Manchester United are set to welcome back a number of first-team players next week for the start of pre-season

Manchester United will see some of their first-team players return next week as pre-season gets underway. Nine stars have continued their World Cup campaigns with their national sides and will be absent for the opening stages of Michael Carrick’s preparations.

For those not across in the United States, pre-season commences on Thursday, July 9. United are going on a European tour, representing a significant change during Carrick’s reign.

The club have been heading to the United States over recent years but the World Cup has disrupted these arrangements. Instead, United will visit Finland, Norway, Ireland, Sweden and Poland to face Wrexham, Rosenborg, Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Leeds.

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First up on the schedule is the Red Dragons in Helsinki with several fringe players expected to feature, given that first-team regulars remain involved in the World Cup. Here, Manchester Evening News has all the latest emerging from Old Trafford.

Chido Obi’s shock Germany move

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Chido Obi has reportedly begun discussions to join FC Koln on loan this summer. It is claimed that the move has materialised as United feel the striker would gain from a temporary switch to boost his progression.

Negotiations have got underway over an agreement that would see Obi join the Bundesliga club for the upcoming season. The 18-year-old featured eight times for the first-team during the 2024/25 campaign before being limited to youth football this term.

He scored 20 goals and assisted six times across the U18 and U20 sides. Obi has caught the eye since arriving at United from Arsenal in 2024 and will be keen to gain valuable senior experience in Germany.

Carrick could land ‘eight-figure’ payout

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Former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson has claimed that United have reached an agreement to allow Amazon Prime to document their 2026/27 season in its entirety. The ‘All or Nothing’ series has previously been filmed at several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Tottenham and City.

It is understood the documentary would likely hand United a substantial eight-figure sum, though it carries risks should the season fail to deliver. Speaking to Football Insider, Borson said: “It’s probably worth £10million-£15m, and obviously, it’s a pretty high-margin asset sale. There’s not a lot of cost there.

“You’re giving up, in terms of the cost, is the access, and it’s allowing cameras in places where you haven’t let them be before, recording stuff and losing editorial control.

“So look, if it’s a good season, then it’s great. If it’s a very bad season, with managerial issues and individual player issues, you enjoy the money, but you know that you’re going to take some impact from it on the other side.

“It’s worked fine for [Manchester] City, and it worked fine for Arsenal. I’m sure it’ll be fine, but there is some risk.”

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Stephen Eustaquio’s stoppage-time winner fired Canada to a 1-0 win over South Africa on Sunday in the first match of the World Cup knockout rounds, sending the co-hosts into the last 16 for the first time in their history.

With both sides making their first-ever appearance in the knockout phase, the game appeared to be heading for extra time before Eustaquio broke South African hearts with a clinical strike from just outside the area.

Canada – playing in Los Angeles despite being co-hosts after failing to win their group – will now face the Netherlands or Morocco in Houston in the last 16 on July 4, as South Africa’s World Cup adventure came to an end.

Before the game, coach Jesse Marsch had talked up the “X-factor” of Canada’s star Alphonso Davies, available again after a hamstring injury.

But the Bayern Munich wing-back, who was yet to appear at this World Cup, remained glaringly absent from the starting line-up.

Still, Canada began on the front foot, creating chances against South Africa’s low block.

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In the 22nd minute, a pinpoint Eustaquio free-kick found Derek Cornelius wide open on the six-yard line. The Canada centre-back completely mistimed his header.

South Africa threatened sporadically on the counter. But in a frenetic spell just before half-time, Canada came agonisingly close.

From a corner, Moise Bombito’s header was cleared off the line before Tajon Buchanan’s follow-up shot was blocked by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

Moments later, Khuliso Mudau crashed into the dangerous Richie Laryea, but his penalty appeals were waved away.

That enraged a heavily Canadian crowd, and the jeers grew louder after half-time as South Africa were content to exchange deep passes under little pressure while the clock ticked down.

Just past the hour mark, Canada came close again.

Substitute Niko Sigur slid a through ball to Tani Oluwaseyi, whose shot was well saved by the goalkeeper and looped up towards Jonathan David – but defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi got there first and cleared brilliantly.

Read moreWorld Cup 2026: Switzerland edge past Canada in Group B decider

In the 75th minute, Davies finally appeared to a huge roar and made an immediate impact.

From the left wing, Davies found Jonathan David, who laid the ball to fellow striker – and no relation – Promise David, but his shot went wide.

Moments later, Davies found Jonathan David again. This time he shot from a tight angle but was denied by Williams.

In the second minute of stoppage time, Canada finally broke through from the other flank.

Jacob Shaffelburg raced down the right wing and pinged in a cross that was headed clear to Eustaquio.

The Porto midfielder – on loan at Los Angeles FC – brought the ball down on his chest and slammed a first-time shot into the bottom-left corner.

Canada’s bench streamed onto the pitch as the stadium erupted, celebrating a historic victory.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

Morgan missed eight Tests after suffering the shoulder injury at Principality Stadium in Steve Tandy’s first game in charge.

The Gloucester-bound flanker returned to play in the 33-31 victory against Barbarians at the Allianz Stadium at Twickenham.

It was an uncapped warm-up game for the Nations Championship tournament which starts with the opening game against Fiji at the Cardiff City Stadium next Saturday before away trips against Argentina and South Africa.

Morgan took over the captaincy at half-time when Lake was taken off.

“I love being back,” said Morgan. “It’s always an honour to be able to put the jersey on and I was chuffed to be back in the field with the boys.

“It was a tough game against a good Barbarians side and it was great to be able to get that win.”

Morgan says he has seen improvements under Tandy since his return.

“It’s been great to be able to watch because you can see how Steve and the coaches want to implement the game,” said Morgan.

“You can see during the Six Nations we’re getting better every game. You could see the identity we were trying to bring through.

“You always want to be out in the field, but it was great to be able to watch the boys play and I thought they did a brilliant job.”

Manchester City have agreed a deal for Troyes teenager Mathys Detourbet and he is the latest young talent to arrive at the Eithad

Manchester City’s summer transfer business is off and running and the arrival of another talented youngster adds to the list of potential next generation superstars the Blues have on their books.

City have agreed a deal for promising forward Mathys Detourbet from sister club Troyes, with the youngster signing a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium. He is expected to join Monaco on loan in the coming days as the Blues seek to build his fist-team experience.

The 19-year-old joins a clutch of highly-rated youngsters who have arrived in the past couple of years, with the Blues making the most of their pull as one of the dominant teams in world football over the past decade, along with their scouting reach and financial power.

At first-team level, City have won the race for arguably the most in-demand player of the window in Elliot Anderson, having also won competitive battles for Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi this year.

Below senior level, the Blues have a burgeoning academy, the latest graduate of which is Nico O’Reilly, who won the Premier League Young Player of the Year award last term and is now a key member of England’s World Cup squad. There are a host of prospects – both homegrown and signed from other English clubs – fighting for a spot on this year’s summer tour where several senior players will be absent due to the World Cup.

But in between those hoping to be the next generation and those already established at first team level, there is a growing number of highly-talented, highly-rated and highly-expensive prospects who are seemingly facing a dilemma.

Detourbet is the latest name to add to this list. The teenager may well go on to prove himself a first-team player at City, but his next step is set to be back in France with Monaco on loan.

Temporary exits are seen as an important development post by City decision-makers, but there is a danger of being lost in loans as big-money prospects who arrive as the next big thing struggle to piece together the perfect career timeline.

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Right now, City have several in this bracket. A year ago there was plenty of excitement around the arrival of Sverre Nypan from Rosenborg. The Norwegian had his pick of Europe’s biggest clubs but opted to continue his football education at City. He joined Middlesbrough on loan in the Championship but that move was ended half-a-season early, and the 19-year-old finished the campaign playing for City’s Under-21s. The midfielder has subsequently been involved in first-team training, but another loan looks likely.

Another recent arrival to great fanfare was Argentina playmaker Claudio Echeverri. He was handed a surprise debut in the 2025 FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace and impressed in the Club World Cup last year before injury cut short his tournament. But he has since suffered a disappointing campaign that included two loan spells – at Bayer Leverkusen and then Girona – and the 20-year-old will likely leave on loan again this summer, hopeful of finding a move to suit his obvious ability.

Juma Bah is another who is set to be playing his football away from the Etihad Stadium next season despite a promising loan at Nice. The 20-year-old arrived at City in 2025 and has spent the last two campaigns in France clocking up regular minutes. But his path to the first team looks a difficult one to navigate this summer and a third different loan move in as many seasons looks on the cards.

Vitor Reis, a team-mate of Echeverri’s at Girona last term in a campaign that ended in relegation from La Liga, will hope to buck the trend and force his way into the first team thinking as a centre-half option, but the 20-year-old may well have to make another move elsewhere in Europe to find the regular match minutes and continue his progression.

All five have time on their side and all five are clearly talented players with bright futures, whether at City or elsewhere. But together, Reis, Bah, Echeverri, Nypan and Detourbet have set City back around £80million with the prospect of more to come in add-on fees. There’s a more than reasonable chance that all of them will be out on loan come the start of the new season.

That in itself is not necessarily a bad thing for both the development of the player and the benefit of the club should the Blues decide to cash in on prospects. There is every chance that if all five depart in the coming years that City will more than make their money back.

But the ultimate aim with such high-profile, global signings should surely be to develop them into first team players capable of filling squad holes as and when players depart.

The jury understandably remains out on that, and it makes for an intriguing season ahead following the fortunes of the five.

Terence Crawford produced a performance to remember when he defeated Canelo Alvarez, but one former world champion believes he’d have been able to go one better and stop the Mexican superstar.

Crawford and Canelo collided in a mega-fight back in September 2025, with ‘Bud’ moving up two weight divisions from 154lbs to 168lbs for the showdown.

Due to that fact, many fans believed the jump in weight would be too much for Crawford, but he proved the doubters wrong as he claimed the unanimous decision win over Canelo to become undisputed super-middleweight champion.

Despite that success, another fighter that once reigned in the super-middleweight division thinks he would have done an even better job than ‘Bud’ by getting Canelo out of there inside the distance.

That man is James Toney, who shared his thoughts on Crawford’s performance whilst speaking to FightHype.

“He looked good, alright, but it wasn’t no James Toney performance, you know that. Every time that I fought on the big stage, [Iran] Barkley, [Evander] Holyfield, John Ruiz and countless others – I am dominating them.

Terence Crawford, I love Terence Crawford, but he doesn’t even do what I did. He didn’t do it, but he won 12 rounds. I did damage, I stopped people, I knocked people out, that is why they called me ‘Lights Out’.”

Hall of Famer Toney became IBF super middleweight world champion in February 1993 with a stoppage win over Iran Barkley, and in three defences of the belt, he recorded further knockouts against Tim Littles and Charles Williams.

Three-division world champion Toney finished his career with 77 wins from 92 fights, 47 of those by knockout, giving him a KO% of just over 61%, which is actually lower than the 73% KO ratio that Crawford ended with when he hung up his gloves last year.

Man Utd have conducted their usual end-of-season works to the Old Trafford pitch, relaying a new surface for 2026/2027.

Manchester United have released behind-the-scenes footage of the renovation of the Old Trafford pitch. United resurface the pitch every summer, but they have completely dug up the turf for the first time in 14 years.

United said the project has been undertaken to improve player welfare and water drainage. The pitch is not being lowered, but the grass is being slightly extended, and protection around the drop-off will be added.

The slope around Old Trafford’s pitch has caused problems in the past. Angel Di Maria was slammed into the brickwork by Ashley Young in a game between United and Paris Saint-Germain in 2019, while more recently, it was a factor in Benjamin Sesko’s injury against Liverpool last season.

“Ben got a bang on his shin when he fell down the side of the pitch,” Michael Carrick explained to MUTV. “It’s something that he’s been carrying for a little bit as well, so we’ve had to manage him a bit, but he’s certainly had a bang right on the same spot.”

The club has released footage online to show the progress of the renovation over the last few weeks. United have hired Fineturf to help with the renovation, which has seen a fleet of heavy-duty vehicles enter the ground to dig up the pitch. The waste material is set to be recycled and reused within the trade.

The pitch at Old Trafford is a hybrid surface consisting of 96 per cent natural grass that’s reinforced by 4 per cent artificial fibres stitched deep into the soil.

Used by leading teams around the world, this process allows grass to intertwine with plastic to create a durable, even and well-draining surface. It is being regrown from scratch for the final time at the current Old Trafford, with a proposed new stadium being worked on.

United now own a significant portion of land around Old Trafford to accommodate a 100,000-seater stadium. Now that the land has been secured, Foster + Partners can resume design work after sharing initial impressions last year.

The Reds have earmarked July 9 to announce more stadium details, including further details of the stadium site, and to reveal the formal consultation period.

Red Sox Join Impressive Company With Stunning Sweep Of Yankees originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Prior to Sunday, the 2026 Boston Red Sox didn’t have much in common with the 2018 Red Sox, but they do now.

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Boston completed a stunning four-game sweep of the New York Yankees at Fenway Park over the weekend, overcoming a 4-2 deficit in extra innings on Sunday to win the series finale on Jarren Duran‘s walk-off single.

Not only was it the Red Sox’s first four-game winning streak of the season, but it was also their first four-game sweep of the Yankees since August 2-5, 2018.

Boston went on to win a franchise record 108 regular-season games that year and the World Series, capping off the greatest season in team history.

The 2026 campaign has not been as successful for the Red Sox, who have no active players remaining from that 2018 squad. Even after sweeping their top rivals, they are still last in the AL East at 36-46.

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There’s still time for them to turn things around, however, and their thrilling sweep could be the spark they need to finally get their season back on track.

More MLB: Red Sox Make Franchise History With Four-Game Sweep Of Yankees

The Minnesota Vikings had some vivid “winners” this offseason, including center Blake Brandel, who is on tap to start at center after the club added no starting-caliber alternative, and wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who now has Kyler Murray to throw him the pigskin on Sundays.

But what about the losers? The Vikings, through their actions, caused some of those, too. Counted down to the biggest loser of the 2026 offseason, here’s the pecking order.

Vikings’ New Depth Chart Squeezes Several Young Players

5. Walter Rouse | OT

Rouse’s path to making the team is actually straightforward.

If the Vikings view him as a guard, he has a much clearer shot at securing a roster spot. If they still see him as a tackle, however, his prospects become challenging. Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill are entrenched starters. Ryan Van Demark was acquired for veteran depth in March, and Caleb Tiernan joined the team in Round 3 of April’s draft. None of these players suggests a need for a “fourth tackle.”

That places Rouse in a difficult position.

He likely wasn’t pleased with Minnesota’s offseason moves unless a position switch is imminent. A move to guard could offer him more opportunities, but remaining at tackle could lead to a numbers game in August that he might not win amid roster cuts.

Adding Van Demark and Tiernan wasn’t ideal for Rouse — unless he’s a guard now.

4. Levi Drake Rodriguez | DT

After Minnesota drafted Caleb Banks in Round 1, there was just no way it would pick another defensive tackle in the first three rounds, right? Wrong.

The Vikings chose “Big Citrus” Domoninque Orange from Iowa State, a run-stuffing nose tackle who profiles to play sooner rather than later. Without the Orange selection, all signs pointed to Rodriguez’s uptick in playing time because Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave were dropped in March.

Instead, Rodriguez is back right where he was in 2025 — hoping to snag defensive snaps in a DT room that has three others (Jalen Redmond, Caleb Banks, and Domonique Orange) in front of him.

3. Tai Felton | WR

Felton’s situation has changed rapidly.

For a time, he appeared to be one of the quiet beneficiaries of the offseason. Minnesota did not draft a wide receiver in April, seemingly clearing a path for him to advance on the depth chart. But Rob Brzezinski’s acquisition of Jauan Jennings suddenly provided the Vikings with their strongest WR3 option on paper since Jake Reed.

And that wasn’t the only development.

Dillon Bell has been impressive at minicamp. Myles Price is a strong candidate to stay due to his return game abilities. And, of course, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are not going anywhere. Considering all these factors, Felton may have to earn a job in August rather than simply inheriting it.

There’s another complication: the general manager who drafted him in Round 3 last year was canned in January. Ergo, it’s conceivable that Minnesota could retain Jefferson, Addison, Jennings, Price, and Bell, potentially ending the Felton era after just one season. While this outcome seems drastic, it’s not impossible.

Felton’s future now rests entirely on his performance. He must stand off the page to prove he’s not another failed Kwesi Adofo-Mensah draft pick.

2. Max Brosmer | QB

This one is pretty elementary: the Vikings signed Murray as the QB1 solution in March and re-upped with Carson Wentz. Those moves drove Brosmer to the QB4 spot, which means he’ll either become a practice-squader or be cut in late August.

Without the Wentz re-signing, Brosmer could’ve been the QB3 for the 2026 Vikings. Not happening now.

1. J.J. McCarthy | QB

McCarthy’s 2026 season presents two starkly different possibilities.

By December or January, he could solidify his position as Minnesota’s long-term starting quarterback, fulfilling the Vikings’ original belief in him. On the other hand, he might find himself facing a trade by 2027, left to ponder how quickly his fortunes turned.

The stakes are exceptionally high — through the roof for the young passer. Unlike last year, when the Vikings essentially handed McCarthy the QB1 role without any competition whatsoever, this season promises an intense battle. Murray’s arrival in Minnesota signals his clear intention to play, not to sit behind a 23-year-old quarterback.

McCarthy faces a true test. He could emerge as the hero of 2026 or become trade fodder in 2027. The coming months will begin to reveal which path his career will take.

The Vikings could’ve brushed aside the idea of signing Murray and rolled with McCarthy. Instead, they signed Murray and fired the guy who drafted McCarthy. Unless he prevails as the QB1 to start the regular season against all odds, the offseason was utterly terrible for McCarthy.

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Man Utd forward Marcus Rashford looked sharp for England as they won their group at the World Cup.

Manchester United fans have all thought the same thing during England’s games at the World Cup. Why did Barcelona sign Anthony Gordon over Marcus Rashford?

Gordon started England’s first two games of the tournament, but Rashford scored off the bench against Croatia and looked like the player the Three Lions had been missing when he came on against Ghana.

He earned a start in England’s final group match against Panama, and was one of the brightest attacking threats on the pitch.

Gordon should not start for England for the remainder of the tournament. It was a coin toss between the pair before the World Cup began, but Rashford has outshone the player who Barca snubbed him for.

Thomas Tuchel would have pulled his hair out watching Gordon in the opening two games. He ran down blind alleys, offered zero attacking threat and did not play crosses into the box to service Harry Kane.

Tuchel will like what he’s seen with Rashford. The 28-year-old has been direct and aggressive when he’s been on the ball. He has looked like someone with a major point to prove after missing out on his dream move.

Barcelona paid £70million to sign Gordon from Newcastle when they could have signed Rashford for £26m from United. They have almost paid three times the price for a player half as talented as Rashford.

The decision to sign Gordon over Rashford becomes even more confusing when a closer look at the numbers is taken. Gordon scored 26 goals for Newcastle across the last two seasons, but 11 of those came from the penalty spot.

It’s not difficult to do the math. Gordon has scored 15 non-penalty goals in two years, averaging just over seven per season. Rashford contributed 14 goals and 14 assists during his Barcelona loan spell last term.

The wage demands of both players must have been a significant factor because the footballing reasons don’t add up. Gordon earned around £150,000 per week at Newcastle, while Rashford’s wages have returned to £325,000-a-week by virtue of United securing qualification for next season’s Champions League.

Barcelona could have doubled Gordon’s salary and still pay him less than Rashford earns. For context, Rashford signed his current United contract in the summer of 2023, following an impressive 30-goal campaign.

Even when the players’ wages are considered, is that enough reason to pay £44m more to sign Gordon? Perhaps Barcelona’s stubbornness in negotiations to sign Rashford again forced their hand.

United agreed a £26m buy option when Barcelona signed Rashford on loan, but noise emerged during the campaign that claimed the La Liga giants wanted to pay a reduced fee. They wanted to haggle.

Barcelona may have got what they wanted in the past, but United’s board are aware they can no longer be taken for mugs in the transfer market, and insisted that Barca cough up £26m.

Still, it wasn’t a good look for Rashford when Barcelona paid a significantly higher fee to sign Gordon, although, to Rashford’s credit, his performances at the World Cup have flipped the situation, making Barca look daft.

The question now is what happens with Rashford. Some United fans who are strongly opposed to the idea of him returning were concerned to read Harry Maguire say he would welcome him back with open arms.

There are other supporters who would like to see Michael Carrick reintergate him to the squad. Those fans argue that if United want to strengthen their left flank, then why not reintroduce Rashford to the dressing room?

Rashford is set to report for United’s pre-season once he enjoys a break after the World Cup and United are fine with the possibility of him returning.

Carrick has played with Rashford, coached him, and briefly managed him. In April, the Old Trafford boss suggested the door was open for Rashford to return at a press conference, though those comments felt like a stock answer.

United’s bargaining power with Rashford would have been damaged if Carrick had come out swinging and said he wouldn’t return to the club, even though he’s not the kind of character who would make such a statement.

It feels like Rashford’s future has become a saga, and we’re only two weeks into the transfer window. United are relaxed about the situation and know strong performances at the World Cup can only stir up interest.