Manchester United sent scouts to watch FC Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala in action at the weekend, according to reports. . The Daily Mail claims David Moyes – who was on his own scouting mission in Italy – sent a party to watch the one-cap French international defender in action yesterday against Benfica. . Whilst Mangala was on the end of a 2-0 defeat, he was being watched by a number of clubs, with Premier League rivals Manchester City also interested and also in attendance. . Reports in December claimed Manchester United would have to pay £40million to bring the player…
Author: David F.
Jose Mourinho committed his long-term future to Chelsea on Monday, insisting he did not want to be a manager anywhere else. . The 50-year-old Portuguese, who started his second spell in charge of the London club ahead of the current season, said he’d only leave Stamford Bridge if sacked by the Blues. . “I’m not here thinking about my next move because I don’t want to have a next move,” Mourinho told Monday’s London Evening Standard newspaper. . “I will have a next move if and when Chelsea decides it’s time for that. . “I’m here to stay. I belong…
Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri expects to be out for around eight weeks after suffering a serious knee injury in Sunday’s 2-0 Premier League win at Newcastle United. . The 26-year-old was carried off the pitch on a stretcher following a tackle by Newcastle defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa towards the end of the match at St James’ Park. . “Thank you everyone for your kind words and overwhelming support, I suppose it’s kind of good news that I will be out around eight weeks,” the French international said on his official Twitter account on Monday. . Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini…
Goals from Elmutasem Abushnaf and Abdel Salam Omar gave Libya a perfect start as they beat Ethiopia 2-0 in Bloemfontein in their African Nations Championship Group C encounter on Monday. . Ethiopia made their Chan debut after an exciting showing in South Africa just a year ago at the Africa Nations Cup. Libya, meanwhile, returned to the competition for the second time since the inaugural 2009 tournament in Ivory Coast where they failed to make it out of the group stage. . It was Libya who took an early lead when Elmutasem Abushnaf ran into the danger area before unleashing…
Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew was spared disciplinary action by the Football Association on Monday following his expletive-laden touchline rant during Sunday’s 2-0 defeat by Premier League leaders Manchester City. . However, the governing body said Magpies boss Pardew had been “reminded of his responsibilities”. Pardew, angered by a decision to rule out a Newcastle ‘goal’ by Cheick Tiote for offside, let fly at St James’ Park with a stream of invective directed at City’s Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini. . But the FA decided against any disciplinary action, a spokesman saying: “We have been in contact with Alan Pardew and…
Ex Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes has been named 2013 FIFA Coach of the year, pipping fellow retiree Sir Alex Ferguson to win the prestigious award. . Heynckes, 68, who retired after the 2012-13 season was concluded, brought the Bayern team together after their devastating 2012 Champions’ League final loss against Chelsea into a near perfect side, dislodging Barcelona from their throne in the process. . Bayern only lost once in the entire Bundesliga campaign, winning twenty-nine of their thirty-four matches, finishing with 91 points. That average of 2.67 points per game means that the Bavarian side would have finished…
Manchester United are clear favourites to sign Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera – with the bookmakers anyway. . SkyBet have the Premier League champions as 2/1 favourites to sign the Spaniard before February 1. . Title rivals Chelsea are next at 25/1, Tottenham at 28/1, with Arsenal and Real Madrid tied at 33/1. Barcelona are currently priced at 40/1 and Atletico Madrid at 50/1. . 24-year-old playmaker Herrera joined Bilbao from Real Zaragoza back in 2011 and has become a mainstay of Ernesto Valverde’s side at San Mames. . His consistent form for the Basque outfit saw him linked with…
It all got a much for Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo after he was named the 2013 Ballon d’Or winner on Monday night. . The Portugal captain picked up the ‘best player in the world’ award for the second time in his career in Zurich – his previous win came back in 2008 when he was at Manchester United. . He enjoyed an incredible 2013, scoring more than 60 goals over the course of the calendar year for club and country. . He’s also enjoyed a revival of sorts in the popularity stakes as well, as the previously petulant playboy…
Premier League title chasers Liverpool could be set to strengthen their attacking options during the January transfer window. . According to The Metro, the Reds are targeting a move for PSV Eindhoven captain Georginio Wijnaldum and are ready to offer a deal worth £9 million before the end of the month. . 23-year-old Wijnaldum has been at Philips Stadion for almost three years, having moved from Eredivisie rivals Feyenoord during the summer of 2011. . The attacking midfielder, who has also earned three senior international caps for his native Netherlands, had been in fine form for Phillip Cocu’s side this…
Manchester United and Arsenal have been dealt a blow by Real Madrid assistant manage Paul Clement today, after he revealed in an interview with talkSPORT that no players would be leaving the club. . United and Arsenal have been linked with Fabio Coentrao and Alvaro Morata respectively, but Clement has moved to confirm rumours that Carlo Ancelotti is unwilling to do business this month. . When asked whether or not the Madrid duo would be allowed to depart the Bernabeu in any capacity this transfer window, Clement responded by suggesting that due to Los Blancos’ thin squad, moves that would…