Henrikh Mkhitaryan will stop at nothing to nail down a place in Manchester United’s starting line-up following a lacklustre start to the Armenian international midfielder’s career at Old Trafford.
Mkhitaryan was expected to play a major role in the club’s bid to recapture its glory days after joining in the close season.
“It is true that I get little time on the field but I am not going to give in,” Mkhitaryan said .
“I went a long way to play in Manchester United, so nothing will prevent me from achieving my dream. I will not retreat, I will find the strength to reach my goal,” Mkhitaryan added.
Lukaku will have to leave says Koeman
Everton striker Romelu Lukaku will likely need to look away from the Merseyside club if he wants to fulfil his potential, according to his manager Ronald Koeman.
The Belgian was linked in the British media with a move away from Goodison Park during the close season but Koeman managed to convince the 23-year-old to withdraw his transfer request.
“I gave him confidence and he has himself recognised that it was good for his development to play another year at Everton,” Koeman said.
“No one knows what will come after this season. If Romelu was to play at Everton until the end of his career, I know he has left something (behind). His potential is greater and higher than Everton, as a final destination.”
Dortmund want to tie down Pulisic
Borussia Dortmund director of sport Michael Zorc says they have every intention of extending Christian Pulisic’s contract beyond 2019 as the US international continues to gain admirers.
Liverpool and Leipzig were reportedly keen on the 18-year-old midfielder last summer.
But Zorc hopes to warn off any potential suitors by tying the teenager down on a longer deal.
“There have been some offers for him in the summer window from England and from German clubs, but we would like to have him here and develop him here,” Zorc said. “We didn’t educate him to sell him.”
Chelsea’s Costa left out of Spain squad
Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been ruled out of Spain’s matches against Macedonia and England through injury, the Spanish federation said.
Costa had been struggling to shake off a groin injury he suffered in Chelsea’s 5-0 Premier League win over Everton on Saturday and immediately underwent medical tests when he met up with the Spain squad.
Spain coach Julen Lopetegui had said that the forward’s recovery had been disappointing, and the team later confirmed that Costa had left the squad and been replaced by Iago Aspas.
Martinez plays down Kompany fears
Man. City defender Vincent Kompany has not suffered another injury blow, Belgium boss Roberto Martinez insisted.
The 30-year-old, who has been beset by fitness concerns over the past 12 months, was set to play for his country in their friendly with Holland on Wednesday, but pulled out after reportedly feeling discomfort in the warm-up.
“There is no injury to Vincent Kompany,” Martinez said after the 1-1 draw.
“We did not want to take any risks with him and Kompany did not feel well after the warm-up.
“I want every player to be 100 per cent. I would be surprised if he can play Sunday, but it is still too early to say.”
Banned after betting against own teams
The Football Association has suspended Nick Bunyard, manager of non-league club Frome Town, from all football until 2019 for betting against teams he managed.
An FA commission has found that from September 2014 to April 2016 Bunyard placed 45 bets against Frome and his former club Paulton Rovers.
FA rules prohibit anyone involved in the game from betting on any match that takes place anywhere in the world. The FA has imposed the ban after Bunyard admitted a misconduct charge relating to a breach of this rule.
Frome said: “We are, needless to say, disappointed with this outcome and will provide a full statement after due consideration.”
Montero to play with cast on broken hand
Swansea winger Jefferson Montero has been given the all-clear to continue playing with a protective cast on his broken hand.
Montero fractured a bone in his left hand in a fall during last Sunday’s 3-1 Premier League home defeat to Man. United.
The 27-year-old returned from international duty with Ecuador following x-ray confirmation of the break.
It was feared that Montero would be forced to undergo surgery and be absent for some time.
But a club statement: “Having seen a specialist yesterday, he (Montero) was given the go ahead to continue training and playing in a cast.”