Here's why I hope Wayne Rooney gets another managerial job after his Plymouth sacking - and the one factor which shows his talent for coaching, writes OLIVER HOLT
Real Madrid make offer to Liverpool to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold in JANUARY... but Reds reject approach despite risk of losing out-of-contract star for free in the summer
Inside Real Madrid's pursuit of Trent Alexander-Arnold - and why Liverpool fans should be worried, writes LEWIS STEELE
Barcelona's bid to register Dani Olmo is officially REJECTED by LaLiga - but Catalan giants refuse to give up hope of keeping Premier League target as deadline looms
Revealed: The surprise club that tops the Premier League table over the last calendar year - plus, who has scored the most goals, who has the leakiest defence and which hot head picked up the most bookings?
Kai Havertz and Yoane Wissa to both score on New Year's Day is NOW 12/1 - as Arsenal look to stay in the title race with a win over Brentford
Michail Antonio says he is grateful to be alive as the West Ham star releases first statement since the car accident that left him fearing for his life - and he vows to return to the pitch 'soon'
Arsenal January transfer briefing: SAMI MOKBEL reveals the eight forwards on Mikel Arteta's radar in desperate push for an attacker, and why they can spend big this window
Liverpool legends Jamie Carragher and Michael Owen reveal what's REALLY going on with Trent Alexander-Arnold's future - after the Reds rejected a bid from Real Madrid
Man United star Amad Diallo issues 24-word apology to supporters and makes honest admission about the club's decline
PLAY TEAMSHEET: Can YOU remember the Tottenham team that beat Chelsea 5-3 on New Year's Day in 2015?
Man United outcast Marcus Rashford sends message to fans and Neymar parties with his pregnant girlfriend in Abu Dhabi as footballers welcome the New Year
Wayne Rooney SACKED as Plymouth manager, with his team rooted to bottom of the table and amid wife Coleen's concerns about 'bachelor lifestyle' hundreds of miles from home
Rio Ferdinand tells Ruben Amorim to crack the whip and make Man United flops 'uncomfortable' by sticking to his guns on 3-4-3 formation... as he names two stars as the team's weak points
Ruben Amorim has made the worst start of any Man United boss in the past 103 YEARS - the damning statistics that highlight the Red Devils' woes this season
MAN UNITED CONFIDENTIAL: Stars hit by scourge of autograph hunters, scouts step up hunt for red-hot Spain striker and plans revealed for further protests against Ineos
Man City to accept 115 charges verdict, United to be relegated and Lewis Hamilton back on top of the world: My 10 wishes for 2025, writes IAN HERBERT
Revealed: The stats that prove Mohamed Salah is having the best season EVER for an attacker in Premier League history - as Liverpool star hits THIRTY goal contributions before the new year
Newcastle's Miguel Almiron is being pursued by FIVE teams as new asking price is revealed for long-serving Paraguayan
Stoke City close to hiring Mark Robins as manager after reaching verbal agreement - with former Coventry City boss set to start work this weekend
Revealed: The club who could offer Man United's Antony a lifeline on loan - and the one stumbling block in their way
Chelsea want to keep Christopher Nkunku despite growing interest in former RB Leipzig frontman
Where it all went wrong for Wayne Rooney at Plymouth: Bad results, bachelor living at pub karaoke - and now HE could be next on I'm A Celeb
Man United January transfer briefing: Which three players are on their radar, how they can get around limited budget and the six players they want to sell

Rampant Rooney could make it hairy for lucky Luiz

By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Updated: 20:28 EST, 7 May 2011

View
comments

Carlo Ancelotti has pleaded with David Luiz to reveal his cautious side as the defender holds Chelsea's title chances in his hands.

The Brazilian has not lost in the 10 games he has started for the club but he has repeatedly risked his record with some reckless defending - and his manager fears it could get hairy for him at Old Trafford.

'He is an optimist positionally sometimes,' said Ancelotti. 'It is not for a defender to be an optimist.'

Optimist: But David Luiz should play more conservatively, according to his boss

Luiz has made a big impact at Chelsea and scored important goals, including one against United, but he has a dangerous habit of getting too tight to the striker he is marking.

He showed his hopeful side when he tried to steal the ball from Clint Dempsey and conceded a penalty on his debut at Fulham in February, and he made a similarly ill-judged challenge last month when Birmingham converted the spot-kick he gave away.

Neither proved costly in terms of the result, but these were not isolated incidents.

Foul play: David Luiz fouls Manchester United's Wayne Rooney

Most notably, Luiz got away with some dodgy challenges on Wayne Rooney and was lucky not to be sent off when Chelsea beat Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in March.

Rooney pulled the defender out of position time and again and beat him with his movement and United could also profit if Luiz roams upfield and out of position.

It is why Ancelotti is keen for the Brazilian to curb his enthusiasm.