Football

Manchester City emerged victorious in a thrilling penalty shootout against Manchester United to claim the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. After a 1-1 draw in regulation time, Manuel Akanji converted the decisive penalty to secure a 7-6 triumph for the Citizens.Akanji's redemption came after his penalty miss in Switzerland's Euro 2020 quarterfinal loss to England. This time, he displayed nerves of steel, sending his spot-kick down the middle and under the bar.City's victory ended a three-match losing streak in the Community Shield, a traditional curtain-raiser to the English soccer season. Pep Guardiola's team had previously fallen to Leicester, Liverpool, and Arsenal in the past three years.The match was a tale of two halves. United dominated the first half, but City came out stronger in the second. Alejandro Garnacho gave United the lead in the 82nd minute, but Bernardo Silva equalized for City in the 89th.The game went straight to penalties, with both teams converting their first six attempts. Jadon Sancho's miss for United gave City the advantage, and Akanji stepped up to seal the victory.City's triumph was a bittersweet moment for United, who fielded a near-full-strength team. The Red Devils were looking to avenge their FA Cup final loss to City just 77 days ago.Despite missing several key players due to the Euro 2024 final, City showed their resilience and determination. Ruben Dias, who captained the team, expressed his delight at starting the season with a trophy.Pep Guardiola has now won 18 trophies with City, including three Community Shields. The Spaniard praised his team's performance, acknowledging that there is still room for improvement.

Liverpool and Chelsea emerged victorious in their pre-season friendlies, while Manchester United narrowly edged Real Betis.At the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Liverpool secured a 2-1 win over Arsenal. Mohamed Salah opened the scoring in the 13th minute, showcasing his pace and finishing ability. Fabio Carvalho doubled the lead in the 34th minute with a clinical volley. Arsenal's Kai Havertz pulled one back just before halftime, but Liverpool held on for the victory.In San Diego, Manchester United overcame Real Betis 3-2. Iker Losada gave Betis an early lead, but Marcus Rashford equalized from the penalty spot. Amad Diallo and Casemiro added goals for United, while Diego Llorente scored a consolation for Betis.Chelsea cruised to a 3-0 victory over Club America in Atlanta. Christopher Nkunku converted a penalty in the third minute, followed by a header from Marc Guiu in the 21st minute. Noni Madueke sealed the win with another penalty in the 79th minute.In Chicago, AC Milan defeated Real Madrid 1-0. Samuel Chukwueze scored the lone goal in the 55th minute, giving Milan a morale-boosting victory over the European champions.These pre-season matches provide valuable opportunities for teams to prepare for the upcoming season. They allow managers to experiment with tactics, assess player fitness, and build team chemistry. The results should not be taken as definitive, but they offer glimpses of the teams' potential and areas for improvement.

AC Milan and Arsenal Triumph in Pre-Season FriendliesIn a series of pre-season tune-ups, European football giants AC Milan and Arsenal emerged victorious in their respective matches against Manchester City and Manchester United.AC Milan vs. Manchester CityAt Yankee Stadium in New York, AC Milan overcame English Premier League champions Manchester City 3-2. Lorenzo Colombo's first-half brace gave Milan an early lead, but Erling Haaland's goal for City brought them level. Marco Nasti's 78th-minute strike proved to be the game-winner for the Italian side.Arsenal vs. Manchester UnitedAt SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Arsenal defeated Manchester United 2-1. Rasmus Hojlund opened the scoring for United, but Gabriel Jesus equalized for Arsenal. Gabriel Martinelli's 81st-minute goal sealed the victory for the Gunners.Celtic vs. ChelseaIn a dominant performance, Celtic thrashed Chelsea 4-1 at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. Kyogo Furuhashi and Matt O'Riley scored first-half goals, while Luis Palma and Michael Johnston added to the tally in the second half. Christopher Nkunku's late penalty kick prevented a shutout for Chelsea.Key Details:* AC Milan's victory over Manchester City was their second consecutive win in the United States.* Arsenal's triumph over Manchester United extended their unbeaten streak in pre-season to three matches.* Celtic's victory over Chelsea was their second consecutive win over a Premier League side in pre-season.* Several European teams are using pre-season matches in the United States to prepare for the upcoming league campaigns.

Manchester United has secured the signing of highly-rated young defender Leny Yoro from Ligue 1 side Lille. The 18-year-old Frenchman has penned a contract that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2029, with an option for an additional year.Yoro has already made a significant impact at Lille, amassing 60 first-team appearances despite his tender age. His impressive performances earned him a place in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season last season, as he played a pivotal role in Lille's fourth-place finish.The young defender expressed his delight at joining Manchester United, stating, "Signing for a club with the stature and ambition of Manchester United so early in my career is an incredible honor. I'm excited about the opportunity to develop and achieve my ambitions here."Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth hailed Yoro's potential, saying, "Leny is one of the most exciting young defenders in world football. He possesses every attribute needed to develop into a top-class center-back."Ashworth emphasized the club's commitment to nurturing young talent, adding, "This club has a fantastic record of developing young players and giving them the guidance and time they need to flourish. Under Erik ten Hag and our excellent staff, Leny will have the perfect platform to achieve success."Yoro's arrival is a significant boost for Manchester United's defense, which has been a source of concern in recent seasons. The young Frenchman is expected to provide competition for the likes of Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, and Raphael Varane.With his exceptional talent and the guidance of experienced coaches, Leny Yoro has the potential to become a key player for Manchester United in the years to come.

Mason Greenwood Signs for Marseille Despite Fan ProtestsOlympique de Marseille have completed the signing of striker Mason Greenwood from Manchester United, despite objections from some of the French club's supporters. The 22-year-old, who has one cap for England, was suspended by United in January 2022 following allegations of attempted rape and sexual assault. However, prosecutors dropped the charges in February 2023, and Greenwood spent last season on loan at Getafe in La Liga.Marseille announced the signing on Thursday, stating that Greenwood had undergone a successful medical. The club made no mention of the allegations in their statement, instead praising Greenwood as a "precocious talent" and an "English nugget." The southern club confirmed that Greenwood will wear the number 10 shirt but did not disclose the length of his contract or the transfer fee paid to Manchester United.The deal is reportedly worth an estimated €30 million ($32.7 million). Manchester United released a brief statement wishing Greenwood well in his future career.Before the transfer became official, Marseille's left-wing mayor, Benoit Payan, expressed his disapproval, stating that he did not want the club to be "covered by shame."Greenwood has consistently denied the allegations. Upon joining Getafe, he said, "I did not do the things I was accused of, and in February I was cleared of all charges. However, I fully accept I made mistakes in my relationship."Greenwood made his Manchester United debut at the age of 17 in the Champions League in 2019. He made his Premier League debut four days later and earned his first England cap in September 2020. The forward made 129 appearances and scored 35 goals for United before his suspension in January 2022.Greenwood scored 10 goals in 36 games for Getafe last season. His arrival in Marseille comes after the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the Gabon international who was Marseille's top scorer last season.Marseille will face Sunderland in a pre-season friendly on August 3 in Bradford, where Greenwood was born. If he plays, it could be his first game in England since his arrest in January 2022.

Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee has completed a high-profile move to Manchester United from Bologna, signing a five-year contract with the Premier League giants. The transfer fee is reported to be in the region of 42.5 million euros ($46.35 million), payable over three years.Zirkzee, 23, enjoyed a stellar season with Bologna in Serie A last term, emerging as the club's top scorer with an impressive tally of 11 goals and five assists. His contributions played a pivotal role in securing Bologna's qualification for the Champions League group stage.The Dutch international expressed his delight at joining Manchester United, stating, "It is a privilege to join such an iconic club. I have to take a short break now after being with the national team, but I'll be coming back ready to make an impact straight away."Zirkzee's arrival at Old Trafford is seen as a significant boost to United's attacking options. The Red Devils endured a disappointing Premier League campaign last season, finishing eighth in the standings, their worst-ever performance in the top flight. However, they managed to salvage their season with a victory in the FA Cup.Zirkzee's addition to the squad is expected to provide manager Erik ten Hag with greater depth and versatility in the forward line. The Dutch striker is known for his pace, power, and clinical finishing ability. He has also demonstrated an impressive work rate and a willingness to press from the front.Zirkzee's move to Manchester United marks a significant step in his career. The young striker has shown great promise at Bologna and has now earned the opportunity to prove himself at one of the biggest clubs in the world. With his talent and determination, Zirkzee has the potential to become a key player for United and help them challenge for major honors in the years to come.

Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek's tumultuous four-year spell at Manchester United has come to an end, as confirmed by the player himself on July 10. Van de Beek's time at Old Trafford was marked by disappointment and frustration, with the 27-year-old failing to live up to the promise he showed at Ajax.After joining United from the Dutch giants in 2020 for a fee of £34 million ($43 million), Van de Beek struggled to make an impact under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and later Ralf Rangnick. He made just 62 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils, scoring only twice.In an attempt to revive his career, Van de Beek was sent on loan to Everton during the 2021-22 campaign. However, his spell at Goodison Park was equally unsuccessful, with the midfielder making just seven Premier League appearances.Last season, Van de Beek was loaned out to German club Eintracht Frankfurt, where he enjoyed a more productive spell. He made 28 appearances for the Bundesliga side, scoring five goals and providing two assists.Despite his improved form in Germany, Van de Beek's future at United remained uncertain. The arrival of Erik ten Hag as manager raised hopes that the Dutchman could be given a fresh start, but it became clear that he was not part of the new boss's plans.Van de Beek's departure from United marks the end of a disappointing chapter in his career. Once considered one of the most promising young midfielders in Europe, he has failed to fulfill his potential at Old Trafford.According to reports, Spanish side Girona are set to sign Van de Beek for a fee of around £4 million. The Catalan club, who will play in next season's Champions League, are believed to be keen on adding the Dutchman to their squad.Van de Beek's move to Girona could provide him with the opportunity to rebuild his career. The Spanish club play an attacking style of football that could suit his strengths, and he will be hoping to rediscover the form that made him a star at Ajax.

Manchester United's summer transfer window has kicked off with a bang, with the club reportedly close to signing four players within the first 10 days. This marks a significant departure from previous transfer windows, where United's business typically began later in the summer.The new regime at Old Trafford, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has set the ball rolling early, with sporting directors Dan Ashworth and Christopher Vivell playing a key role in identifying and securing transfer targets.The first player on United's radar is Dutch defender Matthijs De Ligt from Bayern Munich. Sources have confirmed that United have agreed personal terms with the Dutchman and are willing to match Bayern's asking price of £42 million.Another Dutch player, Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee, is also close to joining United. The 23-year-old has reportedly agreed personal terms and could make the move for a fee of £40 million.With Raphael Varane leaving on a free transfer, United have been scouting the market for defensive reinforcements. In addition to De Ligt, United have been pursuing Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton. However, after a £45 million bid was rejected, United have turned their attention to Lille defender Leny Yoro. A £42 million bid for Yoro has reportedly been accepted, although personal terms are yet to be agreed upon.United's early success in the transfer window can be attributed to the arrival of new owners and the implementation of a new recruitment system. The signings being targeted are all within the right age profile, playstyles, and price ranges, a departure from United's previous tendency to overpay for players who did not fit the system.If United can complete the signings of De Ligt, Zirkzee, Branthwaite, or Yoro, manager Erik Ten Hag will have a more competitive squad heading into the 2024-25 season.

Erik ten Hag's tenure at Manchester United has been extended until 2026, as the Premier League club announced on Thursday. The Dutchman has been given another chance to restore the record 20-time champions to their former glories.Ten Hag's appointment in 2022 came after a disappointing eighth-place finish for United in the previous season. Despite speculation of his dismissal, a shock FA Cup final victory over Manchester City earned him a lifeline.In his first season, Ten Hag instilled a sense of togetherness that had been missing since Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013. United enjoyed a nine-match winning run in all competitions, lifting the League Cup and finishing third in the Premier League.However, the second season proved more challenging. Despite winning two trophies, results and performances fell away dramatically. Ten Hag's side struggled early on, but he maintained the support of the fan base.Ten Hag's contract extension is a testament to his ability to turn around the fortunes of a struggling team. He has brought a sense of stability and unity to United, and his commitment to developing young players has been praised."Looking back at the past two years, we can reflect with pride on two trophies and many examples of progression from where we were when I joined," Ten Hag said in a statement. "We must also be clear that there is still lots of hard work ahead to reach the levels expected of Manchester United, which means challenging for English and European titles."United's Sporting Director, Dan Ashworth, praised Ten Hag's record as one of the most consistently successful coaches in European football. He emphasized the club's belief in Ten Hag's ability to drive up standards and outcomes.Despite the extension, Ten Hag faces a significant challenge in the upcoming season. United have spent over 400 million pounds on new players since his arrival, but results have not always met expectations.Ten Hag will need to find a way to balance the demands of competing in multiple competitions while also developing a consistent and winning style of play. If he can do that, United could be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.