Confirmed: Manchester United star signs new deal

Confirmed: Manchester United star signs new deal - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Manchester United have confirmed midfielder Michael Carrick has signed a new deal on Friday.

The 33-year-old’s contract was set to expire at the end of the season and he has signed a new one-year deal to extend his Old Trafford stay till the end of 2016. He has been highly influential in United’s midfield over the years.

A statement on United’s official website read, ” Michael Carrick signs one-year contract extension. Michael Carrick has signed a one-year contract extension with Manchester United that will keep him at Old Trafford until June 2016.”

“The influential midfielder has registered 376 appearances in his Reds career and scored 23 goals, most recently netting a technically impressive header during last weekend’s 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, the club he joined from in the summer of 2006.”

Van Gaal confirms to #MUTV that Michael Carrick has signed a 1-year contract extension. More: http://t.co/AQOJkjMZo6 http://ift.tt/1ExFDeA

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 20, 2015

Carrick played a key role after returning to starting XI during United’s 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League clash at home last weekend. The Dutchman will be hoping to rely on his services later this weekend when the Red Devils travel to Anfield to face Liverpool on Sunday.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

from Soccerlens.com

Manchester United suffer double injury blow for Liverpool clash

Manchester United suffer double injury blow for Liverpool clash - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Manchester United have suffered a massive injury blow after Louis van Gaal confirmed the defender duo of Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo are not fit for the weekend clash.

The 20-times English champions take on Liverpool as they travel to Anfield for the crucial match of the season. The Dutchman confirmed the Argentine international and the former Southampton left-back are not fit to start, but could make the bench on Sunday.

“Louis van Gaal tells #MUTV that Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw are not fit enough to start for #mufc at Anfield but may be on the bench,” United tweeted.

Louis van Gaal tells #MUTV that Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw are not fit enough to start for #mufc at Anfield but may be on the bench.

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 20, 2015

More to follow…

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

from Soccerlens.com

Stats suggest Man United may dominate derby but Liverpool will win it

Stats suggest Man United may dominate derby but Liverpool will win it - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

As the top four race hots up, every point becomes more and more crucial. Liverpool against Manchester United is always special but on Sunday the game will move up a notch and Opta-powered fantasy football game Oulala have analysed the recent form of both teams in an attempt to discover how it may unfold.

Both sides go in to the game in hot form making it difficult to separate them but when breaking down the stats from their last six games a more accurate assessment can be made.

Liverpool top the form table with 16 points from a possible 18 after 5 wins and a draw. United have impressed but sit two places back in third with 13 points thanks to 4 wins and a draw. Sunday’s visitors have scored one more than their hosts in their last six games (11 to 10) but have also conceded one more (4 to 3).

A more detailed look at the performance stats from the teams reveals much more than first meets the eye.

United have enjoyed much more possession in their six games than Liverpool, a big 10% swing in-fact (62.2% to 51.3%) and they have also excelled for pass completion (85.2% to 80.5%). The stats suggest that Louis van Gaal’s side dominate games far more comfortably than Liverpool do.

However Liverpool are far superior than their opponents when it comes to shot accuracy (40.7% to 34.3%). The Merseyside club also boast the better conversion rate (14.2% to 13.2%). Brendan Rodgers’ side have made a tackle more per game on average than United have (19 to 18). Liverpool’s stats demonstrate the crucial ability of having been more clinical than United.

The stats therefore suggest that Manchester United could dominate Sunday’s game, yet Liverpool are the side more likely to nick the result.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

from Soccerlens.com

Hazard, Sanchez and De Gea among PFA Player of the Year contenders

Hazard, Sanchez and De Gea among PFA Player of the Year contenders - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Luis Suarez won it last time around, but he is now plying his trade at Barcelona? So who will it be this time? I am talking of the PFA Player of the year award.

This summer saw the influx of Alexis Sanchez and Diego Costa in the Premier League and it would be right to say that the duo have made an enormous impact for their respective teams.

Costa has been key to Chelsea’s Premier league title tilt with 18 league goals while the Chilean Sanchez has hit the back of the net 13 times. While the Blues sit atop the standings six points clear of Manchester City with a gem in hand, Arsenal are currently third, just a point behind the Citizens.

Eden Hazardwon the PFA Young Player of the Year last time and it would be only fair to say that he could go one better this year. The diminutive Belgian has dazzled for Jose Mourinho’s side and together with Cesc Fabregas and Costa, Chelsea were simply unplayable at times in the earlier part of the campaign.

Tottenham’s Harry Kane has arguably been the find of the season and the youngster has been recently called into the senior England squad. He will be rightly a contender for the young player award.

Elsewhere, David De Gea has been in stunning form for Manchester United bailing the Red Devils time and again when required. United are currently fourth in the standings, engaged in a fight for a Champions League berth for next season.

Manchester City’s title defense has come of the wheels over the past couple of months but Sergio Aguero and David Silva make the list for the top ten contenders.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

from Soccerlens.com

Manchester United scouts keep close eye on Liverpool striker target

Manchester United scouts keep close eye on Liverpool striker target - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

According to reports from Manchester Evening News, Louis Van Gaal has ordered United scouts to keep a close eye on Burnley striker Danny Ings. The English International who has scored 9 times in 26 Premier League appearances this season has also attracted interest from Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham. The 22 year old is out of contract in the summer and there have been suggestions that he could change loyalties in the upcoming summer transfer window.

There is no doubt that Van Gaal will go shopping for a striker in the summer after Radamel Falcao has failed to impress in his one year loan stint at the club and Robin Van Persie now being 31, isn’t exactly at his best with persistent niggling injuries.

Ings is thus a fascinating prospect given that he is Engliah which means that any club who acquire his services will have a home grown player in their squad. Despite being free, Burnley would be entitled to a compensation of around £3m as he is under 24.

Singing a striker of Ings’ potential will be a great value for player for the Red Devils as it is expected that they will invest heavily to shape their squad in the summer. If they sign Ings for the paltry sum, it will mean that the Old Trafford side will have funds to spend elsewhere. Moreover, the player is a definite goal scorer and with able support behind him, United could have a little gem up front who can turn games on its head.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

from Soccerlens.com