..::Football III::..

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Kroos was perfect against Sevilla - Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti described Toni Kroos' performance as "perfect" after Real Madrid beat Sevilla 2-0 in the Uefa Super Cup.

The Germany midfielder made his competitive debut in Cardiff along with fellow new arrival James Rodriguez.

And, despite Cristiano Ronaldo scoring the two goals that secured Real's second Super Cup, Ancelotti singled out Kroos for special praise.

"Toni Kroos' performance was perfect," the coach is quoted as saying. "He was quick and clear in everything he did.

"The new players showed their quality. We're more confident than we were this time last year - and that's rubbed off on the team.

"We have many outstanding players now. It will be important to use this squad in its entirety.

"We may be entering a successful cycle. We have a squad of extraordinary quality."

Madrid take on Fiorentina on Saturday before they kick off their Liga campaign at home to Cordoba on August 25.

Kroos nan sira....Jamesge hit ekath goal unaanan tawath patta. But Corners Kroos ganna ekanan aul...Modric and Ramos corner routine works best

 

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Remy would not walk out on us - Redknapp

Harry Redknapp is confident that striker Loic Remy is "too decent" to leave Premier League new boys QPR late in the transfer window.

The France international saw a move to Liverpool fall through last month, having spent the 2013-14 season on loan at Newcastle United.

The collapse of the deal meant Remy had to return to training with Rangers and Redknapp is hopeful that the 27-year-old will remain at Loftus Road as the club look to establish themselves in the Premier League.

"We hope he'll stay," he told reporters. "He's a fantastic player and his attitude has been first class, but you never know. I'm not trying to sell him because we don't want to sell him.

"To have lost him for the amount that we were going to would have been too cheap, so to have him back is fantastic.

"When I looked at what he was going to go for, he was a fantastic buy for Liverpool at that price, so their loss is our gain.

"I don't think Loic would leave us late on. He's too decent a guy to walk away in the last week of the transfer window"

One man who appears destined for the QPR exit door is Adel Taarabt, who Redknapp revealed had not trained during pre-season.

"I don't know what he's going to be doing to be honest," he added. "He's not fit.

"Adel hasn't done one day's training since we got back in pre-season. He just needs to get fit, whether he's here or not.

"I think he's looking to move. If anybody wants to buy him for that money then they have to pay the money.

"We just need a club to come in and pay the money that the chairman is looking for."

Discussing a long list of rumoured transfer targets, Redknapp described a deal for former Swansea City loanee Jonathan de Guzman as "possible", but rubbished reports linking him with a move for Barcelona's Alex Song.

QPR begin their Premier League campaign against Hull City on Saturday.

 

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Chelsea close in on goalkeeper Brkic

Chelsea are close to securing a deal for Croatia youth international goalkeeper Ivan Brkic.

The 19-year-old has only made eight top-flight appearances for Istra but has already attracted attention from multiple English clubs.

The Blues are firmly ahead in the race to sign him, however, and sources have told Goal that his switch to Stamford Bridge is close to completion, with the Croatian club asking for €1 million plus bonuses.

Brkic would become the fourth Croatian player on Chelsea’s books, along with Mario Pasalic, Stipe Perica and fellow keeper Matej Delac.

Jose Mourinho has already made four signings this summer, having recruited Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas, Filipe Luis and returning club legend Didier Drogba.

 

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Thiago Silva injury my fault, says Blanc

Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc has accepted the blame for the injury Thiago Silva sustained in Monday's friendly win over Napoli.

The reigning French champions will be without their captain for several weeks following confirmation on Wednesday that the Brazilian centre-back's hamstring problem is a serious one.

Blanc's feathers were clearly ruffled as he spoke to press about Thiago Silva's injury and, though he was adamant that the defender was not rushed back too soon, he nonetheless opted to publicly shoulder the blame.

"For me, no, I do not think that he took to the pitch too soon after the World Cup," the former France international told reporters on Thursday.

"Much has been said about the injury and who is to blame for his injury. Fine, I'll take the blame. The fault lies at my feet if it must lie somewhere.

"If we could have done things differently, we would have. Last year something similar happened and nobody said anything."

Blanc also revealed that les Parisiens' top targets have been signed and cast doubt over whether there will be any new additions to Parc des Princes this summer.

"I have an interesting and talented team," the trainer continued. "As long as the transfer window is open, admittedly, anything is possible, bu the players that we wanted we have bought.

"The main objectives for our transfer window are complete. But we do not always get our own way in the transfer window. If the squad remains as it is, I'll be very happy.

"If a player wants to leave, a third player might be brought in."

PSG have so far just brought in defensive duo David Luiz and Serge Aurier, from Chelsea and Toulouse, respectively.

 

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Pellegrini: Manchester City have too many players

Manuel Pellegrini admits Manchester City have too many players in the first-team squad and must look to reduce the size of their squad before the transfer window closes.

Willy Caballero, Bacary Sagna, Fernando, Frank Lampard and Bruno Zuculini have all arrived at the Etihad during the close-season and Pellegrini admits he is unlikely to make any further signings this summer.

However, the likes of John Guidetti and Scott Sinclair are set to be allowed to leave, with Pellegrini admitting that his squad is still too bloated.

“It's [transfer window] not finished, until the last day we can do different things,” the Chilean told reporters.

“But if you ask me at this moment if I am happy with the squad, yes I am very happy with my squad.

“We had a lot of problems also with Financial Fair Play with the restriction of the amount of players we can put in our squad.

“So maybe I don’t think that we are going to sign another player because we cannot do it.

“We have maybe too many players in the squad at this moment, players that need to play, that’s very important, especially for young players.

“John Guidetti or maybe Scott Sinclair, they may need to play in a different team, so we’ll see from now until the end of the transfer window what happens with our squad.”

Guidetti and Sinclair have struggled to break into the City first-team in recent seasons. The former spent part of last term on loan at Stoke City while Sinclair had a short-term spell at West Brom.

 

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Alderweireld wants Atletico Madrid exit - father

Toby Alderweireld wants to leave Atletico Madrid in search of regular first-team football, according to his father.

The Belgium international won La Liga in his debut season at the Vicente Calderon, but the defender only started 12 games following his arrival from Dutch champions Ajax last summer.

With the 25-year-old expected to play second-fiddle to Diego Godin and Joao Miranda again this term, Viv Alderweireld, who represents his son, says that the centre-half is seeking a short-term move away from Atletico amid reported interest from the Premier League."We have since last year been in several discussions about moving and Atletico understand that we do not think it makes sense to let Toby another year on the bench," Viv told Het Nieuwsblad.

"He wants to play. If there is a solution, Atletico will not stand in Toby's way.
"A loan move would be the best option, so we can revisit the situation next year."
Alderweireld has a contract with Atletico until June 30, 2017, after signing for the club a year ago for an estimated €7 million.

Since the start of the summer, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham have all been linked with he Belgian.

 

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Kompany wants Manchester City to upset European order

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is determined to "upset the order" in European football after signing a contract extension.

The Premier League champions were eliminated by Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League last season and have yet to make their mark in continental competition since becoming a major force domestically.

But Kompany, who signed a new five-year deal on Wednesday, believes it is time for City and other Premier League superpowers to pose more of a challenge to European heavyweights Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

"English clubs need to push again in the Champions League," he is quoted as saying. "I’m quite clear and honest about it that there are three clubs, no more, just three - Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona - who are a step ahead of everyone.

"But clubs like City, Chelsea... all the contenders are mainly in England, pushing to change that order.

"It was the case in the Premier League as well. It was Liverpool, United, Arsenal and Chelsea. But now it has been changed. It will happen in Europe.

"We are hoping to change the order in Europe. It’s our ambition. I don't think anyone at City has hidden from it.

"People will always throw the past and the glory back in our face but then again I would like nothing more than to upset the order. Ultimately, our fans have been there a long time and they have a right, just as much as any fans, to be part of that top tier.

"People complain when they get moved off their throne. I find it really funny. You complain, you set up new rules, but ultimately what you are doing is just trying to make sure that the established order doesn't change."

City get their Premier League campaign under way against Newcastle United on Sunday.

 

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Neymar nearing Barcelona comeback

Neymar could make his eagerly-awaited return to action in Barcelona's pre-season clash with Leon on Monday.

The 22-year-old attacker has been sidelined since the quarter-final stage of this summer's World Cup, when the Brazil star picked up a back injury which ruled him out of the rest of the tournament.

Neymar is believed to be optimistic about his chances of featuring in the Joan Gamper trophy clash with Mexican side Leon next week, when Barca play at Camp Nou under new coach Luis Enrique for the first time.

Indeed, the Catalans have confirmed that the Brazilian is working with the first team and is close to making his comeback.

"Although he has yet to be given a clean bill of health by club doctors, Neymar completed a full session under Luis Enrique this evening, as the squad had their second session of the day," Barca said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The Brazilian has been gradually getting up to speed with the rest of the players since reporting back for duty with the back injury he picked up at the World Cup."

Neymar will not train on Thursday - along with most of his team-mates, due to doubling up with training sessions over the past few days - but confirmation that he is fit to play against Leon is expected to come over the weekend.

Xavi, Marc Bartra and Marc-Andre ter Stegen will work on specific solo training regimes, while new centre-back signing Thomas Vermaelen is doing physiotherapy work as he recovers from an injury sustained at the World Cup.

 

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Rodgers: Summer signings show how much Liverpool have progressed

Brendan Rodgers believes Liverpool's summer signings are an indication of how far the club has come in recent seasons.

Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren have all arrived from Southampton since the end of last season, while the Merseyside club have also signed Lazar Markovic, Emre Can, Javier Manquillo and Divock Origi, with the latter rejoining Lille on loan for the 2014-15 campaign.

Liverpool are also on the verge of finalising the transfer of Sevilla left-back Alberto Moreno and Rodgers believes the Premier League runners-up have a growing reputation in Europe, despite the departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona.

"It's a huge indication of the progress of the club - a really good symbol of where the club is at," the Northern Irishman told reporters.

"We have made huge strides in the last couple of years. That ability to attract top players is great.

"Lovren is a top player and a guy sought after by a number of clubs, so for him to say he only wanted to come to Liverpool was great.

"Young Markovic had two or three other clubs there waiting to take him - clubs where he had mates from his international team - but he wanted to come to Liverpool.

"These guys watch football throughout Europe. They watch us and want to be part of what we're doing. It hasn't just happened by accident, the most important thing is to have an identity. There is real excitement around the club.

"If you’re a football player in Europe watching how we played last season and saw our supporters, your reaction would be that you'd want to play in that environment - it's a team that plays exciting football."

Liverpool begin their Premier League campaign against Southampton on Sunday.

 

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Ibrahimovic: I'll retire at PSG in 2016

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed his intention to retire from professional football when his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires in 2016.

The 32-year-old forward arrived at Parc des Princes from AC Milan in 2012 and has starred in successive Ligue 1 title triumphs for les Parisiens, although Champions League success continues to elude him.

Having dismissed suggestions earlier this month that he wants to return to Juventus before he retires, the Sweden international has now claimed that he will finish his career at the Parc des Princes.

"I have a contract until 2016," Ibrahimovic told ESPN. "I will be 34 next season and I don't see myself continuing to play at the top level after that.

"So yes, I will probably retire at PSG."

Ibrahimovic's match-winning performances in the French capital have led some to claim les Parisiens would be nowhere near as strong without him, but he insists that PSG are no one-man team.

"I don't feel like I am PSG at all," he added. "I would be nothing without the team and my team-mates.

"I am playing with very good players, players who respect me. I respect them. Respect is a very important notion for me.

"You can't do well if there is no respect. We work hard every day to reach the same goals and objectives. Everything comes with hard work.

"I am one of the leaders, but there are a few. We have a good group here. We have a great atmosphere in the dressing room. We never had any problems.

"It is a funny dressing room. Everybody likes to have a laugh and take the p*ss out of each other, so it's good. I like it."

 

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Juventus & Premier League clubs want Manolas

Olympiakos chief Christian Karembeu has claimed that Juventus and a number of mystery Premier League clubs want to sign Kostas Manolas.

The centre-back has been heavily linked with a move to the Scudetto holders this summer, although in the past few days Arsenal have emerged as contenders to sign the Greece defender following Thomas Vermaelen's move to Barcelona.

Former France international Karembeu, who is now Olympiakos' strategic advisor, says Manolas will not be let go for less than €10 million.

"Juventus are interested and have made a sound offer," the ex-Real Madrid midfielder told Tuttosport.

"They are not the only ones interested in him, though ... In the last few days interesting proposals have also arrived from England.

"We are in contact with Juve chief Giuseppe Marotta; we will see in the next few days if any meetings come from this.

"We are not willing to negotiate his sale for less than €10m. We have not set a deadline for clubs to bid but, if we receive the right offer, we are willing to sell him. Otherwise, we will keep him."

Karembeu conceded that the defender, 23, had approached him this month about leaving the club and is not surprised by interest in him following his performances as Greece reached the last 16 of the World Cup in Brazil this summer.

"Yes, Manolas confronted me recently," the World Cup winner added. "This is normal - he's a young guy and for the first time he is seeing his name linked with major European clubs.

"I'm not shocked by the attention he's getting. We were sure he would become a player with a lot of international interest in the transfer market, even more so after his great World Cup performances.

"Juventus are his number one choice but Kostas also has an emotional attachment here with Olympiakos.

"He has made a deal with the president that he will accept a transfer to whichever team meets the financial demands of the club, be that Juve or an English club."

 

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Sporting warned - let Rojo join Manchester United or face €15m fee

Manchester United have received a boost in their pursuit of Sporting Lisbon full-back Marcos Rojo, with third-party fund Doyen Sports attacking the club over their refusal to sell the player.

Doyen own 75 per cent of Rojo's rights and Sporting are contractually bound to pay the fund 75% of any rejected bid. United have so far tabled an offer worth a reported €20 million, which falls short of his €36m release clause, meaning Sporting will have to pay €15m if they continue to reject the Premier League club's advances.

Doyen have confirmed that they will vigorously pursue that figure, whilst also threatening the Portuguese outfit with legal action if no payment is made.

“(Sporting are) making mindless demands as a condition of releasing the player,” they said in a statement.

“If Sporting want to keep Rojo they must compensate the fund under the terms and deadlines set forth by the contract.

"If necessary, we will not hesitate to use every legal resource at our disposal to fully defend our rights and interests.”

Sporting have since cancelled their contract with Doyen, announcing they have terminated the agreement with “just cause".

Rojo has also been linked with Southampton this summer but Louis van Gaal appears to be in pole position to land the Argentina international as he seeks to further reinforce his defence ahead of the 2014-15 season.

 

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Kehl: We'd have beaten up Spiderman Aubameyang if Dortmund lost

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would have been "beaten up" by his Borussia Dortmund team-mates for his Spiderman antics if they had not triumphed over Bayern Munich, club veteran Sebastian Kehl has joked.

The forward scored the second goal for BVB in their 2-0 DFL-Supercup win on Wednesday, netting midway through the second half to add to Henrikh Mkhitaryan's opener and celebrating in memorable fashion by pulling out a Spiderman mask.

Although his goal celebration at Signal Iduna Park was largely seen as amusing, Kehl conceded it would have been awkward if the Bavarians fought back to beat BVB.

"That was a funny celebration by Aubameyang," Kehl told Ruhr Nachrichten after the win. "I did not know he had his mask ready to pull out if he scored.

"It's lucky for him that we won, though - we would have beaten him up after the game otherwise!"

Kehl, who is retiring at the end of 2014-15, was captaining Jurgen Klopp's men for the final time in the Supercup win and he was delighted to end his spell in charge on the pitch on a high, particularly in light of Sunday's friendly defeat at Anfield.

"This departure was significantly nicer than it would have been if I had not captained BVB again after the 4-0 loss to Liverpool," the 34-year-old said. "I was pleased to be able to captain the side once again while also celebrating the title.

"Leading the team into Signal Iduna Park one last time ... That was a special moment for me. I enjoyed it very much."

Despite the joy of conquering Pep Guardiola's team in the Supercup for a second successive season, Kehl conceded that the victory will have no bearing on the Bundesliga and demanded they knuckle down to take the title back off Bayern.

"For this victory we'll get no points in the Bundesliga," the midfielder continued. "This game was not played at the standard to which both teams will be aiming for this season.

"Dortmund are on a good path. We have had a good pre-season, if we exclude the Liverpool loss last Sunday. Of course we have ambitions, but so do Bayern.

"We will try again to play a solid season, just as we have always done it in the past few years. This has served us well."

 

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Pep pleads for more time after Dortmund defeat

Bayern Munich "need more time" to prepare for the new Bundesliga season, according to coach Pep Guardiola

The Bavarians kicked off their 2014-15 campaign with a DFL-Supercup showdown with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday evening but goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saw Jurgen Klopp's men defeat the reigning German champions in the season-opener for the second year in a row.

Guardiola's starting line-up was devoid of a number of World Cup stars, including Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm and Mario Gotze, but the Catalan accepted his team had performed poorly at Signal Iduna Park and that they need to improve quickly ahead of their first Bundesliga fixture, against Wolfsburg on August 22.

"We played well in the first 15 minutes but then we had a number of problems," the Bayen boss told reporters. "In the second half we retreated too.

"We still need more time to prepare. We tried to play well but we had problems controlling the game. We have to train a lot still."

Ahead of the game, the former Barcelona boss had claimed that he only had eight or nine fully fit players for the pre-Bundesliga season clash with BVB.

A major injury to defensive midfielder Javi Martinez in the Supercup defeat Bayern may now see the coach without one of his key players for much of 2014-15, if initial reports of ligament damage are confirmed.

 

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Moreno on Liverpool move: I'm in a strange situation

Sevilla left-back Alberto Moreno admits he is feeling mixed emotions ahead of his impending move to Liverpool.

After months of negotiations the two clubs reached an agreement on Tuesday in the build-up to Spanish's side's Uefa Super Cup clash with Real Madrid in Cardiff.

Moreno was seen crying on the pitch after the match and says that although he is excited about moving to Anfield he is sad to be leaving his boyhood club.

"I am in a strange situation because I'm leaving the club of my life," he told ABC de Sevilla. "There are a lot of mixed feelings. I wish the best for Sevilla. I am a Sevillista and I want them to keep growing.

"What I experienced on the pitch with the fans (on Tuesday) will stay with me forever.

"I couldn't help but cry because I wasn't expecting it. First the goodbye with my team-mates, then with the fans... it's all very hard."

Liverpool had been frustrated in their attempts to agree a fee with the Andalusians as far back as June, but renewed talks at the start of August and will shortly confirm their eighth summer signing.

But while Moreno is sad to leave the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, he was always hoping a deal would go through.

"Sevilla have understood that Liverpool's offer is very good, and I'm going," he added.

"I was always waiting for the two teams to reach an agreement. I never got involved in that. Liverpool are a great club and of course I go there extremely motivated. I hope that things go well for me."

 

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Official: Yedlin completes Tottenham move

Tottenham have completed the signing of DeAndre Yedlin from Seattle Sounders.

The 21-year-old right-back has signed a four-year contract with Spurs but will remain with the MLS club on loan and will move to White Hart Lane ahead of next season.

The full-back was one of the standout performers for the USA at the World Cup in Brazil and the north London outfit got to see him action first hand this summer when they faced Seattle on their pre-season tour of North America.

And Mauricio Pochettino was obviously impressed with what he saw, securing Yeldin's services for a fee believed to be i nthe region of £2 million.

“The Premier League is one of the top leagues in the world and I’m a guy that likes to challenge myself, so just to be able to practice against those type of players and play against them every weekend is a dream come true,” Yedlin told Goal.

“I think every player aspires to challenge themselves against the very best and that’s what I’m hoping to do.

“I always hoped and dreamed that this would happen, but I never expected it to happen this soon.”

Yedlin becomes Spurs' fourth summer signing following the arrival of Eric Dier from Sporting and Swansea pair Michel Vorm and Ben Davies.

 

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Javi Garcia set for €15m Zenit St Petersburg move

Zenit Saint Petersburg have agreed a €15 million deal for Manchester City misfit Javi Garcia.

The 27-year-old will undergo a medical and discuss personal terms on Thursday, with the fee for the midfielder potentially rising to €16m depending on the Russian club's success.

Garcia joined City under former boss Roberto Mancini back in 2012 and featured prominently in his first season at the club.

The former Benfica midfielder has seen his chances for regular playing time limited under Manuel Pellgrini, however, and made just 14 Premier League starts in City's 2013-14 title-winning campaign.

The arrival of Fernando from Porto has further blocked Garcia's path to the starting XI, with both Yaya Toure and Fernandinho already ahead of him in the pecking order.

And Pellegrini has now decided that the time is right to cash in on the Spaniard and Zenit, coached by former Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas, have moved to agree terms with City.

Earlier on Wednesday City announced that skipper Vincent Kompany had signed a new five-year contract at the club, just a day after midfield playmaker David Silva had committed his long-term future to the Premier League champions.

 

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Javi Martinez: Injury is serious

Javi Martinez has revealed doctors have told him they are 99% certain he has suffered a broken anterior cruciate ligament in Bayern Munich's 2-0 DFL-Supercup defeat to Borussia Dortmund.

The Spaniard was involved in a collision with BVB defender Marcel Schmelzer shortly after Henrikh Mkhitaryan had given Jurgen Klopp's side the lead.

The former Athletic Bilbao man went down immediately clutching his knee and was unable to continue, with Dante replacing him shortly afterwards.

Initial reports claimed the midfielder's injury was a potentially serious one and Martinez admitted the early prognosis appears to have been accurate.

"I'm on the bus and just spoke with the doctor. He told me 99% I got my ACL broken. I rely on the 1% left but I think I'm in a bad way," he said.

"I'm on the bus with a cold machine. It's so hard... If it's an ACL injury, I'll have surgery tomorrow and I'll start my recovery to come back as soon as possible and be a better player. I'll be back."

Guardiola had started the match with Martinez, a midfielder by trade, in a defensive role as Pep Guaridola looked to experiment with a 3-4-3 formation.

 

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Januzaj takes No.11 shirt as Manchester United announce 2014-15 squad numbers

Manchester United have announced their squad numbers for the 2014-15 campaign, with Adnan Januzaj taking the No.11 shirt.

The Belgium international inherits the number vacated by the recently retired Ryan Giggs, who ended one of the most decorated ever playing careers to become Louis van Gaal's assistant manager this summer.

New midfield signing Ander Herrera takes the No.21, while teenager Luke Shaw is handed the No.3 as he succeeds Juventus-bound Patrice Evra.

The club's legendary No.7 shirt remains vacant, having been given up by Ecuadorian winger Antonio Valencia over a year ago, and could yet be filled by transfer target Juan Cuadrado.

There is also no No.9 listed by Van Gaal's side, with newly confirmed captain Wayne Rooney keeping his No.10.

Retaining their squad numbers are the likes of Anderson, Wilfried Zaha and Marouane Fellaini, all of whom have been linked with moves away from Old Trafford this summer.

SQUAD NUMBERS IN FULL:

1. De Gea; 2. Rafael; 3. Shaw; 4. Jones; 6. Evans; 8. Mata; 10. Rooney; 11. Januzaj; 12. Smalling; 13. Lindegaard; 14. Hernandez; 16. Carrick; 17. Nani; 18. Young; 19. Welbeck; 20. Van Persie; 21. Herrera; 22. Powell; 23. Cleverley; 24. Fletcher; 25. Valencia; 26. Kagawa; 28. Anderson; 29. Zaha; 30. Varela; 31. Fellaini; 34. Lawrence; 35. Lingard; 36. Vermijl; 38. M Keane; 39. Thorpe; 40. Amos; 41. James; 42. Blackett; 45. Petrucci; 46. Rothwell; 48. W Keane; 49. Wilson; 50. Johnstone.

 

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Capital One Cup Draw: Manchester United to face MK Dons in second round

Manchester United will travel to MK Dons after drawing the League One side in the Capital One Cup second round.

The Red Devils, who last won the competition back in 2010, were in the draw prior to the third-round stage for the first time in 19 years following a disappointing 2013-14 campaign that saw them finish seventh in the table.

United boss Louis van Gaal will likely give some of his young prospects a chance to impress for the second round clash, which will take place week commencing August 25.

The likes of Tyler Blackett, who featured regularly during the club's recent US tour, and Jesse Lingard could be involved while James Wilson, who made such a big impact at the tail end of United's disastrous campaign last term, may also be included.

Manchester United and MK Dons have never faced each other before, and Louis van Gaal's side will be facing a side which will include Arsenal forward Benik Afobe, who is currenlty on loan at the League One outfit.

The Old Trafford outfit will be hoping to go one better than last year and make it back to Wembley, after they lost on penalties to Gus Poyet's Sunderland in the semi-finals of the competition last year.

Elsewhere in the draw, last year's finalists Sunderland travel to 2011 winners Birmingham City, while 2013 champions Swansea City start off at home to Rotherham.

CAPITAL ONE CUP SECOND ROUND DRAW IN FULL:

Burton vs QPR
Port Vale vs Cardiff City
Middlesbrough vs Preston
Stoke vs Portsmouth
Huddersfield vs Nottingham Forest
Swansea City vs Rotherham
Watford vs Doncaster
Millwall vs Southampton
Bournemouth vs Northampton
Brentford vs Fulham
West Brom vs Oxford
Scunthorpe vs Reading
Derby vs Charlton
West Ham vs Sheffield United
Swindon vs Brighton
Leicester City vs Shrewsbury
Crewe vs Bolton
Birmingham City vs Sunderland
Gillingham vs Newcastle United
Norwich City vs Crawley
Bradford vs Leeds
Aston Villa vs Leyton Orient
Burnley vs Sheffield Wednesday
Walsall vs Crystal Palace
MK Dons vs Manchester United