Ole Gunnar Solskjaer called the chastening loss to Manchester City “a big step backwards” as Manchester United’s lifeless derby defeat heaped more pressure on the under-fire manager. The 186th Manchester derby saw the Red Devils return to Old Trafford for the first time since their 5-0 Premier League humiliation at the hands of Liverpool a fortnight ago. United responded wi...Full Story »

Richie Wellens was pleased to see Doncaster book their place in the second round of the FA Cup at the expense of Scunthorpe but was frustrated his side made hard work of getting past League Two’s bottom club.Though the visitors carved out the better chances, it was Ryan Loft’s own goal seven minutes before half-time that settled a contest possessing plenty of energy, but lacking qual...Full Story »

Under-fire Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer faces fresh scrutiny and pressure after Manchester City provided their latest Old Trafford humbling.A fortnight on from the embarrassing 5-0 home humiliation at the hands of rivals Liverpool, the Red Devils fell to another one-sided defeat as they returned to the scene of the crime for the 186th Manchester derby.Pep Guardiola’s men ...Full Story »

No blasphemy intended but it is precisely true that his has been a second coming. Ex-Man Utd and Everton chief David Moyes has quietly amassed 1,000 games as a manager but is starting to make a loud statement as West Ham boss West Ham boss David Moyes applauds fans after Thursday's 2-2 draw at Genk as he looks to develop the Prem high-fliers into a European force First time around David led...Full Story »

Real Madrid superstar Bale returned to training this week after being sidelined by a serious hamstring injury in September. Pacy frontman Gareth Bale is set to join the Wales squad despite being out injured for the past two months with Spanish giants Real Madrid Credit: Getty The 32-year-old attacker will miss Saturday's LaLiga clash with Rayo Vallecano at the Bernabeu. But Real boss Ancelott...Full Story »

Xavi is set to return to Barcelona as their new permanent head coach following the sacking of Ronald Koeman. Koeman's 14-month reign came to an end following Barca's 1-0 defeat to Rayo Vallecano on October 27, with the Dutch boss failing to convince. Barca have now turned to another club legend in an effort to steady their ship, with World Cup winner Xavi leaving Qatar-based club Al Sadd as ...Full Story »

Dean Smith is confident he can turn around Aston Villa’s fortunes if he is afforded time.Villa slumped to a fifth straight defeat as Adam Armstrong’s early strike was enough for Southampton to earn a 1-0 win at St Mary’s on Friday night.If results go against Smith’s side this weekend they could go into the international break in the Premier League bottom three.The 50-year...Full Story »

Adam Armstrong’s early strike was enough for Southampton to earn three points against Aston Villa and inflict a fifth consecutive loss to increase pressure on manager Dean Smith.Villa have not collected a single point since winning at Manchester United on September 25 and this 1-0 reverse will only fan the flames of speculation regarding Smith’s position.The travelling supporters at ...Full Story »

Matty Taylor should continue to lead the line when former club Bristol Rovers pitch up at Oxford for Saturday’s FA Cup first-round tie.The 31-year-old has not missed a League One game all season, scoring five goals in his last seven matches.Cameron Brannagan will be back in the squad after illness.The midfielder missed last weekend’s 3-1 win over Morecambe.Striker Brett Pitman will m...Full Story »

Jordan McGhee is unlikely to be available for Dundee’s cinch Premiership game against Celtic at Dens Park on Sunday.McGhee will have a knee injury assessed but boss James McPake expects it will require a tidy-up.Cillian Sheridan is out with an Achilles injury, while Alex Jakubiak remains on the sidelines following surgery on a dislocated shoulder and Leigh Griffiths is unable to play again...Full Story »

Portsmouth will be without midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe for the visit of Harrow in the FA Cup first round on Saturday.After he was forced off during the recent victory over Bolton, it has been confirmed Tunnicliffe will be set for a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.Captain Clark Robertson (hip), Ellis Harrison (ankle) and Jayden Reid (knee) remain on the treatment table for Pompey.P...Full Story »

On-loan forward Nathan Broadhead is set to continue his comeback from injury as Sunderland face Mansfield in the FA Cup.Broadhead was sidelined for a month with a hamstring injury but came on as a late substitute in the midweek loss at Sheffield Wednesday.Saturday’s game comes too soon for defender Arbenit Xhemajli to be involved, although he could return for the Papa John’s Trophy t...Full Story »

Ipswich manager Paul Cook insists his team selection will show just how seriously he is taking the FA Cup.Cook would not reveal any details of possible changes to the starting XI, but intimated he would not be making wholesale changes following the 4-1 win at Wycombe.Cameron Burgess will hope to continue in defence after coming on for the injured Hayden Coulson at Adams Park.Janoi Donacien will ...Full Story »

Everton midfielder Fabian Delph could make his first start of the season against Tottenham after playing the second half of Monday’s loss at Wolves on his return from injury.Yerry Mina (thigh) remains out but fellow defender Lucas Digne, who missed the Wolves game, has trained this week and is expected to be available.Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin (thigh) and midfielders Andre Gomes (calf)...Full Story »

Shayden Morris could start for Fleetwood as they prepare to take on Burton at Highbury Stadium.The 19-year-old has missed a handful of games this season through injury but has come off the bench in Fleetwood’s last two fixtures, scoring the equaliser against Wycombe last week.Conor McLaughlin and Anthony Pilkington are in line to feature on the weekend for Simon Grayson’s side.James ...Full Story »

Manchester United have defensive issues ahead of their Premier League derby clash with Manchester City at Old Trafford.Raphael Varane faces four to five weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury suffered during the Champions League game against Atalanta, while Victor Lindelof faces a fitness test on the knock that forced him to miss Tuesday’s 2-2 draw.Paul Pogba serves the second game...Full Story »

Mason Mount could still feature in Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Burnley despite struggling with infected wisdom teeth.Marcos Alonso will miss out with an ankle problem, but Christian Pulisic and N’Golo Kante should be in action.Mateo Kovacic (thigh), Romelu Lukaku (ankle) and Timo Werner (thigh) are all still sidelined.Burnley winger Aaron Lennon is a doubt due to a bout of il...Full Story »

High-flying West Brom will be without defender Kean Bryan for Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship meeting with Middlesbrough.Bryan suffered a knee problem during Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Hull, with Baggies boss Valerien Ismael saying it appears to be a “bad injury”.Defenders Darnell Furlong and Kyle Bartley return to contention for third-placed Albion after serving one-match ...Full Story »

Hearts striker Liam Boyce has a good chance of returning for Saturday’s cinch Premiership visit of Dundee United after missing the last two matches with a calf injury.Andy Halliday is suspended following his red card in last weekend’s defeat at Aberdeen.Everyone else is expected to be available to manager Robbie Neilson.Dundee United could have an unchanged squad for the trip to Tyne...Full Story »

Crawley will be without suspended defender Joel Lynch for Saturday’s FA Cup first-round tie with Sky Bet League Two rivals Tranmere.Lynch was sent off during last weekend’s 4-1 loss at home to Port Vale.Striker Ashley Nadesan returns to contention after serving a two-match ban.Crawley are still missing defender Jordan Tunnicliffe due to injury.Tranmere have no fresh selection concern...Full Story »