Man Utd manager will not quit after Chelsea draw

 Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says he will not resign after his side drew 0-0 with Chelsea on Monday. United have now failed to win in eight games in all competitions - the first time that has happened since 1990 - and are five points behind fourth place. But Juan Mata and Anthony Martial both hit the woodwork in an improved United display against Chelsea. And Van Gaal said: "When the players give such a performance with a lot of pressure, there's no reason to resign."

Chelsea are in talks with Major League Soccer franchise Montreal Impact over the future of striker Didier Drogba. Montreal say Drogba has expressed a "desire to help" his old club. "We understand his attachment, but our objective is to have him back for another season," Montreal tweeted. Drogba, 37, who signed for Montreal in July, watched Chelsea's win over Sunderland on Saturday with interim manager Guus Hiddink and owner Roman Abramovich. Hiddink on Wednesday refused to be drawn on whether Drogba would join his backroom staff. "I worked with him five or six years ago and I was delighted to have such a professional in the squad," the Dutchman said. "He's a legend already in this club. The only thing is at the moment is that he's playing in Montreal. "The official process I don't know but I spoke openly from the bottom of my heart that huge impact players can be key for the club." The Ivorian spent nine years at Stamford Bridge in two spells, first representing the club between 2004 and 2012 before rejoining them last season. Montreal say it was agreed in Drogba's contract that he would have a second season in Canada. "We are doing everything we can to have him back with the Impact in 2016," the club said. "We are willing to accommodate him. This situation is out of our control." Defending Premier League champions Chelsea have endured a terrible start to the season, losing nine of their 17 games to slip to 15th, and last week sacked manager Jose Mourinho.

'Special One' sacked by Chelsea

Jose Mourinho isn't special anymore. Widely regarded as one of the world's best soccer coaches, Chelsea has sacked the Portuguese manager after an awful run of form left the English Premier League champion with no chance of retaining its title. But Mourinho was so much more than just a football manager. Brands flocked to him, attracted by his swagger, but just importantly his ability to deliver outrageously provocative quotes. He was a man you either loved or hated.

Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola says he has made a decision over his future, while Thomas Muller is one of four players to sign new deals. Guardiola's contract expires in June and he has been linked with Chelsea and Manchester City. The Spaniard has told Bayern what he will do and is set to make it public following Saturday's game at Hannover. Meanwhile, Muller, Jerome Boateng, Javi Martinez and Xabi Alonso have all extended their Bayern deals. Forward Muller, 26, defender Boateng, 27, and midfielder Martinez, 27, have committed to the Bundesliga champions until 2021, with 34-year-old midfielder Alonso's deal taking him to 2017. Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said the club had received offers for 26-year-old Muller, who was reportedly a target for Manchester United in the summer. "I come from the area, I've been here 15 years and of course I'm delighted," Muller told Bayern's television channel. "I am proud and happy that I have extended my contract."

Guus Hiddink in Chelsea talks about manager's job

Former Netherlands boss Guus Hiddink is set to become Chelsea's interim manager following the sacking of Jose Mourinho. The 69-year-old Dutchman was at a London hotel on Friday, holding discussions with Blues officials. But he is not expected to be in charge for Saturday's visit of Sunderland, with Eddie Newton and Steve Holland overseeing the side. Hiddink, who has already had one spell as Chelsea boss, winning the FA Cup in 2009, is yet to sign a contract. The Blues are currently 16th in the Premier League table, just one point above the relegation zone after losing nine of their first 16 games. Mourinho was sacked as manager on Thursday, just seven months after guiding Chelsea to the Premier League title.

'Chelsea manager not certain to go, says Pat Nevin'

Speculation about Jose Mourinho's position as Chelsea manager is nothing new and will "ebb away", says former Blues winger Pat Nevin. Mourinho's future at the club is in question following discussions about his position among Blues directors. The Premier League champions' defeat at Leicester on Monday - their ninth loss in 16 league games - left them a point above the relegation places in 16th. Asked if Mourinho, 52, would be sacked, Nevin said: "I don't see it happening." The Scot, a regular pundit on Chelsea's television channel, was speaking on a special BBC Radio 5 live programme about Mourinho's future. Nevin, who played for the London club from 1983-1988, added: "I've been outside Stamford Bridge seven or eight times after games this season and the mood today is no different. "I would agree the manager's future has been in doubt for months, but that doesn't mean he will go. "It builds up and comes to a crescendo, but every time it then ebbs away." Chelsea host fellow strugglers Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday.

English Premier League: Tight at the top as Arsenal takes over at summit

Arsenal emerged as the new leader of the English Premier League Sunday in the closest title race for years with just four points separating the top four teams going into the busy Christmas period. The Gunners won 2-0 at bottom side Aston Villa to move to 33 points from 16 games, but Leicester could leapfrog them with victory over reigning champion Chelsea in Monday night's gam

'Chelsea boss feels work was 'betrayed' by players'

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said he felt his "work was betrayed" in the Blues' defeat by Leicester in the Premier League. The defending champions suffered their ninth league defeat in 16 games with a 2-1 loss against the Foxes, who go top. It leaves the club in 16th position, just a point above the relegation zone. "One of my best qualities is to read the game for my players and I feel like my work was betrayed," said Portuguese boss Mourinho. "One possibility is that I did an amazing job last season and brought the players to a level that is not their level and now they can't maintain it."

Premier League predictions: How will Chelsea and Leicester fare

The collapse of champions Chelsea and the sight of Leicester City bucking all trends to top the table illustrates the unpredictability that has been the Premier League's hallmark this season. Newly-promoted Watford's rise to seventh place under manager Quique Flores and Bournemouth's victories over Chelsea and Manchester United in their last two games has made this term a tale of the unexpected. And with no-one grabbing the title race by the scruff of of the neck, it seems impossible to predict the unpredictable. So here goes.

Champions League draw: Arsenal face Barcelona

Arsenal will face holders Barcelona in the Champions League last 16. Chelsea have been drawn against Paris St-Germain for the third consecutive season, while Manchester City face Dynamo Kiev. Roma versus Real Madrid and Juventus, last year's beaten finalists, against Bayern Munich are two of the standout matches in the draw. First legs are scheduled to take place on 16-17 and 23-24 February. Return legs are on 8-9 and 15-16 March. The winners of each group, including Chelsea and Manchester City, are at home in the second legs, while Arsenal will host their first leg. Barcelona v Arsenal is a repeat of the 2006 final, which the Spanish champions won 2-1 thanks to two late goals in Paris.

Leicester beat Chelsea to go top

Leicester City returned to the top of the Premier League and increased the pressure on Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho with victory at King Power Stadium. Jamie Vardy's 15th goal of the season put Leicester ahead before half-time and Riyad Mahrez's brilliant curling strike just after the break sealed the win for Claudio Ranieri's side. Chelsea substitute Loic Remy pulled one back but Leicester survived in relative comfort to move back ahead of Manchester City at the top of the table. The reigning Premier League champions, in contrast, lie just a point off the relegation zone in 16th place with Mourinho fighting for survival.

Champions League draw: English clubs to learn Euro fate on Monday

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City will learn who they face in the last 16 of the Champions League when the draw is made in Switzerland on Monday. Chelsea and Manchester City will be in pot one having qualified as group winners, meaning either could face French champions Paris St-Germain. As Group F runners-up, Arsenal are in pot two and potentially face either Real Madrid or Barcelona. The draw takes place at 11:00 GMT at Uefa's headquarters in Nyon.

Mourinho: Chelsea manager wants 'dream' fourth place

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Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho wants to achieve a "dream" by finishing in the top four at the end of the season. The Premier League champions have struggled so far, lying in 14th place, 14 points off fourth position. "Maybe we have a chance to dream with a great finish and finish fourth. While it is mathematically possibly, we have to try," said Mourinho. The Blues travel to face surprise leaders Leicester in the league on Monday (kick-off 20:00 GMT). 'I was convinced of fourth' In a season full of shock results for Mourinho's men, last weekend's 1-0 defeat by Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge was arguably the most surprising. The Cherries became the first promoted side to beat Chelsea at home since Charlton in April 2001. It left the London side just two points above the relegation zone. Play media Jump media player Media player help Out of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue. Which PL boss wins the most games? "Before we lost the last three points against Bournemouth, I was convinced of fourth, of a great December for us," said Mourinho. "I have to be honest and say the last defeat was something that I was far away from believing was possible. "The reality is that some clubs are doing so well, and some are not capable of doing what people are used to. It is not possible for clubs to win three, four, five, 10 matches in a row now." 'I've started so I'll finish' Chelsea's poor start to the season has led to questions about Mourinho's future at Stamford Bridge but the Portuguese is adamant he will remain in his job and praised the club's fans. "I imagine myself finishing my contract with Chelsea," he added. "I have three and half years on my contract. "After that I imagine myself coaching, not every club, there are some clubs I will never manage. "I think that the bad results are not normal, but the chance for every manager to do his work and finish what he started is. What is not normal is what is happening now. "When people are so nice to me and they sing my name and 'Stand up for the Special One', I feel a bit embarrassed, because I don't know how to react."