Manchester United’s pursuit of midfield reinforcements has been well documented so far this summer, as the Red Devils look to build under Michael Carrick.

Carrick led United to a third-place finish in the Premier League and subsequent Champions League qualification as interim manager and has since had his contract made permanent.

Now, the English giants are looking to build a squad capable of competing in all four competitions this season and a major part of that refurbishment is in the middle of the park.

Casemiro has already departed following the expiration of his contract while Manuel Ugarte is set for a significant period of time on the sidelines after suffering knee ligament damage while playing for Uruguay at the World Cup.

The Red Devils have already seen an attempt to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest fail with the England star set to join rivals Manchester City instead. However, United are still making progress in their bid to reinforce their core.

Man Utd still pushing for Mateus Fernandes

One of the midfielders most strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer has been West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Red Devils, as well as Tottenham Hotspur, are in contact with West Ham and Fernandes’ agent “every day”.

“Man United and Tottenham are every day in contact with West Ham and every day in contact with the agent of the player, Jorge Mendes,” Romano said on his YoutTube channel. “I told you that the player is open to joining both clubs, Tottenham or Man United. This depends on the clubs, on who can go to West Ham and agree the fee.

“So, that’s the point. The transfer fee [is] around £85million-plus, and also [it is] important to mention payment terms, so details of the Mateus Fernandes story depend on the club. I keep telling you West Ham will sell to the club ready to spend the best money. Then, [it is] important to say, even after the injury of Manuel Ugarte, Manchester United remained in active conversations for Mateus Fernandes. They are not giving up on him.”

West Ham are not in a position where they have to sell Fernandes having bought the Portuguese from Southampton less than a year ago. However, the Hammers’ relegation to the Championship means it is going to be increasingly difficult for them to keep hold of the 21-year-old who is subject to significant interest from clubs in the Premier League and across Europe.

United would be the best destination for Fernandes

via Reuters

After two seasons in the Premier League with two clubs, Fernandes has ended up being one of the star players in poor teams that have been relegated.

The 21-year-old featured in 36 of West Ham’s 38 Premier League matches last season, scoring three goals and registering four assists but is considered one of the most exciting young midfielders in Europe.

Now, he deserves the opportunity to see how he copes on the biggest stage playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world.

United are not only that but can also offer Champions League football this season, while at Spurs there is still some uncertainty around just how much improved they are going to be on the back of their disastrous campaign last term.

£85million is a significant transfer fee for a player who hasn’t yet proven himself in such an environment, but there is plenty of excitement about what the midfielder can develop into if nurtured properly.

Germany fans aren’t happy with one player in particular after a damning report emerged following their penalty shootout defeat against Paraguay at the 2026 World Cup.

Julian Nagelsmann’s side finished top of Group E after beating Ivory Coast and Ecuador. Their reward was a last 32 tie against Paraguay.

Germany would have fancied their chances of defeating Paraguay and making it to the last 16. However, they were far from their best at the Boston Stadium.

Julio Enciso gave the Paraguayan’s a shock lead just before half-time, before Kai Havertz restored parity just after the break. The match went all the way to a penalty shootout and it was Paraguay who progressed in sudden death.

Germany Star Blasted For Actions During Penalty Shootout

Jonathan Tah, who had a goal controversially ruled out in the 103rd minute, stepped up to take Germany’s sixth penalty. The Bayern Munich defender sent his spot-kick flying over the bar, condemning Germany to defeat.

It has now been revealed that Tah took the sixth spot-kick after several of his teammates shied away.

According to BILD, there was internal difficulties in finding a sixth penalty taker. It’s reported that several players ‘hesitated and ducked out of’ taking the spot-kick.

Leon Goretzka, Waldemar Anton, Nathaniel Brown, Malick Thiaw and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer were all on the pitch and could have taken the sixth penalty, but none of them fancied their chances. With others hesitating, Tah, who has never taken a spot-kick in his professional football career, stepped up, but he could not hit the target.

Germany fans are not happy at all with Goretzka. Many think the experienced midfielder, who was subbed on in the second half, should have stepped up and taken a penalty.

“This is disgraceful,” one wrote, while another said: “Letting a central defender take a decisive penalty. Serious cowardice from a player with over seventy caps for his country.”

A third commented: “Goretzka is such a coward. He’s a 31-year-old attacker who has experience of scoring in a shootout yet leaves a centre-back to step up for his first kick.”

A fourth wrote: “If a player with as much experience as Goreztka backs out and lets a guy who’s never taken a penalty before take his place, that should be the end of his international career.”

A fifth said: “Goretzka should never be named to the national team again. What a coward move,” while a sixth stated: “It’s legitimately insane that Goretzka, one of the most senior members of the team, a part of multiple World Cups and probably seen as one of the locker room leaders, didn’t step up when needed.”

Julian Naglesmann Won’t Resign as Germany Manager

REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Nagelsmann has expressed his desire to continue as Germany manager despite their shock exit. He said, per the Guardian:

He added: “If we did a survey today in Germany people would not speak positively about me today. But in football you win some and you lose some, it’s always been that way, we haven’t really done much in this tournament to make people celebrate, but I have a lot of confidence that we could have done a better job.

“But I don’t think that everyone in Germany will agree with me staying on as manager of the Mannschaft. It was very difficult because they were ultra-defensive. We didn’t give enough. When you exit the World Cup after you play Paraguay then it is very bitter. If you do not score many goals then it is not enough. It is very hurtful.”

Nagelsmann has been Germany’s manager since 2023. He has won 23 of his 37 games in charge.

Novak Djokovic once gave a fascinating response when asked to rank the five greatest tennis players in history, including his longtime rival Rafael Nadal.

The Serbian superstar is widely regarded as the most accomplished tennis player ever, having captured a record 24 Grand Slam singles titles throughout his remarkable career. He also became the first player to win every Grand Slam tournament at least three times and has enjoyed extraordinary longevity, remaining the last active member of the famed ‘Big Four’ as of summer 2026.

Djokovic spent the majority of his career competing against Nadal and Roger Federer, two legends he faced countless times. His rivalries with both men helped define one of tennis’ greatest eras, but DAZN challenged him in March 2025 to rank more than just those two Open Era icons.

For many players, analysts, and supporters, deciding who deserves the fourth spot on tennis’ Mount Rushmore remains a difficult debate. While three names are virtually guaranteed, opinions often differ when it comes to selecting the final place.

Novak Djokovic’s Top 5

Andy Murray

Susan Mullane (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Although players such as Stan Wawrinka and Juan Martin del Potro built outstanding careers worthy of praise, Andy Murray‘s achievements make a particularly compelling case. Had the Scot not competed during the same era as three all-time greats, his accomplishments would likely have received even greater recognition.

Murray lifted three Grand Slam trophies, including memorable Wimbledon triumphs in 2013 and 2016. His first title at the All England Club came after a straight-sets 6–4, 7–5, 6–4 victory over Djokovic on Centre Court. He also claimed the 2012 US Open and reached 11 Grand Slam finals, frequently running into Djokovic and Federer on the biggest stages.

Following Murray’s retirement, Djokovic appointed the Scot as his coach in November 2024. Although the partnership lasted only six months, Djokovic made it clear why he wanted him in his corner, saying: “Andy is just an amazing person. First of all, someone that I have spent most of my career with since a very young age on the tour, travelling, playing him, facing him in the earliest days, under-12 and all the way through to the last days of his career.”

Andre Agassi

Djokovic placed Andre Agassi fourth in his blind ranking, a choice backed up by the American’s impressive resume of eight Grand Slam titles. Agassi excelled on hard courts, winning the Australian Open four times, while also lifting the Wimbledon trophy in 1992. He remains one of only five men in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam.

Agassi and Djokovic crossed paths only once on tour, with the American nearing retirement as the Serbian was beginning his rise. Agassi’s final French Open appearance ended in a 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 defeat before he retired after the US Open and later, like Murray, joined Djokovic’s coaching team in 2017.

Djokovic explained how much Agassi influenced him, saying: “He’s someone that inspires me a lot. He has been through all these transitions. He has been in my shoes before playing Grand Slams, being the best in the world and facing all the challenges.”

Pete Sampras

If not for Pete Sampras, Djokovic may never have fallen in love with tennis in the first place. The American legend’s dominance and influence left a lasting impression, particularly through his exceptional serve-and-volley game and remarkable mental resilience.

Sampras consistently delivered under pressure, helping him collect 14 Grand Slam titles, including seven Wimbledon crowns. Djokovic has often admired the way “Pistol Pete” produced his best tennis during the most important moments of major finals.

That admiration likely included Sampras’ victory over Pat Rafter in the 2000 Wimbledon final, which secured what was then a record 13th Grand Slam title. Djokovic had also watched him win his first Wimbledon championship in 1993, defeating Jim Courier 7–6, 7–6, 3–6, 6–3.

Djokovic once recalled: “I watched him win one of his first Wimbledon championships, and I grew up playing and thinking that one day I’ll be able to do what he does.”

Roger Federer

Roger Federer remains the most successful Wimbledon men’s singles champion in history, and at his peak, his complete game was a joy to watch. The Swiss combined grace, precision, and effortless movement, particularly on grass courts, where he was often at his very best.

Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon singles titles still stands, although Djokovic defeated him in each of their three finals at the All England Club. Federer ended his career with 20 Grand Slam titles and competed at the highest level into his 40s before retiring in September 2022.

Beyond his achievements, Federer earned universal admiration for his professionalism and sportsmanship. Djokovic has frequently praised his longtime rival, saying: “Federer is the most talented one, the most beautiful to watch when playing. He moved so lightly, so elegantly, and so efficiently.”

Rafael Nadal

According to Djokovic, Rafael Nadal sits at the very top of the list. The pair produced one of the greatest rivalries in sporting history, meeting 60 times as contrasting styles and relentless determination captivated tennis fans around the world.

Although Djokovic finished with 31 victories from those 60 encounters, he openly admitted that facing Nadal at his very best was among the toughest challenges in the sport.

Nadal captured 22 Grand Slam singles titles during his career, highlighted by an astonishing 14 French Open championships—an achievement unmatched at Court Philippe-Chatrier. He also won Wimbledon twice, cementing his reputation as one of the greatest all-court players the game has ever seen.

Djokovic also paid tribute to Nadal’s lasting impact on tennis, saying: “Rafa has inspired generations with his work ethic and passion. His abilities on court are something I have always admired and respected.”