Football transfer news

Four-time Premier League champion Nani has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 38.

The former Manchester United and Portugal forward enjoyed a glittering career, amassing more than 700 appearances for club and country while racking up a glut of major trophies. Forever associated with his compatriot and United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani forged his own path at Old Trafford.

A winger with an endless bag of tricks, the former Sporting CP forward also boasted end product. Nani amassed nine goals and 14 Premier League assists when he was voted United’s Player of the Season as the club won their second-most recent top-flight title in 2010/11.

“The time has come to say goodbye, I have decided to finish my career as a professional player,” Nani wrote on social media on Sunday night.

“It’s been an amazing ride and I wanted to thank every single person who has helped me and supported me through the highs and lows during a career which lasted over 20 years and gave me so many unforgettable memories. Time to turn a new leaf and focus on new goals and dreams. See you soon!”

Nani signed off his post with the word “Thank you” in five different languages, reflecting the itinerant conclusion to his career. After leaving United in the summer of 2014, Nani turned out for eight different clubs in six countries over the subsequent nine years.

While his club career never returned to the heights of the domestic and continental domination which he enjoyed at United, Nani played a starring role in Portugal’s triumph at Euro 2016. Alongside Ronaldo, the forward was his nation’s joint-top scorer as Fernando Santos’ obdurate outfit lifted Portugal’s first-ever major trophy.

Following spells at Fenerbahce, Valencia, Lazio, Orlando City, Venezia and Melbourne Victory, the 38-year-old came to the end of his one-year deal at Turkish outfit Adana Demirspor last summer. Nani was briefly without an employer before returning to the Portuguese top flight with Estrela.

As he fought his way through the 20th season of his professional career, Nani managed to make nine league appearances and even scored in a 2-2 draw with Boavista in September. The veteran’s final professional appearance turned out to be a 5-1 defeat to the club that first nurtured his prodigious talent, Sporting CP.

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Two under-fire managers go head-to-head on Monday night as West Ham United host Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.

Irons boss Julen Lopetegui, who coached Wolves previously, and visiting manager Gary O’Neil are under immense pressure heading into this fixture, with performances and results having been hugely underwhelming for the duo this season. Defeat on Monday could result in their dismissal, with former West Ham boss David Moyes among those linked with the head coach position at Wolves.

Neither side has convinced this season and both head into this meeting having lost their last two matches. For West Ham, there was an embarrassing 5-2 defeat to Arsenal followed by a frustrating 3-1 loss at Leicester City, while Wolves have conceded four in their recent reverses against Bournemouth and Everton.

Here is 90min’s guide to a crucial clash in the bottom half of the Premier League table.

West Ham vs Wolves H2H Results (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

West Ham revealed that Michail Antonio has been involved in a traffic accident and the Jamaican international will subsequently miss the clash with Wolves after undergoing surgery. Danny Ings and Jean-Clair Todibo are also doubtful for the visit of the Midlands side.

Niclas Fullkrug returned against the Foxes after almost three months out of action and scored during his late cameo. The German will be hoping for some more minutes on Monday and may be rushed into the starting lineup.

Mohammed Kudus also made his return against Leicester after missing the previous five matches through suspension. The Irons could do with a big performance from the Ghanaian at the London Stadium.

West Ham predicted lineup vs Wolves (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Alvarez, Soucek; Bowen, Paqueta, Kudus; Fullkrug.

O’Neil has several injury absentees ahead of the trip to London, with Yerson Mosquera, Boubacar Traore, Enzo Gonzalez and Sasa Kalajdzic all unavailable. Pablo Sarabia is also a doubt after struggling with his fitness in recent weeks. The Spaniard hasn’t featured since early November in the win over Southampton.

Craig Dawson will be hoping for a more fortunate evening on Monday night – if he plays – having scored two own goals during the 4-0 loss to Everton midweek. Defensive issues have been a consistent problem for O’Neil, but he does welcome Nelson Semedo back from suspension.

Wolves will lean heavily on the individual quality of Matheus Cunha at West Ham, while Jorgen Strand Larsen will be tasked with carrying the goalscoring burden. The duo could be the difference-makers in the capital.

Wolves predicted lineup vs West Ham (4-2-3-1): Sa; Semedo, Bueno, Toti, Ait-Nouri; Lemina, J. Gomes; Bellegarde, Cunha, Guedes; Strand Larsen.

Picking a winner between two of the division’s most inconsistent and unconfident sides is tricky, with both West Ham and Wolves desperate for some respite. This could be the final nail in the coffin for Lopetegui or O’Neil.

West Ham’s profligacy cost them in their defeat to Leicester midweek but they offered significantly more at the King Power Stadium than Wolves did in their trip to Goodison Park. The capital club are five points better off than their fellow strugglers and may extend their lead over the upcoming visitors to eight points with a nervy victory.

Prediction: West Ham 2-1 Wolves

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Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has hinted at a testing relationship with France manager Didier Deschamps, revealing some of the tense discussions which have taken place this season.

Mbappe was made his nation’s captain following the international retirement of Hugo Lloris after the 2022 World Cup. The 25-year-old with 86 senior caps to his name led France to the semi-finals of Euro 2024, scoring just a single penalty throughout the tournament while his performances were affected by a broken nose.

Following the completion of his heavily trailed move to Real Madrid this summer, Mbappe’s commitment to France has come under question. The prolific forward joined up with his country in September, but has not returned to Deschamps’ squad since.

Amid rumours of external influencefrom Real Madrid, Mbappe was omitted from France’s October squad. His continued absence from the international setup one month later was a huge shock.

For the first time since Deschamps’ surprise decision, Mbappe has addressed the subject in a wide-ranging interview on Canal+.

“My love for the French team hasn’t changed,” Mbappe insisted. “Yes, I miss it, because it’s been a long time since I’ve been there.

“In September, I asked the coach not to go. I had just arrived in Madrid. I had had a super short vacation. The coach insisted that I come, it didn’t go very well. But it’s still the French team.

“After that, in October, I was injured. I wasn’t in those discussions, they were talking between staffs. The coach told me it was better that he didn’t take me.

“Then, there was November. But I can’t say. It’s the coach’s decision, I stand behind him. I respect his decision. He’s the boss. I wanted to go, but I can’t say why I wasn’t called up.”

Deschamps has bluntly refused to elaborate on Mbappe’s omission, however reports emerged last month that the former midfielder would “discuss” with his player whether he will remain France captain going forward.

The next international break isn’t until March 2025, when France take on Croatia in a two-legged UEFA Nations League quarter-final.

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Emile Smith Rowe has sent a message to Arsenal ahead of Fulham’s Premier League meeting with the Gunners.

The two London sides will clash at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon, offering the chance for Smith Rowe to face off against his former employers. The midfielder ended his 14-year career in north London during the summer, seeking regular game time after falling down the pecking order at Arsenal.

His time at Fulham has so far seen Smith Rowe record three goals in 16 appearances, featuring in every one of their Premier League matches this season.

But, before Arsenal travel across the capital, Smith Rowe has admitted that while he has love for his former club, he won’t be giving them an easy ride on Sunday.

“At the age of 24,” he told BBC 5 Live. “You want to be playing every week and getting opportunities and it was getting to the point where I wasn’t really getting opportunities anymore for whatever reason.

“I had to make the decision to move on. I’m getting my chances now and I’m really happy with it. I obviously want to show them what they are missing out on in terms of being there and leaving, but it’s nothing personal. I have so much love for them but obviously I want to win with Fulham.

“I thought it would be a lot harder [to move to Fulham] than it has been. It has actually been quite easy. I thought I would be really upset and sad. It was obviously the hardest decision I have ever had to make – but definitely the right one. I feel like I have settled in really well and I am really happy.

“Marco [Silva] has given me so much confidence, given me the freedom to just enjoy myself and if I make a mistake just go again.”

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Manchester United have confirmed the departure of sporting director Dan Ashworth after just five months at Old Trafford.

Reports on Sunday morning revealed that Ashworth, who arrived from Newcastle United in the summer, would leave the club following a meeting with chief executive Omar Berrada. His spell at Old Trafford spanned just five months after a lengthy spell of gardening leave at his former club postponed his arrival in Manchester.

United have now confirmed this decision themselves, submitting a brief statement on their club website.

“Dan Ashworth will be leaving his role as Sporting Director of Manchester United by mutual agreement. We would like to thank Dan for his work and support during a transitional period for the club and wish him well for the future.”

During Ashworth’s spell at United, the club sacked former boss Erik ten Hag and welcomed new head coach Ruben Amorim. The sporting director played a part in football performance, recruitment and operations while employed at the club – welcoming the summer arrivals of Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs De Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee.

United have not yet confirmed which direction they will go in now Ashworth has departed, but they will undoubtedly need to fill the huge gap left by their former sporting director.

The club sit in 13th in the Premier League after two loses, a win and a draw under new head coach Amorim.

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