Hojlund, Garnacho save Man Utd, €100m ace in Arsenal and Chelsea promise – FootballTransfers recap

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 27 Dec 2023 14:41 GMT
• 4 min read

Manchester United claimed a 3-2 victory over Aston Villa in the Premier League’s showcase fixture of Boxing Day that more than lived it to its billing.

The pressure seemed to be mounting further on Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag as Villa raced into a two-goal lead by half-time, but the Red Devils came roaring back in the second half.

Alejandro Garnacho spearheaded the turnaround with two goals, yet the headlines were made by Rasmus Hojlund, who finally scored his first Premier League goal for the club with an instinctive finish.

Hojlund’s joy sparked joy on social media.

Nunez on target for Liverpool as VAR hits again

It was also a good Boxing Day for Liverpool, with Darwin Nunez breaking a goal drought of his own to fire the Reds to a 2-0 success in a game that had two moments of VAR controversy.

Gyokeres makes transfer promise

Arsenal and Chelsea were given an update on the future of €100 million-rated Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, who spoke out about his future in the January transfer window to the Portuguese media, making a promise he dare not break.

Romano: Man Utd working on big deal

Man Utd were in the transfer spotlight ahead of January, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that they are working on a deal to sign a major defender.

Todibo heading to Old Trafford?

Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo has been linked with Man Utd, and with Spurs now “pessimistic” over the signing of the France centre-back, the Old Trafford side seem in pole position to land him.Chelsea also received an update over the future of Trevoh Chalobah, who has been linked with their rivals.

Knock down Old Trafford, Ratcliffe told

New Man Utd minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been told to knock down Old Trafford and build a new £2 billion super stadium for the good of the club by the boss of the company behind Tottenham’s new ground.