Van Gaal goes from king to devil

After enjoying a hugely successful pre-season which saw them conquer European giants to lift the International Champions Cup, Manchester United - and manager Louis van Gaal - came crashing back to earth last week.

The Red Devils were beaten 2-1 by Swansea City at Old Trafford in the first game of the new Premier League season, bursting the bubble of optimism built over the off-season and off the back off Van Gaal's excellent showing with the Netherlands at the World Cup.

"Two weeks ago I was the king of Manchester and now I am the devil of Manchester,” the Dutchman remarked on Friday.

Next up for United is a trip to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland and Van Gaal will be hoping for a better showing than against Swansea, though he still maintains that it will take at least three months for his philosophy and coaching to begin to show on the pitch.

Saturday, August 23, 2014 11:45

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Super Mario on verge of Liverpool move

Liverpool are on the verge of completing a £16 million swoop for volatile AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli, with the Italian having already said his goodbyes to his Rossoneri team-mates.

The dart-throwing, supercar-wrecking, pig-owning striker enjoyed a tumultuous stay in the Premier League with Manchester City, and more fireworks are expected should he finalise a move to Anfield.

Balotelli will be expected to fill the void left by Luis Suarez - one of the few players in the world who is even more controversial than the 24-year-old - and Brendan Rodgers faces a tough task in keeping football's ultimate bad boy under control.

Friday, August 22, 2014 11:50

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Barca on the prowl for players ahead of transfer ban

Player valuations are set to rocket following Fifa’s confirmation that Barcelona will not be able to sign anyone until 2016.

The Spanish side, who are banned from signing anyone in the next two transfer windows, have only 11 days to cram in their business, while clubs across Europe will be looking to hide their prized assets.

Thursday, August 21, 2014 12:00

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Wenger sees red after Ramsey dismissal

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was furious after his side's 0-0 draw with Besiktas in the Champions League, decrying the decision to send midfielder Aaron Ramsey off.

The Frenchman unleashed his inner John McEnroe after the dismissal, claiming the Welshman's second yellow card was "just not serious".

Ramsey was adjudged to have pulled back Oguzhan Ozyakup in the 80th minute, and will now miss the second leg at Emirates Stadium next week, but Wenger is adamant it was a poor decision.

"Both yellow cards for Aaron Ramsey are unbelievable," fumed the Arsenal boss. "When you see the fouls they have made today it's not serious. Just not serious."

Wednesday, 20 August 2014 12:00

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Maestro Fabregas orchestrates Chelsea win

Cesc Fabregas enjoyed a spectacular return to the Premier League on Monday night, setting up two goals as Chelsea brushed aside newly promoted Burnley to claim a convincing 3-1 win.

Despite going behind early on at Turf Moor, the Blues showed their class in an electrifying first-half display that was orchestrated by the club's summer signing from Barcelona.

Fabregas, sitting deep alongside Nemanja Matic, pulled the strings for the away side and showed his incredible class with a sublime first-time clipped pass to setup Andre Schurrle.

The Spain international helped to extend the west Londoners' lead even further, planting a pin-point corner on the boot of Branislav Ivanovic, with Chelsea romping to a routine win thanks to their new midfield dynamo.

Tuesday, 19 August 2014 12:30

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Ghost of Moyes haunts Van Gaal at Manchester United

Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United reign got off to the worst possible start as he watched his side lose to Swansea City at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The defeat was the first time the Red Devils have lost on the opening day since 1972 with Gylfi Sigurdsson’s winner handing Garry Monk’s side a 2-1 victory.

The result is in sharp contrast to last season when United also faced Swansea on the opening day and won 4-1 at the Liberty Stadium under David Moyes.

Sunday, 17 August 2014 11:48

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Suarez struggling to let go of Liverpool

Luis Suarez is having difficulty letting Liverpool go from his life.

The Uruguayan left Anfield this summer in a gigantic £75 million move to Barcelona but his former manager Brendan Rodgers revealed he received a text from Suarez before their 2-1 opening day win over Southampton.

Far removed from the pantomime villain we have become accustomed to seeing, Rodgers described the text as "lovely" and said he is a "friend of Liverpool now."

Suarez is set to take part in a friendly on Monday night against Leon, where he will feature alongside his new team-mates Leo Messi and Neymar, but seems like he has yet to fully focus on the Catalans.

Monday, 18 August 2014 13:01

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The truth about Wenger's coat

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Chaos of the Premier League is back for another season

It's finally here. After 97 days, a Premier League ball will be kicked in anger once again.

Saturday sees 14 of the top-flight's 20 sides in action with Louis van Gaal's Manchester United taking on Swansea. Later, Tottenham head to West Ham for Mauricio Pochettino's first game in charge of Spurs and Arsenal host manager-less Crystal Palace.

With the likes of Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas, Alexis Sanchez and Ander Herrera brought to England over the summer, this Premier League season feels like no other.

Saturday, 16 August 2014 10:10

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Suarez unleashed on Barca training

The Court of Arbitration for Sport may have upheld Luis Suarez's four-month football ban, but they have now allowed the Uruguayan to train with Barcelona ahead of his return.

The former Livepool striker, who nibbled on an opponent for a third time when he took a chunk out of Giorgio Chiellini's shoulder at the World Cup, had initially been banned from all football-related activity, preventing Barca from unveiling their big-money signing.

But CAS have now allowed Suarez to link up with his new team-mates on the training field, and he is expected to line up in a friendly against Leon FC on Monday, just hours after a planned official presentation at Camp Nou.

It will be a little while yet before Suarez can join his Barca team-mates in a competitive match, however, and he will instead have a watching brief until October 26 when he likely to make his full debut against Real Madrid.

Friday, 15 August 2014 14:00

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