Sports
After beating Newcastle 3-1, Solskjaer says Man U not giving up on EPL title
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is not giving up hope that Manchester United can challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title, despite the scintillating form of the league leaders.
City have soared 10 points clear of their local rivals thanks to an 18-game winning streak in all competitions.
United’s own inconsistent form has helped open up the gap, but the Red Devils beat Newcastle 3-1 on Sunday to win for just the second time in six league games.
“We’ve got to be there just in case,” said Solskjaer. “Every time we get three points we’ve done our job and that’s what we’ve got to do and see what other teams do.”
Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford were again on target on a night United needed their star men to paper over the cracks of another unconvincing performance.
Solskjaer made five changes to the side that impressively thrashed Real Sociedad 4-0 in the Europa League on Thursday and was lucky not to be punished for a disjointed start from the hosts.
“We had to find a way to win it in the second-half. The first-half wasn’t up to the standard that we wanted,” added Solskjaer.
“Maybe because of Newcastle, maybe because of what we did in the week. We asked them to go again after a high-intensity game and it took us to half time to get our legs and energy.”
A run of two wins in 14 games has left Newcastle just three points clear of the drop zone, but Steve Bruce remains confident his side will survive.
“Fulham have had a good week and won a couple of games, which at the bottom end of the table is big, but there are a few of us: Brighton, Burnley and maybe Crystal Palace looking over their shoulders,” said Bruce.
“My message to the supporters is that I’m convinced we’ll be ok.”
Poor goalkeeping cost Bruce’s men the opening goal on the half hour mark as Rashford wriggled free inside the area, but his shot should have been kept out by Karl Darlow.
United’s sloppy defending from set-pieces was punished six minutes later, though, when Saint-Maximin swept the ball into the top corner after Harry Maguire only half-cleared a cross into the box.
After a blistering start to his United career last season, Dan James has struggled for game time, but the Welshman has now scored in his last three appearances as he blasted past Darlow from close range just before the hour mark.
More good footwork from Rashford then drew Joe Willock into an ill-advised challenge inside the box and the on-loan Arsenal midfielder conceded a penalty.
Darlow had saved the only spot-kick Fernandes has missed as a United player when the sides met earlier in the season.
But he was wrong-footed this time as the Portuguese playmaker coolly converted to give United the two-goal cushion they craved.
-SuperSport
Sports
Salah confirms 2025 as his final Liverpool season
Salah confirms 2025 as his final Liverpool season
Mohamed Salah has hinted that this season will be his last at Liverpool, vowing to end his time at the club on a high by winning the Premier League.
The 32-year-old forward is in exceptional form, with Liverpool six points clear at the top of the Premier League table and holding a game in hand ahead of their upcoming clash with Manchester United. Salah currently leads the league in both goals (17) and assists (13), underscoring his pivotal role in the team’s success.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Salah revealed his primary ambition for the season – to deliver Liverpool’s second Premier League title.
Reflecting on his targets, which he had written down during a summer holiday, he shared, “The first thing on my list was to win the Premier League with Liverpool. For years, I’ve always talked about wanting to win the Champions League, but this time, my focus is on the league. It feels like the right goal for my final season here.”
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When asked why he views this as his last campaign at Anfield, Salah candidly explained, “I can’t really explain it, but something about this year feels different. Maybe it’s because we didn’t get to celebrate the last Premier League win properly due to the pandemic. That title meant so much to the club, the fans, and the city, but the moment wasn’t what we dreamed it would be. I want to leave here having given Liverpool another moment to remember.”
Under previous manager Jürgen Klopp, Salah was instrumental in Liverpool’s golden era, winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, European Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup. Now, with many of his former teammates still in the squad, Salah believes this team has one more triumph in them.
“My motivation this season is clear—to win another trophy, especially the Premier League,” Salah said.
“This team has achieved so much, but winning the league for a second time would solidify our legacy. Players like Trent [Alexander-Arnold], Virgil [van Dijk], Alisson, and Robbo [Andy Robertson] are still here, and we owe it to ourselves and the fans to go out on a high.”
When asked whether he believes a second title is necessary to cement the team’s place among the Premier League greats, he said, “Absolutely. We’ve won almost everything, but one league title isn’t enough for a team of our quality. Winning it twice would make a real statement, and that’s what I’m working toward.”
As Salah enters the final six months of his contract, speculation over his future is certain to intensify. However, for now, the Egyptian forward remains laser-focused on achieving his goals with Liverpool before bidding farewell.
Salah confirms 2025 as his final Liverpool season
Sports
Manchester United to use Marcus Rashford in swap deal for Victor Osimhen
Manchester United to use Marcus Rashford in swap deal for Victor Osimhen
Marcus Rashford’s potential exit from Manchester United could open the door to Victor Osimhen making the move to Old Trafford, according to a new report.
The 27-year-old has been dropped from the side in recent weeks by head coach Ruben Amorim. In fact, he has not featured in a minute of football since his side’s 3-2 loss to Nottingham Forest on 7 December.
Reports by Goal.com suggested on Thursday, December 2 that Rashford is keen to see out his career in Europe, having turned down three offers from clubs in Saudi Arabia. He reportedly turned down the chance to secure a contract worth £ 675,000 per week in a bid to reclaim a spot back in the England side.
As such, a move to Napoli has now been mooted according to several media agencies in the UK and Italy. Antonio Conte’s men are currently in second place in the Italian top flight and are looking to bring in another forward to secure the league title, reports The Sun.
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They are keen on Rashford and it’s thought that this could open the door for the Red Devils to sign Victor Osimhen, as part of a sensational swap deal.
Osimhen was close to making a move to Chelsea during the summer window, but the proposed move collapsed as they could not agree personal terms. During the window, the striker instead made the loan move to Galatasaray for the 2024/25 season. So far in Turkey, he has scored 12 goals and made five assists in 15 outings.
Osimhen netted 76 times for Napoli in 133 appearances, even helping them win a scudetto during the 2022/23 season.
United have scored just 21 league goals this season, with Rasmus Hojlund, particularly Joshua Zirkzee, particularly under-fire. It could be that the Old Trafford club is looking to bring in another forward in the winter window ahead of the second half of the season.
Osimhen reportedly has a £62 million release clause in his contract and any move involving Rashford would see the Manchester-born attacker reunited with former United player Scott McTominay at the Italian city.
Manchester United to use Marcus Rashford in swap deal for Victor Osimhen
Sports
This is my worst year, S’Eagles keeper Nwabali says, announcing mother’s death after father passing
This is my worst year, S’Eagles keeper Nwabali says, announcing mother’s death after father passing
Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali has lost his mother to the cold hands of death barely two month after losing his father.
Nwabali took to his X handle on New Year Day to announce the death of his mother.
In a deeply emotional moment, he shared that this has been “the worst year” of his life, a heart-wrenching statement that captures the weight of his grief.
Nwabali‘s words convey the raw pain of navigating through such a devastating period, with a message that resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced profound loss.
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His final post describes the world as “crazy,” encapsulating the bewilderment and despair that often follows such an overwhelming tragedy.
This is my worst year, S’Eagles keeper Nwabali says, announcing mother’s death after father passing
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