Van Gaal: Signing a striker not a priority for Manchester United.

WIth Wayne Rooney leading the line against Tottenham and the likes of Javier Hernandez and James Wilson also available, the Dutchman is not looking for another new face.

Louis van Gaal insists buying a striker is not a priority for Manchester United this summer.

Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao have both departed Old Trafford since the end of last season, with Wayne Rooney - often deployed in midfield last term - leading the line against Tottenham on Saturday.

A lacklustre display, with United's only shot on target resulting in Kyle Walker's decisive own goal, prompted concerns over Rooney's sharpness but Van Gaal feels he has plenty of competition already available.

"No, that is not a special item for me - it is more in the media they are discussing about a striker," Van Gaal told reporters.

"The striker is Wayne Rooney and we also have [Javier] Hernandez, [Adnan] Januzaj and [James] Wilson. It is not a special objective for me.

"But when we can buy another striker who has a lot of qualities, more than our players, then we buy. But we have always done that.

"I said it before but they [the media] are not writing it. I have said it before, we have Rooney. You [the media] said he has to play in a striker’s position."

A number of summer signings made their debuts on Saturday, with Memphis Depay installed in an unfamiliar supporting role behind the striker and Van Gaal afterwards revealed he challenged the youngster to step up.

The United boss added: "It is a new position for him and he has to adapt because he is a goalscoring type.

"We have to wait and see if he can fulfil the demands of this position but [he’s playing there] because Ashley Young is playing very good on the left side," said the manager.

"Therefore those is the circumstances but they can change during the season. He can play in this position."

Pulis: Berahino will benefit from West Brom stay.

The 22-year-old is reportedly a target for Tottenham, with the Baggies moving to deny any offers had been made, and his manager wants to see him remain with the club for now.

Tony Pulis is confident reported Tottenham target Saido Berahino will stay at West Brom this summer.

Spurs are reportedly ready to test the Baggies' resolve with a bid, with Mauricio Pochettino keen to add the England Under-21 international to his ranks after 20 goals in all competitions last term.

The ongoing speculation led West Brom to issue a denial that any offers have been received, and Pulis feels Berahino would benefit from another year at the Hawthorns alongside new signing Rickie Lambert.

"At the moment, Saido is with us," he told reporters. "We are very pleased he is with us and we are hoping he will stay with us. He is a good player and we want him to stay at the football club.

"I believe another year playing regular football at West Brom will make him a better player. It will make him a stronger character and better player, that is my opinion.

"Saido got injured and missed the European tournament, that was a massive disappointment for the kid. But it has given him a break and a rest so hopefully he will come back nice and fresh.

"He has been fresh around the place and trained very well."

Pulis acknowledged that West Brom - who are rumoured to be closing in on a club-record deal for Zenit striker Salomon Rondon - are in need of more quality up front and feels Lambert's experience will be beneficial.

He added: "Last year, we relied a lot on Saido's goals. Rickie has a really good goalscoring record and we are hoping he will add to what Saido did last year.

"He will give us another threat. Rickie is a senior player and good character as well. I think Saido will learn a lot off him."

Mourinho: Chelsea don't miss Cech!.

The Blues will be forced to start Asmir Begovic after Thibaut Courtois was sent off against Swansea City, but the manager believes they will be fine without their former goalkeeper.

 

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insisted the Premier League champions do not miss former shot stopper Petr Cech as back-up goalkeeper Asmir Begovic prepares to make his full debut for the club.

Cech ended his 11-year association with Chelsea by joining London rivals Arsenal after being consigned to a bench role behind Thibaut Courtois at Stamford Bridge last season.

Begovic, who was recruited to fill the void left by Cech, is set to be thrust into action against Manchester City following Courtois' red card during Chelsea's 2-2 draw at home to Swansea City and Mourinho has complete faith in the Bosnian in the absence of Chelsea's regular number one.

"We don't miss Petr," Mourinho said. "We've got a good keeper, the problem with Petr is not that we miss him because we have two excellent keepers.

"The problem with Petr is that an opponent is better than before.

"Thibaut and Asmir are two fantastic keepers. My club did very well by getting a keeper on time and not on the August 31.

"If my club gives me a keeper on August 31, then we have a problem not just for today but also for the next match. Unless the people understand that it's not a red card and they clear the suspension."
 

KCB 1-6 Gor Mahia: K’Ogalo run riot to cement top spot.

It was K’Ogalo’s first victory on return to Kenyan soil after falling flat in their quest to end a long wait and clinch Cecafa Cup title in Tanzania last weekend.

 

Rwandese striker Meddie Kagere struck a brace as Gor Mahia demolished KCB 6-1 and remained on course to clinch a successive third Kenyan Premier League title on Sunday.
Michael Olunga broke the deadlock on the 16th minute to pave way for Meddie Kagere’s brace in the 36th and 71st minutes as Khalid Aucho also recorded his second goal of the season in the 75th minute.
Paul Kiongera had cancelled one in the 57th minute, two minutes before his teammate, Mark Odhiambo scored into his own net while trying to clear Kagere’s cross. K’Ogalo were undoubtedly a better side in both halves creating chances willingly but only converted five of those.
Innocent Wafula assisted two goals as did his country mate Godfrey Walusimbi, who found Olunga with a clinical pass that resulted into the opener. Despite scoring two and creating one, Kagere was pulled off in the 74th minute for Enoch Agwanda and it seems Frank Nuttall had a hidden agenda as the former Sofapaka man went on to get the sixth goal and his first for the Green Army jersey in the league.
From the win, Gor Mahia opens an eight point gap after Sony Sugar forced K’Ogalo’s closest challengers Ulinzi Stars to a 1-1 draw as Bandari held Chemelil Sugar to a goalless draw.

Chelsea sloppy, Arsenal shoddy but it's far too early to write them off.

CORRESPONDENT COLUMN: There are too many variables to make any bold predictions after the title favourites failed to impress on the opening weekend.

The Premier League returned with a bang this weekend and the performances of this season's title protagonists provided plenty of ammunition for those who claim that this is the most competitive division in the world.

Manchester United were sloppy and unconvincing as they scraped past Tottenham in the curtain-raiser, champions Chelsea were held at home by Swansea City and Arsenal fluffed their lines as they were beaten 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium by West Ham on Sunday.

Manchester City play West Brom on Monday night in the final match of the opening weekend, but it is almost impossible to draw any firm conclusions with teams so clearly in need of time to settle in to the nine month campaign.

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REALITY CECH  Arsenal choke in Premier League opener

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Arsenal, for example, came up against a West Ham side that have been playing competitive Europa League fixtures for the last month and looked so much sharper than their London rivals.

The earlier-than-usual start to the season seems to have interfered with some clubs' preparations. Players aren't ready to start matches, pre-season tours have been rushed through and signings are yet to settle.

In all likelihood, we won't be in a position to analyse the state of the anticipated top four - Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City - until the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

Manchester United have strengthened well over the summer but there is still a sense that they are caught in a whirlwind. That will only settle down once David de Gea's future has been settled and Louis van Gaal has signed the players he wants to complete the squad.



United expect to finalise a deal for Pedro this week but they still need a striker, a central defender and a goalkeeper if De Gea completes his move to Real Madrid.

Arsenal still hope to sign a top class striker in Karim Benzema in what would be a club record deal. The Real Madrid star would be a massive upgrade on Olivier Giroud and it is the kind of transfer that would make the Gunners title favourites.

Chelsea have the most settled squad after their runaway title triumph last season, but they are desperate to sign a centre-back as the Blues close in on a £30 million deal for John Stones. Jose Mourinho has often talked of the need for one or two quality signings every summer to keep the squad sharp and hungry.

Likewise, Manchester City are still throwing in £45m bids for players - Kevin De Bruyne in this case - after the season has started.







There are simply too many variables to make any judgement after just one game. Arsenal reverted to their suicidal defending of the first half of last season but have 37 games to correct it; Manchester United understandably lacked attacking rhythm as their host of new players settle at Old Trafford.

Mourinho was also right last week when he spoke of the impressive spending by the 'smaller' Premier League clubs, which have used the financial muscle of the league to improve over the summer.

"There will be more times when the non-title contenders win matches against the title contenders," Mourinho said.

"It's also difficult because they have players who could play in our teams - Cabaye could play for Chelsea, Wijnaldum could play for Chelsea, Gradel could play for Chelsea.

"You have a minimum of five title contenders and the other teams get stronger and stronger."

It will make for an exciting and unpredictable season - but it will be a few weeks yet before we can start to draw any firm conclusions.