..::Football III::..

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Van Gaal: Money no problem for Manchester United

Louis van Gaal insists "money doesn't play any role" in Manchester United's transfer policy.

United have spent over €180 million since Van Gaal's arrival at the club, acquiring the likes of Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao and Marcos Rojo as part of a major squad revamp, while ex-Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes completed his move to Old Trafford earlier this week.

And Van Gaal says that the club will continue to spend whatever he deems necessary as he continues to reshape the playing staff at Old Trafford.

"When I cannot improve my selection, then I wait," he told reporters. "And then I maybe have to wait a year more. Maybe you think that there are so many fantastic players, but it is not like that.

"[However,] I don't [necessarily] prefer to wait until the summer when I can improve my selections. That I have showed with Valdes.

"When we can buy a player who can improve my selection, the club shall buy. Money is not interesting. It is always quality of the players in comparison with the other players that I have. I have to compare. I have to decide. Money doesn't play any role."

Van Gaal has assembled a fearsome attacking triumvirate since taking the United reins, with Falcao, Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney all vying for a starting spot.

But he has promised United fans that he will improve the club's "quality" in the final third over the duration of his tenure.

"Now that I coach Manchester United, I expect more attacking quality," he added. "If it is not this year, then next season or the season after that. We shall improve and you shall see it."

 

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Money no problem nam January additions tikak karagatthanam thamai hodaSpecially defence​

 

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'Ronaldo is unique - but Neuer has a chance'

The Fifa Ballon d'Or is a straight duel between Manuel Neuer and Cristiano Ronaldo, according to former Germany captain Lothar Matthaus.

The Real Madrid forward remains the favourite to retain the prize ahead of Monday's gala in Zurich, ahead of the Bayern Munich goalkeeper and Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

Matthaus, who led Germany to World Cup glory in 1990, believes Neuer's exploits in Brazil last summer have given him an excellent chance of lifting the trophy - but acknowledges Ronaldo's "unique" form.

"Neuer certainly has a realistic chance because he has reshaped goalkeeping. I would say he's almost reinvented it. For me, it's a duel between Ronaldo and Neuer," he told Bild.

"Winning the World Cup should be above everything else and the triumph in Rio is an advantage for Neuer. But then you see Ronaldo won the Champions League and scores goals like they're from an assembly line.

"Ronaldo's performances are unique. The only things that compare are Messi during his best spell and Brazilian Ronaldo in the early 2000s."

Matthaus does not believe World Cup Golden Ball winner Messi is likely to win, however, and feels the Argentina captain is fortunate to have made the final three.

"With all due respect, Messi has not had a good 2014. There were other players who were better. Arjen Robben is missing from the top three, as are one or two other world champions."

 

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Arsenal 3-0 Stoke City: Alexis stars as Gunners move above Spurs

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Barcelona 3-1 Atletico Madrid: Neymar, Suarez and Messi see off tough-tackling champions

Barcelona's superstar attacking trident of Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi inflicted revenge for being beaten to La Liga on the final day of last season with a 3-1 victory at Camp Nou on Sunday, putting a week of turmoil behind them.

Head coach Luis Enrique was criticised by many for his team selection in last weekend's dispiriting 1-0 loss at Real Sociedad and a 5-0 midweek thrashing of Elche in the Copa del Rey did not prevent him from entering Sunday's pivotal Camp Nou encounter under heavy scrutiny.

A rumoured rift between Luis Enrique and Lionel Messi dominated the pre-match build-up, but Barcelona's star man produced a majestic and tenacious display, laying on goals for attacking colleagues Neymar and Luis Suarez to ensure the hosts led 2-0 with 10 minutes to until half-time.

Messi blotted his copybook by conceding a soft 57th-minute penalty that Mario Mandzukic converted to hand Atletico a lifeline, although Diego Simeone's men could not follow Wednesday night's stirring 2-0 cup win over city rivals Real Madrid with another memorable success on the ground where they famously secured the Liga crown on the final day of last season.

It was Messi who fittingly had the final word, ending a run of seven goalless matches against Atletico three minutes from time and closing Barca to within two points of leaders Real having played a game more Atletico are three points further back in third after a match where their enterprising start quickly unravelled into a torrid opening half.Messi skewed a ninth-minute shot wide but created the opening goal from the inside-right position.

Suarez failed to control his team-mate's low cross with his thigh but Juanfran's missed clearance left Neymar with a far-post finish.It was almost double misery for Atletico in the 13th minute as goalkeeper Miguel Moya fumbled a Neymar strike and recovered sharply to thwart Suarez.

The visitors responded in robust fashion as a shuddering tackle from Jose Gimenez left Neymar with a bloodied right ankle and left-back Jesus Gamez - seemingly targeted by Barca on his second league start for Atletico - was booked for clattering through Messi.

On his return to the field, Neymar passed up a glorious 23rd-minute chance to double his tally with a back-post header after Messi sent Suarez scampering away down the right.Moya stood firm to deny Messi when some dazzling footwork left Gamez in his wake and the mercurial Argentine was to the fore when Barca doubled their lead, albeit with a slice of fortune.

Referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco did not penalise Messi for an apparent handball before a driving run left the Atletico defence is disarray and allowed Suarez to slam home his second Liga goal.

Any ill-feeling from Simeone's men towards the official was partially undone 11 minutes into the second half when, in an unlikely role reversal, Messi clipped Gamez's ankle in the area and Mandzukic blasted the resulting penalty - and his team's first shot on target - high into the centre of the goal.Atletico turned up the heat during the closing stages, when tempers threatened to boil over on both sides, but they were unable to fully wrestle control from Barcelona.

Following a particularly fractious period of play, Messi converted a slotted pass from the excellent Ivan Rakitic at the second attempt to ensure Barca overcame an opponent they failed to beat over six games last season.

 

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Napoli 1-3 Juventus: Pogba volley sends visitors clear

Juventus moved three points clear at the top of the Serie A table thanks to a 3-1 victory over Napoli at the San Paolo.

With nearest challengers Roma held to a 2-2 draw by fierce rivals Lazio earlier on Sunday, Massimiliano Allegri's men took full advantage at a tricky venue historically.

Paul Pogba opened the scoring at the San Paolo, a venue where Juve had not won since 2000, with a stunning volley in the 29th minute that marked his fifth goal of the campaign.

Napoli levelled in the 64th minute thanks to defender Miguel Britos, but any hope of the hosts completing the turnaround were dispelled by two further second-half goals from Juve.Martin Caceres - who had not featured for the Turin club since October due to a thigh injury - restored Juve's lead in the 69th minute by turning home an Andrea Pirlo free kick.

A Caceres own goal was chalked off and Napoli spurned a number of late chances before Arturo Vidal slammed in a third in stoppage time to give Juve a measure of revenge for their Supercoppa Italiana defeat to Rafael Benitez's side last month.

In an otherwise quiet start, Napoli wasted a gilt-edged chance to take the lead as Jonathan de Guzman blazed over the crossbar from close range after Giorgio Chiellini failed to clear.Juventus had struggled to impose themselves on the game but took the lead in magnificent fashion through Pogba.

Carlos Tevez's strike rebounded off Fernando Llorente and straight to the France midfielder, who arced a superb first-time hit from the left-hand side of the area into the bottom-right corner.

Juve began to dictate play following that opener and could have doubled their advantage had Caceres not hit his shot straight at Napoli goalkeeper Rafael at the end of a free-flowing move.

Napoli winger Jose Callejon saw an effort deflected into the side-netting by Chiellini a minute after the restart, with the Juve centre-back then requiring lengthy treatment following a clash of heads with team-mate Patrice Evra.

The visitors had rarely been threatened in the second period, but were made to pay for a defensive lapse as Britos struck. Left in acres of space, the Uruguayan defender met Dries Mertens' corner from the left with a volley beyond Gianluigi Buffon.Yet parity lasted all of five minutes, Caceres restoring Juve's advantage by scuffing home Pirlo's right-wing delivery to net his first Serie A goal since his October 2012, which also came against Napoli.

Caceres almost went from hero to zero as he diverted the ball into his own net, though play was called back for a foul on Gianluigi Buffon, who denied Gonzalo Higuain from point-blank range in stoppage time.

And, from the resulting corner, the visitors burst clear - Vidal converting the counter with a rifled 20-yard effort to earn a result that re-establishes the champions' command in the Scudetto race.

 

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Messi told me it wasn't handball but I saw it 'clear as TV' - Simeone

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone says he could clearly see how Lionel Messi handled the ball in the lead-up to the second Barcelona goal in his side's 3-1 defeat at Camp Nou on Sunday.

Simeone's side were second best and only got back into the game in the second half thanks to a contentious penalty converted by Mario Mandzukic after Messi was harshly adjudged to have tripped Jesus Gamez.

But Messi also caused controversy as he used his arm to control the ball before embarking on a remarkable run which saw him set up Luis Suarez for Barca's crucial second goal.

"I protested the handball to Messi and he said it wasn't. That's normal," Simeone said after the game. "Later, it was a great goal but I could see the hand as clear as TV."

However, Atleti were fortunate to win their penalty and Jose Gimenez was lucky to escape a red card for a crunching tackle which left Neymar's ankle bloodied and bruised.

"We played a bad first half and Barcelona were better," the Argentine admitted. "We couldn't find the ball or any space. We were more competitive in the second half and we came close to an equaliser before they scored the third.

"They were decisive in the first and third goals and they were intense when they lost the ball, which didn't allow us to counterattack. They are a great team."

Atleti now face Real Madrid on Thursday in the second leg of the sides' Copa del Rey last-16 tie with Simeone's side 2-0 up following Wednesday's win at the Vicente Calderon.

"I'm not thinking about Madrid right now," the 44-year-old said.

 

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Luis Enrique 'not optimistic' tough times are over

Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique says he is "not optimistic" that his critics have been silenced for good following Sunday's 3-1 win over La Liga champions Atletico Madrid.

Reports have suggested that star forward Lionel Messi had requested that the 44-year-old be fired after he was left on the bench for last week's 1-0 loss to Real Sociedad.

The former Roma boss feels that winning is the only thing that can relieve the pressure on his shoulders but is certain that he will come in for more criticism should they lose another match.

"Victories are the only thing that can calm this wave, but I am not optimistic. The environment will change again if we lose," he told reporters.

"I am focused on what I can control, I am focused that we are competitive. At end of season, we will know if we have been able to win titles and that will be the judge of my time."

Messi set up goals for Luis Suarez and Neymar before scoring one of his own in the victory at Camp Nou and Luis Enrique was delighted with how his side performed.

"It was a complete game, no doubt. Against a team of high quality," he continued.

"We have three points, nothing more. But we have prevented a direct rival from keeping pace with us."

 

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Koeman 'ticks every box' for Barcelona, says Carragher

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman "ticks every box" for Barcelona and should be on the shortlist to replace Luis Enrique at Camp Nou should he depart the club, according to Jamie Carragher.

The Barca boss is under pressure in Spain with a major power struggle underway following the departures of sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta and club legend Carles Puyol.

The current situation has led to speculation over who may take charge of the Catalan side should Enrique depart and Carragher has no doubt that the Southampton boss would be a good appointment.

"Who knows what will happen there with Enrique over the next few weeks," he told Sky Sports.

"They've got a difficult game tonight against Atletico. You'd imagine over the next few months or at the end of the season, that position [the Barcelona job] will be up for grabs.

"The job he's done, never mind just here, what he's done at Feyenoord as well. He's been in the Spanish league before with Valencia. He's been touted for the Barcelona job before, it's just passed him by with Rijkaard getting it and Guardiola getting it.

"He's been an assistant there with Van Gaal, a player there and won the European Cup. He ticks every box. The way he's performing as a manager, not just here but throughout his whole career you'd expect him to be part of the shortlist, unfortunately for Southampton fans."

 

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Koeman: Southampton fear nobody

Ronald Koeman believes a renewed sense of belief at Southampton was behind Sunday's 1-0 victory against Manchester United.

Dusan Tadic's second-half strike was enough to take maximum points and send Southampton third in the Premier League as the visitors won at Old Trafford in the league for the first time since 1988.Southampton had to withstand plenty of United possession, but struck at the key time with the only shot on target in the game.

Koeman's side have taken seven points from meetings with Chelsea, Arsenal and United in recent weeks and the Dutchman feels his side fear nobody.

"We defended well and the spirit was unbelievable from the players, [we were] a little bit lucky but remember the [reverse] game, Man United was the lucky one," he said, referring to United's 2-1 win at St Mary's Stadium in December."Maybe we are [lucky] but if you finally win you deserve to win because I think it's a compliment to the players how they play.

"I said before we could make it very difficult for them and we did. We know we have a strong team and that was important at the end of December. "We got a point off Chelsea, the three points against Arsenal, it makes for good belief among the players. That's always what you need if you are not a big club and you have to play a big one.

"We are not afraid of the name, or the stadium. I think we learned that in the last few weeks."Koeman, however, was slightly unhappy about Tadic's celebration, with the Serb earning a yellow card for removing his shirt.

"I don't like that because it's a yellow card and a stupid mistake is then a red," he added."If it's in the last minute of the season and you're qualified for European football, then it's no problem, but I don't like that.

"Keep that shirt on. I can't change it on the bench but I can tell him now that I don't like that and I will do."

 

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Manchester United to assess Van Persie ankle injury

Manchester United have confirmed that striker Robin van Persie will have an ankle injury assessed on Monday after picking up the problem during the club's 1-0 defeat to Southampton on Sunday.

The Netherlands international started the game at Old Trafford but was replaced just after the hour mark by Ander Herrera, with Southampton going on to win the game 1-0 thanks to Dusan Tadic's strike.

The defeat sees Ronald Koeman's side leapfrog United into third place in the table and ends their recent 11-game unbeaten run.

Van Persie is Manchester United's joint top scorer in the Premier League this season, with Wayne Rooney, with eight goals, his last goal coming in the 3-1 win over Newcastle on Boxing Day.

The news may be welcomed by Radamel Falcao who was left out of United's matchday squad entirely by Van Gaal with the United manager later confirming his absence was not due to injury.

Manchester United are next in action on Saturday when they travel to Loftus Road to face QPR in the Premier League.

 

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Hughes defends Arnautovic after Debuchy incident

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes leapt to the defence of Marko Arnautovic after an incident that left Mathieu Debuchy with a dislocated shoulder.

Arsenal full-back Debuchy was stretchered off after just 13 minutes of his side's comfortable 3-0 win over Stoke at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The France international was sent crashing into the advertising hoardings when Stoke forward Arnautovic nudged him in the back as he shepherded the ball out for goal kick.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confirmed after the game that Debuchy needs to see a specialist and is set for a prolonged period on the sidelines.Arnautovic's actions went unpunished by referee Jonathan Moss, and Hughes was quick to absolve the Austrian of any blame.

"There was no malice, I don't think," the Welshman told his post-match media conference."Those situations arise time and time again in games and there are no consequences. I don't think there was any intent to hurt him."

Stoke were outplayed from the first whistle to last in north London, with Laurent Koscielny's headed goal after just six minutes signalling Arsenal's intent to avenge their 3-2 loss at the Britannia Stadium last month.

Alexis Sanchez was, yet again, at the forefront of Arsenal's best attacking play, with his pinpoint cross setting up Koscielny's opener before the Chilean added a superb brace of his own with goals either side of half-time.Hughes admitted his side were well beaten at the Emirates, and was full of praise for Sanchez's virtuoso display.

"We were second best today to a good Arsenal side that has the benefit of a good start," he added."We never had a period in the game when we could dictate and they were really comfortable, which was a disappointment.

"When you see the power [Sanchez has] got and the pace, he's an outstanding player."I find South American players have passion and drive. He's a world star, but he's put a shift in for the team."

 

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'Incompetent' referees making Juve unbeatable - De Laurentiis

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis believes the "incompetence" of Serie A referees is making Juventus unbeatable.

Juve defender Giorgio Chiellini appeared to be narrowly offside when Martin Caceres scored the pivotal goal to make it 2-1 at the Stadio San Paolo, with the champions going on to win 3-1.

De Laurentiis tweeted: “It is unacceptable that with six officials they cannot see two players who are offside. Either it’s incompetence or not in good faith.

“These six officials have to be frozen out for a long time.

De Laurentiis tweeted: "We are tired of this! Juve are a strong team, so if they are helped by referees as well then they become unbeatable."

Bianconeri midfielder Paul Pogba opened the scoring in Naples with a stunning first-half volley before Miguel Britos equalised for the hosts after the break in a tight game.

Caceres restored the lead with a right-footed strike from an Andrea Pirlo set piece on 69 minutes, before Arturo Vidal added a third goal for the league leaders deep into injury time.

 

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Schneiderlin good enough for any Premier League team, says Gary Neville

Morgan Schneiderlin is good enough to play for any team in the Premier League, according to Gary Neville, after the midfielder put in yet another impressive individual performance against Manchester United on Sunday.

The 25-year-old midfielder was excellent at the heart of the Saints midfield as they earned their first victory at Old Trafford since 1988, courtesy of a Dusan Tadic goal midway through the second half.

Schneiderlin has long been linked with a move away, with both Arsenal and Tottenham reportedly interested, and Neville claimed that the Frenchman's consistent form makes him worthy of a move to a bigger club.

"Schneiderlin, not being disrespectful to Southampton here, I think he could play at any of the top clubs in the league," he told Sky Sports.

"I'm talking about Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal, United, Liverpool, Tottenham. He's that good.

"Over a two-three year period now he's shown himself to be the real thing."

As well as praising midfielder Schneiderlin, the ex-Manchester United defender paid homage to Saints centre-back, Jose Fonte.

"You look at Schneiderlin and Fonte today, there was no sweat on them. They're composed and organised," he added.

Southampton travel to Ipswich on Wednesday for their third-round FA Cup replay.

 

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Di Maria: We're doing everything to hunt Chelsea down

Angel Di Maria insists he and his team-mates are doing everything they can to overhaul Chelsea and re-establish Manchester United as the dominant force in English football.

United were beaten 1-0 by Southampton at Old Trafford on Sunday and now lie 12 points behind Jose Mourinho's league leaders with 21 matches played.

But Di Maria is adamant that United are still capable of closing the gap between now and May and believes having Chelsea and Manchester City to chase could make their task easier.

“There are still a lot of points for the taking,” the Argentine told Canal+. “We must continue to work and fight. Sometimes it’s better to be in the hunter’s spot - there’s more motivation.

“Every year, the club gets bigger and changes its ambitions. We’re doing everything to be at the top, which is our position.

“A team like Manchester United has to be in the Champions League. We’re doing everything to put back the club in its place.”

 

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Van Gaal confirms Falcao was not injured prior Manchester United’s defeat to Southampton

Louis van Gaal has confirmed Radamel Falcao was not injured prior to Manchester United’s defeat to Southampton and claims the Colombian’s failure to make the matchday squad was based on selection reasons.

Falcao, who is on loan from Monaco, has scored five goals in 13 appearances for United this season and had started in the club’s last five matches prior to Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Southampton.

Despite being unable to make the bench against Ronald Koeman’s men, Van Gaal has hinted that Falcao could return against QPR at Loftus Road next Saturday.

When asked if Falcao was left out against Southampton because he was injured, Van Gaal told Sky Sports: “No. We have now many players who are coming back.

“He has played the last three matches in a row. I have to compare players with each other. He was out of the 18 but that is this moment, next week is another moment.”

Dusan Tadic’s second-half strike sealed Southampton’s first-ever Premier League victory at Old Trafford and has put Ronald Koeman’s side in third place, two points clear of United.

Van Gaal’s men failed to register a shot on target at Old Trafford and the Dutchman has praised Southampton’s ability to restrict United.

"In football it's always like that. We didn't create so many chances in spite of dominating the game,” said the United boss.

“Only the first minute we gave them a chance. After that we dominated the game without creating that many chances. We created chances at the end. We played with heart. I put [Marouane] Fellaini up top and then we made three big chances but that was not enough.

"Southampton were defending well. You have always to take into account the opponent can play well. They defended well, good organisation. They came for a draw, I believe. They go away with a victory and that is disappointing.”

 

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Caceres: Napoli win was revenge for Supercoppa

Juventus defender Martin Caceres said Sunday's 3-1 Serie A win over Napoli helped make up for their defeat to Rafa Benitez's side in the Supercoppa Italiana in December.

The Serie A champions lost on penalties to the Coppa Italia winners in Doha and had not beaten Napoli at the Stadio San Paolo in 14 years.

Caceres scored on his return from four months out with a hamstring injury to help secure a hard-earned victory the moves Massimiliano Allegri's side three points clear of Roma at the top of Serie A.

“It was a difficult game and I’m happy with the win. Napoli are a strong side and it’s a shame we lost the Super Cup to them in Doha, but today we won 3-1 and made up for it,” the Uruguay international told Sky Sport Italia.

“It was important for me to score and play tonight, as I had never been out for such a long time."

Caceres, who has won three consecutive Scudetti with Juve, added: “After three years of winning it was inevitable this season would be more difficult. Every game is to be treated as a final.”

 

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Van Gaal: Southampton came for a draw

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes Southampton set up for a draw before stunning Old Trafford to secure a 1-0 victory.

A toothless United performance was punished with 21 minutes remaining in Sunday's game when Dusan Tadic steered in the winning goal to ensure Southampton leapfrogged Van Gaal's men into third in the Premier League.
The hosts failed to muster an attempt on target in the defeat, but Van Gaal felt his side dominated proceedings.

Despite losing at home in the Premier League for the first time since the opening day of the season, the Dutchman asserted his view that the visitors were rewarded for playing cautiously."We didn't create so many chances, despite dominating the game. We gave them a chance in the first minute but dominated after that," he told Sky Sports.

"We had three big chances, but it was not enough."Southampton were well organised, defended well but they came for a draw, I believe, and they go away with a win, which is disappointing.

"[Juan] Mata had three chances, but you cannot change the result. We gave the goal away."Captain Wayne Rooney echoed his manager's views, stating United deserved to take maximum points.

"We deserved to win, but that's football," he added."We've been punished for not taking our chances. We have to move on and focus on the next game."

 

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