The former Liverpool player’s inclusion in midfield was largely circumstantial, with suspensions for Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler and Bernardo Silva leaving Mourinho short on options.

Alexander-Arnold lined up alongside Federico Valverde but had a mixed evening, creating two chances and attempting more crosses than any other Real player – but failing to win a tackle. His passing accuracy was also down at 83.3%.

He was substituted shortly after Inter pulled one back on 77 minutes, prompting whistles around the stadium – although this could well have been frustration Madrid supporters felt at their team’s performance rather than at Alexander-Arnold individually.

It was the first competitive match in which Alexander-Arnold and fellow right-back Denzel Dumfries had started together. He started both for a pre-season friendly against Fiorentina, with Alexander-Arnold operating at right-back while Dumfries played further forward on the same side.

It is clear Mourinho still doesn’t have a definite starting right-back, so in the same way Alexander-Arnold had to fight to start with Dani Carvajal last season, he is doing the same this season with Dumfries.

But BBC Sport understands the Portuguese has been impressed by the England international’s performances, values and the versatility he brings to the squad.

Indeed, Mourinho views Alexander-Arnold as different from many traditional full-backs because of his ability to move into central areas and contribute to attacks from midfield positions.

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His passing, crossing, through balls and set-piece delivery remain among the strongest parts of his game.

Sheffield United have signed former Crystal Palace and Leicester City forward Jordan Ayew on a deal until the end of the season.

The 34-year-old, who has won 124 caps for Ghana, was a free agent after leaving the Foxes at the end of last season following their relegation to League One.

Ayew joined Aston Villa from Lorient in 2015 and has spent the past 11 years in the Premier League and Championship.

“We’re talking about someone here with bags of experience from right at the top level of the game,” boss Chris Wilder told the club website., external

“Only a few months ago he was captaining Ghana in the World Cup, so he’s someone with real pedigree.

“He did well at this level last season in difficult circumstances and has played all across the front positions during his career which gives us plenty of options.”

Meanwhile, Blades midfielder Ehije Ukaki, 21, has returned to Bulgarian club Botev Plovdiv on a season-long loan deal.

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The Nigerian joined United from Plovdiv last summer and his sole appearance came in a Carabao Cup defeat by Birmingham City in August 2025.

Cricket Australia has opened the Big Bash to private investment, although individual state associations will retain the power to decide whether and when to sell stakes in their franchises.

The governing body had originally been keen on a league-wide sale of franchises for the Big Bash League (BBL) and the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) but those proposals were opposed by New South Wales and Queensland.

Instead, a “self-determination model” will be adopted by Cricket Australia for the process, which will allow individual states to have the final say.

The decision to sell stakes in Big Bash franchises follows the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) decision to sell stakes in The Hundred’s eight teams last year, which generated more than £500m.

The eight franchises were valued collectively at more than £975m.

BBC Sport understands officials from Cricket Australia met with some of the owners of franchises in The Hundred this summer and a number of them have expressed an interest in investing in the Big Bash.

Cricket Australia said the decision was a “landmark step” for the country’s T20 tournament, with bids now being invited to purchase 100% of the licence for the Melbourne Renegades.

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The aim is for the Renegades to be playing in the 2027-28 Big Bash under new ownership.

“Pending the result of that process, Cricket Australia will consider taking other clubs to market under a self-determination model that gives each state member the ability to assess the optimal pathway for its own club and community,” the governing body said in a statement.

“The decision to proceed with this self-determination model was made in the best interests of all aspects of Australian cricket.”

The Renegades will be operated by Cricket Australia in a caretaker capacity during the coming season, with their sale not affecting the 2026-27 BBL or WBBL.

Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers are reportedly keen to bring in private investment but the two Sydney-based sides – Sixers and Thunder – along with Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers are reluctant to commit.

The self-determination model means those states can choose to explore private investment in future.

Cricket Australia plans to retain control over international scheduling, player availability, salary caps and media rights.

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It will also hold the power to approve or veto potential investors and set a reserve price for the sale of the Renegades.

Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird said the governing body and state associations were “united in our commitment to investing in and growing the BBL and WBBL” and to “advancing the interests of cricket at every level”.

“By opening the door to private investment in the Big Bash Leagues, Cricket Australia is taking a deliberate step to strengthen and secure the long-term future of the game,” he said.

Baird added that the investment can “accelerate growth” to ensure Cricket Australia can “keep investing in community cricket and grassroots participation, domestic and international pathways and the elite level”.

Cricket Australia also said it was continuing “constructive discussions” with the Australian Cricketers’ Association over an ongoing pay dispute.