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 29-year-old cited his former teammate Wayne Rooney and Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge as England’s prime threats at the European Championships, which begins on Friday “I played with him for many years so I know what Wayne can … [Read more...]
Jose Mourinho battle former club Real Madrid to keep David De Gea at Old Trafford
José Mourinho sees the Manchester United goalkeeper as essential to a successful first season at Old Trafford and will do anything and everything he can to halt a move that has seemed a certainty since last summer's comic-book castrophe . Real madrid club president Florentino Perez sees bringing the Spanish number one home to Madrid as a moral obligation after a personal promise to the player, but new United manager Jose Mourinho is loathe to lose the club's best player over the past three seasons. The battle lines are drawn and Mourinho is about to cross paths again with his old employer, just as he did with Courtois on his return to Chelsea. The club blanco does, however, have an ace up their sleeve: a clause in the player's contract, signed on September 11 … [Read more...]
Zlatan set to link up with former Boss Jose Mourinho
The question on football fans across the globe is Where will Zlatan Ibrahimovic be playing next season? The answer is Manchester United , Sky Sports reported on Friday, and a deal could even be struck before Euro 2016 kicks off on June 10. Despite the Swede's admission that he's enjoying the churning rumor mill and will pick a club when he's bored of the stories, Manchester United were always the favored destination. A reunion with Jose Mourinho and the unfamiliar challenge of playing in the Premier League could prove too tempting, even without the allure of Champions League football at Old Trafford. The 34-year-old would join the Red Devils on a one-year deal, Sky reports. Should the deal push through, the former Paris St. Germain striker would bring not only … [Read more...]
Chris Smalling gives England win against 10-man Portugal
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 - but it turned out that he was offside in any case. Then, with just four minutes of the first half remaining, Bruno Alves launched himself into the flying kick that nearly tore Harry Kane 's face from its moorings. … [Read more...]
Barcelona bid for Manchester United’s Daley Blind
Barcelona are reportedly interested in a £14million transfer move for Manchester United defender Daley Blind. The versatile is rumoured to be one of the first names who could be axed from the club’s first-team under new manager Jose Mourinho, which has alerted Barca. Blind has had two decent seasons at Old Trafford, failing to hold down a regular position due to his versatility. However, this is seen as an advantage to Barcelona, who are admirers of his defensive strength combined with intelligence and ability on the ball. The Catalan giants could need men at the back, with neither Thomas Vermaelen nor Jeremy Mathieu impressing on a consistent basis, and could land Blind for around £14m. Mourinho would favour a more traditional centre half in his back … [Read more...]
Jose Mourinho Set to axe Juan Mata and Daley Blind from Manchester United squad
Jose Mourinho has already decided Juan Mata and Daley Blind are surplus to requirements at Manchester United, according to reports. The former Chelsea manager was confirmed as Louis van Gaal’s successor last week and has set about improving his squad and formalising his transfer plans with Untied’s executive vice chairman Ed Woodward. Mourinho sold Mata to Manchester United for £37 million in January 2014 after the then reigning Chelsea player of the year, had spent most of the first part of that season on the bench. The Portuguese is reported to still harbour doubts that the former Valencia forward possesses the requisite energy and defensive diligence to fit into his ultra disciplined tactical system. Blind, meanwhile, has been a solid, if not … [Read more...]
Morgan Schneiderlin gets late call-up for injured Lassana Diarra
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 win the tournament, have already been forced to call Sevilla's Adil Rami and Samuel Umtiti of Lyon into the squad after injury ruled out Real Madrid's Raphael Varane and Barcelona's Jeremy Mathieu. Didier Deschamps' side … [Read more...]
Louis Van Gaal sack was expected-Herrera
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 former Bilboa man admitted the players were fully aware of the speculation surrounding Van Gaal in his final months, as the club completed a difficult campaign in which they finished fifth. "It wasn't a comfortable … [Read more...]
Marcus Rashford signs new long-term deal to keep him at Old Trafford
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 his club but also at the international level, as he was called up to join his national team at the beginning of the year. Due to his impressive form last season, Manchester United has rewarded the striker with a … [Read more...]
Marcus Rashford displays edges him closer to Euro 2016
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 the void left by the injury to Danny Welbeck which has so affected England’s plans for France. The England coaching staff are, meanwhile, enthusing about Rashford – who has signed a new contract with United to cap an … [Read more...]
Martial to miss Cameroon friendly due to thigh injury
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 match. "There is no doubt about Martial's participation in the Euros. His thigh problem is muscular fatigue." The 20-year-old has scored 18 goals in 56 matches for Manchester United since moving from Ligue 1 side Monaco … [Read more...]
United narrow win leaves Norwich staring at relegation
Manchester United's bid for Champions League football was kept alive after a 1-0 win at Carrow Road which saw Norwich slip closer to Premier League relegation. Juan Mata has formed a habit finding the net against Norwich – he had scored four times against them for United in the Premier League before this encounter. And here was the Spaniard scoring the goal that might well have dispatched the Canaries to the championship. Norwich had 18 minutes to do what they had not managed to in their three previous games -- score -- but once more they failed to do so. The Canaries' fate could be decided as soon as Wednesday, when they host Watford. The hosts began with intent, a strong early spell coming between injury blows for the visitors. Anthony Martial was … [Read more...]
Victor Valdes returns to Manchester United after Standard Liege loan cut short
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 Maniatis, read: “As we decided to give more playing time to the youth players at the end of the season and because they couldn’t be selected for medical reasons, the Spanish goalkeeper and the Greek midfielder have decided, in … [Read more...]
10-man United risk European Qualification after suffering defeat at West Brom
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, speaking after the match, says he was not happy about Mata’s two first half bookings, which saw referee Mike Dean send him off in the 26th minute. He said: "it's a big blow,"We have played 60 minutes with 10 versus 11, and … [Read more...]
Van Gaal backs Rashford for Euro 2016
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 should be disregarded when assessing his youngster’s chances. "I think Mr Hodgson has answered the question and you are asking again. However, it is never too early. "As I have said before: age is not important. Maybe … [Read more...]
Luke Shaw given Euro2016 Lifeline
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 left-back an opportunity to gain match fitness. Hodgson confirmed he continues to monitor the defender's progress, together with that of Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere, in the hope they are both available in May. “We are still … [Read more...]
UEFA reshedules Europa league clash between Liverpool and Manchester United from its 6:05pm kick off
UEFA has received Trafford Council’s request to move the St Patrick’s Day Europa League match between bitter rivals Liverpool and Manchester United back from its original kick-off time. The round-of-16 draw pitched the English clubs together for the first time in an European competition. The first leg is due to take place at Anfield at 8:05 p.m. on March 10, but the return leg on March 17, was slated for an earlier 6:05pm kick off, but It will now also kick off at 8:05 p.m. same time as the first leg. The timing of the St Patrick’s Day fixture has led Trafford Council’s safety advisory board to contact UEFA with a request that it be put back. A statement from Trafford Council said: “Following an approach from Manchester United, Trafford Council’s Safety … [Read more...]
LVG remains focused as Man Utd look to seal top four finish
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 classic as it was important given he secured a 1-0 win that moved injury-plagued United level on points with fourth-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand as well as a better goal difference. "We have to go step by … [Read more...]
LVG confident Man Utd will guide modest Rashford
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 witnessed over the past few days. "First I think that the media have to leave him in peace," van Gaal said. "Give him the time to be 18 years old, and we shall guide him also in that way. He is a very modest guy, so I don't … [Read more...]
Manchester United: Keeper on trial
Goalkeeper Bartosz Mrozek is on trial at Manchester United. The Lech Poznan keeper have traveled down to Manchester United to spend a few days at their training base. According to newspaper in Poland, United approached Poznan to take the player in December after watching the player since November 2014. Mrozek will be accessed by United coach before returning to his homeland on Sunday. If successful, he will become the second youngest player to join the Premier League after Kamil Grabrara's arrival at liverpool. … [Read more...]
Manchester United transfer on hold
Manchester United have put there transfer on hold because of uncertainty about the future of Luis Van Gaal. According to report Luis Van Gaal may quite at the end of the season because of the pressure on Old Trafford. Club chiefs' concerns over his future have increase this week alone prompting them to hold on big transfers. Manchester United would not want to spend big on players this season only for Van Gaal to leave in summer and find his successor does not want them. … [Read more...]
Van Gall: Man United players too soft
The Dutch coach believes the atmosphere in the Old Trafford dressing room is "maybe too soft" ahead of the FA cup clash with Sheffield United. Luis Van Gaal has challenged his Manchester United players to show more aggression and take greater responsibility after accusing his squad of being too friendly with each other. … [Read more...]