Erik ten Hag admits Manchester United were left disappointed after failing to top their Europa League group, despite a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad on Thursday.
A triumph by two or more goals would have seen United advance as Group E winners by virtue of a superior head-to-head record over La Real.
Alejandro Garnacho s 17th-minute goal gave United hope, but that proved to be their only shot on target during a lacklustre display at the Reale Arena.
Ten Hag, whose side subsequently face a play-off against one of the teams knocked out of the Champions League, told BT Sport: You do not always get what you deserve.
Of course, we are disappointed we didn t score two goals because that s what we needed. We want always to be number one, and when we aren t, we are…
Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah became the leading goalscorer in the history of England s Under-21s side after netting against Turkey.
Nketiah scored in the 88th minute on Tuesday, making it 2-0 to Aidy Boothroyd s side, before Halil Dervisoglu pulled one back for Turkey in stoppage time.
Just three minutes after missing a penalty, Nketiah took in a pass from Ryan Sessegnon and lifted a neat finish over the onrushing Altay Bayindir.
It took Nketiah onto 14 goals from 12 appearances for England s U21s, making him the record goalscorer ahead of Francis Jeffers and Alan Shearer.
Having spent the first half of 2019-20 on loan at Leeds United, Nketiah returned to Arsenal for the second part of the campaign.
From 13 Premier League appearances, the 21-y…
Ruud Vormer will leave Roda for Feyenoord on a free transfer at the end of the season.
The Rotterdam giants said their official website that the holding midfielder will sign a three-year deal after undergoing a medical in January.
The 23-year-old is a product of the AZ youth academy, but never really managed to secure regular first-team action at the Eredivisie table-toppers and joined Roda in 2008.
He has since developed into a key player at the Kerkrade side and has made more than 100 league appearances for Roda.
The midfielder had an expiring contract at the Parkstad Limburg Stadium and refused to sign a new deal.
Vitesse were also interested in signing Vormer, but he has now opted to join Feyenoord instead, much to the delight of sporting dir…
A Drew Brees master class inspired the New Orleans Saints to a 49-24 win over the New York Giants in the NFL on Monday.
Brees passed for 363 yards, four touchdowns and added one himself in the 2009 Super Bowl champions comfortable victory as they kept their one-game lead over Atlanta in the NFC South division.
The 32-year-old became the first player ever to achieve the feat on Monday night football and became just the second player after Peyton Manning to reach 30,000 yards in a seven-season run from 2005.
Brees heroics overshadowed the result but in truth it was an easy win for the Saints with the match as good as over at half-time when they led 24-3.
After a scoreless first quarter, Brees burst into action as Lance Moore (twice) and Jimmy Graham scored…
Seattle have announced that goalkeeper Terry Boss has retired from football, following a series of concussions during the 2011 season.
We are going to miss Terry, Sounders FC manager Sigi Schmid said.
He was a valuable member of the Sounders and it is unfortunate his career has come to a close. We wish him well and good health in his future.
Boss, 30, acted as the team s back-up goalkeeper to Kasey Keller for the past three seasons, with Keller also announcing his retirement this offseason.
It has been a great honour and privilege to play for Sounders FC, Boss said.
This has obviously been difficult, but the support I have received from my family, friends, teammates, coaches, front office and fans has been tremendous. From the top down thi…
Sean Dyche hailed Everton’s second-half “edge” as they came from behind to rescue a valuable point in a 1-1 draw at Newcastle.
The Magpies went ahead through Alexander Isak’s first-half strike, but spurned a number of opportunities before Everton struck back in the latter stages.
Paul Dummett’s challenge on Ashley Young saw the Toffees awarded a penalty in the 87th minute and after a VAR check, substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin stepped up to slot home from the spot.
1
— Everton (@Everton)
A draw still hands Everton an unwanted record of 13 Premier League games without a win, but Dyche believes his side secured a “good point” on the road.
He said: “I thought it was a pretty decent performance, but at half-time I mentione…
Sunderland duo Nicklas Bendtner and Lee Cattermole have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in Newcastle city centre.
The Black Cats players, both 23, were held over an incident on December 6, in which cars were damaged in the Stowell Street area of the city, close to St James Park.
Sunderland have yet to comment on the arrest of the pair, who have been released on bail pending further inquiries.
A Northumbria Police spokesman said: Police can confirm that on 15 December two men aged 23 were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.
It follows an investigation into cars damaged on Stowell Street in Newcastle city centre which happened about 10pm on 6 December.
The two men have been bailed.
Denmark forward Bendtner arrived o…
Hull City capped off their transfer activity with the loan signing of attacking midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa on Monday.
Ben Arfa will spend the 2014-15 Premier League season under the guidance of Hull manager Steve Bruce after finding himself on the outer at Newcastle United.
The 27-year-old has made 76 Premier League appearances for Newcastle since leaving Marseille in 2010.
Though, the French international was not included in Newcastle s squad for their opening three league games, while he failed to make the bench for the club s League Cup fixture.
Hatem is a superb addition to the squad, and brings a lot of attacking flare, said Bruce.
We look forward to welcoming him to the club.
Ben Arfa was the fourth Hull signing on a frantic day be…
Juventus are preparing a fresh bid for Sevilla full-back Martin Caceres, Spanish daily AS reveals.
The Bianconeri are very interested in signing the Uruguayan in January and already had several bids rejected.
After their latest €7 million offer was turned down by Sevilla, the Old Lady are preparing a new €10 million bid.
Martin Caceres, who can play in every position across defence, spent 2009/2010 season on loan at Juventus.
The player recently revealed his desire to return for the second spell with the Bianconeri and it looks as though his wish will be granted.
Caceres started 11 La Liga games for Sevilla after arriving from Barcelona in the summer and scored 1 goal.
…
Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay believes his side need no extra motivation for Sunday s Carling Cup final against Liverpool.
The Welsh outfit who lost the 2008 FA Cup final to Portsmouth return to Wembley as rank outsiders against Kenny Dalglish s Liverpool.
And Mackay said his side were looking forward to testing themselves on the big stage against English Premier League opposition.
I don t think there is any need to get them up for occasion, Mackay said.
I think that when you go and play a final of the Carling Cup for the first time in the club s history and you go to Wembley against Liverpool there s no need to get them up.
As far as the focus where the players are concerned they re really looking forward to it, looking forward to getting o…