CRISTIANO RONALDO

Ronaldo exit responsible for Real Madrid struggles – Luxemburgo:

The former Blancos boss has no doubt that the summer departure of a five-time Ballon d'Or winner has made "all the difference" in their recent woes

Cristiano Ronaldo's exit is to blame for Real Madrid's underwhelming start to the 2018-19 season, according to the club's former coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo.

Ronaldo left Madrid for Juventus in July after nine hugely successful years at the Santiago Bernabeu, following coach Zinedine Zidane in leaving the Spanish capital.

Although Ronaldo put his departure down to a desire to have a new challenge, speculation has suggested it came about because of an increasingly fractious relationship with president Florentino Perez.

Either way, Madrid have not been their usual ruthless selves without him and sit fourth in La Liga after eight matches, having not won any of their last three.

A defeat at home to Levante on Saturday will increase the pressure and potentially result in up to four more teams sitting above them in the table, and Luxemburgo is putting their struggles down to not having a player of the same calibre as Ronaldo.

"It does change. Cristiano makes all the difference," Luxemburgo – who coached Madrid in 2005 – told Omnisport.

"I've worked for Real Madrid and I know that such a special player worries opponents - big opponents.

"Real Madrid don't have a player now that makes the opponent feel they are dead. You know, that feeling of 'I have to face Cristiano Ronaldo'.

"Madrid don't have such a reference in the current squad." 

While Madrid did not sign a like-for-like Ronaldo replacement, they did at least see Julen Lopetegui succeed Zidane having previously impressed with Spain, before he was sacked on the eve of the World Cup for accepting his Los Blancos role.

The pressure is on Lopetegui because of their recent poor run, but Luxemburgo – sacked in December 2005 after 11 months at the helm – thinks Perez will not make a hasty reaction.

"The pressure is always intense there," he added. "We are talking about the biggest club in the world.

"If the results aren't coming, the pressure will always be huge, but Florentino Perez is a clever and successful man, and I believe that he knew this would be a difficult season for them.

"It would never be easy to replicate the previous titles. He knew it. So, I believe that he's calm now, waiting the right time for doing more investments in the squad to make Madrid champion again."

LIGUE 1

What we can expect from Thierry Henry the manager following Monaco appointment:

The Arsenal legend has already hinted at his footballing philosophy and will look to replicate the legacy set by former manager Arsene Wenger

He's back!

Twenty-four years after making his professional debut at Monaco, Thierry Henry returned to the Stade Louis II this week to begin his first job as a head coach.

His immediate objective is to haul his former club out of the Ligue 1 relegation zone. His long-term goal is slightly more ambitious: get his side playing like Pep Guardiola's Barcelona, with whom he won the Champions League in 2011.

Henry, of course, has spent the last two years working alongside Belgium boss Roberto Martinez, learning his trade while earning praise from the likes of Romelu Lukaku for his work on the training field. 

Eden Hazard, meanwhile, was impressed with the Arsenal and France legend's desire and determination to make the often tricky transition from superstar footballer to successful coach.

"He was a fantastic player," the Belgium winger recently mused. "As a manager, he doesn't have a lot of experience but he will learn. I think for him maybe it's a good time to go. He wants to be a manager, so he will be a top manager, for sure."

However, the challenge now facing Henry should not be underestimated.

Monaco have recorded just one victory from their first nine games of the Ligue 1 campaign and sit 18th in the standings, four points from safety.

It is hard to believe that this is the same club which won the title just over 12 months ago. But then, this is not the same side that won the title 12 months ago – not at all. 

Since the end of the 2016-17 campaign, which also saw Monaco reach the semi-finals of the Champions League, Fabinho, Bernardo Silva, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Thomas Lemar, Kylian Mbappe, Joao Moutinho and Benjamin Mendy have all been sold.

Leonardo Jardim's title-winning team has been torn to shreds. Now, Henry is being asked to pick up the pieces.

Granted, there are still several talented players within the Monaco squad, including Radamel Falcao, who has hit four goals in eight Ligue 1 appearances this season. 

However, midfielder Youri Tielemans is the only other player to have scored more than once, with the likes of Stevan Jovetic and Dimitry Golovin out of form and low on confidence.

Indeed, Henry's powers of motivation will be immediately put to the test as his first task will be to lift the spirits of a team that haven't won a game since August 11. 

After that, it will be about persuading the players to embrace the principles and ideas he picked up playing under two of the greatest coaches the game has ever seen in Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola.

"Arsene unlocked a lot of stuff in my mind, made me understand what it was to be a professional, what it was to perform," Henry explained. "I will never forget that. I will always carry some of the stuff that he was doing. A lot of people [also] inspired me in France.

“But Pep is the reference point, for me. I’m not saying for everyone. There’s no right or wrong; but he's the reference for me. We learned how to play the game when I went to Barcelona under him.

"With Pep you can talk about the game; he will not even go to sleep and will still talk about the game. You will fall asleep and he’s still talking.  

“The invention he had, he’s well ahead of the game. I saw it closely.

"However, while you learn from people and they inspire you, you also need to put your own little mix into it.  

“Talking about the managers that I had; I learnt with a lot of them, every single one of them. Whether they challenged me, whether sometimes they were doing the wrong stuff; that’s when you learn the most – when things are not going well."

That is the situation Henry now finds himself in at Monaco. Things are not going well. Morale is low. Yet Henry is aiming high. 

Like Wenger, he will demand professionalism and performances. Like Guardiola, he will try to pass on what he learned from football's great philosopher. He will strive to marry style with success.

Twenty-four years after making his debut under Wenger, Henry is back at Monaco. And we're about to find out if the former student can become a coaching master.

Eden Hazard

'Man-mark Hazard like I did Messi!' - Brown reveals how Man Utd can stop Chelsea star:

The former Red Devils defender thinks calling on the tactics of Sir Alex Ferguson could help the club stop the in-form Blues forward

Man-marking Eden Hazard could be go a long way towards Manchester United slowing down the Chelsea star when the clubs clash at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, according to former Red Devils defender Wes Brown.

Hazard has been the best player in the Premier League this season, with having already found the net on seven occasions while adding three assists as well scoring the winner against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.

His performances have played a big part in the Blues’ undefeated start to the season, which sees them level on points at the top of the table with Manchester City and Liverpool.

Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho’s charges have struggled at times and sit eighth, seven points behind the Blues, and face a tough task visiting Hazard and Chelsea this weekend.

But Brown thinks slowing down Hazard, and as a result Chelsea, is possible if Mourinho chooses one of his defenders to man-mark the star forward – something Sir Alex Ferguson once ordered Brown to do against Lionel Messi in the Champions League.

“I like the idea of man-marking,” Brown wrote for Manchester United’s official website. “I remember the manager, Sir Alex, asked me to do that against Messi and Barcelona one time, with help from the team!

“I think it is quite simple: the less that Hazard gets of the ball, the less of a threat he is, so if someone can get tight on him pretty early on then hopefully he passes the ball off every time or we get a tackle on him.

“That’s a good game plan because, even though Chelsea have started the season really well, he is definitely the main threat.”

Brown also noted it how the Messi instruction differed from what Ferguson normally liked to do, and while it was certainly a difficult task, he relished in the opportunity the challenge provided.

“Obviously, man-marking Messi was hard,” he said. “I remember thinking ‘just don’t dive in!’

"But it was good and I enjoyed it. It was the Champions League semi-final when we were all focused, we all knew our jobs and you can remember that night yourself at Old Trafford, it was a great one to be involved in.

“It was a rarity for Sir Alex to specifically ask someone to man-mark an opposition player. He wasn’t really into man-marking someone as such, but we all knew what Messi could do and it was more of a case of necessity. The less he had of the ball, the more chance we had, because he’s one of the best footballers ever to be.

“I wouldn’t say that Hazard is Messi, but he’s started this season really well and he’s one of the top players in the Premier League. He is a clear and obvious threat.”

Brown admitted some shock at Chelsea’s flying start but also noted their happiness under Sarri and how vital Hazard is to their attack.

“Chelsea are unbeaten under Sarri and I am a little bit surprised,” Brown said. “Having watched them you can see they are playing freely, they are enjoying it and Hazard has been that main danger.

“The way he gets forward and the way the team plays, it’s very exciting and they’ve started really well.”

While the task facing the Old Trafford outfit is difficult, they finished the match before the international break strong with a comeback win over Newcastle and Brown believes that can carry over and help the team build up some much-needed momentum.

“We need more of the focus that we saw in the second half against Newcastle,” Brown said. “We need the passion that we showed. We just need to start with that same level against Chelsea.

“Confidence is massive, I've always said that, and that win should have lifted ours. If we want to start well after the international break, then Chelsea and Juventus are exactly the games that you want. These are the games you need to be up for and I am sure they will be."

BAYERN MÜNCHEN

What the hell has happened to Bayern Munich? Time for Kovac to drop under-performing stars:

The Bavarians are sixth after back-to-back defeats and are also stuttering in Europe, but what is behind their recent run of poor displays?

An injury crisis at Bayern Munich is nothing new. Fans have come to expect them by now, as multiple players fall foul to injury at the same time, derailing the club's chances of European glory.

Two seasons ago, defensive rock Jerome Boateng and world-class wingers Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben were all injured around the time of Bayern's Champions League semi-final with Atletico Madrid, when the Spanish side prevailed on away goals despite a spirited second-leg comeback by the Bavarians.

Last season brought another injury crisis, as their 2017-18 Champions League dreams were dashed by Real Madrid at the same stage, with Manuel Neuer, David Alaba, Corentin Tolisso, Arturo Vidal and Kingsley Coman all ruled out of the first leg, in which Jerome Boateng and Arjen Robben were both forced off, allowing Real to capitalise with a 6-3 MonchengladbachNobody should be surprised by Bayern's current injury worries. It seems to happen every year, after all. What is surprising is the fact that it has happened so early into the season rather than after a long, tiring campaign.

By the time it comes around, the Bavarians have usually wrapped up the Bundesliga, so it doesn't really impact yet another title triumph. However, this season, the crisis has arrived much earlier than usual, with Joshua Kimmich the only fit senior full-back in the squad and talented French duo Corentin Tolisso and Kingsley Coman ruled out until at least the winter break.

The fact that everyone saw this injury crisis coming makes Bayern's summer transfer business even more concerning. Having agreed a deal for Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka as early as January, the club signed absolutely nobody in the summer transfer window.

Goretzka arrived on a free transfer, Renato Sanches and Serge Gnabry returned from loans, and nobody else came through the doors of Saebener Strasse. Goodbyes were said to midfielders Vidal and Sebastian Rudy, with the sale of Juan Bernat to PSG leaving Bayern with only three full-backs.

New head coach Niko Kovac was always going to be under great pressure at the Allianz Arena. To his vast credit, he started extremely well, with seven wins from seven in all competitions.

Then, injuries hit and the wheels began to come off. It is now four games without a win, but of even more concern, Bayern are sixth in the Bundesliga following convincing defeats to Hertha Berlin and Borussia Monchengladbach.

Sure, it doesn't help that four key players are injured, but the problems run deeper than that. There have been calls for Kovac to be replaced this early in his tenure, but he is not one of the ones under-performing on the pitch, strolling around looking bemused as Gladbach net a third unanswered goal in Munich.

As one of the teams benefiting from Bayern's poor form, Gladbach should be celebrating a possible disconnect between coach and players, but even their own man in charge does not believe this to be the case.

"Bayern was still unbeatable three weeks ago under Niko Kovac," Dieter Hecking told reporters. "Two games later, a Kovac crisis starts to be talked about. 

"I do not like the speed with which our work is talked about negatively, and the impatience that is already spreading after two or three weaker games is completely overdone."

Aside from the lack of signings and the injury problems, Bayern's season has faltered due to the poor performances of key players.

Robert Lewandowski started the season with three goals in the first four Bundesliga games, but only one of those has been from open play and he hasn't found the net since September 22.

The Polish striker was looking to leave the club during the summer, admitting he did not feel valued in Munich last season after receiving criticism for failing to deliver in big games. That criticism rang true at the World Cup and the striker looks shorn of confidence despite his strong start to the season.

The same can be said for many of Bayern's other players. They're older, slower and perhaps just not as good as they once were.

Boateng also looked to leave in the summer but saw a move to PSG collapse as his current club asked for too much money for the injury-prone declining defender. Neuer is back to full fitness after spending almost a year on the sidelines, but is not the same player he was for club or country.

Germany's international failings are also Bayern Munich's failings. Their senior players are failing to live up to their previous highs, with Thomas Muller, Neuer and Boateng all looking past their prime. Only Kimmich seems to be living up to his billing, but a right-back cannot be expected to do it all on his own.

Kovac has been forced to rotate his squad to keep senior players happy – and to keep the top brass at Bayern off his back – but it may be to his downfall.

An older, more experienced coach would likely choose his best XI and stick to that to ensure that results went his way. If players were unhappy at being on the bench, they could look at the results and at least feel proud of those. At the moment, the players are all getting a chance and they're still unhappy.

James Rodriguez was sensational last season on loan from Real Madrid, but has been repeatedly featured on the back pages for perceived unhappiness this year. That is pure speculation on the part of Spanish and German media, but it is not inconceivable. The Colombia international has played the full 90 minutes just once this season and has been used in three different positions already. Renato Sanches has impressed in brief spells, but that is all he has been able to do so far – play intermittently as Kovac sticks with Bayern's big-name players. Those players are offering excuses but no solutions.

Bayern Munich return to Bundesliga action on Saturday at Wolfsburg before a midweek trip to Athens, where Kovac needs to pick up two wins or else fear for his future.

Bayern's problems can be fixed on the pitch but they need Kovac to stand up and become bigger than the players. Dropping some of their under-performing ones would be a good start.

Transfer News live

Transfer news and rumours LIVE: Messi wants Pogba to join Barcelona

The Liga side's dressing room, including their biggest star, are in favour of a move for the France midfielder

Lionel Messi is among a host of Barcelona stars who want Paul Pogba to join the club, reports the Daily Mail.

Pogba's future at Manchester United is in doubt due to his inconsistent form and an ongoing feud with manager Jose Mourinho.

But Barca's stars, including Messi, Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti, along with manager Ernesto Valverde, want to bring Pogba to the club, though Barca's scouts remain divided over a move. 

Lazio to release former Man Utd midfielder:

Ravel Morrison is set to be released from his contract at Lazio after struggling to make an impact in Italy, reports Il Messaggero.

The former Manchester United midfielder penned a four-year deal with the Serie A side in 2015, but is set to see that agreement cut short.

Neymar has agreement to leave PSG:

Neymar has been told that he is free to leave Paris Saint-Germain for €220 million (£193m/$253m) next summer, reports Cadena SER.

The Brazilian forward has been heavily linked with a return to Spain, with a second spell at Barcelona or a big-money switch to Real Madrid.

Milan's Paqueta move to be investigated:

An investigation is to be opened into AC Milan’s €35 million (£31m/$40m) agreement for Lucas Paqueta, reports Globo Esporte.

The Flamengo star is due to make his way to Italy in January, but authorities in Brazil are planning to look into the deal before any move is made.

Newcastle keen on Liverpool attacking duo:

Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez has asked about the possible availability of Liverpool duo Dominic Solanke and Divock Origi, according to The Chronicle.

Both men find themselves on the fringes of the fold at Anfield and may be offered Premier League football elsewhere in January.

Everton piecing together Ramsey offer:

Everton have joined the hunt for Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey, according to The Sun, with a £150,000-a-week offer being prepared.

The Wales international is into the final year of his contract with the Gunners and is set to become a free agent next summer.

'Juventus kicked me out to sign Ronaldo':

AC Milan striker Gonzalo Higuain feels like he was "kicked out" of Juventus after Cristiano Ronaldo's signing in July.

He told Gazzetta dello Sport: "Maybe I knew something had broken, and then they took Ronaldo. The decision to leave was not mine."

Real Madrid make fresh approach for Conte:

Real Madrid have sounded out former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte regarding a possible managerial role at the Santiago Bernabeu, claims Corriere dello Sport.

The Italian has been without a club since leaving Stamford Bridge over the summer and is among those being considered as a possible replacement for Julen Lopetegui in the Spanish capital - with the Blancos having endured a testing start to the 2018-19 campaign.

Hazard tipped to leave Chelsea 'slavery':

Eden Hazard has been tipped to leave the “slavery” of Chelsea by former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon.

He told beIN Sports: "There’s no point to having a player who wants to go, slavery was abolished a long time ago."

Read the full story on Goal!

Laudrup offers services to Madrid:

With Julen Lopetegui under mounting pressure at Real Madrid, TeleMadrid claims that Michael Laudrup has offered his services to the club.

The former Swansea boss spent two years with the Blancos as a player and is ready to return to the Santiago Bernabeu if required.

Rashford on Juve's radar:

Juventus are considering a swoop for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, reports The Sun.

The England international, who is also being linked with Chelsea, has struggled to nail down a regular starting berth with the Red Devils.

Las Vegas Lights tried to hire Landon Donovan as manager:

The Las Vegas lights have a new manager in the form of former USMNT star Eric Wynalda, with the club announcing the signing on Wednesday. 

But appearently, Wynalda wasn't the club's first choice. 

According to Washington D.C. based reporter Pablo Maurer, the club first tried to land recently-retired U.S. soccer legend Landon Donovan to take over. 

The Lights have a history of trying to make a splash, having signed the likes of Freddy Adu to a playing contract and dropping cash from the sky for fans, but even for them the attempt to sign Donovan as a coach seems a bit out of left field. 

Piatti to return to San Lorenzo?:

Will Ignacio Piatti be returning to San Lorenzo from the Montreal Impact after the 2019 season? 

The midfielder told the San Lorenzo de América radio show that the earliest he could leave the Impact would be after the 2019 MLS season, but even that would reportedly require Montreal's consent, with the club holding an option on his contract for the 2020 season. 

The attacking midfielder helped the Argentine club to 2014 Copa Libertadores title. 

West Ham eye Giroud swoop:

West Ham are eyeing up a stunning move for Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud, according to the Mirror. 

The London club made an approach for the former Arsenal forward before his move to Chelsea, but were quickly turned down.

Giroud now has less than a year left on his contract with the Blues and West Ham are hoping they can now lure him to the club. 

Man United delaying sporting director appointment:

Manchester United won't hire a new sporting director while Jose Mourinho is still in charge at the club, the Daily Mail reports. 

Mourinho was clear about his frustration with the club's transfer business this summer and the club are looking to avoid more changes as the Portuguese boss remains under intense pressure. 

Bakayoko won't return to Chelsea in January – agent:

Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko will not return from his AC Milan loan in January, according to his agent. 

Bakayoko has struggled to impress manager Gennaro Gattuso so far, leading to speculation his loan could come to a premature end. 

But Bakayoko's agent Federico Pastorello told Calciomercato:  "Any speculation about his return to Chelsea is simply untrue.”

Liverpool interested in Demirbay:

Liverpool have maintained an interest in Hoffenheim midfielder Kerem Demirbay, reports Turkish-Football.

Reports earlier this year linked Arsenal and Liverpool with a move for the 25-year-old Germany international, but a move did not materialise. 

But the Reds are still interesting in moving for Demirbay, and are still in contract with the player’s representatives.

Celtic eye loan move for McTominay:

Celtic are monitoring Scott McTominay's situation at Manchester United with an eye toward a loan move, according to the Belfast Telegraph. 

McTominay has made just four league appearances so far in 2018-19, and United could be open to allowing the Scotland international to move to his home country for the second half of the season.

West Ham consider €25m move Dzeko in January:

West Ham are considering a move for Roma striker Edin Dzeko in January, reports Calciomercato. 

The 32-year-old is contracted to Roma until 2020, and is hoping to extend his stay with the club through 2021. 

But the Giallorossi are weighing up whether to invest heavily in a player of Dzeko's age, and instead could sell to a Hammers side willing to bid €25 million (£22m/$29m).

Bayern turned down move for Sancho:

Bayern Munich turned down the chance to sign Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho in 2017, according to Bild. 

Sancho, then with Manchester City, was scouted extensively by the Bundesliga champions, who decided against signing the teenage winger. 

Dortmund would eventually swoop in and sign Sancho, who has proved a bargain at just £8 million (€9m/$10m).

Man United News

Pogba and Mourinho disagreement over Instagram video, confirms Pereira

The Brazilian has given his account of a training ground bust-up involving Paul Pogba and Jose Mourinho last month.

Paul Pogba and Jose Mourinho's training ground disagreement was caused by a misunderstanding over an Instagram video, Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira has confirmed.

United's manager and the French midfielder made headlines last month after Sky Sports’ cameras caught them engaged in what looked like a verbal disagreement at training.

Pogba greeted United's coaches and players but then reacted following something Mourinho said, with reports suggesting the manager was asking about a post on social media published just after the EFL Cup penalty shoot-out defeat to Derby County.

The incident happened just a day after Mourinho confirmed Pogba had been stripped of his vice-captaincy responsibilities at Old Trafford.

Pereira has now clarified what happened between the duo, telling Brazilian outlet UOL Sport: "We were winning the game 1-0 at the time of the video.

"Then we lost the game, and people said that Pogba posted later. But he posted before.

"The manager thought that Pogba had posted later. He asked him why that had happened. There was a mood about it. These things were out here in England. But I have nothing to do with it."

Mourinho's relationship with his players has been in the spotlight this season, but Pereira – who has made four appearances in all competitions – insists he has no problems with the Portuguese coach.

"The relationship is good, it's cool," he added. "I have a very good relationship with him, with the players and he also has a good relationship with the players.

"We don't feel that pressure coming from outside. Everyone says that he's being sacked. We do not feel that.

"I don't usually have any English media on my phone so I don't get intoxicated with everything they say.

"He's our manager, we give our life on the pitch for him and for us too. Everyone is very calm, very focused and very happy."