Man Utd news LIVE updates: Conte could be sacked, Mourinho jibe, Lukaku on Rashford

Man Utd news LIVE: All the latest from Old Trafford

Saturday November 4

United could trigger Conte sack

21:21: Manchester United could cast Antonio Conte’s Chelsea future into doubt if the Red Devils beat the Blues on Sunday.

United travel to Stamford Bridge with Jose Mourinho hoping to avenge the 4-0 defeat they suffered there last season.

United are enjoying a much better campaign this time around, while defending champions Chelsea are struggling.

And the Times claim Conte could be ready for the sack if United beat his side in west London.

Lawrenson’s prediction 

14:45: BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson is predicting a 1-1 draw between Chelsea and Manchester United. 

“Chelsea's 3-0 defeat in the Champions League game at Roma was un-Chelsea-like under Antonio Conte,” he said.

“Last year we thought they couldn't keep winning, regardless of how they were playing, but they did.

“This year you're waiting for them to throw a wobbler every three or four games. After losing in Rome, Conte said his players are lacking hunger which you can't imagine he would tolerate. It is strange.

“When United play against the other top teams away from home Jose Mourinho will always take a point - as you saw at Liverpool. That is the way he manages and that isn't going to change.

“He will try to fight fire with fire when he can but at Stamford Bridge he will have everyone behind the ball.”

Martial happy at United

12:40: Manchester United star Anthony Martial insists he is happy at the club despite being linked with a move away from Old Trafford last summer.

"At the moment, I’m happy, even if I could have done more, scored more goals and made more decisive passes,” Martial told MUTV. “But I’m happy.

"I think the difference is that last year I didn’t have a good season but, for now, things are going pretty well.

“I’m achieving my objectives and I hope to score a lot more by the end of the season.

“I must continue to keep up good performances for my club and if I’ve got the chance to start over there [for France] I will do the best I can."

Mourinho snubs fans

10:14: Jose Mourinho has rejected the chance to meet with Manchester United fans to discuss concerns over the atmosphere at Old Trafford.

And in a bid to fix the problem the Manchester United Supporters' Trust invited Mourinho to consult fans over the issue.

But Mourinho has cited United's supposed worldwide following of 659million people behind his decision not to rendezvous with supporters.

"I cannot meet, how many millions?" Mourinho said. 

"I cannot meet a quarter of the planet, I think a quarter of the planet is Manchester United red, I cannot meet them.”

Mourinho jibe

08:30: Jose Mourinho has tried to take a sly dig at his Chelsea counterpart Antonio Conte, by admitting he should have moaned more about Manchester United’s injury problems.

United have seen their treatment table mount up recently, and they have been without Paul Pogba for seven weeks.

They have also been without Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick, but have still found a way to pick up points.

Mourinho takes his side to face his former employers Chelsea, who haven’t enjoyed the best start to their title defence, tomorrow at Stamford Bridge (4.30pm).

And the Portuguese tactician thinks it would have been a lot easier to complain about injuries.

“It's my fault because I should cry every week about our injuries and remind everybody, day after day or press conference after press conference,” Mourinho said.

“So it's my fault. It's my decision. It's my way of dealing with problems. It's my way of trying to motivate and respect and give confidence to the players that are going to replace those people.”

Romelu Lukaku on Marcus Rashford

07:30: Romelu Lukaku has opened up on his relationship with Manchester United team-mate Marcus Rashford.

Recently, Lukaku’s barren spell in front of goal has seen him bear the brunt of the fans’ frustrations.

Meanwhile, Rashford has been much sharper this term and he has struck eight times in all competitions.

And Lukaku has explained how he has gelled with Rashford on the pitch.

“I see a lot of qualities in him that can help me and I think I have a lot of qualities that can help him,” Lukaku told Sky Sports News. 

“After the game against Swansea he came to my house with his brother, we were having dinner and he asked, 'What do you expect from us this season?' For me it is easy.

“I said to him if you eat, I eat. If you score a goal I know there will be space for me to create or score myself.”

United chase Raphael Varane

07:00: Manchester United have reportedly contacted Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane amid Los Blancos’ current struggles.

United failed to sign Varane during Sir Alex Ferguson’s time in charge, with the France international signing for Real Madrid instead.

However, with Los Blancos stuck in a rut, there is renewed talk about a move to Old Trafford at the end of the current campaign.

Real are well off the pace in La Liga, with their title defence already in tatters with Barcelona eight points clear at the summit. 

And Spanish website Don Balon say Manchester United have made contact with Varane as they aim to secure a first league title since Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.

The report says Mourinho remains among his admirers.

Juan Mata revenge

06:30: Juan Mata insists Manchester United’s 4-0 drubbing at Stamford Bridge last season will not play on their minds ahead of a return to west London on Sunday (4.30pm).

Mata won the FA Cup and Champions League while at Chelsea, before switching allegiances in 2014.

The Spain international has since rediscovered his top form this campaign and claims he is not seeking revenge for last season’s heavy defeat.

"No, there's not revenge on my mind,” Mata said.

“(They are) totally different games, what happened last season, happened last season and now we have to think in the present.”