Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told his first official press conference as Manchester United's caretaker manager on Friday that he would relish the opportunity to be the permanent boss. The 45-year-old Norwegian, a legendary former player at Old Trafford, has been appointed interim boss until the end of the season, replacing Jose […]

London (AFP) – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer takes charge of Manchester United for the first time this weekend as their on-fire rivals Liverpool aim to become the Premier League's Christmas number one. Former United striker Solskjaer, named caretaker manager at Old Trafford this week following the sacking of Jose Mourinho, is gunning to make a statement […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea assistant manager Gianfranco Zola has urged Eden Hazard to reject a potential offer from Real Madrid and focus on becoming the Blues' all-time greatest player. Hazard has been strongly linked with Real for several months after the Belgium star refused to rule out a move to the Bernabeu and admitted playing […]

Paris (AFP) – Thierry Henry has been sent reinforcements as he continues his faltering bid to save Monaco from relegation in a Ligue 1 weekend which returns to a full programme of fixtures after weeks of disruption brought on by nationwide protests and a terrorist attack. Henry's Monaco are 19th, three points away from safety […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona's title charge has been riddled with defensive problems and just as they looked to have found stability, another one landed at their feet. Their 5-0 win over Levante last weekend may have been a triumph for attacking fluency, not to mention Lionel Messi, who scored a hat-trick, but more surprising was […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Al Ahly of Egypt aim to seal a record-equalling 16th appearance in the CAF Champions League group stage this weekend when they defend a 2-0 lead over Jimma Aba Jifar in Ethiopia. The round-of-30 second leg is among 15 scheduled for Saturday and Sunday with the overall winners plus defending champions Esperance […]

Milan (AFP) – Embattled Roma travel to Turin on Saturday desperate to bring some Christmas cheer back to their beleaguered fans in the capital by pulling off an upset against Cristiano Ronaldo's Juventus. Unbeaten Italian champions Juventus have had a record-breaking start to the season since their blockbuster signing of Ronaldo in the close-season for […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona have signed Colombian international centre-back Jeison Murillo on loan from Valencia until the end of the season, the two clubs announced on Thursday. The La Liga leaders have struggled defensively this season, conceding 19 goals in 11 league games before a run of three consecutive clean sheets, while also losing defenders […]

Paris (AFP) – New Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says it is "like coming home" as he starts his temporary tenure as the Red Devils' boss, he told the club's MUTV channel on Thursday. Solskjaer, 45, made more than 360 appearances in 11 years for United and scored a dramatic Champions League winner in […]

Chicago (AFP) – New US national team coach Gregg Berhalter named a young lineup of Major League Soccer talent on Thursday for his team's January camp as the Americans seek a World Cup return. The annual Southern California gathering, which avoids US talent on European clubs whose league competitions are ongoing, features a new generation […]

Milan (AFP) – Brazilian international defender Alex Sandro has renewed his contract with Juventus, committing to the Serie A champions until 2023, the club confirmed on Thursday. The 27-year-old Sandro has won three Serie A titles and three Italian Cups since joining from Porto in 2015, where he also won two league titles. His five-year […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal said Thursday they have identified a man they suspect of throwing a plastic bottle at Tottenham's Dele Alli during Spurs' 2-0 League Cup quarter-final victory over their bitter Nnorth London rivals. The England midfielder — who scored a delightful goal to put Spurs 2-0 up at the Emirates — was hit […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino may be the bookmakers favourite to get the number one job at Manchester United on a permanent basis but on Thursday the club press officer refused to allow questions on the matter. The press officer said the 46-year-old Argentinian — whose attractive style of football and ability […]

Berlin (AFP) – Dortmund coach Lucien Favre has warned that Moenchengladbach are "very dangerous" as he prepares to meet his former club in a mouth-watering clash between the Bundesliga's top two teams on Friday. The Black and Yellow's lead at the top was cut to just six points by a shock defeat to Fortuna Duesseldorf […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal say they have identified an "image" of the spectator who threw a bottle that hit Tottenham Hotspur's Dele Alli in Spurs' 2-0 League Cup quarter-final victory over their bitter North London rivals on Wednesday. The England midfielder — who scored a delightful goal to put Spurs 2-0 up — was hit […]