Champions League draw

MANCHESTER UNITED drew Juventus in today's Champions League draw... with Cristiano Ronaldo primed to return to Old Trafford and Paul Pogba also facing his old club.

Jose Mourinho and Co also paired with Valencia and Young Boys while Liverpool and Tottenham received nightmare groups.

The Reds will go up against Paris Saint-Germain and Napoli, as well as Red Star Belgrade in one of the most intriguing battles.

Tottenham meanwhile will have to battle past Barcelona - along with PSV and Inter Milan.

Elsewhere, Manchester City drew Shakhtar Donetsk, Lyon and Hoffenheim in one of the easier groups.

Real Madrid, who will be defending their crown for the fourth consecutive year, will fancy their chances of progressing against Roma, CSKA Moscow and Viktoria Plzen

Group A is also sure to produce some exciting ties with Atletico Madrid facing both Borussia Dortmund and Monaco.

Belgium side Club Brugge make up the final four and will be hoping to defy the odds.

German giants Bayern Munich have been placed in a group alongside Benfica, Ajax and AEK Athens.

Finally 2004 winners Porto will face Lokomotiv Moscow, Schalke and Galatasaray in Group D.

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Barcelona ‘to sign Manchester United star Paul Pogba, Ajax starlet Frenkie de Jong or PSG ace Adrien Rabiot

PAUL POGBA remains one of Barcelona's top targets going into 2019 — along with PSG's Adrien Rabiot and Ajax starlet Frenkie de Jong.

According to reports, the Catalan giants are in the process of re-shaping their ageing midfield and have the trio in mind.

And they unnerved Manchester United over the summer with a £50million-plus-player bid for unsettled Frenchman Pogba.

That offer did not go down well in the Old Trafford boardroom.

The 25-year-old has had a tough start to the season after clinching victory at the World Cup in Russia.

According to Sport, they will wait till next summer to go in again for Pogba and contract rebel Rabiot.

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Yaya Toure passing medical in London.

 YAYA TOURE is on the brink of signing for a new club after "passing a medical in London."

The midfielder's agent Dimitry Seluk revealed he was "close to signing a new contract" after leaving champions Manchester City in the summer

Toure, 35, has been a free agent and was heavily linked with a reunion with Manuel Pellegrini at rock-bottom West Ham.

The pair were crowned Premier League champions in 2014 during a season the Ivorian scored a remarkable 20 goals.

But when quizzed whether Toure was heading to the Boleyn Ground, Seluk laughed off speculation by saying: "It's not West Ham, 100%. Yaya is a champion. The last place (of the league) is not for him."

Crystal Palace have also been linked with his signature but Seluk was quick to quash speculation yet again.

He added: "It's not Crystal Palace, 100%. Roy Hodgson said he doesn't know when his players' birthdays are... can Yaya go there?"

Toure famously caused a scene when he failed to receive a cake on his birthday while playing at City.

Seluk had previously tweeted: "Yaya Toure has passed a medical in London. Yaya is close to signing a new contract."

Toure won three Premier League titles in the eight years he spent at the Etihad.

But his relationship with the club soured after sensationally accusing manager Pep Guardiola of having a problem with African players. 

The row got so bizarre that Seluk claimed African shamans will put a Champions League curse on  Guardiola.

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Barcelona striker Paco Alcacer joins Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund on season-long loan

PACO ALCACER has joined Borussia Dortmund from Barcelona on a season-long loan.

The Bundesliga side have the option to buy the 24-year-old for a fee of £25million - while the club will also pay the Spanish striker's wages during his time in Germany.

Alcacer flattered to deceive at the Nou Camp after joining from Valencia in 2016 - where he failed to cement himself as a regular starter in the side.

And he has now been shipped off on loan to Lucien Favre's side after mustering just 15 goals in 50 games in all competitions.

SunSport reported last week how Alcacer was attracting the interest from Dortmund - who announced his arrival to Signal Iduna Park with a Tinder-style video.

Given the No 9 jersey - Alcacer - who could join Dortmund on a four-year deal next summer, has spoken of his excitement at playing in front of his new fans.

He told the club's website: "I'm really looking forward to playing in the Bundesliga soon.

"This is one of the best leagues in the world, and BVB with these incredible fans and the famous South Stand probably has something magical for every footballer."

While BVB Sports Director Michael Zorc said: "We are very happy that Paco Alcacer has decided in favour of Borussia Dortmund and we firmly believe that this type of player fits well with our way of playing.

"Paco has its quality at an early age proved at Valencia, scored many goals and as a just 22-year-old experienced special appreciation by having him transferred to the captaincy.

In Barcelona, ​​he worked daily with some of the best players in the world.

"It is due to the extreme competition in the club's offensive that he has now decided to take a fresh start after two years."

Alcacer could be handed his Dortmund debut on Friday when the club face Hannover away.

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Real Madrid set to re-sign Lyon ace Mariano for £23m to stop Sevilla snapping him up

REAL MADRID want to recapture £23million striker Mariano before he is flogged to the Premier League, according to reports in Spain.

The La Liga giants sold the Dominican Republic forward to Lyon last summer for around £7.5m and have first refusal on the 25-year-old.

Sevilla are ready to splash around £32m on the forward – with Real able to demand close to £10m as part of a sell-on clause.

But Marca say they are more interested in taking him back for £23m and being in sole control of his future.

Bernabeu bosses have until Thursday to make a decision on the forward, knowing that Lyon had hoped to sell the player to the Premier League for around £60m.

But now the British transfer window has closed, Lyon have lost out on that money-spinning opportunity.

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Raheem Sterling on Real Madrid radar.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE holders Real Madrid have reportedly reignited their interest in Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling.

The 23-year-old has just two years left to run on his deal at the Etihad, with contract talks believed to have broken down in June.

According to Sky Sports, the La Liga giants are closely monitoring the ex-Liverpoolace.

And the Spanish side will send club representatives to watch Sterling in action for England against Spain at Wembley in the Uefa Nations League on September 8.

Although they claim that an offer for the former QPR youth star is unlikely to come in before the transfer window shuts on Friday.

Sterling alerted the attention of Real last year when he admitted he wants to play abroad when the time is right to leave City.

Sterling - who banged in 23 goals last campaign - is understood to be seeking a new deal to bring his salary closer to that of Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne.

Pep Guardiola is desperate for the winger to stay, and lauded his talents after he netted in the 2-0 win against Arsenal earlier this month.

He told reporters: "We are delighted with him and would like Raheem to stay.

"We’ll do our effort to make him feel we count on him. And we count on him.

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MANCHESTER UNITED should target Roberto Martinez as their next manager.

MANCHESTER UNITED should target Roberto Martinez as their next manager, claims football pundit Andy Gray.

United have made a dismal start to the new season having lost two of their first three matches to leave Jose Mourinho under huge pressure

.The United boss is in the firing line after his team crashed to a 3-0 defeat at home to Tottenham on Monday night.

That humbling, on top of the humiliating 3-2 loss at Brighton the previous week, have led to questions whether Mourinho has the ability to ever deliver success at Old Trafford.

Yet if the club did ever decide they needed to part company with their manager at such an early stage, there appears a shortage of top class alternatives waiting in the wings.

Zinedine Zidane, who led Real Madrid to three successive Champions League triumphs, is the biggest name currently available and not already in a top job.

Mourinho's odds to be sacked by Christmas have tumbled, and Zidane is now the bookies favourite to be the man to replace him.

But TV pundit Gray believes Ed Woodward and the United board could do a lot worse than turn to a man who failed to deliver success during his time in charge of Everton.

Gray was discussing United's troubles on BeIN Sport with host Richard Keys when he threw up his shock condidate.

Presenter Keys said: "I think his time is done at Manchester United.

"They are a club in crisis, I don't think players want to play for him and players don't want to go there.

"The football they play is not exciting."

He then claimed Zidane should be the man United turn to in an effort to bring success back to Old Trafford, but Gray accused his colleague of just picking a big name.

He then said: "I'll give you another name, and you might laugh at me - Roberto Martinez."

There was a period of silence in the studio, before Keys responded: "I'm not going to laugh at you. I'm speechless."

Martinez has rebuilt his managerial reputation with Belgium, leading the country to third place in the World Cup last summer.

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You've not paid attention if you think Chelsea fall without Roman Abramovich... he's made them golden

So what if Roman Abramovich sells? It doesn't matter who owns Chelsea. Not any more. Not these days. Abramovich's work is pretty much done. He has elevated his football club until it stands among the biggest in the world.

Chelsea's market worth is over £2billion, even without a new stadium.

Meaning, from here, the club will always be owned by an extraordinarily wealthy individual or group, one that measures its fortune in more than mere millions.

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Manchester United 0 Tottenham 3: Harry Kane and Lucas Moura scores two in two minutes to pile more pressure on Jose Mourinho

HE is out of ideas. Soon enough, Jose Mourinho will be out of a job.

The Special One, super-coach at Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid, is done as a manager.

He is a shell of a man, outwitted by Mauricio Pochettino and these rampant Tottenham players in his own backyard.

That will hurt like hell.

This defeat, with United blown to bits by Harry Kane and two from Lucas Moura, is an unforgivable result for United.

These players, certainly the majority of them, do not want to play for him any more. Simple.

“Sacked in the morning”, sang Tottenham fans as United - all over the place by the time Kane and Moura scored - chased this game.

The third goal, an accomplished finish tucked away by Moura after 84 minutes into this show-stopper, finished United off.

Even the Stretford End, losing the will to live as United lost back to back August Premier League games for the first time since 1992, could barely muster a show of support for these players.

It is hard to back them. It is impossible to back Mourinho

It will be continued 

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Kane vs Lukaku goal record vs top-six sides: One has scored more despite playing 2,000 minutes FEWER than rival

Two of the Premier League's most feared strikers will go head to head on Monday evening when Manchester United welcome Tottenham to Old Trafford.

Romelu Lukaku and Harry Kane have been two of the most consistent threats in the top flight over the past four seasons, racking up over 100 goals apiece.

Both are already off the mark this season, with Lukaku heading home last Sunday against Brighton, and Harry Kane having finally found the net in August against newly-promoted Fulham. 

But Kane has scored twice more than Lukaku in matches involving Tottenham, Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal — netting 18 goals against rivals compared to the United forward's 16. 

The question is who will be scoring to night ?

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Ed Woodward to solve the crisis around Jose Mourinho... for now

MANCHESTER UNITED bosses know there is a problem with Jose Mourinho but trust executive vice chairman Ed Woodward to fix it, according to reports.

The Portuguese 55-year-old has had rows with players Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba over the summer and complained about the club’s failure to land another centre-back.

Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola is also creating an ugly distraction with a verbal attack on United legend Paul Scholes.

And The Mail has revealed that the powerful Old Trafford hierarchy behind the scenes has admitted there is an issue but they trust Woodward to solve it before there is a crisis.

All the off-field aggro was quelled when United beat Leicester on the opening day of their season.

But the shock defeat to Brighton has brought all the ugly concerns back to the surface.

Loudmouth super-agent Raiola took aim at Scholes after he criticised French World Cup winner Pogba.

The midfielder's agent claimed Manchester United legend Scholes, 43, "wouldn't recognise a leader if he was in front of Sir Winston Churchill" and that "some people talk in fear of being forgotten".

It came after Scholes questioned captain Pogba's leadership after the France star admitted he had "attitude" problems in Sunday's 3-2 loss at Brighton.

The former Old Trafford midfielder said: "I hope that is lost in translation. There is no defence for that comment.

"You say it to yourself, don’t you? You’re constantly saying to yourself: ‘Attitude right, make sure it’s right.’ You don’t need other people to tell you.

"You don’t need a manager to tell you that or your team-mates.

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Mesut Ozil could’ve got away with murder under Arsene Wenger, but Unai Emery won’t stand for it

MESUT OZIL has been caught cold.

Arsenal’s sniffling playmaker, raking in an eye-watering £350,000 a week at the Emirates, is a sore loser.

Subbed at Chelsea, taking forever to walk off when he was hooked by Unai Emery, opted out of the next game. Poor form that.

Emery pulled Ozil on Thursday, outlining a redefined role for him against West Ham after opening the season with two nondescript displays.

The next thing Emery knew, Arsenal’s mercurial and moody No 10 reported a nasal issue and was signed off by the club doctor for two days. Draw your own conclusions.

At least his replacement, Aaron Ramsey, a man with half the talent but ten times the endeavour and application of sick note, put a shift in against the Hammers

But the Welshman is in his own stand-off with Arsenal over signing a new contract and will be a free agent next summer unless he puts pen to paper.

Arsenal won on Saturday — just — without Ozil on the field.

But this little power struggle with the German is a distraction for Emery in his early days at the club.

Under the previous regime, when Arsene Wenger overlooked every misdemeanour from his superstars, Ozil could have got away with murder.

Emery, with his outright devotion to the tactical nuances of the sport, has a different approach.

If he was picking players based on salaries, then Ozil would walk straight into the Arsenal team.

Emery has separated himself from all the hysteria surrounding Ozil, detaching himself from the superstar image the player has cultivated for himself in North London.

Until Ozil falls into line, he will face an extended spell on the sidelines under Arsenal’s new boss.

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Mario Mandzukic rejected move despite Jose Mourinho pleas

JUVENTUS striker Mario Mandzukic reportedly turned down a summer approach from Manchester United - despite the pleas of Jose Mourinho.

The 32-year-old has been a key player for the Old Lady since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2015, and is claimed to have rejected a move to join the Red Devils

.According to Calciomercato, the Special One was desperate to bring the Croatian international to Old Trafford.

The Italian news outlet have reported that the ex-Chelsea boss had identified Mandzukic as a top priority, but the player was persuaded to stay in Turin by Massimiliano Allegri.

They claim that the Juve manager guaranteed him that he would still be a vital member of his squad, and that Mandzukic harbours a dream of winning the Champions League with the Bianconeri.

While he is also hopeful that he will be rewarded with a new contract from the Serie A champions.

Mandzukic netted in the 2-0 win for Juventus against Lazio yesterday - his first goal of the new season.

Despite being a prolific goalscorer at Bayern Munich and Atletico in his one year in Spain, goals have been hard to come by for Mandzukic in Italy.

He has failed to net more than 13 times in a single campaign - while he mustered up just five league goals last tern.

The ex-Wolfsburg ace did however star for Croatia at the World Cup - scoring three goals in Russia - including in the 4-2 defeat against France in the final.

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Eden Hazard Real Madrid

EDEN HAZARD would have joined Real Madrid this summer had Zinedine Zidane still been in charge, according to dad Thierry.

The Chelsea forward's father has opened up about his son's turbulent summer and how a Los Blancos switch was on the cards.

Thierry went on to say he "doesn't know" why a move failed to materialise, suggesting that was down to Jolen Lopetegui going in a new direction.

Speaking to Belgian newspaper Hiet Niewuwsblad, Thierry said: "It could have been a different story if Zidane had continued as Real Madrid coach.

“But he had his reasons to leave.”

When asked why a summer switch failed to materialise, Hazard Snr added: "I can’t say what happened.

Maybe Real Madrid have a policy to give chances to youngsters.

“Eden has another year on his contract next summer, and it’s possible that he’ll still end up at Real.”

The Hazard to Real Madrid speculation was the story of the summer with many believing the Blues star would follow Thibaut Courtois to the Bernabeu.

Hazard's Belgium team-mate Courtois even revealed he tried to coax him into leavingbut with just days left in the La Liga transfer window, a switch seems unlikely.

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Spanish La Liga 2018/19

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EPL Matchweek 3

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CHELSEA FOR SALE?

CHELSEA owner Roman Abramovich has put the club up for sale with a price tag of more than £2billion, it was claimed last night.

It follows the Russian oligarch’s dispute with the Government in recent months over his visa status.

The mammoth figure demanded for Chelsea would smash the world record fee for the sale of a football club.

If a buyer summons up the cash it would nearly triple the most expensive takeover in history — the Glazer family’s £790million purchase of Manchester United in 2006.

The Raine Group has been hired to assist with the deal and will seek interest from China, the US and the Middle East, The Sunday Times has reported.

The investment bank also helped Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi owners to flog a 13 per cent stake to Chinese investors for £1.9billion three years ago.

Abramovich, 51, is said to have rejected a £2billion bid for his club from Britain’s richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe earlier this year.

The Russian, who has an estimated fortune of £9billion, recently acquired Israeli citizenship amid his visa row in Britain.

He also halted plans for a new 60,000-capacity stadium for Chelsea that would have cost an estimated £500million.

Once renowned as big spenders, Chelsea’s transfer dealings have also slowed significantly compared to their rivals.

Abramovich has been in charge of Chelsea since July 2003 when he bought the West London club for £140million from Ken Bates.

Under his ownership, the Blues have won five Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Europa League and the FA Cup five times

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Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde ‘hopes’ Ivan Rakitic will stay amid PSG transfer rumours

ERNESTO VALVERDE is desperate for midfield maestro Ivan Rakitic to remain at Barcelona amid interest from Paris Saint-Germain.

SunSport reported yesterday how the 30-year-old is being chased by the Ligue 1 champions - who are set to offer the Catalan club £81million for his services.

But Barca boss Valverde has stressed the importance of the ex-Sevilla star - insisting he is a vital player in his starting XI.

He said: "He is a fundamental player for us and I am counting on him due to what he does for us, the importance he had for the team last season was clear.

"I hope that he stays here.

“I want to have the best players here and he is one of the best

“He knows how we play, he is integrated into the team and the club.

“We are not here to make money from a player, we aim to win and make the trophy room bigger."

Rakitic - who is tied down at the Nou Camp until 2021 - played the full 90 minutes in Barcelona's 3-0 win against Alaves in the La Liga season-opener last week.

He will be looking to start against Real Valladolid later tonight at the Estadio Jose Zorrilla.

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Real Madrid to switch attention to Neymar in 2019

REAL MADRID could turn their attention to Neymar in 2019 should they fail in their bid to land Kylian Mbappe this month.

Los Blancos are still hoping to bring France's World Cup superstar to the Bernabeu this summer even with time in the current window running out.

Should Real miss out on Mbappe, they will turn to his club team-mate Neymar in January or next summer, according to AS.

Julen Lopetegui is still actively seeking a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo - who joined Juventus in a £99million deal earlier this summer.

Mbappe, 19, has been on the radar of the Madrid giants ever since he burst onto the scene with Monaco.

However, the French star opted to remain in his home country with giants Paris Saint-Germain - becoming the second-most expensive player of all time in the process, behind Neymar.

And it's Brazil star Neymar, 26, who Real are considering turning their attention to should their audacious bid for golden boy Mbappe fail to materialise.

Real Madrid's chances of landing the France ace will become a lot clearer on Monday when Uefa deliver their findings of an Financial Fair Play probe into PSG.

The Ligue 1 giants have been under the microscope for their outrageous spending in recent seasons - including the mega-money buy of Neymar and the whopping loan deal agreed for Mbappe.

If PSG are found to have breached FFP regulations, they may be forced to offload one of their star assets.

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Jose Mourinho will get backing in the January window but Manchester United refuse to be held to ransom

JOSE MOURINHO will get backing in the January window... but Manchester United refuse to be held to ransom over his targets.

The Special One, in the market for a centre-back, will ONLY be allowed to pursue players that show value for money.

United’s policy left Jose without the big-name defender he wanted this summer after looking at Harry Maguire, Yerry Mina and Toby Alderweireld.

Spurs’ Alderweireld, 29, will be firmly on the agenda again when the window opens as he will have just six months left on his deal at White Hart Lane and may be available at a knockdown price.

Senior figures at United view the January window as a difficult month to land suitable players.

But they are willing to invest for Mourinho — IF the price is right.

In the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era they have landed Juan Mata from Chelsea and Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal in major mid-season deals.

Victor Valdes also arrived on a free as cover from Barcelona.

Sanchez also had six months left on his Gunners’ deal and although expensive in wages, showed high-profile deals can be done.

Before January, Jose will agree a list of targets with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and recruitment staff, and a maximum price for each player.

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Liverpool ‘reject £2billion takeover bid’ from Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour’s cousin

MANCHESTER CITY owner Sheikh Mansour's cousin tried and failed with a £2billion bid to buy Liverpool, according to reports.

Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Al Nehayan approached Reds representatives in late 2017, the Daily Mail report.

A £2billion takeover would have been a world record for the most expensive in the history of football.

Khaled is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the Middle East, the report added.

His managing director Midhat Kidwai also met with Liverpool chairman Tom Werner in New York.

Fenway Sports Group purchased Liverpool for £280million in 2010.

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Chelsea give Gary Cahill permission to talk with Galatasaray

CHELSEA have reportedly given Galatasaray the green light to speak with Gary Cahill about a move.

Turkish outlet Fotomac report that the Turkish club's president has met with Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia

And Cahill, 32, could now open talks with Galatasaray as he looks to get himself back on the pitch.

The England international centre-back has been left out of Maurizio Sarri's first two 18-man Premier League squads.

Cahill's contract expires at the end of this season and he is unlikely to be offered a new one by the Blues.

Sarri has picked David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger in his back-four for the wins over Huddersfield and Arsenal.

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Sevilla plotting ambitious swoop for Manchester United star Anthony Martial

ANTHONY MARTIAL has emerged as a shock target for La Liga side Sevilla.

The French forward faces an uncertain future at Manchester United due to his fractious relationship with boss Jose Mourinho.

        

Now Spanish publication Marca report Sevilla are ready to test the water by launching an ambitious move for the 22-year-old.

And it is also claimed they have targeted Paris Saint-Germain star Julian Draxler as they look to bring in a big name before the transfer window closes on August 31.

Martial looked set to depart Old Trafford over the summer but the club refused to sell him to a Premier League rival.

Mourinho is believed to be happy to let him go in January in order to raise extra funds for reinforcements.

His agent insisted his client wanted to leave when the transfer window opened but the star is relishing the opportunity to prove himself after Mourinho refused to let him join another English side.

Martial started just two of United's final ten league games last season, which cost him his World Cup place.

He also fell out with his manager last month when the hotshot left United’s US tour to attend the birth of his child in Paris, and was later fined for going AWOL after not returning to the squad.

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Do you think Zinedine Zidane will join Manchester United?

ZINEDINE ZIDANE has reportedly told pals that he expects to be offered the Manchester United job if Jose Mourinho is sacked.

As exclusively revealed by SunSport, Zidane is United's top managerial target if Mourinho was to leave Old Trafford.

Zinedine Zidane has been lined up by Manchester United in case Jose Mourinho departs

United have distanced themselves from speculation claiming that they are ready to sack Mourinho and are ready to back him with transfer funds in January.

But the Portuguese is claimed to have told friends he would have walked away from any club other than United.

And if Mourinho's relationship was to deteriorate with United chief Ed Woodward then ZZ is primed to take the reins.

United have lined up the Frenchman in the same way they did with Mourinho when Louis van Gaal's tenure was unravelling.

Jose Mourinho has been frustrated by the club's lack of transfer business over the summer

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