..::Football IV::..

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West Ham's official website hints at £20m Dembele bid

An article posted on West Ham's official website has hinted that the club has submitted a £20 million bid for Celtic striker Moussa Dembele.

The piece, titled 'The Insider' and attributed to an anonymous author - whose views, it is stated, are "not necessarily the views of West Ham United" but is said to have inside knowledge of the club's transfer dealings - claims "a bid of £20m" has been made for "a player from Scotland".

Goal understands Dembele features on the Hammers' list of potential striking targets along with Sunderland's Jermain Defoe, Brentford's Scott Hogan and Shane Long of Southampton, though Celtic have told Omnisport they are yet to receive an official offer.

Dembele has proved a big hit with the runaway Scottish Premiership leaders, scoring 19 goals in 36 goals across all competitions after signing from Fulham last year.

Five of those goals have arrived against bitter rivals Rangers and Parkhead boss Brendan Rodgers has insisted Celtic will not be persuaded to sell the 20-year-old Frenchman this month.

At a press conference to preview Friday's FA Cup third-round tie at home to Manchester City, West Ham manager Slaven Bilic refused to discuss his club's alleged interest in Dembele.

He did talk about his desire to sign veteran Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe and Brentford striker Scott Hogan – ventures that were apparently backed up by 'The Insider'.

The piece claimed "an £8m bid was made for a player who currently plies his trade in the Championship" and also noted a "£6m bid for a current Premier League player".

 

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Ibrahimovic wins Man Utd's Player of the Month award

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been voted Manchester United's Player of the Month for December.The former PSG striker was in impressive form during the hectic festive period, scoring seven goals in eight appearances over the entire month.

Ibrahimovic began the month with a lobbed effort past Maarten Stekelenburg in a 1-1 draw with Everton, before scoring in the 2-0 victory over Zorya in the club's final Europa League group game.

After failing to find the net in the 1-0 win over Tottenham, Ibrahimovic then managed four in three games, including two against West Brom.
The Swede has scored a total of 18 goals in all competitions since his summer move from PSG on a free transfer, with Jose Mourinho having confirmed that the 35-year-old's contract will be extended into a second season.

United beat West Ham on Monday to make it six league wins in a row, with Ibrahimovic again on target as the Red Devils moved to within three points of the Cham

 

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Congratulations Ibra!

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Mahrez wins African Player of the Year for 2016

Riyad Mahrez has been announced as the African Player of the Year for 2016.

The Algeria international midfielder is recognised after playing a pivotal role in Leicester City's incredible march to the 2015-16 Premier League title.He beats Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who won in 2015, to this year's prize.

Mahrez had previously been named PFA Player of the Year for his exploits in Leicester's phenomenal top-flight campaign, during which he scored 17 goals and recorded 11 assists.
His first half of the 2016-17 season has been less spectacular, with three goals and two assists in the league but he has made a bigger impact in the Champions League, netting four times in the club's first foray into the continental competition.
The Foxes star won 361 votes at the official CAF awards, edging in front of Aubameyang's 313, while Liverpool forward Sadio Mane finished in third place with 186 votes.

All three men will now turn their attentions towards January's Africa Cup of Nations, to be held in Aubameyang's native Gabon.

 

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Congratulations Mahrez!​

 

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Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Barcelona: Valverde's nine men stun Blaugrana in Copa del Rey

Barcelona must come from behind in the Copa del Rey as the holders began 2017 with a tempestuous 2-1 defeat to nine-man Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

Evergreen striker Aritz Aduriz headed Athletic in front and set up a thunderous second from winger Inaki Williams before the half-hour mark.

But the Spain striker found himself at the centre of a flashpoint that sent a crackling San Mames towards boiling point when he struck Samuel Umtiti in the throat only to escape punishment, as the Barcelona centre-back writhed in pain by his own goalmouth.

Referee Fernandez Borbalan further endeared himself to away boss Luis Enrique, with one of the surest penalty shouts of Neymar's career falling on deaf ears before Barca's players departed for half-time amid a hail of bookings for dissent.

Lionel Messi's 24th goal of the season arrived courtesy of an error by Athletic goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz and, although Raul Garcia and Ander Iturraspe had their evenings ended early by wayward disciplinarian Borbalan, Athletic held out.

Luis Enrique's Barca must attempt to conclude a comeback at Camp Nou in six days' time, on the other side of a tricky La Liga trip to fourth-placed Villarreal.
Mikel San Jose headed a second-minute corner wide as Athletic began on the front foot.Barca gradually settled into their passing rhythm and, with pressure building, Messi smashed wide from the edge of the box.

A mishit clearance from Iraizoz allowed Andres Iniesta to find Messi on the right flank and Gerard Pique headed wide under pressure from the Bilbao keeper.

Despite the visitors' growing poise, it was Ernesto Valverde's men who drew first blood in the 25th minute.Aduriz laid a pass into Garcia's path down the right channel and continued his run to nod home a simple finish at the far post.

Before Barcelona had a chance to clear their heads they were stung again – Jordi Alba's poor hack out from left-back was headed back towards the area by Iturraspe, where Aduriz's impudent flick was gleefully lashed into the top corner by Williams.

The flashpoint with Umtiti should have resulted in Athletic's talisman receiving his marching orders but he escaped censure, at least until laughing when the France international continued the argument and Borbalan belatedly booked both parties.

After Mikel Balenziaga failed to pick out Williams for a third Bilbao goal, Borbalan continued his eventful end to the half by denying Neymar a clear penalty when the Brazil star was brought down Xabier Etxeita and booking Alba, Iniesta and Sergio Busquets for their complaints.

Barca were thrown a lifeline in the 53rd minute as Iraizoz weakly parried Messi's free-kick and fumbled out from behind his line – his protests to the browbeaten Borbalan coming more in hope than expectation.

Aduriz resumed centre stage 10 minutes later when Marc-Andre ter Stegen kept out his delicate chip, while Iraizoz's regained some of his poise with an excellent save from Neymar.

The hosts played out the final 10 minutes with nine men as Garcia and Iturraspe saw Borbalan's liberally brandished yellow card for a second time after fouls on Neymar.

Somehow Athletic held out, with San Jose performing a scarcely believable last-ditch challenge on Messi and the five-time Ballon d'Or winner striking the inside of the post deep into stoppage time.

 

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FA Cup Fixture 2017.01.06

FA Cup Fixture 2017.01.06

West Ham Vs Manchester City

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Spanish Copa Del Rey Fixture 2017.01.06

Spanish Copa Del Rey Fixture 2017.01.06

Espanyol Vs Deportivo​

 

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OFFICIAL: Mikel completes Tianjin TEDA move

Chelsea have confirmed that Nigeria international John Obi Mikel has signed for Chinese Super League side Tianjin TEDA.

Mikel departs on a free transfer, having been allowed to depart the Premier League club after failing to make an impression on the first team under Antonio Conte, who took charge in the summer.

The 29-year-old midfielder is expected to earn £140,000 per week in the CSL and follows former Blues team-mate Oscar in moving to China this month, with Carlos Tevez and Axel Witsel other high-profile imports by the up-and-coming league.

"John Mikel Obi has today moved to Chinese side Tianjin TEDA following 10-and-a-half years with Chelsea in which time he won every major club honour," the Blues confirmed on their official website.

Among the honours claimed by Mikel during his spell in England include two Premier League crowns, four FA Cup successes and one Champions League.
He scored only six times in 372 appearances for the Blues, but if anything that increased his status as a legend with the support.

"His close-range volley against Fulham in September 2013 ended a goalless run dating back to January 2007. The uninhibited joy among his team-mates was mirrored by those in the Stamford Bridge stands, highlighting his cult status among fans," Chelsea noted in a statement to confirm the player's departure from the club.

"He leaves with our very best wishes and we thank him for his exceptional service."
Mikel, meanwhile, has already thanked the Chelsea fans for the support they gave him during over a decade’s service for the London side.

“To play for Chelsea, to become part of the Chelsea family, to work with some of the best managers and players in the world, has truly been an honour,” he stated.The Nigeria star did have other options, with Marseille and Valencia also interested in pursuing a move for the captain of the Super Eagles, but the financial draw of the CSL ultimately won the day.

Midfielder Nemanja Gudelj and attacker Malick Evouna recently joined Tianjin from Ajax for £5.5 million and Al-Ahly for £7.5m respectively.

 

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Coutinho in line to return for Liverpool's showdown with Man Utd

Philippe Coutinho's recovery from ankle ligament damage is progressing well, with Liverpool anticipating that the Brazilian will feature against Manchester United on January 15.

Jurgen Klopp revealed on Friday that the 24-year-old, who has been sidelined for the past eight games, is "on a very good way" but will not be in contention for Sunday's FA Cup third-round match against Plymouth.

He is also unlikely to be risked for the midweek trip to Southampton for the League Cup semi-final.Joel Matip, who is nursing a troublesome left ankle, received the same prognosis as Coutinho. The centre-back is hoping to return to full training shortly.

Daniel Sturridge, meanwhile, has not had a session since limping off in the 2-2 draw with Sunderland.

The England international, who had scored at the Stadium of Light during his first league start in 77 days, was withdrawn after taking a knock to his right ankle.
"He didn't train until now - for no foul!" said Klopp."He will probably train today. It depends on how he feels, but it should be possible."

James Milner is also set to sit out the Plymouth game, with Klopp admitting that "rotation makes sense" given the exacting nature of the previous three fixtures in short succession."We were lucky that we didn't have any proper injuries after the game so that's all good," the Reds boss explained.

"Milly had a little issue with his calf - we weren't sure whether it was more because of the intensity but I'm pretty sure we will not take a risk with him for the weekend."

Jordan Henderson, dealing with pain in his heel, will also not be involved.

 

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Schneiderlin to have Everton medical ahead of Man Utd exit

Morgan Schneiderlin is to have a medical at Everton on Friday afternoon ahead of a £20 million-plus exit from Manchester United.

The French midfielder joined the Red Devils from Southampton for £25m in the summer of 2015 but, after a moderate first season in Manchester, he has failed to break into Jose Mourinho’s plans in 2016-17 and has been given permission to meet with the Toffees.

Schneiderlin was one of United's bigger signings ahead of the 2015-16 campaign under Louis van Gaal but the failure to finish in the top four saw the Dutchman sacked and the midfielder has played only 11 minutes of Premier League football under Mourinho this term.

The Portuguese boss admitted in December that Schneiderlin had asked to leave the club, adding that he was not in the business of standing in the way of a player fulfilling his potential elsewhere.

"[He is a] great professional, a fantastic boy, very honest, very open and he opened his heart a couple of times and my answer is simple... If he is playing regularly with me, I have the right to say 'no way'. If he's not playing regularly, I have no right to tell a player that, if he wants to be happy, you're going nowhere," said Mourinho.

"So my answer was that, if the offer is right and our board thinks the offer is a good offer in relation to a very good player like Morgan, I would not stop him [leaving]."

Schneiderlin is now set to link up once more with his former Saints boss, Ronald Koeman, who left the south coast for Everton last summer. If he comes through his tests and the two clubs come to a final agreement on a fee, he could make his Toffees debut in the home fixture against Manchester City on January 15.

The Merseyside club are thought to also retain an interest in Schneiderlin's United team-mate, Memphis Depay, who himself has only played 21 minutes of league football this term.

In his 18 months at United, Schneiderlin has played 47 fixtures. Ironically, his only goal for the club came in the 3-0 win at Everton in October 2015.

 

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Schneiderlin sell karana 1kanam aparadeanith 1ka chances dunnath madi​

 

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'I was always watching him' - Pogba hails hero Zidane

France star Paul Pogba has spoken of his admiration for his idol Zinedine Zidane, hailing his "beautiful" style as a player.

Zidane inspired France to the 1998 World Cup title, with two goals in the final, and Pogba has revealed that he would only ever focus on the now Real Madrid head coach when watching his sides play.

The 44-year-old, who guided Madrid to success in the Champions League and the Club World Cup in 2016, has been nominated for FIFA's Best Men's Coach award, but Pogba is still in awe of Zidane's talents on the pitch."I admire him a lot," he told FIFA.com. "When I was younger, I was watching his videos, the way he was playing.

"I love big players, but there are some players who have something extra. On the pitch you have 11 players, in the squad, 22, and you see only one or two.

"You always see him doing something special, the way he's playing, it's beautiful to see. Ronaldinho was the same, these are players who have something special – he has that.

"I was always watching him. The ball was in one place but I was always looking for Zidane."

 

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Mourinho: Memphis & Schneiderlin can leave... if the price is right

Jose Mourinho has insisted both Memphis Depay and Morgan Schneiderlin are free to leave Manchester United, but only if the club receives the right offer.

As reported by Goal, midfielder Schneiderlin is set for a medical with Everton, while West Brom are also interested in signing him.Winger Memphis, meanwhile, has also been linked with a move to the Toffees, along with loan switches to Nice and Roma.

However, manager Mourinho will not allow the duo to leave until United receive offers he believes are fair and confirmed he is not keen on loan deals for either."Their situation is exactly the same – both of them," he said ahead of United's FA Cup third-round tie at home to Reading on Saturday.

"I will allow them to leave the club if the right offer comes. Until this moment, no.
"Is this a good situation? No. Why not? Because I don't think about them as options in this moment.

"In normal conditions they would be selected for the match and they are not because we are waiting.

"A couple of weeks ago it looked like 100 per cent, and in this moment, looks like zero per cent because we don't have any offer that is close to the quality for the players we have." Asked if he wanted a permanent deal and not a loan for both men, Mourinho said: "Yes."

 

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Pogba hails Griezmann amid Man Utd links

Paul Pogba has praised Antoine Griezmann's achievements in 2016 and revealed how he provided support for his fellow Frenchman during his early struggles at Atletico Madrid.

Griezmann has been shortlisted in the final three of FIFA's newly-created The Best award alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi after a wonderful 12 months in which he starred for club and country.

Having scored 32 goals for Atletico over the course of the 2015-16 campaign, he netted another six to land the Golden Boot at Euro 2016 as hosts France reached the final.

It has not always been plain sailing for the 25-year-old, though, with Pogba revealing his international team-mate, who has reportedly been offered £220,000-a-week to join United, confided in him shortly after joining Atletico from Real Sociedad in 2014.

Pogba told FIFA.com: "I'm very proud of him. I know what he's been through. When he arrived at Atletico Madrid, he wasn't playing all the time, he was on the bench. He talked to me, saying he was frustrated, that it was hard as he wasn't playing.

"After that he kept working hard, and now he's one of the three nominees for The Best award. I'm very happy for him, especially to see a French player doing so well. You can see the French players are going back to the basics, like our predecessors."

With the links to United and speculation growing over his future, Pogba was quick to talk up his countryman's ability.Asked to describe Griezmann's main qualities, he said: "I think it's his finishing. He wasn't a striker before but now he scores so many goals.

"He's very clever and he plays with his body. He's not that big, he's small, he's fast and agile and he scores goals. That makes him Griezmann, the very good player that he is."Griezmann appears an introverted character but Pogba insists he has a fun side too.

"You would be surprised! He's one of the funniest guys I've met and played with," he said."He is someone who always has fun in training, he works hard but with pleasure.

We have fun. He sometimes goes in goal, doing some amazing saves, other times he'll act like he's Didier Drogba, holding the ball up."Griezmann's 'Hotline Bling' goal celebration caught the eye at the Euros but Pogba believes it has some way to go to match the popularity of his trademark 'dab'.

"You know what? His ['Hotline Bling' goal celebration at Euro 2016] was special because he was the only one to do it. But my dab was more powerful around the world," he said.

"To be honest though, even I was doing his ‘Hotline Bling’! I think that shows it's good!"

 

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Pogba hails Griezmann amid Man Utd links

Griezmann Manchester United's future No 7 weida danneth nahahabai ithin sure naha transfer weida kiyala​

 

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West Ham 0-5 Manchester City: Aguero & Silva score as Guardiola's men stroll to next round

Manchester City booked their ticket for the fourth round of the FA Cup, crushing West Ham 5-0 to serve the Hammers their heaviest defeat at London Stadium to date.

Defeat to Liverpool on New Year's Eve and a spiky reaction to a subsequent win over Burnley had turned the spotlight on Pep Guardiola before the trip to the capital, but that reverse at Anfield now stands as the lone blot in a run of five wins in six games.

West Ham had lost the last Cup game at their previous home Upton Park 2-1 to Manchester United and the Red Devils' local rivals made sure that the Hammers began life in the competition stickily at their new home.

Slaven Bilic's outfit were never in the contest and they trailed by three goals at half-time, with captain Mark Noble and talisman Dimitri Payet watching on from the bench.

Yaya Toure opened the scoring when he converted a penalty and City were cruising when Havard Nordveidt's own goal and a David Silva strike arrived within two minutes of each other.

Sergio Aguero reached a City landmark early in the second half and John Stones' first City goal capped a miserable night for the Hammers.City stamped their authority on the game from the off with Pablo Zabaleta and Aguero forcing last-ditch work from Winston Reid and goalkeeper Adrian respectively.

The visitors continued to dominate in the opening stages and they were rewarded in the 33rd minute when Angelo Ogbonna was adjudged to have brought down Zabaleta inside the area and Toure made no mistake from 12 yards to open the scoring.

West Ham nearly found an instant equaliser when City keeper Willy Caballero failed to hold on to a Michail Antonio strike after a quick break, but Sofiane Feghouli inexplicably put the rebound wide with the open goal at his mercy, slight pressure from Gael Clichy seemingly putting him off.The home side were made to pay for Feghouli's miss just minutes later when Nordtveit beat his own goalkeeper to double City's lead.

Bacary Sagna curled in a superb cross from the right after a lovely team move and Nordtveit was unlucky to guide the ball into his own net under heavy pressure from Raheem Sterling.

Things went from bad to worse for West Ham in the closing stages of the first half and Silva effectively put the match to bed in the 43th minute, keeping his cool after a low cross from Sterling as he took a touch before slotting home from close range.

Guardiola's side continued to push for more after the break and Aguero made it four when he cleverly lifted a shot from Toure over Adrian for his 154th goal for City in all competitions, surpassing Colin Bell in third place in the club's all-time scoring charts.

Bilic brought on Noble and Payet in an attempt to get back into the game, but the damage was already done as City remained in full control.

They even added a fifth in the 84th minute when Stones found the net with a header after Nolito's corner, Noble failing to clear on the goal-line as the hosts' ignominy was confirmed.

 

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Zidane motivated for Madrid to equal Barcelona's record

Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane is delighted to be gunning for Barcelona's Spanish record of 39 games unbeaten in all competitions.Madrid have established a new club-best under Zidane, which stands at 38 matches heading into Saturday's La Liga encounter with Granada at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The club last tasted defeat in the first leg of last season's Champions League quarter-final versus Wolfsburg – a result they would ultimately turn around en route to an 11th European title.

That reverse came after they halted Barca's 39-game streak at Camp Nou with a 2-1 triumph, where goals from Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo cancelled out Gerard Pique's opener.

"To equal that 39-game unbeaten run is the most important thing, of course. We are trying to enjoy what we're doing," said Zidane, whose team are three points clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga with a game in hand

"The work we put in each day, how we prepare for games, hopefully we can continue winning matches."You want to win games, break records but I don’t do it just for the records. I do it because I want to improve and see my players improve."One player who appears keen to do just that is James Rodriguez.

The Colombia playmaker has often found himself on the margins during Zidane's time in charge but he grasped the opportunity of a start versus Sevilla in the Copa del Rey in midweek by netting a brace.James insisted after the match he would not seek a move away from Madrid and Zidane maintains he needed no convincing over the player's talents.

"That's James and his hard work," he told a pre-match news conference when asked for the reason for the ex-Monaco man's improvement."I've seen him play well though on other occasions. He scored two goals, the first goal was very important.

"I'm happy with his goals, I'm happy with the work he's putting in and also he did well defending their attacking full-backs."I get enough questions on James but he's not just the only important player. All my footballers are important to the team"The player who plays has to play well and has to maintain hunger and, as for James and all the players, there is hard work."

 

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Mourinho: Schweinsteiger will get chances to play in January

Bastian Schweinsteiger is set to receive first-team opportunities for Manchester United during January, manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed.

The 32-year-old has only played four minutes of action since March - as a late substitute in November's EFL Cup win over West Ham – having previously been exiled by the manager at the start of the season.

But Mourinho has revealed Schweinsteiger's positive attitude, fitness and United's busy stretch of fixtures this month make it likely he will see more regular action.And that run of appearances could start when United begin the defence of their FA Cup crown at home to Championship side Reading on Saturday.

"He is selected [in the squad] again," Mourinho said at his pre-match media conference."So he can start or he can be on the bench. He is an option for us, that is the best way to describe it.

"For many months we made the decision he was not an option. When we brought him back he was not ready to compete in the first few weeks but since then he is working very well, never had an injury – he was just ill last week – so his body is fine. "He is training well and ready to play."

Mourinho is not considering Memphis Depay and Morgan Schneiderlin for selection as they continue to be linked with moves away, but the manager will consider Schweinsteiger due to his determination to stay."My approach - because I think it is right from a human point of view – is that is if a player is not playing, I cannot stop a player from leaving if offer is right," he added.

"Bastian has played some minutes against West Ham and no more than that. But he wants to stay, he is staying, he is an option. "Because he is an option he is selected for Saturday, just like he has been for three or four matches.

"He is waiting for that opportunity to play and January is a good month for that with so many matches."

 

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Rooney and Romero to start against Reading in FA Cup clash

Wayne Rooney and Sergio Romero will both start Manchester United's FA Cup third round tie against Reading on Saturday.The holders take on Championship opponents, who are managed by their former defender Jaap Stam, at Old Trafford.

Manager Jose Mourinho reported no injuries for United, with only defender Eric Bailly unavailable having flown out for Ivory Coast duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.

And Mourinho has confirmed Rooney – who has missed three weeks of action due to a thigh injury – and number two goalkeeper Romero will be two of his starters.
After confirming Rooney and Romero, Mourinho told MUTV: "Some players, they need a little rest, so we are going to make some changes.

"Many players, they need to play. Many players deserve to play. They are all good players. I trust them all - even against very good opponents in Reading. "During the season, we have never had big, big problems - we had the normal amount of injuries that happen all the time but, in this moment, we have zero.

"I know that, if I change three or four players in the team, some people will say there is a risk. Some people will say we do that because it is a Championship team but Reading is better than some Premier League teams.

"The risk is only if we face the game with the wrong attitude, with the wrong frame of mind. If the players go into the game feeling the responsibility and the desire that they are showing match after match, then we have a good chance to win, even if we give some players a rest and some others a chance."Everyone knows Jaap's history at this club and he's going to get a great reception from the fans. I'm very happy with that."

Rooney remains one goal short of Bobby Charlton's all-time scoring record for United, who are unbeaten in 13 matches across all competitions and have won seven consecutive games.