Christian Eriksen and Marcus Rashford were on target as Manchester United eased into the EFL Cup quarter-finals with a 2-0 win over Burnley on Vincent Kompany's return to Old Trafford.

Manchester City great Kompany enjoyed numerous derby victories over United but his Red Devils reunion as Burnley manager ended in a fourth-round defeat on Wednesday.

Eriksen opened the scoring with a 27th-minute strike before Rashford doubled the advantage in the second half of United's first game since the World Cup.

Championship leaders Burnley impressed in parts but were punished for wasteful finishing as Erik Ten Hag's side booked their place in Thursday's last-eight draw.

Alejandro Garnacho squandered a glorious eighth-minute chance as Bailey Peacock-Farrell raced out to keep out a tame finish after Bruno Fernandes' incisive pass.

Fernandes provided another defence-splitting diagonal ball for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who acrobatically hooked across for Eriksen to tap home a deserved opener.

A curled Manuel Benson strike forced a smart save from Martin Dubravka, who almost turned into his own goal from the resulting corner, before Peacock-Farrell pushed away to deny Antony Martial at the other end.

Scott McTominay whipped a presentable opening over after the interval, but Rashford extended United's lead when his powerful run ended with a drilled finish into the bottom-left corner.

Darko Churlinov wastefully prodded wide on the counter-attack and Ashley Barnes blazed over as a profligate Burnley showing ensured there was no way back for the Clarets.

What does it mean? United back firing after World Cup

United ended the first half of the Premier League season positively to sit three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, who have played a game more, before the World Cup break.

Ten Hag's side picked up where they left off, albeit they were unconvincing at times in the first half, as United progressed from a sixth straight EFL Cup clash against Burnley.

United had lost three of four home ties in the competition before this victory, though Ten Hag will still demand improvements with tougher tests to follow when the Premier League returns.

Fernandes shines after Ronaldo departure

Questions were often posed as to Fernandes' influence alongside Portugal team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo at United before the latter had his contract terminated in November.

Playmaker Fernandes shone in his first game without Ronaldo as he created a game-leading three chances, including a pinpoint pass for Wan Bissaka's assist in the first half.

Deputy Dubravka unconvincing

David de Gea remains Ten Hag's first-choice goalkeeper and the Spain goalkeeper may have little concern over his position after an unconvincing performance from Dubravka.

The Slovakia international almost punched into his own net before a poor touch nearly gifted Burnley an equaliser and was caught out again in stoppage time, though those errors proved to be irrelevant.

What's next?

United return to Premier League action at home to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, when Burnley host Birmingham City in the Championship.

David Trezeguet believes "world-class" Adrien Rabiot can be an "important player" for Juventus with the midfielder's future uncertain.

Rabiot has just returned from an impressive World Cup, where he helped France reach a final they lost to Argentina on penalties at Lusail Stadium last Sunday.

There are reports that Juve could sell the midfielder in January to avoid him departing on a free transfer when his existing contract expires at the end of the season.

Former Juve and France striker Trezeguet feels the ball is in his former club's court.

"[With Rabiot] we are talking about a problem for Juventus because in Italy, he may have been targeted for criticism, but in France, it's completely different," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"He is world class, an extraordinary player. Now, he will evaluate his options and will go back to being the important player he always was.

"Juve will have to be a protagonist, that is what their history commands, and the players shouldn't worry about what is happening off the field.

"They'll have [Angel] di Maria back and fired up as a world champion with Argentina, while [Paul] Pogba and many others can give something extra."

Trezeguet also gave his thoughts on former team-mate Didier Deschamps, whose future as France head coach is uncertain with Zinedine Zidane reportedly a potential replacement.

"Didier has a very good rapport with the president of the federation, so he will take his time and come to a decision," said Trezeguet, who won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 alongside Deschamps.

"If he decides to leave, then he'll see what to do in future."

Diego Simeone has left the door open for Joao Felix to prove himself at Atletico Madrid but warned "no one is essential".

Joao Felix has been linked with a January exit from the LaLiga side, with club CEO Gil Marin stating this month that the Portugal forward and Simeone do not have a good relationship.

Atleti head coach Simeone has suggested Joao Felix could be allowed to move on next month.

"I want the best for Atletico, we are going to celebrate 11 years giving everything I have for the team and the club to grow," he said ahead of the Copa Del Rey tie against Arenteiro.

"I care about winning, keep improving, growing, keep focusing game by game and then everything that can happen will happen.

"No one is essential, no one, and things will be as they have to be."

The former Argentina midfielder did, however, make it clear Joao Felix could still have a future in the Spanish capital.

He added: "I have no doubt that he is a very important player.

"He had a good World Cup, with an important job for his team, participating in goals and the importance that the coach gave him to develop what he has.

"Hopefully, we can have the best Joao he showed in the World Cup and hopefully he can represent himself in our team."

One player who will be leaving Atleti is Matheus Cunha, with is poised to join Premier League club Wolves.

"Cunha is about to sign with his new club. He is a boy who gave us everything he had, we gave him everything we had," he stated.

Rather than look to the transfer market for additions to replace those who leave, Simeone expressed his intention to look within Atletico's ranks.

"I'm looking inward. For the club, I'm looking at the boys from B, who excite me and are in a great moment," he explained.

"It is a low category to compare it with LaLiga, but they are very excited, [Luis] Tevenet is working very well and if we have to raise boys for the club it is the best thing that can happen to us."

Christophe Galtier believes Kylian Mbappe's return to Paris Saint-Germain training just three days after a World Cup final defeat is a "strong signal."

Mbappe scored a hat-trick in Sunday's final at Lusail Stadium, twice converting from the spot while also firing home a superb volley as the game ended 3-3 after extra time.

It was Mbappe's team-mate Lionel Messi who ultimately lifted the trophy, though, after Argentina won the penalty shoot-out 4-2.

While Messi returned to Argentina to celebrate, Mbappe was back in PSG training on Wednesday as he attempts to overcome his Qatar heartbreak.

The forward will turn his attention back to the remainder of the season, with PSG holding a five-point lead at the top of Ligue 1 and facing a huge Champions League meeting with Bayern Munich in the round of 16.

Galtier feels Mbappe's decision to get stuck back in with PSG instead of taking extra days off shows what he is made of. 

"I'm very happy to see him," Galtier told PSG TV. "Kylian had a great World Cup. This return is also a strong signal to everyone.

"A player who may have been disappointed not to lift the most beautiful of trophies, even if he was top scorer at this World Cup [with eight goals].

"He wanted to get back in contact with the group very quickly and prepare for the deadlines which are coming up very quickly. 

"We are very, very happy to see him."

Achraf Hakimi, who enjoyed an excellent World Cup as Morocco got further than any African nation in history, also returned to training with the Ligue 1 champions on Wednesday.

PSG return to competitive action against Strasbourg on December 28.

Eintracht Frankfurt chief executive Axel Hellmann claimed Cristiano Ronaldo "was even offered to us" earlier in 2022.

Ronaldo left Manchester United in November after a controversial interview with Piers Morgan signalled the end of his time with the club.

However, Ronaldo had seemingly wanted to leave United ahead of the 2022-23 campaign, with the 37-year-old eager to play Champions League football.

Eintracht chief Hellman said even the Bundesliga club, who won the Europa League last season, were offered Ronaldo as he searched for a way out of Old Trafford.

"He was also offered to us. Yes, even we were offered him," Hellman said in a documentary shown by DAZN.

Hellmann added: "I have the feeling he was offered to every Champions League club."

Ronaldo endured a poor World Cup campaign with Portugal.

Despite scoring from the penalty spot in an opening win over Ghana, becoming the first man to net at five different World Cups in the process, Ronaldo could not add to that tally.

Indeed, having started Portugal's three group matches, he was dropped to the bench by coach Fernando Santos in the knockout rounds, and had only 10 touches in what might well be his final World Cup appearance – a 1-0 defeat to Morocco.

Ronaldo is reportedly of interest to several clubs in Saudi Arabia, with Al Nassr said to be pushing to sign the striker.

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has accused his successor Gianni Infantino of disrespect, while lambasting plans to expand the World Cup.

The Qatar 2022 edition of football's flagship tournament is the last to feature its current 32-team format, with 48 nations set to take part at the 2026 event.

Infantino has pushed for expansion since he replaced Blatter as the head of FIFA and has explored moving the World Cup to either a biennial or triennial cycle.

But his predecessor suggests he is not acting in the best interests of the sport.

"What is happening at the moment is an over-commercialisation of the game," he told German newspaper Die Ziet. "[It is] trying to squeeze more and more out of the lemon.

"[Look at] the World Cup with 48 teams, or a Club World Cup that must be viewed as competition to the UEFA Champions League. FIFA is meddling in something that doesn't really concern them.

"I have no relationship with Infantino. He behaved disrespectfully because he has refused any contact with me since his election. He only communicates with me through lawyers."

Infantino revealed plans for a 32-team Club World Cup earlier this month, returning to a planned expansion originally waylaid by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The proposal is still subject to confederation approval, and is expected to generate pushback from several leading clubs, particularly in the wake of the failed European Super League breakaway.

Gareth Southgate's decision to remain as England manager has left his players "absolutely delighted", according to Kieran Trippier.

The former Middlesbrough boss considered walking away from the post he has held since 2016 after his side were edged out in the World Cup quarter-finals by France.

With a semi-final appearance at Russia 2018, and a runner-up finish at Euro 2020, there had been questions over whether Southgate could depart before the end of his contract, which runs through to Euro 2024.

The subsequent confirmation he is staying has been positively received by his players, with right-back Trippier indicating the 52-year-old has the full backing of the squad he took to Qatar 2022.

"We are all absolutely delighted about it," Trippier told the i newspaper. "From the moment he first took charge until now, we've taken great huge steps.

"Players want to play for England, they know what it means to put the shirt on. He's a great man manager, and I think all the lads would say that.

"Speaking for myself, I'm delighted that he's staying on, and I know that all the rest of the players are too."

After a difficult time that saw England relegated in the Nations League prior to the World Cup, Southgate initially said he required time to think over his future before recommitting.

Trippier believes England are continuing to progress, pointing to the spirited performance against France as a sign of growth.

"I think we have moved forward, for sure," the Newcastle United full-back added. "You see the freedom the players had to attack, and you just have to look at the France game. I thought we were brilliant.

"We have taken huge steps. It was another learning curve for us, but we move on now."

England will begin a possibly thorny Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with games against reigning European champions Italy and Ukraine in March.

Isco is a free agent after agreeing to terminate his contract with LaLiga club Sevilla.

The 30-year-old joined Sevilla on a free transfer from Real Madrid in August and made 19 appearances in the first half of the season, scoring once and providing three assists.

However, the playmaker has now left Sevilla, with the club confirming his departure on Wednesday.

Coach Jorge Sampaoli said on Tuesday that a decision on Isco's future was down to the player and the club.

Serie A heavyweights Juventus and Napoli have been linked with a move for Isco, who is also reportedly drawing interest from Premier League sides Aston Villa and Wolves.

Announcing his exit, Sevilla said in a statement: "The club wants to wish Isco all the luck in the world in his new professional challenges."

Pep Guardiola believes Lionel Messi is undoubtedly the greatest player of all time, describing arguments in favour of Pele or Diego Maradona as "sentimental".

Messi has long been considered among the best ever, but both he and Cristiano Ronaldo trailed Pele and Maradona in the eyes of some while neither had won the World Cup.

That changed on Sunday, when Messi led Argentina to glory at Qatar 2022, matching Maradona's achievement from 1986.

However, in the eyes of Manchester City manager Guardiola, who coached Messi at Barcelona, there was never any doubt.

"Everyone has their opinion, but nobody can doubt he's there with the greatest of all time," Guardiola said. "For me, I've said many times: he's the best.

"It's difficult to understand how a player can complete what he's done in the past 50 or 70 years.

"The people who saw Pele or [Alfredo] Di Stefano or Maradona, the people can say 'my favourite', but these opinions are sentimental.

"On the other side, if he wouldn't have won the World Cup, the opinion about what he has done for the whole of football and my opinion of how he is as a player wouldn't change absolutely anything.

"But it's normal that it depends if you win [how] you are evaluated. Of course, for him, it's the final cherries on his incredible career."

Messi was joined in the Argentina side by City striker Julian Alvarez and Nicolas Otamendi, who spent five years at the Etihad Stadium between 2015 and 2020.

"We are incredibly happy for him [Alvarez] – congratulations," Guardiola added. "For him, for Nico Otamendi, personally for Messi, for Argentina the country, for a well-deserved champion.

"For Julian, he is with us, and we are delighted. He played a lot, and his contribution was amazing to the team for the way we played. We have a world champion in our team."

Guardiola confirmed Alvarez would now enjoy "a break", but City's other World Cup stars have started to return ahead of Thursday's EFL Cup fourth-round tie against holders Liverpool.

"The players that were at the World Cup are in a better condition than the players who were here, that's for sure," Guardiola explained.

"Sergio [Gomez], Erling [Haaland], Riyad [Mahrez], Cole [Palmer]... the rhythm they miss a little bit compared, for example, to Manu Akanji and Rodri and Aymeric [Laporte] and Nathan [Ake].

"They came back and we saw them so good, perfectly. That's normal. They compete, they train every day, while we had holidays."

Bayern Munich are weighing up whether the "obvious solution" of bringing back Alexander Nubel from his loan at Monaco would be the most prudent move, after Manuel Neuer's shock injury blow.

Hasan Salihamidzic, the club's sporting director, has acknowledged Nubel is an option Bayern could turn to after Neuer was ruled out for the rest of the season with a broken leg.

Neuer's regular understudy Sven Ulreich may have the chance to stake a claim, but it would be no surprise if Bayern brought in another goalkeeper in January.

Whether they bring back Nubel from Monaco appears to hinge on the Ligue 1 club accepting a request to cut short his loan and on whether Bayern consider him the smart choice.

Nubel has been a regular for Monaco since joining the team in June 2021 on a two-season arrangement, having previously spent a year mostly confined to the bench with the Bundesliga champions.

Salihamidzic told Sport Bild: "It is important that we find the best solution for our team in the short term.

"Of course, Alexander Nubel would be an obvious solution. In the end, Monaco have the last word."

The injury to club captain Neuer came as he took a holiday following Germany's exit from the World Cup.

Bayern last week ruled out a move for Dinamo Zagreb keeper Dominik Livakovic, who shone at the World Cup for Croatia, with CEO Oliver Kahn saying the 27-year-old was "not within the scope of our interests".

Kylian Mbappe returned to Paris Saint-Germain training on Wednesday, three days on from France's World Cup final defeat.

Mbappe scored a hat-trick in Sunday's showpiece match against Argentina, becoming only the second man to net a World Cup final treble.

But it was only enough to earn a 3-3 draw and take an out-of-sorts France team to a penalty shoot-out, where they lost 4-2 despite Mbappe again converting his spot-kick.

Mbappe now owns the record for the most World Cup final goals, having also netted once in France's 2018 success, and took home the Golden Boot ahead of PSG team-mate Lionel Messi.

Messi and Argentina were still celebrating their Qatar 2022 triumph back at home this week as Mbappe made a swift return to club duty, having celebrated his 24th birthday on Tuesday.

PSG are back in competitive action next Wednesday, taking on Strasbourg in Ligue 1 as they attempt to stretch a five-point lead at the top of the table.

Ethan Mbappe, Kylian's younger brother, has been involved with the PSG first team for their mid-season friendlies, appearing on the bench for Wednesday's game against Quevilly-Rouen.

Gianluca Vialli has been urged to "stay strong and keep fighting" in his cancer battle after it emerged the Serie A great is being treated in hospital.

The 58-year-old former Italy striker has been visited at a London clinic by his mother and a brother, the Italian news agency ANSA reported.

Concern in Italy about Vialli's health is shared in England, where former Chelsea defender John Terry sent a message of support.

Terry was given his Blues debut by player-manager Vialli in 1998 and went on to be a long-standing club captain.

He wrote on Twitter: "Stay strong and keep fighting Luca. We are all thinking of you. We are sending our love, strength and prayers."

Vialli began his career at Cremonese, his hometown club, before going on to star in Serie A for Sampdoria and Juventus, later ending his playing career at Chelsea before going into management and coaching.

Cremonese posted a picture of a young Vialli on Tuesday, adding the message: "Always by your side."

He scored 16 goals in 59 appearances for Italy and featured in the Azzurri's 1986 and 1990 World Cup squads.

It was announced last week Vialli would be stepping away from his role as delegation chief with the Italy team to focus on his battle with pancreatic cancer.

He has been reunited of late in the Italy set-up with head coach Roberto Mancini, his former Sampdoria strike partner, and Vialli is hoping to recover in order to resume his national team role.

Vialli announced he had undergone radiotherapy and chemotherapy in November 2018, having been diagnosed with cancer one year earlier.

He was initially given the all-clear in April 2020, but he announced he was fighting the disease again in December 2021.

Explaining his decision to suspend his Italy involvement, Vialli said on December 14: "The goal is to use all my psycho-physical energies to help my body overcome this phase of the disease, in order to be able to face new adventures as soon as possible and share them with all of you."

Cristiano Ronaldo will look to resolve his club future following his World Cup disappointment with Portugal.

Ronaldo spent time training with his former team Real Madrid last week, having parted ways with Manchester United.

The 37-year-old five-time Ballon d'Or appears to have run out of options in Europe, and seemingly Saudi Arabia beckons.

TOP STORY – SAUDI GIANTS EXPECT RONALDO DEAL BY END OF 2022

Al Nassr are hoping to complete their move for Cristiano Ronaldo by the end of the year, reports Marca.

Ronaldo is said to be in Dubai and waiting to travel to Saudi Arabia, with a two-and-a-half-year contract offer on the table worth €200million.

The report claims Ronaldo will spend Christmas with family in Dubai, with Al Nassr awaiting his arrival before the close of the year.

ROUND-UP

– Paris Saint-Germain are eager to renew Lionel Messi's contract in the next few days, reports Goal. Messi's contract expires in mid-2023, and he is free to talk to clubs outside of France from January 1. Messi's former club Barcelona have shown tentative interest in the Argentina World Cup winner returning to Camp Nou, while Inter Miami have also been linked.

– Bild claims Newcastle United could be preparing a January bid for Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram. Gladbach reportedly want £10.5million (€12million) for the Frenchman, although the Magpies may offer below that.

– Atletico Madrid and Arsenal are targeting Brighton and Hove Albion's World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister, according to AS.

– Mexico international goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is set to join Serie A club Salernitana as a free agent from America, according to Fabrizio Romano, who says Ochoa will fly to Italy on Thursday to complete the move.

– Chelsea are on the verge of winning the race for Vasco da Gama's 18-year-old Brazilian sensation Andrey Santos, reports talkSPORT.

Argentina were unable to complete their World Cup victory parade as their bus was held up by huge crowds in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.

It was estimated that millions of people had flocked to the streets to welcome their World Cup heroes home, hoping to get a glimpse of Lionel Messi and the trophy.

But the sheer number of supporters in attendance made for dangerous scenes after a national holiday was declared two days after the victory over France in the final in Qatar.

Social media footage showed members of the public attempting to jump into the Argentina bus as it made its way along the planned route.

Attempts to continue were eventually abandoned, with a helicopter tour the alternative following a lengthy pause in proceedings.

Gabriela Cerruti, a spokesperson for the presidency of Argentina, posted on Twitter: "The world champions are flying over the entire route in helicopters because it became impossible to continue on land due to the explosion of popular joy.

"Let's continue to celebrate in peace and show them our love and admiration!"

AFA president Chiqui Tapia had already confirmed the team would not be able to reach the iconic Obelisco.

"They don't let us get to greet all the people who were at the Obelisco," Tapia wrote. "The same security agencies that escorted us don't allow us to move forward.

"A thousand apologies on behalf of all the champion players. A pity."

Stephan El Shaarawy says Jose Mourinho remains fully committed to Roma despite reports he could replace Fernando Santos as Portugal head coach.

Mourinho is contracted to Roma – who he led to the inaugural Europa Conference League triumph last season – until 2024, but the former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss has been linked with an exit.

Portugal parted company with the long-serving Santos after suffering a shock World Cup quarter-final defeat to Morocco and Mourinho has been linked with the role.

It has since been claimed that Mourinho wants guarantees of substantial investment before deciding whether to remain in the Italian capital beyond this season, but winger El Shaarawy expects him to stay. 

"We have never talked to him about this possibility [of Mourinho leaving]. We think the coach is very focused on Roma, on the goals we have, on doing well here as we all are, as always," the winger told Il Messaggero.

"He is always present in every situation. Even in the way he talks to us in the locker room, in the match, in giving us the right indications. 

"We see him serene, he is a person of the heart, instinctive, so the important thing for him now, I think, is Roma. We all hope he can stay here for a long time."

Roma sit seventh in Serie A, three points adrift of a top-four place ahead of the resumption of the season on January 4.