..::Football IV::..

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Mourinho expects strong Premier League defence from Leicester

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho expects Premier League champions Leicester City to launch a strong defence of their title after an impressive pre-season.

Mourinho has been impressed with the club's signings during the transfer window - the club have acquired the likes of Ahmed Musa and Bartosz Kaputska - and believes that the Foxes have assembled a stronger squad than the one that shocked the world to win the title last season.But Mourinho is aware of how hard it is to defend the Premier League title, and believes that the extra stress of Champions League football could take its toll on Claudio Ranieri's men.

"I think it will be a different season for them but they can cope with the situation. They have a new experience playing the Champions League which changes the profile of their season," Mourinho said.

"They have a minimum of six big matches to play in between Premier League matches so that changes their season but they have a better squad."They have bought good players. The manager is good, he is experienced. I think they can cope. I hope they cope. I wish everything goes well for them."Mourinho will get a close look at the champions as he pits his new-look United squad against them in the Community Shield on Sunday.

 

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OFFICIAL: Manchester City announce Moreno signing

Manchester City have completed the signing of young Colombia international Marlos Moreno, the club announced on Saturday.

The 19-year-old forward arrives at the Etihad Stadium from Atletico Nacional and has signed a five-year deal.

Moreno, though, will immediately join Deportivo La Coruna on loan, and will remain with the Spanish side until the end of the 2016-17 season.

“City are one of the best clubs in the world," the teenager told the club's official website.

"It will be nice to experience being part of such a big club. I want to make the most of it.
“Pep Guardiola is one of the best managers in the world. I think he likes young players very much and he can improve young players tactically and technically. It will be great to work with him and to be part of a great team.”

Moreno becomes City's seventh signing of the summer, following the acquisitions of Leroy Sane, Ilkay Gundogan, Nolito, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Jesus and Aaron Mooy.

 

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Sissoko: Real Madrid move would be a dream

Moussa Sissoko says moving to Real Madrid would complete a childhood dream.
The Newcastle United midfielder has been heavily linked with a potential move to the Santiago Bernabeu after impressing for France at Euro 2016, where Les Bleus reached the final, only to lose to Portugal.

Newcastle were relegated from the Premier League last season, but are reportedly demanding €40 million if they are to sell the 26-year-old.

Sissoko - who has also been linked with Paris Saint-Germain - is flattered by the supposed interest from Madrid, but knows a move is not a certainty."That's flattering," he said to L'Equipe about the prospect of a move to Madrid. "Who would not be flattered by the interest of the best clubs in the world?

"It's simple - when you are young and you start playing football, your dream is to become a professional and play for a club like Real or Manchester United.

"I have worked my way up and if a club like Real comes to me, it will be something huge. It is difficult to reject a club like Real, although you still have to think carefully to make the best decision possible.

"[Being coached by Zinedine Zidane] could be something fantastic, but that is not the case today. Everyone knows Zidane, his career, the man he is and the coach he is becoming. This is a great person in the world of football.

"Now I wait to see if this is really feasible before I think about it and make a decision. I know there are a lot of interested clubs. So we will take all the options into account before making the best choice possible. We will see what happens."Since the beginning of my career, I didn't have the opportunity to play Champions League matches and I have a real desire to discover this competition.

"At Newcastle, I have continued my progress and now I think now have the qualities to be able to aim higher. I was waiting for my time and perhaps it has arrived. I feel able to go to the big leagues and my wish is to join a really big club."

Sissoko, who joined Newcastle from Toulouse in 2013, has held in-depth talks with manager Rafael Benitez - the man who started last season in charge of Madrid.

He added: "I had a very good talk with my coach where we could put everything on the table. He would have liked to keep me but he also knows what is good for a player. He is therefore open to my departure.

"There were also exchanges on this with my representatives and leaders of the club. I now hope that everyone will find happiness. The club requires a significant amount and the clubs who want me will have to find common ground with them."

 

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Money not a problem in striker search, says Wenger

Money is no object as Arsenal attempt to sign a striker this summer, according to Arsene Wenger.

The Gunners have signed only Granit Xhaka prior to the beginning of the new Premier League season, acquiring the midfielder from Borussia Monchengladbach for a fee of around £30 million.

Fans have called on Wenger to reinforce his striking options, with Olivier Giroud remaining the club's first-choice forward.

And in a summer where Manchester United are expected to break the world transfer record to sign Paul Pogba, Wenger claims that the Gunners will spend whatever it takes to sign the right player if he fits in with their recruitment policy.

When asked about the club's striker search, he told reporters: "The money is never a problem if you have to pay what is requested. The price of a player is down to four ingredients."One is the talent, two his age, three is how much you expect him to improve your team and four his resale value. If he ticks all four boxes then the price is not that important. You have to find the player."

However, Wenger insists that he is currently "focused on the players we have" amid rabid speculation as to the Gunners' next move in the transfer market."It's not the prices, it's the players," he added after his side's 8-0 win over Viking in a pre-season friendly on Friday.

"Today we didn't have [Aaron] Ramsey, Xhaka, Alexis [Sanchez] - he will play on Sunday. We still have [Mesut] Ozil at home, and Giroud and [Laurent] Koscielny too.

"We also have young players who came on and did well. We do not have to panic but we are on alert in the transfer market so that we can make the right move when the opportunity comes up."

 

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Pogba is still a Juventus player - Allegri

Massimiliano Allegri is unwilling to discuss potential replacements for Paul Pogba, insisting the midfielder remains a Juventus player.

Manchester United are reportedly on the brink of securing a world-record transfer for the France midfielder after he originally left Old Trafford for Turin in 2012.

United boss Jose Mourinho was reluctant to discuss Pogba specifically when asked for an update on the transfer on Friday, but did say the club would sign "a very good midfielder within days".

Pogba will not play in Juve's friendly against West Ham on Sunday as he concludes his holiday, but head coach Allegri expects him to be available to meet up with the squad later in the day before training on Monday.

"It's only fair that Jose Mourinho should choose not to talk of Pogba as long as he's a Juventus player," said Allegri."I called up Pogba for tomorrow [Sunday] evening, so he'll be in Vinovo for training on Monday.

"There's no point in discussing replacements for Pogba because right now he's a Juventus player."

 

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Ibrahimovic: I did not come to Manchester United to waste time

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is targeting immediate success at Manchester United after joining from Paris Saint-Germain.

The Swedish striker claimed 12 trophies during his four-year spell at PSG but made the move to United in July following the expiration of his contract at the Parc des Princes.

Ibrahimovic, who scored four minutes into his maiden United appearance in a friendly against Galatasaray last week, is now looking to win his first piece of silverware with the club on Sunday, when Jose Mourinho's men take on Leicester City in the Community Shield."I believe that the first game in which we can win a trophy is against Leicester," Ibrahimovic told MUTV.

"One game, one trophy. I'm used to winning trophies - I didn't come here to waste time."That is our first trophy game and that is the first trophy we will bring home. For me, every trophy is serious.

"I have collected 30 trophies and I want to win more of them. I'm not satisfied until I win everything - that is what we play for, I play to win."I didn't come here to lose time, I came here to win. I believe the philosophy is the same for the club, especially a club like this."

 

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Nani: Pogba a great signing regardless of transfer fee

Former Manchester United winger Nani believes Paul Pogba would be a fantastic addition to any club regardless of his huge price tag, as he nears a move to Old Trafford.

Nani played against Pogba in the Euro 2016 final and the duo were team-mates together at United before the 23-year-old moved to Juventus and blossomed into one of world football's most promising players.

Goal understands Jose Mourinho's side are set to sign the midfielder for €110 million, and while a deal is yet to be completed, Nani believes the transfer fee the club pay for him is irrelevant when you consider his talent."Pogba is a great, there are no doubts about that, but the transfer numbers today are different," he said.

"I don't want to talk about the numbers, but the player is fantastic and any team who buys him will be very well set indeed."Nani's compatriot Mourinho is preparing for his first season in charge at United and the Valencia winger is intrigued to see how he will fare.

He said: "Mourinho said a long time ago his dream is to represent Manchester United, so everyone was expecting that one day he would become coach."Now is the time, so we will see how he is going to get on.

"He is an ambitious coach who always wants to win, he will 100 percent prepare a team that will be much better than in recent years, and he will try to win titles."

 

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Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona: Klopp's men hammer Messi & Co

Liverpool dealt Barcelona a crushing 4-0 defeat in the first International Champions Cup match played at Wembley.Jurgen Klopp's men were at their irresistible best against the floundering Liga champions, taking the lead through the brilliant Sadio Mane.

In the second half, a Javier Mascherano own goal against his old side, a Divock Origi strike and a looping stoppage-time Marko Grujic header added to a deserved scoreline that threatened to embarrass Lionel Messi and his team-mates.

By the time Barca got to grips with Liverpool's dynamic attacking play, the game - and the tournament - was beyond them, handing Paris Saint-Germain the title.
A hip issue meant Daniel Sturridge missed out for the Merseyside outfit, making way in one of three changes from the 2-1 defeat to Roma.

Sturridge's former strike partner Luis Suarez started for Barca, who also made three alterations to the side that beat Leicester City, bringing in Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Mascherano and Sergio Busquets.

This was the Spanish side's first appearance under the arch since dominating the 2011 Champions League final, but they were less commanding early on, with Georginio Wijnaldum's stab deflected wide inside the opening minute.

And, in the 15th minute, Liverpool were ahead. Adam Lallana raced onto a loose ball in his own half, played an elongated one-two with Roberto Firmino and slipped Mane in to lash high past Ter Stegen.

Barca had to wait until halfway through the opening period for their first chance, but, when it came, Messi thumped against the far post.

With Luis Enrique's men starting to turn the screw, though, a combination of Simon Mignolet and James Milner were required to twice keep Arda Turan from finding the net, batting away his quickfire efforts.A frantic first half continued as Philippe Coutinho fired over and Mignolet did brilliantly to block Suarez's drive.

Liverpool started the second period in fine fashion, too, quickly doubling their lead. Mane this time turned provider, squaring it for Mascherano to bundle the ball into his own net under pressure from Jordan Henderson.

Moments later, it was 3-0. Played in by Kevin Stewart, Origi's run narrowed the angle, but he coolly nutmegged Claudio Bravo.

With Klopp's side running riot, Firmino and Mane both curled wide, although a number of Barca substitutions eventually stemmed the flow of red-shirted attacks.
Barca could find no way through and Grujic looped in a stunning late header to complete the rout.

Luis Enrique's side must now hope for an improved display in the Supercopa de Espana against Sevilla, while Liverpool start their Premier League campaign at Arsenal next weekend.

 

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PSG win International Champions Cup of US & Europe

Paris Saint-Germain have been named the winners of the International Champions Cup's United States and Europe competition following Barcelona's defeat to Liverpool.Unai Emery's side won all three of their matches against Inter, Real Madrid and Leicester City, scoring 10 goals and conceding just two.

Barca went into their final clash at Wembley needing a four-goal victory to overtake PSG but instead suffered a 4-0 defeat, with Liverpool leapfrogging them into second place.

The French champions, who won this leg of the competition last season too, have now returned to Europe having played all three of their matches in the United States and take on Lyon in the French Super Cup on Saturday.

Inter take on Celtic in Limerick, Ireland, next Saturday in the tournament's final fixture and will battle to avoid finishing bottom of the group.

 

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Luis Suarez thanks Liverpool fans after Barcelona thrashing

"A very special day," he tweeted. "Thanks to all [Liverpool] fans for the warmth, today and always. [You'll Never Walk Alone]. Let's keep the hard work."

Barcelona take on Sampdoria in the Gamper Trophy in their next game, while Liverpool prepare to take on Arsenal in their first Premier League game of the new season next Sunday.

Luis Suarez took time to thank Liverpool fans for the reception he received as his Barcelona side were trounced 4-0 by Jurgen Klopp's men.

The Reds came out on top in their final game of the International Champions Cup at Wembley on Saturday, with Sadio Mane, Divock Origi and Marko Grujic among the goals in a big win over the Spanish champions.

Lionel Messi, Suarez and Arda Turan were all in the Barca starting XI but were unable to threaten Simon Mignolet's goal.

Despite his miserable afternoon, Suarez went off to applause from the Liverpool supporters when he was substituted during the game, and he promptly paid tribute to the club's fanbase after the match.
"A very special day," he tweeted. "Thanks to all [Liverpool] fans for the warmth, today and always. [You'll Never Walk Alone]. Let's keep the hard work."

Barcelona take on Sampdoria in the Gamper Trophy in their next game, while Liverpool prepare to take on Arsenal in their first Premier League game of the new season next Sunday.

 

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Guardiola brought in to help Man City beat big teams - Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Manchester City appointed Pep Guardiola in order to improve their record against big teams.

Guardiola is gearing up for his maiden campaign in charge of the Citizens after leaving Bayern Munich to replace Manuel Pellegrini at the Etihad Stadium.

City struggled against the best sides in the country last season under Pellegrini, picking up just two points from their six games against the rest of the Premier League's top four in Leicester City, Arsenal and Tottenham.And Wenger believes such a lacklustre record prompted the arrival of Guardiola this summer.

"If they [Man City] picked up Guardiola, it is certainly because they are conscious of that problem [losing against big teams]," said Wenger, speaking ahead of Arsenal's friendly clash with City on Sunday."I think last year was a surprise to me because of Pellegrini, everybody knew that he would leave, it made it a difficult season for them.

"I have a big respect for Pellegrini, he did a great job there. Of course the last season was a bit more difficult because everyone knew he was going."Wenger believes Arsenal's clash with City can bring his side up to speed ahead of their Premier League opener against Liverpool following a pre-season affected by international duty.

"We had a little bit of a stuttering comeback after the European Championship because I gave those players [who featured in it] a bit of a holiday," the Frenchman added.

"Manchester City have played one or two games less because one game was cancelled. I don't think it has a big influence because it is more about the length of the preparation rather than the number of games you play.

"These games, like the one we played last night [Friday's 8-0 win over Viking], are about 80 per cent of the physicality of Premier League games."

 

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Klopp tempers expectations after Barca rout

Jurgen Klopp was keen to temper expectations after watching his Liverpool side run riot in a 4-0 beating of Barcelona in the International Champions Cup on Saturday.

A packed-out Wembley crowd witnessed the Reds turn on the style against the Spanish champions, with Sadio Mane, Divock Origi and Marko Grujic finding the net, while former Liverpool star Javier Mascherano scored an own goal.Despite Liverpool's impressive and dynamic showing in London, manager Klopp says that the result offers little indication of what Liverpool can achieve this season.

"Of course I am happy with the result and with a lot of parts of the game. We did well in most parts of the attacking side, we were always active," he said at a post-match news conference.

"Then after about 30 minutes in the first half we became a bit passive, we needed a bit of luck and they hit the post. That can happen against Barcelona."I'm happy with the result and the game, it's good for us to learn what can happen if we play well and what can happen if not. That's good."

On what affect the win can have for the coming season, Klopp added: "Look it's very likely I could sit here and we lost 4-0, life would not have been that nice like it is at the moment.

"It's helpful too because of the things you can learn. But it's a friendly, it's Barcelona, a lot of things can happen when they start playing, it's hard to defend and they can be really dangerous.

"If anything I could say now would help I'd say it but most things I could say won't help. We are ambitious, we want to win as many games as possible, then we will see at the end.

"We know we have to fight and I know we will be ready, but by the end I don't know where we will be."

 

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Rummenigge: I feel sorry for Schweini - but he's not returning to Bayern

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has ruled out the possibility of Bastian Schweinsteiger returning to Bayern Munich, but once again took aim at Manchester United's treatment of their former midfielder.

Schweinsteiger won eight Bundesliga titles, seven DFB-Pokals and the Champions League during his time at Bayern before moving to Old Trafford ahead of the 2015-16 season.However, the former Germany captain has been deemed surplus to requirements by new manager Jose Mourinho and has reportedly been training with the club's reserves.

That raised the possibility of the 32-year-old making a swift move back to the Allianz Arena, but executive chairman Rummenigge, while sympathising with Schweinsteiger's predicament, says a deal is not on Bayern's agenda.

"I would like to remind you that one year ago Bastian Schweinsteiger asked me especially to provide him with the experience to join United," he told a news conference on Saturday. "I regret that what is happening to him just now, but we have not entertained any thought of getting him back.

"It is not an easy time for him just now, but maybe it is also proof that we deal with issues a bit more humanely, a bit more fairly and with more respect here at Bayern than is the case in some of the other bigger clubs in Europe."

 

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Schweini​

 

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Wenger still views Walcott as a striker

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has insisted he still believes Theo Walcott is a striker and has vowed to use him up top more often this season.Walcott, who has spent the large majority of his Arsenal career on the right wing, initially claimed his best position was through the middle.

However, the 27-year-old has since done a u-turn, stating that he feels his qualities are best served out wide .But Wenger has praised Walcott's skill set and suggested his days as a winger could be over.

"I believe [Walcott] has all the ingredients to be a great striker," he told the media after Arsenal's 8-0 win over Viking in pre-season.

"He has the quality of his runs, he's a very intelligent player, he's a good finisher.He's not a great defender so to use his runs in the final third for us could be very efficient."On the flank today so much defensive work is asked of the players. You lose a lot of his qualities when you put him there.

"I don't really doubt that for me, in my head I will use him more up front."And although former Southampton man Walcott only scored five goals in the Premier League in 2015-16, Wenger has defended his performances up front.

"Especially one game that was a question for Theo Walcott was at Man United [a 3-2 defeat in February], where everyone questioned him in his position," the Frenchman added.

"Because on the day he didn't perform well. But it was not only Theo Walcott who didn't have a great game, it was everybody. But from then on people became sceptical."

 

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Klopp: Milner injury does not look good

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp fears James Milner is set for a spell on the sidelines after admitting the injury he sustained against Barcelona "does not look good".The Reds' vice-captain was replaced shortly before the break by Alberto Moreno as Liverpool ran riot in a 4-0 victory against the Liga champions.

Klopp stated that the problem is with Milner's heel and the midfielder is set to undergo a scan with Liverpool's Premier League curtain-raiser against Arsenal just eight days away.

"I'm happy with the result and the game was good for us to learn a lot of things," Klopp told a post-match news conference. "So now we hope that we are injury free."Milly, it doesn't look too good. We have no real idea what it is but it's something with the heel and we have to do a scan and then we'll know more."

 

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FA Community Shield Fixture 2016.08.07

FA Community Shield Fixture 2016.08.07​

Leicester City Vs Manchester United

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[Michael]

Man Utd FACEBOOK PAGE!

I'm not really happy with this transfer!!

 

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Full Time

Leicester City 1 Vs 2 Manchester United

Leicester City Goal(s)

Vardy 52'

&

Manchester United Goal(s)

Lingard 32'
Ibrahimovic 83'
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FA Community Shield Winners 2016!

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