Paper Round: United take security measures against drone threat

United patrol skies for drones: Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has employed experts to check the skies for flying drones at the club's training ground, according to an exclusive report in The Sun. The Dutchman "employs some very specific tactics and he will go to great lengths to keep them secret", claims the paper's source. The security firm will also comb the corridors of the Carrington complex, searching for hidden bugs, after a visitor on a stadium tour planted a bug in the changing room at Old Trafford before a match with Chelsea in 2005.

Paper Round's view: Paranoid much? Well, yes, but it could be warranted, given the proliferation of drones of late - and club's previous experiences with bugs in changing rooms. And Van Gaal's secret formula seems to be beginning to work finally, so perhaps it is understandable he would want to keep it under wraps at all costs.

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Arsenal set for £15m Schneiderlin bid: Arsene Wenger is ready to test Southampton's resolve over Morgan Schneiderlin with a £15 million move for the France international, reports The Sun. That said, the Gunners' manager knows the south coast club will almost certainly turn down any offers during the January transfer window, according to the report. That leaves Wenger with the dilemma of waiting until the summer to land the midfielder, or finding another option next month.

Paper Round's view: It certainly does appear that Schneiderlin is not going anywhere this January, which rather begs the question, why even bother making a bid now? Well, Wenger knows Schneiderlin wants to leave - the player considered going on strike in the summer in an attempt to force a move away - and perhaps he wants to let Schneiderlin know he is serious about taking him to the Emirates, with a view to beating off Tottenham to his signature in the summer.

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Seville eye up Juan Mata: Spanish club Sevilla are monitoring Jaun Mata's situation at Manchester United with an eye on making a January bid to sign the midfielder. The Daily Mirror reports that the Liga club are willing to test Louis van Gaal's resolve over the midfielder who has been in and out of the side this season. The paper claims United are reluctant to let him go this January, but may be amenable to a summer sale, if other targets - like Roma's Kevin Strootman - can be signed.

Paper Round's view: What a shame it would be to see Mata return to Spain. He hasn't been that bad for United, rather a victim of circumstance, which has limited his opportunities to cement a place in the starting XI. He is a fine player, one who could grace most midfields in the world, but unless he can rediscover some of his best form, he is unlikely to stay at Old Trafford.

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Liverpool intensify Odegaard chase: Liverpool appear to be in pole position to sign 15-year-old sensation Martin Odegaard after the starlet had a tour of the club on Wednesday. The Daily Mail reports that the Norway international, who has also spent time with Real Madrid and Manchester United, arrived on Merseyside to take a look at the Reds' ground and facilities. Odegaard, who turns 16 on December 17, is thought to be a Liverpool fan.

Paper Round's view: Forget the sighting on Merseyside, it was last month's revelation to Germany's Bild newspaper that Liverpool is his "dream club" that gives the Reds an edge in any race for his signature. Odegaard did qualify that by saying that wouldn't affect any decision he makes, but given that Liverpool's development of young players is none too shabby, it looks increasingly likely that Brendan Rodgers may have one of world football's hottest prospects on board next season.

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Leicester to investigate Pearson spat with fans: Leicester City will open an investigation into allegations that manager Nigel Pearson told fans to "F*** off and die" as tempers frayed during his side's defeat to Liverpool on Tuesday. The Daily Mirror reports that Pearson is facing a fan backlash after he responded in kind to supporters who had subjected him to bitter verbal abuse and are now demanding an apology.

Paper Round's view: Pearson is a human - very human, it turns out, after overseeing Leicester's nine-match winless run - and like every other person on the planet he is not perfect. He reacted to some abuse, he has admitted that much, after reaching the end of his tether at the King Power Stadium. But footballers and football managers are supposed to be able to rise above that - that's what they're paid for apparently - to soak up the vitriol, keep smiling and say nothing. So in all likelihood, Pearson will be forced to apologise for his behaviour. The fans will not. That is football.

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