FOOTBALL

Amorim to enlist Cantona and Beckham in cultural reset at Manchester United

Ruben Amorim (Manchester United)
November 2025

After a disastrous 2024-25 campaign, Ruben Amorim is reportedly planning to invite legends including Eric Cantona, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Teddy Sheringham, Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke to guide a rebuilding squad that has stabilised with recent wins and draws. A source says Amorim wants those icons to share stories, standards and pressure handling from the club’s peak years, using their presence to harden younger players mentally, reinforce what it means to represent Manchester United and support a squad already reshaped by new forwards and goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

Nagelsmann reveals Havertz relapse as Arsenal star faces longer road back

Kai Havertz (Arsenal)
November 2025

Kai Havertz has suffered a minor relapse in his recovery from knee surgery after injuring himself in training following Arsenal’s season opener against Manchester United, extending a stop start year that already included a hamstring layoff and keeping his return date uncertain for club and country. Julian Nagelsmann says Havertz is broadly doing well but needs time to regain rhythm alongside Jamal Musiala, echoing Mikel Arteta’s earlier warning that Arsenal must protect the knee carefully so he can come back for the long term rather than risk repeated breakdowns.

Rashford fronts Barca kit tribute to Ronaldinho’s Bernabeu masterclass

Marcus Rashford (Barcelona)
November 2025

Barcelona have released a 2025-26 fourth kit celebrating Ronaldinho’s iconic 3-0 El Clasico display in 2005, when he scored two solo goals at the Santiago Bernabeu and even drew a rare standing ovation from Real Madrid fans, underlining his status as a generational Barcelona legend. Marcus Rashford leads the campaign, linking a current global star to Ronaldinho’s historic night as the club leans on nostalgia, imagery of those two goals and the Bernabeu ovation to market a shirt designed to connect younger supporters with a defining Barcelona moment.

Ancelotti defends Paqueta penalty switch as Brazil stutter against Tunisia

Carlo Ancelotti (Brazil)
November 2025

Brazil finished 2025 frustrated after a 1-1 draw with Tunisia, wasting clear chances and needing an Estevao Willian penalty to cancel out Hazem Mastouri’s opener, before Lucas Paqueta fired a second spot kick over and squandered the chance to seal a comeback win. Carlo Ancelotti said Paqueta was the designated taker and he moved the responsibility from Estevao Willian, to ease pressure on the youngster, while stressing he remains confident in a serious, united squad that must navigate a demanding schedule before the 2026 World Cup.

Robertson dedicates Scotland’s World Cup return to late friend Diogo Jota

Scotland, Andy Robertson (Liverpool)
World Cup qualifier at Hampden Park ahead of the 2026 tournament

Scotland clinched a first World Cup spot since 1998 with a wild 4-2 win over Denmark at Hampden, then an emotional Andy Robertson dedicated qualification to late Liverpool team mate Diogo Jota as he described the night as possibly his last World Cup chance.
Robertson revealed he spent the day in tears thinking about Jota and the World Cup dream, praised Steve Clarke’s stirring team talk and Scotland’s never say die mentality, as late goals from Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean sparked euphoric celebrations at Hampden.

Arsenal rethink salary cap stance as Premier League vote support fades

Arsenal
In the build up to this week’s Premier League shareholders’ meeting and planned salary cap vote

Arsenal have shifted from strong backing of a Premier League salary cap to a more cautious stance after the exit of executive Tim Lewis, leaving the proposal short of firm support just as clubs prepare to vote on anchoring wage bills.
The plan would tie maximum wage spending to five times the revenue of the bottom club, which critics say could weaken English giants in Europe and face legal challenges from players and clubs, putting Friday’s shareholders’ vote and the whole project in doubt.

Arsenal braced for Gabriel layoff as injury crisis deepens title push

Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal)
November 2025

Arsenal fear Gabriel Magalhaes could miss up to two months after he left Brazil’s friendly against Senegal with a right thigh issue, a potential absence that would rule him out until mid January and remove a defensive cornerstone from a team chasing domestic and European trophies. Further scans will determine whether the layoff is closer to one month or two, but Gabriel now joins a crowded Arsenal injury list that already included Martin Odegaard, Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus, even as Arteta’s squad has still climbed to the Premier League summit.

Foden warned his England World Cup place is most at risk in Bellingham battle

Phil Foden (England)
November 2025

Phil Foden has been warned he is the attacking midfielder most vulnerable to missing England’s World Cup squad, with Jude Bellingham backed to travel after returning to the team and impressing, even as his visible frustration at being substituted in Albania drew fresh scrutiny. Tuchel has hesitated to start Foden, Bellingham and Harry Kane together, fearing three central playmakers crowd the same spaces. Foden has provided flashes and an assist for Eberechi Eze but has mostly come from the bench, raising questions over how long he will tolerate a rotation role.

Lammens enjoys perfect Belgium debut as Liechtenstein are destroyed 7-0

Senne Lammens (Belgium)
November 2025

Senne Lammens marked his Belgium debut with a clean sheet in a 7-0 demolition of Liechtenstein that sealed World Cup qualification, watching mostly from distance as his team produced a ruthless attacking display that turned early dominance into a complete second half avalanche. Hans Vanaken’s early header from a Youri Tielemans cross settled nerves before Alexis Saelemaekers and Jeremy Doku stretched the lead before half time, then goals from Brandon Mechele, Saelemaekers again and a Charles De Ketelaere brace finished the job while Lammens faced just one real save.

Arsenal urged to slim Gyokeres down after sluggish start and muscle scare

Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal)
November 2025

Viktor Gyokeres has been told he looks too heavy after a delayed 63.5 million pound move from Sporting CP, with questions over whether he arrived at Arsenal in ideal condition as early outings, including a flat debut in Hong Kong versus Tottenham, highlighted rhythm and sharpness issues. After finally settling and scoring in a 2-0 win at Burnley, the striker signalled discomfort and was withdrawn at half time, prompting Arteta to admit concern over an unusual muscular problem for such an explosive player while medical staff carry out tests to understand the extent of the setback.