United News of Bangladesh

Manchester United kicked off Michael Carrick’s first game as coach with a stunning 2-0 win over Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday, lifting spirits at Old Trafford. Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu sealed victory in the 198th Manchester derby. Carrick, appointed just four days ago on a short-term deal until the end of the season, praised his team’s energy but urged consistency. “It needs to be a regular feeling,” he said. City manager Pep Guardiola acknowledged United’s dominance. “The better team won,” he said. City’s winless run extended to four games, leaving them seven points behind league leader Arsenal, who could only draw 0-0 at Nottingham Forest. Liverpool also dropped points at home, drawing 1-1 with relegation-threatened Burnley, extending their winless streak to four games in 2026. Coach Arne Slot admitted the frustration of fans was understandable. Chelsea, under new coach Liam Rosenior, recorded a 2-0 victory over Brentford at Stamford Bridge, ending Brentford’s five-game unbeaten run. Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer scored, helping Chelsea rise to sixth in the table. Leeds United maintained momentum with a 1-0 win over Fulham, while West Ham ended a 10-game winless streak with a 2-1 victory against Tottenham, secured by Callum Wilson’s added-time goal. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace faced setbacks, losing 2-1 at Sunderland amid growing frustration over the impending sale of captain Marc Guehi. Manager Oliver Glasner voiced concerns about a lack of support for the squad. The weekend’s results reshaped the Premier League table, highlighting Carrick’s explosive start at United, ongoing struggles for Liverpool, and mixed fortunes for top-six contenders Arsenal, Chelsea, and West Ham.  

The glittering FIFA World Cup trophy arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday morning as part of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour. The trophy, accompanied by Brazilian 2002 FIFA World Cup winner and FIFA ambassador Gilberto da Silva, landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 10:00 am. Tabith Mohammed Awal, president of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), received the trophy at the airport. It was then transported to Hotel Radisson Blu, where it will be displayed in the afternoon, allowing selected fans and invited guests to view the iconic trophy. The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour was jointly launched by FIFA and its beverage partner Coca-Cola on January 3 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with Italian football legend Alessandro Del Piero unveiling the trophy. The tour will end on June 11 at the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup in Mexico, after visiting 30 FIFA member associations across 75 stops over more than 150 days, giving fans worldwide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see football’s most coveted prize. FIFA reportedly weighing plan for 64-nation World Cup in 2030 The trophy has previously visited Bangladesh during the Russia and Qatar World Cups.

Real Madrid and Barcelona will face off in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday in Jeddah, marking the fourth consecutive time the rivals have met in the competition since the four-team format was introduced in 2020. This encounter also repeats last season’s Copa del Rey final, which Barcelona won 3-2 after extra time. Real Madrid claimed the first league meeting this season, winning 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu in October. Barcelona enters the match atop La Liga with a four-point lead over Real Madrid, while coach Xabi Alonso’s future remains under scrutiny. Real Madrid reached the final after a hard-fought semifinal victory over Atletico Madrid, where despite Atletico’s dominance, poor finishing and Thibaut Courtois’ goalkeeping secured the win. Barcelona, by contrast, advanced comfortably, with young talent Lamine Yamal expected to play a bigger role after limited minutes against Athletic Bilbao. Real Madrid faces injury concerns heading into the final. Antonio Rudiger is likely out with a knee issue, Rodrygo is doubtful with a muscle problem, and there is uncertainty over Kylian Mbappe, who missed the semifinal but traveled to Jeddah. Alonso said he will not risk important players unnecessarily, though Mbappe’s presence could influence both the team and Barcelona’s strategy. Defensive adjustments are expected, with either Dean Huijsen or Aurelien Tchouameni likely partnering Raul Asencio in central defense. Barcelona’s previous 5-2 Super Cup victory over Madrid adds extra motivation for Alonso’s side to avoid a repeat outcome. The final promises to be tightly contested as both sides look to assert dominance in Spain’s first major title of 2026.  

Top-ranked Indiana delivered another commanding performance in the College Football Playoff, overwhelming No. 5 Oregon 56-22 in the Peach Bowl semifinal on Friday night to book a place in the national championship game. Behind a dominant defensive display and a near-flawless outing from quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the undefeated Hoosiers extended their perfect season to 15-0 and underlined why they entered the playoff as the title favorites. Indiana will face No. 10 Miami in the championship game on Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Miami edged Mississippi 31-27 in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal on Thursday night. The Hoosiers built a crushing 35-7 halftime lead, powered by three first-half turnovers that directly led to touchdowns. Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner and a Miami native, completed 17 of 20 passes for five touchdowns, including two to Elijah Sarratt and a 36-yard strike to Charlie Becker. Kaelon Black added two rushing touchdowns. “I thought he was incredible,” Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said of Mendoza. “He was on top of the game and his performance was a huge difference in this football game.” Oregon coach Dan Lanning praised the quarterback’s poise, saying Mendoza “makes the right decisions” and consistently puts the ball in the right place. Indiana’s defense set the tone immediately. On the Ducks’ first offensive snap, cornerback D’Angelo Ponds intercepted Dante Moore’s pass and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown, just 11 seconds into the game. After Oregon briefly tied the score at 7-7 on Moore’s touchdown pass to Jamari Johnson, Indiana took control for good. Mendoza connected with Omar Cooper Jr. for an 8-yard touchdown, then the defense forced a fumble at the Oregon 3-yard line, setting up Black’s scoring run. Moore lost another fumble later in the second quarter, leading to Mendoza’s first touchdown pass to Sarratt and a 35-7 halftime cushion. Indiana stretched the lead to 42-7 early in the second half on a 13-yard scoring pass to E.J. Williams Jr. Oregon, playing without two of its top running backs, struggled to move the ball against Indiana’s stifling defense. The Ducks managed just nine rushing yards on 17 carries in the first half and were forced to rely on backup runners Jay Harris and Dierre Hill Jr. Indiana’s special teams also made an impact when Daniel Ndukwe blocked a punt in the fourth quarter, setting up another Mendoza touchdown pass to Sarratt. With the win, Indiana kept the Big Ten on track for a third straight national title, following championships by Ohio State and Michigan the past two seasons. Following a 38-3 demolition of Alabama in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal and now a blowout of Oregon, the Hoosiers head into the title game with enormous momentum — and a growing case as one of the most complete teams college football has seen in years. College Football Playoff considering expansion to 12 teams

He turns 59 in February, and the globe's oldest professional soccer player has a new club as he gets set for his 41st season. This is of course Kazuyoshi Miura who is known in Japan as “King Kazu." Miura announced his signing this week with third-division J-League team Fukushima United. He is moving on loan from Yokohama FC and spent last season on loan with fourth-division club Atletico Suzuka. He failed to score in seven matches with Suzuka. Miura has played professionally in Brazil, Italy, Croatia, Australia and Portugal. And of course in Japan. He made his debut in 1986 with Santos in Brazil, a club made famous by Brazilian star Pelé. In 2017 at age 50, he became the oldest player to score in a professional match. That topped the record held by highly decorated England international Stanley Matthews. Miura was one of the first big names in Japanese soccer. He scored 55 goals in 89 appearance and was a star with Japan’s national team in the 1990s.    

Lionel Messi has said that when his playing career ends, he would rather become a football club owner than work as a coach. The Argentine superstar recently signed a new three-year contract with Inter Miami that will keep him at the club until the 2028 season. Speaking in an interview with Luzu TV recorded in December and aired this week, the 38-year-old said coaching does not interest him. “I don’t see myself as a coach,” Messi said. “I like management, but if I had to choose, I would prefer to be an owner. I would love to have my own club, help it grow from the bottom, and give young players the chance to develop and build something important.” Messi, who led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, is already involved in club ownership. He is a part owner of Uruguay’s fourth-division side Deportivo LSM, alongside his Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez. Suarez launched the club in 2018 and said it was a family dream. The club now has more than 3,000 members and focuses on helping young players in Uruguay develop their football skills. Under his Inter Miami contract, Messi will also receive a future minority ownership stake in the MLS club. On the field, Messi enjoyed a brilliant season. He won the MLS Golden Boot after scoring 29 goals, five more than LAFC’s Denis Bouanga and Nashville’s Sam Surridge. He also provided 19 assists, taking his total goal involvement to 48 — just one short of the league record set by Carlos Vela in 2019. Guardiola questions claim of two-horse Premier League title race Messi also made history by becoming the first player to win back-to-back MLS MVP awards.

Inspired by Sadio Mané, defending champions Senegal advanced to the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals with a 3-1 victory over Sudan on Saturday. With suspended captain Kalidou Koulibaly absent, Mané led by example, creating goals and pressing relentlessly. He set up two goals for Pape Gueye and later assisted substitute Ibrahim Mbaye as Senegal recovered from an early shock sixth-minute goal by Sudan’s Aamir Abdallah. Gueye equalized in the 29th minute before scoring again prior to halftime. Mbaye sealed the win late as the Lions of Teranga booked a quarterfinal meeting with Mali on Jan. 9 in Tangier. Earlier, Mali reached the last eight after edging Tunisia 3-2 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra time in Casablanca. Despite playing with 10 men from the 26th minute, Mali held firm as goalkeeper Djigui Diarra saved two penalties. Tunisia appeared set to win late in regulation time before conceding a stoppage-time penalty, allowing Lassine Sinayoko to force extra time. Mali ultimately prevailed, setting up a West African quarterfinal showdown with Senegal.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has questioned suggestions that the Premier League title race this season is only between his side and leaders Arsenal. His comments came after Arsenal moved five points clear at the top with a dominant 4-1 win over Aston Villa on Tuesday. The defeat pushed third-placed Villa six points behind Arsenal, though City can cut the gap to two points with a win at Sunderland on Thursday. Asked if the title fight was now only between City and Arsenal, Guardiola expressed doubt. He said opinions have changed quickly in recent weeks, with different teams being counted in the race at different times. Liverpool are currently fourth in the table and trail Arsenal by 13 points as they try to defend their title. City ended 2025 strongly with eight straight wins in all competitions after a difficult, trophyless year. However, they face a tough test away to Sunderland, who are unbeaten at home this season. Guardiola said Sunderland have been strong since returning to the Premier League and noted that several top teams have struggled to win at their ground. He added that City are ready for a difficult match. The City boss also played down transfer speculation ahead of the January window. Reports have linked the club with Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, while winger Oscar Bobb has been linked with a possible loan move to Borussia Dortmund. Guardiola said he had no updates on transfers and stressed that he was focused only on the upcoming matches.   With inputs from BBC

Approaching his 59th birthday in February, the world’s oldest active professional footballer is set to begin yet another chapter in his extraordinary career, entering what will be his 41st season. Kazuyoshi Miura, affectionately known as “King Kazu” in Japan, announced this week that he has signed with Fukushima United, a third-division J-League club. He joins the team on loan from Yokohama FC, following a season-long loan spell with fourth-tier side Atletico Suzuka, where he appeared in seven matches without finding the net. Miura’s career spans continents and decades. Since making his professional debut in 1986 with Brazil’s Santos — the legendary club associated with Pelé — he has played in leagues across Brazil, Italy, Croatia, Australia, Portugal and Japan. In 2017, at the age of 50, Miura set a global milestone by becoming the oldest player to score in a professional match, surpassing a long-standing record held by former England great Stanley Matthews. A trailblazer for Japanese football, Miura was among the country’s first major soccer stars. During the 1990s, he was a key figure for Japan’s national team, scoring 55 goals in 89 appearances and helping raise the sport’s profile nationwide. Even as he nears 60, Miura continues to defy age, driven by an enduring passion for the game. Source: AP

Defending champion Ivory Coast and five-time Africa Cup of Nations winner Cameroon played out a thrilling 1-1 draw on Sunday, while Algeria secured a spot in the last 16, with France legend Zinedine Zidane once again in attendance. Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo had a chance to snatch victory in the dying moments but was denied by Ivorian defender Odilon Kossounou, who blocked the ball with his body. Both sides displayed determination throughout, with Cameroon showing unity under new coach David Pagou following the dismissal of Marc Brys amid a public dispute. The match in Marrakech saw Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo break the deadlock in the 51st minute with a curling strike, his second goal in two games. Cameroon equalized five minutes later via Junior Tchamadeu, whose deflected shot off Ivorian defender Ghislain Konan was recorded as an own goal. Both teams now sit on four points in Group F, keeping their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive. A moment of silence was observed before the match for former Ivory Coast coach Jean-Louis Gasset, who recently passed away. Elsewhere, Algeria defeated Burkina Faso 1-0, with Riyad Mahrez converting a 23rd-minute penalty for his third goal in two games. The Fennec Foxes topped Group E with six points, advancing to the knockout round. Zidane watched from the stands alongside Algerian fans, while his son Luca saw limited action in goal due to a teammate’s injury. Senegal cruise past Botswana as Nigeria edge Tanzania in Africa Cup openers Sudan revived its hopes of progression with a 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea in Casablanca. The team faces Burkina Faso in their final group match on Wednesday, with a last-16 berth at stake, while Equatorial Guinea has been eliminated. The African tournament continues to produce intense clashes, with top teams aiming for progression and fans, including football legends, keeping a close eye on the action. Source: AP