Chris Smalling may be one of the few at Manchester United to have caught the eye so far this season, but that has not made it any easier for Louis van Gaal to remember his name. . Having already mistakenly looked his centre-half in the eye and called him ‘Mike’ during a pre-season press conference, the Old Trafford boss got his name wrong for a second time after Tuesday night’s victory over CSKA Moscow. . Referring to Seydou Doumbia’s gilt-edged chance towards the end of the game, Van Gaal said: “That was the only attack of CSKA Moscow that, and…
Author: David F.
Ryan Shawcross has tipped Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling to “play for England for 10 more years”. . Last season there were suggestions that the 25-year- old’s future at Old Trafford was in doubt, but so far this term he is widely regarded to have been one of United’s best players. . Speaking about the defender’s progress, Stoke City’s Shawcross has tipped Smalling to also become a key member of the England squad. . “Chris Smalling over the last six months has come on leaps and bounds. He looks like a top centre-half. I think he will go on to…
Florentino Perez asked Cristiano Ronaldo about comments made over a Real Madrid exit prior to the Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain. . Ronaldo was quoted by Kicker as suggesting he would be open to leaving Santiago Bernabeu one day and Perez stopped Ronaldo to enquire about what he said as the Madrid players arrived for Tuesday night’s match, AS reports. . Perez reportedly began: “We need to talk. What did you say? We have to talk.” . Ronaldo was surprised by Perez’s approach, AS adds, and replied: “What did I say?” . The exchange was, AS suggests, light-hearted but…
Ruud van Nistelrooy was sold by Sir Alex Ferguson after he kicked Cristiano Ronaldo out of frustration in Manchester United training, Guillem Balague has revealed. . Van Nistelrooy left Old Trafford on uncertain terms after weeks of speculation that he had fallen out with then manager Ferguson, claims that the Dutch striker frequently denied. . Balague reveals in his new book that Van Nistelrooy had a training ground bust-up with a young Ronaldo before being eventually sold to Real Madrid in 2006. . ‘I can’t play with this guy. He doesn’t even cross the ball,’ Van Nistelrooy would often shout…
Barcelona star Neymar can topple Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the best in the world, says Real Madrid great Roberto Carlos. . Roberto Carlos has tipped Barcelona and Brazil superstar Neymar to be the world’s best player in the next two to three years. . Neymar’s Barca team-mate Lionel Messi and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo are widely considered to have been the two best talents on the planet, with no other playing winning the Ballon d’Or award during the last seven years. . But former Brazil star Carlos, who represented Barca’s rivals Madrid for 11 years between 1996…
Thomas Vermaelen feels Neymar has been making the difference for Barcelona ever since Lionel Messi sustained a knee injury. . Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen has taken the time to praise Neymar and feels the Brazil international has made the difference for the Catalans in Lionel Messi’s absence. . The 23-year-old attacker has already netted nine goals in 12 appearances in all competitions this term, six of which came after Messi sustained a serious knee injury against Las Palmas back in September. . Vermaelen has stressed Barcelona are obviously missing Messi, but is delighted with the way Neymar has stepped up…
The Uruguayan talked up his strike partner’s capabilities following Barcelona’s win over Getafe that sees them remain level on points at the top of La Liga Luis Suarez praised Neymar’s impact in Barcelona’s 2-0 win over Getafe on Saturday, saying it is his counterpart’s job to “dribble four rivals”. . The victory kept Barca level on points with Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, with Suarez opening the scoring prior to the Brazilian’s well-taken volley after the break. . Neymar was key in the build-up to the opener as well as he continued to help Barca cope with…
The Barcelona strikers Neymar and Luis Suárez have been the driving force behind recent victories but despite crunch matches ahead their coach Luis Enrique has no plans to rest them for the Champions League encounter with Bate Borisov at the Camp Nou on Wednesday. . The duo have compensated for the loss of Lionel Messi by leading from the front to keep Barça on course in La Liga and the Champions League. . The Catalan side have won their last three league games since the international break and beat Bate away in Champions League Group E to top with seven…
Despite a strong effort from Paris Saint Germain on Tuesday night, the French side went down 1-0 to Real Madrid. . A fortuitous goal from Nacho proved decisive for 10- time champions Real to win 1-0 despite being outplayed for the majority of the first half of their Group A game at the Santiago Bernabeu. . “We managed to struggle through in the first half and in the second we had some good counter chances,” said Real coach Rafael Benitez. . “The return of (injured) players will help us in the next phase.” . PSG were on top throughout the…
Rafa Benitez has hailed his side’s performance after Real Madrid beat PSG 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu to ensure qualification for the last-16 of the Champions League with two groups games to spare. . The narrow win came courtesy of a Nacho goal in the 35th minute – the defender’s first goal in European competition coming just three minutes after he replaced the injured Marcelo. . Los Blancos have won three of their four games in their group with the other being a goal less draw in Paris two weeks ago. The La Liga leaders are yet to concede in…
He did things pragmatically; he did things without bells and whistles. Stereotypically, as a German, he did things efficiently. Despite Madrid’s shortcomings as a collective last season, Toni Kroos shone in his first season in the Spanish capital. So far this season, however, the former Bayern Munich man has failed to produce the same kind of impact. . Kroos has not been poor in the opening few months of the campaign. Indeed, only Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo have played more matches than the German so far this season – featuring in all ten league matches – and Madrid are sitting…
Celta Vigo sent shortwaves through European football with a thumping win over the Champions League holders but Madrid’s Croatia midfielder insists he is taking little notice . Luka Modric insists Real Madrid are paying no attention to Barcelona’s troubles but admits to being “surprised” by their rivals’ defeat against Celta Vigo. . A Karim Benzema brace proved the difference for Real as Rafa Benitez’s side edged past Athletic Bilbao 2-1 on Wednesday night to go top of the La Liga table after Barca were comfortably beaten 4-1 in Vigo. . Modric, though, says the thrashing handed to Luis Enrique’s team…
Real Madrid’s latest injury setback has hit one of the team’s most impressive performers so far this season. . Brazilian Marcelo was forced off in the 33rd minute of the Champions League clash against Paris Saint- Germain, although his absence was not immediately felt on the pitch as his replacement Nacho opened the scoring for the home side within two minutes of entering the fray. . The extent of Marcelo’s injury is still to be determined, although he is expected to miss this weekend’s La Liga visit to Sevilla and is already considered doubtful for Brazil’s upcoming 2018 World Cup…
The Italian coach has hailed the Spanish club and says Laurent Blanc’s men must do more with the ball at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday if they are to emerge victorious. . Carlo Ancelotti believes the “secret” to Paris Saint- Germain defeating Real Madrid on Tuesday is to turn their impressive possession into goalscoring chances. . PSG had 60 per cent of the ball against Rafa Benitez’s men a fortnight ago but drew 0-0 at Parc des Princes, and they are set for the return visit to the Santiago Bernabeu on Champions League matchday four. . Ancelotti coached PSG prior…
Cristiano Ronaldo has proclaimed that he is a better player than his long-term rival Lionel Messi. . The debate has rumbled on for years as to who is the best player in the world, with the Real Madrid ace Ronaldo and Barcelona talisman Messi swapping Ballon d’Or trophies. . In an interview for AS, Ronaldo said of the comparison with Messi: “It doesn’t bother me. If you look back over my past eight years, I’ve always been at the peak; and that is difficult. Name me someone else who has done it? . “After that, being No.1 or No.2 is…
Real Madrid struggled for long spells in their 1-0 win over Paris Saint Germain and there were whistles from the Bernabeu crowd but coach Rafa Benitez said the most important thing was reaching the Champions League last 16. . Benitez’s side are still unbeaten this season in all competitions but they rode their luck against PSG who dominated especially in the first half and Real scored through Nacho Fernandez from one of their few chances after 35 minutes. . “We have played against a strong side in PSG and I am happy because we have qualified which is what is…
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos said the team would have to “reflect on the mistakes we have made” after Tuesday’s fortunate 1-0 Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. . Madrid were outplayed during the first half but still went to the break 1-0 ahead thanks to a surprise goal from reserve defender Nacho Fernandez and a string of misses from PSG frontman Edinson Cavani. Rafa Benitez’s side were better after the break, and came close to a second through midfielders Isco and Toni Kroos, but former Madrid winger Angel Di Maria was inches away from…
PSG president Nasser El-Khelaifi did little to dampen speculation after being asked about the club’s interest in the Real Madrid superstar. . Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser El-Khelaifi has dropped his biggest hint yet that the French champions will make a move for Cristiano Ronaldo. . The Qatari-owned club are known to be long-term admirers of the 30-year-old, and have been linked with a move for him this summer. . And when asked about PSG’s interest in Ronaldo, he did little to dampen speculation. . “Ronaldo has a contract with Real and we respect that,” he said. . “Negotiations would be…
Real Madrid and Manchester City qualified for the Champions League knock-out rounds with victories over Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla respectively on Tuesday. . And there was relief at Old Trafford as Manchester United ended a 400-minute wait for a goal to beat CSKA Moscow 1-0. . A fortuitous goal from Nacho proved decisive for 10-time champions Real to win 1-0 despite being outplayed for the majority of the first half of their Group A game at the Santiago Bernabeu. . PSG were on top throughout the first period with Zlatan Ibrahimovic curling a shot from the left just wide of…
City’s neighbours United laboured for long periods despite near total domination against CSKA at Old Trafford before a late Wayne Rooney header snatched a 1-0 win that puts the Red Devils in control of Group B. . PSV Eindhoven’s 2-0 win at home to Wolfsburg means United lead those two by a point but a victory over the Dutch outfit at Old Trafford in three weeks time will book the three-time winners’ place in the last 16. . United came into the game on the back of three successive 0-0 draws with manager Louis van Gaal’s tactics increasingly coming in…