Friday's latest stories from the world of football in ESPN FC's What's Trending ...
PREMIER LEAGUE: The Premier League will witness its first "billion-pound game" on Saturday when Manchester United visit Arsenal, according to financial analysts Vysyble.
- November saw Manchester City run their Premier League winning streak to 12 and a bunch of old managerial faces end up in new, struggling places, writes Adam Hurrey.
- Arsene Wenger vs. Jose Mourinho: Which manager will be victorious on Saturday? ESPN FC ask our club bloggers.
- Arsenal vs. Man United is the Premier League's best rivalry - here's some pictures from their clashes over the last decade.
MAN UNITED: Marcos Rojo is one of the "top five" central defenders in the world when he is in form, according to Manchester United teammate Ander Herrera.
- Gareth Southgate says he empathises with Jose Mourinho's issues regarding how England handled an injured Phil Jones during the most recent international break, but added he trusts his medical team to make the right calls.
- Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been absent in three of United's last four games with Arsenal and former Jose Mourinho favourite Mesut Ozil up next, writes Richard Jolly.
- Transfer Talk: Luke Shaw finally leaving Manchester United and Barcelona target Premier League trio.
WATCH: When will Jose Mourinho lose patience with Romelu Lukaku?
ARSENAL: Arsene Wenger confirmed Alexandre Lacazette will miss Saturday's Premier League clash against Manchester United with the groin injury he suffered during Wednesday's 5-0 win over Huddersfield.
WATCH: Can Arsenal keep up impressive home form?Can Arsenal keep up impressive home form?
WORLD CUP: No Groups of Death; rankings rule -- Gabriele Marcotti runs through what to expect at the World Cup draw.
Russia, the world's largest country. will use 12 stadiums in 11 different cities to stage the 2018 World Cup finals. Here is a look at the Russian cities and stadiums which will play host to the matches next summer.
- Don't try picking a World Cup winner. Just sit back and enjoy the show, writes Simon Kuper.
- When the lights go down at the State Kremlin Palace on Friday it will signal the start of a show that has been more than 12 months in the making, writes Nick Ames.
- With the World Cup draw set to take place in Moscow on Friday, FIFA have produced a video to congratulate each nation on making it to Russia.
- Laurent Blanc has been approached about the vacant head coach roles with the U.S. men's national team and the Australia side bound for next summer's World Cup, his agent has said.
ENGLAND: Marcus Rashford will be among the millions watching Friday's draw for a World Cup the forward believes Gareth Southgate's England will be well-equipped to compete in.
- England's World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks believes Jack Butland is the best man to wear the No. 1 jersey for the Three Lions at Russia 2018 next summer.
FRANCE: Paul Pogba has criticised the French media for their negative attitude toward the national team, while praising the British press for supporting theirs.
EVERTON: Sam Allardyce has been hired as the club's new manager, a day after he watched the 4-0 win over West Ham United from the stands.
- Everton fans may take exception to Sam Allardyce's playing style but he is the one option that virtually guarantees safety and security, writes Mark Ogden.
- It feels Everton have pushed the panic button for Sam Allardyce but for better or worse, this is the reality. Only positive results can banish doubts, writes Luke O'Farrell.
MAN CITY: The FA has asked Pep Guardiola to explain his version of events following his animated conversation with Nathan Redmond at the end of Manchester City's 2-1 win over Southampton on Wednesday.
- Pep Guardiola's postmatch confrontation with Nathan Redmond was not the first time he has approached a player, but they have taken it as a compliment, writes Jonathan Smith.
REAL MADRID: Zinedine Zidane has said he does not believe Gareth Bale's continuing injury problems are psychological.
- Neymar's father has said it is too early to discuss the prospect of his son joining Real Madrid but stressed that there are no current plans to leave Paris Saint-Germain.
- Keylor Navas is not unsettled by reports that Real Madrid are lining up a bid for Athletic Bilbao's rising star Kepa Arrizabalaga in the winter transfer window.
BARCELONA: Javier Mascherano has said he does not want to repeat the mistakes he made at Liverpool so is already planning his Barcelona exit, with this likely to be his final season at Camp Nou.
- WATCH: Is Barcelona's defence better without Neymar?
PSG: Thomas Meunier hailed teammate Neymar and declared him "worth the money spent on him" after he inspired the lacklustre Ligue 1 leaders to a 2-0 home win over Troyes on Wednesday.
BAYERN MUNICH: Thomas Muller has questioned Bayern Munich's need to sign a backup for Robert Lewandowski, despite the German champions' pursuit of Sandro Wagner.
- Joshua Kimmich is learning Spanish from an unlikely source... he's doing it with the help of the Real Madrid club song.
- Paul Clement has promised Renato Sanches' difficult loan spell at Swansea from Bayern Munich will not be cut short.
LIVERPOOL: Emre Can has insisted that his sole focus remains on Liverpool as he is set to enter the final six months of his current deal at Anfield.
- Liverpool's fluctuating results under Jurgen Klopp aren't helpful for an accurate assessment of their improvement, but they must be wary of Brighton, writes Steven Kelly.
WATCH: Jurgen Klopp says scoreline doesn't reflect Liverpool's hard work
TOTTENHAM: Mauricio Pochettino has said Frank de Boer's sacking by Crystal Palace after only four league games could further dissuade top-flight clubs from appointing young bosses.
- Pochettino has, not for the first time, been forced to defend his book, amid accusations that it has affected his players' focus and form.
- Pochettino has admitted that playmaker Christian Eriksen is mentally fatigued but said tiredness is not to blame for Tottenham's slump.
- The situation is critical at Tottenham and although Mauricio Pochettino is unsure what to do, it's clear some medium and long term change is needed, writes John Crace.
- - Dele Alli is struggling, Harry Kane doesn't look fit and Toby Alderweireld is missed. But Mauricio Pochettino still has an excellent team, writes Iain Macintosh.
CHELSEA: Antonio Conte intends to accept a Football Association charge of misconduct following his dismissal against Swansea on Wednesday.
- He may have delivered a European trophy but don't expect Rafa Benitez to get a warm reception when Newcastle face Chelsea this weekend, writes Phil Lythell.