CHELSEA sealed qualification through to the Champions League knockout stages with an emphatic 4-0 win over Juventus.
Meanwhile across London, Declan Rice is reportedly being targeted by a number of European giants.
Gareth Southgate has signed a new contract with England, keeping him in the job until after Euro 2024.
The Three Lions boss has done a top job since taking the post in 2016 and will now lead England at the World Cup in 2022 and the Euros.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have reportedly joined the race to sign £70m Fiorentina star Dusan Vlahovic.
Newcastle are also putting their January transfer plans into place, with reports linking them to Inter’s Marcelo Brozovic and Bayern Munich’s Niklas Sule.
We’ve also the very latest on Chelsea’s transfer plans, while Romelu Lukaku is a major doubt for the clash with Juventus.
Get all the latest football news, updates and transfer gossip below…
TOP FORM
David de Gea pulled off some outstanding saves against Villarreal tonight.
He also kept a clean sheet, helping confirm United’s place in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
FEEL THE FERN
Heading into tomorrow’s UCL fixtures, Man Utd’s Bruno Fernandes tops the assists charts.
IN THE RON-NING
Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski is the top scorer in the Champions League this season.
Ajax’s Seb Haller has grabbed seven…. not bad for a man who struggled at West Ham.
And Man Utd’s Cristiano Ronaldo has bagged SIX crucial goals for the Red Devils.
KANTE BELIEVE IT
N’Golo Kante is an injury doubt for Chelsea’s game against Manchester United after being forced off in tonight’s 4-0 win over Juventus, writes ANTHONY CHAPMAN.
And Ben Chilwell could also miss out after limping off with an apparent knee problem.
Midfielder Kante lasted just 38 minutes in Tuesday’s Champions League group stage game, which sealed Chelsea’s place in the knockout stages.
And Chilwell was withdrawn for Cesar Azpilicueta in the 68th minute after a collision while sprinting.
Kante looked to be moving awkwardly moments before he was taken off by Thomas Tuchel.
BREAKING: BLADES SHOCK
Sheffield United star John Fleck has been rushed to hospital after collapsing on the pitch in worrying scenes against Reading, writes DAVE FRASER.
The Blades midfielder, 30, received around TEN MINUTES of urgent medical care on the pitch at the Madejski Stadium.
Fleck was taken away from the ground in an ambulance in what Sheff Utd called ‘concerning moments’.
The club tweeted: “Concerning moments as urgent medical attention needed for John Fleck.
“Play is yet to restart but the Scottish midfielder is on his feet and receiving further medical care.
“Fleck leaves the field on a stretcher after receiving urgent medical care.
“Our thoughts are with you, Flecky!”
FT AROUND THE GROUNDS
Here’s the results from Tuesday’s Champions League fixtures:
- Dynamo Kyiv 1-2 Bayern Munich FT
- Villarreal 0-2 Man Utd FT
- Chelsea 4-0 Juventus FT
- Barcelona 0-0 Benfica FT
- Sevilla 2-0 Wolfsburg FT
- Malmo 1-1 Zenit FT
- Lille 1-0 RB Salzburg FT
- Young Boys 3-3 Atalanta FT
Credit: PA UNITED WIN FOR SOLSKJAER
Man Utd interim manager Michael Carrick dedicated tonight’s 2-0 win over Villarreal to sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho netted to book United’s place in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
He told BT Sport: “We came here to win the game, I believed we would.
“We were ready and it was a tough game. The boys dug in and showed a little bit of everything.
“Let’s be honest, I don’t think anyone would have expected to come out here and play pretty football from the word go.
“When you have suffered results-wise and you’re not in a great vein of form, it’s not easy to come out and let everything click.
“We had to dig in and we had to fight and it didn’t go our way at times and the game looked like it was drifting away then the subs made a massive impact. The boys gave everything.”
GUTTED TAV
Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell says Nuno Tavares will be ‘gutted’ after his poor performance against Liverpool last weekend.
The Gunners were brushed aside 4-0 at Anfield, ending their ten-game unbeaten streak.
On Tavares, Campbell told FootballInsider: “Tavares is going to be gutted.
“Look, he did not have a great second half. He made a couple of big errors but by and large he did OK. They were elementary mistakes but these things happen.
“He is playing against [Mohamed] Salah – arguably the hottest player in the world right now. For the [Diogo] Jota goal, he robbed Salah of the ball and then got the simple part wrong – passing to a yellow shirt. Sometimes you cannot legislate for that.
“That goal made it a mountain to climb. Arsenal just could not hold out.
“It was painful for Tavares but it should be for everyone. It was a 4-0 defeat.”
AROUND THE GROUNDS
Here’s a look at tonight’s Champions League scores:
- Dynamo Kyiv 1-2 Bayern Munich FT
- Villarreal 0-2 Man Utd FT
- Chelsea 1- Juventus HT
- Barcelona 0-0 Benfica HT
- Sevilla 1-0 Wolfsburg HT
- Malmo 1-0 Zenit HT
- Lille 1-0 RB Salzburg HT
- Young Boys 1-1 Atalanta HT
MARC MY WORDS
Marc Overmars is reportedly unwilling to make the move from Ajax to become Newcastle’s director of football, writes JAKE LAMBOURNE.
The Arsenal legend, who won the Premier League and FA Cup in the 1997-98 season, has been linked with relocating to Tyneside following the club’s £300million takeover.
Dutch journalist Valentijn Driessen declared last month that the 48-year-old would accept the Magpies’ offer.
He told Voetbalpraat: “Overmars will go, I think. If he gets the chance, he goes.
“Overmars has to start in January or February, because he has to put together the squad for the new season.
“And his successor must do that for Ajax.”
But according to De Telegraaf, Overmars will NOT be joining Newcastle any time soon, as he ‘isn’t interested’ in the job.
‘HAPPY IN PARIS’
Mauricio Pochettino has insisted he is ‘very happy at Paris Saint-Germain’ amid Manchester United rumours – but refused to rule out a move to Old Trafford, writes DAVE FRASER.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked on Sunday morning just hours after the 4-1 humiliation at Watford.
On the rumours linking him with United, Pochettino said: “I’m very focused on football.
“I’m, not a child, I’ve spent my whole life playing football and spent 12 years as a coach – I know rumours will always be there.
“Sometimes positive and negative. But they cannot distract you. That’s football.
“We are focused 100 per cent to get the best result we can. So we can’t talk about that.
“I respect my club, PSG. What other clubs are doing is not my problem. I need to focus on PSG.
“I was a player here and love the club and fans. It’s a fantastic time to be at the club.
“Football is today, not tomorrow. Football is about results… two years ago, we left Tottenham and a few weeks before there were a lot of rumours about us and look what happened.
“It’s about winning. It’s about the results.
“My contract is until 2023 – this season and one more. I don’t say anything different.
“I’m happy in Paris – that’s a fact. I’m happy in Paris.”
FT IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
There were two early kick-offs in the Champions League tonight.
- Dynamo Kyiv 1-2 Bayern Munich
- Villarreal 0-2 Man Utd
And there’s a whole load of other games that kick-off in the competition in a matter of minutes!
- Chelsea vs Juventus
- Barcelona vs Benfica
- Sevilla vs Wolfsburg
- Malmo vs Zenit
- Lille vs RB Salzburg
- Young Boys vs Atalanta
RICE RICE BABY
Declan Rice is now attracting interest from top clubs across Europe as well as England.
The 22-year-old holding midfielder has taken his game to another level this season after the Euro 2020 heartbreak with England.
Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool have all registered an interest in Rice.
But now it appears he’s attracting suitors from abroad.
And if West Ham wanted to tie Rice down, it would risk putting themselves into financial trouble.
Eurosport’s Dean Jones said on The Done Deal Show: “There’s not anything particular in terms of talks, but basically, if West Ham are going to keep Declan Rice, they’ve got to almost put the club in financial trouble, because it’s such a big deal to now sign Declan Rice.
“Every big club in the Premier League wants him. There are even clubs, I’m told, abroad that are starting to look at him as the real deal.
“I think personally, he will stay in the Premier League anyway, so I don’t think that’ll come into the question.”
AP-PAUL-LED
Paul Scholes has sensationally claimed the ENTIRE Manchester United backroom staff should have been sacked alongside Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, writes DAVE FRASER.
The Norwegian, 48, was axed on Sunday morning just hours after the 4-1 mauling at Watford.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash at Villarreal on BT Sport, a fuming Scholes said: “Will they be any better tonight?
“It’s the same people running the team. It’s the same people who have been given massive responsibility every single week to put that team on the pitch.
“Arguably it’s more Kieran McKenna and Michael Carrick who have been preparing the team.
“Ole gave them the responsibility to do that. So how that changes, I don’t know…
“I would be embarrassed being on the staff now after what happened to Ole.
“They all should have gone, sacked or gone off their own back.
“They were part of Ole’s team. Ole trusted them each week to prepare a team for games.
“They have let the club down – and the players down – just as much as Ole has.
“I just think, if I was in their position now, I’d be feeling guilty still working at this football club after Ole put so much trust in them.”
EXCLUSIVE: CAM AND GET HIM
Liverpool, Leicester and Newcastle are keeping tabs on Olympiacos wonderkid Aguibou Camara, writes KOSTAS LIANOS.
Camara, 20, has been a revelation in Piraeus since joining the Greek champions from Lille last summer and has put together a series of impressive performances in the Europa League and Superleague.
The versatile midfielder, who can also play on the wing, has already amassed five goals and two assists in 17 appearances across all competitions – and helped Pedro Martins’ side beat AEK Athens on Sunday’s local derby with a screamer.
SunSport understand that Liverpool, Leicester and Newcastle have all made contact with the Guinea international’s agent.
And people close to the playmaker expect him to move to the Premier League by next summer.
HT SCORES
There’s two early kick-offs in the Champions League tonight.
- Dynamo Kyiv 0-2 Bayern Munich
- Villarreal 0-0 Man Utd
And there’s a number of other UCL fixtures kicking off at 8PM UK time.
- Chelsea vs Juventus
- Barcelona vs Benfica
- Sevilla vs Wolfsburg
- Malmo vs Zenit
- Lille vs RB Salzburg
- Young Boys vs Atalanta
REF TAKES KLOPP’S SIDE
Former referee Keith Hackett believes Sadio Mane’s challenge on Takehiro Tomiyasu was not a red card.
The challenge dragged both managers into a war of words on the touchline.
Hackett told the FootballInsider: “The Tomiyasu challenge was what sparked the incident in the technical areas.
“Again I thought Michael Oliver got it right. I didn’t see that as a serious foul play challenge. I thought it was reckless.
“Yes, it’s a fine line but for me it was reckless. I think the match officials get it right.
“It’s good to praise a match official when they get it right.”
ON THE HEAD
Kalvin Phillips needed treatment for a head injury after an accident in a London nightclub, it has been claimed, writes JACK FIGG.
The Leeds squad stayed in the capital after their 2-1 defeat at Tottenham on Sunday and visited the popular Cirque Le Soir.
But according to The Telegraph, Phillips caught his head and required treatment for what was described as a ‘graze that caused a cut’.
He was assessed by Leeds’ club doctor and passed fit to train as scheduled on Tuesday.
It makes him available for their trip to Brighton on Saturday, as they sit 17th, just two points above the relegation zone.
Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa gave the green light for his players to enjoy a night out.
After all, they all missed out on a Christmas party last season due to coronavirus restrictions.
KICK-OFF NEARS
Play will be underway in Spain shortly, and if you can’t catch the game live, SunSport has you covered.
A loss for United could put them in danger of finishing third, if results go against them elsewhere.
You can follow our dedicated live match blog by clicking the link below.
⚽ Read our dedicated live match blog for Manchester United vs Villarreal to keep up to date with all the latest goals and drama
BREAKING: GAME ON
Manchester United are reportedly in talks with former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde to take charge as interim manager, writes ANTHONY CHAPMAN.
The Guardian claims the tactician is already been asked about potential transfers in January.
And United’s board reckon he would be a great coach for Cristiano Ronaldo after working well with Lionel Messi at the Nou Camp.
It’s claimed Valverde has held talks with United sporting director John Murtough just days after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking.
Michael Carrick will lead the Red Devils in tonight’s Champions League clash against Villarreal.
But Valverde is now being lined up to take charge of United until a permanent hire is made next summer.
The Spaniard managed Barca between 2017 and 2020, winning two LaLiga titles and one Copa del Rey.
BEEK STREAK
Donny van de Beek will finally get to start for Manchester United in their Champions League clash against Villarreal this evening.
De Beek hardly got a look in under ex-United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who was sacked on the weekend.
But Michael Carrick is willing to put his faith in the Dutchman in his first game as interim boss.
1 De Gea; 29 Wan-Bissaka, 2 Lindelof, 5 Maguire, 27 Alex Telles; 39 McTominay, 17 Fred; 25 Sancho, 34 Van de Beek, 9 Martial; 7 Ronaldo.
RODGER THAT
Former Liverpool ace Glen Johnson reckons Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers would be a good fit for Manchester United.
Rodger’s has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford as a replacement for ex-United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
However, Johnson isn’t sure if United’s big names such as Cristiano Ronaldo will want to take orders from the ex-Liverpool head coach.
Johnson told Betting Odds: “Brendan would be a good fit but I don’t know how Brendan feels. He’s obviously not from Liverpool and whether Manchester United are struggling or not, they’re still a massive club so it would be hard for a ‘neutral’ manager to turn down”
“I think Brendan plays good football and he would certainly get the players playing. But whether the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo buy into that and everything he’s going to do, I’m not so sure”
“I think they need a manager who’s worked with big names and big clubs in the past”
SILVA LINING
Manchester City star Bernado Silva has credited boss Pep Guardiola for making him a better player every year.
Silva’s gone from strength to strength since joining City in 2017, and he revealed that Pep is a major factor in his progress.
Silva told the club: “Here at Manchester City, I feel like a better player every year, mainly because of how I understand the game, of how I understand what is needed for each phase of the game.”
“Sometimes the team needs to speed up the game and having a coach like Pep, who likes to control the rhythm of the game by dominating possession, drives us all to win every year.”
COR BLIMEY
Bayern Munich have reportedly docked the wages of five isolating players who refused to get coronavirus vaccines.
Bild claims Serge Gnabry, Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Michael Cuisance have been informed their pay will be withheld for every match and training session missed while self-isolating.
The Bayern quintet have all apparently turned down the offer of a jab.
And they are now in quarantine after being exposed to Covid over the weekend.
Germany is in the grips of a fourth wave with infection levels soaring, and has one of Western Europe’s lowest vaccination rates.
Bayern chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge now hopes the decision to dock wages will force the club’s sceptical players to get jabbed.
He said: “Everyone has tried to sort out the non-vaccination issue and find a solution.
“That didn’t work out. Maybe it will work now.”
BACK ONLINE
Jack Grealish has resurfaced despite sitting out Manchester City’s clash with Everton after picking up a knock on international duty.
The England star had been keeping a low profile while his name hit the headlines when his love triangle drama emerged in The Sun.
He remained tight-lipped on his social media accounts as reports connected him to a series of glamorous women.
But the 26-year-old broke cover on Sunday when he posted a clip on Instagram from the Etihad stands… with three blue love hearts.
Grealish watched on as City trounced Everton 3-0 to go second in the Premier League.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
