Goalkeeper

Manchester United sign Nemanja Matic from Chelsea

Manchester United have secured the signing of midfielder Nemanja Matic from Chelsea on a three-year contract with the option of a further 12 months.


The Serbia international was expected to join the Red Devils earlier in the summer, but the Blues were hoping to recruit a new enforcer before offloading his services.

Tiemoue Bakayoko arrived at Stamford Bridge from AS Monaco earlier in June, and this allowed Matic to hold talks with Manchester United, who were his preferred destination ahead of Juventus. The 28-year-old underwent a medical over the weekend, but Mourinho had confirmed that the player was ‘very very’ much interested in moving to Old Trafford.

United have now officially confirmed that Matic will wear the famous red and white strip after having moved north from the Premier League champions. Speaking to the club’s website, Matic said: “I am delighted to have joined Manchester United. To work with Jose Mourinho once again was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. I have enjoyed my time at Chelsea and would like to thank the club and the fans for their support.

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Mesut Ozil reveals his desire to remain at the Emirates Stadium

Arsenal has received a huge bomb of positive news after Mesut Ozil revealed his desire to continue wearing the jersey of the English Premier League club at least for another season.


The contract that the German midfielder has with Arsenal extends until December of 2018 but reports were emerging suggesting that a move away from the Emirates Stadium was a realistic outcome but Ozil has shut those rumors down as he unveiled his intention to stay with the ¨The Gunners¨

“It is definitely my preference to stay. It is such a great club and I have always said that I feel very good at Arsenal. Once everyone is back in London, we will sit down and discuss about the future. For now, the most important thing is our pre-season and getting through the tour, training and getting fitness. When I’m back in London, we will sit down and discuss.”

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MKHIKI’S GOAL, A PERFECT END TO DEBUT SEASON

 In leading 1-0 in the first half in the Europa league final match against Dutch giants Ajax, the general feeling in the air was how United needed at least a goal to make their sojourn to the title safer.


Given Ajax’s use of the ball and United’s decision to let go of the possession, focusing on cutting the callow squad open with counterattacks, a second goal was going to be crucial for such tactic to work and at the same time keep them safe from any form of surprises something they have all too well undergone this season and almost lost out to Celta Vigo in the semi final except for John Guidetti’s incompetence.

Three minutes into the second half, United won a corner kick, Rashford crossed and the ball landed on Chris Smalling’s head onto Mkhitaryan who smartly flicked the ball with a semi overhead kick over the head of Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana into the resting wall of the net.

The Red Devils were two nil up and that was when the trophy was won. That goal made it the sixth the Armenian has scored away from Old Trafford in the course of United’s Europa League campaign adding to the list of crucial goals he scored in the EPL games and the domestic cup.

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CARDIFF FORCE BARNSLEY TO A DRAW

Barnsley had defeated their visitors 4-3 at Cardiff City stadium in the first leg of the clash earlier in the season but they could not replicate such on home soil as Cardiff forced them to a barren draw in the English Championship.


The scrappy game at Oakwell saw Barnsley threaten more as they enjoyed 58 percent of the ball possession. The result leaves Barnsley ahead of Cardiff as they have a point more. Cardiff is in 14th place in the Championship standings with 52 points. The Bluebirds are yet to win an away game since Valentine’s Day. In their last seven games, they have seen just one win.

From the start of the duel, Barnsley showed more prospects. Adam Hammillhad his attempt deflected and the resulting corner caused Cardiff an early scare.

Cardiff had another scare when Allan McGregor collided with Marley Watkins but the on-loan goalkeeper was able to continue. His opposite at the other end was barely disturbed as Cardiff struggled to make clear attempts at goal. Kenneth Zohore came close but sent his effort from 25 yards out over the bar.

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Ahmed Elmohamady Criticizes Hull City

Ahmed Elmohamady can’t find any similarity between the Hull City he had left one and half months back and the Hull City he has come back to


The 29-year old reckons that the team seems to have been completely transformed, not only in terms of the new faces being roped in, but, also in terms of the mood inside the locker room. It’s much more positive now.

As per Elmohamady, after re-joining, he has felt that there is a spring in the step of the players and their confidence level has gone one notch up and the new coach will have to take the credit for that because he has inserted fresh energy into the group.

It was still Mike Phelan at helm when Elmohamady took the flight from UK to serve his nation in the inter-continental tournament in Arica, but, as he flew, the complexion changed at the Yorkshire club and Phelan was sent on his way out.

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MAN UNITED SET TO END THE YEAR WELL

Manchester United admittedly has not been as impressive but they have a reason to cheer up as the year ends.


Of recent, Jose Mourinho’s men have started playing attacking football that is interesting to watch. Watching game at Old Trafford is a delight after a few bumps on the way.

With expensive additions like former Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria flopping at Old Trafford and ex La Liga and Ligue 1 star Radamel Falcao not getting the goals, additions by the Portuguese manager have been decent. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been getting the goals, Paul Pogba has been decent, Armenian forward Henrikl Mkhitaryan seem to be finding his rhythm and Eric Baily has been trying for the team.

Marounane Felliani was the top choice over veteran Michael Carrick but Carrick seem to combine well now with Pogba. Ander Herrara has been impressive thus far. The Spain international started the first game but had to wait six games before getting called into action again. His display have been satisfying by many standards under Mourinho.

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Roy Hodgson feels Selection was not a Issue with Slovakia

Almost the entire country is critical of his selections for Slovakia game, but, Roy Hodgson is not feeling as if he made any sort of mistake by playing the XI that he played.at Saint Etienne on Monday night.


That decision is not giving Hodgson sleepless nights. He says even that second string unit he used was always on top of the opposition. If the new faces had been lethargic and not in control of the game, he might have wondered if he was correct or not but, they were dominating from the first to the last minute. So, it was alright.

As per England supremo, he did not want any of his players who had already had full 90-minute appearances in the last two matches to push themselves any further as a little more of playing time might have broken them down which, entering the important phases of the competition, would not have held the Three Lions in a confident state.

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Rafa Benitez was confident that Newcastle will be able to avoid relegation

Despite watching his team extend their winless run to 7 games in the Premier League, manager Rafa Benitez was confident that Newcastle will be able to avoid relegation.

The club remain six points behind Norwich City in the final spot that will guarantee safety. The club’s latest loss came against Southampton, who were chasing a European spot. The 3-1 loss was much more convincing than the defeat against Norwich last week. However, the club may rue dropping points against teams in and around them. Benitez became the replacement for Steve McClaren a few weeks ago, but he is still waiting for his first win.

There was a lot of euphoria surrounding the appointment of Benitez, who has won major trophies like the Europa League and the Champions League. However, this is the first experience of the Spaniard of a relegation struggle. Newcastle’s inability to get a win under the new management will be a worrying aspect for the owners and fans. The club spent heavily in January to try and stay in the division. Players like Anderson Townsend came from Tottenham for £ 12 million, but they have made a little impact on the results. Since the turn of the year, Newcastle have been able to win just two games in the league.

Read moreRafa Benitez was confident that Newcastle will be able to avoid relegation