Sport

MANCHESTER UNITED return to Premier League action this weekend as they face West Brom.

But the Red Devils look set to miss out on a potential move for Brazilian forward Hulk who reportedly wants to rejoin Porto, while we've the very latest on reports suggesting Raphael Varane is a United target.

Follow ALL the latest Man Utd transfer news below…

  • Jake Lambourne

    TON OF WOE

    Premier League clubs are missing more than 100 stars just nine weeks into the season  – with Liverpool and Manchester United worst hit.

    Players like Reds' striker Mo Salah and Tottenham right-back Matt Doherty will miss the Prem return following the international break after failing coronavirus tests – but clubs are also reeling from a heavy crock list.

    Liverpool have ten players on their absentee list, compared to United's eight.

    And the Prem had a new record of SIXTEEN PLAYERS testing positive in its last round of Covid-19 tests.

  • Jake Lambourne

    NUN BUT YOU

    Leicester City are set to battle it out with Manchester United and Arsenal for Sporting Lisbon's Nuno Mendes, according to reports.

    The 18-year-old left-back has earned plenty of plaudits since breaking into the Sporting first team after lockdown.

    He is now the first-choice left-back for Ruben Amorim – starting all nine matches this season and helping unbeaten Sporting to the top of the league.

    And according to the Daily Mail, Premier League table-toppers Leicester are considering making an approach to sign Mendes.

  • Jake Lambourne

    TAKING THE MICH

    Former Man Utd striker Michael Owen has backed the Red Devils to beat West Brom 2-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday.

    He told BetVictor: “West Brom come into this after a string of poor results. Aside from putting three past Chelsea, they haven’t looked great at the back and have been equally poor going forward.

    “United have still to find their rhythm and they must find a way to get their best players all on the pitch at the same time, which is obviously easier said than done.

    “You can’t keep Pogba on the bench, and if he can’t secure a regular place in the side soon, he may have to consider his options.

    “For all United are inconsistent, they are up against a side that are really struggling, and I expect them to win this comfortably.”

  • Jake Lambourne

    LOF YOU GO

    Victor Lindelof is struggling with a recurring back injury as the Manchester United defender asked to go off in Sweden's 4-2 loss in France on Tuesday night.

    The centre-back lasted 66 minutes of the Nations League tie, having also been substituted in United's 2-1 Champions League defeat at Istanbul Basaksehir on November 4.

    And it means the chances of Alex Telles making his United debut in the Premier League at home to West Brom this Saturday are soaring.

    Aftonbladet quote Sweden assistant manager Peter Wettergren as confirming: “Lindelof was in a bit of pain after the match against Croatia, but said that he will give everything for the team.

    “He gave me a signal at half time that he would not go the whole [of second] half. Then I told him to shout when it is not possible. He was able to train okay and said ‘I’ll push as long as possible’.

    “He gave me a signal at half time that he would not go the whole [of the second] half. Then I told him to shout when it is not possible.”

  • Jake Lambourne

    UNITED FRONT

  • Jake Lambourne

    ALEX-AVI

    Xavi can become Barcelona's Alex Ferguson with a glorious long reign, according to Nou Camp presidential frontrunner Victor Font.

    Barca legend Xavi, now coach of Qatari side Al Sadd, is tipped to return next year, although initially he could work WITH current under-fire boss Ronald Koeman.

    And Font wants Xavi to emulate Fergie's Manchester United dynasty rather than Pep Guardiola's much shorter Nou Camp stint.

    Telecommunications entrepreneur Font, the favourite to succeed interim president Carles Tusquets in Barca's January elections, also hopes to keep star player Lionel Messi beyond the end of his contract next summer.

    The 48-year-old told Reuters: “We decided some years ago the best person to help us build our organisation is Xavi.

    “Ideally we can have Xavi as a general manager for many years like Alex Ferguson was at Manchester United. But if he needs to play a different role, he can be flexible. Few people have the leadership qualities he has.”

  • Jake Lambourne

    UPA AWAY

    Man Utd target Dayot Upamecano could decide his future as early as January.

    Bild claims the RB Leipzig star – who has attracted the interest of Arsenal in the past – has a £40million release clause in his contract.

    And the defender, 22, is anticipating offers after impressing for the German side.

    Upamecano has already clocked up 118 games for Leipzig and helped them to last season’s Champions League semis.

    He is regarded as one of Europe’s most promising centre-backs and has also earned three caps for World Cup holders France, even scoring against Croatia in September.

  • Jake Lambourne

    NO DEFENCE

    Premier League winner Danny Simpson has been branded a “trash bag” by his daughter's mum – years after the shamed footballer was convicted of trying to throttle her.

    Stephanie Ward has a nine-year-old daughter with the former Manchester United, Newcastle United, and Leicester City defender.

    The pair had a turbulent four-year relationship and Simpson was convicted of assaulting Stephanie five years ago.

    On Tuesday, Stephanie, 32, made a furious dig at the 33-year-old defender.

    She posted on Instagram to her almost 20,000 followers: “Choose wisely who you decide to have children with.

    “Co parenting with someone who lacks values, morals and the intelligence to assist you in life decisions for your child is a special kind of hell.”

    She then followed it up with: “Constantly torn between protecting my brand and letting the world know what a trash bag my daughter’s father is.”

  • Jake Lambourne

    'FUTURE IS YOURS'

    Reece James has celebrated his younger sister, Lauren, being called-up by England for the first time.

    The Chelsea star, 20, beamed on Instagram as he congratulated his sibling on her debut Lionesses bow.

    Reece has established himself as arguably England's No1 right-back – battling Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker for the starting spot.

    And now Manchester United star Lauren, 19, is hoping to lead England's women to glory.

    Lauren had been called-up for the Lionesses game against Norway on December 1.

    However, due to coronavirus, she will be forced to wait for her debut, with the match having since been called off.

    On the teenage striker's international call-up, proud brother Reece captioned his snap: “Congratulations @laurennjjames on your first @lionesses call up. Keep working hard. The future is yours.”

  • Jake Lambourne

    GREAT DANE

  • Joe Miles

    KURT OUT

    Chelsea's Kurt Zouma is the Premier League's best header of a football in the 2020-21 season so far, beating Manchester United captain Harry Maguire.

    The Frenchman has won a staggering 96.3 per cent of his aerial duels, according to CIES Football Observatory.

    Zouma has won 26 out of his 27 headed battles, easily the best record in the Premier League.

    But that success rate of over 96 per cent is also the best in Europe – not just in the 'Big Five' leagues, but the entire continent.

    Amongst Premier League players, only Maguire can boast a tally of 90 per cent or more, aside from Zouma.

    The Man Utd skipper has won 27 of his 30 aerial battles – a success rate of exactly 90 per cent.

  • Joe Miles

    OH MAN

    Roberto Mancini has reportedly emerged as a shock contender to take over from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at United.

    With the Red Devils slumped at 14th in the Premier League table, Solskjaer's future at the club has been questioned.

    Tuttosport claim Mancini is an alternative option – even though he lifted the Premier League with rivals City.

    But it is understood Mauricio Pochettino is still the firm favourite to take over at Old Trafford.

  • Joe Miles

    ED'S UP

    Edinson Cavani would have been a good signing for Liverpool, claimed Steve Nicol.

    The former Liverpool ace told ESPN: “Edinson Cavani is a good option coming off the bench for any team.

    “I wouldn’t have had a problem if Liverpool had signed Cavani for coming off the bench with 20 minutes to go.”

  • Joe Miles

    INJURY UPDATE

    Manchester United could be without Victor Lindelof and Anthony Martial for Saturday's showdown with West Brom.

    The club's official website has revealed that both players will be assessed ahead of the game at Old Trafford.

    Lindelof was forced off the pitch during Sweden's 4-2 defeat to France in the Nations League on Tuesday.

    Martial remained on the bench for France after he was hauled off against Portugal with a back injury.

  • Joe Miles

    VAR FETCHED

    Manchester United have the opportunity to sign Raphael Varane for well below £100million, according to stunning reports.

    The Real Madrid centre-back, 27, is considered one of the top centre-backs in world football.

    But the Manchester Evening News claim Los Blancos would be open to selling the Frenchman.

    United tried to sign Varane way back in 2011 under Sir Alex Ferguson but were pipped when Zinedine Zidane – then working behind the scenes at the Bernabeu – intervened.

    So as the Lens teenager joined Real Madrid, United bought Phil Jones from Blackburn.

  • Joe Miles

    REDDY TO GO

    Manchester United have outlined SIX targets for the club to achieve before the end of 2020.

    As revealed on the official club website, they are…

    • Champions League qualification.
    • Reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
    • Climb the Premier League table.
    • Set a new club record with eight consecutive away league wins.
    • Secure bragging rights at Manchester derby.
    • Beat old rivals Leeds on December 19.

    RED ALERT

    United still have 12 games matches to play in the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup before the end of 2020.

    This means Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side will be in action roughly every FOUR days.

    Following the international break, the Red Devils will return to action against West Brom on Saturday.

    United will then face Istanbul Basaksehir before taking on Southampton then Paris Saint-Germain.

    HEARTBREAK HOTEL

    Premier League clubs are furious at new Government restrictions surrounding team meals.

    The Department for Digital, Media and Culture have banned teams eating together while cooped up in hotels around matches.

    And the Mail report that PL, as well as EFL, chiefs are attempting to rally against the changes.

    Currently, players returning from international duty will have to rely on room service for their meals.

    And they will have to eat alone in their rooms until at least December 2, as lockdown again tightens around the country.

    BEING FRANC

    France boss Didier Deschamps has called for Manchester United to take note of Paul Pogba's impressive form while on international duty.

    He said: “Just see what he was able to do in Portugal and what he did tonight.

    “I know him, I know he works. He has pride and above all, he has talent.

    “When you have to defend, he can defend. When he has the opportunity to express himself, he is able to do so.

    “Paul is a top-level player and I hope what he did with us will be useful to him when he gets back to his club.”

    'THERE'S A PATHWAY'

    Anthony Elanga wants to follow in the footsteps of Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood at Manchester United.

    The 18-year-old forward told PA News Agency: “You look at the likes of Mason and Rashy, there is a pathway there.

    “It just shows you that if you’re willing to put the work into it and continue to work hard day in, day out in training there’s a pathway for you there.

    “Obviously we’ve got a manager in Ole trusting the youngsters, so there’s a pathway there and I’ve just got to keep working hard.

    “In training I’m always working hard and the way that I train is the way that I play.

    “You can see that in the results and I’m just happy at the moment, I’m enjoying my football.”

    SCOT TO BE KIDDING

    Ex-Manchester United winger Andrei Kanchelskis has lifted the lid on when he once told legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson to 'f*** off'.

    Kanchelskis, now 51, could easily have gotten on the wrong side of Ferguson, after being the subject of a prank from his team-mates while learning English.

    Revealing in an excerpt from his upcoming autobiography, Kanchelskis wrote: “Whenever a foreign footballer comes into a dressing room, he will be taught how to swear.

    “I've seen exactly the same thing with Brazilian players when I have been managing in Russia. They also taught me the correct way to address the manager of Manchester United.

    “Almost the first time I came across Alex Ferguson in the corridors of the Cliff, he said to me, 'All right Andrei, how's it going?

    “I smiled at him and replied, 'F*** off, Scottish b******'. Ferguson stopped dead in his tracks and then began to smile as he heard laughter echoing down the corridor, while I stood there bewildered.”

    PAUL OVER

    Paul Scholes has claimed he was 'devastated' when 'best mate' Nicky Butt left Manchester United in 2004.

    The Old Trafford legend told DAZN: “It was all part of football. When you start out with five or six lads, you hope that you'll be there for the next 20 years.

    “Unfortunately it doesn't always work out that way. You lose people along the way.

    “Nicky went and Nicky was my best mate, I'd grown up with him since I was 12 or 13.

    “You're devastated, I really was devastated.”

    'DON'T THINK HE MEANT IT'

    Richarlison has surprisingly defended Edinson Cavani following the Uruguay star's red card.

    The Everton and Brazil star told CBF TV after the game: “It was a ball dispute and of course he went over the top.

    “If my foot was planted there on the floor, maybe it could even have broken my ankle.

    “But I don't think he meant it. I think he went there to get the ball but missed and took my foot.

    “It's a normal game situation.”

    LOST HIS ED

    Edinson Cavani was shown a straight red card for a stamp on Richarlison during Uruguay's 2-0 defeat to Brazil.

    The veteran striker, 33, was given his marching orders following a VAR review into his dangerous challenge on the Everton forward.

    The ex-Paris Saint-Germain star raked his studs down Richarlison's leg as his fellow forward attempted to power away with the ball.

    Cavani was originally shown a yellow for the challenge before he was dismissed by referee Roberto Tobar following a VAR review.

    GOOD MORNING RED DEVILS FANS 

    Paul Pogba has been criticised after making more suggestive comments while on international duty with France. 

    The midfielder said being with his country was a 'breath of fresh air' and added: “It's not that in the club we don't have fun, but here it's not the same. We laugh. It's really a family.”

    Pundit Micah Richards slammed his comments as 'disrespectful'.

    Meanwhile, reports suggest United will cull a number of fringe players from their squad at the next transfer window. 

    The players believed to be in trouble are outcasts Phil Jones, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Sergio Romero and Marcus Rojo as the club looks to slash the wage bill. 

    Off the pitch, Marcus Rashford revealed his extraordinary campaigning work had led him to the world of books. 

    After months spent trying to make sure no child in Britain goes hungry, the tireless footy player has now turned his attention to getting more kids into reading. 

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