It is just a few days until Manchester United are back in Premier League action.
After a midweek break from the fixture calendar it is back to business with a trip to Newcastle on Sunday afternoon, with Jose Mourinho looking to consolidate second place and try to close the gap on leaders Manchester City.
Marcus Rashford is back in the headlines after Ryan Giggs outlined the academy graduate's position.
He said: “I can’t see Rashford looking at his future at the moment. He’ll get enough games across the four competitions, but the issues are when he isn’t involved in the big games.
“If I was in the position of Marcus Rashford or Anthony Martial I would think it would force you to raise your game and that it is only healthy for competition in the team.”
Stick with us as we bring you all the updates LIVE from Old Trafford.
Key Events
Clubs' winter breaks 'could be staggered'
Jose loves talking fixtures..
Andreas Pereira posts another injury update
He’s getting there!
Jean Seri sent warning amid United links
He almost went to Barcelona, but he did not leave, former Inter Milan midfielder Olivier Dacourt told bWIN.
The problem with those quality players is that they are very good in major French clubs but now we are talking about big foreign clubs. Because of the competition in the big foreign clubs, it is necessary to see how they behave, personality is not enough.
The point is not to go to the big club, it’s to play there. A good example is Bernardo Silva. Last year he had an extraordinary season with Monaco – at Manchester City he has more trouble.
Ander Herrera releases statement amid latest claims
As I stated back in 2014 when this issue was raised, I have never had and will never have anything to do with manipulating match results, he said.
If I am ever called to testify in a judicial hearing, I will be delighted to attend as my conscience is totally clear.
I love football and I believe in fair play, both on and off the pitch.
United target Arturo Vidal 'will be sold'
Leon Goretzka’s arrival has changed things as Vidal enters the final 18 months of his contract
Giorgio Chiellini explains why he joined Juan Mata's fight
Unease is the wrong word to describe our wealth, he told the Daily Mail. I make my sacrifices and never think I am not allowed to earn so much. But I know I am lucky and I must use my platform to help those who need support.
It is not only money, it can be a short video, a little message, a visit. You, me, everyone. Just show you care. I have travelled to many parts of the world. I have seen the worst parts of South Africa and Brazil. I stayed in Thailand and had the life of a five star hotel. Then you walk around the corner and you see people sleeping on the streets, very poor, and at the market, people sleep on stitched rugs. They wash their clothes in the river but that’s rain water. Common Goal is an international movement. I am the only Italian so far but I hope more players join up.
It's official: defenders can't cope with Alexis Sanchez
Alexis Sanchez is a fighter - but few players get kicked as much as the Chilean.
The 29-year-old won seven fouls for United on his home debut against Huddersfield on Saturday and no player has been fouled more times in the Premier League this season.
Indeed, since Sanchez moved to England, in 2014, he has been fouled 263 times. Only two players, Eden Hazard and Wilfried Zaha, have been fouled more.
United investors conference call to take place today
Ed Woodward will host a conference call with investors on the New York Stock Exchange for the first time since United made Alexis Sanchez the club’s highest-paid player.
It gets underway at around 1pm following the release of the club’s latest quarterly financial results and we will have all the updates for you.
ICYMI: Alexis Sanchez's agent issues statement
lexis Sanchez has been handed a 16 month jail sentence for committing tax fraud during his time at Barcelona - but will avoid serving time.
The 29-year-old Chilean striker was accused of defrauding the Spanish Treasury of one million euros – around £880,000 – and hiding the income of images rights between 2012 and 2013.
Local prosecutors’ office Fiscalia de Barcelona confirmed to the Press Association that Sanchez was given two eight-month sentences, but will avoid jail because he is a first time offender and the sentence is less than two years.
Spanish news agency EFE reported that the forward, who arrived at Manchester last month from Arsenal, reached an agreement with the Spanish courts, and will pay the money back plus interest, along with a fine of 590,065 euros (£523,029), and will not receive public aid or tax incentives in Spain for two years.
Here is what his agent, Fernando Felicevich, had to say on the matter:
In these circumstances, and despite having shown that Alexis has not committed any crime, we have been forced, on the recommendation of our advisers, to accept the unfair pact offered and thus alleviate the emotional, personal and economic wear and tear that endures long and tedious oral trials, where the media are used to publicly expose and judge facts of private nature.
Shakhtar Donetsk legend breaks silence on Fred
Shakhtar Donetsk’s best player is Fred in the centre of midfield, former manager Mircea Lucescu.
He was a bit anarchic on the left. I moved him in front of the defence.
He will go to City like Fernandinho before him.
Malcom back to the harsh realities of training
Those English lessons will come in handy..
While Theo Griezmann is tweeting
Thank God the Griezmann saga is a thing of the past
Justin Kluivert Instagramming..
No transfer teasing. Yet.
'Manchester United don’t frighten me'
Mick Quinn writes for the Chronicle
Manchester United don’t frighten me. They’ve got great players but they’re individuals and not a team. Newcastle have that togetherness.
You look at Manchester United against Tottenham and Mauricio Pochettino’s side bossed them. Obviously, it’ll be tougher for the Magpies - if you allow them to play they will create chances but I wouldn’t fear them.
Think that 4-1 in November has already been forgotten..
Angel Gomes reacts to Youth League win
Some of those tackles..
'A matter of time before de Gea joins Madrid'
He is the real deal and I have always felt that Real Madrid have been looking for him to be their number one for a number of years, Craig Bellamy told Sky Sports . And it is just a matter of time before they get him.
His footwork is brilliant, he anticipates as well, he can read forwards and if you watch, he makes a lot of his saves with his feet. He is incredible.
He asks the forward so many questions when you are gunning down on him and he is a real top goalkeeper.
I wouldn’t worry United fans..
Luke Shaw 'to be handed new long-term deal'
James Nursey of the Mirror writes:
Luke Shaw is in line to win a new long-term deal at Manchester United before the end of the season.
The England full-back appears to have won over manager Jose Mourinho after a torrid couple of years under the Red Devils’ demanding boss.
Shaw, 22, has struggled for game time since returning from a foot operation last spring, but is now back in the first team reckoning at Old Trafford.
Mourinho’s public criticisms of the former Southampton starlet reached the point where teammates believed he was being treated unfairly.
ICYMI: Uncle Pat's back in the Premier League
March 18 at London Stadium, anyone?
Marouane Fellaini posts injury update
Marouane Fellaini appears to be back at the Move to Cure clinic in Belgium following his latest injury blow.
The United midfielder is expected to be out for six weeks after undergoing knee surgery last week.
And the 30-year-old looks to be back at his favourite rehabilitation clinic in Antwerp with acclaimed physiotherapist Lieven Maesschaick.
Maesschalck has a long history of treating Belgian athletes as the national team’s former physio and has also previously worked with AC Milan.
Harry Gregg shows his class
Legend!
While Alexis Sanchez caught up with the real Ronaldo
Two of South American’s finest!
Marcus Rashford meets Neymar..
Footballing royalty were at a Nike event in London last night..
The problem that the transfer market won't solve
Asked about Manchester United and injuries, most football fans are sure to give the answer: Phil Jones .
The defender has been allowed to become a caricature in a world where gurning trumps talent, medals and international caps.
He is the poster boy of the injury-prone.
It is a surprise that when he did not make the match day squad for the win vs Huddersfield, the first assumption was not a reappearance in the physio room.
His sister later clarified a sickness bug had kept him out of the Premier League fixture.
Jones’ bumbling reputation has masked his achievements. But it has also allowed his fellow United centre-backs to slip under the radar.
When a new central defender arrives for a first official look at the club’s Carrington training base, the tour guide might as well head straight for the treatment facilities.
How the United squad should look next season
The buzz word last year was ‘churn’ and now it is ‘short’. That is the description Jose Mourinho gave for Manchester United’s upcoming summer transfer window and it was not merely a reference to the shortened transfer window.
With the exception of Paul Pogba, Mourinho’s seven United purchases have been finalised before August and this summer’s closing date of August 9 could extend that run to a third summer window. It opens on June 9, which gives United exactly two months to conclude their business and the World Cup, which begins on June 14 and concludes on July 15, is an added complication.
United’s latest possible fixture this campaign is the Champions League final on May 26. Mourinho’s second season could end as early as Watford’s visit on May 13 and Ed Woodward’s recent form suggests supporters should expect an early addition. Eric Bailly was confirmed on June 8 in 2016 and the Victor Lindelof deal was announced on June 10 last year.
Rashford's situation
The latest from Ryan Giggs on Marcus Rashford.
United's summer transfer plans
An essential read ahead of the summer window. Planning has already begun.
Three days to go...
...Until United are back in action.
Jose Mourinho has a full week to prepare for the Newcastle fixture, when Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial will be hoping to return to the starting line up.
