..::Football III::..

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Van Gaal confirms injuries to Shaw and Rafael

Louis van Gaal has confirmed that Rafael and Luke Shaw both sustained injuries in Manchester United's FA Cup win at Yeovil Town.

Both players were taken off at half-time of Sunday's FA Cup third-round clash at Huish Park, to be replaced by Jonny Evans and Juan Mata respectively.

The alterations meant United were forced to switch from a back five to a four, but the changes had little effect as a stunning strike from Ander Herrera and Angel di Maria's late goal earned the Premier League giants a 2-0 victory over their League One opponents.

And Van Gaal later revealed that Rafael had suffered a fractured cheekbone while Shaw had picked up an ankle problem, though he was pleased with the way his side played against the minnows.

"I had expected this. It is always difficult to play against a team like this - play long balls - you have to fight and they gave us a lot of pressure," the Dutchman told BBC Sport.

"We did not have time to play the ball around, we changed things a little bit in shape in the second half but that was necessary as Shaw was injured, as was Rafael.

"We then had more of the ball and that is why we could score the winner.

"We had more chances in the second half and our first goal came as a consequence of that. Then Yeovil attacked and we were able to score on the counter.

"It [the FA Cup] is important for every club, not just Manchester United. We want to win the FA Cup, we know it will be difficult but that is our goal."

 

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Moyes: I knew Messi would be rested

Real Sociedad boss David Moyes has revealed he expected the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar to be left out of Barcelona's defeated XI on Sunday.

An early Jordi Alba own goal gave the hosts a gritty 1-0 victory in their first game back after the winter break and Luis Enrique was subsequently criticised for resting Messi, Neymar and Dani Alves, who had all been given extended breaks in South America.

However, former Manchester United manager Moyes claims he predicted star names would be eased back into action and is beaming that Real Sociedad were able to give him his first taste of beating Barcelona in his career.

"I expected Neymar and Messi to maybe be on the bench," the coach told reporters at the Anoeta. "I've managed a very big club, you have a big squad and a lot of games.

"The big games come later for these teams - April time - and you have to give the big players rest to keep them fresh for then.

"We've talked about Barcelona at my past clubs, at Everton and at Manchester United. I've watched them with admiration and we used to wonder how to possibly get a result against them.

"Tonight I had the opportunity; it was a long night, we scored early and I would like to have given them a harder game. We did make it very difficult for them, though.

"I would like to be competing against Barca, Real Madrid, Atletico, Valencia and Sevilla at the top of the league. To do that we have to make the squad stronger."

Moyes also stressed how much useful a result a 1-0 win can prove in the early stages of a coaching role, though he accepted that la Real's creativity needs working on over the course of 2014-15.

"It was a great result for the team," he added. "It was a very important result. And a very hard game, but a great result and I'm really happy with how they did tonight.

"I am delighted with how the team defended today. The team have been fantastic. Against such a good team they defended brilliantly well.

"It was a really strong defensive performance. In my early days as a coach [at a new club], the best way to win is 1-0. It gets you started. Then you start to build. You'll start to get a better team.

"If we can play the games and concede no goals, we'll always have a great chance of winning. We've not always been able to go and win. We've not always taken the opportunities.

"We've defended quite well in all of the games, with the exception of Villarreal. But we need to be more creative, we need to pass the ball better, we need to create more chances against the other teams.

"But against teams like Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, we'll have to defend very well because they all have outstanding players."

Real Sociedad are back in action with a trip to Villarreal - who defeated them 4-0 earlier this season under Moyes' reign - in the Copa del Rey last 16 on Wednesday.

 

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Arsenal forward Podolski joins Inter on loan

Arsenal have confirmed that Lukas Podolski has joined Inter on loan for the remainder of the season.

The Germany international has been vocal about his desire to either get more game time or move on this term and flew into Italy on Friday ahead of his temporary switch.

Despite becoming a World Cup winner in the summer, Podolski found matches hard to come by in London this term following the arrival of Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez.

He scored three goals in his two starts and 11 substitute appearances for Arsene Wenger's side in 2014-15.

"Everyone at Arsenal would like to wish Lukas the best for his time in Serie A," said a statement on the club's official website.

Inter coach Roberto Mancini revealed his excitement at the capture of Podolski on Monday, adding that he would like to partner the striker with Bayern Munich star Xherdan Shaqiri.

 

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'He's a boy I want to keep' - Blanc keen for Rabiot stay

Laurent Blanc insists he is keen to keep Adrien Rabiot at Paris Saint-Germain amid reported interest from Tottenham.

The 19-year-old has been heavily linked with a loan move to White Hart Lane in recent weeks, despite signing a new contract in October that ties him to PSG until 2019.

However, the PSG boss has now revealed that he wants to retain Rabiot’s services, though he concedes the issue is a "complicated" one for the midfielder.

"I've always said he's a boy I want to keep,” Blanc told reporters. “My position is clear. He re-signed. He is part of the future of PSG. He is doing well after the first half of the season but it's very complicated on a personal level for him.

“I would like to keep him but this is a very complicated issue. I'll see if Adrian will be with us or not at the end of January. I want to keep him in the squad. I cannot be clearer."

Rabiot has made just six appearances in all competitions this season but Blanc insists he rates the midfielder highly.

"Until December, I relied heavily on him. I did not hesitate to start him against Metz. He is a player I like very much and who should understand that he has to work hard," he added.

"There aren't many players who start in a big European club at his age. I don't think about a departure on January."

 

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Barcelona terminate Zubizarreta contract

Barcelona have terminated the contract of sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta, the Catalan club announced on Monday.

Zubizarreta took up the role in 2010 as Sandro Rosell succeeded Joan Laporta as president, but was an unpopular figure among many of the fans following the side's troubles in the transfer market in recent years.

"The president of FC Barcelona, Josep Maria Bartomeu, has decided to rescind the contract of sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta," the Blaugrana announced in a statement on Monday.

"The president, in the name of the club, would like to thank Andoni Zubizarreta for his contribution, dedication and professionalism in these four years as sporting director."

Zubizarreta played for Barca between 1986 and 1994, appearing more than 400 times for the Catalan club.

The Basque had been in a precarious position for some time, but his public criticism of Bartomeu on Sunday appears to have been the final straw for the Barca board.

Asked - after Luis Enrique's side had lost 1-0 at Real Sociedad - about the club's transfer ban for irregularities in the signing of young players, Zubizarreta said: "I take full responsibility for my duties. [But] Mr. Bartomeu knows the situation better than anyone as he was sporting vice-president during that time."

 

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Puyol leaves Barcelona

Former Barcelona defender Carles Puyol has announced that he is leaving his post as assistant director of football.

Puyol had only been in the role for just over three months, but has decided to follow sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta out of the club after the Basque was relieved of his duties earlier on Monday.

"In this statement I want to let you know that I have finalised my working relationship with Futbol Club Barcelona," Puyol wrote on his Facebook account.

"These three and a half months have given me the opportunity to see the other side of the club. I have learned a lot, I am very grateful, but I want to experience other things from another perspective and from other places.

"I want to grow both personally and professionally so that, in future, I can hopefully return to this house and give back everything you have given to me in these unforgettable years."

Puyol also added that he would have preferred to have said farewell on the football field and thanked the fans for their amazing support.

"I am still enormously grateful to the employees, directors, president and the football department for helping and believing in me in this period of transition which has been anything but easy," he said. "But above all, the fans. As a player, I always felt they were very close to me and since my retirement, even more so.

"I would like to have said goodbye to everyone with my boots on, but life doesn't always give you what you wish for. I have been and am extremely fortunate to feel so much affection, and can only say THANK YOU and know that I will always hold you in my heart. Long live Barca!"

 

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Liverpool in pole position if Milner quits Manchester City

Liverpool are heading the queue to sign James Milner on a free transfer this summer if the Manchester City midfielder fails to agree a new contract at the Etihad Stadium.

The Reds are understood to have expressed a strong interest in Milner as the England international remains locked in negotiations over a new deal when his City contract expires at the end of the season.

Liverpool were rebuffed in an effort to sign Milner last summer and are ready to make a move if the opportunity presents itself, especially following the announcement that Steven Gerrard will leave Anfield this summer.

Milner is now officially allowed to speak to foreign clubs about a summer transfer but is believed to have no intention of leaving English football next season.

He is in talks with City over a new four-and-a-half year deal worth roughly €115,000 (£90,000) per week and could use Liverpool’s admiration to force a better offer from the Premier League champions.

The 29-year-old has played a key role for Manuel Pellegrini’s side this season and scored both goals in Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup third round.

Arsenal have also been linked with a move for Milner and City insiders believe the England international may be deliberately stalling in contract negotiations to keep his options open.

City are desperate for Milner to commit to the club and the player himself has insisted that he hopes to stay and is concentrating on the club’s title defence this season.

“I hope it will be sorted. We’re still in talks. I’m waiting for the club to come back and hopefully they will soon,” Milner said last month.

“But the main thing is to concentrate on football, there are so many games coming up.

“If I’m not doing my job on the field because of off-the-field stuff then that’s no good. So I let others take care of it and I just concentrate on football.”

Milner signed for City from Aston Villa in 2010 and has made 186 appearances for the club, scoring 14 goals.

 

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Fletcher backs Di Maria to be key for Manchester United

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has backed Angel Di Maria to be a key player in the second half of the season.

The Argentina international missed much of December with calf trouble before a subsequent pelvic injury but he made a goalscoring return in Sunday's FA Cup third-round win over Yeovil Town, coming off the bench to score a fine counterattacking goal in the final moments of the 2-0 victory.

Fletcher has been impressed by what he has seen from Di Maria following his £59.7 million summer transfer from Real Madrid and is confident there is more to come from the World Cup finalist.

He told MUTV: "It was a touch of class to dink it over the goalkeeper, a fantastic goal, so credit to him.

"He showed exactly what he's all about. He's learning quickly and he makes great, intelligent runs as well.

"He always wants the ball, he gets kicked and he just keeps getting up – he's that strong.

"We have missed him but hopefully he's back now and he can kick on for the second half of the season and be the really important player we know he's going to be."

 

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Mancini confirms interest in Shaqiri

Inter boss Roberto Mancini is excited at the prospect of working with Lukas Podolski – and is hoping to pair him with Xherdan Shaqiri before the end of the transfer window.

Germany international Podolski is expected to complete a loan deal with Inter in the coming days having become frustrated with a bit-part role at Arsenal.His capture is being hailed as a coup by Mancini, who believes his best years are ahead of him.

"Podolski has had a great career so far and he can help us over the next five months," the former Manchester City and Galatasaray boss said on Monday ahead of the midweek clash against Juventus."We haven't hired someone who is 34, 35, at the end of his career, but a competitive player."

Inter have also been linked with Shaqiri, who, like Podolski, has grown tired of a lack of playing time and is expected to leave Bayern Munich.

Mancini added: "Shaqiri is another option for us, but we don't know what will happen in the next month. We're looking for a player who can play both as a striker and winger, and Shaqiri plays both roles."Inter resume Serie A following the winter break in 11th place and are in need of swift improvement if they are to play European competition next season.

A strong January window is, therefore, essential and has seen a host of players linked with a move to San Siro.Hajduk Split midfielder Tino Susic has spoken of his desire to join Inter while Ezequiel Lavezzi, currently suspended by Paris Saint-Germain, has also been suggested as a target.

"Lavezzi, as well as Shaqiri, plays for a giant club, it's very difficult to try to sign him," said Mancini. "Susic is more of an investment, who may be a good bet for the future."Mancini revealed he would not be tinkering with his defence ahead of the trip to Turin, meaning Nemanja Vidic is set to miss out.

"Vidic wasn't fully fit in the last few weeks, that's why he never played. Now he has recovered, so I think he'll get some chances. But at the moment I fully trust in my four-man defence."

 

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Manchester City target Barkley won't be sold in January - Roberto Martinez

Everton manager Roberto Martinez is adamant that midfielder Ross Barkley will not be leaving the club in January.

As revealed by Goal, Manchester City are confident of beating Chelsea to the England international's signature and are prepared to pay €51 million (£40m) to ensure that they secure the hugely talented youngster.

However, Martinez insists that the Toffees have not received an approach for Barkley and has no desire to allow him to exit Goodison Park.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday's FA Cup third-round meeting with West Ham United, Martinez told the press: "We haven't [received an approach].

"This January window, it's vital that we concentrate on recapturing our best moment of form and start building a good momentum in our season.

"All of our best performers, even if they get a lot of attraction from the outside and they get a lot of compliments, there's not going to be any of them going in January.

"I really enjoy watching Ross. He's one of those players with real passion for the game, that enjoys playing football. You would always pay a good entrance fee to watch Ross."

While Martinez is unwilling to allow any departures in January, he revealed that Everton are exploring the possibility of signing a goalkeeper, with Tim Howard out for six weeks due to a calf problem.

"We're looking into that position to see if we can take it any further," he stated. "There's a couple of options that I can feel could fit in really well but we're not bringing in someone just for the sake of it."

Defender John Stones is available to feature against West Ham after picking up an ankle injury against Stoke City on Boxing Day but James McCarthy will miss the game with a hamstring issue.

 

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Manchester United to face Cambridge - FA Cup fourth round draw in full

Manchester United have been drawn away to Cambridge United in the FA Cup fourth round, the lowest team still in the competition.

Cambridge overcame Luton on Saturday to earn their place in Monday's draw, and their reward is a tie against 11-times winners United, who saw off Yeovil Town 2-0 on Sunday.

Richard Money's men are currently 14th in League Two, and beat Fleetwood in the first round of the Cup, before seeing off Mansfield after a replay in the second.

Meanwhile, Chelsea will host either Millwall or Bradford City, who drew 3-3 on Saturday, at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool, who won 2-1 at AFC Wimbledon on Monday evening, will face Bolton Wanderers at home.

Holders Arsenal must travel to Brighton and Hove Albion, managed by former Tottenham assistant Chris Hughton.

Manchester City will face Middlesbrough at the Etihad Stadium, while either Burnley or Spurs will face Premier League rivals Leicester City.

Preston North End, who beat Norwich City on Saturday, will host Sheffield United.

North End have won the competition twice, in 1889 and 1938, while the Blades have four triumphs to their name, in 1899, 1902, 1915 and 1925.

New Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew could be set for a reunion with former club Southampton, should the Saints beat Ipswich in their third-round replay. Pardew left the south coast club under a cloud in 2010 amid reports of a rift with then owner Nicola Cortese.

 

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Arsenal forward Podolski joins Inter on loan

 

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Juventus 1-1 Inter: Icardi snatches draw and boosts Roma title bid

Mauro Icardi's 64th minute strike saw Inter draw 1-1 with Juventus in Turin on Tuesday night and boost Roma's title bid in the process.

Carlos Tevez opened the scoring after just five minutes but Icardi struck shortly after the hour mark to seal a point, with the away side holding on following Mateo Kovacic's late red card.

The result means second-placed Roma are now just a single point behind leaders Juventus, with both sides having played 17 games.

Juve showed no signs of their recent blip in the early stages, putting Inter under pressure right from the start and they almost went ahead in the second minute, with Fernando Llorente slicing just wide from 14 yards.Inter failed to heed that warning, though, and Juve duly broke the deadlock just three minutes later.

Vidal flicked the ball past his Chile team-mate Gary Medel with an exquisite first touch inside the area, before sliding an inviting pass into the goalmouth for Tevez to steer home.The goal appeared to spark Inter into life as the visitors started to dictate proceedings, though the champions never looked particularly worried at the back and remained a serious threat on the break.

And, unsurprisingly, Juve's next opportunity came at the end of a swift counterattack, as Samir Handanovic was forced to push a Vidal drive around the post.Handanovic was at the centre of things again nine minutes before the break, blocking a Pogba effort from close range after the Frenchman delightfully slalomed between Juan Jesus and Andrea Ranocchia.

Mancini looked to give Inter extra attacking impetus by introducing Podolski for his debut eight minutes into the second half, though the German struggled to make an impact from the left.Juve continued to look threatening on the break and they were unlucky not to get a penalty in the 58th minute as Juan clumsily tripped Llorente.

Inter capitalised on that let-off, though, with Icardi beating Gianluigi Buffon from a tight angle after beating Giorgio Chiellini to Fredy Guarin's through ball.The Argentina striker then agonisingly missed the target from point-blank range following Podolski's cross with nine minutes to go.

However, Kovacic's late red card for a crude challenge on Stephan Lichtsteiner effectively ended their chances of victory, with Patrice Evra seeing a deflected shot saved by Handanovic as the game ended 1-1.

 

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Everton 1-1 West Ham: Last-gasp Lukaku forces replay

Romelu Lukaku kept Everton in the FA Cup with a late equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw and a third-round replay with West Ham.

The Belgium international struck in the first minute of injury time to save his side, acrobatically volleying past Adrian to send Goodison Park wild and ease the pressure on Roberto Martinez after a run of four consecutive losses.

Everton had dominated the first half but were unable to turn that into goals, with Lukaku pulling one effort wide and seeing Adrian keep out another.

The hosts were made to rue those missed opportunities when the unmarked James Collins rose to nod West Ham ahead four minutes before the hour.

However, Everton continued to push for an equaliser and were rewarded in the dying embers of the match as Lukaku turned in Bryan Oviedo's cross.

The two sides will meet again at Upton Park in the replay on Tuesday 13 for the right to face either Doncaster Rovers or Bristol City in round four.

Having experimented with a back three in recent weeks, Martinez opted for a flat-back four, with Oviedo one of three changes – the Costa Rican replacing Leighton Baines.

West Ham were forced into four changes due to the Africa Cup of Nations taking Diafra Sakho, Cheikhou Kouyate and Alex Song away, while the injured Andy Carroll was replaced by Enner Valencia.

A scrappy start meant it was not until the 13th minute that either goalkeeper was called into action.

Lukaku spun away from his marker on the edge of the penalty area and fired a low shot towards goal, Adrian fumbled the effort but recovered quickly before Kevin Mirallas could pounce.

Another two chances fell the hosts' way seven minutes later as Steven Naismith fired wide, before Mirallas saw his effort blocked after Gareth Barry had robbed Kevin Nolan.

Lukaku was next to be given space inside the West Ham half, the striker released by Ross Barkley, only for his low shot to creep wide of Adrian's post.

West Ham finished the half in the ascendancy and could have gone in ahead had Morgan Amalfitano not blazed his effort over the bar with two minutes remaining.

A marauding run from Carl Jenkinson five minutes after the break nearly sparked the game into life. Having started on the halfway line the Arsenal loanee surged into the penalty area, but his low shot was pushed away by Joel Robles.

They did not have to wait long to break the deadlock, though, as Collins capitalised on some slack marking to turn in right-wing Amalfitano's corner.

Collins found himself in action at the other end three minutes later as Lukaku's low shot look destined for the bottom corner, only for the defender to clear at the last moment.

Martinez's decision to introduce Eto'o in the 65th minute gave Everton a new dimension in attack, but still they struggled to find a way through.

Barkley and Lukaku led the Everton charge in the closing 10 minutes, and it was the latter who came to their rescue as he fired past Adrian in injury time - his eighth goal of the season in all competitions denying Sam Allardyce his first FA Cup win as West Ham boss.

In Tuesday's other third-round tie, Chesterfield came from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw and a replay against Scunthorpe United. The winners will head to Derby County.

 

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AC Milan 1-2 Sassuolo: Zaza strike gives Rossoneri rubbish start to new year

AC Milan stumbled in their first game of 2015 as Simone Zaza's brilliant second-half strike allowed Sassuolo to triumph 2-1 at San Siro on Tuesday.

Heading into the game just five points off the top three and boosted by the loan capture of Alessio Cerci from Atletico Madrid, Filippo Inzaghi's Milan hoped to kick-start their push towards a potential Champions League berth in their opening Serie A match of 2015. However, Milan were instead frustrated by a determined Sassuolo side that fought back brilliantly to claim a surprise victory.

Midfielder Andrea Poli opened the scoring in the eighth minute from close range, but the hosts were never able to take full control of the game and Nicola Sansone levelled for Eusebio Di Francesco's men shortly before the half-hour mark with a powerful low strike.

And the turnaround was completed in the 68th minute by Zaza, whose magnificent volley from a corner silenced the San Siro crowd and condemned Milan to only their fourth league defeat of the season.

Poli broke the deadlock with the first real chance of the game, his shot possessing just enough power to beat Andrea Consigli after Stephan El Shaarawy had diverted the ball into his path from Giacomo Bonaventura's low right-wing cross.
But Milan failed to assert their authority on the game following the opener and were duly punished as Sansone made it 1-1.

Domenico Berardi lifted an expertly placed ball over the top of the Milan defence for Sansone, who controlled well with his chest and lashed into the bottom-left corner.

Sassuolo continued on the front foot and then went close to going ahead in the 33rd minute, Berardi firing narrowly wide following a quick counter.With Milan labouring in their search to try to retake the lead, Cerci was handed his Milan debut in the 65th minute as he replaced Michael Essien.The former Torino man almost made an immediate impact as he sprang the Sassuolo offside trap, but Consigli was quickest to meet the ball forward.

From that clearance Sassuolo - not content to settle for a point - pushed forward and were rewarded in spectacular fashion by Zaza. The 23-year-old met Berardi's corner with a stunning first-time finish from 10 yards that left Milan keeper Diego Lopez with no chance.Substitute Giampaolo Pazzini almost rescued a point for Milan in the 75th minute, only to see his superb volley acrobatically turned over the bar by Consigli.

Inzaghi's side continued to throw bodies forward in search of a late equaliser, yet Sassuolo's resolute defence hung on to ensure a win that moves them within two points of Milan and should give their players added confidence ahead of next week 's Coppa Italia tie between the two sides at San Siro.

 

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We lost our heads - Allegri

Juventus were guilty of "losing their heads" in the 1-1 draw with Inter on Tuesday night, according to coach Massimiliano Allegri.

Carlos Tevez gave the Bianconeri a fifth minute lead but Mauro Icardi's 64th minute leveller denied the hosts victory and means their lead at the top of Serie A is now down to just a point ahead of second-placed Roma.

Allegri said to Sky Italia after the game: "For 45 minutes it was one of our best performances of the season. We couldn’t keep that intensity up for the full 90.

“Even before the goal we had lost a bit of organisation and were making too many technical mistakes, so that is something we need to work on.

“After that we lost our heads for a moment, conceding two chances we should not have allowed our opponents, and even ran a risk 10 seconds from the end. It was mad to allow a counter like that with 10 against 11."

When asked why his side's performance levels dipped so dramatically in the second half, the former Milan boss replied: “In my view we were too static in the second half, whereas in the first the midfielders were always moving and not allowing Inter any reference points, so they could never catch us.”

Despite the pressure being applied by Roma, Allegri remains unconcerned as he has already acknowledged that the Giallorossi will be contenders until the very end of the campaign.

"Roma have been one point behind us many times already. We’re still top of the table and there are many points still up for grabs.“This was the kind of game you risk losing too, so we are pleased to be in our position and fully aware Roma will be an antagonist to the end."

 

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Boost for Manchester United as Rafael set for training return

Rafael has revealed he is set to return to training with Manchester United on Friday after undergoing surgery on a fractured cheekbone.

The right-back was withdrawn at half-time, along with Luke Shaw, during United's 2-0 win over Yeovil Town in Sunday's FA Cup third-round clash, with Louis van Gaal confirming the injury following the game.

Rafael underwent surgery earlier on Tuesday night and is now expecting to return to training with United on Friday, but will be required to wear a protective mask.

"Operation was perfect back training normal on Friday very happy. thanks god for everything [sic]," he wrote on his Instagram page.

The news will come as a boost for Van Gaal who, along with Shaw, also has centre-back Marcos Rojo and five other first-team members currently sidelined.