..::Football III::..

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Pirlo: Juventus had to dig deep

Andrea Pirlo concedes Juventus were forced to "dig deep" in order to secure three points against Atalanta on Friday.

The champions went behind to Giulio Migliaccio's first-half header before Fernando Llorente bundled home from close range and Pirlo completed the turnaround with a sensational strike from distance.

"Our only target tonight was getting the three points and putting in a good display following last Sunday's performance in Cesena," the 35-year-old told reporters after the match."It wasn't an easy game. But even though we fell behind, we managed to dig deep and grind out a result."

Pirlo is confident Llorente will be given a timely boost after getting back on the scoresheet in Turin."Fernando required that confidence boost and we hope the goals will now start flowing for him," he said. "He's someone we need."

Attentions now turn to Juve's Champions League last-16 first leg with Borussia Dortmund next week and Pirlo is determined to deny the Germans an away goal.
'"It'll be crucial to win without conceding," he said. "We're not going to focus on their league position but for how they've gone about in the Champions League so far. From tomorrow we’ll begin preparing for Borussia Dortmund."

 

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Gerrard will leave LA Galaxy shining with talent, says Arena

LA Galaxy boss Bruce Arena has admitted his excitement at welcoming Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard into his squad.

Arena met Gerrard on Thursday as Liverpool defeated Besiktas 1-0 in the Europa League, and was impressed with the 34-year-old's desire to move to the MLS champions.

"We spoke a good bit and to be honest, I was surprised about his excitment to move to Los Angeles," Arena told Irish reporters ahead of the Galaxy's friendly with Shamrock Rovers. "He's looking forward to a new challenge."

Gerrard's move to the USA will see him link up with former Liverpool team-mate Robbie Keane and Arena believes the two players will form a potent partnership.

"With Gerrard coming I'll be blessed with a lot of talent," the 63-year-old admitted.

"I expect him and Keane to be good, the link up play will be fantastic. But Gerrard has to focus now on ending his career with Liverpool on a high note.

"I know they are still involved in a couple of cup competitons and I'm hoping he leaves on a high."

However, Gerrard will not be taking captaincy or penalty taking responsibilties when he arrives in the MLS, with Arena confirming that Keane will remain his first choice.

"He's our captain and our penalty-kick taker until he tells me otherwise," Arena said.

 

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Dortmund not out of the woods yet, warns Klopp

Jurgen Klopp has warned his Borussia Dortmund side that they are not out of danger just yet, despite recording three wins on the bounce.Marco Reus scored the decisive goal as Dortmund won 3-2 against Stuttgart on Friday to move temporarily up to 10th in the Bundesliga table.

While he believes his side fully deserved their win over the bottom club, Klopp has urged his players to keep working on their form in order to distance themselves from the relegation zone.

"We deserved to win," he said after the match. "Stuttgart only had two corners and scored two goals. In other moments, we played good football."It will take a while before we have a different situation in the Bundesliga."

Stuttgart drew level when Nuri Sahin felled Georg Niedermeier in the area to allow Florian Klein to score from the spot and Klopp was relieved that there was no additional punishment.

"We were lucky that there was no card with the penalty," he added.Dortmund now turn their attention to the Champions League clash with Juventus next week.

 

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Stuttgart 2-3 Borussia Dortmund: Gundogan and Reus keep Klopp's resurgence on track

Borussia Dortmund continued their recent revival with a thrilling 3-2 win over Stuttgart on Friday - their third league victory in a row.

Jurgen Klopp's side have found life difficult so far this term and, prior to their recent run, had only registered four wins in 19 league matches, leaving them bottom of the table.

However, Dortmund have shown signs of turning things around of late and climb to 10th with their win in Stuttgart, ahead of the weekend's programme of fixtures.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opened the scoring for the visitors after 25 minutes at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, but that lead was cancelled out when Florian Klein netted from the penalty spot seven minutes later.

Ilkay Gundogan restored Dortmund's advantage from close range after a clever lay-off from Shinji Kagawa, before Marco Reus pounced on a defensive error late on to apparently put the result beyond doubt.

Georg Niedermeier, who had won the penalty in the first half, pulled a goal back in stoppage time, exposing defensive gaps that Dortmund must plug ahead of Tuesday's trip to Juventus in the Champions League.

Klopp had his players training on a deliberately poor pitch ahead of the trip to Stuttgart, for whom Timo Werner became the youngest player to reach 50 Bundesliga appearances

However bizarre the approach, it looked to be paying off in the early stages - Kevin Kampl drawing a save from Sven Ulreich with a well-struck effort in the 11th minute.

Ulreich had to be on his guard again two minutes later when he dived to keep out a dangerous Gundogan header from a Marcel Schmelzer free kick, before Aubameyang had a goal correctly ruled out for offside.

The Gabon international had good reason to celebrate in the 25th minute, though, when Kagawa's heavy touch in controlling a Marco Reus pass fell perfectly into his path, allowing him to slot home the opener.

However, that lead did not last long, with Klein grabbing Stuttgart's first at home since October from the spot after Nuri Sahin was deemed to have brought down Niedermeier in the penalty area.

Having played a role in Aubameyang's opener, Kagawa was again central as he found Gundogan with a neat flick six minutes before the interval and the Germany midfielder prodded home a second for Dortmund.

Kagawa almost added his own name to the scoresheet in the 53rd minute, but shot straight at Ulreich from a tight angle, before Sahin tested the goalkeeper with a fizzing effort from 20 yards.

Reus raced onto Timo Baumgartl's woefully short backpass to put Dortmund into a two-goal lead, but Niedermeier converted a corner soon after to keep them sweating through stoppage time.

However, Stuttgart could not find an equaliser and remain rooted to the foot of the table, with players appearing to apologise to fans after the full-time whistle.

 

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Juventus 2-1 Atalanta: Pirlo thunderbolt spares champions' blushes

A sensational strike from Andrea Pirlo was enough to see Juventus edge past Atalanta 2-1 on Friday.

Massimiliano Allegri made five changes to the side that drew 2-2 at Cesena last time out but his defending champions hinted that they might stumble again when Giulio Migliaccio headed the visitors to Juventus Stadium into a 25th-minute lead.

Fernando Llorente netted a scruffy equaliser six minutes before half-time before midfield maestro Pirlo took centre-stage on the stroke of the interval with a dazzling long-range effort.

Juventus pressed to make the game safe in the second period, Paul Pogba coming closest to extending their lead.

Clear chances dried up during the closing stages of a result that means second-place Roma will kick off 10 points in arrears when they travel to Verona on Sunday.

Atalanta have now lost three consecutive matches and remain precariously perched three points above the relegation zone.

Juventus penned their lowly opponents in their own territory during the opening stages and Llorente might have done better when he steered two Pirlo deliveries off target in the first 10 minutes.

For all the home dominance, Gianluigi Buffon made the first telling save of the match, thwarting Daniele Baselli from close range.

From the resulting corner, Stefano Colantuono's team stunned the Turin faithful as Migliaccio darted towards the near post and glanced a header against the far upright that crossed the line before Buffon gathered.

Roberto Pereyra could have levelled immediately but an unnecessary touch on the end of Carlos Tevez's low cross allowed goalkeeper Marco Sportiello to smother his eventual shot.

In the 39th minute, Juventus full-back Martin Caceres stormed into the box and was denied by Sportiello. Again, a goalkeeper's good work would go unrewarded as Llorente smuggled home when the subsequent corner prompted an ungainly penalty box scramble.

If the equaliser was ugly, Juventus' second was simply beautiful - Pirlo launching a sumptuous 30-yard strike that swerved and dipped enough to leave Sportiello grasping at air.

The Atalanta keeper saved remarkably to keep out Pogba's close-range header in the 53rd minute.

A few moments after squaring up to Lionel Scaloni and earning a yellow card, Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio caught a boot in the face from Luca Cigarini but was not awarded a penalty.

Tevez saw an effort bravely blocked and Atalanta defender Andrea Masiello made an excellent last-ditch challenge to deny substitute Alvaro Morata in the 84th minute, while Migliaccio again timed his run superbly to hand Juventus a late scare as he headed wide.

Having returned to winning ways, Allegri's men now look towards games against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League and Roma in Serie A that could prove to be defining moments in their season.

 

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Chelsea fans' racism victim speaks out: It left me really afraid

The man racially abused by Chelsea fans on the Paris Metro has revealed he has been left "really afraid" by the incident.

Thirty-three-year-old Souleymane was filmed being pushed off a train by a group of Blues supporters shouting racist chants before the Blues' Champions League last-16 tie with Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

The father of three has now filed a legal complaint over the issue and insists that those responsible should be brought to justice.

"What happened has left me really afraid," he told The Guardian.

"I tried to board the train and suddenly there were two people who pushed me off. I didn't understand. I thought, this isn't normal. Normally that would just never happen. They were shouting and making racist comments, which I don't accept and I didn't understand why.

"Frankly, I was stunned. I didn't know what to say. I was a French citizen who had left his office and wanted to get home and foreigners were stopping me getting on a train to get home. This is 2015. This talk of black skin or white skin, that's something I don't like, and I didn't know why [it was happening]."

Chelsea have strongly condemned those responsible and moved to bar them from future games, while manager Jose Mourinho said on Friday that he was "ashamed" by their behaviour.

 

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Reus and I are like brothers - Aubameyang

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang says he and Marco Reus have an almost brotherly understanding after they conspired to fire Borussia Dortmund to a win over Stuttgart.

Aubameyang opened the scoring against the Bundesliga's bottom club on Friday before Reus added a late third to ensure a 3-2 win which takes Dortmund to 10th in the table.

With Jurgen Klopp's side having now won three times on the bounce, the Gabon international feels his partnership with Reus is beginning to flourish."The most important thing is the three points we are taking away. We have won three in a row, it's finally getting better," he told the club's official website.

"The goal we conceded, of course, was something stupid. But it's great and very important that we won.

"I have the full confidence of the coach and that's extremely important to me. I feel like he relies on me. Equally important is that I can act as a striker up front. I get the right balls there to be a goal threat.

"The interaction with Marco Reus is also very good. We understand each other very well, both on and off the pitch. If we get along privately, then that affects things on the pitch. We're almost like brothers."Dortmund now turn their attention to a Champions League last-16 first leg against Juventus next week.

"Especially in the area, if we have scored and go ahead, we must stay focused," Aubameyang warned ahead of the trip to Turin. "Today that happened to us and Juve can do it under any circumstances."We have worked well and intensively over the past few weeks and we want to win the coming games."

 

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Sterling would be lost at Real Madrid or Barcelona - Barnes

John Barnes has warned Raheem Sterling that he may "get lost to the game" if he decides to leave Liverpool for Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Sterling has been in fine form in recent weeks, with three goals in his last seven appearances helping the Reds rediscover their edge following an indifferent start to the 2014-15 season.

The England international has been in talks with the club over extending his current contract, which runs until 2017, and chairman Tom Werner remains confident Sterling will commit his future to the club.

Barnes has now urged Sterling to remain at Anfield until at least 2018, as he fears the winger may end up following in the footsteps of Jack Rodwell and Scott Sinclair if he rushes into a move.

"If I was Raheem Sterling I would stay with Liverpool for the next three years," he told Hinch.as.

"I've seen it with other young players, a lot to do with their agents, a lot to do with the money they have been offered, that they rush off to big clubs.

"Of course Liverpool is a big club, but the temptation must be to go to Real Madrid or Barcelona or wherever, but the danger is that you can be lost to the game, and I can give you so many examples, like Jack Rodwell who went too early to Manchester City and Scott Sinclair who also went to Manchester City.

"With all due respect to clubs like that, they might turn out to be worse for them, and they end up going back and then not getting a move again.

"I would advise young players not to rush, but to stay at their clubs until they are 23 or 24.

"I went to Liverpool at the age of 23 by which time I was a 35-cap international players who could handle it.

"Raheem Sterling going to Real Madrid probably won't play every week, probably will play under enormous pressure to perform as a £50 million superstar, whereas at Liverpool the fans will accept that he doesn't play well all the time.

"I would urge him and players like [Everton's] Ross Barkley to stay where they are, and move clubs in three or four years time."

 

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Messi: I'm not the player I was

Barcelona star Lionel Messi admits he is a very different player to the one who burst on to the scene a decade ago.

The four-time Ballon d'Or winner has reached 300 games in La Liga for the Camp Nou club and has earned 95 caps for Argentina, despite still being only 27.

Having enjoyed a largely injury-free start to his senior career, the forward has struggled in the past 18 months with some muscular problems and he concedes he must now manage his body differently.Speaking at a sponsor's event, he said: "I am not 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21 years old any more, when your body doesn't feel the strain.

"You get older and you feel it. Now I make more of an effort to look after myself at half-time and be careful about what I eat."I have changed a lot since I first started out. I'm more mature and I have learned things both on and off the pitch. Some of the old Messi is still here, but not much."

Messi's future was shrouded in doubt at the turn of the year but the forward is adamant he is now happy once more with life at Camp Nou."I feel fine," he added. "I'm happy with the way things are going.

"I want to keep helping this team. Last year was not a good one for us. There were too many problems on and off the pitch. But I hope all that changes this year."

 

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'Are you Lallana's agent?' - Koeman riled by questions on Liverpool stars

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has played down the importance of Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren's return to St. Mary's Stadium as the Liverpool pair prepare to line-up against their former side.

The duo were part of a mass Southampton exodus last summer after Mauricio Pochettino departed for Tottenham, Rickie Lambert transferred to Liverpool and Luke Shaw joined Manchester United.

Ahead of the trio's first return to St Mary's, Koeman grew frustrated with discussion about Lovren and Lallana in his pre-match news conference. After a number of questions regarding their arrival, the Dutchman queried one journalist: "You are the agent of Lovren and Lallana?

"Maybe the team with Lovren was still stronger, but we did a great job to replace good players with good players.

"One of the qualites of our team is we only receive 17 goals and that's a very good record. That kind of numbers will make a good chance to a high position."I don't answer more questions about players of Liverpool, I don't know why you have come to this press conference to ask only questions about that. There's no way I'll come into what you'd like to hear about them.

"That's not my question, mine is to prepare the team. "I don't talk about players who are coming back to the club where they play last season because I would be talking every week about a player coming back to Southampton.

"Lallana is a very good player and is doing very well at Liverpool, he chose to change club after a good opportunity and nothing else. It's Southampton against Liverpool not Southampton against some players who played last season for Southampton."

 

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Neville urges Van Gaal to play Rooney up front: He's your best bet!

Gary Neville has urged Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal to play Wayne Rooney as a striker.

The former Red Devils full-back believes Van Gaal's experiment with Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie up front together has failed and wants to see Rooney given a prolonged spell as the spearhead of United's attack.

Neville, who now works as a pundit for Sky Sports and a coach for England, said in his column for the Daily Telegraph: "In this current system Rooney is a better bet at centre-forward."

"Seeing him go back to centre-forward last Monday at Preston tells me that the Van Persie-Falcao centre-forward experiment has probably ended. I’m not saying you will never see them again as a duo but it doesn't seem to work.

"If Van Persie and Falcao are going to play as a pair, you would need to play with wide players who would service them. They are both box players who lack mobility and blistering pace."

Neville also spoke about Van Gaal's first nine months in charge at Old Trafford, saying the club's supporters will have to accept the Dutchman's style of play.

United have lost just one game in 19 and have made the quarter-finals of the FA Cup but have seen their style of play widely panned by the media and fans alike.

Yet Neville says it is natural to expect United to deviate away from the culture Sir Alex Ferguson instilled at the club, while he believes Van Gaal's methods will pay dividends.

"Van Gaal’s work will be judged not by whether he can take United back into the Champions League this season but whether he can ultimately regain the English title. The Premier League is the benchmark.

"I believe he will complete phase one: win a trophy and return to the Champions League.

"I know he needs to strengthen but I’m not totally sure where or when. While United fans – me included – are unsure, the one person I guarantee won't be is Van Gaal because he is so sure of himself.

"I bet he can’t believe the current fuss. He will be relaxed, confident and pleased with a run of one defeat in 19."

 

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Mourinho: Terry set for another contract extension

Jose Mourinho has confirmed that John Terry will extend his contract by another year at the end of the season.

Terry expressed his hope that he would be able to sign a new deal following the Blues' 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in midweek, telling reporters: "The club know my position, I know theirs and it will hopefully get done."

And Mourinho confirmed on Friday that the former England captain will extend his stay at the club in the summer, with the Blues skipper set to move into his 18th year at the club.

"John accepted that we go year-after-year, with a smile," Mourinho told reporters.

"He accepted the challenge and he won it and he is winning the challenge and the right to get one more year.

"That is what the club wants, that's what John wants and that is going to happen."

The centre-back made his debut in 1998 and has gone on to rack up the third highest number of appearances in Chelsea's history.

Terry's honours include three Premier League titles, five FA Cups and one Champions League crown.

 

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Simeone: Atletico targeting third place - not the title

Diego Simeone has all but thrown in the towel in Atletico Madrid's Liga title defence, admitting that the team's primary goal now is in securing qualification for next season's Champions League.

The Rojiblancos sprang a major surprise by winning the Primera Division last season, thus becoming the first side other than Barcelona or Real Madrid to be crowned champions of Spain since Valencia in 2004.

However, Atletico have fallen seven points behind Liga leaders Real following last weekend's surprise 2-0 loss at Celta, meaning Simeone has all but given up on retaining the title, explaining that his sole concern is on holding onto third place - and the automatic Champions League group-stage berth that comes with it.

"Valencia signed well and Sevilla are growing under Unai Emery and I'm convinced that our fight is there, with them," the Argentine said of Los Che, who are just thee points behind the Rojiblancos. "Our goal is the Champions League, and our rivals for that are Sevilla [fifth, five points off Atletico] and Valencia.

"Villarreal [sixth, nine points behind] could also get into it, as they're playing very well, although now they've got a bit of a problem with injuries."Looking ahead to Saturday's clash with Almeria, Simeone admitted that Atletico are looking for some home comfort after their dismal display at Celta.

"We're back at the Calderón, where we beat Real Madrid two weeks ago," he added. "We're back with our fans.

"And other than our first half in Vigo, the team is still competitive in all areas."

 

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Mourinho: I want to stay at Chelsea

Jose Mourinho insists he wants to stay at Chelsea for the foreseeable future, but has played down talk of signing a new contract.

Reports emerged on Friday that the Blues were prepared to extend the coach's current deal - which expires in 2017 - by a further four years.

Mourinho has dismissed the speculation, though he maintains he is committed to remaining with at Stamford Bridge for “as long as [owner] Mr [Roman] Abramovich wants” him.

“I have two years of my contract. I want to stay. I'm not waiting for offers,” he told reporters at a press conference.

“I won't give any space for speculation or interest of other clubs. I want to stay, I don't want to go. I don't need a contract. My story is a non-story.”

Mourinho was also quizzed about the club’s 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League in midweek, and he heaped praise on Eden Hazard.

The winger was subjected to some rough treatment by the PSG defence at Parc des Princes, but Mourinho was pleased with the way in which the Belgium refused to react to the challenges.

"Some of them [PSG challenges] were really, really dangerous,” Mourinho added. “So he is a lucky kid. He deserves to be lucky. The same way he deserves to be lucky like he was at Stoke.

“He's honest, he's loyal, he doesn't provoke opponents. In this moment he's a really difficult player to stop. I'm proud of him by being this kind of honest kid on the pitch.”

Chelsea’s creditable draw with PSG was overshadowed after footage emerged showing Chelsea fans preventing a black man from entering a train, before indulging in racist chanting.

The club expressed their disgust at such actions and promptly banned three fans who were believed to be involved.

 

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New Tottenham stadium moves closer after court ruling

Tottenham's bid to build a new stadium has moved a step closer after an appeal by Archway Sheet Metal Works proved unsuccessful.

The family-run local business, based in Paxton Road, had asked a judge to prevent the "unlawful" compulsory purchase order Tottenham had lodged to continue developing their proposed new stadium.

Mr Justice Dove has ruled there was "no legal flaw" in the order, handing he Premier League side given the go-ahead to now buy the last remaining plot required for their new 56,000-seater home.

The company, positioned near White Hart Lane's north stand, was gutted by a fire in November, with Josif Josif, who runs the business, claiming he had recieved bomb threats due to his reluctance to vacate.

"People were calling us and threatening us and we were receiving bomb threats and that started a few months ago but we don’t know if that’s got anything to do with it," he told reporters at the time.

Spurs hope to complete the €540 million development in time for the start of the 2018-19 season.

 

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Neymar can emulate Messi, says Rakitic

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic believes Neymar has what it takes to reach the heights of Lionel Messi in the future.

The Brazil international has been in sublime form in 2014-15 after a difficult first season at Camp Nou following his transfer from Santos and has already netted 17 goals in 20 La Liga outings.Rakitic feels Messi remains the best in the world for now, but believes Neymar can eventually match the Argentina international.

"Messi is the best. I can see that, you can see that and everybody who sees him play can see that," the Croatia international told Cadena SER."Someone else might have won the Ballon d'Or this time around, but Messi is absolutely unique. There will never be someone like him again.

"Neymar? He has what it takes to reach the same heights as Messi. He is still very young and already very important for us. He will only get better in the years to come."Neymar currently sits joint fourth in the race for the European Golden Shoe with 34 points. Ronaldo leads the ranking with 56 points, ahead of Lionel Messi on 52 points and Yevgeni Kabayev on 36 points.

The 23-year-old will be looking to add to his tally on Saturday when Barcelona host Malaga at Camp Nou.

 

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Manchester United the best team in the Premier League, boasts Van Gaal

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has claimed his side are the best team in the Premier League on current form.

The Old Trafford outfit sit third in the table, 12 points behind leaders Chelsea, and have been criticised for the quality of their performances, as well as their alleged 'long-ball' game.

However, Van Gaal has made the bold claim that they have been the best side in the English top flight in recent months.

"When you see the score of the last 19 or 20 matches, we are the best team in the league," Van Gaal told reporters on Friday.

"I am never 100 per cent happy. We can play better than we are now, but the main thing is to win games.

"The spirit in the squad is fantastic. The players want to do everything for the team – that is important.

"We've shown our team spirit many times this season. It's good for the fans and for me, as you see a player wants to follow you."

United are battling with Southampton, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool for a top-four finish this season to book a lucrative place in next season's Champions League.

The 20-time champions have won only 13 of their 25 league matches this season and have been criticsed for their direct style as they prepare to travel to Swansea on Saturday.

But Van Gaal insists his tactical changes confuse opponents and has promised to play a passing game at the Liberty Stadium.

He added: "I have seen when we change the system during the game that we always surprise our opponent and that’s why it’s also a good thing of our team, that we can change the system during matches.

"Of course, it is not always that we improve our game but mostly we have improved and won the match, so that’s important."

"Swansea are a very good team. I like to see them playing. They want to play football. They want to make the game a passing game like we do, so I like that kind of football. I hope it shall be a match like that on Saturday."

Van Gaal confirmed that Robin van Persie and Phil Jones are available following ankle and knee injuries respectively, with Michael Carrick the only absentee for the visitors.

 

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Manchester United the best team in the Premier League, boasts Van Gaal

Are you sure LVG?

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Henry returns to Arsenal in coaching role

Arsene Wenger has confirmed Thierry Henry has taken up a coaching role at Arsenal within the club's academy.

Wenger revealed late last year that the club's all-time top scorer could take up a backroom role after bringing the curtain down on his stellar playing career.

The 37-year-old began work at the club recently with a view to earning his coaching badges, and Wenger is confident the World Cup-winning former striker's experience will benefit Arsenal's youngsters.

"Thierry Henry is making his first steps as a coach," Wenger confirmed to reporters.

"It's good for our youngsters to be coached by him. He's been here once or twice. All our former players are welcome to come back here and get their coaching badges. We're happy to have him."

Henry spent eight years at Arsenal, during which time he won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups before moving on to join Barcelona.