The FA Cup now provides a welcome chance for a rest, not excitement

The FA Cup is not what it once was. That’s been true for a long time, and obvious for almost as long. The older fans and players have a sense of nostalgia about the competition, about the best game it produced, and lament that it used to be the traditional bookend to the season. Winning the FA Cup was not as important as winning the league, but it meant something significant nonetheless. Now, it’s more of a consolation for a manager on his way out, or a way for a mid-table side to experience some fleeting success.

There have been some sensible suggestions made in order to improve it, but even these are admissions of defeat. If replays were abolished, then it would expunge one of the main traditions of the tournament, the FA Cup replay. The replay that allows a lower league side to take a top division team back to their intimidating ground, or to make a trip to a Premier League stadium, with the money that comes with it. Preserving the FA Cup by removing one of its rare qualities is, in some ways, not preserving it at all.

 

Premier League transfer window 2017 LIVE: All the ins and outs

Welcome to day 6 of the January Transfer Window.

Yahoo Sport’s Stanley Accrington has already rounded up the biggest rumours and gossip in his column today, some stories far more believable than others but all handled in Stan’s trademark manner.

Today’s big name is Antoine Griezmann who apparently has been offered the same wages and bonus structure as Paul Pogba to sign for Manchester United…

 

Premier League: "I'm not the Special One, I'm Marco Silva" - New Hull boss rejects Mourinho comparisons

Marco Silva distanced himself from comparisons with Jose Mourinho as he aims to lead Hull City to Premier League survival.

New Hull City manager Marco Silva has rejected comparisons to Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho.

Silva was appointed as the replacement for Mike Phelan on Thursday and takes over a Hull side that sits bottom of the Premier League, three points adrift of safety.

The 39-year-old has enjoyed much success in his managerial career so far, leading Estoril to promotion to Portugal's Primeira Liga and two subsequent top-five finishes, before winning the Taca de Portugal with Sporting CP.

Premier League: Mourinho - Schweinsteiger will get chances to play in January

Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger will be handed the chance to play his part in this month's busy run of fixtures.

Bastian Schweinsteiger is set to receive first-team opportunities for Manchester United during January, manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed.

The 32-year-old has only played four minutes of action since March - as a late substitute in November's EFL Cup win over West Ham – having previously been exiled by the manager at the start of the season.

But Mourinho has revealed Schweinsteiger's positive attitude, fitness and the United's busy stretch of fixtures this month make it likely he will see more regular action.

Pep Guardiola: What was all that about?

Pep Guardiola and Mike Dean disagree

You don’t exactly have to be an expert in body language to come to the conclusion that Manchester City coach, Pep Guardiola is not in a particularly good place at the moment. Or is he?

What is most interesting, however, about this recent “ ‘Kevin-esque’ – you’re so unfair” display can be found in its timing and motivation rather than its content.