Mane focus eyes on Champions League not Real Madrid links

Sadio Mane admits he is flattered by suggested interest from Real Madrid but insists he is happy at Liverpool and fully focused on trying to help them win the Champions League.

Reports from Spain in recent weeks have suggested that Real want to bring the Senegal forward and Manchester United’s French midfielder Paul Pogba to the Bernabeu.

Mane will be in action across the city on Saturday, at Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano home, which will host the Champions League final between Liverpool and Tottenham.

The 27-year-old has scored 17 goals in 24 matches for his club since the turn of the year, and is expected to lead his country’s attack in Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, which starts in late June.

Ronaldo: Man United robbed Juventus in Turin

Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that his former side Manchester United did nothing to deserve their shock 2-1 win over Juventus in Turin in their UEFA Champions League clash on Wednesday.

A stunning volley from Ronaldo looked to have won a key Champions League clash for the Bianconeri, only for Juan Mata’s free-kick and an Alex Sandro own goal to gift United all three points late on.

The home side had plenty of chances to kill the game in the second half, with the likes of Paulo Dybala and Juan Cuadrado all guilty of missing some golden opportunities, but the introduction of Marouane Fellaini for United seemed to ruffle the feathers of Juventus’ backline.

Ronaldo had no sympathy for his former team at full-time and said Juventus gifted three points to the Red Devils.

“The Champions League is a special competition, where you could be winning, but can’t relax, as anything can happen,” Ronaldo told Sky Sport Italia .

“We dominated the game for 90 minutes, had so many chances, could’ve killed it off three or four times, but we relaxed and were punished.

“Manchester United did nothing to win the game. You can’t even talk about luck, because you have to find your own luck and in this case we just gifted it to them.

“Now we’ve got to lift our heads, as we played really well and are still top of the group.”

The shock victory for United has left them in an excellent position to qualify from Group H, with Mourinho’s side regaining second place from Valencia and now just two points behind leaders Juventus.

The Serie A champions will still expect to progress to the knockout stages, with just one more victory required to guarantee them a place in the last 16.

Captain Giorgio Chiellini slammed his team following the match on Wednesday and claimed that a result like this had been on the cards for some time.

“We want to go all the way and if we are to do that, we must learn from this sort of mistake,” Chiellini told Sky Sport Italia .

“We’ve been threatening this sort of mess for a few games, to be honest, as we get too complacent and run risks that are totally unnecessary.

“Maybe now we’ll get our heads down and focus the way we need to in every single match, taking nothing for granted.”

EPL: Mourinho won’t celebrate if United beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

It has been reported that Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho has insisted he
won’t celebrate like crazy if his side win at former club Chelsea at the Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Mourinho heads back to west London looking for a second successive victory after his side’s dramatic 3-2 win over Newcastle last time out, a result that eased some of the pressure that had been mounting on the 55-year-old following a four-game winless run, as well as reports of a bust-up with midfielder Paul Pogba.

The Portuguese has lost on each of his three visits to Stamford Bridge as the Red Devils manager and suffered a 1-0 defeat in the FA Cup final at Wembley in May.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have made a fine start to the season under new boss Maurizio Sarri, with the club winning six and drawing two of their opening eight matches to sit second in the Premier League on goal difference behind leaders Manchester City.

Mourinho played down the significance of his return to a club where he won eight major trophies, including three Premier League titles, over two spells as manager.

“For me it is another game. Would I celebrate like crazy if my team score a goal at Stamford Bridge or my team wins at Stamford Bridge? I don’t think so” Mourinho stated during his interaction with the media ahead of the game on Friday.

“I think I would try to control myself and to respect the stadium and the supporters that were my supporters and stadium for many years, to do that should be something if I completely lost my emotional control, which is not easy.

“So I would think which stadium I am in, which public is in the stands but apart from that it is another match for me.

“I want to do well for my team, my players, my support. I am 100 per cent Manchester United [on Saturday], no more space than respect for the stadium and the fans.”

Football: How Mourinho, Pogba part ways

Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba’s relationship has deteriorated to the point that the manager has now informed the Frenchman’s Manchester United teammates he will not captain the club again.

Mourinho is understood to have told his players that message following the Frenchman’s comments following the Wolves game.

The World Cup winner had added fuel to suggestions of a breakdown between the pair by boldly telling his manager how United should play after toiling to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Saturday.

And those followed on from Pogba discussing his future with reporters during the international break amid continued rumours of a move to Barcelona.

The pair have both been at United for two years now, here’s a look back over how their relationship has developed during that time.

Pogba: “It has always been a club with a special place in my heart and I am really looking forward to working with Jose Mourinho. This is the right club for me to achieve everything I hope to in the game.”

Mourinho: “Paul is one of the best players in the world and will be a key part of the United team I want to build here for the future. He is young and will continue to improve; he has the chance to be at the heart of this club for the next decade and beyond.”

 

Football: Barca eyes on Pogba

It has been reported that Barcelona president Josep  Bartomeu has left the door open on a potential move for Manchester United’s Paul Pogba, after saying the club could still do business before the Spanish transfer window closes, Sky sports reports.

Despite being handed the captain’s armband for the opening 2-1 win against Leicester City, Pogba’s comments after the game hinted at tensions at Old Trafford.

Asked about Pogba after Barcelona’s 2-1 Super Cup win against Sevilla, Bartomeu said: “I won’t speak of any names, we have respect for all clubs and there are 20 days left.

“We’ll see which players come out. We’re focused on the league, so it’s best to ask (Eric) Abidal,(Ramon) Planes or Pep Segura about players.

“There’s still time to do business.”

Andres Iniesta, Paulinho and Andre Gomes have left Barcelona this summer and the Catalan club may have to wait if they are to further strengthen their midfield following the arrivals of Arturo Vidal and Arthur, with Manchester United unlikely to want to part with Pogba during this window.

“We are never going to find another Andres Iniesta, that’s impossible because there is only one and he is in Japan,” said Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde.

Paul Pogba agent, Raiola in trouble over transfer to Man U.

World football governing body,  FIFA is set to conduct an investigation into the transfer of Paul Pogba from Juventus to Manchester United after documents displaying the huge fee paid to agent Mino Raiola got exposed to the public. The documents claimed that Pogba earns a wage of £8.61m, equivalent to £165,588 a week, and will receive an annual loyalty bonus of more than £3.4m from next year.
Both his contract and that of teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic were negotiated by super agent Raiola, who would pocket an incredible £41m after bringing Pogba from Juventus to Old Trafford.​

The huge figures are divulged in a new book entitled Football Leaks: The Dirty Business of Football, and it is based on the research of Der Spiegel journalists Rafael Buschmann and Michael Wulzinger.

Football: Mourinho defends Pogba

Ace football coach, Jose Mourinho has defended Paul Pogba.

With a world record price hanging over his head, Paul Pogba has come in for plenty of criticism from those who believe he is not doing enough to justify the £89million fee Manchester United shelled out for him. Jose Mourinho has risen to the defence of his star player saying his critics are envious and the 24yr old has achieved a lot all by himself.
The Portuguese coach said: ‘I feel that the world is losing values and we all know that and envy is coming into certain levels that I am scared about especially for the next generation if things go in this direction.’

‘It’s not his fault that some of the pundits are in trouble with their lives and they need every coin to survive and Paul is a multi-millionaire. It’s not his fault. ‘He deserves respect, his family deserve respect. He is a kid who comes from a working family, a family with three boys that I’m sure needed a lot of food on that table every day because they are big giants. So I’m sure the mum and dad had to work hard for many years for them.

‘A kid who came to Manchester as a teenager who fought for his career here, who wasn’t afraid to move and go to another country and look for better conditions. ‘A kid who reached the top of the world with his work. Nobody gave him anything. I’m really, really worried with the previous generations because things are going in such a direction that envy is everywhere.

‘I’m very happy with Paul, the club is very happy with Paul. A good thing is that because of his personality he doesn’t give an “S” to what people say.’ Pogba has had a mixed campaign in his first season back at United, in 25 leagues appearances this season, he has 4 goals and 3 assists.

Up Man U! What you missed as Zlatan goal seal title for Man U against Southampton

Sweden football star,  Zlatan Ibrahimovic has clinched the EFL Cup trophy for Manchester United with a late goal against Southampton.

The Red Devils won the EFL Cup after Zlatan’s late header gave United a 3-2 win against Southampton at Wembley.

It looked as if the game was heading towards extra time until the 35-year-old Ibrahimovic scored in the 87th minute.

The retired Swedish international followed up his earlier free-kick with his 26th goal so far during the 2016/17 season.

Southampton were the better side throughout the final match but they will look back on two refereeing decisions.

The first of those decisions came when the referee wrongly disallowed an early goal from striker, Manolo Gabbiadini.

Furthermore, United winger, Jesse Lingard avoided getting a second yellow card early in the second half of the game.

Southampton had gone over two weeks without a game ahead of the EFL Cup final against United.

And while the Saints started the match much brighter than United, they lost concentration in the fourth minute.

This allowed Paul Pogba to strike on goal from 25 yards but his shot was straight at goalkeeper, Fraser Forster.

However, the Saints should have been ahead in the 11th minute when Gabbiadini converted a cross into the net.

However, the assistant referee flagged Southampton left full-back, Ryan Bertrand who was standing at the back of Gabbiadini offside.

Southampton remained on the ascendancy but in the 19th minute, United took the lead against the run of play.

That was after the prolific Ibrahimovic curled a free kick into the corner from 25 yards.

Despite the setback, Southampton remained on top of the situation and shot-stopper, David de Gea twice had to make saves.

United stayed dangerous on the break and they doubled their advantage when the Southampton defence slept off.

Lingard was able to slot the ball into the bottom corner of the net from 16 yards.

Frustration was starting to get the better of Southampton but in the 45th minute, they halved the deficit.

That was when Gabbiadini scored from close range after connecting with a low cross.

Moments after the game restarted, De Gea made another fine save but from the resulting corner, Southampton got their equalizer.

After United failed to defend the set piece well, the ball fell perfectly to Gabbiadini who volleyed into the net.

It was a lovely goal from the January recruit who took his overall to five goals in three matches.

Chances became few and far between as the second half went on but Lingard should have scored his second goal.

That was when the England international sliced his volley over the crossbar instead of actually scoring.

A perfect cross from Ander Herrera then found Ibrahimovic who made no mistake in powering a sweet header past Forster.

Man U break banks to sign Pogba in world record fee

French superstar and former Juventus player, Paul Pogba on Tuesday completed a sensational return to Manchester United from Juventus for a reported world record fee.

United said Pogba had signed a five-year contract but did not give the cost which British media have put at 89 million pounds ($116.4 million, 105 million euros), not including agent’s fee.

That would see the 23-year-old eclipse the 85 million pounds Real Madrid paid Tottenham Hotspur for Gareth Bale in 2013.

“This is the right club for me to achieve everything I hope to in the game,” said Pogba.

Pogba moved to Italy when United let him go for a nominal fee after his contract expired in 2012.

“I am delighted to rejoin United. It has always been a club with a special place in my heart and I am really looking forward to working with José Mourinho. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Juventus and have some fantastic memories of a great club with players that I count as friends. But I feel the time is right to go back to Old Trafford. I always enjoyed playing in front of the fans and can’t wait to make my contribution to the team. This is the right club for me to achieve everything I hope to in the game.”

José Mourinho said:

“Paul is one of the best players in the world and will be a key part of the United team I want to build here for the future. He is quick, strong, scores goals and reads the game better than many players much older than he is. At 23, he has the chance to make that position his own here over many years. He is young and will continue to improve; he has the chance to be at the heart of this club for the next decade and beyond.”

France disgrace Iceland ,meet Germany in EURO Semi-Final

Hosts France booked their place in the semi-finals of the European Championship after trouncing Iceland 5-2 at the Stade de France on Sunday.
This was the first time a team would score five goals at Euro 2016.
France raced to a 4-0 lead at half-time with goals from Oliver Giroud, Paul Pogba, Dimitri Payet and Antoine Griezmann.

Giroud added his second and France’s fifth to seal the emphatic win for Didier Deschamps’ side.
Consolatory goals from Kolbeinn Sigthorsson and Birkir Bjarnason in the 56th and 58th minutes left the scoreline respectable.
France got the breakthrough in the 12th minute when Giroud was released by Blaise Matuidi and the Arsenal striker scored from a wide angle.
Eight minutes later Paul Pogba doubled the lead.
The Juventus star leapt higher to head home Griezmann’s corner.
Payet scored the third goal for France after he fired in a low drive which swung away from Halldorsson in goal for Iceland.
He was nicely set up by Griezmann in the 44th minute.
The Atletico Madrid star scored the fourth goal a minute after he broke clear on goal before brilliantly chipping the onrushing goalkeeper.
Giroud added the fifth when he powered in Payet’s freekick with a fierce header.
France will take on Germany in the semifinals next week.