Manchester United FC: High time for players to stand up and show fight after Europa League defeat

 

It was a tie United should have wrapped up after taking the lead through Memphis Depay, but like what has been the usual scenario this season, they allowed the hosts to comeback after making unnecessary mistakes.

Veteran Michael Carrick and Juan Mata were guilty of losing possession of the ball and allowing the hosts to take the chances and kill the tie. For a side where possession has been the mantra under Gaal, losing unnecessary balls in dangerous positions ended up being ominous.

United looked as the second best team on the pitch and lacked the intensity and leadership to propel them to get a positive result. This has been a familiar story of late and there is no advancement to change that wave of rot.

Statistics show United have won just nine games out of their last 27 games to suggest the road they are in is an unknown territory.

After the game, Gaal blamed to be victim of Murphy's law after 14 first team players being injured with David de Gea being the latest in that list. But it is a game United were expected to win and their lifelessness in Denmark showed, Gaal has no place to hide and blame misfotunes.

United's progression has been jolted under the Dutchman this season and he is in further pressure now to save his job. Interestingly, his players have been the main contributors to all the negativity and scrutiny the club and its manager has faced most part of the season.

With the return leg next week, United need a goal at least in Old Trafford to progress and not allow their opponents to score. But with several sides coming to the Theatre of Dreams and getting results in their favour, the Danish side know they are in with a major chance of progressing.

The senior players in United should have no excuse for their prosaic play and lack of hunger. Along with the manager who has looked clueless, United also need to look at their players and decide on their futures with majority of them being below-par.

As United travel to League One side Shrewsbury Town on Sunday for the FA Cup fifth Round, they need to get a win desparately and build on it. Next week will determine the season for United as in to where they are headed with the return leg of Europa League, followed by a key clash against EPL title contenders Arsenal.

Gaal who said United will focus on Europa League to gain Champions League qualification for next season, has already seen his players falter and that desire too is slipping away.

 

Europa League: Manchester United FC stunned in Denmark, Valencia give Gary Neville boost

 

Goals from the talented Pione Sisto and young Nigerian forward Paul Onuachu gave Midtjylland the victory in Herning after Memphis Depay had put a weakened United side ahead in the first leg of their last-32 tie.

That away goal gives United every chance of turning things around in next Thursday`s return at Old Trafford but the spectre of a humiliating exit hangs in the air at a time when Van Gaal`s side lag behind in their bid to finish in the top four of the Premier League.

The Dutch manager has admitted winning the Europa League may now be his side`s best chance of qualifying for next season`s Champions League and this latest setback will only increase the pressure on him.

He sent out a weakened side with Sergio Romero replacing the injured David de Gea in goal, and the likes of Paddy McNair and Donald Love featuring from the start against opponents who eliminated Southampton earlier in the competition, and Midtjylland deserved their win.

"It`s just not good enough. It`s not acceptable. It`s got to be a lot better," admitted United midfielder Michael Carrick, speaking to BT Sport.

"We didn`t really kick on after we scored. With a performance and a result like that we go home very disappointed."

Premier League title contenders Tottenham Hotspur fared better, coming away from their trip to Italy to face Fiorentina with a 1-1 draw that puts them in a strong position ahead of next week`s return.

Mauricio Pochettino sent out a strong side, albeit one missing first-choice goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and with Harry Kane on the bench.

And Spurs went in front in the 37th minute when Nacer Chadli converted from the penalty spot after Ben Davies was brought down by Nenad Tomovic.

However, Fiorentina, who sit third in Serie A, drew level just before the hour mark thanks to Federico Bernardeschi, whose long-range strike beat Michel Vorm with the aid of a deflection off Ryan Mason.

Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp`s return to Germany with Liverpool saw his side draw 0-0 with Bundesliga outfit Augsburg in Bavaria, leaving that tie finely poised.

Liverpool may regret not getting an away goal, but it could have been worse for them as substitute Ji Dong-Won hit the woodwork for the hosts late on.

"There`s no point getting carried away, 0-0 away from home isn`t a bad result, but we still have a lot of work to do," said Klopp.Valencia can already start looking forward to the last 16 after destroying Rapid Vienna 6-0 at the Mestalla to give under-fire coach Gary Neville a major boost.

Valencia were five goals to the good at the break with Santi Mina scoring two and Dani Parejo, Alvaro Negredo and Andre Gomes also on target. Substitute Rodrigo wrapped up the win late on.

Holders Sevilla have one foot in the last 16 after beating Molde of Norway 3-0 at the Sanchez Pizjuan with Fernando Llorente netting twice before Kevin Gameiro wrapped up the win.

Fellow Spaniards Villarreal beat Serie A visitors Napoli 1-0 via a late goal from Denis Suarez, and Athletic Bilbao completed a fine night for clubs from La Liga as they won 1-0 at Marseille thanks to a stunning volley by Aritz Aduriz, the veteran striker scoring his 26th goal of the season.

Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmind put themselves in a strong position against FC Porto as they beat the Portuguese giants 2-0 at the Signal Iduna Park thanks to a goal in each half from Lukasz Piszczek and Marco Reus.

Dortmund`s local rivals Schalke drew 0-0 with Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine while Bayer Leverkusen won 1-0 at Sporting Lisbon with Karim Bellarabi getting the only goal.

Anderlecht beat Olympiakos 1-0 as Serigne Mbodji got the only goal of the game in Brussels, while a late strike by Jean-Christophe Bahebeck, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, gave Saint-Etienne a 3-2 win at home to Swiss champions Basel.

Lazio came from behind to draw 1-1 with Galatasaray in Istanbul thanks to a Sergej Milinkovic-Savic strike, while Sparta Prague edged the Russians Krasnodar 1-0 and 2011 runners-up Braga beat Sion 2-1 in Switzerland.

Champions League: Cristiano Ronaldo breaks Roma resistance as Real Madrid claim vital away victory

 

The record 10 times European champions took the game to Roma, but were frustrated in the first half as the hosts kept men behind the ball, while looking to catch Real out on the break.

Ronaldo, however, ended their resistance just before the hour mark.

He audaciously controlled a fine pass from Marcelo on the left edge of the box, before unleashing a powerful, curling shot that deflected off Alessandro Florenzi and looped over keeper Wojciech Szczesny into the net.

The emphatic finish sparked a joyous celebration from the Portuguese who raced across to embrace coach Zinedine Zidane.

"It was a great match by him and the rest (of the team)," Zidane told beIN Sports.

"I`m happy (about the celebration) but above all because he scored," added the Frenchman, who was a Champions League winner with Real as a player in 2002 but was making his competition debut as coach.

"It`s been a very special day, we played well but it was a difficult match because they (Roma) played well."

Substitute Jese added the Spanish team’s second four minutes from fulltime with a solo run into the box and shot across the face of goal that flew inside the far post.

Two minutes earlier, Real goalkeeper Keylor Navas came out sharply to save at the feet of Stephan El Shaarawy after one of Roma’s fast and dangerous counter-attacks.

Ronaldo might have had a second goal a quarter of an hour from the end but his header at the far post was just wide from James Rodriguez’s superb cross.

Karim Benzema then saw his goalbound shot from another James cross hit Lucas Digne in the head.

At the other end, Roma substitute Edin Dzeko hit the side-netting with a header and Real were relieved when the home side were not awarded a penalty after a tackle by Dani Carvajal on Florenzi.

"It was our best performance of the season this evening against a top team," Florenzi told Mediaset.

"We`re bitter because we played really well and to see this score is not pleasing."

Real did not have a single shot on target in the first half, but twice had Raphael Varane to thank for coming to their rescue, as the centre back superbly intercepted a ball from Mohamed Salah to Diego Perotti, before blocking a shot by El Shaarawy.

Zidane remains unbeaten since he took over from the sacked Rafa Benitez early last month and the coach was given enthusiastic backing from Real defender Sergio Ramos.

"We`re all on the same wavelength as Zinedine Zidane, we`re very happy with him," Ramos said.

Vladimir Putin T-shirt lands Moscow midfielder in trouble

 

Midfielder Dmitri Tarasov removed his team jersey at the end of the game against Fenerbahce in Europe`s second-tier club competition in Istanbul on Tuesday, revealing a picture of Putin and the words: "The most polite president".

However, Tarasov's proclamation didn't go down well with the club, which described the 28-year-old' action as "inexcusable.

After the match, the player reportedly said that "This is my president. I respect him and decided to show that I am ready to support him wherever I am. I wrote on this T-shirt everything that I wanted to say."

In reaction to the player's comments, the club released a statement.

"Unfortunately, the club`s staff were unable to prevent this incident as the footballer had not informed anyone of his plans. What Dmitri did was inappropriate and damages the club`s and his own reputation," the club said.

"Tarasov will be fined in accordance with his contract with Lokomotiv," it added.

In between, the Europe's soccer`s governing body, UEFA has reportedly provisioned to ban Tarasov for a minimum of 10 matches and Lokomotiv also facing sanctions.

Lokomotiv lost the match 2-0 in the first leg of the last-32 tie.

It can be mentioned that UEFA fined Barcelona 30,000 euros after their Champions League final victory over Juventus during which the club`s supporters displayed banners with calls for Catalonia to gain independence from Spain.

I-League 2015-16: Jeje, Sony Norde's goals give Mohun Bagan crucial win over Bengaluru FC

This was Bagan's first win over the hosts in Bengaluru.

Bengaluru dominated the proceedings till the 73rd minute, playing attacking football. Home team skipper captain Sunil Chhetri and dangerous Kim Song Yong turned out to be a threat for Bagan defence by winning aerial duels and making off the ball runs.

However, the visitors turned the tables around in he last 15 minutes when Jeje turned inside the box to kick the ball past Amrinder Singh to give Bagan the lead.

Bagan then doubled their lead through Norde who collected a pass and sent another shot past goalkepeer Amrinder in the four minute of extra time.

Bengaluru in 87th minute had a chance to reduce the margin when Len shot hit the upright after Beikho and Len combined well inside the striking circle.

Earlier, in 69th minute C K Vineeth brought down a long pass from Curtis Omolo Osano but his strike was saved by Bagan custodian Debjit.

With this win, Bagan have 14 points from six games, moving to second on the table.

La Liga 2015-16: Cristiano Ronaldo hits double in Real Madrid win, Gary Neville records first win

Meanwhile, Gary Neville registered his first La Liga win as Valencia boss at the 10th attempt as they came from behind to beat Espanyol 2-1.

Ronaldo`s early opener was cancelled out by Javi Eraso before a two-goal burst just before half-time from James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos put Madrid in control.

Real were reduced to 10 men late on as Raphael Varane received a red card, but Ronaldo made sure of the points before Gorka Elustondo grabbed a consolation in stoppage time.

Barca have two games in hand on Madrid and face Celta Vigo in the first of those on Sunday.

Ronaldo had been much criticised for his poor performance as Madrid struggled past Granada last weekend.

Yet, back on home soil, he was back on top form as he turned inside from Karim Benzema`s pass and smashed home his 31st goal of the season.

"The press are here to opine on whether Ronaldo plays well or badly, if he is finished, but today he has showed he is bloody brilliant," added Zidane.

However, Athletic reacted well to going behind in a hugely entertaining first half with chances flowing at either end.

The visitors were level on 10 minutes when Varane`s errant backpass was only parried by Keylor Navas into the path of Eraso to slot home.

Navas then had to produce a brilliant save to parry Aritz Aduriz`s powerful downward header and Aduriz came close again on the half-hour when his deflected shot came back off the crossbar.

However, the Basques were made to pay for their profligacy as Madrid showed their firepower with two goals in eight minutes before half-time.

Rodriguez regained the lead with a trademark drive into the bottom corner from outside the box for just his fifth goal of the season.

Kroos then put the game beyond Athletic as he received Ronaldo`s pass just inside the area and saw his shot flick off Aymeric Laporte on its way past Iraizoz.

Madrid had to see out the final seven minutes with 10 men as Varane saw a second yellow card for leading with his elbow in an aerial clash with Aduriz.

Yet, even with a man less, Ronaldo got his second of the afternoon to move ahead of Luis Suarez as La Liga`s top goalscorer by controlling Lucas Vazquez`s cross before firing home from close range.

Athletic did eventually get the second goal their performance deserved in stoppage time when Elustondo rounded off the scoring from Oscar de Marcos`s cross.

Valencia`s first league win since November eases their relegation fears and the growing pressure on Neville`s job.

"I`m happy with it, but it`s just one small step forward. There is a big job still to do," said Neville.
"Relief is probably a good word (to describe it)."

The former Manchester United captain made the bold decision to recall goalkeeper Diego Alves for the first time in nine months after suffering cruciate ligament damage.

That decision paid dividends early on as the Brazilian made a brilliant reaction save to deny Felipe Caicedo before Mamadou Sylla inexplicably headed the rebound wide.

However, Alves was caught flatfooted for the opening goal seven minutes after half-time as Oscar Duarte flew in unmarked to head home Burgui`s corner.

Alves made amends moments later with an incredible double save to deny Duarte and then Pape Diop.

Neville sent on Alvaro Negredo in search of an equaliser and, unlike in recent games when the former Spanish international has missed key chances, he came up with the goods as his deflected shot after a terrific run by Joao Cancelo trickled in 20 minutes from time.

And the game was turned on its head six minutes later as Sofiane Feghouli`s cross from the right was powerfully met by Denis Cheryshev at the back post for his first Valencia goal.

Villarreal stretched their lead over Sevilla in fourth to 11 points thanks to Roberto Soldado`s solitary goal in a 1-0 win over Malaga.

Premier League 2015-16: Gameweek 26 - Preview

Embattled United boss van Gaal takes his team to Sunderland on Saturday with speculation mounting that Mourinho is waiting in the wings to take charge at Old Trafford.

United have refused to deny reports they have spoken to Mourinho in recent weeks following their team`s slump and the former 

Chelsea boss is said to have made it clear he is ready to replace van Gaal if the Dutchman is sacked or departs at the end of the season.

Van Gaal concedes it is plausible the club have made contact with Mourinho in secret, but he is hoping that is not the case.

"Then I shall be disappointed (if contact has been made)," he said.

"Because that is the consequence of what I have said. In a football world that is possible, I know, but I do not think that.

"I have a relationship with (executive vice chairman) Ed (Woodward) and the Glazers, they (would) tell me I think."

Meanwhile, Jamie Vardy is adamant Leicester City remain unfazed by the mounting pressure of the title race as the shock leaders prepare for a summit meeting with Arsenal on Sunday.

For the first time this season, Claudio Ranieri`s side find themselves the bookmakers` favourites to be crowned champions after their fairytale rise reached a new high with last weekend`s stunning 3-1 win at title rivals Manchester City.

The Foxes sit five points clear of second-placed Tottenham Hotspur and third-placed Arsenal with just 13 games remaining and the previously unthinkable prospect of the unfashionable outfit winning a first ever top-flight title is now a genuine possibility.

But the task of successfully completing an unexpected title bid proved too much for Liverpool in the closing weeks of the 2013-14 season and many pundits still believe Leicester`s unheralded players, who only last year were fighting to avoid relegation, will crumble in similar style.

However, England striker Vardy insists there are no signs of any nerves in the camp ahead of this weekend`s crucial clash with the Gunners in north London.

"We`re just enjoying it aren`t we? We`re enjoying the ride," Vardy said. "If you start thinking about it too much it`s going to affect you, it`s as simple as that.

"We`ll just continue to do exactly the same thing we`ve done all season.

"Arsenal are up there, we`re up there, (Manchester) City are. We`ll just take every game as it comes, knuckle down and hopefully keep picking points up."Arsene Wenger`s team pounded Leicester in a 5-2 victory inspired by an Alexis Sanchez hat-trick in September and in the process extended their 22-year unbeaten league record against the Foxes to 18 matches.

But Vardy is confident Leicester, steeled by their recent triumphs at City and Tottenham, have learnt the lessons of their heaviest defeat of the season and will provide more obdurate opposition for Arsenal this time around.

"No doubt it will be tough against Arsenal, we know the players they`ve got are world class but although we lost 5-2 when we played them last time we did show that we can hurt them," Vardy said.

Just hours after the final whistle at the Emirates Stadium, attention will turn north to Eastlands, where City host Tottenham in the other fixture with major implications for the title race this weekend.
Buoyed by four successive league wins, Mauricio Pochettino`s team harbour hopes of a first English title since 1961.

Tottenham have made a habit of failing to fulfil their potential whenever they have started to look like title contenders in the past, but Pochettino, who took charge last season, sees far more resilience in the current squad.
"I think we are different people now," Pochettino said.

"It`s difficult to explain but today we live in the present and everyone at the club believes we can win every game."

Liverpool, dumped out of the FA Cup by West Ham United in midweek and rocked by their fans` recent walkout over ticket prices, could also do with a morale-boosting win when they face bottom-of-the-table Aston Villa.

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless stated)

Saturday 

Bournemouth v Stoke, Chelsea v Newcastle (1730 GMT), Crystal Palace v Watford, Everton v West Brom, Norwich v West Ham, Sunderland v Manchester United (1245 GMT), Swansea v Southampton

Sunday

Arsenal v Leicester (1200 GMT), Aston Villa v Liverpool (1405 GMT), Manchester City v Tottenham (1615 GMT)

Sun will shine for Liverpool youngsters: Jurgen Klopp

A team featuring two players aged 20, a 21-year-old, two 22-year-olds and 18-year-old midfielder Pedro Chirivella stood toe-to-toe with West Ham at Upton Park until Italian centre-back Ogbonna headed home in injury time of extra time to give the hosts a 2-1 win.

It leaves the Europa League as Liverpool`s only realistic hope of silverware this season -- they are currently 12 points below the Champions League places in the Premier League -- but Klopp says it is all part of the learning curve for his players.

"We are Liverpool FC and this moment is not the most sunny side," said the Liverpool manager, who missed his team`s 2-2 draw against Sunderland on Saturday as he was having his appendix removed.

"But tomorrow when we get up... the sun will shine. And if we want, at Liverpool, altogether, then we can take a lot of positive things out of this game.

"We have to make steps. We don`t like our results too much, to be honest, but it`s the difficult way we have to go. In the end it can be the right way."

As well as giving more game time to the younger members of his squad, the trip to east London also allowed Klopp to welcome several key players back from injury.

Philippe Coutinho scored a cunning free-kick on his return after a month out with a hamstring injury, steering a shot beneath West Ham`s jumping wall in the 48th minute to cancel out Michail Antonio`s volleyed opener.

Strikers Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi also made comebacks as second-half substitutes, with the former in particular looking sharp in his first appearance since December 6.Sturridge has made just four starts this season due to a litany of niggling injuries and Klopp said he would carefully manage the pace of the England striker`s reintegration.

"We have to talk first with Daniel before I make a decision about this (on how much he plays)," Klopp said.

With West Ham due to leave Upton Park for London`s Olympic Stadium at the end of the season, manager Slaven Bilic said that victory had been especially memorable.

"It is a great night for West Ham," said the former Croatia manager, whose side will visit second-tier Blackburn Rovers in round five.

"It was a late-night kick-off, it was against Liverpool. It`s our last season at Upton Park, it`s over 120 minutes, and we scored a great header in the last second of the game, and we had injuries -- and we overcame all of that.

"So that`s why this game will go down in history as one of the greatest nights and games for our club."

Dimitri Payet set up Ogbonna`s 121st-minute winner with a typically devilish cross from a free-kick, hours after West Ham confirmed they have opened talks with him over a new contract.

The 28-year-old France international, a close-season signing from Marseille, is reportedly the subject of interest from an unnamed Chinese club and Bilic said West Ham were desperate to keep him.

"We should do everything we can to keep our best players," he said. "Dimitri Payet is our best player.

"I think he`s very happy here and soon we`re going to sort out the situation."

I-League: Defending champions Mohun Bagan walk past Salgaocar, Bengaluru win in Mizoram

For Bagan, skipper Katsumi Yusa's 9th minute header from a long throw-in by Dhanachandra Singh opened the scoring. Cornell Glen (28th minute), Luciano Sabrosa (33rd) and Balwant Singh (48th) completed the rout as the green and maroon brigade stamped their authority at home once again.

Salgaocar FC pulled back two goals through Darryl Duffy (69th) and Gurjinder Kumar (86th) but it was too late in the end.

The win comes at an important time with the Kolkata derby next Gameweek against East Bengal. 

Meanwhile, earlier Bengaluru FC scored the lone goal in the 27th minute through Curtis Osana to the stunning silence of thousands of home supporters.

The home team made 14 goal attempts while their opponents managed had seven tries and Aizawl FC had 67 per cent ball possession in the first half.

Aizawl FC had lost their opening match to Mohun Bagan 1-3 in Kolkata on January 9.

El Clasico arrives in Spain amidst security concerns

Real Madrid and Barcelona will play at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Saturday in the first clasico of the season. ?

The biggest game of the year has arrived in Spain, filled with doubts over the presence of one of its biggest stars and surrounded by security concerns prompted by the attacks in Paris.

Real Madrid and Barcelona will play at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Saturday in the first clasico of the season.

Authorities are promising unprecedented security measures because of what happened in France last week, but it remains unclear whether Barcelona's Lionel Messi will be fit to play following a long injury layoff.

Messi returned to practice this week, nearly two months after tearing a ligament in his left knee, but the club is yet to say whether he will be available.

"Messi can change the game and he's done incredible things in previous clasicos," Barcelona striker Luis Suarez said. "But it depends on the doctors and what they think is best for him. He has looked good while training with us over the last few days but it's an injury that could take a sudden turn for the worse."

Messi is the all-time leading scorer in the clasico with 21. Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 15 goals, is guaranteed to start for Madrid.

Here are other things to watch for:

Increased Security

Spanish authorities have declared the game a high-risk event and announced they will double the police presence at the Bernabeu.

Nearly 1,500 private security agents will be working during the game, and at least 1,000 national police officers.

Security zones will be implemented outside the stadium, keeping those without tickets or credentials away from the 81,000-capacity venue.

Fighting for lead

Barcelona has a three-point lead over Real Madrid going into the match, but a loss will drop the Catalan club to second in the standings on goal difference. Madrid had been in front until its first loss of the season at Sevilla two weeks ago.

"I don't think we'll have won the league if we go six points ahead of them," Suarez said. "It's still too early to say who is going to win it. The league is going to be a long one, and Atletico (Madrid) will be up there, too, so this game won't decide anything."

Third-place Atletico, which plays at Real Betis on Sunday, is one point behind Madrid, and four behind Barcelona.

Attacking power

Suarez and Neymar have been carrying the load for Barcelona in Messi's absence. The South American duo have 20 of the team's 23 goals since Messi was injured. Neymar scored five in the last three Barcelona games, while Suarez found the net three times.

Ronaldo has scored in each of the last three clasicos, and scored at least one in a clasico in the last five seasons.

Karim Benzema has also done well against Barcelona in recent years, especially when at the Santiago Bernabeu, where he's scored in the last four clasicos.

Real Madrid arrives with the league's best attack with 26 goals, one more than Barcelona.

Injury woes

Madrid should have back goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who has missed action since the beginning of the month because of a muscle injury.

Sergio Ramos, who has been nursing a shoulder injury, also should be fit. The defender has yet to miss a clasico, having started in all 20 of them in his career with Madrid.

Benzema was not 100 percent guaranteed to play after coming off a long layoff because of an injury and a sex tape controversy that led him to be briefly detained in France.

It remained unclear whether Barcelona would be able to count on midfielder Ivan Rakitic, who has been recovering from a muscle injury.

Worldwide attention

The Spanish league said the clasico will be broadcast on large screens in Dubai, Shanghai, Miami, and a Spanish military base in Lebanon. The league organized the events abroad as part of its push to expand the brand internationally.