Osimhen decides future amid Chelsea, Man U links

Victor Osimhen is determined to see the season through with Galatasaray – but hopes to put himself in the shop window for Premier League clubs with his performances across the campaign. The 25-year-old Nigeria striker has hit the ground running in Turkey after completing a season-long loan move from Napoli to Galatasaray in September, scoring nine goals in his opening 11 games in all competitions. There had been intense speculation surrounding Osimhen’s future throughout much of the summer transfer window, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain all credited with an interest in the forward. Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli were also heavily linked but would go on to sign Ivan Toney instead after Napoli increased their asking price to strike an agreement for Osimhen. Just a month on from Osimhen’s arrival in Istanbul, Napoli confirmed that the attacker could leave the Serie A club on a permanent basis in January due to a break clause in his Galatasaray loan deal. But transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio claimed Osimhen has no interest in departing Galatasaray midway through the season and does not even want to speak with other teams at this stage. ‘First of all, Osimhen wants to finish the season at Galatasaray. He is very happy to be there and doesn’t want to talk about other clubs,’ Di Marzio told bettingexpert.com. The Nigeria striker has scored nine goals in 11 matches for Galatasaray (Picture: Getty)‘He wants to play and win there. ‘I will leave a small percentage for Galatasaray to try to buy him and I will discuss with Napoli to find an agreement.” ‘It would probably be less than the release clause, but Galatasaray are so happy with him that they plan to find a solution with Napoli.’ But while he remains focused on Galatasaray, it appears Osimhen wants to use the coming months to attract potential interest from the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United. ‘I know that a club in Saudi Arabia wants him. I don’t know the name of the club, but they are prepared to buy him for Napoli and get him back at the end of the season,’ Di Marzio added. ‘The problem is that they want to sign him now and Osimhen doesn’t want to sign now, he wants to wait. ‘He wants to use this season as an opportunity to let the Premier League clubs decide whether to make an offer to Napoli.’ According to Di Marzio, PSG are still in the running for Osimhen’s signature after failing with a bid for the Nigerian in the summer. ‘PSG are always an opportunity, and they’re the only club who have made an offer for him this summer,’ he continued. ‘They offered €220m for Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia, so maybe they’ll try to get both again. ‘But he wants to finish the season at Galatasaray, even if the Saudi Arabian club want to sign him now.’ Osimhen, who has quickly won over Galatasaray fans with his barnstorming start in Turkish football, appeared to rule out a January exit following the side’s Europa League win over Tottenham. ‘I’m here as a Galatasaray player, I’m happy here,’ Osimhen told reporters after netting twice in a 3-2 victory last month. ‘Since I came the Galatasaray fans, the club, I saw how big a family this club is. The way they have treated me and my family in a wonderful manner. It’s important to be able to give them my all on the pitch. ‘I’ve seen a lot of the speculation linking me out of the club in January, I can state through me now I’m going to be here until the end of the season. ‘And then I don’t know what Galatasaray and Napoli are negotiating but of course, if they come to me to speak about one or two things regarding this club I would consider it, of course. ‘But now I’m here, I’m focused on this team, I’m focused on the objective the club has set and I want to give my all and make sure that we win the league and if we can go further in the Europa League we can win it also because we have a good squad. ‘So far I’m enjoying my stay in Istanbul, it’s an amazing club I’m in. I’ll be there, for me it’s important I’m enjoying my football right now, I’m doing a lot for myself and my family and, of course, for this club. I’m happy to be here.’

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FA Cup: Arsenal draws holders Man Utd in third round

Holders Manchester United face a trip to Arsenal in the third round of this season’s FA Cup as two of the favourites for the trophy lock horns early in the New Year. The real glamour ties see Tottenham Hotspur visit non-league Tamworth and Bromley, in their first season in the Football League and playing in the FA Cup third round for the first time in their history, heading to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United. Premier League leaders Liverpool, who beat Arsenal in the third round last season, face Accrington Stanley whilst Manchester City face Salford City in an intriguing between two sides in close proximity to each other. The third-round ties will be played over the over the weekend of January 10-13, with the FA to confirm the full schedule in due course. FA Cup third-round draw in full Southampton vs Swansea Arsenal vs Man Utd Exeter vs Oxford Leyton Orient vs Derby Reading vs Burnley Aston Villa vs West Ham Norwich vs Brighton Man City vs Salford Millwall vs Dagenham and Redbridge Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley Bristol City vs Wolves Preston vs Charlton Chelsea vs Morecambe Middlesbrough vs Blackburn Bournemouth vs West Brom Mansfield vs Wigan Tamworth vs Tottenham Hull vs Doncaster Sunderland vs Stoke Leicester vs QPR Brentford vs Plymouth Coventry vs Sheffield Wednesday Newcastle vs Bromley Everton vs Peterborough Wycombe vs Portsmouth Birmingham vs Lincoln Leeds vs Harrogate Nottingham Forest vs Luton Sheffield United vs Cardiff Ipswich vs Bristol Rovers Fulham vs Watford Crystal Palace vs Stockport Quarter-final: Saturday March 29, 2025 Semi-final: Saturday April 26, 2025 Final: Saturday May 17, 2025

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Man Utd: Van Nistelrooy arrives for first match as interim manager

Ruud van Nistelrooy has arrived at Old Trafford to lead Manchester United as interim manager, stepping in after Erik ten Hag’s departure earlier this week following a difficult start to the season. Van Nistelrooy, a former United striker, will oversee his first game in charge against Leicester City in the Carabao Cup, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake. This match marks the beginning of the post-Ten Hag era, after Ten Hag secured two domestic trophies last season, including the Carabao Cup, which ended United’s six-year trophy drought. Van Nistelrooy had been appointed as Ten Hag’s assistant over the summer in anticipation of Ten Hag’s third season, but now finds himself leading the team in a transitional period. United are actively pursuing a new permanent manager, with Ruben Amorim from Sporting Lisbon as the top candidate. Amorim arrived at Sporting’s headquarters on Wednesday to conduct training but faces a potential mid-season exit that some players reportedly view with concern. Sporting confirmed on Tuesday that Amorim’s £8.3 million release clause had been paid, leaving the final decision up to the manager.

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Man United sacks manager Erik ten Hag

Manchester United have sacked Erik ten Hag after a dismal start to the season. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s new football structure kept Ten Hag in charge after winning the FA Cup but have parted ways with the manager just five months after that success at Wembley. United lost 2-1 against West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday, which represented their fourth loss in nine league games, and Ten Hag was relieved of his duties on Monday. Ten Hag was heavily backed in the summer transfer window and signed Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs De Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte but results have been poor. The Dutchman’s spending in time charge of United surpassed £600million and he failed to build on an excellent first season, which saw United finish third and win the Carabao Cup. United contacted other managers in the build-up to the FA Cup final last season. Ten Hag oversaw a stunning victory against Manchester City at Wembley and Ineos decided to extend his contract, despite compelling evidence suggesting he should have been relieved of his duties. The statement confirming Ten Hag had been sacked read: “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager. Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024. “We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future. Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.” Ratcliffe made radical changes after acquiring a minority stake in United and there was mixed reaction to keeping Ten Hag after he oversaw the most defeats in all competitions since 1977/78. Although United won the FA Cup last term, they finished eighth in the Premier League, which was their lowest-ever finish in the top-flight, and recorded a minus goal difference.

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Man Utd made Olise attempt before Bayern swoop

Manchester United made an enquiry for Michael Olise this summer but could not sign him. The Red Devils did go after the former Crystal Palace winger, but only after Bayern Munich had moved ahead in the race. Per The Mail, Olise had already committed to Bayern and was not going to change his mind. United were even looking to use Sir Alex Ferguson to try and persuade the winger to join. However, Olise believes that he can get good game time at Bayern and can develop his game. Whether he comes back to the Premier League is unclear, but United will be monitoring his progress.

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Zidane hints at Man Utd job

Zinedine Zidane has admitted he is open to a long-awaited return to management after speculation linking him to Manchester United resurfaced. Zidane has been without a job since leaving Real Madrid for the second time in May 2021. The 52-year-old Frenchman has been linked with several roles in the past three years, including United, Bayern Munich and the national team jobs at United States, Brazil and Algeria, but is still biding his time. He sparked rumours that he could be preparing for a return to the dugout this week when he was spotted attending a training session at Real Betis. It comes amid pressure on Erik ten Hag at United following a poor start to the season, just months after the club’s new leadership team openly courted other managers. Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Gareth Southgate were among those considered by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his advisors, while L’Equipe stated that Zidane was also interested in taking over from Ten Hag. In the end, Ten Hag was given a stay of execution, but the Dutchman remains on shaky ground after the 3-0 thrashing by Liverpool at Old Trafford. At the premiere of a film about his former Juventus manager Marcelo Lippi in February, Zidane was asked if he would return to coaching. He replied: “Why not, anything can happen. Now I’m doing other things, but we’ll see. I’d certainly like to return to the bench.” Zidane has only ever managed at Real Madrid so far in his coaching career, but was incredibly successful over his two spells at the club. The former midfielder won two La Liga titles and three Champions League titles before walking away at the end of the 2020/21 campaign. He has taken an unusually long time out since then, but his ethos is clear: he will only return for the right opportunity. “Never say never,” Zidane told L’Equipe in 2022. “Especially when you are a coach today. If I go back to a club, it is to win. I say this with all modesty. That’s why I can’t just go anywhere. “For other reasons, too. Certain conditions make things more difficult. When someone says to me, ‘Do you want to go to Manchester [United]?’ I understand English but I don’t fully master it. “I know there are coaches who go to clubs without speaking the language, but I work differently. To win, many elements come into play. It’s a global context. I know what I need to win. Of course, I might not always win, but I know that you need to have this, this and this. And I want to do everything on my side to optimise my chances of victory.”

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