News

Saturday, January 27, 2018

8:49 AM

Piers Morgan demands Donald Trump replaces Arsene Wenger as Arsenal manager as he can build a "strong defensive wall"

Piers Morgan has demanded Donald Trump replaces Arsene Wenger in charge at Arsenal due to his ability to "build a strong defence wall."
The avid Gooner has been a loyal member of the 'Wenger Out Brigade' for some time after 14 years without a Premier League title.
Despite a mini resurgence that has seen the Gunners dump out Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, Morgan is driving the 'Trump In' bandwagon now.
Morgan teased his exclusive interview with the President of the United Stages by tweeting a picture of the pair and an Arsenal shirt with No.45on the back.


He added: "The moment I invite President Trump to be Arsenal's new manager - because he'd build a strong defensive wall, have an attacking philosophy and want to win big trophies at all costs."

Cries for 'Wenger Out' have been quietened in recent weeks, though they could yet break out next month if Arsenal fail to land Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund.
Wenger hopes to sign the Gabonese striker to package him together with Henrikh Mkhitaryan as a show of defiance after losing Alexis Sanchez, though the clock is ticking ahead of next week's deadline.
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8:43 AM

Yeovil 0-4 Manchester United: Red Devils safely through as Alexis Sanchez makes debut - 5 talking points

Manchester United sealed progression to the last 16 of the FA Cup with a comfortable win over League Two Yeovil at Huish Park.
New signing Alexis Sanchez made his Red Devils debut and provided a second-half assist for Ander Herrera in a 3-0 win for the Red Devils.
Marcus Rashford had earlier given United the lead in the first period, pouncing on a defensive mix-up in the Yeovil backline.
And Jesse Lingard made it three late on before Romelu Lukaku rounded off the scoring in stoppage time.
United now go into the hat for Monday's fifth-round draw.
Here are five talking points from the game...

1. Sanchez grows into debut
Alexis Sanchez will likely go on to be a hugely important player for Manchester United, but it wasn't the most eye-catching of debuts.
The Chilean was often seen dropping very deep, perhaps unsurprisingly trying to get his foot on the ball and impress his new employers.
But it wasn't the kind of rip-roaring display we've seen in Arsenal colours in recent years on his Red Devils bow.
A couple of inaccurate corners contributed to a frustrating first half in which he was also felled by a good, old-fashioned reducer by Yeovil defender Nathan Smith.
But he did grow into proceedings and played a key part in the second goal, running with the ball from halfway and sliding in Herrera to double United's advantage.
He was hooked after 71 minutes by Jose Mourinho and will be hoping to have more of an impact at Wembley against Spurs in midweek.

2. It's a cruel game
When your big moment comes against elite opposition, you just hope to do yourself justice. Yeovil would have hoped that Man United would have been forced to produce something special to get past them.
Sadly for Tom James that was not the case, the Yeovil defender got himself in a good position to prevent Marcus Rashford from ghosting past him into the penalty area.
The problem then though was James failed to swat it clear with an urgency, instead hoping Artur Krysiak would collect.
A moment's hesitation is all Rashford needed, nipping in and tucking the ball away to break the deadlock to leave James devastated.

3. Rashford impressive whoever the opposition
It's not often you watch Marcus Rashford play football and come away disappointed with his contribution.
Whether he's playing Real Madrid or, with the greatest of respect, Yeovil Town, he always gives his all and always provides a threat.
This evening was no different. He pounced on an error to score a ruthless opener and continued to spring in behind the Glovers defence after the break.
There has scarcely been a more meteoric rise of a young player since the Premier League's inception and Rashford will surely be an important player for England in Russia this summer.

4. Herrera makes point
It's been a troubling season for Ander Herrera, who has been displaced by Michael Carrick in the starting line-up despite a terrific season last year.
The Spaniard is evidently dissatisfied at his lack of opportunities and thrived in a free role with protection from Carrick and Scott McTominay.
With Sanchez breaking in transition, Herrera sped past the Yeovil defenders to collect the ball on the left side of the penalty area before burying his shot well into the bottom right corner.
A passionate celebration shows how much it meant to Herrera, who will hope to play a significant part in the remainder of the season.
Especially in the Champions League, Herrera could easily slot into Paul Pogba's role, with the Frenchman allowed greater freedom in a switch to a 4-3-3.

5. No magic of the cup at Huish Park
It was a tremendous atmosphere at Huish Park but ultimately the watching locals didn't get the upset they were after.
United turned in a thoroughly impressive display, and discounting an energetic first 10 minutes or so, Yeovil never really looked like springing a surprise.

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Thursday, January 25, 2018

4:46 PM

Jose Mourinho rules out Cristiano Ronaldo return as he hails Alexis Sanchez as “one of the best attackers in the world”

Jose Mourinho has hailed new signing Alexis Sanchez as “one of the best attackers in the world” - and ruled out bringing Cristiano Ronaldo back to Manchester United.
Sanchez is in United's squad for tomorrow's FA Cup tie at Yeovil and Mourinho said the capture of the No.7 from Arsenal means there is no chance of Ronaldo rejoining the Reds.
Ronaldo has been linked with a return to United with Real Madrid in the grip of a crisis, but Mourinho said there was no way he would move for the 32-year-old superstar.
“I think with the moment Real Madrid is having now, I think I should be the last one to add some fuel to the fire,” said Mourinho.
“Madrid is on fire, the results are not good and it's a club where I worked three years, I care about the club, and I am the last one to add fire.
“So, to put some water on the fire, Cristiano is the kind of player every manager and club wants, but he is a player for [Zinedine] Zidane and Real Madrid, that's my feeling.”
Mourinho said he had admired Sanchez throughout the 29-year-old's career and was delighted to finally get the chance to work with the former Arsenal and Barcelona star.
“I think everybody knows what he did at Arsenal. I try not to speak what he did before in Spain and Italy, but in the Premier League he's shown the quality he has.
“We got one of the best attacking players in the world and he's very important for us because we ant the best possible players.
“He can play everywhere in the attacking positions. I have known him for many many years, I was with him in Italy when I was at Inter and he was at Udinese, in Spain, when I was at Real Madrid and he was at Barcelona, and in England, when he was at Arsenal.
“So our careers are almost made in the same countries simultaneously, so I know him very very well. I saw him play on the right, on the left, as a striker and behind the striker, these are Alexis's positions.
“I saw him play in different tactical positions, in different philosophies, I saw him successful in every country with every manager and every position, so he's a player that becomes more than a player and, because of that motivation, he can play in four different positions.”
Henrikh Mkhitaryan went to Arsenal as part of the swap deal for Sanchez, with Mourinho claiming he had no regrets at letting the Armenian go after just 18 months at United.
“I think was a fantastic deal and a fantastic deal is only fantastic if it is good for everybody,” said Mourinho.
“United and Arsenal made a fantastic deal, I lost a fantastic player, Mr Wenger lost a fantastic player, Alexis changed from a fantastic club to a giant club and Mkhi changed for a fantastic club, so was a great deal for everybody.
“I believe Mkhi is going to be even better than he was with us. With one and a half years in England, adapted, he knows, Arsenal play the way they think, I think is a good move for everybody, that's why I'm also happy for Mkhi.
“Could he perform better with us? Could I take more from his talent? Maybe. Could he give a little more also to adapt to us? Maybe, but I don't think of regrets.
“He's in our history, so good feeling for everybody and a very specific transfer between rivals in a big country which, I have to say, must happen more times.”
Asked what impact the arrival of Sanchez will have on his squad, Mourinho said: “This is life in big clubs.
“In big clubs you have big players, you have competition, you have responsibilities, you have to perform always, you have to try to go to every comp in a serious way, you cannot do that with 11 players, it's impossible, so the players in big clubs know the squad is 20-something where everybody wants to play.
“Space for everybody and needed for everybody I think is absolutely fundamental and we want to improve all the time, do better and better and better, we want to achieve big things and will not stop until we do that.”
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Wednesday, January 24, 2018

11:23 AM

95 transfers and £1billion later: Who makes our all-star XI of Jose Mourinho's best ever signings?

Jose Mourinho has pulled off another stunning transfer coup, bringing in Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal.
Since 2002, the Portuguese has managed at Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Chelsea again and Manchester United, and has overseen 95 signings in that time.
Since taking charge of Porto, some 16 years ago, the 54-year-old has spent well over £1billion on players.
There have been free signings and there have been world record signings - but who makes Mourinho's best XI?
We at News M gave it our best shot.

Diego Lopez
Date: 2012-13
From: Sevilla
Transfer fee: £3.2m
Out of 77 players, Mourinho has only signed three goalkeepers. Given that the other two were substitute shot-stoppers at Chelsea - Asmir Begovic and Mark Schwarzer - Diego Lopez gets the nod.
After making the move from Sevilla, Lopez played every other game, alternating with club legend Iker Casillas.
In case you're wondering, Petr Cech was a Claudio Ranieri signing.

Lucio
Date: 2009-10
From: Bayern Munich
Transfer fee: £6.8m
This turned out to be a Jose Mourinho masterstroke. Lucio was 31 when he joined Inter Milan in 2009 but the Brazilian proved to be the perfect rock during the Portuguese's last season in charge.
Lucio was the anchor of a treble-winning defence.

Ricardo Carvalho
Date: 2004-05
From: Porto
Transfer fee: £19.8m
Carvalho was loved so much by Mourinho the Portuguese decided to make him one of his first signings at Chelsea.
Together the pair won three Premier League titles and two League Cups at Stamford Bridge.

Eric Bailly

Date: 2016-17
From: Villarreal
Transfer fee: £30m
This is meant as a compliment rather than an insult. Mourinho hasn't had the best of luck with defenders but Eric Bailly's fantastic performances last season have earned him a place in this starting XI.
A hefty fee, but the Red Devils would have been in serious trouble with the Ivorian last term.

Ashley Cole
Date: 2006-07
From: Arsenal
Transfer fee: £5m + William Gallas
One of Mourinho's greatest ever signings. Ashley Cole proved to be, for some time, the best left-back in the world.
William Gallas was certainly worth giving up.

Michael Essien
Date: 2005-06
From: Lyon
Transfer fee: £24.4m
Essien became the most expensive African footballer in history when the signing went through, but he was worth every penny.
Mourinho and the Ghanaian won the league in their first season together.

Wesley Sneijder
Date: 2009-10
From: Real Madrid
Transfer fee: £15.5m
The Dutchman's best performances came at Inter Milan and under Jose Mourinho. Like Lucio, Sneijder was crucial to the Serie A side winning the Champions League in 2010.
Sneijder's incredible form saw him consistently linked with a move to Manchester United.

Luka Modric
Date: 2012-13
From: Spurs
Transfer fee: £33m
He may not have had the best first season at Real Madrid, but aren't Santiago Bernabeu's fans glad Mourinho signed the Croatian now.
Modric has become one of Los Blancos' most important players and has even earned himself the number 10 shirt.

Didier Drogba
Date: 2004-05
From: Marseille
Transfer fee: £24m
This entry barely needs any words. Didier Drogba spearheaded Chelsea's attack for eight seasons (first time round), scoring 157 goals.
Under Mourinho the former Marseille man won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and two League Cups. He, of course, later went on to lead Chelsea to European glory.

Samuel Eto’o
Date: 2009-10
From: Barcelona
Transfer fee: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
No one wants to let Zlatan Ibrahimovic go, but when a club offers you £57million plus Samuel Eto'o are you really going to turn it down?
As it happens, Eto'o won the Champions League in his first season under Mourinho. In the season following the Portuguese's departure, the Cameroonian scored 37 goals in 53 appearances.

Alexis Sanchez
Date: 2017/18
From: Arsenal
Transfer fee: Swap deal for Henrikh Mkhitaryan
The Chilean takes the final position in the team.
The deal appears an excellent one for United - but only if he shows the same form he did at Arsenal.
Subs: Asmir Begovic (From Stoke City - £8m - 2015-16), Mesut Özil (From Werder Bremen - £12.5m - 2010-11), Sami Khedira (From Stuttgart - £10m - 2010-11), Michael Ballack (From Bayern Munich - Free - 2006-07), Angel Di Maria (From Benfica - £20.9m - 2010-11), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (From PSG - Free - 2016-17), Romelu Lukaku (From Everton - £75m - 2017/18)

Every Mourinho signing

PORTO
2002-03: Paulo Ferreira, Nuno Valente, Derlei, Maniche, Edgaras Jankauskas, Nuno Espirito Santo, Tiago, Marco Ferreira, Cesar Peixoto, Akos Buzsaky

2003-04: Pedro Mendes, Ricardo Fernandes, Benni McCarthy, Jose Bosingwa, Carlos Alberto, Fabiani Rossato, Maciel, Sergio Conceicao
CHELSEA
2004-05: Paulo Ferreira, Petr Cech, Arjen Robben, Mateja Kezman, Didier Drogba, Tiago, Ricardo Carvalho, Nuno Morais, Jiri Jarosik

2005-06: Asier Del Horno, Lassana Diarra, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Michael Essien, Maniche
2006-07: Michael Ballack, Salomon Kalou, Andriy Shevchenko, John Obi Mikel, Khalid Boulahrouz, Ashley Cole
INTER
2008-09: Hernan Crespo, Sulley Muntari, Richardo Quaresma, Victor Obinna, Luis Jimenez, Mancini

2009-10: Diego Milito, Thiago Motta, Lucio, Samuel Eto'o, Marko Arnautovic, Wesley Sneijder, Goran Pandev, McDonald Mariga, Denis Alibec, Kerlon
REAL MADRID
.2010-11: Angel Di Maria, Pedro Leon, Sami Khedira, Ricardo Carvalho, Mesut Ozil, Sergio Canales, Emmanuel Adebayor

2011-12: Nuri Sahin, Hamit Altintop, Jose Callejon, Raphael Varane, Fabio Coentrao
2012-13: Michael Essien, Nacho, Luka Modric
CHELSEA
2014-15: Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa, Filipe Luis, Didier Drogba, Loic Remy, Miro Mulheim, Hubert Adamczyk, Juan Cuadrado

2015-16: Asmir Begovic, Nathan, Danilo Pantalic, Baba Rahman, Pedro, Kenedy, Papy Djilobodji, Michael Hector, Marco Amelia
MANCHESTER UNITED
2016-17: Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Paul Pogba

2017-18: Victor Lindelof, Romelu Lukaku, Nemanja Matic, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alexis Sanchez...

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