Sunday’s briefing: England hopeful on Williamson as Barcelona move for Rashford

The England camp are “optimistic” that captain Leah Williamson will be fit to face Italy in Tuesday’s Euro 2025 semi-final.

Barcelona are in talks to sign Marcus Rashford from Manchester United.

Ruben Amorim believes Matheus Cunha showed he is what United need in their friendly draw with Leeds.

Lionesses hopeful on Williamson’s fitness

England defender Esme Morgan insisted the Lionesses were “very optimistic” captain Leah Williamson would be fit to play in Tuesday’s Euro 2025 semi-final against Italy after she was forced off in their dramatic last-eight triumph over Sweden.

Williamson rolled her ankle and left Thursday’s contest in the first period of extra-time – after goals from Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang snatched the Lionesses a late 2-2 draw after 90 minutes – before they booked a last-four spot following a dramatic penalty shootout.

Morgan was introduced as part of a 70th-minute triple change and is prepared to play any role for the defending champions in Geneva – including stepping in for the skipper, if necessary.

“The same as every single game, I’m going to be prepared to play if I’m needed,” said Morgan. “I’ll know the role and just be absolutely ready to train at a high level over the next few days, but we’re very optimistic Leah will be fine.”

Barca in talks for Rashford

Barcelona are pushing to complete the signing of Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, the PA news agency understands.

The 27-year-old has not played for his boyhood club since being hauled off in a Europa League match away to Viktoria Plzen on December 12 and ended the season on loan at Aston Villa.

Rashford has trained away from Ruben Amorim’s first-team since pre-season began and appears to be edging closer to a dream switch to Barcelona.

It is understood talks are progressing on a deal to take the United outcast to the LaLiga outfit, with a season-long loan including an option to buy being worked on.

Cunha what United need

Ruben Amorim says summer signing Matheus Cunha showed what Manchester United need as they started pre-season with a 0-0 draw against promoted Leeds in Sweden.

Seven weeks after bringing the curtain down on their post-season trip to Malaysia and Hong Kong, the Red Devils stepped up their preparations for the new campaign at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm.

Amorim’s men and rivals Leeds fought out a scoreless draw, with both sides making wholesale changes midway through a friendly that saw Cunha make his first appearance since his £62.5million switch from Wolves.

“I think Matheus Cunha showed what we need – that is the player when he receives the ball between the lines can be really aggressive in direction of the opponent.

“We watched that during last season in a different team, so we expect the same thing.”

Germany survive early red card to knock out France

Germany will play Spain in the semi-finals of Euro 2025 after they played for more than 105 minutes with 10 players before defeating France on penalties.

Kathrine Hendrich was dismissed in only the 13th minute for pulling the hair of Griedge Mbock, conceding a penalty from which Grace Geyoro gave France the lead.

Germany hit back with a header from Chelsea’s Sjoeke Nusken midway through the first half before herself missing from the spot after the break.

But goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger was the hero for the 2013 European champions with two saves in the shoot-out to send her side through.