When England drew with Switzerland at Wembley back in the first match of Euro 96, it was largely met with disappointment by the home fans - but not by the players. “In any tournament,” said Paul Ince, “it’s always important to get something out of the first game. What you can’t do is lose it - then it becomes very tough and you have to win the next two.” But Wayne Rooney has set his sights higher and has urged his side to seize the moment against Russia on Saturday in their Euro 2016 opener. “The first game is massive,” the England captain said … [Read more...]

  The pair had an intense rivalry for a two-season spell in Spain when Mourinho was in charge of Real Madrid and Guardiola was manager of Barcelona. They each won La Liga title once in that period and faced each 11 times in all competitions - with Real collecting six red cards. But Mourinho, who poked Guardiola's assistant Tito Vilanova in the eye in one touch line bust-up, says the greater competition in the English top flight means they cannot afford to be absorbed with each other. "My experience does not allow me to be innocent," … [Read more...]

Former Manchester United winger Luis Nani has predicted that his Portuguese compatriot Jose Mourinho will bring an abundance of trophies back to the club. Nani left United two years ago, initially on loan to Sporting Lisbon and now on a permanent deal to Turkish side Fenerbache. He said of Mourinho: “He is a fantastic manager – the best in the world in the last years. He does well in England in the past. We know he can always produce something at every team he goes to and we hope he will help Manchester United to win titles again.” The … [Read more...]

Chris Smalling sent England to Euro 2016 on the back of another win, but the late header could not mask an underwhelming display against Portugal. England and Portugal, potential quarter-final opponents in France, combined for a lacklustre friendly at Wembley, only to be separated by a Chris Smalling 's 86th minute header. Set up in a diamond formation that compromised more or less every attacking player, England created very little - their best chance in the opening exchanges fell to Wayne Rooney , his shot superbly saved by Rui Patricio - … [Read more...]

Manchester United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin has been called into the France squad for Euro 2016 after Lassana Diarra was ruled out with an injury. The Marseille midfielder has swelling in his left knee, the French Football Federation announced on Tuesday night. Diarra played the first half of Monday's 3-2 win over Cameroon and was replaced at half-time by Liecester City's N'Golo Kante. The FFF said the combative midfielder informed coach Didier Deschamps that he was not fit enough to play at the Euros. The hosts, the favourites to … [Read more...]

Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera said he was grateful to former manager Louis van Gaal despite his sacking by the club. Ander Herrera was not surprised to see Louis van Gaal depart Manchester United but said he was grateful to the Dutchman for signing him. The Spaniard has played over 70 games for United since signing ahead of Van Gaal's first season, but will now have to impress new manager Jose Mourinho, who was confirmed as the club's new boss after the Dutchman was sacked following United's FA Cup win over Crystal Palace. The … [Read more...]

Marcus Rashford has signed a new contract to remain at Manchester United until 2020, with the in-form striker waiting to see if he will celebrate his extension with a call-up to England’s Euro 2016 Championship squad. The English club recently announced that Rashford has signed a new long-term deal to keep him at Old Trafford for many years to come. The 18-year old has made massive progress under former boss Louis van Gaal, scoring eight goals in 18 appearances as a Man United man. Not only has he been enjoying a sensational breakthrough with … [Read more...]

Marcus Rashford look set for a place in the England squad for Euro 2016 as his impressive displays has caught the attention of England manager Roy Hodgson since he joined with the rest of the team last week. The United man struck inside three minutes on his England debut, sending his team on their way to a 2-1 win over Australia in a friendly on Friday. The Manchester United striker has also impressed with his skill and trickery, his temperament and his willingness to adapt and play anywhere across the forward line when required and can fill … [Read more...]

Manchester United forward Anthony Martial will not play in France's friendly against Cameroon on Monday due to a thigh injury, says national team boss Didier Deschamps. Martial, who was named to his country's 23-man squad for the upcoming European Championship, is not expected to be a doubt for the tournament, but will not factor against the African side in Nantes. "Martial has pain in his thigh," Deschamps said on Sunday. "He finished the season late. I will not take any risks tomorrow and it is likely that he will not participate in the … [Read more...]

Victor Valdes is returning to Manchester United after Standard Liege decided to cut short the Spanish goalkeeper’s loan deal. Former Barcelona man Valdes joined Standard on a six-month loan deal in January and helped them win the Belgian Cup thanks to a 2-1 victory over favourites Club Brugge. But Standard have decided to give their younger players more gametime towards the end of the season and have cut Valdes’ loan short. A statement published on their official website standard.be, which also confirmed the early departure of Giannis … [Read more...]

Manchester United were made to pay for a 26th-minute red card to Juan Mata at West Bromwich Albion, who won 1-0 thanks to Salomon Rondon's 66th minute strike at The Hawthorns. The Baggies claimed a 1-0 win over 10-man United at the Hawthorns – their first home league win over the Red Devils in 32 years . United dropped three points behind fourth-place Manchester City in the race for Champions League qualification and is now only three ahead of Liverpool, which has won three straight league games for the first time in a year. The Dutchman, … [Read more...]

England boss, Roy Hodgson says He would consider taking Marcus Rashford to Euro 2016 as part of his England squad. The 18-year-old has made a tremendous start to his career at Old Trafford, finding the back of the net four times in three matches, including a double against Arsenal in the Premier League. England boss Roy Hodgson made it known this week that he is not ruling out including Rashford as a surprise inclusion for the three lions in France. Van Gaal echoed Hodgson's decision ahead of Sunday's trip to West Brom by saying that age … [Read more...]

Manchester United's Luke Shaw has been given hope that he could force his way into the Three Lions squad for this summer’s European Championship as Roy Hodgson weighs his options before friendlies against Germany and Holland later in march. Shaw who suffered a double fracture of his right leg in Manchester United’s Champions League game at PSV Eindhoven in September has been making incredible progress in his rehabilitation at Carrington, Louis van Gaal named the defender in his squad for the Europa League clash against Liverpool to offer the … [Read more...]

Louis van Gaal is continuing to take it slowly but surely despite the good run of form that has seen his side edge towards the top four. Doubts about the manager's future was positive last week, with wins against Shrewsbury, FC Midtjylland and Arsenal complemented by teenager Marcus Rashford's remarkable emergence. It looked as if the negativity would return, though, as Watford looked set to upset the home faithful yesterday, only for Juan Mata's late free-kick to secure a fourth successive win in all competitions The strike was pure … [Read more...]

Louis van Gaal has urged the press to leave Marcus Rashford in peace following his dazzling start to life as a Manchester United player. The 18-year-old has burst onto the scene with four goals in his first two senior appearances for the Red Devils, including a double in the 3-2 win over arch rivals Arsenal on Sunday. Understandably, there has been an enormous amount of publicity surrounding local boy Rashford but van Gaal believes it is necessary to allow him the freedom to continue developing his game without the extreme fanfare he has … [Read more...]