Another bad result for Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United side on Sunday means that the Old Trafford outfit are now a massive nine points adrift of Champions League qualification in the Premier League.

Perhaps then Mourinho’s Christmas shopping needs to be more effective than most of his rivals’. While we’re buying mulled wine and oven food that’s bad for us, the Man United boss will be busy writing up a list that he can take to his bosses to convince them to spend more money.

Paul Pogba’s record breaking transfer hasn’t been enough to turn Man United’s fortunes around alone this season and more work has to be done to fix a squad that is actually performing worse now than it was this time last season under Louis van Gaal.

So what’s the answer? And what areas of the squad should Manchester United spend money on?

These are our FIVE priorities that we think must be on Mourinho’s Xmas list heading into January…

Get a partner for Pogba

Pogba has gone some way to living up to his price-tag already this season. At times looking like the only United player worth anything, he’s tried his best to bring his team on to new heights.

Mourinho has struggled to find a settled partner for him all season, though, with Michael Carrick and Ander Herrera not quite doing the job required and Marouane Fellaini looking rather shambolic when he’s featured.

A defensive midfielder of genuine quality would do wonders for Pogba and give him the license to stamp his authority on matches to an even greater degree than he already has. With the likes of John Obi Mikel linked with the club last week, it’s clear this is an area Mourinho is looking at.

Look for a star central defender

Manchester United are not only scoring less frequently than their top four competitors, they’re also shipping more goals – only Liverpool have conceded more than them in the Premier League this season and Klopp’s side are monstrously clinical at the other end.

Mourinho needs a leader in that backline, someone who’s going to galvanise his defence and guide them through adversity.

With the Man United boss in reportedly in for defenders like Jose Fonte this January, that player may not be far away.

An alternative to Ibrahimovic

There’s no doubting that Zlatan Ibrahimovic has proven himself to be every bit the player everyone thought he could be at Old Trafford. With twelve goals and two assists in 21 appearances, he’s been by far United’s most effective attacking player.

At 35-years-old though, he isn’t getting any younger and should he get injured, United really have no orthodox striker in the same vein as the skilful target man.

Forwards like Wayne Rooney, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have all been deployed in wide or attacking midfield areas and likely wouldn’t fit into the system currently deployed by Mourinho.

United are taking a big risk relying on ‘Ibra’ as their sole striker and it’s a risk that should be mitigated by bringing in a player that can hit the ground running should the worst happen.

More ability in wide areas

Part of United’s problems this season has been their lack of creativity in wide areas. The likes of Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford aren’t really getting the job done and lack the experience to be relied upon consistently.

Depending on Juan Mata to deputise on the right is a problem too given that he’s most effective when played through the middle.

Bringing in a winger of genuine quality could add a different dimension to United’s attack and really unleash the finishing ability of Zlatan, Rooney and co.

Get rid of the deadwood

Man United have a lot of high profile and highly paid players that aren’t getting a game under Jose Mourinho – Morgan Schneiderlin, Ashley Young, Memphis Depay, Phil Jones and Michael Carrick all have under five Premier League appearances so far this season.

Moving these players on would not only be financially beneficial but in terms of morale it could be the fresh start Mourinho needs to get his squad playing again. Signing two or three first-team players and getting rid of a similar amount could be the breath of fresh air that kick-starts United’s season.

Jose Mourinho has endured a mixed start to life as Manchester United boss. Currently still sitting in 6th position, the Old Trafford faithful would have undoubtedly preferred to be closer to challenging for the league title than they are.

They have improved massively over the last month. Had their patchy results continued, they’d have been cut well adrift of the Champions League positions due to the fantastic form of those above them.

To his credit, Mourinho has started to answer many of the questions from critics in recent weeks. He has Paul Pogba playing to the best of his ability, he’s sparked a resurgence in the performances of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and he continues to get the very best out of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

It was perhaps unfair in hindsight to think that Mourinho could come in and transform United off the bat. But what are the areas United must improve on?

Here are THREE things the Red Devils must do to have a more successful 2017…

Find more consistency

Before December, Man United had won three competitive games just once in the season. Their campaign has been littered with sloppy dropped points, frustrating draws and the occasional defeat.

If they can find the consistency that United teams are famous for, they’ll go on to become a force again in the Premier League. Chelsea, Arsenal and Man City have all strung together spells where they’ve won many games in a row.

Mourinho can’t afford many slip-ups in 2017 if they’re to get to where they want to be- back in the Champions League.

Get the best out of Bailly and Jones

For a time this season, Eric Bailly was one of the only United players that looked like capable of reaching top form on a consistent basis for the Red Devils. Since his injury, Phil Jones has stepped up to the plate and been the leading force in that United backline.

Bailly has since returned but wasn’t up to full fitness and limped off against Crystal Palace recently.

Marcos Rojo has looked capable in recent weeks but has had some rash moments and we’re not sure he’s the answer long-term for United.

If Mourinho can get the the Jones/Bailly partnership up and running properly, with both in good form together, United are going to be a much more formidable outfit.

Spend big in January

All of Jose Mourinho’s summer signings have made an impact on this United team, evidence enough that the Portuguese manager should be given another big budget in January to continue his revolution.

Where would United be without the likes of Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic?

If United can add quality to defensive areas and some creative ability to the final third, they’re going to be a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League.

Some competition for Ibrahimovic wouldn’t go amiss either. If he gets injured or falls out of form, they don’t really have a goalscorer ready to come in and hit the ground running.

The battles off the park in January may be even more important than on it for United’s long-term future.

Jurgen Klopp’s first full season as Liverpool boss has the Anfield faithful dreaming again. There’s nothing Reds fans want more than to lift the English league title for the first time in the Premier League era.

They’ve come close in recent years, notably under Brendan Rodgers, but for far too long have been Premier League also-rans.

Klopp has transformed the Anfield side into a force worth celebrating again, taking many sides by storm with an attacking brand of football that isn’t just thrilling ‘Pool supporters but the neutrals too.

They’re currently seven points behind Chelsea but with 17 games still to play between now and the end of the season, there’s plenty of time to haul in that points total and do the unthinkable.

If any team can, it’s this Liverpool side. Only slack defending at times has let them down. If they can cut out the mistakes and go on an extended winning run, this could be the year.

Here are THREE reasons why this is the season that Liverpool will win the league…

Attacking prowess

Liverpool have scored a massive 49 goals in the Premier League this season, that’s more than any other team in the entire division.

Klopp’s free-flowing attacking football has delighted fans but what’s crucial is that it has an end product. Liverpool have only failed to score in the league three times this season and two of those were scoreless draws.

That attacking threat could set them apart from the teams around them in the coming months. If they can keep banging in the goals they’ll be difficult to stop, no matter how dodgy their defence is looking.

The key is keeping that consistency up. The Reds have scored in their last 9 Premier League matches, suggesting that the goals will continue to fly in.

A team effort like no other

Five players at Liverpool have scored five league goals or more this season; Sadio Mane, Adam Lallana, James Milner, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho. That’s more players past the five-goal mark than any other team in the Premier League.

Chelsea have Costa, Spurs have Kane, City have Aguero but Liverpool don’t rely on just one man. They’re a team outfit, with goals all over the pitch.

That could be massively beneficial in the closing months of the season. If the likes of Costa get injured, lose form or have bust-ups with the coaching staff, then it could impact massively on their side’s results. For Liverpool, however, that danger is mitigated.

Klopp has inspired his entire team to perform. Twelve different players have scored goals for them this season in the league alone.

A kind run-in

Of the 17 games remaining for Liverpool, 10 of them are at home. When you consider that six of those home games are against teams currently in the bottom half of the table, then there’s reason to be hopeful for the Reds.

Key too is the fact that they face the teams around them at Anfield for the most part. Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs all have to travel to Liverpool to face Klopp’s men and of the teams in the top six, only Manchester City host Liverpool.

This is a factor, make no mistake. Liverpool are unbeaten at home in the Premier League this season and have only dropped points twice. If they can keep their home form at a high standard, especially against the top six, they have every chance of picking up this trophy in May.

Manchester and Liverpool are separated by just a few miles of motorway, but the two sets of supporters certainly share little in terms of neighbourly love. Indeed, the North West duo are, arguably, English football’s most prestigious clubs, and although they have fallen on harder times in recent years, when they meet the whole world stops to look on – hence why it’s our Fixture in Focus this weekend!

Although the media narrative may be that the teams have had differing fortunes so far this season, a win for Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United will move them to within two points of Jurgen Klopp’s title-challenging Liverpool, which really would raise spirits at Old Trafford.

Alas, even though the Reds have wobbled of late, they will provide stern opposition for the Manchester giants. However, we’re sure Mourinho is confident and has a plan afoot to knock Liverpool off their 2016/17 perch, and if it looks a little bit like ours, he could be on to a winner.

So, what starting XI should ‘Mou’ field? Who will be his key man? How can Liverpool be nullified? We answer the above, and more, here…

Formation: 4-1-2-3

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Mourinho seems to have stumbled upon a system that really works now, with the key factor being a balanced midfield. Much of the early weeks of the campaign were spent trying to crowbar Paul Pogba in alongside Marouane Fellaini to accommodate both the Frenchman and Wayne Rooney, but that has changed during the winter months, with Michael Carrick now the anchorman behind Ander Herrera and the aforementioned world-record buy. The set-up works as Carrick provides a cool head at the base and covers his defensive team-mates, while Herrera’s energy and tenacity allowing Pogba to stroll forward, where his mix of athleticism and technique is most dangerous.

Ahead of them, Zlatan Ibrahimovic will surely have recovered from the illness that kept him out of the midweek EFL Cup win over Hull, so he’ll lead the line, while either side, the creativity and attacking intent of Juan Mata and Henrikh Mkhitaryan may win out over more defensive options given that Man United have home advantage and Liverpool are in a poor patch of form. The elephant in the room is Wayne Rooney, who is now chasing the goal that will make him the Red Devils’ outright all-time leading scorer, but Mourinho has rarely let sentiment overrule his judgement.

In defence, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are in line to pair up at centre-back with Eric Bailly away on AFCON duty and Marcos Rojo injured. Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian are very much Mourinho’s men in the full-back roles at the moment, and he’ll be wary of changing either given the relatively new double act he’ll have in the centre.

David de Gea remains David de Gea, so he’ll start barring a late injury.

Liverpool’s weakness: Lack of cutting edge

Liverpool’s last four games

Liverpool 1-0 Manchester City

Sunderland 2-2 Liverpool

Liverpool 0-0 Plymouth Argyle

Southampton 1-0 Liverpool

Given that Klopp’s Liverpool are the leading scorers in the Premier League at the moment, it may seem odd to suggest they have a lack of cutting edge. But their last four games in all competitions have yielded just three goals and they have failed to find the net in their last 180 minutes of action, despite 90 of those being at home to a League Two side in the shape of Plymouth Argyle.

In short, the Reds seem to have lost their mojo, and with Sadio Mane away representing Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations, they are devoid of pace too. Philippe Coutinho is likely to come back into the XI after returning from injury, but neither he, Roberto Firmino nor Adam Lallana are blistering across the turf, while Daniel Sturridge, who may start, has lost a little pace given his series of injuries – so the Merseysiders will lack threat on the counter-attack.

As a result of this, Mourinho can instruct his side to push up the pitch and look to keep Liverpool penned in, and with Ibrahimovic the sort of striker that thrives on aerial service, a higher platform will make it easier to get crosses into him and allow Pogba to support the Swede closely – their link-up play has been key of late.

The key man: Paul Pogba

The big money was spent for a player able to shine on the big stage, so a home match against Liverpool looks teed up for a Pogba masterclass. The Frenchman has actually been, despite the media narrative, a success in English football, and his stats (above) show that. In terms of his physicality, the 23-year-old has demonstrated what an athlete he is by winning 59 aerial duels and completing 54 dribbles, with his style of carrying the ball very much dependent on force and speed. On top of that he’s played 37 key passes, three of which have been made into assists by team-mates, and netted four goals.

There’s no doubt that he’ll be the man to link the midfield and attack, and with the Merseysiders known to struggle when opposing units make the battle a physical one, he could get some joy – especially with Jordan Henderson only just returning from injury.

Liverpool’s big threat: Adam Lallana

Adam Lallana’s progression this season has been staggering. The Englishman had largely been written off as – if not a flop – a big money signing that hadn’t fulfilled his potential since his move to Anfield from Southampton in 2014, but Klopp’s decision to drop him deeper has paid dividends. At the moment, he looks like Liverpool’s key attacking force, and the Reds may well move him into a more advanced role at Old Trafford, which will get him closer to goal where he’s been so dangerous – seven of his ten shots on target this season have gone in.

Mourinho will have to task both his full-backs – as Lallana will drift from flank to flank – with keeping a close eye on the playmaker, who, if given even an inch of space or time on the ball, can create opportunities that players such as Roberto Firmino will thrive from.

Swansea City striker Fernando Llorente has insisted he bears no grudge to his employers after a January transfer switch to league leaders Chelsea failed to materialise, The Evening Standard reports.

What’s the word?

It was one of the more surprising stories of the January transfer window, as Fernando Llorente was eyed by Antonio Conte as the ideal striker to move to Chelsea and provide back-up to Diego Costa, with summer signing Michy Batshuayi struggling to impress.

The Italian boss signed Llorente for Juventus back in 2013 and was keen to reunite with the Spanish forward in West London but relegation-battling Swansea City blocked a move from taking place, with the striker being far too crucial to their survival hopes.

Not securing a move to a side likely to win the Premier League and instead remaining with a team who face a struggle to even stay in the division, Llorente would have been forgiven for being annoyed at the situation but he’s made it clear that isn’t how he feels.

What was said?

Speaking to reporters after Swansea’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester City and quoted by The Evening Standard, Llorente said:

“I already know Conte from Juventus. But it’s difficult in the winter when there’s a way out from a side you’re playing for and it’s normal that they didn’t go ahead with the deal.”

“I’m very focused on the team and am looking forward to helping save us from relegation.”

Can he save Swansea?

After years of stability with Athletic Bilbao followed by seasons of success with Juventus and Sevilla, Fernando Llorente faces a different sort of battle entirely with Swansea City this season as he aims to avoid relegation with his side.

The experienced striker, who turns 32 this month, may not boast the same sort of numbers he did for first club Athletic Bilbao during his stints with Juventus and Sevilla but the Spaniard has found his feet in the Premier League, netting eight goals in 21 appearances.

Llorente’s goals will be crucial to Swansea’s hopes of survival and the fact that the Swans boast a capable striker will really help their struggle, giving them a boost compared to the likes of Hull City, who lost top-scorer Robert Snodgrass to West Ham United in January.

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Manchester United overcame a difficult FA Cup match on Sunday, fighting back from 1-0 down against Blackburn Rovers to emerge 2-1 victors and book their place in theÂquarter-finals.It means that United continue to power on in four competitions this season after an impressive win over Saint-Etienne in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday and a EFL Cup final to look forward to next weekend.Zlatan Ibrahimovic was again the hero, scoring his 24th goal of the season off the bench to bail out Jose Mourinho’s side yet again. That came after a Danny Graham opener for Rovers and a Marcus Rashford equaliser.The man who set up Ibrahimovic was Paul Pogba, a partnership that has become a familiar sight for United fans this season, as this stat from Opta shows.

Manchester United have invested a lot of money in both players but it seems that ambition is being rewarded with some key performances and more importantly a team ethic that is paying dividends.

Mourinho will be hoping this superstar will be as effective in the next round when United face a daunting trip to Stamford Bridge to play the in-form Chelsea.

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Tottenham Hotspur romped home to a 4-0 win over Stoke City on Sunday, the third time that’s happened in as many matches against the Potters.Harry Kane was the star of the show, notching up his third hat-trick in nine matches in a first half destruction of Mark Hughes’ men.While Kane stole the headlines, Dele Alli was also on top form, netting his 14th goal for Spurs this season. As this stat from Squawka shows, those 14 goals are just part of an impressive haul for someone still at the age of just 20.

The fifty goal landmark so early in his career is a testament to his progress and consistency over the few years he’s been a professional.

Sunday’s goal will have been a particular highlight for the attacking midfielder after his dismal sending off midweek in the UEFA Europa League.

We’re sure it won’t take very long to score his next 50 career goals…

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The fall-out from Sunday’s big game between Celtic and Rangers rolls on, it always does after these games, and the latest talking point comes from striker Leigh Griffiths.

Speaking exclusively to The Evening Times, the Celtic star has fired a shot at Rangers and their fans for over-celebrating their point at Celtic Park on Sunday.

Clint Hill equalised late in the game after a Stuart Armstrong strike, prompting scenes of celebration in the away end.

That’s amused the 26 year old striker though, who says supporters celebrated the goal as if they’d won the league.

As quoted by The Evening Times, Griffiths said:

Rangers fans will all get a bit excited now, thinking that they can come and do exactly the same to us in the semi-final as they did last season. You saw the Rangers fans after the game cheering as though they had won the league. They would have snapped anyone’s hand for a point before they came here.

However that jibe has not bothered Gers supporters one bit, who feel wholly justified what was a well earned point after three derby defeats in a row. Rangers fans have had a pretty tough season and heading to Celtic Park with a caretaker manager to get a point must be seen as a pretty fantastic result.

They’ve taken to Twitter to respond and send some jibes of their own back to the Celtic star…

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With Liverpool having midweeks off after failing to qualify for European competition, anyone could forgive them for feeling a little sorry for themselves as they see big games take place across the continent.

Alas, we suspect they are using this time to keep an eye on talent taking part in such clashes, with a return to continental football likely on the cards, which will surely lead them to snap up a few players in the summer transfer market. One star they have been aligned with is Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette, so the Reds will surely have been keeping an eye on their 4-2 victory over Roma, in which the striker was truly excellent.

One goal (which was a cracker, by the way,) and an assist illustrate his ruthlessness, while a pass completion rate of 100% hints that he could slot into a Liverpool team that rely on neat balls being played in the final third.

Lacazette won’t come cheap, but maybe he’d be the ideal option for Liverpool.

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Manchester United look set for a big summer transfer window, as Jose Mourinho looks to put the finishing touches on a squad that has consistently improved at a steady rate throughout the course of his debut season at Old Trafford.

But could the club’s immediate future lay in its not so distant past? The Red Devils coughed up a world-record fee to bring Paul Pogba back to the club last summer and considering the sheer number of talented players who’ve passed through the doors at Carrington, it’s likely stars of similar ability have also fallen through the net in recent years.

With that in mind, we asked United fans earlier this week to vote for which former stars they’d like Mourinho to re-sign in the coming window. The results of our exclusive poll are now in, so here’s a rundown of the top three.

3. Memphis Depay

The Memphis Depay who showed world-class potential as he fired PSV to the Eredivisie title simply didn’t turn up at Old Trafford – and Jose Mourinho’s arrival was unsurprisingly the nail in the coffin for the workshy winger. But the Netherlands international has been nothing short of phenomenal since moving to Lyon in January, bagging two assists and five goals in just nine Ligue 1 appearances – including the above effort from the halfway line that’s sure to get a nomination for this year’s Puskas Award. Third in our poll, it seems a significant chunk of Red Devils fans think a failure to realise his full ability with United was as much down to the club as the 23-year-old.

2. Javier Hernandez

Well-liked during his time at Old Trafford, it’s no surprise to see Manchester United’s former super-sub Javier Hernandez ranking second in our poll. Despite predominantly featuring from the bench, he reached double figures in three consecutive Premier League campaigns before a loan stint at Real Madrid and a permanent move to Bayer Leverkusen; which has given the Mexico international the platform to prove the kind of hauls he’s capable of when given a place in the starting XI. Indeed, since moving to the BayArena in summer 2015, Hernandez has netted 38 times in 71 appearances across all competitions – and earned himself a spot in last term’s Bundesliga Team of the Season.

1. Angel Di Maria

Always the one that got away, United fans still clearly respect Angel Di Maria’s ability even if he did leave the club on rather frosty terms, struggling to settle in Manchester and departing just twelve months after his club-record arrival. Nonetheless, the Argentine was mesmerising during his first half-season at Old Trafford and has continued to excel since signing for PSG in summer 2015, notching up ten goals in Ligue 1 last term and really producing the goods in the Champions League this year with four goals in seven outings – including a brace in a 4-0 battering of Barcelona last month (above). Signed by Jose Mourinho in 2010 during his first transfer window as Real Madrid boss, the Portuguese would surely love to work with the attacking midfielder once again.

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