Former Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata has admitted that he was extremely frustrated last season to watch the Champions League season from the sidelines.

United could not make it into the top four – and subsequently the group stages of the Champions League – for the 2014-15 season. Juan Mata had joined United just six months prior to the season. However, he was not able to make much of an impact to the team’s fortunes in terms of qualifying for the European competition. United have reached the top four last season, but this will not be sufficient to guarantee them a place in the group stages

Antonio Valencia’s position as the right back at Manchester United has come under threat following the signing of Matteo Darmian from Italy.

The £ 13 million signing is expected to be the default choice at right back. He has already dislodged Valencia from a starting spot. The Ecuadorian winger has been restricted to just 22 minutes of Premier League action at the start of the campaign. This has been followed by praise for the new defender by manager Louis van Gaal. Valencia could start considering his future if the situation does not improve before January.

Ecuador have suffered a disappointment with the injury news surrounding winger Antonio Valencia.

The Manchester United man is an important player for the national team, but he will miss the upcoming Copa America due to a recurring injury problem in his ankle. The winger underwent ankle surgery back in 2010, but it is understood that the plates and screws used during that period is causing the players some trouble. Hence, he is looking to use this summer as an opportunity to rectify this issue. It would allow him enough recuperating time to be back in contention for a first-team spot in the United squad.

Manchester United have managed six successive victories in the league since suffering the shock defeat against Swansea towards the end of February.

This amazing run of form has propelled them into the top three of the Premier League. Confidence has been a major factor behind such improved results, while United are also playing much better football than they did in the first half of the campaign. At times during this run, United have looked like reaching their old self in terms of style of play and the ability to destroy the opposition. Much of this has been down to the confidence gained under Louis Van Gaal according to winger Antonio Valencia.

Antonio Valencia’s reckless play versus the Gunners last evening cost his team a place in the Round of 4 of FA Cup.

Valencia’s mistake was the reason why Arsenal managed to score both the goals.

Valencia was in the Manchester United’s line up as a holding playmaker and a lot better was expected from him at that position.

He did not seem to be at it at any point of time and was absolutely put to sword by the analysts later on for his performance.

None of the criticism was invalid. Valencia deserved every bit of what he got.

The Ecuador International has turned out to be an extremely frustrating prospect for United over the recent past. His energy level has been questioned before as well.

Manchester United is one of the teams that has been most affected by international break as some of their key players picked up injuries including David de Gea and Michael Carrick.

Even when you don’t take into consideration the latest injuries of certain players after having played with their respective countries, the season of United was already being plagued with injuries.

Unfortunately for Louis van Gaal, most of the injuries have landed and affected the defensive department of Manchester United. The Brazilian right-back Rafael made a sensational performance during Manchester United’s match against Chelsea as the defender managed to keep the attackers of Chelsea at bay for most of the match.

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has confirmed that he does not plan to add any more players during the January transfer window.

After a summer of lavish spending in which new signings worth more than £ 150 million into the club, United appear to be at crossroads. They haven’t seen results improve dramatically, although performances have been much better compared to last season. The likes of Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao have especially been good for the club. One of the main areas where United continue to struggle is in defence.

Peter Crouch believes that his team Stoke is good enough to remain unbeaten on away grounds for some more weeks if they play the brand of soccer they have been playing.
This is the best start ever in the top tier for the Potters as far as the away games are concerned.
They have played 3 away league games in the ongoing season so far. They have won 1, while, have drawn 2 and that one win has come against none other than the reigning champions Manchester City.
If Stoke’s last two away games of the previous season are taken into account as well, then, this unbeaten run becomes even longer.
Effectively, Stoke has not been beaten in the last 5 league matches that they have played away from home.
It’s something which a club like Stoke should be hailed for achieving.

Swansea became the latest Premier League club to sign an Ecuadorian winger after they brought in Jefferson Montero for around £ 4 million. The 24-year-old comes to the Premier League outfit after having been convinced by Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia. Valencia remains as one of the first Ecuadorian players to have made a profound impact in the Premier League. After impressing in a couple of years at Wigan, he made the move to United for £ 16 million. The decline of players like Nani and Ryan Giggs has made Valencia as one of the important wingers at United.

After getting knocked out of the FIFA World Cup 2014, the England boss Roy Hodgson decided to test his bench strength in the last match against Costa Rica and on the place of Joe Hart, he gave Ben Foster the opportunity to stand between the sticks.

The West Brom goalie did well and the match ended in a goalless draw, but, that move of Hodgson didn’t go well with the former English striker Stan Collymore.

According to Collymore, the other shot stopper in the Three Lions squad i.e. Fraser Forster had better skills and thus, he should have been tried out in that dead rubber.

Collymore, in fact, reckons that Foster should not have been included in the World Cup squad of England at all and it’s John Rudy who should have gone to Brazil on his place.