Flexible Van Gaal is a master tactician

Electing to field an unfamiliar 3-4-1-2 formation, Van Gaal picked Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling as his centre-backs, with Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia deployed as wing-backs.

Briefed to press high, United often won the ball in LA Galaxy's half and looked comfortable in possession, Juan Mata and Ander Herrera looking particularly at home in the manager's new system.

With the ball, United looked to recycle possession as quickly as possible and often fed the wings, with Shaw and Valencia providing a number of crosses from the byline. It paid off, with the possession-based style leading United to hit seven past their MLS counterparts.

"We introduced a new system that we have only played two times on the training pitch 11 v 11," the Dutchman said of his formation afterwards.

"I can change back if the system doesn't work. With the quality of the players we have, I can play 4-3-3 with three strikers on the bench, but I want to play with two strikers."

Van Gaal is likely to experiment further during United's pre-season campaign and made a change at half-time, moving to a four-man defence, with substitute Nani given the false-nine role following the departures of Danny Welbeck and Rooney at the break.

The move did nothing to halt United's attacking movement – or stunt their width – with Ashley Young and Reece Jones both grabbing a double in the second period.

With two formations used to great effect, Van Gaal can be expected to continue to tinker as the club's pre-season tour continues. On Thursday's evidence, he may not need to.

Who was the best midfielder of the season?

Ahead of the Goal 50 announcement next week, we want to know who you think deserves to be named as the greatest midfielder in the world for their performances in 2013-14

As we build up to Monday's big Goal 50 announcement, we want to know who you think was the best midfielder of the past 12 months.

If you had said 12 months ago that Philipp Lahm would be in this category, most would have laughed it off as a joke, but Pep Guardiola has turned the Bayern Munich full-back into a superb defensive midfielder, the ying to Toni Kroos' attacking yang. Bastian Schweinsteiger was forced to battle against injury for much of the campaign but his contribution to Bayern's success - and certainly to Germany's World Cup triumph - should not go unnoticed.

Steven Gerrard is another unexpected candidate for best midfielder of 2013-14 after going so close to guiding Liverpool to Premier League glory, but ultimately Manchester City's Yaya Toure prevailed in that regard with his best ever campaign. Aaron Ramsey was the brightest midfield star in England before injury curtailed his campaign, but he managed to return in time to fire Arsenal to the FA Cup.

In Spain, Koke put Xavi and Xabi Alonso in their place by marshalling Atletico Madrid to the title. Rivals Real Madrid were given some consolation in seeing Luka Modric live up to his potential by blossoming at the Santiago Bernabeu. Angel Di Maria also successfully converted into a midfielder from his previous winger role.

Serie A might not have the same prestige it once did, but it still has many of the best players in world football. Arturo Vidal continued to look like the perfect central midfielder, although Roma's Miralem Pjanic - with a more deft and intricate skillset - has gone toe-to-toe with him for talent in the last year.

And finally, who can forget how phenomenal James Rodriguez was at the World Cup? The Colombian lit up Brazil with his Golden Boot-winning performances to back up the talent he had shown in Ligue 1 during his first season at Monaco.

Time was right to sell Suarez, admits Liverpool owner John W Henry

The Anfield chief says this summer was the right moment for both player and club "to make a break" but insists Brendan Rodgers' attack will remain "explosive" without the striker

Liverpool owner John W Henry believes this summer was the right time to sell Luis Suarez to Barcelona.

The 27-year-old, whose 31 goals helped Liverpool finish second in the Premier League last season, joined the Spanish club in a €88 million deal earlier this month.

Suarez is currently serving a four-month ban for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay's World Cup fixture on June 19.

But despite Suarez's departure, Henry believes that Liverpool's attack will remain "explosive" next term.

"It was time for Luis and time for the club to make a break," Henry told NBC.

"He brought so much to the club but we brought a lot to Luis.

"[Without him] I think you will still see a very explosive Liverpool offense."

Meanwhile, Goal understands the Court of Arbitration for Sport could reduce Suarez's ban, meaning he could play for Barcelona in their opening Liga fixture against Elche.

Rodgers confident of new Liverpool contract for Gerrard

The Reds skipper has one year left on his current contract but, after retiring from international football on Monday, reports suggest that the midfielder will renew until 2016

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers expects the club to tie up a new deal for captain Steven Gerrard.

The midfielder is set to enter the last season of his present deal but reports suggest that he could pen an extension until 2016.

Gerrard retired from international duty with England on Monday and Rodgers reiterated his belief that the 34-year-old will extend his domestic career as a result.

"I am very happy that Steven is now going to commit to Liverpool and I am sure that [his contract] is something that we will look at," he told the press.

"He is in really good condition and I'm sure it is something that will happen at some point.

"Listen, for his own mind, I'm sure he will want it sorted out, absolutely. You never want to leave players with not too long to go on their contract.

"A lot has gone on at the club over the course of the summer. It is something I am sure will get sorted.

"I know he can continue to play beyond this season. I have always said that. Now he doesn't have international football, he will have that freshness."

Rodgers also added that there is no update on the future of goalkeeper Pepe Reina, who spent last term on loan at Serie A side Napoli.

"He's back in training. Pepe made it clear last year where he is at," he added. "He is working well and there has been no real conversation as yet. He is just working hard to get fit and we will see what happens over the next few weeks."

Lallana to miss start of season after suffering knee injury

The new €32 million signing is now expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks after damaging ligaments in training, ruling him out of a return to former side Southampton

New Liverpool signing Adam Lallana will miss the start of the new Premier League season after suffering a knee injury in training.

The midfielder moved to Anfield for a €32 million fee after representing England at the World Cup but damaged his lateral collateral ligament on Friday.

Lallana is now expected to be sidelined for "up to six weeks", likely ruling him out of Liverpool's first game of the season against former side Southampton.

"Lallana has been assessed by Liverpool's medical staff and does not require surgery," a club statement read."

"No specific timeframe has been placed on a return to fitness, but injuries of this nature can result in a spell of anywhere up to six weeks on the sidelines.


"The England international will undergo further assessment by the club's medical team in the United States and on return to Liverpool."

FIFA WORLDCUP 2014 BRAZIL

WAITING FOR FIFA WORLDCUP BRAZIL

Chennai Super Kings Outplayed Us In All Departments, Says Mumbai Indians Coach John Wright

Smashed out of the Indian Premier League in the wake of set down to Chennai Super Kings in the Eliminator, Mumbai Indians head mentor John Wright conceded that the ruling champions were totally outflanked in all divisions of the diversion.

"We had a considerable measure of certainty going into the match in light of the fact that in the most recent one year or thereabouts we have been intense rivals for CSK. To their credit, they presumably outflanked us in all divisions," Wright said at the post match question and answer session after Mumbai Indians lost by seven wickets to Chennai Super Kings at the Brabourne Stadium here the previous evening.

Mexico 3-0 Israel

  The Defender netted twice, with Fabio additionally on focus, before the goalkeeper was compelled to leave the contribute the first of the nation's four preworld Cup friendlies

Miguel Layun scored the initial two universal objectives of his profession to lead Mexico to a 3-0 triumph over Israel at Estadio Azteca on Wednesday night.

Layun discovered the net on either side of half-time and Marco Fabian included an alternate as El Tri won the first of four friendlies before opening their World Cup fight against Cameroon on June 13.

The Mexican Federation utilized the Israel match to praise the profession of unbelievable forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who as of late marked with Puebla at age 41 and wore the No.

Herrera named his beginning line-up on Monday, shockingly leaving Javier Hernandez on the seat. Rather, Blanco and Oribe Peralta began in advance.

Numerous addressed the choice to hold a tribute match as Herrera's side started its last arrangements before heading to Brazil. At the same time Blanco did not cut the group down, setting up a scoring open door for Peralta in the 23rd moment and drawing a free kick from fresh in the 34th before being subbed out.

Blanco was taken out of the diversion after only 39 minutes and gave the skipper's armband to goalkeeper Jesus Corona. The second-heading scorer in Mexico national group history was supplanted by Raul Jimenez.

In the blink of an eye before Blanco was given a formal brilliant boot trophy and made a triumph lap around the stadium in his last national group match at half-time, Layun scored his first profession objective since making a Mexico lists shockingly a year back.

In the 43rd moment, the shield cut inside from well fresh and discharged home a long-run shot past the shocked goalkeeper Ariel Harush, who ought to have had the capacity to make the spare however played the shaky ball defectively.

Objective scoring machine Hernandez went ahead at half-time for Peralta and the second half began much like the first and foremost, with Mexico controlling the match.

However by and by, it was Layun to give the offense to El Tri as he scored on an alternate shot from separation. It showed up Harush had made a jumping spare however the ball took a bob over the objective line, with Chicharito in that spot in the event that it didn't go too far.

While fans were all the while commending the two-objective lead, Mexico were given truly an alarm when Corona ran down with an obvious neck damage brought about by his own particular partner. The goalkeeper impacted Maza Rodriguez and he was settled and stretchered off, creating a stoppage in play for five minutes.

Guillermo Ochoa, who numerous accept is adequate to begin for El Tri at the World Cup, was called upon in the 73rd moment and helped his group hang on for the clean sheet.

Fabian shut a solid execution by the home group in the wake of putting a diverted cross from Chicharito into the objective from the edge of the container in the 85th moment.

Eto'o: I don't have to explain anything about my age

The Cameroon striker has hit out at suggestions that he is older than 32 after a private conversation involving Jose Mourinho was recorded by a French television station

 

Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o has hit out at allegations suggesting he is older than 32 years old.

Jose Mourinho was left fuming after a private conversation was recorded by Canal Plus and revealed the Blues boss saying: "The problem with Chelsea is we lack a scorer. I have one [Eto'o] but he's 32. Maybe 35, who knows?"

But when questioned about Mourinho’s comments after Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Galatasaray on Wednesday, Eto’o told Mediaset: "I do not have to explain anything.

"I triumphed with all the teams I played for, I'm the player I am and I want to help Chelsea to win a cup this season."

At the Turk Telekom Arena on Wednesday, Fernando Torres’ early opener was cancelled out by Aurelien Chedjou’s strike after the break and Eto’o has urged Chelsea to take advantage of playing at home in the second leg.

"It’s a good result for us," said the striker. "In the return leg, however, we must be very careful and take advantage of the home advantage. We need a goal to qualify." 

Lampard: Chelsea need Premier League 'help' to compete in Europe

The 35-year-old believes the Blues, and other sides involved in continental competition, are handicapped by the current fixture list in the English top flight

 

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has called for a re-think on Premier League scheduling for clubs competing in the Champions League, and would like the same support enjoyed by their European rivals.

Jose Mourinho's table-toppers are preparing themselves for a west London derby at Fulham on Saturday - just 72 hours after they drew 1-1 with Galatasaray in Istanbul.

And, given the lack of rest afforded to the Blues, Lampard believes the Premier League should follow models used elsewhere in Europe, where domestic games are often moved to allow Champions League clubs more time to recover from continental competition.

"It's not ideal," the England international is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. "We don't expect any favours and certainly know we won't get them. It's about resting up and getting ready to go.

"I don't know about the Premier League but other countries seem to look after their teams representing them in the Champions League. I'm not sure we do so much here.

"I'm not trying to get one over on other Premier League teams, it just seems a general rule. There could be a bit of common sense if you are getting back at 6:00 (on Thursday)."

However, Lampard is confident Chelsea's squad is capable of coping with the rigorous schedule, and says the players just have to accept the situation.

"We can't moan, we've got a fantastic squad with fit young players. We have to get on with it," he added. 

Mancini: Chelsea deserved to lose

The Italian thinks Galatasaray were the better team in the Champions League clash on Wednesday, but is relatively pleased with the 1-1 result nonetheless

 

Roberto Mancini felt Chelsea deserved to be beaten by Galatasaray in the opening leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday.

Solid early pressure from Chelsea rewarded them with a ninth-minute opener from Fernando Torres at the Turk Telekom Arena, but Gala controlled the game for long spells.

Mancini reshuffled his pack to tactically stifle the Londoners and the hosts gained their reward through Aurelien Chedjou's equaliser just after the hour.

The 1-1 draw means that the tie is still finely balanced heading into the return at Stamford Bridge on March 18, with an away goal giving the Premier League side a slight edge, but Mancini felt that his side could have been heading to London in a more comfortable position.

Asked by Sky Sports whether he was disappointed to be coming away on level terms, the Italian said: "Yes, because in the second half we probably deserved to score another goal.
"We gained a lot of confidence from the second half, but we had too much respect for Chelsea. Maybe we were too deep in the first half, we played with fear but I'm happy.
"One-one is a good result, we have another game."

Jose Mourinho's Blues will host Mancini's men on March 18 as they pursue Champions League glory for the second time in three seasons.

Glazers assure Moyes of support with £200M Man Utd warchest

Manchester United chiefs have assured manager David Moyes of their backing by making a £200 MILLION transfer warchest available.

The Daily Star says Old Trafford owners the Glaziers still believe Moyes is the right man for the job and has ordered him to get it right this summer when he starts to lure new stars to the club.

United have drawn up a short-list of candidates to revitalise the sliding squad, including rising star Luke Shaw, Bayern Munich’s Toni Kroos, Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala, William Carvalho from Sporting Lisbon and Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.
 

Sacked Spurs boss AVB in frame for Barcelona

Sacked Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas is being linked with Tata Martino's job at Barcelona.
Martino is under pressure at Barca after their 3-1 drubbing away to Real Sociedad in the summer.
Sport says ex-Porto, Chelsea and Spurs coach Villas-Boas is one of five candidates to replace the Argentine should he be sacked in the summer.

The Portuguese manager, 36, is one of three "continuity" options, alongside current Celta Vigo coach and former Barcelona star Luis Enrique and Athletic Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde.
There are also two "disruptive" options said to be on the table - managers who will come in and shape the playing style, rather than merely adhering to the club's philosophy.
They are the current Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone and Borussia Dortmund's Jurgen Klopp.

Morata ready to quit Real Madrid for Arsenal

Arsenal are back in talks with Real Madrid for striker Alvaro Morata.
The Daily Mail says manager Arsene Wenger has made a new striker his top priority this summer and will return for Real Madrid striker Morata, 21.

Arsenal tried to sign the Spaniard on loan in the summer but the youngster has since grown frustrated at his lack of playing time under Carlo Ancelotti and Arsenal hope the lure of regular football can help secure a deal. Real will demand at least £15million with a buy-back clause.

Van Persie apologises to Man Utd pals over Dutch interview

Robin van Persie has apologised to Manchester United teammates for his Dutch interview in the aftermath of their Champions League defeat to Olympiacos.

The Dutch striker complained to a TV station from his homeland about fellow players running into areas where he was supposed to be during the Champions League shocker against Olympiakos.
The Mirror says Van Persie has since pulled his colleagues aside at training to apologise for his remarks and claimed that he was talking about his own game rather than having a go at them - or their under-fire first-year manager David Moyes.
The comments had caused unrest in the champions' dressing room, and the 30-year-old was said to be ‘genuinely shocked’ that what he said had been made to sound like a self-centred moan.

West Ham boss names figure Man Utd need to overhaul squad

West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce says Manchester United counterpart David Moyes needs £200m to make the Red Devils a successful team again.
"It looks like he will have to plan a rebuild and for a club like United, that could mean an outlay of £200m," Allardyce says in his London Evening Standard column.
"The hard bit, even if you are United, is finding the players. They didn't do that last summer and that's probably one of things David now regrets. He may have thought it was a big, strong squad — one which had just run away with the Premier League title — and that it just needed some tinkering."

Moyes makes Pogba Man Utd priority

Manchester United boss David Moyes remains hopeful of bringing Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford.
Moyes discussed Pogba's situation with Juventus chiefs in January during a trip to Italy.
The Daily Mail says Pogba remains another prime United target, though Moyes may have his work cut out convincing the Juventus midfielder to return to Old Trafford, where he felt underused by Sir Alex Ferguson and left on a free transfer when his contract ran out.

Barcelona to offer Alexis for Juventus ace Vidal

Barcelona are launching a swap bid for Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal.
The midfielder has been linked with Real Madrid and Manchester United.

El Mundo Deportivo says Barcelona are lining up a summer bid worth an undisclosed cash sum plus ex-Udinese forward Alexis Sanchez.

Vidal has a contract with Juve until June 2017, but the club made it clear everyone has a price.
 

Man Utd to make massive offer for Bayern Munich ace Kroos

Reports suggest that Manchester United are pondering a significant offer for Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos.
The 24-year old Germany international is out of contract at the Allianz Arena this summer and has been unable to agree terms with the Bundesliga and European champions.

 

The Mirror is suggesting that United are ready to offer Kroos £250,000-a-week to lure him to Old Trafford which is reportedly three times more than he earns in Munich.
Kroos has been in brilliant form in recent times and Bayern would demand a transfer fee of around £30million for his services.

Rogers On Suarez

Brendan Rodgers told Liverpool fans to bask in the feeling of their side being second in the Barclays Premier League, but personally maintained a sense of calm after the 3-0 win over Southampton on Saturday.

The Reds produced a display of clinical efficiency on the south coast, stemming the threats of the hosts and striking back through Luis Suarez, substitute Raheem Sterling and Steven Gerrard's late penalty.

Victory at St Mary's followed defeat for close rivals Arsenal earlier in the day - a set of circumstances which allowed Rodgers' team to leap two places into second position in the standings with 10 fixtures remaining.

"It's my job," the manager reflected after the final whistle. "My ambition is for the club - I want the club to succeed.

"We've made many changes on and off the field in the time I've been here, but what we have created is a one-club mentality. Now when anyone talks about Liverpool, it's about the football, and that's very pleasing.

"We still have a lot of work to do in terms of where I want to take the team. It's great to have a group of players that are very honest and want to go with you on the journey. You can see by their work-rate, intensity and quality that we're improving all the time.

"We'll stay calm. It's good for the supporters to dream. It's great for them because they've seen the evolution of this team over the last 18 months - and we've been constantly for over a year progressing and performing at a good level.

"We stay calm, we don't get too carried away and we always just focus on the next game. After Swansea we knew this was going to be a really difficult game here today.

"They've scored in all but two games here, have some wonderful players and the manager is excellent. For us to come and play as we did today and find the solution to nullify that threat was impressive."

The Northern Irishman altered both his starting XI and his system for the encounter against Southampton, with Joe Allen named in place of Sterling as part of a diamond formation in midfield.

In response, three goals and a first clean sheet in six matches were recorded - prompting Rodgers to describe the display as a 'really significant performance' in his team's continuing evolution.

He explained: "That's what we've been working towards since I've been here. The systems are relevant - we can look at each game and analyse the strengths of what we have available against the opponent we're playing.

"The style will always be the same - we want to control and dominate the game, be tactically strong and very good in transition. We saw all of those aspects today.

"We've played 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 and 3-5-2 and today we played a 4-4-2 diamond. You've got to heap huge praise onto the players, who kept the tactical discipline in order to block up the space and be a threat going forward.

"We've had an outstanding performance today - a really significant performance - against a very, very good side with an excellent manager. Our players were tactically brilliant today; kept a clean sheet collectively as a team and scored three goals.

"We'll just stay calm. 10 games to go, we're in a good position and we just want to continue working at the level we've been at."

Suarez achieved the latest in a long line of Man of the Match awards for his personal contribution on Saturday, which included the opening goal, an assist for Sterling and drawing the foul which won the stoppage-time spot-kick.

In doing so, the Uruguayan extended his advantage at the summit of the Premier League scoring charts and established himself as the player with the most assists in the division so far this season.

Rodgers commented: "Luis has been sensational; I think everyone was saying last week he'd only scored four of our last 33 goals. But he's a huge influence for us.

"Today was very much about the squad and the collective. Everyone had to do their job - the goalkeeper made a great save and we looked a real threat going forward."

he boss also reserved words of praise for defender Jon Flanagan, who racked up a 15th Liverpool appearance in this campaign after being overlooked for the England squad earlier this week.

"I couldn't believe he wasn't even in the U21s!" the 41-year-old said.

"I thought he might have been in with a chance of the full national team because he's played in big games since he came into the team and has been outstanding - but I was equally as surprised he wasn't in the U21s.

"He is a young player and still has a way to go. He's improving all the time - you can see home and away he's playing at a really high level. He'll just continue to improve and develop and I'm sure he will get in there at some stage."