Netherlands & Italy settle in for World Cup party

Victories for Netherlands and Italy in their World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday ensured they both booked their spot at the 2014 showpiece in Brazil.

Louis van Gaal's side progressed from Group D following a 2-0 win over minnows Andorra, while the Italians came from behind to defeat Czech Republic 2-1 in Turin.

Argentina, Costa Rica and the USA also sealed their passage to Brazil for next summer's international tournament as the beaches of Rio await!

Wednesday, September 11, 2013 12:00

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Race to Rio continues as stars face World Cup qualifiers

The race to qualify for World Cup 2014 continues in earnest this weekend with many top stars in action for their countries.

The world’s most expensive footballer, Gareth Bale, should feature for Wales although Real Madrid’s newest recruit is highly unlikely to make it to Rio.

Another big summer signing Mesut Ozil is in action for Germany, who are closing in on qualification, while Manchester United new-boy Marouane Fellaini will face Scotland with Belgium.

Elsewhere expect to see Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suarez and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in action as club football takes a back seat this weekend.

Friday, 6 September 2013 11:50

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Nothing separates Manchester United & Chelsea

A cagey game in which both sides were happy to settle for a point, Monday night's stalemate at Old Trafford lacked the explosiveness many had predicted.

Perhaps not as unlikely, however, were the comments from Jose Mourinho after the match, who called on Wayne Rooney to clarify his situation at Manchester United.

"If now, he doesn't want to leave, we are out of the thing. We need to know what is happening," said the Chelsea boss.

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Premier League ready for more fairytales in 2013-14

IT'S BACK!!! After a summer off, the Premier League returns with 10 fixtures over the weekend. 

Sir Alex ended his time at Old Trafford in fitting fashion, securing his 38th trophy as Manchester United manager, while past seasons have seen dramatic title races, narrow brushes with relegation and unlikely heroes. 

The footy is back and that means a fresh slate ready for a whole host of new fairytales in 2013-14!

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Van Persie serves up Moyes' first slice of trophy pie

 

Robin van Persie was on target twice against Wigan in the Community Shield on Sunday serve up David Moyes' first trophy as Manchester United manager.

The Scot lead Preston North End to the old Second Division title in 2000, but it has been a long wait since then.

Having not lifted any silverware in the last 13 years, Manchester United fans will be hoping Sunday's triumph has given their new manager a taste for glory. 

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Cheers! Manchester United players talk transfers

 

Rio Ferdinand has told of how he and his Manchester United team-mates sit around "like fellas in a pub" discussing transfer rumours over the summer.

The centre-back let us into the world of millionaire footballers and their opinions, revealing phrases such as "I don't think he'll be any good, he'll be a great big waste of money" - he's not talking about Wayne Rooney, is he?! 

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Ibrahimovic a 'born Manchester United player'

 

Manchester United are yet to make a significant signing this summer after missing out on Thiago Alcantara to Bayern Munich, while their pursuit of Cesc Fabregas has stalled.

But one former United star knows who he wants to see playing for the club.

Peter Schmeichel, who played with a number of club legends during his time at Old Trafford, wants Zlatan Ibrahimovic to leave Paris Saint-Germain behind and make the move to the Premier League.

"You've got to ask Zlatan why he hasn't played in England yet, but I'd love to see him at Manchester United," Schmeichel said.

"I don't know who he supports, but he's a born Manchester United player, he would be absolutely brilliant.

"I think our supporters would love him, if he ever made that move, he wouldn't move again. For Zlatan to play the way we love him to play, he has to be Zlatan. 

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The Goal 50 Superheroes

 

The winner of the Goal 50 has been announced, and our annual list's top 10 is, as ever, not short of football's biggest superheroes.

Superman Lionel Messi claimed the award for the third time, beating off competition from the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Robin van Persie.

Thiago Silva and Arturo Vidal also invaded the top 10, along with four Bayern men in Philipp Lahm, Thomas Muller, Arjen Robben and runner-up Franck Ribery.

See the complete Goal 50 here

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Moyes keen to grab Fabregas after failed Thiago pursuit

 

After spending much of the summer chasing unsettled Barcelona starlet Thiago only to be trumped by Bayern Munich and Pep Guardiola's sudden charm offensive, Manchester United need a transfer rethink.

A midfield playmaker remains a priority and Cesc Fabregas, Thiago's former team-mate at Camp Nou and another long-term United target, has risen to the top of the wanted list.

Barcelona are currently considering a £25.9 million bid from the Red Devils and, while it is unlikely to be accepted, it surely signals just the start of David Moyes' formal pursuit of the disillusioned Catalan.

There are, however, numerous obstacles to a deal. The Spanish champions are unlikely to simply jettison a player they fought so hard to prise from Arsenal, while the Gunners enjoy first option on any move.

Tito Vilanova revealed on Tuesday that Fabregas is happy at the Camp Nou, leaving United facing another difficult - and possibly fruitless - battle in the transfer market. 

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Tears and cheers as the curtain closes on Premier League

 

Sunday saw the final round of games as another Premier League season came to an end.

Manchester United claimed the title, inspired by Robin van Persie's goals, before Sir Alex Ferguson stunned the world by announcing his intention to retire from the game, closely followed by Paul Scholes.

Deposed champions Manchester City lost not just top spot but also their manager after firing Roberto Mancini while Rafael Benitez went from zero to hero at Chelsea.

Elsewhere Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was rarely out of the headlines and Wigan claimed a memorable FA Cup win but still slipped out of the top flight.

And of course there was still time for drama on the final day as Arsenal pipped Spurs to fourth spot, despite Gareth Bale’s heroics, as the curtain came down on yet another season. 

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King Bale hailed by fellow PFA nominees

 

Gareth Bale scooped the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year awards on Sunday evening, capping a breathtaking personal season for the Tottenham winger.

Luis Suarez, who was banned for 10 games for biting Branislav Ivanovic, finished in second place, but his name was booed both times it was read out at the ceremony on Sunday night.

And with the Uruguayan in Premier League quarantine, it was left to Bale's four other rivals to bow down to the newly-crowned King. 

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Wenger rolls out the red carpet for Van Persie's grand return

 

All eyes will be on the Emirates Stadium on Sunday as Robin van Persie steps out at his former stomping ground for the first time since his headline-grabbing move to Manchester United last summer.

The Netherlands international arrives back in north London a champion, with the Red Devils having already wrapped up the title with victory over Aston Villa last week, and a guard of honour from those he called his team-mates a matter of months ago awaits his return.

Despite Arsene Wenger's calls for respect for Sir Alex Ferguson's side and their top-goalscoring striker, Gunners supporters are set to give their former hero a rocky reception after his decision to quit the club for one of their chief Premier League rivals. 

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Take that Tevez! Sir Alex & Man United celebrate sweet revenge

 

Manchester United got their own back on rivals City by clinching their 20th league title on Monday night.

Roberto Mancini's men broke United hearts on the final day of last season, and Carlos Tevez infamously celebrated by holding up an "RIP Fergie" banner on their open-top bus tour through Manchester.

But United have roared back this season to leave Tevez et al in their wake, and Sir Alex can once again celebrate in style. 

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Wannabes left out as Player of the Year nominations announced

 

The PFA Player of the Year award nominees were announced on Friday with Premier League stars finding out who is in the running for the honour.
Tottenham forward Gareth Bale heads the list which includes Michael Carrick, Eden Hazard, Juan Mata, Luis Suarez and Robin van Persie.
The winner is due to be announced on April 28, but in the meantime there are reasons to celebrate for the nominated six, although do spare a thought for those who missed out this time.

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Football is back!

 

The international break. It was good while it lasted, but we're all jumping for joy its over. Why? Because it means the real action is back and we're now at the business end of the season.

In the Premier Leaugue, Manchester United look to continue their march to the Premier League title against Sunderland, while Chelsea take on Southampton in the first of four games in a week for Rafa Benitez's men.

Across the continent, Bayern Munich can wrap up the Bundesliga title with seven games to go should results go their way, while Tito Vilanova returns to Barcelona, Real Madrid face Zaragoza and Inter take on Juventus in stellar clash in Serie A.

Football is back alright, and with a BANG! 

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Ronaldo might need helping hand to reach Brazil 2014

 

If Cristiano Ronaldo is not worried, he probably should be. Portugal are labouring in qualification for another major tournament - this time, Brazil 2014.

Friday's 3-3 draw away with Israel has left Paulo Bento's men third in Group F, four points behind Fabio Capello's Russia, who also have a game in hand.

If they win, the gap will extend to seven, in all likelihood condemning Portugal to a life-and-death scrap with Israel for second place and passage into a nail-biting qualifying playoff.

There also remains the distinct possibility that Ronaldo, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his or any generation, will not even make it to the World Cup next year.

Missing out could potentially deal a fatal blow to the Real Madrid superstar's hopes of adding a World Cup winner's medal to his heaving collection, and hand Lionel Messi a decisive advantage in their epic rivalry.

With this in mind, he needs all the help he can get. 

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Man City sink without trace as United sail clear in title race

 

Everton's fine 2-0 win over the Premier League champions at Goodison Park yesterday has left Roberto Mancini & Co. up the proverbial creek without a paddle, with Sir Alex Ferguson's side now 15 points clear of their rivals with just nine games to go after a nervy 1-0 win over Reading at Old Trafford.

There's no doubting City have missed the calming presence of talismanic captain Vincent Komany at the back of late, while the Red Devils have been able to call on Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie to deliver the goods as Mario Balotelli rocketed off to Milan and Mancini's other forwards decided they didn't really fancy playing football this season.

And all the while there's poor David Platt - if Mancini isn't wearing comedy masks of his face to press conferences, then he's stuck bailing out the sinking ship. Poor David. 

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Manchester United wrap Van Persie in cotton wool

 

Hearts were in mouths on the Manchester United bench at Loftus Road on Saturday as Robin van Persie suffered a hip injury after tumbling down camera bunker.

The Dutchman suffered the fall in the build-up to Rafael's opener against QPR and was subsequently replaced after 41 minutes with Danny Welbeck.

With Manchester United extending their lead at the top of the table to 15 points following their victory over Harry Redknapp's side, Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping his leading striker will not pick up any other bumps during his side's season run-in. 

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Rooney mocks class dunce Van Persie

 

Robin van Persie might be razor-sharp on the football pitch, but his Manchester United colleagues seem to have concluded pretty quickly that the Dutchman is not quite as intimidating off it.

When asked who is the easiest to wind up in the Old Trafford dressing room, resident joker Wayne Rooney had no hesitation in identifying his new strike partner.

"I'd have to say Robin. He's not the brightest!" Rooney said in a Google hangout with DHL.

"As much of a good footballer he is, he's definitely not the brightest off the pitch and it’s just easy to get to him."

Don't worry Robin, as long as you keep banging in the goals, the banter will be kept within the confines of the United squad. Just don't go venturing into a classroom anytime soon... 

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Van Persie reveals extent of his Manchester United addiction

 

Robin van Persie has piped up with his latest tribute to Manchester United and the benefits of his exit from Arsenal last summer.

The striker has already taken a swipe at his former club this season by suggesting he is among players who all know how to be champions, and now, the 29-year-old believes he is getting more fulfilment out of his football due to the higher stakes at Old Trafford.

"I love the intensity of playing for United," the Dutchman said.

"It is great to be involved in huge games when you don't know what is going to happen. You get more out of it when there is a thin line between ­winning and losing.

"I love the buzz, the drama, the excitement. I live for that. I can't imagine the day when I have to stop playing. I know I will miss the buzz so much." 

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