FOOTBALL: JUAN MATA TO MANCHESTER UNITED NEW BOY RASHFORD

Manchester United star Juan Mata has urged Marcus Rashford to keep his feet on the ground after taking the football world by storm last week.

Rashford scored a brace as a depleted United side stunned Premier League title hopefuls Arsenal 3-2 at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The 18-year-old's exploits came just days after announcing himself with a double against Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Comparisons to past greats have since followed and Mata has told the talented striker to stay grounded.

"He needs to keep calm," Mata said. "Everyone is going to call him, text him, speak about him and write about him.

"But he needs to keep calm because I think he has a bright future coming up ahead of him – he needs to keep playing his football."

While Rashford has shone brightest, injuries have provided some of his academy team-mates with an avenue to the senior side in recent weeks and they have not disappointed.

Timothy Fosu-Mensah and James Weir came off the bench against Arsenal, while Guillermo Varela impressed at right-back.

Joe Riley played almost 80 minutes in the 5-1 win over Midtjylland on Thursday.

"You know the great thing with young lads, is that you don't really know what you've got until you put them in there and give them a chance," said United midfielder Michael Carrick.

"Over recent weeks, that's probably been the massive bonus for us – probably over the whole season really – the young lads coming in.

"And they've all looked comfortable, they've all settled in really well, and I think everyone else responds to that.

"There's a togetherness in the squad and the older boys all want to try to look after them and try to help them, and it brings everyone together, and I think the fans respond to that.

"They certainly did against Arsenal, and I think there was a real spirit generated throughout the whole ground, which helped us a lot."

SOURCE: GOAL.COM

FOOTBALL: Cristiano Ronaldo apologises to Real Madrid team-mates

Some 40 hours after losing 1-0 to rivals Atletico, Real's player were reunited on Monday in the Valdebebas training complex. Zinedine Zidane had scheduled training for 11am following a day off, and in the meantime plenty had been said since match official Clos Gomez blew for full time at the Bernabeu. 
Almost all was negative, and much had to do with Ronaldo's outburst in the mixed zone. 
"If all my team-mates were at my level, we might be first," he said. There was also criticism for the club's medics, their preparations in pre-season and the team's current performance, as well as a rousing defence of his own talent and statistics. The consensus was that Ronaldo had shown arrogance and disrespect to his team-mates in his attempt to highlight his own performances. 
Ronaldo himself tried to explain on Saturday night that he had been taken out of context, despite the strong words he used. But Monday was the day when he would see those faces he apparently disrespected just 36 hours prior. 

And Goal understands that, before training, Ronaldo sought to 'justify himself' to the dressing room, claiming that he "expressed himself poorly" and did not "wish to annoy any team-mates."

Ronaldo's Madrid team-mates, meanwhile, are understood to have played down the significance of the Portugal international's outburst.

Without a doubt, bridges will need to be mended amongst the players in the Madrid dressing room, and this was a good start to a tough week. Wednesday brings a visit to Levante minus Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and perhaps Pepe as well. On Saturday Celta Vigo come to the capital, as a forerunner to the massive Champions League clash against Roma on Tuesday. 
It is a moment in which the team's unity will be tested - and to see if Ronaldo's apology has as much of an effect as the outburst that preceded it.

SOURCE: GOAL.COM

FOOTBALL: League Cup victory Celebration Inside The Manchester City's Dressing Room (VIDEO)

Manuel Pellegrini's men picked up the first trophy of the English football season with a penalty shoot-out win after Philippe Coutinho had cancelled out Fernandinho's opener.

But Yaya Toure, who was hobbling around the pitch after the 120 minutes was up, looked less than impressed when he was asked to join in with a bouncy rendition of 'Olé, Olé, Olé' and seemed more concerned with checking his phone and hiding his modesty behind a towel. SEE CLIP AFTER THE CUT.




SOURCE: GOAL.COM

FOOTBALL: Pique:...Neymar will never join Real Madrid

Gerard Pique is so confident Barcelona striker Neymar would refuse to join Real Madrid that he would be willing to bet "an arm or a hand" it will never happen.

The Brazilian is yet to extend his current deal at Camp Nou which has led to speculation surrounding his future while former Madrid defender Roberto Carlos has claimed he could persuade the 24-year-old to move to the Bernabeu.

The Madrid giants were interested in signing the attacker from former club Santos back in 2013, with Spanish press reported in January that Los Blancos are continuing their pursuit.

However, club team-mate Pique is adamant the deal would never go through, stating via Periscope: “I’d bet an arm or a hand that Ney will never join Madrid.

“He likes Barcelona very much, he’s in love with the club and I think he’ll stay here for many years."

SOURCE: GOAL.COM

FOOTBALL: Lavezzi: I rejected Inter, Chelsea & Manchester United

Ezequiel Lavezzi has revealed he turned down the chance to sign for Inter, Chelsea andManchester United in order to move to the Chinese Super League.

Lavezzi departed Paris Saint-Germain in January for a contract reportedly worth €15 million per season, and claims he joined Hebei China Fortune to be part of a project which has seen the likes of Jackson Martinez, Ramires and Alex Teixeira make similar moves.

The Argentine attacker had been courted by several elite European clubs during his spell with Ligue 1 champions PSG but saw significant positives in exposing himself to Asian culture and opted for a move to the Far East.

“I could have signed for Inter, Chelsea or Manchester United,” the 30-year-old told Canal+.

“But I made the decision to go to China. It’s an important choice for my career, I’m sure I’ll face many challenges here.

“I like the project to develop this club. It was that which convinced me to come to Hebei, as well as the financial aspect.

“I’m also fascinated by Chinese culture, so to come and play here is definitely an interesting challenge.”

Former Napoli forward Lavezzi admits his international career has almost certainly been brought to an end by his move away from a major club competition, but feels he has made the correct decision.

“Yes, it’s likely that experience is over," he said. "But I’ve already made the decision to come here and I want to do my best for my new club.”

SOURCE: GOAL.COM

FOOTBALL: Karim Benzema out for atleast three matches due to hamstring injury.

Real Madrid are set to be without Karim Benzema for at least their next three matches after the club confirmed that the striker has suffered a hamstring injury.
Benzema was withdrawn at half-time of Saturday's derby defeat to Atletico, with Borja Mayoral replacing the France international forward who was only passed fit for the match on Thursday having been suffering from a hip problem.
Indeed, the 28-year-old was absent from the 1-1 draw with Malaga and is now set for a further spell on the sidelines that could see him miss La Liga fixtures against Levante and Celta Vigo, as well as the Champions League last-16 second-leg clash with Roma.
A statement on Madrid's official website read: "After tests at the University Hospital Sanitas La Moraleja the player Karim Benzema has been diagnosed with a muscle injury to his right hamstring."
Benzema has scored 23 goals in all competitions for Madrid in the 2015-16 campaign but has only struck once in his last four games for Los Blancos.
The striker joins Gareth Bale on the sidelines although the Welshman could be close to a return having started individual training on February 25 as he steps up his recovery from a calf problem.

source: goal.com

FOOTBALL: Suarez: I'd love to have Messi's left foot and Neymar's pace

Luis Suarez has revealed the traits he would take from his fellow South American forwards at Barcelona - Lionel Messi's left foot and Neymar's pace.
The Catalans' front three have produced some sublime football this season, scoring 59 Liga goals between them as Barca target success in the Spanish top-flight, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey.
And Suarez admits he would relish being as strong on his left side as Messi and as quick across the ground as Neymar.
"I'd love to have Messi's left foot, which is one-of-a-kind in the world, remarkable" he was quoted as saying by Marca, before going on to praise Neymar's speed and  'joie de vivre'.

"All of the players have a great relationship and it shows, we're always laughing amongst ourselves and hugging - it's not just us three. It's not about affection, it's about support.

"We don't plan anything; it all just comes naturally. We just enjoy ourselves and if we're happy, we're able to do that."

Barcelona, who are eight points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid at the top of the La Liga table, take on Rayo Vallecano on Thursday.

source: goal.com

FOOTBALL: "Alexandre Pato is fit enough to make his Premier League debut "- Guus Hiddink

Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink says Alexandre Pato is fit enough to make his Premier League debut against Norwich City on Tuesday.
The Brazilian has not featured for the Blues since arriving on a six-month loan deal from Corinthians in January due to a lack of match fitness - his last competitive match coming for former loan club Sao Paulo in November.
But with Chelsea facing a hectic schedule over the next few weeks, Hiddink has revealed that the 26-year-old could make his Blues bow at Carrow Road this week.
"He is eager and we now have the strikers where there is a healthy competition in a very good atmosphere," said the Dutchman, who acknowledged he could rest Diego Costa during the next few games.
"Diego is number one but the others have stepped up, I'm happy, for instance, with Bertrand Traore. Although he's a young guy, the others might have more status, but I'm not looking at that.

"At the moment to be fair to everyone, [the younger players] are a bit ahead [of Pato] at this moment because I like fair competition and fairness among themselves.

"But he and Remy are also in a position to compete. Pato is not ready for 90 minutes but he is able to play a part of the game. We consider also the chances for some of the younger guys.

"We'll see this afternoon what the damage is for the injured players."

Hiddink has also confirmed that Radamel Falcao and captain John Terry have both returned to individual training after muscle injuries, while adding his confidence that Pato can make an impact before the end of the season.

"Let's hope so, in the near future," he added. "We have games coming up but like I said before it's best to have a loan in his situation.

"That way he can get used to us and the club can make a proper judgement on him in performances and training, then it's for mutual parties the best thing."

SOURCE: GOAL.COM

FOOTBALL: Former Arsenal star Paul Merson says Wenger must be sacked if Leicester City or Tottenham beat them to the title.

Former Arsenal star Paul Merson says manager Arsene Wenger must be sacked if Leicester City or Tottenham beat them to the Premier League title.

Arsenal have not been crowned champions since 2004 and are five points adrift of Leicester following Sunday's 3-2 defeat at an injury-hit Manchester United, while Spurs stayed within two points of Claudio Ranieri's surprise leaders after a 2-1 comeback victory.

Wenger's men take on Swansea on Wednesday before a crucial London derby against Spurs, and Merson – who played in the Frenchman's maiden season at the Gunners helm in 1996-97 – feels the 66-year-old's near 20-year tenure at Arsenal should come to an end if they lose out to this year's shock title contenders.

"If Man City don't win the league and Tottenham or Leicester do then Arsene Wenger has to go," he told Sky Sports.

"If you're sitting there telling those fans – loyal Arsenal fans – that they don't need any new players at the start of the season and then you don't win the league in front of Leicester or Tottenham then I don't see how you can justify it.

"If Man City win the league he can turn around and say 'they've got all the money in the world and can go and buy whoever they want, so would whoever I bought have made much difference?'.

"But if Leicester or Tottenham win the league after he said they didn't need any players then I don't see how he can keep his job.

"People may say there's nobody better than him, but there's a thousand managers who could come in and get Arsenal in the top four.

"A thousand managers would come to Arsenal and say 'don't give me a penny, but if I get Arsenal in the top four then pay me 10 million quid'.

"Every football manager in the world would take that deal. Arsenal are always going to get in the top four.

SOURCE: GOAL.COM

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's 92nd birthday to be marked with £550,000 festivities

Robert Mugabe who has been in power in Zimbabwe for 36 years turned 92 this week and staff at his office presented him with a huge cake to mark the occasion. A bigger party will be held this weekend in the city of Masvingo featuring a huge 92kg cake and the whole party costing £550,000.

The 'thank you' bash for the world's oldest head of state will see banners and billboards carry the slogan 'Thank you, Bob, for giving us a voice to be heard'. Mugabe's birthday has been a public celebration since 1986 and while officials are reticent to disclose costs, past festivities have been said to run up to $1million for the transportation, accommodation and feeding of thousands of guests.
The state-run Sunday Mail published a 16-page supplement to celebrate this year's occasion with posters in the newspaper reading 'Mugabe's birthday is like that of Jesus Christ'.

With Zimbabwe in the midst of a drought that has left over 3million people reliant on food aid supplied mainly by the United States and the European Union, opponents of the president have criticised the lavish celebrations at a time of hardship but supporters insist they must party on.
Ruling party members and business people paid between $5000 and $100000 for a table of 10 at a sold-out dinner this weekend to raise funds for the festivities.

Outside the banquet, some Zimbabweans were bitterly critical of the birthday plans.

'Maybe they have no shame, openly feasting amid such hunger,' said Denias Munongoza, 27, a college graduate who sells cigarettes and condoms to feed his family. 'This year the president should have said `no.''

 

'Mugabe and his cronies are planning to feast instead of attending to the resuscitation of the comatose economy and addressing the effects and impact of the drought,' said Obert Gutu, spokesman for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change-T.

source: lindaikejisblog.com