STEVE BRUCE will still be in charge of Newcastle for this weekend’s match against Tottenham, but for how long?
Frank Lampard is edging ahead of Brendan Rodgers in the odds to become the Toon’s next manager.
However, the odds on former Arsenal boss Unai Emery are tumbling after he led Villarreal to the Europa League.
Speaking about the takeover, Jurgen Klopp compared it to the Super League but his fellow German had kinder words to say.
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BRING IT RON
SunSport Exclusive by Neil Custis
Cristiano Ronaldo has told Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: ‘I’m fit to start every Premier League game.’
The Portuguese star delivered the message to Manchester United boss Ole after being on the bench for the 1-1 draw with Everton a fortnight ago.
A United source said: “Ronaldo was extremely disappointed for being benched.
“Ole presumed that he was tired after the Villarreal game, so he decided to only put him on early in the second half.
“But Cristiano told him that he will tell him when he isn’t fit to play and that he wants to play in every single league game.
“He also told him that he has come here to win trophies and that United need to play their most important players in all of the games.”
PALS 4 EVRA
Manchester United’s 2008 Champions League winners banter ‘every two minutes’ in a WhatsApp group set up to keep their good times alive.
Patrice Evra told Amazon Prime Video’s winter sports schedule launch: “For many players, when they retire, what we miss the most is the dressing room.
“All the banter, all the stories. Everything happens inside.
“I spoke with [Edwin] van der Sar when he retired and I said, ‘how are you doing?’ And he said, ‘Patrice, I just miss you guys’.
“We are lucky, the United group – we still have a WhatsApp group.
“We are everyone, so every morning we just laugh off each other. We have still got that.
“It is most of the players from 2008 when we won the Champions League. It is really active. Every two minutes.
“Rio created it. We just keep connected and have a laugh. It was not just a team, it was like a family.”
FULL TIME: PSG 2 ANGERS 1
It was unconvincing, but PSG made it nine wins out of 10 against surprise packages Angers at Parc des Princes this evening.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side found themselves 1-0 down at the break, courtesy of an Angelo Fulgini effort for the visitors.
But the French giants hit back in the second-half, equalising through Danilo Pereira.
Kylian Mbappe then wrapped up the three points just a few minutes from the end, scoring from the penalty spot after a VAR call.
RIGHT CHOICE
Arsenal are stepping up their bid to sign a new right-back in January, according to reports.
Boss Mikel Arteta is said to have drawn up a shortlist with three potential targets to slot into the Gunners defence.
Transfer website Fichajes report that Arsenal are looking at Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey, Norwich City’s Max Aarons and James Justin from Leicester.
Arsenal have a conundrum at the right-back position and are looking for a long-term solution.
The Gunners have been using Calum Chambers and Cedric Soares to fill in alongside new signing from Bologna Takehiro Tomiyasu.
The report from Fichajes also states that the Arteta wants to adopt a more attacking right-back than the current options at his disposal.
RED AIRWAYS
Manchester United took to the skies for their away trip to Leicester this weekend.
The Red Devils jumped on a private jet for the 100-mile journey down to the King Power Stadium.
And their stars would hardly have had time to buckle their seatbelts on the 10 MINUTE flight.
United opted for the aerial route after the M6 was unexpectedly closed on Friday.
The squad would usually make the trip to the Midlands by coach but with the motorway shut they made the short hop via aeroplane instead.
SPURS TEST SHOCK
Tottenham have been rocked by two players reportedly testing positive for Covid – potentially ruling them out for THREE matches.
Boss Nuno Espirito Santo admitted he faced ‘huge issues’ ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to newly-rich Newcastle.
And if the positive tests are confirmed the Spurs stars face a ten-day isolation period.
Football.london suggest the ‘problems’ Santo talked off focus on two players being found to have the coronavirus following international duty in the past week.
He told the media: “After the international break there are always huge issues that happen.
“We have problems but I will not say before the game.”
Confirmed positive tests would rule Tottenham players out against Newcastle and West Ham in the Prem, plus the Europa Conference League clash at Vitesse Arnhem.
Football.london suggest Spurs are ‘confident’ the duo concerned have not come into close contact with other players.
WON’T JACK IT IN
Jack Wilshere has dismissed claims he’ll retire before 30 but admits he would be interested in coaching when he hangs up his boots one day.
Wilshere, 29, was released by Bournemouth at the end of last season and is still a free agent after failing to find a club in the summer.
Speaking to Sky Sports News about his future, Wilshere said: “At the moment I am doing my coaching badges and the club is helping me with them and I am helping some of the Academy kids out as well.
“It is certainly something I enjoy and maybe something to look at in the future but for now I still want to play. I feel like I still have a lot to give and something to prove which is why I don’t want to finish playing now and start a coaching career just yet.
“It’s nice to be back seeing some old faces who I spent a lot of my life with. Fitness-wise I am getting there and it’s great to be back training with good players and the quality is only going to be beneficial for me moving forward.
“I’m there until January and there’s no news on any clubs but hopefully something will come up then.”
MORE PHIL JONES
Manchester United defender Phil Jones has been glowing in his praise for boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Of his arrival, initially as caretaker in December 2018, he told United’s club media: “I think it was exactly what we needed at the time, someone who knew the club.
“He knew it inside out, won so many things, so that was important. Until the end of that season, it was just about enjoying playing football again. I think we lost enjoying playing, going onto the pitch on Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesday nights, whenever it was.
“He definitely brought that back, the lads were smiling, the lads were happy. I’m not saying it wasn’t like that under Jose at all but I’m saying that different styles, managers have different impacts and yeah, he was great. He’s done so well to stamp his authority on the team and get the team to where we are now.”
PHIL-LING GOOD
Man United defender Phil Jones has thanked boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for his recent words of support.
The former England star, who has not played a first team game since January 2020 because of injury, said: “Yeah, that was really nice. I spoke to him after and said ‘thank you for the words’, because it meant a lot.
“It really did because there’s nothing [that means] more [as] a footballer, for someone, managers, staff, coaches, players, to have your back.
“To feel really supported by him was a nice feeling. At the time, I needed that and it was nice.”
HAIR RAZOR
David Beckham was once subjected to something even more serious than the infamous Sir Alex Ferguson hairdryer treatment.
He explained in new book Fergie: Under The Hairdryer: “Before the 2000 Charity Shield at Wembley against Chelsea I decided to have a change of hairstyle. I went for a mohawk, which I knew wouldn’t be to his taste.
“In the end, I was too scared to let him see it, so the day before the game I went into training with a beanie hat on, trained in the beanie, walked back into the hotel with the beanie on, kept it on during dinner and the next morning’s breakfast.
“And I still had it on when we made the coach journey to Wembley.
“Of course the moment was arriving in the dressing room when I would have to reveal my new hairstyle, which I knew would send him into a frenzy.
“Sure enough, within seconds of the unveiling, he yelled at me, ‘Go and shave it off!’ I thought he was joking. ‘No, I’m being serious, now go and shave the ruddy thing off!’
“So off I went to try to find a pair of clippers from somewhere and, just before we’re ready to go out for the warm-up, I was in the Wembley tunnel shaving my mohawk off.”
BREAKING – SPURS HIT BY COVID
Two Tottenham players have tested positive for Covid-19, according to reports.
Spurs are set to take on Newcastle on Sunday as the Premier League returns from a two-week break.
But according to football.london, boss Nuno Espirito Santo will be down two players after they tested positive for coronavirus.
The Portuguese hinted at trouble during his press conference earlier today, when he said: “After the international break there are always huge issues that happen. We have problems but I will not say before the game.”
WHITE WATCH
Arsenal star Ben White has revealed that he NEVER watched football when he was growing up.
And old habits die hard as the defender still doesn’t watch the sport he’s devoted his life to.
The England international explained that because he was always playing the game, there was no time to sit down and see it on TV, which is still the case now.
The 24-year-old told Sky Sports: “No I never watched football when I was younger, still don’t now.
“I just loved the game, I was always playing it – never watching it. So I don’t know too much about older generations.”
PLAYER POWER
Demba Ba has revealed how player power fought back against Rafa Benitez during his time at Chelsea.
He told The Athletic: “Big players will take responsibility on the pitch but also off it when things don’t go the right way.
“I remember when we lost 2-1 to Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final, Rafa was criticising our lack of intensity after the game.
“But John Terry went: ‘No gaffer, the problem is that our training lacks intensity.’ Rafa’s training was mostly tactical, but the players wanted it to be more full-blooded.
“So the two of them had a frank exchange of views in front of everyone, and the next day, the whole team got together to talk things through as well.
“We didn’t lose any more games after that.”
EAGLES SOARING
Mikel Arteta believes that Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira is having a positive impact at Crystal Palace.
He said: “Well, he has already a couple of experiences [as a manager] and he knows the league really well.
“You can see the touch that he is trying to put in the team and the things he is trying to implement there.
“Obviously, Patrick knows the league much better probably than any other manager because he has experienced it himself as a player and it’s great that he’s had the opportunity to do that.”
JESS SIGN HERE
Jesse Lingard’s future is up in the air at Manchester United.
But boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed the club are eager to extend the attacking midfielder’s contract.
He said: “We want to prolong his contract because we see him as an important player for us.
“It’s up to him – and maybe up to me – to give him more playing time because he deserves to.
“Hopefully, we can get a deal sorted for Jesse because we really rate him.”
TUCHY SUBJECT
Chelsea take on Brentford in the season’s first west-London derby on Saturday as they look to cement their place at the top of the Premier League.
The Blues will make the short journey to the Brentford Community stadium to face the high-flying newly promoted side and know it’ll be anything but an easy ride.
Here’s how SunSport’s George Moore believes Thomas Tuchel will line his side up against the Bees.
FERR GOODNESS SAKE
Manchester City could be without Spain international forward Ferran Torres until the New Year.
The former Valencia forward has broken a bone in his foot while playing in the Nations League finals during the international break.
Pep Guardiola said: “Torres will be out for two to three months. He has a bone injury In the foot, the metatarsal.
“The injury can happen here or in the national team, I know perfectly the manager for Spain and he treated Ferran as well as possible.
“They tried to take care of him but sometimes it happens, it happened with Phil (Foden), Kevin (De Bruyne). It happens because there are lots of game.
“Ferran will go to Spain for a few weeks. Then he’ll come back and we hope in two-and-a-half or three months he will be ready.”
GOOD WAN
Aaron Wan-Bissaka WILL be available for Manchester United’s Champions League clash with Atalanta next week.
The full-back, 23, was initially set to miss the match after receiving a two-match ban following his red card against Young Boys.
But following a United appeal, Wan-Bissaka has had his ban reduced, meaning he will be ready for selection.
A Uefa statement read: “The appeal lodged by Manchester United has been upheld. Consequently, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body’s decision of 23 September 2021 is amended as follows:
“‘To suspend Manchester United player, Mr. Aaron Wan‐Bissaka, for the next one (1) UEFA club competition match for which he would be otherwise eligible, for rough play.'”
WHY NAI MAN
Ex-Arsenal boss Unai Emery’s odds to replace Steve Bruce at Newcastle have dramatically shortened.
The Toon boss, 60, has survived the sack this week, but is not expected to be in the position for much longer.
Brendan Rodgers and Frank Lampard were among the early favourites to succeed Bruce.
But in the last few hours, Emery’s odds have shorted to 5/1 with most bookies – making him second only to Lamps in the betting.
Credit: AFP GUARD UP
Pep Guardiola has told Raheem Sterling that no Manchester City player is guaranteed minutes on the pitch.
And he urged the forward to do his talking on the pitch when he gets the opportunity to play.
Sterling spoke out about his future this week – saying he will not commit to a new contract at the Etihad until he knows he is going to play regularly.
That has not happened since he was axed in the wake of the Manchester derby defeat to United back in March.
Guardiola said: “I cannot assure them, I spoke to them many times about that, I cannot assure how many minutes each one plays.
“Always they have to speak on the pitch. Not Raheem, all of them.
“They know they are going to play minutes, but I’m not a guy that plays only 11 players, all of them are involved.”
AUR GO ON THEN
Monaco starlet Aurelien Tchouameni is ‘on Man United’s radar’ if the Red Devils fail to agree a new contract with Paul Pogba.
The midfielder, 28, is out of contract at Old Trafford at the end of the season – but club chiefs haven’t given up hope on seeing him pen an extension.
Should he not do so, however, they will turn their attentions toward Tchouameni.
ESPN report that the 21-year-old will cost in the region of £45million.
Credit: Getty
BARC TO THE TOP
Manchester United star Paul Pogba has been offered to Barcelona, according to reports.
The Frenchman, 28, is out of contract next summer.
And according to ESPN, agent Mino Raiola has touted his services to a number of clubs ahead of his free agency – with Barca the latest to be contacted.
Juventus, PSG, Real Madrid and even a host of Prem clubs have also been made aware of Pogba’s availability.
KROOS CONTROL
Liverpool are reportedly keen on bringing in Real Madrid ace Toni Kroos next summer.
Kop boss Jurgen Klopp is said to be a huge admirer of the 31-year-old German midfielder who he sees as the ideal man to revamp Liverpool’s midfield.
And according to El Nacional, the Reds could be able to snap up Kroos for just £20m.
Despite being a key member of Madrid’s squad since joining in 2014 from Bayern Munich for £21m, Kroos has only made two appearances for them this season.
As Kroos is no longer a first-team regular, Los Blancos may be willing to cash in on him while they still can, before his contract ends in 2023.
THE RON DECISION
Man United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has defended his rotation policy, after coming under fire for benching Cristiano Ronaldo against Everton last time out.
The Norwegian said: “If you can go and play six games in six days and play the same XI every time, it’s great.
“But it is about rotation. We need to get to April and May with everyone firing. We got to May in the final stretch of last season and we were too tired. I manage the players for the club.”
On Ronaldo specifically, he added: “It’s nice to have him on the pitch, he’ll always come up with the goods. The more we have him on the pitch, the better.
“He’s an exceptional player, exceptional finisher, goalscorer, exceptional pro, it’s hard to leave him out.”
NUNO ON KANE’S STRUGGLE FOR FORM
Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo remains fully behind Harry Kane despite his slow start to the season.
The England captain has struggled since returning from the Euros in the summer.
And speculation over his form has been surrounded by his desire to leave the club prior to the start of the campaign.
But Nuno insists Kane is still offering things to the team regardless of his struggles in front of goals.
He said: “It’s normal. Harry sure is used to it. We know Harry is much more than goals, he is about what he does for the team.
“Harry is a fantastic football player, one of the best and naturally goals will come.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
