Chelsea defeated Manchester United 5-4 in the League Cup. The fixture is part of the 8th Finals stage in the 2012 season. The full-time result capped a Chelsea vs Manchester United meeting in League Cup 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 Chelsea and Manchester United. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
League CupRecorded meetings: 0 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Chelsea defeated Manchester United 5-4 in the League Cup. The fixture is part of the 8th Finals stage in the 2012 season. The full-time result capped a Chelsea vs Manchester United meeting in League Cup 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 Chelsea and Manchester United. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
League Cup
Harry Maguire has missed Manchester United”s friendly against Leeds (Getty) Harry Maguire, Benjamin Sesko and Mason Mount have been left out of Manchester United’s pre-season friendly against Leeds United on Wednesday night. Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven start in central defence for United at Croke Park in Dublin, while Michael Carrick has left Maguire out of his squad completely. Maguire took part in full training on Tuesday and is not suffering from an injury as Carrick is keen to spread pre-season minutes to every member of his squad. Elsewhere, Mason Mount is ruled out after he was forced off with a foot injury against Paris Saint-Germain in Gothenburg on Saturday, while Sesko is yet to make an appearance in pre-season as he continues to recover from a shin injury. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez reported back to pre-season training with United on Monday but tonight’s friendly against Leeds comes too soon for the trio. Carrick has confirmed that Rashford, Mainoo and Martinez are in line to feature for United’s final pre-season friendly against AC Milan in Wroclaw on Saturday. Man Utd vs Leeds confirmed line-ups Man Utd: Lammens; Dalot (c), Yoro, Heaven, Amass; Santos, T. Fletcher; Amad, Zirkzee, Dorgu; Mbeumo. Subs: Heath, Honor, Mee, Armer, Shaw, Collyer, Fernandes, J. Fletcher, Tielemans, Cunha, Gabriel, Lacey, Thompson. Leeds United: Trafford; Muharemovic, Bijol, Bornauw; Bogle, Tanaka, Longstaff, James; Aaronson, Chadwick; Nmecha. Subs: Cairns, Mahady, Justin, Lienou, Rodon, Ampadu, Cresswell, Stach, Calvert-Lewin, Gnonto, Mills, Okafor, Piroe, Wilson. Speaking to MUTV before kick-off, Carrick stressed the importance of sharing the pre-season minutes in his squad with some players further ahead than those who only recently returned from the World Cup. ‘We’ve got two or three different groups within our stage, the stages that the lads have been at in terms of when they’ve been back with us, how much training they’ve had, so we’re trying to get the balance right with that,’ Carrick said. ‘Giving younger players a chance as well, in a game and an occasion like this which feels, I have to say, it’s great to be here, feeling the energy of the stadium, I think that’s really good for the younger players to sample that tonight for their learning and to feel what it feels to play like for Manchester United in a game like this. ‘In terms of the ones who have just come back, some boys are not quite ready, Marcus, Licha [Martinez], Kobbie, they only came back a couple of days ago so we’ll save them until the weekend. ‘We’ve trained hard, the boys came in, Marcus, Lucha and Kobbie came in on Monday, they’ve had two or three sessions, they trained this morning really hard. ‘Recovery day tomorrow for everybody as a group. It’s important that we’ve got two or different stages but when we’re together as a group we stay like that so we’ll all recover tomorrow, train Friday and prepare for the game on Saturday, and again get the minutes and the balance right and then look strong going into next week.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Julian Alvarez and his entourage's discomfort with Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has reportedly grown as the coach is considered the "only person who could unblock" his potential move to FC Barcelona. Julian Alvarez‘s transfer saga has developed into one of the marquee storylines of 2026, with the player repeatedly expressing his intention to join FC Barcelona, even as Atletico Madrid maintain an unyielding stance against a departure. Having reunited with his teammates and coaching staff in Madrid, Alvarez’s frustration toward Diego “Cholo” Simeone has reportedly intensified, as the manager is viewed as the “only person to unblock” the striker’s situation. On Monday, Alvarez reported to Atletico Madrid alongside several teammates to undergo routine pre-campaign medical evaluations. By Wednesday, it was time for the striker to return to training, roughly two months after publicly declaring during the World Cup that “the best decision was to seek an exit” from the club. With Alvarez remaining fixated on joining FC Barcelona, the Colchoneros have refused to budge, as board members and CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin reiterate that the forward will remain an Atletico Madrid player for the 2026–27 campaign under a contract that runs through June 2030. On Monday, Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reported that Alvarez informed the club “not to count on him” moving forward, as his sole priority is finalizing a transfer to Barcelona. He was initially unable to speak directly with executive leadership or Simeone while the manager was away in Ibiza, but a eventual sit-down took place Wednesday, leaving the player dissatisfied with the outcome. Diego Simeone, Head Coach of Atletico de Madrid, interacts with Julian Alvarez after being subbed off. (Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images) Alvarez and Simeone hold tense, unresolved sit-down Upon returning to team facilities on Wednesday, Alvarez and Simeone held a meeting prior to the scheduled training session. According to Argentina transfer insider Cesar Luis Merlo, the forward reiterated his desire to sign with Barcelona during the 2026 summer transfer window. Frame-by-frame, Alvarez explained to his manager that joining Barcelona would allow him to “fulfill a dream,” emphasizing that the Catalan club’s tactical style aligns best with his skill set. However, Simeone echoed his previous stance, stating that any transfer decision rests entirely with executive leadership, while reaffirming his own commitment to helping the striker develop at Atletico. Last week during a press conference in Seoul, Simeone was asked about Alvarez’s future and offered a firm response: “The situation is very clear, the club made a decision that Miguel Angel explained very well. We’re very happy with Julian, and from a sporting standpoint we’ll help him keep growing.“ Alvarez’s inner circle, including agents Fernando Hidalgo and Sergio Diaz, who are actively seeking transfer avenues, were reportedly left deeply frustrated by the conversation. According to Merlo, Alvarez’s camp view Simeone as an influential figure who possesses the leverage to push front-office executives into approving a deal, rather than serving merely as a tactical advisor.
Tuesday's news headlines suggested Myles Lewis-Skelly could be on the move, with two Premier League clubs reportedly interested. One source told BBC Sport that Lewis-Skelly was offered to Manchester United in January, but Arsenal say they have not actively offered him to anyone. United do need a left-back though with Patrick Dorgu, their most recent signing in the position, playing in an advanced role throughout pre-season.
Chelsea have signed Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Chavarria on a five-year deal for a fee of around £16.3m plus add-ons. He replaces Marc Cucurella, who has moved to Madrid.
Emiliano Martinez will be Aston Villa's biggest absence in the UEFA Super Cup 2026 final against PSG. Aston Villa face Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday seeking their second UEFA Super Cup title, this time at Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, Austria. However, the Villans will navigate a major absence for their first official match of the 2026-27 campaign, as starting goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez is unavailable. Emiliano Martinez is sitting out the clash against PSG because he remains on extended vacation. The goalkeeper concluded his campaign at the 2026 World Cup with Argentina on July 19, prompting head coach Unai Emery to grant him four full weeks of rest before rejoining squad activities. The same policy was extended to England international duo Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins. The defender and striker wrapped up their World Cup participation in the third-place match against France on July 18, ruling them out for the seasonal opener as well. When asked about the missing stars, Emery offered a direct explanation regarding why the trio were left out of the traveling squad against PSG: “Konsa, Watkins and Emiliano Martinez are not here because they finished their season on 19 July and I gave them four weeks to rest. It is completely necessary.“ Emiliano Martínez of Argentina makes a save during 2026 World Cup Final against Spain. (Al Bello/Getty Images) While framing PSG as favorites for the Super Cup, Emery noted that having those key starters available would have boosted Aston Villa’s chances. “They are not here tomorrow. Of course, if they were here, maybe we could have more chances. But at the same time, I think PSG are going to be in the same situation as us,” the coach added. Martinez boasts nearly immaculate record in cup finals Aston Villa and PSG previously met during the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, splitting the series with one win each while the French club advanced 5-4 on aggregate. While the matchup serves as a tiebreaker in their head-to-head history, missing Martinez, a keeper known for his big-game pedigree, represents a substantial blow for the English side. Over his career across both club football and international duty with Argentina, Martinez has featured in eight cup finals, compiling an impressive 7-1 record. His first major trophies arrived in 2020 while playing for Arsenal, where he won both the FA Cup and the FA Community Shield. He followed that with an iconic international run with Argentina, winning the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 World Cup, and the 2024 Copa America. His seventh career victory came during the 2026 Europa League final with Aston Villa, before his streak ended in a 2026 World Cup final defeat against Spain.
Aston Villa face PSG in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup final, where they'll be without Ollie Watkins and Ezri Konsa for the season's first final. Aston Villa will be without both Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins for Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup clash against PSG, with manager Unai Emery confirming the pair — along with goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez — are out of the starting lineup. Speaking at Villa’s pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Emery explained the decision directly: “They are not here – Konsa, Watkins and Martínez because they finished their season on 19th July and I gave them four weeks to rest, it’s completely necessary. They are not here tomorrow”. The trio are missing not because of injury, but because they were given time off after extending their seasons deep into the 2026 World Cup. Both Watkins and Konsa went as far as the third-place match with England, while Martínez played all the way to the final, where Argentina fell to Spain. The Villa boss acknowledged the absences will be felt on the pitch, but pointed out that PSG face a similar situation with their own World Cup contingent. “Of course, if they were here, maybe we could have more chances. But, at the same time, I think PSG are going to be in the same situation like us,” Emery said. Paris Saint-Germain vs Aston Villa in the UEFA Super Cup — IT’S MATCHDAY 🏆 pic.twitter.com/KX4DtXjlaf— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 12, 2026 Emery turns to the group that trained through preseason Beyond the rest-related absences, Aston Villa also has a handful of players sidelined through actual injury. Leon Bailey is out with a muscular issue, while Chrislain Manzambi and André Onana are both dealing with knee problems. With so many absences, the Spaniard coach plans to rely on the group that’s been training together over the past month, including several younger players who have featured throughout preseason. “Tomorrow we are preparing this game with the players we started, even some young players, four weeks ago. And tomorrow I expect to compete and try to face them with our capacity and our possibilities as well to beat them,” he added.
NATHAN SALT IN DUBLIN: Tielemans cannot stop smiling as he sits down to chat inside United's five-star team base for this week's training camp in Ireland.
MIKE KEEGAN: Gunners fans were left stunned yesterday when it was reported that the club had invited offers for the 19-year-old academy product from Chelsea and Manchester United.
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
Harry Maguire has missed Manchester United”s friendly against Leeds (Getty) Harry Maguire, Benjamin Sesko and Mason Mount have been left out of Manchester United’s pre-season friendly against Leeds United on Wednesday night. Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven start in central defence for United at Croke Park in Dublin, while Michael Carrick has left Maguire out of his squad completely. Maguire took part in full training on Tuesday and is not suffering from an injury as Carrick is keen to spread pre-season minutes to every member of his squad. Elsewhere, Mason Mount is ruled out after he was forced off with a foot injury against Paris Saint-Germain in Gothenburg on Saturday, while Sesko is yet to make an appearance in pre-season as he continues to recover from a shin injury. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez reported back to pre-season training with United on Monday but tonight’s friendly against Leeds comes too soon for the trio. Carrick has confirmed that Rashford, Mainoo and Martinez are in line to feature for United’s final pre-season friendly against AC Milan in Wroclaw on Saturday. Man Utd vs Leeds confirmed line-ups Man Utd: Lammens; Dalot (c), Yoro, Heaven, Amass; Santos, T. Fletcher; Amad, Zirkzee, Dorgu; Mbeumo. Subs: Heath, Honor, Mee, Armer, Shaw, Collyer, Fernandes, J. Fletcher, Tielemans, Cunha, Gabriel, Lacey, Thompson. Leeds United: Trafford; Muharemovic, Bijol, Bornauw; Bogle, Tanaka, Longstaff, James; Aaronson, Chadwick; Nmecha. Subs: Cairns, Mahady, Justin, Lienou, Rodon, Ampadu, Cresswell, Stach, Calvert-Lewin, Gnonto, Mills, Okafor, Piroe, Wilson. Speaking to MUTV before kick-off, Carrick stressed the importance of sharing the pre-season minutes in his squad with some players further ahead than those who only recently returned from the World Cup. ‘We’ve got two or three different groups within our stage, the stages that the lads have been at in terms of when they’ve been back with us, how much training they’ve had, so we’re trying to get the balance right with that,’ Carrick said. ‘Giving younger players a chance as well, in a game and an occasion like this which feels, I have to say, it’s great to be here, feeling the energy of the stadium, I think that’s really good for the younger players to sample that tonight for their learning and to feel what it feels to play like for Manchester United in a game like this. ‘In terms of the ones who have just come back, some boys are not quite ready, Marcus, Licha [Martinez], Kobbie, they only came back a couple of days ago so we’ll save them until the weekend. ‘We’ve trained hard, the boys came in, Marcus, Lucha and Kobbie came in on Monday, they’ve had two or three sessions, they trained this morning really hard. ‘Recovery day tomorrow for everybody as a group. It’s important that we’ve got two or different stages but when we’re together as a group we stay like that so we’ll all recover tomorrow, train Friday and prepare for the game on Saturday, and again get the minutes and the balance right and then look strong going into next week.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Julian Alvarez and his entourage's discomfort with Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has reportedly grown as the coach is considered the "only person who could unblock" his potential move to FC Barcelona. Julian Alvarez‘s transfer saga has developed into one of the marquee storylines of 2026, with the player repeatedly expressing his intention to join FC Barcelona, even as Atletico Madrid maintain an unyielding stance against a departure. Having reunited with his teammates and coaching staff in Madrid, Alvarez’s frustration toward Diego “Cholo” Simeone has reportedly intensified, as the manager is viewed as the “only person to unblock” the striker’s situation. On Monday, Alvarez reported to Atletico Madrid alongside several teammates to undergo routine pre-campaign medical evaluations. By Wednesday, it was time for the striker to return to training, roughly two months after publicly declaring during the World Cup that “the best decision was to seek an exit” from the club. With Alvarez remaining fixated on joining FC Barcelona, the Colchoneros have refused to budge, as board members and CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin reiterate that the forward will remain an Atletico Madrid player for the 2026–27 campaign under a contract that runs through June 2030. On Monday, Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reported that Alvarez informed the club “not to count on him” moving forward, as his sole priority is finalizing a transfer to Barcelona. He was initially unable to speak directly with executive leadership or Simeone while the manager was away in Ibiza, but a eventual sit-down took place Wednesday, leaving the player dissatisfied with the outcome. Diego Simeone, Head Coach of Atletico de Madrid, interacts with Julian Alvarez after being subbed off. (Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images) Alvarez and Simeone hold tense, unresolved sit-down Upon returning to team facilities on Wednesday, Alvarez and Simeone held a meeting prior to the scheduled training session. According to Argentina transfer insider Cesar Luis Merlo, the forward reiterated his desire to sign with Barcelona during the 2026 summer transfer window. Frame-by-frame, Alvarez explained to his manager that joining Barcelona would allow him to “fulfill a dream,” emphasizing that the Catalan club’s tactical style aligns best with his skill set. However, Simeone echoed his previous stance, stating that any transfer decision rests entirely with executive leadership, while reaffirming his own commitment to helping the striker develop at Atletico. Last week during a press conference in Seoul, Simeone was asked about Alvarez’s future and offered a firm response: “The situation is very clear, the club made a decision that Miguel Angel explained very well. We’re very happy with Julian, and from a sporting standpoint we’ll help him keep growing.“ Alvarez’s inner circle, including agents Fernando Hidalgo and Sergio Diaz, who are actively seeking transfer avenues, were reportedly left deeply frustrated by the conversation. According to Merlo, Alvarez’s camp view Simeone as an influential figure who possesses the leverage to push front-office executives into approving a deal, rather than serving merely as a tactical advisor.
Tuesday's news headlines suggested Myles Lewis-Skelly could be on the move, with two Premier League clubs reportedly interested. One source told BBC Sport that Lewis-Skelly was offered to Manchester United in January, but Arsenal say they have not actively offered him to anyone. United do need a left-back though with Patrick Dorgu, their most recent signing in the position, playing in an advanced role throughout pre-season.
Chelsea have signed Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Chavarria on a five-year deal for a fee of around £16.3m plus add-ons. He replaces Marc Cucurella, who has moved to Madrid.
Emiliano Martinez will be Aston Villa's biggest absence in the UEFA Super Cup 2026 final against PSG. Aston Villa face Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday seeking their second UEFA Super Cup title, this time at Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, Austria. However, the Villans will navigate a major absence for their first official match of the 2026-27 campaign, as starting goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez is unavailable. Emiliano Martinez is sitting out the clash against PSG because he remains on extended vacation. The goalkeeper concluded his campaign at the 2026 World Cup with Argentina on July 19, prompting head coach Unai Emery to grant him four full weeks of rest before rejoining squad activities. The same policy was extended to England international duo Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins. The defender and striker wrapped up their World Cup participation in the third-place match against France on July 18, ruling them out for the seasonal opener as well. When asked about the missing stars, Emery offered a direct explanation regarding why the trio were left out of the traveling squad against PSG: “Konsa, Watkins and Emiliano Martinez are not here because they finished their season on 19 July and I gave them four weeks to rest. It is completely necessary.“ Emiliano Martínez of Argentina makes a save during 2026 World Cup Final against Spain. (Al Bello/Getty Images) While framing PSG as favorites for the Super Cup, Emery noted that having those key starters available would have boosted Aston Villa’s chances. “They are not here tomorrow. Of course, if they were here, maybe we could have more chances. But at the same time, I think PSG are going to be in the same situation as us,” the coach added. Martinez boasts nearly immaculate record in cup finals Aston Villa and PSG previously met during the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, splitting the series with one win each while the French club advanced 5-4 on aggregate. While the matchup serves as a tiebreaker in their head-to-head history, missing Martinez, a keeper known for his big-game pedigree, represents a substantial blow for the English side. Over his career across both club football and international duty with Argentina, Martinez has featured in eight cup finals, compiling an impressive 7-1 record. His first major trophies arrived in 2020 while playing for Arsenal, where he won both the FA Cup and the FA Community Shield. He followed that with an iconic international run with Argentina, winning the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 World Cup, and the 2024 Copa America. His seventh career victory came during the 2026 Europa League final with Aston Villa, before his streak ended in a 2026 World Cup final defeat against Spain.
Aston Villa face PSG in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup final, where they'll be without Ollie Watkins and Ezri Konsa for the season's first final. Aston Villa will be without both Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins for Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup clash against PSG, with manager Unai Emery confirming the pair — along with goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez — are out of the starting lineup. Speaking at Villa’s pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Emery explained the decision directly: “They are not here – Konsa, Watkins and Martínez because they finished their season on 19th July and I gave them four weeks to rest, it’s completely necessary. They are not here tomorrow”. The trio are missing not because of injury, but because they were given time off after extending their seasons deep into the 2026 World Cup. Both Watkins and Konsa went as far as the third-place match with England, while Martínez played all the way to the final, where Argentina fell to Spain. The Villa boss acknowledged the absences will be felt on the pitch, but pointed out that PSG face a similar situation with their own World Cup contingent. “Of course, if they were here, maybe we could have more chances. But, at the same time, I think PSG are going to be in the same situation like us,” Emery said. Paris Saint-Germain vs Aston Villa in the UEFA Super Cup — IT’S MATCHDAY 🏆 pic.twitter.com/KX4DtXjlaf— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 12, 2026 Emery turns to the group that trained through preseason Beyond the rest-related absences, Aston Villa also has a handful of players sidelined through actual injury. Leon Bailey is out with a muscular issue, while Chrislain Manzambi and André Onana are both dealing with knee problems. With so many absences, the Spaniard coach plans to rely on the group that’s been training together over the past month, including several younger players who have featured throughout preseason. “Tomorrow we are preparing this game with the players we started, even some young players, four weeks ago. And tomorrow I expect to compete and try to face them with our capacity and our possibilities as well to beat them,” he added.
NATHAN SALT IN DUBLIN: Tielemans cannot stop smiling as he sits down to chat inside United's five-star team base for this week's training camp in Ireland.
MIKE KEEGAN: Gunners fans were left stunned yesterday when it was reported that the club had invited offers for the 19-year-old academy product from Chelsea and Manchester United.
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
