Blame the players, says Young
Manchester United mifielder Ashley Young believes the players are to blame for their current form, and not the boss.
The Red Devils fell to back-to-back defeats last week at Old Trafford after losing to Everton and then Newcastle in the space of four days, which resulted in David Moyes coming out saying he is to blame for the defeats.
United managed to bounce back after that horrid week by beating Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 in the Champions League, and after the match, Young admitted that it’s time the players take blame for the results and not Moyes.
“Of course (it’s the players fault), we are the ones who go out on the pitch.
“Everyone is in it together, manager, staff and players. We win together, we lose together.”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles
Sporting Kansas coach expects Premier League duo to join MLS
Sporting Kansas City coach Peter Vermes expects Premier League duo Jermain Defoe and Frank Lampard to leave Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea respectively in the Summer, in order to join the MLS.
Both veterans have been linked with moves away from their English sides, with Defoe being linked with Toronto and Lampard being linked with LA Galaxy.
Vermes is confident that more and more high-profile players will leave big leagues in order to join the MLS and he fully expects this Premier League duo to make the move to America in the Summer.
“I see both of them coming. I think it’s going to happen. They are world-class players with great qualities that I think will only help enhance the league,” Vermes told Sky Sports News.
“Defoe, I think, is a done deal already but that’s just my opinion. Frank was linked last year and I think he stayed on because (Jose) Mourinho was coming back.
“There’s a good chance he makes the move to the Galaxy.
“Back in 2000 there was 10 teams in the league, now there are 19 with two more coming in a year from now in New York and Orlando. The game is growing tremendously well in the States and the popularity of the sport is making it relevant in the sports scene.”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles
Gareth Bale is incredible, says Ronaldo
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has hailed Summer signing Gareth Bale as ‘incredible’ and believes he has had a great start to his career in Spain.
Since making his £84million move from Tottenham to the Bernabeu, the Welshman has scored nine goals in 14 appearances, including a perfect hat-trick a few weeks ago.
A lot of people were suggesting that Ronaldo and Bale would never work well together due to their egos and wanting to be the main man at the club, but Ronaldo has been full of praise for his new team-mate.
“What he is doing is incredible,” he told beIN Sport.
“He had a difficult start partly due to a small injury that he suffered.
“Also, he had great pressure on him but now he is in great form and we are all helping him.
“The fans love him now and he is a fantastic player who will help us to win trophies.”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles
Tottenham defender Danny Rose could face Anzhi Makhachkala in the Europa League
Tottenham defender Danny Rose is back in training and may make his long-awaited comeback in Thursday’s Europa League match against Anzhi Makhachkala.
Rose has been out of action since 19 September when he sustained a toe injury in Tottenham’s win over Tromso.
The Spurs left-back was preparing for the match at White Hart Lane with the first-team squad at Enfield this morning.
Tottenham fielded Jan Vertonghen out of position at left-back in Rose’s absence, but the Belgium international is expected to miss the next four weeks with an ankle injury.
Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas is expected to give his fringe players a run-out against Anzhi as his team have already won Group K.
Anzhi have qualified as runners-up, but they are bottom of the Russian Premier League and their squad has been decimated by injury ahead of the trip to London.
Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below
Midfielder Everton Ribeiro open to United move
Everton Ribeiro has told ESPN Brasil that he would fit into Manchester United’s midfield and would welcome the chance to play for the Premier League champions.
United have been strongly linked with a January move for Ribeiro, who has recently helped Cruzeiro to win the Brazilian title.
The 24-year-old was also named the league’s best player and his agent claimed last week that talks have been held with United.
Cruzeiro have also stated that they are aware of interest from the Red Devils, but have not received any offers for Ribeiro, who has also been seen as a target for Liverpool.
A fee in the region of £15million has been suggested for a January deal and Ribeiro believes he is capable of playing in the Premier League.
“I already watch the Premier League games,” Ribeiro told ESPN Brasil. “They are great teams that play in Europe. They are the dream of any player.
“I feel I am ready to play in any part of the world. If you play for Cruzeiro, you can play in any place.
“United have Kagawa, Rooney, De Gea is the goalkeeper. I know them very well because I play with them a lot in video games as they are a great team. You play it one day after the other and know the players even better.
“I would fit in any part of the midfield. I would do well as a playmaker to support the attack.”
When asked if he will be playing alongside Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney, the midfielder said: “It would be great.
“I let my agent and Cruzeiro talk about that. When they feel it’s good for both parties, they will let me know. I’ll see and we’ll analyse everything.”
Ribeiro added to Gazeta Esportiva: “There is always speculation after a great performance in a competition, but I am a Cruzeiro player.
“I’ll rest a lot, enjoy the holidays with my family and return fully charged in January. I let Cruzeiro and my agent handle the negotiations.”
Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below
Kevin Strootman isn’t joining United in January
Strootman, who has 24 caps for Holland, would have been the perfect man to bring the zest back to Moyes depleted midfield.
The 23-year-old had been long linked with a move to Old Trafford, but won’t be joining Manchester United in January and is more happy to stay at Roma, his representative has revealed.
‘Kevin is very happy in Rome and his intention is to stay here for a long time,’ Chiel Dekker told Sky Sports.
‘They have started a project and a new team and he has adapted well to his new club.’
Strootman has impressed at Roma since his arrival in the Italian capital five months ago, playing a key role in helping the Giallorossi to second spot in Serie A.
Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below
Arsene Wenger doesn’t plan rotation
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that he will not be rotating his side for the Napoli clash in the Champions League due to stability being needed.
The Gunners will face a hostile reception in Italy when they take on the Seria A side and they know that as long as they avoid a three-goal defeat, they will qualify for the knockout stages of the competition.
Wenger’s men are currently on 12 points but still haven’t gained their knockout status just yet and the boss is determined to get the job done their own way, so that means no squad rotation.
“I cannot afford to do that [rotate]” Wenger said. “We will try to rotate a little bit at times, but never more than two or three players because the stability of the side is so important.
“When you play so many games, sometimes in one game you have a feeling the legs are a bit tired, but sometimes the game after they surprise you again and everybody has recovered.
“At the moment we have a stable squad. In some positions I rotate more than others where the stability is important.
“But overall we have no major signs of fatigue medically.”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles
Tottenham Summer signing set for loan-move away?
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Erik Lamela, who joined the club in the Summer, could already be on his way out, with a loan move to Spain being discussed.
The Argentine midfielder is the club’s record transfer fee after they spent £30million on bringing him in as Gareth Bale’s replacement, however, according to reports in Spain, he could be ready to make a loan-move to Atletico Madrid in January in order to gain some first-team experience.
Lamela has only started two Premier League games for Andre Villas-Boas and apparently he has already been in contact with Madrid about a potential loan-move being agreed in the New Year until the end of the season.
The 21-year-old is highly rated at White Hart Lane and the officials at the club believe he can have a successful career in North London, but they think a short-term loan move to Spain could be beneficial for his career.
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles
Pepe Reina confident of Arsenal victory
On-loan Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina is confident that Rafael Benitez can claim victory over Arsenal tonight in the Champions League, and even gain qualification to the knockout stage.
It will be a tough task for Reina and co. as they have to beat Arsene Wenger’s side by three goals or more in order to finish in the top-two, but the ‘keeper is confident that it’s a task that they can complete, especially because of the man in charge at the club.
Benitez was the manager who provided European football with the best ever comeback.
When he was in charge at Liverpool, he managed to guide them to Champions League glory after being 3-0 down to AC Milan, and Reina believes that is why Napoli can beat Arsenal tonight by three or more goals.
“Winning by three goals against Arsenal is not easy- but it is possible. That is our challenge.
“Rafa has worked on a game plan – and our example is easy! The final between AC Milan and Liverpool is the example to follow. It showed that anything is possible. The atmosphere in or stadium will be worth a goal in itself. After that it’s up to us as players to give everything on the pitch.
“This is our biggest match of the season. If we want to stay in the Champions League, it’s necessary to have a magical night and to play the best match possible.
“Arsenal are probably the team that is playing the best football in Europe right now, but they could easily suffer a bad day. It’s our job to make sure they do.
“I don’t think they will come at us with confidence because they are still not guaranteed to go through.”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles
