MANCHESTER UNITED have called Zinedine Zidane regarding the manager's job, according to some reports in Spain.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who almost stormed down the tunnel at Leicester on Saturday, was said the man who mentioned the former Real Madrid boss' name to the board, one journalist claimed.
Meanwhile some reports suggest Marcus Rashford's camp is upset by the United boss' comments suggesting he needs to prioritise his football over social causes.
And with results taking a turn for the worse, there are some reports that Paul Pogba, who is out of contract in summer, has no inclination to sign a new deal.
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Follow ALL the latest news, updates and transfer gossip from Old Trafford…
- William Pugh
SIGN MAN UP
Javier Manquillo dreams of Newcastle signing Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland as he insists the Toon are unfazed by becoming 'hated'.
The Magpies' right-back charitably adds Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to the list of newcomers he'd accept at newly-rich St James' Park.
The 27-year-old told The Telegraph: “I understand that this operation will arouse antipathy or hatred. But we are not going to stop enjoying this period because of this.
"If you ask me who I’d sign for Newcastle, I’d go for Mbappe and I’d go for Haaland. If it was a PlayStation team I’d also go for Messi and Cristiano, but the youngsters who stand out the most right now are those two.
“I have read that there is talk of (Steven) Gerrard and (Frank) Lampard.
"But our manager now is Steve Bruce and we support him without hesitation.”
- William Pugh
FOOTBALL PROBE
A married Everton star arrested on suspicion of child sex offences has had his bail extended.
The Premier League player, who can’t be named for legal reasons, was held by police on Friday, July 16 before being released on bail.
Greater Manchester Police have now confirmed the player has had his bail extended by a further three months, The Athletic reports.
No further details about the case have been provided. Cops raided his home earlier in July and “several items were seized”.
The international player has been suspended by Everton while police continue to investigate the allegations.
A statement from the club said: “Everton can confirm it has suspended a player pending a police investigation. The club will continue to support the authorities with their inquiries and will not be making any further statement at this time.”
Credit: Getty Images – Getty - William Pugh
OH DEAR OLE
Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly recommended Zinedine Zidane to Manchester United's hierarchy.
Despite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer having the backing of United's board, Ronnie has sung the praises of his old Real Madrid boss, according to Spanish outlet El Chiringuito.
They claim Zidane has held talks with United big wigs but has snubbed a move because he wants to replace Didier Deschamps as France boss.
Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle are also said to have approached the legendary Frenchman but have both been knocked back.
- William Pugh
SPEED DIAL UP
Manchester United starlet Amad Diallo might go out on loan in January to help him get up to speed after injury.
The 19-year-old winger picked up a knock in training in August – which scuppered a loan move to Feyenoord – but was back involved in a session with the first-team squad last week.
The three-cap Ivory Coast starlet was also back in training ahead of United’s Champions League clash with his former club Atalanta at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the clash, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said a temporary spell somewhere else in the New Year might be the best option for the teenager.
He added: “Amad trained his first session last week before Leicester. He is still continuing his rehab and will probably play in the Under-23s when he is ready for that.
"His development has been exactly what we wanted from him, and he is learning the language. We have to make the decision before Christmas, whether he is going to play here or elsewhere. The injury was bad timing."
- William Pugh
HAMMER BLOW
West Ham star midfielder Declan Rice will play for a team in the Champions League, according to Gary Neville.
A number of clubs have been eyeing up the 22-year-old England international including Chelsea and Manchester United.
And while Rice remains committed to his boyhood club for this season, Neville believes it won't be long before he seeks a move to one of Europe's giants.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: "He'll have to transfer to a team in the Champions League.
"Where he plays in midfield. Where there's high expectations. Where he's playing against teams that are dropping deep every week and there will be different asks."
Rice's current deal at West Ham does not come to an end until 2024.
- William Pugh
TOON TAKEDOWN
PREMIER LEAGUE clubs have bandied together to prevent Newcastle cashing in on new commercial deals with Saudi-owned companies.
In the latest sign of the fury unleashed by the £305m Tyneside takeover, clubs called an emergency meeting on Monday.
They voted 18-2 in favour of a motion that demands any sponsorship deals with member clubs are paid at a reasonable "market value" rather than inflated as a way of easing past Financial Fair Play rules.
Only Newcastle – represented by outgoing managing director Lee Charnley – and Manchester City, whose own deals have been scrutinised by rivals in the past, voted against the proposals.
While the new rule change is only a temporary stop-gap lasting a month, there were calls for it to be made permanent, with a number of clubs believing it will prevent the newly-enriched Toons being able to bypass financial regulations.
But it adds to the mood of chaos and confusion among the 20 clubs, which has put the future of Prem chairman Gary Hoffman under threat.
- William Pugh
HOW MAN UTD COULD LINE UP VS ATALANTA
Marcus Rashford could make his first Manchester United start since his shoulder injury.
He came off the bench and scored in United's 4-2 defeat at Leicester on Saturday.
And he appeared alongside Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the Atalanta pre-match press conference suggesting he will start the Champions League game at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
- Justin Lawrence
SHARE IT OUT
Manchester United's much-maligned owners the Glazers have sold £117million worth of shares in the club.
But United supporters won't be getting their hopes up for an exit – the Americans still own 69 per cent of the Premier League giants.
A statement confirmed the Red Devils 'will not receive any proceeds from the sale' as it lines the American owners' pockets once more.
Tuesday night's sale was put in the name of club directors Kevin and Edward Glazer.
They are the brothers of United co-chairmen Avram and Joel, who took over from their father Malcolm following his death in 2014.
This latest sale works out as around eight per cent of the Glazer family's ownership of the club.
- Justin Lawrence
RASH DECISION
Manchester United welcome Atalanta to Old Trafford in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
And Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks set to welcome Marcus Rashford back to the starting XI alongside Cristiano Ronaldo after the Englishman's shoulder injury.
Rashford is likely to play in his trademark left-wing position with Mason Greenwood on the other flank behind Ronaldo up front.
Nemanja Matic is expected to keep his place in the starting XI from the defeat at the King Power and will partner Paul Pogba.
Regular starters Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka will play at the back with Victor Lindelof in for Raphael Varane.
- Justin Lawrence
YOUR TOO MUCH
Barcelona are keen on Manchester United transfer target Youri Tielemans but can't afford Leicester's £46million asking price.
According to reports, the Spanish giants have been keeping tabs on the Belgium international and have been impressed by his recent performances.
It is claimed Barca see Tielemans as exactly the kind of player they need to toughen up their midfield, as well as being big admirers of his passing ability and technique on the ball.
But the cash-strapped club are unable to make an approach because of their well-publicised financial issues, after reporting huge losses of £408m after tax last season.
The only way the club could feasibly sign the player would be on a free transfer, but Tielemans' contract doesn't expire until summer 2023.
And with wealthier clubs like Man Utd, Liverpool and Real Madrid all also interested, it seems unlikely that Leicester will allow the player to leave for free when they could cash in.
- Justin Lawrence
WAR OF WORDS
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told Jamie Carragher to shut it and insists he has the backing of the Manchester United board.
Liverpool legend Carragher used his Sky Sports platform to call for Red Devils boss Solskjaer to be axed ahead of his former club’s visit to Old Trafford on Sunday.
Solskjaer’s former team-mate Gary Neville also laid into United following their 4-2 defeat by Leicester.
But Solskjaer said: “I prefer not to watch them. It doesn’t affect me. Of course you see some of the comments once in a while.
“I didn’t know what they were saying now but of course we’ve got Liverpool on Sunday as well so Jamie is always looking at these little things.
“’I’ve got my values, I’ve got my way of managing and I believe in myself and as long as the club believes in me, I’m pretty pretty sure that Jamie Carragher’s opinion is not going to change that.”
- Justin Lawrence
GUNNAR GO
Manchester United could have a January clear-out with as many as five under-performing stars facing an Old Trafford exit.
Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek, 24, appears to be at the front of the queue to go.
Anthony Martial looks surplus to requirements following the summer arrivals of Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo, and reports suggest United will accept bids of £40m for him in January.
The Red Devils also reportedly want to cut losses on their £150,000-a-week centre-half Victor Lindlof.
Another central defender who looks destined to move on is Phil Jones.
Plus Jesse Lingard might also finally conclude it is time to leave after rejuvenating his England career with a brilliant loan spell at West Ham last season.
- Justin Lawrence
OPEN SEASON
Gary Neville has accused the Premier League of operating in a ‘vacuum of distrust’ as he called for change in football governance.
The pundit launched his broadside after seeing league bosses wave through Newcastle’s £300million Saudi-led takeover.
There have been calls for chairman Gary Hoffman to stand down as civil war broke out over the controversial sale.
And Neville wrote on Twitter: “The Premier League are in a vacuum of distrust and hesitancy whilst all the time scheming / claiming they don’t require Independent Regulation.
“The ESL is still a threat and football governance globally let alone in the UK is broken. Enough is Enough!”
- Justin Lawrence
WAITING GAME
Antonio Conte has reportedly turned down the chance to become Newcastle manager as he waits for a call from Manchester United.
Steve Bruce is strongly tipped to leave the Magpies, but SunSport exclusively revealed the Italian manager isn't interested in taking his job.
According to Italian journalist Fabio Santini, Conte is instead holding out for an offer from the Red Devils.
As quoted by Area Napoli, Santini said: "Antonio Conte has refused an offer from Newcastle.
"The reason? He is waiting for a call from Manchester United."
Pressure is mounting on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford after just one win in five games in all competitions.
- Justin Lawrence
CASS NOT NICE
Cristiano Ronaldo is not the best player of all-time according to Antonio Cassano, with the Man Utd star not even in his top five.
Speaking on fellow ex-Italy international Christian Vieiri's Twitch channel, Cassano, 39, argued: "Enough theatre.
"Is Cristiano Ronaldo the best in the history of football?
"He is not even in the top five."
"For me, [Lionel] Messi, Pele, [Diego] Maradona, [Johan] Cruyff and Ronaldo [Nazario] are on another level."
- Justin Lawrence
NOT TRUE
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has blasted the media for taking what he said about Marcus Rashford out of context.
The Manchester United boss made the headlines when it was reported that he would prefer Rashford to concentrate on football.
But now the Norwegian's come out to say how proud he is of Rashford for all the work he does on and off the pitch.
He said: "Just to get the elephant out of the room — we are so unbelievably proud of what Marcus [Rashford] has done on and off the pitch.
"You know what I said and you made a headline out of one little comment I never intended to be the focus of what I was saying."
- Justin Lawrence
ZIDANE'S THE MAN
Manchester United have reportedly got in contact with Zinedine Zidane to speak about taking over from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – on Cristiano Ronaldo's recommendation.
Solskjaer's been under fire following a string of poor results and critics are calling for United's hierarchy to give the boot.
And Ronaldo, whose relationship with the Norwegian has been seemingly strained over the Portuguese ace's lack of playing time, reckons Zidane is the right man for the United job, Sport Bible reported.
And the Red Devils have reportedly listened to Ronaldo's advice and reached out to his former Real Madrid boss, SB went on to say.
- Justin Lawrence
FOLLOW RON
Peter Schmeichel reckons Jadon Sancho can turn things around at Manchester United if he takes a leaf out of teammate Cristiano Ronaldo's book.
Sancho's had a poor start with United since joining in the summer from Borussia Dortmund and hasn't registered one goal or assist.
But if Sancho can shake off the pressure that comes with his expensive price tag and model Ronaldo's blueprint, he'll become a Old Trafford favourite in a few years.
The Dane said: "It’s a big, big, big price tag for him and it feels a bit heavy for him at the moment.
"But he will look at this guy [Ronaldo] and he can say: 'If I do something along those lines, I can be as good as him. I have all the basics, but I can be as good as him'.
"That might take him two or three years to catch on to that but that then gives him maybe 10-12 years after that."
- Justin Lawrence
ALL GONE RON
Cristiano Ronaldo has beaten Atalanta just ONCE in his career – and even missed a penalty against the Italians while at Juventus.
The 36-year-old spent three years taking on Atalanta while at Juve, but never beat them in four league meetings.
It comes as bad news for Manchester United fans, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side ready themselves to face Gian Piero Gasperini and Co on Wednesday.
Previous encounters between Ronaldo and the side from Bergamo have provided plenty of goals – 18 in six meetings to be exact.
Four of those games have been in Serie A, with a further two clashes in the Coppa Italia.
- Justin Lawrence
LAST TRAIN HOME
Manchester United fans are up in arms as they face travel chaos in the run-up to Christmas thanks to fixture rearrangements.
All three of United’s away games in December have been moved so they finish AFTER the last trains back to Manchester.
The Red Devils travel to Norwich, Brentford and Newcastle as they gear up for the busy festive fixture schedule.
Their clash with the newly-acquired Magpies has been shifted from Boxing Day to December 27th and now kicks off at 8pm.
The last direct train from Newcastle to Manchester departs at 8.06pm.
Supporters were left to fume on social media as they accused the Premier League of ignoring fans attending matches in favour of TV audiences.
- Justin Lawrence
TRAFFORD TROUBLE
Manchester United's dressing room morale is at a 'new low', according to reports.
The club are in a pivotal moment of the season with form collapsing and a number of crunch games coming up.
United have lost four of their last seven games, including on Saturday away at Leicester.
And according to The Times, the players are in a rut and 'concerned' about the atmosphere within the camp.
- Justin Lawrence
GAB-SMACKED
Gary Neville criticised Arsenal defenders Ben White and Gabriel after last night's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.
The Eagles surged back from a goal down at Emirates Stadium through goals from Christian Benteke and Odsonne Edouard.
Ex-Manchester United star Neville, 46, believes that the Gunners will have been disappointed to find themselves 2-1 down in the first place – specifically taking aim at their centre-backs.
He said on Monday Night Football: "‘I think Gabriel on the first goal and Ben White on the second have got to do better."
- Justin Lawrence
SOLKING OLE
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly unhappy at Manchester United failing to sign a midfielder in the summer.
United spent big in the transfer window, landing huge names such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho.
But the Red Devils have hit a rough patch and problems that were evident last season still persist.
Namely, who to pick in midfield – Solskajer has already used seven different midfield combinations since the start of the season.
And according to the Manchester Evening News, the Norwegian is privately disappointed at not being able to improve his midfield options.
A number of midfielders were linked to Old Trafford in the summer but the club's hierarchy prioritised the defensive and wing positions – Varane and Sancho.
- Justin Lawrence
'NO PLAN'
Manchester United are struggling tactically due to the return of club legend Cristiano Ronaldo.
That’s the view of Jamie Carragher, who says the arrival of the Portuguese legend back at Old Trafford means Paul Pogba is now playing out of position.
He said on Monday Night Football: “You can't play five attacking players, you can't.
“Pogba's got to come out of central midfield. He's playing there and it comes back to the Ronaldo signing.
“As soon as Ronaldo comes in, Pogba has to play centre midfield to fit all the players in. I'm not saying (Pogba) should be out the team, but he's not a centre midfield in a United shirt.
- Justin Lawrence
SANCHO DOUBT
Jadon Sancho Manchester United teammates are reportedly privately questioning his commitment to the club.
The midfielder arrived at Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund for £73million full of promise but is yet to hit the net or provide an assist in ten matches.
And now Sancho's United peers are beginning to have doubts about whether he can cope with the pressures of the Premier League, The Transfer Window podcast claimed, reported by The Mirror.
They also said that Sancho's attitude and desire in training has also raised a few eyebrows at Old Trafford.
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