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Pep Guardiola makes shock Man Utd and Arsenal claim after Ruben Amorim’s sacking

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Pep Guardiola makes shock Man Utd and Arsenal claim after Ruben Amorim’s sacking

Pep Guardiola has come to the defence of Ruben Amorim following the Portuguese coach’s dismissal from Manchester United, insisting the club have let go of a “top-level manager” and suggesting the Red Devils could have been much closer to Arsenal under slightly different circumstances.

Speaking at his first press conference since Amorim was sacked earlier this week, the Manchester City manager offered his support to his former rival, wishing him well and expressing sympathy over the lack of patience shown to managers in the modern game.

Amorim’s 14-month spell at Old Trafford came to an end on Monday after a turbulent period marked by inconsistent performances and mounting tensions behind the scenes.

United finished 15th in the Premier League last season and, despite brief signs of improvement, have struggled to convince again this term.

Despite the disappointing results, Guardiola made it clear he still rates Amorim highly and feels the context surrounding United’s recent form has been overlooked.

He pointed to the growing trend of managers being given little time to implement their ideas, noting that results now outweigh long-term vision almost everywhere in elite football.

Guardiola suggested that United’s position in the table could look very different had a few tight games gone their way. He highlighted recent home draws and praised the opposition performances in those matches, arguing that fine margins have played a major role.

In his view, with slightly better outcomes, United could have found themselves much closer to league leaders Arsenal.

The City boss also referenced the challenges Amorim faced, including a long injury list and the absence of key players due to the Africa Cup of Nations, adding that coping with those setbacks is never easy for any manager.

Amorim won just one of his final five matches in charge, dropping points in home fixtures against bottom side Wolves and relegation-threatened Leeds. That run left United sixth in the table, three points adrift of the Champions League places and a significant 17 points behind Arsenal in the title race.

Former United midfielder Darren Fletcher has now been placed in interim charge and will lead the team for Wednesday’s trip to Burnley. The club are aiming to appoint a caretaker manager before the Manchester derby on January 17, with that individual expected to remain in charge until the end of the season. United are unlikely to confirm a permanent successor until the summer, with Oliver Glasner and Thomas Tuchel currently among the leading candidates.

Reacting to Amorim’s departure, club legend Rio Ferdinand offered a critical assessment, noting that both Amorim and Enzo Maresca at Chelsea had recently challenged their respective club hierarchies before being dismissed.

Ferdinand pointed out that Amorim’s statistical record at United was the poorest of any manager since Sir Alex Ferguson, suggesting the decision was not entirely surprising. He also observed a visible change in Amorim’s demeanour during his final press conferences, describing a noticeable shift from his usually upbeat and confident style to something far more subdued, which he felt reflected a manager under growing pressure.

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

Andre Onana could remain in Turkey beyond his loan spell, with Trabzonspor keen to secure him on a permanent deal.

The 30-year-old moved to Trabzonspor after falling out of favour at Manchester United, who brought in Senne Lammens last summer. Since then, Lammens has established himself as the club’s first-choice keeper, paving the way for Onana’s temporary switch.

In Turkey, however, Onana has rediscovered his form and quickly become a key figure. He recently grabbed attention with a standout performance in the Turkish Cup, saving three consecutive penalties to help his side overcome Samsunspor and reach the semi-finals.

The moment sparked widespread reactions online, especially from United supporters recalling their earlier penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town, where Onana managed just one save.

Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has openly expressed the club’s desire to keep the goalkeeper. He indicated that while Onana has his own career plans, the club would be eager to make the move permanent if the circumstances align, leaving the final decision in the player’s hands.

Back in England, United are expected to consider selling Onana, particularly with Lammens now firmly established as their number one. The club will likely aim to recover a significant portion of the £47.5 million they paid to sign him from Inter Milan in 2023, with two years still remaining on his contract.

Beyond his cup heroics, Onana has been a consistent presence in the league, starting every match for Trabzonspor and playing a vital role in their push for the title. His performances have earned strong praise in Turkey, with the club currently sitting third in the table, just six points behind leaders Galatasaray.

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Man City place Arsenal ‘bottles’ for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

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Man City place Arsenal 'bottles' for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

Manchester City appear to have kicked off the psychological battle ahead of their Premier League showdown with Arsenal.

In the build-up to the match, bottles branded with the Arsenal logo were reportedly being sold outside the stadium, priced cheaply and seemingly intended as a tongue-in-cheek way for home fans to mock the visiting supporters.

The stunt draws inspiration from a recent viral moment at Stamford Bridge, where a City fan was seen jokingly “drinking Arsenal tears” during their emphatic 3-0 win over Chelsea—a clip that quickly spread across social media.

With tensions already high given the importance of the fixture, the gesture adds another layer to the rivalry between the two sides. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be focused on responding where it matters most—on the pitch—as they aim to silence critics and deliver a strong result in what could be a defining game in the title race.

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho faced criticism from his former Manchester United teammates following Chelsea’s latest Premier League setback.

A first-half goal from Matheus Cunha secured a narrow but important win for United, strengthening the position of Michael Carrick’s side in the race for Champions League qualification. Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to struggle, with the defeat marking their fourth consecutive league loss without finding the net.

Pressure is mounting on head coach Liam Rosenior, who only took charge a few months ago after replacing Enzo Maresca. While the club has not publicly wavered in its support, questions are beginning to emerge over several players, including Garnacho, whose performances have failed to meet expectations since his £40 million move from Old Trafford.

Reports suggest Chelsea could be open to offers for the 21-year-old after a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge. He had an early opportunity to impress against his former side after coming on for the injured Estevao, but once again struggled to make an impact, finding it hard to break through a United defence that was missing several first-choice centre-backs.

Garnacho also received a hostile reception from United supporters during the match, and the reaction appeared to carry over beyond the pitch. After the game, Luke Shaw shared an image on social media showing himself standing over Garnacho following a challenge. Bruno Fernandes responded with a playful but pointed comment, while former teammate Alex Telles also joined in with reactions.

Chelsea’s broader struggles are becoming increasingly concerning. They now sit four points behind Liverpool in the race for fifth place, despite having played an extra game. The current run—four straight league defeats without scoring—is their worst in nearly three decades, with an even longer drought not seen since 1912.

Across all competitions, the form is equally worrying, with six losses in their last seven matches and 16 goals conceded during that stretch. A significant portion of their recent goals have come in a single outing against Port Vale, highlighting their lack of consistency in front of goal.

After the match, Rosenior admitted uncertainty about what failing to qualify for the Champions League could mean for his future. He acknowledged the result was difficult to take, especially given that Chelsea created numerous chances but failed to convert them. He pointed out that United capitalised on a limited opportunity, while his side were unable to make their attacking pressure count.

Despite the frustration, Rosenior emphasized the need for continued effort and improvement, insisting that the team must find a way to turn their form around before the situation worsens further.

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