London (AFP) – Manchester United are more willing and better prepared to attack opponents under caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer than Jose Mourinho, according to midfielder Paul Pogba. The French World Cup winner's own return to form is in keeping with a rejuvenated United as a whole since the Norwegian replaced the sacked Mourinho last […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal manager Unai Emery is not looking to offload Mesut Ozil this month, but wants the German to start delivering consistently on the field when given the chance. Ozil wasn't even included in Emery's squad for last weekend's 1-0 defeat at West Ham despite taking a full part in training the week […]

Al-Ain (United Arab Emirates) (AFP) – Tsukasa Shiotani thumped home a sizzling second-half winner as Japan changed 10 players but still beat Uzbekistan 2-1 to finish top of their group at the Asian Cup on Thursday. The unfamiliar line-up briefly trailed after Eldor Shomurodov scored for the Uzbeks, but Newcastle United forward Yoshinori Muto's header […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich coach Niko Kovac has challenged James Rodriguez to "play for his future" as the clock ticks down on the Colombian superstar's loan from Real Madrid. The 27-year-old, who has six months left on his two-year deal with Real, has started just five Bundesliga games this season and missed Bayern's last […]

Berlin (AFP) – RB Leipzig have given Timo Werner an ultimatum to sign a contract extension by the end of the season with Bayern Munich already having expressed interest in the Germany striker. With the Bundesliga to resume this weekend after the winter break, fourth-placed Leipzig host current leaders Borussia Dortmund in a mouth-watering clash […]

Budapest (AFP) – Hungarian police said Thursday they had arrested a suspected Portuguese hacker linked to the Football Leaks whistleblower website who is accused of extortion in Portugal. French lawyers for 30-year-old Rui Pinto confirmed the arrest and said they would fight any attempt at extradition. Without naming Pinto, Budapest police said that a man […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea are set to add some much-needed firepower by reuniting manager Maurizio Sarri with Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain, according to widespread reports on Thursday. Higuain, 31, is halfway through a season-long loan at AC Milan from Juventus, with an option to make the deal permanent. However, Chelsea have reportedly reached an agreement […]

Al-Ain (United Arab Emirates) (AFP) – An ex-refugee who campaigns for mental health issues is firing Australia's campaign at the Asian Cup — and may yet lead his adopted nation to their greatest football triumph. Far from the average footballer, Awer Mabil spent his childhood in a mud hut as a refugee from conflict in […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Mousa Dembele became the latest high-profile name to swap Europe for China when he left English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur and joined Guangzhou R&F on Thursday. The 31-year-old Belgian international will cost the Chinese Super League (CSL) club about 12 million euros ($13.5 million) and can expect to receive a significant […]

Abu Dhabi (AFP) – Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino will be like a nervous parent for the next two weeks as Son Heung-min tries to help South Korea end 59 years of Asian Cup hurt. The mercurial Tottenham forward, who played in the London club's defeat by Manchester United three days earlier, had a hand in […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich are feeling bullish in their bid to charge down Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund as the German champions kick off the second half of the season with Friday's trip to Hoffenheim. For the first time since January 2011, Bayern are not top of the league after the winter break as they […]

London (AFP) – Marko Arnautovic might not have the superstar status of China's biggest football imports, but the volatile West Ham striker will provide goals and drama in equal measure if he completes his proposed move. Arnautovic was the subject of a reported £35 million ($44 million) offer from an unnamed Chinese Super League club […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Simba of Tanzania and Constantine of Algeria, who boast the best attack and defence in the CAF Champions League, face serious matchday 2 examinations of their title credentials this weekend. After scoring 15 goals in four qualifiers and matchday 1, Simba are away to V Club of the Democratic Republic of Congo […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Tottenham Hotspurs Belgian international midfielder Mousa Dembele is poised to seal a move to Guangzhou R&F, a source at the Chinese club told AFP on Thursday. The 31-year-old will cost about 12 million euros and he is set to become the latest big-name star to join the Chinese Super League (CSL). Dembele […]

Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) (AFP) – Chaperoned by men, thousands of women thronged a Saudi stadium Wednesday for the Italian Supercup final between Juventus and AC Milan, brushing off a controversy over entry restrictions. With painted faces and banners, female football fans entered the King Abdullah Sports City stadium in western Jeddah city through designated turnstiles for […]