Peter McVitie

A shocking incident marred Inter's Serie A clash with Cremonese on Saturday as a firecracker was thrown at visiting goalkeeper Emil Audero, leaving him stunned on the turf. The fan responsible for the explosion reportedly lost several fingers after a second device detonated in his hand and now faces immediate arrest upon his release from hospital. Inter players refused to salute the Curva Nord after the match in protest at the violence.

Michael Carrick has revealed that Mason Mount missed Manchester United's dramatic victory against Fulham due to a training ground injury. The interim boss confirmed the midfielder took a "knock" but expects him back soon. However, there was worse news for defender Patrick Dorgu, who faces a spell on the sidelines after suffering a "serious" setback in the previous win at Arsenal.

Premier League legend Danny Murphy has singled out Swedish striking duo Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak as the season's biggest transfer disappointments following their high-profile summer moves. The former midfielder believes both forwards have failed to justify their massive price tags since joining Arsenal and Liverpool respectively, leaving supporters at both clubs feeling "disappointed" with their output so far.

Mikel Arteta has issued a passionate plea to the Premier League, begging chiefs to increase the size of matchday squads to protect the mental health of players. The Arsenal boss believes the current rules are outdated given the intense demands on modern footballers and has called for immediate reform to avoid the "avoidable" heartbreak of leaving stars at home.

Nottingham Forest and Celtic have been handed demanding routes to the last 16 of the Europa League following the knockout round play-off draw. Martin O'Neill’s Celtic side must overcome Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart, while Forest face an intimidating two-legged clash against Turkish giants Fenerbahce. Both British sides face crucial tests in February as they bid to join Aston Villa in the next stage of the competition.

Manchester United are facing a significant internal dilemma regarding the future of Harry Maguire, with the club’s hierarchy reportedly split on whether to offer the veteran defender a new contract. With the 32-year-old’s current deal set to expire in June, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reluctant to sanction an extension, even though the centre-back is willing to accept a pay cut to remain at Old Trafford.

Manchester City have sanctioned the £27 million sale of highly-rated winger Oscar Bobb to Premier League rivals Fulham. The 22-year-old Norway international has put pen to paper on a five-and-a-half-year deal at Craven Cottage, ending his stint at the Etihad Stadium as Pep Guardiola looks to streamline his squad for the title run-in.

Robin van Persie was left heartbroken after watching his son Shaqueel suffer a serious knee injury during Feyenoord's Europa League defeat to Real Betis. The 19-year-old was stretchered off in Seville just eight minutes after coming off the bench, leaving his father and manager devastated on the touchline as he admitted the "first signs are not looking good" regarding the severity of the blow.

Real Madrid chiefs have privately admitted that their long-term transfer strategy has failed following a disastrous night in Lisbon. Reports from Spain suggest the club accepts their renewal plan to replace legends like Toni Kroos and Luka Modric has flopped, with the board now preparing for a massive summer overhaul to fix the broken midfield engine.

AC Milan have launched a dramatic late raid to sign Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, reportedly striking a verbal agreement with the Eagles overnight. The move is a calculated blow to Nottingham Forest, who had made the Frenchman a top target, as Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani looks to secure the forward to bolster the Rossoneri attack.

Manchester United have suffered a major transfer setback as long-term target Ruben Neves is reportedly on the verge of signing a new contract with Al-Hilal. Despite holding talks with the Red Devils in December, the midfielder is in advanced negotiations to remain in Saudi Arabia, ending Michael Carrick's hopes of a January reinforcement.

Danny Murphy has hailed Declan Rice as the "most complete midfielder in Europe" but warned the Arsenal star he still has one final hurdle to clear before he can be compared to Premier League icons Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. The former Liverpool man believes the £105 million ace needs to start producing "magic moments" in major finals to cement his legacy.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly withdrawn their interest in signing Raheem Sterling, dealing a blow to the England international’s hopes of a swift return to Premier League action in London. Despite being available as a free agent following his dramatic release by Chelsea, Spurs hierarchy have decided against pursuing the 31-year-old, citing concerns over his substantial wage demands which do not align with the club's current financial structure.

Aston Villa’s Premier League title charge has been dealt a potential hammer blow after star striker Ollie Watkins limped off with a hamstring injury during Thursday's Europa League tie. Manager Unai Emery is facing intense scrutiny for risking his talisman in a 'dead rubber' against RB Salzburg, with pundits questioning why the England international was not rested ahead of a crucial run of domestic fixtures.

Roy Keane has admitted he "hopes" Michael Carrick is handed the permanent Manchester United job, marking a surprise softening of his stance on the interim boss. While the former captain remains sceptical about whether Carrick can deliver a league title, he conceded his former teammate has "took advantage" of the role. However, Keane urged caution, warning fans that recent wins do not solve the club's long-term issues.

Chelsea’s dramatic Champions League resurgence could have a sting in the tail as the club faces the bizarre prospect of surrendering their home advantage due to a logistical clash with their London rivals. Liam Rosenior’s side fought hard to secure a top-eight finish, but a little-known UEFA regulation regarding city-based fixture congestion now threatens to force the Blues into a neutral venue or a fixture reversal to accommodate Arsenal and Tottenham.

The Premier League secretly removed Ryan Giggs from its inaugural Hall of Fame lineup after he was charged with domestic abuse, fresh reports have revealed. The Manchester United legend was set to be unveiled alongside Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry in 2021, but executives intervened to scrub his name. Despite being cleared in 2023, the 13-time champion remains exiled from the prestigious list.

Manchester United have decisively ended speculation linking them with a record-breaking swoop for Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer, with Old Trafford chiefs deeming the move financially unviable. Despite reports suggesting the England international is unsettled in the capital, the Red Devils have ruled out a summer approach, opting instead to prioritise a replacement for Casemiro over another marquee addition to their forward line.