..::Football IV::..

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    'The goal was to leave' - Morata pleased with pending Chelsea move

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    Spain forward Alvaro Morata said he was "very happy" after Real Madrid agreed to sell him to Premier League champions Chelsea.The 24-year-old has been heavily linked with a move in the off-season and is set to arrive at Stamford Bridge for a fee reported to be in the region of £70 million.

    Morata, who must still agree to personal terms and complete a medical, was delighted to be given the chance to join Antonio Conte's side."I am very happy," he told Marca."God willing, tomorrow I will be at Chelsea, a club that has always admired me."

    Morata made just 14 starts for Madrid in LaLiga last season, finishing the title-winning campaign with 15 goals.The former Juventus forward, who was also a target for Manchester United, said his close-season had been "strange".

    "Again, I do not think I'm going back to Madrid, I find it difficult and for now it's not something that I am considering," Morata said.

    "It was clear that the goal was to leave, it's been a fairly strange summer and until I pass the medical examination, I'm not going to be calm."Morata will leave Madrid after two spells with his boyhood club and having won two LaLiga titles and two Champions League crowns.
     

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    Morata says goodbye to Real Madrid ahead of Chelsea move

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    Chelsea-bound Alvaro Morata bid farewell to Spanish and European champions Real Madrid in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

    Morata is set to join Premier League champions Chelsea after a fee – reportedly in the region of £70 million – was agreed with Madrid.The 24-year-old Spain international appeared poised to swap Los Blancos for Manchester United but Jose Mourinho signed Romelu Lukaku instead.

    Now, Morata is preparing for life at Stamford Bridge as he was pictured saying goodbye to head coach Zinedine Zidane and Madrid's coaching staff, and team-mates Gareth Bale, Dani Carvajal, Isco and Nacho before being applauded off the training pitch at UCLA – where the Liga side are based for pre-season.

    Morata was then ushered into a car as he left the ground ahead of his switch to Chelsea.Last season, Morata was limited to 14 La Liga starts, though he still managed 15 goals as Madrid won the league for the first time since 2012.
     

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    Morata: Conte has shown the most faith in me

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    Alvaro Morata is delighted to link up with Antonio Conte at Chelsea, saying the Italian is the coach who has shown most faith in him throughout his career.

    Real Madrid and Chelsea agreed terms over a transfer for the Spain international on Wednesday , believed to be in the region of £70 million.Morata has previously spoken of being "indebted" to Conte, who brought the youngster to Juventus, but never coached him due to taking the Italy job.

    Having scored 15 La Liga goals in just 14 starts for Madrid last term, Morata believes finally playing under Conte will help him improve further.

    Morata told Spanish media: "I'm going to the team managed by the coach who has placed the most faith in me, and that's great for me."Though he struggled to break into Zinedine Zidane's plans last term, Morata holds no grudge over his former boss and no regrets over returning to Madrid - though he has conceded that a third spell at the Santiago Bernabeu is unlikely.He added of Zidane: "I have thanked him for everything, and wished him luck for this year.

    "I've won four titles, among them my second Champions League with Madrid. I leave happy because the last time I pulled on the Madrid shirt was in Cibeles [square in the Spanish capital]."

    Pedro, Cesar Azpilicueta and Cesc Fabregas are international colleagues who await at Stamford Bridge, a factor that enthuses Morata."I have spoken with Azpilicueta," Morata said. "And also with Fernando Torres, who has told me he'll give me a hand with whatever I need."
     

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    Liverpool move for Naby Keita 'practically impossible this summer'

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    RB Leipzig have told Liverpool to forget about recruiting Naby Keita this summer, with a deal “practically impossible” to conclude.

    The £66 million offer for the Guinea international was submitted by the Merseysiders on Monday, and was rejected with the same message that accompanied their opening bid - the dynamic midfielder is not for sale at any price.

    The Reds had been encouraged enough to table a second proposal, but Ralf Rangnick’s hardline approach is the Bundesliga club’s de facto stance.

    The sporting director’s position was echoed by their owner Dietrich Mateschitz, who told German publication Bild there is “no way” Keita will be allowed to leave during this window. This has been communicated to the 22-year-old, who has been advised to abandon his desire to move to Anfield for now.

    Liverpool, however, have yet to give up on a priority target for Jurgen Klopp, having been patient in their pursuit thus far.

    It was always known that Leipzig would be difficult to do business with due to their financial might as well as their great ambition and that even breaking the record for a transfer in Germany’s top flight would only possibly tempt, not force them into a sale.

    The offer tendered this week matched the Bundesliga benchmark of €75m, which is the fee Manchester City paid Wolfsburg for Kevin De Bruyne in 2015.

    On Tuesday, after Liverpool again formally registered their determination to land Keita and were met with another firm ‘no’, Klopp said: “everything is open until August 31” when asked about transfers during the club's pre-season tour in Hong Kong.

    The 50-year-old has been reluctant to deviate from his first-choice options saying: “We want to have the right things and not just do something.” However, he admitted that moving on to alternatives “is more likely than doing nothing” in the window.


    Hull City left-back Andy Robertson, meanwhile, will have his medical on Thursday ahead of an initial £8m switch to Liverpool, while Kevin Stewart heads in the opposite direction in a deal that could rise to the same amount.
     

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    De Sciglio completes €12m Juventus switch

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    Mattia De Sciglio has completed a €12 million move from AC Milan to Serie A champions Juventus.

    The Italy international defender has penned a five-year deal with Juve and will not be part of the Rossoneri's revolution under Vincenzo Montella.The right-back will be expected to replace Dani Alves, after the Brazilian left for Paris Saint-Germain following a solitary season in Turin.

    De Sciglio's capture comes a day after Juve signed Wojciech Szczesny from Arsenal and adds to the arrivals of Rodrigo Bentancur and Douglas Costa.

    A Juventus statement boasted of "adding a player with versatility, skill and an international pedigree to Massimiliano Allegri's squad".De Sciglio already has the experience of 133 senior appearances and 31 Italy caps, having made his Milan bow as an 18-year-old.

    Having seen a move for Sampdoria striker Patrik Schick fall through in recent weeks, Juve are reportedly turning their attention to Fiorentina's Federico Bernadeschi in an attempt to bolster their attacking options.

    The deal for De Sciglio also features add-ons worth up to €500,000.
     

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    Rashford: My partnership with Lukaku can fire Man Utd to glory

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    Marcus Rashford has high hopes that he and Romelu Lukaku can fire Manchester United to glory this season.

    Jose Mourinho's side finished sixth in the Premier League last season, as a title tilt fizzled out early in the campaign - hampered by a struggle to break sides down at Old Trafford. However, they secured a return to the Champions League by beating Ajax in the Europa League final.

    United have added to their attack with the £75 million capture of Lukaku, who scored 25 goals last season - a tally bettered only by Harry Kane in the league.

    Rashford and Lukaku are yet to play in tandem for United, having taken turns to lead the line in either half of their pre-season friendlies so far, but the England striker is excited by the prospect of a potential partnership."I think different games require different tactics and it just gives the manager one extra thing to use," Rashford said.

    "I think it's not only me and Romelu. We can play with Anthony [Martial] and Romelu. We've got a few different options that we can play. It widens our chances of glory next season."

    Lukaku enjoyed his best season to date with Everton in 2016-17 and Rashford believes the Belgian is ready to make the step up, having been discarded by Mourinho at Chelsea in 2013.Rashford added: "I think he's gone through a phase in his career now and he's coming up to his prime years and he's been scoring a lot of goals for the last three or four years.

    "He's in a good place in his career and probably come here at the right time.
    "I've only been playing up front for maybe two years. We've only usually played one striker up front in the academy, so it's different for me.

    "Having two up front is definitely beneficial for me. So once you get used to it and start to build relationships and connections then it's a positive formation to play."
     

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    Chelsea exerting their power over Matic as Man United and Juventus wait for a decision

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    Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic, who has been told he is no longer wanted by the club, finds himself in limbo, though Manchester United and Juventus are both ready to battle over his signature.

    United's £40 million move for Matic looked set to go ahead earlier in the transfer window but the Blues stalled the deal after they lost out to them for Romelu Lukaku. Jose Mourinho is keen to see Matic join the Europa League champions and the club are willing to outbid the competition to secure the Serbia international.

    Meanwhile, Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has instructed his club to chase Matic for the second summer in a row but the Italian champions refuse to pay as much as the English side.

    Chelsea's dealings with the Italians are complicated further by the fact that the Serie A champions are desperate not to sell Alex Sandro after a negative fan reaction to losing Leonardo Bonucci to AC Milan. Juventus are not interested in swapping Sandro for Matic and are hoping to secure the 28-year-old in a separate deal.

    Inter and Arsenal have also been linked with a deal for Matic, but Goal understands that they are not seriously interested in him.

    Chelsea have since gone on their pre-season tour of Asia and left Matic behind to train alone at Cobham Training Centre.Diego Costa has also been left out of the pre-season group and he is closer to his exit from Stamford Bridge after Chelsea made the breakthrough to sign Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid for around £60m.

    Matic was happy to remain as a Chelsea player and had even bought a new house in London after winning the Premier League title with the club for the second time. However, he is now ready to move after he was told that he is no longer wanted.
     

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    AC Milan officially confirm the signing of Bonucci from rivals Juventus

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    AC Milan have officially confirmed the capture of Leonardo Bonucci from Juventus.

    The Rossoneri have landed the Italy international on a five-year contract for a fee believed to be in the region of €42m.

    Milan confirmed last Friday that they had reached an agreement to sign Bonucci , 30, subject to him passing a medical.

    But now Vincenzo Montella's men have revealed the transfer is done, in what is the latest in a long list of high-profile deals completed by the San Siro club this summer.

    Speaking to Milan's official website, manager Montella said: “He is a player with international experience. Technically, I think that he and Sergio Ramos are the strongest central defenders in the world.
    “Coaching him is a dream come true.”

    Bonucci joins Mateo Musacchio, Ricardo Rodriguez, Franck Kessie, Hakan Calhanoglu and Fabio Borini in securing a switch to big-spending Milan so far this summer.The 18-time Serie A champions have also signed Andre Silva, Andrea Conti, Antonio Donnarumma - brother of first-choice goalkeeper Gianluigi - and Lucas Biglia ahead of the new season.

    Milan are hoping to end Juventus' dominance in Italy with Massimiliano Allegri's men having won the league for the last six years, as well as the last three Coppa Italia trophies.
     

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    'Unique Lukaku believes he's best in the world' - Kompany praises Man Utd striker

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    Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku believes he is the best in the world, Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany revealed as he heaped praise on the Belgian star.

    Lukaku swapped Everton for Premier League giants United in a deal reportedly worth £75 million and the 24-year-old is already off the mark for his new club – scoring in the 2-1 pre-season win over Real Salt Lake on Monday.

    The Belgium international, who moved to Everton on a permanent basis in 2014, netted 25 Premier League goals last season to finish runner-up to Golden Boot winner Harry Kane.

    And 31-year-old countryman Kompany lauded Lukaku's incredible desire to succeed, having monitored his progress from his early days at Anderlecht."I want him to do well - except for in a few games this season!" Kompany told ESPN. "As long as we're ahead of them, I'm happy for him to do really well.

    "The one thing you get when you have Romelu is an incredible drive to improve and to score goals. It's something really unique that I've been able to observe over the years because he's been a player from Anderlecht, which is the same youth system where I come from and I've really followed his progress.

    "The key thing with him is he believes he's the best player in the world. It doesn't matter whether he is or he isn't, that's the way he approaches every single training session, that's the way he approaches every game.

    "If you think you are the best you can never really be satisfied with yourself and therefore you always keep working harder and harder and that's what he does. It's a special player to have but there will be a lot of competition this season."

    United finished sixth in the Premier League last season, though they won the Europa League and EFL Cup, but following the arrival of Lukaku, Kompany believes they are now right in the mix for Premier League silverware.

    "Romelu has got one incredible ability. It is his desire to score goals," Kompany said. "A lot of people have commented on Romelu over the years and he has taken a lot of criticism."But his biggest strength is his belief in himself and the ability to always score goals and have that drive constantly.

    "I think that is what Manchester United bought and that is what they are going to get from him. Therefore they have added a good player to the squad and it is going to increase the competition in the Premier League for the title."
     

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    Aurier 'told me he wanted to leave' - Emery gives hope to Man Utd & City

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    Paris Saint-Germain head coach Unai Emery has acknowledged that Serge Aurier has said he wants to leave the club, with Manchester United and Manchester City linked with a move for the right-back.

    The Ligue 1 runners-up, meanwhile, have already signed Dani Alves this summer, beating Pep Guardiola’s side to the punch for the veteran Brazilian, who is set to replace the Ivory Coast international.

    Emery, meanwhile, has said he is content for Aurier, signed from Toulouse in the summer of 2014, to depart.

    “I’ve spoken with Serge to tell him I wanted him to stay here and continue with us,” he told L’Equipe. “He told me that he wanted to leave and that he wanted to stay in Paris to prepare for going. “So, we signed Dani Alves, a very experienced player who has the spirit of a champion.”

    Grzegorz Krychowiak will also depart in the summer, having failed to impose himself since moving from Sevilla in 2016.“I’ve spoken with him,” the coach said. “He’s a quality player who can play in a very good team.

    “But at PSG, some players, when they arrive, must be capable of crossing an additional step to adapt to the play of the team. It’s not the same as at other teams. So, it’s better he finds another team where the play is better suited to him.”

    Emery revealed that PSG, who have been linked with a move for Neymar, are by no means finished in the transfer market.“We also want to sign a midfielder,” the former Sevilla coach said.“It’s not easy to improve this team. I only wish to sign players who will help us progress.”
     

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    Monaco condemn top European clubs for illegal Mbappe approaches

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    Monaco have released a statement condemning a number of Europe's top football clubs for making unauthorised contact with Kylian Mbappe.The 18-year-old is one of the most highly sought-after players in world football, with Manchester City, PSG, Arsenal and Real Madrid all linked with a transfer.

    Monaco have not confirmed which clubs made illegal approaches for the France international forward, but are hoping that the French Football League and FIFA can prevent it from happening again.

    The statement reads:

    "AS Monaco regretfully notice that great European football clubs made contact with Kylian Mbappe (and his entourage) without its authorisation.

    "AS Monaco want to remind to these clubs that such actions are contrary to the article 211 of the Administrative regulation of the French Football League (Ligue de Football Professionnel) and to the article 18.3 of the Regulation of the Status and the Transfer of the Players of FIFA.

    "To put an end to this unacceptable situation, AS Monaco consider asking the French Football League (Ligue de Football Professionnel) and the FIFA to commit disciplinary procedures against offending clubs."

    Mbappe has become one of European football's hottest properties on the back of a scintillating season last year for Monaco.

    The teenager, who had featured just 14 times for the Ligue 1 side before 2016-17, smashed 26 goals in 44 appearances to spearhead their attack.

    Those goals in turn ensured a memorable season in the principality, as under Leonardo Jardim's direction the club ended Paris Saint-Germain's domination of Ligue 1 by taking the title and also powered through to the Champions League semi-finals, where they were beaten by Juventus.


    That success, however, has come at a cost at the Stade Louis II, as first-teamers such as Bernardo Silva and Tiemoue Bakayoko snapped up by Monaco's European rivals.
     

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    Chicharito agrees to join West Ham from Leverkusen

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    Former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez will sign for West Ham from Bayer Leverkusen subject to a medical, the two clubs have announced.The 29-year-old Mexico international moved to Leverkusen from Old Trafford, following a season on loan at Real Madrid, in August 2015.

    He scored 39 goals in 76 competitive games for the Bundesliga side and will bolster Slaven Bilic's attacking options, with the West Ham boss having already signed Joe Hart on a season-long loan along with the England goalkeeper's former Manchester City team-mate Pablo Zabaleta.West Ham are said to be paying a fee in the region of £13 million for Hernandez's services.

    A statement on West Ham's official website read: "West Ham United and Bayer Leverkusen have agreed terms for the transfer of Javier Hernandez to London Stadium.

    "The former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker will fly to London in the coming days to finalise personal terms and undergo a medical with the Hammers."
    West Ham are also reported to be on the brink of signing Stoke City forward Marco Arnautovic, with a £24m fee understood to have been agreed between the two Premier League sides.

    Chicharito became Mexico's all-time leading goalscorer in May, recording his 47 international goal during a friendly against Croatia.He recently represented El Tri at the Confederations Cup in Russia.
     

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    Zidane hails talented Mbappe amid Real Madrid transfer rumours

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    Monaco forward Kylian Mbappe is "very good", says Zinedine Zidane, as rumours Real Madrid could make a world-record move for the teenager continue.

    The 18-year-old scored 26 goals in all competitions last season as Monaco won the Ligue 1 title and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.Monaco said on Thursday the club will consider making a complaint to FIFA after "multiple" illegal approaches for Mbappe.

    But Zidane hinted at Madrid's possible interest in Mbappe, with Manchester City, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain having also been linked with the France international."He is very good," Zidane said to ESPN. "He is a talent, he is 18 years old, he has personality.

    "He is very good, very good as a player and has shown it all year, but he is not a player of mine. Apart from what I'm telling you, I can not tell you more."
    Madrid are set to sell Alvaro Morata to Chelsea after the Spain international proved unable to dislodge Karim Benzema in the Madrid team.Zidane said it was Morata's decision to move on from Madrid just a single season after he returned to the club from a two-year spell at Juventus.

    "We wish him all the luck in the world, but less against Madrid," Zidane said. "In the end, we know that Madrid is his home, it has always been Madrid, he has been here all his life."Then you have to make decisions and he has made the decision to go to another club."
     

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    'Cristiano is at Madrid and is going to stay' - Zidane dismisses Ronaldo exit speculation

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    Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has dismissed speculation that Cristiano Ronaldo could leave the club during the summer transfer window.

    The Portugal superstar has been linked with a move away from Santiago Bernabeu after being accused of evading €14.7 million in taxes, with a perceived lack of support from Madrid encouraging him to leave La Liga.

    Having won La Liga and the Champions League last season, Ronaldo is currently on holiday with his partner Georgina and his family, while Madrid are in the United States to take part in the International Champions Cup.

    Zidane has played down the rumours that the forward could leave, claiming that he does not need to speak to the 32-year-old about his future because Ronaldo is happy at the club.

    "He is on vacation. He is resting and deserves it," Zidane told ESPN."We will wait and when the vacation ends, he will return with us and that's it."Talk to Cristiano? No, because in the end Cristiano is at Madrid and is going to stay with us and that's it."

    Real Madrid take on Manchester United, Manchester City and Barcelona during their stay in the U.S., before playing the Major League Soccer All-Star side on Thursday, August 3.
     

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    Ceballos: I want to be like Modric and Kroos at Real Madrid

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    Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos hopes he can emulate Luka Modric and Toni Kroos at the European champions.Ceballos, 20, joined Madrid on a six-year deal after the La Liga holders agreed a reported €18 million fee with Real Betis.

    The Spain youth international has set his sights on emulating two of Madrid's star central midfielders in Modric and Kroos."I am a young player," Ceballos told a news conference on Thursday.

    "I have huge expectation to enjoy, to learn from fantastic players, the players at the highest level, to learn from them and try one day to be like Luka, like Toni – to be a part of the club's history."

    Ceballos made 30 LaLiga appearances for Betis last season, helping the club avoid relegation.

    But the midfielder said he never doubted making a move to Madrid and he is eager to win a place in the first team."Wearing the Real Madrid shirt for me is a matter of huge pride, and to be a part of this family, this big club," Ceballos said.

    "It is the best in the world by some margin and I am so proud to wear the shirt and to wear it for many years."The truth is, I had no doubts. I am where I wanted to be. They got in touch with me and I immediately wanted to play for Real Madrid.

    "We know how much competition is in this team. I have to work, have to train, every training session, every minute that the coach gives me, to be able to find a space for myself in the team and be a part of the team."
     

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    :love:Manchester United 2 Manchester City 0: Lukaku scores again in ICC derby

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    Romelu Lukaku showed just why Manchester United splashed the cash to sign him as Jose Mourinho's men earned early bragging rights against bitter rivals Manchester City courtesy of a 2-0 win at the International Champions Cup.Belgium international Lukaku, who arrived from Everton for a reported £75million, opened his account in the 2-1 friendly win over Real Salt Lake on Monday.

    And Lukaku made it two goals in two games with Thursday's opening strike in the first Manchester derby played on foreign soil at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas – where Ederson and Kyle Walker made their debuts for City.

    Lukaku showed his pace and power as he put United ahead after rounding City's debutant goalkeeper Ederson – who experienced a mixed evening – in the 37th minute and Pep Guardiola's men crumbled again before half-time.

    Playing with Lukaku for the first time, Marcus Rashford was not overshadowed as he produced a clinical finish to double the lead two minutes later.

    Aside from Eric Bailly, Jose Mourinho named arguably his strongest XI, with David de Gea, Antonio Valencia, Victor Lindelof, Chris Smalling, Daley Blind, Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Jesse Lingard, Rashford and Lukaku in the line-up.

    City fans got a glimpse of Ederson and Walker for the first time, while Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne, Vincent Kompany, Raheem Sterling and Yaya Toure also started, with star recruit Bernardo Silva still away on holiday following the Confederations Cup.

    With the worker bee – a symbol of Manchester's industrial heritage – on United and City's jerseys in respect to those affected by the terror attack in May, there was added motivation and emotion to the pre-season derby.

    Ederson was tested early following his arrival from Portuguese champions Benfica, pushing away Herrera's long-range effort for a corner, as United looked sharper and quicker on the ball.

    Lukaku, Rashford, Mkhitaryan and Lingard were all threatening but you could forgive City for starting sluggishly, this was their first competitive pre-season fixture after all. However, they slowly found their rhythm thanks to 17-year-old Englishman Phil Foden, who showed poise and quality beyond his age.

    And there was a tricky moment for De Gea in the 25th minute after Sterling's shot took a deflection off Smalling – the Spanish goalkeeper scrambling to get a hand to the ball.

    United somehow survived going 1-0 down on the half-hour mark after desperately throwing their bodies on the line to block shots from Patrick Roberts and Sterling.
    But United went into the break in control thanks to quick-fire goals from Lukaku and Rashford.

    Lukaku nodded the ball past the onrushing Ederson and fired brilliantly into the net from an acute angle in the 37th minute.

    And City fell apart two minutes later as Mkhitaryan's penetrating run through the middle created space for Rashford on the left and the youngster finished coolly past Ederson.It almost got worse for Ederson seven minutes into the second half when the Brazilian was nearly caught off his line by Rashford.

    There was another let off for City after Lukaku rattled the woodwork from just inside the penalty area minutes later.The second half brought an influx of changes as Gabriel Jesus, Leroy Sane, John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi, and even City outcasts Samir Nasri and Eliaquim Mangala were given minutes.

    Mourinho also introduced the likes of Anthony Martial, Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini and Bailly, and the substitutions took the energy and intensity out of the game as United eventually eased to victory in their ICC opener.
     

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    Inter 1 Schalke 1: Murillo hits stunning equaliser as Perisic makes appearance

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    Inter's mixed pre-season continued on Friday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Schalke in Changzhou.

    A second-half strike from Daniel Caligiuri looked enough to give the Bundesliga side the win, but Jeison Murillo's thunderbolt earned a draw for Luciano Spalletti's side, who start their International Champions Cup campaign against Lyon in three days' time.

    Manchester United target Ivan Perisic played the first 45 minutes of the match, despite the persistent speculation over his future, but made little impact as a still-disjointed Inter made it a win, a defeat and a draw from three friendly matches.

    Spalletti named Perisic in a strong starting line-up at the Changzhou Olympic Sports Center as he sought a response to last week's 2-1 loss to Nurnberg.
    There was little by way of goalmouth action in the opening 45 minutes, though, with Caligiuri denied perhaps the clearest opportunity by Yuto Nagatomo's timely intervention from Weston McKennie's cross.

    Spalletti made a handful of changes at half-time, including replacing Perisic with Joao Mario, and Inter certainly looked the stronger of the sides in the early part of the second half.

    Stevan Jovetic fired a shot straight at Alexander Nubel from point-blank range before Marcelo Brozovic rippled the side-netting with a free-kick from 20 yards out.

    Just before the hour mark, however, Schalke snatched their lead. A fine run from Bernard Tekpetey ended with him sliding the ball into the path of Caligiuri, who cut inside past Nagatomo's sliding challenge and fired low past Samir Handanovic.

    Gabriel Barbosa swiped at thin air when attempting to reach a promising throughball but Inter found their equaliser soon afterwards thanks to some brilliance from Murillo.The 25-year-old cut in from the right wing before unleashing a dipping left-foot shot that soared over Nubel and into the top-left corner.


    Nubel made a brilliant save to stop Pablo Insua turning Nagatomo's cross into his own net but, despite continued Inter pressure, there was to be no winner.
     

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    Pogba putting pressure on Man Utd to sign PSG right-back Aurier

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    Paul Pogba is putting pressure on the Manchester United hierarchy to sign Paris Saint-Germain's Serge Aurier, Goal understands.

    The PSG right-back has told the Parisian club he wants to leave before the 2017-18 campaign, with the capture of Dani Alves likely to limit the Ivory Coast international's game time next season.United and Serie A outfit Inter are the two parties interested in completing a deal, with Tottenham and Juventus also reportedly monitoring his situation.

    Jose Mourinho is on the hunt for a right-back, with Matteo Darmian also being linked with a move to Juventus.
    And Pogba, a close friend of Aurier, is pressing his Old Trafford higher-ups to complete a deal for the 24-year-old, who made 21 Ligue 1 starts under Unai Emery last season.Aurier was left out of the PSG squad which travelled to the United States for the International Champions Cup, which Emery has confirmed is for transfer reasons.

    "I spoke with Serge to tell him that I wanted him to stay," Emery previously told L'Equipe. “He told me that he wants to leave and he preferred staying in Paris to prepare for his departure.”