Manchester Derby Review

The much awaited Manchester derby was played at Etihad stadium and Manchester City proved victorious over Manchester United.

Two goals from Sergio Aguero alongwith one each from Samir Nasri and Yaya Toure helped the Citizens seal an emphatic 4-1 win over the Red Devils.

United's journey to their city rivals couldn't get any worse, the latter outplaying the former in every department. A terrific late strike from in form Wayne Rooney proved to be a small consolation for the visitors but they couldn't stop City from taking all the three points from the game.

City were too strong for United technically, tactically and physically and blew them away with four goals in the first 50 minutes to put the game beyond reach. The absence of Robin van Persie from the visitors' squad made headlines, with the Dutchman omitted with a groin strain.

The only bright point for United after a dreadful derby was the performance of goalscorer Wayne Rooney. But they face a tough challenge to retain their Premier League title this season considering their early run of fixtures.

A lot was speculated over City being slight favorites to win the game and they proved the speculations right. They have now won four of their last six games against United and lost just two. Manuel Pellegrini's men must be quite happy with yesterday's result.

Shay Given close to completing Liverpool switch

Liverpool are closing in on signing their second goalkeeper of the summer as a deal for Aston Villa’s Shay Given nears completion.

The Irish stopper has been overtaken as the Villans’ no.1 by Brad Guzan over the past year and is now set to act as back-up for Simon Mignolet, who moved to Anfield earlier this summer.

The former Newcastle goalkeeper still has three years remaining on his Aston Villa contact and remains one of the highest earners in Paul Lambert’s young side, meaning Villans owner Randy Lerner would be keen to let Given depart.

He has also been linked with a host of loan moves this summer, with the likes of Doncaster Rovers – who have since signed Ross Turnbull – interested in his signature.

Real Madrid sign Asier Illarramendi from Real Sociedad for £34m

Real Madrid have signed Real Sociedad midfielder Asier Illarramendi after agreeing to meet his buyout clause of around 39m euros (£34m).

The Spain Under-21 international, 23, has signed a six-year deal at the Bernabeu, subject to passing a medical.

"I came to the conclusion that it was an offer I couldn't refuse. It's a unique opportunity," Illarramendi said.

"It hasn't been an easy decision; it has been very difficult for me because Real Sociedad have given me so much."

Illarramendi came through the youth ranks at Sociedad, and helped the club finish fourth in La Liga last season to secure a place in the Champions League.

He then played every game as Spain Under-21s won the European Under-21 Championship in Israel earlier this summer.

Illarramendi is Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti's fourth signing of the summer after Isco joined from Malaga for £23m, Dani Carvajal moved from Bayer Leverkusen and Casemiro's loan deal from Sao Paulo was made permanent.

Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay was reluctant to sell Illarramendi.

He said: "We have a very important year ahead of us with a young coach (Jagoba Arrasate) and we wanted all our players to stay.

"We told Real Madrid that we wouldn't negotiate, and we said the same thing to Asier and his agents. We fought very hard for him to stay and it's been a difficult few days because we really wanted him to stay."

Luis Suarez for Chelsea move?

Chelsea ‘prepare bid’ for Luis Suarez

How Suarez would look if he decided to sign.

Liverpool have told Luis Suarez he has until the end of July to sort out his future or forget about a transfer away from Anfield this summer.

The bold ultimatum was put to Suarez as he flew out to South America this week to begin a three-week holiday, after competing in the Confederations Cup with Uruguay.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has already been informed the striker still intends to seek a move away, having announced his desire to leave Liverpool at a press conference last month.

But Rodgers is not willing to let the saga dominate the rest of the transfer window, and has reportedly made it clear to Suarez that he has until the end of July to sign for a new club or he will be forced to stay put until at least January.

Suarez’s preferred move is believed to be to La Liga giants Real Madrid but they are yet to firm up their interest with a bid, and Chelsea has now emerged as a new option.

According to Spanish publication Marca, Blues boss Jose Mourinho is considering Suarez after failing to land Edison Cavani, who is edging closer to a transfer to PSG.

Chelsea would be able to offer the 26-year-old lucrative terms to move to Stamford Bridge, but it is not clear whether Liverpool would sell the player to a Premier League rival.

Bayern Munich have previously been linked with Suarez, while betting was suspended on him joining Arsenal this week following a shock flurry of activity.

However, there are yet to be any formal offers on the table for Suarez. Where do you think he'll be heading to this summer, if, at all?

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Bayern are crowned Champions of Europe...

It was the last thing Jupp Heynckes said but it was a warning of intent.

The German may be handing over the reins of power to Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich yet as far as Heynckes is concerned, he views himself as the architect.

Heynckes knows that no side has retained the Champions League since UEFA restructured the European Cup more than 20 years ago.

No team, though, has taken on the world’s most in-demand coach the summer after conquering the continent with a brand of power football that was all-consuming and captivating.

It, you suspect, they are more than likely to get even better. The Barcelona era was impressive. The Bayern era, though, may surpass it. We will see in Lisbon next May!

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