..::Football IV::..

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Rooney sends condolences to Manchester bombing victims after Europa League final

Wayne Rooney sent his condolences back to the victims of the Manchester bombing after his Manchester United side took a 2-0 win over Ajax to win the Europa League Wednesday. The forward, whose future remains unclear, wanted to make sure the people of Manchester knew they were in his, and the team's, thoughts.

“It was a good win obviously, delighted for everyone to win the trophy, the fans and I think for the city of Manchester with what happened yesterday," Rooney said. "It was a disaster, and my condolences are with the families and friends of people who have lost lives or are injured.

"So first of all we have to mention that, and second of all football took a back seat over the last couple of days and we’re just happy with the win now.”

The striker made a short cameo against Ajax, coming on for Juan Mata in the 90th minute, but admits it was tough for him and the other United players to focus on the match. “I knew people who were at the concert, so it’s not easy," he said. "It’s not a nice moment, not just for Manchester but for the whole of England.

"It was a sad day and we all felt that, and then we had to obviously go out and try to put a performance in to win the game.”While football may have been pushed to the back burner, the win pushes Manchester United, who finished sixth in the Premier League with 69 points, back into the Champions League.

It was a bit of good news for a city in mourning, and Rooney lauded his team's ability to put in a performance in a vital moment.

“We’ve seen in the last three or four Premier League games we’ve been focusing in on this game to try to make sure we get the win and obviously get the Champions League spot, which we’ve done, but also to get a trophy.
"So it’s a good moment for us.”

 

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Herrera sends strong message to Manchester victims after Europa League win

Man-of-the-match Ander Herrera dedicated the Europa League trophy to the victims of the Manchester terror attack after Manchester United saw off Ajax in Stockholm.

United ensured Champions League qualification with a 2-0 win over Ajax at Friends Arena on Wednesday, but it was a sombre mood pre- and post-match after a suicide bomber took 22 lives at Manchester Arena days earlier.

More than 100 people were also injured as fans were leaving an Ariana Grande concert on Monday.Touched by the events so close to home, Herrera had the victims in his heart as he lifted the Europa League trophy in the Swedish city.

"We are very happy, a European trophy, you don't win it every day. I lost the final four years ago. I want to dedicate the trophy to the victims," Herrera told reporters.

"We want peace in the world, respect. We are no-one, just footballers, but we have an audience, I want to say to everyone to work together for a normal world. "Happened in Manchester, but we have to be a united world to fight for peace. No attacks, no more of that, please."He continued: "Yesterday [Tuesday] morning we were devastated, we were really, really sad because when you think about life and football you have no choice.

"It was difficult to train yesterday, really, really difficult for us. Manager told us only thing we can do is win it for them, that's what we've done. It's just a football game, just a trophy, but if we can help or support them with this one per cent it's enough for us."It was the perfect ending to an otherwise gruelling and topsy-turvy season at Old Trafford, which did yield a Community Shield and EFL Cup.

Having flirted with a top-four finish, too many draws meant United ultimately were sixth after 38 Premier League matches - leaving the Europa League as their only chance to qualify for the Champions League."There is always motivation when you put a United shirt on. Reputation is big.Representing the biggest club in England," the former Athletic Bilbao star said.

"We know we could have done better in Premier League. To win three titles is fantastic. Game of the season, couldn't talk of good season if we had not won it. Now talking of great season. Three titles, Champions League, fans proud of us, played like a big team, very smart, against a very good team. I am very happy. I lost a final four years ago, very.

 

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Mata: United tried to lift ‘the spirit of the city’

Juan Mata said he and his Manchester United team-mates tried to “lift the spirits” of the city in their 2-0 Europa League final victory over Ajax.

The Premier League side won their first ever trophy in the tournament thanks to goals from Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, with Mata going 90 minutes before being replaced by Wayne Rooney in stoppage time.

Numerous United players have emphasized they felt a need to perform for their city, which was hit by a terrorist attack Monday which took the lives of 22 people.Mata was no exception when asked if the team tried to win for Manchester, saying: “We wanted that too.

“Sadly we have to live something really sad and bad, a tragedy for all of us.
“Today we tried to focus on football for at least 90 minutes, try to win for them and try to lift a little bit the spirit of the city. We feel really proud of that, you know.“At least people today were a bit happier than those last hours because of the trophy and because we’re playing Champions League next season.

“We know there are things that are far more important than football obviously, rivalry and all these things don’t count now. We are all together and all we have to do is keep together and stay strong.”Mata emphasized how important returning to the Champions League was to the team’s season.

“It’s massive for us,” he said. “Today was all or nothing, or almost nothing, and we got it all.We’ve got three trophies, we play in the Champions League next season so I think it’s fair to say that it was a good season for us.”

The midfielder also discussed big striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who missed the Europa League final with a knee injury and is out of contract with the club.“I don’t know,” Mata said when asked if Ibrahimovic would return to the club. “He was very unlucky with the injury, with the moment of his career to get that injury.

“But you know him, he’s a fighter… He will fight to come back for sure, but I don’t know where."Despite his absence, Mata believes Ibrahimovic deserves credit in the team’s run to the title and was pleased to have been part of the experience.

“He was really happy, really proud,” Mata said. “He played a big part in this competition, scoring a lot of goals, knowing the final was here in Sweden, his country where he is loved. So it was a special day for him and for all of us.

“It’s a special country for me as well so I’m really happy to be here and to win this trophy for the injured players and for the people in Manchester who have suffered a lot.”

 

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For Manchester! Hero Pogba leads United to emotional Europa League triumph

In the most painful of weeks for their city, Manchester United provided a fitting tribute on Wednesday by winning the Europa League with one of their most clinical performances of the season.

The 2-0 win over Ajax came less than 48 hours after the terrorist attack which claimed 22 lives at the Manchester Arena, but United’s players deserve all the plaudits that come their way for their response in the face of adversity.

Paul Pogba, himself coming to terms with the recent death of his father, was wonderful all night and scored United’s crucial first goal. Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s second soon after half-time allowed the hordes from the north-west of England to celebrate both their team and their city without the nervous tension which has engulfed many of their fixtures this season.

It felt like Ajax’s fluid, attacking style of play actually played into United’s hands in the end as the space they left in behind allowed Jose Mourinho’s side to finds the gaps in which they revel. What is certain is that United felt destined to win even before Pogba opened the scoring.

As Pogba pointed to the skies after finishing off a fine team move with a deflected 20-yard effort, the emotion poured out both on the pitch and in the stands. When Mkhitaryan followed up with number two there was no less sentiment. It just felt right that this was to be United’s night.

Mourinho made a decision some weeks ago to apply his team’s focus to the Europa League in their race for a Champions League spot next term. It was a determination which courted plenty of attention, with the risk of resting United’s hopes on a single game causing concern for some.

Certainly, as the ball was cut back for John Guidetti in United’s close shave against Celta Vigo a fortnight ago, it looked as though Mourinho might have put his eggs in the wrong basket. But with this big-game performance on the most pressurised of occasions, United justified their manager’s faith.



Pogba turned in one of his most complete performances in a United shirt, Ander Herrera played a captain’s knock at the base of midfield, Marouane Fellaini was a man mountain at times, and the defensive pairing of Chris Smalling and Daley Blind dealt admirably with everything thrown at them. If United had played anything like this well for much of the season, then Champions League football could well have been assured long before they arrived in Stockholm.

But this was the perfect end to a long, difficult season. Manchester United are back in the European competition most befitting of the club’s name. What’s more, they have given Manchester something to hold onto in the most trying of times.

 

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Mourinho refuses to reveal whether Griezmann is on transfer list given to Woodward

Jose Mourinho has refused to comment on whether Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann is among Manchester United’s transfer targets.

The Red Devils have been heavily linked with the France international for several months, with interest first appearing during the winter window.A big-money move has been mooted for the summer, with Griezmann having recently opened the door to a possible deal.

He told French TV programme Quotidien that his chances of joining United are “six out of 10”, before then stating in L’Equipe that he is “ready to go” and challenge for major honours.Mourinho, though, told BeIN Sports after overseeing a Europa League final victory on Wednesday: "I do not want to talk about Griezmann because that would be disrespectful to his club, Atletico.

"Just how I do not like others talking about by my players, I'm not going to talk about Antoine either."Mourinho did, however, admit to the BT Sport that he has already identified targets.

United are expected to be busy in the summer window, as they seek to build on their cup successes this season by challenging for the Premier League title in 2017-18.Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is the man charged with the task of delivering the goods to Mourinho, with the identity of those he has been challenged to get set to become apparent in the coming weeks.

"Ed Woodward has my list, what I want, what I would like for more than two months," Mourinho said after guiding United to a 2-0 victory over Ajax.
"So now it is up to him and the owners."

United also have decisions to make on the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Michael Carrick and those approaching the end of their current contracts.

 

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Klopp wants Liverpool transfer dealings wrapped up as soon as possible

Jurgen Klopp hopes Liverpool will wrap up their transfer dealings well ahead of the start of next season, but acknowledged he might have to be patient before he sees the first new arrival walk in.

The Premier League side signed Georginio Wijnaldum, Sadio Mane, Joel Matip, Loris Karius and Ragnar Klavan last year and Klopp is keen to bring in more fresh blood ahead of the 2017-18 campaign after they sealed Champions League qualification.Nevertheless, the former Borussia Dortmund boss realises it might take longer than he initially hoped before Liverpool announce the first new signing.

"I wish new signings would begin to arrive tomorrow but unfortunately that is not really likely," Klopp told reporters."The best scenario is that you have them for the start of pre-season but I am not sure if it will happen this time.

"It is different with all different players so we will see. That is not a big problem because we all know if they are fit and healthy we have a really strong squad and that means we could start with this squad."But that does not mean that I would prefer this, I would love to have them in as soon as possible but we will see."

 

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Iniesta unsure over long-term Barcelona future

Andres Iniesta remains in the dark over his long-term future at Barcelona, but intends to stay at Camp Nou at least until the end of his existing contract.

The 33-year-old's deal with Barca is due to expire in 2018 and it is unclear as of yet whether the Catalans are willing to offer the experienced midfielder an extension.

Iniesta is no longer guaranteed to be one of the first names on the team sheet, starting a mere 13 Liga games in an injury-blighted 2016-17, and he has admitted he might be nearing the end of his spell at the club."My bare minimum intention is to fulfil the contract that I have and that is what I want to do," Iniesta told Rac-1.

"There are always options. It is a question of valuing everything, I am not saying that I will renew or not."Given how the season has gone, how everything has changed and how I have learned to value certain things, I said weeks ago that when the time comes for me to leave it will not become a confrontation between me and the club."

 

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Herrera would welcome 'phenomenon' Griezmann at Manchester United

Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera feels Antoine Griezmann can emulate Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and says any team in the world would like to sign the Atletico Madrid star.

Griezmann continues to be linked with a move to Old Trafford and this week fuelled speculation that he could join United by saying there is a "six out of 10" chance the move will happen.Herrera is impressed with the 26-year-old's ability and appears ready to welcome him with open arms."Griezmann is a brilliant player, a phenomenon," Herrera told Cadena Ser.

"He is a star and all the teams in the world would want him."I have said it in the past, after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, he is in that group of players that can become their possible successors."However, Griezmann is still an Atletico Madrid player and I respect Atletico and their fans."

 

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Griezmann ganna puluwan unoth nam pattaath deal 1ka wenakam sure naha​

 

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Mourinho admits to being a 'nobody' at Man Utd as he reveals how long he has left in management

Jose Mourinho admits to feeling like a “nobody” at Manchester United, but feels he still has 15 years in management to put that right.

The Portuguese was drafted into the Old Trafford hot-seat last summer with the remit of bringing success back to the club.He has delivered on that front, with Wednesday’s Europa League final triumph over Ajax seeing him collect a third trophy of the season.

Mourinho, though, acknowledges he is working in the shadow of iconic figures such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Matt Busby and has a long way to go before he can be considered a success in his own right.

He told Rio Ferdinand on the BT Sport documentary ‘Old Trafford Uncovered’: “In this club it makes me feel that I did nothing.“Especially because you have two legends — many of them, but two [Busby and Ferguson] are legends in terms of titles and trophies. I feel that I am nobody. I always have to prove.

“I just feel that what I did in this club is not enough to deserve to be here [pointing to wall enshrined with pictures of Ferguson and Busby]. That’s why I am there [pointing to a picture of himself on a wall on its own].

“Sometimes when I stop and look back I did a lot of things, I have things that nobody else has. No manager won in Spain, Italy and England. In these three countries I won all the competitions, not just the league.

“For example, when we won against Anderlecht I was told that I equal the record of Sir Alex and [Giovanni] Trapattoni of 10 European semi-finals. They have finished. I still have a chance to get some more semi-finals. So there are things that I’m really proud of.”While rightly proud of his achievements to date, Mourinho has sounded an ominous warning to his coaching rivals by declaring he is only halfway through his career.

He added: “I was really lucky in the way my career developed. I played the Spanish derbies, the Italian derbies, the Portuguese derbies, the English derbies, all these country’s cup finals, played for the titles, an amazing experience of life.“If I finish my career tomorrow I should be very happy with my experience, but the problem is my career just reached the halfway stage. I have 15 more years.”

Mourinho will again have United competing on multiple fronts next season, with the club back in the Champions League and seeking to piece together a Premier League title challenge.

 

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Mandzukic signs fresh Juventus contract until 2020

Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic has signed a new contract at the club that runs until June 30, 2020.The former Bayern Munich striker, 31, has been an essential part of the Juventus team this season as the club have completed a league and cup double in Italy.

Mandzukic has scored 10 goals and bagged eight assists across 48 appearances in 2017-18 and has a Champions League final to look forward to on June 3.

"Strong, generous, stubborn, not willing to give one inch to the opponent until the last second of the match... it's the mantra of Mario Mandzukic," a statement frm Juventus said.

"The striker — who with his technique, his experience and his immense self-sacrifice has had a fundamental role since summer 2015 to the present — has helped to get Juventus a third double Scudetto-Coppa Italia in a row, as well as the Champions League final in Cardiff this year."Mandzukic's new deal is a one-year extension of his previous contract, which ran out in 2019.

The Croatia international has been with the club since joining for €19 million two years ago from Atletico Madrid, where he'd been for a single season.Mandzukic had previously spent four years in the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg and Bayern, both for two seasons.

 

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Jesus Navas to leave Man City as summer exodus continues

Jesus Navas is the latest player to be shown the Manchester City exit door, with the club confirming his summer exit on Thursday.

Shortly after revealing that full-back Gael Clichy would leave the Etihad Stadium this summer, City revealed the Spain international would also be departing in the transfer window.Pep Guardiola paid tribute to his fellow Spaniard, who featured 36 times for Man City in his final season with the Premier League club.

"Working with Jesus has been a pleasure," ex-Barcelona boss Guardiola told the club in a statement. "His hard work, dedication, professionalism and desire to win have been apparent every single day."He showed his versatility numerous times this season, operating at full-back and doing so with distinction."I wish him all the very best with his next move."

Pablo Zabaleta is another familiar face at the Manchester club to be leaving the club as Guardiola looks to freshen his squad for his second season in charge.Yaya Toure, Bacary Sagna and Willy Caballero's futures are also yet to be decided with each of their contracts expiring on June 30, 2020.

Navas has been linked with a return to Sevilla, whom he played for from 2000 until 2013 when he signed for Man City in an estimated £15 million deal.Sevilla's academy chief, Pablo Blanco, had joked he would travel to the UK himself to collect Navas and return him to the Andalusian club.

"I would put him in my house or pick him up from Manchester myself if the club asked," Blanco told Canal Sur. "Jesus Navas is an academy player, a reflection of the work we do."

Navas made 77 league starts for Man City across his four years at the club, winning the Premier League once and the League Cup twice.He already has a World Cup winners' medal and a European Championship victory his name from 2010 and 2012 respectively.

 

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'Zlatan told the ball boys to go easy' - Mourinho salutes injured striker's role in Europa League win

Jose Mourinho feels Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s absence from the Europa League final was “unfair”, but has saluted his contribution to Manchester United’s success.The Swedish striker was forced to take on a spectator role back in his homeland on Wednesday as the Red Devils edged past Ajax 2-0.

A knee ligament injury picked up in a quarter-final clash with Anderlecht brought his campaign to a close and prevented him from competing for the first continental prize of his glittering career.

Ibrahimovic was, however, on hand to influence proceedings off the field, with Mourinho revealing that he led cheerleading and time management on the sidelines.
"I think it's so unfair what happened to him," Mourinho told reporters after the game."Sometimes football is unfair, sometimes life is unfair, I think it's so unfair.

"This night would be an amazing night if he was on the pitch, in his hometown, in the stadium where his statue will be, his first club when he left Sweden, his actual club in Manchester United, a season where he made an amazing impact, I'm really, really, really sorry Zlatan has not played this final.

"But he played. He played outside with crutches with the other guys, Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw, Ashley Young, Eric Bailly, they were playing behind the bench shouting, they were doing everything."And on top of it, Zlatan in Swedish told the ball boys in the second-half to take it easy, so even outside he was playing for us.

"So I am so pleased he finally gets a European trophy."Hobbling around the field in Stockholm could be Ibrahimovic’s final involvement with United, as the 12-month contract he signed last summer is about to expire and no extension has been put in place.

 

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Cillessen to 'fight' for Barcelona No.1 spot but could consider January exit

Barcelona goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen will consider leaving Barcelona next January if he has still not broken into the first team.Cillessen only played once in LaLiga and once in the Champions League this season, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen preferred in goal by Luis Enrique.

The Netherlands international, who joined from Ajax last year, has had to make do with seven appearances in the Copa del Rey, a competition where Barca face Alaves in the final on Saturday.

And while Cillessen is in no rush to leave Camp Nou, he will look at his situation again midway through 2017-18 if he has been unable to unseat Ter Stegen as the starter.

"I have not thought about listening to offers, I'm fine here," the 28-year-old told Sport."If I play very little, we will see in the winter transfer window, but for the moment I am not thinking about anything.

"I'm not happy if I don't play. When I arrived I knew that I would have to adapt myself to many new things." Cillessen is optimistic that he does have what it takes to win a battle for selection with Ter Stegen.

He continued: "Next season without a doubt I will fight to be the number one goalkeeper at Barcelona. Of course I feel capable. If I wasn't, Barcelona wouldn't have signed me. "They signed me because they think I have the potential necessary to play here, not to be on the bench."

 

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Arsenal must get in Hazard's face, says Ramsey

Aaron Ramsey says Arsenal must get in Eden Hazard's face to stop him from inflicting damage in the FA Cup final.

Arsenal meet Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday, Arsene Wenger's side bidding to salvage silverware from a season that saw them finish fifth in the Premier League, while the Blues chase a famous double.

The Gunners won 3-0 against Chelsea last September, but Antonio Conte's men inflicted revenge in a 3-1 Stamford Bridge win in February, Hazard scoring an impressive individual goal."I think the way we started the [home] game in the first half was very good," Ramsey, who scored the winner in his side's 2014 FA Cup final victory over Hull City, said to Arsenal Player.

"We won the game in the first half really. We were very quick, we counter-attacked well, closed them down, got about them and everything seemed to come together on that day.

"I'm sure something similar will be required to beat them in the final as well."It was a different game [away] and we perhaps let individuals have a bit too much space. Hazard went on a bit of a run and put the ball in the net."We can't let that happen again, we have to be right in his face and stop that at source."

Arsenal are chasing a third FA Cup crown in the last four seasons, while Chelsea have not won the trophy since 2012.

 

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Hull City confirm Marco Silva exit

Hull City have confirmed that Marco Silva has resigned as head coach following the club's relegation from the Premier League.

The 39-year-old, who succeeded Mike Phelan at the KCOM Stadium in January, had been widely expected to leave the club after their drop into the Championship was confirmed with a 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.

It is reported that Silva's contract contained a clause that would allow him to leave if Hull were relegated and the club announced on Thursday that he had informed them of his decision to move on, despite being offered a new deal.

"The club can announce that Marco Silva has opted to leave his position as head coach," a Hull statement read. "Confirmation had been delayed due to finalising the terms of his release.

"Marco was offered the opportunity to continue the work he has done in the four and a half months he has been at the KCOM Stadium. Unfortunately, after considering his future, he has chosen to leave in order to further his career and departs along with assistant head coach Joao Pedro Sousa, first team coach Goncalo Pedro and goalkeeping coach Hugo Oliveira.

"Although disappointed by Marco’s departure, we would once again like to place on record our appreciation of his efforts and those of his support staff. Despite only being in charge for a short period of time, the 39-year-old became a firm fans' favourite and will be forever remembered for his efforts to maintain our Premier League status."The club will now undertake a thorough and considered recruitment process to appoint a replacement."

Hull vice-chairman Ehab Allam told Sky Sports News on Thursday that Silva, who has been linked with Crystal Palace and Watford in recent days, was "a better calibre of manager than the Championship and wants to manage in the Premier League or at a top European club".

Palace are looking to replace Sam Allardyce, who resigned this week, while Watford have not yet found a successor to the sacked Walter Mazzarri.
A return to Portugal has also been suggested for the former Sporting CP boss, with Porto linked with an offer after parting company with Nuno Espirito Santo on Monday

 

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Silva opens talks with Crystal Palace after Hull exit

Marco Silva is negotiating with Crystal Palace after travelling to London to discuss becoming their new manager.

Hull City confirmed Silva's departure on Thursday, despite offering the Portuguese the chance to help the Tigers return to the Premier League after their relegation to the Championship.

Silva had been linked with taking over at Watford and Porto, but Goal understands that he is currently talking to Crystal Palace about becoming Sam Allardyce's successor.Allardyce announced his decision to step down on Tuesday, but Palace may have a new manager as soon as Friday with Silva in London for negotiations.

Hull had hoped Silva would stay at the KCOM Stadium, but their vice-chairman indicated that he was likely to leave, telling Sky Sports News that the 39-year-old was "a better calibre of manager than the Championship and wants to manage in the Premier League or at a top European club."

Before moving to the Premier League, the former right-back had managed Estoril and Sporting CP in his native Portugal, and also had a spell at Greek side Olympiakos. He won trophies at all three clubs, leading Estoril to the Segunda Liga title, picking up the Taca de Portugal with Sporting, and winning the Superleague in Greece.


He spent just five months at Hull, winning eight of their 22 games, but could not keep the Tigers in the Premier League.

 

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Man Utd's Europa League title gave Manchester a lift - Ferguson

Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United winning the Europa League was a "lift" to the people of Manchester after Monday's deadly terror attack.Players dedicated United's 2-0 win against Ajax in Wednesday's Stockholm final to the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing, which killed 22 people after an Ariane Grande concert.

United and Manchester City have pledged to donate £1 million to support the victims and their families and Ferguson hailed the strength of the city's people, citing the example of the 1996 Arndale Centre bombing as an example of how Manchester can recover from the attack.

"First of all, Manchester is a city like [Ferguson's home town] Glasgow, it's a working-class city with fantastic people and they'll get together," former United manager Ferguson told Sky Sports

"They've been through some difficult times in the past with the bombing of the Arndale Centre in 1996 and they recovered from that. They'll get together because they're working class and there's a great unity in the city. "Last night United gave the city a lift. That's what it was about. We're all proud of them, it was a great achievement."

Ferguson was speaking at an event to mark the 50th anniversary of Celtic winning the European Cup in Lisbon under Jock Stein, an achievement he does not think could be repeated again."They were the first British club [to win it] obviously, that set the path," Ferguson said. "For a period, particularly Manchester United, then did it.

"But they were the pioneers, doing the impossible. It was an amazing achievement and the expectation rose, winning the [Scottish] Cup against Dunfermline, to create the side that he did, Jock was unbelievable. So it'll always be regarded as the greatest football feat."

"Sir Matt [Busby] was rebuilding the United team after the Munich air disaster and he got the the semi-finals with a very young side, which was a great achievement," Ferguson continued. "But for Celtic to do it with players who were all from within about 25 miles of each other, it's really astonishing.


"It's brilliant to recognise the achievement and also applaud what the players and staff managed to do. It'll never be done again, there's absolutely no doubt about that."

 

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Man Utd & Man City join forces to donate £1m to We Love Manchester Emergency Fund

Manchester City and Manchester United have joined forces to donate £1 million to the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund.

The initiative began in the wake of the terrorist attack at Manchester Arena after an Ariana Grande concert on Monday and is designed to assist the families and dependents of the 22 people who died and the 64 who were injured.The fund had reached £2m by Wednesday and the donation from City and United increases that total to beyond £3m.

"We have all been humbled by the strength and solidarity shown by the people of Manchester in the days since the attack," City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said.

"The hope of both our clubs is that our donation will go some small way to alleviate the daunting challenges faced by those directly affected and that our acting together will serve as a symbol to the world of the unbreakable strength of the spirit of Manchester."

Ed Woodward, executive chairman of United, said: "The barbarism of Monday evening's attack has shocked everyone. Our clubs are right at the heart of our local communities in Manchester and it is right that we present a unified response to this tragedy.

"The money will help, of course but the work of the two clubs and their respective foundation and community scheme can build on the fantastic spirit that Mancunians have shown in the immediate aftermath."

 

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Man City set to sign Bernardo Silva from Monaco

Manchester City are set to sign Bernardo Silva from Monaco, Goal understands.

Silva flew into Manchester on Thursday night and arrived at City's Etihad Campus training ground to complete a medical on Friday.It is believed City and Monaco struck a deal just days after the close of their respective league campaigns and the French club allowed Silva to fly to Manchester in the middle of this week.

It is believed that City will pay around £43 million for the Portugal playmaker, though reports in France suggest that figure is likely to rise considerably after add-ons and other variables.Silva will sign a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium once he has successfully completed his medical.

City staff were said to be laying the groundwork for a major announcement late into Thursday evening.

The club released four players on Thursday, including three full-backs, and they are also believed to be very close to signing Kyle Walker from Tottenham, while Silva's Monaco team-mate Benjamin Mendy is also a target and could follow the 22-year-old to Manchester.

Monaco are looking for replacements for both Silva and Mendy, with Aston Villa left-back Jordan Amavi one possible recruit.But it appears as though Silva will be the first one through the doors at the Etihad Stadium this summer.

City are determined to get their business done early having been made to wait for certain key signings ahead of Pep Guardiola's first season in charge.John Stones did not arrive until just before the Premier League season started while Claudio Bravo only joined after the first international break of the season.

But Guardiola is also keen to add a dynamic attacking midfielder to his ranks, despite already boasting Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Ilkay Gundogan, who is hoped to be fit for the start of next season.