Manchester United's injury-jinxed Phil Jones hits out over 'Sicknote' reputation

• Dec 16, 2014 22:30
• By David Anderson

The defender has struggled for fitness throughout his three-and-a-half years at Old Trafford and played just his 5th club game of the season on Sunday

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John Peters

Had his Phil: Jones is turning to yoga and pilates to try to avoid injury

Phil Jones has defended his injury record and insists he is not a crock.
Jones returned after two months out with shin splints to make only his fifth Manchester United appearance of the season in the win over Liverpool.
He also tore a hamstring in September on England duty but claimed he was fully fit before that problem, and said: “I started the pre-season and played every single game and every single training session.
“Then, on international duty, I pulled my hamstring. I have never had a muscle injury in my life, so it was disappointing.
“When I was coming back, I then had shin splints. I didn’t go into training that morning and say, ‘I want to get injured’. It is just the way it has been and it has been unfortunate.

Michael Regan - The FA

Basel faulty: Jones picked up a hamstring injury during England's win in Switzerland

“I could stand here and list 10 players who are always out injured, and that is just the nature of football. People don’t wake up one morning and say ‘I fancy being injured today’. It’s just the way it is.
"My aim right now is to stay fit and stay focused, and get a run of games under my belt.”
Jones, 22, has been blighted by injuries for much of his three-and-a-half years at Old Trafford and says he has taken up yoga and pilates to help him stay fit.
“I’ve been doing a lot of work in the gym and hopefully that will stand me in good stead for the rest of the season,” he said.
“It’s strength work - yoga and pilates and loads of stuff like that. I will do anything I can to improve myself. Hopefully I can stay fit, look after myself in games and make sure I stay fit.”
Manchester United 3-0 Liverpool in pictures:

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Jones admits he was shocked to be pitched straight back in against Liverpool and hopes United can have more consistency in their back four after the turmoil caused by injuries.
“Yeah, you could say that I was surprised,” he said. “But injuries and circumstances happen and that is football.
“The first 20 minutes were a bit of a whirlwind for me, to be honest. It happened so quick. I don’t think any training session can get you ready for a game in the Premier League, never mind playing against Liverpool, but it was great to be back.
“It always helps to play every game at the back with the same players. You get a good understanding of each other and how each one of you works, and what positions to take up.
“Now I just want to stay fit, keep my feet on the ground and look forward to the next game.”

Will Phil Jones go on to be a United great?

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Arsene Wenger: Arsenal and France must honour 'extraordinary' Thierry Henry

• Dec 17, 2014 13:18
• By Neil McLeman

The Frenchman announced his retirement earlier this week, and is already immortalised outside the Emirates Stadium with a statue

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Stuart MacFarlane

Recognition: Wenger has called for Arsenal and France to pay tribute the Gunners legend

Arsene Wenger wants Arsenal to pay tribute to Thierry Henry after the Gunners legend announced his retirement this week.
The France striker scored 175 goals for Arsenal in 258 matches between 1999 and 2007. There is already a statue of Henry outside the Emirates Stadium.
But Wenger told L'Equipe: "We will organise something in his honour and I hope the France team will also give him the recognition that he deserves. We cannot just end it like this. He deserves a proper tribute. It is very important."
Wenger, who bought Henry from Juventus in 1999, admitted he had his difficult moments with the superstar. "Nintey per cent of the time, it was a pleasure and 10 per cent we could feel the little differences in our view of things.
Thierry Henry: Career in pictures

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"Thierry is blessed with a strong personality and he could get angry. But once he had refound his calm, he was always very clear headed.
"As well as his extraordinary passion for football, he always showed an incredible insight in his judgement of players. He has a real ability to unearth talent."

Thierry Henry career in full

And with Henry starting as a Sky Sports pundit next season, the Gunners boss added: "He will end up at Arsenal one day. Coach? Manager? Director? I don't know.
"I think that first he has to take a step back and think about what he really wants to do in his new life. To be a coach you need to sacrifice your life. What is certain is that Thierry will stay in football. He will be a pundit of huge quality in the media."

Will Thierry Henry manage Arsenal one day?

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Thierry Henry: Managing Arsenal would be 'a dream come true' – but I have to prove myself first

• Dec 17, 2014 08:09
• By Jack Lang

The former Gunners great, who announced his retirement on Tuesday, will first go into punditry with Sky Sports

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David Price

Chip off the old block? Henry has been tipped as a future Arsenal manager

Thierry Henry says that it remains "a dream" of his to manage Arsenal one day.
The Frenchman called time on his illustrious playing career in Tuesday and will take up punditry duties on Sky Sports. But Henry has revealed that he remains keen to go into coaching, with the top job at the Emirates his ultimate goal.
Speaking to the Telegraph , Henry admitted that managing his beloved Gunners "would be a dream come true", but said that he would first have to pay his dues in the coaching world.

Thierry Henry's Arsenal record

377

Games

228

Goals

7

Trophies

“You have to prove yourself first. You need to be able to understand what it is to be a manager," said Henry.
"The plan is to start my badges and I guess Arsenal will help me. To pass your badges, you have to work closely with a club and I would like to think it is going to be Arsenal.
"Everybody knows I would love to go back to Arsenal in some capacity. But I need to be equipped to go back. I want to learn the process, so I have to get my badges."

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Henry has never hidden his love for Arsenal, for whom he scored over 200 goals between 1999 and 2007. Last month, he told French sports daily L'Equipe: "When I left the club, part of me died."
"I cried, and I've never cried often, even when I was a kid," said Henry of his move for Barcelona.
Yet the 37-year-old returns to London firstly to focus on television work.
"It is now time for a different career path and I am pleased to say that I will be returning to London and joining Sky Sports," he said in a statement on Tuesday.
"I will hopefully share some of the insights, observations and experiences I have learnt over the years with you guys."

More Henry love

• Henry's greatest moments
• Henry's career in numbers
• Henry's career in pictures

Will Thierry Henry manage Arsenal one day?

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Liverpool plot audacious Petr Cech move as Reds eye loan deal for Chelsea's backup goalkeeper

• Dec 16, 2014 18:44
• By David Maddock

The Reds are on the hunt for a new keeper following the dismal form of Simon Mignolet, and the Blues could be willing to let the Czech stopper go

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Clive Rose

Czech mate: Could the Chelsea keeper be heading for Anfield?

Liverpool are making an audacious bid to sign Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech on loan.
Brendan Rodgers will press through with his plans to bring in a genuine rival for axed number one Simon Mignolet, and Chelsea have not dismissed completely the idea of a loan for Cech.
They now don't see Liverpool as a rival in this season's title race, and with the Reds out of the Champions League, a move for Cech could help Jose Mourinho's side.
He would be prevented from playing at Stamford Bridge, but would be available for matches against Manchester City, United and Arsenal if a deal could be agreed.
Liverpool have dismissed claims they have already lined up a £3m move for Mexico keeper Guillermo Ochoa.
In pictures: Liverpool's January transfer targets

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The Anfield club have also been linked with a January move for Barcelona right back Martin Montoya after the Spanish international's agent said the defender has asked to leave the Nou Camp in the transfer window.
Speaking yesterday, the player's representative Juande Dios Carrasco said: "He is going to go in January and all that has to be done is to reach an agreement with Barcelona.
"There are a number of clubs in England that are ready to negotiate for him and his buy-out clause is 20 million euros."

Petr Cech at Chelsea

327

Appearances

3

Premier League titles

13

Total trophies

 The massive stumbling block though, is the fee, with Barca demanding the full buy out clause - which is an eye-watering near £18m for an inexperienced full back.
The Reds will only have funds to spend in January IF they sell first...and even if they offload Fabio Borini to Sunderland when the window opens, that will leave limited funds for Rodgers to spend on much-needed reinforcements.

Miguel Ruiz

Target: Liverpool have also been linked with Martin Montoya

His priority is unquestionably a striker, and he will spend as much as it takes to bring in a centre forward capable of running in behind defences, with targets Alexandre Lacazette and Wilfried Bony likely to swallow the entire budget.
If there is any left, Rodgers WOULD like a defender, but with John Flanagan finally on the comeback trail, his priority in January would be a centre half, and again, he could look to the loan market.

Would Petr Cech be a good signing for Liverpool?

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Qatari government considers Tottenham takeover that would pump millions into the club

• Dec 17, 2014 10:53
• By Tyrone Marshall

The Arab nation are reportedly keen on a takeover bid for Spurs that would see them attempt to turn the north London club into a major force

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Getty Images

Chairman: The Qataris could approach Spurs' Daniel Levy over a takeover bid

Tottenham could be set for the kind of investment that has transformed Paris Saint-Germain into a European giant if they are taken over by the Qatari government.
The Arab nation are lining up a £1billion takeover at White Hart Lane, reports AP.
Qatari sports minister Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali has claimed that the Arab nation is keen to snap up a Premier League club as their next sporting investment.
Any takeover would include throwing the kind of money at the club that has seen PSG rise from struggling underachievers to French champions for the past two seasons and an emerging force on the European scene.
Spurs have been linked with takeover bids on a couple occasions so far this season, with owner Joe Lewis and chairman Daniel Levy coming in for criticism from supporters.

Alex Livesey

Anger: Spurs fans are fed up with chairman Daniel Levy

Last month a consortium of Californian-based businessman revealed they were keen to talk to Levy over a possible bid for the club.
Now Al-Ani has told The Sun: “Of course Qatar wants to own a Premier League club. One hundred per cent.
“Here in Qatar we are very, very good in taking something and really transforming it into something very, very good. Even if it’s good we take it to another step.”
Qatar is keen for more good publicity as the controversy over their successful bid to host the 2022 World Cup rumbles on, and a bid for Spurs, who are set to move into a new 56,000-capacity stadium, could suit their agenda.
In pictures: Swansea 1-2 Tottenham

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Would a Qatari takeover be good news for Spurs?

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Manchester United news and transfers: Adnan Januzaj set for David Moyes reunion in Spain?

• Dec 17, 2014 09:34
• By Aaron Flanagan

PLUS: Victor Valdes could be signed on as soon as January window opens and Raphael Varane speaks out over why he snubbed Red Devils

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Laurence Griffiths

Friends for life: Januzaj's talents are well known to Moyes

Here are today's Red Devils stories from the Daily Mirror...

Jones hits back at criticism

Phil Jones has defended his injury record and insists he is not a crock.
Jones returned after two months out with shin splints to make only his fifth Manchester United appearance of the season in the win over Liverpool.
He also tore a hamstring in September on England duty but claimed he was fully fit before that problem, and said: “I started the pre-season and played every single game and every single training session.
“Then, on international duty, I pulled my hamstring. I have never had a muscle injury in my life, so it was disappointing.
Read the rest of this story here.

Fighting fit: Jones feels criticism has been unfair

Trip to Yeovil in January

Manchester United will face Yeovil in the third round of the FA Cup after the Glovers saw off Accrington.
The second-round replay was heading for extra-time, until former Saints star Gillett volleyed in a 20-yard screamer to break Accrington hearts. Substitute Kieffer Moore then secured League One Glovers a £400,000 payday against Louis van Gaal's Red Devils, making it 2-0 a minute from time.
League Two Stanley could have seized the initiative on 28 minutes when Brendan Moloney’s back-pass sold Jed Steer short, but the Aston Villa loanee did enough to thwart Marcus Carver.
Find out who else made the third round here.

Shaun Botterill

Back in form: United have put together a series of results

Ollie Holt on Man United's title hopes

Yes, mathematically, Manchester United can win the league. But I’ll eat my hat if they actually do it.
Why? Because I don’t think they’ve got any real chance of overhauling both Chelsea and Manchester City.
That’s not to say I don’t admire the work Louis van Gaal is doing at the Old Trafford giants. Beset by a crippling list of injuries, it reflects incredibly well on him that United have even entered the conversation.
But win the title? Come on.
Next season, perhaps. They may be viable contenders again by then. Not now, though.
Read the rest of Ollie's piece here.
In pictures - Manchester United's players visit children's hospital:

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Did you know we have a Manchester United page on Facebook?

Tuesday's United stories from other papers & websites

Rakitic battle on the cards?

Manchester United are tipped for a battle with local rivals Man City for Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic.
The Croatia international only moved to the Camp Nou in the summer after impressing for Sevilla, but reports today suggest that he could be on the market.
The Daily Express claims that there could be a tug-of-war between the Manchester pair for Rakitic, who would cost £20million or more.
One to keep an eye out for.

David Ramos

Two-way battle: Could Rakitic make his way to Old Trafford?

Adnan on loan?

David Moyes may not exactly have endeared himself to Manchester United fans, but one man will forever owe him a gratitude.
Adnan Januzaj came on leaps and bounds under Moyes last term, nailing down a first-team spot and establishing himself as one of Europe's brightest young talents.
The Belgium international has found opportunities harder to come by this term, but help could be at hand from a familiar face.
The Daily Express report that Moyes is keen for a reunion with Januzaj, with a loan move to Real Sociedad a possibility.

Where will Manchester United finish this season?

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Arsenal news and transfers: In-demand Norway starlet Martin Odegaard trains with Gunners

• Dec 17, 2014 08:25
• By Alex Richards

PLUS: Carl Jenkinson has an £8million price tag slapped on his head while Sebastian Giovinco's agent makes some noise

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Getty

Training day: Odegaard headed to London Colney on Tuesday

Here are today's Gunners stories from the Daily Mirror...

Recap - Thierry retires

Thierry Henry has announced his decision to retire from football.
The 37-year-old, who left MLS side New York Red Bulls earlier this month, was widely tipped to return to Arsenal in some sort of coaching role - and may yet do so.
But in an announcement made early on Tuesday morning the Frenchman confirmed he has hung up his boots after two decades at the very top of the game.
"After 20 years in the game I have decided to retire from professional football," he said in a statement on his own personal Facebook page.
READ: Arseblog on the £10million boy who became priceless
POLL: Is Thierry Henry the greatest Premier League player ever?
In pictures - Thierry Henry career in pictures

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Did you know we have an Arsenal FC page on Facebook?

Wednesday's Arsenal stories from other papers & websites

Odegaard shown the sights

Norwegian sensation Martin Odegaard visited Arsenal's training ground on Monday, according to Norwegian paper VG Sporten.
The 16-year-old is reportedly on the brink of moving to Bayern Munich, having already trained with Liverpool.
But the youngster, already a senior Norway international, trained with the Gunners on Tuesday, as Arsene Wenger looked to persuade him his future would be best served in north London.

£8million Jenkinson?

According to the Daily Star, Arsene Wenger has slapped an £8million price tag on full-back Carl Jenkinson.
The full-back is currently on loan at West Ham, where he has impressed so far this term.
But the Gunners are well stocked in that position, with Mathieu Debuchy, Calum Chambers and emerging youngster Hector Bellerin.

Giovinco back on the radar

The agent of Sebastian Giovinco has hinted Arsenal may still be keen on signing the Italian international.
The Atomic Ant is out of contract at Juventus in the summer and has been linked with moves to both the Gunners and Tottenham.
Speaking to Sky Italia his agent, Andrea D'Amico, declared; "Giovinco to Arsenal? At the moment only Juventus can negotiate with him, later on however things can change since he has an expiring contract."

Will Arsenal finish in the top 4 this season?

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