Manchester United are ramping up their search for a permanent managerial appointment to lead the club into the 2026-27 campaign, and a familiar face from the Premier League has emerged as a serious contender. Roberto Martinez, currently at the helm of the Portugal national team, has reportedly been identified by the Old Trafford hierarchy as a potential candidate to take over the reigns.

Real Madrid's pursuit of Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri could be intensified as the Spanish giants were set a price tag. The English club are supposedly open to letting their key player go, but would require a sizeable fee to part with his services. However, with Rodri's contract set to expire at the end of next season, Madrid may strike a bargain.

Michael Carrick has hinted that Manchester United may offer centre-back Harry Maguire a new deal at Old Trafford. Maguire's current contract expires at the end of the season, though the England international is keen to prolong his stay at the club. Maguire has come back into favour at United after Carrick succeeded Ruben Amorim at the United helm.

Coleen Rooney has opened up about the realities of life behind closed doors with her Manchester United legend husband Wayne Rooney, admitting that having the former England captain around the house more often can be "annoying". Since calling time on his playing career in 2021 and moving through managerial stints at Derby County, D.C. United, Birmingham City, and Plymouth Argyle, Rooney has transitioned into a frequent presence on the punditry circuit, including a regular spot on the Match of the Day sofa.

Manchester United’s afternoon went from bad to worse as England international Luke Shaw was forced off with an injury during the first half of their Premier League encounter with Crystal Palace. The left-back appeared to succumb to a foot problem just 23 minutes into the contest, leaving manager Michael Carrick with a significant tactical headache.

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has provided a positive fitness update on Lisandro Martinez, suggesting the defensive linchpin will not be sidelined for a significant period. The Argentina international was a notable absentee from the matchday squad that travelled to Everton last Monday, sparking fears of another long-term layoff for a player who has already endured a difficult run with injuries over the past two seasons. However, Carrick has moved to ease those concerns ahead of a busy schedule for the Red Devils.

Robinho Jr only turned 18 in December, but he has already broken into the senior team at Santos, where he is now rubbing shoulders with Brazil's all-time record goal-scorer, Neymar. The teenager is already attracting transfer interest from a host of top European clubs, partly because of his ability, but also due to the footballing legacy of his father.

Honest Ahanor is just 17 years old - and yet on Sunday he started his fifth successive game for Atalanta, against Como. Unfortunately, Ahanor's afternoon came to an abrupt end - and quite literally by his own hand. Just eight minutes into the game at Sinigaglia, the defender was involved in an innocuous, off-the-ball clash with Maxi Perrone, who shamelessly collapsed to the ground as if Ahanor had struck him in the face.

Another transfer window and another highly-rated prospect is on their way to Chelsea. The club's youth policy has struck again, with the west Londoners landing 17-year-old full-back Yisa Alao from financially troubled Sheffield Wednesday. Despite his very limited experience at senior level, the teenager provoked a transfer tug-of-war between three Premier League giants, but it is the Blues who have emerged victorious.

Real Madrid are sweating on the fitness of star striker Kylian Mbappe as the Spanish heavyweights prepare for a season-defining Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City. The French superstar has been dealing with a knee problem, leading to intense speculation regarding his availability for the upcoming European showdown at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Paris Saint-Germain have been handed a slight advantage over Chelsea ahead of the meeting between the sides in the Champions League round of 16. The French champions successfully requested to have a Ligue 1 fixture postponed which will allow Luis Enrique’s team to recover fully between legs against the Blues, who will have to face Newcastle.

Paris Saint-Germain have seen a controversial request ahead of their Champions League round-of-16 clash with Chelsea next month approved by the LFP. The Parisian powerhouse will welcome the Blues to the Parc des Princes in a little over a week before the return leg at Stamford Bridge the following week as Luis Enrique's side seek to defend their European crown.

Michel Platini is undoubtedly one of the greatest footballers of all time. Playmaker, assister, goal-scorer: Platini was a complete player, capable of leaving an indelible mark on world football between the late 1970s and mid-1980s. He was the perfect No.10, embodying the true essence of the shirt number both then and now.

Modernising the role of a full-back 30 years ago, Roberto Carlos undoubtedly set the benchmark. A tactical genius and a physical specimen, the Real Madrid and Brazil legend won countless trophies at club and international level, contributing bucket loads of goals and assists. No one in the past, present or future can ever claim to be his equal - he was that good.

One of the best midfielders of his era, perhaps the greatest crosser of a football ever and a free-kick taker to rival the best the game has ever produced, David Beckham was a special player to say the least. And yet due to his off-field impact, one of the sport's great champions of the past 30 years is generally forgotten when it comes to referencing the true legends of the game.

Teddy Sheringham. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. "Football, bloody hell!" The 1999 Champions League final is one of the greatest dramas in the history of Bayern Munich. The German giants led for a long time in Barcelona before Manchester United snatched the trophy they thought was theirs in stoppage time. But according to one member of the Bayern team, he actually won that final. "Actually, I'm a Champions League winner," claims the latest member of GOAL's Rebel United, Mario Basler.

In 1969, at the age of 23, George Best wanted to focus solely on the essentials. Just football, just his job. So he turned his back on his two other great passions, alcohol and women. His sobering conclusion: "It was the worst 20 minutes of my life." A Manchester United legend, that quote sums up Bet's rebellious attitude towards football, and life in general.

Rebel United introduces players who prefer to swim against the tide, such as Barcelona and Spain legend Gerard Pique, who has achieved great significance beyond the pitch thanks to his Catalan pride and innovative spirit...

Robin Roefs' story reads like a fairy tale. The 22-year-old goalkeeper is only in his second season as a first-choice shot-stopper, and yet he is already considered one of the better No.1s in the Premier League. A place in the Netherlands' starting line-up at the World Cup is now not out of the question for the latest of GOAL's Hidden Gems.

On September 15, 2018, N'Golo Kante walked off the Stamford Bridge pitch, satisfied. As was often the case, the Frenchman had just covered every blade of grass over the course of the 90 minutes. And, as was so often the case, he was not one of the major speaking points at full-time. Not right away, at least.

Anyone that manages to carve out a career for themselves in professional football is ridiculously talented. The standard at the highest level is just so high that it is simply impossible to 'fake it 'til you make it'. However, not everyone is as prodigiously gifted as Lionel Messi or Lamine Yamal. Your average player will require some time to get to grips with the rigours of the elite game.