Premier League news

Manchester United midfielder Jack Fletcher has been hit with a long ban for using homophobic language while playing for the club's under-21 side. Fletcher, the son of former United midfielder and recent caretaker coach Darren, has admitted to using a discriminatory term during an EFL Trophy match at Barnsley in October, which led to him being sent off. He has apologised for the offence caused by his words.

Wes Brown has staunchly defended Roy Keane following allegations of "bullying" made by a former Manchester United medical staff member. The ex-United defender dismissed the claims, insisting that while his former captain's blunt honesty can often be harsh, it is simply a reflection of his character rather than malice.

Arsenal set-piece coach Nicolas Jover has been blamed for 'ruining football' by a Swiss newspaper following a rise in goals from dead-ball situations this season. The Gunners sit top of the Premier League table and are on course to win their first title since 2004 so long as they hold off the advances of Manchester City, though their style of play under manager Mikel Arteta has been criticised.

The debate over who is the greatest player of all time usually begins and ends with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but Fulham striker Raul Jimenez believes there is one specific department where he stands head and shoulders above the legendary duo. The Mexico international has established himself as one of the most reliable figures in world football from the penalty spot, and he isn’t afraid to let the world know about his clinical edge when the pressure is at its highest, also ranking himself above Harry Kane.

Michael Owen has launched a scathing assessment of Milos Kerkez following Liverpool's disappointing 2-1 defeat at Wolves, claiming the defender is struggling to handle the pressure of life at Anfield. The former Reds striker suggested the £40 million ($53m) summer signing from Bournemouth appears overwhelmed by his surroundings and urged Arne Slot to restore veteran Andy Robertson to the starting line-up. The Merseyside giants' hopes of finishing in the top four suffered a significant setback at Molineux.

Manchester United interim boss Michael Carrick has dropped a significant hint that the Red Devils will prioritise the signing of a new left winger this summer. The admission comes after a period of radical upheaval under former manager Ruben Amorim, whose tactical shifts led to a mass exodus of wide talent from Old Trafford. Despite the club previously spending over £170 million on the likes of Antony and Jadon Sancho, the current squad finds itself remarkably thin on the flanks as they transition back to a more traditional 4-2-3-1 system.

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has slammed the team for their "very poor" display against Wolves on Tuesday night and called on Arne Slot to give Rio Ngumoha a starting opportunity. After watching the 17-year-old outshine Cody Gakpo during his brief cameo in the shock 2-1 defeat at Molineux, Gerrard insisted that a "desperate" Liverpool side must unleash the teenage sensation to address their lack of attacking spark.

Michael Carrick is refusing to wave the white flag in the Premier League title race, insisting that Manchester United could still mount a sensational late charge to catch leaders Arsenal. Since taking the reins as interim head coach in mid-January, the former Red Devils midfielder has overseen a remarkable transformation at Old Trafford, steering the club from seventh place into a commanding position within the top three. The momentum gathered under his leadership has turned a season of damage limitation into one filled with unexpected ambition.

Pep Guardiola has claimed that he is not a "big, big fan" of the January transfer window, but Manchester City's recent winter business suggests otherwise. City have signed six players in the last two January windows, spending a total of £264 million ($353m) in the process. But whereas last year's purchases smacked of desperation, the recent acquisitions of Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo are looking like masterstrokes.

Manchester United moved up to third in the Premier League standings after securing their sixth win in seven games under Michael Carrick on Sunday, seeing off Crystal Palace 2-1 at Old Trafford. Although Benjamin Sesko and Bruno Fernandes deservedly dominated the headlines after respective goal-scoring turns, Casemiro's stellar work in the middle of the park was also essential to the victory, which has become a theme for the resurgent Red Devils since the turn of the year.

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior could barely contain his frustration after his side conceded a 93rd-minute equaliser against Burnley at Stamford Bridge on February 21 - just three days after blowing a 2-0 lead at home to Leeds United. "We've set fire to four points from two home games," the Blues boss fumed in his post-match press conference.

Jordan Henderson was at the centre of a chaotic scene on Tuesday, as tempers flared after Brentford's 0-0 draw with Bournemouth. The former Liverpool captain appeared to lose his composure as he squared up to a Bournemouth staff member after the final whistle at the Vitality Stadium. Following a frustrating night, the veteran midfielder had to be physically restrained by team-mates and security personnel to prevent a touchline melee from escalating.

After a 2-1 defeat to bottom-of-the-table Wolves, Arne Slot delivered a stinging assessment of Liverpool's form, admitting they are "losing far too many games". The Reds became the first reigning champions since 2017 to lose to a 20th-place team. Mohamed Salah's equaliser was cancelled out by a late Andre goal, leaving Liverpool with a tough battle for the top four as pressure mounts on Slot to find consistency at both ends.

How to watch the Premier League match between Brighton and Arsenal, as well as kick-off time and team news