Still unbeaten in the league this season, the Lilywhites will be hoping their squad is strong enough to challenge without their key player. Related StoriesDEFEND FROM THE FRONTRagnar Klavan reveals the reason why Liverpool's defenders keep scoringMOTIVEJoey Barton: 'Xabi Alonso and I had history. pected guestIn today's Striker, Nick is welcomed to Florida at gunpoint - but there's a bigger shock in store. The former Manchester United and Sunderland defender, 36, has been training with the strugglers since leaving Premier League Sunderland in the summer. MANCHESTER UNITED face a nightmare run of four games in nine days that could make or break Jose Mourinho’s reign at Old Trafford. me on after 68 minutes – a sure sign of Stoke fans’ desperate need for a matchwinner. TED RATINGSMidfield maestro Michael Carrick was Manchester United's star man in their win at NorthamptonMour like itNorthampton 1 Man Utd 3: Jose Mourinho ends horror run as Michael Carrick inspires United to EFL Cup winJOSE V PEP ROUND 2Manchester United land Manchester City in mouth-watering EFL Cup fourth round derby showdownfour-midable fixturesMan United face nightmare run of four fixtures in nine days that could make or break seasonFIVE THINGS WE LEARNTSurely it's the end of the road for Wayne Rooney and time for Michael Carrick to start in midfield Watch ALL the goals from the Premier League before anyone else for FREE plus all the latest news, fixtures and results and live match commentary all on the go with the new Sun Football App – click here to downloadGetty Images4Sergio Ramos is once again a target for Manchester UnitedJose Mourinho does an epic motivational speech in new Heineken adBut with United looking suspect at the back, Mourinho could make another attempt to bring Ramos to the Premier League. gning Ryan Mason has been peripheral for 44 mins , then wow, what a goal, what a volley. YAYA TOURE is desperate to stay in the Premier League is he leaves Manchester City in January. The decibel level at the bet365 is straight from the spoof rock-umentary Spinal Tap – ramped up to 11.