The top stories and transfer rumours from Thursday’s newspapers…

DAILY MAIL

Jason Wilcox has stepped into Dan Ashworth’s role at Manchester United going into the January transfer window following the club’s shock decision to sack their sporting director.

Newcastle have been rocked by the news that Callum Wilson will miss the next two months with a hamstring injury.

Real Madrid are reportedly eyeing multiple Premier League transfer targets, including multiple Manchester United stars.

Sporting fans aimed pyrotechnics at their own players who stood to applaud them after the side suffered their fourth defeat in five games since the departure of Ruben Amorim.

Manchester United would consider offers of £40m for Marcus Rashford but accept there are unlikely to be any bidders for the England forward in the January transfer window.

Ruben Amorim reportedly fears that the Manchester United job is more difficult than he vouched for.

Rory McIlroy has admitted he and Scottie Scheffler had to fight to persuade the PGA Tour to back next week’s clash with LIV Golf stars Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau.

THE SUN

Arsenal’s set-piece coach Nicolas Jover now has his very own mural outside the Emirates.

DAILY MIRROR

A group of Manchester United fans have been arrested as part of a dawn-raid operation following shocking violence earlier this season.

Liverpool have signed 16-year-old defender Lucas Clarke from Manchester City as part of their push to bolster their youth ranks.

A paramedic formerly employed by Manchester City has admitted to stealing ‘at least £75,000-worth of equipment’ from the Premier League champions.

THE ATHLETIC

Liverpool are in talks about playing friendly matches in Japan and Hong Kong as part of a pre-season tour of Asia next summer.

Joe Gomez admits he came close to leaving Liverpool last summer but is delighted that he ended up staying at Anfield.

Plans to expand Wimbledon are set to go before the UK High Court.

DAILY TELEGRAPH

Manchester United’s women’s team have been left “deflated” by Dan Ashworth’s shock exit at Old Trafford.

Newcastle United plan to make the Gallowgate End their answer to Borussia Dortmund’s ‘Yellow Wall’ as one of the largest stands in Europe if the club decide to stay at St James’ Park.

Cristian Romero has apologised for suggesting that Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy and the club’s board are to blame for the team’s struggles as the problems continue to mount for head coach Ange Postecoglou before a pivotal run of games.

THE GUARDIAN

Robert de Pauw’s departure from his role as Aston Villa’s women’s team manager on Wednesday came amid concerns regarding the way he had allegedly spoken to his players, including about their appearance.

Sheffield United’s owner, Prince Abdullah, has put the sale of the club on hold in the hope of cashing in if Chris Wilder’s side are promoted to the Premier League.

EVENING STANDARD

Jose Mourinho wants Nico Williams to turn down a move to the Premier League and join Real Madrid if he leaves Athletic Bilbao.

THE TIMES

Arsenal have opened an investigation into a series of antisemitic social media posts that have appeared on an account seemingly belonging to a member of their staff.

The Saudi Public Investment Fund is reportedly close to acquiring a six per cent stake in the PGA Tour’s commercial arm almost a year after the original deadline for a peace deal was missed.

DAILY RECORD

Jota is facing the prospect of being frozen out by a second consecutive club after dropping out of the picture at Stade Rennes.

Romania boss Mircea Lucescu has revealed he told Ianis Hagi to force his way back into Philippe Clement’s plans at Rangers by making himself available for the club’s B team earlier this season.

Fringe man Luis Palma has been told he must leave Celtic by the president of the Honduran FA in order to ramp up his game time.