Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest news snippets from across the footballing world, including Mark Robins's assessment of the situation at Manchester United, Arsenal missing out on Antoine Griezmann and an F-laden rant from Dani Alves. Scroll down for more!
United 'need 10 transfer windows'
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Former Manchester United striker Mark Robins has claimed that it could take as many as 10 transfer windows to fully overhaul the struggling squad. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have had a poor start to the season, winning just two of their first eight league games to sit 12th in the table - with the technical possibility of falling into the relegation zone this weekend should results conspire against them.
"I'd love to see Ole get the time to be able to build, because he is not doing it in one window; he's going to need six, seven, eight, nine... 10 windows," Robins, now Coventry City boss, told talkSPORT. "You don't get that time generally. Ultimately what he is doing is trying to implement the processes Sir Alex had in place prior to his retirement.
"I think that is a huge ask. Remember Sir Alex went years prior to winning his first trophy and that will be very, very difficult to replicate because of the modern-day pressures. Having said that, if things are moving in the right direction then he will get some time. I also think Ole is a character that's not putting himself front and centre; he's putting his club front and centre. So he will be part of a process moving forward to make United successful again, and I don't think he makes any qualms about that. I think that is something to be applauded and respected."
Wanyama explains failed Spurs exit
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Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Victor Wanyama has spoken about his failed move to Club Brugge over the summer and has vowed to keep working for a place in Mauricio Pochettino's side. The 28-year-old was in line for a move to the Belgian side after a series of knee injuries saw him fall dramatically down the pecking order in North London.
"For me, I am a professional player and sometimes you have to wait until everything is done," he told All Africa. "Things were good but unfortunately the transfer didn't happen. But I have to put my head down and work hard in training to be back on top form. I will keep working and wait for my chance in the team."
Arsenal 'just missed out' on Griezmann
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Arsenal almost had the chance to sign Antoine Griezmann in 2017 but missed out after they failed to qualify for the Champions League, according to The Athletic. The Barcelona forward was then angling for a move out of Atletico Madrid and seemed to be destined for Arsene Wenger's side, but the deal died after the Gunners missed out on the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.
Morris 'wants £60m for Derby'
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Derby County owner Mel Morris is holding out for £60m to agree to sell the club, according to The Sun. Morris is already thought to have turned down a £50m bid from an American consortium for the Rams, who are currently 13th in the Championship.
Newcastle 'closing in on new deals'
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Newcastle United are hoping to tie down three players to new terms in the near future, according to The Chronicle. Goalkeepers Martin Dubravka and Freddie Woodman, plus midfielder Isaac Hayden, are said to be in discussions over extending their stays with Steve Bruce's side.
Alves claims Paris is "full of f*cking racists"
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Former PSG defender Dani Alves has launched a surprise attack on the French capital, accusing Parisians of being racists. "Paris is a stressful city, I don't like it much," the Brazilian - now playing for Sao Paulo - told GQ. "If you go to Paris for a week, it will be the adventure of your lifetime. More than that, it is tiresome. It reminds a bit of Sao Paulo. But there, they are f*cking racists. A lot of them. To me, they didn't do anything, because I would have told them to go f*ck themselves, but I saw it with my friends."
Matip back for Liverpool
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Liverpool defender Joel Matip is back in line to partner Virgil van Dijk for the side's trip to Manchester United this weekend. The 28-year-old missed two games after picking up a knock last month but was back in full training at Melwood on Tuesday.
"I'm back in training and hopefully I will stay fit," the centre-back told the club's website. "I'm back in training and I feel good. Of course, if I'm needed, I will be there. Injuries [happen] to a player. Now I'm back, I hope I stay fit and I can focus on the positives."
Pickford "proud" of England
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England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has spoken of his pride for his teammates after their horrific racist abuse in Bulgaria on Monday night. The Everton stopper wrote on Instagram: "Good win under difficult circumstances. There is absolutely no place for scenes like that. Proud of the team tonight."
Neil Wilkes
