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MANCHESTER UNITED are on their winter break as they prepare for a tough trip to Chelsea, with Odion Ighalo now set to make his big debut against the Blues.

But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's days at United could be number after Ed Woodward's adviser Neil Ashton was spotted with Mauricio Pochettino at Brentford's match against Leeds United.

And there has been a boost in United's ambitious pursuit of Lionel Messi, with Barcelona sporting director Eric Abidal saying renewing his contract is "never easy".

Follow all of the latest Man Utd news, gossip and updates below…

  • FRIENDS REUNITED

    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is planning a £160million swoop to snap up Jack Grealish AND James Maddison this summer.

    And Manchester United’s boss hopes the fact the pair are close pals could tip the mega double-raid in his favour.

    Aston Villa skipper Grealish, Maddison and his Leicester  team-mate Ben Chilwell jetted off to Dubai during the Prem’s winter break.

    Solskjaer is preparing for life without Old Trafford’s £89m record buy Paul Pogba, with SunSport revealing last week United have cut their asking price by £30m to £150m.

    Whatever they get for the French midfield star will be handed to Solskjaer to add to his transfer pot for bringing in new talent.

  • MAUR RUMOUR

    Mauricio Pochettino was spotted alongside Manchester United’s new PR advisor Neil Ashton at Brentford’s draw with Leeds last night.

    The Argentine, who has been out-of-work since he was axed by Tottenham in November, has been heavily linked with replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford.

    And the pictures of the pair together, as well as footage during the live Sky Sports coverage, sparked wild speculation on social media.

    Ashton was appointed by United’s executive vice chairman Ed Woodward as a consultant last month.

    Poch, who was accompanied by assistant Jesus Perez at Griffin Park, is close friends with Leeds boss and countryman Marcelo Bielsa.

  • EXCLUSIVE

    Frank Lampard is ready to relaunch his bid for £45 million Ajax star Hakim Ziyech.

    Chelsea boss Lampard was left hugely frustrated when the club failed to land any of his transfer targets in January – including midfielder Ziyech.

    Highly-rated Ziyech signed a new three year deal only last summer and also has Manchester United and Arsenal tracking him.

    Ziyechm, 26, also featured in two Champions League group games against Chelsea this season in which Lampard got to run a close eye over his skills in attack.

  • BRU-WOAH

    Ole Gunner Solskjaer hailed Bruno Fernandes' intelligent footballing brain and admitted he is going to have to drag his star off the training ground.

    Solskjaer told the Manchester United website: “He is a very, very good footballer and his brain is obviously quicker than many others.

    “He has got loads of attributes that we are going to get used to. We will get used to him and he will get used to us.

    “His passing range, his deliveries, his movements, I am just pleased to see him here enjoying himself.”

    Asked if he will have to pull Fernandes off the training pitch, he added: “Yeah, he trains and he trains and he trains, so his fitness levels and enthusiasm is brilliant.”

  • WHAT ZI-YECH

    Frank Lampard is ready to relaunch his bid for £45 million Ajax star Hakim Ziyech.

    Chelsea boss Lampard was left hugely frustrated when the club failed to land any of his transfer targets in January – including midfielder Ziyech.

    He went public with his disappointment at not adding to his squad after Chelsea had worked hard to overturn a FIFA transfer ban.

    Highly-rated Ziyech signed a new three year deal only last summer and also has Manchester United and Arsenal tracking him.

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