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Chelsea, City seek home wins

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Chelsea and Manchester City, are keen to reverse the most striking statistic of the new Premier League season this weekend.

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London - Last season's top two, Chelsea and Manchester City, are keen to reverse the most striking statistic of the new Premier League season this weekend - and they are not the only ones.

Of the 30 matches played in the opening three rounds, only six have resulted in home wins, with more than twice as many going the way of the visitors, while the other 11 have been drawn.

Even at such an early stage of the campaign, leaders City are one of just three teams with a 100 per cent home record - Swansea City and Liverpool being the others - though each have played just one home match so far.

Having beaten champions Chelsea 3-0 in their only game at the Etihad Stadium, City will be confident of seeing off Watford for their fourth successive win of the campaign, although Quique Flores' promoted side are unbeaten in the league, having drawn all three matches.

Chelsea, undefeated at home in winning the title last season, suffered an opening-day setback at Stamford Bridge this time when goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was sent off and Swansea City held them to a 2-2 draw.

Last weekend captain John Terry was dismissed at West Bromwich Albion, so he will miss the London derby with fifth-placed Crystal Palace.

Swansea won their only home game to date, against Newcastle, but now face a tougher task with a visit on Sunday from Manchester United, who must hope there is no hangover from Wednesday's Champions League qualifying rout of Bruges.

Liverpool will be confident of beating West Ham, whose dreadful record at Anfield suggests their supporters should save the train fare - the Londoners have not won there since 1963, 42 games ago.

Arsenal's form exemplifies the unusual trend of home and away results. They go to Newcastle in the early Saturday match after failing to score in two games at the Emirates but having won their only game on the road.

Equally unexpected is the fact that Bournemouth and unbeaten Leicester City, both widely regarded as relegation material, have belied expectations ahead of their meeting on the south coast.

West Brom manager Tony Pulis returns to one of his old clubs, Stoke City, for a meeting of two teams that have yet to win.

Like West Ham at Liverpool, it is a trip that bottom-of-the-table Albion do not relish - a victory there in 2012 was their first for 30 years.

The other teams hoping to improve the overall ratio of home wins this term are Aston Villa against Sunderland, Tottenham Hostpur versus Everton and, on Sunday, Southampton against Norwich City. – Reuters

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City close to De Bruyne deal

Manchester City are close to the £58.5m signing of Wolfsburg's Kevin De Bruyne, taking their summer spending towards £157m.

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Manchester City are close to the €80m (£58.5m) signing of Wolfsburg's Kevin De Bruyne, which would make him the second most expensive player in British football history and take his club's summer spending towards £157m.

There were reports last night in Germany's Bild newspaper and the Kicker magazine that De Bruyne will have his medical in Manchester today with a view to being presented by the club later in the week. The club refused to comment on these reports last night but there was no denial that the deal was imminent, and City have pursued De Bruyne all summer.

The deal that has been suggested in Germany is a guaranteed fee of £55m to Wolfsburg, with additional payments according to what City achieve with De Bruyne in the team. The six-year contract offer with a salary of around £200,000 a week would make De Bruyne an early beneficiary of the new three-year £5.14bn television deal that begins from the start of the next Premier League season.

De Bruyne, 24, has also attracted interest from Bayern Munich who have emerged as a late contender to sign the attacking midfielder. With Uefa's financial fair play rules relaxed, City have been able to be more aggressive this summer in their signings with the £49m fee for Raheem Sterling currently a club record.

Chelsea sold De Bruyne in the January transfer window of 2014 after he failed to convince Jose Mourinho that he would be prepared to battle for a place in the first team. Initially he had impressed the Chelsea manager on the pre-season trip to south-east Asia in 2013, but he slipped further down the pecking order and came in for public criticism from Mourinho after a poor performance against Swindon Town in the Carling Cup in September 2013.

Since De Bruyne's return to Germany with Wolfsburg - he had previously been on loan at Werder Bremen - he has emerged as one of the best playmakers in Europe.

Mourinho says that he had no choice but to sell the player, who went for £13m in January last year, because De Bruyne said at the time that he needed to be guaranteed a start.

Speaking on Friday at Cobham on De Bruyne, Mourinho said that he had no regrets about letting the player go.

“If you have a player knocking on your door and crying every day he wants to leave, you have to make a decision. At that time, Chelsea did well. If De Bruyne stayed here, not happy and not motivated, and we'd sold him after a year, we'd have got less... less 50 per cent of what we sold him for.”

He added: “It was like a wall, a block. He was not ready to compete. He was an upset kid, training very bad. He always said he had trained well in his life, but he needs motivation to train well by playing every game.” – The Independent

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LVG lauds Rooney’s mentality

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal praised Wayne Rooney's “mentality” after the captain's hat-trick in a 4-0 win against Club Brugge.

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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal praised Wayne Rooney's “mentality” after the captain's hat-trick in a 4-0 win against Club Brugge helped his side secure a Champions League place.

United will go into the hat in Thursday's group-stage draw after their victory in Bruges on Wednesday completed a 7-1 aggregate win in the competition's play-off round.

Rooney had previously gone 10 club games without scoring, prompting suggestions he was unsuited to the role of lone striker in Van Gaal's single-striker system, but the Dutchman said he never doubted that the England captain would rediscover the path to goal.

“I have given him always the confidence that a player needs, but I think Wayne has a very strong mentality and with his level he always shall come back,” Van Gaal said.

“And he proved that this evening (Wednesday). But still it's a long way for him and also for Manchester United it's not so easy. Of course I'm very happy for him.”

All three of Rooney's goals were pleasing on the eye, as he applied assured one-touch finishes to passes from Memphis Depay, Ander Herrera and Juan Mata.

Herrera stroked in United's fourth goal in the 63rd minute at Jan Breydel Stadium, having been moved forward into a number 10 role following the half-time introduction of Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Herrera had struggled in the game's early stages, misplacing passes and earning a booking for an untidy foul on Victor Vazquez, and Van Gaal admitted afterwards that he had contemplated taking him off.

“He started not so good. He had a lot of ball losses and also a yellow card, so at that moment I wanted to change him, but then I saw he was coming back,” said Van Gaal, who also saw substitute Javier Hernandez miss a late penalty.

“And after that moment he plays a good match on the 'double six' position, but later on (at) 10 he was better. So I'm very pleased also for him.”

Van Gaal won the Champions League with an exciting young Ajax team in 1995 and took Bayern Munich to the final in 2010, but he has not led a team in the competition since 2011.

Asked how the tournament had changed during his absence, he replied: “I cannot judge because (for) three years I was not a participant.

“Of course I've seen the matches on television. I think it is the highest podium, and it was also 10 years ago and 20 years ago.

“It is the highest podium that you can show yourself or your team and it's fantastic to be a participant.”

The 2014-15 season was the first time United had not graced the Champions League in 19 years, the legacy of a disastrous seventh-place finish under Van Gaal's hapless predecessor David Moyes.

Holders Barcelona, Bayern, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are among the teams who could be drawn to face United, but Van Gaal said that he would not be watching the draw.

“I don't know the teams who are participating, but I think I cannot have any influence on the draw,” he said.

“There was also a lady who asked me what am I going to do tomorrow (Thursday) during the draw. I said I shall watch the second team against Ajax because that's more important for me.

“I cannot influence the draw, so it's better to hear afterwards.”

Club Brugge coach Michel Preud'homme had said before the game that his side required a “miracle” to qualify and he felt that the outcome of the tie was logical.

“This team has everything - technical quality, physical quality in power and endurance, and of course they have the mentality,” said the former Belgium goalkeeper, who was missing several key players through injury and suspension.

“It's a top team and they are top players. They have everything. We are there to learn something and I hope we can learn a lot from these two confrontations.” – AFP

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Chiefs draw, Pirates lose

Defending champions Kaizer Chiefs were held and fellow 'big three' clubs Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns lost their Premiership midweek matches.

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Defending champions Kaizer Chiefs were held and fellow 'big three' clubs Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns lost their Premiership midweek matches.

As the giants of domestic football found the going tough on the road in the third round, traditional mid-table outfit Mpumalanga Black Aces set the pace with seven points.

Ajax Cape Town and Wits have six points each, Chiefs, Platinum Stars and SuperSport United five, and pointless Free State Stars prop up the table.

Zamuxolo Ngalo was the match-winner for Aces in north-east city Nelspruit, 65 kilometres from the world famous Kruger National Park.

His glancing near-post header off a corner flew across veteran Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene and into the net for a 1-0 victory at 2010 World Cup venue Mbombela Stadium.

Aces had goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane red-carded on the stroke of half-time for fouling Zimbabwean Cuthbert Malajila outside the box, but expensively assembled Sundowns failed to take advantage.

Chiefs have scored nine goals in two league and cup victories at home this season, but success has proved elusive in three away games.

Hosts Polokwane City fought back at another World Cup venue, Peter Mokaba Stadium, to force a deserved 1-1 draw against the winners of two league titles in the past three seasons.

Media critics of Polokwane, who say the City defence has more holes than a piece of Swiss cheese, would have felt justified after the manner in which Chiefs took a first-half lead.

Several attempts to clear a free-kick failed and Chiefs defender Eric Mathoho banged the loose ball into the net for one of the ugliest goals likely to be seen this season.

The mid-second half equaliser was a 'beauty', though, with Puleng Tlolane showing superb technique as he volleyed a rebound off the crossbar past goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.

Bloemfontein Celtic made nine changes after a poor weekend league display and reaped the reward with a 1-0 home triumph against CAF Confederation Cup semi-finalists Pirates.

Most of the Super 15 rugby team Central Cheetahs were at the stadium where they also play to see Vuyani Ntanga win an exciting clash through a header off a pin-point cross 15 minutes from time.

Pirates, consistently excellent in Africa this year, have made a stuttering start to the Premiership with two losses.

Ajax came from behind for the second successive league match to win, edging visiting Free State 2-1 with goals from Mosa Lebusa and in-form Prince Nxumalo.

Australian Kris Bright scored the first goal and created the second on debut as Wits defeated Maritzburg United 2-0 in Johannesburg.

Platinum beat promoted Golden Arrows 2-0, Chippa United trounced Pretoria University 4-0 and Jomo Cosmos played a third consecutive 0-0 draw, this time against SuperSport, in other matches. – AFP

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Van Gaal hails Rooney as United sail on

Wayne Rooney scored three of Manchester United’s four goals in their Champions League qualifier against Club Bruges.

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London - Manchester United cantered through their Champions League qualifier against Club Bruges to book a place in Europe's top club competition after a painful year out of it.

Wayne Rooney scored a hat-trick to inspire a 4-0 win over the Belgian side in the second leg on Wednesday and seal an emphatic 7-1 aggregate victory for the three-times European champions.

“I think we were very organised. We played the ball a little bit more simple than before,” United manager Louis van Gaal told BT Sport. “You can create gaps and we scored so that is also good.”

Van Gaal was delighted that Rooney ended a 10-game goal drought.

“Every goal shall give confidence to every player, even Wayne. I'm very happy for him,” the Dutchman said.

“He has the best mentality that you can imagine. Such players with that level will always come back.”

United have scored only two goals in their first three Premier League games of the season but the clean sheet against Bruges was their fourth in four matches.

They travel to Swansea City on Sunday, a team who beat them twice in the league last season.

“It was a glorious night for Manchester United but Swansea City is the most important now,” Van Gaal said.

“Last season we lost six points against them so we have to improve that.”

REUTERS

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Ntanga header sinks Pirates

Bloemfontein Celtic picked up their first victory of the season when they beat Orlando Pirates 1-0 in an Absa Premiership match.

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Bloemfontein – Bloemfontein Celtic picked up their first victory of the season when they beat Orlando Pirates 1-0 in an Absa Premiership match on Wednesday night.

The winning goal came in the 75th minute when Vuyani Ntanga rose majestically to head home.

It was a gutsy performance from Clinton Larsen’s men who beat a Pirates team who were ultimately contained and outplayed by a Celtic side with many new faces.

Pirates almost grabbed a sensational early goal in the match after a cross from the right in the second minute, Ayanda Gcaba’s left-footed shot beat goalkeeper Bongani Mpandle only for defender Lantshene Phalane to clear desperately off the line.

Many Bucs players thought the ball had crossed the line but the assistant referee and the referee Zolike Mthetho waved play on.

Despite Pirates doing most of the attacking, Celtic, with nine changes to their team, had their moments in the first half with Lyle Lakay lively down the left flank and Geoffrey Massa often given too much space in the penalty area.

After some domination Pirates slowly came back into the match with Thabo Rakhale creating chances and also coming close to scoring.

Soon after the break Massa again had an excellent chance of putting Celtic ahead but he dithered in possession and his tame shot was blocked.

A good chance gone as were a couple minutes later as the Pirates’ fragility in defence was exposed as the home team mounted attack after attack.

At the other end Pirates finally broke out and Erasmus should have done better when a cross found his head with only the goalkeeper to beat but the ball went straight to Mpandle who saved with ease.

The goal the crowd was baying for finally came in the 75th minute when a beautiful cross from the left wing from Phalane, which travelled at least 25 metres, was met by a perfect header from Vuyani Ntanga which rocketed into the net to make it 1-0. It turned out to be the winner.

African News Agency

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Milner doesn’t regret Liverpool move

James Milner has no regrets over leaving Manchester City for Liverpool in search of more playing time.

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James Milner has no regrets over leaving Manchester City for Liverpool in search of more playing time in his favoured central midfield role, the Liverpool Echo reported.

The England international switched to Anfield from the Etihad Stadium on a free transfer during the close season despite City offering him a new contract.

“That is the decision I have made. I am delighted to have joined Liverpool and am enjoying every minute,” the paper quoted the 29-year-old as saying.

“It is a club used to winning and every time we step on to the field the fans expect to win - that is a nice pressure to have,” he added.

Asked if he regretted leaving City, who currently top the table with three wins out of three so far, Milner's answer was a short, “Not really.”

“I have watched them on the TV - I might have been watching them sitting on the bench if I had stayed at the club,” he said.

The Liverpool vice-captain, who was handed the skipper's armband for Monday's 0-0 draw against Arsenal after Jordan Henderson was ruled out with a foot injury, also backed his team to keep getting stronger.

“There are very promising signs. It will take time,” he added.

“We will get better and better the more we play together but to go away and play like that (against Arsenal) was pleasing.”

He also praised his new team's strength in depth.

“You look down the squad list and on the bench and it is a strong balance. You need a good squad to do anything and we will definitely have that,” Milner said.

“You want to be among good, experienced players and a blend of English talent and foreign players. Everything is there,” he added.

Liverpool are yet to lose a game in the league so far and currently trail City by two points. The Merseyside club take on West Ham United at Anfield on Saturday. – Reuters

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Ajax coach happy with Nxumalo

Ajax Cape Town coach Roger de Sa has been pleased by the performance of Prince Nxumalo in front of goal in the early stages of the new season.

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Johannesburg - Ajax Cape Town coach Roger de Sa has been pleased by the performance of Prince Nxumalo in front of goal in the early stages of the new season.

Nxumalo moved to Ajax in the offseason, after an unsuccessful spell with SuperSport United where he joined in 2012. A loan to FC Cape Town followed, then a move to Golden Arrows.

“I have always believed in Prince's style of play and ability,” said De Sa. “He will never give you goals from like 30 yards or far shot headers like Nathan Paulse's. He always keeps close to the box and is always precise with his angle and that's how he delivers. But these types of goals are the ones in the box like the one he scored.

“You know consistency is what I am always looking for and that's what he had worked on and showed it during the match - he impressed me immensely.” Nxumalo has been a fixture in De Sa's starting lineup this season, playing all four of their games and picking up two goals in Ajax's 3-1 win over Maritzburg United on the weekend. - African News Agency (ANA).

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Biggest game of LVG’s United tenure

Louis van Gaal says he faces the biggest game yet of his Old Trafford tenure in the Champions League play-off round second leg away to Club Brugge.

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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says he faces the biggest game yet of his Old Trafford tenure in Wednesday's Champions League play-off round second leg away to Club Brugge.

United lead 3-1 from last week's first leg, but having been hired specifically to restore the club to a place among the European elite, Van Gaal knows how damaging failure at the Jan Breydel Stadium would be.

Marouane Fellaini's added-time header at Old Trafford gives United a very welcome two-goal advantage, but with Club Brugge having already overturned a 2-1 deficit against Panathinaikos in the third qualifying round, the manager has warned his players to be on their mettle.

Asked if the game was the most important of his 13-month United reign, Van Gaal replied: “Yes, because it's our aim.

“It was last year our aim to participate in the Champions League and we're still not participating. It's the preliminary round, so it's very important.

“You have to play the game and at the end you have to have scored one more goal than the opponent.

“They have won also against Greek opponents with 3-0, so they are capable to do that and with the support of the fans, we have seen the fans in Manchester, so I think they shall support them a lot.”

While United have struggled for goals in the Premier League, scoring only two in their three games to date, they sparkled against Club Brugge, with Memphis Depay scoring his first two goals in the club's colours and setting up Fellaini's important late header.

However, Depay could not replicate that display in last weekend's 0-0 draw with Newcastle United, prompting Van Gaal to remark drily that his performance against Club Brugge may have given the 21-year-old “too much” confidence.

Depay is nonetheless expected to keep his place in the team, while Van Gaal must decide whether to keep faith with Bastian Schweinsteiger, who made his full debut against Newcastle but faded badly.

Club Brugge head coach Michel Preud'homme can only envy the selection dilemmas facing Van Gaal as he attempts to forge a team from a squad that has been ravaged by injury.

Experienced captain Timmy Simons will miss out after injuring his thigh at Old Trafford, joining Stefano Denswil, Bjorn Engels, Lior Refaelov, Felipe Gedoz, Bernie Ibini and Jose Izquierdo on the sidelines.

Centre-back Brandon Mechele is suspended after being sent off for two bookable offences in the first leg, but striker Tom De Sutter, who joins Bursaspor after the game, has declared himself fit despite sitting out the 2-0 loss to Zulte-Waregem at the weekend through illness.

Speaking ahead of the second leg, Preud'homme said it would require “a great miracle” for Club Brugge to reach the group phase for the first time since 2005.

Recent history favours his team, however, with Club Brugge unbeaten in their last 10 European home matches and United having lost their last two away games in the Champions League, against Olympiakos and Bayern Munich in 2014.

The turnaround against Panathinaikos, who were beaten 3-0 in Bruges after winning the first leg 2-1, should also give the 'Blauw-Zwart' (Blue-Black) heart, but Preud'homme played down the significance of that result in the context of Wednesday's match.

“With all due respect to Panathinaikos, the level of Manchester United is different to the level of Panathinaikos,” he told journalists at his pre-match media conference.

“Against Panathinaikos, 1-0 was enough here. Maybe you can tell me the last team to beat Manchester United from two goals down?”

Van Gaal, however, is refusing to entertain daydreams about who United might be drawn against in Thursday's group-stage draw.

“First we have to beat Brugge and that's difficult enough,” he said.

“So let's wait and see if we are continuing in this Champions League, because that is the most important thing.”– AFP

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Good behaviour clause for Mario

Maverick striker Mario Balotelli will have a good behaviour clause inserted into his contract with AC Milan.

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Milan - Maverick striker Mario Balotelli will have a good behaviour clause inserted into his contract with AC Milan, banning extravagant haircuts and clothing and committing him to a healthy lifestyle.

Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport said on Wednesday that the club's chief executive Adriano Galliani had based the clause on regulations which are applied to people who serve in the Italian air force.

The 25-year-old, repeatedly criticised for his poor work rate, is set to return to Milan just one year after leaving for Liverpool, where he had a dismal season.

He underwent a medical in Milan on Tuesday ahead of an unexpected loan move, although the deal has not yet been officially confirmed.

According to Gazzetta, Balotelli must not damage the image of the club and his Twitter, Facebook and Instagram posts will be closely monitored.

He will be banned from extravagant haircuts and clothing, from smoking and from visiting night clubs and must turn up on time from training. His drinking will also be limited.

Balotelli's first spell at Milan was relatively successful and uneventful with a respectable scoring rate although there were some misdemeanors.

He lost his temper in front of the cameras after his performance in was criticised by Italian television pundits, telling his interviewers that they did not understand football and throwing his microphone down.

He was also booked for making a vulgar gesture at Cagliari supporters, served two three-match bans and was caught smoking in the toilet of a train by a ticket collector.

However, these incidents paled in comparison to some of his antics at Manchester City earlier in his career, where he famously set fire to his house after letting off fireworks in his bathroom. – Reuters

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Spurs second bid for Berahino rejected

West Bromwich Albion have rejected a second bid from Tottenham Hotspur for unsettled English striker Saido Berahino.

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West Bromwich Albion have rejected a second bid from Tottenham Hotspur, reportedly in the region of 22 million pounds ($18.8 million), for unsettled English striker Saido Berahino, according to a statement on the club website.

West Brom said on Tuesday that they had rejected a written transfer request from the 22-year-old, who manager Tony Pulis dropped for the 3-2 home defeat against Chelsea on Sunday, saying he was not in the right frame of mind to play.

Berahino was also left out of Pulis' squad for Tuesday's League Cup win over Port Vale.

“Our position remains unchanged. The sale of this player is not on our agenda,” Baggies' chairman Jeremy Peace said in a brief statement on the club's website (www.wba.co.uk) that confirmed the rejection of the second bid from Spurs.

Tottenham's pursuit of the striker, who is contracted to West Brom until the summer of 2017 and scored 20 goals in all competitions last season, has led Pulis to criticise the transfer window being left open after the start of the season.

“I just think the transfer window should close.

“It just takes everything away from what we're here for and that's the football. So close the transfer window and let the season start and then everyone can concentrate on the season,” the manager had said on Sunday.

Tottenham, who signed Cameroonian forward Clinton N'Jie from French side Lyon on August 14, have been in the hunt for another striker to ease the burden on England international Harry Kane.

Spurs have sold Spaniard Roberto Soldado to Villarreal after the forward scored just seven goals in 52 league appearances since joining in 2013, and manager Mauricio Pochettino's only other striking option is the out-of-favour Emmanuel Adebayor, who has not featured for the club this season. – Reuters

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Fellaini can solve scoring issues - LVG

Marouane Fellaini can be the solution to Manchester United's goal-scoring problems, manager Louis van Gaal suggested.

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Marouane Fellaini can be the solution to Manchester United's goal-scoring problems, manager Louis van Gaal suggested on Tuesday, revealing that he will be used predominantly in attacking positions this season.

The gangly Belgian international's valuable injury-time header gave United a 3-1 win against his countrymen Club Brugge in last week's Champions League play-off round first leg and the 27-year-old is pushing for a starting berth in Wednesday's return match in Bruges.

That result aside, United have struggled for goals this season, scoring only two in their three Premier League matches to date, and Van Gaal believes that Fellaini can help address the matter.

“He can play in a nine position and a 10, but he can also play six and eight,” Van Gaal told his pre-match press conference at the Jan Breydel Stadium.

“But this year he shall play more at 10 and nine than six and eight because there we have other players.”

United had a number of options up front last season, but the departures of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao have left Wayne Rooney to plough a lone furrow in attack, while the midfield is even more well furnished following the arrivals of Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Fellaini struggled as a central midfielder in his debut campaign under David Moyes -- his former manager at Everton -- in 2013-14, but scored some vital goals last season after being moved further forward by Van Gaal.

“In the past I played number 10 and number nine sometimes, when I have to help the team, so I can play there and I can help my team-mates and my team,” Fellaini said.

“For me it's not important where I play. The most important (thing) is to win the game. Of course it's different to play midfield and striker or number 10, but I enjoy all the positions I can play.”

He added: “Everyone knows my first season was difficult, but now it's the past, so now I look forward. Last year I did quite well and I want to continue like that.

“I know my team-mates, the manager and the philosophy of the manager, so I'm just looking to do well and score some goals.”

Fellaini's first-leg goal, set up by new signing Memphis Depay, who had earlier scored a brace, makes United strong favourites to reach the group stage after a first season out of the tournament in 19 years.

It is 10 years since Club Brugge played in the group phase and 20 since Van Gaal led a young Ajax team to Champions League glory against AC Milan, illustrating the difficulties that teams from Belgium and the Netherlands face when trying to compete with the giants of England, Spain and Germany.

But Van Gaal, who played in Belgium with Royal Antwerp, believes the blend of youth and experience he concocted at Ajax – and is trying to replicate at Old Trafford – can help Europe's lesser lights glow again.

“I think these teams still have something to say in Europe,” he said.

“I'm not optimistic, because the gap is big, but you have to believe in it. That's why I believe in youth education.

“When you see how many young players Manchester United have and (who) play – we are starting with (Luke) Shaw, then Depay, (Adnan) Januzaj, then (Jesse) Lingard, (Paddy) McNair, they are all playing in this squad.

“Sometimes they shall play more matches. It depends also what happens in the transfer period. But we are starting to make a mixture.

“I think it's always important to make a mix of youth players and older players. And you can do that in the Netherlands and also in Brugge.”

Asked if United could win the Champions League with an Ajax-style blend of ages, he replied: “Yes, I believe in that. I believe more in a mix than players only from 27 to 34.” – AFP

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Stones in bid to force transfer

Everton defender John Stones has handed in a transfer request in an attempt to persuade his club to sell him to Chelsea, according to reports.

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Everton defender John Stones has handed in a transfer request in an attempt to persuade his club to sell him to Chelsea, according to reports on Tuesday.

Stones is Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho's top target as he seeks to bolster his defensive options, but Everton have rejected three offers for the England international and he has now taken matters into his own hands.

After Chelsea's latest bid of £30 million ($47 million) was snubbed by the Goodison Park outfit, Stones is widely reported to have formally expressed his desire to leave before training on Tuesday.

However, Everton have been resolute in their determination to hang on to the 21-year-old and manager Roberto Martinez has insisted throughout the saga the centre-back is not for sale.

Martinez refused to even discuss what the club's response would be should the player hand in a transfer request when he was asked about it on Tuesday.

“There is nothing to comment on that,” he said.

“Once more, it is always the same question and always the same answer.

“The only thing that matters now is the game we have in front of us. There is nothing to announce or discuss.

“I know it is your job to keep asking the same question and unfortunately it is my job in this case to always give you the same answer.”

But despite Martinez's determination to keep Stones, who joined Everton from Barnsley for £3 million in January 2013, the youngster is convinced he can persuade the club to sell him before the September 1 transfer deadline.

If he does go to the Premier League champions, Stones will add much-needed depth to Chelsea's central defence after the struggles of John Terry and Gary Cahill this season.

Terry was sent off in Sunday's win at West Bromwich Albion after being substituted during Chelsea's 3-0 defeat at Manchester City. – AFP

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Valencia beat Monaco in CL play-offs

Spain became the first country to have five teams in the Champions League group stage in one season after Valencia squeezed past Monaco 4-3 on aggregate in the playoff round.

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Spain became the first country to have five teams in the Champions League group stage in one season after Valencia squeezed past Monaco 4-3 on aggregate in the playoff round despite a 2-1 defeat on Tuesday.

Valencia joined holders Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla, who got an automatic berth as last season's winners of Europe's second-tier Europa League.

On a night of pulsating action, Malmo, Dinamo Zagreb, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Shakhtar Donetsk also booked money-spinning group stage spots in Europe's premier club competition.

Former Manchester City forward Alvaro Negredo put Valencia in the driving seat with a deft fourth-minute chip but the Spaniards were forced to hang on after Andrea Raggi and Elderson revived Monaco's hopes in the principality.

“It was important to get an away goal and we managed that early in the match which helped calm things down,” Negredo told Spanish television. “In the second half they pressed forward and we were tiring but thankfully we held on.”

Swedish champions Malmo made the group stage for a second straight season after captain Markus Rosenberg and a Dedryck Boyata own goal gave them a bruising 2-0 win and 4-3 aggregate triumph over Celtic to overturn a 3-2 first-leg away deficit.

Former European Cup winners Celtic lost their lead after Rosenberg met a corner, the ball sliding in off his shoulder.

Malmo missed several chances before Boyata's desperate attempt to clear in a goalmouth scramble ended with the Celtic defender sliding the ball into his own net.

“We are at least as good as last year, particularly at home,” Rosenberg told Sweden's TV6 after Malmo kept a 10th straight clean sheet at home in European qualifying.

“A hard day's work, we did what we said we would do and the crowd were great as always.”

Dinamo qualified for the third time in the past five seasons, beating Skenderbeu 4-1 at home to complete a 6-2 overall victory against the Albanians.

Algeria striker El Arabi Hilal Soudani netted a fine brace, with Jeremy Taravel and Armin Hodzic also on the scoresheet for the Croatians.

A nervy 2-2 home draw with Rapid Vienna saw Shakhtar through 3-2 on aggregate after a 1-0 win in the first leg, while Maccabi edged out Basel on away goals, a 1-1 home draw being just enough following last week's 2-2 tie in Switzerland.

Shakhtar appeared to be cruising after Marlos doubled their aggregate lead but goals from Louis Schaub and Steffen Hofmann turned the tie on its head before Olexandr Gladkiy forced the final twist in a rip-roaring first half.

Maccabi progressed to the group stage for the second time after an Eran Zahavi goal cancelled out Luca Zuffi's opener.

The top clash among Wednesday's five games features Manchester United's visit to Bruges, where the three-time winners will defend a 3-1 first-leg advantage over the Belgians. – Reuters

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Chippa teach Tuks a lesson

A second-half trio of strikes vaulted Chippa United to a 4-0 victory over a 10-men University of Pretoria side.

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Johannesburg – A second-half trio of strikes vaulted Chippa United to a 4-0 victory over a 10-men University of Pretoria side in their Premiership match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, on Tuesday evening.

With the hosts 1-0 up at the break, it appeared to be heading for a tight finish until Tuks had Vukile Mngqibisa sent off and it signalled the turn of Chippa to don their scoring boots.

Chippa United broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute. From a setpiece Rhulani Manzini sent the ball into the area and Mark Mayambela headed home the opener for a 1-0 lead for the hosts.

With Tuks struggling to find an equaliser, they were reduced to 10 men in the 69th minute. Mngqibisa received his second yellow card for a challenge on Chippa player Erick Chipeta. The referee had no option but to give Mngqibisa his marching orders.

The reduction in numbers opened the floodgates for the home side who piled on three more goals in the closing stages of the encounter.

Tuks conceded a penalty in the 78th minute as keeper Washington Arubi fouled Nkosinathi Mthiyane. Up stepped Chipeta who converted from the spot to make it 2-0 to Chippa.

Three minutes later and Chippa made it 3-0. It was the turn of Mthiyane who on this occasion found the target with a headed effort.

In the 87th minute, Mayambela turned provider as Lerato Manzini was fed the ball and made no mistake to make it a comprehensive 4-0 win for his side.