Manchester United loanee Guillermo Varela insists he has not given up on a future at Old Trafford – even though injury has wrecked a crucial season for the Uruguayan.

The full-back, who was David Moyes’ first United signing, joined Eintracht Frankfurt on a season-long loan deal after Jose Mourinho made it clear that he was not in his first-team plans this year.

But the 23-year-old only made five appearances for the German side before a serious ankle injury railroaded his chance to impress in the Bundesliga.

However, Varela insists his relationship with Mourinho bodes well for the future.

“The most important thing for me is to get back 100 per cent to play until the end of the season,” he said.

“Then we will sit down together to see what’s best for the club and myself. Then a decision will be made.

“I really learnt a lot from the way (Mourinho) trained. The relationship was very good and I was pleasantly surprised.

“Maybe I expected his character when he is confronted with the press, but that was definitely not the case.

“He’s always asking how everyone feels, making no difference between [Wayne] Rooney or a player who has just come up.

“He was always joking and ensuring he had a good connection between everyone and himself.”

Chelsea’s Eden Hazard is in no doubt that if the Blues’ stars had to compete in an endurance race, midfield marathon man N’Golo Kante would be out in front.

The understated French international has been one of the standout stars of Chelsea’s campaign so far, with the south-west London side in pole position to claim the Premier League title, and preparing to take on Manchester United in the FA Cup on Monday evening.

Signed from Leicester after their title success last term, 25-year-old Kante has been imperious for Antonio Conte’s charges and is being tipped to scoop the Premier League Player of the Year award.

And Hazard, who has himself enjoyed a return to form and spurred Chelsea to the summit of the table, admits Kante’s ability to seemingly be everywhere on the pitch allows his forward-thinking teammates to thrive.

“We have to work, even if he’s one of the best players in his position. We have to defend, because the manager wants that,” he said.

“But it’s true; sometimes we say ‘I don’t defend now, because N’Golo is there’.

“If we have to do a marathon – he will win for sure. He can run 10 hours. I can run 10 metres, then I’m tired.

“We’re going to try to win everything this season. It’s not going to be easy, but we’re going to train and work hard to win the Premier League and FA Cup.

“We are at a club where every year you have to win something. We can win both the cup and the league. We will give everything.

“We have 11 games to play in the league. We hope we can win as soon as possible the league, and the cup is a bonus – but it’s a good bonus.”

Sunderland striker Fabio Borini admits his frustration on the field can sometimes get the better of him and hopes his team mates share his anger at the Black Cats’ current plight.

Sunderland currently sit bottom of the Premier League, six points from safety with 11 matches remaining in the season.

Borini has scored just once in 15 appearances in all competitions in his third season at the Stadium of Light.

And he believes his behaviour on the pitch this season demonstrates his desire to keep Sunderland in the Premier League.

AFP / Oli SCARFF /

“I care and that’s probably why I get more frustrated than I should actually be, because frustration can actually get you in a negative side of your mood, but I hope everyone feels the same,” said Borini.

“People are different in how they show emotions.

“I’m actually quite closed, I don’t show emotion a lot, apart from when I’m on the pitch because it’s easy, it’s natural, it’s my environment and I try to show in actions rather than words.”

And Borini believes that his side are capable of changing their fortunes given the ever-changing nature of life in the Premier League.

“We know in football how quickly things can change, (Claudio) Ranieri has been sacked nine months after he won the league,” he added.

“He should have a statue outside the stadium like people said, so we always know that football can change.”

As James Milner gears up for his 600^th career appearance, his manager Jurgen Klopp admits he still doesn’t know what the versatile Liverpool star’s position is.

Milner made his debut for Leeds back in 2002, coming on as a substitute against West Ham to become the second youngest player to feature in the Premier League at the time, aged 16 years and 309 days.

He has gone on to play for Newcastle, Aston Villa, Manchester City and now under Klopp at Liverpool – not to mention racking up 61 England caps along the way.

For his previous clubs Milner was used as a midfielder more often than not, but under his new German boss the 31-year-old has been reverted to a full-back.

And Klopp is full of admiration for Milner as he has hit the ground running in his new role at Anfield.

“He’s played a lot of different positions. Was he a winger? A half-eight? He played as a striker. He has adapted to a lot of positions in his life,” said Klopp.

“He has had a lot of good games in a new position. A lot of people were surprised but how we play that position is possible for a player like Milly.

“Six hundred, though! That’s a number and a few to come, that’s impressive. He doesn’t look like he’s played 600 matches – in a positive way.”

Phil Bardsley wants to stay at Stoke City beyond the end of the season but admits his future is up in the air as his contract winds down.

The veteran full-back joined Stoke on a free transfer from Sunderland three years ago, but has often played second fiddle to Glen Johnson.

However, Johnson has struggled with injuries this season and Bardsley has had to stand up – making 16 appearances in all competitions.

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 11: Phil Bardsley of Stoke City is challenged by Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Crystal Palace at Bet365 Stadium on February 11, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)

And now he is eyeing up a contract extension as manager Mark Hughes plots for next season.

“I’ve had a little chat with Stoke and we’ll see what happens,” said the 31-year-old.

“We’ll take it from there.

“If it’s not to be I’ll have to look at other options but the club know my thoughts and where I want to be so we’ll see.

“It’s a good club, a good changing room and a club going in the right direction. It would be daft to say I didn’t want to say but you never know.”

Christian Fuchs insists Leicester City’s warm-weather training camp in Dubai has worked wonders for the side’s team spirit.

The Foxes left the UK following back-to-back wins over Liverpool and Hull and have no game this weekend allowing them to fully focus on their Champions League match on Tuesday.

Leicester welcome Seville to the King Power Stadium knowing that a 1-0 victory will be enough to send them into the quarter-finals after a 2-1 defeat out in Spain.

And Fuchs felt the few days out of the country will do the squad, and the Leicester City staff, the world of good.

He said: “It was an intense time over the last couple of weeks. It’s good to come down and work a little on team spirit. When you win two games, that’s the best medicine for team spirit.

(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

“Time together always helps. We’ve been through a lot of highs and lows – team spirit is great.

“You get to know different faces from the staff. They’re working behind closed doors so you connect with them and it’s even better for the team.

“We probably don’t even realise how much work goes into this. How many hours they spend on video analysis and things like that. It’s good to catch up with those guys and appreciate their work.”

Striker Stefano Okaka admits he is frustrated his Watford side can’t immediately make up for last week’s home defeat to Southampton as they embark on a free weekend.

The Hornets were meant to make the trip to Premier League leaders Chelsea on Monday night, but FA Cup involvement for Antonio Conte’s side leaves Watford with their feet up without a game.

But after a disappointing performance that led to a 4-3 defeat at home to Southampton last time out, Okaka believes it would have been better for his side to unleash their frustration on the park sooner rather than later.

And with just one more game to come in March – against Crystal Palace next Saturday with an international break to follow – the 27-year-old admits he has struggled to find rhythm in a season blighted with injury.

“Two weeks is too much, after this game you want to play tomorrow to get some points,” he said.

“We have to work and wait and at Crystal Palace we will have to give everything and fight, like we did against Southampton, but we have to improve defensively.

“The first injury, it can happen. But another, after Everton, was unbelievable.

“I was back, played well and then missed another two months. I’ve ended up having three pre-seasons, in the summer, after West Ham and after Everton.

“My injury stopped me. I have been out for a long time since Everton, I work with my leg so it’s good news for me.”

Aitor Karanka believes that Middlesbrough’s performances so far this season means they no longer have the element of surprise on their side.

Boro have something of an aversion to scoring goals – they have notched just 19 times in the Premier League this term – but have a spectacular defensive record.

Karanka’s troops have conceded on just 30 occasions in 27 league games and no team outside the top six has let in fewer goals.

Boro have consistently proved they are hard to break down and their head coach believes that Manchester City resting players in midweek ahead of their FA Cup clash with the Teessiders on Saturday is proof of how much respect his side have earned.

“I don’t think we can surprise anyone now,” said Karanka. “Everyone knows that we’re an organised team who are difficult to beat.

“Two years ago when we played Liverpool or Man City we were a surprise but now we’re not and the best example of that is how Man City rested players on Wednesday.

“Pep Guardiola has much more experience and a better squad than me but we have to fight with our weapons because we have an amazing spirit in our changing room.

“It’s about giving the players that confidence and playing in the way that we’re playing.”

Southampton striker Manolo Gabbiadini admits his fast start to life in the Premier League has surprised even him.

The Italian striker moved to St Mary’s from Napoli in January and immediately hit the ground running, scoring six times for the Saints including two in the EFL Cup final against Manchester United.

The 25-year-old has been rewarded for his stellar performances and was named the Premier League’s PFA Fans’ Player of the Month for February, beating the likes of Everton’s Romelu Lukaku and Tottenham striker Harry Kane to the gong.

And while Gabbiadini admits that football in England far different to that in Italy, after his fast start he is loving life on the south coast.

“I’ve completely changed my football,” Gabbiadini said. “Everything is completely different here: the city, the people. I didn’t believe I would start like this.

“I need to thank all my teammates and the coach, who have been extraordinary and have all been there for me.

“The difference here to Italy is that it’s all ‘enjoy’ here, as they say; it’s all entertainment both for us and for the fans, whether you win or lose.

“All that matters is you give everything because that’s the only way you can make people happy.”

Despite limited chances to shine Stefano Okaka is loving life at Watford, according to the striker’s agent.

Former Roma striker Okaka signed for the Hornets on a five-year deal from Anderlecht in the summer but has found it difficult to force his way into Walter Mazzarri’s starting XI.

And that is despite striker Odion Ighalo having headed to China in January to join Changchun Yatai for £20m.

But the forward’s agent Charles Okaka can see green shoots, especially since he scored two goals and set up skipper Troy Deeney last Saturday against Everton.

“Positive, for the little amount of time he’s taken to the pitch,” Charles Okaka said.

“He scored two goals at Everton, including an assist for Deeney on Saturday.

“He has a wonderful relationship with Mazzarri. We trust him a lot. He has great respect for the man and the coach’s work.”