Posts of juillet 2015

Chiefs make late changes through injury

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Kaizer Chiefs have been forced into a late change to their Carling Black Label Cup starting line-up.

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Johannesburg - Kaizer Chiefs have been forced into a late change to their Carling Black Label Cup starting line-up with the withdrawal through injury of goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo.

The gloveman will be replaced by Reyaad Pieterse in the fixture against Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.

The 23-year-old Pieterse made his debut in the 2013/14 season and has in fact already played in a Soweto Derby, keeping a cleansheet when Kaizer Chiefs beat Orlando Pirates 1-0 in November 2013.

Injuries have affected both teams this year, but each has been able to put out a strong starting XI as voted for by their passionate fans.

They will be led by Champion Coaches Sidney Molepo (Kaizer Chiefs) and Tumo Katane (Orlando Pirates) at a sold out FNB Stadium.

In front of Pieterse for Kaizer Chiefs will be a defensive line of fullbacks Kgotso Moleko and Tsepo Masilela, as well as Siboniso Gaxa and Siyanda Xulu in the centre.

Their midfield comprises Reneilwe Letsholonyane and George Maluleka in the middle, with George Lebese and captain Siphiwe Tshabalala on the wings.

Up front they will have Bernard Parker and David Zulu.

Orlando Pirates were struck by some late injury blows but have Brighton Mhlongo in goal, behind fullbacks Happy Jele and Patrick Phungwayo. Tsepo Gumede and Siyabonga Sangweni will marshall the centre.

The midfield comprises Issa Sarr and Oupa Manyisa in the middle, with Sifiso Myeni and Thabo Rakhele out wide.

Up front they have the tricky duo of Kermit Erasmus and Lehlohonolo Majoro.

Orlando Pirates have won three of the four Carling Black Label Cup matches played to date since 2011.

Chiefs XI: Pieterse, Moleko, Gaxa, Xulu, Masilela, Tshabalala, Letsholonyane, Maluleka, Lebese, Zulu, Parker

Pirates XI: Mhlongo, Jele, Gumede, Sangweni, Phungwayo, Myeni, Sarr, Manyisa, Rakhale, Erasmus, Majoro

ANA

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Pirates primed for derby delight

With a busy off-season schedule, Pirates coach Eric Tinkler said that he has not had much time to think about the Carling Black Label Cup.

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With the busy busy off-season schedule that Orlando Pirates have had to go through this month, Pirates coach Eric Tinkler said that he has not had much time to think about tomorrow’s Carling Black Label Cup.

“To be entirely honest with you, up until now I haven’t really thought about (Kaizer) Chiefs, because I’ve been so focused on the Caf Confed,” Tinkler said yesterday.

Tinkler’s side has endured a packed but productive off-season schedule with their involvement in the CAF Confederations Cup. There most recent match was a hard-fought 1-0 win away at CS Sfaxien.

While the consistent games against tough opposition may be seen as an edge against relatively less match-ready Kaizer Chiefs, Tinkler said that player fatigue from the matches and the travelling was a huge concern.

“You’re kind of skating on thin ice at this stage, knowing that a lot of these players haven’t had an off-season,” he said. “It’s vitally important that we get to know the players’ bodies a lot better and get an understanding of how far we can push them.”

For that reason training at the Buccaneers has been light this week:

“I’ve been resting the guys as much as possible so that we ensure we can put on a good spectacle,” said Tinkler.

“Because that’s what people come to expect at the FNB. They want to see a good spectacle. A game that is full of goal-scoring opportunities.”

The previous four Carling Cups have not been high-scoring affairs. Three had to go to penalties, with two remaining goalless by the end of extra-time.

Tinkler said that this was because of the hype and the pressure that players are exposed to. - The Star

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New Arsenal deals for Walcott, Cazorla

Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla have both agreed contract extensions with Arsenal, the club announced.

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England forward Theo Walcott and Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla have both agreed contract extensions with Arsenal, the Premier League club announced on Friday.

Walcott, 26, announced on Twitter that he had signed a four-year contract, but the length of Cazorla's deal was not disclosed.

“We're delighted to have extended the contracts of Santi and Theo,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told the club's website. “Both are top quality players who are hugely important and influential to our squad.

“As well as their huge contributions on the pitch, they both have a great deal of experience and are very popular off the pitch.

“We're very pleased with them both signing contract extensions, as it provides our squad with further stability of quality.”

Walcott tweeted a picture of himself wearing Arsenal's home kit and standing beside the Emirates Stadium pitch, accompanied by the caption: “This is my home! Happy to have signed a new 4 year deal.”

Neither Walcott nor Arsenal revealed financial details of his contract, but British press reports estimated that it is worth around £140 000 ($218,000, 199,000 euros) a week, putting him on a par with the club's top earners.

Walcott missed the early part of last season due to a knee injury sustained in January 2014, making his first appearance in November and his first start in January.

But he finished the campaign strongly, netting a hat-trick against West Bromwich Albion on the Premier League season's final day and scoring the opening goal in Arsenal's 4-0 win over Aston Villa in the FA Cup final.

Having signed from Southampton aged 16 in 2006, Walcott is Arsenal's longest-serving current player and has made over 300 appearances for the club, scoring 76 goals.

Playing in a deep-lying midfield role, Cazorla, 30, enjoyed a fine 2014-15 season and was Arsenal's most-used player with 53 appearances.

The Spain international signed from Malaga in 2012 and has made 148 appearances for Wenger's side, scoring 27 goals. – AFP

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LVG’s to-do list

Despite a decent pre-sason tour, Manchester United have crucial issues to sort ahead of the new Premier League season.

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Manchester United’s summer of reconstruction seemed to be going rather well as they made a cluster of new signings just before heading on tour to America.

But two and a half weeks on, and with eight days to United’s opening league game against Spurs, boss Louis van Gaal has some issues . . .

Distracted goalkeeper

United have been playing hardball with David de Gea over his desire to move to Real Madrid and at the moment it would appear to have backfired.

With the season upon us, United should have either sold and replaced him or persuaded him to sign a new contract.

Instead, they find themselves with a distracted player who is short of match practice after beginning this tour with a mystery back ‘injury’ and two back-ups in Victor Valdes and Sergio Romero who, for different reasons, are in no position to play, either.

United’s insistence that they will not accept a cash deal from Madrid for De Gea now looks rather foolish in the wake of the Spanish club’s refusal to do a swap involving central defender Sergio Ramos.

Defensive dilemma

The word from United is that they are no longer in the market for a central defender.

Only time will tell if Louis van Gaal agrees with that but, at the moment, he would appear to be heading towards the Tottenham game with a rather unconvincing looking pairing of Daley Blind and one of Phil Jones or Chris Smalling. Blind is a handy utility player and did well last season at left back and in the centre of midfield but a Premier League central defender he surely is not.

Essentially, he is filling in while the left-footed Marcos Rojo gains match fitness after missing this tour with passport problems. That in itself was a shambolic episode.Rojo has already been fined for not keeping his paperwork up to date but footballers are notoriously disorganised and the fact a Premier League football club was not aware of one of their player’s visa issues is embarrassing.

Di Maria problem

It finally appears as though United’s record signing Angel di Maria is about to join Paris Saint- Germain and United have struck a decent deal by recouping £44m of the £60m spent on him a year ago.

Di Maria’s failure to board a plane to join his team-mates last weekend, however, was allowed to become an issue that overshadowed the final leg of this tour.

For reasons known only to themselves, Van Gaal and executive vice chairman Ed Woodward refused to discuss Di Maria’s absence. The United manager declared, rather peculiarly, after Wednesday’s game against PSG that he didn’t know where the South American was.

The chances are that wasn’t true and United were keeping quiet so as not to antagonise Di Maria’s agent Jorge Mendes, who also looks after De Gea.

Whatever the case, the whole episode left United looking unable to control their own players and that is never good.

Striker light

Is it possible to win the Premier League with only one true goal-scorer in your squad? It seems that United are about to find out. This time last year, Van Gaal was packing his squad with traditional centre forwards, adding Radamel Falcao to a squad that already contained Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie.

With Falcao and Van Persie jettisoned, it seems peculiar that Van Gaal isn’t seeking to replace them with at least one world-class striker. United have bought one offensive player in Memphis Depay, although he is young and unaccustomed to the Premier League, and are still expecting to replace Di Maria with Pedro from Barcelona.

Rooney, meanwhile, remains United’s talisman and their most important player. But asking him to score 25 goals this season seems an awful lot for a player who hasn’t actually done that for some time now.

When you consider that Chelsea and Manchester City will head in to the season with players like Diego Costa and Sergio Aguero leading the line, then United’s options begin to look a little thin.

Reasons to be cheerful

All is not lost, of course. United still have a month to add to their squad and they certainly have the money to do something special in the transfer market.

Equally, Van Gaal would appear to have made some astute additions already.

The United manager believes Depay is one of the best young players in Europe and the Dutchman has certainly looked rather special on this tour of America.

Depay appears technically excellent and intelligent enough to play in different positions.

Already he looks to be forming some kind of understanding with Rooney.

The effectiveness of Bastian Schweinsteiger will depend on the German’s ability to stay fit, but the signing of Italian full back Matteo Darmian and midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin appears to have brought United quality in key positions.

The unheralded Darmian looks perfect for the Premier League in build, temperament and efficiency. He can play at left back as well, if necessary.

If only he could play in goal. – Daily Mail

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Nothing friendly about Soweto derby

Orlando Pirates coach Eric Tinkler says a derby match against Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs is always fiercely contested.

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Johannesburg – Despite the match being akin to a pre-season friendly with fan-chosen starting line-ups, Orlando Pirates coach Eric Tinkler, speaking ahead of the Carling Black Label Cup clash against Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Saturday, says a derby match is always fiercely contested.

“A game between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates is never a friendly. It’s the derby. Nobody likes losing it,” said Tinkler.

“We’re going out there to win it because that’s what the fans want, that’s what the fans demand. I’ve tried to instil a winning mentality here with the (Pirates) players, irrespective of whether we are playing a competitive match or a friendly. We always play to win, and that won’t be any different on Saturday.”

While most teams enjoyed a well-deserved rest from competitive football in the off-season, Pirates kept hard at work as they have continued on their way through Caf Confederation Cup Group assignments.

As a result, Pirates are match-fit and may be close to exhaustion from their unrelenting run of matches. Tinkler said the lead-up to the derby match would be about giving his players as much rest as possible to ensure they are fresh for the weekend.

“The last two days I’ve been resting the guys as much as possible so that we can put on a good spectacle. That’s what people expect at FNB stadium in a game that is full of goal-scoring opportunities and entertainment. We want to provide that, and the only way we can is if our players get enough rest.”

It will be the fifth staging of the pre-season Cup match, and Pirates have won the event three times while Chiefs have tasted victory just once. Tinkler said the fans would look forward to a pulsating, high-scoring affair.

“People want to come and watch a good, entertaining game of football. When we refer to entertainment, we refer to goals. People want to see goals scored and we want to provide that. We try to do that in all the derbies, but a lot of hype and pressure is put onto players on derby day. There is slightly too much pressure placed on the players when it comes to derbies and players need to be given more freedom and ability to express themselves.” - ANA

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Humbled Khune to rejoin Chiefs

Matshelane Mamabolo says Itumeleng Khune's return to Kaize Chiefs proves power has shifted from the players back to club bosses.

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The return of Itumeleng Khune to Kaizer Chiefs spells a death-knell for ‘player power’ and puts the club bosses back in control of the game.

In an era where players demand – and often get – exorbitant salaries, the fact that a player of Khune’s calibre has failed to find a club will send a clear indication to the players that the clubs will not be held to ransom.

Chiefs yesterday reported, on their website, that the country’s No1 goalkeeper will once again be turning out for them.

“The club has reached an agreement in principle with goalkeeper Itumelng Khune and he will be joining us,” read the www.kaizerchiefs.com statement “Some internal procedures still need to take place though and then the deal will be 100percent finalised.”

Khune’s return to Chiefs will no doubt be humbling to a player who seemingly expected to have clubs fighting over his signature when he decided not to renew his contract unless his demands were met.

Yet with Chiefs making it clear during the off-season that they were not going to pander to the whims of the goalkeeper they had groomed from an early age, or any player for that matter, the battle lines between players and clubs were drawn.

Back then, a clearly incensed Kaizer Motaung – the Chiefs owner and chairman – had accused Khune of trying to dictate to them, saying the goalkeeper had been ill-advised.

“We cannot be held to ransom by anyone. It does not take one or two players to make a team, it takes a helluva lot of players to make a team. So therefore we cannot be held to ransom. That is a message that is very clear to everybody irrespective of who the players are,” Motaung had said when announcing the departure of Khune, Tefu Mashamaite and Mandla Masango from the club.

With their international stature, the trio would ordinarily have had the rest of the Premiership – and possibly international clubs – chasing after their signatures.

But you knew that was not going to happen when even Mamelodi Sundowns – the club that revolutionised player salaries by paying telephone number-type wages – said through their coach Pitso Mosimane that they couldn’t afford them.

“I believe Khune is the No1 goalkeeper in the country. But it’s not easy to sign the player, you know. If you want to sign a player, you must also afford him,” Mosimane said “Not to say they are not good. But for the number of minutes you play and the amount of money you earn, I cannot justify, as a coach, to say I can keep this player.”

And Chiefs were adamant on their stance that Khune, and the other players, will need to humble themselves if they were to return to Naturena.

Said team manager Bobby Motaung during the pre-season: “They have been playing hardball and making ridiculous demands. In life you must humble yourself. They have attempted to meet with us, but we are in pre-season. We are moving on as an organisation; we have a team that needs to be prepared. If they come here, they must have an understanding of what they want. They are free, they don’t have contracts, so if there are clubs out there, why don’t they sign them?”

While Khune had seemingly priced himself out of the market, Masango was reported to have turned down Black Aces.

The latter, according to yesterday’s statement by Chiefs, is still in negotiations with the club.

“Mandla Masango’s talks with the club are still ongoing and we will update you.”

Khune’s tweet ahead of his meeting with Chiefs yesterday was very telling. The goalkeeper said to his followers: “By walking into the boardroom like this (smileyface) please wish me luck good people. I hope all goes well, God is great.”

If the country’s No1 goalkeeper needs luck in negotiations, what hope is there for the rest? The power has clearly shifted to the club bosses. - The Star

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Mario barred from Reds first-team

Mario Balotelli has been told he has no future with Liverpool and the striker is training away from the first-team squad.

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Mario Balotelli has been told he has no future with Liverpool and the striker is training away from the first-team squad along with Fabio Borini and Jose Enrique, whom the club are also looking to offload this summer.

Balotelli, 24, was not on the pre-season tour to Thailand, Australia and Malaysia, and neither has he been included in the squads for the friendly games against HJK Helsinki in Finland tomorrow or Swindon Town on Sunday.

The club want £10m for a player who cost them £16m to sign last summer and they anticipate that any deal will probably go to the final day of the transfer window on 1 September.

Rarely in the past has Brendan Rodgers asked members of the senior squad to train separately - Luis Suarez did so after his demand to leave the club in the summer of 2013 - but the Liverpool manager has told Balotelli that he does not want him around the first team.

It is telling that, although Rickie Lambert's departure to West Bromwich Albion is imminent, the Englishman is still part of the first-team group in training.

Lambert's deal is in the final stages with the negotiations now over the structure of the £3m payment from West Bromwich. There has been interest from Norwich City and Leicester City in Lambert but West Bromwich have always been the key contenders for his signature.

The future for Balotelli is less certain. Liverpool's asking price is far too high for Bologna, who have expressed an interest, and the likelihood is that a solution will be found by the player's agent Mino Raiola, who has moved him before. There has been no official approach to Liverpool over Borini from West Ham. Enrique's future is also uncertain, with no major interest in him yet.

The Helsinki game is Rodgers' main focus and he has named a strong squad. The likelihood is that Christian Benteke, the £32.5m signing from Aston Villa, will make his debut against Swindon on Sunday. That will possibly be Roberto Firmino's debut too - he is also not travelling to Helsinki. – The Independent

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Gunners out to make statement of intent

Arsenal finished third in the Premier League last season, 12 points behinds champions Chelsea.

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London - Old rivalries will be renewed when Arsenal play Chelsea in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday, with the Gunners hoping to prove they are the real deal and finally a match for the Premier League champions ahead of the new season.

Arsenal won the FA Cup for the second successive year in May but finished third in the Premier League last season, 12 points behind winners Chelsea.

Having signed Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, who won four Premier League titles and the Champions League during 11 years at Stamford Bridge, the Gunners should now possess the solidity at the back to complement their free-flowing attack.

While Cech will go from Chelsea friend to foe in the traditional season-opening match between the Premier League champions and FA Cup winners, the loveless relationship between the two managers gives the fixture added spice.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger appeared to push Jose Mourinho during a touchline spat last season, while the Chelsea boss described the Frenchman as “a specialist in failure” in 2014.

Mourinho, however, expects the Gunners to challenge for the title this season after assembling a squad that contains the likes of 42 million pounds ($65.54 million) playmaker Mesut Ozil and 35 million pounds forward Alexis Sanchez.

“If you add up the amounts clubs have spent in the last three or four years, I think maybe you will find a surprise,” Mourinho told reporters.

“It's a fantastic squad with good players, fantastic goalkeeper, they are more than ready to be title contenders.”

Chelsea, who beat Arsenal 2-1 in the last Community Shield meeting between the two sides in 2005, have injury concerns over striker Diego Costa and defender Gary Cahill.

Arsenal beat Manchester City 3-0 in last year's Community Shield but the north Londoners will be without forwards Sanchez and Danny Welbeck for the trip to Wembley.

Wenger's winless run against Mourinho stands at 13 games but the Gunners have enjoyed a strong pre-season, scoring 14 goals and conceding once as they won the Asia Trophy and Emirates Cup.

“We know we will be better and we work very hard to better,” Wenger told reporters.

“Let's not forget that Chelsea won the Premier League with a comfortable distance last year.

“There was still a gap between them and the others but the desire is to improve and to move up there to fight for the championship. Let's start well and try to give our best.” – Reuters

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Flamini thanks Chelsea for ‘good favour’

Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini has stoked the fires ahead of the Gunners' Community Shield meeting with Chelsea.

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Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini has stoked the fires ahead of the Gunners' Community Shield meeting with Chelsea on Sunday by saying the champions have done them a “good favour” by selling Petr Cech.

The Czech goalkeeper ended an 11-year stint at Stamford Bridge after moving across London to the Emirates Stadium last month for a fee of £10million (14.2m euros; $15.6 million dollars).

“I was surprised by (Chelsea boss Jose) Mourinho because he really doesn't do that,” Flamini told British media on Thursday.

“He (Mourinho) is a competitor and usually doesn't like to sell any players to his rivals, but it's a good favour for us and now we have to take advantage.

“It's a top signing. That's why we have been lucky on this one,” added the French midfielder.

The 33-year-old Cech was allowed to move from west to north London – despite Mourinho's reluctance to let him go – after losing his place in the Chelsea side to Belgian international Thibaut Courtois.

And Cech, who made nearly 500 appearances for Chelsea, will face the surreal task of playing against them for the first time in his career when his new club meets his old one on Sunday at Wembley.

Arsenal, who finished third in the Premier League last season, 12 points behind champions Chelsea, face an early test of their title credentials for the upcoming season, but 31-year-old Flamini believes the acquisition of Cech could prove crucial.

“It's very important. Not only for his quality but also for his character,” added Flamini.

“When you play at the top level, the leaders on the pitch make the difference.

“Not only when things go well but especially when things go bad. So, for us, Petr Cech is a top signing.

“He is someone with character, someone with a winning mentality.”

Cech is Arsenal's only major signing so far this summer, but having spent big money on the likes of Danny Welbeck, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez in recent seasons, Arsene Wenger's side -- who won the FA Cup last season for the second consecutive campaign – are once again considered as potential challengers for the Premier League title.

Arsenal downed Manchester City 3-0 in last season's Community Shield. – AFP

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Shabba promises to lead by example

Kaizer Chiefs captain Siphiwe Tshabalala says having the job doesn’t necessarily give him a start in the team.

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Newly appointed Kaizer Chiefs captain, Siphiwe Tshabalala, says having the job doesn’t necessarily give him a start in the team – but he knows he should lead by example, and this will make him work extra hard to earn a place.

“There are no guarantees, me leading the team doesn’t mean I’ll be a favourite to play. I need to lead by example, I need to work very hard and I need to be disciplined. And I’ve been doing that, being a good example,” said Tshabalala. “For me it is a challenge; if I was working hard, now I will have to work harder. I will definitely achieve that with the help of my teammates.”

Tshabalala was announced as captain on the club’s website on Tuesday, and he will be leading the team with a committee of other six players – Lorenzo Gordinho, Morgan Gould, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Siboniso Gaxa, Tsepo Masilela and Willard Katsande.

The 30-year old winger takes over the armband from Tefu Mashamaite, who became Itu-meleng Khune’s successor after the goalkeeper was injured last season. However, both players have since been released by Chiefs.

“Both Itu (Khune) and Masha (Mashamaite) did very well. They led the team to the success we currently have. But now it is a new challenge for me this season. Obviously, new beginnings, new goals and we will work very hard. I have support from my teammates and we have a committee of good leaders, who will help make my job easier.

“We have a committee that consists of seven players. In a sense we are all captains as we are the ones who’ll look after the players’ interests and talk to management. We are the link between the players and management,” Tshabalala explained.

Shabba, as Tshabalala is affectionately known, is one of the most experienced players in the Amakhosi team. Since arriving from Free State Stars in 2007, he has earned 286 caps and scored 41 goals.

After winning the MTN 8 and the Championship title last season, the winger reckons they will have to work extra hard in the new season to make sure they retain their trophies.

“Obviously having done well last season, there is a lot expected from us. And we accept that; we are very determined to do well and improve where we didn’t do well last season. So this season is going to be huge in that we want to defend our two trophies and compete for anything else on offer.

“All the teams will be coming for us; we will be the hunted. We are ready and respect each and every opponent. Each and every game is important to us. We won’t single out any team and say this is the best team to play against. All the teams have quality and made things difficult for us last season, so this season will be the same.”

Tshabalala will lead Chiefs for the first time when they face arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the Carling Black Label Cup at FNB Stadium on Saturday.

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De Gea saga not helping United

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal conceded that uncertainty surrounding David De Gea was “not favorable”.

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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal conceded that uncertainty surrounding David De Gea was “not favorable” as the Premier League giants ended their US tour Wednesday with a 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

De Gea, who is reportedly Real Madrid's top summer transfer target, gave a shaky goalkeeping display as the French champions exposed United's defense with soft first-half goals by Blaise Matuidi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Van Gaal is hopeful United will retain the services of De Gea this season but acknowledged the rumors swirling around the star goalkeeper were not helpful to either the play or the club.

“We have a situation that is not favorable for David De Gea, but neither for us and neither for the club (Real Madrid) that maybe he wants to go (to),” said van Gaal after United's defeat at Soldier Field.

The veteran Dutch coach was reluctant to be too critical of the Spaniard's performance however.

“Poor I cannot say, but he made a mistake. That's not poor,” van Gaal said.

“Everybody can make mistakes but when a goalkeeper makes a mistake it is mostly a goal and that's the difference.”

Despite the loss van Gaal said he was pleased with United's performance as they build towards their season-opening clash with Tottenham on August 8.

“I'm really satisfied about the performance. You lose, maybe that's also good, because last year we have won everything (in the USA) and then we lost the first match against Swansea,” van Gaal said.

“Maybe now the sequence is a bit different but I'm not superstitious. I think in the first half we have created more chances than PSG and they have created only chances with personal errors and you cannot fight against personal errors.

“When you're playing against top level, and PSG are top level, then they can score out of these kinds of errors and they can finish the game. A top team can do that. Chelsea can do that, PSG can do that.”

United had been aiming to maintain their 100 percent record after registering wins over Club America, San Jose Earthquakes and European champions Barcelona in their three previous tour games

However, van Gaal's men were undone by two goals from PSG which highlighted the defensive frailty of the squad, even after the arrival of several high-profile signings.

United began promisingly, stroking the ball around comfortably and probing for openings against the Parisian defenders.

The Red Devils got the ball in the net after 22 minutes when Juan Mata prodded home Daley Blind's exquisite through ball, only for it to be ruled offside.

But three minutes later, PSG struck at the other end when a long ball forward caused havoc in United's defensive unit.

French international Matuidi raced forward and got between Luke Shaw and Phil Jones to toe-poke home past the onrushing De Gea to make it 1-0.

PSG doubled their lead nine minutes later with a well-worked goal that came all too easily for the French champions.

Ibrahimovic picked up the ball in midfield and released Maxwell down the left flank.

The Brazilian fullback advanced and then calmly picked out Ibrahimovic with the return pass for the Swedish star to slot past De Gea.

The build-up to the match had been dominated by speculation surrounding United's unsettled Argentine star Angel Di Maria, who is expected to complete a move to PSG imminently.

PSG coach Laurent Blanc suggested afterwards the saga may be nearing an end.

“Wait and see,” Blanc said. “Two big clubs are negotiating, the negotiations are difficult but I truly think we are close to a conclusion.” – AFP

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PSG beat United in Chicago

Paris Saint-Germain beat Manchester United 2-0 in their International Champions Cup clash in Chicago.

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Blaise Matuidi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored first half goals as Paris Saint-Germain beat Manchester United 2-0 on Wednesday in their International Champions Cup clash in Chicago.

The game between the two sides was shrouded in a bubbling controversy with Manchester United without Argentine winger Angel Di Maria, who is reportedly seeking a move away from the English Premier League side with PSG a likely destination.

The victory for the French team moved them to the top of the invitational 10-team competition along with New York Red Bulls on 10 points.

PSG, who had lost their last game to Chelsea, created the early opportunities at Soldier Field, as Ibrahimovic zipped a great scoring chance over the crossbar within the first few minutes.

United, who defeated Barcelona on Saturday, however thought they had opened the scoring when midfielder Juan Mata had the ball in the back of the net but it was ruled out for offside.

PSG struck in the 25th minute, where Matuidi made a run into the box and sent a shot past goalkeeper David De Gea.

Ibrahimovic doubled the lead in the 34th minute when the Swedish forward took a cross from Maxwell and finished from close range. – Reuters

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Mourinho hits back at Benitez

Jose Mourinho has launched a stinging attack on Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez after the Spaniard's wife teased the Chelsea boss.

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London - Jose Mourinho has launched a stinging attack on Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez after the Spaniard's wife teased the Chelsea boss by saying her husband was always having to tidy up messes left by the Portuguese.

Montserrat Seara triggered the attack after Spanish newspaper La Region published her light-hearted remark following Benitez's appointment at the Bernabeu last month, the third time he has joined a club previously managed by his rival.

Mourinho was clearly not amused and speaking to reporters after Chelsea beat European champions Barcelona on penalties in a Washington friendly, he delivered a withering straight-faced response.

“The lady is a bit confused,” he said after the match that ended in a 2-2 draw. “I am not laughing...

“Her husband went to Chelsea to replace Roberto Di Matteo and he went to Real Madrid and replaced Carlo Ancelotti.

“The only club where her husband replaced me was at Inter Milan where, in six months, he destroyed the best team in Europe at the time.

“For her also to think about me, and to speak about me, I think she needs to occupy her time.

“And if she takes care of her husband's diet, she will have less time to speak about me.”

Benitez was hired by Inter Milan in 2010 after Mourinho had led an aging team to a European and domestic treble before leaving for Real Madrid. The Spaniard was dismissed after six months, with the club down in seventh place in Serie A.

The Spaniard also managed Chelsea on an interim basis, succeeding Roberto Di Matteo in 2012, five years after Mourinho's first spell ended, when the Italian was sacked six months after winning the Champions League.

His spouse's comments appear to have rekindled a bitter feud between the two men that dates back to his time in charge at Liverpool, when he clashed with Mourinho several times between 2005 and 2007.

Defending Premier League champions Chelsea begin their domestic campaign on Sunday when they meet last season's FA Cup winners Arsenal in the Community Shield at Wembley.

However, they may go into that match without England defender Gary Cahill, who suffered a suspected broken nose when he scored Chelsea's second goal, and Spain striker Diego Costa, withdrawn due to a slight hamstring strain. – Reuters

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Tshabalala named Amakhosi skipper

Kaizer Chiefs appointed Siphiwe Tshabalala as their captain for the 2015/2016 Absa Premiership season.

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Kaizer Chiefs yesterday offered the strongest hint yet that they are ready to move on without their out-of-contract senior players who are still to find new clubs when they appointed Siphiwe Tshabalala their captain for the 2015/2016 Absa Premiership season.

Tshabalala, an Amakhosi veteran, takes over the armband from central defender Tefu Mashamaite who did not renew his contract in the hope of a move overseas. But after failing to secure a deal in the American Major League Soccer with New York City as well as in Cyprus, there is a possibility of Mashamaite returning to the local league.

If he does come back to South Africa and Chiefs, the central defender, who was last season’s star at both the league and club awards, will have to return to being just a normal player.

Ditto for Itumeleng Khune, the goalkeeper who previously captained Amakhosi before Mashamaite was elevated. Like the defender from Limpopo, Khune has not renewed his contract at Chiefs but with no clubs able to match his salary demands there is a chance he might be back at Naturena.

In appointing the player popularly known as Shabba as their skipper, Amakhosi have shown just how much they value loyalty – Tshabalala has been at the club since 2007 when he joined from Free State Stars.

A popular player with the fans, the player best known for scoring the 2010 World Cup’s opening goal expressed delight at his appointment.

“It is a great honour to be chosen to lead such a great club,” he said on the club’s website. “I am happy to form a part of the illustrious names that captained Chiefs in the past and I will do my best with the support of my colleagues.”

According to kaizerchiefs.com, coach Steve Komphela has no doubt the club has appointed the right leader in the 30-year-old left-footed midfielder.

“It is an honour that comes with a great responsibility for Shabba. He is capable. I think he will deliver as expected. Shabba has immense leadership qualities and more so, he works with a captain’s committee that will support him in his duties.”

The committee Komphela was referring to include senior players Tsepo Masilela, Morgan Gould, Pa Gaxa, Willard Katsande, Reneilwe Letsholonyane and (the not-so-experienced) Lorenzo Gordino.

Tshabalala couldn’t have asked for a better time to take over as the club’s official captain, his first match as Amakhosi’s leader being Saturday’s Soweto derby against rivals Orlando Pirates in the Carling Black Label Cup at the FNB Stadium.

He has been around for too long though to be fazed by the challenge and is actually looking forward to leading Chiefs to further glory.

“I will have to do extra weight- lifting and gain muscles to lift trophies for our supporters and the club,” Tshabalala quipped. - The Star

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Wenger, Jose rivalry starts again

Arsene Wenger has hit back at Jose Mourinho's comments about Arsenal's spending, signalling the start of another season of their rivalry.

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Arsene Wenger has hit back at Jose Mourinho's comments about Arsenal's spending, signalling the start of another season of their timeless rivalry. Whether it is psychological warfare or petty sniping is a matter for debate, but the two meet in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday and the build-up has already begun.

Mourinho opened festivities this week when he said that, despite Arsenal's frugal reputation, any examination of their spending would produce “surprising” results. Wenger spent £42m on Mesut Özil in 2013 and £35m on Alexis Sanchez last year.

The accusation of “buying success” is one which Wenger has traditionally directed at other clubs and so the Arsenal manager was especially keen to defend himself against it yesterday. The club, he said, had improved players far more than simply buying them. “I believe that one day, if you make real statistics of the players we have developed here, and you compare them to all the other clubs, you would be surprised.”

He added: “We do not listen too much to what people think or say. We spend when we think we have to spend and just try to make the right decisions. When you have the money available, we spend it. When we don't have it, we don't spend the money we haven't got.”

Wenger's use of the phrase “you will find a surprise” echoed Mourinho's comments on Monday which included the observation that: “If you add up the amounts clubs have spent in the last three or four years I think maybe you will find a surprise. If you put Özil plus Alexis Sanchez, plus [Calum] Chambers, plus [Mathieu] Debuchy, you will find a surprise.”

Wenger also noted that Mourinho was now accusing him of being the opposite of the traditional voice of frugality regularly begged to spend more money by Arsenal supporters, often in rather blunt terms. “You must not listen too much to what people say because, sometimes in the same week, I get two different reproaches: one is that I don't spend too much and another is I spend too much,” he said.

“If you want to create success - which we want desperately - [the way] is to focus on what happens inside. Just try to do as well as we can and believe in the football we want to play and play it as well as we can and let other people talk.”

Sunday will be Petr Cech's semi-competitive Arsenal debut following his move from Chelsea and Wenger is confident that his new goalkeeper will improve the team.

“He can improve the level of communication at the back and bring his experience to the defence - and a calmness as well, in some heated situations, into our team. On both fronts, his communication, his individual class and, I think, his calmness will be vital. It's important you are calm.” – The Independent

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Sherwood continues Villa revamp

Jose Angel Crespo has become Aston Villa's seventh close-season signing after sealing a move from relegated La Liga side Cordoba.

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London - Jose Angel Crespo has become Aston Villa's seventh close-season signing after sealing a move from relegated La Liga side Cordoba, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old defender has signed a three-year deal to join Villa, who finished one place above the relegation zone last season following manager Tim Sherwood's appointment in February.

Villa's other new faces include Scott Sinclair and Micah Richards from Manchester City, Idrissa Gueye from Lille and Jordan Ayew from Lorient.

“Jose is a player who has been on our radar for some time and we're really pleased to secure his signature,” Sherwood told Aston Villa's website (www.avfc.co.uk).

“He is an experienced player who has played in La Liga and Serie A - two of the strongest leagues in the world - and from speaking to him, I know he can't wait to play for Aston Villa.”

Crespo, who has been capped by Spain at under-21 level, previously played for Sevilla and Racing Santander in Spain and Padova, Bologna and Verona in Italy. – Reuters

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Chelsea beat Barca on penalties

Chelsea wrapped up their pre-season tour of the United States on a high note by beating Barcelona in a penalty shootout.

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Chelsea wrapped up their pre-season tour of the United States on a high note by beating Barcelona in a shootout after their International Champions Cup match ended 2-2 on Tuesday.

Eden Hazard scored an exquisite opener for the English champions before the Spaniards hit back with two goals in the second half. Gary Cahill scored with a brave header late on to send the game to a shootout at FedEx Field in Washington.

“For a preparation match it was fantastic for us,” Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho told Fox Sports. “It was a good pre-season game for us, I think (for) both teams and also for the public. You know, it's a friendly, but when Barcelona face Chelsea, you want to win, it's not a friendly.”

While European champions Barcelona do not start their La Liga title defence until August 23, time is of the essence for Chelsea, who face Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday before their Premier League opener against Swansea on August 8.

And with the Blues fielding the much stronger side to start Tuesday's match, it took them barely nine minutes to open the scoring.

Belgian Hazard received the ball 40 yards from goal and dribbled past several Barcelona players before slotting a right-footed shot inside the near post from 12 yards.

Barcelona, playing without Lionel Messi and Neymar, who were rested from the tour, gathered themselves and began to dominate possession and it was the third member of their prolific trio, Luis Suarez, who levelled the score in the 52nd minute.

After Cesar Azpilicueta's attempted headed clearance fell invitingly to the Uruguayan inside the box, Suarez shaped to shoot but instead let Chelsea defenders commit themselves before cleverly dinking the ball over goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Defender Kurt Zouma made a valiant attempt to clear the ball but the referee decided it had crossed the line.

Barcelona went ahead 14 minutes later when Sandro cut in from the left and curled home a cracker with his right inside Courtois' far post.

Chelsea tied it up in the 86th minute when Barcelona failed to deal with a free kick and Cahill sent a looping header into the net, receiving a bloody nose for his troubles and was immediately substituted.

Loic Remy converted the winning spot kick for Chelsea after Radamel Falcao, Victor Moses and Ramires also found the net.

Iniesta and Sandro were successful for Barcelona but Alen Halilovic and Gerard Pique missed from the spot. – Reuters

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Vidal completes €40m move to Bayern

Arturo Vidal completed his transfer from Juventus to Bayern Munich by signing a four-year contract with the club.

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Berlin - Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal has completed his transfer from Juventus to Bayern Munich by signing a four-year contract with the Bundesliga champions.

No fee was disclosed but media reports put it at 40 million euros.

“I wanted to take another big step forward in my career,” the 28-year-old Vidal told the Bavarian club's website (www.fcbayern.de) on Tuesday.

“I want to keep developing as a player and win important trophies like the Champions League. I think the best opportunity to do so is with Bayern.”

Vidal was a member of the Juventus team beaten 3-1 by Barcelona in last month's Champions League final at Berlin's Olympic Stadium.

He becomes Bayern's second major signing of the transfer window after Brazilian midfielder Douglas Costa joined from Shakhtar Donetsk at the start of July.

Bayern have also sold Germany playmaker Bastian Schweinsteiger to Manchester United.

Vidal is no stranger to the Bundesliga having played for Bayer Leverkusen for four seasons until 2011.

He also helped Chile win the Copa America title for the first time on home soil this month.

“I'm thrilled about playing in the Bundesliga again and obviously hope to win it this time,” Vidal said.

“I didn't manage it with Leverkusen back then but with Bayern there's a very, very good chance.”

Reuters

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Chiefs hoping for a change of luck

Amakhosi’s record in the Black Label Cup makes for woeful reading: one win in four attempts.

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Prominent Kaizer Chiefs supporter Saddam Maake says it is about time Chiefs start winning the Carling Black Label Cup after lifting the trophy only once in four years.

Now in its fifth year, the competition will once more see the rivalry between Chiefs and Orlando Pirates continue when the teams meet at FNB Stadium on Saturday.

“It is about time things change at the team,” said Maake. “This is a different derby, we have two local coaches going head-to-head after a very long time. Chiefs have been coached by foreign coaches for a while now but now, we have Steve (Komphela). He has to win this one and not by penalties as Pirates have done in previous years.

“I don’t want to see us winning by penalties. We know this is a competition which allows the fans to be the coaches for the day, but Komphela’s input will be useful. It is a warm-up game for him, and we want to see if he will be ready for the season ahead,” said the outspoken Chiefs fan.

Pirates first claimed the Cup in its inaugural year (2011), beating Chiefs 4-3 on penalties.

The following year the Buccaneers retained the Cup after a late equaliser by Benni McCarthy sent the game to penalties, which the Sea Robbers won 5-4.

In 2013, a single goal by former Amakhosi player Lehlohonolo Majoro – who now turns out for Eric Tinkler’s team – saw Chiefs claim the Cup for the first time.

However, Chiefs failed to keep the Cup at Naturena in 2014 after another goalless draw, which saw Pirates once again winning the derby 6-5 on penalties.

The match might be a pre-season friendly, but to the fans of the two Soweto Giants, that couldn’t be further from the reality as Maake explained: “It is a derby, the biggest of all derbies in the country. There is no way we can call it a friendly game. It is very important to everyone. We have new players, new jersey and most importantly, it is a derby.”

Maake added that he is looking forward to the game, as it will give the fans an idea of how the teams will perform in the new season. “We want to see our new players. We have Xulu (Siyanda) at the back, he is very good. And some of our new signings we will see them in the second half.

“The only thing I am afraid off is winning this Cup and then going through the whole season without winning anything as we did in 2013. I think we will win this game 3-1,” said Maake confidently. - The Star

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Angola real threat to Bafana

Bafana must make sure the road to Russia and World Cup doesn’t end in Luanda.

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On the face of it, Bafana Bafana were given a good draw for their World Cup preliminary qualifying round two – Shakes Mashaba’s team being drawn to face Angola.

But while they have yet to lose to the Palancas Negras since readmission into the international game, it would be folly of South Africa to expect an easy ride into the group stages of the qualifying competition for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

For one, never have South Africa had it easy against their fellow Cosafa members – most of Bafana’s victories over the years being pretty narrow.

And while Angola appear to be slowly improving, Bafana Bafana are no world-beaters lately and Mashaba is actually in a rebuilding process since taking over the squad.

One thing that is pretty evident is that Bafana are not lethal up front with a strikeforce led by Tokelo Rantie and Bongani Ndulula not the kind to leave opposition defences quacking in their boots.

Bafana have to first travel to Angola and that in itself could be a potential banana skin, Lunda being a pretty notorious venue for visiting sides.

Only recently, Orlando Pirates were there for a Caf Champions League preliminary match and the mighty Buccaneers – expected by many to simply walk all over the little known Recreativo de Libolo – came a cropper. The same could happen to Bafana should they think they need only pitch up to be guaranteed a place in the group stages of the qualifiers.

And then there’s also the fact that Angola are fast improving – they convincingly beat the Central African Republic recently.

Add to that the fact South African teams have always struggled to cope with teams that rely on strength and this is where the Bafana defence are going to find themselves truly tested with Angola’s strikeforce led by Manucho.

The lanky striker is an awkward man to mark and is a consummate finisher who is playing the game at the highest level in Spain.

He will be complemented by the highly-experienced Gil-berto who has been in the squad for donkey’s years and has vast experience of the continental game having turned out for the mighty Al Ahly in the past.

Some will no doubt be quick to point out that Bafana got the better of Angola only recently in a friendly in Cape Town. But what should be noted is the fact that while South Africa had their ‘top’ players from overseas, the Angolan team was essentially made up of the locals. This tie being a case of do-or-die for both teams, Mashaba will do well to impress on his team the importance of getting a good result in the away leg and then coming home to seal the tie. But it won’t be an easy tie, not by any stretch of the imagination – the good record over Angola notwithstanding. - The Star

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LVG warning to De Gea

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has warned David de Gea that he could end up on the bench at Old Trafford.

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Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has warned David de Gea that he could end up on the bench at Old Trafford following the signing of Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero.

With Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos closer to signing a new contract with his club, De Gea’s hopes of moving to Spain in a swap deal this summer would appear to have decreased somewhat.

And although Van Gaal admitted last night the signing of 28-year-old Romero on a free transfer is a safety net in case De Gea leaves, he has also warned his No 1 his place is under threat.

‘I have of course spoken with Sergio and also with David,’ said Van Gaal. ‘With me always the best shall be in the line-up. So you have to fight for that place. With the threat that David de Gea is going to Real Madrid, we had to prepare our season.

‘I think Sergio can fulfil that because you have to handle quickly what may happen with David. I think he is a very good choice. I hope he can have a contribution to our selection and I have confidence he can.’

De Gea is expected to play against Paris Saint-Germain here in Chicago tomorrow.

Having complained of a mystery back injury earlier in the tour, the Spanish international will only be picked by Van Gaal for the Premier League opener against Tottenham on August 8 if he is thought to be fully focused. It is understood that there is some doubt about that at the moment.

United are still in negotiation with tomorrow’s opponents about the proposed transfer of Angel di Maria.

Di Maria did not join United in America as planned at the weekend and is expected to move to France once PSG increase their offer from what it is understood to have been a rather miserly €40million (£28.5m) first time round.

United are happy for Di Maria to leave, given the player’s unhappiness and problems he suffered integrating last season.

However, executive vice chairman Ed Woodward is determined to recoup as much of the £60m United paid Real Madrid for their record signing just a year ago.

United are still considering a move for Barcelona’s Pedro as a replacement, even though Van Gaal has reservations about the Spaniard’s lack of pace.

Defender Marcos Rojo will not make it out to join the United tour following an issue with his passport.

Soon after United’s opening league fixture against Tottenham comes a two-legged Champions League play-off that forward Juan Mata believes could be the most important fixtures of United’s season. They will find out their opponents on August 7 and Mata said: ‘It is massive for us to be in the Champions League this season.

‘We need to be in the Champions League. And the two play-off matches are very important.

‘We need to be fit enough mentally and physically for the battle because it is going to be some battle.’ – Daily Mail

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Hazard is better than Ronaldo - Jose

Jose Mourinho says he rates Eden Hazard as one of the world’s top three players — and better than Cristiano Ronaldo.

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Jose Mourinho has given Eden Hazard an extraordinary vote of confidence with the new season about to get under way by saying he rates him as one of the world’s top three players — and better than Cristiano Ronaldo.

Hazard, voted Player of the Year last season by both the Football Writers’ Association and the Professional Footballers’ Association, is now up there with the likes of Lionel Messi, according to Mourinho.

And because of the trophies he won last season, Mourinho said he would rate Hazard above Ronaldo, who he managed at Real Madrid.

‘Last season, yes,’ he said. ‘In spite of the fact that Ronaldo was fantastic. Obviously it depends on the season they have. They have

to win some titles, no? Football without titles is nothing. Messi won the treble.

‘He won three competitions last year, he reached the Copa America final. He had a fantastic season for him and for his team. I don’t like players or managers to win individual trophies without the team.’

Ronaldo won no domestic trophies nor the Champions League though Real Madrid did win the Club World Cup last December.

Mourinho did acknowledge the quality of Ronaldo’s play. ‘He was fantastic,’ he said. ‘He scored an incredible number of goals. I am not saying he is not fantastic. I am just saying that every football player should understand that a team have to be in front and win titles.

‘Eden is coming with big status now and was voted one of the top 10 players in Europe last year. In my opinion he should be in the top three not in the top 10.

‘I think Eden is the best player in our country. The best player in England. You (the football writers) voted him too, the best player in the English Premier League.’

Hazard started every game in the Premier League last season, scored 19 goals, provided 11 assists and created the most chances of any player in the Premier League but has set himself the target of getting closer to Ronaldo’s and Messi’s goal count for the next season.

Hazard said: ‘If I want to reach this level I have to score 40 or 50 goals just for one season. I think last season I scored 19. Maybe it’s good but it’s not enough.’ – Daily Mail

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Drogba joins MLS

Didier Drogba joined a growing list of famous international players in Major League Soccer by joining Montreal Impact.

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Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has signed for the Montreal Impact, the club announced on Monday as the Ivorian joined a growing list of famous international players in Major League Soccer.

Drogba, who was part of the Chelsea team that won the English Premier League title in May, has joined Montreal in a trade with the Chicago Fire, which had his MLS rights.

“It's an honour to welcome Didier Drogba to the Impact,” said team president Joey Saputo.

“This is one of the biggest days in club history and his arrival to the club will be beneficial in every aspect.”

The 37-year-old Ivorian joins an MLS roster that includes Englishmen Steven Gerrard (Los Angeles) and Frank Lampard (New York City), Brazilian Kaka (Orlando), Spaniard David Villa (New York City) and Italian Andrea Pirlo (New York City).

Drogba left Chelsea after playing 381 games and winning four Premier League titles across two stints with the Stamford Bridge club.

He twice won the Golden Boot for top scorer, and in 2012 scored the equalising goal and subsequent winning penalty kick that earned Chelsea the Champions League title.

Drogba was mainly was used as a substitute last season.

Terms of his deal with Montreal were not announced and there is no word yet on when he will make his debut.

Drogba will be a designated player, which means his wages will not be restricted by the team's salary cap.

Montreal are sixth in the Eastern Conference with 24 points from 18 games. – Reuters

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James strike caps Real's win over Inter

James Rodriguez curled home a superb free kick to cap Real Madrid's win over Inter Milan in a friendly in Guangzhou.

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Guangzhou - James Rodriguez curled home a superb free kick to cap Real Madrid's 3-0 win over Inter Milan in a friendly in Guangzhou on Monday.

The Colombian midfielder, brought on for just the last 10 minutes of the International Champions Cup match, stepped up to bend the ball around the Inter wall from 25 metres out, giving goalkeeper Samir Handanovic no chance.

Real Madrid youth product Jese had given his side the lead half an hour in, deftly controlling Marcelo's cross with his right foot, then stepping inside to score with his left at Handanovic's near post.

Inter, beaten 1-0 by both Bayern Munich and AC Milan over the last week in China, enjoyed much of the early possession but were exposed by the pace of Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo on the counter-attack.

A trademark free kick from the Portuguese wide man brought a terrific save out of the Inter goalkeeper midway and Bale also threatened after neat interplay with Jese.

Real made five changes at the break but maintained the momentum and got a second in the 56th minute when defender Raphael Varane put away Lucas Vazquez's cross from close range.

The tempo dropped significantly as the game wore on, as much due to the stifling humidity as the wholesale changes made by both teams, but Rodriguez delivered the pick of the goals in the 88th minute to seal a comfortable win for the La Liga side.

Real, who travelled to China from Australia after playing in another ICC tournament, wrap up the Asia competition against AC Milan in Shanghai on Thursday.

Reuters

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United need a big-name signing - LVG

A year in to his mission to fix what he famously described as a ‘broken’ Manchester United, Louis van Gaal is warming to the task.

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A year in to his mission to fix what he famously described as a ‘broken’ Manchester United, Louis van Gaal is warming to the task.

First some good news. The United manager no longer believes it a certainty that he will retire at the end of a contract due to expire in two years.

‘You can never say ‘‘I go’’ can you?’ said Van Gaal. ‘I have already said to my wife it might be that we extend in Manchester.’

Less heartening for United followers is his hint that he feels his team — 17 points shy of champions Chelsea last time — may not yet be quite ready to close the gap.

‘We only have a better balance of the team,’ reflected Van Gaal. ‘It’s not my Manchester United yet.

‘Why? Because we have to look for more balance in the team and for more creativity. For example, Chelsea have Eden Hazard, Willian and Oscar. There is a lot of creativity there. Manchester City have Sergio Aguero, it’s the same type.

‘Barcelona has Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez. We have to look also for that kind of player.

‘We look for more creativity and when it is possible to buy for a reasonable price players from that level we shall do that.

‘You can expect things from Ashley Young. He had a fantastic season. But he is not a Neymar and we have to compete with that kind of class.’

Young, one presumes, will not take offence where none was intended. Still, Van Gaal’s point is clear. He is not finished in the transfer market this summer, not if he has his way.

United fans would love to see Cristiano Ronaldo back at the club but Van Gaal said: ‘That’s not possible because you have the club, Ronaldo and then you have Manchester United and how much United want to spend.’

United record signing Angel di Maria is on the verge of joining Paris Saint-Germain after failing to join Van Gaal’s squad in America as planned on Saturday. Club sources will not reveal whether Di Maria had permission not to fly or whether he has effectively gone AWOL.

More positively, the club are believed to be close to agreeing a deal for Barcelona forward Pedro.

So far, Van Gaal (left) has had a good two months, recruiting a mixture of potential and experience that has given his squad a more rounded look.

Van Gaal sat down with English journalists at the team hotel in San Jose a couple of hours after his team had beaten Barcelona 3-1 on Saturday.

Discussion of sensitive matters such as David de Gea and Di Maria was off limits and he would not rise to suggestions from Arsene Wenger that United are trying to buy the title this season. ‘I don’t speak about my colleagues,’ he said. ‘It is their responsibility.’

However, the 63-year-old’s desire to prove himself in England is clear, even if it means extending his stay in Manchester.

‘My personal aim is that I shall be a manager with four championships in four different countries,’ said the former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach.

‘Normally I have said to my wife that after 55 years I quit. But I am still in the business and in two weeks’ time I will be 64! But I can walk away from it. I have already taken two sabbaticals. It was very, very nice. And it was not cats and dogs with my wife.

‘And I have a paradise (home) in Portugal. So I can happily walk away from football and do other things. I know I can do that.’

It was at his retreat in Portugal this summer that Van Gaal reflected on a season he believes could have ended better had United started differently. ‘The gap is only the consequence of our bad start because after the bad start you will be amazed,’ he said.

Meanwhile, an unjust defeat at Chelsea still rankles. ‘They had one chance and they scored,’ he said.

Reminded that his former protégé Jose Mourinho described it as the ‘perfect game’ for Chelsea, Van Gaal added: ‘Yeah, that’s provocation. And the winner is always right. It’s easy to say afterwards.’

The Mourinho-Van Gaal rivalry will be intriguing this season. Asked about his chances to socialise with his great friend, Van Gaal exposed one of English football’s great traditions as a myth.

‘After the games I have read that I’m drinking a glass of wine with the other manager,’ he smiled.

‘Now I’m the guy who wants always to drink a glass of wine. And last season I only drink wine with the manager of West Bromwich Albion — he’s a nice guy. And away from home I think it happened two times.

‘But it is difficult because after the game there’s a lot of people (media) who want to do something with you. It’s mostly the assistants are always together.’

Not often does Van Gaal’s guard come down publicly, which is why United fans enjoyed his uninhibited speech at May’s Player of the Year dinner so much.

Wine may have helped and Van Gaal said: ‘That’s who I am. It’s not deliberate. I didn’t expect that it should be filmed and put on YouTube but there you have seen Louis van Gaal — who I am.’

As time passes, Van Gaal indeed reveals more of himself. His jettisoning of his former Dutch international captain Robin van Persie may have seemed brutal but to Van Gaal it was logical.

‘People have written that Van Persie is my favourite and that I protect him and, yes, maybe,’ he said. ‘But in the end you always have to evaluate which players have contributed to our fourth place, which players a little bit and which players no contribution. And then you make decisions.’

So as we approach Van Gaal’s second season what is it that makes his perfect player?

‘When you are a Louis van Gaal player then you don’t know only your function in your position but also the other functions in their positions,’ he said.

‘Then you can help each other much more. Then you are improving always the team.

‘You have seen here Barcelona. The pressing and how they expect where the pass is coming from, that’s fantastic to see. That is it.’ – Daily Mail

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Pressure on Pellegrini

Manuel Pellegrini admits Manchester City must do better this season amid fresh speculation linking Pep Guardiola to the City job.

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Manuel Pellegrini admits Manchester City must do better this season amid fresh speculation about Pep Guardiola taking over at the Etihad next summer.

Pellegrini has entered the final 12 months of his three-year deal after ending last season empty-handed.

City surrendered the Premier League title to Chelsea and exited at the first knockout stage of the Champions League to Barcelona for the second year in a row.

Pellegrini kept his job but has acknowledged the need to win a trophy and reach the last eight in Europe this time around. Asked what would represent a good season, he said: ‘First of all to win titles. It is important to win a title — we will try to win all four.

‘The Champions and Premier League are more important, and after that to be comfortable about the way we play the whole year and be competitive in all competitions. I hope we are going to continue further in the Champions League. In the last two seasons we have been unlucky, we have faced Bayern Munich in the group stage and after that Barcelona in the round of 16.’

A report yesterday claimed that Guardiola has agreed terms to take over at City next summer. That is not thought to be the case, but there is no doubt he is a long-term target. Guardiola has not extended his contract with the German club and until he does he will cast a shadow over Pellegrini.

Meanwhile, Stevan Jovetic will end his City misery by joining Inter Milan this week. The Italian club confirmed he will have a medical tomorrow and Jovetic posted a photo on social media last night, showing him sitting on a plane, with the message ‘on my way to Milano’.

Inter wanted the 25-year-old on loan but it is understood it will be a sale or a loan that includes a clause stipulating a permanent move. Jovetic headed off before City’s game with the Vietnam national team in Hanoi today.

City’s new £2m signing Enes Unal could join Racing Genk on loan. – Daily Mail

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PSG closing in on Di Maria

Paris Saint-Germain expect Angel Di Maria to arrive at their pre-season training base in New Jersey to complete a £45.9m transfer from Manchester United.

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Paris Saint-Germain expect Angel Di Maria to arrive at their pre-season training base in New Jersey today to complete a £45.9m transfer from Manchester United.

The French champions are confident they have secured a deal with the Argentina international, who is leaving Old Trafford a year after arriving from Real Madrid for a British record £59.7m. Di Maria will undergo a medical but no complications are expected.

PSG's next match on tour is against Manchester United on Thursday in Chicago. But it is likely to come too soon for the winger to make his debut against his former club; he was given extended time off by United following the Copa America and has yet to do any pre-season training.

The deal is being celebrated as a major coup at PSG despite Di Maria's troubles at Manchester United, where he started just 20 Premier League games, scoring three goals.

Former Chelsea defender David Luiz, who moved to PSG for £50m last year, was at Benfica with Di Maria from 2007 to 2010. And he said: “For us it is very good if we can sign a fantastic player like Di Maria. He is one of the top three wingers in the world. He's fast, technical, he plays for the team, he knows how to play as an individual, how to pass and how to score. He is a player that can help us go up another step.

“Why did it not work out in Manchester? Sometimes you cannot have luck in one place, but he is still a fantastic player.”

Asked whether a move to Ligue 1 was a step down, Luiz added: “No. He will love playing there like I do. It is a technical and tactical league and many, many fantastic players are there. There is a lot of young talent and they get a lot of chance to play there. I am very happy there and he will be too.”

Luiz's excitement was echoed by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has committed himself to PSG amid speculation linking him with United. Significantly, the Sweden striker believes Di Maria can help bring Champions League glory to Paris, as Gareth Bale did for Real Madrid in 2014.

PSG have been knocked out at the quarter-final stage for the past three years but Ibrahimovic said: “The Champions League is all about small details. Real Madrid are a fantastic team. They have fantastic players. Of course, when Real Madrid got Bale they became better for sure and we will become better for sure with Di Maria.”

Of his own reported link with Old Trafford, Ibrahimovic said: “No. That's not true. I was in a programme. They were asking me: 'How is your relationship with [Louis] Van Gaal. I said: 'So and so but United is a fantastic club.'

“I am happy at PSG. I have one more year to play at PSG, then let's see what happens.” – The Independent

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Walcott close to new Arsenal deal

Arsene Wenger has confirmed Theo Walcott is close to signing a new contract with Arsenal.

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Arsene Wenger has confirmed Theo Walcott is close to signing a new contract with Arsenal.

The forward’s deal expires at the end of the season, meaning he can start negotiating a free transfer move to a foreign club from January.

However, talks over a four-year deal — which would include a rise on his £90,000-a-week wages — are progressing well, with both parties very confident of a successful outcome.

Sportsmail revealed last month that Arsenal were close to an agreement with Walcott after positive talks.

And Wenger revealed yesterday that a deal is imminent, saying: ‘He’s not signed the contract yet, but we are getting closer and closer and hopefully we can finalise it very soon.’

The news will provide the Gunners with a major boost ahead of the new season.

Walcott scored the only goal against German side Wolfsburg yesterday as Arsenal secured their second pre-season trophy of the summer by lifting the Emirates Cup.

The England international started the game as a centre forward — a position he is keen to fill on a regular basis. But with Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck vying for the same role, Walcott could find his chances in the position limited.

And Wenger says the forward’s versatility will help his claims for a regular starting spot.

‘What’s his best position? That’s a good question. It’s a complicated answer,’ he said.

‘In all the three positions, if you ask him where he loves to play, even he is not certain.

‘Sometimes he prefers it on the left because when he makes a good run he can score goals as well.

‘I think in his idea, he would love to play with a strong guy next to him in the middle. But we have so many offensive players it is difficult to combine all this.

‘I’ve always said he’s a goal-scorer because he has the movement, he has the timing of the finishing, the speed, he has an eye for taking his chances at the right moment.’

Meanwhile, Wenger says teenager Jeff Reine-Adelaide will not be loaned out next season.

The 17-year-old midfielder has impressed during pre-season following his arrival from Lens this summer and he set up Walcott’s winner yesterday.

Wenger said: ‘Yes, definitely (he is staying). He is 17 and he looks very promising but he needs to work with us for a year.

‘He needs to be in and out, play with the Under 21s and to develop.

‘There’s fantastic potential there and he will stay with us this season.

‘I honestly don’t know how much he will play. We had a good opportunity to watch him today. In some situations he, of course, has the game of a 17-year-old.

‘But on the other hand he has shown great potential. Physically he is very advanced and I’m sure he has learned a lot from these two days.’ – Daily Mail

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United sign Argentine keeper

Manchester United have signed Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero on a three-year deal, the club confirmed.

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Manchester United have signed Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero on a three-year deal, the club said on Sunday.

The 28-year-old, who played under United manager Louis van Gaal when they were both at Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, left Sampdoria in the summer at the end of his contract.

“To play for the biggest club in the world is a dream come true for me,” he told United's website.

“Louis van Gaal is a fantastic manager and I cannot wait to get started on this new and exciting challenge in my career.”

Romero has joined United on their pre-season tour of the United States, where they beat Barcelona 3-1 on Saturday.

“Sergio is a very talented goalkeeper. He was a young keeper during my time at AZ Alkmaar and I am delighted he is joining Manchester United,” said Van Gaal.

Romero and his new manager also crossed paths last summer at the World Cup where Argentina eliminated the Van Gaal-coached Netherlands in a semi-final penalty shootout.

“He had a fantastic World Cup last summer in Brazil, although that is something I have put to the back of my mind! He will be a great addition to the team and I am looking forward to working with him once again,” added Van Gaal.

Romero's arrival is expected to herald the departure of United's backup Victor Valdes, who was left out of the tour party and told to leave the club due to a row with the manager.

Van Gaal said Valdes had refused to play for United's reserve team, a claim disputed by the Spaniard.

Speculation also continues over the future of first-choice United keeper David De Gea, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, with the La Liga team's defender Sergio Ramos coming to the English side as part of a swap deal. – Reuters

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LVG has 3 places, but 7 players!

With Louis van Gaal planning to use a 4-3-3 formation, seven players will compete for three places in midfield.

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London - With Louis van Gaal planning to use a 4-3-3 formation, seven players who cost £164.5 million will compete for three places in midfield.

Bastian Schweinsteiger

Cost: £14million (2015)

Arrived from Bayern Munich having helped his club win the Champions League and starred in Germany’s World Cup win in 2014. At 30, there are doubts about his fitness and he was ruled out of last night’s friendly against Barcelona.

Morgan Schneiderlin

Cost: £24million (2015)

Lauded as one of the reasons Southampton qualified for the Europa League last season. French holding midfield player, Arsenal and Spurs were interested in him.

Michael Carrick

Cost: £18million (2006)

Vice-captain and one of only two survivors from United’s last Champions League win.

He was at one time criticised for not being dynamic enough but Carrick is now regarded as one of the best passing midfield players in the league. As a senior player, Van Gaal will look for him to be a major influence.

Juan Mata

Cost: £38million (2014)

United treated it as a huge coup to get Mata from Chelsea when Jose Mourinho no longer wanted him. The Spaniard struggled under David Moyes but had a renaissance under Van Gaal and reached double figures for goals last season.

Ander Herrera

Cost: £29million (2014)

Moyes wanted the energetic box-to-box Spaniard but he’d been sacked before the player finally arrived. Van Gaal wasn’t inclined to use the 27-year-old and he started only half of United’s Premier League games, scoring seven times.

Marouane Fellaini

Cost: £27.5million (2013)

Became a symbol for the failed Moyes regime as Fellaini was unable to reproduce his Everton form — until Van Gaal started using him as an alternative centre forward.

Daley Blind

Cost: £14million (2014)

The Dutchman can play a number of positions but prefers to sit in front of the back four, although he could also appear on the left of a midfield three. He’s not particularly quick, but Blind is steady and Van Gaal can rely on him.

Mail On Sunday

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Ajax and SuperSport share third-place

SuperSport United drew with hosts Ajar Cape Town to share third-place in the Cape Town Cup, at Cape Town Stadium.

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Cape Town - SuperSport United drew with hosts Ajax Cape Town 1-1 to share third-place in the Cape Town Cup, at Cape Town Stadium, on Sunday.

After both teams lost in their opening matches of the four-team tournament on Friday, the playoff for third place took centre stage in the early afternoon.

SuperSport took the lead on the quarter hour mark, and it seemed for much of the contest it would be the Pretoria side who would prevail. But it was Ajax who had the last say with an injury time goal to wrestle a draw.

Crystal Palace and Sporting CP will contest the final at 3.30pm.

Thuso Phala scored the opener in the 15th minute for SuperSport. Jeremy Brockie had a headed attempt from close range saved by Jody February in the Ajax goal, and Phala was well-positioned to nudge the rebound home to make it 1-0 to the visitors.

In the 37th minute, SuperSport were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area. Up stepped setpiece specialist Brockie who fired in a powerful attempt towards the left post, but February pulled off a fine full-length diving save.

Play moved immediately towards the other end of the park from the restart, where a SuperSport defender was adjudged to have played a back-pass to keeper Ronwen Williams in the box. Though little over six-yards away, the resultant setpiece from the hosts did not trouble Williams with a shot on target.

Ajax had their best chance to level the scores shortly before the interval. Ruzaigh Gamildien found himself one-on-one with Williams in the box, but as the keeper pushed the play wide the midfielder blasted the ball into the side-netting.

With just under 20 minutes remaining, Ajax put together a threatening piece of play. Justin Jacobus poached a ball off SuperSport defender Luvuyolwethu Mpeta in the box, reeled off a shot that was saved, before Ajax captain Franklin Cale from the rebound, struck a left-footed curler from the edge of the area just over the target.

An injury time free kick was curled into the area, and found substitute Travis Graham who headed the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-1.

ANA

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Di Maria adds fuel to rumours of move

Man United boss Louis van Gaal “does not know why” Angel Di Maria has not joined the club's pre-season tour of the US.

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London - Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal “does not know why” Angel Di Maria has not joined the Premier League club's pre-season tour of the US following media reports the winger is close to signing for Paris St-Germain.

The 27-year-old Argentina international, who joined United for a British record transfer fee of 59.7 million pounds ($92.59 million) last year, was expected to travel to the U.S after being given extended leave following the Copa America.

However, British media have reported that Di Maria was a target for French champions PSG and that a deal was close for the former Real Madrid winger.

“He was not on the plane,” Van Gaal told reporters after United's 3-1 win over Barcelona in Santa Clara on Saturday.

“(Fellow Argentine) Marcos Rojo was also not on the plane. He has had a passport issue - for Angel Di Maria, I don't know why. I cannot say anything.”

PSG coach Laurent Blanc did little to dismiss speculation with a move for Di Maria after his side were beaten in a friendly by Premier League champions Chelsea following a penalty shootout in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“There is a good possibility (he could sign) but there is nothing official,” Blanc told reporters.

“There is an anticipation he is going to come to the U.S but as to which jersey he is going to wear, we don't know yet.

“If he does make a change hopefully it will be for Paris St-Germain.”

Reuters

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PICS: ManU beat Barcelona in friendly

Manchester United kept up the positive momentum of their pre-season tour with a win over Barcelona in California.

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California - Manchester United kept up the positive momentum of their pre-season tour with a 3-1 victory over Barcelona in the International Champions Cup on Saturday in Santa Clara, California.

Wayne Rooney put the English club on top early by heading home a goal in the 10th minute before Jesse Lingard and Adnan Januzaj each added second-half goals.

Manchester United, who beat Champions League winners Barcelona in the title game of 2009 and 2011, have enjoyed a successful U.S. tour with victories over Club America of Mexico and Major League Soccer club San Jose Earthquakes.

Barcelona, playing without standouts Lionel Messi and Neymar, along with Claudio Bravo, Javier Mascherano and Dani Alves, made it an exciting match but failed to cash in on a few prime scoring chances.

Luis Suarez twice hit the post on first-half shots for Barcelona and had another goal overturned by an offside call in the second half.

Manchester United seized a 2-0 lead in the second half when Lingard scored in the 65th minute.

Barcelona struck back in the 89th minute with a goal by Rafinha, but United answered with their third moments later, courtesy of Jacuzzi.

Barcelona were coming off a win against MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy on Tuesday and have one more match in the United States before they return to Europe.

Reuters

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‘Falcao can get back to his best’

Chelsea loan signing Radamel Falcao can get back to his free-scoring best under Jose Mourinho, Diego Costa said.

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London - Chelsea loan signing Radamel Falcao can get back to his free-scoring best under Jose Mourinho and the Premier League champions will benefit from the Colombian's indifferent loan spell at Manchester United, strike partner Diego Costa has said.

The 29-year-old Falcao developed a reputation as one the most feared strikers in Europe, netting 72 goals for Porto in two campaigns and 70 goals in two seasons for Atletico Madrid before joining AS Monaco in 2013 for almost $80 million.

However, following an anterior cruciate ligament injury that ruled him out of the 2014 World Cup, Falcao joined Manchester United on loan last season but scored four goals in 29 games.

“Radamel knows the sort of manager Mourinho is: one who is liked by players because he trusts and backs them,” Costa told reporters.

“He doesn't sign a player just for the sake of it, it's because he has confidence in him and wants him to feature regularly.

“It's good for us that he didn't have the best of seasons as that's why he's now with us.”

Falcao, who has joined Chelsea on a season-long loan from Monaco with an option to make the deal permanent, played alongside Costa at Atletico and the duo tormented Real Madrid in the 2013 King's Cup triumph.

“I spent a couple of seasons with Falcao and things went fairly well,” Costa said.

“He did a lot for me and he's a great striker. Whether the manager chooses to play us alongside each other, that's up to him, but he is very talented.”

Costa scored 20 goals for Chelsea in his debut season at Stamford Bridge after joining from Atletico for 32 million pounds ($49.63 million).

However, the fiery Brazilian-born Spanish striker had his temperament called into question when he was banned for three matches for a stamp on Liverpool's Emre Can.

“I won't change my style,” Costa said. “I haven't done anything malicious.

“I've always played this way for all the sides I've been with and I've scored a lot of goals in this style.

“The key for me is to score goals and win trophies, if I change in any way, I'm not going to be the same player.

“The aim is to win the Champions League. We have a squad here capable of winning it.”

Reuters

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Poor turnout at Cape Town Cup

Depressed ticket sales and a spell of bad weather put a dampener on the Cape Town Cup at the Cape Town Stadium.

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Cape Town - Depressed ticket sales and a spell of bad weather put a dampener on the Cape Town Cup at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday night.

Garreth Bloor, mayoral committee member for tourism, events and economic development, said 10 600 tickets were sold for Friday’s matches, which saw Supersport United take on English team Crystal Palace, and local team Ajax Cape Town facing Sporting Lisbon from Portugal.

But when the the first game started at 5.45pm, large parts of the stadium were empty.

Bloor said the city had hoped to attract 35 000 fans to the stadium.

“Unfortunately, the weather is not playing ball. We do remain optimistic that numbers will increase once the teams playing in the finals are revealed and the weather plays along,” he said.

For Sunday, when the winners of Friday’s matches will compete in the tournament final, 18 200 tickets have been sold. The stadium has a capacity of 55 000.

The city dropped its ticket prices on Wednesday for the pre-season tournament, after lower-than-expected sales.

“A number of fans have expressed a view that the prices were too high. Our intention has not been to exclude die-hard soccer followers,” Bloor said.

Prices for tickets, which originally cost between R200 and R400, were reduced to between R60 and R100. Fans who bought tickets at the original prices were entitled to refunds for the difference.

Cosatu in the Western Cape has criticised the hosting of the tournament, saying the event was “clearly not a success” and was a “waste of public funds that could have been put to better use”.

Weekend Argus

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Pirates must put their scoring boots on

Pirates will be looking to bounce back to winning ways when they clash with CS Sfaxien in the Caf Confederation Cup.

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Cape Town - After having their unbeaten run in the Caf Confederation Cup broken, Orlando Pirates will be looking to bounce back to winning ways when they clash with CS Sfaxien in their third game of the group stage at Stade Taieb Mhiri in Sfax, Tunisia, on Sunday.

The Buccaneers lost their first group game in the continental competition 2-1 to Egyptian giants Zamalek at Mbombela Stadium, with the loss placing Eric Tinkler’s team second in Group B’s mini-league table with three points.

The Egyptians top the group with six points, followed by AC Leopards and Sfaxien, with one point each, lying third and fourth respectively.

The Buccaneers will have to put on their scoring boots if they wish to claim the three points on offer.

This especially after fumbling in their match against Zamalek, which they dominated, more especially in the first half, only to let the White Knights come back from a goal down to win it in the second period.

Although there is so much flair at Pirates, however, converting goal-scoring chances seems to be a perennial problem.

Tinkler will consider starting with Lehlohonolo Majoro and Thamsanqa Gabuza for this encounter after the pair impressed at Mbombela.

Gabuza has been in blistering form lately, scoring for Bafana Bafana and his club team, while Majoro came off the bench to give Pirates the lead in the Zamalek game.

Majoro must be raring for more game time so he can get the ball in the back of the net.

With Sifiso Myeni and Thabo Rakhale mesmerising on both flanks, while captain Oupa Manyisa takes control of the midfield at Sfax as he did at Mbombela, we will see more chances created.

Sfaxien, on the other hand, are no pushovers.

The north African team are three-time Confederation Cup champions and have a lot of experience when it comes to playing in competitions of this magnitude. However, they are yet to get maximum points since the group stages started. They lost their first game 1-0 to Zamalek and drew 1-1 with Leopards.

And Sunday’s match is probably one of the most important matches for them if they are to make an impact in the competition. The two sides have good knowledge of each other having met in the 2006 Caf Champions League, where Sfaxien won 1-0 at home, after holding Pirates to a goalless draw in the first leg.

The Buccaneers flew to Tunisia on Thursday.

This is one encounter that promises to be electrifying, with both teams desperate for maximum points.

Weekend Argus

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Palace bury SuperSport United

Crystal Palace romped to a 4-0 victory over SuperSport United in their pre-season Cape Town Cup friendly.

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Cape Town – Crystal Palace romped to a 4-0 victory over SuperSport United in their pre-season Cape Town Cup friendly in the Mother City on Friday.

In a particularly poor first-half where SuperSport conceded the four goals, there was a bewildered look to the South African representatives who were struggling to find their feet.

Crystal Palace were by far the more polished outfit, and Mile Jedina opened the scoring as early as the third minute from his team’s first attacking set-piece as SuperSport United failed to clear the initial shot at goal.

Goalkeeper Rowan Williams stood amazed as the ball went past the gap that was left between himself and the defender at the near post.

For Williams, that was but the start of what turned out to be a very long evening in goal.

In the 16th minute he would watch as another series of lacklustre defending allowed Lee Chung-Yong to double the score.

The striker also had an earlier opportunity to score from a poor goal clearance by Williams, but on that occasion the striker was unable to get the pass away.

United eventually managed to string a few passes together, but never really managed to threaten the Palace goal.

Instead, after another 10 minute interval, Jordon Mutch netted the third of the evening in what could have been one of the easier goals he has scored in his career.

For the fourth first-half goal palace needed only six-minutes to beat Williams.

This time Fraizer Campbell sneaked in front of Bongani Khumalo to tap in what looked like a goal one would score in training.

Down 4-0 at the break Gordon Igesund’s men looked far more focused during the opening passage of play in the second half.

Subsequently they enjoyed their first real chance four minutes into the second 40, but Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey had it covered.

Hennessey was again tested in the 55th minute in what turned out to be United’s best passage of attacking play, but he did well to stop Jeremy Brockie’s left-footed blast from just outside the six-yard box.

Apart front the greater sense of urgency the local side showed on attack, their defence also looked far more organised with Khumalo finally making use of his international experience with some telling tackles.

With most of the damage done in the first half, both sides used the remainder of the friendly match to test out a few combinations.

The inclusion of Grant Kekana in defence during the second-half made a world of difference to the organisation United lacked in the first half.

This improved structure would have been what Palace wanted from their pre-season training match although they are unlikely to complain about the first half target practice.

United would create a few more chances during the closing exchanges, but nothing that Hennesey could not handle.

ANA

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City outclassed by Real, Ronaldo

Real Madrid proved a different class to Manchester City winning 4-1 before a record crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

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Cristiano Ronaldo was at his dazzling best as Real Madrid proved a different class to Manchester City winning 4-1 before a record crowd in the International Champions Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.

World footballer of the year Ronaldo showed his sublime skills and was among the goalscorers as Real demolished the 2014 English Premier League champions in a blistering first half performance before more than 99 000 fans at the vast stadium.

It was the MCG's biggest ever crowd for a football-only event.

The 10-time European champions revelled in the atmosphere, opening up Man City with dazzling touches, flicks and clinical finishing for three goals in the first half.

French striker Karim Benzema put the Spaniards ahead with a spectacular finish in the 21st minute.

Benzema hooked in Gareth Bale's cross over his left shoulder in a brilliant piece of finishing after a fine run down the right wing by Daniel Carvajal.

Ronaldo pounced four minutes later, getting a sublime first touch to bring down German Toni Kroos's long pass before poking home.

England goalkeeper Joe Hart was unable to keep the ball from crossing the line for a double Real sucker punch after piecemeal City defending as Ronaldo thrilled the crowd his trademark goal celebration.

It got worse for City when central defender Pepe scored Real's third with an unmarked thumping header off Isco's corner just minutes before half-time.

Deep in first-half stoppage time City got a penalty for a Sergio Ramos hand-ball as he jostled with Sterling.

Manchester United target Ramos remonstrated with Japanese referee Hiroyuki Kimura that Sterling had handled the ball first.

Yaya Toure slotted home the spot kick for City to trail 3-1 at the break.

Russian Denis Cherychev made in four when he stabbed home an Isco cross with 17 minutes left.

City's night was further soured when new signing Fabian Delph injured his left hamstring and was carried off after just 18 minutes and was replaced by Jesus Navas.

Manager Rafael Benitez made four changes at halftime bringing off Benzema, Luka Modric, Carvajal and Pepe, while Manuel Pellegrini left his Man City team unchanged.

Ronaldo, the world football's highest paid player, turned on his party tricks for the appreciative MCG crowd, with his cheeky stepovers and flicks and was narrowly wide when he was released by Gareth Bale only to put an audacious attempt just wide.

Edin Dzeko, the subject of transfer speculation, got his first run of the tournament for City, coming on in the 64th minute as Toure, Ronaldo and Ramos came off at the same time.

City's record signing Raheem Sterling had a quiet night and was well contained by Ramos before he was substituted midway through the second half. – AFP

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