Chris Burton

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, INEOS and the Glazers have been told to stop chasing money at Manchester United and focus on winning trophies. The Red Devils have been overtaken by ‘noisy neighbours’ City in Premier League and European pecking orders, with Giuseppe Rossi telling GOAL why those behind the scenes at Old Trafford need to get their priorities in order.

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire allegedly refused to pay a £50,000 bribe to Greek police that would make his “Mykonos assault case go away”. The England international has been handed a 15-month suspended sentence after being found guilty of non-serious assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery. The incident in question took place during a family holiday in August 2020.

Thomas Tuchel has been urged to snub the likes of Cole Palmer and Phil Foden by picking “world-beater” Marcus Rashford on the left wing for England at the 2026 World Cup. Former Three Lions star Lee Sharpe has told GOAL the Manchester United academy graduate, who is currently on loan at Barcelona, possesses qualities that his rivals for an international starting berth do not have.

Cristiano Ronaldo continues to chase down 1,000 competitive career goals, but will eternal rival Lionel Messi have the same target in mind? Portuguese superstar CR7 appears destined to get there first, as he turns out for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, and a former team-mate of the Manchester United legend has told GOAL why Inter Miami talisman Messi may care more about Ronaldo’s exploits than he likes to let on.

Manchester United have been brutally trolled by eagle-eyed Newcastle supporters, with fans unearthing a 12-year-old social media post that shows William Osula at Old Trafford and mingling with Red Devils legends. United seemingly passed up the chance to sign the Danish forward as an academy prospect, and have seen him come back to haunt them as a senior Premier League star.

Arsenal are being advised to keep faith with Mikel Arteta regardless of what happens in their 2025-26 trophy bids, with former Invincibles squad member Jeremie Aliadiere telling GOAL why nobody could do a better job at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners are back in the hunt for the Premier League, as part of a quadruple quest, with their manager determined to turn potential into something more tangible.

Cavan Sullivan will link up with Manchester City once he turns 18, with the USMNT hopeful being tipped to head out of the Etihad Stadium on a two-year European loan immediately after a move to England is completed. The American wonderkid is just 16 years of age, but Tab Ramos has told GOAL what the long-term future could look like for the hottest of prospects.

Kylian Mbappe has seen his “longevity” questioned, with doubts cast over whether the Real Madrid and France superstar can emulate certain achievements of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Jeremie Aliadiere is a big fan of his fellow countryman, but has told GOAL why chasing down the target of 100 international goals may prove difficult for the most fearsome of forwards.

Mason Greenwood may yet bring his hopes of earning an England recall to a close by pledging allegiance to Jamaica at the 2026 World Cup, admits a man that once trod a similar path. Frank Sinclair joined the Reggae Boyz ranks for a major tournament adventure in 1998 and has told GOAL why a forward starring at Marseille could take a similar decision.

Arsenal remain in the hunt for an unprecedented quadruple, with former ‘Invincibles’ squad member Jeremie Aliadiere telling GOAL why the Gunners would not “swap” three of those trophies for a guaranteed Premier League title triumph. The Frenchman is of the opinion that domestic dominance can be restored at Emirates Stadium while collecting multiple pieces of major silverware.

Cristiano Ronaldo is seeing questions asked of whether he has fled the Middle East amid mounting political tension in the region, with the Portuguese superstar’s private jet leaving Saudi Arabia for Madrid in the middle of the night. Riyadh, where CR7 is based with current club side Al-Nassr, has been struck by Iranian bombs as a conflict with the United States intensifies.

Manchester United have been warned it would take a British transfer record deal of £150 million-plus ($201m) in order to prise Cole Palmer away from Chelsea. The Wythenshawe native has seen a return to his roots in the North West speculated on, but former Stamford Bridge star Frank Sinclair has told GOAL why a stunning deal is unlikely to happen.

Vinicius Junior became caught up in another unsightly confrontation following Real Madrid’s shock defeat to Getafe at Santiago Bernabeu. The Brazil international played the full 90 minutes for the Blancos as they went down 1-0 to local rivals. After the final whistle blew, Real’s South American superstar was goaded by Allan Nyom - a rival he has previously clashed with this season.

Enzo Fernandez has been advised to ignore any Frank Lampard comparisons at Chelsea and focus on “dominating” games in his own way. Ex-Blues star Frank Sinclair has told GOAL why it would be foolish for the World Cup-winning Argentine at Stamford Bridge to try and model his game on a great of the past - as those exploits will never be replicated.

Thomas Tuchel has been given three reasons why Jude Bellingham, who is nursing an injury at Real Madrid, has to make England’s 2026 World Cup squad. The all-action midfielder may be forced to sit out international action during the March round of friendlies, but Lee Sharpe has told GOAL that the talented 22-year-old is one of those that should be picked on reputation alone.

Bruno Fernandes has been informed that Manchester United can afford to lose him, despite his obvious value to the collective cause, with Lee Sharpe telling GOAL why a summer transfer elsewhere could happen. Portugal international Fernandes has been a talismanic presence across six years at Old Trafford, but questions continue to be asked of his short and long-term future.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have been sent a “yo-yo” warning as Wrexham take aim at promotion into the Premier League, but are being backed to help make the funds available that would allow the Red Dragons to be competitive among the top-flight elite. Frank Sinclair has explained to GOAL why a £50 million ($67m) transfer may not be far away at SToK Racecourse.

Former England captain Wayne Rooney was spotted drinking until the early hours of the morning with two mystery women at a pre-Brit Awards party in Manchester. The legendary ex-United striker enjoyed an allegedly alcohol-fuelled evening at a fancy hotel that housed a number of celebrities ahead of a glitzy ceremony taking place at Co-op Live. Rooney’s wife, Coleen, was nowhere to be seen.