Manchester United legend Paul Scholes tasted victory one last time as Manchester United defeated the New York Cosmos 6-0 at Old Trafford on 5 August 2011. After the testimonial kicked off, it did not take long for Manchester United to grab the lead, only nine minutes in fact. The goal scorer? You guessed it. The man of the hour, Scholesy. After receiving the ball from teammate Patrice Evra, Scholes proceeded to whack the ball past Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Brad Friedel, a typical Paul Scholes goal. The energy in Old Trafford was eccentric as the Red Devils faithful roared with joy. It was truly a historic moment for both Scholes and Manchester United, and an outstanding send off for one of the club s most loyal servants.
United s other five goals we…
Michael O’Neill praised the attitude of his young Northern Ireland players after watching them take the game to Romania in an encouraging 1-1 draw in Bucharest.
Having spoken this week about a “rebirth” for Northern Ireland, putting a disappointing Euro 2024 qualifying campaign behind them and looking to the future with a new generation of players, O’Neill picked a starting XI with an average of just 23.5 and revelled in their performance.
Debutant Jamie Reid was the oldest player in the first XI at the age of 29, yet the Stevenage striker was only seven minutes into his international career when he put Northern Ireland in front early on, before Dennis Man levelled for the Euro 2024-bound hosts midway through the first half.
Massive thank you to the trave…
Uruguay forward Luis Suarez made light of the incident with Giorgio Chiellini that landed him at the centre of another biting controversy.
The South American nation secured a battling 1-0 win over Italy to snatch second place in Group D at the FIFA World Cup on Tuesday, behind surprise package Costa Rica, as they set up a last-16 class with in-form Colombia.
But Liverpool star Suarez found himself in the all-too-familiar position of being under disciplinary scrutiny after appearing to bite Juventus defender Chiellini amid a tangle with his opponent late in the contest.
The 27-year-old has twice previously received lengthy bans at club level for biting.
He first bit PSV Eindhoven midfielder Otman Bakkal during his time in Holland with Ajax in 2010, and he …
Yohan Cabaye has revealed unity within France s squad is helping them perform on the pitch and put the disappointment of 2010 behind them.
Four years ago in South Africa, France s FIFA World Cup campaign was disrupted by arguments in the camp and threats of strikes from some players, but the atmosphere in Brazil is a far cry from those troubled times.
And Cabaye has praised the leadership qualities of players such as Patrice Evra, who led the 2010 revolt against then coach Raymond Domenech.
There are some natural leaders within the squad, who speak a lot, he said. People like Patrice Evra or Mickael Landreau.
When we are in a small group we can speak together about the game or what lies ahead of us.
I am exactly the same with my team-mates as…
Jose Mourinho says Nemanja Matic is desperate to seal a move to Manchester United but stopped short of confirming that the transfer has been finalised.
The Chelsea midfielder reportedly underwent a medical on Sunday and a picture of him wearing United training gear began to circulate on social media.
Mourinho, who signed Matic as Chelsea boss in 2014, says the 28-year-old is keen on a reunion at Old Trafford but insisted that he will not discuss the matter in detail until the deal is concluded.
I m waiting for news, the United manager said after watching his side beat Valerenga 3-0 in a friendly in Oslo.
I know that he wants it very, very much and when a player wants it very, very much, the chance is bigger.
We have a chance. In football, unt…
Andreas Pereira is desperate for a chance to shine at Manchester United after cutting his teeth on loan at Granada last season.
The Belgium-born Brazil Under-23 international spent last season with relegated Granada in LaLiga, but has now returned to the Red Devils and impressed during pre-season.
Pereira has struggled to force his way into the first-team picture since making his senior debut for United in the 2014-15 season and, after scoring five goals in 35 LaLiga appearances last term, the midfielder is keen to prove his worth to manager Jose Mourinho.
I just want to make sure that I can show everyone at the training ground and inside the stadium what I can do, he told ESPN. I want to continue my development and find a way into the team.
I got exper…
Serge Gnabry has tested positive for COVID-19 and faces a spell out of action for Bayern Munich.
The winger will miss Wednesday s Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid and a string of domestic matches, though Bayern confirmed he was doing well and was otherwise in good health.
Former Arsenal youngster Gnabry was a key figure in the Bayern side which won the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League treble last season.
Bayern boss Hansi Flick has strong reserves in midfield and attack, but Gnabry s loss deals him a blow, given the Germany international is an established first-team regular.
The club issued a statement that read: Serge Gnabry, 25, has tested positive for COVID-19. The FC Bayern attacker is otherwise in good health and is self-i…
It must be frustrating to see your expensive new toy get broken as soon as you take it into your hands.
Reckon it’s the same with footballers.
Manchester City would know best now that their summer acquisition Benjamin Mendy picked up a worrying injury that could – by the latest reports – keep him on the sidelines for full nine months.
The former AS Monaco defender is due to fly over to Barcelona to visit one of Pep Guardiola’s most trusted specialists hoping that a detailed examination would offer some reassurance to Manchester City boss.
Mendy Mess
The Citizens only genuine left-back suffered a poorly timed right knee injury just as he’s started to warm up and show his true potential at the new club.
A €57.50 million summer investme…
Javier Tebas will not turn a blind eye to LaLiga s financial fair play rules to allow Barcelona to keep Lionel Messi.
Barca president Joan Laporta said this week that talks with Messi, who became a free agent for the first time in his career this month, were progressing adequately .
And reports on Wednesday claimed Messi had agreed a new five-year contract with Barca that will pay him half his original salary.
Speaking prior to the emergence those reports, LaLiga president Tebas rejected the notion he could ignore salary cap rules to allow Barca to retain the services of the Argentina superstar.
In doing so, he hinted Barca could come under scrutiny from the league if they release players or staff to enable them to keep Messi.
No, I won t [turn …
According to a recent report from Marca, Kylian Mbappe’s contract situation with Paris Saint-Germain looks set to be resolved soon.
There is believed to be a “big deal” on the horizon with the French giants doing everything in their power to keep the wonderkid on the books, as you’d expect them to do with one of the best players in world football.
Mbappe is coming off the back of a disappointing Euro 2020 tournament in which he missed the crucial penalty that sent France crashing out of the RO16. Now, though, with Liverpool and Real Madrid looming large, he s ready to prove his abilities to the watching world regardless of who that s with.
PSG have already made a series of important acquisitions in the last few days and weeks and you d have to say keepin…