Liverpool handed big injury boost: Star has returned to training

GEORGINIO WIJNALDUM has returned to training for Liverpool.

By Joel Watson

RETURN: Wijnaldum was back in training for Liverpool

The Holland international was missing for the Reds' Monday night clash with Manchester United after he picked up a hamstring injury on international duty.

But the 25-year-old was back at Melwood for yesterday's session and is expected to be available on Saturday when Jurgen Klopp's side take on West Brom.

Klopp admitted after Monday's game he'd missed having Wijnaldum in the side and he'd had to adapt his tactics for the game at Anfield as substitute Adam Lallana was also not fully fit.

The former Newcastle player had started every game forLiverpool in the Premier League until Monday.

He's laid on two assists for his team-mates since joining in the summer for £23m.

Barcelona 4 Man City 0: Lionel Messi bags hat-trick on miserable return for Pep Guardiola

PEP GUARDIOLA was left humbled and humiliated on his return to Barcelona.

By Jeremy Cross, Chief Sports Writer

TOUGH NIGHT: Guardiola had a nightmare return to the Nou Camp

The man who created the footballing monster saw it chew Manchester City up and spit them out in the Nou Camp.

Lionel Messi’s stunning hat-trick and a late strike from Neymar made it an horrific homecoming for Guardiola as the Spanish giants cruised to a thumping Champions League win in this Group C clash.

The crushing defeat was the joint worst of Guardiola’s managerial career - in the stadium that made him the great he is today.

But there was nothing Guardiola could do to stop the Argentine genius - or the sheer stupidity of City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.

Bravo, returning to his former club, got himself sent off on 54 minutes after handling Luis Suarez’s shot well outside his penalty box, having gifted him the ball in the first place with a woeful pass.

Barca also finished the game with 10 men after substitute Jeremy Mathieu got sent off for two bookable offences.

But the night was all about Messi’s brilliance and Pep’s pain at seeing the keeper he signed in such controversial circumstances make a total hash of things on the biggest stage of all.

Guardiola, who also dropped a bombshell by leaving Sergio Aguero on the bench, sent Joe Hart packing so he could bring in Bravo - because the England No.1’s footwork wasn’t good enough.

Guardiola is regarded as a genius, but some of his decisions since taking charge at the Etihad are starting to blow up his face.

This was such a chastising night for the Spanish boss, whose return to Catalonia was the equivalent of Barca’s favourite son going back and attempting to burgle his spiritual home.

But the only thing he returned to Manchester with was a massive headache after watching Messi rip his team to shreds.

Messi loves bashing English sides in the Champions League and was at it again here to remind Guardiola what a footballing genius he is.

NOT SO BRAVO: City's keeper sees red

The Argentine ace was unstoppable and the 37th hat-trick of his remarkable career took his goal tally to 15 in his last 13 outings against Premier League teams.

His efforts also smashed the 100 barrier of goals in 2016 from the famed trio of himself, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

Guardiola sacrificed his most potent striker to flood midfield in a bid to starve Barca of the ball.

LETHAL: Messi fired home a hat-trick for Barca

But it took Luis Enrique’s men just 17 minutes to go ahead when Fernandinho’s slip and a fortunate break of the ball allowed Messi to fire his men in front.

City had their best spell just before the break, but Nolito, Ilkay Gundogan and John Stones all wasted good chances.

The real hammer blow for Guardiola came on 54 minutes when Bravo saw red for his ridiculous moment of madness.

Bravo took the walk of shame past Guardiola, who was forced into changes as Willy Caballero came on.

But Caballero looked like a rabbit in the headlights and was left to pick the ball out of his own goal three times as Barca and Messi ran riot.

Messi made it 2-0 with a low drive on 60 minutes before completing his hat-trick nine minutes later following brain freeze from John Stones.

Neymar missed a penalty with three minutes remaining and appeared to have spared Guardiola more misery.

But there was no escape after all as the Brazilian completed the rout in the final minute of normal time to leave Guardiola with much to think about on the flight back to England.

Premier League hero reveals he snubbed Man United to join Chelsea: They called me twice

EMMANUEL PETIT has revealed he turned down the chance to join Manchester United.

By Jamie Styles

Petit originally arrived in England in 1997 to be reunited with his former Monaco manager Arsene Wenger at Arsenal.

He enjoyed three successful years in north London, winning a domestic double in his first season with the club and forming a formidable midfield partnership with Partick Vieira in the process.

The former France international then went on to join Barcelona, where he spent just one season before returning to the Premier League with Chelsea.

And, speaking to SFR Sport, Petit has revealed he rejected the advances of both United and Arsenal before deciding to join the Blues, who were managed by Claudio Ranieri at the time.

He said: “That’s when Sir Alex Ferguson called me, twice, Arsène called me as well.

"Claudio Ranieri actually came to see me, and ate with me at my house. I was charmed by him, what he had to say, and that’s why I wanted to sign for Chelsea.

 

            

   

“Remember, at the time, there was Giggs, Scholes, Roy Keane, Teddy Sheringham, Beckham… They had an incredible team. Stam at centre-back. Schmeichel in goal.”

Petit spent three mixed years in west London before announcing his retirement from football in 2005 due to a knee injury.

Clubs happy to cash-in on Man United transfer: This is how much they got

JUVENTUS weren't the only club to cash-in on Paul Pogba's world-record return to Old Trafford.

By Jamie Styles

Pogba become the most expensive player in football history when he re-joined Manchester United for £89m this summer so it's only fair that the clubs who nurtured him as a youngster also benefited from the deal.

According to L'Equipe, French youth teams Roissy-en-Brie and Torcy took around £270,000 from the mammoth fee - a lot when you consider their annual budgets reportedly don't even stretch past the £50,000 mark.

£89M-MAN: Manchester United star Paul Pogba

Unsurprisingly both clubs were delighted to receive the transfer windfall, with Roissy-en-Brie boss Sambou Tati saying: “It’s a pride, not only for the club but also for the town.

"Plus, the player is top one, which puts our club under the spotlight."

 

            

   

Meanwhile Torcy’s president Pascal Antonetti added: “We have a few projects to improve the day to day running of the club, but this amount will not be spent over the next six months.”

Pogba has struggled to hit the ground running back in England.

The 23-year-old has made nine appearances under Jose Mourinho this season, scoring just one goal in the process.

Confirmed! These Premier League stars are nominated for African Player of the Year award

 

STARSPORT take you through the 12 Premier League stars nominated for the African Player of the Year award.

By Konstantinos Lianos

Key men from Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool make the list.

But Manchester City outcast Yaya Toure, who has won the award four consecutive times, is a notable absence.

Leicester star Riyad Mahrez is the big favourite among the 30 nominees after being named last season's PFA Player of the Year.

The Prem aces are joined by last year's winner Pierre Emerick Aubameyang as well as ex-Gunners man Gervinho and the controversial Serge Aurier.  

 

 

EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal could splash cash again in January - former star

JOHN HARTSON reckons Arsene Wenger could splash the cash again in January.

By Alex Wood / Published 19th October 2016

SIGNINGS: Wenger had a busy summer

The Frenchman spent big on Granit Xhaka, Lucas Perez and Shkodran Mustafi over the summer.

And Hartson thinks Wenger might sign more reinforcements in the New Year if Arsenal are still in the title race.

“There’s money there,” said Hartson who was speaking behind the scenes at BT Sport Score.

“If he’s in and around the top three come January and they just need that other player that’ll cost them £30m to £40m, I think they’ve got the capacity to do that.

“Wenger knows that he has to get closer to the title.

“Arsenal will challenge this season and they’re going the right way about it.

“I don’t think he feels he’ll be there forever and he wants to go out on a high.

“That’s why I think he went big in the summer and spent around £90m.

ADDITIONS: Hartson says Wenger could delve into the market again

But Hartson thinks the Premier League heavyweights have a tough decision to make if Wenger decides to call it quits after two decades in the Gunners hot seat.

Hartson added: “Who’s going to come in and do better?

“I think 12 years without a title is too long – and that’s unacceptable.

“But I also think in his first 10 years he did a remarkable job.

“His Champions League record is better than any other – 18 years consecutively qualifying.

“The finances that he’s brought into the club – two FA Cups in the last three years, whatever it is.

“I think Wenger has earned the right to leave Arsenal whenever he wants to leave.

“It might be a conversation where he goes upstairs, or something like that.

 

“Eddie Howe would be great if you’re going to go English.

“Or the lad at Atletico Madrid, Diego Simeone, got them into two Champions League finals.

“He’s got the record there in terms of what he’s achieved.

“But my message to fans would be: ‘Stick with Wenger.’”

Done Deal: Manchester United ace signs new four-year contract at Old Trafford

MANCHESTER UNITED teenager Timothy Fosu-Mensah has signed a new contract at Old Trafford.

By Jamie Anderson                                 

The talented defender, 18, put pen to paper on deal until 2020, with the option to extend for a further year.
Fosu-Mensah made his senior debut during United's 3-2 victory over Arsenal during Louis van Gaal's tenure.
And has impressed manager Jose Mourinho sufficiently to earn himself a new contract.
Fosu-Mensah told United's official website: "I am delighted to have signed a new contract here at Manchester United.
"I have enjoyed every minute since I joined this great club and I want to continue the progress that I feel I have made so far. I am learning every day from the manager and the coaching staff.

DONE DEAL: Timothy Fosu-Mensah has extended his stay with Manchester United

"I appreciate the trust that the club has in me and I want to repay that with my performances on the pitch."
Mourinho added: "Tim is young player with great potential. I am pleased that he has signed a new contract and I am delighted at the progress he has made so far.
"It is clear to see that he is learning every day in training and there will be plenty of opportunities for him as the season continues."