He is already a Manchester United legend, and on Saturday he added to his history at the club as he was in charge of his first match as a manager. After a miserable season, David Moyes was sacked last week and Ryan Giggs took over as interim manager and started with great success as Norwich was sent home from Old Trafford with a 0-4 loss in the baggage. There was a glimpse of the old Manchester United in Saturdays match, and the fans will certainly hope that this can keep on in the remaining matches of the season.

It was one of the first 'finals' of the season for Liverpool; a win would add distance to Chelsea and Manchester City and almost secure the trophy. However, Mourinho's reserves surprised against Liverpool and grabbed a 2-0 victory at Anfield Road. The first goal came after a mistake from Steven Gerrard, and if that mistake means that Liverpool will not grab the gold this season, it will haunt him the rest of his life. The second goal came after another Liverpool mistake lead to Willian scoring to 2-0.

They might have taken a big step in the Premier League, but on Wednesday the luck was gone for Mourinho. In a match where both teams looked afraid to take the initiative, Fernando Torres punished his former club scoring to 1-0. However, it should be the only goal the Chelsea fans could celebrate during the match. Shortly before the break Adrian Lopez equalised to 1-1 which also was the result after 45 minutes. After an hour, Samuel Eto'o committed a penalty on Diego Costa, who executed to 1-2 to Atletico. 10 minutes later Arda Turan closed the match with his scoring to 1-3. Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are now meeting each other in the Champions League final. 

Yesterday it was 20 years since Formula One driver Ayrton Senna died after a chras at Imola. The racing-driver was a fan of Corinthians, his home-town club in São Paulo, and on Wednesday they paid an unusual tribute to the fan. The entire side was wearing replicas of Senna's distinctive yellow and green racing helmet as they lined up before the game against Nacional.

Tuesday 15th April - Swansea in-fight

It emerged, on Tuesday, that Swansea players once again have been in a fight during training. In January it was revealed that Chico Flores had picked up a brick during a row with Monk, back when monk was still active as a player. Just two weeks after Laudrup was sacked. Since then, Monk has taken over as an interim-manager, and now  the dressing room has been ripped apart by in-fighting between the players once again. According to the Daily Mail, Monk had organised a training game trying to get the Hull defeat out of the system. However, the plan was undermined by a training ground fight involving not less than six first-team players. To make the situation even worse for Monk, Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins witnessed the clash. 

Friday 21st March - Champions League draw

We can look forward to some killer games in this years Champions League Quarter-finals. Manchester United will get their hands full against Bayern Munich while Chelsea will meet PSG in a battle between two giants. Furthermore, Dortmund, once again, meets Real Madrid in a replay of last season. In the last match we can look forward to a Spanish battle between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. The Champions League is treating us well this year!

Tuesday 25th March - The Manchester Derby

Manchester City took the third win of three at Old Trafford with a 3-0 win in the Derby. Edin Dzeko brought his total goals for City to 40 when he scored in the first minute and again in the 56th before Touré finished the humiliation with a goal in the last minute. The Manchester City win was not even close to the result from the last match at Etihad, but the Sky Blues dominated the Red Devils throughout the match.

Wednesday 26th March - #Moyesout

The morning after Manchester United's derby defeat saw #Moyesout trending on Twitter for the second time. The manager came under fire already during the match where stewards were sent to guard the famous banner supporting David Moyes at Old Trafford. However, Wednesday morning hundreds of tweets from furios fans and comical memes were tweeted under the hashtag #moyesout. Whether Manchester United will listen to their fans only time can show.

Wednesday 26th March - Kasper Schmeichel scores! or did he?

Did Kasper Schmeichel scorer his first goal for Leicester or was it Chris Wood? We will let you decide:

Thursday 27th March - UEFA launches new European league

The Nations League is as the name implies a new international tournament with the European national teams playing against each other instead of the friendlies. The concept of the tournament hasn't been confirmed yet, but the leagues (four levels) will start in autumn 2018, and four Euro places will be in play. The 54 member associations will be divided into four groups after their world ranking, and the nations will play either four or six matches during autumn 2018. During 2019, the nations will play for promotion or relegation depending on their position in the league. The Nations League is thought to run along with the Euro- and World Cup-qualifications.

We are ready with the new Friday Five where we take a look back on five things we find worth remembering each week.

Manchester City battled last year's FA Cup final defeat after trailing by one at the break, winning 3-1 in the Capital One Cup. A well organised Sunderland side was brought in front by Fabio Borini, and Manchester City were deservedly trailing behind at the break. However, Pellegrini must have spoken with big words in the break as Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri put City in front with two goals less than a minute apart, before Jesus Navas ended the match with a goal in the 90th minute. Manchester City takes the first trophy of the season still being in play for the Premier League win. It is worth mentioning that none of the 14 Manchester City players in the final were English.

When it emerged Tuesday that Arsenal had, in fact, triggered Luis Suarez release clause with their January bid, an Arsenal fan started an optimistic petition for Liverpool to hand over the Uruguayan. Arsenal made a bid of £40,000,001 in the January window, but the offer was declined as Liverpool owner John W. Henry denied any release clause. However, on Tuesday he told that there, in fact, had been a release clause but that in today's football,  such things never work anyway. This made the optimistic Arsenal fan demand Liverpool hand over Suarez to the club, apologies to Arsenal and pay a £4,5m compensation. Sign up here!

A new Schmeichel entered the scene of international football when Kasper, son of Peter Schmeichel was the best man for Denmark against England on Wednesday. The 27-year old goalkeeper stole the show from the English national team, and kept them away from the goal until the last part of the match where he was without a chance when Sturridge headed the ball in the net. The Leicester-keeper has been praised for his performance in the British papers on Thursday and with his performance on Wednesday he is putting pressure on Stephan Andersen to become the first choice for the Danish national team. A transfer to the Premier League could help him on the way.

Neymar showed that he is more than a well paid footballer when a 7-year old South African boy ran into the pitch during the match between South Africa and Brazil.

Nike revealed their new knitted boots ahead of the summers World Cup. The boot is called Magista and will, according to Nike, be a game-changer. The knitted boot will fit around your foot like a glove, and is designed to bring your foot closer to the ball for enhanced control. In fact, Nike claims that "no other boot will get your foot this close to the ball". How many England players will be wearing this boot this summer?

Mesut Ozil came under fire when he missed the penalty against Bayern Munich on Wednesday. The German decided to apologies for his bad miss - perhaps these chaps should do the same.

5. We don't know where this penalty is taken, but it is really, really poor!

4. Even Wonderkids can have a bad day

The last couple of Friday's the Friday Five have listed 5 new players on different positions worth keeping an eye on during this Premier League season. Last week we took a look at the new midfielders; this Friday we are looking at the strikers.

5. Nicklas Helenius, 22, Aston Villa

Joined from Aalborg BK

Aston Villa went Danish this summer signing first Jores Okore and then the talented striker Nicklas Helenius. The Dane is a product of Aalborg's youth department and won his debut in 2010, 19 years-old. Since then, the Helenius finished second on the Danish top scorer list two seasons in a row and scored a total of 29 goals in 100 matches for Aalborg. Depsite being brought to Aston Villa as an developing player he has already gotten his debut in the Premier League. The Dane will hope for more chances, so he can make his way to the Danish national team where he currently is a reserve. You can read more about Helenius here.

4. Jozy Altidore, 23, Sunderland

Joined from AZ Alkmaar

The American-Haitan striker joined Sunderland from AZ Alkmaar this summer, and has been brought to Stadium of Light because of his ability to find the back of the net. The American striker has a past in Hull, Villareal, Bursaspor, New York Redbull and latest Alkmaar where he scored 51 goals in 93 matches. So far, Altidore has played 61 matches for the United States and contributed with 20 goals, why the expectations to his career in Sunderland are very high. The question is if he can make it in one of the best leagues in the world.

3. Ricky van Wolfswinkel, 24, Norwich City

Joined from Sporting Lisbon

Ricky van Wolfswinkel has always had an nose for goals! His career startet in Vitesse where the Dutch scored 8 goals before leaving for Utrecht where he found the back of the net 35 times in 80 matches. The amazing streak continued in Sporting where the striker added 45 goals to his account before joining Norwich this summer. So far, he has put the ball behind the keeper once, but we can expect much more from "the wolf". The Dutch striker seems to have a great future ahead of him on the national team, but it will be dependent on his career in Norwich. 

2. Wilfried Bony, 24, Swansea City

Joined from Vitesse

Laudrup managed to land one of the best signings last season when Michu joined Swansea. This summer he found a partner for his Spanish star; Wilfried Bony from Vitesse. The Ivorian striker made his breakthrough in European football with Sparta Prague before joining Vitesse after 33 goals in 79 matches in Prague. In Holland, Bony just kept scoring goals and that was what caught Laudrups eyes. The Ivorian scored not less than 58 goals in 77 matches for Vitesse, and have already started his scoring spree in Swansea. Laudrup might just have made another brilliant signing!

1. Stevan Jovetic, 23, Manchester City

Joined from Fiorentina

The Montenegrin striker was for a long time linked with a move to Arsenal and Chelsea, but it was Manchester City that became Jovetic's new club. Jovetic is half Montenegrin and half Serbian, and it was in Serbia he started playing football. The striker is a product of Partizan Belgrade's youth department and made his way to the first team squad before leaving for Fiorentina. In Italy, Jovetic has played the role as secondary striker as well as the front runner, and became a star un Fiorentina. The statistic speaks for itself; 134 matches, 40 goals and 24 assists.

The following Friday's the Friday Five will list 5 new players on different positions to keep an eye on during this Premier League season. Last week we took a look at the new midfielders; this Friday we are looking at the wingers.

Sunderland have gotten their hands on one of the greatest talents in Greek football, and one of the big hopes for the future. The 19-year-old Mavrias was a part of the Panathinaikos Reserve team known as the Golden Team and was promoted and given debut for Panathinaikos against Rubin Kazan in the Champions League on 16-year old. Now, Paulo Di Canio have gotten his eyes on the talent and brought him to Sunderland, where Mavrias pace and dribbling skills will be a pleasant add to the squad.

4. Marko Arnautovic, 24, Stoke City

Joined from Werder Bremen

Marko Arnautovic might only be 24-year-old, but he has already been to 4 different clubs in his senior career. The Austrian started his career in Wien, before joining Twente. After a great season for the Dutch side, he was send on loan to Inter in Italy, but only managed to play 3 matches due to injuries. Finally, Werder Bremen bought him in 2010, and the Austrian managed to get 72 matches and score 14 goals before leaving for Stoke. The Potters have gotten themselves a real bad boy, and it will be interesting to see if Mark Hughes can get the best out of him. During his time in Twente, Arnautovic was accused of racial abuse while in Inter José Mourinho told the press that the striker had a 'mind of a child'.

3. Aleksandar Tonev, 23, Aston Villa

Joined from Lech Poznan

Aston Villa have brought in some young talents this summer, and one of them is the Bulgarian winger Aleksandar Tonev. The 23-year-old Bulgarian international is a product of CSKA Sofia's youth system, and got 24 matches before leaving for Lech Poznan in the Polish League. Tonev have so far represented the Bulgarian national team in 11 matches and scored 4 goals. In Aston Villa, he will probably not be a regular starter but will get his chances to impress the fans.

2. Érik Lamela, 21, Tottenham Hotspur

Joined from AS Roma

Tottenham has spent some of the money from the Gareth Bale transfer, on the 21-year-old Argentinian talent Érik Lamela. The winger is a product of River Plate and played 36 matches for the Argentinian giants before signing with Roma. The move to Roma opened doors for the Argentinian U-20 and later the A squad. Rumours says that Barcelona offered Lamela's family $100.000 and a house and employment when Érik was only 7-years old. However, the family declined, and today the winger is to be found in Tottenham. Here, he can be the replacement for Gareth Bale.

1. Jésus Navas, 27, Manchester City

Joined from Sevilla FC

Manchester City spent £17.6m for Sevilla's Jésus Navas and got a player with quick dribbling abilities and an ability to run at opposing defenders. The Spanish has played for Sevilla since 2000 but have several times been linked with a move to the Premier League. After 284 matches and 23 goals in the Sevilla shirt, Manchester City became his next employee. In Manchester City, Navas will go directly into the starting 11 and can become one of the best players in the league this season.

Despite refusing to join Southampton just to help Celtic, the Kenyan midfielder is not turning out for The Saints. The 22-year-old was one of the profiles in last years Celtic squad, and was rumoured to several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Liverpool before signing with Southampton. The Kenyan made his way to Europe through Swedish youth football and a couple of years in the Belgian club Beerschot AC. At the South coast,  Wanyama have already made his way to the starting lineup and will throughout the season only develop further, to perhaps, become one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.

4. Marco van Ginkel, 20, Chelsea FC

Joined from Vitesse

The Dutch talent is a product of Vitesse Arnhem's youth department, and had his debut in the Eresdivisie when he was only 17 years old. Van Ginkel was the first signing from José Mourinho and is without a doubt brought in as a developing player. The Dutch has so far played 2 international matches for the Netherlands and is considered as one of the next big hopes for the future. In Chelsea,  he has so far played 13 minutes, and will probably be used most as a substitute this season. However, as the talent is capable of playing both the attacking midfield and the central midfield, he might be given the chance against some of the mid-table Premier League clubs and in the cups.

3. Leroy Fer, 23, Norwich City

Joined from Twente

Another Dutchman has joined the Premier League this summer; Leroy Fer is the new playmaker in Norwich. However, the Dutch could have played for Everton this winter if it was not for the fact that he failed the medical test. Fer is from the Feyenoord youth department and played 104 matches for the Eresdivise club before joining Twente in 2011. Now he is ready for Norwich, where he already have shown that he is a midfielder who knows where the goal is scoring his first goal in a League Cup match against Bury FC. During his time in the Netherlands he scored 14 goals for Feyenoord and 12 for Twente. However, the attacking midfielder can also be used on the central and defensive midfield.

2. Fernandinho, 28, Manchester City

Joined from Shakhtar Donetsk

Manchester City has spent the summer bringing in some new faces, and one of them is the Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho. The 28-year old playmaker was an important part of Shakhtar's success last season, and the Ukrainians was not ready to let him go for peanuts. £28m was what Manchester City had to give to get the Brazilian international to England. However, for the £28m they get a player that scored 52 goals and made 51 assists in 281 matches for Shakhtar, so there is no doubt City has brought in a great midfielder. Hopefully, he can add to his impressing statistic in Manchester City.

1. Paulinho, 25, Tottenham Hotspur

Joined from Corinthians 

José Paulo Bezerra Maciel Júnior, also known as Paulinho, was on Tottenhams short list the entire last season. This summer they finally got the Brazilian, who was one of the best players at the summers Confederations Cup where he played 4 matches and scored 2 goals. During his first matches in Tottenham, he has already shown why Andrés Villa-Boas was so keen to sign midfielder as he has shown to be an enforcement of the attacking midfield. I have very high expectations to this Brazilian star, who can become one of the best players in the Premier League this season. 

The following Friday's the Friday Five will list 5 new players on different positions to keep an eye on during this Premier League season. Last week we took a look at the new goalkeepers; this Friday we are looking at the defenders.

The Uruguayan international brings some experience to the West Bromwich defends. The 32-year-old centre back started his career in Nacional Montevideo in 1999, before joining São Paolo in Brazil, in 2003. Since then he has been playing in Fenerbache, Malaga and latest Paris. The defender can put a FIFA club-WM title and a Copa América title on his CV, as well as 86 national matches and 6 goals. He will be a secure starter in the West Brom lineup, and it will be exciting to see if he can win matches for his new club. 

4. Marc Muniesa, 21, Stoke City

Joined from Barcelona B

Stoke City have signed an interesting player on a free transfer during the summer window. His name is Marc Muniesa, he is 21-years-old and from the Barcelona academy. The defender got his debut for Barcelona in La Liga in 2009, only 17-years old but never managed to become a regular part of the team why he was degraded to the Barcelona B playing in Segunda Divisíon. However, after a couple of years playing for the Barca reserves Muniesa has taken a step towards more match experience in the Premier League with Stoke City. The young defender might not get many chances from start this season, but he is a developing player and will push on to get his debut.

3. Jordi Amat, 21, Swansea City

Joined from RCD Espanyol

Michael Laudrup has brought yet another Spaniard to Wales, and this one can be a real golden bird. Despite his young age, Amat has played 68 matches in La Liga and won the U20 World Championship with Spain. The young defender is a product of Espanyol's youth department, and beside a short loan spell in Rayo Vallecano, he has only presented the club from Barcelona. Now, with his £2.5m transfer to Swansea, the defender will have to adapt to the English way of playing football, but he should have no problems doing so.

2. Jores Okore, 21, Aston Villa

Joined from FC Nordsjælland

The Danish centre-back turned down an offer from Chelsea in the winter window but have now signed with Aston Villa. During his time in FC Nordsjælland, the Danish-Ivorian became Danish Champion and played in the Champions League as well as making his way to the Danish national team. Jores Okore is one of the big hopes for Danish football, and with his transfer to English football he has taken a huge step in his development. The centre-back is a strong and quick player who is not afraid of taking a challenge. Furthermore, the Dane is known for scoring a couple of goal during a season.

1. Fernando Amorebieta, 28, Fulham

Joined from Athletic Club

Fulham has really got themselves a routine and competent partner to Brede Hangeland in the central defends. The Venezuelan born Spaniard has played 195 matches for Athletic Club before signing with Fulham on a free transfer. Amorebieta was for a long time linked with a move to Arsenal, but in the end Fulham was the new club, and it can turn out to be a great match. Brede Hangeland is a sure starter for Fulham while the man next to him has been changed a couple of times. If Amorebieta can keep himself out of injuries, he and Hangeland can make a defends that will be more than tough to break down.

2. Zola, as we know him!

This week has been hard for Nicklas Bendtner. Since his drunk driving incident,  last weekend, he has been through the news mill. However, it is not the first time for the Dane.

May 2009: Nicklas Bendtner is so drunk that he needs help to keep his pants on, leaving the night club Boujis in London. Bendtner, who at the time is 21 years old, is fined by Arsene Wenger.

September 2009: On his way home from a training session, the Dane crashes his Aston Martin with around a 100 mph. Unlike many other incidents, Bendtner is not drunk.

November 2011: After a night full of alcohol, Bendtner allegedly attacks a hotel guest during a Danish national team gathering in Helsingør. How violent the attack actually was  never reached the surface, and the case was closed.

December 2011: Instead of following his new team mates in Sunderland, Bendtner is healing his thigh injury on a dance floor in Copenhagen. On his way home, he demands to get free pizza's as his credit card is not working.

December 2011: English Police arrests Bendtner and his team mate Lee Cattermole for vandalism. While being drunk, the two Sunderland players has vandalised a couple of cars outside Newcastle's home ground St. James' Park. 

Once upon a time there was a Great Dane guarding a goal in England - his name was Peter Schmeichel; the Great Dane. Today, a new Schmeichel is on his way to a great breakthrough. Great Dane Football Blog celebrates with 5 great Schmeichel moments!

Peter was also dangerous in the opponent's box...

Alot of players are rumoured to the English Premier League, every time the transfer window opens. Great Dane Football Blog, here gives you a view on the five player I find most likely to immigrate to England.

The 16-year-old Dinamo Zagreb teenager nicknamed "The Balkan Messi" is on the shortlist in many European top clubs. The young man held the record of being the youngest player to play in Champions League, the youngest player to have his debut in the Croatian league and the youngest goalscorer. It might be to early for him to join an English club, but if the bid is good enough, Zagreb will accept.

Market value according to transfermarkt.co.uk: £275.000

Most likely price: £8-9m

Interested clubs: Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea Arsenal

Fernando Llorente has been linked with English clubs for a while now, and the Athletic striker has earlier revealed that he is keen on moving to England. Even though, the striker's contract ends this summer Bilbao has rejected to let him leave. However, football is a business, and January is the only chance for Bilbao get money of the player.

Market value according to transfermarkt.co.uk: £26.5m

Most likely price: £10m

Interested clubs: Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea

Despite his young age, Belhanda has been a leading player for Montpellier the last two seasons. The 22-year old is one of the most talented playmakers in France and managers all over the world is keeping an eye on the Morrocan. Latest reports suggest that Montpellier is ready to let the player go for the right price, why a change to Tottenham, Arsenal or Liverpool, could be near.

 

Market value according to transfermarkt.co.uk: £12.5m

Most likely price: £15m

Interested clubs: Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool

This Norwegian tower of a defender has been linked with English clubs for a while. The player has developed under the former Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjær and has established himself as Brede Hangeland's partner in the Norwegian defends. Some compare Forren with Liverpool star Daniel Agger and the 24-year old can be heading for a great career in England.

 

 

Market value according to transfermarkt.co.uk: £2.2m

Most likely price: £3m

Interested clubs: Everton, Manchester United

Gary Hooper was not found good enough for Tottenham and had a few spells in lower divisions before joining Celtic in 2010. Here, the 23-year old has become a profile and was, in fact, one of the most scoring English players last season. Rumours have sent Hooper back to England for more than a year now, but playing Champions League in Celtic might be more attractive.

Market value according to transfermarkt.co.uk: £4.4m

Most likely price: £8m

Interested clubs: Southampton, Sunderland, Queens Park Rangers, West Ham United

The summer transfer window has hardly closed before we can look forward to the next. Many players are surrounded by rumours sending them to or away from the Premier League in January - Great Dane Football Blog list the most likely to join or leave EPL.

Not any transfer window goes by without linking Yann M'Vila to either Arsenal, Chelsea or Tottenham. The french midfielder from Rennes is eager to leave France and join the Premier League. At the moment, Arsenal seems to be the best club for him as they have sold Alex Song. M'Vila can be the replacement on the defensive midfield.

Ashley Cole is one of the elder player in Chelsea and is probably on his way out of the team. According to The Mirror, Abramovich has said that no player over 30 will be offered more than a one year contract. Ashley Cole's contract expires next season, leaving the January window as the only option for Chelsea to make money on him. It is well known that Cole is a fan of money, which makes PSG an opportunity as the next employee. Furthermore, PSG-manager Carlo Ancelotti has opened the door for the defender saying his is one of the best on his position.

Like M'Vila Falcoa is also linked with a transfer to England, in every transfer window the last couple of years. The Columbian has been rumoured close to Chelsea more times than I can count. However, often there has been nothing in the story. The current economic crisis in Spanish football can send Falcao to Chelsea given Atletico Madrid a much needed £45m. 

2. Nani to Juventus

Several media reports that Nani should be unhappy with his wage at Old Trafford. Juventus is keeping an eye on the Portuguese and looks as the club most likely to buy him. However, Nani has two years left of his contract and might be too expensive for the Italians.

1. Robert Lewandowski to Manchester United

Manchester United has been out for Robert Lewandowski for the last year and especially after his last season in Dortmund. The Polish striker has rejected to sign a new contract at Dortmund, and the club might want to sell him in January in order to make money on him. United seems as the club most likely to become Lewandowski's next employee having brought his former teammate Shinji Kagawa in earlier this year.