Premier League LIVE: Haaland £250m contract, Slot confirms Liverpool blow, Solskjaer back at the wheel

Ole's back at the wheel

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has completed his return to management.

The Manchester United legend has been confirmed as the new boss at Turkish giants Besiktas.

Solskjaer returns to the touchline over two years after he left United.

Speaking to local media upon his arrival, he said: "It's great to be here, it's very nice to see so many people that care about this fantastic club.

"For me, I've had a very nice first meeting with the members of the board here and I'm really looking forward to this.

"It's fantastic to be in this beautiful city."

Besiktas are sixth in the Turkish Super League and face being knocked out of the Europa League.

Solskjaer has arrived in the same league as Jose Mourinho and the pair will meet in May when Fenerbahce host Besiktas.

Pastures new

Antony could be offered an exit route out of Manchester United.

talkSPORT's Ben Jacobs has reported that LaLiga side Real Betis are exploring a loan move for the winger.

However, for a deal to take place, United will have to cover a significant amount of his wages.

Antony has faced a difficult spell at the Premier League giants since his £81.3million move from Ajax in 2022.

The Brazilian has scored just 12 goals in 95 appearances for the club, five of which have come in the Premier League.

'That's what makes this league so intense'

Arne Slot insists his Liverpool side can still compete amongst the big spenders in the Premier League.

News of Erling Haaland's fresh Manchester City contract has further showcased the immense amounts of money involved in the league.

talkSPORT understands that Haaland's basic salary makes him the first player in Premier League history to earn £500,000-a-week.

He has signed until 2034 so is set for a whole decade at the club, but the figures involved are unsurprising for Slot.

"Not particularly about the investment but we know how good we have to be every single day to compete in this league," he said.

"It is not only the club you are referring to, Chelsea also spend £1.2billion, [Manchester] United spends an incredible amount.

"Every team spends a lot of money over here, that's why it's such an interesting league to be part of.

"Some season this club spends a bit more, other seasons other clubs spend a bit more.

"That's what makes this league so intense and so difficult to win, but that's also the reason why we want to be here.

"You want to compete against the best, with the best, and we are very happy with the team we have at the moment and we are still able to compete with all the teams that are spending incredible amounts of money."

Sanction

The Football Association have announced that Jhon Duran has been fined £15,000.

Duran admitted to acting in an improper manner after being sent off in Aston Villa's 3-0 defeat to Newcastle on Boxing Day.

The forward was controversially dismissed after appearing to stamp on the back of Fabian Schar despite appearing to be off-balance.

Duran was then seen kicking a water bottle in frustration before he went down the tunnel at St. James' Park.

He has since served a three-match suspension, with a commission opting to now give him a financial sanction over a sporting sanction.

In and out

Joao Felix could be in line for a Chelsea exit despite completing a permanent move in the summer.

La Gazzetta dello Sport report that AC Milan have Felix as a potential alternative target for Marcus Rashford.

Felix, who first joined on loan in 2023 before returning a year later, has made just three starts in the Premier League this season.

Chelsea are said to be considering a sale, although a loan move may be the only option for them halfway through the transfer window.

The outlet says Felix's salary of €5.7million [£4.8million, or around £92,000-a-week] is easier for Milan in comparison to Rashford's.

Felix could be one of three summer signings to leave Chelsea this month.

Borussia Dortmund have shown interest in Renato Veiga, whilst Tosin Adarabioyo has been linked with Brighton.

Can he do it?

With a new contract running until 2034, Erling Haaland has the chance to make Premier League history.

The striker has already netted 79 goals in the English top flight since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund in 2022.

That puts him 61st in the all-time rankings for the league, with Alan Shearer still sitting on top with 260 goals scored.

However, now that Haaland has committed to City for nearly the next decade, he could take the crown in the coming years.

Statistics from Opta say that Shearer made 441 appearances in the Premier League and averaged 0.59 goals per game.

They have also said that if Haaland was to make 200 consecutive outings then the 2029/30 season would see him break the record.

Pending Palace signing

Romain Esse will reportedly complete his Crystal Palace move today.

The Evening Standard say that the 19-year-old will have his medical on Friday ahead of a £14.5million move.

Esse will join from south London rivals Millwall, with Palace beating interest from other Premier League sides to his signature.

He was not included in Millwall's FA Cup win over Dagenham & Redbridge on Monday amid developments over his exit.

Esse joined the Lions' academy in 2014 and made his debut for the club at the end of 2022, the first of his 66 total appearances.

Jota absence

Arne Slot has cast doubt on Diogo Jota's availability for Liverpool's trip to Brentford on Saturday.

The Portuguese forward scored the Reds' crucial equaliser against Nottingham Forest during the week.

Jota faced an injury issue earlier in the season but could have been dealt another setback as confirmed by head coach Slot.

"There's no doubt about the fact that Jota is an important player for us," he said.

"But he wasn't on the training ground yesterday so that means we have to see today where he is.

"So it's not sure that he will be available for tomorrow, we have to wait and see today."

He added: "He felt a little niggle during the half four he came in. He could finish the game but afterwards, he complained a bit about it.

"That's why he didn't train yesterday, we have to wait and see if he's available today and then of course tomorrow."

Keep going Amad

Ruben Amorim insists Amad Diallo can still improve despite his heroics for Manchester United on Thursday night.

Diallo bailed out the Premier League giants by scoring a late hat-trick to win 3-1 over Southampton, who were leading with ten minutes to go.

The 22-year-old has nine goals for the season and continues to be a key player for a United side who are still in the bottom half.

However, head coach Amorim has hinted that the winger can get even better.

"I didn't say anything to him, I will tell him tomorrow," he said after.

"But he has to rest, eat good and prepare for Sunday because we will need him again.

"He did a great job, it's a great moment for a young kid to score a hat-trick for a club like this.

"But he needs to focus on the next match already. The important thing is to win and he helped us to win.

"He's doing a very good season. I've already said, you have to be careful with young kids. He did a really good job today.

"He has a lot to improve but this game is in the past and you have to prepare for the future. Football is like this and life is like this."

Big player, big reward

Erling Haaland has expressed his delight at penning terms on his new lucrative deal at Manchester City.

The striker has been an outstanding purchase for the Premier League champions and remains as one of the top strikers in world football.

Haaland is 15th in City's all-time leading scorer list having only joined in 2022 and has now committed his long-term future to the club.

"I am really happy to have signed my new contract and to be able to look forward to spending even more time at this great Club," he said.

"Manchester City is a special Club, full of fantastic people with amazing supporters and it’s the type of environment that helps bring the best out of everybody.

"I also want to thank Pep, his coaching staff, my teammates and everyone at the Club as they have all helped me so much in the past couple of years. They have made this such a special place to be and now I am City no matter what.

"I want to keep developing, keep working to get better and look to do my best to try and help us achieve more success going forward."

Txiki Begiristain, City's director of football, added: "Everyone at the Club is absolutely delighted that Erling has signed his new contract. The fact he is signed for so long demonstrates our commitment to him as a player, and his love of this club. 

"He has made an incredible impact already in his time here and his amazing numbers and records speak for themselves.

"But in addition to his outstanding natural talent and ability, Erling’s dedication, professionalism, humility and desire to keep getting better sum up what we all strive to achieve at Manchester City.

"He is one of the finest strikers in world football, but Erling is still very young and will only continue to improve working under Pep and his coaching team. If he works hard, which I know he will, he will create an incredible legacy at this football club.

"Now he can focus on his game and continuing to play a huge part in helping us try to achieve even more success."

Ha Ha Land

Erling Haaland has signed a staggering new nine-and-a-half-year contract with Manchester City.

The 24-year-old superstar has committed his future to the club until the summer of 2034 in what is one of the most lucrative sporting deals in history.

Haaland's previous contract was set to expire in 2027 and there has been speculation of a future move to Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Now City have tied the Norwegian down until he is 34 years old.

It overtakes Chelsea's nine-year deals for Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez to become the longest deal in Premier League history.

Since joining Man City for €60million in 2022, Haaland has scored a remarkable 111 goals in 126 games, winning two Premier League titles and the Champions League.

Having reached 79 top-flight goals in record time, this outrageous new deal puts the striker on course to beat Alan Shearer.

Meanwhile, City have also reached a verbal agreement with Eintracht Frankfurt over the signing of Omar Marmoush.

The Egypt forward, who can operate across the frontline, has scored 20 times in 26 appearances for the German club in all competitions this season.

The deal is understood to be worth around €60m (£50.5m).

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'A game of two halves'

Man United manager Ruben Amorim has given his assessment of the game and spoken about Amad Diallo's hat-trick.

"In the end it is good," he told TNT Sports after the 3-1 win. "A very difficult game, a game of two halves.

"They did a very good job Southampton. Creating space in-between the lines.

"Number 20 [Kamaldeen Sulemana] with a lot of space. We had a lot of difficulty to stop that player.

"When they lose their physicality, we find the space to use. The feeling is we have so much to do - the team is really tired.

"It was a win, it was good. Let's continue."

On hero Amad, he added: "Even in the first half, every time Amad gets the ball he can push the ball.

"He pushes the other team into the final third - that is really important.

"We didn't have a good game, but at this moment, winning is the most important thing."

Looking up

Man United are up to the lofty heights of 12th!

Their comeback win moves them up from 15th and above West Ham, Tottenham and Crystal Palace.

It keeps up their positive momentum after recent performances and things are looking up for Ruben Amorim,

That's strange to say though, as after 80 minutes things weren't looking so rosy, with Old Trafford showing their discontent.

And that was down to Southampton's impressive performance.

The Saints will feel very hard done by to leave with nothing after being the better team for the large majority.

But another loss means they're still 10 points adrift from safety and awaiting their second win of the season after 21 games.

Non-stop stats

The stats keep coming for Amad Diallo tonight.

But his heroic performance deserves the coverage!

Only Mohamed Salah (20) and Alexander Isak (17) have more Premier League goal involvements since the start of November than the Ivorian (10 - 5 goals, 5 assists).

Amad is also now the third player in Premier League history to score three times in the final 10 minutes of a game.

The other two to achieve the feat were also Man United players.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did it against Nottingham Forest in February 1999 while Wayne Rooney did too versus Hull City in January 2010.

Among the greats

Only Wayne Rooney (21 years 4 days) has scored a Premier League hat-trick for Man United at a younger age than Amad Diallo (22 years 189 days).

He's now the youngest to do so at Old Trafford, with Rooney's coming away at Bolton in 2006.

Amad is also the first player to score a Premier League hat-trick for the club since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2022.

He's sure to love being named among those greats.

What a night for him and he's single-handedly saved United.

Instant reaction

Man United's hero Amad Diallo has been speaking about his incredible hat-trick to turn the game around.

He told TNT Sports on the Old Trafford pitch: “In football you have to believe and we believed until the end.

"We are very happy to win this game. The confidence was there after the draw at Liverpool and win at Arsenal."

Amad signed a new contract a week today and he scored a late equaliser at Anfield during the draw he mentoned.

On his brilliant week, he continued: “Yeah maybe one of the best weeks of my life. I’m very happy for this win as we deserve to win this game. 

“We know we have quality players in this time. We need to sometimes have more hunger in the final third. 

“I’m so happy for this win as the team deserve it. 

“I’m ready to play every positon, to play wing-back, No.10, wherever the manager wants to put me. I am ready to fight for this club.

“I’m so happy to score a hat-trick.”

FT: Man United 3-1 Southampton

It's all over, what a finish to the game.

Man United's hero is Amad Diallo.

His 12-minutes hat-trick turns the match on it's head as the Red Devils come from 1-0 down to win 3-1.

Southampton will feel hard done by after a great performance for 80 minutes at Old Trafford.

But United won't care one bit as they snap out of their home losing streak and rise up to 12th in the table.

GOAL! Man United 3-1 Southampton: Amad Diallo

AMAD DIALLO HAS A HAT-TRICK!

WHAT A STUNNING MOMENT FOR THE YOUNGSTER!

Southampton have just handed Man United a third.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis is caught on the ball in his own box and Amad sneaks in to tap home with ease.

That's the first hat-trick ever in his career. Incredible.

GOAL! Man United 2-1 Southampton: Amad Diallo

THEY'VE TURNED IT AROUND!

MAN UNITED ARE NOW IN FRONT!

IT'S AMAD DIALLO AGAIN! WOW!

He's incredibly saved the Red Devils yet again.

The winger lays one off for Christian Eriksen who then perfectly dinks the ball back into his teammate.

Amad manages to get a toe on it and volley past Aaron Ramsdale to send Old Trafford barmy.

Man United 1-1 Southampton

That's history for Amad Diallo too.

He's the first African player to have a hand in 10 Premier League goals during a season for Manchester United.

The Ivorian has been incredible in his breakout campaign.

And he's saved the Red Devils yet again.

Can they now win this game? They're piling on the pressure and Southampton are now hanging on.

We've got five minutes left.

GOAL! Man United 1-1 Southampton: Amad Diallo

THERE'S THE EQUALISER!

Joshua Zirkzee leads an attack, sending a ball out to Amad Diallo on the right-hand side.

He cuts inside of Kyle Walker-Peters and shoots, sees the ball bounce back to him, then finishes at the near post!

That is huge for Man United and heartbreaking for Southampton.

Christian Eriksen and Harry Maguire come on, and Maguire certainly won't be going up front now...

CHANCE! Man United 0-1 Southampton

Aaron Ramsdale makes a massive save!

Bruno Fernandes plays a neat one-two with Joshua Zirkzee and breaks free in the box to shoot.

He goes for a dink over Ramsdale but the Southampton goalkeeper rushes out and denies him.

Christian Eriksen and Harry Maguire are about to come on.

Maguire is surely going to do a shift up front here.

Man United 0-1 Southampton

What a huge final few minutes this is for Southampton.

They've barely been tested tonight and they will be devastated if they give up a crucial three points now.

Ivan Juric has been animated on the sideline all game, he wants his side to hang onto this win so badly.

And Man United aren't really making it too tense, struggling to create anymore chance and playing at a low intensity.

A few passes round the back and the home crowd grumble.

What must Ruben Amorim be thinking?

Man United 0-1 Southampton

Back at Old Trafford, Man United are still behind.

They've looked better since bringing on Toby Collyer and Joshua Zirkzee, but they're yet to score.

That Antony miss could end up being a pivotal moment, with an equaliser there giving plenty of time for another.

However, his embarrasing effort leaves his side in trouble and things are very flat in the stands.

20 minutes to go.

Full time

It's all over at Portman Road.

Brighton have finally won a Premier League game, beating Ipswich 2-0 to end their barren run of results.

Goals from Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter get the job done for Fabian Hurzeler's side.

The Seagulls now move up to ninth in the table while the Tractor Boys remain 18th and in the drop zone.

It means four of the bottom five have lost this week, with Southampton potentially set for a monumental win.