BREAKING: Rodrygo has torn his ACL and will be out for the next 6-7 months, according to reports. Heâs now expected to MISS the World Cup with Brazil. The Brazilian struggled to get playing time under previous manager Xabi Alonso and has still struggled to nail a starting spot with new coach, Alvaro Arbeloa.
REAKING: Reece James has committed his future to Chelsea by signing a new six-year contract. The talismanic captain, whose last agreement ran to June 2028, will spend what should be the peak period of his career at Stamford Bridge. The 26 years old's previous deal runs till 2028; the fresh agreement runs until June 2032. Deal aligns England right-back with Chelsea wage structure. The Cobhams academny graduate who was promoted to the first team in 2019 and was made captain in 2023 has won the UEFA Champions leagues in 2021, the UEFA Conference League in 2025 as well as the Club World Cup in 2025.
     The Islamic Reoublic of Iran have pulled out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by United States, Mexico and Canada. Iran cannot participate in the 2026 World Cup following airstrikes against the country by the United States and Israel, the Iranian sports minister said on Wednesday. The Supreme leader of Iran Ayatollah Khomoeni was also killed in the airstrikes.
     Jose Mourinho has said Gianluca Prestianniâs Benfica career will be âoverâ if he is found to have racially abused Real Madridâs Vinicius Junior. On Sunday, Mourinho said âthere were a lot of âifs'â regarding what Prestianni had allegedly said and the Benfica head coach reiterated that he âcompletely renounced any type of discrimination or prejudice, of ignorance or idiocy.â âI also say that if â and, I repeat, if â my player did not respect those principles â which are my principles and those of Benfica, too, then that playerâs career under Jose Mourinho and at Benfica is over,â Mourinho told a press conference.
REAKING: Reece James has committed his future to Chelsea by signing a new six-year contract. The talismanic captain, whose last agreement ran to June 2028, will spend what should be the peak period of his career at Stamford Bridge. The 26 years old's previous deal runs till 2028; the fresh agreement runs until June 2032. Deal aligns England right-back with Chelsea wage structure. The Cobhams academny graduate who was promoted to the first team in 2019 and was made captain in 2023 has won the UEFA Champions leagues in 2021, the UEFA Conference League in 2025 as well as the Club World Cup in 2025.
     The Islamic Reoublic of Iran have pulled out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by United States, Mexico and Canada. Iran cannot participate in the 2026 World Cup following airstrikes against the country by the United States and Israel, the Iranian sports minister said on Wednesday. The Supreme leader of Iran Ayatollah Khomoeni was also killed in the airstrikes.
BREAKING:Â Former Super Eagles head coach Festus Adegboye Onigbinde has passed away at the age of 88. The family confirmed his death in a statement released on Monday evening, expressing gratitude to God for what they described as a fulfilled and impactful life. Â Â Â Â Â Â He initially coached Nigeria between 1981-1984 where he led the country to the final of the Nations Cup but lost 3-1 to Cameroon. He became the first indigenous coach to take the Super Eagles of Nigeria to a World Cup when he coached the team at the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan.
BREAKING: Rodrygo has torn his ACL and will be out for the next 6-7 months, according to reports. Heâs now expected to MISS the World Cup with Brazil. The Brazilian struggled to get playing time under previous manager Xabi Alonso and has still struggled to nail a starting spot with new coach, Alvaro Arbeloa.
Historic Exchange Under Istanbul Agreement In the largest prisoner swap since the full-scale war began, Russia and Ukraine have each released 390 prisonersâcomprising 270 military personnel and 120 civiliansâas part of an overall 1,000-for-1,000 agreement negotiated during direct talks in Istanbul earlier in May. BBC+4www.ndtv.com+4Deutsche Welle+4Anadolu Ajansı+15Reuters+  Departures and Arrivals Ukrainian returnees arrived in the Chernihiv region, many visibly frail with shaved heads and draped in national flags, greeted by emotional reunions with relatives amid cheers and tears. Reuters+4 The Washington +4 The Daily Star +4. Some had been held in captivity for nearly two years. Russian returnees, including soldiers and civilians captured during a Ukrainian incursion into Kursk region, were first transported to Belarus for medical and psychological evaluation before being repatriated ussia. BBC+3Reuters+3 The Guardian +3.  Emotional Homecomings and Lingering Uncertainty Families crowded the exchange sites, clutching photographs of missing loved ones, hoping for a clue from those stepping off the buses. One Ukrainian newly freed veteran, held for more than 830 days, encouraged others not to lose hope: âIn every prison there are many guys who had no contact with their relatives. I was the same,â he said The Guardian+10The Washington Post+10The Guardian+10. But for many, the reunion came with heavy uncertainty about family members still unaccounted for.  Political Messages and Future Prospects President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the swap as the only tangible outcome of the Istanbul talks and emphasized continued efforts to bring all detainees home. Hromadske The Washington PostThe Guardian. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov promised that Moscow would submit a draft peace proposal following the exchange but reiterated refusal of a ceasefire unless certain conditions were metâterms Ukraine has rejected, according to Reuters The Guardian. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who helped push for the Istanbul negotiations, congratulated both parties via his social media platform, calling the swap a possible step toward broader peace, though no ceasefire has been agreed upon, according to Reuters and the New York Post.  Humanitarian Milestone Amid Ongoing Conflict This first phase swap underscores a rare moment of cooperation in a conflict that has otherwise deepened across Ukraineâs eastern and southern regions. While a few hundred lives have been restored to families, thousands remain in captivity, and both sides show no signs of halting hostilities. Negotiations may continue in coming days as both governments prepare for the next instalment of releases under the "1,000-for-1,000" agreement. For now, the tranche of 390 each represents the largest exchange of its kind since the war began.
It is the year 2025, and the frontrunner to win the Ballon d'Or is Ousmane Dembele, forward for Paris Saint-Germain and the France national team. The road to this point has been far from smooth, but this is the end point nonetheless. PSG are the undisputed and unquestionable kings of Europe, winning the European Cup in any format for the first time in their history - a significant feat not just for a team only founded in 1970, but one for the Qatari Sports Investment project which has been hell-bent on continental domination since their takeover in 2011. Luis Enrique's side will be remembered for years to come for their tiki taka-lite style based on fluidity and slick possession football, and at the forefront of their success has been Dembele. With the Ballon d'Or now judged on a seasonal basis - as should have always been the case, thank you, France Football - it is a campaign that should end with Dembele lifting the prestigious Golden Ball in his home country.
Arsenal and Manchester City played out a dramatic 1-1 draw on Sunday, with the two Premier League rivals unable to be separated through 98 or so minutes. Erling Haaland had given the visitors an early lead, before Pep Guardiola remarkably decided to park the bus to try and sneak the win. Those efforts went up in smoke in added time as Gabriel Martinelli scored to clinch a point for the Gunners. Having both slipped up domestically already this season, this wasn't quite a 'must win' affair for either side, but definitely more of a 'must not lose'. In the end, perhaps a draw in which neither team showed much attacking endeavour will please both parties. City seemed content to sit in and create chances on the break, while Arsenal didn't exactly throw the kitchen sink at their visitors in order to force the leveller. It was a pretty just outcome and neither can really have any complaints about how it ended.
North Korea has begun an investigation into an accident that occurred during the launch of a new warship this week, state media said Friday, assessing the damage as "not serious". North Korea said Thursday that "a serious accident occurred" at the Wednesday launch ceremony for the newly built 5,000-ton naval destroyer, in which sections of the bottom of the vessel were crushed -- with leader Kim Jong Un calling the mishap a "criminal act".  North Korea has begun an investigation into an accident that occurred during the launch of a new warship this week, state media said Friday, assessing the damage as "not serious". North Korea said Thursday that "a serious accident occurred" at the Wednesday launch ceremony for the newly built 5,000-ton naval destroyer, in which sections of the bottom of the vessel were crushed -- with leader Kim Jong Un calling the mishap a "criminal act".  Technology stocks led the gains in the U.S., with Apple (AAPL) up 1.8% and Nvidia (NVDA) jumping 2.4%, as demand for AI and semiconductors remains strong. Tesla (TSLA) also rebounded, rising 3.1% after announcing better-than-expected Q2 vehicle deliveries. Global stock markets showed a mixed performance as investors weighed persistent inflation concerns against a wave of corporate earnings reports. While strong results from major tech companies helped lift some indexes, uncertainty surrounding central bank policies and the future path of interest rates kept others in check. In the U.S.,
Crystal Palace Vs Manchester United Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade   Twitter: ollyzjinx01         Instagram: sir_ajirowo01  Manchester United head to Selhurst Park under heavy pressure and even heavier scrutiny after a disastrous showing at Old Trafford against Everton. The boos that echoed around the stadium said it all. Losing 1â0 to a 10-man Everton side â and conceding after they went a man down â was embarrassing on every level. From the touchline to the pitch, it was shambolic. Many fans are asking the same question: How much more can the board tolerate before admitting the Amorim experiment has failed?  United have not scored against Crystal Palace in their last four meetings â and after the lifeless performance against Everton, confidence isnât exactly flowing. Starting a match with five defenders against a team reduced to ten men was baffling. Shifting Amad into unfamiliar positions didnât help either. The tactical confusion is becoming a weekly theme, and now they travel to a stadium where their recent record is terrible. The international break may have come at the worst possible time. United had built momentum with 11 points from five Premier League games, but that form now looks like it was papering over deeper cracks â cracks that were fully exposed on Monday night. The Red Devils are barely hanging on to a top-half spot. Theyâve failed to keep a clean sheet in five straight matches and continue to struggle away from home. Their London record is even worse: 16 losses in their last 26 Premier League games in the capital â the worst of any top-flight side during that period.  A painful stat surfaced recently: Amorim: 9 wins in 35 Premier League games, Ten Hag (same period last year): 23 wins. The numbers speak for themselves. Poor in-game management. Poor structure. Poor identity. United ended the Everton defeat with 25 attempts â but scored none â while conceding from the only shot they faced. Their xG tells the same story: xG For: 20.1 â actual goals: 19 (two were own goals) Conversion rate: 10.4% â 7th worst in the league They create chances, but they canât finish them.  Crystal Palace, on the other hand, are flying. Only Arsenal have conceded fewer Premier League goals this season. Oliver Glasnerâs side sit fifth and have kept three straight clean sheets against Wolves, Brentford, and Brighton. Their defensive confidence is sky-high, and recent history backs it up: Three wins in their last four league games vs Man United (D1) Two wins in their last four at Selhurst Park vs Man United Opta supercomputer predictions says Palace to win is 54.1% United arenât just underdogs, theyâre clear underdogs. So here we are again, asking what has become a weekly question for Manchester United supporters: Will this team finally show 90 minutes of concentration and courage or will they crumble, invite pressure, and rely on another desperate comeback attempt? Comment below with your score predictions!  Manchester United record against Crystal Palace: Games won: 41 Games drawn: 14 Games lost: 13   Team News: (As of today 29/11/2025,) Crystal Palace: Caleb Kporha, Borna Sosa, Cheick Doucoure , Chadi Riad and Rio Cardines are out for this game. Manchester United: Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Harry Maguire are out for this game.   Prediction: United sometimes deliver when everyone has written them off, and they should have more energy than Palace. But this team has a habit of sleeping through the first half, and Selhurst Park is a brutal place for a team low on confidence. Crystal Palace 1-1 Manchester United.  Â
AFC Bournemouth Vs Manchester United Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade   Twitter: ollyzjinx01         Instagram: sir_ajirowo01  Back to winning ways in the last match, records were broken, and United are slowly finding their rhythm again in the push for European football. But Fridayâs game is a completely different test, and once again, only a win will do.  United travel to the Bournemouth Stadium on Friday, looking to end the hostsâ impressive 10-game unbeaten run â a streak built largely on draws â and hand them their first defeat of the year.  There are also fresh rumours circulating that Bruno GuimarĂŁes of Newcastle is the man United want to replace Casemiro, with talk that another midfielder could still come in as well. Reports suggest a bid may have already been made. If true, itâs a sign that the recruitment team are finally doing their job.  Replacing Casemiro is not something you take lightly. You need someone who can defend, control games, and still contribute going forward. GuimarĂŁes fits that profile. But if weâre being honest, names like Tonali or Baleba would also make sense. For me, Elliot Anderson is a bit overhyped at the moment.  What do you think? Drop your thoughts.  Manchester United look like a completely different side compared to the struggles under Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim â including those disappointing results against Bournemouth earlier in the season.  Since Michael Carrick took over in mid-January, no team in the league has picked up more points than Unitedâs 22.  The Red Devils have won seven, drawn one, and lost just once in their nine matches under Carrick. That run includes big statement wins against Manchester City (3-1), Arsenal (3-2), and Aston Villa (3-1).  As a result, United have climbed to third in the table with 54 points, opening up a six-point gap over sixth-placed Chelsea in what is shaping up to be a tight four-team battle for three Champions League spots.  Another win on Friday would be massive. It would push United six points clear of fourth-placed Aston Villa ahead of the weekend fixtures and strengthen their grip on a Champions League place.  However, away form remains a concern. United have picked up just 21 points from 15 away league matches, compared to 33 from 15 at Old Trafford.  Carrickâs only defeat so far also came on the road â the 2-1 loss to Newcastle â so he will be keen to respond with a strong away performance here.  Interestingly, the Opta supercomputer slightly favours Bournemouth, giving them a 38.7% chance of winning compared to Unitedâs 34.8%. The odds arenât exactly on Unitedâs side â but do you think they can still get the job done?  Breaking down Bournemouth wonât be easy. Andoni Iraolaâs side are pushing for three consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League for the first time since November 2019 â a run that actually included a 1-0 win over United.  Their last two clean sheets this season have both been goalless draws â against Burnley and Brentford â and United now arrive as the third game in that sequence.  Could history repeat itself?  Bournemouth have kept nine clean sheets this season, their best defensive return in years, and thatâs despite major changes at the back last summer. They currently sit 10th in the table and are unbeaten in their last 10 league games.  That said, thereâs a pattern â theyâve drawn their last four Premier League matches, three of them ending 0-0. The last team to draw five in a row was Fulham between December 2020 and January 2021.  Friday nights have also been kind to Bournemouth. Theyâve won three of their four Premier League matches played on a Friday, with the only exception being a 4-2 defeat to Liverpool earlier in the season.  United, on the other hand, have struggled in this exact situation â winning just one of their five away Friday night games in Premier League history (D2 L2).  Still, for me, it comes down to one thing â if United take their chances, they win this game. What do you think? Comment below with your score predictions! Manchester United record against Aston Villa: Games won: 14 Games drawn: 6 Games lost: 5    Team News: (As of today, 19/03/2026,) AFC Bournemouth: Justin Kluivert, Lewis Cook, Tyler Adams and Julio Soler out. Manchester United: De ligt, Martinez and Dorgu out. Prediction: Last weekâs win came down to one thing â taking our chances when they came. Villa were also a bit leggy from European football, which helped. This one is different, but the same rule applies: be clinical, start strong, and kill the game early. There wonât be any home crowd backing us late on. AFC Bournemouth 1-2 Manchester United       Â
Westham United Vs Manchester United Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade   Twitter: ollyzjinx01         Instagram: sir_ajirowo01  Four wins in a row. Somebody please wake me up â this feels like a wonderland. Amorim said it was impossible, but Carrick is basically saying this is just the bare minimum for a club the size of Manchester United. Honestly, it might be time to cut that guyâs hair.  United head to London on Tuesday night to face West Ham United at the London Stadium, coming off an impressive 2â0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford. Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes sent the home fans into full euphoria â that feeling of excitement, that hunger for the next match, was something that had been missing under the previous manager.  The jury is still out on who the next permanent manager will be. The board say they are still searching, but letâs be honest â everyone knows theyâre waiting for Enrique. Still, the way Carrick is going, the fans want him. If he steadies the ship and secures a Champions League place, I might just throw my hat in for him too.  Letâs face it: since Sir Alex retired, weâve tried everything â different managers, different philosophies â and what have we really had? The same ups and downs. If recruitment can continue identifying the right players â not just bodies, but players who actually improve the team even if another manager comes in, like they did last summer â why canât Carrick succeed? Thatâs just my opinion. Whatâs yours?  The London Stadium hosts a fascinating Premier League clash on Tuesday night as two rejuvenated sides lock horns, with West Ham United welcoming Manchester United to the capital.  The Hammers are chasing a fifth win in six games after Saturdayâs 2â0 victory over Burnley, while the Red Devils arrive in high spirits after dispatching 10-man Tottenham by the same scoreline. Once again helped by a familiar red card to Spurs captain Cristian Romero, Carrickâs revival continued as United maintained their grip on fourth place in style.  Not only do United remain ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool in the race for fourth, theyâve also closed the gap on third-placed Aston Villa to just three points. Champions League football is firmly in their hands.  Carrick continues to build a strong case for the permanent job. United have scored at least twice in every match under his guidance, extending an impressive attacking run. The Red Devils have now found the net in each of their last 14 games in all competitions, last failing to score back in November against Everton. Away from home, theyâve lost just one of their last nine matches.  Manchester United are favourites heading into this clash, winning 47% of pre-match simulations according to the Opta supercomputer. However, recent history against West Ham is less comforting â United have lost four of their last six league games against the Hammers, more than in their previous 28 combined.  Bruno Fernandes continues to shine on the road, having been involved in 10 goals in his last eight away Premier League appearances (two goals, eight assists).  Michael Carrick, who came through West Hamâs academy and made 136 appearances for the club before spells at Tottenham and Manchester United, returns south having made an impressive start to his second stint in charge, winning his first four league games and lifting United into the top four.  West Ham also have reasons to feel confident. They did the double over United last season and earned a 1â1 draw at Old Trafford earlier this campaign, with Soungoutou Magassa scoring a late equaliser on December 4.  Like United, West Ham have turned their season around. Theyâve taken nine points from the last 12 available, most recently boosting their survival hopes with a 2â0 win at Burnley. That victory came as a welcome response to a painful defeat against Chelsea the previous week. Nuno EspĂrito Santoâs side currently sit 18th, just three points behind Nottingham Forest.  January wins over QPR, Sunderland and Tottenham mean West Ham have now won four of their last five matches â more than they managed in their first 22 games of the season. That said, home form remains a concern. The Hammers have won just one of their last 16 home league matches against teams who played in the Premier League the previous season.  Still, United wonât overlook the danger. Theyâve lost on each of their last three visits to the London Stadium, and Jarrod Bowen remains a key threat, having scored three goals in his last five league appearances against United â no West Ham player has scored more against them in Premier League history.  West Ham have shown real fight recently, winning three of their last four league games, as many as they had in their previous 21. Their latest win at Burnley saw Crysencio Summerville score for a fifth consecutive game in all competitions, while ValentĂn Castellanos netted his first Premier League goal for the club. The Hammers go into Matchday 26 just three points from safety. West Ham are a tough team when they find form â even a little form. United need this win to stay firmly in the top-four race. What do you think? Comment below with your score predictions! Manchester United record against Westham: Games won: 74 Games drawn: 33 Games lost: 50    Team News: (As of today 09/02/2026) Westham United: Santo, Jean-Clair Todibo and Lukasz Fabianski are out. Manchester United: De ligt, Mount and Dorgu are out Prediction: A clean sheet was badly needed in the last match, and getting one â even with the red card â will do the defence a world of good mentally. I believe United can cross this bridge. It wonât be easy, but Carrickâs men are playing without fear right now, shown by the sharp, one-touch combinations in the final third. Westham United 1-3 Manchester United Â
Manchester United Vs Manchester City Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade   Twitter: ollyzjinx01         Instagram: sir_ajirowo01 Manchester United will play just 40 matches this season, their shortest campaign since 1914â15. That alone tells you everything about how far this club has fallen. Now, interim manager Michael Carrick gets thrown straight into the fire, starting his reign with a Manchester derby against a City side doing everything United are not.  United kicked off 2026 with back-to-back league draws against Leeds and Burnley, only to crash out of the FA Cup at home to Brighton. At some point, you begin to ask yourself how much more the fans are willing to take before real pressure is put on the owners. But that conversation can wait. A derby is upon us. Carrickâs first test. Do you honestly see him getting anything here â a draw, maybe a smash-and-grab win?  Behind the scenes, United are said to be quietly chasing a midfielder this January. Jason Wilcox and the recruitment team are reportedly focused on the middle of the park while completely ignoring the wings. Thatâs baffling, considering we still donât have a natural left winger. It feels like Carrick has already been set up to fail. Either they know something we donât, or they simply donât know what theyâre doing anymore.  The managerial search also drags on. Glasner has announced he will leave Crystal Palace at the end of the season, and Luis Enrique has confirmed he wonât be renewing his contract. On paper, United should have options. The real concern is whether the board will actually make the right call this time â or continue stumbling around while the club drifts further away from the top.  Eight days after Ruben Amorim was sacked, United confirmed Michael Carrick as interim head coach until the end of the season. This will be the 44-year-oldâs second spell in the Old Trafford dugout after his short but respectable run in late 2021 (W2 D1). Sentiment aside, this is a brutal way to begin.  Supporters from both sides will be hoping for far more than what we saw last time these two met at Old Trafford â a painfully dull 0-0 draw back in April. Carrickâs task doesnât get any easier either. United lost the reverse fixture 3-0 at the Etihad in September, and they havenât failed to score in both league meetings with City since the 1973â74 season â a year United were relegated.  Worse still, United have failed to score in four of their last five home league games against City, including the last two in a row. They havenât gone three straight home derbies without a goal since a run that ended in 1914. History is not on their side.  According to the Opta supercomputer, City have a 50.6% chance of winning, while United sit at just 25.9%. And honestly, can you trust this team right now?  City arrive after beating Newcastle 2-0 in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final and smashing Exeter 10-1 in the FA Cup. Yet, theyâve drawn their last three Premier League games, slipping six points behind Arsenal. Still, Pep Guardiolaâs side are unbeaten in 13 matches across all competitions and havenât lost in nine league games.  January signing Antoine Semenyo has hit the ground running after his ÂŁ64m move from Bournemouth, scoring twice and picking up back-to-back man-of-the-match awards. City looks settled, sharp, and motivated â everything United currently arenât.  The numbers at Old Trafford donât help either. City have won more Premier League away games against United than any other visiting side, while only Liverpool have scored more goals there.  If Iâm being honest, part of me wants City to win. Not out of loyalty to them, but because INEOS and the Glazers cannot keep running this club like a circus. The Carrick appointment feels like another delay tactic â no signings, no clear direction, no real plan. Old Trafford has become a playground for visiting teams, and until the ownership is compelled to act, nothing will change. From a footballing point of view, we donât have the tools to hurt City right now. So yeah⊠Iâm tired.  Drop your score predictions below.     Manchester United record against Manchester City: Games won: 80 Games drawn: 54 Games lost: 63   Team News: (As of today 16/01/2026,) Manchester United: Matthijs de Ligt is still injured. Noussair Mazraoui is still unavailable due to AFCON duty. Manchester City: Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Oscar Bobb and Savinho are all sidelined with injuries, while Omar Marmoush is still away on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt. Prediction: Weâve never really had a proper ânew manager bounce,â and I donât expect one now. These players donât look like they have much left to fight for. Considering the thrashing at the Etihad, I only see one outcome. Manchester United 2-2 Manchester City
Manchester United Vs AFC Bournemouth Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade   Twitter: ollyzjinx01         Instagram: sir_ajirowo01  After a convincing 4â1 second-half demolition of Wolves last week, Manchester United returns to Old Trafford to face Bournemouth. A ground that, sadly, hasnât exactly been a fortress lately. In fact, Bournemouth have come here in the last two seasons and left with comfortable 3â0 wins. That alone tells you how big a test this is for the Red Devils if European qualification is still the target.  Away from the pitch, thereâs been noise again. This time involving club legends. Reports suggest some players are unhappy with the constant criticism from the Class of â92, particularly Paul Scholes, whose blunt analysis on national TV hasnât gone down well. The players feel this is a different era and that the criticism is hurting morale, especially at Old Trafford. But honestly, I donât fully buy that excuse. Scholes hasnât said anything outrageous. His main point is simple: this team lacks belief and a killer instinct. And heâs right. Teams come to Old Trafford now believing they can win something, which should never be the case. So, the real question is: Is Scholes being harsh, or do these players just lack a winning mentality?  On the pitch, United once again followed a familiar script against Wolves. A flat, disappointing first half that ended 1â1, followed by a much stronger second-half response. Goals from Mbeumo, Mount, and a Fernandes penalty sealed a 4â1 win, but it shouldnât take 45 minutes of suffering before this team wakes up. Now attention turns to this crucial fixture, the last one before Unitedâs African players head off for AFCON.  United have now lost just one of their last nine Premier League games (W5 D3), with that lone defeat coming at home to Everton under the Monday night lights. More importantly, theyâve taken 18 points from those nine games, more than they managed in the previous 17 combined. That run has lifted them to sixth place, just one point off the top four. Progress? Yes. Convincing? Not entirely.  Bruno Fernandes has been central to that improvement. The captain has been involved in eight goals in his last eight league games, scoring twice and assisting six. Against Wolves, he both scored and assisted for the 16th time in a Premier League match â a stat only bettered at United by Rooney, Giggs, and Beckham. That said, the other end of the pitch remains a problem. United have kept just one clean sheet in 15 league games this season. Only Wolves have fewer, and theyâre at the bottom. Under Amorim, United have managed just six clean sheets in 42 matches. Thatâs not a short-term issue; itâs a long-standing one.  Amorim hopes this is the game to improve defensively, especially with Bournemouth failing to score in their last two league matches. The Cherries havenât gone three games without a goal since the end of the 2022â23 season. Still, Bournemouthâs problems go beyond finishing. Theyâve created very little lately, just 18 shots across their last two matches compared to 46 in the two before that. Unsurprisingly, theyâre now six games without a league win.  Antoine Semenyo could be key if theyâre to turn things around. He started the season on fire with six goals in seven games, but he hasnât scored in his last seven league appearances. That said, Bournemouth will come with confidence. Theyâve beaten United 3â0 at Old Trafford in back-to-back seasons, something no one would have believed a few years ago. Last December, goals from Huijsen, Kluivert, and Semenyo sealed another embarrassing home defeat for United.  Unitedâs first-half performance against Wolves nearly proved my point from last week all over again. Fans were already joking that Iâd âjinxedâ them by predicting a draw. Which brings me back to the same question: Would you honestly take a 1â1 draw against this out-of-form Bournemouth side? Because I wouldnât. And if that happens, my stance remains the same â this manager has to go. Thatâs my honest opinion. Drop your score predictions below! Manchester United record against Bournemouth: Games won: 14 Games drawn: 5 Games lost: 5   Team News: (As of today, 14/12/2025,) Manchester United: Benjamin Sesko, Harry Maguire and De Ligt are out for this game. Bournemouth: Milosavljevic, Ryan Christie and Ben Doak out.   Prediction: Optaâs supercomputer gives United a 48.8% chance of winning, but Bournemouth could make unwanted history by winning three straight league games at Old Trafford by three or more goals. For me, this wonât be pretty. The pressure is heavy, the boos have been loud in recent home games, and United have to take points before losing Mbeumo to AFCON. I see a narrow win â nothing more. Manchester United 1-0 Bournemouth    Â
