Manchester United generated the most revenue of any football club in the world last season, according to a report published by Deloitte. United dethrone Real Madrid, who held top spot for 11 years after accumulating a record revenue of 515 million pounds during the 2015-16 term. The Premier League club saw commercial revenue grow by […]
via Manchester United, Named world’s Leading Revenue-Generating Club — newfanzoneblog
Manchester United and Spain goalkeeper David De Gea on Friday denied reports that he allegedly arranged a sexual encounter in 2012 between two Spain under-21 players and two women in a Madrid hotel, which is being investigated by police as part of a pornography case. De Gea did not elaborate about the case on Friday […]
via David De Gea Denies Involvement In Sexual Assault Case — newfanzoneblog
Jose Mourinho said that he wants to “forget the past three years” that Manchester United have experienced, in his first interview since being appointed as the club’s manager. The former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager, said that he always had an “empathy” with Old Trafford. “I think we can look at our club now in […]
via New Manchester United Boss Jose Mourinho Wants To ‘Forget The Past Three Years — newfanzoneblog
Manchester United have confirmed that Louis van Gaal has left the club after two years in charge at Old Trafford. Executive vice chairman Ed Woodward said in the club’s statement: “I would like to thank Louis and his staff for their excellent work in the past two years culminating in winning a record-equalling 12th FA […]
via Manchester United Confirm Louis Van Gaal Sacking — newfanzoneblog
A weekend where all top 5 leagues are in action is here again after their exploits in the knock out rounds of the UEFA Champions League and Europa League. The English FA Cup has also reached the quarter final stages but some teams are not there yet as they need to survive the huddle of Replay. Fatigue is setting in for most teams and Managers are having their hands full with fixture pile up. Our punters at Newfanzone have carefully put all these into consideration while they help you select a 10- game accumulator from Europe’s Top 5 leagues as usual.
Tobi Olubiyi’s (@Tobipreety) prediction:
French Ligue 1
St Etienne Vs Caen – St Etienne Win :
4th placed St Etienne are on a good run lately as they are currently unbeaten in their last 6 matches in all competition. The only 2 draws in that time was against Monaco and Marseille.
Same points with 3rd placed Nice, St Etienne will want to keep up the pressure in their quest for a Champions League spot and a win against lowly rated Caen would be on the cards. Caen have struggled for form heading into this fixture at the Stade Geoffroy, they have lost 4 of their last 6 matches. I believe St Etienne will be at an advantage heading into this game being the home side, and winning 4 of their last previous 6 games against Caen.
Lyon Vs PSG – Both teams to score:
This is the second time both teams will be facing off this month after meeting in a domestic cup competition, where PSG won convincingly thereby sending Lyon out of the tournament. This could be some sort of revenge mission for Lyon as they host PSG at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais. Lyon are also yet to defeat PSG in any of their last 6 matches and their besst result during that time was a 1-1 draw in 2014. PSG will be going into this game as firm favourites, they are unbeaten since a defeat to Real Madrid in the group stages of the Champions League last year. This match will be interesting and with a lot of goals, I see both teams getting into the score sheet after 90 minutes.
English Premier League
Manchester United Vs Arsenal – Arsenal win or draw :
Manchester United have been poor in 2016, but they could be pardoned as a lengthy injury list has been the major contributing factor to their bad form with 10 first team players currently injured. But loosing to lowly rated sides like Sunderland and Midtjyland will dampen the confidence of a reputable team like Manchester United. Arsenal’s 2 defeats in their last 12 matches have come against Chelsea and most recently Barcelona in the Champions league. They are heading into this game with a good league form after recently condeming league leaders Leicester to another defeat in their last league game.
Arsenal are the inform team between both sides,The red devils are still suffering from their injury worries. Van gaal will have to turn to youth players and they won’t be good enough to rescue their team from a second Arsenal defeat this season. Arsenal would get a result at Old trafford, and walk away with at least a draw.
Watford Vs Bournemouth – Both teams to score:
This is a clash of two strikers, Odion Ighalo of Watford and Benik Afobe of Bournemouth. These two strikers will be leading the line for their respective clubs and there will be high hopes on who comes ontop. Watford have been on an impressive run this season, currently sitting 9th on the log and loosing just one of their last 5 games in all competitions which was against 2nd placed Tottenham. They welcome Bournemouth to the Vicarage Road who have lost their last 3 games which were all played at home. Ironically, Bourneouth are unbeaten in their last 5 away matches.
I expect Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth to come out firing so as to end their poor run and move further away from relegation place. There will be goals and I expect both teams to score at least a goal each.
Italian Serie A
Fiorentina Vs Napoli – Anybody win (Double Chance):
This is one of the most difficult games to forecast in Europe’s top fixtures this weekend. It’s not clear where the pendulum could swing, the ever reliable and inform Napoli have not won in 3games. Their dip in form started after a late defeat to defending champions Juventus who overtook them into first place with that victory. Napoli are yet to recover from that agony of defeat and they need to show character going foward starting from this huge game against the Viola.
Fiorentina are unbeaten in their last 6 games heading into the Europa League 2nd leg against Tottenham.
I believe there will be a winner in this match, either Fiorentina or Napoli will win. It will not end in a draw.
Juventus Vs Inter Milan – Juventus win or draw:
Another huge match in the Serie A this weekend, league Leaders Juventus will look to extend the gap between them and 2nd place Napoli. Although for the first time in a long while this season the Old Ladies have not won in back to back matches, against Bologna and Bayern Munich. It must be said that they showed great character not to loose against Bayern after going behind by 2 goals. Inter Milan presently don’t have the personnel to match this juventus side and they have won only 2 of their last 7 matches in all competition. Roberto Mancini will have to pull a bunny out of the hat to stop the likes of Pogba,Dyabala and Mandzukic.
Juventus will get a result in this game and will get at least a draw.
German Bundesliga
Wolfsburg Vs Bayern Munich – Bayern Munich win:
8th place Wolfsburg welcome inform Bayern Munich to the Wolkswagen Arena when they have won just one of their last 5 league matches. Their poor form heading into this fixture will further set them back in their quest for a spot in Europe. Pep Guardiola’s last defeat with Bayern in all competitions was in December 2015 against Monchengladbach. They have gone on to win every match since then except a shock goaless draw away at Bayern Leverkusen. Muller is scoring again taking some pressure of Striker Lewadowski. While Robben still has a lot to offer since his return from injury. I expect a comfortable victory for Bayern Munich as they extend their lead on the table.
Borussia Dortmund Vs Hoffenheim – Dortmund win:
Dortmund look certain to finish in the top 4, but just 8 points behind league leaders Bayern Munich they may just pull up a heist on the Bundesliga title if Bayern suffers a slump. To achieve this they must keep their foot on the gas and get maximum points against teams like Hoffenheim especially at the Signal Iduna Park. Dortmund have not lost in their last 12 matches playing just 1 draw in that time. While 17the placed Hoffenheim have won only one of their last 5 matches and are 4points away from safety.
Dortmund will continue their impressive form with a win, star striker Aubumeyang will be expected to provide the goals.
Spanish La Liga
Real Madrid Vs Atletico Madrid – Atletico Madrid win or draw:
A tricky tie whose result would go a long way to test Coach Zinedine Zidane’s ability and competence to lead the Galacticos to success. It has always been a very intense derby whenever a Diego Simeone led Atletico face off with Real Madrid and Zidane is about to get a taste of that. Real Madrid have only won one of thier last 6 matches against Atletico with 3 draws and Atletico winning 2. Real Madird have won their last 7 home matches and they seem to be scoring a lot at home under Zidane, they has been at least 3 goals in each of their last 10 home matches. Atletico Madrid are a resilient side and hard to break down, there has been over 120 clean sheets in over 200 games Simeone has been in charge. Although Atletico are suffering some sort of bad run after winning just 2 of their last 8 matches in all competition. But as they say, form is thrown out of the window when it comes to Derbies.
This will be a tactical game and a battle between the gaffers but i believe Diego Simeone will come out ontop and get a result from the Bernabeu.
Barcelona Vs Sevilla – Barcelona win and Suarez to score:
Last week Suarez scored his way into the record books becoming the 3rd Barcelona player in History to score 40 goals in one season after Ronaldo De Lima and Lionel Messi. The menacing attack trio of Barcelona fondly called the MSN (Messi,Suarez, Neymar) have proven to be too strong for opponents as they have gone on to win 33 matches in all competitions winning 27 and drawing 6 since their defeat to Sevilla in October 3rd 2015. Their latest win was a comfortable away victory against Arsenal in the Champions League. Sevilla’s only victory against Barcelona in their last 6 matches was in the return fixture earlier in the season. Luis Enrique will have revenge on his mind as they welcome 5th placed and inconsistent Sevilla to the Camp Nou. I expect an easy Barcelona win and Suarez getting on the score sheet.
Inter Milan director Bedy Moratti accidentally let slip “Jose Mourinho is happy, he’s going to Manchester United.”
The sister of former President Massimo Moratti spoke to calciomercato.com as she left a lunch meeting with Mourinho and her family.
“Of course he’s always fantastic and we missed him as a person here,” she said in the video interview.
Does that mean never say never for a return to Inter? “No, he’s happy now, he’s going to Manchester.”
Mourinho is in Milan after being invited by Moratti to cheer on Inter against Sampdoria on Saturday evening.
He will be in the stands with former Inter Milan striker Ronaldo at San Siro.
The Special One is tipped to take over from Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford after being dismissed by Chelsea.
Paul Ayorinde
Manchester United are to rename Old Trafford’s South Stand in honour of club legend Sir Bobby Charlton.
Sir Bobby Charlton is United’s all-time leading scorer with 249 goals in 758 appearances and won three First Division titles, one FA Cup and the 1968 European Cup during his playing career with the club, which lasted from 1956 to 1973.
The former England midfielder also won the 1966 World Cup and was the winner of the Ballon d’Or in the same year.
Manchester United confirmed that the rebranded South Stand will be unveiled at the home game against Everton on April 2.
Charlton, told the club’s official website: “This is a great honour and I am very proud — for myself and my family — that the club has chosen to name the South Stand after me.
“Manchester United has been such an important part of my life and I have so many wonderful memories of this Theatre of Dreams. As a player, I remember the goals and the marvellous players I played with. As a director, I have seen some outstanding matches and players. It is a special place indeed.
“I would like to thank everyone connected with Manchester United. So many people work so hard to keep us at the top, their effort should never be forgotten.
“But most of all, I would like to thank Norma, my wonderful wife, and my family for the support and encouragement they have always provided. This is for them.”
Paul Ayorinde
Kurt Zouma will be out for six months after he undergoes surgery to fix his anterior cruciate ligament damaged yesterday during the 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Stamford bridge.
The french defender who has been influential in the London side’s central defence this season starting 16 of Chelsea’s last 19 games was stretchered off early in the second half.
According to statement released by the club ” Chelsea Football Club’s medical team have diagnosed that Kurt Zouma sustained an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament during yesterday’s (Sunday) Premier League game against Manchester United.
Kurt will undergo surgery in the next 48 hours and is expected to be out for approximately six months.”
This basically means that the French defender will also miss out on the Euro’s but will be back in time for next season.
Injured Man United Defender Luke Shaw Tweeted his encouragement message to Zouma, Shaw as out injured for a couple of months too after suffering an injury during a champions league game.
Also tweeting encouraging words was his teammate Cesar Azpilicueta
Done deals:
– Crystal Palace have completed the signing of striker Emmanuel Adebayor on a free transfer.
– Cristian Tello has joined Fiorentina on loan until the end of the season.
– Southampton forward Gaston Ramirez has joined Middlesbrough on loan until the end of the season.
– Maccabi Tel Aviv have completed the signing of Orlando Sa from Reading.
– Chinese Hebei Fortune have completed the signing of winger Gervinho from Roma.
– Malmo have confirmed the signing of Anders Christiansen from Chievo .
– Roma have signed Stephan El Shaarawy on loan from AC Milan, with an option to buy for €13million.
Today’s reports and rumours:
– According to reports, Aston Villa are closing in on a loan move for Arsenal defender Mathieu Debuchy.
– Leeds United want to take Aiden McGeady on loan from Everton, according to report.
– Newcastle United have reportedly agreed a £12million deal to sign Andros Townsend from Tottenham
– Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique has revealed Neymar will renew his contract at the Camp Nou.
– Real Madrid will not make any signings this month despite the fact that they could be subject to a transfer ban in the near future, according to president Florentino Perez.
– Shola Ameobi has offered to play for Bolton for free until the end of the season, but the Championship club cannot take the striker up on the offer, according to reports.
– Roberto Martinez says there is currently no movement involving players leaving or joining Everton.
– Aston Villa are in talks with Hajduk Split over the signing of their goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic, according to reports.
– Fenerbahce are interested in Roma forward Seydou Doumbia, according to reports.
– Real Betis are reportedly ready to sign Inter Milan defender Martin Montoya.
– Napoli are reportedly very close to reaching an agreement with Empoli for the transfer of defender Federico Barba.
– Eder’s agents are reportedly in England for Leicester City talks, but Inter could match the offer for the Sampdoria striker.
– Lazio midfielder Eddy Onazi is a target for Newcastle, Swansea and Werder Bremen, according to reports.
– Leicester have had a £15.1m bid rejected by CSKA Moscow for midfielder Ahmed Musa, according to BBC.
– ESTAC Troyes President Daniel Masoni has confirmed that he has rejected a €1.6m offer for winger Jimmy Cabot.
– Napoli have turned down a bid worth more than €25m from Wolfsburg for Manolo Gabbiadini, according to reports.
– Chelsea expect the £25m sale of Ramires to Chinese club Jiangsu Suning to be completed before the end of Wednesday.
– Alexandre Pato is on his way to west London after it emerged Chelsea had struck a loan deal with Corinthians.
– Sunderland have submitted a new formal transfer offer for Lorient defender Lamine Koné, according to reports.
– According to reports, Newcastle United are in pole position to sign Chelsea striker Loïc Rémy on loan until the end of the season.
– Liverpool and Shakhtar Donetsk remain far apart in their valuations of Alex Teixeira, according to reports.
– West Ham have a deal in place is to sign Fenebahce striker Emmanuel Emenike on loan with an option to buy in the summer, according to Sky Sports.
– Celta Vigo have rejected an approach for Nolito from Barcelona, according to reports in Spain.
– Kelechi Nwakali’s brother has said that the midfielder is close to joining Arsenal but he is still waiting to be granted a visa.
– Adriano Galliani insists AC Milan have finished their January transfer activity.
Football tit bits:
– Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal did not offer to resign following Saturday’s defeat to Southampton, sources at the club have told Sky Sports News .
– Manuel Pellegrini has revealed Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany should be back in action in
two weeks.
– Chelsea and West Brom have been fined after being found guilty of failing to control their players during their Stamford Bridge meeting on January 13.
– Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen faces up to eight weeks out of action after scans revealed that he suffered medial knee-ligament damage during Saturday’s 3-1 win at Crystal Palace.
– Qatar’s football association is suing the former German FA president Theo Zwanziger for calling the Gulf nation a
“cancer on world football” following its successful World Cup bid, Düsseldorf’s regional court has said.
Done deals:
– Victor Valdes has agreed to join Standard Liege on loan from Manchester United until the end of 2015-16 season, subject to a medical.
– Preston North End have signed goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard on loan from West Bromwich Albion until the end of the season.
Today’s reports and rumours:
– Shakhtar Donetsk are thought to be sticking firm on their £38million valuation of 26-year-old Brazilian forward Alex Teixeira, according to reports.
– Hull City have joined Norwich City and QPR in the group of clubs interested in taking Chelsea’s Patrick Bamford on loan, according to reports.
– Chelsea have held successful talks with Paris Saint-Germain striker Ezequiel Lavezzi, according to reports in England.
– French midfielder Moussa Sissoko has insisted he won’t quit Newcastle United this month.
– Borussia Monchengladbach have issued a hands-off warning over in-demand midfielder Granit Xhaka, according to report.
– Liverpool are interested in signing Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, according to reports.
– Chelsea are considering a loan move for Paris Saint-Germain defender Thiago Silva, according to reports.
– Tottenham are interested in signing Gambia international Jagne Pa Modou from FC Sion, according to reports.
– According to reports, Manchester United have had positive talks with Benfica over the possible signing of Renato Sanches.
– Chelsea’s winger Christian Atsu is in Spain ahead of an expected loan move to either Rayo Vallecano, Levante or Malaga
– Schalke chairman Clemens Toennies has told Sky Germany that the club are in advanced talks with Tottenham over Kevin Wimmer.
– Inter Vice-President Javier Zanetti confirmed Fredy Guarin is in advanced talks with Shanghai Shenhua, not Jiangsu Suning.
– West Ham are interested in Galatasaray striker Burak Yilmaz, according to reports.
– Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores expects to bring in at least one more player before the end of the transfer window.
– Inter Milan have joined Chelsea in the race to sign Paris Saint-Germain’s Ezequiel Lavezzi, according to reports in Italy.
– Zinedine Zidane says defender Nacho will not be leaving Real Madrid and says he represents the “future of the team” at the Bernabeu.
– Manchester United have been in talks over signing Real Madrid forward James Rodriguez, according to reports.
– Tottenham are interested in bringing both N’Golo Kante and Jamie Vardy to White Hart Lane from Leicester, according to reports.
– Roma director Mauro Baldissoni confirms Gervinho is heading to China.
– L’Equipe claim AC Milan have joined Inter Milan in asking to sign Hatem Ben Arfa as a free agent next season.
– Lorient’s right-back Lamine Gassama is set to remain at the Ligue 1 side until the end of the season when his contract expires, according to reports.
– Chelsea’s attacker Bertrand Traoré is very interested in a possible loan move to Marseille until the end of the season, according to reports.
Football tit bits:
– Jorge Mendes, the agent of José Mourinho, has branded a report claiming the Portuguese wrote to Manchester United regarding his credentials to be the next manager as “ridiculous and absurd”.
– Arsène Wenger labelled Diego Costa clever for the part he played in Per Mertesacker’s early dismissal and bemoaned the “emotional damage” inflicted on his team.
– Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is “Over the moon” at the birth of his third child Kit Joseph Rooney on Sunday.
Embattled Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes has tweeted about his exit from the club he joined last January, the Former Fc Barcelona goal tender has been frozen out of the United first following a dispute with Manager Louis Van Gaal about six months ago, the dutch tactician had claimed that values had refused to train with the Under 21’s, a charge Valdes denies.
Valdes is believed to be on his way to Standard Liege in Belgium for a loan deal till the end of the season, the spaniard has not been listed even once this season with Argentine Goalkeeper Romero preferred ahead of him and David De Gea holding down the number one spot, this loan deal is a way out for Valdes.
https://twitter.com/1victorvaldes/status/690119617864454146
His tweet as generated a lot of responses from Man United fans, with the bulk of them apologising to the Spanish Legend for the kind of treatment meted out to him at Old Trafford.
Below is one of the replies he got
https://twitter.com/steffenxo/status/690119749850783747
His Spanish Compatriot and Man United colleague David De Gea has also payed tributes to him on social media.
Valdes might just be able to get his career back on track with this loan move, which would most likely become a permanent deal at the end of the season.
The 2016 Deloitte Football Money League – detailing the 2014/15 season – measures a club’s earnings from matchday revenue, broadcast rights and commercial sources, and ranks them on that basis.
The Premier League boasts 17 teams in the top 30 of this year’s Deloitte Football Money League. Manchester United lead the way for English reputation in revenue, keeping clear of rivals Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.
Real Madrid retained their place at the summit for the 11th year in a row, having generated €577m.
Deloitte Football Money League
(2014/15 revenue):
1. Real Madrid (€577m)
2. Barcelona (€560.8m)
3. Manchester United (€519.5m)
4. Paris St Germain (€480.8m)
5. Bayern Munich (€474m)
6. Manchester City (€463.5m)
7. Arsenal (€435.5m)
8. Chelsea (€420m)
9. Liverpool (€391.8m)
10. Juventus (€323.9m)
11. Borussia Dortmund (€280.6m)
12. Tottenham (€257.5m)
13. Schalke (€219.7m)
14. AC Milan (€199.1m)
15. Atletico Madrid (€187.1m)
16. Roma (€180.4m)
17. Newcastle (€169.3m)
18. Everton (€165.1m)
19. Inter Milan (€164.8m)
20. West Ham (€160.9m)
21. Galatasaray (€159.1m)
22. Southampton (€149.5m)
23. Aston Villa (€148.8m)
24. Leicester City (€137.2m)
25. Sunderland (€132.9m)
26. Swansea City (€132.8m)
27. Stoke City (€130.9m)
28. Crystal Palace (€130.m)
29. West Brom (€126.6m)
30. Napoli (€125.5m)
Paul Ayorinde
newfanzone 