Manchester

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorin says his side “could have done better” after taking the lead during a 1-1 draw with Fulham in the Premier League.

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HEARTBROKEN friends and family have paid tribute to an “amazing” mum-of-three who tragically died after getting into difficulty at a reservoir.

The body of 33-year-old Kimberley Johnson, known as Kim, was pulled from Strinesdale Reservoir near Oldham on Sunday, August 17.

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Emergency services rushed to the beauty spot on the A62 between Oldham and Delph after reports of a woman struggling in the water at around 4pm.

Police sealed off the area while fire crews, paramedics and the specialist water rescue unit battled to find her.

Despite desperate efforts, Kim was confirmed dead shortly after being recovered from the water at 6.25pm.

Greater Manchester Police said there are no suspicious circumstances. A spokesperson confirmed: “Emergency services responded to an incident at Strinesdale Reservoir at around 4:50pm yesterday after reports of a woman getting into difficulty in the water.

“Sadly, the body of a woman was recovered.

“There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.”

The tragedy has rocked the local community, with tributes pouring in for the young mum, who was described as kind, soft-spoken and full of life.

Her close friend Tanya Kennedy told how Kim “always lit up every room” and had been a constant source of support and inspiration to those around her.

Tanya said: “Kim was such an amazing woman, she took me in when I was younger and from there she always treated me like a sister.

“I really wish I could speak to her one last time.

“I absolutely adore Kim and she has been a big role model for me, walking around Rochdale or even sitting at the canal messing about.

“Kim was a really important person to me and I regret not messaging her more or seeing her more often.

“She was one of those people who would tell you as it is but also the most kind hearted, soft spoken person I’ve ever met.

“I am really going to miss Kim, always lighting up every room she walked into.

“My thoughts and prayers are all to the family at this time. Rest in peace babe.”

Friends have since gathered online to share their grief, describing her as “one of a kind” and “taken far too soon”.

In another tribute, Curtis King wrote: “R.I.P Kim Louise Johnson my love and thoughts go out to all your family. A beautiful soul lost way too young.”

Residents in Oldham said the reservoir is a popular walking spot but warned the waters can be treacherous.

One local said: “It’s heartbreaking to hear someone has lost their life there. It looks calm on the surface but it can be dangerous.”

Kim leaves behind her three children, who friends say were the “centre of her world”.

Those who knew her best said she was a devoted mum who worked hard to give her family the best life possible.

The tragedy has sparked fresh warnings about the dangers of swimming in open water, especially during the summer months.

Experts say hidden currents, sudden drops and freezing temperatures can all pose a risk.

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Manchester City defender Ruben Dias has signed a two-year contract extension.

The 28-year-old’s previous deal had been set to expire in 2027 but his new deal will take him to 2029, with the option of a further 12 months.

The Portugal international joined City from Benfica for a fee of £65m in 2020 and was named Premier League player of the year at the end of his first season.

The defender has helped City to four league titles, the Champions League, the EFL Cup and the FA Cup during his five years at Etihad Stadium.

“I am incredibly happy today,” said Dias.

“I love Manchester – it is my home now – and I love the Manchester City fans.

“When I think about the trophies we have won and the way we have played our football during my time here, I couldn’t imagine playing anywhere else.”

SHOPPERS are going wild for huge bags of Popeyes chips which are currently on sale at a major chain. 

The tasty treats are retailing for less than £2 for a huge 1kg pack. 

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Heron Foods is known for supplying high-quality food for low prices and operates 343 locations across the UK. 

Now, the company has gone viral for selling delicious Popeyes chips for staggeringly low prices. 

Popeyes’ Cajun Coated Oven Fries are on sale at Heron Foods in massive 1kg packs. 

Each pack costs just £1.79 and contains fries slathered in the company’s famous seasoning. 

Popeyes’ cajun coating includes paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to give each chip a smoky flavour. 

Shoppers have gone wild for the treat, after an eagle-eyed shopper spotted the snack yesterday.

One excited fan wrote “these are delicious”, with another adding “they are so good”. 

Others praised Heron Foods for stocking the coated fries, describing the budget-friendly retailer as “underrated”. 

One customer wrote: “Heron is so underrated!! 

“You can find some amazing things!

“Heron is so underrated!! You can find some amazing things!”

The news comes after Popeyes announced plans to open 45 new restaurants across the UK this year. 

The American fast food chain has secured £43 million from Barclays Corporate Banking as it adds to its existing 80 locations in Britain. 

The chain’s UK chief finance officer Drew Taylor said: “Barclays are a highly supportive banking partner of Popeyes in the UK.

“The new finance facilities will enable us to build on our successful growth in the UK to date and execute our expansion strategy over the coming years, with more than 45 openings targeted in 2025 alone.”

Popeyes’ first UK store was opened in the Westfield Shopping Centre in Stratford, London, but now it is eyeing more locations across the country. 

Birmingham, Leeds and Bristol can all expect new Popeyes locations, with Liverpool, Manchester and London all receiving additional branches.

Popeyes’ Savin’ Menu

Popeyes is one of the biggest fast food chains in America.

Now, the company is a hit in the UK as well with many of its products now available at stores such as Heron Foods.

However, the chain’s 83 UK branches have also introduced a brand new menu which makes its food even more affordable.

The Savin’ Menu includes:

• Savin’ Wrap – £1.99
• 1-piece Bone-in-Chicken with Fries – £2.99
• 2 Wings Solo – £1.99 or with Fries – £2.99
• 1 Tender with Fries – £2.99
• 2 Tenders with Fries – £3.49
• 3 Wings with Fries – £3.49
• Regular Fries – £1.99
• Biscuit and Gravy – £2.59
• Mac and Cheese – £3.50
• Gravy Savin’ Box – £5.69
• Mini Whipz – £1.99

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HOMEOWNERS could make easy money ahead of the new Premier League season – simply by having a driveway they’re not using.

A team of experts has analysed postcodes near the nation’s major stadiums to determine where householders could earn the most money by renting out their driveways to fans.

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According to Leasing Options, residents living near Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (N17) enjoy the highest earning potential, with an average daily income of £22.25 throughout the year.

Other lucrative areas include postcodes near Leeds‘ Elland Road Stadium, where homeowners can make £22 a day, and Chelsea‘s Stamford Bridge in London, offering £21.50 per day.

For those living near Wembley Stadium, the country’s iconic football venue that hosts the England National Team, cup finals and events like the recent Community Shield, the earning potential is similar at £21 per day.

Likewise, residents near Scotland’s Hampden Park and Wales’ Cardiff City Stadium can expect to earn around £21 a day.

Further down the rankings, homeowners in Liverpool living near Anfield and Everton Stadium can still earn a respectable £13 per day, with prices often more than tripling on matchdays or during special events.

With the Premier League season kicking off this weekend, renting out an unused driveway could be one of the simplest and most effective sidehustles for homeowners looking to make some extra cash.

It isn’t just sporting events either, as some of the highest earners this year so far are music events – including high-profile concerts and festivals.

These events often result in single-day earnings that surpass what would typically be made in a week – making them a particularly lucrative option for those living nearby.

At the top of the list is Oasis at Heaton Park in Manchester, where driveway rentals can fetch an average of £165.67 per day during the event. 

Following closely is Beyonce’s tour stop at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, with homeowners earning an average of £150.26 per day during her shows. 

Similarly, the Wimbledon Championships in London provide an average earning potential of £101.08 per day for residents near the All England Tennis Club.

Other notable events include Guns N’ Roses at Villa Park in Birmingham, where locals can earn £97.40 daily, and Sabrina Carpenter’s concert at Hyde Park in London, which offers average earnings of £94.92. 

Stadiums that can provide income opportunities year-round

1. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London): £22.25/day
2. Elland Road (Leeds): £22.00/day
3. Stamford Bridge (London): £21.50/day
4. Wembley Stadium (London): £21.00/day
5. Hampden Park (Glasgow): £21.00/day
6. Cardiff City Stadium (Cardiff): £21.00/day
7. OVO Arena Wembley (London): £21.00/day
8. Marshall Arena (Milton Keynes): £15.00/day
9. Anfield (Liverpool): £13.00/day
10. Everton Stadium (Liverpool): £13.00/day

Leasing Options analysed data from JustPark to identify the UK’s most profitable areas for driveway rentals.

The study focused on over 25 major cities and key 2025 events, mapping more than 750 postcode districts using public data.

Commercial listings were excluded, location accuracy was verified and districts with insufficient data were removed, leaving over 550 reliable areas.

Median weekday and weekend rates were averaged to calculate daily earning potential, while event-day prices were separately assessed for major fixtures.

Commenting on the data, Mike Thompson, Chief Executive Officer at Leasing Options, said: “With demand for event parking soaring across the UK, it’s clear that homeowners have a real opportunity to turn their unused driveways into a valuable source of extra income.

“Our data shows that locations near major stadiums like Tottenham Hotspur, Elland Road and Wembley consistently attract high rental prices.

“During big-name events, these figures can more than triple.

“It’s a smart, low-effort way for people to benefit from the buzz around them, especially in areas where parking is at a premium.

“As we look ahead to a packed 2025 event calendar, the potential for driveway rentals is only set to grow.”

How to rent out your driveway

For those interested in turning their unused driveway into a steady source of income, there are a handful of steps you can follow.

Check Eligibility – Review your mortgage or lease agreement to ensure renting out your driveway is allowed, and also check with your local council to confirm you don’t need planning permission.

Choose a Platform – Platforms like JustPark, YourParkingSpace and ParkOnMyDrive make it easy to list your driveway.

You can sign up, create a profile and provide details about your parking space, such as dimensions, location and availability.

Set Your Price – Research current rates in your area using the platform’s tools or by browsing other listings.

You can even adjust the price for special events or peak times to maximise earnings.

Add Photos and a Description – Make sure upload clear photos of your driveway and write a good description, highlighting features such as proximity to venues, security and ease of access.

Manage Bookings – Set your availability for weekdays, weekends or specific dates. Also use the platform’s booking system to approve requests and communicate with renters.

Ensure Insurance – Consider public liability insurance to cover accidents or damages while someone is using your driveway.

Track Your Income – You must keep records of your earnings and remember that if they exceed £1,000 annually, you’ll need to declare them to HMRC under the Property Income Allowance.

This comes as Sun Motors recently looked at the family motors that lose the least value over time – with a luxury compact SUV taking the top spot.

New data from the analysis of 40 million UK car sales over a typical three-year ownership period highlights which family models hold their value best.

Experts from Carmoola have recently released their new Car Depreciation Index, developed with vehicle data specialists Brego, which ranks the top-performing family cars for resale value.

They found that the Porsche Macan is the slowest-depreciating family car sold in the UK – losing just 19.9% of its value over three years.

The Macan is particularly popular in the UK due to its blend of sporty performance, SUV practicality and the prestige of the Porsche badge.

It’s championed for being agile and powerful, with a well-tuned suspension that makes it enjoyable to drive on various UK roads, from city streets to country lanes.

United’s expensively-assembled new forward line draw a blank as Arsenal began title campaign with a tight win at Old Trafford.

Arsenal kept Manchester United’s expensively assembled forward line at bay and scored again from a set piece to win 1-0 at Old Trafford in the marquee match in the opening round of English football’s Premier League.

Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori nodded in from close range in the 13th minute on Sunday after United back-up goalkeeper Altay Bayındır flapped at the ball from a corner whipped in by Declan Rice.

After finishing second for the past three seasons, the pressure is on Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to deliver the club’s first league title since 2003-04.

The Spaniard was left to depend on his reliable defence and goalkeeper David Raya to secure a huge three points as the visitors never fully got going as an attacking force.

United, meanwhile, fell to a loss that is all too familiar under Ruben Amorim following a woeful 15th-place finish last season by the struggling giants of English football.

United spent around 200 million pounds ($270m) on revamping their attack in the preseason, with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha starting the match and Benjamin Sesko coming off the bench in the second half.

Cunha and Mbeumo unsettled Arsenal’s normally unflappable centre-back pairing of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba early on.

However, United’s good work was undone by a glaring error from Bayindir, who was deputising for Andre Onana.

Patrick Dorgu came closest to a United reply before half-time with a powerful effort from distance that came back off the post.

Mbeumo and Cunha saw tame efforts easily saved by Raya, while the Spaniard did brilliantly to divert another Cunha shot across the face of goal.

Arsenal had held interest in Sesko for well over a year before instead pursuing a move for Viktor Gyokeres as the solution to their need for a number nine. The Swede had a quiet Premier League debut and was replaced before the hour mark by Kai Havertz.

Sesko made his entrance moments later to a hero’s welcome after rejecting the advances of Newcastle for the lure of the 20-time English champions.

United continued to enjoy the better of the play without finding the finish as Mbeumo saw a powerful header expertly clawed out by Raya.

But Arsenal held firm to keep pace with title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, who also won on the opening weekend of the campaign.

Calafiori told Sky Sports after the match that his side have room to improve, despite the win.

“Like always, we were working a lot on our set pieces, and that is what we showed today. We have to improve if possible and keep going,” he said.

“If we want to compete at the high level, we have to be good in every position. My teammates are ready to play, and it is not easy to play every game. The confidence we have inside is going to bring up the level. Hopefully, I play a lot but if not there is another teammate that can play.”

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes said that while his team played well, they need to be more clinical in front of goal.

“We created lots of chances and didn’t score, so we have to do better next time. We controlled the game well, we were good on the ball,” he told Sky Sports.

“[Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo] created a lot [of opportunities and] they were in the right positions. We know they are dangerous, and they are a threat. We are very aware of what they can give to the team. It was a good first impression for them, but I’m pretty sure they will do much better.”

Elsewhere in the Premier League on Sunday, Chelsea failed to score in their opening league game, as they were held 0-0 by Crystal Palace in the Blues’ first competitive match as the Club World Cup champions.

A month after stunning Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final, Chelsea toiled at Stamford Bridge after a short preseason because of the team’s exertions in the United States.

Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest hit the ground running with a 3-1 win over Brentford, with striker Chris Wood – the team’s top scorer last season, with 20 goals – netting twice in the first half, on either side of a goal by Dan Ndoye on his debut.

All matches on Sunday featured a period of silence before kickoff as a tribute to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva, the brothers who were killed in a car crash in Spain last month. Jota was a player for Liverpool at the time.

Hojlund, who joined for £72m two years ago, was United’s main striker last season and scored 10 goals in 52 games.

His debut campaign brought 16 goals after his move from Italian side Atalanta.

The move to drop Hojlund has been backed by United’s leadership.

Amorim has spent £200m on a completely revamped forward line, with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha set to fill the two number 10 slots Amorim prefers.

In addition to Mount, England international Kobbie Mainoo could also play as a false nine – while Bruno Fernandes did the job successfully in the 2024 FA Cup final.

On United’s pre-season tour of the United States, Cunha filled the number nine role – although he also tended to drop deeper.

Seventeen-year-old Chido Obi featured for the first team at the end of last season, although at his stage of his development it is thought unlikely he would be regarded as a regular stater, with his involvement is more likely as a substitute.

Amorim could be excused for thinking someone is having a cruel joke at his expense when he assesses an opening that starts with Arsenal at Old Trafford, includes a trip to Manchester City and home game with Chelsea in United’s first five games, and then Liverpool at Anfield in match eight on 18 October.

By that point, it will almost be 12 months since the dismissal of Ten Hag and assessments will be being made about what has changed.

And that is the rub.

United, led by chief executive Omar Berrada, went for an imaginative choice rather than the safe options – which included Marco Silva, Thomas Frank and Graham Potter – suggested by then sporting director Dan Ashworth as Ten Hag’s replacement.

Amorim came to prominence at Sporting by delivering outstanding results with a specific formation. Three central defenders, wing-backs and two inside forwards behind a number nine. The immediate collateral damage in shaping a United squad to fit that system was the discarding of five players – four of whom are senior internationals who prefer to play wide.

The full extent of the additional impact Amorim has made by bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, at a combined cost in the region of £200m, to fill the attacking roles remains to be seen.

However, the intention is for skipper Fernandes to play deeper in one of the two midfield slots. How much meaningful time on the pitch is afforded to England duo Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo, whose contract stand-off remains unresolved, is open to question.

At the back, team selections in five unbeaten games in three countries across pre-season, suggest Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt are battling for a single slot as the middle defender, while Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez, when fit, are vying to be first choice on the left of the three.

De Ligt has proved adept at moving into midfield when United’s keeper has the ball. This, Amorim reasons, clears the space for his side to get possession into the areas of the field where they can cause more damage. Fernandes’ task, in Amorim’s ideal world, is to get on the ball as often as possible, and then make the right decisions.

It’s all very technical. In theory, it also provides support in midfield, which tended to be completely overrun during Ten Hag’s time because the Dutchman wanted to stretch the space in that area of the field, something Casemiro was not able to do, while none of those asked to partner him made a particular success of either.

Casemiro’s game intelligence, his ability to read situations and the Brazilian’s calmness under pressure brought him back into favour under Amorim towards the end of last season.

The 33-year-old does not have limitless energy but he was preferred to Christian Eriksen, who was about to leave the club, and, more significantly, Manuel Ugarte, who cost £50.8m to sign from PSG less than 12 months ago, for the Europa League final against Tottenham in May, which United lost.

It seems Amorim regards finding an upgrade in this area of the pitch to be more of a priority than replacing goalkeeper Andre Onana.

That Amorim talks a good game is not in question. Now his team have to deliver.

The target is clear. Amorim has said European qualification is the aim. His players have said the same. More importantly, a financial outlook provided for the club by an external agency spoke about delivering a place in the Europa League at the end of this season as a stepping stone to a return to the Champions League in 2027-28.

It would be unfair to judge United’s season on one game, or even eight looking at that fixture list. But, as Amorim has previously said, he used up a lot of goodwill from the stands last season.

He promised this season will be better. It has to be.

LERONE MURPHY demanded a title shot from Dana White following his sensational first-round spinning elbow KO of Aaron Pico.

The Manchester ‘Miracle’ locked horns with the former Bellator standout early this morning in the co-main event of UFC 319 in Chicago.

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Murphy put his eight-fight win streak on the line in his clash with the former uber-prospect, which he had just THREE WEEKS to prepare for.

The Manchester Top Team standout was hoping a dominant victory over the American would earn him the next crack at featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski.

And he staked his claim to be champion Alexander Volkanovski’s next outing with viral KO of Californian clubber Pico, which saw him move to 9-0 in MMA‘s top promotion.

“I’m next in line,” he roared in his post-fight interview wth Joe Rogan. “Let’s go, Volkanovski!”

Pico immediately took the centre of the octagon and put Murphy on the back foot before going to work with vicious body shots against the cage.

Murphy remained composed and landed a nasty short elbow in tight before briefly being taken down.

He looked to establish distance with a long teep and strikes from distance but was taken down again just before the two-minute mark.

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But he managed to return to his feet again and landed a beautiful knee to the body, which echoed throughout the arena just before the midway point of the round.

Pico continued to pressure and look for clinches across the fence.

And Murphy beautifully timed his entry with a sensational spinning elbow KO to punch his ticket to a title shot.

Pico was out cold before he even hit the canvas and Muprhy landed an academic hammerfist, which he pulled back on.

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..

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This theme park in North Wales is set against the stunning backdrop of the Snowdonia mountains and home to a large variety of unique rides and nature-focused experiences

This theme park with enough attractions to captivate both younger and older children is every parent’s summer wish come true. It is even more enticing with it comes with a picturesque setting that offers a touch of escapism for grown-ups as well.

There’s absolutely no question that GreenWood theme park in North Wales boasts an idyllic location – proudly eco-friendly and nestled against the breathtaking Snowdonia mountain range.

Should you be planning a family break in North Wales this year, or simply fancy a relatively straightforward day trip from Manchester, this park ranks among the finest attractions around. It comes after sunbed wars see Brits forced to queue for ‘over an hour’ just to get to the pool.

READ MORE: Cheapest theme parks in the UK revealed – including one that’s £0 to enterREAD MORE: I take my family of four on holidays abroad for less than the cost of a UK staycation

The journey takes approximately 90 minutes by car from Manchester, but it follows one of the most uncomplicated routes possible (via the A55 beyond Llandudno and A5 through Bangor). The stress-free journey also provides magnificent coastal vistas along North Wales.

As one Manchester Evening News writer discovered, travelling with two children aged 9 and 5, the theme park provides a thoroughly packed day out with an abundance of activities – plus a genuine diversity of rides that sets it apart from typical theme parks.

Consider, for instance, its Green Dragon rollercoaster – marketed as the “world’s first people-powered rollercoaster”. It’s apparently the only theme park attraction of its type in the world- but don’t fret, it doesn’t require everyone to run Flintstones-style to power the ride.

The attraction utilises funicular technology, first introduced in Welsh slate mines two centuries ago. All passengers clamber into a carriage which descends a hill, powering the rollercoaster up the incline.

There are plenty of very unique features to encounter at this family attraction. Another is the Barefoot Trail – where you kick off your shoes and stroll through the woodland, allowing your feet to feel an invigorating variety of surfaces from water to straw and stones.

There is stilt walking for beginners, archery, and during the first week of the school summer holidays, there are virtually no queues for any of the 20+ rides across the site. The only unavoidable wait will likely be for one of the park’s more spectacular highlights – the colossal Solar Splash water ride.

Another world-first, this ride is powered by solar energy, and allows both kids and adults to zoom down two massive central chutes, or a spiral chute next to them, before making a splash landing at the end. All the wild woodland play features scattered across the site, add an extra dose of intrigue. The park is nestled against a hillside so be prepared for some gentle inclines as you explore the grounds.

The on-site Woodbarn restaurant boasts a large soft play barn inside, ensuring your little ones are kept amused while you order food and wait for it to be served at your table.

The attraction has recently introduced alpaca walks that you can book as an extra (for £20), where children aged over 4 accompanied by their parents can meet and feed the three resident alpacas on the site. You can then embark on a guided walk with these furry creatures around their enclosure.

Treetop Towers, filled with slides and climbing adventures, are situated across the park, and you can walk up to the top of the site to take in the view from the Snowdonia View Point.

Entry is £25 per person for anyone over 1m, while those under 1m pay £10. A family ticket saver option is also available, costing £95 for a family of four (saving you a bit at £23.75 each). GreenWood is offering a ‘Pay Once, Visit Twice’ deal for the summer holidays. If you visit between 19th July and 24th August, you can return within seven days at no extra cost.

Dogs are also allowed in for free, provided they’re well-behaved and kept on leads.

Who: Manchester United vs Arsenal
What: English Premier League
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester, United Kingdom
When: Sunday, August 16 at 4:30pm (15:30 GMT)

How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 4:30pm (15:30 GMT) in advance of our live text commentary stream.

Arsenal face an immediate test of their Premier League title credentials against a revamped Manchester United.

Al Jazeera Sport takes a closer look at the game.

How does the season shape up for Arsenal?

Mikel Arteta has challenged Arsenal to keep digging for gold.

The Gunners have finished as Premier League runners-up for the last three seasons, sparking criticism of their failure to get over the line in the title race.

Arsenal blew significant leads when Manchester City pipped them to the trophy in 2023 and 2024, before Liverpool left the injury-plagued north Londoners trailing in their wake last season.

Arsenal’s title frustrations are mounting, with fans questioning whether Arteta is the right man to end their drought after winning only the 2020 FA Cup since he took charge in December 2019.

But the Gunners showed their potential last season, with a run to the Champions League semifinals that ended with a narrow defeat against eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain.

And, buoyed by a host of new signings worth more than 180 million pounds ($244 million) in total, Arteta is convinced they can finally get their hands on the Premier League silverware this season.

“You keep digging, digging, digging, and you have to be digging because one day the gold is going to be there,” he told reporters on Friday.

“For three seasons, we’ve had more points than [nearly] any other team in this league, which is incredible.

“You have the consistency, but now we have to do it in a season, to end with more points than any other team.

“That’s the objective. When I’ve been taught, when I’ve been educated, that’s it.”

Hampered by injuries to Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz at various stages last season, Arsenal lacked a cutting edge and were held to 14 draws compared with Liverpool’s nine.

That was a crucial edge as Arsenal finished 10 points behind the champions.

Who did Arsenal sign this summer?

In an attempt to insulate Arsenal against another fitness-related collapse, Arteta has brought in Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres, Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, Chelsea winger Noni Madueke and Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard.

After bemoaning Arsenal’s failure to sign Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins as Liverpool pulled away during the January window, the Spaniard is a far more upbeat figure on the eve of the new season.

“I think we have great versatility, very different qualities in relation to the opposition, so we are very happy with that,” he said.

Arteta said that “too many” teams have a legitimate shot at winning the Premier League for his liking, some he even suspects will “surprise everybody”.

Whether that was a hint that United, who suffered their worst season since 1973-74 last term, could emerge as contenders after their summer spending spree remains to be seen.

Arsenal were linked with a move for United’s new striker Benjamin Sesko before deciding to bet on Gyokeres for a fee that could rise to 66 million pounds ($89.5m).

The Swede netted 97 times in 102 games in two years at Sporting, much of which came under United’s current manager, Ruben Amorim.

How is the season shaping up for Man Utd?

Instead of being reunited with Gyokeres, Amorim overhauled his attack with the signings of Leipzig’s Sesko, Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo and Wolves forward Matheus Cunha at a combined cost of more than 200 million pounds ($271m).

United, who have not won the title since 2013, had to spend big to erase the stench of their putrid campaign.

Amorim’s team finished a dismal 15th in the top-flight, and squandered a chance to qualify for the Champions League with a toothless 1-0 defeat against fellow underachievers Tottenham in the Europa League final.

The pressure is on Amorim, who replaced the sacked Erik ten Hag in November, to deliver major improvements in his second season.

Amorim knows Sesko will be key to that target and believes the 22-year-old Slovenian is ready to rise to the challenge.

“I don’t need to tell Ben, ‘Ben, this is Manchester United, a lot of pressure. Every game is like do or die’,” Amorim said.

“He is always thinking about football. He’s really obsessed about that.”

Head-to-head

This is the 244th meeting between the clubs, with United winning 99 of those games and Arsenal winning 89.

The last two meetings ended in 1-1 draws, although one of those was in the FA Cup with United advancing on penalties.

The Red Devils have not beaten the Gunners since December 2022, a 3-1 home win lead by a Marcus Rashford double.

The Gunners have won four of the six following meetings.

Manchester United team news

Defenders Lisandro Martinez (knee) and Noussair Mazraoui (hamstring) are both injury absentees for United.

Joshua Zirkzee and Andre Onana have, however, both recovered from knocks and are available for selection.

Arsenal team news

Arteta has said that the new signings, Gyokeres and Zubimendi, are both “fit to play”.

Leandro Trossard has had a groin problem but is expected to recover in time for selection. Gabriel Jesus remains a long-term absentee with an ACL injury, but otherwise, Arteta has a full squad to choose from.

Manchester United predicted starting lineup

Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Cunha; Sesko

Arsenal predicted starting lineup

Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli

Manchester City have signed defender Laura Wienroither from Arsenal on a two-year contract following a positive loan spell.

The 26-year-old spent the second half of last season with City after joining initially on a short-term basis in January, making eight appearances.

Wienroither moved to Arsenal from Hoffenheim in January 2022 and played 51 times for the Gunners.

The Austria international said making a permanent move to City, who finished fourth in the Women’s Super League last season, was a “no-brainer”.

Wienroither said: “I really enjoyed the last six months. I feel like I settled in well.

“I really like the girls, I really like the staff. So, when the opportunity came up that I can stay, I didn’t have to think twice.”

She has committed to City until 2027 and expects to be challenging for silverware.

“This club is made to win titles, to win trophies, and I’m here to do that,” Wienroither said. “The team definitely has the qualities and potential to do that, and we do have a very successful future ahead.”

Wienroither suffered an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury in May 2023 and spent 11 months on the sidelines, making her return to the Arsenal team in April 2024 before signing a new contract with the Gunners two months later.

However, Wienroither only featured three times for the Gunners last season before her loan to City, as she faced competition from USA full-back Emily Fox and academy graduate Katie Reid.

Phil Aspin

Apology

IT’S opening night at football’s multi-billion dollar circus and spending has gone through the big-top roof.

So despite an almighty spree of his own, Arne Slot believes his Liverpool side will face tougher competition than ever if they are to retain their Premier League title.

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England’s biggest five clubs have already shelled out more than £1billion between them this summer, in a whopping total spend of £2.1billion — or £2.5bn including deal add-ons.

And as the defending champions roll up to Anfield to face Bournemouth, kicking off another season for the greatest show on Earth, the Dutchman expects the title battle to be fiercer than ever.

Liverpool’s imminent signing of Giovanni Leoni would take their summer outlay to around £300m  — with deals for Alexander Isak and Marc Guehi still possible.

But world champs Chelsea have spent another quarter of a billion, followed by Manchester United (£200.5m), Arsenal (£181.8m) and Manchester City (£150.1m for a total of £324m in the calendar year).

And Slot said: “The reason why it’s so difficult lies mainly with the fact there are so many that can win the league over here.

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“To win it once is very special, if you can win it twice in five years like us — and City did even better — then that is unbelievable.

“And probably this year’s going to be harder than any year before because every team brings in new players. Our main competitors definitely did as well.

“The challenge in the Premier League is always the teams. We start with Bournemouth — the most intense in the league in terms of running and also playing style — and after that it’s Newcastle and Arsenal.

“That sums up this league and the challenges we have.”

If winning the title is a serious achievement, retaining it is far tougher — only Pep Guardiola’s City, Sir Alex Ferguson’s United and Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea have won back-to-back Premier League crowns.

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Slot would be walking among giants if he wins a second title in two  seasons.

And while the signings of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez provide a major platform, he still wants Newcastle striker Isak as well as Guehi, the England defender who skippered Crystal Palace to beat the Reds in Sunday’s Community Shield.

Perennial runners-up Arsenal are in  a major recruitment drive too — adding Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Kepa  Arrizabalaga and Cristhian Mosquera ahead of a critical campaign for Mikel Arteta.

As ever, Chelsea have bought in bulk — with strikers Joao Pedro and Liam Delap joining wingers Jamie Gittens and Estevao Willian, left-back Jorrel Hato and midfielder Dario Essugo at a club powered by its own brand of chaos.

Guardiola’s City — four-in-a-row champions before  last term — have made four big signings in Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri and James Trafford, to add to their January quartet.

With United’s attacking overhaul bringing Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in, never before have all of England’s major clubs seen such change.

Europa League winners Spurs have spent  £100m-plus, with more to come — with even promoted Sunderland well over nine figures.

The league is increasingly competitive. The Liverpool-City duopoly — when two near-perfect teams needed close to 100 points to take the crown — is over.

No longer does one defeat spell disaster, yet fewer fixtures are a formality for any title-chasers.

With Liverpool making so many changes, Slot faces a different pressure to when he inherited Jurgen Klopp’s squad last summer.

He said: “I took over a team with only two weeks to prepare due to the Euros and Copa America.

“This year we’ve brought in very good, intelligent players who need to integrate. Bournemouth will bring a big challenge but everyone is looking forward to it.”

Roll up, roll up — tonight’s the night we begin to find out if they all have more money than sense.

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Roma have made an offer to sign England winger Jadon Sancho from Manchester United, where he remains excluded from training with the first-team squad.

United sources have not revealed the size of the bid from the Serie A club, nor whether it has been accepted.

However, the offer in itself underlines that there is interest in the 25-year-old, who has been told to find a new club before the transfer window closes on 1 September.

Juventus, who unlike Roma have qualified for this season’s Champions League, are also known to be interested in Sancho.

The former Borussia Dortmund wide man returned to United in the summer after Chelsea paid a £5m penalty to get out of an obligation to buy him, having spent last season on loan at Stamford Bridge.

There have also been suggestions that Roma would be interested in a loan, containing clauses that could be triggered at the end of the season.

However, that issue is complicated by the fact that Sancho’s United contract expires next summer. The club does have an option to extend it by an additional year, although given Sancho’s salary, it is debatable whether they would be willing to do that.

United are determined to sell Sancho. However, the closer to September they get without a deal in place, the more likely they are to consider a potential loan move, given it would at least take a significant sum off their wage bill.

Four players – Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Tyrrell Malacia – have been training away from boss Ruben Amorim’s squad since the start of pre-season last month as the club believes they will have left before the window closes.

Matthew Hobbs, BBC Sport:

Jack Grealish’s signature is a real coup for David Moyes, but will the 29-year-old be more effective on the left or in a central role for the Toffees?

According to Opta, Moyes commonly employed a 4-2-3-1 formation in the Premier League after returning to Goodison Park last season, doing so 11 times in 19 matches and only really deviating when a back three was used instead.

Grealish has predominantly had a left-sided role during his top-flight career, spending 80% of his 5,698 Premier League playing minutes on the left wing at Manchester City.

In the top flight at Aston Villa, he played on the left 64% of the time, and 20% at number 10.

While Grealish is a statement signing sure to excite supporters, it does create an imbalance in Everton’s squad, with the search for a right-winger so far unsuccessful.

Iliman Ndiaye played 2,350 minutes on the left wing last term and finished as the club’s top scorer, while Dwight McNeil has also been a key performer in that role.

Should Grealish start on the left it may mean Ndiaye, McNeil and summer signing Carlos Alcaraz competing for the number 10 berth – or one playing out of position until a natural right-winger is recruited.

Moyes typically demands hard work off the ball, so if Grealish plays centrally in a position operated by Abdoulaye Doucoure last season, he may be required to do more defending than perhaps suits his natural game.

Captain Phil Salt compared 22-year-old fast bowler Sonny Baker to England great James Anderson after he shone in Manchester Originals’ 10-run win over London Spirit at Old Trafford.

Baker began Spirit’s chase of 164 with five dots and conceded only four runs when asked to bowl the first 10 deliveries.

He troubled two international greats in David Warner and Kane Williamson, who have a combined 38,000 international runs to their name, with swing and lively pace.

That helped limit the Spirit’s scoring and, despite Australian Warner hitting 71, the hosts, who left out Anderson after defeats in their opening two games, were always in control.

Warner was caught down the leg side off England seamer Josh Tongue with 38 needed from 15 and Baker returned to dismiss Australia international Ashton Turner for 13 – a deserved reward for a fine spell that cost only 22 runs.

“He was outstanding,” Salt told Sky Sports.

“Jimmy had a rest today but that is the closest to what he did, if not better. It will be hard to pick seamers for the next match.”

Anderson also praised the highly-rated Baker, who was awarded an England development contract earlier this year despite having never played a County Championship match at that stage.

“I have seen a lot of footage of Baker but not seen a lot of him live,” Anderson told Sky Sports. “I have been so impressed.

“Tonight he bowled outstandingly well. He has got pace, skill, swings the ball both ways. He has a lot going for him.”

Earlier another talented youngster, 20-year-old Durham batter Ben McKinney, crashed three sixes in a 12-ball 29 on debut to give the hosts a fast start.

From there, contributions of 31 from Phil Salt, 46 from Jos Buttler and 24 by Heinrich Klaasen helped the Originals post 163-6.

Manchester Originals secure their first win of the men’s Hundred season with a 10-run victory over London Spirit thanks to impressive performances from Ben McKinney and Sonny Baker.

MATCH REPORT: Youngsters Baker & McKinney shine in Originals win

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IKEA fans won’t have to wait much longer — the Swedish giant’s long-awaited new store will open its doors in just 48 hours.

The brand-new branch, located in Brighton’s Churchill Square Shopping Centre, takes over the former Debenhams site which has been empty since 2021.

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Shoppers will be able to step inside from 10am on Thursday, August 14 , to explore thousands of affordable homeware items, and tuck into the famous meatballs.

Spread across two floors and 6,695 square metres, the store will offer 2,600 products for immediate takeaway and access to the full 12,000-strong range via delivery or collection.

It’s the first full IKEA store in the city, meaning Brighton locals will no longer need to trek to Croydon or Southampton for the full shopping experience.

Bosses say the new shop has been created with the “city at its heart”, with displays inspired by local homes and Brighton’s seaside style.

Six roomsets have been co-created with residents, including ceramicists Adam Johnson and Dan Mackey, to show off colourful, space-saving ideas and a nod to the city’s famous beach huts.

Adam said: “We’ve always loved IKEA because it’s like an interiors disco – and what’s life without a little sparkle?”

The first floor houses a 100-seat Swedish Deli serving meatballs, plantballs and sweet treats, all with sweeping sea views.

The Swedish Food Market will sell ingredients and snacks to enjoy at home.

On the ground floor, bargain hunters can snap up pre-loved and discontinued items in the Re-shop & Re-use area.

There’s also a home planning hub where shoppers can get one-to-one help designing kitchens or bedroom storage.

Quick bites and drinks will be available at the Swedish Bite kiosk.

Market Manager Karina Gilpin said: “Our city centre location in Churchill Square means customers can conveniently drop in while out and about, to seek inspiration for their homes, browse our range, access our expert planning advice, or enjoy our delicious meatballs or plantballs.”

To celebrate the launch, the first 100 IKEA Family Members through the doors will get a blue FRAKTA bag with a mystery gift card worth between £1 and £1,000.

Brighton will be IKEA’s third city-centre store in the UK, following Oxford Street and Hammersmith in London.

The opening is part of the retailer’s push for smaller, high street-friendly locations, moving away from giant out-of-town warehouses.

The Churchill Square store will open 10am to 8pm Monday to Saturday, and 11am to 5pm on Sundays.

Where is my closest Ikea?

A quick way of figuring out if you have an Ikea store near you is by using the retailer’s locator tool on its website.

You just have to enter the town or city where you live, or your postcode and it will pull up the nearest site.

The same page has a helpful map showing where all of the 21 current stores are located.

Below we reveal the full list of Ikea stores in the UK:

• Croydon
• Hammersmith
• Greenwich
• Lakeside
• Wembley
• Birmingham (Wednesbury)
• Nottingham
• Bristol
• Cardiff
• Exeter
• Belfast
• Manchester
• Warrington
• Edinburgh
• Gateshead
• Glasgow
• Leeds
• Sheffield
• Milton Keynes
• Reading
• Southampton

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Grace Harris once again led London Spirit to victory by steering them home in a tense chase of 123 against Manchester Originals at Old Trafford.

The defending champions, who won a final-ball thriller on Saturday and now have three wins from three this year, stuttered to 56-3 after 59 balls but Australia international Harris hit 50 not out as the Spirit edged over the line again, winning by three wickets and with two balls to spare.

Having swung the match in her side’s favour with a flurry of boundaries, Harris lost the strike at the finish and Kathryn Bryce dismissed Issy Wong and Charlie Dean in consecutive deliveries.

That left nine needed from six balls but Sarah Glenn, who earlier took a tidy 1-18, edged the hat-trick ball for four and drove the winning runs to end 10 not out.

Earlier, Spirit took regular wickets throughout to limit Originals to a below-par total.

The hosts were 10-2 when New Zealand international Melie Kerr was run out for one and Spirit captain Dean halted a counter-attack of 26 from 20 balls by Originals skipper Beth Mooney.

West Indies international Deandra Dottin dragged the score up with 36 from 30 balls but she was caught hitting the final ball of the innings to deep mid-wicket.

The Originals stay fifth with one win and two defeats from their first three matches – already eight points behind Spirit who lead the way.