Man City FFP: ‘Damaging update’ emerges as claim by Man Utd’s Sir Jim Ratcliffe is rejected

Manchester City will be looking to set a new club record for games unbeaten in all competitions when they welcome rivals Manchester United to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Pep Guardiola s men have gone 28 matches since last tasting defeat and have won the last 21 of those, including 15 wins from their last 15 in the Premier League.

The Manchester derby undoubtedly headlines this weekend s fixtures in the English top flight, but there are plenty of other intriguing games at both ends of the division.

Players from six different clubs feature among our Opta-fuelled fantasy picks for what could be a defining few days.

Man City haven’t trailed for a single minute in any of their last 19 matches

They equal Arsenal’s record set between December 1998…

Roma goalkeeper Bogdan Lobont has announced his retirement from football, five years on from his last appearance in Serie A.

The 40-year-old confirmed his intentions through an open letter published by the club s website, in which he vowed the best has yet to come as he prepares for a new adventure .

Lobont joined Roma from Dinamo Bucharest in 2009 but has not featured in a competitive match since the 2012-13 season.

He managed five league appearances in that campaign, with his final outing coming in the Coppa Italia final defeat to bitter rivals Lazio.

The former Ajax and Fiorentina keeper won the last two of his 85 Romania caps later that year but has played in just four friendlies at club level since, with Alisson and Lukasz Skorupski the preferred opt…

Gerard Pique has confirmed his international retirement after winning 102 caps for Spain.

The Barcelona defender made the announcement ahead of Sunday s Supercopa de Espana clash with Sevilla, revealing he had informed new national team boss Luis Enrique of his decision during a conversation between the pair.

I spoke with Luis Enrique and told him that my decision has been made,  Pique told the media.

I had a really nice time with the Spain team, and I m very happy to have been part of the success.

It had been speculated that the appointment of Luis Enrique, Pique s former Barca boss, may change his mind but that has proven not to be the case.

The former Manchester United defender added: I talked to him two weeks ago but I told him that the…

Barcelona midfielder Pedri conceded Lionel Messi s saved penalty was a big blow in their Champions League last-16 exit, but blamed wasting numerous chances.

The Catalans prematurely exited the Champions League 5-2 on aggregate to Paris Saint-Germain after a second-leg 1-1 draw in the French capital.

Pedri admitted Barca s 4-1 first-leg defeat left them with plenty to do in Paris but argued they had the better chances.

Messi cancelled out Kylian Mbappe s penalty opener before the Argentinian had a spot-kick saved by Keylor Navas on the stroke of half-time which could have given Barca the momentum to kick on in the second half.

Messi s miss was his first failed penalty attempt in the Champions League since February 2015, having scored his previous eight spo…

Mason Mount is relishing pitting his creative wits against the great Luka Modric when England take on Croatia in their Euro 2020 opener on Sunday.

Real Madrid playmaker Modric was influential as Croatia came from behind to beat Gareth Southgate s side 2-1 after extra time in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup.

A generation of exciting young talent will try to help England right that wrong at an expectant Wembley, with Chelsea star Mount one of the leading lights.

No Englishman created more goalscoring opportunities than the 22-year-old s 87 in the Premier League in 2020-21. Mount ended the top-flight campaign with six goals and five assists before laying on Kai Havertz s winner in the Champions League final against Manchester City.

Chelsea secured thei…

Montenegro have sacked their Serbian head coach Ljubisa Tumbakovic after he refused to take charge of their Euro 2020 qualifier against Kosovo on Friday.

Tumbakovic reportedly came under pressure from fan groups in his home nation, which does not recognise Kosovo s independence, attained in 2008.

The meeting in Podgorica finished 1-1, while Montenegro s Serbian-born duo of Mirko Ivanic and Filip Stojkovic were also absent.

A statement from the Football Association of Montenegro (FSCG) read: The executive board held an extraordinary session due to events surrounding the national team before the third qualifying round for Euro 2020 against Kosovo.

The members of the board made a unanimous decision to replace Ljubisa Tumbakovic for deciding not to lead the …

Saul Niguez is very flattered by rumours linking him with Manchester United but says Atletico Madrid do not need to worry about speculation over his future.

The Spain international was touted as a target for United before the Premier League giants moved for Ajax s Donny van de Beek last week.

United great Rio Ferdinand urged Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to sign Saul earlier this year, describing the midfielder as the conductor in the Atletico side.

And Saul, who signed a nine-year contract extension with Atleti in 2017, is grateful to have been subjected to such praise from iconic defender Ferdinand.

I am very flattered that a club like Manchester United, or other teams that ask about me, take me into consideration, he told Marca.

For me it is very posi…

Asked about Messi, Fabregas told Cadena COPE: I speak with Messi and his idea has always been to end his career at Barcelona.

Many things can happen at a club but I am fully confident that his career will end at Barca.

Fabregas came through Barca s youth system, leaving at 16 to join Premier League giants Arsenal in 2003.

The Spaniard established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world before returning to Barca in 2011.

Despite his strong links to Barca, Fabregas has not ruled out coaching Madrid in the future.

The 32-year-old added: You can never say never, I know this very clearly. As a player, maybe, but as a coach it is different because you can manage 30 teams in your career.

As a player the contracts are longer but as…

Manchester United have been linked with a move for West Ham United s Declan Rice next summer, but isn t too sure that would be a wise move by his former club.

The 20-year-old, who mostly plays as a defensive midfielder while being capable of performing well as a centre-back, has impressed playing for the Hammers in the Premier League and has consequently attracted interest. As a young English talent (having chosen to represent England over Ireland at international level), Rice perfectly fits the bill for the type of players United are looking for, similar to Aaron Wan-Bissaka or Harry Maguire.

However, the former defender, now working as a pundit for Sky Sports after a short, unsuccessful spell as Valencia manager, isn t sure the youngster is worth the money believed t…

Lionel Messi remains the best footballer in the world and makes Barcelona a better team when he is in the side, says head coach Ronald Koeman.

The Argentina international was named among the substitutes for a LaLiga game for the first time since September 2019 in Saturday s 5-2 win over Real Betis at Camp Nou.

He had failed to score or assist from open play in six league matches this term before last weekend s contest, but Koeman denied he was dropped and put his absence from the side down to a knock.

Messi ended his open-play drought by powering home as a half-time substitute against Betis, having earlier scored his fifth penalty of the campaign in all competitions.

Koeman has reaffirmed he has full faith in the forward, who failed in an attempt to move …