United Monitoring Napoli’s Alex Meret
Manchester United are reportedly tracking Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season. The Italian shot-stopper has drawn attention due to his consistent performances for the Serie A side. Currently, United’s goalkeeping hierarchy is clear, with André Onana established as the first choice, supported by Altay Bayındır and veteran Tom Heaton. However, Bayındır’s limited game time—having only featured in the Carabao Cup—has led to speculation that he may seek a move for regular football at the season’s conclusion. Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg reports that Meret is on United’s radar as a potential replacement. The 27-year-old has been a mainstay for Napoli since joining from Udinese in 2018, playing a pivotal role in their Scudetto-winning 2022/23 campaign. This season, Meret has recorded seven clean sheets in 11 Serie A matches, conceding only eight goals. Despite his impressive form, contract negotiations with Napoli remain at an impasse, leaving his future uncertain. United are not alone in their interest, with Inter Milan also monitoring the situation. Should the Red Devils secure Meret’s signature, it would continue their trend of recruiting from Serie A following Onana’s arrival from Inter in 2023.
United Draw Arsenal in FA Cup Third Round
Manchester United will begin their FA Cup defence with a blockbuster tie against Arsenal in the third round of the competition. Premier League and Championship clubs enter at this stage, setting up a highly anticipated clash at the Emirates. The Red Devils, now led by Ruben Amorim, will aim to secure their third consecutive domestic cup title. Last season, under Erik ten Hag, United lifted the FA Cup after a memorable victory over Manchester City in the final. While that triumph offered temporary job security, Ten Hag’s tenure ultimately ended after a sluggish start to the current season.
Amorim faces a challenging January, with this fixture marking the start of a demanding schedule that includes clashes with Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, and Manchester City. Although a cup run would boost morale, Amorim’s primary focus remains improving United’s Premier League standing. Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who last won the FA Cup in 2020, will be eager to add to his silverware haul as the Gunners chase success on multiple fronts. Elsewhere, Liverpool begin their FA Cup journey under Arne Slot with a tie against Accrington Stanley, while Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City face Salford City as they aim to end a poor run of form. The third-round ties are scheduled for the weekend of 11-12 January.
Garnacho Nominated for FIFA Puskás Award
Alejandro Garnacho’s stunning bicycle kick against Everton has been nominated for the prestigious FIFA Puskás Award, which honours the best goals scored globally between August 2023 and August 2024. The young Argentine’s strike is the only Premier League goal shortlisted this year. Garnacho’s acrobatic effort came from a pinpoint cross by Diogo Dalot, with the winger executing a perfect overhead finish to beat Jordan Pickford. The goal has been widely regarded as the finest of his burgeoning United career. Fans can support Garnacho’s bid for the award by voting online. He faces stiff competition from nominees including Yassine Benzia, Federico Dimarco, and Mohammed Kudus. Remarkably, Jaden Philogene’s entry marks the first Championship goal ever nominated for the award. The Puskás Award, named after Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskás, has recognised some of football’s most iconic strikes, and Garnacho’s nomination is a testament to his growing influence at Old Trafford.