The SIX Manchester United players competing for ONE position in Jose Mourinho's team - Mirror.co.uk

Do Manchester United^[1] have the most hotly contested position in the Premier League?

With six players all vying for one place in the team, you'd think so.

While Jose Mourinho^[2] seems to have a more settled side than when he first took over, he's still given a weekly selection headache.

Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo have established themselves as a surprise centre-back pairing over the last couple of months, while Paul Pogba^[3] , Michael Carrick and Ander Herrera are his preferred midfield trio, writes Rob Dawson in the Manchester Evening News^[4].

Mourinho has so many players at his disposal that there are not enough games to go around.

Memphis Depay - and Anthony Martial - are struggling for game time at the moment (Photo: AFP/Getty)

Even with matches in the Premier League, League Cup and Europa League during the first half of the season, he has admitted to being ‘sad’ at not being able to play Memphis Depay, Morgan Schneiderlin and Ashley Young more often. After making a combined eight starts, they could all leave Old Trafford in January.

It is part of Depay’s problem, in particular, that there is so much competition for places.

He is the only natural left winger in the squad. But he is effectively sixth choice to play in a position no one, as yet, has claimed.

Manchester United vs Sunderland

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Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard have all played there this season.

It shows the strength of Mourinho’s squad that Mata, who, two months ago was being talked about as one of United’s players of the season, has been on the bench for four of the last seven games.

Martial has started one of the last four, prompting speculation about loan move to Sevilla.

Rashford has not started a game in the Premier League since mid-November and has been linked with West Ham.

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Paul Pogba plays five-a-side with pals

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United have no intention of letting either player leave. But other clubs have started to fancy their chances because of how difficult it is to get into the United team.

As Mourinho has pointed out, United could end up playing as many as 60 games this season. And he will hope to give the likes of Martial and Rashford opportunities to play more often.

He will expect to make changes to his team this week, with games against Middlesbrough at home and West Ham away separated by just 48 hours.

Still, there can be few other positional battles at other clubs as fiercely contested as the fight to play on United’s left. It is the one place where the new sense of calm has not yet reached.

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References

1. ^ Manchester United (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Jose Mourinho (www.mirror.co.uk)
3. ^{^} Paul Pogba (www.mirror.co.uk)
4. ^{^} writes Rob Dawson in the Manchester Evening News (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)

Mitten: Up-and-down 2016 at Old Trafford - ESPN FC (blog)

Manchester United have started to find their stride in the Premier League. FC's Craig Burley credits Jose Mourinho.

Paul Mariner rates Jose Mourinho among the top ten managers in the world but no longer in the upper echelons of football.

2016 has been an up-and-down year for Manchester United. Andy Mitten looks back at the highs and lows.

Best moment: After 110 minutes on a dank, grey London afternoon, United took the lead for the first time in the FA Cup final, when Jesse Lingard, who had been with the club since the age of 7, half volleyed a shot past Crystal Palace's Wayne Hennessey at the end where 31,000 United fans stood. It would be enough to win the trophy.

From the sublime to the ridiculous: Within half an hour of the final whistle, Louis van Gaal, who had been booed by thousands of United fans that day, found out that he was losing his job as manager. Before that, he had been adamant that he would stay to see out the third year of his contract.

Five best performances

1. Nov. 30: 4-1 vs. West Ham. In the EFL Cup quarterfinals, this was a night when it felt like the old United were back.

2. Nov. 6: 3-1 vs. Swansea. OK, Swansea were in free fall, but the Zlatan Ibrahimovic-Paul Pogba connection, ably assisted by Wayne Rooney, was beginning to shine.

3. Nov. 19: 1-1 vs. Arsenal. The third straight game in which United drew at home, but the football was definitely getting better. Having beaten Arsenal 3-2 in February, United were twice impressive at home vs. the Gunners this year.

4. May 21: 2-1 vs. Crystal Palace. Urged on by Ryan Giggs, who rose from the bench perhaps knowing it was his final game after 27 years at the club, United showed resilience to come from behind and take the gloss off Alan Pardew's dancing shoes. The soon-to-be-under-fire Rooney was masterful.

5. Apr. 13: 2-1 vs. West Ham. In an FA Cup quarterfinal replay at one of the form teams of 2015-16, Marouane Fellaini scored and had his best game of the year, overshadowing the Hammers' Dimitri Payet.

Most surreal sight: Van Gaal lying on the floor in his technical area, legs kicking as he disputed a decision against Arsenal in February.

Louis van Gaal provided plenty of noteworthy moments before he was sacked as Manchester United manager in May.

Quote of the year: "Every human being who is grabbed by the hair, only with sex masochism, then it is allowed, but not in other situations." -- Van Gaal in May^[1], after Marouane Fellaini's hair was pulled by Leicester's Robert Huth but United were denied a penalty 

Five worst performances

1. Jan. 9: 1-0 vs. Sheffield United (FA Cup third round)

2. Jan. 23: 0-1 vs. Southampton (Premier League)

3. Feb. 18: 1-2 vs. Midtjylland (Europa League Round of 32, first leg)

4. Mar. 10: 0-2 vs. Liverpool (Europa League Round of 16, first leg)

5. Oct. 23: 0-4 vs. Chelsea (Premier League)

The less said about each, the better.

The critical defeat: May 10: 2-3 vs. West Ham. The game was preceded by home fans attacking the United team coach as they approached the Boleyn Ground. A draw would have likely meant Champions League football and probably kept van Gaal in a job. United led 2-1 in the second half but couldn't withstand late pressure.

An Old Trafford first: United's game vs. Bournemouth in May was abandoned^[2] when a suspect package was found in the toilets. It turned out to be a dummy left behind after a training exercise.

Best United goal: Henrikh Mkhitaryan's scorpion kick against Sunderland on Dec. 26.

Best opposition goal: Moussa Sow's second-minute strike for Fenerbahce in a Nov. 3 Europa League game of three outstanding strikes, one of which came from Rooney.

Hard to believe it's not Scholes: Michael Carrick is getting better with age. As for Paul Scholes, he has been a fierce -- and often accurate -- United critic in his role as a television analyst.

Five Rashford moments

1. Feb. 25: A two-goal debut vs. Midtjylland as United overcame a 2-1 reverse in the first leg to win 5-1 at home.

2. Feb. 28: Another brace followed in Rashford's first league start, a 3-2 win against title-chasing Arsenal.

3. Apr. 13: Rashford's own favourite, the winner at West Ham in the FA Cup quarterfinal replay.

4. Mar. 20: The only Mancunian on the pitch scored the only goal in the derby at Manchester City.

5. Aug. 27: Hull City away, last minute. See late, great winners below.

Marcus Rashford has scored 12 goals in 40 games since making his debut in February.

Best fan chant: (Sung to the tune of Sting's "Englishman in New York.") "Woah-oh, Mkhitaryan, Henrikh Mkhitaryan. He's our midfield Armenian."

Best United away following: West Ham in the FA Cup: 5,000 fans were present on a wild night in east London, when a double rainbow rose over the Chicken Run stand and Rashford saw United through. Derby away in the fourth round gets a notable mention.

Best away following at Old Trafford: Feyenoord were very loud in November, despite their team getting hammered 4-0. Thousands travelled without tickets, while many more made their presence known in home sections after the final whistle. The Dutch side brought 3,000; it could have been 15,000. Also, a notable mention to Crystal Palace fans at the FA Cup final.

"You could have come in a taxi" award for away fans at Old Trafford: The approximately 30 Zorya Luhansk fans, who attended September's Europa League tie. Most of them were friendly Ukrainian expats who live in the north of England.

"You've come all this way for nothing" award: Around 100 fans travelled to Beijing for a friendly against Manchester City in August that was called off. United gave every supporter affected a signed home shirt and two tickets to a game.

Daftest away fans: The Liverpool supporters, who made their presence known in a United section at Old Trafford toward the end of the clubs' Europa League tie. Trouble predictably ensued.^[3]

Silliest decision: Feyenoord halved United's ticket allocation^[4] in September, because the Dutch club's own fans had misbehaved during a previous game against Roma.

Best away team at Old Trafford: Manchester City on Sept. 10.

Best opposition player: Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City).

Five late winners and ecstatic celebrations

1. Apr. 23 vs. Everton: Anthony Martial's FA Cup semifinal winner in the final minute of stoppage time at Wembley. United won 2-1 against Everton, and their (then) No. 9 was lost in a crowd of fans with several of his teammates.

2. Dec. 14 vs. Crystal Palace: It looked like another draw until Ibrahimovic struck. And to think that some foolish United fans left before the final whistle.

3. Aug. 27 vs. Hull: 18-year-old Rashford converts from Rooney's 92nd minute cross at a rainy KCOM Stadium. Cue frantic celebrations in front of the travelling support.

4. May 7 vs. Norwich: Rooney assists Juan Mata, whose left-footed strike rewards United's dominance. The players celebrated by going to the fans, who had made the five-hour journey from Manchester.

5. Sep. 29 vs. Zorya Luhansk: Ibrahimovic scores his first goal in five games to secure a much-needed win in the Europa League that lifted United off the bottom of the group table.

The Mourinho high: In his mind, the 2-1 Community Shield victory over Leicester at Wembley on Aug. 7.

Jose Mourinho has had a mix of highs and lows since moving into the Old Trafford spotlight.

The Mourinho low: By the start of December, United had won only two of their previous 11 league matches, and the manager had been sent from the dugout to the stands. Twice.

Biggest rip-off: Outside finals, Midtjylland's £71 ticket prices -- they charged Southampton fans £22 earlier in the season -- were the most expensive for travelling United supporters in club history. Also, £16,000 for a water bottle^[5]. 

Player of the year: David De Gea. Naturally. His penalty save against Romelu Lukaku helped United reach the FA Cup final and was just one highlight of his 2016. The goalkeeper was also named the club's player of the year for the third season in a row.

Five who played for United in 2016

1. Joe Riley
2. Guillermo Varela
3. Regan Poole
4. Will Keane
5. Bastian Schweinsteiger

And a notable mention for James Weir, who came on in the 94th minute vs. Arsenal in February, didn't touch the ball, never played for the club again during the season and was sold to Hull in the summer!

Friday Night Lights: Southampton's August visit to Old Trafford was the first home game of 2016-17 and, with Mourinho smiling in his club suit, the buzz felt like it was back.

Biggest surprises on the pitch

For better: Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones forming an excellent central defensive partnership; Rojo has played every minute of the last nine league games. Notable mention to Antonio Valencia, who has established himself at right-back.

For worse: Luke Shaw's regression. Ditto that of Anthony Martial, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Memphis Depay.

Eric who? Bailly, that's who. It took all of 45 minutes vs. Leicester in the Community Shield for people to know how good he was.

Money talks: Paul Pogba, £89 million.

The wait goes on: For Wayne Rooney to surpass Sir Bobby Charlton's scoring record for the club. He's still two short.

So long, farewell: Giggs and van Gaal.

Andy Mitten is a freelance writer and the founder and editor of United We Stand. Follow him on Twitter: @AndyMitten.

References

1. ^{^} Van Gaal in May (www.espnfc.com)
2. ^{^} was abandoned (www.espnfc.com)
3. ^{^} Trouble predictably ensued. (www.espnfc.com)
4. ^{^} halved United's ticket allocation (www.espnfc.com)
5. ^{^} £16,000 for a water bottle (www.espnfc.com)

Manchester United academy revamp stepped up with FOUR new appointments - Manchester Evening News

Manchester United’s^[1] academy overhaul will pick up pace next month with the appointment of four new members of staff.

David Harrison is set to start work as head of academy recruitment in the new year with Lyndon Tomlinson joining as his assistant. Both previously worked as scouts for Manchester City.

Ronnie Cusick, who has also worked for City, is set to be appointed as an academy scout while Brighton’s academy player recruitment manager will also move to Old Trafford.

It the latest stage in a revamp of United’s youth system.

Former United midfielder Nicky Butt has been installed as academy chief, although he has doubled up as Under-23s manager since November following Warren Joyce’s decision to join Wigan.

Marcel Bout, who arrived as part of Louis van Gaal’s backroom staff, has been retained as the club’s head of global scouting â€" leading a team of more than 100 scouts operating in every corner of the globe.

Marcel Bout remained at Manchester United after Louis van Gaal was sacked.

The latest recruit is KRC Genk chief scout Roland Janssen, who is credited with involvement in the discovery of City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

United’s academy recruitment drive has already seen them land Dutch winger Tahith Chong and American defender Matthew Olosunde.

Chong has already impressed as part of Under-18s, led by coach Kieran McKenna, who joined from Tottenham in September.

United are still searching for a long-term replacement for Joyce. Paul Scholes, Phil Neville and Chelsea youth boss Adi Viveash have all been mentioned as possible candidates.

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Manchester United - key information

References

1. ^{^} Manchester United’s (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)

Manchester United transfer news and rumours - 'Jose Mourinho handed boost in James Rodriguez pursuit' - Telegraph.co.uk

The Mail continues that Mourinho will only add to his squad next month if players go out, and Everton are expected to step up their pursuit of Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay next week. West Ham have lodged enquiries about the availability of Marouane Fellaini and Marcus Rashford.

United are one of the several clubs interested in Bayern Leverkusen star Julian Brandt, according to The Mail.^[1] 

The German international primarily appears on the left-wing, but he can also play as an attacking midfielder or on the right and would cost around £20 million.

And finally, former United star Juan Sebastian Veron is returning to football for a fifth spell with Argentine side Estudiantes... aged 41.

Veron is the club's president and has made good on a promise that he will play in the 2017 Copa Libertadores if fans buy 65 per cent of the tickets for the match. He will donate his minimal salary earned playing for Estudiantes back to the club.

A quick re-cap of yesterday's news and rumours 

• Monaco's Tiemoue Bakayoko is a United target, but has ruled out any chance of leaving in January. 
• One player who looks unlikely to move to Old Trafford is Atalanta midfielder Franck Kessie who is a subject to a £25 million bid from Chelsea, according to The Daily Express. 
• The Daily Star is reporting that United, along with Manchester City, are keen on Juventus left-back Alex Sandro. 

References

1. ^{^} . (www.dailystar.co.uk)

Manchester United shun Benfica's Victor Lindelof after defence improves - The Guardian

Benfica’s Sweden defender Victor Lindelof has a £38m release clause in his contract. Photograph: McManus/BPI/REX/Shutterstock

Manchester United^[1] have opted against making a move for the Benfica defender Victor Lindelof after José Mourinho decided he is satisfied with his defensive options despite the prospect of losing Eric Bailly for up to six weeks due to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Negotiations with the Portuguese champions^[2] over the Sweden international Lindelof have been continuing for several weeks and reports in Portugal said a deal worth more than £30m was close to being agreed. United were keen to purchase the 22-year-old to add depth to Mourinho’s squad although they were reluctant to meet his €45m (£38m) release clause.

But Mourinho’s side have now won five games in a row â€" while conceding only two goals â€" and the Portuguese has decided to stick with the central defenders he already has at his disposal. Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo have struck up a solid partnership in central defence and Mourinho can also count on Bailly, Chris Smalling and Daley Blind in that position when they are fit.

Smalling is currently out injured while Bailly has just returned to training from the knock picked up at Crystal Palace on 14 December^[3].

Bailly was on Wednesday included in the Ivory Coast squad^[4] for the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon, which starts on 14 January.

Mourinho recently hailed the form of Jones, who has now played 10 consecutive games for United without getting injured, his second-longest stretch since joining the club in 2011.

“Sometimes defenders now think the most important ability is to build from the back,” the Portuguese manager said. “It’s not. The most important thing is to defend and that’s what I like about Phil Jones. He likes to defend, he wants to play as a defender.”

Mourinho went on to say Jones could be ready to make a return to the England set-up in the near future. “I prefer to say that Jones is doing much better this season than in the previous two seasons and he’s giving hope to everyone that he can be back to normality and, who knows, be back to the national team, be a firm choice at Manchester United, because he’s doing very well.”

Mourinho added the media should give his two current centre-backs more credit for what they have done in the past few weeks. He said: “I think, you are the ones who admit they [Jones and Rojo] deserve more attention and more headlines. [But] they are not worried, they are playing more than ever, better than ever.

“Rojo was also having lots of injuries. He is also [injury] free. In a period without Bailly and Smalling, where people could be scared, they stepped up. Really solid. I am happy for them.”

United, who are sixth in the Premier League, play Middlesbrough at home on New Year’s Eve and then travel to West Ham United on Monday.

References

1. ^{^} Manchester United (www.theguardian.com)
2. ^{^} Negotiations with the Portuguese champions (www.theguardian.com)
3. ^{^} at Crystal Palace on 14 December (www.theguardian.com)
4. ^{^} in the Ivory Coast squad (www.theguardian.com)

Oscar left Chelsea because he wasn't playing - Shanghai SIPG - ESPN FC

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Paul Mariner acknowledges the fortune Oscar will receive for his CSL move, but says it will diminish his impact on the game.</div>
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Arsene Wenger has said that he understands Oscar's move to China and that money could sway more players to join him.</div>
<p>Oscar decided to leave Chelsea after becoming frustrated with a lack of first-team chances under Antonio Conte, Shanghai SIPG's general manager Sui Guoyang has said.</p>
<p>Oscar, 25, became the Blues' record sale when he left Stamford Bridge for the Chinese Super League in a £60 million deal last week, eclipsing the £50m received from Paris Saint-Germain for David Luiz in the summer of 2014.</p>
<p>Speaking ahead of the completion of the deal, Conte insisted that he was sorry to see the Brazil international leave Chelsea, but Oscar did not start a Premier League match following the Blues' successful switch to a 3-4-3 formation in September.</p>
<p>The transfer saw Oscar massively increase his £90,000-a-week wages at Stamford Bridge to become one of the world's highest-paid footballers, as well as seeing him link up with former Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas and fellow Brazilians Hulk and Elkeson in Shanghai.</p>
<img width="738" src="http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i/?img=/photo/2016/1215/r163136_1296x729_16-9.jpg&amp;w=738&amp;site=espnfc" /> Oscar lost his place in the Chelsea team under Antonio Conte.
<p>"Oscar has fallen out of favour with Conte because he has no place in Chelsea's 3-4-3 formation," Guoyang is quoted as saying by Sky Sports. "It played a key part in his desire to leave. He felt terrible to sit on the bench and not be involved. He is so young.</p>
<p>"Oscar wants to come back to the Brazil national team. Some of his compatriots play in the CSL and they still get called up to the national team. So it helped him to make the decision to move to China. And of course, the appointment of Andre Villas-Boas is a plus. Oscar knows we are an ambitious club."</p>
<p>Guoyong also defended the wider wave of huge spending from Chinese Super League clubs that has lured numerous Brazilians from more established leagues over the past year, as well as the move from SIPG's rivals Shanghai Shenhua to try to make Carlos Tevez the world's highest-paid player at the age of 32.</p>
<p>"If we don't offer £60m, do you think [Oscar] will bother to come?" Guoyong added. "There's such a huge gap between CSL and Europe's top leagues. It's unrealistic to suggest that we would have done it in a different way."</p>
<p><em>Liam is ESPN FC's Chelsea correspondent. Follow him on Twitter: @Liam_Twomey.</em></p><br /><br /><a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&amp;fd=R&amp;ct2=us&amp;usg=AFQjCNF31GB71IGmy81GwKGGWk2RUC5Y6w&amp;clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&amp;cid=52779323628982&amp;ei=MlhkWMisE5eQ3AGP3JSICA&amp;url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/3027652/oscar-left-chelsea-because-he-wasnt-playing-shanghai-sipg-general-manager" rel="nofollow">Read More</a>

Football transfer rumours: Chelsea and Man City chasing Steven N'Zonzi? - The Guardian

<p>
Sevilla’s Steven N’Zonzi battles Liverpool’s Emre Can for the ball in last season’s Europa League final. Photograph: Jean-christophe Bott/AP
</p><div itemprop="articleBody" data-test- readability="100.41094661283">
<p><span>C</span><strong>helsea</strong> and <strong>Manchester City</strong> are engaged in a Christmas cracker of a ding-dong transfer battle, with both Antonio Conte and Pep Guardiola apparently desperate to fortify their midfield by spending £26m on the former Stoke and Blackburn star <strong>Steven N’Zonzi</strong>, who was playing very much under their noses and yet was unwanted by the Premier League giants until he moved to Sevilla for just more than a quarter of that sum â€" a paltry £7m â€" last summer. But Chelsea’s primary midfield focus could lie elsewhere, given the existence of a rival rumour linking them with a £25m move for Atalanta’s <strong>Franck Kessié</strong>, while they are also one of a number of clubs â€" including Internazionale, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain â€" said to be keen on the Fiorentina forward Federico Bernardeschi, who is unlikely to go anywhere before the end of the season.</p>

<p>Arsène Wenger is already considering replacements for contractual trouble-makers Mesut Özil and Alexis Sánchez, and has placed the Borussia Dortmund pair of Marco Reus and <strong>Christian Pulisic</strong> high on his list, though he might have to out-wrestle Jürgen Klopp if he is to stop Liverpool from swooping for them first. One potential <strong>Arsenal</strong> signing that is likely to be less hotly contested is that of <strong>Cohen Bramall</strong>, a 20-year-old left-winger spotted playing for Hednesford Town in the Evo-Stik Northern League Premier Division â€" and previously rejected by both Crewe and Leek Town â€" who apparently impressed so much on a recent two-day trial that a contract offer is imminent.</p>
<p><strong>Manchester United</strong> are ready to firm up their rumoured interest in Benfica’s <strong>Nelson Semedo</strong> with a £35m bid, though the right-back’s transfer is unlikely to be completed before the summer, with José Mourinho about to splash his entire allocation of January cash on another Benfica defender, Victor Lindelof. That much-mooted move might not go exactly as planned, however, with newspapers in Portugal predicting that the Swede will instead sign a new deal with the Portuguese giants, raising his buy-out clause to a chequebook-bothering £50m.</p>
<p><strong>Newcastle</strong> plan to respond to their post-Christmas slide to second in the Championship by spending even more money, with Bournemouth’s <strong>Callum Wilson</strong> seen as the man to fire them back to the top of the table. They are also said to be “leading the race” to sign Chelsea’s <strong>Ruben Loftus-Cheek</strong> on loan, though there are “up to 10 clubs” involved in that particular sprint. <strong>Middlesbrough</strong>, meanwhile, are keen on Udinese’s <strong>Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu</strong>, though the Ghana midfielder’s involvement in the African Cup of Nations might put a spanner in the works.</p>
<p>A man who spent £4,000 on the number plate VAR9Y in the hope of flogging it on to <strong>Jamie Vardy</strong> at a profit has sold it again for just £2,080 after he was unable to contact the Leicester ace, who already has a personalised number plate on his blue Bentley. Despite that setback there will be some new arrivals at the <strong>Leicester</strong> training ground in January, with a deal for Racing Genk’s Wilfred Ndidi all but complete and Claudio Ranieri handed a £30m mid-season <strong>war chest</strong>, according to the Telegraph.</p>
<p>The <strong>Watford</strong> striker <strong>Jerome Sinclair</strong> looks certain to spend the second half of the season on loan in the Championship, with Norwich, Reading, Brentford and <strong>Cardiff</strong> all interested in recruiting him. The latter club need a striker to replace Marouane Chamakh, who may only have played 46 minutes of league football this season but has been named on their substitutes’ bench a few times, and could jet off to al-Arabi in Qatar in the new year.</p>
<p>Who’s going to be the new <strong>Swansea</strong> manager? The Sun exclusively reveal that <strong>Roy Hodgson</strong> “has emerged as <em>the</em> strong candidate” for the role suddenly and involuntarily vacated by bungling Bob Bradley on Tuesday, but elsewhere Ryan Giggs is near-unanimously considered the most likely hot-seat-sitter. And finally, another top Premier League star is being courted by China’s Super League, who plan to offer a massive salary boost in an attempt to get their man. This man, though, isn’t even a footballer â€" it’s whistle-blowing wonder <strong>Mark Clattenburg</strong>, named the best referee in all humanity at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai yesterday.</p>
<ul><li><em>Follow your team and stay up to date with the latest rumours throughout the transfer window with our Facebook Messenger bot. Simply hit ‘Get started’ at the bottom of the screen to receive the latest alerts.</em></li>
</ul></div><br /><br /><a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&amp;fd=R&amp;ct2=us&amp;usg=AFQjCNHt8b2RmiOrJ8xJuaMmBBZ0Xh4p2w&amp;clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&amp;cid=52779321236237&amp;ei=MlhkWMisE5eQ3AGP3JSICA&amp;url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/28/football-transfer-rumour-mill-chelsea-manchester-city-steven-nzonzi" rel="nofollow">Read More</a>

Chelsea news: Thibaut Courtois reveals secrets behind defensive record - Metro

Thibaut Courtois is enjoying the protection from Chelsea’s back three (Picture: Getty)
<p>Thibaut Courtois has revealed the training ground work that has gone on to improve the Chelsea defence and inspire their 12-game winning streak since losing to Arsenal in September.</p>
<img src="http://i0.wp.com/metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/630617964.jpg?crop=190px,0px,4255px,3189px&amp;resize=150,113&amp;quality=80&amp;strip=all&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=100&amp;h=75" data-aspect="1.3274336283186" class="thumbnail-link-image" data-rewritten="false" /><span>Tottenham break Premier League era club record with Saints victory</span>
<p>The Belgium international has been in top form for the Blues to only concede two goals in this run, and says his job is easier since Antonio Conte helped the team tighten up at the back.</p>
<p>The Italian’s switch to three at the back has proven a masterstroke, with Chelsea looking impossible to beat at the moment as they sit six points clear at the top of the Premier League table.</p>

Courtois has been back to his best this season (Picture: Getty)
<p>‘Letting in only two goals is amazing,’ Courtois explained.</p>
<p>‘After that Arsenal game we had to build a new thing and we did it well, and there is a lot of hard work in training. It was not just that we did a new formation and it will work.</p>
<p>‘As a goalkeeper it doesn’t change much but now we are more solid at the back than at the beginning of the season, it is harder for people to break us down, and when they do try to score a goal I try to save it.</p>
<h3>More: Football</h3>
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<p><span>Arsenal forward targeted by Liverpool in audacious £25m January swoop</span></p>
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<p><span>Troll of the year, worst transfer announcement - Metro.co.uk's alternative football 2016 awards</span></p>
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<p><span>Is Allegri the right man for Arsenal? A look at the Juve boss' hits and misses</span></p>
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<div readability="7">
<h3>Chelsea fixtures</h3>
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<p><strong>Stoke City</strong> (H) â€" Sat 31 Dec<br/><strong>Tottenham</strong> (A) â€" Wed 4 Jan<br/><strong>Notts County or Peterborough</strong> â€" FA Cup (H) â€" Sun 8 Jan<br/><strong>Leicester City</strong> (A) â€" Sat 14 Jan<br/><strong>Hull City</strong> (H) â€" Sun 22 Jan<br/><strong>Liverpool</strong> (A) â€" Tue 31 Jan</p>
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<p>‘Some other teams tried to defeat us as well with that formation but if it is well-worked like we do it, it is hard to break down and every day in training we do it a lot.</p>
<p>‘That is why we have this run at the moment and we just try to keep it going and we will see in few weeks and months where we are standing, and hopefully we will be there in the race for the championship.’</p>
<p><span>MORE: Is this Chelsea youngster the next Victor Moses?</span></p>
<p><span>MORE: Chelsea hero Pat Nevin hails new-look front three after win v Bournemouth</span></p>


<p><img class="img-align-center size-full wp-image-5228432" src="https://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/chelsea-promo.jpg?quality=80&amp;strip=all" alt="Chelsea FC" width="535" height="301" /></p><br /><br /><a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&amp;fd=R&amp;ct2=us&amp;usg=AFQjCNGvxtwQcgnLh-jL_pbqg5M_Jfsm6Q&amp;clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&amp;cid=52779324518891&amp;ei=MlhkWMisE5eQ3AGP3JSICA&amp;url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/12/28/chelseas-thibaut-courtois-reveals-training-ground-work-behind-strong-defensive-record-6348063/" rel="nofollow">Read More</a>

Chelsea news: Napoli star Dries Mertens at Chelsea match to watch former teammate Nathaniel Chalobah - Metro

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<p>Napoli star Dries Mertens was in attendance as Chelsea beat Bournemouth on Boxing Day.</p>
<p>This may get some Blues fans excited about the possibility of signing the Belgian goal machine, but it would appear that he was just at Stamford Bridge to watch former teammate Nathaniel Chalobah.</p>
<img src="http://i2.wp.com/metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/629090876.jpg?crop=310px,0px,4863px,3644px&amp;resize=150,113&amp;quality=80&amp;strip=all&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=100&amp;h=75" data-aspect="1.3274336283186" class="thumbnail-link-image" data-rewritten="false" /><span>Courtois reveals training ground work behind strong defensive record</span>
<p>The England under-21s international spent last season on loan at Napoli, and has now gone on to become a part of Antonio Conte’s first team in London.</p>
<p>Mertens will have only been able to see Chalobah in action for seven minutes on Monday, with the midfielder being subbed on late in the match as Chelsea ran out 3-0 winners.</p>

Dries Mertens has been in great form for Napoli (Picture: Getty)
<p>Mertens has been in stellar form for Napoli since being moved to a central striker’s position in the absence of the injured Arkadiusz Milik.</p>
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<div readability="8"><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhEAAJAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAAQAAkAAAIKhI+py+0Po5yUFQA7" data-src="http://i2.wp.com/metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/2016-e1482923220354.jpg?crop=452px%2C0px%2C879px%2C660px&amp;resize=480%2C360&amp;quality=80&amp;strip=all&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=170&amp;h=128" data-aspect="1.3333333333333" data-rewritten="false" width="170" height="128" />
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<p>The 29-year-old has 15 goals and seven assists in 22 matches in all competitions, and if the Blues were to take an interest he could be seen as a replacement for the soon to depart Oscar.</p>
<p>Oscar is joining Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG in January in a huge £60 million transfer after failing to become a regular starter under Conte.</p>
<p><span>MORE: Chelsea interested in £34m move for former Man Utd</span></p>



<p><img class="img-align-center size-full wp-image-5228432" src="https://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/chelsea-promo.jpg?quality=80&amp;strip=all" alt="Chelsea FC" width="535" height="301" /></p><br /><br /><a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&amp;fd=R&amp;ct2=us&amp;usg=AFQjCNHm0Y72im_vJQZ5gV22hMW9RzgDdw&amp;clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&amp;cid=52779323778628&amp;ei=MlhkWMisE5eQ3AGP3JSICA&amp;url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/12/28/napoli-star-dries-mertens-at-chelsea-match-to-watch-former-teammate-nathaniel-chalobah-6348344/" rel="nofollow">Read More</a>

Manchester United 3-1 Sunderland: Blind, Ibrahimović and Mkhitaryan net in Boxing Day victory

Manchester United maintained their run of fine form at home to Sunderland on Boxing Day, seeing off the Black Cats 3-1. A first half strike from Daley Blind was followed up by goals from Zlatan Ibrahimović and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the second, with José Mourinho's men eventually running out comfortable winners. Fabio Borini's late strike was nothing more than a consolation for the visitors.

United made an ominously poor start to the game, with Sunderland looking just as dangerous in the opening few minutes. David de Gea was the first goalkeeper called into action, with the Spaniard diving to his right to push a Patrick van Aanholt free-kick to safety. United responded through Paul Pogba just short of the half hour, though his deflected effort from the edge of the penalty area clipped the post on its way behind.

The first clear cut chance came two minutes later — and at the wrong end of the field. Victor Anichebe and Borini had successive bites at Jermain Defoe's cross, though neither could beat de Gea from point-blank range. It was the least convincing United had looked for a while.

However, when they did manage to break the deadlock five minutes before halftime, it was done in style. Some intricate build-up play involved a smart diagonal run from nominal left-back Blind, who capped the move by driving a low shot beyond Jordan Pickford and inside the far post.

It would've been two before the interval, were it not for a fine save from Sunderland's keeper in stoppage time. An acrobatic effort from the lively Pogba was matched by the catlike reflexes of Pickford, ensuring Sunderland's deficit remained a single goal as the teams left the field.

An improved United created a string of good chances to double their lead early in the second half, with Pogba invariably at the heart of all good things. Within three minutes of the restart he was almost played in by Ibrahimović, though the Swede's low cross was slightly behind the Frenchman with the goal gaping. Zlatan had his own chance five minutes later, though he lashed over the crossbar after being slipped in by Juan Mata.

After the initial flurry, United slowed, only to spring to life again five minutes past the hour. It was Zlatan again who squandered the opportunity, with Pickford repelling his low shot after a smart assist from substitute Mkhitaryan. All of the second half chances were United's, but as long as their lead remained just a goal, they couldn't afford to get complacent.

It took until the final 10 minutes, but eventually Old Trafford was able to breathe a sigh of relief. Pogba nicked the ball on the halfway line and played a simple pass for Ibrahimović, who atoned for his earlier profligacy with a smart finish for 2-0.

Ibrahimović turned provider moments later, swinging a low cross into the area for Mkhitaryan. The Armenian international was in an offside position when he executed an impressive backheel volley, though it wasn't spotted by the linesman, and the goal was allowed to stand: 3-0.

The only blot on United's copybook came in the dying moments of the match, when a Jason Denayer cross found its way out to Borini. The Italian's controlled on the edge of the area before lashing a delightful half-volley past de Gea to cushion Sunderland's defeat. 3-1 was how it finished, with United recording their fourth consecutive league victory. Merry Christmas!

Victor Lindelof: Manchester United will not bid for Benfica centre-back

Victor Lindelof made his debut for Benfica during the 2013-14 season and has 11 caps for Sweden

Manchester United will not make a move for Benfica defender Victor Lindelof during the January transfer window.

United manager Jose Mourinho was reported to be interested in the 22-year-old Sweden centre-back.

However, BBC Sport understands the form of Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo in central defence has persuaded manager Jose Mourinho he does not need to buy.

The Portuguese also has cover at centre-back in Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling and Daley Blind.

Reports from Portugal had claimed Lindelof would become the club's most expensive all-time defender, costing between £38m and £42m, and that he had been assigned a squad number at Old Trafford,

Since Jones and Rojo were paired together for the first time in the 3-1 win against Swansea on 6 November, United are unbeaten for 11 games, one short of equalling thei r best run since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Jones and Rojo have been in central defence together for nine of those matches, when they have conceded seven goals.

Manchester United stars arrive for training as Paul Pogba and Co prepare for last tie of 2016 vs Middlesbrough

By Alex Martin For Mailonline

Published: 09:13 EST, 28 December 2016 | Updated: 09:13 EST, 28 December 2016

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It has been a tumultuous 12 months for Manchester United with a fifth place finish in the Premier League and a change of manager the main highlights. 

An FA Cup win under Louis van Gaal did much to sugar-coat a dismal first half of the year but as we prepare to draw a welcome line under 2016, Manchester United have much to look forward to.

Indeed, the Red Devils could go into the new year with a 12-game unbeaten run and, potentially, the most prolific goalscorer in the world on their books in Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The striker, who, with 50 goals in 2016, could overtake the leading calendar goalscorer Lionel Messi (51) on New Year's Eve, was part of a contingent of Manchester United players pictured arriving at their training HQ in Carrington on a frosty Wednesday morning. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic drives a black Volvo as part of his partnership with the Swedish car maker

Paul Pogba drives his special edition Audi RS6-R believed to be worth €190,000

Ibrahimovic is in prolific form, scoring 11 goals in his last 11 games, firing Manchester United back into contention for a top four place in the process. He is expected to start in their final game of 2016 against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Two goals is all he needs to finish the year as the leading goalscorer in world football, many of which were scored for Paris Saint-Germain on his way to winning Ligue 1 last season.

And few would bet against the charismatic Swede doing just that after scoring eight goals in his last seven Premier League appearances, including a match-winning brace against West Brom. He also scored one and created Manchester United's two other goals in their most recent win at Sunderland.

He was pictured driving into Carrington in a black Volvo, which, compared to his team-mates' flash motors, seemed a fairly modest choice. But the 35-year-old is believed to drive the car as part of a sponsorship deal with the Swedish car maker. 

Morgan Schneiderlin being driven to training at the Carrington training ground in a black Audi

Marouane Fellaini wears his hood up as he drives into the training ground in a black Mercedes

Memphis Depay drives himself into training despite ongoing speculation on his future

German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger waves to the crowd as he drives into the ground

Morgan Schneiderlin, Maroune Fellaini and Memphis Depay were also pictured driving into Carrington despite ongoing uncertainty around their long-term futures at Old Trafford.

Jose Mourinho has already stated that unhappy players are free to leave in the January transfer window and Everton are thought to be keen on signing Schneiderlin permanently while also wanting to agree a loan deal for Depay.

Fellaini was the subject of speculation after he was photographed in Italy earlier this month, where several clubs are thought to be interested in acquiring his services.

Second-choice goalkeeper Sergio Romero waves as he arrives at training on Wednesday

Daley Blind acknowledges the crowd as he is driven into Carringt on HQ by a woman

In-form star Antonio Valencia was driven to training at the Carrington in a silver Range Rover

They could all be following Bastian Schweinsteiger out of the door in the upcoming transfer window with the German expected to depart for a Major League Soccer team in the near future.

Having previously been banished to the youth team, Schweinsteiger was invited back to train with the senior side after impressing Mourinho with his attitude but is still not expected to form part of his long-term plans for the squad.

He was pictured driving into Carrington as he continues to maintain his fitness with a view to joining a new team next month. 

Other players pictured arriving for training include Daley Blind, Antonio Valencia and David de Gea, all of whom are expected to play a part in Manchester United's game ag ainst Aitor Karanka's men on Saturday.

Luke Shaw arriving at training at the Carrington training ground in his black Range Rover

Matteo Darmian drives his striking red Jeep towards Manchester United's training base

First-choice goalkeeper David de Gea keeps a low profile by wearing his hood up as he drives

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