MICHAEL CARRICK IS CONVINCED THAT SOMETHING IS STIRRING AT MANCHESTER UNITED AGAIN

Michael Carrick is convinced that 'something is coming' at Manchester United

Michael Carrick is convinced that "something is coming" at Manchester United after the frustrations of recent seasons.

United have not challenged for the Premier League title since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013 and are again off the pace three months into the current campaign, with just 20 points taken from 13 games.

 However, performances are generally considered to be an improvement on last season under Jose Mourinho and Carrick, who has spent the past decade at Old Trafford, believes the team are finally close to finding a successful post-Ferguson formula.

Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013

"It was never going to happen overnight, I don't think we were ever going to suddenly move on so quickly - he [Ferguson] had been here so long," the 35-year-old said ahead of United's trip to Everton on Sunday, which is live on Sky Sports. 
"But there are certain signs that we are getting there, I can say that. I know we are well away in the league but there are signs that we can feel something is coming. But only time will tell that."

Mourinho, the club's third manager since Ferguson stepped down, has regularly bemoaned his side's luck, with goalkeeper Darren Randolph making a series of fine saves as West Ham drew 1-1 at Old Trafford last weekend. That was United's fourth draw in succession at home in the league.

However, they gained a measure of revenge for that by putting away more of their chances with a 4-1 victory over the same side in the EFL Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday.

"All the games have been pretty similar. Even when we haven't had the results, we feel we should have won all the games that we have drawn, which is hard to take," Carrick said.
"At the same time, it is hard to get too down because the performances have not just deserved to win the games but to win them quite well.

Carrick says United have deserved to take more points this season

"There have been occasions in the cups where we have played well and the goals have gone in. It hasn't quite happened in the league for a number of reasons but if we keep playing like that we will be okay.
"With our performances and the feeling within the game, it doesn't feel like we have had such a bad start. You are judged on results, that is what the business is, but at the same time you get a feeling and you gauge it on performances as well.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Manchester United were frustrated in the Premier League by West Ham

"It is not something where you just flick a switch and everything is all right, you have to build as a team. But there are a lot of positives from individual and team performances and, for the rest of the season, I think we will be all right."

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EDDIE NKETIAH: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE ARSENAL STRIKING PROSPECT

Eddie Nketiah has made a big impact in Arsenal's youth teams

Eddie Nketiah scored a hat-trick in Arsenal U23s' 3-0 win over Leicester U23s on Monday night.

The 17-year-old striker opened the scoring with an excellent curling effort before doubling his tally with a low, drilled finish and completed his treble with a close-range volley.
It was a memorable display to enhance a growing reputation. Nketiah has been tipped for a bright future at Arsenal, but who exactly is he? And what does he have to offer?

Chelsea roots

Arsenal signed up Nketiah after he was released by Chelsea in the summer of 2015. The youngster had been on the Blues' books since he was spotted playing for his local team in south London as a nine-year-old, but the Gunners were quick to pounce when he was told he would not be offered a scholarship.

Nketiah was invited to train with Arsenal just a few days after Chelsea confirmed his release, and their youth coaches liked what they saw. Within a week, Nketiah accepted a scholarship from Arsenal.  He's been rising through the ranks ever since.

Natural finisher

Nketiah is a quick and skilful frontman who is known for his clever runs in behind opposition defences. He describes his finishing ability as his main strength, and it's easy to see why.
His goalscoring prowess has made him a star of Arsenal's U18s. Last season he was their top scorer with 24 goals in 28 appearances, and he has continued in the same vein in the new campaign.

Eddie Nketiah scored twice against Paris St Germain U19s

His goals against Leicester on Monday night were his first at U23 level, but he has scored 14 in 16 appearances in total this season. His tally includes nine strikes for the U18s, and he also netted twice on his UEFA Youth League debut against Paris Saint-Germain U19s in October.
Nketiah can also play on the flanks, and he models his game on Arsenal legend Thierry Henry. If he can reach anything like the heights of his idol, the Gunners will be very happy indeed.

First-team future?

Nketiah is yet to feature for the Arsenal first team but he is rated as a real prospect. He was handed his first professional contract in September, and he will be eager to follow in the footsteps of fellow academy graduate Alex Iwobi in the years ahead.
He does, of course, face stiff competition for a place in Arsene Wenger's first-team squad. Arsenal are well-stocked for strikers having added Lucas Perez to the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck, and they also have the likes of Chuba Akpom and Yaya Sanogo in reserve.

Eddie Nketiah in action in the UEFA Youth League against Ludogorets

Nketiah will also face competition from some of the other forwards in Arsenal's academy. The 18-year-old Chris Willock has already made two EFL Cup appearances, while the likes of Stephy Mavididi, Donyell Malen and Josh Dasilva are also aiming to make the step up.
It's a big test for Nketiah, but in the last two seasons none of his fellow youngsters have come close to matching his scoring exploits. If he builds on his bright start, Arsenal fans can expect to get their first glimpse of Eddie Nketiah sooner rather than later.

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PHILIPPE COUTINHO OUT FOR FIVE WEEKS, CONFIRMS LIVERPOOL BOSS JURGEN KLOPP

Philippe Coutinho holds his foot as he lies on the Anfield pitch

 Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Liverpool will be without Philippe Coutinho for around five weeks with an ankle injury.

The Brazilian schemer, who has been in a rich vein of form, underwent a scan on Monday afternoon on the injury he sustained against Sunderland and is now set to be sidelined until the New Year.
Klopp, speaking ahead of the Sky Live EFL Cup tie against Leeds United, told the club website: "Phil needs between five and a few weeks until we have him back. We will see. He is not in for tonight and for the next few games."
Regarding his starting line-up for the game, which featured eight changes, Klopp added: "Roberto Firmino couldn't play.

Coutinho has flourished under the tutelage of Jurgen Klopp

"The same with Joel Matip and a few other players had all the games until now - we can bring in fresh legs, especially in defence.

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WAYNE ROONEY IS FIT TO PLAY FOR MANCHESTER UNITED AGAINST SOUTHAMPTON

Louis Van Gaal has confirmed Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney is fit to start against Southampton this Sunday.

Rooney missed United's 3-1 over Liverpool and their 2-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven after pulling injuring his hamstring in training last week. 

The Manchester United captain's return is a welcome boost for the club after left-back Luke Shaw suffered a broken leg on Tuesday against PSV.

Van Gaal revealed central defender Phil Jones is also nearing a return to action after missing time with thrombosis.  

Speaking to reporters at his press conference, Van Gaal said: "Shaw's injury is a big loss but Rooney is fit to play [against Southampton] and Jones has trained with the group."

Shaw is expected to return from Holland on Saturday after undergoing a second operation on his broken leg on Friday. 

Sky sources understand the surgery is a planned operation to close the wound, with doctors unwilling to let him travel until they're satisfied there's no risk of infection.

"I called Luke Shaw last night," Van Gaal said. "He sounds very strong, which is amazing for me - a good signal. His family is there... He shall come back tomorrow and there will be a long period of rehabilitation."

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LIVERPOOL WANT TO SIGN BARCERONA DEFENDER ADRIANO, TRANSEFER GOSSIP AND RUMOURS FROM SATURDAY PAPERS

PLUS: Chelsea target Hulk 'wants to move to England' while is Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud planning to leave the Gunners?

Target: Could Barcelona defender Adriano be heading to Anfield?

The January transfer window has long closed, which means clubs are now stuck with their squads until the summer.

But that won't stop

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MANCHESTER UNITED CAPTAIN NEMANJA VIDIC AGREES TO INTER MILAN TRANSFER AT THE END OF THE SEASON

The Serbian has decided he wants a new challenge after eight years at Old Trafford and has today agreed his summer move to the San Siro

PA

San Siro bound: Vidic will move to Inter at the end of the season

Nemanja Vidic will join Inter Milan this summer, the Italian club have confirmed.
The Manchester United captain is out of contract at the end of the season and revealed last month that he would be seeking a new challenge this summer.
As Mirror Sport reported last month, he has now agreed

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RECORD BREAKER : MORE MILESTONES FACING MANCHESTER UNITED BOSS DAVID MOYES BEFORE THE SEASON’S END

The chosen one: ‘Hey, I’ll turn it round!’

Manchester United’s season has gone from one struggle to another under David Moyes.
Unless you’ve been hibernating for the last nine months, you can’t fail to have seen what, for some, has been the crumbling of an empire, with the reigning Premier League champions a staggering 18 points off the top of the table, and 12 points behind the top four already.
Throw in the (high) likelihood of no European football in 2014-15, an FA Cup third round defeat at home by Swansea, and a 2-0 Champions League second round first leg loss to Olympiacos, and United have endured their worst campaign in over two decades.
Supporters who have got used to success during Sir Alex Ferguson’s 27-year tenure have struggled to come to terms with their return to mortality under their new boss and are no doubt worried that their beleaguered side has hit rock bottom.
But perhaps they haven’t.
For United, who have lost eight times in the league this term, there are still milestones which stand to be wrecked in their final 11 league matches…

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