By Dipo Olowookere

English Premier League (EPL) club, Manchester United, have sack Mr Ruben Amorin as Manager, a day after leading the team to a 1-1 draw at Elland Road.

The Old Trafford outfit currently sits sixth on the league table with 31 points, same with Chelsea, which also played one apiece at the blue end of Manchester on Sunday, though leading with goal difference.

In a statement on Monday morning, the red side of Manchester said the Portuguese coach “has departed his role as Head Coach of Manchester United.”

It was disclosed that the club’s leadership “reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change,” after the manager has struggled to impress.

The club noted that the exit of Mr Amorim, who was appointed in November 2024 and led the team to a UEFA Europa League Final in Bilbao in May, “will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish.”

For the next league match with Burnley fixed for this Wednesday, a former player of Manchester United, Mr Darren Fletcher, “will take charge of the team,” according to the statement.

Manchester United thanked Mr Amorim “for his contribution to the club and wishes him well for the future.”

Club football comes into the new year with decisive fixtures across Europe’s top leagues, as the Premier League maintains its relentless pace while La Liga, Serie A, and Ligue 1 return with heavyweight clashes. All games will be live on SuperSport via DStv and GOtv.

Premier League: Title Pressure, Survival Fights and Super Sunday

Saturday begins at 1:30 p.m. as Aston Villa host Nottingham Forest. Villa’s eleven-game winning run ended emphatically at Arsenal, and Unai Emery’s side will be eager to respond at home. Forest, hovering above the drop zone, arrive under mounting pressure after another defeat.

At 4:00 p.m., Brighton face Burnley in a bottom-half clash. Brighton remain inconsistent despite a spirited draw at West Ham, while Burnley’s defensive struggles continue to drag them toward relegation trouble.

Leaders Arsenal travel to Bournemouth at 6:30 p.m. riding a wave of momentum after dismantling Aston Villa. Four points clear at the top, the Gunners could stretch their advantage further, though Bournemouth will hope a resilient home display can slow the league’s most confident side.

Sunday opens at 1:30 p.m. with Leeds United hosting Man United. Leeds earned credit for holding Liverpool scoreless, while United laboured to a draw against Wolves and need sharper attacking edge to stay in the European hunt.

At 4:00 p.m., Tottenham face Sunderland in a clash of contrasting confidence. Sunderland continue to impress in seventh after holding Man City, while Spurs remain inconsistent following another goalless outing.

Fulham host Liverpool at the same time, with the Reds under pressure after successive stalemates. Fulham are comfortable mid-table and difficult to break down at home, posing another test to Liverpool’s fading title hopes.

The weekend’s headline fixture comes at 6:30 p.m. as Man City welcome Chelsea. City must respond after dropping points on New Year’s Day to keep Arsenal in sight, while Chelsea arrive amid upheaval following managerial changes, hoping unpredictability works in their favour.

All Premier League matches air live on SS Premier League (DStv Ch. 203, GOtv Ch. 65).

La Liga: Derbies and Pressure at the Summit

Saturday begins at 6:30 p.m. as Villarreal visit Elche. Villarreal’s winning streak ended against Barcelona, but with games in hand, they remain firmly in the title race. Elche, buoyed by a big win, will test their response.

At 9:00 p.m., the Catalan derby takes centre stage as Espanyol host Barcelona. Both sides are in strong form, making this a stern test for the league leaders against a rival chasing Champions League football.

Sunday sees Real Madrid host Real Betis at 4:15 p.m. as Los Blancos continue their pursuit of Barcelona. The round concludes at 9:00 p.m. with Atlético Madrid visiting struggling Real Sociedad, with Atleti aiming to consolidate third.

La Liga matches are live on SS LaLiga (DStv Ch. 204, GOtv Ch. 62).

Serie A: Title Heat Intensifies

Serie A returns on Friday night as AC Milan visit Cagliari at 8:45 p.m.. Milan’s unbeaten run has kept them firmly in the title race, but Cagliari’s recent upset win hints at a potential stumbling block.

Saturday sees Juventus host Lecce at 6:00 p.m. in a must-win encounter for the Bianconeri, while Atalanta face Roma at 8:45 p.m. in a pivotal clash for European positioning. Sunday’s action features Lazio versus Napoli at 12:30 p.m., a major test for Antonio Conte’s side, before leaders Inter host Bologna at  8:45 p.m.under the lights with no room for error.

Serie A fixtures air on SS Africa 2 (DStv Ch. 208, GOtv Ch. 64).

Ligue 1: Leaders Under Siege, Paris Derby Returns

The French weekend begins Friday as leaders Lens travel to Toulouse at 8:45 p.m., knowing PSG are poised to pounce on any slip. Saturday delivers Monaco versus Lyon at 5:00 p.m. and Lille against Rennes at  9:05 p.m, both crucial for the European race.

Sunday’s spotlight shines on Marseille hosting Nantes at  3:00 p.m, before the Paris derby closes the round as PSG face Paris FC at 8:45 p.m.. With the title race tightening, the champions will look to open the year with authority.

Ligue 1 matches air on SS Football (DStv Ch. 205, GOtv Ch. 61), with selected fixtures on SS Africa 1.

Weekend Highlights

Premier League

• Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest — Sat, 1:30 p.m.

• Brighton vs Burnley — Sat, 4:00 p.m.

• Bournemouth vs Arsenal — Sat, 6:30 p.m.

• Leeds United vs Man United — Sun, 1:30 p.m.

• Tottenham vs Sunderland — Sun, 4:00 p.m.

• Fulham vs Liverpool — Sun, 4:00 p.m.

• Man City vs Chelsea — Sun, 6:30 p.m.

La Liga

• Elche vs Villarreal — Sat, 6:30 p.m.

• Espanyol vs Barcelona — Sat, 9:00 p.m.

• Real Madrid vs Real Betis — Sun, 4:15 p.m.

• Real Sociedad vs Atlético Madrid — Sun, 9:00 p.m.

Serie A

• Cagliari vs AC Milan — Fri, 8:45 p.m.

• Juventus vs Lecce — Sat, 6:00 p.m.

• Atalanta vs Roma — Sat, 8:45 p.m.

• Lazio vs Napoli — Sun, 12:30 p.m.

• Inter Milan vs Bologna — Sun, 8:45 p.m.

Ligue 1

• Toulouse vs Lens — Fri, 8:45 p.m.

• Monaco vs Lyon — Sat, 5:00 p.m.

• Lille vs Rennes — Sat, 9:05 p.m.

• Marseille vs Nantes — Sun, 3:00 p.m.

• PSG vs Paris FC — Sun, 8:45 p.m.

Where to Watch

All Premier League action airs on SS Premier League (DStv Ch. 203, GOtv Ch. 65).La Liga matches are live on SS La Liga (DStv Ch. 204, GOtv Ch. 62). Serie A games are on SS Africa 2 (DStv Ch. 208, GOtv Ch. 64). Ligue 1 fixtures air on SS Football (DStv Ch. 205, GOtv Ch. 61) and SS Africa 1 for selected matches. Stream every match live on DStv Stream or GOtv Stream.

The Premier League closes the year and opens the new one with decisive fixtures at both ends of the table, headlined by a title clash between Arsenal and Aston Villa, while Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea all face defining tests. All the games will be broadcast live on SuperSport via DStv and GOtv.

Tuesday: Momentum, Pressure and a Title Statement

Year-end action begins at 8:30 p.m. as Chelsea host Bournemouth, live on SS Action (GOtv Ch. 66, DStv Ch. 206). Chelsea’s recent slide has seen them win just once in five, following defeat to Aston Villa, which has left them fifth. Bournemouth arrive in deeper trouble, winless in nine after a heavy loss to Brentford. Both sides are under pressure, but Chelsea cannot afford another slip if they are to stay in the European race.

At 9:15 p.m., attention turns to the Emirates where leaders Arsenal face in-form Aston Villa, live on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203). Arsenal edged Brighton to stay top, but Villa arrive as the league’s most relentless force, having won eight straight league matches and 11 across all competitions. A Villa victory would draw them level at the summit and dramatically reshape the title race.

At the same time, Manchester United welcome Wolves, live on SS Football (GOtv Ch. 61, DStv Ch. 205). United are level on points with Chelsea and edging toward the European places after a narrow win over Newcastle. Wolves remain rooted to the bottom with twelve straight defeats. On paper, it is a chance for United to build momentum, but the pressure to deliver a convincing performance is unmistakable.

New Year’s Day: Early Statements for 2026

The new year begins at 6:30 p.m. as Liverpool host Leeds United, live on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203). Liverpool have climbed to fourth after three consecutive wins and will aim to carry that form into 2026. Leeds, though hovering near the bottom, continue to frustrate stronger opponents and arrive fresh from a draw with Sunderland.

At the same time, Crystal Palace face Fulham in a mid-table London derby, live on SS Football (GOtv Ch. 61, DStv Ch. 205). Palace will be seeking a response after a narrow defeat to Tottenham, while Fulham arrive buoyed by a disciplined win at West Ham. A tight, tactical contest is expected at Selhurst Park.

At 9:00 p.m., Brentford meet Tottenham, live on SS Action (GOtv Ch. 66, DStv Ch. 206). Spurs finally halted a poor run with a derby win over Palace, but Brentford’s emphatic victory over Bournemouth highlighted their threat. The fixture will test whether Tottenham’s revival is sustainable.

The night concludes in the North East as Sunderland host Manchester City, live on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203). Sunderland have been one of the season’s standout stories, sitting seventh and proving difficult to beat at home. City arrive on a six-game winning streak and, depending on Tuesday’s results, could be playing to reclaim top spot—momentum against pedigree to usher in the new year.

Match Highlights

Tuesday, Dec 30

• Chelsea vs Bournemouth — 8:30 p.m. (SS Action)

• Arsenal vs Aston Villa — 9:15 p.m. (SS Premier League)

• Manchester United vs Wolves — 9:15 p.m. (SS Football)

Thursday, Jan 1

• Liverpool vs Leeds United — 6:30 p.m. (SS Premier League)

• Crystal Palace vs Fulham — 6:30 p.m. (SS Football)

• Brentford vs Tottenham — 9:00 p.m. (SS Action)

• Sunderland vs Manchester City — 9:00 p.m. (SS Premier League)

Catch Every Game

All matches will be shown live on SuperSport on DStv and GOtv. Stream every match live on DStv Stream or GOtv Stream. Don’t forget to also catch all the AFCON games as well on SS AFCON (DStv ch. 202 and GOtv ch. 59). Manage or upgrade your subscription via the MyDStv or MyGOtv apps, or visit www.dstv.com and www.gotvafrica.com, or dial *288# to stay connected.