Angel di Maria may miss Manchester United's trip to Spurs

Manchester United will await tests on winger Angel Di Maria to see if he has a chance of facing Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday after the Argentine suffered a pelvic injury in training.

London: Manchester United will await tests on winger Angel Di Maria to see if he has a chance of facing Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday after the Argentine suffered a pelvic injury in training.

Record signing Di Maria was injured on Wednesday and ruled out of Friday`s 3-1 home victory over Newcastle United in the Premier League.

He had only just returned from a hamstring injury and played in the 1-1 draw against Aston Villa last week.

"In the last training session he [Di Maria] stepped out of the warm up," manager Louis van Gaal said.

"It was a little bit amazing because he did everything very well but ... now we have to wait and see for the analysis."

There was better news on United`s other injured players, including Belgian midfielders Adnan Januzaj and Marouane Fellaini, as well as Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind.

"All the injuries are coming back," Van Gaal said.

"It is a little bit late for us because now we have to play a lot of games within one week but they are coming back and, within two weeks, I think a lot of players will be back.

"Januzaj is ill. A virus has approached a lot of players but for him it was too much. Also Fellaini ... I think it is the Belgium virus!

"Will he be ready for Spurs? No, he is ill."

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Flamengo confirm Shakhtar friendly

Brazilian football club Flamengo will meet Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk in a friendly next month.

Rio de Janeiro: Brazilian football club Flamengo will meet Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk in a friendly next month.

The match will be played at Brasilia's Mane Garrincha stadium Jan 18, Flamengo said on their official website Friday, reported Xinhua.

Shakhtar's squad currently includes 13 Brazilians, including Luiz Adriano, the UEFA Champions League's top scorer this term with nine goals.

Flamengo, who finished the 2014 Brazilian Serie A season in 10th place, will begin pre-season training Jan 7.

Shakhtar are currently second in Ukraine's top-flight standings, five points behind Dynamo Kyiv. 

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Arsenal lead race to sign PSG star Edinson Cavani

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: English giants Arsenal are leading the race to sign Edinson Cavani from French heavyweights Paris Saint Germain. According to reports, Cavani will cost the Gunners a whooping GBP 50m. Cavani has said to have fallen out with manager Laurent Blanc and is seeking an exit from the club. A move abroad will excite Cavani especially the Premier League.

Cavani has scored 38 goals in 66 appearances for PSG in all competitions. It is reported that the French outfit are ready to accept offers.

Arsenal who bought Manchester United's Danny Welbeck for GBP 16m in the 2014 summer. Yaya Sanogo and Joel Campbell who have seen less playing time could move elsewhere out on loan or in a permanent deal.

Wenger has been criticised over years for failing to get top players and spending less but the Frenchman signed Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez for a combined GBP 75.5m in the last two years.

Sanchez has been the main player for Arsenal this season and have galvanised the team. Another forward Lukas Podolski who has played well in his limited opportunities, is also keen to move on as Inter Milan seem interested.

Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has trashed rumours linking Cavani to Arsenal. Earlier, he had also stated that Podolski will stay at the Emirates and will not be allowed to leave the club. It will be interesting to see what happens from here on.

Arsenal have plenty of options upfront and it is unlikely to see the move happening and Wenger could be interested to spend elsewhere especially in the defensive section.

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James Rodriguez voted Americas' best athlete of the year

Colombian footballer James Rodriguez was voted the best athlete in the Americas by the International Association of Sports Reporters in the Americas (AIPS).

Madrid: Colombian footballer James Rodriguez was voted the best athlete in the Americas by the International Association of Sports Reporters in the Americas (AIPS).

Rodriguez, a mid-fielder for Spanish club Real Madrid, was a key player in the Colombian national team during the 2014 FIFA Brazil World Cup, winning the Golden Boot for his six goals, including the best goal of the championship in a match against Uruguay, reports Xinhua.

Rodriguez, 23, joined Real Madrid after the World Cup, and quickly became one of coach Carlo Ancelotti's top players, helping the squad win this year's UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup, held earlier this month in Morocco.

Rodriguez will receive the award in March, during the AIPS Games, to be held in Manaos, Brazil.

The award for the continent's best female athlete of the year also went to a Colombian, track and field star Caterine Ibarguen - gold medal winner at the Central American and Caribbean Games, held in Veracruz, Mexico. 

Argentina's national football team, which finished second at the World Cup, was voted best team in the Americas. 

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Cristiano Ronaldo's agent claims Portuguese star will retire at Real Madrid

Ruling out a return for Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United, the forward's agent has claimed that the star footballer would retire at Real Madrid.

London: Ruling out a return for Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United, the forward's agent has claimed that the star footballer would retire at Real Madrid.

In addition to that Jorge Mendes even went ahead to claim that Ronaldo is the greatest footballer of all time and that Real should retire the famous number seven shirt, worn by Raul and Alfredo Di Stefano, as a mark of respect.

Mendes said that he got to know Ronaldo when he was 15 years old, adding that from then until now they have spoken together on most days. He claimed that when he is in Madrid they always meet up, adding that their relationship is more like a friendship, the Mirror reported.

Mendes believes that Ronaldo would finish his career at Real, adding that the forward is happy at the club and is still keen to achieve more success in Madrid.

The Portuguese superstar is in the form of his life with Real Madrid, having already struck an astonishing 32 goals in all competitions for the club this season, including 25 in La Liga.

Ronaldo, who won his second Ballon d'Or crown back in January, is also favourite to retain the award at FIFA's annual gala next month.

And Mendes believes that not only is Ronaldo deserving of a third individual crown, but that he should be looked upon as world football's greatest ever performer. He declared that Ronaldo is the greatest ever.

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Sami Khedira interested to stay at Real Madrid

The future of German international Sami Khedira looks to get sorted out soon with the 28-year-old being interested in signing a new deal with Real Madrid.

New Delhi: The future of German international Sami Khedira looks to get sorted out soon with the 28-year-old being interested in signing a new deal with Real Madrid.

Khedira's contract is set to expire in the summer of 2015 and the midfielder had stated that talks are on with his club in order to find an agreement. In the January transfer window clubs outside of Spain are free to offer him a deal.

Khedira has found it difficult this season to break into the starting XI with the likes of Luka Modric, and Toni Kroos being selected ahead of him in the pecking order. Also there is competition for places from youngsters Isco and Asier Illarramendi.

Khedira knows he will have to battle it out for a place and put his bet to be in the mix.

The midfielder was linked with a move away from Madrid since months with hosts of big clubs interested in getting his signature. Chelsea, Arsenal and Bayern Munich were linked with a move for the German star.

If Real and Khedira don't agree to a new deal, the upcoming moments would be interesting. A big move by any of the interested suitors could see Khedira leave Madrid. It is expected though the matter will be resolved soon as Real will not let him go on a free transfer.

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Louis van Gaal heaps praise on midfielder Wayne Rooney post stellar win over Newcastle

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has praised Wayne Rooney for his new role as an attacking midfielder following a 3-1 triumph over rivals Newcastle at Old Trafford.

London: Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has praised Wayne Rooney for his new role as an attacking midfielder following a 3-1 triumph over rivals Newcastle at Old Trafford.

Van Gaal said that he couldn't have demanded more as a manager as Rooney scored two goals and gets an assist. He further said that he had asked Rooney to be more attacking after displaying a defensive show against Aston Villa in the last match, the BBC reported.

The Dutchman added that Rooney has the lung capacity to run 90 minutes as a midfielder.

Currently placed at third spot in the league table, United took their unbeaten run to eight games with the win.

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