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    Yaya Toure keen to finish career at Manchester City

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    Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has claimed he would love nothing more than to finish his career at the Etihad Stadium.

    The powerful Ivorian has become one of the most sought after players in Europe following a series of robust performances in the middle of the park and he was instrumental in City's title winning side last season.

    Roberto Mancini's side has endured a difficult start to the defense of its title, suffering a last-gasp 3-2 defeat to neighbor Manchester United while also slumping out of the Champions League without a win in Group D, but that has not put the former Barcelona man off.

    “I would love to end my career here,” Toure told the club's official website. “Nobody knows what the next step is in football and I believe that if you stop dreaming, you should stop playing football, but this is where I want to be.

    “When I first arrived at City, every time I went to sleep I would dream about us winning something and about us being the best team in whatever competition we take part in. I believe I have to work harder all the time to improve and stay at the top level with this club. I will give my all every time I play and I will never forget how the fans have treated me here so nothing would give me greater pleasure than to finish my career as a Manchester City player.”

    Toure picked up a knock in the defeat against United on Sunday, but is likely to return to the midfield at St James' Park, where his double last season put City within touching distance of its first top-flight title since 1967-68.

    Mancini's side memorably clinched the title in the dying seconds of the season, but Toure has set his sights on European domination in spite of the team's early elimination this time round.

    “We want to make history and that was part of my plan when I first signed – to make history – and we’ve made a start but there is so many more chapters to be written,” added the Ivorian. “I’m really enjoying my football here and I’m playing in front of the most amazing fans I’ve ever come across.

    “Ending my playing career at City would be unbelievable, but I know it won’t be easy because we want to win everything and the club is always looking to improve. There is no other place I would rather finish with and I want to continue winning titles and trophies with City. I believe we are just at the beginning of our journey.”
     

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    Tello set to sign Barcelona extension until 2016

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    Barcelona has reached an agreement with young attacker Cristian Tello over a new contract that will run until the summer of 2016.

    The 21-year-old's previous deal was due to expire at the end of the 2012-13 campaign, and both parties had been in talks over a new and improved deal, eventually leading to a three-year extension that was confirmed on the club's official website.


    A minimum release clause of 10 million euros has been included in his new contract, and Tello is due to put pen to paper on the deal at the Barcelona headquarters on Monday.

    Tello is a product of the Barcelona youth academy and also played for Damm and Espanyol before returning to the Camp Nou side in the summer of 2010. The Spain Under-21 star made his official first team debut in the Copa del Rey match against Hospitalet in November 2011, and has made 16 official appearances for Barca this term, scoring three goals in the process.
     

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    Monterrey 1-3 Chelsea: European champion eases through to Club World Cup final

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    Chelsea's attacking midfield triumvirate of Eden Hazard, Oscar and Juan Mata sparkled as the Champions League holder coasted to a 3-1 victory over Monterrey during their Club World Cup semifinal at the International Stadium in Yokohama.


    A well-taken first-half finish from Mata gave the Blues the lead, before a deflected Fernando Torres strike and an own goal from Darvin Chavez promptly after halftime helped see off the challenge of the CONCACAF champion, although Aldo De Nigris did score a superb consolation late on for the Mexican side.

    A bright start from the west London side was rewarded in the 17th minute when Mata opened the scoring in style with a sweeping finish after an intricate passing move involving Ashley Cole and Oscar on the left side.

    The Blues had come close to taking the lead on three occasions prior to the former Valencia man breaking the deadlock, with David Luiz, Hazard and Branislav Ivanovic all threatening.

    Luiz in particular impressed for Chelsea, the Brazil international looking comfortable playing in an unfamiliar midfield role in the absence of Oriol Romeu, after the Masia graduate suffered knee ligament damage against Sunderland on Saturday.

    Monterrey grew into the game after going behind, with Jesus Corona's pace and trickery posing Cesar Azpilicueta problems down the left, and but for some wasteful finishing from Aldo De Nigris the Mexican side could well have equalized before the break.

    Whatever Benitez said to his side during the interval seemed to do the trick as the club came racing out of the blocks, scoring twice before the second half was five minutes old.

    Just seconds after the restart Torres made it 2-0 following a blistering run and pass from Hazard down the left. The striker's shot appeared to be going way off target before it took a considerable deflection and flew into the back of the net.

    Chelsea then added a third just moments later courtesy of an own goal from Chavez. The former Atletico Madrid forward was involved once more. His enticing through ball set up Mata, who then looked to pass to Oscar before the intervention of Chavez did the youngster's work for him by diverting the ball past Jonathan Orozco.

    The two goals in quick succession had appeared to have knocked the wind out of Monterrey's sails before De Nigris smashed home a consolation goal in added time at the end of the second half to make it 3-1.

    Benitez now has a chance to equal Pep Guardiola's achievement by winning a second Club World Cup when Chelsea takes on Corinthians in the final on Dec. 16, after he won the tournament with Inter back in 2010.
     

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    Rooney voted top Premier League player among American fans, according to Barclays survey

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    Wayne Ronney is the top player in the Barclays Premier League, according to the 3,500 fans in the United States who took part in the Barclays Global Fan Survey.

    The survey, which encompassed 200 countries and six continents, asked fans from around the world to give insight on the Premier League, such as picking their favorite player, the top young prospect and how the game is followed.

    Fans in the U.S. chose Rooney as the top player in the league, followed closely by two other Manchester United players, with Robin van Persie and Ryan Giggs also in the top four. Steven Gerrard ended up tied with Giggs for the fourth spot in the fan poll, with both players taking in 7 percent of the vote. Rooney finished with 20 percent while his United strike partner, Van Persie, picked up 13 percent of the fan support.

    “It’s great to be recognized by the fans in this survey," Rooney said. "I get messages from fans all over the world so I know how popular the Barclays Premier league is outside of the UK.”

    The survey also named Arsenal youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as the most exciting prospect over the next five years, with the winger picking up 15 percent of the vote.

    The global survey highlights the popularity of the league and the use of social media as a means to keep up with the action despite being on the other side of the globe.

    Fans in the U.S. now list Facebook and Twitter as the third and fourth most popular online platforms to follow the Premier League, with club sites and dedicated sports news sites still the top two.

    Continuing the trend of love for Manchester United among Americans, Rio Ferdinand was voted as the top player to follow on Twitter, with Rooney just behind. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson is listed as the figure fans most want to see on the social networking site in the future.
     

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    :cool:Van Persie's Manchester United shirt is best-selling in North America

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    Replica shirts for Manchester United striker Robin van Persie are the best-selling jersey in North America.

    In a list compiled by Sporting ID, the Netherlands international has moved ahead of striker partner Wayne Rooney - who has the best-selling shirt in Premier League history - and Chelsea striker Fernando Torres.

    United States international Clint Dempsey becomes the first American in the top 10 after his rise to sixth in the list following his summer move from Fulham to Tottenham.

    Robert Thayne, global sales and marketing director of Sporting ID, has highlighted the increased popularity of the sport in the continent as part of the findings.

    "North American soccer fans continue to support the Premier League as fanatically as anywhere else, often waking at 4:00 to catch games on TV," he said. "Players like Van Persie, Eden Hazard, Clint Dempsey, Steven Gerrard and Jack Wilshere are top-class players playing for the biggest clubs in the world and their fans in North America are really no different than the ones who live in the UK.

    "They are clearly showing their support of these players and their club by personalizing jerseys with official Premier League player names, numbers and sleeve badges."

    Van Persie, Rooney are joined by Manchester United teammates Javier Hernandez and Shinji Kagawa on the list, along with Chelsea’s Eden Hazard and Frank Lampard, Dempsey of Tottenham, Steven Gerrard of Liverpool, and Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere.
     

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    Reina: My best is yet to come at Liverpool

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    Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has declared his best is yet to come at the club after overcoming a frustrating opening to the season.

    The Spaniard missed seven games at the start of the campaign due to a hamstring injury, with Brad Jones deputizing in his absence.

    But, after keeping four clean sheets in seven outings since his return to the Reds' first team, the 30-year-old is keen to maintain his form.

    “I'm on the way to my best,” Reina told the club’s official website. “I was a little bit upset with myself [earlier in the season] and it was a time to show a bit of commitment and get a fresh start from zero - and that's what I've tried to do. I feel fresher, I feel lighter and I am ready for more.

    “Hopefully [my best years are still ahead of me]. People say goalkeepers reach their best in their 30s, and I am 30 right now, so hopefully my golden days are still waiting for me.”

    Reina also insisted his teammates deserve a great deal of credit for Liverpool's improved defensive record of late.

    He added: “It's down to the defensive performance, collectively. We are all together in that in making those improvements.

    “I've always said a good team is built from the back and this is no different. There's no doubt that the more clean sheets we keep, the better it'll be for the team.”
     

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    Xavi ready to pen 'dream' Barcelona deal

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    Xavi has reiterated his intention to see his career out at Barcelona after shaking hands with club officials over a new deal that will see the playmaker stay put until 2016.

    The 32-year-old came up through the youth ranks at La Masia and has since gone on to feature almost 700 times for the Catalan giants' first team, winning numerous domestic titles and European trophies in the 21 years that have followed.

    He has repeatedly expressed his desire to extend his contract with Barcelona, which expires in 2014, and it now seems that his "dream" of hanging up his boots at Camp Nou will come to fruition, with just the paperwork left to sign.

    “I am very happy in this club and the only thing now is for the contract to be drawn up," Xavi told reporters. "I am very happy, I’ve hardly been slow to agree.

    “They want to continue and my dream is to finish here and it looks like it will come true. I do not know if next week we will announce it as until 2016."

    Barcelona faces fellow Liga high-flier Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
     

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    Bayern Munich 1-1 Borussia Monchengladbach: Bavarians frustrated in final fixture before winter break

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    Bayern Munich battered Borussia Monchengladbach throughout their Bundesliga clash at the Allianz Arena on Friday night but the leaders were ultimately held to a 1-1 draw by their resilient visitors.

    For a long time it appeared as if it might be one of those nights for the Bavarians, who fell behind midway through the first half to a disputed penalty from Thorben Marx. However, Xherdan Sharqiri netted his first Bundesliga goal to level matters just before the hour mark and the hosts looked certain to force a winner.

    They were unable to do so, though, meaning Bayern failed to match its own record for the best first half of a Bundesliga season.

    A home victory had looked inevitable right from the off, with Franck Ribery particularly prominent early on, the Frenchman causing all sorts of problems with his movement and quick feet.

    However, the visitors weathered the early storm and then silenced the Allianz Arena by taking the lead against the run of play 21 minutes in.

    Tolga Cigerci tried to dink the ball to the far post but his cross struck the arm of Boateng. The defender had turned his back on the ball but referee Tobias Welz pointed to the spot regardless and Marx drilled home the resulting penalty to put Monchengladbach a goal to the good.

    Bayern was left enraged by the penalty decision but they channelled its aggression in the right way and set about peppering Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s goal with shots. The Monchengladbach keeper pulled off a spectacular one-handed save to keep out Ribery’s drive from the edge of the area, though he was merely a spectator when Dante’s header from a corner clipped the top of the crossbar.

    It had been an eventful few minutes for Dante, who had been on hand to clear off the line after Manuel Neuer had come running out of his area to intercept a long ball forward only to beaten to it by Cigerci.

    However, even though Bayern looked vulnerable to the counterattack, Bayern boss Jupp Heynckes opted to make a very attacking substitution just before half-time, sending on Shaqiri in place of Javi Martinez.

    The hosts looked even more menacing going forward as a result and they would have drawn level four minutes into the second half had Ter Stegen not reacted wonderfully well to get down to his left to keep out Bastian Schweinsteiger’s low shot, which seemed destined for the bottom corner.

    Dante then went close once again with a header before Mario Gomez took over from Mario Mandzukic up front. However, it was the earlier substitution which reaped dividends moments later when Shaqiri beat Ter Stegen at the goalkeeper's near post with a calm left-footed finish, after the Swiss had been the grateful recipient of Tony Jantschke’s horribly ill-advised pass across his own area.

    Bayern spent the remaining 30 minutes pouring forward in search of a winner. Shaqiri went close to netting a second with a curling free kick before Ribery drew another flying save out of Ter Stegen with a sumptuously executed 25-yard volley.

    However, Monchengladbach stood firm to claim a valuable point that keeps it firmly in contention for a European place, while the hosts were left to lament their failure to ensure that they will go into the winter break with a double-digit lead over second-placed Bayer Leverkusen.
     

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    Tim Howard doesn't want to play as long as Brad Friedel

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    Tim Howard is scheduled to make his 200th consecutive appearance in the English Premier League this Saturday against Stoke City. Sound familiar?

    Howard's U.S. national team predecessor Brad Friedel just ended his consecutive streak of appearances at 310 earlier this season. At 33 years old, Howard has every chance to match or top Friedel in three years. But that's where the similarities stop between the two men.

    When asked if he would like to emulate Friedel's lengthy career into his 40s, Howard admitted that he doesn't see his time in the game being as long as the Tottenham keeper.

    "Me personally, no," Howard told Goal.com. "I have some things that I want to do, some goals that I want to accomplish outside of the game. It's not something that I see myself doing."

    Though he has goals outside of soccer when he ultimately decides to retire, Howard hinted that he'll probably never completely lose his competitive edge.

    "Having said that if you're fit and ready to take on the world, you feel you can still do it," Howard explained. "I'm sure there's a side of me that would still want to. But at 33 years old right now, I look at it and say it's not for me."

    Overall, Howard has made 295 appearances in the Premier League, making 45 starts for Manchester United before joining the Toffees in 2006. Friedel, 41, has made 471 appearances in the Premier League featuring for Liverpool, Blackburn, Aston Villa and Tottenham.
     

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    Atletico's Gabi: Messi is almost unstoppable

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    Atletico Madrid player Gabriel Fernandez believes that Barcelona star Lionel Messi is almost unstoppable when he is in possession.

    Currently sitting second in La Liga, the Spanish capital side is six points behind table-topper Barcelona, which will be looking to extend its lead on Sunday.

    And the 29-year-old was quick to single out record-breaking Messi as the Blaugrana's main threat.

    "We've been debating how to stop Messi for 10 years. It's difficult because he's the most talented player in the world. With the ball at his feet he's almost unstoppable," he told reporters. "Above all else, we have to play as a team and keep it tight so that he can't find the space he needs to go past people."

    After a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, the guests will be looking to bounce back this weekend.

    "[Manager, Diego] Simeone has told us that after the Bernabeu game, we owe it to ourselves. The team didn't play the game as we wanted to, or know how to, and we have to prove ourselves on Sunday.

    "A win at the Camp Nou would take us to 40 points, which Atletico Madrid has never had this early in the season.

    "Of course a win would be nice, but more importantly a step in the right direction, because it would move us closer to our goal, which is to be up there with the best, in the Champions League. We're going there to win," Gabi concluded.

    The La Liga fixture will be played at Camp Nou on December 16.
     

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    Robinho's father says striker will move to Santos in summer

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    AC Milan striker Robinho is likely to complete a move back to Santos during the summer transfer window, according to the player's agent and father, Gilvan de Souza. The 28-year-old has been linked with a return to the Brazilian side where he started his professional career in 2002, but his father was adamant that an earlier move in January would not occur."These stories are only rumors – he will not move from Milan [in January]. I'm sure he will go to Santos in the summer," De Souza told UOL Esporte.


    "Robinho will not leave Milan [in January]. He does not want to deceive the fans of other clubs. The Rossoneri have already sold other strikers, so they will not let him leave too."

    Robinho joined Milan in 2010, appearing 71 times and scoring 22 goals in the Rossoneri jersey so far.
     

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    Manchester City announces huge losses for second year running

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    Manchester City have announced huge losses for the second year in a row, with the club losing 120 million euros during the last financial period.

    City reported turnover for the same period of 283m euros, the highest in the club's history and a rise from 184m euros the previous year, but still operated at a significant overall loss.


    The club’s inability to progress from the Champions League group stage is believed to have had a huge impact on their turnover.However, the figures represent a marked improvement from the season before, when City lost a total of 243m euros.

    Meanwhile, the club posted marginal increases in gate and TV revenue, and almost doubled its commercial revenue from 80m to 148m euros.Moreover, it is believed that around 98m euros of the losses originates from contracts that predate 2010, from which City expect to get some kind of relief.

    The overall figures have allowed the Premier League champions to remain confident in their ability to meet UEFA's Financial Fair Play guidelines as 18.4m euros of their losses have come from infrastructure and youth development costs.

    The club’s annual statement for the year ending May 31, 2012, said: "The capital base of the club has also been strengthened through the issuing of 207m euros in new equity during the year, avoiding debt-based funding and continuing to ensure that the club is virtually debt free.”

    Chief executive Ferran Soriano also said: "What I have found is a club on the verge of a historic transformation, reinforced by a genuine commitment to doing things well.

    "It is a club with a rich history and the potential for an even brighter future."
     

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    Barcelona has not changed since Vilanova appointment, claims Keita

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    Dalian Aerbin midfielder Seydou Keita believes that Barcelona has not gone though any changes since he left the Nou Camp.

    The Mali international had spent four years of his career with the Blaugrana, before moving to the Chinese side on a free transfer.

    And having completed a training session with his former club, he stated that everything has remained exactly as he remembered it.

    "I was on holiday and I called [Barcelona coach] Tito [Vilanova] to see if I could train a bit with the team. He told me it was fine. I turn 33 in January, but being able to train here makes me feel like a child," he explained to reporters.

    "It's like nothing has changed at all. I'm very proud to be here with my team-mates and friends."

    He then commented on what he believes is the winning formula of the successful Catalanian side.

    "Tito [Vilanova] was also there for those four years and the team is the same as before and that's why they keep on winning. There is a mentality and a humility to the team which creates a great atmosphere," he said.

    Seydou Keita appeared 192 times for Barcelona between 2008 and 2012, scoring 16 goals.
     

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    Suarez not the only player guilty of diving, says Rodgers

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    Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers believes Luis Suarez is being used as a scapegoat for diving while other offenders are getting away without punishment.


    Rodgers has grown tired of criticism aimed in the Uruguayan's direction and believes simulation is a problem at "all levels" of the British game, with Tottenham winger Gareth Bale booked twice for diving already this season. While insisting the issue is something that needs to be prioritized, Rodgers acknowledged that it has become "part of the game" and poses a problem for referees.

    "Luis Suarez was held up as the only one that seemed to be doing it," Rodgers told reporters. "Whenever many other players were doing it, both British and European, it seemed to go very quiet.

    "It's something that is the responsibility of the players. The managers can only guide and give their opinion to the players. I've seen it at all levels - the Premier League, reserve games, youth team games and some kids football. You see it now becoming a part of the game but it's certainly something we want to eradicate. It's a difficult one for the referees, because they are having to make that judgement straight away."

    Rodgers also shared his views on the chaotic scenes at the end of the Manchester derby last weekend, condemning the actions of supporters who threw coins at Manchester United players, but dismissed the notion of installing nets around the pitch as not the “way forward.”

    "What happened last week was scandalous - it could have taken out Rio Ferdinand's eye," Rodgers continued. "But to go back to what it was years ago or putting nets up, I don't see that as a way forward.

    "You get one or two mindless people at games and the focus has to be on them. How can we punish them so they never get the chance to do it again, not punish the other 40, 50, 60 thousand people? They are there for the passion and love of the sport."

    Discussing the recent UEFA sanctions handed to Serbia, the Reds boss also expressed his disappointment at the leniency showed by European football’s governing body.

    "I felt for the England players and staff that were there. It was bitterly disappointing to say the least," Rodgers said. "It shows you the seriousness of how we see it and how we've worked very hard to get where we are today - and there is lots of work still needed to eradicate it. In terms of UEFA, it was disappointing."
     

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    Atletico Madrid's Courtois dismisses 'fear' of Messi

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    Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois insists that he does not fear Barcelona star Lionel Messi ahead of the Liga clash on Sunday.

    The Argentina international broke Gerd Muller's record of scoring 85 goals during one calendar year with his double against Real Betis on December 9, and then increased his tally for the year to 88 goals with two in the Copa del Rey clash against Cordoba.

    But going into the match against the Blaugrana, the Belgium international said that he is not afraid of facing the South American star.

    "Do I fear Messi? No, no, I am not afraid of anyone," the 20-year-old told reporters. "He is a great player and we respect him very much, but there is no fear."

    He added, “Now we are focused and the team wants to do their best at the Camp Nou. Barcelona have a very good group of players."

    Courtois also added that Atletico's 3-0 cup victory over Getafe on Wednesday proved his side's hunger for success in the competition."The cup is very important. I have told several of my teammates of the importance of playing in the cup final for this club," he said.

    "It would be spectacular, playing in a big stadium which can sometimes be 40,000 for each game. We can reach the final."It will be difficult. It won’t be great to face either Barcelona or Real Madrid, but we must advance first in order to do so."

    Atletico travels to Camp Nou to face Tito Vilanova's men on Sunday, December 16.
     

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    Shinji Kagawa to hand Manchester United fitness boost with training return

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    Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that midfielder Shinji Kagawa is due back in full training next week and is “doing very well.”The summer signing from Borussia Dortmund has not featured for the Red Devils since picking up a knee injury in the UEFA Champions League win over Braga back in October. The Japan international appears to be closing in on a return to action, though.

    "Shinji should start training with the first team on Monday, which is good news," Ferguson told reporters in his pre-match press conference. "He’s doing very well now. Nani is still out. Rio’s okay, there’s no problem with him. We’re more or less in good shape.”
    There was further good news for the league leaders as Nemanja Vidic has also returned to fitness and will be included in Saturday's squad to face Sunderland at Old Trafford."Nemanja is back in the squad tomorrow, but Jonny Evans is out obviously after his injury last week," Ferguson said. "He got the injury midway through the first half and he struggled on to halftime, but I always think with muscle injuries that if you start the second half with it it’s a problem.

    "Chris Smalling came on and did very well, played excellent. But having Vidic back in the squad is a big, big one for us. My only issue is whether to start him or not. We hope we have given Nemanja the proper rehabilitation.

    “We’ll give him a chance and we hope he sails through it, but I don’t know whether he will start. He’s only played 10 games in the last 12 months, which is not like Nemanja.”
     

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    Inter will never surrender in Scudetto fight, says Juan Jesus

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    Inter Milan defender Juan Jesus has stated that the whole squad believes that it can win the Scudetto, and he made clear that everyone is committed to the task of dethroning Juventus at the top of Serie A.

    The Nerazzurri find themselves four points behind the Bianconeri in the standings, and the Brazilian stressed that the players will do their best to claim their first league title since 2010.

    "We will always believe that we can win Scudetto, and I want to do everything to lift the trophy," he told Sport Mediaset. "Inter are a great team and we should do everything possible to win the title."

    The Brazilian then talked about his adaptation to life in Italy, and voiced his desire to stay at San Siro for the long term.

    "I’m happy, because nobody had heard of me in Italy, but now things has changed. I hope to have five or six good years to show what I am capable of. I want to be a part of Inter for a long time.

    "I never thought I’d become a starter. I wanted to do my job and I thank boss Andrea Stramaccioni for the trust he placed in me."

    The Nerazzurri's next league game sees them visit Stadio Olimpico to face to Lazio on Saturday.
     

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    Benitez would be 'pleased' if Guardiola took Chelsea job

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    Rafa Benitez has admitted he would be "very pleased" if Pep Guardiola takes over from him as Chelsea manager.

    The former Liverpool man was brought in to replace Roberto Di Matteo last month and has received a frosty reception since, with fans still cheering the Italian's name during matches.

    "Guardiola has a fantastic record," Benitez told BBC Sport. "If he comes and we've won a lot of trophies, I'll be very pleased.

    "When I decided to come, I knew I was signing a contract for six or seven months so I was not thinking about more after these seven months."

    The 52-year-old hopes that he can bring success to Stamford Bridge, and believes the Blues' fans will regret their initial displeasure at his appointment.

    "I understand the feelings of the fans because of the rivalry between both clubs [Liverpool and Chelsea]," he said. "After the improvement of the team, the way I will play [and] the style I will have, I think a lot of fans will say: 'Maybe we were too hard and we have to give him the chance to bring the confidence back to the team and the fans'."
     
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