Rumour Has It: De Gea to leave United as his representatives explore their options

Pep Guardiola arrived at Manchester City in July 2016 with the aim of winning games to make the fans happy and proud .

Six and a half years on from his appointment, it is fair to say the Catalan has achieved what he set out to do in that regard.

While a lack of Champions League success continues to blight his CV, Guardiola has otherwise conquered English football.

With four Premier League titles, four EFL Cups and one FA Cup, Guardiola has won at least five major trophies more than any other City manager.

After signing a new deal on Wednesday that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2024-25 campaign, Stats Perform looks at the numbers behind Pep s reign.

DOMESTIC DOMINANCE

Guardiola has managed 374 matches as City manager, winni…

Alisson has declared himself 100-per-cent fit after defying his initial prognosis of six weeks on the sidelines and making his Liverpool return last weekend.

The Brazil international damaged his shoulder in training ahead of the October 4 trip to Aston Villa, which the Premier League champions lost 7-2 in his absence.

He also sat out the 2-2 draw with Everton and 1-0 win away at Ajax in the Champions League but was back between the sticks for Saturday s 2-1 win over Sheffield United.

Alisson is expected to start Tuesday s Champions League match with Danish champions Midtjylland at Anfield and has thanked Liverpool s backroom staff for helping him with his swift recovery, having returned a few weeks ahead of schedule.

It s good to be back, first of a…

According to a recent report from L’Equipe, Chelsea might have to wait until later on in the January transfer window before they’re able to officially pursue a move for Lyon forward Moussa Dembele. 

The talks between the two parties are believed to have come to a bit of a halt at this moment in time, despite the fact that it seemed, just a matter of days ago, like things were going pretty well. 

It’s clear to see that Blues manager Frank Lampard wants to stretch his legs and really make a statement during this January transfer window now that he’s able to buy players once again. Whether or not he’s able to get the necessary negotiations over the finish line, though, is a different matter altogether. 

Dembele has been turning heads for a few year…

Bayern Munich CEO Oliver Kahn lauded the career of Franck Ribery as one of the greatest in football after the Frenchman announced his retirement.

On Friday, Ribery ended a 22-year career that saw him represent the likes of Metz, Galatasaray, Marseille, Fiorentina and Salernitana.

The 39-year-old spent the bulk of his career at Bayern, though, where he won nine Bundesliga titles in 12 years.

He also won six DFB-Pokal crowns, one Champions League, a European Super Cup and a Club World Cup during his time in Germany.

Speaking to Bayern s website as they paid tribute to a club great, Kahn – Ribery s former team-mate – said: One of the greatest careers in football – not just FC Bayern – is coming to an end with Franck Ribery.

I had the fortune…

Real Madrid are interested in signing Antonio Silva from Benfica in the summer transfer window, according to . The report has claimed that last season’s La Liga and UEFA Champions League winners Madrid are closely following the progress and development of Silva at this Portuguese club Benfica.

Silva has been on the books of Benfica since 2016 and has come through the youth academy at the Portuguese club. The 19-year-old has broken into the Benfica first team this season and has been very impressive. The Portugal international has made 19 appearances in the Portuguese domestic league so far this season, scoring two goals in the process. Silva has also scored one goal in seven UEFA Champions League matches so far this campaign.

Real Madrid are second in the La Liga tabl…

Jorge Sampaoli has been sacked by Sevilla after a poor run of form left them just two points above the relegation zone in LaLiga.

A 2-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Getafe on Sunday proved the final straw for Sampaoli, who had only returned for his second spell in charge in October.

Sevilla have won just twice in their past seven LaLiga matches, losing four games in that run.

Sampaoli did steer Sevilla into the quarter-finals of the Europa League, but a different coach will now be in the dugout when they go head to head with Manchester United.

A Sevilla statement read: Sevilla have terminated the contract of coach Jorge Sampaoli after the team s defeat in Getafe, which has once again placed the team on the verge of relegation places.

The fact that…

Patson Daka’s second-half brace helped Leicester move six points clear at the top of the Championship with a comfortable 3-0 win against bottom-placed Rotherham.

After a goalless first period, Daka opened the scoring on the hour mark with a simple finish from close range before then converting from the penalty spot five minutes later after he was fouled by Rotherham goalkeeper Viktor Johansson.

Foxes substitute Cesare Casadei completed the scoring with a diving header in the 72nd minute as the home side secured a fifth straight league win to extend their lead at the top following Ipswich’s heavy defeat at Leeds in the early kick-off.

Rotherham remain rooted to the foot of the table, nine points from safety, having lost all matches under new boss Leam Richards…

Republic of Ireland international Matt Doherty has completed a return to Wolves on a free transfer.

The defender has signed a three-year deal with the Molineux outfit, after making more than 300 appearances during his first spell at the club.

Doherty left Wolves after a decade of service to sign for Tottenham in 2020 but departed Spurs in January on a free transfer and joined Atletico Madrid on a six-month deal.

Welcome home, !

— Wolves (@Wolves)

After the 31-year-old made only two appearances during his brief stint in Spain, he has now returned to England and will work under Julen Lopetegui.

Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs said: “We’re really happy Matt’s back and he’s one the manager really wanted when he knew he…

Thomas Tuchel refused to condemn the formation of a European Super League and is adamant he trusts Chelsea to make the right decisions as he called for all parties to remain calm.

Chelsea were confirmed as one of 12 founder clubs of a new semi-closed competition on Sunday, with The Super League – as it has been dubbed – attracting widespread criticism.

UEFA, in a statement co-signed by the national associations of England, Spain, Italy and those countries respective top leagues, vowed to ban players and teams from other competitions if they become involved in the Super League.

It remains to be seen if UEFA and the domestic leagues have the power to stop the Super League, but Tuchel cut a relaxed figure amid the hysteria as he addressed the media on Monday ahe…

Bayern Munich are considering the possibility of going for Brighton and Hove Albion star Moises Caicedo this summer, according to Sky in Germany.

The Seagulls originally signed Caicedo from Ecuadorian side Independiente in January 2021, and sent him on loan to Beerschot six months later. He returned to the Amex last summer and played a huge role in what can only be described as a historic season for the club from the south coast of England as they secured a place in the Europa League.

The 21-year-old midfielder was of strong interest to Arsenal and Chelsea this January, but Brighton simply refused to sell such an important player in the middle of the season. Chelsea signed Enzo Fernandez from Benfica instead and Arsenal are believed to the favourites for West Ham captai…