Colchester united fc

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand is backing Manchester City to win the Premier League title for the third year running next season – though he isn’t totally convinced Erling Haaland will be a sure-fire success at the Etihad. Pep Guardiola’s side came from two goals down in six thrilling minutes to beat Aston Villa 3-2 on Sunday to retain their title in dramatic circumstances, with Liverpool finishing just a single point behind in second place. Both those sides will be even stronger next season – with City having already wrapped up a deal for Erling Haaland and Liverpool eyeing Aurelien Tchouameni – while the chasing pack will hope to close the gap. Chelsea’s takeover should be completed in time to bolster their squad; Antonio Conte will demand significant funds at Tottenham; Arsenal will look to build on a promising season despite finishing fifth; United have fresh optimism under Erik ten Hag; and perhaps even big-spending Newcastle could come into the reckoning. … [Read more...] about Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand makes prediction for 2022-23 Premier League title winner

Among the 1,000-plus messages, after his greatest hits compilation at Newcastle , were two from Bulgarian football royalty Dimitar Berbatov and Stiliyan Petrov. Watch goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov's stoppage-time save to deny Toon striker Joelinton in the FA Cup third round and you'll believe a man can fly. They don't normally pack the bars from Sofia to the Black Sea resorts to watch Cambridge United, but the game was shown live in his native country and the response was extraordinary. “My phone couldn't cope - I thought it was going to explode,” he laughed. “It's amazing when people of Berbatov and Petrov's standing in the game message you to say well done. I even had some from Newcastle fans. “But when I look back on my career, I hope that save will be the moment that changed my life. I believe it, 100 per cent. How did I do that? Dimitar Mitov after his wonder save at Newcastle ( Image: PA) “Maybe it will lead to recognition from my national team, I don't … [Read more...] about Cambridge United’s Dimitar Mitov reveals Dimitar Berbatov message after FA Cup heroics

Frenkie de Jong favours a move to Manchester City over Manchester United and would even be willing to take a huge financial hit to play for Pep Guardiola ’s side, according to reports. The Dutch midfielder appears increasingly likely to leave Camp Nou this summer as Barca look to raise transfer funds, with incoming United boss Erik ten Hag keen for a reunion with his former Ajax charge at Old Trafford. De Jong has struggled somewhat to live up to his £67million price tag since moving to Spain and Barcelona would be begrudgingly willing to accept a fee in the region of what they paid three years ago. City had also tried to sign the Netherlands international back in 2019 but were unable to match Barca’s £400,000-a-week salary offer. But, according to The Sun , the Catalan club’s precarious financial situation means De Jong has since taken a significant salary reduction and his wages are now more in line with what City are prepared to pay. Additionally, the … [Read more...] about Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong prepared to take massive financial hit to join Manchester United’s rivals

Erik ten Hag believes Manchester United can end Liverpool and Manchester City ’s dominance in the Premier League while Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola are still in the division. City won their fourth Premier League title in five seasons on Sunday as their 3-2 comeback victory over Aston Villa ensured they finished a point ahead of Liverpool. United, meanwhile, ended their miserable season with a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace and finished 35 points behind champions City. Many believe City and Liverpool will continue to lead the way in the Premier League while Guardiola and Klopp remain in charge. But Ten Hag is confident that United can overtake the two Premier League frontrunners before their two managers move on. ‘In this moment I admire them, I admire them both,’ Ten Hag said of City and Liverpool in his first United press conference on Monday. ‘But you will always see an era can come to an end, and I’m looking forward to better them and I’m sure all the … [Read more...] about Erik ten Hag fires warning to Man City and Liverpool in first Manchester United press conference

Manchester United legend Roy Keane told Gerard Pique he wanted to ‘smash’ former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas in a dressing-room rant. Keane’s rivalry with ex-Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira is legendary but the Red Devils hero clashed with more than one former Gunner during his impressive career. The Republic of Ireland hero came up against a teenage Fabregas in the 2005 FA Cup final and felt the Arsenal youngster was a little overzealous with his tackling, claiming at half-time that he had ‘killed him’. Keane spoke to former United defender Pique in the dressing room – the Spaniard attended the final but was left out of Sir Alex Ferguson’s matchday squad – and threatened to ‘smash’ Fabregas in the second half. The final ended goalless after extra-time and Arsenal won the penalty shootout 5-4 with Vieira scoring the winning spot-kick after Paul Scholes’ effort was saved by Jens Lehmann. Fabregas, speaking to The Times , said: ‘I tackled Roy Keane really … [Read more...] about Manchester United legend Roy Keane told Gerard Pique he wanted to ‘smash’ Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas in dressing-room rant

Barcelona ’s sporting director Mateu Alemany insists the club have not made a decision over Frenkie De Jong following Manchester United ’s interest. Incoming United manager Erik ten Hag is understood to have made the signing of De Jong, who he managed at Ajax , one of his priorities for the upcoming transfer window. However, without the lure of Champions League football at Old Trafford next season, United could face difficulty in convincing the Netherlands international to make the move. Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are also keeping tabs on De Jong’s situation as Barcelona are considering selling their £65 million signing in order to balance their finances. But speaking on Sunday, Alemany claims Barcelona have yet to determine whether they will be open to offers for De Jong this summer. ‘We have not made any decision regarding the squad,’ Alemany told Movistar. ‘Frenkie is a quality player, he’s very important and we will go from situation to … [Read more...] about Barcelona yet to decide Frenkie De Jong future after Manchester United interest

Manchester United have warned Barcelona that they are unwilling to meet their £70 million asking price for Frenkie De Jong, according to reports. Erik ten Hag is already facing the prospect of losing Paul Pogba on a free transfer and is keen to strengthen his options in central midfield this summer. De Jong has already been identified by Ten Hag as a potential option having already managed him at Ajax . Barcelona are open to a deal in order to balance their finances as they attempt to put together a deal for Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski. But according to MailOnline , United have informed Barca that they do not want to spend a significant part of their summer budget on signing De Jong. The report claims that Barca are looking to recoup the £65 million they spent on signing the 25-year-old from Ajax in 2019. When asked about De Jong’s future this week, Barca president Joan Laporta said: ‘I don’t know if we will sell important players. ‘If we … [Read more...] about Manchester United issue warning to Barcelona in talks to sign Frenkie de Jong

Bukayo Saka admits he ‘just can’t believe’ how poorly Arsenal played in their costly Premier League defeat to Newcastle United . Despite last week’s north London derby defeat , Arsenal’s top-four hopes were still in their hands ahead of Monday’s trip to St James’ Park. Wins against Newcastle last night and Everton on Sunday would have seen Arsenal secure Champions League football and finish above Spurs for the first time in six years. But Mikel Arteta’s side were beaten 2-0 by the Magpies and are now reliant on an unlikely slip-up from Tottenham against bottom-placed Norwich City to have any hope of finishing in the top four. Given Spurs’ superior goal difference, Tottenham require just a point at Carrow Road to clinch the final top-four spot and Saka insists it is a ‘shame’ that Arsenal have wilted at this key part of the season. ‘Overall there is huge disappointment and frustration. I just can’t believe how we performed today,’ a dejected Saka said … [Read more...] about Bukayo Saka ‘can’t believe’ how Arsenal played in Newcastle United defeat as Tottenham handed top-four boost

Granit Xhaka slammed his Arsenal teammates after their 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United put them on the brink of missing out on a place in next season’s Champions League. Tottenham are now in the driving seat to finish fourth in the Premier League as Mikel Arteta’s side delivered a woeful performance at St James’ Park. Ben White ’s own goal gave Eddie Howe’s side the lead in the 55th minute before Bruno Guimaraes struck with five minutes remaining to seal the win for the hosts. Arsenal now require Tottenham to lose to Norwich City on the final day of the season on Sunday to stand any chance of finishing fourth. But Xhaka claims Arsenal ‘do not deserve the Champions League or the Europa League’ following their performance against Newcastle and has told his teammates to ‘stay at home’ if they can’t play under pressure. ‘We wanted to have a big game but it didn’t happen,’ Xhaka told BBC Sport. ‘It’s so difficult to find the right words. If you don’t listen to the … [Read more...] about Granit Xhaka blasts Arsenal teammates after Newcastle United defeat

Manchester United ’s Paul Pogba could be set for a return to Juventus with his agent due to hold talks with the Serie A club. The 29-year-old is out of contract at Old Trafford at the end of the season and is unlikely to sign a new deal, paving the way for his departure. Juventus are looking to make improvements to their squad after a disappointing season which has seen them drop to fourth place in Serie A and exit the Champions League at the last-16 stage this season. According to Fabrizio Romano , Pogba’s team will meet with Juventus on Monday to thrash out the terms of a potential deal. However, salary demands are believed to be an issue with Paris St-Germain also interested in his signature. This season Pogba has made only 27 appearances for United and scored just one goal in all competitions. He has missed the Red Devils’ last four league games with a calf injury picked up in last month’s 4-0 defeat to Liverpool. Since arriving at United in 2016, his … [Read more...] about Juventus to hold talks with Paul Pogba’s agent ahead of Manchester United departure