The big story: Moyes rues changing times at Old Trafford

Ahead of Sunderland’s Boxing Day clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford, former United boss David Moyes lamented on the club’s disregard for “great traditions”.

The Scot, who was sacked by United in 2014, less than a season after being chosen to replace club legend Sir Alex Ferguson, said the club had “tended to pick British managers” and never felt the need to impose themselves in the transfer market.

“I can say that’s gone,” said Moyes. “There have been a few changes at Manchester United but that’s the way they have chosen to go.”

United have spent £480 million since Ferguson retired in 2013 after 26 years as manager.

“They were a football club who enjoyed traditions with the way they spent. They didn’t try to compete with all the other clubs. They did what they thought was the right thing to do and spent the right way.

“Maybe that has had to change because of the current situation. Sir Alex went out and bought wisely and correctly in the transfer market and what he thought he needed to do.”

Other top stories:

  • German winger Julian Draxler has agreed to move from Wolfsburg to cash-rich French champions Paris Saint-Germain for £40 million in the January transfer window. The 23-year-old has been a coveted target for many of the top European clubs, including the top names in the English Premier League.  
  • New Crystal Palace boss Sam Allardyce says he has emerged from one of the “darkest moments” of his career in losing the England manager’s job. “The first four weeks was something that was one of the darkest moments in my career, certainly the early reaction which was a bit hysterical to say the least, looking back on it. I’m talking about me and my wife and my family, we all had to deal with that problem – my children, my grandchildren at school.”
  • Frank Lampard says he would love to return to Chelsea as a player and plans to spend plenty of time at Stamford Bridge even if he is not offered a deal. “Whether it’s with my season ticket, watching them, I don’t know yet – I’ll have very close contact. Whether I’ll have the role (as a player), it’s not all in my hands so I can’t go any further on that. I’m very relaxed about it, which is a nice place to be. If the right thing comes, I’ll take it.” 
  • West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster has signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract that will run until 2019. The 33-year-old England international joined West Brom on loan from Birmingham City in 2011 before making the move permanent a year later.
  • Former technical director of the All India Football Federation, Colm Toal has been appointed in a similar capacity at the newly inducted I-League outfit, Minerva Punjab FC. Colm worked with the AIFF between 2007 and 2014. He was also coach of the Olympic team, and the Indian U-19 and U-16 teams. He is credited with the development of players like Jeje Lalpekhlua and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu among others.