Righto, that’s us.

Follow along with out WSK Clocko here:

And Derby v Leeds here:

But otherwise, see you in an hour for Portsmouth v Arsenal.

Thinking about Derby v Leeds, which is almost upon us, it’s hard not to think of Francis Lee v Norman Hunter in 1975, one of the greatest examples of things that no one wants to see.

There’s a massive match in Serie A tonight – champions Napoli, now in fourth place, visit league leaders Inter, who they trail by for points. A win and they’re right in among it, a defeat and they’re struggling to compete.

In the women’s game, Man United have made a big move, bringing in Lea Schüller from Bayern, as well as Hanna Lundqvist from San Diego Wave.

It doesn’t really feel like there’ll be lots of big moves in the men’s game, but Marc Guehi might leave Palace. I’m not sure I’d got to Arsenal if I was him, unless one of Gabriel or Saliba plans to leave, but Liverpool would be a decent option, Man City too. Other hand, he might feel that, given his current side are in freefall, he should stay and leave for free in the summer, when the same options will still be available to him.

The biggest move so far is, of course, Antoine Semenyo’s from Bournemouth to Man City, and he got off to a decent start yesterday.

The transfer window is open and you can chart all the moves in our two interactives.

Hannah Hampton is back in net for Chelsea today; Rita Guarino takes charge of West Ham for the first time. This should be a decent tussle.

“On the point about Utd not being far away from being very good,” writes Chris Boyle, “if you added four or five decent players to most Premier League teams, they’d be pretty good/significantly better too. The occasions when teams do this is pretty rare though (honourable mention for Sunderland’s pre-season).”

I think United, even now, are good enough for top four or five and have firepower that compares with any team in the league; stick just one new midfielder in there, in place of Casemiro, and you’ll see a team able to do serious damage.

Out WSL clockwatch blog is also live. Join Emilia Hawkins for that; even at this stage of the season, it’s hard to see who can stop Man City taking the title, but Everton won’t make it east for them.

Anyroad up, join Billy Munday for that one.

Leeds, meanwhile, make eight changes following the soul-curdling defeat at Newcastle in midweek. Out go Perri, Rodon, Struik, Justin, Stach, Gudmundsson, Aaronson and Calvert-Lewin; in come Darlow, Bornauw, Tanaka, Harrison, Gnonto, Okafor, Piroe and Nmecha. They too are well clear of relegation, but will feel that XXI is good enough to get the job done, and t here’s plenty on the bench if they get into trouble.

We will, of course, have live MBM coverage of Derby v Leeds. Derby, 13th in the Champo and 11 points clear of the relegation zone, make six changes to the side which lost to Wrexham last time out, I’ve not a clue why – why not go all-out for the win? But Clarke, Sanderson, Elder, Thompson, Agyemang and Brewster drop out, with Forsyth, Batth, Blackett-Taylor, Salvesen, Travis and Fraulo coming in.

Teams for Derby v Leeds are in…

Of course, it’ll take a while to work that out. Thomas Tuchel omitted Mason Mount from the first XI he picked as Chelsea manager, a drab 0-0 home draw with Wolves. He didn’t do it again, and not long after that, Mount created the goal that beat Man City in the Champions League final.

So what do we think about Liam Rosenior at Chelsea? My sense is that his side will be contesting fourth and fifth with Liverpool and Man United, and if he doesn’t make it he’ll be under immediate pressure.

I think we’ll get a better sense of what he’s planning on Wednesday, when Arsenal visit in the first leg of the League Cup semi – if he could win that tie and make a final, that’d be a significant statement, so I imagine he’ll pick what he considers to be his best team.

Email! “Although I don’t shout it too loudly, generally because people look at you like you’re minus a brain, I also think United are a few players away from a very good team,” admits James Kelly.” Two FBs, CM and maybe a Sesko challenger and we’d be in good shape.

Thing is, I’ve felt this on a couple of occasions since Sir Alex hung up the hairdryer. And we never seem to get what we need in one go. Perennially building ever moving parts. The football equivalent of the Gaudi Cathedral. And of course our recent history is a litany of spectacular collapses internally, a forever toxic environment.

I can see why Ole is the choice to placate. It’s almost like a tranquilliser for the fans. Makes sense to some degree football wise because we played some of our best stuff since SAF retired under him. I love the guy, shed a tear for him when he went. More because I blamed the players for breaking him. But he was sacked already. Some of those guys are still there.

Rebuild, reset or rehash? I know where I coming out on this wager.

On today’s game, we very simply have to turn up. Need to be in the warm pot tomorrow (City undoubtedly home to giant-killing Silkmen), or another season written off mid-term, no matter what the board say.

And that lot are another email for another day.”

On the one hand, United do need a fair bit of work still, but if they bought the right midfielder – they need two in case whoever that is gets injured – their 1-11 would be very useful. The full-backs, though not of the standard they’d like, are workable, and the attacking options are very good, so too the blend between them. As you say, the chances the new manager, whoever it is, is afforded all he needs, is unlikely – on which point it’s worth noting that, in the last year, Man City have signed Donnarumma, Khusanov, Reis, Ait-Nouri, Gonzalez, Reijnders, Nypan, Cherki, Marmoush and Semenyo for not much shy of £500m.

An absolutely massive win and performance from Egypt last evening:

Consequently, Liverpool will be without Mohamed Salah for a while longer, but Amad, Ibrahim Sangaré and Evann Guessand will soon be back with Man United, Forest and Villa.

The racing to get the ball out of the net after scoring for 9-1 was exceptional.

As for Carrick, he’s looked promising in his managerial career so far and I’m sure he’d also allow United to attack properly. But I’m not sure his CV allows you pick him ahead of Solskjær nor that his presence compares to Fletcher’s.

So what of the other two? I think both Solskjær and Carrick would be fine – United have, as I said, some really good attackers. Solskjær has proved he can get a front four firing and, though he wasn’t the most tactically astute, he’ll have learnt from the experience. Moreover, his ultimate failure was more a reflection of poor recruitment than anything else, and it’s hard to blame him for how poorly Like Shaw and Harry Maguire played in aftermath of Euro 20202. That said, he’s had his chance.

Who, then, should be next for United? It seems like the caretaker job is between Darren Fletcher, Ole Gunnar Solksjær and Michael Carrick so, for what it’s worth, I’d go for the man in possession. Fletcher is one of the players I watched and thought would make a good manager – Ander Herrera and Bruno Fernandes are others – because he thinks well, communicates well and understands how hard you have to work to maximise talent.

Though United didn’t beat Burnley, they were impressive in carrying out new instructions, were able to provide service to their centre-forward and, after conceding an equaliser, risked defeat to seek a winner. If they play well and win today, I think there’s a good chance Fletcher keeps the job.

Billy advises me we’ve not had much Manchester United chat so far this morning, so let’s consider where that circus might move to next. Obviously the suits have made a colossal mess and have no track record which suggests they’ll make things better.

However United are always the right manager away from seriousness and, whatever anyone says, they’re not that far away from being a decent team either. They need a couple of midfielders, but have two extremely talented young centre-backs in Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro while, in attack, they’re now able to pick four from Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko. Merely sensible husbanding on the squad should get them to fifth place in the league table – but they really need to win today to keep the season going in terms of trophies. So, though, do Brighton.

Jonathan Wilson has some thoughts on the new Saipan film…

Thanks Billy and morning all. I love the FA Cup, and reckon my two most regretted missed matches were in that competition. Of course, neither was my fault, and these are they:

I’m handing over to Daniel Harris now. Keep your emails and comments coming. I’ll see any Derby or Leeds fans on the minute-by-minute from 11am.

trinder19

11 January 2026 9:44am

In the debate about winter breaks, one thing that doesn't always get discussed is the impact it has on form and momentum. City Women have been absolutely flying (10 league wins and 3 in the cup) since early September's loss to Chelsea and might even have preferred not to take three weeks off. Here's hoping they haven't been too unrestrained near the Quality Street tin.

Neither Manchester City nor Chelsea have played in the league since 14 December and, yes, you would have to say that the break favours Chelsea, although they were in pretty fine form before Christmas with scorelines of 9-1 against Liverpool and 6-0 against Roma. Ominous.

A WSL transfer line is that Arsenal – who drew 0-0 with Manchester United yesterday – are interested in signing England’s Georgia Stanway on a free transfer.

Afcon: More on yesterday’s quarter-finals. Nigeria are through to the semis for the 17th time in the past 20 editions after beating Algeria. Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams were on the scoresheet in a 2-0 win. Nigeria now have the tough assignment of taking on the hosts, Morocco, in Rabat on Wednesday.

The defending champions, Côte d’Ivoire are out after losing 3-2 to Egypt. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush found the net for Egypt, who will be hoping to avenge their defeat to Senegal in the 2022 final when they meet in the last four on Wednesday. Who takes the title from here?

On the Ball: Play our daily football trivia game on the Guardian app and see if you can discover who the mystery Premier League player (past or present) is without using too many clues.

I scored 52 points out of 100 on today’s player after four guesses, putting me in the top 20% of users. Think you can beat that? Have a go:

Some optimistic thoughts from Portsmouth and Norwich fans in the comments ahead of their FA Cup ties today.

Crossvader

11 January 2026 9:11am

Easiest guaranteed win for a side today will be Arsenal. They just need to turn up and the game is theirs. We (Portsmouth) are so woeful at the moment I'd be surprised if we don't score an own goal as well to help them along.

lester48

11 January 2026 9:24am

After yesterday's giant killings, we are Norwich City respectfully will ask Crystal Palace to hold our beer as we crash out to Walsall today, Saddle Up Walsall.

Serie A: Let’s zoom in on the game of the day in Italy as Inter host Napoli at 7.45pm (GMT). These two teams have scooped up four of the last five scudetti between them – with two each – and their rivalry is now among Serie A’s hottest. Inter lead the way this season on 42 points but Napoli, in fourth, are only four points behind. Milan, Roma and Juventus will all think they still have a chance of competing for the title too.

Inter and Napoli’s first meeting this season was certainly eventful. Kevin De Bruyne put Antonio Conte’s side ahead from the penalty spot but tore his hamstring in the process. Scott McTominay’s second-half strike was a beauty and set Napoli on their way to a 3-1 win. Can they repeat the feat at San Siro tonight?

Speaking of Scotland, Martin O’Neill returned as Celtic’s caretaker manager after the sacking of Wilfried Nancy and oversaw a 4-0 win against Dundee United yesterday. One Rangers fan is pining for the Nancy days already.

RHConnon

11 January 2026 9:03am

Celtic seem to have rediscovered some competence under martin oneill. That’s just not allowed, can they get nancy back please?
Under normal circumstances Id be happy with a draw at pittodrie, but aberdeen are currently rubbish and we need to keep momentum going, so a win is important. Glen Hoddle thinks Mikey Moore should be playing for Spurs. Hopefully he plays well enough and keeps scoring to give Frank/his successor a decision to make.

Off out now into the rain. This might not be fun… have a great Sunday all of you!

Afcon: Egypt and Nigeria completed the semi-final lineup with wins over Côte d’Ivoire and Algeria respectively yesterday. Wednesday’s semi-finals are as follows:

• Senegal v Egypt (5pm GMT)

• Nigeria v Morocco (8pm)

Jonathan Wilson was in Tangier to watch Mohamed Salah inspire Egypt to the last four:

It would be too much on the back of one game to say that Egyptian football is back to where it was 20 years ago. But under a veteran of Hassan Shehata’s side, they at last played with an energy and a wit that recalled the golden age. Again Côte d’Ivoire were on the receiving end. Now for Senegal and putting right more recent football history.

More FA Cup

• Aston Villa make things worse for Thomas Frank with a 2-1 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium that ended in an onfield scuffle at full time. Paul MacInnes was there:

• Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea tenure got off to a winning start with a thrashing of Charlton at the Valley. Jacob Steinberg was there:

• Newcastle saw off Bournemouth on penalties after a crazy game that went to extra time:

• Weston-super-Mare’s excellent run came to an end at the hands of Grimsby but the sixth-tier side put up a good fight. Ross Heppenstall was there:

My taste of FA Cup action yesterday came at the Etihad Stadium, where I watched Manchester City thump Exeter 10-1 from the away end. It was a brutal … but at least the 7,800 travelling supporters had something to cheer in 19-year-old George Birch’s peach of a goal late on.

Manchester City paid third-tier Exeter plenty of respect – Erling Haaland and Rodri started the game, with Antoine Semenyo scoring on his full debut. Off the bench came the likes of Jérémy Doku and Bernardo Silva.

The Guardian’s Sam Dalling and Christopher Thomond was given access to the Exeter dressing room for the day and submitted this insider report:

Jamie Jackson was in the press box:

As for Crystal Palace, the defence of their FA Cup crown did not make it past the first hurdle. It’s fair to say Oliver Glasner was not pleased with their drab display:

With all the respect [to Macclesfield] in a game like this you don’t need a tactic, you don’t need a manager who tells you what to do. You have to do the right things. We have to score five or six against a non-league team, but we didn’t show any kind of quality.

Macclesfield dedicated their historic victory to the memory of Ethan McLeod, whose parents were in attendance at Moss Rose.

Manager John Rooney said:

We spoke about Ethan being here with us before kick-off. Seeing his parents after the game was something very special and I’m sure Ethan was looking down on us today.

Defender Sam Heathcote said:

A lot of the lads said that at the full-time whistle when we managed to find each other … that was for him. We try to do our best for him. It’s been such a difficult time, everyone has come together massively since that happened and that shows you how special this club is.

It has been called the biggest shock in the history of the FA Cup and it’s hard to argue with that. Macclesfield of National League North knocked out the holders Crystal Palace, just weeks after the death of the non-league side’s player Ethan McLeod in a car crash. Dominic Booth was there to capture the mood:

Yeremy Pino’s late free-kick was Palace’s only moment of quality and ensured nerves set in for the sell-out crowd of 5,348, but Macclesfield were not to be denied. Ecstatic scenes followed. The pitch invasion that came after the full-time whistle, those bear-hugs between players and fans who began partying into the night; none of it will be forgotten in a hurry in this corner of Cheshire.

John Brewin also charts the fall of Macclesfield Town and the rise of Macclesfield FC in their place, with Robbie Savage and now John Rooney at the heart of the revival of football in Macclesfield.

Macclesfield is not Wrexham, hand-picked by Hollywood execs to show off UK working-class folk and then paired with two American screen stars. Rumour has it the town was passed over for what became Disney’s Wrexham project because, being in Cheshire, and surrounded by villages that house the north-west’s footballer and stockbroker belts, it was too bourgeois. The town retains a tough, working-class edge, particularly in the area where the ground is situated. Open skies that reach up to the surrounding Peak District can make it an eerie place to visit.