The final round of league phase fixtures in the 2025-26 Champions League is finally upon us, and it promises to be the most dramatic yet. Only table toppers Arsenal and Bayern Munich have already secured automatic qualification for the round of 16, with the former boasting a 100 percent record through their first seven games, while just four clubs have been eliminated so far: Eintracht Frankfurt, Slavia Prague, Villarreal and Kairat.
There haven't been many periods of great optimism at Manchester United in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, but for a brief moment at the start of 2019, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made supporters believe again. He delivered eight successive wins after replacing Jose Mourinho as interim manager, including a stunning 3-1 victory at Arsenal in the FA Cup fourth round, bringing back the scintillating counter-attacking style Ferguson championed throughout his glorious 26-year reign.
Pep Guardiola has taken a bizarre dig at his own Manchester City players while quoting his “idol”, Johan Cruyff. The demanding Catalan coach worked under the iconic Dutchman during his playing days at Barcelona. Many of the lessons he took back then have been implemented into his own coaching career. Guardiola is now renowned for demanding nothing but the best, and absolute commitment, from all of those working alongside him.
Pep Guardiola has candidly admitted that winger Oscar Bobb is likely looking for a way out of Manchester City before the January transfer window slams shut. The City boss confirmed that the Norwegian international is unhappy with his lack of game time - a situation that has become untenable following the big-money arrival and immediate impact of Antoine Semenyo.
In the week leading up to Arsenal vs Manchester United, a topic of debate was whether this version of the Gunners, who are chasing an unprecedented quadruple, would beat the 2007-08 Red Devils who won the Premier League and Champions League. As many have now pointed out, Mikel Arteta's side can't even beat the 2025-26 version.
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has explained why Cole Palmer missed Sunday's Premier League clash with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. The talisman was expected to feature but did not make the squad for the 3-1 victory. Rosenior also responded to recent transfer speculation amid claims Palmer is unsettled in London and is hankering after a return to Manchester.
Manchester City may be in need of a new captain next season, with Bernardo Silva’s contract running down towards free agency, and a prediction has been made regarding who will take the armband. Portuguese defender Ruben Dias and prolific Norwegian striker Erling Haaland are reported to be among those in contention to take over skipper duties at the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola’s future remains the subject of lively debate at Manchester City, with it being suggested that the Catalan coach could walk away from the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2026. An update on his plans claims that no decision has been made as yet, with it being pointed out that the ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has “never broken a contract”.
Pep Guardiola went on an extraordinary tirade against Premier League referees after Manchester City were denied a penalty against Wolves due to an official overruling VAR. City earned a comfortable 2-0 win thanks to goals from Omar Marmoush and Antoine Semenyo but Guardiola's mood changed when asked about referee Farai Hallam opting against giving his side a spot-kick in the first half.
Manchester City strolled to their first Premier League victory of 2026 as Omar Marmoush and Antoine Semenyo fired Pep Guardiola's side to a 2-0 win at home to Wolves. Erling Haaland was the most eye-catching absentee from the starting XI as Guardiola made six changes from the side who were battered 3-1 by Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League, while Marc Guehi made an impressive debut.
Pep Guardiola has dropped Erling Haaland from the starting line-up for Manchester City's Premier League game against Wolves amid a run of eight games without scoring from open play. Haaland had started all 22 of City's previous league games, scoring 20 goals. But he last hit the net against Brighton from the penalty spot in early January and has not scored in open play since December.
Manchester United have conceded that midfield target Elliot Anderson favours a summer switch to rivals Manchester City. The Nottingham Forest star has caught the attention of the Premier League pair having shone for the Tricky Trees this season. Forest are adamant that Anderson won't leave the City Ground in January and are expected to demand £100 million ($136m) to cash in on their prized asset later this year.
Everton have announced Jack Grealish has suffered a stress fracture to his foot, which could reportedly sideline the winger for around two months. The 30-year-old joined the Toffees on a season-long loan from Manchester City at the start of the season in the hope of earning more regular game time. However, this latest injury has put his dreams of being named in the England squad for the 2026 World Cup in jeopardy.
Pep Guardiola insists he knows why Manchester City are struggling after a wretched week of results. City were flying high heading into the Manchester derby, but a convincing loss at Old Trafford, followed by a chastening defeat against Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League, has changed the mood around Etihad Stadium. Despite that, Guardiola is staying calm and says they have time to turn things around.
Former Arsenal star Bacary Sagna has told GOAL, during an exclusive interview, that Arsenal can win both the Premier League and Champions League this season. The north London giants are hoping to make history in 2025-26, but Sagna - who also represented Manchester City in his playing days - has warned that Pep Guardiola “will not let go” in a bid to chase the Gunners down.
Forgotten Manchester City man Kalvin Phillips may be offered an escape route in the January transfer window with Wolverhampton Wanderers reportedly keen to sign the midfielder. The 30-year-old - once a mainstay in the England setup - remains on the periphery at the Etihad Stadium, having made just one appearance for Pep Guardiola’s side this season.
Crystal Palace are reportedly prioritising signing a replacement for Marc Guehi in the final 11 days of the transfer window, but fans who are hoping to see a big-name defender arrive at Selhurst Park are set to be disappointed. The Eagles are short of options at centre-back following the England international’s move to Manchester City, while they are also reeling from wantaway striker Jean-Philippe Mateta's bombshell admission.
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, who looked "lightweight" in the shock defeat to Bodo/Glimt, and claims Wharton could soon have his "pick of the bunch" of top clubs.
Manchester United have suffered a historic financial blow, falling to eighth in the Deloitte Football Money League and dropping below rivals Liverpool and Arsenal for the first time in the report's history. The data highlights the severe cost of their nightmare 2024-25 campaign where they finished 15th, marking a new low for the club under the Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Pep Guardiola has never been one to mince his words, but his tone after Manchester City were ripped to shreds by tiny Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday was almost apocalyptic. While he did point out that his side were missing 11 players for their trip to the Arctic Circle and was hugely complimentary of their victors, he laid out the state his team are in right now in no uncertain terms.
Chelsea backed away from a potential deal for Marc Guehi in the January transfer window, allowing Manchester City to swoop in for the Crystal Palace and England defender in a deal worth an initial £20 million. The Blues have been hunting for a new centre-back to bolster their backline but opted against re-signing the 25-year-old due to several concerns.
Cole Palmer's future at Chelsea is under scrutiny amid speculation he does not really enjoy life in London and could be tempted to head back to former club Manchester City in the summer transfer window. Pep Guardiola has been tipped to part company with the Cityzens at the end of the season, potentially paving way for Palmer to make a shock return to the Etihad.
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
Manchester City
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
%20(1).png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
