Richie Mills

Manchester City ceded more ground in the Premier League title race as they went down with a whimper in Saturday's 2-0 defeat to local rivals Manchester United. Erling Haaland failed to lay a glove on the home side's defence, while an inspired Gianluigi Donnarumma kept the scoreline respectable. This was one of City's worst performances of the season, with Pep Guardiola's side left hoping that leaders Arsenal will slip up at Nottingham Forest later in the day.

The reason why Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot escaped a red card for a rash challenge on Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku has been revealed. In the 11th minute of a frenetic Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Saturday, Dalot caught Doku on the knee but was only given a booking. VAR backed up referee Anthony Taylor's decision, much to the dismay of many in the stadium and on social media.

Barcelona are reportedly set to lose La Masia academy star Dro Fernandez during the January transfer window. The talented midfielder has been making inroads into Hansi Flick's first-team squad this season but it is said he has activated his own €6 million release clause to seal an exit. This comes at a time when he has been linked with Manchester City, Chelsea, and more.

A Real Madrid star has been linked with a shock move to Aston Villa after Unai Emery's side missed out on Conor Gallagher. The Villans have been in the market for a new midfielder but just when it seemed they were favourites to sign the Atletico Madrid man, he joined Tottenham instead. Now, the Premier League title hopefuls have set their sights on another midfield option.

Barcelona avoided a Copa del Rey upset thanks to second-half goals from Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal in a 2-0 win. A day after bitter rivals Real Madrid were dumped out of the competition by second division side Albacete, Hansi Flick's men overcame a stern examination against similar opposition on Thursday. The cup holders were indebted to substitute Fermin Lopez as they reached the quarter-finals in battling fashion.

Manchester United are reportedly eyeing up a Nottingham Forest star as a potential Harry Maguire replacement. The England centre-back is out of contract at Old Trafford this summer, with the 32-year-old set to become a free agent. As the Red Devils continue to look to sign young talent, they have turned their attention to an in-demand Premier League defender.

Lyon loanee Endrick has delivered his verdict on Xabi Alonso's sacking at Real Madrid. The young Brazilian didn't get much of a look-in under the Spaniard at Los Blancos, hence why he was loaned out to the French side for the second half of the season. Now that the dust is beginning to settle on Alonso's departure, the forward has given his true feelings on the 44-year-old.

New Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has provided an update on the club's January transfer plans as the Stamford Bridge side try to re-ignite their season. Former Blues head coach Enzo Maresca made no secret of his desire to sign a centre-back in the summer in light of Levi Colwill's serious injury and missing out on Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid. Now, Rosenior says the Blues will be in the market but only for the "right player".

Arsenal are reportedly exploring a deal for Bayern Munich star Georgia Stanway, who will be a free agent this summer. The England international has spent nearly four years at the German giants but earlier this month, the midfielder announced that this season would be her last there. Now, clubs are clamouring for her signature, but it is not yet certain where she is heading next.

Roy Keane has aimed a savage dig at Michael Carrick's "big mouth" wife following his appointment as Manchester United's new interim head coach. Carrick has been charged with overseeing the Red Devils for the rest of the season after Ruben Amorim's sacking. And as the ex-Middlesbrough boss prepares for this new position, Keane risked re-igniting a feud with Carrick's wife, Lisa, with a brutal put-down.

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has issued an update on wantaway midfielder Lucas Paqueta's future amid links with Flamengo. The Brazilian reportedly asked not to be selected for West Ham's FA Cup win over Queens Park Rangers last weekend in light of reports he is 'disillusioned' in east London. Ahead of their clash with Tottenham, manager Nuno has spoken about the player's situation.

Xabi Alonso has been bluntly told following his sudden departure why he was never going to succeed as Real Madrid's manager. The Spaniard swapped Bayer Leverkusen for his former club last summer but his time at the Spanish giants was abruptly brought to an end on Monday. Now, a legend of La Liga has given his take on the 44-year-old's short stint at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Dominik Szoboszlai masterminded and nearly undid Liverpool's 4-1 win over League One side Barnsley to progress to round four of the FA Cup. The Hungarian scored a screamer, gifted the Tykes a goal, and was fortunate to not concede a penalty on Monday night. But classy goals from Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, and Hugo Ekitike got him out of trouble.

Tottenham appear primed to hijack Aston Villa's proposed move for Atletico Madrid star Conor Gallagher. Unai Emery's side have been on the lookout for more strength in depth as they try to keep touch in the Premier League title race, while also competing for cups this season. But it seems Spurs may pip them to the post on one recruit, days after losing to the Villans in the FA Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo is facing another trophy-less season at Al-Nassr after his team threw away a one-goal lead in their 3-1 loss to title rivals Al-Hilal. The Portugal international put his side ahead shortly before half time but a second half to forget may have again ended their hopes of winning the league title. The former Real Madrid man is yet to win any major silverware since moving to the Middle East three years ago and now they are seven points behind Al-Hilal after 14 games.

Carlo Ancelotti's son, Davide, reportedly put his name forward for the Strasbourg managerial role after Liam Rosenior's move to Chelsea. The former Botafogo boss is said to have been keen on the coaching position but was eventually pipped to the post by ex-Wolves manager Gary O'Neil. It seems the 36-year-old does not want to be out in the coaching wilderness for a while.

Macclesfield boss John Rooney is hoping to upset more Premier League opposition after dumping FA Cup holders Crystal Palace out of the competition. The non-league side produced arguably the biggest upset in FA Cup history with their 2-1 win over Oliver Glasner's team at the weekend. The National League North club are 117 places below the Eagles but were more than a match for them, and now Wayne Rooney's brother wants another eye-catching tie in the fourth round.

Real Madrid have announced the departure of manager Xabi Alonso following their Spanish Super Cup final loss to rivals Barcelona. Speculation has not gone away about the ex-midfielder's position at Los Blancos, with reports suggesting the 44-year-old is not an entirely popular figure among the dressing room. Now, Madrid state Alonso has left by "mutual consent".