Spaniard signs four-year contract as Liverpool come to town. PHOTO: AFP
Manchester United received a much-needed boost ahead of their clash against Liverpool on Saturday as David de Gea — the club’s player of the year for the last two years running — signed a new four-year contract after his move to Real Madrid broke down.
De Gea will most likely claim his place back in the starting eleven, with deputy Sergio Romero struggling to reach the Spaniard’s lofty standards.
“I am delighted to be starting this new chapter in my United career,” said de Gea. “I have always enjoyed playing with these great players in front of our fantastic fans. Manchester United is a special club and Old Trafford is an ideal place for me to continue to develop my career.”
Meanwhile, Anthony Martial — signed for a fee that will reportedly rise to £58 million — will be hoping to get a run in, especially considering United’s lack of goals, with The Red Devils scoring just thrice in four matches.
Liverpool are also struggling up front, having netted only twice, and both sides are looking to steady the ship after defeats — United suffering a 2-1 defeat away to Swansea while West Ham humiliated Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield.
“Liverpool is the perfect game to have to come back to after the international break,” said United assistant manager Ryan Giggs. “All the players are looking forward to it and I’m sure the fans are too.”
Liverpool, on the other hand, will be eager to isolate their new signing Christian Benteke against makeshift United centre-back Danny Blind but will be disappointed to have Philippe Coutinho suspended after the Brazilian saw red against West Ham.
Chelsea are struggling: Hazard
Eden Hazard admits Chelsea are struggling to adapt to life as Premier League champions. Jose Mourinho’s side are already eight points adrift of leaders Manchester City after winning just one of their opening four matches — losing to City and Crystal Palace.
The Blues need to get back on track at Everton in a clash which has added intrigue following Chelsea’s unsuccessful bid to sign defender John Stones.
Hazard is one of numerous Chelsea stars who have so far failed to replicate last year’s form. “It’s difficult to play as a champion because everyone wants to beat you,” said Hazard.
To make matters worse, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has been ruled out for a while after it emerged that he will require surgery on the knee injury he suffered during training on Wednesday. “I cannot tell you much, but he [Courtois] needs surgery in his right knee, he will be out for quite a long time, but I cannot be specific as to how long he will be out,” confirmed Mourinho. “It’s not easy to have the best goalkeeper injured, but it’s easy to have one of the best to play, and we have [Asmir] Begovic.”
Wenger applauds Stoke’s newfound style
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says Stoke finally “know how to behave” as the Gunners go in search for their first home win of the season against The Potters. Stoke, now managed by Mark Hughes, are far easier on the eye than the team that made its reputation as somewhat of a bully.
Indeed, the Potters have five Champions League winners in Xherdan Shaqiri, Marko Arnautovic, Ibrahim Affelay, Bojan Krkic and Marc Muniesa.
“They know how to behave and they have experience as they have been here a long time in the Premier League,” said Wenger. “They have improved their technical quality as they have Afellay, Bojan, Shaqiri, Mame Diouf up front and Charlie Adam in midfield. They have a lot of technical players that can give you problems.”
Arsenal have not only failed to win at home so far, but have also yet to register a goal in front of their own fans, having lost 2-0 to West Ham and then shared a goalless draw with Liverpool.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 12th, 2015.
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