Just two rounds of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League league phase remain, with qualification for this season’s knockout stages and more at stake.
Manchester City’s qualification hopes are in the balance as they sit one point above the elimination zone ahead of a trip to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, January 22.
Ruben Amorim thought he was taking charge of one of the world's biggest football teams when he accepted the role of head coach at Manchester United in November. But now that he has seen behind the curtain at Old Trafford, he has discovered the reality that the club has been allowed to rot from the inside for the best part of a decade.
Only Amorim will know the true motivation for his decision to describe his side as the "worst team, maybe, in the history of Manchester United" following Sunday's 3-1 home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion. It was United's sixth defeat in 12 games, their fourth league defeat at home in five and, having already suffered six home league defeats this season, the statisticians must go back to 1893-94 to find a United team with a worse home record, when that team lost seven out of 12.
Things are bad; it's the club's bleakest period since the start of the Premier League era in 1992. But when you consider that United were relegated from the top division in 1974, some historical context suggests that Amorim's comments were laced with hyperbole rather than a genuine belief that United -- whose last two away games resulted in a draw at Liverpool and a penalty shootout win at Arsenal in the FA Cup -- have hit an all-time low.
Brazil forward Neymar is looking to terminate his contract with Al Hilal and return to Santos instead of a move to MLS, sources have told ESPN.
ESPN reported last week that Neymar, whose contract with the Saudi Pro League club ends in June, is in preliminary talks with three MLS teams, including the Chicago Fire.
The Brazil international has said in the past he would like to play in the MLS one day, but never stated when.
Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus recently said that Neymar "can no longer play at the level we are used to" and that the forward would not be registered to play in the Saudi Pro League for the second half of the season.
Neymar, 32, is recovering from a hamstring injury he picked up in November in just his second game back after being sidelined for a year following a torn ACL and meniscus in his left knee.
With no regular playing time guaranteed at Al Hilal, sources have told ESPN that Neymar has held discussions with Santos over a deal that would see him return to the club for six months. Sources insist that wages would not be a hurdle for his return.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has slammed the "scandalous" decision not to award Jules Koundé a penalty in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Getafe.
Koundé was brought down by Christantus Uche as he attempted to get on the end of a cross at the far post in the 81st minute, but neither the referee nor the VAR deemed it to be a foul.
Barça continued to push for a winner but could not break down Getafe as their winless run in LaLiga extended to four games, leaving them seven points behind leaders Real Madrid.
"The refereeing in the game against Getafe was an absolute disgrace," Laporta told reporters on Monday when asked about the Koundé incident.
"Not giving a penalty for the foul on Koundé is a scandal. A scandal. I think you should watch it back again and again because it's scandalous."
Laporta also referenced an incident in Madrid's win over Getafe in December, pointing out that a penalty was given in their favour for a very similar challenge by Allan Nyom on Antonio Rüdiger.
Barça's league form has contrasted with their cup form. They claimed the Spanish Supercopa with an impressive 5-2 win over Madrid recently and have progressed to the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey.
They now turn their attention back to the Champions League and a trip to Benfica on Tuesday. A win should guarantee they skip the knockout round and progress straight to the round of 16.
Meanwhile, the club continue to work on signing some of their young stars to long-term contracts after convincing defender Ronald Araújo to stay at the club last week.
Sources have told ESPN that midfielders Pedri and Gavi are both close to putting pen to paper on new deals with their existing terms due to expire in 2026.