9 h. ago Lisandro Martínez hits back at Scholes and Manchester United punditocracy

Former players Scholes and Butt critical before derby‘If he wants to say something he can come to my house’Lisandro Martínez has criticised Paul Scholes for mocking him on a podcast but not directly to the Manchester United defender’s face, following Saturday’s 2-0 win over Manchester City at Old Trafford.Scholes and Nicky Butt, another prominent former United player, were each scathing about the diminutive Martínez and his ability to mark Erling Haaland, when speaking on the Good, the Bad and the Ugly before the 198th derby. Continue reading...

Events

30 h. ago Carrick has dream start as Mbeumo and Dorgu give Manchester United derby delight

On 64 minutes Michael Carrick’s second tenure went electric as Manchester United scored a classic breakaway goal by Bryan Mbeumo that sent the interim head coach berserk in the technical area.After a clearing Harry Maguire header, the ball evaded Rayan Cherki and Bruno Fernandes galloped forward. He had Amad Diallo to the right and Patrick Dorgu and Mbeumo on the left; United’s streetwise captain delayed the pass expertly, then found the Cameroonian, whose finish beat Gianluigi Donnarumma with ease. Continue reading...

Politics

34 h. ago Manchester derby Q&A, a big day for Frank and Nuno, and more – matchday live

News, buildup and discussion before day’s actionPost a question for Jamie Jackson BTL | Email us hereManchester City then. They’re having quite the January window, aren’t they?First Antoine Semenyo and now, seemingly, Marc Guéhi. The latter has not yet completed his move from Crystal Palace, so obviously won’t play in the derby today, but only the final formalities remain before he joins Pep Guardiola’s super-squad. Continue reading...

Politics

36 h. ago Manchester derby buildup, a big day for Frank and Nuno, and more – matchday live

News, buildup and discussion before day’s actionPost a question for Jamie Jackson BTL | Email us hereSpeaking of the Women’s FA Cup, Suzanne Wrack chats to those connected with Ipswich, who are bottom of WSL2, but have big plans to turn their season around starting in the cup against Sheffield United tomorrow.Like most other competitions in women’s football, Chelsea have dominated the FA Cup in recent years, winning it in four of the past five years and six times since 2016. They’re in action in the fourth round at Kingsmeadow today (12.30pm), where they’re unlikely to be troubled by Crystal Palace. Continue reading...

Politics

38 h. ago The restaurants, pubs, and bars in Greater Manchester that have closed in the first two weeks of 2026

It's not a great start for hospitality

Politics

49 h. ago No cups, no Europe, 40 matches: is this Manchester United’s post

As Michael Carrick prepares for Saturday’s derby, fans wonder if this is the club’s worst moment – but they are spoilt for choiceManchester United, without a permanent head coach or European football and knocked out of both domestic cups at the first time of asking, are facing another bleak season. In the almost 13 years since Sir Alex Ferguson left, the club have struggled to find stability, with his shadow stretching down from the directors’ box to the dugout, emphasised by the stand named in his honour staring back.Manchester City arrive at Old Trafford on Saturday in the opposite position, having had Pep Guardiola in post for a decade, amassing 18 major trophies. Michael Carrick will take charge of United for the first time since being appointed until the end of the season at a club who appear to be without a functioning long-term plan. This will be a campaign of only 40 competitive games for United, their fewest since 1914-15, with some fans thankful for being able to cut down ...

Politics

49 h. ago Man United next manager latest as Luis Enrique stance emerges and 'top contenders' named

Manchester United will appoint a permanent head coach for the 2026/27 season and Luis Enrique isn't expected to leave Paris Saint-Germain to take the job at Old Trafford

Politics

50 h. ago 'Action packed' 2026 Netflix film leaves fans praising Hollywood legends' 'iconic' reunion

The film includes stars from The Walking Dead, One Battle After Another and The Odyssey

Culture

55 h. ago Oliver Glasner to leave Crystal Palace in summer, Manchester City close on Guéhi: football – live

⚽ The latest football news going into the weekend⚽ Glasner to leave Palace | Follow on Bluesky | Mail usA very poor 9/15 from me.Afcon is moving to a four-year cycle, a decision the Confederation of African Football has been accused of forcing through without proper consultation. Ed Aarons and Romain Molina report:Several presidents of African football federations have told the Guardian they were not informed of the decision until it was surprisingly announced by the Caf president, Patrice Motsepe, on 20 December, prompting claims that the confederation breached its statutes by failing to seek approval at a general assembly. Continue reading...

Sport

56 h. ago Manchester City close in on Guéhi, Malen joins Roma, derby looms for Carrick: football – live

⚽ The latest football news going into the weekend⚽ Premier League preview | Follow on Bluesky | Mail usA very poor 9/15 from me.Afcon is moving to a four-year cycle, a decision the Confederation of African Football has been accused of forcing through without proper consultation. Ed Aarons and Romain Molina report:Several presidents of African football federations have told the Guardian they were not informed of the decision until it was surprisingly announced by the Caf president, Patrice Motsepe, on 20 December, prompting claims that the confederation breached its statutes by failing to seek approval at a general assembly. Continue reading...

Sport

57 h. ago Manchester United sign Wangerheim, Birmingham make ‘statement of intent’

Wangerheim joins from Hammarby on contract to 2029WSL2 Birmingham land fellow Swede LeidhammarManchester United have signed the Sweden forward Ellen Wangerheim from Hammarby on a contract until June 2029. The 21-year-old becomes the Women’s Super League side’s third signing of the January transfer window, after Hanna Lundkvist and Lea Schüller.Matt Johnson, United’s director of women’s football, told the club’s media channels that Wangerheim was “one of Europe’s best young talents”, saying: “As a dynamic, invasive and versatile forward Ellen brings variation and a natural scoring instinct to the team. Everyone at the club is excited to have her at Manchester United and the opportunity to help maximise her potential.” Continue reading...

Politics

58 h. ago Manchester United sign Sweden’s Wangerheim but suffer Toone injury setback

Wangerheim joins from Hammarby on contract to 2029Toone expected to be out for at least another six weeksManchester United have signed the Sweden forward Ellen Wangerheim from Hammarby on a contract until June 2029. The 21-year-old becomes the Women’s Super League side’s third signing of the January transfer window, after Hanna Lundkvist and Lea Schüller.Matt Johnson, United’s director of women’s football, told the club’s media channels that Wangerheim was “one of Europe’s best young talents”, saying: “As a dynamic, invasive and versatile forward Ellen brings variation and a natural scoring instinct to the team. Everyone at the club is excited to have her at Manchester United and the opportunity to help maximise her potential.” Continue reading...

Events

59 h. ago Roma sign Malen, transfer news and Manchester derby looms for Carrick: football – live

⚽ The latest football news going into the weekend⚽ Premier League preview | Follow on Bluesky | Mail TahaMichael Butler has revisited the three ages of Michael Carrick at Manchester United, including his managerial debut against Villarreal in November 2021. He won two and drew once in three games as the caretaker manager after Ole Gunnar Solskjær was sacked.Liverpool’s right-back question, Wolves’ unbeaten run and more in our latest TPs. Continue reading...

Sport

60 h. ago Transfer news, Manchester derby looms for Carrick, and much more: football – live

⚽ The latest football news going into the weekend⚽ Premier League preview | Follow on Bluesky | Mail TahaDonyell Malen is on the move. Villa say he has joined Roma for an undisclosed fee while the Italian club say he has signed on loan with an option to buy. Some clarity would be much appreciated. Malen scored seven goals in 29 games for Villa this season and departs after a year, having joined from Borussia Dortmund last January.Hello, hello, hello. The big story this weekend is Michael Carrick’s second debut as Manchester United's manager/head coach, and what a task it is: the noisy neighbours at home. How things have changed since his first Manchester derby as a player, a 3-1 victory for United in December 2006, with goals from Louis Saha, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo – and a first and last City strike for Hatem Trabelsi. We’ll be looking ahead to that and much more. Continue reading...

Sport

60 h. ago AD FEATURE: Mika and Beverley Knight among the big names performing in Manchester in 2026

The city will welcome a plethora of incredible musicians and acts in the first half of the year

Politics

61 h. ago Football transfer rumours: Murillo to replace Maguire at Manchester United?

Today’s rumours might even get home one dayThis year, as with last year, Aston Villa are eyeing the January market to bolster their forward line. For Marcus Rashford in 2025, read Tammy Abraham in 2026. Roma own his registration, though he is now on loan at Besiktas. A fan favourite when on loan from Chelsea in Villa’s Championship days, such a move would be something of a homecoming. Another Villa target is Dani Ceballos, the midfielder once of Arsenal, and a useful Real Madrid squad player for years now.To compound Crystal Palace’s FA Cup misery, and the unsettling tidings on Oliver Glasner’s future, there’s the rumour that Jean-Philippe Mateta is a target for Juventus. Continue reading...

Sport

3 d. ago Bank closures 2026 mapped including Lloyds, NatWest, Santander, and Halifax

A number of branches will shut up shop in the coming months

Politics

3 d. ago Ratcliffe and Glazer family visit Manchester United training ground to support Carrick

Executive meeting moved to meet with interim managerMartínez ‘didn’t want to play any more’ after knee injurySir Jim Ratcliffe and at least one of the Glazer family are at Manchester United’s training base on Thursday to support the interim manager, Michael Carrick, before Saturday’s derby with Manchester City.United were due to hold an executive committee meeting of senior management at a different location but this was moved to Carrington so that they could speak to Carrick before the first game of his second caretaker tenure. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Love Island: All Stars 2026 launch date announced after wildfire postponement

The ITV series was originally due to get underway on Monday evening prior to the wildfires causing a delay

Events

4 d. ago ‘One of the world’s best’: Manchester City sign USWNT midfielder Sam Coffey

USA mainstay in move from Portland Thorns ‘I couldn’t be more ready and happy about everything’Manchester City have signed the USA midfielder Sam Coffey on a three-and-a-half year deal.The 27-year-old won gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics and has accrued 42 caps and scored five goals for the USA, becoming a key part of Emma Hayes’ national team. After graduating she joined Portland Thorns and lifted the 2022 NWSL Championship in her debut season. Continue reading...

Politics