Jude Bellingham has dismissed rumors of a rift with his Real Madrid teammates, emphasizing that there’s no discord within the squad.

Bellingham returned from injury on Tuesday as Real Madrid secured a 2-1 victory over Stuttgart in their opening Champions League match of the season.

The midfielder had been sidelined since the season opener against Mallorca and missed all subsequent matches.

During his absence, speculation arose suggesting tensions between Bellingham and teammates Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe, and Rodrygo.

All four players started against Stuttgart, and Bellingham’s positive reaction to Rodrygo’s performance has dispelled any rumors of a falling-out.

He responded to Rodrygo’s Instagram post celebrating the win with the comment: “Only the fools forget the R.”

Bellingham also addressed the rumors involving Mbappe and Vinicius, clarifying that there are no issues among them.

“I’ve seen on social media that some are trying to create negativity between Mbappé, Rodrygo, Vinicius, and me,” Bellingham said. “The truth is, we are very good friends both on and off the pitch.”

In Tuesday’s match, Mbappe scored from close range following a cross from Rodrygo. Although Deniz Undav equalized for Stuttgart, Madrid secured the win with late goals from Antonio Rudiger and Endrick.

Bellingham praised Mbappe’s performance, stating, “It’s what he does. I’m not surprised at all. I didn’t even realize it was his debut; I just thought it was another game he’d score in.He always delivers and has adapted to Madrid seamlessly. He’s going to be a crucial player for us this season and beyond.”

Bellingham, who had been frustrated by his injury layoff, is delighted to be back on the field. “Being out for three-and-a-half weeks was tough. I’m not used to being injured, so I was a bit impatient. I wanted to come back slowly, and I’m thrilled to have started this game,” he said.

Reflecting on his performance, Bellingham added, “In the first half, I gave everything I had, I was so excited and eager to create and get into the box. In the second half, I ran out of steam a bit, so I stayed deeper. I’m getting used to being back and finding my rhythm again. I’m confident I’ll be fine for the rest of the season.”

Virgil van Dijk has made it clear that Liverpool boss Arne Slot won’t have a honeymoon period as he settles into his new role.

Despite leading Liverpool to an impressive 1-0 victory over AC Milan in their Champions League opener, Slot’s start has been anything but smooth.

This win followed a disappointing home defeat to Nottingham Forest, highlighting the unpredictability of Liverpool’s recent form.

Van Dijk described the loss to Forest as a “reality check” and stressed that maintaining high standards is crucial for success. He warned that if Liverpool’s performance levels drop again, Slot will face significant pressure.

“In football, you need to perform both today and tomorrow,” Van Dijk told reporters. “If you don’t, the pressure from outside will build up. We need to stay calm. It’s up to me, the manager, and the players to deliver on the pitch. Losing at home to Forest was a shock and a wake-up call for us. Milan was a great reaction, but now we need to focus on recovering and preparing for our next match.”

Liverpool will face Bournemouth on Saturday, a key fixture for Slot as he tries to follow in Jurgen Klopp’s footsteps.

Despite a strong performance in Milan, Van Dijk reflected on the Forest game, admitting it may have seemed like Liverpool had “no plan” during that match.

“We showed the reaction we needed in Milan,” Van Dijk said. “It’s important to remember that criticisms from the outside are just noise. Our focus must be on what happens on the pitch. If we play with a clear plan, unlike how we looked at times against Forest, we’ll perform better.”

Van Dijk, who scored against Milan along with central defensive partner Ibrahima Konaté, emphasized the importance of set pieces this season. He also praised Cody Gakpo, who made an impact in Milan with his first start of the season.

“Gakpo has had some excellent performances in the past, and we shouldn’t overlook that,” Van Dijk said. “We know what he’s capable of. With only one game a week, players need to be patient and at their best. Set pieces are crucial for us. Even though it sometimes looks easier than it is, me and Ibou are both tall and should convert more of those chances. It’s a matter of fighting for every ball. Our goals in Milan showed how vital set pieces can be for us.”

Van Dijk’s remarks underscore the urgency for Liverpool to maintain consistency and adapt quickly to Slot’s management style. As the season progresses, the team’s ability to bounce back from setbacks will be crucial in meeting their ambitions.

Marcus Rashford looked revitalized as he scored twice in Manchester United‘s 7-0 demolition of League One side Barnsley at Old Trafford, propelling the Red Devils into the Carabao Cup fourth round and handing Erik ten Hag his most significant win as manager.

Rashford, leading the attack for United, had ended his six-month goal drought with a strike in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Southampton.

Ten Hag’s decision to keep faith in him paid off, as the 26-year-old confidently added United’s fifth goal with a first-time finish.

“When I see the teeth [smiling] from Marcus Rashford, I’m calm, I’m composed, and I’m confident that he will score,” Ten Hag shared with Sky Sports after the match.

Rashford nearly secured a hat-trick but unselfishly allowed teammate Antony to take a penalty. Antony, who hadn’t scored since April, converted the spot-kick past Chelsea loanee Gabriel Slonina, further boosting United’s lead.

Alejandro Garnacho, who had been left on the bench during the Southampton match, also netted twice. He first scored from close range in first-half stoppage time and then made it 4-0 on the break with a composed finish after Christian Eriksen sliced through Barnsley’s fragile defense.

Eriksen himself joined the scoresheet with two late goals, just four minutes apart. He turned in a cross from substitute Bruno Fernandes before curling a shot into the bottom corner for the seventh. Notably, it was his first club goal in over a year.

With this commanding victory, United now await their next Carabao Cup opponents in Wednesday’s fourth-round draw. The team will return to Premier League action against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Rashford’s future at United appeared bleak last season, with many suggesting a move away might be his only option for reviving his career.

However, Ten Hag’s persistence in backing his forward has started to pay off. Just five games into the new season, Rashford is already close to halfway to his total tally of eight goals from the previous campaign.

While these three goals have come against lesser opponents like Southampton and Barnsley, Rashford’s renewed confidence is reminiscent of his first season under Ten Hag, where he scored 30 goals.

Commenting on Rashford’s resurgence, Ten Hag said, “In my first season also, he had this vibe, this good mood. When I see the teeth [smiling] from Marcus Rashford, I’m calm, I’m composed, and I’m confident that he will score.”

Although tougher challenges lie ahead, starting with Saturday’s visit to Selhurst Park, the early signs are promising for Rashford as he works to return to his best form.

After the game, Rashford remained grounded but expressed hope that his performance could help reignite the form that made him crucial for Ten Hag early in his United tenure.

“Football is football; sometimes you have ups and sometimes downs,” he told Sky Sports. “You have to use these games to build momentum, find consistency, and try your best to bring your top level in every match.”

He continued, “It’s early to say [if the goals will continue], but I hope so. We’ll focus on the next match, rest, recover, and keep pushing forward. As a front unit and midfield, I thought we did really well today.”

Rashford’s resurgence has given United a much-needed boost, with the upcoming fixtures set to test if he is truly back to his best.