Jose Mourinho has arrived and is afforded the traditional easy opener. Any injury news?

Only Branislav Ivanovic and Thibaut Cortois are out, he confirms. "There are four solutions - Cesar Azpilicueta, Kurt Zouma, Ramiries or an 18-year-old, Ola Aina," he says about the right-back vacancy. "It depends on the matches and the opponents."

England are 468-5 at tea in Abu Dhabi. Captain Alastair Cook is 237 not out, as they trail by just 55 runs against Pakistan.

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Can Chelsea get back to winning ways? Will Aston Villa be able to climb out of the relegation zone? You can predict the results of this weekend's matches. 

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Image source, BBC Sport

John Southall
BBC Radio Five Live football reporter

Image source, BBC Sport

Plenty of issues at Cobham as ever - the FA, the right back, the league position, the pressure on the manager, the players lack of form....

Which Jose Mourinho will we get today?

Can they make us all excited for the future of England at international tournaments...? 

Or will they lose on penalties to Germany in the quarter finals?

Only time will tell.

Bill Rice
BBC Radio Manchester

Image source, BBC Sport

Jimmy Murphy Centre at Manchester United's training ground named after the club's former coach, where Louis van Gaal will speak to the media today.

Image source, BBC Sport

Can Everton continue their excellent run against Manchester United at Goodison Park? Will Louis van Gaal's side be able to get back to winning ways?

You can predict the results of this weekend's matches.

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Bill Rice
BBC Radio Manchester

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal won’t have enjoyed the international break after his side’s demoralising 3-0 defeat at Arsenal in their last Premier League fixture, but he should be reasonably happy with the club’s results so far this season.  

Image source, Getty Images

Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick missed England’s final Euro 2016 qualifiers but should be fit to return for Saturday’s game at Everton, where the Reds have lost on their last three visits and managed only one win in the last seven seasons.

World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger is a doubt though, while van Gaal will hopefully give an update on Northern Ireland defender Paddy McNair’s condition today, after he suffered a ruptured liver against Finland.

Image source, Getty Images

In2011, English driver Dan Wheldon, 33, was killed in a crash at the Las Vegas Indy 300.

In2012, England's World Cup qualifier against Poland was postponed by a day due to a waterlogged pitch in Warsaw.

In2014, former France, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham defender William Gallas retired at the age of 37.

Bryn Palmer
BBC Sport

Interesting that Scotland have opted for two open-side flankers in back row with Blair Cowan at six joining John Hardie for the World Cup quarter-final.

Dan Roan
BBC Sports editor

Privately the FA was known to be growing impatient with Michel Platini, and - like other national associations around Europe - were seeking assurances and answers from him after a letter he wrote to them in September failed to explain the timing of the £1.35m payment he received.

Read the blog from earlier this month in full here 

Jonny Bairstow goes for eight, being trapped LBW by Pakistan bowler Wahab Riaz. England now 443-5, trailing by 80 runs.

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Following Uefa president Michel Platini's 90-day suspension from Fifa and the subsequent investigation into corruption, the FA have announced that they are suspending its support for the Frenchman's candidature for the Fifa presidency until the legal process has been concluded.

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On the subject of club badges, here is an earlier story from March this year...

Scottish League One side Airdrieonians are being forced to change their badge – because it breaks a law dating back to the 16th Century.

The Diamonds were stunned to receive a letter telling them that their crest has been deemed too similar to the coat of arms of the office of Lord Lyon King. 

They have been warned they face prosecution if they continue to operate with the badge which is illegal as it contains letters within the 'shield'.

Are those brimmed hard hats.....?

Image source, The FA

Liverpool Ladies goalkeeper Danielle Gibbons says she is proud of the comeback she has made after having abenign brain tumour removed. 

The 23-year-old missed five months of the season following surgery, which left her deaf in one ear, but returned to play three games, wearing a protective helmet.

"There wasn't one point when I thought I wouldn't get back. If I couldn't have played for Liverpool again, then I was determined to play in the Olympics for the deaf team or something like that," she told BBC Sport.

Do the fans all dress up in elf costumes? 

Is the mascot a reindeer with a very shiny nose?

Half-time snack of choice: cookies and sherry or full on Christmas dinner?