Manchester United transfer news and rumours: Pursuit of Monaco defender Fabinho over?

PLUS: A young United star has put pen to paper on a new contract while there has been talk about United's travel plans for Sunday at Chelsea

Getty Monaco's Brazilian defender Fabinho (2R) celebrates after scoring a goal
Fabinho (centre) was a reported target for United in the summer

Manchester United's pursuit of Monaco full-back Fabinho is over, report L'Equipe.

The Brazilian was linked with a summer move to Old Trafford but nothing materialised and Jose Mourinho put his faith in Antonio Valencia.

Fabinho, 22, however now claims that he could have made the move to Manchester before he signed his new contract last month.

He said: "I could have already done it, but I'm under contract here.

"I feel good here. I'm an important player in one of the best teams in the league."

Fosu-Mensah pens new contract

Man Utd via Getty Timothy Fosu-Mensah Signs a New Contract at Manchester United
Fosu-Mensah has signed a new contract at Old Trafford

Timothy Fosu-Mensah has committed his future to Manchester United until 2020, writes Mirror Football's Jake Murtagh.

The 18-year-old was handed his first-team debut last season and has gone on to make a further 11 appearances at Old Trafford.

United have tied Fosu-Mensah to the club for the next four years, with the option of another 12 months.

He told the club's website: "I am delighted to have signed a new contract here at Manchester United. I have enjoyed every minute since I joined this great club and I want to continue the progress that I feel I have made so far.

"I am learning every day from the manager and the coaching staff. I appreciate the trust that the club has in me and I want to repay that with my performances on the pitch."

United will not revise travel plans

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images Bottles, beer and missiles are thrown at the Manchester United team bus
United arrived late to two London away matches last season

Manchester United will not alter their travel plans to Chelsea this weekend, according to the Daily Mail.

That is despite arriving in London late to fixtures against Tottenham and West Ham last season amid traffic chaos.

United were criticised for their travel plans but were not fined by the Premier League for either of their late arrivals, which were caused by road accidents and police detours.

And United are satisfied that they will not need to revise their travel plans when they visit Stamford Bridge on Sunday for the 4pm kick-off.

Mourinho does not want Rashford in both England squads

Action Images via Reuters Jose Mourinho and Marcus Rashford
Mourinho is keen to ensure Rashford isn't overworked

Jose Mourinho claims he does not want Marcus Rashford playing for England at next summer's Under-21 European Championship if he becomes a regular for the senior side, writes Mirror Football's David Anderson.

He says it would "make no sense" for the striker to go to the tournament in Poland in June if he graduates fully to the senior side before then.

"If he becomes a regular in the A national team and established, then to say it is important for his development with the Under-21s, makes no sense.

"It's the same that he's a regular here with us, and then we are going to play him in the Under-23 Championship because we want to beat somebody and he can give us a help in that.

"Let's see what happens. If he's an Under-21 player in the national team, then he is an Under-21 player and there is no discussion about that.

"But if he becomes a regular choice for Gareth Southgate in the first team, then we have to speak because we don't want him going."

Shaw keen to improve under Mourinho

Getty Images Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw of Manchester United warm up during the Manchester United training session held at Jan Breydel Stadium on August 25, 2015 in Brugge, Belgium.
Shaw has fallen out of favour with United

Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw says he's man enough to be able to accept criticism from manager Jose Mourinho , writes Mirror Football's Liam Corless.

The England defender, 21, made his first appearance in four weeks as a substitute against Liverpool on Monday night after sustaining a groin injury in the defeat at Watford in September.

Mourinho publicly criticised Shaw after the 3-1 loss at Vicarage Road, but the former Southampton man wasn't upset with his manager's comments.

“I’m a grown man and I can take what the manager said," Shaw said. “I’m still young and I need to take on what he said and improve.”

Shaw talks up Pogba's influence

PA Manchester United's Paul Pogba during the training session at the AON Training Complex, Carrington.
Shaw insists Pogba has had a positive influence on the game

Luke Shaw claims Paul Pogba is one of the best midfielders in the world, writes Mirror Football's David Anderson.

But Shaw claims he has made an impact in the United dressing room at Manchester United - and not just for his dance moves!

"He has a lot of dance moves in the changing room," said the left-back. "He has brought a presence.

"He was named in the world XI for a reason and I believe he is one of the best midfielders in the world.

"I think he is still adapting and still doing good for the team. He is staying strong and believing in his ability.

"We can all see his ability in training. Game by game he is getting stronger. He is a very nice guy, in his terms he is a great leader aswell."

Kjaer hails Zlatan as "world class"

AFP/Getty/VI Images
Kjaer has talked up Ibrahimovic's influence

Fenerbahce's Simon Kjaer claims Zlatan Ibrahimovic is still world class despite his glaring miss against Liverpool, writes Mirror Football's David Anderson.

Kjaer will renew his rivalry with Ibrahimovic at Old Trafford in the Europa League, having faced the Manchester United striker in Italy and France as well as for Denmark against Sweden.

"I'm looking forward to another rumble against him," he said. "It's always great to be up against the best in football.

"Zlatan is the player I have met the most times - with Palermo, Roma, Lille, and for Denmark against Sweden.

"I know him inside out, but still you never quite know, what he will do. OK, he had a good chance with a header against Liverpool, which he didn't take, but he is true world class."

"Zlatan will always score goals. His age is just a number. His personal drive, ambition and passion is something every player can learn from."

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