“I Made Them Pay” – Louis Van Gaal Absolutely Destroys United Over Handling Of Sacking

 Former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has finally put words to his feelings about getting sacked at the end of 2015-2016 campaign.

The Dutchman parted ways with the English club after spending two years at Old Trafford, during which he was heavily criticized for his ‘boring’ style of play. The news of his sacking was broken to Van Gaal less than 24 hours after the 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final in May.

However, the ex-manager has accused the club of plotting his dismissal months before he was actually shown the exit door. Van Gaal stated that the decision to replace him with current boss, Jose Mourinho, had been taken as early as January 2016.

As per Mirror, the 66-year-old has compared his removal to ‘a humiliating public execution,’as Van Gaal believes chief executive Ed Woodward betrayed him by going behind his back to bring in Mourinho...

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Done Deal: Chelsea Striker To Join Liverpool

Reuters

Chelsea striker Dominic Solanke is set to complete his switch to Liverpool after failing to agree to sign a contract with his current employers.

As per Liverpool’s official website, Solanke is confirmed to join Jurgen Klopp at Anfield on July 1, 2017, upon the expiry of his contract with his current club, Chelsea. The striker was unable to agree terms on a new contract offered by the Blues.

Celtic, RB Leipzig, and a number of Premier League giants were in race to get the 19-year-old’s signature, but as it appears, the Reds have overcome the fierce competition by bagging the striker’s services. However, a fee is yet to be decided, and as per the reports, it would be decided by a tribunal.

Solanke has been unable to break into the current English Champions’ first team, despite making his senior debut for the club at the age of 17 in 2014, and spending a loan spell with Vitesse Arnhem in 2015-16, where he scored 7 goals in 25 appearances. It is believed that talks over his contract at Stamford Bridge ceased because of lack of playing time.

The highly rated youngster is currently playing for England, who are set to face Costa Rica in the last 16 on Tuesday, at the Under-20 World Cup in South Korea. Solanke has won the FA Youth Cup twice, UEFA Youth League, and U17 European Championship, and will officially join the Reds in July.‎

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Manchester United To Confirm Departure Of Two Players From Old Trafford

Reuters

Two Manchester United players are set to make an exit from the club even before the official opening of the transfer window.

As per Manchester Evening News, Red Devils’ youngsters Kayne Diedrick-Roberts and Faustin Makela seem to have left the club.

18-year-old Diedrick-Roberts had moved to United from Fulham in 2015, and scored in the Under-18s’ win at Middlesbrough early in 2016-17. The forward had lined up alongside Marcus Rashford in the academy attack last season, but was outshone by United’s other youngsters.

Roberts then moved to Bournemouth on a youth loan in December in order to get more play time, and then made a return to Old Trafford for his only United Reserves start in the draw with Leicester in April.

The news was confirmed by academy captain Callum Whelan in an Instagram Story earlier this month.

Hampered by growth-related injuries, 17-year-old Faustin Makela, who was restricted to just one academy start in successive seasons, is also said to be confirmed to leave the club.

The midfielder had made his Under-23 debut at Leicester in April, and has already taken up a youth loan with League One side Bury due to a lack of playing time.

Makela wrote on Instagram: “Shared a lot and good memories with the boys, going to miss you all & good luck to everyone in the future.”

One of the recent United debutants, Angel Gomes, posed with Makela, holding a shirt signed by his academy teammates.

With the club expected to confirm their retained and released list within the next few weeks, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s United contract about to expire this summer, the possibility of discharging some of the other youth players may be very well on the table.

The two high-profile departures last summer included Victor Valdes and Nick Powell.

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Paul Pogba Hints At Antoine Griezmann’s Imminent Arrival

Reuters

Antoine Griezmann has been linked to Manchester United over a potential transfer for next season for quite some time, and as it appears, his fellow countryman Paul Pogba has indicated that a deal could be close.

The Atletico Madrid striker is believed to be the Red Devils’ prime target for the summer transfer window, and with Pogba’s latest comments on Griezmann’s transfer situation, further rumours have been triggered over the forward’s potential move to Old Trafford.

With a tally of 26 goals in all competitions this season, the Frenchman has been an integral part of Diego Simeone’s line-up, but an England switch is likely to happen, as per the reports.

Paul Pogba was recently asked about his fellow compatriot’s move to United, to which he replied (via Telefoot): “Play with Antoine Griezmann next season? Watch this space.”

The comment could also be translated as “business to follow”, meaning that negotiations over the 26-year-old striker have come into an advanced stage.

However, United manager Jose Mourinho, who spent the last weekend at Monaco Grand Prix, admitted that he is currently not involved in any kind of talks to sign Griezmann.

“I have no idea if Antoine Griezmann will come to United,” Mourinho told Sky Sports F1. “Ask Ed Woodward. He knows since March who I want, what I want and how much I want.

“Now is time for him to work. It’s for him to work because he has holidays in August and in August I’m working. I don’t care about football for a month. I’m really happy with our season, the trophies, to be back in Champions League but now I have a rest, to disconnect completely and enjoy my family and friends and other sports I like.”

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Nolito Desperate For Manchester City Exit After Frustrating Season

Reuters

Manchester City winger Nolito has given the final verdict on his future with the English club.

The 30-year-old has revealed that his time with the Citizens is close to an end, and he is said to be looking to leave the club this summer after growing frustrated with the lack of playing time.

The winger joined the Premier League giants from Celta Vigo last year, making an impressive start in England’s top flight by scoring a brace against Stoke City in his second league appearance.

But after January, the Spaniard lost his mark in Pep Guardiola’s team, often being left on the bench, and on certain instances, not even making the matchday squad at all.

Nolito barely featured for City in the second half of the campaign, having made just five substitute appearances in the Premier League from January on.

“I’d like to leave, whether that be on loan, permanently. I know about Atletico, Celta. These are things for my representatives,” Nolito told Marca.

“I’m calm and on holiday at the moment, but I’m thinking about returning to Spain. I know Atletico and Celta are interested. Up until December I was playing and was happy, but after those four months I’ve hardly played.

“I don’t know what happened, you’ll have to ask him. It has been a year to forget, an experience that hasn’t turned out as I’d planned, but hopefully this summer we’ll find a solution.”

The City exodus is set to continue with Pablo Zabaleta joining West Ham United, while Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Jesus Navas and Willy Caballero will all be departing on free transfers.

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Stoke City Plot Ambitious Summer Move For Premier League Superstar

Reuters

Stoke City are planning a shocking transfer deal for Manchester United skipper Wayne Rooney with the backing of their sponsors, Bet365.

As per reports from Mirror, Stoke boss and former United striker Mark Hughes is said to be the brains behind the move. As claimed by the British daily, Hughes is trying to tempt Rooney to stay in the Premier League and ignore offers from China and USA.

The project, which is financed by the club’s shirt sponsors Bet365, is a gamble that the club is willing to take. A £45 million package to lure the Manchester United superstar to the Bet365 Stadium is being prepared by the online gambling firm, founded by Stoke’s chairman Peter Coates, is claimed to be a comfortable task considering their financial clout.

However, one of the major problems that the Potters will be facing in order to persuade the 31-year-old is that Rooney had insisted after the Europa League final win over Ajax on Wednesday that he won’t play for any Premier League clubs other than Manchester United and Everton.

The Englishman has been linked with a return to his boyhood club, but till now, there has been no approach from Goodison Park for the United captain, who has a year left on his £300,000-a-week contract.

Nonetheless, United could also cash in on the striker for nothing less than £20 million if he opts to go to the Chinese Super League, but as it appears, Stoke’s interest in Rooney could help the forward stay close to his Merseyside roots.

Rooney has claimed that he would be discussing all the options with his family on their holiday before making a final decision on his future.

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Jose Mourinho Looking To Sign Three Or Four Players For Next Season

Reuters

With Manchester United in the Champions League for next season, Jose Mourinho is likely to revamp his current squad. However, the Portuguese is said to be limiting the summer spending to three or four key signings instead of the futile expenditure the club has done in the past couple of years.

As reported by BBC, Jose Mourinho said that United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has had his list of targets “for more than two months”.

“Ed Woodward has my list. Now it’s up to him and the owners,” the United boss stated after his side beat Ajax to clinch the Europa League title for the first time on Wednesday.

Mourinho is set to bolster his attacking and defensive line-up in order to challenge for the Premier League title next season. The Red Devils have been regularly linked with Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann and Burnley centre-back Michael Keane.

Griezmann, who has a £100 million release clause in his contract, commented on his transfer situation earlier this week, saying that his chances of joining the Premier League giants were “6 out of 10”.

Also, a major deal-breaker barrier was removed by United, after they secured a return to Champions League football by going straight into the group stages after their victory over Ajax in Stockholm.

The French striker fits the Red Devils’ squad quite perfectly with his pace and trickery – skills that United currently lack. But if the move comes to a dead end, Torino forward Andrea Belotti, who has scored 25 goals in Serie A this season, is another option that United have eyes on.

Burnley defender Michael Keane is the next target that United would like to bring back, after the 24-year-old moved to Turf Moor in January 2015. Also, Mourinho is known to be eager to bring the former United man back to Old Trafford next season, viewing predecessor Louis van Gaal’s decision to sell the centre-back for £2m as a mistake.

Once again joining Europe’s elite competition means United have avoided the potential loss of £50 million in sponsorship income and prize money.

However, as reported by one senior club source, the forthcoming summer transfer window is likely to be “crazy”, given the increased spending power within the Premier League as a result of the new £8.3 billion TV deal.

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Wayne Rooney Close To Making A Decision About His Future

Reuters

Manchester United star Wayne Rooney may have won his final silverware with the club after defeating Ajax in the Europa League final, as the Red Devils’ captain claims to be very close to an Old Trafford departure.

Rooney confirmed that there are several offers on the table, but he also clearly mentioned that he will not play for any other English club.

The 31-year-old became United’s record goalscorer after breaking Sir Bobby Charlton’s record this season, but despite this, the Englishman has been regularly linked with a move away from the Theatre of Dreams.

With just 26 starts in all competitions, and making an appearance as an 89th-minute substitute in the Europa League, Rooney’s 13-year career at Manchester United seems to be drawing to a close.

According to Daily Mail, the England international has revealed that he is close to making a decision over his future, and has also confirmed that he has received a number of offers. The striker also claimed that he has ‘more or less’ decided on his next move, and will be making a final decision in the next couple of weeks.

The Englishman has been linked with a move to China, and also to his boyhood club Everton, but United boss Jose Mourinho has also expressed his desire of hanging on to the club’s top-scorer.

Speaking of his future, Rooney revealed: “There’s lots of offers on the table, both in England and abroad, and really that’s what I have to decide on.

And when asked how he would work out the decision, the decorated forward commented: “No, I know. As the manager said before, he wants me to stay, but I just have to make a decision in terms of a football decision, and that’s what I’ll do. I’ll do that the next few weeks with my family while I’m away.

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Man City Release Four Stars: Sagna, Clichy, Navas, And Caballero’s Exits Confirmed

Reuters

Manchester City have let go of four of their players, in the form of goalkeeper Willy Caballero, winger Jesus Navas, and full-backs Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna, as Pep Guardiola looks to reshape his squad for next season. All the four high profile players will leave the Etihad at the end of their contracts with City.

Sagna had joined City in July 2014 from Arsenal, and in his three seasons at the Etihad, the Frenchman made 85 appearances across all competitions, including more than 50 starts in the Premier League. However, the defender only started 14 Premier League games this season under Guardiola.

As per club’s official website, Sagna said: “It has been a privilege to play for this football club. I have enjoyed every moment of my City career and will look back on my time at City fondly. I would like to thank the staff, players and fans for making my three years so memorable.”

Another exit which was confirmed by the club was that of goalkeeper, Willy Caballero. The Argentine had joined the Citizens from Malaga in July 2014, and made a total of 48 appearances for the club during his time at the Etihad. Caballero’s 27 appearances came this season under Pep Guardiola, including two UEFA Champions League matches against Barcelona and Monaco.

“It’s been a privilege to play for Manchester City,” Caballero told the club’s website. “From the first day I arrived, everyone at the Club has made me feel welcome and I will always be grateful to them. To win the League Cup in such dramatic circumstances was special and it’s a day I will never forget.”

Having spent six years with Manchester City, full-back Gael Clichy would also be departing the club at the end of season. He joined the club in 2011, and has since won two Premier League titles and two League Cups with City.  The Frenchman has also made more than 200 appearances for Citizens.

According to City’s official page, Clichy said: “It’s been a special six years for me at City. To win four major trophies and help establish the Club as one of the top teams in English football has been an incredible journey that I’m proud to have been a part of. It’s amazing to see where the Club is today and I am sure there is plenty more success to come.”

Jesus Navas, who moved to Etihad in the summer of 2013 from La Liga side Sevilla, is set to leave the club as well. The winger has made 77 league starts for the club, along with 46 appearances from the bench. He has also made more than 50 appearances in all other competitions, and has shown his versatility this term by being deployed at right-back by Pep Guardiola.

City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, commented on Navas’s time at the club by stating: “Working with Jesus has been a pleasure.

“His hard work, dedication, professionalism and desire to win have been apparent every single day. He showed his versatility numerous times this season, operating at full-back and doing so with distinction. I wish him all the very best with his next move.”

Along with these four players whose departures were made official on Thursday, Pablo Zabaleta is also set to depart from the club, as confirmed by City two weeks ago.

Yaya Toure, 34, has not yet been offered a new contract, but the veteran midfielder is hanging around to see whether he would be offered fresh terms or not.

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Matteo Darmian Secures Future After United’s Europa League Final Win

Reuters

Manchester United claimed their third trophy of the season as they overcame Ajax to win the Europa League final in Stockholm, and Matteo Darmian had an extra cause to celebrate the European glory.

Paul Pogba’s deflected shot that put the Red Devils ahead in the 18th minute, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s goal in the second half sealed the silverware for the English club, making them the 5th team in history to claim the full quota of European trophies. The illustrious list includes the likes of Ajax, Juventus, and Bayern Munich.

However, according to Manchester Evening News, Jose Mourinho didn’t hold back any criticism that he had for his players, and Matteo Darmian was the first name to face Portuguese’s telling-off after the Italian had edged too far forward for his manager’s liking.

Nonetheless, the 27-year-old’s brilliant display of basic, old-school defending frustrated Ajax. Darmian, who was bought primarily for his attacking instinct, had been neutered in the attacking department mainly due to Antonio Valencia’s inclusion in United’s defence, as per Mourinho’s statement in January.

But instead, the Italy international seems to have developed into a reliable defender, overcoming his early season’s exclusion to ensure he remains at Old Trafford.

With victory over the Dutch side, United have now become the 5th English team to qualify for next season’s Champions League, and will go straight into the group stages.

The club finished sixth in the Premier League this year, and will hope to increase the titles in their trophy cabinet under the Portuguese tactician, by winning more silverware both domestically and in Europe next season.

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Burnley Have A Good Chance Of Holding On To Michael Keane, Claims Sean Dyche

Reuters

Burnley boss Sean Dyche has made it clear that the club is in a good position regarding Michael Keane’s future.

According to Sky Sports, Keane is reportedly a target for a number of Premier League clubs. However, Dyche has insisted that the centre-back will not leave the club unless a suitable offer is received that matches the club’s valuation of the player.

The Clarets boss said: “All parties are in the loop. I am, he is, the agent is, his family are, our club are. One thing we know is we are in a strong position. He’s got one year left on his contract. If nothing happens that is suitable for us then the situation will go on, and he’ll carry on playing. We’ll wait and see what the summer brings.”

The 24-year-old is evaluated to be worth £25 million, and has been linked with a return to Old Trafford for quite some time. However, speaking to Weekend Sports Breakfast, club chairman Mike Garlick clearly stated that no offers had been formally received regarding Keane.

Garlick said: “All we hear at the moment is lots of talk and noise in the media about different clubs. No one has formally approached us, so he’s a Burnley player – and will continue to be so.”

Dyche has also admitted that the summer transfer window may turn out to be a difficult one for Burnley, but they are focused to begin their research earlier and pursue every avenue in an attempt to improve.

“We started six months ago. We’re learning. We’re looking at what we can do next, how can we improve it, how can we stick to what we do, roughly, but mould it and add to it,” Dyche claimed.

“When you’re not the market leaders, you have to try and keep every line of communication open, take every bit of information seriously – even the bits that get thrown at you from left field. I’ll still be checking my phone. When I’m here it’s on all day. When I’m on holiday I might be able to park it and it’s on in the morning or the evening.

“Recruitment is a massive thing. It looks like it’s going to be a tough market. It was last year. It’s not about replacing people, it’s about adding competition. You want fresh faces and to keep the competition building.”

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Chelsea Ace Set To Reunite With Former Boss

Reuters

Jose Mourinho is looking for a £35 million-worth reunion with his old Chelsea player Nemanja Matic.

The Portuguese is reportedly keen to bring the midfielder on board at Manchester United and has also talked to the club in order to make an offer for the Chelsea star.

Mourinho had brought Matic back to Stamford Bridge in 2014 from Benfica in his second spell with the Blues, after the midfielder had left Chelsea in 2011. And now, the Special One seems determined to sign the midfield man yet again this summer.

The Serbian has been a regular for Antonio Conte this season, having started 30 league games and lifted the Premier League title for the second time in a span of 3 years.

According to The Sun, Mourinho is after two central midfielders this summer, with Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic and Tottenham’s Eric Dier being the top targets. However, with Dier’s deal virtually impossible to negotiate with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, United boss has set his sights on bringing Matic to Old Trafford this summer instead.

Chelsea are hoping to sign Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, and with Cesc Fabregas returning to Conte’s line-up, this Matic deal looks highly possible for the Red Devils.

The 28-year-old still has two years left on his current contract, and with a new deal not having announced by the Blues, Mourinho is eyeing Matic as a long-term replacement for Michael Carrick, who has been a key performer, but turns 36 this summer.

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Manchester City Close To Signing Monaco’s Fabinho

Fabinho is very close to making a switch to the Etihad

Monaco midfielder Fabinho is close to signing for Manchester City ahead of bitter their better inter-city rivals.

Fabinho has been a vital part of Monaco’s success this season, but is now very close to making a switch to the Etihad, according to the report from the Barcelona-based journalist Gerard Romero, who had also revealed City’s significant signings this season, including the likes of Nolito, Leroy Sane, and John Stones, before City had officially announced them.

Pep Guardiola is out in the market to replace Yaya Toure, and the Brazilian seems to be a perfect fit for City. Guardiola has had midfield issues since his arrival at the Etihad, and with his passing and forward-thinking philosophy, it’s been hard for the City boss to get things going.

However, with Fabinho’s signature, things would get in line for the Spanish coach, who is ahead of rivals Manchester United in signing the young midfielder.

Fabinho is one of Leonardo Jardim’s many stars who is expected to make a move away from Monaco this season, and back in February, the Brazilian’s father had told the French TV show J+1 about having a soft spot for City.

“We like Manchester United & Mourinho’s work, but we have a soft spot for Manchester City,” he had stated.

Nonetheless, Fabinho has a contract with the French outfit until 2021, and will therefore cost City around £25 million, which does not looks to be a serious problem given City’s financial track record in recent years.

Thomas Lemar, Kylian Mbappe, Bernardo Silva, Tiemoue Bakayoko, and Benjamin Mendy are all linked with exits, and as it appears, Monaco’s exciting young team is likely to be torn apart this summer.

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Manchester United To Make An Offer For 16-Year-Old Benoît Badiashile

Red Devils have recently launched an offer for 16-year-old defender Benoît Badiashile

Premier League giants Manchester United have hired fresh scouts all over Europe to distinguish the emerging young talent that one day might make a move to Old Trafford, and as it seems, the club’s talent spotters have already found one potential target for United.

The Red Devils have recently launched an offer for 16-year-old defender Benoît Badiashile. The young Frenchman is said to have impressed United’s scouts with his latest performances with his national team at U16 level in the Val-de-Marne tournament.

According to French sports daily L’Equipe (via GFFN), United are moving forward to get the young defender’s signature in the summer. Badiashile is a product of the Monaco academy, and has excited the observers with his performances at the back for Monaco’s academy teams.

The teenager still has a couple of years left on his current contract, and thus, for the time being, it’s unclear as to how the player will proceed. It is yet to be seen whether the Frenchman has made up his mind to make a move to England at such an early stage, or continue to develop at Monaco.

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Oblak To Join Manchester United If De Gea Moves To Real Madrid

Manchester United have done their preliminary work on Jan Oblak

As David De Gea is likely to complete the switch to Real Madrid, Manchester United seem to have intensified their monitoring of Atletico Madrid’s goalkeeper, Jan Oblak.

United have been in pursuit of Oblak, and if David De Gea moves to Bernabeu this summer, then the Red Devils won’t think twice before launching an offer for the Slovenia international.

Manchester United are said to have done the preliminary work on the 24-year-old, and have already been in talks with the player’s agent about the potential move.

As per Mirror, the Red Devils have accepted the fact that their Spanish shot-stopper will positively be heading back to his homeland this summer after six years in England. However, United would be demanding a world-record fee for the goalkeeper from Los Blancos, which is estimated to be around £60 million.

Oblak has established himself to be one of Europe’s top keepers, and has been on the radar of Jose Mourinho as his ideal potential successor to De Gea.

Also, named as the best goalkeeper in Spain last season after conceding a record low of 18 goals, the Atletico Madrid man has a gigantic £85 million buyout clause in his contract that United would be bargaining on.

Even though Sergio Romero has been outstanding while filling in for De Gea this season, Mourinho appears to be adamant in making a big summer signing in order to replace the Spanish international instead of promoting the Argentine to first choice.

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Romelu Lukaku Speaks With Thibaut Courtois About Rejoining Chelsea

The Belgian international is also on Jose Mourinho’s watch

With one league game to spare, the Premier League Champions Chelsea have already started pursuing one of their major targets for the next season.

Romelu Lukaku has been heavily linked with the Blues this season, and the striker had indicated earlier as well about his wish to join the former club. And as it seems, even Antonio Conte is pushing for the Belgian to reunite with his old club this summer.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Chelsea are making a serious push for Lukaku after having secured the Premier League title, and as reported, the first contacts with the Everton striker’s entourage over his return to Stamford Bridge have already been made.

With Diego Costa possibly set for a move to China, the 24-year-old has been chosen by Antonio Conte to lead the Blues attack for the next season.

However, between all the transfer talks, Lukaku has himself contacted his Belgian teammate, Thibaut Courtois, to speak about the potential transfer.

Chelsea are now preparing to hold talks with Everton over the striker’s fee, but as per the reports, the negotiation may end up with the Stamford Bridge outfit paying around £70 million in order to secure Lukaku’s signature.

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CIES’ Shocking Premier League Team Of The Season

CIES Premier League team of the season is based on the statistics and performance analysis

As the Premier draws to a close, there have been some extraordinary performances by many players, be it Costa, Hazard and Kante for Chelsea, Sanchez for Arsenal, Lukaku for Everton, or Kane and Eriksen for Spurs. 

However, the Best XI that has been revealed by CIES Football Observatory does not include any of the mentioned players.

Surprised? Shocked? Stunned? As neither the PFA Player of the Year nor the League’s top scorer features in the team of the season, here is the Best XI that have been named according to CIES Football Observatory.

1. Sergio Aguero (CF)

2. Kevin de Bruyne (CAM)

3. Pedro (RM)

4. Philippe Coutinho (LM)

5. Paul Pogba (CM)

6. Ander Herrera (CM)

7. Nicolas Otamendi (CB)

8. Dejan Lovren (CB)

9. James Milner (LB)

10. Cesar Azpilicueta (RB)

11. Hugo Lloris (GK)

According to the CIES Football Observatory, their Premier League team of the season is said to be based on the statistics and performance analysis.

However, the bizarre inclusion of Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren and James Milner has left everyone surprised. The Reds’ have conceded the most number of goals among the top seven sides except Arsenal this season.

As per reports, out of all the footballers who’ve played more than 2,000 minutes this season, only three other players, viz. Juventus’ Alex Sandro, Real Madrid’s Marcelo and Bayern Munich’s David Alaba have impressed more this season as compared to Milner.

Another eye opener comes with the inclusion of Manchester City’s striker, Aguero. The Argentinian has scored 18 goals this season, and currently sits 4th in the League’s Top Scorers List. Romelu Lukaku with 24 goals, Alexis Sánchez with 23, and Harry Kane with 22 have been left out.

With two games to spare, the newly crowned English champions Chelsea have just two players in this list, with Pedro and Cesar Azpilicueta making the cut. And despite being widely regarded as the best players in the league this season, Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante have been shunned by CIES.

Manchester United duo Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera make up the midfield, and with Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris guarding the goal, the CIES’ Premier League Team of the season has arguably raised some eyebrows.

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Pepe Transfer: Real Madrid Exit Certain, Next Club Not

Pepe will be leaving Bernabeu by the end of the season

One of Manchester United’s main concerns this season has been their injury hit defensive back-line, and Jose Mourinho seems to be all set to strengthen his defence for the next season. And with the transfer window coming closer, Mourinho has lined up an offer for Real Madrid’s star player, Pepe.

The Portuguese centre-back will be leaving Bernabeu by the end of the season with his contract expiring next month, but the 34-year-old still aims to continue playing top-level football. However, he appears to have very limited options on his side at present.

According to reports, Pepe has only two offers on the table, one being from Inter Milan and the other one from China. But he is believed to be uninterested in either, as the Madrid centre-back hopes to play in Europe’s elite competition next term, which unfortunately, the Nerazzurri cannot provide.

If United are able to achieve European glory by winning the Europa League this season, and hence qualify for the Champions League next term, the United boss would certainly be offering Pepe a deal to reunite with him at Old Trafford.

The two have worked together in the past during Mourinho’s time at Real, and may very well end together up again if United qualify for Champions League.

The Portugal international would be coming to Old Trafford on a free transfer if the deal were to happen, meaning Manchester United could still spend hefty amount of cash on other defensive reinforcements as well.

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Is United’s First Summer Signing Already Done?

James Rodriguez deal with Manchester United may be announced on Sunday

Manchester United have been regularly linked to some of the top names in football, and are now set to announce their first summer signing on Sunday. Jose Mourinho is lining up his first signing of this transfer window, and as per Radio Caracol in Colombia, it’s none other than Real Madrid’s playmaker James Rodriguez.

According to reports, Jorge Mendes met with Madrid’s president Florentino Perez in the last few days to discuss this potential transfer.

James has featured in 32 games for Real this season, with 21 appearances coming in La Liga, 6 in the Champions League and 3 in Copa del Rey being the major ones.

The Colombian star was subbed off in the second half in a 4-1 win over Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu last weekend, but the way the fans and the player applauded each other appeared as if James may have played his last match for Los Blancos, despite Zinedine Zidane insisting otherwise.

Radio Caracol reported on Monday night that the James Rodriguez deal with Manchester United may be announced on Sunday, which is the final day of the La Liga season.

However, AS believe that Los Blancos may announce the deal after the Champions League Final, but no matter what, Rodriguez’s arrival at Old Trafford seems to be confirmed.

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Europa League Final: Mourinho’s Already Decided The Playing XI

Jose Mourinho already has his Europa League final team in mind

With the final of the Europa League right around the corner, Stockholm is less than two weeks away, and Jose Mourinho seems to have already picked his playing XI.

As per the club’s official website, Jose Mourinho has admitted to the fact that he already has his Europa League final team in mind. The United Manager is still set to rotate his players for the remainder of the season, despite losing 2-1 to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

The Portuguese revealed that different players have to be rested at different times in order to prepare for the showpiece clash. Also, Daley Blind is said to be the next player to be given a break, having played a number of matches in a short period of time.

Mourinho stated in his post-match press conference on Sunday: “The most important thing for us is no injuries and some people having a proper rest. Blind had to play 90 minutes, but the next match is for Blind to rest and we have to go like this, step by step, to rest people.”

Though the United boss appears to have picked up the team to face Ajax in the final, Mourinho would still be seeing the overall performances of his players in order to send his best XI for the clash.

“I will analyse the individual performances of the players and try to understand who can give me a little bit more for the final. Of course I have in my mind already what I think is going to be the team, but the players can influence decisions with positive or negative performances.”

United mathematically crashed out of the race for a top-four finish in the Premier League on Sunday, as they fell seven points behind Manchester City, and eight behind Liverpool with just two games left.

However, Mourinho believes that winning more trophies along with qualifying for the Champions League next season is the club’s priority, and winning the Europa League is the way to go.

“I don’t know other clubs, I don’t know the way they think, I don’t know what is important for them, but we, Manchester United, feel it is more important to win trophies than to finish in the top four,” Jose claimed.

“We know what we are doing and if we can win a third trophy it would be magnificent for us because we know that it’s a big objective.

“We know that if we lose the final we won’t play in the Champions League next season. We know that, but we fight for trophies and probably other clubs finishing in the top four would like to be in our position to try and fight for the trophy.”

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