Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have offered their thanks to Louis van Gaal after the former Manchester United manager announced his retirement.
Van Gaal, who also managed Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, AZ and the Netherlands in an illustrious career, revealed the news on Dutch TV show VTBL.
The Dutchman handed a teenage Rashford his United debut in February 2016, having signed Martial from Monaco five months earlier.
And both players paid tribute to their former boss on Twitter, with Rashford writing: Thank you for opening the door trusting in me. Enjoy retirement boss.
Thank you for opening the door trusting in me. Enjoy retirement boss
— Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford)
Martial added: Thanks for everything coach !! It was a h…
Lionel Messi led Inter Miami s comeback, getting a brace and an assist on his return from injury in a 3-1 win over Philadelphia Union.
The Argentine had been out with an ankle injury he sustained in the Copa America final, but he slotted straight back into the line-up after an eight-match absence.
Philadelphia made a dream start against the Eastern Conference leaders, with Mikael Uhre latching onto a loose clearance from Tomas Aviles before coolly slotting in from the edge of the D after just 58 seconds.
Messi got his first goal in the 26th minute, with Luis Suarez cushioning the ball to him before he rounded the defender to level the score.
He then gave Miami the lead just four minutes later – Alba, in acres of space down the left, squared it to Messi …
Liam Boyce has extended his current deal at Hearts until the summer of 2025 with Jambos fans told to “watch this space” for more good signing news.
The 32-year-old Northern Ireland striker has returned to the first-team fold following a lengthy injury lay-off and his appearances this season have triggered a year’s option in his contract.
Boyce joined Hearts in January, 2020 and has scored 36 times in 107 appearances.
Sporting director Joe Savage told the club’s official website: “Boycie’s contract extension is great news and a testament to his drive and determination.
“Our plan was always to give him the time he needed to come back feeling fit and then reintegrate him into the first-team scene.
Liam Boyce will remain a Hearts player…
Eden Hazard completed his much-anticipated move from Chelsea to Real Madrid on Friday, the 13-time European champions agreeing to pay a fee that could rise to €140million.
In doing so, Hazard became the latest Premier League superstar to be drawn to the bright lights of LaLiga.
Over the past decade, Barcelona and Madrid have repeatedly cherry-picked the English top flight s hottest talent – a policy that has helped deliver six Champions League titles between the two great rivals in the 10 seasons from 2009-10.
Will Hazard s arrival return Madrid to the head of European club football s top table? He has a lot to live up to if he is to fill the shoes of the first man on our list of players to recently swap the Premier League for LaLiga.
is bringing t…
Ashley Cole has confirmed his retirement from professional football.
A decorated left-back for club and country, the England international was widely recognised as one of the finest players in the world in his position during his time with Arsenal and Chelsea.
Stints at Roma, LA Galaxy and Derby County followed for Cole, who will now focus on a move into coaching.
Here, we look at some of the numbers the 38-year-old returned over the course of a magnificent career at the top level.
Wishing all the best in his retirement.
Congratulations on an incredible career.
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial)
385 – Across spells with Arsenal and Chelsea, Cole made 385 appearance in the Premier League. He won England s top flight on three …
Stefano Pioli won his first game in charge of Al-Nassr, with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Al-Ettifaq on Friday.
Cristiano Ronaldo netted the first goal of Pioli s reign as Al-Nassr picked up just their second win in the Saudi Pro League this season.
It was a fairly even first half until Abdullah Madu fouled Sultan Al Ghannam in the box, and Ronaldo made no mistake from 12 yards to put the visitors in front.
Angelo and Talisca were both denied by the goalkeeper before half-time, but Al-Nassr doubled their lead with the first shot of the second half, as Salem Al Najdi scored a delightful chip from a tight angle in the 56th minute.
Talisca did get his goal in the 70th minute, beating Marek Rodak for power with his low drive after being picked out by Sadio …
Premier League data dive: Spurs surrender once again in a north London derby, Moyes´ Old Trafford mi
All eyes were on the Emirates Stadium on Sunday for the north London derby and there was a lot of comforting familiarity on display.
A red card, Erik Lamela attempting a rabona (and scoring it!) instead of using his right foot, and, of course, Spurs throwing away a lead.
Elsewhere, Manchester United remained on course to finish second as they ensured David Moyes continues to dread returning to his former employers, while Sheffield United s first game since Chris Wilder s exit arguably proved just how good the Yorkshireman was as manager.
There was also a potentially vital win near the bottom of the table for Brighton and Hove Albion, and we have taken a look at all the best Opta facts from those games.
How the six looks after another weekend
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Lionel Messi is not motivated by money as he eyes titles amid uncertainty over his Barcelona future, according to presidential candidate Joan Laporta.
Messi has been heavily linked with Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain and Premier League giants Manchester City, with his contract expiring at the end of the season.
The record six-time Ballon d Or winner tried to leave Camp Nou at the start of the 2020-21 campaign before opting to stay.
As doubts remain over Messi following Barcelona s 4-1 rout at the hands of PSG in the first leg of the blockbuster last-16 tie on Tuesday, Laporta – one of the remaining candidates in the running for the presidency – remains hopeful of keeping the 33-year-old.
Leo . |
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona)
…
Steven Gerrard famously never won the Premier League as a player with his beloved Liverpool but he is delighted to have led Rangers to Scottish Premiership glory.
Gerrard came agonisingly close to top-flight success with the Reds, most memorably in the 2013-14 season when his slip against Chelsea proved costly for Brendan Rodgers charges.
Liverpool ended their 30-year title drought last season, six years after Gerrard called time on his long and distinguished Anfield career, and their former captain has enjoyed a stellar campaign at the Gers helm this term.
The Ibrox club wrapped up their first title since 2011 at the weekend, denying bitter rivals Celtic a 10th championship in a row in Gerrard s third season in charge.
Despite his failure to clinch t…
Chelsea have confirmed that Ruben Loftus-Cheek has completed a permanent move to AC Milan.
The 27-year-old joins Milan on a four-year deal running until June 2027.
His departure from Chelsea comes after 19 years with the club, having joined their academy in 2004.
He made 155 appearances for the Blues, scoring 13 times, and earned Premier League, Europa League and UEFA Super Cup winners’ medals during his time there.
An impressive loan spell with Crystal Palace also saw Loftus-Cheek selected for the England squad who reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
19 years, countless memories.
Good luck in your new challenge, .
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC)
However, he struggled for game time under successive man…