Manchester City star Gabriel Jesus out for six weeks

Manchester City have confirmed that Gabriel Jesus damaged the medial ligament in his left knee against Crystal Palace but will not require surgery.

The Brazil striker left the pitch in tears during City’s goalless draw at Selhurst Park on Sunday. He is expected to be out for approximately six weeks, although the club’s medical staff will assess him over the next few days.

The injury is a setback for the Premier League leaders who may now consider making an offer for Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez in the January transfer window rather than waiting until the Chile star is a free agent at the end of the season.

Mourinho bites back at Scholes for criticism of Pogba

Jose Mourinho has hit back at former Manchester United star Paul Scholes for his criticism of United’s France midfielder Paul Pogba. Speaking after Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Southampton, Scholes said: “He doesn’t look like a player who will win you games – that’s what you pay £90m for.”

Following the 2-0 win over Everton on Monday, United boss Mourinho said: “The only thing Scholes does is criticise.

“Scholes will be in history as a phenomenal player. Not as a pundit.” Scholes’ comments at the weekend came after United had drawn for the third game in a row.

The 43-year-old former England international, working as a pundit for BT Sport, questioned Pogba’s fitness and attitude, as well as the position he was being played in.

“He is just strolling through games,” said Scholes who won 11 league titles at Old Trafford. Pogba doesn’t look fit, I wonder whether he is training properly. No-one in England should be getting near him, but he is being asked to do a role he is not comfortable in. You have to say the manager has to take responsibility for that.”

While hitting back at Scholes, Mourinho said: “I don’t think he [Scholes] comments. He criticises – which is a different thing. “Not everyone has to be phenomenal like he was. As a player he was phenomenal, but it doesn’t mean we all have to be phenomenal. “Sometimes Pogba plays very well, sometimes he plays well and sometimes he doesn’t play well. Pogba tries his best all the time.

“It’s not Paul’s fault that he made much more money than Paul Scholes. It’s not Paul Pogba’s fault, it’s just the way football is.” And Mourinho added: “If Paul [Scholes] decides to be a manager one day, I wish that he can be 25% as successful as myself.

Mourinho wants to sign Griezmann for $119million January

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly eyeing an ambitious move for Antoine Griezmann with the transfer window having reopened. The France international was close to joining the Red Devils in the summer, but Atleti’s failure to overturn a transfer ban urged the forward to stay put at the Wanda Metropolitano.

According to The Express, Mourinho would prefer pursuing the services of Griezmann this month rather than waiting until the end of the season. Spanish giants Barcelona have recently emerged as front-runners for the Frenchman, but United could still pursue the versatile ace by triggering the £86m release clause in his contract.

Earlier in June, Griezmann admitted that he has a ‘6/10’ chance to join the Red Devils, and a move to Old Trafford would see him reunited with close friend and compatriot Paul Pogba whilst also getting the chance of emulating his idol David Beckham.

United have been hampered in the centre-forward department  of late with both Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic sidelined, and there is a distinct need for a new marksman with Marcus Rashford, in particular, not in the best of form.

Liverpool duo Salah & Mane to fly to Africa before Everton game

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says it is a matter of “respect” to allow Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane to go to an awards night in Ghana 24 hours before the FA Cup game against Everton.

The attacking duo are on a three-man shortlist for the Confederation of African Football Player of the Year award which will be named on Thursday. “We sleep in a hotel, they sleep in a plane. That is all the difference,” said Klopp.

“We have to show them respect.” The awards take place in Accra on Thursday evening with Liverpool kicking off against local rivals Everton at 19:55 GMT the day after.

Klopp says that his experience of managing the third nominee – Borussia Dortmund and Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – during his time at the German club means he understands the importance of the awards.

“If it had been a matchday they wouldn’t have asked,” he added. “For our side, it is just a sign of respect. “I had Aubameyang and there is nothing more important than to go there.”

The awards recognise the best male and female players from the continent and organisers expect that all previous winners since their inception in 1992 will be present.

Salah, who scored the goal that took Egypt to their first World Cup since 1990 as well as 23 in 29 appearances for Liverpool this season, won the BBC African Football of the Year award in December.

The 25-year-old missed Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Burnley on Monday with a slight groin strain and Klopp says he is a doubt for the meeting with Everton regardless of his travel.

“If Mo is not fit, it will not be for that,” he added.

MORE GOSSIP AND TRANSFER NEWS…..

Liverpool will demand an “astronomical” fee from Barcelona before they consider selling 25-year-old Brazil midfielder Philippe Coutinho. (Telegraph)

The Spanish giants have been told that it would take a deal worth almost £160m to bring Coutinho to the Nou Camp. (Onda Cero Radio commentator Alfredo Martinez)

Napoli will be ready to allow left-back Faouzi Ghoulam, 23, to move to Manchester United for his £53m release clause as they close in on the £26.6m signing of his replacement – 22-year-old Spaniard Alejandro Grimaldo from Benfica. Algeria international Ghoulam tore his cruciate knee ligament in November last year. (Record – in Portuguese)

Chelsea’s hopes of convincing 33-year-old Italy centre-back Giorgio Chiellini to move to Stamford Bridge have suffered a setback after he hinted at extending his contract with Juventus. (Sky Italia – in Italian) 

Swansea are keen on West Ham’s unsettled striker Diafra Sakho, but may need to consider bids for English centre-back Alfie Mawson, 23, or South Korea midfielder Ki Sung-yeung, 28, to make a deal for the 28-year-old Frenchman happen. (Guardian)

Huddersfield have made an approach to sign Monaco’s 23-year-old Netherlands defender Terence Kongolo on loan. (Huddersfield Examiner)

Meanwhile, both Huddersfield and Watford are targeting Wolves centre-back Kortney Hause, 22. (Sun)