Manchester United line up Ricardo Carvalho

Manchester United are reportedly preparing to swoop for Monaco defender Ricardo Carvalho.

The veteran centre-back is attracting the attention of Louis van Gaal as the Dutchman looks to bolster his defensive ranks ahead of the September 1 transfer deadline, according to Tuttomercatoweb.

Van Gaal is said to view the 36-year-old former Chelsea defender as the ideal man to provide cover to the likes of Jonny Evans and Marcos Rojo.

The Portuguese is understood to be keen to move and earn his coaching badges while acting as a squad player at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, United are reportedly close to signing Ajax defender Daley Blind. 

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AC Milan keen on Liverpool winger Suso

AC Milan are reportedly eager to sign Liverpool winger Suso on a season-long loan basis.

It was previously claimed that the 20-year-old would move to La Liga outfit Sevilla as a part of the deal that took Alberto Moreno to Anfield.

However, that switch never materialised, but it is believed that Liverpool remain open to the prospect of loaning out the Spaniard.

That has alerted Milan head coach Filippo Inzaghi, who is keen to bolster his attacking options before Monday's transfer deadline, according to Sky Sport Italia.

Suso spent last season on loan in his native Spain with Almeria, for whom he scored three goals in all competitions.

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Burnley 0-0 Manchester United : Manchester United still without Premier League win after draw with Burnley

Manchester United have missed out on the chance to secure their first win of the new Premier League season after being held to a goalless draw at Burnley this afternoon.

The home side almost took the lead inside the first three minutes of the tie when David Jones fired a free kick towards the goal, only to see his effort come back off the crossbar.

There was another worrying moment for David de Gea moments later when Jonny Evans sent a backpass towards the United keeper, only for Lukas Jutkiewicz to intercept it, but the Spaniard recovered to block the shot.

After surviving the opening barrage fro the hosts, Louis van Gaal's side's first chance of the match fell to Robin van Persie after a ball into the box from Angel di Maria, but the striker was denied by Tom Heaton.

Di Maria was involved again moments later, picking out Juan Mata with a backheel, but the Spanish midfielder could not get his shot away in a crowded penalty area.

Jones and Scott Arfield also came close as Burnley finished the first half strongly, but neither side could break the deadlock before the half-time whistle.

The visitors kept the ball well at the start of the first half, but they created few goal-scoring opportunities in the opening 20 minutes of the second spell.

A break from Di Maria resulted in another chance for Van Persie when Wayne Rooney collected from the new signing before picking out his strike partner, but Dean Marney was on hand to clear the ball off the line.

Burnley continued to cause problems down the other end, with Matt Taylor's low effort being kept out by De Gea, before the midfielder tried again a few minutes later from a free kick, sending the ball high.

Rooney, who had seen few chances in the opening 80 minutes, tried to fire in from a corner with just over 10 minutes to go, but his finish went wide.

The visitors wanted a penalty with just a couple of minutes remaining when Ashley Young tried to force the ball into the box, only for Ashley Barnes to make a block, with the United players claiming that the striker used his hand, but referee Chris Foy was not interested.

The result gives Burnley their first point of the season, moving them up to 18th in the table, while United sit 13th.

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West Ham United 1-3 Southampton : Morgan Schneiderlin hits brace in Southampton win

Morgan Schneiderlin scored twice as Southampton came from behind to beat West Ham United 3-1 at Upton Park in this afternoon's Premier League clash.

Carlton Cole had a half-chance for West Ham in the early moments after meeting a deep free kick from James Tomkins, but Fraser Forster was on hand to make the save.

The home side had a brilliant chance after 26 minutes when Ricardo Vaz Te met a loose clearance inside the Saints box, but Forster was across his goal to make another fine save.

The Hammers were ahead less than one minute later, however, when a Mark Noble strike deflected into the back of the net off Southampton centre-back Maya Yoshida.

The away side equalised late in the first period, however, when Schneiderlin finished from close range.

The Saints started the second half on the front foot, creating three half-chances inside the first 10 minutes, but Shane Long and Schneiderlin were both denied by Adrian in the West Ham goal.

Dusan Tadic was next to come close for the away side after 55 minutes, but his effort was straight at Adrian as West Ham struggled to contain the increasing pressure.

Graziano Pelle had the ball in the back of the net for the Saints moments later, but his effort was ruled offside despite replays showing that the striker was in an onside position.

Southampton were not to be denied after 68 minutes, however, when Schneiderlin scored his second from a low James Ward-Prowse cross.

The away side continued to dominate in the latter stages and had their third seven minutes from time when Pelle converted from close range after a loose save from Adrian.

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Everton VS Chelsea Preview

Roberto Martínez claimed his first league win as Everton manager against Chelsea, the victory arriving in the second home game of last season following three draws. After two draws so far, both a consequence of conceding late goals, he will be hoping for a repeat with the ex-Chelsea strikers Romelu Lukaku and Samuel Eto’o in his ranks but this is a far more potent and creative José Mourinho side than the one that arrived at Goodison Park for Eto’o’s debut 12 months ago. Andy Hunter

Kick-off Saturday 5.30pm

Venue Goodison Park

Last season Everton 1 Chelsea 0

Referee J Moss

This season G2, Y9, R2, 6.50 cards per game

Odds H 11-4 A 6-5 D 5-2

Everton v Chelsea: probable starters in bold, contenders in light.

Everton

Subs from Robles, Hibbert, Gibson, Eto’o, McGeady, Besic, Stones, Alcaraz, Duffy, McAleny, Browning, Garbutt

Doubtful Eto’o (match fitness), Lukaku (toe)

Injured Pienaar (groin, 13 Sep), Koné (knee, 20 Sep), Oviedo (broken leg, 20 Sep), Barkley (knee, Oct)

Suspended None

Unavailable Atsu (terms of loan)

Form DD

Discipline Y2 R0

Leading scorer Naismith 2

Chelsea

Subs from Cech, Schwarzer, Zouma, Filipe Luís, Ake, Ramires, Drogba, Salah, Mikel, Van Ginkel, Willian, Christensen

Doubtful Costa (hamstring)

Injured None

Suspended None

Form WW

Discipline Y1 R0

Leading scorer Costa 2

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GOAL ZONE 'Player Of the Week'........

LIONEL ANDRES MESSI (FC Barcelona)

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi wins out Player Of the Week, following a scintillating performance to gift his side an open day win against Elche at the Camp Nou.  

The attacker banged twice in superb trademark fashion to dispatch their opponents,despite finishing the game a man short.

Messi collected from Sergio Busquets and drove past two Elche defenders before rifling home into the far right corner,with the goalkeeper well beaten.

The 27-year Old rounded the rout,after Munir's strike,collecting Alves' square pass and dribbling through a line of Elche defenders to roll into the far coner with ease to secure all three points for the Catalans on the open day.

GOAL ZONE 'Player Of the Week' Polls:

3% BELLARABI

16% CHADLI

5% DI NATALE

31% JOVETIC

45% MESSI.

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Burnley VS Manchester United Preview

The order of the day for Manchester United is simple: win. After dropping five of the first six points on offer and being beaten 4-0 by MK Dons in the Capital One Cup, the Louis van Gaal’s team are yet enjoy to victory. Three points at Turf Moor would correct this and help rebuild “smashed” confidence yet Burnley have happy memories of winning the corresponding match the last time they were in the Premier League. If Ángel di María features, the tight compact ground will provide a memorable backdrop to the debut of British football’s most expensive player. Jamie Jackson

Kick-off Saturday 12.45pm

Venue Turf Moor

Last season n/a

Referee C Foy

This season G1, Y2, R2, 6.00 cards per game

Odds H 11-2 A 8-13 D 16-5

Burnley v Manchester United: probable starters in bold, contenders in light.

Burnley

Subs from Cisak, Gilks, Lafferty, Wallace, Kightly, O’Neill, Sordell, Reid, Long, Ward, Barnes, Howieson

Doubtful None

Injured Vokes (knee, Jan)

Suspended None

Form LL

Discipline Y2 R0

Leading scorer Arfield 1

Manchester United

Subs from Amos, Lindegaard, Thorpe, Lawrence, Powell, W Keane, Vermiji, Petrucci, Rothwell, Januzaj, Hernández, Welbeck, Cleverley, Mata, James, Anderson

Injured Da Silva (match fitness, 13 Sep), Kagawa (concussion, 13 Sep), Smalling (hamstring, 20 Sep), Herrera (ankle, 13 Sep), Shaw (hamstring, 27 Sep), Carrick (ankle, Oct), Fellaini (ankle, unknown), Lingard (knee, unknown)

Suspended None

Unavailable Rojo (work permit)

Form LD

Discipline Y4 R0

Leading scorers Mata, Rooney 1

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Fernando Torres agrees Milan terms

AC Milan have apparently agreed terms with both Chelsea and Fernando Torres ahead of the transfer of the striker.

The Italian giants have been in talks over a move for Torres since selling Mario Balotelli to Liverpool.

They initially wanted to bring him in on loan, but Chelsea insisted that they would only consider parting with the Spaniard on a permanent basis.

It was suggested that would be a stumbling block for Milan because of his wage demands, but Sky Sports News claims that Torres has agreed a switch to Serie A and will undergo a medical on Saturday morning.

Torres has scored 20 Premier League goals for Chelsea in 110 appearances since costing them a then-British-record £50m from Liverpool in 2011.

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Liam Rosenior devestated to be knocked out of Europe early

Hull City's Liam Rosenior has revealed his disappointment at his side's elimination from the Europa League.

The Tigers were knocked out of the competition on the away goals rule, having drawn with Belgian Cup holders KSC Lokeren on aggregate.

"I would say devastating is the best way of summing up the night," Rosenior is quoted as saying by the Yorkshire Post. "We were all desperate to get through to the group stages.

"Everyone is gutted that it didn't happen, especially in the manner of how we went out on away goals. But for all that disappointment, I am sure the direction the club is heading in will mean there are many, many more nights like this in the future.

"We will get European football back here in the future. I honestly believe that. Just look at how the club has grown in a short space of time and the additions that the manager continues to make, we will keep going forward."

Meanwhile, manager Steve Bruce is hopeful of more signings before the transfer window closes.

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Manchester United's Louis van Gaal: 'Ed Woodward in charge of transfers, not me'

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has insisted that executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is responsible for sealing the signatures of new players, not him.

Woodward, who replaced long-standing chief executive David Gill last summer following Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement, has been criticised for his conduct over the last few transfer windows.

Marouane Fellaini was the only major signing to arrive at Old Trafford under former manager David Moyes last summer, but Juan Mata was added to the ranks from Chelsea in January.

This summer, United have secured the signatures of Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo and Angel di Maria so far, but Woodward has been criticised yet again for not getting new recruits quickly.

"Of course I shall say what players I want and what players are better to leave and Ed Woodward is doing the transfer market so I don't interfere in that process," Van Gaal said in his weekly press conference. "I am on the sportive side, he is the side to sell or to buy."

Clubs have just three days to complete their transfer business before the window shuts.

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Manchester United 'agree Daley Blind fee'

Manchester United have reportedly agreed a fee with Ajax for the transfer of Daley Blind.

The 24-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford, after being part of Louis van Gaal's Netherlands squad at this summer's World Cup.

According to the Daily Mail, there have been various reports from Holland that a £14m fee has been agreed for the defender, but personal terms are yet to be discussed.

Blind has won 19 caps for the Netherlands and scored during his country's 3-0 win against Brazil in the third-place playoff at the World Cup.

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Arsene Wenger hails "perfect" Mesut Ozil

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed that everything Mesut Ozil does on the pitch is "absolutely perfect".

The 25-year-old joined the Gunners from Real Madrid last summer, but he has come under criticism for some of his performances by the club's supporters.

"People are very harsh with Ozil because he's a player who's always very easy on his play but when you watch the game again after, the next day, you see what a player he is," The Telegraph quotes Wenger as saying. "Everything he does is intelligent. The timing of everything he does is absolutely perfect. You never catch him giving the ball too late.

"The timing, he's like a guy who plays the music, the timing of what he does is perfect, you don't get many players like that.

"He is not getting enough praise. He came back as a World Cup winner. He played all seven games. He played some good games. He is not a tackler."

Ozil played every match in Germany's World Cup winning campaign this summer.

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Louis van Gaal: 'You can't compare roles'

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal believes that it is impossible to compare his challenge at the Red Devils to his previous management jobs.

The 63-year-old has achieved success at every club he has managed during his 23-year career, but feels that the test he faces at Old Trafford is unique.

"I would never compare jobs because, when I started with the Dutch national team, for example, no one believed we could qualify for the World Cup," Van Gaal told reporters.

"After that, they said we wouldn't have any chance to get through the first group at the World Cup, and after that, they said we'd lose against every opponent. In the end, we finished third.

"You cannot compare this to Bayern or Barcelona – they are different cultures. AZ, too. They are a minor club, but at the end they were the champions of the Netherlands. So every challenge is a challenge and you cannot compare them."

United face Burnley in their Premier League clash later today.

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Hugo Lloris ready for Liverpool test

Tottenham Hotspur keeper Hugo Lloris is determined to help his side end their struggles against the elite teams in the Premier League.

Spurs endured heavy defeats in their two games against Liverpool and Manchester City, and were also hammered 4-0 by Chelsea last season.

Lloris believes that the manner of those past failures have led he and his teammates to approach the games this campaign with a new resolve.

He told reporters: "Last season broke our confidence. When you lose once it could happen but when you lose against top teams twice, three times, four times it means there is something wrong in our side.

"This is why we are working to find the best solution and always to improve. Sunday will be a tough game against a top team. It will be a good test for us to know where we are."

Mauricio Pochettino's side face Liverpool in their Premier League matchup on Sunday at White Hart Lane.

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Mark Hughes: 'Vincent Kompany is Manchester City's best signing'

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes feels that the signing of Vincent Kompany was the best signing in the history of Manchester City.

Hughes bought the Belgium international for just £6m in 2008 from Hamburg when he was manager of the Citizens.

Kompany is now widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the world and an integral part of City's two Premier League title wins.

Hughes told reporters: "Was he the best money City have ever spent? Yeah. People will laugh and think it is easy to sell Manchester City – but not in those days. It was a leap of faith and fair play to him.

"We had to tell him what would happen in the future. Vinny was very clear, he wanted to come, he wanted to be successful and he wanted to be part of something.

"In terms of pound for pound, it has to be way up there in terms of my best. You look at certain levels of finance being thrown at mediocre players and it does not bear comparison."

City and Stoke face off in their Premier League matchup later today.

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