Luke Shaw linked with Fenerbahce transfer

Last night, Andi and I went to the Opta sports quiz, where we warred relentlessly over who knew the most about football. It turns out, out of the two of us, the most knowledgeable one is the BT Sport team. Well done, and thank you for giving me the chance to pad out this blog with a few words in the international break.

Andy Burnham, mayor of Manchester who quit mainstream parliamentary politics in protest as an actual socialist leading the Labour Party, has admittedly done something reasonable by saying that football clubs should pay the living wage. However, it’s worth remember his racist, xenophobic approach to parliamentary politics, and tell him to sling his hook. Will the Glazers pay the living wage? Not if Ed Woodward can help it.

Fenerbahce is a home for over-the-hill Manchester United players, which means it makes perfect sense that the Turkish club are interested in Luke Shaw, the club’s 17th-pick left-back. He wants to stay and fight for his place at United, apparently, but perhaps he could try losing some weight before trying to play first-team football again.

Some good news. Manchester United finally have the end in sight for Paul Pogba’s injury layoff. He could be back for United’s game against Manchester City, which would be a handy return. United have looked atrocious without him for the last few weeks, but at least they’re coming up against the kind of dross they should batter regardless.

And there’s one more story, as ESPN discuss the difficulties Henrikh Mkhitaryan is having in the recent weeks. As discussed, Pogba’s absence has led United to struggle with anything beyond a succession of corners and crosses from the flank. While the players should do better, Pogba appears to give United more space and creativity through the middle.