Pogba says Carrick will bring glory days back

If anyone understands how Michael Carrick works up close, it is Paul Pogba.

The former Manchester United midfielder played 28 times alongside Carrick and later under him during Carrick’s first spell as interim head coach in 2021.

Pogba believes Carrick – appointed permanent head coach in May – can lead Man Utd to a first Premier League title in 14 years.

“He's really close to the players, he knows the game and I think he can really bring something to this team,” Pogba told talkSPORT. “When he came here the team changed totally and it’s going to be a big test for them next season.

“I think Manchester United will win in the next few years. They're going to be champions of the Premier League.”

Carrick was so impressive after taking over as head coach in January that he was shortlisted for the Barclays Manager of the Season award, guiding the club to third in the table and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.

“If Arsenal can be champions, Manchester United will definitely be champions,” Pogba added. “It's a big statement, but I believe they will.”

Chalobah replaces Livramento for England

Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento has been ruled out of the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a calf injury.

Livramento has been replaced in the England squad by Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah.

The 26-year-old is expected to join up with the England squad after their tournament opener against Croatia on Wednesday.

It comes eight years after Chalobah posted an image of the World Cup trophy with the words, "One day. Believe."

Livramento's injury is not thought to be too serious, but it will come as a huge blow to the full-back, who is returning to Newcastle to rehabilitate with his club.

Chelsea’s Reece James is expected to start at right-back for England, but Livramento was in contention to play during the tournament.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Djed Spence, who plays on the left and right of defence, is another option at full-back. Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa is more comfortable at centre-back, but can also play there.

Players can be replaced in a country’s 26-man squad up to 24 hours before a match.

Haaland follows in father’s footsteps

Erling Haaland has released a “Journey to the World Cup” video on his YouTube channel, offering insights into his preparation for his first World Cup – and what he was like growing up.

The Manchester City striker was a key factor in Norway qualifying for their first World Cup in 28 years.

“In 1994, Alfie Haaland wore the shirt for his country on that same stage,” the video’s narrator says. “Now, his son returns with a team and nation that have waited a long time for this moment.”

The video shows Haaland unwinding at a golf resort in Marbella, Spain, with his older brother and his friends after the season finished with Man City.

Childhood friend Kyrre was asked what Haaland was like growing up. “He loved to joke around. Messing around with people. Every time he’s the one who messed around the most,” Kyrre said.

“We used to play [video game] FIFA in our basement hoping to pack Messi or Ronaldo or Ibrahimovic. And suddenly now people are doing the same and hoping to pack him.”

His brother Astor was asked what Erling was like growing up. “Annoying,” he said while laughing.

Wood makes up for lost time

It may have been almost 16 years since Chris Wood last played a World Cup game, but the Nottingham Forest striker wasted no time making an impact.

There were 15 years and 357 days between Wood’s appearance for New Zealand against Paraguay in a goalless draw at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and him starring in their draw against Iran in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Only one player has had a longer stretch between World Cup games: Colombia goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon, who went 16 years and two days between tournaments.

Wood, 34, set up both of Elijah Just’s goals as New Zealand twice took the lead before drawing against Iran.

Olise spotted in a Chelsea shirt

Michael Olise has become a Ballon d’Or contender since leaving Crystal Palace for Bayern Munich in 2024, and is poised to be a star of this World Cup for France.

Ahead of their opening match against Senegal, the forward was photographed wearing a Chelsea shirt – but before Blues fans get carried away, it was part of a France national team photoshoot.

Olise: Second row, second from the left

In a post to their six million followers on X, each member of the 26-player squad – plus manager Didier Deschamps – was pictured in the kit of their first club, with the message that “none of them has forgotten where their passion for football was born”.

“Together, all of them pay homage to their first club, the place where everything began,” the caption read.

Olise spent time in the academies at Arsenal and Man City, but chose to wear a Chelsea shirt, where he spent seven years. The 24-year-old later joined Reading’s academy, where he broke through.