Manchester United are said to have spoken to the representatives of a breakout World Cup star this summer. Michael Carrick and the Red Devils recruitment chiefs are working hard to improve their squad this summer, with United sensing an opportunity to become a side involved in the title race after a solid third-place finish last season.

Carrick has needs, with a replacement for Casemiro needing to be found. That search remains ongoing after Mateus Fernandes was snatched from their grasp by big-spending Tottenham.

United remain calm in their search for strength and depth, and their search could lead them to an up-and-coming World Cup star.

United consider deal for Boudaddi’s midfield partner

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Much has been made of Morocco youngster Ayoub Bouaddi in the Morocco midfield during this World Cup, but his midfield partner Neil El Aynaoui is now attracting attention for his impressively consistent performances in North America.

The Roma midfielder has been excellent in a dominant Morocco midfield that specialises in winning the ball and serving a fast transitional attack.

According to TeamTalk, El Aynaoui is becoming a hot property thanks to his work in North America this summer, and a number of sides are said to have spoken to his intermediaries. United are named among a host of clubs to have held conversations, and it’s though El Aynaoui could become available if Roma are handed the right proposal this summer.

Just how much that proposal would need to be worth remains to be seen, but it will be safely above £25million.

The 25-year-old would likely be a supplementary signing for United, and he would perhaps have more of a squad role despite his impressive displays at the World Cup and the African Cup of Nations. The Red Devils have already signed Ederson this summer, and they are likely to make a statement midfield signing ahead of the new season.

El Aynaoui an underrated player

Perhaps not helped by the midfield superstar in the making he has alongside him, El Aynaoui is an underrated talent, as noted by MoroccoBeat, who say he is one of ‘the most important players you don’t notice’.

Describing the player earlier this year, they wrote: “Observers highlight El Aynaoui’s tactical maturity as one of his greatest strengths. He positions himself intelligently between the lines, cuts passing lanes, and provides constant support to teammates under pressure. His calm use of the ball allows his team to build from the back without panic, while his physical engagement ensures defensive solidity.

“Another key aspect of his game is consistency. Match after match, El Aynaoui delivers the same level of concentration and discipline, qualities highly valued by coaching staff.”

Arsenal are now said to be readying a bid for one of their main targets this summer. The Gunners are carefully plotting their summer business as they look to become a dominant force both at home and abroad.

Mikel Arteta’s men won the Premier League title last season, but they still have some areas to improve to be able to consistently compete with PSG and Bayern Munich. Andrea Berta and Arteta were clear on where they needed to improve last summer, but while they will likely have a plan for this summer, it is certainly less obvious what the Gunners need to do.

Arsenal are likely to sign a left winger, a hybrid midfielder and some sort of extra cover for right-back, while some of the squad players who may leave will need replacing. Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes is said to be a key target, and a bid may now be lodged by the Gunners.

Arsenal preparing Guimaraes bid

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Arsenal are said to be preparing a bid for Guimaraes, who has established himself as one of the most dominant midfielders in the Premier League. According to The Sun, Arsenal believe they can still push through a £60million deal for the ‘world-class’ Brazilian despite Newcastle already selling Sandro Tonali to Tottenham for £92million upfront and a further £8million in potential add-ons.

The report adds that Arsenal are currently readying a bid, so this could be a transfer saga that speeds up quickly in the coming days and weeks. Although Guimaraes is currently at the World Cup, so the deal may need to wait until after the summer, depending on Carlo Ancelotti’s policy on club matters during an international competition.

Arsenal already have some solid options in the midfield between Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Christian Norgaard, but Arteta wants to increase competition further.

Guimaraes is an all-rounder

Guimaraes has become one of the most reliable midfielders in the top-flight, and he was described as ‘top-class’ by Adrian Clarke during a Premier League analysis back in 2024.

“The Brazil international is like two players rolled into one for the Magpies,” wrote Clarke. “He is essentially a specialist holding midfielder out of possession, scurrying around looking to break up play as a sitting midfielder in a three-man unit.

“But once Newcastle have the ball, Guimaraes transforms into an attacking box-to-box player who offers drive, creativity, goals and assists. He is seemingly everywhere on the pitch, so it is little wonder there is only one top-flight player, West Ham United’s James Ward-Prowse, who has covered more distance this season.”

He added: “One of Guimaraes’ strongest features is his willingness to do the ‘dirty work’.

“He is always on the move looking to get involved in duels, and in that sense Guimaraes is one of the most effective midfielders around. Playing for a side who have to do more defending than the top three clubs – Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City – his work off the ball is comparable to their top-class holding midfielders.”

FIFA have released a statement following the controversial VAR call that denied Croatia a dramatic late equaliser in their Round of 32 clash against Portugal and led to their 2026 World Cup elimination.

Croatia thought they’d taken the game to extra-time when Josko Gvardiol bundled home in the 13th minute of stoppage time, but the goal was eventually ruled out after the video assistant referee intervened.

Igor Matanovic was judged to have got the slightest of touches on the cross that found Mario Pasalic, who was stood in an offside position. Pasalic’s touch fell to Gvardiol, who put the ball past Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

Croatia Denied Late Equaliser After VAR Review

REUTERS/Jeenah Moon

However, it appeared impossible to determine from the replays whether Matanovic definitely got a touch on the ball with his head. Watch the incident below:

After reviewing the footage on the pitch-side monitor, Norwegian referee Espen Eskas announced to the crowd inside the Toronto Stadium: “Croatia player, number 20, touched the ball and headed it to the goalscorer. Final decision: offside.”

Croatia’s players reacted to the decision with a mixture of dismay and devastation. Luka Modric and co. felt their World Cup dream had been brought to an end in hugely controversial circumstances.

Portugal advance to the last 16, where they will face neighbours Spain on Monday night at the Dallas Stadium, thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s 68th-minute penalty and a late winner from Goncalo Ramos.

FIFA Explain How Decision Was Reached

REUTERS/Mike Segar

Amid the intense debate over whether VAR was right to disallow Croatia’s goal, FIFA have released a statement explaining how the decision was reached. The statement reads:

The ‘Snicko’ technology, best known for its widespread use in cricket, inside the Trionda ball was able to prove that Matanovic got a slight touch on the ball before it fell to Pasalic.

It seems the correct decision was reached thanks to the technology, despite suggestions VAR may have made an error. A rules expert has also cast their verdict over the incident.

Adidas confirmed after unveiling the Trionda in October 2025: “Match Day TRIONDA footballs also carry the latest evolution of adidas Connected Ball Technology in the form of an innovative new side mounted chip system. The 500Hz inertial measurement unit (IMU) motion sensor chip now sits inside a specially created layer in one of the four panels, rather than as a centre-mounted system held in place by a suspension system. The addition of counter-balances across the three other panels ensures continued flight stability and balance.

“Providing unprecedented insight into every element of the movement of the ball, the technology sends precise ball data to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in real time – which when combined with player position data and by applying artificial intelligence, helps match officials make faster offside decisions. Developed in close collaboration with Kinexon, adidas Connected Ball Technology can also aid match officials in identifying each individual touch of the ball, resulting in less time spent resolving specific incidents, including possible handball.”