Manchester United are continuing to work on transfers, and a bid of around £60m plus £5m in add-ons was submitted to Brighton for midfielder Carlos Baleba earlier this week.
With United potentially set for a busy end to the window, we’re running Q&A sessions to give you the chance to ask the questions you want to be answered. Add your question here and we will get back to you.
How will Baleba fit into United’s midfield?
United need to add a player who can provide mobility and more cover for the defence with their third midfield signing, and Baleba ticks those boxes. He has more strings to his bow than just winning the ball back, though, and that’s why United have been so keen on him for a while.
Baleba will add legs to the midfield and handle the bulk of the defensive work in the centre of the pitch. Interceptions, duels and turnovers are his meat and drink, but he’s also a decent passer.
If he signs he will play at the base of the midfield, raising the possibility that he will build a strong relationship with Andrey Santos, and he could be the perfect foil for Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans. United planned to overhaul their midfield this summer, and the department will look strong if they can sign Baleba.
Baleba is a good player, but he’s not at the level for United. Do you agree it’s a big mistake?
I’ve made no secret of the fact I haven’t been a believer in Baleba over the last 12 months, but when the context of the market and the profile of player United need to sign as their third midfield addition are considered, it adds up to the 22-year-old being a good signing.
Brighton wanted in excess of £100m for Baleba last summer. United are hopeful they can sign him for less than £75m, so they will get a value deal if an agreement can be reached with the Seagulls.
But Brighton have knocked down their valuation because Baleba was disappointing last season. He was hooked twice at half-time in the first half of the campaign, and he made just eight league starts in the second half of the season after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations.
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However, Baleba looked like a top talent in 2024/25. United believe he can regain that form and take it to another level, with the data department admiring his underlying metrics.
Then just take a look at the current state of the market. United missed out on Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes earlier in the window, and most of the midfielders who are still available don’t have much appeal.
Why is the club not signing another striker?
The last time I spoke to a club source about United potentially signing a striker this summer, they suggested it was down the priority list. But many other supporters would like to see it moved up the transfer to-do list, so you’re not alone in thinking United need to strengthen in that area.
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Benjamin Sesko is the only recognised striker in the squad, but United have a handful of players who can play down the middle, such as Bryan Mbeumo, Marcus Rashford, Matheus Cunha and potentially even Amad.
United have considered striker options during the window, whilst knowing that other areas were the priority, and whether a move is made or not will depend on Joshua Zirkzee’s position.
Michael Carrick claimed at his press conference on Thursday that no player has expressed a desire to leave and that he expects no outgoings, but Zirkzee has attracted interest from Italy, so it’s one to keep an eye on.
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We are short on the left side of the defence. What are the plans to fill this gap?
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United would like to sign a left-back once the third midfield signing is wrapped up. The question is: who could that player be? Newcastle will not sell Lewis Hall in this transfer window and there has been talk in the north east about him signing a new contract.
Speaking earlier this week, Mikel Arteta said that Myles Lewis-Skelly will stay at the Emirates this season. Racing de Santander defender Jorge Salinas is also an interesting name that has cropped up, along with Alejandro Balde.
It feels like United could spring another surprise in the market with a left-back signing. There won’t be much budget left, so a player at the lower end of the price scale could be brought in to be a deputy to Luke Shaw.
Will United give Amass the chance to take over at left-back in the future?
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The Harry Amass situation has split opinion among fans. Some believe he is ready to contribute to the first team, while others feel he should spend another season on loan in the Championship.
For me, Amass has done enough to deserve a crack at being around the first team this season. He was excellent for Sheffield Wednesday on loan, and he has looked sharp throughout pre-season this summer.
It might not be that simple, though. Amass wants to play regular football after getting a taste of it last term, and that might push him towards the exit door.
Whether Amass is given a chance to take over from Shaw in the future could depend on what happens in the next two weeks.
Olympique de Marseille has a new captain, and he’s someone who United States men’s national team fans should be very familiar with.
Marseille opened its Ligue 1 campaign against RC Strasbourg Alsace on Friday and U.S. men’s national team winger Tim Weah captained the French club in its 4-0 win. Weah started at right back and went the full 90 minutes.
Weah was a key player under Marseille’s former manager Habib Beye, but new manager Bruno Génésio has pushed Weah even more by awarding him the captain’s armband. Weah completed his permanent transfer to Marseille in June after joining the club on a season-long loan last season.
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Weah wasn’t the only American to make an appearance in Friday’s match. United States men’s national team midfielder Gio Reyna also appeared as a substitute against Marseille and played 21 minutes. Reyna joined Strasbourg from Borussia Dortmund earlier this month. He wears the elusive No. 10 for the club.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has wished Cristiano Ronaldo luck as the Portugal captain moves ever so close to becoming the first player to score 1000 goals for club and country.
Ronaldo, 41, made his season debut for Al-Nassr last week in a 4-0 home win over Al-Riyadh in the Saudi Pro League. Coming on as a second-half substitute, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner scored seven minutes from time to round off the scoring.
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That took him to 130 goals for the Knights of Najd and 977 overall for club and country, moving to within 23 strikes of reaching four figures, a landmark he could reach next year.
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During a brief meeting with the FIFA president at the Esports World Cup in Paris, Ronaldo greeted Infantino (as per BOLA VIP):
“How are you?”
Infantino responded, referring to Ronaldo’s approaching landmark:
“23 goals remaining? Good luck!”
Ronaldo’s closest challenger in the all-time list is Lionel Messi, who’s two years younger and has scored 923 times during his illustrious career. The Argentine plies his club football for Inter Miami in MLS, arriving at the Herons in the summer of 2023 on a free transfer after nearly two decades in European football.
What’s next for Cristiano Ronaldo?
Al Riyadh vs Al Nassr: Saudi Pro League – Source: Getty
Cristiano Ronaldo is coming off a decent campaign at what was likely his sixth and final appearance at the FIFA World Cup. The 41-year-old bagged three goals in five games in the 2026 edition in North America as Portugal lost to eventual champions Spain 1-0 in the Round of 16.
Following an extended vacation, Ronaldo missed most of Al-Nassr‘s pre-season and didn’t feature in the 3-0 home win over Al-Fateh in their opening Saudi Pro League game.
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Cristiano Ronaldo also didn’t make the matchday squad in the 4-1 win at Diriyah in the King Cup of Champions Round of 32. New boss Ange Postecoglou handed Ronaldo his season debut last week in the league victory at Al-Riyadh.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is expected to feature in the Knights of Najd’s Saudi Pro League trip to Al-Ettifaq on Tuesday (August 25) as Postecoglou’s side seek to continue their perfect start to their title-defence campaign.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans are undefeated this pre-season with new coach Robert Saleh. They also have a lot to work on before the season opener.
D’Ernest Johnson had a 2-yard touchdown run with 5:45 left to help the Titans overcome a 13-point deficit Sunday night and beat the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks 19-16 in a pre-season game.
Joey Slye kicked four field goals, including a long of 55 yards, as the Titans (2-0) gave Saleh a win in his pre-season home debut. Slye chipped away at a lead built by Seattle’s backups with coach Mike Macdonald resting his starters after a joint practice with the Seahawks’ pre-season finale Friday night.
“It’s got to be better,” Saleh said. “Guys, I’m not trying to sugarcoat it.”
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Drew Lock threw for 103 yards and a touchdown, and Jacardia Wright ran 69 yards for a touchdown as Seattle (0-2) jumped out to a 16-3 lead.
“It was a successful week, but ultimately you want to be able to win these games,” Macdonald said. “But we definitely made an improvement from last week, so let’s keep going.”
Tennessee struggled from the opening coin flip, which the Titans won the toss only to defer, and Seattle needed seven plays before Lock found a wide-open Elijah Arroyo for a 36-yard TD.
Cam Ward started for Tennessee with the rest of the starters and was 8 of 12 for 69 yards. He led the Titans to Slye’s first field goal. Ward also had the ball poked out of his hand by linebacker Chazz Surratt as the quarterback scrambled right early in the second on his third and final drive.
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Both Saleh and Ward credited Surratt with making a great play. Ward also was just as confident talking about the Titans’ offence.
“We’re actually right there to getting where we want to be,” Ward said. “And the coaching staff, they continue to push us to that standpoint where we want to be, but it’s going to end up paying off.”
The Titans also had three penalties in the first quarter, including an illegal contact on cornerback Cor’Dale Flott, among their many defensive free agents signed in March. The penalty on Flott wiped out safety Kevin Winston Jr.’s interception at the Titans 3.
Even when Jalen McMurray recovered a muffed punt return by Seattle’s Cody White at the Seahawks 11, the Titans still had to settle for a field goal after a holding penalty wiped out Mitch Trubisky’s 4-yard TD pass to Xavier Restrepo.
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The Seahawks had their moments. Celebrating Wright’s TD so enthusiastically, Seattle was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct, and Jason Myers missed the extra long extra point attempt just right for a 13-3 lead. Myers also pushed a 44-yard field goal wide right in the second quarter.
Injuries hit Seahawks hard on this trip
Seattle lost wide receiver Jake Bobo to a knee injury that had him carted out of Friday’s joint practice and placed on injured reserve Saturday.
Left guard Mason Richman went down on the opening drive and had to be helped to the sideline after getting his right leg stretched. Macdonald said they have to figure out what the specific issue is, but he called it a “major injury, a long-term injury.”
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On Seattle’s first defensive play, rookie safety Bud Clark broke his right ankle and Macdonald said he’ll miss months. Trainers put his leg in an air cast, and players from both teams came up to the rookie before he was carted off the field. Clark was Seattle’s second-round pick and 64th overall out of Texas Christian.
“Two guys that we love, that play our style of ball, that are our type of guys,” Macdonald said of Richman and Clark. “Teammates love ’em, great teammates, great guys, great football players. They have great futures. It’s a heartbreaker, honestly. We’ve had three heartbreakers this week, which is tough.”
Sloppy game for both teams
The Seahawks and Titans kept officials very busy. Seattle was flagged 14 times for 129 yards, while Tennessee was penalized 11 for 100 yards.
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The Seahawks wrap up the pre-season Friday night at Kansas City.
Newcomer Christos Tzolis helped set up two goals as defending champion Arsenal opened the Premier League season by dismantling promoted Coventry 3-0 to spoil the visitor’s long-awaited return to the top flight Friday.
After ending a 22-year wait for the Premier League title, Arsenal showed why it’s favored to repeat as champion by completely dominating Frank Lampard’s side in a game that was one-sided from start to finish.
For Coventry, it was a rude welcome back to the Premier League after a 25-year absence. Having won the second-tier Championship last season by a wide margin, Lampard’s side simply looked outmatched as it was repeatedly taken apart by a marauding Arsenal.
Tzolis was the only summer signing to start for the hosts, but the left winger showed he could give this attack an added dimension by helping to set up both opening goals.
First he stole possession to feed defender Riccardo Calafiori, who squared the ball for Havertz to slot home in the 15th minute. The Greece international then sent a cross in from the left that goalkeeper Carl Rushworth managed to only push into the path of Saka, who scored into an empty net in the 23rd.
Odegaard added the third shortly after the break after his scuffed shot looped in out of reach of Rushworth. The Arsenal captain gave an apologetic shrug as a celebration.
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At the other end, the only time Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya was troubled was when a speculative overhead kick from Loum Tchaouna from outside the box sailed just high of the bar in the 42nd. The visitor’s only effort on target came in the 86th, when Jack Rudoni managed only a weak header straight at Raya.
Arsenal introduced its latest signing, England defender Ezri Konsa, before kickoff after he completed a move from Aston Villa earlier Friday.
Scottie Scheffler, who won the PGA Tour’s FedEx St. Jude Championship last week by a whopping eight strokes, says he played this week while dealing with hand, foot and mouth disease.
Scheffler’s revelation came Sunday, after he played four days at the BMW Championship at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis. The world’s top-ranked player said he developed blisters on his hands and feet and in his throat, and that he considered withdrawing from the tournament.
“So to start the week, it was pretty painful to grip the club,” Scheffler said. “If I was smarter, maybe I would have pulled out, but I was playing so good I felt like if I could knock it out quickly and just get through the first couple rounds I would still have a chance.
“But I think that’s part of my stubbornness, probably. That’s probably a strength of mine and a weakness at times. Like, I’ve never been one to ever pull out of a tournament, especially in the middle of it. That’s really frustrating for me. So I definitely didn’t want to do that going into this week, even though it was suggested.”
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He said it didn’t hurt to walk.
“Once you get on the course, you get the adrenaline and everything, I started to feel better,” Scheffler said. “But the blisters on the hands was probably the most challenging, just because it was painful to grip the club to start the week. I was prioritizing rest so I wasn’t able to work out the way I want to, and practice the way I want to, and even warm-up for rounds the way I want to.
“I really just did my best to try and battle and it maybe was a poor decision playing, but I’ve never been one to try and quit.”
Notably, Scheffler’s two-over 72 during Thursday’s first round bettered only three players in the 50-man field, and from there, he played nine-under golf and tied for 12th. In his session with reporters on Sunday, Scheffler said he was starting to feel better, but also described a potentially awkward moment with Cameron Young, his final-round playing partner.
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“I actually almost caught myself shaking hands with Cam on 18,” Scheffler said.
“I would have felt really bad. I was like, Oh, my gosh, I almost forgot. So that’s good news, starting to feel better. Hopefully the throat will clear up the next couple days.”
Bryson DeChambeau says he is “proud” of what LIV Golf has achieved as the breakaway league faces questions about its future following the final event of the season in Indianapolis.
The league, which launched in 2022 as an alternative to the PGA Tour, has faced an uncertain future since Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) withdrew its financial backing in April.
Last week, its season-ending Team Championships in Michigan was cancelled, meaning the event in Indianapolis concluded the 2026 campaign.
LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil has said new investors have been secured for next season but has been tight-lipped on the league’s future plans and structure.
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American DeChambeau, who led a selection of star players in joining LIV Golf four years ago, said although the breakaway league has not been perfect, it has “a lot of potential moving forward”.
“It has been an interesting ride, that’s for sure, everything we’ve gone through, and the tough moments we’ve had. It’s made us stronger,” said DeChambeau.
“As much as we are transitioning from LIV 1.0 to LIV 2.0, I have great thoughts about what could happen next year. I wish I could be more upfront about it.
“Ultimately I’m proud of the fact of what we’ve done, the good and some of the bad that we’ve unfortunately had, things that have occurred, I’m going to be real with it, not everything was perfect.
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“But for the most part we’ve done a solid job and if there’s one thing I could say, we did something different in the game of golf and I’m proud of that.”
At the end of the interview, DeChambeau added: “I think there’s something fun coming.”
India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando have been fined 25 per cent of their match over their fiery altercation on the opening day of the 2nd Test in Colombo.
Both players were found to have breached Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator during an International Match).”
In addition to this, one demerit point each has been added to the disciplinary records of Fernando and Jaiswal, both of whom did not have any previous offences in the preceding 24-month period.
The two Brits are set to collide later this year, yet it remains to be seen whether their long-awaited showdown lands on the proposed date of November 20.
According to promoter Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s contract states the event must be staged in the UK while Fury, it appears, did not outline any preference over the location in his original agreement.
The 38-year-old therefore insists that he has no issue with fighting at Madison Square Garden, where Netflix and event financiers Sela are hoping the contest can be held.
Speaking with talkSPORT, Saunders maintained his allegiance to ‘The Gypsy King’ while admitting that Joshua remains a dangerous puncher.
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“We all know it’s a bit late. Are we going to see who really is the true best in this fight? They didn’t fight eight-ten years ago, so what we’re going to see, now, is the battle of the old man.
“I don’t think it’s about who trains the hardest, who looks the fittest [or] who’s in brilliant shape; it’s gonna be about who uses their brain and just sails through.
“I’m backing Tyson. I know AJ didn’t look too good in his last fight, but he still got the knockout. And he showed he’s still got that finishing punch.”
Saunders went on to critique Fury’s performance against Wach, saying he was “open to the right hand”, but is ultimately backing his friend’s “boxing ability” against Joshua.
The ICC on Monday confirmed the sanctions for India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lanka fast bowler Asitha Fernando for their altercation (IANS Image)
India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando have each been fined 25 per cent of their match fees and handed one demerit point following their on-field altercation during the opening day of the second Test in Colombo. The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed the Level 1 sanctions on Monday, August 24, after both players admitted to breaching Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which deals with inappropriate physical contact between players.
How the Jaiswal-Fernando clash unfolded
The incident occurred during the 17th over of India’s first innings after Fernando dismissed Jaiswal for 45. The Sri Lankan pacer gave the batter an animated send-off, prompting Jaiswal to turn back and exchange words with him. The confrontation quickly escalated as the two players came face-to-face. Fernando moved his head forward while Jaiswal leaned in, resulting in their helmets and heads making contact. Teammates and Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva intervened and separated the two players before the situation could escalate further.Jaiswal later addressed the incident on social media, urging critics not to pass judgment without knowing what had been said during the exchange.“If you don’t know what he said, then please don’t make your judgment. If anyone crosses the line, we need to let them know this: India will fight and reply,” Jaiswal posted before the start of play on Day 2.His comments appeared to be in response to a Cricbuzz video on Instagram in which commentator Harsha Bhogle suggested that Jaiswal should have simply walked away after his dismissal.
What India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak had earlier acknowledged that the incident may have occurred in the “heat of the moment” but admitted that Jaiswal should not have made physical contact with Fernando.“I think they must have said something to him, and it might have happened in the heat of the moment. Obviously, Jaiswal, I don’t think he should have been so close (to Fernando), but that happens when you are in the heat of the moment,” Kotak said after the opening day’s play.
Boniface, ridden with the conviction of the race’s standout performer, finally rewarded the patience of punters with a victory in the Group 3 $250,000 Premier’s Cup (2000m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
The French import had experienced a series of unrewarding runs in his four previous starts in Australia, but star jockey Tommy Berry guided the gelding with confidence, proving too formidable for his rivals.
Berry eliminated any chance of misfortune by positioning Boniface directly behind So You Are, maintaining this order until well into the home straight.
However, Boniface seized control of the race and secured a commanding win, signalling his potential for the upcoming spring carnival.
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“We got the first half too easy and Rachel’s (King, rider of So You Are) has got a beautiful knack of getting horses into a lovely rhythm, slipping you down the side and you can’t get her back,” Berry said. “So, I just had to make sure I was close enough without trying to get to the front too early on my bloke.
“When they haven’t won for a while, they lack a little bit of confidence and he needed that today, so I’m sure he’ll go on with it now.”
Berry, taking over as Boniface’s rider, made a point of acknowledging the crucial role played by the gelding’s previous jockey, Tyler Schiller, in the Premier’s Cup triumph.
“I’ve got to say, full credit to Tyler, who’s ridden him at his last couple,” Berry stated. “He obviously didn’t get the ride today, but he came around and saw me and told me everything I needed to know about the horse. That just shows what a top bloke he is, and he’ll obviously get his turn.”
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Boniface ($2.45 favourite), prepared by Mick Price and Michael Kent Junior, overcame the early leader So You Are ($3.60) by a half-length, with Matusalem ($8) finishing with determination for third place, a short head behind the runner-up.
Ben Elam, the Sydney stable representative for Price and Kent, declared that Boniface’s strong performance was a clear demonstration of his developing talent.
“We had to feel our way with him trying to get into this race,” Elam said. “It’s a race that always has some nice horses in it but it doesn’t get a massive field every year so we thought he was a chance of getting a run.
“We got the run on Monday with nominations being a little bit skinny. He’s trained on really well, we haven’t done a lot with him as he’s a highly strung horse, albeit he is relaxed.
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“He puts a lot into his work so we don’t do much galloping with him. He’s a French import that we have had to ‘unwind’ a little bit.
“So, it was really good to see him relax outside the leader. I would like to see him with a bum in front of him so he can follow and be dragged into the race.
“He did a pretty good job and hit the line strongly so we are very pleased.”
Elam added that there was significant merit in Boniface’s win, noting the gelding is “definitely a better chaser, for sure.”
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“But I said to Tommy I don’t care where you land just get him to relax,” Elam continued. “If he finds a rhythm he will give you that sharp turn of foot he has got and he can sustain the gallop.
“I know he didn’t win by a big margin but I think you can say this horse has won by a margin that was respective of the run he had in transit.”
Elam indicated that Boniface is likely to be aimed at the Group 2 $300,000 Kingston Town Stakes at Royal Randwick on September 12, followed by the Group 2 $2 million Hill Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on October 10.
Punters checking the racing betting markets will find Boniface a strong contender for future events.
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