Manchester United set for striker clearout, claims former Red Devil

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Paul McGrath believes Manchester United are set for a striker clearout this summer.

Radamel Falcao has failed to impress during his time at Old Trafford, following a loan switch from Monaco, while questions have been asked about Robin van Persie’s future at the club.

And former defender McGrath insists Louis van Gaal may decide to ditch the pair at the end of the season.

When asked about Falcao’s future at Manchester United, he told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show. “Without a doubt, he’ll be gone.

“Robin Van Persie might be off as well, even with the Dutch connection with Van Gaal.”

The former Bayern Munich and Barcelona boss faced criticism earlier this season for United’s lacklustre style of play, but superb performances against Tottenham, Liverpool and Aston Villa have seen attacking verve return to the club.

And McGrath admits he doubted his former side’s top four credentials before the turnaround.

“Man United are on a roll at the moment,” he added. “Louis van Gaal deserves so much praise for it really.

“They have played badly for quite a lot of the season, so much so I didn’t think they’d get into the top four this year, but he’s done an amazing job.

“For them to be where they are now is incredible. I believe they’ll beat Manchester City on Sunday as well.”

Liverpool are trying to bully Raheem Sterling into signing a new deal

Former England international Trevor Sinclair has accused Liverpool of trying to ‘bully’ Raheem Sterling into signing a new contract.

Sterling has come in for widespread criticism for turning down a £100,000-a-week deal at Anfield, and Brendan Rodgers claimed the starlet was being badly advised after he gave an interview to explain his reasons for doing so last week.

But Sinclair says the 20-year-old, who maintains he is motivated by trophies rather than money, has done nothing wrong.

Speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show, he said: “All the kid has said is he is not rush to sign a contract, he wants to play Champions League football - surely you can’t knock him for that. He is still giving his all for Liverpool Football Club, but a lot of people have got big opinions on it.
“I’ve watched the interview. He didn’t say anything wrong. He said he wants to give his all for Liverpool Football Club.

"I think there is a bit of bullying going on. They are trying to bully him into signing a new contract.
"It is a great deal, £100,000-a-week has been mentioned, but if he is not sure if he wants to stay at Liverpool Football Club, why bully him?

Raheem Sterling: is not about the money

Liverpool star Raheem Sterling insists he is not a ‘money grabbing 20-year-old’ amid stumbling negotiations over an extended deal at Anfield.

Reds’ manager Brendan Rodgers described an offer Sterling turned down earlier this season, believed to be £100,000-a-week, as ‘incredible’ as the Merseyside outfit attempt to tie down one of their most valuable assets.

The Jamaican-born winger still has more than two years to run on his current £35,000-a-week deal at Liverpool but has put extension talks on hold until the end of the season.

“I don’t want to be perceived as a money-grabbing 20-year-old. I just want to be seen as a kid that loves to play football.” Sterling told BBC sport.

"It is about winning trophies throughout your career; I don't talk about how many cars I will drive or how many houses I've got. It is flattering to get a huge contract [offer]. I just purely want to be the best I can be."

Sterling is Liverpool’s top scorer in the Premier League this season and is attracting interest from domestic suitors and abroad, including the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Bayern Munich.

The Reds have received criticism for their handling of Steven Gerrard's contract this season, with the talismanic skipper leaving for LA Galaxy in the summer as a result, and Sterling revealed he would have put pen to paper had the offer arrived last summer.

The winger said: "If, at that point in time, I was offered a contract, I most definitely would have signed straight away, probably for far less money than being said now.

"I just think the timing was a bit off. It has been a bit much for me this season with everyone talking about it every minute.

'I've never seen anything like it', moans Sherwood as he faces up to Villa injury crisis

Tim Sherwood says he has never seen an injury crisis like the one facing him at Aston Villa at the moment.

The Midlanders host QPR on Tuesday knowing defeat would see the visitors leapfrog them and plunge Villa into the Premier League's relegation zone.

And Sherwood will have to cope without a string of first-team players.

Alan Hutton, Ashley Westwood and Scott Sinclair are out, while Tom Cleverley, Aly Cissokho and Kieran Richardson are major doubts. Philippe Senderos is unlikely to feature, while Libor Kozak continues to recover from his broken leg.

And Sherwood admits some players may have to play through the pain barrier in Villa's survival fight.

He said: "I've never seen an injury crisis like it. I never thought I'd be one of those managers who moans about injuries but I have to.

"You get one back and lose another two. They're not trivial injuries, they're always two, three, four weeks. It's okay in September but not now. That's pretty much writing off the season.

"It's something you have to get on with and hopefully there's light at the end of the tunnel.

"It's a case of seeing who can come in. A few are back from injury, medically, but physically, it's a need-must situation. Some of them will be risked."

Brendan Rodgers rubbishes claims of 'crisis meeting' with Liverpool stars

Brendan Rodgers has rubbished reports of a fiery exchange with members of his Liverpool squad at a ‘crisis meeting’ on Sunday.

It has been claimed in a leading newspaper that Rodgers called a meeting at the club's Melwood training base 24 hours after the defeat at Arsenal on Saturday and accused several stars of not giving their best for him.

That was said to have left senior players 'incensed', and some were claimed to have spoken up against Rodgers.

But that was refuted by the Reds chief on Monday morning, as he addressed the media ahead of Wednesday night's FA Cup quarter-final replay against Blackburn.

"We have lots of meetings here analysing performance and this one was no different," he said.

The defeat left Liverpool seven points behind the top four and with their Champions League hopes all but extinguished.

But Rodgers insisted his side would not give up, adding: "The attitude is to go right to the end. It is not a mindset, it is purely mathematical."

Totttenham manager Mauricio Pochettino ready to concede defeat in top four battle

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has conceded the top four is almost certainly now beyond his team this season.

Spurs have been in the hunt for a Champions League spot throughout the campaign but they now trail fourth placed Manchester City by seven points following a tame 0-0 draw at Burnley.

And with a vastly inferior goal difference to the sides currently occupying the four places, Pochettino knows the odds are stacked against the White Hart Lane outfit.

He said: “It is difficult but we have seven games, we will try. It is true that it is not easy. This game was a very tough game and we need to try to win the most points possible in the next seven games.

"The way Burnley play it is difficult, because always there is long balls into the box. They are a very aggressive team and run a lot. It is difficult to find space to play.

"We played better in the second half and we made some chances but it was not enough to score. Three weeks ago Manchester City lost here. It is not an excuse but it is a very, very difficult team."

Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle: Defoe stunner eases Black Cats' relegation fears

Jermain Defoe’s stunning goal proved the difference as Sunderland earned a fifth straight victory their fiercest rivals Newcastle to secure Dick Advocaat’s first win in charge at the Stadium of Light and ease their relegation fears.

Defoe’s strike just before half time, only his third since joining in January, was a rare moment of quality in a combative Wear-Tyne derby as John Carver’s side produced another desperate display.

Steven Fletcher wasted two opportunities to extend the Black Cats' lead in the second half, whilst Ayoze Perez spurned the visitors’ best chance by firing over late on from a corner.

The three points means Advocaat follows his predecessors Paolo Di Canio and Gus Poyet in winning in their second game as Sunderland manager against Newcastle to maintain their recent stranglehold over the Magpies.

With Sunderland looking for their first victory in eight games and Newcastle reeling after three consecutive defeats, the contest struggled for both fluency and quality in its early stages.

The hosts looked more likely and nearly went ahead when Jonas Gutierrez, making his first start in 20 months after recovering from testicular cancer, nearly diverted the ball past his own goalkeeper from Billy Jones’ fizzing low cross.

Defoe spurned the game’s first clear cut opportunity by overrunning the ball when clean through on goal, but made amends on the stroke of half time with a stunning volley uncharacteristic of the game but in keeping with a weekend of fine Premier League goals.

Costel Pantillimon launched a long punt forward, Fletcher nodded back to his strike partner and Defoe sent a brilliant looping effort over Tim Krul from 20 yards to end a run of seven games without a goal.

The strike failed to foster any more quality though, and after the break the game lulled back into a scrappy and disjointed affair as the hosts contained their rivals.

Fletcher squandered two great chances to double the home side’s lead, volleying into the 

ground when he had time to take a touch and then shooting well over after cutting back on his left foot just minutes later.

Newcastle were lacklustre throughout, and their performance was summed up when Pantillimon was easily equal to Remy Cabella’s 20 yard drive before Mike Williamson denied Sebastian Larsson from point blank range.

Perez was then wasteful in a promising position, volleying over from a corner with three minutes remaining, meaning Sunderland held on for an absolutely priceless three points in their bid to avoid relegation this season.

Jermain Defoe visibly emotional after 'unbelievable' derby winner

Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe was lost for words after watching a replay of his stunning match-winning volley in the 1-0 victory over Newcastle at the Stadium of Light which eased their relegation worries.

The 32-year-old’s brilliant dipping effort on the stroke of half time earned Sunderland a record fifth straight derby victory over their fiercest rivals, who were despondent throughout.

The three points earned Dick Advocaat his first win in charge after replacing Gus Poyet, and Defoe was clearly caught up in the emotions when reflecting on his winner.

“To be honest it’s unbelievable. As soon as it leaves your foot you know it’s going in and it’s an unbelievable feeling,” Defoe told Sky Sports.

“Words can’t describe how I felt when that went in – it’s quite emotional really.”

Defoe was visibly moved by the moment as the players walked off at half time, and reiterated the importance of a victory that meant Advocaat’s side leapfrogged Aston Villa and Hull and moved three points clear of the drop zone.

“It was a massive game and I just wanted to do well. The lads have worked so hard and everyone's put the effort in. We just wanted the three points as well and I'm delighted we got them,” said the former Tottenham striker.

Premier League title 'in Chelsea's hands', claims Hazard

Eden Hazard claims Chelsea have the Premier League title “ in their hands.”

The Blues are seven points clear at the top of the table following Saturday’s win over Stoke, and the Belgian ace believes they have one hand on the trophy.

He told Chelsea TV: "We are confident. We are first in the league and we take game after game.

"We have the title in our hands. We want to bring the trophy to Stamford Bridge."

Brendan Rodgers insists Raheem Sterling saga not to blame for Liverpool's crushing defeat at Arsenal

Brendan Rodgers refused to use Raheem Sterling’s contract saga as an excuse for Liverpool’s horror show at Arsenal.

The Merseysiders were blown away by the Gunners at the Emirates on Saturday lunchtime to leave their top four hopes in tatters.

But Rodgers was adamant that the intense speculation over Sterling's future ahead of the big game, not helped by an unsanctioned interview given by the starlet, played no part in his side’s 4-1 defeat.

The 20-year-old won a second-half penalty for Liverpool, which Jordan Henderson converted, and Rodgers felt he was his side’s standout performer.

Asked if the Sterling situation had played a role in the disappointing display, Rodgers told BT Sport, "No, not really. I thought Raheem was outstanding today, in fairness the kid's done great today.

"It's not distractions, we were just poor defensively. You see from our record the last six games we haven't conceded away from home. It's just a disappointing day when you concede bad goals, you're always going to be up against it against a team that's obviously got good confidence."

Liverpool's misery was compounded by a late red card for Emre Can, adding to their defensive woes, but Rodgers felt the German had been unlucky to get a second yellow card for what appeared to be a scissor challenge, with his manager saying he had slipped.

"In all fairness, he's not that type of player," Rodgers said. "It's a wonderful surface here, but it's actually quite greasy, quite slippy with the way they water it. He's tried to reach around the back with the right foot but then slips with his left and then it looks like a scissor challenge, but I know him well enough to know he's not like that."

Mourinho has no regrets over injured Costa

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Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has said that playing Diego Costa was a gamble worth taking, despite the Spanish international hobbling off with a hamstring injury 11 minutes after being introduced.

The Blues’ striker started the 2-1 victory over Stoke City on the bench, having suffered the muscle problem while on international duty, and although he was deemed fit enough to feature, he now faces a period on the treatment table with the season reaching its conclusion.

When asked whether he regretted introducing Costa at half-time, Mourinho responded that it was risk he needed to take.

“It’s part of the job,” he told talkSPORT.

“I have to risk things when my team is not winning matches, I have to gamble sometimes.

“Nobody is upset, it is just part of the game. In the end the most important thing is our victory.”

While nothing has been confirmed yet, Mourinho continued that he would have no issues risking his star goalscorer again, should he regain sufficient fitness before the end of the season.

“If I have to gamble again, I will gamble again,” he said. “We will do everything to reach our objective. We want to be champions.

“He will be out next week and maybe the following two or three, but the important thing is the three points.”

‘Top four not yet secure’ says Van Gaal

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Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal insists his side have not secured a top four spot just yet, despite the Red Devils leap-frogging neighbours Manchester City to move into third place in the Premier League.

Van Gaal’s side ran out 3-1 winners against Aston Villa on Saturday to move up the table, with Ander Herrera scoring either side of a wonderful Wayne Rooney effort, but the Dutchman still believes his side have work to do if they are to achieve their target.

Speaking afterwards he said: “No [we haven’t], because we still have to play the first three in the league.

“It’s not done yet.”

With Liverpool losing 4-1 to Arsenal earlier in the day, United’s victory puts them eight-points clear of their Merseyside rivals and just one behind the second-placed Gunners with seven matches remaining in the season.

Up next for United is the visit of City in what will be a pivotal clash in both of their seasons, before a tricky trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.

Arsenal 4-1 Liverpool: Gunners blow away rivals' top four hopes

Arsenal produced a devastating display at the Emirates on Saturday lunchtime to leave Liverpool's top four hopes in tatters.

The Gunners had a seventh successive Premier Leaguevictory wrapped up by half-time, with Hector Bellerin, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez scoring in a stunning eight-minute spell.

Jordan Henderson pulled one back for the visitors from the penalty spot after the break but any hopes of a comeback were extinguished by Emre Can’s sending off for a second bookable offence, and Olivier Giroud’s stoppage time strike closed out a comfortable win for the hosts.

Arsene Wenger's in-form side are now up to second in the table, although Manchester City can move back above them by beating Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday.

A second straight defeat for Liverpool, meanwhile, means Brendan Rodgers' faltering team remain five points adrift of the Champions League places.

And the gap to fourth will grow if Manchester United are victorious against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Saturday.

All the pre-match focus had been on Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling after he had riled Reds chiefs by explaining in an interview not sanctioned by the club why he has rejected a new £100,000-a-week contract.

The starlet, playing as a striker with Daniel Sturridge deemed not fit enough to start, would have been hoping to make headlines for the right reasons and he came agonisingly close to putting Liverpool ahead with 20 minutes played when he was inches away from converting Lazar Markovic’s pass with the goal gaping.

But his impact was limited as Arsenal took control with a stunning spell of attacking football before the break, that was sparked by Bellerini's goal on 37 minutes.

After neat play from Ozil and Aarom Ramsey, the ball found its way to the Spaniard in the Liverpool box and he cut inside Alberto Moreno before curling a superb effort with his left foot past a despairing Simon Mignolet.

It was an excellent finish by the young full-back, who had only scored once for the club before, but it was bettered just two minutes later by Ozil.

The German, so often the subject of criticism, showed just why Wenger splashed out £42million to bring him to north London with a stunning free-kick from 25 yards that left Mignolet with no chance.

It got worse for the visitors just before the break when Sanchez fired home an unstoppable third.

The Chilean, who had snubbed interest from Liverpool last summer to join Arsenal, stepped past the hapless Kolo Toure on the edge of the pox and slammed a powerful shot past Mignolet.

Arsenal eased off in the second half, and Bellerin's needles trip on Sterling in the home box enabled Henderson to reduce the deficit from the spot.

But the visitors' momentum was lost when Can picked up his second yellow card with five minutes remaining following a foul on substitute Danny Welbeck.

And Arsenal went to claim a fourth in the final seconds - Giroud firing past Mignolet to claim his tenth goal in as many games - to round off an excellent day's work.

Adam scores goal of the season as Costa limps off

Charlie Adam scored one of the goals of the season, but it was not enough as Stoke lost to Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Earlier in the day, Wayne Rooney and Bobby Zamora scored two goal of the season contenders for Man United and QPR respectively, but Adam has surely trumped both with his effort, struck from 64 yards out.

It proved to be in vain though as Jose Mourinho’s emerged triumphant to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points, though they were not convincing and they may have to do without Diego Costa for the remainder of the season.

Having begun on the bench, the striker replaced Oscar at half-time, but last just 11 minutes before an injury to his problematic hamstring forced him off.

Despite their star man’s absence, Chelsea began brightly and will feel aggrieved not to have gone in at half-time in front given their inventive play as they prodded and probed the Stoke defence from the off.

Asmir Begovic was forced into early saves from Loic Remy following some lovely play from the Blues, whose free-flowing football continued as Hazard dazzled, showing the fancy footwork that has put him in the running for Player of the Season.

A smart move from the Belgian together with Willian, Azpilicueta and Oscar, was unlucky not to have produced a goal, with the latter’s shot going narrowly wide.

But until Philipp Wollscheid brought down Cesc Fabregas, handing Hazard the chance to score from the spot, it appeared we were heading for a goalless first 45 minutes.

But Hazard scored, and then Charlie Adam drilled the ball past Thibaut Courtois, one of the world’s best keepers, to fire Stoke level in spectacular fashion as he shot from inside his own half on the stroke of half-time.

Standing on the edge of the Chelsea penalty area, Courtois could only palm it into the net as he back peddled frantically to try and keep Adam’s shot out.

Costa was withdrawn shortly after the restart, though Remy’s strike will give his boss some hope the Blues’ title challenge is not in too much danger of faltering.

His goal from five yards out, created by the brilliant Hazard, was the Frenchman’s last act of the game as he was replaced by Juan Cuadrado on the hour mark.

After a quiet game the Frenchman will be pleased he found the back of the net, but as the game wore on Chelsea struggled to put more daylight between them and their opponents thanks to the intervention of Begovic.

The Blues, while not their sparkling best, still found a way to cross the finish line and will be pleased the points are theirs with QPR up next.

Raheem Sterling Latest: 'He's not going anywhere', insists Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers has told Raheem Sterling: You’re staying at Liverpool.

The 20-year-old’s future has been under scrutiny this week after it was reported he has turned down an improved contract offer, worth £100,000 a week.

That has led to speculation he could leave Anfield as early as this summer, with Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester City apparently keen, as well as Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Sterling claimed in an interview on Wednesday that his motivation is not money, but silverware, and Rodgers insists the England international will not be allowed to leave Merseyside

The Reds boss said: “If his ambition is trophies, that's perfectly aligned with what we want. This is Liverpool. It's an honour for him to be here.

"Raheem has two and a half years left on his deal and he's not going anywhere in the summer.

"There was no permission (for the interview) from us. He will learn we all make mistakes in life, especially when you are young.

"I think the kid has tried to put off all talk about contract and money. For now hopefully the focus will be on football.

"Liverpool are one of the superpowers of football and if the owners don't want to sell, they don't have to.

"The club is not going to sell and if it doesn't want to sell it won't sell, it is simple as that.

"Money has never been the objective for the club. Whatever player - Raheem or anyone - leaves here it will always be on the terms of the club."

PSG DISCUSSING HOW TO FIT IN MAN UTD WINGER DI MARIA

PSG are discussing how they can sign Manchester United winger Angel di Maria keeping within the Financial Fair Play laws.

The Daily Mail says PSG retain a strong interest in Di Maria but United are reluctant to sell.

PSG particularly want Paul Pogba from Juventus but his purchase will make it difficult for them to sign more than one marquee player under FFP guidelines unless they offload several of their current first team.

Javier Pastore, Blaise Matuidi, Adrien Rabiot and Gregory van der Wiel are among those that could be sacrificed.