Club must learn to play without fear and harness their young players, particularly Kobbie Mainoo, and regain a seat at Europe’s top table

Whatever the protestations from Manchester United about the relationship between Ruben Amorim and the higher-ups not collapsing like a house of cards, clearly something was not right. The head coach became increasingly open that something was amiss after chats with Jason Wilcox. The director of football has not covered himself in glory at the club, but he and the chief executive, Omar Berrada, remain while another head coach departs. Conversations with potential replacements need to centre on everyone being on the same page. There were disagreements over tactics and recruitment, which created tension Old Trafford could ill afford. Nothing will be fixed overnight, meaning the incoming coach needs explicit guidelines on what is required and must offer a clear path on how tactics and style will meet expectations. Season-by-season ambitions should be set, allowing everyone to be held accountable, instead of the blame being foisted on one man.

Today’s rumours know a P45 when they see one

The big plan to turn West Ham’s season around is well under way. The forwards Pablo Felipe and Taty Castellanos have checked in, allowing the focus to shift backwards. An offer has been made for the Al-Nassr goalkeeper Bento. The 26-year-old Brazilian, who started his career with Athletico Paranaense before moving to Saudi Arabia, has amassed six international caps, which is not bad going when his rivals are Alisson and Ederson.

Josko Gvardiol’s broken shin could prompt Manchester City to enter the market. They have already recalled Max Alleyne from a loan spell at Watford, but could make a call a little further south and ascertain how much it would set them back to acquire Marc Guéhi. The England international almost moved to Liverpool, who maintain an interest, at the end of the previous transfer window before Oliver Glasner’s foot slammed down. The Eagles, however, might want a bit of cash for a player whose contract ends in six months.

Today’s fluff is here to neither manage nor coach

Not content with appointing a new head coach in the coming days, Chelsea are plotting a massive £135m move for Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior. The Brazilian is not too happy in the Spanish capital, by all accounts, and is yet to agree an extension to his contract that runs until June 2027. This trifling situation could open up the possibility of a sale, to avoid losing the winger for nothing in 18 months.

Adam Wharton would not be short of suitors if Crystal Palace allowed him to leave in the summer, especially if he makes an appearance at the World Cup. Real Madrid have an interest in the England midfielder, boosted by the potential Vinícius loot, but they would face competition in Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United. The last three named would mean the 21-year-old could return to his native north-west.

• ‘I don’t recall one day that I felt so bad in football’

• West Ham concede three first-half goals at Molineux

Nuno Espírito Santo apologised to West Ham’s fans after his team lost 3-0 at Wolves, describing it as his worst day in football, but insisted he had the desire to keep fighting to get the team out of the relegation zone.

West Ham are winless in nine matches after succumbing to rock-bottom Wolves. The result leaves the Hammers four points adrift of 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, whom they face on Tuesday. Nuno, who immediately walked down the tunnel at full time without shaking hands with Rob Edwards, has won two of his 15 Premier League games in charge since taking over from Graham Potter in September.

Palmer and Delap are among five academy players who learnt their trade at City, as links between the clubs grow

Chelsea’s visit to Manchester City on Sunday will be a homecoming for members of the travelling party. Five Chelsea players were nurtured at the academy that sits a few hundred yards from the Etihad Stadium, on the other side of a bridge.

The London club’s recent recruitment has been heavily influenced by City’s teaching of players and coaches. Tosin Adarabioyo, Cole Palmer, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Roméo Lavia were members of City’s youth ranks, most working there under Enzo Maresca. If one thread was unpicked this week when Maresca dramatically departed Chelsea, the link remains strong because Sunday’s caretaker, Calum McFarlane, was formerly the under-18s assistant manager at City.