Refreshment House* - Stay Calm, Relax..!

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Manchester United to appoint former Chelsea boss !

NEW BOSS: Incoming Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho

The Portuguese tactician will replace Louis van Gaal in the next three days despite the FA Cup final victory over Crystal Palace, according to the BBC.

It's claimed a decision was made following the defeat to West Ham earlier this month, with Mourinho agreeing a deal in principle with the Red Devils ahead of yesterday’s Wembley triumph.

And he will assume his role early next week when Van Gaal is sacked despite having a year still left to run on his Old Trafford contract.

His arrival would mean that winning the FA Cup was the Dutchman’s final act as boss, two years after replacing David Moyes.

Mourinho has refused to comment on the latest reports but did congratulate Van Gaal on his success at Wembley.

Van Gaal meanwhile would not be drawn on his future in his post-match press conference and insisted he was thinking about how to improve United's squad for next season.

“I show you the cup. I don't discuss it with 'friends' of the media who sacked me six months ago, which manager could do that? I don't want to talk about leaving the club,” he said.

“I said when I started as manager that we are in a process of transition. I have already said this a lot of times and I am repeating myself.

“I have to refresh my squad and I have done that in spite of many injuries this season and I have lifted the cup and that's a title. It was three years ago since the club have done that and I am very proud that I am the first manager after Sir Alex Ferguson to have done that.

“I believe in refreshment of my squad but it depends on what players we purchase, you cannot stay with the same squad.

“Last summer I wanted fast wingers and we didn't do that. You are thinking everything is possible at Manchester United but it's not. We have a bigger chance than others because we are a rich club."

Though some of the United hierarchy preferred Ryan Giggs, it’s Mourinho who will be charged with the task of rebuilding United’s reputation on the world stage.

He’s been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea in December 2015 but will return without Champions League football after United could only manage a fifth-placed finish.

Spanish newspaper AS claim he will receive an £11.6m-a-year salary and has demanded executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward give him licence for a complete squad overhaul.

United captain Wayne Rooney was asked about Van Gaal's future but said he was in the dark and that it was up to executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward or the Ductman himself to decide what happens.

"I know nothing at all. That's a question for Louis van Gaal or Ed Woodward. It's nothing to do with me," he told Sky Sports.

"I don't want to speak about how Louis van Gaal has been because he's still our manager and he's still in his job. I think it's unfair after he's led us to win the FA Cup that we speak about him as if he's not here.

"I think he's a good manager and we are grateful for him helping us win this FA Cup. It's down to him or Ed Woodward to decide what happens."

############### 000 ###############

The Amazing Times 11:30 PM

No room for Tevez!!!

Argentina have left Boca Juniors striker Carlos Tevez out of their squad for the Copa America Centenario to be held in the United States next month.

Tevez, who helped Boca reach the Copa Libertadores semi-finals on Thursday, was not on the 23-man list coach Gerardo Martino announced on Friday for the June 3-26 tournament.

With Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero named as the central strikers, Tevez, 32, was deemed surplus to requirements despite having been part of last year's Copa squad in Chile.

Rosario Central centre back Javier Pinola missed out after breaking his leg in a Copa Libertadores match last week, and veteran right back Pablo Zabaleta of Manchester City also became unavailable after deciding to have surgery for an ankle problem.

Independiente's Victor Cuesta earned his first Argentina call-up in place of Pinola, boosting to four the number of home-based players in the squad.

Argentina, captained by Lionel Messi, are targeting victory in the tournament after failing to succeed at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where they lost to eventual winners Germany, and the 2015 Copa America as hosts Chile beat them on penalties.

This year's Copa America marks the centenary of the South American tournament first played in Buenos Aires in 1916 and won by Uruguay, who hold a record 15 titles, one more than Argentina.

Six teams from the CONCACAF region comprising North and Central America and the Caribbean have been drafted into the 16-nation event.

Argentina meet Chile, Bolivia and Panama in Group D.

SQUAD:

GOALKEEPERS: Sergio Romero (Manchester United), Nahuel Guzman (UANL Tigres), Mariano Andujar (Estudiantes)

DEFENDERS: Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City), Victor Cuesta (Independiente), Marcos Rojo (Manchester United), Facundo Roncaglia (Fiorentina), Ramiro Funes Mori (Everton), Gabriel Mercado, Jonathan Maidana (both River Plate)

MIDFIELDERS: Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Matias Kranevitter, Augusto Fernandez (both Atletico Madrid), Ever Banega (Sevilla), Angel Di Maria, Javier Pastore (both Paris St Germain), Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur)

FORWARDS: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Hebei Fortune), Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica)

======================== 000 ========================

The Amazing Times 11:23 PM

Manchester United a record-equalling 12th FA Cup **

"Manchester United's substitute forward Jesse Lingard celebrates his extra-time winner against Crystal Palace during their FA Cup final at the Wembley in London on Saturday."

Jesse Lingard's extra-time thunderbolt earned Manchester United a record-equalling 12th FA Cup as Louis van Gaal's side came from behind to defeat Crystal Palace 2-1 in Saturday's final at Wembley.

In a rematch of the 1990 final, which United won after a replay, underdogs Palace took the lead in the 78th minute when Jason Puncheon slammed home, only for Juan Mata to equalise less than three minutes later.

With the tie heading towards penalties, substitute Lingard drilled a stunning volley past a motionless Wayne Hennessey in the 110th minute to end United's 12-year wait to lift the FA Cup and give their supporters something to cheer about at the end of a tumultuous season.

It was United's first FA Cup win since 2004, allowing captain Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick to complete their collection of domestic medals, and took them level with Arsenal, winners in 2014 and 2015, as the most successful clubs in the competition's illustrious history.

But while Van Gaal celebrated his first trophy in English football, and United's first major honour since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, it may not be enough to keep him in a job following the club's failure to qualify for the Champions League.

Instead United, who lost Marcus Rashford and Marcos Rojo to injury and Chris Smalling to an extra-time red card, will go into the Europa League, along with West Ham United, after United's Wembley win freed up an extra qualifying berth.

Palace manager Alan Pardew, meanwhile, met with FA Cup heartbreak for the third time, having been on the losing side against United with the south London club in 1990 and overseen West Ham's defeat on penalties by Liverpool in 2006.

United enjoyed the best of the first half, but Pardew was infuriated when referee Mark Clattenburg brought play back for a free-kick despite Connor Wickham jumping to his feet and racing into the box after being dragged to the turf by Smalling, who was booked.

United's control was even more pronounced after half-time as Van Gaal's men succeeded in pinning Palace back, and they hit the woodwork twice in the space of eight minutes through Marouane Fellaini's drilled effort and Anthony Martial's header.

Injuries then deprived United of Rojo and Rashford, with Matteo Darmian and Ashley Young coming on, while Puncheon came on for Yohan Cabaye.

The Palace substitute made an impact. His corner from the left was headed away by Fellaini, but Joel Ward helped the ball back into the box and Puncheon brought it down before blasting a vicious left-foot shot past De Gea at his near post.

====================== 000 ======================

The Amazing Times 11:14 PM

Bayern Munich, Paris Saint Germain and Juventus complete doubes with cup titles!

Bayern Munich's departing coach Pep Guardiola is a satisfied man with the domestic double in his last year in charge of the German giants ahead of his move to Manchester City.

Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund 4-3 on penalties to win the German Cup on Saturday, handing coach Pep Guardiola another domestic double in his final game in charge.

Bayern, who also won the Bundesliga for a record fourth consecutive time this season, kept their cool in the shootout after a goalless 120 minutes with Douglas Costa beating keeper Roman Buerki with Bayern's last penalty after two Dortmund players had missed.

It was Bayern's 18th Cup victory while Dortmund have now failed in the final for the third straight year.

Guardiola, who has won three league titles and two German Cups in his three seasons in charge, hugged and kissed his players, with tears streaming down his face after his final match in charge before joining Manchester City next season.

Ibrahimovic bows out in style--

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored two goals and set up another as Paris Saint-Germain defeated bitter rivals Marseille 4-2 to clinch a 10th French Cup title on Saturday in the Swede's final game with the club.

Blaise Matuidi fired PSG into an early lead at the Stade de France, but Marseille hit back just 10 minutes later through on-loan Newcastle midfielder Florian Thauvin.

Ibrahimovic then put PSG 2-1 ahead from the penalty spot on 47 minutes, with Edinson Cavani adding a third before Ibrahimovic struck again with his 156th and final goal for PSG eight minutes from time.

Michy Batshuayi grabbed a consolation strike for Marseille late on, but it was academic as PSG successfully defended last year's domestic treble.

Juventus pip Milan in extra time--

An extra-time winner from late substitute Alvaro Morata saw Juventus to their 11th Italian Cup with a 1-0 triumph over AC Milan on Saturday.

It means Juventus become the first Italian team to win successive league and Cup doubles, a year after ending a 20-year wait to achieve the feat.

AC Milan's defeat means the seven-time European champions failed to qualify for Europe next season. Sixth place finishers Sassuolo will now be handed a Europa League place.

Thursday, May 19, 2016

The Amazing Times 10:09 AM

DiCaprio gets cosy with Victoria’s Secret model!!

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who is rumoured to be dating Polish model Ela Kawalec, was recently photographed partying with Victoria’s Secret model Georgia Fowler at Gotha Club here.

Wearing his trademark flat cap and a button down shirt, DiCaprio danced while Fowler-who was briefly linked to singer Harry Styles last year-put her hand on his face, reports aceshowbiz.com.
At one point, he was seen whispering in her ear.

Last week, “The Revenant” actor was spotted on a date with Kawalec. They enjoyed bike rides here and grabbed a meal with some friends. He was seen wrapping his arm around the Polish model during the outing.

DiCaprio’s last relationship was with model-turned-actress Kelly Rohrbach which ended last December after six months of dating.

================= 000 =================

Leonardo DiCaprio

The Amazing Times 7:55 AM

David & Victoria Beckham ‘Going Mad’ After Latest Battle

victoria-beckham-david-beckham-sons-hormones

RadarOnline.com has learned the Beckhams’ California mansion has turned into a real house of horrors! Victoria, 41, recently confessed that she and her 40-year-old husband David are “going mad” over their three sons’ raging hormones.

“It’s terrible and she’s left the ‘birds and the bees’ story for David to tell the youngest two, but she’s had more than her share of embarrassing moments with her growing sons,” a family friend told Radar.

Brooklyn “has gone completely girl crazy,” laughed the pal of the 17-year-old model. “Victoria and David are getting worried that they can’t keep up with who his latest girlfriend is because there’s a new one every week.”

And Romeo, 13, seems to be following in his older brother’s footsteps and ready to live up to his name. “He’s going to be just the same,” said the friend. “Romeo’s already obsessed with Victoria’s Secret models and he’s always watching the VS shows online on his own in his room.”

Victoria Beckham David Beckham Divorce Plans

Even 11-year-old Cruz is shaping up to be a heartbreaker. “Cruz is not far behind either,” said the source. “He’s really into sports and motocross racing, but he’s also very curious about girls because of his big brothers.”

As Radar reported, the Beckham’s girl-crazy household isn’t the only problem the couple is facing these days. The parents have been battling split rumors, especially after Victoria filed to end a longtime business partnership with her husband.

“They are waiting for a quiet time to make a short announcement about the status of their relationship,” a source claimed to Radar . “They don’t want a lot of attention around it. There won’t be any drama.”

========================= 000 =========================