Matthias Jaissle’s St James’ Park bow ended in defeat as German side Bayer Leverkusen overcame Newcastle United 2-1 in a pre-season friendly.

Inside 45 seconds, Newcastle fell behind after Ibrahim Maza’s vicious left-footed shot from distance dipped into the net beyond Lukas Hornicek. Once the home side had changed their shirts due to a kit clash, Malick Thiaw, who was named captain once more, equalised when he nodded in an Anthony Elanga corner just before the interval.

Victor Boniface rose off the bench to curl in Leverkusen’s winner in the 82nd minute, bamboozling Sean Steur before whipping a shot into the far corner, which Hornicek got a hand to but could not keep out.

French outfit Strasbourg visit Tyneside on Sunday for the second friendly of the weekend and Jaissle’s team selection suggested that he had decided to split his side across the two matches, rather than field his strongest XI on either day.

Following back-to-back defeats against Everton and Leverkusen and with the opener against Liverpool just eight days away, Jaissle’s Newcastle are not going into the Premier League campaign with much positive momentum.

Chris Waugh analyses the action from St James’ Park.

Dedic deal close — and he’s desperately needed

So short are Newcastle at full-back that Jaissle will be unable to name two fit senior out-and-out wide defenders across both these weekend friendlies, never mind four.

Lewis Hall will be one of the first names on the teamsheet for the Premier League opener but, even if Mason Miley is highly rated within Newcastle and signed a senior contract this summer, the 17-year-old younger brother of Lewis has never made a first-team appearance and should not be expected to deputise against Liverpool. Leo Shahar, the 19-year-old who will likely play against Strasbourg tomorrow (Sunday), has made just one senior competitive appearance.

Newcastle are close to agreeing a deal with Benfica for Dedic, however, and the 23-year-old may well be thrust straight into the XI for next Sunday, given Tino Livramento is only just returning to full training following a minor calf operation in June.

Jaissle worked with the Bosnia-Herzegovina international at FC Liefering and Red Bull Salzburg in Austria, so their respective familiarity meant this move made sense from pretty much the moment the German was appointed and Dedic should be a stylistic fit.

Amar Dedic is close to a move to Tyneside from Benfica (WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

Dedic is predominantly a right-back but can play down both flanks, which has proven attractive to Newcastle given their lack of full-back options.

Dedic looks set to become Newcastle’s sixth summer signing but the first of Jaissle’s tenure and his arrival cannot come a moment too soon, even if the proposed fee of up to £30million ($40.6m) appears expensive. As exciting as it was to see brothers Lewis and Mason Miley play on the St James’ pitch together, the former needs a sustained run in his natural midfield role and too much should not be expected of the latter too soon. Mason went off in the closing stages with what appeared to be a knock.

Further additions are still required, potentially including another full-back, yet securing Dedic will provide everyone around the club with a welcome boost.

Why did Newcastle change their shirt?

Even by friendly standards, this was an odd occasion.

Perhaps this being the first of two 90-minute matches inside 24 hours played a part, alongside the strangeness of Jaissle being the man in the home dugout following almost five years of Eddie Howe occupying that technical area.

But the most bizarre moment came in the 23rd minute when, during a hydration break — which was roundly booed by the home crowd — every Newcastle outfielder changed their shirts. It had been evident from the moment the teams emerged that there was a kit clash, yet somehow the respective outfits were permitted. Michael Oliver, the Newcastle fan who usually cannot officiate when his club is playing, was the referee for the afternoon.

Newcastle were initially wearing their new black-and-white-striped home kit, with a blue trim, while Leverkusen were in a predominantly white strip which also featured blue spots. The biggest issue was that both shirts were almost wholly white on the back, making it difficult to discern which team was which.

Harvey Barnes is closed down by two defenders – before the change of shirts (Richard Sellers/PA Images via Getty Images)

It seems Jaissle was influential in requesting a change and Newcastle’s kit staff brought out their new third violet shirts. The home side continued to play in their black shorts and black socks, however.

Newcastle’s players changed their shirts midway through the first half (Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Whether coincidental or not, Newcastle improved markedly following the attire change, with Jaissle seemingly recognising that his players were struggling to find their own team-mates.

It was truly puzzling.

How will Jaissle solve his lack of a No 10?

One of the brightest sparks throughout pre-season has been the form of Yoane Wissa.

After scoring twice in Valencia when playing as a striker, he has been deployed as a No 10 in each of the last two outings and has been heavily involved in most of Newcastle’s positive attacking moves. After a difficult first season on Tyneside, which was ravaged by injury and a lack of fitness, Wissa looks sharp and determined to prove a point.

Admittedly, although Wissa has played as a second striker for DR Congo and looks good when carrying possession upfield, he is not necessarily a naturally creative player. The problem is that Jaissle does not actually have one at his disposal, having trialled Nick Woltemade in that role.

Howe did not play with a No 10 in his 4-3-3 formation and so Newcastle have not signed a player to specifically fill that role post-takeover. Worryingly, nor is there any suggestion they will bring one in before the deadline — at least one midfielder, potentially a wide attacker and perhaps even another full-back are on the agenda — meaning that Jaissle is attempting to shoehorn players into his 4-2-3-1 system.

Matthias Jaissle seemed to enjoy his St James’ Park bow (Scott Heppell/AFP via Getty Images)

Some supporters pleaded with Howe to use Woltemade as a No 10 yet, of his three appearances under Jaissle, the Germany international has twice played as a centre-forward and once just off the striker.

Against Leverkusen, there were moments of visible frustration shown towards Woltemade from Jaissle on the touchline when the striker failed to control the ball and lay it off to his team-mates, but the head coach appears determined to try and extract more from his compatriot.

Newcastle spent a combined £119m on Wissa and Woltemade last season, yet working out a way of fitting them into the same side remains as much of a conundrum for Jaissle as it was for Howe.

What did Jaissle say?

On two friendlies in two days:
“We needed to split. First of all, because it doesn’t make sense that the the lads play two games in a row. But the most important thing now in the last friendlies that you see everyone over 90 minutes, and there are different approaches.

“Some of them, they could use one more training day, especially the guys who returned later or came back from an injury. So there are many aspects to consider, and again, it has nothing to do with with a starting XI or not.”

Shirt change — were you involved?

“Honestly, I was a bit surprised when the kick-off was done because it was so, so close to each other, the two shirts. It was then smart to use the first break, the hydration break, to change it because probably as well from the stands, from your perspective, it was not easy to distinguish between the two teams.”

On transfers:
“As I mentioned in the press conference previously, and also in interviews, that club knows exactly the needs, and this is here is not the right place to talk about the positions, and names. Everyone is involved in the club, in the in the management, and there will be some changes for sure.”

When are Newcastle next in action?

Sunday, August 16: Strasbourg (Home), Friendly, 4pm UK, 11am ET.

Sunday, August 23: Liverpool (Home), Premier League, 4.30pm UK, 11.30 ET

Aston Villa are stepping up their interest in Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, with Emiliano Martinez in negotiations to leave.

The Athletic previously reported Suzuki, 23, was among a list of options to replace Martinez should he depart, alongside RC Lens’ Robin Risser.

Having rejected small, incremental offers from Juventus earlier in the summer, Villa informed representatives of prospective targets that the Argentina international would be staying, even though Martinez was keen to move to the Serie A side.

Last month, Villa’s director of football operations Damian Vidagany told 365scores that Martinez would be staying in the Midlands.

“The goalkeeper’s future is settled, he is staying with us, and we have no intention of letting him go this summer,” said Vidagany. “The team needs his efforts and extensive experience, and he is a very important element in our project for next season.

“All the news published by the media about his departure to Juventus does not reflect the club’s true position. Martinez is a very important player for us, and we expect him to continue delivering his outstanding performances alongside his teammates.”

However, discussions over a move are progressing, leading to Villa to turn their attentions to Suzuki. Villa are now considering pushing ahead with a deal in the region €30million, after the Japan international had reportedly received interest from Paris Saint-Germain.

Club sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships, believe Suzuki favours a move to the Europa League winners.

Martinez is not due to return for pre-season until Monday, with Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins, who also reached the last stages of the World Cup, also expected to report back.

Martinez has been Villa’s No 1 since joining the club from Arsenal in 2020. (Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Martinez joined Villa from Arsenal in September 2020 and has gone on to make 256 appearances for the club.

He featured in 44 games in all competitions last term, including 32 of the club’s 38 Premier League matches.

Any exit would only add to a summer of significant change at Villa Park where Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne have already departed and speculation continues over Konsa’s future.

Suzuki was born in Newark, New Jersey to a Ghanian father and Japanese mother, and grew up in Japan.

He began his professional career with Japanese club Urawa Red Diamonds, making his senior debut as a teenager.

After a season on loan in Belgium, he joined Parma in summer 2024 and quickly established himself as the Serie A’s side No 1, making 57 league appearances over the past two seasons.

Suzuki started all four of Japan’s games at this summer’s World Cup in North America. He impressed as they were eliminated by Brazil in the round of 32 after Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time winner.

Manchester United lost 4-2 against Ruben Amorim’s Milan in their final pre-season friendly after Bruno Fernandes missed a penalty for the second match in a row and they conceded three goals in the space of 14 minutes in the second half.

Michael Carrick’s team took the lead in Wroclaw, Poland, after only two minutes, when Harry Maguire scored a header from a Fernandes corner. Milan hit back on 37 minutes when an unmarked Samuel Chukwueze slid the ball into the net after being found by their new signing Goncalo Ramos.

Then shortly before the break Fernandes had a penalty saved by the Milan goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani, three days after he missed in a penalty shootout against Leeds United.

In the second half Patrick Dorgu restored their advantage but Carrick’s side lost control of the game and Milan earned their first win under the former United manager Amorim thanks to goals from Alphadjo Cisse, Ramos and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Laurie Whitwell analyses the key talking points from United’s defeat at the Wroclaw Stadium…

Where did it go wrong for United against Milan?

United’s defensive vulnerabilities were exposed by Milan in the second half as Amorim’s team scored three goals in 14 minutes to turn the result on its head.

The ease with which Milan opened up United, each time down the right flank, was alarming, even with this being a game where players were getting fitness back and substitutions were made.

Milan’s equaliser to level the score at 2-2 came when Chukwueze ran unimpeded into the box, with Luke Shaw backing off, then hit a pass through a crowd for Cisse to tap in at the far post. Cisse looked offside but he was allowed too much space regardless.

United defenders appeal for offside as Cisse celebrates (Sergei GAPON / AFP via Getty Images)

Carrick then made six substitutions, with Argentina international Lisandro Martinez making his first appearance of pre-season on the left side of central defence.

That was the area of the pitch from which Milan went ahead, with Chukwueze again allowed time to pick his cross, which Ramos headed in after finding space with some smart movement.

Milan’s final goal had a comical air to it, Loftus-Cheek sprinting away from Martinez and then picking his spot past the United goalkeeper Senne Lammens at the near post.

This was a first match back for Kobbie Mainoo and Rashford too, and that will be a factor in Carrick’s line-up for the Premier League trip to Hull City next weekend. But they will need to defend better than this when the real action starts.

Should United be worried by Fernandes’ missed penalties?

These are only friendlies, but it is notable Fernandes has missed two penalties in successive games for United.

His first, in the shootout against Leeds in Dublin on Wednesday, rolled wide of the right post after wrong-footing goalkeeper Alex Cairns.

It seems highly plausible the relaxed environs contributed to Fernandes easing up, being more playful than he ordinarily would be, but he looked determined to score when given another opportunity from 12 yards in Wroclaw with the score at 1-1.

Koni De Winter tugging back Youri Tielemans as he broke clear following a defensive mistake by Filippo Terracciano, saw United awarded a penalty, and this time Fernandes went for power and the other direction. He drove the ball to the left side of the goal, but Torriani, Milan’s 21-year-old goalkeeper, read his intentions and dived the right way to push clear.

Fernandes has an excellent record at taking penalties, scoring 67 and missing only eight for club and country during competitive matches – excluding shootouts – a rate of 89 per cent, significantly higher than the 70 per cent average for players.

But he does have moments where his thought process appears to get affected. His last failures to convert came last August and September against Fulham’s Bernd Leno and Brentford’s Caoimhin Kelleher. In the first instance the referee Chris Kavanagh bumped into him during his preparation and for the second one he had to wait several minutes due to Brentford’s delaying tactics.

The fact Fernandes changed his method entirely from Dublin to Wroclaw this week suggests some internal debate, at least. But he has scored his last five competitive penalties for Portugal and United, and his previous misses before last season came in 2023.

So he will undoubtedly retain his key role from 12 yards in this team.

Does Rashford wearing No 9 shirt mean he’s here to stay?

The next step to Rashford’s projected return to competitive football for United came with him featuring in a matchday squad for the first time since December 12, 2024.

Amorim dropped him from the next squad at Manchester City back then and Rashford went on loan to first Aston Villa and then Barcelona. Nearly two years on – with his permanent exit having been expected — here he was again, with Amorim this time in the opposite dugout.

There was added intrigue when his shirt number was announced. He was given the No 9, and that felt significant. It is the number traditionally worn by starting centre-forwards and though he would be set to get minutes primarily on the left wing it is nevertheless a prized asset for any player.

(Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Rashford staying and getting the No 9 is not confirmed – clubs only need to finalise numbers on the eve of the Premier League – but it feels like the kind of move to really instill in the 28-year-old a sense of a fresh beginning and act as a show of support.

Last summer United took Rashford’s No 10 from him, to give to Mateus Cunha, before he had even left the club, so handing him the No 9 would strike as proper recompense and a challenge for him to fulfil his comeback.

The No 14 had been touted, the shirt number he wore at Barcelona, with Thierry Henry’s history there adding some glamour, but with Rasmus Hojlund now gone permanently the No 9 opened up. Benjamin Sesko could take it, but he chose 30 when he signed last summer, so it would be strange to switch already.

Rashford got his return to play in the 61st minute, replacing Dorgu on the left wing. He made darts for the ball over the top several times as soon as he entered the fray, although he was not picked out by the player in possession.

His best moment came when he chased down Chukwueze and won the ball by the corner flag, leaving his opponent on the floor, prompting cheers from crowd, then did a backheel to tee up Shaw on the overlap for a cross.

It was the kind of aggression off the ball that was lacking during his last spell at United, and more of the same will endear him to fans once again.

When do United play next?

Carrick’s team kick-off their Premier League campaign with a trip to newly promoted Hull City on Saturday August 22 (12.30pm UK, 7.30am ET).

Their first home match of the season at Old Trafford is against Ipswich Town on Sunday August 30.