Celtic braced for Manchester City raiders

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has a goalkeeping dilemma to resolve before Manchester City turn up for their Group C Champions League match in Glasgow on Wednesday.

The Scottish champions shipped seven goals at Barcelona in their opening group game and Rodgers needs the safest pair of hands he can find to keep out some of the most lethal finishers in English soccer.

City have scored more than anyone in the Premier League this season, leading by four points and winning 10 out of 10 games in all competitions under new manager Pep Guardiola.

Their latest victims were Swansea City, rolled aside 3-1 on Saturday with Argentina striker Sergio Aguero scoring twice.

The first goals Aguero scored in English soccer were against Swansea, in 2011, when Rodgers was in charge and the manager needs no reminding of the Argentine's talents.

• Arsenal, Leicester tickets among most expensive in Champions League 

He may, however, have to put his faith in a man whose confidence was described only last week by former Celtic striker Chris Sutton as "shot to pieces".

Unconvincing Dutch goalkeeper Dorus De Vries was substituted at halftime due to injury in Celtic's 6-1 Scottish Premier League win over Kilmarnock on Saturday, with Scotland international Craig Gordon the replacement.

"Dorus strained his chest when he landed. He could have played on but we had Craig there fit and capable and I didn't want to take any risk with it so we will see how Dorus is over the next couple of days," Rodgers told reporters.

The Northern Irishman said he would have no qualms about fielding Gordon against City, who beat Borussia Moenchengladbach 4-0 in their opening group game thanks to an Aguero hat-trick.

"He's more than capable. He's a brilliant shot stopper, he's improving his game with his feet all the time," he added of a player who drew Sutton's criticism after a high challenge in a Scottish League Cup quarter-final against Alloa.

City will be a very different class of opponent to Kilmarnock, but Celtic will still feel buoyed by Saturday's win.

"It's a great game for us. Games at home here at Celtic Park in the Champions League are really special nights," Rodgers said.

• Man City, Bayern call all the shots 

City will feel the likely loss of Belgian midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, to a hamstring injury, but they have plenty of other options with Raheem Sterling ready to relish the reunion with his former Liverpool boss.

One more win would also allow Guardiola to equal his predecessor Manuel Pellegrini's club record of 11 consecutive wins, achieved last season.

Wednesday's game is the first between the two sides in European competition, but Celtic have several ex-City players in their squad including defender Kolo Toure, Scott Sinclair and on-loan winger Patrick Roberts.

"People are saying that Celtic are the weakest team of the group but, believe me, we know it's going to be really hard because they're a really strong team when they play at home," City defender Pablo Zabaleta told the Mirror newspaper.

"We won't be thinking about what happened to Celtic against Barcelona."

Pictured: Manchester City's Sergio Aguero will be risked on this shocking pitch next week

The Man City star says Kempes Stadium surface on which Argentina will face Bolivia on March 30 is like a junior pitch

Sergio Aguero says the surface on which Argentina must play a World Cup qualifier against Bolivia next week is like a school pitch.

Kun and his international teammates, including Pablo Zabaleta, were shocked when pictures of the Mario Kempes Stadium in Cordoba emerged, showing a pitch left threadbare and rutted by an Iron Maiden concert.

That rang alarm bells at Manchester City, who lost Kun for six weeks the last time he went on international duty.

After a bad week which saw Vincent Kompany, Nicolas Otamendi, Joe Hart and Raheem Sterling all pick up injuries, the last thing the Blues need is problems arising from the international break.

They have already seen Yaya Toure withdraw from the Ivory Coast squad to protect a niggling heel problem, while Otamendi trained apart from the Argentina squad yesterday.

Here's how it ended last time Aguero played for Argentina

Now Aguero has had another blast at the state of the Cordoba pitch, saying: “When you see that you are shocked because we’re not accustomed to it. We’ll have to see how it is and think we’re playing in the juniors.

“It’s nice to play in different places for the fans but when you look at the photo you think, ‘What happened here?’

“It leaves an impression on you, it’s a pitch where everyone knows the national team is going to play.”

Aguero will also play alongside Messi again after the Barcelona star – who City still hope can be lured by new manager Pep Guardiola – was injured for the last international.

“It’s total relief to play with Messi,” said Agüero. “Leo is always important for us and it’s obvious we’re happy when he’s here because it’s really nice to play with him.”

Jamie Vardy gets pranked by Newcastle fans, Lionel Messi to end contract with FIFA franchise?

NEWCASTLE supporters attempt to lure Jamie Vardy to St James’ Park, as the FIFA franchise looks for a new cover star.

All of that and more in Paper Talk.

GIVE them the chance and just about every team in the Premier League would leap at the opportunity to sign Leicester’s goalscoring gun Jamie Vardy.

Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City have all been linked with the £30 million-rated Vardy, who has struck 15 goals from 20 games so far this season.

But it’s Newcastle supporters that are going to new and incredible lengths to sway the English striker to swap Leicester with the north-east.

Vardy’s fiancee, Becky, posted a photo on Twitter from the striker’s backyard that showed a Newcastle shirt which had been thrown over their fence.

Get the hint?

The prank was laughed off by the Vardy clan, with Becky saying: “To whoever put this over our wall ... Absolute banter!”

According to the Daily Mail, Vardy is expected to ignore widespread rival interest and recommit with Leicester by signing a deal worth almost £80,000 per week.

BARCELONA superstar Lionel Messi could end a four-year stint as the face of gaming franchise FIFA when his contract expires this year.

Messi, who has recently been short-listed for what would be his fifth Ballon d’Or award, has been on the cover of the iconic series since 2013.

However, French newspaper L’Equipe is reporting that FIFA is seriously considering whether to extend Messi’s contract beyond the current version of the game.

Both of Messi’s Ballon d’Or rivals, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, currently hold lucrative contracts with the Pro Evolution Soccer series.

Therefore, questions have been raised as to who could be on the cover of FIFA 17 were it to be released without Messi later this year.

Real Madrid midfielder James Rodrigues and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero have been instilled as the early favourites to replace Messi, should he not continue in his role.

MANCHESTER CITY manager Manuel Pellegrini has revealed he would accept being sacked in place of Pep Guardiola, but only if he wins the Premier League title this season.

The odds are shortening of Guardiola choosing City as his next destination, which would mean the end of Pellegrini’s successful three-year stint as the club’s manager.

But the 62-year-old has suggested he would be okay with departing the club on a good note and would prefer team success over a long-term contract offer.

“If I have the option to renew here for five more years or to win the title and be sacked, I’d prefer to win the title,” Pellegrini said.

“I don’t think my position in the future is linked to titles. For me, as a manager, it’s important to win the title because it’s my job.

“I think that if you’re the owner of a club, you must have the option to replace the manager if they win the title or if they don’t win the title.”

LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed he will try to sign a defender in the January transfer market in the wake of the club’s fresh injury crisis.

The Reds have 12 first-team players sidelined with injury, with all four of the club’s centre backs in doubt ahead of the team’s trip to Exeter in the FA Cup on Friday night.

Martin Skrtel (hamstring) and Mamadou Sakho (knee) were ruled out of Liverpool’s League Cup clash with Stoke during the week, while Dejan Lovren (hamstring) was withdrawn and Kolo Toure (hamstring) required medical attention.

Midfield duo Lucas and Emre Can finished the match in defence and could feature in the back four against League Two opposition over the weekend.

But Klopp is unlikely to want to use the pair at centre back ahead of crucial Premier League encounters with Arsenal and Manchester United next week.

“In this moment with no centre back fit, I would say it is a situation where we have to think about going into the transfer market,” Klopp said.

“Two weeks ago we had three centre backs, that’s a good situation. At the start of the season we had five, now we have none. I don’t know if any have a chance of being fit.”

Liverpool has been linked with Schalke defender Joel Matip, who is available as a free agent at the end of the season.

ITALY and Roma legend Francesco Totti is ready to retire from professional football, according to his wife Ilary Blasi.

The 39-year-old has not featured for Roma since a 5-1 victory over Carpi in September, playing only nine minutes before being substituted with a thigh injury.

He was reportedly set to return to the team for this week’s clash with Chievo, but his lay-off will now be extended due to a lack of match fitness.

Although it has been speculated that Totti would like to play into a 25th year at Roma, Blasi has revealed that he is unlikely to do so.

“The time has come,” she said.

“Francesco is going to be 40 next year. He has enjoyed all this so much that I really think that right now he is desiring something else. But he will remain involved in football for sure.”

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.”

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

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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.