Updates from your Sport topics will appear in My Sport and in a collection on the Sport homepage.
Latest updates
Gossip: Man Utd target Guerra turns down new Valencia dealpublished at 07:03 24 July
07:03 24 July
Javi Guerra has rejected an offer to renew his contract with Valencia, with Manchester United monitoring the 22-year-old Spanish midfielder. (Marca - in Spanish), external
Tottenham are closely watching Kobbie Mainoo's situation at Old Trafford, with the midfielder yet to agree a long-term extension to his contract, which expires in 2027. (tbrfootball.com), external
Fulham are confident of keeping hold of midfielder Seth Ridgeon despite United, Liverpool and Chelsea showing interest in the England Under-17 captain. (Standard), external
'Nothing bad to say about United' - Rashfordpublished at 19:07 23 July
19:07 23 July
Image source, Getty Images
Barcelona have unveiled Marcus Rashford as their new number 14 after the forward completed his season-long loan move with an option to buy for £30.3m.
The 27-year-old made 426 appearances at Manchester United and has wished them "all the best" as he starts his 'next chapter'.
"The club is in a period of change, and they have been for a while," Rashford told reporters at his unveiling on Wednesday.
"I don't have anything bad to say as it has been an important part - not just of my career - but of my life. So I was grateful for the opportunity.
"But like life, not everything goes as simple as you thought and this is my next chapter. I'm fully focused on improving myself and helping the team win trophies.
"I have nothing bad to say about United. I wish them all the best and hope they are successful in the future."
Man Utd 'can't worry about optics'published at 17:53 23 July
17:53 23 July
Image source, Getty Images
There is no doubt a fully-motivated, focused and determined Marcus Rashford would walk into Ruben Amorim's team.
But, in reality, that Rashford has only been seen for one full season since 2021 - and that was the campaign that led to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer getting sacked.
There were signs of the old Rashford during his half season loan at Aston Villa - but there were also games where he did not perform so well.
Offloading an unwanted player to Barcelona is bizarre for a club in Manchester United's position. But that is where they are right now. What they have to do is maximise the opportunity.
At Old Trafford, they cannot worry about optics.
They have to deliver a squad that Amorim can drive up the table.
The team most in need of goals is Manchester United.‌
Last season, Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Alexander Isak of Newcastle combined to score far more in the Premier League (52) than United did as an entire squad (44).
Considering they had splurged more than £200m last summer to just about zero effect, it is no surprise that new defenders are way down on their list of priorities this summer.
Like everyone else, they are looking ahead by investing £62.5m on Matheus Cunha and another £65m-plus on Bryan Mbuemo.
What a great time to be an attacker in the Premier League, but there is also huge pressure that comes with those transfer fees, especially at United.
Man Utd arrive in Chicagopublished at 07:46 23 July
07:46 23 July
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter in Chicago
I could hardly claim Chicago was brought to a standstill by Manchester United's arrival on Tuesday night.
There were a couple of fans waiting for them - and a couple of lads who asked what was happening when the local police put the barriers out that briefly blocked the pavement.
But there was not too much buzz when Ruben Amorim and his players eventually arrived.
United are using Chicago as their training base for the Premier League Summer Series, although their first match, against West Ham on Saturday, is actually at the MetLife Stadium - which hosted the Club World Cup final earlier this month - in New Jersey.
Meanwhile, United are monitoring Angers' Mali Under-20 left-back Dan Sinate, but they are unlikely to make a move for the 19-year-old until January at the earliest (Sun, external)
Manchester United are trying to make ends meet by offloading their so-called "deadwood" but it will not be easy without losing a lot of money.
‌These players are getting blanked by Ruben Amorim. They are not training with the first-team squad and not joining the A team for the pre-season tours.
This treatment is intended to force them out and it often does, but it can have the opposite effect.
The wages alone of Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, Tyrell Malacia and Jadon Sancho are estimated to be about £1m a week. This is a serious drain on resources but the players will not care a jot.
Rashford's £17m-per-year salary may be covered by his loan to Barcelona this season, but remember that this once extremely valuable asset apparently can't now be sold for a cent.
When they feel badly or unfairly treated, footballers are not averse to digging their heels in and refusing to move unless everything suits them perfectly, especially financially.
United have to pay them until they move or their contracts run out, so they are in no rush.
Those players haven't asked to leave so from their perspective it is the club that is breaking the agreed contract, not them.
The argument usually follows: "You don't want me, so why don't you pay up my contract in full and I will leave with a smile on my face?" And a bad back carrying all that dosh no doubt...
These face-offs will be resolved in time but United do not have a strong hand in negotiations. Few other clubs will pay top prices for apparently damaged goods, especially with those huge wages.
This summer's buys have been impressive by United so far, but they need more and that could be scuppered unless those unwanted players are carefully removed.
Mbeumo on chess, playing the piano and football heroespublished at 15:14 22 July
15:14 22 July
Simon Stone in Chicago Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Bryan Mbeumo has spoken to Manchester United's club media following his £65m arrival from Brentford.
There are a couple of interesting snippets, one of which makes me feel very old - and it is not this one, where he explains why he enjoys playing the piano and his new-found love for chess.
"I really discovered it (piano) a few years ago, a friend was playing and I wanted to try," he said.
"With chess, I played a little bit when I was younger. Two or three years ago, I started playing again and I really enjoyed it.
"I play online. I have a board at home but I have nobody to play with."
The sobering comments relate to his footballing idols when he was a kid.
His first ones are both still playing.
"I grew up in a small town, where everyone knew each other," he said. "My first top was Manchester United with Ronaldo behind.
"My favourite players changed with time. When I was really young, my two best footballers were Lionel Messi and Ronaldo. When I was growing up, Neymar. After that it was Eden Hazard."
Mbeumo is here - but how do the pieces fit together?published at 12:20 22 July
12:20 22 July
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter in Chicago
Image source, Getty Images
It has been Manchester United's target for some time to ensure Bryan Mbeumo was signed before they set off for Chicago and the start of their three-match Premier League Summer Series campaign.
They made it. But it was close.
United leave on Tuesday afternoon so they had less than 24 hours to spare before they were able to make an official announcement.
But now the £65m deal is done, we will start to get an indication of how head coach Ruben Amorim intends to piece his team together.
In theory, Matheus Cunha and Mbeumo will fill the two number 10 slots behind a main striker.
However, who occupies the two midfield slots behind?
Presumably Bruno Fernandes will be in one. The United skipper played there for 45 minutes in Saturday's goalless draw with Leeds United.
But neither Kobbie Mainoo nor Casemiro would appear to have the legs to operate alongside Fernandes and, even at £50m, there are doubts over Manuel Ugarte's quality.
And then there are the other players who could play in the number 10 slots. They include Fernandes and Mainoo but also Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount. What role is available for them?
And Amorim might not be finished in the transfer market just yet either, especially if he can unload unwanted quartet Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia in the same way as is happening with Marcus Rashford.
Amorim has got what he wants in Cunha and Mbeumo. But that does not mean his problems have gone away.
Man Utd moves are 'steps in the right direction'published at 12:19 22 July
12:19 22 July
Image source, Getty Images
Where Bryan Mbeumo will play for Manchester United is still unclear, but his arrival has been described as another "step in the right direction" for the club.
Discussing the transfer on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, former England midfielder Izzy Christiansen said: "He offers something different.
"In Amorim's system, where does he play? Does he play off the left, down the middle or off the right in a narrow front three?
"Narrow forwards fit that system better. I think he is a great signing for United. It's just the environment he steps into, the team dynamics and how they are going to operate. Is he going to be competing with Rasmus Hojlund? Is he going to be playing to the side of Hojlund?
"But it is a good, solid signing and a player who has certainly proved himself in the league."
Ex-Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha agreed, adding: "I think realistically, for the position that United are in now, they don't really have a solid foundation for building true success in this particular moment.
"You need some people who are aware of the league itself, aware of how United stand within it and aware of the expectation that comes with being there.
"On the other side of it, you look at Hojlund - he has huge potential but it has not really worked out yet. They need something to work out now. As they build for the future, those younger players and bigger prospects that take a few years develop, that's great, but they are not there now.
"By getting Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha now, those are steps in the right direction for United."
'I don't see a downside to this from United's perspective'published at 09:35 22 July
09:35 22 July
Image source, Getty Images
ESPN senior writer Mark Ogden says Marcus Rashford's expected move to Barcelona "suits everybody".
Rashford has passed a medical before an initial 12-month loan, which includes an option to buy for £30.3m (35m euros).
The 27-year-old has not played for United since being dropped by Ruben Amorim for the Manchester derby on 15 December last year, and spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa.
"I thought at the outset that this is the one club Marcus Rashford would be prepared to take a pay cut to join because it's Barcelona and a dream move for him," Ogden told BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast.
"I know he's Barcelona's third choice because they missed out on Nico Williams and Luis Diaz - but he's still a player with a big reputation.
"United fans have fallen out of love with Rashford and this is long overdue him leaving. It's a matter of time before it is done and it suits everybody."
Barcelona have agreed to cover Rashford's wages for the duration of his loan after he accepted a 25% pay cut, saving United about £14m.
"It gets him off the wage bill and might free up some money for United to get another player in," Ogden added.
"From United's perspective, even if he goes there and has a decent season but they don't sign him, he will come back as a Barcelona player. His value and reputation will remain unless he has an absolute shocker, which I don't think he will.
"I don't really see a downside to this from United's perspective."
'It does represent something of a coup for Man Utd'published at 09:31 22 July
09:31 22 July
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
There were some fraught negotiations to get this deal over the line.
Manchester United felt the price Brentford wanted for Bryan Mbeumo changed on a number of occasions during discussions, which they believe were dragged out far too long. The London club would have preferred the player to join Tottenham or Newcastle because they would get a bigger fee.
Brentford feel Spurs were in a strong bargaining position because their new manager, ex-Bees boss Thomas Frank, knew exactly what fee they wanted, which was substantially more than United were offering - initially about £45m.
At one point, with United refusing to meet Brentford's demand for an initial £70m, plus £7m in additional payments - they had seen United spend £62.5m on Matheus Cunha and felt they were in a strong position - they cheekily mentioned to Mbeumo he might wish to lower his personal demands to get to the correct figure.
It was not needed in the end and an agreement was reached that allowed all parties to move forward.
For United in particular, this is hugely important.
In this instance, they felt not only were Tottenham and Newcastle keen but believed Arsenal were interested too, and Chelsea were also flexing their muscle by the end.
Whatever the rights and wrongs of how they went about it, United got their man eventually.
Considering they finished 15th last season and all the other clubs they felt they were battling with can offer Champions League football in the coming months, that does indeed represent something of a coup for technical director Jason Wilcox and his negotiating team.
'My mentality is to always be better than I was yesterday'published at 08:43 22 July
08:43 22 July
Image source, Getty Images
Bryan Mbeumo says he has the "spirit and character to reach another level" at Manchester United.
The 25-year-old completed his transfer from Brentford in a deal worth an initial £65m. He has signed a five-year contract, with the option of a further 12 months.
Mbeumo said: "Everybody told me about the environment that is being created here and how exciting the plans are for the future.
"My mentality is to always be better than I was yesterday. I know that I have the spirit and character to reach another level here, learning from Ruben Amorim and playing alongside world-class players.
"This is a massive club, with an incredible stadium and amazing fans, we are all really determined to challenge for the biggest trophies."
United director of football Jason Wilcox added: "Bryan's goals and assists record in the Premier League is exceptional. His remarkable consistency has put him among the most productive players in England for the past three seasons.
"Bryan's belief in our project and determination to join the club confirmed he was the perfect fit for Manchester United and the culture we are developing."
Gossip: Man Utd eye Martinez as Villa monitor Garnachopublished at 07:09 22 July
07:09 22 July
Manchester United are considering a move for Emiliano Martinez but may be put off by Aston Villa's £40m valuation of the 32-year-old Argentina goalkeeper. (Mail, external)
Manchester United's hopes of signing Nicolas Jackson have received a boost after the Chelsea and Senegal striker, 24, rejected AC Milan and Napoli because he wants to stay in the Premier League. (Sun, external)
Meanwhile, Villa, Chelsea and Tottenham are monitoring Alejandro Garnacho's situation at Old Trafford, with clubs believing the winger could be available for about £40m. (Telegraph - subscription required), external
Finally, Juventus will step up their efforts to sign Jadon Sancho from Manchester United when fellow forwards Samuel Mbangula and Timothy Weah leave the Serie A club. (Tuttosport - in Italian), external
🎧 Mbeumo in and Rashford out?published at 16:10 21 July
16:10 21 July
A new episode of The Devils' Advocate is available to listen to and download now on BBC Sounds.
Gaz and Joe are joined by ESPN's Mark Ogden to discuss Marcus Rashford's impending move to Barcelona, plus hear from former Brentford defender Ben Mee on Bryan Mbeumo's move to Old Trafford.
