Man Utd
Mainoo Ends 10-Year Wait as United Complete 3–2 Double Over Liverpool
Mainoo’s second-half strike secured a 3–2 win as United completed their first double over Liverpool.
Kobbie Mainoo’s second-half strike settled a chaotic contest as Manchester United completed their first Premier League double over Liverpool in a decade with a 3–2 victory.
United raced into a 2–0 interval lead through summer signings Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Šeško. Šeško ran the channels and looked fully settled, while Cunha combined grit and tidy possession to trouble the visitors. United’s hold seemed comfortable at half-time, but two errant passes allowed Liverpool back into the match before the hour mark.
Amad Diallo replaced the injured Šeško at halftime, and he notched an assist with his first involvement of the match. However, instead of teeing up a red shirt, Amad’s woeful infield pass was stolen by Dominik Szoboszlai, who ran through and scored. That moment shifted the game, and further miscontrol near the back saw Senne Lammens outfoxed by Alexis Mac Allister, allowing Cody Gakpo to equalize.
Mainoo’s composed finish then swung momentum again. “That’s some way to celebrate your contract extension .” United held on to confirm their place in next season’s Champions League.
Player ratings (Man Utd):
GK: Senne Lammens—4.9: Looked like Lammens would be in for a quiet afternoon with Liverpool struggling to penetrate, but he instead allowed the visitors back into the game.
RB: Diogo Dalot—6.8: Liverpool struggled to contain Dalot’s surges early on, with the right back functioning as a useful attacking outlet. There were far fewer forays once the visitors found a route back into the game.
CB: Harry Maguire—6.9: Undone by Szoboszlai for Liverpool’s first goal, but that was the only notable negative sequence from Maguire.
CB: Ayden Heaven—6.8: There were moments of distinct confidence from Heaven, especially with the ball at his feet. The youngster couldn’t be blamed for United‘s terrible start to the second half.
LB: Luke Shaw—7.4: An injury doubt heading into the game, Shaw started his 35th match of the Premier League season, earning a booking in the process. Shaw was steady enough up against the frantic Jeremie Frimpong, excluding the first 15 minutes of the second half.
DM: Casemiro—7.5: Missed a huge headed opportunity at 2–2, having been a little too eager to run up the score when the hosts held a comfortable lead. It’s not exactly clear what happened to United’s midfield after halftime.
DM: Kobbie Mainoo—8.0: Flow state in the opening period, and was ultimately the match-winner. However, there were concerns in the second half, with both of United’s midfielders getting caught ahead of the ball, allowing Liverpool to wreak havoc on the counter.
RW: Bryan Mbeumo—7.6: His goal contribution drought continued, but there were positives to take from Mbeumo’s performance. The forward’s delivery was crisp, and his smart off-the-ball running often went unnoticed by teammates.
AM: Bruno Fernandes—7.9: The tips of Woodman’s fingers denied Man Utd’s captain his record-equaling 20th Premier League assist of the season. Fernandes’ influence waned after halftime.
LW: Matheus Cunha—8.0: Kick-started an entertaining, quite bizarre soccer match with an early deflected effort. Cunha worked tirelessly and was a threat in the pockets during the first half.
ST: Benjamin Šeško—7.3: Strong end to the season continued on Sunday, even if he didn’t know much about his bundled finish, which surely should’ve been ruled out for handball. Withdrawn at halftime with suspected injury.
Subs: Amad Diallo (46’ for Šeško)—5.6, Patrick Dorgu (76’ for Mbeumo)—6.2, Joshua Zirkzee (87’ for Cunha)—N/A, Leny Yoro (90’ for Fernandes)—N/A. Subs not used: Altay Bayındır (GK), Noussair Mazraoui, Tyrell Malacia, Manuel Ugarte, Mason Mount.
Match statistics (Man Utd vs Liverpool): Possession 38%–62%, xG 2.14–0.89, Total Shots 18–13, Shots on Target 6–5, Big Chances 3–1, Passing Accuracy 79%–88%, Fouls 12–11.
AC Milan
Amorim to Milan: What the Move Means for Manchester United’s Preseason
Amorim’s move to AC Milan reduces United’s compensation and focuses attention on Aug. 15 friendly. .
Reports that Ruben Amorim is negotiating to become AC Milan manager change more than compensation figures for Manchester United. Amorim’s time out of work is not expected to drag on, with Saturday coverage identifying him as the preferred candidate to take over at AC Milan this summer. As noted by The Telegraph, an anticipated agreement with Milan will spare United from paying the full share of their compensation to the Portuguese tactician.
United finalised their preseason schedule earlier this month, electing to stay in Europe for the first time in 24 years to help players respond to a summer full of World Cup action across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Opponents listed for the Red Devils’ preparations include Wrexham (July 18, Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland), Rosenborg (July 24, Lerkendal Stadion, Trondheim, Norway), Atlético Madrid (Aug. 1, Strawberry Arena, Stockholm, Sweden), Paris Saint-Germain (Aug. 8, Ullevi Stadium, Gothenberg, Sweden) and Leeds United (Aug. 12, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland).
United will round out their preparations with a friendly against AC Milan. United and Milan will lock horns at Tarczyński Arena in Wrocław, Poland, on Aug. 15, and all the signs suggest it will be Amorim leading the Italian outfit. While few conclusions can be drawn from preseason fixtures, supporters will demand a positive result against their former boss and many will watch how Milan adapt under Amorim and to the 3-4-2-1 formation to which he appeared so wedded during his tenure at Old Trafford.
The match will also offer a first public assessment of the rivalry between the two men responsible for United’s recent transition. It will be a chance for newly appointed permanent United manager Michael Carrick to take on his predecessor, having overseen drastic improvement compared to Amorim’s time in charge. The fixture therefore carries financial, tactical and narrative significance for both clubs as they head into the new season.
Man City
Tuchel hails Elliot Anderson as City and United prepare record bids
Tuchel calls Elliot Anderson ‘the full package’ as City and United circle; Forest demand record fee.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has given a clear endorsement of Elliot Anderson as Manchester City and Manchester United prepare transfer bids for the midfielder. Tuchel used the eve of the World Cup to underline Anderson’s rise and described the 23-year-old in the sternest terms.
Anderson made his England debut in September 2025 and completed a season in which he played every single game for a struggling Forest side. He finished the campaign with the most touches (3,300), duels won (297), fouls won (80) and possessions won (306) in the division, figures that have pushed him into the spotlight.
The midfielder has formed a strong dynamic alongside Declan Rice for the national team and is set to play a major role for his country in North America. England starts its World Cup campaign against familiar foes Croatia next Wednesday.
City and United both want to sign Anderson this summer. It would take a British record fee for Forest to part with him; the player could cost as much as £120 million ($161 million). City have reportedly submitted a bid worth the aforementioned £120 million ($161 million), which includes £15 million ($20 million) in performance-related add-ons. Forest are demanding more money up front, with owner Evangelos Marinakis digging his heels in.
Tuchel declined to dwell on Anderson’s future but made clear his admiration. “He’s a top player,” Tuchel said after England ’s warm-up victory over Costa Rica. “There’s nothing more to say, he’s the full package.
The German also warned of the personal pressures that can follow a big move. “Even if a transfer is completed, hopefully, he stays the same person. Nothing will change overnight with him if he wakes up, he’s not a new player.” He added: “People will try to hang around his neck this price but, in reality, nothing changes, he just changes the club and that’s the rules of the game,” Tuchel added. “Hopefully he just stays the same—a humble, determined, hungry football player.”
Meanwhile, City have also been linked with Sandro Tonali as they consider options amid the likely departure of Bernardo Silva to Real Madrid.
Man Utd
Robinson or Hall: United’s practical choice for left-back depth
Man Utd are weighing Antonee Robinson against Lewis Hall as options to bolster left back depth. 2026
Manchester United have added Antonee Robinson to a short list as they seek cover at left back ahead of the next season. Luke Shaw enjoyed what was likely his best campaign since joining in 2014, playing all 38 Premier League matches, but he will shortly turn 31 and is entering the latter stages of his career.
Robinson is an emerging option. Almost 29, the Fulham defender offers distinct qualities: pace, a high work rate and notable attacking output for a full back. This past season is a poor example because of injury trouble, but he made 10 Premier League assists for Fulham in 2024–25. He is a more immediate, perhaps short-term profile than a younger long-term successor would be.
Newcastle’s Lewis Hall has been linked for some time. Sky Sports notes that interest in the 21-year-old continues with ongoing “monitoring,” but Robinson has appeared as the newer candidate. The two represent contrasting targets: Hall is younger and viewed as a potential long-term replacement, while Robinson might arrive to provide reliable depth behind Shaw for the next few seasons.
A comparison of key metrics underlines the difference. Robinson is listed at age 28 with 158 Premier League appearances, 18 combined goals and assists and 54 national team caps. Hall is 21 with 84 Premier League appearances, eight combined goals and assists, four national team caps and a later contract expiry. Transfer values cited in the comparison put Robinson at $25.3 million and Hall at $46.1 million.
Robinson is a United-type signing in profile: a fit, attack-minded full back who can slot in as cover and add quality on the flank. He is also a regular for his national team. Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, ‘Jedi’ has played 54 times for the Stars and Stripes since debuting in 2018.
Should United move, the decision between immediate, experienced backup and a longer-term, more expensive prospect will shape the club’s left-back planning.
