Manchester United have been using the World Cup to identify potential new targets in the summer transfer window to strengthen Michael Carrick’s squad.

The Red Devils are in the market for midfield additions this summer, but they could also look to strengthen in other areas of the pitch.

The priority has certainly been adding bodies in the middle of the park, but they won’t want to neglect other positions.

It’s an important season approaching for the Manchester club as they look to tackle being in the Champions League alongside domestic football.

United need a deeper and more competitive squad heading into the new season if they want to compete on all fronts.

Man Utd eyeing new defender

via Reuters

Manchester United are one of the sides in the race to sign Australian defender Lucas Herrington in the summer transfer window.

The young centre-back has become one of the hottest properties of the summer transfer window after an impressive World Cup with his country.

United face competition from six other Premier League clubs, while sides such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Ajax are also keen on the defender.

Colorado Rapids are open to selling Herrington, described as a ‘Rolls-Royce’ after an ‘unbelievable’ World Cup, for the right price this summer, but they are hoping to secure a deal that allows them to keep him for another 12 months on loan.

At the age of 18, Herrington perhaps isn’t ready to become a guaranteed starter for a Premier League side, so a loan deal like that would make sense.

Man Utd closing in on midfielder deal

Manchester United are closing in on securing the signature of a new midfielder this summer.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Atalanta midfielder Ederson is due to complete a medical this week, after United completed an initial check whilst he was at the World Cup.

A deal is still not confirmed as United want to carry out their testing with their own staff in England after the initial checks in the USA.

Ederson might not be the only midfielder that arrives through the door at United this summer, with the Red Devils linked with a host of different players.

Celtic are in talks to re-sign striker Kelechi Iheanacho and are eager to get the deal done as quickly as possible to give the Nigerian a full pre-season, according to Sky Sports.

The Scottish giants signed Iheanacho on a free transfer last summer, agreeing a one-year deal with the option of a further year. The former Leicester City star scored nine goals in 24 appearances for the Bhoys, and this impressive return has prompted O’Neill to explore the possibility of activating this contract extension.

The Northern Irishman’s team’s pre-season commenced earlier this week with a draw against Irish side Shelbourne, and continues over the next few weeks with games against Sporting CP, Middlesbrough and AC Milan.

The Hoops are eager to sort Iheanacho’s situation quickly so that they can have him available for these important warm-up matches.

Celtic in Talks to Re-Sign Kelechi Iheanacho

Celtic have been quiet thus far in the transfer window, although they are making moves to bolster O’Neill’s attacking options.

Camilo Duran has arrived from Qarabag for £6 million to provide lead striker Daizen Maeda with competition, or perhaps to replace the Japan international, who has been linked with a move to the Premier League. Duran netted 15 goals across all competitions for the Azerbaijani side last season.

However, the acquisition of the Colombian isn’t deemed sufficient for O’Neill. The veteran head coach wants another striker in his ranks, and rather than scouring the market for potential targets, is willing to offer Iheanacho another year at Celtic Park.

Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph reports that the Glaswegian club are locked in negotiations with the 29-year-old’s representatives over this new deal.

The expectation is that an agreement will be reached, and relatively quickly, with the hope being that Iheanacho is given a full pre-season.

The Nigeria international only joined Celtic in September last summer, meaning he missed out on pre-season and subsequently took time to acclimatise to life in Scotland.

Celtic Could Lose Key Star This Summer

Maeda may not be the only key player Celtic lose this summer. The Scottish champions regularly have to scramble to keep hold of their best players, and they’re now bracing themselves for offers for one of their most pivotal stars.

Arne Engles is a target for Premier League and European clubs, with Roma said to be leading the race to sign the 22-year-old midfielder.

The Italian club expect to lose France midfielder Manu Kone this summer, and are subsequently exploring potential replacements.

Engels is one of their primary targets, with Celtic reportedly valuing the Belgian at around €20-25 million. Sanctioning this sale at this price could help fund further reinforcements for O’Neill, who is looking to lead his side to yet another Scottish Premiership title next season.

Christian Pulisic has come under fire following USA’s 2026 World Cup exit.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side were eliminated from this summer’s tournament after being thrashed 4-1 by Belgium in the last 16.

Pulisic, considered one of the greatest USA players in football history, was expected to shine on home soil. However, he was unable to showcase his best form throughout the tournament.

In the four matches the 27-year-old played in North America, he failed to hit the back of the net and recorded just one assist. In the match against Belgium, Pulisic was forced off injured just before the hour-mark with his side 3-1 down.

Pulisic spoke about his injury in his post-match interview. He said: “I just twisted and sprained my ankle. It’s frustrating to end like that, of course, but now I get time to rest, so it’ll be okay.”

Those comments didn’t go down well with some, including USWNT legend Carli Lloyd. After saying she was ‘disappointed’ in Pulsiic on FOX Sports, she wrote on X: “You rest when your playing career is over. Period.”

Carli Lloyd Urged to Apologise to Pulisic

Pulisic underwent X-ray and MRI scans on Tuesday to determine the extent of the injury. It has since emerged that he suffered a leg fracture and bone bruise, an injury which is expected to keep him out for several weeks.

Following the injury update, Lloyd was told to apologise by a football fan on X. The fan wrote: “Waiting for apology now, you went overboard on one of the greatest Americans to play this game. Champions League winner, etc. You owe him a direct apology.”

The 44-year-old has refused to back down, though. She replied:

Alexi Lalas Defends Christian Pulisic

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Gary Vasquez

FOX Sports pundit and former USMNT player Alexi Lalas has defended Pulisic following the criticism. The 56-year-old, who made 96 appearances for his country, said on his podcast:

“When it comes to Christian Pulisic, in terms of him eventually and potentially being the best male American soccer player, I think it’s now going to have to be relative to what he does from a club perspective. Which has been incredible, but he is yet to have that World Cup and that type of moment that transcends and surpasses all of his club accomplishments. And it remains to be seen whether going forward this team is going to be built around Christian Pulisic.

“But you know, he is a big boy. I think he can handle it, and who knows, maybe next World Cup ends up being his World Cup, but I think there is going to be a lot of change when it comes to this team going forward.”