Image source, PA

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal seems to be enjoying the unpredictable nature of the Premier League. Whether he still will do at full-time today is another matter...

He said this week: "Against Aston Villa, 1-1, we had to win against 10 players. Against Tottenham Hotspur, 0-0, when you create so many chances, then you have to win but it's not always that the best team is winning, and that's also nice in football I think.

"You never can predict. I could not predict that Manchester City, at home, allows Burnley - last, or one of the last on the table - to come back. I could not imagine. But when I read it, it was true."

Man City extend Frank Lampard's move from New York City:

Darren Turner: Disgraceful! Those New York fans that have spent hard earned cash on season tickets to watch Lampard play must feel let down.

Graham Prince: Diabolical. Chelsea let him go to give him a final swansong in the USA and then Man City do this. If they knew what they know now Chelsea would never have done the deal. Hope he can look himself in the mirror when he plays Chelsea on 31/1 and know he has done the right thing.

Jack Orton: Chelsea thought he couldn't do a job for them anymore, he wouldn't fit into their side. Now he is playing in a side with some of the strongest players in the world and still proving he can do a job. It was simply bad judgement on Mourinho's part. But it has hardly ruined Chelsea's season. Fair play Lamps! Top man.

BBC Match of the Day on Facebook, external

I was chatting to a United fan last night who maintained that if they can beat Chelsea and Manchester City then there is no reason why Louis van Gaal can't win the league this year.

He had had a few drinks mind...

MOTD's Steve Bower at the Britannia

"Manchester United could have had a more comfortable start to the new year as they look to embark on a more productive and positive 12 months than they experienced in 2014.

"Louis van Gaal's squad are making progress and are well on course to achieve the target of a top-four finish this season, but as the United manager has already stated publicly, their ultimate goal is to be winning the title again."

On Tony Pulis' appointment as West Brom manager:

Alan Fraser:, external Probably the best appointment we could've made - but I shall be making sure that my ticket for Saturday is in the upper tier!

Jake Hawker:, external West Brom are going to have a good 2015. What a brilliant manager Tony Pulis is!

The Stoke team and staff have arrived at the Britannia. No late night shenanigans for this lot. Life as a Premier League footballer doesn't have too many drawbacks - but maybe a quiet new year is one of them.

You'd still swap though wouldn't you...?

What's next? Robot goalkeepers? Balls that catch fire when someone scores a hat-trick?

Benhard Naweseb:, external The goal should be moving on a rail, from one corner flag to the other during the game, it will even keep Manuel Neuer awake.

Jay:, external Award fractional points for possession. Will improve pressing and ball retention skills. Would be good for England too.

Andy Canavan:, external Balls that know which player has touched it last.

Manchester City and their fans may well be happy to secure the signing of Frank Lampard for the season - but the boys in the Big Apple aren't best pleased.

Fans of Major League Soccer's New York City are "outraged" by Lampard's decision to stay, which means he could miss the first three months of the MLS season.

New York fans group the Third Rail said it "publicly denounced" the decision.

In a statement, the independent supporters group added: "Many fans, including our members, decided to support the team, committed to season tickets, and bought merchandise under the impression that Frank Lampard would be playing for New York City Football Club, not Manchester City.

"Many of those fans are rightly outraged by this decision, and we support any course of action they take to voice their discontent over this decision."

On Tony Pulis' appointment as West Brom manager:

Gaz Sloane:, external ‏It's more than just about survival - this is an appointment that will give us a chance of long term stability too.

Andy Baldwin:, external As a Palace fan I do wish Pulis well, but why are so many talking like he's a saviour with guaranteed success? Hyperbole.

Cliff Johnson:, external ‏Tony Pulis is the best thing to happen to West Brom, He will bring steel to the defence and only buy in players the team need.

David Ornstein
BBC Sport

"Frank Lampard 'signed' for New York City FC in July but with the new MLS season not starting until March, he joined Manchester City - who part-own New York City - until January. Crucially, this was not a loan deal but a short-term contract signed as a free agent. It is understood the contract was for the entire season, with a break clause that was agreed would be activated at midnight on 31 December.

"City needed that break clause removed if Lampard was to remain with them, which happened on Wednesday."

Image source, Getty Images

Some good news to wake up to if you are a Manchester City fan - the champions have extended the contract of midfielder Frank Lampard until the end of the season.

The 36-year-old's deal from New York City was due to expire at midnight on 31 December but he will now stay until the summer and miss the start of the MLS season.

Former England international Lampard is available to face Sunderland in the Premier League today.

I've been to New York, Frank. And I live in Manchester. No contest for me either...

Image source, AP

Wayne Rooney needs two more goals to become the first player in Premier League history to score 10+ goals in 11 consecutive seasons.

Rooney has provided five goals and two assists in his last seven Premier League appearances. Not bad from midfield...

Just over two hours until kick-off in the first day of Premier League football of the new year. Referee Michael Oliver and his assistants are already patrolling the pitch in their suits. Like cup final day. Except for the fact that it looks freezing. Typical Britannia wind whipping across the ground...

We have 'vanishing spray' and goalline technology, so what is next? Robot goalkeepers? Balls that catch fire when someone scores a hat-trick, like on NBA Jam? Manchester United to complete a training session without picking up any new injuries?

Wez Blackett:, external Anti-gravity boots that allow divers to fly further through the air than ever before.

Denis Lobo:, external The best thing that could happen is the FA resign and a new set of referees are appointed with transparency.

Image source, PA

The window may not be quite open just yet then, but every Premier League boss scout, boss and director of football will have compiled a wishlist to take to the chairman.

But who needs what? Robbie Savage has had a look at all 20 clubs and drawn up a list.

Whose shopping needs are 'The same old story?' Who needs 'quality, not quantity?' And which clubs just need to keep hold of their key men?

Have a read and see what you think...

Phil Neville
BBC Sport

"West Brom just guaranteed their Premier League status with Tony Pulis appointed today!"

Disco Stu:, external Critics of Pulis are crazy. He gets the best out of what he has, the number one requirement for any manager.

John Dykes:, external As a Stoke fan, I've always wished the best for Pulis and his teams. This however....

Joshua Roberts:, external 2015 is looking a lot brighter than 2014 thanks to Pulis. The best decision WBA have made since Hodgson.

It may well be 2015, but like a frustrated child on Christmas Day afternoon, Premier League chairmen will have to wait a few more days until they can officially spend any money.

Why? Well because in England, Wales and Scotland the transfer window actually opens on Saturday.

The window opens at different times across Europe - here's a useful link, external.

Image source, Getty Images

Two thousand and fifteen. 2015. We are officially in the future.

OK, so we may not have hoverboarded into the office, in fact we still work in an office, and I didn't have to do a single retina scan to get into the building.

But out on the pitch we do now at least have 'vanishing spray' and goalline technology.

Image source, Getty Images

So what is next? Robot goalkeepers? Balls that catch fire when someone scores a hat-trick, like on NBA Jam? Manchester United to complete a training session without picking up any new injuries?

Let us know your visions of footballing utopia.

Get in touch at #bbcfootball, external, pop on to the BBC Sport Facebook page, external or BBC Sport's Google+ area., external

You can also text us on 81111 in the UK only - don't forget to say who you are and where you are texting from.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Manchester United defender turned pundit Gary Neville was in the mood for reminiscing this morning, tweeting:, external "Four years ago today I trotted out for the last time for United! What a shambles of a performance! @rioferdy5 trying to stick up for me at HT!

Sir Alex Ferguson to me: 'Gary what are you playing at out there.'

Rio: ' It was me boss, should have seen the run.'

Me thinking: 'Get me out of here I've gone.'"

Neville bowed out of his illustrious career with a less than sparkling display against West Brom in 2011.