Zaha, Welbeck, Evra and Young take in Jay-Z gig as they take a break from trying to get Man United's slow season back on track

Manchester United's players took a break from trying to get their season back on track by taking in a Jay-Z concert on Thursday. 

Wilfried Zaha, Danny Welbeck, Ashley Young and Patrice Evra were all pictured leaving the concert in the city. 

Welbeck - fresh from his Champions League goal against Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek - was all smiles after watching the hip hop act, but the other three didn't look quite so enthused. 

Happy as Ashley? Danny Welbeck was all smiles, while Ashley Young kept his head down when leaving

Look at me! One excitable fan is pictured near Patrice Evra, while Wilfried Zaha seemed a world away

Take it in: The United stars were in Manchester watching a Jay-Z concert

David Moyes' side travel to Sunderland for the late kick-off on Saturday looking to bounce back after three defeats in four Premier League games. 

They lie in the bottom half, a huge eight points beneath leaders Arsenal, and desperately need points at the Stadium of Light. 

West Brom humbled last year's champions at Old Trafford, who rarely threatened when they went 2-1 down. 

Ups and downs: David Moyes has endured a tricky opening two months as United boss

Slump: United lost at home to West Brom after a crushing defeat at Manchester City the week before

But following the draw in Ukraine, which might have been more, United will start afresh against the Black Cats.

Meanwhile, Ryan Giggs has insisted that it is the players who are to blame for the sluggish start, not Moyes. 

The 39-year-old moved to take the heat off his manager, and said: ‘I can’t put my finger on what’s happened. We have just not played as well as we can both individually and as a team.

Buoyant: Welbeck scored the equaliser in midweek

‘We know the quality in the dressing room. We’re the champions so we showed that quality last year and we have to show it again.

‘Sir Alex was a great manager and a great influence on the team and the club. You are going to miss someone like that. But I don’t think that is an excuse when individuals aren’t playing as well as they can.

‘We are not playing well as a team. We haven’t got injury problems as we have had in the past - there is no excuse.’

Culledfromdailymail

Messi arrives in court as Barcelona star and his father face £3.4m tax fraud charges

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and his father have arrived in court to answer charges of tax evasion.
The World Player of the Year and his dad Jorge, who both deny wrongdoing, allegedly hid more than €4million (£3.4m) by filing incomplete returns for the years 2006 to 2009. Jorge arrived first to face the charges.
They have already made a 'corrective payment' to Spanish authorities of just over €5m (£4.2m) - the unpaid tax plus interest.

Relaxed: Barcelona forward Lionel Messi was smiling as he arrived at court in Gava to face tax fraud charges

The world's greatest footballer Leo Messi arrives at court

The Argentine pair will be questioned in a closed-court session in Gava - the district of Barcelona where Messi lives.
According to the prosecutor’s office for tax crimes in Catalonia, income from the sale of Messi’s image rights was hidden using a complex web of shell companies in Uruguay, Belize, Switzerland and United Kingdom to avoid paying tax in Spain.
The income was connected to contracts with Banco Sabadell, Danone, Adidas, Pepsi-Cola, Proctor and Gamble, and the Kuwait Food Company.

Star attraction: Plenty of supporters turned up to see Messi arrive at court to face tax fraud charges

Charged: Messi's father Jorge arrives at court in Gava to face charges of tax evasion

Messi has been resident in Barcelona since joining the club’s academy in 2000 and gained Spanish citizenship five years later.
'I never take care of that (tax) stuff myself and neither does my father,' Messi, 26, said in July. 'We have our lawyers and our wealth managers to take care of that and we trust them and they will sort this out.
'The truth is I don’t have a clue about all this and that is why we have people taking care of it.'
Messi takes home around €16m (£13.5m) a year in wages from Barcelona and has a string of multi-million dollar investments around the world.
The hearing will determine whether the case is pursued further.

Denial: Barcelona and Argentina star Messi has previously insisted he has done nothing wrong

Culled from sportsmail

Ronaldo climbs Real Madrid's all-time scorer list, who are the top 5 goal machines in history at Europe's biggest clubs?

Cristiano Ronaldo moved to fifth in Real Madrid's all-time top scorers this week – but he's still got a long way to go to reach some of the greats of the game.
It must pain him to see how far ahead his main rival for global superstar Lionel Messi is - the 26-year-old already topping Barcelona's list.
But he'll be pleased to see he is the ONLY player who has scored at an astonishing rate of more than a goal per game while at Real.

Real deal: Cristiano Ronaldo is the only player in Real Madrid's top five to have scored at more than one a game

Sportsmail has compiled a list of the top five all-time scorers at the biggest clubs across Europe.
Rather surprisingly, AC Milan legend Andriy Shevchenko is beaten to the top spot of their all-time scorers by Swede Gunnar Nordahl, who netted almost 100 more goals than him.
Kenny Dalglish (172) and Michael Owen (158) have been edged out of Liverpool's top five by Robbie Fowler.
And it seems inconceivable that Wayne Rooney won't go on to beat Sir Bobby Charlton's 249 United goals record sitting fourth only 48 behind.

REAL MADRID

Benchmark: Ronaldo must score 113 more times to catch Spanish striker Raul's tally

Raul (Spain), 1994-2010: 323 goals in 741 (0.44)
Alfredo Di Stefano, 1953-1964: 305 in 392 (0.78)
Carlos Santillana (Spain), 1971-1988: 289 in 645 (0.45)
Ferenc Puskas (Hungary), 1958-1966: 242 in 262 (0.92)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), 2009-present: 210 in 206 (1.02) 

VIDEO: 10 of Raul's best for Real in the Champions League


BARCELONA 

Shadowmaker: If not for Barcelona's Lionel Messi, Ronaldo would streak ahead of current players

Lionel Messi (Argentina), 2004-present: 323 in 373 (0.87 goals per game) Cesar Rodriguez Alvarez (Spain), 1942-1955: 294 in 433 (0.68 goals per game)
Laszlo Kubala (Hungary), 1950-1961: 194 in 256 (0.76 goals per game)
Josep Samitier (Spain), 1919-1932: 178 (appearances not available)
Josep Escola (Spain), 1934-1949: 163 in 235 (0.69 goals per game) 

VIDEO: Five of Messi's finest for Barcelona and Argentina


JUVENTUS

Mercurial: Juventus's top scorer Alessandro Del Piero is still carving up defences (in Australia) at age 38

Alessandro Del Piero (Italy), 1993-2012: 290 in 705 (0.41)
Giampiero Boniperti (Italy), 1946-1961: 182 in 444 (0.41)
Roberto Bettega (Italy), 1970-1983: 178 in 326 (0.54)
David Trezeguet (France), 2000-2010: 171 in 318 (0.54)
Omar Sivori (Argentina), 1957-1965: 167 in 254 (0.65) 
VIDEO: A top-10 compilation from Alessandro Del Piero

 
AC MILAN

Prolific: AC Milan's Swedish striker Gunnar Nordahl (right) won two Scudetto's with the Italian giants

Gunnar Nordahl (Sweden), 1949-1956: 221 in 268 (0.82)
Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine), 1999-2006 & 2008-2009: 175 in 322 (0.54)
Gianni Rivera (Italy), 1960-1979: 164 in 658 (0.25)
Jose Altafini (Brazil), 1958-1965: 161 in 246 (0.65)
Aldo Boffi (Italy), 1936-1945: 131 in 187 (0.7) 
VIDEO: Sweden goal shooter Gunnar Nordahl in action

 
LIVERPOOL

Famous finger: Liverpool and Wales goal machine Ian Rush gives his trademark post-goal salute

Ian Rush (Wales), 1980-1987 & 1988-1996: 346 in 660 (0.52)
Roger Hunt (England), 1958-1969: 286 in 492 (0.59)
Gordon Hodgson (England), 1925-1936: 241 in 377 (0.63)
Billy Liddell (Scotland), 1938-1961: 228 in 534 (0.43)
Robbie Fowler (England), 1993-2001 & 2006-2007: 183 in 369 (0.5) 
VIDEO: Five classic Ian Rush finishes

 
MANCHESTER UNITED

Legend: Sir Bobby Charlton was a master goal poacher and lethal with his free-kicks

Sir Bobby Charlton (England), 1956-1973: 249 in 758 (0.33)
Denis Law (Scotland), 1962-1973: 237 in 404 (0.59)
Jack Rowley (England), 1937-1955: 211 in 424 (0.5)
Wayne Rooney (England), 2004-present: 201 in 408 (0.49)
George Best (Northern Ireland), 1963-1974: 179 in 470 (0.38) 
VIDEO: Bobby Charlton scoring from everywhere for United

 
MANCHESTER CITY

Immense: Manchester City's top goal-scorer Eric Brook was known for his strength and thunderous shot

Eric Brook (England), 1928-1939: 178 in 499 (0.36)
Tommy Johnson (England), 1920-1930: 166 in 328 (0.5)
Colin Bell (England), 1966-1979: 153 in 492 (0.31)
Joe Hayes (England), 1953-1965: 152 in 363 (0.42)
Billy Meredith (Wales), 1894-1906 & 1921-1924: 152 in 394 (0.39)
 
CHELSEA

Greatness: Frank Lampard lets it sink in after he became Chelsea's greatest ever goal scorer

Frank Lampard (England), 2001-present: 204 in 615 (0.33)
Bobby Tambling (England), 1959-1970: 202 in 370 (0.55)
Kerry Dixon (England), 1983-1992: 193 in 420 (0.45)
Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), 2004-2012: 157 in 341 (0.46)
Roy Bentley (England), 1948-1956: 150 in 367 (0.41)

VIDEO: Lampard's 202nd and 203rd to go top for Chelsea



Culled from sportsmail

VIDEO: From a messed-up routine... to one of the best free-kicks ever!

Even though the goal was scored in the German fourth tier, the free-kick routine by Rot-Weiss Essen was straight out of the top drawer.
Trailing 2-0 against Wattenscheid 09 last weekend, Essen's Benedikt Koep produced a special goal as the side clawed their way back into the game as it finished 2-2.
With six players surrounding the ball, two players feinted to go for the ball at the same time, a ploy to confuse the goalkeeper. Koep then stepped forward and bent a brilliant left-footed free-kick into the top corner.

From a messed-up routine... to one of the best free-kicks ever!

Genius: The six Rot-Weiss Essen players surround the ball

Two of their players pretend to take the free-kick at the same time

They then remonstrate with each other...

Koep then steps forward and bends the ball brilliantly with his left foot

The strike leaves the Wattenscheid 09 goalkeeper rooted to the spot

Flying into the top corner as Essen came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2

It's blue heaven: City humble United... then Moyes gives his flops a hairdryer blast

David Moyes gave Manchester United’s shocked players the ‘hairdryer’ for the first time since he became manager after the humiliation at title rivals Manchester City.
On a day when Arsenal returned to the top of the Barclays Premier League table by beating Stoke 3-1, Manuel Pellegrini’s City won 4-1 with goals from Sergio Aguero (2), Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri.
Wayne Rooney curled a free-kick beyond Joe Hart late on, but it was too late to save pride and Moyes was livid with the performance in his first Manchester derby.

Blast: David Moyes blasted his manchester United flops after thier embarrassing defeat in the derby

Humiliating: Manchester United were outplayed in the 4-0 defeat

Double: Sergio Aguero scored twice in a brilliant performance for the blue half of Manchester

Moyes: Disappointed with Man Utd performance

United have now lost twice in a stuttering start to their title defence but Moyes said: ‘The way they have been brought up, the way they have been bred with the manager previously, they react, and that’s what we’ll do here.
‘We’ll make sure we react. Every manager has bad results. I’m no different. I just told the players the way I would have told players at any other club if I don’t think they’re doing it. They’re good players, they’re good pros, they know when they’re bang at it and when they’re not.
‘Any manager who had been given that run of fixtures when they took over at this club would have found it difficult. 

Reaction: Moyes hopes his side will bounce back against West Brom next weekend

Simplicity: All four of Manchester City's goals were avoidable for Manchester United

Rout: Samir Nasri celebrates scoring the fourth goal

‘We played very well in midweek. There was no reason for us not to perform well today but it’s one game, there is plenty more to come and plenty of time for us to try to fix it.
I’ve made them aware of that. If ever there was a group of players I’d expect that from it would be a group of Manchester United players.’
United were without Robin van Persie — who scored the winner in their 3-2 victory at the Etihad last season — after he was ruled out with a groin injury.

Missing in action: Talisman Robin van Persie was missing for the Red Devils

Moyes also demanded a reaction from his players on Wednesday night, when they face Liverpool in the Capital One Cup third round at Old Trafford.
Moyes added: ‘We didn’t start well and City were the better team. They got control. We found it difficult to contain them.
‘In time I will have a better understanding of the players.’

Battle of wits: Manuel Pellegrini won the battle between the new managers

Desire: Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany said the game 'meant more' to his side than their rivals

This was a stunning result for City in Pellegrini’s first Manchester derby. And the Chilean, whose side climb to third place, is convinced he has landed a huge psychological blow on United, saying: ‘It was very important. You don’t expect to win 4-1 against Manchester United. It’s very big and the way we did it is always important.
‘Normally derbies are more even. But we had a very good day and that allowed us to have superiority against United.
‘We will enjoy this. It gives the team a lot of confidence. We are just starting another style of play and I hope to keep improving.’

Culled from the daily mail

London and Cardiff among 39 cities interested in hosting Euro 2020 matches, UEFA confirms

More than half of the organisation's member associations - 32 - have expressed their desire to host games

London, Cardiff, Glasgow and Dublin have all been put forward as potential host cities for the 2020 UEFA European Championship, it has been revealed.

Premier League week five predictions: Manchester Utd to pip rivals in narrow derby win , Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham to win

 

Norwich v Aston Villa Saturday 12:45pm

Norwich can exploit the uncertainty and fragile confidence at Villa, but have their own ups and downs, good at home, not so successful away.

Prediction: 2-1

 

West Brom v Sunderland Saturday 3pm

 West Brom's Stephane Sessegnon is likely to start after getting his work permit and will want to make Di Canio regret selling him. Stalemate won't help either side.

Prediction: 2-2

Stop stressing me out! Bolt pleads with Moyes to get it right at Old Trafford

Usain Bolt has a message for David Moyes: stop stressing me out. 

The sprinting phenomenon revealed that it isn't athletic competing that causes him the most angst, but watching Manchester United. 

And Bolt, who plans to retire after the next Olympics, said he wants to 9.4seconds in the 100 metres in the next year.

Stressed? Usain Bolt was talking to Clare Balding when he revealed his angst

Watch the highlights of Europa league Day 1- Tottenham, Valencia , Swansea

Day 1 Europa League

Tottenham vs Tromso

Oh the stamford bridge is falling down!!, What Ronaldo can do, Messi can do!! is this Arsenal's year?

Watch the various highlights of last night Champion's league matches

Rooney is the top English scorer in the Champions League... check out the other top 10?

Wayne Rooney was a record-breaker on Tuesday night as he notched a 200th Manchester United goal in the win against Bayer Leverkusen.

PRE-MATCH FACTS- CHELSEA VS BASEL, MARSEILLE VS ARSENAL, BARCELONA VS AJAX, NAPOLI VS BORUSSIA DORTMUND

The facts you need to know about tonight matches

CHELSEA VS BASEL

• This is Chelsea's 11th consecutive participation in the Champions League. They've reached the semi-finals six times and the final twice, winning it for the first time in their history in 2012.
• Basel are taking part in their fifth Champions League campaign, more than any other Swiss side. Their best performance is reaching the last 16 back in 2011/12 before being knocked out by Bayern Munich.

Watch all the highlights of last night champion's league

Watch all the highlights of last night champion's league

Premier league stats and numbers

A quick look into the stats and numbers of EPL teams, enjoy



Arsenal
* Arsenal have won nine consecutive away games in all competitions dating back to March's victory in Bayern Munich.
* Mesut Ozil has been credited with 73 league assists in five seasons - the highest in the top five leagues of Europe.
* Aaron Ramsey made seven tackles on Saturday at Sunderland but was also dispossessed five times.

What is your probable united formation?

                                                   Man Utd (4-2-3-1)

This is my probable Man Utd formation tonight

Top 11 goals ● International Week

Watch the various highlights of the international week's matches

From Hill's £20-a-week to Ronaldo's £288k Madrid mega-deal... how footballers' wages have been steadily increasing

Cristiano Ronaldo's new salary of £288,000-a-week after tax is a new record. Sportsmail studies football history to see how wages have been sharply increasing through the years.

We're scratching our heads too, Cristiano: Ronaldo now takes home an eye-watering £288,000-per-week