Erling Haaland has veritably banged in the goals for Manchester City(opens in new tab) this season – but he feels he wouldn’t be quite the player he is if not for Manchester United(opens in new tab) favourite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer… Haaland played under his Norwegian compatriot during his time with Molde, and he’s praised Solskjaer for developing one key aspect of any complete striker’s game: heading. In an interview with GQ(opens in new tab) magazine, Haaland said: “The first thing I think [Solskjaer] said to me was ‘You have no idea how to head the ball; we have to work on that’. “This is what we…
Author: bigbanng
Real Madrid have been relatively quiet when it comes to transfers in recent years and their net spend has been lower than several midtable Premier League clubs over the past decade or so. Los Blancos have pretty much moved away from their Galactico style signings. Yet, that does not mean that the club will not splash out if they feel that the right player is available. The move for Aurelien Tchouameni in the summer proves that. The club have been linked with several highly rated young players in recent months. But amongst them, it looks like Jude Bellingham is their…
Manchester United star Jadon Sancho has reportedly returned to first-team training after being completely absent for the Red Devils since the return of the Premier League from the World Cup. The winger was left out of the squad as he was deemed not fit enough but he has now returned after undergoing an extensive individual training programme. Sancho has seen no match action for United since the 1-1 draw with Chelsea in October with fans less somewhat confused by his absence. He did not return after the World Cup as he completed a focused training programme designed to improve his match fitness. The Athletic reports that he returned to Carrington…
Cristiano Ronaldo looked smitten as he cosied up to girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez for an Instagram snap during a romantic date night in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. The Portuguese striker, 37, and the Argentine-born Spanish model, 28, were all smiles as he planted a kiss on her cheek. The former Manchester United star cut a stylish figure in a black and white striped jumper and leather waist coat. Loved-up: Cristiano Ronaldo looked smitten as he kissed girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez cheek for an Instagram snap during a romantic date night in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday Meanwhile Georgina put on a leggy display in a brown long sleeve mini…
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is statistically the best-value attacking signing in the Premier League so far this season. The Norwegian frontman has made a scintillating start to life in England, with the 22-year-old registering 27 goals and three assists in 24 appearances in all competitions. He has also scored three hat-tricks in the Premier League – one of which came in the derby win over Manchester United in October. Haaland arrived at the Etihad having impressed for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, and the majority of people were convinced that he would thrive in Pep Guardiola’s side. The Norway…
The “Marca” newspaper revealed that Real Madrid’s play-maker, Croatian international Luka Modric, had rejected an offer from Al-Nasr Saudi Arabia to join Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who had recently moved to Al-Alamy. The Spanish newspaper confirmed that Saudi Arabia wants to raise football to the ranks of the global elite and increase viewership by attracting top stars. So after signing with Ronaldo, Al- Nasr seeks to include Modric and Spanish defender Sergio Ramos from Paris Saint-Germain. Marca said that Modric, 37, wants to stay for at least another season at Real Madrid before considering playing for another club. The Croatian…
Despite having spent far less on players than some of their competitors over the last five years, Manchester United’s net spend – amount spent on transfers less amount received from them – is the highest in the world. United’s net spend is €608.44 million, around €43m more than second placed Chelsea. Arsenal are third and, surprisingly, West Ham are fourth on €395.21m, higher than a lot of Europe’s big name clubs, including Paris Saint Germain, who come in fifth. Even the likes of Fulham (15th) and Southampton (19th) have a higher net spend than Europe’s most successful club in recent…
Cristiano Ronaldo was left stunned after his Al-Nassr teammate Anderson Talisca’s son perfectly imitated his iconic goal celebration. Cristiano Ronaldo’s signature “Siiuuu” celebration has attained legendary status in the past few years, and it is imitated by millions of people across the world. The latest person to try out the celebration was Ronaldo’s new Al-Nassr teammate’s son, and his expert imitation left the Portuguese superstar in splits. Ronaldo has gained a massive popularity in Saudi Arabia since his big-money transfer to Al-Nassr and before his official debut, he decided to spend time with his new teammates and their families. Anderson Talisca’s son, who…
It says everything about Erling Haaland that him going three games without scoring for Manchester City is, by his jaw-dropping standards, considered to be a goal drought. Pep Guardiola won the goal-scoring lottery this summer when signing the Norway sensation for £51million and he promptly repaid that fee with 27 goals in 21 early-season appearances. In three matches since our calendars turned over to 2023, though, the ex-Borussia Dortmund man has yet to hit the net. That will not concern Guardiola and City in the slightest, as Haaland will go on to tot-up staggering numbers in his debut Premier League season, but their lack of supply…
The defeat in the Supercopa de Espana final hurt Real Madrid given how inferior they were to Barcelona. It was not an entirely unexpected loss given how the team arrived in Saudi Arabia, as acknowledged by Carlo Ancelotti in the post-Clasico press conference in Riyadh. This self-criticism has also been made in private, both by the coaching staff and the players. Ancelotti and his staff admit the pain and hurt that came with the defeat, and that to bounce back requires unity and more work. There are concerns about the team’s dynamic and physical condition, and it was also discussed how demanding the upcoming fixture…
£300,000-a-week set to be offered to key Man United star as part of new contractManchester United FC10 minutes ago Marcus Rashford has been the protagonist in Manchester United’s impressive run of form and with a contract expiry date getting ever closer, negotiations over a new deal are ongoing. Man United have already triggered the one-year option in Rashford’s current deal to keep him at the club until 2024 but the Red Devils want to keep the local star long-term. Negotiations over a new deal are ongoing and according to Manchester Evening News, United are keen to reward the 25-year-old’s impressive return…
Before last week, Erling Haaland’s longest goal drought at Manchester City stood at one game. Haaland’s 27 goals to date have come in 16 games, with only five goalless games before the turn of the year – one being in the Community Shield and another in the 45 minutes he played against Borussia Dortmund before going off with an injury. In the last three City games, though, Haaland has started twice and come off the bench for half an hour in the other – but failed to register a single shot on target across his last 215 minutes. It’s a spell that has…
Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Keylor Navas is in negotiations to join Saudi club Al-Nassr which would reunite him with former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo could be reunited with his former Real Madrid teammate Keylor Navas with Al-Nassr opening negotiations to sign the goalkeeper from Paris Saint-Germain. Ronaldo completed a stunning move to the Saudi Arabian club earlier this month and is expected to earn in the region of £173million per year. The deal comes after Ronaldo ended his relationship with United by mutual consent in November following a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan. The Portuguese superstar fell out of favour under Erik ten…
Real Madrid’s start to the new year has been quite underwhelming, to say the very least. While it did start with a 1-0 win over Cacereno, the team has ended up on the losing side in two of their last three outings and this involves the recent 1-3 defeat against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. Interestingly enough, Spanish publication MARCA points out that the club believe that as many as 13 players are responsible for the dip in form. There is a feeling that more than half the squad members are not at their best level, which has resulted in…
Manchester United are riding the crest of a wave following their win in the derby against Manchester City last weekend. United have won all seven of their games since the World Cup, conceding just twice in those victories. Erik ten Hag seems to have got everyone working in harmony, and the arrival of Wout Weghorst, on loan from Burnley until the end of the season, provides more depth up front. Everything is going swimmingly at Old Trafford for now, but that doesn’t mean United have stopped working on transfers. With two weeks left of the January transfer window, there continue to be rumours surrounding the club, who could still be…
Cristiano Ronaldo Spends Time in Saudi Arabia with Georgina Rodríguez, Kids Cristiano Ronaldo is set to play for a new team — Saudi Arabian football club Al-Nassr FC — and he appears to be enjoying getting to know his new home base. On Monday, the Portuguese footballer posted photos to his Instagram showing his family — partner Georgina Rodríguez and four of their kids — sightseeing in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh. “Quality time with my loves,” Ronaldo captioned the pictures, which depicted an outdoor city scene as well as a visit to an aquarium-like structure. Rodríguez took to her own Instagram to post…
Rio Ferdinand has named Arsenal star Martin Odegaard his player of the season so far but suggested a club like Barcelona could one day tempt him away from the Emirates. Odegaard has enjoyed a magnificent season for Mikel Arteta’s side, turning in another superb display in Sunday’s north London derby victory over Tottenham. The Norway international scored his side’s second goal with a fine effort from range and controlled the game from midfield as the Gunners ran out comfortable 2-0 winners to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points. Odegaard has played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s title charge…
Real Madrid’s defeat at the hands of Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final brought to the front another issue, and it is the fact that their midfield on the day simply could not keep up with that of their Catalan rivals. Both Luka Modric and Toni Kroos have seemed sluggish in recent games, while Aurelien Tchouameni’s absence through injury certainly played its part in their struggles in the middle of the park. The fact of the matter is that Real Madrid could do with another reliable option there in the future, and Jude Bellingham appears to have been earmarked as their…
Manchester United set out a dazzling Davos shop front this week, but insisted its lounge was to entertain clients and partners rather than to attract buyers for the soccer club. United said in November it was looking at options to either get new investment or explore a potential sale, 17 years after the Glazer family bought the 20-times top-flight champions. There has been no update since, amid British media reports that bids from the US, Middle East and Asia are expected to come in within the next month. Ellie Norman, a spokesperson for the club, said the lounge was “definitely…
Eric Cantona has told Cristiano Ronaldo he “has to accept” that he is no longer a young footballer after his relationship with Manchester United broke down. Ronaldo completed a stunning move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr earlier this month and is expected to earn in the region of £173million per year. The deal comes after Ronaldo ended his relationship with United by mutual consent in November following a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan. The Portuguese superstar fell out of favour under Erik ten Hag, who selected the striker from the start in just four Premier League matches this campaign as Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial were preferred up front by the…
MANCHESTER, England, Jan 16 (Reuters) – Manchester City striker Erling Haaland may turn out to be the most prolific goalscorer the Premier League has ever seen but after a passive performance in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat by Manchester United his role in the team is being re-assessed. Haaland had little influence in City’s play in the derby, taking only 19 touches and registering only two shots, neither of which hit the target. His performance at Old Trafford was in stark contrast to when he scored three goals and contributed two assists in the 6-3 drubbing of United in October, taking 35…
Real Madrid are being strung out by the media in Spain after they sunk to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of arch rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Supercup final. Midfielder Fede valverde has given a rather startling reason for the difference between the two sides. Speaking after the match, Valverde explained to MD that Los Blancos were not at full pelt when they started the match. “Today the team was not good and it showed. In a final you have to go out to give 100% from the beginning and we didn’t do it. We went out to give 80 or…
Anyone who didn’t know it before will now – after the Manchester derby – realise that the current offside law is an absolute bin fire. I’m sure everyone watching an offside Marcus Rashford bearing down on goal – shepherding the ball, but not touching it – into Bruno Fernandes’ path felt the same way. Even United fans. It was offside and the goal would be ruled out. After all, we’ve got a man with a telly looking at it in a shed, 300 miles away. Are they reading the rule book while watching? Are they bollocks. And even if they…
Lionel Messi of Argentina hugs the trophy as he is presented the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy by Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, while Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, watches at the award ceremony following the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. [Mustafa Yalçın – Anadolu Agency] Following the record-breaking contract signed last month between Saudi football club Al-Nassr and former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo, two other Saudi teams have reportedly expressed interest in signing Argentinian World Cup winner, Lionel Messi…