3pm Man Utd news: Modric transfer, Alexis Sanchez trains alone, Valencia to remain captain, Lukaku warned

PAUL POGBA is the best central midfielder in Europe - yes, really! - and Ed Woodward says Man Utd will not confirm their new manager before the end of the season.

Read all of this plus more of the latest news, views and gossip from Old Trafford.

REAL DEAL

LUKA MODRIC'S odds of joining Manchester United have been cut after the Croatia captain rejected a new deal at Real Madrid.

Juventus are 2/1 favourites to sign Modric, but the Red Devils have now moved level with Inter Milan as second favourites at odds of 7/1.

LONELY THIS CHRISTMAS

ALEXIS SANCHEZ is 'sad' at Manchester United, Chile team-mate Mauricio Isla says.

The comments came as the forward trained alone in a bid to return to full fitness.

TAKE A LUK AT YOURSELVES

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has demanded Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez follow Paul Pogba's lead and play themselves into form following Jose Mourinho's departure.

The Norwegian said: “I cannot do anything for their performances on the pitch."

SOL OF THE CLUB

ANTONIO VALENCIA will remain Manchester United captain, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed.

And he suggested the Ecuadorian will return to the side when fit, commenting: "There are not many more better right backs going forward so you'll see him wearing his band."

PAUL BETS ARE OFF

MANCHESTER UNITED will reject bids for Paul Pogba in both January AND the summer, according to reports.

Juventus have been linked with a £125million move for the French World Cup winner while Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen.

SOLSKJAER IN FULL

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER will keep Antonio Valencia as his Manchester United captain.

The Red Devils' interim boss revealed Valencia, 33, is close to returning to action after various injury issues this season.

SAD-CHEZ

ALEXIS SANCHEZ is "sad" at Manchester United but will bounce back to be a success at Old Trafford.

That is the opinion of his Chile international team-mate Mauricio Isla.

'DO IT YOURSELF'

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER hopes to have Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku back for Sunday's clash with Bournemouth.

But the new Manchester United boss will warn them they have to go out and prove themselves on the pitch - just like Paul Pogba has done.

PER OF ACES

MANCHESTER UNITED midfielder Andreas Pereira will make a decision on his future in the "coming days".

The Brazilian, 22, has seen first-team opportunities limited this season and is the subject of interest from a number of clubs.

UTD NOT THE REAL WORRY

TOTTENHAM are more worried about the threat of losing Mauricio Pochettino to Real Madrid than Manchester United, according to reports.

Pochettino is United’s No1 choice to take over from interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the summer.

PAUL THE OTHER ONE

PAUL POGBA has contributed to more goals than any other central midfielder in Europe’s top five leagues this season.

The Manchester United star looks reborn under new boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

TOP DOGS KEEN

ED WOODWARD has revealed Manchester United will not announce their new manager before the end of the campaign.

The executive vice-chairman has insisted that the "top people in football" are keen to take the reigns at Old Trafford after Jose Mourinho was axed last week.

A POG IS FOR LIFE

NEMANJA MATIC says Paul Pogba should be making a difference in every game — not just at Christmas.

Manchester United’s £89million World Cup-winner has looked a different player in the two games since Jose Mourinho was sacked.

GEARING UP

ALEXIS SANCHEZ watched his team-mates play at Old Trafford on Boxing Day - for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury in November.

The Chilean has already trained with the team and is in contention to play against Bournemouth on Sunday.

SANTA IS HERE

WAYNE ROONEY hung out with Manchester United stars after the Red Devils beat Huddersfield Town 3-1 on Boxing Day.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men shared pictures on social media alongside the DC United striker who returned to the Old Trafford changing room.

BABY POG

PAUL POGBA certainly has much to cheer about going into 2019 following his brace against Huddersfield - while he is also soon to become a father.

The 25-year-old's stunning partner Maria Salaues showed off her huge baby bump as she watched her beau in action against the Terriers.