Latest transfer news, friendlies reaction & Euro qualifying draws

Simon Stone
BBC Sport’s chief football news reporter in the United States

The hamstring injury Rasmus Hojlund sustained not long after he had scored an excellent first-half opener against Arsenal at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles at the start of the trip was badly timed.

New arrival Joshua Zirkzee, who was on Netherlands duty at Euro 2024, is one of the players yet to train with the main group so Erik ten Hag again finds himself experimenting with a wide player in a central area.

He virtually admitted he had scrapped last season’s idea to push Marcus Rashford through the middle, stating he preferred the England man on the left cutting in.

Jadon Sancho, back in from the cold, has been used in the role. He has not entirely convinced, though.

After flattering to deceive with two excellent pre-season campaigns that dissolved into little of substance when the real thing started, maybe the situation will be reversed this season.

More likely though, Ten Hag will revert to using skipper Bruno Fernandes in the false nine role, particularly as two of the players who have caught the eye on this trip, Mason Mount and Scott McTominay, have done so in the number 10 position.

Image source, Getty Images