..::Football III::..

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Fletcher: It's about time Man Utd won the FA Cup again

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher is eager to end the club's long wait for FA Cup glory after the Red Devils booked their place in the Fourth Round with a 2-0 victory over Yeovil.

Goals from Ander Hererra and Angel di Maria saw United through against the League One side, putting the club - and the 30-year-old - one step closer to etching their name onto the trophy for the first time since 2004.

"We knew it wasn't going to be easy, that there was going to be tackles flying in - it was going to be lively," the Scotland international, who is the only member of the current United squad to have won the FA Cup, told BT Sport.

Fletcher praised his side's resolve at Huish Park after digging in and battling to earn their place in the next round after a goalless first half.

"You have to battle before you can win the match," he said.

"We did that today. We battled for maybe 60-70 minutes and then Ander Herrera scored a fantastic goal and sometimes that's what it takes.

"We are in the draw for the next round. It has been too long since Manchester United have won this competition and we really want to win it this year."

 

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Laporta hints at Barcelona return

Joan Laporta has dropped his biggest hint yet that he will stand for election to become Barcelona president for a second time.

The Spaniard took to his official Facebook page on Sunday to post a picture of himself wearing the club's jersey along with a poem alluding to his future plans.

The rhyme, written by Miquel Marti i Pol, read: "Here and now I thread this needle with a purpose I shall not yet reveal and I begin to mend. Once again let us stand tall and may our solemn and clear voice be heard anew. Let everyone hear who we are."

Barcelona's presidential election is set to run in 2016, with Laporta seemingly intent on taking advantage of current chief Josep Maria Bartomeu's vulnerability in light of the club's recent troubles.

Last week the La Liga side failed in their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to overturn a transfer ban, which means they aren't allowed to buy any players for two transfer windows.

Laporta, 52, was first appointed president in 2003 and held the position until 2010, with the signing of Ronaldinho and installing of Pep Guardiola as coach two of his stand-out achievements.

 

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Sergio Ramos vows Valencia defeat will make Madrid stronger

Sergio Ramos was left "hurt" by Real Madrid's loss at Valencia on Sunday night but claimed that the pain of seeing a 22-game winning run come to an end will make Carlo Ancelotti's men stronger.

Los Blancos took the lead at Mestalla courtesy of a 14-minute penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo but the hosts turned the game on its head with second-half goals from Antonio Barragan and Nicolas Otamendi.

"I won’t take anything away from Valencia," Sergio Ramos is quoted as saying by AS. "I’m hurt by the loss of three points and the end of the run, but the league is long."We didn’t sing about our victories before the match nor will we throw the towel in on La Liga now."They played their system, they managed to do well, they put plenty of players in the middle of the field and they have taken the points.

“But I think if anything has characterised this group it is the humility and work, and this will not change that."It will make us stronger. We will continue to grow as a confident team."

Despite the defeat, Madrid remain one point above Barcelona at the top of La Liga. However, the Blaugrana can move top of the table by beating Real Sociedad at the Anoeta on Sunday evening.

 

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Newcastle terminate Ben Arfa contract by mutual consent

Hatem Ben Arfa's contract with Newcastle United has been terminated by mutual consent, leaving the attacker free to complete a move to Nice.

The Ligue 1 side announced on Saturday that they had agreed a deal in principle to sign the 27-year-old, who recently had an unsuccessful stint on loan at Hull City.

Newcastle have now cleared the way for Ben Arfa to move on, five years after his arrival at St James' Park from Olympique de Marseille.

A statement read: "Newcastle United can confirm that Hatem Ben Arfa and the club have reached an agreement to terminate the contract between both parties with immediate effect by mutual consent.

"Newcastle United wishes Hatem all the best for his future."

Ben Arfa joined Newcastle on a season-long loan from Marseille in August 2010 before making the move permanent in the following transfer window.

The winger offered moments of brilliance during his time with Newcastle, but also came in for criticism over a perceived lack of application.

After falling out of favour under manager Alan Pardew, who moved to Crystal Palace earlier this week, Ben Arfa was offered a chance to resurrect his Premier League career with a temporary switch to Hull at the beginning of September.

However, he failed to impress Steve Bruce and was soon dropped, with the Hull boss telling BBC Radio Humberside: "Talent without hard work means you won't live up to your potential."

Nice are poised to complete the signing of Ben Arfa on Monday, subject to a successful medical.

 

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Wenger confident Arsenal ace Alexis will not tire

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes there is no reason why Alexis Sanchez cannot keep up his high energy levels all season despite the heavy workload he has placed on him so far in 2014-15.

The Chile forward has played 36 matches for club and country since August, 34 of which have been starts, and at the beginning of December Wenger admitted he considered him “in the red zone” physically.

“Sanchez is in the red zone, you can see when he plays, but he can dig deep,” the Frenchman said. “Unfortunately, you never know how far you can push it.

“We are not scientific enough to predict that completely but he recovers very quickly.”

But Alexis has gone on to play all six of Arsenal’s games over the busy Christmas period since being rested for the Champions League trip to Galatasaray, and was brought off in those fixtures only twice - in the 87th and 84th minute.

Once again, the 26-year-old was at his superb best in Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Hull City, setting up the first goal before scoring the second himself, and Wenger is confident he will not tire.

“I was tempted [to rest him] but [Olivier] Giroud was suspended today and I knew it was an important game for us,” the Gunners boss told reporters after the FA Cup third-round tie.

“In the end, he feels always ready. Can he keep that energy level up all season? I hope so. There’s no reason [he can’t] - you’re always told that when a player’s confident, [you should] keep him playing.

“When players are confident it’s important to keep them going, especially when they have that physical potential. He recovers very quickly and doesn’t look in our tests to have any fatigue problems.”

Last season, Arsenal relied heavily on marquee signing Mesut Ozil during the first half of the season before the German’s form dipped dramatically in February. He then suffered a muscle injury in March.

In the Premier League alone, Alexis has played four more games and 278 more minutes than Ozil had on this date in 2013-14.

Ozil is expected to step up his return from a knee injury this month, with Danny Welbeck, Mathieu Flamini, Mikel Arteta, Abou Diaby, Serge Gnabry, Yaya Sanogo and Jack Wilshere also currently sidelined.

 

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Real Sociedad 1-0 Barcelona: Blaugrana blow chance to go top

Barcelona missed the chance to go top of La Liga by slumping to a 1-0 loss at Real Sociedad on Sunday evening.

Real Madrid's 2-1 loss at Valencia earlier in the day meant victory for the Catalan giants would have seen them climb to the top of La Liga, but they passed up that chance as their recent poor record at Anoeta Stadium continued.

The men from Camp Nou have now drawn two and lost four of their last six games at the home of Sociedad in all competitions.

Defeat also ended their 11-match unbeaten run, with their last reverse having come against Celta Vigo back in early November.

Luis Enrique left Lionel Messi and Neymar on the bench for the start of this match, after both men had been given an extra two days' break over the Christmas period and returned to the club later than the rest of the squad.

Unsurprisingly, both were introduced in a bid to conjure up an equaliser - Messi at half-time and Neymar shortly before the hour - but neither man was able to have the desired impact as David Moyes' struggling Sociedad lifted themselves three places to 13th, five points clear of the drop zone.

Victory completed an impressive home league treble for Sociedad, who have now beaten Real, Atletico Madrid and Barca at Anoeta this season.

Barca got off to a torrid start when they fell behind in the opening exchanges. A corner was taken short to Sergio Canales, who whipped in a left-footed cross that Alba could only head into his own net with Claudio Bravo - returning to his former club for the first time - beaten.

The visitors' first effort of note did not arrive until the 21st minute, when Xavi curled a 25-yard free-kick narrowly over the crossbar.

Four minutes later Luis Suarez burst forward and fed Pedro, who blazed off-target with the angle against him.

Barca thought they should have had a penalty on the half hour when Pedro's cross took a deflection and struck the left arm of Inigo Martinez, but referee Carlos Del Cerro waved away the appeals.

Although the visitors were dominating possession, former Real man Canales was proving a threat on the counter-attack and he brought a smart stop out of Bravo at his near post after leaving Martin Montoya on his backside with an adroit turn inside the penalty area.

Sociedad goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli kept out Pedro's swerving effort with his legs as Barca continued to press for an equaliser.

The visitors maintained their dominance after the interval and Andres Iniesta fired over the bar in the 59th minute.

While Barca poured forward in search of a leveller, they remained vulnerable at the back and almost fell further behind when Bravo misjudged Alberto De La Bella's cross and Xabi Prieto headed over the bar.

Neat interplay between Iniesta and Alba then set up Xavi, but his effort from just inside the box was weak and comfortable for Rulli.

As the game entered the final five minutes, Rulli raced from his line to get a fingertip on the ball as Suarez attempted to go round him and score, and the keeper then reacted smartly to keep out the Uruguayan's header.

Those two saves summed up the visitors' frustrations, as Barca missed out on the chance to leapfrog their fierce rivals Real and reach the summit.

 

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Van Gaal: Nobody could ask any more of Manchester United

Louis van Gaal has assessed Manchester United's current situation in both the Premier League and FA Cup, and believes no more can be asked of his side.

The Dutchman saw his side through to the fourth round of the cup after a 2-0 win at Yeovil, and was pleased with how his side dealt with injuries and a tactical switch against the League One club.

"It's always difficult against such teams to play. But also we have a lot of problems with injuries because Rafael was already very quickly injured and he played through it. Also McNair and Shaw played through it. I had to change", he told BT Sport.

"I don't have more defenders so we had to change from five to four. We played four in midfield in the second half and then we played better because we kept the ball. We were more patient also and because of that we scored the winning goal.

"I don't think the opponents allowed us [to show individual quality]. They didn't give us much time so every ball was under pressure from the opponent.

"I have a lot of respect for the players and coach of Yeovil Town because it was not so easy for us. In the second half we had a little bit more time and space and then we were better. That's why the level of the players wasn't as high as usual.

"Because of all these injuries I had not so much a big selection. We had a festive period behind our back and we are in the next round. We have regained some ground to Chelsea, so what can you wish more?"

 

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No regrets over benching Messi, insists Barcelona boss Luis Enrique

Luis Enrique insists he does not regret his decision to start with Lionel Messi on the bench in Barcelona's 1-0 loss at Real Sociedad.

Both Messi and Neymar were left out of the starting line-up for the game in San Sebastian, with Luis Suarez, Munir El Haddadi and Pedro selected up front.

However, with Barca trailing to a Jordi Alba own goal after a dreadfully blunt first-half display, Messi was introduced at the interval, while Neymar entered the fray just before the half-hour mark.

Even with their superstar duo on the field, the Catalans were unable to turn the game around, thus bringing an end to their 11-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Barca had also squandered the chance to take advantage of Real Madrid's shock defeat at Valencia earlier in the day and go two points clear at the top of La Liga, but Luis Enrique was adamant that he had done the right thing by leaving Messi and Neymar on the bench, given the pair had only returned to training on December 31 after being granted time off for Christmas.

"This isn't the time to regret those decisions," the Blaugrana boss told reporters after the game. "I look at the season as a whole and I do what's best for the team. I thought that it was best not to risk [them].

"[The own goal was] Real Sociedad's only dangerous chance. We controlled the match, especially in the second half when we got closer to their net.

"We deserved more than that. We were a bit unlucky not to have scored an equaliser. Real Sociedad played a complete match."

Barca must now turn their attention to the Copa del Rey and Thursday's last-16, first-leg clash with Elche at Camp Nou.

 

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FA Cup 2015.01.05 Fixtures

FA Cup 2015.01.05 Fixtures

Burnley Vs Tottenham

AFC Wimbledon Vs Liverpool​

 

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La Liga 2015.01.05 Fixture

La Liga 2015.01.05 Fixture

Cordoba Vs Granada​

 

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Serie A 2015.01.05 Fixture

Serie A 2015.01.05 Fixture

Lazio Vs Sampdoria​

 

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AFC Wimbledon 1-2 Liverpool: Gerrard double staves off upset

A goal in each half from Steven Gerrard handed Liverpool a 2-1 victory at AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup third round.

The Liverpool captain - who announced his plans to leave Anfield at the end of the season on Friday - was in fine form at Kingsmeadow to dash League Two Wimbledon's hopes of repeating their famous victory in the 1988 final.

Gerrard perfectly timed a run into the penalty area to head home the opening goal after 12 minutes, but his side were pegged back by Adebayo Akinfenwa's close-range leveller before the interval.

Wimbledon had further chances to add to that goal, but it was Gerrard who was the match-winner with a superbly placed free kick after 62 minutes.

Brendan Rodgers' men were able to keep their opponents at arm's length in the closing minutes to set up a home tie with Bolton Wanderers in the fourth round.

Akinfenwa returned as one of two changes for the hosts, but it was his strike partner Matt Tubbs who threatened early.

The 30-year-old latched onto an eighth-minute flick from Akinfenwa, but he dragged his shot wide of Simon Mignolet's goal.

Neal Ardley's men were made to pay four minutes later as Gerrard marked his first Liverpool game since declaring his intention to leave the club by breaking the deadlock.

He got on the end of a pinpoint delivery from Javier Manquillo – one of four Liverpool alterations – and neatly placed his header beyond James Shea.

Having soaked up plenty of pressure, Wimbledon slowly battled back and just before the half hour saw Sean Rigg denied by a superb reflex save from Mignolet.

However, the goalkeeper was all at sea in the 37th minute as he failed to claim a George Francomb corner, and Akinfenwa was on hand to fire Wimbledon level.

The fourth-tier side went close to taking the lead two minutes after the break, but Adam Barrett's looping header from a right-wing corner was cleared off the line by Gerrard.

Wimbledon were lucky to survive a 56th-minute appeal for a penalty when Barry Fuller handled inside the area, with referee Jon Moss waving away the Liverpool appeals.

The full-back was not so fortunate five minutes later, though, as he felled Philippe Coutinho with a reckless lunge on the edge of the box.

He was immediately punished by Gerrard, who curled the free kick over the Wimbledon wall and out of the reach of Shea.

Rickie Lambert – who had been anonymous in the opening hour – almost extended their lead even further in the 69th minute, only to fluff his lines.

The striker was released by Gerrard inside the penalty area, but his low shot was kept out by the legs of Shea. Lazar Markovic had all the time in the world to make it 3-1 following a counter-attack, but against fired at Shea.

Gerrard had an opportunity to wrap up a hat-trick with nine minutes remaining, but Shea was alert to deny him as the plucky hosts were narrowly beaten, and the former England captain saw another effort cleared off the line in stoppage time.

 

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Montpellier 0-3 Paris Saint-Germain: Ibrahimovic and Lucas on target in cup stroll

Clement Chantome, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Lucas Moura all scored to give Paris Saint-Germain a 3-0 win over Montpellier in the Coupe de France.

Reigning Ligue 1 champions PSG were held to a goalless draw by Monday's hosts before the mid-season break, missing the chance to return to the top of the table.
They were knocked out of the Coupe de France by the same opponents last term and a similar tale of frustration appeared to be unfolding during an ill-tempered encounter.

Making just his second start of the season, Chantome played a full part in a combative midfield battle before breaking the deadlock in the 63rd minute.

Laurent Blanc's men earned breathing space 11 minutes from time with a goal from a more familiar source, Zlatan Ibrahimovic nodding home his 13th goal of an injury-affected campaign.Lucas Moura blasted an emphatic third from a tight angle inside the box in injury time to secure a last 16 encounter with Bordeaux.

The Brazilian had rifled over from the edge of the area in the 10th minute when a punted clearance from PSG goalkeeper Nicolas Douchez was shoddily dealt with.
Douchez was making his second appearance of the season having featured in last month's 3-1 win at Ajaccio in this competition. Despite some erratic early moments, the 34-year-old was largely comfortable as his defence repelled an uninspired Montpellier attack.

It was a similar story for a PSG forward line lacking Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi - the South American duo beginning a two-game exile as punishment for their late return to training in Paris following the mid-season break.

Frustrations boiled over for Ibrahimovic in the 25th minute as the Sweden forward was booked for his part in a spat with Montpellier defender Daniel Congre.
That set the tone for an increasingly fractious conclusion to the first half, where brawn largely held sway over brains.

Chantome collected an arguably overdue booking when he caught Hilton with a trailing arm early in the second half and his midfield colleague Yohan Cabaye might have received a second caution when he felled Jonas Martin in the 51st minute.
Inexplicably, Cabaye then infringed within 10 yards to block a free-kick but remained on the field.Montpellier's clearest chance of the match arrived in the 53rd minute but Lucas Barrios connected tamely with Anthony Mounier’s cross and Douchez collected.

That scare appeared to wake up PSG and Montpellier goalkeeper Jonathan Ligali turned a rasping Lucas strike behind before Chantome diverted a close-range chance narrowly wide form the resulting corner.

Douchez fumbled from a bobbling Paul Lasne shot a minute before his team took the lead - Ibrahimovic and Marquinhos combining for the the former to bundle a low cross back towards Chantome, who rolled the ball into an unguarded net.
Signs of PSG's swagger returned in the wake of the goal, Ibrahimovic teeing up Lucas to send a dipping half volley just over.

And Montpellier's challenge was extinguished when Ibrahimovic stooped to convert a fine delivery by substitute Javier Pastore and Lucas thumped home a third early in stoppage time to add gloss to the scoreline.

 

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Burnley 1-1 Tottenham: Vokes equaliser forces Spurs replay

Sam Vokes came off the bench to earn Burnley an FA Cup third-round replay in a 1-1 draw with Tottenham at Turf Moor on Monday.

The Wales international was a key part of Burnley's promotion-winning side last season, scoring 20 Championship goals, but the striker sustained a serious knee injury in March that kept him out for nine months.

In only his second senior appearance since that injury, Vokes came on as a second-half substitute and turned home Michael Kightly's cross to ensure his side remain in contention to face Leicester City in the fourth round later this month.In a relatively low-key affair, Nacer Chadli had earlier given Spurs the lead with a composed finish in the 56th minute, but the home side responded strongly and secured a replay through Vokes' strike.

A repeat at White Hart Lane was possibly not the desired result for either side, especially Spurs, who are still challenging in the League Cup and the Europa League.

Burnley, meanwhile, are now winless in five matches in all competitions, but Sean Dyche's side may take heart from another comeback after showing their battling qualities in recovering from losing positions against Manchester City and Newcastle United in their last two outings.

Despite a gruelling festive period, the home side made just two changes from the side that started their 3-3 draw at Newcastle last time out.

Captain Jason Shackell picked up a calf problem in that game and missed out, while David Jones was rested, with Daniel Lafferty and Kightly coming into the team.By contrast, Spurs made seven alterations from their thrilling 5-3 defeat of Chelsea as Mauricio Pochettino looked to give some game time to his fringe players.

After a first half that failed to yield a shot on goal from either side, Pochettino introduced the in-form Harry Kane from the bench at the interval in place of Benjamin Stambouli.

Perhaps boosted by his arrival, Spurs threatened at the start of the second period as Federico Fazio brought a comfortable save out of Tom Heaton before Kane shot wide of the target.Burnley responded as Danny Ings pulled a long ball out of the air and tested Michel Vorm with a drive from distance.

But Spurs went ahead 11 minutes into the second half as Chadli controlled Ben Davies' cross and fired in left-footed from close to the penalty spot.With the home side reeling, Heaton had to be alert to keep out Kane's shot after Roberto Soldado had played his strike partner in.

Dean Marney fired off target as the game entered the final 20 minutes, before Vokes, who had replaced Ashley Barnes 12 minutes earlier, converted Kightly's cross with 17 minutes remaining.

In a bid to avoid a replay, both sides pushed forward in search of a winner but one was not forthcoming, meaning the pair will clash again in north London to decide who faces Leicester.

 

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Pochettino calm over Tottenham fixture pile-up

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is not concerned about his side facing a fixture pile-up despite having to settle for a replay against Burnley in the FA Cup.

Sam Vokes levelled following Nacer Chadli's opener to ensure the Clarets will head to White Hart Lane on Wednesday January 14 in a bid to take on Leicester City in the fourth round.

That match now means Pochettino's side have just one scheduled midweek without a match until mid-March, though that could yet be filled should they progress to the fourth round and go to a replay against the Foxes.

Reaching the knockout stages of the Europa League and the semi-finals of the League Cup has led to the White Hart Lane outfit facing a glut of games, but the former Southampton boss is happy to be fighting on four fronts.

"I'm disappointed with the result because we have to play another game. I think the first half was poor from both teams but in the second half we were better," he told reporters.

"I am not concerned. We are confident in our squad. All our players are in good physical condition. We have to play another 90 minutes, but this is football. We need to stay in the next round of the FA Cup.

"Our priority is to stay in all competitions. For Tottenham it is important to stay in all competitions. We don’t have one priority."

 

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Rodgers relieved after Wimbledon scare

Brendan Rodgers admitted he was relieved after Liverpool avoided an FA Cup upset with a 2-1 win over AFC Wimbledon.

Captain Steven Gerrard's double booked the seven-time winners' place in the fourth round – where they will face Bolton Wanderers – but they had to withstand some pressure from their hosts.Fourth-tier Wimbledon levelled through Abebayo Akinfenwa before half-time, but they were guilty of wasting chances while in the ascendancy.

Rodgers admitted his side had taken their foot off the pedal at times, but he felt their second-half performance warranted a place in the next round.

"It was a very tough game, congratulations to AFC Wimbledon - they made it very difficult," he told BBC Sport."We started well like we'd want to, controlling the game, but then we lost our shape within the game and we presented them chances by giving the ball away.

"We adapted at half-time but we still had to defend all the way through to the end. The physicality always puts you under pressure - they have good delivery."The ball came into the box consistently and of course that can be a threat. You'll never be overly comfortable in those situations.

"I've got to give a lot of testament to my players - they showed a lot of character. In the second half, we should have had two or three more goals."

 

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Barcelona don't have strong players - Busquets

Sergio Busquets says Barcelona are physically weak following their 1-0 defeat at the hands of Real Sociedad on Sunday.

Jordi Alba headed into his own net in the first half following a cross into the box from Sergio Canales, as Barca conceded yet again from a set-piece delivery.

Though the diminutive nature of the club's playing squad has been a key role in their success in years gone by, Busquets believe it is at the heart of their immediate problems.

The midfielder said: "We haven't started the year well. People say it is normal to lose but it isn't for us. We don't have physically strong or tall players and that has cost us at corner-kicks."

The defeat was all the more diffuclt to take after leaders Real Madrid had been beaten by Valencia earlier on Sunday, paving the way for Barca to overtake them at the top of La Liga.

The fixture list doesn't get any easier for Luis Enrique's side either with Thursday's clash against Elche followed by a league clash with reigning champions Atletico Madrid.

"The results over the weekend have benefited Atletico. We have to improve against them and we must be self-critical. We cannot afford to make the same mistakes again."

 

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I expected a Manchester United mutiny - Van Gaal

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says he expected the club's fans to be "rising up" against him following a poor start to the season.

United lost their Premier League opener at home to Swansea City, before two uninspiring draws at Sunderland and Burnley and a League Cup humbling at the hands of the MK Dons left the club reeling heading into September.

And having experienced testing times at Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, three of his former clubs, Van Gaal was expecting a harsh reception from the Old Trafford faithful.

"The first feeling that I had was that after 11 matches and we had 13 points, I came in the stadium and thought the fans shall not be pleased, and they are rising up, [but] they are clapping their hands when I entered the stadium!

"With the other clubs... in Barcelona with the white handkerchiefs, in Munich and Amsterdam with the whistles, and here in Manchester they were applauding for the manager despite the few points. I felt not so happy because I was responsible for the results."

Van Gaal also moved to keep his players' egos in check, insisting that his side are "still not good enough", but hopes performances will start to match their recent good run of results.

In a pre-recorded interview with United's in-house television channel, MUTV, conducted after the 3-0 victory against Liverpool on December 14, he said there is reason to hope that his players will start living up to expectations given their winning run, which then stood at six and has now been extended to 11 matches without defeat.

The Dutchman claimed on Sunday that his team have "survived" the busy Christmas period following wins against Newcastle and Yeovil, plus draws on the road to Aston Villa, Tottenham and Stoke City, which leaves them with 37 points from 10 league matches and in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

And while he is pleased with his team's progress and points haul, he says things are not yet to his liking.

"Nearly two points a match average, normally you are a champion at the end," he said. "That amount of results I think for your first season is not bad at this time, but I think as a trainer coach, as a manager, I have to analyse the performances of my players because that is the most important thing, that shows how far we are in the process.

"That’s still not good enough in my opinion, and that’s what I’m saying a lot of times in press conferences after matches, but I hope we shall improve, and when we are having these results at this moment, with not the best performances... when we have the best performances, then we have hope."

And when asked if his squad's confidence was "sky high" following the run of six consecutive victories, the Dutchman was in typical form.

"Not sky high!" he replied. "I have a lot of criticism always in the evaluation of my players, so they are not all sky high, I think. But I have to admit that the atmosphere in the group is fantastic and we have a lot of confidence built up now."

 

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Roma are the best in Italy - Stramaccioni

Udinese coach Andrea Stramaccioni has voiced his opinion that Roma are technically the best side in Italy ahead of their meeting in Serie A.

The 38-year-old was installed as trainer at Friuli in June 2014 and has guided his side to ninth position in the table, four points adrift of a potential Champions League spot.

On Tuesday they will host a Giallorossi side that could join Juventus at the top of the table, temporarily at least, with a victory, and the Udinese coach confessed that he feels their visitors are the most technically proficient side in the country.

"In terms of technical quality they're the best in Italy," Stramaccioni said in a press conference.

"I think the energy they were expending in the Champions League could have affected them a bit in the league, but now they've recharged their batteries.

"They're here for the three points and we have to try to stop them.

"Against Sampdoria we pressed very high, but we can't do that in every game. Of course we can't defend for 90 minutes against Roma either, otherwise we'll concede goals.

"We have to be dangerous with the weapons we have and fight for every ball."

Stramaccioni confirmed that his side will be without Emmanuel Badu, Thomas Heurtaux, Giampiero Pinzi and Luis Muriel for the game, but insisted that he is not worried by the number of absentees.

"I don't think we're in crisis. The players who play tomorrow will do fine," the former Inter boss added.

"Tomorrow [Tuesday] is a good test. If we play the way Udinese can, then we can take points of them."

 

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Cerci joins AC Milan on loan

Alessio Cerci has joined AC Milan on loan from Atletico Madrid, the Serie A club have confirmed.

Diego Simeone's desire to bring Fernando Torres back to the Vicente Calderon, following his disappointing temporary switch to San Siro from Chelsea, fuelled speculation that Cerci might return to Serie A in a player exchange.

The Rossoneri signed Torres on a permanent deal before allowing him to depart on loan to boyhood club Atletico and confirmed on Monday that 27-year-old Cerci had sealed a switch back to Italy, with the length of his temporary contract reported to be 18 months.

Cerci spent two years with Torino until the end of last season, having come through Roma's youth system before leaving for Fiorentina in 2012.

The Italy international endured a dismal time in the Spanish capital and started just one game in the Copa del Rey for the Liga champions before the winter break.