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EPL: Man United goalkeeper, Lammens reveals what surprised him at Old Trafford
Manchester United goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, has revealed what surprised him when he first arrived at Old Trafford.
Lammens said that the atmosphere in the squad really surprised him.
The 23-year-old joined the Devils from Royal Antwerp for £18.1 million during the summer transfer window.
He is now the first choice after Andre Onana’s departure.
Asked who he has become closest to at the club, Lammens told Stadium Astro, “I would say maybe Tom Heaton or the fourth goalkeeper Dermot Mee or also, like, the Dutch guys.
“But I think just in general that’s what surprised me the most, it’s just the togetherness of the group and of the dressing room.”
Manchester United face Wolves in the Monday night game and would go sixth in the table with a win.
Lammens said he is pleased with how things have started for him in England.
Liverpool forward, Mohamed Salah has ignited a full-blown crisis at Anfield after delivering a stunning, seven-and-a-half-minute outburst on Saturday night, accusing the club of betrayal, revealing a broken relationship with head coach Arne Slot, and hinting at a possible January exit.
Speaking after Liverpool’s chaotic 3-3 draw with Leeds United at Elland Road, a match he watched entirely from the bench, Salah said he felt “thrown under the bus” and unfairly painted as the club’s problem during their torrid run of form.
Before Salah’s interview became public, Slot had praised the forward’s professionalism after his initial benching at West Ham:
“He was very supportive for his teammates, handled himself really well during the day and yesterday in the session as well.”
But the manager is now under enormous pressure, with some insiders believing Salah’s comments amount to a direct challenge to the club hierarchy.
“The club has thrown me under the bus” – Salah
Salah, who has now been benched in three consecutive Premier League games for the first time in his Liverpool career, did not hold back:
“I could not believe I am sitting on the bench for 90 minutes. That’s the third time. It’s the first time in my career, I think.”
“Very disappointed, done so much for this club over years, especially last season, It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus.”
“That’s how I feel it.”
He continued:
“Someone wants me to get all the blame. [The] club promised me a lot in summer. Now I’m on bench so can say they haven’t kept those promises.”
“I used to have a good relationship [with Slot]. Now we don’t have any relationship and I don’t know why. [It] seems like someone does not want me in the club.”
The comments come at a time when the Premier League champions have collapsed in form, winning just four of their last 15 games in all competitions.
Salah Benched Again and Left Out Entirely at Elland Road
Saturday’s match at Leeds marked Salah’s third straight game without a starting place, a shocking new development for a player who had started 53 consecutive league matches before last week.
Slot hasn’t played the 33-year-old a single minute since the draw at Sunderland.
After full-time, Salah walked straight down the tunnel, later reappearing to speak to reporters in what became one of the most explosive interviews of his career.
Salah Plans Farewell Before AFCON
Salah will depart Liverpool on December 15 to join Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The forward revealed he has already prepared for what may be his last Anfield appearance:
“I call my mum and dad told them to come to the Brighton game. It doesn’t matter if I play or not. I’m going to enjoy it.”
“Just going to be at Anfield and say goodbye to the fans before the African Cup, because I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there.”
“I don’t accept this situation” – Salah says he has earned his place
The Liverpool legend, who has scored 250 goals in 420 appearances, insisted the club has failed to respect his contributions.
“It’s not acceptable to me to be fair. If I was somewhere else, every club would protect its players.”
“Now, it’s ‘Throw Mo under the bus because he is a problem in a team.’ I don’t think I am a problem.”
“I am not fighting for my position every day because I have earned it.”
He added:
“I am not bigger than the club. I am not bigger than anything, but I have earned it.”
Mo Salah on Hints of Saudi Arabia Move
Asked directly whether he could join the Saudi Pro League in January, Salah looked ahead cautiously:
“I don’t want to answer that question because club will take me in a different direction. I have done so much for this club.”
“I love the fans so much and love the club, I don’t know what is next.”
The Premier League’s current top scorer also vented about perceived double standards:
“I am scoring more than anyone in this generation since I came to the Premier League. I don’t think anyone else scored more.”
“Can I give an example? It’s silly, Harry Kane was not scoring for 10 games, maybe got one or two.”
“Everyone in the media was: ‘Harry will score for sure.’ Now it is: ‘Mo needs to be on the bench.’”
Relationship with Slot “gone”
One of Salah’s most surprising admissions was that he and Arne Slot no longer communicate and does not blame his teammates:
“There is no relationship [with Slot]. It was a very good relationship. Now there is no relationship.”
“I don’t feel let down by my teammates. These guys know how much I love them and how much I support them. There is much love between us.”
Mo Salah Spotted Training after his Explosive Interview
Regret over new contract? “Even the question hurts”
Salah signed a two-year contract extension in April, months before winning the Premier League title.
Now, he admits the situation has fallen apart:
“How bad I have to answer that. Even the question hurts, I will never regret signing for this club.”
“I thought I was signing and ending my career here. Now this is not according to the plan.”
He added:
“In my head, why should it end this way? Five months ago I was winning awards, now why go in this direction?”
What’s next? January exit looms
Salah will play Brighton next weekend and possibly his final match at Anfield before AFCON. By the time he returns in late January, Liverpool might already have decided his future.
And based on his own words, the winger himself doesn’t know what comes next:
“It is what it is. In football you never know.”
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, has ended its ‘Invitation Football Competition 2025’ held at the premises of the Division headquarters in Port Harcourt, in Rivers State.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) the Division, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, speaking at the end of the match, said the primary aim of hosting the “GOC Division Invitation Football Competition 2025” was to engage the minds of the youths.
Noting that “an idle mind is devil’s workshop”, Major General Emekah said it was necessary to employ none kinetic approach to engage the mind of the young officers.
The GOC who doubles as the Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, South South, Operation Delta Safe, emphasised on the importance of physical fitness to Nigerian Army, expressing satisfaction with the tournament.
“What we try to do is to keep our youths busy and that is the primary reason we are doing this. We conduct both kinetic and non-kinetic operations and this is one of the non-kinetic.
“This will help to keep their minds fit, physical fitness is important and if you’re physically fit, it will keep your brain and mind at alert,” he noted.
He stated further that “From here we spot talents that will project beyond the barracks. Today’s match was quite impressive, but they will do better in subsequent competition.
“This is an invitational tournament. There is no need for a winner or loser. They did not show the spirit behind the competition because it is supposed to be a novelty match. I however congratulate you for winning”, Maj Gen. Emekah hailed the winning team.
Python 6 Division Football Club defeated Ugboro FC, a visiting team from Cross River State 4 -1. Trophy and cash were presented to winning teams in the week- long tournament.
Wayne Rooney has accused Egyptian International, Mohamed Salah of damaging his own reputation at Liverpool after the forward publicly claimed he had been “thrown under the bus” by the club.
Mohamed Salah’s comments came after Liverpool’s dramatic 3-3 draw with Leeds United, where he was left on the bench once again. The Egyptian said his relationship with head coach Arne Slot had collapsed, a statement that has sparked questions over his future at Anfield.
Rooney, speaking on his podcast, urged Slot to show leadership by removing Salah from the squad for upcoming matches, including Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Inter Milan and the home game against Brighton.
“Arne Slot has to show his authority and pull him in and say, ‘you are not travelling with the team, what you said is not acceptable, ’” Rooney said. “Take yourself off to AFCON and let everything calm down. If I were him, there would be no way he would be in the team.”
Rooney went further, saying Salah now faces a choice between resolving his issues with Slot or preparing to walk away from the club where he has become a modern icon.
“It needs to be sorted out quickly either way,” he added.
Salah signed a two-year extension in April but has endured a difficult start to the season. He has five goals in nineteen games and has been left out of the starting line-up for three matches in a row, a situation that has fuelled his frustration.
His remarks have already drawn interest from abroad. Reports in England claim Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal are ready to make a move in January and believe they can tempt Liverpool into a cut-price deal for the 33-year-old. Salah has scored 250 goals in 420 appearances since joining Liverpool, making him one of the most prolific players in the club’s history.
Al Hilal, now coached by Simone Inzaghi, are expected to face competition from clubs in Europe. GiveMeSport also reports that MLS side San Diego is exploring a potential offer as they prepare for their entry into the league.
According to BBC Sport, Liverpool are keeping an open mind on Salah’s future ahead of the January window. The forward is also said to be open to a new challenge.
© 2025 Naija News, a division of Polance Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has confirmed the international friendly between the Super Eagles and Pharaohs of Egypt will hold on Tuesday, 16 December.
Nigeria and Egypt were earlier scheduled to clash on Sunday, 14 December.
The decision by world football-governing body, FIFA that cubs can hold on to their players until Monday, 15 December before they are released for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations necessitated the postponement.
Aside from the postponement, the game will now be a practice match in order to allow the two teams to make use of more than five substitutes in the encounter.
The game will hold at the Cairo International Stadium.
It will kick-off at 8pm Nigerian time .
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, on Monday announced a new date for the pre-2025 Africa Cup of Nations friendly between the Super Eagles and Pharaohs of Egypt.
According to the NFF, the friendly which was earlier scheduled to hold on Sunday, 14 December has now been shifted to Tuesday, 16 December.
The NFF declared that FIFA’s decision that clubs can hold on to their players until Monday, 15 December before they are released for AFCON 2025 in Morocco necessitated the postponement.
Read Also:AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Vs Egypt Friendly Get New Date
Aside from the postponement, the game will now be a practice match in order to allow the two teams to make use of more than five substitutes in the encounter.
The game slated for the Cairo International Stadium will kick off at 8pm Egypt time (7pm Nigeria time).
The Super Eagles are drawn in Group C of the AFCON 2025 finals alongside 2004 champions Tunisia, 1978 runners-up Uganda, and Tanzania.
Nigeria’s first match is on Tuesday, 23 December against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars at the Complexe Sportif de Fes, where they will also tackle Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles (Saturday, 27 December) and the Cranes of Uganda (Tuesday, 30 December).
By Adeboye Amosu
SPORT
Xabi Alonso Blames Injuries, Referee Decisions After Real Madrid’s Shock Home Loss To Celta Vigo
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso offered a blunt assessment of his team’s 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo, pointing to a mix of tactical disruption, red cards and refereeing decisions that left his side four points behind LaLiga leaders Barcelona.
Two second-half goals from Williot Swedberg stunned the Santiago Bernabeu crowd on Sunday, as Celta Vigo punished Madrid’s mistakes and capitalised on moments of uncertainty. The hosts were reduced to ten men following red cards shown to Fran García and Álvaro Carreras, further complicating Madrid’s response.
Alonso admitted that Real Madrid never reached the rhythm he expected, especially after Éder Militão suffered an injury that forced an early reshuffle.
“We’d planned the match after the Bilbao game to play at a good pace and put pressure on a good side. We were lacking in some areas, and the injury disrupted our plans. We struggled to react; almost the best reaction was when we were down to ten men,” he said after the match.
The Spaniard also turned his frustration towards referee Quintero González, arguing that several decisions unsettled his players.
“The referee’s decisions have driven us crazy. The referee was itching to give the card to Álvaro Carreras. The refereeing has been very poor. The time-wasting, overall I didn’t like the refereeing,” Alonso said.
© 2025 Naija News, a division of Polance Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]
Maduka Okoye will be released by Udinese for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after their Serie A clash with champions Napoli on Saturday, DAILY POST reports.
Okoye was earlier expected to link up with his international teammates in camp on Monday (today).
The Federation of International Football Association, FIFA, has however ruled that clubs can keep players until December 15.
Udinese head coach Kosta Runjaic confirmed the goalkeeper will leave for international duty after Napoli’s visit to the Bluenergy Stadium this weekend.
“We’re considering this issue. After Napoli, we’ll probably no longer have Rui Modesto, Okoye, Bayo, and Zemura, but we’ve known about it for some time,” Runjaic was quoted by the club’s official website.
The 25-year-old will be making his second AFCON appearance in Morocco.
He was Super Eagles’ first choice goalkeeper at the AFCON 2021 finals in Cameroon.
Rivers United technical adviser Finidi George can’t hide his disappointment following his side’s away draw against Abia Warriors.
The former Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Imama Amapakabo’s side at the Umuahia Township Stadium on Sunday.
Rivers United scored the game’s opening goal through Maclyn Biokpo three minutes from time.
Suraj Lawal however equalised for Abia Warriors deep into stoppage time.
Read Also:NPFL: Mohammed Disappointed With Tornadoes’ Loss To Kwara United
Finidi lamented his team’s failure to protect their lead.
Finidi Rues Draw In Umuahia
“It’s just concentration, we need to get the players stronger mentally to be able to manage games when the match is almost over,” Finidi told Rivers United’s media.
“It’s not a physical thing about managing games, it’s just unfortunate how the goal was conceded.
“We came to Umuahia not to lose or maybe the players were not even sure if we can get a victory from this game but overall its a sad one.”
By Adeboye Amosu
Eric_Chelle_Reactsto_Nigeria_Performance_SportPremi
The upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco has put Nigeria’s Super Eagles under intense scrutiny as head coach Eric Chelle prepares to finalize his 28-man squad.
Chelle is expected to announce the roster this week, ahead of the tournament kicking off later this month.
His initial 54-man provisional squad drew mixed reactions, with critics urging for more players to be given international opportunities. The decision by FIFA to shorten preparation time to just about a week has complicated squad selection, limiting the possibility of a full overhaul.
Chelle, according to SCORENigeria, plans to bring in “four or five new players” to refresh the team.
Among those likely to be included are Ryan Alebiosu, the Blackburn Rovers’ promising right-back and Arsenal academy graduate making waves in the English Championship.
Others Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, the 21-year-old defensive midfielder on loan to Pisa from Inter Milan who is seen as part of the team’s future, especially as Nigeria transitions after missing out on World Cup qualification.
There is also Igoh Ogbu, the Slavia Praha’s central defender with previous national team exposure who could get another shot given injuries and absences in defense while experienced Trabzonspor’s striker, Paul Onuachu who is the Turkish Super Lig’s top scorer this season with 11 goals, expected to be recalled to provide more attacking options alongside Victor Osimhen.
But significant absences may include injured Ola Aina as well as Bright Osayi-Samuel who has been struggling for playing time at Birmingham City.
The final squads must be submitted by Thursday, which adds urgency to Chelle’s decision-making.
The AFCON 2025 will provide an important platform for emerging Nigerian players to prove themselves on a big stage while also testing the blend of youthful energy and experienced stars like Onuachu and Osimhen. Fans and stakeholders await the final squad announcement amid hopes for a strong showing in Morocco.
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has downplayed growing speculation about his potential sack following the club’s surprise 2-0 home defeat to Celta Vigo on Sunday.
The match, played at the Santiago Bernabeu, saw Real Madrid slump to a disappointing loss courtesy of two goals from Swedish youngster Williot Swedberg. The result sparked immediate speculation in the Spanish media over Alonso’s future at the helm.
However, in his post-match press conference, Alonso made it clear that he was not distracted by the reports, insisting that his sole focus remains on Real Madrid’s next game, a crucial UEFA Champions League tie against Manchester City.
“Rumours I’m getting fired? I’m not thinking of that, I’m just thinking of Wednesday’s game,” the Spanish tactician said.
Despite the pressure, Alonso struck a note of optimism and solidarity within the team. “We are all united,” he added, suggesting there is no internal crisis despite the recent result.
Naija News reports that with the defeat, Real Madrid now sit four points behind arch-rivals and current LaLiga leaders, Barcelona. The result has intensified scrutiny on Alonso, who joined Madrid after a successful stint with Bayer Leverkusen.
The upcoming clash against Manchester City in the Champions League is now seen as crucial for Alonso, both to reassert control over Madrid’s season and to silence growing criticism.
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