Sunderland complete Fletcher signing

Morgan Schneiderlin is determined to fight for his place at Manchester United after an underwhelming first season at Old Trafford.

The France international, 26, joined United from Southampton ahead of the 2015-16 campaign, but failed to really live up to the high expectations.

He has vowed to keep giving his all, though, as he aims to win over new manager Jose Mourinho.

I want to work hard. I don t want to go through that spell again. I want to work hard to be very good this season so, yes, now I just want to play and to enjoy it, Schneiderlin told the official club website.

Every player wants to play but with competition you improve. With quality players, you improve every time so, yes, I m going to give my best and after, I always say, it s the manage…

No game this weekend for Manchester United who are in Japan and for Wigan who would presumably have been playing against United if they hadn’t gone to the World Club championship.

A look at last week’s predictions shows that I got just four right out of ten. Not as good as the week before but a whole lot better usual!

Saturday 20th December 2008

Blackburn v Stoke

Blackburn have had a tough few weeks and the last week hasn’t been any easier. Having said that, if some of the reports about player unrest are anything like true, then some of the players may be relieved that Ince has gone.

Stoke continue to surprise and manage to stay just one small step ahead of the relegation zone. In theory, they should be…

Cristiano Ronaldo added to his highlight reel with a leap out of the NBA playbook and a stunning header that helped Juventus sink Sampdoria.

Maurizio Sarri s side were 2-1 winners at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa on Wednesday, with Ronaldo grabbing what proved to be the winner just before half-time.

He produced a phenomenally athletic jump  described as like the leap of an NBA player by Sampdoria boss Claudio Ranieri to meet a left-wing cross from Alex Sandro and power a back-post header past Emil Audero.

It was a second stunning goal from the visitors in the first half, after Paulo Dybala volleyed in another Alex Sandro cross.

Gianluca Caprari briefly brought Sampdoria level, but his night ended in a late red card for two bookable offences while J…

Robert Lewandowski opened his account for Barcelona after just 44 seconds in a 3-1 victory against Real Sociedad as part of a brace to celebrate his birthday.

Aleksander Isak wasted no time in equalising for the hosts, who forced Marc Andre Ter Stegen into some fine saves and saw a second-half goal ruled out for offside.

Ansu Fati provided the inspiration to end Barcelona s three-game streak without a win, coming off the bench to provide two assists in six minutes Ousmane Dembele and Lewandowski the beneficiaries.

The Spaniard then added his name to the scoresheet after Lewandowski returned the favour, coolly slotting home to ensure all three points would come to Catalonia.

Barcelona s barren streak of 360 minutes without a goal came to an abrupt end, Le…

New York City missed the chance to return to the top of the Eastern Conference after Kaka scored twice to lead play-off chasing Orlando City to a 2-1 win in MLS on Sunday.

With leaders Toronto FC losing on Saturday, a win would have seen New York City go top in the east, but Orlando captain Kaka had other ideas in treacherous conditions at Camping World Stadium.

Kaka s brace, either side of the break, gave coach Jason Kreis victory over his former club, while helping Orlando to within a point of the sixth and final play-off spot.

If at first you don’t succeed… | 1-0

— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC)

In a battle of the two 2015 expansion clubs, Orlando drew first blood on home soil via Kaka just past the half-hour mark, the former Ballon d…

The possibilities are endless for Wilfried Zaha if he can full his potential, according to Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew.

After returning to Palace on a permanent basis from Manchester United in 2015, Zaha scored five goals and created seven in 43 appearances in all competitions last season.

Zaha has started two of Palace s three Premier League matches this season and came off the bench to great effect in their clash with Bournemouth prior to the international break.

Consistency has long been Zaha s problem, though, but Pardew believes the 23-year-old could play for one of Europe s elite clubs should he improve that aspect of his game.

This club took him back from Man United when things weren t going so well and put their money where their mouth is to …

Cesare Prandelli has called on Galatasaray s fans to get behind the team in the UEFA Champions League opener with Anderlecht on Tuesday.

After departing his post as Italy head coach following their disappointing World Cup group-stage exit, Prandelli took over from compatriot Roberto Mancini, tasked with regaining the Turkish Super Lig title from fierce rivals Fenerbahce.

Prandelli will also be keen to prove his credentials in Europe, although Galatasaray have been dealt a tough draw, with Arsenal and 2012-13 runners-up Borussia Dortmund also placed in Group D.

A strong start to the group phase is therefore essential for Galatasaray, who reached the second round last season before being knocked out by Chelsea, and Prandelli wants the vociferous home faithful to ad…

Barcelona have confirmed an agreement with Hamburg for the transfer of Alen Halilovic.

The Croatia international heads to the Bundesliga for a fee of €5million, with Barca retaining the option to buy the player back for €10m in the next two years.

Halilovic spent last season on loan at Sporting Gijon and was not present as the Barca squad returned for pre-season training this week.

Hamburg revealed on Thursday that Haliliovic had completed his medical, posting a picture of the 20-year-old in the club s training kit on Twitter.

Wir wollen euch nicht länger auf die Folter spannen: ist in HH angekommen absolviert den Medizincheck

— Hamburger SV (@HSV)

Halilovic joined Barca from Dinamo Zagreb in 2014, but failed to make a single LaL…

Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio has gone about overhauling his squad with great gusto this summer

Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio could never be described as boring and the Italian’s summer recruitment is anything but dull.

In fact, already the Black Cats have brought in eight new players for next season.

Limited

Summers at Sunderland have not exactly been exhilarating in recent years under the likes of Steve Bruce and Martin O’Neill.

Last summer the Black Cats brought in just three players Carlos Cuellar on a free transfer from Aston Villa.

Adam Johnson and Steven Fletcher followed for fees believed to be in the region of £30million combined. In truth, the Black Cats team also needed to be strengthened in other areas, as proved by Sun…

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew says he is not concerned by speculation linking midfielder Yohan Cabaye with a move away from St James Park.

The 27-year-old is on the radar of clubs such as Monaco, Manchester United and PSG, but when asked if he was worried about potentially losing the star, Pardew seemed unfazed.

Not really, he told The Evening Chronicle.

Obviously he is a player I want to keep. He is a great technical player and his personality is fantastic. It s a big season for him. He will be a starter for France at the World Cup.

It s important for him. He is focused very much on us. There s no bid for him as we speak now. Until such time as there is he is a Newcastle United player.

And Pardew feels the Frenchman is too much of a professional to let th…