Ole Gunnar Solskjaer acknowledged he took a risk with his Manchester United team selection in the EFL Cup, but he defended the approach despite a defeat to West Ham.
United had beaten the Hammers in dramatic fashion in the Premier League on Sunday but lost 1-0 in Wednesday s third-round cup tie at Old Trafford.
Manuel Lanzini s early goal proved the difference, with United failing to turn their 61 per cent possession and 27 attempts into an equaliser.
While Solskjaer s side remain competitive in the league – level atop the Premier League alongside Chelsea and Liverpool, this defeat extends their wait for silverware, having last lifted a trophy in the 2016-17 Europa League.
Solskjaer gambled with United s involvement in the competition, though, making 11…
Tite believes Lionel Messi is unstoppable, but he hopes Brazil can find a way to slow down the Argentina star in the Copa America semi-finals.
Although Messi is yet to hit top form at the tournament, Argentina have reached the last four, where fierce rivals Brazil await in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday.
Tite is wary of Messi, but also pointed to the talent in his attack ahead of the showdown.
We spoke not only of the individuality of Argentina. They have grown in collective terms as well, the Brazil coach told a news conference.
The collective enhances individuality. You don t cancel out Messi, no, you can slow his actions, but you cannot neutralise his actions.
Just as [Philippe] Coutinho does not neutralise himself, [Roberto] Firmino, David Neres…
Arsene Wenger was taken by surprise by a pre-match presentation of a special gift from former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.
Wenger s near 22-year stay at Arsenal will conclude at the end of the season and he watched a young XI lose 2-1 thanks to a late Marouane Fellaini header on Sunday in the Premier League.
Legendary United boss Ferguson was on hand to greet his old rival by the dugouts before the game, with Jose Mourinho also embracing Wenger warmly ahead of kick-off.
And Wenger said he had not expected such a positive response from the United fans ahead of the match, although some home supporters later mocked him by singing Arsene Wenger, we want you to stay during the game.
Very nice, it s classy and I enjoyed it, Wenger said to Sky Sport…
According to reports in Italy, AC Milan are prepared to enter the race for the signature of Donyell Malen of PSV Eindhoven.
The talented winger has been linked with a number of clubs across Europe, including PSV s fierce rivals Ajax, but the most recent links spoke about interest from Arsenal and Liverpool. However, Tuttosport have reported that the Rossoneri are keen on his services as well.
Malen has already worn the shirts of Ajax and Arsenal, having started out with the Dutch champions at youth level and moved to north London in 2015. Two years later he went back to his homeland and joined the youth ranks at PSV, before making his first-team debut in February 2018 and helping PSV win the Eredivisie title that year. The 20-year-old made his international debut for Ne…
Stiliyan Petrov will have the chance to earn a contract at Aston Villa after being confirmed on their pre-season tour of Austria.
The former Bulgaria international was diagnosed with acute leukaemia four years ago, but trained with Villa s Under-21 side towards the end of last season.
Petrov expressed his desire to be part of Villa s 2016-17 campaign – which sees them in the Championship after relegation last season – and the club have given him the opportunity.
We can confirm will join the first team for pre-season.
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial)
We can also confirm that will join the squad for the training camp in Austria.
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial)
The 36-year-old midfielder will be part of Roberto Di …
Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes Jose Mourinho is the perfect manager for him at this stage of his career.
Ibrahimovic helped Inter to Serie A glory under Mourinho in 2008-09 and was reunited with his old boss at Old Trafford for this season, following four record-breaking years at Paris Saint-Germain.
Despite his advancing years, the 35-year-old became an instant favourite with the United faithful and boasts a superb goal record of 26 in 41 games across all competitions.
He signed a one-year contract with the 20-time English champions, containing the option of another year, and Major League Soccer outfit LA Galaxy have been the latest side linked to a lucrative move for Ibrahimovic s services.
Amid speculation he is holding out for a…
Wayne Rooney says Louis van Gaal is the best coach he has worked with in his career, rather than Manchester United legend Alex Ferguson.
Rooney and Ferguson did not always have the smoothest relationship at Old Trafford, although the striker became the world s most expensive teenager when the Scot signed him for United in 2004.
England captain Rooney won five Premier League titles under Ferguson, as well as the 2007-08 Champions League.
Ferguson retired in 2013 after winning his 13th Premier League title, with Van Gaal soon arriving as David Moyes successor, the former Everton manager failing to complete a single season.
And although Van Gaal only had an FA Cup crown to show for his two years with a rebuilding United, Rooney surprisingly credits the D…
Fleetwood Town are closing in on a deal for former Norwich City midfielder Wes Hoolahan, according to Sky Sports.
The thirty-six-year-old is currently without a club after being released from the Canaries after ten years with the club.
He played three hundred and fifty-four times for the Norfolk club in all competitions, scoring fifty-three goals and was part of the squads that won promotion to the second tier in 2010 and to the top flight in both 2011 and 2015.
Prior to his move to Carrow Road he played one hundred and two times for Blackpool, having began his career with Livingston in Scotland.
Internationally, he was capped forty-three times for the Republic of Ireland, scoring three times – one of those goals coming in a 1-1 draw with Sweden in…
Emile Smith Rowe says it is annoying to have played such a small part in Arsenal s record start to a Premier League season, but he is hopeful of returning for their next match.
The 22-year-old underwent surgery on a persistent groin injury in September and was ruled out until after the World Cup break.
Smith Rowe featured in 33 of Arsenal s 38 Premier League games last season – only three outfield players featured more regularly – but he has played just 48 minutes this term.
Arsenal are top of the division with their highest ever points tally (37) after 14 games, five points more than Manchester City, and Smith Rowe is eager to get back playing.
The three-cap England international attended Saturday s qualifying session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and…
Aston Villa have condemned the violence from Legia Warsaw fans which left police injured before their Europa Conference League game at Villa Park.
Missiles were thrown at police as the visiting fans were held in the coach park near the stadium, before they were due to enter for Thursday’s group game.
Three police officers were injured and although the game started on time, no Legia fans were allowed into the stadium ahead of kick-off.
Aston Villa Football Club can confirm that no away fans were allowed into Villa Park for this evening’s UEFA Europa Conference League fixture with Legia Warsaw on the advice of West Midlands Police following large-scale disorder outside the stadium caused by visiting supporters.
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial)
V…