The Premier League’s biggest surprise players

The Premier League season has hardly gone according to expectations, with reigning champion Chelsea hanging on for life at times and upstarts Leicester City and West Ham staking a place at the top of the table.

Leading the way for Leicester has been Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy, the latter of which has gained the admiration of English national team supporters.

The 28-year-old Vardy currently leads the league with 11 goals and his teammate Mahrez is tied for second with seven.

It didn’t take long for Anthony Martial to settle in at Manchester United, and the 19-year-old talent is quickly making other managers take notice during preparations.

Before United’s Halloween match against Crystal Palace, Palace manager Alan Pardew told the Daily Mail “We felt that if we could stop (Martial), we could stop (United)’s creative angle.” That’s high praise on a roster that features Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Memphis Depay.

Finally, it’s hard to call Kevin De Bruyne a surprise due to his performance for Wolfsburg and subsequent transfer saga with Manchester City, but the Belgian has made an instant impact at the Etihad.

According to Whoscored.com’s match ratings, De Bruyne has been the second-best player for City this season besides David Silva, with an average match rating of 7.68. That’s better than Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero and splash signing Raheem Sterling.

Weekend matchups

Arsenal vs. Tottenham

The Gunners will look to rebound after receiving a 5-1 thrashing from Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Tottenham will surely hope to add to their rivals’ misery in the North London Derby. 10:00 a.m. Sunday on NBC Sports.

Stoke City v. Chelsea

The Blues showed a bit of life, and a lot of support for Jose Mourinho, during a midweek win over Dynamo Kiev. Whether that will translate to league success against burly Stoke is another matter. 11:30 a.m. Saturday on NBC.

Golazo of the Week

A goal that is merely the best of the week here may prove to be Chelsea’s goal of the year.

After allowing Dynamo Kiev to draw level at 1-1 midway through the second half of its Champions League matchup, the prospect a group-stage exit was becoming more and more of a reality for Chelsea.

But along came Willian, who swooped in with a masterful free-kick goal to save Mourinho and his Blues in their darkest hour. The Brazilian has quietly been Chelsea’s best player this season by developing into a free kick maestro and fending off every replacement the Blues have bought for him.

National team update

For whatever it’s worth, the United States Men’s National Team dropped to No. 33 in this month’s Fifa World Rankings. They were previously ranked No. 29.

The rankings, which function more as power ratings based on a team’s recent performance, reflect a poor October where the United States lost to Mexico in the CONCACAF Cup and Costa Rica.

The USMNT’s slide means little in the grand scheme, but you know times are tough when you’re ranked below heavyweights like the Cape Verde Islands and Iceland.

Pellegrini: Silva nearing his return

The Spain international is back in light training following an ankle injury and is expected to be available soon, but will miss Manchester City's trip to Aston Villa.

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini says David Silva could return to action after the international break.

The playmaker is back in light training as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury he picked up while playing for Spain against Luxembourg in a Euro 2016 qualifier last month.

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque named his squad for the forthcoming friendlies against England and Belgium on Friday and did not include Silva.

And speaking ahead of Sunday's trip to Aston Villa, Pellegrini confirmed Silva remained short of fitness and is targeting the home match against Liverpool on November 21.



"Silva's ankle is not 100 per cent," Pellegrini said. "I hope after these 15 days he will be okay.

"The Spanish national team know David cannot play and so there is no problem."

Sergio Aguero remains on the sidelines alongside Silva, while Pellegrini does not believe Fabian Delph and Gael Clichy are fit to start despite returning to the bench for Tuesday's 3-1 Champions League win against Sevilla.

"Clichy and Delph are back, but maybe not ready to start," he said.

"We hope that all of the players will have recovered after the break as we play a lot of games. I hope then we can rotate more."

Delph, recalled to Roy Hodgson's England squad this week, joined City in a close-season move from Villa – performing a controversial U-turn having initially stated his intention to remain at the club.


The 25-year-old can expect a frosty reception on his return to Birmingham, but Pellegrini believes that would be unfair.

"I hope he will not receive any jeers," he added. "He played a lot of years for Aston Villa.

"Aston Villa wanted to sell him. He continued being a player that gave a lot for Aston Villa. I don't think Villa fans will forget that.

"It's good for Fabian to play for England. He played some minutes in the Champions League and maybe he will play some on>

Man City striker Sergio Aguero insists knee injury isn't serious ahead of Juventus clash

Argentine striker allays fears after suffering knee injury in Manchester City's win against Crystal Palace

Sergio Aguero has handed Manchester City a boost ahead of their clash with Juventus, revealing his knee injury is not as serious as first feared.

The Argentine was substituted after 25 minutes of the 1-0 win against Crystal Palace and was later spotted hobbling out of Selhurst Park.

But he indicated that he will be available for the start of City’s Champions League campaign.

He Tweeted: “Thanks everyone for your concern. I got a hard hit and it prevented me from playing more.

“It doesn’t seem to be a serious injury though.”

Aguero limps off after sustaining knee injury.

Sergio Agüero still hopeful of facing Juventus despite knee injury

Sergio Agüero is hopeful he will be fit to play in Manchester City’s opening Champions League group game against Juventus on Tuesday despite sustaining a knee injury early in his team’s 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace. City will monitor it closely, with Manuel Pellegrini admitting some concern after the game.

The Argentina forward was fouled by Scott Dann, who was booked for the offence, early on at Selhurst Park, with contact made with Agüero’s right knee. The striker landed awkwardly on the same limb and, although he did hobble on for the next five minutes, he was eventually replaced by Kevin De Bruyne.

“Thanks everyone for your concern,” Agüero tweeted later. “I got a hard hit and it prevented me from playing more. It doesn’t seem to be a serious injury though.”

City were already without Raheem Sterling, who had a slight hamstring complaint, and David Silva with an ankle injury but secured a 90th-minute winner when the 18-year-old Kelechi Iheanacho scored 54 seconds after coming on.

Yet, while this is now City’s best start to a top-flight campaign in 102 years, the potential loss of Agüero clouded Manuel Pellegrini’s mood. “It was an important kick on his knee,” the manager said. “We’ll see if he can recover between now and Tuesday. Sometimes you must show the red card immediately because you know the intention of the player, just to make him fall down.

“I don’t like protesting every decision like Alan [Pardew] does from the first minute, but that was an important decision.”

Asked how hopeful he was about the striker’s availability for the match against Juve, Pellegrini added: “It’s very difficult to answer that now. It’s important to see how he recovers in the next few hours. We’ll see, also, with Silva and Sterling. I hope both of them can be fit for Tuesday, but this is why I am so happy with the victory today.

“It’s always difficult to come back into the Premier League after the international break, mentally, and we didn’t have three important players out there. We were playing the team second in the table at home, a team who are playing very well and just beat Chelsea, so we had to play well.”

Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero denies his wife slept with City star Sergio Aguero

Romero, a teammate of Aguero at international level, denied that the two were "bitter enemies" after the City man's alleged fling with Guercio in 2006

Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero has gone on national television to blast claims that his wife, Eliana Guercio, slept with Manchester City man Sergio Aguero.

Romero, a new signing at Old Trafford but a teammate of Aguero at international level, denied the two were "bitter enemies" after the City man's alleged fling with Guercio in 2006.

The United keeper married her in 2008 after nearly a year together, while Aguero married Diego Maradona's daughter Giannina before their divorce earlier this year.

Dad-of-two Romero, 28, said of the supposed feud: “I have a great wife and a great family. It’s not nice when some people say this kind of stuff."

Lies: Sergio Romero says his wife never slept with Sergio Aguero

United: Romero has been married to his wife since 2008

And he said of Aguero, 27: “I’m friends with him for over 10 years, imagine that. I couldn’t talk to him, but for sure I’m going to call him.

"Listen, we’re friends."

Eliana, 37, insisted: “It is not true. I have never had anything with Aguero. It seems terrible to me that they could link me with Kun [Aguero].

“This is over 10 years old and for 10 years I’ve had to keep denying that anything happened. I don’t even know Aguero.

City: Aguero and Romero are international teammates

World Cup: Romero's wife watches her husband play in Brazil

"I have two daughters and I am still being punished for this, I don’t know why, I don’t know what I’ve done.

"They’re inventing a soap opera."

And she said of her husband: “He is totally divine. Instead of annoying me, he calms me down.

"The two of them have played together for the national team for 10 years and I don’t think they’ve even talked about it, they get on really well."

Representatives for Aguero have been contacted for comment.

WATCH: Sergio Aguero's opener helps Man City sink Chelsea

Sergio Aguero was back to his brilliant best as he twisted and turned before beating Asmir Begovic to net Manchester City's opener against Chelsea at the Etihad on Sunday.

Returning Argentina international striker Aguero caused problems all afternoon for the floundering Chelsea rearguard, but it was his skill for City's opener in their 3-0 Premier League success that has drawn acclaim.

City dominated from start to finish at the Etihad, and were worthy winners, opening up a five-point gap over the champions after just two games of the new season.

Sky Sports pundit Thierry Henry was impressed by Aguero's coolness in the box, and insisted the 27-year-old was always in control.

"What a finish, what a turn, you're the boss, you have time, they are panicking," Henry said.

"He is concentrating on what he pictured before, and he does it well."

Are Man City in danger of falling behind the leading pack

The last decade has seen Manchester City go through some incredible changes. The club has gone from mid table mediocrity to a side considered as regular title challengers.

This is all down to the club’s owner Sheik Mansour, who since 2008 has been bank rolling mass spending sprees that transformed the club completely.

During this time City have won two Premier League titles, one in the 14/15 season, when Liverpool infamously threw their lead away, and most notably in 2012/13 after that unforgettable Sergio Aguero goal.

However, for a side that has spent over £700million on players during that time, a crazy amount for any side, City are not in the position they should be and currently look as if they are stepping backwards.

This summer has highlighted this fact in particular, with manager Manuel Pellegrini completing some pretty average business thus far.

The squad at the Etihad has gotten dramatically weaker, with a number of first team players, including James Milner, Stevan Jovetic, Frank Lampard, Alvaro Negredo and Matija Nastasic, all departing on a permanent basis. Additionally, there are ongoing rumours that Edin Dzeko will also be joining the exodus.

Incomings at City have been affected by the side’s lack of home grown talent, too. The club were falling short of the required quota and needed to add several players that have been trained in England from a youth level.

Raheem Sterling, Fabian Delph and Patrick Roberts have all been bought in to solve this problem, with Sterling becoming the club’s record signing, costing £49m. None of these three are the world class players that should be playing week in week out for supposed Premier League title challengers.

Delph has been a good player in a very average Villa side, but should be nothing more than a back up at City, Roberts was playing in the Championship last season and is only a youngster who needs time to develop further, without the pressure of filling a first team role.

As for Sterling, £49million is ridiculous. The ex-Liverpool player has been fairly average since Luis Suarez departed Liverpool. Suarez made the whole Liverpool side look like world beaters, and when he left Sterling was looked to to help fill the void. Though it’s fair to say he failed to live up to that challenge.

Unless Manchester City are planning a swoop for the Barcelona star to help improve the England international, it remains questionable about how good Sterling can be at his new club.

All of the club’s main league rivals have been very active in the transfer window, improving their squads a significant amount. Arsenal have bought in Petr Cech, Manchester United have signed Bastian Schweinsteiger, who is one of the best midfielders in the world, and Chelsea have bought in Falcao who, once he regains his form, has to be regarded as one of the best strikers on the planet.

Even Liverpool have bridged the gap between the sides with some of their business. Christian Benteke, James Milner and Nathaniel Clyne are equally as good as the likes of Wilfred Bony, Fabian Delph and Pablo Zabaleta, all players considered first team players at City.

No wonder Pellegrini’s position is under such constant pressure and scrutiny.

Looking at the existing City side, there are two stand out individuals – David Silva and Sergio Aguero. Both are incredible talents and easily up there amongst the best in the world.

Many of the other ‘stars’ at the Etihad, like Vincent Kompany, Joe Hart and Yaye Toure, are very hit and miss and lacking any real consistency in their performances.

It is evident from last season just how much the team rely on both Aguero and Silva. There is no plan B for when things go against the side. If either player were to get a serious injury that rules them out for a long time, then the Manchester side would certainly struggle.

For a title contender they don’t have a real impressive strength in depth in any position, which is very surprising and ultimately worrying for fans.

Whilst their best backup stars like Navas and Bony are good players, none will strike fear into opponents in the same way Aguero and Silva do, If they had to step up to fill a gap, it wouldn’t be with much confidence.

City face a massive season and have their work cut out to maintain a title challenge against so many improving rivals. Something has to change and soon, otherwise it won’t be long before City are falling even further behind.

Real Madrid ‘ready to launch £63.9m transfer bid for Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero’

Real Madrid are reportedly ready to launch a £63.9million transfer bid for Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero.
The Spanish giants are long-term admirers of the Argentine frontman and see him as a marquee signing this summer.
Madrid are set to allow Karim Benzema to leave this summer and believe Aguero would be the ideal replacement, according to AS.
Aguero, 26, is City’s prized asset and won the Premier League Golden Boot this season.
But Madrid’s financial muscle and lure means that they can land virtually any player they want.
MORE: Manchester United star’s superagent Jorge Mendes ‘set for talks with Real Madrid to push through swap deal’

Sergio Aguero Transfer News: Latest Rumours, Speculation on Manchester City Star

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero is a reported transfer target for Real Madrid after finishing the 2014-15 season as the Premier League's top scorer with 26 goals. 

Continue for updates.

Aguero Insists He'll Stay at City Despite Real Madrid Link

Aguero reassured City fans he has no plans to leave, per David Anderson of The Mirror: 

The only reason a player should leave a club is to achieve things, and I can achieve all I want to at City.

(...)

I can’t stop rumours. I can’t stop people writing things. But what I can do is repeat what I have already said, and that is that I’m very happy at Manchester City. I have had success over the last four seasons there and I’m hungry for a lot more.

"(Madrid President Florentino) Perez, feels that a player such as Aguero would inject a fresh dose of optimism into the Real Madrid fans," reported J.L. Guerrero of AS on June 18.

Guerrero's report suggests Aguero would cost in the region of €60 million (approximately £43 million) and that Los Blancos would be forced to sell a star of their own if he and Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea are brought in.

However, this cost appears low for a player who is rarely out of goalscoring form when fit. Aguero's contract also runs until 2019, per Guerrero, meaning City could demand top dollar for his departure.

A recent report by the CIES Football Observatory (h/t Stuart Brennanof the Manchester Evening News) suggested Aguero's value rests at approximately €88 million (£63 million).

He joined City from Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid's rivals, in 2011. Since then, the 27-year-old has won two Premier League titles with the mega-rich side.

Sterling not equipped to justify fee - Hoddle

Raheem Sterling will not justify his price tag as a "defining player" for Manchester City this season, according to Glenn Hoddle

Sterling became the most expensive English player of all time when joining City from Liverpool for £49million earlier this summer, but Hoddle believes he is some way off being able to influence games with the regularity the likes of Eden Hazard does for Chelsea.

"There are two ways of looking at the £49million Manchester City paid Liverpool for Raheem Sterling," Hoddle told the Daily Mail.

"On one hand, I can imagine the accountants justifying it. If you break it down over the length of his five-year deal, it's just under £10m a year and, even when you take into account his wages, that doesn't seem so bad.

"But great price tags bring great expectations and players such as Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure and David Silva will be looking to Sterling to prove he's worth so much.

"Does Sterling at the age of 20 have the temperament and character to walk into a City team of superstars and say to those players: 'Give me the ball, I'm the man who will make the difference'?

"I don't think he's at that stage yet and I feel he would have been better spending another season at Liverpool, developing his game and getting another year's experience.

"He's a really good player with loads of potential but for £49m you're not buying potential. You're buying someone who can drive you on to the Premier League title or into the Champions League final. You're buying a player who needs to be performing at the level Eden Hazard was last season for Chelsea.

"The investment that City have made in him would suggest he will be better than Silva, maybe even better than Aguero, and that's doesn't seem likely at the moment.

"That kind of money demands not occasional moments of brilliance in 15 games a season but a decisive impact over 40 games. And when the most important fixtures come along, against the Premier League top four and in the latter stages of the Champions League, he will be expected to win games.

"He has done excellently for England so far and for Liverpool - more so in 2013-14 when he was relatively unknown and there wasn't so much expectation. When Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrard carried the burden of expectation, he shone. Now he has to bear it and show he carries it well.

"He's not equipped to do so yet. He might be in two or three years' time. The size of the fee, however, suggests he is the finished article and a genuine superstar of the game.

"I hope that he proves me wrong and hits the ground running, as it will be fantastic for England with Euro 2016 coming up.

"In two or three years I think there is a chance he will deliver. But I'm not sure we'll see him as defining player for City this season. It may be the right move at the wrong time."

Man.City hope Sterling proves sound investment with new Premier League season set for kick-off next week

LONDON: Demonised as a caricature of the highly-paid modern-day footballer whose ego dwarfs his talent, Raheem Sterling will have few fans when the Premier League begins next weekend.

Unless, of course, you support Manchester City who made the 20-year-old forward the most expensive English player in history when they paid a fee of up to 49 million pounds to end his increasingly toxic relationship with Liverpool.

City have been relatively restrained during the transfer window but the signing of Sterling, described by Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers as the best young player in Europe, could prove to be a sound investment by Manuel Pellegrini.

Splashing such a fortune on a player yet to score a Champions League goal, let alone win any silverware, and still far from a polished diamond, appears bold.

Yet Sterling offers City a spark they lacked last season when they trailed in behind Chelsea in the Premier League title race and under-achieved again in the Champions League.

With Sergio Aguero expected to play as a lone striker this season, Sterling’s head-spinning pace and dribbling will compliment an attacking midfield boasting the vision and craft of David Silva and Samir Nasri and the power of Yaya Toure.

Surrounded by players of such international pedigree Sterling will not be the focal point he was last season at Liverpool, despite the huge price tag, so with a fresh start and the right attitude, his boots should do the talking.

“He has a lot of things we didn’t have in our squad,” Pellegrini said. 

“He has a lot of pace and I am sure in the future he will demonstrate why we paid so much money for him.”

If Sterling clicks into gear and hits the form that almost helped Liverpool to the 2013-14 title and briefly lit up England’s World Cup campaign in Brazil, Pellegrini’s faith will be fully justified.

The snipers will be taking aim if things do not go to plan though, especially after a trophy-less season last time out when points were surrendered too easily against clubs who ended up being relegated, allowing Chelsea to cruise home.

Trumping Jose Mourinho and regaining the Premier League is Pellegrini’s priority but he also talks about going “a stage” further in the Champions League after falling in the round of 16 in 2014-15 -- their best, albeit modest, showing to date.

“I’m sure we are going to be a very competitive team in all competitions,” he said. 

“I see the players are hungry to win another title.”

Apart from Sterling, City also spent around 20 million pounds on two other young English players -- midfielder Fabian Delph signed from Aston Villa and teenage winger Patrick Roberts from Fulham -- a sign the club is trying to snap up the cream of home talent.

Manchester City Transfer News: Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko Plan Exit, Kevin De Bruyne £60 Million Bid and More

Sign Up for Sports World News' Newsletter and never miss out on our most popular stories.

Edin Dzeko of Manchester City and Sergio Aguero (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (Photo : Getty Images)

Raheem Sterling already managed to ingratiate himself with Manchester City supporters—scoring in his debut at the International Champions Cup—but a pair of strikers are prepared to part ways. One, of course, sooner rather than later.

The first striker seemingly on his way out of the Etihad is Edin Dzeko. The Bosnian striker was left off the club's preseason tour in Australia. On Wednesday, manager Manuel Pellegrini made it abundantly clear as to why.Below is all the latest transfer gossip surrounding the Citizens.

Edin Dzeko

"Edin didn't play the last game, as it's not clear if he will continue with us," Pellegrino said (via Mirror). "But he is still working here with the whole squad."

According to reports, AS Roma have expressed interest in Dzeko, offering a £12.5 million bid, well short of City's £17.5 million valuation.

Sergio Aguero

Sergio Aguero will join Dzeko through the exit door, but fortunately for Manchester City, it won't be until 2018. According to Aguero's father (via ESPN FC), the 27-year-old plans to return to Argentina to play for his boyhood club, Independiente.

"He wants to come back," Leonel del Castillo said. "After Russia, he'll be returning with lots of energy."

Aguero made his pro debut with Independiente at the age of 15 before joining Atletico Madrid in 2006 for €23 million.

Kevin De Bruyne

If £49 million for Raheem Sterling was astronomical, how will £60 million for Kevin De Bruyne be received?

According to The Guardian, City have submitted a bid in that neighborhood for De Bruyne. VfL Wolfsburg are reluctant to sell, expecting £65 or £70 million for the Belgium international.

Louis van Gaal: Man Utd boss plans to leave in 2017 for his wife

Louis van Gaal says he may leave Manchester United at the end of his three-year contract to keep a "promise" to his wife.

Asked about extending his contract at Old Trafford, the Dutchman told BBC Sport that he intended to "give it up" at the end of his contract in 2017.

"I promised that to my wife. We have not many years together any more. That is the reason," said the 63-year-old.

"I have done everything in my career as a manager."

Asked about the possibility of extending his stay, Van Gaal said he could not answer because his wife, Truus, "is very mad".

"I have to admit I have said to her, when I met her and our relationship seemed to be very good, that at 55 years I shall quit. I am still working and next week I am 64.

"The only wish was the Premier League. Now I am here.

"So. I have to go to Qatar to earn still more money? I don't think so. You have to enjoy also your life and your relationship with your wife."

Van Gaal on Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo scored 118 goals in six seasons for Manchester United

Van Gaal says Cristiano Ronaldo is the type of player Manchester United need to compete with their rivals.

While the Dutchman would not be drawn on whether he thinks the Real Madrid star, 30, might return to United, he knows the Portuguese is regarded by United fans as the holy grail signing.

"I can imagine that. He is a fantastic player, I like him," he said.

When asked if he needed that kind of player to complete his squad, he said: "Of course."

Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United
	Games	Goals
2003-04	40	6
2004-05	50	9
2005-06	47	12
2006-07	53	23
2007-08	49	42
2008-09	53	26
Total	292	118

He added: "I can give examples of champions: Bayern Munich, Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben; Chelsea, Eden Hazard and Willian; Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale; Barca, Neymar and Lionel Messi.

"Manchester United fans want us to compete with these teams."

Winger Angel Di Maria has been linked with a move to Paris St-Germain and did not join up with United for the start of their pre-season tour of the United States.

Van Gaal added: "We still need more speed in front and also more creativity. That is why I hope Di Maria shall stay. But we don't know that.

"Ashley Young and Juan Mata had fantastic seasons, with assists and goals but to win the Champions League you need speed also. That is why I think, maybe, we still have to buy a player with speed and creativity."

Ronaldo is just 10 behind Spanish striker Raul's record of 323 goals in 741 for the Bernabeu side.

Van Gaal on Rooney

Sergio Aguero was the Premier League's top scorer last season with 26 goals - five more than Tottenham's Harry Kane and 14 more than Rooney

Wayne Rooney was Manchester United's top scorer last season with 14 goals, but Van Gaal says that the 29-year-old must improve on that tally if he plays, as planned, as a single striker.

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero scored 32 goals in 42 appearances for Manchester City last season.

"He has to score the amount of goals that Aguero gets," said Van Gaal. "He is our striker. He has to prove he can do it but I have full confidence that he shall.

"Rooney has said that he scores at the minimum 25 goals. So when I have a striker that scores 25, then I am better off."

Rooney last scored more than 25 goals for his club in 2011-12 when he found the net 35 times for United.

Van Gaal on Ferguson

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been present on the US tour for the first time since his departure, but Van Gaal says that has not put added pressure on him.

"I want to talk with him. I talk with him very much times," said Van Gaal. "We eat together. He is sitting in the board, so he has to judge on me. I know that. But there is nobody in this world who can push me more than myself."

Van Gaal on further signings

Manchester United have signed defender Matteo Darmian, midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin, forward Memphis Depay and goalkeeper Sergio Romero this summer, as well as selling Nani and Robin van Persie.

But Van Gaal says the squad is still "not my Manchester United".

"We at Manchester United buy only players who can contribute to our level," said the Dutchman.

"You can write every player that you want, every name that you can say, but we cannot say that. It is also difficult to select the players because you need the players, the club and the money, so it is not as easy as you think.

Manchester City Superstar Sergio Agüero Could Miss Start Of The Season – Pellegrini

The Argentina striker reached the finals of the Copa América tournament in Chile due to which – along with compatriots Pablo Zabaleta and Martín Demichelis, as well as  Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho – it is likely that he will miss the start of the Manchester City season

Manchester City could be without key players Sergio Agüero, Pablo Zabaleta, Fernandinho as well as Martín Demichelis for the start of the 2015-2016 Barclays Premier League season after manager Manuel Pellegrini confirmed that the players who took part in the Copa América would be eased in, in order to prepare them for the long season.

Agüero could miss the start of the season, possibly including Chelsea FC clash

The Argentinian international will once again have a key role to play if Manchester City are to have any success in the coming season, and manager Manuel Pellegrini has recognised the need to ease the 27-year-old in rather than rushing his return.

Pellegrini was quoted by England’s Mail Online as saying: “I think in football it’s so important to work hard but also resting has the same importance. You have so many games throughout the year that if you don’t give them 30 days after they’ve finished their internationals, it’s very difficult for them to work hard.

“It’s more difficult for the South American players because Pablo Zabaleta, Martín Demichelis, Sergio Agüero and Fernandinho finished later, the first days of July, so they won’t have 30 days. I think when we return to Manchester they will start their pre-season. Maybe they will not be involved in the first game but I am sure they will work hard and will be involved as soon as they can.”

Sterling addition could allow Agüero prolonged rest

The addition of £49 million man Raheem Sterling could potentially allow Manchester City to rest the Argentinian striker for the start of the season. Pellegrini has used Sterling up front in City’s pre-season games against AS Roma and Real Madrid, and the Englishman has already shown a great deal of promise playing in that role.

Although there is little chance that Agüero will miss the Chelsea game – taking place on the second weekend of the Premier League season – Pellegrini could use Sterling up front in the club’s opener against West Bromwich Albion to allow the former Atlético Madrid striker enough time to rest and prepare himself for the clash against Mourinho’s men.

With new signing Fabian Delph suffering an injury against Real Madrid in Friday’s friendly at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Pellegrini will be hoping Fernandinho can get back up to speed as soon as possible, with Manchester City having lost the likes of James Milner and Frank Lampard who could have filled in in central midfield.

Given City have the reliable Bacary Sagna as a right-back otpion,  as well as the likes of Vincent Kompany, Eliaquim Mangala and Jason Denayer for the centre-back position, the return of Zabaleta and Demichelis will not be as much of a worry to Pellegrini.

Manchester City will conclude their pre-season preparations with friendlies against a Vietnam XI followed by Bundesliga side Stuttgart before taking on West Brom in their Premier League opener on the 10th of August.

Manchester City could be without Sergio Aguero for start of season

Sergio Aguero is set to miss the start of the Premier League season, with Manchester City likely to be without four of their South American stars.

Martin Demichelis, Pablo Zabaleta, Aguero and Fernandinho have not been on City's preseason tour to Australia, having been given time off after the Copa America.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini has admitted they are unlikely to feature when City kick off their league campaign away to West Bromwich Albion on Aug. 10.

The Chilean believes it is vital his players have enough of a summer break, even though he may have few options for the start of the season.

New signing Fabian Delph could also be a doubt for the Albion game afterinjuring his hamstring in City's 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the International Champions Cup in Melbourne.

"I think in football it's so important to work hard, but also resting has the same importance," Pellegrini told reporters.

"You have so many games throughout the year that if you don't give them 30 days after they've finished their internationals, it's very difficult for them to work hard.

"It's more difficult for the South American players because Pablo Zabaleta, Martin Demichelis, Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho finished later, the first days of July, so they won't have 30 days.

"I think when we return to Manchester they will start their preseason. Maybe they will not be involved in the first game, but I am sure they will work hard and will be involved as soon as they can."

Aguero was the Premier League's 26-goal top scorer last season but he, Demichelis and Zabaleta played in Argentina's Copa America final defeat to Chile on July 4 while Fernandinho was in the Brazil team eliminated in the quarterfinals.

Bacary Sagna is likely to be handed the right-back role in Zabaleta's absence, while captain Vincent Kompany and Eliaquim Mangala could be paired in the centre of defence.

But City could be short of specialist strikers without Aguero, as Roma target Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic, wanted by Inter Milan, could leave, while the injured Wilfried Bony did not travel to Australia.

City's £49 million winger Raheem Sterling started as a striker against Barcelona and may be asked to fill that role again.