A little under a month has passed since the USA were brutally dumped out of the World Cup by Belgium, and the USMNT have finally made a decision on the future of Mauricio Pochettino. The Stars and Stripes were left black and blue after a 4-1 defeat in the Round of 16, having entered the tournament with high hopes of making a deep run on home soil.

That early optimism came thick and fast, and it was easy to see why. For the first time since 1930, the side had started their campaign with back-to-back victories, and while a 3-2 defeat to Turkiye offered the first glimpse of their fragilities, the USA were riding the crest of a football fever wave. It was not until their humbling exit at the hands of their first real test that the summer’s highs came crashing down, giving way to a sobering-yet-devastating low.

With the host nation seemingly unable to stomach the manner of their exit, fingers were pointed in every direction, with Christian Pulisic among those to shoulder the most blame. Meanwhile, Donald Trump also found himself in the firing line after his intervention to overturn Folarin Balogun’s red card so that he could play sparked political uproar.

Mauricio Pochettino’s Future as USMNT Boss

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All of that arguing after this summer’s showpiece tournament has completely taken away from the fact Pochettino, the former Tottenham and Chelsea manager, has done a commendable job stateside. While his predecessors have struggled to get the USA any further than qualification, ‘Poch”s charisma and tournament know-how was a saving grace.

Because of his now-underappreciated success over the last few months, the 54-year-old is nearing a contract extension that would see him manage the Stars and Stripes for the next four years. The Athletic reported the news of the deal on Wednesday morning, 23 days after their World Cup Round of 16 exit.

Telemundo’s Andres Cantor first mentioned on Tuesday that talks were “going well and the intention is to be able to announce it soon” ahead of friendly matches in September and October.

The deal would take him through the 2028 Copa America and 2030 World Cup – assuming he doesn’t try to bolt for a European club job before then, with his signature drawing interest from Premier League clubs such as Manchester United over the last 12-18 months.

Pochettino is the Right Man for the USA

Pochettino led the USMNT to their first knockout-round victory at a World Cup since 2002 with their win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the new Round of 32. Heartbreak in the next round led some to wonder whether Pochettino would return after the team failed to break through the same barrier that halted them in 2010, ’14 and ’22.

But, interestingly, the federation allegedly offered a contract to him before the tournament even began. That’s despite finishing fourth in the 2024–25 Concacaf Nations League and missing out on the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup.

This summer, he vindicated that trust, though, as he broke US records for the most World Cup wins (three) and most goals scored (11) by a national team manager. It really felt as though his footballing identity had made a sustained impact on the side across June and July, and his reign should still be in its early days.

Manchester United have work to do as the final month of the transfer window edges ever closer.

As Saturday marks the beginning of August, clubs in England have until 11pm on Tuesday, September 1 to finalise any remaining transfer business.

Michael Carrick’s team have been active in the summer market already after confirming the arrival of five new players.

Adding to their squad with the additions of goalkeeper Karl Darlow and midfielders Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, the Red Devils have also brought in youngsters Kit Margetson and Tynan Thompson as they plan for the future.

Further work in the transfer market still needs to be done and all connected with Manchester United will be hoping some further new additions come in through the door sooner rather than later.

Preferred midfield options

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A further addition in midfield is required in the final month of the transfer window.

United are looking to bolster their options in the middle of the park with the signing of an experienced player who can operate slightly deeper and also make an impact in the Champions League.

According to The I Paper, a deal for Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni looks to be beyond United’s reach at this stage, although that could potentially change towards the end of the transfer window.

The report states that Manu Kone of Rome and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba are the preferred options at present, with club executives believing that both could be available for purchase at a more reasonable price.

Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams has also been linked with a move to Old Trafford and the United States international could possibly be more of an attainable target.

A player with European experience

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Manchester United will be back in the Champions League for the first time since the 2023/24 season after Carrick guided them to a top-four finish during his spell as interim boss.

The Red Devils will be looking to go far in Europe’s premier competition and the addition of a midfielder with European experience would certainly help.

In terms of both Kone and Baleba, both have never played in the Champions League but they have made European appearances for Roma and Brighton respectively.

Since joining Roma, French international Kone has played 17 times for the Italian side in the Europa League, reaching the Round of 16 on both occasions.

Baleba’s only experience of European football with Brighton came during the 2023/24 season as he made six appearances as the Seagulls made it to the last 16 before they were knocked out by Roma.

United do already have an agreement on personal terms in place with the 22-year-old Seagulls star though, dating back to talks last summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Adams does have Champions League experience to his name, however, notably playing against Manchester United for RB Leipzig during the 2020/21 season.

With the traditional Formula One summer break underway following the Hungarian Grand Prix, won by Lando Norris, the silly season of driver moves has also begun.

During the 2026 season, there have been two drivers in top teams who have not had results on the same level as their teammates, for whatever reason. According to former Sky Sports reporter Rachel Brookes, it will be those two who are at the centre of any moves that do happen, and if her predictions come true, it will mean the winner in Budapest could have a new face across the garage.

Lando Norris has had a return to the taste of champagne with his recent victory, and Kimi Antonelli has been on fire this season and is currently the championship leader. However, their teammates, Oscar Piastri and George Russell, have not had as much luck this season and are, therefore, subject to rumours that they could soon be on their way to another seat.

Oscar Piastri & George Russell Suffering So Far

The reigning constructors’ champions have not had a good defence of their title and are all but out of the running to earn that crown for a third consecutive season.

Their season began with a double DNS, with Piastri later suffering another one. As a result, Norris’ chances of retaining his World Drivers’ Championship have taken a major hit. On the other hand, the Brit can at least say he has won a race this season, which is something that the Australian can’t.

In the current standings, Norris is fifth, while the man from Down Under is seventh, with McLaren sitting third in the battle of the teams, 159 points behind Mercedes.

While Piastri has endured a difficult campaign, Russell’s recent weeks have been even more problematic. There may be some solace for the Australian in the fact that it’s clear he is no longer in a car capable of fighting for a championship, but there is no such escape for the Brit.

Although he has claimed two race victories this season in Australia and Austria respectively, Russell’s performances pale in comparison to the 19-year-old on the other side of the garage. Italian Antonelli is frequently being called a generational talent, and his six wins in 2026 so far, which included five in a row, have gone some way to proving that, with him becoming the youngest championship leader ever in the process.

It hasn’t just been the difference in the number of race wins where Russell has been on the wrong side either; he has also been the recipient of some bad reliability. Though Antonelli broke down in Barcelona, he has his six wins to numb the pain, whereas Russell has just two.

With him having to park up in Canada after a brilliant fight with his teammate, plus more problems in Hungary during qualifying and the race, which saw him tumble down the order right at the start, he is 59 points behind the Italian.

As a result of both drivers seemingly seeing lady luck go to the other car in their team, Rachel Brookes believes both drivers could be in other garages come the opening race of next season.

F1 Insider Predicts Big Four’s Driver Line-Up For 2027

Crdit: Alessio De Marco/Sipa USA

She believes the catalyst for a change for Piastri and Russell will be the long-rumoured deal between Max Verstappen and Mercedes coming to fruition, and the Australian will be the one heading to Milton Keynes to pair up with Isack Hadjar.

With Russell out of a drive, the broadcaster predicts he will find a new home in Piastri’s vacated seat at McLaren.

Outside any line-up differences, Brookes thinks the Ferrari pair will remain the same.

If the proposed changes go through and the boys in Papaya end up both being British, that will bring plenty of pleasure to the core group of British fans who support the team. Although the team was created by Bruce McLaren, who was from New Zealand, it has been very much adopted by the British public.