United News of Bangladesh

Bruno Fernandes scored a stoppage-time penalty to give Manchester United a 3-2 win over Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday, easing some pressure on manager Ruben Amorim. United had twice taken the lead, through an own goal and Bryan Mbeumo, but Burnley equalized each time. Amorim, already under scrutiny after a shock League Cup loss to fourth-tier Grimsby, couldn’t watch as Fernandes struck in the seventh minute of added time at Old Trafford. The victory was United’s first of the season after losing to Arsenal and drawing with Fulham. Questions remain over Amorim’s future as United prepares to face Manchester City in the derby after the international break. In London, Chelsea defeated Fulham 2-0 with the help of two contentious VAR calls. Joao Pedro scored in first-half stoppage time before Enzo Fernandez added a penalty in the 56th minute. Fulham manager Marco Silva expressed frustration with the officiating. Tottenham’s perfect start ended with a 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth, while Sunderland grabbed a late 2-1 win over the same opponent and Everton beat Wolves 3-2. Liverpool and Arsenal, both unbeaten, meet Sunday at Anfield.

AC Milan have completed the signing of French forward Christopher Nkunku from Chelsea for a reported fee of €37 million ($43 million), the Italian club confirmed Saturday. Nkunku, 27, has signed a five-year deal with Milan, though financial details were not disclosed. A product of Paris Saint-Germain’s youth academy, Nkunku moved to RB Leipzig in 2019 before joining Chelsea in 2023. During his two seasons with the Blues, he scored 18 goals in 62 appearances, including an extra-time winner against Benfica in the Club World Cup round of 16 in July — a tournament Chelsea went on to win. Renowned for his dribbling skills, pace, and 1-on-1 ability, Nkunku is expected to bolster Milan’s attack. He is capable of playing both as an attacking midfielder and as a forward, and has represented France 14 times. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, speaking earlier this month, confirmed that Nkunku was no longer part of his plans despite his six-year contract with the club. “Christo is a fantastic professional. The only problem is that in his position we already have Cole Palmer, so it was tough to find minutes for him,” Maresca said Friday. Milan, who suffered a shock defeat to newly promoted Cremonese in their Serie A opener, bounced back with a 2-0 victory at Lecce on Friday.

ROME, Aug 29 (UNB/AP) — Italy’s new coach Gennaro Gattuso on Friday handed first national team call-ups to three players, including 18-year-old Liverpool center back Giovanni Leoni. Inter Milan forward Francesco Pio Esposito and Bologna midfielder Giovanni Fabbian were also named to the Azzurri squad for the first time. This is Gattuso’s first squad selection since replacing Luciano Spalletti in June. Italy faces crucial World Cup qualifiers next week, needing points against Estonia in Bergamo on Friday and Israel in Hungary three days later. The Azzurri have three points from two matches, trailing Norway, which leads Group I with 12 points, and Israel with six points from three matches. Leoni recently transferred from Parma to Liverpool but has yet to debut for the Premier League champions. Atalanta forward Gianluca Scamacca and Roma center back Gianluca Mancini return to the squad after injuries. Forward Mateo Retegui, recently moved to Saudi Arabia, and Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali, recovering from a shoulder issue, were also included. Italy squad:Goalkeepers: Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain), Alex Meret (Napoli), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham).Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan), Raoul Bellanova (Atalanta), Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Giovanni Leoni (Liverpool), Gianluca Mancini (Roma).Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Inter), Giovanni Fabbian (Bologna), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Nicolò Rovella (Lazio), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle).Forwards: Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter), Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Daniel Maldini (Atalanta), Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Atletico Madrid), Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadsiah), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta), Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio).  

Italy has withdrawn from the race to host the 2029 Women’s European Championship, leaving four contenders for the 16-team tournament. Germany, Poland, Portugal, and a joint bid from Denmark and Sweden will face a vote by UEFA’s executive committee on Dec. 3, UEFA announced Friday. Italy is set to co-host the men’s Euro 2032 with Turkey, but is under pressure to complete five modern stadiums on time. Germany is seen as a strong contender, with plans for a 31-match tournament at venues including Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund stadiums, which each hold around 70,000 fans. The successful Euro 2025 in Switzerland drew over 650,000 spectators, a tournament record. England retained its title, defeating Spain on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Basel, and could aim for a third consecutive title in 2029 if it qualifies.

England coach Thomas Tuchel has apologized to midfielder Jude Bellingham for describing his behavior as “a bit repulsive.” Tuchel said the remark, made in a radio interview after England’s 3-1 friendly loss to Senegal in June, was unintentional and carried “no hidden agenda.” He expressed regret for any upset it caused. “I used this word unintentionally and I’m sorry for the upset that I created,” the German coach told talkSPORT. Tuchel added he contacted Bellingham immediately after the comment. He explained the term referred to the intensity and competitive edge Bellingham brings to the team. “Sometimes you see the rage, the hunger and the fire, and it comes out in a way that can be a bit repulsive,” Tuchel said, adding that even his mother sometimes struggles to see the well-behaved side of the player on TV. Reflecting on the incident more than two months later, Tuchel admitted: “I am experienced enough, I should have known better, I should have done better. It is my responsibility. I used the wrong word, I didn’t want to use this word.” Bellingham, currently recovering from shoulder surgery, was not included in Tuchel’s latest England squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.

Arsenal will be without winger Bukayo Saka for several weeks after he picked up another hamstring injury, manager Mikel Arteta confirmed Friday ahead of the Premier League clash with Liverpool. Sunday’s match at Anfield is an early test between title contenders, but the Gunners are hampered by injuries to key players, including captain Martin Odegaard. The midfielder injured his shoulder during Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Leeds last weekend. “He hasn’t trained yet, and if he does it will be tomorrow,” Arteta told reporters. “He’s doing everything possible, we’re doing everything possible to make him available, but we’ll have to wait and see.” Odegaard was also called up this week by Norway for their upcoming matches. Saka, who was forced off during the Leeds game, previously missed over three months last season after hamstring surgery. Arteta stressed that surgery will not be required this time, saying the problem is less serious and affects the other leg. Meanwhile, forward Kai Havertz faces a long spell on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery Thursday following an injury sustained in the season opener against Manchester United. “I think it will be weeks, but I don’t know how many months,” Arteta said. “We’ve lost another big player for many weeks, but surgery was the right option.” Havertz, who also struggled with injuries last season, shared on social media: “Small setback, thanks to the medical team for all the care and attention. Back soon.” Arsenal signed Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace to strengthen the squad after Havertz’s latest setback. The Gunners finished second to Liverpool last season.

As the Saudi Pro League kicked off its new season this week, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to be the most prominent name associated with the competition. Earlier this month, more than 30,000 fans packed a stadium in Hong Kong to watch Al-Nassr, Ronaldo’s team, defeat Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Super Cup semifinal. Local fan Chris KL Lau said the atmosphere was electric whenever Ronaldo touched the ball, describing the crowd as largely his supporters. The Portuguese star was also mobbed the next day during a visit to the city’s Cristiano Ronaldo museum. Since Ronaldo’s arrival in December 2022, other global stars such as Karim Benzema, Neymar and Riyad Mahrez have followed. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund took control of the league’s “Big Four” — Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli — last year, giving them massive budgets to pursue talent. Champions League giants and debutants brace for opponent reveal in draw Despite Ronaldo’s star power, analysts say the league still struggles to attract wider attention when he isn’t playing. Crowds for other matches, including Al-Ahli’s recent game in Hong Kong, were far smaller than announced figures. League officials argue global reach is expanding, with matches broadcast in 180 countries and sponsorships up 200%. They say Saudi clubs aim to become Asia’s dominant football power, with Al-Hilal already making a mark in last season’s Club World Cup.

Europe’s top clubs and debutants will discover their Champions League opponents when the league-phase draw takes place Thursday in Monaco. The ceremony, set for 6 p.m. local time (1600 GMT), brings together defending champions Paris Saint-Germain, record 15-time winners Real Madrid, English champions Liverpool, as well as first-timers Pafos of Cyprus and Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan. Norway’s Bodo/Glimt will also feature, with their Arctic Circle venue promising some of the coldest matches in competition history. Notably, former champions AC Milan and Manchester United missed out this season. This is the second year under the new league-phase format with 36 teams, each facing eight different opponents. The seeding system ensures teams draw two rivals from each of four pots, determined by UEFA rankings over five seasons. The competition kicks off Sept. 16, with the league phase concluding Jan. 28. The top eight teams advance directly to the round of 16, while those ranked ninth to 24th will contest knockout playoffs in February. The bottom 12 will exit the tournament.

AC Milan’s struggles have carried over from last season, while defending Serie A champion Napoli and 2023-24 winner Inter Milan have emerged as top contenders. Newly promoted Como also showed it could challenge the league’s elite in the opening round. Milan lost its opener to Cremonese at San Siro and faces Lecce on Friday, with coach Massimiliano Allegri still searching for a reliable striker. Como, led by Real Madrid product Nico Paz, beat Lazio and will visit Bologna on Saturday. Roma, coached by Gian Piero Gasperini, faces promoted Pisa in the city’s first Serie A match in 34 years. Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, the league’s highest-paid player, scored in Juve’s 2-0 opener over Parma. Inter’s 20-year-old Francesco Pio Esposito could make his Serie A debut against Udinese. Bologna’s Ciro Immobile is out for eight weeks with a leg injury, while Juventus midfielder Andrea Cambiaso received a two-match ban. Off the field, Napoli is reportedly close to signing Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund to replace the injured Romelu Lukaku. Serie A authorities are investigating racist abuse toward Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie by Parma fans. League president Ezio Simonelli warned that Italy could risk co-hosting the 2032 European Championship with Turkey if stadiums are not updated.

UEFA has announced that the men’s Champions League final will now kick off at 6 p.m. Central European Time, three hours earlier than before. The change aims to make the match more family-friendly, ease post-game travel using public transport, and allow fans to celebrate safely in host cities. The new kickoff will debut at the next final on Saturday, May 30, at Budapest’s Puskas Arena. Previously, a 9 p.m. start often meant late finishes after extra time and penalties. UEFA said the earlier timing also provides a better television window to reach a wider, especially younger, audience. The decision followed consultations with Football Supporters Europe, UEFA’s official fan liaison. FSE executive director Ronan Evain said the move makes day trips easier, reduces travel stress, and lets fans enjoy the event without worrying about late-night logistics.