Football

Van Gaal said an early goal had made all the difference after his side beat Stoke City 3-0 in a vastly improved performance.

Aguero gave City the lead after 16 minutes at the Stadium of Light, reacting quickest to a low, deflected cross into the area from Jesus Navas and getting it under control before prodding beyond goalkeeper Vito Mannone.

Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia on Tuesday requested the Indian Football Association (IFA) to make the IFA Shield an Under-17 tournament next year keeping in mind the U-17 World Cup to be hosted by India.

Messi is 28 and could have been picked to the Olympic team as one of three over-23 age players. He led Argentina to the gold medal in 2008 at the Beijing Olympics.

Arsenal chasing a third straight FA Cup title are at home to Hull, the team it came from 2-0 down to beat 3-2 in the 2014 final. Arsenal have won the cup a record 12 times, one more than United.

Barcelona football star Neymar insisted Sunday he is innocent of tax evasion allegations, days after losing an appeal against a $112,000 fine for filing irregularities in 2007 and 2008.

"The medical tests confirm that Augusto suffered a partial tear of the lateral internal ligament in his left knee," Atletico said in a statement on Sunday.

After suffering two setbacks in the space of a week, Atletico Madrid will be looking to avoid a third when they travel to La Liga leaders Barcelona for Saturday's top-of-the-table clash at the Nou Camp.

Ramires has left Chelsea as compatriot Alexandre Pato arrived in London to join up with the Premier League champions.

The Brazil striker had missed one match because of muscle pain. The team won 2-1 at Malaga in the Spanish league without him.

Van Gaal admitted for the first time after the game that he had failed at Old Trafford, saying he was disappointed and frustrated that he had not lived up to the fans' expectations.

Diego Costa gave Chelsea a 1-0 victory over 10-man Arsenal on Sunday, damaging their London rival's bid to dethrone them as Premier League champions.

Fiorentina have completed the permanent signing of forward Mauro Zarate from West Ham United, the Premier League club said on Thursday.

Barcelona made smooth progress in their bid for a fourth King’s Cup triumph in eight years when Munir el Haddadi and Neymar struck in a 2-1 success at Athletic Bilbao in their quarter-final, first leg on Wednesday.

The fee was undisclosed, although British media reports said that Norwich had agreed to pay around 8 million pounds ($11.33 million) for Steven.

The 29-year-old, linked with a return to his native Spain by British media, has made more than 80 Premier League appearances for the Gunners, including a number at centre-back.