MANCHESTER UNITED are preparing for the visit of Aston Villa in mourning after the death of former manager Tommy Docherty aged 92.
Edinson Cavani will miss the New Year's Day clash after being banned for his Instagram post which contained a racist word and the Uruguayan has apologised for his hair-brained interaction.
Meanwhile there is plenty of interest on the transfer front too, with Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish still top targets for the Red Devils.
Follow all the latest with our blog below…
- Dave Fraser
HAPPY NEW YEAR, UNITED FANS!
And a very happy new year to Jesse Lingard!
The Manchester United academy product has had his contract extended with a one-year option triggered by the club.
Despite the midfielder being out-of-favour this season, the club have moved swiftly so as not to lose him on a free in the summer.
With that in mind, Bruno Fernandes has vowed to go all-out to win the title this season.
He told the United website: “We have to achieve trophies. It’s all about trophies – the Carabao Cup, the FA Cup, in the Europa League and the league.
“We have to go for all of them. We have the team to do that and the qualities to do that.
“You have to believe until it is not more possible, that you can fight for all of them. If we win trophies, it is the most important thing."
And Sami Khedira could be making his way to join the Red Devils in their bid.
Juventus are ready to let the German go with United, Everton and Tottenham all linked with a contract offer.
The midfielder told The Athletic: “The Premier League is still missing in my collection, to play there would be the icing on the cake.
"I’ve done extra sessions with fitness coaches to get myself ready for the pace and intensity."
Elsewhere, sadly, former United manager Tommy Docherty has passed away at the age of 92.
The Scot lost a long battle with illness and will be fondly remembered at Old Trafford for leading the team to the 1977 FA Cup.
Finally, Edinson Cavan has been given a three-game ban and fined £100,000 for a ‘racist’ Instagram post in which he used the word ‘negrito’.
- Marc Mayo
MAKE A WISH
What will Manchester United fans be dreaming off as the clock strikes midnight tonight?
A top-four finish? Paul Pogba to stay?
A league title?
That’s what dreams are for…
Credit: Getty Images – Getty - Marc Mayo
MORE OF THE SAME
Marcus Rashford had the honour of capping 2020 for Manchester United with this late winner.
Red Devils fans would certainly take it as a good omen for the 12 months ahead…
- Marc Mayo
HE’S OUR CAI
Moses Caicedo could be a name Manchester United fans want to become familiar with.
The Red Devils are reportedly keen to do a deal for the Ecuadorian teenager next month.
Current club Independiente del Valle would seek around £5m for the full international, according to ESPN.
- Marc Mayo
COUNTDOWN TO KICK-OFF
Here are all the details you need to know for Manchester United’s next game…
Aston Villa come to Old Trafford on Friday, aka New Year’s Day, for a 8pm kick-off.
You can catch the match on Sky Sports.
Victory, unless it’s by a ridiculous margin, will not send United top.
- Marc Mayo
OBITUARY
Tommy Docherty was the king of the one-liners.
He could have done stand-up comedy standing on his head.
And on his head, that sunny day at Wembley on May 21, 1977, sat the lid of the FA Cup trophy as he gambolled around the pitch at the scene of his greatest triumph.
For Manchester United had just beaten all-conquering Liverpool.
That meant the great rivals from Anfield could not go on to win a historic treble of the title, European Cup and the world’s oldest knockout competition.
Read Ken Lawrence’s full tribute to the Scot, who passed away today aged 92, HERE.
Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd - Marc Mayo
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
Manchester rivals City and United both face NINE matches next month – as Prem chiefs attempt to get the season back on track.
League bosses ordered the two clubs to play their “catch-up” opening week games from September in what were due to be the two teams’ only free midweeks of the month.
United will now travel to Burnley on January 12, while City’s outstanding match at home to Aston Villa will be played on January 20.
It means both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Pep Guardiola’s side will have to play six Prem matches in the month, starting with United’s game against Villa on Friday evening.
In addition, the two sides meet in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final at Old Trafford.
And with two FA Cup rounds scheduled before the end of the month, it means a serious mid-season pile-up for both clubs.
Prem bosses are determined to push ahead with getting as many of the overdue games as possible played.
- Marc Mayo
BRAND NEW
Brandon Williams could leave Manchester United this winter.
ESPN report on a ‘number’ of loan bids already being made for the full-back.
But the Red Devils are yet to decide whether to keep the academy product or allow him to accrue game time elsewhere.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty - Marc Mayo
WOOD YOU?
Ed Woodward has put Manchester United's unlikely Premier League title challenge down to the club's 'top-class recruitment'.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has overseen seven wins and two draws from the Red Devils' last nine Premier League games to push them within touching distance of bitter rivals Liverpool.
Writing in United's programme ahead of the clash with Aston Villa, Woodward claimed he is optimistic about his hopes for next year.
He said: "Just as important is the work we see being done behind the scenes to build a winning culture consistent with the club's traditions of attacking football played by youthful, hard-working teams fusing homegrown talent with top-class recruits.
"We are getting closer to those objectives as the squad continues to develop following the arrivals of Bruno Fernandes, Donny van de Beek, Alex Telles and Edinson Cavani.
"Our ongoing investment reflects the tremendous resilience of the club and our commitment to supporting Ole, while remaining disciplined at an extremely challenging time.”
- Marc Mayo
TO THE MAX
ESPN claim Max Aarons is on Manchester United’s radar.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is said to be uncertain about his right-back options with Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Brandon Williams failing to convince, while Diogo Dalot is out on loan at AC Milan.
It is said that Norwich defender Aarons, 20, is liked at Old Trafford.
But a summer move may be favoured due to the Canaries’ promotion charge and high asking price.
- Marc Mayo
BRAND VALUES
Covid-19 has had a huge impact on football clubs' worth, no doubt.
But Manchester United are still the most valuable brand in the Premier League.
Despite the pandemic, the Red Devils are worth a whopping £1.07bn, according to research conducted by Safe Betting Sites.
Their nearest rivals on and off the pitch are Premier League champions Liverpool, who are valued at £1.02bn.
While Tottenham are a bigger commercial entity than their North London enemies Arsenal.
- Marc Mayo
DOC TRIBUTES
More tributes have flooded in for Tommy Docherty, who has passed away at the age of 92.
Manchester United author Wayne Barton posted online: "I’m absolutely floored and devastated by the news of Tommy Docherty’s passing.
"One of the most important men in Manchester United history. He restored the club to health. A sad personal loss as Tommy was hugely influential and nothing but helpful in my own life."
And BBC presenter Dan Walker tweeted: "One of my first jobs was working on a football phone-in with Tommy Docherty & Malcolm Allison. The Doc was always kind & took great care of Malcolm.
"He was full of quips but behind the humour was a deep love and understanding of the game. My thoughts are with his family."
- Marc Mayo
CLUB STATEMENT
Manchester United have spoken of the club's 'deep sadness' at the death of Tommy Docherty.
As manager between 1972 and 1977, the Scot won promotion from the Second Division before an FA Cup triumph over Liverpool.
- Marc Mayo
RIP TOMMY
A family statement has confirmed that former United boss Tommy Docherty passed away peacefully at the age of 92.
It read: "Tommy passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at home.
"He was a much-loved husband, father and papa and will be terribly missed.
"We ask that our privacy be respected at this time. There will no further comment."
We'll bring you more tributes as they emerge.
Credit: Keith Campbell – The Sun Glasgow - Marc Mayo
BREAKING NEWS
The sad news of Tommy Docherty's death has just been announced.
The former Manchester United and Scotland manager has died at the age of 92 after a long battle with illness, his family have confirmed.
- Marc Mayo
KHED IN THERE
Could Sami Khedira be heading to Manchester United?
The Red Devils are one of several clubs linked to the Juventus star, who has opened the door to a Premier League switch.
He told The Athletic: “The Premier League is still missing in my collection, to play there would be the icing on the cake.
“There are fewer breaks in the game and many counter-attacks, but this is what I like. I’ve done a lot of extra sessions with fitness coaches to get myself ready for a higher pace and intensity.
“I’ve done extra sessions with fitness coaches to get myself ready for the pace and intensity in the Premier League.
“My gut instinct and passion tell me I need to play football, if possible in the Premier League. I’m working towards that.”
- Giacomo Pisa
KICK IT OUT REACTION
Players including Watford's SunSport columnist Troy Deeney had called on the FA to ban Cavani.
And here's what equality and inclusion group Kick it Out had to say on the matter:
"We believe it would be helpful for overseas players coming to play in England, to have consistent education on language or behaviour that may be unacceptable in this country.
"That would help prevent situations, like this with Cavani and others, from reoccurring in the future."
- Giacomo Pisa
CAVANI BANNED
While the comment was six weeks before the Uruguayan signed for United, he was bound by the regulations.
As SunSport reported, FA disciplinary chiefs had no option other than to impose the three-match suspension if Cavani was found to have broken the rules.
And despite United’s initial defence of the player, Cavani accepted the charge at a hearing this week.
Cavani could have waited until Monday before the hearing, which would have allowed him to feature against Aston Villa on Friday.
Instead, he will miss the game as well as the Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City on Wednesday and next week’s FA Cup third round clash with Watford.
Cavani also had to agree to attend a mandatory education course to prevent a recurrence of the offence.
Credit: Instagram - Giacomo Pisa
CAVANI'S APOLOGY
Manchester United released this statement, detailing an apology from Cavani for his comment:
"Despite his honest belief that he was simply sending an affectionate thank-you in response to a congratulatory message from a close friend, he chose not to contest the charge, out of respect for, and solidarity with, the FA and the fight against racism in football.
"While it is clear that context and intent are key factors, we note that the independent Regulatory Commission was required to impose a minimum three-game suspension.
"The club trusts that the independent Regulatory Commission will make it clear in its written reasons that Edinson Cavani is not a racist, nor was there any racist intent in relation to his post."
- Giacomo Pisa
BREAKING
Edinson Cavani will miss Manchester United’s next THREE games after accepting the ban for his “negrito” Instagram comment.
And the Uruguayan ace also copped a whopping £100,000 fine as he admitted breaching FA social media rules.
FA bosses investigated the comment made to a fan after his late match-winning double at Southampton on November 29.
On December 17, he was officially charged with an “aggravated breach” because his comment was deemed to have “included reference, whether express or implied, to colour and/or race and/or ethnic origin”.
The striker, who swiftly deleted his comments after United were alerted to them, was backed by the club in his insistence that there was no intended racial reference and simply a regular South American phrase.
That cut no ice after the FA – with the agreement of the PFA and clubs – brought in new hardline disciplinary rules covering references to race, religion or sexual orientation in August.
Credit: Reuters - Giacomo Pisa
MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN
Manchester United's players received a late Christmas present as their postponed game against Burnley was scheduled BEFORE they face Liverpool at Anfield in January.
Old Trafford stars were reportedly keen to play the game in the week running up to their trip to Liverpool and have been granted their wish by the Premier League.
And the Manchester Evening News reports support for playing the fixture against the Clarets in January before the game against Liverpool had grown.
On Thursday, the Prem confirmed the fixture will be held on Tuesday, January 12 at 8.15pm.
The majority of Solskjaer's squad are likely to be delighted at the news after preferring to travel to Turf Moor in midweek in order to face Liverpool having played the same number of matches.
- Giacomo Pisa
TOP OF THE TREE
Manchester United have the highest brand value in the Premier League, according to Safe Betting Sites, with the Red Devils' brand worth a whopping £1.07billion.
Liverpool take second place with a brand value of around £1billion, with Manchester City in third with a value of £912million.
Three London clubs fill the remainder of the top six, with Chelsea's brand value the highest in London, worth £769million.
Tottenham's brand value is higher than Arsenal's for the first time, with Spurs brand valued at £636million, and Arsenal's being £568million.
Credit: EPA - Giacomo Pisa
SOLSKJAER PRAISES SMITH
Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is full of praise for the job Dean Smith is doing at Aston Villa, with the Villans currently fifth in the table.
Solskjaer had this to say on tomorrow's opponents: "They have been brilliant. I have to say Dean Smith has done a fantastic job.
"We played them pre-season and they beat us then in the one game we had before the league. We know all about how tough this is going to be.
"They’ve got individual players that are physically strong, defensively they have been one of the better teams in the league.
"When you beat Liverpool 7-2 it’s not just defending. It’s counter attack and quality players.
"That is maybe the game everyone will remember from this season."
- Giacomo Pisa
GREAL ADMIRATION
Manchester United have often been linked with a move for Aston Villa captain and star man Jack Grealish.
And now Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has spoken of his admiration for the 25-year-old, and the goal he scored in the 2-2 draw at Old Trafford last season.
Solskjaer said: "The goal he scored last season was a brilliant goal and we’ve faced him enough times to know it’s going to be a difficult game.
"He’s a player for Aston Villa and England who has only improved.
"I don’t want to say too much about other teams’ players but of course he’s a player we know we have to look for."
Credit: Jamie McPhilimey – The Sun - Giacomo Pisa
ON GARD
Manchester United have triggered a one-year extension on Jesse Lingard's contract.
Despite the midfielder being out-of-favour this season, the club have moved swiftly so as not to lose him on a free in the summer.
Lingard would have been able to start discussions with overseas clubs in the next few days.
But United have safeguarded themselves to get a fee from prospective interested parties.
Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
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