Erik ten Hag demands more from Alejandro Garnacho after Carabao Cup strike

Erik ten Hag says Alejandro Garnacho was “not good enough” in his previous starts this season after the Manchester United teenager scored in the Carabao Cup victory against Crystal Palace.

Having secured a much-needed Premier League victory at Burnley on Saturday evening, the Red Devils ran out comfortable 3-0 victors against Roy Hodgson’s south Londoners on Tuesday night.

Casemiro scored and then crossed for Anthony Martial’s goal on a night started by Garnacho impressively putting the Carabao Cup holders ahead from Diogo Dalot’s cutback.

Cold.

— Manchester United (@ManUtd)

The 19-year-old began United’s first two matches of the season, but this was the first time he was named in the starting line-up since the defeat to Tottenham …

Can chose Liverpool over Bayern

Germany Under-21 international midfielder Emre Can has revealed he turned down Bayern Munich in favour of joining Liverpool.

Can, who joined Bayer Leverkusen from Bayern in the summer of 2013, could have returned to the Allianz Arena if Bayern triggered their buy-back option in the deal in 2015.

Instead of waiting for Bayern to decide whether they would exercise their buy-back option, Can decided to join Liverpool after the club agreed to pay his £9.75 million release clause.

A discussion with manager Brendan Rodgers ultimately convinced the 20-year-old that Anfield was the right place for him.

Bayern had a buy-back clause but that didn’t kick in until next year, Can said.

There were some discussions with Bayern this summer but …

Colorado Rapids v Austin FC: Wolff looking to generate urgency during road trip

Josh Wolff is hoping Austin FC can regain some urgency after their mid-season break, starting with their trip to Colorado Rapids.

Austin are on a three-game winless streak, losing their last two outings, leaving them sixth in the Western Conference.

With teams below them catching up to their 23-point tally, Wolff admitted there is still room for improvement, but remained upbeat about his team’s progress this season.

We re pleased with where we re at. There s still a long way to go, there s a lot to improve on, Wolff said.

The second half of the season will be challenging. You ve got to quickly generate urgency to get back on the field and perform. Colorado is the most important game because it s the next one.

I want to create urgency and focu…

Luka Modric open to MLS switch

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has opened up on his future and went on to reveal that he could choose to end his professional career in the MLS.

The American Major League Soccer is gaining popularity each year and with the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger or Zlatan Ibrahimovic choosing to wind down their career across the pond Luka Modric feels he could do the same.

The Croatia international playmaker is under contract with Real Madrid until 2020 and is happy with Los Blancos. Modric would like to finish his career at the Santiago Bernabeu but is aware that things change quickly in football.

“You never know what can happen. I would like to finish my career in Madrid if it’s possible. But if not, maybe I can see myself also there.”, he told STV Sport.

Barcelona eyeing Ousmane Dembele

Spanish giants Barcelona are hot on the trail of Borussia Dortmund winger , according to reports.

Both AS and El Mundo Deportivo have written about the Catalans interest in the French footballer, while Bild now claims that the La Liga side have established initial contact with the player at the turn of the year.

officials are determined to bring Dembele to Camp Nou in the summer and they wanted to know whether the player would be interested in moving to Catalunya.

It is no secret that the Catalans do not have proper replacements for the MSN trio and they clearly believe the 19-year-old would be an excellent addition to the squad.

They probably have a point there considering that Dembele had a bright start to his career in Germany and has already managed…

Collin Martin comes out to become only gay male in major US professional leagues

Minnesota United player Collin Martin has become the only publicly gay male athlete active in the United States five major professional leagues.

MLS midfielder Martin released a personal message on Twitter revealing he will share the news for the first time to the public during Minnesota United s Pride Night on Friday, although many of his team-mates were already aware of his sexuality. 

I have been out as a gay man for many years to my family and friends, and this includes my team-mates, Martin wrote in a statement. 

I have played Major League Soccer for six seasons: four seasons with DC United and two seasons with Minnesota United. Today, I m proud that my entire team and the management of Minnesota United know that I am gay.

I have received onl…

BREAKING NEWS: De Boer appointed new Palace boss

Frank de Boer has been appointed as the new manager of Crystal Palace.

The Premier League club confirmed on Monday that the former Ajax and Inter boss has signed a three-year deal at Selhurst Park.

The Dutchman succeeds Sam Allardyce at Palace, with the former West Ham boss having resigned his position after helping the Eagles retain their top-flight status.

De Boer was dismissed as Inter boss in November after just three months at San Siro, but now returns to management with Palace.

I am thrilled to be appointed as manager of Crystal Palace, De Boer said.

It is a great honour to take charge of such an historic club, a club that is known around the world for its hugely proud and passionate fan base.

This role is a hugely exciting opport…

Borini linked with Rome return

Lazio are readying a bid for Sunderland striker Fabio Borini, according to the Mail Online.

The one time Italy international could be set for a return to his home country having had a loan spell with Roma during the 2011-12 campaign, though it is the capital’s other top side who are keen to do business.

Having spent the 2013/14 season on loan at the Stadium of Light, Borini signed for the Black Cats permanently two years ago and across both spells has played for them ninety times in all competitions, scoring seventeen goals.

However, he only hit two goals last season as the North East side succumbed to relegation following a decade back in the top flight.

The twenty-six year old began his career with Chelsea but was sold to Parma and then Liverpoo…

Arsenal linked with shock Cleverley bid

Arsenal have joined the race to sign Manchester United outcast Tom Cleverley, .

The England international has been on loan at Aston Villa this season, where he has made thirty appearances in all competitions and is yet to score.

Prior to his move to Villa Park, the twenty-five year old racked up seventy-nine appearances for United, scoring five goals though he has spent much of his career out on loan.

The midfielder has had temporary spells with Leicester City whom he helped gain promotion to the Championship in 2009 and Watford where he was named the clubs Player of the Season a year later before spending the 2010/11 campaign with Wigan Athletic.

Having worked with him at the DW Stadium, Everton boss Roberto Martinez is keen on being reunited with C…

Coutinho and Insigne aiming to maintain hot streaks – Champions League in Opta numbers

Barcelona and Napoli will be hoping Philippe Coutinho and Lorenzo Insigne can maintain their fine form when the Champions League returns on Tuesday.

Coutinho has been scoring and setting up goals for fun in European club football s premier competition and will hope to prove decisive against Inter, while Insigne is aiming to score in a fifth straight home game against Paris Saint-Germain.

Borussia Dortmund travel to Atletico Madrid fresh from their 4-0 humbling of Diego Simeone s side two weeks ago, while free-scoring Liverpool travel to Red Star Belgrade.

Here, with the help of Opta data, we take a look at some of the key numbers ahead of Tuesday s Champions League fixtures.

 

Monaco v Club Brugge

11 Since beating Borussia Dortmund in…