Albania

Albania Overview

Jude Bellingham England 2025

Wright hits back at Bellingham critics amid behaviour questions

Ian Wright has hit back at critics of England superstar Jude Bellingham, with the Real Madrid midfielder facing more questions of his supposedly petulant behaviour. The 22-year-old was less than impressed at being replaced during the Three Lions’ final 2026 World Cup qualifier against Albania. Thomas Tuchel has made it clear that he wants everybody in his squad to show “respect” at all times.

Bukayo Saka Phil Foden Adam Wharton England 2025

England star slammed by Keane for being 'a bit soft'

Roy Keane is a fan of Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, but has warned the talented Eagles star that he may be a “bit soft” to nail down a starting berth for England at this stage. Wharton started for the Three Lions in their final 2026 World Cup qualification win over Albania, with Thomas Tuchel’s side completing a faultless campaign with another victory.

Albania v England - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier

'That's a bad impression' - Tuchel takes aim at sulky Bellingham

Thomas Tuchel says it gives off a "bad impression" when England players don't embrace the team's collective spirit after Jude Bellingham seemed to take exception to being substituted against Albania. The Real Madrid star returned to the starting lineup for the Three Lions' 2-0 win but was replaced by Morgan Rogers in the second half as the battle for the No.10 spot intensified.

Albania v England - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier

Kane sends out strong message about England's World Cup hopes

Harry Kane believes England are "one of the favourites" to win next year's World Cup after his brace against Albania. The Three Lions secured a 2-0 win in Tirana to ensure they finished their World Cup qualifying campaign with eight wins out of eight. Now, the Bayern Munich star has sent a warning out to the other contenders for the 2026 tournament in North America.

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Standings

USL League One crestUSL League One

PosTeamPWDLFA+/-PTSForm
2LASK crestLASK2311573230219
D
3Salzburg crestSalzburg22107542261618
4Austria Wien crestAustria Wien2211383430418
5Hartberg crestHartberg2381052924517
D
6Rapid Wien crestRapid Wien229672625116
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History

Manchester United, often simply referred to as "United," are one of the most iconic and successful football clubs in the world, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England. The club was founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878 by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway depot at Newton Heath. The team changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to its current home, Old Trafford, in 1910.

Famous players

Manchester United have been home to some of the greatest footballers in history. Sir Bobby Charlton, a World Cup winner with England in 1966, is arguably the most iconic figure in the club's history. Other legendary players include George Best, known for his flair and skill, and Eric Cantona, who brought a winning mentality to the club during the 1990s. More recent stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, and Paul Scholes have also contributed significantly to the club's success.

Honours

Manchester United are one of the most decorated clubs in English football, having won a record 20 Premier League titles (formerly the First Division). They have also lifted the FA Cup 12 times, the League Cup five times, and the UEFA Champions League three times. The club's dominance in English football was particularly evident during the 1990s and early 2000s under manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Managers

Sir Alex Ferguson is undoubtedly the most successful manager in Manchester United's history. He spent 26 years at the club, leading them to an unprecedented era of success. Before Ferguson, managers like Matt Busby and Wilf McGuinness played crucial roles in shaping the club's identity. More recent managers, including David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, and José Mourinho, have faced the challenge of maintaining the club's high standards.

Stadium

Old Trafford, often referred to as the "Theatre of Dreams," is one of the most famous stadiums in the world. With a capacity of roughly 75,000, it is among the largest football stadiums in the United Kingdom. The stadium has hosted numerous major matches, including UEFA Champions League finals and FIFA World Cup matches.

Location

Manchester United are based in the city of Manchester, which is located in the northwest of England. The club's home ground, Old Trafford, is situated in the Trafford borough. Manchester is a major industrial city with a rich footballing heritage.

Owners

In February 2024, British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe's company, INEOS, acquired a significant 25% stake in Manchester United. This acquisition granted Ratcliffe sporting control over the club, placing him in a position to influence key decisions related to its operations.

Ratcliffe has already made a substantial financial commitment to Manchester United. His large investments demonstrate his dedication to the club's success and his willingness to provide the necessary resources for its growth.

Frequently asked questions

A young group of players who lived around Marabastad in Pretoria, most notably Frank Motsepe, Roy Fischer, Ingle Singh and Bernard Hartze, formed the club in the 1960s.

Mining magnate Patrice Motsepe bought into Sundowns in 2003 and less than a year later raised his stake from 51% to 100% and renamed the club 'Mamelodi' Sundowns.

The club play home games at either Loftus Versfeld Stadium in central Pretoria, or Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville.

The club have a variety of nicknames, including: Bafana ba Style, Masandawana, Ka bo Yellow, Shoe Shine and Piano, and The Brazilians.

31 domestic trophies plus one Caf Champions League (2016), one Caf Super Cup (2017) and the African Football League (2023)

The club have won a total of 17 league titles under the auspices of the PSL (14) and NSL (3).

Daniel Mudau with 390.

Daniel Mudau with 172.