Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has ordered Paul Pogba to take a mini break as he recovers from a hamstring injury, according to a report.

The France international is expected to miss between four and six weeks of action after pulling up during the Red Devils’ 3-0 win over Basel in the Champions League.

United are still awaiting official confirmation of how long the ex-Juventus ace will be absent, but The Sun claims that Mourinho has urged the midfielder to pack his bags and enjoy 10 days away as part of his injury rehab.

Pogba is said to have left his manager unhappy with the way he managed the existing problem, though Mourinho is desperate to get one of his key players back up and running as quickly as possible.

A United source is quoted by the publication as saying: “Paul is being given some time off before he steps up his rehab from a hamstring injury.

“He has another scan soon, but the injury has to settle down first and then a full assessment can be made. He will be allowed to head off on holiday during the international break and then return for a comeback to action.”

Pogba had made a bright start to his second campaign at United since rejoining from Juve, playing a direct part in four goals in his first four league games.
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Eric Dier has admitted that he and his Tottenham HHotspur teammates will not be happy until they win silverware but says that the club “can be proud” of their recent achievements.

The Lilywhites have finished third and second in the last two Premier League seasons under Mauricio Pochettino, picking up more points combined during those campaigns than any other team in the division.

Spurs remain without a trophy since 2008, however, and Dier insists that his side cannot be truly pleased with their efforts in recent years unless they end that decade-long wait for a major honour later this season.

“I think we should be proud of what we’ve managed to do so far, but I don’t think we can be proud of achieving anything because I don’t think we have. We can be proud of where we are now, considering where we’ve come from,” he told Sky Sports News. “I think we can definitely be proud of that.

“But as a group, I think we wouldn’t be happy unless we won something. The manager is very ambitious, and we’ve created a fantastic working environment where everyone is really hungry for success. That just came out on the pitch.

“I think the feeling within the place was positive, we felt things were going in the right direction, and hopefully they will continue to, because we might have challenged a couple of times but we haven’t really done anything yet.”

Dier, who has been at Spurs since joining from Sporting Lisbon in 2014, is expected to play a part in Saturday lunchtime’s London derby meeting with West Ham United.
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Chelsea and Everton are reportedly among the clubs keeping a close eye on Edinson Cavani following his spat with Paris Saint-Germain teammate Neymar.

The pair argued over a second-half penalty, which the Uruguayan eventually missed, during the Ligue 1 giants’ 2-0 win over Lyon on Sunday.

According to the Daily Mail, Everton and Chelsea, as well as Napoli, are on high alert due to Cavani’s frustrations, but it may be difficult for any of those clubs to get a deal over the line.

The 30-year-old’s reported £120,000-a-week salary could be hard for Everton and Napoli to match, while the forward would not be guaranteed a starting spot at Chelsea.

PSG are, however, said to be willing to sell players in January in order to meet Financial Fair Play requirements following the £200m capture of Neymar from Barcelona.
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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has claimed that he decided before Tuesday night’s EFL Cup match against Leicester City that Philippe Coutinho would not complete 90 minutes.

The Brazilian, who missed the first month of the season, played the first half of the third-round tie at the King Power Stadium before being substituted at the break.

The 25-year-old was an influential figure in the first 45 minutes as Liverpool dominated, but they failed to make the most of their opportunities and were later punished when Shinji Okazaki and Islam Slimani scored in the second half to put Leicester into the next round.

After the match, when asked why Coutinho was withdrawn, Klopp told reporters: “That was the plan before the game. He needs match time but it was not the plan to let him play again 60 or 70 or 80 minutes. Forty-five is the limit. We need to get him fit but we cannot push him through.”

Liverpool will return to the King Power Stadium this weekend when they face Leicester in the Premier League.
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Lionel Messi showed again he is from “another planet” with his four-goal haul against Eibar, Barcelona team-mate Nelson Semedo said.

Messi was in spectacular form on Tuesday, scoring four times in Barca’s 6-1 win over Eibar in LaLiga.

The Argentina international has scored 12 goals in eight games in all competitions this season, leaving his team-mates and coach Ernesto Valverde marvelling at his exploits once more.

Semedo, who played 90 minutes in the big win, said he continued to be stunned by what Messi could produce.

“Messi is spectacular,” the Portugal international said via the club’s website.

“It’s a privilege to play with him, he always surprises, he’s from another planet.”Barca’s win continued their perfect start to the LaLiga campaign as they pulled five points clear at the top.
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Olympiacos – Asteras Tripolis
1 1X2
1.30
9331
Schalke – Bayern Munich
2 1X2
1.48
2827
Leicester City – Liverpool
X2 Double Chance
1.26
4726
Tottenham – Barnsley
1 1X2
1.11
7068
Serie B
Pescara – Virtus Entella
Yes H Wins Either Halves
1.36

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Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has confirmed he is to launch a new career as a professional boxer.

The 38-year-old, who retired from football two years ago, is to compete in a series of fights over the next year with a view to earning a shot at a title belt.

The challenge, backed by betting company Betfair, will see Ferdinand work with a team of boxing coaches and fitness trainers as he attempts to earn his professional licence.

“When Betfair approached me about the Defender to Contender challenge, the chance to prove myself in a new sport was a real draw,” the former England international said in a statement.

“Boxing is an amazing sport for the mind and the body. I have always had a passion for it and this challenge is the perfect opportunity to show people what’s possible.

“It’s a challenge I’m not taking lightly – clearly not everyone can become a professional boxer – but with the team of experts Betfair are putting together and the drive I have to succeed, anything is possible.”

Ferdinand will be coached by former WBC super-middleweight Champion turned Team GB trainer Richie Woodhall.

“In all honesty, I think Rio can definitely box as a professional given time,” he said. “He has natural power in his right hand, is extremely fit and is very enthusiastic to learn which is encouraging.

“Style-wise, he’s very raw and I’ll have to develop this which will take time but he has all the natural ingredients, height and reach advantages over boxers in his weight division and definitely has potential to win a title in the future.”

Ferdinand, a six-time Premier League champion and a Champions League winner with United, has worked mostly as a television pundit since his retirement at the end of the 2014-15 season, which he spent at QPR.

He described in an interview with Men’s Health in July how maintaining an exercise regime has helped him to cope mentally since leaving football and following the death of his wife Rebecca in 2015.

“It’s enabled me to free my mind,” he said. “You’ve got to remember, when I played football, when I’d step onto the pitch, there was nothing I thought about but football. It was a clear space, a little release time.

“Without the gym, I don’t know where I would’ve had that release time – that time just to think about nothing, or to think about something other than what was going on in my life.

“The gym really played a part in that, and that’s why I’ve clung onto it.”
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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has said that while Manchester United and Manchester City “are in good shape” this season, the German is only concentrating on his own team.

United and City have both collected 13 points from five Premier League games this season to sit atop the table, while Liverpool are down in eighth after dropping points in three of their five fixtures to date.

Klopp has admitted that he has been impressed with the two Manchester clubs in the early stages of the 2017-18 campaign, but the Liverpool boss is more concerned about his own team.

“I watched United and City, but it’s not my job to count points. They are in a good shape but a season is like this. As long as your attitude is right then you do not need to look at other teams,” Klopp told reporters.

“It’s not a surprise that City and United are in (the title race). I cannot always say what everybody wants to hear. If I am fine with a lot of things then I say it and a lot of people do not want to hear it. I can’t change my opinion every day because there are 500,000,000 different opinions.”
Liverpool, who are without a win in their last three matches, will travel to fellow Premier League side Leicester City in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night.
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger backed Alexandre Lacazette despite taking the forward off in the second half of his side’s draw with Chelsea.

The France international has made a decent start to life in England, scoring two goals in six matches in all competitions since arriving for €53million from Lyon.

But Lacazette, 26, was unable to have an impact in the 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge before being substituted in the 66th minute, the forward missing a glorious chance prior to half-time.

Wenger praised the forward and said with the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott on the bench, he was always going to make a change in the derby clash.

“I felt Lacazette had a very good first half. He worked very hard for the team, he’s very disciplined and it takes him some time to maintain that intensity for 90 minutes,” he said.

“Don’t forget as well I had Walcott, Giroud and Alexis on the bench, so after 65 minutes in a game of that intensity, it’s normal that you bring some fresh legs in.”

However, Wenger said he would never ask a striker to get used to being substituted.

“I never ask any striker to understand that he has to make room for somebody else,” he said. “You can never do that.”
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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has retained Uyo as host of the 2018 World Cup qualifier between the Super Eagles and Zambia despite the recent clashes involving the Military and the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) in the neighboring Aba.

Some football followers recently raised questions on the suitability of Uyo for the game in view of the crisis in the South East. But Super Eagles’ Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye dismissed such fears, noting that the Akwa Ibom State government has always ensured adequate security in the city since the Super Eagles started playing all its games in Uyo.

Ibitoye revealed that the NFF was currently working on measures to ensure Nigeria got the right result against Zambia on October 7. Ibitoye said Coach Gernot Rohr and his technical crew was working round the clock to plot the strategies that would nail their opponents in Uyo.

“There is no security problem in Akwa Ibom now,” he said, adding, “I want to assure you that plans for the game would be made public in the days ahead. There is no cause for alarm, as all arrangements for the game is in top gear.”
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Antonio Conte has suggested he is ready to give Eden Hazard his first club start of the season when Chelsea take on Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.

The winger’s preparations for 2017-18 were heavily disrupted by a broken ankle suffered while on international duty back in June.

Hazard has been steadily working his way back and the 20-minute appearance off the substitutes’ bench in Sunday’s 0-0 draw against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge was his third for Chelsea this season.

He has also played in two games, one of which was a start, for Belgium in World Cup qualifying this season and Conte is set to play him from the start for the third-round tie at Stamford Bridge, after which he feels the 26-year-old will be back at 100 per cent.

“The last 20 minutes, Hazard played very well,” Blues boss Conte told reporters after the Arsenal clash.

“Now, on Wednesday, he will have the possibility to start the game against Nottingham Forest and complete his recovery. We hope that everything is OK after this game.”
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Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu revealed five-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi is already playing under the terms of his new contract.

While Messi agreed to a contract extension until 2021 in July, the Barca star is yet to put pen to paper on the contract with the LaLiga giants.

It has raised doubts over Messi’s future at Camp Nou following Neymar’s world-record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.

Barca have continually reiterated that the 30-year-old will sign his contract and Bartomeu provided another update on Thursday.

“We will take the photo with Messi’s signature, hopefully before the end of the year, but the contract has been signed by his father, who has the power of his image rights,” Bartomeu told 8TV.

“This contract is signed until 2021 and he is already playing under it.”

Messi has hit the ground running under new head coach Ernesto Valverde, scoring eight goals in all competitions.

He scored twice in the 3-0 Champions League win over Juventus on Tuesday, having netted a hat-trick against Espanyol in LaLiga.

One player’s future who appears less certain is veteran Andres Iniesta.

Iniesta, 33, is out of contract at the end of the season and the Spaniard is still to agree to a new deal.

However, Bartomeu said Iniesta is set to stay, adding: “The agreement with Iniesta will be special, it will be different just because it is him, I won’t reveal exactly what because it is part of private negotiations, but with Ramon Sostres, we have been talking for a long time.

He added: “Iniesta isn’t just a reference point for us, but also for the young supporters, he has earned the right to play here until he decides not to anymore, Andres is critical to this club and the intention is that this extension will be an indefinite contract so that he can finish whenever he desires.”

Barca – already four points clear of defending champions Real Madrid – are away to Getafe in LaLiga on Saturday.
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The Super Eagles of Nigeria have dropped 6 places in the latest FIFA Coca-Cola World Rankings released on Thursday.

The Super Eagles who were formerly 38th in the world are now occupying the 44th position in the world but have moved up one place in Africa ranking from 6th to 5th.

The mixed results from CHAN Eagles in the month of August might have played a significant role in the recent ranking while Cameroon’s poor performances helped Nigeria’s course in the African ranking.

Egypt are No.1 on the continent and Africa’s highest ranked team in 30th spot in the world, Tunisia 31st in the world, Senegal occupy the 33rd position in the world, Congo DR are 42nd in the world while Nigeria made up the top five most ranked African countries.

The Indomitable Lions have dropped 10 places to 45 in the world but 6th in Africa, Zambia who will be guests of the Super Eagles in Group B of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on October 7th in Uyo in a must win cracker moved 18 places to 78 in the world, 18th in Africa while Eagles last opponent in the world cup group Algeria dropped 11 places to 62 in the world, 11 in Africa.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles 2019 Group E AFCON qualifier conquerors, Bafana Bafana of South Africa, improved to 64.

Libya who are also in Group B occupy the 87th position and the Super Eagles next 2019 AFCON qualifiers opponents Seychelles are 194th.
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Andreas Pereira says he was not hurt by Jose Mourinho’s criticism of his decision to leave Manchester United for Valencia.

The 21-year-old secured a season-long loan move on Spain’s transfer deadline day, despite having appeared set for a first-team role at Old Trafford in 2017-18.

Mourinho accused Pereira of lacking desire to fight for his place in the United side, but the Brazil youth international sees it as a positive that the manager wanted him to stay.

“It didn’t hurt me,” he told Marca when asked about Mourinho’s comments.

“I spoke with him before coming here. On the one hand, I’m happy because he wants me and I think that, if I wasn’t a good player, he wouldn’t have wanted me to stay.

“So I look on the bright side. If I think negatively, it can hurt, but it’s a good thing for me.”

Mourinho also suggested United have the option of recalling Pereira in January, but the player expects to remain at Mestalla for the whole season.

“I spoke with him before coming here and I want to work hard and stay here for the whole year, but I don’t know what United want in the future. I don’t know anything about a clause,” he said.

Pereira spent last season in LaLiga with Granada and won praise for his performances despite the club suffering relegation.

He is now determined to help Valencia battle for success after being won over by United team-mate Juan Mata’s description of his old club.

“There’s a good feeling, with the stadium, the fans,” he said. “I’m feeling good, but I have to get used to the heat. I love the Mestalla atmosphere.

“Mata told me it’s a great club, with a really great fan base. He said the city is good, that I’ll like it a lot, that it’s hot. He only told me good things.

“Valencia are a great club who should be fighting to win LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and to be in the Champions League.

“[The decision to come] was difficult because there are people who wanted me to stay in Manchester, but it’s better for me to be here in an individual sense.”
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Arsene Wenger never contemplated a sensational switch to Manchester United from Arsenal due to his love of the Gunners’ “values”.

Former Red Devils chairman Martin Edwards wrote in his new autobiography that United sounded out the Frenchman – who has been in charge at Arsenal for two decades – about replacing legendary boss Alex Ferguson when the Scot announced he was to retire at the end of the 2001-2002 season.

As it transpired, Ferguson reneged on his original decision and signed a new deal at Old Trafford leaving Wenger, who has been the target of several high-profile approaches during his time in England, in the Arsenal hotseat.

The Frenchman concedes that United would have been an attractive proposition, but insists there was no temptation to make the swap.

“You should ask him,” Wenger responded to reporters about Edwards’ claims following Arsenal’s 3-0 Premier League win over Bournemouth.

“I am always very confidential. One day maybe I will get all the contacts I had during my stay at Arsenal and it would make a few chapters. You should ask Martin Edwards.”

Pressed on what made him stay at Arsenal, Wenger said: “Because I love the values of this club and, for me, a club is about values first.

“One day it would be a good chat to have with the press to look at the evolution. You speak about Manchester United, and the evolution in the last 20 years would be very interesting.

“A lot has changed but when I came here this club was about values that I love in sport. That is why I am still in the competition.


“So I always question myself. Yes, of course, Manchester United is attractive but am I happy here? The answer was yes.

“No [I was not tempted to move], because I was always happy here. More than [that] people [were] happy with me, I was always happy here.”
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Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is from another planet and is the world’s best, coach Zinedine Zidane said.

Ronaldo, 32, enjoyed another stellar season in 2016-17, scoring 42 goals in all competitions, helping Madrid win LaLiga and the Champions League.

As he also praised Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema, Zidane said Ronaldo was remarkable.

“Ramos is the leader, Cristiano is from another planet and Benzema is pure talent,” Zidane told beIN Sports.

Zidane managed Ronaldo’s playing time last season, with the Portugal international making 29 league appearances – his fewest since his first Madrid campaign in 2009-10.

The Frenchman praised Ronaldo for understanding, saying: “It was easy to persuade him.

“He’s a very intelligent guy and he knows himself. Cristiano pushes his team-mates on. He’s the best.”
On his team’s style, Zidane said he wanted Madrid, who host Levante in LaLiga on Saturday, to play a possession-based game, even against rivals Barcelona.

“I have so many extraordinary players that I want the team to play well,” he said.

“I am looking for the best style and that is to have more possession than your opponent, even against Barcelona.”
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic “loved” the moment Carlo Ancelotti kicked a cardboard box at his head during a half-time dressing-down of a Paris Saint-Germain match, according to Paul Clement.

The Swansea City boss has worked extensively as assistant coach to Ancelotti and enjoyed a successful spell in the French capital, winning the 2012-13 Ligue 1 title, the club’s first since 1994.

Ibrahimovic was a key part of PSG’s initial revival following the takeover by Qatar Sports Investments in 2011 and went on to become the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.

The striker, who re-signed for Manchester United last month, enjoyed a strong rapport with Ancelotti but the experienced coach admitted last year that Ibrahimovic bore the brunt of his loss of temper during a Coupe de France loss at Evian in 2013.

Clement, however, believes Ibrahimovic enjoyed the flash of anger from his boss, telling The Daily Mail: “It was like slow motion. It flew through the air and hit him. And Zlatan just brushed it off.

“There are times when some players do want that bit of anger. Zlatan liked it when the box hit him. He respected that. You wouldn’t have guessed it from the look on his face but yes, he loved that…”

Despite the incident having a good impression on Ibrahimovic, Clement believes the days of head coaches ranting furiously in the dressing-room are now long gone.

“Players think and analyse far more now,” he said. “There’s an intellectual element. For me, the days of throwing tea cups and whatever came to hand around the dressing room have to be gone.

“I remember a manager a long time ago and every half-time it would be the same – shouting, shouting, shouting. I remember asking a player afterwards: ‘What did he say?’ He just shook his head.”
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Real Madrid remain the favourites to win the Champions League despite Paris Saint-Germain’s heavy investment, according to Michael Ballack.

Zinedine Zidane’s side became the first team to successfully win the competition in its modern guise in two successive seasons, while PSG’s hopes were ended by a crushing 6-5 aggregate defeat to Barcelona.

In their ongoing quest for continental domination, the Ligue 1 club signed Neymar for a world-record €222million and brought Kylian Mbappe in on an initial loan deal from Monaco, moves that prompted UEFA to launch an investigation into a potential breach of the Financial Fair Play regulations.

But Ballack, a two-time runner-up in the Champions League with Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea, believes Madrid remain the best team on the continent.

“For me, Real Madrid are at the top of all things at the moment. The experience, the class, the recent success. It speaks for itself,” said the German.

“Even PSG with all their signings are not on their level now. They have a top team and are able to win the Champions League, but other teams can succeed as well.

“On paper, Real Madrid are the main favourites in my opinion.”
Ballack envisages his former club Bayern Munich being among the contenders, praising Carlo Ancelotti’s optimism as he looks to improve in his second year at the Allianz Arena.

“I can understand his optimism, because he is a coach of a top team which always has the chance to win the Champions League. If that always happens is another question, but he illustrates it,” said Ballack.

“I think that’s the right way as a coach. He has won a lot with different teams and knows exactly how to win the Champions League with all his experience. It’s the right way to attack that goal offensively and positively, especially for his players.

“It’s still a team with stars, although it seems the team is getting younger. Ancelotti showed in the past, that he can work with different teams and different players.

“It’s important to make his point at Bayern. After a year familiarisation, which is not always easy concerning the language, to reach everyone, to find the right words in the right moment… I think he can be more confident, because he’s a confident character and convinced of himself.

“He should attack, because he has the possibility to attack with Bayern. He can reach something big, to win Champions League with three different teams.”
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Jose Mourinho has suggested that managers who leave a club “in conditions for failure” are more damaging than short-term bosses.

The Portuguese has yet to last four full seasons at a single side, taking in spells with Benfica, Uniao de Leiria, Porto, Chelsea (twice), Inter Milan, Real Madrid and current club Manchester United.

Responding to criticism that he does not prioritise fielding young players as he is simply focused on the short-term, Mourinho insists that he tends to leave teams in a better state than when he arrived.

In an apparent dig at Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger, who he has previously labelled a “specialist in failure”, the United chief told The Times: “If people say that because I win and leave, I have to accept that because in a certain period of my career I did that. When I win the Champions League, at Porto, at Inter, I disappear.

“I left Real Madrid when the club wanted me to stay. The only place I was sacked was Chelsea, but always after winning the title. If people say that because I move from club to club, they’re right, but I don’t think I am [short-termist]. I prepare clubs for success.

“I think I prepare clubs in a way where, when I leave, the new manager arrives at a top club. And that is not short-term even if you leave. If you’re in a club one or two years — or any job — if you leave a structure to be even more successful without you than with you, that’s not short-term. That’s long-term.

“As an example, short-term can be the guy that is at one club 20 years or 15 years or ten years and leaves the club in conditions for… what is the opposite of success? Failure. One who leaves the club in conditions for failure. That is a short-term manager. You can be there 10 or 20 years and when you leave the club, it’s ready for failure.”

Mourinho has led his club to domestic league glory on eight occasions during his 17 years in senior management, most recently doing so with Chelsea in 2014-15.
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Jose Mourinho insists he is in no rush to sign a contract extension as the Manchester United boss is content to serve out his three-year deal before entering negotiations.

Reports have linked the former Real Madrid boss with extending his stay at Old Trafford following the club’s flying start to the campaign, but the 54-year-old distanced himself from such speculation.

Having guided United to the EFL Cup and Europa League title last season, the 2017-18 campaign has started with three Premier League wins on the bounce, but that does not mean Mourinho is eyeing a more long-term commitment.

“I don’t think about it,” he told The Times when quizzed on the prospect of penning fresh terms. “I don’t need a new contract to work to my limits.

“I don’t have a problem to arrive at the end of my contract and be free to decide what I want to do and the club free to decide what they want to do.

“In the past I always wanted to coach in different places. When I came to Chelsea in 2004 I never thought to stay for 20 years. Never.

“When I went to Italy I always had in mind I had to go to Spain. If in this moment now you ask me can I go to France or to Germany, I say, ‘Why not? Why not?’.

“But I’m in a different moment in my career now. I always had Spain and Italy [as places where he hoped to manage], but England is my passion and at this moment I can say I would like to stay many years.”

United return to top-flight action with a trip to Stoke City on Saturday before kicking off the Champions League group stage with the visit of Basel.
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Radamel Falcao denied Brazil a 10th consecutive World Cup qualifying win and grabbed a vital 1-1 draw for Colombia in their own quest to reach Russia 2018.

Brazil’s place in the finals is secure as group winners after dominating the notoriously unforgiving CONMEBOL section under the guidance of head coach Tite, and they looked set to continue their march when Willian magnificently opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time.

Colombia went into the game at the head of devilishly congested chasing pack and seasoned striker Falcao brought his prolific Monaco form to a raucous Estadio Metropolitano in Barranquilla.

Jose Pekerman’s men now have 26 points, only three more than Argentina in fifth, but Chile’s defeat in Bolivia guarantees they will enter next month’s concluding qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru in one of the four automatic qualification places.

Falcao has seven goals in four Ligue 1 games so far this season and the second-half header by Colombia’s all-time record goalscorer was excellently dispatched.

Another man tussling for top honours in France this year, Neymar, was unable to similarly get on the scoresheet despite an inventive, all-action showing.
Torrents of boos greeted Brazil whenever they enjoyed early possession but Paulinho almost smuggled home an opener at the far post from Dani Alves’ deep cross after Neymar initiated a fourth-minute counter attack.

Felipe Luis clattering through Juan Cuadrado did little to endear the Brazil left-back to the home faithful, while Alves was on the end of similarly robust treatment from Colombia winger Edwin Cardona as the contest threatened to boil over.

Play restarted from the latter stoppage with a Brazil corner and Cardona made a nuisance of himself once again – blocking on the line when Fernandinho prodded goalwards.

James finally gave Brazil goalkeeper Allison some work to do at his near post as the half ticked past its halfway point, although he did not make a clean contact on the end of Cardona’s fine reverse pass.

After a hydration break, Neymar tore at the Colombia backline and Roberto Firmino scuffed his shot towards the bottom right corner, forcing David Ospina to tip to safety.

Neymar was made to wait to take a corner as a dog entered the field and was reluctant to leave – moving the match into first-half stoppage time, when Brazil spectacularly took the lead.

The set-piece was cleared by Colombia but the ball was lifted back towards goal, Neymar’s volleyed lay-off sat up invitingly for Willian and the Chelsea winger brilliantly thrashed into the top corner from the edge of the area.

Pekerman’s decision to replace Cuadrado with Yimmi Chara did little to initially increase Colombia’s threat in the second half but they pulled level through a familiar source in the 56th minute.

Right-back Santiago Arias whipped in a fine ball from the right and Falcao escaped Silva’s attentions and expertly steered a header into the far corner.
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Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar labelled Josep Maria Bartomeu a “joke” after the Barcelona president’s recent comments regarding his move.

Neymar, 25, made a stunning world-record €222million move to PSG last month and has made an impressive start to life in Ligue 1.

Bartomeu had told Sport the LaLiga giants made the mistake of relying too much on Neymar and his father, who is also the forward’s agent.

But the Brazil star hit back on Instagram, replying to a post from broadcaster Esporte Interativo which quoted Bartomeu.

“This president is a joke,” Neymar wrote, followed by four crying laughing emojis.Barca struggled to find a replacement for Neymar, but did sign Ousmane Dembele from Borussia Dortmund for a reported €105million.

Neymar has scored three goals and provided as many assists in his first three league games for PSG.
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Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva has revealed that former Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo was the catalyst behind his move to the Premier League.

The 23-year-old arrived at the Etihad Stadium in May after playing an integral role in Monaco’s stunning 2016-17 season, which saw them win the Ligue 1 title and reach the Champions League semi-finals.

Silva, who set City back a reported £43million, hopes to make a similar impact at his new club and has revealed that it was Ronaldo and another former United player who convinced him to make the switch.
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“When I was with Portugal at the Confederations Cup and about to sign, I asked Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani about the city,” Silva told FourFourTwo.

“They told me how much they enjoyed it here. They said that all of the people were great and that it’s a real football city. The Premier League, too – a competitive league with full stadiums each week and everyone watching. They both said it would be a great move.”

Silva is one of seven new faces at the Etihad Stadium for the 2017/18 campaign, and believes that the club should have its sights set on challenging on all fronts.

“The Champions League is more difficult to win,” he added. “Of course, the Premier League isn’t easy to win, but the Champions League has all of the best teams in Europe, so it’s as good as it gets. Manchester City have never won it either, so I want to make history.

“We have a lot of young players with a lot of quality. Throw in some experience as well and we’ve got a team who can compete on all fronts.

“The Premier League title is a big goal for the club this season, but the Champions League is huge. When you’re at a club like City, you have to fight to win every competition.”
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Diego Simeone has extended his contract as Atletico Madrid head coach until 2020.

The Atletico boss signed a two-year extension on Tuesday, extending his reign at a club where he took charge in December 2011.

A year ago, Simeone and Atleti agreed to shorten his contract expiry date from 2020 until 2018 amid speculation linking him with a move away.

But the 47-year-old’s deal is now back at its original length, meaning he is tied to the club for the next three seasons.
Simeone, a former Atletico player, has achieved huge success so far, winning LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and the Europa League among five major trophies.

He also led them to two Champions League finals, in 2014 and 2016, suffering defeats to city rivals Real Madrid on both occasions.

Atleti have finished in the top three of LaLiga for each of his five full seasons in charge.

Simeone’s extension comes in the wake of Atletico’s 5-1 LaLiga win away at Las Palmas, which was his 200th in all competitions since taking charge. The club, currently operating under a transfer ban, are set to start life at new stadium Wanda Metropolitano on September 16 when they host Malaga.
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Gianluigi Buffon feels Real Madrid have a great goalkeeper in Keylor Navas and have no reason to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Juventus and Buffon were beaten 4-1 by Madrid in June’s Champions League final, as the Spanish side became the first team in the competition’s modern era to win back-to-back European titles.

Navas has been Madrid’s shot stopper for both of those triumphs, but that did not stop Zinedine Zidane’s men being linked with a new keeper in the transfer window.

Manchester United’s David de Gea is repeatedly mentioned as a target, while Donnarumma was connected with a potential move prior to signing a new contract with AC Milan.

Buffon, though, cannot see a reason why Madrid would not keep faith in Navas, who was occasionally criticised last season.

Asked if Madrid should sign a new keeper like Italy team-mate Donnarumma, Buffon told Marca: “Real Madrid haven’t lacked anything over the past 10 years, as they have bought the best footballers.

“Keylor Navas is a great goalkeeper, despite what some say.

“They have won two Champions Leagues with him and he has often been important on the way to winning them.

“I don’t believe there is a need to sign, as the results have shown that they are winning as it is.”
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David De Gea feels Isco has the talent and personality to “become one of the greatest” after the Spain international made a flying start to the season for club and country.

Isco scored in Real Madrid’s UEFA Super Cup victory over De Gea’s Manchester United last month and struck twice as Spain defeated Italy 3-0 on Saturday to take control of their World Cup qualifying group.

The 2010 world champions are three points clear of the Azzurri with three matches remaining and can take another major step toward securing a place in the finals in Russia by beating Liechtenstein away on Tuesday.

Speaking to the media before that game, United goalkeeper De Gea claimed Isco’s sparkling form of late is no accident.

“Personally I have known Isco for ages so it’s no surprise for me what he’s doing,” he said.

“I have seen him doing incredible things for so long now so people shouldn’t be surprised either.

“He’s been performing at a high level and doing incredible things on the pitch for a while.

“He’s at a top level and that’s great for the team. We hope he keeps improving.

“Bearing in mind his personality, he’ll become one of the greatest.”
Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets was on the wrong end of a masterclass from Isco and Madrid in a 3-1 Spanish Super Cup defeat at Camp Nou last month.

And the holding midfielder was reluctant to pick a favourite between the in-form 25-year-old and Blaugrana colleague Andres Iniesta.

“Personally I do not like comparing players,” he said.

“No doubt they both are top-quality players but each one of them has their ways of interpreting football and also of playing, even though they might be similar.

“Isco has been showing in recent years his talent. He scored two goals [against Italy] and was outstanding.

“His role is getting more predominant within his team but we already knew what he was capable of.

“For us, having players like Isco or Andres that are able to use their skills and capabilities at the service of the team is a real pleasure.”
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Dele Alli has insisted the middle finger gesture he was caught on camera making during England’s win over Slovakia was aimed at Kyle Walker and not referee Clement Turpin.

Alli could find himself the subject of retroactive disciplinary action for seemingly expressing dissent toward the match official in the 2-1 World Cup qualifying victory at Wembley on Monday.

England manager Gareth Southgate told a news conference Alli had targeted his former Tottenham team-mate and the Spurs attacking midfielder has now used social media to reiterate that stance.

“Just to clarify, the gesture tonight was a joke between me and my good friend Kyle Walker! Apologies for any offence caused! Great win 2nite,” he wrote on Twitter.
Goals from Eric Dier and Marcus Rashford saw England come from behind to win in London, moving five points clear at the top of Group F with two games to go.
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Juventus goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon feels like Ronaldo was “created in a lab” as he lauded the Brazilian icon.

Before Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo battled it out with Barcelona foe Lionel Messi for domestic and international supremacy, his namesake wowed the football world.

Ronaldo dominated during his illustrious career, winning titles with PSV, Barcelona, Inter and Real Madrid, while he helped Brazil to two World Cup trophies in 1994 and 2002 as he won three FIFA World Player of the Year awards and two Ballons d’Or.

Asked which strikers caused him the most problems, veteran Italy international Buffon heaped praise on the 40-year-old.

“The striker who caused me all kinds [of trouble] was Ronaldo, the Brazilian one,” Buffon, 39, told Marca.

“He was the perfect player, as he had power, speed, intuition technical skills and quickness. He was a jaw-dropping player.

“It seemed like he was created in a lab.”

Ronaldo earned 98 caps for Brazil following his debut in 1994, scoring 62 goals – only second to all-time leader Pele.
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