Football News: Souness Claims Giggs Will Be Next Man Utd Manager As The Boos Ring Out For Madrid Even Though They Score 10!

1. Rafael Marquez returns home
Mexico's legendary captain Rafa Marquez, who became the first man to captain his country in four World Cups when he led Mexico into the 2014 World Cup, has returned to the club where he made his professional debut, Atlas. Following his performances in the World Cup, Marquez was snapped up by Serie A club Hellas Verona, but 18 months later he is heading home. Marquez lifted two Champions League and four La Liga titles while at Barcelona, plus a Ligue 1 trophy with AS Monaco. Now his career is winding down, he is joining the struggling Liga MX side.

2. Not even 10 goals can quell the boos
Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez is underfire, with the fans unhappy at his appointment from the start, and the team struggling to provide the style Madrid are famous for. The fans are booing even before the games start, and the boos were especially loud as Madrid faced Rayo Vallecano at the weekend and Vallecano took a 2-1 lead over the capital club. With Vallecano losing two players to red cards, Madrid sliced Vallecano apart to complete a 10-2 victory. Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored twice to reach 23 goals for the season, was seen to gesture at the crowd to get off the team's back when Vallecano took the lead.

 

3. At least it is better than it was under Moyes
According to Manchester United's oft-injured defender Phil Jones, at any rate. "I wouldn't say it's the lowest moment. I think it became pretty glum, if you like, under David Moyes and it was unfortunate. We weren't playing well at the time," Jones said. "There's no point saying we've played some good football this season because ultimately we've lost three games in a row - but we have in patches. We need to stick together, there's nothing else you can do." So that is ok then, Man Utd are rubbish, but they are not as rubbish as they were when David Moyes was manager, so all's well. If things do get worse, he can then point to the 1973/4 season when they got relegated as worse, so there is nothing to worry about United fans.

4. Melo shows his skills
Unfortunately Felipe Melo's skills are more suited to the UFC octagon, as the Inter Milan midfielder is sent off for a 'tackle' that saw him attempt to replicate Holly Holm's knockout kick to Ronda Rousey's head:

Unsurprisingly the Brazilian was sent off as Inter Milan lost 2-1 at home to Lazio.

 

5. Elano released by Chennaiyin
Following Elano's arrest for assault yesterday (more on that story here) the Brazilian midfielder has been released on bail and flown back to his home country. The entire FC Chennaiyin team were there to support him on his bail application and to greet him on his release.

6. Lansdown promises financial backing
Bristol City's owner Steve Lansdown has promised to make funds available for manager Steve Cotterill to spend in the January transfer window. The Robins are currently fifth from bottom of a tight English Championship league table and spent the summer struggling to recruit their top targets. City missed out on priority targets Dwight Gayle and Andre Gray, but Lansdown is adamant the club will be able to recruit in January, but admits the club will have to set its sights a little lower and look to develop players from the lower leagues.

 

7. Gold hopeful over Hammers injuries
West Ham United co-owner David Gold has given some hope to the suffering Hammers' fans, who have seen their side beset by injuries in recent weeks. Gold has tweeted that he expects forwards Andy Carroll and Enner Valencia to join the much-missed creativity of Manuel Lanzini in being available to face bottom of the table Aston Villa. Diafra Sakho, Winston Reid, Victor Moses and Dimitri Payet are also nearing full fitness according to Gold. With Nikica Jelavic having a poor game over the weekend, it will be a welcome relief to boss Slaven Bilic to have some options to choose from.

If all goes well Carroll, Valencia and Lanzini will all be available for Villa. Sakho, Reid Moses and Payet are all progressing well. dg

— David Gold (@davidgold) December 21, 2015

8. Chelsea linked with everyone
Now Jose Mourinho has left his post at Chelsea, the London club is being linked with just about every one the media can think of. Depending on who you believe, Chelsea are either in talks with Manuel Pellegrini or he has signed a deal to take over at the end of the season. Or it could be the one about Guus Hiddink having the promise of a long term contract if he wins a trophy, such as the FA Cup he led Chelsea to in his last caretaker spell. Perhaps you believe the story that says Diego Simeone has already been approached. There is also links with Antonio Conte. All of these stories have one thing in common: guesswork.

 

9. Klinsmann's criticisms have fallen on deaf ears
Despite USA head coach Jurgen Klinsmann criticising the US captain for deciding to move to the MLS from Serie A side AS Roma, Michael Bradley has been named US Player of the Year. The Toronto FC midfielder has scored three times and amassed six assists in his 18 appearances in 2015. Bradley beat three time winner Clint Dempsey and the 2013 winner Jozy Altidore to get the trophy for the first time in his career.

10. Souness makes Giggs claim
Graeme Souness has said that he believes Ryan Giggs will be the man given the task of replacing Louis van Gaal as Manchester United manager. "I think the next manager will be Ryan Giggs. No matter what happens. It's very hard to say over the next few games that they will not be looking at Van Gaal very closely because the results and the way they are playing has not been good enough," Souness told Sky Sports. "I think he is going to be examined during this holiday period by the people who make decisions at United. And whether it's short-term or long-term, I can only see Ryan Giggs. They went for David Moyes, Fergie's Chosen One, it didn't work out. They've gone for someone with a fantastic CV, vastly experienced and it's not happening to date for them and I think the obvious way to go is what you have got there already," he added. With former Old Trafford favourite Mark Hughes set to lead Stoke City out against the Red Devils in their next match, things are certainly not getting any easier for veteran Dutch coach van Gaal.

Written by Tris Burke December 21 2015 08:50:18