Marcus Rashford will rejoin the Manchester United squad for their pre-season training camp in the Republic of Ireland following the conclusion of his post-World Cup break.

Manager Michael Carrick confirmed the forward’s inclusion ahead of a scheduled trip to Dublin.

The 28-year-old’s future at Old Trafford had appeared uncertain after Barcelona declined a £26m option to sign him permanently following a season-long loan.

He was previously frozen out of the first-team picture by former boss Ruben Amorim.

A fresh start under Carrick

The England international has not played a competitive fixture for his parent club since a Europa League tie against Viktoria Plzen in December 2024.

Following an additional loan stint at Aston Villa, the attacker recently helped his country secure a third-place finish at the World Cup in North America.

Carrick, who played alongside the academy graduate during his debut, expressed optimism about the reunion following a 1-1 friendly draw with Paris Saint-Germain.

“I’ve played with him. I played in the game he made his debut, so we have a history.”

Michael Carrick

Lucrative clauses and returning stars

The returning forward remains under contract until 2028 and is reportedly set to earn an additional £4m this season due to a Champions League qualification clause.

A separate £40m release clause, which strictly prohibited transfers to rivals Manchester City or Liverpool, expired last month.

He will be joined in the Irish capital by international colleague Kobbie Mainoo and Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez.

Both players are resuming club duties following mandatory three-week holidays after their respective international exertions.

Injury concerns ahead of Leeds friendly

The full squad will face historical rivals Leeds United in a pre-season friendly at Dublin’s Croke Park on Wednesday evening.

Carrick remains hopeful that Mason Mount will be available for the fixture after the former Chelsea playmaker limped off against PSG.

The midfielder’s early substitution was described as precautionary, and he was later seen walking freely without a protective boot.

United are currently navigating a string of absences ahead of the new campaign:

Despite these setbacks, new signing Youri Tielemans recently enjoyed an impressive debut off the bench as returning captain Bruno Fernandes also made his comeback.

Arsenal have turned their attention to signing Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz for a reported £85m after failing to bring Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior to the Premier League.

The Gunners had been plotting a club-record move for the Brazilian superstar, but he has instead opted to sign a contract extension with the Spanish giants.

Manager Mikel Arteta is eager to add more firepower to his attacking ranks and has revisited a previous interest in the highly-rated Turkey international.

Juventus stand firm over rising star

The north London outfit made an initial enquiry for the versatile attacker earlier this summer, following up on a similar approach 12 months ago.

However, the Serie A club remain extremely reluctant to sell their prized asset and have placed a demanding £85m valuation on his services.

The 21-year-old recently committed his long-term future to the Old Lady, signing a new contract in February that keeps him in Turin until 2030.

He enjoyed a spectacular breakthrough campaign last term, scoring 11 goals in 47 appearances to earn the prestigious title of Serie A Rising Star of the Season.

Injury concerns and squad rebuild

The dynamic forward featured three times for his country at the World Cup this summer, although a persistent calf injury severely disrupted his tournament preparations.

Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti recently emphasised the attacker’s importance while confirming the club is carefully managing his return to full fitness.

“He is a very important footballer for us. For this reason, we are carefully managing his playing time, trying to build a correct schedule and work path to have him at his best throughout the season.”
“But the fact that he is no longer in pain, that he is smiling and free to express his football is what makes us most happy,” Spalletti added.

A successful £85m pursuit would significantly increase Arsenal’s summer expenditure, following the recent £75m acquisition of Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.

Arteta has already bolstered his wide options during this window, securing a £34m deal for Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis to compete with the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke.

West Ham have agreed a deal worth up to £7m to sign Tottenham winger Manor Solomon, with the player scheduled for a medical this weekend ahead of a permanent move.

The Championship side will pay an initial £5m fee for the Israel international, alongside a further £2m in performance-related add-ons.

Spurs have also successfully negotiated the inclusion of a 10 per cent sell-on clause into the transfer agreement.

Financial issues had reportedly delayed the deal, but those hurdles have now been cleared to pave the way for an official announcement.

Attacking reinforcements for promotion push

The 27-year-old arrives to bolster an attack that recently lost Crysencio Summerville, who departed for Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal in a lucrative £60m switch.

His arrival marks the East London club’s third acquisition of the summer window as they plot an immediate return to the Premier League following last season’s relegation.

Experienced defender Joel Veltman recently joined on a free transfer from Brighton, while Venezuelan prospect Keiber Lamadrid had his loan converted into a permanent £1m deal.

Rebuilding after high-profile departures

The transfer highlights continued business between the two London rivals, coming shortly after the Hammers sold Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham for a staggering £85m.

Solomon will be desperate for stability after a disjointed period in North London, having made just six competitive appearances since arriving on a free transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023.

The former Fulham forward spent the first half of the previous campaign on loan in Spain with Villarreal before switching to Italian outfit Fiorentina in January.

Having previously tasted Championship promotion during a loan spell at Leeds United, the versatile attacker will be hoping to replicate that success at the London Stadium this season.

Tottenham Hotspur have adamantly refused to allow club captain Cristian Romero to join arch-rivals Arsenal this summer, despite the Argentine’s willingness to make the controversial switch.

The 28-year-old is expected to call time on his five-year spell in north London, attracting significant interest from Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan.

While the Gunners are actively keen on securing the centre-half, Spurs executives have definitively ruled out any scenario where he moves to the Emirates Stadium.

Echoes of Campbell and Gallas

A direct transfer between the bitter rivals would emulate Sol Campbell’s infamous defection in 2001, which remains one of the Premier League’s most fiercely debated moves.

Unlike Campbell, who departed White Hart Lane on a free transfer, the South American defender still has three years remaining on his current contract.

This lengthy contractual commitment leaves the Tottenham board in a formidable negotiating position, completely eliminating the prospect of a 4.5-mile trip across the capital.

William Gallas was the last high-profile player to cross the north London divide in 2010, though his arrival also followed the expiration of his previous deal.

Atletico prepare imminent bid

Atletico Madrid are preparing an initial £40m offer for the combative defender, offering him the chance to play under compatriot Diego Simeone.

The Spanish giants previously attempted to secure his signature last summer, but former manager Thomas Frank persuaded the standout performer to sign a new deal and assume the captaincy.

Current head coach Roberto De Zerbi has already proactively prepared for a defensive reshuffle by recruiting Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton for £52m.

The Dutchman’s arrival forms part of a lavish £200m summer spending spree by the club, which has also seen Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali join the ranks.

The wantaway captain previously faced heavy criticism after nearly missing a crucial season finale to watch his boyhood club Belgrano in Argentina, before making a late return to feature against Everton.

Jorge Messi, the father and agent of Argentina captain Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68 in his home city of Rosario following a long illness.

The businessman passed away in hospital on Friday after dealing with a significant, long-term health condition.

Newell’s Old Boys, the boyhood club of the Inter Miami forward, confirmed the tragic news in an official statement on Saturday.

A guiding force behind a legendary career

Jorge acted as a crucial pillar throughout his son’s illustrious career, managing his affairs from his early days in Argentina to the pinnacle of world football.

In an emotional tribute, the Argentine club described the 68-year-old as a visionary who supported his family with absolute rigour and affection.

“His constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential in backing every step of Lionel, from his beginnings at Malvinas to the pinnacle of world football glory.”

The club extended their deepest sympathies to the entire family, thanking Jorge for teaching his son to love their traditional colours.

Recent health struggles

Concerns regarding his wellbeing were initially raised during the World Cup in June, when the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was visibly emotional following a match.

“Why was I crying? It had absolutely nothing to do with football, I have had a few difficult days.”

The global football icon clarified at the time that his tears stemmed from a strictly private family matter rather than sporting pressures.

Shortly after that incident, relatives released a statement confirming Jorge was under medical supervision and recovering from undisclosed health problems.

The family also expressed deep concern over intense public speculation, urging the media to show respect and discretion regarding their private circumstances.

Deep ties to Rosario

The late agent remained a devoted fan of Newell’s Old Boys throughout his life, closely following the team where his superstar son first showcased his prodigious talent.

He leaves behind his wife Celia Cuccittini, alongside their children Lionel, Rodrigo, Matias, and María Sol.

The Scottish FA has identified a preferred candidate to succeed Steve Clarke as head coach and expects to finalise the appointment within the next two weeks.

This swift recruitment process ensures the new manager will be in charge for the opening Nations League triple-header.

The national team begin their upcoming European campaign with a crucial away fixture against Slovenia on 26 September.

Mulholland leads extensive recruitment search

Craig Mulholland has spearheaded the hunt for a new permanent boss since becoming the governing body’s chief football officer in May.

It is understood the experienced executive has interviewed a diverse variety of prospective candidates from both the UK and abroad.

The overarching football association has now concluded these formal interviews as they close in on a final decision.

However, it currently remains unclear whether the incoming national team manager will be a domestic coach or a foreign arrival.

Moving on from the Clarke era

The imminent arrival will replace a predecessor who recently ended his seven-year tenure in charge of the Tartan Army.

The former Chelsea defender resigned following a disappointing group-stage elimination at this summer’s World Cup.

That premature tournament exit came shortly after the 61-year-old had committed to a fresh four-year contract extension.

Meanwhile, Steven Naismith anticipates retaining his position within the international coaching setup.

The former Everton forward previously served as a trusted assistant and expects to work alongside the newly appointed regime.

Former Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has joined Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor after confirming his departure from Anfield earlier this year.

The 34-year-old departed English football following a difficult final season where he struggled to see eye to eye with former manager Arne Slot.

The appointment of new Reds boss Andoni Iraola did not result in a U-turn for the two-time Premier League winner.

The Egyptian was mobbed by passionate fans upon his arrival in Turkey to finalise the unexpected transfer.

Financial sacrifices and passion

Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan insists the prolific winger was not motivated by money when selecting his next destination.

According to the club chief, the veteran attacker rejected deals that were significantly more lucrative.

Dogan revealed the details of the negotiations to Turkish media.

“One of the contract offers he presented to us was four times the amount we offered. His intention was not financial; he wanted to experience the excitement and passionate love here.”

International connections

The Turkish club also benefited from a glowing recommendation provided by one of their former players.

Egypt team-mate Trezeguet gave a highly positive reference following his own successful spell in the Super Lig before moving to Al Ahly.

The new arrival joins a squad featuring familiar Premier League names, including former Southampton striker Paul Onuachu.

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana is also spending a second consecutive season on loan with the club.

A new shirt number

The African football icon will leave behind his famous number 11 jersey for a fresh start in Turkey.

He will instead wear the number 10 shirt, mirroring the digit he dons for his national team.

This switch was facilitated by team-mate Ernest Muci, who voluntarily sacrificed the squad number to accommodate the signing.

Dogan praised the squad harmony already on display.

“I thank Muci regarding the jersey. Him voluntarily coming and handing over the jersey number to Salah was a very valuable stance.”

Former England international Raheem Sterling’s controversial £49m move from Liverpool to Manchester City in July 2015 remains one of the most turbulent transfers in modern Premier League history.

The then-20-year-old famously refused to participate in a pre-season tour to force through a lucrative switch to the Etihad Stadium.

Tensions between the player and former Reds manager Brendan Rodgers reached a boiling point after the winger rejected a new £100,000-a-week contract offer.

Pre-season protests and a damaged legacy

Desperate to secure his desired move to Manchester, the London-raised attacker informed Rodgers he would not travel with the squad to the Far East and Australia.

The wantaway forward escalated the situation by calling in sick to miss two consecutive days of training on Merseyside.

Liverpool initially stood firm by rejecting two opening bids from the Citizens before eventually sanctioning the record-breaking departure later that summer.

Regrets over Anfield departure

Following the completion of the transfer, the former Queens Park Rangers academy prospect admitted feeling remorse over the bitter nature of his Anfield exit.

“I was a bit disappointed how I left.”
“That was the main problem I’ve had with the situation – how I’ve left it with Liverpool. I’m good with everyone at the football club, the manager, the players and I wish them well for the new season.”
“But it was really disappointing how it did finish off.”

Vindication at the Etihad Stadium

Despite the acrimonious departure, the move ultimately proved wildly successful for the lightning-fast attacker’s professional career.

He established himself as a cornerstone of the dominant Manchester City side, securing four Premier League titles, five League Cups, and an FA Cup during a stellar seven-year stint.

The prolific wide-man registered 131 goals across 339 appearances for the Manchester giants, cementing his status among the club’s modern greats.

A £50m switch to Chelsea followed in 2022, where he spent two seasons before embarking on a season-long loan with Arsenal for the current 2024-25 campaign.