Falcao: I hope to stay at Monaco

The Colombia international is being heavily linked with Liverpool, AC Milan and Juve - but the striker says that, contrary to reports, he has no desire to depart the principality

Radamel Falcao has dismissed rumours linking him with a move away from Monaco, insisting that he wants to stay at the Stade Louis II.

The Colombia international only joined the Ligue 1 outfit from Atletico Madrid last year but it has been reported that he is desperate to leave the principality before the close of this summer's transfer window.

Liverpool, Juventus and AC Milan are among those said to be interested in signing the striker on loan for the 2014-15 campaign but Falcao claims he has no desire to depart Monaco.

"I'm happy here and I hope to stay," the 28-year-old told Canal+ after scoring the only goal in his club's 1-0 win over Ligue 1 rivals Nantes on Sunday night.

Falcao's appearance at the Stade de la Beaujoire represented the forward's first start for Monaco since suffering knee ligament damage in January.

Sunderland vs Manchester United: Sunderland add to United pain but Real Madrid confirm £64m Angel Di Maria move

Angel Di Maria was last night on the brink of completing his £63.9m British transfer record move from Real Madrid to Manchester United.

The Manchester United manager, Louis van Gaal, refused to confirm the transfer of the Argentine to Old Trafford had taken place, but he did not hide his admiration of the 26-year-old. Di Maria is expected to sign a five-year deal with a salary of around £180,000 a week. 

“I cannot say anything about transfers, you have to understand that,” said Van Gaal after United’s 1-1 draw at Sunderland yesterday. “When a transfer has been finished then we can say something. But now you have to wait and see. When the moment is there Manchester United shall announce it.

“It is not only Di Maria, maybe Vidal or Messi! We are a big club. The club always has to announce, and when we think it is the right time we will come to you and say, ‘OK, we have bought this player or that player’. At this time we can’t say anything but I like Di Maria.”

 The Real Madrid coach, Carlo Ancelotti, confirmed that the player had already said his farewells to his team-mates. “Di Maria has not trained with us today [yesterday] and he came in to say goodbye to the players and people at the club,” he said. “There is nothing official yet but it is being sorted out. The decision is his and the club has done what it could to keep him here.”

Real Madrid stunned Manchester United by asking for nearly £75m for the forward. Manchester United had expected to pay nearer the £60m that Paris Saint-Germain had been quoted when they sought to take the player to France.

The compromise figure of £64m is believed to have satisfied both parties and Van Gaal is eager to add the player to a squad that has struggled for form in their opening two Premier League games.

The transfer will top the £50m Chelsea paid Liverpool for Fernando Torres in 2011. United have already spent £72m this summer to sign left-back Luke Shaw from Southampton, midfielder Ander Herrera and defender Marcos Rojo. Di Maria joined Real Madrid from Benfica for £36 million in 2010.

The potential signing of the Argentine was hailed by the club’s former defender Gary Neville.
“He can run and Manchester United haven’t got any pace in wide areas. It is incredible,” said Neville. “That is what the club has been built on for the last 10 to 15 years - being able to get from box to box quickly, being able to spring on teams, having people that can dribble and are quick in the final third. They have Adnan Januzaj but they really have lost that variety.”

That veiled criticism was backed up by Van Gaal’s verdict following another unconvincing display at the Stadium of Light. United could only manage a one-one draw after going ahead through Juan Mata, a result that leaves them with just one point from opening games against Swansea and Sunderland. Van Gaal conceded that is not good enough and also criticised the pace of his team’s passing.

The passing was all too slow, or all too fast, all too hasty. And then you lose a lot of balls and the tempo goes out of the game so that in my opinion was the reason.

“No, I cannot say that (it was a better performance than last week) because last week we created more chances. Football is all about creating chances and scoring goals, and we didn’t create enough chances today.

“We probably had more ball possession and were more dominant than the last match but you still have to win the game and we couldn’t so that is a pity.”

Van Gaal did defend Ashley Young, who was booked once more for diving.

He lifted the ball across the player and the player was kickng him. And after that I think he was jumping too muchbut what counts is that he was kicked by the opponent. And the referee could have given a penalty.

“He could also have given one when when Van Persie. You oculd see Van Persie was already losing the ball but the tackle was coming and htta is why the referee has to give a penalty.

“Nevertheless we have to create more chances than look for penalties.”

Sunderland 1-1 Man Utd: First point for Van Gaal

Jack Rodwell of Sunderland celebrates his goal. Picture: Getty

JACK Rodwell’s first Sunderland goal left Louis van Gaal still awaiting his first Barclays Premier League win although Manchester United collected their first point of the season.

Scorers: Sunderland - Rodwell (30); Manchester United - Mata (17)
The £10million summer signing from Manchester City capitalised on woeful defending to head home Sebastian Larsson’s corner on the half-hour, in the process cancelling out Juan Mata’s opener. But, in truth, the Spaniard’s 17th-minute strike had come against the run of play with the visitors once again misfiring alarmingly as they tried to come to terms with Van Gaal’s 3-5-2 formation.

Even Robin van Persie’s presence could not spark a marked improvement on a day when reports claimed Real Madrid striker Angel di Maria was heading for Old Trafford, and the Black Cats, roared on by a crowd of 43,217 at the Stadium of Light, gave as good as they got.

United lacked both invention and penetration as Sunderland head coach Gus Poyet looked to exploit their frailty at the back by asking Connor Wickham and Will Buckley to utilise the space behind Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia, which they did to good effect.

Buoyed by Van Persie’s return, United emerged looking for a significant improvement on their performance in last weekend’s home defeat by Swansea.
However, what Van Gaal got was a display every bit as dysfunctional as the one which heralded the start of the new campaign.

His decision to field Young and Valencia as wing-backs once again exposed a fragile back three of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Tyler Blackett, which was further reduced in terms of experience when Smalling limped off before the break to be replaced by Michael Keane.

But it was not only at the back that the visitors struggled, with Sunderland clearly carrying the momentum of last season’s two victories over United, and skipper Wayne Rooney and strike-partner Van Persie saw little of the ball where it mattered most.

Nevertheless, it was United who took the lead, although they did so at a time when the breakthrough looked more likely to come at the other end.

Young had already put his defence under pressure with an aimless crossfield pass and Lee Cattermole unleashed two long-range efforts when winger Buckley, making his full debut for the Black Cats, cut inside Blackett and crossed for Wickham, who wastefully scuffed his shot straight at keeper David de Gea.

Sunderland were made to pay within seconds as Valencia managed to ease past full-back Patrick van Aanholt and cross low to the far post, where Mata ran off the back of Larsson to score from close range.

The goal visibly settled United and they enjoyed a sustained period of possession as they threatened to take control.

However, they allowed their hosts back into the game on the half-hour when, after Buckley’s direct play had earned his side a corner, Larsson delivered the resulting set-piece to the near post and Rodwell headed firmly home with Valencia having done little to impede his progress.

The home side might have taken the lead six minutes after the restart when Wickham was given time to work himself into a shooting position inside the box and Blackett somehow blocked his effort with De Gea beaten.

But Van Gaal’s men gradually assumed control as they dominated possession, although, with Sunderland defending deep, space was at a premium even with Rooney dropping ever deeper.

They almost found a way through with 62 minutes gone when Van Persie surged into the box only to be halted by Vergini’s last-ditch challenge.
Van Persie departed seconds later as he and Darren Fletcher were replaced by Danny Welbeck and Adnan Januzaj, but Larsson failed to make the most of Wickham’s fine 68th-minute through-ball as United lived dangerously once again.

Poyet attempted to pile the pressure on the visitors’ rearguard with the introduction of battering-ram frontman Jozy Altidore, although defensive confusion inside the Sunderland penalty area very nearly cost them on more than one occasion in a frenetic finish.

Having lost to Swansea at Old Trafford on the opening weekend, Van Gaal feels his side are still lacking the final pass needed to score.

“In the first half we played an equal match with Sunderland. We didn’t create so much but scored a fantastic goal,” he said. “But then we’ve already warned our players they don’t have to give a lot of set-pieces away, and we gave a lot of set-pieces away and they scored out of a set-piece, so that was disappointing.”
Van Gaal was also critical of the decision to book Ashley Young for simulation after going over Wes Brown’s leg in the second half, although did admit the winger’s action was “exaggerated”.

The manager said: “He was tackled in my opinion, but after that he was exaggerating. But it is not diving because he was touched by the opponent.”
Van Gaal was unwilling to confirm whether Angel di Maria is on the verge of joining the club despite reports the Real Madrid winger has already said farewell to his team-mates in Spain.

Real boss Carlo Ancelotti said yesterday that the Argentina international had not taken part in training but had instead “come to say goodbye”, fuelling speculation that Di Maria will sign for United in the next few days.

However, Van Gaal remained coy over the rumours. He said: “I think always the club has to announce it. When we think it’s the right time to form a transfer then we will come to you and say we have bought that player or the other player. At this time we can’t say anything.”

Poyet felt his players gave a good account of themselves against their illustrious opponents. “It was a good game to watch,” he said. “We played a very good first half, going forward taking chances and creating half opportunities after conceding at what was the wrong time really because we were in control of the game. It was a big effort.”

Manchester United F.C. Need Miracle to Win EPL: Louis van Gaal

The image of Manchester United's Dutch manager Louis Van Gaal is seen on scarves being sold during an EPL match.

 

London: Louis van Gaal has conceded it would take a miracle for Manchester United to win the Premier League this season.

After finishing seventh last year, United opened their campaign optimistic that Dutch master-tactician van Gaal could oversee a return to the upper echelons of the Premier League table.

However that optimism was punctured by a shock 2-1 loss against Swansea City at Old Trafford last Saturday - their first home league loss to the Welsh club. (Update: Sunderland hold United to 1-1 draw)
It was also their first opening-day loss at home since 1972 and was enough to convince van Gaal that a successful title challenge would be unlikely.
"Would it be a miracle to win the league this season? I think so but it is also possible, always possible but it would be very difficult," van Gaal said.
"It is possible to win a title in the first year but it is very difficult.
"I think [the Manchester United owners] understand [the size of the task] or I would not have accepted the job.

"I have discussed everything, long discussions where I have shown myself as I am always open.
"It is why we discussed three years and not one year. We discussed the consequences of them hiring me. I told them from my experiences with my former clubs the start was difficult."

Van Gaal won the title in his first season at both Barcelona and Bayern Munich but thinks his current squad lacks balance to do the same.

The 63-year-old has a wealth of attacking talent at his disposal but lacks the defensive strength-in-depth to challenge Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.

Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra and Alexander Buttner all left Old Trafford during the close-season with left back's Luke Shaw and Argentine Marcos Rojo their only replacements.
"When I took over from Bobby Robson at Barcelona he had won three titles so the selection of players was stable at the time.

"When I got to Bayern Munich the selection was not stable. What we did was a miracle.
"The problem I have at United is this selection is not in balance. There are five number nines and six number 10s and so on. And we don't have defenders."

United face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.
 

Man Utd FC agree a fee to sign Di Maria

Angel Di Maria on the verge of signing for Manchester United

 

Manchester United fans finally look set to be granted the big name arrival they had been hoping for after it was revealed that the Red Devils have agreed a deal to sign Argentine superstar Angel Di Maria.

According to reports coming out of Spain, United have had a bid in the region of around £48-56million for Di Maria accepted by Real Madrid and it has been suggested that the winger’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is set to soon arrive in England to finalize the deal.

It has also emerged that Di Maria is set to receive a wage package in the region of around £200,000-per-week and that the winger will be handed the iconic number 7 jersey, previously donned by United greats such as Eric Cantona, David Beckham, Bryan Robson and Cristiano Ronaldo among others.

Di Maria set to arrive at Manchester United

Di Maria had been linked with a move away from Real Madrid all summer, with the duo of Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United believed to be involved in a head to head battle against each other to secure the services of the winger.

PSG recently pulled out of the race to sign Di Maria after deeming the 26-year old too expensive, which paved the way for United to make their move and the Red Devils were handed a further boost in their hopes of signing the Argentine star after Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti publicly revealed this week that the winger had made his mind up to leave the Santiago Bernanbeu.

Di Maria could help lift the doom and gloom currently surrounding United

While the quoted price for Di Maria certainly seems a bit inflated, Manchester United are desperate for a marquee signing to lift the glum mood currently surrounding the club and the arrival of the Argentine superstar will certainly go a long way in doing exactly that.

Di Maria spent four fruitful seasons at Real Madrid since his arrival to the club from Benfica back in 2010 and perhaps his greatest moment in a Whites’ shirt was his wonderful performance in the Champions League final last year, where he put in a man of the match performance to help his side to victory over Atletico Madrid.

Swansea City will be no soft touch, claims Ashley Williams

Swansea have long been praised for their style, but captain Ashley Williams believes manager Garry Monk is adding substance to go with it.

Their 1-0 victory over Burnley, courtesy of Nathan Dyer’s first-half goal on the winger’s 100th Premier League appearance, made it two wins from two to start Monk’s first full season in charge of the Welsh club.

However, it was by no means a comfortable afternoon as, after being over-run, Burnley responded with a terrific second-half display, which would have merited the point they would have gained had striker Lukas Jutkiewicz converted either of two good opportunities.

It gave Williams the perfect 30th birthday present of a victory and a clean sheet, and the confidence to proclaim that Swansea will be no soft touch this season. “It’s something we are aware of – sides thinking we are only a passing side and that we are a bit weak and a pushover,” said the Wales defender.

Premier League - Bruce fumes after Stoke's equaliser

Hull manager Steve Bruce bemoaned an "injustice" against his side after a wrongly-awarded throw-in allowed Stoke to claim a late equaliser at the KC Stadium.

Bruce was unhappy about a penalty decision in last week's 1-0 win at QPR and was again left frustrated with the officials after the Potters snatched a 1-1 draw against 10-man Hull.

Their goal, bundled in by Ryan Shawcross, came seconds after referee Jonathan Moss had given Stoke the throw, despite an apparent deflection off one of their players.

Nikica Jelavic's poacher's finish had put Bruce's men on the cusp of a second successive league win for the first time in almost a year despite James Chester's 14th-minute sending off.

But instead of celebrating three points, the Tigers boss was left exasperated.

"We feel an injustice because you can see how blatant it is," he said.

"Their player ran away and didn't want to even take the throw-in. Surely that's an indication to the referee or the officials to say, 'hang on a minute, it must have hit him'. It wasn't even a slight deflection either. Everyone in the ground must have seen it except for the officials.

"I expect three officals to get something as blatant as that throw-in right...they're only 30 yards away and I saw it.

"They said to me I was only guessing but when you see it's ridiculous."

Bruce tried his best to stay on the right side of tactful, wary of attracting disciplinary action, but was aggrieved enough after his side's hard-working effort to make his point.

"I got into trouble twice last year so I've vowed I'm not going to give the FA any more money," he added.

"But we've had two shocking decisions in two weeks. Last week it was an awful penalty in the last 10 minutes but it didn't count (against us), it was saved.

"Given the circumstances you would accept a point because we were down to 10 men in 15 minutes. But it's difficult to take and it's difficult for the players because the determination was manful to say the least."

Potters boss Mark Hughes, who saw his side beaten by Aston Villa last week, was disappointed with the way Stoke went about their business but is pleased to have registered a first point of the campaign.

"Given the situation we found ourselves in we didn't take the best from that situation," he said.

"We found ourselves up against a team with 10 men and first and foremost you don't concede a goal. So we found ourselves in a situation entirely of our own making.

"We needed to show a little quality and guile and use our intelligence to understand what was required.

"We didn't do that to a great extent in the second half.

"In the end we've taken an away point and that's something we haven't done too many times on our travels so to get a point in our first away game, I would suggest, is a good sign.

"But we're an honest group and we know we can do better than that."