Man United 'weighing up January swoop' for Real Madrid outcast Isco

Isco in Man United's sights

It hasn't been a good week for Manchester United. First came defeat in the Manchester derby, then the Europa League defeat to Feyenoord, then a dismal day out at Watford.

But here's something that might lift the spirits of United fans a bit: The Red Devils are "weighing up a January swoop for Real Madrid midfielder Isco," according to the Mirror.

It reports that the Spain international is on boss Jose Mourinho's list of targets for the next transfer window as he looks to address his side's creative struggles. Isco would cost around £25 million and, the Mirror reports, is a realistic target, despite being under contract until 2018, because he "has fallen down the pecking order at Madrid under boss Zinedine Zidane"

The 24-year-old has made only two substitute appearances in La Liga this season, but United could face competition from Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham, all of whom have been interested in the recent past, if United are to sign him.

Arsenal, Liverpool want to keep up with the Jones

It seems to be the end of the line for England defender Phil Jones at Man United, with the Sun reporting that the club "are looking to get him off their books." And that has alerted Liverpool and the Gunners, with both prepared to swoop for the 24-year-old, who is currently on the sidelines with a ligament problem.

The Sun quotes an Old Trafford "insider" as saying: "Jose Mourinho is looking to offload Jones. They have reached the end of the line with him." He would cost in the region of £10m.

Barca to resume Bellerin chase

Shades of earlier in the summer all over again for Arsenal: Before the window closed, they were reported to have knocked back Barcelona approaches for right-back Hector Bellerin.

The one-time Camp Nou youngster -- under contract at Arsenal until 2019 -- is reported to be happy with life in North London, but the Mirror doesn't think that will stop the Catalans from making another effort to bring him back.

It quotes Barca vice president Jordi Mestre describing Spain international Bellerin as "a great player, there's no doubt about that," but it adds that the Liga champions would have to pay around £40m to land him.

If a move for the Gunners defender falls through, Barca could also consider Valencia's Joao Cancelo -- also reported to be interesting Arsenal -- or Shakhtar Donetsk's Darijo Srna.

Reds watch striker with a touch of Sass

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp wants to add another striker to his ranks, but who might that be? None other than Sassuolo star Gregoire Defrel, reports the Sun.

The Anfield manager sent a scout to watch the French forward play, and score, in his side's 2-0 win over Genoa on Sunday, as Klopp looks to introduce extra competition for Daniel Sturridge. Defrel, 25, has scored five goals in six games for the Italian club this season, and Liverpool reportedly could be ready to make a January offer for him.

Manchester United beaten by Feyenoord in Europa League opener

Manchester United made a laboured start to their Europa League campaign as they were beaten 1-0 by Feyenoord in Rotterdam.

Tonny Vilhena scored the decisive goal for the Eredivisie side in the 79th minute as Nicolai Jorgensen's cut-back cross found the 21-year-old midfielder free in the box to slot home.

Jose Mourinho made eight changes to the side that lost against Manchester City in the Premier League at the weekend, introducing Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial into the XI and naming Chris Smalling as captain on his first start of the season.

But the wholesale changes had a detrimental effect and United struggled for tempo and to create any clear cut chances of note in a first half that saw them frustrated by Giovanni van Bronckhorst's organised side in front of a lively but less-than-capacity crowd at De Kuip.

Martial came closest to breaking the deadlock for United in the 24th minute when he put a Matteo Darmian cross wide from close range but they failed to test former Liverpool goalkeeper Brad Jones during the opening 45 minutes.

United didn't improve much after the break and frustrated by the lethargic performance he had seen in the opening hour Mourinho made three changes in the 63rd minute minute with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Memphis Depay and Ashley Young introduced in place of Rashford, Martial and Juan Mata.

However, the gamble didn't pay off and with little over 10 minutes remaining Vilhena fired a low effort past David De Gea in the United goal.

A desperate late onslaught from United yielded little more than a drilled free kick from Ibrahimovic that Jones saved comfortably, while De Gea came up for a 93rd-minute corner but Feyenoord held firm to claim a winning start in Group A.

Europa League not the competition Manchester United want - Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has admitted that the Europa League is "not the big dream for every big player" but they have to find motivation and Manchester United want to win the competition.

United manager Mourinho is preparing his team for the opening Europa League game of the season on Thursday, away against Feyenoord, and is disappointed that the stadium will be at reduced capacity due to crowd trouble.

Speaking at his news conference on Wednesday, Mourinho said: "This is not a competition that Man United wants. It's not the big dream of every big player, but we are not in the Champions League.

"We come to win the game. We want to win the competition. It's difficult to do, but it's simple to feel it and to say. This is the way we want to approach the competition.

"For a club of our dimension, to do well is not to be out in the group phase. Tomorrow is an important match for us."

The United manager warned against complacency, giving a reminder of what happened to Louis van Gaal's side last season in the Europa League. They lost a first-leg tie away against minnows FC Midtjylland, which was a low point in the Dutchman's reign, and do not want a repeat.

Mourinho said: "If you see what happened last season, against Midtjylland, you don't forget that as a fan. Maybe as a player but not the fans. We have to make sure we are not sleeping."

Discussing the situation with the stadium, he added: "There is not player or manager who wants to play in an empty stadium. We are lucky it is not closed, just half of it, but half is not the same as full. Every player wants a great atmosphere.

"I remember clearly what happened against Roma [when some Feyenoord fans caused trouble, leading to the Dutch club being punished]. I don't think this is Feyenoord. Feyenoord is much bigger than a few hundred that created that situation.

"But, in the end, the clubs are punished by these actions. The players are going to be punished, I am punished, [Feyenoord manager Giovanni] van Bronckhorst will be punished."

Meanwhile, midfielder Ander Herrera has said that he will "never give up" in his new deeper role. The Spaniard was brought into that position as a substitute against Manchester City on Saturday and it helped United to improve in the second half although they lost 2-1.

Herrera said: "I can make mistakes because I am human but what I am not going to do is give up. Never. I try to share my energy with the team, to win the ball back as quick as possible.

"I will keep doing the same the the manager wants me to play. I am a team player and I am ready. I will do what the manager asks me."

When asked about Mourinho's message after the derby, Herrera said: "All I can say is that he has shown us his confidence. He believes in us.

"They were better than us in the first half, we have to accept that, no excuses. But next time we face a team like Man City, who like to play from their keeper, we will do it better. You have to learn from every situation."