Manchester United have been rocked by another injury after Chris Smalling was forced off against Southampton on Monday evening. The English central defender pulled up with a leg injury after colliding with Italian striker Graziano Pelle and was forced off the field, replaced by Jonny Evans after just 17 minutes. Smalling was part of a three man defence for Louis van Gaal’s side on Monday evening which included Paddy McNair and a returning Marcos Rojo. He will now join the likes of Luke Shaw, Rafael and Phil Jones on the sidelines. Confirmation of the full extent of his injury is…
Author: Staff Writer
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has told his critics to judge him at the end of the season after criticism following his side’s 3-2 loss at Stoke City. Saturday’s dismal defeat to Stoke City at the Britannia stadium left the Gunners in sixth place and 13 points behind Chelsea after 15 games of the season. Wenger has been under heavy pressure this season after a list of poor results and has now been questioned once more after the defeat to Mark Hughes’ side. “We want to be judged at the end of the season. Not after every single game when emotion…
Manchester United forward Robin van Persie believes his side are moving forward after their 2-1 win over Southampton. Dutch striker Van Persie scored a brace to seal the points against Ronald Koeman’s youthful side on Monday evening in a result that saw United move into third place. And, the 31-year-old believes that he and his team-mates are now full of confidence. “The first goal is a bit of a gamble, nine out of 10 times it doesn’t come off and you still have to score,” he told BBC Sport. “I was a bit lucky there, it went through his legs…
Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino has remained positive despite seeing his side beaten 3-0 at Stamford Bridge by Chelsea on Wednesday. Spurs made a good start to the game on Wednesday evening but were pegged back by Chelsea, who eventually took all three points thanks to goals from Eden Hazard, Didier Drogba and Loic Remy. However, Pochettino has remained positive following the defeat and chose not to put the blame on his players. “We need to take some positives from the team tonight,” he told reporters. “I think that we started very well. We created some chances. “The first chance…
Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira is ‘curious’ to see where he will end up next season as more links to the Premier League continue. The German international has been hampered by injury this season, in what is his final year of his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu and has since been linked with both Arsenal and Chelsea. The 27-year-old has maintained that he would like to remain with the European champions, but he has spoken about his interest in moving elsewhere next summer. “It is a known fact that my contract expires. [The club and I] are always in good…
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has played down rumours that the Mario Balotelli could move back to Inter Milan. The much talked about Italian striker has failed to find his feet at Anfield this season since arriving from AC Milan, scoring just twice in all competitions. Links back to Italy have since been made with a move back to Inter Milan, where former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is in charge; often mentioned. However, Reds boss Rodgers has backed the striker once more and confirmed that he is part of future plans. “He’s still very much a Liverpool player but he’s…
Jordan Henderson insists that Steven Gerrard would be a ‘huge loss’ to Liverpool if he does not sign a new contract. Gerrard has been in good form of late for Liverpool but has sparked concerns over a new contract at the club and Henderson believes that should he not stay at Anfield, then the club would feel his loss. “I want him to stay on for as long as possible,” Henderson told the Liverpool Echo. “He has been the best player, I think, for a number of years. “Not just for Liverpool but in the Premier League. And I think…
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has rubbished reports that Manchester United could sign Diego Godin in January. Uruguayan defender Godin is believed to have a £28.5m release clause in his current contract with the Spanish champions and has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United, who are in desperate need to bolster their defensive options. United boss Louis van Gaal has been forced to try young players this season at Old Trafford and although the young duo of Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett have done well; the Dutch boss wants Godin to bring experience to his side. However,…
Philipp Lahm has ruled out the prospect of playing for Germany again after retiring following the World Cup victory in Brazil. The Bayern Munich captain inspired Germany to World Cup glory this summer, but announced his retirement from international duty almost instantly after the competition. And, Lahm, who is now ruled out of action until March with a fractured ankle, is adamant that leaving the German camp was the right decision. “I have to disappoint Football Germany unfortunately,” he told Bild. “The national team’s finished for me. I will carry the DFB jersey in future only as a fan when watching.…
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has defended Simon Mignolet, despite being linked to Fiorentina’s Neto. The Reds have become worried by the form of Simon Mignolet of late after a number of high profile mistakes and boss Brendan Rodgers is keen to pursue a replacement in the January transfer window. The 26-year-old was then unfortunate to concede an own goal as a shot from Leonardo Ulloa rebounded off the post during the 3-1 win over Leicester City on Wednesday and has since been defended by Rodgers. “Simon Mignolet is working very hard on the training field to improve,” he told reporters.…