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Lisandro Martinez believes Ruben Amorim has the necessary qualities to turn things around at Manchester United after two tough Premier League seasons.

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Article continues below

Article continues below

• Martinez backs Amorim for United success
• Finished 15th last season
• Lost Europa League final

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Amorim endured a tough 2024-25 season after leaving Sporting CP in Portugal to take the reins at United following Erik ten Hag's departure. The Red Devils couldn't muster up any sort of consistency and failed to win eight of their last nine Premier League matches of the campaign. The Portuguese coach also came under intense scrutiny after his side were beaten by Tottenham in the Europa League final, denying them any sort of continental football for the upcoming term.

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  Big changes are needed at United if they are to thrive in Amorim's first full campaign at Old Trafford. Defender Martinez was a big miss after rupturing his cruciate ligament in February but the Argentina international has seen enough from his new boss to believe brighter times are ahead.

• WHAT MARTINEZ SAID

  Martinez told : "The club is obviously going through a process of change. Since Six Alex Ferguson's departure, they haven't found a manager who hits the right note. Ten Hag did a remarkable job at Ajax, which is why he went to United, and thanks to him, I joined the club as well.

  "It's like everything in life: you take a gamble, and sometimes it works out well, sometimes it doesn't. I think that, like any club, if something isn't working, it needs to be changed. It's necessary to analyse what's working and what isn't and make changes accordingly because that's how great clubs operate. Manchester is one of the best clubs in the world.

  "Now Ruben Amorim has arrived with very good energy and willingness. I believe he will make the necessary changes. Without a doubt change is needed, because where we ended up in the table over the last two seasons is unacceptable."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Martinez still has a significant amount of rehabilitation to get through before he is available to Amorim again in a playing capacity. His severe knee injury could keep the former Ajax star out until early 2025.

Lucas Vazquez is set to leave Real Madrid after first joining them as a 16-year-old in 2007, with the Spaniard posting an emotional farewell online.

• Vazquez's contract with Madrid has expired
• Posted heartfelt farewell on social media
• His next club has not yet been finalised

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Vazquez is officially an ex-Real Madrid player. The 34-year-old's contract with the club expired on July 13, upon the end of the Club World Cup. On Wednesday, the former Spanish international posted a farewell letter for Madrid and the fans, stating that "every step along the way has been a gift."

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  Vazquez joined Real Madrid's famed youth academy, La Fabrica, as a 16-year-old in 2007. He rose through the ranks rapidly and helped reserve side Real Madrid Castilla return to the second tier after a five-year absence, with the B team winning the third division at the end of the 2011-12 season. His displays earned him a loan to Espanyol in La Liga in the 2014-15 season, after which he was promoted to the Blancos first team in the 2015-16 season. Never one of the stars names in the dressing room, Vazquez embodied Madridismo like very few other in recent memory, and sacrificed himself on countless occasions to prioritise the team's interests. He played 402 games, scoring 38 goals, delivering 61 assists, and winning 23 trophies – including five Champions League and four league titles.

• WHAT LUCAS VAZQUEZ SAID

  Taking to Instagram, Vazquez posted an emotional farewell video, stating: “Dear Madridistas, it's been nearly two decades since I arrived at Valdebebas as a 16-year-old full of dreams and excitement to wear this shirt. Every step along the way has been a gift, and over time, Madrid became my home.

  “We've lived unforgettable nights together, celebrated 23 titles and created memories that will stay with me forever. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to the President, board, staff, coaches, teammates and above all, to the fans. You pushed me to always give that little bit more.

  “Today, after more than 400 matches, it's time to say goodbye to the club of my life. But I leave with peace of mind knowing I gave it my all. I've always been aware of the responsibility and privilege that comes with wearing this badge. I've enjoyed every match, training session, trip, and if there's one thing this journey has taught me, it's that no one should ever tell you that you can't achieve something.

  “I may be leaving Real Madrid, but Real Madrid will never leave me. Wherever I go, I will proudly say that I had the honor of playing for the greatest club in the world. Thank you for being part of the most beautiful journey of my life. Hala Madrid, and nothing more!”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR LUCAS VAZQUEZ?

  Vazquez's future remains uncertain at the moment. According to reports, the 34-year-old has turned down the opportunity to reunite with Espanyol out of respect for Madrid, while offers from Qatar and Turkish side Fenerbahce remain on the table.

Barcelona have struck a kit sponsorship agreement with the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the club has confirmed.

• DR Congo logo to appear on Barca training shirt
• A potentially controversial move
• Barca receive financial boost

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Barca have struck a deal with DR Congo's Ministry of Sports and Leisure that will see the Congo's logo of DRC, coeur de l’Afrique (DRC, the heart of Africa), on the back of their training shirts. The package is worth a total of €44 million (£38m/$50m) to Barca, who are consistently attempting to balance the books particularly after completing the signing of Marcus Rashford on loan.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The move is hugely controversial, however. While the Camp Nou will now feature House of the DRC, an exhibition which “will highlight the richness and diversity of Congolese cultural and sporting heritage through interactive exhibitions”. However, DRC is currently seeing intense fighting between their nation's army and a Rwandan-backed military group called March 23 Movement. The war has resulted in thousands of deaths, and Amnesty International have said there is an "ongoing human rights crisis" in the country.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Rwanda, of course, have a sponsorship agreement with Arsenal and "Visit Rwanda" appears on the Gunners' shirt sleeves. The British government has suspended aid to the country over their alleged arming of the M23 group, as they continue fighting in the country, but Rwanda deny supporting the rebel group.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Barcelona continue their pre-season preparations against FC Seoul on Thursday. Questions around DRC's sponsorship are unlikely to disappear.

Chelsea beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 in a pre-season friendly on Friday, as Estevao Willian and Joao Pedro impressed at Stamford Bridge.

• Estevao leaves his mark 
• Making his debut at Stamford Bridge and scored
• Pedro rounded out victory

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  TELL ME MORE

  Estevao Willian opened the scoring after just 17 minutes, finishing from close-range after Cole Palmer's lobbed effort bounced off the crossbar. 

  Chelsea dominated territory throughout the first half and looked incredibly comfortable, though Mark Flekken was rarely truly tested. One flashpoint saw Palmer react angrily to a bad tackle from Jarrell Quansah, prompting a short melee, but he shrugged it off. 

  Leverkusen were simply unable to find a way out of their half in the second period and were camped on the edge of their box. 

  While Chelsea somewhat struggled for fluency – understandable given the sheer number of changes made throughout the game – they showed some glimpses of what a brutal attacking force they can be, and Pedro, another summer signing, found the net late on to rubber-stamp the win. 

  The former Brighton attacker took the ball on the edge of the box and fired a low, zipping effort into the bottom corner to a thunderous roar from the Stamford Bridge crowd. He is a fan favourite already.

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  THE MVP

  It simply has to be Estevao. The Brazilian teenager was making his first start in west London with a global super-club. Did it phase him? Not a bit of it. The wonderkid not only scored what was an admittedly simple finish, he lit up the flank with his fearless running and fleet-footed dribbling. Leverkusen could barely get near him. Chelsea have a real player on their hands, here.

• NEW FACES

  Estevao, the Brazilian wonderkid, made quite the first impression with his close-range finish and wild, sliding celebration. While Andrey Santos was signed in 2023, he embarked on a series of loans and is now attempting to break into Enzo Maresca's first XI, earning a start here, with headline-grabbing striker signing Liam Delap up front.

  Jorrel Hato, on at half-time alongside Dario Essugo, made a superb block shortly after his introduction to deny Patrik Schick.

  Just after the hour, Delap was subbed off after another uneventful performance in which he could not properly impact proceedings to be replaced by fellow new signing Pedro. Jamie Gittens also came on for Tyrique George. 

  But it was Pedro who stole the headlines, netting the second goal of the game in the last minute; he has some real momentum ahead of the new campaign. 

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  ONES TO WATCH

  Teenage duo Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George, both 19, started in central defence and on the flank respectively. Acheampong was fortunate to get away with a terrible mistake ten minutes into the second half as he slipped on the ball and allowed Schick in on goal, but his effort was blocked by Hato. 

  Of course, 18-year-old Estevao found the net with one of his first touches in a blue shirt and enjoyed a stunning performance, somewhat putting his fellow youngsters to shame. 

  George, by comparison, ran at the defence every chance he got and was perhaps just a little too eager to show his quality as he kept snatching at his efforts.

  Genesis Antwi, an 18-year-old defender, came off the bench, as did Aaron Anselmino and Samuel Rak-Sakyi, but they barely had any time to make a significant impression. 

Kevin De Bruyne is making an immediate impact at Napoli, with "KDBOOM" registering two goals and an assist in his latest appearance.

• Left Man City as a free agent
• Embracing new challenge in Naples
• Catching the eye in friendlies

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The legendary Belgian midfielder is embracing a new challenge in Italy after bringing an iconic 10-year stint at Manchester City to a close. He took in 422 appearances for the Blues, claiming Premier League, Champions League and PFA Player of the Year honours along the way.

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  City surprisingly allowed De Bruyne to leave as a free agent when reaching the end of his contract. Moves to MLS or the Saudi Pro League were speculated on, but the 34-year-old believes he can compete at the highest level and finds himself in Serie A instead.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  His undoubted quality has been shining through during pre-season, with Napoli being given an early taste of what to expect from the classy playmaker. He needed just 23 minutes to tee up Giovanni Di Lorenzo from a corner and find the net twice himself in a 3-2 friendly win over Girona.

Thomas Frank has revealed Yves Bissouma has been dropped from Tottenham's squad to face Paris Saint-Germain due to poor discipline.

• Spurs face PSG in UEFA Super Cup
• Bissouma won't be part of squad
• Frank reveals reason for punishment

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  New Tottenham manager Frank has revealed Bissouma has been dropped from the squad to face PSG in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday due to a repeated lack of discipline. The Mali international helped Spurs win the Europa League last season, putting in a particularly strong performance during the final, but had shown a rebellious streak under Ange Postecoglou and was briefly suspended by the club after a video emerged of the former Brighton star inhaling laughing gas.

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  Now, on the eve of Tottenham's Super Cup clash with PSG in Udine, Frank has confirmed Bissouma has been left out for being repeatedly late. With Joao Palhinha arriving on loan from Bayern Munich, this piece of poor timekeeping could be a truly damaging mistake from the 28-year-old.

• WHAT FRANK SAID

  Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Frank said: "He has been late several times and now this latest time was one too many. With everything, you need to give your players a lot of love but also have demands and there also need to be consequences and this time there was a consequence for that. For me, there has been a consequence and that is for this trip. I will follow up on that when I come home. I will park it for now because there is a relatively important game tomorrow."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Bissouma's time at Spurs could be coming to an end. He has been linked with teams around Europe including Juventus and Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce, though no outgoing transfer is currently imminent.

Non-league veteran Michael Cheek was named the 2024-25 League Two PFA Players’ Player of the Year after a stunning 25-goal season with Bromley.

• Cheek claims League Two award
• Beats fellow nominees from Notts County and Doncaster
• Veteran scored 25 league goals

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Bromley striker Cheek was awarded the 2024-25 League Two PFA Players’ Player of the Year award at the Manchester Opera House on Tuesday evening. In his first-ever season in the fourth tier of English football, the 33-year-old non-league veteran smashed in 25 goals in 45 appearances to help the Ravens finish an impressive 11th in their first campaign in the English Football League.

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  WHO ELSE WAS NOMINATED?

  Luke Molyneux was the only player from the title-winning Doncaster Rovers side to make the six-player shortlist, while Notts County strike pairing David McGoldrick and Alassana Jatta were recognised after terrorising League Two defences all season long. Nathan Lowe of Walsall and Colchester United's Jack Payne were also up for the trophy.

• PFA LEAGUE TWO TEAM OF THE YEAR 2024-25

  All of the League Two PFA Players’ Player of the Year nominees bar Lowe were also named in the 2024-25 PFA League Two Team of the Year, with no one club dominating the XI. There are representatives from the likes of Wimbledon, Grimsby and Bradford, though there wasn't any space for runners-up Port Vale.

  POSITION	PLAYER (TEAM)
  Goalkeeper	Owen Goodman (Wimbledon)
  Defender	Mickey Demetriou (Crewe)
  Defender	Taylor Allen (Walsall)
  Defender	Denver Hume (Grimsby)
  Defender	Brad Halliday (Bradford)
  Midfielder	Luke Molyneux (Doncaster)
  Midfielder	Jack Payne (Colchester)
  Midfielder	George Abbott (Notts County)
  Forward	Michael Cheek (Bromley)
  Forward	David McGoldrick (Notts County)
  Forward	Alassana Jatta (Notts County)

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  The shortlist of players was compiled by members of the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) in January, with the XI then being picked from a shortlist by stars throughout League Two. Jodi Jones and Andy Cook have previously scooped the main League Two award.

Giovanni Reyna is gearing up for a "fresh start" at Borussia Monchengladbach after the United States star completed his move from Borussia Dortmund.

• Reyna has joined Monchengladbach from Dortmund
• Gladbach's sporting director admitted they felt they had "no chance"
• The club has acknowledged the "risk" of the transfer

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Reyna bid an emotional farewell to Dortmund as he opted to join Bundesliga rivals Monchengladbach for a fee that could rise to €7 million. Gladbach's sporting director, Roland Virkus, revealed the transfer was only possible because the player "wants to make a fresh start" and admitted he initially believed his club had "no chance" of signing the 22-year-old.

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  The move marks the end of a six-year association with Dortmund for Reyna, whose promising career has been significantly stalled by persistent injury problems over the past two seasons. While Gladbach view the signing as a major coup, both Virkus and manager Gerardo Seoane have acknowledged the "residual risk" involved, given the midfielder's fitness record. Seoane has stated that "a lot of work will be needed from everyone in the coming weeks" to manage the player's return to consistent action.
  He played 15 games for BVB last season and got minimal action in the Club World Cup. The 22-year-old was previously named U.S. Soccer's Young Player of the Year in 2020, and he has 32 senior caps, eight goals. The move to Gladbach provides Reyna with an opportunity to rekindle his career, with USMNT teammate and former NYCFC academy colleague Joe Scally with him.

• WHAT ROLAND VIRKUS SAID

  Virkus said: "It's a transfer where we normally have no chance – no chance. But he wants to make a fresh start with us. That's why we should be proud that the boy has chosen Borussia. [He can] play as a hanging striker, on the wing, at number 10, or directly behind a central striker."

  Speaking on his role, he added: "It's important for competition that you're not tied to one position. He puts pressure on all the forward positions – but he doesn't actually block anyone."

  "There's always a bit of residual risk. But we're getting an outstanding young player, something we wouldn't get under normal circumstances."

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• WHAT GERARDO SEONE SAID

  Reyna managed just 25 appearances across the Bundesliga and Champions League last season, starting just five of those. The previous year, injury kept him out of the team for the first two months of the season and he struggled to regain his place, ending in a disappointing loan spell at Nottingham Forest.

  Addressing concerns over his injury history, Gladbach coach Gerardo Seoane said: "We know that Gio has had a history of injuries over the past two years. He's a very young player who has already experienced a lot. He's definitely a great asset for us – but a lot of work will be needed from everyone in the coming weeks."

Aston Villa were torn to shreds for their "crimes" of Harvey Elliott's new shirt number following his transfer from Liverpool. The agreement comes with an obligation to buy him for £35 million next year under certain circumstances, while Liverpool protected themselves with both a buy-back and sell-on clause.

• Villa fans erupt over Elliott's No.9 shirt
• Usually reserved for strikers
• Arrives from Liverpool on initial loan

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Instead of celebrating the arrival of one of England’s brightest young midfielders, the talking point across the Villa fanbase has quickly shifted to a single, bold decision – Elliott being handed the iconic No.9 shirt. Traditionally reserved for centre forwards, and the decision to hand it to Elliott, usually deployed as a creative midfielder or wide playmaker, has caused uproar among supporters.

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• WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

  Social media exploded with fury as Villa fans took aim at the decision. 

  One supporter, @ctsmclovinya, fumed: "I don’t care if it’s Lionel Messi, giving a midfielder the number 9 shirt is a crime against everything football stands for."

  @_Zeets said: "Number 9 as a midfielder? Enough is enough."

  @wwfc2004 wrote bluntly: “Number 9 game is absolutely finished.”

  @DOUGLASLUlZ was more forgiving but still baffled: “Don’t like the 9 choice, but this guy is so cold. Villa’s best ever RW? What a player, what a footballer. Him, Rogers and Sanch – straight vibes.”

  And perhaps the sharpest jibe of the day came from @MoloneyBilly: "That should be illegal if you’re not a striker."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  While Villa fans argue over shirt etiquette, Elliott himself has his eyes fixed on far bigger prizes. The midfielder, crowned Player of the Tournament at the European Under-21 Championships in Slovakia, believes this move could push him into Thomas Tuchel’s England senior squad ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

  Speaking earlier in the summer, Elliott insisted his focus is on becoming a member of the Three Lions: "I want to prove myself at the highest level and fight for a place with England at the World Cup."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ELLIOTT?

  Elliott may not be the only big name debuting for Villa when they face Everton on September 13. The Liverpool loanee could line up alongside another fresh arrival, Jadon Sancho, as the club ushers in a new era of flair and ambition.

Hakim Ziyech could join Sevilla as a free agent, but the Andalusian outfit will need to offload an out-of-favour goalkeeper to free up the funds.

• Ziyech could join Sevilla for free
• La Liga side eager to offload a player to free up salary space
• Moroccan last played for Al-Duhail in Qatar

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Despite the transfer window being closed, speculation continues at Sevilla, largely due to the lingering possibility of signing former Ajax and Chelsea star Ziyech. The Moroccan winger and playmaker remains a free agent, and his name resurfaced at the end of August as a potential target, reports.

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  However, Sevilla’s hands are tied financially, mainly due to their inability to offload goalkeeper Alvaro Fernandez. The out-of-favour shot-stopper, renewed by former sporting director Victor Orta shortly before his dismissal, continues to train separately as head coach Matias Almeyda has excluded him from his plans. Efforts to negotiate a transfer or terminate the 27-year-old's contract have stalled, preventing the club from freeing up salary space. A loan to Deportivo La Coruna with an option to buy was on the cards, but the one-cap Spaniard has now been registered in La Liga instead.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Ziyech joined Galatasaray on loan from Chelsea in the summer of 2023, before his move was made permanent in May 2024. However, just six months into his second season in Istanbul, he publicly stated that he "didn't want to play here anymore" in a sensational outburst. His contract was terminated on January 29, 2025, which allowed him to sign for Qatari side Al-Duhail on undisclosed terms. Within four months, though, his contract was terminated by mutual consent. Reports indicated that Serie A side Fiorentina expressed interest in signing him on a free transfer over the summer, but a move never materialised.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR HAKIM ZIYECH?

  Sevilla's new director of football, Antonio Cordon, hinted that Ziyech's arrival was not off the table when providing his thoughts at the end of the transfer window. "We've left a small budget, just in case, at the last minute, some player decides to significantly lower his salary and demands to come to the club. We've left it there," said Cordon. Ziyech has, so far, rejected all offers that have come his way, which could point towards his desire to arrive at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.