Manchester United need to sign a big name attacking player with “arrogance” in his approach to the game, according to former Spurs midfielder Jermaine Jenas.

Although the Red Devils are only two points adrift of joint-Premier League leaders Manchester City and Arsenal, the style of football at Old Trafford this season has been roundly criticised.

Wayne Rooney’s late effort in Champions League action against CSKA Moscow last week ended a worrying run of 404 minutes of action without a goal, during which time a large section of United supporters could be heard chanting ‘attack, attack, attack’ in the ground in a bid to alter Louis van Gaal’s approach.

And ex-Tottenham player Jenas, who works as a pundit nowadays, believes that the Manchester giants need a world-class attacking player with “arrogance” if they are to start playing the sort of football supporters want to see:

“I think the easy thing to do will be to get another striker in but whether he will fit in to what seems to be a rigid style of attack and be able to perform, I don’t know,” he is quoted by the Daily Star.

“There’s talk about bringing in a star, an Ibrahimovic, a Cavani, a Neymar. These players would change things because they’re of a certain mentality where they probably wouldn’t buy in to Van Gaal’s methods.

“They’re that big that they would go onto the pitch to play the way they want to and that may be something that Manchester United need.

“They need someone with that arrogance about them, like Cantona use to have, who just goes and plays the way they want to and makes the side brilliant and everyone else just works around that.

“They’ve already got the players [to play attacking football] so I don’t think there is a big problem.”

United currently lack options up front, with Wayne Rooney and rookie summer signing Anthony Martial Van Gaal’s only genuine options.

[ad_pod id=’ffc-survey’ align=’center’]

[ad_pod id=’writeforus’ align=’center’]

New Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce is watching West Ham pair James Tomkins and James Collins ahead of January and is considering moves for free agent duo Kevin Nolan and Carlton Cole as he looks to keep the Black Cats in the Premier League, according to reports from the Sunderland Echo.

‘Big Sam’ was officially named as Dick Advocaat’s successor at the Stadium of Light on Friday following the Dutchman’s decision to leave the club.

After keeping Sunderland in the top tier with a fantastic late run last term, the ageing tactician made an appalling start to the current campaign, with only bitter rivals Newcastle’s inferior goal difference keeping the winless Wearsiders from the foot of the table

WANT MORE? >> Sunderland transfer news | Latest transfer news

Allardyce – who left West Ham at the end of last season – is known for his abilities in the lower reaches of the Premier League, and reports suggest that he already has transfer plans in mind.

The ex-Bolton and Blackburn gaffer is considering free agents Nolan and Cole, both of whom he coached at Upton Park, who could make an immediate impact at the club.

[ad_pod ]

Meanwhile Tomkins and Collins are two of Allardyce’s trusted defensive players, making them appealing as Sunderland have already shipped a division high of 18 goals in eight games.

However, the North East club will have to wait until January for the pair, and may have trouble persuading West Ham to sell Tomkins in particular.

[ad_pod id=’writeforus’ align=’center’]

Jurgen Klopp’s arrival at Liverpool has been a little strange. In truth things weren’t catastrophic under Brendan Rodgers, but towards the end fan unrest was growing, while the football on show was, if not terrible, pretty uninspiring. Since then ‘Kloppmania’ has stretched its arms around the whole club and embraced the Reds in a tight hug – akin to those Jurgen gives his players on the touchline – and the ‘feel-good factor’ is certainly back.

What Klopp has managed to achieve so far at Anfield is nothing short of miraculous, with the 48-year-old German having been parachuted in just about as far from a transfer window as was possible and handed a squad of stars not living up to potential. He’s revived players who looked to have lost their way such as Jordon Ibe and Roberto Firmino, but it’s clear that he will need his own signings at some point.

January and the transfer window that grips the month are now firmly on the horizon, and among the names being linked with Liverpool one stands out above others… Leroy Sane. While a goalkeeper to replace/challenge Simon Mignolet or another centre-back may be options fans want more, the 19-year-old is certainly exciting.

Is there interest?

In a word, yes. German tabloid Bild have already claimed that a £10m offer has been made, while respected Liverpool Echo journalist James Pearce told Anfield HQ that the teenager is “certainly a player Liverpool have scouted”. With Klopp fully aware of the talent in German football, this seems to be a case of 2+2 adding up to 4.

Is he worth the effort?

This season is the first in which Sane has been a ‘first-team regular’ at Schalke, and he’s certainly delivered thus far. Four Bundesliga goals and assists in 13 games (eight starts) is a solid return for a wide attacker, while he’s also shone in the Europa League with a further goal and assist in just over four hours of play. 1.8-shots-per-game is also encouraging in terms of his attacking output and confidence, while Sane’s three dribbles-per-match show that he’s willing to get on the ball and drive at opponents – which is the sort of threat Klopp has only from Ibe at the moment.

Does he fit

Both in terms of playing position and profile… yes. Able to play on either flank or as a ‘No. 10’, Sane is well suited to the 4-3-2-1 and the 4-2-3-1 formations Klopp has been using and his pace could offer the sort of threat from wide that the German boss is missing – the likes of Adam Lallana, Philippe Coutinho and Firmino all want to drift inside. As well as fitting on the pitch, his age and sell-on potential fit with Fenway Sports Group’s model.

Worth it?

Depending on the fee, he certainly is. Much more than the mooted £10m would be too large of a risk, but for a respectable figure (somewhere below £15m) a deal makes sense. Getting Sane so early is a gamble, but Liverpool are operating in a niche that requires some speculative moves, and Klopp is in need of some pace and guile.

Stats via WhoScored

[ad_pod id=’writeforus’ align=’center’]

As pressure mounts on Louis van Gaal’s job, the January window seems like an ideal time for him to splash the cash and hope to buy his way out of the sack.

I guess this logic is flawed, as he has already tried this, but the Dutch manager should surely be looking to add a central defender of Terence Kongolo’s quality as soon as possible.

While his side continue to bore us to tears on the pitch, Van Gaal continues to provide stubborn responses to any questioning of his style and his players continue to look about as miserable as is humanly possible.

Whilst players like Chris Smalling have impressed, the rest of the Manchester United side has been struggling to even put the ball in the net.

The defence might have been secure, but there is no reason to say that the Red Devils shouldn’t be looking to replace several shaky centre-halves.

Here are FIVE reasons Kongolo could be that man…

Blackburn to blame

Blackburn clearly pulled a blinder in convincing United that Phil Jones could make it at the highest level.

The long-term faith then placed in the English centre-back has been hurtful to the club for a long period of time and the Rovers, although lingering outside the Premier League, are still haunting the biggest club in the country.

Little Daley

Although Blind does a decent job at centre-back, his height makes him an obvious target for the opposition and the Dutch utility man would be far better used as a left-back at the moment.

Due to the injury to Luke Shaw, Blind is being used in a number of positions and we have even seen Borthwick-Jackson fill in at full-back.

Dry spell

United’s poor goalscoring form has been highly publicised, but not many would consider signing a new centre-back to help this.

A signing of Kongolo’s calibre might convince LvG to take the shackles off of some of his midfielders and remove some of the protection for the central defence.

Currently, the defence is not in a settled system and they are benefiting from the two holding midfielders the manager continues to deploy. Ideally, signing Kongolo might see Van Gaal free his side up – but don’t get your hopes up!

Argentine Backstage

Amid personal differences, Marcos Rojo has been marginalised at Old Trafford.

Injuries have not helped his cause, but the Argentine has largely impressed when he has been given the opportunity for the Red Devils and it seems as though his days at numbered.

Unless van Gaal is going to show some surprising faith in Rojo, a replacement is needed.

Fans onside

Protests have been rife at Old Trafford since Ferguson retired, but they have hardly been as infuriated with their side’s performances as they have been this season.

The lack of goals and passive passing game has seen fans hugely unhappy and it might take a marquee signing or two this January to keep the fans off the back of the manager.

Having always had a soft spot for Queens Park Rangers, without really knowing why, the last couple of years are bewildering to say the least.

Manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has endured a difficult start since taking charge of QPR, and hasn’t been able to enjoy any consistency in terms of results. Victories have been followed by draws and defeats in the second tier, and the Londoners currently sit in 13th after 33 games, 13 points off a play-off place. They’ve won just nine games this season and are the biggest draw specialists in the division.

Despite replacing Chris Ramsey with Hasselbaink in December, QPR remain well off the play-off pace and now they are minus Charlie Austin, who left for Southampton recently.

Austin, 26, scored 18 goals for Rangers despite their relegation from the Premier League last season and went on to score 10 in 16 appearances in the Championship. Rather than lose him for nothing in the summer, the Super Hoops at least got some money for the striker.

Hasselbaink has taken on somewhat of a poisoned chalice. Ramsey came in to stabilise the club after Harry Redknapp’s departure and while Harry did guide Queens Park Rangers to promotion to the Premier League at the start of the 2014/15 season, the Londoners endured a terrible time in the top flight.

At his time of departure, Redknapp stated that an imminent knee surgery was the main reason behind him leaving QPR, but many felt that the 68-year old left the club high and dry by departing amidst a relegation battle.b Now Redknapp’s assistant at QPR, Kevin Bond, has gone on to speak regarding the former Bournemouth manager’s departure and has stated that rather than health issues, the veteran boss decided to call it quits as he was left disillusioned at the club.

Bond said: “Our form at home was very, very good. Away from home was really poor and we couldn’t really find an answer. In the end, Harry didn’t really think he was getting anywhere so he called it a day. But I wouldn’t swap getting to the Premier League at Wembley for anything.”

Redknapp was seen as somewhat of a saviour after the big-spending days of Mark Hughes and the disaster that befell his squad. Big names, lured in for big money and bigger wages did not mean success and in November of 2012, after no wins in 12, Hughes was sacked. Chris Ramsey was sacked this season after relegation last year and a poor start to the current campaign. Instability followed by instability.

QPR have also had legal wrangles against the Football League by challenging “the legality of the Championship Financial Fair Play rules”. The west London club are alleged to have spent more on salaries than rules allowed when they were in the Championship a couple of seasons ago.

Over the past few seasons, QPR have always bounced back from relegation to win promotion, but this year has been one to forget for the stuttering west Londoners.

It would seem as though, at this point, that Hasselbaink will be given more time than his predecessors in turning around the club’s fortunes. The persistent attitude of sacking managers does not help a club and slowly but surely, Fernandes must be seeing that sticking with one man for a decent period of time might just be the way forward.

[ad_pod id=’football-survey’ align=’center’]

[ad_pod id=’writeforus’ align=’center’]

According to a recent exclusive from The Daily Star, Manchester United are set to confirm Jose Mourinho as their next manager within the next few weeks – bringing the announcement forward from the end of the season because The Special One’s contract has been leaked in his native Portugal.

And the British tabloid further claim that the Red Devils plan to kick off the Mourinho era at Old Trafford by issuing him a £300million transfer budget for the coming window. United may be without the incentive of Champions League football this summer, but that’s more than enough moolah to make potential transfer targets forget about Europe’s top competition for a season or two.

With that in mind, Football Fancast have drawn up a list of SIX superstars Mourinho could lure to Old Trafford for precisely that sum. Well, just short actually; according to valuations recently mooted in the tabloids, this shopping list would set United back exactly £296million. That leaves £4million in short change to buy a few unknowns, splash out on a new yacht or bribe Sepp Blatter with.

ANTOINE GRIEZMANN

Manchester United are desperately crying out for added quality on the flanks and Antoine Griezmann has been an option on Jose Mourinho’s radar for some time, in no small part due to him flourishing under Diego Simeone’s similar ideals of organisation and opportunism at Atletico Madrid.

The France international serves as an auxiliary striker for the Mattress Makers, notching up a formidable 54 goals in 101 appearances, but made his name as Real Sociedad’s talismanic wide man and is more than capable of returning to that role for the Red Devils. The 25-year-old’s contract includes a £62million release clause.

N’GOLO KANTE

Combining the defensive instincts of Claude Makelele with the ferocious energy of Ramires, N’Golo Kante has emerged as the most formidable enforcer in the Premier League since arriving from Caen last summer, going on to average the most tackles, 4.5, and second-most interceptions, 4.2, per match of any player in the division whilst offering penetrative drive on the counter-attack.

Leicester City will fancy their chances of holding onto the France international, with the Premier League title all-but-mathematically theirs and Champions League on offer at the King Power Stadium next season. But the 25-year-old’s contract is known to include a £20million release clause and it seems inevitable that someone will activate it during the summer.

ROMELU LUKAKU

Romelu Lukaku’s career-best return of 25 goals in 40 appearances across all competitions this season, including 18 strikes in the Premier League, has seen him emerge as one of the most coveted strikers in Europe, capable of converting different types of goal through an imperious physicality that offers height, power and pace in almost equal measure.

Even though recent sources have rated him as highly as £50million, that could still prove a shrewd investment for a 22-year-old striker who already boasts 78 Premier League goals. Likewise, the Belgium international has worked with Jose Mourinho before, albeit briefly, and suits his usual template of physically-imposing frontmen.

MATS HUMMELS

Manchester United have searched far and wide for a likeminded alternative but all roads seem to inevitably lead back to Mats Hummels. The Borussia Dortmund skipper is an aerially dominant centre-half famed for his Beckenbauer-esque ability to build attacks from deep positions and offers a wealth of experience, having lifted the World Cup, two Bundesliga titles and featured in a Champions League final.

With his contract due to expire at the end of next season, it seems the Black-Yellows will almost certainly be forced to sell during the coming transfer window. But the Red Devils need to act quickly, with recent reports revealing the German international is already in talks with Bayern Munich. In the absence of coherent figures from the tabloids, FFC reckon Dortmund would settle up for around £30million.

JAMES RODRIGUEZ

Famed for claiming the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup, James Rodriguez hasn’t quite performed to the levels expected since moving to Real Madrid in the same summer, despite a decent enough return of 20 goals and 20 assists in 53 La Liga appearances.

Nonetheless, the Colombian international is an exciting talent whose impressive output, tricky feet and stocky frame should serve him well in the Premier League.

Rumour has it Real Madrid will look to offload the 24-year-old attacking midfielder during the coming transfer window but plan to recoup the vast majority of their original investment – accordingly valuing Rodriguez at a slightly steep £60million.

PAUL POGBA

Since swapping Old Trafford for the Old Lady by way of a free transfer in summer 2012, former Manchester United youngster Paul Pogba has emerged as arguably the most formidable central midfielder in world football, combining technical trickery with an abundance of netting prowess and a powerful yet elegant 6 foot 2 frame.

The France international looks set to leave Juventus this summer, having recently lifted a fourth consecutive Serie A title, and may feel he has unfinished business with the Red Devils. The 23-year-old’s £74million valuation, courtesy of agent Mino Raiola, should be well within United’s financial reach this summer but with Real Madrid, Barcelona and PSG all interested, failure to qualify for the Champions League could see the Red Devils miss out.

Outgoing Celtic manager Ronny Deila has backed his assistants John Collins and John Kennedy as capable options to lead the club forward when he leaves this summer, report the Daily Record.

Ever since the announcement earlier this month that the Norwegian would be leaving his role in charge at Celtic Park, there have been a number of big managerial names linked with the post.

The likes of David Moyes, Brendan Rodgers and Roy Keane have all been mooted a potential candidates recently.

More left-field suggestions such as Leeds United’s Steve Evans and the outgoing Blackburn Rovers boss Paul Lambert have also been linked with a move to Glasgow.

However, Deila has talked up the prospect of seeing his two assistants step up to the plate should the club not wish to bring in a big name replacement.

While that’s a move that will more than likely prove unpopular with the Hoops faithful, the 40-year old believes the pair are more than up to the task.

‘I have been lucky with my two assistants while I have been here. It has been great to work with them as I have learned a lot’, announced the former Strømsgodset chief.

‘John Collins has references on a level that not a lot of people in Scotland have had for many years.’

‘He’s been in a club environment that’s been in the semi-finals of the Champions League and knows what the foreign countries are doing with the best clubs around.’

‘John has been unbelievably important for me and has so much to offer.’

‘He is different from a lot of people in Scotland. He dares to speak and say what he means.’

‘It’s so important to have people like that. He knows what he’s talking about and it’s important he’s listened to.’

Collins has experience as a full-time coach, having managed Hibernian for a year between 2006 and 2007, leading them to the Scottish League Cup.

Still, it is a notion not likely to capture Celtic fans’ imaginations.

[ad_pod id=’ffc-poll-2′ align=’center’]

[ad_pod id=’arsenal-europcar’ align=’center’]

[ad_pod id=’writeforus’ align=’center’]

According to reports from El Confidential, Barcelona have been attempting to ‘tap up’ Arsenal star Hector Bellerin and Manchester City transfer target Aymeric Laporte.

The Spain international rose through the ranks at Barcelona’s renowned La Masia academy before moving to north London in summer 2013, where he has since emerged as one of the most exciting young full-backs in world football.

WANT MORE? >> Arsenal Transfer News | Man City Transfer News

Barcelona have been tipped to swoop for the 21-year-old by a variety of sources in recent weeks, including Goal, amid reports claiming resident right-back Dani Alves is set to leave the Nou Camp on a free transfer.

But El Confidential claim Barcelona sporting director Roberto Fernandez has been using underhanded methods to lure Bellerin back to his former club, alleging he’s made contact with the defender without Arsenal’s permission – despite making it clear they have no plans to sell this summer.

The Spanish publication have made similar allegations in regards to Aymeric Laporte. Manchester City are ready to activate the Athletic Bilbao prodigy’s £39million release clause according to The Guardian, but it appears Barca have been cutting corners in a bid to beat the Citizens to his signature.

Journalist Kike Marin finishes the particularly condemning article by reiterating two articles from the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.

Article 17 paragraph 5; “Any person subject to the Statutes and regulations of FIFA (officials of clubs, players ‘ agents, players, etc.) will be sanctioned acting in any way to induce the termination of a contract between a professional and a club with the purpose of facilitating the transfer of the player.

Article 18 paragraph 3; “A club wishing to enter into a contract with a professional player must communicate in writing its intention to club player before starting negotiations with the player. A professional player will free to sign a contract with another club if his contract with his present club has expired or will expire within six months. Any violation of this provision shall be subject to appropriate sanctions.”

[ad_pod id=’prem-flops’ align=’center’]

There can be no doubt that West Ham had their best season in decades last year.

The plaudits will go to the man that put the team together, guided them on how he wanted them to play and then delivered, but it should be remembered that the board backed the new man all the way.

Slaven Bilic was not the first choice at West Ham, but the vast majority of Hammers fans will be pleased that he came to the Boleyn Ground rather than anyone else. For a club that enjoys the “one of their own” mentality, Bilic came home and immediately set about changing the Hammers from also-ran’s to contenders.

The style of football was more in keeping with the West Ham Way and the players that Bilic recruited had supporters excited and on the edge of their seats. They worked hard, played attacking football on the floor and used the wings, which culminated in a seventh place finish and qualifying for Europe.

[ffc-gal cat=”west-ham” no=”5″]

Had things gone their way more often, then it is easy to suggest that West Ham could have snatched a top four Champions League place at the expense of Manchester City.

Dealing with the realities, though, Bilic has built himself a squad that over performed last year and will need to equal this season.

For the money the Hammers board have stumped up and continue to put into the club, they will want a reward and progression. Nothing flashy and overnight particularly, but gradual improvements culminating in West Ham being a top four side within the next two years.

Bilic has his work cut out. With the amount of money in the war chest this year, courtesy mainly of the TV deal each club will receive, he will need to buy wisely. West Ham still look for value for money and like to find hidden gems, such as Diafra Sakho, Dimiri Payet, Manuel Lanzini and Michail Antonio.

With everyone else spending big and with high profile managers at the top clubs all spending even more, the task isn’t made any easier and Bilic in his second year as manager may find it just that bit more difficult.

Not only are the expectations of the board weighing on the manager’s shoulders, there are his own and, more importantly, the fans’.

It will be expected that over the summer further quality signings will arrive to boost the squad as they push on in the Premier League and in Europe. At the moment, the Hammers appear to be struggling to entice the players they want to the Olympic Stadium and the frustration for the club and fans is palpable.

Teams next season will be looking to stop the East London, as their not so secret weapon, Dimitri Payet, has opened his box of tricks for all the world to see. Stop Payet and you stop West Ham, or so they might think.

But West Ham are not a one man team; true, they perform differently without him, but with the likes of Lanzini and Michail Antonio providing goals, power and pace, their rivals would be wrong to judge them in that rather one dimensional way.

In order to mount a serious challenge for the top four next season, it is imperative that West Ham hold onto key players, not only because of their abilities, but also the existing chemistry between them.

To enable them to do that, four things will need to happen.

Bilic must learn from the mistakes of last term, the club must keep its best players, Bilic must instil a winning mindset into his players and West Ham will need the kind of players to take them to the next level, especially at the back and forward areas.

As the other teams look to build on last season so West Ham must keep a wary eye open for teams like Southampton that finished above them, Stoke City who were not too far behind, Liverpool, re-structuring under Klopp, Everton similarly under Koeman and the perennial top clubs – all vying for four positions next year.

Bilic will have his work cut out, but if anyone can take West Ham to the land where dreams are made of, it’s the charismatic, amiable, rock music loving Croat.

[ad_pod id=’greatest-players’ align=’center’]

[ad_pod id=’playwire’ align=’center’]

West Ham’s summer long pursuit of a striker could finally be coming to an end if they reach the holy grail (secure the signing of Carlos Bacca). The AC Milan forward has been the talk of the Hammers’ fans this summer. Fan boards, Twitter accounts and various ‘in-the-know’ journalists have been scouring his every move since the very first link and there is finally a chance that all of this will come to something with an £80,000-per-week deal having been offered to the 29-year-old.

Whilst Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia and Andy Carroll continue to frustrate all who are challenged with watching their various disappointing attempts to finish off attacks, Bacca is waiting in the wings. Waiting like some sort of striking goliath. He’s damn good, that’s for sure.

The real question when any new player arrives at a club, though, is what can they bring to the table? How much will they improve the club? Can they change the team’s fortunes?

Bacca sure can. Here are FIVE reasons why…

Rolls-Royce

Carlos Bacca’s last three league seasons of goal scoring read like this: 18, 20, 14.

That’s prolific and that’s damn impressive. This was not playing with Mesut Ozil or Eden Hazard as a creator behind him, this was in – an admittedly strong – Sevilla side and in a drastically underperforming AC Milan team.

Bacca can find the net, that’s of no doubt, and he will surely fire West Ham in to European contention once again.

Step up

Sakho, Carroll and Valencia try hard, for sure, and they have provided the West Ham fans with some special moments over the past couple of seasons, yet they’re not the calibre of Bacca.

The Colombian forward has pushed his name in to contention with some of Europe’s best in the number nine role and that is a marked change for the Irons.

Master of all trades

Can he run in behind? Yep.

Can he compete aerially? Sure can.

Will he miss chances? Nope.

Carlos Bacca has got it all. However you want to use him in your squad, Bacca will perform the role with energy and physical presence, it’s hard to imagine a more suited striker for West Ham.

Swimming pool depth

Bacca’s brilliance will surely guarantee him a place in the Irons’ starting line-up from the moment of his arrival, but this is a squad with depth to challenge on multiple fronts. Many sides with Europa League football see their squad stretched to uncomfortable areas, yet it’s hard to see such an issue for the Hammers.

Even if Bacca was to suffer an injury, Andy Carroll can easily intimidate opponents and Bilic has shown previously he is not afraid to adapt his side’s approach.

Dream front four

Dimitri Payet, Sofiane Feghouli, Manuel Lanzini and Carlos Bacca. No, that’s not the front four of Atletico Madrid or Juventus, that could well be the attack that Slaven Bilic has at his disposal heading in to the new season.

It’s simply mouth-watering, isn’t it? Bacca will lead the line in a team dripping with attacking talent and it’s a pretty terrifying prospect for Premier League defences.

Could that attack break the financial monopoly at the summit of the Premier League?