Man Utd hesitant on triggering Benfica full-back Alvaro Carreras’ £25m buy-back clause in January – Paper Talk | Football News

The top stories and transfer rumours from Friday’s newspapers…

DAILY MIRROR

Man Utd have reservations over triggering Alvaro Carreras’ £25m buy-back clause in January after selling the left-back to Benfica last summer. The deal helped to ease United’s financial concerns but the club have seen the need for a left-sided full-back develop.

Dani Olmo’s agent Andy Bara has reportedly arrived in Manchester with Premier League clubs considering whether to take advantage of Barcelona’s uncertain ability to register the player.

Sport claim that Barcelona are happy to sell Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen, with the decision made not to hand the latter a new deal. The Dane joined Barca on a free transfer from Chelsea but has been out for a lengthy spell this season. Newcastle, Juventus and AC Milan have been linked.

DAILY MAIL

Manchester United are intent on keeping Antony at the club when the January transfer window opens next week – and the player’s agent has clarified his current situation amid speculation that the Brazilian could leave the club.

Ruben Amorim stressed that Manchester United must adopt survival mode after a fourth defeat in five Premier League games.

Pep Guardiola has confirmed Manchester City plan to be active in the January transfer window.

Legendary sports reporter Chris Kamara made his triumphant return to broadcasting on Boxing Day, two years after stepping back from his Soccer Saturday duties due to a speech condition.

THE SUN

Ruben Amorim indicated Marcus Rashford is still not doing enough for his liking after leaving the forward out of Manchester United’s squad for a fourth straight game.

Wayne Rooney has been left clinging onto his job after Frank Lampard’s Coventry thrashed Plymouth 4-0.

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s cheat sheet was exposed on his water bottle before saving Erling Haaland’s penalty against Manchester City.

Wilfried Zaha could be blocked from a return to the Premier League in January by a little-known rule. The Ivorian winger, on loan at Lyon from Galatasaray, may be prevented from representing a third team in the 2024-25 campaign after his 15-minute cameo in the Turkish Super Cup thumping should FIFA deem that an official match.

DAILY TELEGRAPH

Arsenal hold an interest in Wolves forward Matheus Cunha but would face a huge battle landing him during the transfer window while the Brazilian is involved in a fight for survival at Molineux.

Crystal Palace full-back Danny Imray has a host of Championship and League One promotion-chasers looking to sign him on loan for the second half of the campaign.

Ipswich are among the teams looking at Scottish midfielder Jordan Holsgrove during his spell at Portuguese club Estoril.

THE TIMES

Nottingham Forest and their fans are dreaming about a return to European football after this win against Tottenham Hotspur sent them up to third in the Premier League – but Spurs supporters attacked their chairman Daniel Levy following a ninth league loss of the season in their opening 18 games.

The Newcastle United assistant manager Jason Tindall was sent off after a 20-man brawl in the St James’ Park tunnel at half-time during the home side’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa.

Wayne Rooney has insisted he is the right man to lead Plymouth Argyle despite their 4-0 hammering by Frank Lampard’s Coventry City keeping them bottom of the Sky Bet Championship. However, the former Manchester United and England captain accepted that he would inevitably face intense pressure.

DAILY RECORD

Brendan Rodgers has promised Celtic can still find another level after victory over Motherwell saw them continue their unbeaten start to the Premiership season.

Stuart Kettlewell accused ref Ross Hardie of talking to his Motherwell side like schoolchildren.