Manchester United monitor £40m Douglas Costa

Wales manager and former Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs has told Gareth Bale to stay at Real Madrid. You wonder if this is Giggs having a pop at Jose Mourinho, who Giggs supposedly resents after not getting the United job despite his many, many qualifications, such as... er... he played football for the club. Otherwise, let’s hope Giggs is successful in his advice to Bale, because he can’t stay fit and the last thing United need is another ageing winger. Sanchez is the old man for us, and let’s not get another Madrid offcast.

Apparently Mourinho’s bullying of Luke Shaw could cost them a move for Bale. Quite why United would want Bale is unclear, as is evidence as to why Bale would worry about Shaw. Shaw is being criticised for being relentlessly unfit, overweight and unprofessional, all things that Bale knows not to do. Boo-hoo, Luke, try Arsenal if things are too tough.

Mourinho has identified a superior alternative to Bale, telling Ed Woodward to explore his chances of getting Juventus winger Douglas Costa, on loan from Bayern Munich. Juventus have an option to make that into a permanent deal, but there might be a way to accommodate that by sending Anthony Martial to Italy. It would be a bit of shame if Martial didn’t stay on at United, but Mourinho’s patience is obviously running out with some of his players.

Jesse Lingard scored the winner for England against the Netherlands last night, his first goal for the international side. His excellent form continues, and he has impressed for two years with his effort and application. It’s nice to be wrong about a player, sometimes.

And lastly, there’s a look back on Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s time at Manchester United now he has joined LA Galaxy. He was perhaps Mourinho’s best signing so far.