Manchester United 2015-2016

[Gallego99]

Bet they will grant him a stay of execution at least till the end of the season. The Glazers, Woodward and the board of directors I'm sure do not want to see United go the way of the Stamford Bridge Circus. Above all, they do not want to be seen to give in to 'players power'.
Changes are expected within the next few months. The players who cannot adapt should just leave. Likewise for the manager. SAF did it, don't understand why LVG cannot do the same. Arh... one is a risk taker and the other one is not....

 

[Gallego99]

Re: I only worked with 4 world class players - Sir Alex Ferguson

I kind of agree with you on Mourinho. He carries alot of baggage with him and his boorish behaviour could damage Man Utd's reputation. I think Woodward would have discussed this with him at thier 'meeting'. He got away with a lot of nonsense at Stamford bridge which would certainly be unacceptable at OT and has a reputation of not developing youth talent from grassroots - something United have a strong tradition in promoting.

I also fear for Juan Mata if Mourinho takes over. I rate the Spainard quite highly but Mourinho does not and will most likely off load him.

That said, of all the available managers, he seems the best choice if Guardiola moves to City.

As for LvG, he will be gone if they lose to Stoke which leaves a potential mouth watering prospect of Mourinho facing Chelsea as Man Utd manager 2 days later!

Yup bro, if Jose comes, Mata will leave..... If LVG stays, methinks Herrera and Mata will make way for new players. LVG is not impressed with Herrera's stand on defending his fellow country man Valdez. Better that they rid themselves of Valdez in January once and for all. The Valdez issue, the unpopular training regime and tactics is feeding on each other, creating cracks within the ranks. How did it all come to this????

The players would be stupid if they think Mou is any 'softer' with his training methods. I dare say he's even more demanding than LVG. Bring Mou over!!!!!!!

 

[yinyang]

Re: I only worked with 4 world class players - Sir Alex Ferguson

Boxing Day, tomorrow away to Stoke ...how? More punishment, or?:p

Barclays Premier League

Venue: Britannia Stadium Date: Saturday, 26 December

TEAM NEWS
Stoke's Geoff Cameron is still out with a hamstring injury, while Peter Crouch is not fit despite returning to training following a similar injury.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Alistair Mann: "Louis van Gaal's extraordinary press conference on Wednesday would suggest he feels reports of his imminent departure are baseless.
"Their recent struggles were always going to be followed by speculation about his future.
"In the analysis regarding their form, it has not just been results but the manner of them which has been examined.
"Stoke boss Mark Hughes referred to a 'United way' when asked about the pressures at his former club, where the fans demand entertaining football.
"It's no coincidence that Hughes has transformed Stoke's methods. While Hughes will be keen for Stoke to replicate their recent win over Manchester City, Van Gaal won't want to lie down either. It all points to a fascinating fixture."

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes: "I have been asked whether this is a good time to play them [Manchester United] but I am always wary of that because these type of clubs more often than not bounce back emphatically.
"The players there are representing a global brand and the players have a responsibility to produce the goods more often than not, so they will be desperate to get back on track at the weekend."

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal: "We are not in a good position but four weeks ago we were first in the Premier League, and in four weeks' time we can be back in that position again.
"I only say now I am focused on Stoke City. I help my players."

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
Stoke's only win in the last 15 league meetings against Manchester United came in 2014 (D2, L12).

• However, the Potters are unbeaten in their two home games against the Red Devils since Sir Alex Ferguson left - winning 2-1 in February 2014 and drawing 1-1 on 1 January 2015.

Stoke City

• The Potters have lost four Premier League home games this season - only West Brom and Aston Villa, with five and six defeats respectively, have worse records.
• They have kept just two clean sheets in their last nine home league games, although they have only conceded 10 goals during that run.
• Stoke had 26 shots against Crystal Palace, but scored only one goal - from a Bojan penalty.
• Their tally of 14 goals scored makes them the Premier League's joint-lowest scorers, along with Aston Villa.

Manchester United

• The Red Devils are winless in six league and cup games (D3, L3) - their worst run since 1998.
• If they don't claim a victory on Saturday, it will be their longest winless run in all competitions since an eight-match streak between December 1989 and January 1990.
• United could lose three successive league games for the first time since April and May 2015.
• The Red Devils have lost just one of the 21 Premier League games they have played on Boxing Day (W18, D2).

 

[yinyang]

Re: I only worked with 4 world class players - Sir Alex Ferguson

 

[yinyang]

Re: I only worked with 4 world class players - Sir Alex Ferguson

Make or break?

Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United future hangs on result against Chelsea
• Defeat at Old Trafford on Monday likely to spell end of Dutchman’s reign
• Manager claims players still believe in him despite run of four defeats

Louis van Gaal says he is still capable of lifting his Manchester United players but knows that defeat against Chelsea on Monday evening at Old Trafford will likely result in his sacking. Following Boxing Day’s 2-0 loss at Stoke City, Van Gaal, 64, suggested he could resign, but the decision may be taken for him by Ed Woodward, the executive vice-chairman, if Chelsea win. It is believed the pair held talks over the weekend regarding the Dutchman’s future.

The loss to Stoke was United’s fourth in a row and a seventh game without a victory. It is 54 years since they last suffered four consecutive defeats and they have won only three times in their last 15 games. They now lie sixth in the Premier League, nine points behind the leaders, Leicester City.

Van Gaal dropped the captain, Wayne Rooney, from his starting XI at Stoke, the first time the manager has done so in a league fixture, but the decision backfired because United were 2-0 down by the interval following the poorest half of football since Van Gaal became manager in July 2014. Rooney came on for the second half and United played better.

Before the match Rooney had been vocal in his support for Van Gaal and other senior players, including Phil Jones and Michael Carrick, had reinforced the message. But the display against Stoke was as slipshod as it had been in the 2-1home defeat by Norwich City, suggesting the side have lost faith in Van Gaal and he admitted: “We didn’t dare to play our football.”

But asked if he had no ideas left of how to raise his squad for Chelsea’s visit, Van Gaal said: “No. But it’s not so easy any more. When you lose four matches in a row, it’s much more difficult than after the third match. It’s like that and the pressure of the environment should increase. So it is much more difficult. There are no ways, artificial ways, to solve that.

“We need a victory and that’s very important, but we also have to do our professional work, our preparation and of course the recovery and training sessions. We only can recover, we cannot train. We have to recover and then we play the match against Chelsea. It is very difficult to do that in just two days but we shall try.”

Despite the poor form Van Gaal claimed his players still believe in him. “Until now, I can say yes,” he said.

Chelsea are not without their own problems. They sacked José Mourinho under a fortnight ago and are only two points above the relegation zone after Saturday’s draw with Watford. But Van Gaal knows the champions will provide tough opposition. “It’s very difficult because we have to recover,” he said. “We have to start after our bus trip [home], and we have to prepare also for the game. It’s very tough to do that, I’m aware of that.”

Van Gaal believes the squad is being stifled by the relentless focus on the club. “I have seen that in my other jobs,” he said. “When you lose in a top team, then it is always more difficult to cope with your environment and you cannot say that in Manchester it is much more different. You see that different players cope with that pressure differently. That you can see, and that is also in other teams, so you cannot say that it is a fixed thing.

“It is, for every individual player, for every human being, different, how they want to cope with it, and it is not so easy.”
As a coach , he has won domestic championships at each of his four previous clubs – AZ Alkmaar, Ajax, Barcelina and Bayern Munich. Despite the dire recent results he denied his oft-mentioned “philosophy” is not working at United.

“There has been progression,” he said. “A month ago we were first in the Premier League, maybe you remember that? But we lost important games and now we have to come back, in more difficult situations than last season. We were there and we have fallen back. And that’s different. Everybody is judging differently, and that is what’s happening now, and you have to cope with it.”

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/dec/27/louis-van-gaal-manchester-united-chelsea

 

[yinyang]

Re: I only worked with 4 world class players - Sir Alex Ferguson

Louis van Gaal: Should Man Utd keep or sack their manager?

By Phil McNulty Chief football writer
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/35191902

Manchester United's improved performance in the goalless draw with Chelsea gave embattled manager Louis van Gaal breathing space after a run of four successive defeats.

Van Gaal is under pressure after United dropped out of the Premier League's top four and were eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage - so what options will Manchester United's owners have been weighing up and what would the impact be at Old Trafford?

Keep Van Gaal
Positives: Stability and succession
United would remain under the control of a vastly experienced 64-year-old who, despite his recent struggles, has worked his way through poor results before in a stellar career for clubs and his home country the Netherlands, winning the Champions League at Ajax in 1995, reaching the final with Bayern Munich in 2010 and achieving third place at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Ryan Giggs (right) became Louis van Gaal's assistant after a spell in caretaker charge at Old Trafford

​

In the recent crisis, it is sometimes forgotten that Van Gaal deserves credit for stabilising United after the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson and the ill-fated 10-month reign of David Moyes, guiding the club back into the Champions League - albeit briefly.
It will also give Van Gaal the opportunity to achieve what he has wanted at United - to leave a legacy of success and bring a trophy to Old Trafford, with the title (or a top-four place), the FA Cup and the Europa League still on the agenda.

And if the Dutchman stays, it will allow Ryan Giggs additional time at his side to learn more about the contrasting fortunes of management at the club where he is one day expected to become manager.

Negatives: Miss out on Mourinho and Guardiola
Keeping Van Gaal, perhaps even in the short term, closes off the possibility of appointing a proven and available winner such as Jose Mourinho.

Guardiola will be available at the end of the season when he leaves Bayern Munich
​

For all the tribulations of his closing months at Chelsea, the Portuguese was a Premier League title winner only in May and has the personality and stature to make him a potentially exciting fit for Old Trafford.

And if Van Gaal is kept to the conclusion of his contract, which expires at the end of next season, it additionally rules out any possibility of bringing in the most coveted coach in world football, Pep Guardiola.

The increasing strength of his links to Manchester City would make them wary of an approach that may see them being portrayed as losers in a battle with their ambitious neighbours.

Some Manchester United fans made it clear who they wanted as their next boss

​

It also runs the risk of continuing the recent slide and endangering a place in next season's Champions League. The club's powerbrokers regard this season as 80% about the league and 20% about Europe, although this cannot disguise the pain at an embarrassing drop into the Europa League. A top-four finish is now the minimum requirement.

Van Gaal, despite the better showing against Chelsea, has been producing a style of football that has not met with the approval of the club's fans - even if plenty appreciated what they offered up against Chelsea.

It has often been dull, too rigid, with players seemingly stripped of all spontaneity - reflected in the chants of "attack, attack, attack" from Red Devils supporters this season.

If Van Gaal is kept too long and there is no obvious improvement, then it could end up as a major missed opportunity with Mourinho currently on the market with a point to prove after his sacking by Chelsea, and seemingly willing to step in.

​

Sack Van Gaal
Positives: Release the pressure
If Van Gaal leaves, it would clear the air of discontent that has hung around Old Trafford during the recent slide, giving United a fresh start after an unfulfilling period following the departure of Ferguson in 2013.

Giggs (left) would be a popular choice as manager at Old Trafford

​

It may also lead to a release of the pressure that seems to have affected United's players - to the extent that Van Gaal admitted after the loss at Stoke City that they did not "dare" to play their natural game.

If Giggs then steps in he could act as the perfect stop-gap, even until the end of the season, it would be seen - perhaps romantically - as a return to the old United traditions of attacking football, something the Old Trafford legend was such a central part of as he won 13 titles, two Champions Leagues and four FA Cups in 963 appearances for the club.

Negatives: Quick turnover of managers
Sacking Van Gaal risks more instability as United move even further away from the security and strategy that allowed Ferguson to survive an initial rocky spell to enjoy 26 years in charge.

Moyes was sacked after only 10 months and there is no doubt United want to keep faith with Van Gaal and to see him succeed - to do otherwise would see them shift even closer to the model they want to avoid, namely a quick turnover of managers with incumbents shunted out of the door after their first extended period of poor results.

If Giggs is chosen to replace Van Gaal, they would be bringing in someone with no managerial experience other than a short spell in charge after Moyes was dismissed. There are no guarantees he would make a success of the job.

 

[yinyang]

Re: I only worked with 4 world class players - Sir Alex Ferguson

By Phil McNultyChief football writer

Manchester United provided some respite for manager Louis van Gaal with a much-improved performance as they were held to a draw by Chelsea at Old Trafford.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/35148123

Van Gaal's future was shrouded in uncertainty after a run of four straight defeats - and while a draw offers minor relief, United were still unable to secure the victory the 64-year-old Dutchman so desperately needs.

United's luck was out as both Juan Mata and Anthony Martial struck the woodwork inside the first 15 minutes and only a brilliant reflex save from Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois stopped Ander Herrera from six yards after the break.

Chelsea, under the temporary control of Van Gaal's fellow countryman Guus Hiddink, had chances of their own and United needed the brilliance of keeper David de Gea as he saved athletically from John Terry's early header then made a double save from Pedro and Cesar Azpilicueta after the break.

And as United ran out of momentum and ideas - although they were unlucky not to get a penalty when Willian handled - Nemanja Matic missed the best chance of the game when he raced clear, only to shoot hopelessly over the top.

Van Gaal feels Old Trafford support
The merchandisers outside Old Trafford may have been hawking scarves proclaiming Jose Mourinho as the next Manchester United manager, but those inside 'The Theatre Of Dreams' gave their embattled manager commendable support.

Few Mourinho scarves were on view and Van Gaal was able to acknowledge warm applause from plenty of United fans as he made his way from the tunnel at the Stretford End to his technical area before kick-off.

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has been heavily linked with Manchester United

​

United's vibrant start, out of character with the timidity of recent weeks, instantly lifted the spirits and volume of support that were out-of-sorts and subdued before the start, and the fans remained solidly behind their team throughout.

There was certainly no hostility on view towards Van Gaal, although there were some signs of frustration as the game edged into the last 20 minutes with no sign of a breakthrough. The final whistle was greeted with some jeers but this was more out of frustration that United could not find a winner, which also saw Wayne Rooney miss a late chance.
Van Gaal's name was not heard in any chants but there was no groundswell of hostility towards the United manager fighting for his job.

Daring Manchester United

Wayne Rooney was reinstated to the Manchester United XI after he was dropped to the bench against Stoke on Boxing Day
​

Van Gaal complained that United did not "dare" to play football in the Boxing Day defeat at Stoke City - suggesting they were so gripped by fear and a lack of confidence in the current slump that they were simply unable to play their natural game.
Here, for the first hour at least, United delivered the sort of swift attacking football Old Trafford demands and a level of performance that would not have Van Gaal in such a hole had it been reproduced regularly this season.

United had more chances here than in their previous six games and was in stark contrast to a run that has left them without a win since the 2-1 victory at Watford on 21 Nov. They were desperately unlucky that the woodwork denied Mata and Martial - but the sign of that fragile confidence was shown in the way they ran out of ideas and inspiration in the last 30 minutes.

This average position graphic shows how much further Manchester United's charges played up the pitch than their Chelsea counterparts
​

Hiddink must earn his money

Guus Hiddink has dropped four points in two league games as Chelsea boss this season, only one fewer than he did in 13 games when last in charge of the Blues, from February-May 2009

​

When Guus Hiddink walked in at Chelsea in February 2009 to succeed the sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari, it was simply a case of keeping a well-drilled and experienced side ticking over and perhaps adding a dash of his own quality and experience.
It worked well as the 69-year-old Dutchman guided Chelsea to an FA Cup final win against Everton, and the Blues were only denied a place in the Champions League final against Manchester United by a goal deep into injury time by Barcelona at Stamford Bridge.
Hiddink had a perfectly-tuned Chelsea side built around the spine of keeper Petr Cech, captain John Terry, midfield marksman Frank Lampard and a match-winning striker in Didier Drogba.
Not so this time - and Hiddink will need all his acumen to revitalise a Chelsea side struggling to find any of the power, rhythm and fluency that made them Premier League champions in May.
Terry is willing but reaching the end of his career, while inspiration is in short supply elsewhere despite the presence of players such as Eden Hazard, Willian and Oscar.
He also has to prove he still possesses his old authority after a barren spell in his career with failures in charge of Russia, Turkey and in a second spell with the Netherlands.
In other words, Hiddink has a serious job on his hands.

Man of the match: David de Gea (Manchester United)

 

[THE_CHANSTER]

Re: I only worked with 4 world class players - Sir Alex Ferguson

A stay of execution?

 

[yinyang]

Re: I only worked with 4 world class players - Sir Alex Ferguson

Manchester United: Are Swansea the last team Van Gaal wanted to face this Saturday

The draw with Chelsea eased the pressure slightly at Old Trafford but it will be back on again if Reds fail their weekend test

It all began with a defeat against Swansea City and now 73 matches later Louis van Gaal is fighting for his United future against the Welsh side who ruined his big day at Old Trafford 17 months ago.

Will the Swans be flying again at Old Trafford?

The Reds boss was upbeat after the 0-0 draw against Chelsea on Monday and talked of unity in the camp and feeling the comforting security of the backing of the United squad and the decision-makers at Old Trafford and in Florida.

The improved performance against Chelsea despite failing to arrest a winless run has allowed some of the steam to escape from the pressure cooker existence Van Gaal has been enduring.

This Saturday, however, anything but a win against a Swansea side, who are flirting with losing their Premier League status and have only won once away in the league this season against whipping boys Aston Villa, would see the heat turned up again.

United's board may want to stick with their choice but you can only tolerate so much and a NINTH match without a win is inconceivable. So a home game against a managerless relegation struggler couldn't have been hand-picked better by the 64-year-old Dutchman.
Or could it?

Swansea have been a thorn in Van Gaal's side since day one. No side has bruised him more than the Swans.
Having returned from a successful pre-season tour of America in 2014 following is appointment Van Gaal had a heroes welcome to kick off his Premier League career.

But 90 minutes later Swansea had won their first match at Old Trafford in the league since 1931 with a Wayne Rooney goal from the newly-installed captain sandwiched between efforts from Ki Sung-yueng and Gylfi Sigurdsson. It didn't get any better when Van Gaal took his side to South Wales later in the season for a February fixture.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manchester-united-van-gaal-swansea-10666227

 

[yinyang]

Proverbial lightning had struck 3X. My devilish hunch is we can makan Swans tonight :p
At least statistical probability, risking to eat my words:o

 

[THE_CHANSTER]

Proverbial lightning had struck 3X. My devilish hunch is we can makan Swans tonight :p
At least statistical probability, risking to eat my words:o

Pressure is definitely off LvG (at least for the moment). Mourinho will have to wait. Those Man Utd José scarves are looking rather ridiculous now.

 

[yinyang]

Pressure is definitely off LvG (at least for the moment). Mourinho will have to wait. Those Man Utd José scarves are looking rather ridiculous now.

Laboured win at home, truth be told. Latter 2nd half shambles, representative of stubborn coot's sticking to his formation (instead of traditional 4-4-2) and players out of their position. Relief with Roon's goal flick, else LvG's tombstone hastened.

 

[THE_CHANSTER]

Laboured win at home, truth be told. Latter 2nd half shambles, representative of stubborn coot's sticking to his formation (instead of traditional 4-4-2) and players out of their position. Relief with Roon's goal flick, else LvG's tombstone hastened.

If the Swansea goalkeeper had scored with his last second header things would have been a lot different for LvG. Very unlucky indeed.

 

[yinyang]

Bale rumour mill re-surfaces again, after fat waiter kena

Sportsmail's mocked-up picture of how Bale might look in a Manchester United shirt should he swap the Bernabeu for Old Trafford

 

[yinyang]

Conflicting news, going or not?

Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini agrees AC Milan transfer

Read more: http://metro.co.uk/2016/01/06/manch...rees-ac-milan-transfer-5603545/#ixzz3wRoUFQs3

Marouane Fellaini has agreed a deal to join AC Milan from Manchester United, according to reports.

Fellaini was linked with Milan earlier this week but it was thought that the Red Devils had rejected an approach for his signature.

However, the Daily Express says Fellaini has agreed to join Milan and United are now happy to let him go for about £15million.

The Belgium international has become a bit-part player at Old Trafford under manager Louis van Gaal and has played just eight times this term.

 

[THE_CHANSTER]

If AC Milan put in a decent offer for Fellaini, he will move. He has become no more than a bit player since LvG took over at OT which is a pity because he is better than that.

 

[yinyang]

Manchester United have recalled Adnan Januzaj from his season-long loan at Borussia Dortmund.

United have requested the 20-year-old Belgium international forward's return because of a lack of games.

Januzaj has made 12 appearances for the Bundesliga club, which has included only three starts.

His six league outings have all been as a substitute and he has not featured since a Europa League defeat by PAOK Salonika on 10 December.

Januzaj played four times for United in August, scoring the winner at Aston Villa.
His Old Trafford contract runs until 2018.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/35248029

 

[yinyang]

Match preview Geordies home to MU

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/35229750

TEAM NEWS
Newcastle captain Fabricio Coloccini, winger Florian Thauvin and defender Kevin Mbabu are all doubtful to face Manchester United through injury.

However, midfielder Jack Colback is expected to return to the side after recovering from a hamstring problem.
Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is out after suffering a knee problem against Sheffield United.
Morgan Schneiderlin, Michael Carrick and Ashley Young were not involved at the weekend and could all return.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Steve Bower: "Two clubs struggling for goals and finding it difficult reaching their respective expectations.

"Manchester United have had luck on their side in recording back-to-back home wins that have still raised more questions than provided answers. I watched them beat Swansea, where at least there were more positive steps taken. Now they will look to rediscover some form away from Old Trafford.

"Newcastle, despite having lost their last four matches 1-0, haven't performed badly but it's now increasingly all about the result. They'll hope this game can act as their springboard.

"This fixture over the years has provided a deluge of goals; these are different times and for both it's the victory that is paramount."
Twitter: @SteveBowercomm

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
Newcastle head coach Steve McClaren: "At this stage, I can't ask for more from the players. We have to get on with it, that's the nature of football. The players have to be big enough, bold enough and show courage.
"It's Manchester United next. We'll have 50,000 people who have to get behind this side and support them.
"We have to stick together. It's difficult for all of us to show a little bit of patience, but there's work going on and Tuesday is the next challenge."

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal: "We have won two games in a row and I hope it will give us a boost. But now we are playing away, it's different and Newcastle United are playing very well.
"I saw their game against Arsenal - they played very well. But they didn't win and that's the most important thing in football. We have to beat them."

​

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

• Manchester United have lost just two of their previous 26 league clashes with the Magpies (W18, D6).

Newcastle United

• Newcastle have scored just one goal in their last four Premier League games (D1, L3).
• They have won just two of their 10 league matches at home this season (D4, L4).
• However, they have only lost two of their last seven at St James' Park (W2, D3).
• They have lost more points from winning positions than any other Premier League side this season (12).

Manchester United

• Manchester United have only won one of their last seven league matches (D3, L3).
• They have lost their last two Premier League away games (at Bournemouth and Stoke) - they have not lost three successive top-flight away matches since January 1996.
• Louis van Gaal's side have kept a league-high 10 clean sheets this season but they have only kept one in their last five league matches.
• Wayne Rooney scored in Manchester United's last Premier League game against Swansea - however the England striker hasn't netted in successive league appearances since November 2014.

 

[yinyang]

 

[yinyang]

Manchester United in Saul Niguez transfer talks as Arsenal are also linked with Atletico Madrid's rising star

Manchester United have opened talks with Atletico Madrid for midfielder Saul Niguez.

Arsenal are also understood to be admirers of the 21-year-old, who has an £18million release clause in his contract.
The Old Trafford giants are keen to do a deal in this winter window but Atletico are battling to keep the player, with coach Diego Simeone insistent that the rising star remains a big part of his plans.

Should he depart, Niguez would be the fourth player to leave Atletico for the Premier League in the last two years.
Defender Toby Alderweireld joined Spurs from the Spanish club last summer after a successful loan at Southampton. Twelve months previously, striker Diego Costa and left-back Filipe Luis were both sold to Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Italy's Lazio insist they have not yet received a bid this month from United for Brazilian winger Felipe Anderson - but claim to have turned down a £37m offer from the Reds in the summer. Anderson came on to score the third goal - his sixth of the season - in his club’s 3-1 win at Fiorentina last Saturday after being left out of the original starting line-up.

Lazio director of sport Igli Tare admitted the 23-year-old is in “negative” form compared to last year when he finished with ten goals and seven assists in the league. Tare said: “So far, we haven’t received anything from Manchester United. He is going through a negative period of form and he knows that, we talked a great deal. “He has to find his calm, he is a player who is now well-known and feared. He has what it takes to emerge from this negative moment.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno

Better call Saul: Man United are trying to get Niguez signed this month. Manchester United have opened talks with Atletico Madrid for midfielder Saul Niguez.

Deal or no deal: Lazio suit says United made a summer bid for Anderson and haven't been back“We turned down a €50m offer from Manchester United on August 27 and nothing has changed since then, because if he finds consistency, then he’s worth much more.
“We also resisted bigger offers than that, but we have targets to achieve.”