..::Football III::..

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Mourinho wags dismissive finger at Wenger 'respect' barb

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho refused to answer or even entertain any questions about Arsene Wenger after the Arsenal manager slammed his “lack of respect”.

The Frenchman was annoyed by Mourinho’s comments in the wake of Sunday’s 0-0 draw at the Emirates, where he said “boring is 10 years without the title”, while he had also mocked the Gunners’ Champions League exit at the hand of Monaco before the match.

Wenger hit back by saying that some managers needed to show more respect to other members of the management fraternity, with the barb clearly aimed at Mourinho.

"The biggest thing of managers is to respect each other and some people have to improve on that," Wenger said of The Special One’s taunts earlier on Friday. "Everybody lives with his own internal problems and I live with mine and that is enough."

When questioned about Wenger’s response, though, Mourinho waggled his finger and shut down the line of questioning, gesticulating for the reporter to change topic and clearly keen to avoid any more mud-slinging with his Arsenal counterpart.

The long-standing antipathy between Mourinho and Wenger has reignited since the Portuguese's return to Chelsea. Last season he labelled the Arsenal boss a "specialist in failure" and Wenger shoved Mourinho on the touchline when the two sides met at Stamford Bridge in October.

After last Sunday's goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium, Wenger has now failed to beat Mourinho in 13 attempts.

 

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Mourinho Vs Wenger argument 1ka digatama yanawa neh!​

 

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Guardiola: Kehl should keep his mouth shut

Pep Guardiola has advised Sebastian Kehl to keep his mouth shut after the Borussia Dortmund captain mocked Bayern Munich over their penalty trauma in Tuesday's DFB-Pokal semi-final.

The two sides played out a 1-1 draw after 120 gripping minutes at the Allianz Arena before the hosts missed all four spot-kicks in a shootout defeat.

Kehl joked afterwards that Bayern "have to practice penalties" but Guardiola, who was less than impressed that his side were not awarded two spot kicks during the game, did not see the funny side when the issue was raised during a press conference on Friday.

Indeed, the former Barcelona boss insinuated the BVB skipper should be more concerned with the fact Bayern have already wrapped up the Bundesliga title, while Dortmund are languishing in eighth place.

"My advice for Sebastian Kehl is: If you have a 35-point deficit in the league, it is better to shut up," the Catalan told reporters on Friday.

"We now have time to exercise because we have already won the Bundesliga.
"I have never sought to blame others when we lost to Dortmund even though this time I had two good reasons to say something.

"But I congratulated Jurgen Klopp on reaching the final. I never laugh at anyone, even when we win."

Bayern felt they should have had a penalty in the second half of the cup clash when Marcel Schmelzer handled in the area and they were further aggrieved in extra-time when Mitchell Langerak appeared to upend Robert Lewandowski in the area.

 

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'Costa unlikely to play again this season' - Mourinho

Diego Costa is only likely to feature for Chelsea again this season if they fail to win the Premier League title against Crystal Palace on Sunday, according to manager Jose Mourinho.

Spain international Costa has struck an impressive 19 goals in 24 Premier League appearances, but his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge has been dogged by persistent hamstring and thigh injuries.

The former Atletico Madrid forward has not featured since lasting just 11 minutes as a second-half substitute in the 2-1 victory over Stoke City last month.

Chelsea will win their fourth Premier League title by beating Palace, but Mourinho says Costa will not be involved - though the Portuguese admits he could bring his No.1 striker back against Liverpool if things do not go to plan.

"No [he will not play against Palace], it isn't worth the risk," Mourinho told reporters. "In this process over the last month if we lose a game and we don't want to lose the second he would be back immediately.

"So because the results in the last month were also victories and a draw against second [Arsenal] we don't need to rush him. We are trying to give him maximum stability."

Asked specifically if Costa would play again this season, Mourinho replied: "There is a chance he might not.

"If we win Sunday, I would say he doesn't play against Liverpool. If we don't win Sunday and we need points he will play against Liverpool.

"We are on result after result, need after need. If we don't need, he doesn't play again. [In pre-season he needs] a good period of work. We are preparing a good working situation for him during the holiday period."

Mourinho, who confirmed that Costa's fellow striker Loic Remy is fit again following a calf injury, believes the fact that Chelsea have not lost to a top-four rival this term is just one of a number of factors that have brought them to the brink of the title.

"I have no more data to add to what is obvious," he added. "You [the media] analyse it by every perspective.

"Chelsea is very strong in every ranking. Goals scored, goals conceded, our record at home, our record away, number of victories. Every perspective you find a very strong Chelsea.

"That's why in such a difficult league to win we are top of the league since day one."

 

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Ancelotti: I don't know why Madrid fans boo Ronaldo

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has defended Cristiano Ronaldo's character and admitted he is baffled as to why the striker is whistled by some of the club's fans.

Ronaldo netted his 50th goal of the season in all competitions in the Liga win over Malaga on April 18 but he has failed to register in his last three outings and came in for heavy criticism for an allegedly petulant reaction to Alvaro Arbeloa beating him to a tap-in in Wednesday's 3-0 defeat of Almeria.

However, Ancelotti is amazed Ronaldo's unquenchable thirst for goals is being portrayed as a negative by the media and fans alike.

"I think if Ronaldo has scored 50 goals is precisely because of its nature," the Italian argued. "He is never happy with what he does, always fighting. "That is why he scores 50 goals in a season and he has been doing that for such a long time."I do not understand why the Santiago Bernabeu whistles Ronaldo."

Meanwhile, Ancelotti revealed that he hopes to have Gareth Bale available for Saturday's vital Liga meeting with Sevilla, with the Welsh winger having recovered from a calf problem.

However, the Blancos boss refused to confirm whether the €100 million man or Karim Benzema, who has been out of action with a knee injury, will start at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

"I think he'll be ready," he added. "I have good options for the midfield. I will decide tomorrow if he will play."Are Bale and Benzema fully recovered? We will not take risks. It's not the last game of the season.

"If a player is available, he will play. They may not be in condition to endure 90 minutes but they are fit."However, we will not take risks."Ancelotti also refused to be drawn on whether Sergio Ramos will play in midfield again, with the centre-back having done a sterling job in front of the back four in the Champions League, second-leg win over Atletico Madrid.

However, the former AC Milan and Juventus boss did argue that the versatile defender is an even better player than iconic Italy international Fabio Cannavaro."It's very difficult to compare Ramos with other historical players," he added.

"There are players with extraordinary quality, some with ability to concentrate very well, others with a quality to defend well.

"But Ramos is extraordinary. He could be the most complete defender ever.
"Cannavaro was perhaps stronger. But Ramos is the most complete."

 

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Luis Enrique: Suarez hasn't made any mistakes at Barcelona

Luis Enrique has lauded Luis Suarez for the way he has conducted himself on and off the field at Barcelona.

Suarez signed for the Catalans last summer but was unable to make his debut until October because he was serving a four-month ban for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at World Cup 2014 - the third such offence of the Uruguay international's career.

The striker initially struggled to score goals at Camp Nou but he has rediscovered his very best form since the turn of the year and Luis Enrique feels that the 28-year-old deserves credit for the way in which he has gone about his business since arriving from Liverpool."The things we work on are between us but I would like to comment on his attitude and behaviour," the Barca boss told reporters on Friday.

"He made a mistake on the pitch but here he hasn't made any mistakes. I'm very conscious about all our players' individual situations, especially for him."I understand the way he feels and lives football matches. He has demonstrated self-control and we're very happy with him."Not just his performances but behaviour on the field. It's great for everyone to have him carry himself in that way."

Suarez has formed a formidable forward line with Lionel Messi and Neymar, with the trio's goals propelling Barca towards a treble.

However, Luis Enrique insists he will not be afraid to rest one of his star strikers in the coming weeks if he feels it would be beneficial for the squad.

"I see them the way I always see them, like the rest of the players," he said.
"Everything's possible, it depends on decisions I make. What, do you want me to rotate them or not? Do you want me to explain who I'm going to rotate?"Nothing is decided, it will be a function of what I think will be best for the team and for the games this season."

Barca currently sit two points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga with four rounds of the season remaining, while they face Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals next week.

Luis Enrique insists there is no chance of his players taking their eyes off the Primera Division prize, claiming that they will treat every game with the utmost respect, starting with this weekend's meeting with Cordoba.

"La Liga is not decided and the players know that. I can see that in training," he added."We will need a good level to overcome Cordoba. With four games still to play, there is still much work to do.

“It's like a marathon. You can't get close to end, stop and start walking."We are in the most exciting stretch of the season. It is the most decisive stage."

Meanwhile, the former Spain international refused to be drawn on the futures of forward Pedro and full-back Dani Alves, both of whom are being linked with moves away from Barca this year.

"I have already known for years how good Dani Alves is," he stated. "This year his behaviour has been spectacular and he has been at his best from an athletic perspective."We are now focused on our objectives. At the end of the season we'll talk about each individual case.

"But all I can say is that Pedro is a top player and has always helped us from within or outside the group."

 

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Yaya Toure injury blow for Manchester City

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini says Yaya Toure's hamstring injury is likely to rule the midfielder out for their next two Premier League matches, starting with Sunday's clash with Tottenham.

The Ivorian was substituted at half-time during Saturday's 3-2 win over Aston Villa after suffering the setback, and Pellegrini confirmed on Friday that Toure will miss Sunday's trip to White Hart Lane and is highly doubtful for the visit of QPR a week later.

"Yaya is injured. I think he will be out at least one more week. It will be difficult for him to play against QPR," explained the Chilean, who is also set to be without captain Vincent Kompany (thigh) this weekend.

Pellegrini added: "Kompany is progressing and maybe next week he can be ready. Stevan Jovetic is also injured but no one else."

 

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Torres has been out of this world for Atletico, says Simeone

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone says Fernando Torres has been "out of this world" since rejoining the club during the winter transfer window.

Torres came through the youth team ranks at the Vicente Calderon before establishing himself as one of the most lethal strikers in the world with his goalscoring exploits with the Rojiblancos.

The striker went to another level after a subsequent switch to Liverpool but his career stalled terribly after his £50 million move to Chelsea in January 2011.
Torres was eventually discarded by the Blues last summer but then endured a dismal loan spell at AC Milan before being allowed to return to Atletico midway through the current season.

The 31-year-old has since shown flashes of his old form, with his cool finish in Wednesday's Liga clash with Villarreal not only earning Atletico three precious points in their bid to finish third but also the admiration of his coach.

"He was important in the 3-0 win last weekend against Elche even though he didn't score," Simeone told reporters on Friday. "He was willing, competitive, and he came close to scoring."The other day against Villarreal he buried the first chance he got expertly. That's what we need from him: goals, movement, hard work and speed. "Since he arrived - in training and the way he has settled into the squad - he's been out of this world.

"The important thing is on the pitch and he is giving us what we have asked of him."
The victory at El Madrigal means that Atleti are now six points ahead of Valencia and Sevilla, who are tied for fourth place. However, Simeone is taking nothing for granted and is thus talking up the importance of Saturday's clash with Athletic Bilbao.

"Tomorrow's match is more important than Barcelona one," the Argentine added. "I mean, we have to win tomorrow. That is my message. "I expect a Calderon who understands the importance of this game. I want the stadium to participate and not be silent.

"We will play with our weapons and try to promote the virtues of the players. We always try to find what is best for us. "Luckily for us, we are still in third place with four rounds remaining.

"We can always improve, but I do not want us to forget that we are on track to qualify for the Champions League for the third successive season, something that the club has not been achieved in more than 110 years of history."

 

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Van Gaal: Poor pre-season cost Manchester United title tilt

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes the club's pre-season preparations cost them a run at the Premier League title.

Van Gaal took over at Old Trafford following the World Cup and the squad were immediately whisked away on a tour of the United States, which included matches in humid climates and long-haul flights.

Despite winning all of their pre-season matches United took just eight points from their first six games of the season proper, which left them eight points behind Jose Mourinho's side.

The Dutchman says his men would be level with the Blues were it not for that slow start, and insists this summer will be different.

Asked what he must do to bridge the gap to the league leaders, Van Gaal replied: "We need balance in our selection, I said that many many times, I cannot deny that we need balance in our selection.

"I think also the preparation of our season, Manchester United has already adapted to a better preparation - we shall have two base camps in the United States so we are not flying between the matches, we are going via a bus. That’s better.

"The temperature is lower as we are on the [opposite] coast to last year, so they have adapted to my criteria. So we shall have a better preparation also.

"We started very badly this year because when you cut the start of it I think we shall equalise Chelsea, for example, but now we have to start better.

"When I preview our preparations now it looks better, but we have to see of course. Then we have to make the balance in our selection better, and then we have to perform at the moment that it has been asked.

"We have to perform better than this year."

 

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Van Gaal: Poor pre-season cost Manchester United title tilt

Poor Pre-Season 1kak nisa newei Manchester United meh wage place 1kaka thiyenne

Defence 1ka hari nathi 1ka thamai main reason 1ka & Strikers lage peformance madi 1ka & then injuries​

 

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Ronaldo offers more than goals - Emery

Sevilla coach Unai Emery says Cristiano Ronaldo offers more than just goals ahead of his side's meeting with Real Madrid.

The 30-year-old has enjoyed another typically prolific season in front of goal, which has seen him find the back of the net 52 times in 51 games in all competitions for club and country.

The forward will have another opportunity to add to his tally against Sevilla on Saturday, but Rojiblancos boss Emery admitted his all round game marks him out as a unique threat.

"We know what Ronaldo does, he scored an incredible amount of goals, but even more than that he does a great job for the team," he said at a press conference.

"We won't man mark him, we know that they have threats all over the pitch and we want to concentrate on our own game."

Madrid winger Gareth Bale remains an injury doubt with a calf injury but could feature after returning to training, though Emery says Carlo Ancelotti's side can easily cope without him."If he doesn't play then another great player, Chicharito [Javier Hernandez], will play and he is scoring lots of goals at the moment."

Two points separate second-placed Madrid and leaders Barcelona, while Sevilla - who sit in fifth spot - are level on points with Valencia in the race for a place in the top four.

 

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Van Gaal must deliver next season - Pulis

West Brom head coach Tony Pulis says Louis van Gaal will be under pressure to ensure Manchester United are genuine contenders for the Premier League title next season.

United turned to David Moyes to replace legendary manager Alex Ferguson ahead of the 2013-14 campaign, but the Scot was dismissed less than 12 months into the job.

Subsequently, Dutchman Van Gaal - who has won the domestic titles in Netherlands, Spain and Germany - took over and has steered the club to fourth place with four matches remaining.

With a return to the Champions League seemingly assured, Pulis expects the former Holland boss to make more of an impact at the very top of the table in his second season at the helm.

"Louis has obviously spent a bit of money and brought quite a few players in, I think he has had a year to look at it," Pulis said ahead of West Brom's visit to Old Trafford on Saturday.

"The difference from himself and [Chelsea manager Jose] Mourinho was that Jose knew the league. This is Van Gaal's first season in the league. Next year he has to come close to winning the league, he'll know that.

"It's been great experience for him this year. I'm sure he'll add a few players to the squad next year. They'll want to win it, I see them getting stronger, I can't see them getting weaker.

"David didn't get it [time], but Louis has, most probably on the basis he has been successful at bigger clubs. He's won major titles at bigger clubs. He's earned it by what he's done elsewhere, that's a fact of life."

A 2-0 victory at Crystal Palace and a goalless draw with Liverpool moved Albion seven points clear of the relegation zone.

But, with United, Chelsea and Arsenal to come in their final four matches, Pulis says there is still work to be done.

"We still need a couple of points and we have a tough run-in," he added. "We're underdogs in every game."

 

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'Atletico have done everything by the book'

Atletico Madrid managing director Clemente Villaverde is adamant the club have "done everything by the book" in the transfer market.

The reigning La Liga champions are under investigation over alleged irregularities in signing under-age players and could face the same ban handed to Barcelona earlier this season.The Catalans were given a two-window sanction for the same offence and Atletico now face a waiting game to see if they will suffer a similar fate.

Villaverde said on Friday: "We've complied fully with every single formality throughout the process. We've told Fifa everything about every single player included in the report and we're sure we have done everything by the book."

Club president Enrique Cerezo added: "I have nothing to say on the matter for now, because we don't know what the ban will entail or if there will even be a ban", he said in reference to the club's alleged irregularities in signing underage players.

"If we are handed a ban, then we will comment, but we can't for now because there is no ban. We cannot comment. Talking ahead of time is never a good idea."

 

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Suarez is like Eto'o - Mascherano

Javier Mascherano has compared Barcelona team-mate Luis Suarez to the club's former star No.9 Samuel Eto'o.

After making a slow start to his career at Camp Nou after joining the club in the summer, Suarez has shone since the turn of the year as the club have overtaken Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

The striker has also made an impact in the Champions League, with Luis Enrique's side set to face Bayern Munich in the semi-finals.

Suarez's efforts have impressed Mascherano, who says the former Liverpool man has given Barcelona a new dimension."He is the closest thing I have seen in years to Eto'o. They have the same characteristics, they are fighters. He's helped us to defend from the front.

"He is a very humble person, he works hard and I've hit it off with him not just on the pitch but away from the field as well. "Maxi Rodriguez, who played with him at Liverpool, told me that he was a good guy and that we would get on with him.

"I think he's been phenomenal and he's helped to release [Lionel] Messi. Now we have a more fixed, central No.9 which allows Leo the freedom to go deep, more so than when he was a false nine."

 

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Mourinho: Chelsea won't dominate for years

Jose Mourinho has dismissed suggestions his Chelsea side could dominate the Premier League for years to come as they close in on the title.

The Blues are 13 points clear of nearest rivals Arsenal and Manchester City and will be crowned champions if they beat Crystal Palace on Sunday.

However, the former Real Madrid and Inter coach is wary of talk of his current crop running away with the title in the next few years.

"There are countries where it's common [to have] domination, Bayern Munich, Celtic Glasgow, Basel, Olympiakos," said the Chelsea boss.

"There are countries where the domination is there years, and years and years. I don't think this country [England] is a good example of that.

"It's very unpredictable and I can imagine for next season the top squads, because we are speaking about the top teams, we are not speaking about fragile squads that need a complete change we are speaking about top squads.

"And you can imagine top squads with a few new players you can imagine that next season everyone of the title contenders is going to be very, very strong.

"So I think in relation to the Premier League, when the season starts, if you want to be champions, you have the risk also to finish fifth and I think next season is going to be the same."

 

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Xabi Alonso: Guardiola and Mourinho both great leaders

Bayern Munich midfielder Xabi Alonso has hailed Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho as "great leaders".

The Spaniard played under Mourinho during his time at Real Madrid before joining the former Barcelona boss at the Allianz Arena in August in a €10 million deal.
The two coaches clashed repeatedly when in charge of the Clasico rivals, but Alonso says they do have one trait in common.

He told Marca: "They are different, everyone has their own way of working and personality, but they are both great leaders who can win over a dressing room.
"I'm very lucky to have worked with both of them."

Alonso will face former rivals Barcelona when Bayern take on the Catalans in the semi-finals of the Champions League and has predicted a meeting with former club Madrid in the final."It's bound to happen," he added. "I had a very strong emotional connection with Madrid but hopefully we would come out on top."

Bayern face a Barcelona side with arguably the strongest attack in Europe in Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, with the trio amassing 102 goals between them this season.

But Alonso says he hasn't been surprised by their success given their individual quality. "We know they have three crucial players in attack. But nothing I have seen of them has surprised me."They've done what I expected of them."

 

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Klopp can coach anywhere, says Rosler

Jurgen Klopp will be a success in the Premier League or any of Europe's major leagues, according to former Wigan Athletic and Brentford manager Uwe Rosler.

Klopp is set to leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season following a seven-year spell in charge in which he has led the club to two Bundesliga titles and the 2013 Champions League final, as well as DFB-Pokal and DFL-Supercup glory.

The German has been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League, with Liverpool rumoured to be interested in his services after a disappointing campaign under Brendan Rodgers.

And Klopp's compatriot Rosler believes the 47-year-old will be a success wherever he ends up.

"I'm a fan of Jurgen Klopp - I met him in January in La Manga at their [Dortmund's] mid-season training camp and it's very interesting the way he is training, the way he conducts himself, the way he manages his players," Rosler told Perform at the Sporting Directors' Summit at the Etihad Stadium.

"He's a very emotional man and he never tries to hide his emotions and I think his positivity goes out to his players and they've been very successful.

"Obviously he's been at the club for many years and there comes a point where he probably felt that the club needs a new approach.

"He's a fantastic manager and has done fantastic things at Borussia Dortmund - the club were not at the top of the Bundesliga [when he took over] and he won titles and got to the Champions League final. He will always be a legend in Dortmund."

When asked if Klopp had given any indication that he might opt to leave in January, Rosler replied: "No, definitely not. Obviously they are in a different situation this season to previous years, but he had that optimism that he always has that he could turn it around and that's what he did in the second half of the season.

"So when I found out he would leave it was a big surprise for me.

"He's very successful and he'll be on top of the pyramid in football. You don't come there by coincidence - I think there's a lot of hard work behind that, there's a lot fo great ideas behind that, and I think a manager like him - he can coach everywhere."

 

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Varane: Juventus will miss Pogba against Madrid

Raphael Varane is thinks Juventus will sorely miss Paul Pogba when Real Madrid take them on in Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg.

Pogba will miss the clash in Turn as he continues his recovery from a hamstring problem, thus depriving the Bianconeri of one of their star players.

However, Varane still feels Juve still represent a formidable threat to Madrid's hopes of becoming the first side to successfully defend the Champions League trophy, arguing that the Italian titleholders are on the same level as Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

"Paul's obviously a great player and Juve will miss him," the defender is quoted as saying by AS. "But personally I would have liked to play against him.""This is the highest level, a Champions League semi-final, and it will be very tough. But we'll be going all out to get to the final.

"I don't think Juve will be easier than Barca or Bayern. At this level, the little details are what make the difference."

Madrid are still in contention to do a double, with Carlo Ancelotti's men currently second in La Liga just two points behind leaders Barca with four games to go.
Varane remains confident the Blancos can finish top of the Primera Division pile but he knows that they must win all of their remaining fixtures.

"It's true we're in a good dynamic at the moment although we have to admit the game against Almería on Wednesday wasn't brilliant, above all in the first half," he said of the 3-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"We weren't able to generate more tempo in our play. But we did the important thing because we got a good result and we're keeping up the pressure on Barcelona."I think every game from here until the end of the season could be decisive. The league is so tight that there is no margin for error.

"We know that we have to stay 100 per cent focused on our football and that we have to play every game as though it's the last one."Winning is the only thing that's any good to us. We'll see where we stand at the end of the season."

 

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Andreas Pereira signs new three-year contract with Manchester United

Andreas Pereira has signed a new contract with Manchester United which will keep him at Old Trafford until June 2018.Pereira joined the Red Devils from PSV as a 15-year-old in 2011 and has made the breakthrough to the first-team under Louis van Gaal this season.

There were rumours he might imitate Paul Pogba by leaving on a free transfer for another major club this summer to guarantee game-time next season, but Friday's deal looks set to end such speculation.

"I am delighted that Andreas has signed a new contract. Andreas has all the attributes to become an integral part of the first team; great natural talent coupled with a good appetite to learn,” Louis van Gaal told the club’s official website.

"I am pleased with his progression so far this season and look forward to working with him to develop his talent even further."

The Belgian-born Brazilian made his Premier League debut as a substitute in the 3-0 win over Tottenham at Old Trafford in March, and also played 44 minutes of August's Capital One Cup defeat to MK Dons.

Van Gaal was clearly impressed with Pereira's performance against Spurs, saying after the game that "when you're 19 and playing for Manchester United, you must be very talented," before adding: "I'm pleased for him."

Pereira, who has one cap for Brazil's Under-20 side, will be hoping to add to his club appearances in the closing weeks of the season. United host West Bromwich Albion on Saturday with a seven-point cushion over Liverpool in fourth place.

 

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Pellegrini: What Mourinho says doesn't matter

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has dismissed Jose Mourinho's comments regarding Financial Fair Play (FFP) sanctions but refused to be drawn into a war of words.

The Portuguese stated on Friday that City - fined £49 million fine last year for FFP violations - needed to be docked points instead.

Mourinho told the Daily Mail: "When Manchester City pays off £50m of fine because they exceeded the FFP, I think it's unfair." But when presented with the Chelsea manager's comments on Friday, Pellegrini declined to fire back.

"No, no. I don't have any views about that," he told reporters. "Every manager can say what they want. I think don't lose points because we don't deserve to.

"There are so many things that [Mourinho] always says that it doesn't matter - about Chelsea or referees or the FA Cup or other managers or other things.

"When you think that everything is normal to say to win, you can say what you want. I think as a manager have a different way of thinking about this.

"If you think that to win a game you can do all that you can, you can do it. I don't think the same way.

"He does what he needs to win. I don't know what Arsene Wenger said today - I always try to think in the same way when we are winning or losing.

"You ask me about this season - I think that Chelsea was the best team, that they deserve to win the title because they have been the most consistent team with very good players.

"I congratulate their owner because he is always improving his squad and I congratulate their fans and Jose Mourinho and the players because they deserve absolutely the title."