^ ^ Another Man Utd exit imminent with ‘no doubts’ over move for £72m star

Napoli can make Hojlund’s loan move permanent for £38million (Picture: Getty)

Napoli will trigger a permanent move for Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund regardless of whether the club qualify for the Champions League next season.

Hojlund, who joined United in a deal worth £72million from Atalanta in the summer of 2023, left Old Trafford to join the Serie A giants on a season-long loan deal last summer.

He was among a clutch of attacking players moved to make room for new arrivals Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko with Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony also leaving the club.

Following in the footsteps of Scott McTominay who has been reborn at Napoli, Hojlund has enjoyed an impressive season back in Italy.  

The Denmark international has scored 13 goals in 35 appearances, finding the target on big occasions against Juventus in Serie A and against Sporting CP and Chelsea in the Champions League.

The arrangement that took him to Naples included an obligation to buy if Napoli qualify for next season’s Champions League. Currently sat in third, the defending champions are currently on course to do that.

But even in the event of Napoli failing to qualify for Europe’s premier club competition, their sporting director Giovanni Manna says the club are very likely to make the deal permanent regardless.

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The Dane has been back among the goals in Italy (Picture: Getty)

‘Hojlund has been instrumental,’ Manna said. ‘Even when he hasn’t scored, he’s always worked hard for the team.

‘We have an obligation to buy him outright if we qualify for the Champions League, but I don’t think his future lies far from Napoli even if that doesn’t happen.’

Hojlund struggled badly at United last season (Picture: Getty)

The permanent fee agreed between United and Napoli is thought to be £38million.

Hojlund has already made clear he sees his long-term future in Italy with Antonio Conte’s side.

‘Next season, I’ll give my interviews in Italian,’ Hojlund joked in December after ending a run of eight games without a goal.

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^ ^ Jim Ratcliffe speaks out on ‘excellent’ Michael Carrick and permanent Man Utd job

Ratcliffe was giving little away on the future of Carrick (Picture: Getty)

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has hailed Michael Carrick’s impressive spell in charge of Manchester United – but refused to be drawn on whether he is closing in on the permanent gig.

Ruben Amorim was sacked in January with Carrick drafted in until the end of the season, tasked with steadying the ship and salvaging something from the 2025-26 campaign.

The former midfielder enjoyed a wonderful start with wins over Manchester City and Arsenal in his opening two games, taking 19 points from a possible 21 across his first seven in charge.

While he suffered his first defeat to Newcastle United last time out, United are still in third place and firmly in the race for Champions League qualification.

Whether United qualify for next season’s competition could ultimately decide Carrick’s fate but his impressive start has him sat as the bookmakers’ favourite for the permanent job.

Ratcliffe was in Shanghai  this morning for qualifying ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix with Sky Sports’ Craig Slater quizzing on Carrick’s chances of getting the permanent job at the end of the season.

‘He’s doing an excellent job, absolutely,’ Ratcliffe said. Asked whether he will get the job permanently if current form continues, the United co-owner said:  Not going there!’

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"Michael Carrick is doing an excellent job" 👀Sir Jim Ratcliffe speaks to Craig Slater on his hopes for both Mercedes and Manchester United, but refuses to comment on whether Michael Carrick could remain as head coach after this season 🔴 pic.twitter.com/VncqaKC5jd

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 14, 2026

Ratcliffe is viewing Champions League qualification as a very realistic prospect, adding: ‘Yes, clearly we are thinking about that. But there are still seven or eight games to go so still a while to go.’

United have not made any decision on Carrick’s future at this stage with there still the possibility they turn to a new face at the end of the season.

Carrick the current favourite for the job (Picture: Getty)

Oliver Glasner, Andoni Iraola and Unai Emery are among the Premier League managers who have been linked with the role with Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann another possible candidate.

Two names seemingly out of the frame are Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti. Tuchel, who was interviewed for the United job before England came calling, has signed a new contract with the Three Lions through to 2028, seemingly placing him out of United’s reach.

Ancelotti meanwhile is prepared to extend his stay as Brazil boss beyond this summer’s World Cup.

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^ ^ Chelsea vs Newcastle: Predicted lineup today and confirmed team news

Pedro in red-hot form ahead of the visit of the Magpies (Picture: Getty)

Liam Rosenior has a huge call to make in goal when Chelsea host Newcastle United in the Premier League tonight.

Filip Jorgensen has forced his way up the pecking order in recent weeks, given the nod in key games against Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain.

While he acquitted himself well at Villa Park, Wednesday night in Paris was disastrous, making two major errors as the Blues capitulated late on, losing 5-2 to the French champions.

Rosenior has been coy on who would start in goal tonight, hailing Sanchez as one of the best in the league while also insisting he still has full faith in Jorgensen.

Elsewhere, Chelsea will again be without Estevao Willan due to his hamstring problem with the club taking no risks with the young Brazilian.

Jamie Gittens meanwhile is back in training after his hamstring issue and with Pedro Neto now suspended after being handed an extra one-match ban by the FA, could be an option today on the wing.

Joao Pedro up top is in sensational form, up to 18 goals for the season after his hat-trick against Aston Villa.

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Chelsea XI to face Newcastle – Metro prediction

A lack of available wide options could see Enzo Fernandez deployed in a more advanced role again with Andrey Santos slotting in nicely beside Moises Caicedo in midfield.

The Blues now have a bit of depth in midfield with Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo both back from their injuries.

 Levi Colwill is also back in training after recocering from his ACL injury although there is no specific timeline in place for his return to action.

Chelsea vs Newcastle TV channel, live stream and kick-off time

Chelsea vs Newcastle kicks off tonight (Saturday 14 March) at 5:30pm.

You can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League with streaming also available through the Sky Go app and NOW TV for subscribers.

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^ ^ Arsenal vs Everton: Predicted lineup today and confirmed team news

Saka was replaced after an hour in Germany (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal hope to have Martin Odegaard available again this evening when they take on Everton.

The Gunners have been without their skipper for the last month after he suffered a knee injury against Brentford in February.

The Norway international made a brief return off the bench in the north London derby victory over Tottenham but has sat out of the last four games.

As per usual, Arteta was giving little away when offering an update on Odegaard on Friday but suggested he had a chance of making the squad.

Leandro Trossard is in a similar position, picking up an issue in the FA Cup win over Mansfield Town and sitting out of the trip to Bayer Leverkusen midweek.

He too was still being asssed over the weekend.

Riccardo Calafiori was back on the bench in Germany midweek after he picked up a minor knock against Mansfield with William Saliba playing the full 90 minutes on Wednesday having recovered from his ankle problem.

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That leaves Arsenal in relatively good shape as they head into another pivotal few weeks in their season with Mikel Merino their only absentee.

The Spain international is recovering from foot surgery and it remains to be seen whether he will have any further role to play this season.

Arsenal XI to face Everton – Metro prediction

Rotation could be key for Arteta in the coming week – Arsenal host Leverkusen  on Tuesday night before the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City next Sunday.

Kai Havertz is an option both up top and in the no10 role recently occupied by Eberechi Eze again, scoring that vital penalty in Germany midweek.

Bukayo Saka struggled in that game and with Noni Madueke making a fine impact of the bench, Arteta may have a big decision to make on the right.

Arsenal vs Everton TV channel, live stream and kick-off time

Arsenal vs Everton kicks off tonight (Saturday 14 March) at 5:30pm.

You can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event with streaming also available through the Sky Go app and NOW TV for subscribers.

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