United revamp debate

GM football fans. Route One here, and we’re covering United’s stadium update, Carsley’s England job prospects and much more. Enjoy Route One? Share us with a friend on WhatsApp with this link.

STATS

England vs Finland (19:45 UK). The Three Lions are unbeaten in all of their 11 previous meetings with Finland, winning nine and drawing two - though the last time they played was in 2001. Harry Kane will become the 10th player in history to reach 100 caps for England. Netherlands vs Germany (19:45 UK). Both sides are coming off the back of thumping victories where each nation scored five goals. This will be the 47th meeting between Germany and the Netherlands. Germany have won 17, whilst drawing 17 and losing 12.

Plus…

• Nations League results so far (More)

• Mbappe starts on the bench as France beat Belgium 2-0 (More)

• Women’s Champions League Round 2 draw (More)

• Van Dijk hints at two-year contract extension at Liverpool (More)

• Kelleher reveals he asked to leave Liverpool after club has chosen to go “in a different direction” (More)

• Alex Morgan’s farewell speech as she retires from football (Watch)

PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester United new stadium plans move forward, but taxpayer money on the line

Manchester United is working with local authorities to align plans for Old Trafford with the regeneration of the local area, per BBC. An advisory board to oversee the project will be made up of United, Trafford Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

On a somewhat controversial note, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has said that public money would likely be required. In his view, the project will be “the biggest regeneration project in the north of England”.

There has been no update on whether the club will pursue a £2bn plan for a new 100,000-seat stadium. But a decision will be made by the end of this year. 

Are public funds worth it?

Depending on the amount of government funding, stadium renovations - if done well - can have a seriously positive impact on the surrounding area. Tottenham Hotspur’s £1bn stadium renovation in 2019 - which used £32mn of government grants - is said to provide a £166mn boost in local spending each year. An EY report found the club made a “£344m gross value added contribution” to the local area in 2021-22, supporting 3,700 jobs.

But it’s not exactly an open-and-shut case. Some studies agree that the impact of a stadium on the local area is highly context-dependent - what might be positive for one city, won’t necessarily translate to another.

POLL

HEAD START

🎓 Kane’s golden cap. Harry Kane was spotted training in golden boots ahead of his century of England caps against Finland, per Telegraph. He is England’s all-time top scorer with 66 goals in 99 appearances across a nine-and-a-half-year international career. The FA will mark the occasion with a pre-match ceremony that will include the presentation of a golden cap.

😬 Eghbali is ‘micromanaging’ Chelsea. While tensions rise at the top of Chelsea’s hierarchy, a new source close to Todd Boehly described majority owner Behdad Eghbali as being “obsessed with player trading”. Boehly takes a less hands-on approach, as evidenced by his work with MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers. The American businessman prefers to hire specialists and allow them to get on with their jobs and reportedly believes Eghbali is micromanaging.

🤝 Liverpool to switch to Adidas. The Reds will part ways with Nike after the 2024-25 season and will likely announce a new deal with Adidas as early as January 2025. The deal is reportedly signed and the kit designs are already ready. This is marking a reunion after a 13-year hiatus.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Carsley hints at wanting full-time England job

Declan Rice described Lee Carsley as “refreshing” after England’s 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland - and now the interim boss is putting his case forward for the full-time job.

It was reported that Carsley said he wanted the full-time England job yesterday. In truth, he was just pointing out his strengths, including a strong working relationship with the FA’s technical director and his track record with the under-21s. He also admitted to having more confidence after the win over Ireland after previously doubting whether he was up for it. So, a hint, maybe. But not much more than that for now.

Carsball

In general, England fans were impressed with Carsley’s first game in charge. The Three Lions were more dynamic - Anthony Gordon played high and wide, running in behind and Rice was allowed to go box-to-box while Trent Alexander-Arnold shifted into midfield. Admittedly, it was in one game. But it was in stark contrast to the England team that has just fallen short of glory in recent years.

The change in tact might have something to do with Carsley’s hands-on coaching experience, having helped develop Arsenal, Aston Villa, West Brom and Tottenham’s coaching programmes over the past decade. “I wouldn’t say I was a manager, definitely not,” Carsley said yesterday. “I see myself as a head coach.”

Tonight’s game against Finland will be like a second job interview - not as nervy, but still important.

MORE NEWS

Around the football world

• Elliot Anderson, 21, who was capped by Scotland through to under-21 has made the decision to play for England (More)

• CBS Sports presenter Kate Abdo marries Malik Scott (More)

• New York City FC update club badge (More) 

• Rordygo says Brazil need Neymar at the World Cup in 2026 (More)

• Former PSV Eindhoven player faces 2.5 years in prison (More) / in Dutch 

• Antony is determined to stay at Manchester United despite interest from Turkey (More)

• Former AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli linked with Al-Nassr job (More)

• Fenerbahce agree a loan deal with Juventus for Filip Kostic (More)

ROUTER’S VOICE

Yesterday, we asked you: In 2020, FIFA updated rules to allow players to change their international allegiance once. Do you agree with this rule?

🟨 🟨 🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ 💪 Yes, players should have a chance to change... (33.1%)

🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🙅 Nope, they should revert the rules... (67.9%)

Your punditry takes:

• 💪 M.N: “Objective reason: it's a heavily globalised world where so many people have multiple national ties and identities. Subjective reason: it has and will continue to benefit Canada.”

• 💪 K: “It recognises the complex identities of many modern players. With increased global migration, many players have legitimate ties to multiple countries. This allows them to represent a nation they strongly identify with.”

• 🙅 J.E.D: “If you are English, you’re English. If you’re French, you’re French. You can’t go changing your nationality because your footballing ambitions didn’t work out.”

• 🙅 D: “It is the absolute privilege to be selected and play for your country. Your country chooses you and only birth rights or by residence for many years, should the country choose you. As for players electing not to play for your country, it surely should be for the country to decide not financial longevity.”

EXTRA TIME

The impressive XI who could’ve played for England.

Italian sixth-tier coach receives red card for tackling opposition player.

The oldest Premier League scorers in history.

Wout Weghost was not happy with Jurrien TImber’s tackle in training.

Jamie Carragher’s take on Xabi Alonso’s transfer saga.

The best Sunday League goal you’ll see this week.

Luka Modric’s perfectly placed free-kick against Poland.

Long read: Predicting the Premier League season based on three games.

GAME FACE ON

Question: Who am I… 

• Tuberculosis nearly ended my career while I was playing in Russia in 2005.

• I have captained both my national team and clubs in Brazil, Italy, France, and England.

• I won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021.

Scroll below for the answer.

ON TODAY

Nations League

Group 1

• Albania vs Georgia (19:45)

• Czech Republic vs Ukraine (19:45)

Group 2

• Andorra vs Malta (19:45)

• England vs Finland (19:45)

• Rep. Ireland vs Greece (19:45)

Group 3

• Hungary vs Bosnia (19:45)

• Netherlands vs Germany (19:45)

Group 4

• Latvia vs Faroe Islands (17:00)

• N. Macedonia vs Armenia (19:45)

*All times in UK. EST -5. PST -8. CET +1. CST +8. JST +9.

Answer

Thiago Silva. 

Context for the first clue: At 21, Silva was hospitalised for six months while Russian doctors treated his tuberculosis; it was so advanced that the doctors considered removing part of his lungs.