MANCHESTER UNITED should be looking to do some transfer business in January – and Ed Woodward has publicly backed boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
We've the very latest on Erling Haaland, plus an exclusive on United's interest in Harvey Barnes.
Get all the latest news, updates and gossip from Old Trafford here…
- Joe Miles
MOUR TO GO ON
Jose Mourinho believes that he can manage at the top for another 10-15 years.
The Portuguese, 57, has been coaching for the last 20 years, having previously worked as Sir Bobby Robson's translator at Barcelona in the 1990s.
The former Chelsea and Manchester United boss said: “I’m a 57-year-old, very young in relation to my job, so I wouldn’t be surprised if I have 10-15 years ahead of me.
"I just try to enjoy my life and to enjoy my life is also to have the privilege of a job which is a passion, a hobby if you want, a full-time hobby.
"It’s my world, the world where I was born, it’s the world that I belong.
“Everybody saying my career is long, which is true, but I don’t see the end."
Credit: Getty Images – Getty - Joe Miles
TAKING THE MICH
Manchester United have been handed a huge boost of their game against West Ham.
David Moyes has confirmed Michail Antonio will NOT be available for the game.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, he said: "Micky is out for tomorrow, we don't know how long hewill be out for.
"He is still having a bit of a problem with his hamstring.
"It's not the same injury, we think it is slightly different. In the main, we have a fully fit squad.
- Joe Miles
SHAWLY NOT
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed Luke Shaw remains out of action.
The defender will not be fit to face West Ham this weeken dafter missing training.
Solskjaer said: "Luke's not ready yet.
"Apart from that we had a big squad training again."
- Joe Miles
GUNNAR MAKE IT?
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has provided an injury update on Marcus Rashford.
The Red Devils boss is hopeful that the striker will travel to West Ham tomorrow.
Speaking at today's press conference, he said: "Marcus has been training this morning, not fully but he joined in with the group.
"His shoulder stopped him finishing the game so he's been getting treatment and hopefully he'll be part of the squad that travels, we'll see after training."
Credit: Reuters - Joe Miles
CAM & GET HIM
Eduardo Camavinga has signed with Gareth Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, opening the door for a Premier League move.
Last week, the Rennes wonderkid, 18, sacked his agent, Moussa Sissoko, with a host of European giants chasing his signature.
Real Madrid have long shown an interest in the midfielder and likely would have tried to sign him in the summer, but for being hit hard financially by the coronavirus pandemic.
More-recently though, Manchester United have emerged as one of the front-runners to sign Camavinga.
- Joe Miles
EXCLUSIVE by Daniel Cutts
Manchester United are keeping tabs on Leicester winger Harvey Barnes as a possible transfer alternative to Jadon Sancho.
The 22-year-old attacker has had an impressive season so far and made his debut for England in a 3-0 win over Wales in October.
The Red Devils scouting department have been impressed with the Foxes ace, and have been watching him closely.
SunSport understands Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is also a fan of Barnes, and has been keeping a close watch on his progress.
And United could be tempted into making a move, with Borussia Dortmund still refusing to lower their £100m-plus asking price for Sancho.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty - Joe Miles
RASH DECISION
Manchester United travel to West Ham on Saturday with injury concerns over David De Gea and Marcus Rashford.
Rashford is an injury concern after hurting his shoulder during the 3-1 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
De Gea is still feeling the pain after injuring himself during the nervy 3-2 win over Southampton last weekend.
Here's how SunSport's Dave Fraser predicts United will start…
- Joe Miles
BOLD TRAFFORD
United chief Ed Woodward revealed the club would focus on doing big business in summer transfer windows moving forward.
At the recent Manchester United fans' forum meeting, Woodward revealed the club would target a 'long-term approach to recruitment, focused on the summer windows.'
United signed Donny van de Beek, Edinson Cavani, Alex Telles, Facundo Pellistri and Amad Diallo in the summer of 2021 – spending around £100million.
And Woodward's most-recent claim suggest the big-money buys are set to continue moving forward.
With that in mind, click HERE to find out the FIVE players that United could sign next summer.
- Joe Miles
KEEP ON MOVING
Sam Johnstone has told former Manchester United team-mate Dean Henderson he must quit Old Trafford for the sake of his career.
Johnstone said: “I couldn’t think of anything worse than being there and not playing. You want to be playing as a keeper.
“I was asked last week whether I missed United. I said ‘no’. I’m playing in the Premier League with West Brom. The only thing I miss is being 15 minutes from home.
“To break into a huge club like that is tough. Deano had a great loan spell at Sheffield United. I can’t see him happy sitting down.
“It will be difficult for him to be No1. Everyone knows what De Gea is capable of.
“All Dean wants to do is keep playing. It’s stalled even though he is at a massive club.”
- Joe Miles
HAMMER TIME
Declan Rice has called for West Ham to step it up a gear when they face United on Saturday in front of 2,000 fans.
He said: "I think it's been a really long time coming. We've wanted the fans back for so long now, especially in a stadium like this, where we have had some special nights.
"We wish it was a full stadium, obviously with us playing against Manchester United, but that's obviously not meant to be so 2,000 is great.
"We know it's going to be a massive game.
"We know we've had some great results against them here in recent times, but we know we need to go out there and perform much better than we did on Monday night if we want to get another result."
Credit: Reuters - Joe Miles
RAM RAID
Manchester United and Arsenal are reportedly considering a swoop for Sergio Ramos.
According to Spanish journalist Eduardo Inda, the two Premier League clubs could try to lure him away from the Bernabeu next year.
Ramos has achieved legendary status at Madrid since he arrived in 2005.
The club are keen to tie him down a contract extension, but Ramos could look elsewhere following their shaky start to the season.
- Joe Miles
IN THE RED
Ex-England keeper Paul Robinson has claimed United should aim for a top sixth finish this season.
As things stand, the Red Devils are ninth in the table with 16 points from nine games.
Speaking to Ladbrokes, he said: "Man City, Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea are your top four, I think, in any order.
"I can't see Manchester United, Everton, Arsenal or any of those other clubs finishing in the Champions League places.
"You look on paper and their team isn't anywhere near the level of those four. I don't put Manchester United anywhere near bracket."
- Joe Miles
ALI SHUFFLE
Roma's Europa League clash against Young Boys descended into chaos after Henrikh Mkhitaryan was PUNCHED by Mohamed Ali Camara.
The Guinea defender was immediately shown a straight red card by the referee as players from both sides rushed in to try and defuse the situation.
Former Arsenal and Manchester United midfielder Mkhitaryan dropped to the ground after Camara inexplicably punched him in the closing stages of the match.
After Edin Dzeko put the hosts 3-1 up in the 81st minute, the Armenia international was looking to win the ball back from Camara down the right side.
In doing so he was penalised for a free-kick after holding back his opponent, which bizarrely infuriated Camara enough to strike out.
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- Joe Miles
STAND AND DELIVER
Manchester United have been given the go-ahead to trial safe standing with 1,500 'rail seats'.
The seats are set to be installed in the early part of next year and will come into use once full crowds are allowed back into stadiums.
MailOnline reports that 'the 1,500 new seats will be added to the J Stand area of the ground'.
This is a section of Old Trafford that has historically encountered issues with people standing when they are not supposed too.
SunSport has previously reported that The Red Devils were given special permission in April to become the first Premier League club to trial the new area.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty - Joe Miles
ED IN THE GAME
Ed Woodward has vowed to back Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a 'long-term recruitment approach, focused on summer transfer windows'.
At a recent Manchester United fans' forum meeting, he confirmed once again he stands by the Norwegian.
In the virtual meeting, Woodward admitted United needed to work harder to get back to winning trophies.
But he added he would commit to spending money in summer transfer windows in a bid to help Solskjaer achieve that goal, saying he 'believes' in the current boss.
Credit: PA:Press Association
- Dave Fraser
GOOD MORNING MAN UTD FANS
Marcus Rashford could miss Manchester United’s clash against West Ham after picking up a shoulder injury.
The England striker was forced off in the second half of the 3-1 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain leaving Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sweating on his fitness.
And former United striker Michael Owen has urged Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to banish Fred from the starting line up against the Hammers.
The Brazilian was sent-off against PSG, and Owen said: “If I was a manager, and one of my players did that, he would never play for me again. It’s pathetic.
“Overall you have to blame Fred but also Solskjaer.
"The manager has to protect him and the team in that situation so they’re both to blame.”
- Jack Figg
COLD SHOULDER
Marcus Rashford could miss Manchester United's clash against West Ham after picking up a shoulder injury.
The England striker was forced off in the second half of the 3-1 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain leaving Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sweating on his fitness.
Rashford, who equalised for the hosts in the first half, signalled to the bench to come off midway through the second period and was replaced by Paul Pogba.
Solskjaer said after the contest: "It's just niggling him that shoulder injury.
"Hopefully he will be ready for West Ham, but we don't know."
- Jack Figg
BEST FOOT FORWARD
Ex-Old Trafford hero Cristiano Ronaldo has fended off competition from Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski to win the 2020 Golden Foot award.
The 35-year-old has been named as the 18th recipient of the prestigious trophy that can only be won once during a player’s career.
To be in contention for the award – that was introduced in 2003 for Europe’s standout performers – footballers must be at least 28 years of age.
The winners are then invited to leave a mould of their footprints on the ‘The Champions Promenade’ in Monaco.
Ten players are shortlisted for the trophy by international journalists, with the general public then voting for their winner in an online poll.
And it is United legend Ronaldo that received the most votes from fans across the world after he finished the 2019/20 season with 37 goals in 46 games.
- Jack Figg
JACK POT
Aston Villa have reportedly slapped a £100million asking price on Jack Grealish to fend off interest from Manchester United and City.
The Citizens are believed to have made the 25-year-old their No1 target following the England international’s stunning start to the season.
And it has been claimed that the Red Devils remain keen on bringing the player to Old Trafford.
United were heavily linked with a move for the Villans skipper in the summer, but he instead penned a new five-year contract in the Midlands.
It is understood the boyhood Villa fan is not thinking about leaving the club, but that hasn’t stopped Dean Smith’s men from putting a price on him.
According to the Telegraph, potential suitors would have to fork out a British record £100m to prise Grealish away from Villa.
- Jack Figg
UNITED FRONT
Casey Stoney has hailed the Rainbow Laces campaign after revealing football “saved her life”.
The Manchester United boss first spoke openly about being gay in 2014 and now has three children with her partner Megan Harris, who she played with at Lincoln.
Stoney’s Red Devils will wear rainbow laces for the next two weekends – to press home the WSL’s commitment to diversity in its partnership with LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall.
The former Arsenal skipper, 38, believes the campaign has had a huge impact on her own life as an openly gay footballer.
She said: “I won’t hide away from that. I think there were times in my life where sport probably saved my life to be honest.
“You can struggle with sexuality. Living online now is probably even more difficult as a gay person because of the amount people can say to you and the things you can read.
“Being able to come away from technology, play sports and just be yourself and be valued for what you do as a person and as your job, I think is key.”
- Jack Figg
MASK THE ISSUE
Premier League fans MUST wear masks in their seats when top flight turnstiles reopen tomorrow – in a bid to get up to 20,000 supporters in grounds by the end of the season.
The 20 Prem clubs agreed new Covid regulations to cover the first crowd attendances in the League since March.
They include urging fans to 'moderate' their singing and shouting, although chants will not – unlike hugging fellow supporters – be banned.
But while Government guidelines indicated fans would only have to wear masks on entry and in concourses, the club chiefs agreed to enforce the tougher measures.
By mandating mask wearing except when fans are eating or drinking, clubs would be able to seat supporters at 1m distance in the most modern grounds.
And that could allow up to one third of total capacities – 20,000 or more for the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle, Spurs, Arsenal and West Ham – before the campaign finishes.
Five clubs will open their gates this weekend, starting with West Ham’s game with United at the London Stadium and including Sunday’s North London derby at Tottenham.
- Jack Figg
‘IT’S PATHETIC’
Michael Owen urged Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to banish Fred from Manchester United's starting line up.
The Brazilian was sent-off as United lost 3-1 home at Old Trafford last night.
The midfielder, 27, could have seen red after clashing with Leandro Paredes and pushing his head towards him during the first half.
Luckily, he only received a yellow, but he was sent off later in the match for a foul on former United star Ander Herrera.
Now another ex-United man has hit out at Fred.
Owen said: “It [the clash with Paredes] was a red card.
“You’re a grown man, you don’t need to do a petulant thing like that to put your team at risk.
“If I was a manager, and one of my players did that, he would never play for me again. It’s pathetic.
“Overall you have to blame Fred but also Solskjaer. The manager has to protect him and the team in that situation so they’re both to blame.”
- Jack Figg
VAMOS RAMOS
Man Utd are among the favourites to sign Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos.
The Red Devils are the most likely Premier League to sign the defender but they are fourth favourites in the bookies' market.
Ramos' contract at the Bernabeu is set to expire in June next year, meaning he can potentially leave for a cut price or for free.
Ramos will be eligible to discuss terms with clubs outside of Spain from January onwards and potentially complete a free transfer the following summer.
Man Utd are priced at 8/1 with Betfair, as they narrowly trail PSG (6/1) in the bookies' market.
While a move to the MLS or China heads up the market, with a move Stateside looking most likely.
Liverpool follow next at 14/1 with Barcelona cheekily thrown in at an enormous 200/1.
- Joe Brophy
IN ROD WE TRUST
James Rodriguez's poor relationship with Carlos Queiroz was reportedly at the centre of the decision to sack the Colombia coach.
Earlier this week, the former Manchester United assistant left the South American side after a poor start to World Cup qualification.
Local media reports, cited by Marca, outline one incident which allegedly infuriated Everton star Rodriguez.
A friendly with Ecuador in November 2019 saw Brighton midfielder Steven Alzate don the No10 shirt.
The number had been reserved for star man Rodriguez, who was unavailable for the fixture.
Giving away the shirt was reportedly seen as a huge sign of disrespect by Queiroz.
- Joe Brophy
MAUR TO SEE
French football expert Julien Laurens believes Mauricio Pochettino has a move to Manchester United in the 'back of his mind'.
He told talkSPORT: "Pochettino has been very clever in the way that he’s waiting.
He could have gone back to management very early on but he waited. He really wanted to get the right project and the right club.
“But he has really good ties with PSG, he was their player, their captain, and he loves Paris as a city and a football club. That could be very interesting, I think it’s a very attractive club for any manager.
“I think Manchester United is still in the back of his mind, because maybe Ole Gunnar Solkskjaer has lasted longer than all of us expected, but certainly he [Pochettino] would be high on their list.”
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