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Weekly News 8 8 11
Weekly Soccer News, August 8, 2011
United rule at Wembley
Manchester City threw away a two-goal half-time lead as Manchester United staged a remarkable fight back to retain the Community Shield, the English season's traditional curtain-raiser.
Despite fielding a host of youngsters in the second-half, including impressive England under-21 internationals Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck, Sir Alex Ferguson's side scored three times thanks to Smalling and a brace from Nani.
Jolean Lescott and Edin Dzeko had capitalised on some uncertainty by United debutant David de Gea before half time.
"For us it just confirms what I thought about the squad," Ferguson said afterwards. "People were saying it's not the best United squad but you have to remember a lot of young players will improve.
"I always wanted to expose Jones, Cleverley and (Jonny) Evans to that big-match environment. It was a big challenge for them and they did well."
Gotze better than Messi: Beckenbauer
Former West German captain and coach Franz Beckenbauer has claimed that Germany's rising star Mario Gotze is the best footballer on the planet after watching his virtuoso performance help champions Borussia Dortmund to a 3-1 opening round win over Hamburg.
Beckenbauer even claimed that the 19-year-old is as talented as world player-of-the-year Lionel Messi.
"It is not possible to stop Mario Gotze," he raved in his weekly column in Bild. "There is no one playing better than him. He runs through opponents as though they aren't there. He has the same assets as Lionel Messi in terms of his technique and understanding of the game. He is an instinctive footballer - just like Messi."
Gotze is part of the German squad that faces Brazil on Wednesday.
Sneijder reopens move to Manchester
Dutchman Wesley Sneijder has reopened the door to a move to English champions Manchester United after claiming that Inter Milan "need the money" and would sell for the right amount.
Speculation has been rife that Sir Alex Ferguson refused to budge on United's salary proposals for the former Ajax and Real Madrid midfielder after a fee of £35 million was reportedly agreed between the two sides.
However, Sneijder appears to be softening on a move to England - with Manchester City also rumoured to be interested in him if they cannot come to an agreement with Arsenal about the transfer of Frenchman Samir Nasri.
"All I know is that Inter need money and apparently I'm for sale for the right amount," Sneijder told Voetbal International magazine.
"But I've not spoken with City or United so I cannot say anything about my future."
Toshack aiming to topple Wales
Former Wales manager John Toshack has been handed the unlikely challenge of plotting his former team's downfall after being named as the new manager of Macedonia.
With the Macedonians pooled in Group A with Wales - as well as Croatia, Serbia, Belgium and Scotland - for the World Cup 2014 qualifiers, the Welshman will now be tasked with toppling his homeland and former employers.
Toshack resigned after five years in charge of Wales last September following a 1-0 Euro 2012 qualifying defeat to Montenegro
He told the Football Federation of Macedonia (FFM) website: "I am so honoured that the FFM chose me as coach of the Macedonia national team.
"I hope that together we can achieve success at the international level."
Compiled by Marc Fox
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