Erik ten Hag said Manchester United’s inability to take their chances against Real Madrid “absolutely” emphasised their need for a new striker.
The Red Devils fell to a 2-0 defeat to the Spanish giants under the NRG Stadium roof in Houston on Wednesday evening.
Jude Bellingham opened the scoring with a lovely clipped finish and substitute Joselu wrapped up a 2-0 Madrid win with a stunning acrobatic strike at the death.
United had chances of their own but failed to score with any of their 14 attempts – an all too familiar tale given their problems taking opportunities last season.
Asked if the attacking display in Texas emphasised why they are looking to sign a new striker, Ten Hag said: “Absolutely.
“There were two things – the press…
Gonzalo Higuain is a world-class striker, Napoli coach Rafa Benitez claimed, after the Argentinian struck a winner in the Coppa Italia.
Napoli coach Rafa Benitez hailed Gonzalo Higuain as one of the world s best strikers, after his winner in the Coppa Italia on Wednesday.
The Naples side advanced to the cup semi-finals courtesy of a 1-0 win over Inter, which came about via Higuain s late winner at Stadio San Paolo.
Higuain ran onto Faouzi Ghoulam s clever throw-in, cut inside Inter s Andrea Ranocchia before lifting a strike above the on-rushing Juan Carizzo to finish into the side netting.
Benitez said the Argentinean, 27, was world class.
Higuain is a great striker and I think one of the best in the world. I ve worked with many excellent forward…
Lionel Messi s close-season issues at Barcelona means the 2020-21 campaign could be a difficult one for the superstar forward, says his former Argentina team-mate Emiliano Insua.
It has been a tumultuous period for Messi, starting with Barcelona s humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals last month.
Following that humbling experience, Messi shocked the footballing world by requesting to leave Camp Nou and stating he believed a clause in his contract allowed him to leave on a free transfer.
Both Barca and LaLiga disputed his interpretation of the clause, though, saying any team wishing to sign Messi would have to pay his €700million release fee or negotiate a transfer.
Messi ultimately opted to stay this season as he…
Xavi had his first taste of defeat as Barcelona boss with Juanmi securing Real Betis a famous 1-0 victory at Camp Nou on Saturday.
Barca defeated Espanyol and Villarreal in their first two LaLiga matches under Xavi, which came either side of a goalless draw at home to Benfica in the Champions League.
The lacked a serious attacking threat against Betis and were punished on the break by Juanmi with 11 minutes remaining.
Ez Abde missed a glorious chance to salvage a point for the Blaugrana, who could find themselves seven points adrift of the top four and 16 off top spot if Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid win later in the day.
FT
Philippe Coutinho sent a tame effort from Jordi Alba s cross towards the near post in the 11th minute and Rui…
Everton are set to sign Jack Harrison from Leeds United, according to . The report has claimed that winger Harrison will leave Championship club Leeds for Premier League outfit Everton on a season-long loan deal before making the move permanent next summer.
Harrison signed a new contract with Leeds in April, but the 26-year-old has a relegation release clause in his contract. Everton have triggered it. Leeds are playing in the Championship this season after getting relegated from the Premier League at the end of the last campaign. The Toffees almost got relegated.
According to The Telegraph, Harrison is having a medical at Everton. The former Manchester City prospect has made 107 appearances in the Premier League so far in his career. Harrison has scored 21 goals and gi…
Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova says his players are yet to perform to the best of their abilities this season.
The Catalan giants are two points clear at the top of La Liga and eight points ahead of fierce rivals Real Madrid, while they opened their Champions League campaign with a victory over Spartak Moscow.
There have been games where we have been at a high level and others that our start has cost us in, the 42-year-old told reporters.
As we go through the season we will be looking to develop a further rhythm. We are currently not playing at 100 per cent.
But I do think we are physically stronger than we have been in the past, because these are virtually the same players.
The next opponents looking to end Barca s perfect start will be Sevil…
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has lavished praise on Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo is preparing to return to Manchester for his team s Champions League clash with Manchester City on Wednesday, and Neville said all eyes will be on his former team-mate during the clash.
While he may receive the kind of stick reserved for former United players, everyone in that stadium, including me, will be thinking: I m watching Cristiano Ronaldo tonight , Neville wrote in his column in the Daily Mail.
He has helped to redefine the game by creating a new breed of flexible forward.
He was always fascinated with becoming the best player in the world. You would always say individual honours aren t important but, to Ronaldo, they were.
…
Juventus took their first step towards the treble with an historic 2-0 win over Lazio in the Coppa Italia final at Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday.
First-half goals from Dani Alves and Leonardo Bonucci secured an unprecedented third triumph in a row in Italy s premier cup competition and the 12th in their history.
It also means Juve s hopes of winning Serie A, the Coppa and the Champions League in a single season for the first time remain firmly intact.
Lazio, winners in 2013 and beaten finalists against the same opponents two years ago, hit the post through Balde Keita early on but found themselves behind soon afterwards thanks to a sixth goal of the season from Alves, who started on the right side of the attack for Massimiliano Allegri s favourites.
Juve p…
Jamal Musiala has signed his first professional contract with Bayern Munich.
The rising Germany star has pledged his future to the Bundesliga champions until 2026, just a week after turning 18.
Musiala has made swift progress since joining from Chelsea two years ago and has made 26 appearances in all competitions this season for Hansi Flick s side.
At 17 years and 363 days old, he became Bayern s youngest Champions League goalscorer when he netted in the 4-1 last-16 first-leg win over Lazio.
I m really pleased to have signed my first professional contract at FC Bayern, Musiala said via the club s website. I just feel very good at the club and in the team, I m playing with the best players in the world and I can learn from them every day in training.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has begun his recovery since undergoing surgery to repair his torn anterior cruciate ligament.
The Belgium international sustained the serious injury to his left knee in a training session and has now returned back to the Real Madrid setup to begin his first steps in rehabilitation.
Courtois took to X – formerly known as Twitter – to give supporters an update on his fitness, he said: “Thank you to everyone for the support and the energy!
: Thank you to everyone for the support and the energy! Little by little I m taking the first steps in my recovery.
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden)
“Little by little I’m taking the first steps in my recovery.”
Since the injury to Courtois, Real Ma…