Michael O’Neill believes Ethan Galbraith can raise his level after leaving Manchester United as a free agent this summer.
The 22-year-old midfielder is hoping he can this week add to his two Northern Ireland caps – he earned the last of them back in 2020 – after being called into O’Neill’s squad for Euro 2024 qualifiers away to Denmark and at home to Kazakhstan despite his uncertain club future.
Galbraith made only one senior appearance in six years with United, featuring in the Europa League in 2019 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but has no shortage of potential suitors after impressing during loan spells at Doncaster and Salford in the past two seasons.
O’Neill, who said he had received “a number of phone calls” from clubs asking after Galbraith, s…
Former Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has joined the seventh club of his career, moving to A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers from Vissel Kobe.
Mata, who left the Japanese club in January, will join up with the 2014 Asian champions ahead of the new campaign.
The Spaniard is aiming to win another championship in a different country, after winning the Turkish Super Lig with Galatasaray and the J1 League in 2023.
Mata s most prolific years came in the Premier League, scoring 52 goals and adding 55 assists in 278 appearances in English football s top flight for Chelsea and Manchester United.
The 36-year-old has also won honours on the international stage, having been part of Spain s successes in the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship…
Cristiano Ronaldo was named as one of five Real Madrid players as the Spanish and European champions dominated the FIFA FIFPro XI of 2017.
Defenders Sergio Ramos and Marcelo and midfield duo Luka Modric and Toni Kroos were also selected in the dream team, who were honoured at the FIFA Best Football Awards in London.
Juventus, who were beaten 4-1 by Madrid in June s Champions League final were represented by veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who also scooped the FIFA Best Goalkeeper prize.
Leonardo Bonucci and Dani Alves – both of whom lined up for Serie A champions Juve against Madrid in Cardiff but subsequently moved on to AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain respectively – completed the defensive unit in the combined team, while Barcelona great Andres Iniest…