ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP 2017/2018, WEEK ONE FIXTURES.

Arsenal - Leicester: 11.08.2017. 19:45.

Watford - Liverpool: 12.08.2017. 12:30.

Chelsea - Burnley: 12.08.2017. 15:00.

Crystal Palace - Huddersfield: 12.08.2017. 15:00.

Everton - Stoke City: 12.08.2017. 15:00.

Southampton - Swansea: 12.08.2017. 15:00.

West Brom - Bournemouth: 12.08.2017 15:00.

Brighton - Manchester City: 12.08.2017 17:30.

Newcastle Utd - Tottenham: 13.08.2017 13:30.

Manchester United: 13.08.2017. 16:00.

FULL TIME IN MACEDONIA... REAL MADRID v MANCHESTER UNITED.

REAL MADRID 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 1.
Casemiro 24', Isco 52'.

Lukaku 62'.

The Red Devils are in Macedonia for the UEFA Super Cup and aim to take down the Champions League holders at the Nacionalna Arena Filip II Makedonski.


TEAM NEWS:
Real Madrid: Keylor, Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo, Casemiro, Kroos, Modric, Isco, Bale, Benzema.

Subs : Casilla, Nacho, Ronaldo, Hernandez, Vazquez, Asensio, Kovacic.


Manchester United: De Gea, Valencia, Lindelof, Smalling, Darmian, Matic, Herrera, Pogba, Mkhitaryan, Lingard, Lukaku.

Subs: Romero, Blind, Carrick, Fellaini, Mata, Martial, Rashford.

CHELSEA OWNER ROMAN ABRAMOVICH HAVE SEPERATED WITH HIS THIRD WIFE.

Billionaire Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and his third wife Dasha Zhukova have announced they've split after ten years together.

The couple, who have two children together, revealed the news in a statement to the New York Post's Page Six , and described the separation as 'amicable'.

The statement said: “After 10 years together, the two of us have made the difficult decision to separate, but we remain close friends, parents and partners in the projects we developed together.

“We are committed to jointly raising our two children.

"We will also continue to work together as co-founders of the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art in Moscow and the New Holland Island cultural center in Saint Petersburg.”

When Mr Abramovich split from second wife Irina Vyacheslavovna Malandina, she was compensated with a rumoured £1 billion made up of cash and property.

Abramovich has five children - two sons and three daughters - with the former Aeroflot stewardess.

Dasha only confirmed their marriage two years ago after tying the knot in a secret ceremony six years earlier.

She had customarily been referred to as the Russian billionaire’s "girlfriend" or "baby-mama" before that.

She sparked a race row by posing on a chair shaped like a skimpily-dressed black woman.

She later apologised over the chair row, saying: "I utterly abhor racism, and would like to apologise to anyone who has been offended by this image."

The father-of-seven divorced his first wife, Olga Yurevna Lysova in 1990, after walking down the aisle three years earlier.

Apart from Chelsea he also owns a Boeing 767 and homes in London, France, St. Barts, Coloradom, New York and Los Angeles.

''THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY FOR UNITED IN THE PAST''; SERGIO RAMOS REVEALS.

Real Madrid and Manchester United face off on Tuesday evening in the European Super Cup final in Skopje.

Ramos will be leading out Los Blancos but admitted he could have been playing in United's red had he not turned down the chance to join them in 2015.

"There was an opportunity in the past," added Ramos. "It resolved itself in a different way.

I'm grateful to United for the interest. It's a great club and I wish them all the best."

MOURINHO NEVER REALLY UNDERSTOOD MADRID'S DRRSSING ROOM; SAYS RAMOS.

Sergio Ramos has hinted Jose Mourinho never really understood the Real Madrid dressing room during his time in the Spanish capital.

According to The Mirror Sport, Mourinho had a well publicised spat with then-captain and club legend Iker Casillas while manager at the Bernabeu and also frequently complained of 'moles' within the club leaking stories to the press.

Real and Mourinho eventually parted ways in 2013 after a mutual termination of his contract that followed a breakdown in relationship with sections of his squad.

The 54-year-old picked up one league title and one Copa del Rey during his three years at the club while the four years since his departure have yielded three Champions League titles, the FIFA Club World Cup, two European Super Cups, one Copa del Rey and one league title.

When asked about the difference in styles between Mourinho and current coach Zinedine Zidane, Madrid defender Ramos suggested the former Chelsea man never really understood how to manage the players.

"My view is that when a team has a new coach it changes a great deal," Ramos said.

''How to manage the dressing room...

Zidane very good at understanding our dressing room as a former player.

Maybe that gives him an advantage.
"They are both great coaches and we're grateful to live this historical moment with Zidane."

He added: "Mourinho was just another coach I worked with in my football career and I have always learnt from others, from when I was a youngster at Sevilla.

"So I am very, very grateful but I don't think Mourinho has changed my life in football at all."

ARSENAL AND CHELSEA WILL STRUGGLE THIS SEASON; WARNS AN ENGLAND LEGEND.

Arsenal and Chelsea have been warned they could struggle to compete for the title this season with their thin squads.

Antonio Conte's Blues won championship last season, but the Italian has only recruited Alvaro Morata, in a club record £70million deal, as well as Antonio Rudiger and Tiemoue Bakayako, and goalkeeper Caballero on a free transfer, having let up to 14 players leave.

However, Premier League legend Shearer believes they don't have enough strength in depth in the squad to compete on all fronts.

"Chelsea have 13 or 14 very good players who will match anyone. But with Champions League football this season, they are going to need more if they want to compete on all fronts"

Shearer wrote in his column in The Sun.
"They would need a lot of luck with injuries to get through the campaign and be successful with the squad they have at the moment.

I think they still need at least two or three new additions between now and the end of the transfer window."

Furthermore, Shearer has issued a warning to Arsene Wenger and Arsenal if they want to challenge for the title.

The Gunners missed out on a place in the top four last term, and despite bringing in Alexandre Lacazette, the Premier League record goalscorer insists they don't have enough to challenge at the top.

He added: "Lacazette and yesterday's goalscorer Sead Kolasinac, are their only two signings this summer.

That is not enough for The Gunners this season if they want to be challenging for the title, which is ultimately what their supporters want."

With Manchester City and Manchester United splashing the cash and with more signings expected, the London clubs could face a tough season unless they bring in players before the end of the transfer window.

MOURINHO CLAIMS THAT REAL MADRID ARE ON ANOTHER LEVEL COMPARED TO UNITED.

The game between the Champions League and Europa League winners on Tuesday in Macedonia will present a chance for Mourinho to assess the level of his side's preparedness ahead of the new season.

But the Portuguese has put a big gap between his side and Los Blancos, despite spending over £300m since joining the club last year, insisting that Zinedine Zidane's side are on another level right now.

"We are going to try, that’s obvious but the difference between the Champions League winner and Europa League winner is also obvious," Mourinho added.

"The top quality is in the Champions League, the semi finals usually have four of the best five or six teams in Europe."

ZIDANE AND SERGIO RAMOS HAVE REPLIED MOURINHO.

Zinedine Zidane has tried to deflect Jose Mourinho's interest in Welshman
Gareth Bale ahead of Tuesday night’s UEFA Super Cup.

The Real Madrid boss addressed questions following comments by the Red Devils boss that he would “fight” for the former Spurs star if he wasn’t wanted by the European Champions.

Mourinho said Bale being left out of the XI to face his side in Macedonia would open the door for United to go for the winger.

But Zidane played it cool, insisting all is well with Bale.

“The important thing is the player is fine. He’s had no issues in training, and that’s important,” Zidane said.

“The end of his season wasn’t easy for him, injured, but I’m happy for him and what’s important is what we do, not what someone else say''.


United face Real in the UEFA Super Cup 7:45pm on Tuesday,  with Mourinho claiming he will know if Bale is wanted if he makes Zidane's starting line-up in Skopje.

Real are reportedly trying to sign Monaco's £160million-rated wonderkid Kylian Mbpappe, which would almost certainly leave Bale surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu.

When asked on Monday if he had considered a move for Bale, Mourinho said: “Well if he's playing tomorrow, no I wouldn't think that, it would be because he's in the coach's plans and the club's plans, because he also has that motivation to continue at Real Madrid.

"So I haven't even thought about the possibility.

"If he is not in the club's plans, that with the arrival of another player would mean he was on his way out, I will try to be waiting for him on the other side and fight with other coaches that would want him on their team.

"But if he plays tomorrow, that is the best confirmation that he is still wanted by the team."

Meanwhile, Los blancos skipper Sergio Ramos said: "At the moment Gareth is a player of Real Madrid and we're delighted to have him on board.

The future of any player is decided by the player.

"The month of August is very long and anything can happen. But Gareth is on our team and we love to have the best players."

COUTINHO IS NOT FOR SALE AT ANY PRICE; INSISTS KLOPP.

Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp has declared emphatically that Phillippe Coutinho who is being seen as a replacement to Neymar at Barcelona will not be sold this summer.

PSG are also reportedly interested in Coutinho but fear the Brazilian fancies a move to the Nou Camp.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has told the club’s fans that European giants are “looking for alternatives” following Neymar's £198million move to Paris.

He said: “We thought there was a chance that Neymar could go and for that reason we raised his buy-out clause.

"Now we are looking for alternatives and whatever happened here it is in the end good for Barca because if he stayed then we have a great player and if he goes then we bring in a lot of money.

"The [£198million] we will spend sensibly, strictly and wisely. It will be used to improve the club and with this it means that we are in a great position to sign players.”

Klopp has maintained all summer that Coutinho is not leaving Anfield and that the Reds are no longer a selling club.

The German has the full backing of the Anfield board and the club’s owners, the Fenway Sports Group, who do not even want to negotiate.

As such, Liverpool are not for turning despite leaks to the Spanish media suggesting they are open to doing a deal.

Klopp held talks in Asia with Coutinho after Barca had a £72million bid rejected for the 25-year-old. It was then that the former Dortmund boss set out his position to his playmaker.

Coutinho signed a new five-year deal at Liverpool in January and is seen as vital to the club’s potential title challenge this season.

Kop legend, Michael Owen said last week that he does not see Coutinho leaving Anfield this summer, since the Brazilian is said to be happy in England.

Klopp believes that it is vitally important for Liverpool to show that they are no longer willing to surrender their top stars as they did with Fernando Torres and Luis Suarez.

TOMORROW WILL DETERMINE IF MOURINHO WILL GO FOR BALE; THE PORTUGUESE ADMITS.

Jose Mourinho has revealed he will "fight" for Gareth Bale if the £85million star is not wanted by Real Madrid.

Manchester United boss Mourinho has been linked with a summer move for the high flying winger, who has seemingly fallen out of favour at Real under Zinedine Zidane.

United face Real in the UEFA Super Cup tomorrow, with Mourinho claiming he will know if Bale is wanted if he makes Zidane's starting line-up in Skopje.

Real are trying to sign Monaco's £160million-rated wonderkid Kylian Mbpappe, which would almost certainly leave Bale surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu.

When asked in his press conference if he had considered a move for Bale, Mourinho said:

“Well, if he's playing tomorrow, no I wouldn't think that, it would be because he's in the coach's plans and the club's plans, because he also has that motivation to continue at Real Madrid.

"So I haven't even thought about the possibility.
"If he is not in the club's plans, that with the arrival of another player would mean he was on his way out, I will try to be waiting for him on the other side and fight with other coaches that would want him on their team.

"But if he plays tomorrow, that is the best confirmation that he is still wanted by the team."

FULL TIME IN WEMBLEY... ARSENAL v CHELSEA.

Arsenal and Chelsea renew rivalries in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday.
The traditional curtain-raiser pits the Premier League champions and FA Cup winners against each other with the new campaign now just five days away.

ARSENAL 1 CHELSEA 1 (4-1 Pens)

Kolasinac 82'.
Moses 46'.

NEYMAR'S WORLD RECORD FEE IS NOT A SURPRISE TO ARSENE WENGER.

Arsene Wenger said that Neymar’s £199million switch from Barcelona to PSG is “what happens when countries own clubs.”

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield meeting with Chelsea, Wenger claimed the Brazil superstar’s world record move has left clubs such as Arsenal unable to compete financially.

PSG are owned by Oryx Qatar Sports Investments. Their President Nasser Al-Khelaifi was congratulated by France President Emmanuel Macron at a charity event on Thursday.

The Gunners boss said: “Once countries own football clubs everything is possible and it has become very difficult to respect Financial Fair Play.

“We still live with rationality. We are not the only ones. I think 99 per cent of the clubs do that - but of course we cannot compete at that level.”

Neymar is expected to be unveiled in Paris on Friday.

“We crossed the £100m line last year and only one year later, we’re crossing the £200m line; Wenger said.

“When you think that Trevor Francis was the first £1m player and that looked unreasonable, that shows you how much distance and how far we have come, how big football has become.

It’s beyond calculation and beyond rationality.”

Wenger spoke after an open training session held by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. He added: “This is why I always pleaded for football to live within its means.

"The numbers are now comparable to the NBA basketball. They are out of context with society.

“The price of a player depends on the identity of the buyer and you can not put it on the context of the market. It is the financial potential of the buyer that decides.”

France Budget Minister Gerald Darmanin said yesterday: “It’s better that this football player pays his taxes in France than elsewhere.”

LEICESTER HAVE CONFIRMED THE SIGNING OF KELECHI IHEANACHO.

Leicester have signed Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho.

The 20-year-old has penned a five-year contract at the King Power Stadium.

“It feels good and I’m happy to be part of this team," Iheanacho said.

“I know the ambition of the team and speaking with the manager, he let me know what I need to do – to help the team achieve what they want.

I was convinced and I’m happy to be here.
“I was happy speaking with the manager, knowing what the team wants.

It gives me more confidence that I will fit in this team and hopefully I’ll achieve a lot.”

Leicester boss Craig Shakespeare said: “It’s a great signing for us.

“Kelechi is an enormously talented player that has shown a huge amount of promise at every level in which he’s played.

“We’ve tracked his progress for some time, so we know how much quality he’ll bring to the squad.

“He’s young, he’s hungry, he’s ready for the next stage of his development and I’m delighted that will be with Leicester City.”

The Nigerian international is expected to make his Leicester debut on Friday night when they take on Borussia Monchengladbach in a pre-season friendly.

NEYMAR HAS POSTED AN EMOTIONAL FAREWELL LETTER TO BARCA.

 

Neymar has posted an emotional farewell message to Barcelona after completing his world record £199m move to Paris Saint-Germain; eclipsing the £89m Manchester United paid for Paul Pogba in the summer of 2016.

His representatives paid the release clause in full on Thursday afternoon and he rubber-stamped the switch on Thursday evening.

But the former Santos man also sent a message to his dad in the Instagram upload - asking his father to 'support' him, while hinting he went against the wishes of his parent by opting to leave the Nou Camp.

“I prepared a text here for today," Neymar posted.

“The life of an athlete is made by challenges.

Some are given to us. Others are fruits of our own decisions to keep the light that illuminates our career, which is intense, but short.

“Barcelona was much more than a challenge, it was the dream of a child who played with those stars through the video game.

“I arrived at Catalonia when I was 21 years old, filled with challenges.

"I remember my first days in the club, sharing the dressing room with idols like Messi, Valdés, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Piqué, Busquets and others with the expectation of playing in a club that is 'more than a club'.

"Barcelona is a club that represents Catalonia!

"I had the honour of playing with the greatest athlete I've ever seen in my life and I'm sure I will not see another better, Messi became my partner, friend on and off the pitch. Proud to play with you.

"I formed an attack with Messi and Luis Suarez that is left for the story.

I have conquered everything an athlete can conquer.

"I have lived unforgettable moments! I live in a city that is more than a city, it is a homeland. I love Barcelona and Catalunya.

"But an athlete needs challenges. And for the second time in my life I will take the opposite of my father.

"Papa, I understand and respect your opinion, but my decision is taken, I ask you to support me as you have always done.

"Barcelona and Catalunya will always be in my heart but I need new challenges.

"I have accepted the proposal of PSG to find new achievements and help the club achieve the titles that the fans expect.

I have presented a daring career plan and I am prepared for this challenge.

"I thank the affection of the Blaugrana fans and all that I have learned from the athletes with whom I have shared a dressing room.

"I also feel in my heart that the time has come to leave. PSG will be my new home for the next few years and I will work to honour the trust they place in my football.

"I count on the support of all. Fans, my friends, the professionals who accompany me and my family, who have suffered a lot with problems that have occurred in this period of my career and deserve peace.

"It is a difficult decision, but taken with the maturity of my 25 years.
"May God bless and protect us!"

NEYMAR HAS COMPLETED HIS WORLD RECORD MOVE TO PSG.

Neymar has completed his world record £199million move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain.

The French side have sealed a deal for the Brazilian superstar after meeting his release clause.

PSG are are currently in the USA as part of their pre-season preparations and will face Juventus and Tottenham before returning to France.

In a statement, Neymar said: "I am extremely happy to join Paris Saint-Germain.

"Since I arrived in Europe, the club has always been one of the most competitive and most ambitious.

"And the biggest challenge, what most motivated me to join my new teammates, is to help the club to conquer the titles that their fans want.

"Paris Saint-Germain’s ambition attracted me to the club, along with the passion and the energy this brings.

I played four seasons in Europe and I feel ready to take the challenge.

"From today, I will do everything I can to help my new teamates, to open up new horizons for my club and to bring happiness to its millions of supporters around the world."

In announcing their new star, the club confirmed he will take the No.10 shirt from Javier Pastore.

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said: “It is with immense joy and pride that we welcome Neymar Jr to Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar Jr is today one of the very best players in world football.

"His winning mentality, strength of character and sense of leadership have made him into a great player.

He will bring a very positive energy to this club.

"In six years, we have built a very ambitious project that has already taken us to the highest level of national and European football.

"Today, with the arrival of Neymar Jr, I am convinced that we will come even closer, with the support of our faithful fans, to realizing our greatest dreams.”

WENGER SPEAKS ON SUNDAY'S COMMUNITY SHIELD AND OTHER ISSUES.

Arsene Wenger addressed the media on Thursday ahead of Sunday's FA Community Shield clash with Chelsea at Wembley.

Here's a recap of what
Wenger said:

On Sunday’s Community Shield;
"Sunday is a good opportunity to repeat the performance we had in a final.

"Two teams who will go for the first trophy of the season with power and a desire to be ready for the championship.

"So that plays a part of it as well. We can also give competition to players who will need it."


On the teams;
"We have basically everybody available to choose from.

"Today Ozil and Ramsey weren’t in full training but they should be alright.

"Sanchez and Mustafi I haven’t decided yet as they have just come back.

I haven’t decided yet if I will involve them or not.

"We want not to take too big a gamble on a player (Sanchez) who has just come back.

"For us it’s important to build his fitness and put him in a reasonable condition before we expose him to tough tests.

"Maybe he will play."


What was wrong with Ozil and Ramsey;
"It was a little muscular problem for Ramsey and an ankle problem for Ozil."


On Coquelin and Gabriel;
"Coquelin is injured. We don’t think it will be too bad. Maybe two weeks.
"Gabriel has had a long term injury.

He starts to run again now but needs two or three weeks before he can join in."


On Sanchez
"He looks good. He had a good rest so needs to work on his fitness.

But once he’s in a game he’s sharp and looks like he’s never been away.
"He’s over the flu - that was never a problem for us."


On his frame of mind;
"The frame of mind of a player is quite easy. Once you go out to play, you focus on the game and enjoy the game.

"This is a game that passes quickly in your life so enjoy every moment.

He loves the game and what he does."


Have you had a conversation with him?
"Of course. I speak to my players."
What can you tell us then?
"Nothing."


Has he asked to leave?
"I have just answered. I will not give anything away on that.

The only thing I can tell you is he is focused."

NEYMAR'S £199m BID REJECTED BY LA LIGA.

Representatives of Neymar and PSG arrived at the La Liga offices in Madrid on Thursday, planning to deposit the reported fee of £199m to activate the Brazilian's release clause - but it was rejected by La Liga.

A statement read: "We can confirm that the lawyers of the player (Neymar) have come to La Liga to deposit the clause and that it has been rejected.

It is all the information we will give so far."

Should La Liga continue their stance, PSG and Neymar could ask FIFA to intervene.

Neither Barca nor La Liga have rights to block the deal and the Spanish organisation have no legal grounds to reject the money.

Fc Barcelona will  likely put pressure on UEFA but they cannot ask them to start an investigation, since the governing body can only examine the deal at the end of the transfer window.

La Liga chief - Tebas has previously insisted they would not be bullied by PSG, who were labelled a "financially-doped team."

"Even if they don't pay the release clause we will report them," Tebas explained to Marca

"They cannot make up some commercial numbers that are bigger than Barcelona or Real Madrid.

"Nobody believes that, which means that the state of Qatar is injecting money and that violates Financial Fair Play."

It, however seems likely that UEFA will allow the deal to go through and let PSG to balance the books by selling players.

The saga continues...

PHILLIPE COUTINHO WILL NOT JOIN BARCELONA; SAYS OWEN.

Barca have already had two bids in excess of £70m for the Brazilian turned down but they are likely to come back in once Neymar's world record move to PSG goes through.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has reiterated his desire to keep Coutinho but Barca may  have other ideas.

Owen who traded Liverpool for Madrid in 2004 feels that Coutinho's situation is different from his'; whereas he allowed his contract to run down as he looked for a new challenge, Coutinho recently signed a five-year deal in January.

Still, the Kop legend doesn’t think Coutinho will leave the club.

He said: ''The news going around Spain is obviously fuel to the fire if the Neymar deal goes ahead - the speculation becomes intensive (regarding a) Coutinho move.

"But he was happy enough a short while ago to sign a long-term deal and since then the club have qualified for the Champions League and strengthened the team.

"I think they played a really good move in signing him to a long contract because if the worst came they would get a lot of money for him, but I don't see it happening.

"Other than Coutinho not being happy I can't see how there is going to be a deal.

It's inevitable that a lot of good players want to ply their trade in Spain but the situation with the length of contract has to count for something."

NEYMAR IS NOT EXPENSIVE; DECLARES MOURINHO.

Jose Mourinho claims the £199m fee for Neymar is ‘not expensive’. However, the United's Gaffer who admitted that the dethroned French champions will benefit commercially from the deal, also believes that Neymar's price will definitely 'sky-rocket' prices of many other players.

While acknowledging the commercial hit the French giants will gain, Mourinho is concerned it will drive transfer fees sky high for everyone else.

“When we signed Paul Pogba, I said he was not expensive; Mourinho said in Dublin.

Expensive are the ones that get to a certain level without a certain quality.

“I don’t think £200m for Neymar is expensive.

“Expensive is the fact there will now be more players at £100m, more players at £50m, more players at £60m - that’s the problem.

“Neymar is one of the best players in the world, so commercially that is very strong but the problem is not Neymar - the problem is the consequences.”

RONALDINHO KNOWS THE RIGHT PLAYER TO REPLACE NEYMAR.

Brazilian legend Ronaldinho believes Liverpool’s star Philippe Countinho is the ideal replacement for his compatriot at Barcelona.

Ronaldinho says: “There are only very few players in the world who can replace Neymar - and I have said that I think Coutinho could play for them.

“He is at a level where he could come and fill the gap left by Neymar - but Liverpool will know his worth and after the fees of this summer it will cost Barcelona.”

Ronaldinho, a World Cup winner in 2002, switched from PSG to Barcelona in 2003 and says Neymar sought his advice before making the move.

I have played for both clubs and of course Barcelona are the bigger team historically, Rinaldinho said, but both clubs are now at a level where they are competing for the biggest trophies.

“I told him (Neymar) that he had to make the right decision for him.

I did not want to advise him either way - I have just told him to follow his heart and hopefully that is what he has done.

“There is no doubt that Barcelona will try and replace Neymar - but the problem they have is that clubs now know their financial position.

"The fee for Neymar has been made public and opposition clubs will know that Barcelona have all that money - they are not going to let their best players go cheaply.”

MATIC HUGS A FEMALE FAN AFTER HITTING HER WITH THE BALL.

Nemanja Matic turned what could have put a dampener on debut for Manchester United into a magic moment against Sampdoria in Dublin, reports The Mirror Sport.

The new midfield signing from Chelsea inadvertently kicked the ball into a female fan's face during Wednesday night's match.

The £40 million arrival had failed to keep the ball in play and kicked the ball away in frustration.

But instead of going into the advertising hoardings it cleared the barrier and hit the supporter in Ireland.

With her friends on either side laughing hysterically, the victim had her head in her hands.

In a bid to appease his accidental misdemeanour, Matic was quick to run over to her give her a hug, much to the delight of the other supporters around her.

The supporter, however, now has to deal with a pair of broken glasses.

Matic then resumed his place on the pitch for the remainder of the first half before Man United went to the break 1-0 up.

United went on to win 2-1 after Juan Mata, set up by Anthony Martial, scored the winner.

FULL TIME IN DUBLIN... MANCHESTER UNITED v SAMPDORIA.

Manchester United 2-1 Sampdoria.
Mkhitaryan, Mata.
Praet.

Manchester United continued their preparations for the new campaign when they played Sampdoria on Wednesday night.

The Red Devils faced the Italian outfit at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin in their final warm-up game.

Juan Mata’s late goal secured a comfortable win for United.

The scoreline though wasn’t too comprehensive, but United were by far the better team in the game.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan gave United the lead before the break before Dennis Praet’s equaliser - but United were quick to respond with Juan Mata's strike.

Manchester United 2-1 Sampdoria.
Mkhitaryan, Mata.
Praet.

MESSI FINALLY CONFIRMS NEYMAR'S DEPARTURE.

Leo Messi, has taken to social media to wish his pal good luck.

He said: “Huge pleasure to have shared these years with you Neymar, friend. Lots of luck in the next stage of your life”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXSt62SFYWj/?hl=en&taken-by=leomessi

NEYMAR HAVE OFFICIALLY INFORMED FC BARCA HE WANTS TO LEAVE THE CLUB.

Barcelona have given Neymar permission to miss training amid speculation of a world-record transfer to Paris St Germain.

The Brazil forward has been heavily linked with a 222 million euro (£199million) move to the Ligue 1 club this summer.

And Barcelona confirmed on Wednesday the 25-year-old had been allowed to miss training.

The statement read; 

The player Neymar Jr, accompanied by his father and agent, has informed FC Barcelona this morning of his decision to leave the Club in a meeting held at the Club’s offices.

Faced with this position, the Club has informed them they refer to the buy-out clause of his existing contract which as of 1 July totals €222million which will have to be deposited in its entirety.

Furthermore, in reply to the claim for the contract extension bonus, the Club has once again made it clear that the amount remains deposited with a notary until the case is resolved.

The player remains under contract at FC Barcelona but with temporary permission to not take part in training sessions.”

''I DRIVE MY WIFE CRAZY BECAUSE I CAN'T SWITCH OFF''; POCHETTINO DECLARES.

Tottenham Hotspur boss, Mauricio Pchettino confesses he is a 24/7 boss, who drives his wife crazy because he can’t switch off from football.

Even when the 45-year old goes on holiday or back to his other home in Barcelona, he can’t take his eyes off
football.

“Switching off is a difficult thing to do,” the Argentinian said. “My wife always complains.

"It doesn’t matter where we are, in Barcelona or wherever, I’m always with the phone or with Jesus Perez, my assistant or the chairman.

It’s not like an office when you close the door, go home and switch off. It is 24-hour.

“Maybe some people switch off, but, for me, it’s impossible. Only when I’m sleeping.

“When you’re at home and some game is on – World Cup, Champions League, Premier League, Championship or League One – it’s like a happiness to watch football.

“At lunch or dinner, football could be on the TV.

Maybe you don’t plan to watch, but you hear ‘Goal!’ and you’re ‘Oh!’ and looking for the TV.

You’re happy, but your wife is not! My two sons love football and it is three against one!

"My poor wife.”