Bastian Schweinsteiger will lead Germany onto the field for their Euro 2016 semi-final against France on Thursday night after being passed fit to play. The Manchester United midfielder was a doubt due to a niggling injury he aggravated in the penalty shootout win over Italy in the quarterfinals, but Germany coach Joachim Low confirmed at a press conference on Wednesday that he is fit and will start. "I have the team in my head and Bastian Schweinsteiger will definitely start,'' Low said in Marseille. "I always said that if he trains 100 … [Read more...]
Manchester City make improved offer for Juventus defender
Manhester City are expected to make an improved offer for Leonardo Bonucci, after Juventus rejected an opening bid of £38.6 million for the Italy centre-half, as Pep Guardiola steps up his protracted battle to reshape the club’s defence. Guardiola wants to sign two central defenders, a right-back and a goalkeeper but City may have to pay a fee of around £50 million to lure Bonucci, a similar amount of money to what Everton are demanding for their other centre-half target, John Stones. Bonucci impressed at the European Championships for … [Read more...]
Sergio Aguero may join Messi in retirement
In a brutal tirade over the state of Argentine football, Leonel Aguero was also critical of the AFA and Gerardo Martino. The Argentinian national team are living in precarious times, with Sergio Aguero’s father Leonel saying that his son will also hang up his international boots if Lionel Messi does not play for them again. ‘Kun’ has been one of Messi’s most loyal friends since their days in the Argentina Under-20 squad. Even after the painful defeat for the team in the Copa America final against Chile, Messi went to Aguero’s house in … [Read more...]
Manchester United confirm signing of Borussia Dortmund star
Manchester United have confirmed the signing of Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund on a four-year contract. Mkhitaryan, 27, becomes United's third arrival of the summer after Eric Bailly from Villarreal and Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Paris Saint-Germain. He told United's official website: "I am very proud to join Manchester United, this move is a dream come true for me. I am excited to play for a club with such an illustrious history and hope to be part of it for a long time. I thank the trust the club and Jose Mourinho have put in … [Read more...]
Schweinsteiger misses training as Germany sweat on player’s fitness
With Sami Khedira, Mario Gomez and Mats Hummels already absentees for Germany’s clash with France, Joachim Low is sweating on the fitness of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Benedikt Howedes. Germany trained at their Evian-les-Bains base on Tuesday ahead of their Euro 2016 semi-final with France, without Bastian Schweinsteiger and Benedikt Howedes. Captain Schweinsteiger has been struggling with a knee problem and also missed training on Monday, with the Manchester United man a doubt for the clash. Howedes, meanwhile, is expected to be fit … [Read more...]
Valencia sign former United player Nani from Fenerbahce
Valencia have confirmed the signing of former Manchester United winger Luis Nani from Fenerbahce for £7.2million. The Portugal international has signed for the La Liga side on a three-year deal just a year after leaving Old Trafford. Nani had been linked with both Liverpool and Everton in the last month with Turkish publication Fanatik claiming that the Merseyside pair had bee urged to move quickly before his €8.5million release clause expired on July 1. “Valencia have reached an agreement with Portugal international Luis Carlos Almeida … [Read more...]
Jose Mourinho eager to take Manchester United back to the top
The Portuguese who replaced Louis van Gaal as Manchester United boss in May was unveiled to the press and paraded with the club shirt and scarf. And he insists he knows what's expected of him. "I arrive into a club that is difficult to describe," he said. "I don’t like the nomination that many people use, dream job. "This is reality - I am Manchester United manager. It is a job that everyone wants and not many have had the chance to have. "I have it. I know the responsibility, expectation and the legacy of this club. I know what the … [Read more...]
Wayne Rooney will not play in midfield- Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho has suggested that Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney will not play in midfield for him next season. Rooney, 30, had been used in a deeper midfield role for United and also England at Euro 2016 but, speaking at his first news conference as manager at Old Trafford, Mourinho hinted that was not where he saw his future. "There are many jobs on the field. The most difficult to find is one to put the ball in the net," he said. "It is normal that a player at his age will change a little bit. "One thing that will never change … [Read more...]
Ferguson: Ryan Giggs ready to step up
Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Jose Mourinho’s decision not to keep club legend Ryan Giggs on as assistant manager, as he believes the Welshman is ready for a top job. Mourinho will be unveiled to the press on Tuesday as the Red Devils’ third permanent manager since Ferguson resigned in 2013 after 27 years in charge at Old Trafford. Giggs, who won 13 Premier League titles in Ferguson’s side, brought to an end his own 29-year association with the club on Saturday. The 42-year-old made a record 963 appearances for United before managing … [Read more...]
Jose Mourinho mocks Arsene Wenger in Manchester United unveiling
JOSE MOURINHO has re-ignited his feud with Arsene Wenger after mocking the Arsenal boss in his first day in charge of Manchester United. Mourinho was unveiled as United boss for the first time at Old Trafford and immediately revealed he is targeting the Premier League title this season. But he laughed off claims he was under pressure to deliver trophies at Old Trafford – and aimed a thinly-disguised dig in the direction of his old foe Wenger. Mourinho said: “Some managers haven’t won a title for ten years. Some of them have never won a … [Read more...]
Guardiola taunts Manchester United
Pep Guardiola has warned that Manchester City are yet to secure their place in the Champions League -- but said their situation is still "better than Manchester United's." Guardiola agreed to join City in February and said taking the job had not been dependent on the club qualifying for the Champions League. They eventually finished fourth under Guardiola's predecessor, Manuel Pellegrini, and must win a two-legged playoff to qualify for the group stage, with Roma and Borussia Monchengladbach among their potential opponents. However, the … [Read more...]