Blow for Manchester United! Van Persie will miss Season Opener

Manchester United will have to do without star striker Robin van Persie for their opening Premier League match against Swansea City after he was given an extended break following the World Cup.

The Dutch forward played a key role in helping the Netherlands finish third in Brazil under his now club boss, Louis van Gaal, but has not featured in any of United's pre-season games.

Van Persie, 30, is due to return to training on Monday but having missed large chunks of last season through injury, Van Gaal revealed he would not be rushing the striker into action.

“When a player has been on holiday for three weeks they have to train,” the Red Devils boss said.

“I’m sorry but players have to train and Robin needs a full training regime behind him before he can play again.

“People can criticise me for my decision but I know what to do with players who have had three weeks’ holiday. Hopefully, Robin will get his fitness back very fast but, for now, he won’t play.

“Robin wants to play every game, I know that, but so do the other 30 players in the squad.

Higginbotham: Louis van Gaal’s attention to detail is ‘unbelievable’

Former Manchester United defender Danny Higginbotham has praised new Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal for his ‘unbelievable’ attention to detail during the club’s pre-season.

Speaking with Extra Time, Higginbotham said that the early signs of the Van Gaal era at Old Trafford are encouraging.

“Football’s evolving all the time. I retired recently and from when I started, to when I finished it came on leaps and bounds in terms of the technology used for fitness, nutrition, everything.

"One thing I have seen from being over here is the attention to detail that’s paid towards everything by the manager. It’s absolutely unbelievable,”

"As a player sometimes you find that you go on to the pitch at certain clubs and don’t know what’s asked of you. Here under the new manager you can see that after changing the formation the players have taken to it straight away, and it’s been really exciting to watch, to see how it’s developing. The managing and coaching staff have been absolutely brilliant from what I’ve seen so far.”

The ex-United man also thinks the steady evolution of the team in pre-season is a good sign of things to come in the Premier League.

“If you can get the results in pre-season, players playing well and goalscorers scoring as has been happening here then it can only help your confidence. You can see with every game that the team, with the formation, are gelling more and more. That last game against Inter should never have gone to penalties. United were the dominant force in that game,”

“Players look so much more comfortable. Mata playing behind Rooney and Welbeck: all three have been brilliant so far. Ashley Young playing at left and right wingback has been brilliant too.

"One of the things about Van Gaal as a manager is that he’s already gauging what the players are best at. It’s brilliant to see how in a short time they’ve taken everything in and everyone has gotten on board with what’s happening at the club. Hopefully it bears well for the season ahead.”

Chelsea fans turn their back on Manchester City-bound legend

Frank Lampard's prospective move to Manchester City on a short-term loan has generated shockwaves in football, not least among some very unhappy Chelsea supporters.

The legendary Blues midfielder left Stamford Bridge at the end of the season after 13 trophy laden years and then agreed a move to New York City FC, who are part owned by the Premier League champions.

No problems there as Lampard left with the well wishes of Chelsea supporters but with the MLS side not in action until March, it has now emerged he is set to join City on a six month loan.

And that creates a big problem for some Blues fans. While some have understood the 36-year-old's decision, others have gone apoplectic at the midfielder's decision to join their Premier League title rivals.

Transfer rumours and paper review - Saturday, August 2

Here's the top transfer-related stories in Saturday's newspapers...

Barcelona are set to scupper Manchester United's £30m attempt to sign Colombian midfielder Juan Cuadrado, 26, from Fiorentina. (Daily Express)

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 29, has not ruled out the possibility of returning to Manchester United. (Manchester Evening News)

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has been told that £32m Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala, 23, will be his last signing this summer. (Times)

Barcelona and Brondby are considering making a move for Liverpool's Danish centre-back Daniel Agger, 29, who is considering his future at Anfield following the arrival of £20m defender Dejan Lovren from Southampton. (Daily Mail)

Arsenal may make a move to sign former Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa, 31, from Real Madrid if Thomas Vermaelen, 28, leaves the Emirates Stadium. (AS)

Manchester United are ready to sign Vermaelen for about £12m, despite the fact the centre-back is suffering from a minor hamstring injury he picked up with Belgium during the World Cup. (Guardian)

Liverpool have suffered a setback in their pursuit of Paris St-Germain's 29-year-old forward Ezequiel Lavezzi, with the Argentina international preferring a move to Juventus. (Daily Express)

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew says he has given up his attempt to sign QPR's 27-year-old striker Loic Remy. (Newcastle Chronicle)

West Ham are lining up a move for Stoke City striker Peter Crouch, 33, as they look to bolster their attacking options after Samuel Eto'o priced himself out of a move to Upton Park. (Daily Star)

Southampton's Polish goalkeeper Artur Boruc, 34, has emerged as an unlikely transfer target for German champions Bayern Munich. (Telegraph)

Liverpool are lending Manchester United a helping hand in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels, 25, with the Reds willing to let 21-year-old Portuguese defender Tiago Ilori move to the Bundesliga on loan to replace the German. (Daily Star)

Everton and Norwich City are both keen to sign Ostersunds FK's Gambian striker Modou Barrow, 21, according to his agent Willie McKay. (Sky Sports)

Tottenham are in talks to sign Villarreal's £21m-rated Argentine defender Mateo Musacchio, 23, who has previously been linked with Barcelona. (Daily Mirror)

QPR are considering a loan move for Juventus's 26-year-old midfielder Mauricio Isla. (Daily Mail)

Could Liverpool, Manchester United or other top Premier League sides benefit from this Real Madrid goalkeeper?

Iker Casillas has pulled rank at Real Madrid, and as a consequence Diego Lopez is set to leave the Bernabeu. The former Villarreal stopper has been first choice with Los Blancos since returning to the club in January 2013, and was only second to Casillas in cup competitions last season, but in the end Madrid’s golden boy has regained his status as Madrid number one ahead of the forthcoming La Liga campaign. Lopez has been told to find a new club, and according to reports in Spain, he isn’t short of suitors. talkSPORT looks at some of the English clubs that could benefit from the Spaniard...

Liverpool

The Reds have an excellent first choice keeper in Simon Mignolet, but the Anfield side are lacking when it comes to genuine competition for the number one spot, with Pepe Reina unlikely to ever take the field for them again. Joe Hart’s dip in form at Manchester City was a clear indicator of how having no challenge for your place between the sticks can damage a keeper’s game, so Brendan Rodgers will likely be keen to avoid a similar situation with the Reds. Reports from Liverpool's pre-season suggest Rodgers isn't happy with the goalkeeping options he currently has in any case. Lopez is an ideal candidate to come in and create that challenge to Mignolet for obvious reasons given he carried out the same task at Real Madrid, and his significant Champions League experience – something Mignolet lacks – could be a major asset looking forward to Liverpool’s return to the competition.

Chelsea

One rumour doing the rounds in Spain is that Jose Mourinho could look to reunite with Lopez at Stamford Bridge. That seems highly unlikely however given the Blues already have a dilemma on their hands in choosing between Thibaut Courtois and Petr Cech, two keepers who aren’t happy to spend time on the bench. If Courtois hadn’t returned to Chelsea then the stories about Diego Lopez moving to the West London side would be more believable, but as things stand it looks like nothing more than a poor attempt to drum up interest from his agent.

Manchester United

Intriguingly, Manchester United followed Lopez closely back in his Villarreal days, when he kept two clean sheets against the Red Devils in the 2008/09 Champions League group stage, while after United’s 3-2 exit to Real Madrid from the same competition in 2013, Sir Alex Ferguson hailed him as better than Iker Casillas. It wouldn’t be a surprise therefore if United renew their interest in Lopez, and with the Manchester side experiencing a similar problem to Liverpool in terms of competition for David de Gea, it could be an option worth considering.

talkSPORT verdict

As previously noted the Chelsea rumours about Lopez look wide of the mark, and of the remaining Premier League sides that could afford him, Liverpool and Manchester United are the ones who would benefit most from his quality. The Red Devils have history when it comes to the Spaniard, while the rumours that Brendan Rodgers isn’t entirely happy with his current options between the sticks could also open a door at Anfield, so don’t be surprised if it emerges that either side will challenge the likes of big-spending Monaco for his signature.

Lampard stateside, Drogba heads home

Returning with its latest summer transfer market round-up, FIFA.com picks out the big moves in world football over the last few days, two of which involve Chelsea legends.

The big deal
What better way for a newly created club to make its name than to recruit one of the world’s top players of the last 15 years? That is exactly what New York City FC have done in snapping up Chelsea’s all-time leading goalscorer Frank Lampard, who at the age of 36 has given himself a fresh challenge. He joins a club who will make their Major League Soccer debut at the start of 2015, have yet to play a single competitive match and have only five players on their books so far. With Lampard and 2010 FIFA World Cup™ winner David Villa among that quintet, however, the New Yorkers are already making plenty of headlines around the world.

The World Cup effect
While the 2014 World Cup may have been Lampard’s swansong on the international stage, it provided a springboard for many other players, who have earned moves on the back of their displays at the world finals. Antoine Griezmann, after his great season with Real Sociedad and his promising performances with France at the global finals, decided to make a step up by joining Spanish champions and UEFA Champions League finalists Atletico Madrid. A World Cup runner-up with Argentina, Jose Maria Basanta has left Monterrey for Fiorentina, while Ecuador’s Jefferson Montero has joined Swansea City from Monarcas Morelia. Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina has brought an end to his six-year association with Nice to sign for Arsenal, and Southampton and Croatia defender Dejan Lovren has headed north to Liverpool. Netherlands centre half Stefan de Vrij is also on the move, swapping Feyenoord for Lazio, while Ghana forward Jordan Ayew, tired of life on the bench at Marseille, has decamped to Lorient in search of first-team football. And, having spent last season on loan at Everton from Chelsea, Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku will be staying at Goodison Park for the foreseeable future, having put pen to paper on a £28m deal, a record outlay for The Toffees.

The stat
5 - the number of leading players Southampton have seen leave the club since the transfer window opened. The Saints are paying a high price for their success last season, when they finished eighth, with the English Premier League’s big guns moving in for their brightest talents. Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert have all joined Liverpool, Luke Shaw has gone to Manchester United and Calum Chambers to Arsenal, leaving new coach Ronald Koeman more determined than ever to hang on to the equally in-demand duo of Morgan Schneiderlin and Jay Rodriguez.

The globetrotter
Greece forward Theofanis Gekas has showcased his goalscoring skills all over Europe in a career that began nearly 16 years ago. Now 34, the much-travelled Gekas has played for 12 clubs in all and has just made another move, rejoining Akhisar Belediyespor from fellow Turkish side Konyaspor. Since starting out with Larissa in 1998, the Greek goalgetter, who has struck 24 times in 76 appearances for his country, has plied his trade in Greece with Larissa, Khallitea and Panathinaikos; in Germany with Bochum, Bayer Leverkusen, Hertha Berlin and Eintracht Frankfurt; in England with Portsmouth; in Spain with Levante; and in Turkey with Samsunspor, Akhisar Belediyespor and Konyaspor.

Back to their roots 
Two years after bowing out at Chelsea with a UEFA Champions League winner’s medal, Didier Drogba has made his return to Stamford Bridge. “It’s amazing to be back. It’s a wonderful feeling,” said the Ivorian striker, who ran out for The Blues between 2004 and 2012 before enjoying spells with Shanghai Shenhua and Galatasaray. American utility man DaMarcus Beasley is also going back to his roots, heading back to the MLS ten years after leaving Chicago Fire to play in the Netherlands, England, Scotland, Germany and most recently in Mexico for Puebla. A forward when he left MLS, Beasley, who has signed on the dotted line for Houston Dynamo, will return a defender. Finally, Paraguayan striker Nelson Valdez has made his way back to Germany, having distinguished himself with Bundesliga clubs Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund between 2002 and 2010. Following spells in Spain, Russia, the UAE and latterly in Greece with Olympiacos, he has now signed for Eintracht Frankfurt.

Player to watch
A surprise inclusion in Marc Wilmots’ 23-man Belgium squad for Brazil 2014, Divock Origi had a big hand in Les Diables Rouges’ run to the quarter-finals, where they went out to Argentina. With his performances, the young front man turned the heads of the powers that be at Liverpool, who have succeeded in purchasing him from Lille. Still only 19, the promising Origi will remain with the French Ligue 1 club for another season however, on loan from his new employers.

What they said
“It was an easy decision to make. You just can’t say no to Jose Mourinho and Chelsea,” Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.

Transfer talk on Twitter
Rene Higuita sends his congratulations to David Ospina on signing for Arsenal:
"​I know you very well and you're going to do an excellent job with Arsenal. Such great news brother!"

Exclusive - Newcastle legend warns Pardew he's only got five games to get things right

Newcastle legend Warren Barton has told boss Alan Pardew he does not have long to get things right at St James' Park before the fans get on his back again.

The Magpies suffered a troubled season last time out, finishing 10th but losing six matches on the trot at one stage, leading approximately 7,000 furious Toon Army fans to walk out in protest during the 3-0 victory over Cardiff in the final home game of the season.

Pardew was spared the sack by Newcastle owner Mike Ashley and has since brought in six new signings to Tyneside this summer, but Barton believes that will make little difference if the boss does not get immediately get things right on the pitch.

"I think Alan has got maybe five or six games and then the pressure will start to mount again," he told the Sports Bar.

"They've gone into the transfer market and bought good players but I know what the St James' fans are like. They want top class players."

And Barton believes United's lack of leaders on the pitch could once again cost them this season.

"They have gone so far with the French influence. If it's going well it's perfect, if it doesn't then you start getting problems. I don't think they've got a character in there that can really lift them.

"When I was there we had Alan Shearer, Rob Lee, Gary Speed and Shay Given to help the younger players coming through. I don't think they've got that, I think as soon as they get off that bus they're going in different directions and they're not together as a team.

"When it's going well it's easy, it's when it's not that you really need leadership."

Transfer rumours and paper review - Friday, August 1

Here's the top transfer-related stories in Friday's newspapers...

Arsenal have been told transfer target Juan Quintero, 21, will only be allowed to leave Porto if the Colombian midfielder's £32m release clause is activated. (Daily Express)

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed the Italian club's interest in Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini, 26, although he is not the only name on his list. (Daily Telegraph)

Liverpool are closing in on a double deal for Spanish defenders Alberto Moreno, 22, of Sevilla and Javier Manquillo, 20, of Atletico Madrid. (Daily Star)

West Ham have held contract talks with unattached former Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o, 33, and are also considering a move for Besiktas's 30-year-old forward Hugo Almeida. (The Times)

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone is ready to bid £14m for Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa, 25, having already enquired about the availability of the Japan international. (Daily Express)

QPR have turned their attention to 29-year-old Marseille midfielder Morgan Amalfitano, who ended last season on loan at West Brom. Their bid to sign Iceland's Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, 24, from Ajax has stalled over personal terms. (Daily Mail)

Manchester City midfielder James Milner, 28, is keeping the club waiting over signing his new contract as he weighs up his future at the Premier League champions. (The Independent)

Pizarro strike lifts Bayern to win over Chivas

Claudio Pizarro scored the only goal as Bayern Munich beat Chivas Guadalajara 1-0 on Thursday in a friendly match at Red Bull arena to launch the Bundesliga champions' US tour.

Pep Guardiola's men controlled the majority of possession and took the lead in the 10th minute when Pizarro slotted home Franck Ribery's corner.

Pizarro nearly had two more goals in the first half, with Carlos Fierro getting Chivas' best chance to equalise in the 81st minute, only for Bayern goalkeeper Tom Starke's save to preserve the winning margin.

A crowd of 25,073 fans turned out for the match at the home of Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls in Harrison, New Jersey.

Bayern, who hadn't played a pre-season match in the United States since 2004, next heads across the country to Portland, Oregon, where they will take on a team of MLS All-Stars in the North American league's annual mid-season showcase on Wednesday.

It's all part of Bayern's bid to raise their profile in the United States, a move that other European clubs - notably such English Premier League outfits as Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool - have already made. The club has opened a US office in Manhattan, and is launching a US website.

A majority of Bayern's German internationals - including goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller and FIFA World Cup™-winning goal-scorer Mario Gotze - are still resting after their triumphant campaign in Brazil.

Nor did the sell-out crowd get to see 19-year-old German-American Julian Green, who scored as a substitute for the US in their 2-1 World Cup loss to Belgium. Green only recently returned to training after picking up a minor knee injury and Guardiola opted to play it safe with the youngster.

But France's Ribery - who missed the World Cup with a back injury - looked sharp as he ably exploited Guadalajara's defence. The Mexican side finally resorted to fouling him repeatedly, with both Jair Pereira and Jesus Sanchez Garcia receiving yellow cards after tangling with him.

After Guadalajara's Fernando Arce pulled a shot wide in the eighth minute, Bayern went ahead. Ribery curled a corner toward the near post where Pizarro headed it home.

Ribery set up Pizarro again in the 24th, but the Peruvian's shot was wide. Guadalajara's best chance to level the score came in the 81st when Fierro controlled a cross on his chest before slamming a shot from six yards out straight at Starke.

Bayern put the ball in the net once more in injury time, but Lucas Scholl's effort was ruled out for offside.

I'll be 100 per cent for Barça - Neymar

Neymar expects to be 100 per cent fit for Barcelona by the time the new Spanish La Liga campaign kicks off. The Brazilian forward fractured his third lumbar vertebra during the FIFA World Cup™ quarter-final with Colombia after being challenged by Juan Camilo Zuniga.

Neymar was subsequently ruled out for the rest of the tournament, but the 22-year-old has told Japanese media he is now well on his way back to full fitness.

"I am recovering from the injury day by day. I'll be coming back to Barcelona 100 per cent fit," he is quoted as saying on Barcelona's official website. "I want to have a really good season and I'm looking forward to helping my team-mates to get some good results."

The 22-year-old is currently in Japan taking part in a series of promotional events and is due to return to Barca on 5 August. He is targeting the Joan Gamper Trophy match against Club Leon on 18 August, which is a week before the 2014-15 La Liga season begins.