News

Media Image Ltd

David Moyes did not officially begin his new tenure at Old Trafford until 1 July but there is no doubt that as soon as his move from Everton was confirmed on 9 May he began assessing his squad and plotting which positions required strengthening. Moyes wasn’t the only new face in a role of responsibility at the club with David Gill, the long serving Chief Executive, also stepping down this summer to make way for Ed Woodward. Woodward had performed admirably in his previous role as vice chairman, having been credited with improving the club finances considerably, after masterminding a number of sponsorship deals which enabled further expansion of the United global brand.

However, the decision to appoint Woodward was met with caution amongst the fans. He was seen as the ‘Glazers’ man due to his close connections with the owners of the club and despite his contribution to the club’s coffers,...

Media Image Ltd

Last summer, now-former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini bemoaned the lack of new signings at Etihad Stadium and reflected that it was the club’s failure in landing key targets why they did not retain the title.

The Italian, so he claimed at the time, was close to signing Robin van Persie – who instead ended up at fierce rivals United – which made all the difference, according to Mancini.

The Citizens also failed in their efforts to land the likes of Daniele De Rossi and Eden Hazard 12 months ago, and ultimately, it was the lack of new blood at the club that saw them finish a whole 11 points adrift of first place last term.

This summer however is a different story with Mancini gone after his failings in the Fa Cup and Manuel Pellegrini appointed in his place, and the Chilean wasted no time at all in bringing in new talent.

Manchester United are expected to step up their pursuit of midfield reinforcements before next Monday’s transfer deadline day by triggering Ander Herrera’s £30.7 million release clause, say the Telegraph.

After seeing two bids for Cesc Fabregas rejected by Barcelona and Thiago Alcantara join Bayern Munich instead, manager David Moyes has identified the 24-year-old as an alternative.

The Premier League champions failed with their opening bid for Herrera after putting €30 million on the table but will now come back with an improved fee.

Moyes will also make a €12 million offer for Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi after testing Everton’s resolve with a £38 million joint-bid for Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini and left-back Leighton Baines on Thursday.

Bilbao, Roma and Everton have all rejected United’s overtures so far but Moyes is confident deals will be completed before Monday night.

Herrera, a Spain U-23 international, has been on the Red Devil...

Manchester United may have won the Community Shield yesterday afternoon but it barely papers over the cracks of what has been a relatively dire pre-season for the Premier League champions – both on the field and off it.

New manager David Moyes has won just three out of his eight pre-season games and has also missed out on a series of high-priority transfer targets in the process.

And it’s all left us feeling with a sense of “déjà vu”.

We’ve been here before. Last summer to be precise.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini failed to make any kind of breakthrough in the market and moves for Robin van Persie, Eden Hazard, Javi Martinez and Daniele de Rossi all failed.

United meanwhile have missed out on Robert Lewandowski, Thiago Alcantara, James Rodríguez and Cesc Fabregas, and ominously for Moyes, Mancini lost his job after missing out on the same number...

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho wants to be reunited with Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira this summer, according to the Mirror.

Mourinho has remained on good terms with the defensive midfielder, following their days together at the Bernabeu, and is keen on bringing the Germany international to Stamford Bridge this summer.

Khedira was deemed surplus to requirements last season, making just 25 La Liga appearances, and could find opportunities even more difficult to come by next season given that Real have just spent £34 million on Real Sociedad’s Asier Illarramendi.

Mourinho is desperate to strengthen his midfield this summer and though he had disagreements with the vast majority of the Madrid dressing room toward the end of his turbulent tenure, he retained a good relationship with Khedira.

The self-styled “Special One” wants to add a midfield general to his squad this summer while Madrid would likely demand £20 million for the 26-year-old, who...

Chelsea are lining up a £10 million bid to bring Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi to Stamford Bridge this summer, according to the Mirror.

Returning Blues manager Jose Mourinho is seeking to reinvigorate the engine room of his side and wants the Italian, 29, to be his new midfield general.

Mourinho’s central midfield options are limited and with John Obi Mikel’s future at the club in serious doubt, the “Special One” is in the market for a utility man.

The Chelsea boss will be hoping he can take advantage of de Rossi’s recent fall from grace at the Stadio Olimpico, where last season the midfielder had a furious bust up with manager Zdenek Zeman.

Fans of the club have also apparently turned their backs on de Rossi, who celebrates his 30th birthday this month, as i Giallorossi completely missed out on Europe last season after finishing sixth.

Mourinho tried...

Venue: Arena Fonte Nova Date: Saturday 22nd June 20:00Pm

Confederations Cup hosts, Brazil, will play Italy at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador on Saturday 22nd June (20:00Pm UK time).

With Brazil and Italy both having picked up wins against Japan and Mexico, both nations have already qualified for the semi-finals, but the winner of today’s game will likely dodge World and European champions Spain and top Group A.

Whilst the victors will likely be getting the easier of semi-finals, the winners could be still face tough competition with Nigeria and Uruguay both fighting for a place in the last four with three points each.

Brazil’s Neymar has looked the most dangerous when attacking and the newly confirmed Barcelona youngster has really impressed in the tournament going on 15 solo runs and scoring two goals in as many games.

Italy were disappointing in their 4-3 win over...

Halfway there now, and there’s been some early business today! Yay!

Transfers

Swansea have agreed a deal with Osasuna for winger Roland Lamah. The 25-year-old was not signed in time for the Fa Cup replay against Arsenal tomorrow, but will be available for Saturday’s match against Stoke. Technically, Lamah is on loan at the Swans for 18 months; however, the club is allowed to sign him on a permanent deal at any time.

Rafa Benitez has confirmed in a press conference that young Chelsea winger Lucas Piazon has gone on loan to cash-strapped Malaga until the end of the season.

The QPRumour Mill

The Mail reports that having stolen Loic Remy from the clutches of Newcastle, Qpr intend to add insult to injury by finalising an £8m move for 22-year-old midfielder Yann M’Vila.

It doesn’t end there for Qpr, though. According to the Mirror, Harry Redknapp is...

The winter transfer window is nearly upon us, and while they say you can’t get a good deal in January, those battling at the top and bottom will be keeping their eye out to see if the right player becomes available at the right price.

While names like Radamel Falcao and Daniele De Rossi might grab the big headlines, there are a number of players for whom the transfer window gives them a chance to escape the hell at their current club and in one way or another reboot their career.

We list ten such candidates here;

10. Andrei Arshavin

The enigmatic Russian has been the very definition of inconsistency such day one at the Emirates. Four goal blasts at Anfield are combined with completely anonymous performances. The ex-Zenit player has the skills, Euro 2008 showed that, but rarely has he produced anywhere near that level.

Along with the likes of Marouane Chamakh,...

This time last week pundits were overwhelmingly backing Manchester United to win the Premier League this season after the Red Devils pulled off the biggest transfer of the window with former Arsenal captain Robin Van Persie joining in an astonishing £24 million deal. And with Van Persie joining Japanese attacking-midfielder Shinji Kagawa and English youngster Nick Powell as new United recruits, you’d be a fool not to be predicting at least one piece of silverware this season.

However in what was supposed to be the perfect stage for new signings Robin Van Persie, 29, and Shinji Kagawa, 23, turned out to be the opposite as Everton managed to defeat Manchester United in the Red Devil’s first Premier League game of the season. It’s unfair to blame Kagawa and Van Persie for playing any part in the defeat however they just did not live up to the hype they’d been given before the big kick-off.

Manchester City Manager Roberto Mancini has criticised Football Administrator Brian Marwood over the transfer inactivity at Eastland’s this summer.

The club have spent £238million signing the likes of Sergio Agüero, Robinho, Edin Džeko, Carlos Tévez, Samir Nasri, Emmanuel Adebayor, Mario Balotelli, David Silva and Yaya Touré since 2009.

This summer has been a different story however.

Attempts were made to sign Eden Hazard, only for the player to join rivals Chelsea, whilst Mancini’s efforts to bring Robin van Persie to the Etihad appear to have also failed.

And Mancini explains that whilst he hasn’t ruled out bringing in a new player or two, it has come far too late to familiarise any potential new buy with the Premier League Champion’s tactics and style of play.

Speaking to The Sun, the Italian said:

“I’m not happy. After four months, I don’t know what to say. You need to ask Brian Marwood.

After a relatively quiet summer so far, by Manchester City’s busy standards, it appears the drought is over and the flood of activity looks set to commence, after Italian giants Roma admitted that they will allow midfielder Daniele De Rossi to leave this summer if he so wishes to.

City boss Roberto Mancini has been a long term admirer of the tenacious tackler and has in the past seen bids rejected from Roma in previous transfer windows. City then watched on as De Rossi penned a new deal at the Stadio Olympico in February this year and all chance of a transfer appeared dead and buried – until now.

The admission by Roma Sporting Director Walter Sabatini that should De Rossi approach the hierarchy at the club and ask for a move, or should the club be offered an amount they cannot refuse, the club would ‘talk about it’ with De Rossi.

Spain claimed their third successive major international title after winning Euro 2012 with a typically dominant performance over Italy in Kiev.

David Silva scored the first goal after only 14 minutes before Jordi Alba got forward from left-back to slot home the second in the first half.

Italy went down to 10 men in the second period when they lost Thiago Motta to injury and Spain took full control. First Fernando Torres and then Juan Mata scored goals to finish the match.

The Spanish started with their usual system of six midfielders, including the ever-consistent Sergio Busquets and Xabi Alonso. Italian manager Cesare Prandelli opted to start Mario Balotelli and Antonio Cassano in the hope that they could conjure up a similar performance to the one they gave against Germany.

Spain had the best of the opening exchanges, that mainly arrived via the feet of the outstanding Xavi. After 10 minutes the Barcelona play-maker...

Spain take on Italy in tonight’s Euro 2012 final at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev. Kick-off time is at 7.45pm and the match will be screened live on BBC 1 and ITV 1.

Here’s the team news ahead of the game…

Spain head coach Vicente del Bosque needs to decide on whether to start with Alvaro Negredo after his display against Portugal on Wednesday or whether to recall Chelsea striker Fernando Torres to the starting line-up. Cesc Fabregas, scorer of the winning penalty against Portugal and who had probably his best game of the tournament, could also start if Del Bosque decides against selecting an out and out forward for the defending champions.

For Italy, Ignazio Abate is hoping to be fit again after missing the semi-final win against Germany with a hamstring problem, though if he isn’t some shifting will need to be done with Federico Balzaretti who switched...

Italy meet Spain in the Euro 2012 Final on Sunday, with Cesare Prandelli’s men the last capable of stopping the Spaniards winning their third consecutive major international trophy.

This is a look back at their journey to the Final and what to expect from the game at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev.

Their tournament began as it will finish; against Spain.

Cesare Prandelli took a chance on a 3-5-2 formation that he had been toying with in the absence of usual left-back Domenico Criscito, excluded to deal with a betting scandal surrounding him in Russia.

Meanwhile Vicente Del Bosque set out a 4-6-0, preferring six midfielders to an orthodox striker like Fernando Torres or Fernando Llorente.

While Xavi and Andres Iniesta were not completely stopped in their tracks, the Italian system worked efficiently enough to allow the Azzurri to keep the score at 0-0 by half time.

After...

Thursday evening sees the second semi-final clash of Euro 2012 take place in Warsaw. It will be contested by a Germany team who have beaten all their opponents thus far with consummate ease; and the Italians who make it courtesy of their quarter-final defeat of England on penalties. With the winner to face either Portugal or Spain in the semi-final, I’m going to take look at each team’s journey to the semi-final, main men, team tactics and the likely outcome of what will be a tense game with so much at stake.

Germany may have won five of their six UEFA European Championship semi-finals, but they have never beaten Italy in a competitive match.

The Azzurri have won four of those seven contests, including the 2006 FIFA World Cup semi-final held in Germany, and the 1982 World Cup final.

Italy have also progressed from two of their three UEFA European Championship semi-finals,...

With Manchester United unthinkably losing out on the Premier League title their local rivals and “noisy neighbours” Manchester City this year, many pundits claim they are in danger of being left behind if they don’t strengthen certain areas of their team.

With that in mind, here’s five talents from across Europe who would improve the Red Devils squad and bring them closer to dominating domestic and European competition once again.

1. Daniele De Rossi

This 6ft Italian talisman would be a perfect fit for the United central midfield. With the likes of the aging Paul Scholes and injury prone players such as Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher all hindering United’s progress, De Rossi seems like an ideal fit. The only problem could be that he has been at Roma for the whole duration of his career so prizing him away from La Maggica might not be easy. He...

The final set of fixtures in Group C find Italy needing a win to have any chance of qualification to the next round as they take on Ireland in Poznan.

With just two points on the board, the former World Champions could see themselves crashing out alongside fellow front runners Holland and Russia if the Azzurri fail to secure a victory over the Irish. However their fate could be decided for them if Croatia upset Spain by defeating them or securing a high-scoring score draw.

For Ireland the game will purely be a damage limitation exercise. Whilst exiting the competition with zero points is a feat shared only by the previous World Cup finalists, Holland, Giovanni Trapattoni will be searching for at least a point against his home nation to bring back some sense of accomplishment from the tournament.

There is one omen in Ireland’s favour though. It is...

After a promising start from both teams, former World Champions Italy meet Croatia in tonight’s first kick off, with the Azzurri on the hunt for maximum points.

The opening fixture for the Italian’s was packed to the brim with positives. Cesare Prandelli’s team were lauded for their revival of the 3-5-2 and rolled back the years with Daniele de Rossi playing the sweeper role at the back. And it turned out to be a tactical masterstroke against the similarly chin-stroking formation of 4-6-0 incorporated by the Spanish.

Antonio di Natale scored the opener for Italy after the evergreen 34 year old replaced misfiring misfit Mario Balotelli but Prandelli still may opt with the Manchester City striker for this next tie.

The Croatians however also excelled in their first game. Granted it was against weaker opposition, the game against Ireland was deemed as a must win for...

After yesterday’s resolution to the Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona transfer saga, one question alone should now be dominating the corridors of Arsenal’s camp, just as it most certainly will be among fans: how do we replace the captain and strongest midfielder?

The Fabregas question is one that comes with a unique set of issues based on what the player offered to the team: he was invariably called their playmaker, the conduit through which the majority of their progressive play came, but he was perhaps better considered as Arsenal’s cornerstone. His defensive duties were after all just as important a part of his game, and in last season’s capitulation against Newcastle United, in which the team conspired to through away a four goal lead, it was no small coincidence that he was conspicuously absent in those duties during the second half.

So Arsenal don’t just need...