Tag Futebol

Cristiano Ronaldo’s former head coach has offered insight into the legendary forward’s mentality and shared why he believes the Portuguese captain could fire his national team to glory in next summer’s World Cup. Hugo Oliveira added that Ronaldo is still desperate to add to his ceaseless goal tally, and his hunger could well see him surpass his 1,000 career goals target.

Ronaldo to play sixth World Cup

Oliveira worked with the Portuguese captain during the qualification phase for the 2010 World Cup and was able to see how, even then, he possessed the mentality to become a footballing great. Ronaldo was 25 when Oliveira knew him best, but the competitive spirit has always been deep inside the forward, who went on to win five Champions League titles and a European Championship, amongst a swathe of domestic titles.

The one trophy that has eluded Ronaldo in his almost perfect career is the World Cup. The 40-year-old will likely have one last shot at lifting the golden trophy at next year’s tournament held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and has spoken frequently of his desire to complete his cabinet of silverware.

The tournament will mark Ronaldo’s sixth World Cup, with the Al-Nassr forward still firing on all cylinders in qualifying. As well as breaking yet another record by becoming the player with the most World Cup qualifiers goals in history, Ronaldo has already helped his nation qualify for the tournament with games to spare.

The continued success of Ronaldo is testament to his mindset, and Oliveira believes the legendary number seven is still desperate for more.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportOliveira lifts lid on Ronaldo's mindset

Asked by why he believes Ronaldo is still performing at a high level at 40, Oliveira explained: “Because he’s still starving. He’s still starving. He’s hungry.

 “He was a young lad, and now he’s the same. That mindset can be contagious to the Portuguese national team. Maybe his last World Cup could be an amazing way for him to finalise international Portuguese games.”

Portugal will possess one of the strongest squads in the competition and have depth in almost every position. The former coach believes that his nation has as good a chance as any and should be fighting for the title.

“I think we have a generation that has to fight for the competition. We are one of the top five national teams that will fight to win the competition,” he said.

The evolution of Ronaldo

Aside from the World Cup, the Al-Nassr forward is also chasing a huge milestone. The aim of reaching 1,000 career goals is one Ronaldo is unlikely to give up on and even as he ages, the striker has adapted his game in order to get the most out of his lethal abilities.

Ronaldo has changed throughout his career, beginning as a tricky winger at Sporting CP he developed into the best player in the world at Manchester United, using his raw pace and skill to complement his developing finishing ability.

At Real Madrid, he typically played on the left of the Los Blancos attack alongside Karim Benzema and the likes of Gareth Bale and Angel Di Maria. In his prime years, he maintained a high level of pace and was capable of finding the back of the net from impossible areas, winning the Ballon d’Or three years running from 2015 to 2017.

As he got older, Ronaldo converted to a more classic centre-forward and, having lost a yard of pace, relied on his shooting and aerial prowess to get him goals. Spells at Juventus, United, and Al-Nassr have all brought goals and yet more records as he continues to shine.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesThe World Cup dream remains

The World Cup remains the missing piece of the puzzle for Ronaldo. Although, at times, he has played down his desperation to win the tournament, he will be doing all he can to lift the trophy next year. Portugal have two World Cup qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland and Armenia to come next week as the nation looks to demonstrate their credentials to the world.

As they prepare to square off against Chelsea in search of a victory that could see them rise into the Premier League’s top four, Sunderland have been handed a major blow.

Le Bris delivers verdict on "really strong" Chelsea side

The Black Cats have been a joy to watch so far this season and last weekend featured yet another moment to remember for those in Wearside as they brushed past Wolverhampton Wanderers. In a game that many tipped to be a relegation six-pointer, Sunderland laid down a marker and now sit as high as seventh in the Premier League on 14 points.

One of their biggest tests now awaits, however. In search of back-to-back wins in the Premier League, Sunderland will travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea this Saturday.

The Blues just eased past Ajax in the Champions League and Regis Le Bris knows exactly how impressive Enzo Maresca’s side can be – telling reporters: It’s been a good start to the season. It shows we were consistent, flexible.

“Chelsea are really strong, it’s a top four team in the Premier League. They can play 60 games, they have depth, young and dynamic. It’s a good example for us. They are well coached and have individuals who can win a game. A big test.”

Victory over one of the Premier League’s big six would be Sunderland’s biggest statement yet, especially on the road. So far this season, for all their impressive form, they’ve won just once on the road and that came against a Nottingham Forest side in crisis.

Le Bris has already found the formula to success at the Stadium of Light, but replicating that form without home comforts should see Sunderland survive with ease. If the Black Cats are looking to commence that away form this weekend, however, then they’ll have to do so without one of their key men.

Premier League rule forces Alderete out of Chelsea game

As reported by Sky Sports’ Keith Downie, Sunderland will now be without Omar Alderete against Chelsea courtesy of the Premier League’s concussion protocols, which were introduced for the 2014-15 season. The rules state that once a concussion is diagnosed, players must follow a mandatory graduated return to play protocol, which is a staged program of activity that takes at least 14 days.

Saved by Mukiele: Sunderland star must be dropped after 5/10 Wolves display

Sunderland picked up another Premier League win, this time defeating Wolves.

ByKelan Sarson Oct 19, 2025

Le Bris admitted that this could also see Alderete miss the Everton game on Monday 3 November, telling reporters: “The only one [injury concern]. is Omar – he is under concussions protocols. He is having daily assessments – we’ll keep monitoring him. We will see if he can make Everton.”

It’s frustrating news for Sunderland, who have quickly seen Alderete become an integral part of Le Bris’ backline since the start of the season. Without him, the Black Cats could turn towards the experienced and versatile Luke O’Nien, who’d be making his first Premier League appearance of the campaign.

Vincent Kompany’s new Bayern Munich contract runs until 2029 without a release clause but with a Champions League bonus. The Belgian, who led Bayern to the Bundesliga title in his first season, has been rewarded for his rapid success as the club look to secure their long-term future under the 39-year-old tactician.

• Kompany signed long-term deal with Bayern until 2029

  Bayern recently announced the extension of Kompany’s contract until June 2029, a major show of confidence in the Belgian manager after a stellar debut campaign in Bavaria. The new deal makes Kompany the first coach since Hansi Flick in 2020 to be offered a renewal by the club, underlining the hierarchy’s satisfaction with his work.

  Bayern’s leadership finalised the agreement at the club's headquarters, marking the occasion with a celebratory toast. The 39-year-old’s deal was initially due to expire in 2027, but the two-year extension ensures long-term stability after several seasons of managerial turnover.

  Importantly, Kompany’s new contract does not contain a release clause, a key move to safeguard the German club against potential future interest from Manchester City, his former club, or other top European sides. Instead, the deal features performance-based incentives, including a lucrative bonus if Bayern win the Champions League.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  The structure behind Bayern’s long-term faith

  The ex-Burnley manager's immediate impact in Munich has been undeniable. After taking over from Thomas Tuchel in the summer of 2024, he guided Die Roten to a dominant Bundesliga title, finishing 13 points clear and scoring 99 goals in 34 matches – a return to the free-flowing, aggressive football that defines the club’s identity.

  This season, Bayern’s resurgence has continued. They currently sit top of the Bundesliga with 24 points from eight games, boasting both the best attack with 30 goals and the best defence with only four conceded. Their recent 3-0 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach marked their 13th consecutive win across all competitions, equalling an elite European record previously held by AC Milan in 1992-93.

  Such results have cemented Kompany’s growing reputation as one of Europe’s most promising young managers. His emphasis on tactical flexibility, ball progression through the backline, and vertical attacking transitions has rejuvenated a Bayern squad that looked disjointed under previous management.

• Inside Kompany’s Champions League clause and Bayern’s ambitions

  Bayern’s management see the Champions League as the next major frontier for Kompany. After the club’s quarter-final exit to Inter last season, the new clause offers tangible reward for continental glory, a €1 million bonus should the team lift the trophy, according to .

  The clause symbolises Bayern’s renewed belief in a long-term project built around the former Manchester City captain’s modern footballing vision. Kompany himself spoke about his pride and motivation to build on their progress: “I’m grateful, honoured and would like to thank FC Bayern for the trust and the working environment they’ve given me from day one. It feels like I’ve been here a lot longer and that I know the club well. It’s been a great experience so far. We’ve started on a wonderful journey. Let’s keep working hard and celebrate much more success!”

  His words reflect a growing harmony between the club's leadership and coaching staff, something that had been missing since Flick’s departure.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  Tough tests ahead for Kompany’s record-breaking Bayern

  The Bavarians' focus now turns to a crucial ten-day stretch that could define their early-season momentum. Kompany’s men face three major fixtures: a DFB-Pokal clash against Koln on October 29, a Bundesliga showdown with Bayer Leverkusen on November 1, and a high-stakes Champions League meeting with Luis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain, on November 4.

  Bayern are targeting a return to continental dominance after five years without a Champions League title. With Kompany now secured until 2029 and a strong blend of youth and experience in the squad, Bayern believe they’ve finally found the leadership stability to compete for Europe’s biggest prize once again.

  If the Belgian can translate his domestic brilliance to Europe, that €1m bonus may be just the beginning of a golden era under his watch.

Australia international Matt Kuhnemann ripped through Middlesex’s top order either side of lunch as Glamorgan cruised to a ten-wicket victory in the Rothesay County Championship Division Two clash at Sophia Gardens.The left-arm spinner, available for this match only before his involvement in the World Test Championship final next month, ensured he left a lasting impression in Cardiff, returning career-best figures of 6 for 53.It is the first time since 2015 that the Welsh county have achieved three Championship wins on the bounce and the only time in their history that they have achieved the feat by winning each match inside three days. Victory propels Glamorgan, temporarily at least, into second place behind leaders Leicestershire and marks a truly remarkable turnaround for Sam Northeast’s men, who, after the opening three fixtures, sat 19 points adrift at the bottom of the table.With a soggy bank holiday Monday predicted in Cardiff and a first hour utterly dominated by the Middlesex opening pair of Sam Robson and Max Holden it was starting to look like a victory that might slip through the fingers of the home side.After Middlesex were asked to follow-on 228 runs behind the hosts, Robson appeared to be on a one-man mission to reduce the deficit as he flayed Glamorgan’s attack to all parts during the early exchanges – his first 28 runs came courtesy of boundaries as he raced to a half-century off just 40 balls, which included 10 fours.In an attempt to gain some control, Glamorgan turned to spin in just the 15th over of the morning. When Kuhnemann’s first ball was drilled disdainfully through extra cover for four by Holden it appeared little was about to change. However, with the score on 98, Kuhnemann found Holden’s inside edge and Asa Tribe took a sharp catch at short leg to begin the Middlesex slide.Robson soon followed, failing to pick a Kuhnemann arm-ball, the former England man trapped on the crease lbw for an entertaining 66 off just 58 balls. When the Aussie bowled Leus du Plooy through the gate, the game had suddenly been broken wide open with Middlesex reduced to 113 for 3.As lunch approached, Timm van der Gugten got in on the act for Glamorgan, Luke Hollman edging into the cordon where Kiran Carlson took a smart, low catch at second slip. It capped an extraordinary end to what was looking like being a rather chastening morning session for Glamorgan, four wickets had fallen for just 17 runs and 98 for 0 had suddenly become 115 for 4.Bright sunshine greeted the players as the afternoon session got underway, however, the upturn in weather failed to bring a change of fortune for Middlesex. Ben Geddes decided attack was the best form of defensive but his expansive drive off Kuhnemann was miscued and Zain-ul-Hassan took an excellent back-peddling catch at wide mid-off to give the spinner his fourth wicket.James Harris (2-65) removed Ryan Higgins and Zafar Gohar to leave the visitors reeling on 160 for 7 before Kuhnemann had Middlesex keeper Jack Davies caught on the midwicket fence for his fifth wicket of the innings.At 190 for 8, Middlesex were facing the prosect of an innings defeat but skipper Toby Roland-Jones refused to go down without a fight, unleashing a series of lofty blows on his way to 57 off just 42 balls with four sixes. He too was caught in the deep by Harris, this time off van der Gugten (2-29) before Kuhnemann dismissed No. 11 Dane Paterson to record his maiden six-wicket haul in first-class cricket.The Middlesex innings closed on 235, meaning Glamorgan required just 8 runs for victory, which they knocked off without any alarms after 2.2 overs.With attention now turning to the Vitality Blast, both sides will be back in County Championship action on Sunday June 22. Glamorgan visit pace-setters Leicestershire while Middlesex will look to get their promotion push back on track with a trip to bottom side Northamptonshire.

Celtic confirmed their place in the last four of the League Cup on Sunday afternoon with a comfortable 4-0 win over Partick Thistle away from home.

The Hoops strolled to a victory that was never in any serious doubt throughout the 90 minutes, thanks to goals from Hyun-jun Yang, Liam Scales, Sebastian Tounekti, and Luke McCowan.

After a promising debut against Kilmarnock last time out, creating four chances (per Sofascore), Tounekti caught the eye once again with his performance on the left flank.

Why Sebastian Tounekti is already a star player for Celtic

Brendan Rodgers handed the Tunisia international another start after his bow in the Scottish Premiership last weekend, and was rewarded with an impressive display.

Tounekti was a constant threat down the left side, particularly in the first half, and Premier Sports pundit Michael Stewart described him as the “danger man” for Celtic, because he “unsettles” defenders.

He was heavily involved in the opening goal for the Hoops with his excellent pass in behind for Benjamin Nygren to cross to the far post for Yang, as shown in the clip below.

The left-sided attacker then showed his quality in front of goal by scoring after a one-two with Kelechi Iheanacho, which is why the forward should be considered a star player for the team already, as he can create, he can dribble, and he can score goals.

Tounekti was far from the only impressive performer on the park for the Scottish giants, though, as Iheanacho showed that he is a player for the fans to be excited about.

Why Celtic fans should be excited about Kelechi Iheanacho

After the disappointment of deadline day, it would be hard to blame any supporter for not being too excited by the arrival of the Nigeria international on a free transfer after Sevilla were willing to terminate his contract.

The left-footed striker only scored four goals in 26 appearances in all competitions in the 2024/25 campaign, per Sofascore, for Middlesbrough and Sevilla combined, which did little to help the lack of excitement around his signing.

However, Iheanacho’s first two performances have shown that he is a player who the supporters should be excited about, after scoring a 96th-minute penalty against Kilmarnock on his debut last weekend.

Vs Kilmarnock

Kelechi Iheanacho

Minutes

20

Touches

9

Shots

3

Goals

1

Passes completed

3/5

Duels won

0/2

Stats via Sofascore

The former Manchester City striker was rewarded with his first start for the club for this clash with Partick Thistle and delivered an impressive centre-forward showing.

Premier Sports commentator Rory Hamilton claimed that Iheanacho and Tounekti are players “to be excited about” moving forward this season, and both players combined for the third goal in the match for Celtic.

As you can see in the clip above, the Celtic striker did brilliantly to flick the ball round the corner to tee the winger up to score, showing great awareness, creativity, and technical ability.

That was not a one-off for Iheanacho in the match. He consistently held the ball up and produced impressive flicks to find teammates making advances towards the opposition’s box.

The 28-year-old star, who was handed a 7/10 player rating by GlasgowWorld, was a fantastic facilitator for his teammates with the creativity and reliability in his hold-up play, against Partick Thistle defenders who wanted to get tight and physical with him.

Iheanacho was as good as Tounekti, as both players showed that they were too good for the opposition to deal with, and supporters must now be excited about what the forward can produce over the course of an entire season if he can stay fit.

Related Worth more than Tounekti: Celtic are brewing the new Reo Hatate at Parkhead

Celtic have a brilliant midfield star who could be the club’s next Reo Hatate in the middle of the park.

Posts ByDan Emery Sep 16, 2025

Hopefully, Rodgers will select both players in the starting line-up when Celtic kick off their Europa League campaign against Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday night.

Aston Villa have been hindered this summer by the Premier League’s controversial Profit and Sustainability regulations, imposed prohibitively on Unai Emery’s plans this summer.

There’s no question that the focus is on returning to the Champions League and Emery crowning his era in the English Midlands with silverware, but that’s easier said than done.

Villa are into the Europa League, at least, having finished sixth last term, falling agonisingly short after a miserable and contentious loss at Old Trafford on the final day.

While the Premier League side have missed out on the bonanza that would have come through reprising their place in Europe’s elite competition, they have completed some shrewd signings, with Marco Bizot from Brest taking the number two spot between the sticks and the versatile Evann Guessand adding firepower across the frontline, having recently signed from OGC Nice.

Though another deal could yet be completed, it appears that much hinges on the future of Leon Bailey.

The latest on Leon Bailey's Villa future

The Athletic have confirmed that Bailey, 28, is in talks with Serie A giants Roma over a potential transfer away from Villa Park this summer.

The Jamaican winger only started 14 times in the Premier League last season as he struggled against injuries, which punctuated his campaign.

However, he was electric the term before, racking up 19 goal contributions across the top-flight campaign, and it’s clear that more quality is needed to ensure that Emery has enough firepower to tackle multiple fronts once again this year.

And should Roma secure their quarry, it appears the Villans have already lined up the perfect replacement.

Villa join race for Bailey replacement

According to journalist Sebastien Vidal, Aston Villa are ready to join the race for Leicester City winger Abdul Fatawu, should Bailey complete his potential move to Roma in the coming weeks.

The 21-year-old Fatawu suffered an injury-hit 2024/25 season but managed to showcase his quality across the smattering of fixtures he appeared in.

Everton have also been reported to have a vested interest in the speedy winger, so Monchi and co will need to ramp up the gas if they hope to get this one over the line.

Why Emery wants Abdul Fatawu

Leicester signed Fatawu from Sporting Lisbon last summer after he played an instrumental role in achieving promotion from the Championship in 2023/24.

An athletic, pacy and combative winger, Fatawu has the perfect skill set for the Premier League, and given that he has burst onto the scene in the second tier, he could prove to be Villa’s next version of Morgan Rogers.

The ice-cold attacking midfielder was one of Aston Villa’s biggest success stories from last season, notching 30 goal contributions across all competitions as he played a crucial role in making Emery’s system tick. The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell had described him as a “machine” of an attacking midfielder for his labours.

However, he’d previously completed 61 matches in the Championship, and it’s for this reason that Villa could repeat their own trick by signing Fatawu from the King Power Stadium this summer.

Remarked by talent scout Jacek Kulig to have been “simply unplayable” at times across the 2023/24 Championship season, it’s regrettable from a Leicester standpoint that Fatawu was cruelly ruled out for the lion’s share of last season, especially when he showed great promise across his few outings in ther Premier League.

In fact, even though Fatawu has struggled for fitness over the past 12 months, he still ranks among the top 4% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe for progressive carries, the top 1% for successful take-ons and the top 15 for tackles won per 90 too, via FBref.

Indeed, looking at the Ghanaian’s performances across the past two years, you begin to see why Emery is invested in striking a deal over the next couple of weeks, adding not just creativity to his side but also some muscle and energy to his right flank too.

Matches (starts)

40 (33)

11 (6)

Goals

6

0

Assists

13

2

Shots (on target)*

1.9 (0.4)

1.2 (0.5)

Pass completion

80%

68%

Big chances created

32

2

Key passes*

1.7

0.5

Dribbles*

2.3

2.6

Ball recoveries*

3.7

3.5

Tackles + interceptions*

2.0

2.3

Duels (won)*

6.1

7.6

And though he’s only played once in the Championship this season, Sofascore also record that the rising prospect completed six dribbles and won a whopping 12 duels, underscoring his one-of-a-kind physicality.

This level of completeness at such an early stage of his career emphasises a likeness to the 23-year-old Rogers, for the England international won 4.7 duels and made 1.2 tackles per game in the Premier League last season, as also recorded by Sofascore.

But with a potent attacking threat at the forefront of his game, it’s clear that Rogers could find himself mimicked by Fatawu, should the Ghanaian succeed in earning his big move after two years with Leicester which have shown potential but seen him spiral back into the Premier League after frustration last season.

Given that Rogers also created 16 big chances in the top flight last term, partnered with his preferred position existing in the centre or out on the left, there’s no reason why Fatawu and Rogers could not cohabit in Emery’s starting line-up over the coming years, each sharing similar skills but bearing their own tactical identity.

Whether Aston Villa manage to pull this one off remains to be seen, especially since Everton remain hopeful that they can strike a deal themselves.

But without a doubt, this is the kind of shrewd signing that could bear dividends in the long run, and if Bailey’s chapter in England truly is at an end, there are few better replacements currently on the market.

Emery's new Asensio: Aston Villa hold talks over signing £18m "wizard"

Aston Villa are looking to sign another attacker this summer

ByJoe Nuttall Aug 14, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

O Corinthians recebeu, nesta sexta-feira (23), o prêmio CONAFUT, de melhor departamento de futebol feminino do Brasil no ano de 2022. 70% dos votos vieram de um júri especializado, 20% dos participantes do evento e 10% de votação popular.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansAthletico-PR x Corinthians: onde assistir, prováveis escalações e desfalques do jogo pelo BrasileirãoCorinthians23/06/2023Fora de CampoPreço de banana? Torcedores do Corinthians ficam ‘irados’ com valor da venda de Mantuan para o ZenitFora de Campo23/06/2023CorinthiansSem Renato Augusto e com baixa no ataque, Corinthians fecha preparação para encarar o Athletico-PRCorinthians23/06/2023

+ Corinthians aproveita erros do Santos, e Ruan Oliveira se destaca em vitória; veja notas

Esta é a terceira vez que as Brabas garantem o prêmio CONAFUT, vencendo a categoria em 2018 e 2021. Cris Gambaré, diretora do futebol feminino do Timão, ressaltou o trabalho realizado no clube nesses últimos anos. 

+ Renove o seu estoque de camisas do Timão com o cupom LANCEFUT 10% OFF

– O Corinthians é um case de sucesso no futebol feminino porque conseguiu ocupar o espaço correto. Foi dada essa oportunidade e soubemos fazer da melhor forma o que a equipe precisava em cada ano – disse Cris ao receber o prêmio da CONAFUT.

continua após a publicidade

A diretoria destacou que a meta do departamento é colocar o clube entre os cinco melhores do mundo.

– O melhor foco para seguir como referência é sempre buscar um objetivo a mais. E, claro, além de tudo isso, respeitar as atletas, a comissão técnica e o nosso próprio espaço – concluiu Cris.

+ Timão se afasta do Z4? Veja tabela e os próximos jogos do Brasileirão

Em 2022, as Brabas faturaram a Supercopa do Brasil, o Campeonato Brasileiro e a Copa Paulista.

Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney has admitted he was worried for Ruben Amorim’s side after Chelsea were reduced to 10 men early on in Saturday’s clash at Old Trafford. The Red Devils went on to win 2-1 against the Blues, but Rooney has revealed he was concerned his former club would lose to the 10 men which would have brought even more pressure on Amorim.

Man Utd secure much-needed win

Amorim's side picked up a much-needed win on Saturday by beating Chelsea 2-1. The Blues suffered an early blow when goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was sent off after just four minutes, before goals Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro put the hosts in a commanding position. United looked set to cruise to victory but a red card for Casemiro and a late goal from Trevoh Chalobah meant Amorim's side ended up hanging on for a scrappy win.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportRooney reveals Man Utd fears

Rooney has now shared his thoughts on the game and admitted he feared for the Red Devils after Chelsea went a man down. He told : "Do you know what? I thought even with 11 men, I thought they started the game really well and caused Chelsea problems. And then when Chelsea went to 10 men, I was worried! I was thinking, it's just like United now to go and lose the game. And then I think that would have brought a whole lot of more pressure on the manager. But I thought they played really well first half and then second half, it's silly, it's naive from Casemiro. As soon as he got his yellow card, I was watching it in the BBC studios with Danny Murphy and I said that I'd take him off. He's going to get sent off. You just knew what was going to happen and it could have cost us in the end."

Man Utd's discipline impresses Rooney

Rooney also revealed how impressed he was with Manchester United's discipline after they had lost Casemiro. He added: "I think what I liked in the second half was the discipline from United, they defended well and kept the ball in front of them and Chelsea were poor. Chelsea were slow and moving the ball side to side but not really trying to penetrate. The only two crosses they put in the box is the one for the goal and one late on which caused another big chance but I think you have to praise Man United for in them conditions as well, they showed a lot of discipline and that's a huge win. Let’s just enjoy the three points!"

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Casemiro makes unwanted history for Man Utd

Casemiro's red card means he is the first Manchester United player to score and be sent off in the first half of a Premier League match, and the first overall in the competition since Emmanuel Adebayor for Spurs against Arsenal in November 2012.

Manchester United’s transfer window has already been a huge success, with Ruben Amorim making key additions to help him in his quest for success at Old Trafford.

He’s already landed Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers, costing a staggering £62.5m but massively bolstering the number ten position within the first-team squad.

Bryan Mbeumo also made the move to join the Red Devils, also costing a pretty penny, with the hierarchy forking out a whopping £71m to lure him away from Brentford.

Whilst the pair have already set the club back over £130m this summer, they will offer that creative spark Amorim’s side have been missing, notching 35 combined Premier League goals between them last season.

However, their big-money window also looks set to continue with a couple of weeks remaining, targeting multiple talents who would further improve the club’s chance of success in the near future.

The latest on United’s hunt for new additions this summer

Benjamin Sesko looks to be United’s latest addition this summer, after the club made a £74m offer for the RB Leipzig striker in the last 24 hours – a figure that could be enough to land his signature.

Newcastle United have also submitted a bid for the Slovenian international, but the latest reports suggest that the player himself is favouring a move to Old Trafford over a switch to St James’ Park.

However, he’s not the only player currently in their sights, with Juventus star Douglas Luiz a player appearing on their radar, according to Football Insider.

Their report claims that the Red Devils have entered talks with the Serie A side over a move for the Brazilian, who’s been allowed to depart the club less than 12 months after joining.

It also states that West Ham United, Everton and Nottingham Forest are also in the race for his signature, leading to a loan with an obligation to buy being mooted for the 27-year-old.

Why United’s latest target would be perfect for Mbeumo & Cunha

Given United’s measly Premier League tally of just 44 goals last season, it’s evident that the side desperately needed added reinforcements in the final third – something which the hierarchy have evidently done this window.

The aforementioned duo of Cunha and Mbeumo’s tally of 35 goals would’ve equated to 80% of the side’s tally, highlighting the added threat the Red Devils will possess in 2025/26.

However, they will need ammunition if they are to succeed in their first season at the club, with Bruno Fernandes likely to be the main candidate based on the previous campaign.

The Portuguese international notched 18 assists across all competitions last season, but he could be joined by Luiz in his quest to provide his teammates with chances in the final third.

Whilst he only managed 27 appearances for the Old Lady last season, the former Aston Villa star still managed to thrive with the ball at his feet, making him an excellent deep-lying option in Amorim’s system.

His talent on the ball could provide the likes of Cunha and Mbeumo with added chances for success in front of goal, whilst also being an excellent buy given his previous five-year spell at Aston Villa in England’s top-flight.

Luiz, who’s been labelled “world-class” by analyst Adam Gilks, registered an 87% pass completion rate, whilst making 2.6 key passes per 90 – ranking him within the top 1% of all players in Serie A last campaign.

Games played

19

Minutes played

516

Pass accuracy

87%

Progressive passes

6.1

Progressive carries

2.7

Key passes made

2.6

Passes into final third

3.2

Tackles won

1.4

% of tackles won

67%

Such tallies would be perfect for those ahead of him, with his figure of 6.1 progressive passes and 3.2 passes into the final third per 90 further highlighting his creative ability, which would massively aid the new additions in attacking areas.

Out of possession, the Brazilian has been just as impressive, winning 1.4 tackles per 90 at a success rate of 67%, handing the side the needed defensive talent at the heart of the side.

Any move for Luiz this summer would be an excellent piece of business, offering Amorim with the perfect box-to-box option in midfield, subsequently able to have the tools to impress at both ends of the pitch.

If he can carry his creativity over with him from Italy, he can help his fellow new additions to thrive during their first year in Manchester, which could allow the side to rise up the table throughout 2025/26.

The next Bruno: Man Utd readying bid for "outstanding" talent after Sesko

Manchester United’s activity this window is showing no signs after making their move for Benjamin Sesko.

ByEthan Lamb Aug 6, 2025

Are Celtic set to make more signings soon?

So far, the Hoops have unveiled six new recruits, the most exciting of which is the returning hero Kieran Tierney, while Benjamin Nygren, Callum Osmund, Ross Doohan and Japanese duo Hayato Inamura and Shin Yamada have also arrived.

Nevertheless, speaking ahead of Thursday night’s pre-season friendly against Ajax in Como, manager Brendan Rodgers stated that he requires new players “for the present”, adding that “I want players in tomorrow, but I understand the market”, so could he be set to finally secure the signature of his number one target?

Celtic's search for attacking reinforcements

Following last mid-week’s friendly victory over Sporting CP in the Algarve, Rodgers said that he wants “to add [more] to our front line” because “we’ve lost a lot of goals”, following the departures of both Kyōgo Furuhashi and, more recently, Nicolas Kühn this year.

The table below underlines this point.

Daizen Maeda

43

Yes

Kyōgo Furuhashi

31

No

Adam Idah

29

Yes

Nicolas Kühn

24

No

Matt O’Riley

19

No

Reo Hatate

14

Yes

Callum McGregor

12

Yes

Arne Engels

10

Yes

Luis Palma

10

No

As the table outlines, three of Celtic’s top five scorers from the last two seasons have departed, very thankful that Daizen Maeda is still at the club, following his 33-goal haul last season, picking up pretty much every individual accolade going.

So now, could the Bhoys secure the signing of a long-term target reminiscent of the Japanese forward?

Well, according to a report by The Daily Record, Celtic are set to step up their interest in Royal Antwerp winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha.

Fair to say, this has entered into saga territory, with the Hoops having been chasing the Belgian for weeks now, if not months, and Antwerp manager Stef Wils admitting publicly that Celtic’s offers so far ‘have been below’ his club’s valuation.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Just last week, speaking on Off The Underside, Anthony Joseph of Sky Sports stated that Balikwisha “would like to join Celtic”, with the winger valued at around £5m, despite being in the final year of his contract.

So, could this storyline finally be coming to an end, with Balikwisha ending up at Parkhead?

How Michel-Ange Balikwisha would improve Celtic

One of the reasons Celtic appear hesitant to sign Balikwisha is his injury record, missing significant periods of time in recent seasons due to a thigh issue.

​​​​​​​

Nevertheless, his talent is clear for all to see, with analyst Will Glavin describing him as a “direct wide threat” who is “creative​​​​​​​” and “technically sharp”, concluding that he would represent a “potential bargain”, given his contractual situation, and the fact Antwerp may be under pressure to sell, having failed to qualify for European competition.

Meantime, Ben Mattinson describes him as “two-footed” and “capable of beating a defender” both inside and out, which makes him so “unpredictable”.

So, let’s analyse how his statistics compare to those of Maeda.

Appearances

141

158

Minutes

10,089

11,213

Goals

29

62

Assists

17

28

Shots per 90

1.47

1.97

Shots on target %

42%

44.7%

Goals – xG

+3.9

+0.1

Big chances missed

16

60

Take-on success %

39%

37.8%

As the table outlines, Balikwisha and Maeda are stylistically very similar players, with both men comfortable operating off the left flank, or in a centre-forward berth.

The Japanese international does boast the better end product, scoring more goals, providing more assists and mustering more shots, but their similarities are most obvious when it comes to dribbling, the Belgian having the slight edge in that regard.

Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout supports this by praising the Antwerp attacker’s “pace and dribbling” ability.

Meantime, Balikwisha is the more clinical finisher, hence why his goals – xG figure is better, while missing exponentially fewer Opta-defined big chances during the timeframe analysed.

Blair Meikle of the Herald documents how Maeda was Celtic’s most influential player last season, constantly delivering in big moments, but he cannot shoulder the attacking burden by himself, so Balikwisha would surely be an excellent addition, with a huge, season-defining Champions League play-off tie now less than four weeks away.

Better than Balikwisha: Celtic pursuing deal for "underrated" £5m star

Celtic could have identified a perfect alternative to Michel Ange Balikwisha…

ByRobbie Walls Jul 23, 2025