..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Vidic confident of Manchester United revival

Nemanja Vidic is confident whoever takes the reins at Manchester United has the foundations to revive the club's fortunes next season.

The Red Devils have endured a miserable season and manager David Moyes paid the price when he was sacked last month, leaving the club seventh in the table and likely to miss out on a pace in Europe next season.

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal has agreed a deal to replace the Scot and take over from interim boss Ryan Giggs, and Inter-bound Vidic is backing United to come good again under new management.

"The foundations are here," the defender told United Review. "The club is structured well.

"The manager who comes in should be relaxed about the people around him as he will have help from whoever he asks.

"There are not people who will try to throw things his way, they will always be helpful and that is a great thing for the manager to have, whoever he is.

"I think he has a great base to achieve something big and I hope he is going to step up next year so United play an important role in English football again."

Vidic joined United in 2006 from Spartak Moscow and has gone on to make 299 appearances for the club, scoring 21 goals and taking the captain's armband from Gary Neville in 2009.

 

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'Too soon' to discuss Lukaku's Chelsea future, says agent

Romelu Lukaku's agent has said it is "too soon" to discuss whether the striker will play for Chelsea next season.

The striker has spent the last two campaigns out on loan at West Brom and Everton, and has impressed in both spells - scoring 31 Premier League goals in total, with Roberto Martinez now keen on a permanent move.

Lukaku has started just one top-flight game for Chelsea since joining in 2011 and his agent feels his client's future will depend on the London club's summer business.

"For the moment, Romelu belongs to Chelsea," Christophe Henrotay told footmercato.net.

"He has two years left on his contract. It's going to depend on Chelsea. After that, we'll see together what the best options are if Chelsea decide to let him go.

"That they want to bring in a big-name striker has been well documented. But Chelsea need lots of great strikers. And if there are too many, they'll choose to allow Romelu to leave.

"But if they think there aren't enough forwards, perhaps Romelu will say, 'I'm interested in prolonging the adventure' but it's still too soon."

Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood has previously revealed the club's interest in the Belgian, with the striker's agent claiming the north London outfit's chairman, Daniel Levy, has already opened talks with his client.

 

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Pedro: 'Unforgivable' if Barcelona do not win La Liga now

Pedro says it would be "unforgiveable" for Barcelona to blow their unexpected opportunity to retain their Liga crown.

After last weekend's shock 2-2 draw at home to Getafe, the Blaugrana all but conceded the title. However, leaders Atletico then slumped to a stunning 2-0 loss at Levante before city rivals Real then drew two games in the space of four days to leave their hopes in tatters.

Indeed, as things stand, the title is now in Barca's hands again, because while they trail Atletico by three points, they host the Rojiblancos at Camp Nou on the final day of the season.

Consequently, Pedro feels that the Catalans simply have to take this chance to end an otherwise disappointing season on a high, though he stressed that Tata Martino's men must ignore the temptation to look ahead to their potential title decider against Atleti when beating Elche away is of just as much significance.

"I'd say [the title race] is now 50-50, because Atletico have a points advantage but we have the home advantage in the last game,” the winger told Marca.

"We have been given a boost in morale, a new dose of energy. It's now all up to us and it would be unforgivable to not see this through to the end.

"We have another mentality and can't fail. We will try to beat Elche to then play for everything at home in front of our crowd.

"We weren't speaking too soon when we said that the league was impossible to win. It was unthinkable given the results. Now we've been given a second chance and we have to take full advantage of it.

"The league title will be decided first by what we do this Sunday and we're playing a difficult away game. There's no point thinking about Atletico if we don't beat Elche."

Meanwhile, Pedro admitted that he has been left bitterly disappointed by all of the speculation surrounding his future at Camp Nou.

“Some very bad things have been said about me," the Spain international stated. "It's not in my hands to carry on here or not, but I'm calm and have faith that I can continue.

"We stay apart from all that. In the dressing room, we are united, raring to go and in good spirit. Tata Martino has not given up on us; there's still a lot at stake."

 

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Ozil defends first season at Arsenal

Mesut Ozil insists that he is "satisfied" with how his first season in the Premier League with Arsenal has gone, after joining the club from Real Madrid in August.

The Gunners' record signing got off to a strong start upon his arrival in England, scoring two goals in his first five games, in wins over Newcastle and Everton.

However, Ozil has only struck four league goals since and was also heavily criticised for his performances in Europe - but the 25-year-old is content with his form.

"I had ups and downs, but I am satisfied. Arsenal haven't won a title for 10 years and, in one week we can win the FA Cup. It would the third cup win in the third country for me," he told Bild.

"Sometimes the sparks fly. I have to deal with it. In Munich [against Bayern, in the last 16 of the Champions League], I was injured after three minutes but I wanted to keep on playing. I am satisfied with my first season."

Ozil has been joined by team-mates Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski in the Germany squad for the World Cup and says that winning is all the only acceptable outcome as far as Joachim Low's men are concerned.

"Football is a team sport and I want to do my bit so we work out as a group. There are some teams that are among the favourites," he added.

"Of course, we want to become world champions; third place or playing good football isn't enough for us anymore.

"When I’m on the field and the whole world looks at me, I forget the heat and the humidity. Then I have fun like a little boy. We will be able to deal with the weather."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Blanc signs new Paris Saint-Germain contract

Paris Saint-Germain have announced that coach Laurent Blanc has signed a one-year contract extension that will keep him at the Parc des Princes until 2016.

The former France international's future had been cast into doubt after the capital club's disappointing Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Chelsea last month.However, Blanc has subsequently led PSG to a Coupe de la Ligue and Ligue 1 double, much to the delight of president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.

"It is perfectly justified to show our confidence in Laurent Blanc," the Qatari stated on Thursday. "We are very happy with his result this season, as well as the very attractive football the team has played. We are convinced we will win a lot more trophies together."Blanc, meanwhile, admitted that he was only too keen to extend his stay at the Parc des Princes after a successful debut season at the helm.

"I am very happy to continue with Paris Saint-Germain," the World Cup winner stated. "I want to be part of this project over the long term, the most ambitious project in European football. Together, we will dream bigger."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Zidane: No contact with Monaco or Bordeaux

Zinedine Zidane has dismissed speculation that he is set to leave Real Madrid to take up his first head coach position at the end of the season.

The iconic former France international is currently working as an assistant to Carlo Ancelotti at the Santiago Bernabeu side following a glittering playing career that saw him win the World Cup, European Championship, Champions League and domestic titles in Italy and Spain.

Zidane has been heavily linked with a return to his homeland in recent weeks, with Monaco and former club Bordeaux both thought to be interested in acquiring his services.However, the 41-year-old insists that he has not had contact with any club about the possibility of taking over as coach.

"As always, everyone is talking a lot," Zidane told L'Equipe. "And as always, I am compelled to respond."I have not had contact, even remotely, with Monaco, as I've heard. In short, I have not had contact with anyone.

"I'm under contract to Real Madrid, I'm with Real and my priority is Real, the league and the Champions League final. Full stop."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Giggs to tell Van Gaal - 'I'm ready to play on'

Ryan Giggs will tell incoming Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal that he wants to continue his playing career at Old Trafford for another season.

Giggs, who was placed in charge of first-team affairs in the wake of David Moyes' sacking last month, brought himself onto the pitch for the last 20 minutes of United's 3-1 victory over Hull City on Tuesday evening for what many believed would prove his final playing appearance at Old Trafford.

But the 40-year-old still feels physically capable of handling the rigours of Premier League football and the consensus at Carrington is that there is no reason why he cannot combine playing and coaching again next term.

Van Gaal is set to be announced as United manager next week and the long-term future of Giggs at the club remains uncertain, with the precise make-up of the Dutchman's backroom team yet to be revealed.

United are keen to retain the services of the club's all-time leading appearance maker but the final decision over whether Giggs is on the coaching staff - and in the first-team squad - next season will belong to Van Gaal.

Netherlands assistant Patrick Kluivert will not accompany Van Gaal to Old Trafford after this summer's World Cup, paving the way for Giggs to be offered the assistant manager's role.

Since assuming managerial responsibility in the wake of Moyes' departure, Giggs has led United to comprehensive home victories over Norwich City and Hull City, while suffering a shock defeat to Sunderland.

At his unveiling as interim boss, Giggs joked: "I've just given myself a five-year contract [to play on]! I'm using my power while I can."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Gomez left out of provisional Germany World Cup squad

Germany coach Joachim Low has announced his 30-man provisional squad for this summer's World Cup in Brazil, with Fiorentina striker Mario Gomez as one of the most notable absentees.

The former Bayern Munich star has been plagued by injury this term and Low has instead opted to include Hoffenheim youngster Kevin Volland alongisde Miroslav Klose.

Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who is set to join Barcelona this summer, also misses out as Ron-Robert Zieler gets the nod as third-choice shot-stopper instead.Meanwhile, Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira has been included despite missing much of the season due to a knee injury.

Along with Volland, promising youngsters Erik Durm, Shkodran Mustafi, Matthias Ginter, Leon Goretzka and Max Meyer are all among the more surprising inclusions in the preliminary squad, with the final 23-man party set to be confirmed on June 2.Germany meet Portugal, Ghana and United States in the group stages this summer.

SQUAD IN FULL:

Goalkeepers : Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Roman Weidenfeller (Borussia Dortmund), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover)

Defenders : Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Erik Durm (Borussia Dortmund), Kevin Grosskreutz (Borussia Dortmund), Benedikt Howedes (Schalke), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Marcell Jansen (Hamburg), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal), Shkodran Mustafi (Sampdoria), Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund)

Midfielders : Lars Bender (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Draxler (Schalke), Matthias Ginter (Freiburg), Leon Goretzka (Schalke), Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich), Andre Hahn (Augsburg), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Max Meyer (Schalke), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich)

Attackers : Miroslav Klose (Lazio), Kevin Volland (Hoffenheim), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Andre Schurrle (Chelsea), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bayern even better under Guardiola, says Elber

Giovane Elber believes Bayern Munich have become an even better team under Pep Guardiola this season than they were with Jupp Heynckes last term.The Bavarians have received their fair share of criticism in recent weeks after they were eliminated in the Champions League semi-finals by Real Madrid following a 4-0 thrashing at the Allianz Arena.

However, former Bayern striker Elber feels the current crop of players has improved this season, despite enjoying an historic treble under Heynckes in 2012-13.."Bayern's football this season has been great. It's clear the team has got even better under Guardiola," Elber told the official Bayern website.

"Unfortunately, they were knocked out by Real Madrid but you can't win the Champions League every year."It's phenomenal what Bayern have achieved on the pitch this season."

Elber then briefly looked ahead to the DFB Pokal final between Bayern and Borussia Dortmund on May 17 and says the holders will need to look for an early goal."Dortmund are a good side. I hope Bayern can score an early goal as that will give them more confidence.

"I'm really looking forward to the game as the two best teams in Germany are playing each other and those are always exciting games."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Koscielny close to new Arsenal deal

Arsene Wenger has revealed Laurent Koscielny is close to signing a new contract with Arsenal.

Koscielny has forged a formidable defensive partnership with Per Mertesacker over the past two seasons, and this term the Gunners boast the fourth best defensive record in the Premier League.

The Frenchman's current deal expires in the summer of 2017 but with Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich both linked with summer bids for his services in recent weeks, talks have been ongoing over an improved deal.

"Koscielny is close to signing a new contract," Wenger told reporters on Thursday.

The 28-year-old has made 163 appearances for Arsenal since arriving from Ligue 1 side Lorient in the summer of 2010.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Carrick: Manchester United must fight for the title next season

Michael Carrick insists Manchester United must accept nothing less than a Premier League title challenge next season.

The Red Devils are on the brink of European exile for the first time in 19 years, with 12 defeats leaving them languishing in seventh place in the table.

They must beat Southampton on the final day of the season and hope Tottenham drop points against Aston Villa if they are to have any chance of qualifying for the Europa League.

There are expected to be sweeping changes at Old Trafford over the coming months, including the arrival of Louis Van Gaal, who has agreed to take over as David Moyes' long-term successor, and Carrick has stated the club are aiming to return to the Premier League summit.

"Listen, this club moves forward all the time and we are always trying to bring in players through, groom players and develop them," he told the club's official website. "You could say this is the start of something else because there are going to be changes between now and next season.

"How much change, we will have to wait and see, but it is about getting strong, improving and coming back next year to fight on all fronts again. That is certainly what the aim is and we shouldn't be aiming for anything less.

"There is no way we are settling for top four - that is not something we do here. We can't celebrate getting into the top four, that's not worth celebrating. We want to be challenging right at the top.

"I am not standing here and saying we are going to win the league next season, but that is what our goal is and anything less than that is not worth thinking about. Certainly, top four is not something that we will settle for.

"It is easy to say there will be wholesale changes because we obviously haven't had a good season. If you look within the squad, there are some good players there.

"There probably needs to be some changes in some way because that is natural with the situation we are in at the moment, but you can't change too much because it is hard. Bringing players in is tough enough and we will just have to wait and see how it pans out."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

David de Gea named Manchester United Player of the Year AND Players' Player of the Year

Manchester United fans have recognised David De Gea’s outstanding form this season by crowning him as the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year at the club’s annual awards ceremony.

The Spanish goalkeeper picked up the accolade after gleaning 54 per cent of the combined votes on ManUtd.com’s seven official websites, ahead of Wayne Rooney (26 per cent) and Adnan Januzaj (5 per cent) in second and third place respectively. The remaining 15 per cent of the votes were distributed between the rest of the squad.

After receiving his prize, 23-year-old De Gea said: "I want to thank the fans. From my very first day at the club, I have felt their love and I’m really happy. For them, we will try next season to do our best again."

 

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Giggs gets lifetime award

Ryan Giggs collected the first Lifetime Achievement Award at the Manchester United Player of the Year dinner and spoke passionately about the club's ability to bounce back from adversity.

The interim manager, who continued to stress he has not yet made a decision on his future, watched as a host of big names and former team-mates paid tribute to his career on a special MUTV video.

"I’m not usually an emotional person," he stated. "But this has touched me. To receive this Lifetime Achievement is something special, one of the most special awards I’ve ever received. This club touches everyone’s heart; it’s not only a club, it’s a family. So many special people have been a part of that, so for me to win this is emotional and it’s a special night for me."I’ve played with so many great players who have had a massive impact on me, and of course Sir Alex Ferguson, who has been the single biggest influence on my career. I’m a lucky man."

Giggs is adamant the Reds will respond to a trophyless campaign by showing their true colours in 2014/2015."I think I summed it up on Tuesday, when I said it’s been a disappointing season," he reasoned. "Just like a player when you have setbacks, if you’re a proper player, you come back. If you’re a proper team and a proper club, which we are, you always bounce back.

"In my first full season we lost out to Leeds in the league and I was sat in the dressing room as an 18-year-old watching grown men cry. I saw then how much football, how much winning meant to people. How much it meant to professionals. We came back the next year and won the league for the first time in 26 years. There’s not a doubt in my mind that, as Sir Bobby [Charlton] said, we’ll be back next season and we’ll be challenging. That’s what proper clubs do, they have setbacks and they come back stronger.

 

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Rooney Goal is Top Strike

Wayne Rooney’s phenomenal 60-yard strike against West Ham has been named Goal of the Season at the club’s annual awards dinner.

The memorable effort, that carried more than a few hallmarks of David Beckham’s 1996 half-way line strike against Wimbledon, broke the deadlock in the Reds’ match against the Hammers at the Boleyn Ground and caught the eye of the footballing world.

Latching on to Ashley Young’s punt forward, the Reds’ no. 10 proceeded to launch a thunderous effort towards the Hammers’ goal. The ball hurtled through the air before dipping in over the flailing West Ham stopper Adrian.Speaking to host for the evening, Jim Rosenthal, Wayne spoke of his delight that the effort came off.

"It was a goal that I am really pleased with, I do think David Beckham's was a bit better, but I was happy to score," Wayne commented."I did worry that it might bounce over the goalkeeper at first, but you just have to hope for the best. Thankfully it came off."

Wayne beat off competition from Patrice Evra and Adnan Januzaj to win the Goal of the Season prize after polling 58 per cent of the votes. Evra’s scorching drive away at Bayern Munich was second with Januzaj’s second United strike at the Stadium of Light voted third.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

James Wilson has been named the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year for 2014.

James Wilson has been named the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year for 2014.

The Staffordshire-born forward, who has scored goals at four different levels this year – Under-18, Under-19, Under-21 and first-team – picked up the award on a memorable week for the young starlet who netted a brace on his debut for the club against Hull City on Tuesday.

The Reds’ no. 47 was considered for the award despite only playing eight games, and scoring seven goals, in the Barclays Under-18 Premier League. Nonetheless, he was a key figure in the FA Youth Cup and UEFA Youth League campaigns for Paul McGuinness and Nicky Butt's teams."It was straightforward really," McGuinness told ManUtd.com. "Wilson is, by far, the outstanding player. He didn't play a lot of time in the Under-18s as he moved up to the Reserves but we don't always take it that they have to play for the Academy team and he had the Under-19s as well.

"He has been a little disrupted by injury and illness but he's an outstanding prospect and is getting stronger and fitter. It's really helped him working up with Warren Joyce in that respect and, as he develops, so is his concentration. He needs to be in the game more and get into clever positions, whether he's attacking or defending, to win the ball back. He needs to play off the shoulder and stay onside and all these things but he's a great lad and I'm sure he'll keep working hard.

"We expect him to do really well. He's possibly a player he could burst onto the scene with great effect and would certainly excite the crowd at Old Trafford. To be honest, if you can score goals like he does in the Under-18s then you can do that against first-team players because there is no catching you if you're that quick.

Wilson beat off competition from fellow nominees Josh Harrop and Sean Goss to win the trophy and in doing so follows in the footsteps of some famous names such as Danny Welbeck, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and, the man who gave the 18-year-old his debut, Ryan Giggs.

"Harrop has done particularly well in the last part of the season," explained McGuinness. "He's stepped up and knows he's ready to go into the Reserves. Goss is a really elegant footballer, with a lovely left foot, who can play terrific football. We expect both of them to go on and have really good careers."

 

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Janko earns Reserves Player of the Year award for 2014

Manchester United fans around the world have voted Saidy Janko the 2014 Denzil Haroun Reserves Player of the Year award, capping a wonderful debut season for the Swiss powerhouse.Janko, who joined the Reds from FC Zurich on 31 August, has emerged as a key figure for Warren Joyce’s Under-21s and has excelled on the right flank, earning a nomination for this prestigious award alongside Reece James and Charni Ekangamene.

After accepting his prize from Nicky Butt, the Zurich-born defender thanks the Reds supporters for their votes and reflected on a brilliant first season with United by saying: “I'm very proud.

"I didn’t expect something like this. I’ve settled in pretty well because Manchester United is like a family, so I made friends really quickly. Warren Joyce had confidence in me and gave me a chance to prove myself."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations For De Gea,Giggs,Rooney,Wilson & Janko!​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United Awards Night Pics​

 

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Koscielny close to new Arsenal deal

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[mikewashtm]

Bump! Thanks Machan!