Football

"I hope we are in the top four this season - it suits a club like Manchester United," Van Gaal said.

Shaw has missed the start of the EPL season with a hamstring injury and Hodgson has said the youngster struggled with his fitness at the World Cup.

Mario Balotelli is in line to make his Liverpool debut against Tottenham on Sunday after impressing manager Brendan Rodgers in the first practice sessions.

The AIFF has decided not to renew incumbent Wim Koevarmans' contract but retain him as the technical director.

The full extent of the Spain forward's injury is not yet known, with some British media reports claiming he could face up to six weeks out.

Lampard has scored 29 goals in 106 appearances, with his last appearance coming at the World Cup in June.

Di Maria has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United and Ancelotti admitted that the Argentine had been offered a new deal but instead asked to leave.

Messi wrote in a Facebook post that he was "deeply saddened" by the loss of young lives with a photo of an injured Palestinian boy.

New signing Rojo will not make his United debut against Sunderland as he has yet to receive a work permit.l.

US national team goalkeeper Tim Howard says he will take a year off from international duty in order to spend more time with his family.

The convention kicks off with the two-day Football Festival on September 6.

Argentina coach Gerardo Martino was true to his word and named predecessor Alejandro Sabella's World Cup players for next month's friendly against Germany.

Chelsea midfielder Marko Marin has joined Italian team Fiorentina on a season-long loan.

Sebastian Larsson scored a late equaliser as Sunderland snatched a 2-2 draw at West Bromwich Albion in their Premier League opener.

Stoke City only won three games away from home last season, a record Mark Hughes wants to improve.

For the second straight season, a new era at Manchester United begins with a Premier League opener against Swansea.