Month: October 2019

The Manchester United striker was benched in the Premier League earlier this season, much to his own unhappiness

Romelu Lukaku has revealed exactly what happened when he was dropped by Jose Mourinho, with the Manchester United striker left “angry” by the Portuguese’s decision.

The Belgium international was benched for clashes with Everton and Manchester City, playing a total of 58 minutes across the two games, while he was also a substitute against Young Boys in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Lukaku eventually came on in every game, with United underperforming, though he failed to score.

He has hit the net just four times in all competitions this season, and he has revealed that his conversation with Mourinho has led to him reassessing his own goals as he bids to fire United back into contention in the Premier League.

Asked how he felt when he was dropped, he told Bleacher Report: “I was like, oh wow, sh*t happened, but I really had a conversation with the coach about it and I said ‘listen, it’s been a long year and also with the World Cup, I felt a bit tired’. He saw it. He made his decision.

“He said I didn’t look happy. That I was angry. And I said ‘yeah, hell yeah I’m angry. Like, do you think I should smile?’

“And then we had that little chat and then after that chat we just moved on. It was like 10 minutes, and from then on like you know it opened something in myself, like a new fire to go and get what’s mine.”

Nevertheless, Lukaku has become a trusted Mourinho lieutenant at Old Trafford, having played over 50 games in all competitions last season, scoring 27 goals.

And he insists that he would do anything for the ex-Chelsea and Inter manager to ensure that he is successful.

“One of them, yeah,” he said, when asked if he was Mourinho’s favourite player. “Because I would go through a brick wall for him and he knows that.

“He’s the type of coach where he would be honest with you and tell you how it is, and if you cannot deal with that, I mean, that’s a big problem.

“I mean working under him when I’m 24 is totally different to working under him when I was 19. 20. When I was 19, 20, he was hard on me, man, oh sh*t. The guy was tough – I was doing everything so well but he was still tough.

“But now, 24, I understand him. I understand him now. I became better, I improved as a player.”

Asked why Mourinho was like that with him, Lukaku added: “Because he wanted me to be better. You know, a guy like him, he doesn’t want to compete to be number two or something. He wants to be number one.”

United have struggled so far this season and lie seventh in the Premier League, 14 points behind leaders Manchester City and seven behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

They are next in action this weekend, against Southampton.

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The 44-year-old believes the Red Devils currently lack a player who can effectively link up with the team’s forwards

Former Manchester United star Paul Scholes has hit out at the side’s current midfield options, saying the club lack a player who can link defence and attack. 

United’s problems were on full display at the weekend, as they could only managed a scoreless draw at home against Crystal Palace in Premier League play. 

The result left Jose Mourinho’s side well off the pace in the league, sitting in seventh place and seven points off of the top four. 

Several of United’s midfielders have come in for criticism this term, and Scholes has joined the list of pundits piling on.  

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“That midfield worries me,” Scholes said on BT Sport prior to United’s Champions League game against Young Boys on Tuesday.

“How does that midfield open up a team that’s going to sit back and play on the counter-attack? The creativity is a big problem in that team.”

United paid in the region of £52.5 million ($70m) for Brazil international Fred this summer but the 25-year-old has struggled to integrate into the team thus far, making just nine appearances prior to Tuesday.

Scholes underlined the Brazilian’s lack of impact while also touching on other United options in midfield that fail to display enough attacking thrust. 

“Fred we don’t know too much about,” Scholes said. “We know [Marouane] Fellaini and [Nemanja] Matic are not going to be threading passes.

“I like to see partnerships in teams, a midfield player seeing a centre forward and having a link with him. I just don’t see it in this team.

“I don’t see a midfield player who’s going to see a centre forward. I can see [Marcus] Rashford making runs but I don’t see a player who’s going to pass the ball to him.

“You need to have a link in your team, partnerships that know what other people are going to do.

“I think this is why they’re so disjointed, it seems like it’s a back four, it’s a back three, there’s a front three, and there’s no link whatsoever between them.”

The Arsenal playmaker has missed the Gunners’ last two matches with a back complaint and is yet to return to full training

Mesut Ozil is unlikely to be available for Arsenal’s Premier League tie with Manchester United on Wednesday as he is still struggling with a back injury, Unai Emery has revealed.

The German was absent for the Gunners’ dramatic win over Tottenham in the first north London derby of the season on Sunday having previously missed his side’s Europa League clash with Vorskla Poltava in Kiev.

In Ozil’s absence, Arsenal have flourished in a formation with three centre-backs and it remains to be seen whether the midfielder would slot straight back into the side when fit again.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Monday afternoon, Emery revealed that Ozil is still training by himself as he works his way back to full fitness.

“Today he was working alone, I don’t know if he’s OK for Wednesday,” Emery said. 

“I said yesterday he’s had backache since last Tuesday. He couldn’t play in Kiev or yesterday. 

“At the moment, I don’t know if he can play in Manchester.”

Emery’s side are currently eight points clear of Wednesday’s opponents United and moved into the top four having registered another three points against Spurs.

United could only manage a draw against Southampton on Saturday and are languishing in seventh place in the Premier League table.

But Emery says his side will not be taking United lightly given the quality they have in their team.

“It’s not normal where they are in the table,” the Arsenal boss added.

“They have a lot of potential and experience with the coach, who has a big experience in the Premier League, in Europe, in world football. 

“We respect them a lot individually and collectively, and we know it’s a very difficult match away.”

Emery has gained plenty of admirers during his time at Arsenal so far, one of whom is United midfielder Juan Mata, who played under the Spaniard at Valencia and recently described him as a “special” coach.

The Arsenal boss responded on Wednesday by saying:

“He’s a very good player and a very good person, I had a very good experience with him in Valencia at the beginning of his career.

“Then he came to the Premier League and I think he’s a very important player here, first at Chelsea, then at Manchester United.”

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The midfielder has been sidelined since October with a thyroid issue that required surgery

Juventus midfielder Emre Can is set to make his return from a thyroid issue against Inter on Friday. 

The Germany international has been sidelined for two months, making his last appearance for the club in a win over Udinese on October 6. 

Can had surgery on a thyroid nodule in late October, but is ready to return for the Bianconeri after he took part in a friendly against Chisola on Tuesday. 

Though Juve are flying high in Serie A once again this season, winning 13 and drawing one of their opening 14 matches, Can’s return will come as a huge relief to manager Massimiliano Allegri.

The Bianconeri have been dealing with several injury issues in the midfield, where Can, Sami Khedira, and Federico Bernardeschi have all been sidelined recently. 

In defence, Alex Sandro will likely be out against Inter after picking up a knock in the Champions League last week, while Andrea Barzagli could be out two months with a muscular injury.

It remains to be seen whether Can will be able to start against Inter at the Allianz Stadium on Friday, but the 24-year-old will likely be on the bench at least. 

Can has made 10 appearances for Juventus so far this season since joining from Liverpool on a free transfer in the summer, notching one assist for the Old Lady thus far. 

Juve have already opened up an 11-point lead on third-place Inter, and will look to extend that advantage even more in Friday evening’s Derby d’Italia.

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The striker has found form again at Santos but will return to Inter when his loan ends at the end of the year. Could he be off to the Premier League?

Inter striker Gabriel Barbosa is open to a move to the Premier League.

The 22-year-old’s loan at Santos ends at the end of 2018 and he is unlikely to remain with Inter, who are reportedly willing to sell him.

Everton, West Ham and Crystal Palace have all been linked with the Brazil international, who has scored 18 times for Santos this term and he says he would not dismiss a move to the Premier League.

“They are all important clubs with top quality players,” Barbosa told The Daily Mail. 

“Hopefully everything will be good for everyone if we reach an agreement. There are many things involved, mainly Inter as they hold my rights. It hasn’t been decided yet, but it is very unlikely I will remain in Brazil.

“The Premier League always had great strikers and it is a joy to watch on TV. It is very competitive, fast-paced and dynamic, with loads of title contenders. There is quality everywhere, that’s why everybody loves it and I am no different. It attracts me a lot.

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“I follow the Brazilians, sometimes we talk and all of them love playing in the Premier League.”

Despite joining Inter in a big move from Santos in August 2016, the forward nicknamed Gabigol has made just 10 appearances for the Serie A side and struggled on loan at Benfica before finding form again at Santos.

“It has been a very good year for me,” Barbosa added. “Individually it has been spectacular. I have matured a lot and playing more games gives you more confidence. I’ve played a lot of games and learned a lot.

“I wish for 2019 to be another happy year for me, as good as the one at Santos so far. What I can assure you is that my dedication will be at the maximum level.

“I want to play as well as possible to be called up again for the national team. In order to achieve that I need to score many goals, as every striker tries to do.”

The centre-back will play no part in his side’s Bundesliga clash on Saturday after missing training with a stomach bug

Bayern Munich’s bid to get back on track in the Bundesliga has suffered a blow with Mats Hummels ruled out of Saturday’s match at Werder Bremen.

Germany defender Hummels has been laid low with a stomach bug and did not travel with the team on Friday after failing to resume training.

The illness kept the centre-back out of the 5-1 thumping of Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Bayern’s domestic form has been less convincing, a rollercoaster 3-3 draw at home to Fortuna Dusseldorf last weekend leaving them winless in three Bundesliga matches.

The champions are nine points adrift of leaders Borussia Dortmund and only three ahead of seventh-placed Werder.

Kingsley Coman, Thiago Alcantara and Serge Gnabry are all available to return from injury in good news for under-pressure head coach Niko Kovac.

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The goalkeeper couldn’t stop a golazo from Rogelio Funes Mori in the first leg but will be key in Saturday’s decider

Santos Laguna had two impressive streaks heading into the quarterfinal round of the Liguilla. One, scoring a goal in every match this season, was snapped in the first leg. Keeping the other, not losing at home the entire season, will determine whether the reigning champion’s title defense continues or if things come to a disappointing early end.

While scoring is paramount for Santos after Monterrey’s 1-0 victory on Wednesday, keeping Rayados’ attack from finding the back of the net will also be a key for Santos if the season is going to continue. The bulk of that load will be shouldered by former Monterrey goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco.

Orozco could do nothing about Rogelio Funes Mori’s wondergoal in the first leg. The Argentine’s touch and bicycle kick was about as perfect as goals can get. The goalkeeper shouted at a few of his defenders after, but it had to be out of routine as much as out of any sort of genuine anger, or in frustration that he’d be the goalkeeper who tens of thousands will see getting beaten when the clip is played over and over on YouTube – and maybe even for the Puskas Award vote next season.

While that shot wasn’t his fault and he didn’t concede otherwise, it still was an up-and-down match for the 32-year-old. He made five saves but was a bit fortunate not to be beaten earlier in the contest. He had a strong start, making a parry in the fifth minute after being screened on an early shot and coming off his line aggressively to clear a pass over the top in the 23rd minute.

A minute after that intervention, Funes Mori let him off the hook with a scuffed shot. Orozco later fumbled a cross out of play in the 39th minute. Rayados nearly drew blood from the resulting corner kick, but Orozco got down to get a hand on a glancing header that looked to come off his own teammate.

Orozco gives Santos a consistent goalkeeper, something most teams in Liga MX struggle to find and retain. He played with Monterrey from 2005 until 2016, moving to Santos ahead of the 2017 Clausura after making more than 300 appearances for Rayados. His long history with that team hasn’t made him any less committed to Santos, with Orozco turning in another strong campaign. 

“You do your job. I always give my maximum effort for my teammates, for the team, for the club we represent, but apart from that it was a match worthy of the Liguilla,” he said at a news conference Thursday. “We had clear scoring chances that we couldn’t convert.”

So, too, did Rayados, and an away goal in the Estadio Corona may be enough for them to slip into the next round. Orozco will need to be back at his best to prevent that from happening.

He’s also convinced that second streak, of Santos avoiding defeat this season and losing just once there in league play this calendar year, will continue thanks to the strong support and swaggering style Santos has shown this season.

“We’ve got a great team that can turn things around on our field, with our fans,” he said. “We know it’s going to be complicated. Monterrey has a great squad, they showed that in their house, but even so I think that we can come back from 1-0 down. We’ve got this confidence in ourselves.

“For us, right now the most important thing is to turn the page. We’ve got 90 more minutes on our home turf and we want to do the best possible to keep advancing.”

While Julio Furch, Jonathan Rodriguez and the rest of Los Guerreros’ attack need to do their part, Orozco will have plenty to say about if it’s his current club or his former employers moving into the next round.

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The centre-back will follow a “conservative” plan to help solve the knee problem that has limited him to just eight appearances this season

Barcelona Samuel Umtiti has travelled to Qatar for the next stage of treatment on his ongoing knee complaint.

The France centre-back has made eight appearances for Barca this season and returned from two months on the sidelines in last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid.

He played the full 90 minutes at the Wanda Metropolitano but sat out Wednesday’s Champions League encounter at PSV.

As such, Umtiti will now follow a “conservative” treatment plan to try and find a solution.

“The first team player Samuel Umtiti will follow a plan of conservative treatment with the objective of curing the discomfort in his left knee,” a statement from Barcelona read.

“The player will travel to Doha, Qatar where he will follow this therapeutic plan under the supervision of the club’s medical services.”

Umtiti joined Barca from Lyon in 2016 and has made 91 appearances for the Spanish champions.

Ernesto Valverde’s men lie second in the table after 13 matches, one point behind Sevilla, and entertain Villarreal at Camp Nou on Sunday.

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The World Cup winner has been shifted out of a holding post by Maurizio Sarri and already has two Premier League strikes to his name this season

N’Golo Kante is reluctant to set a goal target for the 2018-19 campaign despite filling a more advanced role at Chelsea.

Having forged his reputation in a holding midfield post, the France international has been asked to change his ways by new Blues boss Maurizio Sarri.

Two Premier League titles and a World Cup were collected in a shielding berth in front of the back four, but the 27-year-old has been freed from those shackles this term.

Questions have been asked of that tactical tweak by Sarri, but Kante has done the required job and contributed two Premier League goals so far, despite holding a modest personal best of only four efforts in any previous season.

Asked by Chelsea’s official website if he now has a target in mind, the former Leicester City man said: “No specific target, but I know in this position I have many chances and when I can get the opportunity to score I’m happy and I hope for more to come.

“I think the position doesn’t change everything. I know I have a bit of work to do in this position but I enjoy to play in this position. I can enjoy more of the offensive play and I am, but I know I have a little work to do and I can still improve.”

Those improvements will come on the training field, with Sarri seeking to make Chelsea more adventurous than they were under his predecessor Antonio Conte.

Kante added on those changes: “It is true that he prefers to train in the afternoon and in the training he likes to put the accent on the offensive play.

“He wants us to play with enthusiasm, try and enjoy our football, and all the team are enjoying this idea of football.

“I think you can see it during the game, but we are playing very well and we try always to play and to find a solution by playing good football.”

Kante is obviously enjoying his football at Stamford Bridge as he has committed to a new five-year contract this season.

He will get another chance to prove his value to the collective cause on Sunday when Chelsea travel to Brighton looking to keep pace with the Premier League leaders.

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Following heavy defeats in charge of Hull City and Watford, the Portuguese coach picked up an unwanted record after the Toffees’ 6-2 loss

Marco Silva admitted it was a “really bad afternoon” for Everton as he became the first Premier League manager to concede six goals in a home match with three different clubs.

Although the Toffees took the lead through Theo Walcott in the 21st minute, Spurs soon turned things around and ultimately ran out comprehensive winners, securing a 6-2 victory on Sunday.

Son Heung-min and Harry Kane were the stars of the show with two goals each, with the result highlighting an alarming trend in Silva’s Premier League career.

Spurs had previously inflicted a 7-1 home defeat on Silva’s Hull City in May 2017, and his Watford side then lost 6-0 at home to Manchester City four months later. The Portuguese accepted there were few positives to take from his latest humiliation.

“Really bad afternoon for us, really bad result for us, for our fans,” he said. “We have to realise why and we will realise for sure.

“We started well the match, it started really balanced. We know how they are strong in counter-attack and it started like we planned it and we scored early.

“After we made the first mistake during the match when they equalised, the game changed completely.

“We lost many things in our behaviour and our organisation and in this level we cannot do that.

“At half-time we changed something in our tactical behaviour. I told them we cannot concede any more because we will score again and first two minutes of second half we conceded again.

“Every time they went forward it was easy for them. Our organisation in our defensive moment, we don’t put enough aggressiveness in the match.”

Despite signing centre-backs Yerry Mina and Kurt Zouma in the summer, Everton have struggled defensively all season and are now without a clean sheet in their last five Premier League matches.

The result left the Toffees in 11th place on 24 points as they prepare to face Burnley, Brighton and Leicester City over the busy festive period.

 

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