Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest news snippets from across the footballing world, including Paul Scholes's take on United's problems, Leverkusen's admission on Kai Havertz's future and a possible early return for Mario Lemina. Scroll down for more!
Scholes criticises United's past signings
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Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has said that "alarm bells started ringing" at the club when Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill left in 2013 to be replaced by David Moyes and Ed Woodward. The club has been in freefall over the last six years, with a variety of managers - including incumbent Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - have failed to make them serious contenders again.
"When you look five or six years ago when Alex left, the other person who didn't get the credit he deserved was David Gill," Scholes told BBC Radio 5 Live. "He was a football man and he knew footballers. From the day he and Sir Alex left, it has been difficult.
"I think the alarm bells rang straight away when David took over and signed Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini for £70m. They are good players but I don't think they were Man Utd players. I don't think Sir Alex and David Gill would have signed those players. We are in this position now because we have signed players who are not Man Utd players. Ole is in there now and trying to put it right."
Leverkusen boss admits Havertz exit possible
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Bayer Leverkusen manager Peter Bosz has conceded that Kai Havertz could leave the club in the near future amid transfer interest from Liverpool and Manchester United. The 20-year-old winger has been linked with a number of Europe's top clubs after netting 20 Bundesliga goals last season and being nominated for the Golden Boy award.
Asked about the interest in the young German, Bosz told SportBild: "Of course I would like to keep him, just as I would have liked to keep Julian Brandt, for example. Kai is only 20 and still has room for improvement. I can help him there. But it is like this, at the end the player himself must feel when he is ready for the next step. Nobody can decide that for him."
Mendes tips Ronaldo to break Pele record
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Agent Jorge Mendes has insisted that Cristiano Ronaldo will surpass Pele's record of 767 career goals during his time at Juventus. The 34-year-old scored his 700th career goal during Portugal's defeat to Ukraine on Monday.
Mendes told Sky Sports News: "His numbers don't lie and light up the overwhelming way Cristiano Ronaldo shatters records, which elevate him to the category of best player in the history of football, with a big difference compared to the second [best] for all he achieved with the different clubs he represented, whether in England, Spain or now in Italy and also with the Portuguese national team
"Cristiano has reached the remarkable milestone of 700 goals, but I have no doubt that he'll surpass Pele as the best scorer in football history, and he'll do it with Juventus. After all, 68 goals aren't a lot for this extraordinary Cristiano Ronaldo, are they? It's also because I'm convinced that his best is yet to come."
La Liga finally heading to USA?
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Atletico Madrid and Villarreal have agreed to play their La Liga encounter in December at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, according to AS. La Liga attempted to play Barcelona's encounter with Girona last year in Florida but objections from the players' union put paid to the plans.
Lemina back to Southampton?
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Southampton's Mario Lemina could reportedly return from his season-long loan with Galatasaray in January. According to Fotomac, Lemina is likely to be sent back to his parent club due to manager Fatih Terim's desire to bring back Martin Linnes into the squad - and Gabon international Lemina would be sacrificed due to a rule limiting the number of foreign players in Turkish teams.
Friend of tragic England fan denies drug use
The friend of an England fan who died in Sofia on Monday morning ahead of the Three Lions' victory over Bulgaria has denied that drug use played a part. Robert Spray, 32, died after being found in "a helpless condition" by police before the game.
"Rob wasn't taking any drugs. There were no drugs," childhood friend Andrew McMath told The Telegraph. "The whole trip, I've not seen him try to get hold of or use any drugs. It just feels like an easy thing to say."
West Brom offer Ferguson new deal?
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West Bromwich Albion have offered young defender Nathan Ferguson a new five-year contract amid interest from Crystal Palace, according to The Telegraph. The 19-year-old has been a key performer for Slaven Bilic's side this season as they look to challenge for promotion back to the Premier League.
Neil Wilkes
