Jose Mourinho has aimed a thinly-veiled jibe at former club Manchester United after they named Michael Carrick as their new interim head coach until the end of the season. The Benfica boss has expressed his “surprise” at the appointment of the former Middlesborough manager, who was part of the Portuguese’s coaching staff during his period in charge of the Red Devils.

Virgil van Dijk says it was 'disrespectful' for Arne Slot to be asked about speculation linking Xabi Alonso with his job as Liverpool manager. The Reds boss laughed off what he described as 'one of the weirdest questions' in the build up to his side’s Champions League victory over Marseille on Wednesday - but his compatriot has now criticised the journalist who asked it.

Joe Cole has urged Manchester City to raid Crystal Palace for a second time this year, tipping the Premier League champions to move for Adam Wharton as concerns grow over Rodri’s fitness. The former England star believes the Eagles midfielder is the perfect cover for the Spaniard, and claims Wharton could soon have his "pick of the bunch" of top clubs.

Inter Miami’s pursuit of Monterrey striker Germán Berterame followed an unsuccessful $13 million bid for LAFC star Denis Bouanga, according to The Athletic. The Herons’ cash offer for the Gabon international was turned down by Los Angeles, prompting a swift pivot in their winter rebuild. According to the same report, Bouanga wants to extend his contract with his current club.

MLS NEXT Pro officially announced its 2026 regular season schedule, marking the league’s earliest start to date and the expansion to 30 teams with the addition of Connecticut United FC. The season will feature 420 matches, run through the FIFA World Cup, and include key milestones such as a Decision Day, new venues, and increased pathways to MLS first teams.

GOAL Convo: Tillman looks forward to an important 2026 after shining for an ambitious LAFC side and getting a rare chance with the USMNT last year.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac are reportedly ready to set another new transfer record at Wrexham, with the Red Dragons tabling a £19 million ($26m) bid for Angers striker Sidiki Cherif. The 19-year-old is considered to be a long-term addition in North Wales that can make an immediate impact in the present, with Phil Parkinson’s side taking aim at promotion into the Premier League.

Chelsea are reportedly plotting a surprise move to sign Douglas Luiz on loan for the rest of the season. The Blues are believed to be keen to bolster their midfield ranks in the January transfer window and have identified the Brazil international as a target, despite the 27-year-old having played just 13 times for Nottingham Forest since joining on a season long loan from Juventus.

Casemiro is set to leave Manchester United at the end of the season, the midfielder and the club have confirmed. The 33-year-old has remained a key member of the Old Trafford squad this season but will seek pastures new this summer when his contract expires.

GOAL looks at how the top USWNT players did abroad across the weekend, from Thompson at Chelsea to Tullis-Joyce at United and Fox at Arsenal.

Alisha Lehmann has been linked with a return to the Women's Super League, just over 18 months after she left for Italy. The Swiss international ended a three-year stint at Aston Villa in mid-2024 before signing for Juventus with then-boyfriend Douglas Luiz. Last summer, she made the switch to Como after struggling for game time, and now Lehmann could be coming back to English football.

Long-time U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder Rose Lavelle has been voted U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year after a year packed with adversity.