David de Gea remains with Spain squad as he rejects 'lies'

David de Gea insists he remains focused on playing for Spain at Euro 2016 after appearing at a press conference at the team's hotel to scotch rumours that he had been sent home.

Reports emerged on Friday afternoon claiming the Manchester United goalkeeper had left the team's headquarters on the island of Ile de Re due to allegations about his private life that appeared in the Spanish press.

However, the 25-year-old remains in France and he dismissed the allegations as "lies" when he addressed the matter in front of the media.

He said: "I'm more surprised than anyone by this news. I want to deny it. It is a lie and a falsehood.

"I was resting in my room, playing with the Play [station] and I was told about this story.

"I have no idea where this comes from and how this can be in the press. It's a way to tarnish someone's reputation. The first thing I did was to speak to my family so they wouldn't worry.

"But they know me. I know what I've done with my life so I'm very calm.

"It gives me more reason to stay with Spain, in the company of my team-mates. It's in the hands of my lawyers."

De Gea is competing with Iker Casillas for a starting berth in Vicente del Bosque's side and is looking forward to getting back out onto the pitch.

"I'm very calm. I'm just looking forward to going out to train and enjoying myself," he said.

"If anything this is going to give me more strength. It will make me stronger.

"I have all the support of my team-mates and I'm just looking forward. I'm eager to play in the competition."

Reigning champions Spain open their Group D campaign with a clash with the Czech Republic at the Stadium Municipal in Toulouse.

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Wayne Rooney warns Russia they would be fools to write him off

England striker Wayne Rooney has hit back at claims from the Russian media that he is not the player he used to be.

The 30-year-old, who is England's all-time leading goalscorer, has played more of a midfield role this season for his club Manchester United.

It was put to him by a Russian journalist in today's press conference that Saturday's opening Euro 2016 opponents no longer fear Rooney, but the England captain was defiant in his response. 

"Everyone who watches football is entitled to opinions," said Rooney.

"I know the qualities I have and I don't need to sit here and defend myself.

"I'm aware that my game has changed slightly over the years and in my opinion it has changed for the better, but the opinions that matter to me are those of my coaches."

Rooney became England's most prolific goalscorer in September when his strike against Switzerland took him to 50 goals for the Three Lions.

A knee injury in February put Rooney on the backfoot for the Euros, but the striker has returned to the England squad and has been assured of his starting place by manager Roy Hodgson.

The England manager has offered his backing to his captain several times in recent months and Rooney is confident he and his team-mates can repay his faith. 

"We have to be resilient," said Rooney. "We know how important the first game is. It cost us two years ago (a 2-1 defeat to Italy in World Cup 2014) and in the first game it's important to get off to a good start.

"We've talked about that as a group of players and we are ready for the game tomorrow night.

"You can feel the buzz around the place, everyone is excited for this game and it's important we go in and take our performance levels into the game and get off to a good start.

"We have a very talented squad that are capable of big things but tournament football is different so I think it's a big challenge for us as a squad and we're hoping and we believe we can do well.

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meet mohrihno"s first signing for man utd

Manchester United announce Eric Bailly as first signing of Mourinho era

Villarreal defender moves to Old Trafford on a four-year deal subject to the Ivory Coast international obtaining a work permit.

manchester united have announced the signing of Ivory Coast defender Eric Bailly.

The 22-year-old joins from Villarreal on a four-year deal subject to a work permit to become the first signing for new United manager Jose Mourinho.

He said: "It is a dream come true to be joining Manchester United. To play football at the highest level is all I have ever wanted to do.

"I want to progress to be the best that I can be and I believe working with Jose Mourinho will help me develop in the right way and at the right club.

I am looking forward to meeting my new team mates and to starting this new chapter of my life."

The fee is understood to be in the region of £20m with add-ons. He could make first appearances on the pre-season tour of China next month in games against Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City.

Eric Bailly has passed a medical at Manchester United

United faced stiff competition for the signature of the 22-year-old from the likes of Manchester City, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, but they appear to have won the race for the Ivory Coast international's services.

Sky Sports News HQ understands that interest drove his transfer fee towards the region of £30m, with Bailly impressing in 25 La Liga appearances for Villarreal last season.

He joined Villarreal from Espanyol in January 2015 for a fee of around £5m as a replacement for Gabriel Paulista, who had moved to Arsenal earlier that month.

Bailly has won 14 caps for his country and was part of the Ivory Coast side which won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015, with the defender scoring a penalty in the shootout against Ghana in the final.

Although he does not view Bailly as the finished article just yet, Sky Sports'La Liga expert Terry Gibson believes it will be good business by Manchester United if the deal goes through.

"Bailly is a fast, tall, athletic and strong central defender, who is particularly good when faced with one-on-one situations," he said.

"When in possession he likes to run out from the back with the ball and has even looked comfortable in these situations when he has played as a right-back for Villarreal, venturing forward and not looking out of place in attacking play."

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic tells Manchester United fans his big announcement will come on Tuesday

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC has told Manchester United fans he will make “this summer’s big bomb” on Tuesday.

The Swedish destroyer was in action as his country put three pas Wales in Stockholm — and after the match was happy to talk about his future.

Ibrahimovic left Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last season after four seasons in the French capital.

And now he has been hotly tipped to re-unite with new Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, who he worked under at Inter Milan.

Ibrahimovic told Swedish TV: “There will be a big announcement on the 7th. It will be this summer’s big bomb.

“It feels good, feels better than good. A lot will happen with this news. Hopefully you’ll all enjoy it.”

The mysterious 34-year-old has also been rumoured to be releasing a clothing line — and the announcement could be linked to that.

It wouldn’t be the first time Ibra has nutmegged the media — as well as opposing players.

He will also miss out on a £4MILLION paycheque if he announces his new club before June 30.

But with four clubs in the frame for the big hitman, he has told the Swedish media he will make an announcement on Tuesday.

Ibrahimovic’s agent Mino Raiola is understood to be trying to negotiate a deal with PSG chiefs for the money to be transferred earlier.

The fact that Ibra is happy to talk about his future as of Tuesday suggests this could well be the case.

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Man United make £35m bid to sign international midfielder

United are long-term admirers of the Portugal international and have been heavily linked with a summer move, having missed out on him last summer.

And Italian website Alfredo Pedula claim the Red Devils have now made their opening offer for the 22-year-old.

They say that United have proposed paying £35.2m up front, with a further £11.75 being paid in bonuses.

New United boss Jose Mourinho is keen to add at least one midfielder to his squad this summer and is also believed to be interested in Paul Pogba, Joao Mario and Saul Niguez.

Gomes shares the same agent as Mourinho in Jorge Mendes and reports in April claimed thePortugal international had been promised to the former Chelsea manager at whichever club he took over at.

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Manchester United poised to make Eric Bailly first signing of Jose Mourinho era

Manchester United are reportedly on the brink of making their first signing of the Jose Mourinho era at Old Trafford – and it's not Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Eric Bailly is hoping to complete a "dream" £32m move to the Reds after shining for Villarreal over the past 18 months.

He signed for Villarreal from Espanyol as a replacement for Gabriel Paulista, who moved to Arsenal, and has played a key role in making them one of the toughest defences in Spain.

He's an athletic and assertive centre-back, and aged just 22, he had already received interest from Barcelona and Manchester City in early spring but the clubs were told he wouldn't consider any offers until the end of the campaign.

His season culminated in Villarreal qualifying for the Champions League and making the Europa League semi-finals.

Manchester United made contact this week, and are understood to be in talks over the structure of a deal, which would be worth in the region of £32m. Personal terms have yet to be agreed, but a close source says they shouldn't be a stumbling block.

Bailly is said to consider the opportunity to move to United as too good to turn down.

"As a boy everyone knows clubs like Manchester United and this will be realisation of a dream for Eric," a source said.

"These are things that you can not say no to, and Villarreal know that."

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mancheser clubs battle with madrid for dortmund star

EXCLUSIVE: Man United and Man City to battle for £65m striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

 

JOSE MOURINHO and Pep Guardiola are preparing for their first Manchester scrap – over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

 

The new managers of United and City both want the Borussia Dortmund striker, who is valued at £65million. That fee for Aubameyang, 26, would be a British record signing.
Arsenal have also been linked with the Gabon international but they are now concentrating on England striker Jamie Vardy, who has a £20m buy-out clause in his Leicester contract.
So unless there is a move by Real Madrid, the Manchester clubs are set to fight it out for Germany’s Footballer of the Year.
Sources close to Aubameyang have indicated two Premier League clubs are chasing the Dortmund star.

Mourinho and Guardiola had a fierce, bitter rivalry when they were in charge of Real Madrid and Barcelona.
And their duels next season are set to light up not only Manchester but the Premier League generally.
Speed-merchant Aubameyang has held talks with Dortmund about his and the club’s future.
He is concerned that key players are leaving – like Mats Hummels to Bayern Munich and Ilkay Gundogan – who has joined Guardiola at City.

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ZLATAN ON THE MOVE TO MANCHESTER?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be allowed to leave Sweden training camp to sign for Manchester United prior to Euro 2016 

 

Sweden will allow Zlatan Ibrahimovic to leave their Euro 2016 training camp to sign for Manchester United.

Reports on Saturday suggested the striker has agreed personal terms at Old Trafford, though Sportsmail understands his agent Mino Raiola is in Monte Carlo on other business and, despite Jose Mourinho's interest in his former charge, the deal is not yet complete.

However, United still expect the maverick forward to make the switch to the Premier League and Sweden boss Erik Hamren indicated he would be happy to allow Ibrahimovic out to complete a move on one of his days off.  

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MEET MORHIHNO'S FIRST DEFENSIVE SIGNING FOR MAN UTD

Eric Bailly set to join Manchester United for 40 million euro

 

Villarreal and the Red Devils have reached an agreement for the young Ivory Coast defender.

 

Villarreal’s Eric Bailly, is set to join Premier League side Manchester United with the deal expected to be closed later tonight. The Carrusel Deportivo sports programme (part of the Cadena Ser network) have confirmed that both sides are about to conclude the negotiation process with a fee of 40 million euro being agreed in securing the defender’s signature. United will not pay his buy-out clause which was fixed at 40 million but will pay the LaLiga club a quaintly that when varying add on fees etc. are added up will be close to the 40 million euro mark.

 

Interest

Manchester United were not alone in their pursuit of the Ivory Coast international with Manchester City and reigning champions Leicester City also showing interest in the coveted defender. In Spain Robert Fernandez, Barcelona sporting director was known to be following the development of the player as he watched Denis Suárez at Villarreal.

Moved from Espanyol

Bailly arrived at Villarreal over 18 months ago following a move from Espanyol. The “yellow submarine” paid 5,2 million euro for his services with Espanyol retaining a stake in the player. Bailly has convinced at Villarreal with his strong dynamic physical style of play but has been prone to lapses of concentration and has been troubled with a series of shoulder injuries.

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