..::Football II::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Preston 0-4 Liverpool: Aspas and Coutinho on target for Reds

Liverpool sealed a comfortable win over League One outfit Preston as the Reds lifted the Bill Shankly Shield in a pre-season clash.The match, which marked the 100th anniversary of the legendary manager's birth, began in typical close-season fashion as both sides looked to establish a foothold of possession with little fight.

It wouldn't be long, though, before Liverpool's superiority in possession would tell and the lively Philippe Coutinho was the architect.

The Brazilian nipped in ahead of the dithering former Reds midfielder John Welsh, who could only trip the 21-year-old in the area. Coutinho dusted himself down and stroked the ball home nonchalantly from 12 yards to give his side a deserved advantage.

The Reds wanted another penalty soon after as Fabio Borini tumbled under a challenge in the area following more good work from Coutinho, but the referee waved away the protests.

Preston were struggling to mount any sort of response and the visitors soon doubled their lead. Youngster Jordan Ibe notched his first-ever goal for the first team with a well-placed effort from 20 yards inside Declan Rudd's near post.

A raft of substitutions at the interval resulted in a slightly disjointed start to the second period but one of those half-time replacements - Dani Pacheco - tested fellow substitute Thorsten Stuckmann with a speculative effort before Raheem Sterling tried his luck; once again forcing Stuckmann into a smart stop.

And it was Sterling who put the contest to bed with an accomplished finish. The 18-year-old linked up well with debutant Iago Aspas and strode through on goal, before rounding the keeper and calmly rolling the ball home as Liverpool underlined their dominance.

And Brendan Rodgers' side were not finished as Aspas rounded off the win in style with a sumptuous finish.

More patient build-up from the Reds resulted in Glen Johnson teeing up the former Celta Vigo striker to rifle into the roof of the net past the stunned Stuckmann as Liverpool started their pre-season with an emphatic win.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Manchester United is where I want to stay' - Zaha rules out loan move

Goal reported in June that West Ham were eyeing up a temporary deal for the highly-rated youngster but, after making his debut on Saturday, he is keen to stay at his new club New Manchester United signing Wilfried Zaha has dismissed talk of a possible loan move away from the club.

The 20-year-old made his debut for the Premier League champions, hitting the post late on as David Moyes lost his first match in charge to Thailand All-Stars.

Goal reported in June that West Ham were eyeing a loan swoop and former club Crystal Palace ruled out a return, while Moyes has previously insisted Zaha will be afforded opportunities at Old Trafford and the youngster is keen to prove his worth.

"I've grafted to get here so Manchester United is where I want to stay," he told the club's official website.

"I have moved away from most of my family and friends but it's progress. Everyone understands that. I wanted to make the move here because it's what is best for my career."

Zaha's arrival at Old Trafford was delayed following his involvement in England Under-21's failed European Championship showing, and he admits his arrival was slightly daunting.

"I just stayed in my corner of the dressing room really and looked about and tried to get used to everyone. Everybody jokes around in the changing room and all that kind of stuff so it was just enjoyable really. I was a bit nervous coming in but everyone is cool so it was nice.

"I would've preferred starting with everyone else [the previous week] so I could make a good impression and put in a good effort so I'm just glad I was here before the [Asia] tour started."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barcelona admire Valbuena, says agent

The player's representative says that the Spanish champions are fond admirers of the France international though played down a move to Camp Nou this summer
Mathieu Valbuena's agent has claimed that Barcelona have made him aware of their admiration for the Olympique de Marseille midfielder.

The France international, 28, has caught the attention of a number of top clubs in the past 12 months with his eye-catching performances in Ligue 1.

Though the attacking player's representative revealed the Catalans had made contact, he was keen to stress that Valbuena is happy at the Stade Velodrome and was not hunting for a Camp Nou move this transfer window.

"I can confirm only that I discussed Mathieu with [Barcelona sporting director] Andoni Zubizarreta some time ago," Christophe Hutteau told RMC Sport.

"He felt the same as their technical staff: that he’s is a very good player whom they all appreciate. He told me that a number of offensive players would leave Barca [this summer].

"But Mathieu is currently at Marseille and is feels happy there."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

France U20 boss delight at World Cup win

Following les Bleuets' victory on penalties over Uruguay on Saturday, Pierre Mankowski declared himself "incredibly happy" that his team did not give up
France Under-20 boss Pierre Mankowski has declared his delight after his side triumphed over Uruguay Under-20s in the World Cup final on Saturday.

The tie finished 0-0 after extra-time but les Bleuets were able to put the South American side to the sword on penalties 4-1 to claim the Fifa trophy.

Mankowski was thrilled for the success of his young footballers and insisted that he had believed they could win the tournament from the start.

"We are very pleased, the team are incredibly happy," Mankowski told reporters following the victory. "It's pretty great for French football.

"I've always said that with this squad we had a good chance. Frankly, I believed from the beginning.".

Mankowski thinks that the win is down to a team effort from the squad, the coaching team and the supporters to triumph in Istanbul.

"This win is not for me but for all the set-up," he added. "It is six weeks we've been together, they all worked like crazy.

"Everyone got into the spirit, we are very happy together but this is for the 21 players, the staff, the fans. We feel that there are many people behind this team. This was magical. This is a beautiful title - being world champions is the ultimate accolade but all titles are beautiful."

France U20s finished second behind Spain in Group A then beat hosts Turkey 4-1 in the last 16, underdogs Uzbekistan 4-0 in the quarter-finals and then Ghana - who qualified from the same group as les Bleuets - 2-1 in the semis to reach the climax on Saturday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations France U20!

Paul Pogba series 1ke elata play karala

Aparade Pogba wa sell kale​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Moyes praises Zaha after United defeat

The Scot insisted he was not too disappointed to lose his first game in charge of the Premier League champions and is looking forward to seeing more of the winger in action Manchester United manager David Moyes took time to praise new signing Wilfried Zaha after watching his side lose to a Singha All Stars XI in a pre-season friendly.

Zaha started the match on the bench but arrived in the second half and went close to scoring, hitting the woodwork as United lost 1-0 in Thailand.

Speaking after the game, Moyes praised the winger and said he was looking forward to seeing more of him in action.

"Wilfried did well and gave us something a little different. We were short of forwards tonight – we didn’t have many options with Wayne being injured, Robin only meeting up with us later, Chicharito not here and Will Keane being injured," he told the club’s official website.

"It just left us a little short of forward options tonight. But when Wilf came on he gave us a little bit and was certainly unlucky not to score with the chance he had.

"We’ll see how Wilfried does. We brought him here to give him a chance. It’s the first time I’ve worked with him, the first time I’ve really had the chance to see him up close, so he’ll certainly be part of the squad and we’ll see where we can fit him in."

Another youngster, Adnan Januzaj, also impressed for the Red Devils and Moyes said he was the best player on show for the Premier League champions.

"I thought Adnan played well tonight and was a plus for us. He was the pick of the group," he added.

"It’s always good when you give a young player a chance and he shows up, which I thought he did tonight. And the more he plays like that, the more opportunities he’s liable to get."

Despite losing his first game as manager of Manchester United, Moyes was not too downhearted and insisted there were plus points he could take from the game.

"If I’m going to lose any games I’m happy to lose these ones. It's pre-season," he said.

"We missed a couple of chances at the end which may well have got us something out of the game but the important thing is we got a few of the players through 90 minutes. It was a really good fitness workout – anyone who was watching tonight will tell you that, as it was very warm. So I was pleased with that.

"Overall I thought the fitness of the players was good and I'll take that as a positive."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Roma splash €13.5m on Benatia

The defender has joined the capital-based club from Udinese on a five-year deal, with Valerio Verre and Nicolas Lopez going in the other direction Roma have clinched the signing of defender Mehdi Benatia from Udinese for €13.5 million.

The 26-year-old trained with his new team-mates in Trigoria on Saturday prior to the deal's completion after being granted permission to do so by Udinese and joins on a five-year deal.Benatia, a Morocco international, spent time at the National Institute of Football in Clairefontaine as a youngster and has also played for Olympique de Marseille and Clermont.

Roma's official website gushed praise on the new signing: "An imposing centre-back... Mehdi Benatia is a lot more than just muscle."His stature is certainly a great asset for the position he plays in - he rarely gets beaten in the air or in one-on-one situations - but he's also well equipped in the skill department.

"He's got a useful right foot on him and is known to hit the back of the net."
In a financial statement, the club also confirmed that Valerio Verre (€2.5m) and Nicolas Lopez (€1m) will go in the opposite direction and join Udinese.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Grossapach 0-6 Bayern Munich: Bavarians stroll to six-goal success

The likes of Xherdan Shaqiri, Toni Kroos and Arjen Robben etched their names on the scoresheet as die Roten continued their Bundesliga preparations in style
Bayern Munich continued their preparations for the new season with a 6-0 win over Grossapach on Saturday.

Xherdan Shaqiri scored a double, while Toni Kroos, Arjen Robben, Julian Green and David Alaba all found the net against the men from Germany's fourth tier.Bayern named an extremely strong starting 11, with Robben, Franck Ribery and Mario Mandzukic all included by coach Pep Guardiola.

It took the Spaniard's charges 25 minutes to break the deadlock, though, midfielder Shaqiri turning home a Ribery cross to steer the visitors into the lead.
The floodgates soon opened following that strike, Shaqiri meeting a deflected delivery from Rafinha to double the advantage with his second on the half-hour mark.

Kroos rattled in the third from the edge of the area after 38 minutes before Robben latched on to a superb ball from Ribery to slot home the fourth right on half-time.
Guardiola made eight changes during the interval, with Thomas Muller among those to be thrown into the fray.Mueller did not make a good start to his time on the pitch, however, as he failed from the penalty spot four minutes into the second period.

Grossapach did stiffen their resolve somewhat following Muller's miss but they could not keep a dominant Bayern team at bay, Alaba netting from a direct free kick after 75 minutes before 18-year-old attacking midfielder Green completed the rout six minutes from the end of normal time.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ibe stunned by debut Liverpool goal

The 17-year-old was on target as the Reds cantered to a 4-0 win over Preston at Deepdale and admits he had no idea what to do with himself after getting on the scoresheet Liverpool youngster Jordon Ibe was thrilled after scoring his first senior goal for the club but admitted he was celebration-less as the Reds romped to a 4-0 win over Preston on Saturday.Philippe Coutinho opened the scoring for Brendan Rodgers' side before Ibe doubled their lead, with further goals from Raheem Sterling and Iago Aspas sealing victory.

Speaking after the game, the youngster could not hide his delight at the goal and admitted he had enjoyed playing for the first team.

"I was waiting for the ball to cross the line; I didn't have a celebration so I just put my hands in front of my face. I was so relieved and I looked at Brendan," he told LFC TV.

"I've always wanted to score in an important match, especially playing with the first team, so once that went over the line I felt so happy.

"It felt really good, especially scoring and playing with the first team. I enjoyed it a lot."The goal marked another milestone for the forward, who made his first-team debut in the final game of the 2012-13 Premier League season against QPR.

And he is hoping to catch boss Brendan Rodgers' eye before the start of the new campaign."I'm just learning from the first-team players and trying to show that until the season starts. Hopefully I can do well," he added.

"I'm learning a lot, especially with defending. The gaffer is helping me a lot with when I haven't got the ball, coming to tuck in and watching the full-back and centre-back; knowing what to do when I haven't got the ball."Hopefully I can be consistent and play well [and] I can get a chance again in the first team.

"When I play, hopefully I can get a goal and help the squad do well this season."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

United boss told he can spend, spend, spend

DAVID MOYES has been told he can spend as much as he likes.The new Manchester United boss has targeted both Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo — even though they would cost over £75million EACH.

Moyes declared: “Isn’t it great that the club says, ‘There’s no budget here, you go get who you want to get, just go and do it’.

"We are looking at the best players. I do think it’s important that we show people we are carrying on the traditions and trying to take the club forward.” United’s current record fee is the £30.75m they paid Tottenham for Dimitar Berbatov in 2007.

Spurs wing wizard Bale, 23, and Real Madrid superstar Ronaldo, 28, would cost way over double that, though. Asked about Bale and Ronaldo, Moyes said: “I will not name anybody but certainly we are always looking at the best players.

“I think we are trying to strengthen in a couple of areas. We are short in midfield. We are also a club which tends to invest in the youth side, so you can expect us to go for players in that age group. “We are working hard to make sure the first signing is the right one. “I have been left a really good team and I want to add to it sensibly.
”
United remain keen on Leighton Baines, one of Moyes’ stars at former club Everton. But the Red Devils will not increase their £12m offer, meaning the England left-back will have to put in a transfer request if he wants a move.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

"DAVID MOYES has been told he can spend as much as he likes"

Then what are you doing right now Moyes

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wayne Rooney will not be offered an extension to his Manchester United deal

Manchester United say they are not planning to hand unsettled striker Wayne Rooney a new contract.

But manager David Moyes has again stressed that the England man, who has been linked with Chelsea and Paris St-Germain, is very much part of his plans for the upcoming season.Rooney, who has had to leave United's pre-season tour with a hamstring injury, has two years left on his current contract but an extension is not on United's agenda.

Chief executive Ed Woodward said: "No contract renewals are being discussed. I am not sitting down with any player on an extension and there is no trigger date in the diary."Would we be afraid to run a contract down? Of course not."

Major role to play

However, Moyes still sees Rooney as a key figure at Old Trafford and said: "I think he's got a major role to play, because we need to get as many goals as we possibly can.

"I think Wayne can play up-top, he can play dropped in. If for any reason we had an injury to Robin (van Persie) we're going to need him and I want to be able to play the two of them."It's a chance for me to get Wayne right back to where he was. That's a challenge I want to take on.

"But I've also got to make sure we don't just concentrate on him. Manchester United isn't about Wayne Rooney."Manchester United is about the team, the club. What I won't allow is Wayne Rooney to become more important than the football club."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Anemanda mona wenna yanawada kiyala

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Moyes promised funds for 'stellar player'

David Moyes has a limitless budget to spend on a world class player according to Manchester United’s new chief executive Ed Woodward.

Woodward, who has replaced David Gill as United’s main administrator, said Moyes will be allowed to smash United’s transfer record, the £30.75 million they paid for Dimitar Berbatov in 2008, should the right deal arise.Asked if United would be willing to pay £60 or £70 million for a player, Woodward told the Sunday Times: “Yes. Absolutely.”

United received a world record £80 million from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009 and the forward has been linked with a return to Old Trafford, while Tottenham’s Gareth Bale is another player who might command a similar fee and could be affordable.And Woodward insisted that, despite wide-held beliefs that the Glazer family prevented him from spending heavily, Sir Alex Ferguson was also afforded the same freedom in the transfer market.

“I want to continue from where David Gill left us and David Moyes from Sir Alex,” Woodward added. “The way we worked with Alex was he would identify the transfer targets and take them to Joel [Glazer] and David [Gill], who would have discussions which ended with them backing him in the transfer market every single time and we see that continuing with David Moyes.

“We could have broken the transfer record in the past if we’d wanted to. Alex may not have got all the players he wanted but that was never down to not releasing funds. There’s never been a cut-off price. We haven’t got money burning a hole in our pocket but we have a strategy on player purchases and if David wants to go after a stellar player he can do that.”But Woodward was adamant United will remain sensible spenders, no matter how big the fees.

He said: “What we will do is be careful with our money in the sense we’re not going to go into the market as mugs. We look at the value of the player compared to other players in his position. There’s no mysterious process.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenawanam wenna one oka thamaiAth ithin kiyanawa witharai neh
​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Matthias Sammer says Thiago Alcantara to Bayern Munich is not a done deal

Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer has played down talk the club's pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara is a done deal.The Bundesliga champions appear to be in pole position to lure the highly rated 22-year-old away from the Nou Camp, despite interest from Manchester United.

Reports earlier this week claimed the player had agreed a four-year contract at the Allianz Arena, but Sammer insists such suggestions are premature."Why would we not communicate it if something was signed? No, of course that is not the case," the 45-year-old told German newspaper Bild am Sonntag.If the transfer did go through, it would see Thiago reunited with his former Barca boss Pep Guardiola.

New Bayern coach Guardiola confirmed on Thursday that Thiago, who came to the fore in Spain's triumphant European U21 Championship campaign with several fine performances including a stunning hat-trick in the final against Italy, was his number one transfer target this summer.When asked at a press conference at the Bayern training camp if he was interested in Thiago, the 42-year-old said: "Yes.

"I don't know what's going to happen. We have to wait. I know him very, very well. He is a super, super player. He can play in three, four or five positions."
When asked about other transfers, Guardiola added: "It is either Thiago or nothing."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

David Moyes says Manchester United have money to spend

David Moyes says he has money to spend this summer, with Manchester United looking to land 'the best players' around.

Having succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, Moyes has been released from the transfer shackles which occasionally left him frustrated at Everton.
There is no bottomless pit of cash at United, but the Scot claims to have been informed that there are no budget constraints.

That has given him the freedom to chase any target he likes, with United reported to still be mulling over approaches for Tottenham Hotspur forward Gareth Bale and former fans' favourite Cristiano Ronaldo - who remains on the books at Real Madrid.Moyes is reluctant to divulge the identity of those on his summer shopping list, but expects to be backed by his board in any decisions he takes.

After seeing his first game at the United helm end in a 1-0 defeat to the Singha All Star XI on Saturday, Moyes said: "Isn't it great that the club says, 'There's no budget here, you go get who you want to get, just go and do it'."We are looking at the best players. I do think it's important that we show people we are carrying on the traditions and trying to take the club forward.

"I will not name anybody, but certainly we are always looking at the best players. I think we are trying to strengthen in a couple of areas. We are short in midfield."We are also a club which tends to invest in the youth side, so you can expect us to go for players in that age group.

"We are working hard to make sure the first signing is the right one. I have been left a really good team and I want to add to it sensibly."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Then spendDon't waste the time

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool encouraged in Christian Eriksen chase

Frank de Boer says he would not stand in Christian Eriksen's way, should the Ajax midfielder choose to join Liverpool.The Reds are being linked with a £22million double swoop on the Amsterdam club for Denmark attacking midfielder Eriksen and Belgium defender Toby Alderweireld.

Eriksen has been coveted by a host of top clubs including Borussia Dortmund, but after last season's UEFA Champions League runners-up brought in Henrikh Mkhitaryan, it is understood that Liverpool and Roma have been left to battle it out for the 21-year-old's services.

The Dane said on Saturday that there was "some interest, but nothing concrete" as speculation over his next club grew.Ajax coach De Boer accepts that Eriksen, who has a year left on his contract, is likely to leave this summer, with a fee of around £15million quoted.

And although he is unsure if Liverpool - with no European football at Anfield this season - is the best move for the player, De Boer says he will support him in whatever decision he makes."It is up to Christian what he wants," said De Boer. "If he feels good going to Liverpool, then it is up to him.

"I would want nothing more than having him with us for a few more years.
"But we realise the interest in this kind of player is huge. And I can also understand that he wants to make another step in his career. I can't stop him."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar looks set to be loaned out to Napoli

Serie A side Napoli are close to completing a loan deal for QPR's Brazilian international goalkeeper Julio Cesar.The 33-year-old Cesar joined QPR last summer and produced some impressive displays, although he was unable to save them from relegation to the Championship.

And he now looks set for a return to Italy, having made over 200 appearances for Inter during a very successful seven-year stint between 2005-12.Cesar was recalled to the Brazil team last season and was between the sticks for their recent Confederations Cup triumph.

The Brazilians will host the World Cup next summer and Cesar is believed to be keen to remain in a high profile league, in order to boost his chances of remaining his country's number one.QPR are thought to be open to his departure due to his high wage bill and he has been strongly linked with a move across the capital to Arsenal.

However, a loan move now looks on the cards to Napoli, who enjoyed a superb 2012/13 season, finishing second in Serie A, and who will be coached by Rafael Benitez this season.