Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest news snippets from across the footballing world, including Juan Mata's comments on working under Jose Mourinho, an alleged job offer from Real Madrid to Cristiano Ronaldo and Alexis Sanchez's accusations of 'blanking' his Manchester United teammates. Scroll down for more!
Johnson: 'West Ham weren't bothered about EFL Cup'
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Glen Johnson launched a scathing attack on his former side West Ham United after they were thrashed 4-0 by League One side Oxford United in the EFL Cup last week. Manuel Pellegrini made nine changes to his starting XI for the encounter, leaving Johnson furious that the club had not taken the competition seriously.
"They've been battered," he told talkSPORT afterwards. "Yes, they made changes and obviously these competitions can kick up the odd strange result, but to be hammered 4-0... that's not just exiting the competition, that's getting battered and destroyed. I genuinely don't get it, it's a chance of winning trophy and a chance of winning a trophy by February. To make nine changes, I think that is blatantly saying, 'we're not bothered, we're just going to keep everybody fit for the weekend'."
Wenger's United comments 'fake news'
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Quotes attributed to Arsene Wenger describing the manager's role at Manchester United as "a dream job" have been confirmed as false. A spokesman for beIN Sports, to whom the quotes were credited, said: "Arsene hasn't been a guest of beIN SPORTS in recent weeks so the quotes weren't given to us. We last spoke to him at the start of the month and these comments weren't from that interview."
Alcohol to be subsidised at 2022 World Cup
The cost of purchasing alcohol at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is to be subsidised for fans under a new agreement with tournament organisers. A pint of beer typically costs £10 in the small Gulf state, where the sale and consumption of alcohol is ordinarily subject to severe restrictions.
Nasser al-Khater, chief executive officer of the 2022 World Cup, said: "Alcohol is not part of our culture. However, hospitality is. Alcohol is not as readily available here as in other parts of the world but for the World Cup we want to ensure it is accessible for fans who want to have a drink, so we are trying to find designated locations for fans to have alcohol, other than traditional places such as hotels and so forth."
New court date set for Neymar, Barca dispute
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Barcelona and Neymar have agreed a new court date of October 21 over their ongoing dispute relating to his transfer out of the club to PSG in 2017. The two sides met last week in an attempt to resolve the issue, which relates to an unpaid 'loyalty' bonus, but were unable to reach agreement after three-and-a-half hours of talks.
Casemiro 'home robbed during Madrid derby'
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Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro's home was robbed while he was playing in the Madrid derby on Saturday night, according to El Chiringuito TV. The Brazilian's wife and young daughter were said to have been in the house during the break-in.
Mata opens up on Mourinho relationship
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Juan Mata has admitted that he could have left Manchester United when Jose Mourinho was installed as manager. The Portuguese sold Mata from Chelsea to United in 2014 after deciding that he did not figure in his plans, but then followed the player to Old Trafford himself two years later.
"I have no personal bitterness towards him at all," Mata said in an interview with the Daily Mail. "My football is not perfect for his idea of football. That's what happens. I went to United and after some time, he came to United, too. I feel content and happy with myself because again the easiest decision would have been to leave, knowing his approach and my qualities. But I didn't leave and despite what many people said and wrote, I played more than people expected."
Madrid to offer Ronaldo ambassadorial role?
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Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has reportedly offered Cristiano Ronaldo the role of club ambassador for life when he ends his playing career. The job would see the Juventus frontman represent Los Blancos on a dozen trips around the world each year.
Alexis Sanchez 'ignoring United teammates on WhatsApp'
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Alexis Sanchez is ignoring his Manchester United teammates on WhatsApp following his loan move to Inter Milan, according to The Sun. The Chilean is said to have been completely silent in the players' chat group in recent months, while Chris Smalling - on loan at Roma - still 'joins in with the banter'.
Neil Wilkes
