manchester united Category
Manchester United football club news, Manchester United transfers, Premier League
Manchester United v The Sun: Pep vanishes in Paris
Compare and contrast two of today’s stories on Manchester United an Pepe Guardiola:
And the, as reported by the Guardian:
Manchester United have denied reports that club officials met Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola in Paris last week to discuss the possibility of him replacing Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford. A report in France Football on Thursday claimed that the meeting with the Spaniard took place at the Hotel Bristol in the 8th arrondissement of the French capital last week. However, a United spokesman insisted there was no truth in the story.
Mentions of France Football in The Sun’s story: nil, although, like the Express, it does mention “reports in France” as the story’s source.
Either the Sun doesn’t check sources before it yells ‘Scoop!’ or else United are mistaken.
Posted: 22nd, January 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United move for Pep, block Van Gaal and have £45m for Stones
Manchester United have been talking to Pepe Guardiola, the football manager who will lead whichever club he coaches to ultimate glory. The Sun says Manchester United’s schmoozers met Pep at the “five-star Le Bristol hotel” in Paris. This was, we are told a “secret”.
It is also a “shock” to Manchester City who “convinced” Pep was on his way to their place. The paper suggests Pep is reluctant to reach an agreement with City because his current club, Bayern Munich, could meet them in the Champions League.
The Mirror leads with news that current Man United boss, Louis Van Gaal, is certain to leave the club in the summer. The United board have slapped him with a “transfer ban”. ll big deals are on the “back burner”. Odd because it was the Mirror that reported on December 31 2015, “Manchester United close in on £35m midfielder” and today yells: “John Stones ‘remains Louis van Gaal’s top target.” Van Gaal will bid £45m for Stones.
Such are the facts.
Posted: 22nd, January 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United balls: Louis Van Gaal ‘Walks’
The Daily Mirror has news: Louis Van Gone – Old Trafford pressures force boss to consider his future.. he could walk a year before the end of his contract.”
This follows other Lois Van Gaal walking news:
And so to today’s walking Louis news:
Louis van Gaal is considering walking out on Manchester United this summer – a year before his contract expires… Sources in Holland claim the Dutchman’s family have become increasingly concerned at the heavy toll leading the Old Trafford giants is taking on the 64-year-old.
Sources in his homeland? If he goes, then what?
Van Gaal stepping down would leave the way clear for Jose Mourinho, sacked by Chelsea last month, to take over — the Special One is said to be willing to bide his time until the summer to land the Old Trafford gig.
Mourinho is “willing” be manager of the biggest club in British football. Feel the humility. Why United would go for Mourinho seems odd. Maybe thy plan to narrow the Old Trafford pitch?
Posted: 20th, January 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Manchester United can win league say every tabloid that wants Van Gaal sacked
When Liverpool play Manchester United the Press like to hype it as a meeting comparable to Spain’s El Clasico, the shimmering fixture between Real Madrid and Barcelona. It isn’t. It’s a match between a mid-table side (Liverpool) and also-rans (Manchester United) in an ordinary Premier League league. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp calls these big matches ‘the salt in the soup’. But the soup is horribly thin and over-priced.
In yesterday’s poor match, Manchester United took all three points thanks to a Wayne Rooney goal scored with United’s single shot on target. Rooney’s strike was the one moment of genuine skill in a game devoid of style, intensity, technique and excitement.
The tabloids all lead with news that the result is all that matters.
The Express: “VanTitle Drive – Rooney keeps United hopes alive”
Mirror: “Van Gaal: We are back in title race… and it’s all down to wayne goals”.
The Sun: “Roo Gotta Believe Us – We can still win title claims defiant LVG”
Daily Mail: “Roo in Title Charge – His goal puts United back in the frame”
A dull away win against a bang average Liverpool side and Manchester Untied can in the Premier League. Wow! And these are the same paper that a few weeks ago wanted LG sacked for being dull.
Posted: 18th, January 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer balls: Toni Kroos rejoins Manchester United in clickbait cavalcade
Transfer balls spot this in the Metro: Real Madrid are tying to sell Manchester United Toni Kroos, 26, to help them pay for Paris St-Germain striker Edinson Cavani, 28.
Regular readers will recall the tabloids telling them that Kroos joined United from Bayern Munich in May 2014.
The trusty Metro said Man United has paid £20m for Kroos.
All total balls. Kroos joined Real for £20m on a six-year deal.
And so to today’s Metro scoop:
Real Madrid want Manchester United to spend £40.5million on the transfer of Toni Kroos so they can use the funds to sign Arsenal target Edinson Cavani.
Real bought Kroos for £20m. They want to get rid of him so are asking for over £40m. Eh?
The La Liga side are concerned that their transfer ban will leave them short in the striking department. Real president Florentino Perez wants to sign the Paris Saint-Germain striker but needs to raise funds to do so. And he is willing to let United buy Kroos to fund a deal, according to A Bola.
The three clubs showed to the representative of Kroos their willingness to engage in talks with Real Madrid at the end of the season and put on the table a negotiating offer of around €50m. The whites signed the world champion in the summer of 2014 for €25m. Kroos had only one year contract with Bayern and didn’t want to renew, so the price of his transfer was much lower than his actual market price.
No sources are cited. There are no quotes. No names. From that one report so many newspaper say Manchester United have bid over €50m for Kroos.
You have to wonder why when facing a two window transfer ban Real would sell one of their players, especially one on a long contract?
Posted: 17th, January 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Liverpool v Manchester United: hyping the mid-table v also-rans
The tabloids are attempting to light the bunsen burner beneath Liverpool’s home match with Manchester United. It’s not an easy thing to do. Liverpool, an ordinary mid-table side, versus also-rans Manchester United. Game on!
The papers looks at the charisma-free players on either side, fail to spot any signs of tension, fight, star-quality or feuds, and decide to focus attention on the teams’ respective managers.
The Sun says Liverpool boss Jurgen Kloop, fresh from wildly celebrating a last-gasp home draw with Arsenal – Liverpool fans still unsure how far their club have fallen should study his frenzied reaction and weep – “Said No to United.”
JURGEN KLOPP snubbed a chance to fill Alex Ferguson’s boots at Manchester United.
The Liverpool boss was approached by Fergie himself three years ago. But Klopp admitted: “We spoke and it was a big honour but there was a time I couldn’t leave Dortmund. It was April and in the middle of the planning for next season… We spoke but I first had to finish the job with Dortmund then think about other things. Maybe that is not smart but that is my way.”
No snub, then. Klopp was tied to his beloved Dortmund. He would not leave them in the lurch.
The Express says Klopp “turned down Fergie”. Klopp was not first choice for United. Ferguson sounded out many managers about them taking over at Old Trafford.
The Mirror and Star both lead with Louis Van Gaal, a man who for week has been on the “brink” of getting the sack at Old Trafford – well, so the papers have told us. He’s still there. Asked if he thinks United will go as long without winning the title as Liverpool, who last won the league in 1990, Van Gaal says:
“I am part of the transition so I cannot imagine that shall happen with Manchester United. But when it’s happening to Liverpool it can happen to Manchester United but I cannot imagine that because we are in transition and we are going in the right way.
“Maybe it shall take a longer time but I cannot imagine that it shall be the same period for Manchester United – the club is too big, too well organised and we have an infrastructure and we are improving that every year.”
So much for his having a pop at Liverpool. He says it could happen to any team.
It’s war!
Posted: 16th, January 2016 | In: Back pages, Liverpool, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer balls: Madrid ban kills Manchester United’s plans for Bale and Chelsea’s move for Simeone
In “Bale Bombshell”, the Mail leads with news that Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid have been banned from registering new players for two transfer windows. Both clubs are guilty of breaking rules governing the importing of player under 18.
This has a “major impact” on players like Gareth Bale, David De Gea, Eden Hazard and Cristiano Ronaldo. Sharp eyes will have noticed that two of those players don’t actually play for Real Madrid. But the Mail reasons that Real want to buy De Gea from Manchester United and Hazard from Chelsea, and sell Bale to United and Ronaldo to PSG.
This leads the Mail to declare a state of “mayhem” in the transfer market. Pete Jenson says Everton “could” look to panic buy Everton’s John Stones. Although if Real appeal, they “could” secure a delay to their ban, meaning they “could” buy David De Gea next summer. They “could” also sell Bale to Manchester United.
The Times, says the ban “all but ends” Manchester United’s hopes of recruiting Bale or Ronaldo. Chelsea are hurt in their pursuit of Diego Simeone, the Atletico coach. He loves the club and “may well demur at the prospect of leaving them in the lurch”. Also, Atletico might block Chelsea’s attempts to buy Antoine Guzmann.
On the plus side, Manchester United will have one less rival for Robert Lewandowski, and Manchester City in their hunt for Paul Pogba’s signature.
The Sun says the ban triggers a £250m “mad dash” by Real to sign as many players as possible. This means they will buy David De Gea, Sergio Aguero , Paul Pogba, Robert Lewandowski and Eden Hazard. The Star adds Harry Kane to the list.
Is it all just hype? When Barcelona were banned from all transfer activity in 2015, they used their appeal to sign targets. Barcelona were handed a 14-month ban in April 2014 after being found guilty of breaching Fifa’s rules on the transfer of players aged under 18. Fifa rejected an appeal in August 2014 but a pending appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport allowed Barca to sign players, including Luis Suarez, Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal. Barcelona signed lots of players during their ban but never registered them until it ended. When it did, they registered a mere 77 players.
The agents are going to be busy.
Posted: 15th, January 2016 | In: Back pages, Chelsea, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United sack Van Gaal (soon…maybe)
Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal is on game from defeat. So says the Times on its back page.
If you say it for long enough eventually you can be proven right:
And on it goes…
Posted: 14th, January 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer balls: Manchester United want Guardiola, Messi, Kroos, Niguez, Cavani and Gomes
Manchester United will seek to make Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola their manager. To help him settle in at Old Trafford, United will sign Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, who Pep used to manage.
This we know because we read it in the Daily Star. The paper adds that Manchester United can afford both Pep and Messi because they have lots and lots of cash from Adidas. Will Messi will want to play for Manchester United – following a path trod by Argentine players Juan Veron and Angela Di Maria, both who flopped at Old Trafford after big money moves? Question asked, question answered. It’s not going to happen.
Next up is Toni Kroos. Fichajes says the Real Madrid player is going to either Chelsea or Man United. The Express says both clubs have approached the players agent with £40m in their hands.
Can we trust the Express to be right? Let’s look at the paper’s past reporting on Kroos:
The Express later declared:
MANCHESTER UNITED have agreed a deal with Bayern Munich for attacker Toni Kroos
Sticking with the Daily Express we learn that United want Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez, 21, who wants to remain in Spain.
The Independent says United want Valencia play-maker Andre Gomes, 22, because Niguez won’t return their calls.
Lastly, the Manchester Evening News says Edinson Cavani could be of interest, as could Mats Hummels, who in January 2015 caused the Daily Star to scream: “Borussia Dortmund star Mats Hummels AGREES £37m Manchester United deal.” He didn’t. He went nowhere – much like reporting on Manchester United targets.
Posted: 13th, January 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United transfer news: Pep sniffs, Blanc in, £40m for Lukaku, Ronaldo dead
Transfer balls: A look at players being linked to Manchester United in today’s Press.
Manchester United are interested in Paris St-Germain manager Laurent Blanc. They want him now or in the summer, reports the Le10 Sport via Daily Star.
The Star also reports, that Manchester United are interested in recruiting Pep Guardiola, the Spanish coach who wants to manager a Premier League team next season. Current United coach Louis Van Gaal says Pep “wants to sniff the culture of England.” Does the Premier League have a perfume? It should do. HYPE, by PL: base notes of used bank notes and crude oil overlaid with top notes of phlegm, lager and yoga mat. All served in a satellite-dish shaped bottle which when opens plays Search for the Hero, by M People.
The Star says Van Gaal is not fazed by talk of Pep to Old Trafford. He shouldn’t worry, says talkSport. The radio station thunders: ” Man United are not pursuing Pep Guardiola because he lacks Premier League experience, claims Spanish football expert.”
Which is why, er, United went for PL rookie Van Gaal.
Sky Sports says “Watford forward Odion Ighalo admits it would be hard to reject Man Utd.”
“There has been speculation from Spain and Italy but I’ve played there and now want to play in England,” Ighalo told the Sun. “I don’t think I will be moving but I’m not sure I’d say no if United called.”
United have not called.
The MEN says United are not going to win the race to sign Brazil striker Alexandre Pato: “Tutto Mercato claims that bitter rivals Liverpool are set to win the race for Corinthians star, with the club eager to offload him because of his massive wages.”
Ronaldo won’t be rejoining United. New Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane tells everyone:
“Cristiano Ronaldo is non-transferable. He’s the soul of this team. While he’s here, he won’t leave. Cristiano will play on the wings, how he’s most comfortable. I won’t tell him much. I want him to be happy.”
Cue lost more news on Ronaldo to United.
One signing that should excite United fans is that of Romelu Lukaku, the talented Everton striker. The Metro reports United have £40m for the Belgian.
Why Everton would sell their £28m star to a rival mid way through the season is a moot point. Surely they won’t.
Posted: 9th, January 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment (1)
Transfer Balls: Ronaldo and Bale to Man United, Messi to Man City, Pep to Chelsea
Transfer balls: The British Press is obsessed with Real Madrid. The latest news is that Cristiano Ronaldo will definitely leave Real Madrid in the summer, with Manchester United and Paris St-Germain keen to sign the 30-year-old Portugal forward. So says the Telegraph.
This will trigger a new wave of spending by Real Madrid, who will fight PSG for Chelsea’s Eden Hazard. The 24-year-old Belgium forward is certain to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer, says the Daily Mail.
And there is Gareth Bale, the 26-year-old Real Madrid player who will follow Ronaldo out of the Spanish capital, heading to join Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Manchester United or PSG. Unless he elects to stay in Spain, says the Sun.
Should Bale head to Manchester United he will hook up with that club’s next manager. Yeah, it’s 56-year-old Carlo Ancelotti, who was approached by United’s king maker’s last November. Back then the Italian rejected the chance to replace Louis van Gaal because he wants to manage Bayern Munich, says the Daily Mail. But he’s yet to be offered that job. So it might be United for him.
Bayern, of course, are waving goodbye to their manager, Pep Guardiola. The Manchester Evening News wonders if Pep, 44, is to be United’s next boss. News is that he won’t be. Apparently United feel he’s already set his mind on bossing Manchester City, where, says the Sun, he will attempt to buy Lionel Messi from Barcelona. The Catalans will then attempt to buy Hazard.
Unless the London Evening Standard is right and Pep is going to receive an offer from Chelsea he cannot refuse. In which case, Hazard will stay at Chelsea, Bale will stay at Real and Ronaldo will cancel his flight to Old Trafford.
Meanwhile…at Arsenal….
Posted: 7th, January 2016 | In: Back pages, Chelsea, Manchester City, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer balls: Gareth Bale to Chelsea, Hazard to Real, tabloids to guessing
Transfer balls: It’s going to be a month of Gareth Bale this and Gareth Bale that.
The Daily Mail says Bale will head to Manchester United for £75m.
The Guardiansays Bale is not leaving Real. He’s going to see if he can make a fist of it.
But if Real do sell Bale this January – which they won’t do – who will replace him in Spain? The Daily Star knows. The paper says Real will invest £100m in ‘tired’ Eden Hazard.
The Daily Mirror, speculates, that could mean Bale heading to Chelsea in a swap deal.
Maybe.
Posted: 6th, January 2016 | In: Back pages, Chelsea, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer balls: Manchester United ready huge bid for ‘disappointed’ Bale
Transfer balls: Manchester United are all set to splash a year’s worth of Adidas cash on a £75m bid for Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale.
The Daily Mirror, The Times and Daily Mail all agree this will happen.
But what will Bale do? The Press haven’t got the foggiest:
The Times says that Rafa Benitez’s sacking as Real manager has left the Wales player “intensely disappointed”.
But on the BBC, former Real Madrid coach John Toshack says of Rafa’s sacking: “I don’t see it affecting Gareth at all. I don’t see that as a problem.”
Such are the facts.
Posted: 5th, January 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united | Comment
Manchester United unveil new Adidas kit designs
The BBC’s headline is interesting: “Man Utd’s playing style ‘not exactly what Adidas want to see’.”
Adidas make sporting goods. They also sponsor Manchester United for – get this – £75m-a-year. The idea is simple: you see Wayne Rooney wiping his nose on an Adidas top and think, “I’d look as good as he does in that clobber.”
But it’s not going to plan. Manchester United are not winning every match. Herbert Hainer, the Adidas chief exec, tells Germany’s Suddeutsche Zeitung:
“…the actual way of playing of United is not exactly what we want to see.”
Surely the fault is with adidas, who should see United’s moribund playing style as a call to try a new design. Look beyond those go-ahead three stripes, the Adidas signature, and opt for other linear configurations, like this one:
This design perfectly reflects United’s approach to the opposition’s goal mouth.
And for the away kit, this is pretty ideal:
Posted: 5th, January 2016 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comments (3)
Transfer balls: De Gea announces Manchester United departure
It’s January. Football’s transfer window is open. Manchester United goalie David De Gea has a new Facebook profile photo.
Did you join the dots?
The Telegraph, did. It takes the updated photo as a sign that De Gea is preparing to leave Manchester United, causing “mild panic” to spread among the club’s supporters.
Why all the fuss? Well, chiefly because there’s no United badge on De Gea’s shirt.
De Gea is communicating in code.
But has the Telegraph missed a trick? Our pals at Pies have rotated the De Gea symbol 90 degrees…
Wow!
Posted: 4th, January 2016 | In: Back pages, Broadsheets, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United love rat Giggs makes up with cheated brother
Ryan Giggs, the Manchester United coach, wants to make up with his brother Rhodri. You might recall that Ryan was shagging Rhodri’s wife, Natasha Giggs, behind his brother’s back.
You may wonder why news that Ryan has invited his bother to a “bash” arrives at time when the current Man United manager is said to be on the “brink” of the sack.
Surely loveable Ryan Giggs isn’t using the Sun, (“Giggs in effort to make up with bro”), to bury his sordid past and make a pitch for the top job at Old Trafford?
Posted: 28th, December 2015 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United: tabloids turn Van Gaal into Graham Taylor
All that cheery speculation on when Louis Van Gaal is going to be sacked at Manchester United has got to the Dutchman.
In “I’M OFF”, the Mirror leads with his press conference – all four minutes and 58 seconds-worth of it.
As an aside, it’s odd that a tabloid should openly speculate on a man’s job. The Mirror, mired in phone hacking, is not reporting on when its leaders are going to be sacked or resign for wrongdoing. It is, though, happy to call for a football manager’s head.
The Mirror says it has “no sympathy for the Red Devil”, laying out all of Van Gaal’s faults in a charge sheet. His side have scored a “feeble 14 goals in 15 games”; he has “failed to win in six games”; he hacked Paul Gascoigne’s telephone. Sorry, got confused, there.
Over in the Express, we learn that “Louis loses it” – his cool that is. But he didn’t. Not really. He merely reminded the assembled hacks that he’s a human being and how upsetting it is to read their opinions on his looming unemployment. It was a bit like when the then England manager Graham Taylor told fans that leggy midfielder Carlton Palmer was made of flesh and bone and hurling abuse at him was out of order.
Taylor also attempted to turn the tables on the hacks. And you know how well that went, don’t you:
Van Gaal is toast.
Posted: 24th, December 2015 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Manchester United: Van Gaal sacked soon, Mourinho on a retainer, Rooney shouts a good game
“Don’t axe Van Gaal, ” pleads Neville. So begins the Daily Express’ sports coverage. It’s Phil Neville, the jobbing football pundit and former Manchester United player. Phil says United are in the “Louis Van Gaal era”. He says “constant change is not the answer”. He wants United to “look for stability”.
Neville adds that United are only a few points off the Premier League’s top three. He’s right. They are. But as any Arsenal fan will tell you, coming fourth is not much like competing for the top spot. Manchester United are also-rans.
The Mirror says United must “SORT IT OUT NOW”. These are the words of Wayne Rooney, who “led a rallying cry to save Manchester United’s troubled season”.
Aston Villa fans must roll their eyes. What they would give for United’s troubles.
The Mail says a Manchester United revolt is being led by Ander Herrera, which must be a lot like being shouted at by a chipmunk.
The Mirror says Jose Mourinho has been asked by Manchester United’s bosses not to consider any job offers without first informing United. Is he on a retainer? The Mirror then says the same bosses have told Van Gaal his job is safe.
Will Van Gaal quit, then? No, says Van Gaal on the Star’s back page. He won’t go. Why would he when the sack earns the Dutchman a £9m pay-off?
Posted: 23rd, December 2015 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Chelsea £17m a year for Pep, Mourinho met Manchester United last week, Ferguson returns
The tabloids continue to obsesses with who is going to be manager of Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City, respectively, when January is out. Arsenal don’t seem to be in need of a new broom (see back pages above), showing the rest that sticking with a man and working to a plan can work.
The Mail (back page): “Chelsea move for Guardiola.
Page 72: “Money no object as Roman bids to lure Pep.”
Readers learn that Guardiola has “assessed” the Chelsea squad and calculated the Blues will need 10 new players. Yeah. That’s all. We’re also introduced to Mrs Pep, Cristina Serra. The Mail says she could “sway” her husband’s decision.
Daily Express: (back page): “Mourinho lined up for Old Trafford.”
This is a story that repeats. Why would Manchester United want Jose Mourinho, a successful but irritating man with no roots at United, who sees clubs as existing for his benefit? We can debate it at length, but the Express says United’s management are ready to give current manager Louis Van Gaal the boot and replace him with the Portuguese.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: 22nd, December 2015 | In: Back pages, Chelsea, Manchester City, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United: Van Gal one game away from sack as Mourinho meets Glazers
Louis Van Gaal has one match to save his Manchester United career. The Mirror leads with new that anything other than victory against Stoke City on Boxing Day will mean curtains for the Dutchman.
The paper reasons that even victory in that match will only delay the inevitable.
The Star says Van Gaal has two games left. The Sun says he’s “on the brink”. Is that three games, then?
The Mail says Van Gaal could be fired before the Stoke game.
The Express says he’s “teetering”.
All newspapers say Van Gaal is leaving. They just don’t know when.
And all agree that Jose Mourinho will replace him at Old Trafford.
No word on Mark Hughes, the Stoke manager who once graced the pitch for Man United. Why not place him in the Old Trafford hot seat? Alan Pardew? Or why not really go for it and make Eddie Howe an offer? The media have no room for foresight. It’s all same-old, same-old. Mourinho to old Trafford. Zzzzzz.
The Sun goes further than its rivals and says Jose is already talking to United.
It looks like Jose to United is very much on.
Chelsea fans still singing his name must be gutted.
Posted: 21st, December 2015 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Manchester United want Jose Mourinho as Van Gaal slumps
No longer working in English football, Jose Moutinho continues to be the main news story. The Mail leads with a picture of Louis Van Gaal, the hammer-headed Manchester United manager, and asks a question: “Time To Call Jose?”
The answer must be a resounding ‘no. Of course, Mourinho wants the United job – it’s the biggest in British football. But United’s dealmakers are shy of recruiting a man with a reputation sullied by bitchiness and division.
ESPN says Mourinho craves the Old Trafford job. The Independent says United are giving serious consideration to hiring Jose.
But, as the Star notes, the only people linking Mourinho with the Manchester United boss Van Gaal’s job in public, other than the media, are the Norwich City fans who teased the Dutchman by chanting “Jose Mourinho – he’s getting your job!” as the mighty Canaries defeated United 1-2.
The Mirror adds that “fans everywhere are convinced Mourinho is headed to Old Trafford” – which, of course, they are not. The news has been thick with stories of Jose to Real Madrid.
As for Van Gaal, well, he says: “I think I can turn the situation around. My record suggests I am a very successful manager, although maybe now I should say I was a very successful manager.”
The Guardian adds a little more on the shadow of Jose:
Mourinho is a manager United considered as a successor to Sir Alex Ferguson, before passing over him in favour of David Moyes. That decision did not end well and, now the recruitment of Van Gaal is also becoming problematic, many supporters would like to see the club bite the bullet and reverse their original decision. It would cost a lost of money, with Van Gaal in mid-contract, though compared to the £250m the club has spent on players with no visible improvement the expense could be borne if the directors have the desire and the courage.
Man United have the money, but surely not Jose.
Posted: 20th, December 2015 | In: Back pages, Chelsea, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer balls: Muller wants Manchester United but snubs them
Manchester United can forget about singing Thomas Müller. The Times says the talented German “put an end to Manchester United’s hopes” by signing a new deal with Bayern Munich until 2021. The Times calls this a “snub” to Old Trafford.
The news also makes you wonder what the Daily Mirror was talking about when it declared in August: “Thomas Muller wants to join Manchester United”.
Posted: 19th, December 2015 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Man City pay Guardiola £84m but Chelsea say ‘name your price’
Pep Guardiola has moved “one step closer” to Manchester City says the Mirror. The paper leads with news that Pep Guardiola is “poised to join his old Barcelona mates and quit Bayern Munich for Manchester millions”.
It seems odd that a man at the top of football would be in it for the money, as the Mirror implies. Does he really want to live in Manchester? Would he not prefer to wait for a London club, say, Arsenal, where his style of football would be an easy fit?
The Sun says Arsenal would suit Pep, but they have less money to spend on top players and Arsene Wenger is not leaving.
As for the wages, Marca says Bayern have offered Pep £14.5m (€20m) a season. He’s not exactly shy of big-money offers. So why City? Well, he has worked with The Citizens’ chief executive, Ferran Soriano, and the director of football, Txiki Begiristain. Those are his “Barcelona mates”.
So much for the headlines. But reading on in the Mirror we learn that Pep is not poised to join City. He has simply announced that he will make his decision on whether or not to remain at Bayern Munich in the next week. However German magazine Kicker does say he is definitely on his way out.
Guardiola is in the final year of his contract with Germany’s champions. What he’s going to do next is largely a matter of media guesswork. The Guardian says “his availability next season would also appeal to Manchester United and possibly Chelsea”. The Times says Chelsea is not an option because Pep was “unsettled by Roman Abramovich’s relentless pursuit while he was enjoying time away from the game in New York”.
The Sun returns to the Pep pay packet, saying Chelsea will pay him the most. They want him to “name his price”. City will offer him £84m over four years. Chelsea will top that and throw in a glitzy life in London.
Pep has options. That much is clear. But the Mirror says he’s on his way to City for sure. In fact, he’s already “lined up stars” to play for him at the Etihad, players like Paul Pogba and John Stones.
Well, maybe.
Posted: 17th, December 2015 | In: Arsenal, Back pages, Chelsea, Manchester City, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer balls: Luis Suarez to Manchester United and other Arsenal and Liverpool clickbait
Transfer balls: and now for a Daily Star masterclass is utter tosh:
Luis Suarez to Man Utd, Real eye all-star Arsenal duo, Liverpool deal close
Story 1: Suarez to Manchester United:
BuzzSport report, United bosses are concerned they will fall short in their pursuits of the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo or Paul Pogba.
Unable to sign any of those players, United will – get this – swoop for Luis Suarez.
…they are looking into the possibility of a move for Suarez, hoping he could be tempted by a return to the Premier League.
Possible. Hope. Could.
Story 2: Ozil and Sanchez to Real Madrid
Reports from Spanish press Don Balon claim that the La Liga giants want the Gunners’ star duo Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.
Facts to support the Spanish magazine’s claim: zero.
Story 3: Liverpool deal
Simon Mignolet is set to be handed a new deal by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp despite his latest blunder.
Liverpool fans must be overjoyed.
Posted: 16th, December 2015 | In: Arsenal, Back pages, Liverpool, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer balls: Manchester United and Chelsea start bidding war for Everton’s John Stones
The Daily Express says this January Chelsea will return with a £40m bid for Everton’s John Stones. This is, of course, a complete guess, based on the Chelsea’s failed moves for Stones over the summer.
The Blues failed with £40m in the summer, and a combination of their bad form and Everton’s consistency and optimism will will surely only necessitate and much higher bid.
A few days ago. the Independent said Manchester United will offer £50m for Stones.
Simon Jones ups the ante, telling Daily Mail readers that Barcelona are also after the English defender. There were noises linking Stones to Barcelona before, but the Catalans instead bought Jeremy Mathieu from Valencia for £14.5m and Thomas Vermaelen from Arsenal for £15m.
Right now Stones is earning £30,000 a week at Everton. If he’s worth £50m, then surely his wages will have match the £200,000-a-week Manchester City pay their £50m striker Raheem Sterling. That surely leaves Arsenal out of the running – and Everton unable to hold onto their star.
Posted: 15th, December 2015 | In: Back pages, Chelsea, manchester united, Sports | Comment
