Paper Round: Jose Mourinho one game from the sack at Manchester United

Manchester United players have taken to openly discussing boss Jose Mourinho’s future at Old Trafford. Some believe that defeat in their match to Burnley will see him sacked, while others do not see him lasting September. There is a belief that the situation is similar to the last days of Louis van Gaal, whose exit had an air of inevitability. While Mourinho is unlikely to walk away from his contract, the possibility of Zinedine Zidane has been talked about.

Paper Round’s view: Ed Woodward has now created an atmosphere at Old Trafford where the players know they are in charge despite underperforming. It is a problem that they know that their own poor showings this season mean just one more defeat will allow them to possibly bring in Zidane. While Mourinho appears to have lost the dressing room, this cycle could repeat itself for whoever comes in next.

With the Spanish transfer window approaching its last days, Gerard Pique has said that he would welcome Paul Pogba to Barcelona, stating: "We will be happy to have him here, obviously. We want the best players to be at Barcelona.” That’s not all, though. With United in need of a central defender, the 31-year-old Spain international has ruled out a return to the club where he started his first-team career.

Paper Round’s view: Few would have anticipated that Pique would leave Barcelona at this stage, but it’s an indication of how far United have fallen behind the Liga champions. In the past, there might have been some kind of temptation for Pique to join another great side to try and win something more, but now there is no doubt that he is at the right place to win trophies.

Everton could see more players leave as a period of heavy recruitment has left them with a bloated squad. Sandro Ramirez joined a year ago but failed to break into the first team, and was instead loaned to Sevilla. Now Real Sociedad have started negotiations with Marco Silva’s side. This comes as Ademola Lookman looks to rejoin RB Leipzig.

Paper Round’s view: Ramirez is a throwback to when Everton were amassing one player after another under their new owner, but things have been scaled back. It is difficult for Ramirez to make his way in a new team, so a move back to his home country will appeal. It also makes room in Everton’s squad and allows Silva more flexibility in the winter transfer window.

Sheyi Ojo could be on his way out of Liverpool for the rest of the season. The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at Fulham, but will have to move elsewhere for more experience. He is interested in a move to Ligue 1, and newly promoted side Reims have been in contact over a possible loan move. Divock Origi and Lazar Markovic could both also leave the club.

Paper Round’s view: Origi and Markovic don’t particularly want for talent, but after an excellent summer transfer window Liverpool can afford to release some of their fringe talent to focus on their very best players. Ojo is too young to be cut for good, and a year away in Ligue 1 should give him more experience, and perhaps show one way or another if he should be kept on for the longer term at Anfield.