Gary Bowyer
Former Blackburn manager on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Getty Images

"Leicester have been massively impressive. Nigel Pearson deserves a lot of credit. He recruited a lot of the squad. 

"The exciting thing is a lot of players are from the Championship and they’ve got better and better. Riyad Mahrez was bought for about £400,000 when they were in the Championship and he’s maybe the best player in the Premier League at the moment."

Everton keeper Tim Howard is up for it...

You'll have your work cut out though Tim, this Leicester side ain't half bad.

Steve Wilson
BBC Match of the Day commentator at Old Trafford

Image source, AP

"When was there last any real excitement at Old Trafford? You could almost distil the moments of genuine joy down to Anthony Martial's body swerve and sweeping finish against Liverpool. The rest has been much ado about nothing.

"If United can't break down Norwich, expect the spotlight which had been on Jose Mourinho to fall squarely on Louis van Gaal. 

"United's lengthy injury list doesn't help, but nor does it dispel the feeling that he's proving to be a Picasso manager: some see genius, others see someone putting all the right bits in all the wrong places."

Image source, Manchester United

A festive design welcomes any reader of Manchester United's official match programme today.

"We have to win because when you lose too much, also for me it's the end of the world," United boss Louis van Gaal told reporters this week.

Did you know United have beaten Norwich 4-0 in their last three meetings at Old Trafford. What chance that happening again though? The Red Devils have scored just 10 goals at home all season - that's the lowest home return of any Premier League side.

Image source, BBC Sport

If Chelsea want to get back to winning ways today, they'll probably have plenty of opportunities to do it.

"It remains to be seen whether his failure as Netherlands boss last year has had a great effect on Hiddink. It may well be that the veteran boss has come out a little bit jaded and not quite as confident as he used to be."

We asked Dutch football journalist Elko Born what Guus Hiddink has done since his first spell at Chelsea. Find out here.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Arsene Wenger

This image of a doctored Arsene Wenger smile was prolifically shared on social media in the aftermath of Jose Mourinho's sacking at Chelsea.

But was the Arsenal manager really that happy? You can find out as we have made a video which gathers the reaction of Premier League managers to the news of Mourinho's dismissal.Watch it by clicking here.

Saturday means football which in turn means it's time to iron out your Fantasy Football side ahead of the Christmas fixtures.

Has Jamie Vardy peaked? Any more mileage in Riyad Mahrez? Do you know the pair are the most selected players in the game at the moment?

The team below is called 'Barcafellova' and it's top from roughly 3.5 million players involved in the Premier League's official game.

Image source, Premier League

Like a conspiracy theory? Of course you do.

My colleague Mike Henson dug deep to find out if it was really Jose Mourinho in the photo on the back pages. Read that here.

Image source, .

Today we are asking you for your Christmas football tales. The matches you've really worked to get to, the dodgy Christmas presents linked to the beautiful game, the games you've played in.

Send them to #bbcfootball, text 81111 or comment on the Match of the Day Facebook page., external

Is former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti on his way to Bayern Munich? It's on the front of Italian sports paper La Gazzetta dello Sport... , external

Image source, Gazzetta dello Sport

Comedian Bob Mortimer has had a victorious Saturday so far...

We have a Christmas cracker of an early match in the Championship for you, where league leaders Middlesbrough travel to second-placed, and unbeaten, Brighton.

You can follow a live text online and commentary on BBC Radio 5 live and online. Former Southampton and Middlesbrough midfielder Neil Maddison will be pundit on BBC Radio Tees.

Spanish sports paper AS leads on a mouthwatering transfer story. They claim Robert Lewandowski has not shut down talk of a potential move from Bayern Munich to Real Madrid.

Image source, AS paper

And a look at The Daily Mirror follows on from The Independent nicely as the paper leads on Louis van Gaal stating he faces "the end of the world" if results do not improve at Manchester United.

Image source, Mirror

Football managers are under attack it seems. Where is the festive cheer?

The Independent leads with a look at the two Manchester-based managers - Louis van Gaal and Manuel Pellegrini. It statest they "are fighting for their future".

Image source, Independent

Tell us of the football trips you've made at Christmas, the gifts & the games you've played in...

Image source, Getty Images

Tweet using #bbcfootball,, external or text on 81111 (UK only and please include a name). Alternatively, post a comment on the MOTD Facebook, external page.

Chelsea dominate the back pages as you can imagine and The Star claim owner Roman Abramovich has "urged his players to make a fresh start".

The Blues take on Sunderland later they could end up in the relegation zone should Norwich win at Manchester United,

Image source, Star

Image source, Richie de Laet

Did you know that if you combine goals scored and assists, Leicester City have the two most productive individuals this season?

Jamie Vardy has a combined 17 goals and assists, with Riyad Mahrez one ahead of the striker. Everton's Romelu Lukaku has 16 goals and assists combined.

These are lofty times at the King Power Stadium. This week Leicester's players had Christmas lunch after training and engaged in a bit of fancy dress. Who is this?

And The Sun lead today with a transfer target for Guus Hiddink already. It may not surprise you but the Premier League's top scorer - Jamie Vardy - is reportedly top of the list. Thoughts Leicester fans?

Image source, The Sun