Tag: League

The Selecao manager Dunga has backed his decision of replacing Coutinho with Kaka in the squad that he has announced for the upcoming couple of games.

It has come as a big surprise for everyone that Dunga took a backward step and went back to Kaka instead of encouraging a young talent like Coutinho.

Dunga had brought Coutinho into the side straightaway after he took charge following Brazil’s World Cup disaster and the young winger did not disappoint him.

The 23-year old played a little bit in Copa America and he was okay in that tournament in terms of his form.

He might not have been extraordinary, but, he would have thought he did well enough to retain his place in the squad.

However, in Dunga’s view, it was not the case. According to the boss, Coutinho failed to make the most of his opportunity and thus, had to make space for Kaka.

Addressing the press after the announcement of the squad the other day, Dunga said, “Philippe has had his opportunity. He played in Copa America. You have to understand that it’s not possible to do the rebuilding work with young players only. Experience is needed as well.” (more…)

Former Burnley defender Kieran Trippier says that he is excited by the possibility of featuring for a big club like Tottenham Hotspur.

The defender recently completed a switch to White Hart Lane from the relegated team Burnley. Even though his transfer fee may be just around £ 5 million, Trippier is expected to be a key part of Spurs going forward. After all, the youngster was one of the major attacking forces of Burnley despite being a defender. At just 24 years of age, he still has the capability to learn a lot more in the game.

Trippier is primarily looking forward to playing in front of a packed White Hart Lane, which is one of the noisiest grounds in England. Spurs did no negotiations with Burnley over the transfer of Trippier as they agreed to meet the release clause his contract. The exact details of his transfer fee have not been disclosed. In the past four years at Burnley, Trippier made close to 200 appearances and he was also a key part in the club rise to the Premier League. It was always expected that top names like Trippier would depart Burnley if the club failed to stay in the top division and it proved to be the case. (more…)

Louis Van Gaal has warned the Manchester United supporters that the club faces a very strong test for the scouting network in the summer.

After having spent £ 150 million last summer, the club are expected to once again continue the spending spree. They have already completed the signing of Dutch winger Depay, who has cost the club £ 25 million. More names are expected to come along the way. Last season represented a good start to the new signings like Angel di Maria, but almost all of them have gone off the boil in the second half of the campaign.

It was only the presence of players like Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney that helped United get back into the Champions League in the first time of asking. After having secured European football once again, Van Gaal says that the target for the upcoming season is to win the title. The Red Devils are set to finish a whopping 15 points behind champions Chelsea, but Van Gaal reckons that they cannot only close the gap but also challenge for the title next season. However, it will largely depend upon the success of the club’s summer signings. After a tough start to his life at Old Trafford, Van Gaal appears to be the best man for the job. (more…)

Movie Ranking: 4 / five

Online video Score: four / five

On May of 2014, Ji Sung Park announced his retirement from playing competitive football as the South Korean hanged up his boots after having lifted a number of major titles throughout his entire career but it was during his time performing with Manchester United where he tasted true success and glory as he secured the Premier League, Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup titles just to name a few of the pieces of silverware that the retired player sealed as a player at Old Trafford.

There is no doubt whatsoever that he enjoyed having a very successful campaign with his club but the same cannot be said for his national team South Korea as he failed on winning any major trophies for South Korea despite having made over 120 appearances for his nation.

The 2015 Asian Cup is currently taking place in Australia and will continue going on until January 31. South Korea has already advanced past through the group stages and will be progressing into the next rounds of the competition and according to Ji Sung Park, his nation has what it takes to become the next champions. (more…)

Movie Score: four / 5

Dutchman Louis van Gaal has stated that he does not need his strikers to be the only source of goals in the Manchester United team. The media have been critical of players like Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie in the last few weeks, while Radamel Falcao looks like one of the worst buys of the season.

The Colombian is only on a loan deal – which cost United around £ 6 million in fees alone – till the end of the campaign, but his return of just four league goals is unlikely to impress United into paying the remaining £ 43 million agreed at the start of the campaign.

United have three main striker’s on-board – Falcao, Rooney, and van Persie – but they have contributed only on goal since the start of February. This poor return has led to many questioning the tactics of Van Gaal. The Dutchman has frequently altered the tactics and personnel in the past few months. This is widely different from the Sir Alex Ferguson era when United rarely made changes to the tactics and it was only after the midweek Champions League when Ferguson made changes to the team. Van Gaal has responded to the criticism by saying that he does not rely only upon the strikers for the goals. (more…)