Paper Round: Robin Van Persie's 'last chance' at Manchester United

Last-chance saloon for Van Persie: Robin van Persie will be given a starting berth for Manchester United on Saturday - but if he doesn't take his "one last chance" he will be benched until further notice, according to both the Daily Telegraph and The Times. Louis van Gaal publicly criticised RVP's "very bad" recent displays, and the paper reports that 18-year-old James Wilson is all lined up for a run in the side alongside the returning Radamel Falcao.

Paper Round's view: Since his barnstorming opening six months at United, Van Persie has been distinctly average. And what is worse, he doesn't seem much interested in turning things around - lackadaisical, lethargic displays have been almost embarrassing at times. All strikers suffer slumps in form and confidence, but this seems a deeper issue - will LVG's ultimatum have the desired effect?

Arsenal favourites to sign Cabaye: The Daily Express reports that the Gunners "are leading Manchester United and Liverpool in the race for wantaway PSG midfielder and former Newcastle star Yohan Cabaye." It's less than a year since Yohan Cabaye's bye-bye from Newcastle, but given that the French midfielder is struggling for playing time at Paris he is said to favour a return to the Premier League. The price? £19m.

Paper Round's view: Cabaye would be a great capture, a proven quantity in Premier League competition. Given the constant injuries plaguing Arsenal's midfield they need another decent man - though the Gunners' terrible injury record could, of course, put the 28-year-old Cabaye off making the move. Liverpool seem a good fit as well, with Steven Gerrard clearly coming to the end of his useful life, but the French connection at Arsenal could prove key in this instance.

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Valdes move to Manchester United still on: Spain's Mundo Deportivo reports that, contrary to earlier reports, Victor Valdes is indeed still in line to sign with Manchester United. His recent return to Spain, the paper claims, was not the end of the matter - as widely reported - but rather a weekend back in Spain before he once again resumes training with United.

Paper Round's view: One of the strangest sagas of the summer, and no mistake. Why didn't Valdes sign for Liverpool, a side who desperately need an upgrade between the sticks given Simon Mignolet's poor form? Why would Manchester United want the big-earning Spaniard considering that in David de Gea they have one of the finest goalies in the world? Our best guess is that Valdes is far from fully recovered from serious injury earlier this year, and that the training facilities are, for now, being provided by United more as a courtesy than anything else, but also partly in hope that his years at Barcelona in their peak will rub off on United's players.

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West Ham and Swansea in for Barcelona starlet: The Daily Mirror reports that the Hammers and the Swans are both keen on Barca's 19-year-old Munir El Haddadi. Both teams hope to land the Spanish international on loan for the second half of the season - and Barca are keen to send him out to gain experience.

Papar Round's view: What a chance for either club. Given that European football is (currently, at least) a serious target for both sides, even the no-doubt hefty loan fee would be worth it to land a great young talent like this.

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Sunderland to move for Ajax midfielder: The Daily Mirror claims that Ajax midfielder Lasse Schone is a target in January. The 28-year-old could be available on a cut-price deal considering that his contract expires in the summer.

Paper Round's view: Midfielders with decent goalscoring records are tough to find, and the Dane has been a 10-goals-a-season man in his years with Ajax. Not a bad shout at all.