Jose Mourinho was left feeling rather red faced in his first defeat as Red Devils boss as United were thrashed 4-1 by Dortmund in Shanghai. Gonzalo Castro, Ousmane Dembele and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struck to give the Bundesliga side a 3-0 advantage, before Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored against his former club to reduce the deficit. However, Castro was on hand again to restore the three goal advantage late on and give Thomas Tüchel a win in BVB’s fifth preseason match. Friday’s International Champions Cup clash was the first real test of … [Read more...]
England appoint Sam Allardyce as manager
The FA have confirmed that Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce has become the new boss of the England national team. The 61-year-old has taken over following Roy Hodgson’s resignation after England were embarrassed by Iceland in the last-16 of Euro 2016. Allardyce, who begins work immediately, said: “I am extremely honoured to be appointed England manager especially as it is no secret that this is the role I have always wanted. For me, it is absolutely the best job in English football.” Allardyce, who missed out on the job to Steve … [Read more...]
Allegri hopeful of Pogba stay
Paul Pogba is widely expected to re-join Manchester United, but Massimiliano Allegri is hopeful the France star will stay at Juventus. Massimiliano Allegri remains confident that Paul Pogba will reject the overtures of Manchester United to remain at Juventus. Pogba moved to Juve from United in 2012 and has won four Serie A titles in Turin, while also establishing himself as one of the best talents in world football. However, reports suggest the France international is closing on a return to Old Trafford for a world-record transfer fee … [Read more...]
There is Space for Juan Mata at Manchester United- Mourinho
Jose Mourinho has told Juan Mata that he has a future at Manchester United – with the warning that he will not guarantee regular football for anyone at Old Trafford. Spain midfielder Mata was sold by Mourinho just six months into the new United manager’s second spell in charge of Chelsea in January 2014. With United offering a then-club record £37.1m for Mata, Mourinho sanctioned his sale following Oscar’s emergence ahead of the former Valencia player at Stamford Bridge. But despite spending £26.3m on Armenia international Henrikh … [Read more...]
Mourinho to look elsewhere if United fail to land Paul Pogba
Jose Mourinho would not be surprised if Manchester United’s interest in Paul Pogba fails to bear fruit – and he has two alternatives lined up. Four years on from Pogba departing Old Trafford without making a first-team start, the 23-year-old midfielder is being trailed by his former club having flourished at Juventus. The Italian giants have reportedly turned down a world-record transfer bid for Pogba and work continues as United look to add the final piece of their jigsaw, with the player’s agent Mino Raiola taking to Twitter to state … [Read more...]
Guardiola needs time to impose his style on City- Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso knows Pep Guardiola will make sure Manchester City get better, but said the former Bayern Munich coach needed time. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will need time to impose his style but will improve all of his players, according to Xabi Alonso. Alonso spent two seasons under Guardiola at Bayern Munich, winning two Bundesliga titles and a DFB-Pokal crown. Guardiola has moved on to take charge at City, and he is expected to help the club immediately push for trophies. Alonso, 34, said the Spanish tactician required … [Read more...]
Liverpool reject Mario Balotelli linked with a move back to Italy
Liverpool outcast Mario Balotelli could return to Italy this summer with reports from Italy suggesting Inter Milan are chasing the striker. Tuttosport report that Inter boss Roberto Mancini has informed the club’s CEO Michael Bolingbroke that he would not mind a reunion with the troublesome 25-year-old striker, who he has already worked with at Inter and Manchester City. Mancini believes he can help Balotelli to get back on track after the last two anonymous campaigns with Liverpool and AC Milan. The Italy international managed just one … [Read more...]
Mourinho and Guardiola take battle to China in the International Champions Cup
Borussia Dortmund face Manchester United on Friday and also take on Manchester City in the Chinese leg of the International Champions Cup. Manchester City and Manchester United will continue the opening acts of bold new eras at close quarters, while more than 5,000 miles away from home. Provided the match does not fall foul of heavy storms forecast in Beijing, Pep Guardiola's City and Jose Mourinho's United will play the first edition of the Manchester derby to be staged outside the UK next Monday as part of the China leg of the … [Read more...]
Mourinho: Allardyce right man for England job
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says Sam Allardyce is the right man for the England job and has promised to help the incoming Three Lions boss in his new role. While United players have not always been as available for international duty as England would have liked in the past, notably under Sir Alex Ferguson, Mourinho has said he will be cooperative if the Sunderland boss' appointment is confirmed. "The only thing I can promise is that I am going to try to support him the best way, prepare the players for him, and always have … [Read more...]
Manchester United release provisional numbers; omits No. 6 shirt
Manchester United released their squad numbers for the upcoming season, and coincidentally omits the No.6 shirt for Pogba as reports suggest. There aren't many surprises, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic taking over the No. 9 and Anthony Martial switching to No. 11. All in all, it's entirely boring. Except there is the whole thing where they left the No. 6 unfilled. #MUFC 's provisional squad numbers for 2016/17: 5:00 PM - 21 Jul 2016 Manchester United @ManUtd You know, the No. 6 that usually goes to a do-it-all midfielder who is an … [Read more...]
Leroy Sane wants Schalke exit as Man City monitors proceedings
Leroy Sane has told Schalke that he wants to leave the Bundesliga club, according to general manager Christian Heidel. The 20-year-old, who was part of Germany’s European Championship squad in France, has been linked with some of Europe’s top clubs, including Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Heidel told German newspaper Bild: “Sane has clearly expressed that he would like to change (clubs). We have to accept it. We will correspond if the conditions for Schalke are in order.” “I can not confirm that the deal is in the … [Read more...]