Saturday’s briefing: Wrexham bask in cup glory as Solskjaer set for United talks

Wrexham produced another fairytale Hollywood ending in front of owner and famous actor Ryan Reynolds to shock Nottingham Forest and reach the FA Cup fourth round.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be in line for a shock return as Manchester United manager, with the Norwegian set to meet the club hierarchy over the interim position.

Antoine Semenyo completed his move from Bournemouth to Manchester City, while Bukayo Saka has signed a contract extension with Arsenal.

Wrexham stun Forest in cup upset

Wrexham won an FA Cup third-round thriller in front of Hollywood owner Ryan Reynolds as Nottingham Forest were dumped out of the competition on penalties after a 3-3 draw.

Arthur Okonkwo was the Wrexham hero with stops from Igor Jesus and Omari Hutchinson giving them a 4-3 victory on spot-kicks after Josh Windass, Callum Doyle, George Thomason and Jay Rodriguez had converted from the spot.

First-half goals from Liberato Cacace and Oliver Rathbone gave Wrexham early control and had Reynolds trading high fives and hugs from his vantage point in the main stand.

Jesus cut the deficit before Dominic Hyam’s diving header restored Wrexham’s two-goal advantage with 16 minutes remaining, and Callum Hudson-Odoi produced two outstanding finishes, the hosts had the last laugh.

United gunning for Ole?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set for face-to-face talks with Manchester United on Saturday about the interim manager’s job, the Press Association understands.

The Red Devils are looking to make an appointment for the rest of the season, having taken the decision to call time on Ruben Amorim’s underwhelming 14-month reign on Monday.

Ruud van Nistelrooy and current caretaker head coach Darren Fletcher have been under consideration for the post but Solskjaer and Michael Carrick are considered to be the frontrunners.

PA understands Solskjaer will now meet with director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada on Saturday to discuss the role, following preliminary talks.

City snap up Semenyo

Manchester City have completed the signing of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth on a five-and-a-half-year contract.

The Press Association understands City have paid an initial fee of £62.5million for the 26-year-old Ghana winger, who has scored 10 goals and provided three assists for the Cherries in the Premier League this season.

His final act for the south coast club was a stunning stoppage-time winner in a 3-2 victory over Tottenham on Wednesday night. Semenyo then travelled to Manchester on Thursday to complete the formalities of his move.

“I am so proud to have joined Manchester City,” said Semenyo. “I have watched City over the last decade under Pep Guardiola, and they have been the dominant team in the Premier League as well as achieving amazing things in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup.”

Saka commits to Gunners

Bukayo Saka has dealt Arsenal a major boost by agreeing to a new long-term contract with the north London club, the Press Association understands.

The 24-year-old England international’s deal had been up for renewal at the end of next season.

However, it is believed Saka has finalised terms on a five-year extension which safeguards his future with Mikel Arteta’s Premier League title-chasing side until 2031.

Saka, a graduate of the club’s fabled Hale End academy, has scored 77 times across 290 appearances since he made his debut for the Gunners in 2018.

Slegers to stay on as Arsenal boss

Renée’s Arsenal story continues 📖 pic.twitter.com/gdeohUlW8L

— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) January 9, 2026

Renee Slegers is relishing the opportunity to “continue to build” at Arsenal after signing a new deal as head coach until 2029.

The 36-year-old was appointed as the Gunners’ permanent boss in January 2025 after an interim stint and steered the side to a Champions League title in May last year, along with a second-placed Women’s Super League finish.

Reflecting on her new contract, Slegers said: “I’m honoured, I’m happy, I’m grateful for the opportunity and we want to continue to build.”

What’s on today?

Manchester City will be one of the many Premier League teams eager to avoid an FA Cup third-round banana skin when they welcome Sky Bet League Two side Exeter to the Etihad Stadium.

League Two strugglers Shrewsbury could make life difficult for Premier League basement side Wolves and Crystal Palace travel to National League South side Macclesfield in a lunchtime kick-off.

Celtic will be looking to get back to winning ways in the William Hill Premiership after back-to-back defeats when they host Dundee United, while Arsenal take on Manchester United in the Women’s Super League.