Football Blog (Page 161)

[ad_1] There was no World Cup action to sample on Wednesday with the last remaining eight teams in quarter-final action on Friday and Saturday. There were, however, some club friendlies going on. Sure, Ajax 5-4 FC Volendam sounded like an absolute barnstormer and who doesn’t like watching Inter and Napoli rack up cricket scores, but most eyes were tuned into Cadiz’s clash with Manchester United. A lot has happened since United’s squad split between World Cup stars and those left behind. Most notably, striker Cristiano Ronaldo has left the club after aiming criticism at manager Erik ten Hag in an interview with Piers Morgan. HeRead More →

[ad_1] Cody Gakpo has admitted he ‘thought about’ Manchester United in the summer and would consider them again if they approached him once more. The Netherlands star was the subject of interest from United late in the summer transfer window with a move for Antony looking increasingly unlikely. However, United went back to Ajax and met their demands to get the deal done for the Brazilian, meaning a move for the Dutchman didn’t materialise. He’s since enjoyed a stellar World Cup campaign in Qatar and alerted top clubs to his services as a result, one of which is United once again. 90min understands United haveRead More →

[ad_1] Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot has admitted interest in a transfer to the Premier League, but insists he does not have a preferred club that he would like to join. Rabiot has had a fine World Cup with France and had also found some form at club level in the final few weeks before the Serie A calendar was put on hold. The 27-year-old, who briefly spent time in Manchester City’s academy, was the subject of interest from Manchester United during the summer transfer window prior to their capture of Casemiro. A transfer was agreed with Juventus, but there was no such concord with theRead More →

[ad_1] United States Men’s National Team head coach Gregg Berhalter is set to open talks with the US Soccer Federation regarding a new contract, according to reports. Berhalter has been in charge of the USMNT since December 2018, leading them to Concacaf Nations League and Gold Cup titles in 2021 and a first World Cup appearance since 2014. In Qatar, the Stars and Stripes took five points and went unbeaten in Group B alongside England, Iran, and Wales, before crashing out in the round-of-16 with a 3-1 defeat to the Netherlands. Despite his achievements, there is a strong core of supporters who would prefer toRead More →

[ad_1] Arsenal stars Granit Xhaka and Takehiro Tomiyasu both suffered World Cup agony as they were knocked out of the competition this week. Xhaka led Switzerland to the last 16 before they were comprehensively outclassed by Portugal, while it was penalty shootout heartbreak for Tomiyasu and Japan against Croatia. Switching to more domestic matters, Arsenal have embraked on a training camp in Dubai ahead of their participation in the Dubai Super Cup, where they will play Lyon on Thursday and AC Milan on Tuesday. Here’s the latest on the pair’s potential return dates. Xhaka and Switzerland are out / Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/GettyImages GranitRead More →

[ad_1] A beacon of hope is emerging in Manchester. For the first time in a decade, the Red Devils look to be operating like a big boy club again. The owners are selling up, their disinterested protagonist is out of the door, and they’re blessed with a manager who may well lead them to the promised land once more. There’s still a long way to go, however, and inconsistency will continue to be a feature of United’s play during Erik ten Hag’s first season at the club. Nevertheless, the Dutchman mitigated a tumultuous start to leave the Red Devils in a promising position heading intoRead More →

[ad_1] Declan Rice and Callum Wilson missed Wednesday’s training session ahead of England’s World Cup quarter-final with France on Saturday. The Three Lions are unbeaten in their opening four matches at this winter’s tournament so far, winning three and drawing one. Rice has started all four games while Wilson came off the bench in victories against Iran and Wales, but both are facing a race against time to be fit for this weekend’s mammoth clash. West Ham captain Rice missed out with an illness, while Newcastle striker Wilson has been sidelined with a minor muscle strain. Harry Symeou hosts Scott Saunders, Sean Walsh, Ali RamplingRead More →

[ad_1] The New England Revolution have bolstered their attack with the signing of ex-USMNT forward Bobby Wood. Wood joins on a one-year deal through the 2023 MLS season with an option for 2024, with the Revs acquiring him with the first pick in Stage 2 of the Re-Entry Draft after Real Salt Lake declined to retain him. “We are excited to welcome Bobby Wood to the New England Revolution,” Revs sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena said in a club press release. “I’m very familiar with Bobby, having coached him on the international stage with the United States, and I’m very confident that he’llRead More →

[ad_1] Marseille are ready to offer Wilfried Zaha a move to the south of France when his contract expires in 2023 with the Crystal Palace star considering the chance to play abroad, 90min understands. Talks between Palace and Zaha over a new deal have not progressed, with the 30-year-old ready to depart Selhurst Park for the second time in his career. The Ivory Coast international knows this could be his last chance to find a club who can offer him Champions League football – a competition he has never played in. Zaha moved to Manchester United in 2013, but the transfer failed and he endedRead More →

[ad_1] Joao Felix, Pepe and Goncalo Ramos were keen to downplay any connection between the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal’s brilliant performance in the last 16 of the World Cup. Ronaldo was sensationally dropped by coach Fernando Santos for the clash with Switzerland following a string of poor performances and unhelpful distractions. 21-year-old Ramos stepped in and hit a hat-trick on his World Cup debut in a 6-1 win that appeared to prove that Portugal are no longer reliant on their all-time top scorer. Ramos himself was the first to rally around Ronaldo after the match, saying: “He’s the captain, he’s the leader andRead More →