Espanyol sporting director Monchi believes Spanish clubs should be paying closer attention to England’s Championship, describing it as one of football’s “least understood” competitions and an increasingly attractive source of talent.

The former goalkeeper has returned to his native Spain after two years as president of football operations at Aston Villa, having previously held sporting director roles at Sevilla and Roma.

Barcelona-based Espanyol, who finished 11th in La Liga last season, are one of the oldest clubs in Spain, having been founded in 1900.

Monchi says seeking out talent in the English second tier is part of a broader strategy to tap into markets where Espanyol can compete, despite the financial restrictions imposed on Spanish clubs.

Espanyol have a connection to the Championship – as the club’s ownership group, led by Alan Pace, also owns Burnley.

“I think the Championship is one of the least understood competitions,” Monchi told BBC Sport.

“Having lived in England for two years and worked with Aston Villa, and now continuing to follow the competition because of Burnley, I can say that there are some very good players there.”

The 57-year-old Spaniard points to Morgan Rogers as one example of the talent who came through the Championship.

Rogers joined Aston Villa from Middlesbrough in 2024 after a spell in the second tier and went on to become an England international before completing a £117m move to Chelsea this summer.

“That is just one example, but I could give many more,” Monchi said.

“I think it is a competition with an extremely high level of competitiveness, very good coaches and intense demands. It is an excellent place to discover talent.”

Tyrhys Dolan joined Espanyol from Blackburn Rovers in July 2025 after five seasons in the Championship, while the Spanish club have now signed Netherlands international Quilindschy Hartman on loan from Burnley.

The Great Britain women’s team have missed out on their first chance to qualify for flag football’s Olympic debut but will have another opportunity on Sunday.

The non-contact version of American football will make its Olympic bow at Los Angeles 2028 and two spots are available for both men and women at this weekend’s World Championships in Germany.

After reaching the quarter-finals as group winners, GB faced Panama on Saturday and came from behind to win 26-20 and set up a semi-final clash with the USA.

Victory would have secured a spot at LA28 and GB led 21-7 in the first half after touchdowns by Grace Conway, Angelica Tait and Emily Kemp.

But the defending champions fought back to win 27-21, while Canada beat Mexico 20-6 to reach their first final since 2014.

However, since the USA qualify automatically for LA28 as hosts, whoever wins Sunday’s bronze-medal game (11:30 BST) will secure the other Olympic spot on offer in Dusseldorf this weekend.

GB are third in the world having won the past two European Championships but Mexico are ranked top having lost the past two World finals to the USA while beating them in the 2022 and 2025 World Games finals.

It will be two years before the other Olympic spots are available.

The GB men’s team lost 50-35 to Switzerland in their first ranking game on Saturday but then beat Austria 28-20 for their first win of the tournament.

They will face Brazil on Sunday to determine who will finish in 13th and 14th place.

The USA face Italy in the final, with Canada taking on Mexico in the bronze-medal game.

Once they are into the meat of the season, few at Old Trafford will remember this day.

However, depending on how the situation unfolds before the transfer window closes on 1 September, it could be very significant in one way.

With an hour gone, Marcus Rashford was introduced by Carrick as one of six substitutes.

It was his first appearance for his boyhood club since Viktoria Plzen away in the Europa League on 12 December 2024, after which he was effectively banished by Amorim and loaned out, first to Aston Villa and then Barcelona, from where he was not expected to return.

Carrick had enough opportunities when he spoke to UK media in Maynooth on Thursday to say so if it was certain Rashford will be staying beyond this month.

United officials were quick to make it known the number nine shirt Rashford wore in Poland was not permanent, to stave off any complaints from those tempted to buy one.

The 28-year-old looked relaxed enough throughout.

When he was sent out for his first warm-up during the game, he applauded the positive reception he got from United supporters in the corner he was running towards. Although, within seconds, Samuel Chukwueze was tapping home AC Milan’s first equaliser at the same end of the pitch.

Rashford was out later than most of his fellow substitutes for a second-half warm-up, but he still had time for a couple of passing tricks with Martinez – a World Cup semi-final rival a month ago.

Once the England attacker came on, it was noticeable he stayed wider than Patrick Dorgu, the man he replaced on the left. For the record, Dorgu and Harry Maguire were United’s men on the scoresheet in this latest tune-up.

Rashford’s first run ended with him conceding a foul, but it wasn’t long before a brilliant piece of play by the corner flag took him past an opponent.

Not surprisingly, that brought the crowd to its feet.

As reintroductions go, it was solid, not spectacular. But it didn’t need to be anything more.

Premier League games at Hull and against Ipswich will offer a greater insight into Carrick’s thinking. The transfer deadline will bring permanence to what remains an uncertain situation.