West Ham consider move for Southend's star goalkeeper Daniel Bentley

The 21-year-old shotstopper was the hero in the Shrimpers' penalty shoot-out win over Wycombe, helping secure promotion to League One.

And the keeper's skills between the sticks have not gone unnoticed with a host of top clubs in for him.

West Ham, Leeds and newly promoted Bournemouth are all rumoured to be interested in securing his services.

So it may not be long until the Basildon-born goalkeeper is plying his trade in the Premier League.

Bentley, who's spent his entire career at Southend, set a new club record of 11 consecutive home clean sheets at the end of this campaign.

And the youngster has racked up an impressive 101 league appearances since being given his chance in the first team in the 2012/13 season.

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Per Mertesacker reveals Arsene Wenger's secret to success at Arsenal

The Frenchman turns 66 this year and has two more years left on his current deal with the Gunners.

And Mertesacker believes he'll remain in charge of the club for many more seasons and is still improving as a coach.

He said: "It is not like he sticks to his old methods. He changed some things by bringing in new players and by changing his behaviour.

"He changed his coaching staff, he acquired some fresh, young people. The video analysis has changed. 

"In the summer, Shad Forsythe came in from the [Germany] national team as the new fitness coach.

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Per Mertesacker says Arsene Wenger is still improving as a coach

"Those are examples that prove that he is open to new things and that he takes advice. 

"One of his strengths he has never lost in all those years is his charisma. He is the calm centre of it all - that's what he brings across."

Arsenal take on Aston Villa on Saturday (5.30pm) in the FA Cup final and if Wenger wins it will be his sixth success, making him the most successful manager in the competition.

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INSIDE LIVERPOOL: Capitulation at Stoke highlights desperate need for change at Anfield

It is Brendan Rodgers who is at the eye of the storm today after a pathetic capitulation at Stoke on Sunday left a once-proud institution humiliated and on its knees as those in the hierarchy scramble for answers.

Supporters previously ambivalent towards the Liverpool manager watched chaos reign at The Britannia Stadium. They may acknowledge that the 52 league goals the side have scored this season equates to the same number plundered by Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge last term, but many will still have left believing there is no way forward under Rodgers.

Increasingly it appears as if last season’s title challenge was solely down to the genius of Suarez dragging an entire club towards immortality, only to fall at the last. Shorn of his talisman, the manager has made 17 half-time substitutions this term to try and fathom a solution to squalid inadequacies.

They will see a squad three years into Rodgers’ reign lacking leaders. One that has not replaced its No23 in Jamie Carragher or its No9 in Suarez even before the problems of replacing the No8 is confronted properly.

Steven Gerrard’s team-mates whisked him to Dubai after the game with Stoke to mark everything he has done for the club over 18-years when he has thought of Liverpool and little else for 24/7. The prospect of spending more time with those colleagues whose performances of late have been an affront to the traditions of the club will hardly have thrilled him.

For the first time since the pre-Billy Liddell era, Liverpool have no heroes.

Liverpool have indicated their stance on Rodgers’ future is unaltered and there is no desire to make a change despite the shambles in the Potteries, although the public backlash from angry and frustrated supporters seeking some sort of resolution has still to be factored in.

As it stands the manager’s attitude in his end of season review with FSG president Mike Gordon will determine whether that remains the case or his position becomes untenable.

So there remains the possibility of a change at the top. Yet, if the overall policy remains to buy young players with potential, rather than men with experience, then will Liverpool ever reach the heights on which the club was forged?

It is not the case that Anfield’s hierarchy lack direction. The direction is clear: invest in youth, seek value and hope they blossom into stars.

The question is whether that approach can prevail and whether FSG are the right owners for Liverpool.

FSG chose a young manager with one season’s experience in the Premier League and with no experience in Europe to replace Kenny Dalglish in 2012. They brought in someone who would clearly be learning on the job. They can be shocked to the extent it has unraveled, but they will surely know theirs was always a strategy loaded with risk.

If they wanted to minimise the hits, then they should have recruited Jose Mourinho, given him carte blanche to sign who he wanted and encouraged strong voices in Carragher and Gerrard to stay at their club and have an input.

A new manager would be hard pressed not to eke out an improvement from the abject performances of the last two months when Liverpool have beaten only QPR and Newcastle and slumped dismally against the likes of Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-final and Hull City, Crystal Palace and Stoke City in the Premier League.

Yet if the expectation is for Liverpool to challenge, then those at the top must look at themselves in the forensic, analytical review that follows and assess their own roles in the debacle.

FSG have previously been willing to bend on some aspects of their approach. They championed a Director of Football when buying the club in 2010 and brought in Damien Comolli only to dispense with him months later. A return to that model has been ruled out.

Going forward the portents do not look good with Rodgers having said in the build-up to the Stoke game that the “model doesn’t change.”

It was a huge statement because any potential replacement for him would find themselves working with similar constraints and with a transfer committee in place.

After the FA Cup defeat to Villa, Rodgers said fifth was par-for-the-course for a squad without a striker and on Sunday he revised that and said sixth place was the right fit.

For a squad that finished second last season and had spent £110m on reinforcements that is some assertion. As was Rodgers’ admission he was not surprised by some of the displays at Stoke. How low can £20m centre-half Dejan Lovren’s stock be when he was overlooked?

Gerrard, the sole driving force in the second-half as his goal testified, embraces pressure. Suarez embraces pressure. Too many of the current squad shirk responsibility when the heat is on, but that comes with inexperience.

It feels an old fashioned view where Liverpool are concerned, but trust the man you appoint and then it is easy to apportion blame.

Rodgers can stay. Rodgers can go. But the gravity of this situation means FSG are the ones in the spotlight as well.

Yesterday marked the 10th anniversary of Istanbul. Liverpool is in search of a new miracle.

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Manager exodus is unlikely to force West Ham into a rash decision

Ancelotti had ruled himself out of replacing Sam Allardyce at Upton Park before his exit as Real Madrid head coach was announced.

And even the news that former England manager McClaren had left Derby was unlikely to rush the Hammers board into a decision they seem determined to take their time over.

As football's managerial merry-go-round began rolling, Rafa Benitez, now in charge at Napoli and who had also been on West Ham's radar, is set to replace Ancelotti in Madrid.

In another twist, Ancelotti's assistant Paul Clement could be named new Derby head coach as early as this week with the departure of his boss smoothing the pathway.

Ancelotti, who was dismissed after failing to win a trophy in Madrid, had said yesterday: "I've said it before and I can only repeat it: I'll stop for a year. I also have a very serious reason to stop, I need to have an operation for cervical stenosis. For some time I've been having tingling in my hands, if I wait any longer it may spread to my legs, so I've made an appointment for surgery.

"Frankly, I don't know how long I'll have to physically stop, for the post-operative phase and subsequent rehabilitation."

Slaven Bilic had been installed as the odds-on favourite but the West Ham board are reluctant to place such a huge responsibility in the hands of a manager who has never taken charge of a team in the Premier League.

McClaren turned down an approach to take over Newcastle with three games to go, when Derby had failed to make the play-offs, and that is likely to count against him with the St James' hierarchy unimpressed by the snub.

He refused to resign last Thursday after new chairman Mel Morris opted to make a change. But a compensation package was finalised yesterday to complete his departure.

McClaren insisted the Newcastle link had nothing to do with his side's poor finish.

"I'm very disappointed with the decision especially as on three occasions I have reiterated my commitment to Derby," he said. "The club means a huge amount to me and I was not looking to leave.

"I do not believe or accept that rumours linking me to the Newcastle job were a factor in the team's performance, as has been alleged.

"I wanted to remain with the club and was confident of leading the side to a successful season next year. However I have to accept Mel Morris wanted to take the club in a different direction."

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Premier League 2014-15: End of season review

Chelsea won the Premier League with three games to spare

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Chelsea won the Premier League with three games to spare, while Burnley, QPR and Hull were relegated into the Championship.

But which of those outcomes did I predict when I previewed the Premier League season in August?

Who has impressed and who hasn't? Which teams, players and managers have sprung a surprise and which have disappointed?

Here I go through each team and rate their performance, as well as my own...

Jose Mourinho has had the best player in the league in Eden Hazard, a creative fulcrum in Cesc Fabregas and a finisher in Diego Costa

Jose Mourinho 9 out of 10 8 out of 10 8 out of 10

Chelsea were as they were the best team from start to finish, setting the pace from the opening games with flair, then finishing strongly with resilience to complete the job. The Capital One Cup made it a season of double success but marks off for a

Mourinho put the finishing touches to the side that finished last season empty-handed by signing a goalscorer in Diego Costa and a midfield creator in Cesc Fabregas - and in Eden Hazard he had the season's superstar.

Manuel Pellegrini 5 5 5

Manchester City made a lame attempt at defending the title - especially after the turn of the year when Chelsea moved into the distance and manager Manuel Pellegrini seemed unable to inspire his side - and there was even a worry at one stage that they would not make the top four.

Eventually finished second but a poor season by their standards and by the standards of the players in their squad. Yaya Toure, usually City's key performer, was pedestrian so expect City's driven and ambitious Abu Dhabi-based owners to put matters right this summer.

Arsene Wenger 6 7 7

Another qualification for the Champions League and signs of greater steel with in the Premier League and in the FA Cup quarter-final.

At no stage, however, were Arsenal ever relevant to the Premier League title pursuit so no tangible progress, especially after a disappointing Champions League exit to Monaco. Still off the pace and with work needed to be done.

The end-of-term report will read better if they can beat Aston Villa in the FA Cup final at Wembley on 30 May.

Louis van Gaal 7 7 7

The idea of United finishing in the top four was greeted by scorn before the start of the season, but with a proven manager of Louis van Gaal's ilk in place and quality still in the squad it was always a realistic possibility.

Van Gaal shuffled his resources, and were big disappointments, but he got it right during a golden spell that brought big wins against Spurs, Liverpool and Manchester City. No trophies but a season that will have satisfied Old Trafford's powerbrokers.

Mauricio Pochettino 6 6 6

The emergence of striker Harry Kane and reaching the Capital One Cup final, where were highlights but in many respects Pochettino's first season at White Hart Lane was one where Spurs stood still.

The impression remains that the Argentine has still not got the players he wants - or needs - to implement his trademark high pressing style.

Steven Gerrard is definitely leaving Liverpool. But what about Brendan Rodgers?

Brendan Rodgers 5 4 5

Said pre-season that this could either be the start of a great Anfield era or one of the great missed opportunities after just failing to win the Premier League last year. Now we know.

A season of three parts. Poor until December, then excellent until March before a collapse that saw Liverpool lose to Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-final and miss out on the Champions League places - in other words a failure.

Rodgers and his transfer committee have had a poor return for an outlay of more than £100m, armed with £75m just from the Now they must work out how to replace iconic captain Steven Gerrard and solve the

And as if all that was not unsettling enough, the horrendous humiliation of that last day will be a shock that will reverberate through the entire club - and not the best result for manager Rodgers to take into his end-of-season review with owners Fenway Sports Group.

Ronald Koeman had to rebuild Southampton and recruited well

Ronald Koeman 9 8 8

Never joined the band expecting Saints to be relegated but never expected such an outstanding season either after Pochettino left for Spurs and players such as Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw, Rickie Lambert, Dejan Lovren and Calum Chambers were sold.

New manager Ronald Koeman made some magnificent acquisitions and guided Saints through a season that was a delight to everyone at St Mary's. Outstanding.

Garry Monk 8 7 7

Never expected the Swans to be in trouble but they not only survived under manager Garry Monk, they flourished for a deserved top-half finish and a club record Premier League points haul of 56.

Monk's astute handling of his squad and sound grasp of tactics marks him down as a manager with a bright future at the Liberty Stadium.

Stoke's campaign culminated with a stunning 6-1 win over Liverpool

Mark Hughes 8 7 7

Fine campaign of consolidation, and more, as Mark Hughes built on his first season in charge after succeeding Tony Pulis in 2013, with a second one in which Stoke secured a club record points tally in the Premier League.

Hughes has and is ambitious enough to look for further ways to progress The Potters next season.

Neil Warnock 3 / Alan Pardew 8 7 7

A season separated by the struggles until in December and the successes and optimism engendered by the appointment of Alan Pardew.

Palace looked doomed to Selhurst Park, but were rejuvenated almost instantly and ended in perfect safety, powered by the attacking talent of players such as Yannick Bolasie and Jason Puncheon.

Everton spent big on Romelu Lukaku, left, signing him for a club record £28m, but struggled badly for much of the campaign

Roberto Martinez 5 5 4

From the high ground of almost qualifying from the Champions League last season, Everton's decline has been sharp and much of the season deadly dull, played out among much unrest from supporters about the somewhat passive style of play under Roberto Martinez.

No cup runs to offer hope and little of the excitement of last season. Big summer ahead for Martinez as Everton must keep star turns such as Romelu Lukaku, James McCarthy, Ross Barkley and John Stones while rebuilding to challenge the top six again.

Sam Allardyce 5 5 6

A disappointing second half of the season overshadowed all the good results of the early months of the campaign when Sam Allardyce's team played fine football and goals were flowing around the attacking impetus of Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho.

The tame conclusion has left the Hammers in a state of flux, with and a replacement needing to be appointed to lead them towards their move into the Olympic Stadium for the 2016-17 season.

Tony Pulis, right, brought in Darren Fletcher, centre, to a West Brom side reliant on the goals of Saido Berahino, left

Alan Irvine 4 / Tony Pulis 8 6 6

Feared for West Brom pre-season after the appointment of Irvine, who had failed in previous posts at Preston and Sheffield Wednesday. Those concerns were realised as Irvine, a gentleman and a fine coach if not a manager, lost his job in December after only seven months with West Brom in 16th place.

In came Tony Pulis and the relegation worries drifted away. Pulis, whose work is so often underrated, organised West Brom brilliantly and the was a testimony to his expertise.

Nigel Pearson 7 7 7

This pre-season prediction was almost looking a trifle optimistic as The Foxes struggled and lay bottom of the table at the start of April. There was little sign of what was to come, even though they had always been in games throughout the campaign.

Manager Nigel Pearson was a controversial and divisive figure who had argued with one of his own fans, appeared to throttle Crystal Palace's James McArthur in a touchline clash and bizarrely called a in an embarrassing televised attack.

All that was forgotten as he inspired an outstanding late run to safety, rattling off wins against West Brom, Swansea City, Burnley, Newcastle and Southampton to move away from trouble.

Alan Pardew 6 / John Carver 3 3 3

Only defence for this optimistic pre-season prediction was the rider that plain logic could never be attached to Newcastle United. And so it has proved.

Newcastle were ninth after Pardew's last game, a win against Everton in late December. He left for Crystal Palace and in what now looks the rather complacent belief that there was no threat of relegation.

Carver's hapless reign was underlined by eight straight defeats that culminated in the 3-0 loss at Leicester and his subsequent who he suggested had got himself sent off deliberately.

The club has been little short of a shambles in the closing weeks of the season.

Newcastle stayed in the division under John Carver, but won just three games under his stewardship

Gus Poyet 4 /Dick Advocaat 8 5 4

Sunderland failed to build on the momentum from last season's escape and the threat of relegation saw the end of Gus Poyet in late March with only nine games to go.

It was a gamble by owner Ellis Short but one that worked after the appointment of the experienced Dick Advocaat saw Sunderland rediscover their steel and collect enough points to

Paul Lambert 4 / Tim Sherwood 8 6 5

Villa, as a club and a team, looked to be dying a slow death until the labouring Paul Lambert was sacked in February after they dropped into the relegation zone.

Tim Sherwood's positive outlook has electrified Villa Park - Christian Benteke, in particular. The new manager has not only steered them out of trouble but has also guided them to the against Arsenal at Wembley.

Win there and those marks go up.

Steve Bruce 5 5 4

Hull City thought they were edging towards safety with wins against Crystal Palace and Liverpool, but it was a false dawn and they were back in trouble.

The vast experience of Steve Bruce was not enough to keep them from the drop and big-money buys such as Tom Ince and - a Uruguayan brought in from Palermo - were failures. Bruce now faces what he will regard as a Herculean task of rebuilding from the Championship.

Sean Dyche got the best out of the players at his disposal

Sean Dyche 7 5 4

High marks for Dyche, despite relegation, for getting everything out of players who were huge on spirit but ultimately short on Premier League quality. Could he have spent more? Maybe - but others in trouble have spent big and it has not kept them away from danger.

Burnley have not been short of effort and application but simply lacked enough players who could turn around those fine margins, their inability to score goals a very obvious flaw.

Harry Redknapp 4 / Chris Ramsey 4 3 2

A shocking season from first to last. Hopeless under and not much better under Chris Ramsey. Looked a relegated side for most of the season.

Now face the prospect of losing stand-out performers such as Charlie Austin and also goalkeeper Robert Green. Just a dismal, joyless season and quite a reconstruction job for Ramsey after his permanent appointment.

 

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Arsenal dealt FA Cup BLOW as Danny Welbeck is ruled out of final with knee injury

The striker has suffered a series of injuries since his £16 million move from Manchester United and has been told that his current knee problem will leave him short of the required fitness by Saturday.

Midfielder Mikel Arteta will be considered despite not having played since November after ankle surgery because he is already back in full training with the squad, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who made a brief cameo in the 4-1 thrashing of West Brom on the final day of the season, is also expected to feature.

But Welbeck has not even kicked a ball and, as a result, is likely to have to withdraw from the England squad to face Ireland and Slovenia on the weekend following the FA Cup final.

Happily for Roy Hodgson, though, Theo Walcott showed no ill-effects of an injury-plagued season, scoring a hat-trick in the win against the Baggies.

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Danny Welbeck has been ruled out of the FA Cup final

He said: “I just want to play football and getting a hat-trick on the last day of the season after having limited opportunities, it was just nice to go out there to show what I can do. Hopefully the fans were very happy with that.”

Furthermore, he sounded out a warning to Aston Villa ahead of their meeting on Saturday.

“When it is free-flowing football, we are impossible to play against,” he said. “There is a good sense of belief in this team, we can take it into the weekend and hopefully get another trophy.”

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Snoop Canary? Rapper TURNS BACK on Liverpool and Man Utd to support Norwich

The Canaries face Middlesbrough this afternoon for the right to compete in the Premier League next season.

But they may have already got one over on the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool by stealing a famous fan from the top-tier giants.

A photo posted by snoopdogg (@snoopdogg) on May 23, 2015 at 5:52am PDT

Snoop Dogg was presented with a Norwich shirt during a Radio 1 gig in Norfolk.

And the 'Still Dre' rapper took the stage in Earlham Park wearing the famous yellow and green strip.

The 43-year-old is known to be a big football fan and has previously been snapped wearing the strips of Liverpool and Manchester United amongst others.

on May 23, 2015 at 8:47am PDT

But Snoop took to Instagram to shoot down claims he was jumping on the Canary's bandwagon as something of a fair-weather fan.

He captioned a photo of himself in the shirt: "I don't care I love it... show time."

The Canaries will certainly be hoping that Snoop's support can act as something of a lucky charm for them at Wembley this afternoon.

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Man Utd WILL try for Real's Bale, Liverpool's Sterling AND Tottenham's Kane this summer

United confirmed yesterday that Radamel Falcao is set to leave the club and reports this morning suggest that Angel Di Maria could follow the Colombian out the Old Trafford exit.

Louis van Gaal expects to be busy in the transfer market this summer, admitting yesterday a defensive midfielder was among his priorities as he looks to strengthen his squad for an assault on the Champions League next term.

And while a centre-back and a right-sided defender are also on Van Gaal's wishlist, it could be the club's attack that receives the biggest overhaul ahead of next season.

United have already secured the signing of Memphis Depay from PSV.

But according to the Daily Mail, United will make efforts to sign Bale from Real Madrid, Kane from Tottenham and Sterling from Liverpool.

While there is no expectation that United would sign all three players, it is claimed that the Red Devils plan to show their ambition by competing for top-class stars in the transfer market in a bid to "get back to the top".

Real continue to insist that Bale won't be sold this summer, Spurs say Kane is not for sale at any price and Liverpool claim Sterling will see out his current contract at Anfield.

But it is claimed United won't die wondering when it comes to the trio as they prepare for a busy summer of transfer activity.

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Arsene Wenger discusses Theo Walcott's Arsenal future amid talks of Liverpool move

Arsenal, who are desperate to keep hold of their star winger, are in negotiations with Walcott to extend his stay at the Emirates. 

However, Liverpool are reportedly monitoring the situation closely with a view to a move. 

"The result does not change anything," Wenger said. 

"With a hat-trick or without hat-trick we want him to stay.

"We are in negotiations, we started to speak to his agent before he scored his hat-trick.

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Arsene Wenger hopes Theo Walcott will sign a new deal at Arsenal

"He was already sharp when he came on midweek against Sunderland. 

"He created the chances, I always say he can play through the middle because he has good movement and good finishing.

"He's a good goalscorer but has been out for a year. 

"A year in football is a long time takes time to come back to the best for the sharpness and confidence."

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John Terry makes special tribute to former Chelsea hero Frank Lampard

A photo posted by JT (@johnterry.26) on May 23, 2015 at 2:40pm PDT

Lampard scored on his final Premier League appearance today as Manchester City beat Southampton 2-0.

The midfield maestro will head to MLS outfit New York City FC in the summer.

I want to wish you all the best with NYCFC. Good Luck mate

John Terry

And Terry made a touching tribute with a word mosaic he posted on his Instagram account.

A caption read: "I want to wish @franklampard good luck for what will be an emotional day tomorrow playing his final game in the Premier League and English football.

"HERO, LEGEND whom I had the privilege to play, train and become friends with. 

"I feel honoured to have learned from the very best, and I want to wish you all the best with NYCFC. Good Luck mate."

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Relegated Hull rue missed chances as 10-man Manchester United end season deflated

Steve Bruce knows that the reason for his side’s relegation was not this 0-0 stalemate against his former club, who produced what must rank as one of club’s most inept performances of the Premier League era.

As he considers his own future over the summer, Bruce will reflect that his team’s failure to score in 17 of their 38 League games is simply not good enough to survive, especially when, like yesterday, they had enough chances to win comfortably.

And if anyone want to pin-point matches that cost them, they can look back at the two 1-0 defeats to bottom club Burnley - especially the one at the KC Stadium two weeks ago which left them with it all to do in the last two games.

Just when their rivals in the relegation battle - Leicester, Sunderland and Aston Villa - found another gear, Hull went into a serious tailspin that saw them lose seven of their last nine games.

So, a year after their FA Cup final appearance appeared to suggest a brighter future, they are back in the Championship following two seasons in the top flight, mainly because too many of their leading players did not perform well enough, often enough.

Injuries played a part, too, with summer signing Robert Snodgrass missing the entire season after being injured on the opening day while Mohamed Diame has not started a game since early December.

Against the backdrop of relegation has been the anger of the fans towards Egyptian owner Assem Allam’s bid to change the club’s name form Hull City to Hull Tigers.

But that simmering ill-feeling cannot be blamed for the club’s failure to survive. Commendably, the supporters have stayed right behind Bruce and his players, even when news filtered through that Newcastle were one and then two goals to the good against West Ham.

And at the final whistle, as several players dropped to their knees in tears, the fans applauded their efforts.

Bruce had quipped before the game that his former club owed him something “after wrecking my knee, my hip and my ankle”.

And United, in particular substitute Marouane Fellaini, did all they could to help him secure the first win of his managerial career against them in his 22nd attempt.

While United could barely string a pass together, Fellaini - branded “unbelievably stupid” afterwards by manager Louis Van Gaal afterwards - will start next season with a three-game ban after he marred a previously upbeat season by being red carded for planting the full force of his right boot on Paul McShane’s inner thigh, just 18 minutes after coming on as a substitute.

Hull could have been a man short themselves when a couple of minutes before Fellaini’s moment of madness, sub Abel Hernandez punched Phil Jones in the stomach, an incident missed by the match officials but one the FA are look at and take retrospective action.

But even against 10 men for the final 13 minutes, Hull couldn’t make the breakthrough, with Hernandez compounding his punch on Jones by then mis-kicking from the best chance of the day.

Twice Hull had goals disallowed for offside and twice Victor Valdes - making his first senior start for 14 months - produced incredible saves, one from Ahmed Elmomahady ‘s header in the first half and the other form Nikita Jelavic’s second half shot.

United were so poor that they had to wait until the final minute for a shot on target, when Wayne Rooney’s free-kick was tipped over by Steve Harper.

They may have ended the season back in the Champions League but it has not been a great campaign by Old Trafford standards - their second lowest points tally and their second lowest goals tally in the Premier League era.

Both Van Gaal - like Bruce if he continues - will know plenty of improvement is needed next season.

 Harper 6; Chester 6 (Hernandez 71, 5), Dawson 7, McShane 6; Elmohamady 7, Meyler 6 (Robertson 87), Huddlestone 6, Quinn 6, Brady 8; N’Doye 5 (Aluko 71, 5), Jelavic 6.

 Valdes 7; A Valencia 6, Smalling 7, Jones 6, Rojo 6; Blind 6; Mata 5 (Wilson 73, 5), Herrera 6, Di Maria 4 (Januzaj 23, 5), Young 6 (Fellaini 61, 5); Rooney 5.

 Fellaini.

 Blind, Smalling.

 L. Probert (Wiltshire ).

 Hull have never won a Premier League match in the month of May while Steve Bruce’s winless run against United as a manager now stretches to 22 games.

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Predogled (PL) : Tokrat proti Unitedu brez moža odločitve na zadnji medsebojni tekmi

Dva kroga pred koncem je povsem jasno, katere angleške ekipe bodo v prihodnji sezoni igrale v , ni pa še povsem odločeno, katera izmed teh ekip se bo preko 4. mesta v ligi uvrstila v dodatne kvalifikacije. Današnja tekma bi že lahko ponudila odgovor na to vprašanje, saj se bosta na pomerili trenutno 3. in 4.-uvrščena ekipa lige, in . Arsenal ima ob tekmi manj, ki jo bo v sredo odigral proti , dve točki več od Uniteda, obenem pa za 2. mestom zaostaja za 3 točke, a drugouvrščeni mora v tem krogu prav tako še odigrati svojo tekmo proti , ki je prav v prejšnjem krogu točke v boju za 2. mesto odnesel Arsenalu. Cityja tudi v zadnjem krogu ne čaka lahka naloga, saj se bodo pomerili s . 'Topničarji' in 'Rdeči vragi' so se v tej sezoni srečali že dvakrat, v obeh primerih pa so se zmage z 2:1 veselili gostje. V prvem primeru je ta uspela Unitedu, ko je poraz Arsenala v sodnikovem podaljšku z odličnim strelom ublažil . Precej več veselja za Arsenal je prinesla druga tekma, pokalna, na kateri je po napaki Unitedove obrambe pravilo bivšega unovčil . United je sicer v zadnjih letih v ligi doma odlično igral proti Arsenalu, saj so od zadnjega poraza, septembra 2006, kar 6-krat premagali Arsenal in le enkrat remizirali. Dobra novica za Arsenal je zagotovo ta, da bo tekmo zaradi poškodbe izpustil , ki je pot v mrežo na medsebojnih tekmah našel že 11-krat. Obenem Manchester Unitedu kar na zadnjih sedmih tekmah ni uspelo ohraniti svoje mreže nedotaknjene, pred zmago v zadnjem krogu proti -u pa so kar 3-krat zapored izgubili. Če bi Arsenal danes zadel, bi ta niz povišal na 8 tekem, kar se Unitedu ni zgodilo že vse od septembra 2001. Povsem drugačna je Arsenalova forma - čeprav so na zadnjih dveh domačih tekmah izgubili in remizirali, pa niz zmag v gosteh še vedno traja in trenutno znaša 5 zaporednih tekem. Še daljši niz je Topničarjem uspel septembra 2013, ko so zaporedno zmagali kar 8-krat in s tem izenačili svoj rekord odkar obstaja Premier League. Pri domačih poleg Rooneyja ne bo tudi , vprašljivi pa so tudi nastopi , in . Manj težav z izbiro enajsterice ima , saj na srečo že nekaj časa nima pretiranih težav s poškodbami, čeprav tudi danes v ekipi še ne bo bivšega Unitedovega nogometaša, Welbecka.

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//PREMIER LEAGUE //FA CUP __________________________________________________________________________________________ Prenos bo na . Napoved rezultata tekme: __________________________________________________________________________________________

Objavljeno: 17.05.2015 14:25 | Avtor: Matic Anžič

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Louis van Gaal admits pressure on Man Utd to mount strong title challenge next year

While fourth place is acceptable for his initial season in England, the Dutchman knows that won’t be the case when a new campaign gets underway in August.

He stressed: “Pressure from myself is higher than that of the fans because every year I want to be the champion and I know it’s not easy like that.

“But the expectation is more in that direction next year, I know. But that’s the life of a manager and the life of the manager of Manchester United even more because we are a top club and have to behave like a top club and have to fight for the title.”

Today it’s about upholding the integrity of the Premier League even though there is nothing at stake for United rather than pride while Hull are fighting to remain amongst the elite.

“It’s very sad that when you win something happens that you never want as a manager, and also it’s Steve Bruce. I know what that means.”he said.

“I was never relegated myself but it’s a sad thing, sad for the fans. I think also the atmosphere will be different.

“But you need to pay respect also to other clubs in the Premier League. For example we won six out of six points from Newcastle so they expect we shall do the same (against Hull) and we shall do our utmost best. But you know our away record is not so good.”

Van Gaal believes that Ryan Giggs has been comfortable in his role as assistant manager and is destined to be a future Old Trafford boss.

“I have said already that he is working very hard. As an ex-player, normally they are not working so very hard because they are used to an easy lifestyle, so he is already an exception. I think he reads the game in a very good way, a very high level,” Van Gaal added.

“Now he is developing more in the skills of the trainer-coach on the pitch and he is doing that very well. So I think that he shall be - or he is able to be - the manager of United and I think also a successful one.

“I have already given Ryan a lot of responsibility and it cannot be any more. I can’t give him more responsibility.”

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Last chance Carver! Newcastle boss warns players it's winner takes all in relegation scrap

The troubled Tyneside club are in danger of financial meltdown with a second relegation in six years if they fail to beat West Ham.

Anything less than a victory against revenge-seeking former boss Sam Allardyce will leave them heading for the Championship if Hull pull-off a shock win against Manchester United at the KC Stadium on Sunday.

Interim boss Carver has been ridiculed by fans for winning just two of his 19 games since replacing Alan Pardew at the start of the year.

Newcastle have taken only one point form the last 30 to leave them two points above the Tigers as the relegation rivals battle to avoid the last unwanted invitation into the Football League.

Carver warned his troops: "It's come to this and we've got to deal with it. There are no second chances now, no next weeks, it's the last game of the season and it's all about this one 'cup final'. We know it's a case of winner takes all."

Steve Bruce is out to cap a miserable four-and-a-half-month temporary reign for Carver, and Hull's Geordie-born boss said: "John's a good man who has found himself in a difficult situation. I don't think he'll want to manage any more!

"Joking aside, it's a difficult job for anyone, especially when you're up against it in this league."

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EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool WILL sell Raheem Sterling if Arsenal or Man City make £50m offer

Despite the club publicly insisting that the 20-year-old England player is staying put Sunday Express Sport has been told that a deal will reluctantly be done for the right money.

The figure being mentioned within Anfield is £50 million – one which would make interested parties like Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United probably think twice.

But if anyone is prepared to pay over the odds then Sterling will be on his way leaving Liverpool with another big hole to fill.

Liverpool know that Sterling has now driven a huge wedge between him and many of the fans – one which would be hard to remove.

Last summer they allowed Luis Suarez to join Barcelona and in many observers’ eyes squandered the money on poor buys.

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Raheem Sterling will be sold for £50m

This time manager Brendan Rodgers knows he and the Anfield transfer committee have to do better. Rodgers’ future depends on it.

We can reveal that two players are already on their way to Merseyside in the summer, Manchester City’s own contract rebel James Milner and Burnley striker Danny Ings.

Milner has told friends he has opted for Liverpool ahead of Arsenal while Ings believes Anfield is a better playing proposition than the two Manchester clubs.

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Aaron Ramsey on new position and 'frustrating' play at Arsenal

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Aaron Ramsey says he wants to play in the centre of midfield for Arsenal

Relegation may be the only matter on the Premier League agenda this weekend but for Arsenal there is much still to play for, with the FA Cup final a week away.

And Ramsey is fed up of talk of left wing or right wing. He just wants to occupy the centre ground, and he is convinced he can make the difference.

As Arsenal prepare for their final league game of the season at home to West Brom tomorrow, they will have Wembley foremost in their minds.

The grim goalless draw with Sunderland at the Emirates on Wednesday made it 270 minutes without a goal on their own ground, after previous shut-outs against Chelsea and Swansea. On the road, no problem. The goals have been adequate, if not plentiful.

Ramsey had been stuck out wide on the right by Wenger for most of the second half of the season, but after a chat with the manager he was back where he wants to be on Wednesday - and he wants to stay.

"I'm not hiding away from it, I want to be playing in the middle," he said. "I've had chats with the manager. I showed at Manchester United what I'm capable of doing in the middle.

"The manager had said he wanted me do a job out on the right, and obviously I'll do that. But I prefer to play in the middle.

"I like to get the ball and drive the team forward, to start from a defensive position and push the team forward with little one-twos.

"The manager respects everyone's opinion. His door is always open, he'll have his reasons but will also respect yours.

"You don't see much of the ball out wide. I was relying on other people to get me into the game. It was frustrating. I was still contributing, I've had a few goals and assists. I am having an impact on the game, but I prefer to be much more involved."

Ramsey is now hoping his performance in another underwhelming display on Wednesday will be enough to keep him in the middle against Albion tomorrow - and more importantly against Aston Villa at Wembley next Saturday.

The point, though disappointing, was enough to almost certainly clinch third place (barring a defeat to Albion and a seven-goal Manchester United win at Hull) and automatic qualification for next season's Champions League, and the Wales international is convinced Arsenal are not far away from mounting a serious challenge for the title next season.

"This is a massive few weeks for me and the club," he said. "Securing third place is what we were looking to do. We go into the last game wanting to finish on a high before the final, and hopefully we can go on to win that.

PLAYSTATION

"Winning two trophies in two years would be a success, having gone a long period without winning anything."

Even though Arsenal have finished well behind champions Chelsea, Ramsey is convinced the gap between the sides can be bridged.

"We need a good start," he said. "That's what we were guilty of this season - we were inconsistent. But we have grown as the season has gone on.

"The last couple of seasons we have either started off really well, or finished really well. We couldn't put the two together."

Ramsey, who has had no fewer than three lay-offs with hamstring problems this season, added: "I don't believe Chelsea have better players than us, but they have been the most consistent team. They just seem to grind out results.

"We will have to do that as well. We know we can match anyone on our day. It's about doing that every week."

Aaron Ramsey was supporting the finals of the biggest grassroots football tournament in this country, the PlayStation Schools' Cup Festival. Watch the video highlights at 

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Manchester United striker holds CRISIS talks over Old Trafford future

The Dutch ace met with his agent Kees Vos after he was left out of the last two Manchester United line-ups, according to The Sun.

And Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal is set to hold talks with the 31-year-old next week. 

Asked of Van Persie's future yesterday, Van Gaal said: You have to wait and see."

Turkis sides Fenerbahce and Galatasaray are both considering a move for the Dutch ace. 

Van Persie is currently on a £220,000-a-week deal at United, but the suitors are both willing to extend that deal by three years. 

And while The Sun say he had been ready to reject such an offer, recent events at United have made him reconsider. 

Van Persie has scored 48 goals in 86 appearances for United since his £22m move from Arsenal in 2012.

However, his starting place under Van Gaal has come under threat after a poor season. 

He has found the back of the net just 10 times this term. 

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Jose Mourinho: I could manage Arsenal, Liverpool, Man Utd or City after Chelsea

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Jose Mourinho open to managing another Premier League club one day

The Portuguese is currently enjoying his second spell in charge at Stamford Bridge, where he's won three Premier League titles, as many League Cups, the FA Cup and the Community Shield.

The self-proclaimed Special One admits he has no intention to leave the Blues, but insists he'd be open to managing a top-flight rival if he was to leave again.

Mourinho told BBC Football Focus: "Until (Chelsea owner Roman) Abramovich tells me not to stay I don't see myself going.

"If any club comes to me now and offers me a fantastic project, offers me twice here at Chelsea, I would say no. No chance.

"The day Mr Abramovich thinks I'm not good enough for Chelsea, I want to work and if possible in England too.

"So if one day it's not Chelsea I see myself coaching another club. But I love Chelsea and I am in Mr Abramovich's hands."

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Louis van Gaal offers injury update on Man Utd pair ahead of Hull trip

The Red Devils go into the match on Sunday with a fourth-place spot already guaranteed, but Van Gaal refuses to name a weakened side against relegation candidates Hull.

United captain Rooney was ruled out of the last outing against Arsenal with a leg injury, while goalkeeper De Gea was taken off with a hamstring complaint.

Van Gaal is confident his skipper will start against the Tigers, but is not prepared to make a call on his shot stopper just yet.

Wayne is available, he is captain so he shall play

Louis van Gaal

The Dutchman said on the United duo: "Wayne is available, he is captain so he shall play. 

"I don't know [if David will play at the moment]. He trained today but only with the goalkeeping coach. 

"He still has a little problem but I'll wait a day longer as I want him to play against Hull City."

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Alan Pardew tells Liverpool to avoid transfer MISTAKE (but admits Man Utd flop may leave)

The Reds have been linked with a move for the 25-year-old, who is thought to want to test himself at a big club after an impressive season in the Premier League.

Pardew hopes to keep hold of Bolasie and previously hinted that he wouldn't let the player leave for less than £40million.

But he now claims Liverpool would be making a mistake by trying to take the player to Anfield this summer.

This season I think it would probably be a mistake for a top club to get him.

Alan Pardew

He said: "I don't think there's many players who get clapped off at Anfield for a performance where he disrupted a team as good as them.

"[But] he needs to find the end product. He'll work on that hard next year.

"We might have more of a problem at the end of next year if he starts really banging the net. That's really been the thorn in his side, actual goals.

"This season I think it would probably be a mistake for a top club to get him. I don't think he's ready.

"He will be maybe in a year or so, when he's got that final hurdle. Then there'll hopefully be no stopping him.

"He's a fantastic boy, a fantastic talent, I love him to bits. I call him my magic man and hopefully he can give us a bit of magic on Sunday [against Swansea City]."

Asked whether Bolasie should learn from Wilfried Zaha, who struggled at Manchester United after leaving Selhurst Park, Pardew replied: "Wilf's ambition should be to go back to a big club; he just went too early."

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Raheem Sterling may start for Liverpool against Stoke despite fresh contract dispute

Aidy Ward was due to hold talks with manager Brendan Rodgers and chief executive Ian Ayre at Melwood on Friday, but that summit has been shelved after he outlined his agenda in a controversial newspaper interview.

Ward spoke to the London Evening Standard and stated Sterling, who has two years left on a £35,000-a-week deal, would not re-sign under any circumstances.

“He is definitely not signing,” said Ward. “He’s not signing for £700, £800, £900 thousand a week. He is not signing.

“My job is to make sure I do the best with them [clients]. If people say I am bad at my job or they are badly advised, it does not matter.”

That stance is at odds with Liverpool, who have already told Ward they do not intend to sell Sterling this summer, and the agent was informed by Ayre the meeting was off.

Sterling, 20, has rejected a £100,000-a-week deal and Ward claimed Manchester City and Chelsea are leading the chase to sign him. Manchester United have also inquired about how much Sterling would cost.

“I am not worried,” added Ward. “Worried is making a decision not knowing what is going to happen. Every Premier League club will make a bid for him.”

The situation does leave Sterling exposed in the short term and Rodgers must decide whether to include him in his squad for Sunday’s final game of the season at Stoke. Given Liverpool, who yesterday signed Jordon Ibe and Jon Flanagan to five and one-year contracts respectively, have not wavered from their position, it would be unusual for Sterling to be left out.

Sterling was included in the England squad for games against the Republic of Ireland and Slovenia and coach Roy Hodgson hopes the youngster will put to one side a furore that shows no sign of abating.

“What I have to do is distance myself from it,” said Hodgson. “I have to sympathise with anything that’s going on, from both parties, and wish and hope that when he puts that England shirt on, he can leave all that behind him while he has something totally different to do.

“And then maybe he’ll have to continue the discussions afterwards. Is he strong enough to do that? I believe he is, but the proof will be in the pudding when we see the matches in June.”

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WATCH: David De Gea proves why he's Man United's BEST free-kick taker

The United No1 put his fellow team-mates Angel Di Maria and Marcos Rojo to shame with a sensational free-kick.

The Man United trio were batting it out with Youtubers Freekickerz, and after a sloppy start, De Gea pulled things back with a wonderful finish.

The video also showed off Di Maria's South American skills, as the Argentina international perfectly struck the bar with a rabona kick.

However, it was De Gea's strike that really stole the show, with Di Maria, Rojo and Radamel Falcao mobbing the keeper.

De Ge was named United's Player of the Year this week after a number of quality saves earned vital points for the Red Devils this campaign.

But questions still hang over the goalkeeper's future at Old Trafford with Real Madrid set to make a move this summer.

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Brendan Rodgers talks up Jordon Ibe's potential after REJECTING Arsenal and Chelsea

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Jordon Ibe pens new five-year deal at Liverpool

The England Under-21 winger today put pen to paper on a reported five-year deal ahead of Sunday's season finale at Stoke.

The 19-year-old, who joined the Reds' Academy back in 2011, has enjoyed a breakthrough season at the Reds, making 13 appearances since being recalled from Championship side Derby in January.

His fine form had seen him linked with moves to rivals Arsenal and Chelsea, but he has instead opted to remain at Anfield.

And Rodgers has been rewarded for recalling Ibe from his loan spell in January and he praised the youngster for the progress he has made.

The Reds boss said on the deal: "He has thoroughly deserved it. He is a young kid that has got a lot of potential.

"He still has a lot of work to do to become that consistent performer at the top level, but there's no doubting his potential and he has really grown and developed over the course of the last season.

"He came back from Derby and had taken on board all that he was coached there and had done exceptionally well.

"I could see the change in him then. He was very focused and came in and did exceptionally well. Unfortunately, he got injured in Besiktas and that kept him out for a little bit.

"It has just taken him a bit of time to get back up to speed again. He's a great talent, a big talent here for the football club and I'm delighted that he has been able to sign and commit to the future of the club."

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Raheem Sterling's agent claims ace will NOT sign Liverpool deal (and BLASTS Carragher!)

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Raheem Sterling is in the middle of a war of words between Aidy Ward and Jamie Carragher

British football's biggest transfer saga exploded into controversy today with Sterling's representative Aidy Ward going on the attack.

, who is also being pursued by City, Chelsea and Arsenal.

But the man who holds the power over Sterling's next move has suggested he is most likely to head to the Etihad or Stamford Bridge - because he will NOT be signing a new deal at Anfield.

"I don't care about the PR of the club and the club situation," Ward said. "I don't care.

"He is definitely not signing. He's not signing for £700, £800, £900 thousand a week. He is not signing.

"My job is to make sure I do the best with them (my clients). If people say I am bad at my job, or they are badly advised it does not matter.

"I am not worried. Worried is making a decision not knowing what is going to happen. Every Premier League club will make a bid for him."

Ward has been criticised for his handling of Sterling, 20, but he has angrily hit back at Reds legends Graeme Souness, Mark Lawrenson and most aggressively Jamie Carragher.

"Carragher is a knob," Ward told London Evening Standard.

"Any of the criticism from current pundits or ex-Liverpool players - none of them things matter to me. It is not relevant."

Ward, who worked at agency Impact Sports Management before setting up his own company, also has West Brom striker Saido Berahino as a client and used to represent Arsenal ace Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Happy birthday to my agent Aidy ward. Been a big part of my career thus far... Hope u had a good 1 bro

— Alex Ox-Chamberlain (@Alex_OxChambo)

The 34-year-old from Bromley, Kent, certainly doesn't lack confidence and has controversially blamed Liverpool for the furore over Sterling's future.

"How did this all occur? There is no smoke without fire," he said.

Sterling is unlikely to move abroad - according to Ward - as he is not yet ready.

"There were stories three months ago that he could play for Real Madrid, that he could play for Barcelona…. Absolute tosh, he's a million miles away from that," he said.

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