Smalling compares United spirit to Ferguson era

Chris Smalling says Manchester United s never-say-die attitude is reminiscent of life under Alex Ferguson.

The Reds latest last-gasp win came at Bournemouth on Saturday, where Marcus Rashford’s stoppage-time goal was enough to secure a 2-1 win.

That followed last month s dramatic 3-2 win over Newcastle United at Old Trafford, which saw Juan Mata, Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez score second-half goals to overturn a two-goal deficit.

United have endured a poor start to the season and were outplayed in the first half against the Cherries, but Smalling believes the club are again starting to show the fighting spirit made so famous during the Ferguson era.

Asked if such comebacks reminded him of playing for the Scot, who retired in 2013 after 26 years i…

Alba bemused by Barcelona´s silence over new deal

Barcelona defender Jordi Alba has described the club s silence over a potential new deal as strange .

The 29-year-old s contract ends in 2020 but he has yet to speak to the LaLiga champions about an extension.

Alba – who joined the club from Valencia in 2012 – wants to end his career at Camp Nou but is unclear whether the club shares his enthusiasm.

Speaking after Barca s 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid on Saturday, Alba said: I have no news.

I don t know what the club think of me and it s strange because there s not much more of my contract left.

My intentions are to finish my career here but we ll see as I don t know what their intentions are or when they think it will be convenient to call me.

 All over in the Wanda Metropolitano…

Newcastle United 0 Manchester United 2: Lukaku and Rashford keep Solskjaer perfect

Romelu Lukaku made a swift impact from the bench for a second consecutive match as Manchester United beat Newcastle United 2-0 at St James Park.

The Belgium international was on the pitch for two minutes before rounding out Sunday s 4-1 win over Bournemouth and had only been on for 38 seconds when Martin Dubravka spilled Marcus Rashford s free-kick in his direction.

Rashford continued a purple patch in front of goal 10 minutes from time, meaning a fourth win in as many outings at the start of his reign for caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – a feat only previously achieved by club great Matt Busby.

Phil Jones, into the Manchester United defence for the suspended Eric Bailly, made a last-ditch tackle on Salomon Rondon to atone for his own absent-minded play…

Netherlands celebration ´a promise´ to England substitutes, says Watkins

Ollie Watkins revealed that his celebration in England s semi-final victory over the Netherlands was dedicated to both Lewis Dunk and Dean Henderson.

Watkins scored late to book England s place in the Euro 2024 final against Spain on Sunday as the Three Lions came back from Xavi Simons opener.

Harry Kane had levelled the scores from the penalty spot having been caught by Denzel Dumfries inside the box.

The Aston Villa striker netted only the second ever 90th-minute winning goal in a European Championship knockout tie, sparking wild scenes in Dortmund.

Watkins raced away after squeezing the ball beyond Bart Verbruggen, running towards the England bench to celebrate his fourth and most important international goal.

Both Dunk and Henderson, who …

Prediction: Portugal vs Netherlands

Prediction: Cristiano Ronaldo to score first

Odds:

Bookmaker:

The Netherlands round off their international commitments on Monday evening as they take on Portugal at the Stade de Genève in Switzerland in an international friendly.

Ronald Koeman s men will be aiming to better their 1-0 defeat to England from Friday evening, whilst Portugal will be in a buoyant mood following their late victory over Mo Salah s Egypt.

Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo was the catalyst for Fernando Santos men s victory over the Egyptians. The Real Madrid superstar netted twice in the closing minutes to overturn the deficit of Salah s opening goal. The result means that the current reigning European champions have won three out of their last four international friendlies…

Jets sign former Denmark international Nordstrand

The Newcastle Jets have bolstered their striking stocks with the addition of former Denmark international Morten Nordstrand until the end of the season.

The striker-cum-attacking-midfielder has spent the majority of his career in the top-tier of Danish football, with the exception of his early years with Lungby BK and the 2009-10 season, in which he was on loan at Eredivisie outfit Groningen.

He last played for Danish club AGF, where his contract expired this month, and scored three goals in 24 appearances over the last 12 months.

While not a prolific scorer, he did manage to win the golden boot in Denmark when he scored 15 goals for Copenhagen in their title-winning campaign of 2008-09.

It is goals his new club will want from him, with the Jets having sc…