Manchester United could strengthen in the January transfer window, hints manager Jose Mourinho
Only last week Mourinho had admitted it was unlikely there would be any incomings but a stretched squad appears to have altered his stance
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Your support makes all the difference.Jose Mourinho has hinted Manchester United may be in active in the January transfer market after all following a spate of injuries.
The Portuguese was missing a host of players for the New Year's Day win over Everton, including strikers Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with Ashley Young also beginning a three-game suspension to further limit his options.
Only last week Mourinho had admitted it was unlikely there would be any incomings at Old Trafford this month but a stretched squad appears to have altered his stance.
"We will compete always, we competed and we didn't have I think nine players," he said.
"Nine players were not here. I always say that I like my guys very, very much. We have a fantastic relationship, we give our best, we try to do well always and when we don't we stick together and fight.
"If somebody comes, welcome, if nobody is coming we are going to fight with the players we have.
"I had not one more player to select, even Chris Smalling was on the bench but he could only play in an emergency situation."
Anthony Martial, playing up front due to the absence of Lukaku and Ibrahimovic, and Jesse Lingard were both on target in the second half at Goodison Park - the latter scoring for the 10th time this season, seven of which have come in his last nine games.
It is a significant total for a player who managed only half of that across all of last term and further evidence that, shortly after turning 25, Lingard is coming of age as a United player.
Yet the England international has revealed his goals target for the campaign was greater than just simply getting to double figures.
"I have still got a target in mind and I'm working towards that," he told MUTV. "I just want to assist and score goals to help the team - it's good for me and that's my aim.
"(The target) is secret! But I'm working towards it and I'll keep working hard to help the team. It's always good for us to score as attacking players and to help the team get the three points."
More Manchester United transfer news and rumours:
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Wenger denies rift
Arsene Wenger has downplayed reports of a rift between Alexis Sanchez and his Arsenal teammates, insisting there have never been any issues in the squad.
Sanchez is expected to leave the club this summer, with his current contract set to expire at the end of the season. This has prompted plenty of speculation over the Chilean's future, as well as suggestions he has fallen out with his teammates.
"There was never a problem inside," he said.
"There are some people who want to always create problems. We focus on our own problems and that is the only important thing."
AC Milan want Tottenham midfielder Dembele
The Italian media are reporting that AC Milan will make a January offer for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Mousa Dembele.
Milan are having a dreadful season and the Italian press are claiming the club are willing to spend their way out of trouble this winter.
And according to Corriere Dello Sport, Dembele has emerged as their top transfer target.
They hope a large bid will test Tottenham's resolve over a player who is no longer an automatic starter for the club because of his many injury problems.
Our very own Jack Pitt-Brooke has selected the ten young players it's well worth keeping an eye on in 2018.
Will any of them be on the move this January? One name has certainly been in the newspapers a lot recently...
Arsenal transfer latest:
Arsene Wenger has denied that Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are any closer to leaving Arsenal, while the club have also lined up a new midfield transfer target.
More on those topics here:
Coming soon to a club near you...
Former England boss Steve McClaren is ready to manage once again after returning from a spell in Israel.
The 56-year-old, who parted company with Derby for the second time in March last year, is back in the country after five months working as a consultant to Maccabi Tel Aviv boss Jordi Cruyff and is currently being linked with the vacancy at Sheffield Wednesday.
Asked about the link, McClaren told Sky Sports News: "Out of sight, out of mind, so I've come back to get more in sight and in mind. I want to manage again, I am motivated to do that, especially after five months in Tel Aviv.
Full story:
Wenger hits out at transfer rumours
Arsene Wenger has denied Arsenal will make bids for Chelsea defender David Luiz and Monaco forward Thomas Lemar this transfer window.
"I don't want to speak about any special name but these reports are wrong," said Wenger, whose side face Chelsea tomorrow.
Who's in the bargain bin this January?
Clubs don't necessarily have to spend millions and millions of pounds to snap up their transfer targets this January as a number of talented players are available on a free this winter.
We've compiled 50 of the best and you can see them all by clicking the below link:
Stoke to consider Mark Hughes' position:
Stoke are considering boss Mark Hughes' future following their defeat to Newcastle.
The club's board are assessing all of their options, including sticking with the manager.
Hughes is under growing pressure at the bet365 Stadium following their 1-0 New Year's Day loss at home to the Magpies.
It followed a 5-0 thumping at Chelsea where Hughes was criticised for making six changes as he looked to keep some stars fresh to face Newcastle.
The former Wales and Blackburn manager has insisted he remains the best man to keep Stoke in the Premier League, with the Potters two points above the relegation zone.
Stoke have won just twice in their last 12 games, losing seven, with some fans holding 'Hughes Out' banners at the game on Monday.
Hughes has been in charge since replacing Tony Pulis in 2013 and has won 71 of his 199 games, losing 80 and drawing 48.
Real close to Kepa signing
Real Madrid want to complete the signing of Athletic Club goalkeeper Kepa this week.
The Bernabeu club are determined to upgrade on incumbent Keylor Navas and have already laid the groundwork for a deal with the Basque goalkeeper.
David De Gea has been a long-term target for Florentino Perez, who also holds an interest in Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois, but with the potential cost of both of those deals spiraling out of control, Real Madrid are instead keen to seal Kepa's signing before their next La Liga fixture at Celta Vigo on Sunday night.
Conte provides Chelsea transfer update:
Antonio Conte says Chelsea must sign players before any leave.
The head coach has bemoaned the size of his squad, given the Blues are competing in four competitions.
With the winter transfer window now open, Conte believes Chelsea must recruit before allowing any players to move on.
"Our squad is not big. For this reason I think it's impossible to send on loan one player or to sell one player, if we don't take another player," Conte said today.
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