Category: Sport News

LONDON: Defending champions Manchester United will face Leicester City in the fourth round of the FA Cup, while the draw also sees three other clashes between Premier League sides.

The fourth round match will see the return of Ruud van Nistelrooy – Man United’s caretaker manager for four games earlier this season before being appointed Leicester – to Old Trafford.

Last season’s runners-up, Manchester City face an easier path when they are drawn to meet the winner of either Leyton Orient or Derby County.

Premier League leaders Liverpool will host Championship side Plymouth Argyle, while League Two side Doncaster Rovers will face Premier League side Crystal Palace.

Brighton & Hove Albion face Chelsea, Everton meet Bournemouth and Aston Villa host Tottenham Hotspur in three more Premier League clashes.

The remaining third-round matches will take place tonight and tomorrow. The fourth round will take place on February 7-10.

LONDON: Amad Diallo is aiming to make “history” with Manchester United after the Ivory Coast winger signed a new contract that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2030.

Diallo has been in fine form since Ruben Amorim took over as United manager in November, scoring three goals in his last six games.

The 22-year-old, whose previous contract was due to expire at the end of this season, has made 50 appearances and scored nine goals since arriving from Atalanta in 2021.

After loan spells at Rangers and Sunderland raised questions about his future at United, Diallo has finally emerged as one of the club’s most talented young players.

“I am really proud to sign this new contract. I have had some incredible moments with this club but many more will follow,” said Diallo.

“I have big dreams in this game and I want to make history at Manchester United.

“I have learned a lot since arriving here four years ago. I am very grateful to the coaches and staff who have helped me improve and to the fans who push me forward every day.

“It’s been a tough season for everyone, but I really believe we’re on the right track and the future will be really special.

“I’m ready to give everything to help the team and make our fans proud again.”

Diallo scored United’s injury-time winner at Manchester City in December and scored the equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Liverpool on Sunday.

Amorim’s men will travel to Arsenal for the FA Cup third round on Sunday.

CARTAGENA, Spain: Real Madrid advanced to the last 16 of the Spanish King’s Cup after thrashing fourth division club Deportiva Minera 5-0, with Arda Guler scoring twice.

Madrid took the lead through Federico Valverde’s fifth-minute strike, followed by Eduardo Camavinga’s strike eight minutes later. Guler scored Real’s third goal in the 30th minute.

“I’m happy to contribute goals for the team but my job is different, to help as best as I can, defend and help my teammates.

“I’m happy that the coach always gives me a chance in every game, has confidence in me. Even though I’m tired, I’m happy,” said Valverde.

Luka Modric scored the fourth goal 10 minutes after the break, a move with Brahim Diaz that was greeted with thunderous cheers from the crowd at the Cartagonova Stadium. Guler scored his second two minutes from time.

“(Luka) is a gift to football and anyone can witness it up close. Fans, players, coaches… for me it’s the greatest gift.

“The way he prepared for a game like this, it was like a final. He is the best example for the young players,” said Real coach Carlo Ancelotti.

LONDON: Arsenal closed the gap on Premier League (EPL) leaders Liverpool to six points as Gabriel Jesus continued his solid form in a 3-1 win at Brentford earlier this morning.

Mikel Arteta’s men were shocked with a first-half goal in the 13th minute through Bryan Mbeumo at the GTech Community Stadium.

But Arsenal were reluctant to be beaten in rainy and windy weather in west London when Jesus equalized in the 29th minute.

It was the Brazilian forward’s sixth goal in his last four games after he only netted once in his first 20 games this season.

Mikel Merino (50th minute) and Gabriel Martinelli (53rd minute) struck in a short time after the break to ensure Arsenal moved up to second place ahead of Nottingham Forest.

“We won in a difficult stadium against a good opponent. Their record here is extraordinary and if you are 1-0 down it makes things even more difficult,” said Arteta.

“Especially if you are one goal behind in this match it is like a mountain that needs to be climbed, but we remain patient.

“We needed to handle the situation emotionally. We were very clinical in the penalty box. Jesus’ performance was very important.”

Barring a 5-1 thrashing of Crystal Palace, the Gunners have been unimpressive in their last four league games after draws with Fulham and Everton followed by a narrow win over lowly Ipswich.

But Arsenal’s first match in 2025 proves they are ready to compete for the championship with Liverpool, who are one match less than the north London club.

Runners-up to Manchester City for the last two seasons, Arsenal are unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions, a revival that now includes four straight wins.

“We can win our next game and see what happens. It’s not on our shoulders,” Arteta said of Liverpool’s pursuit.

With Bukayo Saka sidelined for several months due to a hamstring injury, 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri made his first league appearance for Arsenal.

Kai Havertz was not in action after scoring Arsenal’s winner against Ipswich but Jesus ensured the German’s absence was not felt.

Arsenal have lost none of their 10 league games against neighbors London in 2024 and they maintained their brilliant record in the capital after surviving an early blow.

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah said he felt something was different about the club’s performance as Premier League leaders this season after they beat Leicester City 3-1.

Leicester stunned the hosts with a sixth-minute goal at Anfield through Jordan Ayew but Liverpool fought back with goals from Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones and Salah.

Liverpool are currently favourites to win the league this season, but they have slipped out of reach when they were in a similar situation before, especially in the 2018-19 season when the huge gap at the top of the league was successfully bridged by Manchester City.

“It feels different but the most important thing is for us to stay humble. We had a few injuries when we were leading (before) and in the end we lost.

“I hope this time we can continue the fight without injuries and win the league.

“This time it’s very special. Hopefully we win the Premier League for this club – it’s something I dream of,” said Salah, who currently leads the league with 16 goals.

Liverpool travel to West Ham United on Sunday before hosting Manchester United on January 5.

LONDON: Mohamed Salah offered yet another suggestion his future might end up outside Liverpool when the Egyptian star said he was happy “wherever I end my career” after shining in a 6-3 drubbing of Tottenham earlier this morning.

Salah scored twice and set up two more in a goal-fest in north London to help Liverpool move four points clear at the top of the Premier League.

The 32-year-old player became the first EPL player to score at least 10 goals and 10 assists before Christmas, while his two goals also moved him to fourth place on Liverpool’s all-time top goalscorer list with 229 goals in all competitions.

Salah’s immense value to Arne Slot’s side is clear, but Liverpool have failed to persuade the forward to sign a new contract as speculation mounts over his future.

With Salah’s current contract expiring at the end of this season, he is free to sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club starting this January.

Having made several comments earlier this season regarding the possibility of this being his last campaign with Liverpool, Salah has once again made vague references to his future.

“It’s great to win at a big club, but the most important thing is that we win the game. Wherever I go to finish my career, I’m happy about it,” Salah told Sky Sports.

Salah added there was no “update” on his contract situation, but Slot will be desperate to continue his seven-year spell on Merseyside after he racked up 18 goals in all competitions this season.

With Salah acting brilliantly, Liverpool have won 21 of their 25 matches in all competitions since Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp as manager.

“I didn’t think about it before the match but I’m proud I did it, something I’m proud of, I’ll keep working hard,” said Salah after reaching double figures in goals and assists this season.

MANCHESTER: Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford has once again been left out of Ruben Amorim’s squad, this time for the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night.

After being dropped during the 2-1 win over Manchester City in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, the highest-paid player at Old Trafford was also not listed for the trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Rashford announced on Monday that he was ready for a new challenge outside United after two decades with the club, a day after being sidelined for the Manchester derby.

Alejandro Garnacho, who was also left out of Amorim’s squad for the visit to the Etihad, returned with the team for the League Cup action to fight for the final place in the semi-finals.

Garnacho just won the Puskas award for his acrobatic goal against Everton at Goodison Park last season.

Amad Diallo, who scored the winner on Sunday, will be joined by Casemiro, Harry Maguire, Manuel Ugarte and Antony for the Carabao Cup meeting at Tottenham.

The 22-year-old winger sparked United’s comeback at the Etihad by winning a penalty converted by Bruno Fernandes in the 88th minute before scoring two minutes later.

Amorim has not yet closed the door on Rashford and wants to keep him at Old Trafford, but the club are ready to let him go for around 40 million pounds.

Spurs await United after recording a 5-0 victory over Southampton in the Premier League.

Ange Postecoglou’s side ended a five-match winless streak with a positive result at St Mary’s.

LONDON: Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford is ready for a new challenge, he told football writer Henry Winter, as he was linked with a move away from the Premier League giants.

Last Sunday, United beat Manchester City 2-1, but Rashford, along with Alejanro Garnacho, were left out of the trip to the Etihad, with new manager Ruben Amorim stating his decision was to keep his players at the highest level.

It follows media reports that United are eyeing the opportunity to sell the England striker, who has been at United since the age of seven, and the 27-year-old spoke on the subject while visiting his old school to deliver Christmas presents.

“For me, personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next step,” Rashford told Winter when asked if he would stay or leave United.

“When I left there was no anger. You won’t get any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That’s me personally.

“If I knew things were bad, I wouldn’t make it worse. I’ve seen how other players have gone in the past and I don’t want to be like them.

“When I leave, I will make a statement and it will come from me.”

Rashford has scored three goals since Amorim took over last month, but was taken off in the 56th minute of last week’s 2-1 win over Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League, when fans jeered and jeered him as he left the pitch.

The player has yet to recapture the form that saw him score 30 goals in all competitions in the 2022-23 season, but he still believes his best is yet to come.

“I’m only halfway through my career. I didn’t expect to be at my peak right now,” Rashford said.

“I’ve played in the EPL for nine years and it’s taught me a lot, it’s helped me develop as a player and an individual.

“So I don’t have any regrets from the last nine years. I don’t regret facing the future because I deal with it day by day and sometimes bad things happen, sometimes good things happen.”

BARCELONA: La Liga leaders Barcelona lost 1-0 to Leganes with Sergio Gonzalez’s header early in the game handing the hosts their second consecutive defeat in the league in front of their own fans.

Despite excelling in the Champions League with five wins in six matches, Barcelona has struggled in La Liga with only one win in the last six matches.

Barca remain top of the league on 38 points, level with Atletico Madrid who visit the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Saturday, and one point ahead of third-placed Real Madrid. Both Barca rivals have played a game less.

It was Leganes’ first win at Barcelona and put them in 15th place on 18 points.

Leganes took the lead in the fourth minute through their captain, Gonzalez, who headed in a corner kick to beat goalkeeper Inaki Pena.

Barca tried to chase an equalizer, controlling 80 percent of the game and creating 20 attempts, 16 of which were on target, but failed to break through the Leganes goal, which was closely guarded by Marko Dmitrovic.

The 32-year-old Serbian goalkeeper saved Robert Lewandowski’s attempt in the 10th minute, Raphinha (33rd minute) and again denied Lewandowski’s shot at the end of the first half.

In the second half, the hosts missed several chances through Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Lewandowski and Jules Kounde.

“It’s hard to go home happy after what happened today,” said Barcelona player Pedri.

MANCHESTER: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said an extra day in preparation for their Champions League clash at Juventus allowed his squad to recover from their defeat to Crystal Palace.

City were held to a 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park on Saturday – a result that further dented their Premier League title defence – with Guardiola’s side missing several key players to injury including Rodri, Mateo Kovacic, John Stones and Phil Foden.

Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake are among the latest to join City’s injury list after the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest last week.

“We have started studying (the Juventus game) and are very lucky not to play on Tuesday, we play on Wednesday so we have more than a day for the players to recover,” said Guardiola.

According to Guardiola, the medical team is working hard to prepare the players.

“No need for sympathy, accept the challenge and maybe in the end we will be satisfied with the way we handled it compared to other seasons when we won the championship,” he said.

City lost 4-1 to Sporting and drew 3-3 with Feyenoord in their last two Champions League games.