Utd’s Mane, Chelsea go back for duo

Mane is Manchester United’s main target in January, while Chelsea will bid again for John Stones and Marquinhos.

MANE THE MAN FOR UNITED

Southampton star Sadio Mane is on Manchester United’s radar again, with a January swoop on the cards. (Daily Express)
Louis van Gaal registered his interest in the Saints forward during the last weeks of the summer transfer window, but Ronald Koeman’s club held firm.
Mane has enjoyed an impressive start to the season, impressing particularly against United and in the win at Chelsea last week. Koeman admitted after the Stamford Bridge triumph that Saints fans should enjoy watching Mane while they can, but the Daily Express are reporting that United will pounce in January, rather than waiting until next summer.

CHELSEA NOT GIVING UP ON DUO

Chelsea are plotting new transfer bids for John Stones and Marquinhos to strengthen their wobbly defence.
The creaking Blues are still keen after having summer offers of £37m and £30.6m for the 21-year-olds rejected by Everton and Paris Saint-Germain respectively.
With Jose Mourinho’s side in the midst of their worst start in 37 years, the Portuguese coach will redouble his efforts to reinforce the centre of his defence. Everton stood firm in the face of four summer offers for Stones, but Marquinhos may be a more attainable target, with the Brazilian not guaranteed a place at the heart of the PSG defence.

AGUERO OUT FOR EIGHT WEEKS?

Sergio Aguero suffered a grade-two muscle tear while playing for Argentina and could face up to eight weeks on the sidelines.
Fresh from smashing five past Newcastle last week, the Manchester City striker headed off on international duty only to see his participation in the World Cup qualifier against Ecuador ended before half-time due to yet another hamstring injury.
The problem is expected to see Aguero miss the Manchester derby on October 25 and Champions League matches with Sevilla on October 21 and November 3.

AND THE REST

Gary Cahill says Jose Mourinho has the full support of the players to turn Chelsea’s season around. Chelsea were forced to release a statement following last weekend’s 3-1 defeat to Southampton, offering their full support to the Portuguese boss. Cahil says: “The Southampton game, for me personally, was a real low and I’ve come away here totally determined to make that right when I come back.” (Daily Express)
Sergio Aguero has suffered grade-two muscle tear while playing for Argentina and could face up to eight weeks on the sidelines. (Daily Mirror)
Steven Gerrard has wished Jurgen Klopp luck at Liverpool and is predicting exciting times at Anfield under the German.  (Daily Star)
Juventus are looking to open up negotiations with Chelsea over a permanent deal for Juan Cuadrado. (Daily Star)
Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal can beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League if they repeat the performances they produced against Manchester United. (Daily Star)
Arsenal missed out on Russian star Aleksandr Kokorin in the summer because they were only willing to take him on loan. The 24-year-old striker was on Arsene Wenger’s wish list in the transfer window but stayed put at his club because no permanent deal was offered. (Daily Star)
Sir Alex Ferguson admits he is worried by Jurgen Klopp’s appointment at Liverpool. He said: “I think he will do very well. I don’t like saying that, him being at Liverpool. I’m worried about it! But he will do well.” (Daily Star)
Manchester City are facing an injury nightmare after David Silva limped off just 10 minutes into Spain’s game against Luxembourg to become their second major casualty in under 24 hours. The Premier League leaders are already in a spin with the news that Sergio Aguero is set to miss a month with a thigh tear. (Daily Mail)
Spain forward Pedro believes his move from Barcelona to Chelsea in the close season has helped boost his confidence and make him a happier person after 11 years at his boyhood club. (Daily Mail)
David Ospina’s gaffe against Olympiakos and an overzealous goal-line official have changed the role of the additional assistant referee. (Daily Mail)
Celtic are keen on the 18-year-old Dundee United midfielder John Souttar and are exploring a pre-contract deal in January after the Scotland U21 international stalled on the offer of a new deal at Tannadice. (Daily Mail)
A little more than three years on from a humiliating 6-1 defeat in Serbia that shook Chris Coleman so badly it prompted him to consider walking away, the Wales manager returns to the Balkans in search of much more than the point that will create history.
Northern Ireland will rake in an estimated £8m after securing their first ever appearance at a European Championships. (The Telegraph)
The Football Association of Ireland are keen to being talks to extend the contracts of Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane following the battling 1-0 win over Germany. (The Telegraph)