Al-Ittihad director Ramon Planes believes the club's captain and star striker Karim Benzema will extend his stay in Saudi Arabia. The 38-year-old's contract is set to expire in June 2026. Speculation over the five-time Champions League winners future intensified towards the end of last year, when he gave a cryptic answer to questions over his intentions to extend his stay in the Middle East.
Manchester City opened up their FA Cup campaign with a barely believable 10-1 victory over Exeter City in the third round on Saturday. Antoine Semenyo scored and assisted on his debut for the Cityzens, while youngster Max Alleyne also netted his first goal for the club, as Pep Guardiola's side swept aside their League One opponents at the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola has defended the passing skills of his goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Manchester City boss praised the Italian's composure, control and short passing game, saying the 26-year-old is "much, much better than people think", with the ball at his feet. However, the Spaniard admitted that the ex-PSG man's long passing could not compare to City's former keeper Ederson.
Wrexham’s Hollywood co-owner Rob Mac has described his side’s performance in their FA Cup third-round victory over Nottingham Forest as ‘incredible’. The Red Dragons produced a sublime showing to knock out their Premier League opposition on penalties, producing the first shock of the round. After the game, McElhenney was unable to hide his delight.
Wayne Rooney was reduced to tears on punditry duty for the BBC as he watched his brother John produce the greatest shock result in FA Cup history. Non-league side Macclesfield FC ran out 2-1 winners over cup holders Crystal Palace to progress to the fourth round and shock the footballing world with a late Yeremy Pino consolation not enough to save the Eagles’ blushes.
Macclesfield FC - the lowest-ranked team left in the FA Cup - recorded one of the greatest shocks in the competition's history as they stunned holders Crystal Palace in a seismic 2-1 victory on Saturday. Goals either side of half-time from Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts ensured the Silkmen, who were newly-reformed in 2020, reached the fourth round at the expense of their Premier League opponents.
Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce was the hero as 10-player Manchester United clung on to steal a 0-0 draw away at Arsenal in the first WSL game of the new year. The visitors were reduced to 10 midway through the second half when Jayde Riviere was sent off, but held firm to keep a clean sheet and ensure the Gunners do not pull further away from them at the top of the table.
Arsenal failed to take advantage of a huge opportunity to open up a four-point cushion inside the Champions League places on Saturday, forced to settle for just a point in a 0-0 draw with Manchester United despite the Red Devils being reduced to 10 just past the hour. The Gunners created plenty of chances and really should've come away with the win but were let down by their finishing on a disappointing day out.
Arsenal star Declan Rice has been banned from driving after he was caught speeding twice on the same road in the space of a week. The England midfielder has also been issued with a fine after he was spotted going over the speed limit in his £40,000 Jaguar Land Rover at the start of last year. He did not appear at Crawley Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
A split between Jason Wilcox and Ruben Amorim led to the latter's sacking at Manchester United after the Portuguese coach took issue with a comment made by the director of football. Amorim was sacked as the Red Devils coach last week after he exploded in a post-match press conference and made a number of pointed comments aimed at the club's hierarchy.
Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany insists he has not spoken to Lennart Karl over his recent transfer remarks regarding Real Madrid after reiterating that the teen sensation has apologised for his “communication mistake”. The Bavarians' head coach has come to the aid of the 17-year-old, who raised eyebrows earlier this month by revealing it is his “dream” to play for the Spanish giants.
United States international Jenna Nighswonger looks to be finally set for some regular game time after completing a loan move away from Arsenal. The full-back has found opportunities hard to come by since joining the Women's Super League club last January but has now secured a temporary switch that should change that - one which also includes an option to buy.
Chelsea's new boss Liam Rosenior has said that he wants to emulate Sir Alex Ferguson's great Manchester United treble-winning side, which was the result of developing young players, at Stamford Bridge. One of the reasons for Rosenior's appointment has been his success with youngsters at BlueCo-owned Strasbourg and he will be tasked with replicating that in west London.
Lionesses star Georgia Stanway has confirmed that she will leave Bayern Munich this summer, paving the way for a potential return to England and the Women's Super League. The midfielder's next destination has not been officially revealed just yet but Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for the two-time European Championship winner, who previously spent seven years at Manchester City.
Sean Dyche has lambasted his Nottingham Forest side after they crashed out of the FA Cup third round at the hands of Championship side Wrexham. The Forest boss was furious following their 4-3 defeat on penalties and slammed those who had played out the initial 3-3 draw in North Wales, suggesting that those who started did not deserve a run out in the Premier League.
Former Chelsea youth star Lamisha Musonda has shared that he might only have days to live. The 33-year-old Belgian, who joined the club from Anderlecht alongside brothers Tika and Charly, revealed on social media that he has been living with a health condition and that he is fighting to survive. He expressed his gratitude for the many people he has played alongside.
New Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has insisted he will be in charge at the Blues and is content with the board’s involvement in the club. The former Strasbourg coach has worked with the BlueCo hierarchy before in France and his appointment has been viewed cynically as a coach happy to bow down to the whims and wishes of those in the boardroom above him.
Two Manchester United players faced off in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals on Friday, with Noussair Mazraoui's Morocco knocking out Bryan Mbeumo's Cameroon 2-0. Despite the disappointment for the former Brentford forward, Cameroon's elimination provides a timely boost for the Red Devils, who will be pleased to once again be able to call on Mbeumo's services.
"I think he’s going to lift people off their seats," Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada said of Matheus Cunha during a summer interview with United We Stand and The Athletic. "He’s got a bit of a swagger about him that people are going to really like. Dare I say, [Eric] Cantona-esque." Talk about setting sky-high expectations!
As London City Lionesses prepared for their first season in the Women's Super League, the excitement and anticipation was palpable. Fuelled by the finances of billionaire owner Michele Kang, the independent club from the capital made a serious splash in the summer transfer window, with a deadline-day, world-record deal for France midfielder Grace Geyoro acting as the exclamation point. But despite such heavy investment, with half a season gone, things haven't panned out exactly as Kang and her staff would've liked.
It's never a good idea to pay much attention to football's annual awards ceremonies. These glorified popularity contests drag on for far too long and trying to wrap your head around the lack of logic involved in the voting process is an exercise in futility. However, it was impossible to ignore The Best FIFA Men's 11 for 2025 - because the omission of Raphinha made so little sense.
Barcelona intend to sign Marcus Rashford permanently at the end of the season. The England international moved to the Liga champions on loan over the summer having been ostracised by then-Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim. Amorim's exit earlier this week may have suggested that Rashford had a future back at Old Trafford having left under a cloud over the summer.
Arthur Okonkwo proved to be Wrexham's hero as the Dragons shotstopper denied Omari Hutchinson from 12 yards to send the Championship side into the fourth round of the FA Cup at Nottingham Forest's expense. The pair couldn't be separated after 120 minutes, playing out an entertaining 3-3 draw at the Racecourse Ground, as Wrexham claimed a 4-3 shootout victory on Friday night.
San Diego FC have confirmed that club-record signing Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano is no longer part of their sporting plans ahead of the 2026 season. Despite being under contract through 2028 and among the league’s highest earners, the Mexican forward is now expected to depart as the club reshapes its roster and priorities.
Liverpool have signed Mor Talla Ndiaye in a £1 million deal, with the young defender set to play for Rob Page's Under-21 side. The Senegal youth international moves to Anfield from Amitie FC, a club owned by former Chelsea striker Demba Ba.
Aston Villa are considering a move for Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher as Unai Emery looks to strengthen his squad this month. Gallagher moved to the Liga giants last summer, and played an influential role for Diego Simeone's side in his debut campaign at the Wanda Metropolitano. However, the former Chelsea man has struggled for game time this season.
Alan Shearer has warned Manchester United against appointing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, insisting it would be "very strange" for the club to return to the Norwegian after sacking Ruben Amorim. The Red Devils are reportedly set to hold talks with the former striker on Saturday ahead of a potentially stunning return to Manchester.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is to hold face-to-face talks with Manchester United over a stunning return to Old Trafford. United relieved Ruben Amorim of his duties on Monday after 14 months in charge of the Manchester powerhouse. Darren Fletcher has taken over interim control in the wake of Amorim's departure, and will be in charge for Sunday's FA Cup tie with Brighton.
Cristian Romero has been hit with an additional one-match ban following his red card in the 2-1 loss to Liverpool last month. Romero received his marching orders for a second yellow late on in the narrow home loss to the defending Premier League champions and subsequently missed the 1-0 win at Crystal Palace, that victory one of only two in Spurs' last 12 league outings.
Tottenham are closing in on the signing of Souza from Santos as beleaguered boss Thomas Frank seeks January reinforcements. The north London club have endured a dismal season thus far but are attempting to reinforce their backline in the winter window.