Manchester United’s Anderson has told the Daily Star that his club will lose out when Sir Alex Ferguson eventually retires.
The 24-year-old Brazilian reiterated that Sir Alex would be missed in the world of football, and particularly by United.
“Manchester United is Alex Ferguson. When he leaves, the club will lose 30 to 40 per cent. So much depends on him.
“He’s a father to all the players, a very respected person and when he retires, the football world will really feel his loss.
“He always helped me, and I have a great affection for him. He lives for training and always wants to know how his players and their families are,” he said.
Now aged 70, Fergie has managed United for a period of 26 years, and has been invaluable to the club, leading United to massive success with numerous titles including five FA Cups, 12 Premier League trophies and two Champions League titles.
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However, rumour is growing that he is getting nearer to making the decision to retire from the game.
Manchester United fans were forced to watch on as their bitterest rivals Liverpool fought Real Madrid for the biggest prize in European football on Saturday and then again as the Reds secured the signing of highly-rated midfielder Fabinho from Monaco.
In a World Cup summer, where all of England’s elite clubs will be spending big; Manchester City in pursuit of European glory and the rest trying to bridge the points chasm, doing smart business early is the key and Jurgen Klopp has done exactly that with his sudden swoop for the Brazilian who can play at right-back and in central midfield.
That is what United fans are hoping their club can provide after a season in which they failed to win a trophy despite it being Jose Mourinho’s fabled second campaign, where he is supposed to win the league.
They didn’t do that and as Liverpool impressed with their blistering football on the pitch, some United fans are becoming worried by the speed they’re doing business off it; especially compared with United…
It has been some season for West Ham United’s Declan Rice, with the teenager already making 17 appearances in all competitions for the Hammers during the 2017-18 campaign.
Rice, who is valued at £1.8m by transfermarkt.co.uk, only turned 19 on January 14, but is now regarded as a very important part of West Ham’s future.
He has been involved in West Ham’s last four Premier League matches, and when considering that 12 of his 17 appearances this season have come in the league; it has been a very impressive season for the highly-rated centre-back.
On Sunday, West Ham’s official Twitter account wished a happy birthday to Rice, and it was not a surprise when the message brought a host of responses from the club’s supporters.
Many simply offered a birthday message of their own, but plenty also offered words of praise for the teenage defender, who looks to have a very bright future in the game.
A selection of the best Twitter reaction can be found below:
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville was forced to explain his commentary from last night’s Champions League fixture after he implied that Mesut Ozil has some work to do.The Sky Sports man was brutally honest as he set the record straight as to the work needed in order for Ozil to reflect his efforts for Germany in the 2010 World Cup.As is typical with the pundit, he linked current events to his experiences at the Old Trafford club and openly used Ji Sung Park as an example of the work-rate Ozil must mirror.It seems Mesut cannot sit back and ‘Park’ the bus anymore!
David Meyler says skipper Lee Cattermole doesn’t need to change his ways, despite a fifth red card for Sunderland.
Cattermole’s status as Black Cats captain is under threat after a moment of idiocy saw the 24 year old see red for a reckless two-footed lunge on Adam Chicksen, in the Wearsiders 2-0 win over MK Dons.
A divisive figure among fans, Meyler claims Cattermole doesn’t need to radically change his game, he told The Journal: “Everyone who knows Lee Cattermole knows he plays with his heart on his sleeve.
“It was just a ball that he went for and thought he could win. The referee decided it was a red card and I’m sure the club will look back on it and see what they think. But Lee is gutted himself because he always wants to do everything he can to help the team.
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“It’s done now there’s nothing anyone can do. It’s not something we’ll not spend too long thinking about as players.”
Tottenham Hotspur are certainly on the right path, despite the fact that they have not won a trophy in a decade.
Mauricio Pochettino has shaped a young, vibrant and title-challenging team over the last few years, but they need to take that next step.
Moving into a brand new state-of-the-art stadium will certainly push the club in the right direction, but they need reinforcements in order to compete once again with the Premier League elite.
Pochettino has proven that he can help young players thrive, so it is worth suggesting that the club swoop for Borussia Dortmund star Christian Pulisic this summer.
The 19-year-old – valued at £40.5m by Transfermarkt – has been linked to numerous top-level clubs due to his performances in Germany over the past two seasons.
The USA international, who scored four goals and created five assists in the Bundesliga during the 2017-18 campaign, is versatile in that he can play across the midfield in an attacking position.
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The majority of Pulisic’s playing time has been on the right side of attack, which would give Tottenham another option.
We asked you if the North London club should swoop for the teenager, and the outcome was overwhelmingly in favour of a transfer.
Manchester United are considering a summer swoop for Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane, according to Tuttomercatoweb.
What’s the story?
It is not the first time that the Red Devils have been linked to the England international, and it is understandable why.
The 24-year-0ld has been in scintillating form and even ended 2017 as Europe’s top goalscorer.
Kane surpassed the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo by scoring 56 goals for club and country last year.
The striker’s form will attract the attention of many clubs, and according to Tuttomercatoweb, United are considering launching a bid in the summer.
The publication adds that Real Madrid are also weighing up a move for Kane.
What would this mean for Lukaku?
A few months ago, the thought of the Belgian being second choice at United would seem unfathomable, but if Kane arrives at Old Trafford, then the forward may have to make way.
Lukaku had a blistering start to his career at the Red Devils following a £75m switch from Everton last summer.
The 24-year-0ld scored 10 goals in his first nine games, but he went through a drought of just one in 12.
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Recently, Lukaku has had more joy in attack having found the back of the net four times in nine outings, but the forward is far from his early-season form.
If Kane is on the horizon for United, then their current first-choice striker may have to settle for playing second fiddle.
Olivier Giroud has worked his whole career to defy those who have said he wasn’t up to the task, starting in the lower divisions of French football.
The price tag dictated the general attitude towards him as a player. Giroud, a title winner in France’s Ligue 1 and a scorer of 21 league goals, the most that season, was deemed not good enough when Arsenal spent £10 million on him in July 2012.
The thing is he was being judged against the class and calibre of Robin van Persie – an unfair comparison for almost any striker in English football. Instead of asking what a new-look strike force could do for Arsenal, one which included Lukas Podolski, people were questioning whether Giroud was yet another bargain signing from French football.
It’s nothing new, though. People will question anything. Like whether Neymar is just a YouTube sensation. You have to wonder whether they believe what they’re saying or if they’re just out to ruffle a few feathers.
Nevertheless, Giroud, like most, was owed a period of adaptation to the Premier League. Memories of van Persie would have flashed across most people’s minds in last season’s opening game against Sunderland when Giroud missed a good opportunity for his first league goal. Yet even as the season progressed and he earned himself 17 in total and a place in the hearts of the Arsenal faithful, the overtures towards Luis Suarez and Gonzalo Higuain this past summer were wrongly labelled as indirect attacks on the Frenchman rather than what they were – a club looking to bolster its attacking options.
This season we’ve seen another set of defiant performances from Giroud. He doesn’t have the grace and fluidity of van Persie, Dennis Bergkamp or Thierry Henry, but that doesn’t matter. Giroud has made Arsenal’s Plan A stronger by adding the elements of a different way of attacking. He offers the powerful target man approach without ever compromising the team’s preferred style of play. If there is a doubt about his technical ability, take a look at his involvement in that Jack Wilshere goal against Norwich.
Can he finish? Many good centre-forwards go through scoring droughts, including van Persie; four club games is no cause for alarm. With 10 already in all competitions, there’s no reason why Giroud can’t register 20-plus goals for Arsene Wenger’s side. As a reference, seven of those 10 have been in the league. The league’s top scorer, Sergio Aguero, has 10.
Giroud’s desire to prove that he belongs has forced him onto a long table seating Arsenal’s most improved players. Of course, there was never anything really wrong with the former Montpellier striker. That first season in English football, however, a bridge as I like to think of it, has done wonders for his overall contribution and confidence.
He looks like a player who is enjoying the responsibility, never buckling under its weight. Against Manchester United at Old Trafford, Giroud was one of the few who seemed unfazed and wholly determined to put in a shift, closing down and harassing the backline. He won’t force his way through defences in the way Luis Suarez can – they’re completely different players. Yet his work rate cannot be questioned this season.
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As a player still short of breaking into that category of world-class strikers, there shouldn’t be any lasting concern. A far more fitting comparison for Giroud would be to look at his similarities to Didier Drogba, another alumnus from Ligue 1 who was seen as a late bloomer.
Arsenal’s lack of success in finding another striker in the summer may be seen as something of a positive. They now know what they have in Giroud. The player himself is full of confidence and knows what he’s capable of. There is room for improvement for both club and player, but the trust instilled in Giroud is proving to be invaluable in his transition and further development as a high-end striker.
Manchester United welcome Wigan to Old Trafford this Saturday, but look set to be without new signings Robin Van Persie and Shinji Kagawa.
Van Persie was withdrawn at half time of the Netherlands 4-1 World Cup qualifying win against Hungary on Tuesday, with a suspected thigh injury, however Dutch coach Louis Van Gaal played down the injury after the match.
“We took off Robin for precautionary measures,” he said.
“It doesn’t seem to be too serious, but you never know. We didn’t want to take any risks.”
Van Persie has been in deadly form since arriving at Old Trafford, netting four goals already including a hat trick during United’s 3-2 win over Southampton in their last Premier League match.
Any sort of injury setback would be a blow for Sir Alex Ferguson, who is already without the injured Wayne Rooney.
Meanwhile Kagawa was forced to withdraw from Japan’s World Cup qualifier against Iraq, complaining of a pain in the lower back.
United have yet to hit their best this season, losing to Everton and picking up slightly fortuitous 3-2 victories at home to Fulham and then away at Southampton, having fallen behind in both games.
Meanwhile Wigan have made a decent start to the season, and are unbeaten in their last two league matches.
Roberto Martinez has heaped praise this week on Argentine striker Franco Di Santo, often much maligned during his time in English football.
The former Chelsea man has two goals to his name so far this season, and Martinez is even optimistic his striker is ready to make the step up to International football.
“I think Franco can be a massive striker for Argentina,” he said.
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“He has always had that potential but it’s the way he put all the parts of his game together in the last four months of last season that has really been so impressive.”
Prediction: Manchester United 3-1 Wigan
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According to Sky Sports, European giants Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan are both interested in signing £16m-rated West Bromwich Albion striker Salomon Rondon this summer, and Newcastle United should be looking to bring the Venezuela international to St James’ Park.
What’s the word, then?
Soccer Football – Premier League – West Bromwich Albion vs Tottenham Hotspur – The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, Britain – May 5, 2018 West Bromwich Albion’s Salomon Rondon in action with Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld REUTERS/Phil Noble EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Ple
Well, Sky Sports report that the 28-year-old has a release clause of £16m in his contract following the Baggies’ relegation to the Championship this season, and he is attracting interest from huge clubs like Atletico and Inter.
Rondon has been in England with the west Midlands club since 2015 and while he couldn’t prevent them going down this term, he still impressed many with his committed and hard-working performances up top.
Meanwhile, one of Magpies manager Rafa Benitez’s main priorities this summer will be to bring a new centre-forward to the club to boost their chances of finishing in the top seven next season, with Aleksandar Mitrovic looking likely to go, Joselu failing to make a big impact following his move from Stoke City last summer and Islam Slimani not making a positive impression during a difficult loan spell.
How did Rondon do this season?
In what was a difficult campaign for West Brom, the Venezuelan was one of their better performers and netted 10 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions, providing a further four assists.
The 28-year-old impressed with his high work-rate and general all-round play as a strong striker, and according to WhoScored.com he won 162 of the 371 aerial duels he faced in 36 Premier League outings to prove that he is up for a battle.
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Would he be a good signing for Newcastle?
He certainly would be.
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While he may not a really prolific striker – he has 28 goals in 120 appearances in total for West Brom – he does still provide that goal threat and more importantly is unselfish nature and hold-up play helps to bring his teammates into play.
Because of his height and strength he would also be vital at both ends of the pitch for the Magpies next season, and if Benitez, whose high ambitions will be met if Mike Ashley gets a deal over the line for a 28-year-old Champions League attacker this summer, gets the right players in and around him then his side’s goal tally should be much higher than it was this season next term, and that could be the key to them finishing seventh and the best of the rest.