David Moyes loses first game as West Ham boss

David Moyes said he was disappointed by his new players after his first game in charge of West Ham United ended in a 2-0 defeat at Watford.

Goals in each half from Will Hughes and Richarlison were enough to earn victory for Marco Silva's team.

Full list of Europa League round of 16

Manchester United have been drawn against Russian club Rostov in the Europa League round of 16.

United, who completed a 4-0 aggregate win over St Etienne on Wednesday, exited at the round-of-16 stage in their two previous Europa League appearances, losing to Athletic Bilbao in 2011-12 and Liverpool last season.

Rostov, currently seventh in the Russian Premier League, defeated Sparta Prague in the round of 32.

Dele Alli 'very disappointed and sad' for red card in Spurs' loss to Gent

Dele Alli sent off for a challenge in the first half of Thursday's Europa League draw.

Mauricio Pochettino says Dele Alli is "very disappointed and sad" after the midfielder was sent off as Tottenham crashed out of the Europa League against KAA Gent on Thursday.

Alli picked up a straight red card for a horror tackle on Gent's Brecht Dejaegere in the first half and the match finished 2-2, with Gent progressing 3-2 on aggregate after their 1-0 win in Belgium last week.

Diving bans possible in Premier League next season - PFA chief Gordon Taylor

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor said the retrospective bans could be introduced next season.

Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) chief executive Gordon Taylor has said retrospective bans for diving could potentially be brought into English football for the 2017-18 season.

Taylor confirmed last month that a taskforce had been set up to look into the proposal, while talks have been taking place with the Scottish Football Association, which already issues retrospective two-match bans for simulation.

Leicester City's Claudio Ranieri joins the list of sacked managers in the Premier League this season

Leicester City sacked manager Claudio Ranieri on Thursday, just nine months after he led the club to their first Premier League title.

Ranieri guided Leicester to the most unlikely of title wins last season and went on to claim FIFA's Coach of the Year for the achievement.

However, Ranieri and Leicester have struggled this season, with the club sitting just one point and one position above the relegation zone, having failed to score a single league goal in 2017.

Manchester United extend Valencia contract by one year

Manchester United have confirmed a clause has been triggered to extend Antonio Valencia’s contract by one year, keeping the experienced Ecuadorian at Old Trafford until at least June 2018.

Valencia has made 271 appearances, scored 21 goals and won six trophies since joining from Wigan Athletic in 2009. He also claimed a hat-trick of individual awards in the 2011/12 season when voted the Fans’ and Players’ Player of the Year, while also winning the club’s Goal of the Season prize.

The 31-year-old has become a vital member of Jose Mourinho’s team by starting 23 matches in all competitions this campaign, enhancing his reputation as one of the finest right-backs around. In recognition of his top form, he was even voted United’s Player of the Month for November by the fans.

Valencia is currently in his eighth season as a Red and this one-year contract extension will take him to the end of the 2017/18 campaign. Using his official Twitter account, Antonio posted: "Another year to give everything for the greatest club in the world @ManUtd. Happy to announce I’ve renew my contract 'til 2018."

Ibrahimovic: I am Zlatan the Conqueror

Summer signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic feels he has already conquered English football with Manchester United - and it only took him "three months".

The Swedish marksman missed the EFL Cup win over Hull City due to illness after sitting on the bench throughout the FA Cup triumph against Reading. But Jose Mourinho expects to have him back leading the line for Sunday's mouthwatering showdown with rivals Liverpool.

Ibrahimovic, United's top scorer this season, is only one behind Chelsea's Diego Costa in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot but insists it is not in his thinking as he is pursuing team glory. That said, he believes he has achieved his individual targets already by proving his class in the Premier League. 

"No, I’m not chasing anybody," he said, when asked by ManUtd.com about the prospect of chasing down Costa. "I’m chasing the head trophy – the Premier League. That is my aim. The individual things come as part of the main objective because that is like a bonus for every individual player. 

"If the collective does well, then the individuals will do well. I try to help the team and try to do what I’m best at – scoring goals, playing good and creating chances for my team-mates. As long as I can do that, I know I will help my team. The same thing with them, they help me the way they can for the team. I have no individual targets because that I did already, after three months in England. After I conquered England – it took three months."

The striker feels United cannot be discounted from the title race as the crunch encounter with the Merseysiders approaches. Victory would leave the Reds only two points behind Jurgen Klopp's side and the Swede has been consistent in his view that things would click eventually into gear.

"We had our dips, our ups and downs when we were winning, losing, winning and losing," he explained. "Lately, we have been winning, where we have been more stabilised as a team. The coach has found his base, which is not easy when you’re a new coach coming to a new team and want to put in your philosophy, your game and the way you want it to be. 

"I said from the beginning – slowly, slowly, we will get better and everything was about the click. We needed to click as a team. Now you the see the identity of the team. We are finding each other but I think we can do much more and be much better. And we will do it – we are working hard for it. 

"The last one and a half months have shown the right way, the gap [at the top] has been bigger but now it’s better. So we are closer to that now. We wait for the other teams to have their dips, to make their mistakes, and we will be there. We will give them hard work until then because I think the second half of the season is the decisive one and that will decide. Whatever you want, wherever you will come, let’s see what we want. I know what we want. We want to show it."

Chelsea receive approval for new stadium

Chelsea has received approval from the Hammersmith & Fulham Council for the club to redevelop Stamford Bridge.

The proposed rebuild will increase capacity from 41,663 to 60,000.

The plan was presented in model form at a hearing at Hammersmith Town Hall on Wednesday. After a three-hour meeting attended by Blues chairman Bruce Buck and director Eugene Tenenbaum, permission was granted.

Chelsea’s new stadium is expected to cost £500m and take three years to build.

“We are grateful that planning permission was granted for the redevelopment of our historic home,” Chelsea said in a statement.

“The committee decision does not mean that work can begin on site. This is just the latest step, although a significant one, that we have to take before we can commence work, including obtaining various other permissions”, it added.

Stamford Bridge is the ninth biggest club ground in England behind Manchester United, Arsenal, West Ham, Manchester City, Liverpool, Sunderland, Newcastle United and Aston Villa.

Everton agree £24m deal for Man United outcast Schneiderlin

Manchester United have agreed a £24million fee to sell midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin to Everton.

The 27-year-old moved to Old Trafford from Southampton in a deal worth around £25million in July 2015 but has struggled to make an impact since manager Jose Mourinho’s arrival last summer.

Schneiderlin now looks set join former Saints boss Ronald Koeman at Goodison Park, with realistic add-ons understood to have been built in that could take the transfer figure to £24million.

The move is set to bring an end to a difficult spell in Manchester for the France international, who has struggled for game time since Mourinho’s appointment.

He is yet to start a match in the league this season, having been named in the first XI 25 times by Louis van Gaal last campaign, and has made just eight appearances in all with Mourinho admitting last week that he no longer considered the midfielder for selection.

Commenting on the futures of Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay, who has also been linked with a move to Goodison, the Portuguese manager said: “Their situation is exactly the same, both of them I will allow to leave the club.

“I will allow them to leave if the right offer comes. Until this moment, no. Is this a good situation? No. Why not? Because I don’t think about them as options in this moment.”

Mourinho: We need help from Man Utd fans to beat Liverpool

Following the 2-0 EFL Cup semi-final first-leg win over Hull at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, Jose Mourinho has urged Manchester United fans to ‘raise the roof’ in Sunday’s Premier League clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford.

United boss Mourinho also insisted there was a need for improvement from himself and his players too as he urged supporters not to “come to the theatre” on Sunday but “come to play with us”.

After second-half goals from Juan Mata and substitute Marouane Fellaini steered his side to victory against the Tigers on Tuesday, Mourinho expressed his concerns, saying: “Maybe I didn’t do my job well to prepare the players for the game.

“But the players have to improve and I have to improve, and I am sorry to say I think the fans have also to improve for a big match on Sunday.

“Our performances (for the Hull match) were enough to win but for Sunday, we all have to improve.”

He added: “I always think that we are responsible for the fans’ participation in the game.

“If we play very, very well, very enthusiastic, they come to the pitch and play with us. When we didn’t play so well, with so much emotion and intensity, it is normal that they relax a little bit.

“We have absolutely amazing fans.

“What I feel is that Sunday is a special match for us, a special match for the Manchester United fans – so my invitation is don’t come to the theatre, come to play, play with us.”

Mourinho said his team “played slow”, “complicated things” and “always had one more touch, one more second to delay the decision”, although he did admit that in terms of this having been a ninth straight win in all competitions for United, he “cannot ask more” of his players.

And he said: “In spite of a match against Reading (Saturday’s 4-0 FA Cup win) where we could rest some players, it is an accumulation of matches in this period.

“So only after Liverpool we are going to have a little space until we play Stoke away.

“But now we need one last effort. Let’s recover and focus on Sunday.”

I’m part of football’s history – Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo believes his bulging trophy haul is proof that he is one of the greatest footballers of all time, Goal reports.
On Monday, the Real Madrid and Portugal star added The Best FIFA Men’s Player award for 2016 to the Ballon d’Or that he won last month, capping a stellar 12 months with club and country.
Ronaldo ended the year with Champions League and Euro 2016 winner’s medals, as well as one for the Club World Cup, prompting a string of year-end accolades.
Despite an era-defining row over his or Lionel Messi’s dominance of the period that they have shared, Ronaldo’s legacy as one of the game’s greats has long been secured, a fact not lost on him.
“I have no doubt that I am already a part of football’s history,” he told FIFA’s official website.
“This has always been my major goal, since I started playing: not only to become a player, but to be a star and to constantly strive to be the best.
“And I did it: the trophies speak for themselves – both the titles, the individual awards, and the records.
“It is a source of great pride and it motivates me to keep on working the same way I have been doing so far.”
Reflecting on a glittering year with club and country, Ronaldo said: “I have said it a few times: this has probably been the best year of my career.
“Having won the trophy with the national team obviously plays a big part in it as it was a first for Portugal and this makes 2016 a very special year.
“But there is also Real Madrid winning the Champions League and then the Club World Cup to finish the year in the best possible manner.”

Manchester United star Paul Pogba considered the joint-best defensive midfielder in the world

Manchester United‘s record signing Paul Pogba is the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League and the joint-best in the world.

That’s according to CIES Football Observatory who have ranked the best players across the top five leagues in football.

Pogba tops the list alongside Bayern Munich’s Thiago Alcantara even though the French international is not seen as a defensive midfielder.

Pogba has played mostly in a central midfielder position at United since returning in the summer as he is expected to be a key provider in Jose Mourinho’s side.

The 23-year-old has hit his stride in recent months after a stop-start beginning and has created 37 chances in the Premier League.

Despite his obvious attacking abilities, CIES rank him in the defensive midfield section despite having attacking midfield rankings.

Pogba pips club team-mate Ander Herrera to top spot by just a point who has been taking on a more defensive role under Mourinho.

And just to top it all off, Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson ranks above Chelsea star N’Golo Kante.

CIES’ rankings are based on players who have played 900 league minutes for their club.

Fernando Llorente wants to join Antonio Conte at Chelsea on one condition

Fernando Llorente is interested in a move to Chelsea (Picture: Getty)

Fernando Llorente reportedly is ready to complete a transfer to Chelsea as long as he is promised one thing by Antonio Conte.
It’s understood the Blues are considering either a permanent or loan move for the 31-year-old Swansea City striker who Conte is an avid admirer of from his time at Juventus.
The Telegraph suggest Llorente is keen on a switch to Chelsea as long as the Italian manager is able to guarantee that he’s only behind Diego Costa in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
Such a move is likely to see summer signing Michy Batshuayi go out on loan after the forward’s disappointing start to life with the Premier League giants.
Swansea have expressed an interest in Batshuayi but the 23-year-old would prefer to remain in London and join up with West Ham for the remainder of the campaign.
Ahead of the January transfer window, Conte admitted: ‘It’s important to talk with my club for sure.
‘There are some positions that, if we are able to find a resolution, it’s important to take a good solution. It wont be easy but, for sure, we are talking about this.’

Manchester United transfer target Ivan Rakitic wants to leave Barcelona…but Manchester City could get there first

Ivan Rakitic has seen his game time decrease at Barcelona (Picture: Getty)

Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic has decided that he wants to leave the club, according to reports.

The midfielder was completely left out of the squad for their last La Liga game, against Villarreal, and has decided that is the last straw regarding his time at the Nou Camp.
Manager Luis Enrique has only given the Croatia midfielder 71 minutes of action since he started in their 1-1 draw with El Clasico rivals Real Madrid, none of which have been in the league, and this has forced Rakitic to consider his future – according to Croatian outlet Jutarnji.
Manchester United have been linked with the former Sevilla ace in the past, but it is local rivals Manchester City who appear to be in pole position for him this month.
The Citizens have supposedly made a £43.5 million bid for the 28-year-old, and are looking to bring him to the Etihad before the current transfer window ends.
Rakitic has made 12 appearances in La Liga this season, scoring two goals and grabbing one assist, and could be the perfect addition to City’s faltering midfield.

Manchester United want Kyle Walker and Danny Rose in double transfer raid on Tottenham

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly pushing for his club to splash out a whopping £60million to sign both Kyle Walker and Danny Rose from Tottenham in a shock double transfer swoop.
The Red Devils could do with improvements in defence after a stop-start season, and the England pair are widely regarded as the best two full-backs in the Premier League at the moment.
United, meanwhile, have had a slightly unsettled back line with Antonio Valencia playing out of position at right-back, and the likes of Matteo Darmian, Daley Blind and Luke Shaw all rotating for the left-back slot.

Danny Rose would be an upgrade on the likes of Luke Shaw (Picture: Getty)

Walker and Rose both recently signed new contracts at White Hart Lane and will not come cheap, while Manchester City are also long-time admirers of both players.
However, The Sun report that United are ready to do battle for their signatures in an ambitious double raid on one of their main rivals in the chase for a top four spot.
It is thought that while Spurs are highly unlikely to consider selling both players, they may be ready to let one of them go in the summer if a good enough offer comes in.
The north Londoners do, however, have something of a track record when it comes to losing their stars when bigger clubs come calling.

Eden Hazard admits he played like a ‘ghost’ last season as Chelsea failed in Premier League

Eden Hazard has been in fine form this season for Premier League leaders Chelsea (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard wants to cement himself as one of the best players in the world after admitting he played like a ‘ghost’ last season.
Belgian star Hazard enjoyed a stunning season two years ago as he scored 19 goals to fire Chelsea to the Premier League title.

But Hazard suffered a dramatic dip in form last term, only registering four league goals as the Blues could only muster a mid-table finish.
Things have certainly changed this season, however, with Hazard’s return to form coinciding with a superb run of results at Stamford Bridge.
Commenting on Chelsea’s dreadful title defence, Hazard told Fox Sport: ‘I learned a lot.
‘Sometimes you are at the top like we were two years ago and sometimes it is difficult for everyone.
‘For me, I was the best player two years ago, but last season I was like a ghost.
‘I want to be the best again and win titles.’

World Cup expanded to 48 teams

Fifa today voted to expand the World Cup from its current format of 32 teams.

There were five proposals on the table, from which Fifa’s 37-member council voted unanimously to increase the tournament to 48 nations.

The expansion plan was led by new Fifa president Gianni Infantino. You can see their motivation, their own report suggests revenue will increase to £5.29bn – producing a rise in profits of £521m.

Chelsea’s Mikel Joins China Club, Tianjin Teda

Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel has become the latest big name player to join the Chinese Super League gold rush after leaving Chelsea for Tianjin Teda, Reuters reported on Friday.

Mikel, who failed to make a single appearance for Antonio Conte’s side this season, had a medical in the port city some 130 kilometres from Beijing on Thursday and the Asian Football Confederation confirmed the deal on Friday.

The 29-year-old, who spent more than a decade at Stamford Bridge, was given a free transfer by the London club and will earn £140,000 ($173,432) a week in China, according to local media reports.

After joining Chelsea in 2006, Mikel was part of a squad that won a Champions League crown, two Premier League titles and four FA Cups.

Chinese clubs have made several high-profile signings over the last month with Argentine striker Carlos Tevez moving to Shanghai Shenhua for a reported €84 million ($87.65 million).

Less than a week later, Brazilian midfielder Oscar joined local rivals Shanghai SIPG from Chelsea in a deal believed to be worth €60 million.

At the end of December, Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent said the World Player of the Year had turned down the chance to leave Real Madrid for an unnamed Chinese club for a transfer fee of €300 million ($315.24 million).

Amid the spending spree, the country’s General Administration of Sport described the excess of some Chinese clubs as “a grave phenomenon” on Thursday.

Mikel joins Serbia midfielder Nemanja Gudelj, who moved to Tianjin from Dutch club Ajax on Thursday.

Ndidi must prove his worth at Leicester City – Etim Esin

Former Super Eagles striker, Etim Esin, has described the move by Super Eagles’ midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, to Leicester City, as a right step in the right direction. But Esin has urged Ndidi to justify the confidence Coach Claudio Ranieri reposed in him.

Ndidi signed a five-and-half-year deal worth £15 million plus a further three million of potential add-ons from the Belgian side, Racing Genk, on Tuesday. This, however, is subject to a work permit being granted.

Coach Ranieri had seen the Nigerian star, as the player to replace French midfielder, N’Golo Kante, who moved to current League leader, Chelsea. Ndidi is expected to join Nigeria’s forward, Ahmed Musa, at the club.

Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, Esin said Ndidi would have Musa to guide him in the team, so also two other African players, Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani. The Algerians are currently with their country in Gabon preparing for Gabon 2017 AFCON.

“It is not about the coach seeing Ndidi as the one to replace Kante, but he has to prove himself as the man to take over from French man,” Esin said. “But we should also understand that this is English Premiership not Belgian league.

“There is no way you will compare the Belgian league with a tougher Premier League. But I still think this is an opportunity for him to prove his worth and break into the team,” he said.

Speaking further on what Ndidi’s move to Premier League portends for the Super Eagles, Esin, a former Belgian Lokeren and Lierse SK midfielder said that already Coach Gernot Rohr had a winning team, which cannot be changed overnight as a result of one player moving to a bigger club.

“No coach wants to change a winning team. Coach Rohr won both at home and away and this has been a big plus for him. For Ndidi to break into the main stream of the Super Eagles, he has to justify it,” Esin concluded.

Jose Mourinho gives his verdict on Manchester United squad

 

Jose Mourinho has insisted he is happy with his Manchester United squad, despite having the opportunity to make changes this month.

The 53-year-old has been linked with a January move for Benfica defender Victor Lindelof, while Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay could leave Old Trafford after falling down the pecking order.

But after watching his team win their last seven games in all competitions, Mourinho insists he 'loves his group'.

He told MUTV : “I like my players very, very much. Not just the players, but the combinations between the players as people. They are very good guys and I love to work with them.

"I love my group so I’m really happy. And at the top of that is the challenge of bringing Manchester United Football Club to the space that it belongs. So I’m really happy."