Rio Ferdinand 'targeted by MLS bosses'

Rio Ferdinand could reportedly receive an offer to delay his retirement and play in Major League Soccer from 2015.

The Queens Park Rangers defender's future in the game has been the subject of intense speculation since he announced in a TV interview that he was thinking of hanging up his boots at the end of the season.

However, The People claims that chiefs from the MLS are hoping to convince Ferdinand that a move to North America will be a good way to end his career.

It is understood that MLS bosses are willing to offer a substantial salary to the former England captain, despite the league having been reluctant to pay high wages to defenders.

A move across the Atlantic may not be the only option for the 35-year-old, with offers rumoured to be on the table from the Indian Super League and clubs in the Middle East.

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Gareth Bale not interested in Manchester United move

Gareth Bale has reportedly ruled out a move to Manchester United in the upcoming January transfer window.

The Real Madrid forward has been linked with a move back to the Premier League this winter, with speculation claiming that United could offer £90m for the Wales international.

However, the Daily Star reports that the 25-year-old is happy in Madrid and is enjoying playing for Carlo Ancelotti, so is not interested in the move.

Bale's £85.3m switch to the La Liga side from Tottenham Hotspur in 2013 made him the most expensive player in the world.

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Brendan Rodgers: 'Luis Suarez Ballon d'Or snub unfair'

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has described former striker Luis Suarez as being an "incredible talent" who is among the top five players in the world.

The Uruguay international did not make the 23-man Ballon d'Or shortlist announced this week, despite being voted Footballer of the Year and PFA Player of the Year in England following a 31-goal campaign for the Reds.

Rodgers admits that he is surprised by the snub, saying that he believes Suarez is being wrongly punished for his bite on Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup.

"I can't think of a reason why Luiz shouldn't be on the shortlist," he is quoted as saying by The Mirror. "Certainly, football-wise, he should be on there. I can only think that it is because of the bite that he isn't being considered - and I don't believe that's fair.

"If you are judging it on football - and that's surely what it is because it is called the Golden Ball, not the Golden Ball and Mouth. If anyone in the world names the five best players at the moment they would probably say Ronaldo, [Lionel] Messi, Neymar, Suarez and [Gareth] Bale.

"How can four be in it and one not? It means the Ballon d'Or isn't about football. I don't know the histories of all the players on the short-list, but I'm sure that some of them have been guilty of misdemeanours somewhere along the way. Luis Suarez is an incredible talent. What a player."

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has been installed as the early favourite to win the prestigious award.

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Brendan Rodgers targets Real Madrid scalp

Brendan Rodgers is optimistic that his Liverpool side can get back to winning ways by beating Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.

The Reds slumped to their fourth defeat of the Premier League season on Saturday by going down 1-0 away to Newcastle United.

Liverpool now turn their attentions toward the Spanish capital ahead of a crucial Champions League clash, and Rodgers hopes that his troops can shelve their domestic woes next week against the European champions.

"Playing Real Madrid in the Bernabeu is is a wonderful game for us and we are still in with a chance of qualifying. We know it's a big ask against probably the best side in the world," he told reporters.

"There are pressures every game and there is always that expectancy at Liverpool, which is probably the case at only a few clubs. It's there every game but we understand and accept that. We will go into that game on Tuesday and the players will have the confidence back.

"We will get back to working well on the training field and hopefully we will get a good result."

Liverpool, who lost 3-0 to Madrid at Anfield in their last Champions League outing, sit third in Group B, tied for second with Basel and Ludogorets Razgrad on three points.

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Manchester City v Manchester United Preview

Manchester City desperately require victory following the three-match wobble that has included defeat in the past two games plus a draw. The nightmare scenario for the champions is to go down to Manchester United before their home crowd. Do so and Manuel Pellegrini will have a crisis on his hands ahead of the Champions League match against CSKA Moscow on Wednesday.

Kick-off Sunday 1.30pm

Venue Etihad

Last season Man City 4 Man Utd 1

Referee M Oliver

This season G7, Y29, R0, 4.14 cards per game

Odds H 10-11 A 33-10 D 3-1

Probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Photograph: Graphic/Graphic

Manchester City

Subs from Caballero, Nastasic, Boyata, Wright, Sinclair, Sagna, Kolarov, Demichelis, Dzeko, Fernando, Navas

Doubtful Touré (groin)

Injured Lampard (thigh, 8 Nov),

Silva (knee, unknown)

Suspended None

Form DDWWWL

Discipline Y21 R1

Leading scorer Agüero 9

Manchester United

Subs from Lindegaard, Amos, Evans, Mata, Herrera, Carrick, Fletcher, Valencia, Anderson, Blackett

Doubtful

Injured Jones (calf, unknown), Lingard (knee, unknown), Falcao (calf, unknown), Young (groin, unknown)

Suspended None

Form WLWWDD

Discipline Y18 R2

Leading scorers Di María, Rooney 3

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Luis Suarez bemoans "unjust" Barcelona loss

Luis Suarez has said that Barcelona's 1-0 loss at home to Celta Vigo in La Liga yesterday was an "unjust" result.

It was the Uruguayan's first start at the Camp Nou since his summer move from Liverpool, but it did not end well for the forward as Joaquin Larrivey netted the only goal of the game to give Celta a shock victory.

"The other day against Real Madrid to return to playing was a bittersweet feeling, it was great to be back but we didn't get the result," Suarez told the club's official website.

"To make my debut in the Camp Nou in a competitive game was nice but the result is negative again. We created a lot of chances, but we didn't have luck on our side. They defended well and their goalkeeper was great.

"Football can be unjust at times, the opponent creates one chance in the whole game and scores and that hurts."

Suarez, who cost Barcelona £75m, is yet to score for the Catalan outfit in three appearances.

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Dani Alves keen to move on

Barcelona defender Dani Alves has admitted that Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Celta Vigo was "a crazy game".

The Catalan outfit hit the woodwork four times during the La Liga clash at the Camp Nou, but a second-half strike from Joaquin Larrivey secured all the points for the visitors.

"It was a crazy game and we had many chances to score," he told Sport.

"Now we have to look forward. We know we'll get criticism, that's how it works. I know my game wasn't good.

"We were disastrous against Madrid and better here. Now we try to correct our defects as a team. I'm not worried. These things happen in competition . We have to be prepared for times like this."

Barcelona have now lost their last two in the league.

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Everton v Swansea City Preview

Roberto Martínez’s side are aiming for a hat-trick of league wins for the first time this season but face a Swansea team who returned to form against Leicester last weekend and will be smarting from their Capital One Cup exit at Liverpool on Tuesday. Defender Federico Fernández is available after his costly red card at Anfield was rescinded, while the influential duo of Wilfried Bony and Gylfi Sigurdsson should return to bolster their starting lineup.

Kick-off Saturday 3pm

Venue Goodison Park

Last season Everton 3 Swansea 2

Referee K Friend

This season G6, Y26, R0, 4.33 cards per game

Odds H 3-4 A 17-4 D 3-1

Everton v Swansea City: probable starters in bold, contenders in light

Everton

Subs from Robles, Eto’o, Distin, McGeady, Besic, Atsu, Hibbert, Garbutt, Osman, Gibson, Browning

Doubtful Gibson (knee)

Injured Oviedo (leg, 9 Nov), Mirallas (hamstring, 22 Nov), Koné (knee, Jan), Stones (ankle, Jan)

Suspended None

Form WLDLWW

Discipline Y16 R0

Leading scorers Lukaku, Naismith 4

Swansea City

Subs from Tremmel, Emnes, Kingsley, Sigurdsson, Dyer, Gomis, Bartley, Carroll

Doubtful Ki (knock), Sigurdsson (groin)

Injured Amat (knee, 9 Nov), Tiendalli (groin, 9 Nov), Britton (knee, 22 Nov), Donnelly (ankle, unknown), Richards (knee, unknown)

Suspended None

Form LLDDLW

Discipline Y15 R2

Leading scorer Bony 4

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Hull City v Southampton Preview

Steve Bruce’s Hull City play host to Southampton, a team in red hot form, who in their last six games have outperformed league leaders Chelsea. Graziano Pellè leads the line and will be keen to add to his tally. Hull are missing key players in Nikica Jelavic and Michael Dawson, which could seriously hinder their chances of improving a poor record at home.

Kick-off Saturday 3pm

Venue KC Stadium

Last season Hull City 0 Southampton 1

Referee M Atkinson

This season G8, Y34, R0, 4.25 cards per game

Odds H 3-1 A 1-1 D 5-2

Hull City v Southampton: probable starters in bold, contenders in light

Hull City

Subs from Watson, Rosenoir, McShane, Figueroa, Aluko, Meyler, Robertson

Doubtful None

Injured Dawson (ankle, 23 Nov), Harper (arm, 23 Nov), Jelavic (knee, 23 Nov), McGregor (shoulder, 23 Nov), Snodgrass (knee, May)

Unavailable Ramírez (loan agreement)

Suspended None

Form DDLWDD

Discipline Y17 R1

Leading scorers Diamé, Jelavic 4

Southampton

Subs from K Davis, Gazzaniga, Cropper, McCarthy, Targett, Gardos, Yoshida, Cork, Reed, McQueen, Isgrove, Mayuka, Mané

Doubtful Mané (ankle)

Injured Rodriguez (knee, Dec), Ward-Prowse (foot, Dec), Gallagher (knee, unknown)

Suspended None

Form WWWLWW

Discipline Y12 R0

Leading scorer Pellè 6

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Chelsea v Queens Park Rangers Preview

José Mourinho delivered his warning towards the end of his briefing when it was suggested QPR would arrive at Stamford Bridge with few expectations of any reward. “Why?” he snapped back. “They did in the past. They did recently. Why shouldn’t they expect?” A west-London derby might, indeed, eke an away performance from Harry Redknapp’s team against the leaders. Diego Costa will return as Chelsea aim to avoid an upset.

Kick-off Saturday 3pm

Venue Stamford Bridge

Last season n/a

Referee M Jones

This season G5, Y13, R0, 2.6 cards per game

Odds H 2-11 A 20-1 D 7-1

Chelsea v Queens Park Rangers: probable starters in bold, contenders in light

Chelsea

Subs from Cech, Schwarzer, Aké, Christensen, Zouma, Salah, Ramires, Schürrle, Baker, Drogba

Doubtful Ramires (match fitness)

Injured Mikel (knee, 8 Nov), Rémy (groin, 22 Nov)

Suspended Azpilicueta (third of three)

Form WDWWWD

Discipline Y21 R2

Leading scorer Costa 9

Queens Park Rangers

Subs from McCarthy, Murphy, Traoré, Hill, Taarabt, Phillips, Kranjcar, Hoilett

Doubtful McCarthy (thigh), Taarabt (match fitness)

Injured Barton (hamstring, 8 Nov), Mutch (hamstring, 8 Nov), Onuoha (hamstring, 15 Nov), Faurlín (knee, Aug)

Suspended Ferdinand (first of three)

Form LDLLLW

Discipline Y10 R0

Leading scorer Austin 4

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Arsenal v Burnley Preview

It does not get any easier for Burnley as they chase their first victory of the season, even if Arsenal are, by Arsène Wenger’s admission, struggling to find their rhythm this season. Burnley have scored only five goals in nine league games and they are likely to adopt a familiar defensive approach, in order to retain a puncher’s chance. The onus is all on Arsenal to find the way through Burnley. They are desperate to find consistency.

Kick-off Saturday 3pm

Venue Emirates Stadium

Last season n/a

Referee C Pawson

This season G6, Y23, R2, 4.16 cards per game

Odds H 1-3 A 12-1 D 5-1

Arsenal v Burnley: probable starters in bold, contenders in light

Arsenal

Subs from Martínez, Coquelin, Flamini, Rosicky, Walcott, Podolski, Campbell, Akpom, Gnabry, Gibbs, Sanogo

Doubtful Gnabry (match fitness), Gibbs (hip), Sanogo (hamstring)

Injured Wilshere (knee, 8 Nov), Diaby (calf, 22 Nov), Koscielny (ankle, 22 Nov), Giroud (leg, Dec), Debuchy (ankle, Dec), Özil (knee, Dec), Ospina (thigh, Jan)

Suspended None

Form DWDLDW

Discipline Y24 R0

Leading scorer Sánchez 5

Burnley

Subs from Gilks, Boyd, Sordell, Mee, Chalobah, Keane, Wallace, Barnes, Cisak, Lafferty, Long

Doubtful None

Injured Reid (groin, 22 Nov), Taylor (ankle, Dec), Vokes (cruciate, Dec)

Suspended None

Form DDLDLL

Discipline Y16 R0

Leading scorers Arfield, Boyd, Ings, Kightly, Wallace 1

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Newcastle United v Liverpool Preview

Alan Pardew and Brendan Rodgers are friends dating from the days when Liverpool’s manager served as Pardew’s youth team coach at Reading. Delighted as Rodgers has been to see his pal dodge the sack as Newcastle have, against all odds, won three consecutive games, he could do with a victory in what his Newcastle counterpart deems one of this division’s most “romantic” fixtures. If all eyes are on Mario Balotelli, a key sub-plot could revolve around the performances of rival wingers Raheem Sterling and Rolando Aarons.

Kick-off Saturday 3pm

Venue St James Park

Last season Newcastle Utd 2 Liverpool 2

Live BT Sport 1

Referee A Marriner

This season G2, Y10, R0, 5.0 cards per game

Odds H 14-5 A 1-1 D 14-5

Newcastle United v Liverpool: probable starters in bold, contenders in light

Newcastle United

Subs from Elliot, Williamson, Anita, Haïdara, Abeid, Rivière, Pérez, R Taylor, Ameobi, Armstrong

Doubtful Cissé (knee), Williamson (knock)

Injured Tioté (calf, 9 Nov), Santon (knee, 22 Nov), De Jong (thigh, 21 Dec)

Suspended None

Form LDLDWW

Discipline Y18 R1

Leading scorer Cissé 4

Liverpool

Subs from Jones, Johnson, Henderson, Lallana, Coutinho, Markovic, Touré, Lambert, Lucas

Doubtful None

Injured Enrique (knee, 8 Nov), Sakho (thigh, 8 Nov), Sturridge (calf, 23 Nov), Flanagan (knee, Dec), Suso (groin, Dec)

Suspended None

Form LLDWWD

Discipline Y18 R0

Leading scorer Sterling 3

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Kevin Strootman wants to leave Roma

Roma's Dutch midfielder Kevin Strootman has allegedly told the Serie A club that he wants to join Manchester United.

Strootman has been linked with the Red Devils numerous times in the past, with Louis van Gaal known to be a big admirer of the player.

Roma are reportedly keen to offer the Dutchman a new deal to keep him at the club but the player has allegedly asked the two sides to negotiate a sale in January, according to Goal.com.

Strootman is said to be keen to linked up with his former national coach at Old Trafford, as the Red Devils are rumoured to offer treble his £25,000 a week wages.

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Manuel Pellegrini: 'Financial Fair Play stopped us signing Angel di Maria'

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has admitted that he could not sign Angel di Maria due to Financial Fair Play rules.

Di Maria, now at City's local rivals Manchester United, cost the Red Devils a British record fee of £59.7m in August earlier this year.

"We had important restrictions about our budget this year. We cannot spend the money that United paid for Di Maria," Pellegrini told reporters.

"We had important restrictions on the amount of players we can have this year and also the amount of money we can spend."

The former Real Madrid and Benfica winger will likely feature for the Red Devils as they come up against City in the Manchester derby this Sunday.

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Louis van Gaal: "I am not jealous of the squad of Manchester City"

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is bullish ahead of his first Manchester derby, claiming that he is not jealous of Manuel Pellegrini's squad.

The Dutchman believes that his side can take advantage of City's recent slump and walk away from the clash with all three points.

"I am not jealous of the squad of Manchester City," Van Gaal told reporters. "I am proud of my players and that is the most important thing and when we play like a team then we have a big chance to win.

"We have played very well against West Brom and we played a draw against Chelsea, nobody expected that result but for me it was not enough and maybe the result against Manchester City shall give us that boost.

"It is not the greatest moment of Manchester City, what we have seen of Manchester City in the last matches was not so good. We have a good feeling about this match, our spirit is unbelievable. I think we shall grow and develop ourselves. We need a good result and it could be against Man City."

Meanwhile, City manager Pellegrini has insisted that United are no better than they were last season.

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