Former Manchester United captain Bryan Robson has backed Zlatan Ibrahimovic to make the same impact as Robin van Persie achieved in his first season at Old Trafford.
The former Sweden captain, who retired from international football after Euro 2016, signed a one-year contract at United with the option for a second after firing Paris Saint-Germain to a second domestic treble in a row in 2015-16.
Ibrahimovic scored 50 goals in all competitions last term but, with the forward turning 35 in October, some doubts have been raised over whether he can sustain such prolific form in his first year in England s top flight.
But Robson hopes to see him replicate the stunning Premier League campaign enjoyed by Van Persie in 2012-13, when he registered 26 goals and 15 assists t…
Captains of several leading European nations are set to defy FIFA and wear OneLove armbands at the World Cup.
The OneLove campaign which promotes inclusion and sends a message against discrimination of any kind has grown in significance in the build-up to the tournament in Qatar, a country in which homosexuality is illegal.
FIFA attempted to shift the narrative on Saturday a day before the opening game between the hosts and Ecuador by launching a collection of armbands across a range of social issues with a different subject for each stage, including Save the Planet and Bring the Moves .
However, the football director of the Danish Football Union Peter Moller said Denmark skipper Simon Kjaer will continue to support OneLove and claimed to have the backing of seve…
Frank Lampard has urged his England compatriots to concentrate in case of a penalty shootout in their Euro 2012 quarter-final against Italy.
The 34-year-old, who was agonisingly ruled out of Euro 2012 after suffering a thigh injury, has an exemplary spot-kick record for club and country and knows first-hand how pressurised the duty can be.
And as first-choice taker on the domestic and international front, the Chelsea midfielder has given his England team-mates some advice ahead of their first knock-out game of the tournament.
It is the most nerve-racking experience in football and you need the balls and the confidence to handle it. The pressure is just so intense, he said.
Taking a penalty in a game is bad enough but, normally, if you miss in a match t…
Wellington Phoenix defender Ben Sigmund has extended his contract with the A-League club until the end of 2015.
The 31-year-old centre-back had a year remaining with the club, but has agreed to a two-year extension.
I could have looked at other options, but honestly there is nowhere else I wanted to be, said Sigmund, who joined the A-League club in 2008.
My family is here and I love this club, so why move if they want me to stay?
They have looked after me with an improved contract and it being for three years gives me security for the family.
Sigmund who has won the Phoenix player of the year award for the past two seasons has become a mainstay of the New Zealand club s defence alongside captain Andrew Durante, notching 91 appearances for the…
Portuguese media outlet that Spanish giants Valencia are keeping close tabs on Benfica winger Nicolas Gaitan.
Los Che had the player watched on a number of occasions this season and they had their scouts present as Benfica defeated Belenenses on Saturday evening.
The La Liga side representatives have established the initial contact with the player s agents, which is enough to suggest they are seriously considering a summer bid.
However, the latest reports suggest that Valencia will first have to sort out issues relating to FIFA Financial Fair Play rules before they can launch an assault on the Argentine.
Nicolas Gaitan, 27, joined Benfica from Boca Juniors back in 2010 and quickly developed into a key member of the squad at Estadio da Luz.
The h…
French striker Louis Saha has revealed he is currently in talks with Sunderland over a possible move to the Stadium of Light.
The Frenchman has been a free agent since being released by Tottenham at the end of last season, and he seems to have finally found a new club.
“I’m on my way to discuss with Sunderland,” the veteran striker announced on his Twitter account.
Louis Saha has spent most of his career in English Premier League, after leaving Metz to join Fulham in August 2000.
Following a very successful spell with the Cottagers that saw him score 53 goals in 119 league games, the Frenchman made a €17.5 million move to Manchester United in the summer of 2003.
Numerous injuries prevented the striker from showing everything he’s got at…
Paul Pogba and Dimitri Payet struck as France launched a second-half comeback to beat Sweden 2-1 in Friday s World Cup qualifier at the Stade de France.
Both sides shared top spot in Group A heading into the game with seven points from their opening three fixtures and although France dominated the opening 45 minutes, the visitors looked solid in defence.
A surprise seemed to be in store when Emil Forsberg opened the scoring early in the second period with a fine free kick, but Janne Andersson s men were unable to hold on.
Pogba levelled the scoring with a powerful header, before Payet sealed the win with a cool finish after some unconvincing goalkeeping from Robin Olsen.
France are now three points clear of Sweden and six ahead of third-placed Netherlan…
Quique Flores is keen to achieve something special at Watford after taking over as head coach of the Premier League newcomers.
Flores was earlier this month appointed as the replacement for Slavisa Jokanovic, who guided Watford to automatic promotion from the Championship in his first season at the club, but departed after failing to agree a new contract.
The Spaniard became Watford s fifth boss in a year with the appointment and arrives at Vicarage Road with considerable pedigree having managed Benfica and led Atletico Madrid to UEFA Europa League glory in 2010.
And, speaking to Watford s official website, Flores said: I was reading about Watford and their history, which is very important to know when you join a new club. I know they have big stories.
…
ESPN understands that Paris Saint Germain will not bid for Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo at the end of the season.
The Argentina international has been linked with a summer move to the Ligue 1 leaders after contract talks with the Red Devils stalled.
However, with uncertainty surrounding the future of manager Unai Emery and their place in this season’s Champions League talk of any pursuit of players has quietened.
Rojo has been used sparingly by Jose Mourinho this season with the twenty-seven year old making just a handful of appearances in the Premier League.
He has started less than a quarter of their games thus far while he has played just once in each of the domestic competitions and the Champions League.
In total he has made …
AC Milan forward M Baye Niang is in talks with the club over the prospect of a January exit, head coach Vincenzo Montella has confirmed.
A number of Premier League clubs have been linked with a move for the 22-year-old, including West Ham, Crystal Palace and Everton, for whom he had a trial back in 2012.
However, reports in Italy on Monday claimed that Niang is considering an offer from Torino, while Milan have also been in discussions with Genoa over a possible swap deal involving Marseille loanee Lucas Ocampos.
Montella would not be drawn on the potential suitors but he did confirm that Niang will play no part in the Coppa Italia quarter-final against Juventus while his future is decided.
Niang might leave the club, Montella confirmed to Milan TV. He s…