Opinion

After Manchester United recorded their worst-ever finish last season, which team is best placed to perform below expectations this time around?

The once-beloved academy graduate appears to be stuck in a rut, and no longer deserves a guaranteed spot in the Red Devils' line up

There are four members of Emma Hayes' triumphant team in GOAL's Best XI, while one of Brazil's silver medalists also squeezes into the attack

After Aston Villa crashed the top four last season, which team is best placed to perform above expectations in the coming months?

While hope springs eternal heading into a new campaign, there are a number of coaches who will need to avoid a slow start to stay in employment

The Manchester City marksman has finished as the top scorer in each of the past two seasons, so can anyone keep him from a three-peat?

The competition is fading in significance at home, but a move across the pond could give it a lease of new life

The midfielder has been forced out of the club he has been a part of for 16 years as the Blues' soul continues to be picked apart piece by piece

The Argentine gave his all on the pitch, but most of all he represents a shrewd business move which sets the Cityzens up perfectly for the future

The Reds have yet to bring in any new players but are nonetheless shaping up well ahead of the 2024-25 campaign

The Red Devils' tour of the United States has exposed the team's many weaknesses and left the squad depleted just as things start to get serious

The iconic former Red Devils striker is back at Old Trafford, and looks well placed to make just as big an impact as he did in his playing days

Barca are financially hamstrung and haven't made any big moves in the market, while their rivals continue to strengthen

Significant setbacks to Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund have cast a cloud over the 2024-25 season before it's even begun

Two USWNT stars feature in GOAL's best XI after the first round at Paris 2024 was completed, with two Ballon d'Or winners grabbing spots in midfield

The No.1 has been pivotal to the Cityzens' enduring success, but his powers have been waning lately and a succession plan is already in place

The 18-year-old has cut short his summer holidays to join up with Carlo Ancelotti's squad as he aims to make his mark early in his Blancos career

The Spaniard has been out of the game for more than a year, but seems to think he should still be able to demand megabucks

The England international's Old Trafford career has yet to take off, and it remains to be seen if he's mentally strong enough to silence his critics

The Blues are believed to be in talks over what would be a very shrewd transfer for the Napoli hitman, but not all is as it seems

The midfielder has been working hard to compensate for the disappointment of last season, but the bar has been raised again at the Etihad Stadium

The Red Devils' plans to construct a world-class stadium should be celebrated - as long as the public does not end up footing the bill

The Danish frontman has been handed an iconic jersey ahead of the new season, and there will be no hiding place if he doesn't deliver

The midfielder's struggles in pedestrian pre-season friendlies do not bode well for next season with the Red Devils - but there's no easy solution

The homegrown defender looks set to depart Stamford Bridge despite starring in the second half of last season

The Blues are rank underdogs in the pursuit of the flying Athletic Club winger, but landing him would be a transformative statement of intent

Every summer, GOAL will publish its exclusive list of the 25 players who have proven themselves truly elite by consistently producing top performances

Les Bleus have the most talented squad at the Summer Games, as well as the support of an expectant home crowd

The Argentine has now won three major international titles in three years, but it's clear that his body is starting to betray him