Vinicius Jr beat Rodri to be named FIFA's Best men's player on Tuesday by a five-point margin - Paper Talk

Plus: Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim determined to discover who has been leaking his team news; Joshua Zirkzee's agent wants to hold talks with Amorim over his long-term future at Old Trafford

Wednesday 18 December 2024 07:19, UK

The top stories and transfer rumours from Wednesday's newspapers...

DAILY MIRROR

Manchester United have entered advanced negotiations with Amad's representatives over a new contract.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is determined to get to the bottom of who has been leaking his line-ups.

Arne Slot has dropped a major hint that he is considering allowing Trent Alexander-Arnold to leave Anfield.

Harry Kane may have risked the ire of his England team-mates after not selecting Jude Bellingham as his first choice in the FIFA Best awards.

DAILY MAIL

Joshua Zirkzee's agent is set to hold talks with Manchester United and Ruben Amorim over his long-term future, according to reports.

Tyson Fury's rematch against Oleksandr Usyk will be scored by a fourth judge using artificial intelligence, it has been announced.

Vinicius Jr beat Rodri to be named FIFA's Best men's player on Tuesday night, and his margin of victory has been revealed. It's emerged that he beat Rodri by five scoring points, having got 48 votes to Rodri's 43.

Marcus Rashford did not train with his Manchester United team-mates after being omitted from the matchday squad for their derby win over Manchester City on Sunday.

Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk has reportedly responded to failing a drug test by hiring the law firm that got Paul Pogba's doping ban significantly reduced.

Manchester United are said to be extremely frustrated over accusations circulating online that Alejandro Garnacho or Amad Diallo could be to blame for United's line-up being leaked before games.

Alejandro Garnacho has been seen as one of the untouchables at Manchester United until now, but some of Europe's top clubs are sensing an opportunity that he could be available at the right price.

Barcelona have issued ultimatums to both Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araujo, with the pair's contracts expiring in 2026.

Paris Saint-Germain have dispelled interest in Marcus Rashford amid suggestions that the faltering forward could make a switch to the Ligue 1 side in January.

Celtic defender Stephen Welsh is set to go out in search of first-team football in the January window.

Manchester United are closely monitoring the progress of Botafogo goalkeeper John Victor.

THE SUN

Atletico Madrid are keeping tabs on Alejandro Garnacho's situation at Manchester United.

Dani Olmo is set to be banned from playing for Barcelona due to their ongoing financial issues - which could see him leave on a free transfer.

Darts star Luke "The Nuke" Littler is to get his own waxwork at Madame Tussauds. The 17-year-old was approached earlier this year and his figure is set to go on display in 2025.

THE GUARDIAN

Premiership rugby clubs who "have been teetering on the edge" are set to come under further scrutiny by the government over the repayments of their £124m Covid bailout loans.

DAILY TELEGRAPH

As recently as Monday night, Chelsea players had been asking friends and associates "do you know what's happened to Misha?" after Mykhailo Mudryk had not been seen at the Cobham training ground for a fortnight because of illness.

The senior leadership of the Rugby Football Union has come under fresh fire over the recent salary and bonus scandal with 11 of the 14 clubs in National One calling for an independent root-and-branch review of the management of the game in England, which they claim is "not fit for purpose".

Manchester United co-owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family have been challenged to deliver a new 100,000-capacity stadium that can transform the wider region.

THE ATHLETIC

Former Brazil striker Ronaldo has announced he is running for the presidency of his country's football federation (CBF).

Carlo Ancelotti is "optimistic" Kylian Mbappe will be fit to feature for Real Madrid in the Intercontinental Cup final on Wednesday.

Dynamic pricing - the practice of fluctuating ticket prices based on demand - has been applied to match tickets for next year's men's Club World Cup.

THE TIMES

The government was so concerned by the finances of professional rugby and the RFU that it embedded two taxpayer-funded experts into Twickenham last June.

DAILY RECORD

Blundering VAR duo Alan Muir and Frank Connor have been axed following their Premier Sports Cup final mess up. The pair have been panned for failing to spot a potential penalty for Rangers in their penalty shoot-out defeat to Celtic during extra-time.

Jimmy Thelin has admitted that Aberdeen will trigger the option to sign Ante Palaversa if he makes it clear that he wants to remain and improve at Pittodrie.

Falkirk boss John McGlynn says he's had no enquiries yet about Keelan Adams, with Rangers reported to have scouted him, while Southampton and Leeds are also said to be sniffing around the 22-year-old.

Vinicius Jr beat Rodri to be named FIFA's Best men's player on Tuesday by a five-point margin - Paper Talk

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