Author: Nurudeen Obalola

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has announced that Marcus Rashford will miss Sunday’s English Premier League trip to Liverpool because of illness. England forward Rashford has not featured for United in the last five games and has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford. “At the moment he is ill,” Amorim said during his pre-match press conference on Friday. “He is not training. He is going to be out this week.” Amorim has also revealed that United are close to agreeing a contract extension with winger Amad Diallo, whose present deal expires at the end of the season.…

Liverpool manager Arne Slot believes struggling Manchester United are better than their place in the English Premier League table suggests. The Dutchman added that he does not plan to rest any players when the two teams clash on Sunday at Anfield. Liverpool are on top the table with 45 points, with a game in hand over the other title contenders Arsenal and Chelsea. They are six points ahead of second-placed Arsenal, while United, with five losses in their last six league games, are languishing in 14th place with 22 points. While United are no longer the force they were during…

A report in England has claimed that Manchester United and Napoli could swap Marcus Rashford and Victor Osimhen. Incidentally, both players are out of favour at their current clubs, with Rashford frozen out at Manchester United and Osimhen loaned out to Galatasaray by Napoli. According to British tabloid The Sun on Thursday night, Manchester United are keen on Super Eagles striker Osimhen, and Napoli are open to taking England forward Rashford in exchange. This claim is coming amid earlier reports that Rashford, believed to be rated at around £60 million, snubbed three offers from Saudi Arabia — reportedly worth up to £675,000…

Nigerian forward Gift Orban is close to sealing a move from Lyon in France to Hoffenheim in Germany. According to French outlet L’Équipe, Orban is in the final stages of completing the switch for around €10 million. The 22-year-old striker, who is yet to play for the Super Eagles but has been invited before, is expected to sign a contract until 2029 with the Bundesliga club. According to various reports, Lyon are being forced to sell players this January in order to avoid relegation over financial issues. The club were handed a provisional relegation to Ligue 2 by the authorities…

By Nurudeen Obalola Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has lost his mother, just weeks after his father passed away. The Chippa United star confirmed his mother’s death in a social media post on New Year’s Day Wednesday, less than two months after his father’s passing. “RIP mom, worst year of my life already,” the 28-year-old wrote on X, adding emojis that conveyed sadness. Nwabali, who has been Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper since the beginning of 2024 when he starred at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, lost his father on November 15, just hours after featuring for the Super…

Arsenal recovered from going behind to beat Brentford 3-1 in the first English Premier League fixture of 2025. The victory boosted Arsenal’s their title hopes as they moved past Nottingham Forest to second spot and within six points of leaders Liverpool, while Brentford stay 12th. Bryan Mbeumo put host Brentford ahead, but Gabriel Jesus equalised with his sixth goal in four games. Strikes in quick succession from Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli then ensured Arsenal left west London with all three points. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta named a changed side with Kai Havertz left out while 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri made…

Four-time Grand Slam singles winner Naomi Osaka has started 2025 in style, beating Julia Grabher 7-5, 6-3 on Wednesday to reach the quarter-finals of the Auckland tennis classic. Osaka overcame a swirling breeze and a lengthy rain break to progress comfortably beyond the second round. Although the wind often affected her ball toss, Osaka didn’t drop her serve at any stage and broke Grabher once in each set to win her way to the Auckland quarter-finals for the second time. Osaka also reached the last eight on her only previous visit to New Zealand in 2017. “She was a really…

Liverpool have turned down an approach for Trent Alexander-Arnold from Real Madrid. There was no formal offer but an approach was made by the Spanish side. Alexander-Arnold is out of contract at the end of the season and reports in Spain have said the 26-year-old has informed Liverpool he wants to play for Madrid. Real will be free to speak to Alexander-Arnold directly about a pre-contract from midnight on January 1. But Liverpool, it seems, have no interest in losing the player whilst fighting for the Premier League title. Three of their core players – constructors of the glorious times…

Head coach Wayne Rooney has left Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle by mutual agreement, the club announced on Tuesday. The 39-year-old former England captain oversaw just four league wins and suffered 13 defeats in 23 Championship games after taking charge of the club in May. The Manchester United great is leaving Plymouth bottom of the English second division. “Plymouth Argyle can confirm that the club and Head Coach Wayne Rooney have mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect,” the club stated. “Departing the club with Rooney will be Assistant Head Coach Mike Phelan and first team coach Simon Ireland. “First…

Newcastle defeated Manchester United 2-0 on Monday night, a victory for the visitors in a league game at Old Trafford for only the second time since 1972 to condemn their hosts to a third straight home loss in all competitions for the first time in more than 60 years. Not since Sir Matt Busby’s days in the 1962-1963 season have Manchester United lost three home games in a row in all competitions. But early goals from Alexander Isak and Joelinton gave Eddie Howe’s men a thoroughly deserved victory that left them fifth in an impressive end to 2024. Newcastle have…