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Manchester United simply had to act in the January transfer window. The Red Devils had enjoyed a wonderful start to the 2025-26 season, most notably qualifying for the Women's Champions League proper for the first time and then going one further by putting themselves in this month's knockout rounds. But if they wanted to be competitive against Europe's best, and at the sharp end of domestic competitions, they needed more in the squad - and that's the approach United took.

On Sunday at Anfield, Liverpool lost to Manchester City for the second time this season. Arne Slot insisted after the 2-1 defeat that "the improvement" in his side since their demoralising 3-0 drubbing at the Etihad in November was "visible for everyone to see" and there were certainly some positive signs in the second half - but they still suffered a now almost-customary collapse in the closing stages.

Michael Carrick's perfect start as Manchester United boss skidded to a halt with a 1-1 draw at West Ham but a 96th minute equaliser from Benjamin Sesko ensured his unbeaten run continued. United met their match against Carrick's boyhood club as Nuno Espirito Santo produced a tactical plan which stifled the visitors and Tomas Soucek gave the Hammers the lead in the second half.

Chelsea failed to win a Premier League match under Liam Rosenior for the first time as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Leeds United on Tuesday. The Blues were comfortably the better team for much of the contest and even led by two goals in the second half, but a series of defensive errors saw them throw away a victory which would have massively boosted their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.

The young defender is staying grounded as he approaches what is certainly the biggest moment of his young career

MLS returns with a packed schedule and familiar chaos. From stars like Messi, Rodriguez, and Son Heung-Min to the teams you can avoid, here’s who’s actually worth your weekend watch.

The world of football is increasingly influenced by money. Investors from the private equity sector in particular are playing an ever greater role in this. Takeovers of clubs such as AC Milan, Chelsea and Olympique Lyon show that investors see international football as an interesting growth market.

GOAL's Rebel United series focuses on players who prefer to swim against the tide, players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic – an icon who not only disrupted the system, but also subjugated it...

Liverpool fans never fully appreciated Luis Diaz. Indeed, most of them seemed to welcome the Colombian's departure to Bayern Munich last summer, believing that his sale was necessary to accommodate £116 million ($158m) signing Florian Wirtz, with Cody Gakpo still on hand to fill the first-choice role on the left flank.

This is Legacy, GOAL’s podcast and feature series to mark the countdown to the 2026 World Cup. Each week, we explore the stories and the spirit behind the nations that define the world’s game. This week, we travel to Mexico, the only country to host three World Cups. From Pele’s triumph in 1970 to Diego Maradona’s magic in 1986, and now to the celebration set for 2026, it’s the story of a nation where football is not just played, but lived; a land of goals, history, and unending passion.

GOAL's writers debate Christian Pulisic’s form, Weston McKennie’s rise, and what it all means for Americans Abroad right now.

GOAL breaks down the key moments from USWNT players abroad, including Thompson getting back in form.

If Ruben Amorim had stayed in charge of Manchester United, Kobbie Mainoo would be speaking to prospective clubs right now about leaving - if he hadn't departed already. Instead, the homegrown midfielder is thriving under Michael Carrick and looks every bit United’s present as well as its future. With every game he plays, Mainoo is making Amorim’s decision to disregard his talent seem all the more ridiculous.

The Glamour Boys have defied the odds in 'the Group of Death' to lead the race for the CAF inter-club quarter-final ticket after a poor start. The Soweto giants are on 10 points in their pool after the latest win and third in a row, conceding once and scoring four goals in the process. However, the Green Eagles coach wasn't happy with the loss in Mzansi.

We still have a title race in England! Manchester City's hopes of winning the Premier League looked to be over after they fell behind to another stunning free-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai at Anfield on Sunday, but Pep Guardiola's men produce a sensational fightback to defeat Liverpool 2-1 and close the game to leaders Arsenal to just six points.

GOAL runs the rule over the British players earning a living away from their homeland, with plenty more stars deciding to leave their comfort zones in search of a better footballing life elsewhere. The Premier League is still obviously one of the world's most entertaining divisions and the Championship can prove fantastic for development, but there are more options out there.

Just when you thought Manchester City were dropping out of this Premier League title race for good, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland pulled them back in, leaving Liverpool shell-shocked and Arsenal nervously checking over their shoulders. City have never enjoyed playing at Anfield, but Sunday's was a performance like no other, and with an outcome not seen since all the way back in 2003.

GOAL reviews the major takeaways from Americans playing in Europe, including another goal from McKennie and Weah suffering a tough outing against PSG.

Alvaro Carreras scored a memorable goal and Kylian Mbappe added a late second to carry an otherwise mixed Real Madrid past Valencia, 2-0. Los Blancos were well short of their best in a tricky Sunday night fixture, but a duo of second half goals spared any blushes, and ensured that they are very much in the title race after a winter slump.

Manchester City are still fighting for this Premier League title. Seemingly down and out after Dominik Szoboszlai's incredible free-kick, Pep Guardiola's side pulled off a frantic comeback against Liverpool to snatch a 2-1 win and record their first victory in front of an Anfield crowd in 23 years. Erling Haaland set up the equaliser for Bernardo Silva and then sealed the win from the penalty spot to end his own poor run at the home of the Reds.

Liverpool threw away victory in the final 10 minutes against Manchester City as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat on Sunday. Dominik Szoboszlai's stunning free-kick put the Reds in front in the second half, but late goals from Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland turned the game on its head as the Reds lost ground to Manchester United and Chelsea in the top-four race.

Chelsea got back to winning ways in the Women's Super League on Sunday, beating Tottenham 2-0 to avoid inflicting further damage on their hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League. Back-to-back league defeats for the first time since 2015 and Arsenal's surprise win over runaway leaders Manchester City had left the Blues, who have won each of the last six WSL titles, outside the three European spots before kick-off in north London, but goals from Keira Walsh and Alyssa Thompson allowed them to leapfrog the Gunners into third place with seven games to go.

Olivia Smith's composed finish gave Arsenal a huge 1-0 win over Women's Super League leaders Manchester City on Sunday, providing the Gunners' push for Champions League qualification a huge boost. Renee Slegers' side, who were crowned champions of Europe last season, have now heaped the pressure on a stuttering Chelsea to keep up with them in the race for the top three, while still holding a game in hand over the rest of their rivals.

Manchester City were handed just their second defeat of the Women’s Super League season as they were outplayed by an impressive Arsenal on Sunday. The runaway leaders were well off the pace and saw their midfield bossed for much of the game by the Gunners, who ran out deserved 1-0 victors, courtesy of a first-half strike by Olivia Smith.

Lamine Yamal scored a brilliant goal, and Robert Lewandowski and Marc Bernal also found the net, as Barcelona beat Mallorca 3-0 at the Spotify Camp Nou on Saturday evening. Hansi Flick's side had to shake off a difficult opening to the game, before clicking through the gears and recording a big win.

Super sub Viktor Gyokeres came off the bench to score twice as Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 win against Sunderland to move nine points clear at the top of the Premier League. Gyokeres made a huge impact having replaced Gabriel Jesus midway through the second half, netting a quickfire brace to add to Martin Zubimendi's opener, and fire the Gunners to a commanding advantage in the title race.

Chelsea swept Wolves aside in a decisive first-half display that saw Cole Palmer bag a hat-trick. The England forward, who has had his fair share of critics amid reports that he was seeking a way out of Stamford Bridge, buried two penalties and smacked home a third on his 100th start for the Blues in what proved to be a pretty comfortable afternoon for Liam Rosenior and his side.

Lads, it's still Tottenham! Manchester United had failed to beat Spurs in their last seven games but earned a 2-0 victory to stay in control of fourth spot in the Premier League and make it four wins in a row under Michael Carrick. The win was helped by a first-half red card for Cristian Romero and, unlike against Everton three months ago, they made the extra man count.

Marc Skinner's side continued their unbeaten start to 2026 in the Women's Super League with a deserved victory over Leicester at the King Power Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Swedish star Zigiotti Olme was key to United's win, with a goal and an assist, while super-sub Terland made the game safe late on with yet another strike against the struggling Foxes