Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has launched an astonishing attack on Manchester United manager David Moyes ahead of the two sides’ match on Monday night, claiming that Wayne Rooney’s unhappiness at Old Trafford is all down to Moyes.

Chelsea have had two bids for Rooney rejected by United, despite Moyes having admitted during the summer that Rooney is only needed as back-up for Robin van Persie.
Rooney has been openly glum in his appearances for United recently – with a memorable photo from last week of Rooney avoiding a celebration with team mates saying it all.
And Mourinho pulled no punches when asked if Moyes was the man to blame for Rooney’s unhappiness.
“Of course,” he replied. “We are trying to get a player that a manager told ‘You will be a second option’ for him.
“We are not going for Van Persie. They [United] don’t have to be against me. If I say Ramires is a second option for me and he plays when Lampard is tired or injured, if someone comes here to get Ramires, nobody is upset.
“In every big team, I am not criticising, you have first options and second options, and those second options must be very good players.
“Of course big teams must have second choices. Big players too. The point is if the players are happy to accept that situation.”
Mourinho then clearly reiterated that Rooney would not have to accept being a number two at Stamford Bridge, and pointed out that it is only the strength of United’s strike force that has left Rooney in the cold.
“It means they have a fantastic squad,” Mourinho added. “Fantastic. I was playing against them last year. He was on the bench and [Alex Ferguson] was playing Van Persie, Welbeck, Kagawa. The squad is amazing. So it is natural that some players have to be second-choice.”

According to Yahoo

The Barcelona star has been called up to the 18-man squad to face Paraguay in World Cup qualifying on September 10

Lionel Messi has been named in the Argentina squad despite the Barcelona star’s current injury concerns, which have left him doubtful for the Liga game against Malaga this weekend.

Alejandro Sabella’s side only have one match in the next round of qualifiers for World Cup 2014 – an away game against Paraguay on September 10.

The Argentine media had questioned whether Messi – who is struggling with bruising to his left thigh after being substituted against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday – would be risked given the country’s strong position in the qualifying table and the fitness issues their captain has suffered in recent months.

However, his name has been included on the 18-man list for the match alongside the likes of Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero.

Argentina have some notable absentees for the match, with Javier Mascherano, Gonzalo Higuain, Ezequiel Garay and Federico Fernandez all ruled out through suspension while Fernando Gago is injured.

The Albiceleste currently sit top of the Conmebol qualifying table, having lost just once in their 13 matches in the campaign so far, although they have been held to draws in their last three competitive fixtures.

Their last match was a 2-1 friendly victory over Italy on August 14, in which Ever Banega and Higuain scored the goals.

According to Goal

The Argentine is a doubt for this weekend’s clash with Malaga after limping out of the 1-1 Supercopa first-leg draw with Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona have confirmed that Lionel Messi has suffered bruising to his left thigh, leaving him doubtful for Sunday’s La Liga meeting with Malaga.

The Argentine star was withdrawn at half-time in Wednesday’s Supercopa first leg with Atletico Madrid after complaining of discomfort during the opening 45 minutes.

Tests conducted by the club’s medical staff have since confirmed a hematoma affecting Messi’s left thigh muscle, with the Catalans confirming via their official website that the 26-year-old is a doubt for this weekend’s clash with Bernd Schuster’s side.

The news marred a spirited fightback from Barcelona in Wednesday’s game at Vicente Calderon, in which Neymar headed home his first competitive goal for Gerardo Martino’s side.

Martino has already made it clear that Messi will need to be rested at specific points during the 2013-14 campaign in order to avoid a repeat of the leg injury which blighted the end of last season for the Argentina international.

According to Goal

French striker Nicolas Anelka will not feature in West Bromwich Albion’s Premier League game against Everton on Saturday after being excused on compassionate grounds, the club said.

Anelka wrote on his Facebook page later on Thursday: “I’ve just learned with deep sadness the death of mister Eric Manasse. I can’t find the words to express my huge grief and I wanted to pay condolences to the Manasse family after this tragic death.”
Manasse was a FIFA-registered agent Anelka has worked with.
The 34-year-old Anelka joined West Brom, his sixth Premier League club, on a free transfer last month and featured in their opening game defeat at the hands of Southampton on Saturday.
He moved to Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua from Chelsea in January 2012 but did not settle and went out on loan at Juventus.
Earlier it had been reported that Anelka had walked out during a training session and told the club he was retiring from football.
According to early reports Anelka cleared out his locker and told staff members he was finished with football.
It now though looks like the player will return after a grieving period.
West Brom released a short statement saying; “West Bromwich Albion can confirm that Nicolas Anelka will not be involved in Saturday’s game at Everton. The club have excused the striker from club duty on compassionate grounds.”

According to Yahoo