..::Football III::..

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Ashley Young to undergo operation on 'severe groin injury'

Manchester United have confirmed that Ashley Young requires a groin operation, with Louis van Gaal admitting that the winger will be sidelined for "a long time".

The 30-year-old, who has made 23 appearances in all competitions this season, suffered the injury in the first half of United's 1-0 win over Liverpool on Sunday.

Young now joins Antonio Valencia, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones on the sidelines ahead of United's clash with Southampton on Saturday.

"Ashley Young has a severe groin injury, it shall be operated on, so he’s for a long time gone," van Gaal told MUTV.

"It’s unbelievable, but we’re not lucky with that. [Phil] Jones and [Bastian] Schweinsteiger cannot come back this weekend. You can count it and we have seven injuries."

 

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Van Gaal on January signings: We need a full-back

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has admitted that the club are looking for a full-back in the January window, though insists finding an available candidate is proving difficult.

The Red Devils have endured a raft of injuries at the back over the course of the season, with Antonio Valencia, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, and Ashley Young all currently out.

"When you see our back luck with full-backs - Valencia, Shaw, Rojo, Darmian, Young - Darmian is now fit but the others are all injured. I need full-backs," Van Gaal told a press conference on Friday.

"[Cameron] Borthwick-Jackson and [Guillermo] Varela are doing great but the level at United is high. It is very difficult for youngsters to do that every week.

"That is why we have to look for reinforcements. We are looking but the clubs don't want to sell. Everybody thinks it is easy but it is not so."

While the club's short-term future may hinge on January acquisitions, the manager's own future has never been far from speculation over the course of his tenure at Old Trafford.

"I don't think that the press have to help me with my decisions," the Dutchman said when asked about his job security. "First they have sacked me, now they are interfering with my future. I don't have to answer.

"I have a relationship with the players of Manchester United, that is the most important thing. Not everything the media writes is true."

 

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Van Gaal on January signings: We need a full-back

Striker + Mid player kenekuth one​

 

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Martinez: Byram move not right for player or Everton

Roberto Martinez says Sam Byram's failed transfer to Everton was not the right move for the player or the club.

Byram joined West Ham from Leeds United on a four-and-a-half-year deal on Wednesday having turned down a proposed switch to Goodison Park.

Everton were reported to have agreed to pay around £3 million for the right-back, who can also play on the right-hand side of midfield, with Byram said to have been swayed towards Upton Park by the prospect of more regular football, but Martinez insists that the Toffees pulled the plug on the deal.

Speaking in his pre-match media conference ahead of Sunday's game with Swansea City, Martinez said: "Sam's situation was one where, as on many occasions, we were first to identify a good player in the Championship.

"We went through the correct procedures, established a good relationship with Leeds, but in the end it was not the right move for Sam or the right player for us and that was the end of it for us.

"I am pleased we were at the forefront of identifying a player but it was not for us. I can always give a correct path for a youngster to fulfil their potential but it wasn't right to bring a young talent in for the sake of it.

"It was not right for him and it wasn't a challenge he could embrace."

 

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Pellegrini offers hope in Kompany injury saga

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini hopes injured captain Vincent Kompany can return to training next week.

Kompany has endured a season ravaged by persistent calf problems, starting only eight Premier League games and cutting short his substitute return during the 4-1 win over Sunderland on Boxing Day after only nine minutes.

Earlier this month, Pellegrini heightened fears the central defender's latest setback could mean a lengthy absence, telling a news conference that he may not feature until "the last part of the season".

Having conceded last week that Kompany was "worried about his situation" Pellegrini was more optimistic when speaking ahead of Saturday's Premier League trip to West Ham.

"Vincent is seeing different specialists to learn more about his injury," he said.

"He will start working, I hope, next week - we'll see."

Pellegrini will welcome Fernandinho back from a muscle injury at Upton Park, although the calf strain sustained by Aleksandar Kolarov during last weekend's 4-0 win against Crystal Palace means the left-back joins fellow defender Eliaquim Mangala (hamstring) and striker Wilfried Bony (calf) on the sidelines.

"Aleks has a muscle injury in his calf - not very big. I hope at the end of the next week he'll be working with the squad," Pellegrini explained.

"Bony maybe has an injury which is longer than we supposed. I hope next Monday he will start working with the squad."

West Ham halted City's 100 per cent start to the Premier League season with a battling 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium in September, and Pellegrini is hoping for revenge this weekend.

"We have a difficult game against a very good team," the Chilean added. "They beat us here at home earlier this season in a match I think we had 20 chances to score but we didn't do it.

"I hope we will go for the three points and that we will demonstrate why we're involved in the title [race].

"I think that our mentality is to be an attacking team – maybe a lot of times you cannot score but we always create chances. If you create chances and score four goals as we did last time, I'm always happy. It's the best way to win titles for me."

 

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Teixeira keen on Liverpool as transfer talks with Shakhtar Donetsk continue


Shakhtar Donetsk’s Alex Teixeira wants to join Liverpool and is confident a deal can be reached between the clubs, a source close to negotiations has revealed to Goal.

The Reds have tabled a bid in the region of £24 million for the attacker, who is able to play anywhere across the frontline as well as operate in an advanced midfield role.

Discussions are ongoing following Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre’s return to Merseyside after face-to-face talks with the Ukraine Premier Liga pacesetters at their warm-weather training base in Florida.

The player’s camp are positive that an agreement can be struck, with the 26-year-old keen to move in order to improve his chances of earning a first call-up for Brazil.

However, Liverpool are aware negotiations will not be straightforward given Shakhtar’s valuation of Teixeira and their previous dealings with Ukraine clubs which led to the failed pursuit of both Henrikh Mkhitaryan in 2013 and Yevhen Konoplyanka in January 2014.


Earlier this month, Shakhtar boss Mircea Lucescu said: “Alex is now worth more than €40m [just over £30m]. I think at the end of the season, were he to continue with this level of performance – his value will be €50m [£38m].”

He also revealed he would fully support the Brazilian’s decision to move should a suitable offer be received. Liverpool are eager to do business in this window rather than having to fork out a higher fee and face more competition for his signature in the summer. They are thus willing to up their initial proposal, while Chelsea, who are also interested in Teixeira, have not yet submitted a formal bid.

At Melwood on Friday, Jurgen Klopp did not want to discuss the first potential big transfer of his Liverpool reign. However, he did admit that the club would move for “a player who could help us maybe as soon as possible, as quick as possible.”

Given Teixeira has netted 22 league goals with three assists in just 15 Premier Liga games, while the Reds have struggled in front of the posts, he would certainly fit that description.

Klopp has previously stated that he is “not the biggest friend” of the winter market, but with Philippe Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi and Danny Ings - four of the club’s top five scorers - all injured, Teixeira would be a welcome addition.

“Our situation has changed. I always said if our situation changes, we have to change our opinion,” the 48-year-old said.“The January window is not the best time if you’re under pressure. Everybody wants prices that make you think ‘are they crazy?’ or something like this.

“If you take a new player now, you have two days to the next game, four games to the next so that’s how it is and my opinion hasn’t changed on that. But, of course, we have to watch the market to think about what makes sense for us now plus for the summer. “If we find a solution who fits for both transfer windows, a player who could help us maybe as soon as possible as quick as possible, then of course we will try it.

“If there is a good player who can help us and we see a longer time to work together - not just for three games and then all the others come back [from injury], then we will think about it and try to do something which we would usually want to do in the summer.

“If the situation is okay with all: player, price - I think we shouldn’t ignore this - then we think about it.”

 

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Teixeira ge record 1ka pattahoda sign 1kak wei Liverpool lata​

 

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Luis Enrique confirms Messi fit to face Malaga

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has confirmed Lionel Messi is fit to face Malaga after recovering from a hamstring injury.

The Argentina forward missed Barca's 2-1 Copa del Rey win over Athletic Bilbao in midweek having been taken off at half-time in their 6-0 league win over the same opposition last weekend.

But he is in line to feature at La Rosaleda as Barca aim to keep pace with Liga leaders Atletico Madrid, who they trail by two points.

Defender Jeremy Mathieu is also in contention to play having been unavailable for the pair of games against Bilbao due to a calf problem.

Speaking in his pre-match media conference, Luis Enrique said: "Messi and Mathieu have recovered. In theory there is no reason they can't play."Messi has been hampered by injuries this campaign having missed much of the first half of the season because of a knee injury.

He was also absent for the semi-final of the Fifa Club World Cup with renal colic but returned to score in the 3-0 win over River Plate in the final.The 28-year-old has netted 19 goals in 23 appearances in all competitions this term.

 

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Klopp: Liverpool must stop Naismith

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has highlighted the threat of Norwich new-boy Steven Naismith ahead of his side's clash with the Canaries on Saturday.

Naismith left Everton for Carrow Road earlier this month and Klopp revealed he was impressed with the forward during Scotland's Euro 2016 qualifier with Germany.

"Steven Naismith is a really good player," he said. "I saw him live for Scotland and was really impressed. He's a danger."

Klopp is also familiar with another of Norwich's January signings, Timm Klose, who joined the club from Wolfsburg.

"They have had some problems in defence, less in offence," he said. "They are creative and quick, but they conceded easy goals. Now they have Klose who's a good player, I know him.
"We are the first team who have to play [against] their new team.

Klopp opted to use several young players during his sides FA Cup third round replay against Exexter, which saw 18-year-old Sheyi Ojo score in a 3-0 win.

Nevertheless, the former Borussia Dortmund coach says he will continue to use youngsters sparingly in the Premier League.

"I'm really patient with these guys. If they work hard, they can improve," he added.

"You always see skills and moments, but a game is 90 minutes. We have to help them be prepared. We will not forget them for helping us. But go back and work, that's it.

"Most of the time we have had to fight for a result in the last 20 minutes, so it's not the best time for a young player to come in.

"I understand why you ask about this but [we're talking about] 17 or 18 year-old players who have a 17-year career.


"If they are good enough, cool, they were good enough for the game [against Exeter] and you could see that. Then they have to work further."

 

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Klopp: I won't rush Sturridge

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says he won't rush Daniel Sturridge back after revealing the striker is making good progress as he recovers from a hamstring injury.

The England international has not featured for the club since the defeat at Newcastle at the start of December and has seen his rehabilitation interrupted by several setbacks.

The Reds want Sturridge to build up his strength and resistance by putting him through a mini pre-season, which has seen the forward finally come through a string of uninterrupted sessions this week.

Klopp said: “The last four days were really good and he could do what he had to do. In this moment he is in a good way, but still needs time. I can’t change it.

“So there’s nothing really new in this situation – it is training. But, to be honest, the last four days were good and hopefully he can do it like this for the next four or five days and then it will have been 10 days, which is better than only two.

“Then we have to see where he is and how the situation is, and we can hopefully decide if it’s time for him.”

Meanwhile, Adam Lallana is a doubt for Liverpool's Premier League clash at Norwich City on Saturday, after picking up a minor muscle injury.

“Adam Lallana is a little bit in doubt. He’s here and trained yesterday, but not normal training. He had a little issue but we have to see, we have to wait until training today to see.

“It was a little bit of a muscle [problem] only in the Manchester United game. Afterwards he needed a little bit longer to recover and now we have to see if we have enough time to bring him back.

“I think that’s the only new one. From the others, no players are back.”

 

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Barcelona star Neymar ruled out of Malaga clash

Barcelona forward Neymar has been ruled out of Saturday's La Liga match at Malaga.

The Brazil captain will not be risked after picking up a hamstring problem that prevented him from training with the rest of his team-mates on Friday.

Defender Gerard Pique is also out of the game through suspension, while Jordi Alba and Rafinha are still injured.

However, coach Luis Enrique did confirm Lionel Messi had shrugged off a hamstring problem of his own to play and he is named in the 18-man party for the game.

Neymar, who came third in the 2015 Ballon d'Or, has only missed two league matches this season and has scored 16 times in 17 top-flight appearances.

Barca go into the match two points adrift of leaders Atletico Madrid with a game in hand and, with Diego Simeone's men not playing Sevilla until Sunday, victory would put them top of the table.

 

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Hamburg 1-2 Bayern Munich: Lewandowski double extends Bavarians' lead

Robert Lewandowski scored two goals as Bayern Munich beat Hamburg 2-1 in the Bundesliga on Friday night.

Pep Guardiola's team have handed Hamburg six emphatic beatings by five goals or more since 2011, but they were made to work much harder this time around.

Lewandowski gave Bayern a first-half lead from the penalty spot, but a Xabi Alonso own goal shortly after the break had the match briefly in the balance.

However, an instinctive finish by Poland international gave the away side a narrow victory that moves them 11 points clear of Borussia Dortmund, who play Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday, at the top of the table.

Hamburg, meanwhile, have only won one of their last eight home matches in the league and remain 10th in the table.Bayern made three changes from December's league win over Hannover, bringing in David Alaba, Douglas Costa and captain Philipp Lahm.

Hamburg did well to restrict the visitors' space in the early stages and almost took the lead themselves when Dennis Diekmeier struck narrowly wide from just outside the penalty area after a purposeful run.

Bayern had been unable to create any clear-cut opportunities until the game changed with a 37th-minute penalty.

Thomas Muller got to Lahm's bouncing pass before goalkeeper Rene Adler, who rashly charged off his line and made contact with the forward just inside the box.
Lewandowski stepped up to take it and confidently sent Adler the wrong way.

Referee Felix Zwayer denied Muller another penalty soon after when he went down under pressure from Cleber, before the Germany forward headed just wide from Thiago's free-kick.

Bayern made a strong initial start to the second half, with Kingsley Coman and Lewandowski both forcing Adler into low stops, but Hamburg drew level in the 53rd minute.

Aaron Hunt clipped in an accurate free-kick and Alonso diverted the ball past Manuel Neuer from six yards as he attempted to prevent Pierre-Michel Lasogga from converting.

Jerome Boateng then limped off to be replaced by Javi Martinez, but Bayern got back on track just after the hour mark.

Muller chested down and drove in a shot from the edge of the box and Lewandowski reacted by prodding out his left boot, wrong-footing Adler and just beating the offside trap to net his 17th league goal of the season.

It was almost game over shortly afterwards when Alaba struck a brilliant dipping set-piece from almost 30 yards that struck the post, while Adler inadvertently saved a deflected Thiago effort that looked destined to find the net.

But Bayern held on with relative comfort to win a potentially key match in their title bid having suffered defeat in their first match back after the break in two of the previous four seasons.

 

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Lewandowski: Bayern fell asleep

Robert Lewandowski said Bayern Munich were guilty of "falling asleep" in their 2-1 Bundesliga win over Hamburg.

The 27-year-old scored both goals for Pep Guardiola's men on Friday, netting with a first-half penalty and an instinctive finish after the break to reach a half-century of strikes for the club.

The win, which extends Bayern's lead at the top of the Bundesliga to 11 points over Borussia Dortmund, only came after a Xabi Alonso own goal had caused a few nervous moments the visitors.

"In the first half we had everything under control, but when Hamburg got the free-kick we have fallen asleep a bit," he told the club's official website.

"Luckily we still won. We realise that we still need a bit of time after the winter break and it was important that we won the first three points in the new year."

Lewandowski's strike partner Thomas Muller had a hand in both goals, winning the spot-kick before it was his shot that was prodded home by the Poland international.

The World Cup winner echoed Lewandowski's sentiments that the team remains a work in progress after the mid-season break.

Muller said: "We realised that when you play here nothing is given easily. HSV have already made it difficult for a number of other teams.

"We know that we are not yet at our top level but I am satisfied. We want to raise our level game after game."

Bayern are not back in action until they face Hoffenheim at home next Sunday.

 

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Official: Tello swaps Porto for Fiorentina

Cristian Tello has joined Fiorentina on loan until the end of the season after the Barcelona winger's temporary deal with Porto was rescinded.

Tello was sent to Porto for a two-year loan in July 2014 and has played 33 games in his time at Estadio do Dragao, scoring eight goals.

He has made only four starts in the league this season, however, and will now move to the Stadio Artemio Franchi to bolster a Fiorentina side challenging for the Serie A title.

A Barcelona statement read: "FC Barcelona and ACF Fiorentina have reached an agreement for the loan of Cristian Tello until 30 June 2016, his current loan agreement until the end of the season with FC Porto is rescinded."With this new loan, ACF Fiorentina will take over the conditions of the agreement between FC Barcelona and FC Porto."

Fiorentina sit six points adrift of Serie A leaders Napoli and have already signed Mauro Zarate and Tino Costa this month.

 

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Manchester United ARE in the title race, insists Van Gaal

Louis van Gaal believes Manchester United can win the Premier League title - but admits it will be "very difficult" to better the results of rivals Arsenal and Manchester City.

United are seven points behind the Gunners following their 1-0 victory over Liverpool last weekend and remain outside the Champions League places in fifth position.

The Red Devils have won three and drawn one in all competitions since the turn of the year to ease the pressure on Van Gaal but the Dutchman admits his team are still fighting against the tide.

"The difficulty is that four clubs are above us," he told reporters. "So you have to beat these four clubs in terms of the results. So it shall be very difficult but it’s not impossible, and that’s what I’ve said.

"It’s still very difficult but we have seen not only in the Premier League, but other leagues. So it’s possible and we have to believe in that.

"But I and my players know it’s going to be very difficult. You have to apply pressure on the leaders.

"Last season we were at that moment when we played Chelsea away and gave a lot of pressure, but we didn’t win that game.

"I still believe if we’d won that game we would have continued our run of winning games. But you also need luck and now we have seven injuries."

Van Gaal confirmed that angry words had been exchanged in the United dressing room at half-time during the victory over Liverpool - and insisted he was pleased with his players's willingness to address their problems directly.

He joked: "I invited it! But I think it’s good. I think players have to take responsibility - but at the right moment.

"I have seen it in my career, also, at the wrong moment. At the right moment you have to do it, so I’m very pleased. In the 1995 Champions League final between Ajax and AC Milan, Frank Rijkaard and Danny Blind got involved, for example.

"It’s always good. It not only helps the manager but also the players.

"It was a little bit crazy that I said that [players needed to harder on each other] in the press conference and then it happened at half-time more or less. But I have been asking already for more of that for more than a year.

"That’s what I am doing always, because I believe in corrections from fellow players. I think that is more important than a correction from a manager."

 

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Wenger: Cech signing one of my hardest decisions

Petr Cech has been one of Arsenal's best players this season, but Arsene Wenger has revealed signing the goalkeeper was one of his toughest decisions.

The Czech Republic international moved to the Emirates from Chelsea in a £10 million deal in the summer after Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina failed to convince between the posts.

However, Wenger says he came close to keeping faith in the Ospina before opting to make a move for Cech.

He said: "It was a very, very difficult decision for me because I highly rate Ospina. He is a goalkeeper, who, in my opinion, is highly underrated - especially in England.

"But (signing Cech) was maybe one of the few opportunities to say, 'Okay, this is an obvious (transfer).' It was more to say, 'If I don't do this, it would be a mistake.'

"You know one thing — you need a top-class goalkeeper. I have said many times that it is an underrated position. And you need a top-class goalkeeper to do well.

"He has a calming presence, he communicates well, anticipates well, sees what is coming.

"He is a kind of coach. The best position to be a coach is the goalkeeper - because he doesn't move, and he sees everything. He is the camera behind the team."

 

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Barclays Premier League 2016.01.23 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2016.01.23 Fixtures

Norwich City Vs Liverpool

Crystal Palace Vs Tottenham

Leicester City Vs Stoke City

Manchester United Vs Southampton

Sunderland Vs Bournemouth

Watford Vs Newcastle United

WBA Vs Aston Villa

West Ham Vs Manchester City

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LA Liga 2016.01.23 Fixtures

LA Liga 2016.01.23 Fixtures

Malaga Vs Barcelona

Espanyol Cs Villareal

Granada Vs Getafe

Rayo Vallecano Vs Celta Vigo​

 

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Serie A 2016.01.23 Fixtures

Serie A 2016.01.23 Fixtures

Frosinone Vs Atalanta

Empoli Vs AC Milan​

 

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James must have patience at Real Madrid, says Pekerman

James Rodriguez must be patient to reclaim his starting spot at Real Madrid, according to Colombia coach Jose Pekerman.

Rodriguez has played a bit-part at Madrid this season - making just two 90 minute appearances in La Liga since his return from injury in November. Pekerman revealed he had to keep James calm when Rafael Benitez was in-charge of Madrid, and has urged him to remain patient under new boss Zinedine Zidane.

"He has to have patience," he told Marca. "We all want him to be starting and that translates to the national team. "With whatever happens we need him to be positive.

"In this last stage we haven't spoken, since the end of the year. He had many expectations with a change of coach. He wanted the situation with Benitez to be resolved because he had memories of his last season."I was keeping him calm. I still think the change at Madrid will be positive."

Pekerman hailed James' professionalism and backed him to get out of his rut.

"I still believe James is a great professional, and he knows what it means to represent your country, and he has the mentality to move forward," he said."It is a negative moment and it's an experience for a youngster who has grown really fast.

"Like the biggest figures, they have their drawbacks, but they never lose the hope to get it back."