William Gallas has urged Chelsea to be patient with summer signing Christopher Nkunku as he nears his long-awaited return from injury.

Nkunku played a prominent role in the Blues’ pre-season campaign before picking up a serious knee injury on the eve of the Premier League’s opening games.

The Frenchman, who joined from German side RB Leipzig in a deal worth £52m, has been working hard behind the scenes on his rehab and is now nearing full fitness.

Fans are desperate to see Nkunku in action following his impressive stint at Leipzig, where he registered 70 goals and 56 assists across 172 games.

Gallas has backed the 25-year-old to be a success at Stamford Bridge but has urged the club to not rush his return and risk a longer-term injury.

‘Everyone needs to be patient with Christopher Nkunku,’ the former Chelsea centre-back told Genting Casino. ‘We need to wait until he is completely ready to play before he can start to have an impact for Chelsea because he has been injured for such a long time.

‘When you’re out for four months, you need to manage your fitness very carefully. I think that Nkunku is a great player and he will bring a lot of quality to this Chelsea team.

‘He will bring a different attacking option to Pochettino, but we shouldn’t expect him to be the main man straight away.

‘He will need to be managed perfectly after being out for such a long time. The intensity of the games in the Premier League is so high, so it would be a massive risk if he came back too quickly.

‘Don’t push him too much. When he is ready, he can make the difference for Chelsea.’

Nkunku could be in line for his maiden league appearance for Chelsea when they travel to face Newcastle on Saturday.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side sit four points behind the Magpies and a further six off the top four, but could extend their unbeaten streak to three league games after impressive performances against Tottenham and Manchester City before the international break.

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Just as the Premier League was starting to heat up, in came a third, boredom-inducing international break of the season to interrupt all the fun once again.

You may have forgotten during the past two weeks of doldrum and dead rubbers, but a host of narratives were beginning to bubble to the surface. An injury-hit Tottenham gave Ange Postecoglou a masterclass in what it means to be ‘Spursy’, Chelsea and Manchester City shared eight goals in a thriller at Stamford Bridge and Bournemouth escaped the bottom three for the first time in a relegation battle that has just got a whole lot more interesting.

Everton’s 10-point deduction has breathed fresh life into the survival pushes of the three no-longer-quite-so-doomed promoted sides, while, at the other end of the table, the top five are separated by just three points.

So, as the Premier League finally resumes ahead of four months of uninterrupted action, here are the big talking points going into the weekend’s matches…

Are Chelsea actually good again?

This period was marked out as a particularly dangerous one for Chelsea and Mauricio Pochettino, but a thumping win over Spurs and a pulsating 4-4 draw against Manchester City have flipped perceptions. Suddenly the west Londoners look transformed, from profligate huff-and-puffers into a cold and clinical attack – one that will soon be enhanced further by the returning Christopher Nkunku.

Albeit against nine men, Chelsea racked up 4.06xG (Expected Goals) in north London before accumulating 3.47xG against City – a combined tally that is only a little shy of Sheffield United’s total xG for the entire season so far. Admittedly the defence is looking a little leaky, but Chelsea’s midfield now boasts considerable craft as well as energy and bite, while the Cole Palmer-inspired frontline will worry any defence in the league.

They now travel to St James’ Park at an ideal time, with Newcastle missing a host of key players, though it will also represent a very different type of test. Spurs and City both tried to impose themselves on Chelsea with front-foot football, but Newcastle will make Saturday’s game stodgy and defensive – the type of match Chelsea have struggled in. If they have turned a corner, this is the fixture to show it in.

Man Utd to bear brunt of Everton outrage?

Manchester United ended the last batch of matches, somewhat surprisingly, as the Premier League’s form team. In amongst the doom and gloom of a lacklustre European campaign and early Carabao Cup exit, the Red Devils have picked up 12 points from the last 15 available to quiet some of the noise that has engulfed Erik ten Hag.

But if they could have chosen to avoid any fixture to restart the campaign, it would have been an away trip to Goodison Park. The Premier League’s decision to hand Everton an immediate 10-point deduction – the most severe penalty in the 135-year history of English top-flight football – has been met with derision and fury on Merseyside, and United are about to feel the full force of it.

Banners and flags have been prepared for the game, while protest cards which will be held aloft both during the Premier League anthem – which will be drowned out by boos – and in the 10th minute of the match. United have actually lost seven times at Goodison Park since 2009 and it is one of their unhappier hunting grounds, but rarely will they have encountered an atmosphere quite like what awaits them on Sunday.

Can teetering Tottenham get back on track?

After such a bright and encouraging start to the season, Tottenham’s campaign has rather abruptly been thrown into make-or-break territory. After back-to-back defeats against Chelsea and Wolves, the first of which saw the club lose five first-team players either to injury or suspension, they now face a challenging run of games that begins against high-flying Aston Villa, with Manchester City, West Ham and Newcastle all to follow.

Villa did the double over Spurs last season and are well-equipped to collect another win in north London. With Cristian Romero serving the second of his three-match ban and Micky van de Ven sidelined, a centre-back partnership of Eric Dier and Ben Davies looks ripe for pillaging. Postecoglou has already shown that he will not deviate from his principles, which means a precariously one-paced and very high back-line could be easy pickings for Ollie Watkins and the rapid Moussa Diaby.

Tottenham are also without Yves Bissouma for the match, after he picked up a fifth booking of the season last time out, but Spurs will be buoyed by Rodrigo Bentancur’s midweek performance for Uruguay against Bolivia. Still, this is a team that suddenly feels as though it has lost its spark and recapturing the sense of joy that permeated the first 10 games of the season will be a massive task for Postecoglou given the options available to him.

Title showdown at the Etihad?

It has gone a little under the radar due to the international break, but the Premier League returns with an absolute blockbuster of a lunchtime clash between Manchester City and Liverpool. The defending champions against the team many view as their biggest challengers – and the only side to thwart Pep Guardiola in the last six years.

City go into the match sweating over the fitness of top scorer Erling Haaland, who left the Norway camp early after picking up an ankle injury. In addition to longer term absentees John Stones and Kevin De Bruyne, the likes of Ederson, Mateo Kovacic and Nathan Ake are all dealing with knocks too. The champions are looking ever-so-slightly vulnerable while Liverpool are beginning to show signs of the ‘mentality monsters’ that were such a thorn in the side of Guardiola a few years ago.

Sure, Arsenal have only lost once and pushed City incredibly close last season, but in almost every metric it is Liverpool who stand out as the main challenger. They have the highest xG in the division while also only conceding 10 times – the joint-best defensive record. In Mohamed Salah they have an outstanding goalscorer, something Arsenal undoubtedly lack, while Virgil van Dijk is back to something close to his best. A win on Saturday would take them top and throw down a major marker.

Will Ramsdale seize his chance to impress?

With David Raya ineligible to face parent club Brentford, this weekend will see Aaron Ramsdale start between the sticks for Arsenal in a Premier League game for the first time since the beginning of September. Mikel Arteta has repeatedly said he has no number one goalkeeper and Saturday’s trip to the Community Stadium – and more so what happens afterwards – will prove whether that is really the case.

The goalkeeper situation has turned into something of a headache for Arteta, with Ramsdale’s dad criticising the handling of it last week and even taking a swipe at the two Spaniards: ‘David Raya has not pulled up trees so far, let’s say he’s not going to. Even though the way it’s been done, in my eyes, it’s been wrong.’

Yet the early stats would appear to support Arteta’s decision, with Raya’s save percentage 14% higher than his team-mate’s while Ramsdale also has the lowest post-shot xG per 90 of any goalkeeper in the league, meaning he is conceding significantly more goals than you would expect from the chances Arsenal’s back-line are giving up.

Brentford will provide a stern test on Saturday, particularly from set-pieces, but it is already starting to feel like the writing is on the wall and perhaps the question is not so much about whether Ramsdale deserved to be dropped, but whether Raya is of the quality required to be the long-term number one.

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Erling Haaland is ready to play when Manchester City host Liverpool on Saturday having returned to training after an injury suffered on international duty.

The Premier League’s top scorer picked up an ankle issue playing for Norway against Faroe Islands last Thursday. He later withdrew from the squad ahead of the Euro 2024 qualifier against Scotland.

‘The injury is not serious, but he is in so much pain and somewhat restricted function that the Scotland game unfortunately comes a little too early,’ Norway’s team doctor Ola Sand said last Saturday.

Haaland returned to Manchester for treatment at the start of the week and the striker was seen in pictures of City’s training session shared on Thursday.

ESPN report the 23-year-old is expected to be fit when Liverpool come to the Etihad in Saturday’s early kick-off.

Pep Guardiola will provide a further update on his striker in his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon.

Nathan Ake also trained with the squad on Thursday. The Netherlands international missed the 4-4 draw with Chelsea prior to the international break with an unspecified injury but appeared to be fully involved with the rest of the group on the training pitch.

Mateo Kovacic, Mathues Nunes are John Stones are City’s other injury concerns.

City are top of the Premier League, a point ahead of Liverpool and Arsenal ahead of Saturday’s heavyweight clash.

Liverpool meanwhile have received a boost of their own with four players returning to training today.

Joe Gomez, Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones and Ibrahima Konate have all returned to training having missed the victory over Brentford before the international break.

Gomez missed out through an unexplained issue with summer signing Gravenberch absent due to a knee problem.

Jones sat out of the Europa League defeat to Toulouse and the win over the Bees with a thigh injury with Konate dealing with a hamstring issue that forced him to withdraw from the France squad during the international break.

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Richard Dunne doesn’t believe Arsenal will win the Premier League this season and says that Liverpool are still Manchester City’s biggest challengers.

12 games into the campaign and it appears we’re in for a cracking title race with just three points separating the top five teams.

City lead the way on 28, ahead of Liverpool and Arsenal on 27, Tottenham on 26 and Aston Villa on 25.

And it could all change after this weekend, with City hosting Liverpool on Saturday before Arsenal travel to Brentford, while Spurs take on Villa in North London on Sunday.

Many believe the Citizens will triumph again but there is debate over who will run them the closest, with many tipping either the Gunners or the Reds to do so.

Former City captain Dunne believes it will be Jurgen Klopp’s men, rationalising that there are too many question marks surrounding Mikel Arteta’s team.

‘City and Liverpool will be up there,’ Dunne told Betway when asked about the title race and who his former side’s biggest challengers would be.

‘I’m still not sure about Arsenal and if they can compete in all the different competitions. Is their squad big enough?

‘People have already spoken about their lack of a centre forward. They’ve created their own problems in the goalkeeping department, which now seems to be a big issue.

‘Tottenham have shown they’re just not strong enough with a few injuries. I’m more inclined to go with Liverpool.’

Arsenal are looking to strengthen in the January window, with Villa’s Douglas Luiz a name on their radar, and Dunne expects the defensive midfielder – who was previously on the books of City – to make a move in the near-future.

‘Luiz will have Champions League ambition. He will know soon enough if he can do that at Villa,’ he added.

‘There are certain clubs that need that position covering, so I expect he will be sought after in the January transfer window – if not, the summer.’

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Chelsea have revealed that Wesley Fofana is back in training after rupturing his ACL back in July.

The young defender has been on the sidelines since undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery during the summer.

Such an injury usually takes between six months and a year to recover from and there were fears that he would miss the entire 2023/24 season, a massive blow for the player and club.

However, the 22-year-old has remained positive throughout the rehabilitation process and it appears his return is ahead of schedule.

Chelsea posted several photos of the France International on social media, accompanied by the caption: ‘Back on the grass’.

Though unlikely to be back playing football anytime soon, this will be a huge boost for all involved, especially given the centre-back’s ability and the fact that the Blues spent a whopping £70million on him in 2022.

In his first season at Stamford Bridge, Fofana performed well but struggled for fitness and regular game time, making just 15 Premier League appearances.

It was expected that he would play a huge part in Mauricio Pochettino’s project, and though he still likely will, he faces tough competition for a place in the starting XI from Thiago Silva, Levi Colwill, Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile.

Including Fofana, Chelsea currently have eight players in the treatment room with Ben Chilwell, Trevoh Chalobah and Carney Chukwuemeka ruled out for the foreseeable future.

However, there is a chance that Colwill, Romeo Lavia, Malo Gusto and Christopher Nkunku could be back in time for the trip to Newcastle this Saturday.

As it stands, the Blues are 10th in the table and 10 points off the top four.

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Joe Gomez, Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones and Ibrahima Konate have all returned to training ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League meeting with Manchester City this weekend.

The quartet all missed the victory over Brentford before the international break. Gomez missed out through an unexplained issue with summer signing Gravenberch absent due to a knee problem.

Jones sat out of the Europa League defeat to Toulouse and the win over the Bees with a thigh injury with Konate dealing with a hamstring issue that forced him to withdraw from the France squad during the international break.

All four were back in training on Thursday, joined by the South American contingent of Alisson Becker, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Alexis Mac Allister after returning to Merseyside this week.

Liverpool sit just a point behind City heading into Saturday afternoon’s clash at the Etihad after the champions were held to a 4-4 draw away to Chelsea last time out.

Jurgen Klopp remains without Andy Robertson who suffered a shoulder injury playing for Scotland against Spain during October’s international break.

The 29-year-old underwent surgery and has missed Liverpool’s last seven games.

In his absence, Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas have been deputising at left-back with Robertson unable to provide a clear timeframe for when he will be back to full fitness and ready to return to the starting XI.

‘I’ve not looked that far ahead yet,’ Robertson said this week. I’m just trying to take it week by week, I’m trying not to get frustrated.

‘I’m not the best injured so I’m trying to take small wins every single week.

‘I don’t want to put a game in mind and then I don’t make it or I come back before then.

‘I am just taking it slowly but surely and then there will be a time to start pushing it and when that comes I’ll try and get on the pitch as quickly as I can.’

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Rasmus Hojlund remains a doubt for Manchester United’s trip to Everton on Sunday with Erik ten Hag hopeful he will be back in action next week.

Luke Shaw however is in contention to make his return from injury at Goodison Park.

Hojlund, 20, limped off in United’s 1-0 win over Luton Town ahead of the international break, appearing to suffer a hamstring injury.

His countryman Christian Eriksen was also an injury casualty that afternoon, forced off in the first-half after suffering a knee injury. Both players were forced to withdraw from the Denmark squad as a result.

A club statement last week confirmed Eriksen is facing a month on the sidelines with Hojlund’s injury not as bad as first feared.

Speaking on Thursday, ten Hag played down the striker’s chances of featuring at Goodison Park on Sunday but suggested he will be given every opportunity to prove his fitness before then.

‘Christian will take a little bit longer,’ Erik ten Hag told the Premier League. ‘It will take some weeks until he will return.

‘Rasmus Hojlund, not too bad. Everton will be a close finish but we’re working on that.

‘We’re not sure if he can make that but, hopefully, in the next week, he will return to the squad.’

United have two pivotal fixtures next week away from home, first heading to Galatasaray in a game they must win to keep their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League alive.

They then head to St James’ Park next Sunday to take on Newcastle United, who thrashed United at Old Trafford to dump them out of the Carabao Cup in early November.

Shaw meanwhile could make his return to the side this weekend. The left-back has not played since suffering a muscle injury in September but was back in training this week ahead of the trip to Merseyside.

‘Luke Shaw has been training for two weeks with the team,’ ten Hag said. ‘We are quite hopeful that he will return to the squad for Sunday’s game.’

Andre Onana, who picked up a shoulder injury on international duty with Cameroon, has also trained this week.

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Paul Merson has urged Chelsea to stick with a front three of Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Raheem Sterling when they take on Newcastle.

Chelsea travel to St. James’ Park on Saturday when the Premier League resumes after the international break.

Both sides are among the most exciting in the league and in desperate need of a result as they fight for a place in the top four.

Newcastle are seventh, six points off the Champions League spots as they deal with a massive injury crisis, while Chelsea are a further four points behind in 10th.

But the Blues do appear to have found their rhythm under Mauricio Pochettino, having lost just one of their last eight matches, most recently holding Manchester City to a draw and beating Tottenham 4-1.

Throughout this good run, the performances of their front three have been frequently praised, with Palmer, Jackson and Sterling registering 16 goals and six assists between them so far this season.

Merson has therefore urged Pochettino not to consider mixing things up this weekend, though he isn’t sure if they will be enough to beat the Magpies.

‘This is going to be another huge game. It’s one of those games where the result will be dictated by the availability of players,’ the Arsenal legend told Sportskeeda.

‘If Chelsea can get through the first 30 minutes without getting conceding a goal, this could be an extremely interesting encounter.

‘Chelsea are starting to adapt to Mauricio Pochettino’s style. They are able to give any side a run for their money at this point.

‘I think Chelsea have to stick with Nicolas Jackson, Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer in attack. Sterling and Palmer have been in great form and they will be key here once again.

‘Chelsea’s team, at the moment, is starting to pick itself and it’s a good thing. Earlier, we used to sit around wondering how they were going to line up. But that’s changed now.

‘Despite all that, Newcastle at home are always up for any challenge and I see this game ending in a draw. Predicted scoreline: Newcastle United 1-1 Chelsea.’

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Roy Keane was left stunned by Ian Wright’s prediction that Everton will do a job on Manchester United this weekend, insisting trouble at Goodison Park ‘won’t turn them into Barcelona’.

With the international break over, United head to Merseyside on Sunday afternoon with Everton reeling from a 10-point deduction for violating the competition’s profit and sustainability rules.

It leaves Sean Dyche’s side joint-bottom for the Premier League with Burnley on four points.

Everton will appeal the decision handed down last week with a charged atmosphere at Goodison expected when United come to town.

The Toffees head into that game unbeaten in their last four, beating Crystal Palace away last time out having also held Brighton to a draw.

Former Arsenal star Wright predicts a fierce response from the home crowd in support of their beleaguered side, backing them to beat United ‘3-1 or 3-0’ in his match predictions alongside Keane on Stick to Football.

The former United captain was having none of it, however.

‘The atmosphere won’t turn them into f*****g into Barcelona! It’s still the same players,’ Keane said.

Wright continued: ‘This Everton side with how they are going to feel against this United side, I fancy them. I’d go 3-1, no, 3-0 Everton.’

An incredulous Keane replied: ‘If United score the first goal they will be booing them. Everton are down and everyone thinks that because they have had bad news they will turn up and be like Barcelona. At home they are still a bit dodgy.’

The two, teaming up for their predictions against Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher, eventually settled on a 2-2 draw, not before Wright added: ‘I guarantee you it will be 3-2 Everton.’

United boss Erik ten Hag expects a response from the home side but says the weight of the problems at the club could also work against them.

Asked if his side are facing Everton at the an inopportune moment, ten Hag said: ‘That’s definitely the case. But we can’t do anything about it. You have to take it like it is but of course, they get more fuel but that can also work against them.

‘But it’s not about that, it’s about us. We have to focus on the game and our way of playing. We have to make sure we are ready and we start the game with the right attitude. It’s always about a winning attitude.’

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has praised Harry Maguire for his response to criticism and insists the defender has proved why he should remain at Manchester United.

Maguire’s future at Old Trafford looked over in the summer after Erik ten Hag stripped him of the captaincy.

The England international was also given the green light to leave United, however, West Ham were unable to reach an agreement during the summer transfer window.

Maguire has struggled for playing time during Ten Hag’s reign but the 30-year-old delivered several solid performances before the international break.

And Solskjaer has been impressed with Maguire’s resurgence at United.

‘I think he has dealt with it in a fantastic way,’ Solskjaer told Nettavisen.

‘It has not been easy. I have kept in touch with him and I have nothing but praise for the guy.

‘He has been in it. It’s not easy to leave Manchester United because you know there’s a downturn almost everywhere you go. You get paid for your efforts when you are that type, when you are a good footballer and show that you have a heart for the club,

‘I guess he has gradually learned who to listen to. I am very happy that Harry in particular shows what kind of player he is, but not least what kind of type and person he is. That’s why I made him captain. We in Norway call it ‘hell wood’.’

Solskjaer also praised Scott McTominay, who was another player heavily linked with a move away from United in the summer.

‘I knew they had it in them, and I think it’s these types of people who get paid for their efforts and get paid back for what kind of people they are,’ Solskjaer said.

‘They are the kind of people you want in a team.’

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Casemiro is contemplating leaving Manchester United for one last payday in Saudi Arabia but is reluctant to force an exit, according to reports.

The 31-year-old has struggled for both form and fitness this season and has missed United’s last four Premier League matches as well as their crunch Champions League ties against Copenhagen.

He picked up an ankle problem while on international duty with Brazil last month and then suffered a hamstring injury on his return to action against Newcastle, with the veteran expected to be sidelined until after Christmas.

There is now the potential that Casemiro might not don a United shirt again, however, with Relevo reporting that he is considering his options ahead of the January window opening.

The former Real Madrid superstar, who was so used to being part of a winning machine at the Bernabeu, is slightly disillusioned by United’s lack of competitiveness this season.

He moved to Old Trafford in the hope of challenging for the title, but United have already lost nine of their 18 games in all competitions this season and now face a challenging run of games.

Casemiro still has two-and-a-half years left on his current contract, with the option for an additional year, but he is giving serious thought to jumping ship.

He is attracted to the possibility of playing in Saudi Arabia, particularly with so many of his former team-mates – for club and country – currently playing there.

Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino make up a glittering quintet of players Casemiro knows well, and who would help him settle in Saudi Arabia.

He does not currently have an official offer on the table from the Saudi Pro League but several clubs would be willing to submit a proposal – both to United and Casemiro – if he decides he wants to leave Old Trafford.

United are conscious of the fact that Casemiro could be tempted into leaving, but they want him to stay and feel he is a valuable part of the leadership group at the club.

They hope to convince him to stay for at least one more full season, while there is little chance he will be allowed to leave in January unless a gargantuan offer is made, with manager Erik ten Hag currently dealing with an injury crisis.

There is also optimism that United’s incoming injection of cash and fresh ideas from Sir Jim Ratcliffe might ease Casemiro’s concerns over their lack of form recently and get the team back on track to challenge for major honours.

While Casemiro would like to explore a potentially massive payday from Saudi, he has not ruled out staying at United either and certainly has no intention of forcing a move.

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Manchester United star Aaron Wan-Bissaka has received an offer to change international allegiance to DR Congo ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Born in London, Wan-Bissaka is eligible to represent the Democratic Republic of Congo through his heritage and did make one appearance for their U20 side way back in 2015.

He went onto play five times for England’s youth teams but has never been capped at senior level largely down to the national team’s great depth at right-back.

The 25-year-old was called up once by Gareth Southgate in September 2019 but had to pull out of the squad because of a back injury.

With his Three Lions career now non-existent, Wan-Bissaka’s international future has always been speculated upon, and now The Athletic report that DR Congo have approached him about representing them.

They hope to convince the Crystal Palace icon to switch allegiance quickly so he can play at the upcoming AFCON tournament which will be held in the Ivory Coast.

Should he accept, he’d arguably be the biggest name in the country’s roster that also includes Brentford’s Yoanne Wissa and former West Ham defender Arthur Masuaku.

But with the tournament set to take place from 13th January to 11th February, this could spell disaster for United who could potentially be without three key players during this time.

Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana and Morocco midfielder Sofyan Ambrabat are also expected to go to AFCON.

The trio could therefore miss Premier League clashes against Tottenham, Wolves, West Ham and Aston Villa.

And depending if and how they progress, they could also miss FA Cup matches as well as the first-leg of the Champions League round of 16 or Europa League knockout round play-off.

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Thomas Tuchel insists he wants Thomas Muller to remain at Bayern Munich beyond the end of the season.

Muller’s current contract expires next summer and the 34-year-old could end up leaving Bayern on a free transfer.

It’s understood that Muller has not begun talks with Bayern over a new deal, while the forward is expected to receive lucrative offers from the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer.

Manchester United could also revive their interest after Erik ten Hag failed with a move for Muller last January.

But Tuchel is keen for Muller to see out his career at Bayern.

‘Of course we want him on our team,’ Tuchel said.

‘It goes without saying that he wants to continue.

‘He is in great shape, keen to train and play, he is a footballer through and through. Why shouldn’t he continue playing at the highest level?

‘Of course, we don’t know now what role he will have in the new season.

‘I see him very positively because he is someone who gives the team energy.

‘It’s only November now, so of course we can’t say how his role will develop, but he is a legendary player, an icon for our team and gets the maximum respect.’

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Jamie Carragher has criticised the seven Premier League rebels who vetoed a ban on loan deals between related clubs and says Newcastle United should have to ‘pay’ for the ‘mistake’ they made in signing Sandro Tonali.

The Magpies, who are owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, have been linked with a January loan swoop for Ruben Neves, who currently plays for PIF-owned Al-Hilal, as a replacement for marquee summer signing Tonali, who is serving a 10-month ban for breaching betting rules.

Such a deal could have been outlawed this week when the Premier League held a vote to implement a temporary ban on deals between related clubs; 14 votes were required but seven clubs – Chelsea, Manchester City, Newcastle, Sheffield United, Everton, Wolves and Nottingham Forest – opposed it.

As such, Newcastle could now sign Neves on loan from effectively a sister club just a few months after he left Wolves in a £47million deal – something Carragher feels is completely wrong and should not be allowed to happen.

Speaking on Sky Bet’s Stick To Football show, Carragher said: ‘The problem with it yesterday, which I don’t like, when you talk about Newcastle and you talk about Neves and it’s just almost like a rumour.

‘When you think about Tonali, Newcastle have bought a player from AC Milan, and you could argue – strongly – that Newcastle haven’t done their due diligence.

‘They don’t know enough about what’s going on in this guy’s private life, they’ve then spent a lot of money and they’re going to lose the player. Now that should hurt them as a club because they haven’t done things the right way.

‘So they shouldn’t then be allowed to go and get, for instance, maybe a Neves – who is a £50m player – for free, on a loan, because they’ve made a mistake.

‘If they’ve made a mistake, they should almost pay for it – like you would do with scouting and bringing players in.’

Fellow pundit Gary Neville does not believe the issue can be regulated by the Premier League themselves, saying: ‘This is beyond football people to stop this.

‘What you’d hope for, at some point in the future, is that good leadership will return to this country, generally not just in football but in parliament as well. And we’ll have a good government who basically bring back some sort of law and order and some empathy and some sort of social approach.

‘That doesn’t mean that we can’t have an unbelievable Premier League, it just means that this type of manoeuvring – which we’re watching at the moment – financial manoeuvring, power shifts, political games that we see [might stop].

‘I think what we’re seeing in the game at the moment is really dangerous.’

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Barcelona are considering a bid to sign Tottenham midfielder Giovani Lo Celso in January, according to reports in Spain.

Barca suffered a major setback during the international break as Gavi suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury, which rules him out for the rest of the season.

Xavi had made Lo Celso one of his midfield targets in the summer transfer window but Barca were unable to reach an agreement with Spurs due to their financial restrictions.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the Argentina international remains on Barca’s shortlist and will be their first-choice target if they opt to sign a replacement for Gavi in the upcoming transfer window.

The report claims that Barca are also hopeful of registering Brazilian forward Vitor Roque after agreeing a €35 million (£30m) deal with Athletico Paranaense in the summer.

Spurs, however, are understood to be keen on keeping Lo Celso until the end of the season.

The 27-year-old is yet to start in the Premier League this season but the injury to James Maddison should see him given more opportunities at Spurs.

Spurs will also lose Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr when the Africa Cup of Nations begins in January.

The Evening Standard reports that Spurs will reject any approach from Barcelona for Lo Celso.

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Destiny Udogie is in line to return to the Tottenham starting XI after overcoming a hamstring problem that ruled him out of the latest international fixtures.

The 20-year-old has enjoyed an excellent campaign so far, starting the first nine Premier League games of the season and emerging as a key player for Ange Postecoglou.

However, he has endured a difficult couple of weeks more recently, with a muscle injury coupled with suspension limiting his game time.

Udogie was withdrawn after just 56 minutes against Fulham at the backend of October, having complained of tightness at half-time, and then missed the subsequent trip to face Crystal Palace.

Despite barely training in the build-up he returned to the side against Chelsea, though picked up two yellow cards and was given his marching orders as Spurs were reduced to nine men in a 4-1 defeat.

That dismissal meant he was suspended for Tottenham’s 2-1 defeat to Wolves last time out, though he likely would not have played anyway due to his hamstring problem.

Udogie was initially selected in Italy’s squad for crucial Euro 2024 qualifiers against North Macedonia and Ukraine but was forced to withdraw, with Luciano Spalletti confirming it was due to injury.

But he has now allayed fears over his hamstring issue and says he has fully recovered from the problem ahead of the visit of Aston Villa on Sunday.

Speaking to The Athletic this week, Udogie said he is ‘feeling really good’ and will ‘definitely’ be ready to face Villa.

Udogie also spoke about his relationship with Postecoglou and his adaptation as an inverted left-back, saying: ‘The first day I came in, he called me to speak with him and he told me I’m a key player for him. He explained what he wanted from me, and knowing I had the trust of the head coach was a big motivation.’

He added: ‘At the beginning playing as an inverted full-back was a bit different because I was a wing-back. As a wing-back I’m just on the side, but playing partly in midfield you have to be aware of what’s going on behind you.

‘You have to be ready before you receive the ball. You have to know what is behind you and in front of you and what you’re going to do. So it’s a bit like being a midfielder. At the beginning I was more operating close to the wing. But step by step, I move more inside, feel more secure. It’s going well. I’m enjoying it.’

While Udogie may be back, a number of other players remain sidelined for Spurs with Romero serving the second of his three-match ban and Micky van de Ven and James Maddison both out of action until the new year.

Guglielmo Vicario suffered from ‘flu symptoms’ while on international duty with Italy but is believed to have recovered from his illness, with Eric Dier and Ben Davies expected to continue at centre-back in front of him.

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Blackpool forward Jake Daniels has said it was a slap in the face when Jordan Henderson moved to play in Saudi Arabia.

Daniels last year became the first openly gay active British male professional footballer since Justin Fashanu in 1990.

Former Liverpool captain Henderson had been a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community before his decision to join Saudi club Al-Ettifaq from Liverpool in the summer.

Homosexuality is illegal in the Gulf state, leading some to accuse the England midfielder of turning his back on the community.

Speaking to the BBC’s Newsbeat, Daniels said: ‘He (Henderson) messaged me when I came out. He was backing me and said: ‘We’re proud of what you’ve done.’

‘Seeing him move to Saudi, it kind of like, slaps me in my face really. Obviously it was frustrating. But I guess the money pays well, and money must mean more to people.’

Henderson’s former Liverpool and England team-mate Steven Gerrard is currently his manager in the Saudi Pro League.

Daniels, who made his senior debut for Blackpool in May 2022, said Gerrard had personally reached out out to him following his decision to come out.

He added: ‘I met him in person and he said: ‘If you ever want to get in contact then message me’. But he moved over (to Saudi Arabia). It was frustrating.’

Saudi Arabia is the sole bidder to host the 2034 men’s World Cup, 12 years after Qatar – where homosexuality is also illegal – staged the global tournament.

Daniels said he ‘wouldn’t feel safe’ travelling to such places.

He said: ‘The World Cup that happened in Qatar, the one that is going to happen in Saudi Arabia, for me if I was there I wouldn’t feel safe, so that’s just putting your football in jeopardy.’

Daniels believes his decision to come out 18 months ago has helped his career.
‘It has been crazy since coming out,’ he added.

‘I didn’t think it would blow up as much as it did. The reception I’ve had, the people I’ve met, it’s been a crazy experience.

‘Coming out was the best thing I’ve ever done. I’m playing better now.’

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Former Chelsea and Brighton manager Graham Potter has turned down the chance to manage the Sweden national team with his focus on returning to club management.

Potter, brought into replace Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge in September 2022, was dismissed just seven months into his five-year contract after winning only seven of his 22 Premier League games in charge.

The 48-year-old is still to return to management but was shortlisted for the Sweden job with current coach Janne Andersson leaving the role this week after failing to secure qualification for next summer’s European Championship.

Swedish FA secretary general Andrea Mollerberg revealed last month Potter was one of the names under consideration.

But Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet report he has turned down the chance to be considered for the role.

Potter reportedly indicated that his preference is to return to club football.

Potter rose to prominence managing in Sweden in charge of Ostersunds from 2011 to 2018. After a year at Swansea City, he was brought in by Brighton to replace Chris Hughton.

The former Blues boss has also been linked with Manchester United ahead of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s imminent minority takeover where he and his team are expected to take control of all sporting matters.

Ratcliffe and Sir David Brailsford are thought to be fans of Potter having wanted him at Nice.

Potter was tipped as a possible replacement for Erik ten Hag if the new administration sought to make changes once they have arrived at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag’s position at Old Trafford has come under scrutiny this season having lost nine of their opening games in all competitions this season.

Wins over Fulham and Luton eased the pressure on the Dutchman somewhat heading into the international break with United insisting in early November they are not lining up potential replacements for the manager.

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Glen Johnson has urged Mauricio Pochettino to use Cole Palmer in a central position, not convinced he is ‘strong or quick enough’ to excel in a wide role.

Palmer joined Chelsea from Manchester City on the final day of the summer transfer window and has shone at Stamford Bridge since breaking into the first-team at the start of October.

The England international has registered four goals and two assists in his last five Premier League outings, on target against Tottenham and City starting on the right side of attack in a front three alongside Nicolas Jackson and Raheem Sterling.

With Conor Gallagher in fine form in a central role in front of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, most of Palmer’s minutes have come from that role on the right.

Former Blues full-back Johnson describes the 21-year-old as ‘the real deal’ and believes he can further shine if he is played further inside.

‘Cole Palmer has been doing great,’ Johnson told Squawka.

‘He’s obviously got a great mentality stepping up for penalties and performing against his old team.

‘He looks calm on the ball, looks like he’s enjoying his football and it’s good to see, I think he’s the real deal.

‘I prefer to see him in the middle, behind the striker. At the moment, I don’t think he’s quick or strong enough to be isolated one on one with defenders and is best receiving it on the half turn and being clever with his passes into strikers.

‘He’s the sort of player strikers love to play with, but I don’t think that he’s the kind of player a full-back hates to play against one on one on.

‘He’s intelligent and can play through the lines in the middle, and that’s where he should be used by Chelsea.’

Chelsea sit in 10th place ahead of the return of the Premier League this weekend.

The Blues head to St James’ Park to take on Newcastle United on Saturday.

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William Saliba was put to the test to identify former Arsenal stars – but mistakenly took former Gunner Philippe Senderos for current Everton boss Sean Dyche.

In the hilarious video with NBC Sports, the France international correctly named Alex Song, Andrey Arshavin, Yaya Sanogo and Gervinho when shown shots of the players during their time in north London.

But when shown a picture of retired centre-half Senderos, Saliba said: ‘It is the coach of Everton?’ referring to current Toffees boss Dyche.

The interviewer replied: ‘No, no, it looks like him! This one is a Swiss defender.’

The hint didn’t do the trick with Saliba none the wiser.

Senderos joined Arsenal in 2003 and spent seven years at the club, making 116 appearances for the side under Arsene Wenger.

His time at Arsenal also included loan stints with AC Milan and Everton, spending four years at Fulham after leaving north London in 2010.

Having also been capped 57 times for Switzerland, Senderos retired from professional football in 2019.

Saliba has emerged as one of the most important players in Mikel Arteta’s side, enjoying a sublime first full season in English football last term as Arsenal challenged Manchester City for the Premier League title.  

After suffering a back injury towards the end of the 2022-23 season – a blow coinciding with Arsenal’s collapse that left City with a free run to the title – he has been ever present in the starting XI this season, starting and completing all 12 league matches.

He has also been a constant presence in Champions League group games, playing the full 90 in all four matches so far.

The 22-year-old will return to the capital after international duty with France, coming off the bench in the 14-0 win over Gibraltar and starting Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Greece.

Arsenal return to league action away to Brentford on Saturday evening.

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Harry Maguire has accepted an apology from the Ghana MP Isaac Adongo for mocking the Manchester United defender.

Last year, Adongo aimed a bizarre swipe at the England international during a speech discrediting his political rival’s economic policies during a parliamentary session.

In an unfavourable comparison to Ghana’s vice-president Mahamudu Bawumia who he accused of scoring political own goals, Adongo said: ‘There is a player like you in the United Kingdom in England called Maguire that is playing for Manchester United.

‘He became the biggest threat at the centre of Manchester United’s defence, tackling his own players and giving assists to opponents.

‘Even when the opponents failed to score, Maguire would score for them.’

Adongo’s comments came while Maguire was enduring a torrid spell at United, having lost his place in the side under Erik ten Hag.

Speaking on Tuesday, Adongo said sorry to Maguire for those comments, describing him as a ‘transformational footballer’.

Maguire has now accepted his apology. Responding to a clip of Adongo’s latest comments, the former United captain wrote on Twitter: ‘MP Issac Adongo apology accepted . See you at Old Trafford soon.’

Maguire was stripped of the United captaincy in the summer and looked to set to leave Old Trafford for West Ham United.

The move was never agreed however with Maguire forcing his way back into the team this season, enjoying a revival in form despite problems elsewhere in the side.

 The former Leicester City star has been preferred to World Cup winner Raphael Varane in recent weeks and is expected to keep his place in the side when the Premier League resumes this weekend.

United are in action away to Everton.

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Chelsea have reportedly joined the likes of Manchester City and Newcastle in the race to sign Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are also said to be keeping tabs on the winger who enjoyed a fantastic maiden season in Naples in 2022/23.

Kvaratskhelia scored 14 goals and made 17 assists in 43 appearances across all competitions, as Napoli stormed to the Serie A title.

His efforts saw him named Serie A Most Valuable Player and Champions League Young Player of the Season, and he also finished 17th in the Ballon d’Or, ahead of the likes of Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.

It is no wonder then that interest in the 22-year-old, who has eight goal contributions in 15 games so far this season, is so high.

ESPN report that Chelsea are tracking the Georgia international but will face competition from the four aforementioned sides.

Given how Todd Boehly’s transfer strategy has centred around recruiting highly-rated young talents, this should not come as a shock though the Blues are not expected to make a move for Kvaratskhelia just yet.

For starters, Mauricio Pochettino’s more pressing priority is to sign a centre-forward, with the likes of Brentford’s Ivan Toney and Kvaratskhelia’s Napoli teammate Victor Osimhen on his radar.

Chelsea’s squad already contains plenty of wingers and attacking midfielders like Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer.

Moreover, with a net spend of over £692million since Boehly bought the club, the Blues may have to hold off on big money signings in order to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.

And Kvaratskhelia will certainly be a big money signing with Napoli valuing him at over €100m (£87m) and it is said that talks over extending his contract beyond its current 2027 expiry are going well.

Moreover, Chelsea may not even have it in their budget to sign him should they fail to qualify for the Champions League this season.

Pochettino’s side are currently 10th in the table, 10 points off the top four, and face a tricky trip to Newcastle on Saturday.

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Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus admits ‘goals are not my strong point’ after failing to score during international duty with Brazil once again.

Jesus was unable to find the net in Brazil’s 1-0 defeat to Argentina on Tuesday evening, which extends his record to nine games without a goal for his national side.

The 26-year-old has fared better at club level, scoring 11 goals in 26 Premier League appearances for Arsenal last season following his £45 million move from Manchester City.

But despite his poor record for Brazil, which currently stands at one goal in 29 appearances since October 2019, Jesus insists his barren run will end at some stage.

‘There are things that bothered me a lot in the post 2018 World Cup cycle. I was younger, I had a different mentality,’ Jesus told reporters in Brazil.

‘Today I am a more mature man, more educated, a family man. I understand football is a priority for me, and I know I need to be well to do my best, especially for Brazil.

‘There are things that I can’t control. I train, I look for, I try, I move, I help the team. I believe that goals are not my strong point, but I score goals, I’m there to score goals. I did so much in the national team.

‘When I score goals again, it’s going to happen. It’s work. I work quietly, I’m not one to respond to criticism, I’m not one to be happy with praise. I was, I won’t be anymore.’

When asked to explain Brazil’s defeat to Argentina, Jesus said: ‘I believe we played well, better than them.

‘They had a chance at the dead ball. We could have defended better, unfortunately it happened.

‘We don’t want to lose games. But we have to keep our heads in place.’

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Ghanaian MP Isaac Adongo has issued an apology to Harry Maguire after he unfavourably compared the Manchester United defender to the African nation’s vice-president Mahamudu Bawumia.

Speaking last December, Adongo mocked Maguire in Ghanaian parliament during an attack on his political rival.

Adongo said during a budget address to Bawumia: ‘There is a player like you in the United Kingdom in England called Maguire that is playing for Manchester United.

‘He became the biggest threat at the centre of Manchester United’s defence, tackling his own players and giving assists to opponents.

‘Even when the opponents failed to score, Maguire would score for them.’

Adongo added that Bawumia ‘is now tackling all the fundamentals of our economy and destroying all of them’.

But speaking on the floor of parliament on Tuesday, Adongo issued an apology to Maguire and described the former Manchester Unite captain as a ‘transformational footballer’.

‘If you remember last year I was very quick to compare Mahamudu Bawumia to Harry Maguire,’ Adongo said.

‘Mr Speaker I now apologise Harry Maguire.

‘Mr Chairman, you got very angry when I used your defender as an example. Today Maguire has turned the corner, he’s a transformational footballer. Harry Maguire is now scoring goals for Manchester United.

‘Mr Speaker Harry Maguire is now a key player for Manchester United, as for our Maguire, he is now roaming at the high heavens with a cup in hand.

‘As for our Maguire [Bawumia], the economic Maguire, he was able to get pensioners to leave their homes and come and parade in the streets.’

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Former Newcastle manager Steve Bruce has claimed that Sean Longstaff was ‘never close’ to signing for Manchester United.

In the summer of 2019, Longstaff was heavily linked with switching St. James’ Park for Old Trafford as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer began his Red Devils rebuild.

The midfielder was up for the move, but Newcastle’s asking price of £50million put off United and though they were still interested when the the transfer window re-opened the following January, the transfer never materialised.

At the time, a move from relegation battlers Newcastle to Champions League bound United would have been very desirable but fast-forward four years and Longstaff is surely very happy that it didn’t happen.

Backed by their new owners, the Magpies are playing in the UCL and Longstaff is a key player in Eddie Howe’s side.

Back in April, the 26-year-old slammed Howe’s predecessor Bruce, admitting he didn’t enjoy playing under him and he felt as if the United legend wasn’t coaching him properly.

Bruce has now responded to these comments and says he holds no ill will towards the midfielder, but also revealed that the player was very much determined to join United – though the transfer was actually ‘never on the cards’.

‘I inherited Sean at a time where a big money move to Manchester United was on the cards. Newcastle were turning down a colossal amount of money, and that was swirling around at the time,’ Bruce told Gambling Zone.

‘Sean was recovering from an awful injury at the time. He’s entitled to his opinion, and he’s shown maturity over the last couple of years. 

‘We had him almost five years ago. He was a lot younger then, a lot of things were swirling around, and that was combined with a long-term injury.

‘I’ve been nothing but impressed with how he’s got on, and you have to accept that criticism of a part of management. Not everybody is going to like you, and I never expected him to.

‘It’s never given as a manager. There were times where Sean needed to mature, and he has done. He’s proven to be a very good player.

‘Sean Longstaff’s move to Man United was never close. He was insistent that it was at one point, but I knew Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Mike Phelan – it was never on the cards.’

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Luis Suarez has labelled Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez as one of the best striker’s in the world after Uruguay’s 3-0 win against Bolivia on Tuesday.

Nunez scored twice in the victory which has put Uruguay second in the South American World Cup qualifying group behind Argentina.

Nunez also found the net in Uruguay’s 2-0 win against Argentina last Friday, while Suarez replaced the Liverpool striker as a second-half substitute in both games.

Suarez, who turns 37 in January, insists he is ‘happy ‘very happy’ with his reduced role for Uruguay, claiming that he is back-up to ‘one of the best No.9s in the world’ in Nunez.

‘I am in a role that leaves me very happy, trying to help with whatever I have to,’ said Suarez.

‘I have one of the best No.9s in the world in front of me today, which is Darwin.

‘The group needs him as he is performing and the only thing I have to do is contribute in what I have to and applaud him for what he is doing.’

When told about Suarez’s claim that he is one of the world’s best strikers, Nunez said: ‘Hearing that he praises me makes me very happy.

‘The best striker, for me, is him, you have to enjoy him in the moments he is with us.

‘He’s one of the best No.9s in the history of Uruguay and you have to enjoy him.’

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Erik ten Hag failed with an attempt to sign Thomas Muller for Manchester United, according to reports in Germany.

Muller, who turned 34 in September, has spent his entire career at Bayern, helping the club win 32 trophies.

Muller’s current contract with Bayern is due to extend at the end of the season and the forward has already indicated that he has no plans to retire.

According to SportBild, Bayern are planning initial talks with Muller over a new deal but an agreement is not guaranteed.

The report claims that staying at Bayern would be Muller’s preference but the Germany international is expected to receive lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia and Major League Soccer.

However, Manchester United could also reignite their interest after failing in their move for Muller a year ago.

SportBild claim that Ten Hag wanted to sign Muller in the last January transfer window due to his vast experience, but the forward turned down a move to Old Trafford.

Speaking this week, Muller confirmed that he will continue his playing career until at least 2025.

‘I definitely want to play for another year beyond 2024,’ Muller told SportBild.

‘At least that’s my plan. I’m still enjoying being on the pitch, I hope that’s showing.’

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Arsenal have received a major fitness boost ahead of Saturday’s return to Premier League action against Brentford.

The Gunners headed into the international break on the back of a routine home win over Burnley which ensured the gap to leaders Manchester City remained just a solitary point.

Mikel Arteta’s side face another stiff test of their title credentials this weekend, however, when they travel across London to the Gtech Community Stadium.

The Bees had won three games in succession before their 3-0 defeat at Anfield where the scoreline didn’t do justice to another impressive performance by Thomas Frank’s side who have only lost once at home in the league this season.

Arsenal’s cause will at least be boosted by the likely return of skipper Martin Odegaard who was spotted back in first team training on Tuesday.

The club captain missed the last three games through a combination of a hip injury and latterly concussion, before skipping international duty with Norway.

Given the continued absence of Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe, plus the suspension of Fabio Vieira, who was given a straight red card against Burnley, Odegaard’s availability will represent a major boost to Arteta.

Speaking before the international break, Arteta was hopeful he would have his main creative spark back for the trip to Brentford on Saturday.

‘With Martin, again he tried his best to be available but it wasn’t possible. We need players back because at the moment we are really struggling.’

Speaking ahead of last Sunday’s clash with Scotland, meanwhile, Norway boss Stale Solbakken revealed he had spoken to Odegaard, confident the midfielder is nearing full fitness.

‘I’ve just come from a 45-minute talk with Martin,’ Solbakken told a press conference. ‘He is getting better and better and gradually stepping up. It has been more or less three weeks without any special training, so it is important to take things step by step.

‘Both he and Arsenal probably hope that he is available for the Brentford match.’

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Chelsea have been handed an injury boost with Levi Colwill and Malo Gusto returning to training ahead of the return of the Premier League.

Colwill withdrew from the England squad ahead of final Euro 2024 qualifies against Malta and North Macedonia with a shoulder problem. The 21-year-old also missed the 4-4 draw with Manchester City prior to the international break having previously started all of the Blues’ Premier League games this term.

Gusto meanwhile withdrew from the France Under-21 squad with a knee injury.

There was good news for the Blues this week however with both defenders back on the training pitch and are expected to be available for the trip to Newcastle United on Saturday.

Chrostopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia are also continuing to step their respective returns from injury although it remains to be seen whether either player will be deemed fit enough for selection this weekend.

Both summer signings are still to make their competitive debuts for Chelsea.

Fans are desperate to see Nkunku in action following his impressive stint at Leipzig, where he registered 70 goals and 56 assists across 172 games.

But a serious knee injury suffering in pre-season ruled him out since his switch to Stamford Bridge.

Pochettino is excited by Nkunku’s return and praised the attitude he has shown throughout his time on the sidelines.

‘We had a conversation and he said to me “I want to be ready for after the international break,”‘ the Argentine said before the international break.

‘I said to him yesterday “you are a liar”, but he is doing really well and we are very happy with how he is doing with his recovery. He is very professional.

Hopefully next week he can be back involved with the team [in training] and then day by day see how it goes from there.’

Lavia, who joined in a £58million move from Southampton, spent the opening weeks of the season getting up to speed with life under Mauricio Pochettino. But an ankle injury suffered in training in September delayed his introduction to the side.

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Raphael Varane is set to leave Manchester United next summer with a January exit not currently under consideration.

The World Cup winner formed a formidable partnership alongside Lisandro Martinez at Old Trafford last season but has fallen down the pecking order this term.

Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans has been the preferred partnership with Martinez ruled out, with Varane starting just one of United’s last eight games.

Even with Evans ruled out in the win over Luton Town ahead of the international break, Victor Lindelof was preferred at the heart of defence with Erik ten Hag reluctant to play Maguire and Varane together.

The former France international has been linked with a January move away with Bayern Munich considering a bid. But according to The Sun, Erik ten Hag will not sanction a mid-season exit.

His long-term future is less certain however with the report claiming Varane is interested in a move to Italy or Saudi Arabia at the end of the season.

Ten Hag has insisted there has been no falling out between him and the player, with tactical reasons and Maguire’s return to form causing him to lose his regular place in the side.

Absolutely not,’ Ten Hag said earlier this month when asked if there was a wider issue between him and Varane. ‘As I said, it is about tactical reasons why I chose these partnerships. I think Harry and Jonny did well.

‘What I said last year, Harry didn’t play a lot, so I was very happy with Rapha’s performances. I have always been happy with his performance. But in this moment, Harry is playing very well and there is internal competition.’

He continued: ‘There are moments in certain games where they (Maguire and Varane) can play together and they have already proven they can do it.

But the build-up is not that fluid when one of them is playing from the left centre-back position.

‘Because I think Licha, obviously, Luke Shaw, obviously, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof are right-footed, but they can play really comfortably with their left and make the right angles.

‘Then you can construct a better formation where you can start to play.’

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