Sport

Updated: 23:09 EDT

The mysterious case of Henrikh Mkhitaryan: Manchester United's £26.3m signing stuck in the

CHRIS WHEELER: Jose Mourinho is not the only Manchester United employee living a strange existence in the city’s Lowry Hotel. Every morning, Henrikh Mkhitaryan leaves his five-star accommodation early and is the first player to arrive at United’s Carrington headquarters, preferring to eat breakfast at the training ground rather than his hotel. A speaker of six languages, Mkhitaryan is friendly and articulate. Club staff describe him as ‘an absolute gentleman’.

Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind face exit as Manchester United target Antonio

SAMI MOKBEL: Manchester United stars are facing the axe as Jose Mourinho plots a revamp of his defence. Chris Smalling and Daley Blind’s futures at the club are under a cloud, with Mourinho targeting a centre back and a right back in January. Work behind the scenes has already begun identifying defensive reinforcements as Mourinho plots an overhaul of his back-four just nine games into the season.

MARTIN SAMUEL: Metropolitan police made six arrests after skirmishes broke out towards the end of the stadium's first London derby, when West Ham beat Chelsea 2-1 in the League Cup fourth round.

England will be hoping to secure a series whitewash against Bangladesh in the second Test in Dhaka. Surrey spinner Zafar Ansari will make his Test debut after being called up to replace Gareth Batty.

MATT LAWTON: Senior figures in British Cycling will be called to appear before a parliamentary select committee to respond to the escalating crisis in the sport.

Jose Mourinho is facing a possible touchline ban over comments about official Anthony Taylor - but has escaped an automatic stadium suspension by a matter of days.

JEFF POWELL: The most vital lesson to be learned from the outbreaks of violence at the London Stadium is not that West Ham need to tackle their security problem even harder than Billy Bonds used to go in for the ball.

Liverpool have secured the 'best talent at 15 years old in the entire country' according to Bury manager David Flitcroft. Emeka Obi has joined the Reds from the League One club.

West Ham are under growing pressure to resolve crowd trouble at the London Stadium amid calls on Thursday for their home matches to be played behind closed doors.

After the trouble at West Ham against Chelsea... don't blame the stadium, blame the

Stadiums do not riot. Stadiums do not smash seats. Stadiums do not throw bottles and coins. Stadiums do not shout abuse or punch you on the nose. Stadiums just stand there, unseeing, unfeeling. So let us turn from the preposterous notion that recent events at West Ham are the work of an unsatisfactory new arena. People. That is the problem here. People who fight, people who destroy, people who taunt and abuse, uncivilised, violent, horrible people. That is what West Ham must be rid of; not the new stadium. There will always be teething problems when a football club leaves home. Unfamiliar surrounds feel alien.

'Be like a panda!': Former United star delivers BIZARRE anti-racism message while dancing in fancy dress

Footballers star in anti-racism adverts and campaigns on a regular basis as they try their best to eradicate one of the beautiful game's ugly aspects.

The England left back did not even make the bench as United were embarrassed 4-0 at Chelsea before being reinstated into the starting XI for Wednesday’s win against Manchester City.

The former United boss believes there are five 'potential candidates' to win the league this season, but did not name Antonio Conte's men in the the quintuple of clubs.

A damning report has criticised 'serious failings' in the anti-doping operation at the Rio 2016 Olympics. The report flagged up various issues relating to the drug testing of the athletes.

LAURIE WHITWELL: Claudio Ranieri has declared his pride at Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy earning Ballon d'Or nominations but warned the golden duo to keep performing for Leicester.

DAVID LLOYD: Despite what the armchair pundits will tell you, umpiring can be an extremely tough job, especially on the sub-continent with the heat, the spinners and men round the bat.

Shocking video footage has emerged which appears to show Manchester City fans vandalising the toilets during last night's derby. Emergency repairs are now being carried out at Old Trafford.

JOHN McGARRY - EXCLUSIVE: Rangers are poised to finally end Joey Barton’s Rangers’ suspension – but only in order to ready him for a January exit.

Marouane Fellaini sports new ginger afro with his twin brother Mansour

Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini seemed in jubilant mood after his side's derby victory over Manchester City on Wednesday, despite not featuring at all. The Belgian international was seen bouncing around Manchester city centre with his brother Mansour on Thursday and looked in high spirits as he spent some quality time with his sibling. The Fellaini brothers both took the opportunity to parade their autumn look. The pair were sporting ginger afros as they strolled through the centre of Manchester.

Liverpool all smiles in training ahead of Crystal Palace match

Liverpool appeared in high spirits on Thursday as Jurgen Klopp put his squad through their paces in training ahead of this weekend's trip to Crystal Palace. The Reds extended their unbeaten run to double figures on Tuesday night with a 2-1 victory over Tottenham in the EFL Cup. Both of Liverpool's goals came from the boot of Daniel Sturridge and the England international appeared in typically cheerful mood.

Sunderland will equal the worst points return after 10 matches in Premier League history if they lose at home to Arsenal on Saturday. Sportsmail looks at what has gone wrong under Moyes...

CHRIS FOY - WORLD OF RUGBY: Fitzgerald has questioned his country’s drive to import talent from the southern hemisphere, in the week when Connacht broke the bank to keep Kiwi Bundee Aki.

The 24-year-old has not been fit enough to figure under Jose Mourinho after suffering a knee ligament injury. Jones has suffered a dreadful couple of seasons and only featured 13 times last year.

A football fan has said he and his eight-year-old daughter were pelted with coins as violence broke out when West Ham played Chelsea at the former Olympic Stadium.

A columnist should always be able to stand his ground, if he writes what he truly believes. Here's what was said after a piece on Guardiola... plus Wiggins, Arsenal and Captain Beefheart.

Michael Clarke's time as Australia captain has come in for further criticism after his former team-mate Mitchell Johnson described a 'toxic' atmosphere within the team under his leadership.

SECRET SCOUT: At 22, Osborn is a relatively experienced Forest player in a team that contains a few youngsters. As such he is now getting the opportunity to display regular form.

The 27-year-old has yet to make his debut for Dai Young’s Coventry-based side, as he is recovering from a serious knee injury sustained while playing for the Waratahs in Super Rugby.

DOMINIC KING: Gray has not played for Burnley since September 17 after the FA served him with a four-match suspension for homophobic comments he made on Twitter in 2012.

Bastian Schweinsteiger's Manchester United exile continues as outcast trains alone... with

The door remains firmly shut on Bastian Schweinsteiger ever playing for Manchester United again, with the midfielder training alone at Carrington. Jose Mourinho took the decision in pre-season to remove Schweinsteiger from his first-team squad, with Sportsmail revealing the World Cup winner was even told to clear out his locker. The 32-year-old's contract - worth in excess of £130,000 a week - does not run out until the summer of 2018, with United willing to let him go on a free transfer.

Leicester City ramp up preparations for Tottenham Hotspur tie as Jamie Vardy seeks to end

Jamie Vardy and his Leicester City team-mates geared up for their match against Tottenham Hotspur with a training session on Thursday. The Premier League champions face off against their title rivals from last season on Saturday as they look to put an end to a terrible run of form away from home. Claudio Ranieri's side have lost every away game in the Premier League this season.

Ryan Giggs' wait to be given his managerial debut is set to continue with Wigan considering Manchester United Under 21 boss Warren Joyce as their new manager.

Sportsmail columnist Martin Keown returned to answer more of your questions as we look ahead to this weekend's Premier League action and look back at the midweek EFL Cup ties.

Brendan Rodgers insists he can keep hold of Moussa Dembele – because the striker is loving life at Celtic. Manchester United ran a check on the Frenchman on Wednesday.

Jose Mourinho is facing a possible touchline ban after the Football Association charged Manchester United's manager for inflammatory comments about Anthony Taylor.

The Metropolitan Police have opened an investigation after a homophobic leaflet was allegedly distributed outside the London Stadium before West Ham against Chelsea.

F1 stars including Renault hopeful Carmen Jorda line up for football charity match

A Formula One driver running on grass usually indicates that an attempt to take a previous corner hadn't gone as planned. But there are positive exceptions and for the likes of Toro Rosso drivers Daniil Kvyat and Carlos Sainz it came in the form of a charity football match ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix. Joined by Force India's Nico Hulkenberg,  Haas driver Esteban Gutierrez and Renault development driver Carmen Jorda the track stars shared the pitch with former Barcelona defender Carles Puyol.

Daniel Ricciardo provides thrilling start to F1 weekend... but can he provide Mexican GP

In the build up to the 'Day of the Dead' festival (Mexico's version of Halloween), Ricciardo turned up to a press conference in Mexico City wearing calavera face paint as he prepares to take part in this weekend's Mexican Grand Prix.

Rosberg, who leads Lewis Hamilton in the title by 26 points with just three races remaining, will clinch his maiden championship if he wins on Sunday, and his Mercedes team-mate finishes 10th or lower.

JONATHAN McEVOY IN MEXICO CITY: Jenson Button has an idea for projecting Formula One as a high-octane pursuit, and it does not involve building walls around the circuits.

In Mexico City, an upbeat Palmer, 25, believes only he and current Renault team-mate Kevin Magnussen are in direct competition for the remaining seat.

NBA legend Steve Nash gives some shooting tips to Spurs stars Christian Eriksen and Victor

NBA legend Steve Nash showed off his ball skills with both his hands and his feet when he joined in a Tottenham training session. The 42-year-old Spus fan impressed midfielders Christian Eriksen and Victor Wanyama while shooting hoops on Thursday. Nash then showed off his football skills when he  joined the players in a practice drill at the club's training ground in Enfield.

David Moyes admits he had no idea who referee Chris Kavanagh was

David Moyes was responsible for an awkward television moment on Wednesday night after it came out that the Sunderland boss did not know the referee who sent him to the stands. Moyes' industrial language towards the fourth official after Sunderland were denied a late penalty earned him his marching orders from referee Chris Kavanagh during the 1-0 EFL Cup defeat by Southampton.

The 32-year-old has scored three goals in six appearances for Bayern Muncih this season and Danny Blind has brought him back into the fold with Holland in third place in Group A.

The World Cup winner has scored 23 goals in 33 games for Patrick Vieira's men this season and has impressed Lopetegui with his 'intensity' in the Eastern conference.

Top seed Andy Murray moved into the Erste Bank Open quarter-finals on Thursday as he came from behind to defeat France's Gilles Simon in Vienna.

From a distance, they were indistinguishable from the usual trickle of wide-eyed supporters fortunate enough to be granted a privileged look behind the curtains of the nerve centre.

Napoli head coach Maurizio Sarri will welcome Gonzalo Higuain like a 'father would with a son who made him angry' when they face Juventus this weekend.

Arsenal stars Alexis Sanchez, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud don range of retro shirts

Without a league title win since 2004, Arsenal fans may insist that their greatest memories are in the past - which could be why club has released a range of retro shirts to commemorate the glory days. Current Gunners stars Alexis Sanchez, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud were chosen to model three of the most memorable shirts in the club's history that precede even Arsene Wenger's 20-year spell in north London. Ramsey and Sanchez have sported the 1988/89 home and away kits respectively, which was the year that Arsenal won arguably the most dramatic finish to a First Division title in history - although Sergio Aguero may argue otherwise.

Fabregas bids to prove fitness to Chelsea boss Conte with training video

Cesc Fabregas has endured a frustrating start to life under Antonio Conte, but the Chelsea midfielder is looking to get back in his manager's plans.

The 26-year-old featherweight, from Glasgow, confessed to a UK anti-doping tribunal that he had struggled with ‘alcohol and cocaine’ and ‘wasn’t living like a professional’.

EDGE OF THE BOX: Channel 5 earned the little bonus of being able to bring not just one, but two derbies featuring Premier League teams in their coverage of the EFL Cup action.

The striker, who has suffered with knee problems in recent seasons, spent the 2014/15 campaign on loan at Manchester United before a year with Chelsea.

Barcelona star Lionel Messi and Co arrive to shoot advert

Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta are currently unable to make an impact for Barcelona on the pitch but that hasn't stopped them from starring off it. The pair are both currently unavailable for the Catalan club - with first Pique, and then Iniesta - suffering injury problems in a matter of three days. However, the duo appeared to be in better spirits on Thursday as they prepared to shoot a TV commercial.

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Leonesa 1-7 Real Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale miss cup stroll against minnows

LEONESA 1-7 REAL MADRID: Real Madrid gave the BBC the night off but they still went on a goal rush against the Segunda B leaders. Alvaro Morata and Marco Asensio both scored twice in the Copa del Rey victory.

Vincent Kompany leads Manchester City training ahead of West Brom clash, easing fears of

Vincent Kompany trained with Manchester City on Thursday, alleviating fears the Belgian centre-half suffered any further fitness concerns in his team's EFL Cup defeat by Manchester United. Kompany has been beset by injury trouble once again this season and was replaced at half time during City's 1-0 reversal at Old Trafford.

LA Galaxy 3-1 Real Salt Lake: Emmanuel Boateng scores twice to leave Bruce Arena's men

Perhaps the end of the road has already arrived for Steven Gerrard. Perhaps there will be no further additions to the 861 senior appearances of his decorated career. Gerrard’s injury-enforced absence from LA Galaxy’s 3-1 victory over Real Salt Lake in the end-of-season MLS Cup play-offs raises major question marks over whether there will be a fitting finale to the 36-year-old’s chapter as a player.

Manchester United will play West Ham at Old Trafford in the last eight after beating rivals Manchester City 1-0 on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, Arsenal face Southampton at home.

Arsenal are sweating on the fitness of Cazorla for this weekend's trip to Sunderland. And in a double blow, summer signing Perez is also facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Manchester United go into the game buoyed by victory over neighbours Manchester City in the EFL Cup but still looking to put right last week's 4-0 thrashing by Chelsea in the Premier League.

We have been here before, of course, where circumstances conspire against John Terry and it is hard to imagine how much further he can extend his remarkable Chelsea career.

Derek McInnes is a competitor to his core. He would love nothing more than for his Aberdeen side to be the first in Scotland this season to bloody Celtic's nose at Pittodrie on Saturday.

With just four wins from ten Scottish Premier League games this season — and a Betfred Cup semi-final defeat to Celtic — Warburton’s methodology is now under intense scrutiny.

Tottenham gear up for Leicester clash as Pochettino's men look to end winless streak

Tottenham may be the only team in the Premier League to remain unbeaten but Mauricio Pochettino's side go into Saturday's tie having failed to win each of their last four games in all competitions. The latest, a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday, saw them drop out of the EFL Cup at the fourth round stage.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho dedicates derby win to fans

CHRIS WHEELER: Jose Mourinho won the Manchester derby to clinch a place in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup and admitted that he picked a full-strength team to make up for Sunday’s humiliation at the hands of his old club Chelsea. The Manchester United manager dedicated the win to the club’s fans and said he hoped it would wipe away the stain of a crushing 4-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge.

Southampton 1-0 Sunderland: Sofiane Boufal's stunning strike seals Saints' place in next

SOUTHAMPTON 1-0 SUNDERLAND - SAM CUNNINGHAM AT ST MARY'S: David Moyes admitted he deserved to be sent to the stands as his Sunderland side exited the EFL Cup away to Southampton. The floundering Scot was incensed that his team were not awarded a last-minute penalty when Victor Anichebe went down under pressure from Maya Yoshida and he tore down the touchline, leaving his technical area.

The Villa striker has been out of contention due to fitness but is responding well to Steve Bruce placing him on a six-week programme and will be welcome on the team bus across town.

Goodison Park will be used to recreate the moment the family of Rhys Jones were applauded by the Toffees faithful in tribute to their murdered Evertonian son for a new ITV drama 'Little Boy Blue'.

The Algerian Football Federation said that Leekens, 67, had been chosen to replace Serbian Milovan Rajevac, who was sacked following Algeria's home draw with Cameroon.

The Italian stopper saved three spot kicks against Norwich City on Tuesday night to send the Championship side through to the League Cup quarter-finals, where they will face Liverpool.

Mark Warburton has emerged as a shock candidate for the vacant manager's post at struggling Wigan. Sportsmail understands he is a rival to Karl Robinson and Ryan Giggs.

Manchester City versus Barcelona is one of the glamour ties of this season's Champions League - and you can be there to watch the action.

Harlequins mark new gym opening with training session with a difference as Danny Care,

With one of the most iconic home shirts in world rugby, Harlequins are used to standing out from the crowd when it comes to their choice of kit. But the Aviva Premiership side took things to a new level on Thursday, marking the opening of their new gym by donning garish 1980s style gear for a training session.

Jake Arrieta ensures the Cubs return to Chicago with World Series all square

The Chicago Cubs tasted a World Series game victory for the first time in 71 years by winning in Cleveland and squaring Major League Baseball's best-of-seven title decider at 1-1. Cubs starter Jake Arrieta did not give up a hit in the first five innings to set up a 5-1 victory that has Chicago in good shape going into three straight home games, starting Friday when Wrigley Field will host its first World Series game since 1945.

British & Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland joins 12 former captains in Dublin

Head coach Warren Gatland attended along with the likes of Brian O'Driscoll, Martin Johnson and Gavin Hastings, while Ronnie Dawson, the 1959 captain, was the oldest at the event. As well as the official photographs, which included members of the Lions' executive team, Ireland legend O'Driscoll shared an image on Instagram of the 12 captains together, captioned: 'Pretty exclusive club to be part of! #LivingLionsCaptains #onlymissingSam'.

Eight teams have scampered through the dry autumn unbeaten while champions Wellington, seeking a third title in a row, are also in the hunt despite a narrow loss to Whitgift.

JONATHAN MCEVOY: Bernie Ecclestone wants to bring back an air of danger to Formula One. And his means of achieving it have echoes of American presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Del Potro beat fifth-seeded David Goffin of Belgium 7-5, 6-3, while US Open champion Wawrinka had 16 aces as he beat American player Donald Young 7-6 (4), 6-7 (3), 6-4 in Basle..

Englishman Ian Poulter, who missed four months of the year with a foot injury, carded a two-under 70 in the opening round to sit seven shots off the lead - held by American Kevin Streelman.

Terry Flanagan, Manchester’s world lightweight champion, is to defend his WBO belt against the first openly gay active boxer Orlando Cruz. The pair will meet in Cardiff on November 26.

LAWRENCE BOOTH IN DHAKA: Alastair Cook has backed Zafar Ansari to challenge for a permanent place in the Test sidE after confirming him as one of two changes to face Bangladesh.

Sportsmail's racing expert Robin Goodfellow gives his best tips ahead of Friday's meetings at Newmarket, Uttoxeter, Newcastle and Wetherby.

Muffri'ha became the first horse to book her place in the 2016-17 All-Weather Championships Finals with victory in the 32Red EBF Stallions Fleur De Lys Fillies' Stakes at Lingfield.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham gave youth a chance in the EFL Cup - but what are the

The League cup has a long history of showcasing the best emerging talent at top clubs. David Beckham, Cesc Fabregas and John Terry are among the global superstars who made their first club appearances in the competition, and it remains a stage for youngsters to demonstrate they are ready for first-team football. On Tuesday night Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham all gave chances to some of their new generation of young stars. Sportsmail takes a look at their chances of making it to the top... 

JEFF POWELL: The first time I met the scorer of the most spectacular goal in World Cup history was on a balmy night in Rio de Janeiro a couple of years before that immortal final in Mexico '70.

Here is the one problem that even Pep Guardiola's best-laid plans and grandest ambitions may not be able to overcome. Suppose there simply aren't enough great players to go around.

EXCLUSIVE - JONNY BAIRSTOW; That win in Chittagong was huge. For me, it was up there with our 2013 Ashes victory at Trent Bridge when Ashton Agar got 98 at No 11 for Australia but we won.