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Manchester United vs Newcastle – Premier League LIVE: Latest score, team news and updates as the Red Devils host the Magpies in standalone Boxing Day fixture
Follow Daily Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as Manchester United host Newcastle at Old Trafford in the Premier League, with Ian Ladyman and Chris Wheeler reporting from the grounds.
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Manchester United vs Newcastle – Premier League LIVE: Latest score, team news and updates as the Red Devils host the Magpies in standalone Boxing Day fixture
Nigeria winger Samuel Chukwueze has said it is important for the Africa Cup of Nations to be respected by the football world.
European clubs have constantly criticised the timing of the AFCON.
Teams in the Premier League are always mostly affected, with some of them losing their players for up to one month.
Chukwueze believed that playing in the AFCON is a big honour, and the competition must be respected like the World Cup and European Championships.
Read Also:AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Will Beat Tunisia — Bassey
He told Reuters: “Everyone wants to play in AFCON. It is one of the best tournaments in the world. You have to respect AFCON in the same way that you respect the EM or the World Cup.
“We understand that they have planned it at the wrong time of the year, but when it is important and you are taken off, you have to leave.
“You have no choice, your club can’t stop you, and no one should say anything bad about AFCON.
“Yes, they have put it at the wrong time, but to say it’s not a good or big tournament is unacceptable.”
By Adeboye Amosu
Former Arsenal player Paul Merson has predicted the Premier League match-day 18 games taking place on Christmas, Boxing Day and this weekend.
Manchester United will take on Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.
On Saturday afternoon, Nottingham Forest will clash with Manchester City, followed by Liverpool facing Wolves at Anfield in the evening.
Later that evening, Arsenal will host Brighton, while Chelsea will tackle Aston Villa.
On Sunday, Crystal Palace will clash with Tottenham Hotspur, and Sunderland will take on Leeds United.
Here are Merson’s predictions via Sportskeeda:
Man United 2-2 Newcastle
Nottingham Forest 1-1 Manchester City
West Ham 2-1 Fulham
Brentford 2-1 Bournemouth
Liverpool 3-0 Wolves
Arsenal 3-0 Brighton
Burnley 1-1 Everton
Chelsea 2-2 Aston Villa
Sunderland 2-1 Leeds United
Crystal Palace 1-1 Tottenham
The Pharaohs of Egypt sealed a place in the Round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations following a 1-0 victory over South Africa at the Stade d’Agadir.
The two teams came into the contest on the back of wins against Zimbabwe and Angola.
Mohamed Salah scored the winning goal from the penalty spot on the dot of 45 minutes.
Salah was brought down inside the box by Khuliso Mudau.
Read Also:AFCON 2025: Angola, Zimbabwe Share Spoils In Marrakech
Following a VAR review, Egypt were awarded a penalty, and the Liverpool forward stepped up to calmly dispatch it past Ronwen Williams.
Egypt moved top of Group B with six points from two games.
South Africa remain on three points, and can seal a place in the Round of 16 with a win over Zimbabwe in their last group game.
Olympic champion Suni Lee swapped her leotard for the lens on Christmas Day, working as the guest photographer for the Vikings-Lions clash.
The 22-year-old gymnast is a six-time Olympic medalist who has represented the United States at the past two Games.
Lee won gold in both Tokyo and Paris alongside Simone Biles and Co. But on Christmas Day this year, she was on the other side of the camera.
The Saint Paul, Minnesota, native headed to US Bank Stadium for the Vikings’ clash with the Detroit Lions.
She was behind the camera as the Lions were eliminated from playoff contention following their 23-10 loss in Minneapolis. Lee is not the first sports star to try their hand as a photographer.
Back in August, NFL legend Marshawn Lynch was behind the lens at the Seahawks-Raiders preseason clash, while ex-baseball star Ken Griffey J. is now regularly seen covering major events as a photographer.
Olympic champion Suni Lee worked as the guest photographer for the Vikings-Lions clash
The 22-year-old gymnast has represented the United States at the past two Olympic Games
The Minnesota native headed to US Bank Stadium for the Vikings’ clash with the Detroit Lions
Lee was on hand for a Christmas Day clash that featured a remarkable halftime show, headlined by Snoop Dogg.
The hip-hop legend was followed by the Korean group HUNTRIX – the musical trio behind the popular Netflix film ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ – who performed ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’.
Country music star Laney Wilson then arrived on a silver sled to sing the hit ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ before Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and his son Matteo closed the show with a duet of ‘White Christmas’. Lee later had the chance to meet Snoop Dogg and the members of HUNTRIX.
The 22-year-old claimed three more medals in Paris, adding to her haul from the previous Games in Tokyo, after overcoming an incurable kidney disease that threatened to cut her career short.
But back in September, just a year on from the Paris Olympics, Lee suggested she might not make another comeback – not even for her home games at Los Angeles 2028.
‘My life has been crazy,’ she told the Daily Mail. ‘I’ve just been learning to find myself and find everything else that I’m passionate about because who knows if I’ll come back for the next Olympics. But it’s been a really fun journey.’
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US Olympic hero Suni Lee spotted working as a photographer at NFL Christmas Day game
Egypt has become the first country to qualify for the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON.
This follows their narrow 1-0 win over South Africa in a Group A fixture on Friday evening.
The Pharoahs had opened their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe.
Against the Bafana Bafana, Egypt scored the only goal of the encounter in the first half, after Mohamed Salah converted from the penalty spot.
And although they finished the half with 10 men after Mohamed Hany was shown a red card, the North Africans held on for all three points.
They will now face Angola in their last group fixture, while South Africa take on Zimbabwe.
Angola and Zimbabwe battled to a 1-1 draw in their Group B clash at the Stade de Marrakech on Friday.
The regional rivals, who lost their opening fixtures to South Africa and Egypt were looking to get their campaign back on track, but instead settled for a share of the spoils.
Angola took control of the game from the start, and went in front through Gelson Dala in the 24th minute.
Dala fired home from inside the box after he was set up by To Carneiro.
Read Also:AFCON 2025: Mali Captain Bissouma Doubtful For Morocco Clash
Experienced forward Knowledge Musona equalised for Zimbabwe late in the first half.
Angola continued their dominance in the second half but couldn’t find a way past the Zimbabwe defence.
They will now shift attention to their crucial last group game against the Pharaohs of Egypt next week Tuesday.
Zimbabwe will take on South Africa same day.
By Adeboye Amosu
SPORT
‘The best is yet to come’: Liverpool boss Arne Slot demands urgent improvement in specific aspect of team’s performances
Arne Slot has demanded an immediate improvement in Liverpool’s set piece output in order to accelerate the team’s ability to fulfil its potential.
Liverpool have started to turn the corner after a ruinous autumn, with a six-game unbeaten run that – in all probability – should extend to a seventh against Wolves on Saturday afternoon, though Slot has cautioned against the prospect of taking anything for granted against the basement side.
Slot is adamant Liverpool are capable of getting to significantly higher levels but he has been flummoxed by how poorly they have dealt with an area of the game that was so profitable for them in their title-winning campaign and has taken on such huge importance.
It is a source of intense frustration to Slot that Liverpool’s record has been so poor from corners and free-kicks – they have scored from three yet conceded 11, 12 months ago they had scored two and conceded three – but he is convinced that if they can make the relevant adjustments, the complexion of their season will change dramatically.
‘The best is still to come for this team, which I think we all agree on,’ said Slot, ahead of a game in which the late Diogo Jota’s sons, Dinis and Duarte, will accompany the mascots onto the pitch before kick-off.
‘If you look at our set piece balance, there is not one team in the world that is minus eight in set pieces and is still joint-fourth in the league. If you find that team please come to me. We are from open play the number one team in the league for chance creation but I don’t think anyone sees it.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot is demanding a major improvement in his side’s set-piece output
The Reds have already conceded a whopping 11 goals from corners and free-kicks this season
‘I think in general we are criticised a lot. That is true if you simply look at the results, but if you were to exclude the set pieces then the world would look completely different and we would probably be five or six points higher.
‘People say: “what are you talking about? Set pieces are part of the game.” It is part of football and the minutes you play but it is a different world you could say. I would love to do better. The fundamental is the football itself and set pieces are an add-on.’
Slot, who is without the suspended Dominik Szoboszlai for the Wolves match, added: ‘Set pieces can make such a massive difference because if you score from a set piece and it is 1-0 then all the chances you created before are accepted and people say: ‘Wow, what a great game! Look at how well, they played!’
What Slot was at pains to emphasise, however, was the point he does not think Liverpool are in a false position and is not looking to make excuses. The Dutchman has, nonetheless, underlined he will not tolerate another spell that threatened to blow Liverpool off course completely.
‘We should be higher, let that be clear,’ said Slot. ‘I was expecting and hoping for us to be even higher in the league table. But even in the last six games the difference between us and the other team is constantly too small.
‘Now we have been a few times a little bit lucky with the result and we need to find a situation where we are so much better than the other team that luck or bad luck does not influence it anymore.’
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‘The best is yet to come’: Liverpool boss Arne Slot demands urgent improvement in specific aspect of team’s performances
Former Brazilian left-back, Roberto Carlos has named Manchester United legend David Beckham as the best player he ever played with ahead of the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Ronaldo, during their time at Santiago Bernabeu.
Carlos shared a dressing room with the likes of great players like Beckham, Ronaldo, Zidane and Ronaldinho.
However, when asked to name the best player he ever played with, Carlos said on The Obi One Podcast: “Beckham, of course Beckham.
“Zidane was top. But Beckham was a close friend of mine and a role model.
“The best in training and the best during games. Running all the time and making incredible passes. He played with all his heart.
“No matter what people say about Ronaldo, Zidane, Raul, Luis Figo, in the four years of the Galacticos, in my opinion, Beckham was the most consistent and the best.
“Beckham was for the team. Beckham would attack and defend. He would pass. He did everything the team needed.”
Tunisia captain Ferjani Sassi has said the target of the Carthage Eagles is to finish top of Group C.
Sassi disclosed this in Friday’s presser, while previewing Tunisia’s second group match with Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
Tunisia currently top the group thanks to their 3-1 win against Uganda in their first match.
The Super Eagles occupy second spot after opening their campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 win against Tanzania.
Speaking ahead of the big clash and reflecting on the last time both teams faced each other at the 2021 AFCON, Sassi said:”We remember our last game against Nigeria in Garouoa, we won the game, it was tough because we had a lot of players with COVID but we had solidarity and showed we can beat any one in any circumstances.
“It was a really nice game and tomorrow will be another story, we know there are a lot of changes in their team and our team amd I don’t think we are favourites for this game because Nigeria did well for the first game (against Tanzania) they have very good players.
“I think it will be a really good game and like I said we are confident because this could be the final of the group stage. We want to finish first and hopefully tomorrow we will do well.”
Also Read: AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Will Beat Tunisia — Bassey
Saturday’s game would be the seventh time the two teams will come face to face at the AFCON.
In the previous six meetings, the Super Eagles have recorded four wins and suffered two defeats.
The last time the Super Eagles secured a win against Tunisia at the AFCON was in the 2019 tournament in Egypt after Odion Ighalo netted a third minute goal.
By James Agberebi in Fes, Morocco
Photo by Ganiyu Yusuf in Fes, Morocco
The Michigan Wolverines are reportedly targeting Utah coach Kyle Whittingham to replace the disgraced Sherrone Moore.
Married father-of-three Moore, 39, was taken into custody earlier this month after allegedly entering a woman’s apartment, confronting her and threatening to kill himself.
Police records show the incident took place at the home of his executive assistant Paige Shiver, hours after Michigan had fired Moore over an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with a staff member.
Now, according to ESPN, Whittingham is the ‘focus’ of Michigan’s search and a deal could be finalized in the near future.
A proposed move for the Utah coach will reportedly be shared with school chiefs on Friday.
Whittingham, 66, spent more than two decades as head coach of the Utes before it was announced earlier this month that he would step down.
Michigan is reportedly targeting Utah coach Kyle Whittingham to replace Sherrone Moore
Ex-Michigan head coach Moore’s haunting mugshot after he was arrested earlier in December
Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer had also been linked with a move to Michigan but he is currently preparing for the quarterfinals of the College Football Players.
Michigan’s final game of the 2025 season, meanwhile, will take place against Texas on New Year’s Eve.
Offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey recently left the program to join Missouri and interim coach Biff Poggi has claimed the Wolverines could be down as many as 25 players as chaos reigns in the wake of Moore’s firing.
The former coach was charged with breaking and entering, home invasion and stalking, and spent two nights in jail before he was granted a $25,000 bond and released.
If convicted on all counts, Moore could face up to six years behind bars. He has pleaded not guilty.
The scandal took another dramatic twist earlier this week, with five women coming forward with claims about awkward exchanges with the coach.
According to The Athletic, the women do not accuse Moore of anything illegal but paint him acting erratically in the days before his firing.
One claims Moore was sending her direct messages on social media on November 1, the day his team beat Purdue 21-16. She thought it was a fake account at first.
The Athletic adds that three of the women work in sports media and that another had mutual friends with him.
Reports also claim that Moore would sob in staff meetings and at other times lash out at his coaches in the days before his tenure as head coach came crashing down.
Ellen Michaels, the lawyer who is now representing Moore in response to the criminal charges he is facing, told The Athletic: ‘Sherrone Moore denies any criminal wrongdoing.
‘There is no history of domestic violence, no prior adjudication supporting claims of dangerous conduct, and no judicial determination validating these allegations. This matter will be decided in court based on evidence and due process, not speculation.’
Michaels was contacted by the Daily Mail and offered the chance to add further comment on The Athletic’s reporting.
Moore himself has not spoken publicly since his arrest. He was pictured in public alongside his wife Kelli after his release on bail and she is believed to be standing by him.
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Michigan ‘target Kyle Whittingham as new head coach’ in wake of Sherrone Moore scandal
France’s 1998 FIFA World Cup winner, Frank Leboeuf has snubbed his country and backed Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Leboeuf said it is possible for Portugal to win the World Cup under their head coach, Roberto Martínez, because they have a great squad.
Portugal were disappointed in the last World Cup as Morocco sent them packing out of the competition in the last-8 stage after losing 1-0.
Speaking with GOAL, Leboeuf said, “It was like the 2022 World Cup was dedicated to Argentina’s Lionel Messi.
“I hope that the 2026 World Cup will be dedicated to Cristiano Ronaldo.
“That would be fantastic for both Ronaldo and Portugal to get a World Cup. It is possible because Portugal has a hell of a team.”
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has hinted that he could tweak his tactics for Saturday’s Group C clash with Tunisia.
The Super Eagles would hope to make it back-to-back wins when they face Tunisia in Fes.
Both teams will go into the contest on the back of wins in their first matches. While the Super Eagles edged out Tanzania 2-1, Tunisia defeated Uganda 3-1.
In the game against Tanzania the Super Eagles were dominant in most parts of the clash but had to manage a slim victory.
Now they will face a more formidable opposition in the 2004 AFCON champions in Tunisia.
Also Read: AFCON 2025: CAF Appoints Malian Referee For Super Eagles Vs Tunisia
Speaking in his presser on Friday, Chelle said he will have to approach the game differently because he will come up against a very good side.
“In my mind I have two options the first is maybe to let Tunisia have the ball or when we get the ball back we go direct or we continue with our philosophy,” Chelle said. “As we know Tunisia is a good team ams maybe we will change something.
“We had our training sessions after the first game and in the sessions we tried to add more intensity. We have a game against a great team so let’s go for this game.
“I have to prepare my players well as it’s not going to be easy. Tunisia is a great team like I said, they have a lot of good players with experience, lots of young players so they play well as a team.”
By James Agberebi in Fes, Morocco
Photo by Ganiyu Yusuf in Fes
SPORT
Alan Shearer hits out at decision to schedule just ONE Premier League game on Boxing Day: ‘What’s the world coming to?
Alan Shearer has hit out at the decision to schedule just one Premier League game on Boxing Day this year – as the former Newcastle man asks: ‘What is the world coming to?’
In years gone by Boxing Day has been the favourite day of the footballing calendar, with fans across the country tucking into their festive leftovers as a day of action unfolds.
But the Premier League sparked outrage when it revealed that Manchester United’s 8pm clash against Newcastle on Friday would be the league’s only clash to take place on the day after Christmas this year.
And the league’s all-time top scorer is among those left reeling at the announcement.
‘I can’t believe there is only one game on Boxing Day,’ Shearer told Betfair. ‘I would be lost without football over the festive period
‘I can’t remember the last Boxing Day I had off. Even now, I always worked on Boxing Day. I carried that on even when I finished, volunteering for Match of the Day. But for God knows how long, I’m not working on Boxing Day. I’m on the 27th but not Boxing Day. It seems mad that there’s only one game on Boxing Day; that feels really strange.
Alan Shearer has hit out at the decision to have one televised Premier League Boxing Day game
The decision sparked outrage among festive football fans – leaving them feeling like the Grinch
Boxing Day has been a festive favourite in years gone by with packed schedules of football
‘What’s the world coming to? The rest of Europe like Germany and Spain are off having a break. But all my life, all I’ve ever known is sport in and around Boxing Day. It’s amazing there’s only one match.
‘The big thing in this country is sport on Boxing Day. There are usually so many matches in and around this period. I think I’d be lost without it. God knows what it would be like if there wasn’t one.’
Boxing Day has thrown up some of the greatest moments in Premier League history, with famous schedules packed with football from the start of the day until the end.
But Premier League fans will have to wait until Saturday for more action, with two matches scheduled for television broadcast. First, Man City travel to Nottingham Forest at 12.30pm, before Chelsea host high-flying Aston Villa at 5.30pm.
‘[We] would like to acknowledge the circumstances that have led to a reduced number of matches on Boxing Day this season – impacting an important tradition in English football,’ The Premier League said in a statement.
‘There are now several challenges to Premier League fixture scheduling rooted in the expansion of European club competitions – which led to a revision of our domestic calendar ahead of last season, including changes to the FA Cup. This ultimately left the Premier League as a 33-weekend competition – fewer than previous seasons, despite being a 380-match competition since 1995.
‘With fewer weekends to work with, the League is bound by how the calendar falls. The League can give an assurance that next season there will be more Premier League matches on Boxing Day – as the date falls on a Saturday.’
The return of Boxing Day football next season will come as a delight to many fans.
Shearer says the festive period was his favourite time as a player because he scored lots goals
‘I loved the Christmas period as a player,’ Shearer continued. ‘I saw a stat on Saturday that December was my second-best month for goals. I loved this period because you can’t really train much; you’re playing and recovering. I loved how hectic and busy it was.
‘All managers do it differently. Some give you Christmas Day off totally. Some have you train in the morning or afternoon. Kenny Dalglish at Blackburn gave us Christmas Day off, while Sir Bobby Robson had us in on Christmas morning. I absolutely loved this period just because of the number of games.
‘I was slightly fortunate with my Christmas dinner. I didn’t overindulge anyway, but I could still have the full trappings minus the alcohol. I could still eat what I wanted for a Christmas lunch. It didn’t really affect me that much, so I’m one of the lucky ones who got away with it.
‘I’ve got good and bad memories of Christmas. In my first season at Blackburn, I was sat on 22 goals on Boxing Day, and unfortunately, I ruptured my cruciate ligament. I scored two against Leeds at Ewood Park, and ten minutes later, I went through in a challenge and did my knee. But I remember many times scoring lots of goals on Boxing Day. I just felt good in and around this period.’
Though Premier League fans may not have the usual offerings of a day full of football, Sky Sports are still broadcasting matches throughout the English football pyramid.
The action kicks off at 12.30pm in the Championship, where Birmingham are hosting Derby County, before a swathe of 3pm kick-offs are shown on Sky Sports+ – with Chesterfield vs Notts County selected for Sky Sports Main Event.
And before Man United kick off the Premier League’s action, Wrexham host Sheffield United on Sky Sports Main Event at 5.30pm on Friday.
Manchester United head coach, Ruben Amorim, has admitted Harry Maguire and Casemiro may not be at the Premier League club beyond next summer.
As it stands, Maguire and Casemiro could sign pre-contract agreements with other clubs in January, before they eventually become free agents in the summer.
Amorim has now hinted that a decision could be determined by if United get European football next season.
“No, there is no decision,” Amorim told journalists.
“We have a lot to do. We need to understand what is going to happen in the next season, because we need to understand if there is European games.
“I’m really happy with them, but I don’t know what is going to happen, so we’ll see what is going to happen until the end of the season, what position we will be, and then we’ll see.”
Welcome to Complete Sports Update, where we bring you the trending stories in the world of sports. Today, we’re doing a match preview of the Super Eagles AFCON 2025 second group match vs Tunisia. We’ll also cover technical insights into the Super Eagles coach; Eric Chelle’s tactics.
Related: Match Preview: AFCON 2025; Nigeria vs Tanzania
Topics Discussed in Video;
* The Super Eagles Of Nigeria Defeat Tanzania In Their AFCON Opening Match
* Review of the Eagles’ victory over the Kilimanjaro Stars
* Who are the standout performers from the game?
* What are the expectations ahead of their clash with Tunisia?
USEFUL LINKS
AFCON 2025: CAF Appoints Malian Referee For Super Eagles Vs Tunisia
✅ https://www.completesports.com/afcon-2025-caf-appoints-malian-referee-for-super-eagles-vs-tunisia/
Bassey: Why I Almost Quit Football At 15
✅ https://www.completesports.com/bassey-why-i-almost-quit-football-at-15/
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