Gossip: Mkhitaryan, (next) Zlatan, Giggs, Rooney

Matt Stead

HEY MKHI
Things have not gone awfully well for Henrikh Mkhitaryan. He joined Manchester United from Borussia Dortmund for £26.3million in the summer, but due to a combination of form, injuries and being a winger under Jose Mourinho, he has struggled. He doesn’t seem to fit.

The Armenian has started just one Premier League match, and The Sun are now reporting that he could be sold as soon as January. Rob Maul does not report an exclusive in his story, nor does he attribute the claim to anyone else. More than half of the story is comprised by Owen Hargreaves quotes, which should be a contractual obligation for every single football website.

The story is based on the fact that the 27-year-old has ‘failed to convince’ Mourinho of his talents, this despite ‘impressive displays’ in training. He could be ‘bombed out’ as a result. Where to? They do not say. For how much? They do not say.

 

TAKE (THE NEXT) ZLAT
It seems that football gossip columns are desperate to find Alexander Isak a new club. There is surely no other reason that his name, along with the moniker of ‘next Zlatan Ibrahimovic,’ keeps appearing in headlines. Yes, we’re fully aware of what we have done here.

The Sun are the latest to report on the future of the Swedish striker, with Manchester United and Chelsea ‘talent spotters’ listed among a ‘staggering’ 90 scouts who watched his recent game for AIK Solna against Gothenburg.

This is claimed to be a record for a Swedish league game, with an ‘almighty scrap’ set to ensue for his signature. We continue to be stunned that Europe’s leading clubs continue to monitor one of Europe’s leading young strikers.

 

GIGGS’ GIGS
Now then, let’s see if this sates the appetites of many in football who wish to see Ryan Giggs become a manager. It has previously been claimed that he should not have to drop down into the lower leagues to begin his coaching career, but is Championship Wigan a suitable alternative?

According to ESPN, the former Manchester United assistant manager is being considered for the position left vacant by Gary Caldwell’s sacking. Writes Pete O’Rourke:

‘Sources said Wigan are now weighing up a move for Giggs as they look to secure their survival and the job might appeal to Giggs as it means he can stay in the northwest and learn his trade on his first sole managerial role.’

It is no surprise that Wigan would want him, but somehow we cannot see Giggs dropping down to try and rescue a team sitting 23rd in the second tier.

 

AND THE REST
Inter Milan have emerged as surprise contenders to sign Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney…Chelsea could have signed Marko Grujic last season, only for Jose Mourinho’s sacking to allow Liverpool to swoop in to land the midfielder…Borussia Monchengladbach sporting director Max Eberl admits the Bungesliga outfit hope to extend the stay of Chelsea loanee Andreas Christensen beyond the defender’s two-year deal…Nottingham Forest boss Philippe Montanier could lose his job if the club are taken over by US tycoon John Jay Moores, who also wants to appoint former Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel as director of football.