..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Juve will be one of the favourites if we beat Bayern - Allegri

Getting past Bayern Munich in the last-16 would represent a significant step towards winning the Champions League for Juventus, according to coach Massimiliano Allegri.Last season's beaten finalists were paired with Pep Guardiola's runaway Bundesliga leaders in Monday's second round draw in Nyon.

And although Allegri admits the task of beating the German champions is huge, he believes overcoming Guardiola's men would make them among the teams to watch in the competition.

"Bayern are one of the best teams in the world," he said. "Getting past them would make us one of the favourites for the Champions League.

"The game with Bayern is a long way off though. For now, we will focus on the more immediate future."Next up for Juve is a Coppa Italia clash with city rivals Torino on Wednesday."We haven't won two successive Coppa Italia trophies since 1959-60 so it's a feat we are hoping to pull off," he added.

"Both of tomorrow's teams are in good shape and it's a one-off game so it will be very different from a Serie A encounter."Allegri is expected to make a raft of changes with striker Paulo Dybala and veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon likely to be left out.

"Paulo could be rested, he has played a lot of games recently. Two from Simone Zaza, Mario Mandzukic and Alvaro Morata will play," he said.

"Hernanes has taken part in almost all training sessions so we'll see if he's fit. Neto and Daniele Rugani will play. "Juan Cuadrado did well against Fiorentina. If he doesn't start he'll be an important option off the bench."

 

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Hernandez: Van Gaal told me I had a 1% chance of playing for Manchester United

Javier Hernandez admits he did not want to leave Manchester United in the summer but claims his exit was sealed after Louis van Gaal told him he had just a “one percent chance” of playing.

The Mexico international joined Bayer Leverkusen in August and has been in excellent form for the German club with 17 goals in 20 appearances so far this season.

United have been heavily criticised for their lack of attacking threat under Van Gaal this term, but Hernandez has revealed that the Dutchman had no plans to keep him at Old Trafford.

"I didn't have the intention to leave but I wanted to more playing time. Van Gaal told me that he already had his strikers, that I would have to fight for a place but could take an offer if an opportunity arrives,” Hernandez told Spanish TV Show Fiebre Maldini.

“The board told me that I could go on loan to Real Madrid and it was not a difficult decision for me.

"Then I returned to Manchester. I started to have opportunities but one day I spoke with Van Gaal and I had only a one percent chance of playing so I needed to make magic. So I moved to Bayer.

"I have been confident since the first day and I feel important here, not only for the goals but in all the games that I watch, I see myself in the line-up."

 

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Hernandez: Van Gaal told me I had a 1% chance of playing for Manchester United

LVG thamai Chicharito ta Manchester United epa kerewwe​

 

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Chelsea not favourites against PSG this time, says Blanc

Paris Saint-Germain boss Laurent Blanc claims a sense of familiarity with Chelsea will make it "easy" to prepare for their Champions League tie and insists his side are not underdogs to proceed.

The teams have met in each of the last two seasons - both sides winning one tie apiece - and will face off again after Christmas, having been paired in Monday's draw for the last 16.

Although their domestic campaigns have taken different paths with PSG 17 points clear at the top of Ligue 1 and Chelsea struggling in the lower reaches of the Premier League, Blanc does not believe there is a clear favourite.

Speaking at Tuesday's media conference ahead of the Coupe de le League clash against St Etienne, he said: "We beat Chelsea once, they beat us once. These are two big clubs, one that has won the competition and the other that wants to."Chelsea were clearly the favourites the last two times we played but I think it is 50-50 this season.

"The preparation will be easy as we know this team well but there is plenty of time until February."Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be the main threat to Chelsea's progression and Blanc is pleased the veteran Sweden striker appears back to his best.

"Do not forget that players can go through difficult periods," he added. "It happens to all players and also Ibrahimovic.

"This is a player who is technically gifted but every player needs a physical base to work from. Ibrahimovic never lost his instinct for goals but perhaps he was struggling because his physical level was not high."

PSG remain on course for a domestic and continental quadruple but Blanc believes expecting them to complete that haul is asking too much of his squad, insisting he is focusing on Ligue 1 and the Champions League.

"Looking at the calendar I don't know how we will do. With both domestic cups in France it becomes unplayable," he said.

"We are not immune to injuries and suspensions and as soon as you have three or four players missing, it becomes impossible to play for all competitions."We will try but we are giving priority to the Championship and the Champions League.

"It's easier to win the Coupe de la Ligue than the Coupe de France as that is poorly positioned relative to the Champions League."

 

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Hart: Premier League only open because Man City aren't playing well

Joe Hart believes the Premier League title race is only so wide open because Manchester City have not been playing to their potential.

Leicester City are the shock league leaders after 16 matches, sitting two points ahead of Arsenal and three clear of City, while 11th-placed Stoke City are only six points adrift of fourth place and qualification for the Champions League.

Manuel Pellegrini's team have suffered defeats to Stoke and Liverpool and a draw at bottom club Aston Villa since the beginning of November and Hart is frustrated by their failure to take control of top spot.

"It [the Premier League] is ridiculous [this season]," the England goalkeeper told City's official website. "It is only because we have been playing poor that it's open."Hart admitted that Chelsea, however, looked to be out of the title race having been considered favourites to retain their crown at the beginning of the season.

The Blues could now win every single one of their remaining league games and they would still finish with six points fewer than they accumulated last season."They [Chelsea] are going to have to go on one hell of a run if they're going to win this," Hart added.

 

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Mahrez insists he will NOT leave Leicester City in January transfer window

Riyad Mahrez insists he will not leave Leicester City in the January transfer window.

The Algeria international has been one of the Premier League’s standout stars so far, with 11 goals and seven assists in 15 appearances this season.

Arsenal, Barcelona, Manchester United and Tottenham have all been linked with a move for Mahrez, but when asked if he will leave Leicester City next month, the 24-year-old told French radio station RMC: “It’s best for me to stay until the end of the season.”

Mahrez joined Leicester in a £400,000 deal from Ligue 2 club Le Havre in 2014 and admits his move was a risk.

"I was at Le Havre, I had six months left but nobody came to get me. Leicester tried very hard to get me,” said the winger.

"I could feel that they wanted me. I took the decision without knowing the culture or the area. It was a risk.

"When you come from far away and you ended up in the Premier League it makes you happy."

Leicester currently sit top of the Premier League after Monday’s 2-1 win over Chelsea but Mahrez has reiterated that the team are not title frontrunners.

"We are not going to win the league, no.” he said.

“I don't think we have broad enough shoulders to do it.

“At the moment we are first, but that means nothing, the big teams will wake up at some point.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Nolito plays down Barcelona link, ready to sign new Celta deal

Nolito has dismissed rumours linking him with a return to Barcelona and pledged to sign a new deal with Celta Vigo in the near future.

The 29-year-old, who began his career at Camp Nou, has been in scintillating form this season – scoring eight times in 15 La Liga appearances and winning call ups to Vicente del Bosque's national squad.

His performances have sparked suggestion that a return to Barcelona could be on the cards, where he played under current boss Luis Enrique during his time in charge of the club's B team.

Earlier on Tuesday, Nolito - who also played under Luis Enrique at Celta in 2013-14 - was ruled out for a month with a hamstring injury but, in an interview with Marca, he insisted he would not spend the downtime looking to engineer a high-profile move.

"They are only rumours," he said. "I want to be loud and clear, it is only what I have read in the press and what my friends have told me.

"I think that if Barca really want me they'll call Celta, and as far as I know they haven't done so.

"The truth is that I am happy in Vigo and that is why, some minor details pending, I will be renewing with Celta soon. I am only sure that I am doing well here and I have decided to renew."Nolito, who scored in a sensational 4-1 win over Barcelona earlier this season, paid tribute to the role his former club played in his footballing education and gave particular credit to Luis Enrique.

"I was [at Barca] for three years. They were the most important of my career because I took a big step forward," he added."I realised I could make a living from football. I started to take it more seriously, not as a hobby but rather as a job.

"Luis Enrique saw me at 20 and taught me a different philosophy, a different way to live life and football. He pushed me hard on nutrition, for example. He has always been straight with me, for good and bad."

 

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Bayern Munich 1-0 Darmstadt: Alonso stunner sends Guardiola's men to quarter-finals

Xabi Alonso's stunning goal ensured Bayern Munich saw off a stern Darmstadt resistance to reach the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal with a 1-0 victory.

Despite controlling the game from the outset, the German champions struggled to create opportunities against Dirk Schuster's defensive side.

Bayern looked set to go into the break without a goal but a moment of magic from Alonso in the 40th minute put them in charge, and Robert Lewandowski rattled the post soon after.

Darmstadt showed more adventure after the interval but it was still Pep Guardiola's team who had the better of the chances, with Thomas Muller narrowly missing the target early in the second half.

The hosts could not increase their lead but nevertheless advanced to the last eight of the competition for the ninth successive season.

Although Ingolstadt troubled Bayern with a high press in their Bundesliga clash on Saturday, it quickly became clear that Darmstadt's plan was instead to sit back and allow Guardiola's team to dominate possession.

Arturo Vidal warmed the gloves of Christian Mathenia with a 25-yard strike inside five minutes, but the hosts struggled to make their monopoly on the ball count during the opening exchanges.

Kingsley Coman was bright on the left, but the opposite flank was the source of Lewandowski's first chance with 19 minutes on the clock.

Joshua Kimmich fed the striker on the edge of the box and, after breezing past Slobodan Rajkovic, his shot across goal skidded narrowly wide.

Schuster's team continued to defend impressively, but their resistance was eventually broken five minutes before the interval.

Sandro Wagner's headed clearance from a corner fell to Alonso 30 yards from goal, and the Spaniard produced a sensational half-volley that flew beyond Mathenia and into the top corner of the net.

Bayern came close to doubling their lead before the break but Lewandowski saw his header from a Philipp Lahm cross come back off the upright.

Guardiola's team remained on the front foot after the restart and Muller almost doubled their advantage when his brilliant strike from the right-hand side of the box curled just wide.

Mathenia had to be on his toes to stop Peter Niemeyer's interception of a square pass from Muller inadvertently creeping into the bottom corner shortly before the hour.

Marcel Heller's direct dribbling was a problem down Bayern's right, but Wagner failed to make a cross from the winger count when he headed comfortably into Manuel Neuer's arms 19 minutes from time.

Mathenia produced a fantastic save to stop Coman from acrobatically finishing Lahm's deflected delivery eight minutes from time, but Alonso's first goal of the season was worthy of winning any game.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Inter 3-0 Cagliari: Mancini's men stroll to Coppa Italia win

Inter were given few problems in their Coppa Italia last-16 clash, as they dispatched Cagliari 3-0 to move into the quarter-finals of the competition.

The Serie A leaders, who were beaten 4-1 by Cagliari in Milan last season, secured safe passage to the next stage thanks to a first-half goal from Rodrigo Palacio and efforts from Marcelo Brozovic and Ivan Perisic in the second period.

It was not an easy night for Roberto Mancini's team against a side they had beaten just once in their previous eight meetings, and the Sardinians - who sit second in Serie B - pushed hard for a route back into the game after the interval and almost found an equaliser when Fabio Pisacane's header struck a post just after half-time.
Inter remained resolute, though, scoring twice in the final half-hour to book a last-eight tie with Napoli or Verona.

After a difficult opening 10 minutes, during which Cagliari enjoyed the better of the territory and the possession, the home side settled and Geoffrey Kondogbia tested visiting goalkeeper Alessio Cragno from 25 yards in the 13th minute.

Cragno had to be quick off his line to keep out Jonathan Biabiany's effort at the end of a tidy Brozovic throughball moments later, and the 21-year-old produced a terrific save high to his left to deny Palacio, who met Biabiany's right-wing cross with a flying header in the 19th minute.

The opening goal was not far away, though, and Inter took the lead five minutes later. Juan Jesus crossed from the left and, when Rey Manaj drew a marker at the near post, Palacio was presented with the simplest of tap-ins from six yards out.
Given Inter’s remarkable defensive record at San Siro this term - Mancini’s side have not conceded at home since September 27 - the task in front of Cagliari was substantial.

However, the visitors came close to levelling the tie just after the half-hour mark, when Niccolo Giannetti seized on a pass into the box to bring a fine save out of Juan Pablo Carrizo, low to his right.

Manaj and Brozovic both tested Cragno early in the second half as Inter raced out of the traps, but Cagliari came within the width of a post of equalising in the 51st minute as Pisacane's flicked header from Davide Di Gennaro's right-wing free-kick bounced to safety off the frame of the goal.

Cragno was Cagliari's saviour again in the 64th minute, flinging himself at the feet of Manaj to prevent the Inter striker doubling his side's lead, but he could do little to keep out the hosts' second with 19 minutes remaining.Brozovic cut in from the left and his 20-yard strike appeared to take a slight deflection before beating Cragno to his left-hand corner.

And with nine minutes left, Inter scored a third. Brozovic's shot from the edge of the box rebounded off the frame of the goal and substitute Perisic was on hand to tuck home his third goal of the campaign.

 

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Thiago: De Gea wanted me to join Manchester United instead of Bayern

Thiago Alcantara says David De Gea wanted him to sign for Manchester United when he left Barcelona but insists he had no hesitation in moving to Bayern Munich instead.

The Spain international left Camp Nou in 2013, with then-Manchester United manager David Moyes keen on making the midfielder one of his first signings at Old Trafford.

Thiago eventually opted to move to the Allianz Arena instead but revealed his Spain team-mate had tried his best to convince him to play in the Premier League.

“There was never any firm proposal [from Man United],” Thiago told the Daily Mail. “David de Gea wanted me to join. He wrote a message on my match ball after we'd beaten Italy in the final [of the European Under-21 Championship].

“But I'd have done the same with him. He is one of the greatest goalkeepers in the world. You always want to play with the best. But it was always going to be Munich.”

Thiago admitted a move to the Premier League is an attractive proposition but says he is happy to stay with Bayern for the forseeable future.

“All I will say is that it [the Premier League] is an amazing league,” he added. “It is probably the best league in the world but I'm very happy at Bayern and fulfilled with what I am doing.”

 

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Guardiola: I will reveal my future next week

Bayern Munich head coach Pep Guardiola has said that he will reveal where his future lies next week.

The 44-year-old's contract at the Allianz Arena expires at the end of the season and he has been linked with a move away, with both Manchester United and City reportedly keen on his services.

Speaking after his side's 1-0 DFB-Pokal win over Darmstadt, Guardiola was asked if he would still be at Bayern next season and told ARD: "Tonight, I have no answer. Next week, you will know the answer.

"Next week there will be clarity."

Guardiola's future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks with former Bayern boss Ottmar Hitzfeld suggesting he has already decided to join Manchester City.

Franz Beckenbauer, meanwhile, has claimed the former Barcelona coach could be tempted to move to Old Trafford to replace Louis van Gaal.

Guardiola joined Bayern in 2013 following a sabbatical after leaving Camp Nou and has already won two Bundesliga titles, the DFB-Pokal, the Club World Cup and the Uefa Super Cup with the German side.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Guardiola: I will reveal my future next week

Guardiola Bayern walin yanawanam Manchester United or Manchester City thamai

habai latest rumors ekka baluwama CITY join wenna thiyana chance 1ka wadi.​

 

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Guardiola Bayern walin yanawanam Manchester United or Manchester City thamai

habai latest rumors ekka baluwama CITY join wenna thiyana chance 1ka wadi.​

Real Join unoth kohomada My3 Unp ekath ekka joinuna wage tiyei

 

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Thiago: It's impossible to play against Messi

Lionel Messi is never short of admirers and now Thiago Alcantara has heaped praise on his former Barcelona team-mate by claiming it's "impossible" to play against him.

Like Messi, the 24-year-old came through the Catalans' youth system at La Masia, but left for Bayern Munich in 2013 as he went in search of regular first team football.

The pair faced one another in the Champions League semi-finals last season when Barcelona beat the Bundesliga side - who are managed by former Barca boss Pep Guardiola - 5-3 on aggregate.

Messi was the star man of the tie, scoring twice in the first leg, and after that chastening experience Thiago has admitted stopping him is easier said than done.

He said: "'You want to be better at the things you cannot do so well. So you watch players. But then you watch Messi. The things he does are not impossible for him, but to play against him is impossible."

Despite leaving Camp Nou before establishing himself in the starting XI, Thiago revealed the lessons of his football education have not been lost on him.

"Xavi was my mirror," he added. "By doing simple things he would make great things happen. He was the one who helped give Barcelona the greatest moments.

"You will never find another like him.

"Iniesta? Look at how the ball never leaves his foot when he runs with it. I try, if possible, to take something from everyone.

"I was created in Barcelona and every midfielder has to touch the ball. You develop your own skills, but the one thing you have to do is move the ball."

Thiago has suffered two serious knee injuries during his time with Bayern and returned from a six-week lay-off in the victory over Ingolstadt on Saturday.

 

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We're not robots, says Cahill as Chelsea's struggles continue

Gary Cahill says Chelsea's players are "not robots" and cannot be expected to perform every week, but is confident of an upturn in their flagging fortunes.

Monday's 2-1 loss at Leicester City was the champions' ninth defeat of the Premier League campaign, leaving Jose Mourinho's side just a point above the relegation zone.

But defender Cahill feels the club's form – which stands in stark contrast to their title-winning season last time out – is part and parcel of the changeable nature of football.

"There are some great memories and I don't think we should forget the manner in which we won the Premier League, leading from the start, which was an unbelievable achievement for everyone at the club," he told Chelsea magazine.

"The flip side, as always with football, is that it's a game of two halves – and we've had a difficult period. Last season was fantastic, this season has been tough, but we're looking to turn that around. We're working hard to make things right.

"Not every single minute of your career will go well, individually and collectively, and not every season will go how you want it to, but it's how you react to that.

"You're not a robot, you're not going to be nine out of 10 every game.

"But when things aren't going well, you work even harder and look for a reaction. I'm sure we'll turn it around."

Chelsea, who will face Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the Champions League, host fellow strugglers Sunderland on Saturday.

 

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Aguero back in training ahead of Arsenal clash

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has given Manuel Pellgerini a boost by returning to training ahead of Monday's crucial Premier League clash with Arsenal.

Aguero has been out of action with a heel problem since the end of November, despite initial moves by the Argentine and Pellergini to play down the severity of the injury.

The City boss revealed ahead of Saturday's victory against Swansea City that he hoped Aguero would be fit to return to full training at the start of this week, and that has proven to be the case.

Aguero trained lightly over the weekend but worked with the ball and resumed fast-paced exercises with his team-mates on Monday and Tuesday.

With the game at the Emirates Stadium held on Monday, there is extra time for the striker to work his way back to something approaching match fitness.

But with a busy schedule coming up over Christmas, including three games in eight days between December 26 and January 2, plus League Cup and FA Cup ties before February, there may be a temptation to start Aguero on the bench.

Wilfried Bony has scored three goals in his last four matches and could continue up front, while Raheem Sterling started as a lone striker against Borussia Monchengladbach last week, and Kelechi Iheanacho was used in a target man role for City's Elite Development Squad on Monday evening.

Aguero injured his heel against Southampton on November, just a week after returning to action following a six-week lay-off with a hamstring complaint.

 

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Barcelona will never find another Xavi, insists Thiago

Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago believes Barcelona will never find a true replacement for Xavi.

The 35-year-old was integral to Barcelona’s success over the last decade and left the club in the summer after making 767 first-team appearances, and having won eight La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies.

Thiago, who joined Barcelona as a 14-year-old in 2005, has hailed the impact Xavi had on him during his time at the club.

“Xavi was my mirror,” the midfielder told the Daily Mail.

“By doing simple things he would make great things happen. He was the one who helped give Barcelona the greatest moments. You will never find another like him.

“I was created in Barcelona and every midfielder has to touch the ball. You develop your own skills but the one thing you have to do is move the ball.

“You want to be better at the things you cannot do so well. So you watch players. But then you watch Messi. The things he does are not impossible for him but to play against him is impossible.

“Look at the passes Xabi makes. Iniesta? Look at how the ball never leaves his foot when he runs with it. I try, if possible, to take something from everyone.”

 

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Barcelona won't miss Neymar, says Scolari

Luiz Felipe Scolari has hailed Neymar's progress in becoming one of the world's best players in recent seasons, but he does not believe Barcelona will suffer in his absence in the Club World Cup.

The European champions begin their Club World Cup campaign against Guangzhou Evergrande on Thursday amid concerns over the Brazil international's fitness due to a groin injury.Barca coach Luis Enrique insists he will not take any risks with the attacker, and while Scolari has hailed his compatriot's performances, he has warned that the quality at the club's disposal will allow them to cope without the 23-year-old.

"Neymar is one of the three best players in the world and he has been progressing for the last five years," said the Guangzhou boss. "His absence would affect any team aside from Barcelona, who have 25 players of a similar style.

"Messi is always one of the three best players in the world. He plays in a position in which you have to mark not just him but also the entire team, because he makes the team play. "Barcelona have many good players, like Luis Suarez or Andres Iniesta. You have to keep an eye on all of them."

Guangzhou defeated America in dramatic style to clinch their semi-final spot with Barca but Scolari insists his side are not in Japan simply to make up the numbers.

"We're getting better every day. We improve day by day and that's thanks to my players," he said. "We know our qualities and those of Barcelona, who are one of the best teams in the world. My players are very motivated, they'll play a good game.

"We're the champions of Asia and we knocked out America, the Concacaf champions. We've won the right to be here. I respect Barca a lot but I have confidence in my team."The former Brazil head coach also revealed he had the chance to join Barcelona in the past, but was unwilling to renege on his contract with the Portugal national team.

"When my friend Sandro Rosell was president I was able to speak with him and to accept an offer from Barca, but I still had two years left with Portugal. I like Barca on and off the pitch, but that was some time ago," he said.

 

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Carvalho on the menu again as Wenger steps up January transfer plans

Arsenal are stepping up their efforts to sign a defensive midfielder in the January transfer window as they assess the availability of several potential targets.

Arsene Wenger is eager to bolster his squad with the Gunners currently second in the Premier League and hoping to win the title for the first time since 2004.

The Gunners are without first choice defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin until at least March because of a knee ligament injury, with Mathieu Flamini currently playing in the holding role in front of the back four.

Sporting midfielder William Carvalho has been on Arsenal’s radar for several years and they strongly considered a move for the 23-year-old last summer before he suffered a fractured tibia playing for Portugal in the European Under-21 championships.

The north London club are understood to be scouting Carvalho and considering his potential availability in January, although Sporting will be hugely reluctant to sell a key player midway through the season as they chase the Portuguese title.

Ruben Neves, the 18-year-old Porto midfielder who became the youngest player to captain a team in the Champions League, is another who has been strongly linked with Arsenal and has also been watched by Chelsea and Liverpool this season.

Grzegorz Krychowiak has been tracked by Arsenal but is another player unlikely to move in January after he signed a new contract with Sevilla in November.
It means Wenger is casting the net far and wide to try and find an available player in the winter window to improve his squad, especially after his side were drawn against Barcelona in the Champions League last 16.

Other players linked with the Gunners include Paris Saint-Germain youngster Adrien Rabiot, a one-time Tottenham target, who has spoken about a potential loan move as he targets increased playing opportunities.

Wenger is notoriously cautious in the transfer market but has admitted that he is ready to move in January if he can find the right player: "We are in a position where we want to do something," he said in November. "If I find the right quality I will."

 

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Man United morale at rock bottom as Van Gaal attempts to lighten the load

After their early Champions League exit, the humiliating defeat to Bournemouth and increasing dissent from disgruntled supporters, festive cheer is in short supply around Old Trafford right now.

The players’ planned Christmas drinks were cancelled this week while Louis van Gaal gave his squad two days off in an attempt to lighten the mood, but there is no disguising that United are at a low ebb.

Two senior players even approached the manager recently to voice the growing dissatisfaction in the squad. This follows the revelation earlier in the season that Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick had told Van Gaal that they were concerned over the ‘flat’ mood around the training ground.

Results have scarcely improved since the latest player intervention, and in an attempt to lighten the mood this time Van Gaal has opted to afford his senior players a mini holiday.

Whether a short break from the daily grind of training will be enough to change United’s fortunes is a matter of conjecture, however. One source close to events at Carrington has told Goal that the current mood around the first-team squad is the lowest he’s ever known it, with the players seemingly having lost all appetite for Van Gaal’s much trumpeted ‘philosophy’.

The latest string of events comes at a critical time for the club. With the festive period approaching, there is a busy calendar ahead both on and off the field.

On Wednesday night the club will hold its annual corporate Christmas bash, with players expected to attend. While the players and their partners held their own party early this year, congregating at the Aparthotel in Manchester in the first week of November, there are still other commitments to be fulfilled.

The players are also due to take part in the annual Carrington Christmas dinner in the coming days, at which it is tradition for the manager to serve part of the meal.

However, the usual jollity involved may well be in short supply given the current feeling around the club.

Van Gaal is under pressure due to United’s five-game winless streak, with Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola reportedly a target amid criticism over the 64-year-old’s style of play.


Now, with Norwich set to visit Old Trafford on Saturday, the manager has a battle on behind the scenes to foster a more buoyant atmosphere as United look to bounce back from their considerable current malaise.