Marcus Rashford possesses the ability to become “one of the most important players in the world,” according to Manchester United team-mate Matteo Darmian.
Rashford, 19, scored the opening goal in an impressive performance in United’s 2-0 win against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday following his selection as a striker ahead of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
“I think Marcus is a great player,” Darmian told reporters.
“He is still very, very young and I think he is very important for us. With his quality, he can be one of the top players, one of the most important players in the world.”
Torino chief criticizes Hart
Torino president Urbano Cairo has criticised goalkeeper Joe Hart for the goal he conceded in his side’s 1-1 draw against Crotone on Saturday, and said the rumours about his future are starting to distract him.
Torino are keen to keep hold of the England No. 1 for another season, but he is due to return to Manchester City in the summer and only a loan move back to Turin would be taken into consideration by the Serie A side.
“There’s too much being said about Hart,” Tuttosport reports Cairo as saying. “Since this has been happening, his performance levels have dropped. This is already the third time we concede a goal this way and that’s a bit too much.”
Chiellini wary of Barca threat
Giorgio Chiellini said Barcelona are like “sharks who scent blood” as he warns that Juventus’ Champions League quarterfinal tie is far from over.
Juve head to Spain tomorrow with a 3-0 advantage from the first leg, but Barca’s record-breaking recovery from a 4-0 first-leg defeat to PSG in the round-of-16 is enough of a warning that the tie still has some way to go.
“We’ve only got half the job done,” Chiellini said.
“We’ve got to try to disrupt Barcelona’s game and score because that would be a decisive injection of belief and a lot depends on our attitude.
“We need to be compact and show no fear. They are like sharks who scent blood and finish you off. We’ve got to keep them as far away from our goal as possible.”
Adams still upbeat despite defeat
Tony Adams felt Granada were hard done by as his first match as a manager in LaLiga ended in a 3-0 defeat by Celta Vigo.
Celta made 10 chances with Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final second leg in mind, but Granada could not take advantage.
Adams said: “People will look at the result and see 3-0 and think it’s been all Celta Vigo.
“Celta Vigo are a very good team, but I thought we created a lot of chances. They scored and we didn’t.
“We’re going to try again in the next game. We’ve got Seville on Friday and we’re going to try and win that one.”
Dundee sack manager Hartley
Dundee have sacked manager Paul Hartley, the Ladbrokes Premiership strugglers have announced. The Taysiders have lost their last seven matches and sit second-bottom of the table, five points ahead of Inverness with five games remaining.
Managing director John Nelms told the club’s official website: “I want to thank Paul for his time with the club. Unfortunately, the business we are in, sometimes change is necessary to achieve the goals we have set. I think somebody in the near future is going to get a good hard working manager.”
Kolasinac ‘not an Arsenal player yet’
Schalke left-back Sead Kolasinac will decide this week whether to join Arsenal on a free transfer this summer, the player’s father said.
Faik Kolasinac told Bosnian TV station N1 that his son has been in talks with Arsenal, but denied reports that a pre-contract has already been signed with the North London club.
“Sead has not signed anything with anyone. It is true that he was in touch with Arsenal, but he is not Arsenal’s player yet,” Kolasinac Sr. said. Asked where he would prefer to see his son play next season, Kolasinac Sr. said: “We will see. This week I will meet Sead and his agent. We will sit down and finally make a decision.”