Real Madrid interested in Barca-target Lemos

Real Madrid and Barcelona could be set for an off-season battle after both enquired about the availability of Las Palmas defender Mauricio Lemos, according to club technical secretary Luis Helguera.

The uncapped 20-year-old Uruguayan defender has impressed in his 10 La Liga appearances since arriving at the club from Rubin Kazan on loan.

The move was made permanent only recently, with Las Palmas acquiring the defender for €2.5million.

But that could prove a smart acquisition, with the club reportedly fixing the defender's contract with a €30m release clause, meaning the deal be a lucrative one for the club.

"Real Madrid have asked us about Lemos," Helguera told Onda Cero.

"The reality is that a lot of clubs have [asked about him], but there's a difference between asking and making an offer. 

"Barcelona have made an offer, after that, Real Madrid, as well as other clubs, have asked about him. 

"But, as I said, asking and making an offer are different things - they don't have anything to do with each other." 

Leicester stars rising at Euros with no underdogs - Fuchs

Christian Fuchs is unsurprised to see Leicester City's Head Group saints taking Euro 2016 by tempest and trusts a comparative underdog soul has held the competition.

As Claudio Ranieri's first-decision left-back amid Leicester's astounding walk to greatness, Fuchs will at the end of the day need to upset the chances on Saturday when he chiefs Austria against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in Paris.

Club buddy Jamie Vardy fell off the seat at half-time to adjust in Britain's 2-1 win over Wales in Lens, while N'Golo Kante has been a key entertainer in helping has France to gather consecutive wins.

In the interim, stun results for any semblance of Iceland, Northern Ireland and Hugary - the last to Austria's detriment - have appeared to take their signs from occasions in the English top flight this term.

"These players, they play at great national squads at a competition where everything is conceivable," Fuchs told a news meeting at the Parc des Sovereigns.

"The alleged 'little groups' don't exist any longer, anyone can beat anyone so it relies on upon the individual players and the squads on the off chance that they can manage this circumstance."

On Friday, Fuchs tweeted an entertainingly ridiculed up picture of Vardy to praise the striker on his Britain abuses, while he wondered about Kante's adventures for Les Bleus.

United States to bed Jones, Wood suspensions

Joined States declared they have documented an official dissent against the suspensions issued to Jermaine Jones and Bobby Wood taking after their win over Ecuador in the Copa America Centenario quarter-finals.

Has USA crushed their South American rivals 2-1 to book their spot in the semi-finals of the opposition, however it included some significant pitfalls.

Jones was demonstrated a straight red card for lashing out at Michael Arroyo in a scuffle created by Antonio Valencia kicking Alejandro Bedoya - likewise seeing the Manchester Joined man sent off.

Minutes after the fact Wood was issued his second yellow card of the Copa, which will keep him out of the semis, alongside Bedoya, leaving mentor Jurgen Klinsmann with a determination cerebral pain.

USA will confront the victor of Argentina and Venezuela for a spot in the Copa America last.

Real Madrid interested in Barca-target Lemos

Genuine Madrid and Barcelona could be set for an off-season fight after both enquired about the accessibility of Las Palmas guard Mauricio Lemos, as per club specialized secretary Luis Helguera.

The uncapped 20-year-old Uruguayan shield has awed in his 10 La Liga appearances since landing at the club from Rubin Kazan on credit.

The move was made changeless just as of late, with Las Palmas obtaining the shield for €2.5million.

However, that could demonstrate a savvy procurement, with the club purportedly altering the shield's agreement with a €30m discharge proviso, which means the arrangement be a lucrative one for the club.

"Genuine Madrid have gotten some information about Lemos," Helguera told Onda Cero.

"Actually a considerable measure of clubs have [asked about him], yet there's a contrast amongst asking and making an offer.

"Barcelona have made an offer, after that, Genuine Madrid, and also different clubs, have gotten some information about him.

"Be that as it may, as I said, asking and making an offer are distinctive things - they don't have anything to do with each other."

Wenger: Arsenal Will Not Sell Wilshere

Arsene Wenger has dismissed talk of Arsenal selling Jack Wilshere and hinted at a possible contract extension.

The midfielder recently made his return after yet another injury setback, which has restricted the 23-year-old to just 13 Premier League appearances this season.

In his absence, Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey have shone in midfield has while Francis Coquelin established himself in the first team, with Wilshere recently admitting he is yet to discuss his future with his manager.

Wenger, though, insists he has never entertained the idea of selling Wilshere and is not about to start, pointing to the loyalty shown by the club during the England international's many injury troubles.

"I made Jack Wilshere start at 17 years of age," Wenger told reporters. "That means that you cannot show a bigger desire of wanting a player.

"We have always extended his contract and we have been very patient with all his injuries. At some stage I think he must feel wanted.

"We always stood by him through every difficult moment. Does that mean we want him to stay here for a longer period? Yes, as we would like to benefit from his talent now."

Di Maria Has Flopped But Manchester United Can't Afford To Lose Him - Scholes

The British-record signing has not scored a Premier League goal since October in a tough first season in England, but the former midfielder is confident he will come good

Paul Scholes acknowledges Angel Di Maria's first season in the Premier League has been a "disappointment", but insists Manchester United should keep faith with him.

The Argentine joined from Real Madrid last summer for a British-record fee of €83.4 million, scoring three goals and assisting a further six in his first 10 games, but failed to score again in the league all season.

Scholes has sympathy for Di Maria amid reports of struggles to settle into life in England, but feels United cannot afford to sell a player of his ability after securing a return to the Champions League after a year out.

"A good start but, for €83.4m, the hope was that he would give United much more," he wrote in The Independent.

"I accept he has had problems off the pitch settling into life in Manchester, but there is no way he can see the season as anything other than a disappointment.

"This was, after all, the best player in last season's Champions League final.

"Nevertheless, the quality is there and I don't think United can afford to lose him. They need that kind of player if they are to compete in the Champions League. Let's see what next season brings.

‘Balotelli Staying At Liverpool’

Misfiring Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli will remain at the club next season, his agent Mino Raiola claimed on Wednesday.

Balotelli, 24, struggled in his debut campaign at Anfield following his £16 million move from AC Milan last year, scoring just one league goal and four in all competitions.

It has prompted speculation that Liverpool, who did not qualify for the Champions League, will look to move the Italy international on in the close-season transfer window.

But Raiola told Sky Sports: "We have talks with Liverpool and he will stay. I spoke many times with the club and they were happy with his input as a professional."

Asked if Balotelli and Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers had successfully adapted to working with each other, Raiola replied: "I think Mario did. I cannot talk for Brendan Rodgers.

"Obviously we're pretty confident it'll happen next year."

Wenger: Benzema? Vidal? Arsenal Not Thinking About Transfers

Arsene Wenger has admitted that he is a fan of Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal and has refused to rule out the possibility of signing the Chilean and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema in the summer.

The north Londoners were considering an ambitious summer swoop for Benzema and are convinced that the former Lyon star would be keen on a switch.

When asked about Arsenal's interest in the France forward and Vidal, Wenger told reporters that his concentration remains solely on the upcoming FA Cup final, not on summer moves:

"I like Arturo Vidal. You can suspect that at the moment I'm not in a transfer mode.

"We'll deal with transfers after the FA Cup final. It's all suspicions, nobody knows if its true or not."

The Frenchman was similarly quiet when quizzed about Arsenal's interest in Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling on May 19, with the 20-year-old expected to tell Brendan Rodgers he wants to leave the club when the transfer window reopens.

Lerner To Stand Down As Villa Chairman

Aston Villa's American owner Randy Lerner will stand down as club chairman whether or not he manages to sell the club, he said on Wednesday.

In an interview with The Times newspaper, he said he should have moved aside some years ago and that he took responsibility for the team's poor performance over the last few seasons.

Lerner, 53, has been trying to sell the club he bought in 2006 for some time and is looking for between 150-200 million pounds ($231.21-308.28 million).

"Plan A remains to find a buyer or Plan B (is) find a new chairman," he said.

"The club's performance over the last five or so years has left quite a lot to be desired and that falls squarely on my shoulders.

"Happily, we've not been relegated but I haven't gotten it nearly right enough."

Villa finished one place off relegation from the Premier League, three points ahead of the bottom three teams, but Tim Sherwood's side could still make it a memorable season by beating favourites Arsenal in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

That would be their first major trophy success since 1996.

Under Martin O'Neill they finished sixth for three seasons running from 2008 but he walked out, claiming insufficient financial backing from Lerner, whose subsequent appointments were far less successful.

Mourinho Pokes Fun At Rivals

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says his Premier League winning players have not been given the credit they deserve and took time to make fun of the teams that finished below them on Tuesday.

The 52-year-old Portuguese – whose side finished the season eight points clear of 2014 champions Manchester City – used the end of season Chelsea dinner to use a convoluted story to poke fun at City, Arsenal, who finished third, and fourth-placed Manchester United.

To a backdrop of a graphic showing a pitch with two goals he addressed first of all Louis van Gaal-managed United – the 'plain red shirted team' – saying they would have preferred to play without goals.

"That team plays really well and the ball goes and goes and goes and the quality of the ball possession is really beautiful, but no goals," said Mourinho.

"And they ask the international board of Fifa to play like this, but they were told that it was not possible, that the bigger percentage of ball possession doesn't win matches and they were not champions."

City, 'the sky blue shirted team', at least wanted to play with one goal.

"They were fantastic and they scored a lot of goals and the goals were coming from every position and they score and they score and they score, but they never conceded goals, because no goal.

"Again, the international board told them 'I'm sorry, you can't be champions because football is with two goals'."

Vis-a-vis Arsenal, 'the team with red shirts, white sleeves' did want to play with two goals.

"They were scoring some, they were also conceding some. They were fantastic. They scored really beautiful goals, they concede some goals too and they were almost there," said Mourinho, who also guided Chelsea to the League Cup trophy.

"But they asked the international board to play only between January and April. And they were told 'no chance, no chance'.

"You have to play between August and May, so they couldn't be champions."

Which brought him nicely to Chelsea – the team in blue shirts – and why they had won the title and not the other three, even harking back to his days in 2010 as Real coach when he defended his tactics against Barcelona and critics accused him of parking the bus in terms of how many men he put behind the ball.

"They (Chelsea) wanted to play with the normal rules and they know that to win matches they had to score one more goal than the opponent," said Mourinho.

"How can you do this? By scoring a lot of goals or not conceding and scoring one.

"And they did it both ways. Scoring a lot, conceding some. Scoring one goal and conceding no goals.

"That was the option and lots of goals were conceding, they played from August till May and sometimes they brought the bus."

Chelsea's Moses Could Return To Stoke City, Admits Hughes

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has not ruled out a close-season swoop for Chelsea loanee Victor Moses after being impressed by the winger this season.

Moses played 19 games in the Premier League before a hamstring injury in April ended his campaign and saw him return to the Blues to recover.

However, such was the 24-year-old's impact at the Britannia Stadium, Hughes would be keen to see him back next season.

"Those are options you can pursue, because you can get good players in and not commit huge chunks of money," Hughes told the Stoke Sentinel .

"We've done okay ourselves with loans over the last couple of years.

"It was good to see Victor back at the ground for the final game of the season. I thought it was important he came, along with Bojan, because they have obviously played their part in our season as well as those on show for the last game.

"He's back at Chelsea now, but hopefully we can still do something. We'll have to see."

Stoke finished the campaign with a 6-1 demolition of Liverpool on Sunday, securing ninth place and a record haul of 54 points.

Arsenal's Sanchez Wins Fan Award

Arsenal dynamo Alexis Sanchez was on Tuesday announced as the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Fans' Player of the Year after an excellent first season in English football.

Sanchez, 26, joined Arsenal from Barcelona last year in a reported £35 million ($53.9 million, 49.5 million euros) deal and has been an instant hit, scoring 16 Premier League goals and supplying eight assists.

His performances saw him named on the six-man shortlist for the PFA's Player of the Year award, which went to Chelsea's Eden Hazard.

But the Chile international beat Hazard and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero to the fans' award in a public poll that received over 200 000 votes.

Later on Tuesday he was also named Facebook's inaugural Player of the Year winner in which over a million votes were cast globally.

Sanchez beat off Hazard, again, and Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.

In a poll monopolised by the two north London clubs in the Premier League, Spurs' Harry Kane won Young Player of the Year while Arsenal's Arsene Wenger won the manager award and Arsenal, who defend their FA Cup trophy in this weekend's final against Aston Villa, the team of the year despite finishing third in the league table 12 points adrift of champions Chelsea.

Lampard Can't Wait To Sample NY Life

Frank Lampard can't wait to start his new life in New York after ending his glittering Premier League career in typically stylish fashion.

Lampard said farewell to English football with the opening goal for Manchester City in their 2-0 win over Southampton at Eastlands on Sunday before his departure was acknowledged with a presentation after the match.

It was Lampard's 259th goal in 882 club matches and the perfect send-off as the former Chelsea and England midfielder prepares to join Major League Soccer outfit New York City.

"It was emotional but I am very proud," said 36-year-old Lampard, whose contribution to English football was acknowledged with a presentation after the game.

"There were loads of emotions - a tiny bit of sadness to finish but much more of a good feel.

"The game went well, I scored a goal and what the club did for me at the end and the way the fans reacted - I couldn't have asked for much more.

"I can go away saying it was an absolute pleasure. I still feel fit and I feel like I can play for a couple more years. Maybe I could have done that in the Premier League, my choice is to play in America.

"That is my new challenge now. I feel fit and ready to go for it. I don't want to go and make up the numbers. I want to go there and carry on and do something good."

Lampard, who was released by Chelsea last year, joined City as a stop-gap before planning to move to New York for the start of the 2015 MLS season.

But the move proved unexpectedly fruitful and City reached agreement with their sister US club to retain him until the end of their 2014-15 campaign.

Lampard admits there was frustration after that extension was agreed as City manager Manuel Pellegrini then stopped playing him regularly.

It proved a critical period of the season as City fell behind eventual champions Chelsea in the title race.

"The only difficult period for me was when we went into the new year level-pegging with Chelsea at the top," Lampard said.

"I felt I was really contributing to the team but then I had a few months where I hardly started any of the games and that was difficult.

"It was a frustrating couple of months but I kept a level head about it because I was just very happy to be here."

Drogba May Join Lampard, Gerrard In US

Didier Drogba will not play for another English team when he leaves Chelsea and may follow Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard by ending his career in the United States.

The 37-year-old former Ivory Coast forward played his final game for Chelsea when the Premier League champions beat Sunderland 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

"There are some really fantastic teams in the Premier League but my love for this club...I can't share it with another English team," he told the Daily Telegraph on Monday.

"Since I put the news I am leaving Chelsea on social media, I was in the dressing-room and I was receiving some calls from teams which is really unusual.

"It showed that maybe I can still bring something to a team. Of course I'm interested in the USA," added Drogba. "Now I'm going to have a few days and weeks to think about what is good for me next but all I want is to play."

His former Chelsea teammate Lampard, who was on loan with Manchester City this season, is about to start a new career with New York City FC.

Gerrard, who used to patrol England's midfield alongside Lampard, played his last game for Liverpool on Sunday before joining the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Drogba re-signed for Chelsea last year after leaving in 2012 following a highly successful eight-year spell with the London club.

The Ivorian has won four Premier League titles with Chelsea, three League Cups, four FA Cups and the Champions League.

Drogba was voted the club's greatest-ever player by supporters in 2012.

Mourinho Eyes 'Fresh Blood' To Motivate Chelsea

Despite winning the Premier League title after occupying top spot for a record 274 days, the manager is wary of letting his squad rest on their laurels next season

Jose Mourinho says he will strengthen his Chelsea side to put pressure on his title-winning players next season.

The Blues rounded off the campaign with a 3-1 victory over Sunderland before lifting the trophy for a fourth time, having occupied top spot in the Premier League for a record 274 days.

With Didier Drogba confirming his departure ahead of the game and the likes of Petr Cech possibily leaving, Mourinho knows there is space available to his squad to improve the compeition for a first-team place.

"I know that our rivals are not going to accept this title and they are going to fight and there are three or four teams that will be aiming for us," he told reporters. "We have to be better - me, the players and our squad.

"Maybe they need some fresh blood to keep them under pressure. They know me they know that they are not going to keep their positions on the basis of this year."

Mourinho also hit back at claims during the season that Chelsea were not entertaining to watch, labelling his side a "complete" team, before admitting his return to Stamford Bridge two years ago was a risk.

He added: "I think we have everything. Can anybody say we don't play fantastic football? No. Well, they can, but it's not true.

"We have art in our game but we also have fantastic spirit, organisation and pragmatism. We are a complete team and that is why we are champions.

"It was a bit of a risk to come here for a second time but with a new team a new generation we are champions again, and as a Chelsea supporter I feel it a double way."

Van Gaal: I Know Who I'll Buy And Sell

Louis van Gaal says he already knows which players he must buy and sell in a potentially busy summer at Manchester United.

The Red Devils, who had already sealed a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League, concluded the 2014-15 campaign with a 0-0 draw away to Hull City on Sunday.

United have already signed rising Netherlands star Memphis Depay from PSV and are expected to be active once again in the transfer market this summer as they look to mount a genuine title challenge next term.

And Van Gaal says he has already formulated plans to bolster his options for next season - as well as trim some of the dead wood from his squad.

"I have calls with every player I think I have to talk to, but the transfer period is a process," he told reporters at the KC Stadium. "I know which players have to go and which players have to come but you never know if they go or if they come because it is dependent on a lot of aspects."

Radamel Falcao was ruled out of the draw with Hull after picking up a knock in training this week but Van Gaal refused to be drawn on the Colombian's future beyond this term.

"Today we have to concentrate on this match and analysis of this match and not about decisions that we have made," he said. "You shall hear it at the proper time when Manchester United has to say something."

Hull failed to find a way past stand-in goalkeeper Victor Valdes on Sunday - despite Marouane Fellaini's red card for a shocking lunge on Paul McShane in the second half - and were relegated as a result of the draw.

And Van Gaal admits he is sad to see Steve Bruce's men drop into the Championship, while he branded Fellaini's challenge as "stupid".

"Very sad that a club like Hull City is relegated," he said. "I think everybody had seen it already before, this match was after all not so important but for us to play against a team that is fighting to the end, that is difficult.

"We are fighting for a dream, thery are fighting for a rescue, and that you see. They were a little bit unlucky and also [Victor] Valdes has saved us with remarkable saves. A clean sheet, a lot of clean sheets we have achieved this season.

"Fellaini doesn't want to do that. For him, it is unbelievably stupid. Next season he starts on the tribune and also in preparation you start more or less as a substitute, so it is not so good for him personally.

"But I don't know if that is a red card. I cannot see that from the bench but when I see it takes seven minutes, I believe, the player was not capable of standing up, it was a worst tackle.

"I'm ready [for the holidays], I go immediately. Last summer I didn't have any holidays, I go straight from Manchester, I am happy the holidays are starting for me."

Van Gaal added that Angel Di Maria will undergo tests on a hamstring problem which forced him off in the first half, though he believes the problem to be a minor one.

Mourinho Hails Departing Legend Drogba

Jose Mourinho believes Didier Drogba's influence will continue to be felt at Chelsea even though the Ivory Coast forward has called time on his second spell with the Premier League champions.

Drogba announced his intention to leave Stamford Bridge before the 3-1 victory over Sunderland on Sunday that ensured Mourinho's side ended their title-winning campaign in fitting style before being presented with the trophy after the final whistle.

The 37-year-old is keen to play on for one more year, but will have to look elsewhere for more regular first team action.

Drogba was named captain but played only 28 minutes before being chaired from the pitch by his teammates as he was replaced by Diego Costa.

And Blues boss Mourinho insists the veteran's legacy will continue to be felt because of his impact on the development of the club's younger players.

"The substitution was decided because he had a problem with his knee and, in normal conditions, he could not play for long. We left him on for half an hour," Mourinho said.

"The captaincy was John Terry's desire, to give him the armband. The players to bring him off the pitch? I think that was decided between them because they like him a lot.

"I'm really happy because he was part of the other team, but he belongs also to this new Chelsea.

"For these players to know him, train with him, live with him, play with him, share with him is fantastic.

"He was very, very good for these young people: Eden Hazard, Willian, Oscar. They learnt from a good example. His was a fantastic contribution this season."

YOUNG LEGEND

Petr Cech also started on what could be his last appearance for the club.

The Chelsea goalkeeper, 33, is keen to move in search of more regular first team football and has been strongly linked with Arsenal, but Mourinho has not given up hope of keeping Cech.

"I keep saying the same. He's a legend of this club, but he's a legend at 33. Thirty-three for a goalkeeper is a very young legend," Mourinho said.

"One of our strengths this season was to have the two best goalkeepers in the Premier League. When Thibaut Courtois was injured, Petr made decisive saves in matches for us.

"I'm not sure if Petr was not here in these seven matches if we could be champions, so his contribution was decisive.

"But we also have to be fair, and not emotional with our analysis, and say that Thibaut is an amazing goalkeeper who had a fantastic season for us. He's a big champion."

Members of Chelsea's 2005 title-winning team were reunited before kick off and Mourinho said: "For me, to have here today the champions of 2004-05 and the champions of 2014-15 is an amazing feeling because I feel as if I belong to both.

"I belong to two generations. To be back for the end of my team was hard. To see Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, Michael Essien and Didier Drogba leave is very hard.

"But my job is Chelsea's future and Chelsea's future is this team that we've been working with in the last few years.

"It would be a dream to be here in 2025 and be with the champions of 2005, 2015 and 2025."

Sunderland arrived at Stamford Bridge having already secured their Premier League status and boss Dick Advocaat, who masterminded their escape after arriving on a short-term deal in March, insisted he would make a decision on his own future soon.

"Wait and see. It's not up to me, because they offered me already two or three years. But I have to be honest to myself and to everybody what I will do for the future," Advocaat said.

"It will be as quick as possible, because the club must know.

"Let's wait till next week and then I'll make the decision."

Drogba Announces Last Chelsea Game

Chelsea veteran Didier Drogba has announced that the Premier League game at home to Sunderland later on Sunday will be the final appearance of his second spell at the club.

The 37-year-old striker returned to Chelsea last year, having previously spent eight years at the club between 2004 and 2012, winning 12 trophies and scoring the decisive penalty against Bayern Munich in the 2012 Champions League final.

The former Ivory Coast captain has contributed to Chelsea's successes in the league and League Cup this season, but having only played a bit-part role, he has decided to leave Stamford Bridge for a second time.

"I want to play for at least one more season and in order to play more football, I feel I need to go to another club," Drogba told the club website.

"All the fans know my love for Chelsea and I hope to be back here in the future in another role."

Drogba joined Chelsea from Marseille in 2004 and played a key role in the team that won back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006.

He won the league for a third time in 2010 and also contributed to FA Cup triumphs in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012, scoring in all four finals. He also tasted glory in the League Cup in 2005 and 2007.

His finest hour came in the 2011-12 Champions League final in Munich, when he headed in an 88th-minute equaliser to take the game to extra time and then settled a penalty shootout to give Chelsea their first European Cup.

He subsequently spent time at Shanghai Shenhua and Galatasaray, before returning to Chelsea to rejoin forces with manager Jose Mourinho, who had first brought him to the club in 2004.

He retired from international duty in August last year, having scored a national-record 65 goals in 104 appearances for the Ivory Coast.

Chelsea said in a statement: "Everyone at Chelsea Football Club would like to thank Didier for his fantastic service and he is always welcome back to Stamford Bridge.

"We are sure all our fans would like to join us in wishing him well for the future and thanking him for giving us so many wonderful memories."

Rooney's A Top Captain Who Brings Me Pride - Van Gaal

Louis van Gaal has praised Wayne Rooney's work as Manchester United captain this season, saying he is proud of the striker.

Rooney was announced as skipper following the Dutchman's appointment as manager last summer after a number of players were trialled wearing the armband during pre-season.

Van Gaal hailed Rooney's work rate behind the scenes and his versatility on the pitch after making more appearances in a deeper midfield role rather than as a focal attacking point.

"Wayne is a very good captain. I am very proud. I haven't had any disappointments this year with him," he told reporters.

"He is very good in the dressing room. He is always an example of the training pitch and when we play in matches, he always fights until the end.

"Wayne has also played a lot of positions for me without ever complaining. I like multi-functional players and the team needs more players like him.

"I think that I made a very good decision with Wayne because have fought right until the end in all of our matches. The team spirit has been great."

United end their season on Sunday with a trip to a Hull City side in desperate need for a win to have any chance of avoiding relegation and Van Gaal insists he is in no mood to hand out favours.

He added: "It is very sad when something bad happens because you don't want to happen to another manager and I know what Steve Bruce means here.

"But we need to be ruthless. We have to respect the other clubs of the Premier League. We shall do out utmost best, but our away record is not so good."

Title Party's 'Over' For Mourinho

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has said he won't be indulging in any more celebrations when the English champions complete their Premier League season at home to Sunderland on Sunday.

The Blues will be presented with the trophy after the match at Stamford Bridge and will parade it, together with the League Cup, through west London on Monday.

Sunday's match is also something of a celebration for Sunderland, who preserved their top-flight status with a goalless midweek draw against Arsenal that ensured the north-east side could not be relegated.

"The motivation is to be the champions for us, and for them it's not to be relegated," Mourinho said.

"We are already celebrating our title. They are already celebrating these last fantastic weeks they have had with good results.

"We are over – probably them too – with celebrations.

"Now there is a last match. Obviously we want to win. I also believe they want to win. That's normal."

Mourinho, in his second spell as Chelsea manager, said it was becoming ever harder to secure a top-four finish and Champions League qualification, let alone win the title.

"The most important thing I learnt was last season, when I realised that after being away from England for a few years – five, three in Madrid, two at Inter – was to realise it's more dangerous to be a contender," he explained.

"It's more dangerous to be a title-contender manager because you start the season and you don't know what is waiting for you," the Portuguese boss added.

"You can be champions, you can qualify for the Champions League, you can even be out of Champions League, out of the top four, because at this moment in England there's five, six teams from the top who are really strong."