Most Popular Sports
All Sports
Show All

Paper Round: Jose Mourinho to spend a decade at Manchester United, possibly with Antoine Griezmann

Jen Offord

Updated 21/12/2016 at 07:47 GMT

Manchester United bosses want Jose Mourinho to break tradition and stay put for a decade, and he wants to sign Antoine Griezmann, too. It's Wednesday's Paper Round.

Jose Mourinho

Image credit: AFP

Jose to spend a decade at United...

A number of Wednesday's back pages focus on Jose Mourinho despite the club's worst start to a season in 27 years under the so-called Special One. Mourinho has never lasted longer than three years at a club but reports indicate United bosses want to "break the cycle." And this despite having already seen some of the characteristic behaviours that have caused his downfall at other clubs, such as disciplinary issues and rifts with players.
Paper Round’s view: Whatever you might think about Mourinho, taking him on in the first place was a bold move by United - he's a divisive figure. Sure, he's had some good results in his time, but last season was not one for his portfolio and he's certainly not proven to be the cure-all solution United were hoping for. However, given time, we know he's capable of turning a team's fortunes around and United could perhaps benefit from stability after a bad start to the post-Ferguson years. That said, as we edge towards the halfway point of the first season, his second is probably going to have to be better if he's to see out a lengthy spell with the club.
*****

...And he wants Griezmann with him

The Sun reports that Jose is ready to make a swoop for Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann, having asked a "top agent" to open talks with the club over a deal reported to exceed £60 million. According to The Sun, the Frenchman would likely remain in Madrid until the summer transfer window with a move likely after the season's end.
Paper Round’s view: Barely a day goes by without Griezmann being linked to one Premier League club or another, and although United seems to be the one that sticks, there isn't always fire behind all that transfer window smoke. Looking at the possible options, United do seem the more fitting club for the likes of Griezmann and we're sure Mourinho would take him. But would Euro 2016's Golden Boot winner take United right now? Don't get us wrong, we could see this happening, but it might depend on whether United can muster a top-four finish and a place in the Champions League next season.
*****

Kvitova out for "at least three months" after attack

Petra Kvitova has said she is "fortunate to be alive" after a knife attack during a burglary at her home "severely" injured her left - and playing - hand. The tennis player had surgery on the hand for nearly four hours, it was confirmed on Tuesday, and though the outcome was said to be positive, she will now have to wear a cast for six to eight weeks and cannot bear weight on the hand for "at least" three months.
Paper Round’s view: Though it could have been far worse, clearly this is a horrendous thing to happen to anyone, least of all a player so full of promise. Ranked 11th in the world after some good results in 2016 at Wuhan and Zuhai, the two-time Wimbledon winner will miss January's Australian Open for definite, but three months out - or longer - could have massive consequences for her entire season. Paper Round wishes her a speedy recovery.
*****

Pressure mounts on Cook to stand down as England captain

England cricket captain Alastair Cook features on many of Wednesday's back pages as they focus on England's humiliating collapse against India, and a 4-0 loss in the series has heaped pressure on the 31-year-old to stand down as England captain. Speaking ahead of the series, Cook himself admitted he may not hold the role much longer and even said he "looked forward" to a day he could play a Test match as a simple batsman - that time may now come sooner than anticipated.
Paper Round’s view: Cook has said he needs "a bit of time" to decide on his future, though the decision may be as good as out of his hands, now. Though Joe Root, the oft-cited likely replacement for Cook, might be a little younger than the England Cricket Board would have liked at 25, the team needs time to bed in ahead of the Ashes next year and if Cook's heart isn't in it, surely it makes sense to begin the transition sooner rather than later.
Join 3M+ users on app
Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports
Download
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement