Press "Enter" to skip to content

Author: index

Manchester United reach agreement for Sweden international

Manchester United have reportedly finalised the long-awaited transfer of defender Victor Lindelof from Portuguese giants Benfica.


The Sweden international will link up with the Red Devils for an undisclosed fee once he undergoes the necessary formalities later in the month. The 22-year-old had been on the United radar since the festive period, but Jose Mourinho was reluctant to push through a deal in January as he felt it would unsettle his current crop of players who had maintained a long unbeaten league streak.

Portuguese outlet Record recently suggested that the deal is near completion and the Europa League holders have reacted to the speculation by making an official announcement regarding the progress, the statement read: “Manchester United is pleased to announce that it has reached agreement with Benfica for the transfer of Victor Lindelof, subject to a medical examination, international clearance and personal terms. A further announcement will be made once the transfer is complete.”

SUNDERLAND’S FALL: ANOTHER BLACK FEATHER TO MOYES’ CAP

It is like the story of a once respected and revered hunter – the kind you get to read of in folk tales – till he all of a sudden falls off the cliff of his elevated status and even becomes ridiculed for not able to catch a common mouse.


Old age or angry gods are common causes of such misfortune. Either way a living legend dies.

David Moyes might not be as old as our referenced elder nor can we say some resident Everton deities may be angry with him but a careful look at the timeline of the Glaswegian’s managing career offers a tempting urge to point out a pattern of fate between our dear Scot and hunter.

David is a manager who the words “hardworking and dedicated” must have been bestowed upon more than most football managers out there. His achievement at Everton where he stayed put for eleven solid years formed a strong foundation for such adulations.

Unfortunately for him, the credibility of those adjectives became more scrutinized and questioned the moment he put his signature on Manchester United’s appointment letter.

Jose Mourinho Says Manchester United Will Be Focusing on Europa League

Jose Mourinho says that Manchester United are not focusing on the Premier League games anymore, as they want to win the Europa League.


The club have qualified for the Europa League final after beating Celta de Vigo 2-1 on aggregate. Victory in this competition represents the only opportunity for United to qualify for the Champions League group stages next season. Losses against Arsenal and Tottenham mean that they will not be able to finish in the top four irrespective of the results in the remaining two matches. United suffered a 2-1 defeat at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Jose Mourinho defended his team by saying that the club’s concentration has shifted from the premier league to the European competition largely due to the lack of players. A number of injury problems has meant that United’s squad is reduced to just 15 top players.

Jose Mourinho Not Sure about Zlatan Ibrahimovic Remaining at Old Trafford

José Mourinho has admitted that he is not sure about striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic remaining at Old Trafford next season. The striker has faced a major injury that will rule him out of 2017.


He is not expected to come back until December of this year. The serious knee injury suffered against Anderlecht has also raised suspicion that the striker may not decide to extend his contract with the club. He has reportedly been offered a new two year contract, but suffering a major injury in the mid-30s has finished the careers of several players.

Even Ibrahimovic has faced little issues over the course of the campaign, the club are thought to be considering the possibility of extending his contract. United have been linked with a number of strikers over the last few months. Andrea Belotti has also joined in this list with the Torino forward reportedly being one of the top targets for the club.

UNITED READY TO SPLASH MORE CASH THIS SUMMER

Manchester United seem to have under achieved after such investments last summer, considering built-up expectations when Coach Jose Mourinho took over, but the club is not relenting.


The Premier League side is expected to spend huge sums this summer to restock.

There have been rumours that Real Madrid might come again for David De Gea. If this happens, United have reportedly placed Atletico Madrid keeper Jan Oblak on its shortlist.De Gea came close to leaving Old Trafford in 2015 but for a clerical error that stopped the deal from going through.

Though Mourinho would face intense competition for Oblak – who was rated the best keeper in the La Liga last season after he conceded just 18 goals –,there are rumours that the Slovenian is open to the move if the terms are right.

Home Form Could Cost a Top Four Place, Admits United Manager Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has admitted that he is worried that the club’s home form may end up costing the club a place in the top four of the Premier League.


The Portuguese manager was speaking after the club’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth during the weekend. It was the seventh draw for United in 14 games at Old Trafford this season. United have traditionally dominated the opposition with it comes to games at Old Trafford. Yet, they have been able to score less than 1.5 goals per game in the home matches. They have conceded almost one goal per game in these games.

More worrying is the fact that United have dropped these points against teams that they have been expected to win. Away form has been substantially better with the club drawing only three in the 12 matches. Despite an unbeaten run that stretches to 17 games, United still find themselves outside the top four. The competition for the Champions League places is as intense as ever, but the weekend witnessed three teams gain a significant advantage – Liverpool, Tottenham, and Manchester City.

DI MARZIO: RONALDO COULD HAVE BEEN AT JUVENTUS

Italian football figure Gianni Di Marzio has revealed that Juventus could have been reaping the fruits of investing in Cristiano Ronaldo had a swap for the Portuguese gone through.


Di Marzio was in charge of the club’s transfers from 2001 to 2006. He said he could sealed the deal had Marcelo Salas agreed to the deal.

“He [Ronaldo] was eighteen when I worked at Juventus. I called my club and told them I’d seen someone who would be the best player in the world, obviously after Maradona. I negotiated and brought Cristiano over to Turin in 2002 to sign for Juve, but Salas didn’t accept the terms of the swap.

“For just a few million Euros, Salas didn’t want to leave and so Juventus lost out on Cristiano Ronaldo. His agent knows this story very well,” Di Marzio said in an explosive interview.

ZLATAN BACKS POGBA TO EMBRACE PRESSURE

Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic advices teammate Paul Pogba that he must cope with the scrutiny of high profile as it comes with added pressure.


Pogba’s poor performance in Red Devil’s 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool on Sunday, when he conceded a first half penalty, wasted a good chance and escaped punishment for his so-called “choke slam” on Jordan Henderson, drew attention due to the media stunts around the world’s most expensive footballer being the League first player to acquire his own twitter emoji.

Despite his impressive form of late, Pogba appeared to struggle and with unfortunate timing, The 23-year old was at the centre of more marketing hype on Monday with the launch of the adidas x Pogba, A bespoke range of football and fashion products.

But Ibrahimovic, whose 13th goal in as many games extended United’s unbeaten run to 16 matches, expects Pogba to be able to handle all the fanfare around him.

Smalling and Shaw Unavailable for Spurs, Says José Mourinho

José Mourinho has confirmed that Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw will not be available for the Premier League game against Tottenham this weekend.


Manchester United take on Spurs hoping to secure only their second league victory in the last six matches. After four draws and one in the last five games, United are certainly in desperate need of three points in order to give them a boost in the top four race. Mourinho recently confirmed that there was little chance of United going on to win the title this season after falling 13 points behind leaders Chelsea even before the halfway stage in the campaign.

Smalling has not played for United since the 4-0 loss against Chelsea back in October. The defender was criticised by Mourinho for not being able to play through the pain barrier. It was the same case with left back Luke Shaw, who has struggled to win the favour of Mourinho ever since the Portuguese took charge from Louis van Gaal in the summer.

BAYERN BOSS COMMENTS ON SCHWEINSTEIGER ISSUE

Bayern Munich boss Uli Hoeness says that Manchester United midfielder Schweinsteiger should ensure they bleed for the way he has been treated this season under Jose Mourinho.


Louis van Gaal signed the retired German international from the Bundesliga last term. His debut season was interrupted by fitness and poor form. The player’s showing at the Euro 2016 must have forced Mourinho to overlook the player, particularly with the additions during the summer.

After several attacks from German nationals, Mourinho included him in the squad that played West Ham at Old Trafford. However, a return to action might not be on the offer but a way of easing the player through a transfer when the window opens in January with many clubs already interested. The 32-year old has just a goal to his name after 31 games so far but he could still feature for a year or two in America.

“I would let them bleed until the last day and then day goodbye. I would play Golf every month, offer United my work and accompany Ana Ivanovic to Tennis matches. A club like that should be punished,” Hoeness said he would do if he were in Schweinsteiger’s position. The German executive implored Schweinsteiger to see of hiss contract with United whilst receiving his wages without any ‘work’ as punishment to the club.