Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has provided a massive boost to the Old Trafford faithful by confirming the club is nearing a breakthrough in contract negotiations with “phenomenal” midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.

The 20-year-old sensation, who has become the undisputed heartbeat of the United engine room, is expected to sign a lucrative long-term extension that will cement his status as the cornerstone of the club’s future.

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Carrick says new Kobbie Mainoo deal now ‘closer’

Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Monday morning, Carrick addressed the growing speculation surrounding the England international’s future.

With several of Europe’s elite reportedly monitoring the situation, the United boss was keen to project a sense of stability and confidence regarding the ongoing talks.

Carrick said (as quoted by Fabrizio Romano):

“It’s getting CLOSER, so you know we’re positive with that.

“We’re calm with it, but we’re positive with it, and time will tell how it goes, but at the moment we’re in a good place with that.”

? Michael Carrick on new deal for Kobbie Mainoo: “It’s getting CLOSER, so you know we’re positive with that”.

“We’re calm with it, but we’re positive with it, and time will tell how it goes, but at the moment we’re in a good place with that”. pic.twitter.com/gbowiKc3PR

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 12, 2026

The new agreement is expected to significantly increase Mainoo’s salary, reflecting his meteoric rise over the last twelve months and his importance to the tactical system Carrick has implemented since taking the reins.

Mainoo has turned career around at Man United under Carrick

While Mainoo’s talent has never been in doubt, his trajectory under Carrick’s direct mentorship has been extraordinary.

Mainoo struggled for minutes under Ruben Amorim, to a point that a surprise January exit was even on the cards.

However, Carrick brought Mainoo straight into the midfield and the Englishman has since then become one of the first names on his teamsheet.

Under his guidance, Mainoo has found a new level of positional discipline, allowing him to dominate midfields against the league’s top opposition.

The post “Its’ getting closer” – Michael Carrick confirms Man United are close to agreeing deal with ‘phenomenal’ midfielder appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester City’s 3-0 demolition of Chelsea was highlighted by a moment of individual brilliance that has already been seen as one of the assist of the season.

Rayan Cherki, the French playmaker who has taken the Premier League by storm since his arrival at the Etihad, provided a breathtaking piece of skill to set up defender Marc Guehi for City’s second goal of the afternoon.

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The goal came in the 57th minute when Cherki took a short corner passing it to Doku and the continued his run towards the edge of the box.

Receiving the ball back, he glided past couple of Chelsea players with ease including Caicedo before executing a stunning through pass for Guehi, who finished with the composure of a veteran striker.

While the official broadcast angles captured the scale of the run, it was the fan footage from the Etihad stands that truly set social media alight. Clips filmed by supporters show the sheer skill of Cherki.

From the stands, the vision required to spot Guehi’s run, who had stayed up following a corner, looks even more impossible.

Rayan Cherki has been a fantastic signing for Man City

Since his £45 million move from Lyon, Cherki has been a revelation for Pep Guardiola.

Tasked with filling the creative void left by aging stars, the 22-year-old has adapted to the physical demands of English football with surprising ease.

With this latest contribution, Cherki has now recorded 14 goal involvements in his debut season.

Man City close gap on Arsenal in Premier League title race

The victory sees Manchester City move to within six points of Arsenal in the Premier League table, with a crucial game in hand still to play.

Pep Guardiola’s side are also yet to host Arsenal at the Etihad, a fixture that could prove decisive in the title race.

With the gap closing and momentum building, the pressure is now mounting on Mikel Arteta as the Premier League title race looks set to go down to the wire once again.

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Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris has delivered a stinging assessment of Tottenham Hotspur following his side’s victory at the Stadium of Light, admitting he was “never worried” about the threat posed by the North London giants.

The result has further compounded the misery for Spurs, who saw their winless streak stretch to a staggering 14 matches in what was supposed to be a hopeful debut for new boss Roberto De Zerbi.

Despite the hype surrounding De Zerbi’s arrival, Sunderland appeared comfortable throughout the contest, exploiting a Tottenham side that looked devoid of confidence and tactical cohesion.

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What Régis Le Bris said about Tottenham

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Le Bris was brutally honest about the ease with which his side handled the visitors.

While most managers offer diplomatic praise for their opponents, the Frenchman suggested that Spurs simply didn’t have the tools to hurt them.

“The opponent wasn’t strong enough to beat us. So, I wasn’t too worried,” Le Bris stated.

“We knew that if we remained disciplined and hit them on the break, the opportunities would come.

They have good individual players, but as a collective, they are struggling to find a rhythm. Today, we felt in control from the first whistle.”

Le Bris’s comments highlight a growing sentiment in the Premier League that Tottenham have become an easier side to beat for mid-table opposition.

"The opponent wasn't strong enough to beat us. So, I wasn't too worried."

Regis Le Bris after Sunderland's win over Spurs? pic.twitter.com/qAbkOi2VuB

— Hayters TV (@HaytersTV) April 12, 2026

Spurs have been woeful this campaign

The defeat leaves Tottenham in the bottom three, marking a terrible fall from grace for a club that was once a top six club.

With only 29 points from 32 games, the reality of a first relegation since 1978 is becoming increasingly unavoidable.

The woeful nature of their campaign is evidenced by the fact that they have yet to win a single match in 2026.

With just six games left to play, time is rapidly running out for the North London club to save their Premier League status.

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Manchester City’s dominant 3-0 victory over Chelsea was more than just a statement on the pitch; it provided a platform for the Etihad faithful to launch a “brutal” and highly visual taunt toward their primary title rivals, Arsenal.

While Pep Guardiola’s side dismantled a struggling Chelsea outfit, a specific moment captured by the television cameras in the stands quickly became the talking point of the weekend.

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Man City fans troll Arsenal during 3-0 win vs Chelsea

As the match drew to a close and City’s three points were secured, cameras panned to a jubilant supporter holding a water bottle prominently featuring the Arsenal club crest.

In a deliberate and mocking gesture, the fan mimicked drinking from the bottle while laughing toward the cameras, a clear nod to the growing “drinking Arsenal tears” meme circulating online.

The footage went viral across social media platforms within minutes. Rival fans interpreted the stunt as a direct jab at Arsenal’s perceived reputation as “bottlers”, a tag that has followed Mikel Arteta’s side since their late-season collapse in previous campaigns.

With City now moving within striking distance of the top spot, the psychological warfare in the stands is beginning to mirror the relentless pressure on the field.

Generational GIF. We'll be sipping Arsenal tears for a long, long time. pic.twitter.com/G3ulVuua3z

— Geronimo Morgans (@GeronimoMorgans) April 12, 2026

But this wasn’t the end of trolling. City fans were also very direct as they started chanting “Are you watching Arsenal?” towards the end of the game.

While City fans may have started the trolling and celebrations a bit early, Pep Guardiola has the experience and the quality to turn this title race around from here, fully capitalising on Arsenal’s dip in form.

Arsenal at the risk of potentially bottling another Premier League title

The trolling comes at a particularly sensitive time for the Gunners. Despite leading the Premier League table for the majority of the 2025/26 season, the wheels have threatened to come off in recent weeks.

Arsenal have already been dumped out of the FA Cup and the League Cup, leaving the Premier League as their final hope for major silverware this year.

However, recent stumbles against lower-table opposition have allowed Manchester City to close the gap.

The narrative of “bottling” is once again haunting North London, as fans and pundits alike question whether Arteta’s squad possesses the mental fortitude to withstand City’s traditional end-of-season “win-streak” machine.

As the race enters the final seven fixtures, the pressure on Arsenal to avoid another historical collapse is immense.

For the City supporters, the message is clear: they believe the title is returning to Manchester, and they are enjoying every drop of the drama along the way.

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Tottenham forward Mathys Tel is set for a dramatic career revival under new manager Roberto De Zerbi, just months after the young Frenchman was linked with a January exit.

The 20-year-old, who joined Spurs permanently from Bayern Munich for £30 million last summer, has endured a nightmare season.

Despite being a fan favorite, Tel was controversially omitted from the club’s Champions League squad for the majority of the league phase and saw his minutes severely limited under Frank’s pragmatic regime.

This resulted in speculations regarding a January exit, with Tel threatening to leave mid-season.

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De Zerbi: “I wanted Tel at Marseille”

Speaking in his first press conference since succeeding Igor Tudor, Roberto De Zerbi made it clear that Tel is a central part of his plans to drag Tottenham out of the relegation zone.

The Italian revealed a long-standing admiration for the forward, disclosing that he had previously tried to sign him during his tenure at Marseille.

“I think we have a lot of very good attackers and we have to help them,” De Zerbi told reporters. “Like I know Mathys Tel, I wanted him in Marseille when I was there.

“Xavi Simons is a big talent, Richarlison and Solanke you maybe know better than me, but we have to put them in the best condition we can.”

Tel was unhappy under Thomas Frank

With 3 goals in 24 Premier League appearances this term, Tel has struggled for rhythm, but remains a rare bright spark for a side currently sitting in 18th place.

The manager’s comments provide closure to a turbulent period for Tel, who recently made the stunning claim that Thomas Frank “didn’t like him.”

Speaking in March, Tel admitted he “disagreed with Thomas on my role within the team” and felt “confused” by his constant exclusion.

He said (via ESPN UK): “I disagreed with Thomas on my role within the team, and he didn’t like me for it. He didn’t look to try and fix things.

“I was confused why I was on the bench a lot, I felt I could help the team more than I was.”

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Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has pulled back the curtain on the obsessive training habits that transformed Mohamed Salah into one of the greatest finishers in football history, revealing a secret backyard project that changed everything.

Speaking to Peter Crouch on a recent podcast following the Liverpool Legends match at Anfield, Klopp admitted that he has never seen a player with the same character and relentless desire as the Egyptian King, who is set to depart the club at the end of the 2025/26 season.

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Klopp on how Mo Salah improved his finishing

Klopp revealed that Salah’s clinical nature in front of goal wasn’t just raw talent, but the result of a tireless work ethic sparked by his own dissatisfaction during his time in Italy.

“He started scoring because he was not happy with his finishing in Rome, so he built a goal in the backyard. I am sure a lot of people built a goal in the garden and tried to improve.

“He did that seven hours a day in my imagination. Every summer he came back from a summer break and had a new skill, a new idea.”

Klopp highlighted how this constant evolution allowed Salah to remain at the top even as his role changed.

“Remember last season when we became champions, how many goals he set up, the way he set it up, cutting inside when he usually shoots, Cody Gakpo or whoever arriving, we had these situations, but he took it perfection.

“He always came with something new, he never stopped and he will not stop. He is 33 and he has another five or six years, 100%.”

Salah’s goalscoring record speaks for itself

The numbers behind Salah’s Anfield career support Klopp’s high praise.

Since joining in 2017, the forward has netted a staggering 255 goals for the Reds, placing him third on the club’s all-time leading scorers list.

Salah Liverpool stats across various competitions via transfermarkt

Despite a challenging 2025/26 campaign for the team, Salah has still managed 10 goals across all competitions this term.

As he prepares for his final seven games in a Liverpool shirt, Klopp’s revelations serve as a reminder that Salah’s unprecedented stats will be hard to be replicated.

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West Ham ignited their survival hopes on Friday night with a commanding 4-0 victory over bottom-of-the-table Wolves.

The Hammers’ dominant display at the London Stadium has seen them leapfrog Tottenham into 17th place, officially placing Spurs into the Premier League relegation zone for the first time in over a decade.

Braces from Konstantinos Mavropanos and Valentin Castellanos ensured the Hammers moved to 31 points, two clear of Tottenham, who now sit in 18th position with just seven games remaining to save their season.

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Roberto De Zerbi to begin new era in the bottom three

The timing could not be more problematic for new Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi.

The Italian tactician, who has signed a five-year deal to replace Igor Tudor, officially begins his tenure on Sunday with his side staring down the dire chances of a first relegation since 1978.

De Zerbi takes charge of a side that has not won a Premier League match in 13 games.

While the former Brighton boss has spoken of his long-term ambition to bring title-challenging football back, his first task in hand is to win on his debut fixture away at Sunderland.

The pressure is immense; anything less than a victory at the Stadium of Light will leave Spurs rooted in the drop zone as the season enters its final month.

Massive task ahead for De Zerbi

De Zerbi has already signaled his intent to revive the high-octane football, but implementing his philosophy during a period of severe crisis is going to be difficult.

Spurs have struggled for goals and defensive stability all season, and the psychological blow of falling into the bottom three will test the resolve of the players.

With Sunderland sitting comfortably in mid-table, De Zerbi’s men face a side with nothing to lose.

For Tottenham, however, every point is now a matter of survival. The mission is clear: find a way to register a win in 2026, something the club has yet to do, or prepare for the unthinkable prospect of Championship football.

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Mohamed Salah has penned a moving tribute to his long-term teammate Andy Robertson, following the official confirmation that the Scottish defender will leave Liverpool at the end of the 2025/26 season.

The announcement, which came just weeks after Salah revealed his own plans to depart Anfield this summer, marks the definitive end of the most successful era in the club’s modern history.

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Robertson, 32, will bring his nine-year stay on Merseyside to a close as a free agent, having won every major trophy available under the lights of Anfield.

Mohamed Salah posts heartfelt message for Andy Robertson

Taking to social media, Salah shared a series of images capturing their shared celebrations over the years.

The Egyptian forward, who enjoyed a special friendship with the Scot, did not hide his emotion.

“With these pictures showing the bond we shared, I almost felt I could get away with saying nothing about you leaving. It’s been an honour to be your teammate and your friend. You’ve won it all and you leave as a legend. I’m sure we will meet again.”

Robertson replied recognising the journey the duo have gone through together saying: “Been a hell of a journey my friend.”

Only two left from Jurgen Klopp’s successful side

The departures of Salah and Robertson will signify a total changing of the guard under Arne Slot.

With both icons set to exit in June, Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker remain as the final pillars of the 2019 Champions League-winning squad, though uncertainty continues to swirl around the long-term future of the captain as well.

Robertson, who has struggled for consistent minutes this season behind Milos Kerkez, admitted in his farewell statement that it is time to move on.

While he has been heavily linked with a move to Tottenham, subject to them avoiding relegation, Salah’s next destination remains a subject of intense global speculation.

As Liverpool head into their final seven games of a difficult campaign, the farewell period for two of their greatest ever servants begins this weekend against Fulham, where the Anfield faithful are expected to provide a thunderous reception for the departing legends.

The post Mo Salah pens emotional farewell to Andy Robertson after Liverpool summer exit decision appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Tottenham are the frontrunners to sign Liverpool stalwart Andy Robertson this summer, following the official confirmation that the defender will depart Anfield at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Spurs are in “pole position” to secure the 32-year-old on a free transfer, though the deal is contingent on the North London club retaining their Premier League status.

Robertson, a key star of Liverpool’s success for nearly a decade, has opted not to extend his contract, bringing his nine-year tenure on Merseyside to an emotional close.

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Tottenham in pole position to sign Andy Robertson

While Tottenham are currently the lead contender, they face a significant hurdle. Currently sitting in 17th place and just one point above the relegation zone, Spurs must avoid the drop to the Championship to finalise the move.

Ornstein reports that the groundwork for this deal was laid during the January window when Spurs made a failed attempt to bring the Scotsman to the North London club.

While Robertson chose to see out the season at Anfield, the appeal of a fresh challenge in London has kept Spurs ahead of the pack.

However, they are not alone in their pursuit; European giants including Atletico Madrid, Napoli and Juventus are also monitoring the situation.

A return to Scotland with his boyhood club Celtic has also been rumored, though the player is said to be leaning toward remaining in a top-tier European league.

The end of an illustrious era

Robertson’s departure marks the end of a legendary chapter at Liverpool. Since his £8 million move from Hull City in 2017, the Scotland captain has won every major trophy available, including two Premier League titles and the Champions League.

With 373 appearances, 13 goals, and 69 assists, he departs as a Liverpool legend.

The timing of the announcement comes as Liverpool navigate a turbulent season, having recorded 15 defeats across all competitions.

With Mohamed Salah also confirmed to leave and Milos Kerkez increasingly favored by Arne Slot, Robertson admitted the time was right to move on. “I’ve put my heart and soul into this club for nine years,” Robertson said in his farewell message.

“I know football moves on, and I think now is the time for me to go wherever my next move takes me.”

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