Ex-Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes 'stops training with Manchester United'

A move to Manchester United appears to be in doubt for Former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes as he has reportedly stopped training with the club.

The 32-year-old, who left Camp Nou when his contract expired in the summer, has spent a number of weeks with the Red Devils as he recovers from a serious knee injury.

Widespread reports claimed that manager Louis van Gaal may offer the shot-stopper a contract, but Valdes opted to leave the club today, according to Eurosport.

The Spaniard, whose move to Monaco fell through after he failed a medical, has been heavily linked to Liverpool in the last few months.

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Antonio Valencia happy to play various positions

Antonio Valencia has said that he is happy to play in a variety of positions while Manchester United are short of players through injury.

Louis van Gaal has struggled to name a regular back four since taking charge at Old Trafford with the likes of Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Luke Shaw among those missing time.

The Ecuadorian told the club's website: "The manager has decided to play me in a number of positions, sometimes right-back, sometimes wide midfield, other times in central midfield. These are decisions he takes and what I do is take them on board and put them into practice.

"You have to really concentrate for the entire 90 minutes [at right-back]. You can't afford to make any kind of mistake because, if you do, the forwards you are up against are then in on your goal.

"We are having a run of bad luck at the moment with injuries, where we always seem to have a few players out, but we're hoping that before we reach the halfway point in the season we'll have everyone back and we can go on to pick up enough points to get us firmly in the top three or four."

Valencia will make his 200th appearance for the club if he plays against Hull City this weekend.

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Everton boss Roberto Martinez: 'James McCarthy's hamstring woes are serious'

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has insisted that James McCarthy's recurring hamstring issue is a "serious problem".

The midfielder returned to action from an injury last weekend, but was substituted just half an hour into last night's Europa League 2-0 win over Wolfsburg in Germany.

"We're going to get him checked today," Martinez told reporters. "The reaction was good from last night but we'll find out exactly what the extent is.

"It's the hamstring that he had a bit of trouble with beforehand and we need to assess it with a lot of intention. It's a serious problem because it's a problem he's had before and we need to make sure we find the root of the problem."

McCarthy is unlikely to feature in this weekend's Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur.

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Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli not fit for Stoke City visit

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Mario Balotelli remains out of contention for tomorrow's match against Stoke City at Anfield due to injury.

The controversial forward has missed the Reds' last two games after picking up a groin problem while on international duty with Italy.

When asked in this afternoon's press conference if Balotelli is available, Rodgers said: "Not yet, no. We'll have the same squad as the other night."

Rickie Lambert has come into the fold due to Balotelli's absence and has scored on both of his outings.

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Five players return to Tottenham Hotspur training

Younes Kaboul, Danny Rose, Nacer Chadli, Etienne Capoue and Emmanuel Adebayor all returned to Tottenham Hotspur training on Friday following injuries.

None of the quintet featured in the wins over Hull City and Partizan Belgrade during the past week.

Mauricio Pochettino has several selection decisions to make ahead of the visit of Everton on Sunday, with Kaboul, Rose, Capoue and Chadli having played every Premier League game this season when fit.

Captain Kaboul is likely to come back into the team, while Federico Fazio's return from suspension gives Spurs several defensive options. Six-goal midfielder Chadli is also in line for a recall.

Rose and Capoue may find that Ben Davies and Mousa Dembele have done enough to retain their places at left-back and central midfield respectively, while Harry Kane should keep Adebayor out of the team.

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Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers: 'Sack rumours part and parcel of football'

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has brushed off rumours concerning his future at Anfield after bookmakers tipped him to be the next Premier League boss to lose his job.

The Northern Irishman, who guided the Reds to second in the league last season, has struggled to replicate that form, having overseen his team win just four games out of 12 in the league so far.

Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp was recently touted as a possible replacement, but Rodgers has insisted that he does not feel affected by the rumours.

"Everything has been hunky-dory for 18 months, but we've been dealt a different deck of cards this year, a different hand," Rodgers said in this afternoon's press conference. "What has happened before has gone but that's been the making of us. In sport, you get the chance to go again.

"We got a result the other night against Ludogorets, it was a good performance, we were competitive and we take this forward.

"The bookmakers expect me to lose my job - it's football. A few months ago, I was manager of the year, now I'm favourite to get the sack. It's part of working in football. All you can do is focus on the immediate job and focus on what you can control."

Liverpool will host Stoke City at Anfield tomorrow as they attempt to end a three-game losing run.

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Manchester United's Louis van Gaal tells Robin van Persie to fight for his place

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has warned Robin van Persie that he is not immune from being dropped.

The former Arsenal star has struggled to find form this season, and could have his position taken away by loan striker Radamel Falcao in the coming weeks.

The Colombian, who is on loan at Old Trafford for the season from Monaco, has been missing with injury, but Van Gaal confirmed today that he could return to the squad against Hull City tomorrow.

When asked in this afternoon's press conference if Falcao's return will put pressure on Van Persie, Van Gaal said: "Every player in my selection has to fight for his position and I shall always take the best of the players, and it must also be suitable for the mix of players. So, it is also an obligation of a player that he does that."

Van Persie was substituted against former club Arsenal during United's 2-1 victory at the Emirates last weekend after having just 13 touches on the ball.

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Jose Mourinho: 'No truth in Lionel Messi rumours'

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has laughed off reports linking Lionel Messi with a move to Stamford Bridge.

The Barcelona maestro has been tipped for a switch to the Premier League in recent weeks, but Mourinho has insisted that the rumours surrounding the striker are "obviously not true".

The 51-year-old told reporters: "Your world has changed so much that our world has changed. It's so easy to have untruths circulating.

"Some people put news without confirming. Speak about rumours like they are true. It's obviously not true."

Chelsea are currently top of the Premier League table by six points.

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David Silva, Edin Dzeko remain absent for Manchester City

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has insisted that there have been "no complications" regarding David Silva's recovery from a knee problem.

The Spaniard was expected to be nearing a return from the injury that he suffered against Newcastle United on October 29, but along with Edin Dzeko, Pellegrini has revealed that neither will return against Southampton on Sunday afternoon.

The 61-year-old told reporters: "I suppose Edin Dzeko will be fit next week. There are no complications with David Silva, it was a ligament injury and he is recovering."

Manchester City will move into second position in the Premier League table if they can secure three points at St Mary's.

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Alan Pardew "surprised" by Newcastle United form

Alan Pardew has admitted that he is "surprised" by Newcastle United's turnaround in form in the Premier League in recent weeks.

After struggling for points at the start of the season, the Magpies have gone on a five-match winning streak in the Premier League, as well as knocking defending champions Manchester City out of the Capital One Cup.

The manager told The Mirror: "It has surprised me, and some of the football we have played has been very consistent. But we look strong defensively and are a threat at almost any moment in the game.

"We want this to continue, but Upton Park is a tough place to go. There will be a tremendous atmosphere. They are only a point below us and on a great run themselves.

"They probably brought in the best transfers of any team in the summer, and those signings have taken the team forward."

If Newcastle beat West Ham United this weekend, the team will be on their longest winning run since Pardew took charge of the side.

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Fifteen midfielders shortlisted for FIFA FIFPro World XI 2014

FIFPro, the worldwide players’ union, and FIFA today announced the 15 midfielders shortlisted for the FIFA FIFPro World XI 2014 (see list below) as part of the final 55-player shortlist to be revealed at 17.00 (CET) on 1 December 2014.

After the unveiling of the five goalkeepers and 20 defenders who made the shortlist, the 15 midfielders to be added to it are now also known. The shortlist will be completed by the 15 forwards to be announced and published on FIFA.com on 1 December. 

The FIFA FIFPro World XI is decided by the players, for the players. It involves votes from tens of thousands professional footballers worldwide. They select one goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards.

FIFPro and its national affiliates are responsible for gathering votes from professional footballers worldwide. It is the only global award that truly represents the views of those who play the beautiful game. For more information on the voting procedure can be found on the FIFPro website.

The midfielder shortlist is: (home country / club)

Xabi Alonso (Spain / FC Bayern München); Angel Di Maria (Argentina / Manchester United FC); Cesc Fabregas (Spain / Chelsea FC); Eden Hazard (Belgium / Chelsea FC); Xavi Hernandez (Spain / FC Barcelona); Andres Iniesta (Spain / FC Barcelona); Toni Kroos (Germany / Real Madrid CF); Luka Modric (Croatia / Real Madrid CF); Mesut Oezil (Germany / Arsenal FC); Andrea Pirlo (Italy / Juventus FC); Paul Pogba (France / Juventus FC); James Rodriguez (Colombia / Real Madrid CF); Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany / FC Bayern München); Yaya Toure (Côte d’Ivoire / Manchester City FC); Arturo Vidal (Chile / Juventus FC).

The nominees for the following awards will be announced live on www.FIFA.com, www.francefootball.fr and YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/fifatv) on 1 December (17.00, CET): FIFA Ballon d’Or, FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year, FIFA World Coaches of the Year for Men’s and Women’s Football, FIFA FIFPro World XI, and FIFA Puskás Award. Be online when the nominees are unveiled – you will be able to comment on all the action and lists!

The final FIFA FIFPro World XI will then be announced at the FIFA Ballon d’Or award ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich on 12 January 2015. During the televised ceremony, the winner of the FIFA Ballon d’Or for the best player of 2014 and the winner of the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year 2014 award will also be revealed, while the FIFA World Coach of the Year awards for men’s and women’s football will be presented for the fifth time. The FIFA Puskás Award for the best goal of the year, the FIFA Presidential Award, and the FIFA Fair Play Award will also be presented during the award ceremony.

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Paris Saint-Germain 'to accept loss on Yohan Cabaye'

Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly willing to accept a loss by selling Yohan Cabaye, 10 months after buying the midfielder from Newcastle United.

The French international joined Les Parisiens for a fee of £22m in the January transfer window, but Astral Football claims that the 28-year-old is looking to return to the Premier League.

Liverpool and Manchester United are among those linked with a move for the midfielder while Arsenal may rekindle their interest in Cabaye, having missed out on a deal for the player in the New Year.

Earlier this month, Cabaye rejected reports that he was looking to leave the French champions in favour of a return to England.

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Arsenal's Jack Wilshere "very down" after suffering three-month injury blow

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that Jack Wilshere is "very down" after undergoing surgery on his ankle, which is expected to keep him out for three months.

The England international suffered the problem following a tackle by Paddy McNair during Arsenal's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United last weekend.

"He is very down," Wenger told reporters. "Jack is a football man who loves the game, but on the other hand, he is a very strong character as well and he has learnt to deal with adversity at a very young age.

"I think he will be back at the end of February, beginning of March, and he will focus on coming back to rehab, having a strong rehab, and then I am sure he will help us to do well until the end of the season."

Wilshere has suffered a number of problems with his ankle, most notably back in 2011 when he was given a 17-month layoff with a stress fracture.

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Michu undergoes ankle surgery

Napoli have announced that on-loan forward Michu has undergone surgery on his right ankle.

The Spaniard, who is currently on a season-long loan from Swansea City, has played just five times for the Serie A club, with his last appearance coming on October 23.

An official statement read: "Today, Michu underwent an arthroscopic surgery to trim his right ankle at the Victoria medical institute in Spain."

Swansea boss Garry Monk revealed earlier this week that there are no plans for Michu to return to the club in January.

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Manchester United 'to make £50m Edinson Cavani offer'

Manchester United have reportedly ditched plans to sign Radamel Falcao on a permanent deal next summer, instead weighing up a big-money move for Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani.

The Red Devils have the option to purchase Monaco loanee Falcao at the end of the season, although the 28-year-old has failed to make a real impact at Old Trafford due to various injury problems.

It is claimed in a report published by the Daily Express that United will now make a £50m bid for Cavani instead, with Falcao being shown the exit.

Cavani, who has scored 11 goals in 19 appearances so far this season, claimed last month that he was happy at PSG having been repeatedly linked with a move away from the Ligue 1 outfit.

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