United News of Bangladesh

Manchester United have secured their second major signing of the transfer window by bringing in Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford for £65 million ($87 million), as manager Ruben Amorim continues his squad overhaul. Mbeumo, a 25-year-old Cameroon international, joins shortly after United landed Matheus Cunha from Wolves. The attacking duo is expected to boost United’s frontline, which struggled badly last season. Mbeumo netted 20 goals in the previous campaign, while Cunha scored 17 — significantly higher than United forwards Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, who combined for just 18. United's attack is undergoing major changes, with Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, and Antony all likely to depart this summer. Amorim is also reportedly eyeing a new central striker before the transfer window closes on September 1. Sagorika's hat-trick powers Bangladesh to retain SAFF U-20 Women’s crown The deal for Mbeumo could rise to £71 million ($95 million) with performance bonuses, a source told the Associated Press. Mbeumo said it was a dream to join United, the club he supported growing up. His move comes after his most prolific season with Brentford, where he scored 70 goals in 242 appearances. Source: Agency 

A brilliant hat-trick by Sagorika powered Bangladesh to retain the SAFF U-20 Women's Championship 2025 title, outplaying their main contender Nepal by 4-0 goals in the title-deciding last league match at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in the capital on Monday evening. This was the 2nd consecutive victory for Bangladesh against Nepal in the ongoing four-nation tournament after beating them by 3-2 goals in a keenly contested 2nd league match. Mossammat Sagorika, who appeared in the day's match after a three-match suspension for a red card, destroyed Nepal alone, scoring all four goals amid huge enthusiasm among soccer-crazy local fans. Sagorika opened the floodgates for Bangladesh in the 8th minute with an angular placing shot (1-0). She doubled Bangladesh’s margin in the 51st minute with a placing shot after dodging past an opponent defender and custodian (2-0). Sagorika completed the hat-trick, scoring her 3rd goal in the 57th minute with a placing shot over the opponent custodian (3-0). Sagorika sealed the fate of the match by scoring the 4th goal for Bangladesh in the 77th minute with a ground placing shot (4-0). This was the 8th goal for Sagorika in her 3rd match of the meet, after making a hat-trick with three goals against Sri Lanka in the opener and one goal against Nepal in the 2nd league match, before marching off after receiving a red card. However, Sagorika withdrew from the field in the 85th minute of the match. The Bangladesh team, led by Sagorika, emerged champions with an all-win run, beating Nepal in all departments of the match. Nepal flopped all through the day's match. Bangladesh Women's Football is now passing through a golden time in the history of Bangladesh football, making records one after another in recent days. Bangladesh women's footballers tasted a maiden victory in the AFC Women's Asian Cup by crushing higher-ranked Bahrain by 7-0 goals, and finally made their first-ever final round berth in the 12-team AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 by shocking a much superior Myanmar earlier this month. Earlier, the Bangladesh women's team brought laurels for the country by winning the SAFF Women's crown for the 2nd successive time last year.

England defender Jess Carter has disclosed that she has been subjected to racial abuse on social media during the Women’s European Championship, prompting the Football Association (FA) to contact UK police. Carter came under intense criticism after England’s opening defeat to France at Euro 2025. While the team has since advanced to the semifinals, the 27-year-old revealed that the abuse she faced crossed a troubling line. “From the beginning of the tournament, I have been receiving a significant amount of racial abuse,” Carter wrote in an emotional Instagram post on Sunday. “Though I respect fans’ right to voice their opinions about performances and results, targeting someone’s race or appearance is unacceptable.” A seasoned player, Carter has earned 49 caps for England, contributing to the team’s Euro 2022 victory and their runner-up finish at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. She announced plans to step away from social media to protect her well-being. “I appreciate the genuine support from fans, but I’m stepping back to focus entirely on helping my team however I can,” she wrote. The Football Association said it acted promptly once informed of the abuse. “Our primary concern is Jess and ensuring she receives all necessary support,” said FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham. “We unequivocally condemn the vile racism she has endured. We immediately contacted UK police, who are working with the relevant social media platform to hold the perpetrators accountable.” SAFF Men’s U-17: Bangladesh placed in Group A with hosts Sri Lanka, Nepal Bullingham noted that the FA has rapid-response systems in place, sadly necessary because this is not the first incident of racist abuse involving an England player. Carter’s England teammates quickly rallied around her online, sharing messages of solidarity. The Lionesses also issued a collective statement condemning the “online poison,” and announced they would no longer take the knee before matches, stating: “It is clear we and football need to find another way to tackle racism.” Defender Lucy Bronze explained the decision: “We questioned whether the gesture still sends a strong message. It doesn’t feel effective anymore if racism is still targeting our players during the biggest tournaments of their careers.” She added, “We need to make a bigger statement. The problem persists—not just in football, but across society. More must be done.” Carter, who now plays for Gotham FC in the United States after transferring from Chelsea last year, also received support from her club. “We are devastated and angered by the racist abuse directed at Jess,” said Gotham FC in a statement. “Jess is more than a top-class footballer — she’s a role model and a leader in our community. There’s absolutely no room for racism in our sport.” England will face Italy in the semifinals in Geneva on Tuesday, following their dramatic penalty shootout win over Sweden. Spain will take on Germany in the other semifinal on Wednesday. Carter expressed hope that speaking out would lead to meaningful change: “If this encourages those spreading abuse to think twice, maybe others won’t have to go through the same. I’m proud to be part of a Lionesses squad that has brought about historic change, and I hope this step adds to that legacy.” As Euro 2025 continues to captivate fans with thrilling matches and scenic Swiss venues, the tournament has also highlighted growing concerns over online abuse in women’s football. Germany's Hendrich sent off for Hair-Pulling in Euro 2025 Quarterfinal “The more the game grows, the more we seem to face this,” said Bronze. “While men’s football sees abuse in stadiums and online, women’s football appears to be especially targeted online. There must be a way to change that — the platforms can do something. I don’t have the solution, but I know one exists.” Source: Agency 

Bangladesh have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Sri Lanka and Nepal for the upcoming SAFF Men’s U-17 Championship 2025, following the ceremonial draw held at Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka on Sunday. Defending champions India have been placed in Group B with arch-rivals Pakistan, Bhutan, and the Maldives. Organised by the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF), the tournament will take place in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 15 to 27 September. According to the format, the champions and runners-up from each group will progress to the semi-finals. India clinched a record sixth title of the meet beating Bangladesh by 2-0 goals in the final of the previous edition held on 30 September 2024.  

A red card was issued at the Women’s European Championship after a player was caught pulling an opponent’s hair—marking the second such incident in less than a week. Germany’s midfielder Kathrin Hendrich was sent off just 13 minutes into Saturday’s quarterfinal against France after the video assistant referee (VAR) caught her yanking the ponytail of French captain Griedge Mbock as a free kick was delivered into the box. Referee showed Hendrich a straight red card, and France capitalized immediately, with Grace Geyoro converting the penalty to put her side 1-0 up. Rodrigo De Paul to join Leo Messi at Inter Miami The rare dismissal mirrored a similar scene from the Club World Cup final just six days earlier, when Paris Saint-Germain’s João Neves was ejected for pulling down Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella by the hair. Despite the early setback of being a player and a goal down, Germany responded swiftly with an equalizer 10 minutes later. The eight-time European champions showed immense determination, holding France through extra time and eventually prevailing 6-5 in the penalty shootout—thanks to crucial saves by goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger. Germany will now face reigning World Cup champion Spain in the semifinals on Wednesday. Source: Agency 

Defending champions Bangladesh continued their dominant form in the four-nation SAFF U-20 Women’s Championship 2025, outplaying winless Sri Lanka 5-0 in their fifth match at the practice ground of the Bashundhara Kings Arena on Saturday evening. Earlier in the day, Nepal crushed Bhutan 8-0 in the first match at the same venue. Following Saturday’s matches, hosts Bangladesh topped the standings in the double round-robin competition with a perfect 15 points from five straight wins. Nepal closely trailed with 12 points from five outings. Bangladesh need just a draw in their final and decisive match against Nepal on Monday to retain the SAFF U-20 Women’s title for the second consecutive time — and complete the tournament with an unbeaten record. In the day’s second match, Kanon Bahadur opened the scoring for Bangladesh in the 25th minute (1-0), and Puja Das doubled the lead in added time of the first half (45+2 minute). Puja Rani extended the lead in the 73rd minute with her second goal of the tournament, while Sri Moti Trishna Rani made it 4-0 in the 86th minute. Captain Afeida Khandakar sealed the convincing victory, scoring from the penalty spot in the dying moments of the game (90+7 minute) to make it 5-0. Bangladesh made a flying start in the tournament, thrashing Sri Lanka 9-1 in the opener. They then defeated title contenders Nepal 3-2 in a thrilling match, with substitute Trishna Rani scoring the decisive goal in stoppage time. In their third and fourth matches, Bangladesh beat Bhutan 4-1 and 3-0 respectively to solidify their position at the top of the table. The team finishing top after the double round-robin phase will be crowned champions.

Another close companion of Lionel Messi is heading to South Florida, as Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul has reached an agreement to join Inter Miami, according to a source familiar with the deal who spoke to The Associated Press. De Paul, 31, is set to leave Spanish club Atlético Madrid—where he has played since 2021—for Major League Soccer, signing a short-term contract with Inter Miami. The deal could evolve into a multiyear agreement. He had one year remaining on his contract with Atlético. The move was first reported by ESPN. De Paul, a key figure in Argentina’s World Cup-winning squad in 2022, will reunite with his national team captain Messi, aiming to further bolster an Inter Miami side that has risen to prominence since Messi’s arrival in 2023. The club has made significant strides, including reaching the knockout stage of the Club World Cup and winning five straight MLS matches as they pursue a second consecutive Supporters’ Shield. England edge past Sweden in dramatic shootout to reach Euro 2025 semis While the exact date of De Paul’s arrival is yet to be confirmed, he could debut during the upcoming Leagues Cup later this month. The signing comes as Inter Miami continues negotiations to extend Messi’s contract, which expires at the end of December. Messi is widely expected to remain with the club for at least another season. De Paul joins a growing group of seasoned players already familiar with Messi’s style, including Sergio Busquets (37), Luis Suárez (38), and Jordi Alba (36). Alba has extended his contract through 2027, while Busquets’ deal ends this season and has not yet been renewed. If Busquets departs, it could open up a Designated Player spot for De Paul, allowing him to earn above the league’s maximum salary cap. Since moving to Atlético Madrid from Italian side Udinese, De Paul has played a pivotal role for the Spanish team. Alongside Messi, he has also helped Argentina win the Copa América titles in both 2021 and 2024. Messi and Inter Miami are coming off a record-breaking 2024 season in which the club achieved the best regular season record and win percentage in MLS history, though they exited early from the playoffs.    

Defending champions England pulled off a stunning comeback to reach the semifinals of the Women’s European Championship, edging Sweden 3-2 in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw in regulation time. With just 12 minutes left, the Lionesses were staring at an early exit. But late goals from Lucy Bronze and teenage substitute Michelle Agyemang turned the tide, sending the match into extra time and eventually penalties. "It was chaotic—maybe the craziest match I’ve ever experienced," said England coach Sarina Wiegman. "This team never gives up, even when we’re not playing well. That resilience made the difference." The shootout saw a string of poor finishes, with both teams missing four penalties each. Ultimately, Bronze converted her spot kick while Sweden’s 18-year-old Smilla Holmberg fired over the bar, sealing England’s win. England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton described the shootout as “stressful,” saying, “Every save I made, I just hoped the next one would go in, but their keeper kept responding. It was tense.” Sweden had taken early control, scoring twice in the first half through Kosovare Asllani and Stina Blackstenius. Hampton’s crucial saves kept England in the contest until Kelly and Agyemang's late interventions. Messi's multi-goal streak ends in Inter Miami's 3-0 loss to FC Cincinnati The match marked the first time in Women’s Euros history that a team overturned a two-goal deficit in a knockout game. Despite Sweden’s strong tournament run—including a 4-1 win over Germany—they fell short. Their coach Peter Gerhardsson, stepping down after eight years, called the outcome "melancholy," expressing sorrow over the result. England will face Italy in the semifinal on Tuesday in Geneva. Source: Agency 

Lionel Messi’s record-setting run of scoring multiple goals in five consecutive MLS matches came to an end Wednesday night as Inter Miami suffered a 3-0 defeat to FC Cincinnati. Cincinnati took control early, with Gerardo Valenzuela scoring in the first half and Evander adding two more after the break to keep the team just one point behind Philadelphia Union in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia beat CF Montreal 2-1 on the same night. The defeat ended Inter Miami’s five-match winning streak. With a record of 11 wins, 4 losses, and 5 draws, they now sit fifth in the Eastern Conference standings. Messi, who leads MLS with 16 goals in 17 matches, became the first player in league history to score multiple goals in more than four straight games. However, Cincinnati once again proved a tough opponent for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has now faced them three times without much success. Club World Cup final draws 1.3 million viewers on TBS Valenzuela opened the scoring with a sharp angled strike in the 16th minute. Messi managed just one shot in the first half, easily handled by goalkeeper Roman Celentano during stoppage time. Evander doubled the lead shortly after halftime with his 14th goal of the season—also marking his 50th in MLS. He later sealed the win with a rebound goal following a shot by Luca Orellano. Messi had another opportunity in the 78th minute, but Celentano made a diving save to deny him. Despite playing over 90 minutes for the eighth consecutive game—including Club World Cup fixtures—Messi appeared fatigued at times, even covering the least distance among all players in the second half. Cincinnati were without their second-highest scorer, Kevin Denkey, due to a leg injury, but still managed to dominate and contain Inter Miami’s offense.