Jose Mourinho: New Manchester United signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan is perfect for the Premier League July 6, 2016 Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho insists new signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan has the qualities needed to thrive in the Premier League, after the playmaker's arrival at Old Trafford was confirmed. Mkhitaryan, who joins United in a £26m deal from Borussia Dortmund, is Mourinho's third signing since taking control at Old Trafford with striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and centre-back Eric Bailly already secured. The 27-yea-old attacking [...]
AC Milan takeover: President Silvio Berlusconi confirms £430m sale to Chinese consortium July 6, 2016 Italian giants AC Milan have been sold to an unnamed Chinese consortium, club president Silvio Berlusconi has confirmed. The seven time European champions have been the subject of months of speculation linking them with a takeover from China, with e-commerce firm Alibaba, Italian entrepreneur Robin Li and industrialist He Xiangjian named as potential suitors. Berlusconi's [...]
Chris Coleman vows Wales won’t be denied first major final by Portugal gamesmanship July 5, 2016 Wales manager Chris Coleman has vowed that his team will not allow Portugal to cheat them out of a first ever appearance in the final of a major tournament. Portugal stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe – an injury doubt for Wednesday's Euro 2016 semi-final in Lyon – have both faced accusations of feigning injury, but [...]
Euro 2016 betting: Player of the Tournament punt in safe hands with Neuer July 5, 2016 Germany finally broke their duck on Saturday night by beating Italy for the first time at a major tournament. Another long-standing record could fall this weekend if Manuel Neuer becomes the first goalkeeper to be named Player of the Tournament at a European Championship. The ‘sweeper-keeper’ has only conceded once at Euro 2016, with Leonardo [...]
Euro 2016 betting: Fairytale Wales can book their trip to the ball July 5, 2016 It wouldn't be an understatement to call Wales’ run to the Euro 2016 semi-final one of the biggest turnarounds in sporting history. The Dragons were ranked 117th in the world in August 2011, with a side devoid of belief, quality and inspiration. They now stand on the brink of a major tournament final. If they make [...]
Wales v Portugal could come down to duel between Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo July 5, 2016 Wales have been enormously impressive already at Euro 2016 and have a real chance to create more history when they face Portugal in the semi-finals on Wednesday. Gareth Bale says they feel it’s their time, and that bullishness shows the depth of their belief. I don’t think we all realised just how confident Wales were [...]
Jose Mourinho straight onto the front foot in first media appearance as Manchester United manager July 5, 2016 Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has wasted little time in going on the offensive in his new job, taking apparent swipes at the records of old foe Arsene Wenger and predecessor Louis van Gaal, and deriding as “a lie” his reputation as a coach who does not promote young players. In a prickly first media [...]
Gareth Bale admits Wales are dreaming of the unthinkable – winning Euro 2016 July 4, 2016 Fairytale-chasing Wales forward Gareth Bale admits his side are dreaming of winning Euro 2016 as they prepare for their first ever major tournament semi-final against Portugal in Lyon on Wednesday. The clash represents Wales’s biggest match since a World Cup quarter-final showdown with Brazil in 1958 – a remarkable achievement considering the principality were ranked [...]
Uefa urged to consider alternative format to liven up low-scoring European Championship July 4, 2016 Governing body Uefa is being urged to consider a radical shake-up of the European Championship following complaints that the existing system leads to more conservative play and a lack of goals. A Dutch mathematician has devised an alternative format for a 24-team Euros that promises to be both fairer and more entertaining, and Holland’s football [...]
Crystal Palace ready to shell out £45m on Christian Benteke and James Tomkins July 4, 2016 Crystal Palace are closing in on the double signing of Liverpool striker Christian Benteke – a player manager Alan Pardew last season accused of diving – and West Ham defender James Tomkins for combined fees of almost £45m. Palace are nearing agreement with the Reds over a fee for Benteke, after having an initial bid of £25m turned [...]