Michael Carrick has returned to Manchester United to serve as the caretaker manager for the second time. The article discusses his memorable moments as a player with the club in the Premier League.
Key Facts
Michael Carrick is serving as the caretaker manager for Manchester United.
This is Carrick's second time in the role of caretaker manager.
The article highlights Carrick’s past achievements as a player in the Premier League.
The content is restricted to UK users only.
The information was published by BBC Sport recently.
The NFL season is nearing its conclusion with the play-offs underway. The top teams, including the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks, have advanced to the Divisional Round along with others who succeeded during Wildcard Weekend. Predictions are focused on which teams will win their upcoming match-ups and potentially make it to the Super Bowl.
Key Facts
After Wildcard Weekend, six teams moved to the Divisional Round of the NFL play-offs.
The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks each received a first-round bye as top seeds from their conferences.
The Seattle Seahawks are slightly favored to win Super Bowl 60.
The Buffalo Bills need to defeat the top seed, Denver Broncos, to advance.
The Denver Broncos have won 13 of their last 14 games and lead the league with 68 sacks.
The Houston Texans and New England Patriots have strong defensive units going into their game.
Three NFC West teams, including the Seattle Seahawks, moved to the Divisional Round.
The Chicago Bears have made multiple comebacks, but face a challenge against the Rams.
The New York Yankees are looking to improve their offer to free-agent outfielder Cody Bellinger. This comes as the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays show interest in Bellinger after missing out on signing Kyle Tucker, who joined the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Yankees have offered a five-year contract, but Bellinger seeks a longer term.
Key Facts
The Yankees want to sign Cody Bellinger after a strong season with them.
Kyle Tucker signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers for four years and $240 million.
The Mets and Blue Jays were also interested in Tucker but did not sign him.
The Yankees' offer to Bellinger includes two opt-outs and is worth $155 million over five years.
Bellinger is looking for a seven-year contract.
The Mets and Blue Jays still need an outfielder and might make strong offers to Bellinger.
The Yankees are trying to act quickly to secure Bellinger’s deal.
Wayne Rooney supports Michael Carrick's appointment as the caretaker head coach of Manchester United, believing he can stabilize the team. Carrick, a former Manchester United player who briefly managed the club before, will lead the team until the end of the season. Manchester United sits seventh in the league and has only won one of their last six games.
Key Facts
Michael Carrick is named caretaker head coach of Manchester United until the season's end.
Carrick has a history with the team, playing 464 games over 12 years.
Carrick has previously managed United for three games, with two wins and a draw.
He succeeds Ruben Amorim as head coach.
Manchester United is currently seventh in the Premier League.
Carrick's first game in charge will be against Manchester City on Saturday.
Steve Holland joins Carrick's coaching staff as his assistant.
Manchester United has struggled recently, winning only one of their last six games.
A new cross-border football league called the OFC Professional League is starting in Oceania, involving teams from several Pacific countries. This league aims to elevate the region's football by guaranteeing competitive matches and possibly leading to larger tournaments. Discussions are also happening in Europe about creating similar leagues, such as a potential "Baltic League" including Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania.
Key Facts
The OFC Professional League involves teams from New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, and Vanuatu.
It starts its first season on January 17 with matches at Eden Park in Auckland and other venues.
Winners of the league will qualify for international tournaments like Fifa's Intercontinental Cup and the Club World Cup.
The league is designed to boost football in Oceania by providing professional competition and support for club infrastructure.
Discussions in Europe consider forming a "Baltic League" to include Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania to enhance competitiveness with stronger leagues in Europe.
The move for cross-border leagues aims to address challenges like lack of media deals and sponsorships in smaller national leagues.
The Los Angeles Dodgers signed two top baseball players, Kyle Tucker and Edwin Diaz, to major contracts. The team will face financial penalties and lose several important draft picks due to exceeding luxury tax limits.
Key Facts
The Dodgers signed Kyle Tucker for four years at $240 million, making it the second-biggest annual contract in MLB history.
Edwin Diaz was signed to a three-year deal worth $69 million, the highest per-year salary for a closer.
Because the Dodgers went over a luxury tax threshold, their costs for Tucker and Diaz increased by 110 percent.
As a result, the Dodgers will pay over $100 million per year for Tucker and more than $40 million per year for Diaz.
The team will lose their second-, third-, fifth-, and sixth-highest draft picks next year due to signing two free agents with qualifying offers.
The Dodgers' strong farm system may help them manage the impact of losing draft picks.
Dodgers' President of Baseball Operations, Andrew Friedman, is known for being cautious and avoiding trading young talent at deadlines.
U.S. prosecutors have charged 26 people in a scheme involving bribery of university basketball players to influence or fix games. The scheme affected 39 players and involved 17 university teams from the NCAA, as well as two games in the Chinese Basketball Association. Prosecutors say the players were paid bribes to perform poorly, allowing bettors to profit.
Key Facts
26 people are charged with involvement in a basketball bribery scheme.
The scheme allegedly involved 39 players and 17 NCAA men's basketball teams.
It aimed to fix 29 college games and 2 Chinese Basketball Association games.
From September 2022 to February 2025, players were paid to underperform, leading to winning bets against their teams.
Bribes ranged from $10,000 to $30,000 per game.
Despite the scheme, sometimes the desired game outcome was not guaranteed.
The NCAA is investigating almost all teams named in the indictment.
Schools implicated are cooperating with authorities, with some noting connections due to games against charged teams.
After a recent game between the San Antonio Spurs and Milwaukee Bucks, fans have been talking about a possible trade involving Giannis Antetokounmpo and Victor Wembanyama. Antetokounmpo might want to leave the Bucks, while Wembanyama is a rising star on the Spurs. Although there is no official trade discussion, fans are speculating after the two players had a conversation on the court.
Key Facts
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a multi-time MVP basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks.
There are rumors that Antetokounmpo might leave the Bucks soon.
Victor Wembanyama is a promising young player on the San Antonio Spurs.
Wembanyama is considered an emerging superstar in the NBA.
Fans noticed Antetokounmpo and Wembanyama having a on-court conversation after a game.
The NBA trade deadline is on February 5, 2026.
The San Antonio Spurs currently have the third-best record in the league.
No official trade has been announced between the Spurs and Bucks.
The Philadelphia Phillies signed Juan Parra, a 17-year-old international free agent, for $550,000. Parra is noted for his speed and potential defensive skills, with a projection as a future center fielder. He ranks 39th among this winter's international prospects according to MLB Pipeline.
Key Facts
The Philadelphia Phillies signed 17-year-old Juan Parra for $550,000.
Parra was signed through international free agency.
MLB Pipeline ranks Parra as the No. 39 prospect among international free agents this winter.
He is known for his speed and potential Gold Glove defensive skills.
Parra is expected to play center field, which boosts his future value.
Currently, Parra is more of a contact hitter with limited power.
As he grows, Parra may develop more power in his hitting.
Caleb Williams, the Chicago Bears quarterback, led his team to a big win against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card round. For his performance, he received the "Nickelodeon Valuable Player" (NVP) award. The Bears will next face the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC Divisional Round game.
Key Facts
Caleb Williams is the quarterback for the Chicago Bears.
Williams helped the Bears win against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card round.
Despite some mistakes, Williams had 24 completions and two touchdowns in the game.
Williams received the "Nickelodeon Valuable Player" (NVP) award for his efforts.
Other notable players, like Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady, have also won the NVP award.
The Bears will play the Los Angeles Rams next in the NFC Divisional Round.
The game is expected to have cold weather with temperatures around 20 degrees.
Free agent outfielder Kyle Tucker has agreed to a four-year, $240 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. This deal makes Tucker the second-highest-paid player in terms of annual salary in baseball. The Dodgers, already strong contenders, aim to strengthen their team with this addition for a potential three-peat victory in the World Series.
Key Facts
Kyle Tucker signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The contract is worth $240 million, averaging $60 million per year.
Tucker's annual salary is second only to his new teammate Shohei Ohtani.
The Dodgers added Tucker to address a need for an outfielder.
The team was already favored to win the World Series and aims for a three-peat.
Tucker's deal includes options to leave after the second and third years.
He originally sought a longer deal of 8 to 10 years worth about $400 million.
The Los Angeles Dodgers plan to bring back Kiké Hernández, a player who has been part of their World Series victories, even though he recently had elbow surgery. Reports suggest that despite other recent signings, Hernández is expected to rejoin the team to add depth to their roster.
Key Facts
The Dodgers are adding players to their team before spring training.
Kiké Hernández is expected to return to the Dodgers, according to reports.
Hernández has helped the Dodgers win three World Series titles.
He recently had elbow surgery but is still considered valuable.
Last season, he earned $6.5 million with the Dodgers.
Hernández might accept a lower salary due to his recent surgery.
His return is not expected to affect the team’s efforts to sign other players.
He would add depth to the bench in case of player injuries.
The Boston Red Sox have signed 17-year-old outfielder Garielvin Silverio for $1.4 million as part of international free agency. Silverio is recognized for his significant power potential and is ranked as the No. 36 prospect in this year's international free agency class.
Key Facts
The Red Sox signed Garielvin Silverio, a 17-year-old outfielder, during international free agency.
The signing amount was $1.4 million.
Silverio is ranked No. 36 by MLB Pipeline in this year's international free agency class.
He is known for his strong power-hitting abilities.
Silverio is considered a prospect with potential to hit 30 home runs in a season.
Although not a fast runner, his batting skills are a highlight.
The Red Sox hope Silverio may become a future All-Star as he develops.
Ohio State University's football team, led by head coach Ryan Day, is preparing for the 2026 season after not making it past the first round of the College Football Playoff. To strengthen the team, they have recently added players using the NCAA transfer portal, including Cameron Calhoun, a defensive back who previously committed to the University of Michigan.
Key Facts
Ohio State lost in the first round of the College Football Playoff to Ole Miss.
Head coach Ryan Day is focusing on building the team for the 2026 season.
Ohio State has used the NCAA transfer portal to add new players.
Cameron Calhoun, a former recruit for Michigan, is transferring to Ohio State from Alabama.
Calhoun has played for Michigan, Utah, and Alabama and has two years of eligibility left.
Calhoun is originally from Cincinnati and was highly rated as a high school recruit.
Ohio State also signed another defensive back, Dominic Kelly, on the same day.
The team's need for new defensive backs arises as they are losing key players like Caleb Downs.
The Philadelphia Phillies signed 17-year-old Venezuelan outfielder Francisco Renteria for a $4 million signing bonus. Renteria is highly rated among international prospects and is known for his potential to become a strong home run hitter.
Key Facts
Francisco Renteria, a 17-year-old outfielder from Venezuela, signed with the Phillies.
The signing includes a $4 million bonus from the Phillies' $6.67 million bonus pool.
Renteria is ranked as a top prospect by Baseball America and MLB Pipeline.
He played for the Senadores de Caracas and participated in international tournaments like the U-15 World Cup.
Renteria is noted for his physical strength, power, and athletic skills.
He has potential to be a major home run hitter, with strengths in hitting fastballs.
MLB Pipeline rates his running and fielding as above average, especially in center field.
The international signing period is crucial for adding talent to MLB organizations.
The Charlotte Hornets will play the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday, January 15th, 2026. The game will be broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network Extra and can be streamed live through Fubo. Both teams have been showing strong performances recently, with notable contributions from key players.
Key Facts
The Charlotte Hornets have a current record of 14 wins and 26 losses.
The Los Angeles Lakers have a current record of 24 wins and 14 losses.
The Hornets recently won a significant game against the Oklahoma City Thunder and a 55-point win over the Utah Jazz.
LaMelo Ball led the Hornets in their last game against the Clippers with 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists.
The Lakers recently broke a three-game losing streak with a win over the Atlanta Hawks.
LeBron James scored 31 points with 9 rebounds and 10 assists in the Lakers' last game.
The game will be broadcast on the FanDuel Sports Network Extra and streamed on Fubo, where a free trial is available.
Regional restrictions may apply to the live stream on Fubo.
Draymond Green, a basketball player, discussed Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams' performance. Initially skeptical about Williams, Green now respects his skills after the quarterback helped win a playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. Despite his improved view, Green doubts Williams will lead the Bears to a Super Bowl win.
Key Facts
Draymond Green commented on Caleb Williams, the quarterback for the Chicago Bears.
Initially, Green was not impressed by Williams after a Week 3 victory.
Williams led a comeback in a Wild Card playoff game against the Green Bay Packers.
The Bears won that game 31-27, with Williams passing for 361 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions.
The Bears will face the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round.
Green acknowledges Williams' talent but doubts a Super Bowl win this season.
Draymond Green is a player for the Golden State Warriors basketball team.
World champion Luke Littler won against Paul Lim 6-1 in the Bahrain Masters quarter-finals. Littler, 19, expressed admiration for Lim, 71, and will face Gerwyn Price in the next round. Other competitors advancing include Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, and Michael van Gerwen.
Key Facts
Luke Littler beat Paul Lim 6-1 in the Bahrain Masters.
Littler recently defended his world title on 3 January.
Paul Lim, 71, is a veteran player from Singapore.
Littler has an average score of 106 in the match against Lim.
Littler will play against Gerwyn Price in the quarter-finals.
Luke Humphries won 6-0 against Abdulla Saeed.
Gian van Veen defeated Man Lok Leung 6-2.
Michael van Gerwen will play against Stephen Bunting next.
The New York Knicks will play against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, January 15, 2026. The game takes place at Chase Center and will be available for live streaming on Fubo and Prime Video. Both teams have had recent changes in performance, with the Knicks struggling and the Warriors improving their standings.
Key Facts
The game is scheduled for January 15, 2026, at 10:00 PM ET.
The Knicks are ranked No. 2 in the Eastern Conference.
They have lost six of their last eight games and recently lost to the Sacramento Kings.
The Warriors improved to No. 8 in the Western Conference with a recent 9-4 record.
De’Anthony Melton was the leading scorer for the Warriors in their win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
The game will be broadcast locally on MSG and nationally on Prime Video.
The live stream is available on Fubo and Prime Video, both offering free trials.
Odds for the game include NY: +215, GS: -265, with a spread of GS -7.5 and an over/under of 227.5.
The Chicago Bears are considering building a new football stadium in Northwest Indiana. Indiana lawmakers have introduced a bill to help fund the stadium, and discussions are moving quickly between the team and Indiana officials. However, Illinois officials are not offering financial help for the stadium but are willing to assist with related infrastructure projects.
Key Facts
The Chicago Bears are looking at building a new stadium in Northwest Indiana.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell recently visited potential stadium sites.
Indiana Senator Chris Garten introduced a bill to fund the stadium.
Indiana Governor Mike Braun stated that discussions are progressing quickly.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker supports helping with infrastructure but not funding the stadium.
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel Welch said state lawmakers are focused on taxpayer affordability.
The Bears have expressed appreciation to Indiana lawmakers for advancing discussions.
