..::Football IV::..

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Manchester United 0-0 Everton: Mourinho's men held in Rooney testimonial

Wayne Rooney enjoyed a night to remember on his Manchester United testimonial, although the match with his former club Everton ended goalless.

Marking 12 years since he swapped Goodison Park for Old Trafford, Rooney was met by a sizeable crowd and a giant display in the stands that spelled out his name.

But the game itself remained scoreless, perhaps not all that fitting an outcome for a man who has netted 245 times for United.

England's all-time leading scorer, who has made 520 competitive appearances for the Red Devils, did lay on a great chance for Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the 30th minute, though.The Swede had only Maarten Stekelenburg to beat, but the former Ajax goalkeeper was equal to the task.

David De Gea had to be equally alert at the other end, saving from Ross Barkley after muscular work from Romelu Lukaku in the build-up.

The star of the show was replaced after 52 minutes to rapturous applause, with manager Jose Mourinho having an eye on Sunday's Community Shield clash against Leicester City.

Ronald Koeman's Everton, where Rooney came through the youth ranks and made 67 Premier League appearances, saw Muhamed Besic limp off late on and will hope for good news on that front.

Their league campaign begins at home to Tottenham on 13 August.

 

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Rooney​

 

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OFFICIAL: Man City sign Gabriel Jesus

Manchester City have completed the signing of Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus from Palmeiras in a £27 million deal.

The Premier League side had been chasing the 19-year-old for some time, though Barcelona were also interested in signing him.

Jesus has signed a contract which will last until 2021, but he will remain with Palmeiras until the end of this year, teaming up with Pep Guardiola's charges in January 2017.And the Brazil U23 international is looking forward to developing under the tutelage of the Catalan coach.

"Manchester City is one of the best clubs in the world so I'm really pleased to sign," he told the club's official website."We have many great talents in the team and a fantastic manager in Pep Guardiola that I can learn so much from.

"I'm looking forward to showing the City fans what I can do and I think we'll have a great future together!"City's director of football, Txiki Begiristain, believes the club have captured a supreme talent in the youngster who can play anywhere across the front three.

"We are delighted that Gabriel has chosen to join us," he said. "He is one of the most exciting young prospects in world football and plays the game in a spectacular way.

"We look forward to him making a big impact at Manchester City in January."

 

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Sane only joined Manchester City for the money – Matthaus

Former Germany international Lothar Matthaus has criticised Leroy Sane's decision to leave Schalke for Manchester City, suggesting the winger was tempted by higher wages on offer in the Premier League.

Sane, 20, signed a five-year deal with City on Tuesday to complete his €45million move to the Etihad Stadium.Matthaus believes Sane would have benefitted more had he stayed at Schalke for one additional season, and has predicted he could flop in England.

"Sane will make several times his Schalke wages at Manchester City and that has been decisive in his decision to make the move to the Premier League," Matthaus wrote in his column for Sport Bild.

"I cannot come up with any other reason. He was playing at a real traditional club at Schalke. I would have advised him to stay put for at least one more season. He will struggle at City.

"I do not have any doubts that he has the ability to enjoy a very successful career. He is fast, has great technique and does not seem to feel any pressure. He could have done that at Schalke where people were counting on him and challenging him.

"He will no longer be enjoying this comfort-zone at City. Pep Guardiola will be more than busy to impose his own philosophy at City. He will not have the time to give Sane extra attention when things are not going as planned."

 

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Wolfsburg warn Draxler: You're not for sale!

Wolfsburg have dismissed claims from Julian Draxler that they made an agreement to sell him this summer, after the Germany international revealed that he wants to leave the Bundesliga side.

The 22-year-old told Bild that, when he joined them from Schalke last year, he had been told by coach Dieter Hecking and sporting director Klaus Allofs that they would let him leave if bigger clubs showed an interest in him.

Draxler added that he has told Hecking of his desire to find a new club this summer, but Wolfsburg insist they have made no such agreements and will not sell him.

"Wolfsburg wish to make it absolutely clear that at no time did those responsible at the club make either written nor oral commitments on the transfer of Julian Draxler within the current transfer period," a statement read."This is reiterated by a contractual release clause agreed upon with Julian Draxler and his management, which does not come into effect until summer 2017.

"VfL Wolfsburg will not be selling Julian Draxler during the course of the current transfer period."In joint discussions with Julian Draxler, VfL Wolfsburg again made it clear that they would not be granting the player’s wish to make a move.

"We now consider any possible uncertainties to have been eradicated and that all parties can revert back to a professional and responsible collaboration for the good of VfL Wolfsburg and, in particular, for our fans."Draxler, who was a key player for Germany at Euro 2016, is contracted to Wolfsburg until 2020.

 

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Mourinho urges Manchester United to complete Pogba deal before season starts

Jose Mourinho is adamant that Manchester United will sign one more player and has urged the club to conclude a deal for Paul Pogba before the season begins.

Goal understands that United are on the verge of landing the France international for a world-record €110 million fee.

Mourinho has already bolstered his options with the signings of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Eric Bailly and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and the Portuguese insists that he is expecting one more transfer to be completed.

“We are going to sign one more player, that’s for sure,” the United manager told BT Sport.

“I don’t want to speak about Paul because he’s a Juventus player, and I don’t like other managers to speak about my players, and I don’t speak about their players.

“But the reality is that we are going to sign one more player, as you know the market closes on August 31, so we have plenty of time to do that, but obviously I’d like to do it before the season starts.”

 

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Barcelona 4-2 Leicester City: Munir double helps Catalans past spirited Foxes

Leicester City showed commendable resolve to go toe-to-toe with Barcelona in the International Champions Cup, though they eventually fell to a 4-2 loss in Stockholm.

The Premier League champions, gearing up for their first Champions League campaign, had been thrashed 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in California on Sunday and needed a much-improved second-half showing to avoid a similar outcome on Wednesday.

Claudio Ranieri's men found Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi in fine form in the first half, teeing up a brace for Munir either side of the former Liverpool forward's fine individual effort.

Ahmed Musa was introduced at the break and crafted two excellent goals to inspire an impressive Leicester response, as new signing Bartosz Kapustka debuted, but Rafa Mujica's late stunner finished them off.

While Barca made just the one change from their win against Celtic, there were seven alterations to Ranieri's side following that PSG reverse, notably providing Jamie Vardy with his first action of pre-season.

A hectic start saw Suarez, Demarai Gray and Munir all waste openings, but, given another chance by Messi's stunning pass, the later tucked a finish under Ron-Robert Zieler to give the Liga outfit a 26th-minute lead.

The Leicester goalkeeper thwarted Suarez for the next chance, but he could do little when the Uruguayan bounced past Robert Huth and Ben Chilwell to poke a second into the roof of the net.

And as the English side looked to respond, Munir appeared to have killed them off on the verge of half-time. The goal owed much to Suarez, whose glorious lifted pass found his team-mate's toe for a simple prod.

Having been undone by ruthless attacking play in the first half, Leicester responded with some of their own. Within minutes of the restart, Shinji Okazaki played Musa through to race away and score.

The industrious Nigerian was not finished there either, pressuring the Barca back-line into an error, then collecting Jeffrey Schlupp's centre to unleash an unstoppable blast.However, Mujica swept a finish high into the corner in the 84th minute to thwart hopes of a fightback.

Leicester can now look forward to the Community Shield final against Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday, while Barca play Liverpool at the same stadium the day before.

 

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Bayern Munich 0-1 Real Madrid: Danilo stunner wins ICC clash

Substitute Danilo was the hero in New Jersey, coming off the bench to score a stunning individual goal in Real Madrid's 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in the International Champions Cup.

Much of the build up to the ICC clash at MetLife Stadium centred on Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti and his reunion with former employer Madrid, where he led the Spanish giants to Champions League glory in 2014.

But Ancelotti was unable to get one over Madrid as Danilo spoiled the pre-season party, firing the ball through the hands of Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich with 11 minutes remaining on Wednesday.

Danilo - on the pitch for 16 minutes - charged down the flank before cutting inside onto his left foot as his thunderous long-range effort proved too hot to handle, as Madrid now turn their attention to the UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla on August 9.

Bayern and Madrid both made four changes to their starting XIs, with the German champions bringing in captain Philipp Lahm, Xabi Alonso, Juan Bernat and keeper Ulreich for Fabian Benko, Franck Ribery, Milos Pantovic and Tom Starke following the 4-1 victory over Inter.

As for Madrid - who saw off Chelsea 3-2 last time out - Zinedine Zidane gave James Rodriguez a chance in midfield along with Isco amd Luka Modric, while captain Sergio Ramos returned in defence at the expense of Mateo Kovacic, Marco Asensio, Sergio Diaz and Nacho.Bayern controlled most of the play in the first half, and while the Bavarians created chances, they were unable to break through.

On the front foot from the outset, David Alaba came closest for Bayern in the 25th minute, rattling the right post with a delightful free-kick that left Madrid goalkeeper Kiko Casilla stranded.

American forward Julian Green - the hat-trick hero from Bayern's rout of Inter - should have put the Germans ahead not long after, having controlled the ball between two defenders but his finish lacked the direction and power to trouble Casilla.Casilla was called into action just past the half-hour mark, forced to turn Thiago Alcantara's powerful effort around the post.

Madrid did have some spells of possession in the front third, but James and Co. were forced to try their luck from range before the break.The Spaniards were the better side in the second half, dominating proceedings for larger periods and they almost hit the front on the hour-mark.

Alvaro Morata sprung the offside trap but the Spain international was unable to
curl his shot inside the post, while Madrid came close again two minutes later, with Isco hitting the post from outside the penalty area.Danilo, though, finally broke the deadlock in the 79th minute, cutting inside between two opponents and unleashing a thunderous strike through the hands of the Bayern keeper.

Diaz could have made it 2-0 in stoppage time but Ulreich was up to the task to deny the substitute.

 

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Rooney delighted after 'special' testimonial against Everton

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney described his testimonial match against former side Everton as "a night to remember" as tens of thousands of fans turning out to watch a goalless draw.

The 30-year-old was taken off early in the second half to a huge ovation as the club Rooney left 12 years ago held his current side at Old Trafford.While United boss Jose Mourinho treated the match as a normal pre-season friendly, the England international enjoyed the occasion.

"Obviously it was an important game in terms of our preparation, but, being a bit selfish, it was always a night I was going to remember," Rooney told BT Sport.

"Walking out onto the pitch with my kids was a special moment for me. Having one of them sat on the bench was great and something I'll never forget."However, the veteran forward was quick to point out that his main concern on the evening was raising money for charity through ticket sales.

"The important message we wanted to get across was about the money we raised for the charities," he added. "That was always the intention."In terms of the support, the crowd which came, it was fantastic, so it will really change a lot of children's lives."

United's next fixture is the traditional season curtain-raiser in the Community Shield on Sunday, against Premier League champions Leicester City.

 

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'Arsenal don't need Mahrez when they have Walcott'

Arsenal have no need to sign Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez this summer because they have Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott, according to former Gunners defender Lauren.

Arsene Wenger's side have been heavily linked with an interest in the PFA Players' Player of the Year for 2015-16 and the Frenchman refused to deny his side had made a bid for the star.

However, Lauren, who won two Premier League titles with Arsenal, insists the Algeria international does not offer much more than the likes of Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain.

“He is a very good player, but how many similar players in terms of technically proficient, creative midfielders and wide men do Arsenal have already?" he said.

“They have Mesut Ozil, they have Jack Wilshere, they have Aaron Ramsey, they have Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, they have Theo Walcott - Arsenal don’t need Mahrez.“Arsenal have always had dynamic players – but they need to change that style a little bit, maybe be a little more direct, with more aggressiveness and determination – which means players with a different style than Mahrez can offer.”

The former Cameroon international does, however, believe they need an upgrade on Olivier Giroud.“Don’t get me wrong. I respect Olivier Giroud and he has an important part to play next season through the goals he does score,” he added.

“But you need people with ‘charisma’. It’s more than about scoring goals, you need a striker with the X-factor… with charisma. And despite being a fantastic player Giroud doesn’t have that.”

 

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Pogba IS worth the world record transfer fee, claims Manchester United legend Neville

Paul Pogba is worth the world record €110 million transfer fee, according to former Manchester United defender Phil Neville.

The Juventus midfielder has been at the centre of the biggest transfer saga this summer, and is closing in on a €110m return to Old Trafford.

Pogba departed Manchester for Italian champions Juventus on a free transfer in 2012 but Neville maintains that the France international is just the player that manager Jose Mourinho needs to bolster United's midfield and Premier League title aspirations.

"I think you are getting one of the best midfield players in the world," Neville told Sky Sports."I think you are getting someone who is not going to dominate a game on the ball like a Xabi Alonso or a Paul Scholes but is going to go from box to box.

"His physicality is always something that has stood out. Even when he was younger at the academy at Man United, he was always bigger than everybody else, he was always quicker than everybody else, he was always more powerful.

"He will give the Man United midfield that power and that stature that I think they have missed for the last two or three seasons."

 

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Hernandez: Leverkusen stay not certain

Bayer Leverkusen striker Javier Hernandez says there is still a chance he will move clubs before the transfer window closes at the end of August.

The Mexico international, formerly of Manchester United and Real Madrid, enjoyed a brilliant first season in Germany, scoring 26 goals in all competitions throughout 2015-16.But despite enjoying success with Leverkusen, Hernandez will not rule out making a move elsewhere with over three weeks of transfer speculation still to come.

"You never know what happens in football," the 28-year-old told Kicker.

"In years gone by I have left my club on the last day of the transfer window. I thought I would stay in Madrid and I thought I would stay in Manchester but I joined Leverkusen in the end."It motivates me if I am a theme for other clubs."

Bayern Munich midfielder Xabi Alonso said in July that he believes Hernandez would be a great addition to the Bundesliga champions' squad.

 

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Rummenigge slams Manchester United over Schweinsteiger treatment

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has slammed Manchester United and Jose Mourinho for their treatment of former Bayern Munich star Bastian Schweinsteiger.

The World Cup winner, who recently announced his international retirement after Germany lost in the semi-finals of Euro 2016, has been marginalised at Old Trafford only one year after his €9million move to England.

Rummenigge has been stunned by Schweinsteiger's exclusion from United's first-team plans amid reports he has been told to train with the reserves.

The Bayern executive chairman feels the 32-year-old's treatment will make other big players think twice about joining United."When I read that I could hardly believe it," Rummenigge told Bild.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has slammed Manchester United and Jose Mourinho for their treatment of former Bayern Munich star Bastian Schweinsteiger.The World Cup winner, who recently announced his international retirement after Germany lost in the semi-finals of Euro 2016, has been marginalised at Old Trafford only one year after his €9million move to England.

Rummenigge has been stunned by Schweinsteiger's exclusion from United's first-team plans amid reports he has been told to train with the reserves.The Bayern executive chairman feels the 32-year-old's treatment will make other big players think twice about joining United.

"When I read that I could hardly believe it," Rummenigge told Bild.

 

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Rooney enjoying life under Mourinho at Man Utd

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has hailed Jose Mourinho's approach and says he is enjoying life under the Portuguese.

Rooney, 30, famously clashed with former boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who was renowned for his fiery style of management during his 26-year reign in charge of the club.

However, the United skipper says Mourinho is not cut from the same cloth and has been impressed by his calm demeanour when delivering instructions on what he wants from his players.

"He's not someone who is going to come in - at the moment, he hasn't anyway - and start throwing things," said Rooney following the 0-0 draw with Everton in his testimonial match on Wednesday."You never know when the season starts. He's competitive and wants to win every game, whether it is this friendly or the Community Shield on Sunday.

"He obviously gets his message across. He wants to win but he's not a real big shouter."He expects a lot from his players and just from him talking, he has got that aura about him where you know exactly the message he's getting across to you.

"He wants to win. He wanted to win [against Everton]. He re-iterated that at half time. Playing for Manchester United, even if it's a friendly game, you want to win."Unfortunately we didn't, but it's something myself and my family will remember."

Rooney felt United produced a solid performance against former club Everton despite failing to make a breakthrough ahead of Sunday's meeting with Leicester City in the Community Shield at Wembley.

He added: "It was a good performance but also minutes on the pitch. That's only a second game for a few of the players in pre-season so it was important we got a few minutes.

"In the first half, I thought we played some good stuff and created some chances.The second half was a bit stop-start with all the changes but there are positives we can take out of the game tonight and certainly things we can work on."

 

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There was never a Diego Costa transfer saga - Cerezo

Enrique Cerezo has dismissed suggestions Atletico Madrid are keen to re-sign Chelsea striker Diego Costa ahead of the 2016-17 campaign.The Spain international, 27, departed the Vicente Calderon in 2014 and helped Chelsea to a Premier League and League Cup double in his first season.

Costa struggled for form and fitness as Chelsea's title defence fell apart last season, though, and he has been heavily linked with an Atleti return throughout the close season.

However, president Cerezo says Atleti - who reinforced their forward options with the signing of Kevin Gameiro from Sevilla in this window - are not planning a move for Costa."There was never a Diego Costa transfer saga," Cerezo told Marca."Diego has a contract with Chelsea and is part of manager Antonio Conte's squad.We are on friendly terms with Chelsea and see them as our friends."Diego is also a friend and a true Atletico man, but his place is at Chelsea now and I am sure he will be successful there. We like Diego for everything that he has done for us and he knows Atletico will always be his home.

"But there won't be new acquisitions beyond our budget."Atletico have spent big this transfer window to secure the services of Sime Vrsaljko, Nicolas Gaitan and Gameiro, and Cerezo believes last season's Champions League finalists are even stronger than in recent years."I honestly think the current team is our best squad in many years," he added.

"The dressing room is full of great players, great professionals and great people oozing with desire to win. It's a hell of a team."We tried to sign players to improve our weaker areas, following [Diego] Simeone's advice."

 

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Higuain can make the difference for Juventus - Barzagli

Andrea Barzagli believes Gonzalo Higuain could make the difference for Juventus as they go in search of their first Champions League title in 20 years.The Argentina international joined from Napoli in a deal worth €90 million, signing a five-year contract with the reigning Serie A champions.

Juve made it to the final of the Champions League in 2014-15, but crashed out in the round of 16 last term and are desperate to go all the way this time around.

"Given the number of matches we will be playing, Higuain may well be the difference for us over the course of the season," Barzagli told the club's official website."He is an excellent centre forward and he has shown that with the number of goals he has scored everywhere he has been.

"The Champions League is a competition like no other with a handful of truly world-class contenders. We know that the road to get to the final is a tough one and to advance through the competition you need a host of factors in your favour such as injuries, form and even a touch of fortune.

"We've grown a lot over the last few seasons and we hope to go a step or two further this time around."

 

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Mourinho should be sent to prison over Schweinsteiger 'bullying', claims FIFPro board member

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho should be sent to prison over his "bullying" of Bastian Schweinsteiger, according to a leading figure at FIFPro.

Schweinsteiger has found himself marginalised at Old Trafford only one year after his €9 million move to England from Bayern Munich, with reports suggesting he has been told to train with the reserves.

And Dejan Stefanovic - a board member at world players' union FIFPro - believes the World Cup winner has justifiable cause to take legal action against the club and Mourinho.

"It's clear bullying," he told BBC World Service Sport. "In Slovenia, we would have indicted Mourinho and asked for the highest penalty - three years in prison.

"This is clearly meant to discourage Bastian. Unfortunately, a lot of our fans accept that, because he's idolised and he's getting a lot of money, he can be treated differently. They do not perceive our rights as equal to their rights just because we earn a lot of money and that's not right.

"He should turn to the PFA and he should file a complaint and I would also seek a penalty for Mourinho."Mourinho is setting a bad example. I would take it to the ordinary court. In our case, the penal code is quite clear. If there is bullying and harassment, there's a prison sanction, a maximum of three years in prison.

"[This is] in Slovenia and in most countries in Europe, but nobody applies that [to football]. Usually, in our case, it's enough for us to call the club and just threaten but nobody seems to have done it yet in England.""He should turn to the PFA and he should file a complaint and I would also seek a penalty for Mourinho."

 

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Kante: Chelsea move not a gamble

N'Golo Kante is adamant his decision to leave Leicester City for Chelsea does not jeopardise his dream of playing Champions League football.

The Blues missed out on European football after an underwhelming 2015-16 campaign, while Leicester qualified for the competition by virtue of their incredible Premier League triumph.

However, Kante is confident that Chelsea will soon be back among the continent's elite under Antonio Conte.

"It's not a gamble. For me this is a new step. To stay at Leicester and play in the Champions League would have been a good step, but joining Chelsea is a good step too," the 25-year-old was quoted as saying by Daily Mirror."Of course, I have never played in the Champions League. But everyone knows that Chelsea are a big club and I hope I will be playing in it next year.

"Playing in the Champions League is a big dream of mine. When you are a player and have a chance to play in it, it's a good thing."But like I said, I hope to play in it next season."