Here are the latest stories for Friday.
BARCELONA: Andres Iniesta has returned to Barcelona training and could yet be given the green light to return from a knee injury against Real Madrid next weekend.
– Barcelona have been accused of being too dependent on Lionel Messi in recent weeks, but he hit back at the idea his side struggle to be at their best without him.
– Spain coach Julen Lopetegui says he has voted for Barcelona and Argentina star Lionel Messi to win The Best FIFA Men’s Player of 2016.
– Barcelona’s on-loan centre-back Marlon Santos has spoken of his delight at finally making his debut for the club amid reports in the Catalan press that he is set to join the club permanently.
MAN UNITED: Wayne Rooney became Manchester United’s all-time leading scorer in Europe with a first-half goal their 4-0 defeat of Feyenoord in a Europa League group stage game on Thursday.
– Jose Mourinho has been impressed with Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney’s response to being dropped, club sources have told ESPN FC.
– Manchester United legend Paul Scholes says Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann would be a positive signing for Jose Mourinho’s side.
– Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has challenged Henrikh Mkhitaryan to produce in the Premier League as he did in the 4-0 Europa League defeat of Feyenoord.
ARSENAL: Jack Wilshere has made no secret of where his loyalties lie when Bournemouth travel to Arsenal on Sunday, saying he hopes the Gunners will lose.
– Arsene Wenger has confirmed he will offer Wilshere a new Arsenal contract and said the midfielder is proving he made the right decision by joining Bournemouth on loan this season.
– Wenger has acknowledged the absence of midfielder Santi Cazorla has contributed to Arsenal losing “fluency” amid a run of three straight draws.
ATLETICO MADRID: An Atletico Madrid fan has filed a damage claim in a Spanish court against UEFA and English referee Mark Clattenburg, arguing that Real Madrid’s goal in their 2016 Champions League final victory over his team should have been disallowed for offside.
REAL MADRID: Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann has told L’Equipe Magazine he has “great respect” for Cristiano Ronaldo after jokingly telling the Real Madrid star he hates him.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Manchester United, Arsenal, Southampton and Atletico Madrid watched Celtic forward Moussa Dembele during Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Barcelona, sources close to the Scottish club have told ESPN FC.
UNITED STATES: The “unique” Bruce Arena can be a “breath of fresh air” as the new United States manager, despite taking over the team for the second time, former U.S. international John O’Brien says.
LEICESTER: Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri has backed Jamie Vardy to end his goal drought after admitting the striker even lost his scoring touch in training.
TOTTENHAM: Chelsea’s lack of European football gives them a major advantage over Tottenham in Saturday’s Premier League grudge match, according to Mauricio Pochettino.
LIVERPOOL: Liverpool legend Phil Thompson has warned Steven Gerrard against taking a management job until he builds up his coaching experience.
– Philippe Coutinho says Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has given the players belief this season and told Sky Sports that the Premier League title is “obviously the dream.”.
BAYERN MUNICH: Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng has responded to CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge’s criticism of his off-field activities, telling Bild that his dip in form is not down to “any PR or lifestyle obligations.”
BUNDESLIGA: The German Football League (DFL) has agreed on a new system to distribute TV money once the new €4.64 billion contract takes effect next season.
JUVENTUS: Juventus forward Moise Kean’s brother has reassured the club’s supporters the youngster plans to sign a new contract with the Bianconeri.
FRANCE: Mathieu Valbuena has told RMC he would have no problem playing again with Karim Benzema for France.
LIGUE 1: Mario Balotelli will miss at least three games after picking up an injury in training with Ligue 1 leaders Nice.
INTER MILAN: Mauro Icardi says Inter Milan needed to “go home, get our heads down, keep quiet and work hard” after they were eliminated from the Europa League on Thursday night.
BAYERN MUNICH: Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has criticised Jerome Boateng for his off-field activities, telling Sky that Germany’s Footballer of the Year needs to “come back to earth” after their surprise 3-2 defeat in Rostov.
MLS: The first leg of the Eastern Conference final between the Montreal Impact and Toronto FC achieved a record television audience for an MLS game in Canada, TSN announced on Thursday.
FIFA: FIFA rules that restrict youth players from being transferred worldwide are being challenged in a Swiss court.
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