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Michael Carrick is getting the bulk of plaudits for Manchester United’s resurgence since he took charge, but there is another undeniable factor to consider when analysing the uplift in performances and results at Old Trafford. Lisandro Martinez admittedly made his long-awaited first appearance after 301 days out through injury while Ruben Amorim was still in charge, but the true impact of his return is only being felt now.

Wayne Rooney’s son Kai has reportedly been offered a new contract by Manchester United that would be worth £50,000-a-year. The talented teenager has stepped up into the Red Devils’ Under-18 side this season, allowing him to grace FA Youth Cup competition. He is considered to have impressed in a “very strong” team, and will be rewarded accordingly.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is set for a sensational return to professional football after agreeing to join Scottish giants Celtic on a free transfer. The 32-year-old midfielder, who has been without a club since his contract with Turkish side Besiktas was terminated in August, has been maintaining his fitness by training with Arsenal. Now, a short-term move to Glasgow awaits the Champions League winner.

Reports in Spain suggest that Diego Simeone could be sacked as Atletico Madrid manager. The former midfielder was appointed in December of 2011 and has been in charge ever since, overseeing remarkable success, and winning La Liga twice ahead of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Can Nico Paz be the World Cup’s next breakout star? The Como playmaker has the tools to follow James Rodríguez’s iconic 2014 path - and shine on the biggest stage.

Liverpool must pay £2.8 million for Rio Ngumoha, which could rise by a further £4m, a tribunal has decided, after the 17-year-old moved to the club from Chelsea's academy in 2024. The price was decided by a Professional Football Compensation Committee tribunal, with the settlement being non-negotiable for both sides.

Liam Rosenior has accused Arsenal of lacking respect after his X-rated outburst ahead of Chelsea's EFL Cup semi-final defeat to the Gunners. The new Blues boss was filmed screaming expletives at the Gunners' players as they encroached into the Blues' half during their respective warm-ups.

Cristiano Ronaldo has threatened to leave Al-Nassr in the summer as he continues his strike action against the club, CBS Sports reports. The Portugal superstar missed the 1-0 win over Al-Riyadh in protest at PIF's decision to transfer Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal.

Eden Hazard has tipped former Chelsea team-mate Cesc Fabregas to one day become manager at Stamford Bridge, and one of the best managers "in history" as he continues his journey in the dugout. The Spanish World Cup winner is currently in charge at Serie A club Como.

GOAL ranks the top 25 players in MLS. And while No. 1 should be of little surprise, there is plenty of talent littered all over the league.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has refused to reveal if the club have fined captain Cristian Romero for his post-transfer deadline rant on Instagram. The Argentina international was remarkably outspoken after his side drew 2-2 with Manchester City, and the transfer deadline came and went with Spurs having signed just two first-team players amid an injury crisis.

Leicester City have been hit with a six-point deduction and have fallen to 20th in the Championship after being found guilty of breaching the Premier League's financial rules. The Foxes are now only outside of the relegation zone thanks to goal difference but could decide to appeal the sanction.

GOAL sat down with the midfielder to discuss the upcoming World Cup and what kept him motivated in the years between USMNT appearances

England are set to take on New Zealand in their first World Cup 2026 warm-up match, it has been confirmed. Thomas Tuchel's side will take on the All Whites in Tampa on June 6 ahead of the tournament, and they will then schedule a friendly fixture four days after.

Michael Carrick has made a significant change to Manchester United's training schedule as he continues to revamp the club's methods after taking over from Ruben Amorim as interim boss at Old Trafford. Carrick has overseen three straight wins at the club since stepping into the dugout.

USWNT legend Hope Solo returns to the pitch once again for TST, this time fielding teams in both the Women's 7v7 competition and Mixed 7s.

Kevin-Prince Boateng has revealed that he “had to lie” about his love for Cristiano Ronaldo in order to become a team-mate of Lionel Messi at Barcelona. The former Ghana international completed a shock move to Camp Nou in 2019. After sealing that switch, it was made clear to him that he was not to speak in glowing terms about CR7 or Clasico rivals Real Madrid.

Arne Slot has expressed his immense satisfaction after Liverpool successfully fended off intense competition from Chelsea to secure a £60 million deal for Rennes starlet Jeremy Jacquet. The 20-year-old centre-back, a France Under-21 international, is set to join the Reds this summer following a season-long stay at his boyhood club. Slot believes the defender is a "very big talent" ready for the top level.

Wrexham are being tipped to achieve promotion to the Premier League and consolidate a standing among the elite, with former Wales international Rob Earnshaw explaining to GOAL why a meteoric rise from the Red Dragons can be completed. He has also informed Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac how they will need to go about top-flight transfer business.

Eden Hazard has lifted the lid on his refusal to adopt the ultra-professional lifestyle of Cristiano Ronaldo, despite the pleas of a former manager. The former Chelsea star prioritised personal happiness and a "glass of wine" over the relentless discipline that defined the Portuguese star, insisting he has no regrets about his path.

Why does Cristiano Ronaldo always have so much bad luck?!... First, Erik ten Hag didn't recognise his unrivalled ability at Manchester United, then Fernando Santos ruined his 2022 World Cup bid with Portugal. And now, the powers that be in Saudi Arabia are conspiring to make sure his trophy drought in the Middle East extends to three-and-a-half seasons. Give the guy a break!...

Lamine Yamal finished as runner-up in the 2025 Ballon d’Or vote and the Barcelona wonderkid insists that winning a Golden Ball is not something that he gives much thought to. The talented teenager would prefer to focus on collective trophy targets at Camp Nou, rather than individual accolades, with there still plenty for him to try and achieve in 2026.

Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones has provided a hilarious insight into his Premier League picks, pointedly refusing to utter Erling Haaland's name. In a quick-fire Q&A with GOAL, the United coach turned heads by naming summer signing Senne Lammens as the division's premier goalkeeper. Jones also reserved special praise for a rising Carrington star, labelling the youngster a "top, top player" for the future.

Arsenal have been handed a major boost ahead of the 2026 Carabao Cup final, with the EFL delivering its verdict on Manchester City’s claims to seeing rules tweaked for January signing Marc Guehi. The Blues are being prevented from selecting the England international defender in domestic cup competition, and that will remain the case for a showpiece event at Wembley Stadium.

Newcastle United CEO David Hopkinson has issued a resounding vote of confidence in Eddie Howe, dismissing speculation that the head coach’s job is under threat. Despite a lack of January transfer activity and a difficult run of results, Hopkinson insists the club is on the right path as he outlined a plan to win the Premier League by 2030.

Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri, who will be seeing out the 2025-26 campaign on loan at Marseille, has been called out by a rival manager in France after narrowly avoiding a red card. The England U21 international is still adjusting to life with Ligue 1 heavyweights, and was fortunate to escape an early ban after crunching into a tackle during domestic cup action.

Arsenal’s pursuit of silverware has come at a significant cost, with Mikel Arteta’s side facing a brutal fixture pile-up this February. Following their successful progression to the Carabao Cup final, a rescheduled trip to Wolves has been shoehorned into an already congested calendar. The Gunners now face a daunting journey to Molineux just days before a pivotal north London derby.

The glamour, influence and stories behind football’s most captivating WAGs — from red carpets to the pitch

Virgil van Dijk is being backed to spend “even longer” at Liverpool than the terms of his current contract, with Arne Slot seeing a long-term future for the Dutch defender at Anfield. He is set to turn 35 over the summer, with the odd mistake being allowed to creep into his game this season, while £60 million ($82m) is being invested in the potential of talented French youngster Jeremy Jacquet.