Showing posts with label De Gea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label De Gea. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Van Gaal desperately seeking Manchester United balance

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal admits he is still trying to strike the right balance between his horde of creative talents and a more solid back-line.

The Red Devils claimed a last-gasp draw away to West Brom on Monday night, and while the Dutch coach was happy with his side’s performance he was dismayed that they failed to win the game.

But while he is ready to add more physicality and strength to his line-up, he is not going to sacrifice his team’s flair – even with a clash with Chelsea on the horizon.

We have to look for physical balance and maybe that is our problem,” Van Gaal told reporters. “I am always looking for creative players and in England you need physical players as well, maybe [Marouane] Fellaini brings that.”


Tuesday, October 21, 2014 14:00

Friday, October 10, 2014

Casillas hurting Spain's Euro 2016 hopes

Slovakia shocked Spain on Thursday night as they picked up an incredible 2-1 victory against La Roja, a match in which Iker Casillas's place in the side was once again called into question.

Vicente del Bosque stuck with the veteran shot-stopper at the World Cup despite losing his undisputed No.1 status at Real Madrid, but his poor form in Brazil continued in Zilina as the 33-year-old allowed a routine free kick to fly past him down the centre of the goal.

Casillas's performance against Slovakia could be the final straw for a player who has captained his country to World and European glory, with David de Gea - who was so magnificent against Everton at the weekend - waiting in the wings.
Friday, October 10, 2014 14:00

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Van Gaal's selection dilemma at Manchester United

The surprise loan signing of Radamel Falcao from Monaco may have bolstered Louis van Gaal’s attacking options at Manchester United, but the Dutchman now faces a selection headache for the remainder of the season.

With an attack also consisting of Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Juan Mata, Angel Di Maria and Adnan Januzaj - who will Van Gaal leave on the bench?
Tuesday, 2 September 2014 12:00

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Van Gaal begins work at Manchester United

Louis van Gaal arrived at Manchester United on Wednesday to begin life as the Reds Devils’ new manager.

After leading the Netherlands to a third-place finish at the World Cup, the Dutchman has refused to take a holiday before starting his new job at Old Trafford.

Van Gaal is expected to lay down the law at Old Trafford with double training sessions, fines and discipline on the agenda as a new Manchester United regime begins.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014 13:10

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Man Utd look to class of '99 for inspiration

Manchester United's Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich is being billed as one of the biggest mismatches in the competition's recent history; the Bavarians are on a 53-match unbeaten run domestically, while United have slumped to seventh under David Moyes.

But, despite the hosts' struggles, die Roten have no intention of taking their threat lightly. "This is a difficult duel!said Arjen Robben on Monday. "We need to perform from the first minute and put in a top performance. You need to be careful or you can lose against United."

The Dutchman knows just how dangerous the Red Devils can be, with his late volley at Old Trafford just enough to secure an away goals win over United in the 2009-10 campaign, despite the home side bossing proceedings.

Further back still, United claimed Champions League glory in 1999 despite appearing dead and buried. Sir Alex Ferguson's side were a goal down for much of the match, until Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer flipped the final on its head in stoppage time. Moyes will be looking for similar inspiration on Tuesday night if his side are to upset the form book.
Tuesday, 1 April 2014 11:00


Friday, March 14, 2014

Moyes, RVP & the Man Utd happy family

It appears that David Moyes and Robin van Persie may have kissed and made up.

The Manchester United striker denied that he was unhappy at the club and provided his full backing to Moyes in an interview on Thursday and stated: "The truth is I’m very happy here at this club. I signed for four years and I’d be delighted to stay even longer, beyond the next two years I have left on my contract.

"This is how I feel, although it’s not what has been suggested in the media.

"I’m very happy with my team-mates and I’m very happy with my manager and his staff."

So all seems well in the Manchester United family, for now...!
Friday, 14 March 2014 10:30

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Manchester United set for USA pre-season tour

Manchester United have endured a difficult season so far, but they have plenty to look forward to come the summer.

David Moyes's side will travel to the USA for a pre-season tour - their first visit to the country since 2011.

The Old Trafford outfit has confirmed its participation in the International Champions Cup, which will also feature rivals Liverpool, Real Madrid and AC Milan, with the final taking place at Miami's Sun Life Stadium on August 4.

The likes of Moyes, Robin van Persie, Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata will no doubt be hoping to take in some of the USA's historical landmarks.
Wednesday, 5 February 2014 10:30

Monday, September 30, 2013

Taco the net: De Gea criticised over diet & training mentality

The reasons behind David de Gea's unsettled start in the Premier League have been explained by Manchester United's former goalkeeping coach Eric Steele.

The 22-year-old was criticised for some of his early performances at United and Steele has revealed the sub-par displays were down to a combination of poor diet and attitude in training.

"There were lifestyle issues," he told United We Stand fanzine. "He'd sleep two or three times a day. He'd have his main meal late at night. He'd eat too many tacos.

"We pushed protein drinks on him straight after training. We had him in the gym a lot. He hated it. They don't do the gym in Spain as much. We needed to build his core strength.

"He would finish training and want to go home. When I told him to come back in the afternoon he'd ask: 'Why?'

"There were times in his first season when he trained poorly. I told him that players made decisions for managers, not the other way around. That he should be first, not last out for training."
Monday, September 30, 2013 12:00

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Spanish production line creates latest batch of winners

Spain continued their domination of world football on Tuesday when their Under-21 side defeated Italy in the final of the European Championship in Israel.

Thiago Alcantara netted a first-half hat-trick, with Malaga playmaker Isco also on the scoresheet to cap a sensational tournament on a personal level, in the 4-2 victory.

With the likes of Xavi, Carles Puyol, Iker Casillas and Fernando Torres approaching the end of their time with the full national side, Spain fans need not fear as their production line continues to churn out the next generation of superstars. 

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Take that Tevez! Sir Alex & Man United celebrate sweet revenge

Manchester United got their own back on rivals City by clinching their 20th league title on Monday night.

Roberto Mancini's men broke United hearts on the final day of last season, and Carlos Tevez infamously celebrated by holding up an "RIP Fergie" banner on their open-top bus tour through Manchester.

But United have roared back this season to leave Tevez et al in their wake, and Sir Alex can once again celebrate in style. 

Friday, April 19, 2013

Cannonball Carroll targets De Gea

West Ham striker Andy Carroll was the main talking point following his side’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Upton Park.

The on-loan frontman may not have managed to get on the scoresheet but he certainly hit the headlines with a robust performance.

David De Gea was certainly made aware of the striker’s qualities after being flattened in the first half by a flying Carroll, who walking away without so much as a booking.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Bernabeu love-in gets Madrid in Valentine's mood

On a night which produced one of the most action-packed games of the Champions League this season, romance was in the air ahead of Valentine's Day as Manchester United escaped from the Bernabeu with a draw.

Sir Alex Ferguson would feel his side could have secured a first-leg victory after seeing a number of chances spurned but United are were also indebted to the heroic performance of David de Gea, whose saves, albeit sometimes unorthodox, prevented Real Madrid from adding to Cristiano Ronaldo's superb first-half header.

After the match, Ferguson and Ronaldo embraced, leaving Mourinho to insist United are not in the driving seat to progress to the Champions League quarter final, while De Gea rightly deserved the plaudits after coming under fire several times this term. 

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Dazzled David de Gea and Suarez

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea turned in another disappointing performance as the Red Devils suffered a 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Liverpool on Saturday.

And as he watched from the stands, Luis Suarez, who is currently serving an eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra, came up with the secret ingredient - a doughnut, for which De Gea is known to have a craving.