Belgium vs New Zealand in Friendlies. The fixture is part of the Friendlies 1 stage in the 2020 season. The match was played at Stade Roi Baudouin in Brussel. The full-time result capped a Belgium vs New Zealand meeting in Friendlies with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Belgium and New Zealand. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Friendlies
New Zealand NZLRecorded meetings: 0 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Belgium vs New Zealand in Friendlies. The fixture is part of the Friendlies 1 stage in the 2020 season. The match was played at Stade Roi Baudouin in Brussel. The full-time result capped a Belgium vs New Zealand meeting in Friendlies with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Belgium and New Zealand. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
FriendliesNew Zealand NZLRecorded meetings: 0 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
His recovery comes at a crucial point for both Pulisic and Milan, with new head coach Ruben Amorim preparing for the opening weeks of the Serie A campaign and hoping to get one of his most talented attackers back to full fitness. Christian Pulisic is edging closer to his return for Milan, but the American winger’s comeback is being handled with caution after a difficult summer. His recovery comes at a crucial point for both Pulisic and Milan, with new head coach Ruben Amorim preparing for the opening weeks of the Serie A campaign and hoping to get one of his most talented attackers back to full fitness. The American has been sidelined since the United States’ World Cup exit against Belgium in July. The 27-year-old suffered a bone bruise and microfracture around his lower leg after colliding with Youri Tielemans while attempting to strike the ball, bringing a frustrating end to a tournament in which he had already battled another injury. The latest development has provided Milan with a major boost, as Pulisic returned to partial team training at Milanello. He completed part of the session, including speed and agility exercises, marking his first significant involvement with the squad since the World Cup injury. The American had missed Milan’s entire preseason while recovering, leaving him behind the rest of Amorim’s squad in terms of match fitness. Although Pulisic is understood to have recovered physically, the Rossoneri are taking a measured approach rather than rushing him back into competitive action. View this post on Instagram That cautious approach means the winger is reportedly expected to miss Milan’s Serie A opener against Torino. The club’s medical and coaching staff believe he still needs time to rebuild his fitness after more than six weeks away from regular soccer. When could Pulisic return? The current plan points toward a later return, with Pulisic potentially being included for Milan’s first home league match against Venezia on August 28, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports. The possibility of appearing from the bench would represent a significant step forward after a summer dominated by injuries and disappointment. The timing would also give Pulisic several additional days to work on his conditioning and integrate into Amorim’s tactical plans. Rather than forcing him into the season opener, Milan appear prepared to wait until the American is sufficiently prepared to contribute. Pulisic’s latest injury came after he had already struggled with a calf problem during the World Cup. He aggravated that issue against Paraguay, missed the following match against Australia and later returned against Turkiye before starting the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States reacts Pulisic has plenty to prove after difficult months The injury setback followed a frustrating period for Pulisic at club and international level. He endured a 19-game scoring drought for Milan, while his World Cup campaign ended with no goals after he had hoped to make a major impact on home soil. Pulisic admitted his disappointment following the United States’ elimination, writing on Instagram: “Tough to find the words. I want to start by saying thank you to everyone who believed. The support carried us all the way through.” The winger also acknowledged that the United States had fallen short of expectations, adding that he had wanted to deliver more for the national team. His focus now shifts back to San Siro, where he will have an opportunity to rebuild his momentum under a new manager.
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F08%2Fns-3-photo-frame-email-sportmole-9-6a85a712c47cb575327236.jpg)
Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Carlos Baleba compares to Manchester United's other two midfield summer signings following news of the Brighton & Hove Albion star's imminent move to Old Trafford.
Bid short of Brighton’s valuation for midfielderReijnders leaves Manchester City for Saudi ArabiaManchester United are confident of signing Brighton’s Carlos Baleba for less than £75m, and the 22-year-old midfielder has agreed personal terms. United have made an initial offer of £60m plus £5m add-ons for Baleba, which is below Brighton’s valuation.Baleba has been a target for United since last summer, when Brighton valued him at about £100m. The Cameroon international’s price has dropped after his largely uneven performances last season. Baleba, who has an ankle injury, would be United’s third midfielder recruit of the summer, after Youri Tielemans, who was signed for £35m from Aston Villa, and Andrey Santos, who arrived for £48 from Chelsea. Continue reading...
Bruno Fernandes and Youri Tielemans will be key to Michael Carrick’s chances of success over a full season and of healing the rift between club and fansGuardian writers’ predicted position: 5th (NB: this is not necessarily Jamie Jackson’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)Last season’s position: 3rd Continue reading...
Baleba is currently recovering from an ankle ligament injury (Picture: Getty Images Europe) Manchester United are closing in on a deal to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton but an injury will delay his start to life at Old Trafford if the deal goes through. United initially made a move for the Cameroon international last summer but shelved their interest due to Brighton’s huge asking price – thought to be in excess of £100million. He has remained on the club’s radar during their midfield rebuild this summer and has now agreed terms over a five-year deal to take him to Manchester. As a result of his form dipping last season, Brighton’s asking price has dropped considerably with United’s latest offer worth around £60m plus £5m in add-ons. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. Should the deal go through, he will become United’s third midfield signing of the summer alongside Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. But an injury suffered in pre-season could see him ruled out until the end of September. Baleba returned for pre-season training in July but picked up an ankle ligament injury that ruled him out of a friendly match against Strasbourg. He subsequently missed the Seagulls’ games against Roma and Bologna. Baleba played against United on the final day of last season (Picture: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) It was reported last month that the injury left him a major doubt for the start of the new Premier League season which gets underway this weekend. Brighton were however hopeful the problem was not a long-term one. How long is Carlos Baleba out injured for? The Daily Mail report Baleba is expected to return to fitness towards the end of September. That timeline could delay any possible United debut until October given the three-week international break which begins on Monday 21 September, ending on Tuesday 6 October. Should that timeline be accurate, Baleba would be set to miss United’s opening five games of the new Premier League season against Hull City, Ipswich Town, Everton, Manchester City and Fulham. He would also miss United’s first match back in the Champions League which will take place on 8, 9, or 10 September. Baleba would also sit out of United’s Carabao Cup third round tie against an opponent to be determined. Baleba could therefore be in line to make his debut at home to Tottenham on 10 October. Games Baleba could miss for Man Utd Hull City (A) – 22 AugustIpswich Town (H) – 30 AugustEverton (A) – 6 SeptemberChampions League matchday one – date TBCMan City (H) – 13 SeptemberCarabao Cup third round tie – date TBCFulham (A) – 20 September Why Baleba’s form dipped last season Baleba enjoyed a superb 2024-25 campaign at the AMEX but following United’s interest in his services last summer, his form noticably dipped last term, starting just 23 of their 38 league matches. Speaking last season, Brighton head coach, Fabian Hurzeler, admitted that United’s failed move to sign Baleba had an impact on the midfielder’s performances. ‘For sure, when a young boy reads there is interest from Manchester United with a big, big offer, it might affect him deep, deep [down],’ Hurzeler said. ‘That’s also part of the development to understand that when you play well, there comes a big offer, there comes a big club who wants to have him. ‘But then to keep pushing, to be humble, stay here in Brighton, and try to make the next step with the team and that’s something we have to keep on working with him and therefore I can’t give you a clear answer if it’s really affected him or not. ‘But for sure, he’s a young boy and we need to understand he’s not a machine that if you click on then he always runs and off then he stops. We need to understand his feelings, his emotions, where he comes from, and that’s our responsibility.’ Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Mohamed Salah’s arrival made a splash, but the Turkish Super Lig will probably become the latest league to end up as a bailout fund for Europe’s powerhousesMohamed Salah plays in Turkey now. So do Romelu Lukaku and Leandro Trossard and Leroy Sané and Nathan Aké. Mason Greenwood and N’Golo Kanté and Dusan Vlahovic, too.Bruno Fernandes and Gabriel Martinelli may yet follow them there, depending on negotiations and moods and whatever else compels a footballer to leave one club for another. Continue reading...
After an injury-hit summer and a difficult second half of last season, Pulisic now has a fresh opportunity to rebuild his momentum under a coach who appears determined to get the best out of him. Christian Pulisic is heading into a pivotal new chapter at Milan, with Ruben Amorim already making it clear that the American remains central to his plans. After an injury-hit summer and a difficult second half of last season, Pulisic now has a fresh opportunity to rebuild his momentum under a coach who appears determined to get the best out of him. The 27-year-old has yet to make his competitive debut under Amorim, having missed much of preseason while recovering from the bone bruise and microfracture suffered during the United States’ World Cup defeat to Belgium. Yet rather than questioning Pulisic’s place in the squad, Amorim has repeatedly emphasized his belief in the forward and hinted at a role designed around his strengths. Pulisic’s versatility has always been one of his biggest assets. He has played on both wings, operated centrally and even featured as a false nine, but the Portuguese boss appears to have identified a specific position where he believes the American can be particularly dangerous. Speaking during Milan‘s preseason preparations, Amorim explained that he already knows how he wants to use the USMNT star. “I have a clear idea of where I want him [Pulisic] to play. Especially with the right foot on the left side, it is the perfect position for him. He can play the other side also, inside too and not on the line,” Amorim said. View this post on Instagram That points toward Pulisic playing as the left-sided No. 10 in Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 system, operating behind the striker rather than staying permanently on the touchline. The position would allow him to cut inside onto his stronger right foot, combine with the wing-back and attack spaces between defenders. Pulisic has already played in similar role The idea may actually feel familiar to Pulisic after his experience with the United States at the 2026 World Cup. Although officially listed as a winger, he frequently started from the left before moving into central areas, while the left-back provided width on the outside. That setup gave Pulisic freedom to receive the ball in dangerous positions and attack defenders from different angles. His best performance of the tournament came during the opening half against Paraguay, when he helped create two goals and completed four dribbles despite playing only 45 minutes. Christian Pulisic vs Paraguay 45 minutes played pic.twitter.com/1F5pq8XzHR— – (@heruarchives) June 13, 2026 Amorim’s system could therefore give Pulisic a similar platform at club level. The major difference is that he will have more freedom to operate centrally from the beginning rather than constantly being asked to function as a traditional winger. Amorim remains firmly behind the American The tactical plan comes at an important moment for Pulisic, who endured a frustrating second half of the previous campaign. After scoring 15 goals in his first Milan season and 17 in his second, his total dropped to 10 in 2025-26, while he failed to score for the club after December. His World Cup campaign then ended in disappointment, with injuries restricting him before a second injury against Belgium forced him out of the tournament. Despite the criticism that followed, Amorim has made it clear that he does not believe Pulisic’s best days are behind him. Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026. “Pulisic is a really talented player,” Amorim said. “I know the strengths of Pulisic. I believe in him; he will be supported in our club.” The Milan manager added, “We believe a lot in him, have a clear plan to use all the qualities that he has, so I can say to you that Pulisic is really important for us.”
With the Serie A opener against Torino approaching, the American forward's progress has become one of the biggest talking points around the club. Christian Pulisic has finally taken an important step toward returning to competitive soccer after an injury kept him out throughout Milan’s preseason preparations. With the Serie A opener against Torino approaching, the American forward’s progress has become one of the biggest talking points around the club. Pulisic has spent the past several weeks working away from the main group after suffering a serious setback during the 2026 World Cup. Now, with the new campaign only days away, there is growing optimism that he could have a role to play sooner than initially expected. Pulisic suffered a bone bruise and microfracture to the right tibia and fibula during the United States’ World Cup round-of-16 defeat to Belgium. The injury occurred following a strange collision, and although he attempted to continue playing, he eventually had to leave the match. After the game, Pulisic explained what happened in his own words, saying, “I twisted my ankle and my knee in one play.” The injury forced him into a lengthy rehabilitation plan and ruled him out of Milan‘s entire preseason schedule. Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States reacts after challenged by Youri Tielemans #8 of Belgium The 27-year-old had continued his recovery at Milanello while the rest of the squad travelled for preseason commitments in Australia and Indonesia. His return to the training complex also allowed him to begin working toward a comeback under new head coach Ruben Amorim. Pulisic returns to group training The biggest development arrived on Tuesday, August 18, when Pulisic completed the opening portion of Milan’s team training session with his teammates. MilanNews reported that the American was able to participate in part of the session, marking a significant milestone 41 days after suffering the injury. That development immediately raised the possibility of Pulisic being involved when Milan travels to face Torino on Sunday. View this post on Instagram While his return to full fitness is still being managed carefully, the forward is now much closer to competitive action than he was only a few weeks ago. Earlier reports had suggested that the American was targeting a return toward the end of August, with the Torino fixture viewed as an ambitious target. Could Pulisic feature against Torino? The latest developments suggest Pulisic now has a realistic chance of being included in Milan’s squad for the Serie A opener against Il Toro on Sunday, August 23. His partial return to team training is an encouraging sign, although the club will have to determine whether he is physically ready for competitive minutes. Even if he makes the squad, however, a starting role is considered highly unlikely after such a long period without competitive soccer. Christian Pulisic of AC Milan warms up before the Serie A match. The priority will be avoiding another setback after such a long rehabilitation process. Even a short appearance from the bench would represent meaningful progress for Pulisic and give Amorim another attacking option as the Rossoneri begin the new Serie A campaign. For now, the expectation is that Pulisic will continue his personalized work alongside his gradual integration with the squad. His return is getting closer, and the Torino match could provide the first opportunity for Milan fans to see their American star back in action.
Youri Tielemans completed a £35m transfer move from Aston Villa to Manchester United (Picture: Getty) Leicester City legend Jamie Vardy has heaped praise on Youri Tielemans and backed his ‘unbelievable’ former team-mate to reach another level altogether at Manchester United. United ramped up their interest in Tielemans in their search for midfield reinforcements last month, before triggering a £35million release clause in the Belgian’s contract at Aston Villa. Tielemans pen to paper on a five-year deal at Old Trafford, tying him to the club until 2031, and will be expected to add an extra dimension to Michael Carrick’s engine room along with fellow signing Andrey Santos. After joining up with his new team-mates, Tielemans revealed he had held discussions with United on two previous occasions before his move to the Theatre of Dreams this summer. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. But Villa managed to cling on to Tielemans ahead of last season and the 29-year-old played an instrumental role as Unai Emery’s men won the Europa League while also securing Champions League football with a fourth-placed finish. Before that, Tielemans ensured he went down in Leicester folklore by scoring the winning goal in the side’s stunning FA Cup final victory over Chelsea at Wembley. Vardy was also a part of Leicester’s success that day and after four-and-a-half years together at the King Power Stadium, it’s clear Tielemans left a sizeable impression on the iconic striker. Vardy has backed Tielemans to ‘kick on’ at Old Trafford (Picture: Jamie Vardy’s Having A Party) Tielemans and Vardy were team-mates for four-and-a-half years (Picture: Getty) ‘I just think he’ll start kicking on again if I’m honest,’ Vardy said on his Jamie Vardy’s Having A Party podcast when discussing Tielemans’ summer switch to United. ‘I played against him with Belgium, he was unbelievable and you were like, “Wow, who is this?”, because he was only young at the time. ‘It then came through that we [Leicester] had signed him on loan at first and I remember going around all the lads and saying, “We’ve signed a player here!”, and I mean a really good player. The Belgian will be desperate for a starting role against Hull this weekend (Picture: Getty) ‘He came in and straight away you could tell… the dedication, 100 per cent every day. ‘He would then get in the dressing room and he was so down to earth, so normal. ‘He was a real breath of fresh air for us at that time.’ Tielemans signed a five-year contract with the Red Devils (Picture: Getty) Wes Morgan, featuring as a guest on the podcast, echoed Vardy’s glowing remaks about Tielemans while highlighting the playmaker’s ‘dedication’ to his profession both on and off the pitch. ‘What I’ve seen with Youri is dedication to his job,’ the ex-Leicester captain expolained. ‘I always used to see him in the gym, working extra hard and doing extra work. He was really working on improving himself. ‘He never took it easy in training, he always gave it 100 per cent, but he’s another one that has that technical capability, that awareness and that speed of thought. United have made sure to strengthen their midfield options (Picture: Getty) ‘I’m not surprised to see him go to the top and be at Manchester United now. Hopefully he’ll show everyone how good he is. ‘He deserves everything that he’s got so far.’ United got a chance to see Tielemans in their colours for the first time during the side’s 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month. The Belgium international also came off the bench against bitter rivals Leeds before completing the full 90 minutes in the Red Devils’ 4-2 defeat to AC Milan in Poland. He will no doubt be chomping at the bit to continue his run in the side this weekend as Carrick’s men prepare to kick off their Premier League campaign away to newly promoted Hull City. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follo
Mason Mount was missing from Manchester United training this morning, sparking fears he will not be fit for the Premier League opener at Hull on Saturday. Mount was arguably United's player of the first three games of their pre-season campaign and his partnership with new signing Andrey Santos looked like being productive. It had been suggested the England international could be the 'third' midfielder the club had been looking for this summer, following the arrivals of Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa.
Manchester United are very interested in signing Club Brugge defender Joaquin Seys. According to a report from HLN, Manchester United are showing concrete interest in the 21-year-old defender, and it remains to be seen whether the Red Devils follow up with an official offer. Joaquin Seys could be ideal for Manchester United The defender has […] The post Manchester United step up interest in €40m-rated wide player appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
His recovery comes at a crucial point for both Pulisic and Milan, with new head coach Ruben Amorim preparing for the opening weeks of the Serie A campaign and hoping to get one of his most talented attackers back to full fitness. Christian Pulisic is edging closer to his return for Milan, but the American winger’s comeback is being handled with caution after a difficult summer. His recovery comes at a crucial point for both Pulisic and Milan, with new head coach Ruben Amorim preparing for the opening weeks of the Serie A campaign and hoping to get one of his most talented attackers back to full fitness. The American has been sidelined since the United States’ World Cup exit against Belgium in July. The 27-year-old suffered a bone bruise and microfracture around his lower leg after colliding with Youri Tielemans while attempting to strike the ball, bringing a frustrating end to a tournament in which he had already battled another injury. The latest development has provided Milan with a major boost, as Pulisic returned to partial team training at Milanello. He completed part of the session, including speed and agility exercises, marking his first significant involvement with the squad since the World Cup injury. The American had missed Milan’s entire preseason while recovering, leaving him behind the rest of Amorim’s squad in terms of match fitness. Although Pulisic is understood to have recovered physically, the Rossoneri are taking a measured approach rather than rushing him back into competitive action. View this post on Instagram That cautious approach means the winger is reportedly expected to miss Milan’s Serie A opener against Torino. The club’s medical and coaching staff believe he still needs time to rebuild his fitness after more than six weeks away from regular soccer. When could Pulisic return? The current plan points toward a later return, with Pulisic potentially being included for Milan’s first home league match against Venezia on August 28, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports. The possibility of appearing from the bench would represent a significant step forward after a summer dominated by injuries and disappointment. The timing would also give Pulisic several additional days to work on his conditioning and integrate into Amorim’s tactical plans. Rather than forcing him into the season opener, Milan appear prepared to wait until the American is sufficiently prepared to contribute. Pulisic’s latest injury came after he had already struggled with a calf problem during the World Cup. He aggravated that issue against Paraguay, missed the following match against Australia and later returned against Turkiye before starting the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States reacts Pulisic has plenty to prove after difficult months The injury setback followed a frustrating period for Pulisic at club and international level. He endured a 19-game scoring drought for Milan, while his World Cup campaign ended with no goals after he had hoped to make a major impact on home soil. Pulisic admitted his disappointment following the United States’ elimination, writing on Instagram: “Tough to find the words. I want to start by saying thank you to everyone who believed. The support carried us all the way through.” The winger also acknowledged that the United States had fallen short of expectations, adding that he had wanted to deliver more for the national team. His focus now shifts back to San Siro, where he will have an opportunity to rebuild his momentum under a new manager.
Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Carlos Baleba compares to Manchester United's other two midfield summer signings following news of the Brighton & Hove Albion star's imminent move to Old Trafford.
Bid short of Brighton’s valuation for midfielderReijnders leaves Manchester City for Saudi ArabiaManchester United are confident of signing Brighton’s Carlos Baleba for less than £75m, and the 22-year-old midfielder has agreed personal terms. United have made an initial offer of £60m plus £5m add-ons for Baleba, which is below Brighton’s valuation.Baleba has been a target for United since last summer, when Brighton valued him at about £100m. The Cameroon international’s price has dropped after his largely uneven performances last season. Baleba, who has an ankle injury, would be United’s third midfielder recruit of the summer, after Youri Tielemans, who was signed for £35m from Aston Villa, and Andrey Santos, who arrived for £48 from Chelsea. Continue reading...
Bruno Fernandes and Youri Tielemans will be key to Michael Carrick’s chances of success over a full season and of healing the rift between club and fansGuardian writers’ predicted position: 5th (NB: this is not necessarily Jamie Jackson’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)Last season’s position: 3rd Continue reading...
Baleba is currently recovering from an ankle ligament injury (Picture: Getty Images Europe) Manchester United are closing in on a deal to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton but an injury will delay his start to life at Old Trafford if the deal goes through. United initially made a move for the Cameroon international last summer but shelved their interest due to Brighton’s huge asking price – thought to be in excess of £100million. He has remained on the club’s radar during their midfield rebuild this summer and has now agreed terms over a five-year deal to take him to Manchester. As a result of his form dipping last season, Brighton’s asking price has dropped considerably with United’s latest offer worth around £60m plus £5m in add-ons. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. Should the deal go through, he will become United’s third midfield signing of the summer alongside Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. But an injury suffered in pre-season could see him ruled out until the end of September. Baleba returned for pre-season training in July but picked up an ankle ligament injury that ruled him out of a friendly match against Strasbourg. He subsequently missed the Seagulls’ games against Roma and Bologna. Baleba played against United on the final day of last season (Picture: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) It was reported last month that the injury left him a major doubt for the start of the new Premier League season which gets underway this weekend. Brighton were however hopeful the problem was not a long-term one. How long is Carlos Baleba out injured for? The Daily Mail report Baleba is expected to return to fitness towards the end of September. That timeline could delay any possible United debut until October given the three-week international break which begins on Monday 21 September, ending on Tuesday 6 October. Should that timeline be accurate, Baleba would be set to miss United’s opening five games of the new Premier League season against Hull City, Ipswich Town, Everton, Manchester City and Fulham. He would also miss United’s first match back in the Champions League which will take place on 8, 9, or 10 September. Baleba would also sit out of United’s Carabao Cup third round tie against an opponent to be determined. Baleba could therefore be in line to make his debut at home to Tottenham on 10 October. Games Baleba could miss for Man Utd Hull City (A) – 22 AugustIpswich Town (H) – 30 AugustEverton (A) – 6 SeptemberChampions League matchday one – date TBCMan City (H) – 13 SeptemberCarabao Cup third round tie – date TBCFulham (A) – 20 September Why Baleba’s form dipped last season Baleba enjoyed a superb 2024-25 campaign at the AMEX but following United’s interest in his services last summer, his form noticably dipped last term, starting just 23 of their 38 league matches. Speaking last season, Brighton head coach, Fabian Hurzeler, admitted that United’s failed move to sign Baleba had an impact on the midfielder’s performances. ‘For sure, when a young boy reads there is interest from Manchester United with a big, big offer, it might affect him deep, deep [down],’ Hurzeler said. ‘That’s also part of the development to understand that when you play well, there comes a big offer, there comes a big club who wants to have him. ‘But then to keep pushing, to be humble, stay here in Brighton, and try to make the next step with the team and that’s something we have to keep on working with him and therefore I can’t give you a clear answer if it’s really affected him or not. ‘But for sure, he’s a young boy and we need to understand he’s not a machine that if you click on then he always runs and off then he stops. We need to understand his feelings, his emotions, where he comes from, and that’s our responsibility.’ Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Mohamed Salah’s arrival made a splash, but the Turkish Super Lig will probably become the latest league to end up as a bailout fund for Europe’s powerhousesMohamed Salah plays in Turkey now. So do Romelu Lukaku and Leandro Trossard and Leroy Sané and Nathan Aké. Mason Greenwood and N’Golo Kanté and Dusan Vlahovic, too.Bruno Fernandes and Gabriel Martinelli may yet follow them there, depending on negotiations and moods and whatever else compels a footballer to leave one club for another. Continue reading...
After an injury-hit summer and a difficult second half of last season, Pulisic now has a fresh opportunity to rebuild his momentum under a coach who appears determined to get the best out of him. Christian Pulisic is heading into a pivotal new chapter at Milan, with Ruben Amorim already making it clear that the American remains central to his plans. After an injury-hit summer and a difficult second half of last season, Pulisic now has a fresh opportunity to rebuild his momentum under a coach who appears determined to get the best out of him. The 27-year-old has yet to make his competitive debut under Amorim, having missed much of preseason while recovering from the bone bruise and microfracture suffered during the United States’ World Cup defeat to Belgium. Yet rather than questioning Pulisic’s place in the squad, Amorim has repeatedly emphasized his belief in the forward and hinted at a role designed around his strengths. Pulisic’s versatility has always been one of his biggest assets. He has played on both wings, operated centrally and even featured as a false nine, but the Portuguese boss appears to have identified a specific position where he believes the American can be particularly dangerous. Speaking during Milan‘s preseason preparations, Amorim explained that he already knows how he wants to use the USMNT star. “I have a clear idea of where I want him [Pulisic] to play. Especially with the right foot on the left side, it is the perfect position for him. He can play the other side also, inside too and not on the line,” Amorim said. View this post on Instagram That points toward Pulisic playing as the left-sided No. 10 in Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 system, operating behind the striker rather than staying permanently on the touchline. The position would allow him to cut inside onto his stronger right foot, combine with the wing-back and attack spaces between defenders. Pulisic has already played in similar role The idea may actually feel familiar to Pulisic after his experience with the United States at the 2026 World Cup. Although officially listed as a winger, he frequently started from the left before moving into central areas, while the left-back provided width on the outside. That setup gave Pulisic freedom to receive the ball in dangerous positions and attack defenders from different angles. His best performance of the tournament came during the opening half against Paraguay, when he helped create two goals and completed four dribbles despite playing only 45 minutes. Christian Pulisic vs Paraguay 45 minutes played pic.twitter.com/1F5pq8XzHR— – (@heruarchives) June 13, 2026 Amorim’s system could therefore give Pulisic a similar platform at club level. The major difference is that he will have more freedom to operate centrally from the beginning rather than constantly being asked to function as a traditional winger. Amorim remains firmly behind the American The tactical plan comes at an important moment for Pulisic, who endured a frustrating second half of the previous campaign. After scoring 15 goals in his first Milan season and 17 in his second, his total dropped to 10 in 2025-26, while he failed to score for the club after December. His World Cup campaign then ended in disappointment, with injuries restricting him before a second injury against Belgium forced him out of the tournament. Despite the criticism that followed, Amorim has made it clear that he does not believe Pulisic’s best days are behind him. Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026. “Pulisic is a really talented player,” Amorim said. “I know the strengths of Pulisic. I believe in him; he will be supported in our club.” The Milan manager added, “We believe a lot in him, have a clear plan to use all the qualities that he has, so I can say to you that Pulisic is really important for us.”
With the Serie A opener against Torino approaching, the American forward's progress has become one of the biggest talking points around the club. Christian Pulisic has finally taken an important step toward returning to competitive soccer after an injury kept him out throughout Milan’s preseason preparations. With the Serie A opener against Torino approaching, the American forward’s progress has become one of the biggest talking points around the club. Pulisic has spent the past several weeks working away from the main group after suffering a serious setback during the 2026 World Cup. Now, with the new campaign only days away, there is growing optimism that he could have a role to play sooner than initially expected. Pulisic suffered a bone bruise and microfracture to the right tibia and fibula during the United States’ World Cup round-of-16 defeat to Belgium. The injury occurred following a strange collision, and although he attempted to continue playing, he eventually had to leave the match. After the game, Pulisic explained what happened in his own words, saying, “I twisted my ankle and my knee in one play.” The injury forced him into a lengthy rehabilitation plan and ruled him out of Milan‘s entire preseason schedule. Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States reacts after challenged by Youri Tielemans #8 of Belgium The 27-year-old had continued his recovery at Milanello while the rest of the squad travelled for preseason commitments in Australia and Indonesia. His return to the training complex also allowed him to begin working toward a comeback under new head coach Ruben Amorim. Pulisic returns to group training The biggest development arrived on Tuesday, August 18, when Pulisic completed the opening portion of Milan’s team training session with his teammates. MilanNews reported that the American was able to participate in part of the session, marking a significant milestone 41 days after suffering the injury. That development immediately raised the possibility of Pulisic being involved when Milan travels to face Torino on Sunday. View this post on Instagram While his return to full fitness is still being managed carefully, the forward is now much closer to competitive action than he was only a few weeks ago. Earlier reports had suggested that the American was targeting a return toward the end of August, with the Torino fixture viewed as an ambitious target. Could Pulisic feature against Torino? The latest developments suggest Pulisic now has a realistic chance of being included in Milan’s squad for the Serie A opener against Il Toro on Sunday, August 23. His partial return to team training is an encouraging sign, although the club will have to determine whether he is physically ready for competitive minutes. Even if he makes the squad, however, a starting role is considered highly unlikely after such a long period without competitive soccer. Christian Pulisic of AC Milan warms up before the Serie A match. The priority will be avoiding another setback after such a long rehabilitation process. Even a short appearance from the bench would represent meaningful progress for Pulisic and give Amorim another attacking option as the Rossoneri begin the new Serie A campaign. For now, the expectation is that Pulisic will continue his personalized work alongside his gradual integration with the squad. His return is getting closer, and the Torino match could provide the first opportunity for Milan fans to see their American star back in action.
Youri Tielemans completed a £35m transfer move from Aston Villa to Manchester United (Picture: Getty) Leicester City legend Jamie Vardy has heaped praise on Youri Tielemans and backed his ‘unbelievable’ former team-mate to reach another level altogether at Manchester United. United ramped up their interest in Tielemans in their search for midfield reinforcements last month, before triggering a £35million release clause in the Belgian’s contract at Aston Villa. Tielemans pen to paper on a five-year deal at Old Trafford, tying him to the club until 2031, and will be expected to add an extra dimension to Michael Carrick’s engine room along with fellow signing Andrey Santos. After joining up with his new team-mates, Tielemans revealed he had held discussions with United on two previous occasions before his move to the Theatre of Dreams this summer. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. But Villa managed to cling on to Tielemans ahead of last season and the 29-year-old played an instrumental role as Unai Emery’s men won the Europa League while also securing Champions League football with a fourth-placed finish. Before that, Tielemans ensured he went down in Leicester folklore by scoring the winning goal in the side’s stunning FA Cup final victory over Chelsea at Wembley. Vardy was also a part of Leicester’s success that day and after four-and-a-half years together at the King Power Stadium, it’s clear Tielemans left a sizeable impression on the iconic striker. Vardy has backed Tielemans to ‘kick on’ at Old Trafford (Picture: Jamie Vardy’s Having A Party) Tielemans and Vardy were team-mates for four-and-a-half years (Picture: Getty) ‘I just think he’ll start kicking on again if I’m honest,’ Vardy said on his Jamie Vardy’s Having A Party podcast when discussing Tielemans’ summer switch to United. ‘I played against him with Belgium, he was unbelievable and you were like, “Wow, who is this?”, because he was only young at the time. ‘It then came through that we [Leicester] had signed him on loan at first and I remember going around all the lads and saying, “We’ve signed a player here!”, and I mean a really good player. The Belgian will be desperate for a starting role against Hull this weekend (Picture: Getty) ‘He came in and straight away you could tell… the dedication, 100 per cent every day. ‘He would then get in the dressing room and he was so down to earth, so normal. ‘He was a real breath of fresh air for us at that time.’ Tielemans signed a five-year contract with the Red Devils (Picture: Getty) Wes Morgan, featuring as a guest on the podcast, echoed Vardy’s glowing remaks about Tielemans while highlighting the playmaker’s ‘dedication’ to his profession both on and off the pitch. ‘What I’ve seen with Youri is dedication to his job,’ the ex-Leicester captain expolained. ‘I always used to see him in the gym, working extra hard and doing extra work. He was really working on improving himself. ‘He never took it easy in training, he always gave it 100 per cent, but he’s another one that has that technical capability, that awareness and that speed of thought. United have made sure to strengthen their midfield options (Picture: Getty) ‘I’m not surprised to see him go to the top and be at Manchester United now. Hopefully he’ll show everyone how good he is. ‘He deserves everything that he’s got so far.’ United got a chance to see Tielemans in their colours for the first time during the side’s 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month. The Belgium international also came off the bench against bitter rivals Leeds before completing the full 90 minutes in the Red Devils’ 4-2 defeat to AC Milan in Poland. He will no doubt be chomping at the bit to continue his run in the side this weekend as Carrick’s men prepare to kick off their Premier League campaign away to newly promoted Hull City. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follo
Mason Mount was missing from Manchester United training this morning, sparking fears he will not be fit for the Premier League opener at Hull on Saturday. Mount was arguably United's player of the first three games of their pre-season campaign and his partnership with new signing Andrey Santos looked like being productive. It had been suggested the England international could be the 'third' midfielder the club had been looking for this summer, following the arrivals of Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa.
Manchester United are very interested in signing Club Brugge defender Joaquin Seys. According to a report from HLN, Manchester United are showing concrete interest in the 21-year-old defender, and it remains to be seen whether the Red Devils follow up with an official offer. Joaquin Seys could be ideal for Manchester United The defender has […] The post Manchester United step up interest in €40m-rated wide player appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
