signing

The Amass case is a strange one. A natural left-back in United’s academy, who did well in a loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday last season, then got injured straight after switching to Norwich in the winter window, Amass, 19, impressed many observers with his performances during pre-season, when he shadowed Shaw.

Yet, for some reason, United were willing to let him leave.

In the summer of 2024, then manager Erik ten Hag opted not to pick the teenager in his squad for the Community Shield, even though Amass had given a creditable account of himself up against Mo Salah in a pre-season game in the United States just a week earlier.

Ten Hag felt, physically, Amass was not at the level required. In theory, the two years that have elapsed since then should have made the defender bigger and stronger.

There have been multiple expressions of interest in Amass. Even heading into deadline day, his omission from United’s Premier League 2 game against Leicester on Monday reinforced a widespread belief he would leave, probably on loan.

But that has not happened and it is not clear what his role will be within the senior squad.

The willingness to view Mazraoui as a left-back option was helped by the performances of Leny Yoro in pre-season.

Signed from Lille for £52m in 2024 as a central defender, Carrick used Yoro mainly as a right-back this summer.

Against Ipswich on Sunday, that was the slot Yoro was introduced into as a replacement for Dalot, at the same time as Mazraoui was coming on for Shaw.

At just 20, Yoro has plenty to learn about the right-back role. However, he has pace, is strong and is good on the ball. United supporters only have to look at how Josko Gvardiol has adapted to the full-back role at Manchester City after signing as a central defender to realise switching positions can have a positive outcome.

That is the calculated risk United have taken.

What they absolutely did not want to do, having taken a hardline stance all summer on the fees they were willing to pay, and a refusal to spend more than they thought a player was worth, was end up making a signing like Alex Telles, or Matteo Darmian, or Sergio Reguilon, who all arrived in recent years but were evidently short of the standard required.

It makes sense. It is probably the right call.

But that is a view taken away from the emotion of matches and the rollercoaster of results. And the reality is they will be the deciding factor in whether it was a good decision or not.

Cardiff City have completed the signing of centre-half Krystian Bielik from Championship rivals West Bromwich Albion on a permanent deal.

Bielik has signed a three-year contract with the Bluebirds and joined for an undisclosed fee.

“I’m very excited, I’m finally here and I couldn’t be happier,” he told the club’s official website.

“I’m looking forward to starting with the team as soon as possible and focusing on the first game.”

The 28-year-old made 17 Championship appearances for the Baggies last season as they finished 21st, narrowly avoiding relegation to League One.

The experienced defender – who can also operate as a defensive midfielder – joined Arsenal from Legia Warsaw in 2015 and had spells with Birmingham City, Walsall, Charlton Athletic and Derby County prior to joining West Brom last summer.

Bielik is Cardiff’s fourth senior summer recruit following the arrivals of goalkeeper Nathan Trott, midfielder Jack Moylan and left-back Calum Scanlon, who has returned to the Welsh capital on loan from Liverpool.

“I’ve played a few times against Cardiff City, and it’s never been an easy place to come to,” Bielik added.

“It’s always got a great atmosphere, so it will be a pleasure to be here playing for this club.

“I’m ready, fit and healthy, and can’t wait to start with the team tomorrow and prepare for the big game on Saturday.”

Poland international Bielik is a welcome addition for the Bluebirds, who are currently without a fit central defender in their ranks.

Will Fish, Dylan Lawlor, Calum Chambers and Gabriel Osho are all currently injured, although the latter is thought to be close to a return to action.

The Bluebirds gave a debut to 15-year-old defender Noah Anyadike – who became the youngest player in EFL Cup history – during their 2-1 loss against Norwich City in the second round on Tuesday night.

Bielik is in contention to make his Cardiff debut when they host Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United on Saturday (15:00 BST).

The New Orleans Saints have signed two-time All-Pro kicker Daniel Carlson to compete with Charlie Smyth for the side’s starting kicker position.

Smyth, a former Gaelic footballer from Mayobridge in Northern Ireland, was the incumbent coming into pre-season having assumed the role from Blake Grupe in November.

The 25-year-old made 12 of 16 field goals and was successful on each of his 13 extra-point attempts as a starter last season.

In June, the Saints signed Tanner Brown, previously of the Louisville Kings in the United Football League, to compete with Smyth but the 26-year-old missed a 39-yard field goal attempt in the side’s pre-season defeat by the Los Angles Rams on Saturday.

Smyth himself missed from 52 yards in the loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars a week prior and Kellen Moore’s side have now moved for Carlson.

The 31-year-old was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2018 but waived during his rookie season and picked up by the then Oakland Raiders.

Carlson had his best years in 2021 and 2022, when he was named second-team All-Pro and first-team All-Pro, respectively.

He has not missed a game in the past seven seasons but his 81.5% success rate from field goals last year was his lowest since 2019.

Signed to a three-year contract last season, Smyth told BBC NI this month that competition for places in the NFL is “just the way it is in this business” and that he would not be taking any such signings “personally”.

The Saints’ final pre-season game is against the Dallas Cowboys this weekend before their 2026 regular season begins away to the Detroit Lions on 13 September.