Rivers United’s Ovoke wants immediate response against Wikki

Bernard Ovoke

Rivers United forward, Bernard Ovoke, has promised immediate response by the team ahead of tomorrow’s Match Day 31 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clash against Wikki Tourists, following Wednesday’s shock home defeat to Sunshine Stars.
After earning a point at ABS to attain a three-match unbeaten run, Rivers United returned home to suffer their first home defeat in domestic campaign this term against the Akure side.
“We have to bounce back and restore confidence in the team. Wednesday’s defeat will boost our quest for victory to move out of our present position.
“The defeat is now in the past as we look forward with optimism. We are ready to claim maximum points,” Ovoke assured.
Interestingly, Rivers United have six extra points to fight for and turn their fortunes around as the busy Caf Confederation Cup calendar has ensured they have two outstanding matches to play against Akwa United and Kano Pillars, respectively.

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Nigerian coaches threaten showdown over Imama’s arrest

Amapakabo

The Nigeria Football Coaches Association (NFCA) has threatened to call off their members from the league over the arrest of former Rangers coach, Imama Amapakabo, unless the League Management Company (LMC) nipped in the bud a reoccurrence.
Secretary General of the association, Solomon Ogbeide yesterday directed the management of Rangers to stop further prosecution of Imama and pay him his entitlement without delay, stressing that the coach did nothing wrong withholding the club’s vehicle since he was sacked without his salaries and other bonuses paid.
“For now, we are satisfied with the reaction of the LMC but in future, we might have no option than to order our members out of the league. Imama is covered for holding on to his official vehicle since he was sacked without his backlog of salaries and other entitlements paid,” the NFCA scribe said.
According to the association, Rangers ought to have cleared Imama’s entitlement after his sack but the club never did.
“This is a young man that won the league, which the club had not won in over 20 years. He was treated with disdain instead of celebrating him. We seriously frown at his arrest but the LMC has assuage our grief with the sanctions meted to Rangers,” Ogbeide said.

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The FIFA Confederations Cup – Cameroon and Germany

Germany's midfielder Amin Younes challenges Cameroon's forward Vincent Aboubakar (back) during the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup group B football match between Germany and Cameroon at the Fisht Stadium Stadium in Sochi on June 25, 2017. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP

Why Cameroun Must Fall
These are not the best of times for Nigerian football and for those in the business in Nigeria. Since the end of the last World Cup in Brazil the football industry has been in famine. The reason is simple – the fledgling Nigerian sports industry is driven by the success of the Super Eagles, Nigeria’s most successful international brand.
Everything was fine and promising until the team lost disastrously at home to South Africa a few weeks ago and the future has turned uncertain.
Nigeria cannot afford not to be at both the African Cup of Nations in 2019 and the World Cup in 2018.
Every time the Super Eagles qualify for either championship the Nigerian economy receives a boost of financial stimulant from the unprecedented followership and patronage of the two events.
It is still unclear what the financial losses from not going to a World Cup or an African Cup of Nations in a particular year are, but a conservative estimate to the Nigerian economy is between N4 to N5 billion. For an industry that is still in its infancy! It is simply mindboggling.
That’s why for Nigerians the two next matches within the space of one week, against Cameroon, between August 31 and September 4, are a matter of do-or-die, putting at risk the survival of an entire industry that sustains millions amongst the largest number and concentration of Black people on earth across the spectra of hospitality, travels, media, endorsements, marketing, advertising, television, sponsorships and more.
You can start to imagine, therefore, what not qualifying for the next African Cup of Nations and the World Cup would mean.
That’s why everyone can understand the ‘silence’ that has enveloped preparations for the two critical matches against the Indomitable Lions. There is apprehension in the air. Discussions on the matches have been muted… by fear.
That totally unexpected defeat of the Super Eagles by South Africa is a humbler. The news of Carl Ikeme’s unavailability due to health reasons is another heart breaker. The uncertainty about the spirit and physical condition of most of the players, including the team’s more experienced and ageing players that are not getting enough match-playing time, or high quality matches in the countries and clubs where they are playing, is worrisome.
The Nigerian national team has never been this vulnerable, physically and psychologically.
For the first time in a long while, Nigerians are not so sure what to make, or expect, of their national team when they line up against the Indomitable Lions in a few weeks’ time. The two matches follow each other in quick succession and that is bad news for either team that fails at the first hurdle in Uyo.
Nigeria needs the oxygen of a victory over Cameroun.
The good news is that somehow in the recent past, the Super Eagles appear to have found the code to unlock the Indomitable Lions. Check the result of the last few matches between them. Nigeria has won their last three meetings! That is what is giving Nigerians some faint hope.
The Ghost Of Hayatou Resurrects In Rabat
Issa Hayatou has resurrected in Morocco at the CAF Executive Committee meeting taking place in the city of Rabat.
This time around, instead of haunting all his opponents, as was the case for the many decades of his endless, autocratic reign, Hayatou’s ghost is being haunted by his past.
The anti-Hayatou sentiments in African football are so high and pungent that everything he ever touched is likely to be altered one way or the other if the present CAF executives, led by Ahmad Ahmad, were to have their way.
Issa Hayatou has become bad news in CAF.
It is the handwriting of the FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, that seems now to be all over CAF. Ahmad must be reading a page from Infantino’s book on his vision for football.
The first major decision of CAF under Ahmad is to adopt Gianni’s expansion formula - increasing the number of participating countries at the African showpiece championship, Afcon, to 24.
CAF is even going a step further by implementing the new format immediately. Unlike FIFA’s decision to start implementation of the new 48-nations format after the next two World Cups that had been awarded already to Russia and Qatar, Afcon 2019, slated for the Cameroun, will be used to test the new format.
Many people see this as Ahmad’s way of paying back Issa Hayatou in his own coins.
When the hosting rights of the last Africa Under-17 championships was first awarded to Madagascar and later moved at the last minute to Gabon by CAF under Issa Hayatou, many people believed it was because Ahmad had dared to announce he was going to run against Hayatou for the presidency of CAF in the last elections. The official reason given was that Madagascar were not ready. The truth is that no one dared Hayatou and got away with it.
Now the tables are turned. Cameroon, with Hayatou as President of CAF for almost three decades, were awarded the hosting right of the 2019 African Cup of Nations, only for the second time in their history, despite being one of the foremost contributors, in terms of achievements at international level, to Africa’s place in World football. The 2019 version was designed as Hayatou’s parting gift to his country.
With one ‘innocuous’ stroke, by simply taking the decision to start implementing the expansion formula of increasing the number of participants to 24 with immediate effect from the next edition of Afcon, the 2019 championship has been inadvertently and effectively taken away from Cameroun.
In the two years to the championship from now, it is simply too short for the central African country to put together the resources and the facilities to host an expanded Afcon!
For many decades the country could only boast of one truly standard, class stadium in Yaounde. The other two in Douala and Garoua were sub-standard and were to undergo total renovation for the 2019 Afcon. Two new stadiums were on the drawing board. Now this!
To host 24 national teams would now require more of everything - funds, personnel, infrastructure, facilities, and so on.
In the summer of 2019 Africa should prepare to go to probably Egypt or Morocco for the Afcon!
Beyond the new format for Afcon, CAF is also considering adopting the summer period in the northern hemisphere, June/July, for the organization of the African Nations Cup championship to fit into Europe’s programmes that have been in conflict with it throughout Hayatou’s time as president.
Hayatou refused to change the timetable and many European clubs ‘suffered’ from loss of their African players during the peak periods of their league as a result of Afcon holding in January/February.
At last, Ahmad has agreed with Infantino for a harmonization of the schedules.
My take on these two decisions are these: Any change that will impact African football positively is welcome. These two major ones hopefully will.
However, I would have thought that a study would have been conducted first to understand the full implications of these decisions. Why not borrow a leaf from FIFA’s example and start implementation after the present awarded championship is concluded?
Of course, who does not know that there will be serious implications for this expansion. Hosting by several already impoverished African countries is likely to become more of a burden than a blessing.
There is the argument that meeting the new challenge will help accelerate massive infrastructural developments in the African countries, but following previous experiences, such lofty thoughts never become reality.
Only very few African countries will be able to host a proper championship with this new format. Unless of course, my 2003-prophetic proposal for a multi-nation hosting of the World Cup (and the African Cup of Nations under this new format) is quickly revisited.
My concept for a five-nation West African World Cup (Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Cote D'Ivoire and Togo) was shot down then by those that did not see into the future. Now, it is inevitable that even the World Cup would have to go that way.  I am very happy Gianni Infantino is singing that new tune and the rest of the world will soon join the chorus.

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Moses, Tomori eye Arsenal clash in China

Super Eagles’ Victor Moses celebrates a goal for Chelsea last season. He is expected to be in action against Arsenal today in China. PHOTO:AFP

Iwobi May Lead Gunners Attack
Chelsea of England duo, Victor Moses and England U-20 World Cup-winning central defender Fikayo Tomori have stepped up training with their teammates, as The Blues prepare for a potentially explosive pre-season clash with London rivals, Arsenal.
The game could be seen as a replay of this year’s FA Cup final between both teams, which The Gunners won 2-1 in controversial fashion, such that Moses and Tomori will aim to be part of the cliff-hanger clash in Beijing, China.
With that in mind, Moses and Tomori were spotted in two training sessions, as The Blues prepared for their first high-profile friendly against their English Premier League rivals at Beijing National Stadium today.
Chelsea have lined up friendly matches against Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan ahead of the start of the Premier League on August 12.
Ahead of the first game, Moses and England U-20 World Cup-winning central defender, Tomori were sighted with the team, as the EPL champions had two training sessions on Thursday, with the first workout held in the morning shortly after breakfast.
Three players of Nigerian descent are set to feature for the London teams in the upcoming match, as Alex Iwobi, who scored a crucial equaliser for Arsenal in Wednesday’s win against Bayern Munich, is again expected to star for The Gunners.
In the second training before battling Arsenal, Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte divided his squad into two groups of eleven players each, with the team wearing bibs the likely players that will start against The Gunners.
Chelsea expert CarefreeYouth has informed allnigeriasoccer.com that Conte marshalled his now-popular 3-4-3 formation, in which Thibaut Courtois started in goal for Team A, César Azpilicueta, with Christensen and Cahill the defenders; while Moses, Fabregas, Kante and Alonso were deployed in midfield, with Batshuayi leading the frontline flanked by Pedro and Willian.
For Team B, Eduardo was in between the posts, the three-man defenders were Kalas, Luiz and Clarke-Salter, while Tomori, Pasalic, Scott and Kenedy played in midfield, as Remy led the attack, supported by Boga and Baker.
Last season, the two London rivals met three times, including the Emirates FA Cup final, and Arsenal lost once in a Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge on February 4, 2017.

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Manchester City finding it difficult to sell Kelechi Iheanacho

Manchester City are reportedly struggling to sell their unwanted forward Kelechi Iheanacho.



The Premier League billionaires have told the Super Eagles striker, alongside Eliaquim Mangala, Samir Nasri, Wilfried Bony, Fabian Delph and Fernando, that he does not fit into Pep Guardiola’s plans for the new season.

Iheanacho, who was omitted from Man City’s preseason tour of the United States, dropped down the pecking order at the Eithad Stadium following the arrival of Brazilian wonderkid Gabriel Jesus from Palmeiras in January on a five-year deal reportedly worth £27m.

Despite having limited playing time, Iheanacho notched four Premier league goals in 20 appearances for the Citizens last season.

Although the UAE 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup winner has been given the all-clear to leave the club this summer, our correspondent learnt that the Nigerian, who joined Man City from Taye Academy in 2014, is allegedly proving difficult to sell so far.

Iheanacho has been linked with a £25m move to Premier League mid-table outfits West Ham, West Brom and Leicester but no switch has materialised as the 20-year-old remains a Man City player.

It was learnt that suitors are not comfortable with Man City’s insistence on inserting a clause giving them first option on buying him back if he proves a success.

It was also learnt that the mid-table clubs are stunned by Iheanacho’s reported £85,000-a-week pay.

Leicester are said to be ready to splash out £25m on the player but are finding it hard to convince the youngster to accept a wage cut to seal a move to the Power Stadium, where he Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare has allegedly guaranteed him regular starting roles.

Guardiola, who confirmed that the club had placed a buy back clause in Iheanacho’s proposed transfer, said on Wednesday the deal would be completed in 10 days.

“It is an honour to work with him (Iheanacho) because it was not easy for him because I did not give him much opportunities,” the former Barca boss told reporters ahead of his side’s clash against city rivals Manchester United in Houston on Thursday (Friday in Nigeria) .

“His behaviour, I’ve never seen a guy like him (before).

“He is close to making a deal. Maybe next week or the next 10 days .

“We have an option to bring him back.

“He’s a young player and we believe he deserves to play. He needs to play at that age and that’s why him, the club and everybody, wants the best for him.”

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Chelsea to Connect Fans to Free Wifi at Stamford Bridge

Ericsson has been unveiled as the internet connectivity partner for Stamford Bridge – Chelsea Football Club’s home stadium in Fulham, London.



Free Wi-Fi coverage will be provided via the Small Cell as a Service connected venue business model whereby Ericsson designs, builds and operates the network on the customer’s behalf.

As a result, Chelsea FC will be able to provide fans throughout the stadium with a richer experience that enables them to interact digitally with each other, the club, friends and family.

In winning their fifth Premier League title in 2016/2017, Chelsea FC sold out every home match day at Stamford Bridge.

Many fans used their smartphones to share photos and videos via social media, often stretching cellular networks to the limit. To ensure visitors can enjoy a seamless digital experience, Ericsson will design, build and operate a carrier-grade Wi-Fi access network and then manage it on Chelsea FC’s behalf.

Chris Townsend, Chelsea FC commercial director, says: “We look forward to a rich partnership with Ericsson which will directly assist the thousands of fans who come regularly to Stamford Bridge. Ericsson leads the way in providing innovative digital solutions and we welcome them to the Chelsea family.”

Arun Bansal, senior vice president, Europe & Latin America, Ericsson, says: “Our research indicates that people want to use their digital devices wherever they go – and the urge to connect is even greater at a Chelsea FC home game. Through this partnership, we will ensure the connectivity at Stamford Bridge matches the quality of the football and look forward to exploring further options that will enable Chelsea FC to take the digital experience to the next level.”

Small Cell as a Service supports service providers’ cellular go-to-market models, enables businesses to monetize Wi-Fi, provides a business case for network build-out and improves end-user experience. In 2015, Legia Warsaw became the first football club in Europe to sign a Small Cell as a Service contract with Ericsson. In 2016, Ericsson became the connectivity partner for the Ricoh Arena stadium in Coventry, England, home to Aviva Premiership rugby team Wasps and Wasps Netball.

Through four weeks of football mania in Brazil in 2014, the Nordic World Ski Championships in Sweden in 2015, the 2016 European football tournament in France, and the 2016 summer sports event in Rio, Ericsson ensured the networks kept pace with the fans. Click here to read how we connect the most popular venues around the world.

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Kanu offers to help bring Enyeama back to Super Eagles

Nwankwo Kanu said goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama remains a “world class” goaltender and Nigeria cannot afford to overlook him as the Super Eagles gun for qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup.


The former Golden Eaglets and Super Eagles captain submitted that he is willing to convince Enyeama to comeback from his retirement most especially now that Carl Ikeme who took over from him has been diagnosed with leukemia and already undergoing treatment.

“As it is now we need Vincent badly. In my opinion, Enyeama should come back immediately,” the two-time African Player of the Year told KweséESPN. “Enyeama is very very good. He is one of the best players in Africa, and one of the best in the world. Let the federation look into it and do everything they can to bring him back.

“If Enyeama says he doesn’t want to come, people like us can talk to him, the federation too can talk to him. If a lot of people talk to him, I’m sure that definitely he will change his mind.

“And not just Enyeama, let us look at some of the other active goalkeepers too. If we have like four goalkeepers there training, there will be competition and the coach can have more options to make his decision.”

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Odey scores as MFM narrows gap to two points

Stephen Odey is one of the attackers listed for the CHAN camp, which now opens… on Thursday.

The title race is back on. Now, the gap between first-placed Plateau United and MFM has been cut to two points following contrasting results involving the leaders yesterday.
Playing at the Agege Stadium, MFM defeated hard-fighting Wikki Tourists 1-0 courtesy of a goal by CHAN Eagles invitee, Stephen Odey.
Odey’s 40th minute goal, his 17th of the campaign, ensured the Fidelis Ilechukwu-led team remain in touching distance of Plateau United, who lost in Lokoja to Niger Tornadoes.
As things stand, MFM have 49 points from 29 matches, while Plateau United remain on 51 points. Tornadoes scored their winner as early as the fourth minute through a Samuel Agba goal from the penalty spot.
The game of the day happened in Kano, where Pillars, in front of a record crowd, beat defending champions, Enugu Rangers 2-0 with goals in the first half by Jamiu Alimi (32nd minute) and Junior Lokosa (43rd minute).
The Oriental derby in Nnewi ended with FC IfeanyiUbah denting Enyimba’s hope of reclaiming the title they so cherish. Again, the goal came from the boots of Godwin Obaje, who has become a goal machine of sorts for the Nnewi-based millionaires.
The defeat has taken Enyimba from third to the seventh position, while Akwa United have moved from fourth to third following their 3-0 defeat of visiting Gombe United 3-0 in Uyo. FC IfeanyiUbah are now fifth on the log.
El-Kanemi Warriors are fourth on the log after their 1-0 defeat of Abia Warriors of Umuahia in Maiduguri. Makurdi-based Lobi Stars surprisingly found Remo Stars too tough to crack at the Aper Aku Stadium, but they eventually triumphed 3-2.
Nasarawa United were also among the winners, as they beat Sunshine Stars 1-0 in Ijebu-Ode. It is an away victory that has renewed the Lafia team’s hope in their quest to return to the continent. Abdulrahman Bashir scored the match winner in the 41st minute and Nasarawa United head coach, Kabir Dogo, sees the result as the beginning of their climb up the ladder. The team are currently on the ninth position.
“Our away victory over Sunshine Stars is well deserved as we were clearly the better side. We had a crucial chance at goal and we were able to make it count positively resulting in the decisive goal.
“Sunshine Stars, too had their own fair share of the chances but could not make maximum use of it.
“I’m happy with the victory coming on the heels of our futile campaign last weekend in Umuahia against Abia Warriors. It would have been a disservice to our aspiration and position on the league log to have lost two straight away matches.

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American coaches join Odegbami, Rufai, other to teach football in Lagos

Kid players gearing up for the Cowbell Summer Football Camp, which kicks off in Lagos… on July 24.

Participants in this year’s summer football camp for youngsters organized by Multisports Services and Entertainment Limited, would be exposed to the best of tutorials from some of the best trainers in the game.
According to the Multisports Services Chief Executive Officer, Godwin Dudu-Orumenthis edition will feature the leading soccer coaches from some American universities who will, in addition to Nigerian football greats and former Super Eagles players, Segun Odegbami, Peter Rufai, Henry Nwosu, Mutiu Adepoju and Jonathan Akpoborie, take the youngsters through the rudiments of football for a three-week period.
Orumen, a lawyer and former member of the Technical Committee of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), says the camp, billed to hold at the Mainbowl of the National Stadium and the Lufasi Nature Park, Ibeju-Lekki in Lagos from July 24 to August 12, 2017 and which will parade youngsters aged between five to 18 years, will be memorable.
“Sports generally, in recent times, have gone beyond recreational activities. It has become a platform for driving the economy and developing career paths for pupils and teeming youths alike, when placed on sound footing. This is what the 2017 summer camp represents.
“It will engage participants between ages five to 18 years in competitive football, tactical support, skill training, team talks, and behavioural guide through motivational speakers who would give talks,” Orumen said.
He stated that the above holiday engagement, which is designed to complement students’ academic training, also offers participants the opportunity to make new friends across school lines, and meet with acknowledged and professionally selected celebrity players that are scheduled to give tactical support and team talks.

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Disu warns Rohr on tactics against Cameroun

Tunde Disu, former Technical Director, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Sunday warned Super Eagles coach Genort Rohr against wrong tactics against Cameroun in the Russia 2018 qualifiers on September 1.
Disu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the team’s tactical formation against South Africa in the AFCON qualifiers was wrong and should not be used again.
He said that the Eagles loss to Bafana Bafana in the AFCON qualifiers was due to wrong tactical formation, adding that the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun would be more tactical.
“The formation used by Rohr during the AFCON qualifier against South Africa is wrong tactics. He cannot use a supporting striker as an arrow head when using 4-3-3.
“Rohr should know that Kelechi Iheanacho cannot spearhead attack, that is not his role and that is why he is roaming about during the match against South Africa without a shot at goal.
“I want them to sit down and analyse the match themselves, that system is faulty because most teams can now predict the formation. If we use that selection and tactics, we will be embarrassed.
“Rohr should align with the modern tactics of play rather than stick with the old play which will not benefit us. We are too predictable now.
Disu said that the players at the disposal of Rohr were good enough to accommodate another formation which was less probable to opposing teams.
“We cannot continue to use the 4-3-3 formation, it’s outdated and counterproductive. We should rather play 4-2-3-1 which is far better for the defenders.
“The players determine the system and not the system that determines the players. It is better to have two defensive midfielders in front of the defenders, maybe if there is an overlapping one.
“Playing 4-3-2-1 formation also means that we need intimidating strikers like the late Rashidi Yekini to torment the opposing teams. We have Gbolahan Salami before but I don’t know if he is not called.
“The lone striker may be very tall and strong to hold the ball up as his midfielders while full-backs join him in attack. The striker could also be very fast.
“African soccer is more physical and there is need for us to have a strong striker in the manner of Salami that can torment the defence of our opponent,’’ he said.
Disu warned Rohr to be wary of Cameroun threat could pose to the Eagles’ qualification, adding that a loss to Indomitable Lions would close the qualification ticket.
“I want the coach to be careful with the Cameroonians so that they will not scuttle our chances; any defeat to them closes the qualification ticket.
“It does not matter where we are now because we won’t be begging Cameroun to lose any of their games after defeating us.
“The Indomitable Lions are in form now and they are using the modern formation. Rohr needs to change that formation or else we will be out of contention.
“To beat those indomitable Lions, a very good top 9 will be a good option and not necessarily to score goals but to torment the defence line and maybe to create chances for others,’’ he said.
Disu said that other countries and clubs have been winning through the golden formation, noting that countries that had yet to play the style were lagging behind.
“I want to give the example between Spain national team and the Germans. The Germans are more tactical in their formation and are not playing false 9 like their Spanish counterparts.
“The golden formation continues to have the upper hands. In these cases, the opponent’s defense will be forced to fall back early, thereby leaving space for the offensive central midfielder.
“Rohr does not need to inject fresh blood into the team but play within what he has to achieve better results. We are blessed with players that can suit the golden formation.
“The coach should also have two options in which he can switch and Iheanacho should drop back for a strong striker for him to be effective,’’ he said.

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Herrera discusses prospect of captaining Man United

Ander Herrera has dismissed the idea that he could be named Manchester United captain next season.

Herrera has been identified by many as possessing the necessary attributes to become a future United captain, including talent, leadership, and being a really snide b*stard.

The Spaniard has been perhaps the club’s best player this campaign, and with current captain Wayne Rooney and vice-captain Michael Carrick facing uncertain futures, many are touting Herrera for a more established role.

But the midfielder has played down the claims, while admitting he is “flattered”.

“The thing is that Michael Carrick ends his contract and I do not know what will happen with his future,” Herrera told Onda Cero. “Rooney, it’s unknown if he will continue or not.

“It has been a surprise. I am very grateful that people value me like this but I don’t think it is something that is going to happen soon.

“Being captain of Manchester United are big words. Look at the captains that this club have had. I am flattered and grateful but it is necessary to respect the time and the number of games.

“Furthermore, as at Madrid and Barcelona the captains are Spanish, it’s also logical that there is an English captain. I am grateful that people see me like that but I’d rather not think about it much.”

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