..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Barcelona appeal against Neymar's Clasico ban rejected

Barcelona have failed in their appeal against Neymar's three-match suspension that rules him out of Sunday's Clasico against La Liga leaders Real Madrid.Neymar was handed the punishment for sarcastically applauding the fourth official after being shown a second yellow card in the 2-0 defeat at Malaga earlier this month.

The Brazilian forward's show of dissent earned him an additional two-match suspension on top of the one-game ban that came as a result of the red card at La Rosaleda, ruling him out of the clash with Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu this weekend and the meeting with Osasuna next week.

Barca argued it could not be proved Neymar's reaction was directed at the official, but the Royal Spanish Football Federation's Appeals Committee rejected their claim and upheld the sanction.The Blaugrana, however, could yet take their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in order to have his punishment overturned.

The Catalan side saw their chances of another treble evaporate on Wednesday when a 0-0 draw at home to Juventus sealed their Champions League exit at the quarter-final stage. It was the second successive season Luis Enrique's charges have fallen short in the last eight, after going down to Atletico in 2015-16.

Now, the Clasico takes on added importance for the club as they seek to keep their slim Liga hopes alive. Barca go into Sunday's game three points behind Madrid, who also hold a game in hand over their rivals.

Defeat at the weekend would effectively hand the title to the Merengue for the first time since 2011-12, leaving the Copa del Rey, where they will meet Alaves in May's final, as their last opportunity for major silverware this season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Genk 1 Celta Vigo 1 (3-4 agg): Berizzo's side into first major semi-final

Celta Vigo advanced to the semi-finals of a major UEFA competition for the first time following a 1-1 draw against Genk in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final at Luminus Arena.

A 3-2 victory in the first fixture at Balaidos proved key for Eduardo Berizzo's side, who had to withstand late pressure after Leandro Trossard cancelled out Pione Sisto's second-half opener.

The tenacious Sisto gave Celta a two-goal aggregate cushion when he created something out of nothing in the 63rd minute, but Genk hit back in less than four minutes through a delightful finish from energetic winger Trossard.

Genk had struggled to trouble Sergio Alvarez in the Celta net up until that point and failed to do so again despite controlling possession after the introduction of striker Siebe Schrijvers and winger Jean-Paul Boetius in the final 20 minutes.

Claudio Beauvue - a first-half replacement for John Guidetti, who was forced off through injury - could have put the tie to bed much earlier but the Celta forward was twice denied by goalkeeper Mat Ryan.

The Belgian side ended up falling just short, unable to find the additional goal that would have put them and not Berizzo's men into the hat for the final four.

Genk created a chance inside five minutes when Trossard's left-wing cross found Mbwana Samatta in the box, the striker looping a header onto the roof of the net.

Celta responded quickly and Gustavo Cabral poked agonisingly wide when captain Thomas Buffel inadvertently deflected a free-kick to his feet inside the six-yard box.Jakub Brabec gifted the visitors another opportunity in the 16th minute when his poor attempt at a clearance fell to Sisto. The Denmark international shifted the ball onto his right foot and curled a lovely 20-yard shot narrowly past the upright.

Celta were unable to turn their control of possession into chances and they lost Guidetti to injury before half-time.Beauvue replaced the striker and within two minutes forced Ryan into a great save down to his left with an acrobatic effort from Hugo Mallo's delivery.

Trossard bent an effort wide as Genk mounted a positive start to the second period, although Beauvue provided a reminder of the threat Celta pose on the break when only a strong save from Ryan stopped him firing home from Iago Aspas' fine through ball.

Celta did break through just after the hour-mark, though, when Sisto caught Timothy Castagne in possession and raced forward before slamming a powerful, swerving drive beyond Ryan.However, Genk equalised quickly when Trossard dispossessed a hesitant Cabral on the edge of the box and curled a fine finish into the bottom-right corner.

Albert Stuivenberg replaced Buffel and Ruslan Malinovskiy with Schrijvers and Boetius in the 72nd minute, but a wayward effort from the latter was all Genk could muster before the final whistle.

Frustrations boiled over late on when Pablo Hernandez kicked the ball away as substitute Sebastian Dewaest tried to take a quick throw-in, the pair booked as the Belgian side's European adventure came to a close.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United 2 Anderlecht 1 (3-2 agg, aet): Rashford winner settles Europa League thriller

Marcus Rashford was Manchester United's hero with a dramatic extra-time winner that sealed a 3-2 aggregate victory over Anderlecht in the Europa League quarter-finals.

The 19-year-old followed up his starring role in the Premier League win over Chelsea with a well-taken strike early in the second period of extra time to give United a 2-1 win on the night at Old Trafford and a place in the last four.

An entertaining match had seen Henrikh Mkhitaryan follow up his goal in the first leg by netting his fifth goal of the competition after 10 minutes, only for Anderlecht captain Sofiane Hanni to hit back before the break.

United dominated in the second half, but Jesse Lingard, Rashford, Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic all squandered chances to score as the tie moved into extra time.

Victory came at a cost for Jose Mourinho, with Marcos Rojo and Ibrahimovic both taken off with injuries, but Rashford's intervention ensures their hopes of continental silverware and a place in next season's Champions League are still alive.

There was an early scare for United when Leander Dendoncker, Anderlecht's scorer in the first leg, unleashed a dipping 30-yard strike that almost caught out Sergio Romero, only just clearing the crossbar.

But the hosts moved in front after Pogba's impressive throughball had found Rashford to start a counterattack. At the second attempt, the England forward was able to square for Mkhitaryan, who took one touch and fired low past Ruben from 15 yards.

Ruben then had to make two saves in quick succession to keep Anderlecht in the tie, getting up well to save Pogba's header before diving at full stretch to keep out an excellent curling effort from Lingard.

But United suffered a blow when Rojo was forced off on a stretcher with a knee problem to add to Mourinho's defensive injury problems – Daley Blind coming on – and the visitors almost levelled when Frank Acheampong muscled his way into the box before being denied by Romero.

Anderlecht did strike back in the 32nd minute, Youri Tielemans' 20-yard strike deflecting onto the bar and Hanni pouncing to beat Romero on the rebound from eight yards as an entertaining tie reached the break all square.

United made a strong start to the second half when Rashford and Luke Shaw combined down the left to give Lingard the opportunity from inside the six-yard box, but the stretching winger somehow failed to get enough contact on the ball to prod home.

Mourinho used his second change on the hour mark, bringing on Marouane Fellaini for Lingard, while Anderlecht introduced Nicolae Stanciu and Massimo Bruno as both sides chased the crucial a third goal.Rashford fired wide from a good opening for United after Ibrahimovic – back in the team as one of five United changes – headed into his path.

And Rashford was guilty of another squandered opportunity when he pounced on a mistake from defender Dennis Appiah and raced clear on goal, only to overrun the ball as he attempted to round Ruben.

United were upping the pressure and it took a supreme close-range save from Ruben to deny Ibrahimovic when the striker seemed destined to score, before the former Sweden captain had a penalty claim turned down after going down under pressure from Uros Spajic.

Pogba was the next player to miss from a golden chance, volleying over with an awful attempt after Mkhitaryan's corner fell into his path six yards out, while Ibrahimovic lashed a shot wide after great work from Michael Carrick.

United's injury woes took another turn for the worse at the end of regulation time, Ibrahimovic limping down the tunnel after landing awkwardly from an aerial challenge with Kara, Anthony Martial replacing him for extra time.Pogba had a goal ruled out in the first half of extra time, Fellaini penalised for a foul on Spajic as he headed into the Belgium international's path.

But the breakthrough finally arrived for United after 107 minutes, Rashford collecting another Fellaini knockdown before impressively working space for himself and placing a left-footed strike beyond Ruben as Old Trafford erupted.

United had to survive two last-gasp scares as Acheampong and Kara threatened with headers, the hosts holding on to ensure Martial's disallowed goal at the other end – correctly ruled out for offside - did not prove costly.

 

[Franklin EK]

..B U M P..​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Schalke 3 Ajax 2 (3-4 agg, aet): Dutch delight as stunning comeback falls short

Ajax survived a heroic Schalke fightback - and the dismissal of Joel Veltman - as they reached the semi-finals of the Europa League despite going down to a 3-2 second-leg defeat at the Veltins-Arena.

Nick Viergever was the hero for the Dutch side, the defender deflecting Matija Nastasic's attempted clearance into the net in the 111th minute, before Amin Younes struck in the closing seconds to finally settle a see-saw tie.
Schalke had rallied from a 2-0 first-leg deficit to force extra time, Leon Goretzka and Guido Burgstaller scoring in the space of three second-half minutes to drag the Bundesliga team level on aggregate, although the former's night came to an early end due to a head injury.

Veltman also failed to see out the match, the defender dismissed with 10 minutes to go in normal time as Ajax - winners of the UEFA Cup in 1992 - seemingly collapsed down the stretch.

Daniel Caligiuri put Schalke on course for the last four when he nodded in a teasing Sead Kolasinac cross to make it 3-2 on aggregate, only Viergever and Younes to strike late and book Ajax's place in Friday's draw.

Markus Weinzierl's side started brightly and twice came close to halving the overall deficit inside the opening two minutes, Goretzka guiding a Kolasinac cross narrowly wide before Max Meyer's measured shot was kept out by a post.
However, the early Schalke onslaught failed to yield a goal, allowing Ajax to gradually grow into the game as the opening half wore on.

Just as he had done in a one-sided first leg, Ralf Fahrmann kept Schalke's hopes alive, the goalkeeper diving low to his right to turn away Lasse Schone's free-kick straight after the interval.The save proved to be pivotal, as Schalke hit their opponents with a quickfire double to draw level.

Goretzka grabbed the first, the midfielder exchanging passes with Burgstaller to get clear on the right before firing an angled drive underneath Andre Onana's outstretched arms.

Ajax failed to regain their composure before conceding again, Burgstaller going from provider to scorer when he wrapped his left foot around Kolasinac's low cross to sweep a low shot into the net.

As if seeing a comfortable cushion disappear in a hurry was not tough enough for the visitors, they were then reduced to 10 men in the 80th minute when Veltman picked up a second yellow card for a blatant block on Nabil Bentaleb.
Onana made sure his team at least forced extra time with a crucial double save, first denying Benedikt Howedes before then scooping up the rebound just as substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar looked to pounce against his old club.Yet there was nothing the Ajax keeper could do to keep out Caligiuri's header in the 101st minute, Kolasinac once again the provider with a teasing cross from the left flank.

Schalke's turnaround looked to be complete at that stage, only for Viergever's timely intervention on Nastasic to dramatically change the complexion of the game.

Younes capitalised on the counter to score a second for Ajax, who will now compete in the semi-finals of a major European tournament for the first time since 1997.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Besiktas 2 Lyon 1 (3-3 agg, 6-7 on penalties): Lopes and Gonalons the shootout heroes

Anthony Lopes and Maxime Gonalons were the spot-kick heroes as Lyon reached the semi-finals of the Europa League after defeating Besiktas 7-6 on penalties.

Having won the opening leg 2-1 last week - a victory overshadowed by a lengthy delay due to crowd disturbances, which led to both clubs being charged by UEFA and facing a potential suspension from competition in the future - Lyon were beaten by the same scoreline before keeping their cool in a penalty shootout at the Vodafone Arena on Thursday.

Thankfully there was no repeat of the ugly scenes witnessed in France and instead it is captain Gonalons and goalkeeper Lopes who will dominate the headlines after Lyon followed up Monaco's achievements in the Champions League by securing their place in the last four of Europe's secondary competition.

After 12 successful penalties, Lopes saved from Dusko Tosic, only for Christophe Jallet to blaze over. But Lopes saved again from Matej Mitrovic, allowing Gonalons to calmly convert and send Lyon through.

With a top-three finish in Ligue 1 no longer a prospect, the Europa League represents Lyon's only chance of a return to the Champions League, which could prove crucial in their ability to hold on to top scorer Alexandre Lacazette.

After Anderson Talisca had fired Besiktas ahead midway through the first half, Lacazette swiftly restored parity on the night with a sublime 31st goal of the season following a one-two with Gonalons.

Talisca's header had the tie all-square shortly before the hour-mark, while both sides hit the woodwork and spurned gilt-edged opportunities before and during extra time, prior to the penalty drama.

Besiktas made a bright start amid a raucous atmosphere but the home fans were almost silenced in the 14th minute, when Corentin Tolisso broke into the box and controlled Lacazette's pass but could only fire wide.

That miss proved costly as Besiktas forged ahead in the 27th minute.Oguzhan Ozyakup received a quickly taken corner and fed Talisca, who turned and fired low through a crowd of players into the bottom-left corner from just inside the area.

Besiktas' lead lasted just seven minutes, however, as Lacazette dropped the ball off to Gonalons, whose delightful chipped return was controlled by the striker before a deft lobbed finish stunned the home support.

Lacazette went agonisingly close to doubling his tally four minutes prior to the interval, turning away in despair as his curling effort struck the inside of the right-hand post before rebounding across the face of goal and behind.

Only a fine Lopes save from Cenk Tosun's header prevented Besiktas from pulling level on aggregate in the 56th minute.Lopes could do little about Talisca's powerful header from Adriano's cross two minutes later, though, the home fans sent into raptures once more.

Lyon almost produced another swift riposte as Lacazette thumped an effort straight at Fabri when played through and the Besiktas keeper - at fault for Lyon's winner last week - produced a superb save after Lucas Tousart's shot deflected heavily off Atiba Hutchinson.

There was a huge let-off for Lyon five minutes from time as Lopes misjudged Ricardo Quaresma's cross, which rebounded back off the post into the path of Ryan Babel, who could only hack a shot wildly into his team-mate Tosun.

In a breathless finish to normal time, Mouctar Diakhaby powered a header straight at Fabri before Lacazette raced clear and smacked a shot against the crossbar in the final minute.

Lyon looked stronger in the first additional period but it was Talisca who ought to have completed his hat-trick, somehow stabbing wide of a gaping goal from eight yards following excellent work from Quaresma.

Either side of the interval, Diakhaby headed wide and Lopes clawed out Tosun's effort before Fabri scrambled across his line to brilliantly deny Tolisso - the last action of note before Lopes and Gonalons broke Besiktas hearts.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Rashford: Man Utd did it the hard way!

Marcus Rashford admits Manchester United did it the hard way after his dramatic extra-time winner sealed victory over Anderlecht in the Europa League quarter-finals.

The United striker hit the winning goal after 107 minutes at Old Trafford to follow up his earlier assist for Henrikh Mkhitaryan's opener, Sofiane Hanni's first-half strike for the visitors having ultimately forced extra time.

Rashford was one of many home players guilty of missing chances when the tie was level, but was relieved to see Jose Mourinho's side eventually win 2-1 on the night and claim a 3-2 aggregate triumph to reach the last four.

"All you can do is keep trying to create chances and that is what we kept doing," Rashford, who also starred in the weekend Premier League win over Chelsea, said to BT Sport."We pinned them back in the second half and started pushing as a team, which is what the game needed at that time.

"We had a lot of chances and could have scored a lot of goals but sometimes games go like that. We got one in the end and everyone is happy now."You just have to keep going and hope you get another chance. We have done it the hard way but none of that matters now."

Midfielder Michael Carrick, meanwhile, feared the worst when United wasted numerous chances in the second half of normal time."We created a few chances and didn't take them again - we thought it might be one of those nights," he said after a victory that came at a cost due to Marcos Rojo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic suffering injuries.

"We did not start well because we did not capitalise on the goal. But we are through - that is what you have to do in cup competitions.

"People are saying, 'Are you going to prioritise the league or the cup?' We have got to fire on all fronts. We have got a duty to do that. We have still got a chance in both competitions."Cup nights like this when you go through are great. There is great belief in the squad, a great atmosphere and we hope to carry it on.

"It is disappointing [to have Rojo and Ibrahimovic injured]. We have played a lot of games. Hopefully it is not too serious because they are two big players for us."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'The news is fairly negative I think' - Mourinho waiting for tests on Rojo and Ibra

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said initial news over injuries to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo was "fairly negative".Ibrahimovic and Rojo suffered knee problems as United edged into the Europa League semi-finals with a 2-1 extra-time win at home to Anderlecht.

But the 3-2 aggregate success came at a price, with Ibrahimovic and Rojo both seemingly set for extended spells on the sideline after being taken off.

"I don't think they are easy injuries but I prefer to wait until all the tests are done and then speak. I can't do that because I am a manager not a doctor," Mourinho told BT Sport."But the news is fairly negative I think."Henrikh Mkhitaryan again opened the scoring for United, as he did in Belgium, but his goal was cancelled out by Sofiane Hanni.

It took until the 107th minute for the hosts to secure their win through Marcus Rashford, who had been goalless in the Premier League since September before netting in back-to-back games earlier this month.

"You speak about his qualities and they are fantastic. But mentally he is excellent," Mourinho said."He hadn't scored since September, some players don't understand what I want but Marcus I trust."It doesn't matter if he doesn't score - he is fantastic in his effort and attitude."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Get well soon Ibra & Rojo!

Rojo ge injured ekath ekkama dan ape backline 1ke defendersla 3denekma outSamlling,Jones & now Rojo​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho impressed by mentality from Shaw and Rashford

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho lauded Luke Shaw for playing through pain in his team's win over Anderlecht.

Shaw, often criticised this season, played 120 minutes as United edged into the Europa League semi-finals with a 2-1 extra-time win at Old Trafford on Thursday.

Marcus Rashford was the hero with his 107th-minute goal, but the win came at a price for the hosts, who lost Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo to injuries.

Mourinho was full of praise for Rashford – who now has 10 goals in all competitions this season – and Shaw."I always trust the players with special mentality. Always trust them. Luke Shaw did something new today, it means a lot for me," he told a news conference.

"After 90 minutes, before I know that I have to change Zlatan, he had cramp, I had Ashley Young ready to come on, and he told me I'm going to play for 30 minutes with cramps, no problem.

"He said if you need to make a change in another position I am ready for it.
"These kind of things make me trust the players. There are technical aspects, but the mentality is the reason why I kept Marcus on the team all the time, because of that."

Rashford had been goalless in the Premier League since September before scoring in back-to-back games earlier this month.His match-winner sent United into the last four and Mourinho urged his players to retain belief in their ability to go on and win the Europa League.

"It was a difficult game, a difficult opponent, I am tired, I imagine the players are more tired than me," he said."But we are in the draw [on Friday] and we still have the dream to win the competition."Celta Vigo, Ajax and Lyon joined United in the semi-finals on Thursday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Luke Shaw pattahodai Anderlecht match 1ke performance​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid and Juventus vs Monaco in Champions League semi-final

Real Madrid have been drawn against Atletico Madrid and Juventus will face Monaco in next month's Champions League semi-finals.The all-Madrid semi is a repeat of last year's final, which Real won on penalties, and the final three years ago which Real also won in extra-time.

After beating Bayern Munich 6-4 on aggregate in the quarter-finals, thanks in part to controversial refereeing decisions and a hat-trick from Ronaldo in the second leg, Zinedine Zidane's men were paired with their neighbours, who knocked out Leicester City.It is the fourth season in a row in which the sides from the Spanish capital have met in the knockout rounds of the competition, with Real getting the better of them each time.

The first leg will be played at the Bernabeu, while the return tie will mark the last time the Vicente Calderon will host a Madrid derby before Atleti move into their new stadium next season.Juventus, who last won the Champions League in 1996, defeated Monaco in the last eight of the 2014-15 competition en route to their final defeat at the hands of Barcelona.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United draw Celta Vigo in Europa League semi-final

Manchester United have drawn Celta Vigo and Ajax have drawn Lyon in the Europa League semi-finals.Jose Mourinho's men battled past Anderlecht in extra-time thanks to a winner from young striker Marcus Rashford on Thursday, winning 3-2 on aggregate.

Their semi-final opponents, Spanish side Celta, eliminated Genk 4-3 on aggregate after drawing 1-1 in the second leg in Belgium this week.United will visit Celta for the first-leg of their encounter on March 4, before welcoming them back to Old Trafford the following week.

Meanwhile, Ajax, who beat Schalke in the previous round with a 4-3 aggregate win after extra-time, will host Lyon for the first game between the two.

The French side got the better of Besiktas in penalties in their last-eight tie to reach this stage of the Europa League for the first time.The victor of Ajax vs Lyon was drawn as the nominal home side for the final, which will be played at the Friends Arena in Solna, Sweden.
​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Good Luck Manchester United!​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Man Utd star Ibrahimovic ruled out for the season with knee injury

Manchester United have been dealt a huge injury blow in their pursuit of Champions League football with the news that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.

The former Barcelona striker suffered the injury in the final seconds of normal time during United's Europa League clash against Anderlecht as he landed awkwardly after jumping for a header.

The Swede received lengthy treatment after the final whistle and was able to limp away without the need of a stretcher as he was replaced by Anthony Martial.That led to team-mate Luke Shaw admitting that he felt the striker's injury was not as bad as first thought, but Goal understands that is not the case.

Ibrahimovic's absence could hit Jose Mourinho's side hard as they look to finish in the top four of the Premier League and win the Europa League in the final weeks of the season.

Having arrived from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer last summer, Ibrahimovic has scored 28 goals in all competitions, including a double in the League Cup final win over Southampton.

Marcus Rashford - who starred in the recent wins over Chelsea and Anderlecht - will likely now fill the void for the remainder of the season, with United still to play Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham as well as Celta Vigo in the Europa League semi-finals.Ibrahimovic may well have now played his last game in a Red Devils shirt, with his one-year contract set to run out at the end of June.

Reports have varied on whether he will take up the option of a second-year, though the potential of a long-term injury could yet have a bearing on where he plays his football next term.

The severity of Ibrahimovic's injury is yet to be fully assessed, though reports in Italy suggest he could be facing up to nine months out if he has damaged his anterior cruciate ligament.Should that be the case, it is possible United could assist him in with his rehabilitation, though any contract would be on different terms than those originally on the table had he been fully fit.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Get well soon Ibra!

We miss you​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Gabriel Jesus could start Man City's FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal

Gabriel Jesus could start Manchester City's FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal on Sunday.Jesus has been on the sidelines since breaking a bone in his foot against Bournemouth on February 13.The Brazilian had made a big impact on the City squad, starting in place of Sergio Aguero and scoring three goals in four starts.

He returned to full training in recent weeks and Pep Guardiola says he will be part of the travelling squad for Sunday's game."He is really much, much better,"Guardiola said. "Today, he makes part of training with us. He’s coming back with his happiness and we are so happy he is back again.

"We are going to travel all the squad to Wembley. He will be part of that. After we will see."And the City boss did not rule out the possibility that the 20-year-old could be thrown straight back into the starting line-up.

Asked if a place in the line-up would out of the question, he answered simply: "No.
"All the squad is going to travel for Sunday tomorrow afternoon, [earlier] than normal to arrive in time to see the first semi-final, Tottenham versus Chelsea, all together. After we will be all together and after dinner we will decide the team and the people on the bench."

He added: "It's difficult to come to the Premier League and play how he played. He played just 10 minutes against Tottenham [on his debut] and created two or three chances by himself."All the players I am happy to have them back when they are injured but especially for him.


"He had all Europe in his hands and he decided to come here. We are so happy to have him back, hopefully he can help us to score goals until the end of the season."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Man Utd ready to pay €70m for PSG defender Marquinhos

Manchester United are ready to splash out €70 million to sign PSG centre-back Marquinhos as they look to bolster their defence ahead of the 2017-18 campaign.

Ligue 1 champions PSG are, however, reluctant to sell one of their key players and Goal understands they will not consider a sale in the summer, even for a bid of €100m.

Jose Mourinho's side would be willing to offer €10m per year in wages to attract one of the top young defensive players in Europe as they look to build a team capable of winning the Premier League title.

Doubts remain over Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, who have both struggled with injuries since Mourinho's arrival, while Daley Blind is likely to be moved on in the summer window.

Marcos Rojo and Eric Bailly have performed impressively in recent weeks as United deal with something of a defensive injury crisis and Marquinhos's potential addition would add depth and quality at centre-back.

Goal understands that no official bid has yet been made and PSG will resist any attempt by the Red Devils to sign the Brazil international, who they signed from Roma back in 2013.Indeed, Unai Emery's side will open contract negotiations with Marquinhos in the summer as a priority, as the club look to keep hold of one of their star names.

Nevertheless, United retain a big interest in Marquinhos, with the player's wage demands potentially a stumbling block for PSG, who are currently unwilling to meet his demands.

The 22-year-old's demands would make him one of the top earners at Parc des Princes and, despite contract negotiations having broken down last summer, he still has two years remaining on his current deal.His father, however, maintains that a renewal with PSG is not solely to do with money. Marcos Barros told Goal: "It's not just a matter of money. It's a matter of how he can be one of the best players in the team.

"PSG needs to show him that he is one of the most important players in the team."
The defender, who has 17 caps for Brazil, remains happy in Paris, where he has won three successive Ligue 1 titles, and outlined his intention to stay put back in March.Along with Adrien Rabiot and Marco Verratti, Marquinhos is seen as a key player for the club's future.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho on Man Utd injury crisis: We're in trouble

Jose Mourinho has conceded that Manchester United are "in trouble" after their injury crisis worsened ahead of Sunday's meeting with Burnley.Defensively, the Red Devils are down to the bare bones, with Marcos Rojo having now joined Chris Smalling and Phil Jones on the treatment table.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic also suffered a potentially season-ending injury in the 2-1 win over Anderlecht on Thursday night to add to Mourinho's problems ahead of the trip to Turf Moor.

And the Portuguese could not hide his frustration at the situation at Old Trafford.He told reporters: “Eric Bailly has played six matches in a row - 540 minutes in a row."We lost Rojo, we don’t have Jones, we don’t have Smalling.

“We are in trouble and, now, we lose Zlatan too but, in attack, we have options: Rooney is coming and let’s see if Mata can also return before the end of the season. Let’s see what happens.

“Herrera plays [against Burnley]. He didn’t play on Thursday – one yellow card and he would have missed the semi-finals. I was thinking about him and [fellow substitute Marouane] Fellaini both at the same time but, because I made a change with Marcos Rojo, I couldn’t do that and he didn’t play.

“So Herrera is fresh to play. Ashley Young is fresh to play and who else? Nobody else is fresh to play! Now we need absolutely everyone and I don’t have to think about Axel Tuanzebe going to the Under-20 World Cup in Korea because maybe Axel has to come now. We need everybody.”

United are on an eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions, with their last defeat coming in the FA Cup against Chelsea.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

We're in trouble thamai

Onama karana playersla gen godak denk injured!

Gell well soon all!​