Real Madrid eye Mane bid
Real Madrid are constantly monitoring Liverpool forward Sadio Mane with the intention of bringing him to Spain and lowering the age of their forward line. Mane impressed last season, and has started brightly this year despite serving a ban for kicking Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson in the face. The European champions will face competition from Barcelona for his signature, who are still rebuilding following Neymar‘s exit.
Liverpool’s Senegalese midfielder Sadio Mane (R) celebrates with teammatesGetty Images
Paper Round’s view: This has been a story for two weeks in a row now, which suggests that there could be something in it – it is common for Real to ramp up the pressure on a player and a club when they want to unsettle a target. Mane, at 25, would probably cost in excess of £100m after this summer’s rapid transfer inflation, but the two biggest clubs in the world should be able to find the funds.
Welbeck and Ramsey could run down Arsenal contracts
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wants to tie down Danny Welbeck and Aaron Ramsey to new contracts, as their current deals expire in 2019. Welbeck and Ramsey could leave for nothing in two years, or perhaps force a cut-price move through next summer. Wenger already has to negotiate the exits, or contract renewals, of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, both of whom can sign pre-contract agreements in January.
Arsenal’s Danny Welbeck, Aaron Ramsey and Nacho Monreal look dejected after the gameReuters
Paper Round’s view: Ramsey and Welbeck would clearly not attract the level of interest as Sanchez and Ozil, but if they have to play for one last big contract, we might see a big improvement in the consistency of their performance level, and they might even force themselves to play through more games in a season to impress potential suitors. Both of them are approaching their prime, but clearly need some kind of catalyst to end their career on a high.
Mourinho turns to Martial
Jose Mourinho might start the game against Southampton with Anthony Martial in attack. The Manchester United boss is aware that goals are potentially even more importan than usual, as only alphabetical order separates Manchester City and United at the top of the table. To that end, he might introduce Martial to an attack that already has Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford, as the team prepare to face Southampton.
Paper Round’s view: The quotes from the press conference from Mourinho are less compelling for this interpretation, but it is clear that Martial is back in Mourinho’s good books after a difficult season. It’s not hard to see why, as Martial’s direct play has been far more effective and threatening in the start of the season compared to last year, and he could be a vital option over the course of the season.
Shaw still on the sidelines at Old Trafford
Mourinho has clarified that another player, Luke Shaw, is not forcing his way into the first team as convincingly as Martial. Shaw returned from a five month injury lay off to play 45 minutes against Burton Albion in the Carabao Cup on Wedneday, but will not feature against his former club, Southampton. Mourinho believes he is not yet at the required level for Premier League competition.
Paper Round’s view: Shaw played as well as could be expected after yet another long period off with injury, but it is fair that Mourinho would want him to undergo a little more rigorous training before he features against the top sides. While Shaw was often on the naughty step with Mourinho last season, Martial’s resurgence has proven to the 22-year-old England defender that there is a way to convince Mourinho to change his mind.
