Van Persie suffers injury scare

 

 

Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal has played down a thigh injury picked up by striker Robin van Persie in a World Cup qualifier against Hungary on Tuesday.

 

Van Persie was replaced by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar at half-time during the 4-1 win, after taking two knees to the thigh in a clash with Hungary defender Roland Juhasz.
After the match, Van Gaal moved to ease fears the injury may prevent Van Persie from playing for Manchester United against Wigan as the Premier League resumes this Saturday following the international break.
"We took off Robin for precautionary measures. It doesn't seem to be too serious, but you never know. We didn't want to take any risks," Van Gaal told SBS6.
After joining United in the summer, Van Persie has netted four goals in three apearances and extended his club form to his country last Friday by scoring in the Netherlands' 2-0 win over Turkey.

 

We are out for revenge, says Barcelona star Lionel Messi

The 25-year-old Argentine has warned that the Catalan giants are looking for a clean sweep of trophies this season

 

 Barca appeared on course to retain both trophies as the previous campaign drew to a close, before being knocked out of Europe's premier club competition by Chelsea in the semi-finals and losing their domestic crown to Real Madrid.
"Obviously I would have liked to win the Champions League and as always win everything," said Messi.
"Not beating Chelsea and reaching the final was painful for us, and for me especially having missed a penalty. But this year we will go for it all again, we are prepared."
The Argentine went on to say that although new coach Tito Vilanova has a different personality than Guardiola, his approach to football is the same.
"They are different personalities, but the philosophy is identical. The same people are working with Tito. Everyone has their own way of seeing things, to transmit. And yes they are different," he concluded.

 Manchester United prepared to sell Brazilian midfielder Anderson

Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson has lost patience with the 24-year-old's injury record and lack of improvement, with talks held over selling the former Porto man last month

 

 

Anderson has frustrated United with his lack of improvement since joining the club in 2007 and conversations were held over the summer about selling the 24-year-old, with Benfica and Tottenham linked with the 24-year-old.

United would want to recoup as much of the £18m (€22.5m) they paid to sign the all-action midfielder as possible in order to re-invest in the squad, with Ferguson understood to be keen to upgrade his central midfield options.

Anderson made just 10 Premier League appearances last season and has been blighted by injuries since arriving at Old Trafford, prompting Ferguson to raise concerns about his future.

“He hasn't really realised his potential, which is there for all to see,” said Ferguson in April. “He is a fantastic footballer. I just hope he doesn't have the bad luck that Michael Owen has had throughout his career.”

United are in no rush to sell Anderson in January, with the player under contract until 2015, but a departure next summer appears likely unless he can turn around his career this term.

United were interested in signing Mousa Dembele from Fulham before he joined Tottenham for £15m (€18.8m) last month, with Old Trafford sources citing the Belgian was considered as a potential replacement for Anderson.

“Fergie has been waiting for Anderson to burst into life but it just doesn’t look like it’s going to happen because he's not got back on track since his cruciate knee ligament injury in 2010,” a United source told Goal.com. “He’s definitely considered available for the right offer, but a young player on a long contract won’t be sold on the cheap."

Ferguson has scouted a number of midfield targets as he looks for a long-term replacement for 37-year-old Paul Scholes and has been told he will be allowed to re-invest proceeds from player sales.

Portuguese winger Nani could also be sold as he continues to haggle over a new contract, with two years remaining on his existing deal.

United made their mark in the transfer market in the summer as they look to claim back the Premier League title, signing Robin van Persie, Shinji Kagawa, Nick Powell and Alexander Buttner.