leadership at this remarkable university that this is something we have to spend time on.”

North Carolina football head coach Bill Belichick and general manager Michael Lombardi look on from the sideline against TCU at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on Sept. 1, 2025. (Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

The Tar Heels went 4-8 in Belichick’s first season at North Carolina.

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Lombardi has hired attorney Tom Mars, 247Sports reported.

Mars released a statement Friday. “Michael hasn’t been told anything about the nature of UNC’s investigation and welcomes the opportunity to clear his name, which has already been sullied by baseless statements and innuendo on social media,” the statement read.

“He is fully cooperating with UNC and expects the investigation will be swift, thorough, and fair. Michael would ask that people have the decency to let the process run its course before jumping to any conclusions about the nature of the investigation or whether there’s any merit to whatever has been alleged.”

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That could change if there is a move for Joshua Zirkzee and Juventus are interested in a deal, although, as Notebook reported last week, it is likely to be a loan with an option or obligation to buy.

United are happy with Benjamin Sesko, who has stepped up his return to training over the last week or so, and expect a more prominent role for the Slovenian this season. Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha can also play through the middle.

So while signing another striker remains a possibility if Zirkzee departs, it isn’t a high priority for the recruitment department at the moment, which is why an emotional homecoming for Welbeck this year was never on the cards.

Hall an option

One area that is almost certain to be addressed this summer is left-back, especially if Harry Amass leaves, either on loan or in a permanent deal.

Luke Shaw is the only senior left-back at the club and for all that Amass has impressed in the early weeks of pre-season, it is considered a big step up to play a potentially prominent role in a Champions League season.

Noussair Mazraoui is another option on the left, but he covers right-back as well, and with Shaw’s fitness record always a nagging concern, further strength in depth is required on the left.

United do have Patrick Dorgu, who can cover left-back as well as left-wing, and if Marcus Rashford ends up staying at Old Trafford, which looks likely at the moment, then his role could shift, but there are a lot of variables down this flank.

One of them is the availability or otherwise of Lewis Hall. He fits the profile of left-back United have looked at. He is still only 21, but has plenty of Premier League experience, and could become a long-term solution in that role.

The issue is Newcastle have no need to sell and, if anything, they need to stop the exodus of star players this summer. United could test the waters with a bid, but if a deal is to happen, it is believed Hall will have to make it clear to his employers that he wants the move.

Belgians return

Senne Lammens and Youri Tielemans rocked up together for their first day at Carrington in pre-season on Thursday and the duo had returned to the club earlier than expected.

While players are being offered three to four weeks off after the World Cup, Lammens and Tielemans returned less than three weeks after Belgium were knocked out by Spain in the quarter-finals.

Both had their reasons for doing so. Lammens didn’t play much during the tournament but came on as a late substitute against Spain and made the error that led to his country getting knocked out. Tielemans missed that game with a minor injury and is keen to make a strong early impression at his new club.

It is expected that the Portuguese duo of Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes will return to Carrington at some point in the next few days as their own pre-season campaigns get underway. Fernandes has been a hit on social media recently, wearing a Scotland shirt with Scott McTominay’s name on it for summer workouts and a Croatia jersey with Luka Modric’s name on the back.

A friendly relationship

Tyler Fredricson posted an emotional goodbye to the only club he has ever known on Friday but his permanent move away from Old Trafford comes with a helping hand, with Lausanne-Sport co-owned by Ineos. The two clubs are starting to build a positive and helpful relationship.

That means the Swiss Super League side can get all the data and reports on Fredricson they need and they are delighted to have landed the 21-year-old centre-back on a three-year deal.

Fredricson was close to joining Celtic in January, only for injury to scupper that move. He has been training with United in pre-season, but missed the games against Wrexham and Rosenborg in preparation for his transfer.

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While the fee hasn’t been disclosed, United have included a high-percentage sell-on and a buy-back clause into the deal, and there is hope that Fredricson will now really kick on for exposure to high-level first-team football.

Carrington dispatch

Things are starting to heat up for United, and after a couple of friendlies against relatively low-key opposition, in what have felt like relatively low-key events, the standards climb considerably now.

Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain will provide a better test, but it will be interesting to see what the atmosphere around the games is like. There is no getting away from the fact that the crowds in Helsinki and Trondheim have been below what is expected.

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Late this week, at almost every block in Stockholm’s 50,000-capacity Strawberry Arena, tickets were still available for today’s game.

Quote of the week

“I’m very grateful to everyone at the club for making my time here such a positive and memorable experience. I’ve enjoyed every moment and will take many special memories with me. I wish the club and all its supporters the very best of luck and every success in the season ahead.”

Marcus Rashford took to social media on Thursday to say what looked to be a final farewell to Barcelona. The 28-year-old had made no secret of the fact that the Nou Camp was his dream destination, but that chapter looks to be closed.

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Rashford will return to United in a couple of weeks and, at the moment, all roads lead to reconciliation and another chance at his boyhood club.

What to look out for next week

Dalot and Fernandes are due to return to Carrington next week and we can expect the intensity in training and around the facility to start going up a notch. Fernandes is club captain and Dalot is seen as a leader as well.

There has been a drip of World Cup stars returning to pre-season over the last week or so, but things will start heating up in the next couple of weeks and by the time United head to Wroclaw for their final assignment of pre-season, it is expected the squad will be back together.

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Manchester City take on Inter Milan in their first pre-season fixture of the summer in Hong Kong today.

Manchester City return to action this afternoon as they face Serie A giants Inter in Hong Kong. This weekend marks Enzo Maresca’s first match as the Blues’ head coach and supporters will be looking out for signs of what is to come from their new boss.

In his press conference on Friday, Maresca explained that the most important thing from this match was to raise the fitness levels of his players. And with only two weeks until the first competitive fixture of the season in the Community Shield, we can expect City to field a strong starting line-up this afternoon.

Gianluigi Donnarumma will be the Blues’ first choice this season and will start in goal. The back four in front of him will look very different. Matheus Nunes links up with the squad later today, so this game is a chance for Rico Lewis to get some minutes in at right-back. Fresh off their new contracts, Abdukodir Khusanov should start alongside Josko Gvardiol in the centre, with Rayan Ait-Nouri at left-back.

Nico Gonzalez was not picked for the World Cup and, in Rodri’s absence, should start in midfield. The 24-year-old will be key for City this season if the Ballon d’Or and Golden Boot winner leaves. Maresca is keen for Rodri to stay, but a succession plan is needed and Gonzalez will hope he can be part of that.

Alongside him could be either Mateo Kovacic or Tijjani Reijnders. Like Gonzalez, Reijnders looks to be at the start of an important season. His debut campaign was mixed and City will expect him to be more consistent this year.

Should Maresca stick with his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, there could be a chance for Ryan McAidoo against Inter. McAidoo was chosen, alongside Phil Foden and Khusanov, to model the club’s new away kit in Hong Kong and this could indicate his standing at the club, heading into the new season.

The 18-year-old made two senior appearances during the 2025/26 campaign. This included scoring in the 10-1 thrashing of Exeter City. Today could be a big test for him.

Maresca has spoken at length about getting Foden back to his old self. Playing down the middle should see Foden dictate the game, when he is at his best.

Up front, City are running low on centre-forwards. Omar Marmoush arrives on tour too late for this game and Erling Haaland remains on his break. Therefore, the Blues could start Antoine Semenyo as the striker. Ahead of another congested season, it could be wise for Maresca to try out an ‘in case of emergency’ tactic. Having another player who can start at centre-forward would be no bad thing.

City’s predicted line-up vs Inter: Donnarumma; Lewis, Khusanov, Gvardiol, Ait-Nouri; Nico, Reijnders; McAidoo, Foden, Savinho; Semenyo

Mason Mount’s departure from Manchester United in order to reunite with a familiar face has been proposed

Mason Mount has been touted as a realistic signing for Premier League newcomers Coventry City – because of one man.

A reunion with his former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard could be on the cards, suggests Sky Blues legend Gary McAllister. The Manchester United midfielder has yet to consistently impress in his three-year spell at Old Trafford, which has been hampered by injury.

Mount – who has been a regular presence for United during pre-season this summer – made just 12 league starts for United last season. A return to regular football and a reunion with Lampard, with whom he worked at Derby County and Chelsea, makes the potential move practical, says the former Liverpool star.

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Speaking to Lottoland, McAllister said: “This one could happen! Mason Mount’s not playing football, and he got on really well with Frank. You know, as a player, Mason Mount has been at two massive clubs.

“Financially, he’s probably sorted, so he’s not necessarily playing for money. Getting minutes and playing Premier League football on loan, I know it sounds massively extreme, but it’s doable because I think there’s a lot of respect between the pair.”

It’s not just Mount who could consider a switch to Coventry on account of Lampard, with a number of his former Chelsea team-mates also being mentioned. The ex-Scotland international suggested: “I think [Ruben] Loftus-Cheek has been mentioned as well.

“[Fikayo] Tomori has also been linked. I think Frank will be using all these connections. You know, the association he had with Everton as well, he could probably use that. I’ve seen Ben Chilwell mentioned as well.

“I think they mentioned that left-back might be a place where they need to strengthen. Again, there’s a Chelsea connection and a strong one to Frank there. I think they’re going to try to do everything to get the best players they can get into that building to survive.”

Mount was given the captain’s armband in the second-half of United’s 5-0 win over Rosenborg last week. Seemingly entrusted by United boss Michael Carrick to be one of the leaders of the squad, Mount said in April that it’s a role he relishes.

He said: “Having the pressure of performing and winning games is what we love as players. If it’s a start or coming off the bench, I’m ready. You have different types of leaders. You have ones that are very vocal, but I see myself as one who leads by example and never stops working.

“I’ve been captain previously, years ago, so I love the role. Especially with a lot of younger players on the pitch, and off it as well, being able to speak to them and make them feel comfortable, it’s something I really like.”

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