Sunderland vs Manchester United

Joe Gomez was forced off after just eight minutes of Andoni Iraola's first game as Liverpool manager, leaving two 18-year-old debutants to marshal the defence in a 4-2 preseason win over Sunderland. With Van Dijk rested, Jacquet eased in and Leoni still recovering from an ACL tear, Iraola's admission that his squad is 'very thin' defensively now looks prophetic.

Manchester United have already spent £83m on Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans this summer, but Casemiro's exit and Manuel Ugarte's knee injury have forced Michael Carrick to chase a third midfielder. Eduardo Camavinga, Sander Berge, Manu Koné and Alex Scott are all in the frame, with conflicting reports suggesting United still haven't settled on one clear target.

Casemiro has left Manchester United by mutual consent and signed for Inter Miami as a free agent through 2027 with an option to 2029, joining Messi, De Paul and Reguilon in a squad that looks increasingly like a genuine galácticos project rather than a farewell tour.

Marcus Rashford's £26m Barcelona option and £40m release clause both expired unused this summer, leaving Manchester United's top earner contracted until 2028 with no clear path out despite a La Liga title and England's best World Cup since 1966.

Aston Villa's £38m signing of João Gomes from Wolves is the third move in a turbulent summer that has seen Youri Tielemans leave for Manchester United and Morgan Rogers close in on a £117m Chelsea exit. Meanwhile United's incremental recruitment of Tynan Thompson, plus interest in Lewis Hall and Antonee Robinson, points to a very different rebuilding philosophy.

Marcus Rashford is expected to report back to Manchester United after the World Cup. That return does not by itself settle whether he will stay for the season.

Manchester United's planned Éderson transfer did not proceed on the agreed terms. The midfielder subsequently renewed his Atalanta contract to June 2031.

A BBC gossip item relayed a claim that Manchester United were ready to bid for Carlos Baleba. No bid was confirmed, and the story did not establish a Ruben Amorim midfield blueprint.