Latest news with #SummerSeries
BBC News
40 minutes ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Wales boost fitness in hunt for Lynn's first win
Women's summer series: Australia v WalesVenue: Ballymore, Brisbane Date: Saturday, 26 July Kick-off: 05:00 BSTCoverage: Watch on BBC Sport online and BBC iPlayer, listen on Radio Wales, Radio Cymru and BBC Sounds Georgia Evans says she and her Wales team-mates are the fittest they have ever been after being pushed to their limits in coach Sean Lynn said a lack of strength and conditioning was a concern after Wales finished bottom of the 2025 Women's Six Nations, his first campaign in the summer, Lynn's players trained in army boot camps and also spent time running up Wales' largest sand dune in preparation for a two-Test tour of Australia and next month's Rugby World Cup in England. "He (Lynn) wasn't lying when he said he was going to put us in a dark place, he definitely did that," said back-rower Evans."He set us standards before we left for off-season of what he expected when he came back in, so the work didn't stop, it was about grinding away." Evans thinks the hard work will pay off as Wales go in search of a first win under Lynn during their trip to take on the Wallaroos in Brisbane on Saturday before a repeat fixture in Sydney on Friday, 1 August - the day before the third British and Irish Lions Test in the same recorded their first victory over Australia at Rodney Parade last September, but suffered a sobering defeat when the two sides met again in South Africa at WXV2."It (pre-season) has been really tough, but looking to your left and looking to your right, you're seeing PBs (personal bests) week-in, week-out. We're getting fitter," said Evans."I think everyone is glad to see the back of block one purely because now we're into more rugby."We've got the ball in our hands way more than we did before. Just getting around the park, it makes life a lot easier when you can breathe a bit better. The tour of Australia will show us where we are rather than just training against each other." On a personal note, Evans will be hoping to hit the same levels which made her a standout player in the Six Nations in terms of tackle count and ball carrying. The 27-year-old Saracens star can play in the second row but is hoping to make the number eight jersey her own amid some stiff competition."I felt I did myself justice in the Six Nations but it's about building - the job is never done," Evans said."Wales have some world-class players. Unfortunately all of them play in my position, so it's all about that competition and making sure they're pushing you for your shirt and making you're a better player."I'm looking forward to it and hopefully I'll get my chance."
BBC News
3 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Man Utd arrive in Chicago
I could hardly claim Chicago was brought to a standstill by Manchester United's arrival on Tuesday were a couple of fans waiting for them - and a couple of lads who asked what was happening when the local police put the barriers out that briefly blocked the there was not too much buzz when Ruben Amorim and his players eventually are using Chicago as their training base for the Premier League Summer Series, although their first match, against West Ham on Saturday, is actually at the MetLife Stadium - which hosted the Club World Cup final earlier this month - in New Jersey.
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Man United stars jet off to the US - with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha on board but Bomb Squad left behind - for pre-season tour ahead of Ruben Amorim's first full season
Man United players were all smiles as they jetted off to the United States for the pre-season Summer Series tournament in the country. New signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha had spots on the plane and were snapped boarding alongside their team-mates, while the former sat next to international team-mate Andre Onana for take-off. Cunha, meanwhile, posed alongside Tom Heaton and Luke Shaw and he continues to settle in at his new side, having made his debut against Leeds in United's first pre-season game at the weekend. Cunha announced the birth of his baby daughter on social media on Monday night, sparking speculation that he might miss the start of United's three-game trip to America. But United have confirmed their 32-man travelling party and the 25-year-old Brazilian joined his team-mates on the team flight to O'Hare International Airport, landing in Chicago on Tuesday evening. There were notable absentees, however, with United's Bomb Squad left behind, as well as Harry Maguire. Maguire has stayed behind to attend to a personal matter although it's hoped that the England defender will be able to join up with the tour at some stage. He posted a message on social media on Tuesday saying: 'All is fine now. I will be travelling tomorrow to meet up with the squad, thanks for your concern.' Lisandro Martinez will travel but is unlikely to play as he continues his rehabilitation from a cruciate ligament injury. United's latest new signing, Mbeumo, was on the plane after completing his £71million move from Brentford just in time for the tour which sees United compete in the Premier League Summer Series against West Ham in New Jersey, Bournemouth in Chicago and Everton in Atlanta. As expected, Ruben Amorim's 'bomb squad' have been left behind to train at Carrington as Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia seek moves away from Old Trafford this summer. Marcus Rashford is already in Barcelona ahead of his unveiling on Wednesday. United's third signing of the summer, Paraguayan left back Diego Leon, has also been included on the tour along with some of United's other promising youngsters, Tyler Fredricson, Reece Munro, Jack Fletcher, Sekou Kone, Bendito Mantato, Chido Obi and Ethan Williams. Ruben Amorim and his players will be based in Chicago before facing West Ham in their opening game in New Jersey on Saturday. As expected the four remaining of the 'Bomb Squad', including Alejandro Garnacho (left) and Jadon Sancho (right) have been left behind at Carrington It's a vital summer for Amorim and his players, with the Portuguese not able to afford a season as poor as the last, which saw him take over from Erik ten Hag in the hotseat. United finished 15th in the Premier League, also missing out in the Europa League final and failing to qualify for Europe next season. They have four more pre-season games until they kick off their new campaign on August 17, facing the three sides in the Summer Series before taking on Fiorentina at Old Trafford on August 9.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Man United's bomb squad back home casts shadow over Ruben Amorim's trip to the United States - as Red Devils face losing fortune on £350m worth of stars
It's 21 years since Manchester United first arrived in Chicago having left a number of star names at home, drawing criticism from a US audience who didn't appreciate that Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates were resting after Euro 2004 and the Copa America or preparing for the Athens Olympics. Fans even booed when a United side featuring very few big names besides Roy Keane fought out a drab goalless draw with Bayern Munich here at Soldier Field, forcing Sir Alex Ferguson to fly in reinforcements for the remaining two games in Philadelphia and New Jersey. When a significantly stronger United head back to the Windy City on Tuesday there will again be some notable absentees, but it's safe to say there is little chance of Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho Antony or Tyrell Malacia getting an SOS call from Ruben Amorim. The United boss will be happy to leave them behind to train at Carrington as United set up camp in Chicago ahead of Saturday's opening game of the Premier League Summer Series against West Ham in New Jersey, a meeting with Bournemouth at Soldier Field and the final tour game against Everton in Atlanta. With Marcus Rashford already in Barcelona to complete a loan move to the Nou Camp, Amorim clearly thinks it would be too much of a distraction to have the rest of his 'bomb squad' on the trip having kept them away from their teammates for the first two weeks of pre-season training and Saturday's goalless draw with Leeds in Stockholm. Sancho went to the US and played on tour last summer despite his fall-out with Erik ten Hag, but Amorim wants a clean slate and that is understandable. Alejandro Garnacho is a member of Man United's bomb squad who will not travel, while Marcus Rashford is closing in on a move to Barcelona on an initial loan He will also be delighted to have Bryan Mbeumo on the plane to Illinois after his £71m move from Brentford went through on Monday night. United have committed more than £130m to signing Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, giving Amorim the two bespoke No10s he wants for his 3-4-2-1 system, and two attackers who are proven in the Premier League. United's traditions have been built on exciting wingers but Rashford, Sancho, Garnacho and Antony have become an endangered species at Old Trafford this summer. Malacia, meanwhile, was the first signing of the Ten Hag era but does not fit the specific requirements to be a left wing-back under his successor. Amorim knows what he wants and United's leadership team should be commended for backing him in that regard. Still, there is something rather incongruous about a club so desperately in need of goals – a problem underlined again in Stockholm – freezing out so much attacking talent. Leaving them at home may be better for morale, but it could also cost United a fortune this summer. By making it abundantly clear that they are surplus to requirements, the club have severely compromised their bargaining position on a group of players who were valued at close to £350m at their peak. United will find new homes for all five, but at what cost? Rashford's price rocketed to £100m not so long ago, but he will be allowed to join Barcelona for around £30m next summer if his loan is a success. The 27-year-old is understood to have taken a 15 per cent wage-cut to help the deal go through with Barca agreeing to pay all of his salary. Garnacho was valued at around £70m when Napoli made an approach for him in January, but United would consider offers of around £40m for the Argentina winger after Amorim told him to find a new club. The 21-year-old wants to stay in the Premier League and there is interest from Chelsea, Tottenham and Aston Villa. Antony is the second most expensive player in United's history following his £86m move from Ajax three years ago, but would fetch less than half that now with the Old Trafford hierarchy likely to consider offers under £40m. Although the Brazil winger impressed on loan at Real Betis last season, the Spaniards are reluctant to pay above £25m or £50,000-a-week towards his wages, so another loan spell in Seville is a possibility. Sancho cost £73m from Borussia Dortmund in 2021, but United are struggling to offload him for a fraction of that price after Chelsea paid a £5m penalty rather than turn his loan into a permanent £25m transfer. With the 25-year-old now in the final 11 months of his contract, and his £275,000-a-week wages a significant stumbling block, United may have to consider another loan amid interest from Juventus. Malacia, who cost £14.7m from Feyenoord when he became the first signing of the Ten Hag era, is available after returning from a loan spell at PSV Eindhoven. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos would no doubt argue that they are paying for the excesses of a previous regime. They would prefer to sell players rather than loan them where possible as they look to raise money for more new signings after bringing in Mbeumo and Cunha. A striker is the next priority as United work out what to do with Rasmus Hojlund, another player whose value has halved since he signed from Atalanta for £72m two years ago. Throw in a central midfielder and possibly a goalkeeper, and there will be plenty to occupy Amorim's thoughts on Tuesday's flight to Chicago.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Four issues Ruben Amorim must solve during Manchester United's pre-season tour
Manchester United are getting ready for their pre-season tour of the United States, having kicked off their run of summer friendlies with an uninspiring 0-0 draw against Leeds on Saturday Ruben Amorim is embarking on his first full pre-season as Manchester United boss this summer. The Red Devils will jet off to the United States this week ahead of three matches as part of the Premier League's Summer Series. United's first game, against West Ham, will be played at midnight UK time on Saturday at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where next year's World Cup final will be held. Amorim's side will then take on Bournemouth at 2:30am next Thursday, July 31 in Chicago. Finally, the Red Devils are due to play Everton at 10pm on Saturday, August 3 in Atlanta. There's also a clash with Fiorentina at Old Trafford a week later but the bulk of Amorim's work will be done during their money-spinning trip across the pond. United have already started their pre-season campaign, drawing 0-0 with Leeds in Stockholm on Saturday. It reminded fans of a multitude of problems which the Red Devils need to solve for the 2025-26 season. Ahead of United's three-game tour of the US, here are four areas of the team which Amorim is looking to improve. Scoring more goals United ended last season's Premier League campaign with just 44 goals. Only four sides scored fewer and finding the net more regularly is the key area where United need to improve. New signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo will go a long way to addressing that, but Amorim knows he still needs to recruit a new No.9 to lead United's attack next season, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee simply not prolific enough to lead the attack. Where will Manchester United finish this season? Give us your prediction in the comments section. Getting the best out of Cunha Despite United playing out a goalless draw with newly-promoted Leeds in Stockholm on Sunday, Amorim said he saw some positives, in particular the connection and link-up play between captain Bruno Fernandes and new signing Cunha. That is an understanding Amorim is keen to build upon, with Cunha's aggression, pace and ability to make a difference in the final third something United lacked last season, with the burden falling all too often on Fernandes. Establishing a settled defence Defence is the area of the pitch where United have the greatest depth, but Amorim will be keen to establish a settled back three, supported by two wing-backs, that he can rely on. Injuries forced Amorim to reshuffle his defensive personnel last season, but the arrival of Diego Leon, along with the return from injury of Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw, gives Amorim greater options to choose from when trying to decide upon his first-choice back five. Addressing a vulnerable midfield Opponents found it too easy to play through United's midfield last season and that is an area Amorim knows he must address. Casemiro returned to form last season, but at 33 he cannot be relied upon every game. Manuel Ugarte had a poor season, Kobbie Mainoo regressed and Mason Mount continued to be a hostage to injury. The signings of Cunha and Mbeumo means Casemiro and Fernandes are likely to occupy deeper midfield roles, but a new midfielder is required.
