Manchester United appoint Michael Carrick as interim manager

Michael Carrick has been confirmed as Manchester United head coach on a deal until the end of the season. The former Red Devils midfielder, club captain and first-team coach returns to Old Trafford after Ruben Amorim was sacked last Monday following an acrimonious end to 14 underwhelming months in charge. Carrick has been chosen to lead United ahead of ex-boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who had also been in talks with the Red Devils.

Read more

Xabi Alonso leaves Real Madrid replaced by Álvaro Arbeloa

Xabi Alonso has left his position as Real Madrid manager after less than eight months in charge, with his former Liverpool team-mate Alvaro Arbeloa taking over. The La Liga side said former Bayer Leverkusen manager Alonso, 44, had left by “mutual consent” and minutes later announced Arbeloa’s appointment. The former Spain and Real full-back has been promoted from coaching Real’s B team.

Read more

Martinelli hits hat-trick as Arsenal rout Portsmouth

Gabriel Martinelli responded to his recent criticism by scoring a hat-trick for Arsenal in their 4-1 comeback win over Portsmouth to reach the FA Cup fourth round. Mikel Arteta’s side were, however, given an early scare by the Championship side as Colby Bishop slammed Pompey in front after just three minutes but his side were only behind for five minutes after an own goal from Andre Dozzell.

Read more

Macclesfield pull off FA Cup’s greatest shock knocking out holders Crystal Palace

Non-league Macclesfield produced one of the FA Cup’s most startling upsets when they beat holders Crystal Palace 2–1 in a third‑round thriller, knocking Oliver Glasner’s team out of the competition and sending the Moss Rose crowd into raptures. Captain Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts struck in each half as the home side – coached by Wayne Rooney’s younger brother John – stunned Premier League side Palace, a team 117 places above them in England’s football pyramid.

Read more

Manchester City sign Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo for £62.5m

Manchester City have completed the signing of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth on a five-and-a-half-year contract. City have paid an initial fee of £62.5m (€72m) for the 26-year-old Ghana winger, who has scored 10 goals and provided three assists for the Cherries in the Premier League this season. His final act for the south coast club was a stunning stoppage-time winner in a 3-2 victory over Tottenham on Wednesday night.

Read more