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Zlatan scores as United beat Bournemouth

Zlatan Ibrahimovic marked his Premier League debut with a goal as Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United tenure began with a convincing 3-1 victory over Bournemouth. The match was Mourinho’s first Premier League game in charge of United but nevertheless Ibrahimovic arrived as the star attraction on the south coast and the Swede did not disappoint, unleashing a superb long-range strike in the second half. He has now scored on debut in Serie A, LaLiga, Ligue 1 and the Champions League. Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney’s goals had earlier put United in … [Read more...]

Mikel on target as Nigeria beat Denmark; set up semi final clash with Germany

Chelsea midfielder Mikel John Obi was on target as Nigeria beat Denmark 2-0 to set up an Olympic semi-final against Germany on Wednesday. The Super Eagles have been in impressive form in Rio despite initial chaos in trying to reach the tournament due to plane trouble, and were firmly in control against the Danes in Salvador. Nigeria took the initiative at the Arena Fonte Nova as Imoh Ezekiel produced a fine run down the left side before teeing up Chelsea's Mikel to finish before half-time. Ezekiel continued his impressive performance … [Read more...]

Mourinho: Mata was not upset, Mkhitaryan was

Jose Mourinho has played down reports Juan Mata could leave Manchester United and insists the midfielder was not unhappy at his treatment during the Community Shield. Mourinho deemed the Spaniard surplus to requirements at Chelsea, selling him to United, and raising doubts over the 28-year-old’s Old Trafford future. The pair’s relationship was again in the spotlight after United’s 2-1 win over Leicester at Wembley, where Mourinho sent Mata on in the 63rd minute only to withdraw him in injury time – a rarity in top-level football and a blow … [Read more...]

Memphis Depay still in Manchester United’s plans-Mourinho

Despite rumours a lack of discipline off-field has hampered Memphis Depay, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has shown his support. Selecting him in his 23-man squad for their season opener away to Bournemouth, Jose Mourinho has backed Memphis Depay to make an impact for Manchester United. Many expected the 22-year-old Dutchman to be one of Mourinho's first casualties after a disappointing opening season at Old Trafford, but the new manager is predicting big things. "Of course, I want Memphis to be part of my squad," Mourinho told … [Read more...]

Guardiola explains why he dropped Joe Hart

Pep Guardiola has explained his decision to drop Joe Hart for Willy Caballero for Manchester City’s opening Premier League fixture against Sunderland. The England international was resigned to the bench against the Black Cats, leading to suggestions he does not have a future at the Etihad Stadium under the Spanish coach. The decision to play Caballero was certainly rewarded, as although the keeper had little to do, City came away from the game with all three points after Paddy McNair’s own goal ensured Guardiola claimed a win on his City … [Read more...]

Mazzarri pleased with Watford display against Southampton

Walter Mazzarri drew many positives from Watford's display at Southampton, where they held on for a 1-1 draw after Ben Watson's red card. Watford head coach Walter Mazzarri praised his new team's battling qualities after they fought out a 1-1 draw at Southampton despite being reduced to 10 men on the opening day of the Premier League season. Operating with a 3-5-2 formation, Watford impressed during the first half after Etienne Capoue gave them a ninth-minute lead. Southampton, also playing under new management in the form of Claude … [Read more...]

Ten-man Watford hold on for point at Southampton

Walter Mazzarri and Claude Puel started life in the Premier League with a draw as 10-man Watford held on to thwart Southampton. Watford chief Mazzarri saw his new side take an early lead thanks to a first Hornets goal for Etienne Capoue. But debutant Nathan Redmond ensured Puel came away with a point from his first game in charge of Southampton, while Watford played the final 15 minutes a man down after Ben Watson’s dismissal. The opening day often throws up the odd surprise and the identity of Watford’s goalscorer was certainly one of … [Read more...]

Manchester City 2-1 Sunderland: McNair own goal spares Guardiola’s debut blushes

An own goal from ex-Red Devil Paddy McNair on debut helped Guardiola's Manchester City begin the season with a hard-fought 2-1 win against Sunderland. An equaliser from Jermain Defoe had looked like denying Guardiola in the Premier League opener at the Etihad Stadium but substitute McNair, signed from Manchester United this week, headed into his own net after 87 minutes. Guardiola had made an immediate impact at City by dropping Joe Hart and Yaya Toure and on the field his side quickly took the lead with a Sergio Aguero penalty. But … [Read more...]

Champions Leicester City stunned by Hull

Hull City stunned Premier League champions Leicester City with a 2-1 victory at the KCOM Stadium in the opening match of the season. Leicester became masters of upsetting the odds en route to the title last term but became the first defending champions to lose their opening game as this time it was Hull who sprang the surprise. Adama Diomande’s overhead kick and Robert Snodgrass’ clinical finish sealed a 2-1 win either side of Riyad Mahrez’s penalty. Hull’s preparations for their top-flight return have been nightmarish, with Steve Bruce … [Read more...]

Jurgen Klopp accuses Wenger of using ‘long balls’

Jurgen Klopp has taken jibes at Arsene Wenger, claiming his Arsenal have become a long ball team when it suits them. Liverpool and Arsenal meet in their Premier League opener this weekend, with Klopp and Wenger coming up against each other for the seventh time. Wenger has the better record against the German, winning three and losing just one, but the last time they met it ended in a 3-3 draw. Klopp believes Arsenal changed their usual style of play and utilised the long ball against Liverpool, and the former Borussia Dortmund boss is … [Read more...]

Hazard hopes Chelsea can rediscover form of two years ago

Eden Hazard hopes Chelsea's players can rediscover the form that won them the Premier League title two years ago. Hazard was named Player of the Year as the Blues won the championship in 2014-15, but they suffered in defending their crown and could only finish 10th last season. The Belgium international knows he must find the performances that won him so many plaudits, and is targetting a strong start at home to West Ham United on Monday. "Everybody needs to be the same player as two years ago," Hazard told Sky Sports. "We tried to find … [Read more...]

Zlatan hints at extended Manchester United stay

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has admitted he could extend his stay at Manchester United by up to three more years as the 34-year-old prepares to make his Premier League debut against Bournemouth this weekend. The Red Devils signed Ibrahimovic on a one-year deal in July after the striker left French side Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last season following four successful years in France. Ibrahimovic has already impressed at his new club, scoring the winner in United's Community Shield match against Leicester City last week. And the striker … [Read more...]

Mourinho hails Woodward and club for transfers

Jose Mourinho has hailed the efforts of Ed Woodward and Manchester United’s moneymen for bringing the club’s four major targets to the club this summer. Mourinho’s arrival has coincided with a transformative transfer window for the Red Devils, with world record signing Paul Pogba – who is suspended for the trip to Bournemouth – joining Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Eric Bailly and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The decisive manner in which the club have secured their primary targets contrasts with the laborious and underwhelming recruitment that characterised … [Read more...]

Wenger expresses transfer fears; expects £200m deal ‘soon’

Arsene Wenger fears football transfers will never have a limit and believes the days of £200million transfers are not far away. Arsenal's Premier League rivals Manchester United broke the world transfer record earlier in the week when they paid £89million to Juventus to take Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford. That deal continues a trend which has seen the record extended by nearly £75million in 20 years, with the likes of Alan Shearer , Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale previously holding the tag of the world's most expensive … [Read more...]

Mertesacker named new Arsenal captain despite being sidelined with injury

Arsene Wenger believes it is "absolutely natural" for Arsenal to appoint injury victim Per Mertesacker as their captain for the new season. Arsenal have named Per Mertesacker as their new club captain despite the former Germany centre-back being in the midst of a lengthy knee injury lay-off. Mertesacker, who sustained his injury during a pre-season friendly against Lens, takes on the role following Mikel Arteta's departure to take up a coaching role at Manchester City after the end of last season. Manager Arsene Wenger believes his … [Read more...]

Moyes confirms loan deal for Man Utd winger Januzaj

New Sunderland manager David Moyes has confirmed that Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj has joined on loan for the rest of the season. Moyes gave Januzaj his chance in the United first-team during his brief reign at Old Trafford, with the Belgian scoring twice on his first-ever start, at Sunderland, in October 2013. JANUZAJ CONFIRMED: #SAFC manager David Moyes announces that Adnan Januzaj has arrived on a season-long loan from @ManUtd. - Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) August 12, 2016 Januzaj, 21, becomes Moyes' third signing as … [Read more...]

Sturridge and Milner injury doubts for Liverpool opener against Arsenal

Liverpool could be without both Daniel Sturridge and James Milner when they kick off their new Premier League campaign at Arsenal on Sunday. Striker Sturridge missed the Reds' final two pre-season fixtures last weekend with a hip injury which flared up again at training on Thursday while former England colleague Milner, who recently retired from international football , sustained a bruised heel during Saturday's 4-0 win over Barcelona. On Sturridge, boss Jurgen Klopp told liverpoolfc.com: "On Wednesday he could train; on Thursday, he felt … [Read more...]

Mourinho: Rivals are afraid to say they want to win title

Jose Mourinho has accused rival Premier League managers of being too “afraid” to publicly target the title. Mourinho was happy to describe the Red Devils as challengers for the crown in his first season at Old Trafford but believes others who share his aim are being coy about their ambitions. The Portuguese, who takes charge for the first time at Bournemouth on Sunday, did not name his targets but it can safely be assumed that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and Claudio Ranieri, who has already compared the chances of a Leicester title defence … [Read more...]

Zlatan: I’m not a bad boy, I’m a family man

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has insisted he is not arrogant and instead projected himself as a “family man” ahead of his Premier League bow for Manchester United this weekend. The 34-year-old Swede, who joined on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain last month, scored the winning goal as United defeated champions Leicester City in the Community Shield last weekend and is likely to start for the trip to Bournemouth. Ibrahimovic has won major honours at Ajax, Juventus, Internazionale, Barcelona, AC Milan and Paris before linking-up with Jose … [Read more...]

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny ruled out of Liverpool clash

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has ruled out the possibility of rushing Laurent Koscielny back for Sunday's Premier League opener against Liverpool, leaving him with only a trio of young centre-backs to choose from for the game. Arsenal have lost Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista to injuries in preseason, leading to some speculation that he could be forced to bring Koscielny into the team even though the France defender only returned to training this week after his post-Euro 2016 break. But Wenger said his only options against Liverpool at … [Read more...]

Hart’s future with Manchester City undecided – Guardiola

Joe Hart won praise for his "qualities and behaviour" from Pep Guardiola but the Manchester City boss will keep his goalkeeping option open. Pep Guardiola praised the goalkepper's attitude and application ahead of Manchester City's Premier League opener versus Sunderland but refused to give any guarantees over the England goalkeeper's future at the Etihad Stadium. The shot-stopper endured a chastening Euro 2016 with England, making glaring errors in the matches against Wales and Iceland. The 29-year-old's future has been a matter of … [Read more...]

Conte hopeful about more signings at Chelsea

Antonio Conte has said Chelsea are looking for new players “every day” but the “crazy” prices being paid has made the process difficult. The Blues have made two big-money signings this summer with midfielder N’Golo Kante and striker Michy Batshuayi both arriving for over £30m apiece, but there are concerns over the lack of options in defence. However, Conte suggested that Chelsea are still active in the transfer market and will make more signings before the window closes if the right deals can be made. “I speak every day with the club … [Read more...]

Paul Pogba suspended for Manchester United’s first game

Manchester United will open their season without the most expensive signing in the history of the game, Paul Pogba who has been suspended for the Red Devils' Premier League opener, pushing his debut back a week. Pogba was booked twice in last season's Coppa Italia final with Juventus and Manchester United have been informed that the ban will be enforced by the Premier League. Jose Mourinho said he wasn't sure if he would still be suspended with his move to England, but it was confirmed that it will be. Even if Pogba wasn't suspended, he … [Read more...]

Jesse Lingard amazed at Mourinho’s sense of humour

Manchester United youngster Jesse Lingard has described the "aura" around manager Jose Mourinho, and says the Portuguese has surprised him with his joking nature. The 23-year-old Lingard scored in Manchester United's 2-1 Community Shield defeat of Premier League champions Leicester City last Sunday, and has impressed in the preseason thus far despite stiff competition from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Juan Mata and others for a spot in the first team. Mourinho, known for his sometimes prickly disposition, took over the club this summer following … [Read more...]

Arsenal have not agreed personal terms with Mustafi – reports

Arsenal remain in talks with Shkodran Mustafi, but the defender’s agent has denied claims than agreement has been reached. The Gunners face an injury crisis just days before the start of the Premier League season, with Per Mertesacker and Gabriel unavailable, while Laurent Koscielny is not match fit. Calum Chambers and Rob Holding could be used as the central-defensive pairing to face Liverpool on Sunday, but Arsene Wenger remains keen to add a defender this summer. Valencia centre-half Mustafi has emerged as his main target, and the … [Read more...]