And with that, farewell. Thanks for reading - have a good weekend, and indeed have a good Christmas.
That’s nearly it for the day. Just a quick reminder of the stuff you should be reading from your super soaraway Guardian today:
The Guardian’s best male footballer(s) in the world: revealed:
A David Conn exclusive: Aston Villa accused of cover-up over bullying investigation:
Les Reed has been appointed as the FA’s new technical director:
Roy Keane has said that thing Roy Keane says again:
And finally, have ten things to be looking out for in the Premier League this weekend:
Your big match preview: it’s Cardiff v Manchester United.
One of the more frequent criticisms against Rafa Benitez has been his decision to sell Aleksandar Mitrovic, even though the big man isn’t exactly banging them in for Fulham this season. But Rafa stands by his call:
“We are talking about Mitrovic here and it’s true that the was sent off in some games or he was banned for an elbow and things like that, but now he is doing well. He was not scoring as many goals as we were expecting for us. Fine, but it doesn’t mean that he’s not a good player and he can’t score a lot of goals for Fulham, and he’s doing that.
“He’s fine there. Is he happier because we are talking about London or whatever? I don’t know. But anyway, he’s doing well, the team is playing for him and then he’s doing what everybody was expecting from him, scoring goals and fighting for every ball.
“For us, it wasn’t the case. We had maybe a different approach and it was more difficult for him, and when you are not playing, you lose some confidence.”
Potential story bubbling in Sheffield, where Jos Luhukay might have been sacked as Wednesday manager...
1/2 Understand Jos Luhukay held a meeting with #SWFC chairman Dejphon Chansiri this morning.
— Dom Howson (@domhowson) December 21, 2018
Told Luhukay did NOT take training this afternoon. Training was left to his assistant Remy Reynierse and first-team coach Lee Bullen.
2/2 Reports in the Dutch media claim Luhukay has been sacked.
— Dom Howson (@domhowson) December 21, 2018
I have spoken to a number of good sources and it remains unclear whether Luhukay has lost his job or not. It could be an interesting couple of hours.#SWFC
For what it’s worth club owner Dejphon Chansiri casually put the club up for sale last night, in one of the last answers at a fans’ forum. Weird old times.
Updated
Have you had a crack at this week’s quiz? Please do so here, if you fancy.
If you believe the whispers on the street, Unai Emery would drive Mesut Ozil to wherever he wants to go as long as it’s not Arsenal. Not true, according to the Arsenal big dog. He said:
“I want every player with a good mentality to help us and give us their characteristics and quality. We need Mesut Ozil.
“Every player wants to play and be okay to help the team when we need. The frustration is the same for everybody when they didn’t play in a match. But I spoke with him and with the regularity in the season, I am telling him what we need from him and he has the commitment to help us and the quality and the characteristics to help us when the team needs his moments in the pitch in one game. Tomorrow he is in the 18 players, in the squad.”
Can he play in defence?
Updated
Here’s Pep Guardiola, on his new cross-town rival: “Of course when a young manager like Solskjær has this chance it’s because the club decides he can do it.”
Just to butt in for a minute, the ‘young’ Solskjær is 45 and got his first managerial gig in 2011. Guardiola is 47 and started in 2008. Anyway...
“What happened in my case was quite similar. I was young and had the opportunity. I tried to do my best. Of course they are different jobs. You cannot compare being a football player to being a manager. I wish him all the best.”
Also, Guardiola has dismissed Jurgen Klopp’s claim that Manchester City have no weaknesses as tish and fipsy.
“Any team has strong points and weak points. Of course we have weaknesses and we are working on it. Of course we have (weaknesses), but that’s normal. These kind of comments have to be put in the perspective they must be.”
Alexis Sanchez has HIT BACK at claims he’s 20,000 sheets richer this Christmas due to the sacking of Jose Mourinho. As mentioned earlier, some reports claimed he had a wager with teammate Marcos Rojo and demanded payment via WhatsApp after Mourinho was binned this week. However...
This is FALSE!!!. José gave me the chance to play for the best team in the world and I only have gratitude for him. We are a truly United team. We are MANCHESTER UNITED. Respect. I can't wait to help the team !. Good luck tomorrow family! pic.twitter.com/9uhXqd5iEU
— Alexis Sánchez (@Alexis_Sanchez) December 21, 2018
Raheem Sterling news: A person has been interviewed under caution following the alleged racial abuse of the Manchester City forward during their match against Chelsea earlier this month.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “Police continue to investigate an incident where is it is claimed racial abuse was directed at a player during the Chelsea v Manchester City game at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, 8 December.”
Claudio Ranieri speaks: “I need a clean sheet, I need a clean sheet, like I need bread, like I need pasta! This period is very important, because four matches in a row, I’ll put Arsenal in that as well. It’s important for us. So for the players, don’t think, it’s important, play, then play, then play, then clean up the mind.
“That’s important now. I enjoy this period a lot. For us it’s very, very important, these four matches in 10 days. Of course we want to get points wherever we can, and then after this Christmas period, we’ll see. For Fulham, bottom of the table, every match is crucial, Every match could be good to survive or not survive. But we’ll fight until the end.”
Good afternoon all. Just another couple of hours and many of us can write this year off as a bad job and contemplate what horrors await in 2019. Any thoughts, send either via email to Nick.Miller.casual@theGuardian.com or tweet @NickMiller79.
Afternoon handover: That’s all from me, Barry Glendenning, for this afternoon. I’m now officially off until after Christmas holidays, but will leave you in the very capable of Nick Miller, who isn’t. Enjoy the holidays y’all – have a merry Christmas and a very happy New Year.
Exclusive: Villa accused of bullying cover-up
Aston Villa have been accused of a cover-up over their internal investigation into bullying allegations made in 2016 against the club’s youth coach Kevin MacDonald, writes David Conn.
Everton team news: Richarlison and Andre Gomes are both fit to face Tottenham at Goodison Park. The pair were both forced to miss training sessions this week with illness but will both be in the squad on Sunday. Midfielder Idrissa Gueye missed last week’s defeat at Manchester City with a groin injury and faces a late fitness test.
Provisional squad: Pickford, Coleman, Mina, Keane, Zouma, Digne, Gomes, Sigurdsson, Bernard, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin, Stekelenburg, Baines, Schneiderlin, McCarthy, Davies, Gueye, Walcott, Tosun, Lookman.
Crystal Palace team news: Cheikhou Kouyate is a doubt for his side’s Premier League trip to Manchester City owing to a knock. Defender Martin Kelly, who was outstanding in victory against Leicester last weekend, is expected to miss the Etihad Stadium clash due to an adductor muscle strain. Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey has also not recovered from a back spasm, so will miss out too.
Provisional squad: Guaita, Speroni, Wan-Bissaka, Tomkins, Sakho, Van Aanholt, Dann, Souare, Riedewald, Townsend, Kouyate, McArthur, Meyer, Milivojevic, Puncheon, Schlupp, Ayew, Kaikai, Sorloth, Wickham, Zaha.
Celtic team news: Ryan Christie is back in the Celtic squad for the Scottish Premiership clash with Dundee at Parkhead on Saturday after missing the last two matches with an ankle injury. Boss Brendan Rodgers is hoping Odsonne Edouard (abductor), Kieran Tierney (hip), Mikael Lustig (concussion) and Dedryck Boyata (hamstring) will return next week. Striker Leigh Griffiths is out of football for a period of time with personal issues while Eboue Kouassi and Daniel Arzani (both knee) remain out.
Provisional squad: Gordon, Ajer, Hendry, Simunovic, Benkovic, Rogic, McGregor, Ntcham, Brown, Sinclair, Forrest, Hayes, Morgan, Mulumbu, Izaguirre, Christie, Ralston, Johnston, Bain.
A round of a-paws for Marcus Bettinelli
Not all heroes wear capes, but some of them wear gloves and the Fulham insignia on their chest. Read on ...
Hi Marcus i.want to thankyou so much for taking my dog daisy to Battersea dogs home today I appreciate you took the time to do this.. she has broken her leg she is to have xrays in the morning ...I might not have found her if it wasn't for you thankyou again x
— Sandra Lawrence (@SandraL09472726) December 20, 2018
Hey sandra. So happy to see this. Thats absolutely no problem. She was honestly so sweet and loving when i found her even though it was clear she was in pain. So glad you managed to get her back and i hope daisy’s x-rays come back okay x https://t.co/HyISxC4UOe
— Marcus Bettinelli (@marcusbettss) December 20, 2018
Updated
Pep Guardiola speaks: Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has brushed off Jurgen Klopp’s suggestions that the Premier League champions do not have any weaknesses. The Liverpool boss said in a press conference that only City can stop themselves in the hunt for successive league titles, but Guardiola disagreed.
“Of course any team has strong points and weak points,” said Guardiola. “Of course we have weaknesses and we are working on it. That is normal. These kind of comments I put into the perspective they must be.”
Guardiola gave an update on his injury-hit squad, but David Silva and captain Vincent Kompany will not be available for the weekend clash with Crystal Palace.
“Silva is not ready for tomorrow,” he said. “He is training a little again but I don’t know when he will be back,” Guardiola said. “Kompany is much better but not available tomorrow.”
Newcastle team news: Newcastle defender Ciaran Clark has been ruled out of his side’s match against Fulham this weekend. The Republic of Ireland international damaged an ankle in last weekend’s 1-0 win at Huddersfield and will miss out, while midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is still being assessed as he attempts to shake off a thigh problem.
“Shelvey, we still need to check how he’s progressing,” said Rafael Benitez. “He’s doing well. We have lost Clark, who has a problem with his ankle after the game. Fede [Federico Fernandez] is fine and the rest of the players are fine.
Anyone who has read State of Play ( if not, why not? There's still time before Christmas 😉) will know Les Reed is a figure of substance. Good choice as @FA Technical Director despite tail-off @SouthamptonFC
— Michael Calvin (@CalvinBook) December 21, 2018
Les Reed appointed FA Technical Director: The Football Association has announced that Les Reed has been appointed their new Technical Director. The former Southampton vice chairman, who was dismissed from the role in early November, will start his new job at St George’s Park in February 2019 and will be responsible for all elite England men’s sides from development teams through to the seniors.
“I am honoured to be appointed as The FA’s technical director at such an exciting time for the game in this country,” said Reed. “We are coming off the back of the most incredible year and I have nothing but respect for the outstanding work of Dan Ashworth and all the coaches and staff at St. George’s Park.
“The challenge will be to continue the progress that has been made and I hope I can bring my experience to help England teams continue on the right path. I am passionate about coaching, about helping English players to be the best they can be and also want to work closely with the clubs and leagues we have in this country. I cannot wait to get started.”
Fitba! Rangers are hopeful that Scott Arfield could play some part in their final three fixtures before the end of the year. The midfielder had to be replaced at half-time against Hibernian on Wednesday night after tweaking a hamstring but assistant manager Gary McAllister is confident he will feature at some as they prepare for Sunday’s trip to St Johnstone and the Ibrox clashes with Hibs and Celtic that follow.
However, defenders Connor Goldson (dead leg) and Gareth McAuley (thigh) are doubts for this weekend’s Perth fixture with Saints while Ryan Kent (hamstring) remains on the casualty list alongside long-term absentees Graham Dorrans and Jamie Murphy (both knee).
Provisional squad: McGregor, Tavernier, Barisic, Flanagan, Halliday, McAuley, Katic, Goldson, Worrall, Jack, Arfield, Coulibaly, Ross McCrorie, Candeias, Middleton, Grezda, Morelos, Lafferty, Robby McCrorie, Foderingham.
Kalinic signs for Aston Villa: Aston Villa have made their first January signing with Croatia international goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic agreeing to join the club from Gent.
The 28-year-old will officially link up with his new side on January 1 and will sign a deal until 2023. Kalinic made more than 100 appearances for his boyhood club Hajduk Split before joining Gent two years ago and was a member of the Croatia squad that reached the World Cup final this summer.
Summer signing Orjan Nyland has been first choice this season but has not been convincing. “We are delighted to be signing someone of Lovre’s experience and quality,” said Villa boss Dean Smith. “He is an outstanding goalkeeper and we are looking forward to welcoming him when he joins at the beginning of January.”
More from Maurizio Sarri: Dominic Fifield is the Guardian’s man at the Italian’s press conference and has filed this report on Eden Hazard playing as a False 9 for Chelsea.
Maurizio Sarri was asked whether Eden Hazard has accepted playing as a false No9 having complained at being asked to operate there under Antonio Conte. He told me that he likes very much to play there,” said the Chelsea head coach. “So I don’t know. I wasn’t here last season, so I don’t know why Eden told people this. But, at the moment, he likes very much to play there.
“There isn’t a ‘best’ position for Hazard. Hazard is a wonderful player with a very high level of imagination. And I think he needs to be let free on the pitch. So I think there isn’t a ‘right’ position for him. But we need to have a very high level of organisation to (tap into) his movements.”
Updated
Arsenal team news: Unai Emery could be without up to eight players ahead of Saturday’s Premier League visit of Burnley. The Arsenal manager may have to shake things up after two defeats in a row, including Wednesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final loss to Tottenham.
Danny Welbeck (ankle), Rob Holding (knee), Konstantinos Mavropanos (groin), Emile Smith Rowe (hip), Hector Bellerin (calf) and Shkodran Mustafi will all be missing, while the the fitness of Sead Kolasinac (thigh) and Henrikh Mkhitaryan (ankle) will be assessed ahead of the lunchtime kick-off.
Provisional squad: Leno, Cech, Martinez, Jenkinson, Lichtsteiner, Koscielny, Sokratis, Monreal, Medley, Maitland-Niles, Xhaka, Elneny, Torreira, Guendouzi, Ramsey, Iwobi, Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Saka, Lacazette, Aubameyang, Nketiah.
Sunderland Til I Die: The eight-part Netflix documentary about Sunderland’s relegation from the Championship last season has been earning rave reviews, as has it’s theme tune, Shipyards, by The Lake Poets. Lead singer Marty Longstaff appeared on BBC television this morning, with his band’s single looking it could hit the Christmas No1 spot.
Sunderland fan @MartyLongstaff of @TheLakePoets could be the Christmas No 1 with a beautiful ballad about his grandad, called ‘Shipyards’ 10am @BBCTwo @BBCNews pic.twitter.com/sZNzSLMHqD
— Victoria Derbyshire (@vicderbyshire) December 21, 2018
Updated
Leicester City team news: Jamie Vardy should return for Leicester’s trip to Chelsea while Ben Chilwell could also be fit. Vardy sat out Tuesday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester City as boss Claude Puel eases him back from a groin injury. Chilwell has missed the last two games with a knee injury but is back in training although Wilfred Ndidi (knee) is a doubt and Daniel Amartey (broken ankle) is out. Jonny Evans is back from suspension after missing Tuesday’s penalty defeat.
Provisional squad: Schmeichel, Ward, Jakupovic, Simpson, Chilwell, Morgan, Evans, Maguire, Pereira, Soyuncu, Fuchs, Maddison, Albrighton, Iborra, Gray, Silva, Mendy, Ndidi, Choudhury, Ghezzal, Iheanacho, Diabate, Okazaki, Vardy.
during City’s Christmas visit earlier this week. Photograph: Plumb Images/Leicester City via Getty Images
Danny Drinkwater’s Chelsea future doesn’t look too bright. “He is in the Premier League list, but not Europe,” says Sarri of the man who has made just one appearance for Chelsea, getting a 30-minute run-out in the Community Shield. “He is a very good midfielder, but is suited to playing with two midfielders. His problem is my football. I don’t know his future, it is up to the club and to him.”
Maurizio Sarri speaks: The Chelsea manager is talking to the press ahead of his side’s match against Leicester City at Stamford Bridge tomorrow. He reveals that Andreas Christensen has been ruled out for a week with a hamstring strain and rebuffs the notion that the central defender might be off to Barcelona. He also refuses to comment on speculation that he wants to bring Gonzalo Higuain to the Bridge and straight bats a question about rumours linking Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson with a move Chelsea.
“I don’t know about Wilson,” he says. “Eddie [Howe] is a friend and I want to see him happy. We started two matches as Hazard as a striker. Then I wanted to see the solution to work in other situations, so I need two or three matches to see it. I explained the point of view to Giroud, then we will see.
“The solution is good I think. We played a good match against City and against Brighton we were dangerous for 60 minutes. Then it was a different match, more physical. We needed to kill the match before, the players thought it was under control. We lowered the level of application. We need to avoid this as we have to think to kill the match.”
Roy Keane has done his interview again.
— John Brewin (@JohnBrewin_) December 21, 2018
Roy Keane has been talking. The outspoken former Manchester United midfielder was a guest on Adrian Chiles’s BBC 5 Live show this morning and was asked for his views on the dismissal of José Mourinho.
“I do think the players are getting away with murder,” he said. The way they’re hiding behind the manager, they’ve thrown him under the bus. People have said Mourinho’s fallen out with players, well you would fall out with players, that’s the name of the game. When players are turning up overweight or when players aren’t training properly or producing.”
Keane, who has fallen out with no end of players during his time as a manager and – more recently - assistant to Martin O’Neill in the Republic of Ireland set-up, went on to give his views on the current crop of United players.
“Then for some of them to down tools, I’m not Mourinho’s biggest fan but shame on them players,” he said. “I can’t tolerate players hiding behind their agent, their powers in the media. Bit of a joke really. I don’t call it old school, I call it good school – that no matter what goes on in the club, you go out and give it your all on the pitch. The modern player, they’re not just weak players, they’re very weak human beings. It wouldn’t have happened in our dressing room just because we had good characters, good leaders.”
You can hear the full interview below.
Roy Keane, former #ManUtd captain, gives a scathing verdict on the players' behaviour over the Mourinho sacking, in an interview with Adrian Chiles.
— BBC Radio 5 Live (@bbc5live) December 21, 2018
"Shame on some of those players... The players get away with murder.”
“I can’t tolerate players that hide behind their agents.” pic.twitter.com/Z459MUrCYU
Is Alexis Sanchez is £20,00 up? Reports are circulating that Manchester United midfielder Alexis Sanchez, currently in Chile recovering from a torn hamstring, has won £20,000 from his team-mate Marcos Rojo after betting with him that José Mourinho would be sacked.
Following Mourinho’s dismissal on Tuesday, Sanchez is alleged to have sent a message to a players’ WhatsApp group, celebrating the good news and reminding Rojo that he was going to be out of pocket. ““I told you so!!” the message is supposed read, according to the Sun. “Patience is all it takes. Rojo you owe me £20k.” Currently forced to scrape by on a weekly stipend of just £505,000, Sanchez could certainly do with the money.
Burnley team news: Aaron Lennon will miss Burnley’s trip to Arsenal in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off after undergoing knee surgery earlier this week. Fellow wide men Robbie Brady and Johann Berg Gudmundsson are carrying knocks but remain in contention as the Clarets look to bounce back after a last-gasp 1-0 defeat to Tottenham.
Belgium midfielder Steven Defour’s calf injury is likely to preclude his involvement for a fourth straight game, while defender Stephen Ward (knee) and goalkeeper Nick Pope (shoulder) are also sidelined.
Provisional squad: Hart, Heaton, Lowton, Taylor, Mee, Bardsley, Tarkowski, Long, Cork, Brady, Gudmundsson, Defour, Hendrick, Cork, Westwood, McNeil, Vokes, Barnes, Wood, Vydra.
The Guardian Top 100 list: Luka Modric was voted the best male player of 2018 by our panel of judges and Guardian football editor Marcus Christenson donned his tin hat and Kevlar vest to explain how the voting went.
It’s not all about football: Apologies for the profanity, but if this doesn’t make you laugh as we approach Christmas Day you must have a heart of flint.
“Fucking leg it Trevor I’ve just nicked the last mince pie”
— Nik D (@nikidoog) December 18, 2018
pic.twitter.com/Xaway8Mn74
Cardiff City team news: Cardiff defender Joe Bennett is doubtful for the visit of Manchester United and Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s first game in charge.
Full-back Bennett was forced off in the second half of the 3-2 Premier League defeat at Watford last weekend and has not trained this week. Lee Peltier and Greg Cunningham are on standby to deputise, while Jazz Richards will be checked after a recent hamstring problem.
Provisional squad: Etheridge, Smithies, Peltier, Richards, Bennett, Morrison, Manga, Connolly, Cunningham, Bamba, Arter, Ralls, Gunnarsson, Damour, Camarasa, Harris, Hoilett, Ward, Paterson, Reid, Murphy, Zohore, Mendez-Laing, Madine.
Wondering why Luka Modric was named as the Guardian’s best male player in the world? Wonder no more.
Neil Warnock speaks: The Cardiff City manager will be in the adjacent technical area to Ole Gunnar Solskjær on Saturday and believes the interim Manchester United manager could land the job on a full-time basis.
“I think it’s the best job Ole will have in his life, because he can’t lose really,” said Warnock. “He’ll hold the fort until the end of the season, he’s there for at least six months and if he does well he’ll get a couple of years. And if he doesn’t, he goes back to where he was enjoying anyhow.”
Updated
Bournemouth team news: Eddie Howe is hopeful that Callum Wilson and Tyrone Mings will be fit for Saturday’s game against Brighton. Mings was on the bench for his side’s midweek Carabao Cup defeat at the hands of Chelsea, while Wilson played for 90 minutes after returning from a hamstring injury. Simon Francis looks unlikely to play, having sat out training all week.
“We haven’t seen Simon Francis in training this week and we’ve got a few knocks from the Chelsea game,” said Howe. “Tyrone Mings had a knock to his hip which isn’t as bad as first feared so he should be OK. As for Callum Wilson, it seems as though he has come through a minor hamstring injury OK. He came through the Chelsea game well so we’re hopeful he’ll be fine.”
Howe stressed two days ago that Wilson would not be sold in January, despite speculation linking the striker with a move to Chelsea. Howe also refused to entertain questions from the press about his own future, with rumours circulating that he could be in line for the Tottenham Hotspur job, if Mauricio Pochettino leaves the club for Manchester United or Real Madrid next summer.
Jamie Jackson was up early to attend Ole’s maiden presser and filed this report from Manchester United’s Carrington training base.
Manchester United team news: Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku looks set to miss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first match as manager against Cardiff. The Belgium international has been given time off for compassionate reasons and has yet to return to the club, while Alexis Sanchez is also out for the trip to the Welsh capital. The Chilean is recuperating from a hamstring in jury in his native Chile.
Chris Smalling pulled up injured in the warm-up at Liverpool last weekend so is a doubt, while Luke Shaw will be hoping to return to the fold. Marcos Rojo missed the loss at Anfield, as did Matteo Darmian and Scott McTominay.
Provisional squad: De Gea, Romero, Grant, Young, Darmian, Valencia, Smalling, Shaw, Dalot, Bailly, Jones, Rojo, Fred, Matic, Pereira, Herrera, McTominay, Pogba, Lingard, Fellaini, Mata, Rashford, Martial.
The Guardian top 100: Modric crowned No1
Let the seething outrage and accusations of “lazy journalism” commence. Luke Modric has been unveiled as the Christmas No1, as we count down the top 10 of this year’s lovingly compiled Guardian 100 Best Male Footballers of the Year.
Brighton team news: Chris Hughton’s team will once again be without injured wingers Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Jose Izquierdo for Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth. Iran international Jahanbakhsh, out since November 1, has a hamstring issue, while Colombian Izquierdo, who has missed the last two matches has a knee problem. Centre-back Shane Duffy completes a three-match ban, with Leon Balogun likely to continue alongside Lewis Dunk at the heart of Albion’s defence.
Provisional squad: Ryan, Steele, Button, Montoya, Suttner, Bruno, Dunk, White, Balogun, Bernardo, Bong, Stephens, Kayal, Bissouma, Propper, Gross, March, Knockaert, Murray, Locadia, Andone.
Everton launch investigation ...
Everton have launched an investigation after video footage of fans singing a racist chant about their own defender Yerry Mina has appeared on social media. The video appears to have been recorded on a coach following last weekend’s Premier League defeat at Manchester City.
“Everton Football Club is aware of the video posted on social media by an unaffiliated supporters’ club,” said the club in a statement. “We are in contact with Kick it Out and are working with them to investigate the matter further. Everton has a zero tolerance stance towards any form of racism.”
Kick It Out also issued a statement, saying they are “aware of footage of alleged racist chanting by supporters of Everton that emerged online. Racist stereotypes are never acceptable, irrespective of any intention to show support for a player.”
Huddersfield Town update: Huddersfield manager David Wagner revealed his transfer target list is ever-increasing as the January window approaches. The Terriers are in dire need of a goalscorer in their bid to survive a second season in the Premier League and additional firepower is likely to be Wagner’s number one priority.
“You can trust me, I try to do this job as well as I can as a manager and if the window is in front of you, you have to prepare yourself as best you can,” he said. “I have a list and a pen and sometimes I put some more names on the list. I do what every manager does at this time of the season. I can’t and I will not discuss any names. Like I said, we try to do our job as properly as always.
“Nobody knows what will happen in this window. This is the only thing I can say because nothing is clear or certain. Anything can happen or nothing, this is the truth.”
Nuno Espirito Santo speaks: The Wolves manager also got his chat on before tonight’s game, in which he will have to make do without injured striker Diogo Jota.
““It’s a good game, a big challenge for us,” he said. “We are ok, we are prepared, now we are going to play tomorrow. They are on top of the league, that says a lot. We’re going to face one of the best teams in Europe at the moment, but we look forward to it. We will require a lot, it’s a big challenge against a fantastic team, with fantastic players and a fantastic manager – what a game. I think everybody can see what Klopp is doing and the way Liverpool plays, and what they are building and achieving. It’s amazing, so it’s going to be tough.”
On his own team: “I truly believe that the team spirit, the way we feel, the way we think as a team, is what can push us forward and enable us to achieve the things we want to as a team – always as a team. That will never go away from us. The way we work, the way we believe, the way we stay on track, the way we support each other as a group. When we have a bad moment and get out of it the way we did it – credit to the players – it makes us all proud because we solved it. It doesn’t mean that it can’t happen again, but that we are ready.”
Jürgen Klopp speaks: Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s match against Wolves tonight, the German was effusive in his praise for Manchester City, with whom his own team are battling for the title.
“I have to respect that City are really, really, really good,” he said. “I can’t say that City are lucky here and lucky there. They aren’t. Every match day they are spot on. They were last year when they got 100 points and they stay in that mode. Chapeau. I have to say it, there’s no sign of weakness.”
Updated
West Ham news: Jack Wilshere will once again be missing from the West Ham squad to face Watford. The injury-jinxed midfielder has an ankle problem which has forced him to miss the Hammers’ last three matches. Striker Lucas Perez could return from a foot injury but Marko Arnautovic, Andriy Yarmolenko, Manuel Lanzini, Ryan Fredericks, Carlos Sanchez and Winston Reid remain sidelined.
One last thing - Solskjær on his time managing Cardiff in 2014. The Welsh club were relegated from the top flight. “I’ve had about 300, 400 games as a first-team manager now. That period at Cardiff was a huge step for me. I’ve learned a lot, I’ve evaluated, reflected on it. I made a few mistakes but if you don’t make them you’re not going to learn. They are in the Premier League now so I don’t think they are too unhappy about it.”
Updated
Solskjær wraps up his press conference. He stresses to need for Manchester United to be courageous and take risks, something they clearly hadn’t been doing under the regime of José Mourinho. He cut a relaxed, amiable figure during his first presser in his new role.
“When you’re at Man United there are certain demands – and one of them is to be a team player,” he said. “I don’t think anyone has been on the bench more than me so that’s always my comeback to players – you never know, you might come on and make an impact, grab the chance when you get it, and they all will get a chance.”
Solskjær on how it feels to be back at Old Trafford: “I spent 11 years here as a player, then three and a half as a coach, so I’ve spent nearly half my life here. Well, a third of my life, because I’m getting old. Nicky Butt was one of the first people who welcomed me back, it feels like home.”
Solskjær on whether or not he’ll be taking advice from Sir Alex Ferguson: “He’s influenced me with everything. The way he’s dealt with people, the way he was manager of the club, how he kept 25 international players happy and hungry, wanting to improve, and the staff. He’s been my mentor. I didn’t understand early on he would be my mentor. Ever since my injury in 2003, I was making all the notes what he did in certain situations. I’ve already been in touch with him - there’s no one better to get advice from.”
Solskjæer on his ambitions for the club: “I want to get my principles into the boys from the first game. Get the boys to understand how I want them to play, how we want to play as a team. Work together and then let’s see how many points we can gather. I’m not going to set any targets, we’ll take it game by game.”
Solskjær on his team to face Cardiff: “Michael [Carrick] and Kieran [McKenna] have been here for the whole season. They’ve had their say and their input. There are so many games in the next 15 days. “It’s about picking a team that you think is going to get results. Michael and Kieran have been great, I have to say. It’s great to be back home, they’ve been really helpful.”
Solskjær the absence of Romelu Lukaku (apparently absent on compassionate leave) and Alexis Sanchez (injured). “Lukaku has had a couple of days off, I’ve not seen him yet and I’ve not seen Alexis [who is in Chile] because he’s on his way back as well. I’m looking forward to seeing them.”
Updated
Solskjær on whether or not he’ll have any input into January transfers: “I will have an input of course but the job now is to get to know the players, observe them and see the qualities they possess. I have seen more or less every game from Norway when I’ve had time. I have to get to know the players, and see what I can help them improve on. The club has their recruitment and scouting so I’m sure they’ve got their targets.”
Solskjær on his role for the foreseeable future: “When you get a job like this and you sign for six months, you say ‘I’m happy to help out’. My job now is to do as well as I can and move the club forward as well as I can. I understand that there are so many managers that would love to be at this club. I am one of them. It is not something that we have talked about. They are going to do their process for the next six months [when it comes to recruiting a new manager].”
Ole Gunnar Solskjær speaks ...
Kitted out in a red club sweatshirt and black tracksuit bottoms, Ole looks in good spirits as he addresses a packed press room. “Good morning,” he says with a big smile. “I think I know most of you guys.”
Asked if he had any doubts about taking caretaker charge of the club, he says: “No of course not. I didn’t think twice when they called me to sign me as a player and obviously this is more of an honour. I’m privileged to be helping the club for a few months, I have to say. It is until the summer now, for five or six months, to just help out while the club does the process to get the next manager from somewhere onwards.”
On his new charges: “They are footballers, they are happy and in a good mood. Every time you meet new people you are excited, it is a first time you see them. I know a couple of course, I had them in the reserves and I’ve seen some of the kids grow up, even when I was a player. They have been great.”
Updated
Speaking to MUTV yesterday, Solskjær, promised all Manchester United players a clean slate now that José Mourinho has left the club. “Everyone in the squad knows that ‘I’ve got a chance now’ because whatever has gone, whatever has happened has happened,” he said. “Now it’s just about from here. Everyone starts with a clean slate and we want players to perform, and we’ll give them the chance.”
Asked if he had been able to check out tomorrow’s opponents’ Cardiff, he said: “Of course, I have watched the Premier League, I have seen all the teams, so I have got a little bit of a view on them,” he said. “But it’s not about the opposition, it’s about us. It’s about Manchester United, it’s about our players knowing what they can do.
“We want to see them express themselves, so my main focus, of course, will be on us, how we want the team to play, and then we will give them one or two details about the opposition.
“We have got 23, 24 players, they’re all quality and they’ll all get a chance now. With the amount of games coming up, they have got a chance to show that they are Manchester United players.”
Thank football it's Friday ...
The weekend starts here and it promises to be an interesting one with Ole Gunnar Solskjær taking his first match in his new role as caretaker manager of Manchester United. The Baby-Faced Assassin has already given his first interview to MUTV and was due to face the press at 8.30am (GMT) this morning - with his quotes embargoed until 9am. We’ll bring you all the news that’s fit to print – and much that isn’t – once we get it. We’ll have updates from assorted other pre-match pressers the length and breadth of the UK, plus any other football news that breaks on this, the final Friday before Christmas. Stay tuned.
Updated
.png?w=600)
I hope Woodward buys him Maguire, Alderwawa and Godin just to troll Mourinho