Here are the latest stories for Thursday.
ENGLAND: No decision will be made on whether Wayne Rooney retains the England captaincy until after a new manager is appointed, a source has told ESPN FC.
– The Football Association is conducting a “proper investigation” to establish what exactly England captain Wayne Rooney and any of its staff did on Saturday night.
– Rooney should not have apologised for his behaviour during the international break, his former teammate Gary Neville has said.
MAN UNITED: Jose Mourinho claims Arsene Wenger receives greater respect for his achievements as a manager, despite the Manchester United manager insisting that the two men are now the most successful coaches currently working in the Premier League.
– Mourinho has said Wayne Rooney is “ready” to lead Manchester United against Arsenal on Saturday.
– Fabinho has told O Globoesporte he is happy at Monaco, despite continued speculation that he will join Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford.
– United will trigger a financial penalty in their £750 million kit deal with Adidas if they fail to secure a top four finish this season, but the club will avoid an instant £22.5m black hole in their finances, sources with knowledge of the contract have told ESPN FC.
– Bastian Schweinsteiger has been recognised for his contribution to the Germany nation team with the “Special Jury” prize at the BAMBI awards in Berlin.
ARSENAL: Arsene Wenger insists there isn’t a drinking problem in English football anymore, but that players shouldn’t be expected to behave like “angels” either.
– Arsene Wenger says he will shake hands with Jose Mourinho before Arsenal’s game at Manchester United, while adding that Alexis Sanchez says he’s “always OK” as the manager weighs up whether to play the striker on Saturday.
REAL MADRID: Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has named former Wales teammate Ryan Giggs as the best player he has ever played with.
– Karim Benzema has returned to training ahead of Saturday’s La Liga derbi at Atletico Madrid, but midfielder Casemiro and centre-back Pepe look all but certain to miss out.
– Former Colombia international Faustino Asprilla has told ESPN Deportes that Cristiano Ronaldo is a bad influence on James Rodriguez, inspiring “ugly gestures” that show a lack of respect to teammates.
PREMIER LEAGUE: England’s Premier League has sold its television rights in China for about £564 million in its biggest-ever overseas sale, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press.
UNITED STATES: According to ESPN FC sources, the U.S. Soccer Federation has been gauging the interest of potential replacements for Jurgen Klinsmann since at least late last year. U.S. Soccer has been in contact with LA Galaxy boss Bruce Arena and Sporting Kansas City counterpart Peter Vermes within the past 12 months, the sources said. The federation declined to comment on Thursday.
– FC TV’s Shaka Hislop believes one of Klinsmann’s biggest mistakes was to belittle the quality of Major League Soccer. WATCH.
MLS: Two big stories out of the U.S. top flight on Thursday, as LA Galaxy star Robbie Keane is leaving the club after six seasons and three MLS Cup victories. Also, Missouri ownership group announced formal plans on Thursday to bring a Major League Soccer expansion team to St. Louis and build a new downtown stadium.
PSG: Paris Saint-Germain are pursuing AIK attacker Alexander Isak but Juventus currently lead the chase for the teenage sensation, multiple sources connected to the player have confirmed to ESPN FC.
ATLETICO MADRID: Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has ruled out the possibility of Antoine Griezmann leaving the Vicente Calderon, including for Saturday’s rivals Real Madrid.
BARCELONA: Andres Iniesta is making good progress from the knee injury he picked up against Valencia last month and could even return to action in time for the Clasico against Real Madrid.
– Barcelona have failed in a second appeal against Lionel Messi’s booking in the 2-1 win against Sevilla. Referee Santiago Jaime Latre cautioned Messi for time-wasting as he tried to put his boot back on after being fouled by Steven N’Zonzi.
CHELSEA: Eden Hazard and Antonio Conte have been named the Premier League’s player and manager of the month for October respectively.
MAN CITY: Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has praised young Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus and says that the Premier League will be getting another good young player in January.
LIVERPOOL: Liverpool forward Philippe Coutinho is a doubt for Saturday’s trip to Southampton after he underwent a scan on a tight hamstring, a club source has told ESPN FC.
– Jurgen Klopp has revealed how he once wore a Father Christmas mask in order to enjoy a night out and go unnoticed.
– Klopp is at the head of the class in our grading of Premier League manager performances thus far this season. The German earned an A+ for seeing the Reds to the top of the table. See how the rest of the league is faring.
LA LIGA: Mario Balotelli’s “astronomical” salary scuppered the chance of a summer move to a summer move to Malaga, the Spanish club’s sporting director Francesc Arnau has said.
EVERTON: Boss Ronald Koeman has emphasised the importance of Everton demonstrating they are a growing force as he looks to retain the services of Romelu Lukaku for “as long as possible.”
TOTTENHAM: Mauricio Pochettino has come to the defence of Danny Rose after Arsene Wenger called into question the tackle the England international put on Hector Bellerin that injured the Spaniard. The Argentine said: “It is very strange that comment.”
– Harry Kane and Hugo Lloris are in contract talks with Tottenham Hotspur and are committed to the club long term, Pochettino has said.
WEST HAM: Slaven Bilic is confident Dimitri Payet will not leave West Ham in January. France international Payet caused a stir earlier this month when he said he “closed the door to nothing” amid rumours of interest from Paris Saint-Germain.
AC MILAN: The long-awaited sale of AC Milan to Chinese investors could be completed next month. Sino-Europe Sports announced on Thursday that the closing of the deal is slated for Dec. 13, when Milan will hold a shareholders’ meeting.
MK DONS: Former Liverpool and England midfielder Steven Gerrard has held early discussions with the League One club over their vacant manager position, a source has told ESPN FC.
FIFA: FIFA president Gianni Infantino would like to see Video Assistant Referees (VAR) used at the 2018 World Cup — the last time he hopes the event will be played with 32 nations.
AFF SUZUKI CUP: Singapore will be gunning for a record fifth AFF Suzuki Cup title when they open their Group A campaign against co-hosts Philippines on Saturday. The Azkals will be missing Javier Patino and Daisuke Sato which leaves V. Sundramoorthy’s men with a perfect opportunity to kick things off with maximum points.
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