Premier League news

Arsenal have confirmed that club legend Per Mertesacker will step down as academy manager at the end of the current campaign. The former captain, who has overseen the club's youth development for eight years since retiring in 2018, leaves a lasting legacy and will assist with a seamless transition before departing to explore new challenges elsewhere.

Manchester United legend Nani delivered his trademark celebration after finding the back of the net during a Baller League UK appearance. The former Portugal international, who once played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo for club and country, was back in England for an outing in six-a-side competition. He showed that he has lost none of his finishing ability, or acrobatic prowess.

Manchester United are reportedly ready to snub Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and appoint an alternative former fan favourite as their interim boss. A successor is being sought to Ruben Amorim following the Red Devils’ decision to part with the Portuguese on January 5. Solskjaer has held talks regarding an emotional return, but Michael Carrick is also in the frame.

GOAL reviews the major takeaways from Americans playing in Europe, including concern over Pepi after an injury and Folarin Balogun getting on the scoresheet.

Manchester United triggered an extraordinary 111-year low after they were beaten by a Danny Welbeck-inspired Brighton and Hove Albion in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday evening. The ex-Red Devils striker came back to haunt his former paymasters, who were reduced to ten men late on when academy graduate Shea Lacey was sent off at Old Trafford.

Manchester United director of football Jason Wilcox has told the squad a new target for the season following the recent sacking of head coach Ruben Amorim. The Red Devils currently sit seventh in the Premier League table but are now without a permanent manager, with Darren Fletcher acting as interim boss. Wilcox reportedly clashed with Amorim at the end of his reign and has now detailed a new primary aim for the remainder of 2025-26.

Darren Fletcher, who has worked with JJ Gabriel at U18 level with Manchester United, has explained why the 15-year-old wonderkid is not being fast-tracked into the first-team fold at Old Trafford. The exciting youngster is eligible to feature in an FA Cup third-round clash with Brighton, as that competition uses different rules to the Premier League, but the decision has been made to hold him back.

A big decision from Manchester United on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could impact Marcus Rashford’s future as a Red Devils player, claims Gary Pallister. England international Rashford is currently taking in a season-long loan at La Liga giants Barcelona. He could, however, be absorbed back into the fold at Old Trafford over the summer if a familiar face inherits the managerial reins.

Liverpool have confirmed that Conor Bradley suffered “a significant knee injury” during their Premier League clash with Arsenal. The Northern Ireland international was stretchered from the field at Emirates Stadium and is now facing up to a lengthy spell on the sidelines. It is being suggested that the 22-year-old full-back has seen his 2025-26 campaign brought to a close.

The transfer windows remain one of the highlights of the footballing seasons for fans and there have been plenty of big-money deals over the years.

Arsenal have hired former Liverpool throw-in coach Thomas Gronnemark as the club aim to strengthen their bid to win the Premier League title. The Gunners have considerable set-piece prowess, and have now recruited another expert in the field.

Bruno Fernandes' Manchester United team-mates 'fear' the Portuguese has had enough of the turmoil going on at Old Trafford and will quit the Red Devils for pastures new after the World Cup this summer. The 31-year-old previously claimed he was "hurt" and "sad" that the club were willing to sell him last year and team-mates reportedly would not blame him if he were to move on at the end of the season.

Former Newcastle and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given has been condemned by viewers for describing Wilfried Nancy's managerial tenure at Celtic as "an absolute Holocaust", while working for the BBC as a pundit. The 49-year-old made the comments during the broadcast of Final Score earlier on Saturday. Presenter Jason Mohammed issued an on-air apology later in the show.

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.

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.

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.