OTB Football
FOOTBALL DAILY: United stun Arsenal but are the Gunners beginning to falter? Is Carrick the man long-term? And Ferguson's Roma no-show
26 Jan 2026
Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Football on Off the Ball.
And immediately, Senegalese journalists start applauding, Moroccan journalists start booing. The Moroccan journalists then try to stage a walkout, but because of the nature of the seating, you know, sort of theatre-style seating, they couldn't get out, there's people in the way. And so then fights break out. And I'm not talking two or three fights, I'm talking 40, 50, 60 fights break out.
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Off the Ball's Football Daily. Hello and welcome along to Monday's Football Daily. I'm Phil Egan. Coming up today, we'll look back at our feature commentary game yesterday as Manchester United stunned Arsenal to move into the Premier League's top four. Is Michael Carrick the man to take United to the next level and Evan Ferguson fails to get off the bench for Roma?
First at the Emirates Stadium where Arsenal were beaten for the first time this season, the Gunners lost 3-2 to Manchester United thanks to a stunning late strike from substitute Mateus Cunha. The Gunners had gone ahead through Alessandro Martinez's own goal before Brian Mbumo was gifted an equaliser from a mistake from Martin Zubamendi.
Patrick Dorgue then gave Michael Carrickside the lead thanks to a Tony Yeboah-esque strike after he linked up with Bruno Fernandes.
a one-two of Fernandes, then it's back to Fernandes, to Dogu, Dogu just at the edge of the box, hits it from the volley, oh my word what a goal, what a strike from Patrick Dogu to put Manchester United in front on 50 minutes here at the Everett Stadium and they are going absolutely bananas over on the away support there, the Manchester United supporters around that tunnel on the far side of the pitch, that's
However, Mikel Mourinho came off the bench to draw the sides level when he scored from a scrappy corner. But Mateus Cunha had the last laugh when he scored a stunning 25-yard curler.
Mateus Cunha out of nothing has found some space outside the box. Oh, look at Gabriel. He's on his knees, punching the ground. Decker Rice, his head is hanging.
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Chapter 2: What happened in the Manchester United vs Arsenal match?
Despite the loss, Arsenal are still four points clear at the top. However, they have only one win in the Premier League in the new year. Manager Mikel Arteta says they have to show the mental strength they have on a match day after conceding late in the defeat.
We were absolutely brilliant in Milan and today we weren't that good. I don't know if it was mental because how much they played but because we were poor, especially technically in certain aspects of the game than against a team that when you make those mistakes they can punish you big time and that was the difference.
Arteta says the fact that they were booed by some of their supporters after the game shows they have to do more this season.
That's part of the demands and expectations, that we want to win and that's it. Individually, everybody can react in the manner that they need.
Former title-winning captain with Arsenal, Patrick Vieira, questioned the mental strength of Arteta's side. Vieira says it was a worry for him.
That performance will be really disappointing because it's not the fact that they lose the game, but it's the way they lose the game. I think there was a lack of creativity. They didn't create enough.
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has praised Michael Carrick for turning the club's fortunes around, but he doesn't think he should get the job long term. Keane says despite the wins over Arsenal and City, it doesn't mean Carrick's contract should be extended into next season.
Anybody can win two games. That's what he does at the end of the season. And even if they do get into fourth, I still wouldn't be convinced he's the man for the job. Absolutely not. I still think they need a bigger and better manager.
And on Monday morning's Off the Ball Breakfast, football writer Jonathan Wilson joined Gerard Gilroy and Colin Buick. He said United should just enjoy the spell while it lasts.
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Chapter 3: How did Matheus Cunha's goal impact the game?
I think ultimately when Zubamendi gives away a goal as cheaply as he did, that's a frustrating thing because you're so clean on the ball, so composed, so assured. So these things happen. But even when Arsenal got back to 2-2 late on, the energy in the stadium just ramped up again. You're thinking it can only be one outcome. And then Suddy United showed unbelievable character.
And it's a sensational goal by Konya, who was brought on to replace Mbwemo. Michael Carrick, I mean, listen... It feels as if he can't do anything wrong at the moment. Even his substitutions came off. And that was such an impressive United performance on the back of that swashbuckling one last week against City.
As always, if you want to listen to that back in full, you can do so now in your OTB Football podcast feed for free. In our other live commentary game yesterday, Chelsea boss Liam Ross Sr. says his players are adapting well to his way of working after they eased past 10-man Crystal Palace 3-1 at Sellers Park. It's now four wins in five matches in charge for the new Chelsea boss.
They're engaged. I think they're believing in what they're doing. But it's one game. We have to make sure that we're consistent in every game we play.
Chelsea are fifth in the table now, nine points off Aston Villa and City. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner says fans shouldn't forget what Jean-Philippe Mateta has done for the club after he was booed during their loss yesterday. The France international has been linked with a move away from Sellers Park with the likes of Tottenham, Aston Villa and Juventus all interested.
But Glasner says Mateta continues to work hard for the team.
When I've seen his effort, really how many in-fights he had with Trevor Chalupa and how many he won, to be honest, I think then it would be unfair to blame him for something and boo at him. I think now is the moment, that's what I said about JD, to support.
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery's told this team to keep balance as they maintain their challenge for the title. A 2-0 win away to Newcastle took them level on points with second place Manchester City.
We are competing against Arsenal, we are competing against Manchester City, we are competing against Chelsea, we are competing against Liverpool, we are competing against Newcastle, against Tottenham. Wow, the power they have. But we are competing and we are there and we are getting points.
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Chapter 4: What is Michael Carrick's vision for Manchester United?
Newcastle have failed to win any of those nine. Howe admits they really struggle without him.
I thought we missed his forward thinking. He always wants to pass forward. He's always looking for a creative pass. I thought you could see we missed that today. But we can't rely on one player. We do have to find a way of winning without him. So let's hope that's not for too long.
Nottingham Forest re-established the gap between themselves and 18th place West Ham thanks to a 2-0 win away to Brentford. Igor Jesus and Tayo Awani scored the goals for Sean Dyche's side. Everton boss David Moyes believes fans are starting to see the best of striker Tierno Barry.
The summer signing from Villarreal struggled to settle in the Premier League but he has hit some form with three goals in his last four games. Everton play Leeds tonight and Moyes is hoping Barry can keep the run going.
I have to say, I need him to score more. That's what we know. We brought him here. You're young. You're relatively inexperienced at this level. That goes right out the window. Everybody talks about, is he scoring? Is he number nine scoring any goals? And that's the case. And for long parts, we haven't done enough. And he is improving. I can see it daily. He's getting better.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke says his team can't be complacent despite their good run of form. They've lost just one of their last nine matches in the league. Farke aside are five points outside the relegation zone so he knows it doesn't take much of them to get dragged back into a relegation scrap.
We have a chance to achieve our goals, but if we give 1% less or invest 1% more or think, OK, right now we don't have to go physically over the line or in terms of team spirit over the line, then there is no chance for us as an only promoted side to win enough points.
Celtic boss Martin O'Neill says they're still very much in the Scottish Premiership title race. Despite their two-all draw away to leaders' hearts yesterday, the champions have slipped to third place and are six points off the top. O'Neill says his players are well-equipped for what's ahead.
There's a terrific spirit in the side. Really, really terrific. Great will in the team. And that'll be very, very important towards the end of the season.
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Chapter 5: Are Arsenal showing signs of mental fragility?
Underneath it all has got to be character and belief and I thought that was screaming at the players. I think they all connected with each other, the effort. We just wanted that wee bit of fire and ice.
Chapter 6: What did Mikel Arteta say about Arsenal's performance?
The fire was there, the tempo was there, the aggression was there at the right moments but we still needed to bring quality.
Rangers moved up to second place with a 3-0 win against Dundee and manager Danny Rowe says everything is possible after getting themselves back into the title race. Rowe says it's been an impressive turnaround since he took over at Ibrox.
how we worked from, I think, 13, 14 points behind now to close four. I think this is outstanding and also, yeah, a phenomenal eight wins in a row.
Evan Ferguson was an unused substitute for Roma's one-all draw with second place AC Milan at the Stadio Olimpico last night. The Ireland international played the full 90 minutes of Thursday's 2-0 win over Stuttgart in the Europa League in what was his first game back after a short-term back injury. However, three days on, Gian Piero Gasparini didn't use the 21-year-old from Meath.
Daniel Malin, who joined from Aston Villa earlier this month, led the line with Paulo Dybala in support. Napoli suffered a major blow in their Serie A title defence. They were beaten 3-0 away to Juventus and are now nine points behind leaders Inter. Barcelona return to the top of La Liga with a 3-0 win over bottom side Oviedo at the Camp Nou.
Dani Olmo, Rafinha and Laminia Mal all scored in the second half to move Barca a point ahead of Real Madrid. 3rd place Atletico Madrid are 8 points off top spot after their 3-0 win over Mallorca. In Ligue 1 Real Madrid loanee Hendrik scored a hat-trick for 4th place Lyon who won their 8th game in a row in all competitions. They won 5-2 away to bottom side Mets.
Former Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton also scored for Lyon in that game and Stuttgart moved up to 4th in the Bundesliga with a 3-0 win at Borussia Mƶnchengladbach. That's about all we have time for in today's Football Daily. I'm Phil Egan. I'll be back with more tomorrow. to unlock much more from the OTB football feed sign up at offtheball.com forward slash join now
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