..::Football III::..

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Ozil closing in on Arsenal return

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has revealed he is close to a return from injury and insists he can help turn his side’s season around.

The Germany international has made just nine appearances this season, having been granted an extended break after the World Cup before he succumbed to a serious knee injury in October.

Arsenal have struggled in the former Real Madrid star’s absence and currently lie sixth in the Premier League, trailing fourth-placed West Ham by two points.

But Ozil says he is nearing a return to first team training and cannot wait to make his comeback.

"I am working every day to get myself fit and I am on the right path now," the Germany international told the club's official website. "It won't be much too much longer before I am back on the pitch.

"I hope to be back training with the whole team again as soon as possible.

"After a time, you really miss playing football. You miss the ball and just want to play. When you watch the games and think that you could have been playing, and playing well, it makes you miss it, but that's the way things are."

Arsenal travel to Anfield on Sunday looking for a victory that would help avenge last season's 5-1 defeat and boost their top-four chances.

 

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We'll do everything we can to beat Real Madrid - Bauza

San Lorenzo coach Edgardo Bauza has pledged that his team will do all they can to beat Real Madrid in the Club World Cup final.

The South American champions were expected to make light work of Auckland City in the semi-final but they required extra time to win 2-1 at the Stade de Marrakech on Wednesday.

Despite a sluggish performance, San Lorenzo were on track for a showdown with European champions Real Madrid after Pablo Barrientos volleyed the opener two minutes before half-time.

Auckland equalised in the 67th minute through Angel Berlanga, but San Lorenzo were not to be denied in Marrakech, with substitute Mauro Matos dispatching a loose ball in the box in extra time.

"We're delighted we achieved our aim of reaching the final," Bauza was quoted as telling Fifa's official website afterwards.

"It was a difficult match against a side that was very well-organised defensively. We didn't play well in the first half; we were nervous and didn't show enough determination. On top of that we gave the ball away too often.

"The game didn't pan out as planned for us, which is why I made some changes. After that we were able to get into it better."Now we'll start preparing for the final and will do everything we can to win.

"We'll try to play to the best of our ability and to meet expectations, even if we are going up against one of the best teams in the world with a lot of quality individuals."
Auckland coach Ramon Tribulietx had nothing but praise for his players, who earned countless admirers following their exploits at the Club World Cup.

"We're the moral victors. We had the chance to win the game in normal time," Tribulietx said.

"My players are obviously devastated because we came so close to winning.
"We're very proud of the way we played today and we'll remember it for a long time."

 

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Balotelli banned for one match and fined £25,000 for Instagram post

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has been banned for one-match and hit with a £25,000 fine by the Football Association after posting an offensive image on Instagram.

 

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Balotelli th anemanda​

 

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Falcao: I want to stay at Manchester United

Radamel Falcao insists he wants to stay at Manchester United but admits he is keen to secure a more prominent role under Louis van Gaal.

The terms on a €56 million deal with Monaco to make the striker’s season-long loan permanent have already been agreed, though United have the option to wait until the end of the season to ensure they are satisfied with the Colombia international’s fitness and form before finalising the move.

Falcao has been limited to just eight Premier League appearances this season due to a calf injury and the striker admits his future is still to be decided.

"From my point of view, yes, I want to stay but obviously I have to analyse the situation," said Falcao.

"I’ll see if I play more and see what decision the board takes. But from my point of view, I really want to stay.

"I feel ready for the moment that the team needs me. Whenever I have the opportunity to come on I try to do my best for the coach and I try to help the team.

"Every footballer wants to play, no one is happy when they are not playing, when they are on the bench, but whenever I am given the opportunity, whether it be for five, 10, 20 or 90 minutes, I have to give my best.Q

Van Gaal has stressed that Falcao needs to prove his fitness before being able to secure a regular first-team place and the striker believes he is close to his peak condition.

"We talk a lot, the coach and I," said Falcao.

"He has a philosophy that I respect. I have had an injury, and I have had to wait for the opportunity to play.

"I am very well. I'm almost at 100 per cent now, let's wait and see what the decision of the coach is, when he wants to use me more.

"We have a group of strikers who are very good and that's good for everyone. That means there is always a level of competition between us, healthy competition, and obviously I am very happy with how the team is doing."

 

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"I am very well. I'm almost at 100 per cent now, let's wait and see what the decision of the coach is, when he wants to use me more.

Falcao ta Aston Villa match 1ka start karanna chance 1ka denna thiyennethama hariyatama Falcao ge performance balagannath bari una nehbut LVG kiyana widiyatanam max 20 minutes walata wage thamai Falcao ta thamath play karanna denna puluwan​

 

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Napoli 2-0 Parma: Zupata powers Partneopei into third place

Napoli returned to winning ways in Serie A by crusing to a 2-0 victory over struggling Parma on Thursday evening.

Duvan Zapata opened the scoring 19 minutes in, after out-muscling Gabriel Paletta in the area, and Dries Mertens won and converted a penalty to double the Partenopei's advantage.

Francesco Lodi struck the woodwork in the closing stages but Napoli held on quite comfortably to move into third place in the Serie A standings.

Napoli had gone into the game on the back of a disappointing defeat at the home of fellow Champions League chasers AC Milan but, despite the distraction of Monday's Supercoppa Italiana clash with Juventus in Doha, Rafael Benitez's men produced a professional performance at the San Paolo.

Indeed, the Partenopei effectively had the three points in the bag by the half-hour mark, though it has to be said, Parma proved desperately generous opponents.

For a side battling relegation, Roberto Donadoni's troops demonstrated little fighting spirit during a woeful first-half display and were fortunate not to be more than two goals down at the break.

Their defensive deficiencies were brutally exposed in the 19th minute with a poor cross from Mertens somehow managed to meet Zapata in the area. The forward's first touch was poor - but it mattered not, with the Colombia simply shrugging off Paletta's attempted challenge before firing home left-footed.

Parma gifted Napoli a second goal in the 30th minute when Massimo Gobbi stupidly barged into Mertens in the area, after the Belgium had flicked the ball over his head. Mertens picked himself up and converted from the spot - though only because Antonio Mirante failed to get a strong enough hand on the winger's weakly struck and poorly placed penalty.

Migue Britos then squandered a glorious chance to make it 3-0 after getting on the end of a free-kick in the 38th minute, but the Uruguayan centre-half headed over while completely unmarked, with Parma's defence having seemingly given up on marking altogether.

With Napoli clearly intent on conserving energy ahead of their trip to Qatar to face Juve, the second half proved both low on endeavour and excitement but Parma went agonisingly close to giving themselves a lifeline in the 73rd minute but Francesco Lodi saw his strike come back off the post.

Gonzalo Higuain, who was introduced in the closing stages, saw a goal ruled out in the dying seconds for offside but by that point Napoli had long since turned their attention to Monday's Supercoppa showdown with Juve.

 

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Atletico Madrid 2-2 L'Hospitalet (agg 5-2): Rojiblancos progress despite draw

Atletico Madrid secured a Copa del Rey fifth-round spot, despite slumping to a shock 2-2 draw at home to minnows L'Hospitalet on Thursday.

Diego Simeone's men produced an unremarkable second-leg display in front of a sparse crowd at the Vicente Calderon, with Ruben Alcaraz twice pegging Atletico back to cancel out Mario Mandzukic's brace.

Atletico were also fairly unconvincing in their 3-0 first-leg victory at the Segunda B3 side, although Kiko Ramirez's team were far more clinical in the return game.

Mandzukic opened the scoring in the 19th minute, stroking beyond goalkeeper Carlos Craviotto after a kind ricochet, but the hosts failed to make the most of their other chances.

Alcaraz pulled the visitors level in the 64th minute with a deflected effort before Mandzukic had seemingly given Atletico a 2-1 win with 16 minutes to go.

But Alcaraz netted again in the final 10 minutes, beating Jan Oblak with a spectacular long-range effort to secure an unlikely 2-2 draw, with Atletico going through 5-2 on aggregate to face holders and bitter rivals Real Madrid in the last 16.

Simeone resisted the urge to make wholesale changes to his team following the weekend defeat to Villarreal, but defenders Lucas Hernandez and Ivan Perez made the leap up from the reserves, with the latter making his first-team debut.

Nevertheless, the unfamiliar backline rarely looked troubled in the first half and, although Atletico were by no means at their fluent best, the reigning Liga champions were in complete control.

Following a low-key start, Atletico eventually broke the deadlock when Mandzukic steered home after pouncing on Mario Suarez's blocked effort.

Atletico were given a slight scare 13 minutes later as Joel Mendez looked to connect with a cross from the right, but Oblak won the race to make an important block and Saul subsequently cleared.

Craviotto made a crucial save of his own to deny Atletico a second on the stroke of half-time, keeping out Mandzukic's volley from point-blank range after a clever header from Jesus Gamez.

Atletico seemingly began the second period with a little more urgency and Craviotto was tested again within two minutes of the restart, diving down to his left to keep out Raul Jimenez's low drive.

The hosts went close again in the 65th minute, but Saul knocked the ball right across the face of goal after getting on the end of Koke's fine free-kick delivery.

And the visitors capitalised on that let-off, as Alcaraz tried his luck from 25 yards after bursting into space, seeing his effort deflect off a defender and loop over the helpless Oblak.

Mandzukic swiftly restored Atletico's lead with a diving header from Koke's cross at the back post, but L'Hospitalet continued to battle away.

And Alcaraz secured a famous draw for the third-tier side with six minutes left, beating Oblak with an outrageous effort from 35 yards.

 

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Cagliari 1-3 Juventus: Bianconeri return to winning ways

Juventus cruised to a 3-1 win at Cagliari on Thursday to secure their place at the top of Serie A heading into the mid-season break.

Back-to-back draws against Fiorentina and Sampdoria meant Massimiliano Allegri's team travelled to Sardinia with a slender one-point advantage over nearest challengers Roma.

Carlos Tevez scored from close range to hand the defending champions an ideal start and Arturo Vidal struck a sumptuous second to make it 2-0 after 15 minutes.

Fernando Llorente added a third early in the second half and, although Luca Rossettini pulled a goal back, Zdenek Zeman's strugglers remain winless in the league since late October and in the bottom three.

By contrast, Juventus are now unbeaten over 10 matches in all competitions.

Cagliari, without a home win in the league all season, were boosted by the return of Victor Ibarbo in attack.

Angelo Ogbonna started at centre-back for Juventus in place of the suspended Leonardo Bonucci, while fellow defender Giorgio Chiellini came back from a ban of his own.

Allegri started without Paul Pogba, the influential midfielder rested as a further yellow card would have ruled him out of the Monday night's Supercoppa Italiana clash with Napoli in Qatar, but his Juventus team immediately tore into Cagliari and were rewarded with a third-minute lead.

Alessio Cragno had already plunged to make a fine save from Llorente's header, but, when Chiellini bundled goalwards from another right-wing cross, the Cagliari goalkeeper could only touch towards Tevez for a simple finish.

Juventus looked to further exploit Cagliari's unease under crosses, but Gianluigi Buffon was called into action for the first time to keep out Albin Ekdal's header.

That chance briefly roused Cagliari, but they fell further behind when Patrice Evra's centre was half-cleared and Vidal curled home a magnificent side-footed finish from outside the box.

Allegri's men were now able to control the game at a comfortable pace, although Cagliari's Danilo Avelar was allowed to advance towards goal and flash a shot past Buffon's near post three minutes from half-time.

Ekdal shot wide when given room to try his luck from 25 yards after the break before Juventus put the result beyond doubt five minutes after the restart.

Andrea Pirlo lifted a perfectly weighted pass into Llorente’s path and the Spain striker spun Luca Ceppitelli before scuffing a shot that squirmed past Cragno.

Marco Capuano volleyed over unmarked from a corner as Cagliari looked to respond and they grasped a lifeline in the 65th minute when Rossettini rose to power home at the back post.

But Juventus' superiority was never truly under threat as the lively Roberto Pereyra twice went close to adding gloss to the scoreline during the closing stages.

Avelar might have set up a grandstand finish, but lashed wide from close range in the 87th minute after Stephan Lichtsteiner blocked his initial header.

 

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Simeone defends Atletico after L'Hospitalet draw

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone refused to criticise his players after they were surprisingly held at home by lowly L'Hospitalet on Thursday night.

Having triumphed 3-0 in the first leg of their Copa del Rey tie with the third-tier outfit, the Spanish champions were expected to coast to victory at the Vicente Calderon.

However, despite twice taking the lead through Mario Mandzukic, Atletico were pegged back by Ruban Alcarez on both occasions, with the latter levelling matters for the second time with a stunning strike with just six minutes remaining.

It was another underwhelming result for Atletico, who were beaten at home by Villarreal in La Liga at the weekend, but Simeone was keen to put things in perspective.

"We only lost one game in the Calderon this year," the Argentine told reporters. "That speaks volumes of the work of our players and hopefully we can continue in the same way.

"With regards to the match, I'm happy. We started well and scored, but in the second half L'Hospitalet reacted well.

"They had some luck with the first goal but the second was a great goal."

Atletico will be hoping to get back to winning ways when they travel to San Mames on Sunday to face Athletic Bilbao.

 

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'Chicharito will not leave Real Madrid' - agent

The Mexico international is on a season-long loan from Manchester United, with a view to a permanent transfer at the end of the 2014-15 campaign, but he has struggled to earn playing time due to the fine form of Blancos forward Karim Benzema.

This had led to speculation that he might depart during the winter transfer window, but Eduardo Hernandez insists that there is no chance of his client cutting short his stay at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“Sometimes the media speculate too much and assume situations,” the agent is quoted as saying by AS. “He will not leave the club [in January].

“He is eager to play more minutes but he knows that hard work will open up more opportunities. He has his future ahead of him.

“Real Madrid are a team full of impressive players and obviously to earn a spot is difficult, but Javier has a great quality in working hard, like he has since the first day, and this is his quality.”

Furthermore, Chicharito's representative insisted that no decision will be taken on the player’s future before next summer.

“If Madrid do not exercise the option to buy it will not be until the end of the season," the agent added. "In any case, we have to consult with the board of Manchester United to know what the future holds for Chicharito.”

 

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Vidal revitalised by Cagliari cracker: I'll get back to my best in 2015

Arturo Vidal felt he took a major step towards re-establishing himself as one of the world's top midfielders in Juventus's win at Cagliari.

The Chile international has struggled for both form and fitness since undergoing knee surgery before this summer's World Cup but he looked back to his brilliant best in Sardinia.

After Carlo Tevez had opened the scoring three minutes in, Vidal doubled Juve's advantage with a sublime, curling effort from outside the area. Moreover, he was still going strong long after Fernando Llorente had sealed a 3-1 victory that ensured that Massimiliano Allegri's men will be top of Serie A come Christmas.

He is now brimming with confidence ahead of Monday's Supercoppa Italiana showdown with Napoli in Doha.

"I want to get back to being one of the best [in the world] in 2015 and I'm working a lot to achieve this," the 27-year-old told Sky Sport Italia.

"It was important to win this evening and we did that well. We have played against a difficult team and we have produced a good game. It was important to finish 2014 in first place.

"But now we're thinking about Napoli. There are four or five days to prepare well for the game and to finish the year on a high."

Juve's win at Cagliari sees them move four points clear of second-placed Roma, who face AC Milan at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.

 

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Howard: Mignolet fighting for Liverpool career

Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has warned Merseyside counterpart Simon Mignolet that he may face an uncertain Liverpool future.

Mignolet was hailed as "one of the top goalkeepers in the Premier League" by Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers when he arrived at Anfield from Sunderland in June 2013.

But the Belgium international's performance levels have dipped this season and Rodgers sent out a clear statement of intent by dropping him for last Sunday's Premier League clash at Manchester United in favour of Brad Jones, who has been promised a prolonged run in the first team.

Howard has sympathy for Mignolet and is blunt over what could happen next for the 26-year-old.

"I'll be honest and I think it's a hard road back now," he told reporters. "I think when you get taken out of the team, sometimes there's no way back.

"It's unfortunate for a goalkeeper, but that's how it is.

"You can't come on and play the last 20 or 30 minutes and put a good shift in and win a few tackles.

"It's all or nothing with goalkeepers."

On Mignolet's plight, Howard continued: "I feel for Simon, even though he's a Red.

"It's hard for a goalkeeper. I think the quote is 'taking the goalkeeper out of the spotlight', but I think it only sheds more light on him. I don't agree with it.

"I think you have to go with a goalkeeper and appreciate there will be ups and downs, especially in this league.

"It's so fast, it's so rough, it's a tough league for goalkeepers."

Howard was talking to the media at the launch of his autobiography, 'The Keeper'.

 

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De Boer: Rodgers is struggling, but I cannot talk about Liverpool

Ajax boss Frank de Boer has refused to talk about speculation linking him with "struggling" Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers.

De Boer has led Ajax to four straight Eredivisie titles and, as a result, is regarded as one of the leading coaches in European football.

The 44-year-old was linked with the manager's post at Tottenham last season and his name has been mentioned in connection with the same position at Liverpool, where Rodgers is thought to be under pressure following their struggles this campaign.

However, De Boer is remaining quiet on the subject and insists he is content to remain at the Amsterdam ArenA and attempt to build on the success he has enjoyed in recent seasons.He told Voetbal International: "I don't want to talk about Liverpool. Also out of respect to Rodgers, who's had a fantastic season and is struggling now.

"As long as no one contacts me, I don't want and don't need to think about it. I'm busy with Ajax.

"And if nobody calls, I'm very happy to stay here. There is still a lot to accomplish.
"I might decide that anyway. The thought of coaching abroad doesn't tickle me yet."

 

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Mainz 1-2 Bayern Munich: Robben nets last-gasp winner for record-breaking Bavarians

Arjen Robben scored a late winner as Bayern Munich beat Mainz 2-1 to break their own Bundesliga points record heading into the winter break.

Pep Guardiola's side have totally dominated the German top flight this term and passed the previous best of 44 points by the Christmas interval with victory at the Coface Arena on Friday.

Elkin Soto broke the deadlock for the hosts in the 21st minute after both sides had seen goals disallowed for offside.

But that lead lasted just three minutes, as Bastian Schweinsteiger grabbed his first goal of an injury-ravaged campaign with an expertly executed free-kick.

There was little to choose between the sides for much of the encounter, but Robben popped up in the 90th minute to snatch victory.

The result extends Mainz's winless run to nine matches, while Bayern have now won their last eight Bundesliga matches on the bounce and go into Christmas unbeaten for the second straight season.

With Robert Lewandowski, Xabi Alonso and Mehdi Benatia all missing, Pep Guardiola brought Jerome Boateng, Schweinsteiger and Pierre Hojbjerg into his starting XI, and Bayern looked to make a quick start – Franck Ribery sending an effort just wide inside the opening two minutes.

Mainz looked to have taken a shock lead in the fourth minute when Pablo De Blasis stooped to head in a Daniel Brosinski cross from the right, but the linesman correctly raised his flag for offside.

Gonzalo Jara made a superb recovery challenge having headed the ball to an unmarked Thomas Muller in the penalty area after 12 minutes, and Bayern saw a goal of their own ruled out for offside seven minutes later, with replays showing Robben's effort to be a much tighter call than the home side's.

With two goals already chalked off, Bayern could have been forgiven for sending a hopeful glance in the direction of the linesman when Soto sent the ball between goalkeeper Manuel Neuer's legs from a Shinji Okazaki cross – no such luck this time around.

Bayern were back on terms within three minutes, though, with Schweinsteiger curling in a 25-yard free-kick off the left-hand upright for his first league goal since April.

Guardiola may have been taken aback by Mainz's sustained threat after conceding the equaliser, but Robben should have done better when his marauding run down the right wing at the beginning of the second half fizzled out.

Yunus Malli showed glimpses of his ability during the opening period, and forced Neuer into an impressive save after the interval.

The 22-year-old was sent one-on-one with the Ballon d'Or nominee, who dived to his right to make a superb one-handed stop.

Boateng pulled the trigger when the ball fell to him some eight yards from goal after 68 minutes, but the defender's effort was poor and collected comfortably by goalkeeper Loris Karius.

Bayern piled late pressure on the home side and got their reward as Juan Bernat's left-wing cross was missed by Muller, but not Robben, who took a touch before drilling home from close range to rewrite more history for the Bavarian giants.

 

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Neuer hails Robben's 'heavenly' winner at Mainz

Manuel Neuer thanked Bayern Munich team-mate Arjen Robben for his "heavenly" winning goal in Friday's dramatic 2-1 triumph at Mainz.

The unbeaten Bavarians had been expected to coast to victory at the Coface Arena but they fell behind after just 21 minutes of play, with Elkin Soto nutmegging Neuer to send the home crowd into raptures.

Bastian Schweinsteiger promptly levelled matters with a sublime free-kick but Bayern looked destined to drop points in the Bundesliga for just the fourth time this season.

However, with just a minute of normal time remaining, Juan Bernat squared the ball for Robben to steal a victory that saw Bayern break their own points record for the halfway point of the season (45).

"It was heavenly," Neuer said of his Dutch colleague's last-gasp winner in Mainz. "We are delighted with ourselves!"

It was Robben's fourth goal in his last three Bundesliga outings but the Netherlands international was reluctant to accept any praise for his crucial contribution at the Coface Arena and instead expressed his sympathy to Mainz for having suffered such late heartbreak.

"Compliments must go to our team," the former Real Madrid man added. "We bounced back well to falling behind and I'm happy with the win.

"But I feel sorry for Mainz, who gave everything. They deserved a point, but that's football."

Bayern Munich now have just over five weeks off before resuming their bid for a third consecutive Bundesliga title with a trip to Wolfsburg on January 30.

 

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Pep praises Bayern's Bundesliga record

Pep Guardiola was a proud man after Bayern Munich broke their own points record for the first half of the Bundesliga season by winning at Mainz on Friday night.

The reigning champions fell behind at the Coface Arena, with Elkin Soto breaking the deadlock midway through the first half, but Bastian Schweinsteiger posted an almost immediate reply before Arjen Robben nicked all three points with a last-minute winner.

Guardiola freely admitted that Bayern had struggled during the opening 45 minutes but he was enthused by the way in which his players had upped the intensity after the break in what was their final outing of a hectic 2014.

"Compliments to Mainz, as they played well and were good on the break," the Catalan said. "We had a few problems in the first half but controlled the second. We're happy with the victory.

"But I'm really happy about how we've started the season after a World Cup, and having won a lot in the past few years.

"No matter where we go, we always play with passion. But we now need to stay calm and prepare for the second half of the season."

Bayern's triumph at Mainz leaves them with a record haul of 45 points after 17 rounds of action, with the Bavarians now 14 points clear of second-placed Wolfsburg, who face Koln on Saturday.

 

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Carrick: Manchester United targeting Premier League title

Michael Carrick insists that the Manchester United squad have their sights set on winning back the Premier League title this season.

United lifted their 20th top-flight crown at the end of Sir Alex Ferguson's final season at the helm in 2012-13, but finished seventh in David Moyes' first campaign in charge just a year later.

Moyes was axed as a result of the club's poor form, with Louis van Gaal appointed as his successor, and, following an inconsistent start, United have strung together a run of six consecutive victories under the Dutchman.

That sequence has seen them climb to third in the table, eight points behind leaders Chelsea, and Carrick insists he and his team-mates are intent on lifting the trophy in May.

"I don't want to say we are going to win the league, but certainly at this point, it is what we are aiming to do," he told The Telegraph.

"We are not just looking to be happy for top three or top four.

"We want to be looking, over Christmas and into January, to be up there and then taking it from there. But winning the league has to be the aim.

"At this stage of the season, we are exactly where I think we should be and talking to the lads, we have that mentality that we want, and expect, to be challenging.

"It's not a case of thinking that third is great because we have improved.We are looking past that and want to be challenging right up at the top."

 

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Wenger: Henry could struggle in retirement

Arsene Wenger believes Thierry Henry could struggle to adjust to retirement, having called time on his illustrious playing career on Monday.

The former Arsenal striker won three Premier League titles with the Gunners, the Champions League with Barcelona and the 1998 World Cup with France.

Wenger has previously admitted that Henry could return to the Gunners as a coach, but the 63-year-old readily concedes that the star will find it difficult to live up to his playing reputation in whatever role he chooses to undertake in the future.

“I congratulate him on what he did,” Wenger told RMC. “Life doesn’t stop now. Unfortunately for him, I think he will have to be extremely strong to have the same success in his new life that he had as a player."

However, Wenger believes Henry has the “intelligence” to succeed should he decide to remain in football, having seen him develop from an underperforming winger into one of the best strikers in the world during his time at Arsenal.

“Henry a coach? He has to learn the job,” Wenger continued. “But why not? He has to choose.

“You have to learn your job and for this, you have to be the head of a team.”

When asked again if Henry could learn his trade at his former club Wenger replied: “I already have a big staff.”

 

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Tottenham flop Soldado 'ashamed' of poor form

Roberto Soldado says he is "ashamed" at being unable to repay the faith put in him by Tottenham supporters.

The striker moved to White Hart Lane from Valencia in a €33.2 million deal in 2013, but has failed to transfer his prolific La Liga form to the Premier League.

In 38 league appearances for Spurs, Soldado has scored just seven goals, four of which have come from the penalty spot.

Despite his profligate displays, the Spain international continues to receive the unwavering support of the Tottenham faithful, and the 29-year-old admits he is often embarrassed by their chants of backing.

"From the first minute I'm involved, even before I've done anything, the fans show they believe in me, and I feel ashamed at not being able to satisfy them," the forward is quoted as saying by the Evening Standard.

"It's hard when they sing. I hear them chanting my name and if I miss a chance, I feel bad.

"I can't thank them enough. I just hope I can reach the level they expect and take advantage of the great players around me.

"If only I knew that little something that's missing for me to find my form, really show my game and for the goals to start flowing.

"I am reassured, though, because the manager [Mauricio Pochettino] is giving me more minutes on the pitch.

"With that, my time will come, because in the games I'm feeling good. The critical thing is that the goals aren't coming but I know they will."