Zigiotti's early goal wins the derby
Manchester United Women 1–0 Liverpool FC Women on Saturday, and Julia Zigiotti scored early. Grace Fisk did not dress it up afterwards: "We're really disappointed. I think we're disappointed with the performance most of all" (9). The win keeps United's strong first half of the season on track.
INEOS are rebuilding the defence, and January is the first window
One clean sheet in seven games across all competitions. That is the number driving this (6). United will prioritise new defensive signings in the 2027 transfer windows, with January additions possible (6). Michael Carrick's centre-back options are thin, and the club are looking at Lewis Hall among the targets (6).
Back in for Balde on loan
United could land Alejandro Balde in January. Barcelona are now open to letting the left-back leave on loan (3). Left-back has been a problem position all season, so a short-term fix fits both the timing and the squad (3).
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Vuskovic is the name to watch
Luka Vuskovic is being tracked by United, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid (2). The report is blunt: he "continues to be closely monitored" by all five clubs (2). He impressed at Old Trafford, and with Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez all part of an uncertain picture at the back, INEOS want a long-term answer there (2).
Lammens is Belgium's keeper right now
Senne Lammens made it three good performances in a row as Belgium beat Turkey 3–0 on Friday (1). Het Nieuwsblad wrote that he "proved for the third consecutive match that he is worthy of the national team coach's trust", adding: "He makes the saves he is supposed to make, and as a goalkeeper, that takes you a long way. Turned out to be a nightmare for Arda Guler" (1). That form travels back to Manchester, and to the Tottenham game on Saturday.
Three more transfer stories you should know
United are in a Premier League race for Freiburg striker Igor Matanovic, valued at around £50m, and Arsenal and Chelsea have had officials at his games this season (7). United are also monitoring Youssouf Fofana during his loan at Sevilla (8). And PSG could move for 15-year-old academy striker JJ Gabriel, who is unhappy at United (5).
What's next
Tottenham Hotspur at home in the Premier League on Saturday, October 10, 18:30 CEST. Then Atlético Madrid away in the Champions League on Tuesday, October 13, and Leeds United away on Sunday, October 18 (fixtures). United sit 12th on 5 points from 5 games, a 0 goal difference, with form reading W D W L D.
Fan reactions
The away-day headlines are doing the rounds on r/reddevils. Joshua Zirkzee's goal for the Netherlands against Serbia got the biggest share, and there is plenty of interest in Bruno Fernandes starting and captaining Portugal (r/reddevils). With so much transfer noise around the club, the international window is where attention has landed this week.
