MANCHESTER UNITED are preparing for a derby showdown with City on Saturday – but all eyes are on Paul Pogba.
We've also the very latest on their pursuit of Leicester forward Harvey Barnes and defender Dayot Upamecano.
Get all the latest news, updates and gossip from Old Trafford here…
- William Pugh
TEENAGE DREAMS
Manchester United bosses are on a mission to unearth more homegrown talent.
And they want to pinch promising kids right from under the noses of their southern rivals Chelsea and Arsenal.
Iconic star David Beckham began his career playing football as a kid for Ridgeway Rovers in Chingford, London.
And now the club is looking for a scout to operate down south to find more footballing gems.
The club have placed an advertisement on its website looking for an expert to find players aged 12-18 they can sign for the academy side.
And the role also includes occasional international travel to watch exciting new prospects overseas.
- William Pugh
NO ANGEL DELIGHT
Angel Di Maria pointed the finger at Manchester United and ex-boss Louis van Gaal for his Old Trafford nightmare.
United smashed the British record transfer fee when they shelled out £60milion to Real Madrid for the Argentine winger in 2014.
Speaking on radio station France Bleu, he said: “I only stayed one year. It wasn’t the best period of my career, or they didn’t let me have my best time there.
But he only lasted a season and United fans only saw flashes of his quality under Van Gaal.
He made just 32 appearances and scored four goals in a miserable year in England and was moved on to Paris Saint-Germain for £44m.
“There were problems with the coach at the time. But thanks to God, I was able to come to PSG and be myself again.”
- William Pugh
'I WAS A LUNATIC'
Rio Ferdinand enjoyed boozing so much as a youngster he would go on benders and drink ten pints of Guinness before hitting the shots.
The Manchester United, Leeds and West Ham icon has revealed he was part of a major drinking culture early in his career which saw him juggle football with nights out partying.
In an interview with the Guardian in 2019, Ferdinand, 42 – who came through the ranks at the Hammers – said: "I used to go through a load when I was younger. I could probably do eight, nine, ten. Then I’d move on to the vodkas.
“I could go through loads. I could go all day drinking, then wake up and go again when I was younger. I always say to people who ask if I have any regrets about playing, I wouldn’t have drunk alcohol.
“When I was younger I did. I was a lunatic. When I was at West Ham, elements of my career are a blur.
"People talk about performances and results at certain times in them games and I just sit and nod my head. I haven’t got a clue what they’re talking about. I don’t remember.
- William Pugh
ICYMI – FOUR HIT FOR SIX
Exclusive by SunSport’s Martin Lipton: England’s Big Six could ALL be part of a new-look Champions League.
The latest blueprint unveiled to the Prem elite opens the way for Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United AND Spurs to all share millions in extra Euro revenue from 2024.
But the rest of the Prem would have to finish in the top FOUR to get their passport to the big time.
Uefa chiefs’ latest plan intends to fend off the genuine threat of a breakaway European Super League.
Europe’s governing body is now working with the European Club Association, headed by Juventus president Andrea Agnelli, to find a format acceptable to the biggest clubs.
- William Pugh
WHO EUR GONNA GET
The draw for the Europa League knockout stages will take place in Nyon, in Switzerland, on Monday afternoon.
Manchester United are one of 26 confirmed sides in the pot and the other six spots will be filled on Thursday night after the final group-stage fixtures have been played.
Eighteen of those teams have qualified via their Europa League groups, while the other eight have dropped out of the Champions League.
CONFIRMED CLUBS IN MONDAY’S DRAW
AC Milan, Ajax, Antwerp, Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Benfica, Braga, Club Brugge, Dinamo Zagreb, Dynamo Kiev, Granada, Hoffenheim, Krasnodar, Leicester City, Lille, Olympiacos, PSV Eindhoven, Rangers, RB Salzburg, Red Star Belgrade, Roma, Shakhtar Donetsk, Slavia Prague, Tottenham Hotspur, MANCHESTER UNITED, Villarreal.
- William Pugh
…
He is quoted by Goal as telling Portuguese newspaper Record: “We weren’t champions, it’s true.
“But we won the Europa League, the League Cup, the Super Cup.
“And, in a fight with a Manchester City, who did not fulfil, as proved later, the Financial Fair Play, we were runners-up at a time when, having sporting truth, we would have been champions.”
United finished 19 points behind City that season, famously denying their rivals an early April crowning with a 3-2 comeback win at Eastlands.
The Citizens nonetheless broke the Premier League record for most points, wins and biggest winning margin.
Finishing with 81 points, Mourinho’s Red Devils would have matched Leicester’s triumph two years earlier as the joint-sixth lowest points total for a title-winning side.
- William Pugh
NO WAY JOSE
Former Manchester United assistant manager Ricardo Formosinho has claimed a lack of ‘sporting truth’ prevented the club’s Premier League title win in 2017-18.
Manchester City swooped to the crown that year with a record points total.
However, Pep Guardiola’s side were charged with Financial Fair Play breaches by Uefa following their massive transfer market spending.
Initially banned from the Champions League for two years, the Etihad Stadium side denied all allegations.
A successful Court of Arbitration for Sport appeal saw the ban quashed and City were only fined £8.9million for failing to cooperate with the Uefa investigation.
The allegations led Formosinho, 64, to claim United could have won the title…
- William Pugh
SOL SEARCHING
Manchester United's players believe Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s ‘constant tinkering’ is contributing to the club’s struggles, according to reports.
Fresh scrutiny has been placed on the Red Devils manager, after his side crashed out of the Champions League at the hands of RB Leipzig on Tuesday night.
And while members of his squad are ‘sympathetic’ towards Solskjaer’s position, The Telegraph report that they feel the chopping and changing has made it difficult to build partnerships on the pitch.
Solskjaer, 47, switched to a 3-4-1-2 formation for just the second time this season against the Germans.
And with such little time between matches in this congested season, preparation for each formation has been hindered.
Credit: PA:Press Association - William Pugh
KEPT AT BAY
Bayern Munich are the biggest threat to a Premier League side winning this year's Champions League, according to Rio Ferdinand.
The former Manchester United defender believes only the reigning champs or Paris Saint-Germain can stop an English side claiming the crown.
He said on BT Sport: "I put Bayern Munich favourites, but I would have Liverpool close second favourites.
"It is great to see big teams are in there, the English boys are in there bar Manchester United disappointingly."
- William Pugh
UNITED FRONT
Manchester United legend Wes Brown believes his former employers can still win the Premier League this season.
Despite the Red Devils crashing out of the Champions League after losing to RB Leipzig on Tuesday, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men have impressed domestically of late.
He told Ladbrokes at its launch of the 5-A-Side Bet on Man United v Man City: “The way the season has gone so far, I think Man United could finish above Man City.
“Don’t get me wrong, it’s still going to be tough, and there are probably six – not Arsenal – teams in there that’ll be fighting for the title. I don’t see why United can’t finish above City and win the league, just based on how the season has gone so far.
“United came top four last season when nobody thought they would, so sometimes you have to give them credit where it’s due. More consistency in the Premier League is all I’d ask for – at home, especially.
“Put together a six or seven game run at Old Trafford and I don’t think anyone can have any questions about whether or not you’re genuine title contenders.”
- William Pugh
SAN STORM
Borussia Dortmund are reportedly already preparing for life after Jadon Sancho to give Manchester United a boost in their pursuit of him.
The Red Devils remain desperate to bring the England international to Old Trafford with a deal to potentially be revived in January.
And should the 20-year-old depart the Bundesliga side, BVB are said to be keen on signing PSV Eindhoven forward Donyell Malen as his replacement.
According to Sport Bild, the German outfit have identified the 21-year-old as the perfect successor to Sancho.
Malen – who spent two years at Arsenal’s academy before being sold to PSV in 2017 – has been in fine form for the Dutch club this season.
After banging in 17 goals in 25 games last term, the youngster has found the back of the net 12 times in 18 matches this campaign.
- William Pugh
MOUR FOR ME
Former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho may be used to having points in the bag, but he looked to be struggling with his Christmas shopping.
The Spurs manager, 57, grabbed top brands in West London.
Passing fans stopped to grab a snap with the self-styled Special One as he shopped at Fendi and Zenga.
He may have treated himself to some shopping to celebrate Spurs’ latest 2-0 win against Arsenal.
They clinched a famous derby win and headed back to the top of the Premier League.
And Mourinho seems keen to ride the high – last week he insisted he’s a “very young boss” and will manage until he’s in his 70s.
Credit: MJ-Pictures.com Credit: MJ-Pictures.com - William Pugh
THE REF'S ALEXA
Armchair footie fans arguing about the rules can now turn to their own referee — Alexa.
The Amazon voice assistant has been updated with the official laws of the game.
Users of any Alexa-enabled device, including Echo smart speakers, can ask questions such as: “Alexa, can you explain the offside rule?”
Another frequent query could be: “Alexa, has the handball rule changed?”
Eric King, director of Alexa Europe, said the new feature had been dubbed “VARlexa” after Video Assistant Referee technology.
Its information comes from the International Football Association Board and former Premier League ref Mark Clattenburg.
Credit: Free for editorial use - William Pugh
OUT OF LUK
Romelu Lukaku unbelievably blocked Alexis Sanchez's last-minute goal-bound header as Inter Milan crashed out of the Champions League last night.
The Serie A side finished bottom of Group B following the 0-0 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk – who were also knocked out.
The Italian giants huffed and puffed for 90 minutes at the San Siro desperately trying to find the winner they needed to progress.
And when Antonio Conte's side were eventually granted the clearest of chances, in the dying seconds, they were denied by former Man Utd man Lukaku who blokced his old Red Devils team-mate's header.
- Jake Lambourne
GOOD MORNING MAN UTD FANS
SunSport's Neil Custis revealed club chiefs want Paul Pogba out of the club in the January transfer window.
His agent’s disgracefully-timed statement on the eve of United’s crucial Champions League clash with RB Leipzig was the final straw.
United had flat out refused to be bullied by Raiola, who has been an irritant during Pogba’s second spell at the club.
But now the Red Devils top brass are ready to accept defeat and let their £89million club-record signing go.They want their money back but may have to drop the asking price as low as £50m to find a buyer for the French World Cup winner.
Pogba, 27, favours a return to Juventus. The Italian giants would welcome back their four-time Serie A winner — but it is whether they have the cash.
United could have sold the midfielder to Real Madrid in the summer of 2019 but their £180m fee was never going to be met by the Spaniards and the chance was gone.
Meanwhile, Paulo Dybala is set to be used to tempt United into a deal for Pogba.
The Juventus forward has been left out numerous times by coach Andrea Pirlo this season, while Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola has made his frustrations clear.
According to Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri, Juve will attempt a straight swap deal, arguing the Frenchman’s value has decreased due to Raiola’s comments.
And the deal is financially feasible, it is said, because both players earn similar amounts in wages.
Finally, United are staring at a potential £50million financial black hole after their Champions League debacle.
By failing to make the last 16, the club have missed out on a potential £46m in extra Champions League earnings, in addition to the further £18m from three more possible home games in the competition.
In stark contrast, even if they go all the way to win the Europa League Final in Gdansk in May, United would only bank £12.55m in prize money, although they would have the possibility of an extra home match.
Winning just three of their group games, and losing the other three, gives United Champions League bonuses of £21.2m – the three defeats cost them a further £7.2m.
- Joe Brophy
POG JUST FOR XMAS
Exclusive by Neil Custis: Manchester United chiefs want Paul Pogba out of the club in the January transfer window.
His agent’s disgracefully-timed statement on the eve of United’s crucial Champions League clash with RB Leipzig was the final straw.
United had flat out refused to be bullied by Raiola, who has been an irritant during Pogba’s second spell at the club.
But now the Red Devils top brass are ready to accept defeat and let their £89million club-record signing go.
They want their money back but may have to drop the asking price as low as £50m to find a buyer for the French World Cup winner.
Pogba, 27, favours a return to Juventus. The Italian giants would welcome back their four-time Serie A winner — but it is whether they have the cash.
United could have sold the midfielder to Real Madrid in the summer of 2019 but their £180m fee was never going to be met by the Spaniards and the chance was gone.
- Joe Brophy
S-MART CHOICE?
Anthony Martial could be allowed to leave Manchester United at the end of the season.
With the Red Devils looking into a deal for Paulo Dybala, the club are said to be plotting their long-term strategy up top.
And according to Eurosport, that could mean moving on Martial with there being an ‘increasing’ possibility of the Frenchman being allowed to leave.
- Joe Brophy
STORM BRU-ING
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes believe the club have become over-reliant on Bruno Fernandes.
He told BT Sport: “He’s a top-class player, isn’t he?
"They took their time getting him, didn’t they? I think they were linked with him for a couple of years, but they finally took the gamble to take him and they’ve been rewarded with it.
"He’s been brilliant, look at his numbers, his goals, his assists. Before he came, United couldn’t create a chance; under Mourinho, and Ole’s first little bit, but since he’s been in the team – he makes them tick.
"Sometimes it only takes one player to do that. Look at the weekend, he didn’t start at the weekend, but he came on – and they probably wanted to rest him for tonight – but they couldn’t afford to because he totally transforms the team.”
- Joe Brophy
POG OFF
Manchester United should cash in on Paul Pogba, according to former club coach Rene Meuelensteen.
He told Sky Sports News: "This has been a constant point of discussion since Paul Pogba returned to Manchester United.
"With a big game around the corner against Leipzig, to put that out in the media is very poor practice from his agent.
"I don’t know how much Paul would have had an influence on it, but I would have thought that it’s important as a player that you want the best for the team, that you want to make sure they concentrate on a big game like that. It’s a big distraction.”
Asked whether United should stick or twist with Pogba, Meulensteen replied: "I would have gone twist. I think it’s important that you look at the team and where you want to go."
- Joe Brophy
CAM ON THEN
Manchester United and Real Madrid are leading candidates to sign teenager Eduardo Camavinga.
The French midfielder is considered to be one of the hottest prospects in European football.
And he's attracted plenty of attention in recent days having reportedly told Rennes chiefs that he wishes to leave next summer.
Bookmakers Betfair have installed Real Madrid as 9/4 favourites to secure the 18-year-old's coveted signature.
Zinedine Zidane is a huge admirer of his compatriot, who's high on his list of potential additions.
Manchester United aren't far behind at 4/1.
The Red Devils are on the look-out for a central midfielder after Mino Raiola revealed Paul Pogba is actively looking to leave Old Trafford.
- Joe Brophy
TRIP BACK TO ENGLAND?
Manchester United are reportedly keen on signing Kieran Trippier.
The England right-back will enter the final 18 months of his Atletico Madrid contract in January.
And Sky Sports claim United are monitoring his situation in Spain with a view of bringing him in to provide competition for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
- Joe Brophy
DROPPED HIS GUARD
Jesse Lingard reportedly has no intention of renewing his Manchester United contract.
Corriere dello Sport claim AC Milan and rivals Inter are in the chase for the England star, whose current Old Trafford deal expires in the summer.
Lingard is yet to taste a minute of Premier League football this season having been restricted to just two League Cup appearances.
- Joe Brophy
NO MOUR
Jose Mourinho has aimed a dig at old side Manchester United by claiming it’s ‘not fair’ they’ve dropped into the Europa League.
Mourinho, who led United to glory in the 2017 final, said: “Of course now United become one of the top favourites to win the competition.
“The teams that drop from the Champions League are always strong teams.
“Normally they don’t belong at the level of the Europa League and United is one of the top teams.
“When you have eight new teams in the competition and eight teams that belong to another level, and they drop to the Europa, of course the level of the competition is going to improve.
“No doubts, and when the quality improves, the attention improves. It’s a good thing for the competition.
“But by the sports point of view is where I think it is not fair. A team that doesn’t succeed in one competition drops to another.
“Imagine the third team in the Europa League – now there is another competition – and the third team, instead of finishing, goes to another competition in the hierarchy of European football.
“In football, when for some real we don’t succeed… unlucky, next season. But it is the way it is and is not a problem for me.”
- Joe Brophy
EUR KIDDING
Manchester United suffered European heartache at the hands of RB Leipzig in the Champions League last night.
Their disappointment, however, is far from the worst suffered by English clubs on the continent.
Click HERE for a closer look at five particularly awful nights for Premier League clubs in Europe.
- Joe Brophy
ICYMI
Paulo Dybala is set to be used to tempt Manchester United into a deal for Paul Pogba.
The Juventus forward has been left out numerous times by coach Andrea Pirlo this season, while Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola has made his frustrations clear.
According to Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri, Juve will attempt a straight swap deal, arguing the Frenchman’s value has decreased due to Raiola’s comments.
And the deal is financially feasible, it is said, because both players earn similar amounts in wages.
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