Ratcliffe pledges ´fan-centred´ approach and Champions League focus after launching Man Utd bid

Real Sociedad have made a habit of defeating La Liga s elite sides this term, but face a tough test at Real Madrid on Saturday.

Real Sociedad s chances of doing a first league double over Real Madrid since 2004 have received a significant boost with Cristiano Ronaldo, La Liga s leading marksman, set to miss out through suspension. 

David Moyes Sociedad travel to Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday looking for a rare double against the European champions.

Of Sociedad s five league wins this season, three have come against Real, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, highlighting their ability.

And while Moyes was not in charge when Sociedad beat Real Madrid 4-2 in August, his players are sure to hold fond memories of a clash that saw them come from two goals down to …

Gerard Pique does not think Barcelona or Real Madrid would have any chance of winning the Premier League in their first season if they were to play in England s top flight.

The Barca defender, 28, feels the level of adjustment would be too great for La Liga s big two, even though they have been dominant on the European stage in recent years.

Madrid won the Champions League in 2014 and Barcelona are the holders of the continent s elite club competition, but Pique, who played for Manchester United from 2004 to 2008, does not think the Spanish heavyweights could achieve immediate success if they played in England.

I think that if Barcelona or Real Madrid goes to the Premier League then the first year of playing there, there is no chance of winning it, the Spain int…

Verdict: Away win

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Hajduk Split appear to have missed a good opportunity to keep the tie alive in the first leg and they will have a mountain to climb after the 2-0 defeat at Goodison Park. Everton, on the other hand, will be hoping to extend the good run of results and record a morale-boosting win ahead of Sunday’s clash with Premier League champions Chelsea.

Hajduk Split

Hajduk Split had done really well in Europa League qualifying stages before the play-offs, recording 3-1 and 2-0 aggregate wins over Levski Sofia and Brondby respectively, winning three of four legs and keeping as many clean sheets in the process. The Whites were then quite unfortunate to be pitted against heavily reinforced Everton, and they failed to defy th…

The 2018 World Cup inter-confederation play-off is evenly poised after New Zealand held Peru to a goalless draw in Saturday s first leg.

With a ticket to next year s showpiece tournament in Russia up for grabs, neither side could break the deadlock at a sun-bathed Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

Desperate to end their 36-year wait for a World Cup berth, South American visitors Peru largely controlled proceedings but they were unable to make their superiority count despite a scrambling goal-line save from All Whites goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic, who also denied Aldo Corzo in the second half.

New Zealand almost snatched victory at the death when Ryan Thomas unleashed a powerful volley which flashed agonisingly wide of the post.

Oceania champions New Zealand �…

David Alaba has confirmed that he is in talks with Bayern Munich over a new and improved contract.

The Austria international s current deal with the Bundesliga champions runs until June 2018 and he recently suggested that he is in no rush to start talks over a renewal.

However, Bayern have now decided to sit down with Alaba and his representatives after all following alleged interest from Manchester City.

There have been talks with Bayern over a new contract, that is correct, Alaba told reporters.

Bayern are my priority. We will see what happens.

Reports from Germany claim Bayern are keen to tie Alaba down until June 2021, offering him an annual salary of €10million.

The 23-year-old joined Bayern from Austria Vienna in 2008 and made …

Chelsea have announced Michael Emenalo has stepped down from his position as technical director.

Emenalo first joined the club in 2007 and has played a key role behind the scenes in the development of Chelsea s first team and academy.

In the 10 years Emenalo has been involved with the club, Chelsea have won three Premier League titles, three FA Cups, the EFL Cup, Europa League and Champions League, playing a major part in the assembling of those successful squads.

He became technical director in 2011 and led the Blues scouting and transfer activities.

Emenalo said in a statement: This has been a very difficult decision to make, but one I believe is right for both myself and my family, and the club.

I have had the privilege to work alongside some…

Ollie Watkins told Cole Palmer he would set him up for a goal as they were waiting to come on for England.

The forward then scored the winning goal, assisted by Palmer, to seal a 2-1 win over the Netherlands and book their place in the Euro 2024 final.

The Three Lions had to come from behind once again after Xavi Simons early goal gave the Netherlands the lead, before Harry Kane levelled from the spot shortly after.

Asked about his goal, Watkins said he knew what to expect as soon as Palmer got the ball at his feet.

I ve been waiting for that moment for weeks, Watkins told ITV Sport after the game.

It s taken a lot of hard work to get to where I am today. Grateful I got the opportunity, and I grabbed it with both hands. I m delighted.

I…

FIFA is considering expanding the next Women s World Cup to 32 teams and doubling the prize money, president Gianni Infantino has said.

The FIFA Council, made up of 37 members, is due to vote on the host for the 2023 tournament next March.

There are already nine countries interested in bidding, including recent men s World Cup hosts Brazil and South Africa.

Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Colombia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea are also prospective hosts for the next women s tournament.

We will need to act more quickly if we want to have 32 teams already in 2023,  Infantino said.

We will discuss it as a matter of urgency and see if we can already decide to increase for 2023, in which case we should re-open the bidding process and allow …

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel insists he will not make a decision on his future with the Premier League outfit until after Euro 2016.

Skrtel, 31, is in France as part of the Slovakia squad competing in Group B alongside England, Wales and Russia. 

The centre-half is the second longest serving player in Liverpool s squad after joining the club in January 2008. 

However, all signs are pointing to an Anfield exit in the off-season, with Fenerbahce and Roma reportedly two of the clubs interested in the Slovakian. 

Skrtel said there was nothing decided on his future via a post on his official Instagram, before dodging questions in a news conference on Sunday. 

I m fully focused on the national team and the game [against England on Monday], he s…

Market: Seattle Sounders win

Odds: 2/3 @

Looking to extend on their stellar MLS purple patch, Seattle will welcome St. Louis to Lumen Field in the early hours of Thursday.

Starting with the hosts, while Seattle might have opened up the 2024 campaign in the midst of a public struggle, the Sounders have come roaring back in a sensational fashion. Last seen putting in another eye-catching performance as they secured a 1-0 victory away at Austin, Brian Schmetzer’s men are enjoying what has become a stellar purple patch. Extending on their US Open Cup adventure on July 10th as they claimed a 2-1 win away at USL outfit Sacramento Republic, the mood around Lumen Field appears to be at a red-hot high. Opening July with a 2-0 victory against New England, the Greens hav…