Transfer news and rumours LIVE: Pogba set for Man Utd stay after Mou sacked

Paul Pogba&nbsp;has abandoned plans to leave Manchester United after Jose Mourinho was sacked, <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/8008173/paul-pogba-man-utd-jose-mourinho-sacked/" target="_blank">The Sun</a> reports.&nbsp; After feuding with Mourinho&nbsp;for months, Pogba was eyeing a January departure from Old Trafford on loan.&nbsp; But with the&nbsp;Portuguese having been sacked on Tuesday, the France international has decided to stick things out under the club's new manager.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Pogba set for Man Utd stay after Mou sacked

The midfielder has been engaged in a long, public feud with the Portuguese

Manchester United will make an external appointment to be the caretaker manager following the sacking of Jose Mourinho, reports <a href="https://www.skysports.com/football" target="_blank">Sky Sports News</a>. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/man-utd-sack-mourinho-after-poor-start-to-the-season/166lxpidmqy11r65xx1v9364c" target="_blank">Mourinho has been sacked by United following a poor first half of the season</a>, and the club intend to appoint a caretaker boss for the remainder of the campaign. That role is due to be filled by an external candidate, with Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna taking training for the next couple of days.

Man Utd caretaker boss won't be Carrick

Massive news coming out of Old Trafford, with Manchester United announcing that Jose Mourinho has been sacked by the club. The Red Devils have won just two of their last eight matches in all competitions and are already 11 points off fourth-place in the Premier League after just 17 matches. An interim manager will be placed in temporary charge until the end of the season before a permanent successor is found. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/man-utd-sack-mourinho-after-poor-start-to-the-season/166lxpidmqy11r65xx1v9364c" target="_blank">Read the full breaking story right here!</a>

Jose Mourinho SACKED by Man Utd

Red Devils part ways with former Chelsea boss

Lyon star&nbsp;Tanguy N'Dombele will reject January interest from the Premier League to remain in France for the rest of the season, says&nbsp;<a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11679/11584405/tanguy-ndombele-likely-to-remain-at-lyon-as-man-city-man-utd-tottenham-track-midfielder" target="_blank">Sky Sports</a>. The 21-year-old is being tracked by the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham, who are reportedly ready to swoop in the next transfer window. But N'Dombele is in no rush to leave France and looks set to remain until summer 2019 at least.

N'Dombele to snub Man Utd & Man City in January

Sporting KC has signed Hungarian international Botond Barath, <a href="https://www.sportingkc.com/post/2018/12/18/sporting-kc-signs-hungarian-international-defender-botond-barath">the club revealed</a> on Tuesday. Barath joins on a two-year deal after appearing three times for Hungary in the UEFA Nations League. The defender joins following a stint at Honved and, with Ike Opara's future at the club uncertain, provides depth in central defense.&nbsp;

Sporting KC sign Hungarian defender Barath

Barcelona are keeping an eye on Houssem Aouar, Tanguy Ndombele&nbsp;and&nbsp;Nabil Fekir as the Catalan club prepares to face the French side in the Champions League. <a href="https://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/ndombele-aouar-and-fekir-are-three-players-barca-have-been-watching-7206197">Sport</a> is reporting that the trio are on Barca's wish list and that Lyon is accepting that they'll need to sell eventually, much like they did with Samuel Umtiti several years ago. However, the trio are likely only in the picture if more highly-coveted options like Frenkie de Jonh and Adrien Rabiot fall through.

Barcelona to scout Lyon trio

<a href="https://www.fcdallas.com/post/2018/12/18/fc-dallas-signs-czech-forward-zdenek-ondrasek">FC Dallas announced </a>on Tuesday that the club has signed Czech&nbsp;forward&nbsp;Zdenek Ondrasek using Targeted Allocation Money. The forward joins from Wisla Krakow,&nbsp;where he has appeared in 66 matches in Ekstraklasa, scoring 20 goals and nine assists. Ondrasek has also featured in Norway and his native Czech Republic while also appearing for the Czech U-21s in 2011.&nbsp;

FC Dallas signs Czech forward Ondrasek

Napoli rejected a bid of £95 million (€106m/$120m) from Manchester United for defender Kalidou Koulibaly, according to&nbsp;Aurelio De Laurentiis.&nbsp; The Napoli chairman says it was "impossible" to pry Koulibaly from Napoli when Jose Mourinho tried back in the summer. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/de-laurentiis-napoli-rejected-95m-man-utd-bid-for-koulibaly/5w56i6jvnjxb183t9t15bqej1">Read the full quotes on Goal!</a>

Napoli rejected Man Utd's bid for Koulibaly - De Laurentiis 

Orbelín Pineda has officially joined Cruz Azul following the conclusion of Chivas' Club World Cup run.&nbsp; <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> The 22-year-old midfielder joins from Chivas de Guadalajara after three seasons that includes a Liga MX crown, a Copa MX and a CONCACAF Champions League triumph. Cruz Azul recently lost in the Liga MX Clausura finale, losing to rivals Club America due to a 2-0 second leg defeat.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/orbelin-pineda-moves-from-chivas-to-cruz-azul/1uijxxgznqwuy1nqdbypmwf596">Read the full story on Goal!</a>

Pineda joins Cruz Azul

Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata&nbsp;"would return to Italy in a heartbeat", according to <a href="https://www.calciomercato.com/en/news/chelsea-striker-morata-would-join-ac-milan-in-a-heartbeat-28384" target="_blank">Calciomercato</a>.&nbsp; The 26-year-old is hoping to leave Stamford Bridge after a difficult year and a half, having failed to hit the heights expected after a £58 million move from Real Madrid.&nbsp; Morata&nbsp;would be keen to join Milan, but would likely be unable to do so until the summer due to the club's issues with&nbsp;Financial Fair Play.&nbsp;

Morata 'would return to Italy in a heartbeat'

The LA Galaxy have signed midfielder Juninho, who spent six seasons with the club starting in 2010.&nbsp; <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">He's coming home! The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LAGalaxy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LAGalaxy</a> have signed <a href="https://twitter.com/Juninho19CF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Juninho19CF</a>: <a href="https://t.co/YtzkmfmWgs">https://t.co/YtzkmfmWgs</a> <a href="https://t.co/Kt8fPf3OP1">pic.twitter.com/Kt8fPf3OP1</a>— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) <a href="https://twitter.com/LAGalaxy/status/1075103782269120512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> The 29-year-old won three MLS Cups with the Galaxy, before departing for Club Tijuana and spending the 2017 campaign on loan with the Chicago Fire.&nbsp;

LA Galaxy re-sign Juninho

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino would consider any offer to take charge of Manchester United, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-utd-mauricio-pochettino-mourinho-15569327" target="_blank">Manchester Evening News.&nbsp;</a> After Mourinho&nbsp;was sacked on Tuesday, the Spurs boss has emerged as the&nbsp;leading candidate to take over at Old Trafford.&nbsp; Though&nbsp;Pochettino&nbsp;is understood to be happy at Tottenham, he could be intrigued by the chance to manage United beginning next season.&nbsp;

Pochettino would consider Man Utd offer

Matt Polster and Andrew Gutman are both currently on trial at Rangers, manager Steven Gerrard has confirmed.&nbsp; Polster, 25,&nbsp;is out of contract after spending four seasons with the Chicago Fire, while Gutman, 22, has recently left&nbsp;Indiana University after a standout campaign at left-back.&nbsp; "They are a couple of guys from the U.S. who have come over," Gerrard said at a press conference.&nbsp;"We are having a look at them this week."

American pair on trial at Rangers 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has signed a new contract with&nbsp;LA Galaxy through the 2019 season. The veteran striker made a huge impact in his first MLS campaign, scoring&nbsp;22 goals&nbsp;in just 27 league appearances in 2018.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/ibrahimovic-re-signs-with-la-galaxy-for-2019/tplekkp6gfhz1se64ucmqdxyp" target="_blank">Read the full story right here!</a>

Ibrahimovic re-signs with LA Galaxy for 2019

Daley Sinkgraven has had his contract extended by&nbsp;Ajax, <a href="https://twitter.com/AFCAjax/status/1075058188700053507">the club announced on Tuesday</a>. The midfielder will remain with the club through the 2020 campaign after Ajax chose to take the option on his current deal, extending his time in Amsterdam.&nbsp; Sinkgraven recently returned from a knee injury. "It&nbsp;is certainly good news," Sinkgraven said. "Especially now that I have experienced a difficult period,&nbsp;I want to prove myself again.&nbsp;I have a little longer time for that."

Ajax's Sinkgraven to remain with Ajax through 2020

Inter and Mauro Icardi are still "very far" apart when it comes to agreeing a new contract, according to the striker's wife and agent Wanda Nara. Icardi, 25, has three years remaining on his current deal at San Siro and has been linked with Real Madrid but last week Nara tweeted to say she had been looking through Inter's proposed extension. However, Nara has insisted it is not a foregone conclusion that Icardi will pen a new deal. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/mauro-icardi-and-inter-very-far-apart-in-contract/1lwfdvyvqwjfu1l7wcwjhvypvd" target="_blank">Read the full story on Goal</a>.

Icardi & Inter 'very far' apart in negotiations

Exactly three years and one day after Jose Mourinho was unceremoniously sacked during his second spell at Chelsea, he has been given the boot at Manchester United following the club's worst-ever start to a Premier League season. It’s not all bad news for Mourinho, however, as he has been gifted a pretty generous severance package from the Red Devils. Indeed, he will receive a far larger pay-out than any of his previously dismissed predecessors due to the fact his sacking took place so early on in the season. So how much will the Portuguese boss earn as severance pay, and how much did former sacked Man United bosses receive? <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/revealed-manchester-uniteds-insane-mourinho-sacking-payout/iu2q0sgfftv419fqosv9wlthf" target="_blank">Find out right here on Goal</a>.

The cost of sacking Mourinho

Adrien Rabiot has already agreed to move to Barcelona, according to <a href="http://www.leparisien.fr/sports/football/psg/psg-rabiot-est-d-accord-avec-le-fc-barcelone-18-12-2018-7971726.php#xtor=AD-1481423553" target="_blank">Le Parisien</a>. The midfielder has been frozen out of action for PSG after failing to agree an extension with the club. No transfer fee has been agreed that would allow the move to take place in January but the 23-year-old could depart in the summer on a Bosman move.

Rabiot has agreed Barcelona terms

Tottenham have confirmed that they have triggered their option to extend Jan Vertonghen's stay at the club until 2020. An official statement on the club's website reads: "We have activated the option to extend Jan Vertonghen’s contract until 2020. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> The Club can confirm that we have activated the option to extend <a href="https://twitter.com/JanVertonghen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JanVertonghen</a>’s contract until 2020. — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpursOfficial/status/1075058712203706368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> "He was rewarded for his fine form last season with a place in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year and the One Hotspur members’ Player of the Season award."

Spurs trigger Vertonghen extension

Mike Phelan is set to return to Manchester United as an assistant to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during his caretaker period in charge of the club, according to the <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/12/18/ole-gunnar-solskjaer-frame-become-manchester-united-caretaker/?X" target="_blank">Telegraph</a>. Phelan spent 14 years coaching at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson, including a spell as assistant manager, and will make his return should the Norwegian take charge.

Phelan set for Man Utd role

Chelsea's assistant manager Gianfranco Zola has confirmed the club's interest in Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, the former Blues striker said: “Wilson is doing well for his club and he's an interest not only to us but for many. “He's strong, fast and he sees the goal. I like him because he's quick but also strong in the air, which is also a very important quality.” <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/chelsea-and-many-others-interested-in-bournemouth-star/16pm8m9ik7sr11i96bl4mtbw1j" target="_blank">Read Zola's full quotes on Goal</a>.

Zola admits to Chelsea interest in Wilson

Over 90 per cent of the Man Utd squad wanted Jose Mourinho sacked towards the end of his tenure at Old Trafford, the <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/jose-mourinho-news-sacked-next-manchester-united-manager-odds-epl-miguel-delaney-a8688961.html" target="_blank">Independent</a> reports. The manager's toxic relationship with the players is said to have directly affected his team choices, opting to field the only players he felt he could trust to put in a shift. However, even players who has previously backed the Portuguese, such as Mou favourite Romelu Lukaku, had lost faith in the one-time coaching great. The report claims that one player said the situation was 'the worst he had ever seen in 20 years of football'.

Mourinho lost over 90% of Man Utd squad

Cesc Fabregas has signed a new four-year deal with Puma, sparking hope amongst AC Milan fans that the Chelsea midfielder will make a move to San Siro. The Rossoneri signed on with the sports brand at the beginning of the season, with rumours&nbsp; emerging shortly afterwards that the partnership would assist in bringing the Spaniard to Italy. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> So happy to sign a new 4 year deal with <a href="https://twitter.com/pumafootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@pumafootball</a>. They have always made me feel like part of the family and delighted that we are continuing are relationship together. 👟⚽ <a href="https://t.co/E6zmCJN0iv">pic.twitter.com/E6zmCJN0iv</a> — Cesc Fàbregas Soler (@cesc4official) <a href="https://twitter.com/cesc4official/status/1075016529501188097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">18 December 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Milan director <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/ac-milan-rule-out-ibrahimovic-but-fabregas-a-possibility/15y9htbwxl7ay17mb2flfgycrq" target="_blank">Leonardo has made no secret of having 'ideas' regarding signing Fabregas</a>, though <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/sarri-calls-on-chelsea-extensions-for-david-luiz-and/h4z0t5zazp831fxa66j0fqr8q" target="_blank">Maurizio Sarri's recent call for a renewed deal at Stamford Bridge</a> could prove a stumbling block.

Puma deal gives Milan fans Cesc hope

Crystal Palace are looking to take Dominic Solanke on loan from Liverpool in January, says the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/crystalpalace/crystal-palace-target-liverpool-striker-dominic-solanke-in-january-transfer-window-a4020581.html" target="_blank">Evening Standard</a>. Roy Hodgson's men are in a fight against relegation and believe the 21-year-old could enhance their attack. Although the one-time England international has not featured for Jurgen Klopp's team this season, he is highly rated and is also the subject of interest from Rangers.

Crystal Palace eye Solanke loan

Mauricio Pochettino refused to give credibility to rumours linking him with Manchester United in the wake of Jose Mourinho's sacking. United relieved Mourinho of his duties on Tuesday amid his side's bad start to the season and will appoint an interim boss until the end of the season while they recruit a full-time option. Pochettino has already been heavily linked to the Old Trafford job and was quizzed about it at his press conference after United announced the departure, but he stressed his focus is with Tottenham. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/pochettino-responds-to-man-utd-job-links-following-mourinho/r0lc3lfpnqa9166l7agynh4h9" target="_blank">Click here to read what Pochettino said</a>

Pochettino responds to Man Utd rumours

Real Madrid could offer Jose Mourinho an immediate return to management following his sacking by Manchester United, <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/jose-mourinho-news-sacked-manchester-united-manager-real-madrid-next-job-odds-a8688806.html" target="_blank">according to the Independent</a>. It is thought that club president Florentino Perez is keen on bringing the Special One back to Spain, and sees him as the man to overhaul a struggling Madrid squad. Mourinho left Real in 2013 after developing a toxic relationship with his playing staff, despite winning a La Liga title in 2012.

Real want Mourinho return 

Manchester United could turn to Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone&nbsp;as their next permanent manager, <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/manchester-united-sack-jose-mourinho-and-eye-mauricio-pochettino-jczl9dbx9" target="_blank">according to the Times</a>. It is understood that Mauricio Pochettino&nbsp;will be the Reds' first choice when it comes to appointing a full-time successor to Jose Mourinho&nbsp;in the summer, but his compatriot could also be considered. The 48-year-old has been in charge at Atletico&nbsp;since 2011.

United consider move for Simeone

Manchester United could look to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to take the helm at Old Trafford until the end of the season, <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/12/18/ole-gunnar-solskjaer-frame-become-manchester-united-caretaker/" target="_blank">according to the Telegraph</a>. The Reds are thought to be keen on the&nbsp;idea of bringing in a player with ties to the club, and the Norwegian is idolised in Manchester. Solskjaer is currently manager of Molde, but was in charge of United's reserve side from 2008-2011.

Solskjaer enters fray for United job

Mauricio Pochettino is Manchester United's top target to replace Jose Mourinho on a permanent basis, <a href="http://www.espn.co.uk/soccer/manchester-united/story/3731220/manchester-united-target-spurs-boss-pochettino-to-replace-mourinho-sources" target="_blank">according to ESPN</a>. The Reds are understood to be seeking&nbsp;a caretaker manager until the end of the season, but will prioritise&nbsp;luring the Argentine from Tottenham in the summer. Pochettino&nbsp;signed a new five-year contract with the Londoners back in May.

Pochettino identified as United's top target

Laurent Blanc has emerged as favourite to take on the role of Manchester United caretaker manager, <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/laurent-blanc-leading-next-man-13748431" target="_blank">according to the Mirror</a>. The Frenchman played for the Reds between 2001 and 2003, and could be the club's first choice as they seek a temporary boss with ties to the club. The 53-year-old has been without a job since leavign PSG in 2016.

Blanc named as favourite for Man Utd caretaker role

The Carabao Cup quarter-finals get going later today, with Riyad Mahrez set to return to the King Power Stadium for the first time as Leicester City host Manchester City. The Algeria international departed the Foxes over the summer, and Claude Puel has opened up on the difficulties the club have faced since his sale. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/it-was-difficult-puel-opens-up-on-mahrezs-move-to-manchester/1lxbrpj79e7u01i1a06zu243bs" target="_blank">Read the full story right here!</a>

Puel opens up on 'difficult' Mahrez sale

Juventus have held talks with Mino Raiola over extending Moise Kean's contract,&nbsp;<a href="https://sport.sky.it/calciomercato/serie-a/2018/12/17/calciomercato-juve-kean-pogba-de-ligt.html" target="_blank">Sky Sport Italia</a>&nbsp;claims. The 18-year-old striker has made just two appearances for the first-team this season, but big things are expected of him. The one-time Italy international's current deal expires in 2020, but the Serie A champions are determined to keep him and have already met with his agent.

Juventus keen to extend Kean contract

Mexican winger&nbsp;Diego Lainez has admitted he wants to join Ajax and looks set for a move from Club America in January. The highly rated 18-year-old won the league with his side after they beat Cruz Azul 2-0, and Lainez admitted he may have played his last game for them. "Let's hope that after the title my next wish will come true. And that is playing for Ajax," he said, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/2931220/mexicaans-wonderkind-ik-wil-naar-ajax" target="_blank">De Telegraaf</a>.

I want Ajax, says Mexican starlet

Manchester United are eager to hire their first director of football, but are anticipating some push back from Jose Mourinho,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/12/17/manchester-united-jose-mourinho-deadlock-plans-appoint-director/" target="_blank">The Telegraph</a>&nbsp;reports. The Red Devils are looking to modernise their approach and overcome their first-team issues as they continue to slump behind their Premier League rivals. And although Mourinho is not completely against the idea, he doubts that the club can find a target he is willing to work with, while some of their top candidates are said to be unsure about teaming up with the ex-Real Madrid boss.

Man Utd & Mourinho clash over new director role

Former U.S. national team manager Dave Sarachan, who had the job as a caretaker coach for over a year, has been hired as the manager for USL side North Carolina FC.&nbsp; USL is the second tier in the U.S., with the former Chicago Fire head man taking on the challenge of leading a lower league side.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/former-usmnt-boss-sarachan-lands-job-with-north-carolina-fc/hxuvh8bs5fjx124s7laa8a989" target="_blank">Read the full story here on Goal</a>

Former USMNT boss Sarachan lands USL job

<a href="https://www.torontofc.ca/post/2018/12/17/toronto-fc-exercise-option-buy-auro-jr" target="_blank">Toronto FC announced</a> that the club has used its option to purchase&nbsp;defender Auro Jr. from Brazilian club Sao Paulo.&nbsp; The 22-year-old made 28 appearances for Toronto in 2018 while on loan at the club.&nbsp;

TFC exercise purchase option on Auro Jr.

Gerardo "Tata" Martino is widely expected to be the next coach of the Mexico national team, but the man who recent took second-year club Atlanta United to an MLS Cup title says the deal is not done just yet.&nbsp; "It's possible," he told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ajc.com/sports/soccer/home-where-the-heart-with-gerardo-martino/gMZMzQ6x3sK4vtjs6LOziO/?_ga=2.256810830.439482085.1545081345-330115588.1542084706" target="_blank">The Atlanta Journal-Constitution</a>.&nbsp;"Not 100 percent." The former Barcelona and Argentina manager also explained why he decided to leave the job with Atlanta United despite his success with the MLS club.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/former-atlanta-united-boss-martino-mexico-job-not-100/115dcfj00ejfd1up09vk8xrs50" target="_blank">Read the full story here on Goal!</a>

Martino: Mexico job 'not 100 percent' 

Manchester City are not only interested in Real Madrid midfielder Isco but have sounded out the playmaker ahead of a possible swoop, according to <a href="https://en.as.com/en/2018/12/17/football/1545074328_287669.html" target="_blank">AS</a>.&nbsp; The 26-year-old is struggling for game time with the Spanish giants, but the Premier League side will have to offer a fee over what Juventus paid for Cristiano Ronaldo this summer to make a deal happen.&nbsp;

City have sounded out Isco over move to Manchester 

The New England Revolution look set to add&nbsp;Colombian striker&nbsp;Juan Fernando Caicedo in the coming days.&nbsp; <a href="https://futbolete.com/dalerojo-net/fue-el-ultimo-juego-de-juan-fernando-caicedo-con-medellin/" target="_blank">Futbolete</a> reports that the 29-year-old is set to sign with the MLS side this week from&nbsp;Independiente Medellin.&nbsp;

New England to sign Colombian forward 

Zinedine Zidane would "love" to take over the Manchester United job if Jose Mourinho is given the sack, according to&nbsp;French journalist Julien Laurens. Laurens told&nbsp;talkSPORT on Monday: "He would be tempted – I think he loves the idea." “For him, the man management is his main quality, his biggest quality. “He improved a lot at Real Madrid over the two-and-a-half years tactically, and in understanding the game, but where he was so good was managing that dressing room. “He made everyone, even the smaller players, feel important.” Mourinho has become a favourite for the sack following Sunday's loss to Liverpool, and Zidane has long been rumoured to be the ideal replacement.&nbsp;

Zidane would 'love' Man Utd job 

Manchester United&nbsp;have automatically extended Anthony Martial's contract through to the end of the 2019-20 season but the player's agent remains 'very pessimistic' about a longer-term commitment to the English giants. The&nbsp;Premier League&nbsp;club triggered their option on a one-year extension to prevent the 23-year-old from leaving on a free transfer at the end of 2018-19. He is now tied down until 2020 but it appears Martial and the club remain a long way from settling negotiations over a reported five-year contract offer. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/martials-agent-very-pessimisic-over-long-term-man-utd-stay/1nblp94g1fyy618jirvte4jbrq" target="_blank">Read more on Martial's future here!</a>

Martial's agent pessimistic over long-term Man Utd stay 

Mauro Icardi continues to flirt with Real Madrid even as talks open over a new deal at Inter, according to <a href="https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Inter/16-12-2018/inter-icardi-contratto-caldo-rinnovo-arrivo-inizio-2019-3101314663217.shtml" target="_blank">Gazzetta dello Sport.</a> The Argentine has long been linked with the Santiago Bernabeu, which he visited in December to catch the Copa Libertadores final between River Plate and Boca Juniors. And while Inter are keen to extend their captain's contract, concerns over his proximity to Madrid have been heightened by reports he is set for a fresh meeting with the club in January.

Icardi caught between Madrid meeting & Inter renewal 

Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen is among the targets identified by Barcelona to alleviate their back-line injury crisis, claims <a href="https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20181217/453606783995/el-ko-de-vermaelen-acelera-el-fichaje-de-un-central.html" target="_blank">Mundo Deportivo</a>. Thomas Vermaelen joined Samuel Umtiti on the club's casualties list with a muscle tear sustained against Levante on Sunday. And Christensen is seen as a top target to reinforce the defence in January, along with Real Sociedad's Diego Llorente and Jorge Mere or Koln.

Barca turn sights on Chelsea's Christensen 

Manchester United face a mammoth pay-out should they wish to terminate Jose Mourinho's association with the club, reports the <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/jose-mourinho-set-staggering-pay-13746771" target="_blank">Mirror</a>. Pressure is mounting on Mourinho after defeat to Liverpool left United 11 points off the race for Champions League qualification. But if the Portuguese boss is sacked, they could be liable for compensation payments of up to £24 million ($30m). The Reds' continued participation in this year's Champions League is responsible for a quarter of that fee, part of the contract extension Mourinho signed just 11 months ago.

Mourinho sacking would cost Man Utd £24m 

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