Exclusive - QPR Have Every Chance Of Premier League Survival, Says Harry Redknapp

Harry Redknapp believes QPR have ‘every chance’ of winning their fight for Premier League survival.

The Hoops have taken four points from their last two games to move to within two points of safety.

Leaders Chelsea are next up for Chris Ramsey’s side at Loftus Road, but Redknapp insists none of their final three opponents at home - West Ham and Newcastle the others - should hold any fears for his former club.

Speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast ahead, he said. “There is every chance [they will survive].

“Hull are bang in it. That result last week for Sunderland [the 1-0 win against Newcastle] was all-important, but they are not out of it yet.

“Aston Villa are not out of it. They have got some tough games.

“This Chelsea game at the weekend will be some game and it is not an impossibility that QPR will turn them over. We played well at Chelsea earlier in the season and got done by a late penalty from Eden Hazard that was a bit dubious.

“QPR have got to play Newcastle at home and if you could pick anyone to play at the moment, you would take Newcastle. They are doing nothing. It is a great fixture for QPR.

“They have got West Ham at home as well, where they have got a chance, so it is going to be wide open. It is going to be a great finish, one of those last game of the season jobs.”

Wayne Rooney Hoping To Put A Smile On Manchester United Fans' Faces With Derby Victory

Wayne Rooney wants to put a smile back on the faces of Manchester United fans by beating City when the sides meet in the 165th Manchester derby on Sunday.

The United and England captain has enjoyed himself against the current Premier League champions, scoring 11 goals down the years, including his incredible overhead kick winner in 2011.

A United victory at Old Trafford would ensure an unwanted record of five successive defeats to their arch rivals does not materialise, and Rooney is aware of the bragging rights at stake.

“We want to give United fans something to smile about when they go to work on Monday morning, we want them to be the ones to be able to give out the banter to Manchester City fans at work,” the 29-year-old told MUFCTV.

“I think it’s a very important game for Manchester United and Manchester City...for the fans and, for me, it’s a massive game of pride.”

Despite City’s recent dominance over their arch rivals, including a 1-0 victory at the Etihad in November, United go into the game as slight favourites with the sides boasting very contrasting recent form.

The Red Devils have won their last five league games and leapfrogged Manuel Pellegrini's side into third over the weekend as a result of City’s fourth consecutive away defeat at Crystal Palace on Monday.

Louis Van Gaal has Robin Van Persie at his disposal after the Dutch striker’s return from injury, but the United boss is unlikely to change his front three of Rooney, Juan Mata and Ashley Young which has reaped so much recent success.

Manchester City Striker Sergio Aguero Not Giving Up On Premier League Glory This Season

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has not given up on retaining the Premier League title and wants to put pressure on leaders Chelsea with victory in the Manchester derby on Sunday.

City have faded badly in recent months, trailing the Blues by nine points in the title race having been neck and neck with them on New Year’s Day.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side’s defeat to Crystal Palace on Monday was their fourth successive away loss and they have just seven games to muster a remarkable turnaround, but Aguero insists there is still hope.

“Of course we can still win it. We only focus on ourselves, try to win every game we play and keep pressure on Chelsea,” the Argentine told Sky Sports News.

“In football, anything can happen – as soon as you think something is certain, then everything changes, we have seen it so many times before and we’ll see it again.”

City find themselves in unfamiliar territory heading into the 165th Manchester derby, languishing in fourth and below their arch rivals after a series of insipid performances.

United, in contrast, are flying after five consecutive victories, and Aguero is wary of the threat posed by Louis Van Gaal’s players, earmarking struggling Radamel Falcao for particular praise.

“They are a team with a lot of great individual players, who can form an incredible unit when they work well together. But this season that has not always been the case,” said the 26-year-old.

“They have a number of very talented strikers. The one who in his career has been the most predatory is Falcao. He isn't having an easy time this season, but I really admire his commitment and his class and qualities are permanent.”

"He is probably one of the most naturally-gifted strikers in football at the moment."

Aguero will be hoping to end an unwanted personal record of over 500 minutes without registering for the current Premier League champions, and City will be buoyed by the fact they have won their last four encounters with United.

Yoshinori Muto: Chelsea Make Bid For Japanese Striker

Chelsea have made a bid for Japan international striker Yoshinori Muto.
Japanese news agency Kyodo News says the FC Tokyo player is yet to decide whether to move to Stamford Bridge in the summer.

The 22-year-old, capped 11 times, has scored three times in four games at the start of the new J-League season.

Muto, who scored 13 times last season and was named in the league's select XI, played for Japan during their run to the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup.

He retained his place in the squad selected by new coach Vahid Halilhodzic for his first matches in charge last month.

Muto graduated in economics from Keio University two weeks ago.
In February, Premier League leaders Chelsea announced a new shirt sponsorship deal with a Japanese tyre manufacturer worth a reported £40m a year.

Ashley Young: No Contact With Roy Hodgson Regarding England Recall For Manchester United Winger

Ashley Young has revealed that he had no contact with England manager Roy Hodgson before the last international break regarding a recall to the national team setup.

The Manchester United winger has been a star turn of Louis Van Gaal’s side's upturn in fortunes this season, displacing record signing Angel di Maria from the team with a series of impressive performances.

Many felt Young’s consistency could lead to an England return for the games against Lithuania and Italy last month, but the former Aston Villa player says no discussions materialised.

“There was no conversation [with Hodgson]," said Young, whose last England cap came against Ukraine in September 2013.

"Obviously I will always want to represent my country. I was a little bit disappointed not to be in the squad, but I have just got to make sure I am playing well here at United and hopefully I will get the call at some time soon."

The 29-year-old was speaking ahead of Sunday’s crunch Manchester derby at Old Trafford which could determine who gains local bragging rights in terms of Premier League positions.

United have lost their last four meetings with City and have never lost five in a row against their arch rivals, and Young is keen to ensure that record doesn’t become a reality.

“That's something you want to put right. It will be another massive game,” added the winger.

Arsene Wenger Insists Jack Wilshere Is Not For Sale Amid Man City Rumours

Arsene Wenger insists Jack Wilshere is not for sale and has played down reports linking the Arsenal midfielder with a move to Manchester City at the end of the season.

The Premier League champions have already signed Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri and Bacary Sagna from the north London club and were hoping to make it fourth time lucky with a move for the England star.

But the Arsenal manager is adamant that Wilshere, who has only just returned from a long-term ankle injury, will not be going anywhere at the end of the season and remains a key part of their long-term plans.

Wenger said: "You can imagine my answer, we are not in a position anymore where we have to sell our best players.

"We cannot make a headline from anything in a press conference from something which is not true."