The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Manchester United

  • Pogba injured, doubtful for Swansea clash

    Pogba injured, doubtful for Swansea clash

    Football most expensive player Paul Pogba is doubtful for Manchester United’s Premier League trip to Swansea City on Sunday after he limped off during the Europa League game against Fenerbahce.

    The Frenchman seemed to injure his thigh in a tackle with Brazilian midfielder Souza and he expressed his frustration by punching the ground before getting back to his feet.

    Pogba tried to shake off the knock and played on, even managing to create enough space for himself to fashion United’s first shot on target – albeit an effort comfortably saved by Volkan Demirel. However, on the half-hour mark he signalled to the bench that he felt unable to carry on and he was replaced by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

    With Ander Herrera suspended after his sending-off against Burnley last weekend, the Reds could have some problems in midfield ahead of the return to domestic action. It will therefore be intriguing to see if Jose Mourinho calls on the services of Bastian Schweinsteiger, who has just returned to training with the first-team squad.

    There was no official update on Pogba’s condition before the squad flew home from Istanbul but if he is ruled out for the weekend, he will join existing absentees Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling and Antonio Valencia on the sidelines.

  • Musa wears rival club jersey

    Musa wears rival club jersey

    Nigeria’s Ahmed Musa, the new signed player of Leceister City Football Club was spotted wearing a rival club jersey while attending to the needy in his birthplace in Jos the capital city of Plateau State, Nigeria.
    He has been the subject matter of many tweets after a photograph showed he was putting on a Manchester United Jersey.
    It was also confirmed by Musa’s close friends, that he was a very big fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, the European footballer of the year and a big fan of Manchester United as well.
    He was also said to be attached to the number 7, his jersey number for both club and country because it was Ronaldo’s number when he was with United.
  • Violent conduct: Aguero gets three-match ban

    Violent conduct: Aguero gets three-match ban

    Manchester City FC striker Sergio Aguero will miss Saturday’s derby against Manchester United in the Premier League after being banned for three games.

    A Football Association panel found the 28-year-old Aguero guilty of violent conduct after he elbowed West Ham’s Winston Reid in City’s 3-1 Premier League win on Sunday.

    Argentina international Aguero is also suspended for miss City’s home league game with Bournemouth on Sept. 17 and the EFL Cup third-round match at Swansea on Sept. 21.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Aguero has scored three goals in three league games this season for City.

    They are top of the table with a 100 per cent record.

    He also scored a hat-trick in the first leg of their 5-0 Champions League qualifier against Steaua Bucharest.

    City contested the violent conduct charge and argued that “the standard punishment would be clearly excessive’’.

     

  • Schweinsteiger listed in Man Utd Premier League squad

    Schweinsteiger listed in Man Utd Premier League squad

    Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has been included in Manchester United’s 25-man Premier League squad.

    The 32-year-old World Cup winner was told by new United boss, Jose Mourinho, recently that he was unlikely to play for the Old Trafford club again.

    The former Germany captain retired from international football earlier this week after 24 goals and 121 caps, the BBC reports.

    All 20 top-flight clubs had to submit their 25-man squads to the Premier League by 16:00 BST on Thursday.

    Under-21 players – like Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial – are eligible over and above the limit of 25 players per squad.

    Schweinsteiger, who signed a three-year contract in July 2015, has trained alone and with the under-23s since Mourinho took charge in the summer.

    The former Bayern Munich star said he “will be ready if the team needs me” but Mourinho said Paul Pogba, Marouane Fellaini, Morgan Schneiderlin, Ander Herrera and Michael Carrick are above him in the pecking order.

    “We have five players for two positions,” said the United boss, who took over from Louis van Gaal. “It’s very difficult that an opportunity will arrive.”

     

  • EPL, La liga fans to get authentic jerseys in Lagos – adidas

    EPL, La liga fans to get authentic jerseys in Lagos – adidas

    • 2016/2017 adidas Original EPL, La Liga Jerseys in Stores for Nigerian Fans

    Europe’s largest sportswear manufacturer, adidas has disclosed its intentions to present a unique experience for its Lagos based fans by hosting its inaugural Fan day.

    According to the German multinational corporation that designs and manufactures sports shoes, clothing and accessories in a statement, it will be an opportunity for football fans of the world’s leading clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea FC and Real Madrid to purchase authentic home and away jerseys for the 2016/2017 season.

    The statement reads: “Following the launch of the new kit in July 2016, there has been widespread anticipation on the arrival of the authentic products to Nigeria, where these international football giants enjoy massive support from fans in their millions.

    “Focusing on the need to ensure that Nigerian supporters of these clubs, and fans of the brand enjoy the latest season’s kit, adidas recently shipped in its latest stock to meet the growing demand for the product in Nigeria.

    “In addition to the football jerseys, some of the latest adidas products available in Nigeria include PureBOOST X running shoes for women, UltraBOOST in new color ways for women, Superstar Originals footwear and adidas Stan Smith footwear, to name a few.”

    The German company further noted that the limited 2016/17 season football jerseys are available in various sizes only at adidas franchise stores at Lekki 12E Admiralty way, Lekki Phase 1, and Ikeja City Mall in Lagos.

    Commenting on this development, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mopheth Sports and adidas retail partner in Nigeria, Kunle Oyegade said: “Fan day is a great opportunity for Nigerian superfans of the game to secure their authentic football jerseys, at the beginning of the season. We are excited to offer the fan what they want, be it football or the latest style product.”

    “Fans of Manchester United, Chelsea FC and Real Madrid will get exclusive invites for a one-time opportunity to shop limited home and away kits of their favorite at designated adidas stores from Saturday, September 3, 2016. Fans will also go home with special gifts on purchase made. To get invite, interested fans are to Register Here

     

     

  • UEFA: Europa League draws

    UEFA: Europa League draws

    Manchester United will face Fenerbahce, Feyenoord and Zorya Luhansk in the group stage of the Europa League, following the competition’s draw made on Friday.

    Manchester United pitches tent against Fenerbahce of Turkey while Southampton, the other Premier League side still in the competition, will take on Inter Milan, Sparta Prague and Hapoel Beer Sheva.

    League of Ireland side Dundalk have been drawn with Zenit St Petersburg, AZ Alkmaar and Maccabi Tel-Aviv.

    The match dates for the group stage are Sept. 15 and Sept. 29, Oct. 20, Nov. 3 and Nov. 24, and Dec. 8.

    Reacting to the draw, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said he knew little about Ukrainian opponents Zorya but welcomed being drawn with Fenerbahce and Feyenoord.

    “We all know the competition is not the same as the Champions League, but to have Manchester United playing against clubs with tradition like Fenerbahce and Feyenoord is good for us,” he said.

    “We know that it will be a difficult group, but I think that is a good thing. It is good for the fans and for the players because it will help motivation.’’

    Full draw:

    Group A: Manchester United, Fenerbahce, Feyenoord, Zorya Luhansk

    Group B: Olympiacos, Apoel Nicosia, Young Boys, Astana

    Group C: Anderlecht, St Etienne, Mainz, Qabala

    Group D: Zenit St Petersburg, AZ Alkmaar, Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Dundalk

    Group E: Plzen, Roma, Austria Vienna, FC Astra Giurgiu

    Group F: Athletic Bilbao, Genk, Rapid Vienna, Sassuolo

    Group G: Ajax, Standard Liege, Celta Vigo, Panathinaikos

    Group H: Shakhtar Donetsk, Braga, Gent, Konyaspor

    Group I: Schalke 04, FC Red Bull Salzburg, Krasnodar, Nice

    Group J: Fiorentina, PAOK Salonika, Liberec, Qarabag

    Group K: Inter Milan, Sparta Prague, Southampton, Hapoel Beer Sheva

    Group L: Villarreal, Steaua Bucharest, FC Zurich, Osmanlispor

  • Man United pip Tottenham in EPL opening day

    Man United pip Tottenham in EPL opening day

    An own goal from Kyle Walker ensured Manchester United opened the Premier League season with a 1-0 victory over Tottenham at Old Trafford on Saturday, Goal reports.

    The right-back stabbed the ball into his own net midway through the first half after a new-look United side had made a shaky start.

    David de Gea watched on as Sergio Romero made his United debut, with Louis van Gaal stating that the Spanish goalkeeper is not in the right frame of mind amid ongoing speculation over a move to Real Madrid.

    The Argentine international Romero produced an assured display – making a couple of fine, late saves – as Tottenham pushed for equalizer.

    Van Gaal must have seen plenty of room for improvement as he aims to turn United into title contenders, but will be happy with three points after losing at home to Swansea City on the opening day last year.

    Romero, Matteo Darmian, Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay made their Premier League debuts for United, while Germany World Cup winner, Bastian Schweinsteiger, was among the substitutes.

     

  • Man United battle Porto for Awoniyi

    Man United battle Porto for Awoniyi

    SL10.ng has been told that Portuguese setup Porto have joined Manchester United and Everton in the race for Nigeria Under-20 international Taiwo Awoniyi.

    In their bid to lure the 17-year-old to the Estádio do Dragão, Porto are hoping to steal a march on their rivals by offering Taiwo Awoniyi the prospect of reuniting with his good pal in the Flying Eagles, Chidera Ezeh.

    Other teams credited with a genuine interest in the United Academy ace include Bordeaux, Red Bull Salzburg and Anderlecht.

    Having said that, it should be noted that no formal contract offer from the interested suitors has been tabled, though preliminary talks have taken place between the European clubs and Taiwo Awoniyi’s representative.

    Meanwhile, an ex Stoke City midfielder, who also played for the Super Eagles, is the chief protagonist, involved in the transfer imbroglio threatening to derail the young striker’s career. The ex Eagles ace (name withheld) has refused to give up as regards the player’s registration and economic rights.

    Three days ago, the retired Nigeria international and Imperial Academy supremo sent another email to the Kalmar brass, asking the Swedish club to pay Taiwo Awoniyi’s transfer fee worth 150,000 euros.

    But Kalmar have been warned that money will only be paid to Olofinjana at their own peril, as the Nigeria Federation is yet to rule on the party that owns his rights.

    An unnamed Spanish club is also believed to be monitoring the transfer situation of Taiwo Awoniyi.

  • Watford not happy with Ogo Obi

    Watford not happy with Ogo Obi

    According to reports sourced by SL10 from local media in Watford, Watford FC are angry over the minimal compensation they will receive when the highly rated Nigeria teenager Ogo Obi’s move to Manchester United is complete.

    Obi looks set to join Manchester United after helping their youth team retain the Milk Cup while on trial, but Watford are likely to receive approximately £130,000 for the talented 16-year-old.

    It is believed Watford Chairman Raffaele Riva is unhappy over the pay due to them as compensation for Ogo Obi from Manchester United, and he is presently seeking the teenager sign a year deal aside an offering for a scholarship.

    However, Obi turned down Watford initial approach before heading on trial with Manchester United at the Milk Cup where he scored three goals in four games to push his claim to be offered a deal by the Red Devils.

    If Obi insistson refusing the offer from Watford as it currently stands he will be expected to sign a professional contract Manchester United when he turns 17 later in the year.

    In the past, a tribunal system decided how much clubs were entitled to when young players leave for other teams.

    But the introduction of the hugely controversial Elite Player Performance Plan (EPP) created by the Premier League means sums have reduced drastically for teen transfers.

    In line with that, Watford are only entitled to around £130,000 for the 16-year-old as a training and compensation grant.

  • Manchester Utd sacks Moyes

    Manchester Utd sacks Moyes

    … Appoints Giggs as interim boss

    David Moyes has been sacked by Manchester United with immediate effect.

    Chief executive Ed Woodward arrived at Carrington at 8am on Tuesday morning to inform the Scot face-to-face of the news.

    Moyes had already been informed of his fate and thanked club staff at the training complex in anticipation of his departure. The players were not present at the time.

    A tweet on the club’s official Twitter account reads: ‘BREAKING: Manchester United announces that David Moyes has left the club. The club would like to place on record its thanks for the hard work, honesty and integrity he brought to the role.’

    It emerged on Monday that United’s owners, the Glazer family, had lost patience with Moyes after a dismal season that has seen the reigning Barclays Premier League champions slump to seventh in the table.

    The final straw was Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Everton, their 11th in the Barclays Premier League this season, and a result that left the title holders 13 points off the Champions League places.

    Meanwhile, the club has revealed that Ryan Giggs will assume first-team responsibilities as interim coach until a permanent successor to Moyes is appointed.

    Giggs, who has made a record 962 appearances for United and was widely expected to end his playing career this summer, will negotiate the final three matches of the season.

    A club statement reads: “Following the departure of David Moyes as manager, Manchester United has announced that Ryan Giggs, the club’s most decorated player, will assume responsibility for the first team until a permanent appointment can be made.

    “The club will make no further comment on this process until it is concluded.”

    Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp had been installed as the early favourite to succeed Moyes, but has since ruled out the possibility of leaving the Bundesliga giants this summer.

    Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone and Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti are both also thought to be in contention, but Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal is the new front-runner for the post.

    Van Gaal is also wanted by Tottenham to succeed Tim Sherwood, but Goal reported last week that the Dutchman was taking his time to weigh up his options amid speculation linking him with United.