Ronaldo: Man Utd have always had a special place in my heart

Cristiano Ronaldo said Manchester United have always had a special place in his heart after completing his return to the club from Juventus.

The 36-year-old finalised his transfer to the Red Devils on Tuesday for an initial fee of £12.9million (€15m), signing a two-year contract with the option of a third.

The deal came after United made a late push to bring the player back to the club, just as it had looked likely he would sign for rivals Manchester City.

The five-time Ballon d Or winner scored 118 goals in 292 games in his first spell at United from 2003 to 2009, winning three Premier League titles and the Champions League, a trophy he has lifted five times in his career.

Ronaldo is expected to make his first appearance for United in 12 years again…

Crystal Palace 0-2 Arsenal: Gunners begin with a win at Selhurst Park

Arsenal began the new Premier League season in fine fashion with a 2-0 victory away to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

New signings Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko made their debuts for Mikel Arteta s side on Friday and both made an impact, with Jesus catching the eye and Zinchenko providing the assist for the opening goal of the game.

Gabriel Martinelli was the beneficiary, heading in from close range, with Arsenal belatedly adding a second in the closing stages when Bukayo Saka s cross was deflected into his own net by Marc Guehi.

Palace had chances to equalise in the intervening period, forcing strong saves from Aaron Ramsdale, but he and Arsenal stood firm to earn their first three points of the new campaign.

Jesus immediately showed what he w…

Bitesize Prediction: Rangers vs Napoli – 14/09/22

Market: Napoli win

Odds: 5/6 @

In what should be another lively affair from Ibrox on Wednesday night, Rangers will welcome an impressive Napoli side to Glasgow for their second Group A showdown.

Starting with the hosts, while Rangers might have stunned PSV last month as they clinched their first Champions League group stage adventure since 2011, the Scottish giants are in the midst of a recent wobble. Missing out on the chance to defend their domestic crown last season, the Blues will be more than aware that they face a huge task on Wednesday night. Along with coming under some scrutiny for their 4-0 drumming against bitter rivals Celtic on September 3rd, Giovanni van Bronckhorst s men opened their Group A campaign with a nightmare display on foreign soil. Makin…

De Jong signs PSV renewal until 2020

Luuk de Jong has signed a contract extension with PSV that will keep him at the club until June 2020.

The prolific attacker s previous deal was due to expire in 2019, but he has now opted to prolong his stay by a further year.

When I first signed for PSV, the plan was to play here for two years and then consider my options, the 25-year-old said.

But things have gone better than expected. I am feeling appreciated here and feeling at home, which is important to me.

I am very happy that I will stay at PSV. I am in the right place here.

Luuk de Jong blijft langer bij PSV! De aanvoerder verlengt zijn contract tot 2020.

— PSV (@PSV)

De Jong started his professional career with De Graafschap and also enjoyed spells with Twente, Bo…

Southgate signs new England deal through to December 2024

Gareth Southgate has signed a new deal to extend his stay as England manager through to December 2024, the Football Association (FA) has confirmed.

It means Southgate will remain in charge for the Three Lions World Cup campaign in Qatar next year, and oversee qualifying for Euro 2024.

Southgate s assistant Steve Holland has also penned fresh terms to remain in his role.

I am delighted that Steve and I have been able to extend our stay in our respective roles. It remains an incredible privilege to lead this team, Southgate said via an FA statement on Monday.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mark, John and the board for their support – and of course the players and support team for their hard work. 

We have a great opportunity in…

Lloris: Kane ´must have been feeling the pressure´ on crucial penalty miss

Hugo Lloris believes Tottenham team-mate Harry Kane must have been feeling the pressure after the striker s missed penalty helped France into the World Cup semi-finals.

Kane had already scored a penalty to equalise for England after Aurelien Tchouameni s long-range opener, but Olivier Giroud put France back ahead with just 12 minutes to play.

Kane then received a golden chance to level again from the spot after Theo Hernandez inexplicably bundled over Mason Mount in the France area.

However, the England captain blazed his penalty well over before France saw out the remaining minutes to keep alive their hopes of becoming the first team since Brazil in 1962 to retain their World Cup crown.

Lloris feels his club team-mate felt the weight of the moment, causi…

Milan confirm Pioli´s departure

Milan have confirmed the departure of head coach Stefano Pioli.

The Rossoneri won the Serie A title under Pioli s guidance in the 2021-22 season.

While they could not defend their title last term, they have secured a second-placed finish with one more Serie A match remaining of this campaign, though they are 19 points adrift of champions Inter.

And Saturday s match against Salernitana will be Pioli s final game in charge, ending a four-and-a-half-year stint, with the Italian having taken over in October 2019.

A club statement read: Milan extends heartfelt thanks to Stefano Pioli and his entire staff for leading the first team over the past five years, securing an unforgettable league title and re-establishing Milan s consistent presence in the top Europea…

Motta expects Juventus to be competitive despite transfer need

Thiago Motta is confident Juventus will be competitive at the start of the Serie A season despite having more work to do in the transfer market.

It has been a period of change at the Allianz Stadium, with Motta replacing Massimiliano Allegri as head coach after four years without a league title for the Turin giants, which followed a run of nine straight Scudetto triumphs.

The Bianconeri have brought in midfielders Douglas Luiz and Khephren Thuram but are yet to strengthen their attack despite links with Teun Koopmeiners and Nicolas Gonzalez.

Their struggles in the transfer market could mean the likes of Weston McKennie, who looked to be on his way out at the end of 2023-24, could return to the fold for their Serie A opener against Cesc Fabregas Como on Monday.

Yamal has potential to emulate Messi for Barcelona, says ex-Spain midfielder Senna

Lamine Yamal has burst onto the scene for Barcelona and former Spain midfielder Marcos Senna believes the teenager could emulate Lionel Messi s Blaugrana exploits.

Yamal has enjoyed a meteoric rise into professional football this season, becoming Barcelona s youngest starter in La Liga and the youngest player to assist in the competition in the 21st century.

The Blaugrana talent also marked his name as the youngest debutant and scorer for Spain in the 7-1 victory over Georgia this month, aged just 16 years and 57 days.

Only two players have scored for a European nation at a younger age (Sam Johnston in 1882 for Northern Ireland and Jozsef Horvath in 1906 for Hungary), and Senna believes Yamal will go to the top.

Senna, a former Villarreal midfielder and 2…

Beckham to boost England 2018 World Cup bid

Former skipper David Beckham will personally deliver England s bid book to host the 2018 World Cup to FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Friday, bid officials said.

The handover will take place at the FIFA s headquarters in Zurich.

Football Association and bid chairman Lord Triesman said: It s fantastic news that David s schedule has enabled him to present and head our bid in Zurich.

It is entirely appropriate that he does so as our bid is about football and the passion for it in our country.

Nobody represents that better than David. He is a fantastic footballer and a global role model.

Beckham, who last met Blatter in Cape Town before the World Cup draw in December, is likely to play an even bigger role in the bid after his ruptured Achilles tend…