..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Bayern Munich 1 RB Leipzig 0: Ribery keeps cool amid feisty finish

Franck Ribery fired Bayern Munich back to within six points of Borussia Dortmund with a cool 83rd-minute finish in a 1-0 home win over RB Leipzig on Wednesday.

Dortmund's surprise first loss of the season at Fortuna Dusseldorf on Tuesday opened the door for the champions to reignite their title hopes and they did just that late in a largely frustrating fixture.

Peter Gulacsi brilliantly denied both Robert Lewandowski and Joshua Kimmich either side of half-time but the visitors' resistance came to an end when substitute Ribery hit home amid a penalty box scramble.


Both sides were reduced to 10 men in stoppage time - Renato Sanches receiving a second yellow for reacting to a rash challenge on Thiago Alcantara that earned Stefan Ilsanker a straight red - but Niko Kovac will care little after securing a valuable fourth successive Bundesliga victory.
Gulacsi's impressive performance began during the opening exchanges as he expertly turned Lewandowski's finish against the base of the post in a one-on-one.
Bayern were missing Jerome Boateng because of a back problem and lost the in-form Serge Gnabry to a suspected groin strain in the 28th minute.Their difficult first half almost worsened before the break, Dayot Upamecano crashing a header against the crossbar from Kevin Kampl's corner.

Kovac's side initially offered little threat after the interval and a draw appeared inevitable when former Liverpool man Gulacsi sensationally scooped Kimmich's point-blank header off the line in the 79th minute.

But the experienced Ribery rolled back the years with a match-winning moment of calm four minutes later, evading multiple diving challenges and sliding in the winner, before tempers flared at the death as Ilsanker and Sanches were both given their marching orders.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Isco is important for Real Madrid, La Liga and Spain - Sanz

Isco is important for Real Madrid, La Liga and Spain despite his dip in form, according to Fernando Sanz.The 26-year-old playmaker is yet to start a match in the league since Santiago Solari replaced Julen Lopetegui at the helm, with reports suggesting the pair have a fractious relationship.

Isco was jeered during Madrid's 3-0 Champions League defeat to CSKA Moscow last week and appeared to respond with an angry gesture towards the crowd, though Solari claimed the player was simply claiming for a foul or corner.

Former Madrid player Sanz, who won La Liga and the Champions League with the club, acknowledged it is tough for players to consistently perform at the expected levels, but backed Isco - who has been linked with a January move away - to turn things around and prove his worth.

"I've met him but I haven't had the opportunity to talk to him very much. It doesn't surprise me because I know Real Madrid is very demanding," Sanz told Omnisport ."But I am convinced he will reverse the situation. He is a very talented player, he has a great personality.

"I think he is a unique player. I think he will transform this issue in applauses because he is an important player for Real Madrid, for Spain and La Liga."

Sanz is confident Solari was the right appointment due to his knowledge of the club and is sure he will see out the season at the Santiago Bernabeu. "I think it was the right decision. You need immediate results, so if you bring someone who doesn't know anything in the middle of the season it might affect that," he said.

"Given Solari had been a youth team coach for three years, a former player of Real Madrid, he knows the club. I think it was the right decision."I am convinced he will [see out the season]. Also, he signed a professional contract … I believe he will finish the season.

"It will be a complicated year, but I said before it will difficult for Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico [Madrid], for everyone. Now, all the games are more difficult. But, I think he will finish the season. I hope and wish he will do."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Kashima Antlers 1 Real Madrid 3: Bale treble seals Club World Cup final berth

Gareth Bale fired Real Madrid into a record-equalling fourth Club World Cup final with a stunning hat-trick in Wednesday's 3-1 victory over Kashima Antlers in Abu Dhabi.Madrid are looking to become the first club to win the tournament on four occasions, and Bale's superb treble ensured that dream remains a possibility as the AFC Champions League winners were swept aside.

Having seen an early chance go begging, Bale made no mistake in the 44th minute with a composed finish that flicked the inside of the post on its way in.


He extended Madrid's lead after a defensive mix-up before lashing home his third before the hour, helping Santiago Solari's team ease into this weekend's showpiece.
Kashima did start brightly, Serginho finding room in the Madrid defence to get in a second-minute shot that was tipped wide by Thibaut Courtois, with Gen Shoji glancing a free header wide from the resulting corner.It took the European champions time to settle into a rhythm with Karim Benzema and Bale both wasteful, the latter failing to connect with a right-foot shot after neat build-up play.

Toni Kroos, Sergio Ramos and Benzema all threatened Kwoun Sun-tae's goal before Bale brought some quality to proceedings with a well-placed finish following a neat one-two with Marcelo on the edge of the Kashima penalty area.Another marauding run down the left from Bale almost created a second goal five minutes after the restart, but Benzema's low shot was cleared off the line by Shuto Yamamoto.

Madrid were not to be denied soon after, however, as Bale doubled his tally with an opportunistic finish, the forward pouncing on a defensive mix-up between Yamamoto and Jung Seung-hyun.He was celebrating a third goal just two minutes later as Kashima gave him far too much space, Bale lashing a left-footed shot across Kwoun from Marcelo's pass.

Solari withdrew the Welshman soon after and although Shoma Doi pulled one back for Kashima in the 78th minute, Madrid cruised into Saturday's clash with Al Ain at the Zayed Sports City Stadium.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho breaks silence after Man Utd sacking: They have a future without me, I have one without them


Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has told reporters that he and the club will survive without the other after his dismissal, a day after he was booted from the hotseat at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese led the Red Devils to Europa League and domestic success during his tenure at the helm, but a poor run of form across the first half of the 2018-19 campaign has seen him pay the price.Former United forward Ole Gunner Solskjaer has taken charge on an interim basis until the end of the season.

And, while much of the football world has been discussing United's decision and what the future might hold for Mourinho, the departed manager was relatively tight-lipped on his tenure and plans as he appeared publicly for the first time since the news broke.Trailed by members of the media as he left his house in London, Mourinho responded to queries from Sky Sports saying that both himself and the club have futures without the other.

"I think you know me, I don't change," the 55-year-old said. "What I did when I left Chelsea for example is that same that I'm going to do now."I keep the good things and I don't speak about anything that happened in the club. I could speak about not as good but that's not me."Manchester United has a future without me and I have a future without Manchester United.

"It's over, that's me and that's how I've always been. I was always very critical of managers that leave clubs and then they come out and they speak about the details of what happened, who is to blame. That's not me."Until I get back to football I feel I have to right to live my normal life."

Originally arriving at Old Trafford in 2016 to replace Louis van Gaal, Mourinho endured a tough domestic campaign in the Premier League during his first season in charge, but brought the club silverware in both the Europa League and the League Cup.

He then took United to second in the Premier League during the 2017-18 campaign, ensuring Champions League football for the second season in a row at Old Trafford, and had only secured progression to the last 16 last month.

But his strained relationship with key signings at the club, namely Paul Pogba, saw rumours of a split between him and the squad, and a 3-1 loss to Liverpool on Sunday effectively ended any title ambitions for the third season in a row.

Despite his glittering career across the rest of Europe, the 55-year-old was unable to convert his time in his coveted position at the Red Devils into the success he attained elsewhere at the likes of Porto, Premier League rivals Chelsea and Serie A side Inter.

With United sixth in the table at the end of Mourinho's tenure, Solskjaer's reign will begin with a trip to the Norwegian's former club Cardiff City on Saturday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Welcome back' - Solskjaer's return to Man Utd as interim manager a 'great decision'


Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been named Manchester United's new manager on a temporary basis and it seems that most fans are happy with the decision.Jose Mourinho's successor was swiftly ushered in on Wednesday morning and will take charge of his first game as United head coach against Cardiff City on Saturday evening.

The Portuguese boss was axed two days after the Red Devils suffered a humiliating 3-1 defeat at Anfield at the hands of Liverpool , leaving them 19 points behind their rivals in the Premier League table.

Solskjaer, who played as a striker for the club between 1996 and 2007, has been brought in to lift the mood at Old Trafford quickly and many on social media believe he is the right man to steady the ship.

Nostalgic messages aplenty, wishes of good luck and messages of excitement have been peppered across Twitter, as the Red Devils prepare for a new era .

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho & Conte are 'the heart of football' - Ranieri


Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri said manager like Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte are the "heart of football" and have to come back soon.

Mourinho's two-and-a-half-year tenure as United manager came to an end on Tuesday, a 3-1 defeat to Premier League leaders Liverpool proving to be the final straw for the club in what has been a frustrating season.Conte was let go back in July, having won a Premier League tile at the club the year before, a fate that has also fallen on both Mourinho and Ranieri in the past.

Mourinho has already been linked with a return to Real Madrid with Conte’s name having been floated for the post as well, and Ranieri believes both bosses should return to the game soon.

"I send a message with him. We are very friendly," Ranieri told reporters of Mourinho."I think a man like Mourinho has to come back soon, so too Antonio Conte. These managers are the heart of football."They win in every country. It's good for all the managers to see them on the pitch."

Mourinho was very supportive of Ranieri following his sacking by Leicester City, having led the Foxes to the Premier League title in shocking fashion.“From my experience there are two things Claudio needs to know,” Mourinho said at the time.“The first is that nobody can delete history. You cannot go to the laptop and press delete. And I can promise him also that nobody forgets.

“Leicester fans will always be positive about his time at the club. They will react in a positive way.” Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been appointed caretaker boss until the end of the season as United search for a permanent replacement.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has been strongly linked with taking over in the summer, but Solskjaer will be tasked with trying to climb back into the fight for the Champions League places in the Premier League.The Old Trafford outfit are sixth and 13 points back of Chelsea, who currently sit fourth.

And Solskjaer will be thrown into the fire quickly. Cardiff City, Huddersfield and Bournemouth are all on tap for Manchester United before the turn of the year.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Solskjaer excited to work with 'world's best' De Gea


New Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is excited to begin work with goalkeeper David de Gea, even joking he may have to take part in finishing training to test the Spaniard's skills!

De Gea has been the brightest spark for United in recent seasons, particularly under Jose Mourinho.While signed by Sir Alex Ferguson, De Gea has developed into one of the world's leading goalkeepers in a period of uncertainty in United, under David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Mourinho.

Solskjaer is the fourth manager - fifth, if one is to include caretaker boss Ryan Giggs - to have De Gea at his disposal since Ferguson's retirement in 2013, and the former treble winner is excited to work with the Spaniard."We have the best goalkeeper in the world," he told MUTV.

"He’s been there for eight years and he’s still a young goalkeeper developing. It’s fantastic for me to come in and have him."Maybe I’ll have to do some finishing training to keep him in check!"

Solskjaer scored 126 goals for United across 366 appearances, including, of course, the winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final.Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford would have been six and one respectively at the time of United's triumph in Barcelona.

Solskjaer worked with Lingard in Manchester United's reserves, and is looking forward to a reunion with the attacking midfielder."I gave him [Lingard] his debut in the reserves away at Burnley," he added. "Within two minutes that little tiny kid goes in for a 50/50 with a massive centre back and the little kid absolutely clattered him.

"I thought you have a chance. He showed me he had something."The new United boss, meanwhile, says he is a big fan of Rashford, who has enjoyed a meteoric rise at the club.

"I watched him [Rashford] when he was younger. He was really young. I’ve followed him closely and it’s great to see him where he is now."Solskjaer will take charge of his first match on Saturday as the Red Devils take on his former side Cardiff City.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lampard not ruling out 'great manager' Mourinho making Premier League return


Frank Lampard expects Jose Mourinho to be in high demand following his departure from Manchester United - and would not be surprised to see his former Chelsea boss back in the Premier League again.

Mourinho was sacked by United on Tuesday after two and a half years in charge at Old Trafford, winning the EFL Cup and Europa League during a tenure that turned sour during the final few months.Lampard knows all about the Portuguese from their successful time together at Stamford Bridge, as they won three league titles while working together.

Asked if he could envisage Mourinho coming back to manage in the English top flight again, the former England international said: "Possibly. It's Jose Mourinho. Anything can happen."He'll be wanted because he's a great manager and because of what he has done in the game.

"It's up to him now - he can take a rest. Maybe he deserves a little rest for a while because of the pressure up there, I'm not sure that would've been nice, the pressure from the outside."But he's a driven man and will be back in the game, whether it's in the Premier League or world football. And it will be at the top too, because he is a top manager."

Lampard joined Chelsea in 2001 when Claudio Ranieri was in charge but blossomed under Mourinho, who had a spell at Real Madrid in between his two stints at the helm for the Blues.

"He gave me a huge amount of confidence," the Derby County boss told the media."Of course he's a tactician and his training and preparation for games as a group was brilliant. He dragged me up by the scruff of my neck in footballing terms."

Having taken the plunge into management at Championship level, Lampard has a new appreciation for the pressure that comes with being in charge."We're not walking around with our eyes closed - this is the game and the modern world we live in. There is intense scrutiny on managers, particularly at the top clubs," he said.

"You'd be a fool to say it wasn't possible [for Mourinho to be sacked], because they're Manchester United and were not winning as many games as possible.

"But it's certainly not all Jose Mourinho's fault, even if the manager carries the can.
"He's a great, great manager. Of course results were not going as well as they wanted recently, and this is the life we live."It's happened and they will move on. Jose Mourinho will move on and so will Manchester United."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho is ‘a problem’ but don’t rule out Real Madrid return - Calderon


Jose Mourinho “is a problem”, but the former Manchester United manager could be welcomed back to Real Madrid by Florentino Perez, accoriding to Ramon Calderon.

The Portuguese coach, who was once famed for forging a siege mentality within his players, finds himself back out of work after being shown the door at Old Trafford.
An inability to deliver positive results and regular reports of rifts within his Red Devils squad contributed to him being given the axe.

Former Madrid president Calderon is not surprised to have seen that decision taken, with Mourinho proving too problematic for another high-profile post.He told Love Sport Radio: “I think [Mourinho] has been the main problem when he’s been in other clubs.

“When he was here, he was blaming everyone for the defeats. I think that is a grave mistake. It is a problem always.“Also it makes a confrontation with the players and it’s been happening with Man United with [Paul] Pogba, with [Eric] Bailly.

“It was the same here, with Cristiano [Ronaldo], with Iker Casillas, with Sergio Ramos and I think that’s a problem, he’s always blowing his own trumpet and that for a coach, I think is a big mistake.

“And, we have the example of [Zinedine] Zidane. He did completely the opposite. Backstage, he has been more with the team and that’s the way in my point of view to train a great team of great players. You cannot be the protagonist.”

While questioning Mourinho’s methods, Calderon concedes that a second spell at the Santiago Bernabeu could be in the offing as Perez remains a big fan of a man who delivered a record-breaking La Liga title triumph in 2011-12.“Everyone knows here it’s on the president’s whim. I think he is the only coach that he respects,” added the former Blancos supremo.

“The current president doesn’t really trust much in coaches, but in Mourinho’s case he really, really backed him many times in difficult moments.“When [Julen] Lopetegui left, I said I’m sure Mourinho will be here and I don’t rule out him being with Real in the near future.”

Calderon is, however, uncertain as to which path Mourinho will tread, with it possible that a man who has not enjoyed the best of times in the dugout of late will take a break from coaching.

Quizzed on whether the 55-year-old should take a sabbatical, Calderon said: “It’s difficult to know how he is behaving.

“I remember, for us the greatest in our history is Alfredo de Stefano. He used to tell me, a great team, a great coach can never complain about referees, injuries, bad luck, the behaviour of some players. That’s something that belongs to the mediocre and I think in that he’s doing it.

“His record is incredible, difficult to match for any other coach, but his behaviour, I think he’s doing that so many times and that’s a warning for any team that’s going to hire him.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Florentino loves Jose!' - 'Big chance' Mourinho returns to Real Madrid, says Mijatovic


Jose Mourinho could make a sensational return to Real Madrid due to his strong relationship with club president Florentino Perez, according to Predrag Mijatovic.
Mourinho was sacked by Manchester United on Tuesday following a 3-1 defeat at rivals Liverpool which left them 19 points behind Jurgen Klopp's Premier League leaders.

The Portuguese has been replaced on an interim basis by former United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has left Molde on a temporary basis to take over at Old Trafford until the end of the season.

Mourinho's next step will be highly anticipated as, despite his recent struggles at United, he has won two Champions Leagues as well as league titles in Portugal, Italy, Spain and England.A return to Madrid has been suggested with the La Liga giants stumbling under Santiago Solari, who succeeded Julen Lopetegui at the Santiago Bernabeu last month.

And former Madrid sporting director Mijatovic, who also played for the club, would not be surprised if Mourinho was again appointed by Perez, despite the 55-year-old previously leaving the club after three seasons in charge in 2013."I don't know about percentage chance, but in possibility, there's a lot," Mijatovic said to Cadena Ser.

"Why do I say that? Because Florentino loves Mourinho and I think that each time there is a change of coach he gets in contact with him."Watch out, eh! There's a big chance."

Mourinho managed Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning the 2011-12 La Liga title ahead of Pep Guardiola's Barcelona.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wolves 0 Liverpool 2: Salah stars as Reds claim Christmas top spot

Mohamed Salah scored one goal and made another as Liverpool won 2-0 at Wolves to guarantee they will be top of the Premier League on Christmas Day.The leaders toiled for much of Friday's clash at a sodden Molineux, with in-form Wolves having won their last three league games to move up to seventh.

But Salah's 11th Premier League goal of the season, meaning the Egypt star is now leading the race for the Golden Boot, set up Liverpool's sixth straight win in all competitions.

And when Salah crossed for Virgil van Dijk to stab home his first Premier League goal for the club in the 68th minute, Liverpool extended their lead over Manchester City to four points, although Naby Keita's injury was a sour note on a professional performance.
Adama Traore fired early warning shots either side of Alisson's goal as Liverpool started poorly.Alisson also made an untidy save from Romain Saiss but Liverpool led in the 18th minute.

After Wolves failed to clear a set-piece, Fabinho swapped passes with Sadio Mane and drilled a low cross that Salah flicked home with the outside of his left boot.The hosts continued to threaten, with Jonny Castro Otto and Matt Doherty denied by Alisson before half-time.

Salah fired narrowly over the crossbar after the restart, before Keita limped out of the fray with what might be feared to be a recurrence of his back injury. His 58th-minute replacement Adam Lallana was then kept out by Rui Patricio.

Liverpool clinched the points when Salah's dipping centre from the right was finished brilliantly by a stretching Van Dijk, and although Georginio Wijnaldum shot wide in stoppage time the Reds still piled pressure on champions City.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Borussia Dortmund 2 Borussia Monchengladbach 1: Reus seals top-two clash

Marco Reus was on target as Borussia Dortmund moved nine points clear at the top of the Bundesliga with a 2-1 victory over second-place Borussia Monchengladbach.

Germany international Reus settled the top-of-the-table showdown nine minutes into the second half, marking his 250th league appearance in style in BVB's final outing before the mid-season break.Dortmund, who suffered their first Bundesliga loss of the season against Fortuna Dusseldorf on Tuesday, had been pegged back when Christoph Kramer controversially cancelled out Jadon Sancho's excellent opener.

Gladbach could have cut the gap to Lucien Favre's side to three points with victory, but instead they remain level with Bayern Munich, who play their game in hand at Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.
Reus tested Yann Sommer with a 20th-minute drive following a quiet start to proceedings, while Paco Alcacer prodded wide from 12 yards.

Despite losing Alcacer to a hamstring injury in the 34th minute, BVB continued to see more of the ball and made the breakthrough thanks to Sancho's low shot from an acute angle.Gladbach were level before the break when Kramer fired past Roman Burki from close range - the goal allowed to stand despite the midfielder heading the ball onto his hand in the build-up.

Reus put Dortmund back in front with a sliding finish from substitute Mario Gotze's fine pass to the back post, before hitting the post with a 65th-minute free-kick.Favre's team saw out the win confidently and will not return to action until January 19, when they travel to RB Leipzig.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'I've got a hairdryer, just like Sir Alex' - Solskjaer warns Man Utd players he won't be a pushover


Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has insisted that he will not be afraid to lay down the law to his Manchester United players, warning them that he is ready to replicate Sir Alex Ferguson’s infamous ‘hairdryer’ treatment if necessary.

The new caretaker manager, who leads his side to former club Cardiff City on Saturday, takes over a United squad which came across as fractured under previous boss Jose Mourinho, with Paul Pogba in particular having enjoyed a frosty relationship with the Portuguese.And while the 45-year-old is known for his pleasant, amiable demeanour, he says he won’t think twice about calling a player to task in the style of his legendary former boss when the situation demands it.

“We’re all different in how we manage people, and [Sir Alex] was different to every individual,” Solskjaer told the media on Friday.“Maybe I should get the hairdryer out of my pocket, because I’ve got a hairdryer! When my hair needs lifting I use it on myself, but I’m also not afraid of laying down the law.

“You treat players similar to how you treat your kids really because you want the best for them, you want to guide them, you want to help them, but if I get disappointed… ask [my kids] or some of the players I’ve had in Molde… You have to tell them the standards we’ve got.”

He added that while the likes of Pogba have huge profiles these days, the power continues to rest in the manager’s office.“I’m not sure that the power has gone to the dressing room. Football’s evolving of course, and the gaffer [Ferguson] was in charge of more or less the whole club.

"Football is developing, the structure of the club has developed, but the power is with the manager... He picks the team, he picks the tactics, the strategy, the philosophy is in these walls."So that legacy is more important than any player power, because I have to say being a part of Man United and being a Man United player is a privilege. And I think all of them want to succeed here.”

Solskjaer managed Pogba during the Norwegian’s stint as United’s reserve-team coach and previously claimed he would build the team around the Frenchman if given the opportunity.

And while the midfielder was drawn to quickly remove a social media post on Tuesday which seemed to revel in Mourinho’s sacking, the new boss says Pogba is well aware of what is expected of him going forward.

“We’ve spoken about what we expect, what standards we have on and off the pitch. You prepare for every game, I trust the lads to know what they’re doing to help the team. Everything we do is to help the team.

"I’m not into this social media, my kids are! I am that old that I’m not on Twitter and Facebook – maybe Facebook’s old now! – but it’s just common sense for me that I’ve spoken to him about that.“We can move this forward, and we have one target: that we succeed. And we do that as a team.

“He’s a World Cup winner, Paul’s a terrific lad. When I had him as a kid as well, he was always the happy-go-lucky lad and he’s not changed personality-wise.“He’s a better player, and of course he’s one I want to get the best out of. You have so many quality players that I want to try to get the best out of and he’s no different to anybody else.”

United's fixture at Cardiff, their first under Solskjaer, gets underway on Saturday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

I'd close the window before it opens! - Valverde not expecting Barcelona signings


Ernesto Valverde says he would happily close the January transfer window without Barcelona making any signings.

Barca on Thursday confirmed the arrival of defender Jeison Murillo on loan from Valencia in a deal that addressed their defensive injury crisis.With Thomas Vermalen out for a month and Samuel Umtiti also sidelined, Barca's only available first-team centre-backs are Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet.

But despite the lack of options at the back, Valverde is not expecting the club to pursue further signings in January.

"I'd be the first coach to close a transfer window before it's opened," Valverde told a news conference ahead of Saturday's LaLiga meeting with Celta Vigo. "Until January 1 the market isn't officially open."We'll have an eye on it of course and clubs will look at our players too, that's how the market works, so let's see how it works out.

"I don't know how it will. On January 5 things are one way and then on the 29th another, like we saw in the summer."Let's be cautious, but in principle we are working with the squad we've got. Hopefully in January we don't lose players and need to cover them."

Murillo's loan includes a purchase option worth €25million but Valverde indicated Barca are not in a financial position to make a signing on a permanent basis.

"We are in a delicate situation with centre-backs, since the summer we've been working really with two at the same time," he added. "We had Umtiti injured then Thomas out for some time too. So we have managed quite well but we don't know how things might pan out from here onwards."We have another option but there are players in the B team as well. The club insisted it would be a loan as we didn't want to make a financial investment, so the idea is for him [Murillo] to start playing immediately.

"He is a player with a very good knowledge of European and Spanish football too, so he should be able to adapt quickly, that's the idea. It's never easy to find players in the market who are exactly what you need at that time. We don't have a lot of time as we play two games a week."We found a solution we think is a good one as he is a good player."

Umtiti has only started six LaLiga games this season and Valverde said he is in the dark about when the France international, who travelled to Qatar in November for a "conservative" treatment plan, will be ready to return.
"I'd love to give a specific answer, but I don't know," the Barca coach continued. "He is in permanent contact with the doctors and he is due to come here in a few days, but he might have to go away again."We want him back as soon as possible but I can't give specific figures, I'm not a doctor and don't understand these things. We just hope he will be back as soon as possible."

Asked why Umtiti will have to "go away" again, he added: "It's a supposition, I honestly don't know. I really don't know, so don't quote me, because I don't know about his treatment schedule. If you quote me it'll be the wrong quote so please, no."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pogba can be Man Utd match-winner in free role under Solskjaer - Fletcher


Paul Pogba remains “a match-winner”, according to Darren Fletcher, with the Manchester United midfielder being backed to flourish if given a free role by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The France international midfielder has struggled to justify an £89 million ($113m) price tag since returning to Old Trafford in the summer of 2016.Part of the problem for the 25-year-old was finding the right position in Jose Mourinho’s plans, with the Portuguese often seeking to restrict the attacking flair of a flamboyant performer.

Former United star Fletcher hopes that will not be the case now that Solskjaer has been handed the Red Devils’ reins on an interim basis.

He wants to see Pogba given license to influence proceedings from a playmaking post, telling talkSPORT of a World Cup-winning talent he worked with before a move to Juventus was made in 2012: “When I was out ill I worked for six months with the reserves with Warren Joyce, and that’s what we did.

“We gave him a free role. We said to him, go and play, get on the ball and make things happen.“Obviously he worked hard as well, that was asked of him.“But we didn’t play him as a central midfielder, somebody who was controlling the game, we played him higher up the pitch as a number ten, he could go left, he could go right.

“We let him be a free spirit and he was a match-winner.“He could win games, he could create chances and he loved getting on the ball and trying things, but at least he was doing in the attacking third.

“So hopefully we see that Paul Pogba now, but he has got the ability of being a box-to-box midfielder, he’s matured now and I’ve seen him do it for France, so there’s no reason why he can’t do it for Man United.”

Prior to Mourinho’s dismissal, which came on the back of a deflating 3-1 defeat to Liverpool, Pogba had started just one Premier League game since November 24.
He failed to even make it off the bench at Anfield, despite the Red Devils struggling to get to grips with the Premier League leaders.

It is, however, likely that he will slot straight back into the fold under a new coaching regime, with the Solskjaer era set to be opened away at Cardiff City on Saturday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sarri plays down Chelsea interest in 'wonderful player' Higuain


Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has played down reports that he is looking to sign AC Milan striker Gonzalo Higuain in January.

The Blues had been interested in the Argentina international during the summer transfer window but missed out as Higuain joined Milan on a season-long loan from Juventus.The former Real Madrid forward is expected to make that move permanent at the end of the campaign despite having only scored five Serie A goals for the Rossoneri thus far.

But Sarri, who worked alongside Higuain during his time in charge of Napoli, with the forward finishing as the Italian top-flight's highest goalscorer in 2015-16 with 36 goals, may now try to tempt him away from Serie A in the next few weeks.

And though Sarri remains full of admiration for his former charge, he would not be drawn on whether he could be about to try and force a reunion with the 31-year-old."I like him very much, he is a wonderful player and man," he told reporters. "But I don’t want to talk about Higuain."I have two and a half strikers at the moment, Higuain plays for Milan."

Sarri's insistence that he has "two and a half strikers" on his books initiates from Sarri's recent experiment of playing Eden Hazard as a central striker or false nine, rather than relying on inconsistent duo Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata.

Victories over Manchester City and Brighton with Hazard in a more unfamiliar role have lead to some suggesting it could be a system Sarri implements more going forward, starting with Saturday's clash against Leicester City.And the veteran coach admitted that he is pleased with how well his team has managed the alteration in tactical approach and suggested fans have not seen the last of Hazard as a focal point.

"I was sure about City in that position we could do a good match. Against Brighton I started to see this situation in different matches."Now I want to see it against a team very compact, in low density. We have to see."

On Hazard he added: "There isn’t a best position for Hazard. He is a wonderful player, you have to let him be free on the pitch."While Sarri continues to utilise Hazard and plays down links to Higuain, it does seem Chelsea will be pushing to add attacking players to their squad during the winter window.

Assistant coach Gianfranco Zola admitted earlier this week that the club hold an interest in Bournemouth's Callum Wilson while it is understood a bid for Borussia Dortmund's Christian Pulisic is in the works.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

If Man Utd want Pochettino, he has to go - Carragher


Mauricio Pochettino must take the Manchester United job if it is offered to him, according to Jamie Carragher.

Since the sacking of Jose Mourinho and subsequent appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as interim manager at Old Trafford until the end of the season, Tottenham boss Pochettino has been linked with a move to the Red Devils.

And former Liverpool defender Carragher insists that regardless of Spurs' position, the United job will always be more attractive as the Red Devils are simply a bigger club.

"If Mauricio Pochettino is offered the Manchester United job, he has to take it," Carragher wrote in his column for The Daily Telegraph.

"That is hard for Tottenham Hotspur supporters to accept. Sadly for them, it is inevitable that they are prey to a more powerful Premier League rival.""Hearing some arguments against Pochettino moving to Manchester United, I cannot help but think a reality check is needed.

"It does not matter how great Spurs’ new stadium is and how many supporters fill it. It does not even matter what they win this season or over the next few years."Spurs are not Manchester United. They will never be as big as Manchester United."

The Liverpool legend also asserted that Pochettino does not need to stay out of loyalty to the club and will need to move on to achieve his ambitions."Pochettino owes Spurs nothing. He has done an unbelievable job with a fraction of United’s budget.

"Only Pochettino’s devotion to his current squad can keep him at Tottenham, allied to a belief he is on the verge of winning the biggest honours.

"The signs have been there since the summer that his team’s capacities are being stretched to the absolute limit. He expressed frustration at being unable to strengthen. This long-term perspective will be the chief consideration should United call."

Carragher admitted he believes the deal will go through at the end of the season, with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy likely to demand financial compensation for the services of his manager.

"My suspicion is an agreement will be reached that works for all parties this summer. If Pochettino departs at a considerable price, his successor might have more to spend than the current manager should he stay."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Solskjaer: I know how to deal with Man Utd players... I learnt from Sir Alex!


New Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he will draw from the teachings of legendary Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson, and is confident he can handle the egos of the club's top stars.

The 45-year-old was appointed to a temporary role at the club on Wednesday following the sacking of Jose Mourinho on Tuesday .He finds the club sixth in the Premier League, nine points behind the top four, and in grave danger of missing out on the Champions League next season.

The Norwegian turned out at Old Trafford as a player for 11 years during their most successful era under Ferguson and netted the decisive goal in the 1999 European Cup final.The Scot's man-management skills were considered his major strength and Solskjaer says he has learned from it.

Meanwhile, United's campaign to date has been soured by reports of internal conflict, with Mourinho and World Cup-winning midfielder Paul Pogba embroiled in persistent sniping.

Indeed, the 25-year-old was regularly found on the bench in recent weeks and did not even take to the field during last weekend's 3-1 defeat against Liverpool, which proved Mourinho's swansong .Solskjaer, by contrast, became a fans' favourite at Old Trafford due to his loyalty to the club, despite often being reduced to the role of super-sub.

"My job is to help the players and make them grasp the opportunity now because they all want to be a part of Man Utd and I’m going to be here to help them of course, help the team," he told the media.

"It’s down to man-management. I had the best manager as a player and as a coach to learn how he dealt with people. It’s about communication."Of course, I’ll sit down and speak to the ones who are not playing, what I expect from them.

"When you’re at Man Utd there are a set of demands and standards we set and one of them to be a team player, and I don’t think anyone has been on the bench more than me!"

Ferguson's management style is one that Solskjaer says runs through his ethos."He’s influenced me with everything, the way he’s dealt with people the way he was manager of the club, how he kept 25 international players happy and hungry wanting to improve but also the staff in and around the place," he said. "He’s been my mentor but I didn’t understand early on he’d be my mentor.

"Towards the last, maybe the injury in 2003, I was making all the notes what he did in certain situations and I’ve already been in touch with him, there’s no one to get better advice from."Sir Alex spent 27 years in charge at Man Utd, but emulating that is not immediately in the thoughts of the new man in the hot seat.

"When you get a job like this and you sign for six months, you say: ‘I’m happy to help out.’ My job now is to do as well as I can and move the club forward as well as I can," he said."I understand that there are so many managers that would love to be at this club. I am one of them. Staying longer is not something that we have talked about. "They are going to do their process for the next six months."

Settling in, however, is not proving to be a problem.He added: "I’ve been here as a player, 11 years, coach three and a half years, the best part of 15 years of my life - it’s a third of my life," he said. "Nicky Butt was the first lad I met ... You’re excited but it feels like home."

His first challenge will come against Cardiff City, the only British club that he has previously managed, in the Premier League on Saturday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lukaku set to miss Solskjaer's first game in charge of Man Utd against Cardiff


Romelu Lukaku is set to miss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first game in charge of Manchester United against Cardiff City on Saturday.

The former United striker was asked about the Belgian's availability at his first press conference and revealed that the former Everton forward is likely to be missing.When asked about the 25-year-old's availability, Solskjaer told reporters: "Lukaku has had a couple of days off, I’ve not seen him yet and I’ve not seen Alexis because he’s on his way back as well.

"I’m looking forward to seeing them."Reports have claimed that Lukaku's absence is due to compassionate leave and that the striker will also miss the visit of Huddersfield Town on Boxing Day.

The news of Lukaku's absence is an early blow for Solskjaer, who will now likely turn to either Marcus Rashford or Anthony Martial to start in attack against Cardiff.

The Norwegian also explained that his first-team selection would be heavily influenced by coaches Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna as he gets to know his squad, and asserted that every player would be given an opportunity ahead of the hectic festive period."Of course, it's Michael [Carrick] and Kieran [McKenna] who have been here for the whole season.

"They've had their say and input, but there are so many games in the next 10, 15 days, so it's about picking a team that you think is going to get results."We need results but, then again, every player needs to know that they're probably going to get their chance in this period, because that's just the nature of the game over here in England, that we have to rotate.

"Kieran and Michael have been great, I have to say. It's great being back home and seeing the development already, because I played with Michael, how good a coach and man-manager he is already, so it's been really helpful."The job now is to get to know the players, observe them, see the qualities that we've got.

"Of course, I've seen more or less every game from Norway when I've had time from the other job [as Molde boss]. But, to get to know the players and think about what I can do to improve them, that's my job."

The trip to Cardiff on Saturday will hold further significance for Solskjaer as it is the first time he has faced the club he previously managed, with the Norwegian in charge when the Bluebirds were relegated in 2013-14.

United are currently sixth in the Premier League table, a massive 19 points behind leaders Liverpool and will be desperate to get the Solskjaer era off to a positive start in Wales.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Solskjaer hints at January arrivals at Man Utd & says he will have an input


Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hinted that Manchester United will be making moves in the January window and has vowed he will "have an input" over the club's transfer dealings.

The former Red Devils striker has taken interim charge of the Old Trafford outfit until the end of the season having replaced the sacked Jose Mourinho.Solskjaer has been tasked with turning around the fortunes of this United side after a disappointing start to the campaign.

Part of that process may involve the arrival of new faces during the winter window, and former Norway international Solskjaer is not ruling out a busy month of spending in the new year.

He told reporters at his first press conference on Friday: “I will have an input of course but the job now is to get to know the players, observe them and see the qualities they possess.

“I have seen more or less every game from Norway when I’ve had time. I have to get to know the players, and see what I can help them improve on.“The club has their recruitment and scouting so I’m sure they’ve got their targets.”

Poor recruitment has played a key role in United's struggles since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement, with a number of big-money signings struggling to make the desired impact on the first-team.

Angel Di Maria, Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez are just some of the world stars who have failed to live up to the hype surrounding them over the last five years, while this summer's £52 million ($66m) arrival, Fred, has found himself out of the starting XI for much of the campaign.

Whomever arrives in January, Solskjaer will be hopeful they can aid his new side in their battle to finish as high up the Premier League table as possible.After 17 games the 20-time English champions sit sixth in the table, 19 points behind leaders Liverpool and 11 points behind fourth-placed Chelsea in the race for a Champions League spot.

Solskjaer's tenure begins on Saturday against Cardiff City - a team he managed during the 2013-14 campaign though he could not save them from relegation to the Championship.And he admits he learned a lot from his time in South Wales, saying: "I’m getting old, my grey hairs are coming, I’ve had about 300-400 games as a first-team manager now. That period in Cardiff was of course a huge step for me.

"I’ve learnt a lot, I’ve evaluated, I’ve reflected on it. I made a few mistakes, but if you don’t make mistakes you’re not going to learn and unfortunately I made a few of them."But then again they’re in the Premier League now so I don’t think they’re too unhappy about it now.”

Solskjaer will be without striker Romelu Lukaku for the match at the Cardiff City Stadium as the Red Devils look for just their third win in nine games in all competitions.